by Tina Saxon
“Then I’ll be with Damon.”
I sigh. “Bryn, he’ll still be there whether you walk down the aisle with him or walk in front of him.” She rolls her eyes over the brim of her wine glass.
“Bryndle,” Syd says slowly with a mischievous grin. “Is there something you need to share with the group?” I glance at Syd. Is that even her name?
Bryn scrunches her nose at Syd. “No, Sydney, there isn’t anything to tell.” She picks up her glass of wine again and downs the rest of it, filling it right back up with the bottle on the table. “I just don’t want to be the one with the ‘famous football player’.” She uses air quotes.
“For the wedding or ever?” Harper asks, eyeing Bryn.
“You guys! Nothing is going on with us. We’ve talked a couple times on the phone.” She glares at me as I start to say something. I snap my mouth shut and grab my wine. I still don’t believe it was just talking.
“The lady doth protest too much.” Syd laughs.
“Fine,” she huffs, surrendering. “I’ll be with him. At the wedding,” she clarifies.
“Ryker really is a good guy,” Macie says, putting her hand on top of Bryn’s.
Bryn lets out a heavy sigh. “Yes, he is. That’s the problem. Why can’t I meet a normal, boring guy? My life is boring. I’m a freaking accountant, for God’s sake. I just don’t want to be in the spotlight.” I certainly understand that.
I start to wonder if there is more to her story. I’ve only known Bryn for a little over a year, but she’s never talked about her past. I’ve never noticed until now. She has a strong personality, but she’s struggling with this. She could easily tell Ryker no, but it’s obvious she likes him. What’s holding her back? I know we all have skeletons, but I hope hers don’t have a tight hold on her. She picks up her wine and takes another drink.
I softly smile at her. She’s clearly flustered. I don’t want her to be uncomfortable at my wedding. “I can put Ryker with Harper,” I say, hoping it’ll help her calm down. With her elbow on the table and her glass in the air, she closes her eyes briefly and lets out a heavy sigh.
“No. I’m sorry,” she says. “It’s fine. I’ll be with Ryker.”
“You sure?”
“Yes. Now let’s talk about what you have to do next.”
I mentally file away that I need to talk to Bryn more, make sure she’s okay with this. She clearly wants to move on, so I tell them about the website they need to go to and what color the dress should be. They’re excited they don’t all have to wear the same dress. They all have different body types so they start discussing what they like and don’t like in a dress. I’m excited hearing them talk about their dresses. I tell them a few details that Ava and I discussed and where we’re trying to book for the ceremony and reception.
“That sounds amazing,” Macie says. The last few days, I’ve imagined my wedding at the Boathouse and I’m hoping we get it. Regret bubbles up inside of me, thinking I should have started planning it sooner. Aiden is getting a kick out of this.
“My next to-do is to go wedding dress shopping. I have an appointment in two weeks, so if you can be there, I’d love it because I’m going to need all the help I can get picking out a dress.”
I’m relieved when everyone agrees to come and help me. They all start throwing out descriptions of dresses, what I might like or not like. Holy shit, I’m scared. Can’t I just say a white dress and be done with it?
Chapter thirteen
“I’m so excited I finally get to meet Presley,” Lexi says, bouncing on her toes.
I knock on the door and smile down at her. Brooks invited us to dinner last week, and Lexi has been counting down the days. Truth be told, so have I. I’ve talked with Brooks a couple times since he sent out an SOS, but I want us to get to know each other better.
“Just remember, she’s a baby and you need to be careful with her, okay?” I’m a little afraid she’s going to think she’s here for a play date. This whole week I’ve tried to prep her that Presley is only two months old and all she does is eat, sleep, and poop. Her reaction? She was more excited, saying her Baby Alive poops and she knows how to change diapers.
The door opens and the person behind it isn’t the person I was expecting.
“Melanie?” Aiden and I both say simultaneously. I look down at Lexi and back to Melanie. Goddammit. I’m not sure how I feel about Lexi meeting Travis. Brooks could have warned me.
Melanie reads my hesitancy and says, “Don’t worry, I’m here alone.”
