by K. C. Lynn
“Oh, I have no doubt Sawyer played a part in it. That boy’s mouth runs his common sense sometimes.”
“I guess I should have known it would happen eventually but…” I trail off, shaking my head.
“What?” she asks.
“They hate each other so much, Mom,” I whisper. “And let’s not forget Dad and Mr. Crawford can’t stand each other either. Jase and I were doomed from the beginning.”
She expels a soft breath, her hand covering mine. “Do you want to know the real reason why your dad and Mr. Crawford don’t get along?”
My eyes snap to hers in surprise. “You mean there’s a reason behind all of this?”
She hesitates. “More like a past than a reason.”
“Please tell me,” I plead, needing to know what started this all.
“It goes back to high school. Both your dad and Ben were the epitome of what you would call the school heartthrobs,” she says, using her fingers as quotation marks. “They were both arrogant jocks who always had a competitive nature but for the most part they got along. Until they fell for the same girl.”
My lips part on a shocked gasp. “No way!”
She nods. “They fought hard to gain her attention, always trying to one-up each other. The hardest part of it all was she liked them both.”
It doesn’t take long before realization dawns on me. “Oh my god, it was you.”
A sad smile cracks her lips. “Yeah. Something I still feel so unworthy for,” she admits softly.
“I can’t believe it. You and Mr. Crawford.” I shake my head, still not believing any of this.
“It wasn’t much. I think we went on all of two dates. Ben was your typical tall, dark, and handsome. He could charm a girl with the best of them.”
“Just like his son,” I say with a smile.
“Yep. Jase is a spitting image of him, just like Sawyer is of your father.”
Fathers and sons who are so much alike it’s frightening. “I guess we know how it turned out, huh?”
She nods. “I cared about Ben, but I was in love with your father. He was my missing piece. And as bad as I felt for hurting Ben, I will never regret my decision. It was the right one. For all of us.”
For obvious reasons, I’m happy she chose my father, too. “Do you think Mr. Crawford still has feelings for you and that’s why he and Dad have so much hostility toward each other?” I ask. Though, as I say the words, that doesn’t feel right.
“Oh, heavens no. Trust me, it’s not that. Ben loves Elise a heck of a lot more than he ever cared about me. You can see it in the way he looks at her.”
I agree with that. Even though I was only around them for a few minutes that night, it was very clear to see how much they love each other.
“This has to do with competition and nothing more. Your father hates that Ben had feelings for me and Ben hates that your father won. It angers me that they still hold this ridiculous grudge and it rubbed off on our boys. I have no doubt that the feelings between Sawyer and Jase are because of them.”
“It may have started with them but it definitely didn’t end with them. Stephanie did that,” I grind out, my blood heating at the thought of her, especially after finding out that she was the one who called Sawyer. She’s constantly starting shit.
A look of distaste twists my mother’s face. “If I could slap the shit out of your brother for that, I would. Jase or not, it was a dumb move.”
“I agree with that,” I say, but have to admit it was a blessing for Jase whether he thought so at the time or not. “I guess I can understand the competitive nature they all have. I did, after all, fork out four thousand dollars just to beat that bitch.”
My mom bursts out laughing, her arm slinging around my shoulders as she pulls me in close. “Ah yes, you come by it honestly, my dear. This family hates to lose, but more than anything, we fight for what we want,” she says, her laughter softening into a smile. “And by the sounds of it, you more than got your money’s worth.”
“Yeah, I did,” I admit quietly, my heart growing heavy.
“Call him, Sammy. Talk to him.”
I shake my head. “I can’t, Mom. He made his feelings perfectly clear. I can’t be with someone who hates my brother so much.”
“Give him a chance. There’s a lot of history that won’t go away overnight but I bet, if given half the chance, they’ll do it for you.”
I remain silent, feeling uncertain. She didn’t see the way they attacked each other.
“Just think about it, honey,” she says. “Follow your heart, and it will lead you in the right direction.”
The problem is, my heart selfishly wants it all—him and my family—but deep down I know it’s not possible. So now I’m left with making a choice I’m not sure I can make.
CHAPTER 21
Jase
I park in front of the white and black two-story home and check to make sure I have the right address before climbing out of my rental truck.
Instantly, I’m hit with a heat wave.
Jesus, I’ve never felt sun like this and the humidity doesn’t help. We get hot summers but not like this, this heat is damn near suffocating.
As I head up the porch steps, the front door opens and out steps Mrs. Evans, wearing a floppy sun hat and carrying a watering can.
She falters at the sight of me, her eyes flaring in surprise. “Jase!”
“Mrs. Evans,” I greet her with a nod. “I’m sorry to show up unannounced like this, but I was hoping I could speak with you and Mr. Evans for a few minutes. If he’s around that is…”
She stares at me for a few more seconds before some of the shock begins to wear off. “Of course, please come in.” She steps back inside and holds the door open for me.
“Thanks.” I’m thankful for the blast of cold air that greets me as I enter. “I guess air conditioning is a must down here,” I remark, trying to break some of the awkward tension.
She smiles, one that reminds me so much of her daughter’s. It’s easy to see who Sam takes after in the family. “The heat is definitely different in the South but you tend to get used to it.”
