Beastly Devastation (Brock Lesnar)

Chapter Twenty-Three

          Driving away from the ranch was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. Everything I owned was piled into the Camry, well, except for the bigger pieces of the nursery, I would have to come back later and get them. I was a mess as I drove to the hotel beside the hospital. Grace was all I had left and being close to her was best for us both right now.

          After I checked in and took my things to my new 'home,' I sat outside on the balcony that overlooked the bustling streets beneath me. I had come to love the country life, yet here I was, back in the middle of the city. I had grown attached to a man that seemed to want nothing to do with me and yet all I wanted to do was go back and beg for forgiveness. Of course, I simply wouldn't allow myself to do that. No matter how much Brock had helped me these last six months, I couldn't forget what he'd just said to me. I also couldn't forget that I now had a baby to look after and my life meant nothing without her.

          As I stared out into the street, I held myself together. I didn't know how long I'd be able to, but I had to try. Grace was counting on me and I wouldn't go down without a fight...

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          "Oh, baby, please stop crying." I held Grace close to me and shushed her as I paced the room. She had been crying for the past thirty minutes and I had no idea why. I had tried everything, feeding her, changing her, rocking her. Nothing was working and I was on the midst of a mental breakdown in this small hotel room.

          Grace had been out of the hospital almost two weeks and had been doing just fine until today. I was about to start crying myself when I heard a knock at the door. Please be Ann, please be Ann. "Goodness! I heard her from down the hall." Ann walked in as relief washed over me. She traveled all the way here this morning just to meet Grace and help me.

          "She won't stop! I've done everything I know."

          Ann sat her luggage down, took the baby from me, and sat on the edge of the bed. "Now, Auntie Ann's here. What's the matter, precious Grace?" Ann began patting her on the back and eventually, Grace stopped crying.

         My eyes widened. "How'd you do that?"

         Ann chuckled. "She just had a bit of gas, Kate. She's fine. Aren't you, sweetie pie?" Grace cooed as Ann held her close and began looking around the room. "How on earth are you living like this? This place is a train wreck."

          I knew the room was a little messy, I mean, I was only one person and Grace always wanted to be held. How was I to clean? "I know, Ann, it's just been a transition. I'm on my own, I can't hold her 24/7 and keep the room decent."

         "What about housekeeping?"

          I shook my head. "I've been too ashamed to let them in."

          Ann sighed. "When was the last time you were out of this room?"

          "Ummm... We went out a few days ago to get formula and diapers."

          Without another word, Ann stood and made her way to the car seat near the desk. She laid Grace down and buckled her in before looking around the room. "I'll find the diaper bag. You go take a shower and look decent. We're going out for dinner."

          My eyes widened. "Out? With a newborn?"

          She chuckled. "Kate, when I had my first child, do you think I stayed locked up in my house? No. Dana still had places to go and people to see and I was a part of that. I had to get over my fright and you will too. Now, go get ready."

          I was nervous but I did as she said. It was nice to take a shower without having to worry about the baby waking up or crying. Don't get me wrong, I loved Grace and I loved being her mother, but doing this alone was hard. I was just relieved that Ann was here to help me now...

          Once I was decent, we left the hotel. Ann also swung by the front desk and asked if housekeeping could come in while we were gone. After that was taken care of, we drove to a nearby steakhouse. It was family friendly and didn't seem too busy at the moment.

          We were seated at a booth, Grace and I on one side, Ann on the other. After we placed our order, Ann began asking me the dreaded question. "So, have you spoken to Brock since you left?"

        I shook my head. "Nope and I don't intend to."

        "That bad, huh?"

          I shook my head. "Worse."

          "How do you know if you don't talk to him? I mean, you were doing so well with him. You were so happy... Maybe he just needed time to calm down."

          "Ann, he made it very clear. I overstepped, he said things that hurt me... Besides, Grace and I are doing fine without him."

          She glared. "Kate, you're living in a hotel with a newborn baby."

          "And we're fine. I'm not talking to Brock."

          She glanced to the door than back at me. "I don't think you have a choice..."

          I looked behind me and saw Brock and Rodrigo enter the restaurant. "Please tell me you didn't do this."

          "Well, I just text Rodrigo and mentioned that we were going out..."

          It was in that moment that I second guessed my friendship with Ann. How could she do this to me? Did she not understand the hurt I had been through? He thought I used him.

          He left me.

          All alone.