I hear a slight giggle escape my sister as my father finally chimes in, “It just happened? Losing a few grand while in Vegas just happens, son. Getting married and risking billions doesn’t just happen! Have you lost your fuckin’ mind? You married some wannabe actress who you’ve been dating a total of five minutes? Do you have any idea the kind of damage you have done? For once I would love for you to think with your head instead of your dick!”
Lifting my eyes back up to my father, I clench my teeth and try to keep my anger at bay. “It’s not like that, Dad. If you’d take the time to listen to me you’d understand that I’m in love with her. I thought you guys would be happy for me. I finally met someone and instead of congratulating me, all you care about is your precious bank accounts.”
Standing abruptly, I tip my head back and take a long pull from my beer, draining every drop, before tossing it into the recycling bin beside the door. “You know what, Dad? You can forget about the annulment. I fucked up big time today telling Brooklyn I wanted one, all because I allowed myself to listen to you. Now, I have to go groveling back to her, begging her to forgive me for acting like the world’s biggest asshole.”
My sister’s mouth falls open, and her husband keeps his eyes fixed on the dancing flames of the fire. My mother lets out a small gasp as my father jumps to his feet and gets only inches from my face. With his fists clenched at his sides, he furrows his brows and tells me with a threatening tone, “You will dissolve this marriage. There is no yes or no option on the table. I’ve let you get away with enough reckless bullshit over the years. But this…you’ve gone too far, Dixon. I will not allow you to put everything this family has in danger. You won’t only hurt yourself but your mother, your sister…” he says, whipping his hand from my mother to my sister. “You are going to fix this now while you can. You are meeting with our family attorney tomorrow at Beaumont Energy at one sharp. So I suggest you make an effort to be at your office and have Brooklyn with you. We’ll need both of your signatures so we can get the annulment filed immediately.”
I let out a ragged breath as I feel a weight pressing on my chest making it hard to catch my breath. I’ve fucked everything up. I have no idea how to fix this so that I don’t lose Brooklyn and don’t piss off my entire family.
“I can’t do this right now. I’m hung over and fuckin’ exhausted. This is too much for me to deal with tonight. I’ll call you in the morning. I can’t make you any promises about tomorrow. You don’t know Brooklyn. There’s no making her do anything she doesn’t want to do. If she refuses to come meet with the attorney tomorrow, there’s nothing I can do to make her come.” Turning my back to my father, I stomp across the stone patio, the clicking of my boots is the only sound filling the now quiet patio. I can hear soft chatter coming from my sister as I reach the door. I contemplate saying the words lingering on my tongue before I leave them all sitting out here by themselves.
Pulling the door open, I glance back at everyone as they all watch in shock as I leave my father standing by the fireplace. He looks like he’s biting back unspoken words too, but unlike him, I decide to speak mine.
“You guys are the last people on this earth that I thought would care more about contracts and agreements, rather than the fact that I finally found someone I want to spend the rest of my life with. Did you guys treat Lila this way when Mike proposed? No, y’all were popping bottles of champagne, not speed dialing your fuckin’ attorney to go over pre-nups! That’s all I wanted from y’all…just to be happy for me. All I’ve heard is I need to grow up, I need to settle down. Now that I’ve found a girl worth giving my life to, y’all want me to throw it all away. I can’t fuckin’ win no matter what the hell I do.”
I don’t wait for them to respond to my spew of honesty. Instead, I slam the door shut behind me and storm through the house toward the front door. As I yank open the front door and step out onto the brick steps that lead down to the carport where my truck’s parked, I hear the sound of Lila shouting to me.
“Dixon! Wait up! I’m too pregnant to chase your damn ass down!” she yells, wobbling toward me. She’s seven months along now and really showing. It’s hard to believe in two months my baby niece will enter the world.
Letting out an exasperated sigh, I lean against my passenger side door. “There’s nothing you can say, Lila, that will…”
Holding her hand up between us she rolls her eyes in annoyance. “Dixon, shut up for five seconds, please!”
