Page 39 of Forgotten Desires

Rowan clears his throat. “Yeah, about that, you slept with my sister and disappeared? You’re so fucking lucky I didn’t beat the shit out of you at my wedding when I found out. I watched my sister sob on the bathroom floor because you hurt her, and now you’re getting married?”

Seems Brynn filled her family in on our past. I’d like to tell Rowan to go fuck himself, that it’s between Brynlee and myself, but we’re not coming at this on equal footing. I hurt his sister and if this were my sister, I’d be the same.

“Rowan!” Brynlee steps in.

I squeeze her hand. “He’s right. I hurt you, and then when I saw you again for the first time, I hurt you more.” I look to her brothers. “I was wrong to ever walk away from her. I loved your sister more than I can say, and I truly believed I was protecting her when I disappeared ten years ago. I was young and stupid, and not able to give her the life I can now. But you know we’re not talking about the money, because Brynlee couldn’t give a fuck about my fortune. If you want to punch me, now is the time. After tonight, our past is behind us.”

Rowan smirks, and Charlotte slaps his chest and shakes her head. Grady looks at us and smiles. “I have nothing to say other than that if this is what she wants, none of us have a right to say a word.”

“That’s right. None of you do.” Brynlee points her finger at Rowan. “Especially those of you living in glass houses.”

Grady is the first to approach me, his hand extended. “Welcome to the family, Carson.”

I return the gesture. “Thank you, and please, call me Crew.”

He nods, then I repeat the same sentiment with her other brothers. I pull her to me, wrapping my arm around her and kissing her head. “That wasn’t so bad.”

She smiles up at me. “That isn’t even the half of it. Wait until Olivia gets here.”

* * *

Her niece arrives twenty minutes later at Asher’s house, and Brynlee takes us up to her room for privacy. Olivia has the entire upstairs, which is more of a loft. There’s a bedroom on one side and a playroom on the other.

We’re sitting on the couch and Brynn’s leg is bouncing. She releases a heavy sigh and lifts her hands to sign, speaking aloud as she does so.“Olivia, this is Carson, but we call him Crew.”

I wave and she does the same.

“Crew and I liked each other a lot when I was in college.”

Olivia’s eyes widen and she signs. Brynn smiles and nods.

“What did she say?” I ask.

“She asked if we hooked up.”

I laugh.

Brynn ignores me and returns her attention to Olivia.“He came to Uncle Rowan’s wedding, and we started talking again.”

Olivia signs and Brynn speaks. “She said she remembers you being there and wants to know why she had to come here.”

Brynn replies to her niece.“I asked you to come because I wanted to tell you myself. Crew and I have been spending some time together and I mentioned I liked him a lot, but I loved him too. He asked me to marry him and I said yes.”

Her voice trembles as she speaks, and I wish I could take her fear away. Olivia looks to me and then to her aunt. Brynlee and Olivia speak back and forth, though she’s stopped interpreting, and I remain patient. It’s clear whatever conversation they’re having, it’s more important for her to talk to Olivia than to me.

After another minute, Olivia launches herself into Brynn’s arms and they hug. She turns to me.

“Olivia was worried, but she’s so happy for us. She also thinks you’re cute.”

I grin. “And you were worried she wouldn’t take it well. I’m a catch, you know, all the girls love me.”

She rolls her eyes and then Olivia leans back. “Olivia wants me to tell you that she would love to meet Layla.”

I look to Brynn. “How do I sign that she’ll love meeting her?”

Brynn shows me and I do my best, but I’m sure I butcher it. The two of them smile and Brynn corrects whatever I got wrong.

Olivia replies and Brynlee laughs. “She said you did it wrong, but she appreciates the effort.”

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