How can someone be so evil and be willing to stoop so low? Does this woman not have any self-respect? Does she notexperience remorse or guilt? How manipulative must she be to have convinced Tristan, whose heart is made of pure gold and good intentions, that she was a good woman?
A wave of fierce protectiveness bolts it’s way through Tessa’s body, and she knows in that very moment that she will do whatever she possibly can to make sure the truth comes out.
A few hours later, after Tessa had spent a significant amount of time planning and going over in her head how she would tell Tristan about her discovery, she somehow found the strength to drive back to his house. The midafternoon sun shining brightly, which was unusual was for a fall Kansas City day, but she was thankful for the reprieve from the constant cloudiness, which had only seemed to add to Tristan’s sour mood.
When she pulled up to the house, she saw an unfamiliar SUV in the driveway and remembered that Jordan and Katie had flown in to see Tristan today. Her heart started thumping as if she were being chased by a lion, but really, it was just Jordan Kelly. The same Jordan Kelly who had screamed at her on the phone 10 years ago for ruining his little brother’s career and ultimately, life.
Maybe Tristan convinced him to be nice to her today, maybe Katie being there would soften the blow and make it less awkward, or maybe she’d walk in and he’d scream at her to get out. The only way she would find out was to enter the house with her head held high, remembering that the issue at hand was much greater than her own ego being scared of Jordan.
She took a deep breath and got out of the car, walking towards the front door she had been walking through for a few weeks now, both her and Tristan referring to it as “home” whenever they left practice or a game. But before she could reach the frontdoor, it swung open, and a very beautiful and very pregnant Katie stood before her.
Tessa’s breath caught in her throat and she felt tears prick her eyes.
Her and Katie hadn’t known each other long, definitely not as long as she’s been friends with Abigail, Amber, or Brinley, but their bond was instantaneous when they first met, and Tessa also reminisced on their friendship fondly.
“Tess!” Katie’s bright smile almost brought Tessa to her knees, and she immediately ran up the steps and enveloped Katie in a hug.
“Oh my God,” Tessa said into Katie’s blonde hair. “I can’t believe I’m seeing you with my own eyeballs right now!”
Katie cackled and pulled back, keeping her hands firmly on Tessa’s shoulders.
“Girl, you look good!” she exclaimed with a suggestive smile.
“Doesn’t she?” Tristan’s voice comes from behind Katie. He’s still in his practice clothes but he can tell he’s showered like he always does. He gently pushes past Katie and takes Tessa into his arms, causing her to squeal in delight and wrap her arms around his shoulders.
“Missed you, baby,” he whispers into her hair, allowing his voice to break and be vulnerable with her.
“I always miss you,” she says back sweetly, giving him a firm kiss on the lips. “But I’m going to need you to give me some time with Katie.”
“Noooo,” he whines like a moody toddler, looking over his shoulder at Katie and giving her an eye roll. “I want you all to myself.”
“I’ll make it up to you later,” she says with a suggestive whisper, and he smiles back at her, and her tense shoulders finally relax. Smiles haven’t been easy to come by this past week, and when she does finally get them from him she melts.
“Out of the way, Kelly!” Katie says, pushing Tristan back and taking Tessa’s hand. “Come on! Come sit with me and talk!”
Tessa giggles and let’s Katie pull her inside, the heavy topic of what Tessa discovered today suddenly forgotten.
“Well, well, well,” Tessa’s head whips around at the unmistakable voice of Jordan Kelly, and the look on his face instantly puts her at ease. He’s smiling shyly, thank God, and looks just as much of a grizzly bear as he did when she was 20 and he was 22 getting ready to graduate and play in the NFL.
“Hi, Jordan,” she says, her voice coming out smaller than she had intended.
Jordan takes a few steps towards Tessa and envelops her in an unexpected bear hug, crushing her to his chest, causing a goofy grin to break out across her face. She allows herself to hug Jordan back, feeling the familiar warmth that is a Kelly hug, and smiles sweety at him when they finally step away from each other.
“I’m really happy to see you,” Jordan says, giving her shoulder a rough pat. “And I always felt badly about how I spoke to you the last day we talked. I was an asshole, and I’m sorry.”
“I’ve never gotten an apology that sincere from you,” Katie whines, crossing her arms in defiance.
“Shit, me neither,” Tristan chimes in.
“You weren’t an asshole,” Tessa says. “You were protecting your brother. Tristan is lucky to have a brother who loves him that much. You did make me cry, though,” she adds with a teasing wink.
“You made my girlfriend cry?” Tristan says, half serious, half teasing. Tessa’s heart palpitated at the word girlfriend. They hadn’t discussed anything beyond them being exclusive, which they both assumed was grown up terms for boyfriend and girlfriend.
“And I feel bad about it,” Jordan retorts, holding his hands up in surrender.
“I’m so happy you guys are still together,” Tessa says, changing the subject quickly. “And I see you’ve been busy. Tristan was telling me this is baby number 3?” Tessa asks, gently rubbing Katie’s growing bump.
“He’s an animal, Tessa,” Katie says dryly. “He hates it when I’m not pregnant.”
