Pierced Hearts (Southern Charmers Book 1)

by Ahren Sanders

  “Here.” She hands me a cup. “I hope you still take it the same way.”

  “I do.”

  She moves to a chair and sits, crossing her legs when her robe slides away. As hard as I try, there’s no stopping my eyes from landing on her bare skin. “How’d you know it was me?”

  “I just knew.”

  “It’s five a.m. Why are you awake?”

  “I should ask you the same. Don’t you sleep in on Sundays?” She evades my question.

  “I came to apologize.”

  “Why?”

  “Because of last week.”

  “You don’t need to apologize to me. You didn’t do anything out of character.”

  “Out of character? I came into your place, showed my ass, and stormed out.”

  “Yeah, you did, which is your character. You’ve always been protective of those you love. I shouldn’t have brought up your children. You went into protection mode.”

  Fuck me! She thinks I was being protective of my children? “I wasn’t mad about Maya and Cole.”

  She flinches at their names and directs her attention to the contents of her cup.

  “I didn’t like what Connie did to you.”

  “It’s fine, Pierce. Life moves on.”

  “Does it?”

  “Yes, it does.” She sighs. “You moved on.”

  Her honesty fucking hurts, and I have no choice but to turn away and look to the darkness, knowing the sunlight will rise right above the east meadow soon. Memories of watching the sunrise from her bedroom window roll through my mind.

  “I saw Jill Friday night. She looks wonderful,” Darby offers.

  “She told me about Annie’s impromptu party. She also said she wasn’t sure she should come. I think she’s glad she did.”

  “I’m happy she changed her mind. It was nice to see her.”

  I nod, still staring out into nothing, unsure what to say. Mom was my date to the baseball banquet last night, and the instant she got in my truck, I knew something was up. She was hesitant to tell me about coming here Friday night, scared I’d feel somehow betrayed. It was the opposite. I’m glad she made the decision. Losing Darby was hard on her. The reasoning behind it was even worse. She begged me to chase after Darby, but she had no idea of the colossal damage I’d caused the day Darby and I broke up. Things I said were reprehensible, and of course, I was too much of a stubborn ass to admit it.

  “Is that why you came to the hospital? To apologize?” Darby breaks into my thoughts.

  I swing to face her. “You knew I was there?”

  “I always know when you’re close. I guess I was a little rusty at the bakery because of all the time that passed, but since then, yes, I know. That’s how I knew to start the coffee before even coming to the porch.” She sways her mug at me.

  “I am sorry, Darby… about it all.”

  “Apology accepted. Unnecessary, but accepted.”

  I sip the coffee, thinking it’s time for me to go. I did what I came to do.

  “Apologies are weird, don’t you think?” She sounds almost wistful.

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Apologies are a few simple words that have such a tremendous impact. When said with the right amount of sincerity, they can change the course of everything. I have owed you an apology for a very long time. I have owed your family the same. It’s a little late, but I’m sorry, too, Pierce, for everything that happened back then.”

  She comes to stand by me, leaning on the railing. Her words hang in the air. She’s exactly right. Hearing her apologize has a tremendous impact that fuels my curiosity. Questions fire around in my brain, questions that were long ago buried because the answers wouldn’t change the fate of my life. She left me.

  That was that.

  “I don’t blame you for hating me, Pierce. You were right the other day. What I did to us was unforgivable. But I was young, lost, and immature. Letting all the time pass is one of my biggest regrets.”

  “Twelve years is a long time to hold on to regret.”

  “I’m afraid it’s something I’ll carry around for the rest of my life.”

  She twists to me, her light brown eyes glistening. My stomach turns, and my heart races at the raw, unfiltered sorrow and pain written on her face. For a brief second, I’m transported back in time to that afternoon—a younger Darby looking at me with the same expression she’s wearing now. I’d walked away from her, but not before I called her a selfish bitch as my parting words. My anger got the best of me, and I’d lashed out harshly.

  It isn’t until right now, at this moment, that that anger finally starts to fade. “I didn’t blame you, Darby. What happened wasn’t your fault. Evin told me you think that—”

  She puts a hand on my chest to stop me from finishing, and tears slide out of the corner of her eyes. “Evin has some very strong misconceptions about what happened between us. It’s time I clear those up with him. But between you and me, we both know I am to blame for what happened afterward.”

  Even through the fabric of my shirt, I can feel the heat of her touch on my skin. My eyes drop, and she tries to yank her hand away, but my fingers fasten around her wrist and hold it to me. “Is that why you were crying the other night?”

  “W-w-what?”

  “When I showed up at your bakery, you said something about being curled in a fetal position and shedding tears.”

  “I assumed you were Evin when I opened that door. Mom had just told me about your visit, and it would be like him to come and check on me.”

  “I figured as much, but why were you crying in the first place?”

  “A few nights earlier, he and I had a conversation that struck a chord. It really wasn’t about you, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

  “I don’t know what to think. Everything I thought was the truth for all these years seems to be a huge lie. You hauling ass out of town left a gaping hole in my life that I spent years trying to heal. You said some things that don’t make sense.”

  “Please, don’t do this.”

