EFFA
As we head further out of Pittsburgh, I get a slight inkling as to where we might be headed. But I don’t want to get my hopes up. It’s not until I see the sign saying ‘Welcome to Ligonier’ that I smile so full I feel like I might burst.
I turn to Mercs placing my hands on his chest and grin at him. “Are we staying with Gran and Kiera?” I ask as he chuckles with a slight nod.
Excitement fills my body as I bounce up and down on the seat while everyone laughs at me, as I sway my head back and forth and Mercs chuckles. “I thought you’d like this idea.”
My head snaps toward him. “Like it? I love it! Dad and Livvy get to meet Gran and Kiera. This is amazing.”
“Everyone gets to meet them. They’re all staying at the Inn at the end of the street. So they won’t be too far from us, and we’re only one hour from your specialists in Pittsburgh for your appointments.”
“This is just too perfect.”
“They better have Wi-Fi that’s all I’m saying,” Kristy blurts out and I smile at her.
The Hummer pulls up out the front of Gran’s home, and I’m definitely excited. “We’re here,” I call out, and everyone laughs at me.
“Okay, baby girl, you go in with the kid and get settled, we’ll all catch up with you later once you’re all acquainted again,” Dad instructs, and I pout. “Oh… don’t pout at me. We don’t want to overwhelm them with all of us just yet. You go and settle in, and we’ll see you all tonight for a welcome home dinner. Okay?”
I nod and smile as Mercs grabs my bunch of flowers and starts to move out of the Hummer as Dad reaches out grabbing his arm. “You watch her… like a hawk. You see anything, anything at all that needs medical attention, you call or get an ambulance. You hear me?”
“Dad,” I berate.
“You hear me?” he reiterates and Mercs nods.
“Yes, sir.” Mercs’ face is stern, not full of fear or contempt, but of determination. Like he’s one hundred percent on board with the idea of watching me like a hawk. I should have known, but I guess it’s nice to know that they’re on the same page. It’s nice to know they agree and aren’t at each other’s throats is more like it.
“Have a great time, honey. We’ll see you tonight,” Livvy chimes in, blowing me a kiss.
“Love you all,” I announce.
Mercs and I slide out of the Hummer, where Raoul meets us. He grins as he walks us toward the door of Gran’s home. “Your luggage will arrive shortly. It’s coming separately. If you need anything, anything at all, I’ll be only a phone call away and I’m just down the street. I don’t anticipate anything happening while we are here, but I have Cooper coming down too… just in case.”
Smiling, I reach out patting his arm. “Thank you, Raoul. What would we do without you?”
He weakly smiles as we reach the door, and Mercs rings the doorbell. Not ten seconds later the door opens to a small scream, and I jump back with a shock as I snap my head to the door to see Kiera bouncing up and down in the doorway. She looks tired but overly excited to see us as her smile is wider than I’ve ever seen.
Kiera lunges forward wrapping her arms around me in a tight embrace and swaying me from side to side. “Holy shit! I’m so happy you’re okay. You scared the hell out of me,” she sings as I fling my arms around her holding onto her as tight as I can manage. But even walking from the car to here has me a little tired.
“I’m sorry I scared you, Kiera. But I’m glad I’m here, and I get to see you again.”
“What the hell is all this screaming?” Gran calls out as she rushes down toward the front door. Then she spots us and gushes about herself as she hurries, arms out and heading for Mercs. “Oh… I see now. Come here you two. I’ve missed you. And you scared us half to death,” she blubbers wrapping one arm around Mercs, the other around Kiera and me, and we all fall together in a group hug. I giggle feeling like this is my other family, and I’m so proud to be a part of it.
“Okay, I can see you’re all set here. I’ll get back to the Hummer. Call if you need anything, Effa,” Raoul announces walking back to the car.
“Thanks, Raoul,” I say with a kind smile.
I know he feels guilty about what happened—him leaving me and effectively letting Jett get to me—but it wasn’t his fault. He has to know that.
Gran begins to drag us inside the house and Mercs shuts the door behind us.
“So, tell me… are you really doing as well as Kaden says you are, sweetheart?” Gran asks as we head past the stairs into the kitchen on the right.
I smile and nod. “I think so. I’m a little tired all the time, but the doctors say that’s to be expected. Other than that we haven’t noticed anything other than lethargy, which they think should come good after a couple of months rest.”
“Well, that’s what we’re here for. Rest and recuperation. You take as long as you need here, Effa. The longer you and my boy are here the better I say,” Gran beams with a wink as she walks over to the kettle.
I glance to Mercs who places my flowers on the bench with a sly smile.
“So, who was that hot French guy?” Kiera asks.
Mercs’ eyes shoot open, and he starts shaking his head frantically while I laugh.
“That’s Raoul. He’s my security guard. He’s super-hot, isn’t he?” I tease.
“Wait! What?” Mercs blurts out, looking to me furrowing his brows as Kiera and I both laugh. I wink at Mercs as he continues shaking his head. “Kiera, no… No. Just. No.”
