by Leaona Luxx
“I know, babe. Ask me. I want you to know.” I hold her face in my hands, beseeching her to ask me.
“Did you love Ava?” Wiping a few more tears from her face, I look her in the eyes.
“No. I didn’t, and I never will love her. Not the way I love you.”
She kisses me. “Why did you take the check?” Her eyes dart to the side. She’s afraid to hear the reason. I nudge her face around until she has to look at me.
“Do you want it?” A ‘V’ forms between her eyes as she pulls them together before she stutters her question.
“Wha-what do you mean? No, I don’t want the money back.” Shocked, she begins to move.
“Wait. We’re talking, not running.” She stops, her gaze on the floor. I reach around her, grabbing my pants. I pull my wallet out, removing the piece of paper I just placed in there earlier. “Here. I only took it with me to prove to you, he tried to buy me. There was never a thought to use it. You’re not for sale.”
She takes the paper from me, slowly opening it. Staring at it, she rubs her fingers over it. Her tears begin to make it wet. Yet, as she straddles me, she sits dumbfounded. Shocked in the fact I never took money for her. Then it hits me.
“He never told you it wasn’t cashed, did he?” She shakes her head. “So, when I left, you thought I really did take the money over you?” She nods. “Oh no, baby. Never. Torrie, I hadn’t told you yet, but I was already in love with you. There’s no amount of money that could take your place.”
Her arms wrap around me, pulling me to her. Sitting there, naked, wrapped in each other. We freeze time, hoping to regain all that was lost. Ten years of missed opportunities. Love, that would have grown and strengthened. “I’m sorry. I tried to get back to the house, I fell asleep in the pool house after he threatened us. I needed to clear my head, figure out how to tell you. I came to get you, to leave. I wanted you to know I had fallen in love with you. I should’ve followed you anyway.” She holds me tight when she begins to whisper in my ear.
We stay there, on the floor, until our legs start to go numb. Helping each other up, we start dressing. And kissing. A shirt here, a kiss there. It’s the most amazing thing ever. I want to touch her everywhere. Taste her on my lips.
After straightening the storage room, we walk toward the front of the building. I take a paperclip to try to hold my zipper together. It’s impossible and the thought of getting through my house like this is slim to none. Torrie gets on her knees in front of me to try to help fix it.
At one point, we begin full on laughing at how we look. Her on her knees in front of my opened pants. Damn. I reach for her hand, helping her to her feet. Tugging her into me, I bend her arm behind her. Lacing my fingers through her hair, I pull her lips into mine.
That’s when we hear the sound of keys clicking against the window. Scanning the glass, I spot Hardy, grinning like a fucking fool. Rolling my eyes, I loosen my hold on Torrie. Allowing her to fix herself while I open the door, pulling my shirt over my pants.
“Kids.” Hardy’s shit-eating grin makes us laugh. “What’s going on?” But it’s Thayer’s arrival which finishes us off.
“What the fuck? Hell yes, about damn time. You broke his freaking zipper? How is that even possible?” Hardy pulls her back, kissing her quiet.
“Babe. Not sure they want everyone to know their business.” Hardy laughs at Thayer as One comes through the door.
“Hey, did you find out what was going on?” He looks at Hardy, who points to us. He looks at us, back at Hardy, then to us again, smiling.
“About damn time. It was killing us watching the two of you pretending to not love each other.” Smiling as he texts. “I’m letting Hadlea know. About the lights and you.” He winks.
After everyone leaves, we stand between our cars, talking. We have so much to discuss, least of which is her father and her job. She keeps the check with my blessing. I feel damn lucky I can give it back to her. Hearing her say she loves me is beyond anything I could ask for.
“Can I follow you home?” I pick at her shirt until I fist it, yanking her into me.
“Is this your way of finding out where I live?” She giggles.
“Maybe. You have no clue how much I wished I could stay.” I kiss her nose.
“I couldn’t agree more.” She kisses my chin.
“I might be able to arrange something if you’re open to it?” I kiss her cheek.
“What? Does she stay over at Ava’s?” Her question is innocent but fully loaded. She kisses my cheek.
