This was a bad idea. It had been ten years. He was a stranger to me now, not to mention I probably looked like hell at the moment.
I turned and began to walk back to my car.
“Brielle, wait.” His voice was deeper, too. More masculine. And the way he said my name caused chills to run up my spine.
I turned back in his direction. “I'm sorry to knock on your door like this.” My voice was shaky. “I've been driving all day, and it didn't even dawn on me that I probably should've called.” My hands balled into fists. “But Julian needs help and I don’t know what else to do.”
Nate stood there motionless. The door opened further and Delaney greeted me. “Brielle! Don't be silly. You are never a bother.” Delaney hadn’t aged a day. With open arms, she closed the gap between us. “I haven't seen you in ages,” she mumbled into my hair. My gaze locked on Nate’s, and for the life of me, I couldn’t remember why I hated him.
Delaney hugged me tighter. “God, Brie, I've missed you so much. Come inside.”
I could feel Nate’s eyes on me as I walked across the threshold of their home, but I didn't dare look in his direction. One glance at him and I would lose my composure. I was here on a mission. I was here because I needed help. I swallowed back the golf ball sized nodule that had lodged in my throat and forced myself to smile at Delaney.
My lips parted to speak when I heard the closing of the back door and footfalls running through the house.
“Dad!” A young boy’s voice ricocheted through the house. It wasn't bad enough that Nate had stayed behind and married Delaney, but he had made a family with her.
The air vanished from my lungs as I anticipated meeting their son, Caleb. My nephew. I expected a younger version of Nate’s broad shoulders, scruffy brown hair, and piercing green eyes. Instead, I was greeted with a boy who had strawberry blonde hair and crimson freckles scattered across his cheeks.
I’d seen those freckles before on a boy named Austin. I pushed the thought out of my mind. It was not my place to meddle in anyone’s life when mine was in shambles.
Nate cleared his throat and opened his arm to the boy. “Caleb, this is your Aunt Brielle, Uncle Julian's wife.”
Bile rose in my stomach. This was wrong. Everything that had broken my soul was right in front of me: Nate, Delaney, and their family in their perfect fucking house.
“Hi,” the boy said timidly. His long eyelashes covered his big brown eyes. “It's nice to meet you.”
His soft spoken voice pulled me out of a trance. “Hi, Caleb.” I smiled.
“What did I tell you about running in the house?” Delaney rested her hands on her hips.
“Sorry, Mom.” Caleb bowed his head.
“Honey, why don't you take Caleb out to play catch?” Delaney looked over at Nate. “I think Brie and I need to talk.”
I forced my features to remain neutral and didn't meet Nate's gaze, though I felt his on me. The two exchanged a few whispered words as I scanned the foyer and took in their house.
It looked as though it was taken out of a Country Living magazine. Light walls, beautifully arranged furniture, and bouquets of fresh flowers scattered on various surfaces. Long white curtains hung from high on the wall, the sunset peering right into the living room, and family photos of the three of them were everywhere.
I wanted to run away. I wanted to throw up. I wanted to get back in my car and never look back. But I was there for Julian, and Nate was the only one who could help me.
“Come on, champ.” From the corner of my eye, I saw Nate ruffle Caleb's hair. “Let's play some ball.”
Delaney and I watched as Nate and Caleb strolled through the house and out the back door. When it shut behind them, she turned and looked at me
“Come on, let's sit in the living room.”
“Your house is beautiful, Del.” It seemed my dirty shorts would smudge her cream sofa.
“Thank you.” She sat next to me and smiled widely. “Nathan did it all himself.” She said her husband's name with such pride. “He worked at it little by little until we made it our home.” The way she said home was a dagger in my heart. I was so careless ten years ago. So stupid and young. What I felt for Nate was nothing like he felt for me. He built Del a home. And I was tossed aside.
Delaney placed her hand on my lap, her eyes soft and a sad smile on her face. “Talk to me, Brielle. I know it's been years since we've spoken, but tell me what's going on.”
She looked as stunning as ever, with her handsome husband and a child they both loved, while I looked homeless with layers of foundation covering the bruise Julian left on my cheek.
My eyes swelled up with tears. “I guess I have to start from the beginning.” Delaney grabbed a tissue and handed it to me. “When my mother had her stroke, life changed completely. I was lost; I didn’t know what to do. My father wanted to pull the plug on her, and the floor was slipping out from underneath me. Then Julian showed up at my door and he was my anchor. My mother lost her jobs and her health care benefits, but Julian discovered a whole life insurance policy that had cash value. My mother’s left side was paralyzed, and her rehab and physical therapy bills were insane.” I closed my eyes and allowed myself to remember those dreaded days.