Page 70 of And Then There Was Us
She looked him in the eye. “No, you haven’t.”
“Then what the heck is going on?” His muscles corded. He felt them strain against his neck, felt the room go quiet, and knew all eyes were on them.
“No one plans to walk away,” Brianna said softly. “What if we do go with you and you suddenly realize that this time in Richmond has been fun, but it isn’t what you really want? What if you realize that you miss the faster lifestyle?”
His gut reaction—born of hurt and anger and not at all how he really felt—was,What if I do? Then it’s my loss.He clenched his jaw long enough to ensure his voice would not take flight without consulting his brain.
“What if you go into work tomorrow and meet a normal guy who won’t spoil Layla and has never been photographed with another woman? What if you come with me and decide you can’t take it? What if you’re intimidated by the fan girls or hate the travel?” It could happen, he realized, and his stomach knotted tighter.
Their eyes locked. Brianna reached up and touched her locket. She tucked her hair behind her ear, and Hugh felt his heart cracking. He registered voices behind him but couldn’t comprehend the words. His mind was in a vacuum, focused solely on Brianna’s response.
“Maybe…maybe it’s safer…for us…you and me…if Layla and I don’t go.” Brianna’s voice was barely a whisper.
Hugh ran his hand through his hair and noticed the rest of their guests gathering their coats. He had no experience with this—with relationships. All he knew was that the idea of going to the race without her sucked and it pissed him off that she’d give up being with him because of her insecurities.
The muscles in his jaw twitched as the anger was pushed aside and disappointment filled his heart. “Let’s get Layla home and we can think this through.”
BRIANNA’S STOMACH LURCHED as she watched Hugh walk onto the stage and disappear behind the curtain.He’s getting Layla’s tiara.Even when she was turning their lives upside down, he was still thinking of Layla.
As soon as Hugh was out of sight, Kat joined her. “Hey, you guys okay?”
Brianna shook her head, blinking away tears that burned her eyes. “What have I done?” she whispered.
Kat dragged her into the ladies’ room. Brianna spun around, her face hot, her heart racing.
“What is wrong with me?” she cried. “Kat! I’m so screwed up.” She caught a glimpse of her red face in the mirror and turned away.
“What happened? It was a perfect night, and then all of a sudden everyone’s looking at you guys and you both look like you’ve had your hearts ripped out.” Kat grabbed her by the shoulders and spun her around. “Look at me, Bree. Spit it out, and if he said something that hurt you, I’ll kill him.”
Tears streamed down her cheeks. “Do you really think he’d hurt me? Look around you, Kat. Where are we?”
The bathroom door burst open, and her mother walked in. “What’s going on?”
Brianna turned her back to her mother and crossed her arms over her chest.
“Brianna?” She touched her shoulder, and Brianna shrugged her off. “Kat?”
Brianna imagined Kat holding her palms up toward the ceiling.
“Brianna Marie Heart, turn around,” her mother said in a motherly voice that commanded attention.
She rotated slowly, her eyes trained on the floor.
“Bree, talk to me. Please. What happened?” She opened her arms, and Brianna collapsed into them, sobbing into her mother’s shoulder.
“It’s me. I can’t do this. This is why I had a twelve-year plan, because relationships are too complicated.”
“Mybutt,” Kat said under her breath.
Brianna pushed away from her mother, grabbed a tissue from the counter and wiped her eyes. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re the most organized and efficient woman I know. For years you’ve juggled two jobs and a daughter.” Kat stepped closer with a challenge in her hooded eyes. “There’s nothing too complicated for you.”
“Great friend you are,” Brianna snapped.
“I am a great friend and you know it. Whatever you did, you did because you’re afraid or something.” Kat leaned against the sink and looked at her nails.
“You don’t care.”Why am I being so awful?
