All Because of You (Morgan's Bay Book 1)

by Theresa Paolo

  Dad’s mouth opened then snapped shut, and Mom’s eyes widened, and her face paled. . Dad shot up from the table. “I’m sorry. If you’ll excuse me.” Without another word, he hurried toward the front of the pub and shoved out the door.

  Olivia turned to the table. Mom stood, hitching her bag on her arm. “Olivia can you sign your Dad’s name and bring the card home with you tonight? Give yourself a good tip.” Mom went to scurry away when Olivia jumped in front of her.

  “Mom, what is going on?” Olivia looked at Shane over Mom’s shoulder, looking as confused as she felt.

  “I’m sure your father is just in shock.”

  “Shock about what?” A light bulb clicked to life in Olivia’s mind. “Did Dad know Shane’s dad?”

  Mom glanced at Shane then locked eyes with her. “He was his best friend.”

  Chapter 10

  Words and thoughts fled Shane. All he could do was watch as Olivia’s mom hurried after her husband. He tried to process the last two minutes.

  Best friends.

  Olivia’s dad was best friends with his dad. His dad had a best friend. Why didn’t Mom ever mention him? Surely she knew about the man. Shane thought coming to Morgan’s Bay would provide answers, but all he was finding were more questions. To make it worse, it seemed Mom could have answered a few if she would have been honest with him from the beginning. Why did she keep everything from him? And why suddenly the change of heart when she was dying?

  He looked up, as if Mom was there watching down on him and able to provide the answers, but all that was above him was the embossed tin ceiling.

  Olivia’s gentle touch landed on his bicep, knocking him out of his daze. He looked to her, shock in her big brown eyes and a tenderness that went straight to his heart. He swallowed at the unexpected emotion. He’d been avoiding relationships for so long, he forgot what it was like to have someone care about him.

  Which was something he’d have to straighten out when his head was clear. Caring about him would put Olivia on a one-way street to regret.

  “Are you okay?” she asked, her voice a mere whisper, yet he managed to hear it above the constant chatter surrounding them.

  He nodded, unsure if he could form words just yet. Her hand tightened on his arm, giving a comforting squeeze. He glanced at her, curiosity overtaking his thoughts. “Did you know?”

  “I had no idea. I would have said something. Thinking back, it all makes sense now.”

  “Why is that?”

  Olivia looked around and shook her head, before guiding him toward the bathrooms and away from curious ears. The alcove for the bathrooms was small and made even smaller with the two of them facing each other.

  Earlier he had thoughts of dragging her back here, lifting her up by her ass, her legs wrapping around him as he devoured her with another kiss. He finally got her back here, but circumstances were much different, though, he wouldn’t mind forgetting about what he just learned and taking her mouth with his.

  Desire won out, and he leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers. She squeaked in surprise, then her body relaxed, stepping into him. He ran his hand down the curve of her leg and stopped himself from grabbing a handful and lifting her against the wall. He pulled back, resting his head on her forehead, remembering why they were here in the first place.

  “You were saying,” he said with a smile, trying to keep the moment light.

  She inhaled, her chest rising and falling, pushing her breasts higher. “If you remember that embarrassing car ride home from the train station, Milo said I had a bit of an obsession with the McConnells.”

  “Oh, I remember quite well. Makes me wonder if that’s the only reason you tolerate me.”

  She swatted his chest then smiled. “Doesn’t hurt.”

  His mouth dropped in feigned shock. She lifted her hand and pressed a finger to his chin, effectively closing his mouth. “I’m kidding.”

  “You didn’t have a crush on one of my cousins, did you?” He’d only met Connor so far, but there were more of his generation. And Connor was a good-looking guy with a charming personality to boot.

  “Jealous?”

  He stole another kiss then shook his head. “Maybe.”

