The Slade Brothers: A Complete Small Town Contemporary Romance Collection

by Alexis Winter

  Drake gets up and walks down the stairs, I’m guessing to go tell Celeste the result of the vote. He seems letdown by us, but the fact of the matter is that this guy can’t be trusted, not yet. He’ll get the money he’s after. And that doesn’t mean that Drake can’t get to know him. He can invite him to family cookouts and treat him like the long-lost brother he is. All it means is that the brewery is protected. That’s what’s most important to me.

  Twelve

  Deven

  I lock up the store for the day and head back to the motel room. Every time I walk into this room, I get excited because I know who waits for me on the other side of that door, but it’s also just a reminder that I have no family left. I don’t know how long it’s going to take Brad to forgive us, but I hope it’s sooner rather than later. I don’t know how long I go can without fixing things between us.

  I walk into the room and Hudson is sitting at the table, a beer in his hand. When I walk in, he looks up, locking his eyes on mine as a smile takes over his face.

  “Hey, babe,” he says, standing and leaning over the table to kiss me.

  “Hey, how was your day?” I ask, putting my things down and taking my seat across from him.

  He reaches across the table and takes my hand. “I have some things to tell you.”

  “Okay.” I nod.

  “I saw Brad today,” he starts.

  “What? You did? Where? How’s he doing? Is he still mad?” All the questions rush out all at once.

  He nods. “He’s doing good. He was still pissed, but we talked and I explained everything. I told him that we aren’t just messing around, that we really loved one another, and that we’re going to get married and start a family someday.”

  “And?” I ask, needing the answer now.

  “And he said he’s okay with it. He was upset because he thought I was just another guy that was going to take you and throw you away. He was mad at you for getting involved with me behind his back because he was just trying to protect you. But once I told him that we’re together and staying that way, all his fears went away.”

  “So, he’s really okay with us? Like, we can be around him and be a couple and he’s not going to freak out?”

  “He’s really okay with it,” he promises.

  “That’s great! Let’s go see him,” I say, standing up, but his hand doesn’t leave mine. It holds me back and he drags me over to his lap.

  “There’s more.”

  “Oh, okay.” I wrap my arms around his neck as I stay seated on his lap.

  “He’s okay with it now since we talked. But he wasn’t okay with it before. He was pissed and he called your mom.”

  “He what?”

  He nods. “Your mom is on her way here. She’s expecting to have breakfast with you and Brad tomorrow morning. And then after breakfast, she’s going to try to take you back home.”

  “What? No!” I stand, moving away from him.

  “She thinks that you’ve just been here causing trouble for Brad. So she wants to take you home so she can keep an eye on you, help you stay out of trouble.”

  “No!” I shake my head. “I’m not going back there! I’m not going anywhere with her. And I’m not leaving you.”

  He stands up, holding out his palms. “I know. She can’t make you go anywhere, Deven. You’re staying here with me. And then, we’ll take the next step. We’ll start building our house or we’ll move anywhere you want to go. I’m never letting you walk away again. You hear me? I won’t let her take you.” He closes the distance between us and pulls me to his chest. “You’re mine, Deven.” His lips crash against mine and he kisses me deeply. I believe his words. I trust him.

  I kiss him hard until I’m breathless. “So, what am I going to do?” I rest my head against his chest.

  “We’re going to breakfast in the morning. You’re going to tell your mom that you’re not a child. You’re an adult and you’re not going anywhere. Tell her that you’re not getting into trouble, that you have a full-time job, that we’re going to get married and start a family of our own. I will be there with you. Understand?”

  I nod, looking up to meet his eyes. They’re the deepest, darkest blue I’ve ever seen them. They hold nothing but truth and honesty, protection and love.

  I wake to Hudson’s phone ringing at four a.m.

  “Hello?” he answers in the darkness of the room. There’s a silent pause. “I’ll be right there.” He jumps out of bed and scrambles to get his clothes.

  I sit up. “What’s going on?”

  “There’s a huge fire in the neighboring town. They’re calling in for backup. I have to go.” He bends down and presses a quick kiss to my lips. “Love you.”

