“Maybe not today and maybe not tomorrow, but you will,” he sighed. “Or your brother will. This will happen. We have an agreement. If I don’t fulfill my end of the agreement,” he paused. “Well, it won’t be good if I don’t hold up my end.”
“Ha, a gentlemen’s agreement with you? That was his mistake to make an agreement with you, let alone a gentlemen’s one.” Gavin laughed and stood up shaking his head. “I don’t care what you lose or what you have to do, but neither Travis nor I will be marrying that girl,” Gavin said and stormed out of the house.
When he got back to Audree’s house, he went right to his room, shoved his stuff in his duffle and headed for the door.
“Gavin,” Audree called cheerfully from the living room as he made his way to the door. She carefully eyed the bag in his hand. “Where are you going? I thought you were staying for a couple of days?” He heard the sadness in her voice and he wanted to tell her, but he had to get out of here. He had to start his life and get to planning on how to take down his father.
“I have to go back today. There was a problem at work, and….” He watched her eyes well up with tears. Shit! This is why I didn’t want to come back. If it hadn’t been for his stuff, he would have just left. Fuck! Why did she have to be home? Why did he have to go to her last night? Now he had to break her heart so soon after the best night of his life with her. All this was because his father was a monster. The rage returned to him. He had to protect Audree from his father and the only way to do that was to stay away from her. He also had to protect Travis, but there was no way he was telling him about this stupid plan of his father’s. Travis would do anything for that man if it would get him to be proud of him or show him any interest at all.
“I …”
“I’m not going to lie to you Audree.” He stepped in front of her and pulled her into his arms. “I had it out with my father and … and I cannot even begin to tell you…” he shook his head. “I have a feeling he is on the phone right now yanking my tuition and I need to take care of it.” He brushed a kiss to her cheek.
“So this isn’t because of last night?”
“God no, last night was...” He took her face in his hands. “Audree, last night was the best night of my life.” He kissed her lips. “But like I told you last night, that cannot happen again,” he sighed and pulled her into him again. “It really shouldn’t have happened to begin with, but I don’t regret it for a second.” He could feel her trembling against him, and wanted to tell her it would be okay, but he couldn’t. She was in love with him and he was walking out of her life. “I don’t want you to regret…”
“I don’t regret it at all.” She put her hand to his neck and kissed him with everything she had. She knew he would leave, but he was sure she had hoped to have more time to convince him to stay. “I will never regret being with you, ever.” He knew she was lying to him as much as to herself. She would regret it was only one night, and one night would never ever be enough.
“Audree, I have to go.” He pulled back from her, knowing that if he didn’t get away from her now, he wouldn’t, and everyone would be screwed in the end.
“Gavin,” she whispered.
“Don’t.” He put his fingers to her lips. “Save them for someone who deserves to hear them.” He dropped his head and headed for the door.
“I have always loved you,” she whispered and stood for a moment, waiting for him to respond. He didn’t, and just as he closed the door behind him, he heard her run up the stairs and slam her bedroom door.
FUCK!!!!!!
Eight years ago…
Clint and Gavin had been home for three days and were only staying a week. They had done nothing but party in town and sleep. This was the first time they would all be hanging out together since they had arrived. Audree and Ruby would be heading back to school to start their sophomore year. Ruby decided she would take some business courses with Audree, but was feeling the pull of culinary school. Travis had decided on Architecture and got an internship over the summer.
Gavin’s father had, in fact, pulled part of Gavin’s tuition last summer, and Gavin had to pick up another job along with going to school and working as a bouncer with Clint. Clint had gone back to school the following day, but was struggling with what direction he wanted to go with in his career. He confided in Audree during one of his many visits home that summer that he was looking into the military as an option after graduation. It scared Audree, but she knew Clint was a strong man and would make a great solider.
Gavin always had an excuse as to why he couldn’t make the time to come back with Clint, but Audree knew he was avoiding her again. Audree told herself that night she knew Gavin wouldn’t be back, but it didn’t stop her from feeling sick to her stomach every time Travis suggested they go hang at the lake. Audree always steered them to the barn to hang out and have parties there instead.
