Reed
. . .
The girls insisted on a movie night. Now that Layla is here, they can’t get enough of her.
Fuck, I can't either. The hole in my heart that I’ve carried for years is finally beginning to heal because of her.
Catalina has her fuzzy blanket wrapped around her, leaning into Carter on the couch as he kisses her every few minutes; he’s clearly forgotten that other people exist.
Maverick gags looking at them as he’s sprawled on the floor, a bowl of chips balanced precariously on his stomach. Amelia’s beside him, stealing them one at a time just to watch him complain.
They’re child-free tonight, so they’re acting like complete fools.
I’m in the recliner with Layla nestled against my side, her head resting on my heart as I gently run my fingers across her shoulder.
On TV, Texas Chainsaw Massacre is playing; Maverick’s idea of hell.
“Turn this sick shit off!” he yells, shielding his face with a throw pillow, a muffled gag escaping him. “I swear to God!”
Amelia’s doubled over laughing. “You’re such a baby!”
“The fuck I am!”
Catalina giggles. “You’re literally quivering over there.”
Carter smirks. “Maverick, shut up.”
I can’t help but laugh. Layla’s laughing too, her hand resting on mine.
Three sharp knocks on my front door draw everyone’s attention away from the movie. Layla tenses next to me, gripping my hand.
“Layla!”
She grips my hand tighter, the color draining from her face.
“I know you’re in there! Open the fucking door!”
Maverick leaves the floor before the echo dies, the chip bowl spilling. Carter’s already up, telling Catalina to stay put.
I move toward the door with them. “Stay with Cat,” I tell Layla, my voice lower than I recognize. “Don’t move, baby.”
Swinging the door open, I feel cold night air hit my face, and there he is.
Brian stands on the porch, eyes wild, lips twisted in a sneer. His clothes are wrinkled, and his pupils are dilated.
“Well,” he spits, “there she is, hiding behind the burn-marked freak.”
His words hurt, but I don’t flinch.
Maverick steps forward, voice a growl. “You better start prayin’, man.”
Brian laughs. “Get the fuck out of my way!”
Carter’s hand shoots out, grabbing Maverick’s arm. “Don’t,” he warns, but it’s too late.
Maverick shoves him hard as he staggers back down the porch steps, gravel crunching under his boots. He catches himself, jaw clenched. “She’s mine!” he shouts. “She doesn’t get to leave me!”
He lunges toward the doorway with his hands outstretched. I catch him mid-step, my palm against his chest, the impact vibrating up my arm.
“Get your ass off my property,” I snarl.
He swings wildly as the hit ricochets off my shoulder.
I push him back again, this time with greater force. Maverick blocks his second charge and shoves him sideways into the porch railing.
“Enough!” Carter steps in, grabbing Brian by the collar and throwing him on the floor. “You’re done!”
Brian’s chest heaves, his breath ragged as he pushes himself to stand, wiping the dirt off his pants. “You think she wants you? Look at you!” he spits at me, his face twisted. “You hide those scars, right? You keep the lights off so she doesn’t flinch while you’re fucking her?”
Something inside me flashes hot, but I don’t move. My jaw locks, and every muscle screams to end it.
“Reed,” Carter says quietly, warning in his tone.
Brian’s voice drops to a snarl. “You think she loves you? She pities you.”
Maverick moves again, his fists clenching in Brian’s shirt as he slams him back against the siding, making the porch shake. “You don’t talk about my brother like that,” he growls.
Brian pushes at him, but Carter is already there, stepping between them, gripping Brian’s chin. “You’ve got two choices, fucker. You leave right now, or we call the sheriff and let him drag your bitch-ass out.”
For a long moment, Brian’s breath comes in short, trembling as he looks past us toward the living room, his eyes settling on Layla.
“You’ll regret this,” he says.
I told myself that violence wasn’t the answer, well fuck him because he’s about to eat my fist.
I step into his line of sight, blocking it completely. “You’re not welcome here, Brian,” I say, my voice low and dangerous. “You need to leave and stay away from Layla. She’s done with you, and so am I.”
Brian lets out a harsh chuckle, a mocking sound. “Done with me? She’ll never be done with me. She’s mine, and she always will be. And if you think you can keep her from me, you’re sorely mistaken.”
He lunges free from Maverick and Carter’s grip, his fist flying toward my face.
I dodge just in time, and the blow grazes my cheek as I counter with a quick uppercut to his jaw.
Brian stumbles back, his eyes wide with surprise, but he quickly regains his footing and charges in again.
We both start fighting, and our fists collide in a flurry.
I feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins, my muscles coiled and ready for his next strike. I manage to land a solid punch to Brian’s ribs, and he grunts in pain, his breath rushing out.
That still doesn’t stop him; he looks at me with wild, unhinged eyes, with rage dancing in his irises.
He lunges at me again but misses.
As he stumbles, I grab him by the collar of his flannel, my fist flying and connecting with his eye socket, then his nose and mouth. Blood splatters across the porch floor.
