Choices, Loyalty, & Love (Men of NatEx #3): A Package Handlers Novel

by Kyle Autumn

  As Nic passes in front of me to pull dinner out of my mom’s oven, I pinch her butt. She gasps loudly as she springs back upright, her eyes and her mouth wide open. When she swats at me with the oven mitt, I grab her hand and pull her to me, kissing her hard on the mouth. Just because I can.

  “Aidan,” she mumbles against my lips. “This is inappropriate.” But she doesn’t back away—at all—so something tells me she doesn’t care that much.

  “Oh, don’t mind me,” my mom says, smiling. “I’m just happy to see you both so happy.” She grins in her seat at the table. Then she slips a page of her magazine. “And to see you at all.”

  After I drop a kiss on Nic’s forehead, I go over to my mom. “It’s really good to see you too. I shouldn’t have waited this long. And I’m sorry about that.” I bend to hug her from behind, and she pats my arm.

  Then the doorbell rings and I shoot my gaze to Nic. She’s been dreading this, but she’s also a lot stronger than she was six months ago when she first showed up on my doorstep. She knows she can get through this. And that I’ll be right next to her the whole time. There’s nothing we can’t face together.

  She gulps, but then she closes her eyes for a moment and breathes. She’s ready for this.

  I go to the door, but when I answer it, it’s not the person we were expecting. Instead, I find my brother on the doorstep, a bottle of wine in his hand.

  “Mom told me you were in town and to come to dinner.” He holds the wine out to me. “I hope that’s okay.”

  It takes a moment for the shock to wear off, but then I take the bottle from him. “Yeah, of course. Come on in.”

  He steps inside and we eye each other for an awkward moment. But then he reaches forward and hugs me, slapping me on the back. “You look good,” he tells me. “Happy.”

  I return the slap and then back away a step, the embrace over. “Thanks, Mason. I am.” I can’t help the smile that nearly overtakes my face every time I remember I’m with Nic now.

  With genuine care on his face, he says, “I’m glad.” Then he splays his hands out to his sides. “And I’m seeing someone new, so that’s good.”

  I’m also genuinely happy for my brother, so I tell him, “That’s great, man. Nic will be glad to see you’re doing well. She’s in the kitchen.” I gesture for him to follow me, but he stops me.

  “Actually, there’s someone else outside, waiting to come in.” He nods toward the door. “You may need to go get him.”

  My brow creases as I narrow my eyes at my brother, but when I peer out the door, I see a man standing in front of a car pulled up at the curb. His hands are inside the pockets of his dress pants as he stares at the ground. As if he knows I’m watching him now, he looks over at me, appearing unsure about whether or not to come up to the door.

  “Thanks.” I hand the bottle back to him. “Want to go see if the women need help?”

  “Yeah.” He and the bottle of wine go to the kitchen while I step outside.

  The cold winter air feels thick, like I’m treading water to get to him. I have no idea what he’s going to say to me, but if I have a minute alone with him, I’m going to use it.

  “Aidan,” Nic’s dad says when I reach him, his breath visible near his mouth.

  “Mr. Collins,” I greet back, folding my arms over my chest—less for the cold and more because I’ve been dreading this a little too. “Thanks for making it to dinner. It means a lot to Nic.”

  He’s silent for a moment, perhaps trying to intimidate me, but then he says, “Well, Veronica was nice to invite me.”

  Something about his words sets me on edge, and I decide to go for it and get it all out there while I have the time alone with him.

  “Sir, with all due respect, I have to say that that woman in there has wanted to impress you for so long that she was living a lie just to please you. She was doing what she thought she had to do to make you proud so she wouldn’t be a huge disappointment to you. But she’s an incredible woman in her own right, even if you can’t see that. She’s smart and kind and selfless, and maybe she’s not successful based on your definition, but as soon as she opens her own yoga studio now that she’s finished up her training to be a teacher, she’ll be running her own business, which is pretty damn amazing. And brave, because she’s that too.”

