This was getting worse and worse. I had a vivid image of Bill, sitting in the parking lot, waiting for me to come out. Then wham! I was tonight’s dinner. Drew balls for everyone.
“Mick, can you come down here please?” a voice echoed from the hall.
All laughter disappeared at the sound of Jackie’s voice. “Looks like work’s callin’.”
“We’ll get out of your hair.” Jared stood up and met McKenzie halfway around the desk. He pulled her into a bear hug. Jared whispered something in her ear. She nodded in response and released him.
McKenzie maneuvered around Jared, meeting me behind the chairs. “It really is good to see you.”
I reached up, tracing the empty space around her neck. Her eyes widened, and I knew she realized what had upset me a moment ago. “You, too. I’ve missed you.” I pulled her into my arms, holding her close to my chest. My entire body yearned for this woman, even with the amount of pain she’d caused me by leaving. I placed a kiss on the top of her head, breathing in her sweet scent. “I’ll see you tonight.”
McKenzie removed herself from my grasp. My arms instantly felt cold and alone. In her eyes, stubborn tears formed but refused to come forth. “Tonight.”
She turned around quickly and marched out of the office. Gage sidestepped out of her way. She glanced up at him and shook her head before disappearing from my sight. When she was gone, he turned back to us. The softness in his eyes turned hard the instant we made eye contact. “I’ll show y’all out.” He sounded almost giddy at the idea that we were leaving.
The three of us filed out of the office. Gage closed the door behind us. Jared and Gavin walked ahead of me, leaving me with alone Gage. The monster in me reared his ugly head, ready to take on this massive beast.
As we walked down the hall, I glanced into Jackie’s office. McKenzie sat in front of her desk, her face in her hands. I wondered if she was crying, but couldn’t tell.
“You see that?” Gage snarled to where only I could hear him. “You do that to her.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Of course not. You’re a self-centered prick who’s been spoon fed all his life.”
If he only knew my father, he’d think differently.
“You don’t know me.”
Gage grabbed my arm. “I know you messed with her heart. I know you promised her the world and failed to deliver. And I know she’s the one suffering for it.”
I jerked away from his grip. “She left me!” Jared and Gavin turned around, ready to come to my aid. I lifted a finger, stopping them.
“She had every right to leave you.”
“Not that I owe you anything, but you have no clue what happened between Mickie and me.”
“Stop calling her that! You’re not her family.”
My face twitched in a snide grimace. I stepped forward, straightening my spine and squaring my shoulders. This asshole might have me in height and bulk, but not in confidence. I’d take his ass down. “She likes it when I call her Mickie, and until she tells me to stop, I’ll continue calling her by that name.”
“You really are a dick. What she sees in you, I’ll never figure out.”
I shrugged with indifference. “You don’t have to. All you need to know is I’m here to take her home. And mark my words; I will take her home.”
“She is home. This is where she belongs. Why can’t you leave her alone? She was finally starting to smile again.”
Okay, that one stung but I didn’t flinch. Even though I wanted to. I smirked and raised my eyebrows. “This was her home, and while it’s none of your damn business, I love her. That’s why I can’t let her go.”
“You don’t know the first thing about love, you arrogant prick.”
“Oh, and you do?”
“I know more about that woman,” Gage pointed toward Jackie’s office, “then you ever will.”
“Dream on,” I retorted.
Gage jabbed his thick, calloused finger in my chest. “I’m warning you right now, Mr. Big-Shot Attorney, if you hurt her in any way, I will make you pay. You got me?”
I knocked his hand away with the back of mine. “You’re in love with her. I don’t blame you. She’s easy to love. But get it through that meathead skull of yours, you don’t have a chance.”
“How can someone so smart be so damn stupid?” Gage laughed and stepped around me. “I’m serious. You fuck with her heart again, I’ll fuck you over.”
Gage stormed off, leaving us standing alone behind the counter.
“Damn,” Jared muttered. “He’s one scary fucker.”
“Gargantuan? Nah. He’s a pussy cat,” I claimed.
