by Parker, Lexy
Remember Me
A Calendar of Love Novel #4
Lexy Parker
Contents
Find Lexy Parker
Description
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Epilogue
Insider Group
About the Author
Copyright
Find Lexy Parker
Find Me HERE!
Description
I never wanted to fall in love until I met her.
And now?
I’m the man who is going to save her from her past.
But the sparks between us aren’t enough. She’s lived far too much life for that.
I’m not giving up until I figure out where her pain comes from and how to heal it.
Life’s never than easy though.
The minute I start to crack the code and move in to help her heal, my past shows up.
And a choice must be made. One that threatens to destroy what we’ve started.
I’m a good man. I’ll always sacrifice for others.
Even if that means that I’m nothing but a memory.
Chapter 1
Clay
I looked at the spreadsheet displayed on my laptop screen and rubbed my eyes before zooming in on the red number I saw in the bottom box. I had been staring at the columns and numbers for so long my eyes had spots dancing in front of them. It wasn’t going to change. The computer wasn’t broken. The numbers weren’t wrong. I had run them over and over and it always came out the same.
“Shit,” I grumbled, shaking my head.
Things were not going well. I had owned and successfully run my own company for years and now it was failing. I couldn’t fail. My delivery company wasn’t exactly making millions or one of the most prestigious jobs in the world, but it usually stayed in the black. It kept a roof over my head and food on the table. Until it didn’t.
“What the hell?” I grumbled, flipping through the invoices spread out over the desk.
I couldn’t find a reasonable explanation for the drop in profit. It was the same accounts, all paid. The bills were the same, but something was off. I had to have input something wrong. That was the only explanation.
“You keep scowling like that and your face is going to freeze in that exact frown,” Philip Allen said, coming into my office.
“Ha. Ha. Aren’t you the funny man?”
He sat down in the chair across from my desk. “What’s going on? You’re lacking that chipper, sunshiney personality.”
I looked away from the screen and at one of my oldest friends and my only other employee. “I’m not a unicorn.”
He chuckled, leaning back in the chair. “Aw, come on now. Sadie thought you made a very pretty unicorn at her birthday party.”
I rolled my eyes. “That was a one-time thing and I’m never wearing gold, throwing glitter or putting on a horn again. Ever. Never.”
He was still laughing as I stared at him, curling my lip in irritation. “You loved the glitter.”
I smirked. “The glitter was kind of cool, but it got into places glitter should never be. I still find glitter in the strangest places.”
He held up his hand. “I don’t want to know.”
“You asked.”
“No, I didn’t. I was only pointing out that you liked it. If you choose to continue using glitter in the privacy of your own home, more power to you,” he said with a grin.
“Thanks. I’ll make sure I add it to my secret stash of things company must never see when they visit,” I said.
“Okay, so, what’s got you so worked up?” Philip asked, knowing me well enough.
“I’m losing money,” I confessed.
“Losing? How do you lose money?” he asked.
“Probably because I’m paying you too much. How much did that birthday party cost anyway?” I asked.
He scoffed. “Ha. Ha. Trust me, you’re not paying me too much. It’s the flower shop that really pays the bills.”
I grimaced, knowing I paid him a living wage, but it wasn’t ever going to make him rich. When he’d moved to Hope, I promised him a job. He’d been in a bad place in his life after his wife died and needed a change in scenery. He packed up and bought a tiny little house here for him and his daughter. I kept expecting him to quit the delivery job. He was meant for bigger, better things. He’d been working security back in Seattle after he’d been forced to leave the military early to take care of Sadie, his little girl, when his wife was killed.
“Have you thought about getting a different job?” I asked him.
He raised his eyebrows. “Is that your way of firing me or telling me to start looking?”
“No, nothing like that. I’m just surprised you’re still here. I thought for sure this would be a temporary thing for you,” I told him.
He shrugged a shoulder. “Honestly, so did I, but I don’t need to make more. Jamie and I are doing okay, and I am still enjoying the flexibility of being able to be there for Sadie after school.”
“Good.”
“Okay, so, what do you think is happening with the business? What can I do to help?” he asked with concern.
I smiled, appreciating having a good friend to lean on. “I don’t think you can do anything, not now.”
“Clay, tell me what’s on your mind,” Philip said, leaning forward and looking me straight in the eyes.
I rubbed a hand over my face, the five o’clock shadow in full force and it wasn’t even three. “My brother is coming back.”
“Your brother. I don’t think I knew you had a brother,” he said, perplexed.
I laughed, nodding my head. “Oh, I have a brother.”
