Cade: You hear that? That’s my groan of aggravation. Damn it, woman, come back and get me.
Me: Are you giving me orders? Because I don’t think you’re in any position to order me around. Hold on to your towel because the wind is really picking up.
Cade: You want me to grovel? Fine. Please, Flanagan, please come back and get me.
I smiled as I read his message. I knew I was being mean, but damn it, he’d hurt me. Part of me wanted to strike back at him, to somehow control the only part of the situation that I could. But in all honesty, his discomfort gave me no pleasure.
Me: I’m on the opposite side of the parking lot.
Fat raindrops began falling from the ugly gray clouds overhead. They pelted the windshield, and as I watched the rearview mirror, I saw Cade appear around the building, trying to shield his phone with his wallet as he clutched the towel at his waist.
His short dark hair was plastered to his forehead, and the dark stubble on his face proved that he hadn’t shaven in a couple of days. His broad muscular chest was slick with rain, and my eyes trailed downward to the V-shaped muscles that disappeared below the towel.
Seeing his bare skin made me think of the night that we made love, our legs intertwined as we lay resting afterward.
I pushed away the hurt and welcomed the cold indifference.
When he finally slid into the back seat of the car, I handed him his bag of clothes.
“What the hell, Flanagan?” he thundered as he snatched the bag from my hand.
Paxton turned around, realizing for the first time what was actually going on. He grinned. “Shit, Cade, you messed with the wrong woman.”
“Shut up,” Cade grumbled as he pulled his clothes from the bag.
I angled my mirror where I had the best view of him, watching his muscles flex with his movement as he pulled on his boxers, followed by his jeans.
I could tell by the look on his face that he was angry, but then he glanced up and caught me staring. As his eyes held mine, something in them softened, and I quickly looked away before the tears returned.
Cranking the car, I drove to the airport.
On the flight back home, I sat beside Paxton. Since Cade had booked his flight home well after ours had been booked, he was seated near the back of the aircraft. After we’d taken off, and I could no longer see the landscape of Ireland, I struck up a conversation.
“So why don’t the two of y’all get along?” I asked.
“Too much competition, I guess.”
“Competition for what?”
He frowned, and it was remarkable just how much alike he and Cade were. “Attention.”
“Attention?”
“In our younger days, we got along better than we do now. When we did fight, I guess it was for our parents’ attention. Now,” he looked at me pointedly, “it seems to be the women’s.”
“It’s not like there aren’t plenty of women in the world.”
“And yet we always seem to want the same ones.”
“Has that been going on for a while?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.
“Oh, yeah, since we were old enough to be into girls. It got worse, though. Cade was interested in a girl that he went to high school with. You might know her. Jessica Beacham?”
I tried to recall her name, but it didn’t ring a bell. “I don’t think so.”
“She graduated in the same class that he did. Anyway, one weekend, we were hanging out with a group of mutual friends, and he introduced me to her. She and I hit it off instantly. I didn’t find out until after we’d started dating that Cade had been interested in her, too. And even then, Cade wasn’t the one who told me. It was Mason.”
“So what happened?”
“I loved her. Enough that I would’ve married her.”
“Did she turn you down?”
“I never asked her. She had a scholarship for a college in California. I wanted her to stay, Seren. I’d never wanted anything so much in my entire life, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask her. I couldn’t be the reason that she didn’t take advantage of that scholarship. If I talked her into staying, I didn’t want her to resent me later.”
“So she took it?”
He nodded. “And just to make sure that she would, I broke up with her.”
“You didn’t even try a long-distance relationship?”
“She was going to the other side of the country. Neither of us had the money to fly back and forth. I thought it was better to just make a clean break, you know? It was a good opportunity for her.”
“What did she say when you broke up with her?”
He exhaled, and I could see the sadness in his face as he remembered that day. “She was devastated. Or so I thought.”
“Maybe going to college wasn’t the best thing for her. Maybe you were the best thing for her.”
His lips thinned, and he shook his head. “No, if I had been the best thing for her, then she wouldn’t have found comfort in Cade’s arms.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean she and Cade had sex. That’s how distraught she was. Not a day later, my own brother was banging her.”
“Surely not.”
He gave me a look that indicated I couldn’t possibly be that naïve. “Oh, he denied it. But he was lying.”
“How do you know?”
“I just do. He had the hots for her.”
I could tell that even now it was a painful memory for him, so I decided to let the conversation die.
When we landed in Chattanooga, we were greeted with an ugly gray drizzle that transformed into a hard rain by the time we reached the parking lot. I opted to ride home with Paxton, leaving Cade to drive home alone.
Maybe I wasn’t the only one who was getting drenched. It seemed to be bucketing down on me both literally and figuratively, and I thought maybe it had been for Paxton, too.
I wondered why Cade would have gone after Jessica, but then it dawned on me that Paxton had done the same thing to Cade when he’d accepted the invitation to Ireland under false pretenses.
Maybe it was a good thing I didn’t have siblings.
