by Faye Byrd
His eyes sear me with their vibrancy. The usually deep, dark green is glowing as if it’s been lit from within. A shiver races up my spine from their gaze, and I have to look away to break the connection. Emotions I’m not sure he’s ready for bubble inside me.
“How about a glass of wine?” he asks in a soft voice, his hand brushing my arm.
I face him, covering my weirdness with a smile. “Sounds lovely.”
Once he’s in the kitchen, I lean my head back against the sofa and take a few deep breaths, pushing the wayward notion from my mind. There’s plenty of time in the future to explore those thoughts and feelings.
I hear Trystan’s voice before I see him and jerk my head in his direction. His cell is at his ear, and as soon as I meet his eyes, he smiles and gives me a nod. It’s Cooper.
“Hold on, bro, let me put you on speaker,” he says, taking a seat beside me and holding his phone between us. “We’re ready.”
Cooper’s chuckle reverberates from the phone. “Bro, if you’d just listened to me first, we’d be done already.” He pauses, and Trystan and I link hands. “Kari and I have discussed this thoroughly and made a significant decision. Unfortunately”—my heart thunders against my rib cage—“our decision isn’t one that can be discussed over the phone.”
“What?” I gasp before I can stop myself. “What does that mean?”
“Relax, Easy,” Cooper says, and his voice is as casual as ever so it must not be anything to worry over. “The Ashbys will, once again, be descending on you this weekend. It’ll be a short but impactful trip.”
“Have you changed your minds about the amniocentesis?” Trystan asks, and it’s really the only question we care about.
“We haven’t, and that’s all I’m willing to say over the phone,” he says before sighing. “Our parents will be accompanying us, Trystan. We want to tell everyone at once.”
Trystan frowns at the phone. “This is payback for making you wait, isn’t it?”
Cooper barks a laugh. “It’s not, but maybe I should postpone another week.”
“No, this weekend is good,” Trystan says after a snort. “Text me the flight info.”
“No problem,” Cooper says. “Later.”
By Friday, when I get off work, some of the anxiety has seeped back in since Coop gave so little information on Tuesday. I’m not sure what to expect from Trystan’s family tonight. There’s no doubt that with Reed here things are liable to get interesting.
The men are inside catching up while Bunnie, Kari and I sit out back, watching the boys play. I don’t know how she’s surviving out in this heat with her stomach so round, but she insists she’s comfortable with her little squirt-bottle-with-a-fan-contraption in her hand.
“You seem to be in better spirits since Chicago,” Kari says, touching my arm lightly. “You are doing better, right?”
I ponder her question and finally nod my answer. “Yeah. I think I was just overwhelmed. I mean, Trystan assured me that you’d never say no, but I guess in the back of my mind I didn’t believe he could be so sure. I had no idea asking you would lead to such a breakdown, though. I’m sorry.”
“Sweetie, there’s nothing to be sorry for. That’s your baby, and he’s sick; you’re entitled to melt down any damn time you want. Got that?” she says, but it’s more of an insistence.
“I second that, honey,” Bunnie speaks from beside Kari. “I’m surprised you’ve held up as well as you have with all you’ve faced. Not only did you learn that your baby was sick, but then on top of that you learned he wasn’t even yours. I don’t know if I’d even be functioning if it were me.”
My stomach clenches at the mention of those days. “There were a few dark days, each one worse than the one before. Honestly, I’m not sure how I made it through, either. I guess it was having people I love there to support me. Also, the drive to do whatever it took to cure my son made it easier to accept. He might’ve had matches out there in that other family”―I point to them―“your family, and I needed to find them, in order to help my son.”
Kari has a few tears falling down her cheeks, and she grips me in a bone-crushing hug. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that, but look what it’s brought you … us. All of us. It was a miracle in disguise.” She’s practically bawling into my shoulder as she says this, but her words ring true.
I wouldn’t change anything about my life today even if I could. Cam will have his cure and never have to worry again about being sick. He’s gained a brother, father and a completely new family. Our lives have been enriched beyond my wildest imagination.
