Chasing forever, p.24
Chasing Forever, page 24
I flop back in my seat. “I’m not sure I want to stay married to you. You’re one of those ‘go big or go home’ guys, and I’m more of a ‘don’t show your cards at all’ person.”
“Maybe that’s why we’re so good with one another.” He waits patiently as I chew on my bottom lip.
“What did you bring?”
He smiles as though he’s won already. “Everything I could pack. Mostly the coffee mugs, but also some bowls and vases. You can pick what you want, obviously. We don’t have to put it all out.”
“And you’re not dropping me off, right? You’ll be there the whole time?” I move my hands to my stomach because it has that tingly feeling.
“Right at your side.”
“And you won’t leave me.” I meet his gaze.
He takes my hands. “Never.”
I nod and blow out a breath. “Okay.”
“Really?” His smile is wide, eyes twinkling.
“Why do you sound so shocked? You did all this, and you really thought I’d say no?”
He shrugs. “I was eighty-twenty you’d go through with it.” I arch an eyebrow, and he chuckles. “Okay, ninety-ten… maybe ninety-five, five.”
“All right, let’s do it then.”
We climb out of the truck and meet around the back.
Brooks has everything nicely packed in crates. It takes us an hour to get set up, and I send Briar a thank-you text for the logo she created and the business cards.
Right before the market opens, I wrap my arms around Brooks’s neck and draw him as close as I can, inching up on my tiptoes. I take his baseball hat and slide it onto his head backward so I can kiss him.
“Thank you for doing all this. I’m so lucky to have you.” I kiss him, and he holds me tightly.
“No matter what happens today, remember, you are talented. You create beautiful things. Now, chin up, shoulders back. I’ll just be your eye candy behind the table.” He flutters his eyes.
I laugh and kiss his cheek. “I love you.”
“I love you more.”
“Oh, no, we’re not starting that as a competition.”
Then I notice the woman with the purple glasses who was in my store that one time eyeing my table, and all the nerves double in my stomach.
Chapter Forty-Five
Brooks
I’m too busy laughing to notice a woman with purple glasses eyeing our table before she smiles and weaves through the crowd toward us.
“The mugs?” she says, voice full of excitement as she picks up one. “The daisy.”
I step back and let Lottie be the center of attention as she should be. She talks to the woman, apologizes, and openly confesses her fear of putting herself out there. It’s endearing to watch, and I’m so proud of the chances she’s taken in the last little while.
I saw her broken and shattered well over a decade ago, but she’s shown how strong she really is.
For the entire day, I admire Lottie from afar, helping her pack items when necessary, but never interrupting unless I’m directly asked a question. I try to be the strong wind at her back, although I’m not sure she needs me because she’s soaring all on her own. A constant stream of people come up to her and rave about her items.
After the last straggling customer leaves, she tackles me in a hug. Thankfully, I’m stronger than her. “Thank you so much. This was perfect and the push I needed. God, I’m so lucky to have you.”
“You would have done it at some point.”
She falls down to her heels and takes in the almost sold-out table. “I’m so happy I could burst.”
“Does this mean you might not be making me coffee every morning?”
She leans her head on my shoulder. “I’ll always make your coffee.”
“Good.” I kiss the top of her head. “Let’s go to dinner here in Lincoln and celebrate.”
“Sounds perfect.”
I couldn’t be happier with the way the day has turned out.
I’d been so scared, asking Romy to help me keep her distracted until I could get everything packed up in my truck. I now owe Bennett, Emmett, and Ben a night out at The Hidden Cave on me.
We pack up all her stuff, and I’m just shutting the tailgate of my truck when my phone vibrates.
I open my door, and Lottie’s already in her seat, putting on her seat belt. “I’m kind of sweaty and gross, so can we go somewhere not too nice? Maybe a bar-b-que place where we can eat outside.”
I pull my phone out of my pocket to look up a place nearby and blink when I see the message.
“What is it?” Lottie asks.
I turn my screen to face her, and she leans forward to read the text I just got from Ben.
Hey man, I know you’re in Lincoln, but I just wanted to let you know that I just saw your brother with your dad in town. Looked like he might have been campaigning with him or something.
Lottie’s face falls, and I’m sure mine is lined with anger. My dad called Holden home, I can almost guarantee it. The question is whether he’s just here for my dad or if he plans on messing with me too.
Chapter Forty-Six
Lottie
Brooks tosses his phone into the center console of his truck and jams the key into the ignition without a word. His hand lands on the back of my headrest as he looks over his shoulder to back out, never once looking at me.
Talk about going from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows.
Holden is back.
He’s returned home a few times over the years of course, only ever for a brief time. As if we came to some unspoken agreement, we’ve both stayed on opposite sides of town until he left.
But now everything has changed. I’m in love with his brother. Hell, I’m married to his brother.
As Brooks drives, the silence between us grows, making the cab feel small and ripe with tension.
“Thank you for doing all this for me today. I really appreciate it.”
He links his hand with mine, bringing my knuckles to his lips and kissing them. “It’s going to be okay.”
