by Claire Adams
“I turned you down for New York, Austin. What makes you think that I’d go there when there is so much to take care of here? What makes you think that I’m like that?” Rebecca’s voice rose.
I stroked her shoulder in an effort to calm her down. “I am asking you. That’s why.”
Her head dropped forward, and small sobs escaped her throat. “I don’t even have a passport, Austin. I need one of those, right? I don’t even know exactly where you’re going or how much time we’ll be gone. No.”
I turned my body toward hers and held her. “You don’t need to know any of that. I have people, and I have money that can get us anything I want.” I breathed into her hair.
She jerked against me. “There you go again. Money solves everything for you, doesn’t it? You snap your fingers, and there’s a doctor at your father’s bedside. And you offer to pay me to just leave with you? This is crazy, Austin,” Rebecca sputtered, showing me her conflicting feelings about this subject. That was a dead giveaway for when Rebecca was upset about something and losing control.
“I can make anything happen for you, Rebecca. I wish you could see that.”
“Do you tell all the girls that, just to get what you want, Austin? Do you offer them money and trips and whatever you want to get one more night in bed?” Her voice was angry now, and I pulled away to stare at her. “Do you even care about me?”
“What?” I asked her, shocked at what she was asking me.
“Was I just convenient for you while you were stuck here in a town that you hate? Was I just a body to satisfy your needs with? Was it the familiarity that you came running to me for?” Tears slid down her cheeks as she spoke.
Anger flashed through me, and I cupped her face in my hands. “You were never just casual sex to me. Not ever, Rebecca. Why the fuck would you even suggest that?” Her eyes widened in shock. “I was in love with you when lived here before, and I still love you to this day. How can you think otherwise?”
“How could you leave me here?” she asked.
I felt something inside of me break. “I begged you to come with me. I wanted you by my side.”
She started to cry. “You just said no when I told you I wanted to stay. You didn’t fight for us.”
I pulled her into my arms. “I hated walking away from you. I hate the idea of it even now, but this is my livelihood. I have to take care of this before I can come back and take care of Dad. It’s going to open so many doors for me, Rebecca.” I tried to convince her of how important this was. My heart broke inside me, hearing her grief.
We already went through this once, and I didn’t want to fucking do it again. I didn’t want to say goodbye, but here we were, with Rebecca telling me that she wouldn’t go with me.
“You have so much money. What doors do you need?” Her voice was soft. She tried to contain herself. Rebecca wasn’t the kind of girl to cry too much over anything. “Will something else ever be enough for you?”
God, she was enough. I pulled her closer and buried my face in her hair. I longed to tell her that, but I knew this deal was falling apart. I knew that nobody else could fix it but me. I’d exhausted every other possibility, but no one else understood that but me. I doubted Preston even fully got it, and he’d been my assistant for years.
“Will I ever be enough for you?” The question rocked me. I pressed my lips to hers, and I memorized the feel of Rebecca in my arms. All I had to do was drop this and prove to her that I was still very much in love with her. I needed to prove to my family that I loved them and wanted to be here to support my father.
What the fuck was I supposed to do?
“You always acted like your life here wasn’t enough. You haven’t visited your family in years. Was any of this enough? I’ve asked myself that so many times.”
“You are enough. I didn’t know that before, but I do now, Rebecca. I love you so much.” I wrapped my arms tighter around her body, and I wondered what I’d just decided.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Rebecca
The cool air blew around. Austin cuddled against me under the thick blanket. It was New Year’s Eve, and the midnight fireworks show was starting in a few minutes.
North Reed had fireworks every year, but this year was a little different. Austin was in town. He’d arranged for the show to be put on by a nationally renowned company. Apparently, they did the Fourth of July fireworks in Philadelphia every year.
Austin was over the moon about it. I’d seen fireworks shows from other cities on television. According to Austin, this was going to top all of them. He talked about the pyrotechnics company like they were the best thing ever, but I didn’t know too much about all of that. I just knew that he was thrilled about it, and I appreciated seeing his smile after the week he’d had.
I couldn’t care less about the fireworks, to be honest. I was so happy that Austin stayed here with me and his family. I thought for certain he was going to leave me behind all over again for his deal, but he decided to stay after all. I cried when he told me. His mother hugged him tightly and told him she knew he was a good person underneath all the city nonsense.
We’d spent every night since then in my bed, making love until we passed out in each other’s arms. I’d kept on with work and my day-to-day stuff here when I wasn’t with him, and he sent his assistant Preston to Singapore to see what could be done about the deal.
I asked a few times if he was okay with the deal falling apart, but Austin accepted it graciously. He even told Preston to stay there for an extended vacation. It shocked me that neither man had taken too many vacations over the last several years. He kept showing me pictures that Preston sent him of the sights. A woman kept popping up in pictures. Austin joked that he might lose Preston, after all.
I worried that Austin was being too easygoing about the whole situation. When would the resentment kick in?
