I kiss his temple. “You know I’m always here for you, whatever you did. We’re good. I forgive you.”
I don’t want to be bitter about us. Yeah, he did me wrong, and now there are going to be consequences of that. He’s no longer going to have me by his side as his woman. I’m never going to be his old lady, or the Wind Dragons’ president’s wife, and I’m okay with that. I never wanted it, and I still don’t want it. I never imagined he’d be taking over one day. Not only am I a teacher, but I also don’t want my kids having to live their lives the way we did, always looking over our backs and having people wanting to use us against our parents. We didn’t have a normal childhood. I don’t want my kids to have to go into lockdowns and to be escorted everywhere. I understand with my family ties that my life might always have some sort of threat of danger, but I don’t have to have my future children growing up in a clubhouse like I did.
It’s the club for Rhett, it always has been, ever since his mom, Tia, married Talon, his stepdad and club member. Rhett had always wanted to be in that world.
And I want him to be happy, even if that’s not with me.
“I’m never going to love anyone how I loved you,” he says, rubbing his eyes and sighing. “What the fuck am I going to do without you, Cara?”
“Be free,” I say with a smile. “And I’m still here for you. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Just not for sex.”
I tap him on the back. “You have plenty of options for that. And you never know what will happen in the future. If we’re meant to be, then we will be.” Even though I don’t think we’re going to end up together, I still believe that.
He squeezes me tighter and then slowly lets me go. He looks at me and smiles sadly. “We’ll find our way back together, I know it.”
I stay silent so he continues, “You are a good woman. The best.”
“I know.”
He laughs. “You ever need me, you call me. I’m here. No matter what it is.”
“I know,” I repeat.
He kisses me once, gently on the lips, and then he leaves.
* * *
My mom, dad and sister Natalie come over an hour later.
Natalie rushes over and gives me a big hug. I haven’t seen her all week because she’s been busy with work. My sister is a lawyer, and one of the most driven, ambitious people I know. With green eyes just like Dad’s and long dark hair, she is as beautiful as she is intelligent.
I’d already called her and updated her on everything that happened with Rhett. She was disappointed—Rhett was like a brother to her—but I told her that they never had to lose that bond just because we are unsure about us.
“What are you cooking tonight?” she asks. “You didn’t tell us.”
“Well, I didn’t have much time, so I ordered us some pizza and wings instead.”
“You look tired,” Mom says to me, frowning. “Is everything okay?”
“She’s probably still hungover,” Dad teases, kissing the top of my head. I rest my head on his chest for a moment, and sigh deeply. I’m hungover from life, if that’s a thing. I suppose it is, but they call it burnout.
We all sit down around my TV, feet up on the coffee table.
“So I have something to tell you all, which is why I called this family meeting,” I start, glancing around the room.
“We know you and Rhett are over, and we just want you to be happy,” Mom says, brown eyes worried. “It’s his loss, Cara.”
“Yes, Rhett and I are over, but that’s not what this is about,” I reply, shifting in my seat.
“We want to make sure you’re okay.”
“I am okay, Mom,” I say, smiling. “I’m just going through a period of change right now.”
“Tia called me,” she says, referring to Rhett’s mom, whom I love and adore. “She’s worried about Rhett.”
“Rhett will be fine.”
“And you?”
“I will be more than fine.”
“Is it about the house?” Natalie asks. “Do you need money to buy him out?”
“Do I need to beef up the security now that you’re here by yourself?” my dad interjects.
Crap. Between my parents and sister, they worry about everything for me. I keep forgetting about this damn house.
Mom looks concerned but simply says, “I’m here if you want to talk to me about anything.”
“I know. But this isn’t about that. I’m aware everyone all met Decker the other night at the party.” I turn to Natalie. “Well, you didn’t because you were being responsible and not going out on a weeknight.”
Natalie smirks. “I heard all about him, though. Aunt Faye even showed me a photo. Tall, dark, handsome, delicious...and green eyes that would make saying no hard.”
Dad looks at her and frowns. “You know I’m sitting right here, right? I don’t really want to hear about you not saying no, Natty.”
She grins.
“So are you and Decker a thing now?” Mom asks, scrunching her nose. “He’s hot and seems nice enough, but don’t you think it’s a little too soon to get into a new relationship?”
“Not after what Rhett did to her,” Dad says. “She doesn’t owe him anything. He’s lucky I don’t wring his neck for doing my daughter wrong.”
I scrub my hand down my face. If only they’d let me speak, I’d be able to explain this to them faster.
“Decker and I are just friends. I actually didn’t know that he knew Felix and Clover at the start. You know he’s a former cop—now he’s a private investigator. Well, he tracked me down because one of his clients was looking for me. He didn’t say anything the other night because I told him not to. I wanted to be the one to tell you first.”
“Who is his client?” Dad demands, pulling his feet down from the coffee table in full dad alertness. “I knew something was up when he said you pulled a gun on him. I fucking knew it.”
Ah, yes. “Okay, that was a misunderstanding. I caught him following me,” I explain.
“Who is his client?” Dad repeats.
“Apparently Wade had a daughter,” I say, bringing my eyes to Mom. “And she has been looking for me and wants to meet me. She couldn’t find me because I changed my last name, so she hired Decker to find me for her.”