Page 124 of Release

“Because sometimes life makes us choose.Promiseme, or I walk right now.”

“I promise.”

“Say it. The whole thing, counselor. No weaseling, no loopholes.”

There’s pain in his gaze, but he softly speaks. “I promise to always protect him first, no matter what, in all ways, even if it means sacrificing you.”

I take a deep breath, some of my burden now eased. I know it’d kill him to do it, but I also know he won’t back down from a promise to me. Especially one like that.

“That weekend we were in college,” I say. “When Ellen had to go home and I had you come over. I made you dinner and we had some beers, and you woke up the next morning on the couch.”

“Yeah?”

“I spiked your beer with vodka. Then I followed you into her room and tried to seduce you.” He makes a soft noise, like a little laugh. “What?”

“I always knew that was bullshit, what you said the next morning, but I never could figure outwhyyou said it. I thought maybe you were embarrassed. That’s why I let it go and went with your version.”

Ummm…“What?”

“Yeah. When you walked into her room that night and started in, I told you I had to go to the bathroom. Then I stayed in there and figured you must have fallen asleep when you never came after me. That’s when I went and slept on the couch.”

“Seriously?”

“Seriously.” He lifts my hand to his lips and kisses it. “I didn’t want to ask you about it, though. You never tried making another pass at me. I figured it was a one-time thing, the alcohol, and I let it go. I never told Ellen about it because there was no reason to. I promised her I’d never come between you two. It was done, over, and she didn’t need to know.”

Sonofabitch.“No. It was a test, and you passed with flying colors.”

He scowls. “A test?”

“Yeah. I wanted to prove you were a shit and run you off.”

“Annnnd…” He doesn’t continue.

“Well, we’re still friends nearly thirty years later. Guessthatplan didn’t work.”

“Lucky for me.” He sadly smiles. “Isthatwhat you wanted to talk about?”

“One of the things.”

He backs away but doesn’t release my hand. He gently tugs. “Let’s go sit, Case. Please?”

I let him lead me to the couch, where he sits. I sit next to him and let him pull me into his arms and lie with my head in his lap the way I watched Ellen do with him countless times over the years.

The way she used to lie with her head in my lap. Later, the way she used to let me lay my head in her lap, because other than hugs, it was really all she could offer me.

The way Declan lies with his head in my lap all the time. I set my cell phone on the coffee table and don’t think about Declan right now.

I’m with George, and we need todothis.

Now.

He stares into my eyes, still holding my hand as his other plays with my hair. “Talk to me, Case. Please?”

“It’s…really bad.”

“Considering what I’ve survived, how bad can it be?”

I take a deep breath. “It’s there’s-no-statute-of-limitations bad.” I take another breath. “Times three.”