Hidden

by T K Barber

  He covered her arms with his and stared at the space above the fireplace. Should have been a family portrait there. He scanned the rest of the room, almost like it was the first time.

  In his Gram’s house, you could tell. The walls showed love. Or, at least, where love had hung. There was no love here. Not for a long damn time.

  Nataly stretched up and waved the candy like a red flag, grinning again when he focused on her. “She ain’t here, Tomcat. You know where she’s at.” Her smile lessened as she tapped her temple, then her heart. “She’s in those books too though, take ‘em.”

  She pointed at the bottom of the bookcase.

  Photo albums. His stomach hollowed. Did he even want them? What good would it do? Remember how horrible everything was?

  Every time he looked at her face, he’d just see her in that window when he—

  He let out a soft, single laugh, to cover the lump. Gonna take some time to change that channel.

  That T.V. was programmed long ago.

  Anna released him and before he knew it, she had all four of those big old books in her arms, headed to the front door. He watched until her swaying ass was out of sight. When he turned back around, he was nearly nose to nose with Nat.

  “Tomcat, where ya at?”

  He smiled and pulled back a little. “I’m here. Just . . .” He shrugged one shoulder.

  Blond locks tumbled down her shoulder when she tilted her head, gaze chasing some memory. “She was broken. So bad, I had ta sleep in her bed those first weeks. I caught every tear with your name on it, sewed up her holes, and patched her best I could. Don’t ever give her a reason to hurt you. Then I’d have to go after her for hurting you. I’d never forgive you for that.”

  She winked, gave him a kiss on the cheek, spun around, and headed toward Gavin.

  Knowing Nat was there for Anna helped a lot, but it still sucked.

  He cleared his throat and nodded. “Yeah. I get it. Don’t worry. I guess I’m gonna head to my room. You guys hangin’ out?”

  Gavin wrapped his arms around Nataly from behind, looking a lot like a blanket of man on her tiny frame. “Yeah. We’re staying until you’re done.”

  He appreciated that. A lot.

  Step after robotic step took him to his door, closed tight. It might as well have had bars on it. Nails and boards.

  “Thomas?”

  “Here, babe.”

  Her gorgeous head popped around the corner and suddenly, it was just a door.

  “That’s your room?”

  He nodded and turned the knob, pushing it open with a creak and a winced eye.

  “Oh wow, it’s so colorful.” She brushed past him with a high-pitched laugh. “No. Way. You like The AirStars? That poster is totally coming with.” She jammed her phone in her back pocket and pulled at the tape.

  He let his gaze fall on everything in turn. His bed with his splatter paint bedspread. Nope. Favorite pillows. Nope. The weird, crooked nightstand he’d had God only knew how long. Nope. Bookcase with the bottom shelf missing and peeled-up lacquer. Nope.

  “Okay, got that.” The rolled-up homage to rock landed on his bed and she brushed her hands. “What else?”

  School yearbooks. Yeah. He pointed to the third shelf and swallowed, but she guessed and started pulling them off one at a time. “Totally going through these later,” she teased, as she stacked them on the bed.

  He snorted and stepped to the closet, blowing out a long breath. Damn, he had a lot of clothes. A low whistle sounded behind him and he twisted to see her grin.

  “Thank God. Your closet is worse than mine. I’m so glad you’re not OCD or anything.”

  He laughed and shook his head. “Nope. Takes too long to organize. I’m way too lazy for that shit.”

  She hip bumped him, stumbled a step, and grabbed a double armful of clothes with a grunt. “K. I’ll go shove these in the trunk, we—”

  “Gorgeous.” He put his hand on her arm. “Drop ‘em.”

  She quirked a brow and thinned her lips. “You need clothes.”

  “Yeah, but not these specifically. Tell ya what. You drop all those an’ I’ll let ya take me shoppin’. We can buy all new shit.”

  She sucked in a breath through her teeth. “I am sooo not a fan of shopping. I love presents. And new things. I just hate shopping.”

  His heart fluttered and he laughed. “Anna, I swear. Straight outta my head. Come ‘ere.”

