by Nicole Dykes
Jade nods her head sadly. “You’ll visit right?”
Truthfully, I’m not sure if I can take coming back to Hollis and seeing Brady. Seeing who he is with and his life going back to normal after I leave. That may kill me.
“I’ll try, but if you come to Dallas, please call me. I would love to see you.” I say.
Casey walks out from behind the bar and pulls me into a hug. She’s not the hugging type at all so it’s more an awkward pat hug. “I’m gonna miss you, city girl.”
“I’ll miss you guys too. So much.”
She let’s go of me and Jade walks over to give me a warm hug. “If you need anything at all, just let us know. We are family.”
I smile. That’s true. “Same to you guys. Always.”
I say my final goodbyes, also letting Jack know he’ll have to find another waitress, then walk up to my room to pack my bags. When I’m finished, I look around at the tiny apartment above the bar. The first place I had wild sex with Brady. The place I found out who I truly am. I flip off the light as I make my way down the stairs and out to my car.
Madden was right, this town has a way of really growing on you out of nowhere. I’m going to miss the bar and all of the crazy, friendly patrons. I’m going to miss Jack. He just learned my real name. Marlene’s cooking and pleasant demeanor. Jade’s sweetness. Casey’s bluntness. And Brady. I think I will miss everything about Brady Thompson.
I hop in my car and drive out of town and past the sign that reads ‘Now Leaving Hollis’. I’m going back to Dallas and the life I knew before, but even I know that I won’t ever see the world the same as I did before I drove into this tiny little town.
Chapter 47
Brady
It’s been a week since I woke up to an empty bed that still smelled of Lilly Benson. It’s been a week since I walked into Jack’s and knew, without Jade and Casey saying a word, that her apartment upstairs was empty and she was gone. I like that she didn’t say goodbye. That she didn’t draw out some sad, sappy bullshit of ‘I’ll see you around’ when we both know that isn’t true. It wasn’t either of our style so why go through that?
So, a week ago I’d sat at my usual table and ate my usual lunch. I went about my usual business the entire week. Work. Play. More work. More play. Only now I’m not playing with Lilly.
“Eight ball, corner pocket.” Logan points in that direction, a smirk on his face.
“Five bucks says you choke, dipshit.” I laugh, taking a long sip of my beer.
Jack’s is crowded, the usual crew for a Saturday night. Jade and Casey are both working since Jack has yet to find a new waitress. Madden is standing to the left of me, waiting to play winner. I want to ask him if he’s talked to Lilly. I know Keegan and Landon are both in Dallas this weekend. Will they see her? I want to ask, but I keep my mouth shut. It’s not my business. She’s not my business any more.
“Make it ten, asshole.” Logan smarts and takes his shot, missing like I knew he would.
“Pay up.” I grin, holding out my hand.
He grumbles, but digs in his wallet for a crisp ten dollar bill. “Just got paid today and already giving you my money.”
“We got a new job starting Monday.” I remind him. Our crew is never without work.
“Yeah, I know. You act like you’ve never heard of taking a week off. At least Caleb took a day or two here and there.” Logan gripes.
Hearing Caleb’s name reminds me that I haven’t heard from Avery since Christmas. Caleb never even called me back. It’s the first Christmas we didn’t spend together since we were in middle school.
“Well, they want the job done by the end of January. Can’t fuck it up.” I shrug. “And Caleb’s not here.”
I feel hands slide around my waist so I look over my shoulder. “When is he coming back?” Tori smiles up at me, her brown eyes sparkling.
I step out of her embrace and line up my shot. “Don’t know.”
Her bottom lip extends in a pout, “I’ve missed him, Brady. Have you talked to him?”
“Eight ball, middle pocket.” I state. “No, I haven’t talked to him much.” I answer Tori and then sink the eight ball.
