by Sherry Kyle
Bryan went to the bed now and sat beside her. “Then why expect it to be any different now?”
“It didn’t matter until now. Whose side are you on, anyway?” Susan rolled over and punched the pillow beneath her head, her back toward him.
“Susan, listen. I hear the way you and Paul talk to each other. I’m not saying what he did was right. It definitely wasn’t, but you both need to work on your communication skills. What about counseling? I know Paul didn’t want to go in the past, but why not try again? For the kids’ sake.”
“He won’t go.”
“Maybe, maybe not. But he definitely won’t go if you don’t ask him.”
Tanner barked. And barked some more.
“I’d better go see what’s going on. Are you coming?” Bryan lightened his tone. Hopefully, his sister would ease up as well—if that were possible. “Beef tacos sound good. Does the offer still stand? I’m starving.”
“Paul said he was only going to say hi to the kids. I doubt he’ll keep to his word. Tell me when he leaves.” Susan ignored his question, brought her legs up to a fetal position, and covered herself with a blanket. This separation was brutal.
“Ashley hasn’t come back with the dog food yet. I’m starting to get worried.”
“She’s not back?” Susan turned over and grimaced. “Oh no. I might have blown it.”
Tanner barked again.
Bryan looked from the door to his sister and back again. “What do you mean?”
“I let the cat out of the bag about Ethan seeing you with a diamond ring.”
“That’s not so bad.” Bryan shrugged. “Now Ashley knows how serious I am about her.”
“And that you had a hard time getting over Shelly.”
Her words were like a punch to the gut. “You didn’t.”
Susan nodded and wrapped her arms around her drawn legs. “I’m sorry.”
Bryan didn’t know who he was madder at, his sister for opening her mouth about Shelly—the one person Ashley compared herself to on a regular basis, or himself for sending Ashley away on an errand. “I need to rescue Tanner and find Ashley. Coming down?”
“In a little while.” Susan leaned her head back against the wood headboard. “Look, I know I’m being immature. My kids come first. But this separation makes me feel like an ugly, insecure teenager all over again.”
Bryan nodded. “I get that, really I do, but it’s time we both face things head on.” The sentiment would be easier said than done.
30
Instead of working on the albums this past weekend, Ashley had chosen to sleep in, take long walks on the beach, and watch old movies—all to keep her mind away from picturing Bryan dating Shelly.
A knot twisted her insides.
Now as Bryan drove Ashley to her parents’ home for the weekly Sunday night dinner, a box of photos sat at her feet.
She hadn’t seen Bryan since Susan told her he and Shelly had once been a couple. After dropping off the dog food at Susan’s house, she told Madi she was feeling sick and got a ride home from Paul. Later that night, Bryan had called. She couldn’t help it. When he’d asked her why she hadn’t told her she was feeling sick, she’d sent a barb his way about not keeping secrets from him.
The next day, Bryan left flowers for her on her porch. He’d called numerous times over the weekend concerned about her health, but she let the calls go to voicemail. If only he knew the real reason she didn’t want to see him. In fact, she almost canceled tonight until the idea of having her family help with the photos came to mind. Plus, she couldn’t ignore Bryan forever. Trouble was, she didn’t know what to say.
Bryan filled the gap. “Are you sure your family wants to pitch in?”
“Why wouldn’t they?” Ashley attempted to conceal the sarcastic edge to her voice.
“I’m not saying they wouldn’t help, just that you might’ve warned them. Your mom doesn’t like surprises, remember?”
“Depends on the surprise.” An engagement would definitely be welcome. At this point, Ashley wasn’t counting on it and had no idea what her answer would be. “I think everyone will enjoy looking at old photos.”
“But do you think the scrapbooks will get done tonight? That’s the reason you’re bringing the box, right?”
Of course that was the reason. Bryan knew that. Why was he pushing? “The scrapbooks won’t get done sitting at the beach house while we’re having dinner either, so I figure any amount of organization will be progress.”
