by Leaona Luxx
That’s the exact moment the bottom dropped out. Chord walks through the door with his date. But that’s not what made the room go silent. Hardy is dressed in a fitted, black, three-piece Armani suit with a dress shirt the color of his eyes. Just like in my dream. The dream where he kissed me. The dream in which I was marrying him.
Our eyes connect, and a thousand words pass between us before I turn my head. I continue to greet my guests as Walker joins me. His hand at my elbow, he guides me around the room now. I had been walking in the opposite direction of Hardy, but now, I’m walking right to him. I pull my arm away; Walker takes it again. I jerk my arm slightly as Walker tugs me into Hardy’s path.
Whipping my head around, I glare at Walker. His eyes are narrowed and dark. What the fuck is this? I’m not a fucking pawn these two fuckers can play with. I yank, hard, breaking away from Walker. With the motion, I stumble, falling sideways. Right into the arms of the man whom broke me. Hardy.
“Are you okay?” His eyes search for, what? Life?
“I’m fine. Thank you,” I say, finding my footing as he supports me. Walker watches the exchange, saying nothing.
“You look amazing. Congratulations.” Taking my hand, he squeezes it. I squeeze my thighs together from the contact.
“Thank you.” I look around the room, refusing to give him my full attention.
“Yes, thank you. Hardy, right?” Walker stands beside me, like he’s staking a claim.
“Yes, it is. Walker, I presume.” Hardy’s outstretched hand receives no welcome. He doesn’t falter, though. Asshole. “Such a prize.” He winks at me when I glance in his direction. Fucker.
“She is the greatest. Too bad you lost her.” Walker’s face begins to redden. When I try to step away, he yanks me back to his side. Hardy’s fist tightens as his brow cocks from anger. My brothers bare witness as they decide to join us.
“Thayer. Gentlemen.” One nods as he takes my side. Chord stands off to my other side, making Walker uncomfortable enough to release my arm.
“One, it’s good to see you.” Hardy holds his hand out again. One shakes it, as does Chord. Yet, Hardy’s eyes never leave Walker.
“You too, didn’t realize you were coming.” One eyes him suspiciously.
“I invited him,” Chord answers with a glare in Walker’s direction.
“I’m not surprised; you’ve never liked me. But it doesn’t matter, she’s mine,” Walker exclaims as he moves closer to me, once again gripping my elbow.
“Suppose why, Walker?” Chord eggs him on.
“Let’s all just calm down. It’s not the time or place, guys.” One tries to defuse the situation.
“Let go of her, she doesn’t deserve to be manhandled,” Hardy growls as he watches Walker’s grip on me.
“Why are you here? If it’s for her, she’s not going anywhere. She’s mine, you didn’t want her.” Walker’s voice is low and menacing. Breaking Walker’s hold, I step away and toward One.
“First, I don’t belong to anyone. Second, why are you here, Hardy?” I put on a smile so as not to draw any more attention than we have already.
“For you. I came for you.” Hardy’s eyes finally leave Walker’s and bore into mine. My heart skips a beat.
“I’m sorry you’ve come all this way, but I’m engaged. Our wedding is next week,” I say, delivering the words as calmly as possible, because right now, I’m nowhere near calm.
“So I hear. Doesn’t matter, though. I love you. I’ll never stop. I should have never left without fighting for you. I’ll not make that mistake again.” Hardy steps toward me just as Walker cuts him off.
“I think it’s time for you to go,” Walker seethes, placing a finger in the middle of Hardy’s chest.
The men are eye to eye, practically growling at one another. Walker is no pussy, but Hardy is hard in all the right places. Walker works out every day in the local gym, but Hardy gets his build from hard work. Making Hardy built a hell of a lot better. Oh, fuck me.
“Why are you so worried? Thayer can make her own decisions.” Hardy gets in Walker’s face as my dad joins us.
“Boys, let’s not do this now. Thayer, please walk Hardy out. Chord, watch your sister but give her room. Walker, One and I would like you to join us.” My father, Cal, is such an unassuming badass. Kissing me on the cheek, he motions me forward.