“Sorry!” I laugh, holding my hands out in surrender. “Miss hormonal. But I’m kind of having a bad day, alright?”
“I’ll let the hormonal comment slide, this one time, asshole, because I know you’re pissed off. But I just want you to know I’m on your side. I’m sorry Mom and Dad are putting you through this. I’m going back to Dallas in a few days. Mom and Dad wanted me here to help dismantle this situation you’ve gotten yourself in, so Mike put in some personal time. Talk to Brooklyn, do what you feel in your heart is what you want to do. Not what anyone else wants you to do. Then if she’s feeling up to it, we can get together for dinner before we head home. I’m intrigued and really excited to meet this woman who has my little brother seeing hearts and actually speaking the ‘L’ word voluntarily, without any unspoken agenda.”
Raising my brow, I bring my hands to my pockets and relax against the truck. “Hey, I will have you know I’ve never used the ‘L’ word to get into girls’ pants. All I have to do is smile their way and the panties magically disappear…ouch!” I scream as I cup my left pectoral that my sister just smacked.
She gives me a devilish grin and orders, “Stop acting like a pig, and get your ass inside your truck and go tell that poor girl how much you love her.”
“Alright, alright. I’m going. Let’s just hope she doesn’t slam the door in my face the second she sees it’s me on her door step.”
As I round the truck and step up onto the step bar, my sister shouts over the truck at me, “You better stop by the store and grab a bottle of wine, a big bouquet of flowers, and lots of chocolate because I have a feeling you’re going to need to pull out all of the stops with this one.”
Chapter 12
-Brooklyn
Stepping out of the shower, I grab my towel off of the hook and quickly wrap it around my body before getting to work on drying my hair. Not feeling the need to do anything with it, I blow dry it and toss it up into a bun on top of my head. Cranking up the music on my phone, I carry it into the bedroom while scrolling through my notifications.
My phone has been blowing up all afternoon since the news of my elopement broke first thing this morning. Now, I can’t get five seconds of piece without someone messaging me, texting me or calling me. I’m two seconds away from powering off my phone and simply blocking out the world.
I had a voice mail from my parents when I turned my phone back on after landing. To say they were shocked and a tad ticked off that I got married and didn’t even bother to call them, would be putting it lightly. But they seem to be taking it better than Dixon’s parents’. I’ve avoided calling them back because I’m too hurt to talk to anyone right now. I sent my mother a quick text letting her know I’d call her later. I need time to process the last twenty-four hours before I open up this whole can of worms with them.
I fly home in two days because I have a few scenes to film at the end of the week, so I plan on tackling the whole Dixon and wedding conversation then, once I’m home and can talk to my parents’ face to face.
For now, I’m going to drink wine, practice my lines and forget about Dixon—or at least try to.
Rummaging through my dresser drawers, I find a pair of underwear, my favorite PINK boyfriend tank that says ‘I know the Guac is extra’ and my neon, paint splatter affects yoga capris. I need a pop of color to help boost the dark, depressing mood I’m stuck in today.
No one should be this miserable after getting married. Why the hell was I stupid enough to let that piece of shit talk me into eloping anyways? Did
I lose my common sense the second he walked into my life? Because it seems like since I met Dixon, my entire fricking world has been flipped upside down, shaken around and then kicked around a few times.
One thing I know for certain is I don’t want to see his heart breaking face ever again. He can shove those annulment papers straight up his man whoring ass.
Strutting into the kitchen, with my phone in my hand, I sing along to Miranda Lambert’s, White Liar at the top of my longs as I imagine myself singing it to Dixon. Deciding that tacos sound like a good idea for an early dinner, I grab a bag of frozen chicken strips out of the freezer and grab a pan out of the cupboard. As I’m letting the chicken cook, I walk around the kitchen studying my lines from the new script I got on Friday. I’m eager to see what will be happening this week on As the Days go by.
