Page 53 of Don't Leave Me

“You know what he meant,” Dad says, keeping his tone gentle. “Did you know?”

“Not at all. I always thought they were my birth parents.” There are so many emotions flickering across Wyatt’s face. It’s going to take him time to process this and come to terms with his entire life being flipped upside down.

Hell, it’s going to take all of us some time to process this.

Charlie moves closer and rubs a hand up and down his back. She whispers something to him and he nods his head, then follows her outside. The door shuts softly behind them and the room is blanketed in silence again.

“I'm so sorry. I never would’ve answered the call if I had known Sydney was going to drop that bomb.” Pecker scrubs a hand down his face in frustration. “Even if I knew, I never would’ve let him find out like that.”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s not your fault and it’s not Sydney’s either.” Blake gives us a sad smile.

“Yeah, but I just…” He motions to the door leading onto the deck and sighs.

“He has Charlie, he’s going to be fine. She’ll help him work through everything, just like she always has. That man would be a completely different person without that woman in his life. She’s been pulling him away from the edge of destruction since they met and she’s not going to stop now.” Dad throws the truth out there so effortlessly.

He isn't someone who’s going to beat around the bush and try to make you feel better about yourself. He’s going to tell you the truth and be there for you if you fall apart. I'm glad he’s already treating Pecker like he’s part of the family. Though, I guess he’s part of the family now even if we weren’t dating. He’s Wyatt’s family and that makes him automatically part of Mulberry Lane.

Chapter 24

Pecker

My stomach is in knots as I wait to see what’s going to happen the rest of the night. Wyatt’s been outside with Charlie for a while and I feel terrible about this.

I know everyone keeps saying not to worry and it isn't my fault, but it sure feels like my fault. If I never met Sophia, Wyatt wouldn’t be dealing with this. If I didn’t answer my phone, Wyatt would be laughing and smiling with the rest of us. If I didn’t come here, his world wouldn’t have gotten flipped upside down.

“Soph? Could you and Peck come outside?” Charlie peeks her head in the backdoor.

“Yeah, sure.” Sophia stands and waits for me to follow suit.

I don’t want to go out there. I don’t want to face the man I now know is my brother. I don’t want to hear what he has to say or how he doesn’t want a little brother.

I don’t want to feel rejected.

“Soph, go out there. Pecker will be out in a minute.” Wes stands to his full height and motions for me to follow him. “C’mon, son.”

This time I don’t hesitate. I respect the man and I'm not going to give him trouble when he opened his home up for me. Especially when he’s trusted me with his daughter over the past two weeks.

We enter a small office that’s decorated a little too feminine to be his. He shuts the door and leans against the desk, folding his arms across his broad chest.

“Just wait a few seconds…” He stares at the door, waiting.

“Ok… What are we waiting for?” I ask nervously.

“This.” He grins when the door knob turns and Blake walks in, shutting it behind him. Blake glances at both of us, then frowns.

“He knew I’d be coming, didn’t he?”

I nod my head, unable to find my voice. Blake lets out a loud sigh and falls dramatically into the chair behind the desk.

“He pays attention to too much. That’s where Sophia gets it from. All the little Robinsons really.”

“I’m sure Sophia’s told you, I don’t sugar coat anything. I'm going to tell it to you straight, then help you through it.”

“How much did I fuck up?” I whisper, dropping my gaze to the ground.

“You didn’t fuck up anything. Wyatt takes time to work through things and he retreats when he does. It’s how he processes. He’ll be fine, so stop beating yourself up.”

“I don’t think he’s stopping,” Blake singsongs, making me glare at him. He just chuckles and spins the office chair in a circle.

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