Chapter 57 Mercer
Chapter fifty-seven
Mercer
Eyes squeezed shut, I pound my fists into the steering wheel. “ Fuck.”
That boy. That fucking lunatic.
Once I have my breathing somewhat under control and I’m no longer tempted to throw my phone, I unlock the screen and check my messages.
Sawyer: I’m so sorry about this. It’s not what it looks like. These people are from the pro team that drafted Ty, so I had to play along since they think we’re married.
Rather than understanding, I’m filled with rage. Her explanation is truly as absurd as it sounds.
Sawyer: I’m going to take him to the hospital to get checked out, then we can meet up. I can call you when I’m done.
Pain lances through my chest. She’s going with him. She chose him.
Again.
Loving her shouldn’t be so fucking hard.
And as much as I’m loath to admit it, it’s true.
I love her.
I love her, yet she acted as if we’re nothing, all to save face for him.
The third message I read angers me enough to make me clamp down on my phone. Once again, I’m at risk of chucking it out the window.
Because while Sawyer’s messages irritate me, the message from Noah breaks my goddamn heart.
Noah: What’s your ETA? Do you think Sawyer will want to hang out by the fire tonight, or will she be too tired? I can get it going so it’s ready when you arrive.
We planned to surprise her tonight. Rather than take her back to my place like she expected, I was going to drive out to the orchard.
Between Noah’s extended workdays and the preparations for the event this weekend, we’ve all been putting in long hours. She’d never admit it, but I sense that Sawyer misses Noah when it’s just the two of us at my place, so I orchestrated a surprise midweek meetup.
Though the reality is that all I’ve orchestrated is my own heartbreak.
The earnestness of Noah’s message slays me but also forces me into action. I won’t give up. I refuse to lose her to that man-child again. Rather than sit back and keep my mouth shut while he manipulates her, I’ll take a stand.
He’s sinking his claws into her again, and he isn’t going to stop.
It’s time to handle this for good.
How does the saying go? Hurt people hurt people?
Tytus Tremblay is in for a painful surprise. He doesn’t know the depths of my damage or the lengths I’ll go to in order to protect the people I love.
He doesn’t know, but he’s about to learn.