  He pushed all the clothes out of her arms and wrapped her up tight. When he dipped her, that sweet squeal found even more hidden happiness in him, and he kissed her until a voice clearing in the doorway made them jump.

  “Need any help?” Mountain man stepped into the room and headed to the bed. “I’ll grab these.” Everything was in his arms and he turned to face them. “What else?”

  Thomas blinked, exhaled, looked around, and shook his head. “Not a damn thing.”

  Gavin smiled and hoofed it through the door.

  “You sure?” Anna’s hand stroked his face, sending sparks through his skin.

  Thomas planted a huge kiss on her lips, then pulled back. “Yep. Well, actually, I’m gonna grab my shoes. And that hat. But that’s it.”

  Items in his arms, girl by his side, he led the way back to the main room. Gavin was just coming back inside, gas can in hand. Shit became real in an instant. Was he ready to let it all go?

  Nataly spotted the two of them and rushed over with a bounce. “Showtime little ones.”

  He smiled as she ushered them out and closed the door behind them.

  “Are you guys gonna stay to watch?”

  Anna flicked her eyes sideways at Thomas and he chuckled. “Nah. We’re gonna head home.”

  Nat nodded and smiled, but Thomas furrowed his brow. “Where’re you staying?”

  Her smile was blistering, and she jumped in place. “Grams! Gav and I are moving in there!”

  His eyes closed on their own. He wasn’t going to lose that piece of his life either. How did she manage to get that?

  Oh. Nataly came back into view when he popped his lids back open. Ms. Price must have arranged it. Well. Today was getting less miserable by the second.

  Anna bumped into his arm, and his now wide eyes found hers, equally bugged. Their building.

  “Nat, we’ll be right upstairs.”

  Her blond head twisted side to side as she pulled him into a hug. “Not for long. You’ll find your house soon.” Before he could reply she pushed him back by his shoulders. “Tomcat. I love ya. Go. I ain’t gonna vanish.”

  How did she know he was thinking that? He smiled. “Love you too, Natty.”

  And just like that, in practically a blur they’d hugged, waved, and were back in V’s car, headed home in a haze of memories. Anna’s fingers wound through his. He brought her hand to his mouth, pressing her knuckles to his lips and held them there.

  Now he knew the truth. Now, it made more sense for someone like her to love someone like him. He could accept it. Or at least start to kind of get used to the idea.

  He’d still put her on that pedestal, far far above him, every second she didn’t demand to be let down. It was the only way she deserved to be treated.

  They’d both found love where it wasn’t supposed to be. But just like her, he really wouldn’t change a thing. Even if he could go back in time. He lost his ma. His pop.

  His life essentially.

  But he got his sister back. Might even give Marianna a chance to prove she really wanted to be in their lives.

  More than that, though, he got a future. He was gonna have his own family with the single most amazing person on this whole stupid planet.

  Smoke curled up into the night sky in the rearview mirror, and he swallowed.

  Their love would burn forever. Their fire would never die. Because they’d never let it. And they’d never hide it from the world.

  One Week Later

  Annalise


  Done.

  Power, water, phone line - all of it. Hooked up, running and ready to go. Furniture, check. Stocked counter, check. Supplies, check.

  Ready. Annalise fiddled with the sparkling rock on her ring finger as she hummed under her breath. Why was she still freaking out?

  Her screen lit up, showing the cheshire cat grin that was the center of her life as she checked her phone for the nine-hundredth time in the last four minutes. Almost time to open. That’s why.

  She shifted from foot to foot as Gavin and V moved one of the chocolate leather sofas two inches to the left.

  “THERE! Stop. Right there.”

  The couch thudded on the hardwood and V popped his back, smiling. “Is perfetto, Annalise. Where is T—”

  “Okay germs an’ doll.” Annalise lit up, body and soul, heat curling in her belly as he stomped the last step, ran a hand through his hair, and winked at her. “Nat’s got the kitchen damn purrin’ down there.”

  “I know, it smells sooo good. Come here, handsome.”

  Annalise held out her hand and Tommy grinned. He tugged the apron strap over his neck and untied it as he walked, checking each newly revealed inch of his pressed shirt for anything out of place.

