Chapter Eight Audrey
Chapter Eight
Audrey
I stared down at Chase in my bed, the morning light peeking through the blinds, which made him groan and turn away to hide his head beneath the covers, falling back to sleep in a second.
After the movie, he’d asked to stay in my bedroom instead of his.
Trevor had offered to bunk with him, but we quickly realized Chase didn’t want to sleep next to me because he was scared. He was offering me his protection from “the bad guys,” as he’d called them.
“Unless Daddy wants to sleep with you instead. Or Uncle Alex can!”
My son’s offer had seemed to give both Trevor and Alex a coronary at the same time. Me, too, especially since I’d had a fantasy about sharing a bed with Alex two or five times since we first met at Christmas. It was never supposed to become a reality, though, and certainly not like this.
“Five more minutes, sleepyhead,” I told him while checking the time.
“Your uncle should be here soon.” While Chase was normally up before any of us, he hadn’t gone to bed until almost midnight since he’d begged for a few more tricks from Alex after the movie, and Alex had been unable to refuse his pleas.
“Okayyy,” he murmured, half asleep already as I went to the bag Trevor had packed me to find something to change into.
Granny panties and a plain-Jane bra it is. Thanks, Trev.
I changed in the bathroom, then pushed my hair to the side to check on the knot at my temple. I’d like to continue blaming my weird behavior on the bump to the head, including my flirty-ish conversation with Alex after dinner, but that’d be a lie, and I was a horrible liar.
“Annnd I need makeup, or everyone will think I’m not just a hot mess, but sick.” I rolled my eyes, then went in search of my purse. Trevor hadn’t thought to pack any makeup, but thankfully I kept emergency mascara, a brow pencil, and eyeliner in my bag at all times.
Once I was done, I returned to my room to send Hollis a quick text before waking Chase.
Me: He’s better in person than in my fantasies. How’s that possible? No one is supposed to be better in real life.
Hollis: That’s good. Right?
Me: Also, I flirted a little. Somehow, it came naturally after dinner, and I didn’t even have wine. Maybe I was channeling you?
Hollis: Again, this is good. Why am I hearing “this is bad” energy in your texting tone?
Me: Because it IS bad. I don’t want to like anyone.
At the sound of chatter coming from the lodge, I assumed that meant my brother had arrived.
Me: I gotta go. Stay safe wherever you are now.
Hollis: On a beach in Bali. Tomorrow? Who knows. But I should be there with you.
Me: No, no. I’m sure everything is fine.
That was a total lie. Trevor was keeping secrets from me, which meant that so-called “random break-in” hadn’t been random at all.
But I had to admit, now I was a little grateful he’d kept me in the dark yesterday. Chase was able to have a relaxing and normal day because of it.
Me: No need to stress. Talk later. Love ya.
“Is that Uncle Ryder I hear?” Chase sat upright, tossing the covers aside as I shoved my phone in my back pocket.
“Why don’t we go see?” I offered him my hand like he was still only six, and we made our way downstairs.
My brother was by the two front doors with his beautiful fiancée, Seraphina.
Reed and Alex were also with him. Trevor too.
Alex gave me a small nod hello, and yup, things were still awkward. And why wouldn’t they be, after the last twenty-plus hours of our interactions so far? Kicking things off with him seeing me buck naked and ending with me wishing he’d give me a good-night kiss before bed last night?
He had on all black again today. From his boots to his jeans and long-sleeved shirt. A sexy combination with that scruff on his jaw, midnight-dark eyes, and matching black hair.
I forced myself to look away from the ridiculously handsome man and over to my brother, who was lifting my son up into the air.
I have a brother. I have a brother. Some days I really did have to repeat that mantra a few times. The shock and awe of it had yet to wear off.
Seraphina rubbed Chase’s back as he remained glued to his uncle’s large frame, hugging him. She peeked over at me as I joined them, an infectious smile lighting her face. “Hey, you.” She strode over and wrapped me in her arms. And you know what? Yeah, I needed that hug more than I knew I did.
A handshake from Reed next, before my brother untangled Chase from his arms so he could pull me in for a hug.
“How are you?” he whispered as I kept hold of him, nearly crying into his shoulder at the comfort of having someone there who I knew wanted nothing from me. Just cared. Just loved me even though he didn’t have to.
“I’m okay.” Like Chase, I wasn’t ready to let go.
