by Laura Pavlov
Losing Laney Mae Landers was par for the course at that point.
Chapter Five
Laney
Two weeks passed in a blur. I’d been going with Mom to treatments every day, and after a few scans, we received the good news that her tumors were shrinking. She would continue with chemo treatments for another two weeks and her surgery was scheduled for a few days after that. I spent my afternoons at the winery, and I was actually enjoying myself. Watching my mother’s energy get zapped day after day was difficult, but I was happy to be beside her. Having a job to go to provided me a reprieve, and Dad stayed with her in the afternoons.
Theresa, the main event coordinator at the winery, planned the majority of the events. I was filling in for Melanie who was on maternity leave, and we were pretty inundated at the moment. Ford and Harley’s wedding was only two weeks away and we were getting together later in the week to go over final details. I couldn’t wait to meet the woman who’d finally stolen Ford’s heart. He’d always been the toughest Montgomery brother to read, but I knew there was a teddy bear under that stoic exterior. We’d been close before—well, before everything went to hell in a handbag.
“Hey. You’re coming with us.” Harrison stepped in my doorway with his arms crossed over his chest. Jack stood beside him shoveling a donut in his mouth.
They were both tall and lean, dark and gorgeous—and there wasn’t a woman whose head wouldn’t turn at the sight of them.
“Laney Mae, have you tried these treats yet? Harley makes the best fucking pastries,” Jack said over a mouthful of cake.
I laughed. “Not yet, but I’m looking forward to it. Where exactly am I going?”
I’d been spending more time with Harrison than I should. It was a dangerous game…letting him in little by little, while trying hard to keep him at a distance. I talked to Charlie every night and guilt consumed me as I hadn’t shared the depth of my relationship with Harrison with him.
The history.
The love.
The hurt.
All the secrets I’d kept for far too long.
“Dude, you really need to learn to finish chewing before you speak. How in the hell are you ever going to get a woman with those manners?” Harrison said, reaching for my elbow and assisting me out of my chair.
Impatient much?
“Don’t you worry your pretty little head about me getting a woman. I had a fine lady in my bed just last night. Third one this week, and it’s only Thursday.” Jack wriggled his brows as we all walked out the door toward the Montgomery house. I hadn’t been there in five years. My pulse raced at the thought of walking back inside the place I once considered my second home.
“Thanks for that visual,” I said, swatting Jack in the arm. “Where are you taking me? I have work to do.”
Harrison pushed the front door open and I followed him inside. A lump formed in the back of my throat when we entered, because apparently, I was a glutton for nostalgia.
“Mom wants us to get a bunch of pictures together and make a slideshow for the rehearsal dinner. She’s hoping you’ll help her with it, because you know the woman is clueless when it comes to technology.” Harrison led the way into the living room where a few boxes labeled photos were stacked. “I also have a bunch of pictures of Ford and Harley together on my phone that I compiled with Harley’s best friend, Molly. But we want to add in a few from their childhoods as well.”
“That’s sweet. I love when people add personal touches to their weddings,” I said, as Harrison and I dropped down on the floor in front of the boxes. Jack wandered off somewhere.
“Are you doing a slideshow for your wedding?” Harrison asked, taking the top off the first box and avoiding my gaze when I looked up.
“Um, no. Oddly enough, I’m not super into planning my own wedding. I think I like planning other people’s weddings more.” I laughed.
“That’s odd for a wedding planner.”
I rolled my eyes. “Not really. I mean, I do it all day, every day. I wouldn’t mind just eloping, to be honest. And I’m really starting to consider that option with all that’s going on with Mom. I just don’t have the energy to put into planning a big event.”
“What does your fiancé have to say about it?” Harrison’s tone had a bite, and he kept his focus on the pictures as he tossed a pile of photos on the floor.
“His name is Charlie.” I glared in his direction, but he ignored me.
“Oh, are we talking about Cock?” Jack barked out a laugh as he joined us in the living room.
I whipped around and gasped. “What?”
“The dude you’re marrying. Come on, Laney Mae. You’re the wittiest girl I know. You didn’t realize his initials spell out cock?”
Charles Oliver Cunningham.
Jesus. I hadn’t thought about it.
“Of course, you put that together, Jack-ass.” I chuckled. “How do you even know his name?”
“Your engagement was announced in the paper. In our paper,” Harrison said. His dark brown gaze turned stone cold when it locked with mine.
“Oh my god. What? That’s how you found out?” I whispered. I sure as hell hadn’t announced my engagement in the Montgomerys’ newspaper. Not that it was a secret, but I wasn’t cruel.
“Yep. That was a great day,” Jack said, sarcasm oozing as he cocked his head toward his brother.
“I would never do that. I don’t know who did? I don’t even live here.”
“It doesn’t matter. You’re getting married. No point keeping it a secret. It’s not like we’ve spoken in years,” Harrison said, raising a brow in challenge.
“And whose fault is that?” I hissed.
“I never said we couldn’t remain friends. That we couldn’t be in one another’s life. That was your stubborn ass who decided that, Laney. Don’t put that on me.” Harrison pushed to his feet and ran a hand through his dark hair. My gaze landed on his full lips. I could still feel them on mine. I’d kissed this boy enough times to remember everything. The way he felt. The way he tasted. The way he took charge every time his mouth covered mine.
