“Am I the only one here that thinks this is completely insane?” Kat was losing her cool while I cracked jokes.
Branch laughed. “It’s only weird if we make it that way, Katy. Look, we’ve all moved on now and clearly it’s for the best. Whatever you have against me needs to be worked out. We were a family before, and we’re even more of a family now. Look, Mel and I are getting married. You’ve got a kid that I don’t think any of us knew about. You’re obviously with my brother now. We wouldn’t have come today if we knew it was going to make you so mad. If it makes you happy, we can leave.”
Kat looked around the room at everyone who clearly loved her. She seemed conflicted. Then I saw that look I recognized too well. Before I could stop her she said what was on her mind. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m sorry for what I did. I’m sorry for lying about my feelings. I’m sorry for hurting everyone in this room, especially Brooks. All of this could have been avoided if none of you ever loved me.” When she was finished she hauled ass upstairs.
“Are you going to go after her?” Branch asked me.
“She’s not mad at me. Just give her a second to calm down. This is a lot for her.”
“What about you?” He asked. “You have a freaking kid. What’s up with that?”
I looked over at my daughter. “Yeah, about that. Before you get all excited for me, I think you may want to know when she was conceived.”
It took him a second. “No way? You’ve got to be joking.”
“I’m not.”
“Who found who?” He wondered.
“She wrote me first. Then I wrote her back. Then I wrote some more. Then I moved to South Carolina.”
Branch held up his hand. “Okay, I get the gist.”
“I think you should go up and check on her.” My suggestion made Branch seem uncomfortable.
“Is she going to stab me with something?”
“Maybe.”
He whispered something to Melissa before heading for the stairs. “If she gives me a black eye I’m going to be pissed.”
“You deserve it,” I said before his body disappeared up the steps.
One way or another Kat was about to get a dose of Branch. They needed to have it out, once and for all. If he said something to piss her off I knew she could handle herself.
Chapter 46
Okay, I lied about being cool about Branch confronting her. After a few seconds I ran up the steps, standing outside of my bedroom door so I could hear what they were saying. I wanted to be there when she cut him to pieces for keeping us apart.
“Brooks is probably going to beat my ass for what I’m about to say to you, but I think it’s time you and I got some things out in the open.”
It was too soon to clench my fists together. I took a deep breath and remained calm.
“Fine. Say what’s on your mind. I know you’re dying to.” Her response was flip and short. I smiled thinking about the look on her face.
“Some things never change, do they, Katy?”
“What do you mean by that?” Oh yeah, she was defensive. It was about to get good.
“I mean your attitude when it comes to you being in the wrong.” Branch was testing her, that’s for sure. He knew what buttons to push.
“You just reminded me of why we aren’t together. You think the whole world revolves around you, like you should be worshipped.” Her words made me cover my mouth to prevent them from hearing me laugh.
“We aren’t together because you fucked my brother the night before we were to be married, or have you forgotten that? I’m sure you haven’t because judging from my calculations that would have been the night you conceived that pretty little girl downstairs. I still can’t believe it. I can’t believe that you ran away and had his child without telling anyone. How could you do that? Did you do it to get back at me? You did, didn’t you? You wanted me to pay so badly that you cost my parents years without their only grandchild. Tell me I’m wrong. Give me some other reason why you couldn’t come home?”
Before I was able to go in there and attack my brother, I heard Kat defending us. “Don’t you dare act like you’re innocent. All of this is your fault, Branch. You kept us apart. You lied to me to make me think he never loved me. How could you do that to me? Why?”
“Because I wanted you for myself, that’s why. No matter what we were doing, he was always your favorite. I hated how you looked at him. We were supposed to be the same. You think I didn’t notice the way he always defended you? He promised me that we’d never fight, but yet he had to sneak behind my back when it came to you.”
He was being bitter about me sneaking to be with her, but I had every right to.
“Are you talking about our first kiss?” She asked.
