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Cherry Falls Novellas
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Synopsis
When celebrity Laina Kelley bolted from her small hometown church on her wedding day, she ran to the first place that came to mind to the home of the local farrier, a gorgeous playboy who just so happens to be her first love and biggest frenemy.
USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke delivers a new “sweet and spicy!” standalone romance about a runawaybridewhofindsherselfinthehorsebarn,andarms,ofherdeliciouslyhandsomefrenemy whojustsohappens tobeherfirstlove.
Inever expected to be a runawaybride. Ialso never thoughtI’d end up onmyex’s doorstep to flee frommywedding. However,I’mhere,andit’seasytofindthekeyinanoldbootbythedoorandletmyselfin.It’snotbreakingandenteringifI haveakey,right?
Stephanie’s questionis valid, as is her curious but mostlynonchalant wayof askingit. After all, it’s me we’re talking about.Butsheshould’vebeenmoreprepared.
“DoIreallyneedtobreakitdownforyou darn it!”Iprymyheeloutofaslitintheasphalt.“Besides,whenyourbest friendcallsandsaysshe’sontherunandneedsyourhelp,theonlyquestionyoushouldaskis whose car are we taking?”
“ThelasttimeIsaw you whichwasapproximatelyfifteenminutesago,giveor take youwereinyour weddingdress, lookingstunning,Imightadd,waitingforyourfathertoshowuptowalkyoudowntheaisle”
Fifteen minutes? Man, I work quick.
ThecrowdroarsfromtheothersideofthesafetybarrierLandrySecurityerectedthreedaysagotokeepfansandpaparazzi mostlypaparazzi awayfromthechurch.Brickfieldhasbeenteemingallweekwithspectatorseagertoseewhatthemedia hasdeemedtheweddingofthecentury Formerclassmateswereinterviewed Mykindergartenteacherwasonthefrontpageof Exposé magazine this week. Alleged encounters withthe “meninmylife” since Ibecame famous have beendissected and analyzedtodeath.Ifonlyhalfofwhatwasprintedwerereal,mylifewouldbefarmoreentertaining.
Mybest friend goes silent I imagine her face mouthagape, brows arched higher thanthe laminationtreatment should allow,andawrinkledforeheaddefyingherBotox.SheworethesameexpressionwhenItoldherIwasmarryingHollywood heartthrobTomWaverlyayearago completeanduttershock
“Ishould’ve listened to you,” Isay, takinga steadyingbreath. “Inever should’ve accepted his proposal atall, letalone planaweddingandinviteonehundredfiftypeopletothechurchandanother twohundredtoareceptionthatcostmorethan …”Dreadrollsthroughthepitofmystomach.“Let’snotevengothere.”
“Okay.”Hervoiceiscoolandtempered.“Whatdoyouneed?”
“Ironicallyenough,Ineedyoutoaskwhosecarwe’retakingbecausetheansweris I don’t know Ididn’tthinkthisthrough Iexcusedmyselffromtheroom,shutthedoor,andleft.”
“Strangely, I’m not. I don’t know whether that’s because I’m blocking out the ramifications of this wholly impulsive decisionor ifthisismygut’swayofthankingmefor followingit.”Ipeer aroundthesideofoneofthesheds,nearlygetting bustedbythebestman.“I’lltakeiteitherway.”
Tomwillbehumiliated Thebiggestmoviestarintheworldwillbeleftstandingatthealtarbythepopstartheworldis quicktolabel frivolous.Myparents’furywillbeimmeasurable. How dare I be so careless with my image when so much of their success is riding on it?MyPRteamwillbeinundatedwithcallsandemails.Myassistant must stayoutofsightuntilthis coolsdown,andmyfanswill jumptoconclusionsandassumetheworstaboutme About Tom Critics will claimthis was a publicitystuntwhenit’snothingmorethanawomantryingtosalvageherfutureamidafewbadchoices.
