After taking some deep breaths, she was ready to head in. She opened her door, but before she got out, Mimi was already headed out of the house.
“Hey, baby. This is a surprise.” Her aunt didn’t look like it was a pleasant surprise. When she shut the front door and stepped onto the porch, Sue got a strange feeling she wasn’t welcomed. That was ridiculous. This had once been her home for over six years. Maybe Mimi thought she and Trey were still fighting and she’d draw blood if she got anywhere near the man.
“You can let me in. I promise not to shoot the man. Hell, I didn’t even yell the last time I saw him.” She nodded to his car. “I do want to know what he’s doing here.”
“Let’s go for a walk.”
What the hell? Mimi really wasn’t going to let her in? Panic seized her heart when she realized the refusal of entry might having nothing to do with Trey. She pulled her arm away. “I don’t want to walk. I want to know what’s going on in there. Why are you trying to keep me out of the house?” The woman who had stood by her when everyone else had turned their backs looked away. Shit! “Mimi?”
“Come on, honey.” She wrapped her arm through Sue’s and led her down the driveway. “Let’s walk.”
When they were halfway down the block, her aunt finally looked at her. She smiled, but it couldn’t hide the concern in her eyes. “Wes isn’t ready to talk to you. Not yet.”
This is what she’d feared, but to hear the words knocked the breath out of her. It took her a moment to regain her footing. “How do you know? I want to see him. He may have changed his mind. Hell, he’s obviously talking to Trey. And you know Wes. Even if he’s mad, he’ll at least listen to me.”
Mimi shook her head. “Wes saw you pull up. He told me he didn’t want to see you, then stormed into his room and locked the door.”
The lump in her throat almost gagged her. It’d been three days since Wes had run out of the house. Three days. He should’ve cooled off by now. No matter how bad their arguments had been over the years, Wes had always been willing to listen to her, to make peace. It usually took an hour, one night at the most. But this was way too long. It couldn’t go on any longer.
“Look, he may not want to see me, but we need to talk. I can’t live like this anymore.” She turned back to the house.
“Sue.” Her aunt’s voice was firm, but still full of compassion. She walked up and rubbed her shoulder. “This isn’t about you. You have to do what’s best for Wes right now.”
She jerked back. “How can you say that? I’ve always done what’s best for Wes.”
“There’s not a mother out there who’s done a better job for her boy, but this . . . baby, this is going to take some time.”
Sue knew they’d dropped a bomb on Wes, but she hadn’t realized it was nuclear. She looked up at the house, searching Wes’s empty window, then turned to Trey’s car. How could this be happening? “But he’s willing to talk to Trey?”
Mimi sighed. “The bottom line is Wes wants to spend time with Trey, now more than ever.”
The bile rose up in Sue’s throat. Her recently-born acceptance of Trey’s presence evaporated.
Reaching out, Mimi squeezed her hand. “Surely you understand. All this time, Wes thought Trey didn’t care about him. This is probably the biggest crisis . . . revelation, I don’t know what you’d call it, but it’s the biggest thing he’s experienced in his life.”
“And that’s why he needs me more than ever. Nobody knows him, loves him like I do.”
Mimi gave her a tender smile. “Deep down he knows that, and I know he loves you, no matter how upset he is. But he blames you for keeping them apart. He’s not going to come to terms with that overnight.”
Sue propped her hands on her hips. “So how long is he going to shut me out? A month? Six months?”
“I doubt that but give him time. The more you push him, the longer it’ll take.”
“So in the meantime, that man,” she said, jabbing her finger at the house, “gets to come over and play Daddy Dearest, the damn hero.” She growled but held her tongue, pinning down the Tourette’s episode waiting to jump free. Finally, she could speak without flames shooting from her lips. “How many times has he been over here?”
Mimi didn’t answer.
Oh, God! “How many?”
“Wes has a lot of questions. He—”
“Mimi?”
“Every day.”
