MERCS
Watching Effa’s face fall, I know something’s wrong. I wonder briefly if her headache has worsened, but her eyes are focused in on something in the doorway of the pub. So I turn and see her.
Lilah.
My teeth grind together, and I swallow hard turning back to face Effa and rub her back a little firmer. She looks to her lap, her lips turned down, her face sullen and sad. I hate that one person has the power to darken her mood.
I lean into her side and take a breath. “Don’t let her get to you. I’m here… with you. I’m not going anywhere. I promise you that.”
She glances up at me and nods.
“Fuck! You two look serious,” Tank calls out.
“That’s because Lilah walked in,” Kiera announces to the whole table, making me groan while Gran glares at Keira.
“Who’s Lilah?” Kristy asks.
“Kaden’s ex. She’s a bitch—”
“Kiera!” Gran interrupts.
“What? She is!”
“Do I need to kick her ass?” Andi calls out.
“I can remove her if you like?” Raoul questions.
“Yes,” Kiera yells almost jumping in her seat causing Effa to giggle.
“No. Kiera behave yourself,” Gran berates.
Donny shakes his head and shrugs. “Damn! Would have loved to have seen a good ol’ fashion ‘escort from the building.’” He uses finger quotes. “Maybe she would have thrown a tantrum, hands flying everywhere—”
“Oh yes, my vote is yes. Let’s kick her out,” Kristy interrupts.
“All right, that’s enough. Calm down, everyone. We can’t kick the people that live in Ligonier out of their own town premises. We’re the guests here. You would all do well to remember that,” Luke grumbles, still on his cell.
“Party pooper,” Andi sneers at Luke then sticks her tongue out at him.
Kassidy comes back with a tray stocked full of bottles of water and a shit load of glassware.
“Here you go. Are you ready to order?” Kassidy asks, and everyone nods and begins ordering.
I subtly look over to Lilah who’s currently with Jaydin, she’s also from my school days. They’re best friends, so I’m not surprised to see them here together.
Jaydin looks the same, her black hair still in ringlets cascading around her chocolate skin. I take a deep breath as they both look at me and weakly smile. Jaydin gives me a slight wave, and I reply with a simple, curt nod. My eyes subtly slip to Lilah, her eyes meet mine, and for a second we look at each other. Her blue eyes looking forlorn, distant, almost sad. I turn back to face the table trying to put the image of the girl I once loved behind me.
Leaning in against Effa, I place a chaste kiss on her cheek and continue to rub up and down her back. “How’s your head?” I murmur in her ear.
She glances at me sideways and sighs. “Pounding, but I’ll be fine.”
Leaning in, I attempt to give her comfort. Seeing Effa in pain hurts me every fucking time, and knowing her headache’s become worse, possibly because of Lilah, does my head in. I can’t help but wonder if somehow Lilah knew we were in town and came here on purpose.
She wouldn’t be that stupid, would she?
“So, I ordered for you, bro. You seemed occupied, and I didn’t want to hold Kass up,” Kiera announces across the table.
I glance at her and nod. “Thanks. I guess I’ll be having something ridiculous like quinoa salad or some shit like that then?”
She laughs shaking her head. “No, not this time. I’m nice. I got your usual sirloin, fries and onion rings.”
“God, yes. I knew I loved you for a reason.”
“You’re welcome.” Kiera shrugs tilting her head, clearing her throat slightly trying to hide a cough. I furrow my brow at her. She waves her hand at me and turns the other way to talk to Livvy ignoring my stern gaze.
“What was that?” Effa asks.
“That was Kiera putting on a brave face. I think, considering you’ve got a headache and Keira’s obvious attempt at faking she’s okay, once we’ve eaten we should head home and everyone should rest up.”
“You’re really bossy, you know that?”
“Only when it comes to the protection of the women I love—”
“I’m kidding. I know you’re just protective of what’s yours.”
I smile as she leans in pressing her lips to mine tenderly. A round of cheering erupts through the pub, and I chuckle against her lips as it then breaks into a fit of applause. I pull back from her and laugh.
Dinner is going well. Everyone’s getting along. Gran’s having a great time with Donny and Livvy, and Kiera’s having a blast with everyone else, while Effa and I sit back and watch them all interact. It’s interesting to see our two worlds colliding in such a wonderful way.
Leaning into Effa’s side, I nudge her slightly. “You doing okay?”
She smiles. “Yeah, my headache’s a little better after eating. Plus, seeing everyone happy like this is nice.”
Grinning, I nod. “Yeah, this is pretty cool isn’t it?”
I look down the table at our friends and family and smile. Leaning in, I kiss her head and then let her go as I shift in my seat. “I’ll be right back, duty calls,” I murmur.
Effa nods with a smile as I stand up, the wooden chair legs scraping on the floor.
No one notices me leave, they’re all too busy in their own conversations as I head past the table to the bathrooms. Tonight is going well, and I think coming to Ligonier was the right idea. I knew everyone would fit in. It might be a small town, but Luminous are all from a country town in Australia, and they know what small-town life is like.
