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“But that didn’t last long, thanks to us.”
“I knew Jesse and I were young, but we were in a better position than most kids our age. Finances wouldn’t be an issue, and we had all of you to support us.”
“So you intended to keep the baby all along.”
“Yes. I assumed Jesse would be happy. But that was naive. He wanted to be with me because he thought you wanted me. A baby made everything too real. So he lied.”
“And we believed him.”
“Yes.”
“What did your aunt do?”
“She was wonderful from the beginning. No questions, only her unconditional love and support. Which was amazing, because I was almost a stranger to her. She did want to sue Jesse for child support, but I convinced her not to.”
“Was she financially comfortable?”
She put her head on his shoulder, her body limp. “No, not really. But I held out this faint hope that one day I’d be able to reconcile with all of you, and I was afraid if we sued for child support, you’d hate me.”
“Ah, Bryn.” He held her close, feeling sick to his stomach as he realized anew how badly the Sinclair clan had played their part in this scenario. She had believed herself to be one of them, and they had tossed her out on the proverbial street.
Bryn yawned hugely as he stroked her hair. He nuzzled her cheek. “You need some rest, Bryn. It’s been a tumultuous forty-eight hours.”
She yawned again. “I know.”
The memory of all that had transpired between them hovered in the sudden awkward silence.
Bryn stumbled to her feet, nearly tripping on the quilt. He scooped her up in his arms, bedding and all.
“Trent…” she protested halfheartedly.
“Let me pamper you,” he muttered, holding her close. “Relax. I’ve got you.”
He carried her all the way to her bedroom and laid her gently on the bed. She was already in her nightgown, and her hair was clean and damp from her shower.
He smoothed her cheek with the back of his hand. “I want to stay with you tonight.”
The only light in the room was a dim lamp on the bedside table. But he could see her expression clearly. “Trent, I don’t think I can—”
He bent to kiss her. “I’m not talking about sex. Give me some credit. I only want to hold you, I swear.”
She nodded. For a moment, shy pleasure replaced the worry in her eyes. She scooted over on the mattress, making room for him. He shed everything but his knit boxers and climbed in beside her. It would be hell not to make love to her, but she needed him tonight, and he was going to be here for her. He had a lot to atone for, and maybe this would be a start.
She nestled in his arms as if they had been lovers for years. The pain in his chest returned, and he rested his chin on her head, inhaling her scent and keenly aware of her soft body and silky skin. He cared for her. Bone deep. It had begun as an invisible tie between them as she grew up. And when she reached womanhood, he’d known deep in his psyche that he wanted her.
But he hadn’t been smart enough to understand that some opportunities weren’t always available. His ambition and drive to succeed had taken precedence. As an arrogant young buck out to conquer the world, frequent sex had been available and plentiful. Perhaps in the back of his mind he’d assumed Bryn would always be waiting.
It would never have occurred to him to try and win her from Jesse. He loved his little brother too much. But he’d been well acquainted with Jesse’s attention span, and he knew, even then, that one day in the near future Bryn would be free. Jesse didn’t have it in him to settle down with one girl.
But nothing had turned out like it should.
Bryn cared for him now, he knew that. Otherwise she never would have let him make love to her. But a mother’s love and loyalty were fierce commodities, and she would stand by her son first and foremost.
Whether Trent had a shot at convincing her he would welcome Jesse’s son was by no means a sure thing. And honestly, he had qualms about being a dad. His own father had lived by the “make ’em tough” model, but Trent doubted that was what Bryn wanted for her son.
And what if Trent had children of his own? Would he be able to love Jesse’s son in the same way? He and his family had hurt Bryn in the past. It would be inexcusable to compound that mistake.