“Shit!” She stared at the house, then turned to Mimi and grabbed her shoulders. “You’ve got to help me. You’ve got to convince Wes to see me.”
“You know I will.” She hugged Sue, then ran her fingers over her cheek. “Try not to make yourself sick with worry. I know it seems terrible right now, but this will all work out. I promise.”
“Oh, it will all right. I’ll make damn sure of that.” She stormed over to her car. When she looked back at the house, she caught Trey staring from the window. It didn’t solve anything, but it felt fantastic when she flipped him the bird.
* * *
He had no urge to respond to the woman’s angry gesture. He knew the hurt behind her fury. The universe seemed to have it out for the three of them. Only two at a time were allowed a peaceful relationship. No doubt he loved spending time with Wes, but it was wrong for Sue to be on the outs.
Today, he’d watched her with Mimi. Seen how broken she was, just like Wes. Her look of despair had sent him back seventeen years to that hospital room when he’d walked out on them. This time, he’d do the right thing.
Chapter 16
Sue sat in her car in the city garage, in no hurry to leave. In any other instance, she’d be racing home to grab Wes and head out for a celebratory dinner at Jardin’s. The Wilkerson project had closed today. Almost one hundred high-paying jobs were coming to Waco thanks to her and a team of economic development specialists.
The Governor’s office had called that afternoon. The big guy himself wanted her at the press conference when they made the official announcement next week. In the world of economic development, it was a damn good day.
But she felt like crap.
Throwing her head back, she tried deep breathing to release the knot in her chest. It didn’t budge. Hadn’t budged for over a week now, ever since Wes had left. She knew it’d be there until he came home.
He still wouldn’t take her calls, and Mimi wouldn’t let her come over, always saying, “He needs time.” Needs time. How long could her boy ignore her? Mimi didn’t understand that the whole give-him-some-time scheme would only make matters worse. Every day she was out of the picture, Trey was over there, gaining ground, no doubt reminding Wes that it was she who had kept them apart all these years. How was that going to help her situation? Was she supposed to sit around and wait while Trey brainwashed her son into hating her even more?
“Screw that.” She started the car and headed for Mimi’s. She’d get in that house if it killed her.
When she pulled onto Mimi’s street, Sue drove by the house, relieved to see that Wes’s car was there, pissed that Trey’s was there as well. Mimi’s car wasn’t in sight, but it could be in the garage. That would make things tricky. The woman might be the dearest person in her life, but Mimi was determined to keep her out. She would have to infiltrate the compound unnoticed, then find Wes before her sweet aunt kicked her to the curb, literally.
She parked at the end of the street and casually walked toward the house. When she got to the property line, she ducked behind the huge live oak that towered over the house. From this vantage point, she could scan the yard and the windows for Mimi or any one alerting her of Sue’s approach.
All clear.
Moving as fast as she could in her heels, she raced to the side of the house. She knew where Mimi kept the key to the fence. She’d sneak into the backyard, then head into the house before anyone could stop her. She pulled the key out of the fake rock and was about to unlock the gate when she heard voices.
“It’s great out here. I can’t believe it’s F
ebruary.” Trey’s voice. Damn him.
“I know,” Wes said. Her Wes. She should be sitting with him right now. Sue lifted the key to the lock, then froze. Maybe she’d gather a little intel before making herself known. What did they talk about when she wasn’t around?
She heard something dragging across the wooden deck, then heard squeaks and groans. The guys were probably settling into chairs, planning to hang out for a while. It seemed like an eternity before either spoke. Typical guys.
“School going all right?”
“It’s okay.”
Okay? What was Wes talking about? He was an outstanding student, up for Valedictorian. Okay my ass.
“Have you thought any more about colleges?”
“Not really.” She could picture her boy shrugging. “I’ve heard from some of them, but I haven’t decided anything yet.”
It’s already been decided, darlin’. You’re going to Penn.
“You don’t have to choose based on cost. I set up a savings account some time ago. There’s enough to pay for whatever school you want.”
