Page 125 of Reputation (Tempt)

Graham nodded, considering. They were all quiet, and it was unnerving.

I felt myself growing hotter and madder. At my family for pushing. At Emerson for hiding her panic attack. At the entire fucking situation. This was all Trinity’s fault.

“Knox dated Jude’s ex for months, and none of us knew about it. You didn’t get butthurt at him for keeping that secret. Nor do I see any of you questioning his decision, even though it had a bigger impact on our family dynamics.”

“We’re just worried about you,” Knox said, taking my ire in stride. “That’s all.”

I glanced around the table at each of them, absorbing their various expressions. Talk about being ganged up on. I scoffed. “Why can’t you just be happy for me?”

“You’ve had a lot going on,” Knox continued, ever the protective older brother.

“Ialwayshave a lot going on.”

And so did Emerson. Fuck. I dragged my hand through my hair. I was supposed to be minimizing her stress, especially with her upcoming competition. Not exacerbating it. To hear that she’d suffered a panic attack and I hadn’t been there for her…

That she hadn’t even told me… I held a hand to my chest, pain lancing through me. It hurt.

And to know that this was my fault—I was the one who’d put us in this position in the first place.

Knox shook his head. “This is different. A tell-all, a new film that’s generating tons of attention, Trinity’s bullshit,andan engagement.”

“That doesn’t mean you should jump to conclusions. I mean, how would you feel if I insinuated that you were marrying Kendall because she was pregnant?” I asked, knowing Knox didn’t want more kids.

He lifted a shoulder. “I’d be fucking thrilled if she were.”

“What?” Jasper and I blurted at the same time. Even stoic Graham raised an eyebrow in question.

“She’snotpregnant,” Knox continued. “But if I have my way, that won’t be the case for long.”

I gaped at him, repeating, “What?” because I couldn’t think of anything else.

He nodded, a wistful smile forming on his face. “We want to have children.”

“You do?” I nearly choked. He was forty-seven. He had a son who was almost thirty. Was he seriously considering starting over again?

“Yeah. I do.” He smoothed his hand down his beard.

I didn’t know what to say. I sure as hell hadn’t been expecting that.

“You don’t?” Graham asked me.

“I…” I sighed. “I don’t honestly know.” It was difficult to focus on the future when I was still dealing with Trinity’s manipulative bullshit.

“What about Emerson?” Jasper asked. “Surely she wants children of her own. She’s only twenty-nine. And she loves kids enough to be a nanny.” He shuddered.

Jasper was right. Emersondidwant kids.Did I?And how would Brooklyn feel about becoming an older sister?

“Well?” Jasper asked, and I realized everyone was staring at me.

Shit.

“We only just got engaged. And Emerson is still training.” They didn’t need to know that she planned to retire soon. “Now is not the time to discuss having kids. And why do you care so much?” I asked, growing agitated. I was just trying to survive the custody battle and Emerson’s competition. I couldn’t deal with these types of questions right now—and from my family, of all people.

“Jesus.” Jasper threw his hands in the air. “What the hell is your problem, Nate?”

I sighed, resting my head in my hands. I was overwhelmed. Exhausted. And afraid. Afraid I was going to lose Brooklyn. Lose Emerson.

“I’m afraid I’m going to lose everything,” I said into my palms.

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