#Heart (Hashtag #6)

by Cambria Hebert

  “We were trying to make B feel better about his,” Romeo drawled.

  “I will pull it out right now.” I warned. “Get the measuring tape.”

  “Ew!” Rimmel shot up from her chair. “I’m going to go shower. Get this nasty talk out of your system before I come back.”

  “Aw, sis, come back. We were having a nice brother-sister moment!” I called.

  “Ew!” she said again.

  Drew was pouring himself some coffee, and Rimmel held hers out for a refill before she escaped. He obliged her and winked. She snorted and poured some creamer in.

  On her way past Romeo, she slowed and dragged her fingertips across his bare abs. He caught her hand and leaned down to kiss her. “I’ll be up in a minute, baby.”

  “Love you, sis!” I yelled when she was gone.

  “Love you!”

  “What the hell are you doing up so early?” I said, turning back to Drew.

  “Couldn’t sleep,” he mumbled.

  “Seems to be a lot of that going around,” Romeo commented.

  “What’s going on, Rome?” I felt bad because I hadn’t picked up on anything. He seemed fine.

  “Nothing. Rim’s just missing her mom.”

  I made a mental note to try and spend some extra time with her. I wasn’t her mother, but I loved her and that counted for something, didn’t it?

  “Drew, we need to talk,” I said.

  “This about my sister?” His eyes narrowed.

  He was still mad I got her pregnant. To him it was all on me. I wasn’t upset about it. I understood. I’d be the same way about Rimmel.

  “Yeah.”

  “Don’t you need to talk to me?” Romeo said.

  I rolled my eyes. “Didn’t we just do that?”

  “Want me to come shopping with you later?” he offered.

  “Shopping?” Drew wondered. “What the hell is happening here?”

  “Yeah, sure. That’d be cool.”

  “I’ll leave you guys to it, then.” Romeo pushed off the counter and slapped me on the back on his way out of the kitchen.

  Drew sat a few stools down. “What the fuck was that about?”

  “You and Ivy are close. She’s closer to you than anyone else in her family, right?”

  He nodded. “Yeah.”

  “Then I think it’s right I ask you.”

  “Ask me what?”

  “I want to ask Ivy to marry me.” Drew’s eyes widened. I cleared my throat. “I know you aren’t her dad, but I think your blessing would mean a lot to her. And I’d like it, too.”

  “You asking because of the baby?” He scrutinized me. Clearly, he wasn’t going to make this easy.

  And clearly, I was the world’s biggest idiot if the first thing he thought was I was doing this out of obligation and I never even realized it would look that way.

  “Ivy’s the only woman I’ve ever loved. Part of me always knew we were meant to be, even before we ever started dating. It’s one of the reasons I gave her such a hard time. It was easier that way, you know?”

  He nodded.

  “So am I marrying her because of the baby? No. I’m marrying her because I love her and I always will. Would I have asked her this early? Probably not. She’s still healing from everything he did to her. I don’t want to push. But that’s my kid. Either way, we’re heading for the altar. Now it’s just a little sooner.”

  Drew studied me like he was really considering what I said. It was kind of making me nervous. Drew and I got along. Hell, I liked the guy. But I was his sister’s boyfriend and he was overprotective, so yeah, there was a little tension there.

  “You got my blessing,” Drew finally said. Just like that.

  “Really?”

  He nodded. “I know you’ll treat her right. Her and my niece or nephew.”

  “I will.”

  Drew sat up to his full height. “But you have to know, Walker, if you hurt her in any way, I will kill you.”

  “Seems fair.” I held out my hand.

  Drew shook it. “Gotta say I’m surprised you came to me before you asked. I like that.”

  “I kinda already asked,” I admitted. “She said no.”

  Drew laughed. “That’s my baby sis. Making you work for it.”

  I didn’t think it was too funny, but I refrained from imparting that little bit of information.

  The sound of shuffling feet coming through the living room was familiar, and I glanced over my shoulder. Ivy was coming into the kitchen in a pair of loose pajama pants and my Wolfpack T-shirt.