I wondered what Cade would say if I asked him about Jessica. Maybe one day I’d find out, but that day wouldn’t be today. I would talk to Cade again, but first, I just needed some time to process everything that had happened.
Right now, all I wanted to do was sleep, to escape conscious thought until I could deal with my feelings for Cade.
Chapter 12
Donkey’s Years
Cade
While we were in Ireland, Flanagan gave me all the low down on the Irish slang. And for some reason, all I could think about today was the term donkey’s years, which meant a really, really long time.
It had been three days since we’d arrived back home, and I’d been to Whiskey Nights every day, hoping to find Flanagan sipping on a Pear Martini while trading wisecracks with Mason or Hawk.
No such luck. I sat at the bar, rotating a virtually full beer bottle in my hands, knowing that she was intentionally avoiding me and it would probably be donkey’s years before I saw her again.
Not that I could blame her.
Hell, I had hoped I’d get the chance to talk to her before I left town again, but since she hadn’t returned my calls and had dodged our favorite watering hole, I knew it wasn’t going to happen. I wouldn’t have been able to tell her anything more than what I’d told her in Ireland, but I had wanted to make sure she was okay.
Someone clasped their hands down on my shoulders, jarring me out of my thoughts. I turned, glancing over my shoulder.
Lexi’s red lips curved into a small smile. “What’s going on between you two?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” I rotated my body toward her, so I could see her better, hoping she couldn’t tell I was lying.
She put her hands on her hips and gave me the look, that same look all women gave when they knew you were feeding them a line of shit.
“You know exa
ctly what I mean. She’s my best friend and every time I ask her about the trip, she tells me how great it was. But when I ask about you in particular, she clams up. Won’t say a word about how things went between the two of you.” She motioned toward me. “And now here you sit, letting your beer get hot instead of drinking it. Very unlike you, Cade.”
I took a swig, just to prove her wrong. “Maybe she’s not telling you anything because there’s nothing to tell.”
“I know. It’s none of my business. But y’all really seem well-suited for each other. I was hoping y’all would hit it off.”
Our conversation seemed to make it clear that Flanagan was keeping my secret, just like I knew she would.
I thought I had everything worked out, but the cold Irish wind had blown my house of cards into two different directions. How could something that had seemed so clear before be such a muddled mess now?
“Sometimes things just aren’t meant to be,” I told Lexi, hoping to put an end to this awkward line of questioning.
“Such a shame.” She patted my shoulder. “I hope y’all at least got to enjoy the sights.”
“We definitely did,” I said as I envisioned Flanagan in satin and lace, her hair tumbling around her shoulders in disarray.
“I’m glad to hear it.” She nodded toward the bar. “Mason will be back out in a minute. He’s grabbing some bottles of liquor. Do you need me to get anything?”
“Nah, I’m heading out after this beer, anyway.”
She patted me on the shoulder. “See ya.”
I nodded to her, and she turned and walked away. I debated whether I should go to Flanagan’s house and force her to talk to me.
But I decided that maybe it was better this way.
After turning my beer up, I slapped the empty bottle on the bar, threw down a tip, and left. I needed to talk to Pax. I had planned on waiting a few more days before I left town again, but due to the circumstances, I decided it would be better if I left now.
After the short drive across town, I found my younger brother, Evan, working the counter at the gym. “Hey.”
He glanced up from the paperwork he was entering into the computer. “Hey. Signed up two more people a few minutes ago.”
“Good deal. Have you seen Seren Flanagan?”
“Sexy goddess,” he said as he held his palm up level with his chin, “about yea high, long strawberry blonde hair?”
“That would be her.”
He shook his head, flashing his teeth. “Haven’t seen her.”
“How about Pax?”
“He should be in the office.”
I strode behind the reception desk into a short hallway. I paused outside the office door, knowing that Pax and I would have a difficult time talking without it turning ugly. Taking a deep breath, I swore to myself that I wouldn’t let him get me riled.
After a couple of quick raps on the door, I let myself in. He didn’t look up, opting instead to continue toggling his view between the computer screen and the paper on the desk in front of him.
I shifted my feet and took a deep breath, exhaling loud enough for him to hear me.
“What?” he asked, tearing his attention from the computer and frowning.
“I need a few days off.” I stepped into the room and closed the door behind me.
“How the hell are we supposed to run a business? You and I were both gone for two weeks, dumping all the responsibilities on Evan’s shoulders, and you were gone a couple of weeks before that, and now you want more time off?”
I clenched my jaw. “You were the one who took off to Ireland with an invitation that was never meant for you.”
“Why do you care?” he asked. “You didn’t want her. Why do you give a shit if I do?”
“It was never about me not wanting her.”
He leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers. “That’s right. It was about you having a baby with another woman.”
“You don’t know the circumstances, so just shut the hell up.”
“The circumstances? Sounds to me like you couldn’t keep it in your pants and apparently, weren’t smart enough to use protection. Have you even told Mom and Dad yet? I think they might want to know they have a grandchild.”
