He propped a hand on the wheel and stared at the mini-mart. “Wes needs to hear the full story. And he shouldn’t discover it by accident when he walks into a room.” He turned to her, his eyes soft. “He needs to know the sacrifices you’ve made for him. It’ll help you two work things out.”
Oh, that was rich. “And when did you become my PR person? You can’t tell me you don’t love having this monopoly on Wes’s time.”
“I want every minute I can get with Wes, but not because he’s pissed at you.”
“Oh, come on, Trey. Admit it. You think it’s only fair that you’re the good guy in all this. The poor, rejected father who never got a chance. Meanwhile, I’m the hateful, conniving bitch who kept him away from his daddy.” Her voice cracked on the last words, and she turned away, blinking back the tears forming.
“Sue.” He spoke with such a tender, caring voice. A voice that reminded her of the boy she’d loved so desperately. She couldn’t take that. Not now. She’d lose it for sure.
“Quit hogging the damn slushee.” She jerked the drink out of his hands, tipping it onto her lap. “Shit!” She jerked her hips up, hoping to avoid the icy liquid on the seat, but her crotch was already soaked. “See! See! You fuck up everything.”
Trey’s eyes burned into hers. She braced herself for whatever he’d yell, ready to give it back even sharper. God, she wanted a fight. Wanted a nasty reaction out of this man. Something that would wipe away all his kindness that kept digging at her heart.
But Trey said nothing. In fact, after a bit, he laughed. Did he think it was funny Miss Kitty was coated in icy red dye? “Real mature, Harrison.”
He shook his head. “I’m not laughing about the mess. I just can’t believe you’re the same Suz that used to wince if I said one crude word.”
He was the only one that had ever called her Suz. He’d whispered it to her during those moments she’d shared her heart so completely. A precious, trusting love. It cut her to the core remembering how that love had died. And just as painful was the fact she’d never found anything close to it since. Hell, she’d never been the same since. An overwhelming sorrow pressed on her chest.
Good Lord, she couldn’t handle the bipolar mind game this man triggered. Breathe. Push it down and breathe. “Don’t you have any napkins or Kleenex in this car?” she barked, searching the glove compartment for something to wipe up the mess.
“Here.” He threw a sweatshirt in her lap. “Use this.”
She hoisted up her hips and put the thick shirt under her bottom. The cold drink had already soaked through her slacks, but at least she wouldn’t have to sit in a puddle.
“Thank you,” she offered, looking up. What the what?
His bare chest, which could only be described as freakin’ magnificent, stopped her cold. What kind of gyms did they have over there in the Middle East? He was so different from when they’d been kids, and he’d had a gorgeous body back then. But now his shoulders were solid, and even under the light dusting of hair, she could see defined pecs. She rubbed her hands down her thighs to her knees and squeezed tightly, keeping them to herself.
She moved her eyes lower. Despite the shadows of the dark car, she could see the hint of a six pack, followed by a smooth line of hair that extended below his belt. Had he changed down there?
A chuckle interrupted her train of thought. She jerked her face up to find him wearing a cocky-ass smile. Cursing herself for letting him fluster her, she rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. Don’t take curiosity for admiration. If I pulled off my shirt, you’d stare, too.”
His smile vanished. Dark eyes burned into hers. “If you took your shirt off, I wouldn’t just stare.”
Oh. She went to laugh in his face, but nothing came out. No sharp words that would force him to retreat. No witty comeback. Just a shaky breath. He was stirring up feelings again, but these didn’t hurt.
Look away.
Didn’t happen. He leaned toward her, his eyes falling to her lips. Why the hell didn’t she move?
Two chirps made her jump and broke the spell. She turned and found a man pointing his keys at the car next to them. Saved by the bell.
She jumped out of the car, not even concerned that she looked as if she’d wet herself. That was the least of her worries. Sue prided herself on being able to handle anything thrown her way, but whatever the hell he’d just triggered was too much. Between the mess with Wes and the “I-can’t-believe-you-just-did-that” lust-a-thon with a man that infuriated her, she was fried. Come on, people. Uncle. Freaking uncle.
