Surrender (Seaside Pictures #4) - Rachel Van Dyken Page 0,62

overdose and one and only relapse three years ago. Check out the photos again. We want a full apology put out immediately, or the team will take legal action…Yup, I’m on my cell…Yeah, I have him…Okay. Bye.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Thank you. For believing me.”

Will sighed and wrapped an arm around me. “You’re a pain in my ass, a dick half the time, and too talented for your own good. I know you’ve been clean, man. We all do. I knew when I saw the pictures that it was from forever ago, and most were blurry enough so you couldn’t see any lines on your face.”

“The hell are you saying? Lines? I don’t have wrinkles! I Botox this shit.”

“See? I offend you, and you stop being sad. How well do I know you? I mean seriously?” Will pulled his arm back and elbowed me.

I scowled. “At least someone believes me.”

“Bronte?”

I nodded.

“I take it you didn’t give her her presents yet?”

“Ah…” The lump was back in my throat. “…the pictures popped up on the news the minute I was trying to.”

Will winced. “Well, that’s incredibly bad timing.”

“Amelia was there.” I sighed. “If you find my bloating body tomorrow morning floating around by the jellyfish side of the cliff, know that Braden got to me before I could tell him the truth.”

Will shook his head. “Not gonna happen. Braden loves you like a brother, even though you’re in love with his mom.”

I made a face. “Maybe say that sentence differently in the future?”

“Yeah.” He laughed. “All I’m saying is that he gets how this industry is now, how cutthroat. Bronte hasn’t even seen part of how bad it gets, how people lie, and manipulate to get what they want. So, you can’t expect her to understand everything. You have to take the time to tell her just like she needs to take the time to listen.” He slapped me on the shoulder. “Welcome to a real relationship.”

I stood. “I need to go talk with her.”

“No need, man. No need.” Will looked over my shoulder, and I turned to follow his gaze.

Bronte stood there, must have been standing there the entire time, tears streaming down her face. Had she heard it all? Did she know my pain? What I was trying like hell to protect her from?

“I went to the house first,” explained Will, “and then turned on my Find-a-Friend to make sure you were okay. She cried the entire time here, so she wasn’t all that helpful.” He gave her a sad smile. “But I told her to wait, to listen. Always two sides to every story.”

I didn’t give Will the chance to walk away. I jerked him in for a massive hug. “You’re the best friend I’ve ever had.”

“Don’t make me cry. She’ll tell my wife.” His voice cracked.

Hearing him call Angelica his wife didn’t make my chest hurt. If anything, I finally felt as if I could smile. His wife.

His wife.

They deserved each other.

They deserved happiness, and I deserved Bronte.

Will walked off down the street toward his car.

Bronte’s face was red, and her eyes puffy from tears. “Will you forgive me?” Her voice was thick with emotion, sick from crying. “Please? I don’t think—” She covered her face with her hands.

“Don’t cry,” I took a step toward her. “Not on your birth—”

I stopped talking.

On her left hand, was the gorgeous ring I’d gotten her for her birthday. I had a speech prepared about it being too soon, but that I hoped one day she’d give me that ring back and tell me it was time, time to replace it with a diamond.

Because I wanted forever, even if I had to wait in order to have it.

“You’re wearing the ring on your left hand.” I felt my throat close up.

She dropped her hands. Two steps and she was in my arms, hugging me. “I know you didn’t ask, but I couldn’t stand to put it anywhere else but there, where people will see who I belong to, who I will be honored to walk with, who I am proud to love.”

I lifted her up in my arms and kissed her hard against the mouth. Our lips parted. My eyes hooded as I drank in her beauty; even after crying, she was stunning. “When you’re ready, I want to replace it, something flashy, something that you can see from space…”

She smiled through her tears. “That’s too bad…” She kissed me softly and whispered against my mouth. “…because I’m not