Bright and early the next Saturday morning, Bryce arrived outside the address Juliet had given her. She had to admit, plastering a baby’s nursery was a far more productive way of spending her weekend than staring at her own four walls. She cast a curious eye over the house, wondering how much of it would reflect its owners.
Trent opened the door to her knock, and Bryce got to see her close up. The first thing she noticed was that Trent was really tall. She had to tilt her head back to look into Trent’s eyes. Trent’s face was unsmiling, almost moody, but at the sound of Juliet’s voice from back inside the house, Bryce watched as Trent’s whole demeanor changed. The grin she favored Bryce with was full of a sincere warmth.
“You’re Bryce?” Trent held out a hand.
Bryce shook it. “I’m here to get your nursery ready for Scarlet’s paint job.”
Trent ushered her inside. Juliet wandered out of the kitchen to greet her.
“Trent is so excited with what Scarlet is going to do for the baby’s room. I don’t know who’ll spend the most time in the nursery, the baby or Trent.”
Trent just laughed at her. “I’ve told you I’m more than ready to do above and beyond my fair share of diaper duties.” She snagged an arm around Juliet’s shoulders. “After all, you’re doing the hard part right now.”
“I’d get that promise put in writing,” Bryce said with a smile. She’d gotten to spend time with Juliet and already liked her. Seeing her with Trent left Bryce in no doubt Juliet was loved and cared for.
“Oh, I have it on good authority Trent is a wiz at changing diapers and powdering baby butts.”
Trent explained. “My friend Elton’s family spawns at least one kid every year. You learn fast that, if you have a pair of hands, you’re going to end up with a baby at whatever family function you’re attending.”
“And now you’re having your own.” Trent’s hand touched Juliet’s belly. The look they shared made Bryce oddly envious.
“Would you like a drink?” Juliet asked, breaking Bryce from her thoughts.
“I’d love some coffee.” Anything to keep me awake. “Scarlet said she’d dropped my tools off here for me?”
Trent nodded. “They’re in the nursery waiting for you. Let me show you upstairs.”
Bryce was surprised by the elaborate lock on an out of place reinforced door she walked past. She gave Trent a curious look. “Are you already making sure the kid never gets out of bed at night?”
Trent just chuckled. “That’s my game room. I’ve got all my consoles and gaming equipment in there. It has to be protected. It’s priceless.”
“Scarlet mentioned something about you being a gamer.”
“Do you play?”
Bryce shook her head at the undisguised hope in Trent’s voice. “No. I’ve never had the time to.” She was guided to the nursery. “Wow, this is a nice sized room.” She ran a hand over the walls. “This won’t take much to render.” She tossed Trent a look. “I’ll get these walls as smooth as a baby’s bottom.”
Trent grinned at her. “Thank you for that mental image.”
Juliet came in carrying a mug of coffee and a tray with milk and sugar. “I forgot to ask how you take it.”
“Baby hormones,” Trent said, teasing her. “And you should have called me and I would have come and got this for you.”
“You don’t have to carry me up the stairs just yet, babe. I can still climb them, albeit a little slowly seeing as I can’t see my feet.”
The sound of the doorbell rang through the house.
“That’s Squirt, my gaming buddy.” Trent smacked a kiss on Juliet’s forehead and bounded off down the stairs, her feet heavy on each step as she ran down.
Juliet just shook her head. “That will be Kayleigh, my little sister. I swear, get the two of them together and it’s hard to tell which one is the thirteen-year-old.” She laid the mug and tray on the windowsill. “I’ll leave you in peace to go do my chores while my girls play.”
Bryce walked around the room, checking all the walls and listening to the sound of excited voices coming from downstairs. Trent’s deeper tone mingled with the sound of a young girl’s who was apparently talking a mile a minute. Bryce picked up her coffee, laced it liberally with sugar and a dash of milk, and sipped from it while she worked out in her head where to start. The soft sound of music drifted up the stairs, and Bryce felt curiously lost. It wasn’t Scarlet’s music. Trying to shake off her melancholy, Bryce looked out the bedroom window. She was no gamer, but even she recognized the shape of a Space Invader etched into the pebbles in the garden.