“No. Ava lost the right a few years ago, she only gets day visits. But I do have a sitter.” I kiss her lips.
“Well, lover, make it happen.” She kisses me back just as a car circles the lot. Fuck.
“What the fuck, Brannon? You said you aren’t with her,” Ava screams as she climbs out of her car. “Are you seeing her?”
“Every fucking day. Leave, now.” I step in front of Torrie, shielding her.
“Did you fuck her? Your jeans, you fucked her.” She’s screaming so loud, I can’t take it another minute.
“Let’s get you in your car.” Turning my back on Ava, I open Torrie’s door. “I’ll be right behind you. Don’t worry.” I kiss her again and close her door.
“Where the fuck is she going? She will never be a mother to our child.” She has lost her damn mind.
“Ava, calm down. I will date whomever I please. I’m a good father, I give you anything you need. I told you ten years ago, it’s her. Always will be.” Climbing into my truck, I hurry to the light where Torrie sits, waiting for it to change.
I follow her home, pleased she lives in a gated community. Flashing my lights at her as I pass, I take a shortcut home. Hoping to make it before Andi goes to bed. I pull my truck over by the barn to get a jacket I left in there a few months ago, it should hide my pants.
I slip in the back door, hoping to get to my room before they see me. I feel like a teenager; sneaking around is for the birds. I don’t want Andi to see me like this, it’s irresponsible. Torrie and I have so much shit to work out.
“Dad? Is that you?” my beautiful girl yells from the other room.
“Yeah, baby. Give Dad just a minute, I’ll be right in there.” Hightailing it to my room, I change quickly and join them in the living room.
“Good evening, ladies. What are you two doing?” Bending down, I kiss Andi on the top of the head.
“We just finished with a round of Trouble. Looks like you found some of your own.” Mom winks at me. I search her eyes because I’m puzzled.
“Well, I made sure to get home in time to tuck you in. So, run brush your teeth, and I’ll be right there.” Jumping up, she hurries to the bathroom.
“Please tell me you’ve been with Torrie,” Mom says smiling brightly.
“I have. How did you know?” I’m gobsmacked.
“You have a hickey.” She burst into laughter when I leap from the chair to look in the mirror. Shit, so I do.
“Mom.” I practically sigh. “She loves me. I gave her the check back.” One of happiest moments.
“You did?” she asks with baited breath. “She does?”
“I did, she took it with her. She does, she loves me. Ava saw us saying goodbye to each other.” Watching her in the mirror, I try to hide this bruise from my daughter with my shirt.
“I’m so happy you gave her the check. Even better that she loves you. Ava already called.” Her face falls at the thought.
“We have a lot to figure out, including Ava and Torrie’s father.” Glancing over my shoulder, I widen my eyes.
“Wonderful. I’ll not be accountable for what I do to him if he tries to hurt you again.” She kisses me on her way to the kitchen.
“Me either. I’m gonna go tuck Andi in,” I say as I head toward Andi’s room.
“Hey, Andi Pandi.” She’s already giggling by the time I sit on her bed. “What’s so funny?” I tickle her belly, making her laugh louder. “Shhhh, Gamma will tell us to cut it out.�
�� I tickle her feet.
“Okay, Dad. Okay.” She keeps laughing even after I’ve stopped.
“Can we talk a minute?” I ask, snuggling next to her and holding her in my arms.
“Of course we can. We can talk about anything, I want you to know that.” She uses my words on me.
“Yes, we can. I’m happy to hear you remember it.” I hug her to me.
“What are we talking about?” Peering up at me, she looks like an angel.
“My friend, Torrie.” Watching her face for any signs of dislike, she smiles.
“I like her.” She smiles wider.
“I do too. You know we’re good friends.” She turns in to face me.
“I remember. She’s pretty, and she’s nice to me.” She nods in agreement.
“I was wondering how you would feel if I started dating her? Bringing her places with us. Maybe dinner one night with Gamma.” She twirls my hair around her finger, contemplating my words.
“Ava doesn’t like her too much.” She looks at me when she says it.
