Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
BEAU
Music plays at low volume through my living room as I open a bottle of red wine. I set it on the kitchen island beside two empty wine glasses and a huge bouquet of pink roses I bought on my way home from work today.
Hailey’s been mine for two weeks now, and I plan on celebrating with my girl.
I also plan on talking to her about how we’re going to tell her dad, because as fun as sneaking around is, it’s also getting a bit old.
I want to walk down the street holding her hand.
I want the world to know she’s mine. I want to put a ring on her finger and a baby in her belly.
I want her mail to come to my house, addressed to Mrs. Hailey Cameron.
We have to tell him. We almost got busted at that dinner party because we were so fucking horny for each other that we couldn’t stop staring, couldn’t stop lusting until the tension was so thick that I had to drag her upstairs and get my mouth on her.
My doorbell rings, and I make my way to the front hall, anticipation humming through me. I expect to see Hailey, her eyes bright and her cheeks flushed, ready to celebrate our two-week anniversary.
Instead, I find Logan.
Fuck.
His jaw is tense, his fists curled. His eyes are ice cold, with no trace of his usual warmth.
“We need to talk,” he says, his gaze boring into me, hard and unyielding.
I sigh and open the door wider, stepping aside. “Figured this was coming.”
The door closes behind him, and it’s as though the atmosphere in my house has shifted. Like pressure dropping before a storm. There’s so much tension hanging in the air between us that I can almost see it.
Logan steps in, his eyes sweeping over the open living room and kitchen area. His shoulders tense when he spies the two wine glasses, the roses. His gaze lands on a satiny white scrunchie sitting on the kitchen counter, and his expression darkens.
“Have a seat,” I offer, gesturing toward the living room.
Logan doesn’t move, his stance rigid. “I’ll stand.”
I nod, leaning against the kitchen island, my arms crossed over my chest. I’m aiming for casual, but in reality, I’m tense as fuck, muscles coiled. I’m expecting a punch any second now.
Logan’s eyes meet mine, and for a moment, neither of us speaks. But then a muscle in his jaw ticks, and he huffs out a breath. “What’s going on with you and Hailey?”
“You want me to lie?”
He glances away, that muscle in his jaw jumping again. “I want you to say I’m imagining it.”
I wait until our eyes meet again. “You’re not.”
Logan starts pacing, his fists clenched, his shoulders bunched. “I trusted you, Beau. You’re like a brother to me.”
I stand steady, keeping my voice low and controlled despite the roiling in my gut. “I didn’t plan for this to happen. But it did, and I won’t apologize for it.”
He stops pacing, turning to face me, his eyes hard. Unflinching. “You won’t apologize? She’s my daughter, Beau. She’s twenty-fucking-two! You’re forty-six. What the hell are you thinking?”
I raise my eyebrows. “If you’re going to lecture me on age gap relationships, I’ll remind you that your wife is a year younger than your daughter.”
Logan scoffs, turning away from me. “We’re not talking about me.
I didn’t know Kaylee from birth the way you have with Hailey.
You’re supposed to be my friend. You’re practically family.
” He shoves a hand through his hair, and I can see his control slipping.
“You’ve known Hailey since she was a kid.
I trusted you. And you’re…you’re fucking her behind my back. ”
“I’m not just fucking her. I’m in love with her.”
It’s the last thing I say before Logan’s fist connects with my mouth.
He hits me hard enough that my lip splits.
Hard enough that I stumble sideways. But I don’t fall over.
Fury flares inside me, burning a path up the center of my chest, but I push it back down.
If I get angry too, we’ll end up talking with fists instead of words and it’ll only make things worse.
I straighten, touching my throbbing lip. My fingers come away smeared with blood.
“Feel better?” I ask, keeping my hands at my sides.
“No!” he shouts, his voice echoing off the walls of my house.
“No, I don’t feel better. That’s my daughter, you son of a bitch!
” Logan’s chest heaves, his breath coming in ragged bursts.
“I stopped by Hailey’s last night. Saw your Jeep parked in her driveway.
It all clicked. The looks at the party, the two of you disappearing together.
