Tears fall freely, but he’s not moved by them.
He pries my fingers from his arm. “Coming from anyone else, I wouldn’t care where they thought I belonged, but you, Layton Price, have the honor of making me feel lower than the scum my old man would make me scrape off his shoes.”
Chapter 25
Layton
I LET AIDEN LEAVE MY office, watching him as he swaggers out with his head held high.
Untouchable.
Incredibly sexy.
Used to be mine.
I didn’t deserve him.
I didn’t deserve his kindness or patience.
Worse, I didn’t deserve his love.
“Why couldn’t I have said it back to him when I had the chance?” I start to cry, but I take a deep breath and hold back the tears
With a sigh, I pack up my things and head out to Bluebelle Hills.
MY PARENTS AREN’T THERE when I arrive. So, I eat dinner by myself and spend the night at in my old room, surrounded by memories.
It’s like my childhood is frozen in time, with pictures of Joe and me at prom. There are more of us, at college, in front of his frat house, and at homecoming.
Of course, Paige is right there with us.
I study the pictures on the wall, trying in vain to see if there’s some clue I missed. If Joe was unhappy and simply went along with things, but I can honestly say he doesn’t look sad or mad... or coerced.
He looks like the boy I loved, with his blond hair and brown eyes. With his kind smile and big heart.
“What happened to you?” I ask his picture, but it won’t answer me.
I cut off the overhead light.
Tomorrow, he won’t answer me, either, and I won’t bother to ask. I won’t like the answer, or worse, he won’t be able to give one that satisfies or doesn’t make me feel more like a failure.
My binder sits on my dresser. I grab it, returning to my bed and cutting on the lamp. I trace my name on the outside, the glittery green worn down to almost a pale yellow. The pink has faded to blush, but when I open it, it’s as if we’re old friends again and I can’t wait to spend time creating each page.
Smiling, I turn them, watching each passing year go by... Aiden’s handsome, serious face is there, too. Unsmiling, but always watching over me while I grow up... until my engagement party photos.
Kingston managed to get Aiden in a few and his eyes, his face... My breath catches in my throat.
He looks tormented.
Miserable.
Angry.
Yet, I never knew.
He never said a word because he wanted me to have my happily ever after, and I threw it in his face.
I swallow a sob. “I’m so sorry. I swear I’ll make it up to you as soon as I put this behind me.”
THE NEXT MORNING, I’M boxing up my things when my momma comes in. She looks at me in surprise.
“When did you get here?”
“Yesterday evening.”
“Your father and I spent the night in Virginia Beach. It was a spontaneous trip.”
“Sounds fun.” I continue to pack my things away.
“I never meant to push Joe on you... none of us meant to do that to you two.”
My head snaps up. I look into her brown eyes, which are filled with guilt. “You never pushed him on me. He was always my choice.”
“Maybe in the beginning and toward the end, but in the middle...” Momma smiles sadly. “We wanted it to happen so badly that honestly, Layton, I can’t agree with you. It backfired on us. Now not only have we lost our friends, but your father and I almost lost our daughter.”
Tears fill my eyes and my lips tremble. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“You certainly aren’t staying here.”
“Oh my gosh.” I laugh, my tears leaving me, thankfully. “I’m moving out of Kingston’s tomorrow and into Paige’s old place.”
Momma picks up one of my dolls. “Make sure you visit at least once a month, maybe twice.”
“You make it sound like I’m never coming back to Bluebelle Hills.”
“That’s because you’re not.” She kisses my forehead. “With mine and your daddy’s blessing. You can do it without our blessing, but we wanted you to know that we’re supporting you spreading your wings and flying.”
“Stop saying stuff like that.” I sniff, looking up at the ceiling while I wipe under my eyes. “I don’t have on waterproof mascara.”
“That’s a first.”
“I need incentive not to cry in front of Joe when I sign the papers.” I glance at my momma. She blinks at me. “Happy tears, of course.”
A laugh and a snort bursts from my momma’s mouth. “Never change, sugar. Never change.”
THE NEXT AFTERNOON can’t come fast enough on account that our time had to be pushed back for no reason at all in my opinion, but I start to dread it once Joe shows up and sits in the waiting room with me.
I keep my eyes on my phone while Paige sends me texts of support.
Paige: You have better taste in men than he does women.
Layton: Aiden does taste good.
Paige sends me a green-faced emoji followed up with a heart.
Layton: Just keeping it real.
Paige: Keep that info really far away.
I giggle.
Joe clears his throat.
If he’s doing it to make me be quiet, he’s got another thing coming.
“Need one?” Joe pulls out a mint and unwraps it. “I have a tickle in my throat.”
Apparently, the thing he needed was a cough suppressant. “No, thank you.”
Kingston pushes the doors open, walking in wearing a smart-looking suit and confident smile. “I’m here. Let’s get this over with... Layton, honey?”
While he’s not representing me, I wanted him to go over the contract to make sure it was fair. Since our father isn’t a divorce lawyer, and he didn’t want to be accused of manipulating the law in any way, mine and Joe’s parents hired out-of-town attorneys to represent their children.
