Placing her hand on the side of my face, I peered back into her green eyes. “Oh, sweetheart, you never lost her love. I can promise you that. Why do you think she left?”
“Because I’m an asshole who came back to town with the girl I cheated on her with, stood her up for lunch, then allowed Daphne to hurt her again by telling her she was pregnant.”
Becca cleared her throat. “I’d say that about sums it up.”
My mother looked over at Becca and frowned slightly.
Becca shrugged. “What? If the shoe fits, put it on and own it.”
Leaning in, I kissed my mother on the cheek. “Mom, will you get rid of this for me? I don’t want Daphne to see any of it. I need her to tell me the truth without her thinking I know.”
With a quick nod, she replied. “I’ll take care of it now.”
I turned to head out when she took me by the arm. Glancing back at her, I smiled. “I promise not to mess this up, Mom. I’m going to the get the truth from her, then I’m going to get Emylie and bring her home.”
She pressed her lips together and smiled. “I think you need to make one more stop before you set off for Emylie. There are two more people who you need to speak with first.”
I knew who she was talking about. With a wink, I took her hand and squeezed it. “I love you. Will you catch Dad up on everything?”
“Yes, of course. Please remember to keep calm.” Peeking over to Mason and Becca, she pointed to them both. “I’m counting on you two to make sure he does just that.”
Becca quickly walked up to my mother and hugged her. “We will. I promise.”
Turning to face me and Mason, Becca slapped her hands together and smiled. “Let’s get this bust going. I’ve got to pick up Sage in three hours!”
Mason chuckled. “It’s not a drug deal, Becca.”
With a wink, she walked up to me and wrapped her arm around me. “No, but it sure feels good to all be back together again. And together, we’re taking this bitch down.”
“WE’RE ALMOST TO Rifle,” Carter said with a huge smile on his face. “The fly fishing there is amazing.”
I could feel the giddiness bubbling up as we drove across the state line a few hours ago and into Colorado. Carter and I had talked nonstop since we took off. Of course, the first thirty minutes he wanted to make sure I was okay leaving my car behind and how he knew Jamie didn’t mean what she had said. The subject was finally changed and the conversations flowed flawlessly. It was nice to be with someone so completely different from Holden or Mason.
“Penny for your thoughts.”
With a light-hearted chuckle, I glanced his way. “Just excited. I googled and saw there is a fishery close by the town. Would it be possible to stop by?”
“This is your bucket list trip. We’ll do whatever you want to do.”
I couldn’t help but smile. And it wasn’t lost on me I hadn’t thought about Holden in a few hours. For the first time in awhile, I felt free. Light. Hopeful that life would continue on. Maybe not like how I wanted it to, but it would keep going on.”
“How did you know about this place?” I asked.
“Grew up here.”
My mouth dropped open. “Shut up! Really?”
He laughed and took a quick peek at me. “Yep. My granddaddy was the one who taught me how to fly fish. Our family has a place up in the mountains a little way out of town.”
“Is that where we’re staying?” I asked.
Carter’s jaw tightened. “If you want. Or we can stay at my folks’ place.”
“So you really weren’t running?”
He slowly shook his head. “No, but you’ve been one hell of a good distraction. Plus, if you’re with me, my father can’t be too much of an asshole toward me.”
I let out a soft chuckle and looked out the passenger window. “You’ve been a good distraction too.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to call him, Em? Just let him know where you are. I know if I were him I’d be going insane.”
Snapping my head back to him, I glared at him. “What for? He’s getting married and having a baby, Carter. There is nothing there for me. Nothing.”
“The whole story maybe? You said he was wanting to meet you for lunch. Maybe he was going to explain everything to you.”
My mind drifted back to me sitting there waiting for Holden to pick me up. After an hour, I got up and went back into the house and changed. My heart felt like it had been ripped out yet again knowing he had stood me up.
“Well, we never made it to lunch because his pregnant fiancée came first, so let’s change the subject. I really don’t want to talk about Holden.” I sighed as I closed my eyes and counted to ten. Opening them, I forced myself to forget about everything back in Texas. “I’m starving.”
“I know a place I bet you’d like.”
Peeking over to Carter, I took in his features. Strong jaw line. Beautiful green eyes that I swear sparkled when he was excited. I didn’t really know him all that well, but what I did know was that he really wanted his father’s forgiveness. It was evident and reminded me of Holden and Sam.
A few miles down the road, Carter pulled off an exit and headed into a small town. “Where are we going?”
“To eat. You said you were hungry. I know the perfect place to take my new Texas friend. You’ll feel right at home.”
I stared at him with a suspicious smile. “Why am I all of sudden second-guessing this little trip we’re taking?”
Tossing his head back in laughter, Carter looked at me and winked. “Trust me.”
With a smile, I stared straight ahead. Carter pulled into a parking lot of what looked to be a bar.
“A bar? You’re bringing me to a bar for lunch? Is this what I can expect when we go fly fishing? Disappointment?”
Placing his hand over his heart, he pretended to be hurt. Then he pointed to me and said, “You’ll be saying you’re sorry to me in less than ten minutes. I promise.”
