2. Brynlee
CHAPTER 2
Brynlee
H unter opted to go back with Carter and Logan before they left for their sleepover after the game, so I came home, and I’ve been staring at my closet for the last hour because I can’t decide what to wear. Logan doesn’t appear to be a fancy kind of guy, but I know, for a fact, looks can be deceiving, so I have no idea what the heck to pick.
“Brynlee!” my father’s resonating voice calls from downstairs, and I realize I should have locked the front door before coming up here.
“Upstairs, Dad!” I call back. I don’t live at home, but with the number of times he stops by, you’d think I did.
“Where’s Hunter?” is his first question. Like always.
My parents got stuck with two girls when what they wanted was one of each. Chelsea’s behavior is always excused, while I’m mostly ignored. Except when it has to do with my nephew. I’ve grown to prefer it that way.
“Team sleepover.” I don’t turn around as I pull out a lightweight sundress decorated with lilacs. It’s cute. But not very sexy.
Putting the garment back, I glance a look over my shoulder to see Dad frowning as he watches me. “What?” There’s always something.
“Have you thought any more about my offer?”
Offer.
I love how he makes it sound like some business transaction.
“Nope.” I have to hold my breath to keep from yelling at him as the doorbell rings. “Crap,” I hiss, gazing down at my watch. Logan is early.
“Brynlee, wait!” I’m down the stairs before he’s got the words out, and I pause to see an older gentleman standing there. A huge smile spreads across his lips as he sees me.
“Who are you?” A knock at the door this time.
“Let me explain,” my dad says as he reaches us, and I open the door in time for Logan to hear, “he’s your fiancé.”
The smile on Logan’s face slips, and a glare takes its place. “You’re engaged?” The flowers in his hands seem to wilt with his demeanor. “Of fucking course you are.”
When he turns to leave, I grab his arms. “Logan, wait, please.” I’m prepared to beg as tears hover on my lids.
“Why?” he growls.
“It’s not like you think.” I can feel my heart shrinking. “Daddy, tell him!” I demand.
He crosses his arms in defiance.
“I can’t believe you! I told you I wasn’t getting married to some stranger and definitely not someone you pick!” I scream at him, my hold on Logan’s arm tightening. Aside from Hunter, Logan is the only other person whom I’ve had any interest in getting emotionally involved with. I can’t let him go.
I won’t.
“An arranged marriage?” Logan’s scoff and the reaction on my father’s face to it would be hilarious in almost any other instance. “Do we live in the 14 th century again?” He wraps the arm I’ve been holding across my shoulders, and I feel like I can breathe again.
“This doesn’t concern you, young man.” Dad lifts his nose up in the air.
“It sure as hell does if you’re trying to sell my girl off to the highest fucking bidder.” I can feel his anger rolling off him in waves.
“Your girl?” Dad rolls his eyes. “She hasn’t dated anyone since she was fourteen.” The confidence in his tone has me suspicious.
“How would you know that?” I ask.
“Your security team, of course.”
I’m sure my eyebrows hit the roof with my surprise. “Get out!”
“Excuse me, little girl? Do you forget who paid for this house?”
“Nope. You never let me forget.” Grabbing my purse off the table and the keys to my car, I walk out. “I’ll have my stuff out tomorrow.”
Logan walks out with me, wrapping his arm around my waist and whispering in my ear, “I’ll follow you to my house.” I only nod because I’m too choked up to speak.
When Dad gave me the speech on my last birthday that I had to marry before I was twenty or he’d pick a husband for me, I didn’t think he was as serious as he’s turned out to be. I was more concerned with making sure Hunter had someone around him who loved him as much as possible and finishing school.
Climbing into my car, I take a second to scrub my hands up and down my face, trying not to cry. I always knew that I wasn’t good enough for my parents, but for them to stoop this low and follow through with this marriage crap is more than I anticipated. If anything, Chelsea needs a man around to help keep her in line. She parties, sleeps around, and hasn’t even seen Hunter in nearly a week. He tries to hide is distress about his mother, but I see right through him. He’s hurting, and nobody wants to acknowledge it.
Giving my father one last look before pulling away, it begins to rain. It feels so damn fitting for my mood.