Page 23 of This Memory (Moose Village #3)

Evelyn glared at me. “You don’t know how much I want this baby! ”

“I don’t know? Really? I sat with your husband while he cried his fucking eyes out after you miscarried for the fourth time, and the fifth, and the sixth.

I listened while he told me he felt like a failure because he didn’t know how to make you feel better.

I watched as you fell into a state of depression each time you lost a baby.

Don’t sit there and tell me or Brystol that we don’t know how much you want this baby.

Have you ever considered that Brystol is pregnant for the first time in her life…

and it’s not even her baby? How do you think that affects her?

Have you thought about her feelings at all during any of this? ”

Evelyn blinked rapidly as she stared up at me in silence.

“No. I didn’t think so.”

Denny stood. “I’m sorry to ruin your morning like this, Gavin. Please tell Brystol that when she’s ready to see us, we’d like to have her over for dinner.”

Evelyn cleared her throat, adding quietly, “Yes. And please tell her to call when she feels ready to speak to me.”

They headed for the door, but before they walked out, I said, “Wait.”

Both turned to look at me. “She didn’t mean it. The part where she said she regretted it. I think she meant a version of that in the moment, but she doesn’t regret helping bring your baby into the world.”

Evelyn sniffled and forced a weak smile. “Thanks, Gavin. Talk to you soon.”

The door shut, and I scrubbed my hands down my face. “This is so fucked up.”

James held the bag as I punched it .

“Dude, you’re going to hurt yourself if you keep punching the thing like this.”

I stopped, grabbed my towel, and wiped the sweat off my face and arms. “Sorry, it was a shit morning.”

“Fight with Brystol?” he asked, motioning for me to hold the bag while he took his turn.

“No, not at all. Things with me and Brystol are fantastic. It’s Evelyn.”

He stopped. “What’s wrong?”

I looked around to make sure we were alone in the gym.

“It started with Evelyn wanting to announce the pregnancy only a few weeks in.”

“Yeah, I remember that.”

“Then she suggested maybe Brystol not work at her own damn store. Then , she wanted to be in the room during the entire first exam, but Brystol had to get undressed and deserved some privacy. Evelyn nearly threw a fit that the doctor spoke with Brystol alone for a few minutes. All they talked about was how Brystol was feeling. Nothing about the baby. And Evelyn actually thought Denny was going to be in the room for a fucking vaginal ultrasound. Of course, he said in no way did he want to be back there. That he could wait for the abdominal ultrasound.”

James looked horrified.

“Right? And when they left, Evelyn threw a fit, basically demanding she be included for every second of her future appointments. Even threw it in Brystol’s face that they’re the ones paying for the doctor visits.”

“Ouch.”

I sighed. “But this morning is what broke Brystol. I stayed the night last night. ”

His eyes went wide. “Holy shit, Gavin.”

I couldn’t hide the smile on my face. “It was fucking fantastic…and I don’t know, James. I’ve never felt that way with any other woman. It was…so different, but in the best way possible. I can’t honestly imagine being with anyone else after this.”

“Wait, are you saying you’re in love with Brystol?”

I let out a laugh. “I’ve been in love with that woman for as long as I can remember. You always told me I was, and now you’re surprised?”

“Well, no, but at the same time, yeah. I’m happy for you, Gavin. I’m happy for you both.”

“Thanks,” I said, trying to get the smile off my face.

He cleared his throat. “Okay, what does your staying the night have to do with whatever broke Brystol?”

“After dinner last night, we walked into her house, and let’s just say things moved quickly.

Brystol left her phone in her purse. Apparently, Evelyn had been trying to call her last night and this morning.

She came rushing to the house at seven a.m., jumped on Brystol for making her worry, noticed me there, and flipped her lid. ”

Confused, he asked, “Why? Everyone knows the two of you have secretly had a thing for one another. Evelyn should definitely know since she’s best friends with Brystol. What was her problem?”

I nodded. “She didn’t like the fact that we’d slept together. In her mind, Brystol should abstain from sex until after the pregnancy.”

My brother’s mouth fell open. “What? What if you guys had been married, and she’d agreed to this? Did she really think Brystol wouldn’t have sex the entire pregnancy? ”

“Yep. Was pretty adamant about it too. And when that little issue got worked out, she flipped again after Brystol mentioned going to the Turkey Trot, which she’s done every year since high school.

