What was going on? Kent kept confusing her. She knew he’d stopped sleeping around and that he spent more time with her than he did with any other woman.
Stop thinking about it and enjoy Christmas.
****
Kent moved to his room, but Tonya was standing in front of his door. Her arms were folded across her chest as she waited for him.
“You took long enough,” she said.
“What do you want?” he asked, moving around her. Tonya followed him into his room without an invitation. “I asked what you wanted. I didn’t give you permission to come into my room.”
She shrugged. “This place hasn’t changed a bit.” Tonya picked up one of his old teddies and cradled it against her chest. He remembered many times when she came to visit him. Not once in all of those years did he think she was in love with Seth.
“You’re in love with her, aren’t you?” Tonya asked.
“That’s not your place any more.” He warned her without looking at her.
“Whose place is it, Kent? Are you going to spend the rest of your life judging me because I loved your brother more?”
They never spoke about the past. Tonya was married to his brother, and they were happy. Kent never came into it.
“I don’t care about it, Tonya. I moved on.”
“Bullshit. You never moved on. I know you, and you’ve always been a resentful little prick. We were friends, and because I didn’t return your feelings, you blamed me. Fine, it’s all my fault. I loved Seth, and I never should have dated you. I made the mistake of thinking I could make myself love you the way you wanted to be. I loved you as a friend. I still love you as a friend,” Tonya said.
“I’m not in the mood for this.” He threw his jacket on the bed and walked into the bathroom.
You’re in love with Lana.
Kent stopped and turned to Tonya. It was time to get it out. “Yeah, I had an issue with you. I thought you were my friend, and then I felt you were nothing more than a gold-digging whore.” He watched as she flinched. Kent didn’t get anything from the distraught look in her eyes. At his revelation, she looked broken. “I hated you and Seth. When you went with him I lost my girl and my friend. I loved you, but I’ve come to see I didn’t love you like I thought I did. You were my friend, and I wanted more.” He stopped as the revelation of his words woke him up. “I love Lana, and I’m happy for you. We’ll never be back to how we used to be, but we’ll be civil. At this time that’s all I can offer you,” he said.
“I see.”
“Could you leave? I want to get ready.”
Tonya looked like she wanted to say something more. When he didn’t give her chance to respond, she turned away and left.
Letting out a breath, he made his way into the bathroom. He took a quick shower and tried to process her words. For the longest time he’d blamed her because he’d thought he was in love with her. The way he felt for Lana was completely different. He loved her for the woman she was. Lana was strong, kind, and confusing. Kent smiled as he thought about how confused he got when he was around her.
Once his shower was finished, he moved into his bedroom. He dressed quickly and made his way downstairs. Lana wasn’t downstairs when he made it into the sitting room. The commotion calmed down the moment the children were in bed. He found his mother in the kitchen stirring hot chocolates.
“Have you seen Lana?” he asked.
“She’ll be down in a moment. She forgot her toothbrush and came to ask for one. Don’t worry, son. I know you’re worried about her,” Penny said.
He let out a sigh and sat down. “She’s never had a Christmas like this. A part of her is broken. I see it in the way she watches us. Sometimes there are tears in her eyes, and I hate seeing it. I figured all families were like ours.”
The only person he could confide in was his mother. His dad would go and talk to Lana and probably scare her.
“Has she spoken about any of her family?” Penny asked.
“She’s spoken about her mother, but I don’t have a name or anything. Her past is a mystery. She works two jobs to make ends meet, and she hates mess. Her apartment is always pristine. When we were wrapping the gifts, she was throwing all the little bits away straight after.”
“Some women don’t like mess.”
“With Lana I think it has to do with her past. I watched her freak out by a red stain on her shoe, Mom. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Penny moved away from the stove to stand behind him. She put a supporting hand on his shoulder. “We spoilt you kids when you were growing up. Your father and I had the support of our parents when I came home pregnant at such a young age. Having children isn’t easy. There are families who are far worse off. All you can do is give Lana the love and support she needs. You love her, Kent. I’ve seen it.”
He placed a hand on top of hers. “I love you, Mom.”
“Of course you do. I’m full of wisdom. Lana’s a nice girl. She’d make a fine wife and an even better mother. You’re not getting any younger. I want to enjoy my grandbabies from you.”
“Mom, I’m forty-five.”
“And the receding hairline will come, along with the pot belly.” She tapped his shoulder.
“Dad doesn’t have any of that.”
“I know he’s got a good woman to keep him in shape. It takes two people to make a marriage work, Kent. Lana will be good for you and your health.”
Kent chuckled and paused when he saw Lana stood in the entrance of the kitchen. “I didn’t know where everyone was.”
His mother winked at him before returning to the stove. Penny knew everything about him even though he tried to hide his feelings from the woman. There was no hiding his love for Lana from his mother.
Chapter Fourteen
Lana woke up to the screams of children. It was Christmas morning, and she rolled over to see it was still dark outside. The clock on her bedside table read after five in the morning.
“Lana, is there any chance you’re still asleep?” Kent asked.
She chuckled, climbed out of bed and went to the door. He stood in a robe and slippers. His blond hair was mussed. This was the first time she’d seen him just rolled out of bed. He looked more handsome like this than in a business suit.
“Morning,” she said.
“This is ridiculous, but the kids are ready to open presents. Come on down.” He stood outside her door waiting for her. She grabbed a robe and headed out.