  The apple of her cheek lifted and rounded out with her smile. “It wasn’t really like that,” she said. “I was more obsessed with the image, the grandeur of their life. All the McConnells drove expensive cars. Connor’s first car was a brand-new BMW. My first car was a ten-year-old Honda that leaked oil. All the McConnells were well put together, their pictures were in the society pages, and as a kid and a teenager, I dreamed of living that life. But my dad would get mad at me. It seemed ridiculous to me that he’d care about a silly fantasy, but now it makes sense. He’d been an outsider who’d had a glimpse inside, there was stuff he knew, stuff he kept from me.”

  He reached out, tucking a brown strand behind the delicate curve of Olivia’s ear. “Looks like we both had parents who kept stuff from us.”

  “But why?”

  “That’s the million-dollar question.”

  Olivia’s dad had to know something. “Can you talk to your dad? See if he’ll meet me.”

  “I can try, but I’ve never seen him like that. He’s not a man to up and leave without warning. He also loves to talk, so the fact that he dodged the chance…I don’t know.”

  He cupped her jaw, running a thumb along the softness of her skin. “It doesn’t hurt to ask, right?”

  She blinked up, that tender look resurfacing as she stared at him. “I’ll ask.”

  Relief Shane didn’t know he was hoping for spread through him. He captured Olivia in a sweeping kiss, tilting her head and parting her lips with his tongue. It’d been long enough, and he needed to taste her one last time before they got back to work.

  He felt her moan against his palm, fueling his desire for her. This time he backed against the wall, letting her have control. Her body melded to his, her round breasts pressed against his chest, and her hand snaked up his neck to settle in his hair.

  Her grip tightened, and she held her mouth to his, swirling their tongues together in an erotic dance. Sparks ignited in his chest, glimmering at first than exploding and shooting straight to his groin.

  His hand tangled in her hair, angling her head and seizing control, needing to take as much as she was willing to give. He took her face in his hold, and they moved as one until her ass hit the wall.

  Right now, there was so much he didn’t know, but one thing he knew without a doubt. Olivia Green was potent, and if he wasn’t careful, she could find her way into his dying heart.

  ***

  Olivia got home well after midnight. The outside light was still on, waiting for her arrival. She quietly opened the door and eased her way in, making sure to be as quiet as possible. She headed to her room when a shadow caught her peripheral, and she jumped back, grabbing her chest.

  “Dad! Geez you scared me. What are you still doing up?”

  “Couldn’t sleep.”

  “You had kind of a shock earlier. I think we all did.” Olivia sat down on the loveseat, angling toward the couch where Dad was propped up against a pillow.

  Dad didn’t look at her, his eyes stayed focused on the blank TV screen. “I had no idea he had a son.”

  “It seems not many people did. Shane’s dad died when Shane’s mom was only a couple months pregnant. They hadn’t even told anyone yet.”

  “I wish I would’ve known.”

  “I wish you would have told me about him. Why didn’t you?” There weren’t any pictures or any stories Olivia could recall. It was his best friend. How did he go through the last twenty-five years without a mention of a man who was such a big part of his life at one point?

  Dad let out a breath, running a hand over his bushy mustache. “It hurt to think about what could have been. Raising our kids together, going on family vacations, and calling each other up with new milestones. First steps, first words, first day of school… I’ll nev
er know what that would’ve been like, and it pains me to think about it, so I closed it off. I never forgot about Shane. A part of him has always been with me, but I could only think of him as he was in the past, pretending he’s permanently there instead of…”

  A wall of tears filled Dad’s eyes, and he blinked away. His lips parted like he still had more to say but was too scared to try.

  He cleared his throat. “I miss him. It’s easy to forget about him every day, but in the quiet moments, the moments when there are no distractions from my mind, surrounded by silence, he’s there. Always there.” His lips pressed together, and he nodded. A single tear fell down his cheek, and he discreetly swiped it away. “Always.”

  Olivia couldn’t believe that in her twenty-five years she never knew Dad’s best friend had died. He never talked about him. Never mentioned him in passing, or at least not that she could ever recall. When Shane’s father died, her father had locked him away. She understood he did it for his own good, but she couldn’t help but wonder if purposely suppressing the memory of his best friend didn’t take a toll on him.