Madden gives me a look when Tori comes back to my side. I finish off my beer and start racking, trying to ignore Tori as she leans against the edge of the pool table. Honestly, there isn’t a feature on her that isn’t pretty. That’s why she’s always caused so much trouble between Caleb and Casey. She’s pretty and a flirt and doesn’t give a damn who she’s flirting with. Plus, the sex is outstanding. Not Lilly outstanding, but still outstanding. Maybe that’s what I need. Maybe that will get me out of the slump I’ve been in this past week. I need to move on from Lilly.
“Madden, you and Logan can have this one.” I tell him, handing him my pool stick.
“Brady, wait.” he says, sternly.
“Tori and I are going to go catch up about Caleb.” I say, firmly, ending any possibility of him attempting to stop me from leaving.
I take Tori’s hand and lead her upstairs to the empty apartment. As we take the stairs, my mind wanders to how many times Lilly and I came up here, but I push those thoughts out of my head. Lilly’s gone and she isn’t coming back.
I nudge the door open and the emptiness slams into me like a wrecking ball. The furniture is still there, but her things are gone. Everything she did to make it hers is gone. It’s empty.
“You didn’t bring me up here to talk about Caleb, did you?” Tori whispers, pressing herself against me.
“Nope.” I answer, closing the distance between us. I shut the door and lift her against it, cupping her ass in my hands.
When I close my mouth over hers, my first thought is that she doesn’t taste like watermelon the way Lilly always did. She tastes like alcohol. She shoves her tongue into my mouth and I’m reminded that Lilly’s tongue always danced with mine. Tori’s is nearly gagging me. I break the kiss and trail my lips over to her neck while I slide her panties to the side and insert a finger inside her.
“Oh yes, Brady, finger fuck me! Fuck yes!” she screams against my ear.
I should be flattered. I should be happy that one finger can make her scream out dirty talk, but instead I think of the times Lilly and I didn’t even have to say a word to each other and that was beautiful. Everything with Lilly was so fucking beautiful.
“Oh God, I’m coming!” she moans and I lean back.
“Already?” Did I just say that? Fucking hell. Tori glares at me so I ease my finger out of her and lower her to the floor.
“What the fuck, Brady?” she snaps. “I tell you I’m coming and you say ‘already?’. Really?”
She storms out of the apartment without glancing back. I walk over to the bed and sit on the edge a moment before lying back. What just happened? I had my finger in a wet pussy and my mind was not into it. Hell, my cock wasn’t even hard. That’s not like me at all. I sure as fuck can’t let it happen again.
Chapter 48
Lillian
It’s been two weeks since I left the enchanting little town of Hollis and went back to Dallas. When I arrived back home, I was greeted by both of my parents. Being back in their loving arms took some of the sting out of leaving Brady behind.
It was difficult discussing my fictional Europe trip with them. I could have told them about finding my adoption papers and my adventure in Hollis and had every intention of doing just that, but on my drive back I changed my mind.
My parents are incredible people and I was blessed to have them. Everyone is right, I dodged a bullet when the Steeles gave me up. I’m glad I have my brothers in my life now, but as far as parents go, I do not need or want Stanton and Elizabeth Steele in my life. There is no reason to cause my true parents any pain by stating that I know the truth. They have given me so much, I can let them have this secret.
I smile to myself as I park next to Landon’s truck in front of a cozy little café in downtown Dallas. It’s dirty, no doubt from travelling to Hollis. I myself had
that same dirt on my car just two weeks ago, but washed it all away before I parked it in my parents’ driveway.
I climb out of my car and walk inside, joining my older brother at a small table. “Well hi, Lilly. You made it.”
His phone is in his hand, as usual, as I greet him happily. I was thrilled when he called yesterday to invite me to lunch. I wasn’t sure if my brothers would want to keep in contact with me or not, but so far it seems they will be in my life.
“Of course, I did. How could I pass up you penciling me in?” I joke.
Landon smiles, but looks almost troubled. “Uh yeah, well I’ve actually been trying to clear my schedule a little more and make time for family.”
This surprises me and I can’t really hide it. “Really?”
He laughs, “Yes. Really.”
“Well, what changed?”
