Edge of Love (9 page)

“
That’s because I’m
not.”

He sighed. “What’s up?”

“
I don’t even know where
to begin.”

“
Well, you should get on
with it because I’m about to fall asleep again.”

“
You don’t sound too
concerned with my well-being.”

“
Are you hurt? Stranded?
Scared for your safety?”

“
No.”

“
Then sorry I don’t sound
too concerned.”

“
Don’t be an
ass.”

“
Then don’t be a
brat.”

We were quiet for a long
time.

“
Please tell me, Scar. You
know I care.”

“
A long time ago, Sean
slept with his brother’s girlfriend and his brother has wanted to
get him back ever since. Sean asked me to avoid being alone with
him, but I somehow ended up in the situation. Sean was furious with
me and we fought over it. I was pissed at him because he didn’t
tell me the truth to begin with, and then he accused me of acting
like Penelope. I would never cheat on him and I’m offended that he
thinks I ever would.”

“
Talk to him about
it.”

“
I did.”

“
And?”

“
I’m still mad about the
whole thing.”

“
And you can’t sleep
together because you’re at his parents’ house? That just made it
worse?”

“
Well, we did it anyway
but that’s beside the point.”

Ryan sighed. “Is that all?”

“
No. His mom doesn’t think
we should get married. She thinks I’m just a rebound for her son
and that he’s settling for me. She cares more about Penelope and
why they broke up. Now she’s planning this ridiculous wedding that
I don’t even want.”

“
Tell her the
truth.”

“
I can’t.”

“
Why?”

“
She already dislikes me.
I’ll have Sean tell her after we leave.”

“
It will get better after
you come home, Scar. It’s only one more day.”

“
I know. But I’m just
upset about the whole thing. Why do they like Penelope so much? I
feel like I’m not good enough for Sean.”

“
I’m guessing they don’t
know what that bitch did?”

“
No,” I said. “He hasn’t
told them.”

“
Why?”

“
I have no
idea.”

“
And Scar?”

“
Hmm?”

“
He’s the one who isn’t
good enough for you. Don’t ever forget that.”

I smiled. “I don’t know about
that.”

“
Sean had a perfect life.
You started with nothing, you were emotionally and physically
abused, and look how you turned out? You did it all on your own.
Don’t ever let them make you think you aren’t good
enough.”

“
Thanks,” I whispered.
“But I wouldn’t have survived if it weren’t for you.”

“
I know,” he said. “I feel
the same way.”

We were quiet for a moment.

“
Scar, I think his parents
are being assholes—”

“
It’s just his
mom.”

“
Anyway, don’t hold it
against Sean. As long as he’s supportive of you, you can’t be mad
at him for that. It’s out of his control. Has he defended
you?”

“
Yes.”

“
Then cut him some slack.
I’m sure he wants to leave as much as you do, especially to get
away from his maniacal brother. I always liked the guy. I had no
idea he was psycho.”

“
I don’t know how they
became that way either. They practically fought to the death this
morning.”

“
Why?”

“
Mike said he was going to
sleep with me and Sean flipped out.”

“
Well, Sean is defending
you. That’s all that matters. I think I can speak for Sean when I
say you’re his family now.”

“
I know.”

“
And if he doesn’t like
his brother, I can always take his place.”

I smiled. That was the sweetest thing
I’ve ever heard Ryan say. “Really? Even after what he did to
me?”

“
We all make mistakes,
Scar. Sean is no different. And I know how important he is to you.
Cortland and I can be the brothers he never had. He pretty much
already is.”

“
That means so much to
me.”

“
I know it
does.”

“
I want to have a wedding
with just the six of us. I don’t want anyone else to be
there.”

“
I’m sure Sean will
agree.”

“
He would do anything for
me.”

“
And I doubt he wants to
have a stupid girly wedding and all that bullshit
anyway.”

I laughed. “Yes, that’s
true.”

“
I wouldn’t.”

“
Have you been thinking
about weddings lately?”

He was quiet for a moment.
“Maybe.”

I couldn’t hide the smile in my voice.
“I’m so happy for you.”

“
Yeah.”

Since Janice was lying next to him, I
knew I couldn’t say everything on my mind. I was always worried
that Ryan wouldn’t find someone to spend the rest of his life with.
Knowing that the person he chose was my best friend made it even
better. “I should let you go.”

“
I don’t suspect that I’ll
be able to fall back asleep now.”

I heard Janice over the phone. “We
don’t have to sleep.”

I laughed. “Uh, I’ll let you
go.”

I heard the sound of Ryan moaning
before the phone hung up. I started laughing as I dropped the phone
on the bed. It was a little awkward knowing that my brother was
having sex with my best friend, but we’ve always been open about
our personal relationships. I would never give out the details of
my intimate moments with Sean, but I wouldn’t hide the fact that I
was having sex with him either. I pulled a pillow to my chest and
stared out the window. Talking to my brother had calmed my nerves
substantially. Between Ryan and Sean, I had everything I ever
needed in a family.

The bedroom door opened and Sean
walked into the room. “Hey. Are you okay?” He shut the door behind
him then lied next to me on the bed. “What’s wrong?”

“
I just need a break. I’m
fine now.”

