Rebuilding Stone (The Stone Brother Series Book 2)

by Saint John, T.

  My job is to serve and protect, and I can’t even protect the most important person in my life.

  Chapter 11

  Kerrigan

  I walk into Lani’s hospital room. I hate feeling like she’s in here because of me. Thankfully, she's okay. They are just keeping her overnight for observation. Lani is awake and calls me over to the bed. She extends her arm, and I take it as I sit next to her.

  “Lani, I’m so sorry.”

  “Please, Kerrigan, don’t be. Don’t beat yourself up over this. I’m glad I was there.”

  I’m not happy she was there. I hate that people I love are greatly risking themselves to save me.

  I have to just blurt it out and finally say it out loud, ““Lani, I’m moving to Kentucky.” I can see Lani start to tear up, but she knows it’s what’s best.

  “When?” she asks.

  “I am going to talk with Molly. I don’t know for sure, hopefully soon.”

  “Will you come back?”

  “Honestly, Lani, I don’t know. Maybe.”

  “Maddox is going to be devastated,” Lani states. Yes, I know. He is the reason I haven’t left yet. He is unfinished business, but leaving means everyone is safe.

  “I know—I have to leave, though. I love you, Lani; you’re my best friend. Promise me that you’ll let the high school incident go. I don’t want to worry about you being in danger. Please!”

  “I can’t let it go, Kerrigan,” Lani replies, “I’ve tried. We were almost raped. Missy was.”

  “You could be putting yourself in danger. Please let Maddox take care of it,” I plead with her.

  “No—I hate that I’m so scared all the time!” Lani’s scared?

  “You’re scared? Why, Lani?” I realize now that this has been a one-sided friendship for far too long.

  “Because I can’t live! I can’t have fun—I can’t relax. I think every man is a rapist, a bastard. I sleep with science club nerds because they’re who I feel safe with.”

  “Lani, I love you, but please, let this go. Turn it over to Maddox.”

  “Kerrigan, I need this. I need to face what’s been holding me back. I need to do this—for me.”

  “Promise me, if you ever feel like it’s too dangerous, you’ll turn to Maddox. Trust me, I am speaking from experience.” If I had reached out early on, none of us would be in this hospital right now.

  “That I can promise. I feel like I’m so close to finding out the truth about that night.”

  After Lani is done talking, I realize that Lani, Missy, nor I ever moved on from that night. As much as I hate the danger I think she is putting herself in, I don’t want to stop her because I know how it feels, standing up to a man who has scared you for so long. It makes you feel strong—and almost unbreakable.

  Maddox

  I’m sitting outside of Lani’s hospital room. Of course, I am thinking about all the ways I’ve failed Kerrigan again. I called Noah, who apparently called Evan because he came rushing to my side. I need to start calling Evan first because Noah is turning into a gossip. I let out a little laugh.

  “Any word?” Evan asks.

  “It looks like Aaron will remain in jail.” This time, he can’t say it was a coincidence.

  “And Alani?”

  I hold back my laugh. “She’s fine. They did a CAT scan, everything looked good. She has a bump on the back of her head. They are keeping her just as a precaution.”

  “What happened?” Evan asks.

  “When I got there Aaron had Kerrigan on the bed trying to...” I can’t say it.

  “You got there. That’s all that matters.”

  “Not soon enough. He violated Lani and was trying to rape Kerrigan.” I hang my head as the image comes back to me.

  “What the fuck do you mean violated Alani?” Evan jumps out of his seat and starts pacing. Lately, I’m seeing a side of Evan I didn’t know existed. It makes me wonder who Evan really is.

  “I guess he ran his tongue along her neck. He shoved her into the wall afterward….”

  Evan keeps pacing the floor and his fists are clenched. He undoes his tie and loosens the top button of his shirt. He is barely holding it together.

  He finally breaks the silence.

  “I need to speak with Kerrigan. Is she in there?” Again, I want to laugh. I know he just wants to see for himself if Lani is okay.