“Gargantuan! Now that sounds like something I’d come up with.” Jared patted me on the back. “There might be hope for you yet.”
I shook my head, rolling my eyes. “Let’s get out of here.”
We exited the building, got into the crappy rental and made our way to the hotel to prepare for dinner. Dinner with her family might not have been my idea of a perfect reunion with McKenzie, but I’d take it. Maybe I could get her alone tonight to talk. We had many things we needed to discuss and so little time to make things right. If her reaction to my presence was any indication of how she still felt about me, then I knew I had a glimmer of hope to fix this. And a little bit of hope was all I needed.
Chapter Seven
The sun hung low in the western sky, illuminating the world with an array of colors. Waves of heat shimmered through the air, visible even to the naked eye. Already bold and beautiful, the moon shone bright against the darkening horizon, chasing the sun from the heavens. The image was something worthy of a sci-fi film. Two heavenly bodies, coexisting, against a canvas of color and light.
My heart lunged into my throat, as the car door slammed on its own accord, aided by the brutal wind. I inhaled deep into my lungs, pushing the breath back out through my nose. Why was I so nervous? I could handle a courtroom without blinking an eye, but meeting the family had me jumpier than a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. I’d take the bureaucracy of the judicial system over the scrutiny of family approval any day.
I glanced down at my watch. “Right on time,” I sighed with relief.
“You drove like a mad man. It’s amazing we made it here alive,” Gavin admonished. The wind captured his door. Gavin barely escaped the clutches of the car, before the door slammed shut. He cursed under his breath, flipping the bird at the car.
I chuckled at the sight of my brother losing his cool. “Quit your bitching. I got us here safe and sound, didn’t I?”
Jared pulled his fingers through his unruly hair. “Barely,” he muttered.
It was a rare occasion to see him without a baseball cap. We’d all tried to dress appropriately for a family dinner - nice jeans, Oxford shirt, and in my case my Converse sneakers.
I rolled my eyes and moved toward the quaint single-story red brick home. A huge oak tree shaded the front yard, and beautiful rose bushes bloomed along the perimeter of the house, seemingly unfazed by the heat. An adorable wrap-around porch, including a porch swing, added a touch of Southern flare to the place. I couldn’t help but imagine a young McKenzie swinging on that porch swing during warm summer nights; staring up at the stars, dreaming of what her life would be like.
The front porch light was already on along with what appeared to be every other light in the house, welcoming us. Gavin rang the doorbell. It sounded like a party was already going on inside.
“How many people are supposed to be here?” I wondered aloud.
Jared pointed to the blue minivan parked in the driveway behind McKenzie’s Prius, and the oversized pickup I’d seen back at the body shop. “I’m sure Jackie, Cody, and the kids are here.”
Great. Kids. The baby. I straightened my spine, fighting the sickening feeling that threatened to overtake me. The solution was simple. All I needed to do was focus all of my attention on McKenzie and avoid the little girl like a plague.
Gavin rang the doorbell again, and we heard someone trampling through the house to the door.
“Coming!” came the voice of a child. “I coming!”
“Justice, wait for an adult,” a man called out.
“I got it, Daddy.” The door swung open and a young boy, more like a young teenage boy, stood before us. His brown hair was wild and carefree, and a brilliant smile plastered his freckled cheeks. “Hi! I Justice. Who are you?” he greeted us. His voice cracked slightly and his speech was almost babyish in tone.
Jared stepped forward into the porch light. “Justice, do you remember me?”
“Jawad!” Justice shouted. My gut instinct was to be surprised by this preteen boy who was nearly as tall as McKenzie, speaking like a four year old, but my research on Autism helped me understand the situation. Autism impairs a person's ability to communicate and even relate with others. From what I’d read, not only was speech an issue, but many of the children would develop rigid routines and repetitive behaviors. Symptoms could range from very mild to quite severe, and the fact that Justice was even verbal was pretty amazing.
“Hey there, buddy,” Jared replied with a bright smile. “How are you?”
