FRAUD: An Unfit Hero Novel

by Faiman, Hayley

  “You still fuckin’ Andi? I thought that shit was done. No wonder you were drowning yourself in booze, that bitch would make me drink, too.”

  Shaking my head, I snort before I lift my eyes to meet his. “She’s not so bad if you keep her occupied and leave before she starts to talk.”

  “You’re cold,” Louis laughs.

  Turning my head, I look out his kitchen window, then move my gaze back to his. “It’s mean of me, but neither of us was in a good place. Hell, we’re probably still not. I’m just trying to swim to the top so that I’m not stuck in the mud any longer.”

  “Hutton’s your top?” he asks.

  Shrugging a shoulder, I lift my hand and run my fingers through my hair, tugging on the ends. “I don’t know, maybe. I just know that I’ve regretted the way that I left things with her for almost ten years.”

  “So this is your opportunity to make it right, or are you going to make shit worse by hurting her even more?”

  “Where is all this shit coming from?” I ask him.

  His light green eyes darken to an almost emerald color for just a moment before it disappears and they’re back to their original coloring. He tips his head back, ignoring my question as he finishes his protein drink.

  “You ignoring my question for a reason?” I ask.

  Louis inhales a deep breath before he releases it, then his eyes meet mine again. “My shit is not your shit. I’m just putting it out there as a possibility. Be careful, not only for your sobriety but also because I think she still loves you, that’s all.”

  Frowning, I nod once, then take a step back.

  “Beau?” he calls out before I can turn around and leave. Lifting my chin toward him, I wait for him to say something. “She ain’t like the others. Knew it within minutes of meeting her. If what you want is a hometown girl at your side, I think you picked the right one. Just don’t destroy her.”

  “Not planning on it,” I say.

  He dips his chin and we watch one another for a moment. I let out a sigh, taking a step to the side. “You know, you’d do good to use your own advice,” I point out.

  “Like?”

  Shaking my head, I tilt it to the side. “Take an opportunity and make shit right, Louis. Don’t let yourself swim in a big fuckin’ pool of hurt.”

  “Different situations, brother. Never pushed mine away, they seem to do the pushing while I’m standing around waiting to be fucking battered and bruised.”

  “Tulip?” I ask.

  “How’d you hear about her?”

  Smirking, I level him with my gaze. “Small town, big talk, Louis. Gotta learn that shit real fast when you live here. Gallup’s gossip chain does not discriminate.”

  “Yeah, unlike some people,” he mutters.

  “What the fuck?”

  He shakes his head. “Nothin’. Don’t matter,” he grunts.

  Taking a step toward him, I narrow my eyes on him. “Does fuckin’ matter if someone was treating my best friend like shit for something like the color of his skin.”

  Louis lets out a sigh. “Wouldn’t be the first time, won’t be the last. Doesn’t matter, Beaumont.”

  I growl, unable to hold back my irritation, my anger at the situation. Not only am I outraged that this is an issue, I’m also pissed as fuck that Louis won’t tell me what the hell is going on and who is treating him like shit. I won’t fucking stand for it, not in my goddamn lifetime.

  “Don’t need you or anyone else to fight my battles, brother. Don’t you gotta get to your girl?” he asks, evading all of my demands and questions.

  I let out another noise of frustration, then turn toward the kitchen doorway, pausing before I’ve even made it two steps. Stopping, I look back at him over my shoulder. His chin is dipped, his fingers gripping the edge of the counter and the way he’s inside of himself, I want to pummel whoever made him feel this way. I will if I ever get the chance.

  “She’s out there, Louis.”

  He lifts his head, his eyes finding mine and they turn that dark emerald green color again, but he doesn’t say a word. He doesn’t have to ask me who, he knows what I mean.

  “When you find her, all of this shit will be worth it.”

  “Is it?” he asks.

  Inhaling through my nose, I let out the breath with a long exhale from my mouth. “I think so. Fuck if I know for sure, but I’m trying to find out. Wyatt and Rylan seem to think so.” I grin.