*
Sometime later, Juliet called her down for lunch so Bryce dutifully downed her tools and headed downstairs. She followed the music coming from the living room and found two high backed gaming chairs set up before the TV. Trent was in one, Kayleigh in the other. On the large TV screen in front of them a Mario Kart race was in full swing. Kayleigh was urging her kart on, while Trent sat beside her in a more sedate fashion.
“Yes! Yes! I’m gonna win!” Kayleigh crowed as her kart took the lead.
Bryce watched as Trent’s kart slowed down. Was Trent deliberately letting Kayleigh win?
At the sound of loud beeping, an agonized howl from Kayleigh soon explained all. “No! Not the blue shell of doom!” On screen, her kart was hit by a large winged blue turtle shell and the kart was blown from the road. Trent’s kart picked up speed again and she crossed the finish line first, winning the race.
“Who tossed that shell?” Kayleigh demanded.
“Luigi did,” Trent said as her winning Baby Mario started his lap of honor.
“I’m going to run him off the side of Donkey Kong Mountain the next time we play that track.”
Juliet came to stand beside Bryce where she was peering into the living room.
“I thought Trent was letting her win,” Bryce said in a soft voice.
“Oh heaven forbid, no. Kayleigh would have a fit if someone threw the game just so she won. And Trent is too good a player to let someone else win if she’s in the lead.”
Bryce could hear Trent give Kayleigh some pointers as to what to do on their next race.
“But she’s not above giving her secrets away to those she loves so they can play as well as she does.” Juliet’s smile was soft as she moved behind the gaming chairs and leaned over. “Time to take a pit stop, you two. Come eat and then you can get back on the tracks and Kayleigh here can chase Luigi down and stomp his sorry ass.”
Kayleigh laughed. “Did you get pizza?” She turned around in her chair to lean against its back and give her sister big puppy dog eyes.
Juliet brushed at Kayleigh’s hair. “What else would I get you or me at the moment?”
“Yay!” Kayleigh was out of her seat in an instant. “Can I help you set the table? You’re not supposed to be doing so much now because of the baby.”
Bryce was amused by the look of pained resignation that blazed across Juliet’s features. She nodded a hello at Kayleigh as she got caught under her sudden scrutiny. Oh God, she’s got the same soul penetrating look as her sister. Mercifully, Juliet called her attention away.
“Go grab four plates. You’re as bad as Trent trying to keep me from doing too much,” Juliet said.
Trent pressed a kiss on Juliet’s cheek. “Just making sure my baby mama is happy and healthy.” She slipped past Juliet and barely dodged the swat aimed at her rear. “Come have some pizza. We don’t want you getting cranky!”
“I’ll show you cranky, babe,” Juliet said with a smile.
Trent grinned back, her eyes sparkling. “Bring it on, sweetheart.” She snagged Juliet around her waist and hugged her. “Bryce, I hope you’re hungry. We always have way too much pizza in this house. It’s Juliet’s number one craving at the moment.”
“I could eat a whole pie by myself,” Kayleigh called from the kitchen as she clattered plates on the table.
“Isn’t that the truth,” Juliet muttered. “I swear that kid grows more like you every day.” She nudged Trent with her hip. “Especially since she cut her hair short after always wearing it long.”
“She’s growing up, Jule. She’s no longer a little kid. She’s a teenager now. Besides, the cut suits her.”
Bryce followed them into the kitchen where Kayleigh was expertly cutting the two large pizzas into manageable slices. Bryce surreptitiously checked out the young girl’s hair. It was cut short into her neck and teased into soft spikes on the top. Bryce thought she looked like a baby dyke in the making. She wondered how Juliet’s parents would handle having two gay daughters in the family.
Bryce felt uncomfortable wearing her cap at the meal table and nervously ran her fingers over the brim. At Juliet’s soft nod Bryce removed it but kept it close. She kept her head down to avoid anyone’s pitying gaze.
The table was soon busy with everyone finding their seats and feeding their faces. Kayleigh’s attention returned to Bryce.
