Chapter 27
VAUGHN
This is not good. Not in the slightest.
Isla is not in a great place now. It’s been two days since I left, only because I had to go to Seattle for the team. Since then, it’s been basic messages about Nora. I thought the best thing to do is give a little space.
The last thing I wanted was to upset her, but I’m not going to hide the truth either.
Which is why I’m sitting next to my brother in the hotel bar, thankful he was in Seattle for book research, whatever the hell that means.
With whiskey in hand, I sigh again. “I have to turn this around.”
“You will. She’s going to realize that this is something you both can move on from,” Stone assures me.
I rub my forehead in frustration. “We better. This is making me lose focus and setting Isla and me back. Most of all, I can’t find it in me to apologize over a thought I once had, because I can’t change it. She also needs to allow some understanding to consider how this all came to be.”
“Didn’t you move on from the whole pregnancy secret?”
I nod to confirm that he is right.
“It’s got to be different for her, and you’re going to have to meet her halfway to end this lovers’ tiff.” He lifts his glass to me before taking a sip of his whiskey.
I give him an unamused look for his choice of words. “We are a bit more than lovers, you ass.”
Stone smirks. “Yeah, which is all the more reason that you both need to accept that couples have disagreements.”
“Should I feel guilty for a thought I once had?” I wonder, because I keep questioning it.
“No, like you said, it can’t be changed. A lot of guys may be the same way when an accidental pregnancy happens, let alone finding out late. Even a woman can think it. But like I said, you got over that detail. Give her space. Focus on your daughter, and eventually everything will fade away.”
My lips quirk out. “Nah, its more than that. I know it is.”
I know a sleepless night is ahead, which isn’t great, as tomorrow is game day.
“Okay, then what is your plan of action?”
I nearly groan. “I’m in Seattle. Who plays for Seattle?” I give him a hint.
Stone’s voice rumbles a deep laugh. “No way, you’re going to talk to her brother?”
“Hopefully I come out alive.”
“Damn, the guy hates you.”
I wince at the thought. “It eased to only dislike lately. Desperate times, desperate measures."
"When is this showdown happening?" Stone inquires.
"I asked him to come here in a little bit. Figured a public place is the best solution, plus tomorrow after the game we head off right away."
Stone grins. "Can I sit in the corner to watch the show?"
I shake my head. "Don't be an ass. Why are you here again?"
"Research," he simply states.
My face turns puzzled. "What the hell could that be?"
His head tips the side slightly. "A woman, actually."
I stifle a laugh. "Since when?"
"Since she pushed me because I threw an apple onto the ground, and she got concerned for a deer."
"Well, that's kind of weird."
He proudly grins. "Yeah, but here I am, because she has a book signing. She doesn't know I'm here, but I figured the element of surprise and a basketful of apples to piss her off will do the trick."
For the first time in two days, I have to smile at that ridiculous move. "I can't even process that right now."
Stone grips my shoulder. "That's good, because your murderer just arrived." He tips his head in the direction of Briggs who is standing at the other end of the bar with his shoulders puffed out.
I groan, and my jaw ticks as I prepare myself.
"Going to head to my room." Stone stands.
"No, you're not."
His grin is making me ready to push him like we did when we were kids and he stole my Ninja Turtle. "You're completely right."
By the time he is gone and Briggs fills his seat with a steely look, I feel like I might be regretting my move.
"Okay, Vaughn, you get ten minutes to tell me why I shouldn't beat your ass. Isla didn't tell me what happened, only grumbled some sounds which I feel like were not in your favor." Briggs crosses his arms.
"Hello to you too." I scratch my cheek.
"Spit it out." His tone is stern.
"Your sister is pissed because I mentioned when I found out about the pregnancy that for a split second, I wasn't sure if fatherhood was for me, but a thousand thoughts were in my head, as I was in shock." Honesty is the only way that he will give me the insight I need.
He snickers his disapproval. "Why the hell would you admit that?"
