Stout, Page 22

  “He brought it up so what did he have to say about it?”

  “Says he’s done with empty relationships and flings. He’s ready to pursue a relationship with a woman who wants the same things as he does. Marriage and a family.” I can’t stop my smile as I recall my response. “I told him I wanted those things too. With him.”

  Kristin covers her mouth with both hands. “Oh my God, Addie. That is like super serious.”

  “You are totally pre-engaged. There’s no sorta-kinda-maybe about it.” Jill takes my left hand and points to my ring finger. “There’s going to be a diamond on this hand very soon.”

  Kristin gasps. “What if this Savannah trip is about more than you think? Shit. I bet he’s going to propose to you.”

  My girls are jumping the gun. Putting the cart before the horse. “I don’t think so.”

  Kristin puts on her duh-you-dumbass face. “Why not? You talked about marriage and then he’s taking you out of town a few days later. The timing is perfect.”

  I know Jill and Kris are excited and want this for me but they’ve got it all wrong. “We planned the trip before we had the marriage discussion.”

  “Maybe it was a setup. He did it in that order to throw you off. His way of being sure you’ll say yes when he asks. Think about it. This trip is the perfect opportunity; Savannah is so romantic.” Jill is such a dreamer. I am as well to an extent but then reality kicks in.

  “We both said we’d wait until the time is right. And I don’t see this weekend being it.”

  “Maybe you agreed to marry when the time is right but what about the engagement part? Did you agree to wait on that?”

  An engagement and the actual marriage are two different things. “Well . . . no. We didn’t really talk about getting engaged.”

  Jill hasn’t released my hand. “I’d bet my ass you come back with a ring on this finger.”

  “Jillie. Our best friend is getting engaged to a man we’ve never met.”

  “Oh no, she’s not. We’re meeting him. The two of us are coming over tonight so we can be introduced to your fiancé.”

  Again with the speculation. “He’s not my fiancé.”

  “Yet. But he will be after this trip to Savannah. I just know it. And you can’t get engaged to a man Kris and I have never met. That’s not right.”

  They have a point. It isn’t right for my best friends to not know the man I love. “Okay. Then I guess you’re coming over to meet Oliver tonight.”

  * * *

  I place my palm to the side of Oliver’s face and rub my thumb over his facial hair. It’s a little longer than his usual scruff. “I like this grown out. You look very handsome.”

  “Are you sure what I’m wearing is okay? I shouldn’t change into a button-down? I don’t want them to think I’m some kind of thug.” Why would he say that? Nothing about Oliver would scream thug. His nearly black hair is well kept, but even tousled, always looks perfect. His facial scruff is so damn sexy. So masculine. I love running my fingers over it. And those eyes. One glance from those baby blues can saturate my panties.

  “You look great. You’re a T-shirt and jeans guy. I wouldn’t want you to meet Jill and Kristin looking like anyone but my Oliver Thorn.” I run my hand over his chest. “I’m pretty sure you weren’t this worked up when you met my parents.”

  “I wanted your parents to like me but I wasn’t worried about meeting them. Their opinion doesn’t mean shit to you so I knew they couldn’t turn you against me. But these are your two best friends. I know, because of Ivy and Kelsey, that what they think about me will influence you.”

  “No worries. I adore you so they will too.” How did I deserve such an incredible man so concerned about keeping my heart?

  The doorbell rings and I go up on tiptoes to press a quick kiss to his lips. “Showtime. Ready?”

  “No, but I’m pretty sure I don’t have a choice at this point.”

  “Be Oliver Thorn and they’ll have no choice but to love you.” I press another quick kiss to his lips, intended to reassure him all will be fine. “Smile. This is going to be painless. You’ll see.”

  When Jill and Kris enter the house through the front door, I ask, “Why did you come this way?”

  “It seemed rude to barrel into your kitchen through the garage.”

  “You don’t think it’s rude when you do it every other time you come to my house.”