I angle me head. While I’m relieved, I’m confused. Why would Melanie be here without Travis? I haven’t seen her since my stay at Travis’s. I enjoyed talking with her during that time because she knew my mom, but she runs Travis’s house so it’s weird she’s here and he’s not.
“It’s good to see you both,” she says with a genuine smile. “Come in. Brooks is changing Presley, so he’ll be right out.” She opens the door wider to let us in. Aiden weaves his fingers through mine as we walk into the penthouse.
Lexi takes off in search of Brooks and Presley. When Melanie shuts the door, I turn in her direction. “Melanie, what are you doing here?” My question comes out snarkier than I mean it to. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that to sound so rude. I’m just surprised to see you here. Especially without Travis.”
She softly smiles and clasps her hands in front of her. “It’s okay, Addison. I know the last time we saw each other it wasn’t under the best of terms.” Her voice is warm as she looks from me to Aiden. “You had your reasons to be there, and I might not have agreed with them but I understood,” she says to Aiden. “When Travis told me you two were together, I was elated. Life’s journey is a wondrous thing.” She brings her folded hands to her chest, releasing a soft sigh.
I’m not sure I agree with my life’s journey being wondrous. More like turbulent.
“Addie, Addie,” Lexi says, running out of a bedroom. “Brooks let me help change Presley.”
She wraps herself around my leg. “Was it as fun as changing your Baby Alive?”
Her nose scrunches up, and she shakes her head. “Noo. It was stinky.” She waves her hand in front of her nose. “And it was everywhere. I don’t think I want to help again.”
We all laugh at Lexi. “But you were so good at it,” Brooks jokes, walking out of the same bedroom, holding Presley in his arms. A cloth hangs over his shoulder as he taps her back, his whole hand covering her body. He could easily be the poster child for hot, single father. His heather gray fitted shirt stretches perfectly over his slim but muscular physique, and his dark jeans rest low on his hips. I chuckle to myself.
I’m sure he won’t be single long.
He looks relaxed and in control holding Presley. He must be getting the hang of it. “Here, I’ll take Presley so you guys can talk,” Melanie says, holding out her arms. Brooks effortlessly hands her to Melanie. Melanie cradles Presley and looks at Lexi. “Lexi, would you like to help me feed her?”
Lexi looks up at me. She’s unsure of her. I don’t know why she hesitates with a sweet old lady and not Brooks, whom she’s never met. I’m going to have to watch her around men. “Lexi, this is Melanie,” I say, introducing them. Lexi looks her way and smiles. “It’s okay, you can go help.” Lexi nods and releases my hand, following Melanie out of the room. Once I see they are out of sight, I turn to Brooks who is shaking Aiden’s hand.
“How do you know Melanie?”
“I’ve known Melanie since I was eighteen. She’s kind of been my go-between with Travis. When I got custody of Presley…well, you know how I was. Way out of my comfort zone. Melanie called me to see how I was doing…” He pauses, running a hand through his hair. “It was better than when you were here, but it still wasn’t good, so she came to my rescue. At least until I can hire a full-time nanny.”
“This is probably a lot easier than managing a house full of men,” Aiden says, chuckling. “She’s a good person. I’m glad she’s here to help.”
; I nod in agreement. “How’s the full-time nanny search going?”
Brooks rolls his eyes and subtlety shakes his head. “It’s ridiculous. Most of the women who come for an interview are obviously not here for Presley. It pisses me off. Every. Fucking. Time.” He grates out each word between clenched teeth.
“I’m sorry, women suck,” I say, my tone serious. It pisses me off too that women can be so shallow. “I’m assuming you’re going through an agency? Maybe tell them that all the applicants have to be over fifty.”
“Well…I wouldn’t mind having someone around who’s not bad to look at.” He shrugs, flashing a wicked smile.
My mouth gapes open, and I shake my head. “I take my comment back. Men suck.” I scoff at him. Aiden laughs out loud and grabs me around my waist. “Oh, don’t you dare agree with him.” I jab my finger into his chest.
