Mended Hearts

by Tammi Lynn

  Chapter Seven

  Deer Brother

  Roman

  I’m going to kill Cade.

  He never showed up last night and I’m not sure how much sleep Mia got worried about his sorry ass. I don’t even know what I would be doing in his position, I mean fuck, Nichoal? That was unfucking expected. But I hate seeing Mia sad.

  At about four this morning I woke up to hear my brothers coming home. They were loud as hell, slamming the vehicle doors and laughing. I’d bet a lot of money that both Jesse and Cade were trashed and Jayson had to get them both upstairs. Even though she wanted him over I was glad when he never came through her bedroom door, it would have been a mess that I wouldn’t have wanted to clean up. He needs to be in his right mind when he talks to her next.

  Actually, I need to talk to him first. It’ s around eight now and I slowly start to remove my arms from around Mia to get up. I don’t want to wake her, she’s barely been asleep for a few hours.

  “Are you leaving?” Well fuck, how long has she even been awake?

  “Yeah Angel, I’ll be back later though. You want to do something today?”

  “No. I think it’s a stay in bed all day and binge watch shows kinda day. Will you please hand me the remote?” Getting the remote from the nightstand I hand it to her, kissing her forehead and breathing her in before getting up and getting dressed. She smells so good, always sweet. She tastes sweet too. I don’t want to leave her here by herself all day, I’ll tell one of the guys to get their asses over here and stay with her.

  “Want me to turn on the light?”

  “Nah, it’s better off.” She’s talking so low I can barely hear her before she yawns. “Love you, Roman.”

  “Love you, Angel. I’ll be back later.”

  When I get into our house, it's a mess. It looks like they tried to make breakfast before they went to bed and it exploded everywhere. Pancake mix is everywhere along with plates and silverware. Something sticky is on the floor by the counter, my only guess being syrup.

  “What the hell happened in here?”

  I wasn’t expecting a response but one came from over the couch, and Jesse’s head pops over the back. “It was Cade, man. Dude didn’t want to stop. He didn’t say anything last night but he’s fucked up about all this.”

  I want to feel bad for him but all I can picture is the fear I saw in Mia’s eyes last night. She’s afraid she’ll lose him and then the rest of us follow. “Well he’s cleaning this shit up then, birthdays over motherfucker.”

  “Whoa!” My brother jumps up at my tone, his eyes wide. “What’s with all the hostility this early in the morning, weren’t you just with Mia? Oh wait, shit, is she okay? She didn’t even tell anyone she was leaving last night and I swear I saw Nichoal come out of the bathroom right after her. It was right before she disappeared.” What? She didn’t say anything about that. Probably doesn’t want us to worry.

  “She’s torn up, scared, afraid he’s going to go back to that bitch.” Jesse snorts out a laugh. Neither of us ever liked her, Jayson either but we put up with her for Cade. She needs to just go back to where she’s been all these years. “I don’t know Jess, she’s got that look again, and she just wants to stay in her room all day and watch tv. I offered to turn on the light and she even said ‘it's better off.’ I swear if he breaks her again I’m going to break him.”

  “You and me, both, brother.” He gets up from the couch and heads to Jayson’ s door.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Going to grab Jayson and head over there, mopey Mia isn’t going to work for me.” He knocks loudly on the door before opening it. “Get up asshole, we’re going to go make a frowny face smile.”

  “What?” Jayson sounds like he’s still half asleep.

  “Get those ridonculous onesie pajamas on that Mia got us all for Christmas, we’re heading over in ten.” Yep, she sure did and thought it was hilarious too. They all match, red plaid all the way from a hoodie with antlers down to the feet. Miklo wasn’t left out and she had us all open them at the same time to snap a pic of our reactions. We of course have not worn them yet, and she’s going to love it. “Give Cade hell for the both of us too, Rome.” Don’t have to tell me. It will be my fucking pleasure.

  He heads upstairs and I follow behind. “How much did he have to drink last night?”

  “A lot, and he took a bottle up with him when we had to practically carry him up here.” This is going to be fun.

