Dean just grinned. "What happens in LA stays in LA. " He winked at Grant. "Dont it, boy?"
Yeah . . . there was a lot I didnt know. I was pretty damn sure I didnt want to know either. "Okay, lets get off Grants private life and lets focus on the point of this meeting. As you all know, you are now my board of directors. I dont make decisions without meeting with this group and discussing it. You are my advisers. Its time to take the Kerrington Club into the next generation. Were going to do that together. "
Darlas pleased smile as she sat back and listened to me talk meant more than she could have known. She was proud of me. Right now, I needed someone to be proud of me.
"Does this mean we can get rid of those damn coming-out balls? That shit is ancient," Jace said.
"Hey. Dont knock the coming-out ball. The girls get all sentimental, which leads to horniness," Thad argued.
"Could you please watch what you say in here, Thad? We have a lady on the board and another will be joining us soon. "
Thad looked properly guilty. "Sorry, Miss Darla," he said sheepishly.
"No worries, Thad. Ive been watching your horny ass screw through my cart girls for years. "
The entire room went silent, then burst into laughter. This was a good group. We would make my grandfather proud.
Page 30
Della
I opened the door as Tripp came walking up to it. Id been expecting him. I had called him over an hour ago. Told him we needed to talk.
"You look good, Della. Much better than the girl I left here," he said before stepping into the house.
"Thank you. A lot has changed," I said, then motioned for him to go to the living room.
"Apparently it is a good change. You look almost happy. "
Almost was a stretch. I wasnt happy. I missed Woods. I missed him so much it hurt. "Not sure if Ill be able to achieve happy, but I hope to," I said simply.
Tripp sat down in the closest chair, stretched his legs out in front of him, and looked up at me. "Talk, Della girl. Im listening. "
"Im not going to South Carolina. Im not sure what Im going to do next but I wont be going with you. Thank you for everything. Thank you for putting up with me for the past two weeks and helping me when I needed it. What you did means more than words could ever express. I promise to pay you back every penny you spent. As soon as I get a job Ill start sending you money. I have your address. "
Tripp frowned. "Dont send me any money. Keep it. I had fun. I had a traveling buddy for a while. "
I wasnt going to let him get away with that. I had taken two weeks of his life on the road and now he was staying in Atlanta this week while he waited on me. "No. Im paying you back. "
Tripp smirked and shook his head. "I wont argue with you right now," he said.
"I found out some things this week," I told him. "Im not having night terrors anymore. I still have dreams and therere still bad memories but I dont get scared. The fear is gone. I just wake up. "
Tripps eyes went wide and he beamed at me. "Thats awesome, Della. "
I nodded because I agreed. It was amazing. I had conquered something. "Yeah, it is. "
"Are you going back to Rosemary?"
I wasnt sure. Every minute that passed in which I didnt have a panic attack and have to fight off the fear that used to overwhelm me, I wanted to go back. I wanted to show Woods that I was complete. I wasnt broken anymore. I was whole. He could love me. I was safe to love. But had I burned that bridge?
"I dont know," I replied.
Tripp bit his bottom lip. He did that when he was thinking. Finally, he let it pop free. "Listen. I cant say much because it isnt my place, but go back. If you want to go back. Be brave and go back. "
I wish it was that easy. "What if he doesnt want me back?"
Tripp shook his head. "Not possible. Trust me. "
"I left him. All I left was a note. He hasnt looked for me. He must hate me. "
Tripp stood up and paced back and forth in front of the fireplace while biting his bottom lip again. What was he so worked up about?
I watched him, waiting for him to say something.
Finally, he stopped and ran his hand through his hair, pulling on the ends a little, like he was having a hard time with something. "Tripp, whats wrong?" I asked.
He stared at me hard a minute. He knew something. Is Woods dating someone else already? Surely not. Oh, God. Im going to be sick. Could he move on like that?
"The money, it was all---"
"All because he was a good friend and wanted to help you, Della. Wasnt it, Tripp?" Bradens voice startled me as she interrupted Tripp.
He swallowed hard, then nodded. "Yeah," he finally said.
That wasnt what he was going to say. Braden knew what he was going to say and she had stopped him. She was keeping something from me. What was it?
I stood up and spun around to look at her. "Is he with someone else?" I asked. Just saying it ripped me into pieces. If she said yes I would crumple to the floor. I wouldnt be able to deal with that.
