Running After a Heartbreaker (Brides on the Run #4)

by Jami Albright

Guess who was the nerdy kid in this scenario.

  He took the only empty seat in an overstuffed chair, making him the focus of everyone’s attention.

  “Tell me about this clusterfuck,” Jack said.

  Beau rubbed the back of his neck. “To tell the truth, I don’t know.”

  “Not good enough.” Jack was all business, and it was clear he wasn’t taking any crap.

  The air he’d been holding in his lungs huffed out, and he shook his head. “We hung around the bar after the show to celebrate the single hitting number one. Buddy and I stopped drinking after a few drinks, but Rick and Dawn kept at it. We all took an Uber back to the hotel. We said goodnight in the lobby, and I went to my room…alone.” He gave Jack the same steely-eyed look his cousin was giving him.

  “We believe you, Beau,” Luanne soothed. “What we want to know is what happened next.”

  He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “I went to my room and got in the shower. When I came out, Dawn was naked and in my bed.”

  “How did she get in?” Gavin asked.

  “That’s what I asked her. She said she told the front desk it was her room too, and that she’d lost her key.”

  “And they just gave her one?” Luanne’s tone expressed the same outrage he’d felt when he heard it from Dawn’s lips.

  “I guess. I don’t know any other way she could’ve gotten the key.” He still couldn’t believe it.

  “What happened next?” Jack steered the conversation back on track.

  “I told her to leave. I said I didn’t want her there. She said I was lying and that I’d told her over and over with my eyes and my body language that this was what I wanted.” He shook his head. “Can you believe that? I swear. I’ve never led her on at all.”

  His three inquisitors exchanged a look.

  “What?”

  Luanne shook her head. “Nothing. Go on. When did Rick come in?”

  “The door must not have latched because he kicked it open. He stormed in screaming and throwing punches. I have to admit it did look bad. I’d gotten Dawn out of the bed. She was naked. I was in a towel.” His hands went to the back of his head, and he dropped his chin to his chest. “It all went to hell after that.” He looked up at them. He needed them to believe him. “That’s when Buddy rushed in. He tried to talk some sense into Rick, but the idiot wouldn’t listen. Buddy tried to stop Rick from throwing a punch, and that’s when he got rammed into a wall and broke his arm.”

  Gavin sat back and ran his fingers through his hair. “Shit.”

  “Yeah.” Beau knew it was bad, but it hadn’t been his fault.

  “Do you understand what you’ve done?” Jack asked. “I told you to be careful with Dawn.”

  “What I’ve done?” Beau couldn’t have heard him correctly. “I didn’t lead Dawn on. I didn’t give her any secret message, and I sure as hell didn’t invite her back to my room.”

  “Come on, Beau,” Jack said. “We’ve all seen you around women. You’re like candy to them.”

  “Jack,” Luanne reprimanded him.

  “No, Lou. I’m serious. It’s like the more he can lure in, the better.”

  “Hey, that’s not fair. I can’t help if women are attracted to me. And I’m not going to be mean to them. That’s just not who I am.” He appreciated Jack, and they were developing a familial relationship, but he’d gladly kick the guy’s ass right about now.

  “All we’re saying is that you’ve got to be careful,” Gavin added.

  Luanne jumped to his defense. “Really? How careful were you before Scarlett?”

  The guy had the decency to look embarrassed. “Not very.”

  “That’s what I thought.” Luanne stood and came to Beau’s side. “This was a setback when we had momentum rolling. I get it. I know you two are upset, but Beau didn’t cause this.”

  “Thank you, Luanne.” He was so grateful for someone to be on his side.

  She held up her hand. “Not so fast, pretty boy. You’re not completely off the hook. Jack did tell you to be careful about Dawn. While this is on her, if I had to guess, you probably didn’t draw that hard line with her. Which means you need to listen to us, especially Jack and Gavin. They’ve been doing this a long time, and they know how to navigate you through this minefield. They can help you avoid the pitfalls of this business. You’re lucky to have their collective wisdom.”

  Gavin chuckled. “I think wisdom is a strong word.”

  That seemed to lighten the mood a bit, and Beau was grateful.