  “I want to let it go, but I can’t. Why didn’t you ever get married and have kids, Darby?”

  She jerks back, her hand in mine trembling. I tighten my grip and stare into her eyes that are swimming in agony. It’s impossible to miss the sadness and torment staring back at me. Then it hits me, all that Evin said, mixed with her own admissions. She never moved on. Darby has been drowning in misery and holding on to nothing but excruciating memories. Losing our baby was hard, but we had barely gotten used to the idea of being parents. That wasn’t why she left.

  Feelings and emotions that died long ago start to resurface, and my chest feels like it may explode. “Tell me,” I urge her gently, setting my mug on the railing.

  “Because I fell in love with my soulmate at seventeen-years-old. I could never love another man the way I loved you. There was never going to be anyone else for me. And when you started a family with another woman, my heart shattered into a billion tiny shards that never recovered.”

  “You broke up with me and skipped town!”

  “You let me go!” she cries, her entire body shivering.

  “You gave me no choice.”

  “There’s always a choice, Pierce. You know that better than anyone.” Bitterness bleeds into her statement, and I catch her defenses building.

  My instincts kick in, and old habits click into place. I close the space between us, circle her waist, and crush my mouth to hers. She freezes for a split second before her hand wraps around my neck, and she dissolves into me. Her lips part, and my tongue slips through, finding hers easily. The taste of her chocolate and hazelnut creamer sends a shockwave buzzing through my system. For the first time in twelve years, I crave the taste and angle my head for more.

  She whimpers, scraping her nails along my scalp, and rises on her tiptoes, giving me the signal. I let go of her hand on my chest and bend, lifting her so she wraps her arms and legs around me.

  Her hips press into
mine, and my dick is instantly rock-hard with the familiarity of our bodies locked together. My hands slide to cup her ass, holding her tight to me. Our lips stay fused and our tongues curl together, her low moans ringing in my ears.

  Time stands still as the heat of her body coats over mine. My lips move urgently over hers, greedily demanding more. Nothing over the years has ever come close to the way Darby kisses. Adrenaline spikes in my veins as her tongue sweeps through my mouth.

  My hands caress her ass, my hips rocking up, letting her feel what she’s done to me. Her body responds by grinding down, and a small groan vibrates from her throat. She slants her neck, fisting my hair, giving me deeper access. Sparks of need fire off inside me, igniting a hunger that vanished all those years ago.

  Her scent, her taste, the feel of her smooth skin—all of it invades my senses, and I’m ready to rip off her clothes and sink inside of her. As if she can read my thoughts, she tears her mouth away, her chest heaving, and lays her forehead against mine. I catch the look of horror right before she scrambles down and takes a huge step back. “We shouldn’t have done that. It was a mistake.”

  “Give me a reason why.” Her lips are swollen, her face flushed, and her body visibly wobbly. There is no way that was a mistake.

  “I’ll give you a hundred,” she counters.

  I widen my stance and cross my arms, waiting.

  “You should go.”

  “We need to finish our conversation.”

  “Maybe we do, but now’s not a good time.”

  As if on cue, her door opens and a blonde stands there, eyeing me knowingly. Runner trots out to Darby’s side, licking her hand before bouncing over to me. Like last time, he sits, sweeping his tail over the porch, and paws at me. I crouch to shake his hand and pat his head, and he bumps my knee before heading down the steps and into the yard.

  “Hi, I’m Stephanie.” The blonde gives a half-wave.

  “Pierce.” I dip my chin her way.

  “I kinda figured that out. Sorry to interrupt. Y’all can continue making out. I’ll go back to bed if you want to bring it inside.”

  Darby drops her head, and the corners of my mouth twitch.

  “Runner was ready to come outside.”

  “We get it, Steph,” Darby snaps. “Pierce was just leaving.”

  “Actually, I was waiting for an answer.”

  Darby’s eyes fly to Stephanie then back to me. Her spine straightens, and a mask of indifference clouds her face. “Are you going to make me say it?”

  “Yes, I think you owe me that much.”

  “I’ve done my best to dig myself out of the hell I lived in for years. Loving you was the best and worst thing that ever happened to me. There’s a piece that will always crave your forgiveness. But the one thing I can’t forgive is Constance Webber. That’s the number one reason, Pierce. You wanted me to say it, and I did.”

  With that, she’s gone, running past Stephanie and into the house. I have no choice but to watch her, wondering how the hell I managed to go from one extreme to another.

  “What the ever-loving fuck?”

  “What did you expect?” Stephanie butts in. “You provoked her.”

  “Why is it that both times I’ve been around Darby, I’m left with more questions than answers? She’s hiding something.”

  She disappears into the house and comes back, holding out a business card. “I go home this afternoon.”

  “What am I supposed to do with this?”

  “My guess is you’re going to want to call me in a few days. I have a blood sister, and I love her dearly. My love for Darby runs just as deep. That’s why I’m giving you this card.”

  “Want to give me more to go on?”

  “Yep, I want to give it all to you. If I could, I’d light the dynamite that’s going to blow this powder keg up, but it’s not my place. She’s given you everything you need to know. Since you’re a guy, I’m guessing it hasn’t sunk in.”