“Justice, boy, I told you to-” A tall, stocky man approached the door. His hair was as dark and wild as the boy’s and they shared the same large brown eyes and round nose. Thick muscular arms strained against the fabric of his cotton Longhorns t-shirt. “Sorry about this,” he apologized before looking up to see who was at the door. A huge smile exploded over his face at the sight of us. “Hey, Jared. Kenzie told us you’d be coming by tonight.” My stomach lurched and the beast inside of me wanted to rip Jared’s head off. He knew a side of McKenzie that I didn’t, but I was going to rectify that situation and fast. “It’s good to see you.” He shook hands with Jared and stepped back from the door. “C’mon in. We’re lettin’ all the cold air out.”
We followed Jared into the house, instantly chilled by the arctic blast coming from the air conditioner. The man quickly closed the door behind us.
“Gotta go to the baffwoom, pwease,” Justice said out of the blue.
“Well, go, big guy,” his father replied.
The boy darted off toward to where I could only assume the bathroom was located.
“Again. Sorry about that,” he said again, shaking his head.
Jared clasped the man’s shoulder, giving it a shake. “Quit apologizing, Cody, and let me introduce you to my friends.” Jared pointed to Gavin. “This is Gavin Wise,” -Cody reached out and shook hands with Gavin- “and his brother, Drew.”
Cody then extended his hand to me. His grip wasn’t as brutal as Gage’s, but he had a nice firm handshake, and his smile was genuine and sincere. It was safe to say, I like Cody already.
“And guys, this is Cody Bosworth. His wife is McKenzie’s cousin, Jackie,” Jared continued.
“Nice to meet you both,” Cody said. He squinted his eyes, he analyzing me. An odd expression formed over his rugged features, then changed into ah-ha look. “So, you’re the infamous Andy.”
Shit! What has she told them about me? By the look on his face, I had no clue what the man knew, but in my experience, it couldn’t be good.
“Please, call me Drew,” I requested politely.
“Can do, Drew,” Cody crooned. He motioned toward the hall with his head. “This way, folks. Everyone’s in the kitchen.”
The inside of the house was pretty much what I expected. It was warm and inviting. Family photos hung with care on the walls. I ached to stop and look, because I could see McKenzie’s smiling face in so many of them, but I figured I’d have time to investigate later. We passed the living area, where a worn, green sofa sat facing a large entertainment center. An old recliner, with years of wear, was nestled in the corner, in the perfect position for television viewing. We continued down the hall to the back of the house. The most delicious aroma invaded my senses and the chattering of a people filled the air.
“Get your fingers out of the potatoes,” Lindsey demanded.
“But, baby,” Bill whined.
“Don’t you dare ‘but baby’ me, William Levi Evans.”
“Dang, Dad. You got the full name. You’re in trouble now.” Mickie’s laughter filled the air.
“Let the man have some potatoes,” Cody shouted out. He glanced over his shoulder at the three of us. “It’s a madhouse in here. Just warnin’ ya.”
I glanced over at Jared and Gavin. Both appeared amused by our current surroundings. “I think we can handle it,” Gavin declared.
“We’ll see,” Cody tittered.
The kitchen overflowed with occupants. Jackie sat at the kitchen table, holding the baby. Across from her sat an older woman. Her face was wrinkled and her blue-gray hair hugged her scalp in tight curls. Glass blue eyes, magnified by thick glasses and filled with wisdom, stared back at me. The woman crossed her arms and nodded in an approving manner. I chuckled, giving the old woman a quick wink.
Lindsey stood at the center island, stirring potatoes, with Bill resting his head on her shoulder. McKenzie had her back to the crowd, handling something at the stove, yet, from my vantage point, I had the perfect view of her profile. Her smile was wide and her hooded eyes fluttered with laughter.
Cooking was one of many passions for McKenzie. Countless times Olivia had exploited her expert culinary ability, and she was always happy to oblige, but never had I seen her as happy as she was in this antiquated kitchen, surrounded by those who meant the most to her. I envied McKenzie for growing up in this house. It wasn’t anything like the lavish mansion Gavin, Andie, and I were raised in, but it was rich with something I’d always longed for - family.
