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That had always been the plan—to grow my name, to follow Turner’s steps. Yet, as soon as she offered, I hesitated. Was Aaron right? Was I forgetting who I was? Was I giving up my career? Who was I if not a professor?That’s my identity.If I give that up and move to Montana, who will I be? Thank God it’s Friday. I’ve never needed an escape more than tonight. Tomorrow… all my worries and decisions can wait until tomorrow. I just need to ask Hoyt something first.

I text him:Call me when you can.We need to talk.

My phone rings an hour later.

“How’s Jo doing?” I ask.

“She’s great. Should wake up soon. Everything went well.”

“I’m so happy to hear that.”

“You said you wanted to talk?”

“I need to know, Hoyt. I just need to know.”

“Know what?”

“What happened with you and Maeve? How… serious was it?”

“Oh… I wasn’t expecting this… hmm.” He pauses.

“That serious?”

“Look, it’s complicated.”

“Okay.”

“She… was my brother’s girlfriend.”

“She was Luke’s girlfriend?”

“Yeah, only for a year, but he loved her. After he died, I was in pretty bad shape. I did stupid things.”

“Okay.”

“She was a stupid mistake. I should have never…”

“So you…”

“We slept together once. I was drunk, she was there. I was a douchebag. I’ve never regretted anything more in my life. She didn’t deserve it. Broc and Sawyer didn’t deserve it. Luke didn’t deserve it. Yet I can’t change it. I messed up.”

“You only slept together once?”

“Yeah, when I was nineteen.”

“That’s it?”

“It’s not that simple. We grew up together. Every time I see her, I realize I hurt her. And her family. I should have known better. I should have been better.”

“I understand.”

“I’m sorry, Iris. I know I should have told you sooner.”

“I just needed to know that… there isn’t anyone else. That there wasn’t anything else going on between you two.”

“No, Iris. I told you, there was, is, no one else. There is only you.”

“Thank you for telling me.”