Cherishing Brianna [Fate Harbor 5] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)
Page 20
“Livvie, what do you mean about this being nonsense?”
“You’re thinking of this from the mind of the child you were. Never once have you looked at yourself from the outside. Pretend you were counseling yourself at the age of fourteen, sixteen, eighteen, and now at twenty-six. Pretend it wasn’t you. Pretend it was one of your CASA cases. Pretend it was a new foster child that Betty and Butch brought into the house. Would you have ever condoned them to live such a solitary and unsupported life alone?”
“Olivia, you don’t understand.”
“Actually, honey, I do understand. It’s you who doesn’t understand. You’ve never gotten the counseling that you’ve desperately needed. You’ve been afraid of what you would be told. You’re one of the smartest people I know, but on this one subject you have just thrust your head in the sand. It’s time to stop. It’s time to start living.”
Brianna heard one of the men calling for Olivia in the background.
“I’m talking to Brianna. I’ll be with you in a few minutes.”
“Go and spend time with your husbands.” Brianna needed some time to think.
“Honey, I love you so very much. You are part baby sister, and part daughter. Even if you don’t end up living in Fate Harbor, expect to be visited quite often when you are living in California. All I care about is your happiness. I just think you have cut yourself off from being happy for too damn long. I think something really shook you up in Dallas, and I think two men are shaking you up even more, so now is the perfect time for you to reevaluate. Promise me you’ll think about what you would tell someone else in your shoes? You would offer kindness, love, support and hope. Why can’t you do the same for yourself?”
Damn it, she was crying, and she could see the clock over the stove. Zac and Charlie would be showing up in less than twenty minutes.
“Livvie, all I can do is promise to think about this. Okay?”
“But do you see my point, honey? I mean, do you really see my point? You work with some of the most vulnerable kids in the system, and I know you wouldn’t just write them off, no matter how their circumstances might have changed. Please don’t write off someone as loveable and valuable as Brianna Kay Spencer just because her circumstances might have changed.”
“I promise I’ll think about it. Now I have to go cleaned up. You made me ruin my make-up. I have a date with two hot men.”
“About that. I would also love it if you would please think about giving them a chance to get a little closer. They deserve a chance. A real chance. Just like you do, honey.”
“Olivia, I have to go.”
“Okay, okay.” They hung up. It was too much for her to handle. But Brianna did what she always did, she compartmentalized. That was another thing that was another one of her mottos. Something she couldn’t handle, then she just shoved it down into a little box, so that she could deal with it later…or not.
She went into the bathroom, and did a major repair job. But no matter what she couldn’t get rid of the red puffiness around the eyes. Damn it! Both of the men were going to notice, and comment. And ask. Good thing she had already forgotten the reason for the tears.
She needed a distraction. She went through the closet. Josie said her sisters had left some of their clothes, and they were up for grabs. College girl clothes. That could be distracting. She rifled through the closet, and some of the drawers, and finally found a pair of low-rider jeans. The girls weren’t quite as tall as she was, but with her biker boots, it wouldn’t matter. Charlie had said they were going to shoot some pool at a pub, so a T-shirt should work fine. Again, she looked through the drawers and finally found something with a band she had never heard of. Kings of Leon. It was white and tight. Perfect. Her eyes were still red and puffy, but they were men, so she just might distract them enough to have the redness go down before they notice. Perfecto.
Of course they were on time. She looked at her hair and realized it wasn’t quite right for the outfit, so she put moussed it up, and applied hairspray. They could wait a minute or two longer. She wished she had red lipstick, but being a redhead, she never really thought it looked right, and she never could pull it off, but tonight it would have worked.
“Brianna.” Of course it was Charlie banging on the door. Brianna watched in fascination as her nipples hardened under the T-Shirt. God, that man had quite the effect. She jogged to the front door, and threw it open.
“Fuck! What the hell did you do? You look fucking amazing, Brianna.”
