by Allie York
“Hi,” Meredith got to me first and didn’t hesitate to throw her arms around my shoulders in a hug. I patted her back gently, and stared into Cori’s narrowed eyes. Most women weren’t real happy to see me the second time, but Meredith certainly was. I wanted to live in the embrace, but Cori’s death glare made me stop.
“Hey, Doll. You look better.” She didn’t look better, she looked fucking amazing. I pulled her off me reluctantly, holding her at arm’s length to look her over. I just left the gym, so I smelled really gross, and if I held on much longer, I wasn’t letting go. God, I’m going nuts.
“I feel better,” Her big eyes moved from me to the door, waiting for me to open it. I did, completely shocked by her peppy attitude, “Thanks! What’s good here?” I held the door for Cori and the girls, giving Axel a high five as she passed.
“Uh, Briggs and I do meatballs, but everything is good,” Meredith smiled up at me, and I got a little lost. Light freckles dotted her nose, and her dark green eyes had flecks of brown. I blinked away when Axel grabbed my hand.
“I wanna play pool with you again,” Not wanting kids didn’t mean I didn’t like Cori’s. Anytime the little badass was at the house and I happened to be home, I showed her a new pool trick and she loved it. I wanted to teach her poker, but Griffin shut that down.
“Anytime, kid,” I let the girls order first, and ignored the warning glares from Cori while they waited at the end of the counter. I ordered, getting the food to go, and waited next to them. I couldn’t hide staring at Meredith, so I just ignored her sister.
“So, Beck, where do you work?” Meredith touched my hand to get my attention.
“Weston Architecture and Design, just up the road. I’m an architect and so is Briggs,” I shrugged, trying not to sound arrogant. I couldn’t count how many women I said those words to, solely to get in their pants, but in the moment, I didn’t want to be a dick.
“I bet that’s fun. How old are you?” Meredith moved so she was in front of me and their order was called. She made it impossible for me to focus on anything else, not that I wanted to. I didn’t give a fuck about anyone else in the world at the moment.
“Thirty-two. Why?” The ever-confident Beck was being eroded away by a girl who couldn’t have weighed a hundred pounds. Knock you on your ass. I shook my head and waited for her answer.
“Nosey,” Meredith shrugged, “It was good to see you, Beck.” Meredith reached out, took my hand, and squeezed, staring into my eyes like she could read my soul. I sure as fuck hoped she couldn’t.
“You too. Good to see you all,” I choked the words out, and watched them leave. Meredith carried the bag of food in one hand, holding Axel’s with the other. Celia had her sister’s other hand and Cori brought up the rear. They made it to the door, with me watching like a love-sick moron. At the last second, Cori turned back and stormed toward me, looking like her right hook might have a taste for my face. The door swung shut behind her.
“Stay the fuck away from Meredith. I just got her back from one asshole, she doesn’t need another. You might be smooth, Beck, but take your charisma far away from my sister and shove it up your ass. She’s pregnant, and sick, and the last thing she needs is you. I appreciate you helping her, but that doesn’t erase the kind of man you are. Don’t forget, my best friend lives with you, so I know everything,” Cori looked on the verge of tears, shaking with anger and red-faced in the middle of a sub shop. I was torn between wanting to hug Cori and wanting to scream at her. Instead of my gut reaction, I moved to get my order.
“I’m really sorry I upset you, Cori. Have a good night.” I walked past her and out the door leaving her in the middle of the restaurant. I waved at Meredith and the girls on the bench and hopped in the car, tossing the food in the passenger seat before peeling out onto Broadway. I never let anyone talk down to me, get under my skin, but I just took a verbal ass kicking from Cori without a word because every word she said was true. I made it home, parked the Chevelle, and beat my hands against the steering wheel. Instead of going and grabbing a very stiff drink, I went in and sat in the kitchen with my brother, Harriet, and Ma to have a late dinner and talk about our days like a normal, sober human being.
