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“Why would I do that when it would take you away from me?”
My hands find his arms and, nails digging into his biceps, I cling to him. He’s always been so steady. So solid. Like the Pando tree whose roots spread far and wide for dozens of acres, able to weather any storm.
Even the fire, he weathered.
Eyes warming from my words, he cups my head, only there’s no pressure to it. Mostly, I feel like it’s an extension of his hug.
“Would you like to know when I started missing you?”
I nod, nose rubbing against the hair on his chest.
“The day I flew us here. That was compounded by walking in on you and Callan playing games.”
“You missed me so soon?” I rear back so he can see me gaping at him. “And with Callan… why?”
“It’s a tangled web of reasons… Our stay at The Manchester was a massive reminder of the change in our relationship. I missed what we used to have together. The ease of conversation. How it’d flow between us.
“Then, that you were making the effort with my kid brother who hates people in general. That you made him laugh, that you played games with him. That you were able to laugh freely with him and couldn’t or wouldn’t with me when, in the past…” Before I can say a word, he rumbles, “For reasons that I deserve. I knew that. But it’s what made me miss you more. I never thought I’d have that with you again and it was my fault.”
Maybe it’s because we’re both here naked, flaws out in the open, that I can whisper, “Why was it so easy to believe that I did it?”
“Because in my family, when you love someone, they hurt you.” A heavy sigh escapes him. “There’s nothing I can do to make up for what I did aside from striving to be the man you deserve, Zee. If you’ll give me the chance…”
His initial words had me growing tense in his arms but I soften. Resting my forehead on his chest, I murmur, “Your damn father has a lot to answer for.”
He grunts.
Sensing his disappointment, I clutch at his arms. “Isn’t this me giving you a chance, Colton? In my family, when you love someone, they cherish that love. Apart fromGrand-mère. But she’s Venusian.”
I feel rather than hear his huff of laughter. “You know Clyde was convinced last year that Mum was having an affair with your father. That Callan was his son.”
“That asshole,” I spit, glowering at Colt. “How dare he? He was the cheater. God,he’sthe monster!”
“What aren’t you telling me, Zee? What makes you so scared of him?”
“The fire wasn’t enough?”
“Maybe, but… you’ve always been scared of him. That fear’s only strengthened with time.”
“How about seeing what he put you through?”
He shakes his head. “You don’t trust me yet. That’s fine. But when you do, will you tell me then?”
I’m not sure why but that has me squirming on top of him. His arms let me loose which, though I wanted that, fills me with sadness. I don’t go far. Just roll into the water.
He watches me. I half think he expects me to get up and dress, but I don’t.
I stare over the massive lake before us.
“I saw Clyde with Marcy here once.”
That has him tensing.
“What?!”
I peer at him. “A week after the fire. I had nowhere else to go so I came here. I think they had the same idea.”
His nostrils flare. “Did he murder her?”