Bad Bride Good Cowboys

by Kandi Silvers

  Tears filled her eyes and grief overtook her, and Mickey’s heart broke. All three of them knew that Paul was already was on the phone to Clarissa or headed to her house in town.

  “Then when I was in High School, Mickey you knocked out Todd Reynolds for spreading rumors that weren’t true after we broke up—which was because I wouldn’t put out. He broke your arm but he was in the hospital for three weeks, because you broke his nose and his leg in three spots. The world clouded over. All I knew is Brady stood by us both…”

  Hot tears streamed down Felicia’s cheeks and Mickey swore this was hell.

  “Doll…”

  She turned her face up to him and blinked as tears streamed down her cheeks. “No. There’s nothing you can say…My brother didn’t care and every time I turned around, I had you and Brady. You were so much more than Collin’s friends. I survived high school and college and hated every woman either of you dated. I’m sorry you hate Paul but I have never loved him like I love both of you. There are times in Los Angeles I can’t breathe. I swear I’m dying slowly.” Her dark ringlets shook as she tossed her head from side to side. “He is nowhere close to half of one of you and I’m blessed with you both.”

  Mickey lost all the air from his lungs and rational thought fled. Her honesty was slowly killing him.

  “Like moments ago, when Paul was here, all the breath was sucked from me, not because I love him—I don’t think I ever truly did—but because I was scared. I thought this perfect life might be over. Up until he came here today, I had the life I wanted and it’s more than I could’ve dreamed. No, this is not conventional and Collin will lose his ever-loving mind. I’m terrified of what my mother is going to say because you know damn well Paul is going to go running to her.”

  Felicia shivered and she shook her head. “God, don’t you think I lay awake and feel anxious over the possibility of losing my brother? But the sad truth is, I never had him.” She blinked fat tears and remained silent for a minute. “That was such a harsh reality to realize. I never had a brother—only a sibling.”

  “Doll, if I had a penny right now.” Brady knelt by the side of the chair where she sat.

  “The pennies are perfect.” More hot tears streaked down her cheeks. “But they are usually held in your hand.” She sniffled and Mickey’s heart ached.

  “I get mad, upset and you both hand me the cure—no matter the cost—the remedy on a silver platter.”

  She turned and faced Mickey, though her long slender fingers curled around Brady’s strong hand. “It’s always been the pair of you. I can’t remember anything but wanting my big brother…yet he was never there…Instead I had you both and I can’t let that go.” A sob tore from her lips and she buried her head in her palms. Brady flinched as if feeling the anguish Felicia endured and Mickey’s heart broke.

  “I should’ve looked at you as Collin’s friends, but I didn’t. You were my knights in shining armor, where he failed; I knew with you, I’d always be okay. I was safe.”

  “We’d give you the world.”

  She sniffled at the words and met Mickey’s gaze head on. “You’re both mine.” She shook her head and Brady gently wiped her tears away.

  “Don’t cry, doll,” Mickey said, trying to comfort her.

  She turned and stared at Brady. “Why would Paul even matter to me, when you both know I hate pink? You both know I don’t like vinegar. I can’t hold my liquor and every time I take a breath it’s at least one of you I think of to find courage.”

  Mickey’s heart constricted. Felicia meant every word. Truly, it had always been him and Brady. She’d said the words, but seeing her like this, after the confrontation with Paul, confirmed every theory Brady and he had.

  “Mickey taught me to ride a bike and a horse and, next to gram, taught me how to cook.” She turned to Brady. “You listened to everything that went wrong from the time I was eleven.” She smiled faintly. “That’s a lot of pennies.”

  He glanced at Brady. The man reached up and wiped the hot tears running down her cheeks, then cupped her pretty face. “You don’t have to hurt anymore.”

  A sob broke from her and she buried her face. “I do because I’m in love with two men, which isn’t right or normal and God knows I don’t care.”

  Mickey’s heart broke on the spot. She loved them. Beyond breath, sanity, and propriety. “Don’t cry, baby doll.”