“Thank you, Dad. Hardy.” I walk to the sunroom with Hardy and Chord in tow. Chord stands in the back of the kitchen as we step out and shut the door.
The click of the door shutting barely sounds before Hardy begins his desperate plea, making me spin on my heels as anger and regret washes over each of us. Hurt, confusion, and even love wafts through the air as the tension grows between us.
“I’m sorry,” Hardy’s first words mean so little right now. There’s no way he can make up for all our lost months.
“Too little, too late.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I set back on my heel to show him I’m not backing down.
“I know.” His demeanor shifts from cocky to sorrowful. His eyes downcast, he loses his smirk he was just wearing for Walker.
“Then why are you here?” Biting my bottom lip, he watches the color change as he licks his lips. I bite it harder for many different reasons.
“You’re all I have. All I’ve ever wanted. I warned you, I told you I would break you. But you insisted we would make it. At first, I accepted it. I know everything we created together I tore apart. I broke us.” His forehead wrinkles as the ‘v’ between his eyes forms. He rubs the back of his neck with his hand, he’s nervous.
“Yes, you did.” If he thinks this absolves him, he’s full of shit. He nods as once again his eyes are downcast. He can’t even look at me.
“I know, I’m sorry,” he says again in defeat. Fuck this, he can’t even fight for me.
“What do you want, Hardy? For me to be thrilled you’re back? Fall at your feet? Well, mother fucker, you lost that honor.” I’m not sure if I say it to cut him as badly as he did me, or to force him to fight. By the look in his eyes, the fight is gone.
Hardy surprises me by stepping forward into my space, coming so close to me that I can feel his warm breath on this cool, autumn night. His voice scarcely above a whisper as he pleads his case to my mind, my heart has already been won.
“I’ve let you down in so many ways. You’re such a strong woman, a good person. I didn’t realize until after I was gone, it wasn’t you that made me a good man, I’ve always been one. Imagine my shock when I realized I deserved your love. You were never mad I didn’t share Erica and the baby with you. You were hurt because I didn’t believe in us. In you. I told people you were strong, but I didn’t imagine you could be as strong as you were for me. So many times you held me up.” He begins to cry as my lip begins to tremble and my eyes fill. I bite the inside of my cheek. No way in hell will he see me cry too. “I should’ve trusted you. I never should have lied to you.”
“You didn’t lie. You just felt like I wasn’t worth the truth.” I place my fist on my hip.
“What? No, that’s not true. I couldn’t face you with the truth. I knew you could handle it, but I couldn’t. Thayer, I let Erica down. She could never compare to you, even on her good days. So I have no reason to think that I wouldn’t let you down too. Can’t you see? The only part of this that was about you is that I should’ve trusted our love. To know together we could get through any storm.” I stand there stock still, not giving an inch.
“Did you ever think about standing still to see if we could survive the storm? No, Hardy. When the creek started rising from the storm, you ran; you didn’t stand still to see if we could make it. I was scared, you know? I’m still frightened as hell, but I’ll not run. I’m not going to turn my back on Walker.”
Hardy steps closer to me, and I can feel the heat from his body; it knocks the breath from me. “Does he make you come the way I do, Thayer? Does he make you scream his name? That, Thayer, is what we have. That and so much more is what we’ll always have. I
may have fucked up by not believing in us, but at least I fucked you the way you needed to be. I love you. I want you. And I don’t give a fuck if you marry him tonight. I will win you back.” Hardy slides his hand around my waist and pulls me into him.
His hand wraps around my neck while his thumb traces my jaw. Staring deep into my eyes, he presses into me as he leans into my cheek. Taking a deep breath, I can hear him as he rakes his tongue across his lips. He whispers in my ear, making my knees buckle.
“I will have you again. You never lost me; you own me, hun.” His words slip past my ear, warm and delicious. My thighs squeeze together of their own accord when my panties become wet. I’m lost to him as he gently presses his lips into my collarbone where my necklace lays. I shudder.
Fuck.
Pulling back, he gazes into my eyes before stepping away. I watch as Hardy walks around the corner of my family’s home, looking hot as hell.
Fuck.
In a daze, I wander to my truck, parked out front. I can still smell her perfume, feel her against me. Her heat, her soft body, pliable under my touch. Why didn’t I kiss her? Because she’s someone else’s.
