Page 61 of Second Chance Baby
So much like her son.
And she’d said over and over how each new day was a chance to make different choices.
But even so, could we really rewrite our history?
It was terrifying to hope.
“Bridget? You in there?” Penn waved a hand in front of my face. “What’s up with you?”
For an unknown reason, the truth tumbled out of my mouth. “I want my family back. Whatever it takes,” I trailed off in a broken whisper.
He let out a harsh laugh. “As if it’s that easy.” Then his eyes sharpened as he really looked at me. “Are you prepared to do the work?”
“I said whatever it takes, didn’t I?” I folded my arms across my chest.
His eyebrow spiked. Penn, ever the protective older brother, looked me dead in the eyes. “Guess we’ll see.”
A sudden shout interrupted us. Christian weighed in loudly how the ghost and pumpkin blowup could not be set up that close to the road on account of being a ridiculous distraction that would probably cause a motor vehicle accident.
Um, okay then.
I shook my head. Some things never changed with the Masterson men. “So, what was up with you yesterday?”
“You mean before you two tried to reenact a dirty movie while you were on the clock?”
I was not going to blush, dammit. Not that he could see my flush out here in the damn dark. “Don’t change the subject.”
“Not sure what you mean.” He started spinning his watch around. I suspected that was Penn’s version of an evasive gesture, just like his brother shifted back and forth when he didn’t know what to say.
Or didn’twantto say anything.
“You were perfectly polite to me—and I gotta say, it was surprising considering your family.”
He frowned, his features seeming sharper in the purple-tinted lights coming off a nearby tree. “Has my family said something to upset you?”
“No. Of course not.” Nerves had me fidgeting. “But I see the looks. You know, like what isshedoing here?” I held up a hand. “Don’t get me wrong. They have every right to. Just wondering why you didn’t.”
He shrugged. “I know you loved my brother.”
“I did.”Do,I corrected silently.
“Which means you must’ve had reasons for what you did. And my brother is far from perfect, but more importantly, it’s not my business. Especially since I didn’t ever have anything close to the full story—on either side.”
Emotion made me swallow hard. I didn’t want to start bawling in front of Penn. I had to try again when one swallow didn’t come close to dislodging the sudden brick in my throat. “Thank you,” I whispered.
He waved it off. “No thanks needed. We all make mistakes, Bridge.” That he called meBridgeagain as he’d done in the old days made me grin as a glimmer of a smile curved his lips. “Yes, even me. I know, who knew?”
“No. I will never believe it.” I let out a faux gasp, making his smile widen. “But I’ve always known you to be a fair guy, overall. Certainly not like you were with Rita. So, that begs the question.”
“No, it really doesn’t.” He bowed his head for a moment, his smile disappearing. “You don’t have any answers for me, and I don’t have any for you. Let that stand for now, okay?”
“Do you need someone to talk to? Someone who doesn’t have a penis or a self-assured attitude that can make you feel as if you are three inches tall?”
His chuckle was rich and warm. “No, but gotta say that description may be the best one I’ve ever heard for my brothers. I do have a younger sister too, in case you’ve forgotten.”
“I definitely have not. Maddie was always my favorite.”
“Typical. Everyone loves her. Did you hear she married some super rich older dude? I was shocked when I found out about that one. She’s a bonus mom to his kid and now has one of her own. My damn little sister.” He shook his head. “Insane.”