Chapter 15
fifteen
Before I can even process everything Dalton is telling me, we’re already packed into my car and on the way to Breaker and Rory’s house. I swear my heart stopped when he explained to me he was almost run down just trying to grab us lunch.
“I don’t understand,” is all I can mange. I know I’ve said it at least ten times in the past half hour, but it’s just not sinking in for me. Why is this happening?
“We’re gonna get it figured out, angel. I promise you, I will keep you safe.
” Dalton grips the steering wheel of my car tightly with his left hand as his right rests on my knee.
I’ve grown to appreciate the way he wants to touch me constantly, like he’s reassuring me and maybe himself that I’m still here with him.
“I know. I just don’t-” I cut myself off, not wanting to repeat the same words again.
The rest of the drive is silent, both of us lost in our own thoughts until we reach the gate surrounding Breaker’s house.
Before today, I’ve only seen Rory at Ember’s house or somewhere else in town.
This place is massive, almost overwhelmingly so, but still feels oddly welcoming.
It’s nothing like the feeling I get when I pull into the gates surrounding my parent’s house.
I know the only thing that waits for us in this house is love and protection, the reassurance that comes with great friends.
It’s unlike anything I’ve ever had before, and to be honest, I’m still getting used to that feeling.
Dalton pulls through the gate and parks my car beside Rory’s Bronco.
We both stare out the front windshield, neither of us saying a word.
He hasn’t stopped touching me in some fashion since we left my apartment, but I’m not complaining.
I need to cling to him just as desperately as he needs me.
We sit, suspended in time, for what feels like forever, before he breaks the silence.
“It was Aaron. I didn’t see him, but who do you know in Grovewood that drives a black Mercedes GT? I fucking know it was him, and when I get my hands on that asshole, he’s gonna wish he had killed me back there.” His tone is vicious and I whimper involuntarily.
The idea of living in a world without Dalton is something I don’t even want to think about.
For once in my life, I feel like I’ve finally found someone who understands me, even when I don’t speak.
I never feel judged or inadequate around him.
The thought of losing that so soon after I’ve found it is a loss I can’t bear.
His gaze snaps to mine, softening instantly when he sees the tears welling up in my eyes.
“Magnolia,” he breathes, and I break, climbing over the center console and straddling his lap.
He slides the seat back as I bury my face in his neck, letting my tears fall freely while he holds me.
His right hand strokes up and down my spine, and I don’t think I’ve ever felt any closer to him than I do right now.
“This is my fault,” I say, and I feel his hands tense against my back. He’s gonna argue, I already know. “If I hadn’t brought you into this mess, you wouldn’t be in this position right now. If I had just gone along with what my mother wanted, you would be safe.”
“And you would have lived a miserable life, totally devoid of all the color you bring into this world, Magnolia. Absolutely not. I would never let that happen. I would rather spend the rest of our lives fighting for what we both deserve than bow down to your fucking mother,” he replies, and I hold him tighter.
“You deserve better, Dalton. Better than I’ll ever be able to give you.” My insecurities get the best of me and I wonder why he would put up with so much unnecessary bullshit when he could live an easy, stress-free life without me.
“You just don’t get it, do you?” He says, pulling back and taking my face in both of his rough hands. “There is no one better than you, Magnolia Monroe. You are worth more than any chaos we will ever face in this life.”
“I am?” I ask, my voice cracking.
“Yes, angel. You are.” He is resolute, so completely confident in his words. I can’t help but believe him and fall just a little deeper into this man who was never supposed to be something real.
“Thank you for not giving up. I know that would be the easier route to take, but you have no idea how much it means to me that you haven’t,” I say, tears slipping down my cheeks. He wipes them away with his thumbs and brings his lips to mine in the gentlest kiss.
“It takes a lot for me to actually give up on anything. I fight for what I want. I’m not gonna quit just because this is hard, especially not on someone who means so much to me.
We will keep fighting for what we want until we can't fight anymore, because you are so much more than worth it.” He always has a way of making me feel like something precious, something to be treasured and adored.
It’s unlike anything I’ve ever felt before and I have to constantly ask myself if this is real.
“We should probably go inside before they wonder what we’re doing out here,” I say, looking over my shoulder at the front door. The house is quiet, but I’m sure somebody already knows we’re here.
“Or, better idea. We give them something to really wonder about when you’re screaming my name.” That sexy smirk of his spreads across his lips as he slips one hand up the back of my neck and pulls me to him, my lips brushing his softly.
He kisses me rough and unrestrained, like I’m not the fragile little girl everyone else believes me to be.
With Dalton, I feel like the woman I truly am.
He makes me feel desirable and powerful in a way I’ve never experienced in my entire life.
He groans a sexy, deep groan once our lips finally break apart, and I wish his kisses would never end.
“Fine. Inside, before I end up inside you.” He squeezes my ass playfully and I laugh, climbing off his lap and back into my seat. We take a collective deep breath, both of us bracing for the reality of the world outside this car. “Let’s go, angel.”