Commanding.
Claiming.
Owning.
“How in the hell could we stay friends after everything that happened?”
“It was a break. A break so you could go back to school and live your life. And I—I could help repair my family. It wasn’t supposed to be forever,” he said, scrubbing a hand over his face.
“Well, thanks for the news flash. That’s not what you said when you ripped my heart out. Nor is it what you did when I called you and you sent me to voicemail. The friends I have are there for one another. They don’t pick and choose when it’s convenient for them.” My voice boomed through the living room, echoing off the high ceilings.
I was on my feet now and in his face. How dare he blame what happened on me.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. That’s a lot of anger there, kids. You know what we need?” Jack said, moving between us. “We need some fun. And you both know what I’m talking about.”
Jack took off around the corner and returned with a white rectangular laundry basket, and my head fell back in laughter.
“No freaking way, Jack-ass,” I said, stepping away from his brother and letting go of some of that anger.
“Yes, freaking way, Laney Mae. This is so on. I need it. And you both definitely need it. Let’s do this. Mom isn’t home. Lorena is in the library. She’ll be none the wiser.”
Lorena had worked for the Montgomerys for as long as I’d known them.
“I don’t have time for games.” Harrison didn’t hide his lack of amusement as he crossed his arms over his chest.
“Brother, you’ve got plenty of time. I can’t think of anyone that needs some fun more than you.”
“Thanks, Jack.” He glared at his brother.
Thin
gs were getting heated, and this was exactly what I didn’t want to happen. We needed to stop arguing and move on. “All right. Come on. One ride isn’t going to kill anyone.”
“You’re kidding me. You’re actually doing this?” Harrison mumbled, as he walked toward the stairs behind his brother and me.
I followed Jack to the top of the staircase while Harrison waited at the bottom. Just like we’d always done. On rainy days. On summer days that were too hot to go outside. And every time their parents went on date night. Even Ford joined in a few times, though he told us it was a ridiculous game.
“He needs this as much as you do,” Jack whispered when he dropped the laundry basket down for me to get in.
“I don’t need it. I’m just fine.”
“Sure, you are.” He tilted his head to the side and studied me.
“I didn’t post my engagement in the paper. You know I wouldn’t do that. Not that it really matters. I’m getting married. So what?” I said, keeping my voice low. Why did I feel guilty about Harrison finding out I was marrying Charlie? It wasn’t like he cared anymore. We hadn’t spoken in years.
“It matters, Laney Mae. It’ll always matter.” He motioned for me to step into the laundry basket.
The lump that lodged in my throat when we arrived at the Montgomery house was growing with every passing minute. It was too much. I needed space. I needed to leave their house. Leave this town. And stay away.
Fuck you, cancer, for forcing me to come home. For making Mom suffer and making me deal with the ghosts of my past. And right now, there was a big ole annoying brother ghost shaking me in this stupid laundry basket.
“What speed do you want, girl?” he asked, his voice loud and full of humor.
I laughed. I couldn’t help it. I was tucked in this plastic contraption getting ready to be rocketed down the grand curving staircase. I was a grown woman. This wasn’t normal. Life had never been normal with these boys, and obviously, nothing had changed.
With the exception of me.
I’d changed.
“There’s only one speed, Jack-ass.” I paused and waited for him to sing it out with me, as we’d done dozens of times in the past.
“Full speed,” we shouted at the same time, and my head fell back in laughter as he pulled back and launched me forward.
I screamed out. I hadn’t been chucked down a flight of stairs in a flimsy laundry basket in a long time. My stomach dipped, and I tucked my head in my knees as I flew down toward Harrison. He always waited at the bottom to stop me from crashing into the entry table. My arms were wrapped around my legs and adrenaline pumped.
I looked up just as I slammed into Harrison and he gripped the basket, falling forward on top of me. I barked out a laugh and couldn’t stop. He did the same and stayed planted there for longer than necessary, gripping the sides of the basket to keep his weight from crushing me. I pressed a hand against his hard chest. A harmless touch. I couldn’t help myself. He pulled back and looked down at me. His cheeks were flushed, and his dark gaze danced with mischief. I wanted to reach up and run my fingers along the scruff peppering his chin. My hands fisted beside me to stop myself from doing so. The smell of mint and cedar surrounded me, and I bit down hard on my cheek to keep from pressing my mouth to his.
“Oh my god. That was kind of awesome,” I said, still trying to catch my breath. It was the most fun I’d had in a while. In a long while, in fact. The most I’d laughed. The most I’d smiled in as long as I could remember.
Harrison stepped back and reached for my hand to help me out. Goose bumps covered my arms at the contact. Maybe it was the familiarity. The warmth. The comfort I’d always had with him. It felt good and I didn’t want to let go.
“Is she in one piece?” Jack called out from the top of the staircase.
“She is.” Harrison’s gaze locked with mine, his thumb stroking the inside of my palm. Chill bumps spread across my skin.
