Wilde by Abby Brooks

Chapter Thirteen

Leo

The evening sun settles over the mountains when I realize where I am. Home. The ranch.

After I’ve parked, I stand on my mother’s front porch, my hand hovering over the door handle while I struggle to make sense of what I’ve done.

How in the hell did I bail on Amy and how am I going to fix it? Why did I even do it?

I just left. Without saying a word.

That sound. How will I ever explain what it did to me?

How can I make her understand that the weight of it was almost enough to make me pass out? Room spinning, two drinks too many, dizzy.

I’ve never felt less prepared for something in my life.

Hearing those swooshes rocked me. It took the concept of a baby and thrust it into reality. How am I going to handle being a father when I’ve never had a strong role model of my own? I want to do right by my child, but according to my family, I’ve never done anything right in my life. How will I be the parent my kid deserves when I’m supposed to move to Los Angeles and Amy lives here?

Chills race down my spine.

How is any of this going to work?

For the first time, the thought of moving to LA to be closer to the action seemed…wrong. I’d be leaving my kid. And I’d be leaving Amy. The realization filled my stomach with acid and my heart with rocks. I panicked.

I rub at my neck as I debate whether to head on into Mom’s house or turn around. Reluctantly, I twist the knob, and step inside. “Ma? You home?”

A voice that sounds too much like Chet’s calls back. “We’re in the dining room.”

Awesome, on top of everything else, I get to deal with him,I think to myself asI stroll their way. I find the entire Wilde clan packed around the table, celebrating. Together. Minus me of course.

“What’s going on?” I try to sound casual and uninterested. Like I wasn’t immediately reminded how clearly not a part of this family I am. “And how nice of you to think to invite me.”

My brother Hank raises a brow. “Uh, check your phone. The invite’s there.”

Well, shit. He’s right. The text came in yesterday, but after the last time I showed up at the ranch, I didn’t even bother to reply. Why would I willingly put myself in a situation like that again?

Hank clears his throat and raises his beer. “But you’re here now and just in time. We’re celebrating my many achievements and accomplishments.”

I crack a smile. “Doctor finally authorize you to stop wearing a helmet when you go outside?”

He flips me the bird with his still raised beer-hand and smirks. “Funny as ever—not. Actually, my little mechanic business just had a hell of a day. Signed a contract to maintain everything with an engine for Murphy Farms.”

Murphy Farms is a serious commercial farming operation and Hank is right to celebrate. This means real money for him—if he doesn’t screw it up.

Mom wraps me in a hug. “It’s so much work he thinks he’ll have to hire a whole team to help.” She steps back and beams with pride as she admires Hank and his wife, Mollie. There’s nothing she loves more than bragging on one of her clan.

Hank lifts his beer. “It feels good, that’s for sure.”

“And what a blessing. Now you and Mollie have no reason not to start a family.” Mom turns her attention back to me with a hopeful smile, then knocks the air out of me with a question I’m not expecting. “Which leaves only one. I don’t suppose there’s any chance you’ll ever change your mind about settling down?”

Question after question floods my brain. Does she know? How could she? Who would’ve told her? I stare at her blankly, stunned into silence, until she begins asking questions of her own.

“Are you okay?” Mom brings her hand to my forehead.

“Yeah. I’m fine. More than fine.” I step back and puff my chest, stretching my arms wide. “Actually, my mind’s already been changed.” Here it comes. Brace for impact. “Turns out, I’m going to be a father.”

I scan the room and find the same look on every face. Hank’s mouth hangs open. As does Gabe’s. Mom falls back on her heel and looks to the ground as she fumbles for the right thing to say. The only person to act is Chet.

Figures.

He clears his throat and slides his chair back, then stands and walks toward me. “Congratulations, Leo. Guess you and I have some things to talk about.” He pats my shoulder as he passes. “I’ll be on the porch.”

My oldest brother has never been known for having all that much to say. And the rare times he does, it’s never to me. Which is to say that curiosity demands I see where this goes.

Is he going to take a shot at me?After the scene I made at his wedding, I’ve had it coming. But now? That’s not his style. I’m not his biggest fan, but even I know he’s not built that way. Sounds too much like something I’d do.

I kiss my mother on the forehead then cross the living room on my way to the porch. “If one of us isn’t back in a few minutes, call the law.” I wink to show Mom I’m joking, but her nervous smile says she knows there’s a modicum of truth there. I pull the door closed and cross the porch to lean against the railing. Chet wanders to the opposite end and stares off into the darkening sky, silent.

I watch the clouds, entertaining myself while I wait for my brother to say or do something. I take a breath. Then another. Finally, I clear my throat. “Not that I don’t love catching up like this, but I’m going back inside.”

He turns. “I know we haven’t always seen eye to eye.”

Understatement of the decade.

I nod slowly and motion for him to continue. “You could say that.”

“Well, what’s passed is in the past, I suppose.” He stares at his boots. “What I want to say…”

Wait—what? What’s passed is in the past? That’s it? Is that supposed to qualify as an apology? Now I’m supposed to drop all the history and years of bad blood between us and never think about it again? Fuck that!

I raise my hands to either side. “No. I know what you’re trying to say. And you can save it, all right?”

Chet looks up. “Leo, wait. For once in your damn life, don’t go jumping to conclusions. Stop acting like a child. Grow up and give me a chance.”

My jaw clenches and I grind my teeth. “Fine. You’ve got ten seconds. Go.”

“I know you think you had it rough growing up.”

I narrow my eyes. “Nine.”

“What I’m trying to say is, becoming a father is a big responsibility. One I don’t think you can ever be ready for.”

“You are the last person I’m going to take paternal advice from, prick. Six.”

Chet stammers. “There will be times…when you feel lost. When you have questions.”

“Three. Your point?”

Frustrated, he groans and shakes his head. “When the time comes—I’m here.”

I spit at the ground, then amble down the steps to my car. “Thanks for the offer, but I’ll be fine. It was a mistake to come here, and it was a mistake to think my news would be anything but shit on.”

“Leo,” Chet calls after me. “We’re family.”

“That’s a great line, brother. Too bad you’ve never meant it.” With a shake of my head, I pop back into the house to say goodbye to Mom, then slide into Jezebel and get the hell outta there.