Under the Midnight Stars (22 page)

Brielle opened her eyes and sat up. It was dark outside. “What time is it?”

“It’s after nine.” He sat on the edge of her bed. “Are you sure you’re okay?” He placed his wrist to her forehead.

She yawned. “I’m okay. I just had a nightmare. And I think I have that flu bug Zeke was talking about.”

“Are you sure that’s all? You don’t have a fever.” Colt took her hand in his. “I’ve been thinking … maybe you’re pregnant?”

Her eyes widened. “No. No, I’m not.” She shook her head at the thought. Sure, they hadn’t been as careful as they should’ve been, but she was sure she wasn’t pregnant.

“Maybe you should take a home test to be sure?”

“No, Colt, I started today. I’m not pregnant. It’s just the flu. I’m sure of it,” she replied regretfully, though she didn’t know why. She felt as if she’d just let him down.

He drew his brows together. “You …
started?
So then…” He lowered his head.

“It’s just the flu,” she whispered.

Images of her dream flooded her thoughts — of Colt and Junior bonding together as father and son. She couldn’t take that away from him. From either of them. A chance to be a real father to his son. A chance to give Junior a real family.

“Are you disappointed?” she asked softly.

“A little … I just love you so much that the thought of having a baby with you is something I look forward to.”

Tears filled her eyes. She didn’t want to break his heart, but she couldn’t get his son out of her thoughts. “You already have a child with someone, Colt.” She reached up and began twirling a lock of her hair. “And he needs a father.”

Colt eyed her warily. “Yeah, and if he’s my son, I’ll be a father to him. And I’m sure you two will get along great.”

At that moment, she wanted nothing more than to wrap her arms around him and kiss him forever. But ever since she set eyes on Junior, her conscience had been ridden with guilt. She climbed off of the bed and went to the window, staring at the stars in the night sky.

“He’s just an innocent party to your mistake, Colt. He’s an innocent boy who needs his father.” She turned to face him. “He needs a family … with you … and his mother …
together.
”

Colt tensed. He stood and moved toward her.

She put her hands up and backed away from him as she shook her head.

“Brielle, what are you saying?” he asked incredulously.

“This isn’t right — you and me. You can’t just write Miranda off without giving it a try. And I know you wanted to — I saw your list. Miranda was on it.”

“No, Brielle, I don’t want to give it a try with her. I was just curious as to how she turned out is all. We were friends for a long time before we ever started dating.” He took a deep breath to calm his defensive demeanor. When he spoke again his voice was full of love. “But what I do want is to give it a try with
you
and only you.”

The pain in his eyes was evident. Tears formed and effortlessly rolled down her cheeks as her heart broke in two. It took every bit of courage to remain stoic.

“Well … you can’t because your son deserves to wake up and sit down to breakfast with his mom and dad every morning. And he deserves to be tucked in by both of you every night. A child needs that. They need both of their parents. I lost my mom when I was
twenty-one,
Colt. And I’m
still
heartbroken over it. I can’t take you from your son. If there’s a possibility that you and Miranda could work things out, I can’t stand in the way.”

“Brielle, you don’t mean that. I’ll never be with Miranda. I don’t love her. I never did. Junior’s done just fine without me living in his house with him. He’ll do even better now that he can be a part of my life, and me his. But it’ll have to be apart from his mother — in
separate
houses. That’s just all there is to it.” He took a step toward her.

“No!” She shook her head, adamant on her decision. “I think we should take some time apart to sort all this out.” Tears continued to flow. She took in a ragged breath. “I can’t destroy a little boy’s chance at finally having a family. I won’t.” She held her head high. “You should leave.”

Colt was dumbfounded. “What brought all this on? Is it because I thought you were pregnant? Don’t let that scare you. We can be more careful.”

“No, Colt, it’s not that. You have a son with another woman. And I don’t know if I’m okay with that.” She lied. But she knew it was the only way to get him to leave. To give Miranda and Junior a chance at a real life with him.

“Look, I know you’re scared. So am I. But we can figure this out together, baby. Please,” he pleaded with a hint of desperation in his voice.

“It’s too much for me, Colt,” she replied firmly, trying to control her tears. “You need to leave.”

