Chapter 13
For True, this was a first. She didn’t want to go to a Haught event. She’d had a shitty sleep and woke up feeling grumpy. It could have been because she hadn’t heard from Alec or it could have been just her own anxiety that had come from seeing Joni close up. She was beautiful and engaging, with a bubbly laugh and smiling eyes. She could see how this woman would make a man like Alec forget he was a cynical grump. True had been thinking of scenarios with them together like she did when they dated and were engaged. If anything, it pissed her off more than it did back then, because she was even more vested than she was then. Using how she normally felt about people with her like, dislike and neutral categories she would say that in a normal world she would have liked Joni on site but just knowing that she was almost married to Alec and is possibly still in the picture – she wanted to not like her.
She dragged herself out of bed and got herself together. Looking into the mirror she appeared somewhat presentable but inside she felt like she was worn down to the nubs. It took everything she had not to call something in for the reason why she couldn’t attend but she couldn’t do it to Gemmi and Camden. They were so stinking happy about their upcoming babies and so was she but this Alec thing was draining her.
Stopping for a coffee drink before she drove to the place of the party she hoped a bit of the caffeine would give her more pep but when she pulled up to the house her drug of choice wasn’t taking effect. With a deep sigh she opened the car door and prayed she could make it through the baby shower without being the wet blanket that she felt like she was impersonating and be a part of the happiness of the day. She got out of the car and walked to her trunk to get the baby gift and was startled to see a man standing so close to her.
“Can I help you with that?” Luc asked in his gentle voice. It was like he knew she was falling apart. He pointed to the gifts for the upcoming bundles of joys.
“Of course, I’ve never turned down the gift of physical labor.” She watched him get the two items out and lug them over to the door as she followed. The door opened before she ever got a chance to knock.
Karessa opened up the door and beamed at the both of them. “I’m so glad you’re here. Both of you, but Luc I can’t believe you made it here on such short notice.”
“Thank you and it does seem I’m having myself an adventure. Who knows how it will end? Oui?” Luc answered and looked between both Karessa and True.
True just shook her head. In a way she loved that he was so obviously into her and didn’t care who knew it but on the other hand she really didn’t want any drama his arrival would cause between her and Alec. The man from France didn’t seem to have high regard status with the Haught Boys, except with Camden, but that really didn’t count since the youngest Haught liked everyone.
“Well you are the first here beside the brothers. Somehow they all are here early.”
True’s heart stuttered a bit and she took in a deep cleansing breath. This is the reason she almost skipped this baby shower. She could handle Beau and Camden but she wasn’t ready to see Alec. It was a long shot but she figured that he could possibly miss this. It was a baby shower and although it was probably going to be more like a barbeque there was a possibility in her mind Alec would bow out of it. Maybe not a possibility because he was all in for anything family related but she was hoping for her state of mind that he wouldn’t show up.
Karessa lead the way to the baby gift table. It was huge and already filled with gifts.
“I thought we were the first ones here.” True looked for a space to direct Luc to place her gifts.
“You are but there were some people who couldn’t come to the shower, people from the bar brought things in and Alec and Beau practically cleared her registry at two stores.” Karessa shook her head. “We will not be having her opening all these gifts with people sitting around. That would be too damn long. I’ll ask her what she wants to do, but really she wanted to see everyone, have cake and relax.”
“Sounds like a plan. Where’s the food?” True knew that question was as good as asking where Beau was.
Karessa looked at True with a smirk. “Beau is outside grilling.”
True squeezed Karessa’s arm in her form of a hug and went out to find Beau. He was right where his fiancé said he was. Outside by the pool, at the grill with his Haught Eats apron on.
“Hey there, True.”
The words were right, but his demeanor was off. What the hell was going on with him?
“Hey there, Beau. What’s on the menu?” She surveyed the grill and saw everything but steaks on there, but she still liked to see his pride when he talked about what he had on there.
Beau looked at the grill and rattled off what he was cooking before looking back at her.
“What?” She put her hands on her hips. True didn’t know why but the way he was acting had her irritated and spoiling to tell him off.
“Good to see you, buddy. Would you mind asking Karessa to give you the steaks from the fridge?”
True turned to see that Luc had followed her outside. The man nodded and walked back into the house.
“Is that what your attitude is about?” True shook her head. “You know you don’t have to worry about him since you’ve put a ring on Karessa for one and they weren’t ever an item in the first place.”
“That’s not my issue. I’ve got a problem with him jetting into town, coming to some sale at your gallery that I wasn’t even aware of and then planning to take you away on some world tour.” Beau stabbed at whatever he had on the grill.
True cocked her head to the side seriously confused at how Beau would know any of this information. “Did you hear that from Rosy?”
“Rosy? The one who’s running around silently begging everyone for forgiveness? No.” Beau looked like a sullen little boy who was told he wasn’t getting what he wanted for Christmas.
“Then I don’t know who could have told you all that.” True was absolutely puzzled.
“The point is that you didn’t tell me and then you show up here all la de da with Luc after telling me about you and Alec…what is going on?”
True didn’t bother telling him this wasn’t his business when she was the one who opened that gate, but she thought about the people who’d been in attendance at the sale and a lightbulb lit. “Did Alec tell you about this?”
Beau cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck with his left hand. He always did that when he was uncomfortable or didn’t want to answer a question. He was either going to deflect or wiggle out another way. True wasn’t going to give him the chance.
“So the answer is yes?”
“I don’t want to answer that question because it really doesn’t matter.” Beau sighed. “I know getting into this has pissed you off. It’s written all over your stance but I’m going to ask you not to confront anyone about it until later.”
“Oh so you get me all riled up and then I’m supposed to keep quiet?” True knew Beau was right. Arguing in front of everyone wasn’t going to be good for keeping Gemmi calm, but damn it Alec had a lot of fucking nerve getting information from his ex…if that’s still her title and she hasn’t moved to refill her old position, then sharing the intel with his brothers. He didn’t even talk to her about it. She took a deep breath. “Fine. I won’t say a word about it.”
“Until when?”
“None of your business. It will be handled when it gets handled but it won’t be at this little shindig today.”
Beau smiled at her but she wasn’t amused. It looked like she’d only be talking to Camden today because her shit list was full of Haughts and both of them were in the running for winning the top spot.
“I like my steak rare, Beau. Don’t forget to save one for me.” She turned away to find someone who wasn’t pissing her off.
“I know what you like and I’ve never forgotten to make sure you had what you needed.” Beau said to her back because that was all she was giving him.
She passed Luc coming out with the steaks but he quickly caught up with her as she made her way to find Gemmi. “You’re awfully quiet.” True didn’t look at him as she asked the question while walking toward the sound of her friends voice.
“Just taking it all in.” Luc answered.
True turned to him as they reached the doorway just to see what kind of expression came with his answer. It was hard to read and she wasn’t sure if it was because she didn’t know him well enough or he was good at schooling his features to be mildly blank.
He reached around her and opened the door and then waited until she finished studying him. “After you.”
She turned to look at the room to find it full of people and all of them watching the scene in the doorway. Gemmi, Karessa, Rosy, Camden and of course included in the group…the one and only Alec. He was also a man who was good at hiding his expression. If he’d had one on his face, good or bad when the door opened, it was gone now. He sat looking at the two of them like he was bored but she could see the way he was gripping his beer bottle. Good let him be mad…jerk.
“What are you all doing in here and how can I help?” True walked into the room with her head high and her chest out. It probably looked to everyone like the way she always did it but it felt forced to her. So Mr. all work and no play took the time to talk to Joni at lunch and then again after she came to the gallery hours later? They must be closer than she thought. The two of them had never talked about exclusivity, it could be possible the woman was still in the picture. Not like a full girlfriend but more like a fuck buddy. It came to her that was her title in Alec’s life and that stung, but it shouldn’t. It was what she told herself she wanted and it was why she’d ended it in the first place.
“We are all done. We’re just sitting here grilling Red until the other guests get here.” Gemmi said and pointed to a large man with red hair who was sitting in a spot True couldn’t see from the door. She’d heard about the doctor who’d been there when Gemmi had fainted in the bar, but she didn’t know the man had been upped from bar status to family gathering status. She walked over and offered her hand.
