Accidentally in Love

by C. J. Thomas

  “I’m home. It’s dead. What’s wrong?”

  “What’s wrong? You tell me.” Monica’s words were coated with worry.

  Panic tightened my chest. Does she know what I just did? “What’s this about?”

  “Gary is irate. Losing his shit.”

  The blood in my face drained and turned my cheeks pale.

  “What did you do, Sienna?”

  I held my breath.

  “Is it true?”

  Fear paralyzed me.

  “He said you just called off the wedding?”

  I closed my eyes and swallowed. “That’s because I did.”

  6

  Trevor

  I watched her feet move across the floor from under the car.

  Pretending to work, a part of me felt guilty for taking advantage of her distress. I wasn’t sure that was what I’d done, but that was what it felt like. Even if she’d made the first move.

  The last of the day’s light streamed across the floor as soon as she opened the door.

  Her feet turned in my direction and I cranked on the wrench just to make a noise. My heart drummed against my ribs as nerves kept my muscles flexed. She barely said anything this whole time, never answered any of my questions. Perhaps the mystery of who she was kept me wanting to know more. What was her name and why was she running—and from whom?

  She turned to the door and disappeared a second later.

  I closed my eyes and let out a heavy sigh of disappointment.

  My tongue was tied. I wanted to say goodbye, ask to see her again, but I couldn’t. I didn’t even have it in me to go after her. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to—God, did I want to. And not because we’d just slept together. Though that was amazing. But because there was an insane attraction between us. I could feel it, and I knew she could, too. The way she stared back at me with conviction, I knew that she was feeling the same light flutters I was.

  I pushed myself out from under the car and set my tools on the bench. The stereo still played and when I glanced to my left, I took another snort off the whiskey bottle. The warmth filled my stomach and I tried to make sense of what the hell just happened.

  Moving to the back I flipped on the bathroom light, wanting to relive the moment we’d just shared. The fear. The confusion. The spontaneous explosion of passion. It was all here, clinging to the walls, drifting through the air.

  Gripping the counter ledge, I leaned forward and stared at my own reflection in the mirror.

  My gaze traveled over my sleeve of tattoos. The story told itself like a petroglyph carved onto a stone wall. One of patriotic duty, loyalty to family and country, and the sins I had committed.

  “I should have offered to drive her home,” I muttered to myself.

  Instinct kicked in when dressing her wounds. I did what I had been trained to do. Somehow I had forgotten to finish the mission when turning my back on her. Now I feared that she was out in the world, alone and afraid, just like when she’d found her way to me.

  I narrowed my gaze, frightened that she might still be in danger.

  When I thought about her welted cheek and how her lip bled, my muscles jumped with intense anger. I would kill whoever did that to her—if only I knew.

  I turned my head and chuckled.

  She had folded the dirty towels, setting them next to the sink. Then I glanced to the trashcan, seeing the used condom flung on top. Not wanting to leave the evidence out, I bent down and closed the top, pulling the plastic bag from the pail. That was when I caught sight of the plastic card out of the corner of my eye.

  Hidden behind the toilet, I knew it wasn’t mine.

  Reaching behind, I took the credit card between my fingers and read the name with a creased brow. Sienna Day.

  I stood, squared my shoulders, and glanced to the front.

  Too much time had passed for me to chase after her and give it back. This Sienna girl was long gone, but with her credit card here I wouldn’t be surprised if she was back sooner than she expected.

  Sticking her credit card in my back pocket, I took the trash out to the dumpster before packing away the towels to take home and wash. When I turned around, my heart leaped into my throat, surprised to see my brother Noah standing in the front door. “Jesus Christ. Can’t you knock?”

  He moved with his hands stuffed inside his dress pants pockets. “When are you going to be done tinkering and get on with driving?”

  I pointed my finger at him. “Keep your paws off my car.”

  He smirked as his gaze rolled to my bottle of whiskey.

