by Abbi Glines
The small bubble of laughter was fast and unexpected. Tripp’s smirk turned into a pleased grin, and I laughed for the first time since I’d left Rosemary.
Later that night, I had just started to fall asleep when I heard Tripp get up and walk to the bathroom. I thought he was going to take a shower but I heard him talking to someone. Who would he be calling after midnight? Then I heard my name.
I eased out of bed quietly and tiptoed close enough so I could hear what he was saying.
“She wants to stop by her friend’s house in Georgia first. . . . Yeah. . . . I said yes. Damn. . . . Near Myrtle Beach. It’s safe. I swear. . . . Probably need some more, yeah. . . . I’ll call you. . . . I said I would call you. Go to sleep.”
I hurried back over to the bed and crawled back in. Who had he been talking too? Was there a girl back where he lived? Had he left someone behind to come help me? No. That couldn’t be it. He slept with too many women. Maybe it was just a friend.
“Della?” Tripp’s voice surprised me and I almost responded. Then I realized he was checking to make sure I was asleep. I didn’t say anything.
It must have been a friend of his wondering when he’d be home. But the “safe” comment—that was weird. I closed my eyes and decided to let the exhaustion take me. I would think about this tomorrow.
Woods
I stared down at the list of appointments that Vince had put on my desk that morning. I had been putting off so much shit because I couldn’t focus in the last two weeks, and now I was behind. Tomorrow my lawyer would be sending out the letters to the former board members letting them know that they were no longer needed. I expected the shit to hit the fan but I was letting my lawyer deal with the blows. I wasn’t in the mood for it.
“Mr. Finlay here to see you, sir,” Vince’s voice said over the intercom.
“Send him in,” I replied. I had called Rush’s father, Dean Finlay, before Della had left. I figured if I put someone on the board who was a celebrity, then it would help with the members and the town when they heard of the new board. Besides, Dean had put a lot of money into the Kerrington Club and my father had never approved of him. He’d acknowledged him because he wasn’t a complete fool but he hadn’t liked him.
“I gotta say, Woods, you look pretty goddamn good sitting in that seat,” Dean drawled as he sauntered into the room. He reeked of rock star, from his long hair to his tattoo-covered body and many piercings. He even had on eyeliner. The man was a legend and I had grown up with him as the father of one of my friends.
“Thanks, Dean,” I said, standing up and reaching across the desk to shake his hand.
“You got me for about thirty minutes. Then I’m gonna have to get back to that grandson of mine. I had to leave him all giggly and playful and that’s pretty fucking hard to do. The kid’s adorable.”
“Yes, sir. I will make this quick,” I assured him, and motioned for him to sit down.
Dean sat down in the leather wingback chair and propped his feet up on the edge of my desk. “What’s up?”
“I’m letting my father’s board members go. They were close confidants of my father; however, I don’t feel the same way about them. I have no need for a board that I can’t share my ideas with and whose opinions I can’t trust. I’m replacing the board with people I want to have input into the future of the Kerrington Club.”
Dean held up a hand to stop me, then he cocked one dark eyebrow. “Are you saying you fired all their uppity asses?”
I nodded.
Dean threw his head back and cackled with laughter. “Damn, that’s the funniest shit I’ve heard in a while.”
If I could have managed a smile these days I would have smiled then. “I want you on my board, sir. Rush will also be asked, of course.”
Dean dropped his feet to the floor and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and studied me a moment. “You want me on your board?”
“Yes, I do. My group of friends are all young. We need wisdom on the board and you’re the only man I know that I would want advising me.”
A slow smile spread across Dean’s face. “I’ll be damned.”
Probably, but I wasn’t going to agree with him. I just waited.
“Hell yeah, I’ll be on your board. My grandson is going to grow up in this town and the Kerrington Club and the members here will be a big part of his life. I want to make sure he has the best.”
I had hoped he would feel that way. “Thank you, sir. I appreciate it. I’m honored that you will be a part of the future of the club.”