I knew Effa was deep in thought before I decided to bring her here. I also knew there was something she wasn’t opening up to me about, but I’m pretty fucking certain it was to do with Jett. And if she felt like she couldn’t open up to me, then I thought maybe she’d feel more comfortable talking it out with Gran or Kiera. I know it was a dick move, but I couldn’t help eavesdropping on her and Gran when I was supposed to be getting the luggage, and my thoughts were right.
Knowing she was holding on to ideas about her leading Jett on, and possibly being at fault for making him drug her, well it did my head in. To be honest, I had a feeling maybe it was something along those lines, but I couldn’t be sure. I’m glad, though, that she’s talked it out with Gran and now I’m hopeful she can let that go. Because if there’s one thing I do know, it’s that Effa did nothing to lead Jett fucking Jones on. Everything he did was all from his own twisted mind.
Just thinking about that motherfucker gets my blood boiling as I make my way through the main room of the pub, down the hall and head for the men’s room. The hallway’s always so dimly lit and out of the way. The area has an ominous feel to it, but I shake my head and enter the men’s room.
Opening the door on my way out, thoughts of Jett are still racing through my brain.
I should let it go.
I need to remove that asshole from my mind, but the guy gets me so worked up.
He could have killed her!
Suddenly, a figure by the doorway catches my attention. It startles me. Taking a deep breath, I step out into the dimly lit hall to see the figure of a woman. The hairs on my arms raise as I look at her figure and recognize it instantly.
Great! Just what I need.
“Lilah,” I curtly murmur.
I move to push past her. Her hand reaches out, grabbing my arm and halting my escape. I turn back looking at her as her eyes bore down on me looking lost and sad. “Kaden, stop… please.”
My body tenses and I look back to see if anyone’s coming. I hesitate to see what she wants. “You have ten seconds.”
Lilah’s breathing is short and sharp, almost as though she’s panicking. Her eyes dart around the hall and then back to me. “Why did you bring her and everyone else here?”
I let out a small confused laugh. “Excuse me?”
“She’s a junkie, and y’all brought her and her drug infested crew to our town.”
Anger bubbles up inside of me. I yank my arm free from her grip and glare at her. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“No, you’re the one playin’ a cruel joke here, Kaden. Y’all come here shovin’ this sick joke in my face, bringin’ drugs into our peaceful town. What the hell are y’all thinkin’? Are you usin’ drugs now, too?”
Lilah’s southern twang has never left her, even after all these years. She moved to Ligonier from South Carolina when she was young. Shaking my head, I curl my lip up at her. “What the fuck are you on about, Lilah. You need to stop and think about the fact that these are people you’re talking about… real people, not drug addicts… these are the people that I care deeply about. No one in that bunch of people out there is bringing drugs into this town, Lilah.” I run my fingers through my hair in frustration. “Effa’s overdose was caused by someone else. She didn’t take drugs, Lilah, she was roofied. And if you cared enough to even ask questions, you would know she isn’t a drug user.”
Lilah’s face drops, but she doesn’t say anything, so I continue, “I don’t need to explain myself to you. You need to pull your head out of your ass and stop damning everybody before you actually know them. They aren’t the bad people in this town… you are. Think about what you did, and then you can talk to me about so-called bad people.” I shake my head as I go to walk off, but she grabs my arm halting me again. I spin back, and glare at her as her eyes glisten with tears.
“I don’t want us to be like this, Kaden. Can’t we sort somethin’ out? Can’t we get along?”
I snort. “You rile me up in the hallway, tell me that my friends and my family are all druggies, and are going to destroy this town, and then expect us to get along? After that… after everything we’ve been through?”
“Kaden—”
“Stop! Just stop, Lilah. You’re making a fool of yourself.”
She lets out a bemused laugh. “I’m makin’ a fool of myself? I’m not the one thinkin’ I can hang out with some famous people, thinkin’ it will get me the creds needed to get me to the top. I’m not sure what y’all are after, Kaden, but you won’t find it with her.”
Tension ripples through me and I spin facing her dead on while bringing my hand up and forcefully slamming it onto the wall. She jolts but doesn’t move as I lean in close to her face. She smiles slightly thinking I’m leaning in to go for a kiss, but she’s very wrong.
“You think I’m better off with you? Is that it?” I ask staring into her eyes. Her eyes dart down to my lips, and she licks hers in anticipation as I inch closer curling up my lip in disdain. “Well, I’ll let you in on a little secret Lilah…”
“Yes,” she murmurs pushing her chest forward slightly.
“You. Disgust. Me! I will never come back to you. Do. You. Understand. Me?” I grit out through my teeth, leering into her now heavily watering eyes as she begins to shake. Her bottom lip quivers and she lets out a small sob as she breaks eye contact, and shoves me hard in my chest making me step back from her as she bursts into tears and runs off down the hall.
