It’s dawn when I crawl into bed and gather Alison in my arms. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I promise I’ll take you there again, and I won’t tell anyone where I am.” She nuzzles her head into my shoulder and as I stroke her hair, I realize she’s crying. My stomach hollows. f**k me, I made her cry. “Oh, baby, please don’t cry. Give me a chance to explain.”
Her shoulders shake harder, but she nods, and pushes up to sitting, tucking the sheets under her arms.
It concerns me, that she’s not saying anything, she’s just staring at me with hurt in her eyes. I clear my throat, unsure where to start, because I realize in her mind, maybe sorting out my family’s business isn’t reason enough to ditch your date. “So last May, at Jason’s wedding, my dad gave the three of us- me, Austin, and Dec, an ultimatu
