11. Brynlee
CHAPTER 11
Brynlee
“ Y es! Run, Hunter, run!” His first home run couldn’t have happened on a more fitting day.
I thought after the meetings this morning, the day would be subdued, depressing, as I wait for Dad’s answer about the contract. But Logan likes to surprise me and had the boys waiting at the house after school when we arrived back home. I’ve never heard Hunter and Carter cheer as loudly as they did when Logan told them we were getting married.
“Brynlee!” Hearing my name, I’m shocked when I see Chelsea striding towards me in the most ridiculous baseball shirt dress-thing I’ve ever seen. It’s so short, it should be indecent, and she needs to close up about three more buttons.
It doesn’t take long for some of the parents on both teams to stare or glare at her flashy arrival.
“Chels, hi. What are you doing here?” I have no idea how else to respond. I can’t recall a time when she’s intentionally attended a baseball game before.
“I can’t come and watch my son play ball?” Her snide comment is filled with cruelty, and I know things are about to get ugly between us.
Wanting to save Hunter the embarrassment, I backtrack my words. “Of course, you are. I just meant I’m surprised and happy to see you here is all. Hunt will be so excited.” I smile to cloak my anxiety.
I can see the moment Hunter realizes his mom is here, and the worry that quickly crosses his face makes me sad before he grins and waves, masking his feelings. He knows his mom likes all the attention on her, and it’s only a matter of time before she causes a stir.
“Dad tells me you’re going to try and get custody of my son.” And there it is.
Fisting my hands, I hide my engagement ring because I know that if she senses any weakness in me—and Logan is a weakness—she’ll attack.
“He didn’t tell you everything,” I respond, already recognizing that she’s on the hunt for a confrontation with me.
“You want to take my son away from me, Brynlee, how does anything else matter?” The high pitch of her voice has every adult stopping to stare at us. Including Logan.
“That’s not true, Chelsea.” I’m trying to remain calm.
“Oh, really, so your boy toy there didn’t try to pay him off then? Did it ever occur to you about why he wants you to fight for custody of my son?” Her subtle dig is like a bomb detonating in my head.
“That’s not true.” I can’t hold back the tears pooling in my eyes. They drip in steady streams down my cheeks as I notice Logan turn to face us when he realizes everyone else is watching us too.
“Thirteen years, Bryn. You’re a smart girl.” The cruelty in her stare is a little more than I can take as I slowly begin to back away from her, from Logan, from my life.
“Bryn,” Logan calls my name as I turn to leave, but I can’t stop. I need space. I need to get my head together. “Brynlee!” he shouts again, and I recognize the torture in his tone. He knows something has gone terribly wrong, and I should have known it would too.
Nothing in my life is ever simple. Nothing has ever worked out for me.
Logan
What the fuck just happened?
We were playing a great game; the kids on both teams were having a blast. Throwing some great pitches, hitting more home runs than I’ve seen all season, and everyone was cheering. Being involved.
Then Hunter’s mother showed up, and now, Brynlee is fucking running away from me.
I can’t hold back my anger as I confront Chelsea. “What the fuck did you just say to her?”
“Oh, just enough to send her running back to Daddy.” The malicious grin on her lips reveals that this disgusting behavior is nothing new.
“What did you say!” I shout this time, drawing more attention to us.
“I asked her to think about why you would want custody of my boy. She drew her own conclusions.” Motherfucker. So am I. And I’m not liking what Bryn is probably believing.
“You fucking bitch.” My words are so low, only she hears me. “I will ruin you and your father. Stay the fuck away from Brynlee.” I’m already pulling out my phone to call my lawyer. I’m going to bury them both.
“Keep sister dearest away from my son, then. Otherwise, I go to the papers.” Blowing a kiss to her son, who turns his back on her, she growls her frustration and walks away.
“It’s Dawson.” I don’t give the man time to greet me before I bark orders. “Bury them both. And I want restraining orders.” Hanging up, I know he’ll do as I ask.
I have to take a few deep breaths before I can return to the dugout with the boys.
The rest of the game is uneventful, and despite my need to call Brynlee a million times, I only send her one text. Affirming that I love her.
Whatever game her family is playing at, I won’t let it destroy her. Bryn is the best person I know, and she deserves more than her family is giving her.
Finishing out the game—our team won—I’m approached by Jason’s mom. “I was going to take Jason for pizza and ice cream, mind if I bring Carter and Hunter along?” The three of them are damn near inseparable, and I’m sure she saw what happened, so I agree. She’ll drop them back off at my place afterwards, which gives me time to find and talk to Brynlee.
After reassuring Hunter that his aunt was fine and that he’d see her tonight, they’re gone, and I’m heading home. Hoping to find my girl there.
Working to obey the traffic laws in my hurry to get home, I’m relieved to see her car parked out front but sad to see her sitting on the step, head in her hands.
Parking in the driveway, I hurry out of my truck and rush to her side. “If you wanted that angry sex so bad, I’d have obliged. You didn’t have to leave the game.” I make a lame attempt to joke with her.
Staring up at me, I’ve never seen a more sorrowful sight on her face before. She’s been ripped apart by her sister's words. Reaching a hand out to her, she takes it with little hesitation, and I’m fucking thrilled to see my ring still on her finger.
Guiding her inside the house, I do the one thing I know will make her feel better. Shedding our clothes, I don’t give her time to pose any objections before picking her up and carrying her naked body to the couch. Sitting down with her in my lap, my dick seeks out its favorite home, sliding into her heated core without hesitation.
“Tell me she lied,” Bryn begs as her tears slip free again.
“Every word of it was a lie. Carter’s it for me, baby, until I’ve knocked you up, then I won’t be able to stop.” Laying her head on my chest, I help her rock her hips torturously back and forth, working us both into a frenzy until we’re panting and reaching the finish line together.
“I love you, Brynlee, and nothing, nobody, is ever going to change that.” Her head nods.
“I knew she was lying. She wanted to hurt me, and I hate that I let her.” Sitting straight up, her hands gravitate towards my chest.
“I know, baby. She came to cause harm, and I swear I won’t let it happen again.” I only hope I can keep my promise because the woman is crafty and enjoys getting off on seeing other people in pain.
“Tonight changes things, doesn’t it?” Her innocent question is filled with a soul-deep pain I don’t think I’ll ever understand.
“It does. I’m going to push the custody thing until your sister enters rehab, finishes a program, and stays sober. In order for her to comprehend Hunter’s pain over her choices, she needs to be sober first. Even if she’s reluctant now, his tortured stories of her behavior will help her make better decisions for both of them going forward.” What I don’t verbalize is how excruciating it will be on Brynlee and Hunter while she does it. But I have a feeling she already knows that.
Brynlee hesitates, “And my father?”
I wish that stubborn old bastard wasn't as tricky. “The easy answer is, once he acknowledges that Chelsea is getting her life together, he’ll back off of you, but I just don’t know with him.”
“Okay,” she mumbles. “I can do this.”
“We can do this. You’re not alone, baby. I’ve got your back.”
“I know you do.” And I think she does. We’re in this together now, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.