The man stood up and was even larger than he looked sitting there. “Pleased to meet you, True. I’ve heard so much about you I feel like I know you already.” Red was a charmer alright but there was something about his face that made her wonder if she’d met him before.
“I’ve heard a bit about you too. You’re not from around here?” True wanted to figure out why she felt like she knew him.
“No. I grew up a couple of towns over in a place not many people have heard of. I’m new to the hospital and this area so I don’t know many people here.”
True continued to pump the mans hand up and down while she concentrated on his face. It just wouldn’t come to her why he looked so familiar.
“Are you going to shake his hand all day, True?”
She stopped and looked over to where the smart ass remark came from. Alec had the nerve to sit there acting jealous while he’d been shooting the shit with his ex maybe all night long for all she knew. “I might.” She threw the words over her shoulder and turned back to Red.
“Well I’m glad you’re here. This family picked me up when I didn’t have anyone to call my own so I can tell you that you’re in good hands. Welcome to the party, Red.” True let go of his hand, walked to the bar to pick something out to drink and listened to Luc introduce himself. The conversation moved from there to what Luc was doing in town. He told them all about how he was trying convince True to share her art with the world on a tour and maybe get her to live in France for a bit.
True had found the red Moscato that she hoped was there for her and drank deep. All the Haughts were going to be on her ass for this one. When he talked about it last night she’d thought it was a ridiculous idea but as she stood here fighting back the sorrow she continually had to push down in terms of Alec it may not be a bad idea at all.
“True?”
She turned and saw Rosy approach. “Hey, Rosy. I got the information from the sale. That was pretty awesome. Thanks.”
“You did an amazing job pulling the people together for that but I saw what you paid me and think there’s been a discrepancy.” Rosy sat at the bar with her phone in her hand. “I just got the payment.”
“I paid you what I thought your participation was worth. There isn’t any way I could have done all that without you and I wasn’t even very helpful yesterday.” True took a sip of the wine thinking she probably should have paid her more than the forty percent she gave.
“I wasn’t that helpful, and I can’t believe you paid me so much. You appreciate me and I’m so thankful for that, you have no idea, but this payment was massive.”
“Good, Rosy. I know you’ve done some shitty things in the past and you’re trying to get your rep built back up, but know your worth. You are a huge asset to all of us. Don’t let what you’ve done in your past keep you at a place where you have to stay and grovel. You’re better than that. I see you trying to fit in with this family and you remind me a bit of myself.”
“I have family.” Rosy looked around when she said that. It was like she had to say it out loud so she could believe that herself.
“I’m glad you do although you still look at the Haughts the way I’m sure I do too.” True looked down at her glass. “I’m glad you have family. I got a tiny sliver of information that there’s a possibility I have a sibling of mine floating around.”
“That’s awesome.” Rosy looked so happy True was mad that she brought it up but it crossed her mind every once in a while.
“Don’t get excited. I don’t have a lot of leads and I’m afraid of what I’m going to find if and when I do find them.” True topped off her wine glass and raised it to Rosy. “I think I’m going to go and sit by the pool.”
“Would you like me to come along with you?” Rosy asked as she got up from her stool.
“Sure. The more the merrier.” That’s what True said and she meant it because she sure wasn’t going to be feeling merry alone with the way her thoughts were beating her up.
“Great I’ll get my drink and meet you at the pool.”
True watched the woman go back over and collect her drink. She could feel Alec’s gaze on her and she looked briefly just to make sure she was right but she didn’t pause to acknowledge him or look hard enough to see what his eyes would tell her he was feeling.
Rosy came back and Gemmi called out. “Where are you two going?”
“I’m in the mood for some fresh air so I was going to sit by the pool and Rosy said she wanted to come too.” True responded to Gemmi but knew what was going to come next.
“Then I want to come too.” Gemmi tried to get up by herself but sat back down before Camden stood up to help her get her footing.
True waited for the guest of honor to waddle over to where she was waiting before moving toward the door.
When they got to the pool and Gemmi was set under a large umbrella they found that everyone who was inside was now finding spots outside.
“I didn’t mean to move the party,” True said to Gemmi.
“True, you know the party is where you are, and it was a good suggestion to move out here.” Gemmi was one person who wasn’t able to keep her feelings off her sleeve or in this case her face. So she could see the concern on her face even though she hoped she wouldn’t speak on it with all these people around.
“Thank you. I’m glad you wanted to come outside too.” Smiling at Gemmi and hoping she was going to be able to convey that she was alright without words. The woman picked up her hand and held it for a long while before she squeezed it and put it down. Whew…crisis averted.
“Everyone always wants to be where you are, True, but we’ll understand if what you need isn’t something you can find where we are.” Gemmi spoke quietly and True tried not to shatter from the love and understanding in her friends voice. “Just don’t forget us if you have to go.”
True nodded at her friend and then finished her glass of wine. “I’d never forget you, Gemmi, and I’m thankful for your understanding.”
There were more people coming over to the pool and the conversations were in full swing. True stood up and mouthed to Gemmi she was going to refill her glass. She walked back into the house, put her glass on the table and tried to pull herself together. For someone who was not very emotional, these last few months had been confusing and exhausting.
“Is everything okay?” Camden said entering the room.
“It’s going to be.”
The man nodded his head. “Well you don’t have to tell me who’s ass to kick if things don’t work out.”
“Thanks Camden.”
She looked out at the patio at all her friends and family and wondered if she’d ever be able to leave them, even if it would make life easier for her.
Chapter 14
“Have you talked to her?” Beau waited until after everyone had eaten and the woman he was referencing had gone home.
“Dude, you’ve been here all night watching my every move. You’re the one who asked me not to talk to her about the whole Luc thing so I haven’t.” Alec had been nursing the one beer for the last three hours. Drinking is what someone who was happy and celebrating did. It was not what he would be doing if he drowned himself in alcohol right now. All bartenders knew this whether they practiced it or not.
“Look she told Karessa and I a bit of what’s been going on with you two and I wasn’t for it at all. With your past track record I knew you’d fuck this up. Now it looks like I was right.” The frown on his brother’s face was so deep it distorted his face. “It wouldn’t surprise me if you just got with her to piss her off so you wouldn’t have to be bothered with the feelings you have for her.”
Alec wasn’t surprised that True had told her two best friends, but he was shocked that Beau hadn’t said anything to him about it until now. “First…it’s idiotic to think I’d do something to run True off. I know how everyone feels about her and I know how she feels about everyone, but at least I now know how low you think I’d go for my own comfort. And second—you know what? I’m not going into this with you. I know she’s your friend but it’s none of your business.”
“I’m not sure what’s going on with you, Alec, because you don’t talk to me or Camden about it. We figured out what was up with Cam after Gemmi came to you with what happened when he was seven and then I opened up about how Mom’s death affected me when I was about to lose Karessa, but you still won’t share. I think it has something to do with why you have treated a woman who has loved you for years the way you have.” Beau sat on one of the comfortable chairs in the living room and stared up at his brother. It was obvious he wanted him to sit down and spill his guts in the name of love but he wasn’t ready to share that. It was something he’d known about himself since he’d found out his father had died from a broken heart. He loved too hard.
“I really don’t want to talk about this.” Alec was getting ready to go and he had been simmering in his own thoughts for the whole day feeling all sorts of things from guilt, to anger, to jealousy, to desire and back so the whole cycle could start again. That is what was going on inside him but outside no one would be able to tell by looking at him. He was sure of it.
“That’s the problem. You never want to talk about it and there is a woman who’s been waiting for you to notice her. Now you have and you’re still just sitting there. The issue is this isn’t just about you…one of my best friends is thinking of moving away probably forever because you’re an asshole and she isn’t going to want to look at your face. Since my face resembles yours she won’t want to see me either.”