  It was strange to think her parents had a life before her, but they did. And it was a life she knew little to nothing about. She had no idea if being in the dark about her parents’ younger years was her fault or her parents’, but either way, she was disappointed in herself for never asking them about their lives growing up.

  “I’m sorry. Sorry for your loss and the pain it’s caused, and I’m sorry for not knowing.”

  “You shouldn’t be sorry about that. How were you to know?”

  “I feel like I should have. I’ve just always seen you as my dad, and I never stopped to think that you were once a teenager with friends and a life.”

  “I still have a life,” he said.

  “You know what I mean.”

  “I do, but even if you asked, I don’t know how much I would have told you. Some things are just better left in the past.”

  “Then you’re really going to hate what I’m about to ask you.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Shane knows nothing about his dad other than what his mom told him. But she didn’t know the man that you did. Shane just wants to talk with someone who knew his dad and can tell him about him. He tried talking to his grandfather but…”

  “Didn’t go well,” Dad said matter-of-factly.

  “How’d you know?”

  “Mr. McConnell isn’t exactly the warm and fuzzy type. Besides, he’s the reason Shane ditched town.”

  Olivia rested her elbows on her knees and her head on her knuckles, leaning close in intrigue. “Why?”

  “They had a fight. He was vague on the details, but it wasn’t the first. This one was the catalyst that had him packing his bags and heading to California. He wanted to surf, but then he met someone, and he never wanted to come back to the east coast. He was happier than he’d been in a long time.” Dad stopped talking and stared at the blank TV screen. “I can’t believe he was going to be a dad. I can’t believe he had a son I didn’t know about. If I did, I would have made an effort to be a part of his life.”

  “It’s never too late,” Olivia said. “Shane wants to know about that part of his dad’s life. You’re one of the few people who can give him that.”

  “Maybe it’s better he doesn’t know.”

  Olivia picked at a string on the blanket draped over the arm of the loveseat before looking up at Dad. “If I were Shane, good or bad, I’d want to know.”

  Dad nodded. “I’d love to meet Shane properly. I promise not to run off on him again.”

  Relief spread through the tension in Olivia’s shoulders. “He’ll love that. I’ll let him know. Do you want me to turn out the lights?”

  Dad shook his head. “No leave them on. I’m not ready for bed just yet.”

  Olivia kissed Dad’s cheek and headed to bed. When she was halfway out of the living room, Dad called after her. She spun back. “Yeah?”

  “Is Shane the new guy you’re seeing?”

  They weren’t technically official or anything, but he did kiss her senseless multiple times. “I guess he is.”

  Dad laughed beneath his breath. “Life works in mysterious ways.”

  Chapter 11

  Shane called Milo for a ride to Olivia’s house. He could have easily walked, but he was in a rush. He really needed to get his own means of transportation.

  Milo pulled up, and Shane, already on the front steps, hurried down. The passenger window lowered, and Milo nodded in Shane’s direction. “You can sit in the front,” he said.

  Shane opened the door and jumped in, giving Milo a fist bump. “How’s it going?”

  “It’s going,” Milo said as he maneuvered a three-point turn with ease.

  “What about you? Heard you and Liv were hot and heavy in the alleyway.”

  “Word really does travel fast around here.”

  “Harper heard from Jasper, our other roommate, who overheard Jean telling Miss Karen. Harper was pissed because Liv wasn’t answering her phone all night. Chicks. Always have to be in on the gossip.”

  “Her ex wouldn’t stop texting her.”

  Milo shot him a look, and his thick dark eyebrow rose toward his brown hair.

  “What?” Shane asked.

  “I’m surprised she’s talking to you about her ex-boyfriend, considering you two are a thing.”

  “We’re not a thing. We’re just having fun.”

  “And you’re okay being the rebound guy?” Milo asked.