As soon as I close the front door, Kelsea's voice fills the room and a tortilla flies across the bar, hitting Everett in the head. He doubles over with laughter, gripping the counter just to stay upright.
“Everett fucking Wayne! Do not announce things about my vagina to all our friends!” Kelsea screeches, and Everett’s laughter echos through the living room.
“Uh oh,” I say, knowing exactly what he told everyone. Dalton shoots me a confused look and I stifle a laugh.
“Every female in this house knows you pierced your clit, Kelsea Blake. Do you really think they haven’t told their husbands?” Everett says, still laughing.
“She did what?!” Dalton gasps, but I see the mischievous look he’s trying to hide.
“Oh, she did,” I smirk, and I watch his eyes darken as he looks up and down my body. “Don’t even think about it!”
“Oh, I’m already thinking about it, angel.
But why ruin a fucking masterpiece?” He whispers, kissing the side of my head.
I can’t help but smile when he says sweet things like that.
They’re so simple and nonchalant to him, like he doesn’t even have to think about being the most perfect man that’s ever lived.
But to me, a woman starved for love and kindness from a man who treats me like I’m precious to him, those moments are everything.
“We all know now! Moving along!” Ember shouts, coming into the kitchen with Scarlett balanced on one hip. I’ve watched Ember grow into such an incredible mother, it still amazes me to this day how quickly the future we always dreamed of sneaks up on us.
“Uh, no. We did not all know. But we do now!” Dalton says, smirking at the accomplished grin on Everett’s face. Kelsea’s face is bright red, but she still gives her husband a playful laugh.
A deep, throaty grunt comes from the open door leading to the basement.
Breaker stands in the doorway, a stern look on his face.
He jerks his head and the men follow behind him down the stairs.
Dalton places a sweet kiss on my temple before jogging down the steps.
I can feel the tension, heavy like a weight in my chest. Am I responsible for all of this?
Logically, no. I know I didn’t ask for any of this, but the guilt is still eating at me.
“Well, here we all are. All of us. Here.” Ember rambles, looking anywhere but at my face. I know they wanna grill me, but they won’t. Not unless I open the door to it.
“Let me have it,” I say, smirking back at them.
“Oh, thank god! I was worried we were gonna have to small talk about a bunch of bullshit when all we really wanna know is if Iris is folding you like a lawn chair on the daily,” Rory blurts out, and Kelsea barks out a laugh.
“Jesus Christ, Aurora,” Ember says, rubbing her forehead, completely exasperated by Rory’s brash attitude.
“What?! We were all thinking it!” Rory says with a shrug.
“He… I’ll just say he definitely exceeds the hype.
Not just in the bedroom, though.” I think back to the way he wrapped his arms around my waist and rested his head on my stomach this morning while I was reading.
I’ve never been one for physical affection, but I could’ve stayed in that bed for days, just letting him hold me.
“Iris is a good man. Sometimes a silly goose, but always a good man,” Ember adds.
“A silly goose? Are you three?” Kelsea asks, and Ember just laughs.
“Listen, the twins are starting to make adorable toddler sounds, ok? We can almost understand them now and the last thing I need is for them to call Uncle Iris a dipshit or something like that!” Ember says, taking a sip of her drink.
“He is a good man. I don’t think I’ve ever known someone who would be so willing to put themselves in danger for me. Sometimes it’s still crazy to me,” I say, shaking my head and picking at the sleeves of my hoodie.
“Why? You’re more than worth every ounce of effort, Magnolia. Iris should be literally bowing at your feet,” Kelsea says, and I scoff.
“All I’m saying is, even if this is temporary, I’m happy to be where I am now.” I say, staring at the closed basement door.
“Why would it be temporary?” Rory asks.
“How could it not be? The only reason he agreed to our arrangement in the first place was just to help me, not because he actually had feelings for me. You know what they say about people in traumatic situations. As soon as the world calms down, the excitement dies. I’m not na?ve enough to believe we’re actually endgame.
I would love for that to be the case, but I don’t want to count on it.
Honestly, I’m terrified to believe him.” I say, drowning in self-pity at this point.
The girls are silent for a while, exchanging looks I can’t quite decipher.
“Are you high?!” Aurora finally asks, and Kelsea snorts. “No really, are you? Do you think any of us thought our husbands were endgame? No, none of these men were ever the type to ‘settle down’. But look where we are now, practically the Stepford wives in here!”
Kelsea laughs loudly at that, and Ember rolls her eyes.
“Nobody in this room is Stepford level, but still. You’re selling yourself short, babe.
You are an amazing woman and any man would be lucky to have you.
If Iris is the one you want, then take him.
Because we all have eyes, honey. The man is gone for you,” Kelsea says, and I give her a confused look.
Did he really mean the things he said to me in the car earlier? Am I truly worth it to him? It terrifies me to even consider getting my hopes up over something like that. But if I’m being honest, there isn’t anything I want more than for that man to wrap his arms around me and never let me go.