The words slam into me like a freight train.
My heart constricts.
My stomach twists.
Colt knew.
He knew, and he didn’t fucking tell me.
Colt rubs the back of his neck, avoiding my gaze. “Dee, baby, I’m sorry. I just thought—”
“No. You didn’t think,” I snap, cutting him off as Joseph and Danny exchange confused looks.
My bottom lip quivers as I stare at him in disbelief.
“I didn’t know what the right move was,” Colt says softly. “I didn’t want to upset you.”
“So you h-hid it instead?” My voice cracks. “Just because I can’t have your children doesn’t mean I don’t care about my best friend having hers!”
Joseph frowns. “Dee… I thought you already knew. I’m sorry. Colt told us what happened with you, and I didn’t think when I told you about Ann—”
I whip my head toward Colt.“You told them?”
Colt hesitates. “I thought you’d want them to know. I thought—”
“You thought I wanted people to know I’mbarren? That I’mdefective?”
“Sweetie, no,” Joseph cuts in. “That’s not what this is. You’re not defective. You still have those three eggs. You and Colt will have your babies, I know it. Three little brats, probably, knowing you two.” His attempt at humor lands like a slap.
“So glad you’re all in on this together,” I snap. “Nice to know everyone’s been talking about me behind my back.”
“Dee—”
“I was fine until you came along,” I hiss at Colt.
His eyes go wide, and then his brows crease. Pain flashes across his face, raw and instant. He nods sharply and steps back. “Right,” he mutters and turns.
“Colt, wait—” I call, but he’s already gone, thudding down the stairs with heavy steps.
Silence.
“Fuck,” I whisper, burying my face in my hands.
Joseph gently pries my fingers from my face and holds them. “Dee… don’t do this. He loves you. You’re hurting, I get it. But don’t take it out on him. Everything he does is for you. Give him a break.”
“I’m such a bloody idiot,” I mutter.
“Yeah, but we love you anyway,” Danny says, pulling me into a side hug.
My heart aches.
As it should.
“I need to find him. I need to apologize.”
“You will,” Joseph says. “But give him time. That cut deep, Dee. And you’re not the kind of girl who lashes out at the people she loves. Don’t start being that person now.”
I nod, and the weight of his words sinks into my soul.