“I know, baby, but I like Torrie.” I touch her on the nose and then tweak it. She giggles.
“You smell like her.” I kiss her head.
“It’s because I hugged her.” Hugging her tight.
“Dad, if Torrie makes you happy, then I say we ask her to come over. I’m okay with it if you want to date her. I know you’re worried, but you don’t have to be.” She hugs me tighter. I lay with her until she falls fast asleep.
I know if we can lay low until after this project is done, I’ll be the head of Harrington Holdings by the end of the year. I’m not sure what Brannon will think about it, but he keeps saying we can figure it out.
I’m a little nervous about spending time with Andi, though. What if she doesn’t like me? Brannon could never pick, I wouldn’t want him to. It’s more than obvious, she’s his world. It’s important she and I have a good relationship. What if I’m like my father? What if I don’t have the capacity to love a child?
“Are you sure you don’t want me to pick you up for the aquarium?” Brannon asks with a smile.
“No, I want to see the farm.” I peer over his shoulder as he sets my GPS. “Do you not want me to see the farm?”
“I don’t mind at all. Just so you know, you’ll have to keep coming back.” He punches in a few more buttons.
“Besides, I’ve imagined it for years, it’ll be nice to get to see it,” I tell him as he finishes and raises up eye level with me.
“We’ll be waiting.” He kisses me before getting out of my car. “Come on, I need to get to going or I’ll stay here all night.”
Taking his hand, I climb out. “You would be more than welcome, you know that, right?”
“I do know that, but I promised Andi I’d be home before she goes to bed,” he says, taking me in his arms.
“Okay, but only because it’s Andi.” I kiss him.
“I love you. Thank you for giving us another chance.” His eyes glisten in the dying evening light.
“Thank you for loving me.” I smile. “I love you.” He takes me in his arms as we kiss sweetly.
“Okay. Tomorrow.” He nods kissing me again before getting in his truck and leaving. Brannon calls when he gets home, and I lay in bed talking with him for hours. Dreaming of him and what our future may hold.
I make the turn at the stop light in Shallotte as directed by the GPS. Two miles to go and my destination is on the right. Butterflies erupt in my stomach, I’m as nervous as I can be. A red roof comes into view across a field, followed by a two-story white house. A porch wraps around the house for as far as my eyes can see. I imagine us in the swing as our children play in the field.
On the porch, a strapping young man leans against the post. Legs crossed, hands in his pockets and a red ball cap. Holy fuck. Country boy just turned it up a notch, I’m ready to ride. Coming to a stop, I drink in the gorgeous man walking toward me. He smiles at me, I think I might have actually swooned.
“Since when do cowboys wear ball caps?” I question as I get out.
“Well, honey. I’m a southern country boy, not a cowboy. Besides, I can turn it backward,” he says with a wink.
“I’m seriously hoping you can do that with other things.” Scanning his body.
“You, naughty girl, are a little minx. Shame on you.” He swats my ass as I walk by. “Hey. Get back here, I need a kiss.” Tugging my hand.
“I thought we might wait. You know, in case Andi doesn’t care for it.” Surveying our surroundings, I lean into him. “I don’t want to upset her.”
“Torrie, baby. You are such an amazing person, it’s gonna be okay.” He presses his lips to mine.
“You don’t think I’ve changed?” I busy myself by pressing his shirt with hands.
“I’m sure we both have, but I don’t think it’s anything we can’t figure out. I mean, do you hate kids?” he asks sincerely.
“No.” My thoughts fade to a dark memory. “I love them,” I answer honestly.
“Maybe something I should’ve asked sooner but are you married? Engaged? Seeing someone?” He takes me by the hand, leading me to the steps.
“No way. No. Nope.” He chuckles at my last answer as we sit in the swing.
“Torrie, I’ve loved you for ten years. Do we know where this going? No. Do we have all the answers? No, baby. The one thing I do know, if we both spent the last ten years never falling in love with anyone else, thinking of the other, and making love the way we do, we’ll work it out.” He tugs me into the crook of his shoulder, holding me close.
