Page 124 of Fierce-Baker

But he didn’t seem to be the first person she’d go to either and he had to reconcile with that also.

They’d been together about three months at this point. Still early in many people’s eyes.

Even theirs.

But it didn’t change how he felt about her.

He hoped it didn’t change how she felt about him.

But if that happened, he wanted to know.

“I’m glad you’re there for her, but I knew you would be. I guess my biggest question is how do you feel about it all?”

“Conflicted,” he said, letting out a laugh. “I feel better just talking to you about it though, so thanks for that.”

“I’m always here. You need support also. There is no way you’d tell Tasha what is going on with Mom and Dad.”

“She knows. She got it out of me, but I brushed a lot off.”

“Like you always do, but I get it. She has enough on her plate. Baker. I’m sorry. But she’s to blame for it all. It doesn’t mean I love her any less, but she made those decisions knowing that D-Day might come. It is.”

“And that is where I’m conflicted. I know and feel exactly as you do, but I couldn’t and wouldn’t say that to her.”

“I’m sure she knows what you’re thinking,” Brittany said.

“I don’t know,” he mumbled. “It’s hard to say.”

And he didn’t want to guess either.

“What’s the next step? Do you know when she’s going to tell Shane?”

“She’s trying to figure it out. Or work herself up to it. Not sure which. I hope it’s this week. Just to get it over with and see the next step.”

“I hope she’s not going to be alone with him,” Brittany said. “She obviously didn’t know this person well and who knows how he’ll react.”

“I already told her she’s not going to his place alone. If she won’t let me be with her, it has to be in a public setting.”

“Keep me posted,” Brittany said.

“I will. I appreciate you letting me unload on you tonight.”

“Anytime, Baker. I’ll always be here for you. Just like you’ve been for me.”

“All those nights crying that Mom didn’t understand why you didn’t like men,” he said, laughing. “I don’t blame you. Some of us are assholes.”

“Not you,” Brittany said.

“Oh, I can be one.”

“No more than I can be a bitch. It’s called life and different personalities.”

“Exactly. You learn to adapt to them around you, you live alone, or you are miserable,” he said.

“Like Mom.”

“You said it.” He smiled and drained the rest of his bourbon, then tossed his phone next to him.

His fingers itched to reach out to Tasha. To see when she’d be home.