Tangled Paths

by Kimi Flores

  Josh rushed over to her, plopped onto the floor then pulled her into his lap. He stroked her hair, kissing the side of her face as he spoke calm reassuring words, “It’s okay Bri. Let it out.”

  Stefen kneeled down behind Josh so he could see Bri’s face. “Bri, you need to look at me. What in the hell you are talking about?”

  Caleb placed a hand on Stefen’s shoulder. “She can’t hear you, man. She’s in shock.”

  Josh pulled her away and it was true. Her face was flat, no emotion in her eyes. “You should’ve aborted me, Mother. You wanted to. You told me I was a mockery of your life. That I was going to be your downfall. I never knew me living was what was going to drive you to kill yourself. Why did you hate me so much, Mother? I was only trying to find my way, have some fun. You took the one time I did something for myself and have punished me forever, for what? Because I was born?”

  The volume in her voice increased with each word. “I didn’t ask for you to have me, Mother. I didn’t ask to be the mistake you saw every day. You made me sorry I was ever brought into the world, now I have to live with every breath I take knowing that is why you died.”

  She was starting to tremble as she wept, and Josh had seen and heard enough. “This is not healthy. Can I please take her to a quiet room? She needs rest. This is too much.”

  All eyes were on him, as though they couldn’t believe he was the one to pick up on this.

  Leah grabbed a few tissues. “Of course.”

  Caleb reached down to pick her up, but Josh stopped him. “I’ve got her, just show me where.” He managed to get them both into a standing positon and as he held her in his arms, she crumbled into his shirt.

  Josh was feeling livid. Mothers are supposed to be our safe havens, not our fucking tormentors.

  Everyone around him was falling apart, and he had to keep these thoughts and feelings to himself. For Bri. As he was shown to a room, he yelled over his shoulder, “Can someone get me her purse please? I need to get her pain meds. She’s probably about to get a migraine.”

  Abby grabbed Bri’s purse, while Leah ran to the kitchen.

  Josh wasn’t about to let Bri out of his arms. He sat on the bed, scooting them toward the headboard while Stefen was parked on the side and Caleb sat at the foot.

  Leah came in, carrying a glass of water and reading the directions on the back of the pain medication. She opened the container, dumped two pills out, then said, “Bri, honey. You need to take these, okay?”

  Josh pulled her face away, encouraging her, “Come on, babe. Take the meds.” He noticed her eyes start to move, and he knew she was coming around.

  Bri reached out, took the pills, and swallowed the water. As Leah took the glass back and left to stand next to Abby, Bri reached out for Stefen’s hand.

  “Please tell me, Stefen,” she sobbed. “I need to know what happened.”

  “Bri, we need to know what you were talking about first,” Stefen insisted.

  Bri fisted Josh’s shirt, like she was hanging on for dear life. “That day when Daddy called you after he heard our conversation, did he tell you what she said?”

  Stefen shook his head. “No, he only told me Mom had crossed the line, and I needed to get to you. After that, you guys left, and she went on the war path. I never thought to ask.”

  Bri began to shake and Josh swallowed hard. “Bri, you don't need to do this right now. It’s too much.”

  He lifted his eyes to beg them all to back him up, but she bellowed, “No! I have to tell them. I’ve kept it in so long, they don’t know how bad it was.”

  She curled her head on his shoulder, holding on to his shirt. “Mom finally admitted to me that she hated me. She said I was her nightmare. She told me she wanted to drown me as a baby.”

  Josh’s heart hammered along with Bri’s. Gasps rang out around the room.

  Caleb swore under his breath as Stefen shot up, irate. “Dammit! We did everything we could to protect you, and she fucking tore you apart anyway. What the hell was wrong with Dad, marrying that monster? Why didn’t he stop this shit a long time ago?”

  “Stefen, he didn’t know how bad it was either.” Bri’s body trembled against Josh’s as he tried not to lose it himself. He couldn’t think about his own helpless feelings, he had to concentrate on hers. “I didn’t tell anyone. I couldn’t. It would only make it worse.”

  Josh wrapped his arms tighter around her, trying to do anything he could to stop her pain. “Shhh, it’s okay. You’re safe, baby. You don’t have to suffer alone any more. We’re all here.”

  Stefen leaned in, placing his hand on Bri’s leg. “Josh is right. I know you’re a grown woman, but this is one of the biggest storms we’ve ever faced. Do not hold anything back please. We’re all a part of this.”

  Bri leaned back, rubbing her mascara-smeared eyes. “When did it happen?”

  “Last night.” Stefen patted her leg.

  Josh saw the guilt in her eyes. Her mother died while Bri was in bed making love to him. “Get those thoughts out of your head, Bri. Remember what I said. You are not responsible for other people’s choices.”

  She nodded weakly. “I know. It’s gonna take time but…I know.”

  It was just after sunset when the shuttle pulled up to the estate Bri and Stefen grew up in. This was the first trip Bri had ever taken that she dreaded. Her mother was dead, and she was only here to say her peace.