I let out a heavy breath, as I run my hands through my hair and spin toward the exit to see Kiera standing there with her mouth agape. I stop and swallow hard watching her watch me. She furrows her brows and starts to walk toward me. I push my back against the wall of the hall feeling like shit that she had to witness that. I don’t know how much she saw, but knowing she saw any of it is making me regret my actions.
Kiera steps up to me, chewing on her bottom lip and exhales. “Well, that was intense.”
Letting out a long exhale, I clench my eyes shut tight and then open them to see her looking at me sympathetically. “How much did you see?”
She leans up against the wall next to me and bumps her shoulder into mine. “Enough to know you really need to deal with your issues toward Lilah. I mean she’s a bitch and all, but wow, that was some grade-A alpha shit going on there.”
Taking a deep breath, I sigh. “Was I too harsh?”
She snorts. “Hell no. I would have smacked her upside the head if it was me, but I’m a chick, and I’m allowed to hit her, you… not so much. The shit she was saying… not cool.”
“Maybe bringing Effa here was a bad idea?”
“Shut up! Don’t let one bad apple ruin the fun. You guys are going to have the best time here, the whole town will see to that. Everyone in Ligonier loves you, Kades.”
Chuckling, I wrap my arm around her shoulders and make a move off the wall to head back toward the dinner party. As we exit the hall, my eyes dart around the pub doing a quick once over for Lilah, but I see that she and Jaydin are no longer here, which is a relief as Kiera and I walk back to the table.
Effa looks up at me and smiles as I approach. “Everything okay?” she asks, as I let go of Kiera and we take our seats.
“Everything’s great, baby. How’s your head?” I ask rubbing her knee.
She smiles and shrugs. “It’s fine, still a little achy. Stop fussing.”
“Have you had enough fun for tonight?” I ask.
“Yeah, I’m ready when you are.”
Glancing over at Gran, she’s deep in conversation with Livvy. I don’t want to disrupt her, so I smile and nod. “As soon as Gran is ready we’ll head out.”
Effa nods and looks down at Luke who’s finally off his cell and chatting with everyone. “I’ll be right back,” she announces as she stands up and heads off to Luke. Effa whispers something in his ear, he nods and stands up with her, and they walk off to the bar.
Furrowing my brows, I wonder briefly what that’s all about.
Gran turns and looks to me with a wide smile. “… and that was when he told me he wanted to leave. I was so devastated but so excited for him,” Gran sighs and Livvy sniffs like she’s close to tears.
“Oh, I know the feeling. When the girls were leaving for their first tour, it was so hard to let them go out into the big wide world without us. Watching your babies grow up is so difficult,” Livvy gushes wiping her nose on a tissue making me chuckle.
“But they’re in good hands, Luke looks after them. He loves them like family. I know he’d never let any harm come to them… well, he tries anyway. What happened to Effa was no one’s fault really. Especially not Luke’s, so we don’t begrudge him that. I know he will be looking after your Kaden, too,” Livvy says reaching out grabbing Gran’s hand in support.
“Luke’s very protective, but don’t worry, we all look out for each other, right guys?” I call out.
“Hell yeah!” Andi and Tank both cheer out as the others all nod.
“We’re about as tight-knit as you can get,” Kristy says, wrapping her arm around Alana and squeezing her tight.
“Yeah, we’re looking after each other and are in each other’s space even when we don’t want to be,” Casey snorts.
“See, nothing to worry about,” I advise and they both purse their lips at me and sigh.
“We’re parents, Mercs, we’re always going to worry. Right, Daphne?” Livvy replies.
“Always,” Gran affirms.
Effa and Luke step back to the table, and Effa smiles down at us. “The bill’s taken care of. I just want to thank everyone for coming out tonight, and to thank you all for your support recently. It means so much to me.”
Gran gasps. “Oh, Effa, sweetheart, you didn’t have to do that. But thank you. And, of course, we’re all here for you. You’re a part of the family now.”
I take that as a cue to stand up and so does everyone else. “Well, I guess I’d better get this one home, she needs to rest.”
“It was so nice to officially meet you, Livvy and Donny. We’ll have to catch up more before you go back to Australia,” Gran tells them.
“Absolutely,” Livvy agrees pulling Gran in for a hug.
I take Effa’s hand glancing over to Kiera, her eyes droopy and her face pale. She needs her rest. This is all a little too much for her. “C’mon ladies, let’s get you home,” I announce, reaching out for Kiera and wrapping my free arm around her more to support her than anything. She catches on to what I’m doing but doesn’t fight me, instead cuddles into my side.
“Sounds good to me,” Effa mumbles.
“We’ll catch up with you soon guys,” I call out as I lead two of my three favorite ladies out of the pub followed by Gran.
Effa turns to me and swallows hard. “So, I couldn’t help but notice, Lilah left in quite a state. You wouldn’t know anything about that… would you?”
Fuck!