The Truth Between Us (Bentwood Book 2)

by Tammy L. Gray

  Ty’s path had led him to accept his real family.

  While her stubborn detour had led to isolation and loss.

  Aiden said he could get her family back with one simple agreement—to fall back into the role she was raised to fulfill. To welcome the plan they’d laid out for her.

  She’d chosen carelessly before. Followed her heart instead of her intellect. Not this time. She wouldn’t dive back into those waters again.

  At least with her family, she knew how to be on guard. She knew how to earn their love and acceptance. She knew the rules and how to follow them at an expert level. And despite all their other flaws, there was one concrete truth that couldn’t be refuted—they were loyal to their own.

  She sat up, decision made, and secured the lid back on the box.

  Her time of being a rebel was over.

  Chapter 12

  If tension could be bottled as an air freshener, Caroline was sure it had been sprayed all over Beckham’s stuffy twelve by fifteen foot office. They’d been planning for an hour. The two of them, alone, sitting at his small round conference table. Weeks ago, this project would have been enjoyable. Beckham was enjoyable. But he ruined it all by pushing her to be more than friends.

  To say he’d taken the rejection in stride would be a flat out lie.

  “Five cities in seven weeks. You sure you’re up for it?” he asked with far too much apathy. Like she didn’t already know he was banishing her.

  “If you think that’s the best approach, then I guess I have to be.” She didn’t work for him, not technically. She worked under the Marketing and Research division chief, Lynda Ferris. But it was standard practice for M&R reps to be loaned out to other divisions when needed for special projects or for personnel support.

  She’d been on loan to Beckham since his promotion to the Southern Sales Division Chief eight weeks ago.

  “You’re going to have to sell the new vision and marketing plan to their sales teams. You can’t do that over a computer screen.” He pulled the picture boards she’d presented into a tall stack and hesitated before saying, “You’ve done an exceptional job, Caroline. I know my dad will feel the same when I brief him this afternoon.”

  “Thank you.” They were the kindest words he’d given her since she’d shut him down, and they warmed her a little too much for her liking. “I worked really hard on it.”

  “I’ve noticed. You were up here most of the weekend.”

  She shrugged like it was no big deal. Two weeks had passed since April agreed to talk to security and while there’d been a notable change, she still felt safer here than at home. The office had key access security and cameras covering every inch of the exterior.

  “All the same, you deserve the rest of the day off. Go home, enjoy your pool before it gets way too hot outside.” He stood and headed toward his desk, never quite looking at her.

  She wondered how he disciplined himself so well in that area. She found herself looking at him all the time lately. Beckham was an exceptionally striking man. Curly dark hair, soft coffee colored eyes, and two dimples that nearly made an appearance every time he spoke. She’d thought he was too beautiful at first, but then he’d exposed a vulnerable side, a word here, a small admission there. They’d become friends and now they were… well, she had no clear definition for it. They weren’t exes, but it felt just as awkward, and they weren’t enemies, yet she approached him guarded enough that they could be.

  Mostly, she felt sad, because coming to work used to be an escape and now it was taxing to be around him.

  “Thank you for the offer.” She stood and gathered her set of drawings, stuffing them down into her tote. “But I still have lots of preparing to do.”

  Lifting the strap to her shoulder, she dared to glance his way one more time. He turned his head quickly as if he’d been watching her pack up and again tension shot through the air.

  A knock on the door was her salvation.

  “Yeah, it’s open,” Beckham called from behind his desk, sounding as frustrated as she was feeling.

  The door swung inward and Ty walked through. He’d been back at Kinder Enterprises for a couple weeks now, but seeing him still made her double take. She was used to frayed jeans and a t-shirt, not pressed slacks and a tie. “Look who I found wandering the parking lot.” He hadn’t seen her, nor had his guest whom she immediately recognized.

  Sean was a hard man to forget.

  Everything about him intimidated her, from his height to his broad shoulders, down to his large, athletic hands. They were the kind of hands that pulsed with controlled power.