“True.” Bryan pulled up into her parents’ driveway and cut the engine. “Susan is meeting us here and dropping Madi off. I’m surprised she lasted the whole weekend. I couldn’t imagine leaving Tanner after watching the boys manhandle him. Besides, Susan has enough on her plate with Paul coming back into the picture.”
“I’m sure it was better that way.” Ashley reached between her knees and hoisted the box on her lap.
“You know, I would’ve come over Saturday to take care of you.”
“And risk catching whatever I had?” Or having a fight. It was better to get together in public where she could remain civil than to explode in private, the hurt of Bryan’s secret gnawing a hole in her heart.
“It would’ve been worth it. We finally had a weekend alone.” Bryan reached over and rubbed the back of his fingers down the side of her cheek. If she wasn’t mistaken, Bryan was going to kiss her in her parents’ driveway.
She reached for the handle and opened her door. “There will be other weekends. Madi can’t live with us forever.”
“Ashley, hold on. Please?”
“We don’t want to be late. It’s six o’clock.” She stepped out of Bryan’s truck.
A white car came to a stop directly behind them, blocking the driveway. Madi got out, then reached into the backseat for her duffle bag and pillow. She slammed the passenger’s side door, and Susan peeled away from the curb and down the street.
Bryan offered to take Madi’s things and put them inside the truck. “No use bringing them inside.”
The girl’s smile faded. “I still don’t understand why Tanner couldn’t have stayed with us. It’s not like I don’t know how to take care of a dog.”
“Madi, please. We’ve been over this. You can see Tanner another time.” It was Bryan’s turn to slam the truck’s door.
“My brothers were pestering me all weekend.”
Bryan took the box of photos from Ashley. “Well, I’m glad you had the decency to leave Ashley alone.”
“Are you feeling better?” Madi looked at Ashley.
Not really. “Thank you for asking, I—”
“ ’Cause I sure don’t want to get sick. Brandon’s having a pool party, and I don’t want to miss it. Oh, don’t worry. Mom said I could go.” Madi walked a few paces ahead to the front door.
As much as Ashley wanted to believe her, she’d check with Susan.
Madi walked into the house, letting the screen door slam.
Ashley opened the door, allowing Bryan to walk in first with the box of photos.
Tori’s girls squealed, grabbed Madi’s hands, and pulled her toward the backyard.
Bryan leaned in toward Ashley. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
Since when have I ever known what’s on your mind? “I don’t know. What are you thinking?”
“We need to have a chat with Susan. I didn’t even know Brandon had a pool.” Bryan set the box down in the entryway.
“Yeah, seems a little fishy to me.”
Mom approached. “Hi, you two. What’s in the box?”
“Photos.” Ashley hugged her mom. “I thought we could look through them after dinner.”
“How’re the scrapbooks coming along?”
“Slow. I was hoping everyone could help me—”
Mom shook her head. “Don’t count on Dad.”
Bryan took Ashley’s coat and hung it in the closet. “I won’t be of much help either.”
“And Tori will be watching Max.” Mom motioned them into the kitc
hen.
“Is Lauren here?” Ashley hoped her sister read the text she wrote yesterday, asking for the photo back. If Lauren didn’t have any leads by now, she probably never would. Time to apply for a new credit card and hire a private detective to find the girl in the photo. No more waiting around.
“A few days ago, Lauren said they were coming, but I wouldn’t count on it. Sean’s been working overtime, and today they went to Monterey—or was it San Francisco? I can’t remember.” Mom pulled the Mexican casserole out of the oven. “Ashley, can you help me finish setting the table? Bryan, if you could round up everyone and tell them dinner’s ready.”
“Gladly.” He smiled then went to the family room leaving Ashley and her mom alone in the kitchen.
“Sure you don’t want me to call Lauren to make sure?” Ashley bit her lip.
Mom swatted the air. “Let them be. And if they come, it’s easy to put two more plates at the table.”
Ashley grabbed the plates, napkins, and silverware, and headed to the dining room, her sour attitude going with her. She stood a moment gathering her thoughts. Besides the mystery photo and her strained relationship with Bryan, the only thing that would make life worse is if her cancer came back. She shuddered at the thought and rubbed her hand down the side of her right leg.
