What to Read After FSOG: The Gemstone Collection (WTRAFSOG Book 9)

by Kristine Cayne

  The question was how Frederic found them there. He’d understand if the jerk showed up at Blaine’s house or something, but how did he know they were at the creek? It wasn’t like this was planned.

  The sun had already been up for hours when the questioning finally ended, but he was warned to be available and not go anywhere. Two officers led him out the door of the room they were in, and he immediately spotted Blaine sitting next to Jameson with her head in her hands. Jameson noticed him first and shot to his feet, which alerted Blaine. She was up and ran into his arms faster than he could comprehend. Her face was red and stained with tears. “Randy! Oh God, are you okay?”

  “Shh…” he soothed, combing his fingers through her hair. “I’m okay. I’m not being arrested and charged for anything as of now. They noticed the footprints, so they know someone else was out there. I’m still not out of the line of suspicion yet, but they are looking.” Randy held her close, still disbelieving the way the night turned out. “Am I going to be able to get my truck?” he asked the officers.

  The taller, skinny officer looked at his partner. “We had it inspected, but nothing looks suspicious. We’ll have an officer follow you to get your truck.”

  “I’ll take you,” Jameson said quietly, watching them with inquisitive eyes.

  Randy nodded, feeling numb. He squeezed Blaine’s shoulder. “Come on, honey. We can go. It’s okay.” Even with his socks and shoes on, the scrapes and scratches on the bottom of his foot stung, making it difficult to walk straight. Blaine raised her head, and Randy wiped her tears away with his thumb. Her eyes were bloodshot.

  “I’m sorry for all of this. I can’t believe he came out here,” Blaine muttered.

  “You have nothing to be sorry about, Blaine. You didn’t do anything wrong.” He kissed her temple, avoiding Jameson’s stare. Taking Blaine’s hand in his, they made their way out of the police station. As fresh, warm air greeted him, he sighed in relief. This was far from over. It would be all over the news. He’d have to explain things to his family. Blaine would have to open up, finally revealing all that she’d kept hidden. While it was a good idea for her to do it, having it happen this way was not ideal. “Is Frederic alive?” The last thing he needed was for the ass to die and have another possible charge over his head unless that damn woman came forward or someone figured out who she was.

  “As far as I know.”

  Jameson unlocked his truck, still saying nothing. This was going to be an interesting ride.

  Randy climbed in the back, wishing he could just crawl under the covers and take Blaine with him. What a damn mess.

  Jameson started the truck after Blaine jumped in and closed the door, then pulled out of the parking lot. “What the hell happened?” he finally asked, sounding a little upset, but more concerned than anything.

  Blaine sighed and leaned her head back on the headrest with a thump. “Frederic, my ex, apparently decided to come out here. He’s made my life a living hell.”

  “Frederic? Isn’t he the snotty guy you were working for?”

  “The one and only. Yes, we were in a relationship. We-.” Blaine choked back a sob and a hiccup at the same time. “I married him,” she whispered.

  Jameson almost swerved off the road. “You were married? How did we not know any of this?”

  Leaning closer to the front seat, Randy slid his hand around to hold Blaine’s hand. He squeezed it for support. Her sweaty and shaky fingers twined with his and she inhaled sharply.

  “Marrying him was the stupidest thing I ever could have done. I’m not proud of it, and I’m not proud of not letting any of you know what my life was like.”

  “I promise I’m not judging you. I just want to know everything,” Jameson said softly. “I’ve been worried about you for ages. I’ve been waiting patiently for you to talk to me. Blaine- I found your pills. You hate pills!”

  “Frederic and I worked together years before we were romantically involved. He treated me the same at all times, like an assistant. He didn’t want any family or friends to know we were married. He hated the idea of me ever coming home. He pitched a fit when- when I had to come home for Dad’s-” Blaine couldn’t finish.

  “Please tell me you’re not addicted to pills because of him,” Jameson said.