“Me too,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “But, Woods, if we’re gonna do this, then should you stop calling me sir. Makes me sound old. I bang chicks younger than you, son.”
I might not have been able to smile but I was amused. “I’m sure you do,” I replied.
“That was pretty damn funny. What’s wrong with you, boy? I can’t seem to get you to crack a smile.”
I didn’t want to talk about Della with Dean. He wouldn’t understand. Like he said, he was with a different girl every night. “Personal stuff. I’m working through it.”
Dean rubbed his chin, then tilted his head as he looked at me too closely. “It’s a woman. That look is always caused by a fucking woman. Don’t bother denying it. I can see it all over your face.”
I didn’t admit it but I didn’t deny it. Instead, I dropped my eyes to the table and shifted through some paperwork. I had a contract Dean needed to sign and we needed to discuss his monthly salary, not that he needed it.
“Who is she? What did she do? She getting under your skin and you’re ready to run, or has she already got you on her hook and she’s trying to let you go?”
I pulled out the contract and took my pen and pushed them across the table. “Neither. I need you to sign the contract saying everything we discuss about the club is confidential. Your salary is listed as well.”
Dean didn’t lean forward and take the paper. He was still focused on me. He started to shake his head and let out a low whistle. “Woods motherfucking Kerrington is in love. Damn, it’s in the water down here. I need to get my ass back to LA. You young boys going manic over one pretty little girl. There’s lots of fish. Lots of fucking beautiful fish. Why worry about one when you can have ’em all? Brunette on Monday and a redhead on Tuesday, twins on Wednesday, a blonde with big ole titties on Thursday, an Asian beauty on Friday, and her sister on Saturday, then on Sunday is when you get you one of each and have one big-ass party all damn day. No need to get wrapped up in just one.”
This was very similar to a speech he’d given us one summer when Rush had taken us on a road trip to see Slacker Demon in Atlanta. We had, of course, been granted backstage access and hung out with the band. It was Dean’s life. I had thought it was a lonely life back then. Now that I’d had Della, I knew it was a lonely life. I wasn’t interested.
“Just want the one,” I told him.
“She must be special,” he said, and leaned forward to pick up the pen. “I’m not signing my life away or adding you to my will, am I?” he asked.
“No, just agreeing to keep the club’s business confidential.”
“I don’t need the money. Put it in a trust fund for Nate. Have Rush set it up.”
I’d expected as much. “Yes, sir”—his head snapped up—“I mean, Dean,” I said, correcting myself.
He nodded. “Better.” Then he stood up and slapped his hand down on the desk. “Looks good on you, boy. Looks real good on you,” he said, then turned and walked out of the office.
I had Dean. Now I needed to make my next call.
Della
Braden threw open the door and wrapped her arms around me in one swift movement. I dropped the bag I was carrying and hugged her back just as fiercely.
“You’re here! I missed you,” Braden said as she squeezed me one more time, then pulled back and glanced over at Tripp. I didn’t miss the appreciative gleam in Tripp’s eyes as he took in my best friend. Braden had big, roun
d, cornflower-blue eyes and long, dark curly lashes. Her brown curls were completely natural. I had been coveting them for years.
“Braden, this is my friend Tripp. Tripp, this is my best friend, Braden Fredrick.”
“And I’m her husband, Kent,” Kent said as he walked up behind Braden. I smiled over at him. I felt like I should apologize for Tripp and I was suddenly glad he was going to stay in a hotel. Braden loved her husband but when Tripp wanted to be a charmer he had it down to a science.
“It’s nice to meet both of you,” Tripp said with a knowing smile. I should probably have pinched him.
“Y’all come on in,” Braden said, stepping back.
“I have plans this evening so I need to head on out. I’ll be back when you’re ready to leave, Della,” he said, and winked at me. He was being cute on purpose.
“Okay. Go drink beer. I think you need it,” I told him, and he laughed before turning and going back to his bike.
