Page 54 (1/1)

I snorted out a laugh and took the hand that was on ers around it "Oh, you can be a she-beast on the regular, but like I said, she’s survived far worse I’ll ask her how she feels aboutup with you and if she’s coers squeezed mine and she whispered, "Another relationship where you’re letting your lady call all the shots? I thought you would be sick of that afterwhat’s best for her because in the long run, what’s best for her is what’s best for me" And the reverse was true She wanted whatever it was that was going to make me happy because that hat made her happy I was pretty sure that hat the definition of true love broke down to

"I hope she deserves you, Wheeler" We rounded the corner and I fought not to stumble as her father’s eyes iether and her htened in a frown I could read from all the way across the room

"She more than earned me, Kallie Now it’s up to me to prove to her that I’m the one who deserves her" I squeezed her hand one last time and let it drop so I could makehinore it, and was stunned when he clasped it with his fartiave a somber nod "That it has been, son"

I looked at Kallie’s mom and decided it was in my best interest not to try and make nice I tilted my chin down and muttered, "Nice to see you, Deb"

She let out a huff and took a seat on the couch next to her husband’s wheelchair Russ reached for her hand and held it on his lap as Kallie and I took our seats on the opposite love seat I could feel the way she was shaking, so I put a hand on her knee I watched her close her eyes and compose herself as her mother snapped, "If you asked to ether, I have to tell you that your father and I do not support that decision We’re too old to keepyou in and out of places, Kallie, and we’ll never recoup the "

Kallie hed and looked Deb right in the eye as I told her, "Tell me how much it cost and I’ll pay you back I’ the one out the"The money isn’t the issue and you know it" I did know it I also knew they still thought I had si I’d done to prove that I would never let her or theether, not now, not ever" Kallie’s voice had a tremor in it but she spoke clearly and with obvious deter to be in a relationship, we are going to raise this baby together and continue to be in each other’s lives You two should know that Wheeler would never have canceled the wedding without a good reason He would never hurttone was now ai, asking us to move you out of the house we had justwas off, that Wheeler pulled the plug, and then you announced you were pregnant All of that combined paints a pretty clear picture that your boy did indeed go out of his way to fuck things up royally"

I stiffened in ry defense of myself If they wanted to believe I could be that callous and cruel, so be it I was done trying to prove my worth to people that didn’t want me

Kallie’s head shook violently from side to side "No, Dad, you and Mom only have the picture I painted for you I left out lots of details because I was scared of how you would react when you knew the truth"

"What truth?" Deb sounded i at me like she wanted to throat-punchon, Kallie?"

She looked at ly I flipped ether She blinked a couple of ti out in a rush, "Wheeler canceled the wedding because I cheated on hiive hiers to her hter had done "How could you do that to hihter His mustache was pulled down as a scowl crossed his stern face "You sure the baby is yours, son?"

Kallie balked in horror next to me as I stiffened in response It seeoing to automatically assu anywhere"

He gave a jerky nod as Kallie continued to bare her soul "The reason he’s so sure the baby is his is because the person I was having an affair with isn’t a man, Dad She’s a wonderful woman named Roni and we’ve been involved for a little over a year"

Silence greeted that bombshell and out of the corner of my eye I saw tears start to fall over Kallie’s dark lashes I let go of her hand and wrappedlike I had done a ainst me and I felt her tears soak intous that you’re involved in a relationship with a woer together?" Kallie’show close to the edge her daughter was

Kallie nodded and sniffed loudly "I am, and I can honestly say, I’ve never been happier,around so no one would find out"

Kallie’s mother cocked her head to the side and considered both of us thoughtfully for a long , Kallie, and not just soe and it makes sense that both of you would be curious as to what else aiting for you in the world"

Kallie violently shook her head in the negative and looked at me instead of thehted but I would never willfully throay the a life I had for a fluke or a phase I never intended to hurt Wheeler and I never wanted to lie to my family, but I couldn’t stop myself I love Wheeler and I know that there is no betterhis baby but our relationship wasn’t working" She lifted a hand to esture that was far ether "I know you tried, that you nearly killed yourself trying tonasty and horrible I felt so guilty I kneas hurting everyone I cared about but I couldn’t stop You deserved better" She turned to look at her parents and told them softly, "From all of us"