“No, ma’am, I cannot.” Everyone sitting around the table already knew it, so why pretend otherwise?
Brooke jumped in with, “This is the lifestyle you want for me, not the lifestyle I want.”
“You’ll never guess who I ran into at the tennis club,” her mother said, ignoring Brooke’s prior statement. “Jackson. Now there is a lovely young man. Brilliant. Handsome. Successful.”
All the things Shane was not.
“He asks about you every time I see him.”
Brooke stiffened beside him. “Please don’t do this, Mother.”
Mother, not Mom.
“Do what? Want what’s best for you? Try to help you make a good match with a gentleman from a good family?”
Hands clasped in her lap, eyes looking down at her empty plate, Brooke said, “How many times do I have to tell you? I will never go out on a date with Jackson.”
Hearing her say the name hit him. When Brooke had spoken of her assault she’d mentioned a “Jack” but stopped short of saying the full name. Could this Jackson be the deviant who’d forced himself on her? The same man her mother kept trying to pair her up with? Rage started to prickle beneath his skin. He leaned close to Brooke, lowered his voice, and asked, “Is Jackson the one?”
She didn’t lift her head, didn’t move, didn’t appear to be breathing.
That was answer enough. “Tell her.”
Brooke glanced over and shushed him.
“The one what?” her father asked, already done with the small portion of food his wife had doled out and helping himself to a second, more generous, portion that included French toast.
“Don’t say another word,” Brooke cautioned under her breath.
But if his visit accomplished nothing else, at least he could get the attack out in the open so her mother would stop pressuring her to date and attend functions with men like Jackson and his miscreant friends. “It’s time to tell them, Brooke.”
“Tell us what?” her father asked warily, a forkful of eggs stopped midway between his plate and his mouth.
Brooke had gone pale.
“Come, come,” her mother snapped, stabbing a piece of cantaloupe. “If you have something to say just say it. You know how I abhor drama.”
—
Shane reached under the table and squeezed Brooke’s hand, his presence and show of support giving her courage she’d never before felt in the presence of her parents, her mother in particular. And right then and there she decided to put it to good use. After a fortifying breath she sat up straight and looked directly at her mother. “I will never date Jackson because when I was seventeen he raped me at the Hansens’ fund-raiser.”
She’d expected her mother wouldn’t believe her, but she’d never expected her to laugh out loud. “That’s what you’ve been telling yourself all these years?” she asked. “Let’s discuss the facts, shall we? You consumed a large quantity of alcohol at a party despite the fact you were underage. You allowed a boy to take you upstairs. You allowed him to do things you later regretted. That does not make Jackson a bad person.”
So he’d gotten to her mother and spun his version of their tale. Funny she’d never mentioned it.
“I did not let him.” And how dare she believe Jackson over her own daughter. “He forced himself on me while his friends watched.” And possibly participated.
Her mother waved her off, completely discounting her claims. “It happened years ago and you were drunk. I doubt your memory of the events of that evening are all too clear.”
“Wow,” Shane said, total disbelief and disgust evident in his tone. “You said she’d find a way to turn it into your fault, and she actually did.”
“Leave it alone,” Brooke said, hoping he would. There’d be no winning with her mother. The best thing to do was eat up and leave. She lifted her plate and served herself a spoonful of eggs, hoping she could get them past the humiliation balled in her throat.
“This is not your concern,” her mother told Shane.
“Oh, yes it is,” Shane countered, and none too nicely. “Because I care about your daughter and I care that a twenty-year-old man manipulated a seventeen-year-old teenager to drink so much champagne she couldn’t fight him off, or drugged her to achieve the same result. I care very much that he threatened her and scared her and hurt her. And I can’t help but wonder why you, her mother, don’t seem to care?”
“You claim he forced you to drink champagne?” Mother glared at her. “How exactly did he go about it? Did he hold you down and pour it into your mouth?”
Brooke didn’t want to discuss it and relive it so she said nothing.
“Just as I thought,” her mother snapped, pushing Brooke too far.
“He threatened to tell lies about me,” she said quietly. Then she turned to her left to look at her father. “He threatened to sabotage your political career. His father had so much power back then and you were just starting out. He could have ruined all your plans, your hopes and dreams. I couldn’t let that happen.”
“I’ll kill him,” her dad said, slowly, calculatingly, as he removed his napkin from his lap and threw it onto his plate.
“You’ll do nothing of the sort,” her mother said. “Whether true or not, it’s over, in the past, and not worth jeopardizing a very promising political career.”
Because she valued Brooke so little, because what’d happened to her meant nothing.
“She’s right, sir,” Shane said.
What? Brooke turned to Shane as he spoke to her father.
“You have your election to think about. Point him out to me. I’ll take care of him for you.”
She grabbed his arm. “Stop it.”
Her father said, “This is why you wouldn’t move with us, because of Jackson?”
Brooke nodded.
“And you knew?” He speared her mother with an angry glare.
“I knew Brooke had given up her virginity. I most certainly did not know the details or that she thought she’d been raped.”
That she’d thought? As if to imply she didn’t know for certain?