“You’re fixing up the baby’s room, aren’t you?” Kayleigh asked around a mouthful of pizza.
Bryce nodded. She could feel Kayleigh’s stare fixed on her face.
“Your scar, does it hurt?”
Bryce blinked in surprise. She wasn’t used to someone coming right out and acknowledging the damage done to her face. She willed herself not to reach up and touch the area and draw even more attention to it.
“Not so much now,” she said finally.
Kayleigh didn’t look away. “It’s really neat. It’s like you’ve got Harry’s lightning bolt going through your eyebrow.”
Bryce frowned. “Harry?”
“Harry Potter,” Trent explained, reaching for another slice of pizza.
“Yeah, he’s got this wicked scar on his forehead that marked him as the boy that lived. Yours is like that. It’s really cool.”
Bryce was surprised to realize Kayleigh meant that. For her it was something fascinating, not something that Bryce knew was disfiguring. She’d seen herself in the mirror. She had witnessed firsthand how cruel the scar was as it sliced through her forehead and ended so perilously close to her eye. She’d been lucky she hadn’t been blinded.
Lucky. Bryce had grown to hate that word.
Kayleigh leaned toward her with a sweet smile. “I’m glad it doesn’t hurt.” She settled back in her chair. “Bet you wish it came with magic though because that would be totally awesome!”
At Kayleigh’s fanciful exuberance, Bryce felt something shift a little inside her. A weight lifted just a fraction off her soul and let her breathe a tad easier. She ran her finger along the jagged scar. Like Harry, she was marked. She also was one who had lived.
*
Bryce could hear the soft footsteps of Juliet’s measured gait as she climbed the stairs. When she looked at the doorway, Juliet was leaning against the doorjamb watching her progress.
“I’m sorry if Kayleigh made you feel uncomfortable earlier.”
Bryce didn’t look up from her task. “She didn’t. I think she’s the first person who has pointed out what happened to my face and hasn’t made me feel like a freak.”
“I hope that isn’t how you see yourself because I can assure you that none of us see you that way at all.”
“I’ve seen this face every morning since the accident. I know it’s not pretty. It’s a scar that isn’t going to go away any time soon. The doctors did as good a job as they could to fix it for me.” She shrugged. She regretted it when her shoulder reminded her of the damage done there too. “Guess my good looks have been traded in for the roguish battle scarred look that I now sport.”
“That mark doesn’t detract from how handsome you are. It just adds an air of mystery. You know women love that. It makes us want to soothe away your pains and discover all your hidden secrets.”
“There’s no secret to me. I was in a car crash. I walked away.”
“I wish I’d have known you then. I’d have visited you in the hospital and driven you crazy fussing over you like my friends are doing to me now that I’m pregnant.”
Bryce chuckled, wishing she’d had anyone visit her in the hospital other than the uncomfortable visits from her work mates who had no idea what to say to her. Only Victor Tweedy had been a regular by her bedside and had made her feel cared for. She couldn’t help but wonder if his daughter would have done the same had she been back home then. She could easily imagine Scarlet being concerned and then rallying her up and out of the bed to start facing what had happened to her. Bryce wished Scarlet had seen her before the crash, when she’d been handsome and witty and someone the girls had flirted with. Now she was crippled with self-doubts and couldn’t even sleep more than two hours a night without waking from terrifying dreams.
Juliet’s gentle voice shook her from her musings.
“You’re doing a wonderful job.” Juliet was studying the room with a smile. “Scarlet will have no trouble painting on these smooth walls. The room will look amazing for when the baby arrives.”
“I’m half surprised she hasn’t turned up to check that I’m doing the job right.” Bryce put the finishing touches to the last wall and carefully climbed back down her stepladder.
“Oh, she’s too busy today getting naked with Monica.”
Bryce’s whole body flinched at Juliet’s throwaway comment. She dropped her trowel noisily and grimaced at the sound it made in the empty room. A rush of unexplained jealousy burned through her veins, followed swiftly by an anger she knew she had no right to feel. She quickly picked up her tool and tried to look nonchalant.
