by Green, Vicki
Hailey
Sometimes I think most people are crazy, not that I don’t like to have fun and do spur of the moment things. Okay, maybe I’m not that spontaneous. So, Tanner was released from the hospital a week and a half after that horrible night. I say horrible because it just about drove Jolie insane with worry. Guess I was worried about Tanner myself and okay, I might have been kinda a little concerned about Barrett. Like put your index finger and your thumb about a fourth of an inch apart. Like a pinch. The night before Tanner left the hospital, he and Jolie announced they wanted to adopt those kids they rescued. That’s sorta sweet. Here’s the catch. They started checking into it once they got home and according to the state – they could adopt them but will have a much more difficult time of doing it because they aren’t married. Tanner contacted his lawyer and he confirmed. Who has their own lawyer? Come to find out Tanner inherited a ton of money when his dad passed away and he sold the family business. Who knew? Anyway, so Tanner drops down on one knee and proposes to Jolie, right on the spot! Kind of a short relationship to be doing that but I guess when people know they found the right person, they know. I wouldn’t know. Jase hired another person at Battle Ground and I worked there, when I could get away from the station, while Tanner recuperated and Jolie waited on him hand and foot. Oh, she worked when she could but she worried about Tanner so much while she was there that Jase would just tell her to go home and he’d take over her clients and other responsibilities, most of the time. This guy Jase hired. He gives me the creeps. Nothing new for me, I guess, but this time, I think I’m right about him. I swear, Barrett all but growls at him every time he’s around.
So, in the last four months, Tanner started adding on to his house. The addition jets out from the right side down through the backyard adding three more rooms and two bathrooms. I told him he should build up but he said he wants to keep it a ranch style. Ohhh kay. Whatever. Everyone helped get it done – Jase, Barrett, Jolie, and Alena even made curtains and helped Jolie select furniture for the kid’s rooms and all the light fixtures and things. I even helped. Everyone took shifts so they didn’t miss work. In between all that, Alena, Jolie, and I arranged everything for the wedding. Like I know what all to do for a wedding. Jolie would just ask me to do something and I’d do it. Alena and I have been best friends all our lives but once she and Jase reunited and after everything they endured, plus she’s been dealing with her pregnancy, there just isn’t enough time for us to hang out much. Jolie and I took a bit to become friends but now I can say we are great friends. Maybe even best friends. Alena is kinda of a girly-girl whereas Jolie is kind of a strong, independent, tough chick. It’s like having the best of two worlds.
Anyway, Jolie keeps leaving subtle hints in conversations about Barrett. I get she’s grateful to him for helping save Tanner’s life, but I know what’s really on her agenda. We’ve talked about him several times before. Sigh. She’s so stubborn. I know it’s because she wants me to be happy. I know that she’s trying to help me with my fear of men. But truthfully? She’s really starting to annoy me.
Yes, I was in a really bad relationship.
Yes, I have no one to blame but myself for being in it so long.
No, I don’t want to talk about it.
Okay, so back to everything that’s happening. Tomorrow Tanner and Jolie get married in their backyard underneath a big tent, fully decked out. Since neither of them have any family, it’s really only going to be them and their friends so this will be perfect. They said since only friends will be there, we’re all kinda their best men and bridesmaids. I laughed out loud. Well, I couldn’t help it. Jolie did ask Jase to walk her down the small aisle. Seems appropriate. Jase is the one who met Jolie in college and she followed him back here and helped him get his gym up and running. She and Tanner are going to save their honeymoon for another time but I’m sure that won’t be a problem. It’s not like they won’t be alone in their house once all four of their guests leave.
Today, Jolie is running around with her head cut off, directing the delivery guys that brought the furniture for the kids rooms. Seems premature to me. They aren’t even sure they will be able to adopt them yet. But, what do I know?
“Be careful with that!”