  He heads into his room to get his onesie on and I go down the hall to Cade’s. The doors open and he’s sprawled across the bed fully clothed and passed out. There’s a whiskey bottle on the nightstand that thankfully still looks pretty full, so I’m betting he was out as soon as he hit the covers.

  I can smell the liquor off him from a few feet away and step closer to nudge his leg. “Wake up Cade.” He doesn’t even budge a little. “Get up fucker, we need to talk.”

  “Ugh, fuck off Rome.” His arm goes back over his eyes and he’s snoring a second later.

  Okay, if he wants to play it that way. I head into his bathroom and grab a cup next to his sink filling it with cold water. When I get back into the room I lean over him and drop a few drops on his cheek. “I said get the fuck up.”

  “Dammit! What the fuck Rome? Knock it off, my fucking heads killing me. What’s wrong with you?!” His arm drops from his eyes and he glares up at me, eyes squinting. Good. I hope his head fucking hurts.

  “Serves you right.” Tossing the rest of the cup in his face, he’s up and on me throwing me to the floor. Who knew the fucker could still be so quick while hungover.

  We wrestle around until he gets me in a headlock and holds me down. “Fuck Rome, what’s your problem?”

  “Right now you are. I just spent the night holding Mia and watching her get no sleep waiting for you to get your sorry ass into bed, to talk to her. Fuck man, you didn’t even say anything to her last night after Nichoal showed up.”

  “I didn’t even get a chance, she ran off. Twice.” He growled.

  “Don’t give me that shit. You avoided her too, I waited to see if you’d go looking for her and when you didn’t, I did. I thought I’d never have to see that look on her face again after she swore off Dre, but I guess I was wrong.” His hold on me loosens and I throw my head back and jump up.

  “Shit.” Sitting on the floor he dabs at the tiny drop of blood escaping from the fresh cut on his lip. Deserves that also.

  “What are you thinking, Cade? Where the fuck was Nichoal to show up now of all times? Do you plan on taking her back? What about Mia?” He better not fuck all this up for us. I love him like he’s my brother but I’ve never loved anyone like Mia before too. If she leaves and runs from us, I’ll never forgive him.

  “I don’t know, okay!” His head goes down into his hands and he messages his temples. “I love Mia, you know I do. But fuck, what am I even supposed to think, Rome? I loved Nichoal too, and for a long time. I thought she was fucking dead somewhere, and right after I had proposed and then fought with her.” Getting up he sits on the bed and lays back.

  “Decide brother, and decide soon.”

  I start to head out the door but his words stop me. “Do you know where she said she was? Nichoal? She said my proposal freaked her out, she wasn’t ready and had to just get away. Went fucking backpacking in Europe and hung out on beaches in Italy. Can you believe that? Had us all thinking she was abducted and killed while vacationing overseas. Didn’t even care everyone was worried, said she kept in contact with her cousin Rachel to let know how she was. Says she’s ready now and that she wants to marry me.”

  “Rachel? Isn’t that the cousin that saw you and Mia out at the movies a few weeks back?”

  “Yeah, that one.” This is all making sense now. Nichoal finds out Cade’s finally moved on from her so she comes running back. Bitch.

  “Do you still have feelings for Nichoal?” Please say no, he did avoid her last night too, at least while I was there.
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  “Fuck Rome, I just don’t know.”

  “Well take a shower, get sober and find the fuck out. And Cade? Don’t come to Mia’s until you do because if you’re going to hurt her you better only do it once. I love you man, but I love her enough to take her side.”

  “How is she now?” Sitting back up he looks bad and not from the drinking, I can see it’s eating him up to cause her any pain. Of course he loves her, he just needs to decide how much.

  “She’ll be fine, we got her.” I leave him then and head to my room to shower and change.

  ∞∞∞

  Jesse and I gave everyone the weekend off but I had to run into the city to meet up with the Inn owner for lunch to go over some plans. What was supposed to be a quick maybe hour meeting turned into four and by the time I finally got back into Sammamish it’s just getting dark. I’m stopped at a stoplight when my phone lights up with a text.

  Angel: Food!

