Guard

by Charity Parkerson

  Kieran’s bright smile doubled her belief she’d come to the right place. “Henley is being lazy by the pool, so you’re good.”

  Mara crossed the room and claimed the chair across from him. “I heard he’s retiring at the end of this season. Do you plan to join him in a life of leisure?”

  “Who knows?” Kieran said evasively. “I kind of like helping people. I’m not sure I could stop.”

  There was the golden heart that had brought her here. He checked his watch. “Speaking of helping people, it’s just occurred to me I’ve never opened the bottle of wine you sent for finding Cal. How’s that going?”

  “He quit.”

  Kieran’s gaze shot to hers. “Really?”

  Mara nodded. “About three and half months ago, right before filming ended. It’s okay, though,” she rushed to reassure him. “He kept me in contract.” She chewed on her bottom lip. The fluttering in her stomach threatened to make her puke from nerves. “Actually, Cal is sort of why I stopped by. In a way.”

  Kieran opened his desk drawer, shifting through its contents. “Go on,” he said, pulling out a cork screw.

  Mara didn’t know where to start. “Filming is over,” she said again unnecessarily. “But Cal and I aren’t. Well, at least, I hope we’re not. I don’t know.”

  Kieran paused in his search through his drawers. “Was I supposed to get something from all that?”

  Heat exploded through Mara’s cheeks and she had no idea why. She felt like a teenager telling her parents she liked a boy. “We’re a couple, I suppose.”

  “You suppose?” Kieran asked, sliding his chair to a nearby cabinet and swinging open the door. He came out with a bottle of wine and a glass.

  “We are,” she reaffirmed. “Or we were, and then I fucked things up—like I always do. But—”

  “Then not only is it five o’clock somewhere, you need a stress reliever,” Kieran said, interrupting her and holding up the glass. “Interested?”

  “No, I—” The glass caught her eye, drawing her up short. It came from a one-of-a-kind set engraved for her by a Saudi prince as a gift for her thirtieth birthday. It was the glass that had gone missing the night she’d gone to The Rabbit Warren with Cal. Her gaze slid to Kieran’s. His expression remained blank as he held out the glass to her. She noticed he held it carefully, with a cloth napkin around the stem, as if avoiding getting his fingerprints on the piece. “What did you do?”

  Kieran didn’t bat an eye. “We’d be here all day if I started listing my past transgressions. Would you like some wine?”

  Mara couldn’t respond. Her stare refused to budge from the wineglass Kieran had obviously stolen. She doubted he’d done it personally. More likely, he’d hired someone. She didn’t know how to feel. Mara had come here because she trusted him and needed advice. Now she wondered if she trusted anyone. Kieran set the glass in front of her. She watched as he opened the bottle of wine she’d given him. When he moved as if to pour her some, Mara covered the glass with her hand, stopping him. She stood, picking up the glass as she went. Mara wondered if she looked as confused as she felt.

  “I can’t drink. I’m pregnant,” Mara said, taking her wineglass and heading for the door. She didn’t look back. If she’d shocked Kieran, then they were even, and she’d have to figure things out on her own.

  Chapter Ten

  It was a damn good thing Henley had decided to retire. Kieran didn’t know how much more he could stand of watching the man get hurt. He’d taken a skate to the thigh two nights ago and wouldn’t be playing for the rest of the season. His husband’s career ended—just like that and earlier than intended. Kieran hadn’t stopped babying him since. With his man curled up on the couch in the corner, Kieran worked quietly at his desk while Henley slept. Despite the good he felt he’d done for Mara, guilt ate at Kieran. He didn’t want to lose a friend. Sometimes, he forgot not everyone was as cutthroat as him. When it came to Henley, Kieran would stop at nothing. He forgot not everyone had that same intensity when it came to matters of the heart. Mara and Cal were obviously meant to be. It was apparent to anyone with eyes. All he’d done was give them a little push. It had worked too.

  Unfortunately, he hadn’t considered a pregnancy. Kieran couldn’t see Cal handling that well. The man hadn’t wanted to touch another adult. A defenseless child… Cal might not ever want anything to do with his baby. It was good Mara had run out on him. No doubt, that was why she’d come to Kieran in the first place—to hear what he thought. He couldn’t be the one to tell her Cal probably wouldn’t want this. So, once again, he was meddling.

