“I’m not going to lie. I’m hugely disappointed.”
“You are unbelievable. You have absolutely no empathy, nothing.” I almost start to gag. “And I’m having these babies. I thought you would want to know you’re going to be a grandfather.”
A bitter snort comes through the phone. “So you expect me to support you since he’s left you, huh? I warned you years ago this would happen.” His breath comes in heavy on the phone, and I hear Lana trying to pacify him.
My stomach churns. This time, I do gag and my eyes water. “You know what, Daddy? I don’t want anything from you. You keep your precious money. I’m done with you. You want to see your grandkids? You let me know. Because quite frankly, you’ve got some nerve judging me when you are fucking a woman eight years older than me, and you’re still married to my mother. Let’s not forget that you just had another baby yourself and how old are you?” I hang up as I hear him yell, and I race to the bathroom, barely making it as I heave and heave. Lifting a weary hand to my mouth, I prop myself on the counter and sit on the cool travertine. An amazing sense of relief fills me. I finally stood up to him. I’m done with my father and being a slave to his money.
“He’s crazy.” I mean he basically has been in competition with Reed since we were eight. Who does that? I love Lana and hope she’ll still be able to see me. But the way my father controls her, I doubt it will be for a while.
I need Reed! I miss him, love him, where is he? Shaking my head, I pull myself up and splash some icy water on my face.
“Fuck Reed! I need Brance.”
TESS
Past
After looking like a complete idiot. I have finally found the area where Brance and Logan will be coming out of customs. In my defense, it’s not my fault I have never flown commercial before. It’s my first time in this area of JFK. I’ve been waiting for an hour and still no Brance or Logan although I’ve confirmed that they have landed. It took two weeks to get ahold of Brance via email, but as soon as he got it, he was on the first plane out. Suddenly I see people pushing carts of luggage up the last leg of customs. Excitement and relief course through me as I see Brance. At least I think it’s Brance. This man has muscles and his blond hair has grown out sporting at least three inches of dark roots. He is so tan, and rugged looking I can’t stop staring. Leaving his luggage, he marches over to me and grabs me into a tight hug.
“Oh my God,” I say, burying my head in his hard chest. I let go, and all my tears and anxiety pour out of me as I silently weep into his rag of a T-shirt. Brance is murmuring encouraging words as he strokes my hair.
“Um, Brance, you should probably move out of the way. Why don’t we take Tess home and we can talk in private?” Logan sounds embarrassed and slightly annoyed. I clutch onto Brance harder.
“Don’t leave me. You’re all I have.” My voice cracks, but after the last two weeks, let’s say I have a new appreciation for everything. My dad followed through and cut off all my money. All my cards are canceled and accounts closed. I’m over twenty-one but he never put it in a trust for me. It was always his to give. I never even thought about it because I lived off Reed. Lana’s beside herself. I don’t envy her and I’d hate to be in her position. So I have been sitting in the penthouse trying to figure out my next move. I almost broke down and called Jax, but my pride wouldn’t allow it. Thankfully Reed always kept cash lying around the house. I never really thought about it until I needed it for food. His accountant must not have been alerted that he’s no longer living with me because I still have electricity and the water is still working. I have never wanted for anything in my life, so it has been a major slap in the face.
Brance stiffens. “I’ll never leave you. You know that. Come on, let’s get our stuff in the car. Logan’s right. We will talk in private.”
I nod. “We have to take a cab. I’m sorry, but I don’t have a driver. I barely have money for food.” Great. I’m completely losing it in the middle of JFK airport.
Brance holds me tighter, but I can tell he’s having a hard time breathing. His anger is almost bouncing off the airport’s walls.
“I warned that motherfucker,” he spits out as he walks, holding me up. Bending down for a moment, he grabs a bag, leaving the rest with Logan.
We all pile into a cab. I know I need to pull myself together. But I’m blaming the hormones because I can’t pull myself away from Brance or stop crying. No one says anything and I lift my head at last to see Logan staring out the window. I try to pull back, but Brance simply kisses my nose and tucks me back under his arm.