Uneasiness stirs inmystomach Instead ofimaginingTomgazingadoringlybackatme, Iinstantlynotice the angrylines aroundhiseyes.Hisvoicesweepsthroughmyhead.
“There are calories in those drinks, you know” “We’re going to have to talk about you easing up on the music thing when I start filming my next project in the winter.” “Can’t you choose more conservative costumes? You’re a grown woman, for fuck’s sake I don’t want my wife out there looking like a whore.”
Relief eases the tension in my shoulders and quells the knot in my stomach I don’t try to answer her this time; it’s unnecessary.
“The ramifications of going back in that church and marrying Tomare far worse than the inconvenience it will cause everyoneelseifyoudon’t,”shesays.“I’llsupportyoueitherway.Butyourfatherwasjustinherelookingforyou,andwhileI canstallhimforalittlebit,youneedtodecide.”
Ashiver runs the lengthof myspine Aflushstings mycheeks Myheart somehow lodges inmythroat, and eachbeat remindsmeofthesecondstickingby.
I’m really doing this. I’m really running away from my wedding.
MyheadbeginstospinwithalltheimmediatedecisionsImustmake.Ihavetogetmythingsfromthehotelbeforeit’staken over bythe weddingpartyagain. Can anyone track my phone? How will I get out of here without alerting the media and bystanders?
Heopensthebackdoor.“Absolutely.”Heturnstooffermeahandandthensees,forwhatseemslikethefirsttime,thetulle thatmustalsogointheSUV“Howdowegetallof that inthere?”
The questionmakes me pause Why did I choose tulle over lace? Surf-n-turf over chicken strips and sliders for the reception? The diet drink over the full sugar soda at the rehearsal dinner? “Troy,itseemsI’mabitofapushover”
ThecrowdhasnearlytripledsinceIarrivedtwohoursago.Thestreetshavebeenclosed,andpeoplehavefilledtheblock surrounding Mt. Calvary Church. Lawns of the nearby houses are littered with bodies. Television crews are set up on sidewalkswithvansandmicrophones
Adrenalineflowsthroughmyveins,andmypalmsstarttosweat. Where are we headed?
Thehotelisout.Thebridalpartywillinevitablyreturntotheirroomstogathertheirthings.Nottomention,there’snoway I could get into the hotel discreetly and make it to my room My parents’house is a definite no I’d be emotionally and physically burned at the stake. I could ask Troy to drive me to the airport, but that’s an hour and a half away, and no reservationshavebeenmade Mypassportisatthehotel And what do I do with all this damn tulle?
Breathe, Laina.
TheremustbesomewhereIcango IsortthrougheverypersonIstill know inBrickfield whichisn’tmany.I’ve lostcontactwithnearlyall myoldfriends since Ileftsixyears ago. Ican’ttrustanyone to hide me until Ifigure this disaster out, anyway. Ican’tevengeta roomin PeachwoodFallsbecausesomeonewouldwindupseeingme,andI’dgettrappedwithnowayout
Imaynotexactlybewelcome,butIwon’tbeforcedtoleave. I don’t think. Therewilldefinitelybenothingtoeat,thebeddingwillneedtobewashed,butI’llbeabletoletmyselfinside.
If only we knew how overrated adulthood really was … Ontheleftisacornfield Asmallbrownhomeistuckedofftheroad Thefamilywholivedthereweresosweet Thefather worked for the DepartmentofNatural Resources and adopted a fawnthatwas leftbehind whenits mother was shotduring huntingseason.Thelittlethingwouldeatanappleoutofyourhand.
Iwonderwhathappenedtoit
“Justdownthishillandaroundthecurve,”Isay,shivering. Why is it so chilly in here? “Thedrivewayishardtoseebuton theright”
Iholdhisgazeintherearview mirror,anger frombeingtoldwhatIcanandcan’tdoinmyowndamnlifeboilinginside me Butthat’snotTroy’sfault He’sdoingwhathe’spaidtodo Andhe’sbeingpaidbyme.