  I reached for it and offered him a pull.

  He moved across the garage, wrapped his fingers around the neck, and swigged back a healthy gulp. “I’m here because HR still hasn’t received your paperwork.”

  “I’ve got it,” I said, setting my tailbone against the bench and crossing my arms.

  Noah gave me an arched look. “Is it filled out?”

  “It will be,” I said, deadpan.

  “Dad is expecting you to start tomorrow.”

  “Dad is out of town.” I stared at my Mustang shining beneath the light like a trophy.

  Noah turned his head toward my car. I knew he could appreciate my work. If it wasn’t for this project—this garage—I would have been doomed. Since leaving the Marines, it hadn’t been an easy adjustment back into the civilian world. But this was it. This was my escape. My baby. My excuse to get out of bed early and stay up late without having to be constantly plagued by the nightmares that woke me like a surprise ambush in the night.

  “Who was the woman?” Noah turned to look at me out of the corner of my eye.

  My heartrate went through the roof. I refused to look him in the eye, knowing I would give myself away. Suddenly, my fingers and toes tingled as my eyes dilated. Was it possible Noah saw her leave?

  “Either you’re wearing perfume or you have a new girlfriend.” The corners of his lips pulled to his ears.

  Noah knew women as well as any one of us Foster brothers. Our sister Charlotte made sure we understood the intricacies of relationships—both personal and business—with women. When it came to Noah, he liked to keep most of his personal relationships a secret. Which was probably the reason why he could sniff out Sienna’s recent visit. He was a master of ducking, hiding, and avoiding the tough questions that came when it was discovered he was dating someone new.

  I pushed off the bench and walked toward the Mustang. Sticking my head under the hood, I began tinkering with the engine. “Do you still have your friend working inside the department?”

  Noah strolled over to me. “Why are you asking?”

  I rolled my neck to him. Looking him in the eye, I reached behind and pulled the credit card out from my back pocket. “Can you have him run this name through the system?”

  “What is this?” He took the card. Barely glancing at the name, he asked, “Was this who was here?”

  I turned my head and locked my gaze on his. “I’ll tell you—”

  “—but?”

  “After you make the call.”

  7

  Sienna

  Plugging my cell into the charger, I knew I didn’t have much time.

  Monica would be here soon. I didn’t have to fight her on it when she insisted on coming over. I wanted her here. I was still rattled by the events of today and was sure that Gary would soon find his way to wherever I was.

  Stepping to the window, my heart stalled as I peeked through the curtain to the parking lot below. I scanned the rows of cars looking for Gary’s cherry red BMW. It was what he always drove, and I was sure that today wouldn’t be any different.

  After a minute of looking, I stepped back from the window, positive that he wasn’t parked below.

  With the way Monica was freaking out over the phone, I could only assume she was the first stop on Gary’s list of people he thought I would turn to. Sophia would be the obvious second choice. And he’d be right. But with my phone dead and my desperate need to
shower before Monica arrived, I didn’t have time to make the call to give her a heads up for what was sure to be coming her way.

  The sound of my beating heart filled my ears.

  Hugging my cold body, the apartment was far too quiet for comfort.

  Everywhere I looked were reminders of my impending wedding—the same ceremony I swore to Gary I had called off. I couldn’t do it. Didn’t want to commit my life to a man who disrespected me the way he had. First I’d caught him cheating. Then he’d hit me.

  My stomach turned over with disgust.

  We looked so happy in the photos I had hanging on display. Smiles bright and wide that would fool anybody into believing he couldn’t have done what he did. It was all a lie. The man was a monster. Even if it was only one mistake, his demons revealed themselves to me just in the nick of time.

  Tucking my hair behind my ear, I marched to the back, stripping my clothes off in my bedroom, making sure to hide the torn shirt deep in my hamper. I stepped into the hot shower, knowing I couldn’t let my friend see the full effects of what he’d done to me. It would be too much. And I certainly couldn’t let her smell the grease and motor oil in my hair. Monica would have enough questions already. I didn’t need to give her reason to ask more.