I was also too afraid I’d face reality and break down if he untangled me from his arms. It was only now, in this moment, that I realized I never did cry after the break-in.
Because I’m okay, right? Minus being a head case yesterday, I really am—so that’s what I have to focus on. Be strong.
“Sorry it took me so long to get here. Hope Alex took good care of you for me,” Ryder said into my ear.
“Great care,” I choked out, finally breaking free of him, accidentally catching Alex’s eyes in the process. I looked back at my brother, who was sporting a small, nervous smile while patting his chest. “Hi.”
“Hi.” Ryder took hold of my cheeks and rested his forehead against mine. “Can’t lose you, sis. Just got you.”
Yeah, keep talking like that and I’m going to ugly-cry. A shiver rolled right on through me as he lifted his head and locked eyes with me.
I heard Eden introduce herself to someone, and when I twisted around, I realized it was Jason Reed.
He swallowed her petite hand with his big one, shaking it before Beau appeared to break up their introduction with one of his own.
I should have known he’d hang around for their arrival so they could talk.
“I have to head out soon. Don’t want to rush the welcome party here.” Beau tipped his cowboy hat. “But mind if we chat first?”
Trevor motioned toward the side hall. “In my office, away from the ears of the guests, would be preferable.”
“I’ll have your bags brought to your rooms for you,” Eden offered. “And Chase and I will start whipping up eggs and bacon for everyone.”
“Oh, I’d be happy to help.” Seraphina took Chase’s hand, and I nodded my thanks to her.
Trevor blocked my path to the office. “How about you join them?” He tipped his chin toward the kitchen as if I didn’t know my way around.
I shook my head. “Nope, no boy talk. No excluding me.” I kept my voice down so guests couldn’t overhear. “You promised you’d tell me everything tomorrow, and that day has come.”
Trevor raised his brows and glanced at Ryder hovering at the entrance of the hallway, the only one still present since everyone else had dispersed from the foyer.
“Audrey.” Was my brother joining forces with my ex in an attempt to ask me not to argue?
I shook my head as my response.
“Fine. I take it you’re as stubborn as I am?” The side of Ryder’s mouth quirked, then he waved me over to join him.
But first, I had to get around the Trevor roadblock.
“You really don’t want me to know the truth for some reason.” And now I knew it had everything to do with that call Eden had overheard yesterday with his cousin. “Please, just get it over with. What is it you’re keeping from me?”
Ryder strode over to us, forcing Trevor to shift to the side and make eye contact with him. “Well, hell, now you have me worried, too,” my brother remarked.
“You’re going to be pissed at me.” Not the best thing to hear from my ex.
“Why will I be?” I swallowed, and my heart thwacked harder as memories from our marriage pushed to the front of my mind at how many secrets he’d kept from me. Some because he had no choice. Others for his own reasons.
Trevor closed his eyes, letting his arms drop. “I haven’t been honest with you. I lied to you about why I didn’t re-up. I lied about why I retired at twenty instead of thirty years like I’d originally planned.”
I reached for his forearm to give him a squeeze, a request to look at me.
“I wanted to be more present in Chase’s life, don’t get me wrong.” Trevor finally opened his eyes.
“But . . . ?” I whispered, thankful my brother was at my side, offering his quiet support to help me through whatever I was about to hear next.
Trevor stretched out his neck, eyes on the cedar beams. “I was hoping I was just paranoid and wrong about him.”
What in the world are you talking about? “Wrong about who? What had you giving up being a SEAL, giving up the thing you loved more than anything?”
His gaze instantly hit mine. “I didn’t love being a team guy more than being Chase’s father.”
I deserved that look and tone. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that. I meant leaving the navy to run a lodge. You were already a great father while serving. Chase understood what you did. You were always his hero. Still are, uniform or not.”
Trevor’s shoulders collapsed. “No, I’m talking about Mitch. I left because of him.”
“Because he died? You felt you needed to help out? I, um, don’t understand.” But then Eden’s words from yesterday hit me, and the real why Trevor left struck me even harder.
“I didn’t want to ruin his memory for you unless I had to,” he shared in a low, haunted voice.
“I’m so damn sorry, Audrey, but I believe Mitch was a traitor.
A possible enemy of the state. And I highly doubt it was a mechanical issue that took down his plane, but the terrorists I think he was double-crossing our country with that killed him. ”