  Jack dropped his head, and when he raised it Beau saw eyes the same color as his own staring back at him. “I’m sorry, Beau. It wasn’t fair of me to accuse you. We just know how big you can be, and we don’t want anything to come between you and your dream.”

  “Yeah.” Gavin rubbed his hands on his thighs. “What Jack said.”

  Beau nodded. “Thanks. That’s what I want too.” He glanced at Luanne then turned his attention back to Jack and Gavin. “So what do I do now?”

  The three shared another look, and he knew he wasn’t going to like it.

  “Lottie, do you want to ask me any questions about the wedding or why I didn’t marry Roger?” Hailey squirted mousse into her palm.

  “No.” Lottie sat at the vanity playing with tubes of lipstick. Open, twist, inspect, twist, close…repeat.

  “Are you sure?” She spread the product through her hair, then began to scrunch her hands around her curls. “There was a lot that went on, and it was confusing for the grown-ups, let alone a kid. No matter how smart the kid is.”

  “Can I put on this one?” The kid in question held up a ruby red lipstick.

  “Not that one. Your mouth’ll look like a monkey’s butt.” She reached into the drawer and withdrew an alternative. “Try this one, but only a little bit.”

  “Okay.” Lottie tilted down the small mirror that sat on the counter and began to apply the makeup carefully. “Uncle Hank and Aunt Charlie explained it to me.”

  “What did they say?”

  Lottie lowered the tube from her mouth. “They said you decided you couldn’t marry Roger, and that it was good that you figured it out before you were actually married.” She shrugged and went back to painting her lips. “Or something like that.”

  Hailey could sense that her kid didn’t want to talk about it anymore. “Well if you have any questions, you know you can ask me anything.” The dark circles under her eyes had her reaching for the concealer. Maybe some mascara would perk up her face and make her not look so tired. A quick application and she was ready to go.

  Lottie continued to dig around in Hailey’s makeup drawer. “Mom, since you and Roger aren’t getting married, does that mean you and Daddy can be back together now?”

  Hailey froze while fiddling with her hair. What in the world? Her features stayed neutral, but just barely. She met Lottie’s gaze in the mirror. “Um…no, sweetie. You know your dad is married to Ariel now. He’s not coming back.” She didn’t add that she wouldn’t have him on a silver platter. She didn’t think her daughter needed to know that.

  Lottie turned on the stool, a stubborn look on her face. “Why not?” shot from her pink lips.

  Where had this come from? She’d never seen such attitude from her girl. Also, she thought Lottie understood that her parent’s marriage was over. Hailey knelt before her to make sure she was eye level with her. “Well, because Daddy doesn’t want to be married to me anymore.” She straightened the headband Lottie had in her hair. “I know this is hard for you to understand, but what happened with me and your father didn’t have anything to do with you.”

  “I know.” The stool toppled over when Lottie stood and stepped away from Hailey. “You did something, and now he doesn’t want to be my dad anymore. This is all your fault.”

  The hit came at her like a wrecking ball. Fractures split into fissures in Hailey’s heart, when her brave girl’s lips wobbled. But she couldn’t let Lottie speak to her that way. She wanted to
scream that she hadn’t done anything, but maybe she had.

  Deep in her soul, she worried that she hadn’t been enough for a man like Derek, and that was why he’d cheated. Her rational brain knew it wasn’t the truth, but the other part of her brain, the one she fought with in the middle of the night, absolutely believed that was true. “I know you’re hurt and confused, but you can’t speak to me that way. I’m still your mother.”

  Lottie’s only response was to lift her quivering chin higher, the look on her face leaving little doubt that she wished Hailey wasn’t her mother. Tears pooled at the little girl’s lower lids. “You ruin everything. You ruined being married to Dad, you ruined our family, and you ruined marrying Roger.”

  Hailey placed her hands on her daughter’s shoulders, and she could feel the misery vibrating through Lottie’s small frame. “I’m so sorry you’re sad, Lottie.”

  The person she’d die for refused her embrace. Her daughter pulled away and ran from the room. “I hate you,” was her parting shot.

