Chapter 10: Chapter 9

I COULDN’T REMEMBER the last time I’d had a day that was this relaxing and fun. I’d been so focused on getting the bookstore open, getting the financing lined up, and working at the coffee shop to cover my living expenses.

But today had just been about family and friends and enjoying our time together.

Cutler had needed help to find the two hundred eggs Kingston had filled for him, and we’d all pitched in. Nash made endless fun of Kingston for going so over the top, but that was just who he was, and I knew Nash loved it. Cutler had done endless celebratory dances as he opened each egg to find all sorts of treats inside. There were coins and candy and stickers and a few mini baseballs. He’d filled a few with sunflower seeds, which had earned him a glare from Nash, but Cutler enjoyed every second.

I was surprised that Selena wasn’t here, but I didn’t want to ask why. It wasn’t my business. Maybe she was just with her family today.

One of the best parts about the day was the fact that my mom was there. Hayes and I had encouraged her to come, but it was always tricky because Barry wasn’t welcome, and she would usually choose to stay with him.

She’s always chosen him, hasn’t she?

“It’s so nice that Pearl is able to be here,” my mom said, as we finished eating.

River had gone to pick up his grandmother so she could spend a few hours with everyone outside of the nursing home.

“Yeah. She’s the best. I’m so happy she could be here, too.”

“The food was delicious. Do you think I can take a plate home for Barry?” she asked, and I hated how nervous she was when she mentioned his name.

To say there was a lot of water under the bridge was an understatement.

I just hated that this man had come between us.

“Listen, I don’t think you need to say who it’s for, all right? You can absolutely take a plate home for later.”

“Hayes is being really distant,” she said, and my gaze moved to where my brother stood, pitching balls to Cutler.

“He just doesn’t understand your choices, Mom.” I looked away for a minute before my gaze locked with hers again. “Barry has caused all of us a lot of pain. And I don’t know why you can’t see it or why you stay—and Hayes, well, he’s protective. It’s who he is.”

She nodded. “I know. But he’s been really good lately. He encouraged me to come today. He wants to see you, too, you know?”

I let out a long breath. “I can’t have a relationship with a man who has hurt all of us. Continually. So that is not going to happen.”

“I get it. But people can change.”

“Sure. And he’s been given lots of chances, and they’ve never lasted long.” I held up my hand to stop her from defending him. “I love you, Mom. I will always love you. But I won’t be around him. He’s burned this bridge too many times.”

“But you’re always so willing to forgive your father and try to mend that relationship. What’s the difference?” Her eyes were hard now, and this is what I hated. This is why my brother didn’t want to be around her when she was with Barry. She was defensive and mean when they were together. Like she’d been around all his negativity, that she brought that ugliness here with her.

At the end of the day, she’d always put him first. I’d grown up in a home where neither of my parents had ever put me or Hayes first.

But my brother, he’s always been that person for me.

He’s always put me first.

“The difference is that my father never hit me. He never put his hands on me or on you or on Hayes. That’s the difference, Mom.” I shook my head and glanced around to make sure no one was listening. Everyone was off in the yard, cheering on Cutler or sitting on the dock, looking at the water. Kingston took a few people out for a boat ride earlier, and everyone was looking sun-kissed and windblown. “But you’re right, Dad has not shown up for us at all. I should just walk away, but I’d still like to know him. Know my half-siblings. So that’s why I try, I guess.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t do this today. It’s Easter, and I’m grateful that you invited me. But I’m going to head out, sweetheart. Barry is home alone, and I told him I wouldn’t be long.”

Of course, she did. I scanned her body out of habit, looking for bruises. The abuse from her husband was not the way I’d always thought abuse would be. It wasn’t consistent. He wasn’t a scary man on the outside. Barry was fine—until he wasn’t. Sometimes the rage came once a year, and other times, it was once a month. My mother claimed it hadn’t happened in years, and I could only take her at her word. He’d gone to court-appointed anger management therapy more times than I could count. He held a decent job. They had a home that appeared to be clean and safe.

Yet I’d never felt that way when I lived under that roof.

Because living in an environment where you had to constantly be on edge, wondering when the rug would be pulled out from under you, was exhausting. And I didn’t live through what she did. Barry had hit me a total of three times in my life, and all three times were due to me trying to break up physical fights between him and my mother.

I’d been a nervous kid. An anxiety-ridden, painfully shy teenager. And once I’d moved in with Hayes when he turned eighteen years old and agreed to be my legal guardian, everything had changed. And it only got better once I left for college.

After many years away from that toxic environment, I’d found my way.

My confidence.

My independence.

I didn’t live in fear or worry anymore. And I wanted that same peace for my mother.

I couldn’t begin to count the number of dandelion wishes I’d made for her.

“All right. Well, I set out a bunch of to-go containers on the counter, so help yourself to some food to take with you.”