Chapter Four
Meredith
“Jovie, I really do understand,” We were standing at the front counter of The Dog House, going over the computer program, again. I didn’t need a fourth explanation, but Jovie gave control-freak a whole new definition, “I take the call, look up the last name, book the appointment, but only in the available spots, and confirm a phone number. If they want a specific groomer, put it in the proper column, if not, just book the first available.” She opened her mouth to correct me, but I started again, “That’s for grooming. If it’s for training, I make sure they understand that the assessment fee is non-refundable, and block a half hour for assessments, full hour for sessions.” I smiled at her, waiting for the criticism.
“Fine, you get it,” Jovie waved the white flag and I did a little happy dance internally. None of the other employees were very perky, but managed to fake social graces for the sake of business. As soon as I greeted a customer when we stopped by to meet Cori’s boss, I had a job. Being the receptionist at The Dog House wasn’t my dream job, but it would work until I figured out what my dream job was. It gave me a little money, and when we went to see my parents that night, I could tell them I was working.
I had nightmares about going to see my parents again before I moved back, so with the evening just hours away, I was in panic mode. I had visions of them slamming the door in my face, my oldest sister calling me a whore, and them turning Cori against me. I treated them like shit before I chased Zeke to Colorado, and couldn’t imagine them forgetting the things I said. All I could do was hope Cori was right and they would all be happy to see me home.
With my medication and diet all under control, or at least trying to be, my health back on track and my black eye healed, hiding out for three days with my sister had been a good decision. Unfortunately, I had down time for the first time in two years and I ended up doing some introspection. Two years of self-evaluation paired with pregnancy hormones made me an emotional mess. With Zeke, I survived, always on alert and always waiting for the other shoe to drop. I thought I could fix him with love, but some people are too damaged, or too sick, or simply don’t want help. Zeke was all three, and I got the short end of that stick. My borderline obsessive intrigue with Beck Layton was no different. Yes, he saved me, helped me when I needed it, but Cori told me what kind of person I met. Beck told me too. Damaged, angry, and unapologetic. Of course, Beck was handsome and charming, but I had too many of my own issues to deal with anyone else’s. Meredith Wallace did not have the time or energy to save anyone but herself. With the decision to have and keep my baby, my work was very much cut out for me without the added drama of a man. I had to figure out how to support myself and a baby with no skills other than being perkier than Jovie and my sister. I had to stop thinking about Beck.
The phone rang, pulling me from my thoughts, “Thank you for calling The Dog House, this is Meredith, how can I help you?” I said that same line about a million times, and never once got tired of saying it. Friendly and chatty was my strong point, so I had the pleasure of talking to several people about their dogs when I booked their appointment. I had a job answering the phones and booking classes at the music store when I was in high school. It barely paid at all, but I had access to all the classes and instruments, so it was totally worth getting less than minimum wage. I learned to play the piano, guitar, and sax, all while getting paid and hanging out with local musicians. Broadway Sounds was my dream job. After moving to Colorado, I got a job at a coffee shop, but quit after a few days when Zeke found out my boss happened to be a man and went on a jealous rampage.
An hour before close, the phone rang again, and I closed my diabetes research to answer, “Meredith, it’s Briggs Layton. Can someone please wash Murphy before close? I know I’m cutting it close, bu
t he got skunked. I don’t care if they have to dip him in acid or shave him, the smell is unbearable.”
I suppressed a giggle and waved Jovie over, “Hang on,” I covered the phone, “Briggs said Murphy got skunked.”
Jovie looked from the clock, back to me and sighed, “Tell him to get down here in less than ten or it can’t happen. My babysitter’s schedule has very little wiggle room.”
“Okay, she said get down here in less than ten minutes and we can get it done. She didn’t look real thrilled about it though.” Jovie seemed pretty laid back about most things, but work did not fall into the category of most things. She and Erica ran a tight ship, and I loved being aboard.
“I can make it in five. Tell her thanks,” The line went quiet and I hung up. I went through the appointments for the next day, playing with the computer a little and trying to learn my way around the system a little better. The Dog House also offered doggy daycare and overnight boarding, and I hadn’t quite grasped booking those yet. It seemed like most people just showed up and knew how much to pay, but if Jovie trusted me with the job, I wanted to prove myself worthy. Not having any practical skills didn’t mean I couldn’t learn.