  Hailey needed both hands on the counter to steady herself. Fierce heartbreak nearly took her legs out from under her. “Lottie.” It was more a sob than a word. She didn’t know who it was for—her or her daughter. Probably both.

  Chapter Seven

  “I don’t need a keeper.” Beau paced the living room of Hailey’s little house.

  “Beau, that’s not what we’re suggesting,” Luanne said. “But after what happened last night, and after hearing your explanation, it’s clear that you’re a little blind to these things. Frankly, everyone but you saw this coming.”

  His fingers splayed across his hip bones, every ounce of his self-control going to keep from exploding. “Gee thanks, Luanne. Now you’re saying that I’m a clueless twit who doesn’t know when someone is about to sabotage him.”

  One finely plucked black brow hooked up her forehead.

  “Shit. Okay. You’re right about last night and Dawn. I never saw that coming.”

  Jack sat back in his chair. “Of all the dumbass—”

  “Luanne, would you and Jack give me a minute with Beau?” Gavin’s reasonable tone made the hair stand up on Beau’s neck.

  “Sure.” Luanne stood and took Jack’s hand. “Come on stud, let’s get some air.”

  Jack stood, but he didn’t look happy about it. “I should stay too.”

  “I got it.”

  Some unspoken conversation passed between the two men. Whatever Jack saw in Gavin’s eye must’ve convinced him Gavin was going to give Beau a proper ass chewing because he followed Luanne outside.

  As the two left the room, Beau had the most irrational desire to run after them and beg them not to leave him alone with Gavin.

  The rock star stretched his arms across the back of the sofa, then crossed one leg over the other. With his ripped jeans, black tee, and tattoos, he looked like a rock god holding court. He inspected Beau without saying a word. Every second of silence piled another shovelful of dread on Beau’s shoulders. Finally, Gavin cocked his head. “Really?”

  “Really, what?” He wasn’t at all sure where the guy was taking this conversation.

  “You never saw the thing with Dawn coming?” Gavin picked at the frayed edges of one of the holes in the knee of his jeans. “I don’t mean to be an ass, but you can’t bullshit a bullshitter.”

  “That’s—”

  The other man’s hand went into the air. “Save it for someone who hasn’t been right where you are. The women are…incredible. They smell good, they’re soft, and more than anything, they’re willing. The variety is never-ending. It’s a fucking rush to have them fighting over you. I know. Been there.”

  Beau just stared at the guy. The moment dragged on, while his conscience kicked the shit out of the denial that was his automatic response. Gavin’s words took all the fight out of him, and he dropped into the comfy chair. Elbows on knees, he cradled his head in his hands. “Yeah.” He glanced up at Gavin through his long bangs. “Yeah, it is.”

  Gavin’s knowing nod held no judgment. “It’s unreal. You feel like a motherfucking god.” He held up his finger. “I’ll kill you if you tell Scarlett I said any of this. I’m supposed to be cleaning up my language. Aiden repeats every damn thing I say. Preschoolers, man, they’re little magpies. And Scarlett would die if Molly’s first word was fuck.”

  Beau chuckled, grateful for the levity. “That’s exactly it.” He smoothed his hair out of his face. “I hate to admit it, but…yeah, that’s it.”

  Gavin leaned forward and matched Beau’s position. “Listen, I get it. Jack will never understand. Mostly because he’s a decent guy, and he’d never use a woman just because she said he could. But he’s never been on that stage. Felt what we’ve felt. I’m not saying it’s right, and now more than ever, I see how wrong it is, but I do get it. That’s why you need to listen to me, so you don’t make the same mistakes that I’ve made, or worse.”

  Beau nodded. “I’m listening.”

  “Good, because this business is a monster. It’ll use you up and never look back.” The rocker twisted the silver ring on his thumb and stared at a spot on the carpet. Beau imagined he was thinking about his bandmate, Johnny Wolfe, who’d died in a drug-related car accident several years before. Gavin’s grey eyes were fierce when they met his. “You have to control it and not the other way around. But right now, you’ve got so much coming at you—the hit record, learning the business, and the attention. Any one of those things can be overwhelming, and you’ve got ’em all at once.” One side of his mouth kicked up, and it appeared the ghosts were gone. “Not bad problems to have, but they’re dangerous. Even when you can handle more, you still need to surround yourself with smart people who don’t put up with your bullshit. People who can keep you grounded and remind you what’s really important.”