Tears glistened in his eyes. “You don’t mean that.”

“Yes, I do.” She stood her ground. “Go.”

“Please, baby, just give me a chance to work things out. I love you.” Quiet tears of pain rolled down his cheeks.

“Please, don’t make this any harder than it is. It’s over, Colt! I’ve had time to think about it and I’m mad as hell that you have a child with another woman! It can never be for us now! Please …
leave!
” she shouted angrily and shoved him toward the door.

He stared at her, completely bewildered.

“Go!” she shouted even louder and shoved him again.

He stumbled back a step. “I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but I’m not giving up on us.” With that, he turned and walked out the door.

Brielle stood silently until the boom of the front door shutting echoed through the empty house. Then she fell to her knees and sobbed.

The next four days passed painfully slowly. Brielle moped about the house, forlorn and miserable. The flu, and her broken heart, took its toll on her physically and emotionally. Every ounce of her concentration, along with the sharp wits of her brother, had been needed to understand all of the intricate details of the business contract the lawyer had brought over for her to sign.

Colt wanted to be with her, but she had stubbornly refused him. It was just too soon. In her distraught condition, if she set eyes on him now, she was sure she’d leap right into his arms and never let go.

Jack came into the room and sat on the coffee table facing Brielle, blocking her view of the TV.

She lay motionlessly on the leather couch in her father’s T-shirt and her mother’s pink sweatpants, hugging one of the teddy bears serving as couch pillows, waiting patiently for him to move.

When he didn’t budge she gave him the satisfaction of meeting his pathetic stare. “You’re in the way,” she said, her voice raspy.

“I know. I’m not moving ’til you start talking.”

She hadn’t the energy for another duel. Her illness and melancholy over the last few days had worried Jack sick. He insisted repeatedly she see a doctor, and he even tried carrying her out of the house against her will to take her to see one. She was able to talk him out of it, assuring him she just had the flu, and that she was starting to feel a little better each day. But from the worried look on his face right now, she was sure Jack finally figured out she misled him.

She sighed, exhausted. “There’s nothing to tell. Colt and I aren’t together anymore.”

He sighed and rolled his eyes. “I know. But what happened?”

“I don’t know. I guess I’m angry that he has a son after all. Now scoot.”

Jack didn’t budge. “I think I should take you to the doctor.” He uneasily studied her appearance. “You look like you’re on your last leg of life.”

“I’m fine, Jack. I just have the flu. I’ve been throwing up for the last few days. You should stay back so you don’t get it. It’s horrible,” she replied glumly.

“Are you drinking enough water?”

She reached down and grabbed the half-empty bottle of water sitting on the floor. She held it up for him to see, not amused by his concern. Then she opened her fingers and let it drop.

Jack reached out and snatched it midair and set it on the coffee table. “What about food? Have you been eating?”

“The only thing I can stomach is those plain frozen waffles. And crackers. But we’re almost out.” She yawned.

“All right, I’ll run to the supermarket and get a few things. But if you’re not feeling better by tomorrow I’m taking you to see the doc.” He patted her on the leg and stood. Then he grabbed the plush purple throw from the back of the couch and draped it over her.

“Thanks, Jack,” she mumbled and closed her eyes, having no energy to speak of. A constant emptiness filled her chest, and her stomach was beginning to swirl again. Within a few minutes she’d be sprinting to the bathroom. But until then she just needed to rest her heavy eyes. To ease her heavy heart. Just for a moment…

Brielle opened her eyes as the hearty smell of food wafted past her nostrils. On the coffee table was a bowl of chicken noodle soup accompanied by a plate of saltine crackers. A glass of clear bubbly liquid sat beside it.

She sat up and grabbed the glass, sniffing its contents. “Jack,” she called out hoarsely. “What’s this?”

Hesitantly, she sipped her drink. It was ginger ale. It went down smoothly. She took a few more sips before setting it aside to eat the noodles from the yellow broth. Eating slowly, she tested to see if her stomach would permit such frivolity. It seemed to settle just fine. Smiling, she dipped her cracker into the broth and took a bite.

Just then she heard footsteps approach from behind. “Thank you, Jack,” she said without looking at him. She took another bite and set the bowl on the coffee table.

