Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
brADY
I couldn't imagine not living near my family. I was so close to everyone, especially Dalton. I couldn't leave him when he was about to have a baby. But at the same time, I knew Hazel was upset about my hesitancy to move.
I'd like to say I'd follow her wherever, but my family ties were too knotted on the island for me to even consider that option. On the other hand, I couldn't live without Hazel. I'd never even had to try.
The only time we were apart from each other was college, and even then, we kept in touch via email and text messages.
If we were officially together, would I move to be with her? I wasn't sure, and I didn't want to tell her something that wasn't true. But if I went with my feelings, I didn't want to be apart from her.
This entire situation was messing with my head. I wanted to forget about the details and get lost in her.
The music started to play, and Elena shooed us on the dance floor. We were alone for a few seconds before other couples joined us.
Despite the game we'd played, it was the perfect night. We were on the same page when it came to most of our life decisions. The difference was that I came from a large family, and she only had her grandmother.
She didn't understand the ties that bound me here or the responsibilities that weighed me down like an anchor on a boat. "It's easy to get caught up in all of this, isn't it?"
Hazel raised a brow. "You mean the fake engagement?"
"I want to focus on us." How I felt when I was with her.
"I'm on board with that, but we'll stick with the plan. Post the photographs on social media. You can apply for your family-friendly status. And then—" She trailed off.
We'd be over. There'd be no reason for us to pretend to be engaged anymore.
"The after-school program is launching this week."
"I'll be there." I'd seen the proposal and approved it. We each got a certain amount of leeway in how we wanted to be involved in the community. I'd chosen to support Hazel's project. I believed in her and her vision. I wanted her to feel supported.
Hazel nodded. "Do your parents know about the donation?"
I frowned. "I didn't talk to them about it."
"You think your dad will be okay with it?"
"Why wouldn't he be?" He'd never questioned any of my brothers when they did side jobs or chose to put the Kingston name behind various community projects.
"He seems harder on you. I wasn't sure if he would approve."
My brow furrowed. "I can't imagine why not."
"If you're sure," Hazel said, and I nodded. "I don't have any reason to think he wouldn't be."
We danced for a few more songs, and then I found myself at the bar next to Hudson while the girls danced to faster songs.
"Thank you for the toast. I wasn't expecting that."
Hudson nodded. "It's not every day your youngest brother gets engaged. I want you to be happy, and I think you will be with Hazel. You two were meant for each other."
Sometimes it seemed like that, but I wasn't sure Hazel felt the same way.
When I talked about focusing on us, she'd reiterated our original plan.
The one that I'd almost forgotten about.
It was important to me, but I'd be okay if it didn't work out.
I still had the family business, and the show was an extra stream of income.
But I wasn't sure I'd be okay if something happened between me and Hazel.
Dalton approached us, and Hudson inclined his head to where Elena was gesturing for him to come over. "Elena wants me to join her."
When Hudson went to the dance floor, I asked Dalton, "How are you holding up?"
"I'm still looking for a place."
"Where have you been staying?" I asked, knowing I couldn't offer to be his soft place to land anymore.
"I'm staying with Cooper. He's not around that much so it's working out."
"You'll find a place," I said, hoping it was true.
"Ivy's working on it. She thinks a house should be available soon."
"Everything's going to work out for you." I grabbed another beer from the bartender.
When I turned around, Dalton said, "I'm a little jealous of you."
That made me pause. "Why would you say that?"
"I always envisioned myself getting married first and then having a kid. Everything's backward."
"But it will work out in the end." I needed him to believe that.
"I'm not looking forward to dealing with Oakley when it comes to visitation. I don't have a problem giving her whatever she needs for the baby. But I want to be involved. I want to be the dad that kid deserves."
"And you will be."
His brow furrowed. "But what if she doesn't let me?"
"What did your attorney say?"
"That it could be contentious. That she might insist I not be allowed to take a newborn anywhere."
"What's the plan then?"
"To see if we can work out a schedule before the baby's born. But I don't think that's going to happen. She's not interested in a formalized plan. I think she likes lording it over me. If you do this, then you can see the baby. "
I shook my head. "That's awful. I'm sorry."
Dalton nodded miserably. "I got myself into this situation. I'll deal with it."
I felt horrible for him, but there was nothing I could do beyond what I already had. "I'm able to help with childcare. You'll need baby stuff at your new place."
"I think Mom's throwing me a baby shower.”
"That's a good idea." I made a mental note to talk to my brothers about getting him everything he'd need to have the baby at his place.
"If only we could fast forward a year from now and see how everything works out," Dalton said.
He was thinking about the situation with his baby mama, but I was wondering about Hazel.
Would she still be here next year? Would we be together?
Or would I have messed everything up? "It will work out.
Nothing's going to keep us from seeing that baby.
We just have to be patient and let the system work. "
He tipped his bottle to this mouth. "I hope you're right."
"You'll meet someone who's meant for you. I don't think it's Oakley," I said.
"Are you the expert now that you're engaged?" Dalton asked.
"Not at all. I'm a hundred percent positive that I'm going to screw this up." I nodded toward where Hazel was smiling with Elena on the dance floor.
"We're a mess."
"The only thing we can hope for is that a good woman falls in love with us and doesn't leave us when they realize we're not perfect."
"Yeah," Dalton said softly.
Hazel turned her head as if she was searching for me. When her gaze landed on me, her face lit up, and she gestured for me to join her. I clasped Dalton's shoulder. "Duty calls."