  He snorts. “Yeah? They could just be the lucky ones.”

  “Maybe,” I agree. “But then again, maybe it’s our turn to find some peace.”

  “Peace,” he grunts. “Don’t know if that shit is even possible.”

  “Maybe not, but I’m going to try my goddamn hardest.”

  “Keep me updated. Leaving for Vegas in a couple days. Where’s your tour taking you?”

  “I’ll call you if I’m near Sin City,” I offer.

  I honestly don’t know what cities this tour will include. I haven’t been very involved, which isn’t like me, but considering I didn’t even want to do it, I’m just trying to keep from drowning in general. I guess I should ask for a list, but in the end, it doesn’t matter. I’ll be on a bus or a plane and they tell me where to go. I’m just going to try not to drink and hopefully write some new music.

  Leaving Louis’, I hate that he won’t talk to me about his issue, about how some douchebag was treating him. I’ll figure it out or he’ll tell me when he’s good and fucking ready, either way, whoever that fucker is, they’re going to go down.

  HUTTON

  “You need me to go with you?” Laurie asks as soon as Lindie and her baby leave the shop.

  Lifting my hand, I tug the hairband out of my hair. I fluff my hair for about ten seconds before I let out a sigh and turn toward my friend. My best friend, the woman that I know would go down in a blaze of fire if it would protect me.

  “No, I can handle this,” I lie.

  She laughs, obviously knowing my words aren’t truthful in the slightest. “Call me if you need me, I’ll be right there to knee him in the nuts,” she calls out as she walks out of the shop.

  Hanging up my apron, I can’t help but laugh at her words. Locking up the salon, I head toward my car and slip inside to the driver’s seat. I bite the corner of my lip, wondering how I’m going to get through this night.

  I had such an amazing time with Beaumont last night and this morning, but now, after seeing that picture, I’m not sure what this is between us. I’m not sure if I’m some other woman, or if anything he said was real. I wanted it all to be so real, that maybe I imagined him wanting it too.

  I’m so confused and I hate it.

  Starting the engine, I shift my car into reverse and decide to just do it. Get it all over with, like ripping off a Band-Aid. Besides, he’ll be gone in a few days. Then, once again, I’ll probably never see him again or maybe I’ll see him in another ten years.

  I see his pickup truck parked along the curb of my house as soon as I turn the corner of my street. My heart starts to beat faster, my belly flutters and all thoughts from earlier disappear, because when he’s near, I lose my head completely.

  Pulling into my driveway, I shut my engine off and gather my purse before I slowly open my door. I don’t know if I’m excited or dreading tonight. Before I left the shop, I was dreading what was to come, now that I’m here, and he’s waiting inside of my home for me, I’m excited. My stupid body doesn’t know how it wants to feel and that terrifies me.

  Inhaling a deep breath, I reach for my doorknob and slowly turn it as I push the door open. I can hear music playing softly in the living room, and then the murmuring of Beaumont’s deep voice in the kitchen.

  Closing the door behind me, I lock it, then set my purse down on the sofa side table before I quietly make my way into the kitchen. I don’t even hear the words he’s speaking, I’m too mesmerized by the softness in his voice, the deep huskiness that fills my space

  Leaning against the doorjamb, I
watch him as he opens the oven and slides a large pepperoni pizza in. It’s from the grocery store and one of my absolute favorites. Though, I don’t eat it often because it’s too big for just one person.

  I shouldn’t be, not after last night’s barbeque, but I am still in awe that he has remembered so many small details about me, about our time together.

  He turns toward me, his lips twitching into a smile as soon as he sees me. “Yeah, I’ll be ready,” he says into the phone. “How many weeks is this going to be? Okay. That’s not bad. Then I’m taking a break to record. Yeah, I’ll have a whole album’s worth,” he says. “Bye.”

  “Hey,” he murmurs, closing the oven door before he makes his way over to me.

  I hold my breath as his hands wrap around my hips and he gently tugs me against his body. Placing my hands at his pecs, I tilt my head back to look up into his dark eyes.

