The Enlightened (Entitled Book 2)

by Cassandra Robbins

  “Brance, please. Go into the house and have some water.”

  “Now what’s going on?”

  I scream as Reed sneaks up behind me. Turning, I cling to him. “Thank God!”

  He flashes me a killer smile then frowns as he takes in the vibe. “What’s wrong?” His turquoise eyes zero in on Brance and he pulls me tighter to his chest, his mouth on mine when Brance snaps.

  “I think my husband is having an affair. Excuse me.” He spits it out and heads straight for Logan and Scott.

  I shake Reed’s arm. “Go stop him.”

  “What did he just say?” His eyes follow Brance.

  “Reed, go… annnd great.” I stare in shock as Brance punches Scott in the nose.

  “Jesus.” Reed finally lets go of me and is by Brance’s side holding him back.

  “This,” Brance snarls as he points at Scott who is bracing himself on the side of my tree. “This is what you want?”

  Logan looks pale. His eyes dart around.

  Scott’s eyes widen as he holds his nose, which is bleeding down his chin and onto the grass. I reach for a bunch of Avengers napkins and hand them to him. Brance glares at me.

  Kids come running over to see what’s happening. Some start crying; others scream.

  I turn around and face the party. “Sorry. It was a little accident. Nothing to worry about.” I smile at the parents, my face on fire.

  “Brance, this is the last straw. When you resort to violence…” Logan whispers. His eyes land on me. “I can’t even begin… I have no sympathy for you people.” He indicates all of us with his hands. “No matter what you do, Tess, someone always saves you. My husband, who in front of God vowed to put me first.” His voice is soft yet full of anger. Brance snorts. “Even poor Scott”—he points at him—“who you dumped, shows up to give your kids presents—like they need them.”

  I peek around my loud backyard to see who is watching, hoping it’s only us. Of course, that’s not the case. Only the kids and parents in the jumpy are blissfully ignorant. Everyone else is witnessing this humiliation.

  He shakes his head staring at Brance. “And now my husband has turned into his father, using violence on an innocent man.” Logan is visibly shaken. His normally calm face is splotchy.

  Brance takes in a huge breath, his hands clenched at his side. “I have put up with so much shit from you. Starting with never accepting me. Always wanting to change me. What’s wrong with me?” he yells. “You want to know why I put Tess first? She accepts me. The good and the bad. And for you to even bring up my father…” He moves toward him. Reed has to hold him back.

  “Easy, Brance, you’re starting to act like me.” He pats Brance’s chest.

  I step in and whisper, “Everyone is staring. I think we’re scaring the kids.”

  He doesn’t hear me. “Deny it. Tell me I’m wrong. Look me in the eyes, Logan, and tell me you accept me. Or that you aren’t fucking him.” He shoves Scott.

  “Oh God,” I groan.

  Scott braces himself on the tree. “He’s not. I like girls… Tess to be specific.” Scott spits out blood.

  “The fuck?” Reed takes a step toward him, and I can’t help but feel my heart flutter.

  “Okay, enough.” I hold up my hands. “This is our children’s party.” Out of the corner of my eye, I see a couple parents filming us. Fantastic, I’m going to be all over social media in minutes, or even worse, on a tabloid cover tomorrow.

  Reed takes a breath and looks around. “I think you need to leave.” He grits it out.

  At this point, we probably all need to leave.

  “Tess?” I jump, my mind focused on how we are all going to regret this. “Is this what you want? You want him?” Scott points at Reed.

  Oh God, this is so horrible in so many ways, but Scott deserves the truth. I nod. “Yes, Reed is who I want. He’s who I’ve always wanted.” I straighten my shoulders. If I’m going to be completely humiliated, I should at least look good. I think I hear Reed exhale.

  Scott looks somewhat shell-shocked but turns to Reed. “I should have listened to her. She tried to tell me.” He pushes himself off the tree. “She’s all yours. I hope you love her—she deserves that.” He turns and walks toward his car.

  “Why the hell would he show up here?” Reed snarls at all of us.

  Logan looks stunned. “I’m done. All of you are… God, Brance, what you did is unforgivable.” He throws his hands in the air and takes off in a jog trying to catch up to Scott.

