When We Touch: A Small Town Enemies To Lovers Romance (The Heartbreak Brothers Book 5)

by Carrie Elks

  And it would give them time to talk. Time they both needed.

  “Thank you.” Eliana gave her a grateful smile. “My driver will take you both. I’m so glad he has you to take care of him. He’s different when he’s with you. I know he isn’t always the easiest man in the world, but you’re good for him.”

  Becca’s chest tightened. “He’s been good for me, too.”

  “I hope the two of you work things out.” Eliana patted her arm. “I can’t tell you how long I’ve waited to see him happy. If I had known you were the one to make him smile again, I would’ve sent you to Scotland years ago.” She shook her head. “No, actually, it happened as it was meant to. The last person he ever listens to is his meddling mother.”

  “He loves you a lot. Talks about you all the time. I believe he has you to thank for his dance skills.”

  Eliana shook her head, amused. “He hated those dance lessons. It was a battle of wills every Saturday morning.”

  “And yet he learned how to dance anyway.”

  “His father told him Lawrence was a wonderful dancer. That’s all it took for him to push himself hard.” Eliana sighed. “My late husband encouraged their rivalry. Enjoyed it, even. I think he liked having two boys constantly vying for his attention. But it didn’t do either of his sons any good.” She smiled sadly. “That’s why I keep encouraging them to build bridges now that their father has gone. Though I’m not sure if I only make things worse.”

  “Families are difficult,” Becca sympathized. “So many dynamics going on under the surface.”

  “I knew you’d understand.” Eliana nodded. “Though your family is lovely. That’s all I really wanted. A husband who loved me and children who were happy. Including Lawrence and Nina.”

  “Maybe they are happy. Nathan’s enjoying himself in Tokyo. Nina seems fairly content with life. And Daniel…” Becca smiled wryly. “Is Daniel. Lawrence has Melissa, that must make him happy.”

  “Lawrence and Melissa suit each other.”

  Becca lifted an eyebrow but said nothing. Her jealous feelings about Melissa still weren’t resolved. She knew she needed to work on that.

  “I don’t mean they deserve each other in a bad way.” Eliana shook her head. “They just like the same things. The old fashioned life. Keeping history alive in their home. Being part of the social scene in Charleston. Daniel hated all that. The only thing he loved was making whiskey. Until you.”

  Their eyes met, an understanding flowing between them. Eliana pressed her lips together, her eyes shining, full of words she didn’t vocalize.

  Please forgive him.

  I’m going to try.

  Don’t hurt him.

  I don’t want to. I love him, too.

  The door to Daniel’s hospital room opened, and he walked out, wearing clothes Eliana had brought him. Dark jeans and a t-shirt, his hair brushed and raked back from his face, revealing the bruises and cuts caused by the airbag.

  “Everything okay?” His gaze slid from Becca to Eliana and back again, eyes narrowed as though he knew they’d been talking about him.

  “Yep.” Becca smiled, her throat tight as she took him in. Even damaged, his face was beautiful. “Your mom says you’re not to give me any problems while I’m playing nurse.”

  His lips twitched. “And I always do what my mom tells me.”

  “You should.” Eliana kissed his cheek. “I know best, after all.”

  “Shall I take your bag?” Becca asked, reaching for the duffle. Daniel refused to pass it to her, hooking it over his shoulder and wincing.

  “I’ll take it,” he muttered. “I’m not a patient anymore.”

  Eliana winked at Becca. “He’s all yours.” She hugged her tightly. “Call me when you get home. And if there are any problems.” She lifted a brow at Daniel. “And you’re not to come into work tomorrow.”

  “Of course I’m coming to work. I’m fine.”

  “Good luck,” Eliana whispered.

  “Thanks.” Becca nodded. “I have a feeling I’m going to need it.”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  It was early afternoon by the time the driver pulled up outside Daniel’s house, climbing out of the car to take Daniel’s overnight bag out of the trunk. Becca was glad he’d opted to go to his home rather than hers. The thought of being so close to him in her apartment was too much. They both needed space – or as much of it as they could get while they were sitting together.

