by J. E. Parker
Hendrix ignored his bratty sister and looked over at me. “You coming, Clara? Carissa, Heidi, and Ashley just pulled up and Charlotte was walking across the street, headed this way. I’m sure they’ll be out there in a minute.”
“I’m right behind you.”
Hendrix turned and walked out of the kitchen, taking Maddie with him.
Shelby, Grandmama, and I all followed.
Clara
I was sitting by Brantley’s pool.
Shelby sat to my right, Maddie to my left. Grandmama sat next to Shelby wearing a giant, pink sunhat and purple tinted sunglasses. A couple of feet away, Hope sat perched on the end of the diving board, her feet dangling in the crystal-clear water below.
On the other side of Maddie was Charlotte, who had a snoozing Melody draped across her lap and a sleeping Ryker tucked in her arms. Beside her was Ashley, Carissa, and Heidi.
Bella was keeping herself busy bouncing between the latter three while Liam, Declan, and Lucca watched all the guys bicker over who would be on whose football team.
“I have some news,” I said quietly, taking advantage of having all the girls in one place at one time. “Really good news.”
“Well then, spill it, Clara Bear,” Charlotte urged. “Don’t keep us waiting.”
I took a small breath. “I got a new job.”
Maddie pushed her sunglasses to the top of her head and turned her gaze to meet mine. “What? Where?”
I fought back the smile that threatened to take over my face. “Did any of you know Brantley is opening his own practice in Toluca?”
Shaking her head, Grandmama sat straight, her eyes wide.
I swallowed around the boulder lodged in my throat. “Well, he is, and when I told him about the admin stuff I’ve been doing at the Shelter he hired me to be his new Office Manager.” I paused. “But that’s not all. He also hired me to be Bella’s new part-time nanny.”
Maddie’s mouth gaped. “Brantley is about to be your new boss?” She gasped in mock outrage. “He’s stealing you from us?”
“No, he’s not stealing me,” I said, smiling like a fool. “I’ll still be able to work at the Shelter on the weekends. Just not during the week.”
“I knew he’d hire you,” Hope said, a knowing smile on her face. “It’s why I didn’t say anything to you about him opening the practice. I didn’t want you to overanalyze stuff if he offered you the job.” She smirked. “I know how you are.”
I didn’t have a chance to respond before Charlotte spoke up. “Congrats, sweet pea. I’m sure you’ll love it. Brantley is a good man. I should know. I helped raise him,” she said, winking. “And don’t you worry about your shifts at the shelter. I’ll make sure you get on the schedule whenever you see fit. I know how important it is to you.”
Before moving to Kissler some months back, Charlotte had managed the Battered Women’s Shelter back in Memphis where Hope, Evan, and Brantley had grown up. Here, she was taking over the management position that was left open when Maddie went on maternity leave two weeks before.
I liked Charlotte as a boss, but I loved her as a person even more. Like Hope, she was sweet, kind, and compassionate.
“Clara!” Bella screeched. “Did you tell everyone you’re gonna be my new ninny?”
“I did, princess.”
She squealed again and turned to face a smiling Carissa. “C, did you hear that? Clara is gonna be my new ninny! I’m gonna get to see her and the boys every day.”
“I did,” Carissa replied, laughing. “And I’m totally jealous.”
“Hey, Clara,” Ashley said, drawing my attention. “Do you know if Brantley is hiring anyone else?”
Her question shocked me.
“I’m not sure but I’ll ask.” Normally, I would’ve told her to talk to Brantley herself, but Ashley was terrified of most men—and for good reason—so I knew she’d have a hard time asking him. “I’ll let you know as soon as I found out something. That okay?”
“Totally okay.” Ashley nodded, a shy smile on her face. “Thank you.”
“Anything for you, gorgeous.”
The squeaking of the gate that led from the front yard to the back drew everyone’s gazes to the left of the house.
“Who in the world is—” Grandmama started only to snap her denture-filled mouth closed when Kyle, followed by Ty and Chase Jacobs appeared.
