Unwritten

by Hartley, Jenna

  “Your change of attitude suddenly makes sense. God, this is good.” He clutched his side, laughing hard enough I was tempted to slug him.

  I rolled my eyes. “That’s not why I enjoyed the program. We have lively conversations about the books we read.”

  “‘Lively conversations,’ huh?” His eyes danced with mirth. “Is that what the kids these days are calling it?”

  “Calling what?” Quinn asked as he and Liam joined us.

  “Little Cujo’s got himself a girlfriend,” Mark teased.

  “Who? The brunette?” Liam said, glancing toward where Catherine and Olivia were talking.

  I nodded. “Yeah, that’s Olivia. But she’s not my girlfriend.”

  “You sure about that?” Mark asked.

  “It’s temporary,” I huffed, more annoyed with the situation than these jokers. “She’s here, and my life is in Virginia.”

  “You say that now.” Quinn laughed.

  “Ladykiller would know,” Liam said, using Quinn’s call sign. “He gave up everything a few years ago to be with Ashton—resigned from the navy, took a job with Cole, and promised to move to New York.”

  “Like you wouldn’t lay your life down for Lee.” Quinn elbowed him.

  “True.” Liam nodded, his eyes going glassy as he glanced at the woman in question. “I would do anything for that woman.”

  “Even have another baby?” Quinn smirked.

  “She’s the one who keeps putting me off,” Liam said. “I’m ready for a third. Hell, I’d have a million more if she’d agree.”

  Everyone seemed a bit nostalgic tonight, and I wondered whether it was the fact that it was a “big” birthday for Jackson or the alcohol flowing. Either way, the guys usually put up more of a front. But with their wives around, their friends assembled, they seemed to be…relaxed. Content. And I realized how much I wanted that too.

  “Aww.” Mark pouted, draping his arm over Liam’s shoulder. “Has Dreamboat lost his touch?”

  I shook my head at their antics. These guys loved to pretend they were tough, but they were just giant teddy bears underneath. If anything, it only made me like and respect them even more. They were good men. They loved their families and friends with a fierce protectiveness that I understood. It was how I felt about Olivia.

  “Oh shit,” Liam said. “I know that look.” He pointed at me, hand still clasped around his beer.

  “What look?” I asked, glancing from side to side as if he were pointing at anyone but me.

  “You’re in love with her.”

  “In love,” I scoffed. “We barely know each other.” But as soon as the words left my mouth, I questioned it. Did I love Olivia?

  Of course I did. I’d have to be an idiot not to. She was smart, beautiful, kind. I think I’d fallen for her before I’d ever met her. And spending the past week with her had only cemented those feelings. Feelings I shouldn’t be having. Because as much as she seemed to trust me, I wasn’t sure I trusted myself to be the man I wanted to be for her. The man I needed to be for her.

  “All it takes is a moment,” Mark said. He stared ahead as if looking to the past. “I knew the moment I saw Charlie.”

  Just as I’d known with Olivia. But I didn’t say that. Instead, I blurted the last thing I expected. “She deserves more.”

  Even if my circumstances changed where I was somehow in LA, she deserved someone different, someone better. Someone without the baggage of my past. Someone who could love and protect her. Someone who wasn’t impulsive at times. Who would always put her needs first. She was beauty and light and goodness, and I refused to poison her with my darkness.

  “Let me give you a piece of advice,” Quinn said, looping his arm around my neck. “For a long time, I thought I wasn’t good enough for Ash. But then I realized that she was smart enough to know what she needed. And what she needed was me.”

  “Just like that, huh?” Liam teased.

  Mark tipped his beer to Liam, and I glanced over to where Olivia was talking with Catherine and Ashton. She’d immediately fit in, like I knew she would. She was friendly and warm, and she knew about a range of topics thanks to her extensive reading.

  “Whatever, asshole,” Quinn said.

  “Yeah. I think you forget that it took you nearly getting blown to pieces and a few come-to-Jesus talks with me and the guys.”