“Your eyes are red. Have you been crying?”
“I cut onions,” Brianna lied easily to Zac.
“That’s bullshit. I don’t smell any onions,” Charlie said as he strode into the apartment. “You’ve been crying, and it wasn’t because of any fucking onions.”
“She also lies pretty damn well.” Zac pulled her into his arms, and she noted that he was wearing a white T-shirt as well, that fit him well, and smelled wonderful, but it could have just been Zac. “Are you going to tell us why you were crying?”
“Nope, you’re going to take me to play pool.”
“Brianna.” Charlie came up from behind her and tangled his fingers in her hair, pulling her head back so that she was forced to look at him. “We’re not going anywhere until you come clean.”
“Look, Sheriff, Olivia called and said some hurtful things. I’m over it. I want to go and play pool.”
Charlie looked deeply into her eyes then looked up to Zac. “She’s telling the truth.”
“Is Olivia the type of person to say hurtful things?”
Charlie paused. “No she’s not. Not unless she thinks it’s for someone’s own good.”
“Please. Please, can we just go play pool? Last night was a bust. I really just want to go out on a date, not talk about heavy stuff. Can’t we just go out and have some fun like a normal couple?” Both men laughed, and Brianna realized her faux pas.
“Okay, well can we go out as a normal couple, or triad, or whatever passes for a relationship here in Fate Harbor?”
“Yes, Angel, we can.”
“No, you’re going to explain,” Charlie said at the same time. Both men stared at one another, but Zac ended up winning, for which Brianna was eternally grateful.
“You’re going to need to put on a coat. I can see your nipples.”
“She looks fine. But it is cold out. Get your coat, Angel.” When she pulled it out of the closet, Zac was behind her to help her into it. It was disconcerting to have someone right there, so considerate.
“Not that I don’t absolutely love the low riders, but damn I sure would love to see you wearing your leathers again, baby.” Charlie patted her ass as she passed him to go out the door.
They argued good-naturedly as to which car to take. Charlie’s refurbished ‘67 Mustang didn’t have a lot of leg room for Zac in the backseat, but Brianna finally won the silly argument and got to sit in the backseat for the seven-minute drive.
She was interested to see the camaraderie between the two men. From what she had gleaned so far, they really hadn’t known each other that well before getting involved with her, but they seemed to becoming fast friends. That made her feel better, because when she left, they were going to need one another. Especially Zac, since he was under the misapprehension that he was in love with her. Of course, when she eventually told him the truth, that should stop.
Where did that come from? She had never considered telling them everything. Damn Olivia. Apparently she hadn’t compartmentalized well enough.
Chapter 21
The woman couldn’t play pool, and she didn’t drink, but she owned a Ducati. Things just didn’t add up. Zac’s call to run a background check had come almost five weeks too late. Charlie had done that as soon as Joshua had left his office.
There was definitely a flag. She had been assaulted. It was when she had made a welfare call on one of her CASA cases. The little boy and his mother had been locked in a room, and she had been looking in the bedroom window calling th
e cops when the father had spotted her and attacked. She had been beaten, but she had somehow fought him off. Considering the fact that he outweighed her by sixty pounds, the officers on duty were amazed. The boy and his mother were in bad shape. She had likely saved their lives.
The father was in prison. He had copped a plea, likely because of Brianna, as her reputation was impeccable. As soon as he was locked up, she packed up, sent all of her possessions into storage in San Clemente, California, and left town. Nothing added up, but it was clear she intended to end up in San Clemente. She had no one there. Her father was dead, and her mother had long ago remarried and moved to Chicago. After what Brianna divulged, he assumed all ties had been severed. Even her grandparents had passed years ago. There was no one there for her. It made no sense. But then again, it made no sense that she had moved to Dallas in the first place. Everything Charlie had observed proved that Brianna had deep connections to the people she grew up with. Yep, she was a puzzle. But the whole situation with the boy and his father had to be the trigger.
