Page 40 of Ordinary Secrets (Secrets Trilogy #1)

40

TREY

Barefoot, I dash out in the rain after Arella and catch her by her arm, just as she yanks her car door open.

Water pelts my bare back. “That wasn’t what it looked like, I swear.”

She’s got wet hair, flushed cheeks, and tears streaming down her face. At least, I think those are tears. They could be raindrops. “You’re shirtless, and she had her hands all over you. What am I supposed to think?”

Without waiting for me to answer, she shoves me away and climbs into her car.

I grab the door and hold it open. “Please, don’t go.” I sound desperate—because I am. “Just let me explain.”

She wipes the wetness off her cheeks with the back of her hand as she chokes on a breath. “There’s no need. I know what I saw.”

“Look, I know what it looks like, but I swear to you?—”

“Who is she?” Arella wipes more tears from her face.

I hang my head low. “Her name is Jess.”

“Your ex-girlfriend?”

I nod, and her face contorts.

“So we get into one big fight, and the first thing you do is booty-call your ex-girlfriend?”

“No. She just showed up today.” It’s the truth, but it sounds like a goddamn lie coming from my lips.

“What did she want? Sex?”

“Yeah.”

“And you agreed?”

“No. I was about to tell her to—hold on.” I put a hand up, palm forward. “Don’t sit there and pretend like you’re not guilty of doing worse. There’s proof living inside you.” At least I stopped Jess before it got that far. I can’t say the same for Arella.

“This is your baby!” she yells so loudly, all of California probably heard her.

“I’m infertile!” I shout back, just as loud.

She throws her hands up in surrender. “Nope. That’s it. If you really think I have it in me to be unfaithful to you, then I’m done. This isn’t worth it.”

And there it is. The truth. I’m not worth it to her. Like how I wasn’t worth it to my parents to quit their mission. Like how I’m not worth anything to my uncle. Like how I’m not worth Jess’s time outside of a bedroom. It’s nice to know that I’m not worth it to Arella after I’ve already fallen in love with her.

Hiccuping through a sob, Arella shoves me back a step.

I manage to catch her door before she can shut it. Then I grab her arm. “Stop trying to leave! We’re not done!”

She jumps. She actually jumps. Worse, her hands shoot up to protect her face. “Don’t hit me.”

I step back. Hit her? No! I would never. Why would she think— Dammit. I shouldn’t have grabbed her like that.

My shoulders drop. “Baby, no. I’m so sorry. I would never hurt you like that. Ever.”

Her dagger eyes slice at me. “What you’ve done is worse. Bruises heal, Trey. The pain I feel from seeing you with another woman will stick with me forever.”

My gaze sinks to the raindrops pooling in my driveway. I wish for something to come erase this. Anything.

I wait.

Nothing happens.

Water continues to attack me.

“I’ll prove that I didn’t cheat on you,” she says through a sniffle. “As soon as this baby is born, I’ll get a DNA test.”

“Fine, and when that test comes back with the truth, don’t bother telling me, because I already know.” I’m being an ass, and I don’t give a fuck. I’m hurt, and I want to drown myself in this rain. Why can’t she just be honest with me? I’ll forgive her in a heartbeat. I’ll be a father to her baby. I just want her honesty.

She shoots me a foul glare. “And when that test comes back confirming that you’re the father, be prepared to pay child support.”

“Child support?” What?

That’s what this is about, isn’t it? That’s why she’s trying so hard to convince me she’s carrying my baby. She’s trying to milk me like I’m a cash cow. Wow... She played me good. Not once did I think this was her game. Well, too bad. Someone else has already tried pulling this stunt on me. It didn’t work then, and it won’t work now.

I let out a scoff. “You’d be stupid to think you’re getting a dime from me.”

She gapes at me with a pain in her eyes that makes me want to hold her and make everything right again. But how can I? Nothing’s right. Nothing makes sense.

Arella turns and reaches into her purse. When she twists back around, she’s got something in her hand.

“The only stupid thing I did was fall in love with you.” She slams a piece of paper against my wet chest.

I peel it off to find our happy faces in a small photograph. This. This is all I’ve ever wanted. To be happy. To share my life with someone who understands me and makes me feel whole. I thought that person was Arella. I thought— Wait. What did she just say?

Two words leave her mouth that will scar me forever. “Goodbye, Trey.”