Be My Reason

by Brooklyn Taylor

  “I would have listened. I would have believed what you said, but I would have looked at it differently, and more than likely bought whatever crap he would have told me.” She paused. “I can’t believe I actually liked that guy.”

  “Me either.”

  “I should have waited for the deputy.”

  “No, you should not have. He is mine. For keeps.”

  “You know, the night after the date with Cash, I took a long hot bath, and had some champagne. And then the next day I stayed up all night reading a book I had wanted to read. Then the next day I treated myself to a spa day. I’m going to be okay. If and when a man comes into my life, who is supposed to be FOR me, I will be ready.”

  “You have no idea how happy I am to hear you say that.”

  “Love you.”

  “And I you.”

  WYATT

  My phone had not stopped ringing all morning at the station. I hadn't been able to take a break and all I could concentrate on was the places I needed to go, not this bull I had to keep dealing with.

  “Hey, Wyatt.” Before turning around I knew exactly who it was.

  I turn my chair to face him and stood up. “Well, good to see you finally acknowledged my calls.”

  He rolled his eyes. “I assume it is over Breigh again, and frankly I wasn’t in a big rush since she isn’t worth it. You’re my brother, and I don't want to fight with you over a girl, of all things.”

  “This isn't a ‘girl.’ This is THE girl.”

  I stood in his face, ready to do what I had to do. “Let’s get out of here and have this conversation somewhere else.”

  I had no intention of leaving anywhere with him. I just wanted him out of my station, my work. He had always done something to embarrass me.

  “I like the way you think.” Sarcastic piece of work he had always been.

  I rolled my eyes, straightened my posture as we walked, wanting to stretch my arms out for the fight I was about to start.

  Cash continued to try to talk to me as we walked the stairs down to the level floor. “Seriously, Wyatt, I hated to have to tell you about Breigh. I just didn't want to see you get hurt by another…”

  “Another what?” I moved closer to his face. My brother was always taller and stouter than I was until the last couple years. He had always bullied me in any way he could. He and Dad both did.

  “Like April.”

  “You slept with her. You came on to her.”

  “But it takes two to tango.”

  “Not with Breigh. She’s different.”

  “Is she? Then why would she kiss another guy in the parking lot of that dump dance hall?”

  I pulled my arm back and swung. I had wanted to hit him for weeks and this was pure satisfaction. He was completely off guard and fell back to the ground.

  My fist hit his nose and the bone crushed. “Damn, Wyatt. What the hell, man?”

  “Get the hell out of here and stay away from Breigh. Stay away from her and Emma. They are both too good for you.”

  “They are too good for you too then,” Cash muttered, holding his nose.

  I pulled back and hit him again, in the exact same spot, feeling the blood gush.

  “DAMN IT!” Cash screamed.

  “That was for trying to blackmail Breigh, and you kissing her.”

  “That bi…” He paused and tried to wipe some of the blood off. “She came on to me. Like they all do. Just like April…”

  I stood with anger filling my veins. I wanted to hit him until he wasn’t moving, but that would make me no better than him. And I was better than him.

  “The only thing we have in common is our blood, Cash. We are nothing alike and I thank God for that.”

  “Blood is pretty thick, Brother,” Cash muttered holding his nose.

  “Screw off.” I turned my back to him, willing him to try to hit me when I wasn't looking.

  It would make my day. I had wanted to hit him many times, and had a few. But nothing like this. I’d hit him wanting to injure him. I wanted him to feel the pain he caused me.

  He almost cost me Breigh.

  But then again, I had to admit it was me too.

  And that was what cut me to the core.

  28

  BREIGH

  “Hello?” I muttered, not sure if I was dreaming or awake, but my heart was beating as

  rapid as a racehorse.

  “Ms. Foster?”

  I sat up in my bed and reached for my lamp. “This is she.”

  “Sorry to wake you at this ungodly hour. I’m Laura at Texas South. Mrs. Bryant was brought into the emergency room and is here. She drove herself in, which is not a shock considering her stubbornness.” She emphasized the last word clearly for Rhonda to hear.

  “I know her from church and didn't want her to be alone. She had you listed under emergency contacts after Wyatt, but he isn't answering his phone”.

  “That isn't like him.”

  “Well, it is 2:00 a.m. so it is possible he’s just a hard sleeper. We get that a lot. Or people have their ringers off. I’m sure he’ll call as soon as he gets my message.”

  “Tell Rhonda I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

  “I’m just going to let you show up. You know how stubborn she is. She’ll have a fit if I tell her you are coming to sit with her. She is determined to fight this by herself.”

  “I know the type. Thank you.”

  I called Wyatt and got his voice mail and then shot him a quick text, asking him to call him ASAP, before dragging myself out of bed.

  Rhonda was sitting, tapping her foot to a beat in her head. She was looking around at other people who were coming in and out of the hallway, not at all embarrassed that she was being nosy.

  She saw me as soon as I rounded the corner and her face lit up with a smile before she started shaking her head, not believing I was here.

  “Hi, Breigh! Did they call you? I told them not to call you. It is too damn early for me to need a sitter, for God’s sake.” Before I could answer she was pushing the button to get a

  nurse.