  Without saying a word, she crossed to the fridge pulled out the juice and poured some in a glass. Before she even put the container away, she leaned against the counter and took a sip.

  Entertained, I got up and grabbed the bottle, capped it, and put it away. I looked at her fingers—specifically her ring finger—and tried to imagine what kind of ring she would want to put there.

  “Ives, come over here and talk to your big bro. Let me tell you about the latest article I read in GearShark.”

  She plopped down next to Drew, and he started talking about cars and racing and how the indie racing world was getting big and soon might be just as big as NASCAR.

  I listened with half an ear while the other half plotted.

  My coffee cup was almost empty again when the doorbell rang. All three of us looked toward the door and then back at each other.

  “Stay here,” I told Ivy and strode out to the entryway and pulled open the door.

  “Anthony,” I said, surprised to see Romeo’s dad on the porch so early in the morning. “Why do I get the feeling this isn’t just a friendly visit?”

  Flashes of my nightmare from just hours ago replayed in my head like some B-rated movie.

  Anthony stepped inside, and I closed the door behind him.

  Ivy and Drew came out of the kitchen and stopped short when they saw who it was.

  “Because it isn’t,” he said. “I have news, and I’m afraid it isn’t very good.”

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Ivy

  I missed coffee.

  I never knew being pregnant could mess with your taste buds, but as I sat here and watched everyone around me drink it like I always used to, it became a harsh reality.

  Even though I wanted to drink it, was tempted to snatch the cup from Drew’s hand and take sip, I knew it wouldn’t be the same. So odd how one day it could be something I absolutely loved, and the next day it turned to the stale taste of cigarettes across my tongue.

  My only hope was once I had the baby, I could go back to my coffee-loving ways.

  Until then, I’d stick to orange juice.

  Yeah, I know. It had too much sugar and was too acidic. Were you going to argue with a pregnant woman’s hormones?

  Yeah.

  Didn’t think so.

  I wasn’t about to either.

  Everyone was up early this morning. Seemed there was something in the air that was keeping us all awake. I guess we all had our own personal demons to work through.

  The doorbell rang.

  As usual, Braeden rushed out ahead of me like a shield, and when I stood to follow, Drew put himself in front of me as well.

  This time it wasn’t an unwelcomed guest with wild accusations. It was Anthony Anderson, but judging from the way he looked and the words that fell out of his mouth, I kinda wished it had been someone unwelcome.

  I didn’t want to hear whatever he came to say.

  Perhaps we all weren’t up battling our personal demons this morning. Perhaps deep down, all of us knew something was about to happen, something we all needed to be together for.

  I fidgeted in the space between the living room and kitchen, watching Braeden’s and Anthony’s grim faces by the door.

  “Can I get you some coffee, Mr. Anderson?” I asked.

  “Call me Tony,” he corrected. “And yes, please.”

  I was grateful for the brief escape, and I went into the kitchen and let out a
breath. At the counter, I stood for long seconds, my back to the room, and tried to prepare myself for whatever it was he was here to say.

  Obviously, this had to do with Braeden and Zach’s father. Obviously, if he was here as a lawyer at this early hour of the morning, then it must be bad.

  My hand trembled slightly when I lifted the pot to fill the mug with coffee, making sure to leave enough space for a bit of cream.

  Once the pot was replaced, I gripped the edge of the counter and bowed my head.

  “Hey,” a familiar voice whispered, and a hand rubbed over my back. I turned my head and stared at my brother, letting him see the fear in my eyes.

  “Drew.”

  “Come on.” His voice was low, but it was too deep to be a whisper. I went to him willingly, and he folded me against his chest. He always hugged the tightest. Always. Ever since I was a little girl, it was Drew’s hugs that were always the most solid. He wasn’t afraid to squeeze me, and I loved the feeling of a big brother bear hug.

  “I’m scared,” I whispered against his chest.