“I thought Monica was with her Johnny Depp.” She was amazed by how normal her voice appeared.
Juliet laughed. “Monica is as straight as they come, but she does appreciate the female form. And she has a great appreciation for Scarlet’s because she is the perfect model for Monica’s dressmaking skills. That’s what they were doing today once Scarlet finished her shift at the photography studio she works at.”
Bryce released a soft “Oh” and felt her stomach muscles slowly unknot themselves.
“I used to be Monica’s tailor’s dummy, but in my current condition”—she ran her hand over her belly—“it kind of makes it hard to reach the tape measure around my hips. Besides, Scarlet has much more of an aptitude for what Monica creates.”
“The Goth thing.”
“Well, Monica is Goth. Scarlet’s only drawn to the music and fashion so don’t expect her to be sporting fangs any time soon.”
“She mentioned something about the music to me, and I hear it enough working with her every day.”
“Well, this weekend, after Scarlet’s shifts they are holed up in the apartment while Monica gets her ready for a concert we’re all going to in a few weeks. You’ll have to come along to see what all the fuss is about.”
As usual, Bryce didn’t comment on the invitation. “Do you dress like them?” She found the thought of Juliet in dark colors just didn’t sit right.
“Oh God, no. I like the music well enough, but I’ll be sporting maternity wear so I’ll stand out like a flowery sore thumb. But Trent always dresses for the occasion to support the bands.”
Bryce watched Juliet’s eyes soften as her thoughts turned inward.
“She looks mighty fine in her long-tailed jacket and wine red shirt.” Juliet’s voice trailed off and her lips curved with a small, appreciative smile. She shook herself out of where her mind had obviously wandered. “Anyway”—she favored Bryce with a shy grin—“enough of those thoughts. I’ll be sure to remind you closer to the time so you can find something suitably black to wear to join us.”
“I’ll be sure to check my calendar.” Bryce tried not to sound dismissive.
“You know I’ll just keep bugging you until you give in and do anything I say just to shut me up.”
Bryce didn’t doubt that for a second. “How does Trent cope with you?”
“I won’t give away all my secrets, but I will tell you this. It took all my considerable charms to get that girl out of the gaming room and into my arms. But it was worth every minute. You need something like that to get you back on your feet and enjoying life again.”
Bryce felt guilt press down on her shoulders, and she screwed her eyes up against the pain. For a moment, she was back in that nightmare, hanging from her seat belt, wishing for someone to save her and knowing she was all that remained alive in that car.
“Hey, honey, where did you go just now?”
Juliet’s voice was soft and her hand was warm against Bryce’s cool skin. She felt Juliet squeeze her arm and bring her back to the nursery.
“I’m okay,” she said, hoping Juliet wouldn’t call her on it this time.
“You will be. I know that.” Juliet patted her arm briskly. “Now that you’ve finished in here, tidy your mess up and get your ass downstairs. Trent’s making chili and you are not missing out on that treat.”
Desperately trying to get her head back to the here and now, Bryce did as she was bid. “Can you eat chili?”
“Who do you think asked for it?” Juliet gave her a mischievous smile. “And what this woman wants, she gets!” With that, Juliet left Bryce alone.
*
Scarlet stood unmoving on the small wooden block Monica utilized for her dressmaking. She dared not look down or cause any movement to the fabric that was currently being pinned up just above her ankles. Monica smoothed the fabric down and then looked up from where she was kneeling at Scarlet’s feet.
“I think that’s done it,” she said as she got up and stood back to eye her creation. She frowned critically. “Do you think it needs more cleavage?”
Scarlet looked down. “From my angle there’s plenty on show without me having my nipples saying hello too.”
Monica nodded and slowly walked around her. “You’ve got an excellent figure for this. Have you ever thought of being a designer’s model?” She helped Scarlet down from her podium.
“Can’t say it’s ever been high on my list of jobs I thought to try until you made me strip and try that first dress on.” Scarlet grinned at Monica’s unabashed face. “I’ve got enough on my plate with working for Dad and doing part-time at the studio. Standing here for you makes for a nice respite from that.”
