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He must feel so alone right now.
And it s my fault.
She dug her cell phone out of her pocket and dialed Nick s number. Her call went directly to his
voice mail just like all the calls she'd placed since the night before. She sent him a text: Are you
okay?
He didn t respond.
She sunk to the floor and sat with her phone on her lap, waiting for the beep that accompanied an
incoming message. As the silence dragged on, Rena s eyes filled with tears that she couldn t stop.
One shallow sob led to a deeper one until they wracked her body and she wanted nothing more than to
curl up in a corner and cry until the ache in her heart eased.
Blinded by the tears, she fumbled with her phone and dialed the number of the only person she
knew would understand how she felt. She took several calming breaths while the phone rang, but
started to cry again when her mother picked up. Mom? she asked in a tight, tear-laden voice.
Rena? What s the matter? Are you hurt?
Rena sniffed. Mom, you were right about everything. I should have listened to you. I thought if I
protected myself, it wouldn t hurt this much. I was wrong. Nick and I broke up and it hurts so much. I
would come to you, but I don t think I can drive. Can you come here, Mom?
Oh, baby, don t go anywhere. I m on my way.
A few minutes later Rena heard the outer door of her house open and close. Rena? Kane s
voice bellowed through her house.
No.
Rena pulled herself off the floor and wiped away her tears with a paper towel. She blew her
nose in a second one, then tried to cool her face with a third. She cleared her throat, stayed facing the
sink, and called out, In here.
Mom told Dad she was coming to the city because you re upset. Dad asked me to drop by. What
happened?
Rena turned with a wet paper towel still in hand and leaned back against the sink. Nothing I can
talk to you about, Kane. That s why I called Mom.
Kane s expression darkened as he studied Rena s face. You can tell me anything.
Rena looked up at the ceiling before meeting Kane s eyes. You say that, Kane, but you ll only
hear what you want to hear if I try to talk to you about this. And honestly, I don t want to feel worse
than I do right now, and you would make me feel worse, even if you didn t mean to. So, Kane, can
you just leave me alone until after I talk to Mom? I really can t handle you right now.
Rena, did someone hurt you? Tell me who and I ll . . .
See why I can t talk to you? No one hurt me, Kane. I did this.
Whatever it is, Rena, I ll make it right. Just tell me what happened.
Fresh tears started to spill down Rena s cheeks. You can t fix this for me, Kane. Could you stop
thinking it s your job to protect me and just listen to me for once?
Kane walked over and leaned against the counter beside his sister. Are you pregnant?
Rena rolled her eyes.
Kane sighed. I m trying, Rena. You look like you just lost your best friend. What the hell
happened?
Rena wiped the tears from her cheeks and said, That s exactly what just happened.
Kane slumped with relief. That s it? Thank God.
Rena glared at him.
Kane pulled her to his side for a hug. I m not belittling what you re going through. I just
imagined at least ten possibilities I couldn t live with. He let out a long breath. So, who did you
have a fight with?
I didn t fight with anyone, Rena said sadly. I just disappointed someone I care about very
much in a way I never meant to.
You? Kane pulled back and raised one eyebrow in doubt. The person who is always trying to
make sure everyone else is happy? You could never disappoint anyone.
You d be surprised, Kane.
I m here if you want to talk about it, Rena. I won t say a thing. I ll just listen. I promise.
There is a lot of crap going on right now, Kane, and I could use your advice with some of it, but
I m not a little girl anymore. You don t have to run up to the bully in the playground and punch him out
for me. If I tell you what s going on, I want you to listen to the whole story and then do nothing if
that s what I ask you to do. Can you promise me that?
I don t know.
Rena looked up at her brother. Swear to me you won t say or do anything. If I tell you what
happened and you make this situation worse, I won t talk to you again, Kane. Not about anything that
matters.
Kane frowned. I promise to only get as involved as you ask me to. Now, tell me, what
happened.
Rena squared her shoulders and said, Nick and I just broke up.
***
Nick had turned his phone off as soon as Rena s first call had come in. He still wasn t ready to
deal with the emotions their last conversation had stirred in him. He d spent the night walking the
city s streets, not wanting to go back to his hotel room but also not wanting to head to a club, as he
once would have. He d started off feeling angry at Rena for dismissing him, especially after he d
turned to her for comfort as he d never done with others. For the first time in his life, he wanted to
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