Beginning of Forever (Heaven Hill #7)

by Laramie Briscoe

  “That can’t be right, y’all did an extensive search and nothing turned up. Besides the adoption is legal and binding. Don’t freak out about it now.”

  Meredith knew Jennifer was right, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was going to come of this. Since Stephanie had come to be at the center, she’d had an odd feeling about her; that was why she’d taken the picture of the plates and had Travis run them.

  That was it, the plates. Meredith had to know what he’d found out, and she had to know now. “I’ll be back, I have to run to the shop,” she told Jennifer.

  “Are you sure you should be driving? You seem a little high-strung.”

  “I’m fine,” Meredith assured her. “Don’t you dare call Tyler. I’ll see him in a few minutes; he’s working at the shop today.”

  Grabbing her purse, she made her way out of the building and got into her SUV. It was lucky on her part that Tyler was working today, because when she came in there like a bat out of hell questioning Travis, Tyler would not let it go. He would demand answers, and as the VP, he had a right to those answers.

  Her mind raced a mile a minute as she made her way down Louisville Road towards the shop. There were so many questions she had. Number one was where was Stephanie now? Was she still a threat? Something told her that they hadn’t seen the last of the woman, and perhaps she’d just been biding her time, waiting until they forgot about her. It had worked, because Meredith hadn’t thought of her in months, not until the incident report today. Had Travis been keeping an eye on her, or had Christine? Anger coursed through her body. How dare they keep something like this from her? This involved her daughter.

  She couldn’t tell anyone how she had gotten to the shop. Within minutes, she looked up and there she was. As she parked, Tyler was coming out of one of the bays, wiping his hands on a grease rag.

  “You okay, babe?” he asked as she got out of the car.

  Her gaze honed in on Travis, and even from a distance, she could see his mouth move and see the oh shit. “I’m fine,” she told him, her voice strong. “But he’s not.” She pointed at the communications officer, aware that they had drawn a crowd. Everyone had abandoned their post, including Roni, who normally sat in the office.

  “Mer,” he started.

  She held up her hand. “Don’t. You have some serious explaining to do.”

  Tyler looked back and forth between the two of them before he stood next to his wife, putting his arm around her. “And I have no idea what the fuck is going on, so you better be flapping some gums. Otherwise, I can’t promise what’s gonna happen. When it comes to her—I hit first and ask questions later.”

  Travis glanced at Liam, silently begging for help, but knew at this moment he was on his own. He’d made decisions, and now he had to stand behind them.

  ‡

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  “What the hell is going on?” Tyler asked again, this time not nearly as nice.

  “Let’s take it inside the office,” Travis said, marching towards it.

  Liam followed and Tyler looked around. “Why are you coming too? Did you have a hand in this?”

  “Stop jumpin’ to conclusions and let us talk to you,” Liam told his friend, pushing him through the office and shutting the door.

  Meredith had a seat and motioned for Tyler to do the same. Nothing would get accomplished if he stood there, arms folded across his chest, attitude in full effect.

  “Did you know that Stephanie was Addie’s aunt?” she asked quietly, throwing a pointed look at Travis.

  “What the fuck?” Tyler glared at his two brothers, walking up to Liam and getting in his face. “You knew that and you didn’t tell someone? That woman was living at CRISIS, around Meredith every goddamn day. Addie was there with her sometimes. What the fuck were you thinking?”

  “I’ll accept a lot from you, my man,” Liam told him. “But get outta my face. Don’t piss me off.”

  It had been a very long time since Meredith had heard Liam speak with that much authority. He wasn’t like he had been when she’d first come here, he didn’t throw it around anymore. When he did speak, people listened. She grabbed Tyler’s hand and pulled him down to the seat next to her. “There are questions that they have answers to, let them answer.”

  “When Travis came to me and told me who Stephanie was—it took him a while; there were birth records to go through and family trees—I told him to keep it under wraps. He did what he was supposed to do, he told me about the situation and asked how he should handle it. At the time, the two of you were both completely stressed out, and you deserved that trip to Gatlinburg. You deserved to have a great time and not worry about the bullshit back at home.”