  “Would you like a glass of tea? Or some water?” she asked him once they’d made it inside.

  Daniel shook his head. “I’m going to take a shower and check my blood.” He shifted his feet. “Are you sure you’re okay with staying?”

  Becca nodded her head. There was no way she was leaving now. Not after everything they’d both been through. Yes, it hurt to feel that she didn’t know everything she needed to about him, but his health was more important than anything else. The memory of the phone call from Eliana last night was like a vice to her chest. “I already messaged Mia to have her to go to my place and pack a few things.”

  “You could have left me for five minutes,” he said, his voice soft. “I wouldn’t have gotten into any trouble.”

  Her lips twitched. “Experience tells me otherwise.”

  He let out an amused huff, his eyes catching hers. And she ached to throw herself into his arms. But he was still weak, and she still needed answers. Her heart was tender, she needed to protect it.

  She walked into Daniel’s beautiful kitchen, memories of their nights here surrounding her. Pulling a glass out of the cupboard, she filled it with sweet tea from the refrigerator, gulping it down as she leaned against the counter.

  Overhead she could hear the faint rush of water as Daniel took his shower. She wondered how bruised his body was. Part of her wanted to go up to check. To climb into the shower with him and put her arms around his waist until she couldn’t work out where her own body ended and his began.

  A knock at the front door brought her out of her thoughts. Becca opened it to see both Mia and Aunt Gina standing there, Mia holding a bag, Aunt Gina holding a casserole dish with foil covering the top.

  “Sweetheart.” Aunt Gina gave her a soft smile, and Becca felt herself crumble. Aunt Gina cupped her cheek and clucked. “You look so tired. What’s happened, baby girl?”

  “Sorry,” Mia mouthed. Then, louder, she said, “Gina was at ours when I got your message. She insisted on picking up a casserole from the freezer.”

  “If in doubt bring a casserole, am I right?” Gina smiled at her. “Now are you going to let us inside or what?”

  “You’re lucky I dissuaded your brothers,” Mia whispered in her ear. “They were all up for another game of football in Daniel’s back yard.”

  Becca squeezed her eyes shut. Her brothers were so predictable. “They must have only just gotten home.”

  “Yeah, but you’re their baby sister.” Mia smiled. “You bring out all their protective instincts.”

  Aunt Gina was already pouring herself and Mia a glass of tea. How did she even know where everything was? As a child, Becca had thought her aunt knew everything. Maybe she’d been right all along, she certainly could sniff sweet tea at thirty yards.

  “Hi.” Daniel walked into the kitchen, his brows pulled together when he saw Gina and Mia sitting at his breakfast bar. He was wearing a towel slung around his waist, another around his shoulder, his chest damp and pink from the shower.

  There was a bruise running from his shoulder to his waist where the seatbelt must have pressured his skin, and the cuts on his face she’d already seen. But apart from that he looked unaffected.

  And good. So good. She had to swallow and pull her gaze away.

  “I… ah… came to get my kit,” he said, looking down at the bag he’d thrown on the floor when they’d walked in.

  “Be our guest.” Aunt Gina lifted a brow, her eyes sweeping over his torso. “You should put some arnica cream on that. It’ll help the bruising fade within
a couple of days.”

  Daniel gave a half smile. “Thank you. I’ll try that.”

  “Are you okay?” Mia asked. His eyes met hers and he gave her a slight nod.

  “I’m fine, thanks to the EMTs and doctors.” His eyes lifted. “And to Becca.”

  “I didn’t do anything,” she pointed out. She was still trying hard not to ogle his body. He was hurt, but damn, did he look good.

  “You did.” His voice was soft. “More than you know.”

  His eyes caught hers, and she felt breathless. The corner of his mouth lifted, and she mirrored his action, blood rushing through her ears.

  “We should go,” Mia said, hastily standing up. “We have lots to do, remember?”

  “We do?” Aunt Gina asked. “Like what?”

  Mia rolled her eyes. “Like tidy your garden. And there’s that jigsaw you were halfway through. And I need to go home and make sure Josh and Michael are doing their homework.”

  Aunt Gina huffed. “I haven’t even finished my tea.”

