Page 131 of Running to You

The rest of her words were drowned out by rage that rolled over him like a storm surge. He’d expected her to say yes. He’d been prepared for that.

But Keller hadn’t forced her. She’d gone to his bed willingly.

It took all his self-control not to let his anger and jealousy win. He continued to hold her, not voicing any of the thoughts racing through his mind.

She’d had a child with him, with that…that disgusting Jesus-wannabe.

No wonder she hadn’t wanted Sam to know.

I’ve loved you every second I’ve been gone.

How could that be true? And if it wasn’t, then had anything she’d said been true? Did she really love him, or did she just need his money and his help to get her kid back?

When they recovered Levi, would she leave again?

Maybe she cared about him, a little, but her feelings were nothing compared to his. Nobody’s feelings were ever as deep as his. Which was why he was always the one getting left. Rejected. Laughed at.

He stepped away from her. Though he hadn’t voiced any of his thoughts, it was clear by her wide, fearful eyes that she saw them in his expression. “You don’t understand.”

“You’re right. I don’t.” He opened her door. “Get in.”

Eliza crossed her arms and… Was she glaring at him? As if he’d done something wrong?

“Don’t talk to me that way. It’s not okay.”

He wanted to be kind, but he didn’t have it in him. He needed a few minutes to process.

Michael climbed out and rounded the SUV.

Eliza never shifted her focus from Sam. “I saw all the pictures of you. You and Kylee dancing. Laughing. Kissing. Are you telling me nothing happened between you?”

And…yeah.

He was the one to break eye contact, because in an attempt to salve the wound Eliza had left, he’d slept with Kylee. And woken up feeling worse than before. Not only had he betrayed Eliza—and even though she’d left him, that was how he’d felt—he’d also led Kylee to believe he had feelings for her. Which made him a first-class jerk. “She wasn’t married. Or the leader of a cult.”

“Don’t judge me, Sam. You have no idea what it was like.”

“You’re right. I’ll never understand.” Shut up. He had to shut up. But the next words escaped against his will. “I’d never spend my time and talents empowering and enriching and enabling a man like Keller.”

Eliza reared back as if he’d punched her.

“Bro.”

Sam barely registered his brother’s warning tone. It was too late. His fury had won. “You took it a step further and shared his bed. Gave him a son. You should be very proud.”

It was almost slow motion, the way Eliza’s hand lifted, palm out. The way it came toward him and connected with his cheek. He welcomed the sting. He deserved it. He knew that.

It was a fine point at the end of this conversation.

Michael stepped between them, his focus on her. “Get in, please.” His voice was low and kind. “It’ll be all right.”

Yeah.

Fine.

Everything would be just fine.

Sam swiveled and marched away, dodging rows and rows of perfect cars. He couldn’t stay and listen to Eliza cry for a child she’d had with that monster.