I hug Kari closer and allow a few tears of my own to fall. Tears of happiness, tears of fulfillment, tears of joy. Tears shared with a hormonal mother, who’s carrying my son’s possible cure inside of her.
Bunnie finally breaks up our cry-fest by enclosing her arms around the both of us for a minute and then drawing back with a sniffy chuckle. “All right, girls, enough of this. Let’s talk about the good stuff.” Her eyes zero right on mine. “Tell us about you and my son.” She smirks.
I can’t help but smile at the mention of Trystan. “Trystan is, well, he’s Trystan.” I chuckle. “He’s persistent and determined, and he was right all along.” I look down to my lap. “I can’t believe I held out so long by being so stubborn.”
Kari places her fingers on my chin and lifts. “None of that. It didn’t hurt that man one bit to have to work for it. Besides, the longer the wait, the better the reward.” She smiles so brilliantly that I can’t help but smile in return.
“If you say so,” I half-heartedly agree. “But remember, I tortured myself along the way as well. And trust me, resisting that man was pure torture.”
Kari throws her head back and laughs loud and boisterously. When she’s calmed down, she looks back at me. “Yeah, but come on, Easy. You did it right, girl. You had him taking care of you, the boys and your needs. I’d say that’s a home run for just a co-parenting gig.”
“I knew when we visited that my boy was head over heels,” Bunnie chimes in, still smirking at me.
I clear my throat. “Uh, I don’t think head over heels is exactly where we are, Bunnie.” I push a stray curl behind my ear. “We’re definitely together and enjoying every minute of it.”
“Pfft, please.” Kari rolls her eyes. “You two are so obtuse.” She squeezes my knee. “But that’s okay, you’ll figure it out.”
I give them both a genuine smile. “We’ll get where we’re supposed to be―in our own time,” I add to let them know it’s up to us to make it work, and no amount of prodding will change things.
We’re only outside another thirty minutes before Trystan’s at the door calling everyone in to clean up for dinner. Kari and I wrangle the boys and follow them to the upstairs bathroom, while Bunnie uses the half bath downstairs before helping set the table.
By the time we’ve made it back to the kitchen, everyone else is waiting for us. We make our way to the dining room where Trystan has already set out a lovely meal of roasted pork tenderloin, asparagus and mashed potatoes with fresh, homemade wheat rolls.
“This smells delicious, Trystan,” Kari says as Cooper holds her chair. “I’m practically salivating.”
Trystan, who’s already making a plate for each of the four boys, sends her a cocky smirk. “Of course it does.”
“Maybe we should figure out a way to have Trystan cook for us more often,” Cooper says, glancing at his wife with a weird expression.
Kari smiles. “Exactly.”
Trystan sets down Carson’s plate, the final one, and takes the chair beside me, looking at his brother curiously. “What’s going on, guys?”
“I’d like to know the same thing,” Reed says, sitting up straighter. He points his fork toward Cooper. “Not that I mind visiting Trystan, but you did gather us all here for a reason. Might as well get it over with. I don’t expect to like it as it is.”
“As much as you’d like to think differently, Dad, everything doesn
’t revolve around you,” Cooper says, laying down his silverware. “Kari and I have made a decision. One we think is best for this family.”
My anxiety spikes, and Trystan can tell. He slides his hand over and grasps mine. “What are we talking, Coop?”
Cooper meets Kari’s eyes, and at her nod, he turns back to the rest of us. “We’re buying a house in Atlanta.”
“Please don’t tell me you dragged us all the way here for that,” Reed says with a shake of his head. “A phone call would’ve sufficed.”
Cooper cuts his eyes to his father. “Would a phone have sufficed to tell you that we’re planning to move into it on Labor Day weekend? We’ve decided since Cam is here, and Violet may provide his match, that we’ll stay here through the amniocentesis and birth. If she’s his match, maybe even longer.”
My eyes jump to Kari’s, and she’s smiling widely. “It’s true,” she says excitedly. “Since Metro University Healthcare is in charge of Cameron’s well-being, we thought it best that the testing and subsequent cord blood banking be done by them.”