  “This is different. We’re meeting your fiancé.”

  I flap my arms like a bird trying to take off in flight. “Shh . . . don’t say that. He might hear you.” I swear I will die a thousand deaths if he heard Kris call him that.

  “He’s already here? There’s not a car in the drive.”

  “Kris. He lives next door, sweetie. He isn’t going to drive his car to Adelyn’s house.”

  “Damn. I forgot all about that.” She giggles. “We had a lot of wine last time we were here so that one can’t be held against me.”

  “Listen, guys. He’s nervous about meeting you. He really wants you to like him so please take it easy.”

  “Aww, that is so sweet. And so wise. I think I already like him.” Kristin likes everyone, especially guys. She’s not really the one I’m worried about.

  I grin and make big eyes at Oliver when I lead Jill and Kristin into the living room. “Introductions. Oliver Thorn, this is Kristin.”

  “It’s so good to finally meet you, Oliver. We’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about you from Addie.”

  “I could say the same about you.”

  “And this is Jill.”

  “Very nice to meet you.” Oliver is smiling until he sees the way Jill is staring at him with narrowed eyes. And I immediately know something isn’t right.

  “Jill, what’s wrong?”

  Jill looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “Addie, how can you not know?”

  I have no idea what she is talking about. “Know what, Jill?” She’s never been one to mince words, so the fact she isn’t spitting this out is worrying me. I look back at Oliver, and he is looking at me with the same confusion as I feel. Does he recognize her too?

  “I don’t know what to say about how this happened, but Oliver was the man in court supporting your brother’s killer. He sat alongside Vance Horton throughout the trial. How can you not remember him?”

  What the hell? I think back to the very dark time in my life, when I watched the man responsible for Tommy’s death be sentenced to prison. I don’t remember much at all. My heart was still broken beyond repair.

  “I think you’re mistaking him for someone else. Tell her, Oliver. Tell Jill she’s wrong.”

  He closes his eyes before covering them with his hand. “Oh, fuck.”

  What does oh, fuck mean? “Tell her she’s confusing you with someone else.”

  He takes his hand from his face and grasps my upper arms. “Max.”

  The tone of his voice says everything I don’t want to hear. “No. Say it isn’t true.”

  I see in his eyes he can’t do that. “Baby.”

  “No. I need you to tell me it isn’t true. That you weren’t there supporting my brother’s killer.” Because it isn’t possible I love a man who would do that.

  “Please let me explain.”

  He. Was. There. Supporting Vance Horton.

  “What could you possibly say to explain? What’s a good enough argument to justify why you’d be there on that killer’s behalf?” I feel as though this is a bad dream, and I am yelling as if I have lost touch with reality. How is this happening?

  “Time out.” Kristin steps between Oliver and me. “Sweetie, Jill and I are going. We don’t need to be here.”

  I nod in agreement because I don’t want them to be part of this conversation. Especially Jill. “Okay. Yeah.”

  We stand in the living room, unmoving, neither of us saying a word. A minute passes and it feels like sixty eternities ticking away.

  Oliver takes a step toward me but I put up my hand. He goes motion
less and stares at me. “Don’t come near me.”

  “Oh, Max. Please don’t.” He is breathing heavily, and his eyes are imploring . . . begging. Begging me for what? Forgiveness?

  “I don’t know who you are.” My happy world has been yanked from beneath me and I’ve fallen face first into hell.

  “I’m the man who held you after we made love this morning. The one you say you want to marry. The one you want as a father for your children.” That was only twelve hours ago yet it feels like an eternity ago.

  And I can’t think about that right now. “I have questions.”

  “I will answer anything you ask.” His eyes are pleading.

  “Were you in the courtroom at Vance’s sentencing?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you remember me?”

  “No. I don’t recall seeing you once.” I guess I can believe that. I don’t remember seeing him either. But then again, I was pretty jacked on Valium that day.

