Broken Series

by Dawn Pendleton

  I thought fast. “I’m checking in today and need your address for my GPS. My wife forgot to write it down.”

  I grabbed a piece of paper while she listed the address. He was two hours north of us, and though I didn’t know if that was enough time, I had to try. I wondered if I should alert Luke and Mallory, but the storm was still in full swing and they were needed here. I didn’t want to worry them, either.

  Without thinking, I ran out of the house and started the Jeep, not even letting it warm up before I whipped out of the driveway and drove straight to Gabby’s place. She was the one who would want to come with me and wouldn’t drive me too crazy on the drive. I pulled into her cleared driveway, thankful that Luke and Mallory had already been here.

  I bolted up to the front door, leaving the Jeep running, and banged on the door.

  “Gabby! Open up!”

  She pulled the door open a minute later, dressed in nothing but a towel. “What are you doing here?” She sounded exasperated, but looked delicious, with tiny droplets of water still clinging to her pink skin.

  “Get dressed,” I said, pushing myself into the house and ignoring her indignation. “It’s Baker. He’s in trouble and we need to go. Don’t tell anyone,” I commanded.

  She got the message, running down the hall and dropping her towel before she even hit the guest bedroom. I sucked in a breath at the sight of her perfect, heart-shaped ass. I took several deep breaths to calm myself and then she was back in the living room, dressed in skinny jeans and a dark gray sweater. Her hair was still wet and she managed to pull it into a sexy, messy bun. Who am I kidding? Everything about her is sexy.

  “I just have to get my boots,” she said, sitting on the bench near the door to pull on her winter boots.

  I watched her, amazed by the fact that she wasn’t arguing or trying to get me to tell her exactly what happened. She was normally so stubborn, so desperate to get her way, that she wouldn’t have budged an inch without all the information she needed.

  “Ready?” she asked, standing before me for a second before grabbing her thick coat and leading me out to the Jeep. I locked the house behind me and by the time I got in the driver’s seat, she was already buckled and looking at me expectantly.

  I backed out of her driveway and then we were off. I kept my eyes on the road, but I wanted nothing more than to stare at her seemingly endless legs. She was so tempting, even when she wasn’t trying.

  “What happened?” she whispered after I pulled onto the highway.

  “I called Baker and he didn’t answer, but then he called me back on some random number. I think he’s going to try to kill himself.”

  She gasped but didn’t reply. Tears formed, but she didn’t shed them. I was damn proud of her, too.

  “He hung up before he told me where he is, but I called the number back and it’s an inn about two hours away, so we need to go find him.”

  “Of course. Did you tell Luke and Mallory?”

  “No. They would have only wanted to come with us, and Luke needs to stay in town. I checked the weather and this storm is only going to get worse through the day. It’s supposed to dump another ten inches down today, more in the mountains.”

  She nodded and I wondered, belatedly, if we would be able to make it back to town today. Neither of us was well prepared for the trip ahead, but it didn’t matter. All that mattered was Baker, and getting to him before he did something stupid.

  After ten minutes of extremely uncomfortable silence, I decided to try talking.

  “I wasn’t expecting the first winter storm to come so early,” I said, proud for having kept my tone completely neutral.

  She turned to me. “Do you still want to fuck me?”

  I nearly swerved off the road. “What? Who asks that?”

  “I do. And I want to know. Do you still want me, Wolfe?”

  “I hardly think this is the time to be talking–”

  “Oh, just answer the question! Why can’t you ever just give me a straight answer?” She glared at me, crossed her arms over her chest, and looked out the window.

  A sigh escaped me. “Of course I want you. I never stopped. I want you more than you could possibly ever know, Gabby. But not just sexually. I mean, sure, you’ve got a hot body and you’re absolutely beautiful, but that’s not why I want you. You’re absolutely stunning on the inside. The way you would do anything for any one of your friends, the way you care about all the little things. You’re so kind and caring, putting everyone else’s happiness ahead of your own. You inspire me.”

