Hot Summer Nights (Lucas Brothers #7) -Jordan Marie Page 0,3
Probably nothing since I’d also have to admit that I’d still have left because I’m just that fucked up.
“So, if it’s not to tell me off again for the condom ripping or to curse me and tell me that you wish my dick would become infested with sand fleas, why are you here?”
“I didn’t say sand fleas, I said fleas in general. Although, if you think about it, sand fleas would probably be better for you. They make hair fall off. Your manscaping time would be cut in half,” I try to joke, feeling anything but funny.
Bryant lets out a grunt, clearly not appreciating my sad attempt of humor. “Maggie, just stop. Why are you here? Are you wanting another spin on my cock? I’ll be happy to oblige baby, but in my house, condoms aren’t allowed. So, either start stripping or get the hell out.”
“Wow. Does that line work on all your women, Bryant?”
“No fucking clue. I’ve only ever had one woman, and nothing truly seems to work with her,” he says, shocking me to my core.
“I’m the only woman you, I… Never mind. You obviously mean I’m the only woman you’ve been married to. I’m just being—”
“You’re the only woman period, Maggie.”
“Bryant.”
“Don’t Bryant me. I’m tired. Are you going to stand there and tell me that you let another man between your legs?”
“What if I had?” I mutter defensively. I haven’t. I’ve made so many mistakes in my life that if I spend time thinking about them, I usually end up in tears. One mistake I’ve never made is trying to replace Bryant. He won’t believe me—it’s not like I’ve given him reason to trust me—but honestly, he’s the only man I’ve ever wanted—or ever will.
“Then, I guess we’ll get divorced,” he says, his voice hard. “Oh shit, wait…”
“Very funny, Bryant. You’re making this harder than it should be,” I snap, my own temper starting to flare.
“Gee, I’m so sorry. Lord knows you’ve always made life easy for me, Maggie.”
“You say that like everything is my fault!” I yell, this sick feeling hitting my gut. God, it hurts. Bryant doesn’t realize that I already blame myself for everything as it is.
“Don’t put that on me, baby. That was never me. That was you. You are the only one who blamed yourself for the loss of Brylee.”
“I don’t want to talk about that Bryant. That’s not why I’m here,” I all but whisper, feeling lost.
“You never want to talk about it,” he sighs, rubbing the back of his neck, head bent. I can see the pain radiating from him. He’s such a beautiful man standing there in faded jeans, barefoot and no shirt. His hair slightly damp from a shower. I long to reach up and kiss him, tell him I love him—that I’ve always loved him—and yet, I don’t. “Why are you here?” he asks, bringing my attention back to the reason I’m here. I swallow nervously as I fight my nerves and this sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.
“I’m pregnant.”
Bryant
A Mistake Worth Repeating
“Will you say something?” Maggie says, jerking my attention back to her. I lift my gaze to look at her face and all I can think is that this should be something beautiful. We should be celebrating. I should be able to pick her up and spin her around. I should be able to kiss her, carry her to bed and worship her body the way I have in my dreams a million times.
I can’t do that because this is not news that makes Maggie happy. I’m truly not sure how I feel about it, but only because this won’t fix the rift between the two of us.
“What do you want me to say, Maggie?”
“Something. Anything,” she mumbles, but she’s not looking at me. She walks over to the sofa and plops down on it.
I take a deep breath and follow her over, sitting down beside her. She looks dejected, pale and alone. I hate that look because Maggie doesn’t have to be alone. I used to think she was one of the bravest women I’ve ever known. Now, I see beneath that hard outer shell that she wears. She’s terrified to live. Terrified to love.
“It’s going to be okay, Maggie,” I whisper, knowing that’s what is worrying her the most.
“You don’t know that Bryant. You can’t tell me everything is going to be fine when you have no fucking idea if it will or not,” she says, her voice filled with pain.