by Hilary Storm
I decide to wait in the lobby with Holden. Even the big strong Holden is struggling to keep it together as he calls the rest of the group. I don't blame him, I'd want to tell them everything immediately too. I can hear screams of excitement as he makes his way to Eaven.
“We’re waiting to find out about the baby. Yeah, Kimber brought her in.” I walk down the hall and away from the rest of his conversation trying to think about where in the world I want to start my life again. Missouri isn't the place, no matter how much I fit in there.
I decide to check on Lilly and Luke one last time before I slip out. Turning the corner to her ER room, I see Luke leaned over talking to her stomach. He’s been thrown into fatherhood with no preparation, but I know he’ll be an amazing father. I watch him interact with his son through Lilly’s perfect belly for a little while longer, then see him slide his hand over it and turn to talk to her. I can't interrupt them during this. They've been robbed of so many moments like this and it's only right they have the chance to create their own memories.
Turning to walk away, I hit solid man right behind me. I didn't hear Holden follow me in.
He walks with me back out to the lobby. “Tell me where you're at Kimber.”
“I'm going to leave and let them have their time.”
“You need to let Luke decide what he wants.”
“No. I won't give him an option.”
“But I know you have nowhere to go.”
“I'll find a place.” He walks a few feet before turning to face me again.
“How can I change your mind?”
“You can't. I have to go.”
“I have a cabin you can stay at for as long as you need. You can take some time and decide where you want to go.” He stares at me after his offer, waiting for my response. I really don't have any other option at this moment so I decide to take him up on it.
“I'd be very grateful if you'd let me stay there.”
“Perfect! I have a business partner that's not too far from there, he's finishing up an assignment in a few days. I'll send him up to check on you and make sure you have what you need.”
“I appreciate that.” He extends his arms and I walk into them. Even though it's only been a few days since I met him, I'm going to miss him. I'll miss the entire group of them, but at least I know that broken shell of a man that saved me in California has been fixed and will have his great group of friends to help him through anything life throws at him.
“How soon do you want to go?”
“I'm leaving now.”
“I'll set up transportation for you as soon as it's available.”
“Thank you.”
I stand with Holden for a few more minutes before he asks, “So how did you get to her before I did?”
“Used my resources.”
“Yeah, well I have very deep resources and you beat us there.”
“My resource was my prison held father. Guess he decided to try to be a dad for one moment when I asked a favor.”
“So, he knew Alex?”
“Yep. There's a lot of that kind of stuff around the underground fighting ring. Plus my father was always being invited to parties and random shit. It's not surprising he knows him and his private home.”
“You did a number on that door.”
“Eh, that felt good. I'm just not sure what they're going to say about me killing him. You know all that ‘keep him alive’ crap.”
“Yeah. It was self-defense. You’ll need to be available so they can question you before you fly out.” Just then a few detectives walk in. He stands and I watch him approach them. They look over at me and point as they talk. I can just imagine what they're saying. “She killed the big bad Alex?” The officers walk toward me and begin to talk. Holden stands proudly as I retell my story and wait for their response. The detectives don't seem to be angry about anything and in fact thanked me for making their job easy. The lead guy in Montana on the other hand my have a different response. They ask me to stay for further questioning before I leave and I agree. I have nothing to hide.
I'm sitting by myself when Luke enters the lobby. His eyes search the room frantically until he sees me. He sits beside me, resting his elbows on his knees, leaning forward in the usual Luke position he takes when he's thinking.
“I can't thank you enough.”
“Tell me the baby is okay.”
“He's fine. They're going to keep her for observation.”
“That's great news.” I look down at my hand as he slides his over it.
“Luke please don't. Please don't make this harder than it has to be.”
“Kimber.”
“Stop.” I stand. I can't do this if he touches me. My strength can only stand so much. “I'm leaving as soon as I'm done with the questioning in the morning.” He stands behind me as I face away from him.
“Where are you going?”
“I'll figure it out.” I'm not going to tell him Holden is helping. I need to keep my distance from him.
“But I don't want you to go.” I turn to face him and fight back every emotion surging forward. The tears from my eyes are the proof I'm failing at hiding it, but I give it my best effort.
“Luke. You deserve happiness. You deserve to have what was taken from you so tragically and you deserve the woman worthy of this tattoo on your body.” I place my hand over his shirt where the Freebird tattoo lies permanently on his chest.
“You deserve that too.”
“And I'll find my own happiness. This is yours.” He looks at me for a few minutes, brushing his thumbs beneath my eyes drying up my tears like he always does.
“Will you at least tell me when you get there?”
“Yes.” I'm not lying. Maybe one day I'll let him know where I end up, but it won't be soon. It's best we cut ties because as much as I want him to be happy, I don't think I can swallow watching it day in and day out. I love him. He changed me.