  She didn’t turn to look at me, but I knew she heard every word. Either she was stunned into silence or pissed off. I couldn’t tell from my angle so I decided to keep going.

  “In the last three years, I’ve hardly seen you take a moment to really enjoy yourself. When Joe got sick, you were there for him, for Luke, and for Mallory, when she finally came back to town. You held onto Rainey’s secret for years, to protect her. And then you fully supported both of them when they decided to go for their dreams of love, even when your own love life was failing. Our separation has been hard on you, I know, but I want you to know just one thing, Gabby: There isn’t a day, an hour, a minute, or even a second that goes by where I don’t think about you and what an idiot I am for letting you go. There’s no one else for me, Gabby. So if you want to go through with this divorce, you’re damning me to a life of loneliness. Eternity without you will be hell.”

  “Wolfe, please stop,” she begged. But I couldn’t.

  It was like once the dam was opened, I couldn’t help myself. Words of love poured out uncontrollably.

  “I won’t stop. I’ll never stop loving you, baby. You’re it for me. The one, my soul mate, whatever phrase you want to use – that’s you. I mean it when I say I’m going to be alone forever. I knew, the moment I met you, all those years ago, that I’d found the one woman I would want for the rest of my life. And yes, when those papers are signed and this divorce is final, I will let you walk away, but until then, I’m going to do anything I can to prove to you that I would walk to the ends of the earth for you.”

  Tears flooded her cheeks, and I wasn’t sure if it was because she felt similarly or she hated me. I managed to keep my mouth shut, though, instead of asking her. I wanted to, but I knew she needed a minute.

  When her hand latched onto mine over the center console, a glimmer of hope formed deep in my chest, a place I’d shut off from the world over a year ago when she turned my heart black. I tried to beat the hope down, to not let it get out of hand, but there were so many things I wanted to say this past year. I gripped her hand like a lifeline, the darkness melting from around my heart.

  As I drove, we both sat there, unspeaking, too afraid to ruin this moment. So we rode in silence and I soaked up as much of her sweet warmth as I could. Her hand seemed so small in mine, something I’d never noticed before. She was much more fragile now than she’d been last year. I was afraid I was the cause.

  When we arrived at the inn, we ignored the fiery pulse that bounced between us and focused on Baker. He needed us right now. We raced into the foyer area.

  “We’re looking for Christopher Baker,” I said to the receptionist.

  “And your name?” I was confused but gave it to her anyway. She smiled at me. “Of course, Mr. Landon. Here is your room key, and Mr. Baker explained to us that no expense was to be spared. You and Mrs. Landon are in room two-oh-eight.” She handed me a digital card key.

  “No, you don’t understand. Baker is in trouble,” Gabby started.

  “Ah, yes, he said there was some kind of misunderstanding about his whereabouts. He asked me to tell you that there is a note in your room and that he has explained everything. Enjoy your stay.” The woman dismissed us then, seeing to tasks in the back room.

  I glanced at Gabby. “What the hell is this?”

  “I could ask you the same thing,” she muttered, crossing her arms over her chest.

  “What the hell does that mean?�
�

  “It means I think you staged this little plot to get me alone.”

  I sucked in a breath. “Are you serious?”

  “Of course. You’ve been trying to get me alone for weeks, anxious to get me back in bed. Don’t deny it,” she said when I opened my mouth to interrupt her.

  I shook my head sadly and realized there was nothing I could say to convince her. Instead of arguing, I just turned toward the elevators, trying to figure out what Baker was up to. I pressed the up button and waited impatiently for the doors to open. While I waited, Gabby wandered over, her gaze still angry.

  She didn’t speak and I refused to initiate conversation. How dare she accuse me of setting her up? I wouldn’t do something like that to her … I know she’s too controlling for that. She always liked to know exactly what was going on and hated, hated surprises.

