“No one’s expecting that.” Theo’s voice softens slightly. “But holding it against her forever isn’t going to help anyone. Including you.”
I don’t have an answer for that.
“What did you even say to her?” Lucas asks.
I stare at the floor. “That you and Theo need her.”
Silence.
“And?” Theo prompts.
“And nothing. That’s what I said.”
More silence. Then Lucas lets out a breath. “Jesus, Nate.”
“What?”
“You told her we need her. Not you. Just us.” He runs a hand through his hair. “No wonder she was crying.”
“I didn’t mean—” I stop. Because I did mean it. That’s exactly what I meant. And they both know it.
“You’re an idiot,” Theo says, but there’s no real heat in it. “You know that, right?”
“I’m aware.”
“She’s not going to give up on you,” Lucas says quietly. “She told me as much on the phone. Said you can build all the walls you want, but she’s not going anywhere.”
My throat goes tight. “She should.”
“Yeah, well. She’s stubborn. Must be why you liked her in the first place.” Theo claps me on the shoulder. “Chili’s almost ready. You want some, or are you going to sulk in your room?”
I should go upstairs. Should avoid this conversation, avoid their questions, avoid thinking about any of it.
“I’ll eat,” I hear myself say.
Theo grins. “Progress.”
We eat at the kitchen table, the three of us, like we’ve done a hundred times before. Lucas talks about a patient. Theo complains about a landscaping client who keeps changing her mind about hydrangeas. Normal stuff. Easy stuff.
Nobody mentions Cara again.
But when I finally head upstairs, I lie in bed and stare at the ceiling, thinking about what Lucas said.
She’s not going anywhere.
I don’t know if that’s a promise or a threat.
I turn off the light and wait for sleep that takes a long time to come.
Chapter 15
Cara
Two days.
It’s been two days since Nate Thorn looked me in the eye and told me he didn’t need me, and I still can’t stop replaying it.
They need you. I don’t.
