Pierced Hearts (Southern Charmers Book 1)

by Ahren Sanders

  “I bought that huge porch swing because it reminded me of you.”

  She twitches, holding my eyes, but remains quiet.

  “It caught my eye passing by a store one day, and I immediately remembered the time you saw one similar in Myrtle Beach. It held both of us as we laid outside that bed and breakfast, and you mentioned wanting one. That day, I turned my truck around, went inside, and ordered it. Everyone loves it. When we unfasten the hinges, it lays out enough for Maya and Cole to both lie on it. But, every time I look at it, it’s a reminder of you.”

  Her breath catches, and her eyes widen, but I go on. “My kitchen was designed with you in my head. The counter space, the side work station, the appliances—all you.”

  “Pierce, that’s insane.”

  “What’s insane is I did it all unintentionally. When your dad visited me, he walked around and inspected everything intensely. The night I found you on the porch swing, a knot took root in my gut. It was a few days later that it all came crashing down. Everything I’d done had a piece of you. I bought the house because you loved the old neighborhood. I lived in a townhome next to Connie, and when the house went on the market, I didn’t hesitate. It took two years to get the layout exactly the way I wanted, but when it came to the renovations and decorating, my subconscious took over.”

  “What about other women?”

  “My house is for my family and me. Now, it’s for you, too.”

  She face-plants into my chest. “All that time, I thought you…” Her voice fades away, and she quivers.

  I rub up and down her back, giving her a few minutes for the emotional wave to pass. No one in my life knows what I told her. And the last time she was there, we had that huge fight. It’s time we make new memories.

  “Okay, I’ll come over after work.”

  As if on cue, Runner whimpers.

  “Bring him, too. He needs to get used to the neighborhood.”

  She nods into my chest, sniffing lightly.

  “Not to push you too far, but I want you to meet Maya and Cole this weekend.”

  This time, her body goes rock-solid, and there’s no missing the unsteady intake of breath.

  “You knew this was coming.”

  “Let’s see how today goes with Connie.”

  “It doesn’t matter how it goes with her. I pick them up on Saturday afternoon. Let’s do dinner Saturday night.”

  She sighs, and I pick up the undertone of relief. “Saturday night, I’m booked. It’s the annual summer bizarre.”

  It slipped my mind that Annie registered DG Creations for the bizarre. She even wrangled Evin and Edward to help during the event. Darby’s spot is going to be a huge draw. Almost every tourist and resident in Charleston shows up to the event at some point. It’s one of the largest parties of the summer.

  I make a mental note to look at the bizarre agenda and the events Maya and Cole enjoy. It’s not the time to introduce them to Darby, but at least I can stop by to lend my support and still have the night with the kids.

  “How about we talk to Edward and see about some horseback riding on Sunday afternoon? They’d enjoy that, and it may make you more comfortable being in your own environment.”

  She’s quiet for too long, and I’m about to remind her she agreed to give this a chance when I hear a very bleak and faint, “Okay.”

  It’s not exactly what I’d hoped for, but it’s time to move on. “Baby, you have a huge log of orders, and I have cookies to bake.” I try to lighten the mood.

  She raises on her toes, bringing her lips to mine. “I love you.”

  •—•—•—•—•

  Connie breezes into the storefront, smiling at people as she passes, but when she hits the table, her lips form a hard line.

  “Did you at least get me a coffee?” She sits.

  “Nope.” I take the last bite of my chocolate chip cupcake and slide my plate to the side.

  “Since you’re obviously done, we can go somewhere else. Somewhere with a little more privacy.”

  “I don’t need privacy.”

  Her face heats up as she leans in. “There are people here that work with me, and I prefer not to have our personal business as the source of office gossip.”

  “If you wanted discretion, you wouldn’t have grabbed my dick in the middle of a restaurant on Friday night, and you would have chosen a better swimsuit to parade around in yesterday. You wanted a public statement, and you’re going to get it.” I don’t attempt to lower my voice and notice a few heads turn our way.

