Page 132 of Bleeding Hearts Duet

Chapter Fourteen

Brighton

“How are you?” Norma asked.

I stared out at the garden, taking it all in since I hadn’t the last time I was here. The rehab center really was beautiful. I still couldn’t believe that Ryland had done this for her.

“I’m good,” I lied.

“Doesn’t look like it.” She sat back in her chair and bobbed her foot up and down. “You’re getting a little hefty.”

I laughed and rolled my eyes. Okay, so I guess some things hadn’t changed. Norma could still be as blunt as ever.

“I’m not getting hefty, Norma. I’m pregnant.”

Her eyes widened, and she stared down at my belly in shock. “You are?”

“Yes.” I swallowed. “Four months now. But you can’t tell anyone, okay? Especially not Ryland.”

“Is it his?” she asked.

“Of course it is,” I scoffed.

She held her hands up and gave me a gentle smile. “I didn’t mean it that way, Brighton. I’m just surprised. I can’t believe you’re going to be a mama.”

“I know,” I agreed. “I’m scared.”

Her expression softened, and she reached for my hand and gave it a squeeze.

“You’re going to do great,” she insisted. “So much better than I ever did.”

“Thank you,” I murmured. “I’m trying to do what’s right, but sometimes, I don’t even know what that is anymore.”

She nodded in understanding. If there was anyone who could relate to my predicament, it would be Norma. I never really cut her any slack for that, but I knew how much she both loved and feared Frankie. And he didn’t want her, so she dealt with it in the only way she knew how.

“I wish I could tell you what to do, Brighton,” she said. “But I hardly know myself. I guess that’s part of life, is figuring it out as you go.”

“Yeah I guess so,” I agreed.

We fell silent for a moment, and I fidgeted with my hands in my lap. There was something else I needed to ask, but I was half-afraid to.

“Have you heard anything from Brayden?”

She frowned, and right away, I knew I was justified in being worried.

“He’s called a couple times since you told him where I was. But he’s not real happy with me.”

“Of course he’s not,” I sneered. “Because the only thing he’ll see in the whole situation is that you’re taking Ryland’s side. He can’t see past anything else.”

“That sounds about right,” Norma agreed quietly.

She looked sad, and for the first time in a long time, I knew she needed my reassurance.

“You’re doing the right thing, Norma,” I said. “You’re taking care of yourself right now, and that’s all that matters. If Brayden can’t see that, then that’s his issue, not yours.”

“I know,” she agreed. “But I’m just… I’m worried about him, Brighton.”

I swallowed past the lump in my throat. I was too.

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