Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Laney
Watching Ayden sit at Howie’s grave shattered my heart.
He doesn’t know the full truth, and the longer I wait, the more hurt he’ll be. I can see the guilt in his eyes, and I know it’ll only cause more.
Though I did try again last night.
We devoured my infamous homemade pizza, watched a movie, and snuggled on the couch. Serena passed out between us halfway through. After Ayden carried and tucked her into bed, I asked if he still wanted to talk.
He hesitated, like he wasn’t sure if it was the right time. He was tired—emotionally and physically—and we decided it was better to talk when we were both clearheaded.
I know he’s confused about why I didn’t tell him about Reagan, but things were so messy with his family that I didn’t want to bring him more bad news.
Howie’s dad was a father figure to Ayden, and knowing what happened once Howie came out will destroy Ayden.
He’d wish even more that he’d been here for him.
But I can’t protect him forever.
He needs to hear it all.
“Mornin’,” Ayden greets as he walks into the kitchen with messy brown hair, shirtless, and sweats hanging low on his hips.
“How’d you sleep?” I ask, fighting the urge to stare.
“Great. Your bed is damn comfy. You sure you don’t miss it?” The taunting tone in his voice has me wanting to play his little game, but Serena’s sitting at the table, so I don’t.
“Coffee?” I ask instead.
“Yes, please.”
He grabs a mug, and I pour him some.
“What’s on the agenda today, ladies?”
“Shoppin’!” Serena squeals.
“Where’re we goin’?”
“The boutique. My mom wants to see you,” I tell him.
He gulps down his sip. “Oh. Why do I feel nervous like she’s about to whip my butt into next year?”
I chuckle, remembering the first time Mama caught us alone in my room. She nearly chased him out with a wooden spoon.
“Serena’s been talkin’ about you nonstop, so she’s excited to see ya.”
“Should I wear a cup?” he whispers.
“I think you’re in the clear. She already knows we had sex and made a baby,” I whisper back.
“I heard that,” Serena announces, and my eyes widen.
“No, you didn’t,” I retort, hoping I’m right.
“Were you and Daddy married when I was born?”
“No, sweetie. We weren’t,” I tell her honestly.
“Oh. I better call Meemaw then.”
My brow furrows at the mention of my grandmother. “Why?”
“To tell her she’s wrong. She said couples had to be married to have babies, but if you two weren’t married, then she’s wrong.” She shrugs innocently.
Jesus Christ. I need to listen in on their phone calls more often.
Ayden stares at me wide-eyed above the brim of his cup as if he’s glad to stay out of this conversation.
“Perhaps you and Daddy can talk about that tonight,” I tell her, shooting a mischievous grin in Ayden’s direction.
“Um...” He blinks at me.
I pat his shoulder. “Tappin’ you in, Daddy.”
It’s a gorgeous sunny day out as we walk downtown.
Serena skips ahead of Ayden and me as our hands brush.
Neither of us has mentioned the kiss from the other day or how hot and bothered he purposely makes me when he inches closer to kiss my forehead.
After he put Serena to bed, he pulled me into a tight hug and thanked me for taking him to Howie’s grave.
Then his breath lingered on my cheek as if he were fighting the urge.
I was frozen in place, too scared to get rejected, so I just waited.
When he finally moved, I felt his mouth on top of my head as he exhaled and told me good night.
I was tempted to sneak into my own bed and demand he touch me, but we both needed sleep.
Today’s day four of his visit, and he’ll be flying back to Tennessee in three days. We never talked about us being a couple again, only when we could visit so he could see Serena.
But I swear I’ll combust if he doesn’t kiss me again before he leaves.
I know it leaves too much up in the air for what it’ll mean for our future, but I’ve missed him so much that I don’t care about the consequences. Of course I want us to be a family, but we live nine hundred miles apart, so one of us would have to move.
“Here we are,” I say when the sign Bless Your Heart Boutique comes into view.
“Wow...it’s changed so much,” he says when we stand in front of the doors.
“Wait till you see the inside.”
Serena opens the door, and a blast of cold air hits us in the face.
“This looks completely different.” He glances around. “This is impressive, Lane.”
