Page 138 of Bred

I really don’t believe he will, though. I can’t fully express the reasons to them without massively oversharing, but the man is determined to knock me up. He wouldn’t do that if he didn’t truly plan to stick around.

“I’m still pissed he disappeared on you,” Hailey says, “but I’m really pissed off at his brother, too. What’s his name again? Dick?”

“West.”

“Yeah, Dick,” Hailey continues like I didn’t just tell her his actual name. “He’s an asshole.”

Bristol grins. “A dick that’s also an asshole?”

“What can I say? The boy’s got talent.”

“He’s got something, all right,” Bristol murmurs.

“Audacity,” I provide. “He has heaps and heaps of audacity.”

“What he needs to have is my foot up his ass,” says Hailey.

“Violence is not the answer,” I say with mock solemnity, barely biting back a smile.

“Agree to disagree. I mean, seriously, we all saw what you looked like that night. I can’t imagine you looked better the next morning—”

“Hey!”

“—and he still said all that shit to you? Fuck him.”

I don’t like the look on her face. It’s the one she gets before she goes out and causes mayhem.

“Don’t you go getting any ideas,” I warn, jabbing a finger in her direction.

She sniffs indignantly, peering at her nails. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

“Uh-huh,” I say, unconvinced. “I don’t need to be avenged. Yes, West is an asshole, but Lucas is back now, and we have enough to deal with; I don’t need you making any waves.”

“So, what now?” Bristol asks, bringing us back on track. “Are you going to get back together with him?”

I hesitate.

Whatisnext?

Lucas and I didn’t exactly talk about it.

After our bath and I told him about my miscarriage, we spent the rest of the night doing everythingbuttalking. I forgave him. He promised he wouldn’t be such a dumbass next time, and I promised that I wouldn’t hold the past against him. Not to mention, he pretty much told me that the future we planned with each other five years ago still stands. And, judging by the way he got the house together and told his brother he had a month to move out, all signs indicate that he’s not messing around.

“I don’t know,” I say finally. “All I know is that I’m glad he’s back, and I still love him, and he still loves me. That’s enough for me for now.”

They share a look between them that instantly gets me defensive.

“Look, you don’t have to like it, but you do need to respect my decision. And when you see him, be nice to him,” I add firmly.

“Brinley, it was hard enough when you two were together and you were in high school, but now he’s been to prison. How exactly do you think he’s going to support you?”

“I don’t need him to support me,” I snap. “This isn’t the fucking fifties, Bristol.”

“That’s not what she meant,” Hailey cuts in, interrupting whatever comeback Bristol was going to say. “I think what she means is, he has a record now. The chances of him getting a good job on theright side of the lawis like Bristol doing any position besides missionary.”

Bristol huffs and crosses her arms over her chest. “Why do I hang out with you?”

I crack a smile despite myself. “What’s your point?”