With my script in one hand, and a wooden spoon in the other, I read my lines as I stir the chicken, I’ve just sprinkled taco seasonings onto. I’m so lost in the script that at first I don’t hear anyone at the door until I hear what sounds like a freaking jack hammer trying to bust my front door down.
“Ahh!” I scream in surprise as the pounding on the door travels into the kitchen. Jumping in surprise, I practically sling shot pieces of chicken across the kitchen. Tossing my script onto the countertop, I turn the chicken down to simmer and pad across the bamboo floors into the living room to see who the hell is beating on my door like the fucking house is on fire.
Rounding the corner, I spot a bouquet of hot pink roses covering a very tall body through the frosted glass window. My hands begin to shake and my heart begins to pound in my ears as I reach the door slowly opening it.
The second the door opens the flowers move revealing Dixon standing on the other side of them. He looks nervous and slightly terrified, which he rightly should be, especially since he’s had the nerve to show up here after breaking my damn heart only a few hours ago.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I snap at him as I grip the door and blockade the entrance making sure he understands he isn’t welcome inside.
He’s hugging a box of chocolates to his chest with his left arm, while gripping a bottle of my favorite wine in his left hand. If he thinks he can ask for an annulment and then show up here trying to be all romantic and I will simply forgive him, he’s lost his fucking mind.
Swallowing hard, I watch as his Adam’s apple bobs up and down his throat. His ball cap is pulled down low shielding his eyes making it hard for me to read him. As I stand here before him I fight an internal battle with myself. I want to hit him and scream at him, telling him how much I hate his guts and never want to see him again. While, the other part of me wants to pretend none of today happened and drag him inside so I can get lost in his kiss and his touch.
“I came to apologize…” He drawls, holding out the flowers to me and flashes me his smile, that instantly makes my stomach flip flop, and my knees weaken.
Trying to stay strong, I square my shoulders and shove the flowers back at him, “You can take your pathetic apology and shove it up your ass.” I start to shut the door, but pause for a moment, with a slight glare I reach outside, snatching the chocolates and wine from him. “I’ll keep these, the flowers you can toss in the fucking ocean for all I care.” Slamming the door in his face, I blow out a shaky breath before clicking the lock and walking back into the kitchen.
Slamming the wine bottle onto the counter top, I quickly rummage through the drawer finding the cork screw. Popping the bottle open, I fill a wine glass and slide up onto a bar stool. I take a sip of wine and start unwrapping the chocolates. I’d be an idiot to not let myself enjoy this wine and these chocolates.
I deserve them dammit. They’re helping ease the piercing pain in my chest thanks to the egotistical asshole.
Plucking a chocolate out of the box, I plop it into my mouth, savoring the sweet chocolate and smooth caramel as it melts on my tongue. Picking up my wine glass, I slide off of the bar stool and walk over to the fridge to get everything out I need for my tacos.
Standing by the stove, I begin making my plate, laying out the soft tortilla shell, and layering on the toppings. Taking a big gulp of my wine, I finish off the glass and reach around behind me, grabbing the bottle and filling my glass. I try to push the thought of Dixon out of my head as I carry my plate and wine over to the tiny table near the picture window overlooking the ocean below, but it’s simply impossible. It’s as if he’s permanently imbedded in my damn brain and refuses to leave!
Letting curiosity get the better of me, I cautiously pad across the bamboo flooring toward the front door. I can't help but wonder if Dixon is still outside or if he left. Sure, I slammed the door in his face, but come on! He should've put up a little bit of a fight!
Moving the curtain away from the window beside the front door, I peer out onto the deck looking left and then right. I don't notice him at first then catch movement out of the corner of my eye, spotting him lying on a lounger.
My heart flutters in my chest for a moment as I realize he's still here.
Should I go out to him? Or let him sit out there to sweat it out a little?
I'll let him sit out there a little longer. After the emotional roller coaster, he's put me on over the last twenty-four hours, he deserves to sweat it out.
