Page 47 of Family Bonds: Alana & Brennan
“Yes. It’s been gone for months, but here on the island, no one has caught my eye. Until recently.”
He laughed when she turned to look at him. Stare at him until he turned to see she was letting him know it was him.
“How did you get rid of the anger? Do you mind sharing? I know a little about it, and for me it was time I needed to help diminish it.”
She wanted to know about Becca’s mother and maybe this would lead into that.
“Time played a big part in it,” she said. “I had to hold my father and brother back. Kirk had words with Jonathan, I found that out recently, but my ex wouldn’t have cared. He was more concerned with losing his job after he cheated on me.”
“You said neither of you worked where your father was located though? It was a Bond business but not in the corporate headquarters.”
“Do you think that would have made a difference? It wasn’t just my father I had to worry about but Mitchell. We are close to them. I grew up with Eli, Egan and Ethan. Somewhat. Not super close like other cousins, but close enough they knew the situation. Ethan works with his father. I had to assure no one did anything to Jonathan.”
“Why?” he asked. “Unless you still loved him.”
“God, no. I know people don’t believe it, but love can be flipped off. I did it. I believe some things inflict such hurt and damage that they instantly destroy any positive feelings you had for someone.”
“One hundred percent agree,” he said.
She’d store that away for a bit. “For me, I didn’t want to be talked about or pitied any more than I was. If my father oranyone else sought vengeance out on Jonathan for what he’d done, they’d think it came from my directive.”
“From what I know about you, I highly doubt anyone would ever think that.”
“You’re probably right. Lots of people thought my family should have done something, but it’s not how I operate. We are big, protective, and loyal, but not dirty with it.”
“I can see you wanting to just be done with it.”
“That was it exactly. I wanted to move on, but I got sick of everyone talking about it. Whether or not they supported me.”
“What about before Jonathan?” he asked. “Any issues there?”
“What do you mean?”
“Just trying to get a feel for your dating history. Sometimes it’s a trend; other times it’s only once, but once is enough of a burn to scar for life.”
Her head went back and forth. “He was the only cheating ex I had. I guess you can say I was slow to warm up to people. I don’t think I’m a quiet or shy person, but slow to move or put myself out there. Or I used to be. Men wanted to be friends with me more than anything. Or they’d date my friends and I’d be the third party everyone was trying to set me up with.”
That might have been the worst thing of all to her.
People were always suggesting the perfect guy for her, as if she were incapable of finding one herself.
That could be why she fell so easily for Jonathan.
He’d approached her. He knew little about her, just asked her on a date and she agreed.
He was cute and funny and he acted as if he was really interested.
“That doesn’t sound like fun,” he said.
“No. It wasn’t. Between us, I think Jonathan might have cheated on me more than once, but he always denied it. I never had proof. It was just a feeling.”
And one she should have pushed more but didn’t want to believe she’d ever be so stupid to fall for someone like that.
“Sometimes a feeling is enough,” he said.
“He made me seem paranoid and I tried not to accuse him of it often. I think that is where I’m scarred. My trust was already fragile and he made it seem as if it was in my head. I met Susette and her girlfriend when we went out one night. It was months before I realized they talked so often. But we actually went out with them together a few times.”
Like an idiot she should have seen what was in front of her, but it was hard to when she felt no threat there.