He kissed my neck. “Are you
sure?”

I nodded. “How’s the game?”

“
Giants are
winning.”

“
How’s your
brother?”

He shrugged. “We haven’t looked at
each other once.”

“
I’m sorry,
Sean.”

“
I’m not. I would kill
that bastard if I could.”

“
Please don’t say
that.”

“
You’re taking his
side?”

“
No, of course not. I just
think you should work it out.”

He sighed. “I tried.”

I turned on my side then looked at
him. He pressed his nose against mine and looked into my
eyes.

“
How did the wedding
planning go?” he asked.

I sighed. “A nightmare.”

He laughed. “I heard weddings were
stressful.”

I rolled my eyes. “You have no
idea.”

“
Did everything go okay
with my mom?”

I stared at him for a moment. “Why
don’t you just tell her about Penelope?”

His eyes narrowed. “Did she ask about
her? Are you fucking kidding me?”

I didn’t want to start more drama in
the house. I regretted my words. “I’m just saying you should tell
them the truth. Why are you hiding it?”

“
Scarlet, I asked you a
question.”

I sighed. Instead of answering his
question, I grabbed his face and kissed him. But my clever idea
didn’t work. He pushed me back.

“
Scar.”

“
Yes,” I said reluctantly.
“She asked me.”

Sean averted his gaze and looked out
the window. He clenched his fists at his side. “I can’t believe she
would talk about her when we’re planning our wedding. It’s
bullshit.”

“
Don’t get
angry.”

“
Too late. What did she
say?”

“
She asked me to tell her
why you broke up.”

“
And what did you say?” I
could see the anger in his eyes.

“
I kept your secret,” I
said. “Just tell her, Sean. Then they won’t even care about
Penelope anymore. They’ll realize how good I am for
you.”

“
I shouldn’t have to. They
should realize you are perfect for me anyway.”

“
Babe, tell
me.”

He shook his head.

“
Why won’t you tell
me?”

He sighed. “You’ll get
mad.”

“
I’m always
mad.”

He laughed. “You have a
point.”

“
Now tell me.”

He looked at me for a moment. “I don’t
want them to hate Penelope. My parents are very influential and
well known. They’ll bad mouth her all over town. She’ll never find
another job or another spouse.”

My eyes softened. “I can’t believe
you.”

“
I knew you would be
mad.”

“
I’m not.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You’re
not?”

“
No,” I said. “You’re such
a great guy, Sean. I can’t think of anyone else who would do
that.”

He shrugged. “I couldn’t care less
about her, but what happened in our relationship shouldn’t ruin her
whole life. I’m not that petty.”

I smiled. “I think I love you even
more.”

He sighed. “I was not expecting this
reaction.”

I rubbed my nose against his. “I think
you should still tell your mother something. Say she broke up with
you but didn’t say why.”

“
I don’t want to
lie.”

“
Well, your mother is
going to snoop around until she finds the truth.”

“
I know,” he said. “I’ll
think of something.”

“
You better think of
something soon.”

“
I’ll just tell her I left
her for you and that I was cheating on her.”

I slapped his arm. “I thought you just
said you didn’t want to lie.”

“
Yeah, but I can’t think
of any other way to drop it.”

“
And it makes you look
like a jerk. And I look like an adulteress. You shouldn’t have to
sacrifice your reputation for her.”

“
Well, my parents know I
used to be a huge horndog.”

“
Well, you aren’t
anymore.”

“
Definitely
not.”

“
Just tell them she dumped
you. It’s plain and simple.”

He sighed. “I’ll think about
it.”

“
Thank you.” I closed my
eyes and breathed in his scent. “I want to go home,
Sean.”

“
Me, too.”

“
I miss Ryan.”

He laughed. “You guys sound like Greek
siblings.”

I hit him on the shoulder. “Don’t be
gross.”

“
Have you talked to
him?”

“
We just got off the
phone.”

He nodded. “So he knows the whole
story,” he said sadly. “Does he hate me and my family
now?”

“
He doesn’t care for your
mom, but he doesn’t hold you accountable for their actions. He
knows it’s not your fault.”

He breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank
god.”

“
Can we leave early
tomorrow morning? I would rather sit in the terminal for a few
hours than be here.”

“
Whatever my fiancé
wants,” he said. “But I would rather go to a hotel so we can have
sex as loud as we want.”

“
That’s a waste of
money.”

He smiled. “We can just do it on the
plane again. It’s more economical that way.”

I laughed. “They’ll probably be
watching us this time.”

“
A challenge. I like
it!”

I laughed again. “I love you so
much.”

His eyes softened. “I love you, too.
I’m so sorry you have to put up with this bullshit. It’s the last
thing I ever want you to deal with.”

“
It’s okay.”

“
Are you still mad at
me?”

I shook my head. “No. But please don’t
hide anything from me again.”

“
I promise.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck and
held him close to me. “Ryan said he and Cortland can be your
brothers.”

He smiled at me. “Good. Now I get to
tease you like they do.”

My face fell. “Damn.”

He laughed. “I’m honored to be a part
of your family. I’ve always thought of Ryan and Cortland as my
brothers anyway. I wish I could reciprocate.”

“
As long as I have you, I
don’t need anything else.”