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.”

want to talk about this,

question, and I immediately take it back, “Forget it.

asking me questions about my marriage. I believe the word has already spread everywhere. I wanted to keep it

leans against the wall with his eyes on the ceiling, “I tried my best to make my marriage work. I never wanted to have a divorce. I was positive I could keep Nicole happy for

how difficult all of this is for him. He doesn’t try to hide his pain from me, and I’m glad he’s letting his genuine emotions out.

have known on that night that you are better than that.

a second before he adds, “You like her,

but it surprised me. I didn’t think anyone could tell that

clenches as I try to look at anything but my

worried about that. I just wanted to let you know

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

on my shoulder, “Don’t let my failed marriage stop you