She sighed. “I love Trey. He’s my brother and all, but I’m kind of interested to find out who my dad is. I just don’t…I don’t know what to believe about what my mum said about him all these years.”
“You know me, Bri, I wouldn’t lie to you, and I’m not just going to bullshit you because I’m dating your dad, but he really does care about you, and your brother. Trey’s mother did the same thing yours did, but at least he could see him. Whereas with you, your mother completely hid you from him. He’s been waiting for the day to be able to be your dad. Take it slow, and if it gets too much, tell him. He’s not going to get upset. He knows it’s not going to happen overnight.”
She nodded, turning her head to look at me. “Is Trey really okay with the whole thing?”
“Yeah,” I replied. “I mean he was annoyed at first, but not because of us, because it’s his dad and they have a very strained relationship, but I think it’ll get better over time.”
“Does that mean you’re my stepmum now?”
Whoa…that’s intense.
“Oh god,” she gasped, holding her hand over her mouth. “Trey’s your stepson. Ew!”
We both burst into laughter, looking up at the sky, as our giggling took over. It felt like it did when she stayed over back when she introduced herself to Trey. We’d had a pizza party and watched TV shows all weekend until her bitch mother showed up and dragged her back home.
Once our laughter died down, the silence stretched on.
“What happened with your mum, Bri?”
She sighed, the weight on her young shoulders. God, how I knew what that felt like, but I didn’t want her to think I was just saying that to get on her good side.
“I’m different, Ro. I don’t like the normal shit girls my age do. I like hard rock, metal even, and I love getting piercings and tattoos. I like drinking and going to The Pit to watch people get bloody. I couldn’t hide it anymore. She wanted me to dress in pretty clothes, with way too much colour, and to say nice things to people, to go to school and get good grades and to be polite to people who looked down on me because I didn’t have my dad at my school when I got awards.”
I could hear how angry she was getting and I wanted to reach out to hug her, but I didn’t want her to stop unloading. She desperately needed it.
“I hated him for never showing up, you know, but she probably didn’t even tell him about all the awards, did she?”
“I don’t think so. He wouldn’t have missed it.”
Brianna swiped at tears that fell silently down the sides of her face, rolling into her hair. “I wanted him to be so proud. I only knew he rode bikes, so I wrote an essay all about the Harley Davidson, the history, the sound difference, how they were made, and why they were so popular. I got the best grade inmy class, but when he didn’t come to the presentation, I was so devastated. I think that was the turning point, you know.”
“A girl just needs her dad sometimes,” I mused, knowing just how heartbreaking it was not to have one.
“Yeah. Do you think he’ll think I’m weird because of the things I’m into? Obviously we won’t tell him about how I love sex.”
I burst out laughing, unable to hold it in. Brianna grinned over at me, her watery eyes a contradiction to her smile. “Yeah, let’s skip that part, babe.”
I jumped up and helped her to her feet.
“No,” I told her. “I don’t think he’s going to care, because no one should. It’s your life. As long as you’re happy, safe and living your best life, I think your dad is going to be incredibly proud of the woman you’ve become.”
“Really?”
The look of uncertainty in her eyes was killing me. Pulling her into my arms, I hugged her tight. “Absolutely, and if you ever think he’s not, tell me and I’ll kick his ass for being a moody prick.”
Her rumble of laughter against my chest was enough to make my heart bloom. “You’re good at this.”
“At what, babe?”
“Being a mum.”
My stomach did a weird little flutter thing and I felt my cheeks turn hot. Mum.
“Oh sorry, am I not allowed to say that?” Brianna asked, obviously picking up on my hesitation.
“No, babe. It’s okay…I’ve just never thought I’d ever be…ya know, a good mum or anything. My own was a piece of work, so I just didn’t want to fuck a kid up.”
“Have you and my dad not talked about it? You’re still pretty young, and I kinda dig the idea of having a little sister.”