About five minutes later a very recognizable car pulled in the lot. Briggs climbed out of the passenger side hauling a dog from the back, and Beck hopped the door of the driver’s side. He pulled the blankets off the back seat where a big black dog had been laying. He wadded the blankets and threw them in the dumpster before jogging up the steps behind his brother. I immediately dropped my eyes to the screen, forcing myself not to stare at the man walking in. I made the conscious decision to avoid the attraction to Beck, but watching him strut up the steps made me second guess. He helped me, I appreciated it, and that was it. I refused to keep obsessing when I had so many other things to focus on. The reunion with my parents was a few hours away, and it was bad enough without him.
Jovie came running when the bell rang and I had to look up, but I didn’t look at Beck, I focused on Briggs. Then the smell hit me, and my stomach churned, making me need to cover my mouth. Jovie had it taken care of, so I didn’t greet them. If I had, it would have been more of a mess than the skunked dog. No amount of medication could stop my all-day-sickness when the trigger smelled like skunk.
“Come on stinky,” Jovie headed to the back, Briggs right behind her, and when they passed me, I couldn’t stop it. I nearly fell off the stool, bolting to the back of the shop toward the toilet. I had to shove Jovie to get there, but I made it, barely. All my lunch made a very unfortunate exit. Puking couldn’t be good for my weight gain, but it was the first time in three days, so I declared it a victory. I flushed, dried my hands, and was swishing water in my mouth when a light knock came from the open door. I expected to find Jovie there checking on me, but it was Beck, looking a little awkward.
“You okay?” The man must have an iron stomach, because it wasn’t the first time he witnessed my puking without a reaction.
“I made it seventy-two hours without a vomit incident. That’s good, right?” I forced a laugh and he pulled a stick of gum from his pocket for me. I very quickly popped it in my mouth.
“I’d say so. I didn’t mean to intrude. I only wanted to check on you.” Beck gestured for me to leave the bathroom and followed me out. The flavor and scent of the gum kept my mind off the skunk permeating the building.
“No harm done. The gum really helps. Thank you,” Once we made it up front, he went back to the other side of the gate and sat on the bench, stretching out his legs. Beck looked good in jeans, much better than the running clothes I’d seen him in. Beck looking good in everything no matter how hard I tried to pretend he didn’t, “Nice of you to chauffer a dog that smelly.” I nodded to his vintage convertible.
“The drop top is better for airflow than his Prius. The smell would have lingered for days in his car. Plus, I was supposed to let the dog in, and didn’t. Murph seemed happy lounging on the porch, so I didn’t let him in as soon as I got home. He got bored and found a skunk. Playing driver to the vomit-inducing dog was the least I could do. Your eye healed.” Beck’s light brown eyes moved over my face, making me blush. He always looked at me like I was the only person in the room.
“Yeah, just in time to go see my parents for the first time since I accused them of favoring my sisters and called them controlling. If I remember correctly, I said ‘I’ve never been good enough for you because I’m not a martyr or a bitch, so stop trying to control my life and leave me the fuck alone.’” I sighed, “So, yeah, bruised eye is not highest on my list of worries right now.”
Beck only shrugged, “No one’s perfect. We all do things we regret, but you live and learn to apologize.” He spoke as though it were from experience.
“My apology might be better received if it wasn’t paired with ‘By the way, I’m knocked up and pretty sick, all because I didn’t listen to you.’ I don’t know how they can ever forgive me for this.” I dropped my head into my hands and immediately felt a finger tipping my chin up. His ridiculously handsome face stared back at me when I opened my eyes.