She crossed her arms, digging her fingers into her biceps, and stared out at the parking lot. Trey stayed in his seat for a while, thank the Lord, but eventually got out and came around to lean on the car beside her. Wisely, he didn’t try to touch her or laugh at her. Perhaps he knew she was at her breaking point. He simply asked, “You okay?”
No! She was so not okay. He didn’t push her, just remained there, silent. They stayed like that for a while. And for some reason, which she could not fathom, as she was in his presence she actually relaxed a hair. Enough to accept she’d hit bottom. She didn’t know what the hell to do about this lust/hate dance with Trey. And that was the least of her concerns. She had no more ideas, no covert maneuvers that would help her get Wes back, at least by herself.
“Can you get Wes to talk to me?” Humility wasn’t her strong suit, but she’d do it for her son. “Will you help me?”
When Trey didn’t say anything, she glanced up to catch his reaction. Surprisingly, he wasn’t gloating. In fact, his eyes were sympathetic. “Of course. I care about Wes . . . and you. It doesn’t take a genius to see this is killing you both.”
Trey moved to face her head on. “But we have to stop going at each other’s throats. It’s only making things worse for him.”
“I know.”
He raised his brows as if surprised she would go along with his plan.
“I do . . . You’re right.” Saying the words didn’t hurt as much as she thought it would.
He nodded. “He’s not going to change his mind overnight.”
“No, thanks to you and your damn exposé back there.” She still couldn’t believe everything he’d told Wes today.
Trey shook his head. “It’s good he knows the truth, all of it. No more secrets. You have to thoroughly clean a wound before you can treat it.”
“Yeah, but there’ll always be a scar.”
Remorse poured over his face. “We all have scars. Think about all you’ve gone through. But you’re here, doing well. Hell, you’re thriving. And look at Wes. Despite this temporary setback, he’s knocking it out of the park, thanks to you.”
Her eyes watered with his words, and she looked down to hide them.
He lifted her chin. “We’ll fix this. I promise.”
Maybe it was the sincerity in his eyes, the confidence in his words, hell, maybe it was just her desperation, but she believed him. For the first time in days, she felt some hope, and it was because of Trey Harrison. How strange life could be. The enemy had become her ally.
Chapter 17
When they got back to Mimi’s, Trey convinced Sue to go home. Of course, she gave him grief about going in himself. It was only after he promised to call and let her know how Wes was doing that she begrudgingly drove away.
Mimi answered the door and gave him one hell of a dirty look, but let him in. “He’s in the kitchen. Don’t you dare drop another bomb on that boy.”
“There are no more bombs, Mimi.”
“Thank God.” With that, she walked away and he headed to the kitchen, steeling himself for whatever greeting he’d receive.
Wes was making a sandwich. He looked up to see Trey and glared. At least he didn’t leave the room. A good sign.
Trey pointed to the cold cuts. “Is there enough for another?”
“I guess.”
“Great. I’m starved.” He moved to the counter, keeping some space between himself and his belligerent son, and started ma
king a pile of food he couldn’t care less about. “Will you pass the mustard?” Wes pushed it toward Trey without making eye contact.
Time to storm the beach. “Had a lot of shit dumped on you today?”
“You think?” Wes looked up with a face full of contempt. The boy threw some chips on his plate and moved to the kitchen table.
Trey joined him and let the kid eat in silence while he forced down a bite. When Wes finished his sandwich, he walked to the fridge and poured himself a glass of milk. After taking a long sip, he studied Trey. “What? Got another dark secret to share?”
“No more secrets. You know everything. I wanted to see how you’re doing, if you have any questions.”
“I sure as hell do!” He rushed at Trey. “Why didn’t you fight her? When she said no, why—” He stopped when his voice broke, but recovered. “You could’ve taken her to court.”