  “Hey,” Ty said when he spotted her. “I’ve been looking for you. You haven’t been in your office all morning.”

  “Well, that’s because some of us actually have to work when we’re here.” Easy affection spilled through her tone and she wished everyone in the room could make her feel as safe as Ty did. They’d become close friends since the day he helped her move into Riverside Condos. They’d had an immediate kinship with each other that made no sense, but she felt immensely grateful for it all the same. “Especially when said person is on loan to the young Mr. Kinder.” Her voice wavered at the end. She hadn’t audibly used Beckham’s first name since the day he’d basically told her to quit. It felt too intimate now, too reflective of a closeness they no longer had.

  Sean bellowed out a laugh that didn’t match his stature. It was boyish, comedic and far too good-natured. “You’re right, Ty, she’s outstanding.” He stepped around Ty and offered his hand to her. “We didn’t get to meet at brunch. I’m Sean. Ty says you’re the new resident prankster.”

  Using every bit of strength she could find, she gripped his hand with her own and tried to look unafraid of the contact. “Caroline Crawford.” She dropped his hand as quickly as she’d taken it. “And Ty speaks of things he shouldn’t.”

  “Ah yes, our friend is the worst at keeping secrets.” Sean’s tone was flat, but there was a flare of provoking laughter in his eyes. “Ruined a perfectly good surprise party for Journey our junior year.”

  Ty flung his arms out. “How many times do I have to tell you it was Britani who spilled, not me. I only confirmed.”

  Sean winked and whispered as he passed by her, “He’s also a terrible liar.”

  A chuckle came despite her earlier trepidation. Maybe she was judging him too quickly. Sean seemed relaxed, light-hearted and… warm. The word surprised her when it popped in her head. Probably because he used to be engaged to April and warm was the last adjective in the world she’d used to describe the girl.

  “Caroline adamantly denies her role in the trophy kidnapping.” It was the first time Beckham had spoken and she spun her focus from Sean to him. The earlier tension was gone from his shoulders and a hint of a smile had worked its way onto his face as he emerged from behind his desk. “But as you can see, it was returned without a scratch.”

  Caroline shifted closer to Ty, for safety, or because he was next to the door, she wasn’t sure.

  “Eighth grade football. Man that feels like a lifetime ago.” Sean picked up the trophy gingerly, a shadow of nostalgia in his voice. “Beckham Kinder, Offensive MVP,” he read. “I can’t believe you still have this thing.”

  “Of course I do. You told me to keep it safe, that I’d never get another one.” Beck approached his friend, and the two stood side by side, their backs to her. She couldn’t see their faces, only hear their voices. “And you were right.”

  “I was an arrogant punk back then. Prone to say and do stupid things.” Sean turned his head and she caught a glimpse of his profile. The amused smirk was gone, and a deeper strain seemed etched in his jaw.

  Beckham nodded and shoved his hands into his pockets. “I wouldn’t mind a few do-overs myself.”

  “We all have our regrets. No need to linger on them.” The words seemed simple but even Caroline could feel a shift between them.

  A warm hand fell on her shoulder and she jumped, only now noticing Ty
had slung his arm around her. “You look upset,” he said softly enough the other two wouldn’t hear.

  “I’m fine.” Her frustration was almost palpable. Ty had been treating her like a spooked deer ever since she’d told him a little about her past. Thank goodness, she’d only shared a hint of what happened and not the full-blown version. He didn’t recognize that his pity made her feel damaged. And right now, with the persistent phone calls and all the unspoken weirdness with Beckham, the last thing she needed was to feel like a charity case. “Besides, you have much bigger worries than me right now. I heard they’re assigning Vernon to your group until they can make a new hire.” Vernon was the laziest guy in their division. Only six months from retirement, he spent more time by the coffee pot than actually doing any work.

  Caroline giggled at his ashen face. “Kidding,” she sang. “When did you get so gullible?”

