Even in my confusion aboutmeand what the fuck this weird, sudden arousal shit means, I’m excited to be with him again, however it happens.
Which means avoiding him for the past week has been an extra big dose of asshole. Of course. That’s how I process shit.
“Did you hear me, Brek?” Briar asks.
I blink back into the present. “No. I was ignoring you.”
He rolls his eyes. “We’re beginning the process to have a second child,” Briar says.
I grin. “Really? Already?”
“Yeah. We want our kids close in age. So we’re starting the process for adoption again.”
“That’s awesome, Briar. I’m excited to meet your next kid.”
“Same,” Haze says.
It’s then that Uncle Noaz comes through the doors with Emerson. As soon as they set the boy on his feet, Honey Bee jumps up and wraps her arms around Uncle Noaz. They look startled.
“I’m not dying,” they say.
Honey Bee laughs. “Briar just told us you’re having another kid.”
Uncle Noaz gives their husband a sweet, swoony smile. The kind that says they’re absolutely in love with their partner. “We’re beginning the process again, but there’s nothing set in stone yet.”
“Still excited,” Honey Bee says.
Briar gets to his feet and kisses Uncle Noaz. “Go get spoiled for the afternoon. Love you.”
Uncle Noaz sighs. “Love you. But for the record, you already spoil me every single day.”
“Ugh. I don’t want to see this sappiness,” I grumble. I’m teasing. I don’t care. Actually, if anything, Iloveto see how deep inlove they are. Imry’s words describing Avory and Ellory’s love apply to Uncle Noaz and Briar, too. They share the kind of love everyone dreams about. The kind of love that we all strive to have.
Uncle Noaz flashes me a grin and crouches to kiss Emerson’s head before waving their goodbyes. Briar shoves me gently on the way back to his seat, but I’m sure he knows I was teasing.
I don’t actually want that, but I don’t care if I see it. I’m glad he’s in love. I’m glad he finally has the family he’s always wanted.
It’s just not the future I see myself in.
7
VOSS
My leg bounces,and I stare at it. I grip the back of the chair behind me as I slouch, scowling. My room is dim. It’s late. We’re going on day eight, where Brek isn’t speaking to me. I’m surprisingly… hurt by it, though I’ve taken a note out of Brek’s book and I’m letting that hurt manifest into grumpiness.
However, I’m doing my best to keep it to myself. Whether I’m doing a good job is up for debate. I might have snapped at Isabel at work today. I’ve already ordered flowers and chocolates to be delivered every hour on the hour tomorrow in apology. She didnothingwrong. In fact, she was doing her job when she interrupted me, staring at nothing and obsessing over Brek, who isn’t talking to me, to tell me my dad asked for my presence in Crestley’s office.
I hate how I made her feel. I left the office after that and tried to find a spot to corner Brek when he came home, but in a house that’s over 60,000 square feet… yeah, not easy. I’d already anticipated that he’d not be taking his usual route to his room, but I chose the wrong alternative.
What I should have done is camped out in front of his damn door. I thought maybe that was too forward. I’d been going for casual.
It’s almost eleven now, and I’m frustrated. I asked him several times if he wanted to stop, and he said no every time. He’d felt into it. He’d acted into it.
Growling at my empty bedroom, I scrub my hands over my face, knocking my glasses askew. I bet his door is locked again. Might as well go check.
I push myself to my feet and leave my bedroom. The hall is quiet since it’s so late. I glance at Lorissa’s room, wondering if I checked on her tonight. Probably not. I’ll check on her extra early tomorrow.
Unsurprisingly, Brek’s door is locked. I’m not accepting that tonight. I march myself back to my room and grab my phone. I’m not wasting my time with texts, though. I dial his fucking number and keep calling until he answers.