  I take a breath, but only to fuel the fire that’s churning within me. This man needs to know the kind of woman he raised.

  “Your daughter is everything a woman should be. And if it disappoints you that she moved across the country to be with someone like me, she’s ready to face that. Because she needs to be happy and I make her happy,” I tell him, jabbing a finger against my chest. “The life I’ve built can more than support her because I’ve worked hard ever since she turned me down the first time to live the life she thought was expected of her. It hasn’t been easy for either of us, but we went down that road only to still end up together because we’re meant to be together. Sir, your daughter is hands down the love of my life, and I’d do anything for her, including protecting her from a father who can’t appreciate her generosity and kindness because he would rather her be wealthy and married to someone with a more prestigious job.

  “But, at some point, you have to take what she wants into consideration. And, right now, she wants to be with me. Because, for some insane reason, I’m the one she loves. I’m the luckiest damn guy on this planet because that incredible woman in there loves me. And maybe I don’t have the perfect job or the perfect house or the perfect life, but I have the perfect heart for your daughter. I have what she wants, and I’m willing to go to the ends of the Earth to make sure she doesn’t want for anything at all.

  “In fact,” I tell him, taking a step forward and maybe another breath—I can’t be sure anymore, “just this week, I signed the lease on what will be her yoga studio. It’ll be my art studio too, because that woman inspires me more than anything in the world, and if she can be brave enough to start her own business, then I’ll stand right next to her and be brave too. I’ll show and sell my paintings while she changes the world one yoga pose at a time. Because we’re a team. A really good team, sir. And it’d be crazy for you to not see that.”

  When the words run out and I’ve said it all, his expression doesn’t change. It’s still the unreadable mask of a well-practiced poker player preparing to make his next move.

  But he doesn’t make the next one. A soft, feminine voice—the one I can never get enough of—beats him to it.

  “You did that?” Nic says behind me. “For me?”

  Damn. I didn’t know she could hear all that. I wanted to surprise her later, but her father brought the intensity right out of me.

  When I face her, tears glitter in her eyes and her mouth is covering her hand. Her sweater is pulled down to cover her hands, and her hair is pulled over one shoulder, shining like a halo in the porch light. As soon as I nod, she bolts toward me, running until she’s close enough to launch herself into my arms. I catch her, of course. Because I always will.

  “For us,” I tell her, wiggling my head back enough so I can see her eyes. “Everything I’ve ever done has been for us.”

  She squeezes her legs around me, making it a little hard to breathe. But, if it would make Nic happy, I’d stop altogether in a heartbeat.

  “Oh my god. That’s… You…” Nic giggles and buries her head against my neck. “I’m speechless,” she says against my skin. Then she leans her head back. “Thank you.” After gazing deep into my eyes so I can see how much she means it, she kisses me.

  Right in front of her father, who clears his throat.

  That makes Nic pull away from me, which makes me want to growl at him. But I’ve done enough of that sort of thing already, so I keep it locked down.

  Nic hops out of my arms and faces her dad head on. Pride swells in my chest while I watch my woman curl her hands into fists as she prepares to stand her ground.

  “Dad,” she starts. “It’s good to see you.”
r />   “You too, Veronica,” he says, reluctantly taking his gaze off me. “It looks like you’re doing well.”

  “I am,” she says proudly. But then she stiffens her spine and flexes her fingers. “I’m happy, Dad, and that matters more than any job or any amount of money I could have.”

  Mr. Collins starts to nod, but Nic’s on a roll just like I was moments earlier.

  “And I’ll have you know that this man is the best thing to ever happen to me.” She glances over at Mason, who’s joined us outside along with our mother. “No offense.”

  He holds his hands up and smirks. “None taken.”

  That probably has more to do with the woman he said he’s seeing now than anything. Or time. Time has been kind to all of us these past six months.