“Can I tell you a secret?” At my nod, Beck kept talking, “I know this may shock you, but I have done some pretty awful things. That list includes sleeping with my brother’s fiancé. I’m a royal piece of shit, but family is family, and everything works out like it needs to. You’re strong, Doll, and if you can get through all that shit, you can face your parents.” At some point during his pep talk, the finger on my chin turned into him holding my face and stroking his thumb up my cheek. I closed my eyes, reveling in the gentle touch, and nodded. When a car door slammed, his hand vanished and my eyes opened. Beck settled back on the bench, crossing his ankles in front of him like nothing happened. A slow breath left me.
Cori, Griffin, and the girls strolled in and all of them made faces at the smell. Cori retreated back to fresh air, “Ready?” Griffin looked from me to Beck, “That your dog back there? Damn that stinks.”
“Daddy! No swearing!” Celia smacked Griffin’s giant hand and we all laughed. Celia was the cutest thing.
“Briggs’ dog, but my fault, so here I am. I don’t have a dog, but maybe it would be a good investment. Responsibility and stuff.” Beck slid me a discreet glance, “Good luck tonight, Doll.”
I grabbed my bag and followed my nieces out, “Thanks, Beck. Have a good night.” I didn’t even make it to the car before Cori had my hand dragging me toward the Jeep. I knew what was coming. ‘Stay away from Beck. He’s a bad person. He has addictions.’ Blah blah blah. Trust me sis, I tried.
“Are you talking to Beck?” Cori crossed her arms and Griffin backed slowly from the situation to put the girls in the car.
“We had a conversation. He spoke, then I spoke. I guess that counts as a talk,” I smiled sweetly at my sister and walked around to climb in the back next to Axel.
“Mere, you know what I mean. He’s not the kind of guy you need. Please trust me.” She chased me around the car and stopped me from getting in, “I’m not trying to run your life. I want you to get better. To take care of yourself and the baby. I just know how he is. Okay?” Her face softened and I stepped to give her a hug.
“I should have listened about Zeke. I fucked up, bad, but I have a chance to fix it. I’m not messing up again. The conversation with Beck was about the smelly dog,” Cori kissed my head and I took the chance to rub my new little niece, “Let’s go get this over with.” Climbing in the Jeep, I met Beck’s eyes on the porch leading to The Dog House and he gave me a little smile and a chin tip. I waved and got in before Cori saw me. At almost twenty-one and expecting a child, my sister’s opinion shouldn’t have mattered, but considering I lived in her house, using her money, I tried to listen. The stupid little voice in my head told me Beck Layton wasn’t a bad person, and the crazy butterflies in my stomach didn’t give a crap what Cori or anyone else said.
The fifteen-minute drive to my parents’ house had my palms sweating and my ears ringing. I said horrible thin
gs to my parents. Terrible things no one should ever say. I grew up in a loving home with both parents and my sisters. They worked hard and provided for us, making sure to spend time with each of us. No one deserved the hurt I caused. When we pulled up in front of the rancher, I had to scramble to unbuckle and get the door open before throwing up the in grass. Second time in a couple of hours. Awesome. The jeep wasn’t even in park yet. Ari’s car was already there, so I had to brace for her too. Once I was done puking, again, Griffin hugged me and led me up to the front door where Cori and the girls were waiting. Cori knocked, and we waited. I forced myself to breathe, the knot tightening again in my stomach. Cori reached over to take my hand, squeezing my fingers.
Mom jerked the door open and I got shoved to the middle of the door frame. Mom’s smile disappeared, her eyes immediately filling with tears, “Meredith Kate.” I didn’t get a chance to answer. She crushed me to her chest, crying into my hair, “Allen! Allen, Meredith is here! Meredith’s back! Allen!” She yelled for Dad, not letting me go, and the thunder of our dad hurrying along the hall hit me at the same time he did. I reached around, trying to hug them both back, and sobbed. All the worry, all the fear about seeing them again was gone. He wrapped us both up in his arms and squeezed. I could barely hear my oldest sister talking through the hug, but I knew if Ari was talking, it couldn’t be good. I took in a stuttered breath, trying to stop my tears. Arianna pried my parents off me and I blinked up into her brown eyes.
“Don’t you ever leave again,” Arianna sobbed, hugging me, and rocking us back and forth, “Don’t you dare leave again.”