  Gannon poked his head in the door. “Hey,” he said, keeping his voice low to keep from waking Henley. “Cal Walsh is here. He said you called him and asked him to come, but I didn’t want to send him in here until I cleared it with you.”

  “Thanks. I called him earlier.”

  “Cool. I’ll send him in.”

  Pride rose in Kieran’s chest. Gannon might be his younger brother, but Kieran had raised him like a son. Every time he came to stay, and Kieran saw the amazing man he’d become, he couldn’t get enough time with him. His house was overflowing with love. Gannon’s husband, Alex, was there showering him with attention. Henley was no longer working and Kieran had everything.

  Cal came through the door. There were dark circles underneath his eyes and he wore jeans in place of his usual expensive business suits. Although it was hot as hell out, long sleeves covered his arms. Kieran fought the urge to shake his head. It seemed even Mara’s love hadn’t convinced him to stop hiding his scars.

  Cal’s gaze moved to the corner of the room where Henley slept, making him wonder if Gannon had warned him to keep his voice low. “How’s he feeling?” Cal asked quietly, proving Kieran’s thoughts right.

  “He’s making it. They released him from the hospital early this morning. He’s refusing pain meds, so… you know.” Kieran hated to say more. Cal knew better than most that Henley was a recovering addict. They could plan for a lot of things, but this was one scenario they hadn’t considered. Kieran hadn’t felt so helpless in a long time.

  “He has you,” Cal said, sounding confident. “He’ll be fine. So, what do you need my help with? I’m assuming that’s why you called.”

  A smile tugged at the corners of Kieran’s mouth. Cal was a good guy. Kieran hoped he wasn’t about to lose another friend. “I hear congratulations are in order.”

  “Kieran,” Henley said from the corner, sounding groggy as he chastised him. “Not our place.”

  Kieran’s gaze shot in Henley’s direction. He eyed his husband’s pale face and checked for any signs of distress. Henley looked tired but otherwise okay, so Kieran didn’t let the man’s argument deter him. He’d set Cal and Mara up, hoping they’d end up right where they were. Well, maybe not right where they were. They weren’t supposed to be stupid and apart. Kieran did his best to reassure Henley. “It has to be somebody’s place, baby. If he freaks out, better he does it here. You know first reactions are everything. If he flips out in front of Mara, she’ll be crushed and never forget it.”

  “What the fuck are you talking about?” Cal asked, sounding exhausted and irritated.

  Kieran flashed him a bright smile. “Your congratulations. Surprise! You’re going to be a dad.”

  Cal’s expression went blank. “I’m sorry, what? Mara is on the pill and I was told I most likely couldn’t have kids.”

  A snort escaped Kieran. “Doctors are wrong literally every day, and birth control needs to be taken at the same time each day to truly be effective. When have you seen Mara do anything at the same time every day? She wants breakfast at noon and lunch at four. Not to mention, I’ve never seen an actor or actress who got to the set on time. My guess is she doesn’t remember to take them half the time. She’s too busy trying to remember her lines.” He could tell by Cal’s face he knew Kieran was right. Kieran glanced Henley’s way again. “See? He didn’t need that to be his first reaction in front of Mara. Mar
a shouldn’t have had to explain that.” Kieran’s gaze found Cal’s once again. A huge smile stretched the man’s lips.

  Henley groaned. “See? He’s happy. We just screwed Mara out of seeing this.”

  “He can pretend he heard it from her first,” Kieran argued, facing Henley once more. “It’s not like he won’t still be happy when he sees her. Why are you happy?” Kieran asked, his gaze swinging back Cal’s way. “I expected there to be a lot of drama and moaning about how you’re not fit to parent a child.”

