You Are My Air: Breathless Book 1 by Samantha Wolfe Read Free Book Online

silent during our exchange as they sensed the rising tension between us.
    "It's been over a year, David," she continued undeterred by my growing anger, her eyes narrowed and fixed on mine. "Have you even been on a date since you and Paige broke up?"
    The mention of that name filled me with rage. "We're not talking about her anymore, Diana," I said, enunciating each syllable distinctly and in a low deadly tone.
    "That's funny, because I don't remember you talking about her at all since your relationship ended," she added snidely as she cocked her head.
    I took a deep breath, reminding myself that Diana was only worried about me and irritable with her pregnancy. I was not going to get in a fight with her here at the dinner table in front of everyone.
    "Diana, please," I said, trying to moderate my tone and not really sure I was succeeding. "I don't want to talk about this."
    "I'm sorry," she said quietly as tears of regret filled her eyes. "I just...I just don't want you to be alone for the rest of your life."
    "I'm just not ready." I lied to her too. None of them would understand or let it go if they knew the truth. I was done with dating, and I was done with relationships. Diana began speaking again, but Mom interrupted her.
    "Alright, Diana," she said sternly with a look of disapproval directed at my sister. "You heard your brother. He doesn't want to discuss this anymore, so please drop it."
    Diana wisely let the subject go, but not before giving me a meaningful look that said this wasn't over. I'd cross that bridge when I got there, but for now I was grateful that Mom had intervened.
    The rest of the meal was uneventful and so was the next few hours as I enjoyed myself, playing with the kids and watching Tony and Joe destroy me in several games of pool. By the time I was walking out to head home, I had practically forgotten the spat I had with Diana. That was until she followed me to my car and cornered me.
    "I'm really worried about you," she stated as she slowly waddled the last few feet down the sidewalk to stand in front of me. Tony was right. She looked miserable and uncomfortable.
    "I'm fine, Diana," I assured her, feeling exasperated. "You need to stop worrying about me."
    "You've given up, haven't you?" she accused me with narrowed eyes. "She messed you up so bad that you won't let anyone in again, didn't she?" Damn my sister for figuring this out. Now I'd never hear the end of it. I hoped to God that she didn't tell Mom or Baba. I dragged a hand through my beard as I tried to figure out what to say next. "Well?" she prompted me with annoyance. "You don't have anything to say now?"
    "What do you want me to say?" I asked irritably. "That I'm done putting myself out there. That I don't want to feel that way ever again. That I can't ever trust another woman enough to take the risk of getting close to them."
    "Why do I feel like there's more going on here then just a break up?" Diana asked with concern. "Did something else happen with Paige? Did she cheat on you?"
    I wish. I stared at Diana with a bitter smile. That would have been so much better than the truth of what really happened. I think I might have been able to get past that.
    "Just because she cheated on you doesn't mean someone else will." She took my long silence as an admission and I didn't correct her.
    "I have to go," I told her. "Can we please not talk about this?"
    "Fine." She finally relented. I almost sighed with relief that she was dropping this subject, and that she hadn't insisted on knowing the truth. If I had my way, no one ever would. I wish I didn't know.
    I stepped forward and hugged my sister, which was a feat considering her huge swollen belly, but I managed. "I'll be okay," I assured her even though I wasn't sure I believed it. "I promise."
    "I hate that woman for what she did to you," Diana whispered against my chest.
    So do I. Unfortunately, hate was an insidious emotion, and once it got its claws into you, it was hard to let it go. I