  The words are followed with about eight smiley and food emojis. Something tells me they got her drunk. I love a funny drunk Mia.

  Me: Chinese?

  Angel: If you pleeaase.

  Well this night just took a fun turn. The light turns green and I pull into a drive-through chinese restaurant to get us all something to eat.

  Jesse: She says don’t forget egg rolls... that it’s super important so don’t forget.

  Me: How much have you guys given her?

  Jesse: Only two glasses of wine but she hasn’t eaten anything. She’s being fucking hilarious.

  I place our order and drive up to the window to wait.

  Jay: Hurry up DEER!

  It’s followed by a selfie of Mia in a unicorn onesie Jesse got for her and two smiling deer behind her. Their hoods are up with the antlers flapping and everything. I’m so using this picture for blackmail later. Mia must have already misplaced her phone again, she’s always losing it. We looked everywhere for it the other night only to have found it in the freezer next to the ice cream.

  Pulling in our driveway I run inside and upstairs real quick to put on my matching onesie. Yep, she’s got me whipped too, anything to see her smile light up her face. I look in Cade’s room to see if he’s still here, before I leave, but his room is empty and his car is gone from where he last parked it on the curb. Fucker better be off doing some soul searching.

  I look fucking ridiculous in these pj’s but it does make me laugh, at least they don’t have those butt flap things attached. Mia loves wearing onesies claiming there’s nothing comfier and often goes bare underneath for easy access. Women like a guy in grey sweats? Well, check out this one going commando in a plaid onesie. My dick keeps swinging against my leg but it’s worth it to see her reaction.

  The living room is still dark when I walk through but the light in her room is thankfully on now. When I walk in I see a deer straddling a unicorn and tickling it. You heard me right. Mia is erupting in peels of laughter as Jayson holds her hands above her head and Jesse attacks her from above. The scene is absolutely comical and I want to join in on the fun. Placing the take-out on the vanity I jump on the bed and help by getting her sides.

  She’s wriggling beneath us gasping for breaths between laughs. “Stop guys, I’m gonna pee.”

  Jesse stops immediately. “Stop, she’ll do it.” Jesse told us about some of the stories her sister, Mel, shared so Jayson and I release her and Jesse gets off of her waist.

  She lies there for a second, silent and taking deep breaths before jumping and standing on the bed. “Suckers!” Hopping to the edge of the bed she jumps off. “Wait, I do have to pee though, be right back.” She flies into the bathroom and shuts the door.

  “How is she?” I ask grinning like an idiot.

  “She’s great actually, after sleeping for a few hours when we got here she got up, turned the light on and said we were going to have a pajama/comedy movie day. We’ve just been hanging out all day. She didn’t go get a bottle of wine until about an hour and a half ago and had just the two glasses. We hid the bottle from her after that.” Jayson pulls the hood from his head and laughs. “It’s actually been one of the best days, I’ve had in a bit.” I’m glad to hear that. She’s strong.

  Mia comes out of the bathroom and instantly is shooting off a question. “So what do you guys want to watch now?”

  “What’s your favorite funny movie, Beautiful?”

  “Hmm.” She taps her temple and looks at the ceiling. “Taxi, with Queen Latifah and Jimmy. When they inhale the laughing gas? Fucking dead.” Her eyes catch sight of the food and walks over to it. “Have I told you how much I love you Roman?”

  “I’ll never hear it enough, Angel.” Nope, never. She grabs an egg roll out of the bag and puts it in her mouth slowly taking a bite. She’s trying to be seductive and even with as awkward as her cute ass is she still has my plaid popping. Shit, the zippers cold.

  “Ahem.” I cough out causing her to grin.“Um, let’s watch Taxi then.” After turning the movie on and eating we all climb in the bed, her in the middle and Jesse to one side and Jayson on the other. I crawl between her legs and turn over to lay my head in her lap. Her hands find my hair and her fingers run absently through the curls.

  I’m not fucking losing this, losing her. Fuck Nichoal.

