“Thanks for being so nice, Wrench.”
He nods and hands me the remote for the TV. “We’re family, Van. You’ll understand soon.” Unfortunately, I don’t have any clothes with me, so I strip out of my bra and lay down in my sundress, wrapping up on the sofa with the cover over my shoulders, and then turning on the television. Unable to relax, I search for a movie.
I don’t know when I doze off, but I wake up when the feel of strong arms picking me up takes me by surprise. Smiling, I nestle into Jacob’s chest as he carries me and then lowers me onto the soft mattress just moments later. I opened my eyes slightly to see him holding me close. Despite how angry and hurt I was, I missed him and I regret everything I said.
“What time is it?”
“It’s two in the morning. Baby girl, let’s get some sleep and you can try to leave me in the morning,” he whispers, kissing my temple.
“I don’t want to go anywhere.” I snuggle in closer, needing to be with him.
“Good because I brought my cuffs.”
“In that case, I might try to run at first light,” I whisper with a sleepy giggle.
“I’m sorry, Vanessa,” he whispers, pressing his lips to my temple.
“I’m sorry, Jacob. So damn sorry.” A yawn escapes me, and sleep comes before I can say another word.
****
When I wake up again, he’s gone. Unfortunately, I can’t throw a fit because I actually have work to do and I know he’s not going anywhere. The schedule for my publisher is just around the corner, and although I’ve got a lot of thinking to do about my life, one thing is for certain, and that’s my career.
“Hey, you want some coffee?” Wrench asks when I step into the kitchen.
“Actually, yes, please. Is Mack sleeping in?”
“Yes, I think the new pregnancy is a little more difficult than the last one.”
“Or it’s all the loving making her tired,” I tease, knowing they can’t keep their hands off each other at all.
“Shit, were we too loud?” He blanches because they’re not used to having guests in their house.
“No, I was just teasing. I was out cold last night and only woke up for about two minutes when Jacob carried me to bed.”
“Doc’s not going to like hearing that.”
“Then keep your mouth shut,” Jacob growls from the kitchen doorway with my duffel bag in hand.
“Damn, don’t you know how to fucking knock on the door. I could have been busy banging my wife,” Wrench teases while filling the coffee pot.
“Not with my wife right here.” I try to bite back the grin at his words. “Don’t be shy, baby girl. We’re getting married one day.”
“My bag? Thanks for bringing it, but with the Motts out of the picture I can move back in with my aunt.”
“What the fuck? You’re not moving anywhere but with me. I figured you’d want to change and everything. You didn’t get to shower and change after the cookout.”
“Oh.”
“She doesn’t get it yet,” Wrench says, chuckling while getting the coffee cups out.
“She will. Broken ribs or not, I’m about to drill it into her over and over again that we’re a done deal.” He shakes his head, and I kiss his cheek before trying to snatch the bag handle, but he pulls me in, stealing a deeper kiss that my body melts completely into. “See, she doesn’t get it like that kiss is enough.”
I’m practically hopping to the guest bathroom in the hallway to shower when my cell phone rings. Fuck, it’s my aunt. Once I get into the bathroom and lock the door, I answer it. “Hello.”
“Don’t hello me. Where are you? You show up and my friends are all dead and it’s all your fault. My money is missing, I have no one to party with, and my rent’s due. You’re nothing but a dirty, little slutty thief. If you don’t give me my money today, I’m selling your things in this room.”
“Don’t do that. First I didn’t steal your money. Your buddies probably did, and second, I don’t know about any of them being dead. I’ll get my things and be out of your hair.”
“You’re not getting your things without my money.”
“Fine. Just don’t touch my stuff.” I fight back tears, knowing I forgot some of my notebooks and almost finished manuscript for my next book there. My laptop, thankfully, is in my laptop bag at Jacob’s house, but still, there are a lot of handwritten notes on there about changes that could set me back weeks.
Rushing through my shower, I wash out the remnants of the smoke from the grilling and sweat from the sun on my skin. Now, I brush my hair like a mad woman before braiding it. I whip the door open to find Jacob standing by the wall waiting for me.