The guys had to leave for an away game yesterday, but apparently come back tomorrow. I remember Brent’s hockey schedule was always crazy when we were younger, but the professional level is insanity.
Brynn was more than happy to meet with me, especially since Colton’s gone. She said normally she would spend the day with Chandler helping with Evie, but now that Brent is home after his retirement, she said it’s “lame to not have her girl time.”
We meet at a small brunch place she recommended and I get us a table while I wait. She walks in, noticing me almost immediately. Her face breaks into a huge smile as she walks over, and I stand so we can wrap each other in a hug because I know she wants that. Honestly, so do I.
After we sit down, the waitress comes over and I just order a water, but when Brynn orders a “virgin mimosa” I give her a questioning look.
“You could just say orange juice, you know?”
“Bailey,” she shakes her head, “Just let me have this.”
I chuckle, agreeing with her antics.
Our cold drinks are delivered and as she takes a sip of the orange juice I ask, “How’s thevirgin mimosa?”
“Perfectly mixed.” She sets it down as a serious look settles onher face. “I’m really glad you came to see us, and I hope you’ll be around more. I would really like for you to be in these two’s lives.” She rubs her stomach and I smile softly thinking about my future nieces or nephews.
“Do you have any guess on what they’re going to be?”
“I think one boy, one girl. Colton thinks two boys.”
“When do you find out?”
“In a couple of weeks we can get a blood test to find out, but we may wait until a little later. Mostly because I know the waiting is killing Colton.”
I chuckle, thinking about how I would be the same way if I was in her position, but also have the sobering realization that I won’t be. And it’s for the best. While I may be able to get past my fears when it comes to being back in their lives, I know, without a shadow of a doubt, I wouldn’t want to subject a child in the mess that is mine.
The closest I’ll have to a child is Sadie, and that’s more than okay with me.
“I can’t wait to meet them. I’m sorry I haven’t been around. I realize now it may have been for a stupid reason.”
“Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s not stupid,” she insists. “I know you all tried to protect me because I’m the youngest. I’m grateful for it, but I still saw everything. It messed all of us up in our own ways, but none of us resent each other because of it. At least, I don’t resent any of you.”
I swallow roughly. “What about Brandon?”
She sighs. “I don’t resent him. I had a lot of guilt about his death, but I’ve had to realize that he made his own decisions. He chose to turn to drugs. Even when Brent offered to help him get sober, time and again, he decided not to accept it. There’s only so much we can do, Bailey.”
I nod, agreeing. “I know, I had guilt about it too. I didn’t want the same thing to happen to any of you. I didn’t want to be the reason anything changed in the lives you’ve built.”
Brynn shakes her head, adamantly. “That would’ve never happened. The only way you could change it is for the good, I hope you know that.”
I give her a close lipped smile. “I do now.”
“Good, because I may technically be a Wheeler now, but I’ll always be a Collee at heart.”
I smile at that. “And I’ll just always be a Collee.”
“Really? You don’t think you’ll ever be Mrs. Wes…what’s his last name?”
“Anderson.” I chuckle. “But no, I don’t know.” Instinctively I reach up to touch the necklace he gave me, remembering what it stands for. What he claimed. What we said without fully saying it.
Mine.
I’m yours.
“Sure ya won’t. Trust me, sis, it’s a lot easier when you just give into your feelings.”
I don’t tell her that she’s probably right. Instead, I divert with something she mentioned previously. “Speaking of, are you going to tell me about the fight Brent and Colton got into?”