  “I’m so tired. I just want people to be happy that I’m truly happy and no one other than Jen will be.” All Felicia did in response was sob. Brady shook his head and rose from where he knelt by the chair. He scooped her up as she cried. She clung to his friend and lover as if life support.

  “Don’t leave me.” Her watery plea broke Mickey’s heart, but at the same time, strengthened the heartbeats.

  Brady met his gaze. His blue eyes filled with storm clouds. He turned to Felicia. “You’re safe love.” He darted another glance at Mickey.

  Mickey knew Brady wouldn’t be able to take much more. The good Lord knew he himself was on the edge—and though his protectiveness over Felicia ran deep, Brady’s, over the years, had become even fiercer.

  Mickey was man enough to admit that as much as Brady loved him, Felicia was the air Brady breathed. “Get her upstairs. She needs to rest.”

  Brady nodded. “I know.”

  He hoisted the sleep deprived Felicia in his arms and walked to the entrance of the office. Her body relaxed in his friend’s hold almost immediately. “I hate them.”

  “Me too,” Brady confessed and repositioned the now almost sleeping Felicia in his arms. “Fuck Collin, Clarissa and everyone else. She knows who loves her.”

  Mickey’s heart ached. “Put her in our room.”

  Brady grinned. “She doesn’t belong elsewhere.”

  The silent exchange with his lover of seven years confirmed all of his thoughts. Felicia was everything to both of them. “You’re right.”

  Felicia woke with darkness around her but right away both Mickey and Brady’s scents penetrated her senses.

  I’m safe.

  She burrowed her face into the lush feather down pillow. She had slept deeply. For the first time in days she felt somewhat rested and clear headed. Brady and Mickey were her future and she needed to sort out the past and leave behind the things and people who tried to steal her happiness. The two cowboys were her heart and life and nothing could ever bring back her life as it had been. Hell, she didn’t even care what Collin thought. How could he resent Brady and Mickey when all they did was love her? She was their everything, and down in her soul, she knew it.

  Collin had failed her and, in some ways, he’d failed them—her men. Weren’t friend’s always supposed to be there for you? Her brother had gradually become a stranger—a void, not only in her life—but Brady and Mickey’s. They hadn’t acted on their feelings because of loyalty to him and her family. In return, Collin had placed unreasonable responsibilities on the two men she had always loved.

  She knew to the depths of her soul that her grandparents wouldn’t have been upset over her choice. They loved Mickey and Brady so much. It was both of them there when her grandfather died, the two of them who gave up the rich boy routine to help her grandmother run a ranch she had always trusted to her husband. It wasn’t even eight months later when she joined her husband and, as her mother didn’t care about history, family legacy, or all grandpa had worked for, Brady and Mickey took over and preserved the things her grandparents had built..

  Collin was overseas, digging up the land on foreign soil. His message to Brady and Mickey, “take care of Felicia.”

  Standard. Her brother really had failed her.

  She heard the phone ringing. She didn’t care; she wanted her men and buried her head deeper into the pillow. This is all she ever wanted. Where she wanted to be—in their bed and arms—no choices—she could have them both. They weren’t next to her now, but soon they would be.

  Her lashes became heavy and she knew sleep again was imminent. The ri
nging stopped and she pulled the heavy duvet on Mickey and Brady’s bed up and over her ear. Once she let the past go and relaxed, she would be okay.

  A weight settled on the bed next to her, but didn’t wrap her in safe loving arms. “Baby doll,” Mickey’s voice called.

  “I love you,” she whispered and wondered if she had ever told him before.

  “God, doll I know, and I love you too. But you need to wake up.”

  Her eyes opened and she looked at one of the men who held her heart so completely. “Come to bed with me,” she whispered.

  “I can’t.” Ever so gently, he stroked her hair from her face. “There’s a problem.”

  She blinked and took in his dark gaze, filled with so much sorrow. Panic filled her heart and she startled. “Brady?”

  As she came to an upright position, Mickey grasped her shoulders gently. “Shh, relax.” His tone soothed her unsettled nerves. “He’s fine.”

