Step Brother 2: Jealousy (Completed)

Eleven

"About that." He says taking a deep breath. "Our marriage, it's not exactly real." My eyes widen in shock, yet confusion is written all over my face. What does that even mean? "Not real?" I repeat. Trying to make sense of it. "She's actually my friend." I jump up off the couch. I'm angry, that he lied. Not that he lied at the start, but since we've became so close, I've confided in him, I've shared private details about my failed marriage, yet all this time he hid this from me.

"I know what you're thinking. Please just let me explain?" If this was years ago, I probably would have stormed out, but I'm more mature than that. He deserves for me to hear him out at least. Right? I mean I've done worse. He's been a man these last few months. He didn't hold what I done to him against him. "Okay." I say as I grab a blanket off the couch to cover me, before I sit down beside him.

"She was going to be deported, back to Germany. I couldn't let that happen, her family, it's not my place to say, but they're not good people. She wasn't safe there. I couldn't let her go back there. So I married her so she could stay in England. Eventually she was legal to live in the US."
I felt relief wash over me, that's the type of guy Rome is. He cares, maybe too much, but he's such an amazing person.

"So.." I said with a short pause. "..why does she hate me so much?" You see I thought she just didn't trust me, because Rome was her husband, because she loved him. Now? I can't figure out her problem.
"Well.. I spoke to her about you." He said looking down at the floor. "I told her how heartbroken I was, when you chose him. How I tried over, and over to get over you, but I couldn't. I guess as my friend, she didn't want to see me get hurt again." I look away in shame. In all these years I thought about him, but I never really deeply thought about his feelings. I was selfish, I was unfair. I don't regret my daughter, but I wonder.. What my life would have been like if I had of gave him that last chance? Would we be happy? Would we had broken? I guess I'll never know.

"I am sorry you know? I know that will never make any of it okay. I was in a messed up place, I guess you leaving, I just lost faith in you. I was scared, that you'd break me again. I couldn't go through that again." He nodded, and I sensed sadness from him. "Rome?" I said softly, his eyes met mine. "Do you still love me? Had you an agenda? Is that why you have been there for me this whole time?" I couldn't help but think, maybe because he knew my marriage was over, that this was his chance. That this was his opportunity.

"What do you want me to say? I'll always love you Kate. Always. But.. No, that's not why I've been your friend. I guess I went so long without you, that being your friend was better then being nothing at all. All I've ever wanted is for you to be happy. You've been so down, I just wanted to make you smile." His words are so sincere. "You don't need to be sorry. I know you didn't trust me. Truth is I don't blame you for any of it, I blame myself. But, I've had one question I've asked myself a million times. Only you can answer it Kate. But, if you don't want to, or you can't answer honestly, then it's okay, you don't have to answer it." I nod, and brace myself for what's coming next.. "If I never left you, if I stayed, and you met Logan, do you think you would have slept with him? Or chose him still?" I had a feeling it would be a question like this, although I wasn't prepared for it. So, I just speak honestly.

"If you never left, no. I wouldn't have slept with him, I wouldn't have chose him. It would have been you, and only you." I never really asked myself that question before. I didn't allow myself. Now, sitting here, I know I was willing to give him all of me back then, before he broke my trust.
"I'm sorry. I really am so fucking sorry. I never should have left you, especially the second time. I couldn't cope, and I was young. I made the biggest mistake of my life." He shook his head, and I could see tears forming in his eyes. I kissed him, hard my way of forgiving him, while asking him for forgiveness.