Brothers

Chapter 41

Hardin's POV

A few weeks after the wedding pass. I still haven't talked to Christian. He's called me a few times and each time he's called I've ignored it. I don't want to talk to him. Not yet.

He promised me he was a different person than he was when we were kids. I slowly gained that trust back, I was just starting to trust him again and he fucked it up.

Tessa said I need to take it easy on him. He has had a lot of shit thrown at him the last few months. Finding out Ken, who we grew up knowing as our father, was in fact not our father at all. Or finding out that Vance, our actual father wasn't ready to be a father and abandoned Christian and mum. But that doesn't excuse him for what he pulled at my wedding. For that I don't know if I can forgive him again.

My phone screen lights up, Christians name appears on the screen, I roll my eyes and reach for my phone to ignore the call.

Tessa comes up behind me and slips her arms around my waist. I turn around wrap my arms around her, giving her a soft kiss.

"You still haven't talked to your brother I see." She says.

"No. I'm not ready." I say, taking a deep breath. My insides breaking a little.

"I just got off the phone with Anastasia. Christian still feels horrible. He called his sponsor a few days ago she said." Anastasia says running her hands through my hair.

"Good he should." I grumble.

"Hardin... you can't stay mad at your brother forever. I'm not mad and it was my wedding too."

"It's different." I snap.

"No! It's not. I get that he fucked up when you were younger. I get that he really messed up your childhood. But he's trying, and he's gone through a lot the last few months. Think of how you felt when you found out about Vance." Tessa tries to convince me.

She gives me a kiss on the cheek and leaves the room.

I stand there for a moment in silence. She's right. I know she's right. After Vance told me everything — I hit rock bottom. I almost lost Tessa because of everything. I know I should talk to Christian, I'm just not ready.