  “Hey,” I breathe.

  Beaumont dips his chin, then touches his lips to mine in a barely-there kiss before he lifts them back and looks down into my eyes.

  “We’ll talk when the pizza’s ready. You want to get the plates and shit out? I don’t know where you keep everything, darlin’ girl.”

  I shiver a little at his words, wishing that this was all real, like forever real. Coming home to him in my house, his soft deep voice filling my space, I love it all a little too much.

  Gulping, I nod. “Yeah, what do you want to drink? I have some sweet tea I made the other day,” I offer.

  “Real sweet tea? Seems like it’s been too long since I had some homemade. Yeah, that would be good.” He grins, taking a step back from me. His hands fall from my hips and I bite the corner of my lip.

  “You order it at restaurants, I’m sure,” I murmur.

  He hums but doesn’t answer right away. I busy myself with getting plates, napkins, and glasses out and setting the small table up.

  “I got a salad too,” he calls out.

  I blink, turning to him. “A salad?” I ask.

  He grins. “They’re good for you, Hutton.”

  “I know that, I’m just trying to remember if I ever witnessed you eating something green, ever.”

  He snorts. “Probably not, but I’m also pushing my mid-thirties and my trainer would have my ass if I didn’t eat something green every day. I’m sure that when he finds out what I’ve been eating since being here, he’ll have my ass anyway.” He winks.

  I look down at my untrained body and grimace. I’m not toned, definitely not trim and by no means do I look like I spend hours in the gym like he does. I’m seriously wondering why he’s here with me. I am definitely no Andi Anderson.

  “C’mon, darlin’, go and sit down. I’ll bring everything over,” he says, calling me out of my thoughts.

  I woodenly nod and walk over to the table, sinking down into the chair and wondering just what the dinner conversation is going to bring forward. My stomach hurts just thinking about all of it. Gone are the excited happy butterflies, now I just feel sick.

  Biting the corner of my lip, I curse myself for being too invested. If I could be more like Laurie, this wouldn’t be so stressful. This wouldn’t be such a nightmare. This wouldn’t hurt so damn much.

  Chapter Sixteen

  BEAUMONT

  Hutton looks sick to her stomach as she watches me bring the salad, then the pizza over to the table. I watch as she tucks her chin in and starts to pour her sweet tea into two glasses, then unfolds her napkin and smooths it out in her lap.

  “Hutton,” I call out.

  Her eyes lift before the rest of her head. Once she’s looking directly at me, I give her a small smile. Divvying up the pizza, I give her three slices to my five. I’ll have to go back on my meal and exercise plan soon, but right now, I just want to enjoy this evening.

  Using the tongs, I put some salad on my plate, then hers. She only had a balsamic vinaigrette dressing in the fridge which should be illegal, considering we’re in ranch country, but I don’t say anything about that. I can tell that Hutton is still thinking about Andi, about what that picture means and what the future holds for us.

  “Andi Anderson and I dated for a while. She’s addicted to her own vices, and I like booze, so it worked for what it was,” I begin.

  Lifting my pizza to my mouth, I take a big bite, wanting to have a few moments to think about my next words. This feels like a conversation that could be a turning point in what lies ahead for us.

  “Do you love her?” Hutton asks, her voice so fucking small that it makes my entire body ache.

  I snort, shaking my head a couple of times. “Never. We haven’t really been together in a long time,” I say. “I’ve never dated or allowed myself to become close enough to someone to fall in love with them,” I admit.

  She gulps, it’s so loud that I can hear it from across the table. “I could have loved you, Hutton, had I allowed myself. I would have, which is why I didn’t.”

  “Because of Chelle?” she asks.

  Leaning back in my chair, I shake my head. “Because of me. Chelle and my mom are excuses that I used. What they did fucked me up, but in the end, I should have been able to overcome it and see the woman in front of me for who she is. I should have been able to see all of you, Hutton, and back then I just couldn’t.”

  I don’t know if I’m fucking this up more by trying to explain my feelings, back then versus now, but I don’t care. Hutton deserves to know it all.