  Josh helped her out of the passenger van as her father came barreling down the large steps that swept down from the grand entrance. Her feet had barely made contact with the driveway before he snagged her into a bear hug.

  “I’m so sorry, princess.” Her father sounded heartbroken. “I can’t ever make this up to you. I should’ve been around more, I had no idea how bad it was.” He’d already called her countless times with these same words of regret and apology, since Stefen told him everything the day before.

  “It’s okay,” she said, exhausted. “You didn’t know. I hid it.” She looked up into his sad, guilt-ridden eyes. Finally, he released her from his strong embrace.

  Drained themselves, Stefen, Leah, Caleb and Abby made their way up the stairs, into the house, but Bri and her father held back.

  Josh stood nearby similar to the way a bodyguard would. Close enough in case she needed him, but looking around as though he was taking in the front of the house. Their luggage sat at his side.

  Gently wrapping his large hands around her upper arms, he bent down a bit to look directly into her eyes. “Yeah, but I knew she could be ruthless. I just thought she saved her best ammo for me. I assumed you were her golden child. I thought she was taking good care of you. I purposely distanced myself when you two were together, thinking it was for your good. Children shouldn’t have to witness their mother demeaning their father.”

  Bri took in the façade, wondering what Josh was seeing. This house was beautiful, there was no question about that, but she knew all too well that once the door closed and nobody was watching, it had become Bri’s living hell.

  “No more secrets or keeping our distance. Deal?” She smiled warmly at her father.

  A pained look covered his face before he creased up the corner of his mouth and nodded. “Okay, princess. Let’s go in. I had dinner prepared ahead of time in case you guys were hungry.”

  “Thanks, Daddy.” She looped her arm through his, resting her head on his shoulder as they turned to walk up toward the entrance.

  Her father extended his hand to Josh when they approached him. “You must be the young man who’s stolen my daughter’s heart. I’ve heard a lot about you over the last week or so.”

  Bri shot Josh a tired but sweet smile. She was thankful that her family not only seemed to be accepting the man she was in love with but also embracing him.

  Josh tilted his head to the side, snickering as he took her father’s hand. “That would be me, sir. I’m Josh. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  “Alec. Very nice to meet you too, Son.” He withdrew h
is hand, encouraging them to enter the house. “Please, come in.”

  Josh sat, a little on edge, at the dinner table in Bri’s childhood home, surrounded by her family as they finished their dinner. He glanced around. The room looked and felt like a museum, lifeless and still. The formality of it made his stomach churn.

  I can’t even imagine the shit she went through under this roof. How can she even stand to be here?

  He gave her hand a little squeeze under the table. She looked up, flashing him the biggest smile he’d seen her give. Then he realized—this wasn’t just a house of torment for her; It was also where she found her protection. She’d had enough pleasant memories with Caleb, Stefen, and her father in this home to cover the bad ones.

  He hoped anyway.

  And now, with this smile, he knew she was practicing what they had talked about, by choosing to focus on the good. He patted her knee and grinned back. That’s my girl.

  Glancing over at Stefen whose attention was on his wife, Josh saw what Bri meant about wanting what her brother had found. Stefen’s grin was similar to Bri’s, like his world began and ended with Leah.

  I swear Bri and Stefen look like twins. They even feed off each other’s emotions the way twins do.

  Caleb returned to the table with a blank stare on his face, slipping his cell phone into the back pocket of his jeans. His phone had rung several times while they were eating dinner, until he finally excused himself to answer it.

  As soon as Alec Hunter took one look at Caleb’s face, he pointed to Bri, Stefen, and Caleb. “I hate to break the group up, but I really need to speak privately with these three before we proceed with the evening.”

  Stefen rested his elbows on the table. “Pop, anything you have to say can be said in front of everyone here.”

  Caleb spoke up. “Stefen, let’s go see what he has to say. I’m sure everyone else can settle in, and we’ll join them in a bit.”

  The mood in the room changed. Something was definitely off by the way Abby and Caleb stared at each other. Leaning down, Caleb kissed her lips. When he pulled away, Abby’s expression said that she was concerned.

  About what, Josh wondered. Settling back in his chair, he moved his attention from Abby to Bri and Stefen. They glanced at each other suspiciously, then at Caleb and Alec, who were headed out of the room.

  Bri looked desperate for answers. Bringing her hand up to his lips, he kissed her knuckles. “I’ll be here.”

  She stood up, scooting her chair back. Stefen offered his arm, and she took it as they walked down the hall into another room. The sound of a door shutting echoed through the large house.

  Abby cleared her throat as Leah put her napkin on the table. “I wonder what that was about.”

  “I don’t know, but I don’t like the look in Caleb’s eyes,” Abby said.

  Leah and Josh shared a glance, then looked at Abby.

  Abby cleared her throat once more. “Caleb’s dad has been trying to get ahold of him since yesterday, and he’s been avoiding his calls…Until just now.” She shook her head, eyes wide with worry. “I’ve just got a strange feeling.”