  “That girl likes you,” Quinn said, ignoring them. “And she seems smart. So, pull your head out of your ass.”

  “Cheers to that,” Mark said, lifting his beer to Quinn now. “Call me when you’re engaged. I know a good minister.”

  Minister, my ass. I’d heard about what he’d done at Liam and Natalie’s wedding.

  Quinn shook his head, and so did I. “Yeah. Not happening,” I said.

  But they made a good point. I could easily imagine a life with Olivia. Maybe not marriage, not yet. But this past week had shown me how good we were together. How nice it was to have a home, a partner. And I didn’t want it to end just because I was leaving. Being with Olivia motivated me to become the man she thought I was. A man worthy of her.

  “Mark!” Dean called from across the backyard.

  Mark waved to him but kept his attention on me. “Did you and Decker get things sorted out?”

  I nodded. “We’re cool.”

  We’d had a conversation before I’d left for California. He’d apologized for his outburst, and I’d apologized for pursuing Katie. But in all honesty, I hadn’t realized he was that serious about her. He was rarely serious about anyone, though had I really been any different? Not until Olivia.

  “Good. See you Monday,” Mark said, reminding me that I’d be headed back to Virginia soon.

  I nodded. “I’ll be there.”

  He gave me a thumbs-up before walking off in Dean’s direction.

  I stood there, watching Olivia for a long time before finally joining her. The way she smiled. The way she gestured with her hands, clearly passionate about whatever topic they were discussing. She was mesmerizing.

  “Hey.” I slid my arm around her waist, pressing my lips to her forehead. She smelled like sugar and vanilla, and I wanted to soak in everything about her while I still could.

  “Hey.” She turned, smiling up at me. “Everything okay?”

  I nodded, my body relaxing now that she was in my arms. “It is now.”

  And in that moment, I knew it was true. Everything was so much better with her in my arms, in my life. And I wasn’t ready to let her go.

  “You ready to head out?” I asked, craving some alone time with her. We needed to talk.

  She nodded, and we said our goodbyes before climbing into her SUV. Olivia was quiet on the drive home from Jackson’s, and so was I. I followed her into the bedroom, trying to ignore my duffel bag. Trying to ignore the fact that I’d be heading home in less than twelve hours. These past eight days had flown by.

  “I can see why you like those guys.” She stepped out of her shoes, removing the tie from her hair and shaking it out. “They’re a lot of fun.”

  I nodded, stepping closer to place my hands on her hips. “This whole week has been fun.”

  “I guess that’s kind of the point of a vacation fling.” She laughed, though it had an edge to it. “A little fun before you head back to reality.”

  I stared into her eyes, trying to read them. Was that how she really felt? Was that all this was to her—a bit of fun?

  “You and I both know this is more than that,” I finally said.

  “What is it, then?” she asked. “Are we ‘hanging out’?”

  I cringed, hating that term. Hating the fact that I’d ever described a relationship with a woman in those terms. I was right when I’d broken things off with Katie—she deserved better, more. I just wasn’t the man to give it to her. But now that I’d met Olivia, I wanted to be better. I wanted to give her everything.

  I stepped closer, tucking her hair behind her ear. “No. And you’re not my fuck buddy either. What if—”
>
  She placed her finger to my lips, silencing me. Her green eyes blinked up at me, pleading with me. “Don’t.” She shook her head. “Please don’t make this any harder than it already is.”

  I swallowed back my protest and nodded. She was right. Long-distance would never work.

  “What do you want?” I rasped, knowing that if I spoke, my voice would be clogged with emotion. But I’d give her anything. Anything she’d asked for—if only she’d ask me to stay.

  “I want you. I want tonight. I want to remember this for what it was, not ruin it by trying to make it something it’s not.”

  Somehow, she’d had the strength to say what needed to be said, even if it felt like a mistake.

  Deep down, though, she was right. As much as I cared for Olivia, she deserved more. She deserved a man who would never hurt her. A man who would always put her first.

  “I understand,” I finally said, my tone solemn. “Tonight.”

  She nodded, and I knew that come dawn, I’d be gone. All we had left was this night, these memories.