  “But we did come home,” Tyler reminded him.

  “You did, but by that time Stephanie was long gone. After Christine and Jennifer confronted her, she hightailed it out of here.”

  Tyler tried very hard to keep emotions out of this and to be patient with the people he knew only wanted the best for him. “Do we know where she went?”

  “We do,” Travis answered. “She got a job with the trucking company that we’ve been doing runs for. Every time we hit Upton, we pay her a visit and remind her of who we are. She knows that we know who she is. So far she hasn’t made a move yet.”

  “So far.” He ran an agitated hand through his hair. “When were you planning on telling us?”

  Liam had a seat on the desk and looked his friend in the eye. “Never. The two of you are that little girl’s parents, and Stephanie lost any rights to her when the adoption went through. What the two of you did was by the book, and no court can overturn. She is no threat to you.”

  “You stupid son of a bitch,” Tyler roared. “Why did she come here? Of all places she could come? I’m tellin’ you right now, Liam. Best friend or not, anything happens to my wife or my kid, we’re done.”

  “Tyler.” Meredith reached over to grab his hand, her tone gentle. “Stop. This is not worth ruining a friendship over.”

  “No, I get it,” Liam cut her off. “He’s pissed ’cause we kept a secret, and I understand that, but you direct that anger all toward me. Travis did what I told him to. I’m sick of you having to watch over your shoulder, I’m sick of you not thinking you deserve this life you have. I’m here to tell you that I got you, and that’s why I didn’t tell you. Have your hissy fit and take a swing at me if you feel like you need to, I’ll give ya one for free, but it’s time to put that chip on your shoulder away, where it belongs. The life you’ve got now is the one you’ve always wanted. Enjoy the fuck out of it.”

  The air was ice cold in the office as Tyler’s leg shook. “You done?”

  “Yeah, I am, and I hope you are too.”

  Both Liam and Tyler left, slamming doors and cursing loudly, leaving Meredith and Travis in their wake.

  “I’m sorry,” Travis told her.

  His voice was soft, and she could tell by the expression on his face that he was. “I know, I just wish you would have been honest.”

  “I didn’t think I had to be. Y’all deserve to live happy and not to have to worry about shit all the time.”

  “Believe it or not, Tyler Blackfoot is not all gloom and doom.” She smiled.

  Travis gave her a half-grin back but stood and glanced out the office window. “I’m pretty sure right now, though, storm clouds are rollin’ in.”

  She followed his gaze and realized that he was right. Her husband was so not happy.

  *

  Later on in the day, Liam had finally calmed down enough to try to approach Tyler. He knew it wasn’t going to be easy; hell, he knew Tyler would make it as difficult as he could, but he couldn’t take the distance between them. They’d been best friends for too long.

  “Are you still pissed at me?” he asked, as he stood beside where Tyler was bent over, working on a car.

  A grunt could be heard from under the hood.

  “Was that a yes or a no? I don’t speak caveman.”<
br />
  Tyler slowly levered himself up from where he was bent. “It’s an ‘I don’t know’. I understand exactly where you’re coming from, and to be honest, I may have done the same thing myself. But there’s another part of me that’s furious you could have put us all in danger.”

  “I promise you, we’re watching Meredith. She’s not ever been in any danger. I wouldn’t do that to you. If something happened to her, we would lose you. You’re my best friend, I can’t lose you. That’s why I came over here to fix this. I don’t say I’m sorry for the most part, and you know that. I will, however, admit I could have gone about it a different way, and I could have been honest when you came back from Gatlinburg,” Liam admitted as he scratched his neck. It was a nervous tick that he’d never been able to get rid of.

  “And I can tell you that I accept your apology, but the fact of the matter still stands. If Meredith or either one of my children get hurt because this information was withheld from me, I’m gonna kick some ass.” His tone was matter-of-fact. He made no apologies.

  “We’ve been friends long enough that I can tell you, I wouldn’t expect anything less from you.”