The cab pulls to a stop, and I step out as Brance pays. I walk over to the bags trying to help since Logan does not look happy. Thankfully, Peter and Ben come out and take charge, leaving Logan to watch me use my thumbprint to activate my private elevator.
“Good Lord, you have a private elevator?” I guess he is trying to break the ice, but it comes out accusatory.
“Um, yes, we have the penthouse, so we get our own elevator.” I shoot a glance at Brance as he steps inside the building. The elevator is quick, opening into my impressive apartment. Reed bought it four years ago, and Brance and I decorated it. My eyes sting as I hold back the tears at the happy memories. Up until four months ago, this whole apartment has held nothing but joy. I was truly happy here living with Reed being in love. It’s almost unbelievable to find myself in this situation. Glancing back at Logan, I notice he’s staring openmouthed at my place. The tall ceilings and glass windows that snake around the entire penthouse make it unique. I mean, not many people get a view of Manhattan when they are taking a shower or a bath.
“Logan.” I clear my throat. “Can I get you anything to drink?”
Brance is already at the refrigerator. “Tess, I’ve been in Africa for over three months and all I want is food, and this is what you have?” He groans his displeasure.
“I told you, I’m on a tight budget.” He slams the refrigerator shut and takes my phone. I hear him ordering groceries for delivery. Then he turns to me, takes my hand, and pulls me down the few steps leading to the great room where we both sit on the couch.
“Logan, why don’t you go take a shower. I need to figure some things out with Tess.”
Logan looks stunned then snaps, “Sure, if I had any idea where a shower is, you shit.” He glares. “You’ve got some nerve. We just spent three months helping people, who really need help! Tess emails you and we have to drop everything and leave early because her billionaire boyfriend left her pregnant.” He moves toward us, hands on his lean hips. “The worst part is, I love you. I am going against everything I feel strongly about so that you can rescue her.” He points at me accusingly. I slink behind Brance.
“A little common courtesy isn’t that much to ask.” His breathing is harsh and his cheeks are flushed.
Brance stands, running a hand through his two-toned hair. “I’m sorry.” He crosses to Logan and grabs his face. “I was not thinking. Forgive me. You’re right. I’m a dick. Let me show you to our room.” He turns to me. “I will get him situated and be right back.”
“Of course,” I say.
Brance grabs Logan’s hand and pulls him up the stairs.
God, I’m the worst! Logan is right. People have it so much worse. And I made Brance leave because I’m pregnant. I stand up to get some water and pineapple. I’m obsessed with pineapple and eat it nonstop. Leaning over the island, I hear the shower turn on.
Logan has Brance and they love each other. I’m alone and pregnant with twins. Also, let’s be honest. Who will ever want me now? A single mother with twins? I’m only twenty-one, way too young to never have sex again. Yet the thought of anyone but Reed touching me is not something I can even think about. I gave him all my firsts, which he greedily took. And what did he give me?
My hand caresses my small belly, and I marvel that I’m almost four months along now. My small ball is starting to show more every day. I swear I feel fluttering, but that would make this all too real. I’m so
caught up in my misery, I don’t even hear the shower stop.
“You okay?” I jump at Brance’s voice. He holds up his hands as he walks into the kitchen, his face full of concern. He’s shirtless, his lean body mouthwatering. My eyes dip to his abs and the lounge pants that sit low on his waist. He smells fresh, clean. A wave of pain makes me close my eyes for a second.
“Tess? Come on, let’s talk.” His voice is gentle as he lifts me onto the counter and opens the pineapple container for me. He grabs two forks, handing me one. We both spear a piece, sitting comfortably together, eating and not saying a word.
I’m a third wheel. It’s like someone has slapped me awake, making me face my ugly truths. And to make matters worse, I’m probably going to ruin my body having twins and never feel Reed’s touch again. Because if he has not come back by now…
“I’m sorry,” I blurt out.
