Em giggles. “Yes, I’m betting you’ve adapted to his schedule by now. Which means you’re up early and in bed, very… very late.” She winks which only results in me fanning my face from overheating.
“But seriously, Aubrey. This dizziness worries me. I know it’s common to experience it a bit at the beginning of the pregnancy, but promise me if it gets bad, you’ll see your doctor?” Her tone is laced with concern as she places her hand on my thigh, and I find mine rising as well.
“I will, I promise. If it doesn’t go away or lessen by tomorrow, I’ll make an appointment.” I place my hand over hers, reassuring her.
“Good. So, about my birthday party. You’ll be there, right?”
I make a face. “I don’t know, Em. I don’t want to keep causing problems between you and Grey.”
“Aubrey, you aren’t causing anything between us. Your brother and I often have disagreements, it’s nothing new. Look.” She pulls out her phone and taps into her conversation with my brother, swiping up a little.
She hands me the phone, letting me read her messages from the day at the hospital. There are at least twenty texts from my brother, saying he’s sorry and that he loves her, begging her to let him come see her and the boys. But it’s the last two messages that catch my attention and make my throat fill with emotions.
Wolf
I know I was harsh with her, and it killed me to push her away. But I don’t have a choice, I need her to see that he’s not right for her, that he won’t make her happy in the long run. That one day he’s going to get bored and leave her. She’s going to be heartbroken with a child to raise on her own.
Wolf
I don’t want that for her, Bunny. I thought if I pushed her away, she’d eventually come to her senses and choose her family over some guy she slept with. But apparently, it’s going to take more than that to wake her up.
Tears roll down my cheeks as I pass the phone back. “Why can’t he see that I’m happy with Shane? That we’re happy together? That all of this is real?”
“Because he hasn’t seen it. He’s only seen the awkward looks and small conversations. He’s never taken the time to look deeper like we all have. But that’s why I want you both there for my birthday. I want him to see how you really are together, that it isn’t what he thinks. Prove him that he’s wrong, Aubrey. And all of this will be over.”
I chew on my bottom lip, contemplating. She’s right, it’s time my brother faced us for good. “Okay, we’ll be there.”
~ Two Weeks Later ~
“Are you nervous?” Shane asks as he parks the car in front of my brother’s house. He reaches across and takes my wrist, removing my thumbnail from my mouth, like he always does.
Today is Emma’s belated birthday party, since her original one was canceled due to her being in the hospital. Everyone’s alreadyhere from what Ronnie texted me earlier. But we thought it would be best if we arrived late.
I’m afraid of what will happen when we step inside—I know my brother won’t just ignore us or act normally. He’ll most likely cause a scene and I’d really like to avoid that. I just don’t know how. But I want to be in there, I miss my friends so much. I miss us all hanging out together.
“A little, yeah.” I let out a breath and look at him.
His thumb rubs circles on the inside of my wrist, over my pulse line. “I’ll be by your side the whole time. And if it gets to be too much, we’ll leave, okay?”
“Okay,” I whisper.
He leans in, kisses me, then releases my wrist and steps out of the car, coming around to help me out even though I can do it on my own. But ever since my dizzy episodes, Shane’s been extra cautious where I’m concerned. I haven’t had a big episode like the last one, where I couldn’t even go into work, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t happen occasionally still.
He takes Emma’s gift from my hand, lacing our fingers and walks us to the door. I’m excited for Emma to see her gift. I had to pull some strings, meaning beg Shane and make a lot of pretty eyes at Phoebe, but she ended up agreeing and helping us out. Which is how I ended up with a one-of-a-kind vintage-inspired pearl necklace, from none other than Shane’s family business, as well as an exclusive ‘Welcome to Andromeda Jewels’ client card.
Apparently, those are not handed out lightly or very often; it’s how they keep their reputation and client list so pristine. Even spouses to the family aren’t always given one. But I promised Phoebe that Emma was a very good client to have on their list and that she wouldn’t regret it. Shane also vouched for her, so I’m sure that helped too.
I’m about to push the door open, like I normally would, but refrain from doing so. Instead, I reach for the doorbell and pressit. Fear crawls at my skin at the prospect of it being my brother who opens it, but when it finally does pull open, it’s Emma grinning at us.
“Finally, you’re here!” She practically drags us inside and shuts the door. “Ooh! If that’s jewelry, it better be from your store, Shane. I won’t accept anything less now that I know who you are!”
“I guess you’ll have to open it to find out.” He chuckles and hugs her. “Happy birthday, Emma.”
“Wait, are you saying I can open it now?” She’s practically bouncing in place with excitement, and it makes me giggle.
“You look a lot better since the last time I saw you,” I tell her.
“I am, it feels so good not to be in pain anymore. Although I do occasionally still feel like I’m split in half, but it should pass soon. So, about the gift?” she redirects the question with a smirk.
