24. Layla

The confines of the house seem to close in around me, seeing Brock with Breckin it's too much. I find myself retreating to the sanctuary of my thoughts, seeking solace in the chaos that swirls within. Being in this forced proximity with Brock has unearthed a torrent of emotions, leaving me adrift in a sea of confusion.

On the surface, everything seems so simple. Brock, Breckin, and I make a picture-perfect family, effortlessly navigating the challenges of parenthood with a grace that belies everything else going on.

I love Brock, of that there is no doubt. His mere presence fills me with a warmth I've never known, a sense of belonging that I've spent a lifetime searching for.

And yet, I find myself unable to fully let down my guard, to surrender to the vulnerability that comes with loving someone so deeply. Old wounds still fester beneath the surface, reminders of past betrayals and shattered dreams that I've yet to fully come to terms with.

I watch Brock with Breckin, the easy affection between them is special. It's moments like these that make me long for something more, for a life filled with love and laughter, free from the shadows of doubt that haunt me at every turn.

But as much as I crave that kind of happiness, I can't shake the feeling that it's all too good to be true. What if history repeats itself, and I'm left broken and alone once again?

What if Brock really did use me to get back with Tierney? What if he is a cheater like Randy and I'm just blind to it?

None of that makes sense though and I know it so why won't I let go of it?

I catch myself stealing glances at Brock when he's not looking, studying the lines of his face as if searching for answers to questions I'm not sure I want to ask. He's so different from anyone I've ever known.

"Hey Breckin, why don't you try to get some summer reading done while I jump in the shower. You have practice soon."

"Okay. Mr. Brock do you want to help."

"Absolutely," he smiles.

His hand reaches out for mine, gently caressing my arm as he grins back at me. I want more of that touch but I walk away.

I push open the door to my bedroom, grateful for the solitude it offers. I quickly strip off my clothes and head for the shower, the warm water washing away the tension that has built up throughout the day.

As I towel off and dress in comfortable workout clothes, my thoughts drift to Brock and Breckin. They've settled in to do a little homework together, a small oasis of normalcy in the midst of the storm that has engulfed us.

It's nice to have that. It's nice that Brock is stepping up and showing up in this way.

Stepping back into the bedroom, I glance out the window and realize with a start that the camera crew is gone. Relief floods through me, a weight lifting from my chest at the absence of their invasive presence.

"Breckin, it's time to get ready for practice!" I call out, my voice carrying down the stairs.

As I hear his footsteps echoing through the hallway, I turn to Brock, who is sitting at the kitchen table with a pile of textbooks spread out before him.

"The camera crew is gone," I tell him, my voice tinged with relief.

Brock looks up from his work, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you that. I called the police and they removed them."

"When was that?"

"Before I came down to play hockey with Breckin and Eric."

Why did he wait that long to tell me? Is this a game to him?

"Why didn't you tell me then?"

"I didn't want to interrupt your run," he shrugs. "Maybe things will start to calm down now."

I nod, my heart fluttering with uncertainty as I meet his gaze. "Maybe."

He walks toward me and tries to pull me into a hug. I take a step back, cross my arms in front of my chest and look directly at him.

"Brock, I think it's best if we don't see each other for a while," I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

His brow furrows in confusion, his eyes searching mine for answers. "What do you mean?"

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the pain that I know will follow. "Until this mess with Tierney is cleared up, I don't think it's a good idea for us to be together. I avoid drama like the plague, and that's all you've brought to my door. I won't allow Breckin to be pulled into it."

His expression darkens, hurt flashing in his eyes as he struggles to comprehend my words. "But Layla, I thought... I thought we had something special. I never meant for you to get pulled into all of this. It will blow over."

"And when it does, we'll talk."

"I have proof that she's lying. I'm going to take it to a reporter and get my story out."

"I don't want to be a part of that. I've already lost clients. I won't allow my child to be a part of that circus."

"Our child," he interjects.

I narrow my eyes. "I will not allow Breckin to be pulled any more into this craziness than he already has. I'm glad he didn't ask questions about the camera crew or what Tierney was spouting. It's not fair to him or to me that we've been dragged into this mess."

