My Brother's Girl

10| The Walk

After the surprise proposal at dinner, we had dessert before everyone went to bed. I was now in my bedroom staring at my newest piece of jewelry. In some ways, it felt like I did the right thing. I did love Logan. But this just seemed really, really fast. I had no idea that he was going to propose. Is that what he had been out with his dad doing today? Getting a ring? Was this because he wanted sex? He and I never once talked about marriage. We didn’t even live together.

I remembered the expression on Wyatt’s face when he heard his brother ask me to marry him. He looked shocked and betrayed. Then he left. Where did Wyatt go? He disappeared and hadn’t been seen after the proposal. His mother said he wasn’t feeling well. I went by his room after dinner to check on him and got no response. 

I had to have been seeing things at dinner, because it seemed to hurt Wyatt that Logan proposed. But why would it bother him? Why did he have that expression on his face? None of this made any sense. None of it. I looked at the ring again. When I tried to picture it, I could see myself being married to Logan. But I still couldn’t shake this feeling of uneasiness. 

I was just about to change into my pajamas when there was a knock on the door. I was too exhausted to even guess who it could be. I just assumed it was Logan. I walked over and opened the door. “Wyatt? Hey. What happened at dinner? You disappeared--”

“Can we talk?” He shifted uneasily on his feet. “Maybe go for a walk?” 

I frowned at the odd note in his voice. “Sure. Let me get my shoes.” 

I quickly slipped on my flats before he and I started walking down the long hallway. Neither of us said anything while we made our way towards the back door and out of the house. I followed behind Wyatt as he passed the very large pool and headed towards a trail that led into the woods. 

“Where are we going?” I asked him when we continued deeper into the woods. He knew I hated the woods. 

He finally stopped but didn’t turn around to face me. “Lia, I need to ask you something; and I need you to be honest with me.” 

My heart started racing in my chest. “Of course I’ll be honest with you.” 

“You told me you loved me once. Was that true?” 

Oh, God. What the fuck was this? Why was he bringing up a very painful memory for me? I tried to bury that memory and never think about it. Because when I did think about it, it hurt me just like it did the first time. I crossed my arms over my chest. “Yes,” I answered honestly. “I meant it. But why are you--”

“Do you still love me?” 

That stopped me cold. “Why are you asking me this, Wyatt? Turn around and look at me!” He turned towards me and I asked again, “Why are you asking me this?” 

“I need to know the answer, Lia.” 

“I need to know why you’re asking me this.” I took a few steps in his direction. “I’m sorry, Wyatt, but you gave up the right to ask me a question like that.” 

“Excuse me?" He asked incredulously. "I have every right to ask you that, Lia. Answer the damn question.” 

I stayed silent. What the hell was going on? Today has been so weird and unexpected. I ran my hands over my face briefly. I couldn’t lie to him, but I couldn’t answer his question, either. I was screwed either way, because by not answering it, Wyatt figured it out anyway. He knew the truth. I loved him and there was no denying it. 

He closed the distance between us and reached for my left hand. He studied the ring before looking into my eyes. “If you still love me, then why the fuck did you say yes to Logan?”