  I pressed my lips to hers, trying to communicate without words. I caressed her curves, hoping my touch would convey just how much she meant to me. I undressed her with care, knowing this would be the last time. And as I made love to her, I savored her every sigh, every moan, every delicious second.

  We both knew this was goodbye, but neither of us was willing to speak the word. But it was evident in the way our lips met, her lingering touch, our shared release. When she finally slept, it was in my arms, her head resting on my chest. I lay there until the sun started its ascent, reveling in these final moments where I could pretend she was mine.

  And then, knowing I had to leave, I closed my eyes and breathed her in. The smell of vanilla would be forever linked to her in my mind. I placed a kiss on her forehead and slipped out of the bed with a heavy heart.

  I didn’t know if she’d thank me or hate me when she woke to find me gone, but I knew I couldn’t stay. I couldn’t face her to say goodbye. It would break me.

  Yet I lingered in the doorway. She looked so peaceful, her body covered by the thin sheet, her hair splayed across the pillow, lips parted ever so slightly. I had to go, but I was unable to tear myself away.

  I’d never expected this—her, any of it.

  If you’d told me six months ago that I’d meet a girl online and fall for her sight unseen, I would’ve laughed. But here I was, standing at the threshold, knowing I was leaving my heart behind.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Olivia

  I rolled over, stretching beneath the covers as I reached out for Connor. Dawn was breaking, but he wouldn’t have left yet. Not without saying goodbye. But the quiet of the house and the emptiness of the bed told me what I already knew—he was gone.

  He was gone, and I wondered if I’d made a mistake… But I knew better. Long-distance would never work. I’d seen how my parents’ marriage had failed because of competing goals and schedules. I’d seen them torn apart because of loneliness, infidelity, and distance. If there was a surefire way to make a relationship fail, it was trying to carry it out from across the country.

  I sat up in bed, but startled when I saw a man sitting in the chair in the corner of my room. I scrambled backward, even though there was no place to go. Clutching the covers as if they would shield me. My heart was racing, blood whooshing in my ears. My eyes darted for my phone, but it was nowhere in sight. I opened my mouth to scream, but nothing came out.

  “Good morning, sweetheart,” he sneered. And it was then I noticed the gun in his hand.

  I gripped the sheets, my pulse spiking at this intruder and his words. I’d never felt more vulnerable, more afraid. I was alone, in my bedroom, with a stranger who was clearly not in his right mind. And I was naked except for a pair of panties and a sheet.

  “Who are you?” I asked, hating the way my voice trembled.

  He shook his head. “All in good time.”

  “Wh-what do you want? Whatever it is, I’ll give it to you. Jewelry, money…”

  His dark chuckle was far from reassuring. “There’s only one thing I want.” He leaned closer, resting his elbow on his knee. “Revenge.” The word slithered through the room like a snake, infecting everything with its poison.

  Revenge? Was he high? It would make sense—his clothes were rumpled, hair greasy, eyes bloodshot. Besides, I’d never seen the man before. How could I possibly have wronged him? All I knew was that I needed to stay calm, keep him talking. Because there must be some mistake.

  “Look, I don’t know who you are or what I did,” I said, taking a shuddering breath. “But whatever it was, I’m sorry.”

  I just needed to get him out of my room. Maybe I could lock the door behind him, call the cops. But…his gun made any plan I had seem impossible.

  “Get dressed.” He threw me a gray T-shirt, and I nearly cried when I realized it was one of Connor’s.

  I’d worn it to bed, at least before the last time Connor had stripped me naked and made love to me in the middle of the night. That seemed like a lifetime ago now. I juggled the sheets and the shirt, doing my best to stay covered as I got dressed, when all I wanted to do was hide under the covers and pretend this wasn’t happening. Although I should’ve been encouraged by the fact that he wasn’t climbing on the bed or trying to force himself on me, I didn’t see much to be grateful for at the moment.

