Page 120 of One Little Lie
“Jesus.”
As he rubs his hands together like a kid on Christmas morning, I really start to question his sanity.
“We’ve got some planning to do, huh?” His grin matches Colton’s, and I know I’m in trouble. “Let’s start with figuring out what the hell you did to fuck this up. Then we’ll make a plan to get the girl.”
Chapter 41
Halton
“Are you sure you can handle this?”
“It’s a little fucking late for that question, isn’t it?” I bark.
Easton backs up with his hands raised in the air.
The truth is, I don’t know if I can handle this, but I’m going to try.
“Did you take the medicine the doctor gave you?” Lexi asks, her tone lacking any of her usual sarcasm.
I must look like I’m going to pass out.
“Yeah, I took the pill about twenty minutes ago.”
I finally broke down and called Lexi’s therapist last week. Luckily, she does e-visits, so I’m able to meet with her online once a week. Somehow, that makes talking about shit easier.
“That’s good, Halt. It will help, but this is still like some form of psycho emersion therapy. Are you sure this is what you want to do?”
“I need something big, Lex. I need to prove to her I can handle her world. That I want to try, anyway.”
Lexi stares at me in confusion, then shakes her head. “Did she ask you to accept this world? Did you ever ask if this,” she says, gesturing around the backstage setup of Nova’s fashion show, “is what she wants?”
Now it’s my turn to stare at her, dumbfounded.
Shaking her head, she laughs, and I know it’s at my expense.
“When will the all-powerful Westbrooks learn? Talk, Halton. Having a conversation can save you a hell of a lot of heartache, and yet you all seem hell-bent on making things harder for yourselves.”
“Could you maybe, I don’t know, lecture me another time, Lexi? I’m doing my best not to pass out here.”
Not overly demonstrative, I’m shocked when she drags me in for a giant hug.
“I’m proud of you, Halt. It takes a lot of courage to face your fears like this, and it takes a lot of strength to seek help for things you can’t control.”
Emotion clogs my throat, then Lexi punches me in the shoulder. Hard.
“Next time, don’t listen to your idiot brothers, though, okay? You have a family full of sisters now. Dexter should hang up his cape. Not everyone needs a grand gesture. Sometimes, a few words and a hug are all it takes.”
“Thanks, Lexi. I’ll keep that in mind. I’m sure I’m going to fuck this up a few more times before I make Rylan mine for good.”
She smiles then. Part evil genius, part loving sister-in-law.
“I’m sure you will, Halt. But what matters is that you keep trying.”
“Move outta my way. Let me see my Fibby before he blacks out up on that stage.”
Turning, I find GG pushing her way through models and tsk-ing at some of their outfits.
“What the hell is she doing here?” I hiss.
