Chapter 31
Parker, Elliot, and Noah rolled up at my ranch an hour ago, a case of beer in tow, armed with some lame excuse about McAllister’s being too packed to hang out tonight. Emersons well-intentioned fix-up crew was dispatched and is attempting to mend me this time. She’s been on my case since the scandal hit, wrapping me in bubble wrap and speaking to me as if I were a ticking time bomb ready to explode at any second. But I’m not falling apart. I have the scandal under control and legal proceedings dealt with. Despite the persistent ache in my chest, I don’t need them fixing anything, but even I can admit it’s nice to have a night off from the hotel and the boys around for a quiet drink.
I kick up my feet and crack open a bottle, the escaping hiss of the cap a harsh contrast to the soft crackle of the fire. The flames dance, casting flickering shadows across the room, where the four of us gather in its warm glow. It’s just started to get cold at night with the fall change in the air.
“Love the place,” Noah says, taking a spot on the sofa beside me. “Looks big enough for a family, though. You got something in the works you haven’t shared with your brothers?”
I give him a skeptical look, indicating my disinterest in discussing starting a family at the moment. I well and truly fucked that chance up this week. “Have you heard about the contract for your grandma’s place? Is it going ahead?”
He nods, pleased with himself. “Looks like it. There were a few things holding it up, but looks like I should be able to move out of the hotel in the early new year.”
“Good for you.”
“How’s Gisele traveling after Prescotts fucked-up article?” Elliot’s voice cuts through the crackling fire, asking what I know theyre all thinking. It’s the reason they’re all here checking up on me.
I glance in his direction, irritation crawling up my spine. “Em says she left for New York two days ago, and I’ve heard nothing from her since,” I huff, the memory of Gisele’s eyes as she walked out of my office on Friday still haunting me. Hurting her was the last thing on my mind, but I had a huge fucking mess to clean up, and while I know it was my fault, not hers, her presence at The Alexander while it all unfolded only intensified the situation. I’m positive it was Victor who leaked the story to the press. He could have barged in at any moment. Couldn’t she see I didn’t want her trapped any more than she already was in my chaotic life? I pushed her away to protect her. To stop her from getting hurt more.
“You have no fucking idea about women.” Noah chuckles, and Elliot joins in, their laughter echoing against the wooden walls.
I shoot them an unimpressed glare. “She’s just vacationing here. New York is her home. I would be surprised if she came back after what happened. Why would she?”
“Because she has a home here, friends, you?” Parker says, an edge to his voice, his eyes searching mine for answers. Answers I can’t give him. I can always trust him to call me on my bullshit.
I give him a look, uncertain. Noah claps a hand on my shoulder. “I’m sure she was just visiting her family, that’s what she told the girls. She hasn’t been back home in two months, she must miss them, right?”
“As you said, it’s her home. We’re just a stop, a vacation away from her real life. She came here to try something new, something different. She tried it, and she’s worked out she doesn’t want to be part of all the drama here, the constant whispers, so she left. Who could blame her?” I grumble, the words heavy on my tongue because I know how true they are. I knew one day she would have to go back. Why would she stay here? I’m not worth the trouble for her.
Noah looks at me more seriously. “You’re really going to just let her go back to New York and not even fight for her?” I know the two of them got to know each other when he was watching over her on night shifts, but he doesn’t understand what this is.
“What is there to fight for? I can’t make her stay if she doesn’t want to.” I hear the resignation in my own voice. I’m giving up on us. I am just like my father, so why wouldn’t I have my fun then walk away?
“I see what you’re doing, Alexander. A long time ago, I had one of my buddies call me out on my bullshit and set me straight. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have gone on to play for the Jacksonville Jaguars and achieve everything I did. Now it’s time to repay the favor. You’re about to mess up your life majorly. That girl is the best thing that’s ever happened to you, and you’re just going to let her walk away for good?”
