Conviction (Consolation Duet #2)(12)

If by some stretch of a miracle she’s pregnant now, I want you to be like a father to him or her. You’re like a brother to me, and I need to know they won’t grow up not knowing anything about me. Tell them about all the trouble we caused and protect them from doing the same stupid shit.

I’ve thought a lot about some of the things we’ve talked about. How this life will eventually destroy you and a family, and I think you’re right. I’m not the same guy I was. I’ve seen too much, and while I’m proud of the things I’ve done, I carry guilt about Natalie. I’m a piece of shit. I don’t deserve her, but for some reason she loves me, and I keep hoping she never sees the bad in me.

Anyway, be good to her. And even in death, I’ll have your six.—Aaron



Once I pull into the drive, I grab on to my anger. He f*cked around on her, got another girl pregnant, and then has the balls to be pissed at me. I respected her, loved her and his daughter. He even asked me to do all this and then he wants to act like I broke some damn man code. He can f*ck off.

Aaron steps off the deck as I close the door.

“Didn’t think you’d be back so soon.”

I step closer. “I thought we could use some time to discuss the last year.”

He nods and turns toward the back deck. “Seems I’ve missed a lot.”

We sit in the chairs and we both stare off. I’m not sure if I should start or let him ask the questions. My training kicks in and I decide to let him go first. Typically, it’s the best way to get answers you want.

I wait, but he doesn’t say anything or move, just stares.

Then I remember the f*cker is trained to do the same thing. It could be hours before either of us budge. The thing is, he’s not a terrorist, he’s a friend and deserves to be treated like one.

“I’ll go first,” I say and he turns. “What do you want to know?” I give an inch but still try to maintain control of the discussion.

“How long have you been playing house with my family?”

So this is going to be how it is.

“First of all, I wasn’t playing house.” I make sure I keep my eyes clear so he knows that’s not what the f*ck this was. “Second of all, how long were you making a new family while you had yours here?”

His eyes shift the slightest amount, but it’s enough for me to notice. “You don’t know everything.”

“Neither do you.” I give it right back. He didn’t see Natalie at her worst or when we were both trying to figure out how we felt. He wasn’t here, so he better not f*cking judge me.

“Brittany was a mistake,” Aaron says and then stands. “A big f*cking mistake.”

“Yeah, well, your mistake doesn’t think she is.” This is the part that pisses me off.

“You think I care what she thinks?”

“I don’t know what you think. You f*cked around on your pregnant wife! Brittany told her everything, and now you come back spewing your shit about me and Lee? Fuck you, man. It wasn’t behind your back. It wasn’t to shame you. You even told me to love her. You said you wanted me to raise your kid as my own and now you’re acting like this?” Once I start talking, it all comes out and I can’t stop. “I love her. I helped pick her up when you died. I was at the hospital when Aarabelle was sick, I held Natalie’s hair when she was puking, and I f*cking defended you!” I push his chest and he winces.

Aaron takes a few steps back rubbing his chest, and I feel like a dick.

“Aaron, I’m sorry, man,” I try to apologize, but he turns before I can say anything else.

“I deserve it. I know I was wrong, but I fought to live for them. I don’t want to fight you, but she’s my wife. That’s my daughter, and I won’t let them go just because for the last year you decided you love her.” He steps closer puffing his chest. I clench my fists and release them. “I’ve loved her almost my whole life, and if you’re the man I think you are, you’ll walk away.”

I step closer and weigh my words. I could be a prick and let him know I f*cked her last night. I want to, but I won’t. The depth of pain I could cause my closest friend right now is all in my hands. But in the end, Lee will be who is hurt. And I’ll f*cking slice my veins open before that happens.

“Just know how much you hurt her. She may not want you. And if she walks away, I’m not going to push her back to you.”

Aaron nods and pauses. “I’m going to ask you this once, for the sake of my child.” He waits and I already know where he’s going. “If you love Natalie and Aarabelle, then don’t do this shit. Don’t be the man who ends a marriage and a family.”

“You’re unbelievable. Don’t you think you ended your own marriage when you f*cked around? The guy who I knew would’ve manned the f*ck up and fixed it before it got that bad. You and I aren’t going to battle over this. It’s her choice.”

Aaron steps closer, and I swear I’ve been nice, but he pushes me and I’ll knock him on his ass.

“What about your word, Liam? Huh? What about the fact that you swore to have my back no matter what?”

I look at him wondering if he sustained some kind of traumatic brain injury, because he seems to have forgotten one key issue—he’s the one in the wrong.