It’s like Evelyn has become this person I don’t even know anymore.

Denny texted me just before I got here, said Evelyn’s been changing daily.

She’s insanely jealous Brystol is carrying the baby and she’s not.

I told him she needed to talk to someone about it, a therapist. The worst part is, Brystol told them she regretted her decision to be the surrogate. ”

“Oh hell. Damn, man. Did she mean it?”

“I think so,” I said with a solemn nod. “At the time, at least. She doesn’t now, of course. But she’s just fed up with how Evelyn treats her, and I don’t know how to help.”

“You do what you’re doing. Stand by her, be there for her. That’s all you can do until Evelyn gets her shit worked out.”

I blew out a breath. “I feel bad for Denny. I’m not sure how he’s handling it all.

I asked him if he wanted to grab a few beers later, and he said he couldn’t.

Evelyn’s having a bad day after what Brystol said.

It’s like neither of them can see what they’re doing to Brystol.

I mean, the last thing I would want to do is stress out a pregnant woman. ”

He squeezed my shoulder. “Try not to worry. It’ll all work out. I’m sure Evelyn is just stressed about things. Once Brystol gets past the first trimester, and Evelyn starts to see signs of the baby, I’m guessing things will get better.”

“From your lips to God’s ears.”

“Let’s say to hell with our workout, invite Declan and Kian out for some beers, and talk stupid guy shit.”

I laughed. “That sounds like a great plan. Let me give Brystol a quick call and see how she’s doing. ”

He nodded. “I’ll text Declan and Kian.”

Stepping out of the gym, I made my way to the courtyard and hit Brystol’s number. I smiled the instant I heard her voice.

“Hey, I thought you were going to work out with James?”

“We weren’t in the mood. James suggested seeing if Declan and Kian wanted to meet for a few beers. I wanted to check in and see how you’re feeling.”

“That was sweet of you,” she said. “Things have been busy here today, which is great.”

“How was your run?”

“Much needed.”

I glanced around to make sure I was alone. “Have you heard from Evelyn?”

She exhaled. “Yes, she’s texted a few times, and in the last one, she said she’d leave me alone until I was ready to talk to her. I feel bad for what I said this morning, Gavin. I didn’t truly mean it. I don’t regret saying it, but…she’s driving me crazy.”

“Have you considered contacting the clinic or the person you had to do your counseling sessions with? Maybe they can offer some advice on what you should do? I’m sure this isn’t the first time something like this has occurred.”

“You know, I didn’t even think about that. It’s a great idea. I may take a quick break and give them a call. If I’m lucky, the counselor I saw might be able to speak with me on the phone.”

“That would be nice.”

“Thank you for being here for me. And for the suggestion about the counselor. ”

“I told you I want to be here for you throughout this process.”

“Yes, you did,” she said. I could hear the smile in her voice. “Have fun with the guys.”

I cleared my throat. “Um, can I stop by afterward?”

She let out a soft chuckle. “I would love for you to stop by. I’ll be home in my comfy sweats, probably reading. After this busy day, I’ll be ready to just relax.”

I grinned. “I bet I can come up with a few suggestions to help you relax.”

“Is that so? I hope it includes a massage. My feet are killing me for some reason, and I need to be in top form tomorrow.”

James walked out the door and gave me a thumbs-up.

“I’ll massage you wherever you’d like. And I won’t stay long tonight.”

“If I fall asleep, just come on in. I put the code to my door in your phone, under my contact.”

Smiling, I replied, “I saw that. Does this mean I should give you a key to my place?”

“Only if you want to.”

“Consider it done. James is waiting for me. Don’t work too hard, and I’ll see you later.”

“Be safe, and see you later, Gavin.”

“Bye, Bry.”

I ended the call and made my way over to James, who was smiling.

“What are you smiling for?”

He shrugged. “I guess I just like seeing my younger brother happy, is all.”

“That I am.”

“I can tell by that damn boyish grin on your face. When are you going to tell Mom?”

My smile instantly vanished. “Oh God, don’t you dare say a word to her.”

He laughed. “I won’t have to if people keep seeing you leave Brystol’s house in the morning. Better watch out for that aunt of hers. And God help you if Betty Lou sees you.”

I groaned as James hit my arm.

“You really need this guys’ night tonight.”

“You think so?”

He laughed. “Little brother, I know so.”