Around the corner, a figure gets my attention. A man leans against my truck. At first, I think it’s Walker, but at closer look, I see it isn’t. I’ve seen this man before. He smiles at me like he knows me. What the hell? I scan my surroundings as the hair on my neck stands on end. This ain’t good.
“What’s up, man?” He nods at me as I approach.
“Not much. Can I help you?” I eye him as he winks at me. What the fuck is this shit?
“Nope. But I can help you.” Pushing off my truck, he stands with his hands in his pockets. So he’s not about to kill me.
“How’s that?” I jerk my head toward him.
“I have information you need.” Really? I cock my eyebrow at his words.
“And?” I say, trying to remain cool, I don’t want to show my hand too soon.
“It’s about Erica, you… And Walker.” The fuck he just say?
“I’m listening.” I begin to shift from foot to foot.
“For the right amount of money, I can deliver that luscious piece of ass to your door.” Tipping back on my heels, I fist my hands. Prick.
“More.” I gesture in his direction again.
“Walker made a purchase a few weeks back of some very important information. He shredded it. Now, it’ll cost you a little more than it did him—he’s a friend you know.” Oh, yeah fucker, I know.
“How much?” My face flames at the thought of Thayer being the prize. Yes, she’s more than worth every cent, but the thought of her hanging in the balance fucking enrages me.
“$250,000 will get you every shred. No pun intended.” He chuckles, I suppose he thinks he’s a funny guy.
“How can I get in contact with you?” He hands me a card with a number on it before walking away.
Forgetting I don’t have a home, I go over to Chord’s. Lulu’s here, so I use the key Chord gave me. Unlocking the door, I take my jacket off, tossing it on the back of the couch. Chord walks through the door shortly after.
“Damn, dude. I thought you were going to kiss her. Way to not overplay your hand.” He punches me in the arm as he walks by. Then, a knock at the door. One walks through with Cal. What the hell is going on?
“I rode with Dad so Hadlea could get the kids home. What’s up, Chord?” Chord turns the corner with four beers and a shit-eating grin.
“Well, it would be better if Hardy told it, but I’m betting he won’t. I’m sure he plans to empty his bank account for the fucker in the amount of a quarter of a million. Right?” One and Cal’s mouths hang open as they turn to look at me.
I look at him incredulously. “Are you a ninja? Damn. Here, he’s right about the amount. Something about hidden information about me and Erica. Oh, and Walker.” Their eyes snap back to me for more explanation, so I give them the low down.
“So we have no clue what he has?” Cal asks immediately.
“No, none. But Walker does. He paid less than me but the point is, gentlemen, he paid.” I finish my beer as One picks up his phone.
“Hey, baby. We’re good. Would you mind giving me Kipton’s number, we have a situation. No. I’ll program it in this time, babe. Thank you. I think we’re good. Hardy’s going to empty his bank account to get intel on his life from a stranger. It involves Walker also. Quarter of a million. I’ll tell him. Okay, in the morning. I love you, you know that? Good. I’ll be home soon.” One smiles at his phone as he ends the call. He looks up to find all three of us grinning ridiculously at him. “What? She’s badass.”
“Yeah, we heard.” We laugh as he continues.
“Yeah, my badass is also a quarter of a million short. It’ll be there first thing in the morning. I’d expect more to be honest.” He holds his hands up in defense. “No, don’t try to argue, she’ll just cry and I’ll have to junk-punch you. Take my wife’s money.” I sit, stunned as they laugh.
“Wait. What?” I fight back the tears.
“Listen. Keep her money, use your own, but don’t think for a second if she didn’t, I wouldn’t have. You’re family. It’s about you now more than Thayer. You have a right to know about your life. It’s bullshit someone else knows before you.” I acknowledge him with a nod of my head while he calls Kipton.
We find out Kipton had hired Chet Norwood to check into my background in Charleston when they thought I was missing. The information being shopped around is Lea’s anyway. He’s going to try to get it, but he’s pretty mad he was duped.
