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“I was thinking that I wanted to keep you both safe. That my stupid segment was drawing him back here and it was going to blow up in your face. I was trying to stop that from happening.”
My arms flail out at my sides. “Congratulations, you’re the one who blew it up.”
“Don’t. Gillian.”
“What? Don’t what?”
“I made a mistake. I should have talked to you first. I’m sorry.”
“You think? But Ben does what he always does. Whatever he wants.”
He takes off his cowboy hat and runs his hand through his hair. “You’re going to throw my past mistakes in my face?”
Laurel comes out, probably hearing the screaming, and she sees Clayton heading to the parking lot. I nod, and she walks toward him.
“I have to go take care of my son. Maybe we can talk later.” I walk away.
Ben takes my hand, his thumb running along my inner wrist. “Gill.”
“I can’t.”
He releases his grip, and my hand falls to my side.
I walk to the car, finally allowing the tears to fall.
I let Clayton have one night to sleep on the news before we address everything.
Ben texted and called all night long, but I didn’t answer him. I can’t right now. I’m embarrassed that the entire town knows I slept with Waylon Knight. That he hit me. Mostly, I’m embarrassed that my son knows, and Ben’s the reason for it.
I knock on Clayton’s door, and he mumbles, “Come in.”
He’s on his bed, his phone in his hands.
“I made French toast with strawberries. Want some?”
“I’m not really hungry.”
“Clay, please.”
He blows out a breath, not looking at me. “Give me a minute.”
I shut the door and go back into the kitchen, where I set the two plates on the kitchen table. Clayton comes in wearing shorts and a Willowbrook Wildcats tank top. He sits in his usual chair, and I sit in mine.
“I want to apologize. You’re right that I lied, and I shouldn’t have. I have a million buts I want to say, but I’m not going to because if I expect you to be truthful with me, then I have to be truthful with you even if it’s going to hurt you.”
He picks up his fork. “Thanks.”
“I thought I was saving you from being hurt. It was bad enough he left, that he didn’t care that I was pregnant, but after he… hit me.” I suck back my tears as Clayton puts down his fork. “I knew I didn’t want him in either of our lives, and it was best to let him leave. And we’ve been good, right?”
He nods.
“Do you have any questions?”
“Are you going to answer anything I ask?”
I nod, drawing a deep breath to stifle my nerves. “Yeah. If you want to know something, I’ll tell you.”
“Who already knew about my dad?”