I shouldn’t be surprised he can hear how unsettled I am. He can always read me, knows what I’m not saying.
I put my other hand on top of his. “Why do you think he’s back?”
The idea of Holden becoming a wedge between us makes my stomach turn. If Brooks and I are going to last, really last, we have to face this together. There can’t be anything between us.
“My dad. The election. Voting is Monday. Some people in town may not like him, but there are a lot of newcomers who weren’t here when everything went down between you two. You know how charismatic my brother can be. I’m sure my dad is hoping he’ll help him win over some of the residents who don’t know him. It’s the final card he has to play.”
“But…” I hesitate, trying to find the right words.
In small towns, sides get taken based solely on bloodlines. My family has had the largest ranch in Willowbrook for generations, and a lot of folks took it personally when Holden left me the way he did. Maybe if he’d walked away before I was in my wedding gown and the guests had arrived, it wouldn’t have turned into such a public betrayal.
“He wants to show a bonded family. Since I’m endorsing Miller, that’s a stain on my dad. Plus, you know Holden. He charms everyone. Makes you feel like you’re the most important person in the room. He’ll help my dad, but I’m pretty sure he’ll still lose.” Brooks tightens his fingers around mine. “But I’m going to handle this. You don’t have to worry. It’s my issue.”
I turn in the seat to better face him. “It’s our issue. Our problem.”
He doesn’t glance in my direction. “Lottie, I want you as far away from this as I can get you.”
“Um… who do you think you’re married to?”
He huffs and side-eyes me. “You don’t need to be dragged into it. I’m going to handle it. I’ll call Holden tomorrow and meet him for a beer. Tell him that while he’s here, he can stay the hell away from us.”
Brooks’s in full protective mode, and I get it. Deep down, he’s scared this will shake me—maybe even revert me back to the girl Holden left behind.
“This has nothing to do with me thinking you want him,” Brooks says.
I laugh. “Good because you would be stupid if you thought that.”
He glances at me, pulling onto the highway toward home. “I’m just saying, I’m not trying to keep you from him because I don’t believe in us or the fact that you love me. It’s purely to protect you.”
“I can protect myself.” My tone sharpens. I’m not going to let him play the white knight and shove me behind the castle walls as if I’m some damsel in distress.
Brooks pulls over to the side of the highway.
“What are you doing?”
He throws the truck in park and turns in his seat. “I know you’re a badass. I know you love me. I know where we’re at with our relationship. I’m not afraid of losing you. I’m not afraid you’re going to run away with Holden. Those are not my fears.” I open my mouth, but he shakes his head. “Let me finish. Please.”
I remain silent, heart twisting at the edge in his voice.
“But I also know my family. Holden learned it from my dad, and if you think I’m going to give him another chance to hurt you with his vengeful words, I won’t do it. I’m not trying to handle it for you because I don’t think you can. But words stick with people a helluva lot longer than a bruise. Years later, they’ll just pop back up in your head and make you second guess yourself, even if it’s for a millisecond. So, I’m begging you, Lottie, just please let me handle this.”
I exhale slowly, staring at this man who looks as if he’d fight the whole damn world to spare me an ounce of pain. His jaw is clenched, but his eyes… they’re pleading.
I lean forward and place my hand on his cheek and move in to kiss him. Right before my lips land on his, I say, “No.”
He says my name with a frustrated sigh.
But he should know me better than that by now.
“You got your chance to speak, so listen to me now. I hate that you grew up in that house, and no one told you that your father’s criticisms, the words he called you, picking on you when you were young, that he was wrong and cruel and weak for doing so. I hate that you might have for one second believed any of the things he said. And I understand you wanting to protect me from that. But I have you. You don’t even have to tell me that whatever they’ll say is wrong because you counter all of that by just the way you look at me. So, Holden, your dad, your mom, they can say whatever they want about me. I don’t really care, and I sure as hell don’t believe them. You’ve taught me that. So, I’m really sorry, but we’re a team now. When you drunk-married me in Vegas, that solidified that it’s you and me. Not just you. Not just me. Us.”
He stares at me long and hard, his hand now cradling my cheek like I cradle his.
A semi barrels by and shakes the truck.
“God, you’re amazing,” he says.
“Same.”
He presses his lips to mine. There’s no urgency in it. No attempt to deepen or dominate the kiss. Just his lips, soft and steady, pressed to mine.
I feel him relax, and he ends the kiss slowly and rests his forehead against mine. “Okay.”
“I wasn’t asking your permission.”
He chuckles lightly and kisses my forehead. “I figured.”
“Come on, let’s go have some fun with our friends rather than eat here in Lincoln. Romy texted me, and they’re all watching the ballgame at The Hidden Cave. It will be good for us to be around our people tonight.” I need to escape this weight, if only just for today. We can face all the shit tomorrow.
“I really just want to take you home.”
“After we watch the Colts win.”
He sighs since he’s a Kansas City fan. “How the hell did you become a Chicago fan?”
“We all are.” He kisses me one more time and situates himself in the driver’s seat. I keep my hand on his thigh. “We’ve always been. I think our great-grandpa just wanted to be different, but sorry, the Colts are going to beat KC tonight.”
