Sara, ever the diplomat, clears her throat. “Do you need another beer, Cain?”

His eyes never leave Marlo, and the chill factor in the room drops to the point of uncomfortable. “Maybe if you gave her a chance, instead of ostracizing her, you might find she’s a nicer person than you think. You’d be surprised what you find when you give people a fucking chance, Marlo.”

The room is bathed in silence, but Marlo’s oblivious to the tone shift. She rolls her eyes and cocks her head.

“Honestly, I can’t get past her sour face to find out. What’s up with people who look like they smell dog shit all the time? I just don’t get it,” Marlo asks with a shrug.

A snicker releases from my lips, and I slap my hand over my mouth and cough in a futile effort to mask it. Cain turns and levels me with his eyes. It’s a look I’ve never seen from him before, and it sobers me.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. Really, Celia?” Cain’s tone is low and menacing, and my name sounds like poison on his lips.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, looking away.

“You’re sorry? I don’t know why I’m surprised. Aren’t you always?” He shakes his head, looking exasperated with me. “I get that Kimberly has her faults, but she’s never drawn me in, time after time, only to push me away. She’s never given me the world, only to rip it away from me the next day. And, she would never, not fucking ever, tell me to stop loving her!” His voice booms through the air and ricochets through my heart, leaving rips and tears along the way. Cain inhales a deep breath and closes his eyes. “I think I’m done for today. I’ve had about all I can stand,” he says in a low voice, then turns on his foot and walks back to the patio.

When the door slams behind him, five pairs of questioning eyes land on me. My trembling hands grip the island as I stand, my breaths ragged and my eyes filling with inevitable tears.

“Excuse me, please,” I whisper, before turning away and running to the bathroom.

The floodgates open when the lock clicks in place, and I cover my mouth to muffle the sound. I struggle for control, knowing I can’t walk out of this bathroom until I get a hold on myself.

Hearing my friends gush about weddings, honeymoons, and babies takes its toll on my emotions. I want those things for them, and I’m so happy to be a part of their celebration, but what about me? I’m just so tired … so fucking tired of being the sad girl. When is it my turn to be happy? And why in the hell do I feel like I need permission?

Brewing anger at my impossible situation steels my determination and eventually dries my tears. I clean up as best I can, and make a plan to grab my purse and hightail it home as quick as freaking possible. When I open the bathroom door, collagen lips and pointy tits assault my vision.

Kimberly eyes me with a bored expression and rolls her eyes. “I see the way you look at him, you know? We both do.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I whisper, trying to move around her, but she blocks the hallway.

“We’ve laughed about how fucking pathetic you are. You see, Cain and I have something that you can’t compete with. We have history, and there’s nothing you can do to change that. I suggest you cut your losses and move the fuck on.” She raises her eyebrows and crosses her arms in challenge.

“I need you to move the fuck out of my way. We’re done here,” I say, my restraint in serious jeopardy.

She moves even closer, her minty breath curling my gut and her sweet perfume stinging my nose. “You’re absolutely right. You are done.”

“Kimberly, enough! It’s time to go,” Cain says, and we both jump at the sound of his voice.

His expression gives nothing away. I wonder how much of our conversation he overheard, or if it would even matter to him. And maybe Kimberly’s right. Maybe I am done as far as he’s concerned. After the way I treated him, I deserve to be dismissed from his life.

With the blink of an eye, Kimberly’s demeanor changes, and a shiver runs up my spine. The menacing girl from five seconds ago vanishes, replaced with an easy smile and loving eyes.

“Sure thing, babe. I’m ready to get you home,” she coos while sidling past him and running a finger along his chest.

Cain’s eyes linger on me, and I can’t look away. Love and pain war within me. Is there any truth to Kimberly’s words? Does he really make fun of me?

The moment is over as quick as it began, and he leaves me standing alone in the hallway. I wait until I hear the truck engine turn before making my way into the kitchen to say my goodbyes.

I slam Adam’s front door and hurry down the porch steps. I can’t get across the yard and into my house fast enough for my liking. Alex, Sara, and Marlo’s looks told me it wouldn’t be long before the questions started. Audrey’s face said something else entirely, and it’s even less welcome than the girls’ curiosity.

I hear the door slam and the sound of footsteps behind me. I don’t need to turn around to know who it is.

“Not now, Audrey,” I say over my shoulder.

“You lied to me,” she accuses.

“Oh God, Audrey, what? What did I lie about?” I keep walking, hoping she’ll take my not so subtle hint.

“Celia, stop!” She grabs my shoulder and forces me to turn around. “You told me it was just a fling. What I just witnessed was a helluva lot more than a fling, if you ask me.”

I exhale a ragged breath and resign myself to this conversation. Honestly, I’m resisting the urge to tell her it’s none of her goddamn business.

“What difference does it make anymore, Audrey? It’s over between us. He’s with Kimberly now.”

“It makes a big difference to me. You’re supposed to be with my brother, Celia. I mean, enough is enough!” She throws her hands in the air, exasperated.

I nod my head slowly, methodically, as I carefully craft my reply. “I couldn’t agree more. Enough is enough.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?’

“When is it over, Audrey? How long is my punishment? Is this a life sentence I’m serving, or do I get time off for good behavior?”

She jerks back, obviously taken off guard. “I didn’t realize Lucas was a punishment to you. I was under the assumption that you loved my brother,” she accuses, fuming.

“You know I love Lucas. But loving someone and being in love are two very different things. And have you ever wondered how Lucas feels about me?”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“Do you know how long it’s been since Lucas has kissed me? Hugged me? Told me he loves me? Years, Audrey. Fucking years! He’s no more in love with me than I am with him. How long can a person exist without touch … or affection of any kind?” I press my lips together and seethe with anger.

“I didn’t know…” Audrey whispers, looking more lost than she should. It makes me wonder how closely she paid attention all these years.

“You didn’t want to know!”

Her eyes flame at my accusation, my words putting her on the defensive. “Don’t make me out to the be the bad guy in all of this. I’m not the one who kept everyone in the dark. I didn’t hide his illness from everyone who loves him until he slit his fucking wrists!”

“And you’ll never let me forget it, will you?” I whisper with a finger pointed at her chest. There it is, the ugly truth, laid out in the open. When push comes to shove, she blames me, just like her parents. “I was seventeen fucking years old, Audrey. Does that one decision have to dictate the rest of my life? I will always regret the part I played, but I’m not the villain either. I didn’t give him schizophrenia, but I sure as hell have dedicated my life to helping him. But you don’t see that, do you? I’ll always be the girl who helped your brother attempt suicide.”