Uncut (Unexpected Book 4) (58 page)

Damn, I think I’d rather have Martin as my father-in-law. From now on I will have to sleep with one eye open.

A
rthur and Mason Bradley stare at me, neither one is talking, and the thick air is choking me. They’d been in California
visiting
my parents. Martin was trying to push the idea of a reality show, which would include the Deckers.

“They promised never to speak of you, or try to sell your stories to the press,” Arthur says, looking across at Mason who nods. Arthur lifts his arm, handing me a big envelope. “I didn’t know before; if I had, I swear I would’ve taken care of you.”

My face tightens, my eyes focus on the envelope. Opening it I find a picture of a woman with granite-colored eyes who somewhat resembles . . . me? There are several more pictures and a small white envelope. As I read the contents of two DNA tests, it confirms that the female tested is related by blood to Mason Bradley and Arthur Bradley.

“How?” I whisper looking at both of them and still not grasping the concept of what these papers might mean.

“I’m not proud of saying this—but your mother and I had an affair,” Arthur explains. My heart beats faster as I try and reconcile who I am. “The band had broken up, so Martin didn’t have any way to cover his indiscretions, and basically, he didn’t care anymore. Your mother was lonely. I was lonely. We maintained a relationship for years until I wanted her to leave Martin. She wouldn’t. We began to fight. She mentioned kids and . . . I swear, she never mentioned you or I’d have fought to have you with me or something.” Mason puts a hand on his shoulder and Arthur takes another breath. “The moment I saw you, I just knew that you were mine. You have Jessica’s eyes, but my mother’s elegant features. Mason and I did some research about your past before I confirmed it with you, that you’re Jessica’s kid. There was no doubt in my heart. Later we did the lab test to confirm it.”

I hate my flimsy stomach. Any difficult news and I’m puking all over the place. Learning that Martin isn’t my father is stressful, yet welcome. I run to the bathroom and as I bend, a strong hand pats my back while someone holds my hair. Two men just claimed to be related to me. My father is a scary man that protects people for a living. My brother is just like him and I don’t know how to feel other than overwhelmed and confused.

“Thank you.” I straighten, brush my teeth, and steady myself. “Are you sure about it?”

“Jessica confirmed it earlier today.” Arthur hands me a towel. “This parental thing is hard, I didn’t do a great job with Mason, but if you give me a chance, I’d like to be a part of your life.”

“He’s a great father.” Mason hands me a glass of water. “And he’s really trying with you; don’t forget he ate your Tofurkey.” Mason winks at me. “You’re an unexpected addition, and we both would like to be a part of your life. Let us be a family.”

Family. Jessica denied me a father and a brother. She let Martin. I stop right there, because I won’t think of them today while I’m trying to assimilate this news.

“This is too confusing.” I sip some water. “As you mentioned, Mason, unexpected. I have a complicated load of issues behind me. The offer sounds lovely, but I . . .” Tears begin to stream down my face. “See I can’t take being kicked out anymore and you might choose to do just that when you get to know me better.”

“Family is a forever word.” Mason wipes my tears. “Maybe you’ll piss me off one day and we’ll fight, but we’ll still be brother and sister. The next day we’ll make up and forget why we fought.” He shrugs like this is all a simple no-brainer. “Dad and I didn’t have the best relationship before, but we remained together because we’re family. That’s what we’re offering you—a family to belong to.”

Belonging.
It’s a word I have always craved. Mason envelops me into a hug, Arthur joins, and I feel myself relax.

“It’s going to take time to get used to this.” Breaking the silence and the hug, I look at both of them.

“Now, can you tell us why you’re packing?” Arthur, my
father
, points at the cardboard boxes.

“The Deckers, reporters, money—take your pick.” I smile at both of them. “The money I earn from the jewelry pays my loans, and the counseling gig pays for the rent and utilities. No counseling, no way I can afford this place.”

Arthur frowns and pulls out his phone. “Did Chris fire you?” I shake my head. No, he expects me to go back to work soon. But how can I just waltz into the building after the media circus they had in there? “Good, but if you’re not comfortable working for him, we can help you search for another practice. Finance your own practice. Say the word, and we’ll help you. Your loans? Taken care of. As your father I have to pay for your education.”