“Look, I appreciate your concernand understand the challenge of returningwithout me,” I say “But I need a minute to myself,and I really neednoonetoknowwhereIamforawhile.”
Myhearthammersagainstmyribcageastheyellowhousewithbrowntrimcomesintoview,itsattachedgarageandlarge barnbehind it. The lake below reflects the clear blue sky, and if I weren’t runningonadrenaline and eagerness to extract myselffromthissituation,Iwouldappreciatethebeautyandstillnessofthemoment.
Thevehiclepullstothetopofthedrivewayandstops Istare atthe door, wonderingifhe’s home. What will he say? What will he do? Despite the chance thatLuke Marshall won’tbepleasedtoseeme,myanxietyisthelowestit’sbeenallday Myshouldersslumpagainsttheseat.
Ashedrivesoff,roundingtheturnandeffectivelygoingoutofsight,Iblowoutthedeepest,heaviestbreathofmylife I face the house that holds so many memories. The walkout basement that Luke and I used when we didn’t want his grandfather, PoppyMarshall, to know we were there. The birdbathnext to the house has a permanent crackdownthe side because Luke hititwithhis truckone winter while slidingonthe ice Iglance atthe frontporch And the old pair ofboots behindtheporchswing theonewiththehousekey.
Myminddriftsaway,carryingmebacktothesituationatthechurch.HowisStephaniehandlingthedrama?Ienvisionthe statementTomiscomposingforthepress. He’s undoubtedly feeding me to the wolves.Ittakeslittleimaginationtopicturemy parents’displeasure. Did they outright take Tom’s side, or do they wonder, if even for a moment, what my side of the story might be?
Tearsfloodmyeyes,foggingmysight
If I had stayed, I’d be a married woman right now. MyhandsshakeasifI’vejustavoidedbeingmugged Thethoughtofcuttingitsoclose almostbeingMrs.TomWaverly makesmenauseous.EventhoughI’llundoubtedlybe onthereceivingendofnastyvitriolinthecomingdays,it’sasmallpricetopayforavoidingamarriagethatwould’veended indivorce.Tommaynotunderstandit,butIdidusbothafavor.
I grab the rail and pull the tulle behind me up the stairs. Poppy’s standingashtrayfromdecades ago is still next to the swing Thesightofitsurroundedbytheridiculouswhitefabricmakesmegrin Ipressthedoorbellandwait.There’snomovementinsidethehouse.Ipressitagain.
Abigger televisionhangs onthe wall The refrigerator has beenreplaced Afew more pictures have beenadded to the collectionoffamilyphotosontheunuseddiningroomtable.NotmuchhaschangedinthesixyearssinceIwashere.Yet…
Luke gives the camera the cheesiestgrin To his rightare his oldestbrothers, Chase and Mallet Onhis leftis his little sister,Kate.Crouchedinfrontofthem,asifhemightattackthepersontakingtheshot,istheirbrotherGavin. God, I love these people
Panicsurges,usingthecrackinmywillpowertomakeitselfknown MystomachclencheslikeImightpuke Fight-or-flight instincts kick in. My brain screams at my legs to move, to walk to leave before I make a mess of things, but my heart whispers no.
Age has done fine things to this man, fillinghimoutinall the right places broad shoulders and a barrel chest. Abelt showsoffhistrimwaist.Angledjaw. Long lashes.Hewearsaday’sscruffthatmakesmeshiver. Noamountofsocialmediastalkingcould’vepreparedmeforthismoment Hetiltshisheadinsurprise,theninconfusion.
Onceuponatime,Icouldpeerintothosebeautifulgreeneyesandknowexactlywhathewasthinking.AndIwouldn’tdare lookathimifIdidn’twanthimto read me like a book. Buthis gaze now holds stories we don’tshare, experiences Idon’t understand,andwoundsIdidn’theal Thedifferencecutsmetothequick Justasmyheartraces,heflashesmehiscrookedsmile.