  So damn sexy. Just no matter what he was doing. She bit her lip.

  He held the apron out to her, but she clicked her tongue and slapped it away. That amazing Thomas laugh rang through the dining room as he plopped the cloth down on the counter instead and pulled her hips to his by her belt loops.

  “Hey, gorgeous.” He leaned in, lips brushing her ear as his voice dropped to his low gravel. “Whaddya say we send everyone away an’ make use of the back room? We’ll open tomorrow.”

  “Mmm. As hot as that would be, I think way more than a few people would be miffed. Also pretty sure that’d be a health violation.”

  “Pssh. I ain’t talking about on top of the food.” He tilted his head and smirked. “Though now, we could use—”

  “Get a room, you two.”

  Annalise rolled her eyes over her grin and hooked her arms around Thomas’ neck as she looked over his shoulder. Her brother came up the stairs carrying a stack of menus. Shoot. She’d forgotten to put those out!

  “Nick don’t even. How many times did I have to watch you and Scarlet eye-fuck each other at dinner?”

  Thomas busted out laughing and buried his face on her neck, muffling the sound. Nick cleared his throat and shrugged with a smile as he set the stack on the counter. Yeah punk. Thought you might have no comment to that.

  “Where is she?”

  “She’s on her way. Katelyn’s having a,” he lifted his hands to air quote. “‘What to wear to hit on a smoking hot bartender’ crisis. So, she went to pick her up.”

  Annalise snorted. Not that she knew him personally, but she’d heard all about him. It was an understandable crisis for a newly separated woman like Katelyn.

  She took a slow breath and nodded. “Okay. Okay good. I mean not good that she’s having—I mean just good that—”

  “Gorgeous, take a breath.” Thomas squeezed her waist. “I mean, leave some air for the rest of us, but, ya know.”

  “Thomas I am a literal wreck. I’m the giant cruise liner that struck an iceberg.”

  He rolled his eyes with a smile and kissed her cheek. “It’s called ‘The Titanic.’ And I know just the cure for the other.” With a wink that melted her to a puddle, he rounded the counter and clapped Nick on the shoulder. “Bro, thanks again for droppin’ off all that hardware. We already hadta use those bulbs.”

  “No problem. What good’s a discount if you never use it? I only have it until I get done training my replacement, anyway.” He snagged Thomas in a half-assed headlock, then patted him on the back.

  Men. Her eyes almost rolled out of her head. Just hug. It wasn’t that hard.

  The front door squeaked open, and a familiar voice sliced through the room.

  “I don’t know what the shit you all are cookin’, but you got people waiting out there like it’s a damn welfare line. I had to punch an old lady just to get in.”

  Killer!

  She spun in time to see him tugging Vincent into a man-hug, complete with a single hard back slap. “Hey V. Bro, you ‘bout to make a mint on this damn place.”

  V straightened up and gave one of his shoulders a squeeze. “Non. I’m simply the banker. Annalise and Thomas will reap those rewards.” He gave her a proud smile, making her heart swell.

  “I hear that.” Mr. In Charge himself rubbed his palms together and stalked up to the counter. “So, boss lady, what’s—” He froze when his eyes landed on the poster behind her. “Oh, you gotta be fuckin’ kidding me. Tell me you don’t like that waste of space band.”

  She raised her brows, but Thomas chimed in. “Hell yeah we do. Hard Up’s a damn good song.”

  Killer faked gagging and held his stomach. “I mean, I guess it’s nice they make music for deaf people. That drummers’ a douche though. And he plays like a pair of wet Chucks stuck in the dryer.”

  Annalise and Thomas laughed until an alarm chirped on her phone. Needles shot through her palms, and she shook them with a squeak. Thomas kissed her shoulder and snagged her hand mid air.

  “Go flip that sign, gorgeous.”

  EPILOGUE

  Two Years Later

  Thomas

  Their little courthouse ceremony. The closing on this awesome house twenty minutes outside of town. Thirty-plus weeks of morning sickness, mood swings, three a.m. runs to the store for whatever. Spoiling the hell out of his sexy wife. Taking care of their cat and his funky habit of licking random things. Keeping up with the shop while she stayed at home on bed rest—everything they’d been through—it all was coming down to this moment.

