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.”

I walk over to the sofa, “I know you probably don’t want to talk about

my question, and I immediately take it

to. Everyone’s already asking me questions about my marriage. I

I was positive I could keep Nicole happy for the rest of our lives. I never wanted to hurt her. I was dishonest from the start. I’m the reason she hates

his pain from me, and I’m glad he’s

should have known on that night that

second before he adds, “You like

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

try to look at anything but

worried about that. I just wanted to let you know that I’m here for you if you ever need someone to talk

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

let my failed