Alec really had nothing to say to his brother about this that was going to get the man off his case. This secret surprise he was working on for True was causing more trouble than he thought it would. The problem was the messenger he was using. He was smart enough to know bringing Joni into the mix wasn’t going to work too well, but he’d had no idea she was an undercover fan of True’s. Well, he knew she liked her work but not so much the picture of a man’s neck would get her all excited.
“Beau?” Alec was watching the man get more and more upset. It was like when they were kids. Beau would get himself all worked up all by himself and then be ready to fight about whatever tale he’d talked himself into believing.
“Fix this.” Beau said before standing up and walking off.
*****
Alec drove around after leaving Beau’s house and that odd conversation only to find every path he took seemed to lead him back to True’s front door. The lights were off and it was very late. He should call to see if she was alone but in the depths of his heart he knew she was. With a sigh of resignation he parked, got out of the car and walked to her door. He didn’t ever remember a time he was such a chicken shit. His nickname around the bar was Scary Haught…not that he was supposed to know about that.
That thought got him to at least ring the doorbell although now that he did it he wasn’t sure what he wanted to say. He couldn’t tell her about what he and Joni were working on so that probably wasn’t going to go over well, but just watching Luc fawn over her was way too much for him to handle and he actually wanted to talk to her about that.
The door opened and he frowned. “Why didn’t you ask who it was? You could have been robbed or worse when you opened the door.”
“Did you come here to lecture me, Mr. Haught?” True looked like she wasn’t surprised he’d shown up but she didn’t look like she typically appeared when he saw her. The expression that was missing was one of his favorites, the happy to see him face. “I was reading and saw you drive by a few times before I took my shower and went to bed. Plus who else would be ringing my doorbell at this time of night?”
He wasn’t even going to go there with that one because it was just going to start a fight. “Can I come in?”
Doubt covered her face and he struggled hard not to let True see how much that hurt. She stepped back into the house and held the door open for him to walk through.
“How often do you see Joni?”
“There is something that she’s working on for me but I don’t talk to her much.”
“So you don’t talk to her much, but you went to lunch with her yesterday and then you talked to her after she came to the sale at the gallery?” True sat down on the chair and drew up her legs under her to take up the rest of the chair.
He shrugged and stood against the wall next to where she was sitting.
“Why are you here?” She stared at him as she waited.
“Why do you love me?” That is so not what he wanted to come out of his mouth and his stomach turned as he waited for her answer.
“Is that why you’re here? To critique my feelings for you? She shook her head and turned her face away from him.
“Not a critique…just a question. Watching you with your admirer all day seems to have made me a bit needy.”
“Well that’s a new one,” she said with a humorless chuckle. He could see her face in the decorative mirrored wall she had in the room. She looked softer than she had all day as she contemplated her answer. “I’ve loved you from the very first time I met you. Everyone else had a big, bright smile and a look of welcome on their faces and you looked like you didn’t have it in you to fake it. You looked exactly how I felt.”
He cleared his throat because he’d remembered her being introduced. She was so pretty with her shiny hair pulled up into a puff on top of her head as she stood there as if waiting to see what this rowdy group of boys would think of her. His brother had walked up and looked at True liked he’d found his next best friend but she continued to stare at him until she asked her question.
“From then on you were the one I wanted to know. Once I made you smile and after that my whole goal in life was to see it happen again. You’re gruff but you’re also kind, although you don’t want anyone to know about that side.” True smiled like she was remembering something. This whole speech she’d not looked at him but somewhere off in the distance. “The day I brought you soup and you asked me to stay I was in disbelief the whole time because you usually let me get close and then push me away. Actually I’m always waiting for that part…even now. So if it’s coming then let’s have it.”
“What?”
“Don’t think I don’t know the pattern. You get close to me then push away. I think this is the longest I’ve stayed close and honestly I think that’s why I tried to cut it off this time. It’s difficult for me to do. If it’s not your odd humor or your weird charm that keeps me coming back it’s your dick game. It’s pretty strong.”
“You do like a good fuck. Nothing wrong with that.” Alec tried to lighten the mood but he wanted to kick his own ass for how he made this woman who meant so much to him feel.
“I think I love you because you typically make me feel really good about myself, I can talk with you about everything and you usually make me laugh through any and all my issues. You make me happy just by being your grumpy, standoffish self.” True turned to look at him then and although he swore he laughed each and every year his brothers teased him about his heart size and it’s relation to a green guy on a mountain who wanted to stop Christmas it felt like that his heart grew a few sizes listening to True. “What do you feel about me, Alec?”
It was like his heart was beating in overdrive and he had no idea what would come out if he tried to talk. This isn’t how he operated. He took things in, analyzed them and gave logical answers. This didn’t feel logical or well thought out. His emotions were prepped to answer this question and he wasn’t sure what he was going to say, so he did what they did well. Pulling her up from the chair he brought her to him and kissed her neck. It was like he was hyperaware of everything. The taste of her skin on his tongue made him want more and she dropped her robe revealing all of that beautiful brown skin. He bit and licked a path between her ear and her shoulder. She undid his pants and his mind was a whirl with the desire to show her how much he’d enjoyed what she’d said about him and wanted to show her the answer to her question.
She turned him so his back was facing the couch where she’d been sitting, then she dropped his pants so they fell to his ankles and pushed him so he sat down.
It was going too fast and there was something wrong with the mood of the room but it was so difficult to figure out when his cock was hard against his stomach and a naked True was straddling his lap like she was a cowgirl in a porn film.
“True wait.” Alec said trying to get a hold of what was going on. He hated feeling out of control but since he’d been on this rollercoaster relationship seven plus months ago that was the way things had been going. He just needed to take a minute and think this through.
“Wait for what? You gave your answer.”
“What?” He heard the defeat in True’s words and put his hand on her hips to stop her descent but she was faster than he was and she slid down on his cock taking him balls deep with one smooth motion. “Ohhhh.”
She brought his hands up to cup her breasts as she brought her mouth down to his. Her kisses were aggressive and mind blowing. Then she started to move. Not the slow strokes he’d always used to get her nice and revved up, she started on high speed and was like a machine with the easy and powerful way she rode his cock. It took all rational thought and he could barely get anything past her kisses.
“True?” He watched her ride him and the erotic nature of the moment made his balls draw close, but there was no way he was going to come before she did. He wouldn’t have it. Alec moved his hands to her hips to take control of the pacing and lifted his head so he could capture one of her nipples in his mouth. He sucked harder than he intended and she grabbed the back of his head demanding he keep at it. Pounding away into her soft, wet pussy and trying to hold back was like a punishment. His cock was so hard and his body was so tight with the fight to do right by her.
“I’m coming, Alec. Don’t stop.” The ripples her orgasm caused to pulse through her body also had her squeezing his cock within the warmth of her body and he roared his climax before hers had ended.
“Holy fuck, True.” He’d never had anything feel that good…that complete in his life. He looked over to the woman who’d commanded his body but found no smile in return for his. She hopped off his lap leaving his wet cock waving in the breeze.
“Come on.” She directed him to get up before she bent over in front of him. He was about to tell her he needed a bit of a break before he went again, but when she stood up she brought his pants with her. Pulling them up over his hips but leaving his cock out she held the two sides out and waited for him to grab them.
“True?”
“Shhh..follow me.” She was acting peculiar but he’d go with it. He fixed himself and followed her to the door. Maybe she wanted to show him something outside since she’d opened the door. He walked out and waited for her to follow but only heard the sound of the door closing and locking.
“True?” He called her name as he knocked on the door.
“Go home, Alec. The kitchen is closed.”
It was hard for Alec to believe that after the most intense sex he’d ever had he was standing alone on her porch. He knew the woman well enough to know she’d talk when she was ready and not a damn second before so standing here attempting to draw her out wouldn’t work well at all.
He’d see her at work tomorrow and maybe she’d feel like saying something to him then.
Chapter 15
True knew there was really no reason to work shifts at The Haught Spot but she’d been doing it forever because she loved it. Being with customers, talking with the staff, joking with Beau and Camden and of course being able to watch Alec. It was her favorite pastime but she was going to have to look for something else to do with her time. Was she considering leaving for a tour with Luc? Not really. She enjoyed what she did and liked that she had international followers, but she couldn’t do what she’d been doing. Alec had told her why he liked her and she decided to give him a fuck off…literally. It was one for the record books. The man was fucked stupid and she was glad she could give him something to remember her by.