Trey had known Wes would eventually ask this question. He’d been surprised he hadn’t brought it up earlier. Maybe it was better now. He could take some of the heat off Sue.
“Your mother had no reason to believe I would be good for you. Hell, I’d walked out on the both of you—a baby and a teenage mother.”
“But you wanted to make things right. You tried to come back, but Mom wouldn’t let you. You could’ve fought her.”
Damn, how many times would he hurt this kid? Trey could only nod.
“So, what? You just left it at that? Let her decide? Guess you weren’t that interested after all.” The fury was back his son’s voice, but that was easier to take than the pain.
“By then, I was well aware of the damage I’d done. The mistakes I’d made.” Trey stared at his hands and had to take a few breaths before he could look back to Wes. “When it came down to it, I realized I didn’t deserve to be in your life. That I’d only make things worse for you.”
He searched his son’s eyes, looking for some sign of understanding, but Wes turned away. The tension rippled off him. It wasn’t until he’d swallowed several times and wiped his hand beneath his nose that he faced Trey.
“It would’ve been nice to have a say in the matter.”
Trey couldn’t help but smile. “You were seven. You didn’t know what was best for you.”
“But seventeen’s okay?” Wes’s sarcasm was full of resentment.
“Hell, yes. And the difference is, you made the decision to reach out. And you need to give your mom credit for supporting that. She could’ve refused.”
Wes let out a sick laugh. “She only allowed it because she knew I could do it on my own. And if I had, I would’ve found out the truth. There was nothing supportive about her choice. She just wanted to keep her secrets buried.”
The kid was smart all right, but Trey didn’t want to turn this into a Sue-bashing party. He had to make amends for his own mistakes. “I’m the one who screwed up . . . from the day you were born. I made choices—” He shook his head. “Permanent choices that affected both you and your mom. I’m mad as hell that we lost all those years together. And it’s not just the ten years. It took me seven before that to get my head out of my ass and realize I was meant to be a father to you.”
Wes’s face reflected the agony tearing at Trey’s heart.
“As much as I would give for a do-over, it can’t happen. I fucked up, and we’ve all suffered.”
He reached for his son but stopped himself. “Wes, I’m sorry. For the choices I’ve made . . . for everything.”
Wes started to speak, but Trey stopped him. “I’m not asking for your forgiveness. I don’t deserve it, but you need to know . . . I’m so sorry for fucking everything up.”
The boy stared at him, his chest heaving with rapid breaths. He looked years younger than his age. So vulnerable, as if searching for some answer that could justify all the shit going down. It made Trey sick to think Wes would even try forgiving his sorry ass. But then his eyes filled with anger.
“Mom’s the one who should be asking for forgiveness! She’s lied to me my whole life. She’s the one that doesn’t deserve forgiveness.” His words were bloody with rage.
Trey believed it was right for Wes to know the truth, but he hated how it had driven the boy even further from his mother. No matter what her choices, Sue didn’t deserve this. He had to make things right between Wes and Sue, even if it meant getting kicked out of Mimi’s house, or God forbid, out of his son’s life.
He pointed to Wes’s seat. “Sit down and listen.”
Wes started to walk away, but then cursed and plopped down in his chair with his arms crossed.
“Everything your mother’s done, every choice she’s made, has been what she thought was best for you.”
“And how were her lies in my best interest?” Wes’s tone was caustic, but Trey knew it was hiding pain.
“Your mother needs to answer that, and you’re going to give her a chance to explain.”
“No way,” Wes said, shoving his chair back. “I don’t want to see that woman.”
Trey leaned across the table. “That woman is your mother, and you will show her the respect she deserves.”
Wes scowled. “That won’t be much.”
Fuck that. “Shut your mouth.”
The kid flinched but remained in his seat, actually looking intimidated. Trey used the advantage. “You’ve got four days. If you don’t talk to your mother by then, I’ll drag your ass over there myself.”