Her father’s expression softened as he looked at her, like the kind, loving dad she remembered from her childhood, before he’d entered politics. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
Brooke shrugged, earning an affronted gasp from her mother. “I knew Mother wouldn’t believe me. It was my word against Jackson’s. And honestly,” she looked directly at her father. “I wasn’t sure what you would do and how it would affect your future in politics.”
Shane cupped her chin and gently turned her head in his direction. “You were protecting him like you protected me.”
She nodded. Because she loved them both.
“Unhand my daughter, Mr. Develen,” Brooke’s mother said. Then, “Fine. You don’t want to date Jackson, I’ll remove him from the list. There are still plenty of other—”
“No.” Brooke was done being nice, done trying to appease her mother. “From this moment on I will choose my own dates. Your suggestions are no longer welcome.”
“Yes, look how good you do with that,” her mother said. “The first man you choose on your own has you taking lewd photographs that embarrass your family, put you at the center of a police investigation, and make it impossible for you to return to your job.”
“And he’s still a better man than Jackson and his deviant friends.”
If there was some way steam could actually spew from someone’s ears it’d be spewing from her mother’s. “You are a selfish, willful child.”
“I am no longer a child,” Brooke reminded her. “And selfish and willful describe you, not me.”
Her mother gasped. “How dare you talk to me like that?”
Did her mother not realize a few seconds ago she’d said the very same thing to Brooke?
“After all I’ve done for you, buying you a beautiful condominium, a deluxe car, all your beautiful gowns.”
“The condo and car were supposed to be graduation p
resents. The gowns were so you could control what I wear to your precious parties. Well, you know what? You can have them all back. Your gifts come with too many strings. I’m done playing marionette.” She removed her napkin from her lap and placed it on the table.
“I’ll be out of the condo tomorrow.” Where she’d go, who knew? But it was past time she made a clean break. And starting over someplace new, like Neve had suggested, was starting to sound pretty good. “My spare key is under the flowerpot on the porch. The keys to the car will be on the kitchen table. All the furniture and furnishings your overpriced decorator forced on me will be waiting for you.”
“This is all your fault, Mr. Develen,” her mother screeched. Then she turned to Brooke. “Don’t you see? He’s turned you against me. He’s trying to lure you away.”
“He’s done nothing of the sort.”
“Where will you go?” Her mother feigned worry. “Where will you live?”
To Brooke’s surprise, Shane answered. “We’ll find a place, and when we do we’ll let you know where it is.” She whipped her head around to look at him. He winked and whispered, “Maybe.”
“ ‘We’?” she asked. “As in you and me becoming boyfriend and girlfriend and living together?”
He nodded, looking hopeful. “If you want to. From a financial standpoint it makes sense, since we’re going to be spending a lot of time together.” Brooke’s heart did an excited flutter. “If you’re not ready to take that step it’s perfectly fine. At the very least I want us to be in the same town.”
“You said I don’t fit in your world and you don’t fit in mine.”
Of course, her mother wouldn’t let an opportunity like that pass her by. “And he is absolutely correct.”
Shane ignored her mother, shifting in his chair to face Brooke. “Which is why I propose we create our own world by picking a location where we both want to live, where we both feel comfortable and neither of us has a past.”
“You’ve already moved out of your parents’ house. Where did you move to?”
“Well,” he smiled, “right now, I guess I’ve moved into a hotel in Albany until my girlfriend decides where I’m going to live.”
His girlfriend. Brooke thought she might tear up with pure joy. Until her mother ruined it with, “You and he together is absolutely preposterous. He’s not Jewish.” She spat out those last three words as if they’d serve as a death knell to any further conversation.
But over the past few days, Brooke had thought long and hard on the matter of religion. She turned to face her mother. “You know what? Being Jewish does not guarantee a man will make a good husband or father. And I’m religious enough and intelligent enough that I can teach my children the beliefs and traditions of Judaism without having to rely on my partner to help me.”
At her mother’s shocked expression Brooke realized the magnitude of what she’d said and turned back to Shane. “I didn’t mean to assume…” he wanted to marry her or have children with her. She couldn’t meet his eye. “…to imply…” if they did have children they’d be brought up Jewish. That he had no say in the matter. “I…”
He lifted her chin, placing his face where she had no choice but to look at him. “We have lots of time to decide,” he said quietly. “But I’m hoping our children could be taught the beliefs and customs of both Judaism and Christianity and that we can celebrate the holidays of both.”
Brooke’s heart swelled with even more love for Shane and hope for their future together.
“Stop!” her mother cried out. “You hardly know this man. He’s not suitable. I won’t stand for it. Len, do something.”
Enough. Brooke slid back her chair and stood, staring down at her mother. “It’s not your decision, Mother. I’ve found the man I love, on my own, and he’s the man I choose.”
“You love me?” Shane asked, pushing off the table to stand beside her.
While she hadn’t meant to tell him so soon, or in a room with her mother and father present, Brooke nodded. She’d fallen in love with him over months of overseas correspondence. Yes, his injury had changed him. But his core values and his caring, thoughtful nature remained the same.
