Chapter 52 Honey
HONEY
The whole time the doctor examines me, I can’t stop staring at Beau. He hasn’t left my side since we arrived. For a man who just rescued me, he’s wearing a fierce frown.
“I swear, I’m fine. It’s just a few cuts.”
He shakes his head. “That asshole could have killed you.”
I suppose that’s true. Honestly, I’m surprised Adrian and I both survived.
The doctor tightens the last stitch on my scalp, and I wince. “You’re all set, Honey. My nurse will print out directions on how to care for your injury. Beau, you’ll need to wake her up every four hours. If she has a concussion, it’s mild, but I don’t want to take any chances.”
Beau’s frown deepens. “Are you sure you don’t want to keep her overnight?”
He sounds so grumpy and protective. It makes me smile. “It’s only four stitches. Barely anything. I had a deeper cut when I got bucked off a horse as a kid and landed on a tree branch.”
The doctor gives him a patient smile. “She’ll probably be more comfortable at home. If she’s nauseated or vomits or has trouble focusing, page me.”
When Beau wheels me out to the lobby, Cynthia runs up to me, crying, and shakes my arm. “What the hell happened?”
“She has a concussion,” Beau warns.
He’s so protective. I love it.
“Sorry. I’ll be careful.” Cyn wipes her eyes but hangs on to my hand as my brothers approach.
Trig shakes his head. “That was some crazy shit. It made the news.”
Cash folds his arms. “I called Dad. He’s on his way home from Vegas.”
The thought of talking to my father makes my head pound. “I don’t want to see him. Not after what he was trying to get me to do.”
Beau looks back and forth between me and my brothers. “What’s going on?”
I let go of Cynthia to grab Beau’s hand.
“This is what I meant earlier when I said I needed to talk to you about my family.” I swallow, hating that I’m in this position.
I know I sent him that one brief text, but he should hear all of it.
When I can’t seem to spit out the words, Cash does it for me.
“Our father wants Honey to get with Ian to cancel out our debts, but I haven’t been able to verify that we owe him anything. Dad wanted her to fly out to Vegas today to talk about a plan with Ian.” He rubs his chin. “And I’m thinking the plan was a quick wedding.”
“Fuck that,” Beau growls.
I squeeze his hand. “I agree. Fuck that. Ian sent a limo to drive me to the airstrip, and that’s how I ended up jumping in Adrian’s truck. Because I was trying to avoid going home.”
He frowns. “How much money are we talking about?”
“Ian makes it sound like it’s millions, but I don’t believe it. I can’t get in touch with my father to ask him. Cash can’t get a straight answer from him either. My mom was clueless because no one ever tells her anything.” A situation I hope to avoid.
Cynthia’s shoulders start shaking. At first, I think she’s laughing, but her eyes are red-rimmed and tears leak down her face. “This is my fault. I’m so… I’m so sorry.”
I’ve never seen her cry before. “Don’t feel bad. There was no way for you to get rid of that limo driver.”
She covers her face as she sobs. “That’s not what I mean.”
Confused, I grab her hand.
Trig reaches over and awkwardly pats her shoulder. When he looks to me, I shrug because I have no idea what’s unwound my friend like this other than watching Beau rescue me. I’m sure that was harrowing. I still can’t believe it happened.
Cyn takes a few breaths and wipes her eyes again. “This whole thing with Ian… This whole situation is my fault. Because I didn’t tell you.”
“How could this have been your fault? You don’t even know Ian.”
“Except I do.” She looks down at her feet. “Ian’s lying. Your family doesn’t owe him anything. He owes your family money, and he offered to marry you and give your father half of his ranch up in East Texas if Vernon cancels his debts.”
Is she messing with me? Based on her tears, she’s not. I frown. “How do you know this?”
Her bottom lip quivers. “Because Ian is my stepbrother. I overheard him talking about his plan.”
I stare at the woman I’ve considered my best friend for years as I process what she just said. “I thought your stepbrother was Hayes.”
“His name is Ian Hayes Fairchild,” she says slowly. “Family and close friends call him Hayes.”
What the hell? “When did you hear him talking?”
She pales. “A while back. Several weeks.”
Her betrayal feels like a sharp stab through my chest. “So you knew what was going on this whole time, and you let me get all twisted up about it? Were you going to let me get on that plane today?”
“No, I swear, I wasn’t. I would have told you.”
I laugh harshly. “Every time I confided in you, were you reporting back to him?”
“Of course not.”
“Then why didn’t you tell me?”
Her eyes well with tears. “Because I’ve always been in love with Ian.
Since high school. But then he saw a photo of you on your father’s desk and kept gushing about how beautiful you were.
Even though he and I have hooked up for years, even though he knew you were my best friend, he’d still ask about you.