Brance grabs my hand, setting down the fork. “Don’t do that. You never need to say you’re sorry to me, especially about needing me. I know you, Tess.” He grabs my chin and forces me to look into his pretty brown eyes.
“I know you are beating yourself up over wanting me to come back early.” Hot tears spill down my warm cheeks. “But it’s pointless, Tess, wasted energy. I worked my ass off for three months. I helped build a school and a hospital, which is in your name thanks to the donation from Reed.”
Twisting, I pull my face out of his hold, my heart hurting at the memory of Reed wiring the money into Brance’s account. The only thing he requested was to have Brance name the hospital after me. Puffing out some air, I hold my shoulders back, trying to get some fight back in me.
“I don’t want Logan to resent me,” I whisper.
“When we first started to get serious, I told him that you were going to always be in my life… that you’re my family. So I’m the one who should be apologizing. You have been sick and scared for months and I didn’t even know.” He lowers his forehead to mine. We stay that way until the phone beeps alerting us that the groceries have arrived.
“Logan hates me, doesn’t he?” I reach for his hand as he turns to go.
He frowns. “Logan doesn’t know how to hate. He’s uncomfortable with our relationship.” With a shrug, he adds, “But I just fucked him, so he will be in a better mood. That’s the thing about Logan—he needs to feel loved all the time.”
I slap his chest. “Jesus, Brance.”
The elevator dings and Peter and a couple delivery guys enter and drop off three boxes of necessities on the island.
“Thanks, Peter.”
He smiles at me. “Anytime, Tess.”
Scooting off the counter, I check out one of the boxes. I need something salty to eat. I grab some peanut butter pretzels. Brance is behind me as he reaches for a can of Pringles.
I arch a brow at his choice. He snorts. “Like yours is any healthier?” He pops open the lid. “Should I have my dad’s men find him?”
“No, do not get your father involved!” As I put away the groceries, I eat a couple pretzels. I love the sweet peanut butter mixed with salt.
“Does Jax know?”
“No one knows besides Lana and my dad, and look how well that went over.” I stare at him.
Brance crosses his feet at his ankles and shoves giant mouthfuls of Pringles into his mouth as crumbs fall onto his chest and my hardwood floor.
“Where the fuck could he be? I’m trying to think like Reed, but that’s impossible.” Before I can answer, he moves me aside to wash his hands at the sink. “I mean, this is serious. Reed has never disappeared. I think you broke him, Pretty Girl. Otherwise he would have come back.”
“He doesn’t love me anymore. That’s what he told me, and then he left.”
“Your main priorities have changed, Pretty Girl.” His tone is serious. “Reed is no longer first. These two are.” He caresses my bump. “I think we should wait and see what happens. I’ll send Logan home to LA. He can come and go. And when you’re feeling better, maybe we will consider contacting Jax. He’ll know where Reed is.”
“Thank God, you’re back.”
Brance grins. His brown eyes look tired but alert. Already, he’s plotting.
I feel better. The guilt that’s been hanging over me lessens slightly. That’s what Brance does—the longer he stays, the sooner he will have me up and functioning.
“Have you both gone insane?” Logan stands in red-and-black-checked flannel pajamas with a huge frown, his blond hair slicked back and wet from the shower
“Babe, this is something that you have to trust us on.” Brance dumps the last of the Pringles into his hand and tosses the empty can in the garbage.
He shakes his head. “No. This is wrong. I don’t know Reed well, but he deserves the truth.”
“No one is saying that we are not going to tell him.” Brance reaches into one of the boxes for a bottle of red wine and starts fishing around in my junk drawer for the wine opener. “We’re trying to figure out the best way to proceed.” He pours two glasses of red wine and hands Logan one with a soft kiss. I look away. Seeing their affection makes me want to cry again.
“This is not like a pair of shoes that you don’t want him to know about. You’re keeping his children from him!” His eyes dart to me then Brance who has crossed his arms and is smirking at him.
He shakes his head. “This is going to backfire on you guys and I want you both to remember I said this.”
