Page 24 of Exposed

“Of course, Brooklyn. And if you’re worried about breaking the news to Matt, you shouldn’t be. He’s great with kids. You should see him with his other lesser friends’ children.”

I’d heard the way Scarlett talked about Matt. He was a great uncle. I’d always thought he’d be a good father too. But that wasn’t why I was worried. “I made promises to him. All my firsts. He knows I married someone else, and he’s upset. I don’t know how he’ll react when I tell him that I had a child too.” And that I was pretty sure I couldn’t have any more children. But I didn’t say that last part. Because I wasn’t entirely sure Tanner would keep our conversations just between us.

“I think Matt’s wanted a family with you ever since he met you. In whatever shape that takes. And Jacob is part you. How could he not love him?”

I felt tears in my eyes again. I hoped Tanner was right. Because I felt something else in my stomach besides the twisting guilt. I felt hope.

Chapter 11

Saturday

Matt

“Matt?” Tanner called. “Where are you? Nigel? Nigel! Where is everyone?”

My eyelids felt heavy. I tried to call for Tanner, but my lips felt weird.

“We’re in here!” Nigel called.

A blurry Tanner walked into the bathroom and stared at me.

“What is this?” Tanner asked.

“He was acting hysterical,” Nigel said. “So I put him down.”

I laughed from the bubble bath.

“Nigel, did you drug him?”

“He was acting hysterical,” Nigel said again.

Tanner sighed. “How many times do I have to tell you to not drug our house guests?”

“But he was mad at me. He said I didn’t blend into the wall. And I like attention, but not negative attention.”

“You don’t blend into the wall when you’re wearing that. It’s bright orange and my walls are not orange.”

I laughed again.

“Hey, buddy,” Tanner said and clapped in front of my face. “Wake up. You need to be on your A-game tomorrow.”

I closed my eyes again.

“Damn it, Nigel!” Tanner yelled. “Undo whatever you did.”

“But he looks so happy.”

“He’ll be even happier if he’s lucid enough to hear Brooklyn tell him she loves him tomorrow.”

Brooklyn loves me?I felt myself sinking into the bubbles. That was a lie. She didn’t say it back.

***

“Matt,” someone said. “Matt!”

I opened my eyes to see Tanner shaking my shoulder. I yawned and sat up. “What’s going on?”

“Finally, you’re up. You have a text.” He thrust my phone in my face and then went to my closet.

---