The Guardian Groom_Texas Titans Romance

by Lucy McConnell

  His lips brushed hers in an act that was almost reverent. He pulled back and smiled. His face was surrounded by haze because all she could see in the world was him.

  “Come on.” He ran his hands down her arms and twisted their fingers together. “I’ve got something special planned tonight.”

  “That wasn’t it?” She pointed over her shoulder to the spot where he’d earned her ever-loving adoration. She may not be a football fangirl, but she was an Owen fan through and through.

  He grinned. “Not even close.”

  Her whole body sighed in pleasure. He tucked her into the passenger seat and shut the door. As he walked around the car, she released the giggles she’d held back. The things this man could do to her with just a touch.

  * * *

  Owen pressed a kiss to Bree’s fingers. She looked beautiful and sophisticated and alluring in that dress. Her long black hair cascaded over her left shoulder and her warm brown eyes were liquid pools of love and affection.

  They’d just ordered and his hands were warm, his chest full of the love he wanted to share. Bree brought a peace to his life, a completeness that astonished him at every turn. She was every bit the homebody he was, and yet she enjoyed going out too. And she let him spoil her with lavish dinners, tickets to plays, and books. He loved to buy her books. Her eyebrows would lift up, her mouth opened in a pumpkin-sized smile, and she always, always thanked him with a kiss.

  The kisses they shared were one more way she accepted him—all of him. She never made a big deal about his money. Some women he’d dated acted as if they expected fancy restaurants and jewelry. Not Bree. Bree was content in her life, confident just the way she was—and that was one of the most attractive things about her.

  His heart thrummed. He took a sip of water, hoping to cool down. He’d rehearsed three different speeches, imagined a dozen ways to tell Bree he loved her. Now that the moment was here, the words clogged up his mouth and his throat tightened. He took another sip of water.

  Bree smoothed the white tablecloth with her palm. “I talked to the mayor and reserved the park. We’re all set for the end-of-summer reading party. Audrey is designing a flyer announcing the grand prize.” She reached over and patted his hand. “Thank you so much for doing this. You saved my bacon.”

  He flipped his hand over and captured hers. “I’m happy, Bree.”

  She smiled. “Me too.”

  “Really, this is the happiest I’ve been since … ever. Being with you is like stepping onto the field on opening day with a vision of great things to come.”

  Her lashes brushed her checks. The atmosphere around their table warmed with the love he felt for this woman.

  He scooted to the end of his chair, wishing the table wasn’t between them. “Bree, you’ve become an important part of my life, and I’m in l—”

  “Here you are, sir.” The waiter set a simmering skillet in front of Owen, forcing him to lean away from Bree or be singed. The salmon, covered in green herbs and lemon slices, sizzled, and butter melted over the asparagus spears. “And for you, madam.” Bree also leaned back in her chair.

  Owen blew out a breath. He’d come so close to saying those three little words and the moment was popped like a balloon. Now he’d have to work back up to that all over again. He couldn’t just blurt them out or throw them on the table like they were a used napkin. Bree was the last woman he was going to say I love you to, and he wanted the first time he said it to be special.

  He shook out his shoulders. He could do this. Get back out on the field. Throw another pass.

  “This looks delicious.” Bree picked up a fork and took a bite. “Oh my gosh. Owen, you have got to taste this!” She speared another piece and offered him the fork. He slowly took the bite into his mouth. The fish melted into butter and herbs, causing him to moan in pleasure.

  Bree’s eyes sparkled with desire. He couldn’t help himself. He had to kiss her. So he leaned over the table, his gaze dropping to her lips. She lifted out of her seat and met him partway for a slow, not-long-enough kiss.

  Suddenly, the feeling was back, the intimacy, and the connection that wrapped their two hearts together. “Bree, when I’m with you, it’s like everything else fades away.”

  She smiled shyly. “I know what you mean.”

  “Bree, I l—”

  Bree’s phone rang loudly, making her jump. “Sorry.” She dug through her tiny purse, casting an apologetic look toward the couple at the next table over. “Sorry,” she whispered again. Covering one ear, she pressed the phone to the other. “Hello? I’m sorry, who?” Her head popped up, her eyes wide in fright. “I’m on my way.” She stood, gathering her purse.

  Owen came halfway out of his seat. “What’s going on?”

  “That was the hospital. My mom was in an accident.”

  He stood all the way. “Where?”

  She rattled off the name of a hospital. He didn’t even know where it was or how long it took to get there.

  The waiter appeared. “Is there something I can assist you with?”

  “We need to leave immediately.” Owen reached for Bree’s elbow.

  “I’ll have your check ready up front.”

  Bree chewed her bottom lip and shoved her glasses up on her nose. “I need to walk. I’m going out front.” She hurried off.

  Owen rushed to the front only to wait for the server. He tapped his fingers on the counter impatiently. His phone beeped. He fished it out of his pocket to find a text from Bree.

  I’ve got a cab. I have to go.

  Owen stared at the words in shock. She’d left him? He was trying to pour his heart out, and she left. Couldn’t even wait for him to give her a ride. She just … left.

