Page 110 of Feels Like Love
Liam’s gaze was hard. “I was only trying to protect you from being taken advantage of…again. Looks like that worked out really well.” He shook his head. “My own best friend. Fuck.”
Wren held her hand to her stomach and looked as if she might be sick. “I cannotbelieveyou two.”
“I know I lied.” I glanced between them. “To both of you. But I love Wren. I would never take advantage of her.”
Liam roared and lunged toward me, tackling me to the ground. I tried to protect myself, but I didn’t try to fight him off. I deserved it. All of it.
“Stop!” Wren yelled. “Just stop.Please.”
“Mom!” River wailed, running through the yard. “Bennett! Uncle Liam, stop!”
Tristan was shouting, prying Liam off me with Asher’s help. I couldn’t see Wren and River, and I glanced around frantically. “Get off me.”
I pushed off the ground and stood, panting. My side ached, and Liam looked ready to punch me again. But instead, he said, “Fuck you, Bennett,” and walked off.
I stood there watching him, as everyone in the yard stood watching me. Tristan shook his head and walked away before I could apologize for making a scene at the reception following his wife’s funeral.I dragged a hand through my hair, my cheek throbbing.
Asher clapped a hand on my shoulder. “Way to go.”
I shook out of his hold. “Fuck off.”
I jogged out front, but Wren’s car was gone. I tried calling her, but it went straight to voice mail. I sped out of the neighborhood and over to her house.
“Get out,” she seethed as soon as I walked through the door.
“Wren, please.” I held up my hands. “We need to talk.”
“No. You need to go. River’s scared and upset, and now I have to be the adult and explain why you and my brother were beating the shit out of each other.”
“Please, baby.” I stepped closer, and she took a step back. “Let me explain.”
She shook her head, and I knew it was taking everything in her not to cry. “I thought you were different. I thought I could trust you. But you’re a controlling asshole, just like my brother.”
* * *
As I slowly came to,my eyes felt like they’d been polished with sandpaper—my throat too, for that matter. My chest ached.What the hell happened?
It was bright outside. Really bright. Too fucking bright. How long had I been asleep?
For a moment, everything was normal. I could con myself into believing I’d stayed out late drinking with the guys. But then reality slammed into me with the force of a freight train. Tessa. Brain tumor. Surgery.
I pulled Wren even closer, wanting to feel something, anything but the sadness that had pervaded so much of life lately. And then I realized I was clutching a pillow. And I opened my eyes and saw where I was and remembered that I’d lost more than my friend Tessa. I’d lost everything.
I’d hurt the woman I loved.
I’d betrayed my best friend.
I’d disappointed everyone, including River.
I clenched my eyes shut as memories of Tessa’s funeral reception came rushing back to me. Wren’s hurt and disgust. River’s tears. Liam’s fist colliding with my face. All my friends turning away from me in disappointment.
After Wren had thrown me out, I’d gone back to my house and drowned my sorrows.
It felt as if someone had put my brain in a blender. Was that how Tessa felt before she died? I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to force away the thoughts.
Oh god. Oh my god.What have I done?
The contents of my stomach threatened to spill out, and I ran to the bathroom and heaved over the toilet. I should’ve just told Wren. I should’ve been honest with everyone.