  Gradually, her heart started to beat normally.

  “It’s not Brady.”

  She studied the cowboy’s handsome face. “What?” Dread consumed her entire body.

  Mickey blinked and pulled her against his well-muscled chest. “It’s your mom. She’s in the hospital.”

  Felicia digested the words. She was still reeling from the argument with Paul earlier and still madder than hell. Her mother would never want her with Mickey and Brady and would continue to force Paul down her throat. What kind of mother cared more about prestige than her daughter’s wellbeing and happiness? However, despite her anger and animosity and the fallout of what was to come, the woman remained her mom. Her chest constricted and it became difficult to breathe. “What happened?”

  Mickey’s strong hand caressed her hair while his other arm held her close to his body. “She was rushed to emergency with chest pains.”

  Nodding, she pulled back and met his dark gaze. “I should go see her.” Part of her really didn’t want to, the other part was worried. She may not like the woman who gave birth to her and lived vicariously through Felicia, but down deep, she did love her mother.

  “They’re running tests and taking precautions.” He brushed a long strand of hair from her cheek. “Brady and I will take you.”

  Her lungs took in a bit of air. “I’d like that.”

  Brady walked in the room with a cup of coffee and passed her the mug. “I figured you would want this.” He offered her a week smile.

  “Thank you.” She took the mug and despite the exhaustion from worrying the last few nights, her mind started to defog. A horrible thought crossed her mind. “Did she have a heart attack because of me?”

  Her men exchanged a concerned look then both turned to her. “I don’t think so.” Mickey’s attempt to comfort her fell short since doubt filled his tone.

  “We don’t know what all Paul said.” She sipped the coffee and for the second time that day dread filled her soul.

  “I’m sure once your mom is feeling better, we’ll explain to her that Paul is wrong for you and you’ve always belonged with us.”

  “Even if we were too blind to see it,” Brady added.

  She drank another mouthful of coffee and a bit of relief eased her distressed state. Both men carried sincere conviction when they spoke. “I’m glad you cowboys got a clue.” She inhaled a full a breath and slowly exhaled. “Who called and let you know about mom?”

  Mickey winced. “Oddly enough, Dr. Reynolds.”

  “I don’t remember him. Any relation to the guy you put in the hospital back in the day.”

  “Funny you should ask.” Brady captured her fingers in his hand. “Actually, doll, it’s one and the same. Things have changed and we occasionally go drinking with him. He was young and stupid at the time” The grin he cast warmed her heart and she couldn’t help but smile. “Found out years later, he was pretty upset when you dumped him.”

  Men!

  “Well, isn’t this going to be an interesting night?” She sipped again from the mug, not knowing what waited at the hospital. She had a sinking feeling, though, that this might be one of the worst of her life.

  Felicia had remained quiet for most of the ride into town. When they arrived at the hospital, the men had already asked the questions and found where they were keeping her mother. Even now, as she stood in the elevator going to the fourth floor, the weight on her chest increased.

  A strong hand curled around hers and lightly squeezed. She glanced at Mickey and he offered her a reassuring smile. “It’s going to be fine.”

  She wanted to believe him but wasn’t sure what to think. “I hope so.”

  “Know so.” Mickey lifted his arm and placed a kiss on her fingers. The elevator stopped and he released her hand. “Come on, let’s find Dr. Reynolds.”

  The doors opened and she stepped into the hallway. A hand settled at her lower back. “You have such a bad attitude,” Brady whispered with a hit of amusement.

  She turned and offered him a weak grin. “But you love it.”

  His blue gaze caressed her face. “I do.”

  “Mickey, Brady, thanks for coming.”

  Felicia glanced to the owner of the voice as a good looking and grown up version of Todd Reynolds walked toward them. His face lit up when he saw her and his gaze slid over her in a quick once over.

  “Felicia, it’s good to see you. I knew these guys would be the best ones to get a hold of you.” His green eyes carried warmth and his tone sincerity. “They talk about you all the time.”

  She didn’t know how to respond to the statement so she nodded once and plastered a smile on her face. “How’s my mom?”