She’d gotten to work early and decided to have a drink and check her social media pages in the back nook they all liked to retreat too. It was small and cozy with just enough room for a chair, ottoman and tiny table. They liked to call it the time out room.
True heard a bit of rustling before a familiar voice filled the room.
“True’s going to be here any minute and I don’t want her to see you. Tell me everything is going as planned.” Alec sounded a little frantic and that made her sit up in her seat.
“Everything is great. I’ve verified one but I’m looking into one more thing before I can get back with you.”
True knew that was Joni’s voice and wanted to cry. All this trust shit was just that…bullshit. He was seeing Joni a lot more than he said and now they were getting back together. She could feel something brewing between them in her bones. True should know better than to blow off her intuition. That chick had been her ride or die forever but she’d believed a man’s words before her own feelings.
“Well thanks for all your help. Have you spoken with the baker or did you want me to do that with you?” Alec practically whispered the questions but they were too close to the room she was in for it to be effective.
“I’d like to do it together if you don’t mind. Then we can make a plan to tell True.” Joni said excitedly.
“No. This is something I want to tell her by myself. I don’t think it will come out the same if we do it together. I just want this to go as smoothly as possible.” It sounded like he was walking away from where she was sitting.
“I know I just wanted to see the look on her face when you tell her what we’ve been up to.” Joni sounded like she was trying to be cute and True could almost picture her siding up to him with her big brown eyes and slim, trim body.
“I know you do but I think it will be hard to hide her emotions and I’m not going to embarrass her like that. You don’t know her like I do.” Alec said and then opened a door. True couldn’t hear anything after that. It sounded like he’d moved on to the next phase of his cycle the pushing away phase but she wasn’t going to hear his sorry excuses of why they’re back together. She knew when he couldn’t answer what he felt about her but she could make out his thickening cock this wasn’t going to end well.
True stood up and took a deep breath. This was going to take more acting skills than she’d ever had but but she was going to finish her shift then take a little time off. All by herself. She had to figure out what the next steps were going to be because she’d lived her life with the goal of love and family in mind only to find she really didn’t have either. She had great friends but maybe she’d have to break out of her box and look for more.
Putting her cell phone away in her purse and then leaving it on a shelf in the little room she was ready to take orders, smile and act like nothing was wrong. She blew out a quick breath and walked onto the serving floor of the bar.
“Hey, True. Looking amazing as ever.” Beau called out from his place on the bar. He knew she was upset the last time he’d seen her and was trying to make her feel better.
“Thanks Beau, so do you.” She picked up her pad, signed into the computer and tried not to flinch when Alec came to her side.
“Good to see you, True.” He sounded like he was hiding something. She wasn’t sure if that was honestly how he sounded or if her knowing he was planning to tell her about his reunion had colored her thoughts.
“Good to be seen.” True smiled at him and watched as his expression turned a bit confused. She walked off and attempted to act normal but she was shaking with rage.
The night went by in a flash of drinks, tips and conversations with happy people on a Friday night trying not to be lonely. Or was that what she was doing?
“Hey Beau. I’m going to be cutting out a little early tonight. The place is thinning out so you should be alright.”
Beau looked around the room and nodded. “That should be alright. You going to tell Alec and Cam you’re leaving?”
“Nah. I’ve spoken with both of them today and no one should need me.”
“You know how you’re always talking about intuition and feeling stuff?” Beau stared at her face like he was going to be able to find whatever answers he was looking for in her face.
“Yes.”
“I have a feeling something is wrong. You’re not acting like something is wrong but I can feel it. Tell me I’m being crazy.” Beau leaned back and folded his arms.
“You’re being crazy.” True stood on her tip toes and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Share that with Karessa.”
He rubbed his cheek. “That wasn’t a lot to share.”
She rolled her eyes because they both said the same thing when she did that. “Make it work.”
“Will do.”
True looked around the bar and wasn’t sure when she was going to see it again. There was no way she’d not see her friends, but she wasn’t sure if she’d be able to watch Alec and Joni living their best lives. It stands to reason that since Alec’s life was the bar, this place may be off limits too.
“Goodbye Alec.” There was no way that he could have heard that whisper from across the loud crowded room but he glanced up at her anyway. She put up her hand and gave him a little wave, but she didn’t stick around to see what he did after that. It was time to figure out what was best for her.
Chapter 16
To hell with it he was going to tell her what was going on right now. If things weren’t as shiny and clean as he wanted them to be to present what he wanted to…so be it. Watching True put on her I have no cares face was killing him but he didn’t want to start anything at the bar, but the little wave she gave him looked final for some reason, but that wasn’t possible. Was it?
He walked briskly down to Camden and told him to watch his side for a minute before heading for the front door, but she must have been moving quickly because she was gone. He called her phone but it went straight to voicemail. Frowning at his phone he took a few minutes to think things through. Something he’d not been able to do when True jumped on his cock like a porn star and left all brain cells unable to function.
“What are you doing out here?” Beau came out of the bar.
“I wanted to talk to True before she left but she moved so quickly I couldn’t get to her.” He looked back at his brother to see if there was any expression on his face that would lead him to the answer of why his gut was churning, but he didn’t see anything.
“You know she’s given up a lot to be here with us. There have been so many people who have tried to lure her out of our grasp because of her art.”
Alec studied his brother again, “Are you trying to tell me something, because if you are I’m going to need you to be a bit plainer.”
Beau shrugged. “I’m not trying to tell you anything but the truth. That woman is in demand and has been for a long time but she’s been tethered here by her love for you and her love for this family.”
“I know Beau.”
“I’m just not going to stand by and let this happen if and when she gives up on us I’m going to be all over your ass.”
“She’d never do that.” Alec was sure that even if she gave up on him she wouldn’t to the whole family.
“Stranger things have happened. She was in top form today but she’s at the end of her rope. True is usually laid back but she seemed strung tight tonight and I tried to figure out why but she casually brushed me off like she was too busy.”
“It was a busy night.” Alec nodded and turned back to the bar.
“It always is but True never blows me off when I’m trying to talk to her. That’s new.”
“This is all new.”
*****
It had been four days since he’d seen True at the bar. Not because he’d been ignoring her or trying not to see her, on the contrary he’d called a few times after he thought she’d have gotten home. At first he left messages and then he just called and hung up. He’d gone to bed and woke up early to take True a cup of her favorite coffee from Coffee Smoffee, a Danish and the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth. With his hands and heart full he found True’s house was empty. Alec got back in his car and closed his eyes to calm himself down.
Not knowing what else to do he found the two people who might be able to help him. He drove to the bar and went to find his brothers. They were supposed to be doing inventory but he’d bowed out because he’d thought he’d have been pouring his heart out this morning.
“Where has True been?” Alec asked without preliminary conversation. His brothers both stopped what they were doing and looked his way.
Both men looked at each other and then back at Alec, but they didn’t say anything.
“I’m really not in the mood to play with you guys today. If you have some information I want it.” Alec was trying not to bark at Camden or Beau but knowing they could take it.
“Well True knows all of us very well so you have to know that she wouldn’t have told us shit.” Beau turned his office chair toward Alec. “Sounds like you’re losing the ever cool demeanor that always seems to cling to you. Don’t tell me True finally got to you.”
“I’ve already been told that you know we’ve been together so don’t act like you’re surprised.”
Camden did look shocked. “I told you to follow your heart but I didn’t know you’d been together for a while. Why am I always the last to know everything?”
“Well you are busy being freaked out about your wife and your family growing by four feet so you should give yourself a break if you’re missing some signals.” Beau clapped his hand on the back of Camden’s back. “It’s alright buddy.”
“Fuck you,” Camden said to Beau with a smile as he shook his brother’s hand on his shoulder before turning back to face Alec. “So you’ve been with True, the woman who’s loved you forever. Since we know she hasn’t changed it must be you.”