“And if I don’t?”
“I owe you a fancy dinner.”
I wiggled my brows. “I like fancy dinners.”
“Somehow I picture you as a picnic kind of girl.”
He had me there.
Carter jumped out of his truck and jogged around the front, reaching my door just as I slid out. He shut the door and placed his hand on my lower back, guiding me to the entrance of the bar.
I didn’t want to admit I liked having his hand on me. The feel of him guiding me, yet letting me lead the way was nice. It was almost like he could read my mind.
The second we stepped inside the bar, I knew I had lost my own bet. With a deep inhale through my nose, I moaned.
“That smells like heaven.”
Leaning in closer to me, Carter placed his lips up to my ear and whispered, “It’s beyond heaven.”
I smirked as I looked at him. “I’ll be the judge of that.”
Carter winked and took my hand, leading me to the bar.
He didn’t let go of my hand as he slapped the bar and said, “Jeff Fucking Roberts.”
The bartender turned and smiled big when he saw Carter.
“Holy shit. Look what the cat dragged in, and he has a beauty on his arm.”
My cheeks burned as I grinned and took a quick look around. This was far from being a bar. It was a bar, restaurant, and they had a huge dance floor. I wasn’t the least bit surprised to see a few families sitting at tables eating.
The music was playing and a few people were on the dance floor dancing. Peeking back over to Carter, I listened to him and the bartender catching up.
“Jeff, this is my friend, Emylie.”
Reaching his hand out, I shook it and leaned in closer so he could hear me over the music. “Nice to meet you, Jeff.”
“What in the hell made you hook up with this crazy ass Marine?”
Carter rolled his eyes.
“He promised me good fly fishing.”
Jeff laughed. “Is that all he promised you?”
“All right, that’s enough,” Carter said.
I chortled and glanced back at the dance floor. I was itching to get on it.
I had one week. One week to forget my past and move on. I already knew Carter was going to play a role in helping me do just that. Only as a friend. I wasn’t interested in hooking up and using sex to forget, and I truly felt Carter was on the same page. We connected, but not in a sexual way.
“We’ll each take the Texas plate.”
Snapping my head back to Carter, I raised an eyebrow. “Texas plate, huh?”
He nodded and replied, “I promise it will be the best you’ve ever had.”
“Drunk Drunk” by LoCash started and a glanced back at the dance floor.
“You want to dance?”
Turning to look back at Carter, a wide grin spread across my face.
“You’ll really seal the deal of this friendship if you tell me you can two-step.”
Snarling his lip like I had insulted him, he said, “Girl, please, I put the meaning in two-stepping.”
Before I knew it, we were gliding across the dance floor. My body pressed against this man I only met yesterday. I’d done things in the last three days I’d never done before and it felt freeing. Being in Carter’s arms actually felt the most freeing. He wasn’t looking for anything from me and I wasn’t looking for anything from him.
The song changed and Carter spun me around as I laughed. This was the beginning of what I suspected was going to be a great friendship. If only he danced a bit better.
MASON HAD PULLED up a little way down from the cabin and parked. I pulled up behind him and got out of my truck, making my way to the driver’s side window.
Becca leaned forward and asked, “Are you calm?”
With a nod, I replied, “I am.”
“Liar,” she said with a wink.
“I’m trying.”
Her grin faded and her expression turned sad. “I know you are.”
My body felt fatigued. Like two years of unhappiness hit me full force all at once. A grim expression appeared on Mason’s face. “Holden, you can’t change the past. All you can do is look toward the future. Do you want Emylie in your future?”
My chest felt like a vice was squeezing it. “I’ve always wanted Emylie. I’ve always loved her.”
“Then don’t push. Get the answers you need, and then we’ll take it from there. I know how you’re feeling and I know you. I’m honestly surprised you didn’t turn north and head to Utah when you got in your truck.”
I gave him a weak smile. “I thought about it.”
“It’s all going to work out.”
Reaching in, I grabbed his shoulder and said, “Thank you. Both of y’all. I know how much I hurt y’all too, and the fact that you’re here supporting me … well it means a lot.”
Becca reached over and I placed my other hand in hers. “Holden, you and Emylie were made for each other. We’ve all known that for years. You’ll get her back. I promise.”
My chin trembled and I cleared my throat. “Right. Well should we do some kind of chant like we used to before we would play tag football?”
Mason and Becca laughed.
“On three. One. Two. Three!” Becca called out.
At once, all of us shouted, “Give ‘em hell!”
Taking a step away from the truck, I gave them one last reassuring nod, and headed back to my truck.
Two minutes later I was walking up the porch. Opening the door, I walked in. The rental car was parked outside so I knew Daphne was here. She was probably napping.
I made my way into the kitchen and saw she was standing there reading the directions on one of those microwave meals.
“You should really lock the door, Daphne.”
She screamed and jumped. “You scared the piss out of me, Holden. Jesus. What are you doing here?”
I tossed the truck keys onto the table. “I feel better.”
Just looking at her made my skin crawl. Knowing she had lied to me. Caused me to destroy my future with Emylie. I truly hated this woman.