“What? I would never,” he says innocently. “But it is kind of nice having a beautiful woman to look at every day.” When I open my mouth to tell him he’s an ass, too, he cuts me off by slamming his lips onto mine. I try and fight the kiss, but it’s a lost cause. When I finally find the strength to pull back, I slap his shoulder.
“You don’t play fair.”
He leans in close to me again. I can feel the warmth of his breath on my cheek. “You know I always play to win, sweetheart.”
I take a step backwards to gain control of my senses. “You’re about to win a vacation from sex until the wedding if you keep it up,” I warn. He returns a smirk, glancing at Brooks and then back to me.
“I think that would be more of a punishment…for you.”
My eyes widen. “You’re kidding, right? You think I can’t go five months without sex. That I would cave before you?” The fact that he thinks he can go five months without sex is hilarious.
“You both are crazy. You would never find me taking that bet,” Brooks jokes as he walks to the kitchen. I lift my brow, waiting for Aiden to back down. There is no way he would last. Five months? Never.
I cross my arms and glare at him, challenging him, calling him on his bullshit. He twists his lips and assesses me, probably wondering how serious I’m being. Try me, buddy. I narrow my eyes slightly and wait. His lips curl up to a smile, and he yanks my arm from my chest, pulling me to him. “You’re so sexy when you’re being feisty,” he says. I laugh, nodding my head. He wraps my arm around his waist while grabbing the other one. “Woman, I’ve tried staying away from you. Numerous times. And I’ve failed miserably every time. You’re like my kryptonite. I get weak when I’m around you.”
“Oh, so you’re Superman now, huh?” I smirk.
“That’s right, sweetheart. And you’re my Wonder Woman.”
I roll my eyes and push him off me. “That was probably the cheesiest line ever.” I laugh again, walking away from him toward the kitchen.
He follows me. “Faster than a speeding bullet?” He continues with his Superman jokes. I stop and look back, biting my lip. I wish. He barks out a laugh. “Okay. I could never be faster than your bullet, but I can suck and lick you like a fucking lollipop.” He leans down and whispers into my ear. Chills run down my spine from the heat of his words. My knees weaken and I grunt, wishing my body wouldn’t turn into a pile of melted desire at his beck and call. I spin in place and slap my hand against his chest, staring up at him. A smug smile rests on his face. I open my mouth to say something, but I’m not even sure how to respond. “Tell me I’m wrong,” he taunts, grabbing my hand off his chest and kissing my open palm. He sticks out his tongue and flicks the padded area of my palm and then sucks. Heat bursts throughout my body, thinking about his tongue and the things he can do with it.
I yank my hand out from his. “You’re not wrong,” I murmur, moving away from him and his skillful tongue. Dammit, Addison, think of something else.
“What are you cooking?” I ask, walking in the kitchen while I fan myself.
“Are you hot?” Brooks looks at me from the kitchen sink. On fire.
“It just got a little warm in there,” I respond. Aiden walks in, snickering. Brooks’s gaze jumps from me to Aiden and back. He shakes his head, laughing, and looks down at the dish he’s washing.
“We’re having lasagna,” Brooks says.
“Wow. Do you cook a lot?” I’d be impressed, but I glance around the spotless kitchen and see polished steel appliances that look like they’ve never been used. There’s no way he cooks very much in here. I pull out a barstool and slide into it.
He grabs a towel and dries off the dish, placing it on the island. “I’ve probably had five meals in this kitchen and none of them were cooked by me. But I do know how to boil water, so I could live off mac n’ cheese if I needed to.” He shrugs.
“You’ve got Addison beat already,” Aiden teases. I turn and glare at him.
“I’m getting better,” I huff.
“Well, I didn’t make this. Melanie did.”
“Is that her famous lasagna?” Aiden moves to the oven and opens it, inhaling. I cock my head back, surprised, but then I remember he lived with the woman for two years when he worked for Travis.
Aiden wasn’t kidding. That was the best lasagna I’ve ever had. After dinner, we sit around the table chatting. Melanie takes Lexi back to the theater room so they can watch a movie and we can talk without little ears hearing everything.
“Have you heard anything about Jessie?” I ask. I feel Aiden tense next to me. She’s still a sore subject with him.