“Need help?” Tori came up beside her.
Ashley cleared her throat and pushed down the lump that had formed. She found her voice. “How many are here?”
“Nine tonight, unless Lauren and Sean show up.” Tori grabbed hold of the napkins and spread them around the table. Her eyes met Ashley’s. “Okay, what’s going on? Are you still upset with Bryan?”
“Shh.” Ashley glanced over her shoulder.
Tori passed out the plates. “You haven’t talked with him yet?”
“No, and I don’t know when I’m going to. It’s his secret to tell, not mine.” Ashley fisted the silverware and set them down at each place.
“It does seem strange that Bryan hasn’t told you about Shelly. What are you going to do about it?”
“Let’s say I’m reevaluating our relationship. He’s got a lot of explaining to do.”
“Time to eat.” Bryan called to the girls in the backyard then motioned to Ashley’s father and brother-in-law. The men sat in recliner chairs watching the 49ers play the Seahawks.
Drew pulled the lever on the side of the chair and brought his feet to the carpet below. “Hey, Bryan. When’d you get here?”
“Just walked through the door in time for dinner.”
Mr. Stevens grinned as he hoisted himself up from the leather chair. “My wife knows how to make a mean Mexican casserole, that’s for sure.”
The football game and comfortable furniture lured Bryan, but the enticing aroma from the kitchen pulled him more.
The men made their way down the hall.
“Hold up a minute.” Drew grabbed Bryan’s arm then directed his words to Ashley’s father. “We’ll be right there, Dad.”
Once the older man was out of earshot, Drew folded his arms across his chest and sneered. “Tori told me.”
Bryan mimicked his stance. “Told you what?”
“Don’t you think Ashley’s been through enough in her life? Everyone in the family is protective over her, me included.”
Where is he going with this? “O-kay?”
“Most of the time they downplay situations because they don’t want to see her get hurt.”
“Your point? Why don’t you come out and say it?”
“You two have been dating a long time now. Shouldn’t you be totally open with how you feel? Talk about your future, and your past for that matter, including previous relationships.”
What was Drew trying to be? His conscience? It wasn’t as though he’d planned to keep Shelly a secret. He and Ashley had been dating two years before Shelly and Peter showed up at their church. From the first time the women met, Ashley had compared herself to the blonde, never feeling as though she measured up. Why would he purposefully make a bad situation worse?
But by keeping quiet, he had made it worse.
In hindsight, he regretted not being honest from the beginning. But he’d had a reason. By opening that can of worms, he’d have to deal with his own failure and expose Shelly, too. And now?
Drew’s girls brushed passed them on their way to the dining room.
“Aren’t you coming?” Madi asked.
Bryan clapped Drew on the shoulder. “Thanks for the tip.”
Drew looked like he was going to say more but clamped his mouth shut. They followed the girls to the dining room.
Between Susan’s admission, Ashley’s cold shoulder, and Drew’s reprimand, the time had arrived for Bryan to come to grips with his fear—or risk losing Ashley.
Bryan reached under the table for Ashley’s hand and gave it a squeeze. Her father led the prayer. Afterward, she looked at him briefly with her big blue-green eyes then turned away. Is finding out about Shelly the reason Ashley stayed away from him the past two days?
All weekend long, he’d attempted to gather the courage to tell her about his past, but each time he’d tried, the call went to voicemail. He thought about leaving a message, but what kind of man would he be if he did that?
“Bryan, your plate?” Ashley’s mom stood at her spot at the table, dishing out the casserole. A large piece balanced on the spatula.
“Oh, sorry.” Bryan handed her his plate.
He hoped the hot meal would warm his insides because the icy looks he received from Drew and Tori sent chills down his spine.
31
“Hey, Bryan, what brings you by?” Peter stood in the doorway of his duplex, not budging. Was he going to ask him in or make him stand outside? The weather was a cool fifty degrees, not cold, but still chilly.