Igrin Just like I knew I could “Seriously,though,”hesays,liftingabrow.“Iimaginethere’sapissed-offmoviestarwithasecurityteamstraightoutofa
combat zone searchingPeachwood Countyfor a runawaybride right about now It’s not that I couldn’t take them I’mjust wonderingifIneedtocallforreinforcements.”
Itake the glass fromhim “I’mthe one who putthe keyinthe bootthe firsttime Icreated thathidingspot Ijusttooka chancethatyouareacreatureofhabitandstruckgold.”
“Damn.Iprobablyoughtamovethat,huh?”
“Might not be a bad idea” Especially if some of his other exes turn up out of the blue Can’t say I love that idea Strangely.
Thesunstreamsinthewindows,fillingthelivingroomwithabrightwarmththatseepsintoeverycorner.Thishousehas always had a tranquilityaboutit. Before Poppypassed awayand we’d come here so Luke could help his grandfather inthe barn,itwasalwayssopeaceful.Nomatterthestressathome,ordramaatschool,orworriesaboutwhateverdeal myfather wastryingtomakeonmybehalf,itallmeltedawayinthishouse
“Okay,so letme getthis straight,” Luke says.“You’re notgettingmarried and fled the scene. Thenyoushowed up here, performedafelonytogetintomyhouse,andnow what?”
Mystomachmusclescontractattheheatinhisgaze “Ididn’tknowwhereelsetogo” “Hey, it’s not bad for my ego that I was the only person you could think of when you were running fromTomfucking Waverly”
Weexchangeasmallsmilethatfillsmewithbigemotions namely,comfort. LukeandIcould’vebeenaperfectmatchinanothertimeandplace I’ve replayed the daywe broke up more times thanI’ve replayed anyother eventofmylife. Thatmomentimpacted me more than any charity work, music award, or concert I’ve ever performed A sunny afternoon, Luke in black-and-yellow flannel,standinginhisparents’driveway.Lukedidn’taskmetostaywithhim,andIdidn’taskhimtogo.It’shauntedmeever since.Butaftereachreview,I’mleftwiththesameconclusion:itendedtheonlywayitcould’ve.
Irestmyglassonmydressasalumprisesinmythroat “Ican’tgotoanyofmyhomes Tom’steamiscraftinghisimagesavingstatementas we speak, and itwill notdo me anyfavors. The paparazzi will case myhouses and the airport. They’ll evendispatchreporterstoplacestheythink Imightgo”
“Whereareyougoingtogo?”
Igulp “Idon’tknow MaybeIcouldstayhere?”
ThewordsflyoutofmymouthbeforeIcanstopthem. Before I can think them through.Mybrainformssentencesandtells mylipstosaythem,tobacktrackmywordvomitandsaveface.Butmyheart, my stupid, stupid heart,blockadestheeffort.
Mychest burns withanticipationas I watchLuke take a piece of gumfromhis pocket, put it into his mouth, and chew deliberately.Hisgazeholdsminewithsuspicion,fire,andsomethingelseIcan’tquitename.Themixturefeedsthepanginmy chest
“Ithinkyoustayinghere would be the worstidea you’ve ever had,” he says after a longpause. “And you’ve had some epicallyshittyones.”
“You tried to polar plunge in Peachwood Creek in a bikini and ended up falling on the ice and giving yourself a concussion.”
“Fine, butyouranbuttnaked throughthe middle oftownto celebrate the football teamgoingto the state finals and got blackmailedbyastrangerwhomayormaynothavehadpicturesofyouperformingtheElectricSlideonMainStreetinnothing butajockstrap”
Laughter falls frommylips as he disappears into the kitchenagain The slidingglass door thatleads to the backofthe houseopensandthencloses. That was easy.
This could’ve gone so differently Luke could’ve been an asshole, and it would’ve been justified Maybe our breakup wasn’tcontentious,butIam hisex-girlfriend.EventhoughIhaven’tseenaseriousgirlfriendorawifeonhissocialmedia,that doesn’tmeanonedoesn’texist.Withoutawomaninhislife,hestillcould’vebeenpissedthatIwaltzedintohishousewithout somuchasahello Lukecould’vewalkedstraightoutthedooraftertellingmetogetoutandIcouldn’thaveblamedhim Igrin. But he didn’t.