  They stood in silence, both lost in their thoughts.

  “A boy, huh?” Liam held out his hand, congratulating Tyler for the first time.

  “Yeah.” The smile on the big man’s face was bright enough that it could be seen from the moon. “I’m terrified,” he admitted. “What the fuck am I gonna do with a boy?”

  “You’re gonna treat him just like you treat Drew. Don’t think I don’t know what Drew talks to you about, how he looks up to you. I’m thankful as hell that Drew has you in his life. To be honest, it’s always been you who showed me how to be a dad.”

  Tyler flinched, not sure he’d heard the words correctly. “What?”

  “When Mandy and Drew came to live here with Denise, I was originally just gonna treat them like friends, but then I saw you with Drew, I saw how you buddied up with him and gently pushed him in the right direction. If it weren’t for you, he wouldn’t be getting up and workin’ out every morning. He’s not callin’ me to find out if I’m gonna be up at the ass crack of dawn with him. I took your example and used it in different ways. You’re gonna be an amazing dad. You’re a father figure to every single one of the men in this club. You may not know it, but everyone works for and wants your respect,” Liam told him. It didn’t feel weird to make the admission that he also did. “Hell, even me. I want to make you proud, just like the rest of ’em do. There’s somethin’ about you Blackfoot—you inspire people. You’re gonna be a great father. Don’t ever doubt that.”

  Tyler was speechless, and emotion welled up in his chest. They were emotions that he hadn’t felt in a very long time. It was funny how both of them thought the same thing about the other. “Thank you.”

  Liam hugged his best friend close. “Nah, thank you. If it wasn’t for you…none of us would be here. I know that for a fact.”

  ‡

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  “Liam!”

  He glanced up from where he sat at the head of the table in the clubhouse. He, along with Tyler, Jagger, and Layne, were working out the new protection runs for the month of December. They were about to get much busier than they’d been in a long time. The men had been in the middle of deep conversation when Denise came storming in.

  “Hey, baby.” The smile he gave her was uncertain. He was completely unsure as why she would be so pissed off.

  “Don’t baby me!”

  “You pissed?” he asked, not because he was stupid, but because he was curious. He wasn’t ready to argue with anyone tonight, especially his wife.

  “What was your first clue? I found this,” she reached into her jeans pocket and produced a ripped empty condom wrapper, “in the truck.”

  “Oh damn.” Tyler chuckled, crossing his arms over his chest. He sat back to watch whatever this was unfold. He had a very good idea of whose it was, but he wasn’t about to mention names.

  “That ain’t mine! We don’t even use condoms, we’re married. Besides, I haven’t driven that damn truck in over a month,” he defended himself.

  She crossed her arms over her chest and leveled him with a gaze. “Then who the fuck has? You’re the one at Wet Wanda’s every other night making sure those girls don’t get harassed when they leave. Which you know I’m not even comfortable with. I know you don’t go there as much as you used to, but it still seems like a shitty way to make money to me.”

  The group as a whole was quiet for a few moments while they all tried to wrack their brains. Jagger snapped his fingers. “Wait, didn’t Drew take Charity home the night before last? Jasmine had to stay late and didn’t want Charity to have to wait on her. Drew jumped at the chance.”

  “He did.” Liam winced as he heard the sharp intake of breath from his wife. He’d worked hard to keep this secret. Shit.

  “What was my eighteen-year-old son doing at Wet Wanda’s? You and he both know I don’t want him there—even if Charity is there. I don’t care that he’s old enough to get in, I thought y’all respected me enough not to go behind my back.” She was shaking, she was so angry. Denise knew she shouldn’t be this angry, but she wanted more for her son than what she’d had for herself.

  Liam ran a hand down his face and scratched the beard that covered his chin. “Baby, he’s a man, who’s been with Charity for a long time. I think we should be thankful he’s using protection.” Dear God, please don’t let her find out about Mandy.

  “I can’t believe I’m hearing this bullshit from you. He just turned eighteen, and I had no idea he and Charity were this serious.” She thrust the condom wrapper on the table. “They should be thinkin’ about where they wanna go to college.”

