The Unwanted Bride Of Atticus Fawn

~CARTER~

I was pacing from left to right. I couldn’t get Scarlett out of my f*****g mind. She was all I could think about. Clara’s earlier slap wasn’t even on my mind.

“What’s wrong with you?” Alaric asks as he walks into the living room.

Was he suddenly speaking to me again?

“I thought you weren’t speaking to me.” I confront him.

He looks guilty and avoids eye contact, “Look, I’m sorry about that night. I don’t know why I got so worked up. It’s not like I don’t know your ways and how you deal with your issues. I should have stayed out of it. What you do with Scarlett or Clara shouldn’t be my concern. I was trying to look out for you; I didn’t want you to make a big mess of your life.”

I nod, “I’m over it.” I assure him. “You’re my older brother. You can correct me if you think I’m doing something wrong.”

He looks pleasantly surprised by my response. “That’s good to know, Carter.”

at him as I walk over to the sofa, “I know you probably don’t want to talk about this, but just in case I’m wrong, tell me, are you finally

and I immediately take it back, “Forget it. You don’t have

used to. Everyone’s already asking me questions

a divorce. I was positive I could keep Nicole happy for

to hide his pain from me, and I’m

about you?” He asks. “I don’t think you’re messing around with Scarlett. I should have known on that night that you are better than

second before he adds,

but it surprised me.

to look at anything but

He assured me. “I don’t plan on telling anyone if you’re worried about that. I just wanted to let you know

take a deep breath and stand up, “I think like is a small word to describe what I feel for Scarlett. There are things I’m willing to do for her that I wouldn’t ever think about doing for someone else. I’m scared, no, I’m terrified. I know I can never have anything solid with her. I know our life demands that we stay single; it’s why we were never blessed with mates. I know Scarlett is the closest to a mate I’ll ever have. But

on my shoulder, “Don’t let my