He nods. “The DA agreed to a plea bargain that she’ll do a year at a psych hospital of her parents’ choice. They picked one in California.” I’m relieved she won’t go to jail, but surprised they want their daughter on the other side of the country.
“What’s with California?”
He shrugs a shoulder. “I’m not sure, but her dad comes from old money so I’m thinking they are trying to quietly get her help, away from home.”
“What’s going to happen when she comes back?”
Brooks’s finger taps the table and sighs. “I don’t know. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”
I want to tell him that Presley will need her mom and I hope they can work it out, but I stay quiet. It’s obvious neither of the guys want to talk about her anymore.
Brooks looks down the hallway where Lexi and Melanie went. “What’s going on with Lexi?”
“We’re going to apply for adoption, but not until after the wedding. I can only handle one huge, life-altering event at once. And it’ll probably help our chances if we’re married.”
“She’s an awesome little girl. Big personality.”
“That she is,” Aiden replies, smiling.
Speaking of adoptions, I ask Brooks, “How did you find out that Travis was your father?”
He sits back in his seat, splaying his legs out. “I always knew I had been adopted. When I turned eighteen, I received a trust fund. My parents weren’t poor, but there was no way they could afford giving me that much money.”
My mouth opens to ask how much, but I close it. It’s none of my business. I nod and let him continue.
“I demanded answers from my parents, and they eventually told me. So, I went to meet him.”
“I bet your meeting went better than mine.” The words slip out of my mouth before I can catch them. Aiden glances at me, lifting a brow.
“Isn’t that when you two met?”
I nod slowly. “We did.” Aiden stays quiet but sports a lopsided smile, and I bring my glass of wine to my lips.
“It couldn’t have been all that bad.”
I swallow the sip of red wine in my mouth before I choke on it. I clear my throat before continuing. “Travis held me prisoner for a week. I was handcuffed to a bed for most of it. Aiden was the guy assigned to watch over me so I didn’t escape.”
Brooks’s eyes widen. “What the hell? I thought you were FBI?”
“It wasn’t really that bad,” I say, holding my finger up. It sounds much worse than it was. Brooks l
ooks at me like I’m nuts. I retell the story and he listens intently the whole time.
“He thought you would stay there, huh?” Brooks asks, flicking his hand open on the table.
I shrug. “I guess I understand. Not that I would have ever stayed, though.”
“So, Aiden got you out of there?”
Aiden barks out one laugh, shaking his head. “No. Addison had other plans.” Brooks cocks his head and looks at me.
I run my hand through my hair. I always hate this part. I feel bad every time it passes my lips. “I shot Aiden in the arm and ran.” Brooks’s brows shoot up before he starts laughing, slapping himself in the chest.
“Damn, I have a bad-ass sister.”
I smirk at his reaction. This is the first time he’s referred to me as his sister. It feels weird and exciting at the same time.
“You should have known that the first time you met Addison,” Aiden says.
“No.” Brooks shakes his head. “You don’t want to know what I thought of her. It’s illegal in most states.”
I slap my hand to my head. “Maybe you should keep that to yourself,” I say.
Aiden stands up and walks to the counter, grabbing the wine bottle. He refills our glasses and sits back down. We continue talking about our lives, where we grew up. It’s weird how alike we are. Traits that I thought were learned from my environment make me think they were more innate and the environment just brought them out. He’s only eight months younger than me. Melanie joins us, taking a seat at the table. Brooks gets up and gets her a glass, filling it with wine and placing it in front of her.
“Thanks,” she takes a quick swallow. “Lexi fell asleep on the couch watching Tarzan.”
I slap Aiden on the chest. “It’s your favorite movie.” He smirks.
“What can I say, you bring out the animal in me.” He wags his brows. I giggle, rolling my eyes. He’s on a roll tonight with cheesy lines.
“She’s a doll,” Melanie says. I turn my gaze to Melanie and my lips curl into a smile. “Travis told me what happened. She was a blessing given to you. I know you may not want to hear this, but Travis is so proud of you.” Her words are soft but hit me hard. I take in a deep breath and blow it out my nose.