20. Family Secrets
Chapter 20
Family Secrets
Ori
“Y
ou made coffee. Good man,” I mumble to Eddie as I pad into the kitchen. “Shit. I can’t have it, though.”
“Sure you can. It’s decaffeinated. I grabbed it at the store.”
“You’re the best.” I smile as the warm liquid hits my lips. “Tastes almost as good as the real thing.”
Eddie grins, giving me a light punch in the arm. “Only nine more months before you can return to the dark side.”
Yes, Eddie knows I’m pregnant. It came up during our hours-long talk-a-thon last night, when he disclosed he was far more than just the local handyman.
It’s funny how I never saw it before, but now that I know we’re related, I see the similarities. We have the same honey-brown eyes, the same inappropriate humor, and the same dry wit.
He’s far softer than I am, emotionally speaking, but he also concedes that growing up in my world would harden anyone.
I’ll admit, when he first told me we were brother and sister, all I wanted to do was grab the closest bottle of whiskey and hide in a cave for the next year. Too much, too soon. My heart didn’t think it could handle any more surprises.
I wasn’t ready to discuss our father. I’d clung to my anger for so long, and hearing a different side of the story was a new pain. But it also turned out to be therapeutic.
My dad hadn’t forgotten me. Quite the opposite.
Eddie had a vast sea of stories to tell. He shared how our father talked about me all the time, even setting a place for me at every holiday dinner—not that I ever bothered to attend or RSVP.
But my brother wasn’t mad about my absence. He understood the pain I suffered, how distance was the only salve. Still, he longed to know his sister. And when our father was on his deathbed, he made Eddie promise to look out for me.
My brother took that promise seriously, and that’s how he wound up in Sparkwood.
Of course, I was skeptical at first, wondering if there was a more insidious reason behind his sudden appearance—mainly my inheritance. Turns out, that wasn’t the case. Eddie received the same amount from our father.
Then he brought out pictures, and that’s when the tears arrived. Memories of days I chose not to be a part of because I never wanted my mother to question my loyalty.
Look, one stroll down memory lane won’t erase the scars, but I feel better than I have in years. Plus, it feels good to know my brother has my back regarding the baby, even if he agrees with Mina that Ash needs to know.
“I’m going to jump in the shower,” Eddie calls from the bathroom.
“Don’t use all the hot water.”
“No promises.”
With a laugh, I slip on my coat and shoes. “I’m running out to get the mail. I’m waiting on a package.”
Spring is finally making her way to Sparkwood, albeit slowly. The mountains love their winters and aren’t quick to release her for another year.
But the snowdrops have broken through the ground, and soon the daffodils and tulips will follow. New life is springing forth everywhere.
Including inside me.
Imagine that.
Pulling the package from my mailbox, I glance up and notice something unusual.
Ash’s truck sits parked next to mine—and Ash is in the truck.
What the hell?
As I get closer, I see he’s asleep, so I knock gently on the windowpane. Ash jerks awake, shooting me a surprised look as he rakes his hand through his hair.
After a beat, he cracks the window, his gaze flicking to mine. “Hey.”
“What are you doing here?”
“You’re here.”
“Have you been here all night?”
“Yeah. I planned to slip away before the sun came up.”
I shake my head, trying to decipher the meaning behind his actions. “You planned this? Sleeping in my parking lot?”
He nods, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. “I’m worried about you. After you hung up on me and didn’t respond to my text, I stopped in the shop. Mina told me you were out to dinner.”
Ah, there’s the reason. Do I disclose I was dining with my recently discovered half-brother or let him stew?
Stew, it is.
“You were spying on me?” I fold my arms across my chest, unable to keep the bite out of my voice.
“No, I was afraid you went to dinner with Kevin Duncan, and I don’t trust the fucking guy. I don’t trust any man with you.”
“What about you? Do you trust yourself with me?” I lean in slightly, challenging him with a raised brow.
He hesitates, and when he speaks, his voice drops, rougher than before. “I know the things I want to do to you. And I guarantee a lot of other men feel the same way. But I’ll break them at every joint if they try it.”
I blink, stunned by the forcefulness of his statements. “You can’t say things like that.”
“It’s true. No one touches you but me. I told you that.” His jaw tightens as if the words are etched in stone.
Once again, Ash’s well-intentioned remark rubs me the wrong way. I step back, trying to put distance between us. “Does that work both ways? Apparently not, considering your baby mama is probably frantic with worry. Go home, Ash.”
He grips my wrist, holding me fast, and leans forward, his breath warm against my skin. “That’s the thing. Where you are … that’s my home.”
I shake my head as the emotions swimming inside me threaten to drown me whole. “You can’t say things like that.”
Even if it is a ridiculously sweet sentiment.
Ash’s gaze softens. “Not even when they’re true?”
I swallow hard, trying to push away the warmth spreading through my chest. “What’s that?” I ask, pointing to a sketchbook lying on the seat next to him.
“My drawings. I was working on the mural for Rum & Ruin .”
My eyes widen, and a hint of a smile breaks through despite everything. “Really? May I see?”
He waffles for a second before sighing and handing me the book.
