Duncan (The Protectors #3)(58)
“What the hell are you doing?” Adam waited until Jill was back in the house before he spoke.
“I’m getting the Christmas stuff out,” Tessa replied without turning around, digging with her good hand through a box. She knew exactly what he was talking about, but talking about it with him wasn’t something she wanted to do.
Adam grabbed the box throwing it to the side. “That’s not what I’m talking about, and you know it.” He grabbed her turning her around, being careful of her bandaged hand. Dark circles shadowed her eyes. “Jesus, sis.”
“Stay out of this, Adam.” Tessa jerked away from him.
“No, I’m not going to stay out of it.” Adam kicked a box out of his way so he could sit down on an old bench. “I stayed out of it with the Sheriff, but I’m not going to stay out of it this time.”
“Why is my personal life so important to you?” Tessa threw up her uninjured hand in frustration.
Adam frowned. “Because you’re my sister, and I can’t stand to sit by and watch you make the biggest mistake of your life.”
“It’s not a mistake,” Tessa replied, her tone angry because she honestly didn’t know if she was making a mistake or not. She was torn with what to do. Her head said one thing while her heart said another. “I know what I’m doing.” She totally lied and hoped her voice didn’t give her away.
Adam stared at her for a long moment. “You’re afraid.” His eyes widened realizing the truth. “You’re afraid that Jared is going to do the same thing that bastard did to you.”
“Otis is dead, Adam.” Tessa frowned. Damn her brother for knowing her so well, for being able to see right through her.
“Is he?” Adam cocked his eyebrow looking much older than his age. “Not in your mind he isn’t. Jared isn’t Otis, Tessa. You’re afraid. Admit it.”
She just shook her head at him, turning back to the box she was working in. “I’m busy, Adam.”
“You’re afraid and running.” Adam stood. “Admit it.”
“Okay, dammit. I’m afraid. You happy?” Tessa turned so fast, her head spun. “Just a picture tore my heart out. I don’t know what I would do if I found them…together. So yeah, I’m afraid….scared to death that I won’t be able to get over it this time.”
“Jared isn’t Otis, Tessa.” Adam reached out grabbing her hand. “Do you think I’d be here on his side if I even had a hint that he would treat you that way?”
“No, but…”
“No, I wouldn’t.” Adam finished for her. “I would be kicking his ass as best I could for just the picture.”
“You don’t understand,” she replied, staring off at nothing. Wanting to forget it all, forget she ever met Jared Kincaid, but just the thought of forgetting him sent her heart to her stomach. It hurt. It was an actual pain in her chest that wouldn’t go away. She wondered absently if someone really could die from a broken heart.
“He let me read him.” Adam ignored her last statement.
Her eyes shot to his surprised.
“I saw the picture, and I even doubted. I told him so.” Adam never looked more serious in his life than he did at that moment. “Without thought, he held his arm out and told me to read him. Surprised the shit out of me let me tell you. As secretive as those guys were, he opened everything up to me just to prove himself. He has no feelings for Vicky. None. We even looked everywhere to find you. Called constantly so I could read him in front of you.”
Tessa looked away, wiping a single tear that leaked from her right eye. “Why are you doing this, Adam?” Tessa hissed. “Why can’t you just leave it alone?”
“Because I’ve never seen a love like he has for you, Tessa, and I probably never will. Honestly, it was a little embarrassing for me, but he just stood there as I read every thought.” Adam turned toward the door to leave. “When I touch people, they can’t hide their thoughts from me, they can’t change them. Do you love him, Tess?”
Still, Tessa didn’t say anything, but more tears fell. ‘Yes!’ She wanted to scream, but she was afraid to say it out loud, fear of more pain stopping her.
“I know you do, so I hope you make the right decision.” Adam stopped before walking back into the house. “I hope you’re the person I always thought you were.”
“Adam?” Tessa turned to look at her brother, her face full of pain.
Three steps, he was hugging her. “I love you, Tess. I love you enough to tell you when you’re wrong, and…” he looked deep into her eyes, “you are so wrong.” With a kiss to her forehead, he was gone.
Tessa stood, staring at the door long after Adam left. She wanted to believe Adam, but even knowing that Jared cared for her, she had doubts always in the back of her head. How could such a handsome man like him go for someone like her? She had seen the looks people had given them, heard whispers from strangers, mostly women.
Finally looking away from the door, she looked around at all the Christmas decorations scattered around her and felt such a loss and loneliness, it doubled her over. Dropping to her knees, the room blurred as deep racking sobs rocked her body.
Blinking and wiping tears away, she spotted her phone. Reaching out, she grabbed it and looked at the screen. Just one push of a button and she could see him. But was she too late? Was she willing to face her own fears of having what was left of her heart broken? Slowly, her fingers began to move, typing out a message, but before she could hit the send button, her hand dropped to her lap. Adam was right; she was afraid, and running seemed to be the only way she could protect herself.