Chapter 17 #2
I was exhausted every day and even though I worked with Ethan, it felt as if we were disconnected, mostly because I think he was struggling with me going without him.
I knew he didn’t understand, not fully, and it hurt to think about being back in Atlanta, and facing down Brad and his perverse daddy without him. I was nervous and scared, but ready.
I knew what I wanted. Ethan. Suttontowne. Brax’s job. I had already looked into law schools and there were several choices.
Since he’d been so darn busy, I hadn’t had a moment to talk to him. But right now he was in his office and there was a lull in customers. The other two waitresses had it under control. I knocked on the jamb of the open door and he looked up.
“Hey, sugar.”
“Hi, Brax. Do you have a minute?”
“That seems to be all I have nowadays. C’mon in and tell me some good news.”
“I do have good news.”
His eyes lit up. “Hell, yeah. You’re accepting the job.”
I smiled at his enthusiastic smile. “Yes, but I need to tell you something before I can actually start.”
He got up and closed the door and went to the sofa. “I knew there was something going on with you from the moment Ethan brought you in here. Have a seat and tell me whatever it is you need to say.”
Tears welled, I walked over and sat down.
“First, I want to thank you for everything that you’ve done for me since I fainted on your doorstep.
You’ve been kind and generous. I wanted you to know how much I’ve appreciated it.
I couldn’t have come to this place in my life if you hadn’t provided me a place to live and a job. It’s really changed my life.”
He rubbed the back of his neck, “Ah, hell, huckleberry. I know about how hard life changes can be. I was in your shoes not too long back.”
I nodded, having heard some of River and Brax’s story.
It had sounded epic. “I have to go back home, back to Atlanta and handle something before I can be truly free. It may take some time.” I explained everything to him, my voice breaking in a couple of places.
As I talked, his face went from angry to thunderous with eyes of steel.
“I’m sorry I lied about my real name. Sorry about keeping this all secret, but it’s been a pattern for a long time and it was to protect myself. ”
His expression went softer than I had ever seen it and that was saying something since Brax was normally brusque and gruff. “Tell me their names, and I’ll hire some goons to tune them up.”
I chuckled, but Brax’s face didn’t change, and I realized he was quite serious. “That’s not necessary. But I appreciate it.”
“You will be taking Ethan with you, won’t you?”
“No. I’m going alone. I have to handle this by myself.”
“I don’t like that. I think you should reconsider.” He tilted his head. “You two are an item. That much I do know.”
“Did he tell you?”
“No, the boy scout was tight-lipped as usual, but I have eyes, and I can see. Everyone knows.”
“Of course they do. Small town.”
“Yeah, it’s a curse and a blessing.” He rose. “The job offer stands until you can claim it. I’ll get by in the meantime. When are you leaving?”
“Monday.”
He nodded. “You’re like one of the family, so if you need anything. And, I mean anything. Don’t you hesitate to call me.”
Before I knew it, Friday was here and we were driving to New Orleans. We’d been on the road for about an hour and had an hour to go, but it was no hardship. Louisiana was beautiful, and I enjoyed looking out the window at the lush marshlands and small towns we passed.
“Have you ever been to Mardi Gras?”
“Yeah, several times after I got out of the Marines. It’s a crazy time. When everything gets…settled. I’ll take you. We’ll stay in town with Booker and Aubree and have a blast.”
The reminder that I was leaving soon made me reach over and grasp his hand. He didn’t say anything.
We got to our hotel and made love in a queen-sized bed overlooking the Quarter, then we walked around the French Quarter and I fell even more deeply in love with this state. Ethan bought me a key chain with a gator on it and I knew it was silly, but I cherished it.
The next day we met up with Evie, Win, Brax, Boone, Verity, and River Pearl, along with three gorgeous men who I found out were the Outlaws’ cousins.
We all went to the large ceremony in the Superdome, so many people, proud parents and graduates beaming with pride and accomplishment.
Reminded me of my college graduation and how full of hope I’d been.
Now I was full of hope again with my arm snuggled in the crook of Ethan’s arm. He leaned down and said, “You look pretty today.”
I smiled at his compliment. “I’m usually in jeans and an apron, so this is a nice change.”
“Doesn’t matter what you wear. I can’t keep my eyes off you.” He leaned down and gave me a quick kiss.
The ceremony was nice, and Booker’s speech was inspirational.
He spoke about not letting anyone discourage you from going after what you want.
He laid out his background, how he’d started writing in high school and never really looked back.
The applause after he finished was thunderous.
I’m sure Aubree and his family were so proud of him.
Then it was a mad scramble to get to the next venue for her individual ceremony where she was recognized as the valedictorian of her graduating class. As her name was called out, Booker whooped and Aubree smiled as she accepted her diploma, the first part of her journey to country doctor completed.
That night we went to eat at the Huckleberry Café for a scrumptious meal prepared by Brax’s chef, Antoine, then a bar crawl down Bourbon Street, jammed packed with celebrating graduates and their loved ones.
I had my first hurricane and indulged in one too many.
Not much of a drinker, I had to stop at two.
The next day we drove home and we were both up early, working our tails off for the afternoon bash. Tons of people came and it was a non-stop line of people to enjoy Brax’s food and Aubree’s accomplishment. By the end of the day, I was exhausted.
Before I headed to my apartment, I looked for Brax. I was heading to the airport bright and early, my stuff all ready to go. Not that I had much. I found him in the kitchen doing last minute clean up.
“Everything turned out great.” He smiled and nodded.
I heard the door open behind me, but I didn’t want to be distracted right now. I was already trying to hold back my tears.
“Don’t say goodbye,” he said, his voice thick. “You’re coming back.”
I rushed forward and wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you for everything. I will be back, so you better be ready to get organized.”
“I’ll be ready, huckleberry. You take care and make sure you stay safe.”
I wiped at my tears and turned to find Ethan standing there, looking so unhappy and disgruntled.
I headed for the back door and he followed. But I stopped at my front door. “I don’t want you to watch me drive away. I think we should say goodbye now.”
He looked even more unsettled, but I needed to be strong and ready to go tomorrow. “Yeah, that’s killing me, Haley, but I can’t.”
When he turned around and walked away, I was feeling very shaky.
I hadn’t been this afraid since I’d run from Brad.
Making Ethan leave was hard. But, I had asked him to let me handle it, and even though he wasn’t one hundred percent aboard, he was respecting my wishes.
I went inside and tried to compress the rush of panic in my chest. I’d have to buck up and be a woman, be determined.
Everything hinged on me fighting the fight of my life.
In the morning, I got everything ready and was about to go to my car, but when I opened the door and saw who was waiting for me, I backed up, then planted my feet firmly unwilling to give him an inch.
Brad walked through the door, my father-in-law right behind him.
“Hello, Haley,” he said grabbing a handful of my hair and yanking it hard, the chain with the butterfly snapped. With a murderous intent in his eyes, he backhanded me across the face, and I flew back into the counter.
As darkness descended, all I could see was that broken chain and the butterfly before his booted foot covered it and my consciousness blinked out.