"I didn't drag you into this. I can't help that…"

"It was your idea to do the fake engagement. You said you were worried that she wouldn't give up easily. I'm not a game, Brock and neither is Breckin."

"Layla," he starts as he reaches for me.

"No, Brock. This is killing me right now, but I won't be a part of this."

He nods and starts for the door.

Breckin enters the room, his backpack slung over his shoulder as he prepares to head out for practice. "Ready to go, Mom!"

I smile at him, ruffling his hair affectionately. "Let's go, sweetie."

"Are you coming, Mr. Brock?"

"Not today," I interject.

"I'll be at your game tomorrow," he says quickly.

"Okay."

Breckin hugs Brock and bounds out the door.

"You won't be at the game if it becomes a circus. I won't subject anyone else to that mess."

"Understood," he says coldly before he walks out of the house with me.

He goes to his car and I go to mine. My stomach hurts as does my heart.

Did I just make a huge mistake?

***

Breckin and I get to the ice rink and I settle into the seats while he laces up for practice.

"Where's Brock?" Eric asks.

"He had something else to do."

My brother narrows his eyes as he looks back at me in confusion. "Really?"

I shrug and look away. "I'm not going to let Breckin get hit with this Tierney crap."

"Brock won't let that happen."

"Breckin was outside when that camera crew came up. He heard her screaming that I was a homewrecker and whatever else she said."

"That's not Brock's fault."

"She's still here in Stetson Falls for some reason."

"Because his mom is fueling all of this."

I shake my head and roll my eyes. "We'll talk about this later. You're being stubborn."

"Hey Layla," a voice says softly beside me.

I glance up into the green eyes of Beth Bowen, Brock's sister-in-law.

"Hey Beth, what are you doing here so early?"

"They're running a scrimmage or a bigger practice today where the littler kids can play some of the bigger kids."

"Oh, I didn't know that. How are you?"

"Really good. How are you doing? I heard you've met Tierney."

"Lovely woman," I laugh.

"That's not the description I would use."

"It's a mess."

"You know it's not true, right?"

"What?"

"Brock broke up with her a while ago. He didn't propose to her."

"That's what he said."

"Can I tell you something? If you tell anyone where you heard it from, I'll deny it, but then again Brock will know exactly where it came from," she smiles.

"Okay."

"When Chaz got into the accident and Brock left the trip early to come home all he could talk about was you and how incredible you were. It was so clear that he was head over heels for you. He and I had talks about where he should be and what he should do when he found out that you'd been hurt. When Chaz woke up he told him to go to you and he did. He was ready to tell you everything and stay by your side."

"But he didn't."

"Immaturity or maybe the Universe knew the two of you weren't ready, I don't know. You yelled at him and he was so hurt that he just left. He has not stopped loving you since though."

"This is all…"

"Overwhelming? I'm sure."

"Very much. I also know from experience how big of assholes Brock and Chaz's parents are, especially his mother. I think her and Tierney are just feeding off each other right now."

"I don't know what she's hoping to gain. Why go through all of this public craziness to get someone back. You'll just look like a clown when you take them back."

"She doesn't care as long as she gets what she wants."

"I'm seeing that," I sigh.

"I think when it comes out that Breckin is Brock's child the Bowen's will be singing a different tune and Tierney will fade to black."

I gasp and grip the armrest.

How does she know that?

"Excuse me?"

She glances around quickly and then laughs. "I'm sorry, I should have prefaced that a little better. When Brock first saw Breckin he called and told us he was certain Breckin was his and he asked for advice. We haven't told anyone else and don't plan to."

"I don't want Breckin pulled into this mess."

"Protect your baby, Mama," she breathes as she puts a hand on my arm. "When the dust settles though, Brock's a really good man and he loves you and Breckin so much."

I nod, inhaling and exhaling as I take in all of her words.

He may not still love me after I sent him packing this morning. I have to protect my child though and when it's all said and done, I think Brock understands that.