  “I’m not fit to parent a child,” Cal said, still smiling and making Kieran wonder if Cal had snapped. “But Mara is,” he said, his smile somehow getting brighter. Cal shrugged. “I never thought I’d get to have any of this—Mara or kids. Those were just more things stolen from me.” He laughed, doubling Kieran’s fears about his mental health. “It’s Mara, you know? I don’t know what is it about her, but the rules of nature don’t apply to her. I can’t stand to be touched, but she doesn’t bother me. Supposedly, I can’t have kids, yet I am with her. It’s just... her. I shouldn’t be surprised at all.”

  “Damn,” Kieran cursed under his breath. Henley was right. “I did steal this from Mara.”

  “Told you so,” Henley called from the corner.

  Cal stood. “No, you didn’t steal anything. I won’t let that happen. Thanks for letting me know,” Cal said, heading for the door without a backward glance. Kieran watched him go, hoping he hadn’t totally ruined his friendship with Mara.

  Henley’s hands landed on his shoulders, making Kieran jump. He hadn’t heard the man move, and he shouldn’t be up at all. “You did a good thing,” Henley said, leaning down and touching his lips to the spot below Kieran’s ear.

  “I hope you’re right,” Kieran said, coming to his feet. “Come on, baby. Let’s get you to bed. You shouldn’t be on that leg.”

  “Will you kiss it and make it better?”

  “Always,” Kieran swore as he helped Henley to the bedroom. He’d never meant anything more. For the rest of his days, he’d kiss Henley and do whatever it took to keep him healthy.

  Cal tried practicing his speech in his head on the way to Mara’s. His nervousness kept him from remembering what he planned to say. Each time he started the speech over, it changed. He’d never been more scared of getting turned away by anyone. The hurt she’d tried hiding, when he’d told her he needed to think, wouldn’t leave him. What if he’d fucked things up for good? They were having a baby. Holy shit. Cal almost pulled to the side of the road to put his head between his legs at the thought. He wouldn’t leave her alone with that. He wasn’t that type of guy. Before he’d gotten the news, he’d already been intent on winning her back, but he didn’t know how. Now, it didn’t fucking matter how. She would never get rid of him.

  By the time Mara’s house came in to view, he thought he’d scream from the pressure building inside him. He was in less control than he’d ever been. That was what Mara did to him. His truck hadn’t fully stopped running when he jumped from the vehicle, intent on finding Mara. His knuckles barely skimmed the door when it flew open. Michael stood on the other side, staring down at his phone.

  “Mara isn’t here.”

  “Where is she?” Cal asked, skipping all the niceties since he didn’t have the patience for good manners and Michael didn’t expect them.

  “Out of town.” He started to close the door.

  Cal slapped his hand against the wood. “Out of town, where?”

  Even with a pissed off Cal hovering over him, Michael didn’t look up from his phone. “She went to stay with Chase in the mountains.”

  Cal tried biting back his irritation. “Could you be a little more specific?”

  “I’m sure I could,” Michael said, attempting to close the door once more.

  Something inside Cal snapped. He grabbed Michael’s phone and chucked it. Michael’s gaze followed the device across the room, where it hit the wall before slamming to the floor and separating into two pieces. “Do you think you could find me the fucking address?” Cal asked between clenched teeth.

  Michael met his gaze. He didn’t look put out or angry in any way. Instead, he reached behind him and pulled a second phone from his pocket. “Lucky for you, I have another phone. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to pull up the address for you.”

  Cal bit back a growl. “Thanks, Michael. Sorry about the phone,” Cal reluctantly grumbled since he felt like an ass.

  “It’s 1011 Sasquancha Lane in Sevierville, Tennessee. I’ll text you the directions.”

  Cal’s shoulders fell. He probably wouldn’t get there until—at least—tomorrow. He hated waiting when something was this important. “Thanks again, and I really am sorry about the phone. Just let me know how much I owe you and I’ll buy you a new one.”

  To his surprise, Michael met his gaze. The man’s intensity was almost overwhelming when he focused on anything other than his work. “Don’t worry about it. Mara deserves someone who’ll show that much passion on her behalf.” He shrugged. “Besides, spineless people are boring. I’ll book you a flight and car,” Michael said before shutting the door in his face.