Good to know.
She eyes me for a moment, something flashing in her soft green eyes just before she reaches up and grasps my chin, turning my face to the side. “You look as bad as my son.”
As ashamed as I should feel right now, I can’t deny how happy I am to know that fucker didn’t walk away unscathed either.
“I’m pretty sure it’s even the same eye,” she adds, studying my faded bruising.
“Huh. What a coincidence.”
Her smile indicates she knows I’m full of shit, but thankfully, she doesn’t call me out on it. “Let me get John. He’s in his study. Can I get you something to drink while you wait?”
“I’m okay, thanks though.”
She gestures over to the living room. “Go on and have a seat. We’ll join you in a moment.”
Removing my shoes, I head over and take a seat on the plush leather couch. I take in the formal sitting area and pick up a family photo that sits on the end table next to me, my eyes immediately drawing to the girl I’ve missed so fucking much this past week. Her sparkling green irises and bright smile penetrating my chest as if she were standing right in front of me.
I’m not sure how much time has passed before I hear someone clear their throat.
“Shit!” The picture slips from my hands but I catch it before it hits the ground and place it back on the table. Standing, I turn and face my father’s sworn enemy, the same man who also happens to be the father of my enemy and the girl I love.
The last one is the only one that matters.
“Mr. Evans,” I greet him, extending my hand.
“Jase.” He accepts my gesture with a firm handshake but his expression remains somber.
“Why don’t we sit down,” Mrs. Evans says, taking her husband’s hand before bringing him down on the love seat next to her. “Are you sure I can’t get you anything
, Jase? Coffee? Soda?”
“I’m okay but thanks.” An awkward silence fills the room as I sit across from them. “I’m sure you guys are wondering why I’m here.”
“I think I might have an idea,” she answers with a soft smile, though there’s no denying the flash of sadness that suddenly enters her eyes. “I had a big talk with my daughter yesterday. She filled me in on a lot of things…including Grant.”
“She did?” I ask in surprise.
She nods. By the pain that washes over her expression, I assume she really does know everything about that bastard. “To be honest, I’m still trying to wrap my head around it,” she whispers, her chin quivering as she fights to hold in the tears shining in her eyes. “My heart is having a hard time understanding how someone could hurt her like that.” Her breath hitches. “It kills me to know she was so alone.” The last of her words fall on a sob, hitting me like a punch to the chest.
John wraps an arm around her and pulls her in close, his expression depicting the same anger I feel.
“She wasn’t alone. She had me,” I tell her quietly, my own voice gruff and raw.
She gives me a weak smile. “She told me. Thank you for stepping in and helping her. I’d hate to think what would have happened that night had you not shown up.”
“No need to thank me. I just wish I could have gotten there sooner. He deserves a hell of a lot more than what he got.”
John’s furious gaze snaps to mine, his eyes blazing with anger. “It’s not over. That son of a bitch is going to pay for touching her.”
His fury is something I can relate to. It ignites inside of me every time I think about that bastard striking her.
Sniffling, Catherine swipes at her tears. “What you did for her means a lot to us, and I know the past couple of months has meant a lot to Sam as well.”
Her final words instill some hope in me once more. “They’ve meant a lot to me, too. Which is why I’m here.” I pause, not knowing how to start. In the end, I decide it’s best to just come right out and say it. “I’m in love with your daughter, and I plan to ask her to marry me.”
Catherine’s eyes widen in shock while John’s narrow. “Marriage,” he says, his disapproval evident. “Don’t you think it’s a little soon for that?”
“I know it may seem that way, sir, but time has no bearing when it comes to what Sam and I have together,” I tell him honestly. “When you know, you know. And I know I will never love anyone as much as I love her.”
By the smile that takes over Catherine’s face, it was clearly the right thing to say. Her husband, however, still doesn’t seem convinced.
“Listen, Jase. I appreciate everything you’ve done for my daughter but…” He shakes his head. “We just got her back and after everything that has happened she needs to be close to her family. I don’t think it’s a good idea for her to go anywhere right now.”
“I have no intention of taking her anywhere. I’ve been granted a transfer to the Charleston Fire Department and start in two weeks.”
Catherine gasps in surprise. “You’re moving here?”
“Hopefully. That will be up to Sam.”
They continue to stare at me, speechless.
I blow out a heavy breath, realizing this isn’t turning out the way I had hoped. “Look. I’ve made mistakes but I love your daughter, and I’ll do anything to make her happy. I’m just asking you to let me be a part of her life, too.”
“Oh, Jase.” Catherine stands, tears streaming down her face again. I push to my feet as she walks over to me and am surprised when her arms wrap around my waist. “This means so much to me, and I know it will to Sam, too.”
“I hope so, but I know having support from the both of you will mean even more.”
“Well, you have mine,” she says, lifting some of the weight off my chest. She looks over at her husband who still doesn’t seem keen on the idea. “He gave up everything for her, John. He loves her.”
Silence fills the room, his blank expression making me more nervous by the second.
“What if I say no?”
I debate for only a second about how to answer that before settling on the truth. “I’ll ask her anyway.”