You were at her place last night, weren’t you? ”
I don’t deny it. There’s no point, and I’ve never been one for lying. “Yes. I was at Hailey’s last night because she and I are seeing each other.”
Logan’s fists clench again, his knuckles turning white. “How long, Beau?” His body language is all fury, but I can see the devastation in his eyes, too. We’ve hurt him. Didn’t mean to, but we have.
“Two weeks. But I’ve cared about her…that way…for some time now. And she feels the same about me. We’re in love, Logan.”
“You watched her grow from a kid into a woman. You did, Beau. You watched Hailey grow up. You were like an uncle to her.”
I take a deep breath, my voice calm but firm.
“I did. And now I’m in love with her. My feelings changed about two years ago, when I realized what an amazing woman she’d grown into.
I didn’t plan it, Logan. It just happened.
Believe me, I tried to fight it. To ignore it.
For two years, I tried. But I can’t anymore. She’s everything to me.”
Logan’s eyes narrow, his voice dropping to a growl. “I can’t decide if I should kill you now or wait until you break her heart so I have even more of an excuse.”
I shake my head, my voice low. “Better do it now, then, because I’m never going to break her heart.
I’m keeping her forever.” He scoffs, so I stalk to the kitchen island and yank open a small, rarely used drawer, pulling out the small silver ring box I picked up yesterday morning.
I flip it open to show him the diamond ring inside.
“I want a future with her. I want to marry her. I want to have kids with her, grow old with her. All the good shit you have with Kaylee? That’s what I want with Hailey.
This isn’t a fling. This isn’t some twisted, taboo hook up.
I’m in love with your daughter. And she’s in love with me. ”
Silence hangs between us, shattered when the doorbell rings again.
“Come in,” I call, eyes on Logan as I put the ring away.
I hear the door open and close, Hailey’s footsteps as she enters the living room.
God, the sight of her is like sunlight breaking through storm clouds.
She looks beautiful, her thick, dark hair woven into a messy braid, wearing a pretty red sweater and jeans.
“Dad?” she says, her eyes bouncing between the two of us. “Oh my god, Beau, you’re bleeding.” She rushes over to me, grabs a sheet of paper towel, wets it, and presses it gently to my split lip. “What the hell is going on? Did he hit you?”
“He deserved it,” Logan says, still seething.
Hailey glares at her dad. “Stop it.”
“He’s been lying to me. Sleeping with you behind my back—”
Hailey whirls, her shoulders squared. “So are you going to hit me, too? Because we both did this.”
“Hailey, I—”
“No.” Her voice is quiet but commanding, and pride fills my chest. That’s my woman, right there.
“I’m talking. You’re going to keep your mouth closed and your fists to yourself.
” Hailey stands at my side and slips her hand into mine.
She stands tall, facing her dad, her voice steady, but filled with emotion as she starts to speak.
“I’ve been in love with Beau for years, Dad.
This isn’t some fleeting crush or a silly infatuation.
I know my own mind and my own heart. I’m not a kid anymore. I love him, and I’m not ashamed.”
“He’s twice your age. He’s my best friend—”
“He’s your best friend because you know what a good guy he is. Beau is loyal, and hardworking, and kind. He has a good head on his shoulders and a big heart. Why wouldn’t you want me to be with a man like that?”
Logan’s eyes flicker between us, his jaw tense, but I can see the wheels turning in his head. He’s listening to Hailey. Actually listening.
“I know you think you know what’s best for me, but you don’t. Not this time,” Hailey continues, her voice strong. “I want Beau. Truth be told, he’s the only man I’ve ever wanted. And he wants me, too. We’re not doing anything wrong. We’re both adults.”
Logan’s gaze softens slightly as he looks at Hailey. I can see the realization dawning on his face, the shift in his thinking. He’s seeing her not just as his little girl, but as a woman who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to stand up for it.
“Dad, I love Beau,” Hailey says quietly, her voice full of conviction. “And he loves me. We’re going to be together, and nothing you say or do is going to change that.”
Logan’s shoulders slump slightly, the fight draining out of him. He looks at me, and then back at Hailey, and I can see the truth of what we’re saying finally sinking in.