“You’re damn right I am. He had to have more, even after we’d made a pact.”
“We were twelve you big idiot. How can you look at yourself in the mirror, knowing that you’re an adult and you act like a child?”
“Don’t judge me, Katy. Go judge Mr. Perfect downstairs that at any time could have stopped you the night you were together. He could have pushed you away and told you he felt nothing. He was in the wrong. It’s like you’re blind when it comes to him. I don’t even get why.”
“Don’t you dare turn this around. He’s the victim and you hate that. You can’t stand that you did all of this. You can’t stand that after all of it, he still got me. Let me just tell you something. I don’t care how long we were together, or what you did to try to make me happy. You could never be him, Branch. No matter how much you tried. You’re too different. You care about yourself while he puts himself last.”
I stopped laughing because her words confirmed it all. She wasn’t just telling him how she felt. She was driving the dagger into his chest. Kat wanted Branch to apologize, and it seemed like she wasn’t going to stop until he did.
“You’re right. That’s why I did what I did. It’s why I told you he didn’t want you and it’s why I told him to back off. I knew he’d listen because he always cared about everyone else. Once I had you I knew he wouldn’t want my sloppy seconds.”
Her next statement shocked me. I couldn’t believe she was being so bold. “That’s where you’re wrong, Branch. I bet you didn’t know he lost his virginity to me in that room right across the hall. You see, on the anniversary of when my parents died, I thought it was you that would come into my room and comfort me. I thought it was you holding me because that’s what a boyfriend was supposed to do. Little did I know that it was Brooks. He made love to me only days after our first time together, and then on the same day the next year. Both times it wasn’t like anything I’d ever felt before.”
He’d read my letter. Her statement wasn’t a secret, but her knowing was. “What? You knew?”
“No. I didn’t know at first. We were together twice, and he never told me. I can’t blame him. Though, at first, I wanted to kill him.”
“God, I can’t believe this.”
“I couldn’t believe it either. More than that, I couldn’t believe that the man I was planning on marrying had conned me into loving him. Did you really think that I’d be happy and that Brooks would never tell me the truth?”
“He gave me his word that I could have you.” That’s not entirely true. It wasn’t like he was making it out to be.
“He told me no that night. That night at the hotel, you were so drunk. You said some horrible things and Brooks just wanted me to feel better. He found me on the roof crying, and everything happened so fast. I know you could never understand and that you’ll probably hate me forever, but I’ve never felt something so powerful as when I’m close to him. It doesn’t matter how long we’re apart, or what’s standing in our way, it’s always there. Branch, I’m so sorry that I hurt you. I left because I couldn’t face you that next morning. I couldn’t look you in the eyes and tell you that I was in love with your brother. I felt so ashamed. The thing is, you knew it all along. You’d been keeping us apart because you
knew what we had, didn’t you? Do you have any idea what I’ve gone through because of all of this? I ran away from the only family I have left. I had a child that I couldn’t tell anyone about, because I thought they all hated me, including your brother. I moved to a town with nothing but the clothes in my suitcase. You could have prevented all of this. Brooks didn’t have to miss the birth of his daughter.”
I was ready to walk away. There wasn’t anything Kat could say that I didn’t already know. Plus I didn’t want her coming out and seeing me standing there.
“How did you know she was his?”
“I did the math, and the doctors gave me a three day window of when I conceived. Then we learned you were sterile, which by the way, thanks for that. Another lie that you went along with to get me to marry you.”
“Okay. I get the damn point. I was a shitty brother and a lying boyfriend. It doesn’t change that fact that you were only with me because you thought he didn’t want you. I was your fucking consolation prize, so yeah, I lied. I didn’t want either of you to be happy, so I did what I had to do. I gave you everything you wanted, and you still ran to him. All you had to do was be faithful for one night and you couldn’t. You had to be with him. Let me know something, Katy. Would you have still married me if I hadn’t caught you with him?”