This week was the two-year anniversary of Lizzy Montgomery’s passing. It still broke Audree’s heart that Lizzy was gone. She had gone to see her a lot with Travis when Mr. Montgomery wasn’t home and her uncaring sister, Lara, had passed out from her morning of drinking. She had been widowed at a young age and never remarried. Lara was a heavy drinker, but Mr. Montgomery had said that family was the best to take care of his dying wife. Sadly, she was not a tender or caring woman, packed her bags, and left right after Lizzy’s passing. Travis had told Audree that she never even contacted them or reached out in anyway once she had left.
Lizzy was a lover of horses and hadn’t ridden in years. She wasn’t able to do much more than pet her horse and feed it. She would often ask Audree ride while she watched just to see the beauty of it moving. Travis would carry his mother out to the pasture and Lizzy would watch Travis and Audree work the horse in the tall grass. Audree knew that Gavin was visiting his mother because of the fresh flowers that were always by her bed.
This day last year didn’t pass well for either Gavin or Travis. They spent the day together drinking and were so drunk off their asses that Clint had to pick them up after they were arrested for public drunkenness. No charges were pressed when Clint explained the reason for their behavior to the police and bartender.
Audree called Clint two weeks prior and asked if he could convince Gavin to come home this weekend. She didn’t want him or Travis alone or alone together. Clint said he would do his best, but Gavin had been adamant about not going home. From what Clint said, Gavin made it about his mother being gone and his argument with his father, but Audree knew it had more to do with her.
“So, are we four-wheeling or what?” Clint walked into the barn where Audree was bent over the front of one of the three Honda four-wheelers pulled into the center of the barn.
“I’m changing the spark plug on this one and just finished the shocks on that one.” She pointed to the blue one parked in the back. “He totally fucked them up last time.”
“Mouth.” Clint shook his head at his sister as she bent down again to finish what she was doing.
“Well, he did.” She shrugged.
“Who is riding with whom?” She brushed her hands on the greased cloth hanging from the back pocket of her favorite denim cut-offs. She knew when Clint asked her this morning if the four-wheelers were good to go out that Travis and Gavin would be joining them for the day. They always did.
“I’m here. The party can start now,” Ruby said, stepping into the barn with a basket in her hand. Ruby had done her usual picnic basket lunch with plans of spending the day four wheeling in the field and then heading to the lake.
“Let me take that.” Clint walked over to her and grabbed the basket out of her hands. Clint had always liked Ruby, but would never make a move on her because he knew it would just be sex. He was an admitted man whore, and loved her like a sister, so he wouldn’t do that to her.
“You almost done there, grease monkey?” Travis’ voice cheered from behind her.
“I would have been done sooner if you had gotten here when you said you wou
ld be and done your own shocks.” Audree straightened and punched Travis in the shoulder.
“I had something to do.” He smiled at her.
“Ew, you mean someone.” Audree punched him again and he wrapped his arm around her waist, trying to pull her down, but she wrapped her leg around his and knocked him back on his ass instead.
“Have you not learned that she can take you?” Gavin’s voice chuckled from above and behind them. Audree struggled to get up as she realized that she was lying on top of Travis and her ass was in the air. She shoved at his chest, but he wouldn’t let go of her arms.
“Let her go.” Gavin grabbed her arm and tapped his booted foot to Travis’ side.
“One of these days, I’m taking you down, Pip.” He jumped up and dusted off the back of his pants.
“Good luck with that,” Audree and Gavin said in unison and then looked at each other and smiled.
“If you guys are done trying to get into my sister’s pants, can we get going?” Clint called, standing next to his camouflage painted four-wheeler. Audree blushed when she met Gavin’s eyes and Travis punched him in the arm and smacked Audree on the ass.
“Really, Trav.” Audree turned to see Ruby smiling at her. “Shut up.” She looked at her best friend, the only other person in the room who knew Audree and Gavin slept together a year ago. Gavin had been avoiding her for a full year. One night was not nearly enough, and she planned to seduce him again before he left this time.