  The waitress appears, and Connie’s fake smile returns as she attempts to keep up appearances. As soon as she’s out of earshot, the venom returns.

  “How fucking dare you? You’re lucky I even showed up.”

  “If you didn’t show, the next request would have come through my lawyer, which would require you shelling out four hundred dollars an hour to communicate through yours. Consider this a courtesy.” Once again, I talk openly and hear the lady to our right smother a giggle.

  Connie’s face now flames. As much as I like pissing her off, it’s time to move forward.

  “Maya and Cole came to my house last Thursday under some pretty heavy confusion. Maya especially. I don’t appreciate you filling their heads with lies about my relationship with Darby.”

  “I didn’t fill their head with lies. We thought you were out of town on business, and then your picture was plastered all over the place with that woman. I told them the truth. If anything, you’re responsible for this ‘heavy confusion’.” She air quotes the last words.

  “Cut the bullshit, Connie.”

  The waitress arrives with her coffee and backs away uncomfortably.

  “There’s no bullshit, Pierce. You embarrassed your children, and you need to apologize. You’re acting like a fool over an old girlfriend, and it’s not fair to put Maya and Cole through it.”

  “How fair is it to let the kids think we’re working on moving in together? Then, when they find out about Darby through your underhanded ways, convincing them she’s replacing them?”

  Her eyes grow wide, and her pupils flare angrily. “Living together is best for the children.”

  “That is never going to happen, and you know it. There was no doubt in my mind you were going to act like a bitch about Darby being back in my life, but I’m not going to let you poison our kids with your fucking antics. We’ve always had an agreement that the kids would be shielded from the truth about our past. But when you told Maya that Darby was replacing you and them, I was forced to stand in my kitchen, face my teary-eyed little girl, and delicately explain that her parents are never going to be together.”

  “Great example of parenting, Pierce. You want your kids to know they are the result of a casual relationship?”

  “Don’t go there and put this shit on me. You opened that door, and I handled the damage control.”

  “Damage control? You want to talk about damage control? How do you think it made them feel when they saw you hanging all over that bitch? They were devastated and humiliated.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong. You manipulated that situation, throwing it in their faces, and then used their vulnerability.”

  “Hardly the case. I was upfront and honest. You left me no choice but to tell them who that woman was.”

  “As much as you’d like to keep thinking this is about Darby, it isn’t. It’s about your choices in parenting and the way you are raising our kids when they’re with you. Leaving your computer open, calling other women floozies, letting our eleven-year-old have apps on her phone that I don’t approve of, and letting her see things she has no business seeing. Cole and Maya exchanged words in front of me that pissed me the hell off, and I’m not having it. They are kids, Connie, and you tried to turn them against me. Your plan rebounded.”

  “You do not get to question my parenting skills while you’re out flaunting around town with that tramp. I’m not going to sit here and let you chastise me because your piece o
f ass returned and swallowed your dick.”

  The lady beside us openly gasps; I barely hear it over the roaring in my head. Heat and anger score through my veins with the familiar flood of disgust for this woman. The raging temper I’m known for boils close to the surface.

  “Careful, Connie,” I say through gritted teeth.

  “Don’t careful me, Pierce. I think it’s pathetic you’re willing to put your family through this over a woman that didn’t want you in the first place.”

  “My family is perfectly fine, including my children, who now know about the woman their dad is in love with. I told you this isn’t about Darby. This is about the way you’ve chosen to act lately. Throwing yourself at me in public places, showing up uninvited, and deliberately misleading Maya and Cole is a huge problem. I’ve been lenient over the years, but you need to know I’m not putting up with you dragging the kids through hell over your petty jealousy.”

  “Petty jealousy? I’m not jealous, especially over a woman that’s leaving in a month. You’re openly making a fool of yourself.”

  I can’t help my lips twitching, thinking of the many times Darby said the same thing, only in a much sexier way. On that thought, I decide to stop back by the bakery on my way to work.