  Nic returns her attention to her father. “Aidan and I have had a long, hard road. And I didn’t think we’d get here, but we have. He supports everything I want to do with my life and still wants to be with me even though we can’t have kids. I hope you can see how happy he makes me. This is the life I feel I was supposed to lead. I’m going to make a difference in people’s lives through yoga, even if you don’t think that’s possible. I know it is, so I’m doing it.”

  She takes a step forward, which shows me how brave and capable she is. She doesn’t need me here like she thought she would. But I’m happy to be here for her all the same.

  “And the people Aidan’s introduced me to are the best. Matt and Cadence got married and are about to have a baby. Jeremy and Amelia are destined to get married, but they’re taking it slow. Dani just had a beautiful baby girl named Sadie. These people,” she tells him, barely taking a breath. “They’ve accepted me, taken me in, and given me a job, their ears to listen, and a place to live, which I was so very grateful for. Now, I’m living with Aidan, and one day, we’re going to get married, and—” Her hand flies to her mouth, which cuts the rest of her speech off.

  “And what?” her dad asks.

  But all I can focus on is that she wants to marry me.

  She spins to face me, her eyes wide. “That just flew out of my mouth.”

  “Does that mean you didn’t mean it?” I ask, hoping like hell the answer is no.

  We’ve had enough misunderstandings. We’ve done enough not saying what we mean or saying what the other needs to hear. We need to tell the truth now. Because my heart wants nothing more than to be hers for as long as she’ll have me.

  Her head shakes back and forth. “That’s not what it means at all,” she says.

  I have a million things I want to say, but they all fight for dominance and nothing comes out. Instead, I’m speechless just like she was. So I wrap her up in my arms and nearly squeeze the life out of her, shutting my eyes so nothing can disrupt this moment.

  Until her father clears his throat behind her. Then I pop my eyes open and find him…smiling?

  “It’s a good thing I’ve already planned on giving you my blessing, then, isn’t it?” he says, shocking us both.

  Nic wiggles out of my grip to face him. “You have?” Her voice breaks on the last word, but then she coughs into her hand and changes her tone. “I mean, I’m thankful, Dad, but I’m marrying him regardless.”

  “I know,” Mr. Collins informs us, but I barely hear him over the buzz in my ears.

  This woman wants to marry me. She wants to be mine forever. No matter what her dad says.

  “Which is why,” he continues, “I told Mason six months ago that I’d give you my blessing when you two finally decided to get married.”

  “Six months ago?” Nic replies, awe tinging her voice. Then she glances at my brother, who gives her a heartfelt expression and shrugs, before turning back to her dad. “And why Mason?”

  “Because, after you left,” Mr. Collins tells his daughter, “Mason came to me and told me everything. About how much you’ve both loved each other all these years. About what happened that ended your relationship.” He pulls his hands out of his pockets and steps toward Nic. “About how proud he was of you for putting yourself first for the first time ever.” Then he holds his arms open to her. “And I’m proud of you too, Veronica.”

  My heart lurches as she goes to him, but only because I want her safe. This man hasn’t been known to make her feel welcome, like her needs matter. But the tender way he holds his daughter shows me that something might have changed. I can barely hear him when he speaks next. I know that the words aren’t for me, but I strain to hear them anyway.

  “Not seeing you these past several months has been hard. So, if you’re happy, I’m happy. I would rather have my daughter following her heart and still in my life.” He guides her away from him so he can look her in the eye. “If she still wants me there.”

  Nic cracks a smile, tears welling in her eyes. “As long as you accept me for who I really am, Dad.”

  “You have my word,” he tells her.

  They hug again, squeezing each other hard to make up for the time they’ve lost. When they break apart after several moments, he reaches a hand out to me. I shake it, happy to have his support on something I was very much going to do anyway.

  “I have to respect the man who thinks so highly of my daughter and does so much for her,” he says to me. “And makes her as happy as I see she is today.”

  “That I do,” I reply. “And, now that we have your blessing, my ring is going her finger as soon as we get home. So thank you for speeding up that process.”

