Chapter 13
Chapter 13
Joselyn
W hen Brennen is a no-show for our shibari session, I know something’s not right. I haven’t seen him since the night before he left for Atlanta, the night Ryan showed up at the house. And he’s not answering his cell. I drive as quickly as the speed limit will allow to the winery.
I rush up the steps and into the winery reception area, finding Isabella looking frazzled. Something’s going on.
“Where’s Brennen? He didn’t show up for an appointment we had today.”
“There’s been a lot of…umm, activity around here. Ryan was here; Emma’s been in and out; something’s going on between Sophia and Alex; and there’s just generally a lot of chaos. You should check the family house. I have a feeling Brennen could use a hug from you right now.”
I race back out the front door and head around the side of the building to the private family entrance. I turn the knob of the front door, and it’s unlocked. I step into the foyer and call out.
“Brennen?”
He walks out to greet me. He looks like hell. “What’s wrong?”
“I can’t do this with you today.”
“I don’t understand. Talk to me.”
I search his face for answers, but he’s put his wall up and doesn’t seem inclined to let me in. I take a deep breath. Now is not the time for anger. I ran away once when things got hard, and I’m not about to make that mistake again. And we’ve worked through so much together; we’ve got the tools to get through this. When Brennen sees that I’m not backing down or leaving without answers, he reluctantly opens up.
“Look, Jos. The last few days, I’ve been on a fucking roller coaster of emotions. I was excited about getting home to see you, stoked about the success of my trip to Atlanta, and Ryan being back… He didn’t just show up the other day because I finally agreed to let him help. He’s had his hands in things behind the scenes for a while. People that I’ve come to know and trust were planted here by him. Namely, Alex and Miles. And when my brother and I talked through some things, we both realized we’ve been concealing a lot of pain. I still need to come to terms with all of that bullshit and accept the fact that I can’t control everything around me. I’m just not in the right headspace to scene with you today. I can’t risk screwing up. Having you back in my life is the one thing that’s been working right. Our connection and trust are getting stronger by the day, and I can’t jeopardize that. I won’t . I need rope time to realign my compass, but it has to be with a rope bunny to service so I can focus on my needs, no one else’s.”
His words are like a sucker punch to my gut. “But…
“I’m sorry, Joselyn. It’s not happening today.”
The sting of rejection quickly changes to anger and frustration. I can feel my blood pressure rising. Moving closer, I stab his muscular chest with my pointer finger.
“Let me tell you something, Brennen Murphy. I came back to Pelican Point for a reason. I’m no longer that naive young girl who ran away from you. You’re a damn hypocrite. You said I should have trusted you, leaned on you, talked to you, instead of running. Well, I’m not running now. I am here for you in every way. For the good and the bad. And I know for a fact you love me. You tell me with your ropes. You crafted the perfect love knot, and I have the picture to prove it. Trust works both ways, you know. I trust you not to hurt me when you’re hurting. Stop being an asshole. Trust me to give you what you need. Who’s trying to run now?”
I see a multitude of emotions playing out on his face. Did I get through to him? God, I hope so.
“You’d do that for me?”
“Yes, Brennen. Can’t you see? I will do anything for you.”