  As I worked the shampoo deep into my scalp with my fingers, I thought about my conversation with Monica. She confirmed what I already knew. Gary was angry, and rightfully so. But I was furious, too. I was sure that once Monica saw what that asshole did to me, she would want to kill him herself.

  A minute later, I turned off the water. I stepped out of the shower to the sound of knocking on my front door. Drying my hair, I quickly dressed and collected my thoughts. Hurrying to the front, I stopped to steal a quick glance in the mirror.

  Touching my lip, the butterfly bandage was still in place.

  My mind quickly went to the man who’d cleaned me up. Warm flutters scurried over my belly. I needed to find out who he was—find a reason to go back. Now that I’d found his garage once, it would be a breeze to find it again.

  Peeling away the bandage, the cut opened but was quick to snap shut. The bleeding had stopped. My lip was tender and swollen but would heal. Another knock on the door and I leaped for the handle, pulling it open.

  “I told you she was here.” Monica glanced at Sophia.

  Sophia shrugged and stepped inside, giving me a hug. “Hey, girl.”

  “Hey.” I smiled, hoping that they wouldn’t look too closely at my lip. “What do you have there?” I glanced to the clothes draped over their arms with hopes of delaying the inevitable conversation I knew would eventually find its way here.

  “Enough from my closet to say I brought the whole damn thing with me.” Sophia rolled her eyes in sarcasm.

  Monica leaned in and we hugged.

  When I shut the door, I turned to find Sophia’s eyes locked on mine. Ducking my head, I padded to the kitchen ignoring her stares.

  “The rehearsal dinner is in two days and guests are beginning to arrive from around the country.” Monica dropped her bag on the couch. “What is going on with you?” She turned to look at me.

  Sophia finally peeled her eyes away from my face. “Easy. Let her explain.” Sophia’s hand landed on Monica’s shoulder. “I’m sure she has a good reason for calling off her wedding.” Her expression was not as confident as her words.

  I turned to the sink, filling a large glass with water. “I don’t really want to talk about it.”

  “Your fiancé has been looking all over for you,” Monica said, matter-of-fact. “You think we just brought our wardrobe over here for no reason?”

  Closing my eyes, I pushed back the tears. I refused to cry. He wasn’t worth it. When I should be celebrating, my friends were turning this into an inquisition decorated with disappointment.

  “We’re here for you.”

  My insides jumped when Sophia’s hand landed on my shoulder. I buried my face inside my hands. Shaking my head, a stone lodged in my throat. Sophia wrapped her arms around me, rubbing my back until I could breathe again. Forgetting about wanting to hide the cut, I lifted my head, trying my best to look happy.

  Sophia’s eyes rounded as she stared. “Oh my god. What happened to you?”

  I touched the cut with the tip of my tongue. “He did this.”

  “Gary did that?” Sophia stepped forward as concern deepened her brow.

  “I’ll kill him.” Monica marched into the kitchen.

  Tears pooled in the corners of my eyes as I glanced between both of them. Their faces told me just how serious it was. They shared the same shock as I’d originally felt—as I still did. There weren’t words to describe how extraordinary my circumstances were. Days from my wedding, and this. Together, they shared my pain—both physical and emotional—showering me in the love only best friends could give.

  Tipping my chin up with her finger, Sophia asked, “Did you confirm what we suspected?”

  I nodded through blurry eyes. “I found messages from his old girlfriend on his social media.”

  “And this is how he reacted?” Fury flashed over Monica’s eyes. “By hitting you?”

  My eyes rolled to her. “When I accused him of cheating—getting in his last fling before our marriage—he snapped.”

  Sophia pulled me against her chest.

  “I knew it,” Monica grumbled as she joined in on the circle hug.

  “We all knew it,” I said with wide, dull eyes.