“Let’s do it one more time,” I said, before reluctantly pulling my hand away. I held his gaze for a moment before turning to run back up the stairs.
What was I doing here? Playing with fire by stirring up old feelings. I was with Charlie now, and spending time with Harrison was a bad idea. The truth was—I didn’t know if I could ever just be friends with Harrison Montgomery. We had too much history. Too strong a connection.
But I couldn’t stop. Even if it meant getting burned.
Again.
Because maybe having him back in my life to some capacity was better than not having him in my life at all. Maybe this was our new normal.
I jumped back in the laundry basket one more time and Jack and I did our same routine before he launched me forward again.
And again.
Five times total.
Lorena finally came out and put an end to our shenanigans.
This was enough of a blast from the past for one day.
“Laney, do you have time to sit down and meet with Ford and Harley?” Monica asked. She stepped in my office beside a beautiful woman with long, dark hair and a flowy white dress.
I pushed to my feet. “Yes, of course. You must be the infamous Harley.”
“I could say the same about you. I’ve heard endless tales.” She raised a brow before leaning forward to hug me. She was gorgeous. I looked down to see her pink tennis shoes which made me smile, because Ford was formal by nature. I loved it. He’d found his match. They were a striking couple. He wore a navy suit and held a phone to his ear, tossing me a wink before announcing that he had to step outside to take the call. Monica said she’d be back to check on us shortly.
“Don’t believe anything they say,” I teased.
“It’s all good, trust me. They all sing your praises. And I understand you’re getting married as well?” Harley asked, and I motioned for her to take a seat.
“Yeah. Not for a couple months. Still in the planning stages. I’m actually thinking about canceling the whole thing and eloping,” I admitted before dropping down in my chair. I was working out in the lobby at the front desk, but Harrison insisted I take the back office to work on the slideshow and to have my own space.
“Oh, man, do I ever get that. I would have done the same thing. But, you know, Ford’s a bit bougie, and I just can’t do it to him.” She laughed. “So, I’ve embraced it. And honestly, I haven’t done much. Theresa and Monica have handled most of the planning for me, so it’s been painless. And I hear you’re really doing a lot of the last-minute details now.”
“It’s been fun. I’m glad I get to help with this one. I’ve known Ford for a long time, and it’s really nice to see him get his happily ever after.” My chest squeezed as the words left my mouth. They both looked so happy.
I wondered if people said the same about Charlie and me. He’d pushed so hard for this wedding. I’d fought it for a year and a half and finally agreed a few months ago. He was a good man. A great man, actually. I was lucky that I’d found him and that he loved me so fiercely. I just didn’t know if I loved him enough. Or as much as I should. Maybe I’d never feel that again. Comparing every man to Harrison was a dead end. What we shared was once in a lifetime. I’d never have that history, that connection with someone else again, which was okay, because it came with a shit ton of pain, and I wasn’t looking for that. Charlie and I had a good thing. Something we could build on.
“Yeah. He said you all grew up together. I hope you’re planning on coming to the wedding?”
“Um, I think I’ll probably be working the event, so I’ll be there,” I said.
“No way. The Montgomery boys consider you family. You’re coming as a guest. I insist.”
I chewed the inside of my cheek. Lines were getting blurred and it made me uncomfortable. I was falling into old habits now that I was home, and I needed to tread with caution.
“Hey,” Harrison said, strolling into my
office like he owned the place. I guess he did, so I couldn’t really fault him that. “Ford asked me to step in. He’s on a call with the guys from Japan, and he’s putting out a fire.”
Harley chuckled. “There’s really not anything to do. I think he just wanted me to meet Laney Mae and walk the grounds with your mom, which we already did. So, do you go by Laney or Laney Mae?”
“It’s just Laney now. But for whatever reason, Jack and Ford have always called me Laney Mae.”
Harrison laughed. “You used to threaten me that I had to drop the Mae. But my brothers never listened.”
“Stubborn asses,” I said.
Harley’s eyes ping-ponged between us, and she cocked her head to the side. “Well, we all know which brother listens best.”
“Damn straight. I’m glad you two got to meet before the big day,” he said.
“Me too. I’d really like Laney to attend the wedding as a guest, not work the event.” Harley crossed her arms in front of her chest. I liked her. She was confident and cool and everything I’d hoped Ford would find in a partner.
“Yeah, I think that would be great. Does that work for you?” he asked, raising a brow in challenge.
“Um, sure. Yes. Thank you,” I stumbled on my words. “Mom is scheduled for surgery the Monday after, so that will be the last bit of fun for a while.”
“Your fiancé is welcome to come as your date,” Harley offered.
“He lives far away and I’m sure he wouldn’t want to attend the wedding of a stranger,” Harrison hissed, before pushing to his feet and heading to the door. “I need to get back to work.”
“Well, that was interesting. Looks like someone isn’t too happy about your upcoming nuptials,” she teased once Harrison left my office.
“I think he’s fine with it. It’s just been a long time since we’ve seen one another. I guess it’s a little weird for both of us.”
She studied me. “Yeah, Ford said you and Harrison were inseparable since kindergarten. He said he never knew why you broke up after their father’s death, but that it was very final. That had to be tough, huh?”