Ty was close friends with Kyle, who was Hendrix’s best friend. Chase was Ty’s younger brother. He was a senior at the same high school as Ashley, and apparently, he was one of the best football players to ever come out of Kissler County.
Come fall, he was headed to Charleston Southern on an athletic scholarship.
“Sweet baby Jesus,” Grandmama mumbled, looking Kyle up and down like he was a piece of meat. “The Hulk has arrived.”
Kyle paid the crazy old biddy no mind.
Every ounce of his attention was focused on Carissa.
As usual.
He took a step toward her, but Hendrix jogged up, stopping him in his tracks. “It’s about time you showed up.” His eyes flicked to Ty and his jaw ticked. Those two had history, bad history, but they were trying to put it behind them. “What’s up, man?”
Ty lifted his chin in acknowledgement but said nothing.
“Hendrix!” Pop hollered from the end of the yard. “Y’all get down here. We don’t have all day. Some of us have to work later.”
All four guys turned and headed to the end of the yard.
After taking a few steps, Chase looked to the left. When his gaze laded on Ashley, his steps faltered. A flirty smile tipped his lips up at the sides. “Hey, Ashley.”
Shelby’s eyes narrowed.
Uh-oh.
Ashley’s cheeks flamed redder than a fire hydrant. “Hey,” she replied softly, her gaze dipping to the ground.
Chase opened his mouth to say something else, but Ty shoved his shoulder. “Leave her alone.” Chase’s face twisted with anger, but he said nothing. He gave Ashley one last appreciative look before walking away.
“What in the name of Hades was that?” Shelby whisper-hissed low enough for only me and Grandmama to hear. “Did you see the way he looked at her? I may have to kill him.”
“Gun is in my purse,” Grandmama replied, patting the oversized fuchsia-colored tote sitting on her lap. “I’ll handle it.”
I pointed toward where the guys were standing. “Judging by the way Anthony is scowling at him he may beat you both to it. And don’t forget Pop. He looks like he’s trying to figure out the best place to hide a body.”
“Carissa,” Bella whined, cutting through the tension that surrounded us. “Let’s go sit on the picnic table and watch my daddy.” She turned her head, her eyes met mine. “You’re going to watch my daddy, right, Clara?”
I smiled. “Of course I am.”
Carissa, along with Heidi and Ashley stood and followed Bella to the picnic table next to where Liam, Declan and Lucca sat on the grass watching the guys.
Watching them go, I lifted the glass of tea that sat next to my chair, only to drop it when Shelby smacked my arm, scaring the living daylights out of me.
Glass shattered.
Ice and tea went everywhere.
“What the hell is the matter with you?”
Unaffected by my pissy tone, Shelby pointed toward the guys. “Look.”
I turned my head just in time to see Brantley fist his shirt behind his neck and rip it over his head.
My mouth ran dry.
My lungs seized.
I’d seen him shirtless before but the sight of his muscular pecs and ripped abs still knocked me off kilter.
A second later, Anthony, along with Kyle, Ty, and Pop followed suit, ripping their shirts off and discarding them to ground.
Skins vs Shirts… I think I like this game.
“Abs,” Shelby said, her eyes wide. “Abs everywhere.”
If I hadn’t been so busy drooling, I would’ve laughed.
“Good God,”
Grandmama said, her jaw nearly hitting the floor. “Did I have a stroke? Cause I’m certain I’ve died and gone to heaven.”
Mouth still gaping, she pulled her phone out of her pocket.
Lifting it in front of her face, she snapped one pic after the other.
Maddie and Charlotte both burst into a fit of laughter at her antics. Hope, bless her heart, just stared at her like she was nuts.
Grandmama moved her hand, aiming the phone’s camera at Brantley. The move made my panties twist. “Oh no, you don’t,” I said, standing. “You can’t take pervy pictures of him.”
Irrational possessiveness consumed me.