“He drives a Harley?” Braden asked, peering at him as he walked away.
“Stop it before Kent goes out there and tries to beat him up,” I whispered, and stepped inside, letting the door close behind me.
“What? Kent knows I love him. I was just looking. I’m curious about who you’ve been riding all over the place with these past two weeks.”
“Sure you are,” Kent drawled, grabbing her ass before pressing a kiss to her mouth. “I’ll go make some coffee,” he said, then walked toward the kitchen.
When Kent was out of hearing distance, Braden grabbed my arm and pulled me into the living room. “Okay, how are you? How are your night terrors? Are you and Tripp getting along okay?”
“As good as can be expected, the same, and yes.”
Braden frowned. “I need more info than that.”
I sighed and sat down on her sofa. “I miss him. I miss him so much. But he’s better without me. Even he knows he’s better without me.”
“How does he know he’s better without you? Have you talked to him?”
“No. But he hasn’t tried to find me. You said yourself he hasn’t called you. He hasn’t called Tripp. Nothing. I did what he wanted. Deep down he wanted this and he got it. So, I have to figure out how to live. That was my ultimate goal, anyway.”
Braden pulled her legs underneath her as she sat down beside me. “You have a really hot biker dude helping you out,” she said.
“I heard that,” Kent called from the hallway.
Braden giggled and rolled her eyes. “Seriously. He seems nice. You aren’t bonding with him? I mean, you’re with him every day and night.”
“I gave my soul to Woods. He’ll always have it.”
Braden sighed and nodded her head. “Yeah, I understand that.”
“Glad I got your soul, Braden, because I’m not sure I can beat that biker dude’s ass. He’s thin but tall, and that type’s always hiding muscles under his clothes that you don’t see coming,” Kent said as he walked into the room holding two mugs of coffee.
Braden laughed and I managed a smile. I could attest to Tripp’s muscles. I spent my days with my chest pressed to his back and my arms wrapped around him. He had muscles all right. Lots of them. He also had tattoos, which had surprised me. I could see the wealthy, elite Rosemary in him at times, but he tried too hard to cover it with tats and swagger.
“Stop being jealous. Nothing is sexier than you in a suit and tie. That short blond hair and tanned skin. I know what I got and I’m not looking for another,” Braden said as Kent bent down to kiss her and give her one of the mugs.
I didn’t want to witness this kind of affection right now. At least with Tripp I knew it was cheap sex he was getting. The romance was a little too much.
Braden read my mind. She was good at that. “Go on and let us girls talk. We need time,” she told him, giving him a look that I knew he’d understand. I didn’t say anything. I needed him to go. No more touchy-feely.
“Sorry about that. I wasn’t thinking,” she said as he left the room.
“It’s okay. I will have to learn to deal with that the rest of my life. Might as well get used to it now. Couples are everywhere.”
Braden reached over and grabbed my hand. “You will find your happiness. I think you’re wrong about Woods but I’ve told you that. He loves you. I know he does. I remember the madman who came chasing after you just a few months ago. He adores you. I hate to see you let that go.”
How could I keep it? “I couldn’t stay. He was tired of my craziness. I heard him say it. He doesn’t know I heard him, but I did. He was talking to Jace about how hard it was to deal with me. He was tired of it.”
“What! I don’t believe that. You must’ve misunderstood him. I can’t see Woods ever saying that. And let me tell you, if he did I will cut him. Cut. Him. You hear me?” She was already getting worked up. I should have kept that to myself. I knew that would send her into a blind rage.
“What did he say exactly?” she asked, setting her cup down and studying me for any sign of a lie.
“It was a conversation, really. I can’t remember exactly.”
“Bullshit. It is etched into that brain of yours and you know exactly what was said, word for word. Spill it.”
She wouldn’t give in until I told her.