  From the corner of her eye Beccca saw Mia shake her head. “I’ll make you some, now lets go.” She pulled at the sleeve of Aunt Gina’s dress. Aunt Gina huffed again, slowly rising up.

  “I don’t know why everything has to be such a rush nowadays,” she complained. “I just wanted to stay and admire the view.”

  Daniel’s eyes caught Becca’s once more, and she had to swallow down a laugh. Mia looked almost fraught as she hustled Gina over to the kitchen door. “No need to see us out,” she shouted. “We’ll just close the door behind us.”

  “Why are you shouting?” Aunt Gina asked her.

  “Because I’m making a point. Come on, let’s go. Those two need to be alone.”

  “Why?” Their voices were getting fainter, but their conversation was still audible. Becca was torn between laughter and embarrassment. Daniel was still looking at her, his eyes soft.

  “Because they need to talk.”

  “They can talk with me here,” Gina said. The sound of the front door opening came as a relief. Surely she couldn’t make things any worse. “Anyway, I was enjoying looking at that young man. Did you see his chest? Reminded me of a young Burt Lancaster.”

  “You can stay over and ogle Cam’s chest instead,” Mia said, sounding as though her teeth were gritted.

  “He’s my nephew. That’s disgusting.” The door closed and their voices were gone.

  Becca lifted her hand to her mouth, mortification winning out over amusement. “Oh my god,” she whispered, her eyes wide.

  “I love your family,” Daniel told her. “And I love you.”

  Her mouth dropped open. All thoughts of Aunt Gina flew out of her mind. “You do?”

  He nodded. “Yes, I do. And I’m so damn sorry about last night. I can’t stand that I hurt you. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I messed it up.” He was standing ten feet away from her, but she could feel the warmth of his words curl around her. “Can we talk? I really want to explain.”

  “You need to check your glucose level.” Her voice was faint. He was actually admitting that he loved her? Her chest felt so full it could burst.

  “I know. And I should probably get dressed, too.” He looked down at his bare, bruised chest. “Will you give me ten minutes?”

  Becca nodded.

  His lip curled. “Thank you. I’ll be right back.” He glanced over his shoulder as he carried his overnight bag out of the kitchen, his eyes catching hers once more.

  “I’m one lucky sonofabitch that you’ll even listen to me,” he told her. “This time I’ll try not to mess it up.”

  He loved her. She couldn’t stop smiling as she waited for him, putting the casserole Aunt Gina had brought into the refrigerator and carrying her own bag to the bottom of the stairs. Daniel was walking down, wearing a pair of grey sweats and a dark blue t-shirt, rubbing his hands through his damp hair.

  “Hey.” He smiled at her, his eyes crinkling. “I didn’t expect you to wait at the bottom of the stairs.” He inclined his head toward the living room. “Shall we go sit down?”

  She nodded. “Yeah, that’d be good.”

  Truth was she was exhausted. After her fractured sleep last night, and the sheer rush of emotions she’d been feeling since leaving Charleston yesterday evening, she felt like she could sleep for a hundred years.

  She sat on his black leather sofa, and he dropped down next to her, taking her hand into his as though he couldn’t bear to not be touching her. He circled her palm with the calloused pad of his thumb, sending shivers down her spine, as he opened his mouth to talk.

  And then somebody knocked at the door.

  “Oh my god,” Becca said, shaking her head. “If that’s another member of my family I’m going to kill them.”

  Daniel’s lips twitched. “They just love you. And I can’t blame them.”

  “I’ll get rid of them and then we can start again.” She stood and pointed at him. “Don’t go anywhere.”

  He grinned. “I wouldn’t dare.”

  She stomped over to the hallway, gritting her teeth as she yanked open the front door. To her surprise, it wasn’t her brothers, but Nina standing on the doorstep.

  All the fight sank out of Becca. “Hi.” She smiled. “Is everything okay?”

  Nina nodded. “I’m sorry for arriving unannounced. I just wanted to see if Daniel’s okay. And if you are, too.”

  “Come in.” At least Daniel was dressed this time. “Daniel’s in the living room.”