“He doesn’t live here?”
“Nope. Lives or lived up in New York City. He’s wealthy, successful and the apple of my parents’ eye,” I said, heavy on the sarcasm.
Philip grinned. “Clay Pierce, you’re the apple of my eye.”
“Aren’t you a riot today? I’m supposed to be the comedic relief in this duo.”
“You’re not looking like you’re in the mood to be funny. I’m picking up the slack for you. So, tell me about this brother. Is he older, younger? Is he better looking than you?”
“Uh, no. Let’s face it, there are few people on this planet better looking than I am,” I said with a wink.
“There he is! You’re back.”
“He’s my older brother, thirty-six. He is some bigshot on Wall Street and makes a ton of money. My parents are proud of him and will tell everyone they meet they have a successful kid in the big city, living in a fancy apartment and hanging out with the rich and famous,” I grumbled, not wanting to sound bitter.
�
�Clay, you’re not exactly living on Skid Row. You make a good living,” he assured me.
“I know and I am very grateful for all that I have. It’s irritating because no matter how successful I feel, they always compare me to him,” I complained.
“I would think they would be happy that you’re here, nearby. You’re always helping them out,” he replied.
I let out a sigh. “I know and I think they are, but I also think they would be happier if I owned a fleet of trucks and was making money hand over fist.”
He chuckled. “You and I both know money isn’t everything. I doubt your brother is all that bad. Some guys just have that knack for knowing how to make money. They can do nothing and still be successful. He can’t be all that bad. You are brothers, after all, and I can stomach you.”
I shook my head. “You haven’t met him.”
“Tell me. Tell me why he’s so bad,” he pressed.
I leaned back, folding my hands behind my head and looked up at the ceiling. “Imagine the worst person you’ve ever met and then marry that person to another person that is equally horrible and that’s Emmitt. No, Emmitt is worse.”
Philip winced, shrinking away. “Damn, that’s harsh. There’s no love lost there.”
“No, there isn’t. Don’t worry about this work thing. It’s a slump. I’ll figure it out. I’ll run an ad and drum up some business and get us back in the black,” I promised.
He checked his watch, nodding his head before getting out of the chair. “I’ve got to go pick up Sadie. Let me know if you need me to help. I still have my black belt and I will kick Emmitt’s ass if he gives you any trouble.”
“I’m not so old and decrepit person. I can kick his ass myself if I need to,” I assured him with more confidence than I actually felt.
“Sure you can. I’ll see you Monday,” he said and walked out of the office.
I let out a long breath, my eyes going back to the spreadsheet. Now was not a great time to be financially struggling. I didn’t want Emmitt to think I was a failure. I shouldn’t care what he thought about me or my success, but there was a part of me that wanted to live up to his shadow instead of disappearing inside it.
I pulled up the ad service I used and copied one of the old ads I had run before into the box. I had to spend money to make money, I told myself, hitting the send button. I closed the laptop and decided to call it a day. I had no more deliveries and I was sick of staring at the screen that told me I had no money.
My cell phone rang, which also acted as my business phone. I checked the number and saw it was my mother. I could hit the reject button and avoid the conversation, but it would only delay the inevitable.
“Hi, Mom,” I grumbled.
“Hello, Clay. How are you?”
“I’m fine, Mom. What’s up?”
“Is Emmitt in town yet?” she asked in a cheerful tone.
“I don’t know. I’m not his keeper. He’s a big boy and knows the way,” I snapped, feeling a little guilty for being rude to her. She didn’t deserve my shitty attitude.
“Clay, I know that. I was only asking you because he’ll likely call you first.”
“He’s not going to call me first. You know we don’t talk much,” I mumbled.
She must not have heard me. That was nothing new. When the golden boy showed up and graced us with his appearance, it was all Emmitt, all the time. It was like the sun only shone on him and the light was so bright my mother couldn’t see anything else. I was the one in town, cutting wood, mowing the lawn, picking up groceries when she couldn’t get out of the house and everything else they needed. Emmitt wasn’t there, but the moment he called and showed her a little attention, I faded to black.
“I’m looking forward to having dinner together, as a family. Do you think he still likes chocolate cake? I’m sure he’s used to fancy dinners, but I’m going to try and make something nice. What do you think about shrimp linguine? Does that sound good or should I go with something a little more country? He probably misses good home-cooking,” she rambled.
I rolled my eyes. “I think you should make whatever you feel comfortable with. You’re an excellent cook and I think he’ll appreciate whatever you make.”
She made a little growling noise. “I could make a strawberry pie for dessert.”