I flip to the page, marked by a pencil, and my heart stutters as I stare at the drawing. “Is that?—”
“You? Yes.” His voice is low, almost reverent. “It’s my favorite picture of you.”
The sketch captures a version of me I rarely let others see—vulnerable and free. “I remember that day,” I whisper. I also remember how desperately I loved him then.
We’ll ignore how desperately I still do.
Ash runs a hand along his jaw, his gaze drifting toward the sketch. “It was sublime, from our breakfast that morning to my dessert that night. The first time I took you raw. The first time I felt all of you. Utter perfection.”
My breath catches, hearing him recall the memory with such longing, and I struggle to maintain my strong facade. Still, I need to tread lightly.
“We were playing a dangerous game.”
Ash’s eyes flick back to mine, steady and sure. “Not for me. I’d do it all over again.” He motions to my bedroom window, the only one visible from the parking lot. “You aren’t sleeping.”
“How do you know?” I glance over at the window, embarrassed. Damn, are the bags under my eyes that obvious?
Ash shrugs, his gaze focused on the third-story window. “Because I’ve been here every night for a week. I see you getting up, wandering around. You slept great with me.”
“You’ve been in the parking lot every night for a week? Ash, it’s been frigid outside,” I exclaim.
“The truck has heat, and like I said, I’m worried about you. This way, I can ensure you’re safe and still give you the space you need. Although, this is a nice change of pace.” He dares to reach out, drifting his fingers along my cheek. “Why aren’t you sleeping, little one?”
“I’ve had a lot on my mind.”
Understatement of the century right there.
Ash nods and skews his mouth to the side—always an adorable look for him. “I get that.”
But he doesn’t. He can’t. Ash doesn’t know the secrets I’m carrying, and I’m terrified to tell him.
I swipe at the tears gathering in my eyes. “No, you don’t.”
“Then talk to me. I’m here to help you. To protect you. I’ll do anything for you, but you have to open up and let me in.”
I run a finger along the side-view mirror, trying to collect my thoughts.
How do I broach this topic? I’m not ready—not by a million miles.
Ash tips my chin up, forcing me to meet his inquiring gaze. “I know things have been beyond fucked lately, but there’s something else, isn’t there?”
I nod, willing the tears back. It’s time to tell him.
“Beautiful, I can’t do all the talking here.”
As if on cue, a blast of wind cuts through me, and I shiver, gathering my robe tighter around me
“Shit, you’re freezing. Get in the truck.”
I smile and shake my head. “I’m going back inside.”
Ash huffs out a breath and smacks the steering wheel. “Yep, I guess I deserve that. I’m here if you change your mind.”
“You need coffee.”
“I do. And a shower. I’m a bit ripe.”
I shoot him a playful wink. “Lucky for you, I have both. Come inside.”
“Will you join me in the shower?” Just like that, Ash’s flirtatious side comes into play.
I really missed this side of him. Hell, I miss every side of him.
“Can’t. I’ll be busy making you coffee.”
“If it comes down between you and coffee, you win every time.”
“Baby steps, Ash.”
I stop, realizing my Freudian slip.
But then it hits me—Ash has no reason to think I’m pregnant.
Although that will change in about ten minutes.
Ash grabs his phone and shoots me a dimpled grin. “I have to make a quick call, but I’ll be right in, okay?”
I smile and tap on the truck door. “Don’t keep me waiting.”
Ash grasps my fingers, bringing them to his lips. “Never.”
I stroll up the walkway, pulling in a lungful of crisp air.
Okay, Ori, you can do this. Ash obviously cares about you. Just take a deep breath, tell him about the baby, and reassure him he doesn’t need to do anything.
Easy, right?
I may need to throw up first.
Eddie opens the door as I’m walking back, his laptop bag slung over one shoulder. “Hey, I wondered where you went. Shower’s all yours. I’m heading out.”
I engulf my brother in a hug, grateful for the unexpected kinship. “Be careful.”
“Of course. You sure you don’t mind me crashing here until I find a new place?”
“Not a bit. Better than that damn motel.”
“True,” Eddie says, adjusting the brim of his ball cap. “I’ll see you when you get back from the city. Call me to let me know you arrived safely and have fun at the conference.”
“Absolutely—” I pause as Ash’s truck drives out of the lot.
No warning. No goodbye. Nothing.
What the fuck?
“Was that Ash?” Eddie asks, confusion lining his face.
“Yep.”
“What was he doing here?”
I shrug. “Claims he was watching over me. He was supposed to come in for coffee, but I guess he had to get home to Lucille.”
“Christ, what a cluster,” Eddie mutters, shaking his head.
“Seriously. Okay, see you later this week.”
Once inside, I grab my phone and dial Ash’s number, but it goes straight to voicemail. Another four calls also go unanswered.
With a grunt, I head for the shower, figuring he’ll call me by the time I get out. Something must have come up, right?
Wrong. Because all my calls and texts remain unanswered an hour later.
“You know what, Asher Hammond,” I hiss at the phone, tossing it onto the couch. “I’ve had about enough of your games.”
Then I head into the bedroom to pack for my conference.
Looks like I’m on my own with this one.