Chapter 18
Claudia fidgeted with her hands in the foyer of the main house. She hadn’t been back there since the day Brody announced they were having a baby. She hadn’t seen Angela or Gavin since that afternoon either, but that was fine with her.
“I need you to relax.” Brody pressed his lips to her forehead. “You look beautiful.”
“Thanks, but I’ve never been here as a guest before.”
“You need to get over that.” He placed his hand on the small of her back and led her into the living room. “We’re together and I love you.”
“I know, but this is Angela’s house.”
“No, it’s my house.” Brody smiled at her. “You have no reason to feel uncomfortable.”
“You know what I mean.”
“Brody, Claudia,” Angela said as they walked into the living room. “I’m so glad you could join us this evening.”
“Thank you, Angela.” He leaned in and kissed his stepmother, but Claudia noticed his body tense over the contact.
“Claudia.” Angela smiled.
“Hi.” Claudia looked around the large room. She recognized a few people who had been to the house before. She felt at ease once she saw Autumn standing by the window. Brody told her she would be there. Gavin and Mona would be in attendance as well, so it wasn’t a shock when they came in a few minutes behind her and Brody.
“Perfect.” Angela greeted Gavin and Mona. “Now everyone is here.”
Now it was Claudia’s turn to tense. Brody rubbed her back and leaned into her ear. “He’s not going to bother you.”
“Claudia.” Mona walked to where she stood. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m doing well.”
“You look beautiful.” She smiled and then turned to Gavin. “Doesn’t she?”
“You think all pregnant women look good, baby,” Gavin said. “Claudia, how are things with my brother these days?”
“Great.” She faked a smile. She was going to have to get used to being around this family if she wanted to have a life with Brody.
“Are you taking care of this girl?” Mona asked Brody. “The last time I saw you, she fainted on the porch.”
“She’s doing much better.” Brody wrapped his arms around Claudia’s waist, creating a calming vibe to her nervous system. “We’ve even managed to get her blood pressure under control.”
“That’s great news.” Mona glanced at Claudia’s stomach. “Do you know what you’re having?”
Claudia noticed Gavin staring at her. “We’ve decided not to find out.”
“Really?” Mona laughed. “I wouldn’t be that patient. Gavin knows there is no way I could wait.”
Brody exchanged an uncomfortable look with his brother, making Claudia feel awkward.
“Come on, Mona,” Gavin said as he took her hand. “I want to introduce you to a few people.”
“Claudia, maybe we can chat later? I’d love to hear how you’re progressing,” Mona said as Gavin practically yanked her away from where they stood. “Gavin?”
“Does he think I’m going to tell her?” Claudia said to Brody. “I don’t want anyone to know, much less his obstetrician girlfriend who he cheated on.”
“Ignore him.” Brody took her hand. “I’ll talk to him later. Right now, I need to go speak to a few members of the board.”
“I want to go say hi to Autumn.” Claudia kissed Brody’s cheek. “I’ll see you soon.”
“I love you.” He kissed her temple, holding on to her a few seconds longer. “I appreciate you coming here with me tonight.”
How could she not have accompanied him? After everything he’d done for her, she couldn’t deny him this simple request.
“I love you.” She smiled. “I’ll just be on the other side of the room.”
“That’s too far, but I’ll survive.”
She shook her head and giggled as she walked across the room.
* * * *
Dinner took much longer than Claudia would have liked. They sat at the ridiculously large dining room table among all the stuffy board members. Gavin and Brody had gotten into several pissing contests throughout the meal. Each time, Angela played referee and always took Gavin’s side. Gavin knew exactly what he was doing. It was obvious he no longer wanted to be in Boston and he made sure the board knew it. He was backing Brody into a corner. Brody stood his ground but didn’t look pleased.
It was after nine, and all the men had retired to the game room to play pool and discuss a pending contract. Claudia excused herself and went to look for Autumn. She hoped Brody would take her home soon. Being around Gavin and Mona wasn’t the most pleasant experience. Mona was nice enough, but Claudia felt she somehow betrayed the pretty, sophisticated med student. Claudia had no idea Mona existed when she had her affair with Gavin, but she still felt bad. Even if Gavin wanted nothing to do with Claudia and the baby, would he eventually tell his girlfriend? What if he married Mona? Didn’t she have the right to know her husband fathered another woman’s child?
The whole situation was more than screwed up. Brody constantly told Claudia not to worry about anything and he would take care of it. But how could any of this work out? She saw the tension between them. Soon others would realize something deeper was going on between the two. How would the Callahans survive such a dark secret?
“Claudia,” Angela said as she entered the family room. “There you are.”