The two men sat there looking at Alec like he was a one man show and he wasn’t sure he liked being on display like that, but he was willing to talk to get help from the two men who could possibly help him.
“I’m a lot like dad.” Alec started to talk but then stopped. Did he really want to share what he’s always thought deep down inside? “He loved hard and died because of it. Of all the women I’ve ever known I’ve never felt as strongly as I have with True.”
The two of them looked at each other and then back at him. Alec waited for the laugh to fall on him. He expected it almost as much as he dreaded it. He turned his back to his brothers for a few seconds hoping whatever was going to happen would happen soon. The anticipation was winding his stomach into a ball. When he finally turned to see what they were doing they’d both gotten up and stood in front of him.
“Fuck dude,” Beau said in a broken whisper. “Here we thought we were the ones all screwed up and you’re thinking what? That if you let yourself love True and lost her you’d die too?”
“It sounds ridiculous when I hear it out loud but for so long I was terrified of leaving you guys alone and I wanted to do anything I could to stay around.” Alec couldn’t believe how good that felt to put out there. Beau pulled him into a hug and Camden hugged them both so it was a huge group hug.
The guys broke apart clearing their throats like they were all embarrassed about how much emotion they were showing. It wasn’t normal for them, but it was real. Camden and Beau sat back down and returned to stare at Alec.
“True made you want to change that?” Camden asked.
“Well she made me see that I want to be with her. If I love her too hard and I die when she leaves me then I couldn’t feel any worse than I feel right now.” Alec watched his brothers nod like they knew what he was talking about.
“You shouldn’t have a problem, Alec. We all know how True feels about you. How she’s always felt about you.” Camden put his hands up like he didn’t see the problem.
“The problem is I spent so much time straddling the fence and harping about trust I haven’t been very trustworthy.”
“Did you fucking cheat on True?” Beau was up and grabbed onto the front of Alec’s shirt. “She doesn’t have anyone looking out for her. It’s always just been us and if you are hurting her I’m going to—”
Camden tore Beau away. “Come on now guys. We all love True but a group fight isn’t going to help anything.”
Beau backed away from the both of them and went to lean on the doorway.
“I haven’t cheated on True. Technically we aren’t a couple but I’ve not been with anyone since I’ve been with her but she said I didn’t know her so I called a private detective to help me with something I hoped would wow her and let her know that I know her…really know her deep down.”
“You fucking didn’t call Joni. Did you?” Beau said shaking his head. The man didn’t say it but he had ‘Dumbass’ written all over his face.
“She’s the best and she’s fast. I realized my mistake but I talked to her about why we broke up and I was going to tell True everything but she left. That’s not why I screwed up though.”
“That was enough I’m sure.” Beau rolled his eyes as he spoke.
“Maybe it was but all I was doing was stressing her having trust in me but I should have been telling her what I was doing. Hell I don’t know if I would be able to just go on blind faith like that. I’ve been an ass.”
Beau came over and stood next to Alec. “Don’t be too hard on yourself…she should be be used to that by now.” He smiled after he said it and Alec just shook his head.
“I know who might know where she is.” Camden stood up and squinted his eyes. “The girls.”
“The girls?” Alec and Beau both said together.
“Yes. Gemmi, Karessa…hell even Rosy may know. They’ve gotten pretty close.” Camden looked at them like they’d lost their minds.
“Let’s work on them.” Beau stood up and walked toward the door. “Wait.”
“What?” Alec was biting at the bit for them to get started so he could find his True.
“I think this means there are no more secrets between us. We’ve come through a lot but now we have everything out in the open.” Camden smiled and pulled both of his brothers in for a hug.
“I guess you’re right.” Alec said looking between both of his brothers. “I’m sorry it’s taken me so long, but at least it’s all out there.”
Alec patted them on the back as he led them to the door.
“I’m guessing you want us to get started.” Beau was on the other side of the door when he said it.
“Yes. Keep me posted.” Alec watched his brothers leave and waited a full 10 minutes before he picked up the phone.
“I know I said I wouldn’t call you for your help but I’d appreciate it just one more time. I’ll pay you whatever you ask.” He hung up and took a deep breath. If he got one more chance with True he’d make sure she knew how he really felt about her.
Chapter 17
True was again sitting in paradise and it should have been lovely. The sound of the ocean was one of her favorites and she’d even booked one of the little cabanas so she could enjoy the beach in the cool shade. She’d tried to read, she’d tried to meditate and she’d tried to listen to music but everything made her think of the one person she wasn’t supposed to be thinking of. Alec Haught.
She decided to get the waiter who’d been offering her drinks all morning to bring one…his choice and boy did he like to make them strong. It was the reason she was now slightly buzzed and watching a woman who looked like her number one nemesis Joni walking along the beach. That wasn’t right. She wasn’t her enemy it was Alec that she had a beef with. That didn’t mean she wanted to talk to Joni though. The woman got closer and a few things became clearer. The first one was this woman could rock a iridescent bikini like nobody’s damn business and the second was the bikini clad woman didn’t just look like Joni…it was Joni.
True sat up and that pleasant buzz she’d had was instantly gone. “What the hell are you doing here? How did you find me?” She could do nothing but blink up at the woman.
Joni smiled a little sheepishly. “Can I sit down?”
True raised her eyebrow and could feel the attitude of a lifetime springing from her toes. Joni had picked the wrong day and the wrong woman to fuck with. “Answer my questions first.”
“I’m a private detective.”
The woman said that like that was the end all be all. “Annnd?”
“You have a lot of people looking for you. One of them asked me to find you.”
“Was that someone Alec?”
“I don’t like to reveal who sent me normally but because it’s you I’ll fold. Yes it was Alec that sent me to find you.” She looked around the large cabana before looking back to True. “Can I sit down now?”
“Sure. Since you came all this way.” True shook her head. This felt like a freaking dream…more like a nightmare but she’d settle with a dream. “I’ll pay you double what he did not to tell him where I am.”
“You don’t have to pay me for that. If you don’t want me to tell him I won’t.” Joni settled back in the lounge chair like it was the most comfortable thing she’d sat on in a while.
True looked over at her. “So you won’t tell him where I am? What will you tell him?”
“The truth. That I found you and you appear to be fine, but she doesn’t want her location disclosed.” Joni flipped her sunglasses to the top of her head giving her a casually elegant look.
“You’d do that for me? Why so I’ll not bother you and Alec? I know about you two.”
Joni looked at True for a few seconds. “He said he hadn’t been able to talk to you about anything before you left.”
“I was in the little room behind the bar before my shift and I heard that you two got back together and were planning to tell me all about it. You wanted to be there to see the look on my face but he didn’t want you to see my embarrassment.”
Joni’s face turned bright red.
“I told you I heard it all.” True put her sunglasses on and tried to find the peace she’d had before this woman showed up but it didn’t work. “You’ve got some nerve showing up here. I’m glad that I’ve thrown away my prior instincts because I don’t want to have to spend the night in jail for fucking up a tourist.”
“I know what you think you heard and I have to tell you that there has been a misunderstanding.” Joni said quietly. “Alec took me to lunch last week because he’d been feeling guilty about the way we split all those years ago.”
True didn’t want to listen to even a word of this but she was riveted by the thought of actually hearing what happened. “What made your split so bad?”
Jodi’s eyes went wide. “Can I have a drink first?”
True pushed the button that brought over the man in the cute swim trunks that took orders and they both waited until the man came back with the drink Jodi had requested. The woman drank down most of the rum and soda in a few gulps. “Did you need that to tell the story?”
“I didn’t need it but it helps. You’re not the only one who’s had deep feelings for Alec Haught.” Joni put the drink down and let out a deep sigh. “Okay where were we?”
True didn’t think the question was for her but more of a where to start question for herself so she remained quiet.
“The weekend Alec was sick, something that hadn’t ever happened before that I knew of, I was away. I called and told him I’d come back but he’d told me not to worry about it so I didn’t.” She moved in her chair so she was facing True. “I didn’t think we were that strong of a couple but when I returned he proposed to me. It wasn’t a big grand to do but it was enough that he’d asked and I was so happy.”
