Page 105 of Second-Rate Superstar

“Braxton,” I whispered his name.

“That’s right,” Shannon confirmed. “That next one was Braxton. He was the rainbow after the worst storm I’d ever endured. You have no idea how much joy it gives me to see this house filled with children. It was the dream I always had for myself.”

While my heart broke for all this woman had been through, I didn’t understand how it had influenced Michael’s current behavior and mistreatment of Braxton.

Almost as if she could read my mind, Shannon explained, “Braxton was the one that stuck, and it was as if Michael poured all his hopes and dreams for every baby we’d lost into that one little boy.”

I wasn’t going to let this woman get away with justifying her husband’s abuse because of a heart-wrenching story of loss.

“That doesn’t excuse his actions. If anything, he should have showered him with love, cherishing the miracle that he was.” The passion in my voice didn’t escape Shannon’s notice, and her eyes widened slightly.

“It doesn’t,” she agreed. “He was such a sweet little boy. He wanted to please his daddy so much.” Shannon’s whiskey eyes dropped to the floor. “At some point, he realized it was an impossible task, but he kept trying. The scene you witnessed in Hartford was the first time he ever fought back. The only thing that was different that night was your presence. I have to believe you’ve given him that strength. And while you might not be my biggest fan, you’re good for my son. I can tell that you care deeply about him.”

Fuck. I would not cry in front of this woman.

Standing suddenly, I said, “Your son deserves better from you, not only from his father. Do better. You’re welcome to stay, but I don’t think we have anything more to say.”

Shannon nodded in understanding. “It was nice to meet you. I’ll keep an eye on Max.”

“Great.”

I turned on my heel and closed myself in my room. Collapsing on the bed, I let the tears flow freely, letting Braxton’s pain become mine.

What a pair of broken misfits we were.

Chapter 24

Braxton

I was a coward.Every move I’d made since I opened my eyes that morning proved it.

Dakota was somehow even more beautiful as I’d watched her sleep, with her face relaxed and one cheek pinkened from where it had been pressed against a pillow. I was unable to stop the swell of emotions that rose in my chest. Unfortunately, guilt edged out love, and I couldn’t forget the sights and sounds of her in pain as I’d unknowingly taken her virginity.

I felt like a complete ass. I should have known.

Somehow, catching her watching porn and writing rough sex scenes had blinded me to the signs right in front of my face. She was careful about who she let into her life. She’d mentioned that she preferred reading to dating. And I could remember how she tensed when I went to finger her the first time I ate her out.

After talking a big game about waiting, I’d shoved my dick in her hard without thinking. I could never erase that first experience for her.

God, I wished I could.

What I wouldn’t give to go back and change the circumstances of last night. Not Dakota’s inexperience, but how I’d handled myself. I treated her no better than I would a random bar hookup instead of the woman I loved and cherished.

Slipping out of bed, I threw on my clothes and crept into the darkened kitchen. Lost in our own little world, I had no idea when Natalie and Jaxon had returned the night before, but it was clear everyone was in bed. A glance at the clock on the stove told me it was 4 AM. The little gremlins would be up sooner rather than later, but I had to get out of there. I couldn’t face Dakota after what I’d done.

Changing into warm clothes, I snagged my skates and crunched through the snow until I reached the edge of the frozen lake. The sun wouldn’t be up for a few more hours, but I needed the frosty air to shock my lungs. Maybe a hard skate would clear my head, and I could face the woman I’d hurt last night.

I wasn’t so sure, but I had to try.

I skipped lunch. Not because I wasn’t hungry, but because I knew I’d have to stare into those brilliant blue eyes filled with hurt that she had woken up alone.

Jaxon and the kids joined me on the lake by 9 AM, dragging a net with them. We played a few games, providing the perfect distraction I needed, but after a while, the kids began grumbling about being cold and hungry, so Jaxon took them inside. I waved him off when heasked if I was coming along. His face held a curious expression, but he didn’t question my choice.

When they returned, there was a question in his eyes, along with a hint of disappointment.

Fuck. It was probably worse than I imagined.

When Natalie joined us, I decided to suck it up and go inside. The only silver lining was that there wouldn’t be an audience for whatever I was walking into.

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