Page 17 of No Regrets

She scoffed. “Why’d you forget the condom, Kaden? Spare already used from your wallet? If I remember correctly, you did have sex with some other girl that night. What was her name, Bethany?”

“You know what, Bree. You stay on your side of the house, and I’ll stay on mine. Before you know it, the year will be over and we can get back to our normal lives again.”

He stormed off, pissed that he let her get to him. Pissed that she knew all the right buttons to push at all the right times to get the reaction she wanted. But not for long. She didn’t want him in her life, then he’d stay out of her life. Period.

* * * *

Spending time with the Riggens family was pleasant on all accounts except for Kaden’s behavior. Ever since their little battle in the hallway yesterday, he hadn’t so much as acknowledged her existence. And she also noticed he spent less time around Shiloh. Whatever caused his foggy mood, she refused to let it ruin her daughter’s first Christmas.

“So, Tim told me you and Kaden were looking to put Shiloh in a childcare facility.” Blair cornered Brianna in the kitchen, as she poured more wine for herself. “I know a few places that are excellent for children’s education. A friend of mine sends her daughter to one, and she’s mastering four different languages.”

Brianna resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “We’re just looking for something to take the stress off my mother keeping her everyday. Kaden is going to watch her at night when he’s home, and I’ll have her in the mornings, but we’ll have to have some extra help a couple days a week. My mother’s been great about helping, but I don’t want to be a burden to her.”

Blair was amused. “You don’t like to be a burden to anyone, do you, Brianna?”

“I like my independence, Blair.” She grabbed a few chips and shoved them in her mouth, very unladylike.

Blair sipped at her wine, watching as Brianna picked at the chips and dip. “Are you and my son using birth control?”

Brianna sucked a chip down her airway and started into a harsh round of coughing. Kaden walked in just as Blair started patting Brianna’s back. Without saying a word, he brought her his beer, and she gratefully grabbed it and took a long pull from the bottle.

“What got you all choked up?” His hand slid down between her shoulder blades, forcing her to take a breath.

“Nothing. We’re just having a little girl chat.” Blair smiled, patted her son on the shoulder, and exited the room to mingle with the other thirty family members.

He watched Brianna as she drank again from his beer, then hand it back to him. “I take it my mother was at her best?”

“She’s trying to kill me.”

“What’d she say?”

“Let me just say the only thing she was short in asking was what position we used during sex.” Brianna grabbed his beer and tipped it back again. Alcohol didn’t solve anything, but she sure as hell couldn’t handle this sober.

“I need this more than you.” He grabbed his beer and downed the last of the bottle in one gulp. “Why the hell were you talking about sex?”

She shrugged. “She’s your mother.”

“Well, she sure as hell doesn’t need to know about my sex life.” He glared at her and added, “Or lack thereof.”

“We made an agreement.”

“That only a virgin would make.” He rolled his eyes. “We’re about to open presents.”

Brianna stared at him as he dumped the empty bottle in the recycling bin. If Kaden was going to treat her like dog shit along with the rest of his family, what was the point in her being here? He should have taken Shiloh to be with them and left her at home. At least then she wouldn’t have felt like crying, just like she did now.

“What’s wrong with you?” he asked turning back to her.

“No matter what I do, nothing ever pleases you. I come here because it’s freaking Christmas to be with your family, and you’ve got a rod stuck up your ass about something. Your mother isn’t any better, and it seems the more I try, the less I’m liked.”

She poured herself a glass of Chardonnay, hoping the wine would help ease her nerves. First thing after the holidays were over, Brianna pledged to make an appointment at the spa. Her Christmas present to herself would be a massage.

He came to her and took the glass away from her lips. “Look at me. You’re the one who made it crystal clear that you didn’t want anyone’s help. You don’t want me around for anything but Shiloh, so I gave you your wish. Nobody forced you to come here, and nobody is treating you like dog shit. If you didn’t have a chip the size of Texas on your shoulder, maybe you’d relax and have a good time.”

“Where’s my baby?” Brianna’s vision blurred from her tears as she stared into Kaden’s eyes.

“Stop it, Bree. Nobody’s making your life a living hell but you.” He set the glass to the side, bracketing her body with his arms. “Our baby is with my father, who is showing her his old Civil War collection. She’s perfectly fine, and everyone loves her. Are you coming in the living area to open presents or not?”

“Fine.” She sniffled, ashamed tears came to her eyes. Kaden huffed, wiping them away with his thumbs.

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