Bryan shoved his hands into his jeans pockets. “Mind if I come in?”
“It’s late.”
Bryan could take a hint, but his future with Ashley depended on it. “I’m sorry. It’s important.”
Peter glanced over his shoulder then back at Bryan. “Shelly and I are in the middle of something. Can you come back later?”
“Who is it, Peter?” Shelly’s voice floated across the room.
Peter’s mouth twisted. “Bryan.”
“Don’t stand there. Let him in,” Shelly called from inside the house before she appeared in the doorway. “Hey, Bryan.” She gestured him inside. “Take a seat, and I’ll make some tea.”
“Actually, I’m not planning on staying long. I don’t want to intrude.”
She closed the door behind him. “Long enough for one cup?”
“You might as well give in. She’s a determined woman,” Peter said, his voice resolute.
I remember well.
Bryan kept his thought to himself. “All right. One cup.” He walked across the room and sat on a stool by the kitchen counter.
Shelly filled the pot with water and set it on the stove to heat. Funny how back in college he thought for sure he was going to marry the athletic blonde—until she put an abrupt stop to their relationship. Thank goodness, he was over her now.
Shelly opened the cabinet and pulled out a selection of flavors. “Which kind would you like?”
Personally, he wasn’t a big fan of tea, but he’d pick one out to make her happy. “That one looks good.”
“Vanilla Chai.” She smiled. “Have you had it before?”
Bryan shook his head. “No.”
Peter let out a sarcastic laugh. “I don’t want in on this tea party. I’ll be in the back room playing a video game,” he excused himself.
What was with Peter tonight?
Shelly rolled her eyes. “Boys and their toys.”
“Are you sure I shouldn’t come back another time?”
“No, it’s fine. So what brings you by?”
Bryan waited until she poured the boiling water into their cups and set the tea bags in to steep before broaching the subject of their breakup. He needed a
nswers and wasn’t going to leave until he got them. They sat at the round circular table in the small kitchen, the mixture of vanilla and peppermint steaming from the mugs.
He swirled the tea bag around. “Is this the life you dreamed about? I remember you not liking the idea of me being a teacher. A doctor or lawyer, maybe, but a teacher …” He let the rest go unsaid.
“And I married a mechanic.” Shelly finished his sentence. She removed the tea bag then glanced up at him. “I was pretty unfair to you, wasn’t I?”
“Yes, you were, but we were young, and you were only repeating what your parents told you.” He copied Shelly’s movements, removing his tea bag with a spoon. He brought the cup to his mouth and sipped the tea. Not bad.
“Peter and I’ve been fighting a lot.” Shelly set her cup down. “I’m sorry. That was inappropriate.”
Bryan waved her off, hoping to put an end to that line of conversation. He wasn’t here to discuss Shelly and Peter’s relationship.
Shelly folded a napkin over and over into a small square. “Ever since you came the last time, it’s been rough.”
Bryan’s eyes narrowed. “Since I came over?”
“Peter’s been comparing himself to you, asking me if you’d remember this or if you’d do that. It’s exhausting! It doesn’t matter how many times I tell him not to compare and that I love him. He still won’t believe me.” She covered her mouth with a hand, stopping herself.
That explained Peter’s reluctance to let him in tonight.
“Ashley’s been comparing herself to you for the past year, and she didn’t even know we’d dated until a few days ago.” He regretted the words the minute they were out of his mouth. They were walking on thin ice, sharing things they shouldn’t, and he didn’t like it.
Shelly’s brows lifted. “You’ve never told her?”
“I’ve never told anyone.”
“How’d she find out?”
“Susan. She told Ashley one of the reasons I hadn’t proposed is because I had a hard time getting over you.”
“Bryan, is that true?” Her words came out in a hushed tone. “I never knew.”
“How could you have known? You didn’t stick around.” Bryan leaned back and took another sip of his tea. He didn’t want Shelly to think he was hitting on her. Better clear the air. “I’ve moved on. I love Ashley with all my heart. But before I can propose, I need to know what happened between us so I don’t make the same mistake.”
