Page 35 of Not That Guy

“I told you this would happen. I knew they’d use my past against you.”

“Against me? How so?”

Mouth set in a firm line, Brenner laughed with little humor behind it. “Are you serious? Didn’t you hear what that reporter asked?”

“Yes. And?” If I was to convince Brenner that their questions meant nothing, I’d have to be the best I could be. I might’ve teased and taunted him in law school, but no one had ever pushed me to be a better lawyer than Brenner Fleming.

“ And? Come on. They’ve obviously been doing some digging into my past, and they plan to use it against your father.”

“Bren, have you told me everything you know?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“And I don’t care. Their questions are directed toward my father’s campaign, not our relationship. He has nothing to do with us.”

“No, that’s not true.” Exasperated, he made a fist and banged his knee. “You’re trying to reconcile with your father. I can’t stand in the way of you having a relationship with him and your sister and ruin his campaign. It’s not fair to you.”

“Whoa, whoa, hold up.” I unbuckled my seat belt.

We were fast approaching the Waldorf, and I had only minutes to speak.

“First of all, I’m not trying to reconcile with him.

I’m going to meet my sister. Second, I don’t give a damn about his campaign or what he thinks about my life.

There’s only one person who matters when it comes to that. ”

Brenner shook his head. “But if you have the chance…if he asks you to make that choice—”

“You. I choose you. Now, today, next week, next month, next year. I’ll always choose you. I took my first step in this new life with you. Now I’m ready to walk the path together.”

The car stopped, and I held out my hand. “Are we good?”

He sighed. “I guess so.”

I tugged at his hand. “The Brenner Fleming I knew in law school wouldn’t take shit lying down. He’d fight for what he wanted.”

We entered the hotel and received side-eyes and outright stares, but I ignored everyone.

My mission was to meet Emily, and if my father chose to be a civil human being that was a bonus, but nothing more.

His earlier ugly words still burned sour in my gut, and I had to wonder if the turnaround was real or merely for show.

Several security people lounged outside his suite, and when I showed them my identification, their brows rose high, but they stepped aside. My heart banged as I knocked on the door. It opened, and Paige stood before me.

“Hello, Weston. Please come in.” Her eyes widened. “Oh, you brought—”

“Brenner. Yes. May we come in?”

“Of course.”

We entered the suite, but my father wasn’t there. She motioned for us to sit.

“Please. I have water, coffee, juice.” A charcuterie platter was on the table as well as one of fruit.

“Nothing for me, thanks.” Brenner shook his head as well. “Is Emily here?” I glanced around. There were no toys or dolls or anything that might’ve indicated a child was staying there.

“Yes. My nanny is just getting her ready.” On cue, the bedroom door opened, and an older woman appeared, holding a little girl’s hand. She ran into Paige’s arms but kept shooting me looks from under her lashes. Joy leaped through me, and I wiggled my fingers at her. Paige smoothed her curls.

“Emmy. This is Weston.”

I licked my dry lips. “Hi, Emmy.”

She snuggled into Paige. “Hi,” she said after a few seconds.

“That’s a pretty dress.”

Her face brightened. “Daddy gave it to me.” She fingered the lace at the bottom, then pointed to Brenner. “Who’s that?”

Tension radiated from Brenner, but I kept my cool. “This is my friend Brenner.”

“Is he your best friend? My best friend is Mandy. She’s going to be five.”

I looked to Brenner. “Yes. He’s my best friend.”

“I got a new dolly yesterday. Wanna see?” Without waiting, she dashed into the other room and returned with a large doll with long, sun-streaked blond hair and big green-gold eyes. Like Emmy’s.

Like mine.

“She looks like you. She’s very pretty.”

Emmy stroked the doll’s hair. “Daddy had them make it up special.”

I really had no clue what to say to a four-year-old. “You must have lots of dolls at home.”

She nodded vigorously. “Uh-huh. And some here.” Again she sprinted off and came back with an armful of dolls and stuffed animals. “Wanna play with me?”

I glanced at Paige, who gave me a tentative smile. I had none for her, but I sat on the floor with Emily and listened to her explain the toy family. Brenner watched us without participating, but every once in a while, when I caught his eye, he grinned.

The door clicked, and my father walked in. Emmy tossed aside the orange elephant she was playing with and ran to him. “Daddy, Daddy.”

He picked her up and kissed her, laughing until he spotted me on the floor. The color and good humor drained from his face, and Emily slipped from his hands. “What’re you doing here?”

“Daddy. Weston’s my new friend.”

I rose to my feet. “What do you mean, what am I doing here? You invited me to meet Emily.”

An ugly flush rose over his face. “I did not. You’re lying. Get out of here.” Brenner got to his feet to stand by me, and my father’s eyes bugged out. “You had the nerve to bring him here? How dare you?”

“Daddy, don’t yell. Mommy, Mommy.” Visibly upset, she ran to Paige, who held her tight.

“I invited him. It’s wrong to keep Weston from seeing his sister.”

“How…when…” he sputtered. “I never would’ve permitted this.”

Paige remained calm. “You’re always on your business phone, so I texted him from your personal cell.”

His eyes spit fire. “We will talk about this, and I’ll deal with you later. You had no right. Look at what he’s exposing our child to.”

“Rosa?” Paige called out, and the nanny reappeared. “Please take Emily to her room.”

“But, Mommy—”

“Don’t worry, honey. It’ll be okay.” She kissed her, but Emily persisted. She was my sister after all.

“I wanna play with Weston.”

I crouched in front of her and Paige. “Do what your mommy says. We’ll see each other again.” I kissed her forehead. “Bye, Emmy.”

Big eyes filled with tears, but she allowed Rosa to lead her away, and I remained silent, waiting for the door to her bedroom shut.

“I should’ve known something wasn’t right.” I turned to Paige. “Thank you for making the attempt. I appreciate it.”

Paige addressed my father. “Weston is your child as well. Whether or not you agree with his life, he and Emily should know each other.”

“Like you said, he’s my child. Not yours.” He pointed at me. “Leave.”

“Gladly. But don’t think you’ll stop me from seeing my sister again.”

He advanced on me with his finger in my face. “You keep away from my daughter. You and your sicko friends.”

I tipped my head to Brenner, and we left. I didn’t start shaking until we walked out onto the street. Brenner put his arm around me and pushed me into the waiting car. Christine, Tony, Madden, and Archer were all inside. I gazed at Brenner, who squeezed my hand.

“I figured you could use the support right now.”

I blinked at the sudden rush of tears. “Thank you.”

Christine patted my knee. “It’s what we do for family.”

I leaned on Brenner’s shoulder as the blocks faded away, leaving a piece of my heart behind.