"Okay. Go drink beer. I think you need it," I told him, and he laughed before turning and going back to his bike.
"He drives a Harley?" Braden asked, peering at him as he walked away.
"Stop it before Kent goes out there and tries to beat him up," I whispered, and stepped inside, letting the door close behind me.
"What? Kent knows I love him. I was just looking. Im curious about who youve been riding all over the place with these past two weeks. "
"Sure you are," Kent drawled, grabbing her ass before pressing a kiss to her mouth. "Ill go make some coffee," he said, then walked toward the kitchen.
When Kent was out of hearing distance, Braden grabbed my arm and pulled me into the living room. "Okay, how are you? How are your night terrors? Are you and Tripp getting along okay?"
"As good as can be expected, the same, and yes. "
Braden frowned. "I need more info than that. "
I sighed and sat down on her sofa. "I miss him. I miss him so much. But hes better without me. Even he knows hes better without me. "
"How does he know hes better without you? Have you talked to him?"
"No. But he hasnt tried to find me. You said yourself he hasnt called you. He hasnt called Tripp. Nothing. I did what he wanted. Deep down he wanted this and he got it. So, I have to figure out how to live. That was my ultimate goal, anyway. "
Braden pulled her legs underneath her as she sat down beside me. "You have a really hot biker dude helping you out," she said.
"I heard that," Kent called from the hallway.
Braden giggled and rolled her eyes. "Seriously. He seems nice. You arent bonding with him? I mean, youre with him every day and night. "
"I gave my soul to Woods. Hell always have it. "
Braden sighed and nodded her head. "Yeah, I understand that. "
"Glad I got your soul, Braden, because Im not sure I can beat that biker dudes ass. Hes thin but tall, and that types always hiding muscles under his clothes that you dont see coming," Kent said as he walked into the room holding two mugs of coffee.
Braden laughed and I managed a smile. I could attest to Tripps muscles. I spent my days with my chest pressed to his back and my arms wrapped around him. He had muscles all right. Lots of them. He also had tattoos, which had surprised me. I could see the wealthy, elite Rosemary in him at times, but he tried too hard to cover it with tats and swagger.
"Stop being jealous. Nothing is sexier than you in a suit and tie. That short blond hair and tanned skin. I know what I got and Im not looking for another," Braden said as Kent bent down to kiss her and give her one of the mugs.
I didnt want to witness this kind of affection right now. At least with Tripp I knew it was cheap sex he was getting. The romance was a little too much.
Braden read my mind. She was good at that. "Go on and let us girls talk. We need time," she told him, giving him a look that I knew hed understand. I didnt say anything. I needed him to go. No more touchy-feely.
"Sorry about that. I wasnt thinking," she said as he left the room.
"Its okay. I will have to learn to deal with that the rest of my life. Might as well get used to it now. Couples are everywhere. "
Braden reached over and grabbed my hand. "You will find your happiness. I think youre wrong about Woods but Ive told you that. He loves you. I know he does. I remember the madman who came chasing after you just a few months ago. He adores you. I hate to see you let that go. "
How could I keep it? "I couldnt stay. He was tired of my craziness. I heard him say it. He doesnt know I heard him, but I did. He was talking to Jace about how hard it was to deal with me. He was tired of it. "
"What! I dont believe that. You mustve misunderstood him. I cant see Woods ever saying that. And let me tell you, if he did I will cut him. Cut. Him. You hear me?" She was already getting worked up. I should have kept that to myself. I knew that would send her into a blind rage.
"What did he say exactly?" she asked, setting her cup down and studying me for any sign of a lie.
"It was a conversation, really. I cant remember exactly. "
"Bullshit. It is etched into that brain of yours and you know exactly what was said, word for word. Spill it. "
She wouldnt give in until I told her.
"I was at the club and I was looking for Woods. I decided to take the stairs instead of the elevator, so I stepped into the stairwell and I heard him talking. I didnt want to eavesdrop but I heard Jace saying that he didnt know how Woods had dealt with the crazy as long as he had. "
"And what did Woods do? Please tell me he shoved his fist up his nose. "
I shook my head and let the numbness ease me. I couldnt think about what I was saying. "He said it was what he had to do. That he couldnt let me be alone but it was affecting his work. " I stopped and swallowed, then looked down at my hands. Anywhere but at Braden. "He said that at least when Angelina was there, she helped. " That part hurt the worst. Hearing him say that someone like her was easier. That she was what he needed. Not someone like me. The crazy one.
"Maybe he wasnt talking about you. Isnt his momma a loony bitch?"
"No. Shes just mean," I explained. There was more. Jace had said more. "Jace said that Woods needed to get his ass away from the insane shit. He had a corporation to run. He then said . . . that Woods dropping what he was doing to deal with my batshit crazy episodes wasnt fair. That he needed to fix the problem. "
"Woods better have beat his ass then," Braden said, her face turning red.
I shouldve changed the subject so I could calm her down. But I needed her to understand that I had left Woods for him. This was what he wanted. He just didnt know how to ask for it. "Woods said he couldnt. Then he asked how he would do that. "
Braden shook her head, her eyes wide with disbelief. "That just doesnt sound right. That isnt the same man I talked to . . . that I talked to back when he came to get you a few months ago. "
"No. Its the man who had the responsibility of a country club and his mother laid on his shoulders overnight. He has real problems and concerns. Im more than he can handle now. "
Braden kept shaking her head. It would take her a while to process all of this. I hadnt told Tripp about that conversation. I hadnt wanted to talk about it. He hadnt pressed me the way Braden had, either.
"Youre not crazy. Youre not insane. "
"I know you believe that. But its in my blood, Braden. "
She gave me a sad smile. "No. Its not. Theres something I need to show you and a lot I need to tell you. While youve been riding on the back of a hot studs bike for two weeks, Ive been doing some research. "
"What? What do you mean research? On what?"
"Della Sloane, you were adopted. "
Page 23
Woods
Darla Lowry, my golf course manager, was now a board member. She was the one thing my dad had gotten right. I trusted Darla with my life. With Jace planning on marrying Bethy, Darlas niece, we were just tying the family knot tighter. Darla was also wise. She was older than me and she had seen this club grow and flourish for over twenty-five years. She deserved a seat on the board. She also deserved the paycheck that came with that seat.
My phone rang and I glanced down to see Bradens number. I hadnt talked to her in a few days but she always called when she had any information on Della.
"Hey," I said, praying this wasnt going to be something bad.
"I know why she left. There was more to it, just like I said there was. But before I tell you anything I need you to make me a few promises and listen to all I have to say, because Im not scared of you or your money, Woods Kerrington. I will hunt you down like a dog and bury you. Do you understand me?" Braden was fired up and ready to attack.
"If you can help me get Della back I will walk on fucking water," I replied.
"Good. I thought so. However, she thinks very differently. Shes of the belief that she has done you a favor. That you wanted to get rid of her and didnt know how. That sh
e walked away and now youre relieved and living the good life. "
"What? Why the hell? What the fuck gave her that idea? Did Tripp tell her that? Because I swear to God Ill kill him. "
"Sit down and take a breath. You did this. Dont go pointing fingers at other people. First, I have to tell you about a conversation Della overheard the day before she ran off. You had better tell me what she really heard, because what she thinks she heard will get your ass killed, and sexy biker dude will get off scot-free. Capisce?"
"Please tell me what she heard, because I honestly have no idea. "