I turn my head towards the hallway and see Jolie pulling her hair, literally, while the two guys are carrying in a big TV. That’s going in Tommy’s room. You should have seen the huge doll house that they carried in earlier for Sara’s room. Do you think these kids are going to be spoiled? Pretty much. Jolie said she wanted them to have everything they never got to have and everything she never got to have growing up. That pretty much leaves it wide open, since none of them got to have anything. I guess I can understand how she feels though. Me? I didn’t have much either. As soon as I was born and wasn’t a boy, Mom didn’t have much to do with me. Still doesn’t. Dad? He was better, gave me a lot of love and attention growing up. That’s how I found my love and fascination of cars. Once Mom divorced him, he took to drinking. A lot. Mom’s excuse for the divorce? Dad was so busy with the station that he didn’t have time for her. Personally, I think she just didn’t love him and obviously she didn’t want me so that was her out. So, since Dad is normally inebriated, T.J. and I pretty much run the station. T.J. is older than Dad, has a heart of gold, and no family of his own. He and Dad grew up together, even though T.J. was two years older.
“Hailey! Can you come help me move this stuff around, please?”
I roll my eyes, a bad habit I picked up in high school when all the prissy girls were around. I walk down the hallway, take a left and continue my walk, stopping at the first door on the right. Sara’s room. I cock my hip and rest my hand there. “Uh. Why didn’t you have the delivery guys put everything where you wanted it?” She turns and gives me a smirk.
“I don’t know how I want everything yet. How could I tell them where to put things?”
I have a feeling we’re gonna be in here for a long time.
An hour and a half of my life later, I had a really great workout, helping to move furniture around. Three times. Ugh!
“Babe! Come look!”
Tanner.
I’ve told him and told him, the bride to be is supposed to be surprised but he keeps wanting to show her everything they’ve been working on. Men! “Be right there!” Of course, Jolie’s no help at all. Rolling my eyes, I follow her out of the room, down the hall, and through the house until we’re outside on the deck. About twenty feet from the deck stands a huge tent, lights hanging all around the outside. Jolie takes off running down the steps and across the yard right into the tent. So much for surprises.
“Aren’t you going to go look.”
I don’t bother turning at the sound of Barrett’s voice. “No. I’ll see it tomorrow.” I yawn. I feel him before I see him beside me.
“Tough day?” he asks, the sound of his voice makes it seems like he’s really interested.
I laugh. “Try, tough four months.” Working basically two jobs and helping out when Jolie needed me then getting everything ready for tomorrow has completely worn me out.
“Sounds like you could use a vacation.”
I shrug. “I’ve never had a vacation.”
“Not even growing up?” He sounds like it’s incredulous that I wouldn’t have had a vacation.
Annoyed, I turn and face him. “No. My family wasn’t like a “normal” family,” I say with air quotes. “We didn’t hang together. And I’ve been working at the station since I was old enough to stand on a stepstool and learn how to tinker on cars.” I turn back around, facing the backyard, and cross my arms.
“Sounds like you really need one then.”
I turn my head and give him a scowl. “Why is my needing a vacation so intriguing to you?”
“Oh, I dunno. Maybe because I have to go to California next week and hang around for my brother’s
wedding and will be gone for two weeks and thought maybe you’d like to take a vacation and go with me,” he says rubbing his shaven chin, and right over that chiseled jaw. What?
A laugh bubbles up and burst out of my mouth. “Why in the hell would I want to go anywhere with you, even if I could ever get time off from the station and go?”
He turns and puts his hands on my arms, turning me to face me. I look down at his hands and then back up at him, my brows lowering. His releases my arms and raises his hands, palms up. “Because. We could get to know each other and there’s beaches….”
“The ocean,” I murmur, envisioning it in my mind.
“Yes, that would mean the ocean. And my father has some pretty cool race cars in his garage that….”
My eyes widen. “Race cars?” I cross my arms and smirk. “Like what?”
He relaxes his stance, bringing up his hand and looking at his fingernail, nonchalantly. “Oh, like an Audi R8, in mint condition.” My lips part. “A Porsche GT2 911.” My mouth opens wider. “A Buggatti Veyron 16.4.” I feel like a fish out of water, my mouth is open so wide. “Among others.”
“Others?” He nods, acting like it’s no big deal.