  “Yeah, let’s go.” I lead the way and open the door, and what I see kills me. Two best friends in an embrace. I clear my throat to let them know we are here. Kerrigan just turns her head slightly to the side and looks back at Lani. I don’t know what else to do, so I sit in the seat next to Lani and grab her free hand. I know my behavior has been self-centered and focused on Kerrigan, leaving everyone else open for attack. I need to get my head on straight, too. I have no idea how to do that, with all this shit going on.

  “How are you feeling, Lani?” I ask.

  “I’m fine. No pain whatsoever. I wish they’d let me go home,” Lani says, irritated.

  “Well it’s better that you’re here,” Evan says.

  “Why are you here?” Lani asks Evan.

  “To check on both of you and see if either of you need anything.”

  “Yeah, right. Probably wanting to check and see how much longer you’ll be working for free,” Lani smarts off.

  “You know what, fuck you, Alani!” Evan gets up and storms out. I go after him because I know she struck a nerve with him. When I get to the hall, I see him push the elevator button.

  “Evan, wait up!” I call out, jogging down the hallway.

  “WHAT?”

  I swear I want to laugh. “You see what Noah and I mean now?” I jokingly ask.

  “No, I’m just trying to help. That bitch doesn’t know when to stop, though.”

  “Whatever, man.” I let it go because they are both adults and will work this shit out on their own.

  “Do me a favor, Maddox. Stop touching Alani,” Evan says as he enters the elevator.

  Kerrigan

  I am meeting Molly for lunch today. I plan to ask her if it’s still okay to take her up on her offer to move to Kentucky. My face lights up when Molly walks in, pushing her gorgeous son in the stroller. She is due any day now and is huge. There is no other word for it. I feel bad thinking it, but she is about to pop. I stand up to give her a hand. I feel bad making her get out of her home, but with her on maternity leave, I had no other choice.

  “Hey, girl,” Molly says, as she comes in for a hug.

  “Hi! How are you doing?” I ask, happy to feel concerned for someone else.

  “Oh, you know, I have a man child in my belly, Noah works non-stop, and Landon is just like his daddy—non-stop. My parents are coming up so that will help.”

  “They are?” I wonder how long they plan to stay.

  “Yeah,” she replies. “I am being induced next week if this boy doesn’t show up before then.”

  “What? Oh my God. I wanted to talk to you about taking you up on the offer of staying with your parents.”

  Molly’s face drops.

  “You know, even though my parents will be here,” she says, “my best friend Kelly just got a new place. Trust me, she’d love to have you. I should warn you, she is a little weird. Okay, a lot weird. Then, when my parents get back, they can help you get set up with your own place.”

  “I don’t want to intrude. I don’t mind waiting.”

  “No, Kerrigan, as much as I’m going to miss you, you need to go. Noah and I make the drive down every other month. It’s only seven hours. I would love it if you can stay and see Lane, though.”

  “Lane?” I ask. Molly points to her belly.

  “Alright,” I say, “I’ll stick around to meet the new Stone. That will give me time to sort through things and make sure Ari will be okay.”

  “Kerrigan, can we have a small going away on Friday at Hansons?” asks Molly. For the first time in a long time, I feel free to say yes.

  “Yes, but only a small on
e.”

  Maddox

  My phone is ringing. It’s Molly. I almost don’t want to answer. Molly nearing the end of her pregnancy is no fun. She knows she can vent to me about her Noah problems, so she does. Frequently. I wonder if it was a toilet seat left up or an empty milk jug this time? I laugh before answering.

  “Hey, my nephew’s baby momma.”

  “Maddox, I need your help.”

  “Name it. Everything okay?”

  “Oh, yeah,” she replies, “but I need help with who I should invite for Kerrigan’s going away party.”

  WHAT THE FUCK? WHAT?

  “What do you mean Kerrigan’s going away party?”

  “Well, she is moving to Kentucky next week. I am giving her a going away party on Friday.”

  “Dammit, Molly, was this your dumb idea?”

  “It’s not a dumb idea. It’s the right idea for her, Maddox.”

