Chapter 11
ELEVEN
TESSA
It had been rather challenging not to blame myself for what Ryan had done to destroy our relationship. Of course, on the surface, it was simple enough. He’d made his choice to be unfaithful, and it wasn’t difficult to understand that was the cause of our downfall.
But I’d have been lying if I said I didn’t still have moments when it was tough not to put the burden of what happened to us on my shoulders.
Ryan might’ve mentioned he’d cheated because of my unwillingness to jump right into bed with him at the start.
It wasn’t even that which led me to feeling partially to blame.
It was something else. Something more.
Because I knew.
There hadn’t been a day in my life when I hadn’t known what it was to feel tremendous love.
It was in the hugs, kisses, kindness, and laughter with family and friends.
But it was also in the tears. Like the ones spilling down my mom and sister’s cheeks.
It was in the looks of utter devastation on their faces when they learned that Ryan had been unfaithful.
With disbelief etched onto her features, Harper asked, “When did this happen?”
Lark’s body tensed slightly beside me on the couch in my parents’ living room before I answered, “It was the night of your birthday when I learned about it.”
“Oh, my God. Why didn’t you say anything?”
I’d had my bare feet pressed into the cushion beneath me, my arms wrapped around the front of my legs. Squeezing a little tighter, I said, “I wasn’t going to ruin your night, Harper.”
“You’re my sister, Tessa. You come before a party.”
Nodding, I insisted, “I know. But I didn’t think Ryan deserved to be the focus of anyone’s attention that night. With a little bit of help, I pulled myself together, and I did okay.”
My mom’s eyes slid to Lark, clearly believing it had been solely my best friend who’d been stepping up to get me through my heartbreak since that night.
When she returned her focus to me, she said, “I understand it’s been a bit since it happened, but I feel so sad about this.
It’s strange because you appear to be composed. ”
“Well, it hasn’t been easy,” I replied. “I’ve had some tough moments, but I’ve been doing my best to stay as busy as I can.
And when I have downtime, I remind myself that I deserve better than what Ryan gave me.
It hurts to know he isn’t the guy I thought he was, that he was able to do that to me when I never would’ve dreamed of doing the same to him.
But I’m quickly realizing that I’d rather be alone for the rest of my life if being with someone who is unfaithful is the alternative. ”
“You’re not going to be alone the rest of your life,” Harper declared, swiping at her cheeks.
“Not at all,” Mom agreed. “I guess I should be thanking you, Lark.”
“Me?”
“For seeing Tessa through more than a week of her first real heartache.”
One look at my best friend told me precisely what was going to come out of her mouth next.
“Well, I’ve been more than happy to help her in any way that I can, but I don’t think I can really take credit for this.”
Confusion marred my mom’s features as Harper asked, “Why not? You’re her best friend, and she seems to be in better spirits than both our mom and me.”
I should’ve spoken up and shifted the conversation, but there was some small part of me that wanted them to know what she was going to share.
So, I kept quiet. And with a smile playing at her lips, Lark revealed, “Tessa learned about Ryan’s infidelity on a Saturday.
I didn’t know until Monday. It was someone else who was there for her that weekend and at other times ever since. ”
Stunned expressions came my way. “Who?” my mom asked.
I dropped my gaze to my lap and nibbled on my bottom lip as I fidgeted with my hands. When I didn’t respond, Lark said, “It was Ace.”
“Ace?” Harper’s tone revealed her shock.
“Ace has been looking out for Tessa ever since.”
“I’m sorry. Why is Ace looking out for Tessa?”
My eyes rounded at the sound of the masculine voice. It was then that I’d noticed we were no longer alone and that my dad had entered the room.
Yikes.
He took one look at my mom and Harper, noted their tear-stained cheeks, and asked, “What’s going on in here?”
“Handsome, it’s nothing,” Mom said.
“You’ve been crying, Monroe.”
She waved her hand in the air dismissively. “Women get emotional on occasion. It’s not a big deal.”
“Well, considering my daughter is also upset, I don’t think this is that.” He looked at my sister. “Harper, why are you crying?”
She shook her head and looked away. “No reason.”
“You’re lying. Both of you.” Unwilling to be deterred, my father’s eyes settled on me. “Tessa, sweetheart, what’s going on?”
Crap.
I had to share. “Ryan and I broke up.”
