Irrefutable (The Apprehensive Duet Book 2) by Kimberly Bracco Read Free Book Online Page B

You’re going to meet me back out here in twenty minutes, and we’re going to go somewhere and talk everything out. You can trust me, Quinn. I promise.”
    He doesn’t even give me the chance to object before he’s helping me to my feet and pushing me into the locker room. Right now I feel as though I have no control over my body. Almost as if my brain shut down part of itself and is running solely on instinct.
    The locker room is empty as I strip out of my gross clothes. I step under the water in the shower stall and let it pelt down on me for a few minutes, trying to give myself a small reprieve. The stinging of the water hitting my knuckles brings me back out of my fog a little bit. Can I finally let it out? Can I finally tell someone what’s happening inside me? Is it possible that today may just be the day that I figure out some way to fix the clusterfuck that my life has become?
    Alex is waiting for me when I step out of the locker room. No words are exchanged as he takes my hand in his and walks me to the front of the gym.
    “I didn’t know you still came here,” he admits as we make our way onto the sidewalk.
    Pulling my sweatshirt a little tighter to fight the cold chill in the November air, I answer, “I never stopped. Billy and I still meet at least once a week.”
    Alex just nods his head and continues pulling me forward, I assume to the coffee shop down the block.
    The bells jingle as we walk through the door making a happy sound that doesn’t match my mood. The Christmas decorations are starting to go up around town, including here. Where I used to love Christmas not too long ago, these last two Christmases have been lacking for me, and the thought of mustering any spirit for this one just makes me want to curl up in a ball on the floor.
    I miss the old days, when I wasn’t constantly empty, and red and green glitter decorations made me incredibly happy. I only have enough strength to handle getting through this mess my father is perpetrating. There’s no room left for anything more and it seems that everything else has lost its meaning.
    “I’ll get us something to drink while you find a place to sit. Make sure it’s comfortable because we’re not leaving here until I know everything.”
    I look around at the fairly empty room. It’s barely seven a.m. on a Wednesday, so I’m not surprised by the lack of people. I head toward the back corner where the lighting is lower and it’s more secluded. Deciding on the plush purple couch in the far corner, I settle in and tuck my feet under my ass. I glance over at the counter and watch Alex as he orders our drinks.
    There’s no telling how any of this will go. How will I feel finally getting everything off my chest? I’m not the least bit surprised that Alex knew there was more going on than I initially told him … I swear he’s part clairvoyant. I want to tell him. I need to tell him. I know deep down that he’s the only person I’ll allow myself to trust right now.
    I’m not even sure how I was able to convince myself that Alex was anything but an amazing man who cared about me. Thinking back without my blinders on, nothing he said should’ve led me to believe he was cheater or thought it was okay. I read him totally wrong and hurt him –and myself – immeasurably. And yet here he is, still being the man I need. Still helping me through the tough times.
    No matter what problems I faced while we were together, he always made me feel like they were his as well. Even the smallest, most insignificant things. There was never any judgment. He always wanted what was best for me. Still does, even after the atrocious way I treated him.
    Something about the way he listens and understands what I’m not saying makes me feel comfortable. Known. Accepted. Alex has also always known just the right way to say things to make the biggest impact. The right words, the right tone.
    Armed with a coffee in each hand, Alex sits down next to me and hands one over.