Wanted by Her Lost Love (Pregnancy & Passion #2)(39)

It was a startling discovery. The blinders had come off.

Why was she putting up with this?

She was prepared to end the entire thing when she looked up and saw Jarrod walk to the table. He leaned over and kissed his mom then held up a hand in greeting to the others before turning his gaze on her and Ryan.

She broke into a cold sweat. Ryan stiffened beside her and the others fell silent.

It was as if everyone in the room waited for the inevitable fireworks. Her head pounded viciously. Her stomach cramped and she wanted to die from the humiliation. More than that, she was so furious she couldn’t see straight.

“Sorry, I’m late,” he said. “I got caught in traffic.”

As he took the empty chair beside his mother, bile rose in Kelly’s throat. Her heart was shredded. She was bleeding on the inside, so hurt, so devastated she wanted to die. She refused to look at Ryan. How could he have done it? She didn’t believe for a moment that Ryan had actually invited his brother…had he? But why hadn’t he made it clear that he wasn’t welcome?

Everyone stared at her. They likely thought she deserved whatever humiliation was heaped upon her tonight. But she refused to look back at them. She wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of seeing her so shattered.

Instead her gaze locked onto Jarrod Beardsley and his mother.

How they must hate her. The coldness in Ramona Beardsley’s eyes reached out to Kelly. They said, You’ll never win. I’ll never let you.

What had she ever done besides love Ryan? Enough was enough.

Kelly deserved better.

She was through paying penance.

She was done with being looked down on, condemned and forgiven.

Forcing a smile in Ryan’s direction, she pushed back her chair and slowly rose as if she hadn’t a care in the world. She stared across the table at Jarrod and his mother and let the full force of her hatred shine. She didn’t care if they ever accepted her. She didn’t accept them. They could both go to hell. She’d buy them a first-class ticket.

Then she turned to face the entire table. “I’m done here. You’ve all sat and stared your disapproval. You’ve sent pitying glances Ryan’s way. You’ve judged me and found me not good enough. To hell with all of you.”

Then she turned back to Jarrod, her voice coming out in a low hiss. “You son of a bitch. You stay away from me and my child. I’ll see you in hell before I ever let you near me again.”

Ryan started to rise, but she shoved him back into his seat. “By all means, you stay. You wouldn’t want to disappoint your family and friends.”

Before he could react, she stalked away.

She bypassed the doorway leading to the bathrooms and kept on walking. She burst into the cold, shivering because she hadn’t bothered to collect her coat. She embraced the chill, welcomed the cold slap in the face.

Her head had ached all afternoon, but after spending the past hour with her teeth gritted and her jaw tight, the headache had exploded into vicious pain.

She walked a block before the cold penetrated the thin layers of her dress. She stopped and waved at a passing cab but it didn’t stop. It took two more attempts before she managed to get one to pull over for her.

She was barely able to get out Ryan’s address before the tears started to fall.

Ryan’s first thought was to go after Kelly, but he was furious, and this had to be ended now. Like hell he’d ever allow anyone to make Kelly feel the way she’d obviously felt tonight. He bolted to his feet, palms smacking the table as he lunged toward his brother.

“What the hell was that?”

He included his mother in his furious gaze, not backing down when she recoiled from his anger.

Jarrod looked taken aback, his face pale. He looked sick, but at this point Ryan didn’t care. He’d had enough. This was a huge mistake and he wasn’t going to let it go this time. He never should have let it go. Never should have played down the obvious discord between Kelly and his family.

Their mother leaned forward, her expression tight. “Don’t be angry with him, Ryan. I invited him. If you insist on a relationship with this woman we’re going to have to sit down together at some point. Or do you plan never to see your family? Hasn’t she caused us enough pain?”

Ryan let out a curse that made his mother flinch. “Haven’t you hurt her enough? It ends tonight. I’m done with this. I’m done subjecting Kelly to your insensitivity and your blatant attempts to drive us apart.”

Then he turned in his friends’ direction. “Rafael, it was good to see you and Bryony again. I hope to see you before you leave the city.”

He nodded at Devon and Cam, who looked as if they’d rather be anyplace but where they were. That made three of them.

“Sorry, man,” Devon murmured.

Not sparing his mother or brother a second glance, Ryan left the table and went in search of Kelly, hoping she hadn’t made it past the door yet. He’d take her home, apologize profusely and then he’d promise that he wouldn’t subject her to another gathering of his friends and family.

He shouldn’t have this time but he’d hoped… He wasn’t sure what he’d hoped but he’d been a damn fool and he’d hurt Kelly in the process.

He stalked toward the coatroom, but found Kelly’s coat still hanging. Then he hurried toward the entrance, but found no sign of her there either. Dread tightened his gut.