Brendon (Alluring Indulgence #8)(84)
Author: Nicole Edwards

Brendon tossed a sideways glance his way before he continued.

“That was the first time I’d realized that the road map of my life hadn’t been set in stone. There were a few bumps I hadn’t accounted for. It freaked me the fuck out.”

Braydon nodded. He understood, but he kept his mouth shut.

“When I tried to alter the course, I’d known what I was doin’. I don’t think I cared because I was … Fuck.” Brendon thrust his hands through his hair. “I was scared, bro. So fucking scared. I knew that Jessie would take you away from me. I knew there wasn’t a damn thing I could do to stop it. You needed her and she needed you, that much was crystal fucking clear. It still didn’t make me feel any better. Obviously I didn’t handle that well.”

No, he hadn’t, but Braydon wasn’t going to tell Brendon as much. They’d been through so much in the last year and Braydon honestly hadn’t paid much attention. He’d been worried about himself, about Jessie. Sure, he’d been concerned for Brendon, but until recently, he hadn’t really thought about what that meant to their relationship.

“It didn’t help that I had some crazy feelings for Cheyenne,” Brendon went on as he stared out into the yard, the darkness quickly stamping out all the light. “You know, I still remember the day I met her? I remember what I felt when I saw her for the first time.” Brendon chuckled. “I also remember the way she’d turned me down flat, but how she had kissed me that night anyway. I’ve been fucked-up ever since.”

Brendon turned to face Braydon.

“I’m not perfect. None of us are, but we do the best with what’s thrown our way. This is long overdue, I know, but I’m sorry. I’m sorry for fuckin’ shit up for you. I’m sorry for bein’ an ass, sayin’ stupid shit, doin’ worse. I think the only lesson I’ve learned through this is that I don’t deal with emotion well.”

“No shit,” Braydon teased, keeping his voice low. “But I’m sorry, too. I took so much for granted. Runnin’ off to Devil’s Bend was selfish, I get that now. I think it was necessary, but that doesn’t mean I don’t regret the way I handled it. Even lately I’ve been a hypocrite. I’ve wanted Jessie all this time, alone and to myself, but I never really considered what this much space between you and I meant. I’ve had a hard time with it, I’ll admit that. But … I really do want you to be happy. Hell, I want us all to be happy.”

“So are we good?” Brendon asked, his eyes darting to the front door.

“We’re good. As long as you’ll be the best man at my weddin’,” Braydon told him.

“I’d beat you down if that weren’t the case, so, yeah.”

Braydon smiled and then moved to his twin. He embraced him, slapped him on the back a few times, but was reluctant to let him go. This was his other half, literally. He honestly wouldn’t know what he’d do without him.

But he damn sure wasn’t going to stand in the way of Brendon’s happiness. If heading off into the sunset with Cheyenne was what was meant to be, Braydon would support his twin. And he’d figure out a way to deal. Lucky for him, he had Jessie—the best woman in the world, the only woman who knew him inside and out. There was no doubt in his mind that she would help him through this.

It was just a damn good thing she was strong enough because Braydon had the feeling there were a few more rock slides that would threaten the smooth path he’d hoped for. But with her, at least he could handle them.

chapter TWENTY-SEVEN

The next morning, as Cheyenne stirred, her brain slowly coming online, she realized several things at once. One, the hard body next to hers had kept her warm and safe all night long. Two, somewhere in the room, Brendon’s cell phone was ringing. Three, Scrap was barking from somewhere on the other side of the bedroom door. And last, but certainly not least, someone was pounding on the front door.

When the last thing registered in her sleep-addled brain, Cheyenne bolted upright in bed, glancing over at the clock while she pulled the blanket to her chest, covering her nakedness as she tried to get her bearings.

Brendon reached for his cell phone, leaning up on one elbow, his sexy, muscular back flexing with the movement as he squinted his eyes to look at the screen. “Shit.”

“Who is it?” she asked, keeping her voice low. She didn’t know why she was whispering, it wasn’t like whoever was at the door could hear her.

Brendon held up a finger as he punched the Talk button. “Yeah?”

She couldn’t hear who was on the other end of the line, but she knew there was a problem when Brendon’s eyes darted to hers, worry creasing his forehead.