Her answer, that probably hurt him, made me so happy. “No. I think I knew I wasn’t going to marry you the moment he walked through the door. Branch, if you ever loved me, in any way, you’d know that I wasn’t with Brooks because I wanted to hurt you. I was with Brooks because I couldn’t stop myself. Every bone in my body calls for him. When he touches me it’s electric. We both loved you and it was the only reason that I walked away from you and from him.”
It was clear my brother was getting upset. His voice had changed, and his answers were taking longer. “I did love you, Katy. It wasn’t the right kind of love, but it was real. I can’t live like this anymore. I’ve got a good life and Melissa’s a great woman. I love her, and I know we’ll be happy. She’s okay with having to adopt and I don’t keep secrets from her. Except for one.”
“One?”
“For so long I’ve told her that I hated you. I wanted you to be miserable and poor. Then I saw your daughter, and I realized what I’d taken from you. You don’t have to remind me of what I did. Knowing that I can’t have children has been difficult for me to come to grips with. Seeing that Brooks had a child is when it really hit me. You’re right, Katy. I kept you apart, and it’s my fault you ran away from Brooks. I’m sorry he wasn’t there for you. I’m sorry none of us were, because family is supposed to stick together, no matter what. It’s time I admit it out loud. I want you to be happy with my brother, because he’s loved you for as long as I can remember and I’m sorry for keeping you apart. I suppose I deserved to hear about him sneaking in your room. He always was your hero.”
She laughed. “He still is. I thought he’d hate me for keeping my pregnancy from him, but he didn’t.”
My brother’s next words allowed me to walk away. We were all going to be okay now. There was nothing left to worry about.
“Can we please be a family again? I’d really like to get to know my niece, and Melissa misses you. She thinks you hate her.”
I found Kat a little later after they’d both come back downstairs with the rest of us. Before she could tell me what they talked about I kissed her softly. “Do you feel better?”
“Yeah, I actually think I do.”
“So I’m your hero, huh?”
“You were listening?”
“I’d like to call it protecting,” I said sarcastically.
“Well, as you could hear, I had it handled.”
“Yeah, you sure did. I’m proud of you, Kat.”
“Thanks. That means a lot.”
Chapter 47
After everyone seemed to chill out, especially Kat and Branch, I felt like it was a good time to run out to the store with my dad. Even though they had arm floats for B, I thought a swim ring would be better, so she could float around on her own and feel independent, while still being safe. She also needed another bathing suit, from rubbing her butt on the concrete her other one had gotten nasty in the rear.
It was nice driving through the familiar community with my dad, reminiscing about my childhood, and places I’d been.
“You don’t talk about overseas much,” he mentioned as we sat at a red light.
“There’s nothing good to say about it. I watched a lot of people die. It sticks with you even when you leave. I was one of the lucky ones, dad. A couple of my friends weren’t so fortunate.”
“I figured. You know, your mom and I watch a lot of news about what’s going on over there. It was rough knowing we couldn’t do anything to help you.”
“Yeah, about that. I’m sorry I didn’t write. When I was away I wasn’t myself. I had demons that kept me from expressing myself. I didn’t have anything good to say. I still don’t. I love this country, but what I’ve experienced will haunt me. I’m just glad I have Brooklyn because even on my worst days I know I can look at her and smile.”
“She’s beautiful, son. She’s by far the best thing that’s ever happened to this family. We understand why Katy stayed away. I just want you to know how glad we are that you’re both back. I hope you consider moving closer, otherwise I can see your mom looking at real estate a little more south.”
I let out an air-filled laugh. “It’s nice down there, but I think in due time maybe we could settle back here, where we both grew up. Brooklyn would benefit. I have a feeling I’m going to like taking her to museums and other significant places around the area when she’s old enough to appreciate it.”
We pulled into the mall parking lot, but never got out of the car. “Is everything okay between the two of you, Brooks? I see that you’re both overjoyed to be together, but I get this feeling like there’s something you’re not telling us. Is she pregnant again? Are you having money trouble?”