I stand with him in a painful silence and I try to put my feelings together. My heart aches, but I know this is what I have to do.
Love hurts. Love slices you open bearing your entire soul to someone even when they may not love you back. Love is harsh. Love is beautiful. Love is what makes us excited for tomorrow in a world of tragedy and sorrow. Even feeling the pain I'm feeling now, if I had the chance to do it all again, I wouldn't change a thing. Loving Luke will always be an important piece of my heart. Spending the short amount of time with him and feeling his strength and love was better than never feeling love at all. He taught me how to be loved. He taught me how to love myself enough to be treated right, and for that I’ll always owe him.
EPILOGUE
“Luke. Wake up. My water just broke!”
It's been two weeks since we found Lilly. We’ve moved into a new house and the constant crazy surrounding us has me dragging ass, but I jump out of bed with her whisper.
We have a bag packed. The car seat has been properly installed and I've made sure Lilly has lifted nothing the entire time, waiting for this day to come. The doctor told us yesterday that he's ready anytime now, I just didn't realize how quick it would be.
I grab a shirt and pull on a pair of jeans, rushing around the room like there's a fire.
Sliding the bag over my shoulder I stand ready to react, attack, run or fight, whichever comes first. I'm so excited that I'm scared. I'm so terrified that I'm worried and I'm so fucking lost that I'm losing it.
“What do you need?”
“Just walk with me to the car. My contractions aren't extremely close, so we will be just fine.” I've read about all of this. It's going to be okay. Just stay calm and get her to the hospital, then let the doctors lead.
“Luke. Wait. I love you. So many nights I cried thinking you'd miss this day.” She starts crying. “And now. You're here. You're going to see your son today.”
“I am!” It's so surreal. I put my arms around her and stand there with her for a few seconds. This is our day. The day we meet our son. This day
will always be like a bookmark in my life where a new chapter begins.
I snap out of it as I think about the horror of not making it to the hospital in time. I can't let that shit happen, so I lean down to pick her up.
“What the hell are you doing?”
“I'm going to carry you.”
“No you're not! Put me down!” I don't listen and I remember her saying her water broke. I can just imagine what's on my arm. Looking down I see that she's dry. Her yoga pants are perfect.
“Where's the water.”
“That was about an hour ago. I showered and got ready before I woke you.”
“Are you fucking crazy?” She laughs as I walk faster to the car, kicking the door closed with my feet as we pass.
“You need a doctor now!”
“Calm down, Luke.”
“I'll be calm when this is over and you're okay. Until then, I'm flipping my shit.” I sit her down next to the door to my new SUV. I just bought a dad car and I'm proud as hell about it. My son will need to get to places safely and all I had was the bike.
She gets in like she's just fine and I run around the front to the driver’s side.
“You're so funny. Stop being crazy, I'm not going to be able to stand you when I'm in labor, you know. I may say I want to kill you and that this is all your fault.”
“Yeah.”
“Just remember it is your fault and I'm so excited to meet our son. Did you decide on the name?”
“Yes.”
“What did you decide?”
“I’ll tell you when he arrives.” Just then she closes her eyes and starts breathing deep. I speed faster to the hospital and dial the number to call ahead. She does the whole breathing thing and we make it through our first contraction together.
I drive like hell with my hazard lights on rushing down the road, thankful there's not much traffic in our way.
We arrive safely and everything happens so fast. They check her as soon as they can and she's already a two.
We move to a room and the nurses hook every monitor imaginable onto Lilly.
Our friends all arrive and make a point to see her before the big moment and I catch myself smiling so hard that my face hurts. Today is a great day. It's not a day I would've requested or even thought about, but I've changed with everything that's happened. My priorities are different.
Things progress very quickly from there and she’s dilated to an eight within a few hours. She decides not to get an epidural and I'm so proud of her. Not that I'd do the same, but it's up to her.
“It's time to push now. Lilly, let's deliver this healthy boy today.” She shakes her head yes to the doctor, bears down and pushes my son out of her body with a few hard contractions.
I hold her hand and one leg as I watch him enter this world. I've never seen anything like this and never will again. This moment can’t be recreated and I'm consumed with love for him already.
She's crying happy tears while we both smile at him then at each other. This is how it's supposed to be. This is what I almost missed.
When did my life become so perfect? When did all the sadness turn into me looking forward to what tomorrow brings? Lilly will always be my love. She captured me long before I even knew she had and now I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with her!
“What's his name?”
“Lake Jacobs!”
“I love that name!”
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Synopsis
Kimber has left behind every single thing she knows to start a new life. She's looking for something secure and away from her past. She’s moved into her friend’s cabin until she decides what path she wants to take. Trying to destress a little she decides to go somewhere for a drink.
Aiden works all the time and doesn't play often. He's sent to check on a woman Holden sent to the cabin after a very intense assignment. Looking for some down time before he starts something new, he stops in at a local bar for a beer.