“Why do I get stuck with the basket again?” Travis asked, walking over to his bike where Clint had secured the basket to the back.
“Because you out blew your shocks last time and I don’t trust you with either of these two riding behind you.” Clint slid onto his four-wheeler and helped Ruby onto the back behind him. “When you start riding responsibly, maybe you will be lucky enough to have a girl on the back of your ride.” He pulled up next to Gavin as he was offering a hand to Audree. She snuck a smile at Ruby when she laced her hands around his waist. Ruby just shook her head.
They dropped the basket off by the lake and made their way to the field where they spent the next couple of hours four wheeling in the mud and grass. Audree clung to Gavin the whole time. She had been driving him crazy pressing her chest against his back; it seemed as much as she possibly could. It was driving him nuts since she only had a thin shirt over her bikini top between them. Her hand also seemed to slide lower with every bump.
God, she is killing me! I can feel her chest pressed right up against me. I can feel her nipples through her shirt. Why didn’t I make her ride with Clint? Damn stupid ass! She is riding back with her brother. I’m going to have to keep my hands and my eyes off her at the lake; ugh, good luck with that. I know all she has on under her clothes is a bikini. God help me if it is one of those string ones. Stop! Stop thinking about it! Stop thinking about her tan legs sliding up under those way too short shorts and her beautiful full breasts popping out of her bikini top; stop! Ah, just kill me now. She keeps sliding her hands down my hips to the front of my pants and, if they stay there much longer she is going to be fully aware of the how much I love her pressed against me. Damn, we gotta stop and get to the lake. I need a lot of cold water.
“Clint,” Gavin called out with a strained voice as he pulled to a stop on the edge of the field.
“We going to eat?” Travis pulled next to his brother and watched as Clint finished the curve of a donut.
“Yo, you two done?” Clint pulled up in front of them.
“I’m famished,” Travis said, turning his bike in the direction of the lake.
“Then let’s eat.” Clint looked at Gavin. “You know we have to get there before he does or there won’t be anything left.” He looked toward the retreating Travis and bumped Gavin’s fist.
“Hold on, Pip,” Gavin said over his shoulder. He clinched his jaw when Audree tightened her hold around his waist, after bumping her hand over the bulge in the front of his pants, again. He felt her smile against his back and shook his head as he took off after Clint. They sandwiched Travis between them and almost clipped his tires as they both passed him.
“You snooze, you lose,” Clint called over his shoulder, as they passed Travis, laughing.
“Come on, bro,” Gavin called with a laugh as they rounded the bend.
***
Much to Audree’s dismay, and efforts to seduce Gavin, he had stayed as far away from her as physically possible the entire time at the lake. She had, of course, worn a light colored purple bikini to show off her well-earned tan. Her father had her working at the farm on most mornings, knowing she would be spending most of the summer hanging out with Ruby and Travis. He figured it would keep her busy and she wouldn’t flit away the summer before going away to college.
Travis was apparently spending his summer getting laid when he wasn’t working. From his constant comments about dates Audree couldn’t understand the attraction; he was like her brother. Girls would fall all over themselves to get near Travis. Most of the girls understood his relationship with Audree and Ruby, but none were around long enough to give a second thought or really care what they thought about it.
“Well, I have a date,” Travis said, pulling himself out of the water and toweling himself off near his four-wheeler.
“Why do you call them ‘dates?’?” Ruby asked, sprawled out on a towel in her bright red bikini.
“I buy them dinner first, then…”
“Stop! Don’t need the details.” Audree held up her hand. “Don’t want to hear my brother’s man whore details and I sure as hell don’t want to hear yours.”
“Hey, right here,” Clint said mid-catch of the football he was tossing back and forth with Gavin.
“Yup, see ya, bro.” She winked at him. “But don’t hear ya denying.” She laughed.
“I… I…” he tossed the ball to Gavin.
“I… I… you got nothing.” The others laughed at him.