I looked around at the snow on the ground and pulled the blanket tighter around us. The air was chilly, but I always stayed outside for the fireworks. Austin’s mom cooked a feast for dinner tonight, keeping it clean and healthy for his dad. He’d been home a couple of days now and was doing great, though there were going to be some real changes now. After his scare, Mel was on board with things and willing to give healthy living a try. The three of us toasted with champagne, but Mel just sipped water.
Things had been tense for everyone while Austin struggled with his decision to stay. Even though he’d made the right choice in the end, the fact that he’d considered leaving at all still didn’t sit well. That hit his parents hard, and there were some bad feelings before they accepted that he was staying.
And the fear from Christmas was going to stick around for a while. Austin and Sally were both so relieved that Mel was okay and home. There was a little fight about some new changes in his medication, including a very new medication that the New York doctor discussed with the hospital doctors. It was not covered by insurance, but Mel and Austin had a long talk about it, and Mel finally agreed to let him pay for it.
It helped a lot that his son was going to stay here instead of taking the trip to Singapore. Once they agreed to let him pay for the medication, things seemed to calm down.
We talked about his dad now, going over the new changes and laughing about how they couldn’t make it until midnight. They were sleeping now, but Austin was certain that the fireworks would wake the whole town up. He was proud of what he’d done, and for a change, I appreciated his efforts. This didn’t involve him trying to use money to make up for his shortcomings as he’d done in the past. It was a gift to this town. It might shake things up so much that they never calmed down again, but I wasn’t going to let myself think about that.
I asked tonight, as I did every day, if he was mad at me for the choice that he made about staying. I’d been weepy about it since he told me that he was staying after all, crying in his arms a lot at night. I knew he loved me and would stay for me. He loved his family and maybe even North Reed. We didn’t talk
too much about the future. He’d probably have to tie up loose ends in New York eventually, given that he’d lived there for the last several years. I just didn’t want to think about that day, not yet.
Austin looked at me before pressing a soft kiss to my lips. “I don’t care about that deal. I love you, Rebecca. I’ll find another way to make money. I’m brilliant.” He grinned at me, giving me the crooked smile that made me melt, just like it did back in high school.
“As if you need any more of that,” I teased him as our eyes locked for a moment.
“I need you,” he told me softly.
I blushed and smiled. “I love you,” I told him, happy that he rewarded me with another kiss.
I looked around at the dark night, thinking back to the Christmas dinner that we had a couple of days ago with Kim and Preston before he left. It was a little rushed, but Sally wanted to make up for the holiday. It was simple but delicious, and we laughed and talked through dinner. It felt like a family dinner, even though we weren’t all related.
Austin checked his watch and pulled out the bottle of champagne that he’d pulled from the fridge before we came outside. He poured some more champagne into our glasses. Then he rearranged the blanket around himself.
We clutched the drinks. I looked at the dark sky, spotted with stars, and smiled at the situation that surrounded me.
Tears filled my eyes as the first explosion filled the sky, causing a loud explosion. I jumped, and he slipped an arm around me and held me tight. Austin gave his life to me by staying, and I’d never forget that. He kissed my hair as we took in the bright colors in the sky. I had to admit that it was better than some of the ones I’d seen on television.
We were joined by his parents, who watched from the porch. The next firework formed a heart.
“Did you ask for that?” I asked him.
He chuckled. “Maybe I did.” Austin sipped his champagne and smiled.
“Was that for me or for your father’s heart attack?” I asked, teasing.
He shook his head. “Too soon, Rebecca.” But he laughed.
I didn’t know exactly what we were doing next. Austin was here now and seemed to have given up on the investment business with that last deal. I knew that he wouldn’t want to be down for long and not working at all, but we were all curious as to how that would pan out. I knew now that it wasn’t all about the money but also for the thrill of the chase. What would he chase now? I was hopelessly his already, and I wasn’t sure if that would be enough.
I never wanted Austin to regret staying with me.
Ever.
I focused on the colors in the sky. They seemed to take every form possible. I heard his mom gasp a few times and glanced back to see Mel holding her against him as he smiled in the dim light. They looked so happy, and my mind fast-forwarded to the future that I might have with Austin.
I still wasn’t willing to move, at least not without a lot of consideration. Austin had not asked that of me yet, though. Giving up such a big deal made me think that he was willing to give up every part of that life. It gave me hope.
One particular display of several different explosions made me giggle against him, despite all my worries. Austin pulled me close, whispering that this was only the first of several finales. I pressed my lips to his cheek, feeling the dampness on my own cheeks as I did. I rested my head on his shoulder and watched the rest, pushing away my fears. We heard a few cheers from the houses around us, in between explosions.
Once the over-the-top, but impressive, show was over, people clapped and cheered. This was always a big thing in town, but this year, it was bigger than it had ever been before. For me in particular. Austin leaned down to kiss me as darkness settled around us again, and I felt the heat between my thighs.
“Want to go have some of that cake Mom made for a second dessert?” he asked me before kissing me again, deepening it with a tilt of his head. This lasted several minutes, and I was relieved to see that his parents had disappeared inside the house when I finally pulled away for a breath.