  “God no!” Blaine shouted. “When I went back after Thanksgiving, we fought, he pushed me and I fell. I had a pretty bad back injury. I don’t like pills, but the pain was intense. I’m not addicted, I swear to you. I’ve been pretty dumb, but not that bad.”

  An invisible hand squeezed Randy from the inside out. He’d heard this story once before and it hurt him then. The second time around he was even more angry, and he couldn’t even hold Blaine in his arms the way he wanted to right now. He continued to hold her hand. At random moments, she’d squeeze. Sometimes so hard his hand cramped, but he never moved it from her grasp.

  “Well do I ever feel like an ass,” Jameson responded after she’d told him everything. “I thought you were being selfish, that you didn’t care and didn’t want to come home, especially when I needed help with Mom. I’m sorry, Blaine.”

  “No, I’m sorry! You have nothing to be sorry for. I wanted to run home so many times. It took years to gather the courage and strength to pick myself back up and get out of there. He ran me down to the ground emotionally. I let it happen far too long. He’s been calling non-stop since coming home, thinking I’m just going to pick up and come back. He’s been badmouthing me all over. Belinda showed me a few articles where my name is being slammed.”

  “None of this looks good, considering what happened,” Jameson said, sounding grim, “for either of you.”

  “I didn’t do anything!” Blaine exclaimed, hysterical. “Neither did Randy.”

  “I know neither of you are capable of those kind of things. I was just thinking out loud.” They were off the gravel road now, heading down the dirt road that led to the creek. Randy finally saw his truck, and all the events of last night ran through his mind. Blaine, naked in the creek. Their lovemaking in the bed of the truck. The perfect night where everything had fallen into place until they woke up to the scream.

  They should have just left.

  “I hate that they’re just going to watch. All he’s doing is picking up his damn truck,” Blaine muttered, sliding off the seat so Randy could climb out. Once he was on his feet, he pulled her in his arms and held on tight.

  “Everything was perfect until we woke up.” Randy kissed her earlobe. “Just keep those good memories in your mind. We know neither of us did anything wrong. It’s a bump in the road and the cops will realize it soon. Besides, the moment Frederic wakes up, he’ll tell them it wasn’t me or you. He’s the one who can identify the woman. We just have to wait, as hard as that may be.”

  “There’s gonna be so much backlash. Your family, my family. The news.” Blaine’s face was red and puffy from her tears. “This won’t be good publicity for Baby Stetson.”

  Randy held her, not sure what to say. She was scared. So was he, to be honest. This would clear up in the end, but the time until then … that’s what scared him. “Go home and get some rest. I hope your back isn’t too bad from sleeping in my truck bed. I’ll call you tonight. I’d better explain things to my family, if they haven’t already bombarded my phone with calls and texts or stormed my house. As much as I hate it, I have to let you go now. The cops are going to wonder what we’re plotting now.”

  “I’m plotting-” she started, her voice laced with anger.

  Randy kissed her before she said anything that would get them in trouble. “Get in the truck. I can’t walk away from you looking like that.”

  She blinked back tears and nodded. “Thank you for an amazing night before all hell broke loose.”

  His heart longed for her to be in his arms again as he watched her go back to Jameson’s truck. As Randy turned to get to his own, a hand on his shoulder startled him. He looked up at Jameson. “I didn’t even know you were out here! I thought
you were still in the truck.”

  “I wanted to make sure you’re okay. I mean, I know you’re not, but…” Jameson scratched his forehead. “Hell, I don’t even know what to say. I’m still taking all this in. So many scenarios played in my mind. I had no idea how far off from the truth I was.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I couldn’t break her trust when she wasn’t ready, you know?” Randy dared to look back at Blaine. Her face pressed against the window, probably wondering what kind of conversation he was having with her brother right now. “She really didn’t mean to tell me, either.”

  “I know. At least she had someone to confide to about it. I still feel like the crappiest brother ever right now. Let us know what we can do, if anything, okay?” Jameson patted him on the back. “This thing with you and my sister … I don’t even need to give you warnings, do I?”