I text this guy, Chet, and arrange to meet him the next day. Trouble is, he knows everyone in Thayer’s family, so he might not want to deal. One calls Aksel.
Aksel shows up on his Harley, wearing a leather coat. He fits the part of my kind of friend, even if he does work for his parents and is worth as much as One. I find it funny. Lea’s my kind of people. One and his family never treated her differently, why did I ever think they would treat me differently? I’m such an asshole.
Climbing on to the back of Aksel’s bike, we head out to meet Mr. Chet ‘Dirtbag’ Norwood. My backpack is stuffed with hundreds of bills. Aksel has one also. The bank flipped shit when I started stacking it in them. It still makes me chuckle.
Pulling up, no one is here yet. I told him to meet me at Still Creek. Appropriate, right? We dismount and lay the bags at our feet between the bike and us. For the first time, I feel uneasy. If Aksel gets hurt, Lea will kill me. Fuck, I shouldn’t have agreed to this.
“Aksel?” Glancing over at him, he looks back at me.
“Yeah, Uncle Hardy?” Damn. Now I get it. I never could understand when One said that he gets all kinds of warm inside when his kids call him Dad. It’s a special love only a few share. In this moment, I know he’s my nephew, and he loves me.
“If something goes down, I need you to hit the ground. Okay? If you get hurt or worse, killed, it would finish me, man. So eyes open.” He nods.
“I love you too, dude.” He smiles wide.
“I love you, I’m sorry I never told you before.” My chest aches from this kid’s smile.
“It’s okay. Mom was just like you, but look what Dad’s love did for her. Believe in it.” Shutting my eyes tight, I fight off the tears until I hear tires on the gravel. Snapping them open, I know this is it.
I steady my nerves; I have no clue what could be in these papers. Chet comes to a stop just behind the bike. I angle my body between him and Aksel; no way is he getting to this kid. Tucked under his arm is a manila envelope, thick enough that he holds it with his hand to keep from losing it.
“Hardison Casey Turner. Damn good day to see you. How are you?” He shoves his hand out in front of him, and I take it with a tight squeeze.
“Good. Glad you’re here. Let’s get this done.” Bending over, I grab a bag and toss it at his feet. Aksel hands me the second one, and I throw it over the same way.
Chet looks at his feet, then back at us before
squatting and unzipping a bag. Grabbing a stack, he lifts it up to eye level to check it out. Glancing up at me, he grabs another stack as he stands. His thumb drags across the stack of bills. Sniffing it, he then tosses them at Aksel.
“Here you go kid, go have some fun on me. Nice doing business with you, guys.” He hands over the envelope as Aksel begins to laugh. “What’s so funny?” Chet sneers at him. I have to chuckle.
“I made this last week, dude. Chump change for a fucking chump.” Aksel tosses it back at Chet, who stands there with his brow furrowed in confusion.
With all the chit-chat, we forgot about the cavalry arriving. Cal, One, Kipton and the state police show up, as if on cue. After all is said and done, I stand looking over the pond Thayer and I spent so many days at. I send up a silent prayer that she comes back to me.
Soon after the scene with Chet is cleared up, we drive over to One’s office. Laying out the papers, we comb through them, looking for any information we feel Walker would think was important enough to keep from Thayer.
“Has anyone found anything?” Cal asks the group. Chord, Kipton, and myself look up from our stack of papers. Everyone shaking their heads in unison, except One. He sits, staring at me as his outstretched hand holds a single piece of paper.
“What is it? Just tell me,” I plead with him, grasping my hands trying to quiet my nerves.
“Read it,” he encourages me. I shake my head slightly.
“It’s Erica’s autopsy. I looked over it a few times, but on this pass, I actually read it. You need to read this, Hardy. This is what Walker is hiding.” Scanning the room, all I see is love.
“Son, this is your family. And Thayer may be mad as hell at you right now, but she loves you. Read the damn paper, she deserves the truth.” Pointing to the paper, Kipton chokes up on the last words.
Standing, I walk to One. I take the paper from his hand and wander to the window. As I read the autopsy, I see exactly why this is so important. And why I’ve been so wrong to not believe in us. Thayer’s always been right about me, I’m a better man than even I know. Her faith in me has paid off.