  “Making a fool out of myself is not your problem. Nothing about my relationship with Darby is your business. I always have Maya and Cole’s best interests at heart; they are my priority. Darby in my life doesn’t change that we are parenting our children together. From now on, if you have something to say, you bring that shit to me. Don’t funnel it through them.”

  “Fuck Darby in your life. I’m the mother of your children, and if you think I’m going to let her waltz in and—” Her voice steadily rises.

  “Now, who’s making a fool out of themselves?” I cut her off, standing. I’ve said what needed to be said, and it’s time to go. She can bash Darby on her own time.

  “Where are you going?” she seethes, the veins in her forehead popping.

  “I’ve got places to be.”

  “This conversation is not over.”

  “You’re right. I have two things to add. Maya’s phone has been cut back to limited service. She no longer has access to adding apps or social media. She also understands that those privileges come when both her parents agree.” I lean in and say the next part so only she can hear. “Secondly, I hate doggy-style, always have. When I’m with a woman, I want to see her face. Jack Daniels and weed don’t equal a casual relationship. So, no, hopefully, Maya never finds out the truth.”

  Fire blazes in her eyes, and I flash her a quick grin before strolling away. The owner of the shop calls out his thanks for the morning delivery, and I swear there’s a scream from the table I abandoned.

  Perfect fucking exit.

  Chapter 21

  Darby

  “Quit fretting. You’re getting wrinkles,” Mom instructs for the tenth time in as many minutes.

  “Don’t you have someone else to harass? I’m trying to make sense of all this stuff you threw on me.” I thumb through the promotional display items that she brought with her. Apparently, as my assistant, she took it upon herself to work with the marketing team at Brasher Resorts and decided this was an excellent opportunity to advertise my new business venture.

  “It’s simple, Darby. Place them on the table and move on.”

  “It’s not simple! They don’t match my vision for the table. I had everything arranged in my head, and now I need to mesh my current decorations with all this stuff.”

  “Geez, I thought Evin was my perfectionist. You need to get a grip.”

  I stop short of pulling at my hair and slice my eyes to her in warning. “Go away.”

  “Nope, I’m hopin’ this might cheer you up.” She digs in her bag and pulls out something rolled up in a ball. When she shakes it out, my breath catches in my throat.

  It’s a black t-shirt with the DG Creations logo, and underneath, she’s added ‘est. Charleston S.C’. It’s a simple shirt, but the meaning behind it is anything but simple. It’s a reminder of my beginnings and much more. Familiar whistling sounds from behind, and I turn to see Evin, Dad, Lynda, Jill, Warren, and Miller walking our way wearing the same shirt with big smiles.

  “I love it.”

  “Figured it was time you had something that relayed your roots.”

  All the irritation slips away, and I kiss her cheek. “Thank you, Mama.”

  “How about one of those for me?” Warren extends his arms, and I go to him.

  “What are you guys doing here?”

  “We’re here to support our favorite girl,” he booms.

  “Whatever you do, don’t put him in charge of the samples.” Miller pulls me from his dad into his own hug.

  I giggle at the pained expression that fills Warren’s face.

  “Thank you all for coming. I can’t imagine this is what you wanted to do on your Saturday afternoon.”

  “This is exactly what we want to do on our Saturday, Darby.” Jill squeezes my shoulder affectionately when I step back.

  I can’t help but feel the ping of sadness that Pierce is not here. He mentioned bringing the kids out later today, but we decided it was not the day for me to formally meet them. Actually, it was his decision, stating I’d be too busy. Internally, I was relieved at his decision because tomorrow’s horseback riding ‘date’ is already giving me anxiety.

  “You got a plan?” Evin eyes my unfinished display table.

  “Yes, I need your help moving some things around.” Suddenly, the additional materials aren’t a big deal, and a table arrangement pops in my head.

  The parents all announce they are going to walk around before the bizarre kicks off, leaving me to work with Miller and Evin.

