Easton

She knew her son was happy to be with Easton, and even Liam enjoyed having him around.

Scarlett paused.

Liam enjoyed Easton’s company.

Now, she frowned. What if Liam had a … crush on Easton? Did he like him that way? Liam had been honest about what he wanted in a relationship, but she’d never asked him to delve any deeper than necessary. Was that a mistake on her part?

Rubbing at her temples, she tried to think of Liam and Easton together. It aroused her to think of them having sex, but that was only a fantasy.

The doorbell rang, and she walked slowly to the door.

Easton was there, waiting.

When she opened the door, Easton smiled, which slowly died when he looked at her.

“Liam’s had to take Junior out to the store. They’ll be back in a little bit,” Scarlett said.

She rushed back to the kitchen without shutting the door. She heard it close and Easton’s footsteps as he followed her.

“We’re alone?”

“Yes. You can go and do whatever it is you want to do.” She had absolutely nothing to do, and now she wished she had something to keep her hands busy, to do anything but look lost.

“We need to talk.”

She lifted her gaze to his. “We don’t.”

“I didn’t mean to bring up the past.”

“And you did. Our past isn’t exactly a good one.”

“It’s not the devil either, Scar.”

“What is it you want from me? We have a son, I get that, but you don’t need to throw reminders of how little my feelings meant to you.”

“I lied,” Easton said.

“What?”

“Your feelings, eleven years ago, they didn’t mean nothing to me. They meant fucking everything. You think it was easy after those three weeks to do what I did?”

Her heart was pounding, her mouth open.

“I fell in love with you. I wanted to be with you.”

“You’re lying.”

“I’m not. I’m not lying. Not to you. Not anymore. Before I came to that camp, I met a girl. I told you about her.”

“Yes, she died.”

“Yes. My father killed her. He made sure I knew that under no circumstances was I to marry ‘below my pay grade.’ I was nothing more than a pawn for him to use, to play. Carla was carrying my child. I intended to run away with her, to keep them both safe, but before I got the chance to, they were ripped away from me.” Tears filled her eyes at the pain she saw within his. “Do you know the worst part?”

“What?”

“I didn’t love her. I didn’t feel the way you made me feel all those years ago.”

The tears fell down.

“I wanted to be with you, but I had no idea who you were. When you told me you loved me and how much, I was ecstatic, for a couple of seconds at least. I was allowed to be happy that you could love someone like me.”

“Someone like you?”

“I’m not a good person. One girl had already died, and I didn’t love her like I thought I did. But you, the girl that was so fucking annoying she wouldn’t leave me alone. A girl who … couldn’t swim. Who would sit with me in long silences and they wouldn’t be awkward. A girl who called my name as I made love to her. Yeah, I fell in love with you, Scar. I’ve never forgotten you, and it kills me to see you with someone else. Do you know the even crazier part?”

“What?” She really didn’t know what to say or do.

“For all the jealousy I feel, I love watching you with Liam. Call me confused. I love and hate it at the same time.”

She sniffled and looked away.

“I know you’ve been ignoring me, and I deserve that. I’m new to all of this. It scares me. It fucking terrifies me more than anything else in the world. I don’t want to lose you or Junior, or even Liam. Each Monday when I have to leave, I feel a part of myself is being torn from my body, and I won’t ever get it back. Friday is my favorite day of the week.”

“You don’t deserve me ignoring you. And I think it’s everyone’s favorite day, Easton.” She offered a smile.

He took a step toward her, and she took one back.

“No, you don’t understand. I get to see you, Junior, and Liam—for me, that is one hell of a day. These weekends are the best part of my life.” He cupped the back of her neck. She put her hands on his chest but didn’t push him away.

“Easton, it’s only been three weeks.”

“I’ve been miserable for eleven years, and this is the only happiness I’ve felt. I don’t want to lose that.”

“Then you’ve got to stop.”

He slammed his lips down on hers, and for a few seconds, Scarlett let him. She didn’t kiss him back, but the young woman inside her wanted to. She wanted to forget the past eleven years and be at camp again, laughing and joking with the broody guy who didn’t have the ability to smile.