I look him over. He thinks I’m messing this up. She’s the one who wants to go back home, I can’t stop her.
“I get it. Your dad fucked you up. You know I get it better than most. But we gotta stop living in the past. I see the way you look at her; she’s someone really special to you, and I know she feels the same about you, she told me so. Don’t throw it away.”
I sit up straighter, my heart pounding hard. “She told you?”
He nods.
I can’t bullshit them. These guys know me better than anyone. I set my nearly untouched beer on the coffee table, my muscles impossibly tense. I crack my neck, trying to ease the tension. Noah’s right. I know I’m fucking this all up, but I don’t know how to stop myself. “It’s easier to block everyone out and just focus on how mad I am with my father. Even with Mama for reacting the way she did, for leaving me and Em,” I seethe through clenched teeth, my jaw so tight it feels like something’s going to crack. When I think about what happened, I’m taken back there to that seventeen-year-old kid, who wanted to hurt his father for everything he did to his family. For taking his mother away from him. The rage has been simmering inside of me for years, and I fought it off by ignoring it and pouring myself into my work. But now that I’m back here in this town, that fucking paper keeps thrusting it in my face, forcing me to relive it on repeat.
I run a hand through my hair, tugging at the ends. I have no fucking idea what I’m doing or how to make this better. I don’t know how to let someone else in, even if I know she’s worth it.
“Don’t waste your time being angry anymore for things you can’t change. You’re pushing away the only woman who ever put up with your bad temper and still wanted you around,” Elliot adds, his words cutting through the room. I’d hate him for it if I didn’t know how right he is.
I understand what they’re all saying, but it might be too late to fix this. “I might have messed this up beyond repair. When I was flying off the hook the day the story was released, she came to see me, to check on me. I went and told her it was just a fling. That she would eventually get sick of her vacation and go back to New York to her real life,” I admit, my voice tinged with regret. “I pushed her away. Dealing with this scandal was too much, and instead of facing it together like she suggested, I blocked her out. That’s why she took off on the first plane back to New York.”
The revelation hangs in the air, a heavy truth that suffocates the room. My friends exchange knowing glances. Elliot sighs. “You’re an asshole, you know that, right? You let your pride and fear mess things up with a girl who cares about you.”
Parker glances at his phone, a smile creeping onto his lips. “She gets into Savannah airport at 8 pm tonight. Paisley was going to pick her up.”
She’s coming back? “You mean I should pick her up?” I ask, desperation creeping into my voice. I’ve never cared enough about anyone to want to fix a mess I’ve caused, but when she walked out of my office the other day, I felt the loss of her immediately, and the thought of never seeing her again kills me.
“How can you run a multi-million-dollar company with no problem, but you’re a bumbling fool when it comes to one pretty little girl?” Elliot says, as if it’s all so obvious.
Parker pats me on the back. “Yeah, buddy, you should. You guys don’t have to sneak around anymore. The whole town knows you’re a thing. Go get your girl and fix this mess you created.”
They’re all right. I know they are. The realization hits me like a freight train, and a tidal wave of emotion crashes over me, fueled by regret, longing, and the burning desire to make things right. I check my watch. I have just enough time to make it. I’m not sure what I’m going to say to her when I see her. All I know is I have to see her and make this right.
Two hours later, I find myself standing at Savannah Airport’s arrivals lounge, clutching a bouquet of red and pink roses that Paisley expertly put together for me when I sped into the florist on my way here. Fear tightens its grip on my chest, pain slowly strangling me. What if she’s not as invested in this as I am? What if she decides she’s heading back to New York after a few days, realizing the quiet country life isn’t for her? Sweat beads on my forehead at the thought. I have to do whatever it takes to convince her to stay. I need her to stay.
