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“Fuck.” I rub at my temples. “It’s bad, isn’t it?”
“It’s not really my story to tell. I didn’t even know about any of it until recently.” She sighs. “But yeah, it’s bad. I’ll tell you if you’d like me to.”
Fuck. All that rivalry with Donny Steel over him being chosen MVP over me, the quarterback. What happened to him and his brother? Abuse, most likely. Or neglect. Enough for the courts to terminate parental rights. Or maybe they were orphans, left alone by a tragic death of their parents.
“I’m sorry. Don’t tell me. Not unless they say it’s okay.”
She nods. “It’s probably better that way. It’s in the past, and as you can see, both Dale and Donny are thriving now, thanks to our parents and the rest of the family. Aunt Mel especially. She got them through that first year, along with a child psychologist in Denver.”
I gulp. Damn. “How can Dale and Donny be so different? Dale’s such a recluse, and Donny was always the life of the party. He still is.”
“People handle things differently. Some go inward, others outward.”
“Melanie?”
I nod. “Yeah. Like I said, she’s brilliant.”
“She’s Brock’s mother.”
She lets out a chuckle. “Well, of course she is. You know that.”
“I do. It’s just… I never thought about it before now. How Brock comes from a highly intelligent mom. His and Rory’s kids could be that smart.”
“My uncle Joe is no slouch either.”
“I get that. But your aunt has written books, has helped people heal from trauma. She specializes in children, doesn’t she?”
“She’s retired now, but yeah, she did. She also saw adults, though. My father was her patient at one time.” Her hand goes over her mouth once more. “Shit! What is wrong with me?”
“There’s nothing wrong with you, Brianna.” I throw my arm around her shoulders. “You trust me, and I trust you. If you want to tell me, I’ll take whatever you say to my grave. And if you don’t, that’s okay too.”
She caresses my arm. “I’d love to be able to confide in you about everything. And I do trust you. But it’s still all so new to me. My parents, aunts, and uncles kept so many secrets from us while we were growing up. You know one of the big ones.”
“Your uncle Ryan and Wendy,” I say. “Your new aunt.”
“Yeah, but in my family’s defense, they didn’t know about Lauren and Jack or Pat Lamone. But the rest of it?” She sighs. “They knew.”
And just like that, as if an angel swooped down from heaven, my burden about the Steels is lifted.
I’m in love with Brianna.
And her family, as rich as they are, are just as far from perfect as any other family. One day I’ll ask her what happened to Dale and Donny—and why her father was in therapy—but not tonight.
Tonight, I’m going to enjoy no longer bearing such a heavy load in my head. I’m going to enjoy Brianna and not hold her family against her.
“I love you,” I say.
“I love you too, Jesse.”
“I’m no longer angry, so I want to make love to you. I want to love you the way you deserve.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Brianna
His words melt my heart.
Of course, my heart was already jelly from his love, from his kisses.
