“It was. Part of me hoped and dreamed he would get away from that lifestyle. I tried helping him in the beginning, but he refused. I was positive nothing would hurt more than getting that phone call. Then, a couple of weeks ago, I find out he is the biological father of Jane.” Tilting the glass to my lips, I drain it.
“Shut the front door!” Bethany exclaims, slapping her hand down on mine. “Did you know about him and your sister?”
I laugh harshly. “Nope. It came as quite a shock. I really shouldn’t put it past my sister, but I guess I thought there was still some lines she wouldn’t cross. Apparently, I was wrong. And what sucks is I can’t even yell at him. I mean, how can you even get pissed at a dead guy? I have all these emotions stored away because I have no way to get them out.”
“Sure you can. Get them out. Shout them to the sky or, even better, write it down. Write Patrick a letter and tell him how pissed you are. You have every right to be mad, Brenna. He was your first love, and she is your little sister. It’s not good for you to keep these things in.”
I consider what she says, and it doesn’t sound like a bad idea. I could write him one hell of a letter because I have a lot to say, more than just the recent discovery. Maybe I can work on that because she is right; it’s not good to keep all this bottled up. I already feel better just telling Bethany.
“I think I will try that. Thank you.”
“Anytime, girl. Seriously, you ever need anything, even just to talk, you call me.”
“Enough with this emotional shit. Let’s go inside and pop open another bottle of wine. I just decided we are having a sleepover tonight, so don’t worry about driving. There are plenty of guest rooms, or we can always kick Logan out of his bed and take over his room.” We both stand from the table and enter the house giggling like a couple of schoolgirls. Luckily, I have the day off tomorrow since I needed to take Jane to her doctor for a well visit and dreaded shots.
I drag Bethany through the house by the hand, and going into Logan’s room, I pull out some clothes for both of us to sleep in.
Tossing her a shirt and cotton shorts, I point at the bathroom. “You can change in there. Feel free to use anything you need. I’m going to change and then check on Jane.”
She shuts the bathroom door, and I strip off my clothes, tossing them into the hamper. Pulling my shirt and shorts on, I exit the room, closing the door behind me and cross the house to Jane’s room. Her light is off, and the door is cracked. Pushing it open, Logan is pulling the covers over her curled-up form.
“She’s already asleep?” I ask, coming to stand next to him.
“Yeah, I found her passed out on her floor on top of her blankie. I just moved her to the bed,” he whispers.
Leaning over her, I kiss her forehead, and she doesn’t stir one bit. She has had an exhausting couple of days, and I know she isn’t looking forward to her appointment tomorrow.
With his hand against my back, Logan walks us out of the room, pulling the door shut behind us.
“Bethany is sleeping over,” I say as we stop outside Jane’s room.
“That’s good. I don’t want her driving after drinking. Tanner switched to scotch, so I imagine he will be staying in his usual room.”
“This could get interesting.” I smile, and Logan shakes his head.
“Don’t get any crazy ideas, babe.”
I turn to walk away. “I don’t know what you are talking about.”
Before I make it too far, Logan grabs my wrist and spins me back around and into his body. “Uh-huh, I bet.” His mouth lowers to mine, and when his tongue slides across my lips, I contain the moan. “We’d better get back to our company before they kill each other.”
We find them in the middle of a heated discussion in the living room. Logan holds me back with an arm across my front.
“Why do you even care, Tanner? You are out screwing girls with no concern, and I don’t ever say shit. So why can’t you just let me live my life?” Bethany’s voice is low, but loud enough for us to hear from the hallway.
“Because you’re better than that. You deserve far more than any of those losers can give you.”
“Who are you to say what I deserve?” she shouts, her hands hitting his chest.
“Jesus, stop hitting me.” Grabbing her wrists, he halts the assault. “I care about you.”
She fights to pull her arms away, and I almost feel bad for witnessing this private exchange. Almost.
“You don’t get to say that. You don’t get to care now because we both know that’s not true.”
“You don’t know shit,” Tanner says, still holding her arms.
“Ha,” she scoffs. “You have done nothing but prove it the past thirteen years, so I am pretty sure I know what I’m talking about.”
“You don’t know shit,” he repeats.
“Just let me go, Tanner.” Her voice sounds defeated, and if Logan wasn’t holding me back, I would have hugged her.
“I can’t do that,” he says, and before she can shoot back with a response, his mouth is on hers, and she isn’t fighting back.
“Maybe we should cut through the kitchen and sneak into our room,” Logan whispers in my ear.
My head nods, but my eyes are glued to the passion unfolding before me. Hands are scrambling to touch every inch of the other person. Years of pent-up desire are being unleashed, and as happy as I am for Bethany, I am also worried about her heart. If Tanner hurts her again, he will have to deal with me.
Logan and I make our silent escape and shut ourselves away inside the bedroom. It’s a good thing Tanner’s usual room is tucked at the very end of the hall away from Jane’s because I have a good idea where this evening is leading for them.
After I finish my nightly routine of brushing my teeth and washing my face in the bathroom, I find Logan sitting up in bed with his back against the headboard. The sheet falls along his waist, leaving his chest bare.