Chapter 18
Sue had just changed into clean, dry clothes when the doorbell rang. Who the hell was out to get her now? She’d just left Trey. Mimi had a key. Wes? God Wes. That was a dream. She could only hope he’d walk in that door. No, it was probably some salesman trying to get her to replace her windows or cable provider. She ignored it. But then it rang again. Oh, buddy. You’re messing with the wrong mother today. She stormed to the door, eager to give the salesman a piece of her mind, anger management be damned.
But when she got to the door and peeked through the side curtain, she was the one pummeled. Her knees gave out, but she held on to the doorknob and window frame so she stayed upright.
Mom? She stared out the window, wondering if she’d finally snapped. Now she was seeing things?
“Susan.”
No, that really was Peggy Brinkley. Just wearing a veil of age and agony around her eyes. The bright porch light seemed to expose the woman. Sadness, comfort, betrayal rammed Sue in the chest. Her mom was thin. Too thin. Maybe that’s why the wrinkles on her face were so obvious. More likely the result of living with a smoker for so many years. Her blonde hair now had some white in it. Her eyes still blue, just like Wes’s. Just like hers. And just like she remembered, those eyes still conveyed worry. For some reason, she’d assumed her mother would’ve been able to finally relax after Jim Brinkley died.
“Can I come in?”
Sue opened the door before she caught herself. Send her away. Keeping her hand on the door, gripping it for dear life, she blocked the entry with her body. What was she doing here? Why now, after all these years? She’d actually expected contact after her father’s death. Hell, almost felt yet another betrayal that her mother didn’t reach out after the keeper of the Brinkleys was dead. But several years later?
“You’re so beautiful.” Her mother’s quiet words, spoken with love, tugged at her heart, which was already in tatters.
“What are you doing here?”
“Mimi told me what’s going on.”
Thanks, Mimi. She knew the sisters spoke. Knew Mimi sent news and photos of her and Wes, but she’d made it clear she didn’t want to know about it. Still, the fact that Mimi would share something so painful felt like her aunt had shifted her loyalty. “That’s none of your business.”
“I know that.” She held up her hands, as if to calm a scared animal. “I don’t want . . . I just . . . I’m here for you. I want to help you if I can.”
Sue shook her head, even laughed at the ridiculous gesture. Oh, Mommy Dearest. Too little . . . “It’s a little la
te for that. Eighteen years too late.” She started to shut the door so the woman wouldn’t see the tears that were clouding her eyes for whatever the hell reason.
“I know that.” Peggy stopped the door, surprising her yet again. The mother she’d left behind never resisted anyone. Well, except her desperate daughter.
“I know I don’t deserve any of your time, Susan, but I want you to know I’m here for you. Maybe it is too late, but—”
“You need to leave now.” Her mother couldn’t help her. This woman, with all her repentance, just kicked at yet another wound she thought she’d long ago buried. She couldn’t take any more. “Good-bye.”
“Wait!” Her mother reached into the big bag on her shoulder and pulled out a package. A present?
What the hell? “Do you think a gift is going to change things?”
“Just read the note. Please . . . read the note.” She held out the package. Sue wanted to throw it in her face but knew that would only delay this confrontation, and she was holding on to her sanity—and sobs—by a hair.
“Fine.” She took the package, feeling that tug of nostalgia when she saw her mother’s handwriting on the envelope. God, help me here. When she looked up, her mother’s eyes were filled with hope. Dream on. “Don’t come back here. And stay away from Wes. Don’t contact my son.”
“I won’t. I haven’t. I’m here for you. Just read the note. That’s all I ask.”
She nodded, then shut the door. She sank to the floor as the hot tears rolled down her cheek. Pain just kept pounding on her, like rough waves keeping her under. When she heard an engine start and the car back out of her driveway, it eased a bit. Lily was up in her face, sniffing her, trying to figure out what had her so upset. “Kitten.” She leaned into the cat’s soft head. “Oh, kitten.” She sat the package aside and grabbed Lily in her arms, appreciating how she got no resistance.
Then He Came Back (Love From Austin Book 2) Page 9