I regain my senses and snap my mouth close. “So? I barely know you. Why in the hell would I want to travel thousands of miles with you and then spend two weeks with you? And go to another wedding? I don’t even like weddings! The only reason I’m going to this one is because we’re friends.” I turn to walk back into the house, tired of listening to this absurdity, when he grabs my arm and spins me back around, his mouth is on mine before I can yell at him. His amazing scent fills the air, making me wonder if it’s from a bottle or him. His lips are as soft as I remember from when I spontaneously kissed him before he and Tanner left on their mission. That short quick kiss left me longing for more but I didn’t dare. I should be fighting him off. I should slap him and call him a brute, instead I find myself melting into him, my arms moving up his broad chest, the strong muscles there twitching in my wake. His tongue sweeps across my bottom lip then the upper one and as I let out a sigh, my lips part. He takes that as an invitation and his tongue enters.
Wet.
Soft.
He tastes of beer and peanuts. Hmmm.
“Hailey, I….” My eyes snap to the left, staring into the wide eyes and open mouth of Jolie. “Oh, my God!” She shrieks and I push against Barrett’s chest, almost falling over as I stumble back as far as I can get, bumping right into the grill.
“What?” I shout, brushing my hair back and tugging on the hem of my shirt. “I wasn’t doing anything. I was just….” I look over at Barrett, who has the biggest smile on his face. I scrunch mine, raising a brow, and his fades quickly. I look back at Jolie and square my shoulders shaking my head and lift my chin. “I was just leaving. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I turn and walk as fast as I can into the house and to the front door. I practically jog to my truck and almost make it safely inside when I’m yanked away. I look into the browns of Barrett’s eyes.
“Stop. Hailey, wait.” He’s out of breath and so am I. It’s like all the oxygen evaporated as soon as he turned me around. “Wait. I….” He looks so deeply into my eyes that I almost feel the need to look away. “Don’t leave like this.” I search his eyes, finding so much emotion there. “I know you don’t know me well but know this …. I will never ever intentionally hurt you, mentally or physically.” I’m sure that’s what they all say. He bends so that he’s looking me square in my eyes. “I know you don’t believe me, and I get that. You have no reason to. I’m gonna prove it to you.” I swallow hard from the intensity of his stare. I try to move, but his grip tightens around my arm. “See you tomorrow?” I nod shakily and he smiles, lighting up his entire face. He releases my arm, and I get into my truck.
The ride home is the longest of my life, even though it normally would take me about ten minutes. After I get out of my truck, grab my mail from the small box in the entryway, I walk the short distance to my door, unlock it, and walk inside. Closing it with my foot, I lean back against the chipped wood and let out a breath. My eyes fill with tears as I slide down the door and land on my bottom, pulling my legs up, and wrapping my arms around them.
He’s beyond gorgeous. Short brown hair but long enough I can run my fingers through it. Light brown eyes but when the sun shines on them they almost look like the color of honey. Broad chest, strong muscular arms. I’ve never seen him with his shirt off but with a wife beater on at the gym, you can tell his stomach is flat and can see the bulges of his tight abs. His legs are just as muscular as his arms and his skin is smooth, unblemished, silky soft. And when he smiles? Straight white teeth that make the whole area brighten.
“He wants me to go to California?” I laugh. “With him?”
He saved Tanner’s life, much like Tanner saved Jase. Tanner’s a good man, I know that now. But does that automatically mean Barrett is?
My phone vibrates in my pocket, shaking me from my mental exhaustion. I take it out and swipe the screen, seeing I have a text. When I go into my text icon, I gasp out loud. “No.” How in the hell did he get my private number? This is the fifth number I’ve had in the last six months. Should I open it or delete without reading it? Maybe I should screen shot it. Evidence. But that means I have to open it. Dammit! How in the hell is he out and no one told me? Closing my eyes, I take a few deep breaths. When I open them I take one more breath and open the message.
I’m back. Baby, I’ve missed you. Who in the fuck is the asshole hanging around you? Did you miss me? I can’t wait to see you!
My hands start shaking as I take a screen shot then quickly delete the message, the phone slides out of my hands and onto the floor. “Oh, no.” My heart is beating so fast that I feel ill. “Not again.”
