“Yeah, she’s actually got a few days off because she’s going away on vacation,” Bronte reminds me.
Oh yeah.
I need to focus on work. I’m not someone who is good at pretending that everything is fine when it’s not, but I am professional and do my best to act like it’s any normal day, and that my heart isn’t hurting.
It’s hard, but it’s called being an adult.
I live my life on autopilot for the next few days. I work as hard as I can, and when I get home I play my guitar, losing myself in music, or I aggressively clean and organize my house. That seems to keep me busy. I wait until Thursday after work when I decide to try to speak to Cara.
I show up at her house with some flowers and a bottle of wine. I realize at the last second that’s probably what a cheating man would show up with, but I don’t know, I just didn’t want to come here empty-handed.
Decker opens the door, eyes widening when he sees me. I stop him before he can say anything. “I know she’s mad at me, but I just want to apologize and explain my side of the story to her. So please, let me do that.”
He glances into the house and nods. “Okay. She’s outside in the garden.”
“Thank you,” I say, stepping past him and walking through their house and out the back door. I find her sitting on the ground surrounded by seedlings.
“Thirty,” I hear her counting, and I realize they must be for school.
“Hey, Cara,” I say, making her jump.
She turns around and looks up at me. “Hey, what are you doing here?” She doesn’t sound angry, just surprised.
“I was hoping we could talk about what happened. I thought I’d give you a few days to cool down, but it’s been hard,” I admit, placing the flowers and alcohol down on the grass next to her. “These are for you.”
“Con—”
“Just please hear me out, Cara. I didn’t know that Rhett was your ex-boyfriend. And he didn’t know I was your sister. Half sister, whatever. I’m so sorry, I never would have gone near him if I knew, but I didn’t. I’ve only ever known you as being with Decker. I never saw you with Rhett and I don’t think we ever talked about your ex-boyfriend by name. I’m so sorry that I hurt you. I never meant to.”
She picks up the sunflowers and stares at them. “I was in shock when I saw the two of you there together, I have to admit. I didn’t know what to think, but I did feel betrayed. Rhett is free to move on with his life—I want him to be happy—but never once did I think I’d see him with you.”
“I know,” I agree, sitting down next to her, legs crossed. “And I never thought I was going to walk into that party and have all of that happen. When I knew he was a biker I should have spoken to you about it; I know you have all those biker ties. But never once did I think...” I trail off and take a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I just want you to know that I would never purposely hurt you. That’s not who I am.”
“I know,” Cara replies, forcing a smile. “And thank you for coming and explaining this to me. To be honest, I’m not angry. I just needed a little time to process it. I know that everyone else is wild about it and expects me to be really hurt, but I think it was more the shock of it all.”
“I know it’s a little awkward now, but I’m not seeing him anymore. It’s all over with. And I’d like it if you could forgive me.”
“I forgive you, Con. You didn’t even know, so I guess there’s nothing to really say sorry for,” she says, placing the flowers back down on the grass and studying me. “I’m sorry for what Clover and Natty said to you. I don’t know exactly what that was, but Clover did say it wasn’t her proudest moment. They shouldn’t have spoken to you like that, and I apologize on their behalf.”
“They were protecting you,” I say, shrugging, but I do appreciate her saying that. Their words did hurt, and I hate that the people who love her see me that way.
I know Rhett wanted to protect her, too. I didn’t miss when he let go of me to grab onto Cara. In fact, I keep replaying that part over and over. Will Rhett always love her? I don’t know. But the fact that I do resemble Cara a little keeps occupying my mind. Is that why he went for me in the first place? Because I look like Cara? If so, that is really fucked-up, and I can’t help but feel used. He never wanted me. He wanted the Wish version of Cara, as Natty put it.
And I guess it’s not my problem to concern myself with anymore, because that chapter is now closed.
“I know, but they didn’t need to take it that far. We are adults now, and we all need to act like it. And the Rhett and Cara era is over and done with. Rhett is free to make his own choices now. I’m sorry I didn’t respond to you earlier, but I am glad you stopped by. Do you want to help me plant a thousand seedlings into pots? They’re for a fundraiser at the school.”
I exhale in relief and nod. “I’d love to.”
I know things won’t just go back to the way they were, but at least we have spoken about it, and we can work on our relationship. It’s actually weird because Cara seems the least angry about what happened out of everyone. I wish the others around her would follow suit.
And as for Rhett?
I wish I never laid eyes on him.
Chapter Twelve
Rhett
After an hour taking my anger out on the boxing bag, I get dressed to head out with the MC. Arrow has been taking me with him on all of his meetings with other MCs, other chapters of the Wind Dragons and any business associates we have. We discuss business and if there are any problems that are coming up. He only does this quarterly, but it’s good for them to see me stepping into his shoes.
Since our chapter of the Wind Dragons has gone straight and does not deal with anything illegal, it’s mainly just checking on chapter numbers and if there are any issues that pop up. Soon it will be me interacting with them alone and representing the Wind Dragons, and he wants me to have a good business relationship with everyone involved. It’s a lot to take on, but I know this is something that I want to do. I’m proud of my MC, and how it’s evolved over the years. And I’m looking forward to where I can take it.
Leah walks out of Dice’s room, her long braids dangling down her back. She’s dressed in activewear, tight leggings and a crop top, showing off her shapely figure. I try not to look because she’s Dice’s, but shit, I still have eyeballs.
“What’s the update on the drama from the party?” she asks, following me into the kitchen and pulling out a bottle of water.
Leaning against the counter, I cross my arms against my chest. “You coming here to gossip?”