“Don’t be upset with me,” she said, and my chest squeezed. I looked up to see Hayes watching us, his eyes hard. I smiled, letting him know everything was okay.

“I’m not. I’m glad you were able to come, Mom. All I want is for you to be happy.”

“I promise you, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been,” she said, and I realized in that moment that I didn’t know what happiness looked like for my mother. She struggled with depression. She mixed her prescription drugs with alcohol when things weren’t going well with Barry, and I didn’t have a single memory where she’d appeared to be genuinely happy. And that was something that had always haunted me. “I’ll go make my rounds and say goodbye. I’ll stop by the bookstore for the grand opening this week.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.” I leaned forward and hugged her. “Love you, Mama.”

“Love you, too, baby girl.”

I pushed to my feet and spent the next hour sitting down by the water, talking with the girls.

“River’s a little worried about King. He hasn’t been himself lately at all. He seems really tense, which is so unlike him,” Ruby said.

“Yeah. Romeo said he’s been working a lot and is definitely more stressed than usual.” Demi leaned back in her chair and smiled at me. “I’m so glad you convinced him to come ride with us last weekend. I’ve been trying for a while, and he finally agreed when you asked him. There’s something about riding a horse that just helps you find your peace, you know?”

“I’m guessing it’s kind of like riding a man, huh? That’s where I always find my peace,” Peyton said, as loud laughter filled the air around us.

“You have the crudest mind.” Demi shook her head.

“I think he enjoyed himself. He said it’s been a while since he’s been on a horse. And I think the pressure of getting this bookstore open and the renovation at Brighton Ranch has been weighing on him, so things will slow down now.” I crossed my cowboy boot-clad feet at the ankles.

“I haven’t seen him out much in the last few weeks, which is also very unlike King. You know he’s Mr. Social,” Ruby said.

“Maybe he’s been spending nights at home with Selena,” I said, taking a sip of my beer as my gaze found him sitting in a chair by the firepit, talking to the guys. His broad shoulders strained against his black tee, and his long legs were stretched out in front of him as he tipped his cup to his lips. I’d noticed he’d poured himself a hefty glass of whiskey after dinner. Maybe he just really needed to relax.

“Oh, I think that’s done. River said that ended shortly after the party at our house that night he got stung by the bee,” Ruby said, and I was surprised to hear that. He hadn’t mentioned it to me, but maybe he didn’t think it was any of my business.

“You never did tell us,” Peyton asked, leaning in and waggling her brows. “When you pulled that stinger out, did you get a look at the goods?”

I rolled my eyes as Ruby and Demi both groaned while trying to hide their laughter.

“Of course not. Everything was covered up just fine.” I shook my head. “I’m going to go grab another beer. Does anyone want one?”

“Hell yes,” they all said at the same time, and I chuckled as I looked back at the firepit and noticed how tense Kingston’s shoulders looked. He didn’t appear to see me, and it was getting dark outside now, so I came up with the perfect plan.

I quickly moved toward the house and hurried to the side yard, where I knew there was a patch of dandelions. I picked the brightest flower, glancing over to make sure he wasn’t looking, but he had his back to me now.

I dropped my empty bottle into the recycling bin and pulled out four new beer bottles, leaving them there on the counter before jogging down the hallway toward his bedroom.

I was going to hide this somewhere he’d least expect it. I made my way into his bathroom and glanced around.

We’d never hidden one in the other’s shower before. I stepped in behind the curtain, looking around for the perfect spot. I tucked it between the shampoo bottle and the body wash. Damn. It smelled minty like Kingston, and I breathed in his body wash.

“I’ll be right out!” a voice shouted from the distance, and I pushed the shower curtain all the way closed and stayed perfectly still. It was Kingston’s voice. Maybe he was just grabbing something from his bedroom.

Shit.

This was a bad idea.

Say something.

Get out of his shower.

Footsteps moved closer, and I heard the click of the bathroom door closing.

It’s now or never.

Oh my gosh. This is bad. Really bad.

My hand reached for the curtain just as a groan sounded from the other side, and I completely froze.

His breaths were coming fast.

Labored.

“Mmmm…so fucking good,” he whispered, and I squeezed my thighs together, because there was no question what was happening on the other side of this shower curtain.

There was nothing I could do now.

I squeezed my eyes shut as his breathing escalated.

I knew he’d had a lot to drink, so maybe this was what drunk Kingston did when he didn’t have a woman here.

I could imagine his hand sliding up and down his shaft, and the little groans that escaped his mouth had me using a hand to cover my mouth to keep quiet.

I squeezed my eyes closed to remain in control as desire tingled between my legs. I was thankful for the music in the background coming from the backyard.

His breathing escalated.

He was close.

Another moan from Kingston had me tucking my lips beneath my teeth and breathing slowly through my nose.

