Page 104 of Bargaining

Reuben nodded, thoughtfully. “You could still be friends.”

“I love her. Deeply. I can’t just be her friend.”

“But loving someone means putting their needs first. Maybe that’s all it can be right now as far as she’s concerned.”

Friends wasn’t enough. Still, it was better than nothing. Why couldn’t it be easy? Wouldn’t it be lovely if I could just show up at her house with an orchestra or something and ask her to love me? I supposed that was marriage for you. The point of all that admin. The only way to show her that I’d changed was consistency. Time and effort. Marriage wasn’t for the faint-hearted. But I’d never been more determined to make mine work.

I’d do whatever it took. I’d find a way to show her that I’d changed. Clearly, my words were meaningless. I’d show up even if I was just a friend, cheering her on from the sidelines. At least I’d be in her life. At least I could be in the same room with her.

“How mad is she? Too mad to speak to me yet?”

“It wouldn’t hurt to see if she’s open to a chat about being friends. If she says no, then you have to respect it. You’ll also have to accept that it might never be more.”

My heart ached. How could I accept the unacceptable? But if that was Charlotte’s choice, then I would always respect her boundaries. I could still be there for her, in whatever capacity she’d have me.

I took a breath, mulling it over. “That feels like pretty solid advice from you, Reuben.”

He flashed a proud smile. “You think?”

“Yes.”

I held still and lowered my voice so my words wouldn’t reach the prying ears of the caddies. “I’ll help you, you know. If you ever need it.”

His eyebrows lifted in confusion. “Help me?”

With a solid swing, I sent my ball into the air. I watched the ball land, and turned to see Reuben looking at me with an uneasy expression.

“I know what Philip’s like. I know how he manipulates people and controls the purse strings. Whatever he has on you, I can get you out. Whatever you need. A job. Money. A place to stay. All of it ...”

Fear flashed in his eyes. He chewed his lip. “I don’t understand.”

“It’s OK to be scared. I was scared of him for a long time.”

“Youwere scared?”

“Yes. He told me he’d destroy everything I loved. I didn’t doubt it.”

“But you’re not scared anymore?”

“No. Not anymore. He’s a weak old man. I won’t give him any power over me. I won’t be investing a scrap of my energy in him.”

Maybe it was too soon. Philip ground people down. He’d probably destroyed Reuben’s confidence and made him feel like he wouldn’t be able to stand on his own two feet. I could plant the seeds until he was ready.

We set off walking together. “You won’t be alone. Just come to me. I’ll get you sorted.”

His voice filled with disbelief. “He wouldn’t like it.”

“We’ll handle it. Together.”

He swallowed. “Thanks, but I’m fine. You don’t need to worry about me.”

Right.I’d been fine once too, until I wasn’t. “I am worried, because I used to be you. He blackmailed me into falling in line.If you do want to get out from under his thumb, just know, you have us.”

“Us?”

“Me, Lucas, and Theo. We don’t always see eye to eye, but we’re brothers. You’re one of us.”

His cheeks pinked and he sniffed as though he was about to burst into tears. “Thanks, Bro.”