Dean stood from the couch, his hands raised in surrender. “Hold on, Audrey, you can’t drop information like this and not explain. What makes you think Chase rigged the tanks which exploded?”
Shaking my head, I put my hands on my hips, so sick of the lies men told. “I didn’t need the information on the thumb drive Austin left in my computer. Dylan wears Doc Martin boots everyday in the shop, Chase wears Batemans, the leading Military boot maker in the world. His boots have leather soles, not rubber like Dylan’s and are non conductive, perfect for dealing with explosives and ammunition. He carries chapstick and dental floss everywhere he goes, yet never applies it—but his lips are never chapped and his dental hygiene isn’t some thing he talks about. But chapstick can be used as an insulate for C4, and dental floss for a fuse. But it’s his multi-tool, a knife for stripping tiny wire and pliers, too small to work on any fitting a bike has.”
Dean closed the distance between us, my body shaking slightly from the adrenaline I’d just burned. His chest was firm and warm, smelling of his cologne, a masculine scent which was comforting. “Miss Audrey, please don’t give up on my son, he is battling with himself. When he found the evidence of Ginny’s betrayal and the extent it went, he questioned everything and everyone.” He pulls me back, “He cares for you and Grace so much, more than he is willing to admit, even to himself. Let him stew on seeing you today, what his stupidity is about to cost him. I assure you, when it all hits him—and it will—you won’t be able to stop him from winning your heart.”
If you love someone tell them… hearts are often broken by words left unspoken.
I’d watched her all day. From the moment she walked across the pavers we helped daddy lay around the pool a few summers ago, my eyes had been locked on the skin she revealed to every male eye in attendance. I’d hardly slept the night before, having tossed and turned after I sat outside her house, waiting to get a glimpse of her or Grace. Miss Molly had been working in her flowerbed, at one point she looked up from her weeding and waved to me.
Several of my parents’ guests came up to me, asking questions I’m not sure I answered correctly. Grace looked so adorable in her pink bathing suit. When I got the confirmation she was coming, I went shopping for the tiny creature who owned me. Once I knew Audrey was at the grocery store, I knocked on Miss Molly’s door and asked her to give the suit and floaty to her. “It’s a good thing I’m a believer in true love, otherwise I’d make you give them to her yourself.”
I’ve committed my fair share of unforgivable sins and repented for every single one of them, but as I watched Audrey shimmying out of her shorts, I knew God himself was getting back at me. Audrey has always taken the definition of conservative to the extreme, with her sweaters and long skirts, the only skin she ever showed was the skin on her hands and face. Seeing the shape of her ass and the way her suit clung to every curve, stirred something primal in me. It made me want to rip out the throats of every motherfucker who was looking at her. But the true torture, the point where my reserve broke was when she dropped those fucking shorts and I got a clear view of her ass cheeks and the edge of her breasts.
The clanging of my beer bottle hitting the side of the table and crashing to the bricks of the deck, sounded like mortar shells falling instead of glass.
“Chase, are you okay, son?”
“Nothing a few minutes in the bathroom wouldn’t cure.” Dylan and his crassness answered, wiggling his eyebrows like the cocky motherfucker he is.
“Shut the fuck up, Dylan.” Squaring back at him, bending over to pick up the broken glass, making sure none of Momma’s society friends heard us.
Just as promised, Jackson Siever walks over like a prize bull. When I first heard he had landed back in town, I’d hoped he’d lost all of his hair and grown a potbelly. When he came into the office, flashing his pearly whites and his wad of cash, I considered laughing at him when Audrey turned him down flat.
He goes to the same gym Dylan and I do, and he earned every muscle he was flashing. Austin was right, as usual Audrey is a beautiful woman and some lucky fuck is going to wake up next to her, receiving a smile she saves just for him and someday, and I pray to God I don’t see it, give him a child they’ll share.