  He was gonna hurl.

  The duffel bag sat open on the coffee table, and for the damn life of him, he couldn’t remember if he was supposed to pack the two blankets with the fuzzy edges, or the ones with the silky ribbons.

  And week thirty-six was not the week to ask your pregnant wife something she’d already told you twice, no matter how easy it was to keep her from staying irritated. A smile pulled at his mouth and he stretched his neck.

  A harem of literal goddesses had nothing on pregnant Anna.

  He stared at the bag and shook his head. At least this was just a dry run. Alright then. Fuzzy it was.

  In they went, and he had just gotten it zipped when Anna’s sharp gasp chilled his blood.

  “Thomas!”

  He blanched and ran back to the bedroom, skidding around the door frame. Annalise’s extremely pregnant profile came into view and his chest expanded. He’d never get tired of seeing her. Not one single time.

  “What is it, gorgeous? What’s wrong?”

  “I think—”

  She gasped again and gripped her stomach. Racehorses took his heart and ran off with it. All the color drained from her beautiful face, and he cleared the room in a second flat to cup her cheeks.

  “Hey, hey. It’s all good.”

  “No it’s NOT.”

  She might have snarled at him, but the way she wrung her hands and shook them out told him all he needed to know.

  “It is, gorgeous. Besides,” he kissed her temple and tilted his head to catch her wild gaze. “My boys are strong as hell, doc says so.”

  “But it’s too early!”

  “Nah. It’s all good. We got this. Doc says—”

  “I know what he said!”

  He busted out laughing even though he knew that was probably the last thing he should have done. It was just so damn funny when she got riled up.

  She grunted and rolled her eyes, then muttered “Sorry.”

  “Nah. No need to apologize, ya know that. We’ll be there in two shakes. I’m gonna haveta call everyone though, tell ‘em the dinner party’s off.”

  “There’s no time, we need to go!” Her voice rose an octave, and she grabbed
his arm with her vice grip.

  Damnit she was probably gonna make it worse if she didn’t calm down.

  “We’re goin’, we’re goin’. Come on.”

  He let his hands slide down her face, then her arms, until their fingers twined. A small smile hit her mouth despite everything, and he felt a hundred feet tall again.

  She cradled her stomach as he helped her waddle through the door, then through the hallway and into the living room. He snagged the bag from the table, patting himself on the back for getting it done.

  “Why is the fucking car so far away?”

  Her grumble was just the cutest damn thing. “Gorgeous, you’re adorable.”

  She sneered. “I’m not ador—!”

  She let out a breathy scream, released his hand and bent at the waist, both hands cradling her stomach. Something itched in the back of Thomas’s brain and he dropped the bag.

  “Anna!” He caught her just in time and laid her weak body gently on the ground.

  He patted her cheek with one hand, digging his phone out with the other as he knelt behind her head and rested it on his lap. Still breathing. Nice and slow. Good.

  Her eyes flew open and found his eyes above her and upside down.

  “Thomas, something’s—”

  “Nah. They’re fine. You’re fine. Everything’s—Yeah, finally. Listen my wife’s pregnant and we were on the way to the hopsi—”

  “AAAHHH!”

  Anna picked her torso up off the ground, and her face contorted in agony. Pits of ice formed in his stomach.

  “Hey, do that breathin’ stuff. Like we practiced, yeah?”

  She pursed her lips and nodded.

  He blinked and tilted the phone back up to his mouth. “What? Oh yeah sorry, so she kinda collap . . . seven months. But I caught . . . wait, what? . . . Well, how am I supposed to know that?” His face blanked and his jaw dropped. “I gotta do what now?” He dropped a glance to Anna’s pale face and swallowed. “She’s not gonna like that.”

  “What? What aren’t I going to like? Fucking tell me, Thomas!”

  He winced, mostly failing not to smile, and put a hand on her forehead.

  “Nah, no fever. Ya sure I’ve gotta do that?”