  “Yeah, that’s it, Logan. Go after him,” Brance yells at their retreating backs.

  “I’m not crazy right? That’s not normal.” His brown eyes focus on Reed’s and mine.

  I lift my hands. “I think we need to relax and think.”

  Jax and Brad are standing behind me, their worried frowns forcing me to accept that this was as bad as I thought.

  “Mommy, Daddy?” Lilly and Luke run toward us.

  “You okay, Uncie Bwance?” Luke runs straight for Brance with such force my heart squeezes. Brance scoops him up as Lilly hugs his legs.

  “My hand hurts, Bud, but I’m okay.” He lets out a ragged sigh. “Should we eat some cake and open up some presents?” He picks up Lilly.

  “Kitten.” Reed reaches for my hand, his face full love as he watches our children with Brance.

  “You did this, baby. Look at our kids. They’re truly amazing.”

  “They are, aren’t they?” My eyes sting with tears.

  “I always knew.” His warm hand squeezes mine as we walk hand in hand together to sing “Happy Birthday.”

  REED

  I stare at my children, and their happiness sinks into me. They’re like a blood infusion making me feel alive again. The “Happy Birthday” song vibrates through me.

  Three years old. I missed out on so much. She gave me a gift yet kept it from me.

  “Make a wish, and don’t forget to make it a good one.” Tess’s voice brings me back to what’s important. She kneels next to them, her black pants and white blouse giving her the ethereal classic look. Her long shiny hair looks like a waterfall of brandy.

  I close my eyes and make my own wish. The clapping makes me blink and I look straight at her. She’s laughing and cheering, but her eyes are locked on mine. As the cake is cut and passed around, I bring out the goodie bags.

  Tess spent hours on these bags. I had no idea how much crap you can shove into different-colored bags. The party has been going on for over three hours, and we haven’t even made it to the fucking piñata yet. Granted Brance’s little stunt didn’t help things. I said it from day one: this guy would never make Brance happy. Memories of Logan at Mozza that night long ago should have been a big red flag. I knew Brance was making a mistake when we all had to pretend he was someone else. Brance deserves someone who accepts him and thinks he is fantastic. I grin. Brance is family.

  “Daddy?” Luke stands in front of me, his rosy cheeks covered in chocolate.

  “Yeah, Buddy?” I kneel down to him.

  “I made a weally gwood wish.”

  My heart swells. I love him so much. I know he wants to tell me his wish.

  “If you want it to come true, you can’t tell anyone.”

  He nods. “I know. It alweady came twue. You’re here.” Giggling, he runs back to Tess and Lilly.

  “You okay?”

  I face my brother and smile at him. “I’m better than okay. I don’t deserve them, but I’ll take it.” I look at his turquoise eyes that mirror mine.

  “I’m happy for you.” He sips his beer, and the uncomfortable silence makes it obvious we still haven’t gotten over that day.

  Clearing my throat I say, “I wanted to call you the other day. I thought maybe we could get a drink. I don’t know why I didn’t.”

  He turns and looks at me. “I’d like that anytime, Reed.” We’re silent again, both watching the kids dumping out all the shit from their goody bags.

  I turn to him. “Jax, I was wrong. That day
in the hospital I was fucked up, but what I said was wrong.”

  Jax looks at me and nods. “You were sick, but yes, you were wrong.”

  “I needed my ass kicked. But eventually life has a way of kicking your ass no matter who you are.”

  He shakes his head as if he’s remembering that horrific day. “Some of us do it the easy way, but you always wanted to do it your way. That’s over now. You’re a completely different man. Be happy, Reed. You’re lucky enough to get a second chance. Don’t test fate more than once.” In one swallow he finishes his beer. He nods toward Tess. She’s happily eating cake, talking to our mom. My heart aches as I stare at her. The way she moves, her smile, it makes me feel good.

  “Every day that I get up, I have to breathe her in to trust that she’s real. All the shit we put ourselves through…”

  “It’s in the past, Reed. She loves you, and you love her and your children. Not everyone gets what you and Tess have. Some of us can only watch. I’m going to get another beer.” He leaves me with that and I decide right then to spend more time with him. He’s my twin and something’s going on with him.

