Brody and I installed the last of the baby gates on the daycare side of the gym. After I broke down and told him the truth of who Emerson Bishop really was, things changed for me. I felt a release I hadn’t felt in years. And when I felt I finally had someone to talk to, it all came rushing out.

Brody sat and listened to every word. He asked the right questions and proved he was paying attention. He shared his own thoughts and fears that were in line with mine to show me I wasn’t alone. It was the most honest discussion we’d ever had, and I never felt closer to him.

“I’d say this looks pretty good.” I stood and placed the screw gun onto the cart.

“It’s phenomenal!” Maggie came in and hugged both of us. “It’s outstanding.” She walked over and looked at everything.

Brody elbowed me in the side. “I think I may get lucky tonight.”

“Only if you take the trash out like I asked.” Maggie heard him across the room.

I laughed as I started to put the tools back into their cases. “I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I’m going to miss you two when I go back.”

“We can video chat.”

I looked at Brody. “The last time we tried that I talked to your chest the entire time. It’s weird. Phone calls will be good enough.”

“Hey, I didn’t know I had to raise the laptop higher. I could look into the camera so I thought it could see me.”

“There’s a little box that shows you what I see.”

“I told you the box was black.”

“Yeah, because you hogged up the entire space with your chest. At least wear a different color shirt or something.” I slapped the back of my hand against his chest. “That’s okay. I’ll video chat with your wife. She knows how to get into frame, and she’s better looking.”

“I’m trying to decide if I should be jealous of that statement.”

I picked up the tools and turned to him. “Oh, be very jealous.”

Maggie came up and wrapped her arms around him. Her belly was getting bigger and I smiled. They’d make great parents, and I couldn’t be happier for them.

Brody kissed Maggie and squeezed her before he let her go. “Okay, I need to get your ass back to the airport if you’re going to make your flight. I appreciate all the help you’ve been. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

He did more for me on that trip than I did for him. “I was glad for the break, believe me.”

Brody took the tools from me as Maggie held her arms up for a hug. “Don’t be a stranger. You know we love you and want what’s best for you.”

“I know. I love you guys, too.” I whispered into her ear, “You a little more than the big guy.”

She laughed and squeezed her arms around me. “Give April a hug for me, will you?” She pulled back and held my face. “I’m going to ask her if you did or not so you’d better do it.” She winked as she let go and pinched Brody’s ass as she walked out.

“Oh, yeah.” Brody stood. “I’m so getting laid tonight.”

“Good for you.” I looked around to make sure I had everything. I didn’t need to. My bags were in Brody’s trunk and my phone was in my pocket. I just wanted one more look around at the work Brody and I achieved together. We did good.

Brody came up and put his hand on my shoulder. “I’m impressed with us, too.” He slapped his other hand on my chest. “Come on. Let’s get you back home to your girl.”

* * *

Thoughts of April consumed my flight home. I wondered if she thought about me while I was at Brody’s or if she relished in the break from me it gave her. I needed to find out how she felt. The sex we had a couple of weeks ago was as if I never left her side, but we were always good with the sex. It was the rest of our relationship that needed help.

I grabbed my bags and walked out front hoping to spot her easily. The airport was bustling and she wasn’t the tallest person, so it was difficult to see over the top of the people around me.

I turned and saw Hank standing near the front of the lobby. I didn’t hide my disappointment. I was hoping it would’ve been April. I walked up and looked him over. “You missed me so much you had to come pick me up yourself? How sweet.”

He smiled. “I thought we could have a chat on the way back to the office. That is where you wanted to go since you asked to have someone pick you up, right?”

“Sure, I could check my messages and email this afternoon.”

“Good.”

“Not interested in a chat on the way back, though.” I walked out to his car and tossed my bags into the backseat. He was quiet until we pulled out of the airport.

“At this point, I don’t care what you’re interested in or not.” He looked at me as if to challenge me. “You’re playing some dangerous games, and I’m here to tell you you’re done playing. April’s concern is my top priority, and she deserves to be happy.”

“So, this is where the new boyfriend tells the old boyfriend to back off? Is that what we’re doing here?”

“Call it whatever you want to call it, but stop stringing her along. You want her? Fight for her. If you don’t, then let her go. She needs a resolution, as do the rest of us.”

“What, her sucking your dick isn’t good enough? You want a commitment from her, too?”

