Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
WHITNEY
Everyone gapes at us.
Elise and Ana grip each other like they might fall through the floor.
Haden takes a sip of his beer, seeming the least surprised.
Wesley stands with his hands on his hips, eyes ping-ponging between us.
Blake and Vivienne are sitting next to each other on the couch, staring at me like I’ve grown three heads.
Elain and Brinley are playing on the floor, utterly oblivious.
“I don’t see a ring,” Haden is the first to suggest.
“We’re still shopping.” Wyatt answers back. I shoot a glance his way. We are? News to me.
“Why?” Vivienne gapes as I turn my attention to her. Hurt flashes across her features. Guilt instantly wraps around my throat, and I want nothing more than to explain every itty gritty detail to her. She doesn’t deserve this, none of them do.
“When was this?” Blake adds. She’s giving me a look that says I will be explaining everything to her later.
“You two like each other?” Wesley asks.
“I’d say they more-than-like each other, Hun.” Elise clarifies from her seat. Her words are what jumpstart Ana, and she’s the first to stand and embrace us. She hugs her son first. “I, for one, am so happy for you two.” She moves to hug me. “Welcome to the family, darling.”
“Thanks, Ana.”
Shortly after, everyone else is lining up to give hugs, cheek kisses, and congratulations. Out of everyone, I think Wesley is weirded out the most. He keeps looking at his brother like he’s a stranger.
When things settle down, Elain, Ana, and Elise work on setting up a game of Pictionary.
Haden and Wesley argue over teams while Blake and Vivienne whisper in the corner.
Brinley cuddles Benji on the floor next to my feet.
Wyatt tugs me toward his chest, cutting off my people watching and stealing my breath away.
He lets his hand come up, brushing over my brow like he can somehow smooth the lines there. “What’s wrong?”
I consider lying to him. I consider saying nothing is wrong and pushing away from him to busy myself with something else.
Anything else. But I don’t. I just glance around at the family both chosen and made, and let my eyes fall to Brinley.
“This… this just isn’t something I had growing up.
Game nights. BBQ’s. Support.” I glance back towards him.
“It’s something I want Brinley to have.”
His eyes bounce between mine, but he nods, dark hair shifting slightly, and says, “She will.”
He says it with such surety that it’s hard not to believe him.
Just this morning, I took a shower and came out to find Wyatt and Brinley on the couch.
She was fast asleep on his chest. To say I was jealous would be an understatement.
She rarely cuddles me nowadays. But the sight of Wyatt’s feet kicked up on the coffee table as he rubbed soothing circles on Brinley’s back while Benji sat at their feet stirred something up in my chest.
The two of them are trouble together. Last night I caught him sneaking her a bite of ice cream before bed. They share a bond I don’t even fully understand yet, and one that seems to be growing with each passing day.
Wesley and Haden’s elevated arguing pulls Wyatt away, the latter dropping a quick kiss on my forehead, and bending down to tickle Brinley.
She squeals and wiggles out of reach. It doesn’t take long before Wyatt is roped into Wesley and Haden’s theatrics.
“Those aren’t even fair teams.” Haden argues when Wyatt comes to glance at the piece of paper Wesley is holding.
“You just don’t want to be on the losing side.
” Wesley grunts, lightly shoving Haden’s shoulder.
Haden’s eyes narrow, and then he fucking grins.
He lunges, tackling Wesley to the ground like they’re ten years old.
The paper goes flying, teams completely forgotten about in the chaos.
Haden locks his arms around Wesley’s middle.
“Are you kidding me?” Wyatt groans. What may have been an attempt to break it up turns sideways.
Because one second, Wyatt’s squeezing between them, and the next Wesley has him in a half headlock, half bear hug, while Haden jumps on them from behind.
Brinley shrieks with laughter as the three grown men flail around on the living room floor.
“Boys will be boys, right?” Harper teases. She, Vivienne, and Blake come to my side. Harper’s the one who hands me a beer. I take it without peeling my eyes from the show on the floor.
“How long will this last?” I ask, taking a sip from the cold, bubbly liquid. I watch as they narrowly miss the table with popcorn and drinks.
“Last time I think it was a good twenty minutes before one of them conceded.” Blake admits.
I pinch the bridge of my nose and look at Brinley. “Alright, time for a bath, then.” It’s getting late, she already ate dinner, and she’s starting to rub her eyes like she’s ready for bed.
Blake sets down her beer and scoops up her godbaby. “I’ll do it!”
“I’ll help.” Vivienne follows suit.
“Her PJs are in the top drawer.” I sing-song.
“I’ll look for those.” Harper chimes in, following after Vivienne and Blake.
It seems none of the girls wanted to stick around and watch the boy’s brawl. I giggle as I watch them all scurry out. My heart grows at the fact that they’re so eager to spend time with my little one, too.
I find myself wandering towards the kitchen island to take a seat.
A small headache has begun to bloom after the events of today.
Just when I get situated in a chair, Ana joins me in the kitchen.
Her warm voice greets me, comforting and welcoming.
“Still sure you wanna be a Conway? Comes with at least three wrestling matches a year.”
I huff a laugh, nodding and taking a sip of my drink. “I think I can handle it. It’s quite entertaining.”
“That it is.” she laughs, settling into the chair beside me. I watch as she reaches up to unclasp the necklace dangling from her neck. She slips the ring off of it and pushes her hand toward me. “I want to give you this.”
It takes me a minute, but I realize what it is. That’s the ring Ben gave her. “Oh, Ana. No. No.” I shake my head, slightly drawing back from her outstretched hand. This was too much. Too much. I have never seen Ana without that ring around her neck.
“I insist.” Her tone leaves no room for debate.
She grabs my hand, and gently places it in mine.
I glance down at the small ring in my palm.
It’s stunning. Not overly flashy, at least not in the traditional sense.
It’s soft and delicate–thoughtful in the way that makes me think Ben spent hours searching for the perfect ring for Ana.
A pale pink oval gem is nestled in the middle, surrounded by a halo of dainty white diamonds that catch the overhead lights with every movement.
The band itself is white gold. Twisting into a gentle floral inspired pattern.
It screams memories and kept promises. Love and prosperity.
It’s a dream. One I don’t deserve. “Shouldn’t this go to Blake? ” I ask nervously, glancing up at her.
She shakes her head. “Blake got my engagement ring. You get my wedding ring.”
Ana clasps my face between her hands, “Thank you for putting the light back into my boy’s eyes.” Then, she’s pulling me into a bone-crushing hug.
I hate this. I hate lying to her. Hate that I’m not really the one for Wyatt. That this is fake and nothing about us being together actually means anything. That this isn’t the life Brinley will have. It’s just the pitstop before getting to the one she deserves.
I force myself to nod, refusing to spew any false promises at this woman. My eyes burn with the need to cry. I can’t thank her—not when what I’m doing is the biggest form of betrayal. She’s trusting me with something so important, and I’m the last person on earth who deserves that kindness.
What would she really think if she knew?