Looking back, I should have hired my own lawyer, but as they say, hindsight is always twenty-twenty.
I stand, smooth my skirt down, and take my brother’s arm. “A little flashy, even for you.”
“Time and place.”
“Whatever.”
Our marriage is dissolved as quick as the strokes of mine and Joe’s pens.
“Layton, I want—”
“You’ve wanted enough,” I say sweetly. “Unless you have anything to say that’s pertinent to our divorce, then we have nothing to share with one another.”
Kingston pats my hand under the table. “Nice one,” he whispers, and I sit up a little taller.
We walk outside. The day is bright and sunny. The air brisk.
Joe strides to his car.
Tiffany waves from the passenger seat.
I wave back.
Kingston grabs my hand. “Don’t wave at her.”
“Stop it. We’re just being friendly,” I say, waving again. “It’s not her fault she has crappy taste in men, and nothing for nothing she’s a great wedding planner.”
“You’re a lot more forgiving than I would be, kid.” Kingston adjusts his tie.
“Which is why I’ll live a lot longer than you because the epic Price grudge gene skipped me.” With a smile and a deep sigh, I turn to Kingston. “Wanna go to Lula’s for some cake?”
He slings his arm around me. “I’ll watch.”
“I might let you have a slice.”
“And draw back a nub? No thanks.”
“I said I’d share willingly.”
“Because you were so kind, here’s some information for you.” He opens the door to Lula’s bakery. “Aiden will be at my house tomorrow. There’s a party, and he’s going to meet a woman who will offer him something he won’t be able to turn down. It’s something he’s always wanted.”
“Not if I can help it.” I march up to the counter and order two slices of chocola
te cake. “Your turn.”
“I’ll have the carrot cake.”
“Good choice.”
“Didn’t want to draw back a nub,” he repeats, and I bump him with my hip.
“I love you, big brother of mine.”
“Love you, too, kid.”
Chapter 26
Aiden
I’M SITTING AT THE bar, nursing a whiskey neat when Kingston joins me.
“Another,” he says to the bartender.
“Put it on my tab.”
“How many of those have you had?”
I smile ruefully. “Not as many as I need.”
He props his elbows on the bar. “Anything you need to tell me about?”
“Nothing you don’t already know.” I set the drink down. It holds no appeal to me tonight. “I’m pretty sure I fucked up.”
“Is it something you can fix?”
I laugh. “I sure as fuck hope so.” I pull the ring I had made last week out of my pocket, and pop the top of the box it’s in open with my thumb. “Or I’m going to look like a chump.”
“Damn.” Kingston whistles. “That’s some serious hardware.”
“Hope she likes it. I know it’s not great-great-aunt Idon’tgiveafuck’s ring, but it looks like something she’d like. Nice and glittery. Pink. Sparkly. Whatever the fuck it’s called.”
“I believe the words you’re looking for are platinum and pink diamonds.”
“Yeah, that.”
“Seriously, she’ll love it. Right now, Layton’s saying goodbye to her past.”
“She could have let me help her.”
Kingston gives me a funny look. “Why? You’re her future. Have faith in her, brother. She’ll come back.”
“From your lips to God’s ears.”
“So to get your mind off things, I’m hosting a get-together tomorrow at lunch. You need to be there. It’s—”
“I’m in.”
“You don’t want to hear what it’s about?”
At first, I was going to say yes, but he looks like he’s about to bust with excitement. It’s a patented Kingston look. “Nope.”
“C’mon, man. Don’t you want to know ahead of time what the brand ambassador for Chevrolet will be making a year?”
“Actually, I do.” I turn my attention to Kingston and hope like hell he’s right about Layton.
Chapter 27
Aiden
I SHOULD BE EXCITED as fuck to be in a room full of men and women who want to sign me on as their brand ambassadors, but all I can think about is Layton coming back to me.
Hopefully.
Kingston claps his hand on my back. “Janae Williams, this is Aiden McHugh. He loves fast cars, big SUVs, and would be an amazing brand ambassador for Chevrolet.”
“Very nice to meet you.” Janae smiles. “Hopefully you’ve had a great time talking with the other reps this afternoon.”
So far, I’ve secured deals with Adidas, Degree deodorant, Old Spice—which would send my ma over the moon—and Jersey Mike’s. I love their fucking subs.
A hemorrhoid company is willing to pay big bucks for me to say I use them, but I don’t need money that bad for anyone to associate their cream with my ass. So I give them Dallas’s contact info along with Finley’s. I’m sure he wouldn’t care.
However, the biggest player in the room, according to the briefing from Kingston, is a sweetheart of a deal with Chevy, and the woman who’s offering that deal is standing in front of me, ready to sign.
“Very productive,” I reply.
“Good to hear, but I hope you have time to listen to what we at Chevrolet would like to offer you, if you decide to come aboard as a brand ambassador.”
If I do sign with them, I’ll not only get paid the big bucks, but they’d give me and my spouse—whenever I marry—or partner, whatever—vehicles that caught our eyes.
Only, all these benefits mean exactly shit if I don’t have Layton to share it with later. Who gives a fuck that I’ll have kicks for life, or always smell fresh while I’m eating subs when I’m doing those things by myself?