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Barrett
I must be crazy thinking Hailey would want me. All I’ve heard is that she was neglected pretty much by her parents, an only child, and the one big relationship she’s been in was abusive. To what extent, I don’t know. But it must have been bad enough that it’s made her ward off all guys. I aim to change that.
I get back to my apartment, all my thoughts on the evening. Kissing Hailey. Trying to talk her into going to California with me. I must be crazy to think she will yet I can’t imagine being gone from her for that long. That long dark hair that I imagine fisting, and pulling, as I make love to her. That tight cute ass of hers and big bright eyes with a dark blue coloring. Her breasts look more than what would fill my large hands and with her slim waist, her body is perfection.
My phone rings as I enter my apartment. I really should think about getting a house myself. Tanner had the right idea. I really like this town. Maybe it’s time to set some roots. I look at the screen and smile. I put it up against my ear, still smiling. “Brett! How are you?”
“Hey, bro!” You can hear the smile in his voice. “Can’t wait to see you! It’s been too long.”
He’s not kidding. In the last four years I think I’ve been home twice and that’s only because once – I actually made it there for Christmas and the second time was when Stacey graduated from high school. It seemed like every family get together, I’d be on a stakeout or in the middle of arresting criminals and tied up in their red tape. “Yes, it has. I’m looking forward to it.”
He laughs. “I hear you’re actually gonna stay for a little while this time? Little vacation, huh?” I let out a sigh thinking about doing some much needed relaxing and doing some surfing. “You know Mom’s going crazy having everyone get the vacation house ready. She’s pretty much annoying everyone.” I laugh. That’s Mom. “Hey! I can line us up some pretty hot women while you here. There’s this set of twins….”
“I might be bringing someone.”
Silence.
More silence.
Then laughter.
/> “WHAT? No way, man! You?”
“What? I can bring someone home.”
“Yeah and pigs can fly.” Jerk. “Shall I remind you that you’ve never brought a girl home? Shall I remind you that you never even dated in high school? Shall I remind you that….”
My brows lower. Man, I sound like a loser. “Okay. That’s enough.” He cackles and I pull my phone away from my ear.
“Okay. Okay. I’m sorry.” I bring the phone back, relieved he stopped teasing me. “So, this must be some woman. Who is she?” Someone I hope will let me in.
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
We talk for a while longer, and then I get ready for bed. I need a really good night’s sleep. I plan on doing a lot of pleading and begging tomorrow for her to go with me.
The next morning consisted of a light breakfast and then running around town with Jase and Tanner to pick up orders that Jolie had made for more furniture items for the kids rooms and food for the intimate wedding reception. Once at Tanner’s, we unloaded and set up the furniture and then we used the different rooms to get ready for the wedding. Us guys used Tommy’s new bedroom while the girls used Tanner and Jolie’s bedroom. By late afternoon, a minister showed up and everyone but Jase and Jolie went out to the tent to get ready for the ceremony to begin. The entire time I’ve been here, Hailey’s barely looked at me. Guess my pleading and begging needs to go up several notches.
Seems weird that Hailey and Alena are sitting on chairs to my left, across a small aisle, and I’m sitting alone but this is how Tanner and Jolie wanted it. Just friends. They don’t really have family, except for us. Music plays from a CD and we turn and see Jase and Jolie standing at the end of the aisle. Jolie is absolutely glowing, wearing a simple off white long dress with fresh baby’s breath sporadically placed in her short hair. She’s holding a bouquet of daisies with baby’s breath intermingled. The guys were told to wear nice slacks and a nice button down shirt, casual. Jolie’s arm is around Jase’s as they begin walking towards us. I look back at Tanner, who’s smiling so big, his eyes full of love for the woman walking towards him. I couldn’t be happier for the two of them, and I hate to admit, a little jealous. Jase brings Jolie to the front and stops, whispers words that make her smile and tear up at the same time. She turns and Jase raises her hand, putting it into Tanner’s then says something to Tanner that makes him laugh. Jase gives Jolie a quick kiss on her cheek then sits down next to Alena. I catch how he immediately places his arm around her then leans over and kisses her while putting his hand on her stomach.