  “She’s awake, and her vitals are steady, I still want to run a couple tests and I’m waiting on her blood work results, but I don’t think it was a heart attack. Her blood pressure is up though, so I’m keeping her at least overnight.”

  High blood pressure? She guessed it was probably through the roof after Paul wagged her ear off. “Can I see her?”

  He smiled and nodded. “Of course, room 418.” He pointed down the hall to a door across from the nursing station.”

  “Thank you Todd—I mean Dr. Reynolds.”

  He glanced at her empty ring finger then again met her gaze. “You can call me either.”

  Fabulous.

  She nodded and decided now would be a good time to make her escape. She slowly walked away from the men and struggled for air. Collin should be here, but of course that would be uncharacteristic of her brother. To care about his family. Felicia darted a glance over her shoulder as Brady and Mickey exchanged a couple more words with Dr. Reynolds and followed in the direction of her mother’s room. She glanced at the room number and paused. She turned the knob and ventured in, confident her men were only a couple steps behind. As soon as she pushed the door open and crossed the threshold, her heart slammed to a stop.

  Her mother was indeed awake and sitting up in bed, with monitors hooked up and an IV dripping. The alarming part about the situation was Paul sitting in the chair next to her mom’s bed. Somewhere in the back of Felicia’s mind a ding-ding sound echoed, similar to that of a cue at a boxing match. The last thing she wanted was a second round with the asshole ex-fiancé.

  “Felicia! Thank God!” her mother exclaimed as she forced one foot in front of another and ventured deeper into the room—or boxing ring—could go either way at this point.

  “Hi, mom.” Hesitation and trepidation ran over her shoulders like a cold rain. The scuff of boots entering the room indicated the cowboys had caught up and she didn’t have to turn to know both had stiff backs and displeased expressions over Paul being parked in the room and looking much too comfortable.

  “Mickey, Brady. You boys didn’t have to come,” her mother informed them and despite the seriousness of the circumstances, Felicia’s patience buckled under the strain.

  “Sure they did. They drove me and are more like family than other people present.” She rested her gaze on the scumbag in the chair.

  Paul st
ood and plastered a smile. “Well they can go; I’ll take you back to L.A”

  “No.”

  Her mother’s eyes widened. “Well, Paul is—”

  “I won’t be returning to Los Angeles.” More of her tolerance eroded away. “My mother is in the hospital here. Until things are resolved and she in the clear, I need to be close by.”

  “Felicia, Paul is only trying to be a good fiancé.”

  Her mother’s persistence in forcing her to marry the cheating scoundrel—after a near life-threatening incident, sickened Felicia. The very last bit of her calm, cool, consideration dissipated. “He’s not my fiancé. I’m not marrying him. I realize now is not the time to have this conversation so I will leave it there for now.”

  Her mother’s expression faltered. “I nearly died after what I heard.”

  Brady stepped forward and stood next to Felicia. “Mrs. M, your daughter is right, now isn’t the time to have this conversation. We’ll be there for Felicia and—”

  “No Brady.” Her mother’s tone carried icy venom. “I appreciate you bringing Felicia to see me, but you and Mickey have done enough damage.”

  Anger seeped into Felicia’s blood stream. If her mother hadn’t been on a heart monitor—she would have torn a strip into both her mom and Paul like a Texas tornado. “They, unlike some people, have done more for Collin and me than you could ever imagine. So do me a favor, give it up mom and stop trying to cram the life you lost down my throat.”

  “Don’t upset your mother.” Paul barked. “God dammit, Felicia, grow up and be responsible.”

  “Don’t raise your voice to her,” Mickey warned, without missing a beat. “Ever.”

  Felicia shook her head and glared at the man she wanted to haul off and punch. “I’m not doing this. You want me to be responsible, fine.” She turned to her mother. “I’ll check on you tomorrow after your visitor has left. I’m going home now and leaving you to the life you want and I want no part of.”

  “Don’t speak to me in that tone of voice.” The older woman’s tone was cold. “Why can’t you be more like Collin?”