My phone beings playing Savannah’s ringtone as I head back over to my dinner waiting to be devoured. Snatching my phone up off of the table, I sit down at the table and sip my wine while reading her text.
Hey chick, how u holding up?? U hear from Dixon at all??
I glance out the wall of windows beside the table, immediately spotting Dixon. He's lying on the lounger on his phone, I can see him better at this angle. I watch as he types away on his phone with his ball cap pulled low on his head. I'm not getting any messages from him, so I find myself wondering who he's talking to. Jealousy burns inside of me as I let my mind wander to all the women in his phone.
He's here though, waiting on my hot head to cool off and finally hear him out. He wouldn't be here still, sitting outside on my deck of he didn't want to fix things.
Maybe he's texting Kayden getting love advice. The idea of it makes me giggle.
I text Savannah back,
Heyyy girl! I'm doing okay I guess. Done crying, now onto getting drunk and trying to forget today even happened. Dixon's actually here...well out on the deck. He showed up trying to apologize with wine, chocolates & flowers. I slammed the door in his face, of course...but not before I took the wine & chocolates. It helps with my plan to drink my sadness away lol.
I hit send and try to push thoughts of Dixon out of my head. Taking a bite of my taco I watch my phone as the gray bubble appears showing Savannah texting back.
Haa! That’s hilarious! Good for you, make him squirm a little. I talked with Kayden and he said the only reason Dixon asked you for an annulment is because of his parents. Learning Dixon got married in Vegas was a big enough shocker. But then to know he risked their family’s money pushed his father just a tad over the line.
I’m all for signing some kind of marital agreement but instead of his parents’ asking us to do that, they automatically went straight to us getting an annulment!
Just give them some time to let it sink in. It’ll all blow over soon enough. As for Dixon and you, y’all need to sit down and actually talk about all of this. I know u are not one for tapping in with ur feelings, but u two need to have an adult conversation about what the hell u want in this relationship. If u want to stay married, tell him and fight for him, B. I know u love to act tough and say fuck Dixon and ur feelings. But if u walk away and don’t fight for him I know u will regret it. U guys are the craziest couple I know but ur crazy seems to work lol. Just know I’ll support whatever u decide to do.
I re read Savannah’s text as I let her words turn inside of my head. I know she’s right. Ignoring Dixon isn’t going to help anything. We really do need to talk about everything. I don’t know if I am ready to hear what he h
as to say.
I finish eating my tacos and refill my wine, before finally working up the courage to go outside and face Dixon. I’m getting the feeling that he isn’t going to leave until I hear him out. So I mind as well do it now so I can get it over with and get back to studying my lines. I can’t focus when I’m too busy stressing over my maybe marriage.
I have no idea how I manage to get myself into these situations. I blame it on a certain tall, good looking, country boy who has a way of getting me to do whatever he wants. I’m a sucker for that sexy drawl. It doesn’t help that he has a face that makes my brain go stupid the second he’s in front of me.
Slowly opening the front door, I lean against the open doorway and peer across the deck at Dixon. He’s lying on the lounger with his hat pulled low and his feet crossed at his ankles. His phones lying on his stomach and his fingers are laced together behind his head, he almost looks like he’s on the verge of falling asleep. The thought of him being willing to sleep out here all night waiting on my stubborn ass to finally let him in makes my heart dance in my chest.
He may not be the smartest man when it comes to love and relationships, but I know he loves me. That is one thing I am willing to bet my heart on.
“Are you gonna lay out here all night? Or are you gonna get your ass up off of that lounger and prove to me you’re sorry?” A cool breeze blows up off of the shore whipping my pony tail around the side of my head as I step out of the doorway toward him.
Dixon kicks his feet over the lounger, onto the deck and climbs to his feet as he adjusts his hat, and slides his gaze onto me. My breath catches in my throat as his eyes full of intensity lock onto mine. Within seconds he’s closing the space between us and wrapping his arms around my waist, hugging to his chest.
Betting on Beaumont: A Brooklyn Novel #3 (The Brooklyn Series) Page 13
