Love Survives (BWWM)

The Truth

*Last chapter will be posted tomorrow!*

****

"Janelle's coming over today," I reminded Aaron as he stepped out of the shower and reached for his towel.

"You keep telling me," he muttered.

I leaned over the sink to get a closer look at a growing pimple on my face. "Well, I just want to make sure you don't forget."

Drying off, he put on a pair of sweatpants before coming up behind me. "Nervous?"

I was a little nervous, but I wasn't going to admit that to him because he'd only tease me. And I knew there was really no reason for me to be nervous. I invited Janelle over so we could talk and get closer.

"Nope," I answered.

He slapped my ass then walked into my room. "Quit picking at that pimple," he called out.

"I do what I want."

***

Janelle and I just came home after hours of shopping and stopping for lunch. I poured her a glass of wine and a cup of tea for myself and we sat down.

She got comfortable on my couch, tucking her legs beneath her and leaning into one of my cushions.

I found that we had a lot in common, and she was an amazing person. She loved Aaron and her nieces so much, and she was so understanding and helpful.

But there was one thing on my mind that I had to get out. I had to tell someone, and that person just happened to be her.

"Can I ask for your advice on something?" I asked.

She nodded. "Sure."

I drew in a breath and let it go. "I spoke to Warren behind Aaron's back."

Her eyes went wide. "You did?"

Feeling completely ashamed, I covered my face with my hands. "God, yes, I did, and I don't know what to do. Should I tell him?"

She downed the rest of her wine and stood with the glass in her hand. "I need more wine."

We went into the kitchen, and she poured another glass of wine.

She chugged it and sighed. "Why did you do it?"

I groaned. "I don't know. I thought maybe I'd get some answers for Aaron. I immediately regretted it right afterwards."

Janelle looked worried. "Kyra, that's not good. Aaron won't like that."

I knew he wouldn't like it and that was why I was coming to her for advice. "Should I tell him?"

"Yes. You have to. If he finds out later, it'll be worse."

She was right. I had to tell him.

"Right," I mumbled.

Reaching out, she touched my hand. "He has issues that he hasn't worked through, Kyra. We both know that, but it wasn't your place to get involved."

Oh God.

"He's going to hate me," I whispered.

Janelle frowned. "Don't say that. If he loves you, he'll try to understand."

I really hoped she was right but deep down I knew Aaron would be livid. "How should I tell him?"

She squeezed my hand. "It's better to just rip the bandaid off."

***

Aaron came home late that night. I could tell he'd had a hard day because he kissed my cheek, asked me how my day was and quietly listened. He looked tired, and I was starting to feel scared.

I didn't trust myself not to chicken out so when we finished eating, I sat him down on the couch and got serious.

"What's this about? Can it wait?"

I shook my head. "It can't wait, Aaron. I have to tell you."

Rubbing a hand down his face, he relaxed into the couch and sighed. "Alright. Let's hear it."

"I did something. Something that was wrong, and I wish I could take it back."

He visibly stiffened. "Spit it out."

My heart pounded in my chest. "I called your father, and we went out to talk. He told me—"

"Please, tell me you didn't, Kyra. Because if you did, I won't be happy."

I avoided his gaze. "I just wanted to see what he had to say."

He stood abruptly, fists clenched, brows furrowed. "Look at me, Kyra."

I complied and saw that he was at a whole new level of being pissed off.

"Aaron, you have to understand that—"

"I don't have to understand shit, Kyra," he growled.

I flinched. "I want you to be happy, Aaron. Being angry at him is holding you back," I tried, but he wasn't having it.

He shot me a cold glare. "I am happy, Kyra. Or I was happy before my wife to be lied to me."

Feeling guilty, I murmured, "I'm sorry, honey."

He ignored me. "Do you want to know where I go after work? Why I take so long to get home?"

I stood and took a step towards him, but he immediately stepped back. "Why?"

"Therapy. I talk to a therapist. He's tried to get me to talk to him before, and I've refused."

"Are you afraid that you might actually forgive him? That you might actually let it go and move on?"

He began pacing the floor. "I'm only afraid of one thing, Kyra, and that's losing you."

My heart warmed, but it also hurt because he was in denial. "I love you, Aaron. I really do, but forgiving your father is the only way you'll ever be free."

He pulled at his hair. "I don't want to hear it."

"I know," I whispered. My voice was barely audible, but I knew he heard it.

Suddenly, he stopped pacing and faced me. "He can't come between us."

"What?"

He took my hand and tugged it, forcing us to collide. His hands cupped my cheeks gently, he dipped his head and kissed the tip of my nose. "He can't come between us, Kyra. I won't let him."

"So, you'll talk to him?"

Slowly, he nodded. "For you."

I relaxed and closed my eyes. "I'll be with you if you want."

He shook his head. "No. I'll do it alone." He kissed my forehead before letting me go. "I'm going for a drive."

"Aaron—"

"I'll be back."

***

In the middle of the night, I heard my apartment door open and close.

Then I felt my bed dip as Aaron climbed into bed next to me. Strong arms wrapped around my body, he buried his face in my neck.

"You were right," he mumbled.

"I love you."

"Love you too."