"Enjoy your night," Dalton said, and I knew he was going to slip out. This was too much for him, and that was okay. I'd check on him tomorrow. I could be there for Dalton but still preserve my independence.
I crossed the room, placing my hands on Hazel's hips as she danced in front of me. "You miss me?"
She grinned back at me. "So much."
"Are you enjoying your party?"
She leaned against me, closing her eyes. "It's been the best. Spending time with friends and family."
I turned her so that she faced me, and I tipped up her chin. "We're going to get through this together."
"Of course we will."
We were friends first, and I wouldn't let anything ruin that.
As soon as the engagement photos were forwarded to me, I posted a few to my social-media accounts. The after-school program would be announced on Saturday, and I'd be there to represent Kingston Construction.
Hazel had been working late all week to get everything ready. On Saturday, she went to the library early to ensure that everything was set up and ready for the reporters and cameras.
It was only getting local coverage, but that was a big deal around here. At noon, I headed over to the library so that I could be there when Hazel made the announcement. She'd asked me to say a few words on behalf of the company too.
In the children's section, there were streamers and balloons. Kids milled about with their parents.
There was a podium set up by the windows with a few reporters waiting off to the side. The mayor was present along with board members from the library.
Hazel stood at the lectern. "I want to thank everyone for coming today to celebrate the official opening of the after-school program.
We're partnering with the Sanibel School to offer a safe place for children to come after the school day is over.
Buses will transport the kids to the library, and they will spend the next two hours here in the children's section.
We'll assist the children with their homework, as well as offering them books, puzzles, and other activities to keep them busy.
We're aware of the struggle of working parents and the difficulty finding low cost after-school care.
We're proud at the library to offer this program free of charge to the residents of Sanibel Island who need it.
We're grateful to Kingston Construction for providing the funds for the program.
Please let me know if you have any questions. "
A reporter stepped closer. "Are you hoping to promote programs like this in other areas?"
Hazel blinked as if she hadn't even thought about that. "We're focused on our library for now. But I'd be happy to work with other libraries to make this a possibility in more places.
"Will there be a limit on how many students can participate?" another reporter asked.
"There will be until we can hire additional staff. We'd like to get an idea of who needs the services before we take steps to expand."
"Is there a high need for this in our community?" the same reporter asked.
"Yes, we noticed that children were already being dropped off here after school unsupervised.
And after talking with the parents, we realized the need for something like this.
If there are no more questions, I'd like to invite Brady Kingston to the podium.
He graciously donated the money so that we could start this program. "
The crowd applauded as I made my way to Hazel.
I squeezed her hand before moving in front of the microphone.
"Kingston Construction is proud to sponsor the after-school program.
We want everyone to have a safe place to go after school to get help with homework or to have a quiet place to read.
When I heard that Hazel wanted to start the program and that there was no funding for it, I didn't hesitate to offer to help. "
"Is Kingston Construction looking to get more involved in the community?" a reporter asked.
"Each of us has causes that are personal to us that we like to support."
"Are you funding this program because Hazel's your fiancée?" a reporter in the back asked.
A little unsettled by the question, I frowned. "Hazel and I have been friends for years. I would have supported the program regardless of if we were engaged."
Hazel took over the podium to ask one of the board members to speak about the library's mission and goals.
I moved off to the side, put off by the reporter's question. Did people see an issue with me donating money to the library?
That was true but not because we were engaged. I would have supported her regardless, and it was a good cause. If I didn't believe in it, I wouldn't have put Kingston money behind it. I wondered if I'd messed up somehow.
I'd never taken on a project this big before, and I didn't even think about the possible issues that could arise. I didn't want to do anything to detract from Hazel's program, but I was worried I already had.
Hazel moved away from the podium to walk the reporters and other spectators around to the various stations that would be available for the kids.
I hung back, not wanting to make any more issues for her. One of the board members approached me. Her hair was gray, and she wore a purple pantsuit. "We appreciate your support for the program."
"It's a great program, and I didn't like the idea that there wasn't funding for it."
"The library would have gotten funds for it eventually. But it would have taken a lot of time. Your funds helped us get it off the ground quickly." She looked around at the crowd. "It's getting statewide attention. That's why there are so many reporters here."
I had no idea it would garner this much attention. If I had, maybe I would have thought twice about putting the Kingston name on it. I could have offered money anonymously. But I wanted to support Hazel publicly, and that was my fault.
"Thank you for your work, and I hope that you'll consider working on more projects with the library," she said, shaking my hand.
"I'd love to."
The woman smiled and moved away to talk to someone else.
This was the right thing to do. I just hoped Dad saw it that way. He had a tendency to think of anything I did as impulsive and immature.
I waited on the fringe of the crowd while Hazel charmed the reporters, board members, and the parents. When everyone started filtering out, Hazel approached me. "Thanks for being here."
I grimaced. "I hope I didn't detract from the program with talk of us being engaged."
She waved a hand. "I wouldn't worry about that."
"You don't think they'll make a big deal of it?" I asked hopefully.
"We're a small-town library. I don't think we'll get more than a few lines in the paper."
I hoped she was right. But I couldn't get that board member's words out of my head. "What do you think about other libraries having similar programs?"
"I hadn't even anticipated anything like that. I thought I'd offer something here, and I'd be lucky if I could get the funding and support to make it happen. But now it's coming true, and I have you to thank."
I accepted her hug and hoped I hadn't messed everything up. I wanted our engagement to help us in our personal and professional lives. Not hurt us.