“Yeah, that’s not happening.” Declan shakes his head but doesn’t get up from his seat at the kitchen island. He studies me as I make myself a sandwich for lunch.
“What?”
“We haven’t really had time to talk, just the two of us since you got here. I guess I’m just wondering how you’re doing.”
I hear the concern in his voice, see it on his face, and I understand it. But ever since I let some of it go on Gage the other night, I’ve felt a little lighter. I know there’s still plenty for me to figure out, and I still need to fill Declan in on all of it, but today isn’t the day.
Today is Quinn and Declan’s first real date, away from town and family, and I won’t be the reason there’s a cloud over it.
“I promise I’m okay. I’m exactly where I want to be. Honestly, I think I’m exactly where Ineedto be.” I smile, and forthe first time since I landed in Baltimore, I think it’s a genuine smile. It’s not the bright, cheery smile I used to give before everything happened with Brian and my parents, but it’s a real one. And that feels like a good first step.
“Will you tell me what happened?”
“I will, but not today. Today is for you and Quinn.” He opens his mouth to say something, but I don’t give him the chance. “Declan, I’m not going to spoil your day by sharing anything that happened. I’m here, away from all of it. I’m safe, I’m not hurt, and there’s nothing you can do about it right now. I promise it’s okay to put this conversation on hold.”
He stands from his seat, making his way around the counter to my side. “I just don’t like seeing you in pain, and I can tell that you are.”
“And that’s why you’re the best brother,” I say as I pull him into a hug. “But the longer I’m here, the better I feel.” I pull back from him, giving him another genuine smile. “I understand why you decided to stay here. There’s something magical about this town and the people in it. Like it envelops you in a warm hug, creating a sense of peace and comfort.”
“Yeah, there is.” His smile is soft—happy and content—and I know he’s thinking about Quinn.
“Get out of here.” I push him lightly toward the door. “We can talk about everything later, I promise.”
“Okay.” He presses a quick kiss to my forehead before turning for the door and grabbing his coat from the hook. “I love you and I’ll see you later.”
“Have fun! Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” I tease.
Declan shakes his head, a goofy smile on his face as he shuts the door behind him. A laugh escapes me, making me realize how much lighter I really do feel. I know it’s Gage who helped me get here. Whether it’s simply telling him that lifted the weight I’ve been carrying or his understanding nature and kind wordsthat brought a new perspective, I’m glad I can laugh with my brother again.
A few hours later,I’m sitting on the couch continuing my rewatch ofVeronica Marswhen my phone rings. I look down and see an unknown number on the screen with a Boston area code.
And that lightness I found evaporates.
There’s a moment when I think about ignoring it. There’s a high probability that nothing good can come from answering this call. I’ve refused to speak with my father since the night they told me about the arranged marriage, and I’ve ignored every call from my mother since we last spoke. But something pushes me to pick up the phone.
“Hello?”
“I’m surprised you answered. Your parents were under the impression you would ignore my call.” A chill races up my spine at the sound of his voice.
I’ve never spent much time with Brian, and even though we worked at the same firm and he’s always been around, he’s never sounded the way he does now—cold and unfeeling without an ounce of remorse.
I don’t respond. I don’t know how. I should hang up but I’m frozen in place, taken back to that night in his office.
“Good, it’s better that you don’t say anything. I just wanted to explain what’s going to happen moving forward. I know what I expect from a wife, and your parents swore this arrangement would meet all my expectations, so this act of rebellion is unacceptable. You can rest assured that you’re not who I would have chosen to marry either, but this was set in motion when wewere young. You’re who my parents picked, and I’ve sacrificed a lot for this, so we’ll both play our part.”
There’s a clinking that comes through the phone—the sound of liquid being poured over ice. I hear him swallow before he continues.
“I’ll give you one more week, and then you’ll come home to Boston so we can officially announce our engagement. You’ll begin planning the wedding with our mothers, and youwillact happy about it. You’ll move in with me and give up your apartment in Harborview, as there’ll be no use for it.”
Another drink is poured, another gulp.
“You’ll begin your wifely duties immediately to give me an heir. The sooner you have a child, the better. From what your mother tells me, you have no problem whoring yourself, so doing what makes me happy shouldn’t be an issue for you.” He sighs like I’m boring him. “Truly, I’d rather take on a mistress, but I don’t have the time or patience to ensure it’s all kept under the table, so unfortunately, we’ll have to make do with each other.”
I feel the bile rise in the back of my throat, but I still can’t speak.
I don’t know what the hell my mother has been saying or what she could possibly know. I’ve never been shy about my sex life, but it’s not something I blatantly flaunt, especially in front of my family. I’ve had multiple partners, but nothing out of the norm for someone my age. And I’ve always been discreet about my relationships. But what Brian is implying? That I’ve somehow been overt in my sexual preferences is so far from the truth I don’t know what to say.
“If you don’t come home within the week, know that every additional day that passes is a further step back your pleasure will take. You have a responsibility to your family and me. It’s high time you saw to that responsibility.”