  “I’m going to let her have it. I told her I was fine.”

  I took a seat on the rolling chair and scooted over to her. “Don’t be mad, she was just doing her job. Plus, she cares about you. Apparently y'all have been going to James Baptist together for…”

  “Twenty-five years, which is why she should have known I was fine.” She continued to press the button for the nurse.

  “It was out of kindness. Here, hand me that remote.” I put my hand out and she moved it my way reluctantly.

  “This actually is a perfect chance for me to talk to you alone.” I smiled, trying to take her attention off the situation.

  “While I’m in the ER?” she smarted off.

  I pulled the curtain closed around us, and resumed my spot on the chair.

  “I didn't know if you heard but…”

  “Yes, that my nephew and you are in love, and you have forgiven him for his stupid nonsense.”

  My face probably turned every tone of red.

  “Can you imagine how beautiful your babies are going to be?” She continued.

  “Babies?” My eyes had grown to the size of silver dollars.

  “Isn’t that what you were going to talk to me about? Or God, don't tell me that you don't love him.”

  “First off, calm down.” I took a few deep breaths myself. Holy crud, that was a lot of future that flashed before my eyes in a time span of thirty seconds. But the nerves turned into happiness and excitement.

  “Let’s start from the top. Yes, I love Wyatt. More than anyone I have ever loved. I’m scared a bit though about what happened with Cash, and how he assumed the worst of me. That took me a bit to get over. Second, babies haven't been discussed, but to be honest, there is nothing more that I want than to be with him and eventually, in our own time, have babies.” That felt good to say. “And last, that wasn't what I was going to talk to you about.”

  “He
avens then, what is it?”

  “Mr. Anderson has retired. In fact, as of Monday this last week he’s retired.”

  “Well, I am glad I took care of everything when I did then! I trust I’m in good hands, and with you everything was taken care of as it should be.”

  “Yes, ma'am, of course everything was taken care of.”

  “Good.”

  “I do feel a little guilty though, knowing about Wyatt’s mom moving all the money that he should have gotten from his dad to you, so you could put it up for him. And that you’re leaving everything to him. I feel like I am betraying him by not telling him.”

  “If you tell him all he is going to do is argue with me. He doesn't need to know about what my sister did until later, and that is between them when the time comes. She knows she will have to talk to him about it. Business is business, and I trust you well enough to know you will stand by the rules on confidentiality. You’re a professional and I know I don't have to worry.”

  “No, you most certainly do not,” I reassured her.

  I looked around the small room, making some observations, but also listening to the ruckus outside of the curtain. I could hear people rushing by speaking orders and the atmosphere in the hall seemed tense. No way could I do this for a living.

  “Can I overstep a little bit, Breigh?”

  “Depends,” I said, knowing it didn't depend on anything. My book was open for anyone to read. I wasn’t hiding anything. Rhonda wasn't one to hold back her thoughts either. She spoke her mind.

  “Please don't ever doubt Wyatt’s love for you. He is a good man. He deserves so much and has been shorted when it really mattered.”

  “I don’t doubt it. I was happy as a clam with him; happier than I could ever imagine really, but then Cash started all kinds of trouble. I was furious, but then that turned to hurt. I didn't know how to prove my feelings, but then I started to think why should I have to. He should take my word for what it is. I had never lied to him.”

  “Cash is a snake. Just like his father. As soon as Wyatt mentioned Cash, I knew trouble was about to start. He loves to start trouble for his brother. He has always been jealous. What Wyatt has and the man he is can’t be duplicated. You have it or you don’t. Cash doesn't have it.”

  “I know.”

  “Promise me one thing…”

  I shook my head.

  “Love him for what he is. And he will love you like there is no tomorrow.”

  “I promise.”

  The room was quiet for about fifteen minutes before Wyatt arrived. He slung open the curtain after the nurse updated him on the other side.

  “Rhonda….”

  Then he made eye contact with me.

  “Hi, Wyatt.” He was shocked to see me, so I tried to make it less.

  “Breigh, what are you doing here?”

  “Sitting with your aunt, having a little chat. She was filling me in on how you used to flush your Hot Wheels down their toilet when you visited.”

  Rhonda and I glared at each other and started laughing. I had known about this earlier when I had come over to her house to do her will revisions.

  He rolled his eyes, apparently having had Rhonda tell this story to others.

  He hugged her and then came to me. He wrapped his arms around me and I made eye contact with Rhonda and smiled.

  She put her thumb up, giving me a good job wink for the quick thinking.

  Nurse Laura walked in, interrupting us. “Oh good, glad to see your family is here. How are you feeling, dear?” She asked Rhonda.

  “Just tired. Thanks by the way for calling Wyatt and Breigh and making them worry. That wasn't necessary.”

  “Doctor’s orders. Out of my hands, I’m afraid.”

  “Okay then, I will have a talk with him when he comes in to see me then,” she snorted, frustrated.

  “We are going to need you two to step out of the room here in a few minutes. Rhonda here needs an IV started. She is extremely dehydrated from the chemo she has been receiving.”

