by Liwen Y. Ho
She avoided his gaze. “I-I might be coming down with something. Can we go now?”
“Of course. Hold on, let me give you this.” He took off his suit jacket and placed it around her shoulders. “The A/C’s turned up really high in here.”
“Thank you.” She offered him a small, albeit grateful, smile.
“Let me just let Aiden and Abby know we’re leaving.”
Bria squinted in Abby’s direction. “Wait, is that Abby from the radio? How do you know her? Oh, she and your brother …” her voice trailed off knowingly. “What a small world.”
“Yeah, it is. Do you know her?”
“I only talked to her once on the air. It was when they were doing their Play It Forward campaign.”
Brandon cocked his head, recalling the charity fundraiser Abby had organized. “I remember that.”
“I requested a Heartland song, and Abby agreed to help me find your brother so he could do a good deed. That must’ve been before they started dating.”
His jaw dropped. A conversation came to mind of Aiden telling him about this very request. After his brother and Abby had had a tumultuous start to their relationship, it had been Bria’s phone call that started a series of events that eventually brought them together. What were the chances that the person who played a significant role in Aiden’s love life would be the one playing a part in his? This plot twist was too coordinated to be a coincidence. It was proof of God’s hand working in all their lives.
“What is it?” Bria asked. “Why do you look surprised?”
“I don’t even know where to begin. But I’m sure Abby would want to meet you. Is that okay?”
She nodded slowly. “I guess so.”
Brandon guided Bria toward Abby and introduced them to each other. “This is the woman who called your show to request Aiden’s song.”
“You’re kidding me!” Abby grabbed Bria in a tight hug, all the while exclaiming, “You’re the reason Aiden and I are together. Well, other than God’s intervention in our relationship, but you played a big part in it. Thank you!”
Bria’s expression relaxed considerably, and she smiled genuinely for the first time that day. “I can’t take any of the credit, but I’m glad it worked out for you guys.”
Abby pulled back and narrowed her eyes at Bria. “You certainly can take some of the credit. If you hadn’t called in that day, I would never have had a reason to call up this stubborn but wonderful man again.” She looked fondly at Aiden.
“That’s true,” Aiden agreed as he pulled Abby into his arms.
“And now you’re married to Brandon,” Abby remarked. “Doesn’t God work in amazing ways?”
At the mention of marriage, Bria’s body stiffened. “Uh, our marriage isn’t …”
Brandon rushed in to fill the awkward silence. “I told them what’s going on.”
Bria nodded. “So you understand then how complicated things are.”
Abby held up her hand. “I get it. Life gets messy sometimes. It’s a good thing God is bigger than our messes. He’ll work everything out for you guys like he did for us.” She nuzzled her nose against Aiden’s. “Isn’t that right, baby?”
“Absolutely.”
Brandon held back a smile. If there was anything he was absolutely sure of, it was that his brother was already far gone. Abby had him eating out of the palm of her hand, and he didn’t look like he minded. Good for him. At least one of them was lucky in love. “Bria and I are going to go now. You’re okay getting a ride home with Abby?”
When Aiden didn’t answer, Brandon took his dopey grin as a yes. His brother and Abby were so wrapped up in their own little world, he decided to let them be. “I think they’re good,” he told Bria. “Let’s go.”
Bria nodded readily as she followed him to the nearest exit. They made their way to the adjacent parking garage. Once they got into Brandon’s car, she leaned back against the headrest and shut her eyes.
Brandon watched her with concern. She seemed less anxious now, but it was obvious she wanted to be alone. Why was she closing herself off? This wasn’t how he’d imagined their marriage starting out—not that it was a real marriage, but still. He attempted to engage her in conversation. “Do you want to grab some food before we head back? There’s a good sushi burrito place nearby.”
She shook her head. “I’m not hungry. Let’s just get Seth, please.”
“All right,” he replied with resignation. “I guess we can eat later.”