  “Let me see your lip.” Sophia pulled back with a furrowed brow. “It looks really bad.” Monica tugged on my arms, checking every exposed inch of me as Sophia took a closer look at my face. “It’s clean. That’s for sure. You did an excellent job cleaning the wound.” She sighed.

  I cast my gaze to the floor when I thought about the stranger’s big rough hands gently dressing my wound. Heat spread across my chest. If I wasn’t careful, soon the girls would be asking why I was blushing. There was no way I could tell them about him.

  “You want me to have Nolan kick Gary’s ass for you?”

  My eyes glistened. I knew Sophia wasn’t serious, but the thought was amusing in and of itself. We all laughed as I wiped away the last of my heaving sobs.

  Monica took me by the hand and we all moved to the living room couch. “So, you called off the wedding?”

  I tucked my feet beneath me as I sat in the corner. “It was spur of the moment thinking, but I can’t go back to him after what he did.”

  “Fucking asshole.” Monica shook her head. “He doesn’t deserve you.”

  “I assume you haven’t broken the news to your father yet.” Sophia sat across the coffee table on the overstuffed chair.

  I shook my head. My vision blurred. Breaking the news to my parents was going to be a battle I wasn’t prepared to fight. Too many people were expecting a wedding. Gary’s parents were excited to have me marry into their family. I was certain I would take the majority of the blame when word of the cancelation spread.

  Suddenly, my cell phone started ringing. The three of us shared a glance. Then I leaped off the couch and fetched it off the charger. “It’s him. My dad,” I said, wide-eyed and looking up at my two best friends.

  The phone continued to vibrate in my hand.

  “Well, are you going to answer it?” Monica’s spine straightened.

  Lowering my thumb to the green button, I said, “He’s never going to let me out of this.”

  8

  Trevor

  “I’ll text you a photo of the card for reference.”

  Noah got off the phone and I watched as he lined up the credit card on the bench, snapping a quick photo. His thumbs typed up a message, then he turned to me and extended his arm, barely having looked at the credit card at all.

  I took it from his hand and said, “Thanks.”

  Noah flicked his wrist to check the time. “Come on. We better get going before the offices close up for the day.”

  I reached behind me and grabbed the flannel off the
back of the chair. Turning to the door, I stuffed my arms through the sleeves, hiding my tattoos from the world. Together, we walked to Noah’s small sports car parked outside. I took the passenger seat while Noah slid behind the wheel.

  He roared out of the alley as I stared out the window, watching the sunset over the Rockies. The clouds were blazing orange against the pale blue backdrop. The temperature was warm and all I could think about was Sienna.

  I wasn’t sure I would ever see her again but knew that I needed to find a way to get her credit card back to her before she had it canceled.

  My fingers tapped on top of my thigh.

  I couldn’t wait to learn who she was. Where I could find her. How I could see her again. “How long do you think it will take your friend to get back to us?”

  With one hand on the steering wheel and the other in his lap, Noah turned and glanced in my direction. “Generally, it doesn’t take longer than 24 hours.”

  I rolled my eyes back to my window thinking these next 24 hours were going to kill me.

  “You have a suit to wear tomorrow?”

  I turned my face to Noah. “Can’t I wear this to the office?”

  Noah turned his gaze forward and shook his head. “Evan is planning on flying in from California.”

  I hadn’t seen our cousin Evan since before my tours and Noah’s quick mention of him was the first I had heard his name in quite some time. “What’s the occasion?”

  “He’s interested in moving to Colorado.”

  “Is that right?”

  Noah nodded. “Looking to acquire a ranch on the Western Slope.”

  Evan always was the roughneck on that side of the family. Taming stallions, riding bulls, herding cattle. It made sense, but I always assumed that Noah would be the one to escape the city. “I thought that was your thing?”

  Noah’s shoulders shrugged. “Wish it was. But Dad needs me here.”