  “Hudson, what about breakfast?” I ask as he grabs his phone and keys off the table and rushes for the door.

  “I’ll try my best to make it, babe. Just remember, she can’t make you do anything you don’t want to, okay?”

  I nod and he rushes out, leaving me alone.

  I throw myself back on the bed and look up at the ceiling. I know he’s right. I’m a legal adult. She can’t force me to do anything I don’t want to do anymore. But this is my one chance to make things right with her, tell her my side of the story, and pray that she believes me. I would love to have my mother back, to treat her the way I should’ve been treating her my whole life. I won’t let her leave until she hears me out, believes me, trusts me and, maybe, even love me again.

  I somehow manage to drift off to sleep, but my alarm goes off at seven and I wake up to an empty bed. Hudson still isn’t back, and worry bubbles up my throat. I never thought about how dangerous this job is. What if something happens? I shake my head. No, I can’t think like this right now. I have to believe that he’s fine, that he’ll be walking in to interrupt breakfast minutes after it starts. He’ll be there with me. I know he will.

  I get up and shower, taking time to fix my makeup and hair. I pull on a pair of jean shorts and a cute red T-shirt I bought from Destiny’s. I slide my feet into my brown leather sandals and grab my things to head out.

  I knock on Brad’s door and he yells for me to come in. I walk in and find him in the kitchen, preparing breakfast.

  “Hey,” I say, leaning against the counter and crossing my arms over my chest.

  “Hey,” he responds, flipping the bacon. When he has things settled on the stove for a few minutes, he comes over to stand in front of me. He looks down at me and suddenly pulls me in for a crushing hug.

  “I’m sorry I wouldn’t listen. I was just so angry. I felt betrayed, not just by my best friend, but my sister.”

  I nod against his chest. “I know, and I’m sorry you had to find out that way. It wasn’t our intention. We were going to do this right,” I assure him.

  “I know. Hudson told me. I’m sorry for calling Mom. If it helps, I’ll make sure to clear things up with her.” He pulls away to head back to the stove.

  I nod and smile. “Thank you.”

  “Mom and Marco should be here any minute.”

  “Marco?” I ask rather loudly.

  He looks at me, apologetically. “Yeah, I know. I don’t want to see that asshole either, but what can we do? Where Mom goes, he goes. Don’t worry, I’m sure they won’t stay long. They have a wonderful life of privilege to get back to.”

  Someone knocks on the door, and it feels like someone has poured a bucket of ice water over my head. I haven’t seen Marco since the night he forced himself on me. I can still feel his hot breath on my neck. I can taste him on my lips, remember the sting of expensive liquor and cigars on my tongue. I can feel the roughness of his hands as they grab and pull at my body and clothes. I hear the sound of my nightgown ripping as he tries to force it up my body with me fighting against him.

  Brad must have left the room during my meltdown because the next thing I hear the door is being opened and Brad is greeting them.

  “Mom, it’s good to see you,” he says.

  “You too, honey. Look h
ow good-looking you are,” Mom says.

  “Marco,” Brad greets.

  “Where’s your sister? She’s here, isn’t she?” Mom asks.

  “Yeah, she’s helping me in the kitchen,” Brad says, and I know that’s my cue to exit the safety of the kitchen and face my mom and Marco for the first time in months. I take a deep, soothing breath and push myself a step forward. I plaster on a fake smile and force myself one more step, and then another, and then another until I’m finally standing beside Brad.

  Mama looks over at me and smiles, even though I can see the way she truly feels about me just by the coldness of her eyes. They’re dark, but lighter than Brad’s, Dad’s, and mine. They have a hint of green to them, and that green only comes out when she’s stressed or angry. It nearly glows, giving them an evil glint.

  “Mama, how are you?” I ask, keeping my fake smile in place as I lean in and hug her.

  She wraps her arms around me and breathes me in. “I’m good. How have you been, Deven?” Even her tone has a cold, bitter edge to it.

