I take a few steps back as the curtains to the side move, seconds before the door is swung open, and an angry-looking Ford stands at the threshold. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“Step outside, Ford,” I say sternly.
“Why the fuck would I step outside at one in the God damn morning!?” he whisper-shouts.
“Because I, contrary to you, have some respect when it comes to your family. And I’d like not to wake them while we settle our unfinished business. Now step outside.” I take another step back as he finally comes forward and closes the door behind him. But I notice the light inside the house flick on, which means his wife is up as well.
He only takes two steps forward, then stops and crosses his arms at his chest, widening his stance and squaring his shoulders. “I have nothing to say to you.”
“That’s fine. I don’t need you to say anything. You can just stand there and listen while I tell you what I have to say.”
His jaw works from side to side, but finally he nods. Even if he didn’t give me approval, I would still say it.
“I don’t know what you have against me, and why you feel I’m such a bad choice for Aubrey when I’ve donenothingto ever prove I was. You think I’m only using her, that she was what? A quick fuck? That I’m only doing my duties by sticking around since she’s pregnant? You couldn’t be further from the truth.” I shake my head with anger at the thought of any of those possibilities.
“I fucking love your sister, Greyson! I’ve loved her for the past four years and you didn’t even know. For four fucking years, I stayed away, out of respect for you! I pretended that everything I felt inside every time I laid eyes on her didn’t exist, because I didn’t want to ruin the relationship we had, even if it was just as coach and player.” I see the shock in his face at my words, but he doesn’t say anything.
“I kept my distance at every turn. Every time someone tried to push us together, I acted like she was nothing more than an acquaintance. But with every step back I took, the more it became hard to breathe, the harder it got to stay away, to ignore the way my heart would start pounding in my chest and the tightness that would form in my stomach.”
Greyson looks down at his feet with a crease between his brows. But still, nothing.
“You know exactly what feeling I’m talking about, don’t you? Because if I had to guess, it’s the same way you felt about your wife. The same way you still feel about her. Well, guess what,Greyson? I’ve been feeling that for the past four years, and I’ve never once acted on it. Not until this winter.”
I sigh, feeling the weight slowly lifting off my shoulders. “And I know, I know I should have come to you first. I should have told you about my feelings toward her, but I snapped. I just couldn’t do it anymore. I couldn’t hold back anymore, and then things just moved so quickly between us that there was no way to tell you properly then. The baby was a surprise, yes, but I count myself lucky every fucking day that the woman I love is carrying my child.” I swallow past the lump forming in my throat as an overwhelming wave of emotions crashes into me.
“The truth is, Greyson, I love Aubrey so much, I’d give up my life for her. Whether I was still playing pro, my coaching career, my house, my fortune… I’d throw it all away in a heartbeat just to be with her. So no matter what you say, what you still might think, nothing, and I meannothing, will keep me away from her.”
He still doesn’t look up, but his quiet voice travels to my ears. “What’s wrong with her?”That? That’s what he has to say after the speech I just gave him? At least I know he still cares about her, so I guess that’s something.
I scoff. “You want to know what’s wrong with her? She has low blood pressure. You want to know what’s causing that? Stress, Greyson. Emotional stress. And now do you want me to tell you what’s been causing her so much stress since she got pregnant? Because I sure as hell know it’s not me.”
He finally looks up from the ground, and by the look in his eyes, he knows exactly what I’m about to say.
“It’s you. You’re the reason she fainted in there today. You’re the reason she has three stitches on her head. You’re the fucking reason my girlfriend and child could have been greatly harmed today,” I growl and take a step closer to him. “So I’m going to say this once, Ford. Don’t ever come near my family again! Leave usalone and go on with your own life. That’s what you wanted, isn’t it?”
There’s hurt in his eyes. It might be dark, but it’s so strong, it’s practically blinding. I think he’s had enough for tonight. I want him to think it all over, but I won’t leave without letting him know just how serious I am.
“And I swear to God, Greyson, if something ever happens to Aubrey or our child because of you… I’ll be coming for you, and I won’t play nice.”
I turn, ready to leave, but I don’t want to shut the door completely on their relationship. Despite how horrible he’s been to her, he still deserves redemption. I know Aubrey would want it. “So if you ever start feeling guilty for your actions and want to be a part of her life again, you better fucking apologize for everything you’ve done. Or else I don’t want to see you anywhere near her ever again.”
I look over my shoulder, waiting for a sign that he heard me. Finally, he nods and looks back down at his feet. I walk over to my car, climb in, and leave, ready to get back to my Angel.
AUBREY
This is awkward.Having another man in my bedroom is uncomfortable, even if it’s Julian. That’s probably what makes it so weird. He hasn’t said anything or even moved in the past tenminutes. He’s just been tapping away on his phone, one hand in his pocket, standing in the middle of the room, facing me.
Thank God Shane didn’t take my clothes off and left me in a camisole and shorts, or else this would be even more uncomfortable. I feel a blush of embarrassment staining my cheeks at the thought of being caught like that.
“He’s going to talk to him… isn’t he?” I ask quietly, no longer able to take the silence surrounding us.
“He is,” he answers simply, not bothering to look away from his phone.
I lie on my left side, something the doctor said would help blood flow to my heart more easily and chew my bottom lip. I don’t like the thought of Shane going out there alone this late at night.
What if my brother does something crazy again and jumps him? Knowing my brother, he’ll probably blame Shane for my fall.
I hate that I’m the center of all these problems. All I wanted was a chance to be happy, and I am. I’m beyond happy, but does that really mean I need to sacrifice my family and friendships to be? That doesn’t seem fair… because it will happen.