  Standing up, Liam grabbed his wife’s hands and brought them to his mouth, hoping to calm her down with sweet kisses. “Look, let me talk to our son, okay? I think he’ll be less embarrassed if it’s me.”

  She thought for a moment, and then tears sprang to her eyes. “I can’t wrap my head around the fact that he’s having sex. He’s too young; he’s got too many things to do with his life.”

  The group of men laughed at her distress. Pulling her into his arms, Liam nuzzled her neck. “Just calm down, okay. Things are going to be fine.”

  “I’m too young to be a grandmother. A grandmother at 38. This can’t happen.”

  He laughed and brushed a kiss along her neck. “You stay down here and hang out with the girls. I think Meredith and Bianca are in the kitchen. Meredith had a craving for cookies now that she can finally eat sweets again. Why don’t you go in there and talk with them for a bit?”

  Nodding, she shuffled out of the room and walked towards the kitchen, sniffling as she did.

  “Holy shit.” Liam breathed as he had a seat back down in his chair. “That boy almost got my nuts chopped off, or at the very least a night on the couch. Fuck. I’m too old for this shit.”

  Tyler laughed, running a hand through his long hair. “Well, at least the cat’s outta the bag and he doesn’t have to be sneaking around anymore.”

  “Oh, he’ll still be sneakin’ around.” Liam took a long drag from the cigarette he had sitting in the ash tray at his side. “He ain’t having sex in the house. I can’t deal with Denise if that happens. He’ll obviously find a way to get it taken care of. He’s a man now, and that’s just something you deal with. He’s not a little boy anymore, and that’s the problem.”

  “Yeah, that’s the truth. We’re still working out every morning, and he can almost out lift me now,” Tyler conceded.

  “Y’all do me a favor and finish the rest of this schedule. I gotta go talk to my son before Denise has a nervous breakdown.”

  *

  Liam checked the clock on his cell phone and saw that it was after four in the afternoon. He was almost positive that Drew didn’t have any kind of practice this particular day, or any kind of extracurricular activities at school. It was the Friday that began the
ir Christmas break, so he knew Drew would be home. Deciding to forego the bike for once, he got into the truck Denise had driven and made his way to the house. When he crested the hill, he saw a cute little Honda sitting out in front, and he knew that car belonged to Charity.

  “Damn,” he sighed. He really did not want to walk in on what he was almost positive he was going to walk in on.

  Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his cell phone and dialed Drew’s number. It rang a few times and then went straight to voice mail. Parking the truck, he dialed the number again and this time it didn’t ring before going to voicemail. As a last resort, he honked the horn twice before getting out of the truck and pounding up the stairs of the front porch.

  Hesitantly, he opened the front door, and he breathed when he saw no one in the living room. Stopping for a moment, he listened, and that’s when heard shuffling on the back porch. “Drew!” he bellowed.

  “Back here,” he called out.

  Liam purposely took a few minutes to get out there, and when he did, Drew was busy buttoning his jeans, and Charity was pulling her shirt over her head. Both of them were red in the face, and they were breathing very heavily.

  “Charity, I need to talk to Drew. I think it’d be best if you left, honey,” he told the young girl.

  She nodded before walking over and kissing Drew on the cheek. “I’ll call you,” she whispered.

  “As soon as I’m done here, I’ll just come get you,” he told her as he slowly ran a hand over her back, squeezing her around the waist.

  “I’d rethink that if I was you,” Liam warned, his eyes burning a hole through his son.

  Charity looked like she wanted to say something, but quickly made her way out of the house. Liam walked over to the other side of the screened-in porch, watching her as she left. It gave him time to collect his thoughts and think about how he wanted to play this. Hell, he had been this boy not too many years before. When he turned around, Drew had put a shirt over his body and was sitting on one of the couches. Liam had done enough interrogations to know that even though Drew sat with his legs spread and his hands between his knees in what appeared to be a relaxed pose, he was anything but.