  “You were at the sentencing because Vance is your friend?”

  “Yes.”

  “You knew my brother was killed by a drunk driver two years ago. You also knew your friend killed someone under the same circumstances. Did you know when we met he was the one who killed Tommy or did you figure it out later and choose to not tell me?” Surely fate couldn’t be this cruel.

  “I had no idea. I didn’t make the connection until just now. Same as you.”

  “Vance is still your friend?”

  “Yes.”

  “And you visit him at the penitentiary?”

  “Yes.”

  This is wrong. “I can’t be with someone who is a friend to my brother’s killer. That’s just completely fucked up.”

  “The situation leading up to the accident is probably very different from what you were told.”

  “Nothing excuses what he did, and you can get the fuck out if you think you’re going to convince me otherwise. In fact, I don’t even want to look at you right now. Get out.”

  “Please don’t.”

  I’m hurt. Angry. Confused. Feeling betrayed by the man I love. “I don’t want you in my house.”

  Oliver moves toward me and I launch myself at him, pushing at his chest over and over. “I said get out! Go! I don’t want you here.”

  Oliver manages to get his arms around my body and subdues me against his chest. “Stop fighting me and listen.” Wrapped in his arms, feeling his warmth, hearing his deep, soothing voice, somehow I feel less . . . less desolate.

  He’s a friend to my brother’s killer.

  He protected you from Martin.

  He visits the man who destroyed my life. Jill’s life.

  He wanted my friends to love him because he loves me. Wants me.

  Despite all of these volatile thoughts, I lean into him. How can I feel calm in his arms?

  “I understand you need time to absorb this so I’m going.” He kisses the top of my head. “I strongly suspect you’re going to question your love for me in the very imminent future, but do not question my love for you. You are my world. My everything.”

  He releases me and holds my face. “The only reason I’m leaving is because it’s what you want. I hate to leave you like this, but I have to go to this meeting in Macon. I’m tempted to come back to you afterward, but I know that’s not what you want right now. I’ll go to Savannah as planned. You need time to think without distraction from me, but we’ll have to talk about this after I come home.”

  He closes his eyes and kisses my forehead. “I love you, Max. We will work this out.” I love you too.

  But he’s wrong.

  I don’t think we can work this out at all. I will not—cannot—embrace a man who considers himself a friend of my brother’s killer. I cannot be with a man whose compassion lies with a man who took my brother’s life.

  When I left Martin, I was physically broken, and injured in too many places to count from his parting gift. As I watch Oliver walk out of my house, I feel as though my heart is completely breaking into a thousand pieces. Only this time, I am not sure I will actually heal. This time, I may remain broken.

  Oliver Thorn

  Three days and three nights away from my Adelyn. I’ve sent her a text every night since our fight, each closing with the same words. I miss you and I love you. Not a single reply. Agony.

  I hadn’t any clue Vance was related to her brother’s death. How could I have known? I can understand Jill’s reaction to me, her instant distrust. She lost her fiancé. But I can’t lose Adelyn over this.

  I can’t stay away another minute. I need to see my girl. I have to know we’re okay.

  I didn’t want to leave her. But she needed time to calm down so she’d be able to listen to what I’m saying when I explain about Vance.

  If there was anything I learned from my dad it was to give a woman you love space to think. “They are smart, incredible beings, Ollie. When you have earned the love of a woman, when they are emotional, back away and wait. Let them work through the many facets of a situation that we mere males have no clue about. Then take the time to listen and wait your chance to talk.” She wasn’t in a place where she was capable of hearing or processing anything I had to say three days ago. I’m hoping tonight will be different. I need tonight to be different.

  The last time we spoke, she wasn’t in a place where she was capable of hearing anything I had to say. I’m hoping tonight will be different.

  I’m at the patio door about to knock when I see her in the kitchen. And all her cooking supplies spread across the island. Oh shit.

