by Parker, Lexy
I walked to the door and opened it. It wasn’t Clay. “What the hell? How do you know where I live?” was my first question.
Emmitt shrugged a shoulder. “It’s not hard to find out in a small town.”
“Why are you here?” I snapped, glaring at the man who was ruining my chance at happiness with Clay.
“I need to talk to you,” he said. “Please, give me a chance.”
“A chance to do what? If you’re here to rob me, you should know I have a gun and I will shoot you.”
“I’m not here to rob you and you probably shouldn’t tell a robber you have a gun,” he pointed out.
“Really? That’s your advice? You’re going to tell me how to be robbed? Classic. Now, you can go tell your brother how he can be robbed to pay your debts,” I said with a scowl.
“Look, I know you don’t like me, and I certainly haven’t given you any reason to like me, but this is for Clay. I need to make things right with him and I’m hoping you can help me,” he said, his voice actually sincere.
He looked apologetic. If he was serious and he was all about making it right for Clay, I felt I had to listen. I had helped get him into the mess. I owed him this. “Fine,” I said, opening the door. “Don’t look at my laundry. If I catch you staring at my clothes with that same nasty look you were giving me the other night, I will use that gun,” I warned him.
He grinned, taking a seat in an accent chair and staying far away from the pile of clothes. “Duly noted.”
I sat down on the edge of my couch and stared at him. He was actually a handsome man. He had that air about him that made him look wealthy and successful. He was wearing a basic polo shirt and a pair of khakis, but I could see him wearing an expensive suit and sitting in a big office overlooking New York City.
“What is it? How are you going to make this right and why do you need me?” I asked, getting right to the heart of the matter.
“First, I want to explain. I know I have been a shitty brother to him. I’ve been a shitty son and I know I have made a lot of mistakes in my life. I thought of no one but myself. I was so wrapped up in the idea of being wealthy and successful I couldn’t see anything else. I was blinded by it. When I was younger, I wanted to be the most popular guy in town. I wanted to be the best athlete and have everyone recognize me, whispering my name when they saw me. I’m a fame whore,” he said, confessing to his sins.
“A fame whore doesn’t treat his family like shit and put their lives in jeopardy,” I shot back.
“By definition, a fame whore is someone willing to do anything to get the attention they crave. I did just about anything I could,” he said in a soft voice. “The money, that was a mistake that spun out of control. I keep telling myself I could have made it right. I blame the company for going under, but I know it’s my fault. I’m willing to take responsibility.”
“And? I don’t understand why you’re here.”
He acted like he didn’t hear me. He was looking down at his hands, rubbing them back and forth. “I was the big brother. I was born a few years before Clay and I know he looked up to me. I was too caught up in myself and so jealous of how calm and cool he was, I couldn’t see him for who he really was. Clay has always been this strong, quiet force to be reckoned with. In many ways, he was the older brother. He was the one that was always going behind me and trying to clean up the trail of destruction I created. He apologized for my bad behavior and offered to make up for what I had done. I admire him.”
“You admire Clay?” I asked, a little shocked by his statement.
“Yes. I’m jealous of him. I hate that nothing riles him up. He is so good it used to just piss me off. I always leaned toward overindulgence, arrogance and being an ass in general. Clay could walk into a room and have twenty friends without even trying. He never had to try to be likeable, he just was. He still is,” he protested.
I shook my head. “I don’t understand what that has to do with what’s happening now.”
He took a deep breath. “I want to talk to Clay, but I don’t think he’s going to be happy to see me. I’m hoping you’ll go with me.”
I scoffed. “Fat chance of that. I’m not your bodyguard.”
“I don’t need a bodyguard, but he needs to know you’re not to be blamed for what happened. You made him happy. I don’t want him to screw this up because he’s mad at me. You’re as much a part of this family as I am, and I think you being there will help keep him calm enough to hear me out. I’m making things right. I’m taking care of everything,” he insisted.
He seemed sincere and he did offer a good excuse for me to talk to Clay. “Do you think he’ll even open the door for us?” I asked, chewing my bottom lip.
“Yes, if for no other reason than to punch me,” he said with a wink.
“That’s true. Let me change really fast and seriously, don’t touch anything,” I told him before dashing into my bedroom to put on clean clothes.
I insisted on driving my own car to Clay’s. I did not want to get trapped if things didn’t go well. I liked being able to leave when I wanted. When we got to his house, I had a sudden case of nerves. I was nervous to see Clay after the way things had ended in his truck.
I pushed them aside and strolled up to the front door and stood to the side while Emmitt knocked. Clay opened the door, wearing nothing but a pair of basketball shorts. The sight of his bare chest did something to my body that was completely inappropriate for the moment, but I was helpless to stop my reaction to him. His eyes met mine before looking at Emmitt.
“This is rich. Are you here to tell me you two have eloped?” Clay said, glaring at his brother.
“No. We need to talk and I’m not going to take no for an answer,” Emmitt said, pushing Clay out of the way and walking inside.
I looked at Clay. “Hear him out, please?” I asked softly.
“You’re making a mistake teaming up with him,” he glowered.