“I was at the club and I was looking for Woods. I decided to take the stairs instead of the elevator, so I stepped into the stairwell and I heard him talking. I didn’t want to eavesdrop but I heard Jace saying that he didn’t know how Woods had dealt with the crazy as long as he had.”
“And what did Woods do? Please tell me he shoved his fist up his nose.”
I shook my head and let the numbness ease me. I couldn’t think about what I was saying. “He said it was what he had to do. That he couldn’t let me be alone but it was affecting his work.” I stopped and swallowed, then looked down at my hands. Anywhere but at Braden. “He said that at least when Angelina was there, she helped.” That part hurt the worst. Hearing him say that someone like her was easier. That she was what he needed. Not someone like me. The crazy one.
“Maybe he wasn’t talking about you. Isn’t his momma a loony bitch?”
“No. She’s just mean,” I explained. There was more. Jace had said more. “Jace said that Woods needed to get his ass away from the insane shit. He had a corporation to run. He then said . . . that Woods dropping what he was doing to deal with my batshit crazy episodes wasn’t fair. That he needed to fix the problem.”
“Woods better have beat his ass then,” Braden said, her face turning red.
I should’ve changed the subject so I could calm her down. But I needed her to understand that I had left Woods for him. This was what he wanted. He just didn’t know how to ask for it. “Woods said he couldn’t. Then he asked how he would do that.”
Braden shook her head, her eyes wide with disbelief. “That just doesn’t sound right. That isn’t the same man I talked to . . . that I talked to back when he came to get you a few months ago.”
“No. It’s the man who had the responsibility of a country club and his mother laid on his shoulders overnight. He has real problems and concerns. I’m more than he can handle now.”
Braden kept shaking her head. It would take her a while to process all of this. I hadn’t told Tripp about that conversation. I hadn’t wanted to talk about it. He hadn’t pressed me the way Braden had, either.
“You’re not crazy. You’re not insane.”
“I know you believe that. But it’s in my blood, Braden.”
She gave me a sad smile. “No. It’s not. There’s something I need to show you and a lot I need to tell you. While you’ve been riding on the back of a hot stud’s bike for two weeks, I’ve been doing some research.”
“What? What do you mean ‘research’? On what?”
“Della Sloane, you were adopted.”
Woods
Darla Lowry, my golf course manager, was now a board member. She was the one thing my dad had gotten right. I trusted Darla with my l
ife. With Jace planning on marrying Bethy, Darla’s niece, we were just tying the family knot tighter. Darla was also wise. She was older than me and she had seen this club grow and flourish for over twenty-five years. She deserved a seat on the board. She also deserved the paycheck that came with that seat.
My phone rang and I glanced down to see Braden’s number. I hadn’t talked to her in a few days but she always called when she had any information on Della.
“Hey,” I said, praying this wasn’t going to be something bad.
“I know why she left. There was more to it, just like I said there was. But before I tell you anything I need you to make me a few promises and listen to all I have to say, because I’m not scared of you or your money, Woods Kerrington. I will hunt you down like a dog and bury you. Do you understand me?” Braden was fired up and ready to attack.
“If you can help me get Della back I will walk on fucking water,” I replied.
“Good. I thought so. However, she thinks very differently. She’s of the belief that she has done you a favor. That you wanted to get rid of her and didn’t know how. That she walked away and now you’re relieved and living the good life.”
“What? Why the hell? What the fuck gave her that idea? Did Tripp tell her that? Because I swear to God I’ll kill him.”
“Sit down and take a breath. You did this. Don’t go pointing fingers at other people. First, I have to tell you about a conversation Della overheard the day before she ran off. You had better tell me what she really heard, because what she thinks she heard will get your ass killed, and sexy biker dude will get off scot-free. Capisce?”
“Please tell me what she heard, because I honestly have no idea.”
“Did you have a conversation in the stairwell with your friend Jace that day?”
The stairwell? I sat down in my chair and thought back to before Della ripped my world away. I had talked to Jace that day. About my mom. “Yeah, I did.”