Page 80 of Bring me Back

The way they argued had my hands closing on my dress. I put it over my head, and something in me stirred with awareness.

“I won’t go anywhere before you give me answers,” the stranger demanded.

But even as I thought of her as a stranger, I didn’t believe it. It was something in her voice, the intonation. The way she pronounced each word. I knew that voice. My body shook, but my brain wouldn’t catch up. Who?

Who?

I completely opened the door, my feet padding on the floor, my ears waiting for more.

“I don’t owe you any explanation. You need to leave.” Dan’s harsh tone said.

“I told you I won’t leave. This is ridiculous. I had fucking Ryan calling to tell me about this bullshit. What the hell, Dan?”

The hairs of my arms stood up. I took a step toward the stairs, enough to have a perfect view of the front door.

In front of Daniel, still in his pajamas, she stood.

A beautiful white dress, blond hair cascading down her shoulders like liquid gold. Perfect nose, professionally shaped eyebrows and a sneer on her lips.

The last time I saw her, she was in gym clothes holding a Polaroid.

She looked different, but I’d never forget Katie Campbell’s face.

Iknew before I swung the door open.

Before I trekked downstairs, before the doorbell even rang. The cold sweat ran down my spine, my knuckles white when they closed around the doorknob.

I knew it was coming. The world had its own way of righting a wrong, and I was wrong. I just wished it wasn’t like this.

But I couldn’t blame the stars, fate, or the universe. I was a grown man, and I knew what I was doing. I lied to get my way. Yeah, the words weren’t pretty, but I couldn’t keep excusing myself anymore. I had to face it the way Hallie was going to see it. And she would see deceit. Nothing more, nothing less.

I could have spoken up, I could have avoided it all. But I didn’t, I shamelessly kept going and the past always—always—catches up.

My time was up, so it wasn’t a surprise when I opened the door and the blond woman stared back at me. I knew in my bones it was time for the truth, but it didn’t mean I would not fight it.

“Leave,” I said at once.

Katie’s eyes widened. She had so much of her sister, of her mother, I could see it now. Her mouth was closed in a thin line. I remember when she used to smile at me. Sassy, full of humor. A young, selfless nurse, I was told. My blood ran cold.

“What the hell is going on, Dan?” She spat once the force of my opening blow wore off.

“Nothing is going on,” I replied, holding myself not to turn my face in the bedroom’s direction. I didn’t want to give her any sign of what was going on upstairs. I’d die before I let her put eyes on Hallie again. “What are you doing here?”

“Is that all you have to say to me?” She crossed her arms over her chest.

I shook my head, pinching the bridge of my nose. Once upon a time, I liked Katie’s confidence. I always liked outspoken women and she was one. She even reminded me a little of Kelly, which was weird at first. But I accepted I had a type. But Katie was nothing like my ex-wife. Kelly was a lot of things, but she was never cruel. She wouldn’t dare to go over another person.

Katie’s confidence was hungry. It needed to be fed over and over again, and her main meal was the naked girl in my bed.

Not anymore.

Awareness prickled my skin. I hated that Katie was breathing the same air as Hallie. I hated I was the reason for it.

“You’re the one who came to my house Sunday morning without warning. Don’t you think I should be the one asking what do you want?” I knew what she wanted, of course, but I was going to keep pretending. “What the hell are you doing here?” The line was delivered with such force, even I winced. I was supposed to be keeping quiet and drive Katie away, but I couldn’t help my voice to rise, the hairs on the back of my neck to stand still.

“Are you fucking serious? Who do you think you are?” She retorted.

I bit back a growl. I was done with this. Even if I wasn’t desperately trying to protect Hallie, even if she wasn’t waiting for me, I’d still want Katie out. I told her to leave once more, barely keeping the disdain out of my voice. It couldn’t be helped. But she wanted an explanation, and I was tired of pretending I didn’t know for what.