Page 35 of Stay for Me
“That’s not necessary,” I say quickly.
Jacob’s voice cuts in. “I’ll drive them. I stopped drinking before Sean.”
“Well, I’m totally sober,” Devney says.
“As am I, and I don’t have any kids to worry about getting to bed.”
Devney’s eyes dart to me, and I shake my head. “No, please. I can call my in-laws.” I don’t want any of them to go out of their way for me.
“I insist.” Jacob leaves no room for argument.
Devney jerks her head toward the car, and Jacob heads that way. “Brenna, it’s late, and there are more than enough people here, please, don’t fight us on this. Plus, the women in this family may not have been born Arrowoods, but we’re just as stubborn. Jacob can drive you home and that’s that.”
I would rather call Dennis than ride with Jacob while I’m slightly tipsy.
“I know I’m arguing for nothing.”
She loops her arm around mine and starts to lead me away.
“The boys are very passionate about not drinking and driving. They suffered from having a severely alcoholic father who didn’t much care for the welfare of others.”
“I wasn’t saying I should drive.”
“Oh, I know,” she says quickly. “I just mean that they take the fact that you were drinking at our home as their responsibility. That’s all. Please, let Jacob drive you, it’ll set his mind at ease.”
“Okay. I just . . . I feel like an ass.”
“Why?”
“I drank too much, I guess.”
She smiles. “You were relaxing among friends. I’m hoping you had fun?”
“I had a blast. You have no idea how much I needed this.”
“Good.”
Ellie and Sydney come up from behind us. “We’re all packing it in too.”
Ellie sighs. “BethAnne is teething, which means I’m getting almost no sleep, and Hadley has riding lessons in the morning.”
“Deacon is in the same phase. It really sucks,” Syd says.
Devney looks away and grips each of their arms. “I have to tell you. I haven’t told Sean yet, but I’m pregnant.” Both of them go to yell, but she cuts in and whisper yells. “Be quiet!”
“Right. Sorry. Oh, Dev, this is amazing,” Syd whispers. “I’m so happy.”
“When are you going to tell him?” Ellie asks.
“Soon. I want to see the doctor and make sure it’s good first. You know how Sean is, and I don’t want to watch his head explode over it. Plus, I want to give myself a little time—” She turns to me. “Because I don’t want you to be in the dark, Austin is my biological son. I gave him to my brother when he was born. I was young, and it was the most difficult thing I’ve ever done. I didn’t plan to get pregnant so fast, and I know Sean didn’t either. We . . . well, it’ll be a shock, and I worry that Austin will struggle too.”
“I was adopted, and I think there’s something beautiful about someone who gives a better life to their child and yet still loves them. I’m sure that Austin will be okay with it. He may need a bit of time, but he’ll come around. He’s a great kid.”
“I know there’s been a lot of family drama unearthed here in a few hours, but I promise that we’re all fairly normal. Well, maybe not, but we try.”
“I think normal is overrated.”
“Mom! Mom!” Sebastian comes flying up beside me.
