With reflexes that hadn’t dulled one bit over the years, he swung back with one hand and let it fly. It felt good to feel her crack beneath his fist. He knew it shouldn’t, he’d never been one to hit a woman, but he’d also never been one to discriminate. Danger was danger, regardless if they were male or female. All he knew was that he’d come into his home and this woman was threatening it.
She did her best to keep up with him, drawing her knee up to kick him in the balls. When he sidestepped her, she tried to go for his feet but then realized he wore heavy black boots.
Tyler was sick of playing with her; he was bigger, strong, smarter, and just plain meaner. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he pulled back against her arms and held her in front of him, keeping her arms taut so she couldn’t break away. “I don’t right know what to fuckin’ do with you at this moment, but I can tell you this, I’d like to put a bullet through the back of your head for coming and fucking with my family.”
Stephanie shivered at those words. “You’d do it with my niece in the other room?”
“No,” his voice was quiet. “I’d take you out back, away from my daughter, away from wife; I’d kneel you down on the ground and put you down execution style. Not even blink an eye at it.”
They all knew he was telling the truth. Tyler did not mess around when it came to Meredith or Addie.
“C’mon, man.” Liam grabbed hold of him as he walked over. “You don’t wanna do this to yourself right here, right now. Let us take care of her.”
“No.” Tyler shook his head. “She threatened my family. I can’t let her go.”
“Please,” they heard Meredith’s soft voice as she barely opened the door. “Don’t do this. Let them take care of it for you. You’ll never be able to look at Addie again and be her hero. This will eat at you, and you’ll never be able to run from it. Come to her with a clear conscience.”
The boys could tell that Meredith was getting through to him, and they didn’t want anything to happen when they made an exchange, so they went over and grabbed both of her arms, dragging her away from the big man. “You’re lucky,” he told her. “I’m not a forgiving man and I’m not an easy man, and you only got a small taste of that tonight. You don’t realize how fucking lucky you are.”
Turning around, he was ready to lay into his wife, even though he knew she spoke the truth, even though he knew she was trying to save him from himself. When he glanced at her, he could see pain in her eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“I think my water broke.” She opened the door fully, exposing Mandy and Charity, along with Addie.
“Her water for real broke,” Mandy affirmed, holding Addie in her arms. “We need to get her to the hospital.”
“It’s too early, Ty,” she cried softly to him as he came forward and swept her into his arms.
“Eight months, you’ll be fine, I promise,” he told her, wondering if he told her the truth. He’d heard of many babies who were born at seven, even six months, who were now fine. Their son would be healthy and he would be fine. He knew this with everything in him. Their son had to be fine, because he knew neither of them could live if he wasn’t.
“You go,” Liam told his friend. “I’ll get this done and meet you there, and I’ll get everybody else up there too. You won’t have to worry about this piece of shit again.”
There weren’t many people in this world that Tyler trusted, and Liam was at the very top of that list. If Liam was going to make sure they never saw Stephanie again, then he believed it with every piece of his soul. He just had to also believe that Meredith and their son were also going to be okay.
The waiting area was eerily calm when Liam finally made an appearance, Rooster at his side. Everyone waited as family did, but instead of jubilation, there was an undercurrent of worry.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, as he picked up Tatum from where she slept next to Denise and had a seat.
Denise had obviously been crying, and that made him nervous. “She’s struggling. He’s a big baby—I mean look at Tyler. They’ve known for a while that he measured big, but she’s been adamant against a C-section. She wants to have the experience. When Tyler came out a few minutes ago, he said that they were almost at a crucial point where the doctor would make a decision and that would be that.”
“She’d be fine with a C-section though, right?” he asked. He’d thought that by the time he and Rooster had finally made their way to the hospital, baby Blackfoot would have already made his appearance. It had taken hours for them to get hold of a man who owed them a favor. Rooster had called it in, and in the end, their hands were clean. Not only was Stephanie taken care of, but they were now clear with Jessica’s father. They had always known they could use him for something; they’d just never been sure what. He’d fulfilled that use tonight. They were keeping themselves as clean as possible, while they continued to be a force to be reckoned with, was always the main priority.
“Most women are, but she’s struggled for a while. If her body is weak, then there could be an issue,” B, told them as she sat next to Jagger, hands in her lap, legs crossed. She kicked one leg, obviously anxious about what was happening.
The doors to the waiting area burst open, and Tyler stood there, breathing heavily. “They’re taking her in for a C-section. Both she and the baby are in distress. Keep thinkin’ about us. I think it’s gonna be a long night.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Three hours later, and Tyler felt like he could finally breathe again. Once they had her on the operating table and had taken their son, her vitals had crashed, and there had been a bleed that they couldn’t stop. It was decided quickly they would take every measure they needed in order to save her life. Tyler had agreed, signing the paperwork to give them permission, and had left as fast as his feet would carry him. The doctors needed to concentrate on her, and he needed to concentrate on their son.
Born early, he still weighed in at seven pounds even, long, and very strong. His lungs were well-developed, and initial tests had shown he was perfectly healthy. Tyler was beyond thankful.
