Brady Remington Landed Me in Jail(34)

Viola surged forward and gritted out, "I expected you to respect her. I expected you not to treat her like one of your hussies. I expected you to not have sex with my granddaughter, who you know doesn't do those things easy. She's not like the rest of them."

"Like the rest of who? The rest of the skanks in this town? Or just the ones I sleep with?" Brady tilted his chin up further.

"I'm inferring that you didn't respect her enough to use a rubber," Viola lashed back.

"Enough!" I cried out.

"Rayna, no…" Brady urged.

I ignored him. "Grandma, we can talk about this later. I think it'd be the smart thing to schedule a doctor appointment for me tomorrow or as soon as possible."

"When?" Viola gutted out.

Brady flashed a triumphant smile, but I inquired, "When what?"

"When'd you do it? It might not even need to be done."

"Oh you mean about the—it was within seventy two hours, but I won't even think about any abortion pill. If it's…," My throat was tight. It was painful to swallow. "If it's supposed to be, it's supposed to be. I do think I could benefit from a check-up and further birth control measures." I finished and then tucked my chin against Brady's shoulder. It took everything I had to muster that maturity.

Viola didn't see my weakness and chuckled to herself as she shook her head. "Which one is the adult here?"

"Welcome to my world," Brady bit out. He swept a hand behind him and held me tight against his back. I felt his fingers flex against the lower muscles of my back, but any reassurance fell to the wayside. I could only hear my grandmother's damning words.

I was a failure.

And I sucked in my breath when Brady massaged my back because a part of me didn't care that I had failed. I wanted his touch. I needed his touch. I knew that if given the opportunity, I'd feel that touch again.

"I cannot believe you two…," Viola grumbled.

I hesitated to ask. "Should we…are you going to tell my mother?"

Viola snorted. "Hell no. Your momma ain't here and your momma ain't a part of your life, not in that way. She don't got no say whatsoever in what we do. Now," she seared us both with her glare. "You two get in your car and you head straight back home. I don't want no stop-over in between. You better be in the house in ten minutes flat. I don't have the time and patience to play games."

As she left the store Brady dispelled a deep breath

"Why didn't she make me go with her?" I wasn't sure if I wanted to guess, but I already knew the reason. She couldn't stand to be alone with me. She couldn't handle having me right next to her.

When Brady hugged me to him, I closed my eyes, just for a moment. I relished the firmness of his chest and the safety of his arms. A tear teased the corner of my eye because I knew he'd pull away in a moment and I'd have to feel the cold alone.

"You okay?"

I burrowed against his chest. I didn't want to answer. I wouldn't lie and I couldn't tell him the truth. My world was ending. I was going with it because I hadn't realized how much I needed him. Now that Viola knew what happened, I knew it'd all end somehow. It'd unravel and I'd be left standing, empty and alone.

"I'm fine," I whispered, raw.

He squeezed my shoulders once more. "You sure?"

I nodded with my eyes closed and pulled away. Then I blinked back more tears. "I can handle it."

Brady frowned.

"I can," I reassured him, but we both knew I was lying.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

When we got to the house, Neil was sent out to the car to make sure I went in alone. He looked regretful as he explained it'd be best if Brady didn't come inside, but it didn't matter. The damage was done. My grandmother had essentially cast him out of the house. In Brady's world, that meant the family. Of course, a part of me knew this wasn't how it really was, but that's how it felt that moment.

When I got out of the car, I looked at the house. It was large and looming in that moment.

"It'll all be fine. You know that, right?"

I didn't, but I mustered a smile and turned to Brady. "Of course…"

He saw through my lie but didn't dispute it. I sighed in relief.

Brady patted the steering wheel. "I'm going to go. Should I call you later?"

"No. No!"

"What?"

"I mean, it might be best if I talk to you tomorrow."

Brady sighed and nodded. "Fine. I'll—screw it. See you tomorrow." He jerked the car around and sped down my driveway. Then he braked and reversed. I watched as he parked underneath the weeping willow, climbed out, and tossed the keys towards me.

He grumbled as he passed by, "Forgot it's not my damn car."

I pocketed the keys as he walked past the house and through the small line of trees that separated our home from the Forresters. When I heard a door slam shut, I knew he was home and couldn't stall any longer.

I still didn't move.

In fact, I stayed for another five minutes. I should've gone inside. I'm a rational near-adult type of person. I had sex with my best friend. Yes, we were stupid and didn't use protection. Yes, we didn't tell our secret, but who does? Yes, I might have to face certain huge, huge circumstances, but Brady was right. We'd handle it. Me and him. But…I'd disappointed someone who looked out for me. There were only three of them.