Choices the third of four in the Shattered Series, (Shattered, Forgiven, Choices, and The After,with)

"Can you let me explain, please?" Derek asked, he thought he would have had more time, that he could have figured out a way explain it where it wouldn't seem so bad.He ran his hands through his hair, "I fucked up, I know"

Annie folded her arms across her chest, "that's becoming clear" she was so confused she didn't know if she should be angry or hurt, "answer me one thing, and you better be honest" though she didn't know if she could believe anything that came out of his mouth.

"Ask" he told her, his throat felt dry he wanted to throw up, "ask me anything"

"When you told me you loved me, did you mean it?" a lone tear sliding down her cheek, she brought her hand up to wipe it away, hoping he didn't notice.

"Yes, I do love you" he tried to hold her hand, "that's what is making this so hard, Annie. I didn't know how to fix it" he sat down "It wasn't supposed to happen this way, I thought we would end up friends and that somehow I could make it right with your brother but I never expected to fall in love with you"

She stood up, "you used me?"

He pounded his fist on the table "damn it, it's coming out all wrong. I guess that it started off that way, but Annie I fell hard and fast for you. Your brother didn't matter anymore, until we started getting serious and you mentioned meeting your family. That's why I gave you the wrong last name, I knew your brother would know it was me" he got up and paced, "he would talk trash about me to you and you would hate me, hate that I killed your sister in law

She glared at him, "so you lie? You have no idea how angry I am with you" she stood to leave "I can't stand the sight of you right now"

Kim locked the door to their bedroom, thankful both kids still out cold. She turned the monitor so she would hear if Harper woke up and it was doubtful Anthony would wake up but he would find his way to her bedroom if he did.

She hadn't felt so insecure about her relationship and bond with Anthony since he was an infant, and with just a few words Adam brought it all back. It took all she had not to slap him when he made the comments about Annie having to tell Anthony why his mother was dead. She knew it was irrational, that they would tell Anthony when he was older she never wanted to erase Wendy from Anthony's life. Adam's words hurt her, the tone of his voice and the way he said it felt like a knife in her back.

She heard him get in his truck, and watched out the window as he backed out of the driveway, she went in the living room to see if he left a note, she found it on the coffee table.

Darlin'
I'm sorry, went for a drive to clear my head. I love you!

Love

Adam the Ass

She couldn't help but smile at how he signed the note, she went to Anthony's room and watched as he slept. She knew she was being silly, that she was the only mother that little boy would know, and he loved her with his whole being. She stroked his hair, he was in desperate need of a haircut, he had been cursed with hair like Adam's it had a mind of its own.

She kissed the top of his head and quietly closed the door behind her, she checked in on Harper before she went back to bed.

Adam ended up at his dad's, "Amy is Annie here?" He asked her, "I need to talk to her"

"I'm sorry Adam, she's here but she's pretty upset and went to bed" Amy explained, Annie had come home earlier and went straight to her room "she confronted Derek, she was really upset"

"I won't be long I just need to see her" Adam pleaded with her.

"I'm sorry Adam, try calling her in the morning"