“I have a few things to work out first, so don’t go running your mouth. That’s why I need a little more time off.”
“How much time are you talking?”
“I don’t know…a few days, a week, maybe two. I don’t know what’s involved in getting things situated with a baby.”
“A lot, which is exactly why I’ll never have any. You may as well kiss life as you know it goodbye.”
“So you’re good with me taking off?” I asked.
“Not really, but I don’t suppose I have much choice, do I?” His chair creaked as he leaned forward again.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Fine.”
I paused, jealousy flaring up. “Stay away from Flanagan.”
He studied me before he finally replied, “Why are you worried about her if you’re running off to the mother of your child?”
I glared at him before I turned my back on him and left.
Evan was on the telephone when I made my exit, but he waved as I walked past.
After throwing a few things in a suitcase, I left Creekview, knowing that when I came back, one way or another, things would be different.
Seren
I hit send, transmitting my résumé to yet another employer. My last hurrah didn’t exactly go as expected, and I was beginning to wonder if I should hunt a job in another city. I would hate to leave Lexi behind, but Cade’s news had put a damper on the life I had envisioned here.
Maybe while I was starting my new career, I should start fresh on everything, go to a city where no one knew me. Hell, maybe I should just move to Ireland.
My phone rang, and I was so lost in my thoughts, it startled me. I snatched it up and glanced at the screen.
Cade again.
Unanswered, I laid my phone back down. I wasn’t trying to torture him, but I wanted to come to terms with the reality of our situation before I talked to him. I wanted to be able to wish him well, to tell him he was doing the right thing. But I just needed a little more time to absorb it. I’d imagined the two of us together for so long, I was having trouble letting go of the idea. Part of me was miffed that he showed up in Ireland and got my hopes up. It would have been better if he had stayed away altogether.
But he had never made any promises, and when I thought of the night the two of us spent together, I had a difficult time thinking it was a mistake.
It was every bit as magical as I had envisioned. Perfect, in fact.
I couldn’t help but think again what would have happened if I had come back to Creekview sooner.
Pushing those thoughts out of my mind, I focused on sending out my résumé.
Damn it.
I picked my phone up and called him back, and he immediately answered.
“Flanagan.”
“Hey, Cade.”
“I missed you at Whiskey Nights.”
“I’ve been busy applying for jobs. Life as I know it is about to come to an end.” Unfortunately, that statement was true in more ways than one.
“I was hoping to talk to you,” he said, his voice deepening as he took on a serious tone.
“Do you want to meet somewhere tonight?” I asked.
He hesitated. “I’m on my way out of town.”
“Oh.” I frowned into the phone.
“Maybe we could talk when I get back.”
“Yeah, maybe,” I agreed as I watched an explosion of multicolored bubbles appear on my computer as the screen saver kicked into gear.
“I know I owe you an explanation, but I need to tell you in person.”
“Yeah, sure.” I numbly traced the edge of my desk with my fingertip. I knew I wouldn’t like what he had to say, but I needed to hear it.
“I’ll call you when I get back.
”
“Talk to you then.”
As I hung up, I wondered what he would say, but rather than agonize over his excuses, I concentrated on my job search.
And if it took me halfway across the country, so be it. In fact, halfway around the world might be even better.
Chapter 13
St. Patrick’s Day
Cade
The screams of a newborn interrupted my sleep. As I pulled myself into a seated position on the extremely uncomfortable couch, it quickly became apparent that I wasn’t at home. Having arrived in Kentucky late last night, I was hardly ready to get up.
I rubbed my palms across my face, trying to wipe away any remnants of sleep. Damn, I needed a cup of coffee.
Pushing myself to my feet, I walked through the tiny living room and entered the kitchen.
“I’m sorry if he woke you.”
I shook my head. “No, it’s not a problem.”
Despite the fact that her hair was pulled into a messy ponytail and she wore no makeup, she was still pretty. A terrycloth robe was cinched tightly around her waist, and she cradled her newborn in one arm.
“I tried to get his bottle warmed before he got too fussy, but I wasn’t quite fast enough. I’ve found that doing everything with one hand takes a little more time.”
The baby sucked vigorously on the bottle, tiny smacking noises filling the air.
“You want me to feed him? That would give you some time to get dressed or maybe enjoy a cup of coffee.”
A smile slipped across her face. “You don’t know how much I would enjoy a hot bath without having to worry about whether he’s all right.”
I reached for the baby, and she supported his head until I had him cradled in my arms. He was the first baby I’d held since Evan was born, and even though I’d held him before my trip to Ireland, part of me was still terrified.
“I’ll try to make it fast,” she said.
“Take your time,” I insisted. “We’ll be right here when you get done.”
She left the kitchen, and I walked back into the living room and sat on the couch. “Hey, Tiger,” I whispered as he watched me with huge blue eyes. Soft blond fuzz covered his crown, and as I swept my hand across it, I realized just how fragile he was.
Deceived Page 12