  Two weeks with Chase and Seb had been just what Mara needed. It wasn’t the time with friends, relaxation, hiking, or Seb teaching her how to play a first-person shooter game that had given her the perspective she sought. Peace had settled in at some point over the past two weeks. At home, alone, she’d spent too much time overthinking the situation. Yes, Cal had pretty much dumped her days before she learned she was pregnant. And, yes, he’d probably freak the fuck out about the baby once he found out. No matter what, Mara would be okay. She had great friends. That was more than her mother had, and Mara had turned out okay. She also had money and the ability to stay at home. Mara could and would give this child an amazing life. They would be fine alone. That didn’t mean her heart didn’t hurt, but her life wasn’t about her any longer. It was about this tiny miracle that shouldn’t be but was. Everything had been stacked against this baby’s conception. Yet life had formed anyway. For Mara, it was a lifesaving miracle at the exact moment Cal had decided to break what was left of her. She wasn’t angry. Mara didn’t hate him. It was her fault for not listening all the times he’d told her he wouldn’t heal. She’d loved every broken piece of him, but she failed at making him see that. Now she had other priorities.

  “I think I’ll go home tomorrow,” Mara said, announcing her plans in the middle of a bloody warehouse shoot out with faceless black-clad military men.

  “You’re welcome to stay as long as you like,” Seb said as he threw a grenade over her character’s shoulder, helping to clear the path. “There’s a second wave of soldiers over this hill.”

  Mara shifted her weight, leaning closer to the TV in anticipation of another attack. “I appreciate the offer. Chase and you need your privacy, and I’ve intruded long enough.” Having conversations while focusing on a video game made heavy topics easier. “Plus, I guess it’s time I stopped hiding.”

  “You’re not hiding,” Seb said, easing her pride. “Chase and I are hiding,” he said with a low laugh that was sexy enough to make Mara jealous of Chase. Her best friend had the best taste. “Sometimes, you just need to get away and remind yourself how fake the rest of the world is, so you can figure out how to be true to yourself again.”

  That was exactly what it was like. Mara’s situation was a bit different from Chase and Seb’s, but not by much. The pair were in the spotlight every bit as much as her. They were hiding now, because they weren’t hiding anymore. Not only had Chase finally publicly come out, he’d announced his marriage to Seb—his ex-step-brother. It hadn’t been as big of deal as she’d expected. Still, they’d decided to retreat to their cabin in the mountains. They didn’t care what anyone thought about their relationship. That didn’t mean they wanted to listen to everyone’s thoughts.

  They completed another level. “I don’t know why this game is so oddly satisfying to me.”

&nbs
p; “Probably because you get to picture you’re shooting me.”

  Mara’s head whipped around so fast she almost gave herself whiplash. Cal stood in the doorway of the den with his hands clasped in front of him, looking like the darkest of angels.

  “Um, Cal’s here,” Chase said a little too late behind him, sounding guilty.

  “Thanks, Chase.” The words came out in a choked whisper. Her throat swelled to the point of painful. “What are you doing here?” She hadn’t been ready to see him. Not by a long shot. All the inner pep talks and lectures hadn’t prepared her for shit. Fuck him, he was wearing jeans and a long-sleeve t-shirt, making her want to jump him right then. The problem was she wasn’t sure if she wanted to fuck him or kick his ass.

  “I came for you.”

  Seb stood. “Well, I’m out. Come on, Chase. Let’s go do... something.”

  Chase nodded, but his gaze slid her way, silently checking with her.

  Mara waved him away. “It’s fine.”

  Seb and Chase disappeared, leaving her alone with the missing pieces of her soul. “I’m surprised Chase let you in the door,” Mara said, because every other thought she had hurt.

  “I convinced him.”

  “Convincing him better not have included threatening him.”

  Cal’s mouth turned up in one corner. “No. I asked him if he remembered what happened to that handbag you used to have.”

  Tears pressed against the backs of Mara’s eyes. Of course Chase would let him in after that. Only someone Mara loved would know that story. Only someone who cared about her would remember it. “Did he remember?”

  Cal nodded. He looked so damn solemn it hurt her heart. “He said he still has it.”

  A surprised-sounding snort escaped Mara. “Bitch. He stole my purse.”