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“It’s human nature. Things don’t go on forever. The thing that has lasting consequences are the decisions we make when something like this happens. We jump the gun, make a life-changing decision that can’t be undone. If we were more patient, the solution might be right there in front of us. The one that makes everyone happy.”
What he was saying sounded good. All I needed to do was take some time and see how things shook out. It might not be as bad as I thought. I sighed. “Okay.”
Ethan rested his elbows on his thighs. “So, you’ll think about it before you make any rash decisions?”
I nodded. “I’ll take my time.”
“And you’ll talk to Austin. See if you can diffuse things a bit?”
“I’ll give it a try, but I don’t hold out much hope of him seeing reason.”
Ethan stood, resting a hand on my shoulder. “I think things will work out.”
“I hope you’re right.” The alternative was like a weight on my chest. When I thought about leaving Annapolis, Hunter, and Abby, it rested heavier, crushing my sternum, stealing my breath.
I stood and walked him to the door.
“You’re doing the right thing by considering all the angles. Brody will appreciate what you’ve done for him. Maybe not in the moment, but eventually, he’ll see what Austin was to him and what you are.”
“I’m just there for him.”
“Exactly. You’re a billion times better for him than Austin ever was.”
I let Ethan’s words roll around in my head long after he was gone. Was I doing the right thing by waiting to see how things would play out?
When Brody came home, I broached the idea of him seeing his dad soon. He was on board because he’d asked before, but he didn’t truly understand what he was getting into. I explained what it would be like to visit him in jail, the guards, security, locked doors. I wanted him to be fully prepared when he walked through those doors.
I think Brody just needed to see that his dad was okay. Without knowing, he worried about him. I wanted to alleviate his concern.
But I wanted to talk to Austin more. He needed to see how his actions hurt his son. How talking to the media would be terrible for Brody.
I’d appeal to him as the father of a child who needed him to look out for him too. Sure, he couldn’t physically be there, but his actions still affected his son. He had to listen. If he didn’t, I wasn’t sure I could be patient like Ethan suggested.
I was afraid I’d get the fight-or-flight impulse, pack up our things, and leave. Protecting Brody was so ingrained in me, but I had more people to consider now. I had Abby and Hunter, and they needed me too.
Twenty-Five
ABBY
Shortly after the bus pulled away from the curb, Brooke arrived with a plastic bag from the pharmacy.
Rushing inside, she said, “I got a variety of tests. So we’ll be sure.”
“You know, I’ve never seen a positive test. The doctor did a blood test after the fertility treatments.” Then the nurse called us with the results. That was somehow better than taking any more at-home pregnancy tests.
“Do you want to keep that streak going?”
Her question hit like a blow to my stomach. I hadn’t even thought about being happy with the results. All I could think about was how hard everything was when I did it by myself the first time. “This isn’t how I imagined this going.”
“I know, sweetie.” She wrapped an arm around my shoulders as I teared up.
“I thought I’d be in a relationship this time. We’d be married and settled. We’d plan the pregnancy and be ecstatic when it happened.”
“That’s what you had with Seth and look what happened.”
“Being married and planning out your life doesn’t guarantee happiness, but I hadn’t imagined taking a test with my sister. No offense.”
“None taken. I’m sorry these are the circumstances. It’s shitty all around. Is Nick seriously leaving?”
