Chapter 24
Checking my watch, I remember the midday meeting I scheduled with Parker and Elliot at Pecan Pie Bakery to go over some details I didn’t want to discuss with Victor or Lana around. It’s been twenty-four hours since my overreaction, and even though I’m itching to see Gisele again, I have kept my distance from her, and she hasn’t bothered to contact me. I know I should call it quits now, get out before any real damage is done, but I can’t. She has me by the balls. A day without communication from her is killing me. I couldn’t walk away from her for good. Theres no fucking way. So, I have to be more careful.
When I push open the door to the bakery, the comforting aroma of freshly baked pies greets me, but I quickly scan the room, searching for the guys. Among the patrons, I spot Noah, and our eyes lock. He offers a hesitant wave, and a tight knot forms in my stomach. It’s been a while since we’ve been in the same room without tension lingering in the air.
I navigate through the tables, and when I reach Noah, I find myself at a loss for words. There’s an unspoken weight between us, a history that neither of us has fully addressed. I wouldn’t have been in my car that night if it wasn’t for him, and he knows it. “Didn’t realize you were coming to this meeting.”
He manages a smile, trying to ease the tension. “I’m part of the fix-up crew, aren’t I?” He grins, and I can see a genuine effort to reconnect. He shifts uncomfortably, uncertainty in his eyes.
I take a seat across from him.
“Look, Brody, I know things haven’t been the same with us since… Well, you know,” Noah trails off.
I silently agree, acknowledging the obvious issue. The wounds inflicted that night have left lasting scars, burdening both of us for far too long.
“We good?” he asks, sincerity etched on his face. He’s not the same kid I once knew, but I can see this is important to him. I used to consider him one of my closest friends, and now that Im back, I could really use some friends to get me through, even if I dont know how to ask for their help. Theyre here in my face offering it.
“Yep,” I respond, realizing that maybe it’s time to let go of the past. He might have fucked up that night majorly, but he couldn’t have predicted what would happen, none of us could. And I would be no better than Prescott if I held a grudge because of it. Talking it all over with Gisele on the weekend has brought it to the forefront of my mind. That night changed all our lives forever, but it wasn’t his fault that I was driving the car my mama ran into, just like it wasn’t mine. Sure, we could have handled things differently, but we were kids, we weren’t thinking straight. The fault of it all goes back to my father.
There’s a glimmer of hope in Noah’s eyes, and he smiles that cheeky grin of his, turning his baseball cap backwards. “I’m glad, because I could really use your help with something. I want to buy this property on Main Street. It was originally owned by my grandma, and she’s offering it to family members as a private sale before she puts it up for auction. I’m very interested, but I’m not great with the paperwork. It looks complicated. Could you look over it for me?”
I raise a brow, surprised he wants to buy back here. Last I heard he was happy in Jacksonville. “You really thinking about coming home?”
“Yeah, it’s time. There’s nothing back in Jacksonville for me now that I’m not playing ball. If anything, staying there is a constant reminder of what I can’t do anymore. I need a change.”
“Of course I will then.”
“Raider brothers will all be back here together, getting up to no good just like old times.”
I laugh, wishing that was the case. If only my life hadn’t gotten so complicated with the responsibilities of The Alexander resting on my shoulders. “Can you do something for me?”
“Anything,” he responds, a genuine willingness to make amends.
“Come work for me,” I propose, surprising both of us with the suggestion, but I need someone I can trust, and he’s looking for a change. It might just suit us both perfectly.
“You need a quarterback?” he jokes, attempting to lighten the mood.
I cast a look over my shoulder, making sure there’s no one around to listen in. The place is empty, with just Hailey behind the counter. “I need someone on my side I can trust. There’s some dodgy stuff going down at the hotel,” I confess.
He looks concerned. “Man, how serious is it?”
“There’s a ton of money missing, and my old man was worried for his life. He took more secrets to his grave than we all know. I need to get to the bottom of it before Em and I lose it all,” I admit, the weight of the situation heavy on my conscience.
“Whatever you need. I’m at a loss since this forced me into early retirement anyway.” He motions to his ankle. “It’d be good to have some purpose again. Not sure what I can help with, though.”
I see the others arrive. They stop at the counter and order.
Lets call you head of security for now, but you will be my right-hand man, my eyes and ears on the ground, I explain, grateful for his willingness to stand by me. Elliot and Parker are doing what they can, but they’re overrun with work, and I need someone who is purely focused on this issue. And I can see by the look in his eyes, this is something big for him as well.
