Shit. What did you do, Lily?
“Lily cheated on me with Mark. She found out she was pregnant and she didn’t know how to tell me, so she broke up with me. Originally she told me she had feelings for Mark and that was why, but the other day she told me the truth. I guess they fucked in the bathroom at some work function and didn’t use a condom.”
My heart dropped to my stomach. “Was she … was she with you after that?”
He nodded. “Yeah. We’ve always used protection though, but it still hurt like a motherfucker when she told me.”
My hand rubbed over my mouth and chin. I had no idea what to say to him. I hated that he was hurting, and I hated it even more that it was my sister who was the one who hurt him.
“Fuck, Nash, man, I don’t know what to say.”
He shrugged. “I’m sorry it was me who told you. I figured Lily would have told y’all by now.”
The mood in the truck was even more somber. “I think my mothe
r knows. When I asked her about Mark, she told me it was Lily’s story to tell me. Why wouldn’t she tell me?”
“I don’t know. Maybe because we’re best friends. I know she worries still about hiding our relationship, and again, Tucker, I wanted to tell you. It killed me keeping it from you.”
Reaching over, I grabbed his shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “Don’t worry about it. We all do stupid shit when it comes to women. I want you to know I would have freaked out at first, but there’s no one else I would have wanted my sister with. You’re a damn good guy, Nash.”
He gave me a lopsided grin. “Thanks, but I’m not a rich guy.”
“Lily doesn’t care about that.”
“Maybe, but I lost her to a guy who is, and that’s a hard fucking pill to swallow.”
I couldn’t argue with him on that one. “I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but maybe this is for the best. Maybe Lily wasn’t the one.”
His entire body sagged and when he spoke, his voice cracked. “I wasn’t the one for her, but she was the one for me.”
Nash echoed the same words I had said more than seven years ago when Charlie broke my heart. I had a happy ending; I didn’t think my best friend was going to have the same. Not if my sister was carrying another guy’s child.
“Would you forgive her? For the cheating and all?”
Nash drew in a deep breath and pushed his hand through his dark hair before finally answering. “I could forgive her, but I don’t think I would ever trust her. There would always be some sort of doubt in the back of my mind, and I hate I’d feel that way. The only problem is, she didn’t ask me to forgive her, or even ask if I would be willing to take her back. A part of me would have, Tucker. I’d take her back, and I’d help her raise the baby because I love her. There’s something different about her though. I think she loves this guy, or at least loves being with him. Coming back to me wasn’t even an option.”
“Well, it might be because she’s trying to avoid a scandal in the company. Although, if she’s pregnant, I’m surprised they’re not engaged.”
“They are.”
Thud.
I didn’t think my heart could drop any harder. “What in the fuck? Since when?”
“I don’t know,” Nash replied. “She told me they were getting married within the next few weeks. Going off to some fancy island and having a private ceremony or some shit like that.”
“Damn, dude. I’m really sorry.”
A part of me wanted to drive back to Austin and go straight to my sister. See what in the hell was wrong with her. How could she not tell me any of this? I was livid.
“Do you think Charlie knew?” I asked.
“Not sure. I don’t think Terri does. She asked me this morning what was going on with Lily. She has pulled back from hanging out with Terri and Charlie as well.”
“Yeah, the only time I’ve seen her is at my mom’s once a week when we meet for dinner. Charlie has been there, but now that I think of it, they didn’t really sneak off to talk or anything.”
“Whatever. It is what it is, and I have to move on and put her behind me. All I know is, I’m not planning on opening my heart to anyone anytime soon.”