  She’s baking. Because of me. And that kills me.

  She jumps and whirls around when I tap on the glass. She shakes her head from side to side when she registers it’s me. “No. Go away.” I barely hear her voice through the door.

  I tap again but she refuses to look my way. “We need to talk.” I say the words loudly; I need to know she hears them.

  She ignores me as though I don’t exist. “Please. I have things to tell you. I truly believe you’ll understand everything when I’m done explaining.”

  Nothing. No response at all. In fact, she leaves the kitchen altogether so I can’t see her from the patio door.

  I check the knob and it’s locked. No surprise there so I take out my phone and send a series of pleas.

  It’s been 3 days. You can’t ignore me forever.

  We have to talk about this.

  Please, Max. I love you.

  Leave me alone.

  Well, at least I got a response. Not the one I want, but it’s better than being ignored.

  Adelyn doesn’t know the whole story about Vance or why I stood by his side. Until she understands, she isn’t going to forgive me. I’ll be considered the enemy. I’ll lose her.

  I can’t let this continue to fester.

  What I’m contemplating may be the worst move I could make with Adelyn. But she’s refusing to see or talk to me. I don’t feel like she’s giving me much of a choice.

  I take out her house key and do what will either be the best or worst thing for our relationship.

  I unlock the door and let myself into her house. She’s nowhere in sight. I hear a creak in the floor above me. Bedroom.

  Good. That’s where I want her. Saves me from throwing her over my shoulder and carrying her up there.

  I’m in the house and I’m coming up.

  I give her a heads-up because I don’t want to scare the shit out of her by popping into her bedroom unannounced.

  “Don’t you dare come up here, Thorn.” I’m standing in the doorway when my name leaves her mouth. “Get out now.”

  “No. You’re talking to me. Or at least listening.”

  “I don’t want to hear anything you have to say.”

  She’s already changed for bed. T-shirt and panties. Two items more than what she’s worn to bed every night since we’ve been together. “Don’t look at me like that. You can forget it.”

  Her nipples are hard and poking the fa
bric of her shirt. Of my shirt. She’s wearing one of my Lovibonds. Who knew they could be so fucking sexy?

  “I know. I’m not here for that.” I march toward her, ready for a fight, and she doesn’t disappoint.

  “No. Stop.”

  She jumps on the bed on all fours and attempts to crawl away but I catch her around the waist. I pull her beneath me and lie on top of her. “No, Max. You won’t listen to me so I have no other choice than to make you.”

  She bucks but I wrap my body around her, restraining her so she’s unable to move. “You made me your man. I may not control you anywhere else, but I do in this bedroom. You gave me that power. You insisted I dominate you because it’s what you like and want. This is me exerting my power over you. You don’t get to turn it off because it doesn’t suit you at the moment.”

  She stops struggling but I continue to hold her tightly. “This is who we are, Max. Because it’s who you made us. Who you asked me to be for us. I control. You submit.”

  She’s breathing heavily. I’m not sure if it’s an aftermath of our physical struggle or because she’s turned-on. Maybe both. But right now isn’t about fucking.

  “It’s so peculiar how the events of a single night more than two years ago could lead to this conversation.” I loosen my hold and roll us on our sides so Adelyn’s back is pressed to my front. “Get comfortable. This isn’t a short story.”

  Adelyn adjusts and doesn’t pull her hand away when I lace my fingers through hers. I feel reassured. She believes in us. My anxiety is eased . . . a little.

  I bring her hand to my mouth and kiss the top. “You know I went through a bad spell after Eden. I partied and went through women. It was all in an effort to get her betrayal off my mind. I hate saying that to you, but it’s just how it was at the time.”

  “You don’t hate saying it more than I hate hearing it.” Finally. Words other than get out or leave me alone.

  “You know how I behaved; what I didn’t tell you about was the night it all came to a screeching halt. The night things were put into a completely different perspective for me.”