“Someone needs to check on Caroline. I took her to see her father, and I told her the truth. She wants nothing to do with me,” he blurted.
“Shit. Come to the farmhouse. I’ll send Rachel and Rebecca down. They can call her therapist if needed. Why the hell did you do it today?” he asked.
“Because she believed she did something to make me angry. I didn’t want her to doubt herself,” Jameson said, running his hand through his hair. “Can you get someone over there?”
“I’ll meet you at the farmhouse,” Matthew said, disconnecting the call.
His hand scratched the stubble along his jaw, and he banged on the steering wheel. He wanted her to know the truth, but it damn near killed him to see the fear etched on her face.
His phone rang a minute later.
“Jameson, it’s Rebecca. I’m driving over there now. What did you tell her?”
“I told her the truth. She knows I’m James Stanton’s son. The bastard sold her to Cain,” he explained.
“Shit,” she murmured. “Don’t worry. You’ve proven you’re not like your father. She’s most likely shocked, but it’s better she heard it from you.”
“How soon can you get there? She’s not in a good place, Rebecca. I’d have stayed if I thought it might help. She doesn’t want to see me and asked me to leave,” he said, fighting back his emotions.
“I’m already in the subdivision. I’ll call you later and update you,” she assured him.
Pulling into the farmhouse’s driveway, Jameson sat in his truck, feeling as if he brought this on himself. If he kept his mouth shut, she wouldn’t be in pain right now.
Someone tapped on his window, scaring the shit out of him. Garrett’s face appeared, and he opened the door.
“Sitting in your truck won’t fix things,” his friend told him.
“Telling her made her hate me,” he replied, getting out of the vehicle. “Why are you here? You have a honeymoon in Ireland and a bride to enjoy.”
“Our flight leaves tomorrow morning. My brother’s hurting, and I’m staying until we figure out how to handle this,” Garrett said, leading him inside the living room.
Mac, Matthew, and Julio sat in the leather furniture waiting for him.
“I see you managed to get him out of his truck,” Mac said, handing him a whiskey.
“Thanks,” he said, setting the glass on the table. He hung his head and sat on the couch.
Garrett entered and sat beside him. “Did she meet her father?”
“Yeah,” he said. “They made a lunch date for tomorrow.”
“I’m sure it gave her some closure,” Matthew said. “I take it you informed her about James Stanton when you returned.”
“Yeah.”
“I know you don’t want to hear this right now. Caroline may need time to adjust. You’ve given her quite a shock. Don’t give up yet,” Garrett encouraged him.
“You aren’t your father, Jameson,” Mac said firmly. “You didn’t play a part in taking any of those women.”
“Do you think she’s willing to listen to my side of the story? My last name will always be Stanton,” Jameson said quietly. “I’ve made my peace with it. It doesn’t mean I like it, but I’m destined to live alone.”
“How can we help you, brother? Do you think it’ll help her if we talk to her and tell her what you’ve sacrificed for this team?” Julio asked, sipping his whiskey.
“Caroline mentioned she wanted James to suffer for what he did. I can’t tell her about Victoria without her permission. Doyou think Victoria will talk to Caroline? At least she might find solace in knowing how he died.”
“I’ll contact Victoria,” Matthew volunteered. “What will you do about Caroline? She’s hurting, bro. If you want her to know you’re not like James, you must tough it out with her. Help her see past the name.”
“I’m afraid it’s too fresh. It might’ve been better if I waited until she healed more. Then I risked someone else accidentally telling her. We all knew how this ended. Please keep an eye on her for me. I know the women will help her tonight, but she has nightmares…”