What happens when these two meet and have no idea who the other one is? Will a night of laughter and fun start an entire relationship or will everything come to a crashing halt when they realize what they've done?
Whiskey Dreams
Sneak Peek of Chapter One
Kimber
I arrive at the cabin after the truck carrying all of my things. It's not much, but it's all I've got. Unloading is quick and painless as I drop all of it in the front room of the massive place. I sit in the chair next to the large window providing a great view of the scenery.
My mind wont stop thinking about my recent phone call. Lilly was hard to understand. She cried through her words as she thanked me for everything. Her apologies were very sincere and I hate that I like her. I hate that I have nothing bad to say about her. She's a fighter and a woman who was dealt a shitty father. I know a little about what it's like to be that woman.
She's been released from the hospital and she mentioned that Luke was working with the guys to find them a place to stay. I don't think she was trying to rub it in or anything, because I asked how he was doing. I do care that he's happy and going to get what he deserves. Maybe one day, I'll make a trip to Missouri and see everyone again. That's not anything in the near future, but it's something to think about.
Eaven, Ivy, Lyndsey, and Holden have called me multiple times already. I know they just feel bad about how it all turned out and want to make sure I'm dealing well.
I can't say that I am. I'm here. That's about all I've got.
I take a tour of the cabin and choose the master bedroom to move my things into. I browse through the kitchen and make a list of all the grocery items I need to shop for to get me by for a few days. I hope that I decide where I'd like to go by then, but I can tell by the serenity of this place that it'll do me some good to stay here for at least that long.
Driving my Jeep into town is an adventure. This place was put on Earth so people could drive Jeeps through the terrain. I love it and can't believe I've never had mine on these types of adventures.
I drive through the center of town and notice a pub that looks like it would be a great place to grab a bite to eat and a beer before I plunge into the grocery store. I could use a beer and a little time just people watching. Hell, maybe I'll find someone who's life has been crazier than mine and I'll feel better about everything.
I sit at the bar and watch the bartender interact with all the customers. A few have plates of food, but the majority are just here to drink. I'm looking over the menu when I hear a southern deep voice echo through the room. Glancing over my menu, I'm drawn to the muscles on the man wearing a button up with the arms tore off and jeans that put the word tight to shame. His legs are massive and I can see he must really struggle getting in and out of those things.
He catches me looking and starts to walk my way with a smirk on his face. Those lips are slightly puckered as he approaches with confidence and I raise my menu to block my view from anything further.
"Jack and coke, Darlin'." He sits in the bar stool next to me and orders. "Howdy, Ma'am," I turn to see him looking at me from my feet all the way up as his eyes glide over my body.
"I think you need to have a drink with me."
"That's alright, I already have one."
"Well, then we can at least have a toast on our first meeting. The name is Aiden. What's yours?"
"Brie."
Have you read Hilary's number one best selling novel in Contemporary and Erotica?
'Six' took the world by storm and has been receiving rave reviews! Check out the prologue and chapter one below!
Six
Prologue
15 years ago
I can hear a tiny scream in the distance. I'm sure it's some bratty ass kid defying their mom or dad, but I have to see for myself. Flashbacks of my entire childhood begin to fill my head. It'
s not usually a great idea to go behind these buildings this late at night. Hell, I know that from first-hand experience too. My curiosity just may get me in trouble this time, but I have to.
Turning the corner, my fear comes to life. Some greasy fucker has a little girl against the wall, rubbing his cock around her mouth. Tears are pouring out of her eyes and my feet have already landed me within arm’s reach of this fucker before he realizes I'm here.
Grabbing the collar of his shirt, I take him directly to the ground behind him. My other arm secures him to the pavement with a death grip. He attempts to fight me as I squeeze the life out of his body as my fingers flex into his neck.
I have zero mercy. His eyes bulge open wider as he tries to speak to me through them. I'm not listening to his pleas. This man is dead. He will die. I'll make sure of it.
He signed his death wish the minute he laid his cock on the little girl's face. Hell even before that.
A tiny whimper sneaks in through the rage in my head. I grip tighter as I turn to see her crouched on the ground with her hands over her eyes. Dirty blonde hair is draped over her face, helping to hide this scene from her.
The gasping sounds of his last moment on Earth should stop me from ending him, but it doesn't. I turn back to watch him die. Leaning in close to his disgusting face, I leave him with the last words he'll ever hear.
"I'll see you in hell. You'd better be ready, because I'll be looking for your ass as soon as I step through the gate."
The grip of his fingers on my forearm relaxes and eventually his arms fall beside him.
His pants are still at his ankles when I stand up, so I drag him behind the dumpster and pull a raunchy bag out of it, dropping it on his dick. His shit should be gnawed on by the rats.
I'll have to come back for him later. Right now I need to make sure she's ok. Fuck, how can she be ok?