It wasn’t until the doctor had come into the room where he was doing skin to skin with his son and told him Meredith was fine that he’d let the tears fall. For a few short moments, he’d allowed himself to think about what his life would be like without her. How would he take care of not only Addie but their new son? Caelin was a warrior, and they had known when searching for names he was already living up to the meaning, but Tyler hadn’t been sure he was that strong. If he had to live life without Meredith, he wasn’t sure he’d want to live it.
Mopping up his cheeks as the door opened again, Ashley came in with a bassinet to put Caelin in. “Meredith’s out of recovery, and she’s in her own room. We’d like to take you down to her. We’ll keep your son in the room with the two of you for as long as you want.”
“Are there still people in the waiting area for us?” he asked, having forgotten about all of that, including Addie. He was struck stupid for a few moments.
“No.” She shook her head, smiling softly. “I think they were as drained as you are. Jagger and B took Addie home, and Denise said to let her know if you need Meredith’s bag, she’ll bring it up tomorrow when she comes to visit.”
He was so damn grateful for the people in his life, he didn’t know what to say, what to do, but he knew he wouldn’t be completely okay until he saw Meredith, until he spoke with her and could see for himself that she was fine. “Take me to her?”
Ashley didn’t have to be asked twice, it was her pleasure.
Meredith was fighting to open her eyes as she heard the door to her room open and the sound of someone come in. She could tell by the smell that surrounded her it was Tyler. No one had the same scent that he did.
“Mer?” he questioned softly. “Can you hear me?”
“Yeah.” She licked her dry lips, trying to adjust herself on the bed, but she hurt. She hurt everywhere. “What happened? How’s the baby?”
“Caelin is perfect. Do you remember what happened in the delivery room?” he asked, not wanting her to be shocked when she finally came to.
“They couldn’t stop the bleeding. They had to do a hysterectomy,” she said, clearer now, but it was still so hard to open her eyes. That part had worried her, but in the end, she’d gotten what she wanted. None of it mattered anymore.
“Right, but you and he are doing great. He’s a wonderful size, and the doctor said that everything is as good as can be with you. Now we just have to get you both home and get you healed. We’ll be good to go.”
“Where’s Addie?” She worried about the little girl. She’d been through a lot this day.
“With Jagger and B. She’s being well taken care of…please open your eyes for me, baby. I need to know that you’re okay.”
It was his words that finally broke through the fuzziness, his pleading that made her want to brush the sleep away. “The light is really bright.” She shielded her face from the overhead light until he could turn it off.
“You opening your eyes is the best thing I’ve seen all day, besides this little guy right here.”
Meredith struggled to sit up as best she could when she heard a sound come from her son. Turning her head to side, she saw Tyler holding him, and immediately tears poured, especially when he reached over and handed her the bundle wrapped in a blanket.
“He’s perfect,” she whispered as she moved the blanket to count every toe and each finger.
“He is,” Tyler agreed. “Thank you, for everything you’ve given me.” He leaned over, kissing her on the cheek.
She grabbed his hand, not letting him get too far away. “No.” She shook her head, tears still pooling in her eyes. “It’s me who should be thanking you.”
Content. Loved. Happy. All words both of them would use to describe their lives now—a start contrast from where they started, but neither of them would change their paths for the world.
Epilogue
Drew sighed deeply as he felt Charity’s arms come around his waist. They’d been driving along the back roads of Warren County for hours. In the distance, he could see the sun rising, and he knew he had to get her home soon. Her car was packed and her room was booked at Duke. The stripper’s daughter was going to make something of herself, and he knew he couldn’t stand in the way. He stopped the bike at the end of her driveway, in order to give them a little bit of privacy. They’d spent a few hours that night saying goodbye to one another, the rest of the hours had been spent saying goodbye to landmarks of the places that she called home. He still couldn’t put his finger on it, but he didn’t expect her back. Drew shut the bike off and leaned back against her, letting her squeeze him tightly.
“Well, I guess this is it.” It was hard to push the words out against the tightness of his throat. He hadn’t cried in a long time, but damned if he didn’t feel like he was going to right now.
“Yeah,” she whispered, playing with the material of his T-shirt. “I don’t wanna drive up the driveway,” she admitted.
He could hear the tears in her voice, and he knew he had to be the one to push her. If he didn’t, she wouldn’t go. He was the only one who could hold her here, and he couldn’t do that to her. She’d worked hard for more than half her life to escape what her mom had done for a living, and he knew if he held her here, he would never forgive himself—ever. “I know, but you’ve got to. There’s nothing for you here.”
“There’s you,” she reminded him.
He put his hands on top of hers at his waist and pulled them apart. “What am I? I’m the guy you fucked around with in high school and the summer after. I’m gonna go to trade school, barely get a mechanics license, and work for my dad for the rest of my life. That’s what I’m gonna do. If you stayed here with me, I can guarantee you that you’d be barefoot and pregnant in two years.” He laid it on thick, knowing he would whatever it took to make her dreams come true, even if that meant tearing his heart out.