“I’m your man,” he declares, extending his hand, and I shake it, feeling a sense of camaraderie and understanding between us. I didnt realize how much our silence over the years had affected me. I’ve known him my entire life, and his absence had left a void no other could fill. Im relieved he reached out to me today.
“Well, this looks cozy,” calls Elliot, breaking the intensity of the moment as he thumps me on the back and takes a seat beside me. “Ordered for you guys. Hailey has a new recipe she wants us to try.” Hailey is the daughter of Old Man Delaney, the guy who owns this bakery, Elliot is getting all cozy with him since he’s offering the hotel special deals for the massive amount of baked goods we’re ordering daily.
Parker joins him, apologizing for their tardiness. “What did we miss?” he asks, looking between the two of us.
“Alexander just offered me a job as head of security, so it looks like you lot are going to be seeing my ugly face around the hotel every day,” Noah jokes, injecting a bit of lightness into the atmosphere.
“Good for you, Harrington. See? Just like I told you, knew he would help you out.” Elliot’s attention shifts to me, and he cuts right to the chase. “What happened with you and Gisele after we left Saturday night?”
“I took her home so she could sleep off her bad choices,” I mutter, not wanting to delve into the details with them. I might trust these guys with my life, but the fewer people who know the better right now.
“Mason was fucking pissed that you stepped in. The guy’s got it bad for her.”
The mention of his name gets my hackles up, and I glare at Elliot for mentioning him.
“Whose home? Paisley said she didn’t come home until late Sunday afternoon,” Parker chimes in, aligning himself with Elliot, and I realize they’ve been discussing this without me.
Noah rubs his hands together. “It’s good to be home. Shit’s getting juicy already. Who’s Gisele?”
“She’s a Broadway star from New York who’s now working at The Alexander as the new wedding coordinator. She also lives with Paisley and Mae,” Parker catches him up to speed, eyeing me with suspicion.
“She’s also the girl who has the big guy all torn up.” Elliott laughs. “Never seen him so crazy over a girl as I did on Saturday night. I thought you were going to knock Mason’s teeth out.”
“He’s exaggerating,” I grumble, but then think back to my overreaction yesterday, and I know he’s right. “She had the hangover from hell, and I let her sleep it off. That’s it, nothing more to say on the topic,” I snip. Why does every fucker in this town need to be all up in my business?
“Uh-huh, and Mason came back to the work site looking like a little boy who lost his puppy yesterday morning because you didn’t throw a jealous hissy fit and drag Gisele inside the chapel all caveman style,” Parker huffs, unimpressed.
I shift my attention back to him, eyes wide. For fucks sake, he saw us.
“You can see a hell of a lot from the fourth floor, Brody. You need to be more careful. If Victor was the one to see you instead of me, you stand to lose it all,” Parker warns, his words sinking in because I know he’s right. I knew it then, I just didn’t care until it was already too late.
“Fuck,” I mutter, running a hand through my hair, realizing what I already knew—I messed up royally. The repercussions of my actions are becoming clearer, and I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve jeopardized more than just my personal life.
Hailey delivers our food and coffees with a warm friendly smile. “You home from college?” Parker asks her.
“Helping Daddy till I work out what I want to do with my life. College wasn’t for me.” She shrugs with a sweet smile. “I’ll get the rest of your coffees. Be back in a sec.” She hurries off, and I don’t miss the way Elliot’s eyes follow her.
“I can see why you have made such close business ties with the Delaneys now.”
“She’s closer to my daughters’ ages than mine,” he says, trying to sound mortified by the idea.
Noah shoves him. “Doesn’t mean you’re not sweet on her. You should ask her out, she’s cute.”
“Even if she wasn’t a baby, I wouldn’t. Between having the girls full-time and the restaurant at The Alexander, I don’t have time to scratch myself,” he says under his breath as she returns with our drinks.
“There you go, boys, enjoy.” She smiles sweetly, her eyes locking with Elliot’s. “Oh, and don’t forget to tell Daddy how you like my pie.” She wanders off.
“Oh, she’s just asking for it, man, with comments like that.” Noah chuckles at his own joke.
Parker and I chime in, sharing a laugh at Elliot’s expense. It sure does feel good to have us all back home together. Shooting the breeze about girls, just like the good old times. Feels just right. Even if this time it’s me who has a mess to clean up, not Elliot.