What? Once again, Trey on his white freakin’ horse. They didn’t need his money. She’d saved diligently, and along with scholarships—which he was sure to receive—Wes could go to any school he wanted. Time to shut this down.
“When did you do this?” The confused tone in Wes’s voice stopped her in her tracks.
Trey made them wait to the point of frustration before he finally answered. “After you were born.”
More silence. Her hand grew sweaty around the key. She was stuck, wanting to interrupt, yet wanting to see how Wes would react.
“I thought you didn’t want anything to do with us. Why would you set up a savings account for me?”
“I may have been a selfish asshole, but I wasn’t about to leave you and your mother destitute. I offered your mom child support, but she wouldn’t have any part of it. She wouldn’t talk to me for that matter. I couldn’t blame her. Mimi helped her out early on, but I wanted your mom to have a security net in case she ever needed it. But as you know, your mother has done quite well.”
Damn right. In fact, her desire to avoid touching his guilt money had been one more motivation for her to bust her butt throughout her career.
“Mom refused child support?”
“Yes, but—”
A loud crash erupted from the backyard, sending the hairs up on her neck.
“That’s fucked up.” Heavy footsteps pounded the deck, and she knew Wes was pacing. “She’d rather struggle for years instead of taking your help just so she could keep you away from me. What kind of selfish mother does that?”
Tears burned her eyes as hate poured out with his words. How would she ever get her boy back?
The storm door squeaked.
“Get back here.” Trey’s voice was rough. His sharp tone raised her hackles, but before she could move, Wes spoke up.
“I’m out of here.”
“Sit your ass down and listen.”
Whoa! Did he really think the Dirty Harry attitude would work on Wes? She waited for her son to explode, but he didn’t say a word. Finally, the storm door shut, then there were footsteps and the sound of a squeaking chair.
“You’ve got every right to be angry. You got a shitty hand, especially when it comes to fathers. But as far as your mother goes, don’t you ever question her actions. Every decision she’s made has been based on what she thought was best for you. If it hadn’t been for your mother, you wouldn’t be here.”
What the hell was he doing? She raced to unlock the gate but dropped the key.
Oblivious to the damage he was inflicting, Trey went on. “And no, I didn’t want her to get an abortion, but our parents were pushing for it. Her father kicked her out of the house because of her decision.”
No! She’d never wanted Wes to know that.
“Mom said she moved in with Mimi because Mimi didn’t work, and she could help take care of me while she went to school.”
“That’s exactly what I’m talking about. She told you that to protect you. Did she ever tell you that the original plan was to put you up for adoption? That was the only way her father would let her back in his house.”
“Stop it!” she screamed over the fence, unlocking the gate with trembling hands. “Don’t say another word.” Despite her heels sinking, she stomped around to the back of the house, finding the two guys standing on the deck, looking shocked to see her.
“What are you doing here?” Wes yelled. But behind all the anger, he looked so lost.
“Wes, we have to talk. You need to hear what I have to say.”
“Fine.” Wes walked up to her, his face just inches from hers. “Is it true? Were you going to put me up for adoption?”
She shot death rays at Trey. Could he see the harm he’d done? Turning back to Wes, she forced back her anger. “That was the original plan, but—”
“Jesus!” Wes stared at her, then ran his hands through his hair. He meandered around the yard, then stopped in front of her, his eyes mixed with shock and misery. “Fuck! You’ve lied about my whole life? What else is there?”
Sue didn’t say a word. Where did she even begin?
“Tell me!”
“There isn’t anything else. Listen to me . . . Originally, I thought adoption was the best thing . . . for everyone, especially for you. But when I saw you, when I held you, I knew I needed you as much as you needed me. There was no way I could give you away.” She cautiously placed her hand on his shoulder. “No matter what you think of me, you have to believe that. You were wanted from the day you were born.”
