Brynne

A shiver of excitement races down my spine as I walk into the large room where my paintings hang on display.

It’s my first exhibit, and I’m nervous. Not just for the night, but what I have planned after.

I catch a glimpse of Kane standing in the far corner holding Noah. They’re dressed in matching tuxedos. My heart races a little more, hoping he doesn’t freak out when I display my final piece.

“You look beautiful,” Kiley says nervously when she approaches, fidgeting in the elegant black gown I bought her.

“So do you.” She’s still so thin, but there’s color to her cheeks now, and life in her eyes.

Kane set her up in her own apartment in the same building we live in. Far enough away that we still have our space, but close enough that he can keep an eye on her. But it’s Blake who watches her now.

Dressed in a gray pinstriped suit, he approaches, looking as temperamental and brooding as usual. There’s something possessive in his eyes as they narrow in on Kiley.

“Hi,” he says, his voice gruff, looking like he’s ready to devour her.

I haven’t mentioned it to Kane, because I know he’d do one of two things—deny it, or beat Blake’s head in—but the attraction is there, and from the way her gaze drops to the floor and her cheeks turn a shade of scarlet, I’m pretty sure it’s mutual.

“Hi,” she says in return, still not meeting his gaze.

I sigh past the awkwardness between them. “Thanks for everything you did to help tonight.”

Blake gives a forced smile, adjusting his tie like it’s strangling him, then nods in the direction of Kane, who’s now talking to my father. “He know anything?”

“I don’t think so. If he does, he hasn’t hinted at it.”

“I think it’s romantic,” Kiley says, giving me one of her rare smiles.

I hope Kane thinks the same.

A server approaches, carrying a tray of champagne flutes. I take one, but when the server turns to Kiley, and asks “Champagne?” Kane nearly bites the man’s head off, grabbing the glass from Kiley’s hand.

“She’s too young to drink,” he growls, sending the man scurrying off towards the next circle of people.

Both Kiley and I stare at him in stunned silence for a brief moment, before she mutters something and hurries away, disappearing into the crowd.

“That was a little harsh.” I raise my eyebrows at him.

He glares at me, but I see all I need to in that one look. His nostrils flare and he’s about to say something when Austin Branson approaches, blonde hair slicked back, cocky grin on his face. “Nice party.”

“It’s not a party, asshole,” Blake says.

“Well, it will be, won’t it?” He looks slightly disappointed. “You said-”

“It will be,” I say, glancing up at the giant of a man. He makes Kane look small, but he’s still lanky and boyish. Two things Kane has never been. Not since I’ve known him.

“Will be what?” Kane comes up behind me and kisses me on the cheek, making Noah clap his hands and laugh. For some reason, he thinks it’s the funniest thing in the world whenever we kiss. “And what the hell are you doing here, Branson?”

Branson smirks, and gives the lie I told him and the rest of the Annihilators to tell if Kane asked them why they came to my exhibit. “Coach invited me. And I never turn down free food and alcohol.”

Austin plucks an hors d’oeuvre off a tray when a server walks by, then pops it into his mouth with a cocky smile, causing Blake to glare at him.

Kane frowns and whispers in my ear. “You want me to get rid of him?”

I chuckle softly. “He’s fine.”

I wanted his whole team here for what I have planned later.

My palms tingle with nerves.

“Nervous?” Kane cups my cheek, and Noah reaches out for me.

“Very.” But not for the reason he thinks.

“You shouldn’t be. But you should be mingling with the people who came here tonight to see your art, and not the ones who came for the free food.” He cocks an eyebrow at Austin, who grins.

I kiss his cheek, then Noah’s. “Thank you.”

“Don’t worry about us. I’ll keep these buffoons out of trouble.”

Smiling, I start to leave, when Blake stops me. “Hey, Brynne.”

“Yeah?”

“Madden’s right. You shouldn’t be nervous.” I know his hidden meaning, and I give him a grateful smile.

“Yeah,” Austin adds, now holding two champagne flutes. “Your art stuff is sick.”

“Thanks. I think.”

He keeps smiling, but his attention has already diverted to a pretty waitress that walks by.

I talk to a few journalists and collectors, answering their questions and trying not to stammer over my words, while conveying the message of each piece displayed. The theme is forgiveness and new beginnings. Each painting focuses on a piece of my own life.

Most people are drawn to the large piece hanging in the center of the room, but I find my father standing alone in front of one of the smaller paintings.

Our relationship, while getting better, is still strained. It’s hard to let go of years of blame and bitterness, but I’m finding my forgiveness. We both are.

He’s become a large part of Noah’s life, and my son loves him. In a way, he has a new start with his grandson. A chance to be there for him, like he wasn’t for Sam and I. It doesn’t rewrite the past, but it, in a way, changes the value of our own relationship.

Forgiveness.

New beginnings.

They aren’t just in the paintings. They’re in this room, living, breathing, evolving. The way life should.

“This one…” My father says when I stand beside him, not taking his eyes off the painting. “This one’s my favorite.”

It’s a simple piece. A young father and his daughter walking along the beach. The little girl looking up at the man like he’s hung the moon and stars. I was that girl once. I painted it in hopes that one day I might be able to find that feeling again.

I know now, that giant of a man, was only that – a man.

“It’s one of mine, too.” I take his hand and I feel him tense.

He glances down at our entwined fingers and lets out a shuddering breath. “Your mother and Sam…they’d be proud of you.”

I smile, hearing the words he can’t say. Stubborn. That’s what Kane always calls me. I see it now in my father’s eyes. The way he struggles with his own emotions. I recognize the way they choke him, strangle him as he fights for control, making him seem hard and dispassionate.

“Thank you.” I lean up and kiss his cheek, then turn when someone calls my name.

“Brynne.” He stops me, swallowing hard and looking down at his glass, before once again meeting my gaze, and I see tears glazing his eyes. “I’m proud of you.”

I suck in my own breath and blink back the stupid tears that burn behind my eyes. “I know, Dad.”

He gives me a hard nod, regaining his composure.

My chest squeezes. And I love you, too.

Forgiveness. Sometimes, it’s a slow process. Sometimes, it happens in a moment. The important thing is that it happens.

From across the room, I catch Sebastian’s gaze and he gives me a thumbs-up.

A shiver of nerves races down my spine at what it signals.

“It’s almost time,” Kiley says, chewing on her bottom lip. “You ready?”

“I think so.”

With a deep breath, I square my shoulders and focus on why I really came here tonight – I love Kane Madden.