“Look, we’ve already done this,” I sigh. Christmas Eve was a misunderstanding. While it still bothers me that Braydon believes I abandoned his brother, I don’t see any point in reliving the past. Braydon and I were close at one time, so I would rather he think less of me than be upset with his brother for how we parted ways. “You jumped to conclusions and it bit you in the ass. Can’t we leave it at that?”
I glance into the kitchen, relieved that Alyssa is still blissfully ignorant to the turn our conversation has taken. I need to talk to Xavier and figure out how we tell her about the past because it’s eating me alive at this point. Every time she talks about Xavier and me in the same sentence, I want to blurt out the truth, just to get it out there. She might hate me, but at least then I wouldn’t be lying to her any longer.
“No, I don’t think we can,” he says, matter-of-factly. I focus on him, trying to figure out why this is so important to him. “When you left, Xavier fell apart. And seeing as you left me a voicemail saying you weren’t going to be able to work for me anymore, I assumed it was your decision. You disappeared on us.”
“Braydon--”
“Don’t. I need to get this out.” There’s a strange hint of desperation in his tone. “Xavier isn’t the only one who lost you when you left.”
“I didn’t--”
Braydon presses his index finger against my lips, hard, to silence me, keeping it there as he continues talking, ensuring that I won’t. “You weren’t just an employee or my brother’s girlfriend. You were my family, too. And you left.”
I pull his hand away from my face, refusing to listen to him insisting that I was the one who walked out. I didn’t want to leave, Xavier told me he needed time to think. And then I got a letter from him saying that we couldn’t be together again because he couldn’t trust me. What was I supposed to do?
“Braydon, I get that you wanted to look out for your brother, but I didn’t leave him. I--”
This time, Braydon’s full hand covers my mouth. Apparently, he wants me to hear him out. “Some things never change, do they?” he says, the slightest chuckle escaping his lips. “You never were good at keeping your mouth shut while someone talked, were you?” I shake my head, knowing he’s right. It’s a skill I’ve worked on over the years, but the Melanie that he knew was notorious for making sure her voice was heard, even if it meant trampling on someone else’s words.
“As I was saying, I owe you an apology. It wasn’t until last month that I knew what really happened between the two of you.” My eyes grow wide as he speaks. Xavier and I haven’t talked about that time in our lives, so it surprises me to hear that he’s talked to Braydon about it. “I know now that you didn’t leave, so I’m sorry for the shit I spewed at you on Christmas Eve. You didn’t deserve that.”
I bite my tongue, acknowledging him with a simple nod. There are so many things I would like to say, but I’m determined to prove to Braydon that I can listen.
“But I need you to promise me something. If anything like that happens again, talk to me. I’m not mad at you for bailing on me, but I will be if you do it again.” His voice softens, and I feel the bond between us strengthen. I don’t have to look at Braydon and chide myself for how I quit my job at Artemis. He understands it.
When Braydon lets his hand drop from my mouth, I nearly lunge at him, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck. He laughs, returning my embrace. “Something you two need to tell me?”
I jump back at the sound of Xavier’s voice. Before I can fully retreat to my side of the couch, I look up and see that his remark has drawn Alyssa’s attention as well. I bury my face in my hands, hoping to hide how embarrassed I am by what both of them think they just saw.
“It’s about time,” Alyssa laughs, confirming that she is completely off-base. I dare to peek through my fingers to see Xavier glaring at his brother.
I can’t help but notice the subtle glances flying between Melanie and Braydon as they clear away the dishes after dinner. I have no right to be upset, but walking into my own home and seeing the two of them cozy on my couch was almost enough to throw my brother out by the front of his shirt. But I couldn’t because that would have raised questions in Alyssa’s mind. Questions that are better left unanswered. In order to protect my wife from undue stress, and from feelings of betrayal because we’ve kept this from her for over three months, I’ve stayed silent. Alyssa reaches for my hand when I get up to ask Braydon what he thinks he’s doing.
“I need to talk to you,” she says, her eyes looking everywhere but in my direction. I take a seat, sliding my chair closer to her. It hasn’t gone unnoticed that both she and Melanie have ducked any opportunity to talk about Alyssa’s appointment today. I close my eyes, steeling myself for what’s to come. “Before you say no, you need to hear me out. Can you promise me that?”
Now, I’m totally confused, but I suppose it could be worse. “Sure,” I say with a shrug.