  His grin says that he wouldn’t have it any other way.

  “It’s freezing out here and the food’s getting cold,” my mom says, smiling at all of us. “How about we eat and celebrate with the wine Mason brought?”

  “Sounds good to me,” Mr. Collins responds, following my family inside.

  Everything happens for a reason. It all works out the way it should. These are things we all tell ourselves when things don’t work out. But, today, I’m telling myself these things because everything did work out. We had to go through what we went through in order to get here. Every single thing was tough as shit but one hundred percent worth it.

  As Nic takes my hand in hers and presses herself against my side, I know this to be true. I lived for six years without her so I could be the man I needed to be for her when she finally came back to me. I’m in a position now to give her the life of her dreams. Maybe we could have built it together—which would have been incredible—but maybe we can appreciate it more now because we’ve been through the tough stuff apart. We can cherish what it’s like to be a team now, thanks to our past.

  The funny thing is that this has changed me in ways I couldn’t have imagined. The private, stuffy Aidan’s no longer as prominent. Instead, I whistle as we head back toward the house, looking forward to going home and sharing this news with my friends.

  I’m marrying the woman I’ve loved since I met her almost eight years ago.

  I can’t possibly shout that from the rooftops loud enough.

  THE END

  Sneak Peek of The Billionaire’s Package

  Book 1 in the Thirsty Thursday series

  Chapter 1

  Shiree

  “My name is Shiree, and I have a package for Charles Masters,” I say when I reach the reception desk.

  The receptionist squints at me. “Sherri, is it?”

  “It’s Shiree,” I tell her, used to having to explain my name. “Like ‘no Shiree, Bob.’”

  “Okay.” She points a long, manicured nail to the elevators. “Go up to the twenty-third floor. His assistant will take that box from you.”

  “Okay.” I mosey on over to the bank of elevators, my curly ponytail swishing against my back, and push the up button with my free hand.

  I’ve heard about Charles Masters. I mean, who hasn’t? Even though he’s a local celebrity, I’ve never met him or anything. So, when a package for him landed on my delivery truck this morning, I was excited about perhaps having the chance to. And, as the elevator takes me to the top floor, I think about eve
rything I know about him.

  He’s super rich. Like ridiculously dirty, filthy rich. Like swimming-in-a-pool-of-hundred-dollar-bills rich. He works in this gigantic building in the middle of the city. He owns the company, Launchpad Systems, and I’m sure buying the whole building barely put a dent in his bank account. Pocket change or something. And I bet that means he doesn’t even work that hard, either. Anyone who has that much money makes everyone else do everything for them. He probably sits in his one-of-a-kind wingback desk chair behind his custom-made desk and stares at the gorgeous view of the city all day through his floor-to-ceiling window.

  I probably would if I were that wealthy. But working at National Express Package Delivery means I’ll never be that wealthy, even if I save every penny from now until I retire—and retirement is a big if.

  I’ve heard he’s a serial bachelor. Goes through women like they’re one of those hundred-dollar bills in his swimming pool of money. I’d probably do that if I were him too. Why not? I mean, can you ever trust that the person you’re with isn’t really in it for the money when you’re that rich? I’d hit it and quit it too.

  But I’ve also heard he’s kind of a dick too. So maybe these women can’t hang even though his net wealth is absurd.

  Okay, I guess I don’t actually know a lot about him. I’ve seen photos of him online when news sites publish stories about how his business is doing, but other than that, he’s pretty much an enigma. And I can’t imagine living a life like that—in the spotlight, where your every move could be criticized. Where you can’t have a relationship without thinking that it’s happening through ulterior motives.

  I’ll take my simple paycheck-to-paycheck life any day.

  The elevator dings, and I step off. When I reach the dark, opaque double doors that say Launchpad Systems in bold, black letters, I push the intercom button so I can enter.

  “Name?” someone says through the speaker.

  “Shiree with NatEx. I have a package for Charles Masters,” I respond.