He grunts but thankfully doesn’t knock me out for being honest. “It’s not just me you have to worry about. There’s my son, too. Sammy cares what he thinks.”
I nod. “I know, and I plan to do my part. I get that there’s some bad history between our families, but with all do respect, sir, that has no bearing on how I feel about your daughter. And for Sam’s sake, I hope we can move past it because I plan to fight for her, no matter what.”
“Good boy,” Catherine praises, giving my waist an encouraging squeeze.
“I guess Ben and I are to blame for a lot of this,” he mumbles. “And it helps that you smashed that bastard’s face in.”
“I will smash in anyone’s face that hurts her, including mine,” I tell him, praying it sways his decision.
Smirking, he finally gives me the approval I seek. “Ah hell, as long as you treat her good then you have no problems with me.”
The breath I’ve been holding in since I showed up here releases on a heavy exhale. “Thank you, sir. I promise to take good care of her.”
“Don’t thank me yet. You still have my son to deal with and he’s not going to crack as easily.”
“I guess we’ll see, I’m headed over there next.”
“Oh dear,” Catherine breathes nervously. “Maybe you ought to go with him, John.”
“No.” I dismiss the suggestion right away. “No disrespect, Mrs. Evans, but this is something Sawyer and I need to do on our own.”
She sighs. “Fine, but you boys better keep your cool. No fighting in front of my grandbabies.”
“No fighting,” I promise, hoping it’s one I can keep.
“I know my son can be a hothead. He comes by it honestly,” she says, shooting a look John’s way. “But he loves his sisters very much, especially Sam, and he wants her to be happy, like the rest of us. You tell him what you just told us and I’m sure things will work out.”
I wouldn’t be so sure of that, but I’m going to damn well try, even if it kills me.
“Beware though, his house is stocked full of guns,” John adds with a smirk.
Fucking great!
*
Letting go of a grudge I’ve had for so long might be one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. I’ve been trying to recall when it all started between Evans and me but can’t nail down an exact moment. There isn’t a time I can remember ever liking him. We’ve always butted heads, on and off the ice.
It made me realize that maybe the history between our fathers really did play a significant role in our own rivalry. However, it didn’t end with them. The moment he fucked Stephanie he took it to a whole new level. It has nothing to do with her because, if I’m being honest, it’s not like I ever planned a future with her. Far from it. She was just someone I killed time with. Time that I regret and always will. But him fucking her had everything to do with me. He saw an opportunity to one-up me and he crossed a line. It still pisses me off when I think about it but I’ve made the decision to get over it.
Stephanie wasn’t worth fighting over but Sam is, and I plan to fight until the very end.
I turn off the gravel road and head down the long, paved driveway leading up to his Victorian house in the country and park next to a black Escalade. Knowing this is going to be even harder than what I just did with Sam’s parents, I swallow every bit of pride I have and exit the truck.
Grace tentatively steps out of the house as I approach, clearly expecting my arrival. She stands at the top of her porch, wearing a soft pink apron over a yellow sundress, twisting a dishtowel nervously in her hands.
“Sweetness, it’s been a long time,” I greet her, deciding to break the ice first.
“I see you haven’t changed one bit, Jase Crawford.”
“Of course not. Why would I change perfectio
n?”
She shakes her head but there’s no denying the small smirk that curls the edge of her lips. It quickly softens though, her expression becoming somber as she descends the steps to stand in front of me. “My kids are home. I don’t want any trouble here.”
“Who said anything about trouble?”
“Yours and my husband’s battered faces prove you are both nothing but trouble.”
I shrug. “He hit me first.”
A bitter laugh escapes her, but there’s no amusement behind it. I decide to cut the shit, feeling bad for how anxious she looks.
“Listen, Grace. I’m not here to cause problems. I swear. I’m trying to put an end to this once and for all.”
She watches me, still hesitant.
“I’m in love with her. I’m here for her…that’s all.”
She sighs. “All right. Go on and have a seat on the porch. I’m going to go have the same discussion with my husband. I’ll bring ya out some sweet tea in a minute.”
“Sounds good, sweetness.”
“Jase,” she growls, slapping me with her dishtowel. “Cut the sweetness and go sit your ass down now,” she orders, pointing to the wicker chairs on the porch.
I chuckle but do as she says, not wanting to piss her off more. I’m going to need her if things don’t go well. “You’re not going to send my sweet tea out with your husband, are you?” I ask, taking a seat.
She frowns. “No. Why?”
“Because I don’t need that shit poisoned. That’s why.”
I wouldn’t put it past the asshole.
No. Not asshole. He is not an asshole. He is the brother of the girl I love.
She smirks. “No. My daughter will bring it out to you. Be good and I might even give you a slice of pie, too.”
“I’m always good.”
Her scoff has me chuckling as she heads back inside.
Minutes pass as I sit in the sweltering heat under a ceiling fan that offers little breeze before I hear the creak of the screen door. Looking over, I watch two kids walk out. The little girl looks exactly like her mom but has the same green eyes as her dad and aunt. And a boy who looks exactly like his father but is way cuter…in my opinion.