“Uh…yeah.”
Her lips twitched again before she shared, “I was furious. Froze him out. The honeymoon was not what he expected.”
Fin burst out laughing.
“For the first two days,” she muttered through his laughter and Fin kept laughing.
When he stopped she was smiling up at him.
And that was genuine.
There.
He did it.
Then she informed him, “That was as long as I could hold out.”
Fin burst out laughing again, pulling his Ma close when she did too.
* * * * *
Rivera eased into the chair beside Mike and Mike’s eyes went to him.
“Bro, seriously, I can’t move. I have never eaten so much in my entire life,” Rivera announced. “Jerra’s all up in my shit. She says I do this at every buffet. But, what the fuck? It’s a buffet. Open. Which means seconds. And thirds.”
Mike’s eyes moved to Jerra who was dancing with Dusty on the wooden dance floor laid out on the grass in the Holliday yard. Their dance partner was Ryker, who, fuck him, had his hands up in the air, his hips rolling, his teeth sunk into his lower lip and he looked like a white man rapper surrounded by classy, white ‘ho’s.
Jesus.
“And I got another problem,” Rivera declared and Mike tore his eyes off his laughing wife, her giggling best friend, the fact that they were doing everything in their power to egg Ryker on and he looked to Rivera.
“What?” he asked.
“My thirteen year old is in love,” Hunter answered then jerked his head toward the dance floor.
Mike’s eyes went back, he scanned and found the pretty, dark haired, olive skinned thirteen year old Adriana swaying at its side, gazing with longing eyes at Jonas playing guitar with his band.
Mike looked back at Rivera. “I think you’re good. No has a girlfriend. Or, more accurately, twenty-five of them.”
Rivera chuckled.
Mike continued, “And she’s a little young for him.”
“Good to know,” Rivera muttered and stretched his cowboy-booted feet out in front of him.
Mike looked back at Jonas. His son’s band was doing this gig for his sister for free. Usually, they demanded top dollar because the places they played could demand top cover charges. He somehow made a living at this, playing all over Indy, in West Lafayette and Bloomington for college gigs and it was not unheard of for them to head up to Chicago, down to Lexington or over to Cincinnati or Cleveland. He wasn’t a rock god but they’d recently had a scout approach about laying down some tracks and doing a wider tour taking in the Midwest, the South and Texas. Jonas had graduated to writing songs which did not surprise Mike. They were better than good and the scout told him so. But Jonas had confidence in his talent; he wasn’t gagging to be signed. He just worked at it and expected it to happen.
And, apparently, it was happening.
And it wasn’t a mystery why. They were playing a wedding, a big one with nearly three hundred guests, but they were phenomenal and the packed dance floor was proof. The vibe they gave was fantastic.
“So, it’s gonna happen to me eventually, what’s this feel like?” Rivera asked and Mike looked back at him.
“What does what feel like?”
Rivera’s eyes left him and moved across the yard. Mike followed his gaze and saw Fin and Rees in a close huddle, having a moment of alone time amidst a throng of people.
It was not the first time he saw it. It was also not the first time he saw it that day, Fin in his dark tux, Rees in her flowing, angelic wedding gown.
And it was also not the first time it hit him with a pierce through the heart.
“It hurts like all fucking hell,” Mike muttered then his eyes moved back to Rivera and he finished, “And I’ve never been happier.”
The skin around Rivera’s eyes got soft but his mouth grinned.
Then he muttered, “Pray for me, brother, that Adriana lands a Finley Holliday.”
Mike looked back at the couple and saw Fin’s hand wrapped around the side of Rees’s neck. He was lifting his head, smiling down at her and he’d probably just kissed her. Then someone approached, Reesee’s eyes slid away and Fin’s jaw got tight for a second, clearly not wanting their moment disturbed.
He loved Mike’s daughter.
More than life.
“I’ll do that,” Mike assured Rivera and looked back at his wife, her friend and fucking Ryker who somehow got hold of his baby girl Mandy and had attached her to his rolling hip. She had one little arm wrapped around his thick neck, the other arm, like his other arm, was fist in the air. And they had been joined, flying in the face of all that was holy, by Rhonda, Audrey, fucking Kirby and a terrifying, white man bad dancing Jordy.
Fuck.
* * * * *
“Do me a favor,” Mike stated as he walked into our bedroom.
“What?” I asked, rubbing lotion into my hands.