Then, I spot her walking through, wheeling a small suitcase behind her, and it’s like time stands still. She’s dressed in blue jeans and a printed T-shirt, looking just as beautiful as the first night I laid eyes on her in that fancy pink dress. She’s the one for me. I know it by the way my heart races at the sight of her. Our eyes lock, and I see her surprise. She drops her bag and runs toward me. I abandon the flowers so I can get my hands on her, pulling her into me for a scorching kiss, claiming her mouth and showing her just how much I missed her. We don’t care that the place is filled with other travelers and anyone can see us. I kiss her like I’m going to die if I don’t, because it feels like I will.
I hold her close for as long as she’ll let me. Eventually, she pulls back. “You came to get me. I was expecting Paisley and Mae.” She smiles shyly.
“Are you disappointed?” I ask, unsure if I did the right thing or not.
She grins her showstopping smile, and my heart hammers harder. “Not at all. I have missed you so much these past couple of days.” I push some hair behind her ear, knowing she can’t have missed me as much as I have her.
“I’m glad you’re back.” I kiss her again, feeling all the unsaid words hanging in the air between us, but for right now, I’m just glad she’s home where she belongs. We can work out all the rest of it later.
“Better get my bag.” She laughs, running back to retrieve it.
I collect the flowers and hand them to her. “Paisley said you would like these,” I say, feeling silly.
“Did she? Is it Paisley who should get the thank-you kiss then?”
“No. That’s all for me.” I take the bag from her and her hand in my other.
We get in my truck, and before I take off, I take her hand, knowing I need to do more than give her flowers. I need to make things right. “Gisele, before you left, in my office, I was out of line. I was angry about the article, and instead of letting you help me like you wanted to, I pushed you away like an idiot.” Her eyes meet mine, and I can see how much I hurt her. “I was trying to protect you from the shitshow at the office, but I know now that was the wrong thing to do.” I pause, wanting to get this right but not sure how. “I’m so sorry.”
Her head drops. “You hurt me, Brody. I wasn’t sure what this was between us, but it was never just some holiday fling to me,” she says softly, her voice filled with emotion, and I can tell the last few days have been as tough on her as they have me.
I take her face in my hands, forcing her to look at me. I need her to see how serious I am about her. “I never wanted to hurt you. This was never just a fling to me either. I think I was just telling myself that so you didn’t crush me when you left and went back home.”
“It would never be me crushing you.” She laughs softly. “I know this started out as a one-night stand, and we both never expected to see each other again, but I’m glad we did. That night I met you was the best night of my life. I didn’t know I could be so insanely attracted to someone when I never had been before, but it was so much more than just attraction. Getting to know you over the last few months, I know this is real.”
I kiss her lips. “This is real,” I agree. “We don’t have to hide anymore, you’re coming home with me.”
“I would like that.” She smiles, but I can tell theres something still bothering her.
I start up the engine and pull out of the parking spot. She makes herself comfortable, propping her sweater under her head as she leans into the chair, one hand on my thigh. It’s a comfort.
The trip home took about forty minutes, and she had a hand resting on my leg the whole time. We didn’t talk a lot. She asked about the hotel, and I filled her in on what happened with our lawyer yesterday. She was just as excited as I am that both our positions won’t be affected by our relationship. I’m too afraid to ask her what happened while she was in New York. Something did. Something that’s got her all quiet and caught up in her head.
I pull my car on to the dusty driveway and stop the engine. I help her carry her bag inside the house and find a vase for her flowers. She shivers and shrugs into her wool sweater, finding a spot by the fire. “It got cold here while I was away.”
“A cold front swept through yesterday.” I place the flowers on my kitchen table. “Would you like a hot drink?” I ask. It all feels too natural having her here in my space. I want to take care of her.
“Do you have cocoa?”
“And marshmallows.”
She smiles. “Yes, please.”
I make our drinks then join her, placing the mugs on the coffee table before wrapping my arms around her, kissing her hair. “Why do I feel like you’re not quite here with me? Like you’re still back in New York?” When she doesn’t answer me, I go on. “In the car you were quieter than normal; somethings wrong, isn’t it?”