* * * *
Zac hadn’t changed his mind, Brianna was a puzzle. But the assault had to be the key. He was surprised that Charlie didn’t realize it, but maybe it was because he was so used to that kind brutality in his job that he didn’t think it was out of the norm.
He watched as Charlie nestled up against Brianna to once again show her how to bank a shot. She was abysmal at the game. No matter how often they explained the line or angle, she just couldn’t seem to grasp it. It was a toss-up as to what was more fun, the fact that Zac was beating Charlie, or seeing Brianna laugh at herself. She was such a good sport, Zac just found himself more enamored.
Of course, the real game between Charlie and Zac was to see who could spend the most time cuddled up against Brianna. In that game, Charlie was winning. Zac went over to Leo and asked him how Jack was doing, and to say he thought Arnie might choose not to plead out. It was fun to fuck with Charlie and make him squirm. At that point, Leo called Charlie over, and Zac sauntered over to assist Brianna with her next shot.
“I saw what you just did.”
“What are you talking about, Angel?” Zac stroked his hand down her arm as he curled her fingers around the cue. She pressed her bottom against his crotch and he had to stifle a groan.
“I saw you get Leo to call Charlie away. That was pretty impressive, Carmichael.” She threw him a cheeky grin over her shoulder and hit the cue ball, finally sinking a solid into a side pocket. Of course, she was supposed to be sinking stripes. They both laughed, and she wiggled her ass even harder against his aroused flesh.
“Charlie will explain that Arnie is going to jail. Leo will be satisfied, and I will get more time with you. All will be right with the world. Do you want to play darts?”
“Do you want to practice your veterinary skills on humans?”
“How in the hell did you grow up with Chance and Sam as brothers and not learn how to play pool or darts?”
“By the time we all were of legal drinking age, I had moved to Dallas. Let’s go back to the table, I’m thirsty.”
“Let me guess, another lemonade?”
“Nope, just going to finish what I have. I have a treat at my apartment.”
“I was hoping, and I’m guessing that Charlie was hoping, too,” Zac said as he sat down across from Brianna.
“I was talking about dessert, buster. Then I was hoping from a treat from you.” Zac grinned as Charlie slid in beside Brianna at that exact moment.
“I think you can definitely be assured that if you want a treat, you will get all the treats you want.” Zac found it interesting how calming it was to see Brianna melt into Charlie’s embrace. He had called Rolf earlier that day, and talked out the dynamics of a triad relationship. Of course it was different since he and Rolf and Brandon were lovers. But the security that Rolf felt knowing that he had a partner who he could rely on for Sheila’s care was extremely similar to what he felt with Charlie and Brianna. Also Rolf pointed out that Zac was in the process of building a family with Brianna and Charlie.
As he looked around the table, he saw that Brianna had finished her drink, and he didn’t want any more of the beer that was sitting in front of him. He wanted an exchange of treats. He caught Charlie’s eye, and saw that they were in perfect accord.
“Beauty, before you fall asleep because of all the lemonade you’ve consumed, let’s get you home.” Zac was delighted with the burst of laughter that Brianna let out. Truly, this was the most relaxed he had seen the woman, and he was proud that the two of them had managed to give her this evening.
They got back to her apartment, and she insisted that they sit on the sofa and turn on what was left of the Mariner’s baseball game that had been playing at the pub. She went into the kitchen, and soon Zac smelled chocolate cake coming from the kitchen. It was his favorite. The evening was just getting better and better. Neither of the men were interested in the game, both sneaking peeks at the woman working efficiently in the small kitchen.
* * * *
The time at the pub had been wonderful, a balm that had soothed her nerves after the conversation with Olivia. But now that she was back in her apartment, she couldn’t help but replay the conversation over and over. But instead of being lifted up, like she knew Olivia intended, she was more convinced that she was sick and had to leave.