He was Luke, the easygoing, good-natured, gold-hearted manwho would give youthe shirt off his back Or out of his closet. It’s no wonder I once loved this man.
“Youcould call Kate,” he says. Butno one calls Kate with a situation unless youwantit blownoutofproportionand giventhemostexpensive,over-the-top,time-consumingsolutionknowntoman “Evenyouaren’tthatdesperate” Isuckabreathbetweenmyteeth.“Idon’tknow.Imightbe.”
“Good.Callher,then.”
“Gavin,stopbeingafuckhead.Ineedyourhelp.”
He groans to ensure Idon’tgetcomfortable callinghimfor help Gavinis unequivocallymybestfriend, butthe guyhas weaknesseslikeeverybody.He’sagreatproblemsolverandistotallyapeopleperson.Hejustdoesn’tliketobe my problem solverorinvolvehimselfwithmy peopleissues Toughluckthistime,sucker.
“She got married today.Everyoneintheworldknowsthat.EvenI’mnotdenseenoughtobelievethatone.Now,doyou have anythingyouactuallywantto say? Or canIgo backto textingTabitha a sob storythatI’mmakingonthe flybecause I don’twanttobartendtonight,butI’malsoincapableoftellingher no?”
“Have you checked the news in the last hour or so? I mean, I haven’t, but I imagine you won’t be able to turn on the televisionorgoonlinewithoutseeingaheadlineaboutLainaKelleybeingarunawaybride.”
“Okay,letmegetthisstraight.LainacameallthewayfromLosAngeleswithhalfofHollywoodintowtogetmarriedto thebiggeststarofourgeneration Butshebailsatthelastminuteandhasgone missing in action, accordingtothemedia And somehow,shewindsupinyour house?”
I rack my brain for anything that Gavin might be able to do to help The only thing I can come up with is that Laina mentionedshedoesn’thaveaphoneor clothes.Sure,shecanborrow bothofmine.Butshemightfeel morecomfortablenot beingdressedinherex’sclotheswhileshesortsherlifewithanotherman.
“Don’taskquestions,butIhaveaprepaidcellthatIhaven’tactivatedyet Youcanhavethat” Don’t ask questions? Now,allIwanttodoisaskquestions. What are you up to, Gav? “Great,”Isayinstead,stayingfocused “Andcanyougrabherafewclothessomewhere?”
I run a hand down the side of my face. “Go to Chase’s and see if Kennedy will let you borrow a few things. She’s a teenager,butIthinkthey’reaboutthesamesize”
Ittakes longer to settle myhair. Thanks to all the productthe glamteamused to make itpicture-perfectand more bobby pinsthanwasnecessary,ittakesmyfingersandacombIlocateinadrawertogetitinsomesemblanceofnormalcy Ifinda rubberbandandpullitintoaponytail.
Tomwon’t come inand see me without makeup and make a snide comment He won’t mentionthat I won’t fit into my weddingdressifIdon’tgetmyasstothegymthismorning.Thereisnochancehe’llcomethroughthedoorandfindawayto worka lyric fromone ofmysongs into the conversationjustso he cantease me aboutthe juvenile language or ridiculous themes ofmymusic.
And the lookinhis eyes, anarrogance that twinkled just enoughto make me nervous, will no longer make mystomach tightenwhenweinevitablyargueaboutoneofthosethings.
“You’regood,”Iwhispertomyself.“Thisisnotadream.”
Iwashthesolesofmyfeetanddisposeoftheclothinthebottomoftheshower I’ll get that later ThenImakemywayto Luke’scloset.