” She takes a shuddering breath. “I was trying to talk him into telling you the truth, that he and I were connected.”
“You mean related.”
“Not really. Our parents divorced years ago. That’s when I got dumped in a boarding school. Hayes… I mean, Ian, was the only person who ever looked out for me. So I felt torn. I didn’t want to betray his confidence.”
“So you betrayed mine instead.”
“Honey, I wish you knew how bad I felt about this.”
“Good. I’m glad you feel bad. Maybe it’s an ounce of how twisted up this situation made me.” I try to get out of the wheelchair, but Beau gently grabs my shoulder.
“Princess, sit down. You have a concussion. I’ll wheel you to my truck.” When Cynthia tells me to wait, Beau warns her off. “Another time, Cynthia. Honey needs to rest. We can talk after everyone’s calmed down. It’s been a rough day.”
Trig jogs alongside my wheelchair as we cross the parking lot. “Want me to put a dead fish under her car seat?”
“Go home, Trig.” My brother’s a nut, but I know he loves me.
Once I’m loaded in Beau’s truck, my brave boyfriend grabs my hand and kisses it. “Want to come home with me? Fireball misses you.”
“I’d like that.” We drive in silence, and I close my eyes because the streetlights hurt them.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Ian’s financial threats.
He stopped by the weekend before Thanksgiving to tell me I had until the first of the month to basically pick him or he’d call in our father’s loans, which I now know were fictitious.
” I rub my temple. “I should have told you then, but I was hoping Cash could confirm Ian was full of shit.”
Beau blows out a breath. “And then I threw fuel on the fire with Melissa.”
Reaching out, I squeeze his rough hand. “You didn’t do that on purpose.
I just want you to know that the Ian situation was really weighing on me.
Maybe I wouldn’t have reacted as intensely about Melissa’s pregnancy if I wasn’t already dealing with Ian’s bullshit.
I should have told you. Not that it would have necessarily changed anything, but… I don’t know what I’m trying to say.”
“How about this? Maybe we try tackling these things together as a team next time? Because you have my back and I sure as fuck have yours.”
Smiling, I nod. “I’d like that.”
When we reach his ranch, he tilts his head. “Listen, my family wanted to see you at the hospital, but I told them you had enough going on and they could see you tomorrow. Except… I don’t think they’re waiting much longer.”
Turning, I see a bunch of trucks parked in front of Beau’s cabin. “Aww, that’s really sweet.”
“I think they let themselves into my house.” He chuckles as he pulls to a stop. “You should probably get used to that too, but hopefully they’re learning to knock.”
“I love your family. They’re always so supportive of each other.”
He nods slowly. “I’m kinda thinking your brothers are that for you too.”
He’s right. “They are. And look at how well you guys got along today. I guess me almost dying chilled them out, huh?”
Leaning over, he kisses my forehead. “Let’s not repeat that. I’m pretty sure I can handle your brothers. No dying necessary.”
“I’m on board.”
“Good. Stay here for a second.” He hops out of his truck and comes around to help me.
Once I’m on the ground, I wrap my arms around him, and he pulls me close. “Beau, when I thought I was going to die, the only person I wanted to see was you. I should’ve told you I loved you sooner.”
He nuzzles my neck. “I thought the same thing. It killed me that you’re the love of my life, and I never told you.”
Leaning back, I grin at him. “I’m the love of your life?”
“Really and truly. Nothing makes sense without you. So yeah. You’re it for me. I hope you can handle me.”
I chuckle. “I think I handle you just fine.”
Smiling, he leans down to kiss me, but it’s interrupted when Jace opens the front door and yells, “Yeah, they’re in the driveway, making out.”
Beau’s expression flattens. “Did I say I love my family? Because Jace is getting on my last nerve.”
I take his hand in mine. “Let’s go say hi.”
“I’m kicking everyone out in half an hour. ’Cause you need to rest.”
I’m starting to ache everywhere, so I know he’s right. The doctor warned that I’d be sore.
It’s good to see everyone. Paige and Baylee brought me snacks, and Beau’s brothers are so encouraging, but it’s nice once Beau and I are alone again.
The cabin is dark and quiet when we curl up together in bed. Fireball tries to sit on Beau’s head. He kisses her and sets her down off to the side of us.
It’s the darkness that helps me say the words. “I’m going to have a hard time if Melissa is having your baby, but… I want to try to work through it. I feel really possessive of you, and the thought of another woman having your child makes my claws descend.”
He pulls me closer. “Let’s talk about it tomorrow. Tonight is just about us. Tonight, we get to be grateful to have each other. There are no problems bigger than that. Melissa, that lot for your club, the shit with your father—it all pales in comparison. We got this.”
God, I needed to hear those words. I nod and close my eyes and let sleep take me.
Because in Beau’s arms, I know I’m safe.