“I want to help you,” I say suddenly.
“What? No. You have too much going on already,” Eileen says, shaking her head emphatically.
“No, I want to. Not just for you, either. For Nate. He needs you in his life. I can tell that you're good, and kind, and he needs people like that to love him. Please let me help you.”
“I don't want to put you in a position…I don't want to jeopardize anything. You and Nate, you have a special relationship.”
“Um, sure, yeah, he's a great guy,” I hedge.
“Brynn…it's OK. I know.”
I swallow. “Know what?”
“When I saw you that day at the boathouse, I could just tell. At first I thought you were his girlfriend, and then I realized who you were, and I saw the way you two looked at each other. You're in love,” she whispers. I begin to tug at my hair nervously. Shit. Shit. “You've acted on your feelings?” It's all I can do to nod. “Do your parents know?” I shake my head. “Brynn, you don't have to be embarrassed. Life's messy. People find love wherever they can. Hell, it's not like you're breaking any laws.”
My tears begin to slip down my face again, renewed. “I can't believe it's so obvious.”
“Maybe I just caught you two in an unguarded moment. But, see, if Nate and you are together, I don't want to come between you.”
“Honestly, I'd like him to meet you. I think it might do him some good. When Pierce was chewing me out tonight, he didn't say anything.”
“I'm sorry.”
“So you'll meet with him?”
“If you're sure it's OK with you.”
“I'm not sure how I'll set it up yet, but write down your number for me, and I'll get in touch with you when I know.”
She nods and tears a slip of paper from a paperback book in the back seat. As she hands it to me and I get out of the car, she leans over into the passenger seat.
“Brynn, if I could just give you a little advice…I would avoid Pierce for the next few days. He doesn't like it when people stand up to him.”
I nod and shut the door, walking slowly back to the house as I run my fingers over her phone number. I peer cautiously through the first floor windows, not wanting to walk back in on dinner, but it looks like they’ve finished and the plates have all been cleared. I quietly open the front door and tiptoe up the stairs to my bedroom, locking my door behind me. I put Eileen's phone number on my bureau and am just about to change out of my dress when I hear a soft knock on the door. Usually Nate just comes in now, so he clearly knows that I'm upset with him. I walk over and unlock it, then open it a few inches.
“You locked it?” he asks, looking hurt.
“I want to be alone right now,” I murmur, though a knot forms in my throat at the thought of spending the first night in a week without him.
“I…I can't choose between you,” he whispers. He looks so forlorn, and I see a glimpse of the little boy that he once was, overhearing his parents' arguments.
“I know.”
“They're going to some charity lunch tomorrow afternoon…maybe we could spend some time together.”
“OK,” I nod, my mind already moving in a different direction.
He pauses, unsure if he should kiss me. “Alright, goodnight,” he says, and walks down the hallway to his bedroom.
I close and lock the door after him, then grab my cell phone and put in Eileen's number. Tomorrow afternoon, I text her. I'll let you know when my parents are gone, and then you come meet Nate.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
I yawn as I sit by my window, waiting for the sounds of my mom and Pierce leaving. I wasn't able to sleep well at all last night. There were too many worries rattling around in my brain. Mainly, though, it felt strange not to see Nate. I missed his presence in my bed with a physical ache that gnawed away at me.
Finally I hear some movement in the rest of the house. I walk to my door and crack it open, sticking my head out into the hall. I can just hear my mom murmuring something to Pierce as they make their way to the garage. Soon I hear the car pulling out of the driveway and I glance at the clock. I'll give them ten minutes.
I wait impatiently, and as soon as it's up, I text Eileen and head down to the foyer. Luckily Nate has been safely ensconced in his room all morning. I don't know if he even got up to train this morning, which is highly unusual for him. I glance out the window next to the door and see Eileen walking up the driveway.
“Hi,” I murmur quietly as she reaches the steps and I open the door.
“Hi,” she replies nervously, smoothing her blouse. “Do I look alright?”
“You look fine,” I assure her. I can't imagine how she must feel, finally seeing her son face-to-face after all these years. She looks around the foyer.
“God, this place is even bigger than it looks from outside.”
“I know. It's ridiculous,” I agree, and usher her into the den. “Pierce and my mom are at some charity lunch, so they'll be gone for a while,” I tell her. She bites her lip nervously and takes a seat on the couch. “I'll call Nate down, alright? I haven't told him anything…I wasn't sure he would come otherwise.” She nods, and I head to the stairs. “Hey, Nate?” I yell, and hear his bedroom door open. “You wanna come down to the den?”
I feel a fissure of guilt as he replies happily, “Sure! Be right there,” and I hear him moving around. I don't like the idea of setting a trap and lying to him, but I rationalize that it's in the service of a greater truth, that of the true nature of his parents' relationship, and his father's character.
I walk back into the den, and stand nervously next to the couch where Eileen's sitting. She stands as we hear Nate walking down the stairs, and then he turns the corner and sees us. His face is a blank as he surveys the scene before him. He takes a step forward, looks like he's going to say something, and then steps back.
“Nate, it's me, your mom,” Eileen whispers.
“I know who you are,” Nate replies quietly. He turns to me. “You did this?”
“I think you should hear what she has to say. Please, will you just sit for a minute?”
Nate's face twists into a sneer—an expression I haven't seen in weeks. “You're unbelievable,” he spits at me, and storms out the front door, slamming it behind him. Eileen sits down with a muted cry, and I run after him.
“Nate!” I call as I shut the door behind me and head down the front steps. He's walking around the side of the house, probably headed for the garage and his car to make an escape. “Would you just listen to me for a second?”