  “I’ve boxed everything up for the two of you.” The waiter presented him with black to-go containers and a self-satisfied grin. Surely he thought he’d done them a great service.

  Owen handed over his credit card, signed a slip, and walked into the clear night in a clouded haze. She’d left.

  He shook off the feeling of abandonment—her mom was in an accident! She wasn’t trying to get rid of him or block his declaration of love. She was worried about her mom. That’s all that was happening.

  He texted her back. I’m in the car, headed your way.

  You should go home. I’ll call you when I can.

  When I can? Not tomorrow? Not later? But an open-ended when I can? Was that all he was to her?

  Confused and heart-bruised, he put the car in gear and drove home on autopilot.

  Tammy’s family had made up emergencies to separate them too. They’d be on a date and her dad would suddenly have a migraine and need her care. Or her mom would need someone to drive her to the doctor’s office. An emergency every time. It happened often enough that he suspected they made up the ailments. Especially since he’d call later and they’d answer the phone with sunshine in their voice.

  Doris had been chill lately—flying under his radar. He’d let his guard down. He flicked his finger against the steering wheel. She could be really hurt. His rational side knew that just because Tammy’s parents had pulled these tricks didn’t mean that Doris would too. Mentally, he understood that. But his subconscious had released all the same fears that he’d dealt with in the past, and he didn’t know how to shut them off.

  He couldn’t do this again. He couldn’t fight a battle he was going to lose.

  Relief rushed through him that he hadn’t been able to tell Bree how he felt. That would have made putting distance between them all that much harder. He needed to step back. To regroup. To see things with clear eyes and not the rosy glasses of love or the dark glasses of a lost love.

  If Bree came with an overbearing mother, then he had to let her go. Only time would tell the difference. Time would show how much of a priority she placed on them, and in turn how much of a priority he was in her life.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Bree carried a tray of grilled cheese sandwiches and chocolate milk into the liv
ing room, comfort food for her mom, who was laid up with a broken leg.

  “Thanks for calling.” Mom hung up the phone. She’d been on with her GP, who had wanted to see her after hearing about the accident. They’d only left his office an hour ago. “The doctor says I’ll be out of commission for a week, and then I should be able to get around with crutches.”

  Bree set the tray on the coffee table and helped her mom to sit up higher. She was laid out on the couch with a couple pillows under her leg. “You’re lucky it wasn’t worse.”

  “I’m not old enough to break a hip. Not yet, anyway.”

  Bree bit her tongue. Her mom had fallen in the shower—or rather, getting out of the shower—and broken her leg just below the knee. She’d army-crawled to the phone and dialed 911. That proved she was tough.

  The idea of her mom in pain, dragging herself across the floor, brought tears to Bree’s eyes. “I’m still not sure why you didn’t call me. I could have at least gotten you a robe or something.” The paramedics had wrapped her in a sheet and hauled her naked self off to the emergency room. Bree had to gather underwear and pajamas to take to the hospital so Mom could have something to wear home.

  “You were out with Owen. I didn’t want to impose.”

  At the mention of Owen, breathing became difficult. “Shoot. I forgot a napkin. I’ll be right back.”

  Bree hurried into the kitchen, gulping air. Owen hadn’t shown up at the hospital like she thought he might despite her telling him to head home. She’d given him an out in case he still wasn’t comfortable around her mom. He took it, and she wasn’t happy that he had. He should have been there for her no matter how awkward the situation. She could have used a strong arm to lean on.

  On top of that, he hadn’t answered her calls or texts. It had been two days. Two long and lonely days as she carried the burden of caring full-time for her mom, planning the big summer party that was less than a week away, and running her mom’s clothing company.

  Because she’d started late, the party consumed spare minutes like they were Oreos. She’d packaged more of the hiking skirts than she cared to see in her lifetime and was painfully close to all three of Schulenburg’s mail carriers.

  As busy as her life was, there was a gaping hole that ate at her heart and threatened to pull it into the darkness like a big black hole of love.

  She decided to try him again. Hey, just hanging out at Mom’s. Call me when you get a minute.

  She stared at the screen, praying the three little dots would jump or wave or something that indicated he was texting her back. They sat there, dead. Kind of like her heart when she thought of not talking to Owen for twenty-four hours more. There had to be an explanation for his silence. Maybe he’d been in an accident. The thought sent ice through her veins. No, Kyle would have called her. Bree managed to get along with Owen’s best friend; why couldn’t he try harder with her mom?

  Standing around in the kitchen wasn’t helping her work through all these emotions. “Mom, I’m going to run a couple errands. Can I get you anything?”

  “No thanks. I’m going to take a nap.”

  Bree snagged her keys off the hook and ran out the door to jump into her car. She barely saw the road signs and traffic lights on the way to Owen’s house. As she came around the last bend and the view opened up before her, she sighed. His house was beautiful, inside and out. She was so proud of all the work he’d put into it, the time and effort he’d applied to make the home a place of welcome and comfort.

  The steps were easy to hop up and she pressed the doorbell. Her knees bounced in anticipation. No matter why he hadn’t answered her, anticipation at seeing him again thrummed through her veins.