“You and I both know Kat is good on money. In fact, we’re both doing well as far as that goes. There’s nothing you need to worry about, dad. My little family is perfect.”
“Maybe I’m just overreacting because it’s been so long.”
I put my hand on my dad’s shoulder and looked him directly in the eyes. “My little girl needs us to hurry back so she can swim. Let’s go try to pick out something Kat and Mom will approve of.”
By the time we arrived back at the house we’d been gone for nearly an hour. Nothing had changed. Branch and Melissa had become obsessed with my daughter. I found them both on the floor playing dolls as if they’d turned themselves into toddlers. Kat was sitting on the couch behind them, seemingly interested in the whole interaction.
B saw me and came running. “Daddy!”
I happily picked her up into my arms, kissing her sweet cheek. “Hey, pretty girl. Daddy missed you.”
“Me go to pool,” she asked.
I knelt down and opened the bag that contained her new suit and swim ring. “Look what I got you?”
She grabbed the suit and spun around. “Put it on. Put it on.”
It delighted me to have this bond with my own child. I loved her so much that I couldn’t contain the happiness that radiated off of me when she was near. “Let’s go upstairs and get your swim pants on first. Mom-mom won’t be happy if you poop in her pool.”
Kat had mentioned that she was trying desperately to potty train her. On some days she did well, but with all this excitement she’d been right back to needing a diaper all the time again. I wasn’t worried about it. With my help we’d make it happen.
I caught Kat staring off into the distance. She assured me that she was only thinking about her own father, but I wondered if she was telling me truth. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t think Kat had a habit of lying to me. The circumstance with Bobby rubbed me the wrong way, so if she was worried about that she’d keep it to herself. I gave her a kiss before turning all of my attention to our b
eautiful little girl.
She kept repeating the same words again, reminding me that she was waiting. “Put it on. Put it on.”
I scooped her up. “Let’s go get pretty and show everyone that Daddy knows how to shop.”
Her little red bikini with ruffles was the cutest thing on her. I let her wear my glasses for her big reveal. I could tell immediately that Kat was pleased with my selection. “Yook at me. I pwetty,” B announced.
My mom acted extremely excited, getting a reaction out of our sweet girl. She giggled and came running back to me, letting me scoop her back up. I brought her over to Kat. “What do you think? Is she not the cutest kid ever?”
“She is. You did good.”
I started spinning my little beauty queen around in circles. “B, let’s go out and learn how to swim.”
When I pulled out her float and began blowing it up, B seemed memorized by its growth. I held onto the nozzle and reached it over for her to try. “You blow on it.” She tried, getting more slobber than air. The slobber didn’t bother me. That DNA was mine. I placed the float attachment back in my mouth without wiping it. Even though it didn’t make me cringe, I saw Kat out of the corner of my eye scrunching up her face. Apparently she didn’t have a stomach of steel. At any rate, I wasn’t ashamed. I’d share anything with my little girl, and I wanted her to know it.
I pulled off my glasses and her flip-flops before I hopped into the pool. Then I held out my arms for her. She jumped right to me, letting out a scream when her body hit the cool water. She trusted me, and it was something I’d cherish for the rest of my days.
In less than a week’s time I had everything I wanted. It was so overwhelming at times that I had to keep reminding myself that it was real.
Enjoying my time in the pool with Brooklyn while my brother watched, only made it all more entertaining. Though I felt bad about him being sterile, a part of me wanted to rub it in his face at the family I now had, after he’d stopped at nothing to prevent it. Plus, I think a part of me was still worried he could have been the father. Doctors have been known to make mistakes. Pinpointing the exact time of conception had to be difficult. Now I knew for sure, without a single doubt, she was mine. No matter what B would always be my flesh and blood. Perhaps Branch saw it that way too. If he were to have a child the same chromosomes would have been shared.
Love Survives (Love Suicide #2) Page 29