“Yes, youare. Butyou’re hidingfromTomrightnow for a reason.” She steadies her tone, workingto reduce the anger teemingfromeachword.“Idon’tknow whathasgoneonbecauseyouwon’ttellme,butIseethewayhelooksatyouwhen youdon’tfollowhisscript.IfIwereabettinggirl,I’dsayyouwantedtogetoutofthisalotearlierthannowbutwereafraid. Today,youjustsohappenedtobesurroundedbysecurityinaplaceyoufeltcomfortableandatatimewhenitwasdoordie. Andyouchosenottodie thankGod”
“You dated the farrier?WhyamIjustfindingthisout?Ihaveliterallysatbesideyouanddrooledoverthisman’ssocial mediaposts, and you dated the guy?”
“Prettymuch”Iwince
“How?Forhowlong?WhyhaveInevermethim?”
I sit up and prop myself against the leather headboard “We dated from the time we were seventeen until I came to Nashville.Itwasjustafewweeksbeforemytwenty-fourthbirthday.Thenwe…Idon’tknow,triedtomakeitwork,kindof. For a couple ofyears,we talkedoffandon,andI’dcome backtosee himeverychance Igot.” Alumpsettles inmythroat. “Thenthingsreallytookoff,andIcouldn’tcomebackanymore,andhenevercametoseeme Thingsjustkindofended”
Myheartburnsatthememories,makingthecracksfrommyheartbreakobvious.Theworstpartofmylifecoincidedwith the best time of my career Balancing the devastation of losing the man who I loved with every piece of me with the exhilarationofmyfirstworldtourwasthehardestthingI’veeverdone. Itwasharderthanwalkingoutofthechurchtoday
house.” Not to mention in his clothes and bed, but details schmetails. “Yousavedyourselffromabadsituationandrantoaplaceyouobviouslyfeel safe.That’s supposedtomakeyouabad person?”
Yes. I feel safe here.
Thefloodofemotionsthathitmenearlyknockmeover I feel safe here the first place I’ve felt safe in years “Sure,youcould’vedoneitdifferently,”shesays.“Butwouldithavemadeyouabetterpersontohavegonethroughwithit thenpubliclydivorcedlater?Isyourmentalhealthworthhavingtheworldthinkyou’rea good person?” “No.”
What a nightmare.Therewasnoconversationafterhisproposal,nochancetogetmybearings.Wewerebeingwatchedby twentythousandpeopleandendlesscameras AllIcoulddowasplaythepartandsayyes
“Hecould’vechosenanother weektohavethosepictures ofhimleaked thetermusedlooselybecauseyouknow damn goodandwell thathe was behindthat.Instead,he chose the weekyouwere onthe cover of Timeless magazine so he could stealyourmoment HehatedthatyouwerechosenasPrettiestPersonintheWorldandgotmoreattentionthanhedid” Isqueezemyeyesshut…becausedowndeep,Iknowshe’sright.
Multiple women. A penthouse. Pictures that he swears were doctored were splashed across covers of all the rag magazines.
Myjawsets.
Andmyfathermadeexcusesforhim Lookingback,Inumbedmyselftothesituation doveharderintoworkandchosenot topayattention.Survivalatitsverybest.ButthetruebetrayalfromtheParissituationwasn’tfromTom.Itwasfrommydad. How could Dad continue to push me to marry Tom? Why did he get me to try to smooth over Tom’s abhorrent behavior? Why didn’t he see the red flags waving in the sky or, if he did and I think he did why did he blow them off?
“Fine But don’t think this conversation about Farrier Boy is over” She laughs, too “In all seriousness, do you need anything?Wantanything?WhatcanIdotosupportyou?”
“Wehaveyourback,Laina.TheMasonMusicteamisbattlingforyourightnow.Coyheardthenewsandcalledmeright awaytomakesureweweredoingeverythingwecantoprotectyou.EveryonebutBoone,”shesays,hervoicerising.“Get out of my candy jar. I mean it. ”
Iendthe call andplace the receiver onthe bedside table Mydress is still onthe floor,andthe washclothis still inthe shower. But this bed is so soft. Ilieback,intendingtoclosemyeyesforafewminutes.ThenextthingIknow,I’mdriftingoffintoapeacefulslumber.