  Chapter Eight

  Lipstick Kisses

  Mia

  Who needs a blanket when you can wake up cuddled in plaid on all sides. We all fell asleep watching movies, Roman’s still in between my legs, his head resting on my thigh and he has an arm around my leg. I’m super comfortable but I need to get up and pee, not sure if I can hold it any longer. Scooting back a little his head and arm fall to the bed and I’m free to get up.

  Oh fuck. As soon as I stand my head throbs slightly and my stomach rolls. Running into the bathroom I relieve my heavy bladder and search the medicine cabinet for some Excedrin. Taking two with water from the sink and brushing my teeth I silently sneak out of the room to the kitchen. I need to stop drinking for awhile, I barely even drank anything last night. I should start running with Jesse and Miklo in the mornings too, but unless I’m being chased I’m not much of a runner.

  Only letting myself mope and worry about Cade for a few hours, I told myself that what happens happens and I’m going to just enjoy what I have while I have it. Cade will come talk to me when he’s ready, I hope. Until then, I would appreciate all the good in my life. Putting a smile on my face wasn’t hard since Jesse and Jayson showed up in the onesies I had gotten them. It was a gag because they’re always commenting on mine and I never expected any of them to wear them. Can you say best boyfriends ever?

  I have until four before I have to head into Seattle to pick Miklo up from the airport and decide to make breakfast for the guys. Bacon, eggs, and hashbrowns are almost done when Jayson comes out of the room.

  “Smells good, Sweetheart.” Coming up behind me at the stove, he gives me a hug wrapping his arms around me, before getting forks and plates and setting them on the island.

  “Morning, Jayson. Roman and Jesse still asleep?”

  “Yeah.” He starts laughing. “Roman has his arms wrapped around Jesse’s leg thinking it’s you.” How funny, but awwww, so cute.

  “I need a pic of that.”

  “Already took and sent to your phone, wherever it is.” This man just gets me, and even though he joins in on picking on me he’s also always helping me out and giving me dirt to use on getting the others back. We have a silent secret pact, and I can always count on him.

  “You’re the best.” Turning off the stove I spin around and hug him, wrapping my arms around his waist. “What are your plans for today? Let’s do something before I head to the airport.” Reaching up I grab his zipper and zip it down to his navel exposing his chest, and kiss it before laying my head against his heart. The thump against my ear relaxing me.

  “I was thinking about picking Emma up today and taking her to the Seattle Aquarium. Do you want to go?”

  “That sounds like a
plan. We can grab Miklo after. Let’s eat and get dressed, I’ll wake those two up and let them know we’ll be going.”

  After we eat, Jayson heads home to change and I put two plates of food on a tray to take into Roman and Jesse. “Aww, aren’t you two so adorable, I brought the lovebirds breakfast in bed.”

  “What?” Waking up Jesse looks down at his leg. “Dude, Bro, get off me.” He shakes his leg getting Roman to stir.

  “Huh? Oh sorry man, must have thought you were Mia. It was her when I fell asleep.” He sends me a sleepy eyed accusatory glare and I wink back at him.

  “I didn’t want to wake you guys yet.” Placing the tray on the bed they each grab a plate while I go to the closet to pick out an outfit. I pick out dark blue skinny jeans and some chucks with a soft and fuzzy pink sweater. Emma’s favorite color is pink. I place the clothes on the chair in the corner and zip down my pajamas letting them fall to the floor. I catch the guys out of the corner of my eye watching me. “What? You guys aren’t hungry?”

  “Oh we’re hungry, Beautiful.” Jesse looks like he’s about to get up from the bed.

  “You stay right there.” My jeans go on and I reach for my sweater. “That foods all you’re getting.”

  “Ouch, Angel.” Rome puts a hand to his chest dramatically, “Why are you getting dressed anyway? Going somewhere?”

  “Jayson is taking Emma and I to the aquarium.” Sitting in the chair I start to put my shoes on.

  “Good thing you’re wearing tennis shoes, the princess is going to have you running all over the place.”

  “Perfect, that’s exactly what I need.” Both of their faces turn to looks of concern. “I mean for the exercise, I’ve been feeling lazy lately.” Walking to the bed I give them each a kiss. And yes, also because it was totally going to take my mind off this Cade thing.