23. Aubree
Tuesday Morning
TWENTY-THREE
“Mommy, you’re here!” Evie runs toward me, and I kneel, scooping her into my arms for a hug. “I missed you so much.” She kisses me and pulls back. “You’re not going to make us go home, though, right?”
I bark out a laugh. “Is home so bad?” I joke, setting her down.
“No, I love home,” she says, warming my heart. “But Grammy and Papa are going to take us to see the dolphins, and I really want to go.”
“That sounds like a lot of fun, and no, I’m not going to make you go home. I just really missed you and your brother and needed some really good hugs and kisses.”
Evie’s smile spreads across her face. “I’m the best hugger and kisser ever!” She throws her arms around me again, pulling me down to her level, and with each kiss she peppers on my cheeks and nose and chin, my broken heart heals a little more.
“You are definitely the best hugger and kisser ever,” I agree, kissing her back, my throat filled with raw emotion.
“Mom!” Miles yells, running out to join us. “Sorry, I was fishing with Papa.” He hugs me tight and gives me a chaste kiss on my cheek. “Wanna go fishing with me?”
“She’s going to play dolls with me,” Evie argues.
“I can do both, but first, why don’t we go inside, so I can say hi to Grammy and Papa?”
“Fine,” they both groan.
Since it’s already late, we hang out and catch up for a little while, and then, with the promise that I’ll get up early and go fishing with Miles and then spend the afternoon playing dolls with Evie, I put the kids to bed, reading them a chapter in their Harry Potter book that Beatrice has taken over reading to them every night.
Since Beatrice and Stephen are early sleepers, they show me to my room, which overlooks the ocean with a balcony attached to it, and then wish me a good night.
With the house quiet, I change into my pajamas, grab a glass of wine from the fridge, and then head out to the balcony to read, hoping to escape.
The romance novel I’m reading is about a couple who’ve been friends since they were little. They spent a heated night together, and a couple of months later, when she finds out she’s pregnant, he doesn’t remember because he was addicted to drugs and high the night they spent together.
With every page I read, as he works hard to make things right but continues to screw up because he’s broken, my heart cracks a little more, hoping the heroine will see how much he loves her, how much he wants to be better for her…for himself.
I get lost in the words, in the story, and the next thing I know, I’m flipping to the epilogue with tears pouring down my cheeks, so happy that despite all the trials and tribulations they faced, their love was strong enough to get them through it. It wasn’t easy, sometimes it was damn hard, and the odds were against them, but no matter how many times they messed up, they kept fighting for each other, for their love.
My thoughts go back to earlier…to Hayden begging me to let him explain. He accused me of running, and he wasn’t wrong. I didn’t give him a chance to talk because I was too hurt to listen. I told him and Brody that in order for us to work, we have to communicate, yet at the first sign of trouble, I refused to do just that.
Were they wrong for hiding it from me? Yes. Do I have the right to be upset? Hell yes. But one thing I learned a long time ago from being married is that nobody is perfect. The fact is, Hayden never once mentioned me selling out my lease, and when Brody and I discussed business and I mentioned it to him, he didn’t try to sway me one way or the other. If they had ill intentions, wouldn’t they have hinted at something by now? We’ve been seeing each other for several weeks now.
As if they can sense me thinking about them, my phone goes off, and when I check it, it’s a text from Brody in our group chat.
Brody
I know shit is fucked up right now, but I’m lying in bed, and it’s not the same without you. I just need you to know that. I miss you so damn much. I hope you arrived safely and are enjoying your time with your kids, but I miss you…
Along with his text is a selfie of him lying in bed with a bit of light streaming in, probably from the hallway light since they leave it on. His hazel eyes are staring at the camera, his face covered in scruff since he hasn’t shaved in a few days. His lips are tipped up slightly, but not enough to call it a smile, and his features almost look…sad.
My chest aches at the thought of him hurting. I care about him and Hayden, and even though I’m hurting, I don’t want them to hurt. Regardless of how it all shakes out, we need to talk. I need to listen to them and then decide. Running isn’t how things should be handled.
Me
I arrived safely, and it felt so good to hug and kiss my babies. Miles is taking me fishing in the morning, and then Evie and I are going to play dolls. I miss you too. Both of you.
I hit send, knowing Hayden will see the text.
