Chapter 1

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. It took me a moment to find my voice. "What does that mean?"

Daniel struggled upright and put himself between Jessica and me. "Cal, whatever this is, take it out on me. It was an accident."

He paused for a couple of seconds, as if trying to figure out how to word it. "A month ago. That case Jessica was handling. The defense wanted to talk and see if they could settle it privately. Neither of us thought they'd put something in the drinks."

I closed my eyes. A month ago was when I'd been away on a business trip. Jessica had called every night to check in.

After she hung up, Daniel would call. He told me about his game stats, the strays around the complex, and every single thing Jessica did.

"Relax. Your boy is watching her for you. She hasn't so much as talked to another man." That was what he said every time.

There had only been one night when neither of them called. Jessica had claimed she had a work dinner. Daniel had said he hadn't been feeling well.

So that was it. They had been together behind my back.

When I didn't answer, Daniel spoke up, his eyes red. "Cal, I wronged you. I'm scum. The second I'm discharged, I'll move out. Don't be angry, okay? The doctor told you at your last physical to keep your temper under control."

I let out a cold laugh. The whole thing was absurd.

"You wronged me? If you really felt that way, did it never occur to you to use protection?" I demanded.

Daniel went pale. His voice grew even more cautious. "At the time, I thought it would be fine. Cal, if I move out and never contact Jessica again, would you still call me your oldest friend?"

I stared at him. My chest hurt. "Oldest friend? The kind who steals my girlfriend?"

Jessica frowned slightly and used my full name. "Callum Walton, don't talk like that."

It sounded like a warning. I looked back at her. One last thread of hope remained. "Come with me. Right now."

Jessica hesitated. She looked at me, then at Daniel. "Danny needs someone here with him."

Danny… I forced a smile, but it came out ugly. Somehow, while I hadn't been paying attention, every boundary between them had already disappeared.

I took a step back and kept my eyes on her. "Then what have all these years meant?"

She pressed her lips together. "Cal, there's nothing between Danny and me. This was just an accident. But I owe you, and I'll make it up to you. At the review at the end of the month, you'll get the Group Three team lead spot.

"The wedding stays exactly as planned. As soon as Danny is discharged, we'll go make it official at City Hall. I just don't want to get rid of the baby. It's a life, after all. He'll call you Dad one day."

I stared at her for three seconds. Then I turned and walked out.

The instant the door shut, someone inside choked back a sob. I had known that sound for 20 years.

My feet stopped before I decided to stop them. Their conversation carried straight through the door.

"Jessie, what do we do? Is Cal really going to cut me off? Did I ruin what the two of you had?"

Jessica's voice came back flat. "Relax. He doesn't hold grudges. He'll probably forget about it soon enough. Besides, our families have an arrangement.

“Just keep your head down for a while. Once we're married, he'll forgive you little by little. He's always been the one who carries things for his friends."

Something struck my heart. The pain sharpened, then faded into numbness.

I didn't hold grudges. That had only ever been their excuse for taking Daniel's side. His father died young, and his mother was seriously ill. His family had no money, and the other kids picked on him every single day.

I couldn't stand to watch it, so I put myself in front of him. I stayed there for 20 years, and all I'd earned was a label: the guy who didn't hold grudges.

Which meant nobody had to protect me. Which meant they believed I couldn't be hurt.

So when they did whatever they wanted behind my back, they assumed I wouldn't care. They assumed I'd forgive them, just as I always had.

I was done shielding other people. From now on, I'd carry things for myself.

My phone buzzed twice. It was a message from my mother.

Mom: [Cal, are we really only having Daniel as your best man?]

I raised my hand and typed: [Mom, we're replacing both the bride and the best man.]

A tear hit the screen, and I pressed Send for me.