Free Irrefutable (The Apprehensive Duet Book 2) by Kimberly Bracco Page A

make things easier for you. But never once did he think you weren’t a man because you hadn’t settled down yet. He was very proud of you regardless of your dating life.”
    I’ve never heard this story before. My parents always seemed so happy and in love, I’d just assumed it was always that way. “Why didn’t he just sit down and tell me about this?”
    “He didn’t want you to think less of him. You looked at him as if he was your hero and it meant the world to him. He didn’t want to taint your view of him by you knowing that he was capable of letting us down. His words, not mine. I never felt let down by him. He worked his ass off to show me just how much I meant to him. Made me feel like the luckiest woman on the planet. It drove me nuts he was still so guilt-ridden after all these years.”
    My heart breaks for my dad, knowing how guilty he felt for close to forty years. I wish he would’ve told me so I could’ve explained this only made me idolize him more. Working so hard to correct a mistake. Not only correct it, but make it a million times better. A real man stands by his family and does everything he needs to keep them together. My dad did that. Not just when he needed to, but every single day. Looking back, I can’t think of one memory with my dad that was bad. He was always so level-headed with me and never talked down to me. He built me up and made me the man I am today. He was the greatest father in the world.
    “He loved Quinn,” my mother says, interrupting the thoughts about my dad. “He considered her part of this family. Lord knows she needs some people who truly care about her in this world. If he was still here, he’d tell you to let go of the anger you’re feeling toward her. This man is terrorizing her. She knows she was wrong and apologized. Not many people would do that. We have to help her. But not by you marrying her. I’m a little angry that you lied to us and let it get this far, but that’s not going to help, so let’s figure out a way to fix this mess and nail her father to the wall. Nobody tries to hurt my family.”
    “It’s not that easy, Mom. She betrayed me.”
    “Did she?” Mom asks with a perfectly arched eyebrow.
    “Yes,” I protest. “She’s been lying to me for months. We had an arrangement. She had no reason to keep this from me. And now she wants to break everything off. I love her, Mom. She used and manipulated me.”
    “Jordan,” my mom sighs. “Are you in love with Quinn or are you in love with the life you’re imagining for yourself with her?”
    “I thought I was in love with her,” I answer. “But since you and Quinn have now both mentioned loving the vision more than the woman, I have no clue what the hell I feel.”
    Mom gives my shoulder a bump with her own and says, “It’s easy to tell. When you close your eyes and picture life, do you see it with Quinn? I mean, do you clearly see her face, or do you just assume it’s Quinn because you’ve agreed to do this?”
    I don’t answer because I don’t have one.
    “You don’t have to figure everything out in one day, but cut the woman some slack. She lied, but only to protect you. She wasn’t doing anything malicious,” Mom says as she stands from the couch. “Now, this old lady needs to get back to bed. Meet me for lunch tomorrow and we’ll finish picking your brain and see if we can come up with some ideas to help Quinn.”
    Leaning down, she kisses my forehead and leaves the room.
    Damn my mother and her mind games.
    Do I love Quinn, or do I just believe I do because I think it’s how I’m supposed to feel?
    I came here to try and clear my mind, but I’m more fucking confused than ever.
     

 
    JORDAN STORMED OUT over two hours ago, and I’m still sitting here waiting for him to walk back through the door. This isn’t how I saw tonight going. The anger I predicted, but him telling me he loves me threw me for a damn loop.
    What the hell am I supposed to do?
    Everything is