“I don’t like it. I may never like it,” he says, glancing away.
“You don’t have to like it,” I reply. And it’s true. He’s allowed to feel however he feels about this.
“But you will have to accept it,” Hailey adds.
“I—” He shakes his head.
“It took me time to accept that you were with Kaylee, Dad. But I promise you that you can get there.”
He clenches his jaw. Looks at us, looks around at nothing, and then turns on his heel and walks out.
Hailey slumps against me, and I wrap my arms around her. “It’ll be okay,” I say. “Just give him time.”
She sucks in a breath. “I’m sorry that he hit you. You didn’t deserve that.” She pulls back and studies my mouth, her fingers delicately tracing the edges of my split lip. “Does it hurt? Do you want some ice?”
I shake my head. “I’m fine, Hails. Really.” I kiss her temple. “Why don’t we have some wine and sit in front of the fire?”
She lets out a breath and then nods. “Yeah. Let’s not let him ruin our night.”
I pour us each a glass of wine, the ruby red liquid glugging quietly into the glasses.
Hailey watches me from the couch, her eyes soft and warm, reflecting the dancing flames from the fireplace.
I join her, sitting close, and she snuggles into my side.
I hand her her wine, watching as she takes a small sip, then sets the glass on the coffee table in front of us.
“You didn’t have to let him hit you,” she murmurs, her fingers tracing patterns on my chest.
I take a sip of my wine. “Yeah, I did.” I brush a tendril of hair that’s escaped from her braid behind her ear. “That was the cost of choosing you, and I’d let him hit me a thousand more times if it meant getting to be with you.”
Hailey tilts her head up to look at me, her brown eyes filled with emotion. “Beau…”
I meet her gaze, unyielding. “I don’t regret a single thing, Hails. Not when it comes to us.”
Her expression softens, and she melts into me, her body relaxing against mine. I wrap my arm around her, pulling her closer. She’s my safe haven. My home. I press a kiss to the top of her head, inhaling her sweet scent.
“I never wanted him to get hurt. I didn’t want him to find out that way. But if I have to choose, I need you to know that I’ll choose you.” She twists, looking up at me. “I don’t ever want to lose you.”
“You’re not gonna. Not now. Not ever.” I lift her hand from my chest and bring it to my mouth, kissing the tips of her small fingers. “I love you, Hailey. I’ve loved you for a long time now. I want everything with you.”
“I want everything with you,” she whispers. “I choose you, Beau.”
I kiss her palm, her wrist. “I’ll always choose you, Hails. You’re the only thing that matters now. I want a future with you. I want to build a family, a home. Plank by plank, brick by brick, with you.”
“Brick by brick,” she whispers, her mouth curving up in a smile. “I used to be scared to admit I wanted that. That a career isn’t really what I want most in the world. I want to make a home, make a family. Be a mom.” She meets my eyes. “And I know without a doubt that I want all of that with you.”
“I don’t care what anyone else says. You’re my future. I love you.”
“I love you.” She can barely get the words out before I’m kissing her. She climbs into my lap, and I set my wine glass down and wrap my arms around her.
“Gonna spend the rest of my life taking care of you, Hailey. God, you feel like home.” I kiss a path down her neck, teeth scraping over her earlobe.
She presses into me, and I claim her mouth again, taking my time kissing her.
Luxuriating in the knowledge that she’s mine.
That we’re choosing each other, no matter what.
I weave my fingers into her hair, tangling them in the strands of her braid as her tongue slides against mine.
Her fingers scrape against my beard, and when the shoulder of her sweater slips down, I trace its path with my mouth.
“Take me upstairs and make love to me, Beau. Not because we’re hiding or proving something. Just because I’m yours.”
This woman is my salvation. My redemption. I would do anything for her. Sacrifice whatever it costs to keep her by my side.
“I’ll never stop making love to you, sweet girl.”
I stand with her in my arms and carry her upstairs, and in that moment, I truly don’t care if Logan ever comes around. As long as I’ve got Hailey, nothing else matters.