For a moment, I could’ve sworn I saw my father’s eyes light up.
He’d hated the idea of me dating at all.
“Oh. Oh, I’m sorry to hear that, Tessa. But I’m not sure it’s a reason to be upset.
I don’t think your mom and sister should be crying.
In fact, let’s celebrate.” He twisted his neck and looked in the opposite direction. “Hey, Phoenix!”
Oh God. My brother was here, too. Why wasn’t he at work or at his own place?
“Phoenix!” Dad shouted again.
My brother came running into the room. “What, Dad? What’s going on?”
“You have plans?”
“No. I’m just going to go home, shower, and eat. Why?”
“Grab a shower here. I’ll take everyone out for dinner. Should we call Archer?”
My mom stood and moved to my dad, placing her palm on her chest. “Stone?”
“Yeah?”
“This is not the time for a celebration.”
I couldn’t miss how hard it was for him not to roll his eyes. “Alright, I get it. It’s a breakup, and it’s not easy. But we should celebrate the fact that Tessa’s no longer with a guy who’s clearly not the one for her.”
Mom didn’t say a word. She simply stared at him, her eyes communicating something that only he could read. And I sensed he got whatever that was when the muscles in his body went rigid, and he looked in my direction. His eyes stayed on me for a long time, then shifted to Lark and narrowed slightly.
“Why did you say that your brother was looking out for Tessa? What does that mean?” he questioned her.
Before Lark could even think of responding, Phoenix boomed, “What? What did I miss? Why would Ace be looking out for Tessa?”
Harper shared, “Tessa found out the night we were out celebrating my birthday that Ryan was cheating on her. And just a few days ago, she learned that he’s been doing so with his ex-girlfriend for the last six months of their eight-month relationship.”
The air in the room changed, fury pulsing from two men who loved me more than anything. I shouldn’t have expected anything less. Phoenix had always been protective; though, it was tame in comparison to Archer. But I’d always been a daddy’s girl, so there was no doubt this would hit him hard.
Somehow, despite the overwhelming anger I suspected he was feeling, my dad’s voice was gentle when he spoke to me. “Oh, my sweet Tessa. Come here.”
My body instantly responded to his request.
Maybe it was years of having his loving arms around me—of knowing he always had my back—but a moment later, I was practically crushed against his chest as he held me tightly. And feeling that love surround me, I should’ve known I’d break down in tears again.
As my dad hugged me, the women in my life filled him in on what they knew about the situation. I used that time to calm myself down and get my emotions under control.
That’s when Phoenix asked the one thing that I’d hoped both he and my dad would’ve overlooked. “What does Ace have to do with this?”
I pulled my cheek from my dad’s chest and felt his arms loosen only a touch.
“He was the only one who knew that night I learned the truth. I’d gone outside at Lou’s after I heard that woman in the background when I was talking to Ryan.
I wanted to pull myself together so I didn’t ruin Harper’s birthday.
Ace must’ve noticed because he came outside barely a minute later.
He stayed with me while I settled down, and he showed up at my place the next morning to take me out for breakfast because he knew that Ryan had planned on showing up. ”
“That was very sweet of him to do,” Mom said, her eyes sparkling.
I nodded my agreement. “Yeah. He didn’t take me home until later that night, long after Ryan had shown up, called, and texted in an attempt to get a hold of me.
Ace didn’t think it was wise for Ryan to have the opportunity to talk to me so soon after I’d learned everything.
He believed Ryan would’ve used the opportunity to manipulate me, so Ace gave me the chance to deal with what I was feeling and get myself to a less vulnerable place. ”
“Oh, wow.” I didn’t have to look at Harper to know she was swooning. Her voice said it all.
I continued. “And he checked in with me all week, making sure I was doing okay. He even brought dinner over and stayed to eat, play board games, and watch television so that if Ryan decided to show up, he’d be there.”
“Dinner?” Phoenix said, his eyes unfocused. It was as though he could hear what I was saying, but his mind was lost somewhere else.
“Yes. He didn’t want me alone, and we both needed to eat.”
“Looks like I might need to give Ace a call,” my dad said.
“What?”
The last thing I needed was my dad getting all worked up about Ace being a decent guy and helping me through something terrible.
Some of the tension had eased out of my body when he smiled at me. “To thank him, sweetheart. Lark had said that her brother was looking out for you, and now I see how he’s done it. I want to thank him.”