She couldn’t be more blessed, in her family, and now in these two men, which was all the more reason she had to leave. There had been one thing that had always sustained her. She knew that violence wasn’t in her makeup. When the symptoms of the illness, the hallucinations, the voices, and the paranoia all started, well, that would be awful, but she had always consoled herself that at least if she kept herself in a supervised living environment she should be fine. She had been positive she would never be a harm to someone else like her father had been to her. But Dallas had changed all that.
Despite the heat of the small kitchen and the jacket she was still wearing, Brianna shuddered. Olivia was so wrong, and she had to get out of here quick. Spending time with Zac and Charlie wasn’t fair to any of them. Even now, instead of having a night she would remember fondly, she was going to be left with a night that would haunt her and make her mourn for everything that might have been. She had to get them to leave, and fast. As if the universe heard her, the timer over the stove rang.
Brianna did one of the things that came naturally. She went on auto-pilot. She slipped on an oven mitt to pull out the cookie sheet with the ramekins containing the cakes. She’d baked five, knowing both men could probably eat two. That thought didn’t even bring a smile to her face. Instead she kept focused on the task at hand, and wondered how she was going to get them to leave early, when it was the last thing she wanted.
Maybe another night in their arms wouldn’t hurt. It was going to feel like losing a limb when she had to leave them, maybe she should just hoard one more night, but then she realized it was the wrong thing to do. She had to break this off cleanly. She shook off the oven mitt after having carefully set the sheet on the stove. Brianna turned to call the men to the dining room and gasped when she found them standing directly in front of her. She took a quick step back that rocked the cookie sheet. She reached out to right the cookware, and gasped in pain as the hot metal seared the flesh of her hand.
“Brianna!” The men worked together like a well-oiled machine. Just as everything was getting ready to pitch to the floor, Zac saved it, while Charlie hustled her to the sink and thrust her burned hand under cold water.
“Stop it! I can take care of myself.” Brianna tried to wrench herself out of Charlie’s gentle grip, but the more she pulled away, the more implacable his hold became.
“Brianna, honey, will you promise to hold your hand under the water, and then I’ll let go.” It was as if his voice was coming from far away. She wasn’t scared of him, she was scared for him. He needed to stop thinking of her as someone who needed rescuing. As someone who was worthy of rescue.
“Let me see your hand, Angel.” Zac’s tone was soothing. She backed out of the kitchen, away from both men.
“My hand’s fine. You need to leave. I’m sorry I came unglued again. You both just need to leave, I’m not good company.” She looked at Charlie, and saw confusion and determination. She looked into Zac’s brown eyes, and instead of confusion she saw concern, but it was underlaid with that same strong look of determination.
“Damn it, you both need to leave.” She shoved the hair out of her face so she could glare at them, wanting to be sure she got her point across, but the pain in her hand caused her to gasp. Both men were at her side in a less than a second.
“Do you have a first-aid kit?” There was no mistaking the frustration in Zac’s voice, despite the fact that she could still hear his concern.
“Guys, I’ll put an icepack on it and go to bed.”
“Let the animal doctor look at your hand.”
Brianna looked down at her hand, and to her horror it was shaking. She shoved it between her arm and her breast, which made her gasp in pain again, but it was better that then having them see her trembling. God she was a mess!
“Just go. I’m fine.”
“Brianna—”
“Leave!” she yelled, and then she smashed both hands over her mouth, horrified that she had all but screamed. She was losing her mind.
“You’re not losing your mind. You’re hurting and upset,” Charlie murmured against her temple as he pulled her into his embrace. She heard the door to the apartment open and close.
“Please leave with Zac. Please.” Damn it, she was crying.
“Zac didn’t go. He just went out to his SUV to get a first-aid kit. He’s going to be right back, baby.” Brianna struggled, trying to get out of Charlie’s arms, but it didn’t work. Finally she just rested against him, but even though he gave off heat like a furnace, she was shaking with cold. After they bandaged her hand, she was going to get rid of them, and get the hell out of this town. She was no good to anyone.