Brandon started the engine and began driving. He turned the radio down to let Bria sleep. Once they were on the main road, he glanced over to check on her. That was when he noticed her left hand. Her ring finger that he’d placed the wedding band on was now empty.
His stomach sank. He thought for sure she’d like the band. He’d stopped by a jewelry store after picking Aiden up and picked out a matching set, even paying extra to have them engraved in a hurry. They bore identical heartbeat waves, the same image Bria had dared him to get a tattoo of during their junior year. He’d accepted her dare, on the account that she got one, too. It’d been a great bonding experience for them both. Adding the design to their rings was his way of telling her he valued her friendship, the same way he assumed she valued it. Why then would she have taken off the ring?
Chapter Eighteen
Bria
Bria swallowed hard, forcing an oily bite of chow mein down her throat. She set her wooden chopsticks down on her plate and reached for her glass of water. Normally, she enjoyed Chinese take-out, but tonight’s meal didn’t appeal to her taste buds. Actually, nothing on Brandon’s dining table appealed to her much. How could it when she was already stuffed full with guilt?
She thought things couldn’t get worse after Brandon turned down the chance to kiss her, but she’d been wrong. When she was in the restroom, she’d noticed the engraving on her wedding band. The image of an EKG line had stolen her breath away. In that moment, she remembered the promises she and Brandon had made the night they got their matching tattoos. The three Fs: faith, friendship, and fun. Those were the priorities she’d vowed to live by once upon a time. Sadly though, she had traded the first two for the third. She’d given up everything for some temporary pleasure.
Brandon, on the other hand, was the poster child for obedience. All these years later, he was still faithful to God and to his friends. Fun wasn’t his middle name, but that was okay. Bria loved how loyal and supportive he was. It saddened her to know she didn’t deserve a man like him. Which is why she’d removed her wedding band as soon as she could. A scarlet letter suited her much better.
Oh, but she longed to play make-believe for a while. Pretend that she, Seth, and Brandon were the little family she could’ve had if she’d remained faithful to God so many years ago. Pretend that they normally shared their meals together like they were doing tonight. That their home was filled with love and laughter, so much laughter. Why, even now, Brandon had Seth in stitches with his silly puns.
What did the paper say to the pencil? Write on!
Why did the spider go to the computer? To check his website!
What makes the calendar seem so popular? Because it has a lot of dates!
This last one had her son laughing so hard, no sound came out of his mouth. She reached over to rub his back. “Don’t forget to breathe, Seth!”
He wiped tears from his eyes, his cheeks flushed with excitement. “Mr. B.’s so funny, Mom!”
“He is, isn’t he?” Bria had to agree; Brandon was funny and amazing, too. He had broken down Seth’s walls and earned his trust in such a short amount of time. She supposed it made sense, given how similar they were. Understanding Brandon also helped her appreciate Seth more. There was a gentle strength about them that offered some much-needed peace to the world and to her. They might not be your typical guys who liked to roughhouse or shake things up, but that was fine by her. God had made them the way they were for a purpose, corny humor and all.
Shaking her head, she ga
ve Brandon a wry smile across the table. Her stomach dropped when he grinned back. She let her gaze fall as she stuffed another bite of noodles into her mouth. No more pretending; it was time to guard her heart. Lord knows, it had gotten her into enough trouble in her life. But, she reminded herself, she didn’t need a man. She had gotten along fine without one for this long.
Soon, she and Seth would be on their own again. She had texted Richard a copy of their marriage license application, and he’d agreed to drop the custody case after she sent him a copy of the official document. It was a waiting game now. In a week—two, tops—she and Seth would be back in their own apartment. Fortunately, she’d held onto the lease, so nothing much would change.
Except for Seth. She hoped her son wouldn’t miss Brandon too much. But who was she kidding? He was such a sensitive soul; he even teared up during puppy food commercials. And here she was giving him another reason to cry. Guilt crashed down on her heart, increasing her burden even more. She’d never be able to give Seth a father like he deserved. Still, she thanked the Lord for giving her son a glimpse of what a good father looked like.