  He hugged me even tighter. “Don’t be scared, Ives. I know I haven’t been here as long as everyone else, but there are a few things I’ve learned about this family that I know as well as my own name.”

  “What?” I asked, still pressing close.

  I felt him smile, and he kissed the top of my head. “If one of us is in trouble, we all are. You’re never ever alone, and the only thing luckier than a winning lottery ticket is Braeden.”

  “Braeden isn’t very lucky right now.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong, sis. He’s the luckiest bastard I ever met. He has you. He has an entire family that’s gonna fight for him.”

  “Even you?” My voice was small, reminding me of all the times I’d gone to him when I was young, scared, and needing him to make it better.

  His chest rumbled with laughter. “Even me. I won’t let someone with an axe to grind take away my sister’s only, especially when she needs him around to change diapers.”

  He was my only.

  It was the perfect way to describe what Braeden was to me.

  Not the father of my child.

  Not my boyfriend.

  Not my one true love.

  My only.

  “Get the coffee,” he said and released me. “I got your juice.” He picked up the glass and gave me a smirk.

  “Are you disappointed in me?” I blurted out.

  Where did that come from?

  He frowned. “What?”

  I put a hand over my middle, holding my child. “I know you blame Braeden for…” My words faltered because I wasn’t going to call this baby a mistake. I didn’t even want to call her an accident. “I was just as much involved…”

  The glass made a thudding sound when he put the juice back on the granite. “Stop right there. I know how many people it takes to make a baby.”

  I grimaced. I wasn’t going to mention sex. Geez.

  “You think I’m disappointed in you?”

  I nodded and tried to hold myself together. Now was not the time for this conversation, but I couldn’t stop the vulnerability from bubbling up inside me. It was like I had to get it out because the only thing I was going to have room for was whatever was waiting for me in the other room.

  “I don’t think I could take it if you are… You have to know how important you are to me, Drew.”

  He made a strangled sound, closing the distance between us. “You’re just as important to me, kid. That’s why I’m here. I packed my shit and moved up the East Coast to be where you are. Hell, I even told Dad I couldn’t be the son he wanted for you.”

  “You did that for you.” I corrected.

  “I did it for both of us.” He tugged on the ends of my hair, and I smiled.

  I glanced down between us, looking at our bare feet against the tile. We had the same shaped feet. His were just bigger.

  “I could never be disappointed in you, Ivy.”

  I looked up.

  “I’m shocked as hell you even worried about that.”

  “Well, you haven’t said much about the baby… and that night in the car, you yelled at Braeden.”

  He gave me a lopsided smile. “I’m gonna yell at him for the rest of our lives. That’s my job as your big brother.”

  “But the baby,” I pressed.

  “Is going to be spoiled as shit.” He finished. “‘Cause I’m gonna love him or her as much as I love you. I’m not disappointed in you, Ives. I’m so fucking proud for everything you’ve come through and for the mother you already are to that little munchkin.”

  I needed to hear that so much. And now that I had, I felt so much lighter. “I’m so glad you came here.”

  He chuckled. “Me, too.” He used his thumbs to wipe away the tears I hadn’t realized spilled over. “This place has totally changed me.”

  Something about the way he said that struck me. “What do you mean?”

  His blue eyes, which were usually so open, became shuttered.

  “Drew?”

  He shook his head. “Nothing.”

  I grabbed his arm. “It isn’t nothing. Tell me.”

  “Everything okay in here?” Braeden asked from the doorway.

  Drew took advantage of my distraction and removed himself from the conversation. “Get the coffee.” He picked up my juice.

  “We’re all good,” Drew told Braeden as he walked by him and into the living room.

  I stared after him with a funny feeling in my stomach.

  “What’s the matter?” B asked.

  “I don’t know,” I replied thoughtfully, staring after my brother. I shook off the feeling and carried the coffee to the fridge and added a bit of cream.

  When I made it to B’s side, his hand found a spot on the small of my back. All my attention turned to him and whatever Anthony was about to say.