He narrows his eyes at me like I should know the answer to that already. “Oh I don’t know, maybe the fact that I’ve had a sister that I never knew about come around.” His tone turns more serious and he adds, “I don’t want to end up like Stanton.”
I nod my head, knowingly. “I don’t think you are that much like him.”
“I’ve even thought about taking a vacation. Maybe spend some time in Hollis.”
The mention of Hollis sends a sharp pain through my heart, but I quickly shake it off and cover my mouth in mock horror. “Oh my!”
Landon chuckles, “Smartass.”
I laugh with him and drop my hand to cover his. “I think that’s a great idea.”
We spend hours talking and then I notice the time on my cell phone. “This was so great, but I’m afraid I have to get going. I’m actually meeting Amelia to go shopping.”
Landon pays the check, “Ah that’ll be fun.”
We walk out to our vehicles and he pulls me in for a brief, brotherly hug. “I’ll see you soon, Lilly. Have fun with Amelia.”
I try not to let a tear escape at the feel of his embrace and at his words. This feeling is still so new, but it also feels so familiar, like we have been in each other’s lives all along.
I thank him and hop in my car to drive to the mall to meet Amelia. She’s waiting for me at the entrance when I get there.
She gives me a great big hug and pulls back. “Hi, Lilly! I’m glad you can join me! I’m so happy to have a sister in the city to go shopping with!”
I laugh at that. Amelia is truly adorable. “A sister?”
She nods and we start walking around the crowded shopping mall. “Yes! You are my husband’s sister, that makes you mine as well. I try to get Jade to come up and go with me, but she isn’t really a fan of shopping or Dallas.”
I smile at her kindness. “Well, I’m happy to be here, Amelia.”
I’m dying to ask about everyone in Hollis. I wonder if Amelia has been back since I left. Did she see Brady? I can’t ask about him, but Jade is with my brother Madden. It’s natural to ask about her. “How is Jade doing?”
She smiles over at me as she searches through an assortment of sun dresses. “She’s doing great. School is going wonderful. Now all we have to do is get her and Madden married.”
I laugh at that. “I doubt that’s too far off.”
“I think you’re right. Maybe we will both be bridesmaids!” She exclaims with giddy excitement.
My chest tightens. If they get married, Brady will certainly be at the wedding. More than likely a groomsman. Wow. We may be in each other’s lives more than I thought.
I can’t believe I’m already freaking out about a wedding that doesn’t even have a date set yet. Hell, they’re not even engaged. I feel ridiculous, but just smile and nod.
I need to figure out a plan for my life and what I need to do to execute it. The last thing I should be thinking about is Brady Thompson. What we had is over. Just like we both agreed it would be.
Chapter 49
Brady
Three weeks. Three fucking weeks and I’m sitting at Jack’s looking at a cheeseburger that I can’t bring myself to eat. What the hell is wrong with me? I always have an appetite and I can always eat a burger from Jack’s.
What’s worse is that I’m listening to Landon and Amelia talk about Lilly. My Lilly. Landon had lunch with her and Amelia went shopping with her. For Christ’s sake, I couldn’t even fuck a beautiful woman like I normally would have, but Lilly can go on as though what we had never happened. I don’t fucking think so.
“I’ll see you guys later.” I mumble and stand up from the table, leaving my uneaten burger.
“Where you running off to?” Landon questions.
“I got shit to do.” I snap and stalk off. That’s exactly right. I have shit to do. One, drive to Dallas. Two, find out exactly how Lilly is going on like I never existed.
I climb in my truck and spin out of the parking lot, leaving a cloud of dust behind me. I’m barely on the road thirty minutes when I’m already second guessing if I’m doing the right thing.
We agreed what we had was temporary. We agreed it would end and we would end it on good terms. Hell, we did end it on good terms. Great terms. Still, I know if I don’t go say something to her, I’ll keep wondering. I’ll keep trying to make things work with someone else and they won’t.