“You’re serious?” Trystan asks, his eyes firmly on his brother.
“As a heart attack,” Cooper replies, a large smile forming.
“Hell yeah!” Trystan fist pumps on his way around the table to give his brother a bone-crushing hug.
“Are you sure you’re okay with changing doctors after all this time?” I ask Kari, surprised it’s so easy for her.
She gives me a soft smile. “Of course I’m sure. We assume that your doctors can make a recommendation of who’s best to handle our unique situation, and over the next few weeks, we’ll get my records transferred.”
Trystan’s too happy to worry about the details, so I decide to let them slide for now. We have time. “Thank you, Kari.”
She waves me off and piles another spoon of mashed potatoes on her plate. “Girl, this makes it all worth it.”
Laughter bubbles up and escapes from my lips, but it doesn’t last for long. A large, wrinkled hand slaps the tabletop, causing the kids to jump. “Enough!” Reed demands. “Sit.” He points to Trystan and Cooper.
Cooper flops into his seat with a snort. “This ought to be good.”
“Son, I don’t know where your head is, but you have responsibilities. You can’t just up and move to Atlanta,” Reed says, glaring at Cooper.
“I have a responsibility to my brother, too. My nephew. If Violet is a match, they’re going to need more from us than her cord blood. They’re going to need family while Ca—”
“This isn’t the time,” Trystan says loudly, cutting off his brother and glancing at the boys. “We can hash this out later when little ears aren’t present.”
Reed isn’t happy being told to pipe down, but he does listen. He picks up his fork and goes back to eating without saying another word. The rest of dinner passes by with pleasant small talk, and even Bunnie gets back into the conversation. By the time dessert, a warm apple pie, is brought out, everything’s gone back to normal.
I should’ve known it wouldn’t last.
“So I take it from all the hand holding that’s going on between you two that you’ve made yourselves a couple?” Reed asks casually, as if he hasn’t sat there and brooded for the past twenty minutes.
Trystan stiffens a little, but I rub his arm. He relaxes and meets his father’s eyes. “Yeah, Dad, we are together.” There’s still a bite to his voice, but there’s also pride. “Not that it’s any of your business, though.”
Reed raises a brow and says, “Are you sure that’s wise, son? I hope this time you’ll remember to get a prenup.”
Trystan’s body becomes rigid, his face turns red and his knuckles go white from the grip he has on his napkin. I wipe my mouth and take his hand in mine, opening it up and twining our fingers together. He relaxes, but only slightly.
I clear my throat. “Reed, I’m sure your heart is in the right place, but this is a conversation to be held in private between you and Trystan. It is not an exchange for the dinner table in front of your intelligent grandchildren.” My eyes glance to the kids. “I have no qualms with your concerns, but you’re getting ahead of yourself and us. Only we can decide our future, and we’d appreciate it if you would just butt out.”
Trystan’s body relaxes, and he squeezes my hand. “What she said, Dad.” He looks around the table at all his family. “We love you all, but please, for all that’s holy, butt the fu-fudge out.” He gives each one a pointed look.
Coop, never one to stay silent, bursts into a fit of laughter. “What a pair you two are. This is going to be fun to watch.” He rubs his hands together.
Kari smirks at me then chastises her husband. “Oh, stop it, honey.”
I allow my hair to fall, creating a curtain between Trystan and me. He doesn’t miss anything, though, and I can feel his eyes on me. He brings his hand over and pushes my hair behind my ear to get a better look at my face. I meet his inquisitive gaze head-on.
“Look at them, though,” Coop says from across the table. “All googly-eyed and stuff.”
“What googly-eyed mean, Unca Coop?” Blake asks.
My eyes leave Trystan’s and shoot Cooper a glare before speaking to Blake. “That’s just Uncle Coop being silly, sweetie.”
“People who are in love get googly-eyed,” Blaine pipes up, making a kissy face.
“Oh,” Blake says, and he shoves his last bite of dessert in his mouth, not caring in the least.