“See something you like?” he teases, without glancing up from his phone.
“Maybe I do,” I say, pushing off the doorframe and walking to the bed.
He plugs his charger into the phone and sets it on his nightstand, flipping back the covers on my side. I slide into the bed and release a huge yawn, feeling the tiredness sneaking up on me.
“Someone sleepy?” he asks, scooting down onto his pillows and pulling me into his side.
I nod my head against his chest. “I love you,” I tell him, raising up for a good night kiss.
“I love you too.” Logan tucks me against him, and I reach my arm across his stomach. “This is how I plan to spend every night. When you’re ready, I want to move all your stuff here.”
“Okay, babe,” I agree, pressing my lips against the warm skin of his chest.
“Hmm, I like this sleepy, wined up, agreeable Brenna. What else can I get out of you?”
“Anything you want.”
I feel his kiss on my head, and seconds later, I am gone. I fall asleep with thoughts of two young girls who both had their hearts broken in different ways, hoping they have both found their happiness.
Chapter 16
Warm lips moving against my cheek jar me from my peaceful sleep. I open my eyes to Logan leaning over me, fully dressed in his usual business attire. Reaching up, I grab his tie and pull his handsome face closer.
“Good morning,” he says with a smile.
“Morning. Leaving already?” I stick my bottom lip out in a pout as I toy with his tie in my hands.
“Yeah, it’s a quarter to eight, and I have some meetings first thing this morning. Do you and Jane want to meet for lunch after her appointment?”
“As long as it doesn’t mess up your day,” I say, brushing my lips across his.
“Call me after the appointment.”
He leaves me in bed after one last kiss and an I love you. I stretch my arms up and over my head and yawn as I try to wake my body up. Mornings are not my friend, and after the intake of wine last night, I am definitely not
feeling it today.
Finally pulling myself from the comfort of Logan’s soft mattress, I take a shower and throw on a long maxi, letting my hair air dry in natural waves. The house is still and silent as I move through it on my way to Jane’s room.
Sprawled out across the entire bed on her stomach, Jane’s still sound asleep. I sit down on the mattress and rub her back gently. Some mornings, she wakes easily, and others, her attitude resembles mine. She stirs for a moment and rolls over, rubbing her hands over her eyes before opening them.
“Good morning, sweet angel.”
“Morning,” her sleepy little voice says with a yawn.
“Time to get up and get ready. We have a big day today for the big four-year-old.”
Her smile widens, and throwing the cover off, she jumps from the mattress and wraps her arms around me. Lifting her up, I carry her into the bathroom and set her down so I can get her bath ready.
“You only have a few minutes to play this morning. I’m going to be right down the hall and I’ll be back to wash you.”
“Okay, BrennBrenn,” she says, sinking down into the water where she is surrounded by rubber toys.
Leaving the bathroom, I glance down the hallway and notice the door at the end is open. I take quiet steps until I reach the door and peek inside the empty room. I fully expected to find Tanner sleeping inside, possibly with Bethany. The comforter is hazardously thrown up over the pillows, proof that it was slept in. I check the other guest room, and while the bed is neatly made, I can tell someone had been in the room last night. Both of them must have left early this morning.
On the way to the kitchen, I check in on Jane, who is splashing around in the tub. Opening the freezer, I pull out the box of frozen waffles and set them on the counter while I pull out the toaster from the pantry. While in there, I also grab the bottle of syrup and make quick work of fixing Jane’s breakfast.
Once she is squeaky clean and dressed, we both sit down and enjoy our waffles and orange juice together. There still has been no word from her mother, and it’s not my responsibility to constantly reach out to her. Her daughter should be more of a priority to her. I actually expected more of a fight from her once she found out that I had temporary guardianship of Jane, but so far, I haven’t seen anything.
Before we leave the house, I grab my phone from the charger in the bedroom and find a few missed messages.
Bethany: Sorry for running out so early this morning. Let’s catch up later. Thank you for having me over!
Gabby: TJ and I are missing Miss Jane already today.
Logan: I took your car so I could drop it off for an oil change. The keys for the Rover are hanging by the door, and I already hooked up the car seat. Love you.
I type out quick responses on my way out of the room.
Thank you for coming. We need to hang out more often!
Don’t you two worry. She will be back over tomorrow morning.
I told you I would get to it eventually. You’re too sweet, and I love you too!
The drive to the doctor’s office is filled with question after question about what would take place. She knew the basics of a checkup but wasn’t aware of the impending shots. When I looked in the rearview mirror, her eyes were as big as saucers when the words left my mouth.
I remember not being very fond of vaccinations when I was a child either, so I can understand her reluctance. After explaining it would be a quick process and over before she knew it, she calmed down. But it’s only after informing her of our possible lunch date that she really perks up. I don’t blame her because being in his company always makes me happier too.
When we first arrive at the office, I have to give the lady at the front all the proper paperwork stating I am her guardian and can have her medically treated. It’s an embarrassing situation, and I can only wonder what people think when I explain, but the lady is very sweet about it and doesn’t seem too surprised. I imagine they see this situation often.