Pale yellow walls. Anavycomforter coveringmylegs. Atelevisiontoo bigto be practical mounted onthe wall across fromthebed.
Luke’s
MycheekisstucktothepillowcasebymyslobberasItrytositup.Theday’seventscomerollingthroughmymind,ruining thebeautifulmomentsofpost-slumberbliss Atwingeofaheadachelicksbehindmytemple What time is it?
Theskyoutsidethewindowisorangeandpurple.Luke’shouseiscompletelystill.Aclockonthebedsidetablereadsmidevening I’vebeenasleepfor three hours
Ispringto myfeet and step over mydress, workingto regather myhair into the rubber band. The strands are smashed against the side of my head from where I slept on them Without a mirror, I can tell that the top is a rat’s nest of epic proportions.Ishouldmakeapitstopinthebathroomandgetmyselfputtogether,butmyfeetmarchthroughthehallwayand downthehalfflightofstairstofindLuke
“No,butIdo”Imoveacrosstheroomtoputsomedistancebetweenus Onlywhenwe’remorethanafewfeetapartcanI breatheagain.“AndIwantyoutoknowthatitwasreallybrazenofmeto use the key to get in your house.”Ireturnhisgrin. “Anditwasevenkinderofyoutohavebeenassweettomeasyouhave”
“Letme askyouthis,” he says,smirking.“Whatwouldyouhave done ifyouhadbrokeninhere andmywife was inmy bed?”
After Iwas supposed to come home the lasttime and couldn’t, he didn’tanswer mycalls Worse, he didn’treturnthem, either. I’ve always hoped thatmaybe itwas too hard for himlike itwas for me. Acleanbreakwas easier thanpeelingthe bandage off slowly I’ve looked into endless arenas and at thousands of crowds read countless comments on posts and wonderedifanyofthemwerehim.
I’vewonderedwhetherLukethoughtaboutme.Tohavetheanswer, to know that he has,bringstearstomyeyesbecause whatI’vereallyfearedalltheseyearsisthathehatedme Did he hate me for leaving? Did he hate me for not coming back? Even though he told me he knew I had to go try to achieve my dreams, did he really mean it?
“Tomisn’taterriblehumanbeing,”Isay.“He’snosaint,buthe’snotthedevil.Mutualfriendssetusup,anditwasgreatat first ButthenIwentoffontour, and he wentoffmakingmovies, and we weren’treallyaround eachother all thatmuch A weekendhere,acoupleofweeksthere.”
“ThenTomaskedmetomarryhiminfrontoftheworld,basically,andIcouldn’tsayno.And,beforeIknewit,awedding wasplanned,andIwasneck-deepinthiswhole… production.Thenwhatdoyoudo?Everythingisorderedandreserved.The entire planetknows it’s happening Ijuststuckmyhead inthe sand and worked and tried to blockitout” Ilaughsadly “It didn’thitme until this morningthat we would be married.Iwouldbe attached to this manwho Ibarelyknew,a manwhoI hadn’thadsexwithinsixmonths AmanwhoifIhadtostartdatingalloveragain,Iwouldpass HowcouldImarry him?”
This. When was the last time I was hugged like this? When did I last feel like someone was pouring their strength and care into me? Who was the last person to take me in their arms and make me feel so whole? “Whydoesitseempossiblewhenyousayit?”Iask.
“Me?” Gavin asks. “Hell, no. Kids are a hard limit. I remember what a pain inthe ass I was growing up, and I have absolutelynointerestinofferingtheuniverseachancetopaymeback” “Fair,”shesays.
Laina crosses her arms over her chest “Trust me Be careful inrelationships because, before youknow it, youcanbe standinginachurchabouttogetmarriedandrealizeit’stheworstthingyoucouldeverdo.”