Brody
You don’t know how much those words mean to us. Enjoy your trip, sweetness. When you’re ready to talk, we’ll be here.
I tear up at his words, wishing I could be in two places at once. Hating that I left without talking to them. But right now, I need to focus on spending time with my kids. They made it clear they’re having a good time and don’t want to come home yet, which means I only have a few days with them before I need to get home to run Heart’s while they stay for another few weeks.
Me
Thank you. Good night.
Brody
Night xo
Brody
Morning, I hope you have fun fishing. Catch something big!
Me
insert picture of Miles and me holding a huge fish>>
Brody
That’s quite the fish! Good job.
Me
Thank you. Miles caught it and was so proud.
Brody
insert photo of empty bed>> Missing you like crazy.
Me
insert picture of wineglass filled with white wine>> Miss you too.
Me
Miss you, Hayden.
Hayden
Miss you so much more.
Brody
Hey, sweetness. Just thinking about you. Hope you have a great day with your kids.
Me
Insert picture of Evie, Miles, and me at the beach in our swimsuits, eating watermelon>>
Brody
You look beautiful, and your kids look just like you.
Me
Thank you.
Brody
Good night, sweetness. Sweet dreams. insert selfie of Brody lying in bed>>
Me
Good night. insert selfie of me lying in bed>>
Me
Good night, Hayden.
Hayden
Good night, beautiful.
Brody
insert picture of coffee from Heart’s>> Coffee is delicious, but you taste better.
Brody
Lacey says hi. insert picture of Lacey sticking her tongue out at me>>
Me
Nothing tastes better than coffee… Tell Lacey hello and that I’ll see her soon.
I check my phone several times while sitting outside sipping my wine and reading my book, but nothing comes through, and I wonder if something is wrong, or maybe Brody’s busy. Hayden has only texted after I texted first, and I know it’s because he’s trying to give me the space I asked for. I’m checking my phone for the millionth time when Beatrice knocks lightly on the door to let me know she’s here.
“You don’t have to knock,” I say with a laugh, gesturing for her to join me. “It’s so nice out here. I don’t know how you ever go back to New York. I’ve considered moving here several times,” I joke.
Beatrice sits in the chair next to me. “We’ve considered it. Especially with Stephen retiring this year, and we plan to stay here more often, but we’d miss our grandkids and you too much.” She smiles softly at me and then takes a sip of her wine that she brought out with her.
“How are you doing?” she asks after a few moments of silence.
“I’m good.”
She side-eyes me. “Let’s try again, and this time, you be honest.”
I sigh, hating that she knows me so well and wishing I could hide my emotions better. “I met someone.” I clear my throat. “Actually, I met two people.”
Her brows kiss her forehead in surprise. “Well, damn, when you commit to something, you really go all out, huh?” She waggles her brows. “So why are you so down?” Her eyes widen, and she leans in. “Was the sex bad?”
“No!” I splutter.
“So it was good?”
“No.” I shake my head. “We haven’t had sex.”
“Okay. So, what’s wrong?”
“The two guys I met… I’ve fallen for them both.”
“Oh, is that why you’ve been distant? Are you struggling with who to date?”
“No.” I down my wine in one gulp, needing the liquid courage to say what I need to say next. “I actually don’t have to choose. I’m dating them both…and they know. It was their idea.”
I hold my breath, waiting for the judgment to come, but instead, a huge smile spreads across her face, and she says, “This sounds like a romance novel I read recently. Which one was it?” She snaps her fingers, deep in thought. “Shoot, I’ll have to look it up later.”
I snort out a laugh and shake my head, grateful to have such an amazing mother-in-law.
“In all seriousness,” she says, “do they treat you good?”
“They treat me like gold,” I admit, then I spend the next several minutes telling her all about Brody and Hayden. How we met and how I quickly fell for both of them. Then I explain about the building situation—at least the little bit I know since I haven’t spoken to Hayden yet.
“At first, I was hurt and ended things, but then, once I was away from the situation and able to think, I realized I was acting prematurely, and I need to hear them out.”
Beatrice smiles. “Remember that time when you and Pete first moved in together, and you asked him to throw the clothes into the washer, and he grabbed the wrong clothes and turned the entire load pink?”