Her eyes were determined. I could see she wanted to tell me but she wasnt going to. "I think you need to go back to Rosemary and take back your man, if thats what you want. I think that if you love Woods Kerrington, then you need to be brave enough to put your heart on the line and go after him. You need to stop fearing things, Della. This is your last obstacle. Face it. " Her voice cracked. "Please, Della. Go get him. If you want him. Go get him. "
He had moved on. I sank back down on the couch. "Oh, God," I gasped as the pain started filling every inch of my body.
"No, Della---"
"Shut up, Tripp," Braden snapped. She wanted me to know the truth. Tripp was trying to ease my pain because he was a good guy but Braden loved me enough to be honest.
"How do I go after him? He doesnt want me," I said, my voice no more than a whisper.
Braden knelt down in front of me. "You are beautiful, smart, kind, and selfless, and youre the best friend Ive ever had. I love you like a sister. You are my family. Ive watched you hurt and Ive watched you hide from your fears as if they really were those monsters under your bed that your mother threatened you with. In two days Ive seen you face life with a strength I knew was in there but Id never seen you use. If you want Woods Kerrington---if he is your forever---then go get him. Dont doubt yourself. Dont doubt your importance. People dont love you and forget you, Della. Youre unforgettable. "
I covered my mouth to smother a sob. Braden didnt reach for me and hug me. She didnt offer words of comfort. She just knelt there and watched me. She was waiting on me to decide. She was betting on me. When the rest of the world thought I was hopeless, she bet on me. She believed in me.
So had Woods.
"Can I have one last ride?" I asked Tripp as I raised my gaze to meet his.
"You know it," he replied.
Braden let out a loud sob as she stood up and wrapped her arms around me. "Im so proud of you. You did it, Della. You did it," she said into my hair as she cried in my arms.
I smiled over her shoulder at Tripp, who was getting a little teary-eyed himself.
He gave me a thumbs-up and winked, then he turned and walked out of the room.
Page 31
Woods
I walked into my house and went for my suitcase. Della had four hours left to come back to me. I was packing. I was going after her. She wasnt going to come back. She was scared, and Id be damned if I was going to continue to let her think I didnt want her. Whatever reasons Braden had could go to hell. I was going to get my woman. I was going to make sure she damn well knew I loved her with all my heart.
My phone rang and I froze. It could be her. She could be coming back. I was almost scared to hope. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone. It was Tripp.
"Yeah," I said, then held my breath.
"Get your ass ready. Shes coming back. "
I sucked air into my lungs and threw my head back as my heart
started beating again for the first time since shed walked away from me. Della was coming back.
"Are you sure?" I asked.
"Shes packing her bag and telling Braden good-bye. I aint gonna lie, dude. That was a tough scene in there. I was real damn close to telling her the truth and sending her back to you, but Braden is hard-core. She was determined that Della make this decision. When she broke and agreed to come back, even though she thinks youve moved on, it was emotional. "
"What are you talking about? Why does she think Ive moved on? What the hell does that mean?" Had Braden lied to her?
"Shes convinced youre with someone else now. That the secret she can sense between me and Braden is that youve moved on to someone else. So, shes coming to Rosemary to win you back. She isnt just coming back to you---shes coming back thinking she has to fight for her man. "
As much as I didnt want Della ever thinking I could even touch another woman, the idea of her coming to fight for me made me smile. "Are you bringing her?"
"Yep," he replied.
"Bring her to my house. Drop her off and leave. Ill be here," I told him.
Tripp chuckled. "Ah, damn, you mean I dont get to watch the make-up sex?"
"Careful," I warned him as my mind started making plans. I had a lot to do before she got here. "Go rent a car. Use the money I just put in your account. Dont put her on the back of your bike again. "
"Im a good driver," Tripp argued.
"Dont give a shit. If I have to think about her arms wrapped around you one more time Ill lose it. I dont want her on the back of your bike. Ever. Again. "
Tripp let out a sigh. "Fine. Ill rent a damn car. "
"Bring her back to me safe. And hurry. "
"Yes, sir. Gotta go, here she comes," he said.
I hung up and looked around my living room. It was time to start getting ready. She was coming back to me. I was going to make sure she never regretted it.