  “I hear you.”

  Gavin slapped Beau’s knee. “Good. Because I don’t want to have to kick your ass.”

  Beau barked a laugh. “Bring it, old man.”

  Gavin threw his head back and cracked up. “Old man, huh? I’m only a few years older than you. But I guess you’re right, in this business I’m a dinosaur. That’s why you need to listen to me. Now shut up and let us find you someone who can keep an eye out for you when we can’t be around.”

  “Fine.”

  “We just have to find that person who’s no-nonsense, and who won’t put up with your foolishness.”

  “Please, don’t hold back, Gav. Tell me what you really think.”

  Gavin got to his feet. “Dude, if you want someone to blow smoke up your ass, then I’m not that guy.”

  “That’s fair.” Beau stood too. “I should probably go talk to Jack. He was pretty pissed at me.”

  “He’s not pissed at you. He blames himself for not being there, and he’s worried about Luanne and the pregnancy.”

  Panic raced through him. “Is she in trouble?”

  “Not right now, but because she’s carrying twins, it’s a higher risk situation because she’s such a tiny thing.” Another cautious look around. “And if you ever tell her I said that, they’ll never find your body.”

  “I never knew you were so scared of the women in your life, rock star.” Beau laughed and dodged a punch from Gavin.

  “You have no idea. Luanne threatened to castrate me when we first met, and she’s never taken it back. And if Scarlett heard me say what I said today, she might not stop her.”

  Beau drew a cross over his heart with his finger. “I’ll carry it to my grave.”

  Luanne’s condition put a crimp in his plans to see if he could move back in with her and Jack until he could find another place. Besides, he and his cousin probably shouldn’t be in such close quarters until this mess blew over. “So what’s the plan now that my band is either in the hospital or jail?”

  “We rebuild. Buddy will be back, but it could take a couple of months, and we’ve got to find a female backup singer who won’t show up naked in your bed.”

  �
�Yeah, about that. Maybe we should keep it to men. I mean surely we can find a guy with a great tenor or a decent falsetto.” Speaking of women, where was the lady of the house? He hoped she and her daughter weren’t burning what clothes he’d brought with him in some ritualistic ceremony.

  “We can try, but your voice blends well with a female. And we used Dawn on the album, so, for now, we probably do need a woman.”

  “Okay, fine.” Beau sighed.

  “Don’t worry about it. Not much has changed. We only had a couple of gigs booked between now and the tour, and they’re easy enough to reschedule. You keep working on those sets.”

  “Kind of hard without a band, and it’s not the same as playing in front of a live crowd.”

  “Yeah, it’s a different vibe.”

  They made their way to the front door where they saw Jack leaning against the car with Luanne’s back against his front, and his big hands over her belly. His lips were at her ears, and she was laughing. This was another reason he couldn’t live with them anymore. They were so in love that it was painful to watch because he knew he’d never be able to have that. Not right now anyway, and maybe not ever.

  He’d been raised by a bachelor to be a bachelor and chase a dream with everything he had.

  Hailey went in search of Lottie, but she wasn’t in her room. She heard her laughing and followed the sound to the backyard where the girl was rolling on the ground with Beau’s pooch, Walter.

  One too many trips to the emergency room with her kid struggling to breathe had her fighting the urge to tell Lottie to take it easy or all the grass and activity would trigger an asthma attack. Instead she pushed through the screen door and sat her inhaler on the back step. “Lottie, here’s your inhaler if you need it.” The breath caught in Hailey’s throat when Lottie sat up with leaves in her hair, dog slobber on her cheek, and the old Lottie sparkling in her eyes.

  It’d been a while since she’d heard that kind of joy coming from Lottie. Not since Derek married Ariel and started being a father to her kids. She guessed it was then that Lottie realized Derek wasn’t interested in being her dad anymore. Not that he’d been a great one to start with.