Page 119 of Rhodes

"I stood in your arms that night and told you every word, and you held me. You knew you were the reason, but you didn't say a thing. You made love to me that night, knowing all of it and not saying a word."

"I'm sorry."

The words sit between us, meaningless. I don't have a single tear in me, only red hot anger.

"That is the part I can't get around. You watched me break apart over something you did, and you let me believe you were the one safe person in my life. You're a fox in the hen house. You fooled us all, most of all me."

"I wanted to tell you."

"But you didn't."

"I was going to fix it first."

I laugh once, but there is nothing funny in it.

"Of course you were."

His face hardens at himself.

"I called first thing Monday. I could barely function all weekend, not knowing how to fix it, desperate because I couldn't reach anyone over the weekend. I know how to fix it now."

"I'm sure you do. You're Rhodes Stone. Please, enlighten me."

"Your grandfather holds title, so he's the one who has to request the determination once the new delineation is filed." He leans forward, careful not to touch me. "I've already scheduled the jet for tomorrow morning. I'm going to Charleston to tell Banksie in person exactly what I did, and I'm going to do whatever it takes to make it right."

"No," I say and stand.

He gets up with me.

"You are not getting on that plane."

"I can fix this."

"You've done plenty. Stay out of it."

"Please let me make it right."

"You'll never be able to do anything to make this right. The damage is done."

That shuts him up. I pick up my bag and sling it over my shoulder.

"You're not going to Charleston or calling my father or my grandfather. If you call anybody who has anything to do with Oak Moss, I swear to God, Rhodes, I will seriously lose my shit."

His face goes still.

"This is mine, now, and I will fix it."

"Tallulah, Banksie has to be the one to file."

"Then I will talk to him."

"He'll ask how you know."

"Then I'll tell him when I'm ready."

"I don't want you taking the fall for me."

I pause to find the words, and an evil laugh escapes me.