Page 96 of Bad Boys After Dark - Brett
Sophie was dying to tell them about his visit with his father, but that wasn’t her news to share. They made their way into the kitchen, and Brett reached for her hand, bringing her into the dance with Adeline. The happiness in his eyes made her wonder if he’d already told his brothers.
“Sophie, you look pretty,” Adeline said as they twirled around the kitchen. “You’re bright pink, like Mommy! Uncle Bretty is bright blue today. I like him bright blue.”
Sophie’s gaze shot to Brett, and she knew by the wicked look in his eyes he was thinking the same thing she was. They’d already taken care of any chance of certain parts of him being blue.
Brett lifted Adeline into his arms and said, “She does look pretty, doesn’t she?” He kissed Adeline’s cheek and said, “Almost as pretty as you,” earning sweet little-girl giggles. “Adeline, do you think we should tell Sophie our secret?”
Adeline nodded with wide eyes.
“I love secrets,” Sophie said.
Brett opened his mouth, but Adeline said, “We’re going to see a play with music!” so excitedly, all eyes turned to them.
Sophie looked hopefully at Brett, knowing he hadn’t gone to see a show since he’d lost his sister. He lifted one shoulder in a shrug that tugged at her heartstrings.
“Who’s we?” Carson asked as he and Tawny came into the kitchen. Carson glanced at Mick and Dylan, who looked shell-shocked.
“Me and Uncle Bretty, and you and Mommy, and Sophie, and everyone in this room!” Adeline wiggled out of Brett’s arms and said, “Can I go color?”
“Sure, honey.” Tawny pointed to the coffee table in the living room, where she’d set out coloring books and crayons. “I’ll be right in.”
AS ADELINE SKIPPED happily into the living room, Brett told himself it was now or never. He’d been avoiding the inevitable, pretending his world might not come crashing down around him.
“You want to take Adeline to a play?” Carson asked.
He met his brothers’ surprised expressions, which mirrored his own feelings when he’d mentioned going to see a play to Adeline. But seeing her smile as they’d danced around the kitchen, and hearing her talk about how much she loved music, made him want to take her to see a musical. And when he’d looked across the room at Sophie, he’d known in his heart he was ready to put that part of his past behind him and take another step forward.
He only hoped his brothers and father were ready for the same.
Mick was watching him like a hawk, eyes narrow and serious, as if he could see into Brett’s brain and wanted to pick it apart.
“I was thinking I’d take her to a musical. I’d like all of us to go, actually. I think it would be fun.” Brett felt Sophie’s fingers touch his, and he curled his hand around hers. No more driving around mud puddles. He wanted to plow right through them.
Dylan said, “We’d love to go.”
“Us too,” Amanda said as she slid an arm around Mick.
“I think it’s a wonderful idea,” Tawny said with a warm smile. “Thank you for thinking of Adeline.”
“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately.” Brett met Mick’s gaze. “I went to see Dad, and I invited him to stop by today.”
Sophie squeezed his hand.
Carson’s eyes shot to Adeline. “You invited him here? What were you thinking? You knew Addy was going to be here. I don’t want him upsetting her.”
“It’s okay.” Tawny reached for his hand. “He didn’t cause any issues at our wedding, and I’m sure Brett would have given us a heads-up if he thought there might be problems.”
Mick’s gaze never wavered. “You should have given us warning.”
“I was afraid you guys wouldn’t come. I’m not even sure he’ll show up,” Brett said. “And I was worried about Adeline being here, but not because of Dad. He’s been seeing a therapist since the fundraiser, and I’m telling you, he’s different. I was worried about how you all would react to him.”
“You were right to worry,” Carson said. “I won’t allow him to make Adeline or Tawny uncomfortable.”
