Page 65 of Fraud
“Kate,” I said, saddened.
“The worst part is, it wasn’t the first time.” She made an attempt at a laugh. “While I was going around, telling the entire student body what an amazing boyfriend I had, he was busy banging half of them. After that, it was just better to avoid trusting anyone to begin with than to risk the hurt involved with dating.”
The pain and vulnerability in her eyes.
How could I take advantage of that?
The answer?
I couldn’t.
I wasn’t the man for her.
I wasn’t the man for anyone.
Several hours had passed since those few fleeting moments when I almost fell off the edge of the world, straight into the depths of hell.
I’d listened to Kate speak and stroked her hair while she poured out her soul to me until, eventually, she fell asleep in my arms. I didn’t know how long I’d been lying there, watching her chest rise and fall with her breaths, wondering what strength it must have taken to overcome everything she’d gone through at such a young age.
But I already knew the answer.
More than I possessed.
Because I’d faced the death of a parent, and rather than rising to the challenge and overcoming my loss, I’d floundered. I blamed my parents and their unyielding love for so many things, but really, it was me and my grief that wouldn’t allow me to move on.
I couldn’t even walk into that nursing home and face the man my father had become.
It was long after midnight now, the soft glow of the moon casting beams of light across the worn carpet, as I moved about, trying not to make a sound.
I’d left Kate to dream while I paced around the small space, trying to figure out my next move.
What a royal mess I’d made of things. I had two options at this point. I could leave, knowing the harm it would do when yet another man in her life had betrayed her.
Or I could tell her the truth.
The brutal, honest, truth.
I let out a heavy sigh.
“Oh my gosh, I fell asleep,” Kate said suddenly.
I turned to see her sitting up in bed, the blanket I’d used to cover her pulled up to her neck, as she sluggishly looked around.
“I’m so sorry. This is so embarrassing. I showed up here, prepared to seduce you, and instead, I turned into a comatose zombie, snoozing on your bed for half of the night.”
I smiled to myself, loving her quirky personality.
“You’re actually quite lovely when you sleep,” I said, taking a seat in the oversize chair next to the bed.
“Well, now, you’re just lying.” She laughed.
“Am not. Scout’s honor,” I replied, making the Scout sign with my right hand.
“That only counts if you were actually a Boy Scout.”
“Eagle Scout actually,” I corrected her. “And a pretty damn good one. I can start a fire, perform CPR, and recite the Scout Oath on command to this day.”
“Impressive.” She smiled.