  After what seemed like an eternity, the door opened and there he was. “Owen.” She grinned up at him, feeling all that much better just to see that he was all right. She went to step forward, expecting him to step aside and let her in or open his arms to her, but he stood like a sentry in the doorway. Rebuffed, she inched her shoes backward. “Hi.”

  “Bree? What are you doing here?”

  “I came to make sure you were okay. I was worried when I didn’t hear back from you.”

  He folded his arms. “It took you three days to notice?”

  His judgmental frown didn’t sit well with her. “I’ve texted and called. In case you forgot, my mom was in the hospital. She’s in bad shape.”

  “I’m sure she is.”

  His disbelief was baffling. “Really, she fell down and broke her leg.”

  He scratched at his beard, which had grown longer than she’d seen it before. His hair was longer too. And his eyes were drawn.

  “Are you okay?”

  He leaned against the doorframe, his hands in his pockets and his chin down. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking.”

  Bree turned slightly to the side, like she was deflecting a blow. Owen had never lashed out at her, but there was an instinct that told her whatever he was going to say would hurt.

  “I don’t think we should see each other anymore.”

  “But—” She cut off, unsure what she was going to say after that. What did one say to such a declaration? “Why?”

  “Why?”

  “Yes, Owen. Why?” He’d said several times how much he cared for her, how right she felt in his life. He’d looked at her like he loved her for some time now.

  “I can’t be second-string in a relationship. I’ve been there before. Waited while the girl I loved catered to her family’s every need, and when I thought she loved me, they yanked her away.” He finally looked at her, looked hard and long and piercing. “I can’t be second-string. I won’t.”

  “Is this because I left the restaurant?” She’d debated getting that cab, but it was sitting right there on the curb like an answer to a prayer. She’d been so wrapped up in what the nurse had said about her mom arriving naked and in pain that she didn’t stop to think she might hurt Owen’s feelings by taking off. Then again, her mom was in the hospital. Was he being selfish?

  “It’s because you will always put your mom first.” He held up a hand to hold off her arguments. “I understand that you are close and I don’t want to come between the two of you, but I can’t share you. Not like that.”

  Bree knew her mouth was hanging open, she knew she was shaking, but she couldn’t feel any of that. All she could feel was this odd sensation—like duct tape was being slowly pulled off her heart one centimeter at a time. “I …” Reality kicked in and Bree reacted. “You’re seriously breaking up with me because I love my mom? That’s … twisted.”

  The lines on his face deepened. As did her anger. Her hands fisted and her face flamed.

  “You’re upset.”

  “No. I’m not upset, Owen. I’m angry.” She pressed her hands open and then clenched them up again. “I’m angry that you think you should be the center of my world 100% of the time. That’s selfish and unrealistic. And I’m angry at myself that I didn’t see this side of you before—” Her voice caught, but she didn’t let that stop her from saying what needed to be said. “Before I went and fell in love with you.”

  Storm clouds gathered in his blue eyes. “When you love someone, they come first.”

  “Right! And who are you putting first?” She stomped her foot and then spun on her heel, racing for the safety of her car. The tears were already spilling over, and she didn’t want him to see her at her most broken.

  “Bree!” he called from the porch. “Bree!” His voice was closer, but she didn’t stop to see how far he’d chased after her. She jumped in the car and managed to make it to the main road before she couldn’t see past the salty sting in her eyes.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  “Ugh!” Owen took a hit he wasn’t expecting and went down, hard.

  Teo Parata hopped off him and offered a hand to pull him off the turf. The heavy-hitting Polynesian was one of the nicest guys on the team—a total pushover in the locker room, but a bullet train on the field. “Come on, man,
shake it off.”

  Owen nodded and smacked Teo on the back to let him know he was okay. The off-season field workouts weren’t too intense. The guys were all in a state of healing up from last season, the Titans’ best season yet, and no one wanted an injury to stop the next season from being just as great. Rings were hard to come by in the NFL, every one earned by playing harder, faster, and stronger than the opposing team.

  “Hit the showers!” yelled the assistant coach. Owen trudged in behind the main group of guys. He wasn’t one of the crowd—hadn’t been before, and didn’t expect to be now. What surprised him was how lonely he felt standing in the middle of his teammates. Being aloof had suited him well, right up until he met Bree. She’d made life sweeter than before, just by being a part of his day.

  He pushed thoughts of her, and her accusation of selfishness, aside. He’d gotten pretty good at sidestepping his conscience these last couple of days. In another few months, maybe he wouldn’t have to move so fast. He slammed his hand against the door on his way out of the locker room and a woman jumped out of the way, clutching a child to her chest.

  As if he didn’t already feel like the world’s biggest jerk for the hurt he’d seen in Bree’s eyes when she said she’d fallen in love with him, this woman glowered as if he’d attacked her child.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t expect anyone to be on the other side of the door.”

  She threw her hair over her shoulder, and he got a good look at her face and the chubby cheeks of the toddler in her arms. There was no mistaking that butterball.

  “You’re Teo’s family.”