“You are ruthless,” I told him.
He claimed my lips one more time.
“I was thinking we could go inside and have the kind of sex where you have to be quiet so the parents don’t hear,” he murmured before taking a sip of his champagne. “I remember you used to get silly on too much of this stuff. Want another glass?”
“Austin James Harris, we cannot have sex in your parents’ house,” I chided him playfully, knowing that it wouldn’t be the first time in the house, even though I was always careful about them being home.
“We’re not in school any longer, Rebecca. My mom is fully aware of what we do when we sleep in a bed together and damn near encouraging in her own way.” I blushed instantly. “You knew she was setting us up with that dinner, didn’t you?”
“Yes, but I didn’t think you’d be here on New Year’s Eve with me.”
He stood, holding out his hand to help me. We left the blanket behind. I carried the empty glasses carefully while he clutched the small bottle in his hand. We went inside the house and secured the doors. I always reminded Austin where I lived, but he said that after being in New York, it was just a habit of his.
We got some big slices of the decadent cake and sat down in the kitchen to eat. I looked around and thought about it being a new year now. I couldn’t believe that I was with Austin. I expected to be planning my sister’s move and trying to settle here without any family. Instead, she spent the evening with a former fling who asked her out again a few days ago. We always had dinner together the night after New Year’s Eve, and Austin would be joining us at my house for that.
But first, I had tonight with Austin. We sipped the champagne and ate the cake, laughing softly as we talked about the fireworks. I thanked him for them again. He kissed me gently, licking off a thick chunk of frosting from my mouth.
After we finished the cake and the bottle, Austin washed the dishes and led me down the hall to his old room. It was across the house from his parents’ room, something that we were relying on tonight as we closed the door. Austin paused before locking it and pulled me against him. “This is the best New Year’s Eve that I’ve ever had, Rebecca.”
“Even after all of those parties in New York and that thing that you have on the street?” I asked him, watching with a silly smile.
He nodded.
“I get to be inside of you tonight. That’s the best feeling I’ll ever experience.” Austin kissed me, backing me to the bed.
Before we fell asleep, Austin told me to take Thursday off for a surprise. I murmured something to him in response, too dizzy with exhaustion and champagne to think much of it.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Austin
I kissed Rebecca before she left for the afternoon shift at the salon. I was headed back to my parents’ house anyway, so I locked her door and walked out to my car.
There was still that light snow on the ground, but the original car that I rented seemed to handle it just fine. I glanced down at the fancy car, laughing as I realized that this just wasn’t my style anymore. Here, I’d prefer a sturdy SUV. It made me think about Rebecca’s car situation. She was driving her parents’ car around. She didn’t have one to herself, having gotten rid of the old Toyota she drove in high school.
I figured I should get her something else in town at some point. Something newer that I had more faith in and that suited her simple needs. Rebecca wasn’t into fancy stuff at all, but I’d find a way to spoil her.
I grinned as I thought back to her questions about Thursday this morning when we woke up. I wasn’t going to cave, though, because I wanted to fully surprise her with my plans. I was going to treat her like the queen that she was in my life, leaving no room for doubt. I thought about New York and the massive loose ends I had going on there right now. I really did need to make a trip back to deal with all of it, but I worried about bringing that up with anyone.
I pondered the idea as I made the
short drive home and parked in the driveway. Getting out, I looked over the yard and thought about the company I was planning to hire to take care of all this for Dad. They were local and friends of mine from high school, and so thrilled at the money I offered them that I knew they would do a great job. I was surprised that Dad didn’t argue about that, but I think his latest heart attack was a wakeup call for all of us.
I walked inside and found Mom reading a book at the table and sipping coffee. “Hey, Mom. Where’s Dad?” I asked as I leaned down to kiss her cheek. I walked over to the coffee pot and poured myself some before I joined her.
“Sleeping. He’s so much better about that now and goes to bed without a fight.” She sounded relieved.
“I have been in touch with all of the doctors and the hospital. All of the bills are covered, and he will be getting his medications sent here regularly.” She smiled gratefully at me, and tears filled her eyes. “He just needs to take care of himself and follow all of the rules, and he will make a full recovery. Everything is going to be fine.”
“Thank you so much, Austin. I am grateful for all that you’ve done for us.” She reached up and I moved to hug her before returning to my seat.
“It’s nothing, Mom. I want Dad healthy and for you to stop worrying about him. He’s under good care here. I finally know that now.”
I talked to the cardiologist that I brought in, and he assured me that everything that could be done for my father was, indeed, being done here. He’d gone home just a couple of days after arriving, and everything seemed good here, meaning that I could head back to New York and deal with my own pressing issues.
“What are your long-term plans now, Austin?” Mom asked me. I met her curious gaze, filled with hope.
“I have a whole life in New York that I need to deal with, Mom. There’s the business and my place, and I have Preston on an extended vacation. I can do some things here on my laptop, but I need to meet with people to get other things done.” I saw the sadness in her eyes as she slowly nodded. “I need to get back there eventually, Mom. There’s no way around that.”