  Randy laughed. “You don’t. I don’t ever want to hurt her. If she chooses to be with me, she’s in good hands.”

  “I trust you man, but I wouldn’t be a good brother if I didn’t at least make an attempt to warn you.” Jameson cracked a smile. “You’re one of my best friends, so this is a little strange.”

  “Thanks, Jameson. I should probably go. The media is already invading the place and I want to get out of sight. I have my family to talk to.” Randy sighed. He sure wasn’t looking forward to this.

  “Take it easy. Keep us updated. I’m going to take Blaine home.”

  “Hey, her car is parked in front of my house. I’m sure at some point she’s going to want to get it.”

  Jameson nodded before he headed back to the truck.

  Randy gave Blaine once last glance and he melted at the agonizing frown. It took all he had to climb up in his truck and get away.

  Blaine slumped down in the seat of Jameson’s truck, hating the strained silence between them. The sound of his phone ringing sliced through the tension.

  “Damn, it’s Melody. She’s probably wondering why I wasn’t there when she woke up. I don’t want to answer while I’m driving. Do you mind? You don’t have to, I just hate the idea of letting it go to voicemail and making her worry.”

  Answering and letting Melody know was the least Blaine could do for all the trouble Jameson went to this morning. She picked up his phone. “Hi Melody. Jameson is with me this morning. He’s driving, so he didn’t want to talk and drive.”

  “Oh my God, Blaine. Is it true? It’s all over the news this morning that-”

  Blaine swore, causing Jameson to look over.

  “You and Randy are under suspicion for attempted murder!” Melody finished.

  The words attempted murder put whole new spin on things.

  “Doesn’t take long, does it?” Blaine muttered. “We didn’t do a damn thing.”

  “No, I-.” Melody sighed.

  “I’m sorry, Melody. I’m tired and scared as hell. I know you didn’t mean to say that we did. We’ll be back at the house soon.”

  “Okay. See you then. Everything will work out, you know that, right?” Melody tried to be hopeful.

  “Yeah, of course it will. We’re innocent and it shouldn’t take long before they figure that out. See you soon.” A few seconds later, she put the phone down. Closing her eyes, she sucked in a deep breath, trying to calm down her frazzled nerves a little bit.

  “You want anything? Coffee? Breakfast?” Jameson asked. “My treat.”

  “Can I get a rain check? I think the best thing to do is go home and avoid the media fire for a while. I have to tell Mom. She’s gonna be…” Pissed off? Hurt?

  “She’s going to be Mom. She might cry, she might get a little upset, but the bottom line is she’ll love and support you.”

  “I let everyone down.” She never meant to say the words out loud.

  “How do you-? Blaine, no! You didn’t let anyone down!” Jameson exclaimed. “I feel like I let you down as your brother.”

  She closed her eyes and didn’t say anything the rest of the way to the house. Her brother always knew when she didn’t want to talk, and he left it alone. When he pulled in the drive at the house and shut off the engine, she felt a squeeze on her elbow.

  “Ready?” Jameson asked softly.

  Blaine snapped her eyelids open. “Hell no, but it’s gotta be done.” Without another word, she shoved open the truck door, snatched her purse and marched inside, leaving her brother trailing behind her. Mom and Melody were sitting at the dining room table. Both of them looked up when she walked in. Mom jumped to her feet and enveloped Blaine in her arms.

  “There’s so many stories circulating right now! Blaine, what in the world is going on?” Mom let her go, gesturing for her to sit. Jameson went to sit next to Melody.

  Blaine sighed. Here went nothing. For what felt like the millionth time, she told her story. By the time she was done, she had three pairs of eyes full of worry, tears, and hurt. As for herself, she felt emotionally drained. What did she do now?

  “We all have our private nightmares,” Mom finally said. “I hate this. I hate that my baby girl went through so much hell and I didn’t know. I thought when you didn’t come back that you hated me for all of our problems in the past. I thought I was a bad mother.”