Angela was the last person Claudia wanted to engage in a conversation with. “Mrs. Callahan,” she said. “Dinner was lovely.”
“You’re having a baby with my son.”
“What?” Had Gavin told her the truth?
“I was just going to say, you should call me Angela,” she said. “You’ll be Mrs. Callahan too if Brody gets around to marrying you.”
“Your son.” Claudia let out the breath she didn’t realize she held. “You meant Brody.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes, I just came out here to get a few minutes alone. Dinner was eventful and the men are talking business.”
“You’ll need to get used to that,” Angela said. “All Brody knows is that company. Sometimes he gets so caught up in it he can’t see anything else. He’s just like his father. That isn’t a bad thing but it can be difficult for the women in their lives.”
“He’s very devoted.”
“Just like my husband was, but sometimes they get so involved in it they make poor choices.” Angela sat down on the sofa. “I had to guide my husband on more than a few decisions. It’s our job as a wife. I’m sure you’ll see what I mean.”
“I’m not sure I do.”
“Jason didn’t think Gavin was ready to become partner,” Angela said. “It was a miscalculation on his part. Brody is honoring his father’s wishes, but I’m sure you can see it’s creating much tension between the two. I’m sure their father wouldn’t want that. I’ve never seen them this divided.”
“Haven’t you?”
“They were always very close. Brody looked after Gavin, and Gavin adored his big brother,” she said. “Even before Gavin went to Boston they found a way to work with one another, but now, something is driving a wedge between them. A mother knows, and I know there is more to this story than the two of them are willing to admit.”
“I’m sure it’s just the tension over the partnership.” Claudia didn’t want to be in such a position. “Brody wants Gavin to learn as much as he can before he makes Gavin partner.”
“That’s another problem my late husband created.” She shook her head. “He left Brody in charge of everything. Of course Gavin feels slighted.”
“Brody wouldn’t deny him anything that had to do with the company.”
Angela looked at Claudia for a few moments, making Claudia feel like she had said too much. “Do you think he would deny his brother anything at all, whether it was related to the company or not?”
“No, of course not. I just meant Brody is very fair, and when Gavin proves himself Brody will do what’s right.”
“He seems to be very taken by you,” Angela said. “I’ve never seen him so captivated by anyone. I wouldn’t have believed he could fall for someone like you.”
“Why not?” Claudia wasn’t in the mood for Angela’s insults, and she didn’t have to take her nasty words. “I’m not an employee anymore. I won’t allow you to speak to me as if I don’t matter.”
“Don’t be offended,” Angela said. “Brody has always kept to himself and buried himself in his work. He never brought a girl home. I can see the way he looks at you. You’ve stolen his heart, and I can appreciate that.”
“I care deeply for him.”
“I hope so.” She smiled. “You and I aren’t much different, dear.”
Claudia had nothing in common with this woman. She was certain of that.
“I didn’t come from money either, but Jason fell in love with me anyway. I got pregnant with Gavin early on in our relationship too. I know all of this…” She motioned around the room. “Is overwhelming for you. I can help you adjust.”
“You want to help me?”
“That’s what family does for one another,” Angela said. “They do for each other. I’m sure you’ll reciprocate.”
Angela wanted something. Why else would she extend the olive branch?
“Perhaps you could talk to Brody and find out what’s come between him and his brother. The company is thriving and now is not the time for them to let whatever is bothering them interfere. Whatever Gavin has done, Brody is going to have to overlook.”
“How do you know it’s Gavin?” Maybe Angela was smarter than Claudia thought.
“I love my son, but he’s unpredictable. I’ve bailed him out of more messes than I care to remember. Brody warned Gavin not to screw up anything else. I’m afraid Gavin has done something that Brody can’t forgive.”
A mother does know.
“I don’t have any say when it comes to Brody’s business,” Claudia said.
“You hold more power than you think.” Angela stood. “You’re having his baby. Trust me, that gives you more say than you know.”
“I can’t tell you anything Brody confides in me. I would never betray his trust.” Claudia needed to draw the line before Angela tried to turn her into some family spy.
“As you shouldn’t. But if you love him, you’ll help him with whatever is going on with Gavin. You need to make him see they are far better united than divided, for the sake of the company and the family. Nothing should come between them.”
Claudia placed her hand on her stomach as Angela left the room. Claudia had already come between them. She hadn’t meant to, but now she was afraid she’d set in motion something none of them could come back from.
Her phone vibrated in her small evening bag. When she retrieved it, she glanced down at the screen.
Meet me where I found you, Sleeping Beauty… xoxo