  I lifted the neck of Connor’s shirt to my nose, inhaling his familiar clean scent. A sense of calm washed over me. At least if I was going to die, it was after experiencing the most amazing week of my life. Really, I was going out on a high.

  But why did I have to go out at all? It still didn’t make sense. Nothing about this made sense.

  “Now,” he said, once I was covered. “What’s the passcode to your phone?”

  I noticed then that he was holding it. I held out my hand palm up, as if he’d give it to me.

  He leaned back in the chair as if he had all the time in the world. “Don’t insult my intelligence. Passcode.”

  “Why are you doing this?” My eyes stung. I held back the tears, forcing myself to at least give the appearance of strength. “What did I do?”

  “Not you.” He tapped on his knee, and I sensed his impatience, the rage coursing through him. “Your little boyfriend and his buddies.”

  “Connor?” I gasped.

  “And now it’s time to call him. Passcode.” When I hesitated, he said, “Don’t make me ask again.”

  I relayed the passcode, my eyes darting around the room as if searching for an escape. But there was none. This man—whoever he was—had a gun. He had a vendetta. And I was completely at his mercy.

  As he navigated through my phone, I racked my brain for solutions. I thought through all the books I’d read, all the scenarios. And came up empty-handed. Perhaps I should’ve spent more time learning self-defense and less time with my head in a book.

  “He won’t answer,” I said, wanting to protect him. Maybe he was already on the plane. I had no concept of time.

  He barked out a laugh. “And miss the chance to protect the woman he loves?”

  I swallowed, a wave of sadness threatening to overtake me. “We broke up. He won’t be coming back.” It was true. And maybe if this deranged idiot believed it, he’d leave me alone too.

  “I wouldn’t be too sure about that. Connor can’t resist playing the hero. He gets off on protecting weak women.”

  I frowned, trying to make sense of his words. Trying to figure out the tie between Connor and this man. Before I could draw any conclusions, the sound of the phone ringing through the speaker echoed off the walls of my bedroom. The room that had been my refuge was now the scene of my worst nightmare.

  “When he answers, tell him you made a mistake. And you want him to come back.”

  I shook my head, my eyes wide. “I can’t.”

  “You will.” He stepped closer, pointing the gun at my head and holding the phone just out of reach. “An
d don’t even think about telling him I’m here or you’re dead.”

  I tried to steady my breathing, while hoping Connor wouldn’t see my call. Just before it went to voice mail, Connor answered. “Olivia?”

  “Hey,” I said, doing my best to sound calm. If I wasn’t careful, I’d be leading Connor straight into a trap.

  “You okay. You sound… off?”

  “I, um, just woke up. I thought we were going to have breakfast together before you left.”

  “Miss me already?” he teased, though I sensed his regret. Or maybe that was just wishful thinking on my part.

  My captor waved the gun, urging me to speed up. But I shook my head, my lips firmly sealed. I couldn’t. Wouldn’t.

  My captor let out a deep sigh. “I guess I’ll have to do this myself.”

  “Olivia?” Connor snapped. “Who’s that?”

  “You don’t recognize my voice?” the man said into the phone. He shook his head. “How disappointing.”

  Connor was silent, perhaps baiting the guy. Or maybe he’d hung up. Part of me hoped he was already on his way, even if I hated the idea of him being in danger.

  “I’m sure your girlfriend won’t forget it,” the guy said, still giving no clues as to his identity or what he really wanted beyond “revenge.” “Since it will be the last thing she hears.”

  My throat closed up and tears threatened to fall. But I didn’t want to show him an ounce of weakness.

  “If you touch a hair on her head… If you harm her in any way…” Connor said, unable to check the emotion from his voice. “I will fucking kill you, George.”

  I believed him. And his anger and conviction gave me some relief. I drew strength from it.

  “Let her go,” Connor growled.

  “You’re in no position to make demands,” George said. “And don’t you dare call for backup. You will come alone and unarmed, or she dies.”

  I gulped, trying to push away my fear. But it threatened to overwhelm me. My throat closed up, my body shaking.

  “Better hurry,” George said before Connor could say anything else. “Time’s a ticking.”