  The doors opened and we stepped in together, still silent. I pressed the button for the second floor and then clasped my hands together in front of me. Gabby, I noticed, was back to crossing her arms over her chest. Her chin was defiantly high, a sign of protest. I would have laughed if the whole situation wasn’t so ridiculous. When we landed on the second floor, she was out of the elevator before the doors even fully opened.

  She paused for just a second to figure out where the room was and then sprinted down the hall. I chuckled, realizing just a minute before she did that I was the one with the key. By the time I got to the end of the hall, she was huffing impatiently. I held in my smile, barely, and from her glare, she knew what I was thinking.

  Without stopping, I swiped the card and then the door of the room pushed open. It was more of a suite than a motel room, complete with a huge Jacuzzi in the main area. The plush fabrics of the comforter and pillows were inviting and I was suddenly aware of how intimate it was to be in this romantic room with Gabby.

  “What was Baker doing here?” she asked aloud, the first words she spoke that weren’t hostile.

  “I’m not sure,” I mumbled, wandering over to the dining table set for two. On it were two envelopes, one with each of our names scrawled on it. “I think this is a good place to start, though.” I picked them up and handed her the one with her name.

  I went over to the window as I opened mine up. The view was spectacular. There was a small pond that had already frozen over with the cold weather they’d been getting in the mountains and several couples skated lazily across the ice, holding hands or kissing in the snow. It was a beautiful sight.

  I pulled out the letter and started to read it, never imagining what it could say.

  Wolfe, we’ve been friends a short time. After losing Rainey, I’ve realized how important it is to cherish what you have. And I know you’re hurting about Gabby, so I am giving you this: one night, here with her. I can’t guarantee anything, but Rainey went crazy when I brought her here back in September. It was our last trip together and I’m hoping this will be the first of many for you and Gabby.

  Whatever happens, go with it. But don’t let Gabby leave. One night here will change her mind, I’m sure. Good luck.

  -Baker

  PS- I’m not emotionally compromised or about to kill myself. Luke, Mallory, Rainey, and I planned this all out for you. You guys deserve to be happy.

  I blew out a breath, thankful that he was okay, but also kind of pissed that he was trying to manipulate us that way. I glanced over at Gabby, whose letter was far longer than mine, and watched her for a moment. She’d taken a seat on the bed. Tears welled in her eyes and then spilled onto the page as she read. She laughed softly to herself for a moment before more tears came. The way her eyes lit up and then turned so sad in just a millisecond; the play of emotion on her face was incredible to watch.

  When she finished reading, she folded the letter, wiped her eyes, and then looked at me. I didn’t know what to say, so I kept quiet. She set the letter on the bedspread beside her and then stood, wiping away more tears. When she stepped toward me, my heart leapt into my throat, wondering if it could be so simple.

  She wrapped her delicate hands around my neck and pulled me down for a heartbreaking kiss.

  7

  Gabby

  It wasn’t such a stretch to think that Wolfe was playing some kind of game to get me alone. I certainly wouldn’t put it past him, in fact. But the letter revealed much more than I could ever have imagined, about me, about Wolfe, and about how the world perceived us. We were meant to be together, or so Rainey said in her letter. She recommended I take a look around once in a while, which was pretty much what everyone had been telling me lately. I wasn’t blind, though. I saw the looks Wolfe gave me when he thought I wasn’t paying attention.

  The reality was, I didn’t want to see them. Not really. I needed more space from him, not to catch him looking at me with such fire and love that it melted the icy walls I’d built around my heart. But I did see them. And those looks were hardly something I could erase from my memory, much like I couldn’t erase Rainey from my mind.

  She’d written most of the letter, so this little setup had been planned for a while. It irritated me and cut to my heart at the same time, making me wish desperately that my friend was still here. I’d give anything to be able to talk to her again. And that was when the tears started. I couldn’t control them, didn’t want to. I needed the emotional release, no matter the ramifications. It wasn’t until I read the last line of the letter that I made a snap decision to enjoy the moment.

  Don’t take life too seriously. You don’t make it out alive.