Mike stopped at the foot of the bed. “Never, ever dance with fucking Ryker again.”
I burst out laughing.
Mike did not.
I forced it down to a chuckle and said through it, “It was fun.”
“Jesus,” he muttered and his hands went to the buttons of his white, pleated-front tuxedo shirt.
I shifted my legs and slid them under the covers of our bed.
Mike dropped his shirt to the floor.
“She rear her head?” he asked the floor, hands working at his belt.
He was talking about Debbie.
“When I checked my phone after dinner, she’d called three times.”
Mike’s eyes came to me.
“You return the calls?”
I shook my head and said quietly, “Fin’s rules, Rees backed him up. She wasn’t a part of today.”
Mike nodded, turning his eyes away.
“She sat through the whole day in a hotel room by the highway waiting for the all-clear to join the party,” I told him something he already knew.
“Good place for her to be,” Mike remarked.
Cautiously, I stated, “It’s a long time to hold a grudge, honey.”
Mike’s eyes came back. “She tried to take away his livelihood, his legacy and his most precious memory of his father just because she was pissed that you had me. Do you not think that’s worth a long grudge?”
I bit my lip and Mike watched. I didn’t answer but that was my answer and Mike knew it.
So he muttered, “Right.”
Mike too, obviously, was holding a grudge. Even longer than me. His rules were the same as Fin’s. My sister did not enter our lives. Not when we were married. Not when I had Austin. Not when I had Mandy. Never.
Infrequently, I spoke with her though I didn’t share this with Mike however he was a cop and a smart guy on top of that so I suspected he knew. These conversations were mostly informative and uncomfortable. I knew she was sorry. I also knew she had no clue how to say that. So she didn’t.
Until she figured it out, she was missing out.
On everything.
Mike and Fin’s decree. Apologize or stay cast out.
I thought it was a heavy penance. They didn’t agree. And seeing as they were both macho, badasses, I didn’t want to go there so I let it be.
I settled back, Mike finished disrobing and put on his pajama bottoms.
He was walking to the bed to join me when I asked, “Mandy and Austin down and out?
“Yep,” he answered, throwing back the covers and folding in.
I started to roll into him and halfway there I had help when Mike shoved his arm under me and pulled me the rest of the way.
I lifted my head to look down at him.
“You okay?” I asked gently.
“Great day, weird feeling. Hated every second of it just as much as I loved it. But they’re right together. He’d move heaven and earth for her, she feels the same. So I suppose if I gotta let her go, a man as fine as your nephew is the best bet I have.
”
I studied his face.
God, he didn’t get it.
“You haven’t noticed,” I whispered and Mike’s brows drew together.
“Pardon?”
“Honey, Fin claimed her seven years ago.”
His arm around me got tight and he started, “Dusty –”
“He did,” I cut him off. “And you haven’t noticed that even though he did, you never had to let her go. Which means you never do. None of you. No either. She’s all of yours and you’ve lucked out because, with Reesee, she’s got a lot to spread around.”
I watched his eyes warm, his face get soft and felt his hand come up and cup my cheek.
“Fuck, I love you, Angel.”
I grinned at him and whispered, “Yeah.”
His thumb moved on my cheek as his eyes held mine.
“You have a good day?” he asked.
“The best,” I answered, feeling my grin get bigger.
“So now’s a good time to hit you up,” he noted.
I pressed closer and dipped my face to his.
His hand left my cheek so both arms could slide around me and I whispered, “Oh yeah.”
His face suddenly got serious and he whispered back, “Then, darlin’, we need to get a dog.” I felt my body get tight but Mike’s arms got tighter and he kept talking. “A dog makes a house safer and it completes a family. I wanna give that to Austin and Mandy, not to mention you and me.”
“Mike –”
“Dusty,” he stated firmly and I stared at him.
Layla had died two years ago. Mike was devastated. So were No and Rees. Even Fin was upset about it. And Kirby.
I came unraveled.
“I can’t,” I whispered.
“Honey –”
“He would have shot me again, Mike.”
His arms got so tight, the breath left me.
I forced some back in and reminded him of something he didn’t want to be reminded of.
“She went at him. If she didn’t, he would have finished me. She made it possible for me to have everything I have today. I can’t replace her. Not yet. I can’t.”
“Okay, Angel,” Mike whispered.
“Give me time.”
“All right.”
I dropped my head and pressed my face in his throat.
“Fucked up. Good day. Shouldn’t have mentioned it.”