“Why the heck not?” she asked, a crap-eating grin on her face.
“Because…” I moved around Shelby and stepped in front of her, blocking her view. “You just can’t.” I crossed my arms over my chest and cocked my hip to the side. “I’m the only one allowed to gawk at him.”
Saying those words did funny things to my heart.
Not wanting to explore the insane feelings strumming through my veins or the snippy words that flowed from my lips, I turned giving a surprised looking Grandmama my back.
My eyes met Hope’s. “I told you,” she said, drumming her fingers atop the diving board. “I told you that you were in trouble. You acted like I was crazy but look at you now.” She smiled from ear-to-ear. “Might as well admit it, bestie. Your falling hard. Trust me, I understand. It’s the curse of the Morgan men.”
Curse or not, I didn’t bother to argue.
There was no point because the words she spoke were the truth.
I was falling and damn if I wasn’t falling hard.
I only hoped Brantley didn’t break what was left of my heart.
Brantley
I was close to losing it.
Jaw clenched, I stood in my driveway, my back leaned against Clara’s piece of shit SUV. The engine was running, and the driver’s door was open. Beside it stood my girl and next to her stood her boys and Bella.
The former three were moments away from leaving and I wasn’t handling it well.
They’d been by my side since the moment Isabella and I arrived in Kissler, and I wasn’t ready for them to go. Just thinking about them climbing into their car and driving back across town to the rundown apartment they called home made my gut twist in knots. I hated it, but after coming up with a hundred reasons for them to stay, Clara was hell bent on going home.
The first time I mentioned them staying overnight again, she told me no because the boys had school the following day. The second time I asked, she dug in her heels even deeper and threatened to knee me in the nuts if I kept tempting her.
My girl was firm in her choice but that didn’t mean I couldn’t try to bend her one last time. “Clara,” I said, nodding at my covered front porch. “Come talk to me for a minute, beautiful.”
I needed her out of ear shot of the kids, so I could plead my case.
Reaching inside her car, she switched off the ignition.
She wore a knowing look on her gorgeous face as she followed me to the porch. Once we reached the steps, I turned, giving the kids my back. All three were smart as hell and advanced for their ages. It wouldn’t have surprised me if one of them tried to read my lips while I asked—no, begged—my girl to stay.
Eyes locked on Clara’s, I whispered, “You’re killing me, bella dama.”
Her eyes searched my face before she pressed the back of her hand to my forehead. “You look fine to me,” she said, a smartass smile playing at her lips. “You don’t even have a fever. Therefore, I doubt you‘ll die anytime soon.”
I chuckled. Lifting my hand, I slid my thumb along her jaw in a soft caress that made her eyes slide closed. Over the past couple of days, I’d learned how much she loved having her face, neck and hair touched.
I planned to do all three when I made love to her for the first time.
“Stay,” I said in a simple plea.
“I can’t,” she fired back.
“You can,” I argued. “What’s stopping you?”
Her eyes fluttered open; she blew out a small breath. “All three kids have school tomorrow, and it’s Bella’s first day. She needs all the rest she can get.”
“I’ll make sure she’s in bed on time. That isn’t an issue—”
Clara pressed a single finger to my lips, silencing me. “I want to stay,” she whispered, causing hope to flare in my chest. “But I can’t.”
The same hope immediately died.
“Brantley, we haven’t been apart for more than five minutes since you got here. Don’t you think that’s a little, well, insane?”
“No.” My answer was quick. “I don’t.”
“How do you not?”
“Simple,” I replied, shrugging my shoulders. “I want to spend time with you, therefore I am. There is nothing insane about it.” Her expression remained unsure. “I know you think this”—I gestured between us—“is fast, but Clara, this didn’t just start when I rolled into town. This thing between us has been building for the past nine months. We just never had the chance to act on it until now.”
An emotion I couldn’t read flickered in her eyes, making the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. “Talk to me, Firecracker. What’s wrong?”