  It was a quote from someone famous, to be sure, but with Rainey gone, it made me want to take advantage of being alone, if only for one night, with Wolfe. I knew exactly how hot it would be, and the man didn’t disappoint.

  He was almost resistant at first, confusing cluttering his mind. But once he realized I wanted him, he took control, something I expected and enjoyed. His hands gripped my waist, like he was holding on for dear life. His tongue, soft but demanding, invaded my mouth and I opened to him willingly. He didn’t waste any time taking absolute possession.

  In seconds, I was Jell-O in his arms, my knees shaking. For a moment, I thought for sure I would fall. But true to his nature, Wolfe scooped me up, his right arm behind my back and his left behind my knees. He never broke our kiss, either. I put each of my hands on his face, keeping all my focus on him. I figured if I let myself get caught up, maybe I wouldn’t regret this later. Highly unlikely, my inner thoughts nagged at me. I ignored them, though. I wanted this, whether I would regret it later or not.

  Wolfe carried me over to the bed, his body following mine down onto the plush mattress. His mouth left mine to trail kisses down my jaw and to the hollow of my throat. I arched my head back to give him better access. He moaned as my body made full contact with his. Even through our clothes, I could feel the heat and size of him, and it made me hotter. I wanted nothing more than to lose myself in him.

  So when he pulled his warmth completely away from me, I groaned in frustration.

  “Are you sure?” His simple gesture made me realize exactly how much I wanted him. He was so sweet, so gentle, and even a bit self-conscious.

  I smiled up at him. “I’m sure,” I confirmed, putting my hand on the back of his neck and pulling him down to me. I took over then.

  I managed to roll us over so that I was on top, ready to take control. When he sat up and began to massage my breasts, I felt everything like it was last year. I sucked in my breath and waited for the pain, the hurt, the fear.

  Wolfe froze. “What’s wrong?” He looked up at me with his cloudy eyes, reading me so well.

  I gulped. “Nothing.” But it wasn’t nothing, and he knew it.

  “You’re white as a ghost,” he murmured, putting a hand to my cheek. I saw the hurt in his eyes when I flinched away from him.

  I gulped and moved off him, scooting to the end of the bed and trying to quell the shakes and my heavy breathing. I tried to take deep breaths but the images of last year flooded my mi
nd, taking me back …

  Things were a mess. Wolfe was talking about moving to Florida again, and the Lord only knew why. He definitely needed to make up his mind what mattered most: me or moving home. There was no way I was going to move.

  The night everything changed happened so fast, there was almost nothing I could do to prevent it. Probably not getting drunk would have been a great first step, though. It was for a friend’s birthday from college. She turned twenty-one and we all decided to surprise her by taking her out to eat and then an impromptu party at her sorority house ensued afterwards. It was fun, but I had way too much to drink.

  When I ended up laying on one of the girls bed, door closed but not locked, I started to text Wolfe, thinking maybe he should come get me. In the middle of my typing, a guy entered; I thought his name was Charlie, but I couldn’t be sure.

  “Occupied,” I told him, expecting him to turn around and leave.

  “I’ve been searching every room in this damn house, hoping to find you alone, Gabby,” he said, his words confusing me in my drunken state. By the time I realized what he meant and the panic set in, he was on top of me on the bed, pushing my spaghetti straps off my shoulders, his intent clear.

  Before I could scream, he formed a fist and smashed it into my head, causing me to black out.

  No one knew what happened to me that night, not even Rainey, and especially not Wolfe. When it happened, I’d felt so alone, so worthless, I couldn’t keep up with a marriage to Wolfe and I started to pull away from him. I used whatever excuses I could to keep him at bay, and here he was, getting under my skin again. I wanted to be with him, I really did. The problem was, I didn’t know how anymore. It’d been so long, I couldn’t keep the memories away and enjoy a night with him.

  “Talk to me, baby,” he pleaded, taking both my hands in his. My hands were like ice and he cupped his around mine. He blew into our hands to warm them. When he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, just like he always did when we were together, I broke.