“I recall an afternoon, much like this one, you weren’t school age yet. You and your momma spent a great deal of time together. I had come home to change clothes and catch up with your granddaddy for a game of golf. I found the two of you, sitting on the back porch, playing with dump trucks and eating grapes. You would put the fruit to your mouth and kiss it before feeding it to her. The two of you laughed and I stayed watching so long, I missed meeting up with granddaddy.” Looking away from Audrey and Grace, the baby giggles gifting me a smile as I watched.
“Be careful, Chase. It’s a package deal, just as the three of you were. You’ve got a lot on your plate, but so does she. Don’t go running over there to shut your brother up, or shut Jackson down.” Giving me one last reassuring smile, he disappeared toward where momma and Audrey stood. I contemplated grabbing another beer from the cooler or finding something stronger at the corner store, trying to lose myself in a bottle of something strong.
When Jackson held out his hand to help her out of the pool, my decision was made, I couldn’t stand to be here another minute. I couldn’t watch as he played with the baby or when he stole a kiss from Audrey—something that would send me over the edge.
I had to get out of here, and fast. Ignoring Dylan as he called my name, I didn’t give a shit what he had to say. I weaved in and out of the clusters of people as they stood and sucked up daddy’s free booze. Sliding out the gate toward the barn, I had to try three times before it would let me pass since the latch was sticking. Even in the wide open space, I felt closed in and cut off, unable to take a deep breath in until the gate slammed behind me.
Dust clouded around me as I floored my truck as fast as she would go. The tinkling sound of rocks taking chips out of my paint did nothing to slow me down, the fucking thing could rot for all I care. Tall Georgia pines, Magnolia trees and underbrush passed by so fast they blurred into a curtain of green. White fence posts and manicured lawns pulled me to a stop, the edge of the property where my parents’ ownership ended and mine began. Pulling onto the dirt driveway, I cut my engine and slammed my door. My frustration was so high, I turn, jamming my fingers into my sweat drenched hair and slumping my head against the side of my truck.
How was it possible for me to fuck this up so bad? She was honest with me, and I bailed because I let the bullshit of one man poison the growing relationship I had with Audrey. Of course I wasn’t her daddy, but when it came down to brass tacks, neither was he. Dean never changed a diaper or cut my umbilical cord, but he taught me how to throw the perfect curveball. How to jump a ramp on my skateboard and he showed me, by example, how to say you’re sorry when you fuck up, and also how to love without end.
Pushing myself off the side of my truck, I slid back into the driver’s seat, and slowly moved down the winding dirt road. I took a deep breath as the smell of new lumber grew heavier. When I hired my contractor, he made it clear I would have to pour the foundation before summer started if I wanted my home finished before Christmas. I had this big picture in my head of carrying Audrey over the threshold and loving her to pieces on the rug by the fireplace. Granted, this was all conceived before I learned Grace existed.
Looking out over the piles of lumber, I could see my porch already taking shape in the clearing I’d chosen. My home wouldn’t be anywhere close to the size of my parents, but looking over the mass of land, I had plenty of room to expand. Sitting on the cool concrete, I stared at my name etched in the corner, something I had done after they leveled it off. Tracing the letters and recalling the day we poured the foundation for one of the barns on granddaddy’s land.
It was my junior year and I was mad crazy about this girl, Robin Olms. She was a senior and had broken things off with her boyfriend. As we wrote our names in his barn floor, G
randdaddy asked me how I was treating the ladies at school. I told him of my wanting to see Robin, but worried she would get back together with her old boyfriend. “Chase, unless there’s a ring on that finger, you still have a chance.”
Granddaddy had been wrong about Robin—not long after she broke it off, she found out she was pregnant. He put a ring on her finger when her daddy went over and spoke with his daddy. But he wasn’t wrong when it came to Audrey, or the lack of a ring on her finger.
Momma was talking with Jackson as I ran in through the front door, he looked to be getting ready to leave as he had her in a hug. “Where’s Audrey?” I panted, having run all the way from the road.
“Chase, where are your manners?” She turned to Jackson, “You’ll have to excuse him, being so far away has caused him to forget how to greet a guest.”