“Well, that’s not all,” Lark muttered.
I loved my best friend dearly, but I was this close to considering the implications of committing murder. My dad’s head snapped in her direction just as I squeezed my eyes shut. “It isn’t?”
“He paid Ryan a visit at work this morning.”
“Is that why he was late today?” Phoenix asked.
I opened my eyes just in time to see Lark smiling brightly as she nodded. “Yep.”
“Why’d Ace do that?” Harper wondered.
Lark looked at me, giving me the opportunity to share.
I sighed. “When I finally met with Ryan yesterday for the first time since I learned about his infidelity, Ryan thought I’d be willing to accept it.
He believed I’d just forgive, forget, and move on.
When I talked to Ace about it after, he told me that if I was done with Ryan, he’d take care of the rest.” I shrugged.
“Then I got a text from him earlier this morning letting me know he’d made it clear to Ryan that I was done with him, so he was done with me.
I’ll just say that I’m not entirely sure this wasn’t a threat in the way he might’ve delivered it. ”
My dad grinned. “I’ve always liked Ace.”
I groaned. “Oh, not you, too. Ace and I are just friends, Dad.”
“Okay, sweetheart. If you say so.” He kissed the top of my head. “So, nobody wants to go out for dinner?”
We declined.
Phoenix was distracted and took off.
And since everyone finally seemed to be in better spirits, I only stayed for a little while longer before heading home.
But when I crawled into bed, I thought about what had happened at my parents’ place. I decided Ace should know what was coming.
So, I picked up my phone and sent off a text.
Hey! Just wanted to give you a heads-up that you might get a phone call from my dad. And it’s possible Phoenix intends to speak to you as well.
Barely thirty seconds later, my phone rang.
“Hi,” I answered.
“What’s going on?” Ace asked.
“Remember how I said I was visiting with my mom and sister today?”
“Yes.”
“Well, my dad walked into the living room at the most inopportune time. And I guess Phoenix had stopped over to help him with something in the garage, so he was also there. Long story short, my parents, Phoenix, Harper, and your sister are all aware of what you’ve done for me recently.”
“Are they angry? Your parents, that is.”
I smiled and thought back on my dad’s reaction to learning about how Ace had been with me lately. It was the very opposite of what I’d experienced when I introduced him to Ryan. “My dad wants to thank you.”
Ace chuckled, the sound of his laughter something I was really beginning to enjoy. “You wanted to warn me that your father had a positive reaction?”
I couldn’t tell him just how positive that reaction was.
Ace wasn’t doing what he was doing for any reason other than being a good friend.
“I just thought you should have a heads-up. Besides, Phoenix was very interested in hearing about your involvement in my life right now. I don’t want there to be any problems between the two of you at work. ”
“It’ll be fine, Tessa.”
“Okay.”
“What are you up to now? I assume you’re home.”
I rolled onto my side and cozied up beneath the blanket. “I’m already in bed. Work tomorrow.”
There was a lengthy silence before he asked, “Now that you mention it, I’ve always wondered something.”
“What?”
“Do you make it to work on time?”
I couldn’t stop myself from laughing. Lark and I were known for being habitually late to everything. “That’s the one area of my life that isn’t in complete disarray, Ace. Somehow, I manage to show up on time every morning.”
“That’s good to know.” His tone was amused. “So, are you still up for hanging out tomorrow?”
“I am. Are you?”
“Yep. Do you just want me to come over, or would you like to go out and do something?”
He was offering to go out somewhere. I tried not to read too much into it.
“It was nice being out of the house today. I’d love to go out and do something, if you’re up for it.”
“Alright. Do you have anything special you’d like to do?”
Spending time with Ace was easily its own reward. “I suspect I’ll have a good time no matter what it is. Surprise me.”
“You’ve got it, Princess.”
I could hear the smile in his voice.
“I’ll let you go now, so you can get some sleep. And I’ll reach out sometime tomorrow with some options.”
“That works for me. Thanks, Ace.”
“You’re welcome. And thank you for the unnecessary heads-up.”
I laughed. “Okay. Goodnight.”
“Night, Tess.”
I felt as though I could’ve talked to him for hours. But I forced myself to end the call. And since I was eager to see what tomorrow would bring, I found it wasn’t long after I closed my eyes that I finally drifted.