Holiday Second Chance Romance (Clarice and Trevor) novel Chapter 39

39 Confrontation (Part 1).

39 Confrontation (Part 1)

Clarice POV

As soon as we step into the lobby from the back entrance, my entire body goes rigid. Despite knowing that he would likely be here today, I still wasn’t prepared to hear his voice. Hearing him say we are still married, has the anger that had dissipated days ago returning with a vengeance. “Not for much longer,” I say. Nick wraps his arm tighter around me as Trevor turns to face me. A

torrent of emotions crosses his features before he settles on anger.

“Clarice, what the hell is going on,” he asks, his eyes never leaving Nick. “I think that’s my question, Trevor. Why are you here? I think I was pretty clear that we were over when I walked in on you and my ex–best friend talking about me finding out about your affair.” “Bullsh*t, we are not over. Is that what this is,” he asks, pointing between me and Nick. “Revenge for what happened. This isn’t you, sweetheart. You’don’t do meaningless,” he says, taking a step toward me like I’m a

wounded animal.

“Nothing that has happened or is happening between me and Nick has anything to do with you.

The only thing meaningless was our marriage the minute you betrayed me.” “Clarice, please. Can we just sit and talk, just the two of us? I know you’re angry, but I’m your husband. I love you. I’ve never stopped loving you. I’ve made mistakes, but we can get through this,” he says. “There really is nothing left for us to talk about Trevor. You betrayed me in the worst way possible. There is no us getting through this. I didn’t break us.” “Please, I’m begging you. Just give me a chance to

explain everything,” he pleads.

“Fine, there are things that we need to talk about, but not alone.” “Clarice, you know I would never

hurt you. Besides, this stranger isn’t a part of our relationship, and he shouldn’t be part of this

conversation,” he says. “Trevor, you aren’t calling the shots right now. You f**ked up. If you want

to talk, it will be my decision who is present for that conversation. So you can either agree or

leave and Nick and I can get back to our day.” His fists are balled at his side.

I can tell he wants to continue to argue, but he simply nods. When we step into the room, Nick presses a kiss to my forehead and leads Trevor’s parents to a table near the entrance. His parents

look confused but Nick and I discussed this earlier. I want them in the room, but I need to face him

alone. Besides, I’m afraid Nick might pummel him in the first five minutes. I make my way to a

table in the middle of the room and I notice Trevor smile.

I roll my eyes as I take a seat on the opposite side of the table. “Thank you, Clarice,” he starts to say as he sits, but I cut him off. “I didn’t do that for you. I did it for me. Now talk because what I have

to say will be quick.” Sadness and regret flash in his eyes, but I don’t even feel a tinge of remorse for my coldness. “Clarice, I need you to know I love you. I have loved you since the moment I saw

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you, and it has lessened after all these years together,” he says.

I laugh but then catch myself. He looks at me expectantly. “I’m just surprised you could say that with a straight face.” “I meant every word, Clarice,” he says. “You don’t betray someone you love. You don’t lie to someone you love. You sticking your d**k in my ex best friend, lets me know that everything you just said was a lie, but continue.”

“You have never spoken like this, Clarice. I know you’re angry,” he starts to say, but I cut him off again. “I’m not angry, not anymore. Oh, when it first happened I was hurt and angry. In fact, I wouldn’t have minded watching the two of you be stomped to death by reindeer, but love and hate are funny.” I hear Nick’s deep chuckle and I smile.

“They can fade rather quickly when given the right circumstances. All I feel for you right now is indifference, which I promise you is far worse.” “You said we could talk. That you would let me explain,” he says. “Explain how you f**ked a woman that wasn’t your wife. I’m pretty clear on that.” “How and why it happened. Please let me explain that” he pleads again. “Go ahead, explain to me exactly why you thought that I would be interested in sharing my husband,” I say, crossing my

arms over my chest.

I notice his eyes immediately, noticing my rings are gone and he swallows. I haven’t taken them off since the day he slid them on my finger. “I was drunk the first time it happened. I had dinner with clients, and you didn’t attend. I was just about to leave when Loretta approached me. At first, we

were talking about you and then, all of a sudden, she was telling me how much she has always

wanted me,” he says. “Well, that makes perfect sense. How could you resist if you were drunk

and riding high on her wanting you?”

“Clarice, I know it doesn’t change what I did. The minute it was over I was devastated by what I had

done. I felt so guilty,” he says. “Well, that makes it all better. You were riddled with guilt after

f**king my best friend. Now I know you love me,” I say sarcastically. “Clarice, I know you say that

you’re not angry, but that’s anger talking. I deserve it. I’ll do whatever it takes to earn your forgiveness. I know you still love me even if you hate what I did. Loretta is gone. I told her to go

back to California,” he says.

“I have some questions.” “I’ll tell you whatever you want to know so we can get past this,” he says,

hope flashing in his eyes. “How many times were you with her and for how long after you were so

guilt–ridden?” “Clarice,” he starts to say, and I go to stand. “It happened for the first time about

three months ago. If I had to guess I would say twelve times, but I swear each time was initiated

by her. I did not seek her out, Clarice. I let lust cloud my judgment, but I never stopped loving you,”

he says again. “And her, don’t forget you love her.”

“I should never have said that. I don’t love Loretta. I never did. I was stupid to even entertain us all being together, but I thought it would make what I did easier for you to forgive. I know now how

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stupid it was, but I was terrified of losing you. I betrayed you, and you will never know how sorry! am, Clarice, but I promise to do anything to make it right,” he says, reaching across the table.

The door to the dining room opens, startling everyone but Nick. I smile when my parents step into the room. My eyes meet my mother’s first and then my father’s. His are focused on Trevor. If looks could kill my soon–to–be ex–husband would be dead. Nick must have called them. My eyes move to him, and he winks at me. He really is the best man I’ve ever met. He calls out to them to join Trevor’s parents at the table. I almost giggle when my mother has to push my father toward the table. “Aren’t those your parents? What the hell are they doing here,” he asks.

This time it’s my mother giving him the death glare. “They’re here for me. I made mistakes too. I shouldn’t have cut them out. They’re here to let me know that they will pick me up if I need it, even though I won’t be falling apart over our broken marriage. Nick has made sure of that.” “You can’t mean that. Clarice, I am your husband. I’ve made mistakes but we are married. We have been together since college. Those kinds of feelings don’t just go away because of a mistake. Besides, we are having a baby which I couldn’t be happier about. I hate that I ruined what should have been an amazing moment for us sweetheart. We are having a baby. Just give me a chance to show you that Loretta meant nothing. She was a mistake,” he says.

As if him speaking her name conjured her, the door to the room opens and she steps inside. How the hell did she get back in here? Trevor looks terrified when he sees her crossing the room. Nick is already on his feet, but I raise my hand to stop him. Might as well, get this done in one shot, so I don’t have to see either of them ever again.” “You don’t mean that, Trevor. You love me. This is her fault. She is ruining everything with her selfishness,” she says.

I laugh at the absurdity of the whole situation. I feel like I’ve stepped into the twilight zone as she reaches for Trevor’s hand and he quickly pulls it away. My ex–best friend is pleading with my soon–to–be ex–husband that he loves her and that I’m to blame for them not being together. Her eyes meet mine and hate and anger flashes in them before she lunges at me.

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