“You don’t mean that.” She shook her head so that he could feel her hair against his bare arms.
“I do,” he put some steel into his voice. “I know that much about myself. I want a family and I’m gonna have one.”
Charity bit her lip, doing her best not to cry. “Why are you being so mean in the last few minutes we’re with each other?” she asked.
He stood, motioning for her to get off the back of the bike. “Off.”
“Drew?” She couldn’t believe the tone of his voice.
“Get off the bike, right now.”
She did as he asked, although she didn’t quite understand what he was doing or why. Keeping the tears behind her eyes was no longer going to work, she let them flow freely. “You can’t do this to me right now,” she told him.
“I can and I damn well will. You have the best chance in the world to go make something of yourself.” He couldn’t help it; he had to touch her again. Setting the bike on its stand, he swung his leg over and walked over to her. “I will not be the person who stands in your way.”
Her breath was coming now in gulps, and she sniffed loudly. “We could do it together. We could find a way for me to do my undergraduate degree at Western and then transfer to UK.”
“And what would I do?” he asked her softly. “I’m never going to be anything different than what I am at this moment, Charity, and I’m okay with that. For me. For you, I want something different. I want you to get out. You’ve always wanted to. I want you to experience life and do all the things you’ve always talked about. If there comes a point in your life when you’re ready to come home, come home, and we’ll see where we are at that point.”
“You’ll have someone else barefoot and pregnant,” she cried, holding her arms over her stomach. It was the only way she could keep herself standing—the only way she could make it through this.
Good lord, the girl had no idea what he felt for her. There wasn’t anything in the world he wanted more than to have her wear his ring, take his last name. He wanted to claim her now. Even at eighteen, he knew that she was his, but she wasn’t there yet. She needed to experience things and make her dreams come true. “I’m gonna be here when you come back, whether it be five or ten years from now. I’m gonna be here.”
“But you won’t be the same,” she argued.
“And neither will you,” he argued right back. “You’ll be a lawyer, and you’ll be helping people who slip through the cracks, the way nobody ever helped you and your mom. You’re going to do what you want, but both of us are going to have to make sacrifices for it, baby. I believe in you, do you believe in yourself?”
That was the question of the hour. Did she believe in herself enough to make this dream come true? “I do,” she told him as more tears slipped down her cheeks.
“Then what is it you’re gonna need to do?” he asked her, wanting her to make this decision for herself.
“I’m going to have to let you go,” she choked out the words.
“You are.” He nodded. “And I’m gonna have to let you go.” Drew opened his arms one more time, and she ran to them, allowing him to envelope her in his arms and spin her around. He’d done that on one of their first dates, and it had been one of her favorite things since then.
He slid her down his body and cupped her face with his hands, placing a sweet kiss on her lips. “You gotta go,” he breathed out.
She nodded, reaching up to his wrists, holding on tightly to them. “I know.” She licked her lips. “Don’t forget me.”
“Never.” He shook his head. “I will never, in a million years, forget you. You have a spot that’s etched on my heart.”
“You have the same spot on mine,” she told him before she reached up, kissed him again, and then took off at a run for her house.
It took everything he had to let her run up that driveway and not run after her, but he knew he had to let her go. He hadn’t been lying when he said he would be waiting, no matter how long it took. His heart was young, but damn was it
broken. In this moment, he wasn’t sure how he’d ever be able to heal from this. How did other people handle this desolate feeling?
Walking back over to his bike, he climbed back on and drove too fast down the same back roads that he and Charity had just driven on. He was teasing fate and he knew it, but there was a part of him that had to do something to get the pain out, and if that meant riding his bike too fast—then so be it. Drew wasn’t sure where he was going, had no idea where he’d end up, but he couldn’t say he was surprised when he pulled down a gravel driveway that he’d been to many times before in his life.
“Who is that coming down the driveway at this time in the morning?” Meredith asked Tyler as they stood in the kitchen, making coffee. The new baby was keeping everyone in the house up, and coffee was a must have for the new parents. Even though they were used to Addie, they hadn’t had her as a brand new newborn.
“Drew,” Tyler said as he walked over to the sink, watching the younger man park his bike next to the door. “Looks like he’s having a bad time,” he said as he took in the way his shoulders slumped.
“Charity leaves today,” Meredith told him softly. “In fact, she should be on the road right about now. They probably spent the night together last night.”
“Damn,” he swore, inhaling deeply. He wasn’t sure he was prepared to deal with a young kid who’d had his heart broken. The first woman he’d loved, loved him back. He had no basis for this.
“Go out there and check on him. He needs a friend right now, that’s why he didn’t go home. Denise will worry over him and Liam will want to talk it out. Go out there and offer to have a workout with him. He needs something to get his mind off of it.” She nodded towards the door.
“You okay with me leaving you with the two hellions?” He grinned.
“For Drew, I’ll make do. It’s obvious he needs someone right now, and you’re the best person in the world to help him. You offer no fake advice, and you don’t have to make small talk. He needs that right now.”
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