  “Forgive me, I’m not used to anyone in this place having a sense of humor.” He poked her arm and she swatted at his hand, forgetting briefly where they were until Beckham cleared his throat.

  She hadn’t seen them turn, but now both he and Sean were watching her. Beckham’s appraisal a quiet smolder that made her breath catch and her nerves dance in her fingertips. Sean’s was more a peppering curiosity. Both gave her the same sense to flee.

  “I should probably get back to my desk,” she said with a cool indifference she did not feel at all. “Sean, it was very nice to meet you.”

  “You too, and I want in on your next round of shenanigans.”

  “Again, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She turned toward the exit, lightly squeezing Ty’s arm as a goodbye. Despite his new protective brother role being tiresome, she did feel relieved he was there.

  She grabbed the knob as she slipped past the threshold, closing the door behind her. Not fast enough, though, to miss Sean say, “Seems I missed a lot while I was gone.”

  Chapter 13

  In the past, Sean would have found the vibe of competition amusing, especially when it came to Beck and Ty. But not now, not when the dynamics of their group was already on such a shaky foundation.

  He stared between the two men, waiting for an answer. “Well?”

  “Don’t create trouble where there isn’t any,” Ty finally responded, his mouth tight with annoyance. Beck simply shook his head and returned to his desk.

  “Sounds like sage advice. You might want to take some of it considering you were awfully cozy just now with someone who isn’t your fiancé.” Sean had always liked Ty, but Journey was like his family. He wouldn’t stand by and watch her get hurt.

  “Caroline and I are friends. That’s all. I went through some stuff this spring, and she helped me see sides of myself I didn’t know existed.”

  Sean absorbed the information, not totally convinced.

  “Ask Journey about it, if you’re that worried. We’ve both been changed.” Ty’s eyes shot straight to Beck as if Sean’s line of questioning might cause the room to explode. “Trust me, there’s no story here.”

  Maybe for Ty there wasn’t a story, but Sean hadn’t missed the way Beck resentfully watched the two of them interact. Caroline was definitely more than a coworker to him.

  He probably shouldn’t feel so relieved, but he did. Knowing that Beck had secretly loved April had led to a lot of second-guessing and replaying events in his mind. But even with hindsight, he still didn’t see any signs. Feelings or not, Beck had remained loyal to their friendship. He’d never pressed the line until April took a giant leap over it. But that was a discussion they wouldn’t have in front of Ty.

  Sean forced a tease into his voice. “Okay, I concede, no story there. Fill me in on the rest of what I’ve missed.”

  “You were just here two weeks ago.”

  Sean smacked Ty’s arm. “I mean while I was in exile. Journey’s emails were limited to impersonal updates.”

  A scowl spread across Beck’s face. “You’ve been in contact with Journey?”

  “Yeah. We started emailing a few months after I left town. She’s the one who got me my job.” Sean detected the admission was another blow to their friendship, though he wouldn’t apologize for that one. He’d needed time to sort through the pain of April’s dismissal. Time away from the group he’d known most of his life. Andrew had been his first step back into the fold; Journey his second. And now… well now, he had to figure out what his friendship looked like with the rest of them. “I’m the new Offensive Coordinator at her high school.”

  “Sounds fun.” Beck shrugged it off like he didn’t care, but Sean knew his friend far too well to believe it. Their friendship had changed, the distance a slow corrosion. “How’s the team?”

  “Not sure yet. Summer football camp starts soon so I’ll have a better idea then.”

  “Journey says they have great potential, but always seem to fall apart midseason,” Ty offered.

  “Yeah. Coach Kent said the same thing right after I promised him I knew how to win.”

  Beck pushed in the chairs around his table. “You’ll do fine. Tell the boys you went toe to toe with Cecil Jackson and they’ll hail you as a hero.” Cecil Jackson was a two time pro bowler, and Sean had played against him once in college. He’d eaten more dirt that night than any other.

  “As long as they don’t watch that game on YouTube.” They’d lost 24 – 3 and he’d dropped two passes.