“AJ and I can offer you her old house. It’s vacant,” Mason adds. “Everyone knows that you live here, so if you move there, no one will look for you and it’s close to the practice too.”

“AJ knows?”

“Yes, the wife just found out and she’s excited,” Mason explains, with that same glint in his eyes that appears every time he talks about her. “She’s been meaning to come over and check on you, but I didn’t want her to talk to you until Dad did.”

“I’m not asking for much, Thea, just to let me be a part of your life.” Arthur melts my heart and now I know why he’s looked at me with that same loving expression that he uses with his granddaughter. While Matt and Mason spent days erasing every picture of me on the Internet, the man held me for hours assuring me that everything was going to be fine.

“We’re also asking for you to become a Bradley.” Mason smiles at me. “It has a better ring to it than Dennis. Dr. Agatha Bradley.”

That is a huge step I choose to interpret as a sign of acceptance. “Can we take it one day at a time?” I take a step forward and hug Arthur. “Thank you for all you’ve done since you found out about me.” Turning to see Mason, I make an important decision. “As long as you let me pay rent, then yes please, I’ll take you up on your offer. Thank you for . . .” I shrug.

It’ll take some time for me to adjust to this new change. I’m not used to having a family who cares for me without demanding anything in return—other than letting them be a part of my life.

Matt didn’t like my decision to relocate to AJ’s old house. He had this crazy plan that we should move in together. After all, in dog years we’ve been dating for five years. His nonsense logic didn’t work on me, but it was sweet. Before I move forward with him, I want to settle my relationship with my father. Also, I want him to be perfectly fine with
his
break up with Tristan. From my perspective, if I hadn’t been the Hollywood tramp, they’d be happy. At least as friends.

“Everything is set.” Matt gives me a peck while I unpack my crafts.

Moving day was hectic, but fast. We packed in less than an hour and had everything unpacked in three. Mason and Arthur coordinated everything. They brought friends and family, including the Deckers. AJ stayed behind with Gracie, but she sent over a fancy coffee maker as my housewarming gift. She said it brings good luck. I don’t care about the luck as long as it delivers coffee when I need it.

“This is perfect.” I look at my craft room with a huge table in the middle and shelves against the wall. “Maybe I’ll never come out of here.”

“Except for work,” Chris says, entering the room. “I expect you back on Tuesday, right?”

“Yes, of course. Thank you for not firing me.”

“Why should I fire you?” His dark eyebrows meet each other and his lips pucker as if he is trying to give me a stern look. It’s more like a funny face. “Because the press harassed your patients. My father . . .”

“It’s hard to think of Martin as just some guy.” He squeezes my hand. “Maybe as hard as it is to stop calling Arthur by name and say the D word.”

I nod. It’s been three weeks since I found out he’s my father, and each day I promise myself that maybe tomorrow I’ll call him Dad, but when I see him my mouth doesn’t remember.

“It’ll take time for you to adjust. He’s a nice guy who is trying to make up for all the years he missed.” My eyes divert to the kitchen where he’s painting the window frames. The one thing we missed. The two of us had been painting the walls for the past week. “That should clue you in to how important you are to him.”

Everything changes too fast in life. Yesterday’s routine is gone. We’re trying to find a new one while finding ourselves. Maybe Chris is making a point, or his words are hitting home. I should also make the effort to make up for those lost times with my father and my brother. Changing a last name doesn’t affect me, but it’d make them happy. Calling him Dad—it’s freaking scary, but I’ll try harder.

“You’re going to paint this house back to its original classy colors, right?” Mason puts an arm around my shoulders. “Hippie-chic is not to the liking of your landlord.”

I bump him with my hip, smirking at him.

“I can get used to this teasing-the-little-sister exercise. The Deckers taught me everything there is to know.” He smirks at Matt who glares at him. “I think I understand how it works.”

“Dad, Mason is bothering me.” I stick my tongue out at Mason and walk closer to my father who is smiling at me, his lips stretching so broadly that it makes my heart sing.