He didn’t say anything until we reached the center. He got out of the car and walked toward the door. I got out and grabbed my two bags in the backseat. When I turned around, he pressed me up against his car with his arm across my chest and his finger in my face.

“Don’t you ever talk about her like that again. Prove to me that you respect her, because if you don’t, I will convince her to leave your ass for good. It’s her decision right now, but she needs all the facts, and believe me, I will not hesitate to give her these.” He shoved me hard into the car before walking away.

I raised my eyebrows before I stood up straight. I didn’t realize Hank had it in him to try to kick my ass. He wouldn’t, but it was interesting that he was forceful. I didn’t expect it. He was right, though. I was trying to get a rise out of him and didn’t realize I was disrespecting her in the process. I shook my head.

I turned to walk home. I wanted to get out of there. Not even the sound of the back door opening stopped me. April’s voice stopped me, but I didn’t turn around.

“You’re not coming in?”

“I thought maybe I should go home first.”

“I can drive you if you just wait—”

“No.” I turned and faced her. “Stop taking care of me. I never took care of you. I don’t deserve it.”

“You had so much—”

“I had you.” I set my bags down and walked toward her. “All I needed to worry about was you, and I didn’t do that.” I held her face. “Why didn’t you tell me you were pregnant? How long did you know?”

She looked down. “I only knew for a few days, but you were so worried with Brody and why he wasn’t answering your calls. You didn’t know where he was or what had happened to him. You were worried he turned to drugs or alcohol again. I wasn’t going to add another burden on you.”

I closed my eyes and put my forehead to hers. “You should never have felt like a burden. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

I let go and ignored her calling after me. I picked up my bags and walked home.

* * *

The time that should’ve been the happiest for April and me was filled with hatred and exhaustion. I wanted to ask her how long she knew, but I was afraid of the answer. I looked over as she lay on the sofa. She’d done nothing but cry herself to sleep for days. I used to carry her to our room, but it would wake her up and the crying started over. I learned to leave her wherever she slept.

I tried to remember the last time we were happy. The last time she lit up when I walked into the room. I couldn’t. Even the sex was just to get off and had nothing to do with loving each other or having a family. I became a robot with her. I became empty.

Brody did that. Brody took every ounce of happiness he could take from me and squeezed me dry. He was out on the road with no care in the world. He could destroy a bar on a bender after our mom died, kidnap a woman just because someone asked him to when he was bored with his life, and walk away from all responsibilities as if he is the most perfect person in the world.

And I let him. Everyone lets him. I wasn’t afraid of him. I’d started plenty of fights with the beast everyone was terrified of. He wasn’t anyone to fear. He wasn’t anyone to look up to, either.

I’d asked him to come home. I told him I needed a brother. He laughed. He laughed when I told him I needed him, but he had no trouble asking me to fix things for him. We’d see what he’d do when I no longer fixed things.

I smiled when my phone rang and it showed Brody’s name. It was a call I was expecting and couldn’t wait to get. I ran to the other room so I didn’t wake April.

“I was wondering when my big, bad brother was going to call and beg me for money. You lasted longer than I thought.”

“Look, asshole, I shouldn’t have to beg you for fuck. That’s my money, and you have no right to do what you’ve done. Put it back in the bank and we’ll call it good. If you don’t, I’ll call Ryan and have you arrested. Don’t think I won’t. Brother or not, you will not fuck with me.”

“Ah, there’s the Brody I know and loathe. It’s time to come home. You’ve licked your wounds enough.”

“Licked my wounds?” He scoffed. “You’re the one who sounds hurt. I just want my fucking money. Now, are you going to give it back to me, or do I need to call Ryan?”

“Go ahead and call Ryan. He’s the one who gave me the idea.” I hung up. I was bluffing. Ryan didn’t tell me shit. Taking Brody’s money was the only thing I had left to get him to come home.

I was the one who sounded hurt? He had no idea how hurt I was. He never bothered to ask. He laughed when I told him I needed him. If he thought he was going to get his money, he was mistaken. It was time Brody hurt as much as the rest of us.

* * *

I stood in the shower and let the hot water beat down on me. All I ever did was hurt people. I didn’t help them or love them. April was better off with Hank. He’d make sure she was taken care of the way she deserved to be.

He was wrong about one thing, though. I did want her. I wanted her with everything I had. What he didn’t know was I loved her enough to let her go.