“Thank you, Logan. We look forward to you telling us so.” Then Brance turns to me as he pulls out a bottle of ginger ale. “You want some?”
“Yes, please.”
Logan looks around my kitchen. Sitting on one of my barstools, he sips his wine as though deep in thought.
“Since he hasn’t even tried to make contact, he doesn’t want to be found,” Brance says, opening up a Chinese food menu and sliding it to Logan. “I need to use the bathroom. Tess knows what I like.” My face heats up as I pull out a barstool and sit next to Logan.
“Of course she does,” he mumbles as he opens the menu then shuts it dramatically. “You are making a mistake, Tess.”
I sigh and give him a weak smile. “I’m sure you’re right, but I need my strength to deal with Reed.” I reach for the menu, not that I need to look at it. Reed, Jax, Brance, and I order from this place all the time.
“Brance mentioned that your father took away your money?”
I slowly look up, shocked. “Um, yes.”
Logan has the all-American thing going on. Blond hair, blue eyes, polar opposite of Brance. Dark to light. Brance with his model beauty and Logan, the boy next door.
“Brance loves you, but is it fair to expect him to support you?” he whispers.
“No, of course not,” I snap. What else should I say? I hadn’t even thought about that. We all have money, so I never considered how this would look from an outsider’s view.
“What are you two whispering about?” Brance reaches over me for his wine.
Before I can lie for Logan, he says, “I was inquiring how Tess is going to support herself and the twins. Since her father has cut her off and you two have decided not to tell Reed…” He shrugs, letting it hang in the air.
Brance lowers himself to the barstool next to me and takes Logan’s rough hands into his tan ones. “Logan, my love?”
Logan’s face blushes at Brance’s endearment.
“Did you order the food?”
Logan’s cheeks turn beet red. I can’t help but notice that his face matches his pajamas.
“Where I’m from, if you are broke you go to work,” he announces.
Brance smiles at him like he’s a three-year-old. “That’s not how we do it and it’s completely unrealistic for Tess.”
He nods and takes a large sip of his wine. The tension in the room makes my head throb. Logan hates me.
He snorts into his glass. “I guess you guys need to rethink your ban against Reed since he’s the father and a billionaire!”
“Logan, please
, I will figure this out. I shouldn’t have involved you two.”
“Are you kidding me?” Brance is starting to get fired up, and I flash back to Reed always saying he was the scariest out of all of us.
“No, I’m not. He should pay child support.” Logan raises his nose in the air. I look away because it’s hard to take him seriously when he crosses his legs wearing flannel jammies.
Brance clears his throat and grasps the side of my marble island. “Logan, I have plenty of money. She’ll be fine.”
Oh God, this is awful. At least with Reed, he accepted Brance. He never made him feel like a third wheel or a mooch, which is exactly how I feel right now.
I reach for Brance’s hand. “Logan is right. You need to go back to Los Angeles. I will be fine. If I need anything, I’ll call Jax.”
Brance leans over and grabs his glass of wine, his eyes narrowing on me. “So you’re saying that out of the blue, you can handle all this by yourself?”
I blink at him, unsure what to say.
“Brance, look around.” Logan waves a hand dramatically. “Tess is living in a million-dollar penthouse for heaven’s sake. She could sell one of her bags and survive for a month.”
How did I not think of that? I glance around my apartment. I do have a fortune in stuff I could sell.
Brance bursts out laughing. “Again, Logan, this is not how it works. I’m going to stay here with Tess to get her situated. You are welcome to stay or you can go back and forth. It’s up to you.”
“So that’s it? I’m supposed to stay quiet and watch you two plot and ruin people’s lives?”
Brance stands up, the barstool scraping my wood floor. “I’m going to say this one time, Logan. You’re either with us or against us.” They lock eyes and Logan takes his glass and stomps up the stairs. The slam of the guest bedroom door makes me jump.
“Fucking drama queen.” Brance shakes his head, a small smile on his lips.
The Enlightened (Entitled Book 2) Page 5