Page 35 of Bonita Brynne
“We can’t leave yet.” Joseph sat next to me. He’d been near the door with his dad while us girls chatted.
“Christ, do you have to do this now?” Raul growled.
“Yes, old man.”
My stomach churned, unsure I was ready to pile more stress and weirdness onto Valerie. She was just a kid. Life should be fancy-free and fun for her. She should be dreaming up the tales she wanted to tell instead of being guarded and having her life turned upside down.
“What’s going on?” Valerie asked in a concerned voice. “Has someone else been taken? One of the babies?” Terror flashed in her eyes.
“No, no. Nothing like that.” Joseph reached around me and patted Valerie’s knee. “I have something to tell you.”
“Wehave something to tell you.” I wasn’t going to let him take all the blame. We fell for each other at the same time. It was mutual and consensual, andweshould show a united front.
“O-kaaaay.” Valerie sat taller, clasped her hands together, and placed them on her lap. Poor girl. I couldn’t help but wonder if bad things were expected in an MC. Valerie had an impressive resilient streak running through her. I would’ve been rocking in a corner. I admired her grit for someone so young.
“You understand that Brynne and I aren’t related the way you and she are, right?” Joseph took my hand.
“Yeah.” Valerie watched our hands.
“Good, because we fell in love, and I asked her to marry me.” The words shot out of his mouth shockingly fast.
I gasped.
Valerie gasped.
Was he insane? The least he could’ve done was ease into the marry-me part. How about explaining how we became friends while he was in Montana and then fell in love? Jeez, men have no sense regarding sensitive subjects.
“This might be confusing for you, honey, but they aren’t doing anything wrong.” My mom reassured Valerie and smiled. She had the same gentle voice and eyes I remembered.
“You’re marrying my brother?” Valerie asked me in an accusatory tone. “And you’re marrying my sister?” She yelled at Joseph. “Mom, what does all this mean?”
Oh man, this sounded so messed up. I was a horrible person for complicating my sister’s life. How would my child feel when he or she was old enough to ask questions? Thankfully, I had many years before I had to deal with such problems.
“Sweetheart, we’re a blended family.” My mom put her arm around Valerie. “You know that. Track isn’t my son. Jessica is his mom. And Brynne has a different dad than you.”
“But it’s still my brother and sister getting married. That’s disgusting!”
Raul growled.
“Nothing will change, honey.” Mom comforted her. “We’re still a family. Maybe a little unusual, but we all love you, my darling daughter, and that will never change.”
Valerie seemed to consider our mother’s words as she blinked tears away. Now was not the time to announce we were having a baby. She needed to process Joseph and me being together first. Mentioning the baby could push her over the edge.
“We need to go,” Raul snapped.
“I know.” Joseph waved him off. “Are you okay with Brynne and me getting married, Valerie? If you’re not, we’ll understand, but it won’t change anything.”
“But I hope you’ll eventually be able to accept us.” I snapped my mouth shut before I started begging.
“I don’t know. I guess it’s okay. Just don’t kiss or do anything in front of me. That’s gross.” She shuddered in our mom’s arms.
“Good. Now let’s go.” Whoa, Raul was an impatient man. My mom had told me he didn’t handle emotional situations well. She hadn’t been kidding.
Joseph stared at me for a long second. I could tell he wanted to kiss me but would refrain per Valerie’s request. “Will you be okay? I’m sure my dad wants to talk before we have church.”
I adored this man and his protectiveness, but I had taken care of myself long before I met him. “I’ll be fine with my mom and Valerie. Go. I’ll see you later.”
“If you need me.”