  “It’s going to be fine.” I assured him.

  Everyone was gathered in the living room when I handed the coffee to Tony. He thanked me and took a sip before sitting it on the table in front of him. He looked tired, his blue eyes weary.

  Romeo and Rimmel were sitting on the end of the couch, close to the chair Anthony was in. Rim looked worried, and Romeo had a stubborn set to his jaw, like whatever this was about was going to be sorry it ever came our way.

  It made me feel stronger.

  As if he sensed me looking, his sapphire gaze shifted to me. I caught a glimpse of the player he was on the football field. The cold determination, the steely strength behind the laidback persona. He was ready for this, and whatever it was didn’t stand a chance.

  I sat down near Rimmel, and Braeden sat on my other side. I braved a glance up at him, worried about what I might see.

  But he looked a lot like Romeo.

  Stubborn, with a hint of fire in his dark eyes. There was no laidback persona to look behind with him, though. He was just as intense as always and ready to defend what was his.

  “Trent should be here,” Rimmel said.

  He should be, but there was no way we could wait the time it would take for him to get here. We were all too keyed up.

  Drew made a sound and pulled out his cell. His fingers flew over the screen.

  “We’ll just have to fill him in,” I said and looked at Tony, ready to start.

  “Hang on,” Drew said and tossed the phone in his lap.

  Seconds later, the sound of feet pounding above our heads made everyone look around at the staircase.

  Trent came rushing down, his movements unsteady, like he was still half asleep. “I’m here,” he said, rushing into the room. His shirt was rumpled and he had pillow marks on the side of his face. His hair was mussed and eyes blurry.

  Everyone turned their eyes to Drew, who actually looked a little embarrassed. “He had too much to drink to drive home.”

  “The hangover is real,” Trent said and slid onto the floor near the chair Drew was sitting in. All the seats in the room were alr
eady taken.

  “He slept in your room?” Braeden asked, totally ready to have a field day with this.

  “Someone had to make sure his drunk ass didn’t choke on his own puke,” Drew retorted. Then he muttered, “Like you and Romeo never shared a room.”

  “Ocean City!” They both burst out at the same time.

  Rimmel and I looked at one another and shrugged. “We probably don’t want to know.” I assured her. She agreed.

  “Everyone is here, then?” Anthony asked, clearing his throat.

  On the floor, Trent moaned at their volume and put his head in his hands. Drew rolled his eyes and held his coffee mug down in front of him. Trent took it in both hands and held it in front of him like it was some kind of holy object.

  “What’s going on, Dad?” Romeo asked.

  “I received a call early this morning. I know some people in the department. He was actually at your engagement party,” he said to his son.

  Romeo nodded.

  Tony looked away from him and at Braeden, regret in his eyes. “Robert Bettinger is in the process of filing criminal charges against you, Braeden. Because it’s the weekend, not much is going to happen, but come Monday morning, they will likely be issuing a warrant for your arrest.”

  I made a sound and collapsed back into the couch. Arrested? Braeden was going to go to jail? I pressed a hand over my stomach and forced myself to breathe.

  I would not cry.

  Beside me, Braeden was tense but silent.

  Too silent.

  “On what charges?” Romeo demanded.

  “Manslaughter.”

  “No!” I burst out and leapt to my feet. “That’s insane. It was a car accident. Zach kidnapped me. He held a gun on me. He raped me!”

  “Apparently, Robert got ahold of the 9-1-1 call that Braeden made the night of the crash. Robert claims that in the background, Zach can be heard yelling for help. He’s claiming Braeden had ample time to pull Zach free of the wreckage.”

  “It’s not true!” I demanded, not even trying anymore to stop the tears. This was a nightmare. I wished I’d never drunk that drink he gave me that night. I wished I’d been smarter, braver. If I had, maybe none of this would be happening right now.

  “Ivy.” Braeden appeared behind me, reaching for my hand.

  I jerked away from him and sobbed. “He didn’t kill him. He can’t go to jail.”