True was fighting to keep from rolling her eyes. As much as it hurt her to hear it this is what she’d asked for so she was going to listen.
“This would be hard for me to hear if I were you. Are you sure you want me to go on?” Joni waited for True to nod, took another sip of her drink and carried on. “Okay. We didn’t get along very well and it felt like he was hiding me. I didn’t go to any of the family gatherings, I’d only met his brothers a few times and although I’d talked about your art and told him how much I wanted to meet you it never happened.”
Joni looked out to the water. “One day I broke it off with him. I wanted him to fight for me. I wanted him to tell me we could work it out but he just nodded and told me I could keep the ring.” Joni laughed a little.
“Then what happened?”
“I wanted him back. I figured that having the bit of his time was better than nothing. He is funny when you figure out his humor and he’s a protector of his family. I’ve seen that.” Joni’s voice lowered. “He’s a protector of you.”
“I’m not sure how you’re coming up with that, but I’m not going to argue with a woman who can track people to the ends of the earth.” True was glad to see the woman smile a bit. She understood heartbreak and she looked like she’d had her share of it.
“Well, when I decided I wanted to come back Alec was a different person. It was like he was totally turned off from me. The only thing that got him to talk was saying something about you.” Joni looked over at her. “I didn’t mean a word of it.”
“I have no idea what you said and since we all can say things we don’t mean when we are mad I totally forgive you.” True raised one eyebrow. “But I don’t want to hear the shit you were saying about me, so skip that part.”
Joni threw her head back and laughed. “I told him we would get along well, but after what he told me at lunch I can understand why he didn’t want us to meet.”
“What did he tell you at lunch?”
“I don’t mind telling you a little about what happened with me and Alec but there are somethings that need to come from him.”
“I don’t know if I want to talk, Joni. We’ve been going around this mulberry bush for a good long while and I don’t know if I can trust him. I’m sure you know how much he puts into trust.” True looked into her glass.
Joni drained her glass and placed it on the little table. “I can’t tell you what to do but I will say that I’ve never seen Alec act the way he’s acting and he has tried to put something together to show you how much he knows you.”
“You think it’s worth talking to him about?”
“It’s mind blowing and although I won’t be there with you, know I’m excited for you when you hear it.” Joni got out of the seat. “I’m not going to tell him anything but that I found you. The rest is up to you.”
True had more questions for Joni but it looked like the woman had decided their time was up. “You said you tried to get him back. What made you stop trying or have you stopped?”
“Soon after I began my campaign to win him back you called him about something. That man is a standard ring tone type of man but he has a special one for you.”
True remembered talking to Alec about how he knew it was her but he wouldn’t tell her what her ring tone was. She stopped trying to think about that conversation because she had a woman breaking her own heart right in front of her, hoping she’d give the man she cares for so much another chance.
“That’s what made me let go. He didn’t say anything more about it and neither did I. I’ve not talked to him much since that day until the day he picked up the phone and called me…for you.” Joni gave her a watery smile.
“I’m not sure what I’m going to do Joni but I thank you for taking the time to find me and for spreading a little light. It’s just got to come from him.”
“I get it and like I said it’s totally up to you, but I’m sure he’d tell you the same or more if you’d answer your phone.” Joni put on her glasses and walked out of the cabana. “Whatever happens you’re still one of my favorite artists and I’m glad I got to meet you.”
True didn’t know what to say to that but it didn’t matter because the woman left the way she came and then True was alone again, but now she was thinking about all the things Joni had said. She was curious about what had been going on back home and she missed everyone but most of all she wanted to hear that ring tone.
Picking up her phone she made a phone call that was going to get her back to the real world and away from paradise. “Rosy? I’m going to be coming back to town in a few days and I was hoping you could do me a favor.”
“Sure. What do you need?”
“The plane gets back in the morning and I hate taking a taxi, but I know if I ask anyone but you they will send Alec and I’m not ready to see him yet.” True hated to admit that to anyone but she really did feel comfortable with Rosy. The woman had stepped up into Gemmi’s place as her assistant and done a fabulous job. Hence the fact that she was calling her for help to get home instead of someone else.
“Ummm…okay.” Rosy said quietly like she was trying to talk under her breath.
“Are you alone?” True could hear the sound of a chair moving across the floor.
“No. I’m not. Hey?” Rosy sounded indignant as her voice faded into the background.
“True is that you? Where are you? When are you coming home?” Karessa must have snatched the phone.
“I’m not telling anyone but Rosy. I want her to come pick me up and I don’t want any of the Haught brothers to come. I’ll see them later.”
“Does that mean Gemmi and I can’t come?” Karessa sounded so sad.
“I guess you can come.”
“Great. Thanks, True.” Karessa was smiling so hard it was actually evident in her voice.
“No problem. Tell Rosy I’ll give her my flight information later today.”
“I can’t wait to see you.” Karessa said before disconnecting.
True sat back and looked at the beach. Before her visitor she didn’t know what she wanted to do and afterwards she was still unsure. This rollercoaster she’d been on with Alec was tiring and painful. Sometimes you didn’t get what you wanted…shit that was the story of her life so why did this seem so much more painful than other things that didn’t go her way. She’d been left as a child and had been chasing family her whole life, but it had always been borrowed and faintly insecure. It had to be time for her to do something different. Instead of waiting for Alec to come to his senses she needed to come to her own.
True stood up and walked to the water. So much beauty surrounded her and all she could think about was how much she wanted Alec to be here to see this too. It was time to put on her big girl pants on and go home. She would deal with her future after she figured out what was going on with her past.
Chapter 18
Karessa and Rosy were standing near the airport exit with Karessa waving and Rosy with a guarded smile. What the fuck was this about?
“Are you ready?” Karessa said as she neared the couple.
It was probably an innocent question but Karessa was acting strangely. “Did you bring Alec with you?”
“What? Noooo.” Karessa said with a laugh as she looped her arm through True’s.
True couldn’t believe how much she missed the two ladies who’d come to get her from the airport. “What did I miss? Is Gemmi okay? Has she gotten bigger?” She looked at Rosy. “Is that even possible?”
“Girl you’ve been gone for 5 days. The only thing that’s changed is the way Alec is acting and how he got his brothers to grill Gemmi and I about where you are.” Karessa’s grin was so big it was hard not to smile back.
They got to the car and Rosy held up a cup of Jasmine tea from Coffee Smoffee. “For you.”
“I may need to jet off more often. You ladies are making me feel like a returning queen.” True took the cup and sipped it a few times before putting it down in the cup holder. The ladies were talking about the plan for when Gemmi delivered… who was to call who. It was some sort of chain and True was glad she wasn’t in it. When she heard Gemmi was in labor she was going to the hospital and that was that.
She was tired and thought to just close her eyes for a few minutes. It wouldn’t take long to get home and then she could get settled in.
“Wake up, True.” Karessa’s voice woke her and she felt refreshed. How that happened with a fifteen minute nap she didn’t know.
Opening her eyes she looked out the front window and saw nothing but sunflowers. She blinked a few times. “What in the world is going on?”
“You said you were relaxing and someone told us your favorite flower was a sunflower.” Karessa opened up the car door and hopped out.
“So you brought me to a field of sunflowers?” True looked back at Rosy who also got out of the car and walked toward the field after she shrugged and followed Karessa.
True got out of the car and planned to follow her friends but it seemed they had disappeared into the flowers. Was this a crazy ass dream? “Did you drug my tea?” True screamed.
“No,” Karessa answered but she sounded far away.
“Where the hell are you guys?” True yelled at the field of sunflowers.
“Find the way into the maze, True. It’s so fun.”
She was in no mood for this shit but she wanted to be a good sport. No way in hell was she going to run through here though. Walking into the maze where it said start she took deep breaths of the fragrant sunflower air and she rounded the first corner only to see a large glass container filled with different colored candy on a table. That was a weird thing to see in a maze. When she approached the table she saw her name on a card taped to the container.
True – You think I don’t notice you but here is your favorite candy.