She needs a man to chase her. A man who will assure her that he’s not going to leave because a chick’s wearing a short skirt and a smile.
I shouldn’t have let her go. The last fucking thing she needed was time to herself. Hell, Joe gave her plenty of that when he left her on their honeymoon.
As soon as I’m done, I’m going to go get LT.
Fuuuuck. This is torture.
Focus, McHugh. Focus.
I know not only do I need to concentrate on putting my best forward, but keep having faith Layton will come to her senses like an adult and realize we belong together.
“How long is the contract?” I ask, keeping my gaze and mind where it needs to be.
“Two years with an option to renew for a third—as long as sales continue to rise, of course.” She smiles. “I can have this to Kingston by nine tonight.”
“And I can have it signed and back to you by eight tomorrow.”
“Perfect.” Her phone slips, falling to the floor. “Butter fingers. Bet you’re glad I wasn’t on the team.”
I laugh, bending over to retrieve her phone. “I don’t know. Butter fingers or not, you probably would have made my life easier with the guys.”
A dramatic gasp echoes behind me. My heart, recognizing that fucking gulp of air, kicks against my ribs.
Layton clears her throat. “Excuse me, but I need to speak with Aiden. Alone.”
Before Layton can make a fool of herself, and I hope to God she had plans to make a huge fool out of herself because she’s jealous as fuck, I extend my hand to Janae. She takes it, smiling. “It was great talking to you. I look forward to working with Chevrolet this summer.”
“Same here, Mr. McHugh.” She looks up and over my shoulder. “Kingston, let’s talk.”
I pivot, keeping my face neutral as I come face to face with Layton. She’s wearing an old college sweatshirt, her hair in a lopsided bun, and a pair of jeans so worn they have holes in the knees. Her face is mostly free of makeup, because she doesn’t go anywhere without mascara.
Damn if she isn’t the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
“Something I can help you with?”
She puts a hand on her hip, giving me an awkward smile. “Nothing. I was wondering if you could help me with my boxes, but I see you’re too busy wheeling and dealing with women who have butter fingers.”
“I’m not helping you move back home.”
“I’m staying here—in Wake Forest at Paige’s old house, I mean. And if I don’t get this done, then I won’t have time to finish planning for your little brother’s event.”
I take a deep breath. “Let’s go talk somewhere private.”
“Fine,” she huffs, spinning around and marching up the stairs.
I follow her fine ass to Kingston’s guest room.
She shuts the door after me. “It’s private. Talk away.”
I grasp her face and kiss her until all the tension melts from her body. She wraps her arms around me, pressing against my chest until I’m hard for her.
“I thought you were talking to your dream girl,” she says between kisses.
“My dream girl is in my arms.”
Her sweet mouth parts, and I take full advantage again. Our tongues meet, dueling and sliding. She starts to rip at my clothes. Freeing my cock and gripping it, she works her hand up and down, until I’m nearly mindless with needing to be in her.
I tug at her jeans and underwear until they’re around her ankles, pin her against the door, then position my cock at her entrance, sliding inside with a thrust so smooth that my eyes roll in the back of my head.
“Holy sweet fuck,” I breathe.
Layton nips at my chin, her eyes widening as I grab her bare ass cheeks and lift her. My dick slides in another inch, and she whimpers my name.
“Hold on,” I order.
I don’t wait for her to actually do it before I’m pu
lling out, teasing her with short thrusts. Her head hits the door, and that’s my signal to drive deep.
I fasten my mouth to hers, and fuck her with everything I got. With love and lust. With desire and heartache. I give her everything inside of me.
Her fingers dig into my shoulders, her kisses more frantic than in sync with mine. She’s about to come, and so am I.
I grind my pelvis against her, and she rocks back against me so hard I know her orgasm is taking over.
She chants my name, says that she loves me, and tells me to fill her up.
I might not be a southern gentleman, but I know when to do what a woman wants.
My entire body shudders as I pour into her, as I whisper her name and breathe in her scent. I kiss her jaw, and her mouth, then lean my forehead against hers as I come back to reality.
The reality that we had sex without a condom.
“You with me, LT?” I don’t pull out. Hell, I rock back in a couple of times, just so she knows I’m not going anywhere. “Layton. Talk to me, sweetheart.”
She peers up at me, her eyes bright with emotion. “We, um... I’m not... I’m not scared like before.”
I stroke her cheek. “You finally willing to admit that you love me as much as I love you?”
Biting her lip, she nods.
“You love me enough to marry me? Have my kid?” I’m laying it all out there. It’s what I want. It’s what I hope to God she wants.
“I got the ring in my pocket,” I confess when she stares at me like I’m speaking another language. “Been carrying it with me everywhere because I’m too fucking afraid I’ll lose it otherwise. There’s nothing in our way. You’re free, right?”
Her smile lights up the fucking room. “Signed the papers yesterday.”
“And?”
“You make me want to say yes, Aiden.” She runs the tips of her fingers across my jaw. “So, yes, I love you. Yes, I want to marry you, and yes, I want to have your kids.”
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