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“You have nothing to be sorry for, my dear.” My mom reaches for Anya’s hand over the table. “You were young and alone. You did what you thought was best, and that is totally fine. I don’t hold it against you.”
Anya’s eyes sparkle with tears. “Thanks for your kind words.”
“Seriously?” It’s the first thing Spencer has said since we made the announcement. “Everyone at this table knew except me?” he scoffs, then turns to Anya. “You cheated on me with my older brother and also got pregnant by him? Epic. I should’ve known you weren’t as righteous as you claimed to be.”
“I never cheated on you, Spencer,” Anya says sharply. “I met Brandon the night I caught you cheating and broke up with you. I didn’t even know he was your brother.”
“You call that an excuse?” Spencer barks.
Everyone else at the restaurant is glaring at us again.
“Lower your voice, Spencer. Don’t be disrespectful to Anya.” My voice is laced with annoyance. I didn’t expect him to be all sunshine and congratulate us, but he’s being a dick and causing a scene.
“You should have thought about that before planning this dinner to share your happy news.” His angry gaze bounces between all of us. “Y’all are such a big happy family, aren’t you?”
“Calm down, Spencer.” Anya tries to reach for him but he shrugs her off, nearly pushing her hand into one of the juice glasses.
A growl escapes my lips before I can stop it, my body tensing with the urge of a fight. I resist the impulse to give him a punch and instead take a deep breath, just like my therapist has taught me. "Hey, man. Watch where you're going!" My voice is strained as I try to keep my anger in check. The heat of the moment radiates through me, pulsing with each beat of my heart. The familiar scent of rage fills my nostrils and I clench my fists, trying to control the overwhelming rush of emotions.
“I’ll just go ahead and leave you to your family dinner.” He shoots up to his feet and glares at Kira. He’s already striding away before anyone can say anything more.
My mom throws a hand on her forehead. “How do I have a responsible Navy Seal for one son and a total crackhead for the other.”
I turn to Anya. “I’m sorry about all of this.”
"It's all good." Anya chuckles and rolls her eyes. "It actually went better than I expected!"
Kira joins in with a fit of giggles, catching our attention.
Soon enough, we're all laughing together.
Anya and I share a glance before holding each other's hand tightly. It is possible that Spencer will never approve of our relationship, but I am determined to protect her with everything I have.
CHAPTER 19
Anya
“Do you think he’ll come around? I don’t want you to fight with your brother because of us.”
We’ve just returned from dinner with Brandon’s family. Despite Spencer’s outburst, the rest of dinner went fairly well.
Camilla and James spent a considerable amount of time teaching Kira how to say Grandma and Grandpa.
Alessa was completely thrilled about having a little sister. That little girl is precious, and I’m more than happy that she’s Kira’s big sister. I just know she’ll love and protect Kira like any other big sister would.
We’re parked outside my house now. Kira’s snoring in her car seat. She’s completely spent after spending hours playing with her big sister.
Brandon places a finger under my chin and tilts my face to his. “You and my daughters are all that matters to me. While I would like for Spencer to not be such a dick about this, I really don’t care.”
“But I do.” I take Brandon’s hand. “If we’re going to make this work, I don’t want to start off on the wrong foot with your family.”
His eyes narrow. “Make this work? Anya, are you—”
“You have to make this work, Brandon,” I insists with even more intensity than before. “I am in love with you and I'm willing to start over with you.”
He looks at me with a deep emotion in his eyes as he gently holds my face in his hands. “My goodness, what did I do to deserve you?”
"Everything," I whisper back, hating how he always sees himself as less when he has spent years sacrificing for others. "You've done everything right, Brandon."