Gavinmakesaface “Yeah That’sahard no fromme”Hebendsdownandpicksupthebags “Icamebearinggifts” “Ooh,youdid?”Lainaasks.
“I have a couple of shirts and shorts, courtesy of Kennedy, who now thinks I have a woman trapped in my house or something”Heshakeshishead “Itoldhershewassickandcouldn’tgohome,andshejustkindofsmirkedatme”Helooks atme.“Howdoesshedothat?”
“Becauseshe’sus,Gav”
He snorts. “Poor Chase. Anyway, I also brought youa prepaid cell phone.” He hands a box to Laina. “You’ll have to activate it. All the stuff is in this bag. And I also didn’t ask for this, but Kennedy sent shampoo and face wash and stuff. Apparently,shethinksI’maheathenandhavenotoiletries.”
ItakeinLainaandobserveherinteractionwithmybrother. Or maybe she’s just the difference. “Thiswassosweetofyou,Gavin,”Lainasays,grinningatme.“Andyou,too,Luke.” “Hey, he might’ve requested this stuff, but I’mthe one who did the dirtywork,” Gavinsays “I evenwent to townand battledthecrowdsfromthewedding….”Hestopsandfrowns.“Shit.Sorry.”
Shecatchesmyeye,andweexchangealook. How could I forget that summer?Skinny-dippingatthelake.Drivingaround forhourswithhernexttomewhilelisteningtoclassicrock GettinghamburgersfromTheWetWhistleanddrivingoutintoone ofCotton’sfieldstotalkuntilthestarscameout.
“That’swhatfriendsarefor,”hesays “Now,Igottago Inordertokeepupthiswildruse,ItoldKennedyIwasgettingice creamfor the sickwomaninmyhouse. The little conartistasked for her ownpintas payment.” He backs toward the door. “Youowemeapintoficecream,Lucas.”
Itwouldbesoeasytoforgetthatshe’sherebecauseshe’srunningfromherlife IfIreallywantedto,Icouldwipeawaythe factthatshe’s a famous singer and thatshe leftme once over that. Withouttrying, Icould fall so hard for this womanthatI couldn’tseestraight
Iwaitforhertogoupthestepsfirstandfollowherwiththepizzabox.It’ssonaturalhavingherinmyhome.It’ssoeasy spendingtimewithher How can it be this simple after all these years? After the heartbreak of my life?
Shesetsthebagsinthebathroomandthenreturnstothebedroom.Shestudiesthebigwhitepoofonthefloor. “Wecouldputitinatrashbagandsaveit,”Ioffer,notsurewhatwomendowiththesethings. So much money for one day
Oncethematerialisoutof sight, the reliefonLaina’s face is evident. Her wrinkled forehead eases. The lines around her mouthsoften. Her shoulders slumpforwardasifaweighthasbeenlifted,andifIhadknownthiswouldhelpher,Iwould’vedoneithoursago Itossthebagintothehallway.“I’lltakeittothegaragelater.”
Shefree-fallsbackwardontothebed
Myshirtcradles her body, suckingagainsther front. Her tits sitontop ofher chestwiththe nipples pressingagainstthe fabric,andthehemofmyboxersrideupandpoolattheapexofherthighs.Herskinistannedandsmooth.She’sdelicateyet strong,beautifulyettheembodimentofsexy
She shrugs, flickingopenthe pizza box “Maybe ina few days things will have blownover enoughthatIcangetto the airportand go somewhere else. Idon’tknow where I’ll go, butIcanfigure somethingout.” She sits up and takes a slice of pizza “Wherewouldyougoifyoucouldgoanywhere?”
She swallows a bite of her pizza “I miss that feelingof home I have five houses across the world There are two in Nashville oneIjustgotforaninvestment.IsharedoneinLosAngeleswithTom,soIdon’tknowwhatwillhappenwiththat. Noneofmystuffisreallythere,soIdon’tactuallycareallthatmuch IhaveoneinNewYorkandoneinLondon” “Wow. ”