  He looked up with surprise as his older sister walked in. Her face crumpled when she saw him, and she rushed over to throw her arms around him, burying her face in his chest.

  He winced, and Becca grimaced in sympathy. Those bruises looked painful. “Hey,” he said, stroking Nina’s hair. “What’s all this?”

  “I’m just so glad you’re okay,” Nina said, her voice muffled. “You had us all worried.”

  “I know.” His voice was gritty. “I’m sorry.”

  “No, I’m sorry,” Nina said softly. “What happened last night should never have happened. All of it. Lawrence and Melissa, you and Becca… I can’t help but feel it’s my fault.”

  Daniel frowned. “How did you figure that out?”

  “Can I get you some sweet tea?” Becca asked her. It felt like a brother-sister moment. She should know, she’d had enough of them.

  “Tea would be lovely.” Nina gave her a half smile. “Thank you.”

  As she walked to the kitchen, Becca could hear the low hum of their conversation. The way Daniel spoke to his sister, the way he held her, made her chest contract. He could be the gentlest of men when he wanted to be.

  Even if it scared him to be vulnerable.

  She took her time in the kitchen, not wanting to disturb them. She emptied the glass Aunt Gina hadn’t finished and slid it into the dishwasher, along with Mia’s used glass. Then she washed the counters down, drying them until they sparkled. When she finally poured Nina’s sweet tea, five minutes had passed.

  Daniel and Nina were still talking quietly when she padded down the hallway.

  “Lawrence knows how badly he behaved,” Nina was saying. “I left him in no doubt that this is all his fault. I think I hit a nerve because he actually asked to come with me to see you.”

  “Why didn’t he?”

  “Because I told him to shut up and stay home. He’s done enough damage.” Nina sighed. “I blame myself. Even when you two were children you were at each other’s throats. I was the eldest, I should have stepped in.”

  “You were a kid, too. We all were,” Daniel told her. “It wasn’t our faults. Not then.”

  “Yeah, well Lawrence is a grown up now. He should know better. I have no idea why he thinks everything’s a competition. Dad isn’t even with us any more.”

  “He’s not the only one who behaved badly.” Daniel breathed heavily. “I’ve not been an angel.”

  “Yeah, but you grew up a lot while you were away. It did yo
u so much good. And then there’s Becca.” Her voice was warm. “She’s so beautiful and good for you. I’ve never seen you happier than you were at the gala.” Nina lowered her voice, saying something Becca couldn’t hear.

  “Thank you.” Daniel’s voice was choked. “That means a lot.”

  “There’s one more thing. I’m calling my lawyer tomorrow to have my shares in the distillery transferred to you and Nathan equally. Lawrence has agreed to do the same. We discussed it this morning before I came here.”

  “Why?” Daniel sounded incredulous.

  “Because I don’t want it to be the thing that tears us apart. There’s been too much of that. You and Nathan put in all the work, you deserve to have the shares. And it’s not as though Lawrence or I need the money.”

  “I can pay you.”

  “No.” Nina’s voice was firm. “It’s not about money, it’s about family. That’s what we are, even if it doesn’t feel like it sometimes.” She sighed softly. “And maybe you can come and see us sometimes just because you want to see your sister, not because you want the go ahead for something at the distillery.”

  “I could do that.” Daniel’s voice cracked.

  “I know you and Lawrence will never see eye to eye. And you don’t have to. But I love you both and want you to be happy. Maybe one day that happiness will include forgiving him for what he did.”

  “For Melissa?” Daniel asked. “I forgave him for that long ago.”

  “No, I mean for Becca. For trying to split you apart. That was so much worse, because she means something to you.” Nina cleared her throat. “And now I need to go home. Let you recuperate.”

  “You can stay.”

  “No, darling. But don’t be a stranger, okay?” The sound of footsteps echoed from the living room and the next moment the door opened. Becca stood there, holding the sweet tea Nina probably didn’t want anymore.

  Nina’s lips twitched when Becca handed her the glass. She took a polite sip. “Thank you.” Inclining her head to the door, she smiled at Becca. “Will you walk me out?”

  “Of course.”

  They walked together to the door. Becca opened it and took the glass from Nina.