Page 47 of The Unbecoming

“Have you ever considered that I have enough common sense to put myself first?” I ask.

“How about this,” he says. “Go do your interview, and we can talk tonight. Okay?”

“Okay,” I sigh.

“Get dressed,” he says, patting my knee.

I haven’t driven in so long; I was gripping the steering wheel like it was trying to get away from me. I got here okay, though. Now I am parked in front of the stadium. Owen told me that I was meeting with the coach today, but I have no idea where to go.

I get out of my car, and the lot is completely empty as I walk toward the employee entrance. Owen said to knock, and someone would let me in, so I knock.

“Yeah?” an older woman grunts when she opens the door.

“I’m here for an interview with the head coach,” I say. “Nora Bennett.”

“Oh. Yeah,” she says. “Come on in, baby.”

“I wasn’t given a time, so I just came in early,” I say.

“Oh, he won’t mind. He’s been here waiting for you.”

“Oh,” I say as I follow her.

“End of the hall. Just walk in,” she says before walking away. I take a deep breath and walk down the hall, keeping my head up. I don’t know what to say if he asks about the charges or the psychiatric stay.

I stop outside of the door and close my eyes for a moment before walking in. All of the color drains out of my face in an instant when I am faced with Luke Jones.

“Nora,” he says gently, standing from his desk.

“I… I’m sorry. I shouldn’t… I’ll go,” I say tearfully.

“No, no, no,” he says, pushing the door shut and hugging me.

I never expected Liam’s brother to be the one wanting to give me a job. Never in a million years did I imagine his family would want anything to do with me.

“I’m sorry,” I sob. “I never meant for him to die. I just wanted to save him. I’m sorry.”

“Look at me, Nora,” he says, lifting my face.

“I’m sorry,” I whimper.

“Sweetheart, there is so much you don’t know,” he says, cupping my face. “Liam loved you so damn much, Nora. Please believe me when I say that this is not your fault.”

“If I hadn’t…”

“He still would have died; he just might have been alone when he went,” he says softly.

The door opens behind me, and it’s rage that comes out. I turn around so fast that Luke doesn’t expect it, but Owen does. Before I can hit him, he grabs my wrist and pulls me into his arms.

“You fucking lied,” I cry. “You lied to me. You fucking knew.”

“Please let me explain, Nora,” he says. “I promise I am doing this for the right reasons.”

“You’re Alex’s brother, aren’t you?” I pull back and snap at him. “I fucking knew you looked like him.”

“Yes, and we need to have a huge discussion,” he says. “We didn’t want to throw this all on you, and Luke is actually hiring you. Okay?”

“Why do either of you care?” I scream. “They’re dead because of me.”