Lips thinned into a straight line, she shook her head. “You don’t know how hard this is…” Her voice trailed off as she fought whatever demons taunted her in her head. “You’re right, this has been building for the past nine months. I’ve worked so hard to keep you at arm’s length, but now that you’re in front of me all I want to do is pull you in and never let go.”
Her words were filled with such raw honesty.
It made my goddamn chest ache.
“Then pull me in,” I replied, stepping closer. “I’m right here. All you have to do is say that you want me, that you want us. Just tell me you’re ready.”
She shook her head. “You don’t understand.”
“Then make me understand. Talk to me. I told you I won’t push you into something you aren’t ready for, and I won’t. I gave you my word, and that means something to me.”
“You scare me,” she admitted in a quick confession that hit me with the force of a freight train. As understandable as it was, her fear still gutted me. “I know you won’t physically hurt me,” she quickly added, “but you can shatter me in a way that Colin never did.”
Clenching her hands into fists, she exhaled so harshly her nostrils flared. “And I hate admitting that. I hate it. But you want the truth so here it is. I want to stay with you, and I want to give being with you a shot, but Brantley, I am trying so hard not to fall in love with you that it’s making my head spin.”
“Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why are you trying not to fall in love with me?”
“Because,” she hissed, tears filling her eyes. “I’m scared of what will happen if you decide that you no longer want to keep the heart that you’re planning on stealing from my chest.” Her eyes flitted to the driveway where the kids stood.
The first tear fell.
Then the second.
“And if things end badly between us, if we end up hating each other, I can’t stand the thought of losing Bella. That just”—her body jerked from the sob she was trying to contain—“I can’t handle that. If you take her away, if you don’t let me or the boys see her…”
“I will never,” I said, interrupting her, “take Bella away from you or the boys. I have made my fair share of mistakes in the past where Chastity is concerned but I will not destroy my daughter by taking away the people she loves.” I wiped away her tears with the heels of my hands. “And I won’t destroy you or the boys that way either. I know what losing Bella would to them, Declan especially. I’m not a monster, Clara.”
I’m not Colin.
“I know you’re not,” she said, looking at the ground. “I’ve always known that.”
“How?”
Her head snap
ped up. “How do I know you’re not a monster?”
I nodded.
Her gaze flitted back to the kids once more. “Because monsters don’t look at other people with love in their eyes. They don’t have that capability. Colin, he never…” She hesitated. “He never looked at the boys or me the way you look at Bella.”
Wrapping a single arm around her lower back, I pulled her close. I wanted to embrace her fully, sealing her body against mine, but I couldn’t. I had no intention of hiding what was going on between us, but I didn’t want to confuse the kids.
They were priority number one.
“Remember how you said that you’re scared to fall in love with me?”
Brows furrowed, Clara looked up at me with confused eyes and nodded.
“Hear me when I say this—fall, beautiful. I’ll catch you.” My fingers caressed her hip where my hand rested. “Trust me.”
“I trust you.” Her bottom lip trembled. “And that’s why I’m falling.”
It was time to say goodbye.
Clara kneeled on my concrete driveway, her arms wrapped around Bella’s waist. “I’ll miss you tonight, Bella Boo,” she said, choking back the emotion consuming her. “But I’m so excited to pick you up from school tomorrow. I’ve got so much stuff planned for us to do once we get home.”
Bella’s chin wobbled. “Promise you’re picking me up?”
My little girl’s insecurities shown bright and clear.
It broke my heart.
Smiling, Clara ran her hands through Bella’s curls. “I do.”
Bella held up a finger. “Pinky promise?”
Clara wrapped her finger around Bella’s. “It’s a pinky promise, princess.”
Hugging my little girl tight, Clara pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Call me before you go to bed, so the boys and I can tell you goodnight, okay?”
Bella nodded. “Okay.”
Clara stood and stepped back.
Declan stepped forward, a frown marring his face. “I’ll see you tomorrow, princess girl,” he whispered a second before Bella launched herself into him, almost knocking him backward.