  “I most certainly am not.”

  “Dr. Jerick disagrees. He will be in here shortly.”

  She relented, realizing she was not going to win the situation.

  Rhonda was one great woman. I would be with her anyway she needed me, she was not only hopefully my future aunt, but a woman I knew I could learn a lot from. I wondered if anyone had told her how great she was, like she had raved about Wyatt. I had hoped he told her how special she was to him because I had it on good authority it was mutual.

  29

  WYATT

  Breigh had taken Rhonda home after the hospital and sat with her for the next two days, barely leaving her side. When she finally did, I didn't hear from her due to her playing catch-up on sleep and work.

  Rhonda now had visiting nurses set up, who were helping her a great deal to make sure she didn't get ill and had the help she needed.

  Breigh had to go to Richardson to her new office. I texted Breigh on a whim with an idea, after making sure Rhonda was feeling much better.

  Me: I want to take you away for the weekend. Are you free or working?

  Breigh: Free.

  Me: Pack your bag. I want you to meet my mother in Houston. You up for it?

  Breigh: If I get that horse ride, I’m in.

  Me: So you’re going for the horses?

  Breigh: Not just the horses…

  Me: Glad to hear it, baby. I’ll be there a little after 4 to get you.

  Breigh: If you can make it 4:30, I’ll be ready. xoxo.

  I sent my mother a quick text, letting her know I’d be driving down tonight and would have Breigh with me. She was thrilled and ecstatic that Dad was away for the next two weeks, conveniently. Cash hadn't stopped by since Dad was gone, and that was a relief.

  My mom hated to see her sons fight, but it wasn't the first or the last time. She, more often than not, was on my side during the altercations. Clearly, she sided with the correct person.

  I had never taken a girl home, and certainly wouldn't have thought about it this soon. My mother was excited and was convinced that Breigh was the one. I couldn't argue with her at this point, I had the same feeling.

  BREIGH

  As soon as we pulled up to Wyatt’s family’s house, my mouth dropped. He wasn't kidding when he said his family was wealthy. I have never seen a house so big that you had to go through a gate before entering.

  “Are you ready for this?” Wyatt turned to ask me, placing his hand on mine.

  “Of course, I’m ready. I can’t wait to meet your mother.”

  “Just remember what I said, she isn't the same person right now that she was when I was growing up.”

  “All I care about is that she is kind to you.”

  “She is now.”

  “Here goes nothing. Wait, Wyatt, what about the entire scenario with Cash?”

  “He isn't here.”

  “But she knows. What if she hates me because of it?”

  “I have already talked to her. She knows what happened, and she knows Cash. She isn't blaming you for that, at all. And she has talked to Rhonda, so she is angrier with me that I didn't nip it in the bud and solve the issue from the get-go, rather than letting it get so far out of hand.”

  “But…”

  “But nothing, baby.”

  I took a deep breath, waiting for him to make his way to me.

  He walked around and opened the door for me, taking my hand and not letting go. Wyatt led us in through the huge front door made with a material I had never seen. Nothing in here was cheap.

  “You okay?” He turned to ask me and I shook my head yes.

  “Don’t worry so much about me. I’m fine.” And I was. But I wasn't going to dare tell him I had never been in a home so insanely large. I was trying to control my eyes so they didn't look like they were going to pop out of my head.

  “Wyatt, your right on time!” His mom came around the corner, from what I assumed was the kitchen, and met him with a big hug.
I looked down the entryway’s large hall that had the shiniest white ceramic tile I had ever seen. I doubted dirt had ever met it. Above the grand entryway, a large crystal chandelier hung catching the light from the large window that displayed the décor.

  “Breigh this is my mother, Virginia.” Wyatt said.

  “And this must be Breigh. I’ve heard so much about you.” She hugged me sweetly, holding on tightly.

  “Nice to meet you,” I returned.

  As she pulled back from me I observed her beauty, and how well put together she was. Her hair seemed to be in place, her face flawless, with a blouse and riding pants on. She could have posed for a magazine and turned heads, causing people to stare.

  “When you get done showing her around the house and grounds, I would love to ride with y’all. I’ll have John tack the horses up for us.”

  “Okay, Mom, give us about half an hour.” Wyatt put his hand on the small of my back and led me through the house, the mansion.

  Room after room, they all had similar qualities: designer, sterile, museumish. I felt like I needed to put my hands in my pockets to not touch anything or damage something far more expensive than I could ever afford to replace. A few pictures of the boys or the family were displayed, only a few in very expensive frames that took away from the innocence or love that the family could have had. Various rugs decorated the same ceramic tile throughout, without any room having carpet like a normal house would have.

  He led me to his room last, up the wide stairs with a railing that was polished profusely. I walked in, unsure how a boy felt at home in there. It was void of personality. Nothing like how Wyatt’s house was now. Maybe it wasn't a mansion, with designer décor, but it was every bit a home.

  I’d take that any day over this.

  “Was it decorated for your age as you grew up? You know the sports themes, etc? Girls hanging on the wall, that sort of thing?”