Wes shirked off her hand and distanced himself from her and Trey. He glanced back and forth between the two, as if monitoring to see if they were hiding any more secrets. Trey must have noticed it as well.
“Your mother’s telling the truth. If you have any doubt about her love, remember this. She was seventeen—your age, Wes—and didn’t think twice about keeping you even though she had no clue about raising a child. Her whole life would change. Do you think that was an easy choice? Would you have done it? I didn’t.”
Trey turned to her. She saw the regret in his face, but was it because of his actions back then or because of the painful reality he was forcing on Wes right now? So much was coming out. She wanted to grab her boy and take him away from all the ugly truths of their past.
“I screwed up royally, and I’ve paid the price for it. When your mother made the decision to keep me out of your life, I was pissed as hell, but she thought she was doing the right thing. She had every right to decide what was best for you.” He looked over at her, and then back to Wes. “You know everything now. No more secrets.”
Wes shook his head. “I’m outta here.”
Before he reached the back door, Trey called out, “Stay. We’re leaving.” He walked over and grabbed her arm, pushing her toward the gate.
“Let go.” She turned back and saw Wes staring out over the yard. She needed to comfort him. Lord knows, he had to be hurt and confused. She started back for him, but Trey kept pulling her to the gate. “Come on.”
Once they were in the driveway, she jerked her arm free and shoved at his chest, with no effect. “Do you have any idea how you just fucked up everything?”
He ignored her and opened the passenger door to his SUV. “Get in.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“You can yell all you want, but in the car. I don’t want Wes to hear us.”
“Hah! Now you worry about what Wes hears?”
Trey looked up into the sky, as if asking for divine intervention, and let out a deep sigh. “Just get in the damn car.” She was about to tell him to go to hell, but then she remembered the lost look on Wes’s face. As much as it made her skin crawl, she had to admit the man was right. Wes didn’t need to hear his parents fighting. Oh God! The fact that she’d thought “parents” disgusted her. She was Wes’s parent. Trey was a donor.
As soon as he p
ulled out of the driveway, she let loose. “What the hell do you think you were doing back there?” Her yelling made him wince, but she didn’t care. She would’ve loved to have drawn blood.
“We’re not talking until I park the car.”
“So pull over.”
He ignored her and drove in silence until he stopped at a mini-mart. As soon as he turned off the ignition, she let loose.
“What were you thinking, telling—?”
“Stay put.”
What the hell? Before she could argue, he was out of the car. By the time he returned with a big-ass slushee, she was ready to spit. “Are you fucking kidding me? You’re getting a kid’s treat after the hell-fire you’ve just set?
“Damn!” He smiled. Freakin’ smiled. “When did you get such a mouth, Ms. Brinkley?”
“When you came into town, Mr. Harrison.” She flipped him off and turned her back on him.
“Come on.” He nudged her arm. “It’s cherry, your favorite . . . at least it was until Stacy McKinley’s party.”
He caught her off guard, recalling that night from so many years ago. She didn’t allow herself walks down memory lane, at least from that particular period of time. But here she was, vividly remembering how she and Stacy had mixed vodka with their cherry slushees. How they’d laughed hysterically until Sue had stumbled and landed on her butt. Trey had pulled her onto the couch and stayed by her side for the rest of the party.
Stop it! “I’m past the kiddy drink phase.”
“Sorry, princess. I would’ve picked up some Evian, but this was closer to the door. I had to be ready to catch you if you started running to Mimi’s house.”
She snapped her head around. “Like you could.”
He unwrapped the straw and stuck it in the drink. “Come on, have a drink. You could use some sugar.” He held out the cup, but she pushed it away. He shrugged his shoulders, then took a long swig.
“You had no right to tell Wes about the adoption. There’s no reason for him to know that. And for God’s sake, why would you even mention abortion? That was never on the table. The poor kid’s had enough shit since you’ve arrived. Are you trying to push him over the edge?”
Then He Came Back (Love From Austin Book 2) Page 8