  “This is unlike any other exhibition booth I’ve ever seen,” Miller comments, taking in the huge ice cream cooler displaying my refrigerated items.

  Evin and I share a look and say at the same time, “Annie.”

  Miller jerks his chin in understanding.

  “Mom badgered the chairman until we had this exact spot on the main drag. Somehow, she arranged all the refrigeration units, too. I was going with cookies and truffles until I knew we had them.” I motion to the two standing coolers behind me.

  “Explains the need for all this electrical.”

  “It’s a little ostentatious, but she insisted on a full selection.”

  “Full selection, huh?” His eyes light up, peering in one of the coolers.

  “Help yourself to whatever you’d like, Miller.”

  “Did you make any of those special truffles?”

  I nod, pointing to the cooler, which has trays stacked on trays of the truffles. He doesn’t hesitate to snatch two, shoving them into his mouth. “Mmmmm,” he mumbles.

  Evin reaches in, too, grabbing a chocolate covered banana and taking a huge bite. I raise an eyebrow at him, and he shrugs. “What? I ran today and need the potassium.”

  “Mmhmm.” I grin at his hidden sweet tooth and go back to straightening the literature.

  They carry on a conversation about the upcoming football season, Miller inviting Evin to join his Fantasy group. It strikes me how at ease they are around each other. I know from Pierce and Evin there was a lot of avoiding over the years—Evin always protecting me and my secret, and Miller protecting his brother. All of the Kendricks were living in the dark.

  For so long, I thought exposing the reasons I left was humiliating and a sign of weakness. But now, it’s the opposite. Everyone knowing has been uplifting in a way. There is regret, but it’s slowly disappearing.

  “Soooooo,” Miller draws out with a sly smirk.

  The recognizable teasing tone in his voice makes my skin prickle. My head jerks up in time to see them exchange a look.

  “Soooo… what?”

  “Tomorrow’s the big day.”

  “Yes.” My answer is sharper than intended. The smirk falls from his mouth, and his eyes fill with concern.
/>   “Darby, it’s going to be fine. They are great kids, mostly because of Pierce.”

  “You’re their uncle, and they adore you. It’s easy to think they’re great. I’ve already been labeled a home-wrecking floozy that’s going to snatch their dad away. Not to mention, I’m indirectly responsible for an eleven-year-old’s phone privileges being monitored.”

  “You have to let that go. It had nothing to do with you,” Evin explains again. At our lunch on Wednesday, I told him about Pierce wanting me to meet Maya and Cole and the conversation Pierce had with Connie. I hate my own lack of confidence, but the truth is that I’m slightly terrified of what may happen tomorrow.

  “I agree with Evin. You’re putting too much pressure on yourself. They may be my blood, but I’m telling you the truth. If it helps ease your mind, I stopped by Pierce’s this morning, and they are excited about the horseback riding.”

  I nod absently, a feeling of sadness creeping in. This was the first morning in a week I hadn’t woken up in a bed with Pierce in it. We alternated between our places this week. My first night at his house wasn’t bad, but I was definitely tense. I tried to hide my discomfort, which was useless because he picked up on it right away. His solution was to make love to me on the kitchen island, erasing the bad memories of the last time I was there. It worked. He became obsessed with making me comfortable, and every time I started to sink, I found myself naked. Finally, I drew the line at having sex on the porch swing. He didn’t seem to understand my hang-up, and I knew sometime in the near future, he would wear me down.

  “Hey.” Evin’s hand waves in front of my face, bringing me out of my daze. “Did you hear us?”

  “No, sorry, I was distracted. What did you say?”

  “That you’re not going to be alone tomorrow. We’ll all be there to support you.”

  I blow out a loud breath. “As tempting as that sounds, I’m a grown woman, and there are some things I need to do on my own.”

  “Bullshit.” He deadpans.

  “Evin—"

  “No, Darby. This is a family thing, and we’re not letting you go down this road alone. Last time we did that, you ran off for twelve years.”