  “Doesn’t bother me.” Oliva was proving to be a great distraction for him, and he knew she was using him to forget about her asshole ex.

  “I couldn’t do it.”

  “Do what?”

  “The no strings attached thing. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve tried it. Several times, but I always wind up wanting more and getting my heart crushed.”

  Shane never allowed himself to get too deep, so he wasn’t concerned about the heartache. Though when this was all over, he’d miss Olivia. He was getting used to having her around. “I like her. But let’s be real. A girl doesn’t fall in love with her rebound.”

  “And what about you?”

  “What about me?”

  “What if you’re the one who falls in love with her?”

  “That’ll never happen.” Shane simply wouldn’t allow it. There were risks in loving him, and he wouldn’t let anyone take that risk. Not even himself.

  “All I’m saying is one person always gets too attached, and unfortunately for me, I’m the sucker. Got sick of nursing the heartache. You seem to have it under control, but if you break her heart, I will have to kick your ass. Just like I’ll kick that rich asshole of an ex’s ass if he ever shows his face in this town. I hope you understand.”

  Hearing Milo’s passion in defending his friend made Shane realize what he was missing by keeping himself closed off. It wasn’t enough to change his mind, though. “Olivia’s lucky to have a friend like you.”

  “Comes with the territory. Harper would kick my ass if I didn’t look out for the girls. Even still, Liv is like a sister to me.”

  Milo pulled up to the Green residence and put the car in park. “Need me to pick you up?”

  Shane shook his head. “I’m going to walk.” He had a feeling he’d need the fresh air when he was done speaking with Mr. Green. He didn’t know exactly what to expect, but Mr. Green was the first person willing to speak to him about his dad.

  “I’ll be around if you change your mind.”

  “Thanks.” Shane got out of the car and watched as Milo nailed another three-point turn and headed back in the direction they came from.

  Shane didn’t have time to overthink his walk to the door and whether he’d knock or ring the bell. Olivia flung the door open and floated down the stairs. Her long hair was pulled back, showing off her soft features and highlighting her big brown eyes. She was also five inches shorter, and as she approached Shane, he realized that her true height brought
the top of her head only up to his shoulder.

  He looked down at her in her sneakers and smiled. “You’re half the woman you were when I saw you last.”

  She swatted his chest. “Shush you. My feet needed a break. This is the best I can do.”

  “I like it,” he said. “You’re the perfect height for this.” He bent and kissed her forehead.

  She blinked up, long lashes fanning around her eyes. “Are you always this sweet?”

  “Not always,” he said. She smiled, but he felt the need to reassure her that he wasn’t an asshole. “It’s always genuine, though.”

  “Good to know.” She took his hand, her slender fingers sliding between his. “Come on. My dad’s waiting for you.”

  Shane tugged her gently, bringing her to a stop. She turned to him, curiosity tugging at the corner of her eyes. “What’s wrong?”

  Shane should’ve been running up the stairs, eager to get a glimpse into his father’s life, but what if Dad wasn’t the man Mom had made him out to be? What if he wasn’t a good person who lived by the rules of his heart? What if he was an asshole like his grandfather? No. He couldn’t be. Olivia’s father didn’t seem the type to be friends with someone like that.

  Shane exhaled, trying to get his racing thoughts to hit the brakes, but they only seemed to kick up speed.

  Not knowing about his father’s roots had given Shane the chance to create a picture he could live with. What if Mr. Green painted a different picture? What if Mom lied, and Shane was nothing like him at all?

  The only connection Shane ever had to the man who died before he was born were their personalities. If he found out he didn’t take after his dad, then all he’d have left of him was a meaningless name and matching eye colors.

  Olivia squeezed his hand and he found the strength to look at her. She’d arranged this meeting for him; he couldn’t walk away now. It was time he got his questions answered. “Your dad’s okay with this, right? I don’t want him to feel obligated to speak with me.”

  Her eyes met his. “He wants to.”

  He inhaled deeply and let it out slowly. “Lead the way, then.”