“I…saw something on the news justnow.”
He cocks his head.
“That night at the fundraiser,” Isay. “You and Jordan.”
“Nothing happened.”
“I saw you kissing him. Evidentlyeven more newsworthy than your father getting shot.”
He looks like he’s about to saysomething, defend himself, but he just stares at me.
Really? Not even an apology? Noteven an explanation?
“I told you this couldn’t workout,” he says quietly.
Rage builds in my chest. Of allthe things he could have said, why did it have to be that?
“The least you could have done wasjust called it off. Saved me the trip back here.”
He looks at the floor, obviously ashamedof what he’s done. But I can’t imagine how he could be so callous and care somuch at the same time.
“I’m sorry for bothering you sofucking much,” I say.
I don’t want to leave him. Notwhile Kiernan is still in the hospital, but I feel like staying isn’t helpingeither of us.
It’s just sad that this is how itends.
Seventy-Two
Tad
I’m not ready to let him go, but I know it’s the right thingto do.
I thought we might get to share somany moments together, but that was a fantasy—a beautiful fantasy that Ienjoyed entertaining for a while. But this always had to end at some point.This issue with Kiernan assures me of that. Because if I let him stay in mylife, then he’s bound to get hurt. Because everyone in my life seems to gethurt. Besides, what could really happen between us when he has to head back toD. C. and I have to live out the rest of this career that I spent all my lifeworking toward?
I can’t disappoint Kiernan. Notagain. Not after all we’ve been through together. And I can’t drag Brycethrough this sort of life—one that will only be filled with so many moremoments like what he just heard about me and Jordan. I can’t expect him toacclimate to this crazy sort of existence overnight. It’s not fair to a guy whonever really wanted all this attention. A guy who just wanted to live out therest of his life like a normal person.
And as much as it pains me to lieto Bryce, to have him believe that I’m this asshole who would do something likethis behind his back, it’s an easy out. It’ll save us both the heartache ofplaying out this drama. The attempt. The failure. The pain. The cruel,unbearable pain that I just don’t want to feel again.
He gazes at me, his expressionrife with sadness, surely not just because of what he thinks is my ownbetrayal, but because of what he recalls about Jeff.
This was a twisted-as-fuck way toend it, and it’s a coward’s way, but the opportunity felt too perfect to deny.Better for him believe me to be a monster than thinking that I ended it becauseI was too much of a coward to go through with it.
“He’s lying,” Kiernan says.
He opens his eyes, a slyexpression on his face that makes me wonder how long he’s been pretending to beasleep.
“What?” Bryce asks.
“My son didn’t do anything withJordan that night.”
“You don’t fucking know,” I say.
“Yes, I do. I was there the nightthat Jordan kissed you. I was in the bathroom and when I came out, I saw himkissing you and then I cracked the door as you told him to go fuck off. Thefact that there’s a picture just leads me to believe that Jordan orchestratedthe whole damn thing for publicity.”
He looks at Bryce. “He was alwayslike that with Tad back in the day. Calling the paps, trying to get themphotographed whenever they went out. Jordan thrives on that sort of publicity,and at times, Tad has too. But if you’re thinking about stopping what you guys haveover that stupid little kiss, it isn’t worth it.”
Bryce looks at me, and I can tellhe’s hurt, now by the lie I told him.