“Well, my Daddy does love us,” Cam says with a shrug.
I smile at his sweet self. “Daddy sure does love you, sweet boy, he loves you both so much.”
Cam shakes his head. “No, Mama. Daddy loves us.” He points to himself and then me. “He loves me and you. He told me so.”
Cooper’s laughter reverberates throughout the room.
My brows rise, and my eyes jump from Cam to Trystan.
His face has gone pale, and he’s staring at his plate.
Of course, he’d tell Cam he loves us both. That’s the only logical thing to do. I’d have done the same, I reason to myself.
Still, there’s a pang in my chest.
A pang of disappointment.
13 Sharp Right Turn
Trystan
Shit!
Fuck!
I’m frozen as I stare down at my plate unsure what to do. I just fucking recently figured out that I do love her, and now I’ve been put on the spot at the most inopportune time. This is something that I’m supposed to choose to say.
When I’m ready.
And I am—I think. Just not here, not right this second. This is supposed to be easy for a man like me. For the past week, I’ve been waiting for that perfect moment. The time when the clouds part and give me a sign that she won’t run the other way. Because I’m afraid of her rejection. I’m afraid I’m pushing too hard too fast.
The laughter coming from my brother is grating on me so badly that I finally look up and level him with a glare so cold that anyone else would shut the fuck up. All he does is chuckle harder, but at least Kari has the decency to elbow him in the side.
Fucking asshole.
I finally look to Easton. She’s staring down at her plate with her fork in her hand, pushing her pie around. I don’t know if she’s embarrassed, angry or hurt, and I don’t want her to feel any of those things. I’m fucking this up so much, but I don’t know what to do.
My lips won’t open, and my tongue is stuck to the roof of my mouth. My whole self is somehow rejecting saying the words ―aloud, right now, in this room full of people. Yet I feel it so strongly that I’d shout it from the rooftops if I weren't such a pussy.
“Looks like my earlier concerns weren’t that far off base,” my father proclaims, a little too smug for my liking.
“Reed,” my mother says in a firm voice, scolding even. “Trystan and Easy have enough going on that they don’t need you making it worse. Now hush.” He looks at her, clearly ready to ignore her urging, but she narrows her eyes. “
I said can it.”
“You should probably listen to her, Dad,” Coop chimes in, as if he hasn’t crossed his own fucking line. “As much fun as this is, it’s not fair for us to chime in on anything between them. As a matter of fact, I think we should just go. Kari and I have several appointments to view houses tomorrow.”
“You’re seriously going thro—”
“Not now!” My voice is loud and overpowering, causing my father to go silent. I swap my focus to the boys. “Dudes, you about finished with dessert?”
“Yeah, Daddy, I done,” Blake answers, pointing to his licked-clean plate.
“I don’t want no more,” Cam says, pushing his away.
“Why don’t you take Carson and Blaine up to your room until Coop and Kari get ready to leave,” I suggest, and they’re out of their seats before I’m done speaking. I chuckle. “Don’t break anything going up the stairs. You have time. And, Blaine, make sure to help your bother.”
“Got it, Uncle T,” Blaine replies, taking little Carson’s hand, and they hurry from the room behind Blake and Cam.
I level my father with narrowed eyes. “Dad, I think it’s obvious here that neither of your sons feel as if your scathing thoughts are helpful. We’re both doing what we think is best, and you can accept that, or you can choose to remain on the periphery of our lives.”
Coop holds up his glass of sweet tea. “Here, here.”
It’s Mom that surprises me, though. She tosses her napkin on the table and stands. “Stewart Reed Ashby, if you think for one second I’ll allow your bullheadedness to push my boys away, then you better think again. Hard! Now take me to the hotel where you can stew over your actions while I take a nice, hot bath.” She walks over and kisses Coop on the cheek and then comes to me. “Fix this,” she whispers as she gives me my own kiss and struts from the room.
At the sound of the front door slamming, my father winces as he tosses his own napkin on the table and stands, straightening his suit jacket. “If you’ll excuse me.” Without another word, he turns and follows Mom out the door.