Page 74 of Forever Enough

Swinging my head to look at Avery, I asked, “Tell her what?”

Her eyes went wide. “The truth? That you had a past fling with Crystal.”

I let out a disbelieving laugh. “Why in the world would I ever tell her?”

“Ohhhh no,” my father stated, pushing his hand through his hair. “He is just like me, isn’t he?”

Mom had her hands on her hips. “Bradly, if there is one thing you need to do, especially in a new relationship, it’s be honest with her. The last thing you want is for her to find out about you and Crystal from someone else.”

“Who in the world would tell her? No one knows except for you guys now and…” My voice trailed off, and a sudden heaviness hit my chest.

“And who?” Avery prompted. “Who else knows, Bradly?”

I swallowed the lump in my throat and put my hand to my stomach. It felt like a piece of lead was sitting at the bottom of it. “Will and Duke. And I’m pretty sure if given the chance, Duke would tell Mackenzie, since he likes her.”

“Duke likes Mackenzie?” the three of them asked at once.

Rubbing the sudden ache in my stomach, I nodded. “Yeah, pretty sure he does.”

I checked my phone again and there was still nothing from her. I pulled up my contacts and found the group text I had with Duke and Will.

Me: Hey, what are you both up to right now?

The bouncing bubble appeared, and Duke was the first to reply.

Duke: I’m with Lou in her office, trying to figure out a small greenhouse to buy.

Bile rose in my throat. Just because he was with Lou, though, didn’t mean he had spoken to Mackenzie…and why in the world would he even bring up Crystal to her?

Will replied he was working on a broken pipe and told Duke to get his ass over there and help.

For the briefest moment, I let myself believe everything was okay. I’d talk to Mackenzie after dinner, and I’d tell her everything about Crystal. As a matter of fact, I’d plan on staying with her while Crystal was here.

I looked up and said, “I think I’m going to pack a bag and go stay with Kenzie while Crystal is here.”

Mom nodded, Daddy raised his brows, and Avery slowly shook her head as she told me, “If it were me, I’d be going over there right now, and to hell with dinner with Crystal. Whatever she has to say can wait. Or can be a phone call or email.”

“And she takes after me,” Mom proudly said as she winked at my sister.

I was about to turn and head upstairs when my phone went off.

Reading Duke’s next text, I nearly threw up.

Duke: Enjoy your time with Crystal.

Closing my eyes, I whispered, “That motherfucker. How in the hell did he know?”

“Who?” Avery asked.

Turning to look at my parents and sister, I slowly shook my head. “Duke told her about Crystal.”

“How do you know?” Avery asked in shock.

“She had to have seen him and Lou and told them I was with her. I know Duke; he would have said something.”

Folding her arms over her chest once again, my mother tsked. “And this is why you’re always open and honest.”

Sighing, I acknowledged that she was right. “Thanks for the advice, Mom.”