  “No, it’s not, Molly. She should be here with friends and family...to be around her support system.”

  “I agree, but right now she doesn’t want that. She isn’t going to move on until this court date comes and goes. Right now, she is under a tremendous amount of stress. She needs to get away.”

  Even though this is killing me, I want Kerrigan to do what will make her happy.

  “What time?” I ask.

  “8:30,” Molly responds.

  “I don’t know who to invite. I say the usual people.”

  I hang up and find my running shoes. I want so badly to go to her place to let her know I’ll go with her, or that she could move in with me. As I take off on my jog, I start getting pissed, reminiscing about my life.

  I was two when my mom left me alone in the dark house. Of course, I don’t have any memories of it. I can only hope I slept through it and didn’t wake up afraid. Dad always blamed me, saying I cried all the time and that mom couldn’t deal with me. For years, I thought Noah and Evan blamed me. I know they don’t now, but I still wonder if they ever did.

  I’ve always felt incomplete. I don’t feel whole or worthy of love. Yes, I know my brothers love me; they’re my best friends. If Noah was ever around when dad was hitting me, he’d do something quickly like break a glass or something so that our father would hit him instead. I hated that. It always made me feel like I couldn’t take it, but they could. Evan was always there to pick up the pieces and talk to me. He reminded me that it wasn’t my fault. How could it not be my fault, though? Mom made sure they were out and taken care of. Me, she just abandoned. She discarded me like I meant nothing.

  I stop running to get off this train of thought. Loving my nephews the way I do makes me realize how innocent children are. Trust me, Landon is a handful, but there is no way any of us could even imagine walking out on him.

  I understand Kerrigan needs to leave. I know I shouldn’t take it personally, but with what I’ve been through, it does feel personal. I’m easy to leave and not worth staying for. Why?

  Chapter 12

  Kerrigan

  I’m in the bathroom getting ready for my going away party. I admit it’s more fun getting ready now. Sometimes, I find myself hesitating thinking that I shouldn’t wear something. Then, I realize I don’t have to worry about how short or revealing my outfit is. Tonight, I picked out a pair of short jean shorts and a pink tank top. I've gained a few pounds since the attack because I haven't been nearly as active. The benefit is I fill out the tank top a little more.

  It’s hard to believe that it’s almost been five months since Aaron almost killed me. In some ways, I’ve moved forward, and, in some ways, I’m still stuck in that place with Aaron. Tonight, I will try not to go there in my mind and be present with my friends. It’s my last day with them all together. At least, for a little while.

  When I walk out of the bathroom, I see Ari getting dressed. My sister is beautiful. She takes care of herself and her body is to die for. She’s around five foot six inches, light brown hair like mine, and the prettiest blue eyes I’ve ever seen. She’s not just beautiful but smart and funny too.

  “Hey, girl, you ready?”

  “Yes, Kerrigan. Let’s get going and start dancing. I’m so excited to get out.”

  When I see her smile I think, “Yes, I am too.” Spending time doing fun stuff with Ari is what I’ve always wanted.

  “Well, let’s get going so you can hit the dance floor.”

  Maddox

  I have mixed emotions tonight. I want to see Kerrigan out having a good time with her friends, but the reason she is doing it is killing me. I’m already at the bar with my brothers, Lani, Brayden, and Missy. Something draws my eyes to the door; my heart stops and I stop breathing as I see Kerrigan walk in. She is smiling like I haven’t seen in a long time. Kerrigan is tall and her tanned legs look sexy in those short shorts.

  I can tell that everyone here tonight is happy to see her and that Aaron isn’t allowed to be brought up not in thought and not in conversation. We all get up when she approaches the table. Kerrigan is hugging everyone. When she wraps her arms around me, I decide to tell her just how beautiful she is. I place my lips close to her ear.

  “You’re the only girl who has ever stopped my heart,” I say as I place a soft kiss on her ear.

  I don’t expect anything back so it shocks and pleases me when she whispers back.

