Gulping, I try to explain. “Jolie, I don’t want Brock going off the handle and doing something that’ll land him behind bars.”
“Give your brother some credit. He’d figure out a way to do it so that he wasn’t caught. You know how protective he is over you. I’m surprised you’ve managed to dodge him this long, to be honest.”
I snicker then say, “Well, about that… any time he’s made noises about stopping by, I’ve alluded to the fact I’ve had female things going on.”
She bursts into laughter because my brother is a wimp when it comes to the things women go through with respect to their periods. He’s faced down a wild boar that attacked while he was hunting one day and didn’t blink an eye, but if I evenhintat the fact that a part of my body is sloughing off and it’s a natural thing, he blanches so much, he looks like he’s going to pass out.
“Good to know he hasn’t changed all that much. I honestly feel for him when he meets his one, you know? Can you evenimagineif he ever has a daughter?” We’re both laughing now as the visual hits us.
Because Brock will face a firing squad before he’ll admit that the mere thought of blood makes him squeamish. “I mean, he’ll suck it up for the woman he loves,” I reply. “He bought stuff for me when I was younger, remember?”
She snickers again while nodding. “Yeah, but he had a hoodie covering his head and kept his eyes downcast the whole time. Although… he does have good instincts when it comes to the necessary snacks.”
“Remember the time he brought in two huge bags full of every kind of chocolate?” I ask. “Good times since somehow, our periods synced.”
“Okay, so now we need to make a plan, Mindy,” she says, pulling out her phone and pulling up the Notes app. “First and foremost, you’re calling on Monday and making an appointment with the doctor’s office I’m using. Next, you need to find a therapist, my friend. Because there’s a lot of shit you need to process and it’s important to make your life as stress-free as possible. I’ll ask Dex to reach out to his attorney and see if they know someone versed in family law. Are you okay with me sharing the fact you’re pregnant with him?”
“I don’t want to be the reason you keep secrets from your husband, Jolie,” I state, my voice firm. “Do I know how I’m going to handle all the extra attention? Not a damn clue, to be honest, but we’ve faced a lot of shit together and as long as you’re by my side, I’ll be okay.”
“Cruz will be there too,” she says, grinning at me.
“What do you mean?” I question.
Yes, I think the man is a walking wet dream, and before that night, I might have entertained thoughts about seeing if we could explore something. Now, though? Yeah, now I don’t want to contaminate him or anyone else with the filth I still feel like I’m swimming through. Logically, I know in some ways, it’s no different than if I had been in a consensual relationship and gotten pregnant.
But the fact remains that I don’t even know if I can handle another man’s hands on me ever again. Maybe it was a good thing I was drugged, because the memoriesarehazy. Still, just the thought ofanyonewanting physical intimacy from me has me hyperventilating.
“I mean that since that happened, he’s been like a guard dog or something. Every time I’ve come by, even though you wouldn’t answer the damn door, if he’s home? He comes outside and tells me you need more time. Dex looked into him, Mindy. He’s a really good guy who got royally fucked over. In fact, Dex has his attorney looking into his case because there are so many things wrong with it that it was obvious to the two of us and we’re not exactly versed in criminal proceedings. He lostyearsof his life due to someone else’s actions, plus he can’t do the job he went to school to do. How is that fair?”
“Life isn’t fair, Jolie, and we both know that firsthand,” I remind her. “But heisa good guy.”
It dawns on me that during the hours we spent together earlier, I never once felt on edge. In fact, I was as relaxed as I am when I’m with Jolie, her family, or my brother, which is telling. I’m whatmany would consider an extroverted introvert; I keep my circle small which keeps me safe.