“So fucking wet. So fucking tight,” he whispered, and I swear wetness pooled between my thighs. I couldn’t even see him, and this was the hottest thing I’d ever experienced.

“Oh, fuck, Saylor.” A gruff sound escaped his mouth, and he groaned.

Saylor.

He’d said my name?

I was trying to process what I’d just heard as a loud banging came from what I imagined was his bedroom door, as it sounded distant. I heard some fumbling around and then the sound of his zipper before the water turned on, and I imagined he must be washing his hands.

“You in there, asshole?” Hayes shouted, and now he was outside the bathroom door.

What in the world was happening?

This had been a huge mistake.

I was scared shitless and also more turned on than I’d ever been.

And now my brother was here?

“Jesus.” The sound of the door whipping open had me holding my breath. If they found me now, I wouldn’t be able to look at Kingston ever again. “Can a man not have a fucking minute to take a shit?”

“That was my question. That green bean casserole is not sitting so well. I need some privacy,” Hayes said.

Oh, dear God. This isn’t happening.

I just listened to my brother’s best friend get off to thoughts of me, and now my brother was going to come in and take a giant crap a few feet away from me?

“Oh, hell no. You can use the guest bathroom. The door to the bedroom is closed, so no one will bother you in there. But this is my sacred place.” Kingston’s voice was all tease, and I’ll be damned if he didn’t sound completely relaxed now.

Unfortunately, I’m the one wound tight at the moment.

“Fine. Don’t tell anyone where I am. I’m going to need a little time to myself. You got any magazines in there?” my brother said with a laugh.

“You are such a pain in the ass.” Kingston laughed. “Let me grab you my Sports Illustrated from the nightstand.”

Their voices were getting further away, and I just waited. It was completely silent now, and I was fairly certain they’d left.

And I desperately needed to get the hell out of here. I let out a long breath and peeked out from behind the curtain, not hearing anyone.

I stepped out of the shower and moved to the doorway, stretching my neck to see if anyone was in the bedroom.

The coast was clear.

I moved to his bedroom window and saw Kingston take his seat by the firepit again, and his head fell back in laughter.

Yeah. He was definitely relaxed now.

I hurried out of his bedroom and back to the kitchen, where I grabbed the four beers and made my way outside.

My heart was racing.

I couldn’t believe what had just happened.

Maybe there was another Saylor that lived in Magnolia Falls?

I mean, I would be lying if I didn’t admit to thinking of Kingston Pierce more times than I could count when I fantasized alone in my room.

But this was King. He didn’t look at me that way.

“Saylor,” his voice called as I was walking past, and I glanced over to see them all sitting around the firepit, smiling. “You need to back me up over here.”

I walked toward the fire, his dark brown eyes glowing in the light from the moon. “Back you up how?” I asked, and my voice sounded a little hoarse, so I cleared my throat.

“Did you break up with Jalen because of the Speedo?” Romeo asked.

I rolled my eyes and shook my head. “Absolutely not.”

It sure as hell didn’t help, but I wouldn’t say that was the reason.

Kingston’s hand moved to his chest like he’d been shot. “You wound me, Saylor Woodson. I was sure that was the reason.”

Why did he care so much about Jalen?

Was he jealous?

“So, what happened?” River asked. “He seemed to be really into you.”

“He’s a great guy. I just didn’t feel that way about him.”

Kingston’s gaze never left mine, and his tongue swiped out along his bottom lip, and I nearly combusted right there.

On Easter Sunday of all days.

In front of all our friends and family.

I was having an out-of-body experience.

Imagining my brother’s best friend standing in front of his sink, stroking his—

“Is there someone else you’ve got your eye on?” Kingston’s voice was all tease, slurring the slightest bit from the whiskey he’d been sipping over the last few hours.

I straightened. “No. I’m just going to be single for a bit. Kind of like you, King. Maybe I’ll play the field for a while.”

He gave me a slow nod as the guys all laughed. River glanced from me to his brother, and I saw his wheels turning.

“It’s not so bad out here,” he said, raising his glass to me and winking.

I clinked my beer bottle against his glass. “All right, I’m going to take the girls their beers. You guys behave over here, okay?”

More laughter sounded as I sauntered down toward the water.

“Well, looky here. Did you go to the Daily Market to grab those beers?” Peyton asked as I handed them each a bottle.

“No. Just got sidetracked chatting with people.”

Ruby raised a brow. “You look a little flushed. Are you feeling okay?”

“Yes. Of course. Never been better.”

I dropped to sit in my chair and turned my head to glance over my shoulder, finding Kingston’s eyes on me again.

My teeth sank into my bottom lip as I stared back.

“Well, I feel ten pounds lighter and much better!” Hayes shouted from the distance, and Kingston’s gaze turned away quickly.

Just like that… he wasn’t looking at me anymore.

He was a loyal best friend when he wasn’t alone in the bathroom with his thoughts.