“I’m not teaming up with him. I’m here for you,” I said firmly.
He didn’t look convinced. He closed the door behind us, and the three of us all stayed standing in the living room. The tension was so thick I could barely draw in a breath.
“What do you want? I told you I never wanted to see your face again,” Clay snapped, staring at his brother and pretending I wasn’t in the room.
“I sold my apartment and all my furnishings. I’ll have forty grand by the end of the week. I’m just waiting for the check to clear,” Emmitt blurted out.
It was not what I had expected. “You had an apartment?”
“I did. It one of the most prestigious buildings in Manhattan. I’ll net forty thousand when it’s all said and done. I’ll pay you back as soon as I get the money,” Emmitt said.
I turned to look at Clay. “You paid the debt?”
“I will tomorrow. I didn’t really have a choice, did I?” he snapped.
“Don’t be mad at her. This has nothing to do with her. She’s good for you. Don’t ruin this because you’re mad at me,” Emmitt lectured.
“I don’t need you butting into my personal life,” Clay replied.
I could feel the tension easing a little.
Emmitt lowered his head. “Thank you for bailing me out. There is nothing I can say to change what happened. I can apologize a million times for everything I’ve done over the years and it wouldn’t be enough. I don’t expect you to welcome me into your life with open arms. I am going to be sticking around. Turns out I don’t have a job or a place to live back in New York. I hope we can get along, for Mom’s sake.”
“Why start now?” Clay retorted.
Emmitt nodded. “I get it. I do, but don’t ruin this, Clay. What you and she have, it’s real. I’ve seen plenty of fake relationships in my life and this isn’t that. Don’t throw this away because you hold her responsible. This is all on me.”
I offered Emmitt a small smile. I was still pissed at him, but I appreciated the fact he was trying to make amends.
“
Whatever. Is that all?” Clay asked.
Emmitt nodded. “It is. I’ll go. I’ll bring you the money as soon as I get it.”
Clay ignored him while he walked out the door. I wasn’t sure if I should leave with him or try to talk to Clay. I chose the latter. I wanted to make him hear me out. If he chose to kick me to the curb, I wouldn’t bother him again.
“Clay, I know you’re mad and angry and you have every right to be, but I hope you will one day see I wasn’t trying to do anything to you. I only wanted the best for you and your family.”
He didn’t look at me or say a word. I guess I had my answer. He was making it very clear.
I moved to the door. “Goodbye, Clay. I really do hope things work out for you,” I told him.
I pulled open the door only to have it slammed shut. His hand was over my head on the door. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath before turning to face him.
“Wait,” he whispered.
He leaned his head down, his mouth hovering above mine as he looked into my eyes. “Thank you,” he whispered before he kissed me.
The kiss was hot and passionate and full of promise. When he pulled away, he was staring into my eyes once again.
“I am really sorry,” I told him again.
“Don’t be. You were doing what you thought was right and it probably was right. I shouldn’t have gotten angry with you. I was mad at the situation. I know you’re good for me and I hope you’ll let me make it up to you.”
I shook my head. “There’s nothing to make up. Can we just start over—again?”
He grinned. “Absolutely. I’m thinking we could start over right now, in my bedroom where I have a bed.”
I smiled, very happy with his plan. “Works for me,” I said with a laugh.
He locked the door before grabbing my hand and leading me out of the living room.
Chapter 37
Clay
I had just come back into the shop after making a delivery and found the love of my life walking through the door. She was carrying a cardboard flat filled with several bags from one of the local restaurants. I could smell the onion rings and burgers from across the shop.
“Hey, gorgeous,” I said, walking over to greet her with a kiss.
“Hey, sexy,” she said with a lascivious smile that I had come to really appreciate. It always promised I was going to get very lucky.
“You brought food,” I commented, only then realizing it was a lot of food.
“I brought lunch for all of you,” she replied with a smile.
Likes moths to flames, Philip, my new driver, Jeff, and Emmitt all emerged from the woodwork, drawn to the aroma of hamburgers.
“I smell food,” Philip said, walking toward us.
“Back off,” I warned playfully.
“I brought plenty for everyone,” she assured us.
Emmitt and Jeff grabbed the card table I kept in the room which was now serving as Emmitt’s office and brought it out. Like a pack of hungry hounds, they all reached in and grabbed burgers and boxes of fries before pulling chairs from the two offices around the table.
“Thank you, Dani,” Philip said around a mouthful of burger.
“You’re welcome. You guys have all been working so hard this past couple of weeks, it was the least I could do,” she said with a smile.
She held the plastic container with her green salad in it and took a bite as she leaned against the wall. I smiled at her, happier than I had ever been in my life. She looked at me and smiled back.
“Did you get last month’s numbers worked out?” I asked Emmitt after Jeff got up, thanked Dani again and headed out to finish up his deliveries for the day.
It was just Philip, Dani, Emmitt and me. I didn’t mind them knowing my business. “I did and I am happy to report you’ve had your best month in a long while. You’re back in the black and I think as long as we keep up the pace, you’ll be just fine.”