I don’t fucking care that I’m acting like a wild animal, and I’m not going to stop until he’s a bloody, broken mess.
Continuing to pummel him into the ground, my fists move on instinct, a blur of motion, until his body is limp and unmoving.
Standing over his prone form, I let out ragged exhales, shaking my fists as they ache from each punch. Blood stains my knuckles, but that’s the least of my worries.
Carter grips my shoulder. “Reed, stop. You’ve won. He’s not getting up.”
I shake my head in agreement, turning slightly to see Maverick standing in the doorway. His eyes are hooded, but a flash of pride shows in them. “That’s what that fucker gets.”
A smile touches my lips; it’s exactly what he deserves.
Brian’s still lying on the grass, out cold, his cheek pressed into the dirt.
Maverick’s already got his phone out, pacing near the steps. “Yeah, we need a unit out at Creek Way. Now. We have an idiot trespassing.”
He hangs up, jaw clenched. “They’re on their way.”
The porch door creaks open behind us, and Layla steps out slowly, with Catalina’s hand steadying her. Her eyes are wide, her face pale, yet she stands on her own.
“Baby, go inside,” I tell her gently.
“I just…” Her voice shakes. “Is he—?”
“He’s fine,” I say, forcing calm into my tone. “Just not gonna be yellin’ for a while.”
Her gaze falls on Brian’s limp figure, the bruises on her throat still faint but visible. She swallows hard, tears welling in her eyes.
Maverick places a hand on my shoulder. “The sheriff will be here in five.”
We wait in silence, crickets filling the space between us.
Carter leans against the railing, arms crossed, every muscle in his body tense. Maverick paces again, muttering under his breath about “no one messes with the Hayes brothers.”
Flashing red and blue lights finally pierce the darkness, and the tension in my chest eases, just barely.
Two deputies step out of the cruiser—Harris and Boyd, both locals and men I’ve known since high school. Good men. They glance at Brian and exchange a silent question.
Harris steps onto the porch, his voice calm yet firm. “Evenin’, Reed.”
“Evenin’,” I say, crossing my arms. “He showed up screamin’ and tried to force his way in.”
Boyd crouches next to Brian, checking him over. “Looks like he didn’t get far.”
“No,” I say flatly. “He didn’t.”
Harris glances at me, then at Layla, who’s partially hidden behind Catalina near the door. He sees her crouched behind Catalina and notices the faint bruise on her neck. “You the one he hurt?” he asks softly.
Layla nods once. “Yeah.” Her voice cracks. “He followed me here.”
Harris’s jaw tightens. “We’ll make sure he doesn’t again.”
They lift Brian upright. He groans, blinking sluggishly, then his eyes focus on me, on Maverick, and on the woman he can no longer reach.
He spits, his voice hoarse. “You think this fixes anything? You think she’ll stay with you?”
Maverick takes a step forward, but Carter grabs his arm. “Shut the fuck up. Have fun being someone’s bitch,” he mutters.
I step close enough that Brian has to tilt his head to meet my gaze. “You’re done,” I tell him. “If you come near her again or say her name again, I’ll make sure you don’t walk away next time.”
His lip curls, but Harris pulls him back toward the cruiser. “That’s enough, Brian,” he says. “You’re under arrest for trespassing, harassment, and domestic violence.”
Brian stumbles, cursing under his breath as they cuff him.
Before they shut the door, I call out to Harris. “Make sure the report includes everything—what he did to her, the messages, and tonight. I want it in writing that he’s not allowed in this state.”
Harris nods in agreement. “You got my word, Reed. We’ll take care of it.”
Boyd gives a quick nod, too, his eyes flicking toward Layla. “She’s safe here. We’ll make sure of it.”
The cruiser’s doors slam shut. The gravel crunches beneath the car as it pulls away, its taillights fading down the long driveway.
The moment they’re gone, the silence returns.
Maverick exhales sharply, rubbing his hands over his face. “Phew! What a fucking adrenaline rush!” he yells, running toward the door as he calls out to Amelia. “Baby! Did you see Daddy fucking that guy up?!”
Amelia rolls her eyes as she jumps, looping her arms around his neck as Maverick holds her with one arm, giving her steady kisses.
Carter grunts, walking back towards his wife as he pulls her close to his chest.
I linger on the porch a little longer, watching the dust settle on the empty road. My fists still ache, and my heartbeat is finally slowing.
Stepping back inside, Layla is waiting for me in the doorway. Her eyes are red, but her hands are steady.
“He’s really gone?” she asks softly.
“For good this time, baby,” I promise.
She nods, moving closer, as she wraps her arms around my waist.
I pull her in, burying my face in the crook of her neck, peppering kisses.
Inside, the family’s laughter begins again. Catalina hums a tune while caressing Carter’s face. Maverick and Amelia run down the hall, giggling, talking about how he brought her favorite mask.
Normal. Safe. Home.