“Fine,” they both said.
Renee stalked into the apartment, avoiding touching Brian while Brian raked his fingers through his hair and followed her.
When I shut the door Brian launched into his explanation before Renee could make it to her old room. “The conversation you read wasn’t what you think it was.”
“Right. Here’s a tip. Next time you decide to cheat on someone make sure you hide your phone better,” Renee told him as I tried to sneak into the kitchen. “McKenna, don’t leave.”
I plopped on the couch, stuck.
“I’m not cheating on you,” Brian told her, walking closer. “I’m sorry I didn’t realize how suspicious I was acting. I should have known once you asked me, but I truthfully thought you’d trust me. I was so caught up in trying to figure out my next move I didn’t think. It was a stupid move and I should have told you before you felt the need to rummage through my phone.”
“How could I not? You’re a playboy baseball player who’s starting his season. Why would you want to be held down with a teen mom and her kid?” Renee swiped at the tears running down her cheeks with shaky hands.
Brian grasped them when they moved to go back to her hips. “I’m not being held down. I love you. I love Norah. All I’ve ever wanted was a family. Sure, I messed around, but I hadn’t found you yet.”
“So what, you wanted someone on the side?”
“Shelly’s a lawyer. I was talking to her about adopting Norah. I didn’t want to tell you until I knew all the specifics. She was helping me figure out if I needed to contact the birth father. I didn’t want to tell you about it until I knew for sure because I know how much talking about him stresses you out.”
“I don’t believe you,” Renee said, but I watched some of the fight slowly leaving her.
“Call her. Ask her.” Brian thrust his phone in her hand.
Renee glanced at me before pressing the send button. “Uhm, hi, is this Shelly?” Renee asked, holding the phone up to her ear.
She glared at Brian as Shelley on the other line must have been talking.
“No, Brian knows I’m calling you. He’s standing right here actually. I wanted to know what is the relationship between the two of you.”
Renee listened as tears slowly leaked out of her eyes. She moved her head until she stared at the floor, her knuckles white as she held the phone. “Thank you for clearing that up. I’ll call you later to discuss Norah. I have some groveling to do at the moment.”
Renee handed the phone to Brian, still not looking up. My heart went out to her, but this was a good lesson for her to learn.
“Holy shit, I’m an asshole,” Renee stated as more tears poured down her face.
Brian smiled and wiped away her tears. “You’re my asshole.” He pulled her in for a hug and Renee clutched his T-shirt, looking like she was never letting go.
“I’m sorry,” she sobbed harder.
“Shhhh, it’s okay. I should have known not to be sneaky around you. Please know I’m not going anywhere. You two are stuck with me. You’re my life.”
With teary eyes Renee leaned up and kissed him.
My cue to leave.
“I should have listened to you, Kenna. I’m sorry.” Renee stopped me before I reached the hall.
“I keep telling you I’m always right.”
Renee laughed and pulled me in for a hug. Brian wrapped his arms around both of us.
“Thank you for keeping my girl sane,” Brian whispered into my ear.
The happy couple left to make up before Norah got out of school.
Once again, I was home alone with my thoughts, something that proved to be trouble.
I was hoping to let my plan sink in a little deeper, get Claire more invested, but it seemed I needed to move soon. With that in mind I took longer getting ready for practice, banking on Claire’s desire to become the starting pitcher.