  “So Andi Anderson is among the dozens and dozens of women you’ve slept with?” she asks.

  “She is.” I nod.

  “And you’re still sleeping with her?”

  Shaking my head, I level her with my gaze. “You’re the only one I’m sleeping with currently, Hutton.”

  “But you were with her less than two weeks ago?” she practically demands.

  Clearing my throat, I lift my pizza back to my mouth and take another big bite. “I was. We both needed something, we both took it and I left. It was easy with her. She knows how to keep her mouth shut, she knew that we were nothing other than physical and she was fine with taking what I could give her and then watching me walk right out the door. But no more, Hutton, because I have you now.”

  “You have me to get what you want and walk out the door?”

  Growling, I lean forward, placing my palms on the table. “Don’t twist my words. Not when it comes to us.”

  “I loved you so much, Beaumont. I’m just trying to figure all of this out. I’m trying to decide if I can take this leap with you, and then I wonder how much it’s going to hurt when I slam into the ground after I fall.”

  “I won’t let you get hurt,” I vow.

  Hutton shakes her head. “You can’t promise that.”

  “Stop looking for guarantees, Hutton. Did you have one when you got the shop, knowing for a fact that your shop wouldn’t go under when you opened it? There are no guarantees in life and if you’re going to demand one from me, then I’ll probably only disappoint you. I want this, and I’m willing to work on it, but I can’t be the only one who wants this to work.”

  I watch as she presses her lips together, then her eyes lift to mine. “Seeing you going to her, seeing that picture, it made me sick,” she whispers.

  Shaking my head, I frown. “It won’t be the only thing you’ll see like that. Ninety percent of the time, the pictures, the reports, they’re fake. You cannot believe everything that you read like that, Hutton. Come to me, I’ll always tell you the truth.”

  “Even if it hurts me?” she breathes.

  Nodding, I reach out, placing my hand palm up on the table. I wait for her to slip her hand in mine and it feels like a victory when she does. Gently, I squeeze her hand, keeping my eyes focused on hers.

  “Even if it hurts, darlin’ girl. I’ll be honest. I’ll be truthful, you deserve that much.”

  “No more Andi,” she mumbles.

  I chuckle, squeezing her hand again. “No more Andi.” I nod.

  We start to eat the rest
of our dinner, but I can’t concentrate, I can’t take my eyes off of her. I have one more day here, then I’m gone. My manager, Daniel, just called to tell me that they added ten more concert dates to the tour, something that I knew they would fucking do, which extends it from only eight weeks to sixteen.

  “I’m leaving the day after tomorrow,” I state once the food is gone and we’re sipping our tea.

  Hutton’s big green eyes lift to mine and widen. “So soon?”

  Nodding, I sigh heavily. “My manager added ten more cities to the tour, extending it from eight to sixteen weeks. I have no doubt that he’ll try to add a few more, too.”

  Hutton presses her lips together, her eyes lifting to mine. I expect her to ask some more questions about us, about our relationship, but she surprises the shit out of me instead.

  “Are you going to be okay out on the road like that, at all those parties with your drinking?” she asks.

  Standing, I’m unable to talk about this while she’s across the table from me. Walking over to her, I hold out my hand. She slips her warm palm in mine. I gently tug her to standing, then turn and pull her behind me toward her bedroom.

  I already scoped out some of her house while I was waiting for her, basically the bathroom and the bedroom which to me are just as important as the kitchen.

  Once we’re in her bedroom, I pull her against me, wrapping my hands around her waist and hold her against me. Dipping my chin, I look into those green eyes that I’ve been dreaming of all fucking day long, those dreams, they didn’t do them any justice.

  My God, she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever had.

  HUTTON

  Beaumont is looking at me in a way that I can’t even describe, he’s looking at me almost in awe. I don’t understand it, not in the slightest. Although, I feel like I look at him like that every single time my eyes find any part of him.

  “I’m going to be okay. I have tools to help me, but most importantly, I have you to come home to.” He grins. “I do, right?”