Sitting and waiting to be called back is just as much torture as it is when I am waiting for my own doctor. Jane keeps flipping through book after book, fidgeting in her seat. A couple of other kids are with their parents sitting on the ‘well’ side—keeping them separated from the sick kids—playing with the toys, but Jane doesn’t seem interested in joining them.
Twenty minutes later, which feels more like two hours, we are called back, and they begin measuring her height and weight, followed by all the other basics. When it’s time for the shots, and the nurse comes back in with her tray, Jane’s eyes begin to well up with tears. I move over to where she is sitting on the examination bed and hold her little hand in mine, telling her to focus on me and not the needle. Before she knows it, the nurse is done, and she is bandaged and ready to go.
* * *
“Logan, can you believe it? I didn’t even cry,” Jane says as we sit waiting for our lunch.
“You did incredible, Jane. I knew you could handle it.” Logan leans down and kisses her head.
Given a choice, she chose to sit in the booth next to him, leaving me sitting solo on the other side. I have grown used to this at this point, and it never bothers me because I love the bond they have formed.
“Are you working late tonight?” I ask, before thanking our server when she delivers our food.
“I shouldn’t be later than five as long as the phone conference starts on time. Do you want me to bring dinner home?”
Home.
That’s going to take some getting used to. Logan’s house is ten times bigger than anything I have ever lived in and so much nicer than what I am used to. Being around him all the time and sleeping next to him every night has come so naturally. At this point, I couldn’t imagine going back to my apartment and sleeping alone.
“No, I think tonight Jane and I will cook dinner.”
Jane claps her hands in excitement. She loves whenever we cook and bake together and is always eager to learn.
“Well, then. I will make sure to be home as promptly as I can,” he says with a smile.
“Do you want to invite your brother over?” I ask, taking a bite of my salad.
“Not tonight. I want to have a nice evening with my two favorite girls. Unless you want him to come.”
“No,” I say, shaking my head. “Just the three of us sounds nice.”
Logan’s phone vibrates on the table. When my eyes fall on the screen and I see Melody’s name, my happy mood turns sour. I hate feeling this jealousy because I have never been that girl before. I don’t know how to control my anger when it comes to her.
He presses the volume button on the side to cut off the vibration. “I’ll handle that,” he says, pointing down at the device.
“I didn’t say anything.”
“I know you didn’t, but I will handle it because she doesn’t need to keep calling and showing up as she has. It’s not appropriate, and she knows that.”
“Okay,” I say, moving my lettuce around on the plate with my fork. I’m happy that he sees it’s an issue and plans to address it, but at the same time, it is frustrating that it is happening to begin with.
“Hey,” he says, reaching across the table and lifting my chin with his fingers, bringing my focus to his navy eyes. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” I smile, but I can tell it just isn’t fully there.
He drops his hand to mine and squeezes. I don’t mean to make him feel bad, and for whatever reason, I trust him completely, but there are still little doubts seeded down deep.
“I have an idea,” he declares, gaining the attention of Jane with his enthusiasm. “Let’s check our work calendars and find when we can both take some time off and go away for the weekend. My family has a cabin up north in the mountains, and I think we could all use a little break.”
“I’ve never been to the mountains,” Jane says, bouncing in the booth.
“The scenery is beautiful, and we can do a lot of sight-seeing, but there is also this carnival that is open year r
ound, and I know a certain little girl who would love it.”
“Yes! Yes! I have only been to the fair one time when BrennBrenn took me. We had so much fun, didn’t we?”
“We sure did.” Last year, Claire and I took the girls to the fair and spent way too much money, but we all had a blast, so it was worth it. “I just started working at the firm, so I don’t know if I will be able to get any extra time off since I have already taken off so much.”
“I’m sure Richard won’t have an issue giving you the time off. You are a star employee, and he practically begged you to come work for him. He would give you whatever you asked for.”
“Please, BrennBrenn!” Jane pleads, giving me her best puppy dog eyes.
My gaze lifts from hers to Logan.
“At least think about it,” he says, giving my hand another squeeze while I nod my head.
The thought of escaping to a cabin in the mountains sounds beyond amazing, but I don’t want Richard to think I am taking advantage of our relationship outside the office. He has been great since day one, and there is no way I could ever repay him for all his help with Jane. It just doesn’t seem right to ask for more time off when I have already been off more than one should in such a short time.
“I hate to run, but I have to return to work. I will see you ladies later at home,” Logan says as he signs the receipt for our lunch.
We stand from the booth, and he walks us to the parking lot.
“Do you want to switch cars?” I ask, holding his keys out.
He shakes his head. “No, just take mine. Jane’s seat is already hooked up.”
“I like riding in Logan’s. I can see everything.”
“Who wouldn’t like riding in a Range Rover?” I joke.
Logan takes my and Jane’s hand, walking us over to where his SUV is parked. He opens the door and lifts Jane into her seat, carefully buckling her in and kissing her head. Leading me around the vehicle, he opens my door like a gentleman.
“See you in a few hours,” he says, bringing his lips to mine.
“We’ll be waiting. Love you.”
“Love you too. Remember to think about what I said,” he reminds me.
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