She scoffs and waves her hand through the air as she walks off toward the stairs. “Pfft, you’re my older brother, not my boss…” She turns around. “Is Raoul single, Effa?” she calls out, and I giggle as she shifts back and starts up the stairs.
“Do. Not. Answer. That!” Mercs stipulates.
“Yes!” I call back.
Mercs groans, placing his head in his hands while Gran chuckles, pouring the water into the kettle and puts it on for us.
“Let her be, Kaden, she’s only young. It’s nice to see her crushing on a man,” Gran encourages and I nod matter-of-factly.
Mercs shakes his head, lowering his voice. “She’s also very sick and doesn’t need the distraction.”
Furrowing my brows, I reach out touching his arm. “Sometimes a distraction from a negative turns things into a positive. Let her have her crush, Mercs, it won’t cause any harm.”
He snorts. “Until he breaks her heart and sends her spiraling downward into a pit of black despair. Oh… fuck no.”
I glance to Gran.
“Wow! Your faith in mankind is astounding there, sweetheart,” Gran hums, and I chuckle as the soft click of the kettle being turned on filters through the room.
“There’s no man alive that would be good enough for Kiera, right Kaden?” I ask.
He looks up to the ceiling as if he’s thinking and then looks back to me nodding with a smirk. “Yes, you’re right. She can never date. I’ll make that official when she comes down.”
“Who needs an overbearing father when you have Kaden Mercury,” I jest and he purses his lips. Gran chuckles as the doorbell sounds again and we all look toward the front door.
“That will be our luggage. I’ll get it and take it up. You stay right where you are and relax,” Mercs orders leaning in and pressing a soft kiss to my temple.
I smile as he stands and rushes off to the door. Turning back toward Gran I watch as she pours the boiling water over the tea bags in the mugs.
It’s so good to be back here. I wish it were under better circumstances, but nevertheless, I’m glad to spend more time with them.
“I’m sorry I scared everyone. I know you must think less of me for what happened—”
She raises her hand up in a gesture to silence me. “Stop right there. Now, why on earth would you ever believe I’d think less of you, sweetheart? What Jett did to you was reprehensible, and in no way did you ask for it, if that’s what you’re thinking. So get that thought out of your head, right now. Kaden told me a little of what was happening with Jett and you guys and, from the sounds of it, Jett was going to find a way to manipulate you whatever way he could. You did not have a part to play in what happened to you Effa.”
Swallowing hard, I sigh. “What if I led him on somehow? Made him think that I wanted him.”
Gran reaches over the counter and grabs my hand. “Effa, I know you. I know you embrace everyone and see only their good. I’m sure Jett felt that sense of love from you, but he turned that and made it into something sinister, and that’s on him, not you sweetheart. No one else has tried to take advantage of your generous heart in such a heinous way. It was only him. He’s the bad guy in this scenario, Effa, not you. Thinking like this... it will tear you up. Trust me when I say, the way you open your heart to everyone is delightful, and you should not for one second change who you are because of one insignificant person.”
Smiling at Gran, I tighten my hand in hers feeling a sense of warmth and home emanating from her. “Thanks, Gran, you know exactly what to say.”
“Of course I do… now stop fretting and drink your tea, sweetheart.” She offers me my cup with a warm smile, and I smile back at her as Mercs walks up the stairs with our luggage.
I glance over at him and sink into myself slightly. I haven’t spoken to him about my hidden feelings because I know he would tell me this was all Jett’s fault. I know he would tell me I had no part to play in this no matter what. But talking to Gran, I knew she’d be honest with me, and now having this chat with her has lifted a significant weight I was carrying around. Knowing I didn’t do anything to lead Jett on to drug me is easing my mind and making me feel better about myself. If anything, Gran is a superhero in disguise. She helps everyone.
I know now why Mercs brought me here, because maybe just maybe, he sensed I needed to feel at ease, and to be in a calm environment. He knows me so well, and man am I one lucky woman to have a man by my side who understands my needs sometimes better than I do.
After settling in at the house for a few hours, it’s finally dinner time and Gran, Kiera, Mercs and I are meeting the rest of the gang and my parents at the local pub for a meet and greet and some much-needed food.
We walk into the charming looking pub, the décor is all woodgrain with gingham curtains. One wall is blue with shelves of books and some sofas beneath it, a fireplace inset, and the walls opposite have giant windows looking out onto the street letting natural light in. It’s so cozy, I can imagine in winter it would be the place to be. I love it here instantly. It has a good vibe to it. As I step in further, I see a long table set out, and most of the gang are here already, including my Dad and Livvy. They smile as I walk up to them with Mercs, Kiera and Gran behind me.
“Here she is. Did you have a good rest, baby girl?” Dad asks as he reaches out pulling me into an embrace.
“Yes I did, thanks. Dad, there’s some people I want you to meet,” I say leering at him through my lashes, so he understands to be on his best behavior.
He smirks and nods. “Oh, okay.”