"Does nobody appreciate that I'm being open?" I sigh, slightly irritated.
He looks at me with strong discontent. "Not with Isla. You have no idea, do you?"
"Did I not immediately stay with her when I found out?"
Briggs shakes his head. "Do you know how much Isla wanted everything?
The second she told me she was pregnant, she was already more than in.
From moment one, she never had a single doubt.
So, for her to hear that the father of her child might not have felt the same, then it only adds a hole into the fear she's always carried. She may have been petrified to tell you during her pregnancy about the baby, but she always had hope. As soon as she saw you, she realized her error and wanted only one thing. Then you hopped on the train and now it feels like false hope to her.”
I stare at him, waiting for him to explain further, my eyes intent on taking in his knowledge.
"Vaughn, she holds onto the wound of our dad never playing a role.
He was around the first two years of my life then completely bailed on our mom when she was pregnant and left before Isla was born.
Her biggest fear is that history will repeat with her own child.
So yeah, the tiniest bit of doubt will send her over the rails. "
My eyes close as realization hits me. How could I not see it? Dots connect of why she may have felt panic as her first instinct.
"Why are you being this open with me?"
Briggs shakes his head. "You may have been the guy I hated on the ice, but you won't be the guy who leaves her. I fucking hate to admit that I see that. But it's also what Isla deserves."
"I'm not sure what to do to ensure she shakes that fear that seems to chase her."
"That's relationship 101. You have to prove to her that you are committed for life. Why the hell am I even pointing out the obvious to you?" He looks at me as though I'm an idiot, and maybe I am.
I roll my eyes to the side and let out a deep breath. "Because your sister isn't anyone. I haven't been in this situation before, and I want to get it right."
"Damn well you will." We stare at one another blankly, then Briggs sighs. "Look, maybe she overreacted. Hell, if I found out when a baby is about to pop that I'm going to be a dad, then yeah, a hell of a lot of thoughts would be in my head too. But just let her win this one and ease her."
Briggs stands and gives me a glare. "Do you love her?"
I think for a second with a realization sinking in. I nod. "Yeah, I do."
"Then tell her, that's a start."
"Thanks, Briggs." I mean it sincerely.
For once, he gives me a sympathetic yet agreeing look. "Fix this." He walks away but not before he stops and turns back to me. "By the way, I have every intention to crush your team tomorrow, even if it's the one I used to play on."
"Figured," I confirm.
"Oh, and our general manager is better, he at least smiles when under pressure. You look like hell."
I tighten my wry smile and hold my two fingers up in the air to wave him off. "A pleasure, as always," I call out.
It only takes a few seconds before I hear a slow clap and turn my head to find my brother casually sitting in the corner on a burgundy leather couch with drink in hand.
I shake my head, not amused. "Of course, you witnessed all of that."
Stone stands and strolls my way before sliding onto a seat at the bar. "Hell yeah, event of the year."
"Great. Add it to the memory pool for future Christmas dinners."
"He made some solid points. We also have some abandonment issues. You completely understand where Isla's mind is, and you know it."
It hurts in me that I now feel her pain. "I do, which makes this all worse."
"When is the next time you see her?"
"In two days."
"Then you have two days to figure out how you will show her that you can relate and comfort her," he reminds me.
My lips purse out with a breath. "You're right."
"And you are also better than the man who let us down. I don't need to tell you that. You love her. It's so obvious but maybe not to her."
I now look at him peculiarly. "Where the hell did you get the basis of this pep talk?"
He grins and awkwardly scratches his cheek. "Apple lady is a romance writer. Might have read a few of her books to prove her wrong and show her that her books are sappy bull that doesn't happen in real life."
"Yet here you are using her wise knowledge."
Stone's face drops. "Shit."
"I'll let you know how it goes."
"Yeah, you will. I would hate to hear that Isla kicks you to the curb or throws you into that lake."
A glimmer of subtle smile hits me. "She won't. I'm not going to let her walk away from everything I will do to assure her."