“You know your dad is going to expect you to eventually put down the paintbrush and move into the office to learn the ropes there.”
Scarlet groaned. “I’m so not management material. I like to be hands-on with things. It’s more fun that way.”
Monica began fussing over the fabric draped over Scarlet’s shoulder. “Which reminds me, how is Bryce?”
Scarlet’s head snapped around. “Hey!” She glared at the innocent look Monica spared her before busying herself again with the dress. “There’s been no laying on of hands there.”
“You have enough trouble keeping your eyes off her I’ve noticed.”
Scarlet groaned expressively. “Well, can you honestly blame me? She’s very easy on the eye.”
“She looks like she hasn’t slept in months.”
“To be honest? I don’t think she has,” Scarlet admitted.
“Well, she’s been through one hell of a trauma. And she hasn’t been out of the hospital very long. She’s been through a lot, and it’s blatant to see by those shadows under her eyes that she’s still suffering.”
“I know all that. I see it more than anyone when she lets me. I just….I really want to help her if she’d let me.”
“So”—Monica edged behind Scarlet’s back and began tugging at the dress’s neckline—“this undercurrent of flirting you’re doing and having lunches together isn’t just a pity mission then?”
Scarlet swung around so fast Monica took a step backward. “No! She doesn’t need my pity. I just…I just…” Scarlet’s voice failed her. What do I want really from this woman who has burrowed her way so soon into my thoughts and into my heart when I least expected it? “I’m sorry, Monica. I didn’t mean to shout at you.”
“Well, I have to say, that’s the most passion I’ve seen from you over another woman since I’ve known you. And don’t forget, I walked in on you trading tongues with the last woman you went out with. You looked bored to tears.”
Scarlet felt her cheeks bloom with a blush. “She wasn’t exactly knight in shining armor material.”
“And Bryce could be?”
“Maybe, if I let her and she wanted to be. I like her a lot, Monica. Even though I know she’s broken at the moment. I can’t help myself. She draws something in me to her.”
“Then you need to do something about that attraction if you want it to go further. You’re not usually shy in fighting for what you want, Scarlet. You’ve held your dad off this long so you could pursue your own career with a camera in your hand. Maybe it’s time you have it all. The career you truly want and a girlfriend who is knight in shining armor material.”
“And you think Bryce might be that one? We have only just met.” But she’s already becoming important to me. I can’t shake that feeling she’s meant to be more.
“Your eyes devour her every time you see her. It’s like she’s the sexiest thing on the face of the planet and you can’t wait to take a bite out of her. I’m just saying, if she’s special, then you should see if she fits into your life.”
“What if I don’t know if this is the right time for that? I’m juggling so many balls in the air already and my dad has plans for me that I’m not sure I can fulfill. Or want to.” Scarlet hoped the whine in her voice wasn’t too noticeable.
Monica bumped her shoulder. “What if it feels like it’s the right time?”
Scarlet groaned aloud pitifully. “I’ve wanted to go visit my grandma all day just for the excuse to go next door and see how Bryce was doing. Isn’t that pathetic?” Scarlet sat down on the block with a thump, not caring about her dress.
“No, it sounds like someone exploring that like could maybe become love. And that, my friend, is the greatest adventure anyone can partake in.”
*
When Bryce carried her tools down the stairs, she walked through the kitchen and her stomach rumbled at the rich smells coming from the stove. Juliet was at Trent’s side, watching her cook.
“Fifteen minutes,” Juliet called over her shoulder at Bryce. “No dawdling.”
“You’re very bossy for a pregnant lady,” Bryce muttered.
Trent easily overheard her. “She was bossy before I got her in that way too.” She got a swat to her behind for her sass. Trent stole a quick kiss off Juliet in retaliation.
Bryce carried her stuff to the garage where she left it for Scarlet to pick up. Then she joined everyone at the kitchen table. She was grateful for their banter negating her need to think beyond how much she wanted on her plate and instead listened to Kayleigh talk a mile a minute. It was noisy and energetic, but the boisterous family setting oddly calmed the lonely ache in Bryce’s chest. For a moment, she wished Scarlet was there, then everything would have been perfect.