She follows me into the living room. I whirl around to face her. “How the fuck could you keep him from me?”
She recoils a little at my harsh words. “I told you, I was scared.”
“I don’t give a shit if you were scared. I had a right to know.”
“Fuck you,” she spits, backing away from me.
I march toward her, feeling my pulse pounding in my throat. “You should have told me. I would have been there.”
“Right?” She spins to face me with anger flashing across her face. “You fucked me and then tossed me aside, and you expect me to believe things would have been any different if I had told you?”
I’m not going to let her twist this around. She should have told me. “That wasn’t your decision to make.”
“It was my decision. You weren’t ready to be a father.” There’s venom in her voice. “The night after you were with me, you fucked my best friend.”
“Who?”
“Leila!” she shouts, throwing her hands in the air.
I still have no clue who she’s talking about. “I don’t remember.”
“That’s my point. I was scared to be a mom, but I was a lot more afraid for Andrew to have you as a father.”
It’s a low blow, but it’s delivered perfectly. She’s right. I would have been a lousy father. “I’m sorry I treated you poorly, and I’m sorry that you felt it was better for Andrew to keep him from me. I’d like a chance.”
She offers me an understanding smile. “That’s why I’m here.”
“With Andrew.” I clarify. “I’d like a chance with Andrew. I’m married, and I love my wife.”
She looks down. “Okay…no…of course…I understand.”
“When can I see him again?”
She looks back up with a smile. “I’m staying with a friend in PB. I can bring Andrew over in the morning and pick him up tomorrow night.”
“I’d like that, if you’re sure.”
She nods. “I’m sure, Brady. I told you, I want him to know you.”
We go back into the kitchen, where Andrew is still sitting at the table. Annabelle collects him, and I walk them out. It’s awkward. He doesn’t look at me or speak to me. I don’t know if I should say anything to him, if I should hug him. She tucks him into his booster seat and closes the door. “Relax, Brady. Give it time.”
Chapter 18
Tori
Brady comes up the stairs and climbs up the bed to lie next me. He rests his head on my chest, his arm draping over my stomach. “I’m so sorry, Sunshine.”
I stroke his soft hair with my hand. “For what, Brady? You didn’t know.”
“For acting like such a douche when I was young. It seems all of my past mistakes are creating one obstacle after another for us.”
I nudge him, rolling onto my side to face him. “Your son is not an obstacle, Brady. I love you, and we’ll get through this.” I speak the words, but I can’t say with certainty that I believe them. I want to, because I can’t imagine my life without him. I’m determined to try to see this through with him, even though his having a son with another woman is tearing my heart to pieces.
He palms the side of my head, his thumb stroking my cheekbone. “I don’t deserve you.”
“You’re wrong about that, Brady.”
He leans in and places his lips on mine, waiting for me to respond. After everything that’s happened in the last couple of hours, I’m not burning with the same need I was when we left the restaurant. I do want him, though, desperately, so I part my lips, welcoming his kiss. His hand slides over my waist to my back, pulling me closer. I throw my leg over his, joining the front of our bodies. His tongue moves slowly over mine, savoring each stroke. It’s a soft, gentle kiss. He rolls us so I’m underneath him, his body covering me completely. His mouth stays in constant contact with mine as his hand skims my thigh, moving around to settle on my butt. He groans against my mouth before lifting his head and gazing down at me. “We don’t have to.”