Sure, I’ll eventually get my cock hard long enough to deliver, but will it be the same? Will it feel the same way it did with her? With Lilly, I could feel her straight to my soul. She touched me and I swear, her touch left a stain on me that I can’t remove. She kissed me and I can still taste her. She smiled and made any pain I’ve ever experienced feel better.
I can’t keep pretending that I don’t miss her. I sure as hell can’t keep pretending that Hollis is the same without her. It’s not. The town I love is not the same.
My mom told me this would happen. When I left town and didn’t end things with Jade the right way, my mom told me that my player ways would come back to bite me in the ass. She’d said Jade was a sweet girl and I shouldn’t have treated her that way. She was right about that. She also said I shouldn’t behave like a manwhore. Well, that got me into a little trouble too. Obviously. But this, my mom knew this would happen. My mom knew eventually a woman would get the best of me.
I look down at my phone and as much as I hate doing this, I call Landon. I know I can call Madden or Keegan, but Landon’s the oldest and I feel he should know what I’m doing.
“I thought you had shit to do.” He answers like the smartass he is.
“I do.” I reply. “I need you to tell me where Lilly’s parents live.”
He’s quiet and I wonder if he’s going to answer. If I were him and she was my sister, I wouldn’t tell me shit. I’d keep her as far away from me as possible. Instead, he rattles off the address and then gives me a warning.
“She’s my sister, Brady, and I don’t think I need to tell you what will happen if you fuck her over.”
“I understand.” I confirm, letting him know I get that the three Steele brothers will have my ass if I screw this up. If I screw it up, I’ll deserve much more.
When I get to the address, it’s pretty much what I expected. The house is a large estate in a nice neighborhood. A Mercedes and BMW are parked out front, but not Lilly’s vehicle. My truck looks completely out of place. Still, I go ring the doorbell in the hopes that she’s here. I need her to be here.
The woman who answers has shoulder-length brown hair and light brown eyes. I’m only guessing it’s Mrs. Benson because there’s no resemblance to Lilly. Her smile is warm and genuine as she looks me over.
“You must be Brady Thompson.”
“I’m…I’m sorry?” I stutter, truly shocked that she knows my name.
“Lillian has told me all about you, young man.” she states. “And apparently the two of you had the same thing in mind. You just missed her.”
Chapter 50
Lillian
I’m staring at the drink case that holds several different sodas and juices, trying to decide between Dr. Pepper and Or
ange soda at the gas station. Maybe I’m really just stalling and trying to make an even bigger decision. Rather to chicken out or not.
I partially came clean to my mother today. She still doesn’t know that I know about being adopted, but I did tell her I wasn’t in Europe. I told her all about Hollis and waitressing and Brady. The only thing I left out was that three of the people there, I’m related to. She just thinks I was driving around and found Hollis by accident. That I was on some trip to try and “find myself.” She said she understood.
The truth is I miss Hollis. I miss talking with Jade and Casey and most of all I miss Brady. So today, I broke down and told my mom everything. She wasn’t mad that I lied and at the end of the talk she told me I had to do what was best for me. She even said Hollis sounds like a wonderful place.
By the end of the conversation, I had my bag packed and was in my car. By the time I reached the gas station on the way out of town, I panicked at my rash decision and pulled in.
This is crazy. Brady has probably already moved on by now. That’s who he is, right? My blood boils thinking about Brady with anyone else. Yes, I know that’s not exactly rational. We ended things and he has a right to move on. For that matter, so do I.
I take a deep breath and choose Dr. Pepper, taking it up to the register and paying for it before opening the door and walking outside. I unscrew the cap and take a drink of the cool liquid as I walk out to my car.
My eyes widen and the bottle falls out of my hand, spilling all over the cement of the gas station parking lot as I take in the sight before me. Brady Thompson, in all his gorgeous manly glory is leaning up against my car, wearing his sinfully right jeans and t-shirt.
I’m stunned as I meet up with him, trying to find words. “Brady.”
He gives me that damn grin, “Lilly.”
“What on earth are you doing in Dallas?”
