Page 24 of Snowed Inn For Christmas

Fourteen

Gage

“Ididn’t fuck Melanie,” I said, needing to get it off my chest as I swept the broken glass into a pile and grabbed the dustpan.“You know I would never do that to you.”

“Then why did she insist that you did?”He pushed the chairs out of the way so I could sweep under the table.I would still need to mop and vacuum to make sure we got all the glass cleaned up so Daisy wouldn’t step on it.

“Because I caught her fucking Anthony two months before your wedding.When she knew that I knew, she tried to manipulate me into not telling you.She said that she would give me whatever I wanted to keep quiet, and when I refused, she said that she would destroy our friendship before she allowed me to ruin her marriage.”

Patrick’s back was to me as he moved the chairs back under the table, holding onto one as he kept his head down.

“Why didn’t you say something?”

“Because I was stupid and gave her the opportunity to tell you herself.But when she didn’t, I knew that I had missed my window and that you weren’t going to believe me, no matter what I said.”

Patrick turned around and faced me, his jaw clenched as he shook his head.

“She said that you forced yourself on her and that she was tipsy, so she didn’t realize what was happening until it was too late.Then, when I saw you, you were acting all weird and avoiding her.”

“Because I already knew what she had said.She threatened me with it beforehand and told me that if I said anything about her fucking Anthony, she would make my life a living hell.She wanted me out of your life so her secret would stay safe.”

Patrick inhaled deeply and scrubbed a hand down his face.

“Did anything actually happen between you two?And don’t fucking lie.Just tell me the truth, once and for all.”

“The fact that you even have to ask that shows what you think about me.About our friendship,” I said, feeling the hurt deep inside of my chest.“You should know that I wouldneverdo that to you.Drunk or not—I would never do that to someone I cared for, nor would I ever force myself onto anyone.”

Patrick arched an eyebrow.“Cared as in past tense?”

“You chose her over me.A girl you hadn’t known long enough to make that kind of judgment call.You let her come between us and fill your head with lies.You believed her over someone who had been there for you from the very start.So yeah, Patrickcared.A lot has changed between us, and I don’t know that we can just sweep this under the rug and move on.”

“Just like I don’t know that I can just look the other way and pretend that I don’t know you’re interested in my sister.”

I put the broom away and stood in front of him as I let out a heavy sigh.

“When it comes to Julie, I will always do everything I can to protect her and keep her safe.I will not let anything happen to her.But I’m also done sitting on the sidelines, pretending that I haven’t had feelings for her for over twenty years.I don’t know what to tell you, but as far as your sister is concerned, I don’t give a fuck what you think.”