“Thank you.” I smile wide because I’m proud of how far it’s come. “We expanded our Southern sayings on T-shirts to other items like mugs, tumblers, journals, phone cases, and much more. The tourists love it.”
“Nana!” Serena shouts once my mother comes over.
“Ladybug!” They collide for a hug as Ayden and I approach.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Hi, sweetie. Ayden.”
“Miss Bennett. It’s lovely to see you.”
“You look so grown up,” she says as her gaze moves up and down his muscular body.
“He’s a rancher!” Serena blurts out, and I swear, she’s told everyone who’ll listen.
“I heard. He must be big and strong to do that, huh?” My mom smirks.
“I went from scrawny to brawny,” Ayden taunts, getting a giggle out of Serena.
“I’m gonna show him ’round,” I tell Mom, then grab Ayden’s hand.
“She hates me,” he whispers in my ear as we make our way to the other side of the store.
“No, she doesn’t.”
He cocks a brow in disbelief. “I’m sure she’s not liked me very much the past several years.”
“She was madder than a wet hen when I told her I was pregnant and you were long gone. But was shocked I’d found you and that you agreed to come visit. As long as her granddaughter is happy, so is she.”
He blows out a breath. “Is she gonna be upset when you bring Serena up to see me?”
“She’s already told me to take some time off to do that, so she supports the two of you buildin’ a relationship. I think she’s just a little weary, is all. Doesn’t want Serena to get hurt.”
Or me.
“Neither do I,” he admits softly.
We change the subject as I show him the most recent items I’ve added to the store. More local crafters and unique jewelry not found on major online retailers.
“I love it, Lane. I see so much of your style in here.” He points at the T-shirt that reads Classy, Sassy, and a little Badassy.
I snort. “Thanks, I tried to incorporate other little things but wanted to brand the shop and give it a special niche to make people wanna come back.”
“Don’t let her modesty fool ya for one second,” Mama says from behind, and we both turn. “She’s been busy as a cat on a hot tin roof.”
Ayden chuckles. “I believe it. Laney was always a hard worker.”
“That she is. So what’d ya think, Ayden? Like it?”
“I love it, Miss Bennett. You two should be proud.”
“Thanks. We are.” She smiles sincerely before a customer drags her away.
“Serena, it’s time to go,” I call out when the doors open. One of the part-time workers starts helping as customers flock inside.
“But, Mom...”
“Serena Mae...” I warn.
“Yes, ma’am.”
She heads toward the exit, and I quickly wave goodbye to my mom.
As soon as I step out onto the sidewalk, Mr. Hendersen spots me and nods at me. “Ms. Adams. Hot as Hades out here, ain’t it?”
My heart drops into my stomach as I force out a quick response and continue walking with Ayden by my side. Serena’s ahead, deciding where she wants to go next.
“Why’d he call you Ms. Adams?”
That’s Howie’s last name.
Swallowing hard, I walk to the edge of the sidewalk so we don’t block anyone.
“He forgets that’s not my last name anymore.”
He takes off his ball cap and scrubs a hand through his hair. “I’m gonna need more than that.”
“I was gonna tell ya.”
“Tell me what?” He quirks a brow.
“Howie and I were married.”
He steps back. “You married my gay best friend?”
“Ayden, listen...” I move toward him. “It’s not what you think. We had an arrangement.”
He folds his arms over his chest, keeping his gaze on me. “What kinda arrangement?”
“His family would stop meddlin’ in his love life and”—I brace myself for the words I have to force out of my mouth—“your dad threatened to take Serena if I couldn’t prove I could support her on my own. Gettin’ married killed two birds with one stone.”
He comes closer, his shoulders high and tense. “My father threatened you? What’d he do?”
“Mom! Dad! Are y’all comin’?” Serena shouts, but we continue staring at each other.
“Let’s talk about this at home, okay?” I tilt my head toward Serena, who’s waiting on us.
“Fine. But we will be talkin’ about it.”
Fuck.
I was afraid of this. He won’t be upset about Howie and me having a marriage arrangement but rather about what his father did. Ayden’s bigger now, stronger, and older. He could easily hurt his dad if he wanted to and that’s what scares me.
Mr. Carson would get Ayden arrested in a heartbeat if he touched him.