“I love you, too,” he said, catching her by surprise.
Did he really mean it? Or had he said it in response to her declaration?
“Of course you love her.” Her mother’s voice dripped with contempt. “She’s your ticket to a better life. She’s beautiful and has money and class and style. She’s a member of a powerful family that could open doors you couldn’t possibly open on your own.”
“You’re wrong,” Shane told her mother. Then, looking into Brooke’s eyes, his eye moving from side to side between both of hers, he said, “I love her because she’s sweet and caring and puts others before herself. I love her because she’s kind, because she stands up to me and stands up for me and knows what I need before I know it myself. Loving Brooke makes me thankful I didn’t die, makes me appreciate the gift of life I’ve been blessed with and makes me want to live each day to its fullest. Starting now.”
His words touched her soul, swatting away any doubt she’d had. Brooke didn’t want to share this moment with her parents; she wanted Shane all to herself. “Let’s go.” She took his hand and he followed her toward the entryway.
“Where are you going?” her mother bellowed. “We are not done discussing this.”
“There’s nothing to discuss,” Brooke said over her shoulder. “I’m leaving. With Shane.” To go where? She had no idea, but as long as they were together she felt confident she’d wind up okay.
Her mother called after them, “Don’t you dare leave with that man. If you do, you will no longer be welcome in this house.”
Brooke stopped, not for concern over her mother’s threat but to warn her. “Be very careful, Mother, because I am leaving with Shane. If that means I’m no longer welcome in this house then so be it.”
In the silence that followed Brooke walked out the front door, holding Shane’s hand, feeling surprisingly relieved to never have to return to her parents’ home again. They made it halfway down the walk before she heard her father’s voice behind them.
“Wait.”
She didn’t want to, but Shane stopped so she did, too.
“Don’t listen to your mother,” her father said. “You are a part of this family and you will always be welcome in our home.”
Maybe by him, but not by her mother.
“I love you,” he said, leaning in to kiss Brooke’s cheek for the first time in years. “I’m sorry about what you went through all those years ago. Trust me when I tell you, Jackson will pay. I’ll see to it.”
“Daddy, no.”
“In subtle ways.” He patted her shoulder. “Bit by bit. Every opportunity I get, I will use to my advantage.”
“Thank you, Daddy.” She released Shane’s hand to hug her father. “I love you, too.”
“Then think about this.” He looked between her and Shane. “Albany has some beautiful suburbs.”
“No.” Absolutely not.
“Hear me out,” her dad urged. “Aaron has done some digging, and your young man has an impeccable record of service in the army. He’s well respected by his commanding officer, who noted he’s a quick thinker and a good shot. I’d like to hire him on my security team.”
“You have a team?” Brooke asked.
“Yes, I do.” Her dad smiled and turned to Shane. “I think you’d be a valuable addition.”
“I only have one eye and a bum leg, sir. I don’t see what value I’d add.”
“A security detail needs a point person to strategize, plan, and coordinate. After Hannah’s cancer scare, Aaron wants to take her to Europe for an extended vacation. But he won’t unless he has someone here he trusts to look after me and my family.”
Shane shot her a quick glance, too fast for her to gauge his reaction to the offer. “It sounds like a great opportunity, sir. Thank you. Brooke and I will discuss it.”
“Wherever you wind up,” her father held out his hand, “take good care of her.”
Shane shook it firmly. “I will.”
“We’ll take care of each other,” Brooke added with emphasis.
Her dad smiled. “I have no doubt you will.”
At the Jeep, Shane held her door closed until she looked up at him. “You okay?”
Brooke thought about it for a few seconds and answered honestly. “Yes. I feel great, actually.” She’d stood up to her mother. Her father loved her and had offered Shane a job. But more important, Shane loved her.
“You were amazing in there. The way you stood up to your mother. For me.” He dipped his head and kissed her.
“For us.” She reached up and set her palm on his cheek. “You gave me the courage I needed, the reason I needed.” Hannah always told her, someday, something would be important enough for Brooke to take a stand. She’d been right.
“You won’t regret it.” He shook his head. “Ah, hell. Who am I trying to kid? I’m sure you will now and again. But tonight I will introduce you to the positive side of my imperfect personality.”
“There’s a positive side?” she teased.
“Yes there is.” He nuzzled her ear. “It’s called make-up sex.”
A tingle of delight zipped through her body. “Hmmmmm. I’ve heard of that. What exactly does it entail?”
“My full attention to your pleasure.” His deep, sexy tone proved to be a seductive catalyst to her arousal. “Hour after sensual hour of me proving how much I love you and appreciate you and how sorry I am that I upset you.”
Sounded absolutely perfect. Except, “Why do I have to wait until tonight?”
“Aaron said you haven’t been eating. Neither one of us got any food down at your mother’s table.” He set his forehead to hers. “And we’ll both be needing our strength. So I’m taking you out for a nice meal. Then we’re going to pick up your stuff from Aaron’s house. After that…you’re all mine.”
Loving You Is Easy Page 25