Layla had been my constant companion from that black day onward. Before that day, she was Mike’s. After that day, she was mine. She knew with some dog sense she saved my life and she took that responsibility seriously. There was never another threat but that didn’t mean she left my side. She’d wander. Go out to take care of business. But she knew what she did for me and she knew how I felt about it. So she always stayed close.
My golden girl.
“You didn’t fuck up,” I whispered and lifted my head to look down at him again. “Today was a day of making happy memories and remembering old ones. And all that was Layla was one, big, happy memory.”
He smiled a gentle smile at me and whispered, “Yeah.”
I grinned and reminded him, “And she loved Ryker.”
Mike rolled his eyes to the headboard.
I chuckled.
Then I slid my hand up his chest and curled my fingers around his neck, sharing more happy memories, “Today, Darrin would have been freaking thrilled. You with me. Us making Austin and Mandy. And Fin finding Reesee and making her his in front of God and everybody. He would have been smiling big all…fucking…day.”
Mike grinned again and said, “Yeah.”
“It was a great day,” I declared.
“Yeah,” Mike agreed.
“Perfect.”
Mike just kept grinning at me.
My hand slid up to his jaw and my face got super close.
“Thank you, honey, for making me so fucking happy.”
The smile went out of his eyes, he lifted his head, touched his mouth to mine then settled back on his pillow.
Then he whispered, “That’s my line.”
I felt warmth in my chest. Then I dropped my head and put my lips to my husband’s.
He took them and instantly rolled me.
Then the day got happier.
* * * * *
Carefully, Mike slid away from Dusty and angled out of bed.
Then his feet moved through the dark, silent, still house.
Living room. Dining room. Family room. Kitchen.
Up the stairs.
Mandy first, on her side, curled into a ball, the bright pink covers at her little waist, one little foot free.
Austin next, on his back, arm thrown wide, covers kicked off, his little tee had ridden up exposing his little kid belly.
Mike flicked the covers over him and left the room.
The office.
Then Reesee’s room, mostly gutted, her suitcases gone, spending that night with Fin in Indy at the Hyatt Regency before they went to Jamaica tomorrow.
Back down the stairs, one final go through then into his and Dusty’s room.
She hadn’t moved.
He cautiously slid in behind her, fitted his front to her back, wrapped an arm around her waist and tucked her gently to him.
“All well?” she muttered sleepily and he smiled into her hair. She knew he didn’t want to wake her. Sometimes he succeeded. Sometimes she pretended to be asleep even though he knew he woke her.
Sometimes, she’d not fake it.
“All’s well,” he muttered back, giving her a squeeze.
And that was no lie.
All was well.
All was absolutely, undeniably, beautifully well.
And on that thought, Mike fell asleep.
The ‘Burg Series will continue with the story of Benny and Frankie.
About the Author
Kristen Ashley lives in the beautiful West Country of England with her husband and her cat. She came to England by way of Denver, where she lived for twelve years, but she grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana. Her family and friends are loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.
Kristen’s Mom moved her and her brother and sister in with their grandparents when she was six. Her grandparents had a daughter much younger than her Mom so they all lived together on a very small farm in a small farm town in the heartland. She grew up with Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched). Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.
And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.
Discover other Titles by Kristen Ashley
Rock Chick Series:
Rock Chick
Rock Chick Rescue
Rock Chick Redemption
Rock Chick Renegade
Rock Chick Revenge
Rock Chick Reckoning
Rock Chick Regret
The ‘Burg Series:
For You
At Peace
Golden Trail
The Colorado Mountain Series:
The Gamble
Sweet Dreams
Lady Luck
Dream Man Series:
Mystery Man
Wild Man
Law Man
The Fantasyland Series:
Wildest Dreams
The Golden Dynasty
Fantastical
The Three Series:
Until the Sun Falls from the Sky
Other Titles by Kristen Ashley:
Fairytale Come Alive
Heaven and Hell
Lacybourne Manor
Mathilda, SuperWitch
Penmort Castle
Play It Safe
Sommersgate House
Three Wishes
Connect with Kristen Online:
Official Website: www.kristenashley.net
Kristen’s Blog: www.kristenashley.net/menu/blog.html
Kristen’s Facebook Page
Follow
Kristen on Twitter: KristenAshley68
Cover Art by Maxine Hayes, Contact: [email protected]
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Epilogue
About the Author
Games of the Heart Page 61