Jackson ate that shit up, a smile spreading across his face as fake as the Rolex he wore. “It’s all right, Mrs. Morgan, I need to head out anyway. Thank you for inviting me and for having such lovely guests.” He winked in my direction as Momma opened the door for him.
“You drive safe, now.”
“Where is Audrey?” I demanded as she waved to a retreating Jackson, who was jogging down the drive.
She turned slowly in my direction, a scowl forming on her face. “Audrey has taken the baby home, like any good mother would. And don’t think for a minute I didn’t notice you staring at her like a slab of meat.” Her hands were on her hips, after slamming the door behind her. “Never once did you come over and speak with her. You made her so uncomfortable she left after your daddy had a moment with her about the trailer.”
My attention was captured, “What trailer?” My voice sounding angrier than I meant. “The one I’m subpoenaing to have removed from her credit.” Daddy stood at the end of the hall, his reading glasses in hand and a file tucked under his arm. “I had Austin tap into the company’s records, he poked around and found me the scanned photos of the couple who took out the loan, no surprise to find Lucas and Amy sittin’ pretty as they committed fraud.”
“You can’t use them in court, so what was the point?”
“Don’t need to use them in court, I needed to see if there was any evidence of fraud, which there is. I contacted the home office who had no idea what was happening. They’ve been more than willing to handle all of this out of court, and I have filed the paperwork to have the permits drawn up and the trailer removed.”
“How much of a retainer did you charge her with?”
“Nothing, yet.” An ambivalent look in his eyes, “She’s had some unexpected bills; deposit on a home and paying an electric bill.” His words cut like a dull knife, knowing the disappointment his eyes held was for me.
“Send me the bill. If the removal will cost her anything…”
Holding up his hand, making his point. “She and I have come to an agreement, one where the love of my life benefits quite well.” He sends a wink in momma’s direction.
“I’m confused,” I admit, my attention ricocheting back and forth between my parents.
“He means, I get to spend some time with Grace, making some new memories for this house and for you, Chase.” Kissing my cheek as she joins daddy’s side.
What ever happened while I was down the road getting my act together must have been good if Grace was going to get to spend time here. “Oh, and Son,” Dad called and I spun on my heels. “She knows.” For the briefest of seconds I stood in confusion, the lowering of his chin and rise of his eyebrows conveyed all he couldn’t say. Audrey knew about the scores we had settled, including the one, which took the life of Lucas.
Molly Green spent a great deal of time tending to her flowers. Her care and dedication showed in her magazine worthy yard. Her driveway, a cobblestoned masterpiece, led the way to the small house she once used for her studio. Now, it held the most important people in the world. A garden flag greeted visitors, a new edition since the last time I’d visited. The inviting swing complete with pillows and a single stuffed lamb, a favorite of Grace’s according to Molly.
I watched as my raised hand knocked several times on the wood frame of the screen door, while the wind chimes behind me danced in the soft afternoon breeze. Audrey came around the corner, a dish towel drying her hands. A tender smile, which dropped slightly as she recognized who stood at her front door.
“Chase?” Her soft voice was like music of the highest degree to my ears. “What are you doing here?” My leg bounced with the overwhelming need to pull the door from its hinges, pick her up, and kissed the life out of her. I settled for, “Can I come in?” Although, I didn’t give up hope for the kiss to happen before I left.
“Of course, but we need to keep it down, Grace is asleep.”
I was counting on this to give us time to talk, and more importantly, me time to get my act together. The inside of the house was clean and eclectic, exactly as I imagined a place where Audrey lived would be. Her bag, which she had strapped over her shoulder, lay on the floor. I noticed that Jackson lacked to offer her any help. A baby blanket was in the center of the couch, toys and small books were tucked around the edges. A pale green chair stood in the corner of the room, a table and small lamp close by, a small stack of books tumbled against the leg, with another face down on the table.