“Look what I found.” Cody winked in our direction, as he marched over to Jackie and the baby.
“‘Bout time, boy. We were beginnin’ to think y’all’d decided not to come.” Bill held up the beer bottle in his hand as a welcome. He glanced over at me, pointing his finger and thumb, winked and made a clicking noise. I tensed up. My arms fell to my sides, and my spine straightened. The runner in me was ready to do exactly that - run. Drew balls were most definitely on the menu for dinner. Let the hunt begin.
“Lighten up, Drew. He’s only screwing with you,” Jared leaned in and hissed. On the other side of me Gavin chuckled, mimicking the clicking sound.
My deliverance from sheer panic came from the bright smile that exploded across Lindsey’s face. McKenzie had her father’s eyes, but she was the mirror image of Lindsey. “Oh my God! Drew! Jared!” She grabbed a towel off the counter, wiped her hands and was in my arms in a matter of seconds. Lindsey hugged me like a mother who’d missed her child. I held her tight, unable to contain my grin. She smelled of fresh lemons. She twisted in my arms, pulling Jared to her side. “I couldn’t believe it when they told me you boys were comin’.”
“Did you honestly think we’d miss seeing you?” I asked, placing a tender kiss to her temple.
Lindsey blushed crimson and giggled. My focus cut to McKenzie. Her head tilted slightly, monitoring the room from the corner of her eye.
The older woman slowly stood up from her chair. She tottered over to us, rustling the tight jumpsuit that encased her heavy body. That jumpsuit had to have been something she procured back in the eighties. “Jared, boy, you better give this old woman a hug.”
“Granny,” Jared laughed, slipping out Lindsey’s hold to embrace the older woman. “How are you, sweetheart?”
She tweaked his cheek. “Better now that we have some fresh meat in this house.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. This old woman had a feisty spirit. “Mhm,” she moaned, looking at me. “Your pictures don’t do you justice, gorgeous.” She waddled toward me, her eyes roaming down my body, admiring the full package. “Very nice. My granddaughter has impeccable taste.” She cupped my chin between her index finger and thumb, pulling my face to hers.
McKenzie turned around, her eyes wild with surprise. “Granny!”
Granny waved her hand, dismissing her granddaughter. “Hush, child. I’m just getting a good look at this fine specimen of a man.”
“I told you he was a hottie,” Lindsey confirmed, stepping away from me to return to her work.
“You did. No woman could resist these eyes or dimples. I bet you get lucky with all the ladies, don’t cha?”
My smile widened. This woman was a riot. “I do okay.”
“Don’t be so modest.”
“Drew? Modest? He wouldn’t know modesty if it bit him in the ass,” Jared declared.
A loud laugh, more like a snort, came from where McKenzie stood. I shifted my eyes to catch her hand flying up over her mouth. Our eyes met. Energy resonated between us. She dropped her hand from her face, revealing her perfect smile. The most beautiful shade of red painted her face and neck, making me ache to touch her.
“You see,” I started, “I have eyes for only one woman.” I winked at McKenzie. Her smile faltered. A little gasp escaped her lips and she turned away from me. She knew exactly to whom I was referring, and I liked that it made her a little edgy. That meant it mattered to her.
“I have my charms, sonny, but we just met. Let me get to know you first before you go around tellin’ everyone you have eyes for only me.”
My mouth dropped. For a moment, I was speechless. That was a rare occurrence. No one, especially little old women, have ever been able to get the best of me. Yet, this old woman had stunned me into silence. However, I regained my composure quickly and fired off the first witty thing that popped into my mind. “Sweetheart, you’re a beautiful woman, but you couldn’t handle me. I’m afraid I’d break you.”
Granny released my chin and patted my cheek. “Boy, you don’t know how wrong you are.” She reached around and pinched my backside. “Firm. Nice.” I about died right there. Not only did this woman make me speechless, but she made me blush. This was a record. One of which, I was certain Gavin was making note of for future reference.
“Mother!” Bill scolded her. “Mind your manners. You don’t want to scare the boy to death.”
The Certainty of Deception Page 9