I laugh, remembering it all too well. “It was our first fight.” I was so mad he didn’t listen to what I had instructed. I was overwhelmed with school and work, and I told him he didn’t care enough to listen.
“You’ve come a long way since then. When I met you, you were young and had a lot of growing up to do, and I loved watching you grow into an amazing wife and mother.” She pats my hand. “Relationships take time and patience. And you’ve been out of the game for a while. It’s easy to forget how clueless men can be, but just remember that when a man loves you and cares about your well-being, he’ll make it right. What did Pete do the next time he turned the clothes pink?”
“He went out and bought me an entirely new wardrobe,” I say with a watery laugh.
“I know it’s still new with these guys, but if you’re giving them the time of day, I’d bet they’re good men, and if you give them a chance to explain and make things right, they will.”
My phone dings with an incoming text, and I glance at it, seeing a text from Brody:
Sorry my nightly text is so late. I had to work late so I can leave early tomorrow to drive out to my parents’ place for dinner. I hope you had a fun day with your kids. Miss you.
His parents’ place for dinner… Shit! I was supposed to go with them until I took off to Florida in an attempt to protect my heart.
“Hey, Beatrice, I was thinking of leaving tomorrow morning. There’s this thing…”
She grins knowingly. “Let’s look at flights.”
Brody
Morning, sweetness. Hope you have a great day with your kids. Feel free to send pics. Miss you.
“You sure you don’t want to come home with me?” I ask my kids again as we pull up to the airport. I already know what they’re going to tell me, but I have to ask anyway.
“No, thank you,” Miles says politely, making Stephen and Beatrice laugh under their breath.
“I’m gonna miss you so much, but I’m good here,” Evie adds.
Stephen pulls up, and everyone gets out to say goodbye. I hug my kids tight, telling them I love them and that I’ll call them once I land.
When tears prick my lids, Evie palms my cheeks. “Don’t cry, Mommy. We’ll be home soon, and if you miss us too much, just video call us.” She kisses my lips, and I wonder when the hell my babies grew up.
The flight is only a couple of hours, and when I land, I grab a taxi to go home so I can drop my luggage off, shower, and change. Since I don’t know where Brody’s parents live, after I’m ready to go, I call his office and ask Hillary if he’s still there, so I can figure out where to meet him. I’m hoping she'll know their address if he’s already on his way.
“I’m almost positive he went home first,” she says. “He usually goes home to change and drives there.”
“Thank you!”
Twenty minutes later, I’m walking through the lobby of the guys’ building and getting onto their private elevator. When I step inside and swipe my card, a knot forms in my stomach, afraid of what will be waiting for me on the other side. I know they miss me, but what if once Hayden explains, it means I can’t be with him? What if he asks me to give up Heart’s? There are so many ways this can go… Maybe coming back to go to dinner when things are up in the air wasn’t the best idea.
In my head, it was my way of telling them I want to work things out. Even when Pete and I would fight, when it came time to visit our friends or family, we would do it together because no matter what, at the end of the day, it was us against the world. Which is what I want for Brody, Hayden, and me… For it to be us against the world.
The door slides open, and when I step into the foyer, I’m greeted by a shocked Brody and Hayden. Since the elevator notifies them when someone is heading up, they knew someone was coming, but based on their expressions, they weren’t expecting me.
“Hey,” I say, waving shyly as my heart hammers in my chest. “Is the invitation still open for me to join you at your parents’ for dinner?”
A huge grin spreads across Brody’s face, and he stalks toward me, pulling me into his arms. “Hell yeah, it is,” he murmurs, kissing my cheek. “Fuck, how is it that you haven’t been to the bakery in days, and you still smell like a damn cupcake?” He inhales my scent and presses a soft kiss to the curve of my neck. “I missed you so much,” he breathes, raw emotion bleeding through every word. “Thank you for coming home.”
He sets me on my feet, and I turn my attention to Hayden, who’s standing a few feet away, looking nervous. “We need to talk.”
He nods, unmoving, unsure what to do, so I make the first move.
Walking over to him, I encircle my arms around his neck and kiss the corner of his mouth. “I’m hurt and upset, but I want to hear what you have to say. Then we’ll go from there.”
“Thank you,” he murmurs, wrapping his arms around my waist and nuzzling his face into the crook of my neck. “I’m going to make this right, I promise.”