“What about that other company that was coming into town?” Philip asked.
“I’m hoping to stay competitive and offer more delivery options. If we can stay in the black, I’ll hire another driver,” I told him.
“No shit?” he asked with shock.
“My baby is headed for the big time,” Dani teased.
We all laughed. “I’d be happy to pay off a couple of trucks and invest in a box truck.”
“Since you’re making all this money now, does that mean you’re going to hire someone to work in the shop part-time?” Emmitt asked.
It was something we had talked about before. He asked what my goals were, and I had told him I wanted to grow the business enough to have someone on staff that could take care of the maintenance of the vehicles. It would save money on repair bills in the long run. I wasn’t there yet.
“Not yet.”
“What about me? You ever going to pay me for all the work I’ve done on the trucks?” Dani asked with a grin.
I walked to her, planted my lips on hers and smacked loudly before stepping back. “Consider yourself paid in full.”
She slowly shook her head. “I don’t think so. It’s going to take a lot more than that.”
I winked. “I’ll figure something out.”
Philip groaned. “Please don’t tell me Jamie and I were ever that gross.”
“You were,” Dani and I said at the same time.
He laughed. “I guess I’ll take your word for it. I’ve got to go. I’ve got two more deliveries and then it’s off to pick up Sadie for shopping. She needs a new bow or something for one of the dresses Jamie bought her. I swear I could own stock in a bow company.”
“Have fun and tell her I said hi,” Dani said.
He agreed to do so, tossed his garbage in the trash and left. Emmitt and I folded the table and put it back in his office before I took Dani’s hand and led her into my office for a little alone time. It was hard to be truly alone when Emmitt was ten feet away, but I felt awkward kissing her with him watching.
“You two seem to be getting along well,” Dani commented.
I pulled her into my lap, wrapping one arm around and pulling her close. “We are. It’s still a little weird, but I think we’re both trying. I’m helping him move into his new apartment next week.”
“He got it!” she exclaimed.
I nodded. “He did. He doesn’t really have much furniture to move, but my parents are giving him a few things to help him get started.”
“How’s all that going?” she asked.
I let out a long sigh. “Honestly, I think my dad knew something was up. He is taking it all in stride. My mom is still disappointed the Golden Boy is a little tarnished, but she’s also happy to have him back. She’s insisting he go to their house for dinner once a week after he moves out so she can keep an eye on him.”
“That’s probably not a bad idea. He seems to find trouble,” she commented.
“It’s very weird to actually talk to him,” I said, still trying to wrap my head around my newfound relationship with Emmitt.
“I can imagine, but I’m so proud of you for giving him a chance. It’s more than a lot of people would have done. Have you heard if there’s been any more trouble in New York for him?” she asked.
I shook my head. “No. I believe him when he says it was just that one guy.”
“Thank God.”
“No kidding. I don’t think I could forgive him a second time. It was hard enough the first time.”
She gave me kiss. “But you are such a good man. I think you have a big heart. It goes with the rest of your body,” she said, giggling and wiggling against my lap.
“You better stop that or I’m going to be taking you out to my truck or in the employee bathroom for a quickie,” I warned her.
There was a soft knock on my office door. The only person it could be was Emmitt. “Come in,” Dani called out, laughing when I squeezed her thigh.
“What’s up?” I asked.
Emmitt came in and sat in the chair on the other si
de of my desk. He looked very serious, which instantly put me on alert. A serious Emmitt was usually a precursor to bad news.
“I wanted to thank you both for giving me a chance to prove myself. I know things did not start off well between you and me, Dani, and I’m so sorry for that. I treated you like shit and that wasn’t okay. I hope you know it was nothing personal and it was more about me trying to hide my shortcomings by inflating my own ego,” he said.
“It’s cool. We’re cool,” she assured him.
“Clay, you, you amaze me. I could never be as magnanimous as you are. I’m still the same selfish asshole I’ve always been, but I’m trying to be better. I’m thinking twice before opening my mouth and I remind myself constantly to be humble. It’s a big change, but I feel like I’m getting there,” he said, looking directly at me.
I nodded my head. “You are and I appreciate all the effort.”
He leaned forward and put an envelope on my desk. “That’s for you.”
I stared at the envelope. “Is that your notice?” I asked, actually disappointed he might quit.
“No.”
Dani reached for the envelope and handed it to me. I opened it and found two plane tickets, one for me and one for Dani. “What’s this?” I asked.
Dani took the tickets out of my hand and read the destination. “New York? I don’t understand.”
“I owe you both so much. I figured you can take a few days off from here and enjoy a small vacation. You guys deserve it,” he said sheepishly.
I stared at the tickets. “Wow.”
“There’s more,” he said, nodding his head at the envelope.
I opened it wider. Dani reached in and pulled out a folded piece of paper. Her eyes widened and she gasped, looking at me and then Emmitt.
“What is it?” I asked.
“Oh my God! Emmitt, this is too much!” she exclaimed.
I took the paper and read the hotel room confirmation. He’d rented us a suite at one of the best hotels in the city. At least I had heard it was one of the best.
