Prologue
GRAYSON
“Grayson, I’m sorry. I really thought he was yours,” Bella tells me, but there’s zero remorse in her voice.
“Or you figured since Grant and I are brothers, he’d look like me no matter what,” I retort. I’ve fed into her bullshit long enough to know when she’s lying through her teeth. I’ve given her the benefit of the doubt for too long.
“No, I’m serious. I want him to be yours. And he will be. DNA shouldn’t matter when we’re in love.” She steps closer and places her palm on my cheek. “I made a mistake. Don’t let it affect our future.”
For a split second, I’m pulled into her trance but somehow manage to blink it away. “No. You cheated on me. You made me believe that was my son.” I point at her belly. She’s seven months pregnant and convinced me that we were starting a family. After I caught her getting railed doggy style by my brother, I demanded a paternity test.
“We’re engaged, Grayson. We can work through this.”
I almost buy into her pleading voice, but I’ve lost the desire to be near her. If the baby was mine, I had considered giving her a second chance because I wanted to make it work for his sake, but that’s not happening now. There’s no doubt that she’ll run right back to Grant. God only knows how long their affair has been going on. When I asked her, and she refused to give me a straightforward answer, it was all I needed to know.
When we fell in love during high school, it was effortless. The two of us were inseparable, and I knew she was the woman I’d marry someday. Finding out she was pregnant was one of the happiest days of my life. Even though we were young and clueless, I was ready to become a dad and husband. Each day had started and ended with Bella.
She took our future and ripped it apart.
I take two steps back, shaking my head. “No. The thought of touching you makes me sick.”
“Grayson!” she snaps with a glare, crossing her arms. “I’m not giving you back the ring. You’re breaking us up, not me. Right before Christmas, nonetheless.”
I fight the urge to roll my eyes. On a good day, Bella’s a manipulative bitch, so this comes as no surprise. She’ll tell our family that I called off the wedding while conveniently leaving out her infidelity. Bella will say whatever it takes to paint me as the bad guy. But I’ll know the truth—so will she and Grant—and as long as it means I get out of this nightmare, I don’t give a fuck.
“Fine with me.” I swipe my keys and wallet off the counter.
“Where are you goin’?” she demands, following me to the door.
“Don’t worry about it. I’m none of your concern anymore, Bella. I expect Grant will move in shortly,” I tell her with a forced grin, then grab the bag I packed earlier.
Before she tries to stop me, I go to my truck. Though my windows are up, I can hear her screaming at the top of her lungs. “You’ll be back, Grayson! This isn’t over!”
I don’t know if I should be amused or upset by how narcissistic she is and how I always ignored it. My eyes have finally opened, and nothing she could say or do will convince me to stay with her.
After I check into my hotel—my new home until I can find another place to stay—I shower and order food. Then I turn off my phone and pass out to reruns of CSI.
The following morning, I’m flooded with voice messages from Bella, but I ignore each one. I send my mom a quick text so she knows I’m okay, but I don’t tell her where I am. I wouldn’t put it past Bella to get it out of her somehow.
Though I’m grateful I don’t work this weekend, I could’ve used the distraction. Working in construction in the San Antonio heat isn’t for the weak. It’s miserable most days, but I love staying busy and working with my hands. At the end of each shift, I have a sense of pride knowing I’m making a good living for my family. Now I’m wondering why I even bothered.
One of the worst parts of this whole situation is that my brother hasn’t apologized. If not for having an affair with my fiancée, then at least for hurting me and lying. Considering they’re both self-absorbed, perhaps they’re meant for each other then.
“Hey, man,” my friend Jase says when I answer his call. “Let’s go out tonight.”
I groan. “Not sure that’s a good idea.”
“I know you’re sulking, and that ain’t good for ya. Let me buy you a few drinks and find you a good lay for the evening.” He chuckles, though I don’t find any humor in his words. I’m not a one-night stand kinda guy, never have been. I was always so devoted to Bella.