Full Exposure (Independence Falls 1)

She moved to her brother’s side, placing her hand over his. Liam released his hold on Eric’s shirt. Georgia laid her palm over the place where her brother’s had been—over Eric’s heart.

“You love me,” she said.

“I do, Georgia,” Eric said finally. “You’re my friend—”

“Not anymore, she’s not,” Liam growled. “If she were your friend, you’d have treated her with some goddamn respect.”

Eric stood tall and strong despite his physical pain, but looking into his eyes, she could see his uncertainty. It was as if Eric believed her brother, as if he thought she didn’t know her own heart.

“Enough, Liam,” she said. Inside, her emotions ran wild. In a matter of minutes, feelings would overwhelm her, reduce her to tears and force her to acknowledge the simple fact that her heart was breaking. She was losing someone she loved, even though he was standing right there in front of her.

He’d been trying to explain, she realized. Earlier, when he’d held back, telling her he couldn’t touch her, he was pushing her away. His reasons, whatever he used to justify walking away from love, didn’t matter. Her list was longer, but she’d still come back and fought for him.

One tear escaped and she backed away. She refused to fall apart in front of Liam and Eric.

“I thought you were stronger.” She looked at Eric. Blood dripped out of the corner of his mouth. She’d so rarely seen him out of control, except maybe for a moment that first night in his bedroom. But right now, he looked lost. “I thought you had the courage to follow your heart.”

“Georgia—”

“Are you in love with me, Eric?” she pressed. “Because if you’re not, nothing else matters.”

“It’s not that easy,” he said.

Georgia bit her lip. Hard. Needing to feel something other than the rushing, all-consuming heartbreak.

“There are some things worth fighting for,” she said. “Against all odds, in spite of the obstacles. I thought we were one of them. But I can’t change how you feel. I can’t make you fall in love with me.”

She waited for him to object and admit that his love for her trumped everything.

“Georgia,” he said. “I need to do what is best—”

“I’m leaving now.” She turned away and went to retrieve her bag from the kitchen counter. She couldn’t stand to hear him profess his desire to do the right thing again. “But I’ll be back.”

“You’re not working for him and you’re not living here,” Liam ground out. “He can find a new nanny. You’re moving home.”

“No. I’m not staying here or moving in with you, Liam. I’ll sleep at a friend’s house. And I’ll continue to care for Nate.” She looked back at Eric one last time. “I’ll never walk away from him. I love him too, and I refuse to let what happened between us hurt him. I’ll be there when he gets out of preschool. Today and the day after that. You have my word.”

Her head high, Georgia turned and headed for the door. She stepped into the garage and ran for the Jeep. Inside the car, she turned the key and backed out. She drove until she reached the main road. Once she felt certain they’d stayed behind to fight instead of chasing after her, she pulled out her cell and dialed.

“Hello?”

“Katie,” she said, her voice wavering as the tears started falling. She couldn’t hold them in any longer.

“What’s wrong?” her friend said. “Did something happen? Are you OK?”

“Liam found out. And he threw punches,” she said, fighting back a sob. “It’s over. Between Eric and me. He’s not in love with me.”

“Oh, Georgia,” she said. “I’m so sorry.”

She drew a deep breath. “At least I wasn’t afraid to go after him, right? I had the courage to fall in love. And he . . . well, he didn’t.”

“I don’t think that’s true,” Katie said. “I believe Eric loves you.”

“Not enough.” Georgia closed her eyes. “Not enough.”

Chapter Nineteen

GEORGIA WAS GONE. Eric stared out the kitchen window, watching the Jeep disappear down the drive. And this time, she wasn’t coming back. Not for him.