  Thankfully someone has changed the music. The Moana soundtrack is now playing, and suddenly, I want everyone out. I want my kids and I want Tess.

  “Piñata time!” I yell.

  Two hours later, I’ve been hit in the stomach with the bat that Tess said none of the kids would be strong enough to do any damage with. Yeah, apparently Luke didn’t get that memo. He slugged the shit out of the piñata. And caught me right in my abs.

  Five hours of kids laughing and yelling and parents and neighbors judging, and I can’t stop the grin on my face.

  Tess flops down next to me on the lawn chair as I sip my gin and tonic and smoke my last cigarette.

  “Should we feel guilty about our kids staying with your parents tonight?” She kicks off her heeled boots and shivers. “It’s cold out here.” Even with the heaters and the firepit, as soon as it gets dark, the temperature drops.

  I reach for her foot. My warm fingers massage her high arch and toes.

  “God that feels good.” She sinks into the red cushion and closes her eyes as I rub her foot. Her face catches the firelight and I stare at her.

  “I love you, I love our kids, I love parties.” She laughs.

  “What?”

  “Today was a disaster. Brance beat up Scott. My mom went home with the train conductor. We’re probably going to end up in the tabloids. But our kids turned three and they said it was the best day ever, so there’s that.” Her eyes twinkle in the moonlight.

  I chuckle. “You’re probably right. We might be all over E.T. tomorrow. Which brings me to what I’ve been thinking about.” I massage her thin ankles. She moans and lays her head back to watch the stars.

  “What, Reed? I hate when you drag it out.” She lifts her head.

  “Brance is completely derailing.”

  “I know.” She sighs, putting her head back on the cushion.

  “I read my grandfather’s will last night after you fell asleep.” A dog barks down the street causing Pudding to lift his head and whine.

  She sits up almost wary, pulling her foot away. “And?”

  “And… he left Jax and me his entire art collection.” I grab her foot and place it back on my lap. “Well, besides that Monet that you love—he left that to you.”

  “Really? That’s fabulous. I can’t wait to see everything.” Her eyes shine with excitement.

  “Well, good because I’m having the art shipped out here.” She pulls her foot back again.

  “To here? Like our house?” I love how she has already started calling her house ours.

  “Yep.” I stand up and grab her shoes, then take her hand.

  “Reed, some of that art is huge and ridiculously old and quite frankly priceless. It can’t come here.”

  “I agree. We definitely need a bigger house.” She rolls her eyes at me as I pull her toward the French doors. “But until then, I have bought a building in West Hollywood and I’m gifting it to you and Brance. I think it’s about time you two do something besides yoga and the twins.” She stops and tries to jerk away, which of course I knew she would do, so I hold on tighter and reel her into my chest.

  “You bought me an art gallery?” She gasps and looks at me, dazed.

  “You and Brance. Trust me, he needs it. You guys will be fantastic together.”

  She shakes her head. “I… we, I mean, I can’t sell your family’s heirlooms. But I could put them on display and then find other artists… and oh my God.” She stares at me as she jumps into my arms. “I… I love you. How? I mean I’ve always secretly wanted this.”

  “I know. You forget, Kitten, I know everything about you.”

  She shakes her head, and I can’t help but grin. “This is, well, this is big because that collection deserves to be seen.” She starts to kiss my whole face as she climbs up my body as if I’m a tree.

  “Let’s go in,” I grunt into her ear. My cock is starting to harden with all her rubbing and climbing.

  “We have to tell Brance.” Her voice is loud with her excitement. She claps her hands and throws open the French doors practically leaping in front of her large-screen TV.

  Brance is on the couch with a blanket and the remote control looking miserable. He takes one look at her and sits up. “What’s happened?”

  “Reed bought us”—she gestures with her hands—“an art gallery,” she squeals and I laugh because a happy Tess is awe-inspiring.

  “What?” Brance sits up and rubs his hands over his face then turns to me. “You did what?”

