Joshua Healy (The Mitchell/Healy Family #10)(51)

"I guess it pissed you off."

He's shaking his head. "You're really going to do this? You're going to look me in the eyes and lie to my face?"

"I'm not!"

"I know Liv is pregnant, Josh. She told me everything when I threatened to kick her out of the house if she didn't. I know the kid she's carrying is yours. What the f*ck? How long have you lied to me about my sister? Have the two of you been f*cking each other since middle school? Is she telling the truth?"

I sigh. "Yeah. It's true."

"So you do know she's pregnant with your child, yet you're here with Tamsyn pretending there ain't shit going on. Does she know, because if I do the math right in my head, according to how far along she is, you were already with Tamsyn."

I'm starting to worry he's being too loud. "Keep it down, Wes. It's not what you think."

"So she doesn't know her boyfriend is screwing her ex best friend behind her back?"

"What the hell? I'm not! It happened once in the past seven months. We severed ties. It's your fault she came back anyway. You had to run your mouth and tell her I was falling for Tamsyn."

"She asked how you were doing. How the f*ck was I supposed to know she'd come back for you? It's not like either of you filled me in on your secret love affair."

I point at my best friend. "You need to settle down, bro."

He shoves me. "You need to grow a set and take responsibility."

"Fuck you. It happened once. I was trashed. It meant nothing to me. She's the one who threw herself at me."

"You f*cked her. She told me everything."



"Josh?" I hear Tamsyn saying my name from behind us. As I turn to address her she's backing away from me. "Say it isn't true. Please tell me he's mistaken."

"Tamsyn wait!" She's back on the horse, kicking it on the side so it takes off into the thick woods.

I take the reigns of the other saddled horse, but turn to Wes before climbing on. "You just ruined my life, man. Thanks for nothing."

Cammie is trying to catch me, but the horse is already in a gallop. I have to find Tamsyn. This can't be happening to us, not now, not yet.



I’m calling her name, scanning far in the distance to see if I can spot her. I follow the stream I told her about, hoping she’ll use that as a guide not to get lost. I hate that she’s alone. It’s my fault she’s hurting, and there’s nothing I can do but pray she’s going to get through this. I’m not comparing myself to Shaun, because she’s already told me our relationship is stronger than theirs ever was.

I’m desperate to find her, asking for God’s help, or anyone that can guide me in the right direction. I can’t begin to imagine what she’s going through. I promised I wouldn’t lie. I looked her in the eyes and told her we’d be okay. I cheated. I swore that wouldn’t happen, not with her.

It’s not fair. None of it. If I could take it back I would. I should have gotten on a plane and followed her to Mexico like I wanted, because then this wouldn’t be happening.

I hear whimpering as I continue searching. After hooking the horse up to a nearby tree, I follow the sounds until I spot her. She’s sitting on a large rock, her horse a little behind her. She sees me and stands like she’s going to run. I extend my hand in her direction. “Tamsyn, please. I’ve been looking for you everywhere. Don’t run. I can explain. I know you’re pissed and you feel betrayed, but there’s an explanation. At least let me talk to you.”

She’s sobbing. Her tears have soaked the front of her sweatshirt. “How could you do this to me? You promised.”

I get close, but she backs away. “Don’t. I can’t be near you. How could you be with that bitch after everything she did to you? How could you look me in the eyes and lie to my face? I don’t even know you, Josh. Everything was a lie.”

“No!” I argue. “You’re wrong. None of it was a lie. I never wanted to hurt you. It was a mistake, a horrible, awful mistake.”

“Just shut up. You f*cked her behind my back. As far as I know it takes two people to make that happen.”

“You’re right, but I was trashed. She came onto me. I didn’t even remember what happened the next day until I was reminded. You have to believe me.”

“I don’t believe a word out of your mouth and I never will again.” She covers her face. “God, I’m so stupid. Everyone warned me. They said you’d do this; that you were incapable of settling down, but I didn’t listen. I let you make me fall in love with you. I was so caught up that I thought you loved me too.”

“I do. God, I do.”

My throat feels like it’s closing up, and my eyes sting. I know what’s happening, and I’m not about to hold back, not with her. “I love you so much that it’s been tearing me apart. You’re all I want.”

“Sorry about your luck, but you can’t have me, never again, Josh.”

“Please don’t say that.”

“You’re having a baby with Livvy. What the hell, Josh? We talked about protection with other people. We talked about Livvy and how she used you over and over again. You said you hated her, but now I know you were lying through your teeth. You’re so good at it that you believe yourself. What kind of person looks into their lover’s eyes and flat out lies with no remorse?”