  “I’m great,” I answer, pulling away and refusing to look at Marco at all, even though I can feel his eyes taking in my body. “I hope you’re hungry. Everything is almost done. Why don’t you have a seat while I finish helping Brad in the kitchen?”

  “Yes, Mama, make yourself at home.” Brad leads me back to the kitchen.

  Mom and Marco take a seat on the couch while Brad gets busy plating up all the food. I plop down at the kitchen table, trying to talk down from the freak-out that’s bubbling up. I quickly pull out my phone and send Hudson a text. Where are you? I need you. She brought Marco with her. I can’t face him. Please, hurry.

  I tuck my phone back into my pocket as Brad is setting food on the table. He looks at me with a questioning look. “What’s your problem?”

  I shrug. “I’m just nervous,” I answer, not expecting him to understand. I never told him the reason I was kicked out, so I can’t expect him to understand.

  Brad brings Mom and Marco into the kitchen, and we all sit around the table. Mom focuses on the fresh fruit while Marco and Brad eat the bacon, eggs, and pancakes. I push food around my plate than I eat, but my stomach can’t handle food right now. It’s tied in knots waiting for Hudson.

  “Tell me, how’s the job, Brad?” Mom asks.

  He nods. “It’s going good. I work midnight so my sleep schedule is a little messed up, but I can handle it.”

  Mom smiles his way. “I’m sure you can, baby. You’ve always been strong.” She turns her attention to me. “And what about you, Deven? What have you been doing to pass the time?”

  I can tell by her tone that she hopes I confess all my wrongdoings, but I give her nothing. After the way she’s treated me, she doesn’t deserve anything. “I got a job at a store here in town,” I answer.

  “You?” Her brows raise. “Got a job?”

  “You don’t have to sound so surprised.”

  She scoffs. “Well, I’m sorry. dear, but I’ve never seen you hold down a job. I figured you were just living off your brother like you did me up until you left.”

  Anger bubbles over the surface. “I didn’t leave. I was kicked out, if I remember correctly.”

  “And I wonder why, with an attitude like that,” she replies. “Your brother has filled me in on what you’ve been up to since you got here, and I must say that I am very disappointed. I knew that when I kicked you out that you’d come here, and I had hoped that Brad would be able to handle you and get you to settle down. I mean, my God, Deven. You’re not a child anymore. Your days of chasing boys around and doing God-knows-what is over!”

  “I know that, and I’m sorry for putting you through hell. I really am. I’m not like that anymore. I grew up. I had to grow up. But you’re right. Brad did help me. He helped me far more than you ever did. All you cared about was that I did as you said and stayed out of your way. The second I’d act up, you were threatening to send me away.”

  “A lot of good that did. You’ve been here, screwing a man behind your brother’s back, a man that was clearly off-limits. Not only did you completely disregard my wishes, but you did the same to him. I fear there’s nothing more we can do to get through to you. You’re a lost cause.” She shakes her head. “It’s such a disappointment too. I mean, look how beautiful you are. If you’d only put that beauty to good use, you could actually land a good man, like the one I got instead of these criminals.”

  I refuse to sit and listen to one more minute of this. I push away from the table with tears stinging my eyes. “Have you not heard a damn thing I’ve said? Yeah, the guy I’m with may have been off-limits, but he’s good. He’s a fireman and he works hard, he has money, and he loves me. We’re going to get married, after he builds me my dream house, that is, and then we’re having children. And you best believe that I will never subject them to the likes of you.” I stand and stomp out of the kitchen. “I’m not going back with you either!” I yell, running into Hudson’s old room and slamming the door closed.

  I collapse onto this bed and breathe in the cologne that’s lingering on his old bedsheets. It seems like this room hasn’t been touched since that day. The bed is still a wreck with the blanket, sheets, and pillow on the floor. The dresser is still leaning against the wall, and the bedside table is out of place from where my head bounced off of it. I look up at the wall and see the section of plaster missing from behind the headboard. I close my eyes and think back to our last night here, the way the neighbors were banging on the walls and yelling, the way the headboard hit the wall over and over, the way the mattress squeaked beneath us, the way he felt moving inside my body. Thinking about it calms me and I let out a long, relieving breath. Before I know it, I’m drifting off to sleep.