With a forced smile, she nodded. “That’s great. Maybe we can head home tomorrow then?”
“Sounds good. What are you making?”
Her stiff posture relaxed some. “Um, one of those heat-up meals.”
“We can go out to eat if you want.”
“Sure. If that’s what you want. Will there be anything decent in this town?”
With a short laugh, I replied, “Probably not for you, but if you wanted to make the drive into Austin, I guess we could.”
“We should find out what time the flights leave.”
I nodded.
“Mom found something in our room when she moved your suitcase.”
Daphne swallowed hard. “Wh-what was it?”
Reaching into the duffle bag I had brought in, I pulled out the pregnancy test. Becca and I had gone in to Walgreens together to buy it. It only took me two seconds to find the same box that Daphne had carried into the bathroom when she told me she was pregnant.
Her eyes widened in shock.
“Were you worried about something, babe?”
The way her gaze flickered from the test to me had me wondering if she actually had a fucking test stashed in her case.
“Um. Well, you know I’ve been so um … I’ve been so ah … stressed and worried. It’s become compulsive to keep checking.”
I tilted my head. “I don’t want you stressing yourself out like that.”
Walking up to her, I took her hand in mine and led her to the bathroom. “Where are we going, Holden?”
“We’re going to take one last test. Then you’re going to put your mind at ease.”
It couldn’t have worked out more perfect. I hadn’t even needed to come up with an excuse for her to take the test. She gave me one.
“No. I need to stop now and not even do it.”
I stopped and searched her face. “I’m worried about the other day, when you were cramping. It will put my mind at ease as well. I won’t leave your side the entire time.”
Opening her mouth to protest, I narrowed my stare at her. “Are you worried about something?”
Her mouth snapped shut, she shook her head. Closing her eyes, I wondered if she was praying the last time we had sex I got her pregnant.
Daphne slowly walked into the bathroom and turned to face me. She lifted up her dress and pulled her panties down. Once she sat on the toilet, I ripped the box open and opened the test.
“Do you need water?”
She shook her head no. When I handed her the test, she took it with shaking hands.
I watched her carefully as she peed onto the stick. Taking a piece of toilet paper, I held it out and set the test on it. With each second that ticked on the clock, her chest rose and fell at a faster pace.
Setting the stick on the counter, I stared at it while she stood and pulled up her panties.
“You know, sometimes they will give false readings,” she softly said.
“There are two in here.”
She went to talk, but her voice cracked. Clearing her throat, she replied, “That’s right.”
My heart pounded so hard in my chest I was sure it would break from my ribcage.
Then it happened.
The breath I was holding whooshed from my lungs, and I wanted to scream out, “Yes!”
I could hear the sobs coming from beside me. She was going to pretend she lost the baby, and I needed to prepare myself for her new lie.
When I turned to face her, she shook her head. “I’m so sorry I lied.”
All the air in my lungs left at once. I reached out for the counter to help me stand up.
“What?”
She quickly wiped her tears away. “You were going to leave me again for her. I couldn’t let you do that. You’re mine, Holden. I knew from the first moment I saw you. When I overheard you telling your boss you were leaving, going back to Texas, I freaked out. I knew I had to get you
to have sex with me. The only way I could get pregnant was to take you off guard when I knew you didn’t have a condom. But it didn’t work. So then I cut small tears in all of your condoms.”
The room started spinning. Holy fuck. She was admitting to it.
“You did what?”
More tears fell. “I told Daddy, and he told me to tell you I was pregnant and then he started to pressure you into asking me to marry you. We would just plan another miscarriage. I wasn’t sure I could fake one … the last one was so terrible. Daddy assured me I could.”
I slowly shook my head and leaned against the counter. Was I dreaming? Is any of this real?
The only thing I could say was, “Why?”
“The moment I saw you, Holden, I knew I had to have you. Then, you mentioned your girlfriend and kept ignoring me.”
Scrubbing my hands down my face, I hoped like hell Mason and Becca had snuck into the cabin, because I was so stunned I was positive I wouldn’t remember half of what Daphne was saying.
“What are you saying, Daphne?”
She walked up to me and placed her hands on my chest. “I’m saying you and I were meant to be together. I knew it the first time I saw you on that football field. The way you smiled at me when you walked back to the locker room. I saw it in your eyes.”
“Holy fuck, you’re insane.”
She laughed. “For you! I’m insane for you.”
“You don’t even touch me! We hardly even sleep in the same bed, Daphne. Why in the hell would you want to be married to a man who is in love with another woman?”
She took a step back. “You’re not in love with her. You think you are, but you’re not. Don’t you see, Holden? I’ve been giving you space. Think about when we fuck.” She reached down and grabbed my dick. “It’s so good. I know you like it when I wrap my lips around that thick cock of yours. It throbs with desire. I knew that first night I brought you back to my place that I could make you want me. The only reason you passed out was because I slipped you a little too much of the drug.”
Jesus H. Christ. She’s fucking admitting she drugged me. I looked at the bathroom door. It was partly open and I saw Mason standing there with a stunned expression on his face. They were listening to ever crazy ass thing this nut case was saying.