“I am too young to be settling down with just one woman, and I need to try out a bunch so that when I meet the right one I’ll know.” Travis shrugged.
“Exactly,” Clint said as he caught the ball.
“You guys want to meet us at Mickey’s?” Travis pulled his shirt over his head.
“How are you getting into Mickey’s?” Gavin caught the toss from Clint.
“Halle lets me in, as long as I keep it to one beer,” Travis defended.
“What, like you don’t sneak us into your place?” Ruby laughed.
“But we are there to keep an eye on all of you.” Gavin looked down at Audree who was adjusting her top; when she caught him doing it, she smiled a crooked smile at him.
“Just going to hang for a bit.” Travis ran his hands through his hair.
“You mean long enough to get your date relaxed enough to drop her panties for you?” Audree laughed when he stuck his tongue at her. “Again, no denial.” She shook her head. “Guys are gross.” She bumped her fist with Ruby. “I’m jumping in one more time before we go. “Ruby?” She stood up and adjusted her bottoms, making sure to wiggle her hips as she slipped her fingers into the back of her suit. She heard Gavin catch his breath, but didn’t turn to acknowledge it.
“Quick game of chicken?” Ruby challenged, looking directly at Audree with a huge grin on her face. “Winners buy the first round and losers are designated drivers.” She ran into the water, waving her hands for them to join her.
“Shit.” Gavin looked at the ground and shook his head. No way, Clint would do him a solid and put his sister on his shoulders. He was going to be partners with Ruby and Gavin was going to have Audree’s… ugh… Come on, Clint, say no. You don’t want your sister drinking in a bar that we cannot control. Come on, Clint. Gavin thought to himself.
“No way am I having Audree on my shoulders; you got her, Gavin.” Clint dove into the water and scooped up a laughing Ruby.
“Come on, let’s get these guys in the water, and go have a beer.” Ruby adjusted her hips so she was flush
against Clint’s neck.
Christ, kill me now! Please! A lightning bolt would be perfect right about now. Gavin looked up into the clear blue sky. Damn. He shook his head as he trudged into the water toward Audree.
“Well, don’t look so thrilled about having my legs wrapped around your shoulders.” Audree laughed when he blushed.
“Really, Audree.” He shook his head.
“You weren’t complaining the last time they were there.” She giggled again when he ducked under the water and scooped her up onto his shoulders.
“You better be ready to knock Ruby on her ass real quick, because I need a beer,” Gavin growled underneath her. “Please, for the love of everything holy, stop squirming.” He tapped her thigh.
“Again, you didn’t complain…”
“Stop.” He tapped her leg harder.
***
“This sucks, I want another drink,” Ruby said, pouting at the bar.
“Your rules, love.” Audree kissed Ruby’s temple.
“Next time, pick the better partner.” Gavin slipped in between the two girls, handed Audree a beer, and tapped his to hers.
“Oh, go ahead, ya big baby,” Clint said behind Ruby. “I’ll drive and you can have another one.” He gestured to the bartender for one beer.
“Sucker.” Audree elbowed her brother’s rib.
“You cheated anyway.”
“The hell I did,” Audree said defensively. “Ruby is the one who pulled the tie off my top. You dropped her so you could cover your eyes.” She laughed.
“It was an accident. I should have untied mine.” Ruby winked at Gavin.
“You’re not my sister. I probably wouldn’t have tried to look away so quickly.” Gavin laughed and shrugged his shoulders as he took a drink of his beer.
“Next time, I get Gavin and you get your brother.” Ruby giggled.
“Never happen. It was different when she was a kid. Now she has woman parts and I don’t want them touching me,” he said with a shiver.
“But my woman parts are okay?”
“Yeah, you’re not my sister; you are only treated as such. It’s different.” He kissed Ruby on the forehead. “I’m going to go chat up those girls over there.” He tapped Gavin on the chest as he moved past him. “You in, man?” He started away from the bar, not seeing Gavin raise an eyebrow at Audree as she turned her back on him and the bar with Ruby.
Love Unclaimed (The Red Truck Series) Page 5