  “I bought you and Tess a building in West Hollywood. Your first exhibit will be my family’s art. It’s been passed down for hundreds of years.” I reach for Tess. “Now say good night to your partner.”

  “Wait what?” He looks at me.

  I sigh. “You need something besides yoga, Brance, and so does Kitten. You two will be brilliant at this.” I kiss her flushed face. “You deserve to be happy, man. You also need to be able to be you. If Logan can’t accept you, then you’re not meant to be.”

  Both he and Tess stare at me like I’m from a different planet. I grin. “And I’m here if you want to talk because I’ve been where you are. The difference is you are a better man than me. That is, besides beating up Scott—you’re usually level-headed.”

  “Are you going to be all right?” Tess slides away and sits next to him. “I kind of let my excitement of our new careers take over.” She caresses his face.

  He stares at her. In a way, I pity Logan. His insecurities have made him lose a great person.

  “I need to figure out what I’m going to do. His mom is sick. I need to think.” He tugs a strand of her hair. “So if he calls, don’t answer.” He rolls on his side and turns on the TV.

  “Okay.” She leans over to give him a kiss. He grabs her wrist as she turns to leave.

  Tess cocks her head. He winks and lets her go then arches a dark brow at me. “Don’t worry, Reed. I won’t bother you guys. I’m going to pass out soon anyway.” He adjusts himself on the couch so he can see the flat screen better.

  “You’re sure you don’t want the guest room?” She fidgets with her nails.

  “No, I don’t want to move. I want to try to find something to numb my mind and pass out. I did call and apologize to Scott though. I might have jumped the gun on that one.” He lays his arm over his eyes.

  “Get some sleep, and don’t worry about anything. You’ve got us.” I gently pull Tess toward her room. “And your new business.”

  Brance lifts his arm and sits up. “Three times! What’s happening? Pretty Girl, your man has now said three things that sound like he actually cares about me.”

  I laugh. “And bought you a business. Mark it on the calendar.”

  He lies back down, a ghost of a smile on his face. “I always knew you’d get it together, Reed.”

  I snort. “You could have fooled me.” I take Tess�
�s hand and we walk together up the stairs. She has tears in her eyes as I close the door behind us.

  I chuckle. “You have to know after all these years I have come to… appreciate Brance.”

  “He needed that.”

  “I know.” I plant my nose in her neck, inhaling her scent. “I want to make love to you, pass out, and wake up and fuck you the rest of the night.”

  Her chest is flushed along with her cheeks. In and out she takes a breath but says nothing. I pull her shirt over her head and unsnap her bra, pushing her hair behind her shoulders so I can see her.

  “And I want another baby.” Her breathing picks up, and she licks her lips. “We need it, Tess. Not now but someday.” I kiss her mouth. She’s frowning as if she’s trying to figure out what to say. “I want to see you grow big.” My hand caresses her stomach. “I want to see my child suck from these luscious tits.” I drop to my knees and pull one in my mouth and suck it, groaning at how good she feels. I lick her engorged nipple and look up at her. “I want it all with you, Tess.”

  I pick her up and she wraps her long legs around my hips, my mouth at her lips. She grabs the back of my hair and smiles. “I want you to make love to me.”

  I dump her on the bed as I pull off my T-shirt. “I think that can be arranged.”

  TESS

  I can’t stop smiling, like literally I can’t. Reed reaches over and brushes my hair off my shoulder. We’re sitting outside on my patio drinking coffee and eating the best breakfast I’ve had in years.

  I got up early and made us omelets and cut up some fruit. Nothing special, but when you are sitting next to Reed Saddington, having him feed you everything makes it taste better.

  “I think we should go somewhere. Let’s pick up the twins and go to Hawaii.”

  I swallow a bite of pineapple and look up at the white fluffy clouds.

  “Hmmm, Hawaii sounds fantastic. Do you think the twins will like it though?”

  “They’ll love it. The ocean and a pool, what’s not to like?”

  “They’re three.”

  “Come here.” He pulls me onto his lap. I’m in my robe, so in a matter of seconds he has it open and is kissing my neck, his hands caressing my breasts. I grab ahold of the back of his chair and moan as I close my eyes.