She looked closer at the container and saw the conversation hearts with only her favorite colors inside. Pink, purple and light blue. True shook her head and picked up the container before she followed the maze in the direction that was indicated on the table. She turned the corner and found a wagon with a note.
True – I knew you’d want to take your candy with you.
True did chuckle then as she put the glass jar in the wagon and walked on. At the next table there was a small house she recalled from her childhood.
True – I remember when Beau broke your baby doll house and you came to me to fix it. I tried but it didn’t work, but you told me it was perfect.
She took the house and placed it in her wagon. True loved that Alec had gone through all this trouble but she was beginning to think about how long this would go on. Pulling her wagon around the next corner she saw a chair with note attached to it. She sat down and read the note.
True – I feel like crap for the way I’ve treated you and I’d love to tell you about it and share something I’ve been working on for a while. Stand up and face the chair. If you go to your right I’ll be waiting for you but I’ll understand if you go to your left and walk out of this maze with you wagon full of treats. You know I’m not this cutesy so I hope if you left you appreciate my willingness to be silly for you.
She sat looking at the note. Knowing that everyone would know she was way to nosy not to go to her left plus she really wanted to see what he was going to say.
The walk to the corner of the hedges had her filled with anticipation. Was he going to say things she’d always dreamed he’d say or was this just him letting her know that he knows her. This was a man who could barely resist a challenge but she was one to talk. He’d said she’d never be able to fix up his brothers and she took that as well as a red flag waving in front of her face.
There was a cabana like structure when she turned the corner and there was the man who made her heart beat like a fierce rainstorm on the ocean.
“Thanks for taking a chance on me.” He offered her a seat and then sat down next to her. She just nodded because for whatever reason she was all choked up and just wanted to hear what he had to say. He reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. Alec wasn’t really kissing it he was just talking against it. There was something really endearing about it though. Maybe because he wasn’t usually this touchy feely.
“I’ve loved you since the very first time you kissed my scar. I told you that I’m the most like my father but what I didn’t tell you is that I thought if I loved a woman like my father loved my mother I’d die of a broken heart just like he did.” He’d looked away from her for a few seconds in the middle of his explanation but his gaze was clear when he got to the end. It was as if he thought she was going to mock him or something.
“Do you think you love me that much?” True almost didn’t want to ask that question but if she was going to base her future on this she needed to know all the information.
“I know I do. It’s the reason I’m going all out right now. When you went away I thought about how I didn’t answer your question of how I felt about you.”
“You don’t have to do that now.”
“I know I don’t, but I want to. You are good on the fly just like Beau. Someone asks you something and you open your mouth and your smooth answer rolls over your tongue but people like me need a minute.” He took a deep breath and she cocked her head to the side.
“Take all the time you need.”
“I love how you make me smile even when I don’t really want too, even if it doesn’t show on my face. I love the way you kiss my scar. I love that even though you know so much about me but you still look at me like I’m and angel. I love that you’re dependable and how you always make sure you have everybody’s favorite food or drink on hand just in case we stop over. I love your voice and the smart ass things you say when I test your nerves.”
True couldn’t stand it anymore and stood up to sit on his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck.
“But most of all I love knowing that if my life ended today I’d consider myself lucky because I’ve found my soul’s mate.”
She kissed him because the words he was giving her were almost too much. “Do you really mean all that?”
“Yes I do. I had a plan for telling you all this. It involved a restaurant and comfort but you ran away and I wanted to tell you everything as soon as I could.”
“Is this what you were going to tell me at the comfortable restaurant?” She enjoyed watching his face this close up. He looked relaxed and…happy?
“When you said I didn’t know you. It stung a little. I know all about you True.” He pulled back a little from her and she thought he just wanted to tell her about what he and Joni were working on.
“Really?”
“Yes really. I know how much family means to you. Just like I know you think our family is borrowed and you get insecure about it sometimes.” He stared into her eyes and she couldn’t imagine where he was going with this.
“It is important to me, but as you know I am the product of a prostitute and a john. I’ve aged out of the foster system and although family means a lot to me I’m good with the temporary family I’ve found with the Haught’s.” Even talking about her lack of family made True a bit sad.
“I know. I wanted to do something big and I pulled Joni in this with me because she is one of the best private investigators ever.” He had his hands on her shoulders and he looked into her eyes. “I wasn’t with her. We had lunch so I could apologize for the way we broke up. The reason is I couldn’t stand to see the way you looked at me, but I didn’t need to dump her with practically no explanation.”
“She found me on a beach so I’m not doubting her skills.”
“Joni found your sister. Her name is Heaven Lee and she lives about 25 miles from here.”
True sat in Alec’s lap frozen. It was like the words he’d put together didn’t make any sense. “What do you mean she found my sister?”
“I’ve been looking for a bit just checking here and there but I turned up the heat when you threw down your challenge.”
The sobs and tears came from nowhere and there was absolutely nothing she could do to stop them. She sat there wrapped in Alec’s arms, surrounded by his love and her heart full. When her tears subsided and she could hear the words he murmured in her ear she sat up and looked at him.
“Did Karessa and you set me up?” She knew she sounded indignant but she didn’t get set up she set up people.
“Yes. It was Karessa’s idea. I know she was thinking payback but I was just so grateful I didn’t let myself be bothered that you’d be pissed when you figured out you’d been had.” He wiped her face with tissue he had in his pocket.
“You planned for everything, huh?” She sat there while he worked on her.
“I tried to channel my inner True and thought of everything I’d need to give me the best chance to woo you.”
Karessa came around the corner looking very worried. “We’ve got to get to Gemmi. She was supposed to be waiting for us to get there but she thinks she went into labor. She can’t get Camden on the phone and she knew we were all out here. Red is taking her to the hospital.
“What? Camden is going to have a fit if he misses this. Red has the best timing ever.” Alec yelped out. “I’ll call Cam on the way to the hospital.”
“Come on True. You can ride with us.” Karessa said looking at True.
“We’ll meet you there.” Alec said before they all took off for their cars.
Chapter 19
Alec thought he had lots of emotions running through him for the last few months but it had nothing on what he’d felt within the last day. Shit the last few hours had been power packed. He was trying to get to the hospital while True placed calls to Beau and Camden.
“That man is going to go crazy if he’s there for the delivery or if he misses the delivery.” True said as she tried to call Camden’s phone again. “Give me your phone. Maybe I can call with both of them. It’s possible it will be a long time before the babies but I’d like for the man to be there for the deliveries.”
Alec brought out his phone and handed it to her. The words of Joni ran through her mind but she knew now wasn’t the time to check to see if she had a special ring tone but she did take the phone off silent.
Her phone rang and it startled her. “Hello.”
“I got Camden on the phone and Karessa got Beau. The guys are on their way to the hospital so we’ll all meet there.” Rosy said sounding very calm and collected. True was glad someone was. She didn’t want anything to happen to Gemmi and the babies for everyone’s sake. The Haught Boys needed some good to come to them. All this loss and heartache from their past was so hard for them to deal with.
“Okay. Drive safe.” True disconnected the call and looked at Alec.
“So everyone is in route. Great. Now we just need Gemmi and the babies to deliver without a hitch.” Alec blew out a breath. “I have one last thing for you but we got interrupted before I could get to it.”
“What was it?” True wanted to take her mind off Gemmi in the hospital in labor all alone. Well, not all alone Red was there and if she recalled correctly he was a doctor. She was in good hands just not in her hands and that is bothering the side of her that liked control. “I’d appreciate you telling me because my mind is going crazy thinking about Gemmi and we have another half hour before we get there. Take my mind off of that.”
“This isn’t the place or setting I thought this would happen but—” Alec reached into his pocket and pulled out a white handkerchief that was filled with something and pulled into a ball of some sort. He handed it to her. “When we were younger you were always popping out with snacks for everyone wrapped like this. It was usually a paper napkin but it always had something special in it for me. You didn’t have much but you’ve always had the power to make me happy, no matter how hard I tried to fight it.”