  “Oh God Mom, no.” Blaine’s tears fell. “I was stubborn. I needed to find my own way. I let a man drag me down. I should have seen all of this, I should have-” Hiccup. “Left him sooner. How could I have been so dumb? I wanted to come home a long time ago, and I stayed. Maybe it was me, maybe I-”

  “Oh Blaine, stop.” Mom covered her ears. “Don’t blame yourself. That man sounds like a monster, someone who only looks out for himself. He took your trust and shattered it in the ground. I know you feel like it’s all you, but it’s not. A man like that plays with a woman’s emotions. Sometimes that’s far worse than a physical pain. I was always under the impression you lived the life you wanted. I thought you were so happy!”

  “I was, for a while. I thought I had what I wanted.” She’d been so wrong. “I hate him. I keep going back and forth about how I wish he would die, but I can’t keep thinking like that. I don’t even know how he found me, or what he was doing there so late at night.”

  “He’ll never hurt you again,” Jameson swore. “He’d better never show his face around town after he leaves.”

  Too bad the damage was already done. Blaine had to pick herself back up off the floor, dust off and get back to normal. At least, what she thought normal should be.

  “I know I have so much to say, I owe that to all of you, but if you don’t mind I think I need to get a little rest. It’s been a long night and I know there’s so much to do.” She ran a hand through her hair.

  Mom nodded. “Get some rest.”

  “You’re not upset that I married and you weren’t there?” she asked in a small voice, feeling like a child who needed her mom’s approval for everything.

  “I don’t like it, but what’s done is done. Promise me that you’ll invite your family to the next wedding.”

  Blaine forced a laugh. “I don’t know about a future wedding. I’m just trying to settle in with a new life.”

  Mom’s eyes lit up. “Well, I see the way you and Randy look at each other lately. The way he’s always looked at you.”

  Her pulse quickened at the sound of his name. “Randy and I are in a new phase. We’re not even close to talking about weddings, Mom.”

  “A mother knows.” She kissed the top of Blaine’s head. “Go get some rest. Things will find their way to being right. We all have to believe that.”

  Blaine headed for her room, debating on showering first. She tossed her purse on the floor, took her phone out of it and checked for messages. She had plenty from earlier, probably from Jameson since he said they were trying to reach her all night. Nothing new. Nothing from Randy.

  Someone knocked on her door as she plugged her phone in the charger.

  “Can I come in?” Melody asked tentatively.

  Blaine nodded and sat at
the edge of her bed.

  Melody sat beside her. “I know we don’t know each other well. I just want you to know that if there’s anything I can do, let me know.”

  Blaine sighed. “I don’t even know what I can do, let alone anyone else.”

  “Our situations are different, but I understand your feelings. What you just said, I said that a lot last year. I always felt I should have left sooner, like I should have known what was going on. From what I hear, Frederic never treated you well. Before I caught on to what Anthony was doing, he was always good to me. I look back and wonder what I missed, how I never could have known.”

  “See, I wish that was the case. I wish he’d been wonderful. Then there would be a valid reason why I stayed so long. Frederic was at best decent at first, but it went downhill quick. It was all work, no real marriage. I just … I don’t know what I was thinking!”

  “Did you love him?” Melody’s eyes were warm, questioning.

  “I-” Blaine thought about it. “I loved him, but I don’t know why I loved him. Maybe I was looking for approval, for a place to belong. I thought it was with him. I thought working side by side with my husband-” She stopped. “This sounds so stupid! I don’t know what I was thinking at all. This isn’t me. My decisions were never so crazy, but I can’t come up with one good reason why I married him and then stayed so long. He belittled me. How could I let him control me like that? Every little thing I did, everything I ate … he scrutinized me. And I stayed!”

  “Sometimes it takes your heart a lot longer to follow the lead of what goes on in your mind. Maybe you saw something in Frederic you thought was a redeeming quality. Maybe you were lonely. Maybe you hoped if you stayed and showed him how you felt, he would get better.”