Page 101 of Full Split
And that’s it. She turns back to the TV like we just talked about the weather.
“Invite him to dinner, will you? It’d be fun to screw with him before I give y’all my blessing.”
CHAPTER 28
WYATT
Brianne insisted on having us for dinner the night before we travel to Indianapolis to visit the USAG headquarters. We have a meeting with the Board of Directors and the leadership team in the early afternoon. Our plane leaves at six-thirty in the morning.
“Good evening, Brianne. Thanks for having us,” I say as she answers the door.
“Hey Ms. P,” Weston says from behind me.
“Hello! Come on in. I’m surprised you even knocked.”
She’s right. That was weird. We’ve been going back and forth to each other’s houses so much over the years that we typically just knock and stick a head in the door to let them know it’s us.
“Guess I just have a lot going on in my mind.”
“Oh, I bet.”
Was that sarcasm? Much like Niles, Brianne has a wicked gleam in her eyes as she leads us to the kitchen. I keep a wary eye on her as we help get the table set and sit down for chicken parmesanserved over zucchini noodles. It’s one of my favorite meals that she usually only makes on my birthday.
“What’s the occasion?”
“I just felt like you deserved something special for everything you’ve been doing for my son,” she replies. “You’re such a good role model and mentor to Niles. I hope you know how appreciative I am that my baby boy has such a strong male influence in his life.” Her smile is wide and inviting, but her eyes are stone cold, and she maintains hard eye contact. “You know, since his father walked out on him when he was so young, you’ve really been the only one he’s had to look up to.”
“Mom…” Niles says in what sounds like a warning tone.
I feel sick. If I weren’t already positive that I’m headed straight to whatever hell exists, she’s confirmed it. I can’t do this anymore. I can’t. What she deserves is for me to come clean, throw myself at her mercy, and hope she doesn’t send me there herself.
We speak at the same time.
“Brianne, I need to tell you?—”
“What are your intentions with my son?”
Oh, shit.She knows. She knows, and judging by the stony, unimpressed expression on her face, she’s known for a while.
Jesus, this woman is terrifying when she wants to be. That I’m still alive right now is honestly a miracle and a testament to her restraint.
Is it hot in here? I’m sweating. Why isn’t anyone else sweating?
I swallow deeply and give her the respect of looking her in the eye, even though the animal inside me wants to cower, roll over and show my soft underside.
“I love him,” I say, my voice reflecting the strength of my conviction, and not the shame and fear I feel. “For what it’s worth, I’m not ashamed that I love him. I’m ashamed that I wasn’t upfront and honest with you about my feelings, both as a parent and a friend. It actually took a while for me to come to terms with it, and it’s because of the reservations you are no doubt feeling. But I love him. I love him in a way I didn’t know I was capable of.”
Niles’ hand slips into mine, and I feel the pressure of the small squeeze of support.
You’ve got this. I’m with you.
Brianne maintains her stony expression, and I realize I didn’t answer her question.
“My intentions with your son are to continue to love him for as long as he’ll have me. To support, encourage, and grow with him no matter what obstacles. To fight for and with him. To make sure he’s getting everything he needs out of life and love. And to return the amount of love and acceptance that he’s shown me tenfold.”
Brianne doesn’t say anything, but Niles’ hand tightens. When I turn my head to look at him, there are tears in his eyes. I lift our joined hands and kiss his knuckles, then look back at Brianne.
“I’m ready and willing to risk anything and everything to make sure Niles gets his fair chance with USAG. I’m confident that what we’ll present to them tomorrow will ensure he won’t be unfairly punished for the harassment he’s endured. But I dohave a backup plan in the event it doesn’t go our way. I have also permanently removed myself as an employee of Sid’s gym and stepped back from any official coaching positions.”