True was slightly confused. He was giving her a snack? Well, maybe it made sense they were outside maybe he thought she’d need something to eat while they were outside. It was tied with a pink ribbon and she took out the knot before she opened it. Her heart was beating so hard and fast. She wanted to slow it down. Taking a few breaths she picked up her phone and called his cell.
Maybe I know, somewhere
Deep in my soul
That love never lasts
And we've got to find other ways
To make it alone
But keep a straight face
And I've always lived like this
Keeping a comfortable, distance
And up until now
I had sworn to myself that I'm content
With loneliness
Because none of it was ever worth the risk
But, you are, the only exception
You are, the only exception
You are…
The phone cut off and True wasn’t sure what to think about what she’d just heard. The song was from Paramore one of her favorite groups but the words touched her heart. “Is that your ringtone for me because I dragged you to that movie or because it’s my favorite?”
“While I knew that song was one of your favorites, as soon as I left the theatre I looked it up because that song was you for me. I always knew the woman I’d love too hard was you. You were the only exception for me. You always have been.” Alec took her hand and kissed it while keeping his eyes on the road. “We are a very unconventional couple. We’ve known each other forever but I feel like we’ve just gotten started. I know you have a chance to take your art around the world and I’d not want to stop that. Hell I’d even come with you if you wanted me to.”
“You’d leave your family for me?” True was beyond shocked. She knew how much he wanted and adored being with his family.
“I’d never leave my family,” Alec said quickly looking over at True.
“I didn’t think so. How would you come with me if I wanted to tour then?”
“True you’re part of my family too.”
She was grateful she had cried her eyes out at the sunflower field because she only had enough juice for her eyes to get watery before she could pull herself together. “Thank you, Alec.”
“For what? Loving you? It’s my pleasure.”
The hospital was in sight and True put her little package in her purse as Alec pulled up to the front of the hospital.
“Go in and see what’s going on. Call me and tell me where you are while I park.”
True handed him back his phone, gave Alec a quick kiss on the cheek before hopping out of the car.
When she got to the front desk she found out how to get to the maternity department and met Karessa and Rosy just coming in the door.
“We have to go up to the maternity department. That’s where Gemmi is.” True told the ladies as she pressed the elevator button. When they got on she texted Alec the location so he could find her.
The three of them practically ran to the nurses station after leaving the elevator and saw Camden and Beau coming from another direction but headed their way, but the ladies got to the station first.
“We’ve come to see Gemmi Haught.” True said and didn’t like the look in the woman’s eyes.
“Is the father with you?” The nurse said after looking on the sheet in front of her.
“I’m the father.” Camden said. His face was white and he looked like he was going to pass out. “Is Gemmi alright?”
The nurse looked at the entourage like she was weighing what she was going to say. “I’m going to need you to come back with me. She’s in the operating room now having a c-section I’ll see if I can get you scrubbed in.”
“A c-section?” Beau really looked like he was going to crumble. “Is Gemmi going to be alright?” His voice broke on the last word.
“Sir she’s in with the best group of doctors we have. She actually came in with a doctor who is in with her now. You look a bit unsteady. If you don’t want to go in for a bit you could wait until it was over.” The nurse waited for Camden’s decision.
“Of course I want to go in.”
His brothers patted him on the back and offered words of support and encouragement as Camden walked through the doors. The nurse stopped to hand him a plastic package and waited as he put on the yellow coverall and shoe covers. They all watched him walk down the hall until they couldn’t see him anymore.
“This is terrifying.” True said to no one in particular.
Alec grabbed her hand as another nurse directed them to the waiting room. There was complete silence in the room while they all struggled with their own thoughts.
Red came in and got a cup of coffee from the machine before everyone surrounded him.
“What’s going on in there?” Alec asked in a gruff tone that was filled with his frustration.
“Baby A was breech so they tried to get him to turn around but there wasn’t enough room, then the manipulation to get the baby turned made baby B’s heart rate drop forcing the doctor to do a c-section.”
“Is Gemmi going to be okay?”
“I believe so.” Red took a sip of coffee while he stood under everyone’s gaze. “All we can do is wait now. I’m glad Camden got here in time. They were just starting the incision.”
True wasn’t medical and just thinking about them cutting on her friend was enough to make her gasp. Alec pulled her hand into his and walked them back to sit down.
“I’m sure this is not a good time for this but I think we are getting ready to get real busy real fast and I don’t want this to get lost.” Alec turned to her in the hard hospital seat. “I want you to share your future with me and I want to give my everything to you. What I’m asking doesn’t have to happen soon but I want us to be tied together in each and every way possible.”
She was confused. It sounded like he was asking and then he moved in front of her on his knee.
“Will you marry me? We’ve had the good times and the bad times so I think we should be able to make it through almost anything else.”
True blinked at him feeling like she probably was still asleep on the beach after a few too many drinks. Alec reached for her purse and pulled out the ball of snacks he’d handed her in the car, completely undid the knot as he watched her. When he opened it there were only pink conversation hearts in the bag. She picked up one and plopped it in her mouth but when she looked back down at the candy she saw a flash of something.
“I’ve waited forever for this. It’s like a dream.” True loved the smile on Alec’s face. It was bright and happy. One of the smiles she’d have done anything for in the past. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him.
He waited until she ended it and looked through the candy producing a large pink solitary diamond with a white diamond band. Alec held the ring out and she splayed her hand so he could place it on the appropriate finger. It wasn’t until then that she heard all the people around them. The little bubble that seemed to encompass them must have broken because she could hear everyone more than she could before.
“I’m hoping this means yes?” Alec said as he watched her stare at the ring on her finger.
“How is that even a question? Of course I’ll marry you. I’ve chased you my entire life because I’ve loved you my entire life. Thank you for loving me back.”
“Thank you for waiting for me to get my head out of my ass and realize that I was going to be miserable without you in my life.” Alec stood up and pulled True up with him and pulled her into a kiss that made her almost forget they weren’t alone.
“Hey…hey, lovebirds. We want to see the ring too.” Beau moved between them and picked up her hand with the ring on it. He whistled long and low. “That’s some shiner.”
Red came over and looked over Rosy and Karessa’s head. “Congrats guys.”
“Thanks Red.” Alec said glancing over at the man quickly.
That’s all True heard because she was pulled away to have her hand tugged and her body squeezed from Rosy and Karessa.
Camden walked into the waiting room still dressed in his yellow suit and the room silenced again. He looked dazed when he looked at everyone in the room.
“Well?” Alec asked in a loud and impatient voice. Not that she could blame him.
“I’m the father of two and everyone is doing well. They are taking her to the recovery room and I just wanted to come out here to tell you that we are all fine.” Camden walked over to his brothers. “Can you believe it? We are all fine.”
Alec pulled Camden and Beau into a hug and there were some decidedly wet eyes all around when they finished. Even Red looked a bit weepy. The man stood in the background looking like he’d have loved to join in on the hug but he held himself back.
“I’m going to get back there but thanks everyone for standing by us through all of this.” Then he turned to Red. “You really came through. During this pregnancy you’ve helped me ease my mind and you were here for Gemmi when she needed you. I’ll never forget that. You’ve earned family status for that.”
“That’s what family is for,” Red said as he beamed at Camden.
Camden went back in and we all sat down in the waiting room. The mood was full of peace and anticipation.
“I’m so glad everyone is okay.” True sat in the chair next to Alec still reeling from the weight of the ring on her left hand.
“It looks like it was a good day for us all.”
“Thank you Alec for going through all that to show me how much you know me. I don’t think I’d have believed you’d ever put in so much effort.”
“For my only exception? I’d give you the world…just you wait and see.”
“I don’t need the world Alec Haught. All I want and need is you.”
“Awwwww.” The whole waiting room said practically in unison.
“Remind me not to get sappy in front of all these people in the future,” True said to Alec.
“I adore it too much to agree to that.”
“Look at you all cute and sappy? Who knew?” True laughed. “I’m joking…I know deep down inside you’re a cuddly, snuggling fool and I love you so hard for showing me that side.”
“I love you too.”
True held up her hand. “Not another ‘awww’ from any of you.”
Alec pulled her onto his lap and kissed her.
And the crowd said. “Awwwwwww.”