What the hell was wrong with him? He’d scaled mountains, skied off cliffs, even skydived a time or two. How could one little baby scare the shit out of him?
At thirty-two, he was more than mature enough to raise a child. He had money, even if he didn’t want to use it for himself. He had a warm, sensual woman who’d be a terrific mom and was more than capable of holding his interest.
He blew out another breath and selected two books, one for himself and one for Kelsey.
On his way to the register, he saw Mason enter the store. Shit. He hadn’t thought about his brother for a blissful twenty-four hours. The last thing he needed to worry about today was protecting himself, Kelsey, or this baby from his brother.
He tucked the books under his arm, hoping Mason didn’t see them, and proceeded toward the register.
No such luck.
“Trip, I just saw Kelsey.” He stood a few feet away—outside Trip’s reach. Apparently Mason didn’t quite trust Trip to keep his fists to himself. “I hear congratulations are in order.”
Despite his benign words, Mason had a way of keeping Trip on the defensive. Trip’s heart started beating a little too fast. Why had Mason been with Kelsey? What had he done to screw this up for Trip now?
For his father’s sake, he willed himself to relax and be civil. Kelsey knew the truth about Mason, and she was pregnant with Trip’s child. She was smart enough not to fall for Mason’s schemes again.
“It’s true.” Trip eyed him warily. “I just told Dad a few minutes ago.”
Mason hesitated, appearing to study Trip while weighing his words. “I’m sure he’s happy. He loves being a granddaddy. Probably hoping you’ll give him a grandson, seeing as my girls aren’t much into football.”
No snide remarks. No smirking. Only the tiniest hint of envy in the grandson comment. Good God, this version of Mason might be scarier than the combative one.
“Dad’s always adored your girls,” Trip replied awkwardly, feeling uneasy in a conversation with his brother that wasn’t loaded with anger and accusation.
“Yes, he has.” Mason rolled his shoulders back. “Anyway, Kelsey tells me you promised to see this through with her, as a partner and a parent. I hope you didn’t give her false hope only to let her down later.”
“I didn’t.” Mason’s condescension annoyed Trip, but he thought of his dad’s wishes and clamped down the resentment boiling in his gut. “We agreed to take it one day at a time.”
“Hmpf.” Mason shook his head. “Once again, you’re so cocksure of yourself, just like Dad. Kelsey’s pregnant, Gunner. One day at a time? Don’t you think you should count your lucky stars that she wants you back and just man up? Make a commitment, or you’ll be sorry when she gives up on you and then you have to watch some other guy step in and help raise your kid. Trust me, nothing is harder than that.”
For the first time, the bitterness in his brother’s eyes wasn’t directed at Trip. Beneath the anger, Trip saw his hurt, too, which deflated whatever irritation he felt at being lectured to by Mason. If it had been Grey, Trip might’ve patted his shoulder. But despite the tentative tone of truce in this discussion, he couldn’t quite bring himself to make such a gesture to his brother. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
The mere thought of having to share his kid with some other guy, let alone having Kelsey in the arms of another man, gave Trip an instant headache. He wondered if Mason walked around shouldering that agony all day. “Mason, we both know why Dad sent you here. But you should be in Denver, close to your girls. Tell him to get someone else to oversee Wade’s project.”
“Dad’s counting on me.” Mason swallowed whatever he was about to say next. Probably something sarcastic about how Trip wouldn’t understand. But hey, his silence was progress.
“I know you’ve never liked to disappoint Dad, but don’t you think your daughters need you more than he does? And maybe you need them just as much.” Trip hoped his remarks sounded supportive instead of judgmental. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to pay for these and get to an appointment.”
Mason waved Trip toward the counter and then strolled over to the new release shelves.
Trip squirmed in his waiting room seat, surrounded by pastel-colored art and a bunch of women. Across from him sat a middle-aged mother with a teen daughter who looked even more uncomfortable than Trip felt. The woman to his right looked like her baby should’ve been born months ago, her stomach was so enormous. Kelsey sat to his left, browsing the pregnancy book he’d bought her earlier. Another pregnant woman sat in the corner.