Bastards and Scapegoats (Twisted Legacy Duet #1) - CoraLee June Page 0,82

rubbed my back. I lifted up on my toes and kissed his jaw. “Let’s go home, Hamilton,” I whispered. “Please.”

When I pulled back from the hug, Jack was crying. He clutched a handkerchief to his face and stared at the ground, like it would swallow him up.

“Let’s go,” Hamilton whispered before threading his fingers through mine and pulling me through the restaurant. I looked over my shoulder at Jack just before disappearing through the front door, and to my surprise, his eyes were trained on me. I couldn’t quite place the emotion bleeding through his gaze. Curiosity? Pain? Determination?

Something told me I’d learn soon.

23

The car ride home was stiff and silent. I stared out the window, watching the passing cars and lit up buildings while feeling uncertain how to help Hamilton. He was at a breaking point. How could someone that seemed so strong, so sure of himself, crumble so easily? Everything changed so quickly. His mother’s death had a twisted hold on him. His family’s legacy ruined him. I had so many questions about the relationship with his father and the accusations he screamed in the crowded restaurant.

You killed her!

I knew that Hamilton’s mother was depressed because of her cheating husband. I wasn’t sure if the overdose was an accident or not, but I knew that sometimes when people hurt, they liked to escape the heaviness of their thoughts. I understood why, in Hamilton’s grief-stricken mind, he would blame his father—and he blamed himself. Seeing how toxic it was made me painfully aware of the mess I’d made of my relationship with my mother. I didn’t want to get to this level, where every interaction was forced and full of hate. We had to get to a healthier place.

We pulled up to Hamilton’s townhouse, but neither of us got out of the car. “So, that was…”

“Intense?” Hamilton offered. “All day has been very intense.” He pinched the bridge of his nose and mumbled something under his breath. “I’m sorry our night was ruined.”

“It wasn’t ruined. Someday I would like to eat there. Maybe we can go on a calmer day?” I offered. “We can go on a regular Tuesday afternoon. Healing doesn’t have to happen with momentous moments and anniversaries and decisions. It’s the little steps, you know?”

“I’m never going back there. Jack ruined it for me,” Hamilton whispered.

I debated on how to respond and decided to take a risk. “Maybe you and Jack should—”

“Don’t you dare tell me that I should kiss and make up with Jack,” Hamilton interrupted. “You don’t know anything about our relationship. He doesn’t deserve my forgiveness. He doesn’t deserve anything. You don’t know everything he’s done.”

“Because you won’t tell me!” My tone was exasperated. “I’m not pressuring you to, but maybe things would be easier if you just talked to him? Get some closure? It’s not healthy to live your life this way, Hamilton. I lo—care deeply for you. I hate that you go through this every year. I just think if you talked to him, it could help.” I couldn’t believe that I almost admitted that I loved him. Wasn’t it too soon for that? Didn’t we have too much to learn about one another still?

“Oh, like you talk with your mom?” Hamilton replied. “You’ve been ignoring her calls all week. You won’t tell her about us. You won’t call her on her shit for lying about the pregnancy and blackmailing you into cooperation. You’re too scared to piss her off. What are you so afraid of, Vera?”

My eyes watered. “Look, you’ve had a rough day. I get it—”

“Don’t patronize me.”

“My relationship with my mother is my business. Even if I haven’t talked about it with her yet, I’m still here. I’m still with you. I still chose you.”

“You chose a dirty, secret fling that you’ll drop the second your mother comes crying to you. I get it. I get it probably more than anyone else will. You feel like you have to be the best you can be. You shamelessly break your back for her because you feel obligated to make up for the fact that you exist. We’ve discussed it before. I know where I stand, and I can’t hold a candle to your own insecurities and guilt. I don’t even know why I try. This is such bullshit.”

My throat seized up with emotion. It felt like I couldn’t breathe. “That’s not fair.”

“What’s not fair is you telling me to fix my relationship with my father when you have your