CHAPTERTHIRTY
Anne
Pools, tennis courts, and even bowling alleys weren’t that uncommon in the homes of wealthy people. Even so, I was surprised that Bran's home had a bowling alley and even more surprised that he got so much joy out of the sport. I hadn't ever seen him filled with such a playful spirit.
When I'd first met him, he was exactly as Harper had described him; demanding, controlling, hot headed. Now as I was seeing yet another side of him, I scanned my brain trying to remember a time Harper ever talked about Bran in a positive light.
If she had, they weren't comments that stuck in my mind because I couldn't remember any. I wondered if she knew this side of him.
The generous man.
The man whose eyes filled with tears and emotion at the sight of his child.
The man who very much enjoyed bowling.
"Shall we go another round?" he asked.
Because I enjoyed being around him when he was like this, I said, "Sure, why not?"
His gloating grin morphed into a regular smile as he came over and he rubbed my arms. "Would you like something to drink? I have some bottled water or juice down here."
"Sparkling water with a little bit of orange juice in it would be nice."
"Coming right up." He walked over to a bar and got to work making me something to drink. As he did that, I sat down in one of the chairs, pulling my phone from my skirt pocket. I texted Harper.
I just heard someone talking about bowling and it reminded me of the alley my dad has in his house. Have you ever been bowling?
I hoped that the question might prompt a good memory for Harper about Bran without giving away that I was currently spending time with him. Maybe if she and Bran could reconcile then she wouldn't be so upset if or when she learned about my relationship, such as it was, with Bran.
I knew I loved him and this baby, and I wanted to be with the two of them.
But I didn't know how he felt about me, and I worried about losing Harper's friendship. That part of me that wanted to believe in fairytales thought if maybe they worked things out, and if Bran fell for me, then I could have the same love that Lane and Archer had, or that Dane and Bridget had.
My phone buzzed and I looked down to read Harper's return text.
We had an alley in our house too. My mom used to love to bowl much to my dad’s annoyance. Bran and I used to bowl, but he was always so competitive and I got so irritated because he always had to put on some Queen song about being the champion.
So, she did have a memory, but it was skewed toward the negative. Like everything else she thought about him. I looked over my shoulder to see where Bran was since I didn't want him to know I was texting Harper in the middle of our bowling game. He was still at the bar so I turned back to my phone and texted:
My brother used to bowl with me too but then he decided to hate me like my father does. At least Bran loves you even if he does it in a way that annoys you.
I studied the text worried that I might be giving away too much. I had always been on her side when it came to Bran, but now with these texts, and even once at lunch, I was giving signs that I was going soft on Bran.
I thought you didn't like Bran. Why does it seem like you're on his side now?
Crap. She was going to find me out. I quickly texted back.
I talked to Peter the other day and he was being like my father, blaming me for killing my mother. And it just got me thinking that despite how difficult Bran is, at least you have him.
Her text came back quickly.
I'm sorry your brother and dad are such jerks. I suppose it makes me a bitch to complain about my brother.
A bubble with dots appeared on my screen letting me know she was texting again.
I’ve got a run. Maybe we can get together for lunch sometime next week.
I texted back.