“You will have to excuse the mess, I wasn’t expecting anyone.” She laughed nervously, as she tossed toys into a large wicker basket beside the fireplace.
“Audrey, this is your home.” I choked slightly as I admitted she lived here and not the house I had designed in my head. “It’s more than I really have at this point.” My realtor had had very little problem leasing the condo I’d shared with Ginny, the area was sought after by the young professionals in the area.
“You’re not staying in Mount Pleasant?” For a moment I was elated she knew where I used to live, until I remembered she paid the bills for the business and knew my address.
“No, I got rid of the condo, I’m living in the loft in my parent’s barn. Daddy had it remodeled when we hit high school. It gave us a place to rough house and not drive momma crazy.”
Audrey tossed the last toy into the bin, and then stood nervously with her now empty hands. “Can I get you something to drink?” Her eyes bright, moving in the direction of her kitchen.
“No, thank you.” I scratched the top of my head with my right hand, a nervous habit I developed over the years. “Audrey, can we sit and talk for a minute?” I needed to get this out, confess my feelings before my nerves swallowed up my thoughts.
“Sure, is everything alright?”
Worry filled eyes followed me as I took a seat on the sofa, forearms finding my thighs, giving me something to focus on instead of the beautiful woman across the room. “No, it isn’t.” I confessed, the green coffee table preventing me from jumping to my feet and crossing the room. “I need to set the record straight with you. I need to tell you how I feel and how big of an idiot I’ve been.” Laughter fell into my confession as my nerves showed their poker faces.
“When we went to Florida,” I began, testing out the waters to see her reaction, her simple nod gave me the green light to continue. “I made a promise to you, swearing up and down I could make you happy if you gave me the chance.” She flinches, and her expression dropped, it was slight, but stood out to me. “I broke that promise when the first bad thing happened. When a man, who disrespected you, and hurt little Grace, got past my tough guy act with one boldfaced lie. A lie I took ownership of, made personal, and then took it out on you.” Her brows knot in confusion, yet she remained silent and let me progress.
“Lucas tried to tell me, no matter what happened to him, he would always be her Daddy. Something that, considering who I am, and where I came from, should have rolled off my shoulders like water off a duck’s back.”
“But I let it fester. Instead of telling him where Grace would live and be loved, I took it internally and fucking agreed with him.” My anger at myself showed in my gritted
teeth and poor choice of words. “Worst of all, I turned my back on you, comparing you to Ginny and pitted you against all the evil she has shown me.” Of all my crimes against Audrey, this is the one which haunted me the most.
“Audrey, I know you have a new agenda with Grace and getting on your feet.” I was almost afraid to admit what I needed to next, but it was the answer I dreaded hearing most. “I saw Jackson Siever paying special attention to you and Grace, and perhaps I’m too late, maybe Jackson has come forward at the right time, with a fresh slate and no bad decisions littering his past. But I’m trying to live by a quote my granddaddy said when I was younger, to see if I’m too late to do as I promised.”
Her eyes flash to her hands in her lap, her deep breath showing in the rise and fall of her shoulders. “I’m sorry about Jackson,” she said softly, shaking her head and squinting her eyes. “Dylan came by and asked for a favor, giving me the clothes to wear to the party.” She pointed to the beach bag against the frame of the door. “I wasn’t sure why he wanted me to dress practically naked, until Jackson said something to me in the pool.” Her head lowered again and I could tell whatever the bastard said had hurt her. Leaving the execution of Jackson Siever till later, I crossed the room and knelt before her, taking the liberty to pull her hands in mine.
“It was all a lie, Chase.” Her voice cracked with emotion. “He was there to make you jealous. If I had known before hand, I would have stayed home where I belong.”
I gripped her hands tight, in an attempt to have her eyes focused on me again. “You’re a young single guy,” she said slowly, swaying her head as she continued. “And I’m a bad country song, complete with a history of terrible choices in men and an illegitimate child to prove it. What in the world would you want with me?”
Absolute Valor (Southern Justice #3) Page 23