And for giving her the chance to experience marriage to a godly man.
As if Brandon could read her mind, he stood up and offered to refill her glass. She handed it to him with a quick word of thanks. As he headed to the kitchen, she observed how he moved with ease and confidence in his home. Even though he was only wearing a T-shirt and shorts, and not his fancy suit from two days ago, he looked fantastic. His legs were surprisingly toned and tanned, and she had an inkling to know what it’d be like to cuddle in bed together, her legs intertwined with his. Heat rushed up her face at the thought that she was checking Brandon out, and in front of her son, too. She glanced over at Seth and found him eyeing her with a curious smile.
“Did you have fun on your date with Mr. B.?” An innocent twinkle lit up his baby blues. “You guys were really dressed up that day.”
“Uh, yeah, we were.” Realizing what she’d admitted to, Bria backtracked. “It wasn’t a date, Seth. We just met up with his brother and his brother’s girlfriend.” That was the truth. Getting to meet Aiden and Abby had been a bonus, not to mention the part where she’d learned how she’d played a role in their relationship. She was still blown away that God had used her in that way.
“Sure, Mom.”
Bria raised a brow. Did Seth just roll his eyes at her? She narrowed her own and repeated herself. “Mr. B. and I are not dating.”
He shrugged and stuffed the last bite of an eggroll into his mouth. When he had finished chewing it, he declared, “But if you guys were, it’d be okay with me. I like it here. It’s so cool that we get to live with Mr. B.”
“About that, Seth.” She reached for his hand and patted it. “This is only temporary. I found out we don’t have to move after all. We’ll be able to go back to our place in a week or two.”
His face immediately fell. “Oh.”
Brandon returned with her glass and sat back down. He glanced at her and then at Seth and asked, “What did I miss?”
“Nothing much,” Bria replied as casually as possible. “I just let Seth know we’ll be going back to our apartment soon.”
Brandon placed a hand on Seth’s shoulder. “I know, I’m disappointed, too. But we’ll have fun in the meantime.” He turned to Bria and asked, “Would it be okay if Seth stayed with me for the rest of the week when you’re at work?”
“Are you sure?” Bria’s heart warmed at his offer. Having Seth occupied would make working a lot easier. “What about your writing?”
“I’m still waiting on my editor, and I can do most of my marketing at night.” He grinned at Seth. “What do you say, buddy?”
“Yeah!” Seth bounced up and down in his chair, too excited to sit still. “It’s going to be the best week ever!”
Bria felt her shoulders relax, almost as if on cue, when Seth cheered. “Thank you, Brandon. This is so generous of you.” She smiled so wide, she felt like a swoony teenager on her first date. That was until he responded.
“No worries. I’d do anything for a good friend.” He shifted his attention abruptly to his plate of food and shoved a piece of orange chicken into his mouth. He swallowed just as quickly and turned to Seth. “Would you like to play Scrabble after dinner?”
Seth’s eyes grew round like saucers. “That’s my favorite game! Mom never plays it with me ’cause I always beat her.”
Bria scoffed, but she was secretly glad for the change in conversation. “Always is an exaggeration. Sometimes is more like it.”
“Sometimes all the time,” Seth shot back playfully.
Brandon chuckled. “He got you there, Bria.”
She pretended to pout. “Hey, whose side are you on?”
“His—I mean yours?” After a second, he grinned. “Both, definitely both.”
Despite her earlier disappointment, Bria had to laugh. This was the most fun she’d had in a long time. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea to let herself enjoy this make-believe life. For once, she longed to live in the moment instead of being weighed down by the past. So, she decided to do just that and not let her regrets or anything else get in the way. Not even the fact that her happiness would eventually have to come to an end.