  Leah frowned. “What the hell else could be going on? I still cannot believe my husband doesn’t have one little part of his heart that mourns his mother’s death. He’s relieved and I’m torn up because he hasn’t broken down and I really don’t think he will. Who leaves a legacy like that?”

  Josh sat back. He couldn’t even imagine the day his mother was no longer around. When his parents passed, he was going to be devastated, not thankful. They’d always been there for him, even when he was a drunk asshole wreaking havoc everywhere he went.

  Tapping the tabletop with her fingertip, Leah puffed out a breath. “Did you see how laid back they were at dinner? I’ve only met Alec one other time, but I’ve never seen those three so relaxed when their parents were involved. You haven’t either, Abby. How much worse can it get?”

  Surprised, Josh asked, “What do you mean you’ve only met him once. At your wedding?”

  Rolling her eyes, Leah explained, “I wasn’t on the approved list of daughter-in-laws, so no, they did not go to my wedding. Abby’s only met her in-laws once and that was before she and Caleb got married. This is one screwed up family. I have no idea how any of them came out normal. Then again, I guess each of us has had to deal with one thing or another as a result.” She gave Josh and Abby a meaningful look.

  Getting up from his chair, Josh took the seat between them, trying to infuse a little hope back into each of them. “Who knows? Maybe they’re talking about the will, or funeral arrangements.” He took another glance around at the high ceilings and pristine mahogany furniture. “To us, this is strange, but maybe this is the new beginning for them.”

  He could only hope that’s exactly what it was.

  “What’s going on?” Bri sat beside her father, anxious.

  Even though he was trying hard to cover it up, Bri could tell Caleb was distraught about something, and she had a feeling it had to do with the call he’d just taken.

  Her father addressed Caleb first. “By the look on your face, I’m assuming that was your dad on the phone.”

  Nodding, Caleb sat down across from them, seeming to take a backseat, letting his uncle speak.

  “Pops?” Stefen sat beside Caleb, leaning forward as he braced himself on his bent elbows.

  Huffing out a breath, their father began. “There was a time when I loved your mother and would’ve done anything for her. I even married her in an attempt to save her from my brother’s selfish ego.” He gravely shook his head. “We see how well that worked out.”

  “Daddy, please. Tell us what’s going on,” Bri begged, fighting her panic.

  Fidgeting in his seat, he rubbed his hands together. “Since you are the three musketeers, I figured you would all want to be together when we talked about this. And Caleb, I’m sorry if I don’t praise your father as I share.”

  Swallowing hard, Caleb blinked quickly, looking down as though he was fighting his emotions. “Believe me, I’m the last person you need to apologize to when it comes to my father. Especially now.”

  Chills broke out all over her skin as she became even more anxious.

  What the hell are they talking about?

  Her father narrowed his eyes at no one in particular. “As you’re aware, from what your grandmother shared before she died, your mother was in love with my brother first. They’d dated in college, but once he found out she wasn’t from the affluent family he’d first thought, he dumped her. She had a very rough upbringing. Her mother was in jail for drug possession, and she was stuck living in a trailer with her abusive stepfather, who also sold drugs. It wasn’t until her stepfather was arrested that her mother’s half-sister stepped up to help.”

  “The aunt that just died recently?” Bri asked, shocked.

  He nodded. “Your mother was out of control at that point, so her aunt threw her in a boarding school where she had to learn how to survive in a whole new world. She became so hardhearted. When I met her in college, there was just something so intriguing about her. We started hanging out in a group but she kept her guards up. When she met my brother she fell hard and took a chance on him.”

  Those words sent a chill down Bri’s spine. Like I’m doing with Josh. Wait that’s different. Stop, Bri.

  He slumped his shoulders. “After everything she’d gone through, my brother let her down then married her best friend. She never got over it.”

  Caleb interrupted, “I know grandmother told us that part already but as rude as they’ve always been to each other, I cannot imagine them as best friends.”

  Giving a few quick nods, Alec agreed. “Yeah that’s because the night he dumped her, she went to find your mom and found her with your dad…in a compromising position.”

  Rolling his eyes, Caleb huffed, “What the hell is wrong with them?”

  Alec ran his hand through his greying hair. “Anyway, I cared a lot about her, so it just felt natu
ral for me to come behind and try to pick up the pieces. I’ve been doing that our whole lives.” He paused and cleared his throat. “I thought they were completely over, but as usual, they proved me wrong. I didn’t want to get a divorce. I wanted to make it work and thought having a child would help.” His eyes met Stefen’s glare. “It seemed like everything was going fine, but little did I know she was pretending to be the perfect family. I didn’t find out until you guys were in elementary school, but about a year after Stefen was born, my brother and my wife had an affair and she got pregnant.”

  Bri’s eyed widened as her gaze bounced from Stefen’s furious glare and Caleb, who was still looking down. “What happened to the baby?”