He shakes his head, and the mood lifts.
We’ll push it all aside for tonight.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Brooks
There are times I think I have this all figured out, how Lottie and I will be as a couple, and then she schools me in the front seat of my truck and surprises me all over again.
We walk into The Hidden Cave when I really just want to take her home and remind her how good a team we really are. I guide her by the hand, and she holds on tight as if she wants to make sure we don’t get separated in the crowd.
Outside on the patio, our friends and family are sprinkled among a few tables. We raise our hands in hello but stop at the bar to grab some drinks.
Melvin is having a very stern talk with someone I assume might’ve been trying to take something off The Canary Wall II. Tammy slides us our usual drinks of choice—me a beer and Lottie a margarita—then we join everyone else.
Ben shoots me a look, but I shake my head. I’m not going to ruin tonight by allowing my brother to wedge his way in.
“I brought your shirt and shorts,” Romy says, tossing Lottie her Chicago Colts shirt.
I groan. “I might have to tear that off you tonight,” I whisper in her ear.
Lottie kisses my cheek. “I’ll just buy a new one. I heard a rumor that Foster Davis might be getting traded to the team. Maybe I’ll get his jersey.” She pats my ass. “I’ll be back.”
“Oh, I’ll go with you,” Sadie volunteers, her eyes finding mine as she walks by.
I guess I’m to assume more than Ben has seen my brother around town. No doubt Sadie’s number one priority is to see how Lottie’s doing with the news. I’m glad Lottie has her as a friend.
When Lottie comes back, she’s in jean shorts and her Chicago Colts T-shirt with BAILEY on the back. Easton fucking Bailey. The best thing that’s happened to the Colts in years.
Hours later, Lottie’s in my lap, rubbing in that the Colts are beating Kansas City by three runs.
“Lots of time left,” I say, patting her outer thigh.
It’s a great night and just what I needed after hearing the shitty news about my brother that I really should have predicted. Of course my dad would summon him home. And forever the obedient son, he comes.
Ben knocks his elbow against mine and nods behind me.
Lottie’s laughing with the girls about how crazy Poppy seems to be about the tattoos on the players, and Lottie’s hand runs along my arm where mine are. I glance over my shoulder. I’m not sure if I still or something, but Lottie straightens and turns around to look at me, sensing somehow that something is amiss.
“Tomorrow just became tonight,” I say, and she looks over my shoulder to see Holden at the bar with his friends.
“The Colts better win,” she mumbles, lifting off my lap, but I place my hand around her middle to keep her where she’s at.
“We don’t have to give him any attention.”
She tilts her head in a way to say I’m crazy, but she doesn’t fight me or get off my lap.
No more than two minutes later, a familiar voice sounds from behind us. “Look who we have here.”
“I knew it,” Lottie grumbles under her breath.
Holden rounds our table to come front and center. “The Noughtons. I feel as if I should bow.” He actually does bend at the waist like an asshole.
No one smiles. No one laughs. They all look as if they’d like to tie him up and get a swing at him.
“I see Dad commanded you home?” My voice is flat.
“Can you blame him? His other son just leaves him high and dry. Endorses the competition.”
I don’t bother telling Holden I’m not his son. He’ll find out, or he won’t. I really don’t care.
Holden’s gaze falls to Lottie. “Hi, Lottie.” He holds his arms out to his sides. “Hear I should welcome you to the family.”
“Just go off with your friends, Holden,” Jude says.
“Come on. I haven’t seen my brother for a few years. He never comes to visit me. Now I hear he’s marrying my sloppy seconds.”
“Fuck,” Ben says with a sigh, knowing this is about to escalate.
I tap Lottie’s ass, but she’s already getting up, and I follow suit.
“Go to hell, you piece of shit.” Lottie pokes Holden in the chest. “Crawl back in that hole you squirmed your way out of.”
He releases a condescending laugh. “That’s fresh coming from you.” He looks her up and down and gives her a look like she comes up lacking.
I fight the urge to step in. Sadie’s kind of giving me a look like I should. Ben stands on one side of me and Bennett comes up along the other. My guess is the rest of the guys are close. I keep telling myself that Lottie needs this, with the safety of all of us here, but damn I want to push her out of the way and beat the shit out of my brother just like I did the night of their wedding that never happened.
“I figured you married her just because you wanted to be a Noughton. I didn’t know it was because you were mad at me for stealing the girl you always wanted. Dad and Mom filled me in when they broke the news that my little brother married the girl I left at the altar.”
He’s purposely choosing his words to inflict the most damage.
“Oh, Lottie, you’ll like this—did you know your little knight in armor beat the shit out of me that night? Is that how he got you to agree to marry him? Told you he defended your honor all those years ago?”
Lottie turns to me. I’ve alluded to that but never told her the full story.
“So, tell me, how long did you want Lottie? The entire time I was fucking her?” Holden crosses his arms and gives me a smug look.
“You act like I stole her from under you.” My fists are clenched at my sides just to keep me from using them.
