Page 97 of Bad Boys After Dark - Brett
“Do you think I’d have asked him here if I thought he’d make Sophie uncomfortable? Or any of your wives?” Brett said in a hushed tone so Adeline wouldn’t hear. “Not a chance in hell.”
Carson shook his head. “That’s not what I meant. I’m just protective of them.”
“We all are,” Mick said. “You sure he’s seeing a therapist?”
“Yes. Definitely. And Mom is the one who hooked him up with the guy.”
“Mom?” Mick asked.
“I know. I couldn’t believe it either. I was going to call her, but I figured that was between them.”
“He did tell me he was proud of me at the fundraiser for the first time since I was a kid,” Dylan reminded them. “That was totally out of the ordinary for him.”
“He said he hit rock bottom, and he apologized. There were real tears in his eyes, and he’s not a guy who can pretend to be anything he’s not.” They had that in common, too. Brett had been thinking about those tears for days. When he’d told Sophie about their visit, he’d been moved to tears himself, and she’d cried right along with him. It had been as cathartic as it was difficult, and he’d felt freer ever since.
“Look, you guys never thought you’d see the day when I’d want to apologize to him, right?” Brett drew Sophie closer. “I’m proof that people can change. And hell, each one of you are too.”
“I think this is great,” Amanda said. “That must have been really hard for both of you, and I’m glad you’re taking this step. I’ve been worried about how we’d explain to our kids why their grandfather was never around.”
A pained expression washed over Carson’s face. “It’s not easy.”
“If he shows up, I’m sure we can all be civil.” Mick shifted his gaze to each of their brothers, who nodded in agreement.
“That’s all I’m asking.” Brett sighed with relief. “And, Carson, I’m sorry about not telling you and letting you decide about bringing Adeline. This has been a confusing time for me, and I was worried about the message it would send to Dad if I canceled.”
“We can handle it,” Carson said. “What’s the worst that can happen? He’s a prick and we show him the front door.”
That brought a little much-needed laughter. They finished making the dip, gave Brett a hard time about not being prepared, and then everyone headed into the living room to watch the game.
Brett drew Sophie against his side on the couch and said, “I saw you stealing glances at me. Just kiss me when you want a kiss. It doesn’t matter if my family’s here.”
“I’m not afraid to kiss you in front of them. I wasn’t looking for a kiss. I was just looking at you.”
He brushed his scruff along her cheek, the way he knew she loved, and said, “And what did you see?”
“This hot guy who I’m pretty sure is my everything.” She climbed into his lap and rested her head on his shoulder. “I love who you are.”
He held her tighter and said, “That’s good, because you’re stuck with me.”
“Get a room,” Tiffany teased.
“Uncle Bretty has a room. It’s right down the hall,” Adeline said as she colored in her coloring book.
The doorbell chimed, and Brett’s heart rate spiked. Sophie moved from his lap and he pushed to his feet. “I guess he did decide to show up after all.”
He went to answer the door, and his brothers followed, standing shoulder to shoulder a few feet away, ready to protect the people they loved most. Brett opened the door, and his stomach pitched at the sight of his father’s serious dark eyes and granitelike jaw. Old habits die hard.
He pushed those ghosts away and said, “Dad. I’m glad you came.”
Brett stepped aside, and their father’s lips curled up in the most nervous smile Brett had ever witnessed. It was strange to see his father wearing jeans and a sweater, instead of the suits he wore to the events they both attended, which was the only place they’d seen him in years. He looked much less imposing. Or maybe that was the lack of fierceness in his eyes. Whatever the cause, Brett was glad they were standing on common ground again.