I knew she wasn’t hearing me. She was lost in recipe land. “That sounds nice, Mom.”
“You think? Should I buy wine? Or scotch? I should probably buy a few different types of liquor for him,” she went on.
“I’ve got to go, Mom. I’ll talk to you soon,” I said and hung up while she was still talking about the new dishes she’d bought for the dinner.
I put the phone down, shaking my head. I wasn’t sure how long Emmitt was staying, but I was seriously hoping it was a short visit. Anytime he was around I felt on edge. I had to mentally brace myself for the insults I knew were going to be coming my way. I automatically ran my hand over my stomach. I didn’t have a six-pack, but I wasn’t sporting a pony keg either. I wasn’t in great shape and I knew that would be one of the first things Emmitt pointed out. There was no hope for it now.
I got up and walked into the small bathroom, staring at my reflection in the small mirror over the pedestal sink. I was thirty-three and no longer in the prime of my life by most standards. I looked at my face, with a few scars here and there from a misspent childhood. My brown hair was still thick with no receding hairline, but I could probably use a better, trendier hairstyle. I had a few crows’ feet around my eyes, and more than my fair share of laugh lines, but I didn’t mind those. I had come by those from years of laughter, which was better than having a wrinkle-free face and no laughter.
Life could be too serious if one let it be. I chose not to. I laughed and made other people laugh. It was my schtick. It’s how I got through the hard stuff. I’d always choose to laugh instead of being mad or sad. Laughing was my preference. I turned sideways, trying to look at my profile without actually turning my head. Easier said than done, I realized.
Chapter 2
Dani
I checked the time, realizing I was running late for my late lunch with Jamie and put a move on it. There had been a beautiful black Lab puppy that swallowed a ball that came in as an emergency. Together, the vet and I managed to assure the puppy’s human mama that the ball had done no damage and would be on its way out in a day or two. I loved my job as a vet tech and was seriously considering going back to school and going all the way to get my veterinarian’s license.
I hesitated because I felt too old. I was thirty. Most people were already graduating college and well into their careers by my age—not just starting. I felt like I had already lived a life and was tossed back at the starting line to do it all over again—alone. It had been almost two years since my husband died, but some days it felt like it was yesterday when those men in military dress uniforms had walked up to my door to tell me my handsome husband, Gage Yates, wasn’t coming home for Thanksgiving.
I pushed away the melancholy. Jamie would see it on my face and I didn’t want to make her sad about her brother’s death. She was happy and living her best life. I wouldn’t be the one to rain on her parade. I parked my car in front of Connie’s restaurant, checking the rearview mirror to make sure my red hair was still all in the ponytail and not falling around my face. I had very little makeup on. Technically, I had started the day with more, but puppies licked my face all day and tended to take most of it off. I didn’t mind.
Jamie was sipping a chocolate milkshake when I walked in. I scowled at her. She grinned, unabashed guilt on her face as she took another long pull from the straw.
I shook my head. “Are you planning to go to spin class with me tomorrow morning?” I lectured.
“Nope. I’ll probably be eating donuts while you sit on a bike, pedaling your ass off, literally,” she replied easily.
“You are lucky you have good genes.”
“Why are you late?” she asked, not beating around the
bush at all.
“A puppy ate a ball. His owner thought he swallowed it whole, but he chewed it into a few pieces before swallowing. It was kind of an emergency,” I explained.
Jamie wrinkled her nose. “Sadie wants a puppy. Hearing stories like that is why I don’t get her one.”
“How is Sadie?”
Jamie’s face lit up. “She’s perfect. She’s anxious for school to be out, though. Philip has been telling her about all the things he plans on doing this summer. He wants to take her on one of those fishing charters down south.”
I grimaced. “And she wants to do that?”
Jamie laughed, her blond hair moving around her shoulders. “Yes. That will be a daddy and daughter weekend. I will not be trapped on a boat with dead fish and buckets of bait.”
“I don’t blame you,” I mumbled, ordering a Diet Coke from the waitress.
“I’m thinking me and you can take her on a girls’ trip and do some shopping,” she offered.
“That sounds a lot more up my alley,” I agreed. “I take it things with you and your handsome hubby are going well?”
The glow she had about her was a testament to how well it was going. “It is. We’re talking about having a baby.”
My mouth dropped open. “Really? Finally!”
She burst into laughter. “I wanted to wait, give Sadie time to settle in. I didn’t want her to think I was rushing things and I wanted them both to have plenty of time to grieve their loss before we made any big moves, but I think we’re all ready now. Sadie has been asking if she’s ever going to be a big sister.”