Chapter Nineteen
Brandon
Brandon aimed the remote at the TV screen and turned it off. He glanced to his right and found both Seth and Bria sound asleep on the couch, snuggling under a thin blanket. It was late enough in the evening that the July heat had died down. A light breeze now blew in through the screen door leading to the backyard. They’d just finished watching a movie together, a comedy featuring a pack of mischievous golden retrievers. Or he’d finished watching it; Seth had fallen asleep midway through, and Bria had closed her eyes about ten minutes before the credits rolled.
He rested his arm along the top of the couch as he took in the beautiful sight beside him. This past week of living with Bria and Seth had shown him a glimpse of what family life could be like. He doubted he’d ever experience the wonder himself, but he was thankful for this blessing of being able to play make-believe for a while. He’d had—in Seth’s words—the best week ever, pretending to be a husband and father.
He and Seth had spent hours together at the library while Bria worked. They’d gone to Colin’s ice-cream shop nearly every day and burned off the calories by playing miniature golf and bowling. It’d been such a pleasant surprise to find out they shared these common interests. He’d always felt like the oddball among his brothers for not excelling at contact sports. Being able to do these activities with Seth was a bit like reliving his childhood but in a much safer way.
Bria stirred and opened her eyes. Their gazes locked over Seth’s blond head. She smiled sleepily at him and asked, “Is the movie over?”
“Yep. You missed the best part. The dogs flew off to a remote island and started their own hotel for cats.” He laughed softly when her brows shot up. This was the Bria he remembered from college, the spunky, cheerful one who rolled her eyes at his nerdy jokes. She had gradually reappeared over the past few days, much to his delight. He was more than happy to have his old friend back. “I see doubt in your face. Are you saying you don’t believe me?”
“Nope, not one bit. There wasn’t one dog in the movie who liked cats, and now you’re telling me they decided to start a business for them? That seems a little out of character. I’m not a writer, but I’m sure that’s a big no-no for a story.”
“Okay, you’re right,” he admitted, “that didn’t happen. It’d be as unlikely as having two characters who you expected to fall in love end up with different people. People would not be happy with that. An ending has to make sense.”
“Exactly. Now if you’d told me they opened a doggie resort or even a doggie monastery, I’d have bought it.” She suddenly burst out in laughter and quickly clapped a hand over her mouth. “Listen to us, Brandon. Did you ever think back in college that we’d be having a conve
rsation like this one day? What happened to us?”
“Uh, life happened? Old age?” he joked as he shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t mind though; I kind of like it.”
She cocked her head. “You like staying home on a Saturday night to watch a kiddie movie? There’s no part of you that misses the good ol’ college days?”
“Not really. Back then, I didn’t know myself very well or what I wanted out of life. Now I do.” If he were braver, he’d admit he was referring to her and Seth. But alas, he was a writer used to hiding behind his computer screen. “What about you? It sounds like you miss it.”
Twisting her mouth to the side, she thought for a moment. “I do. I miss the excitement of being able to meet new people and try new things. I miss the freedom we had to stay up late and be spontaneous. I miss not having to think about consequences.” She took a deep breath. “That’s not reality though. We have all these responsibilities now and things to worry about. It feels like there’s one thing after another to deal with, and so little of it is fun. But life should be more than that. Life is about living, not just surviving.”
He nodded, not quite knowing what to say. It seemed Bria wasn’t looking for answers though, just a listening ear.
She looked over at his hand on the back of the couch and tapped the band on his fourth finger. Brandon hadn’t seen her ring since the ceremony, but he had chosen to wear his on his right hand. She met his gaze, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “The rings you got are a good reminder to live life to the fullest. They’re beautiful. Thank you for getting them.”
“Of course. I was thankful the jeweler could do the engravings on such short notice.”
“I can’t believe they’re an exact replica of our tattoos. At least I think they are, based on what I can see of them.” She gave him a wry smile. “You know, it would’ve been nice to have gotten our tattoos in a more visible place. The only time I see mine is in the bathroom mirror, and even then, it’s hard to see.”
