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“I know who you are,” I snap. “You’re the jackass who hurt my husband.”
His brows rise. “Actually, I’m Tyler. And you’re the one who finally gave my brother everything he deserves in life. It’s nice to meet you.”
I might be short, but as far as I’m concerned, he’s smaller than me. I don’t care if Travis wants to reconcile or rumble, this… this man hurt him.
“No, you’re an asshole.” I look him up and down and honestly I don’t know if it’s pregnancy hormones, love, or both that fuel the anger thrumming in my veins.
He stares at me, nodding slowly.
I rise from the waiting room chair, ignoring the bright posters and pile of toys in a small area. All I can think is thank goodness they’re seeing us so late and no one else is in here, knowing I’d do this even if it was filled to the rafters with Birch gossips. I jab a finger into his chest.
“You don’t think I can tell who you are? I heard it when you spoke; I see it in your face. You might be twins, but the difference is night and day.” I stop and glare some more. “And you’re an asshole.”
“Brandi, I just wanted—”
“You couldn’t keep your dick to yourself all those years ago?” Apparently, I’m going there, in the waiting room of my doctor, and I’m going to rip him a new asshole. “Not only did you fuck your brother’s wife, but then you married her. Was it a ‘happy birthday to you and screw you, Travis’ scenario? Because I know him. We might have issues but he’d never do that. He’s torn himself apart for years because of you.”
The moment the words leave my mouth I wonder if that’s what it really is. As in just that. Not the woman, but the brother. The betrayal of Tyler that’s caused so many of the issues and problems that we’ve faced together.
“I can’t undo the past, but I can try and make it better. Now.” His voice is mild, like he’s trying to soothe me, and all it does is ruffle my feathers like a chicken about to peck out your eyes.
“By bringing her here? Home to Birch Harbor, where he’ll never be able to be happy with her here?”
But he doesn’t answer that as he shifts from one foot to another. I know he’s a doctor but right now, he’s just a little boy whose toys I’m stealing. Thoughts race over his face, but he’s more reserved than Travis, hides what he’s thinking better.
It’s funny I think that about the two of them, considering I never picked up on the fact that Travis wanted me when I thought he hated me. Want might not be love, not completely, but we made something beautiful. And that must count for something.
“Travis asked to talk to me today but canceled because you’re more important than anything else. I thought I’d catch him to let him know…” He stops. “I just thought I’d try and reschedule in person and maybe get to meet you.”
I take a step back and rub a hand over my stomach as a small wave of dizziness hits, knocking me almost to my knees.
Instantly, he switches gears and his incompetence vanishes. “Sit.”
I smack him away, refusing to let him touch me as he tries to guide me down to the chair. “I’m pregnant, not made of glass. I just forgot to eat lunch today.”
“You look pale and honestly like you’re gonna pass out, Brandi. Sit. Please. The last thing I want is for Travis to think I did this.”
Eyeing him with dislike, even though his charm is polished, I do just that.
“Travis is…” He breathes out. “More decent than me.”
“No shit,” I say.
“Especially back then, but I saw you when he hit me. Saw the way you looked at him. At both of us. And I just wanted to tell you that I deserved it, and that’s not what he is. He’s more. A good man.” He looks like the words taste bitter and he checks his watch. “Just… be careful of Jessica.”
And with that, he turns and leaves me sitting there trying to figure out what the hell just happened.
When I’m alone, I start to shake.
Be careful how?
Because of Travis?
Because everything Jessica says is a lie?
I don’t know.
I don’t know anything.