  “That sounded mildly like an insult.”

  “It’s still early. Give me a little time, and it will sound definitely like an insult.”

  “Darby left me. I was allowed to have a life.”

  “Oh, we know… Everyone who loves Darby knows all about your life. Since you are so dense, I’ll throw you a clue. Outside of DG Creations, her family, and me, Darby never got on with her life after losing you. Think about that.”

  “Not sure why I’m feeling like the bad guy here.”

  “Just wait. I’m going to encourage her to talk to you. Once you hear her story, you’ll understand.”

  “What’s the fucking deal with her story? I lived through it.”

  “Dense…” She tsks, which pisses me off further.

  “This is ridiculous. I’m going to talk to her.” I step forward, but she blocks the door.

  “You let her go, Pierce. She needed you more than anything, and you let her go.”

  “You have no fucking idea what happened.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong. I know everything. I’m warning you now; when she tells you her story, you’re going to be in your own pit of hell.”

  “What the fuck am I supposed to do with that?” I throw my hands in the air.

  “I honestly don’t know. Any relationship I’ve ever had seems superficial compared to the love story Darby has shared. I never could understand why she never went past a first date with men over the years, until a few minutes ago. You touched her and it was clear. The connection you share is one for the ages.”

  I close my eyes and take a deep breath, focusing on not losing my temper. “She left me.”

  “I know that, and as she told you, she holds on to that remorse. However, you let her go.”

  Stephanie gives me no more, closing the door and leaving me standing there fuming. I pivot on my heel, rounding the shed where I parked down the lane. I haul myself into my truck, slam the door, and stare blankly ahead. Thoughts and memories rattle around my brain. Stephanie was right; the connection Darby and I share is still real. Although I should kick my own ass for even going there, it was no mistake. It’s insane I’m even thinking about what happens next. I’m too fucking old to play games.

  Darby’s going to tell me what she’s been hiding all these years. It’s time the cryptic messages she’s dropping come to an end.

  I drive away with the taste of her still on my lips.

  •—•—•—•—•

  “Edward?”

  “Pierce.” He holds out his hand.

  I shake it, looking over his shoulder to find his truck parked on the street in front.

  “I’m alone,” he clarifies.

  “It’s good to see you, but what are you doing here?”

  “Can I come in?”

  I step back, motioning for him to come in and follow him to the living room. His eyes dart around purposefully, checking out my house. “Nice place,” he comments.

  “Thanks.”

  “Those your children?” He points to the rows of pictures.

  “They are.”

  He nods again, twisting his upper body and tipping his chin to the staircase. “How many bedrooms this place got?”

  It seems like an odd question, but I answer anyway. “Four upstairs, the master down here. Three and a half baths.”

  “You got a big master bathroom?”

  “I do.”

  “What about the closet?”

  “It’s big enough.”

  He purses his lips, leaning back for a glance into the kitchen. “Nice gourmet kitchen,” he assesses.

  “Edward, glad you approve of my place, but throw me a bone. What are you doing here?”

  “Felt left out. You’ve visited every member of my family recently but me. Thought maybe I should rectify that.”

  “How’d you even know where to find me?”

  “Annie and I are getting back together.” It’s a Graham trait to evade answering questions.

  I jerk my head so fast my neck cracks. “That�
�s great.” The news of Annie and Edward splitting up was huge. They were the last two people on earth that anyone ever expected to divorce.

  “Yeah, it took me eight years to get her to take me back. But now, I’m not wasting any time.”

  “Okay.”

  “Woke up this morning, she was still sleeping, and I decided to take my morning coffee on the terrace. I always loved that view and the peace and tranquility that comes along with it. I was thinking about how it’s time to get our horses back from boarding, wondering about talking to Annie’s doctor and the possibility of her riding because she misses it. My mind was all over the place. It’s my quiet time.”

  “Okay…” I draw it out, having a good idea of where this could be headed.

  “Dawn was breaking when I saw your truck driving toward the road. Runner was sniffing around, and my curiosity got the best of me. I took the dog back to the shed and walked into a mess.”

  “Is she okay?” My senses go on hyper-alert. I knew Darby was emotional, but she had Stephanie.

  “Nope, not by a long shot. But that’s not why I’m here.”

  “Edward, I get you’re protective, but with all due respect, this is between Darby and me.”

  “It sure is. But that’s not how this is going to work, and you know it. There’s a lot of people involved in this.”

  “Why? I’m a thirty-five-year-old man and don’t need a bunch of people in my business.”

  He crooks his eyebrows, and his eyes grow sharp right before they light with amusement. He bursts into laughter. “You’re serious?”

  “Dead serious.”

  “Son, that’s plain stupid and hilarious.”

  “I don’t see what’s funny.”

  “No, I guess you don’t. But I’m here to help you out. There’s a buzz brewing, and you two are at the center of it all.”

  “That’s unfortunate because there’s nothing to talk about.”

  “Yet.”

  “Yet?”

  “You’re a dad now, so I know you get the protective burn that runs through your veins when you think about your children hurting.”