  “You’re the only guy who has ever owned my heart.” She slowly pulls out of the hug and goes to sit next to Missy. I’m left standing in a daze. I want to take Kerrigan right now and head to Vegas, to put a ring on her finger and to love her the way she deserves. She can’t leave.

  “It’s nice seeing you, Missy. Congrats, I hear you just finished your Physical Therapy degree,” Kerrigan says to Missy. She has been back in school for the last couple of years.

  “Thanks. I’m glad it’s over. I feel like I had very little time for anything,” Missy explains.

  “Alright, who’s dancing with me?” my very pregnant sister-in-law asks.

  “I will if you promise not to go into labor on the dance floor,” Kerrigan responds.

  We all watch our girls out on the floor. Mine is smiling and enjoying herself. I can tell she is happy, right now. All I can do is stare at her. I watch as her silky light brown hair sways back and forth, her ass shaking to the beat of the music. My dick is instantly hard. I try adjusting myself but I know this will be his position for the rest of the night. I notice a couple of fucks staring at her and I have the irrational urge to gut punch them. The music slows to Ed Sheeran’s ‘Thinking Out Loud.’

  “Well men, let’s go claim our women before those assholes try to make a move.” Noah says while giving a 'don’t fuck with my wife' glare at some men on the floor. I almost laugh. Molly is beautiful, but clearly limited to closeness. I mean she is nine months pregnant. I should be worried. Kerrigan starts walking off the floor. Before she gets back to the table, I walk up to her and place my hand on her arm.

  “Want to dance with me?” I ask. I see her smile drop and she suddenly looks nervous.

  “Maddox. I’m not ready. Not yet.”

  “I know, Kerrigan. It’s just a dance. For now, it’s just a dance.”

  “Alright.” Thank God, she agreed. I take her by the hand and guide her back out to the dance floor.

  She still looks nervous so I take the lead. I pull her as close as I possibly can without actually having my dick inside her. She doesn’t pull away and lays her head on my shoulder. I can feel her take a deep breath and exhale. There isn’t a single ounce of tension in her. In my arms, Kerrigan feels safe. I feel ten feet tall. I’ve wanted this closeness with her since the day I laid eyes on her.

  Kerrigan

  Maddox looks so good tonight. His jeans hug his hips in the right way and he’s in a simple white t-shirt that fits his arms perfectly. His dark black hair is styled with gel and spiked. His dark brown eyes just stare at me. He is showing me that he wants me without having to say any words. There is no other feeling in the world better than having Ma
ddox’s arms wrapped around me. I feel beautiful, wanted, loved, and protected. This feeling is weird to me. I’ve never felt this way, even with Aaron, in the early days.

  Earlier, when Maddox said I am the only girl who has ever stopped his heart, well, it stopped mine. I thought about not saying anything and keeping my feelings locked inside, but Maddox deserves to know what he means to me. I’m leaving, and I can’t let things go unsaid. I smile thinking about how he is trying to be a gentleman right now. The song stops and I decide to be the first one to make a move. Maddox is always putting forth effort in this relationship, and he is always met with my reluctance. Tonight, he won’t be. Maddox will know my feelings. He leans down to my ear.

  “Thank you,” Maddox whispers.

  “You forgot something,” I say.

  I’m so nervous. I’ve never made a move on a guy. He looks confused.

  “What?” he asks.

  I feel my lips trembling. I close my eyes. I can’t do this.

  “Kerrigan, what?”

  When I look up, I see the concern and love in his eyes. I might not have been able to get the words out before, but now I gather enough courage and place my hands on the back of his head. I get up on my tiptoes and kiss him. His lips are perfect against mine, but I immediately feel foolish. He isn’t kissing me back so I pull away.

  “Sorry,” I say.

  “For?” he asks.

  Maddox

  Holy shit, Kerrigan just kissed me. I didn’t kiss back because I was afraid I’d climb up inside her right here on the dance floor. My dick is hard and has been since the moment she walked in. When she laid her head on my shoulder and her beautiful clean scent filled my nose, it was all I could do to hold myself back. Why the hell is she apologizing?