“He was at college and I stayed to take care of Nana, who was dying of cancer. Robbie was and is a continent away in the Navy. I still don’t know where he’s stationed. I’m not sure if Joseph thought he was being smart by never posting anything on his social media except football stuff, selfies, and group things with his friends. He forgot that he made me follow all his friends onsocial media as well. All the photos he didn’t want me to see were on their accounts across social media. Parties, girls, drinking, you name it, it was there for everyone to see. I felt so stupid and I broke up with him.”
“Asswipe,” Collin mutters and sits on the armchair.
She nods. “It took him two days to even respond and we had a huge fight on the phone, but I stayed resolute and told him we were done.”
“He expected you to forgive him?”
“Apparently, but I’m not that stupid. I might have ignored some warning signs here and there, but I won’t ignore straight up proof and I didn’t.”
“Then what happened?” I prompt a few minutes later. She’s stopped talking and is just staring off into space.
“He came home a few weeks later.”
She stops talking again and I glance at Collin. We both know what’s coming isn’t going to be good because she’s shaking.
I reach over and haul her next to me, expecting her to stiffen up and try to get away, but she doesn’t. I’m not even sure she knows I’ve plastered her to my side. She’s that upset.
“Red?” Collin asks softly.
She looks over at him.
“Can I call Jenny and Dylan to come and listen to this? Hutch and I aren’t going to be around a lot since we’ll be joining the Raptors. We’ll be gone quite a bit. I know I’d feel better if someone who’s gonna to be here understands what’s going on and what to look out for.”
I’d planned on just telling Dylan and a few of the guys who frequent the house to watch out for asswipe and make sure he doesn’t get near Daisy, but Collin’s idea is better. They should know what’s going on so they can keep her safe when I can’t be here.
“I…it’s so embarrassing.”
“No, it’s not,” I rebuke gently. “Whatever he did, it scared you. That’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”
“It is, though. I should have seen it. There were signs, but I was stupidly in love and brushed it off.”
“That just makes you human, sweetheart.” I hug her tighter. “This isn’t on you. It’s all him. You have nothing to be embarrassed about.”
“What do you say, Red? Is it okay for Jenny and Dylan to hear this?” Collin asks quietly.
I know for a fact she doesn’t want them to hear it. I can feel the reaction in her body.
“Collin’s right. He and I aren’t going to be around as much as you’re used to. Someone else needs to know, but we’re not going to force you to tell them.”
“What if I tell you and you can tell them later?”
“We can do that,” I say before Collin can argue. He’s not holding her so he can’t feel how much more her shaking has increased.
“You want me to tell you all of it?” she whispers.
“As much as you’re comfortable with, but I’d prefer all of it.”
“It’s a long story.”
“We’ve got all night.”
She nods and starts to talk.
CHAPTER 22
Daisy
The house is too quiet.Nana felt a little better and decided to visit one of her friends who felt poorly. I drove her over and she told me she’d call when she was ready to come home. Getting out is good for her. It’s not going to magically cure her cancer, but it’s good for her mental health.
