“Is that so?”
“I went behind your back, so yeah. I betrayed you.”
Suddenly, the fight seemed to drain right out of him, and now, his face showed something else. Sadness. “You didn’t.”
I frowned. What was he talking about? “I’m not following.”
“You saved him, Nash. Without you, your support, your insurance, and your care for him, he wouldn’t have survived.”
My eyes widened. I had hoped Creek would ultimately come to that conclusion, but I’d never hoped in my wildest dreams he’d get there this quickly. “You’re giving me way too much credit here.”
Creek sighed, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. “As angry as I am that you two kept this from me, I understand why you did it. Forest…he’s not been himself for a long time. I thought it was the distance, the stress of his job, but now I realize it was more than that. He was struggling, and he didn’t want me to know.”
I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “He didn’t want to worry you. He knows how much you’ve already been through.”
“And what about what he’s been through? What he’s going through now?” Creek shook his head. “I should’ve been there for him. I should’ve seen the signs.”
“You can’t blame yourself for this, Creek. Forest is an adult. He made his choices, just like we all do.”
“But I’m his brother. I’m supposed to protect him, to look out for him. And I failed. So thank you for being there for him.”
The raw pain in his voice made my chest ache even more than it already did. A lump formed in my throat and tears stung my eyes. “I couldn’t leave him struggling on his own. He deserved so much better than that.”
“You gave him better. You gave him a chance.” Creek’s voice broke on the last word. “And I’m grateful for that. More than you know.”
I swallowed hard, trying to keep my own emotions in check. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I wanted to, but…”
“But Forest asked you not to.” Creek sighed, running a hand over his face. “I get it. I do. Doesn’t mean I’m not pissed as hell, but I understand why you did it.”
“For what it’s worth, I never meant to hurt you. Or betray your trust. You’re my brother, Creek. That hasn’t changed.”
He met my gaze, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “I know. And you’re mine. Always will be.”
The relief that washed over me was so intense it was almost painful. I hadn’t realized just how much I’d needed to hear those words from him until this moment. “I was scared I’d lose you.”
Creek reached out and grasped my hand, his grip firm and reassuring. “Never, Nash. You’re stuck with me, whether you like it or not.”
I managed a weak chuckle, even as a few tears escaped down my cheeks. “Guess I’d better like it then.”
“Damn straight.” He squeezed my hand once more before letting go and leaning back in his chair. “So, this marriage… Forest says it’s not real, that you don’t love him.”
He told them that? “He’s wrong.”
“He is?”
Bean snorted. “You’re gonna defend his honor now, like a big brother?”
Creek crossed his arms. “Better late than never.”
I closed my eyes briefly, exhaustion and emotion threatening to pull me under again. “I love him. Jesus, Creek, I love him so much. My vow of forever to him was real.”
“So why haven’t you told him?”
“I want to. God, I want to so badly. But I’m scared. Scared of…of…”
“Of him not feeling the same way?” Bean asked.
I met his knowing gaze and nodded. “Yeah. And of losing him because of it. Of making things awkward and uncomfortable between us. I can’t… I can’t risk that. He needs me right now, as a friend and a support. I can’t put that burden on him, not with everything else he’s dealing with.”
