“Yeah, I know.” Her cheeks were pink. “But you know Dad. I’m worried he’d care a little bit too much. He’d go stomping in there.”
Brenna thought about the times he’d threatened to do exactly that when she was at school and knew that holding him back wouldn’t be easy. “Maybe we can think of small things you could do. Like looking more confident or pretending you don’t care.”
“It wouldn’t work.”
“Maybe not, but it might be worth trying.”
“Did you?”
“No. I tried to ignore it and struggled through each day, but I wish I hadn’t. I wish I’d told them I deserved respect. That everyone deserves respect.”
Jess curled her legs under her. “Did you have any friends?”
“Your dad.” Brenna gave a half smile. “The moment I got out of school, I used to come up here and hang out with the O’Neils.”
“Who was the person who was mean to you? Does she still live around here?”
Brenna stared at her, heart thudding. It was the one question she knew she could never answer. “No, she doesn’t. I think we should focus on you—”
The sound of the front door opening made them both jump and the next minute Ash bounded into the room, trailing snow across the floor.
Relieved at the interruption, Brenna grabbed his collar and coaxed him to sit.
Tyler strode into the room, glowering like a caged beast. “He pulled away from me twice in the forest. He is out of control.”
Jess was on her knees on the floor, arms around Ash as she cuddled him and kissed him. “You’re a bad, bad boy. No one understands you.”
“I understand him perfectly.” Tyler shrugged out of his coat. “He’s a thug.”
“He’s adorable.”
“If that’s your idea of adorable, I’m not looking forward to the day you start dating.” He caught sight of the crystal globe on the shelf. “What is that doing there?”
Jess gave Brenna a look that shrieked I told you so and started a countdown. “Five, four, three, two, one—”
“I put it there.” Brenna tried to head off the explosion. “You should be really proud of it. I can’t bear that you keep them hidden away.”
He didn’t explode. Instead he stood still. His face could have been carved from stone, and she felt a sudden pang of guilt that she’d caused him more pain.
She waited for him to shout at her but instead he turned and strode out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
Jess sighed. “No wonder he’s single.”
* * *
IT FELT AS IF his whole life was unraveling. Things he’d had under control suddenly felt out of control. Emotions he tried to ignore were battering him from all sides.
Stepping out of the shower, he reached for a towel and then heard a tap on his bedroom door.
Knotting the towel around his waist, he strolled across the room and opened the door.
Brenna was standing there, and he saw guilt in her eyes in the brief moment before she looked away from his bare chest. “I didn’t mean to make you mad. I’m sorry.” She tripped over her words. “Actually, I’m not sorry. You shouldn’t hide those awards, Tyler. They’re part of you. They represent a huge achievement. You won them.”
He wondered if she wore mascara or if her eyelashes were that thick and lush naturally. “I’m pleased you’re speaking your mind, but why are you speaking it to the wall? We used to be able to look each other in the eyes.”
“You’re not wearing anything.”
“I’m wearing a towel. If you’re not ready to look at me when I’m wearing a towel, you are definitely not ready to have sex with Josh.”