  I wake sometime later to a quiet apartment. I listen hard, but I don’t hear the soft murmur of people talking in the next room. I don’t hear footsteps or the sounds of dishes clanking or water running. I wonder if Mom and Marco left since I made it clear that I wouldn’t be returning with them. Maybe Brad cleaned up the mess and went to take a nap before going into work tonight. Either way, Hudson never showed up, and even though I know that he’s busy and that his job is important, I feel a little letdown.

  I sit and slide my feet back into my sandals before pushing myself up completely. I exit the room and go straight to the bathroom. I empty my bladder and wash my hands, examining my face in the mirror. My eyes are glassy and bloodshot from sleep, and there’s a line across my cheek from the pillow. I look at the watch on my wrist and see that I’ve only been asleep for around an hour even though it feels like eternity.

  I step out of the bathroom and head for the kitchen. I’m going to get my purse and keys and get out of here. I don’t want to wake Brad, and there’s no point in Hudson showing up now that Mom and Marco are gone. I pause by the couch and send him another text. Never mind. They left and I’m walking out now. I’ll be at the room. Love you.

  I slide my phone back into my pocket and make my way into the kitchen. I look up and my eyes lock on Marco’s. I look around the kitchen quickly. No sign of Brad or Mom.

  “What are you doing here? I thought you left?”

  He nods as he stands from his place at the table, turning his back to it and blocking it from my view. “We’re going to, but your Mom and Brad decided to go take a ride through town. It’s been so long since your mother has been here that she wanted to see what all has changed,” he replies, keeping his eyes on me.

  I watch as they start at my face then fall downward, pausing a little too long on my breasts. “Well, I’m leaving,” I take a step toward him, meaning to grab my purse that’s thrown over the chair, but he takes a step toward me, making me stop.

  “What are you doing?” I ask, fear bubbling up my throat.

  “When your mom told me she was coming to see you, I couldn’t let her come alone. We have unfinished business, don’t we?” He steps toward me and brushes a stand of hair behind my ear.

  I step
away. “Don’t touch me.”

  He smiles and steps forward again, pinning me between him and the counter. “Or what?” he asks, his wicked grin never leaving his lips. He’s close enough now that I can feel his breath blowing across my face. He looks down at my body. “You sure have grown into a beautiful woman, haven’t you?”

  “You disgust me,” I spit out, wanting to show him that I’m not the same girl he used to know. I’m strong now. I’ll fight him, and I will win. He can’t scare me. He can’t touch me. And if he tries, I’ll make sure he regrets it.

  He laughs. “Deven, the way I see it, you owe me.”

  It feels like a smack to the face. “I don’t owe you anything.”

  “Who took you and your mom in when you had no place to go? I did. Who made sure you had food on the table and clothes on your back? I did. Who paid out thousands of dollars to make sure you didn’t go to prison?” He laughs. “Me again. That’s right. If it wasn’t for me, you’d be nothing more than another dirty whore on the streets, peddling your ass for a few bucks. So yes, sweetheart, you do owe me.” He reaches up and grabs a handful of hair, yanking my head back hard.

  As much as it hurts and I want to yell out, I won’t give him the pleasure of hearing me cry out in the pain.

  “So when I say we have unfinished business, you better ask how we’re going to settle your debt.” His mouth lands on mine as his free hand comes up to squeeze my breast painfully. I cry into his mouth as tears sting my eyes. Not again. I can’t go through this again.

  I bring my knee up, hitting him hard in the balls. He immediately releases me and bows over, cupping his manhood with both hands.

  “God-fucking-damnit,” he yells as I dash around him, grabbing my purse that contains my keys and run for the door.

  I’m only inches away. My hand is outstretched, ready to twist the doorknob when he comes up behind me. He wraps his arms around me and slams me into the hard wood floor. My head bounces off the wood and I grow dizzy. My ears are ringing, and my vision blurs and grows dark. I can feel it, the darkness taking me.