“You’re welcome,” Colt replied.

Startled, Brielle snapped her head in Colt’s direction. “What are you doing here?”

“Just doing Jack a favor. He got called in. How are you feeling?”

She sat back and crossed her arms. “I’m fine.”

He sat on the other end of the couch, his expression full of concern. “No, Brielle, you’re not. Your eyes look like you have bruises around them, they’re so dark, and you’re as pale as a ghost. You look like you’re about to die.”

She opened her mouth to speak, but stopped short as the urge to vomit overwhelmed her. Bolting off the couch, she rushed down the hall to the bathroom. When she’d finished vomiting, she slowly made her way back to the couch, using the wall for support. Colt hadn’t budged. She sat down and curled into the corner of the couch.

He handed her the bottle of water from the coffee table. “Maybe I should take you to the doctor. It’s been four days, Brielle, and you’re still throwing up. You might be dehydrated.”

“I’m fine. It’s just the flu. I’ve felt a little better today. I’ve been throwing up every few hours now instead of every twenty minutes. I’ve been drinking plenty of water.” Her voice was tired, but void of any emotion that might lead Colt to think that she missed him.

He stared at her for a moment, his concerned look softening to reflect his pain. He reached over and wrapped his hand around hers. “Please, baby, let me take care of you. Let me love you.”

It took every bit of strength to refrain from throwing herself into his arms. But who was she kidding? It was obvious he still loved her, and only her. She could feel it. He wanted her and she wanted him. When she thought of her future, he was in it, right by her side. It’d be foolish of her to throw it all away. Her love for him couldn’t be denied any longer.

She sighed, finally giving into her heart. “Colt…” she said softly. She bit her lower lip. “I—”

Colt’s cell phone rang. He pulled his hand from hers to answer it. “Hello?”

“Colt, it’s Miranda. Can you meet me? It’s about the test results.”

Brielle held her breath. Though the phone was pressed to Colt’s ear, every word Miranda spoke was clear as day.

“Uhhhhh.” Colt hesitated.

“Please, Colt, I’d rather talk to you about it in person.”

He glanced at Brielle.

She quickly shifted her gaze, pretending to be oblivious to the conversation.

Reluctantly, he gave in. “Sure. Where?”

“I’m at the diner right now.”

“All right. I’ll be there in ten.”

“Bye, Colt.”

“See ya.” He shoved his phone back into his jeans. “I have to meet Miranda. I’ll be back in thirty minutes.”

Jealousy stung Brielle’s heart. “I know. I heard every word. But don’t bother coming back. I’m fine. You can spend the rest of the night with her if you want.” She stood and headed for the staircase. “I have to take a shower. You can see yourself out.”

Colt cut her off in two strides, blocking her path to the staircase. “What in the hell are you talking about, Brielle? I’m not gonna spend all night with Miranda!” he replied, chagrined. “I’ve about had enough of your stubborn pride! When I get back we’re gonna straighten all this out whether you like it or not!”

She raised her chin and glared at him. “I’ll just lock all the doors so you can’t get in!”

“Then I’ll break a window!” he challenged.

“Then I’ll call the police!” she retorted.

He shook his head as he gritted his teeth. “Fine! You win! You don’t want me in your life anymore? I’m outta here!”

He stormed toward the front door and opened it. Pausing, he looked back at her one last time.

“Brielle, I swear, you sure can act like a spoiled brat! Now I see why your brother gave you that nickname!”

Not bothering to wait for her reply, he slammed the door shut behind him.

Tears burned her eyes as Colt’s words stung her heart. He was right. She was behaving like a spoiled brat and she didn’t know why. She wished she would’ve just been honest about her feelings when she’d had the chance. Just because he and Miranda had a son together didn’t mean they belonged together.

She rushed out the front door after Colt. He was already in his truck. Country music blasted over the roar of the engine.

“Colt!” she shouted as loudly as she could in her weakened state.

“Colt!” she shouted again, watching helplessly as his truck barreled down the drive.

“COLT!” she screamed, straining her voice, watching as his truck quickly shrank with increasing distance.

It was no use. He wasn’t coming back.