  “Won’t matter. You played against a legend.”

  “True.”

  Beck moved back to his desk, tossing the stack of papers he’d pulled from the other workspace, and sat on the edge. “So Ty, what’s this I hear about you getting a new office?”

  Ty loosened his tie and groaned. “Yep. I’m now in the annex.” When Beck stifled a laugh, his friend snarled, “Shut up. At least your dad has to walk outside to get to me. You’re only five steps away.”

  “True, but my office doesn’t smell like blue cheese and mildew.”

  Ty repeated his words in a cartoonish snarl before saying, “Don’t look so smug. Renovations are scheduled to start next week.”

  “I’m dying of envy over here,” Beck deadpanned, but gone were the stiff shoulders and tight jaw. Beck had always been wound pretty tight, but a current of repressed fury seemed to pulse around him, and Sean once again felt certain something big had gone down between these two.

  “Speaking of envy,” Sean said. “The whole reason I came was to see if you wanted to grab lunch.”

  “What does that have to do with envy?”

  “The invitation is for Beck, not you.” He smiled, amusing himself. Some things never changed. Goading Ty was one of them. “Besides, you have blue cheese waiting in your new office.”

  “Both of you suck,” Ty said, pointing first to Beck and then to Sean, but his easy acquiescence implied he understood Sean’s need to talk to his oldest friend. “But I will forgive you because after this long, trying day, Journey and I will have the condo all to ourselves for the entire weekend.” His grin turned threatening. “And I don’t care if you are all moved in now. No pop ins.”

  Sean worked to keep his tone impassive. “April’s gone this weekend?”

  “Yeah,” he said as if it were common knowledge. “It’s the Duncan annual Managers’ Retreat.”

  “I know, but why is April going?” Her parents had cut her off. Something he should feel bad about, but didn’t. They were cold, heartless people, and his biggest gift to her would be removing her from their miserable influence.

  Ty shook his head. “I’m going to tell you the same thing I told Journey. We’re all friends and I’m not getting in the middle of whatever war you and April are engaged in. She’s still not speaking to us after the last time we tried to interfere.” His phone dinged and Ty pressed his lips together. “Another meeting already? I just got out of one.” He glanced across the desk. “You should have warned me about this part.”

  When Ty had signed Sean into the building earlier, he humbly admitted that he’d been
hand selected to start up a new savings and loan division for Kinder Enterprises.

  Beck chuckled. “The many perks of being a division chief. Twice the workload and less time to do it in.”

  Ty lifted his hand in a hasty goodbye and shut the door behind him, his retreat forcing Sean to push the managers’ retreat from his mind and focus again on the reason he’d come to Kinder Enterprises in the first place.

  For Beck.

  Sean rubbed the back of his head, tension already forming in his neck. It was odd. Lost for words with a person he’d once considered family. “I didn’t just come for lunch.”

  “I figured.” Beck rounded the desk to his wing backed, leather chair, the wheels rolling slightly against his floor when he sat down. He gestured to the chair in front of him, but Sean had no capacity to sit down. It was better now than when he was a kid. Back then, sports were the only thing keeping him sane enough to sit through school.

  A small basketball hoop hung from the back of Beck’s door offering him an out. He put out his hand. “Toss me the ball. I bet this place could make for a very interesting game of PIG.”

  Beck opened his bottom drawer with a snicker. “This office is only 180 square feet and it’s filled with furniture.” He hurled the orange rubber ball across the room to Sean’s waiting hands.

  The miniature basketball was just big enough to fit comfortably in Sean’s right palm and soft enough that they couldn’t do too much damage to Beck’s things. Sean backed to the corner, near the edge of Beck’s desk and chucked the ball toward the basket. A quick swish meant the game was on. “You’re shot,” he said, striding forward to get the ball.

  Beck shook his head like he did every time Sean came up with some crazy idea, but moved to the same spot from which Sean had taken the shot. Ball in hand, he tossed it with a beautiful arc, but it caught the rim and toppled out of the basket.