Nervous energy plays in the pit of my stomach. “I don’t think I could bear losing you again.” It’s a scary thing, but I want him to know, I’m all in.
“I know. Hell, it might not always come easy, but there’s not another person in this world I want by my side, working for it.” He puts his hand on mine.
The fields lining the drive sway in the morning breeze as the sun glints and glistens off the dew. Warmth hits my feet with each back and forth of the swing. Brannon’s arm around my shoulder makes butterflies erupt in my belly. I could get used to this.
Sitting here with him in the quiet morning calms me. Soon, I remember we have plans. “Where is everyone?”
“Inside, I want a minute.” He squeezes my shoulder. Just then, we’re inundated. The screen door swings open as Andi comes running through it with Joyce close behind.
“Torrie!” Andi yells as she comes barreling at us. Scooting to the edge of the swing, I pull away from Brannon’s arm. Glancing at him, he gives me an odd look.
“Hello, Andi. It’s nice to see you again. How have you been?” She looks at me oddly before breaking into a smile.
“I’m good. May I have a hug?” She’s the sweetest thing, I think I’m falling in love with her. Kids can do that to a person.
“Oh, of course.” Standing up, she wraps her arms around my waist, hugging me tightly. I return her hug with my own tightly wrapped arms.
“You smell good. Are you ready go?” she asks excitedly as her face lights up with expectation.
“Whenever Brannon, err, your dad is.” I shake my head as I take a deep breath, admonishing myself.
“Torrie. It’s good to have you here.” Joyce pulls me into a tight hug.
“It was past time for a visit,” I say laughing, hugging her with the same vigor.
“Alright. Who’s ready for the aquarium?” Brannon asks quietly.
“Me!” Andi and I yell at the same time with a burst of giggles.
“Go. Have fun. Torrie, it is wonderful to see you.” Joyce leans in for a hug once again.
“Andi, get your jacket please.” She takes off like a bolt as Brannon takes me by the hand. I pull back from him, leaving him questioning my actions.
As we walk down the steps he asks, “What’s up?”
“I just want to wait. I want her to like me.” He tilts his head, appraising me.
Kissing me on the forehead, he opens the truck do
or. “She does like you. You need to have more confidence in yourself.”
I point in dismay. “Wait. We’re taking your truck?”
“Yes. Problem?” He smirks. “Oh, you’ve never been in a truck before or at least, not one like this.”
“I don’t care to ride in your truck. I just wore a dress, the step is high.” I point to the hem of my dress.
“I see that. It’ll come in handy a little later.” He jogs back toward the house, up the steps, and through the door before he jogs back. “Andi, come on, sweetheart. We’ll take mom’s car.”
There’s something to be said about a man who cares for his daughter, I should know. Brannon adores Andi, his every thought is for her and what’s best for her life. How he finished college, raised her, and kept the farm going is beyond me.
“You buckled in?” She nods. “Let’s go see the fish.” He’s incredibly patient with her, it’s great. Driving into the city, we all share a little small talk.
“Andi Pandi wants to go camping this summer, Torrie,” he says.
“Yes. Will you come, Torrie?” Andi asks from the backseat.
“I’ve never been but I’d love to come.” I smile as I turn to look at her. “As soon as the hotel is done.”
“The hotel is on track, so I think we’re good with a camping trip,” Brannon replies. “Although, you’ll have to ride in my truck.”
“I don’t care to ride in your truck.” I narrow my eyes as I smirk at him.
“I plan on buying a new truck after a few jobs.” He looks out the window at his mirror.
I offer a reassuring smile. “That’s nice. Although, the one you have looks great.”
“It was hard when I came back home, a truck is last on the list.” He glances over at me.
Reaching over, I take his hand, squeezing it tightly. “Well, with a baby, school, and the farm, I think you’ve done amazing.”
“Thank you. Hey, ladies. We are here.” We both cheer at his announcement.
The exhibits are great; Andi is in heaven, and we even get to feed the stingrays. Taking our time to enjoy our day, we eat lunch and even get ice cream. Somewhere near the shark tank, something happens that still has me smitten.