“Dad, Livvy… this is Daphne or Gran… and Kiera, Mercs’ sister.”
Livvy lets out a small excited shriek and rushes forward grabbing Gran tight, embracing her as Dad laughs waving to Kiera who looks to Livvy and Gran opening her eyes wide.
“Oh my goodness, it’s so amazing to finally meet you both. I’ve just loved hearing about you two.” Livvy pulls back from Gran and reaches out for Kiera grabbing her shoulders and looking her all over. “And aren’t you just the most adorable little thing,” Livvy states leaning forward planting a kiss on Kiera’s cheek making her laugh and Alana groan.
“God, Mum, you’re so freaking weird,” Alana mumbles causing a slight chuckle from Luke as he continues to play with his cell at the table.
“Well, it’s so lovely to meet you as well,” Gran replies.
Livvy lets Kiera go and prances back to her seat.
I lean into Kiera’s side and up to her ear. “Don’t worry, you get used to it,” I tell her, and she lets out a small giggle as we take our seats.
“So I guess, I need to introduce everyone?” I ask as I slide into the cold leather lined seat.
Kiera nods.
It’s easy for me to forget that these are my people, but to Kiera, they’re celebrities. “Okay, so clockwise from Mercs, that’s Jay then Tank… they’re part of the crew. They work with your brother. Then there’s Andi, Casey, Kristy, and Alana… they’re the rest of the band, but I think you already know that.”
Kiera giggles and brings her hand up in a small wave to the girls.
“Then we have Luke, our Manager slash agent slash organizer of our daily existence.”
“At your service,” Luke mumbles not even looking up from his cell.
Everyone chuckles as I continue, “Then there’s Cooper and Raoul, security… and well you know Dad and Livvy.”
“Hi, Raoul…” Kiera’s sickly sweet voice filters through the pub, and I smirk.
Raoul looks at her and slowly smiles. “Umm… hello,” he replies like he’s completely confused as to why she’s singled him out.
Mercs slumps into his chair throwing his head back against his seat. I reach my hand under the table giving his leg a squeeze, and he peers at me sideways and subtly shakes his head as I silently chuckle under my breath.
“So what’s good to eat? I’m freaking starving,” Andi calls out.
I flop my head to the side feeling a slight headache coming on. Blinking quickly to try to shake off the tension behind my eyes as everyone starts to talk among themselves, Mercs looks to me and furrows his brows. “You okay?”
I weakly grin and nod. “Sure, just a small headache. Nothing a glass of iced water won’t fix.”
He nods, moving his hand to my back and he rubs it up and down tenderly as I take a deep breath. There aren’t many people in here at the moment which is nice, but I know by the time the night moves along the pub will fill up with more customers.
Mercs shoves his hand in the air grabbing the attention of a waitress, and she rushes over. “Hey Kaden, how are you? Long time no see,” she coos batting her eyelashes at him and I close my eyes in protest not wanting to watch this unfold.
“Hey Kassidy, how’s Mark? And the kids?” he asks, and I open my eyes.
She shrugs. “Urgh… Mark’s Mark. You know what he’s like. Been the same since junior high. And the kids are little shits. God love ‘em. I see you’re doing well for yourself, hanging with famous people now, you little rebel you.”
Mercs chuckles, his hand still rubbing up and down my back in a soothing way. I smile knowing even though he’s talking to an obvious friend from school, he’s affections toward me don’t change. “You know me, always one for living it large. Sorry to cut it short, Kass, but my girl here has a headache. Can I trouble you for some chilled water?”
“Oh, yeah, of course. I’ll get some for the whole table, and when I come back I’ll take your orders if you’re ready?” Kassidy asks and Mercs nods.
“Thanks, Kass, I’m going to be in town for a while. Eff and I should catch up with you and Mark, it’d be great to see him again.”
I smile and nod. “Yes, I’d love that, too,” I blurt out, so Kassidy doesn’t think I’m just going to sit here and add nothing to this conversation. I want the people in Mercs’ hometown to like me. So I’m going to make an effort with them.
All of them.
They’re his friends, so hopefully, they will be mine too.
Kassidy smiles wide as she tilts her head like she’s in a state of shock. “A rocker, a real-life rocker, coming to hang out with me? Well, I’ll for sure be down with that. And you too, of course, Kaden.” She giggles as Mercs rolls his eyes as she walks off to get my water.
Mercs looks at me and smiles. “She was in my group of friends when I was going through high school. Her and Mark… they were inseparable. They were always going to end up together.”
I sigh. “That’s so sweet. I love childhood sweetheart stories.”
Mercs winces, and I suddenly remember that he had a childhood sweetheart, and she lives in this very town. I’d almost forgotten that even though I love this place and everything and everyone in it, there’s one person that’s still a thorn in our side.
And as I glance up, my stomach flips, my headache worsens, and I gasp. Somehow it’s like my thoughts materialize into the one person I was dreading seeing.
Mercs’ childhood sweetheart.
Lilah.