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I sit up now that he’s commanded my full attention

“Make it right with her,” he says “The woman still loves you—Lord only knohy And she’s probably the only one who ever will” Grabbing a fistful of his hair, he adds, “The woman of your drea but push her away since the second she came back”

“I’ her a favor She deserves better than me”

“That’s not for you to decide” Rising, he paces the space between the sofa and coffee table “Hell, if you don’t want her … I have half a mind to make herpunching bag”

I fly off the couch and grip hi ret

“You wouldn’t dare,” I say between gritted teeth

He lifts his palo

“You’re right,” Cash says “I wouldn’t But you need to stop being asorry for yourself Everyone thinks you’re this saint, but all you’ve done the last ten years is lie to everyone who ever gave a damn about you”

He isn’t wrong

“She’s leaving in two days,” he says “Either you ht, Wyatt, or you lose her forever”

I sink back into the couch I wish it were as si it sound

“What the hell is wrong with you?” His eyes are wild, and he’s et in one of his ed, Wyatt? Huh? Ever since Blaire left and Dad died, you’ve beco but a shell of yourself A shadow A sorry excuse for a Buchanan You’re lucky Dad’s not around because you’d be nothing but a disappointment”

Ten years ago, I locked e and I threay the key

Now they’re swelling to the surface, hot and angry, waiting to explode

I stand again, shoulders taut, fists clenched, jaw cinched tight “You knoas a disappointment, Cash? Our father”

He squints, not understanding

“The man the rest of you idolize and emulate? He was a piece of shit wife-beater,” I say

Cash shakes his head in disbelief, but he’s clinging onto my every word

“All those marks you used to see on Ma her face on a cattle gate or getting kicked by a horse?” I’ “Those were from him”