She turns in my arms, and taking my hands, she leads me over to the couch. “I haven’t told you anything much about my family, and I’m sorry. You have been so open with me about yours.” She makes herself comfortable, curling her legs up and cuddling her arms around them protectively.
“Why did you go home?” I ask a little more seriously. I’m not sure I want to know the real reason, but I must know what I’m up against.
She drops her head, unable to meet my eyes. “For an audition,” she whispers.
I stare at her, feeling the fury building up inside of me. “You what?” I snap. She’s going to leave.
“Please hear me out before you have a hissy fit, Brody.” Her eyes meet mine. “It wasn’t what I wanted to do, and when I came into the office on Friday, it was to tell you what I was up against with my dad, but you sent me away. I didn’t know what to do, so I went home like he wanted. Part of me was actually scared that he would turn up here and drag me back there if I didnt.”
The air feels like it’s been sucked from my lungs. “You took another job in New York because I fucked up.” I run a hand through my hair, furious with my stupidity.
“I didn’t take the job, Brody.” She grabs my hand, lacing her fingers with mine. “When I came to Deception Bay, it was supposed to be temporary. At least that’s what I told my parents. I needed a change of scenery to try something different.”
I nod, thinking back to the girl I first met; she was having a terrible night and wanted a change. “The night we met.”
“That was the night I decided, but my father wasn’t easy to convince. You don’t know what he’s like. He’s so overbearing. I grew up scared of him. Everyone in our industry fears him, he holds the power to destroy reputations.”
My heart races. She’s back to tell me she’s leaving. Her father is an asshole, and he’s given her no choice. I watch her, trying to work out how I can help her get out of this.
She sighs heavily. “Growing up in his household I did as I was told, so did my mother, she says, each syllable laden with a lifetime of frustration and resentment. Its as if I can taste her resentment, a bitter pill shes been forced to swallow since childhood. I feel so bad for her. I escaped my own father’s expectations and got to go off and live my life. She was trapped.
I squeeze her hand, giving her the okay to go on.
As an only child, he directed all of his attention toward me. He wanted me to be just like my mother, a shining star, she continues, her tone heavy with the burden of expectations. The image of a young girl, eager to please her father, flashes before my minds eye, and my heart aches for the innocence she must have lost along the way growing up in show business.
So my father enrolled me in all the classes from a young age—acting, singing, dance. There was no room for second place in his world. I had to be the best,” she says, her voice trembling with suppressed emotion. That type of pressure can put a lot of stress on a young impressionable girl, she admits, her voice shaky. But I wanted his approval. I strived to be the best for him. And I was, landing lead roles and making a name for myself, but I was living in the shadow of my incredible mother. I heard the whispers from other cast members that I only got the roles because of who my father was, or because they thought I would be as transcendent as my mother, but I wasn’t.”
I understand the pressure she must have felt better than most. I pull her closer to me, wrapping a protective arm around her. “From what my uncle told me, you were amazing in your own right. I think you underestimate your abilities.”
Maybe, but that doesn’t mean the rumors didn’t sting like a bitch. And the worst part was I felt so selfish. There were people who wanted those roles and probably deserved them more than me, but I was landing them, while dreaming of a different reality, she murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper. That night, the one when I met you, I freaked out right before I went on stage. I had been having panic attacks for a while, but I was keeping them at bay, but that night it felt like I couldn’t breathe. I didn’t want to get on stage, and I knew I was done. I decided I was going to go out there into the world and get the life I was dreaming about, she confesses, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and determination.
“And look where you ended up. Bet you never imagined you would be a wedding-and-events coordinator for a family hotel.”
“Never, but I’ve enjoyed every second of it. Brody, you have no idea how much coming here has changed my life. Back there I only had one friend, Cassie, my latest choreographer. From the moment I got here, I was made to feel like one of the crew.”
“You are. They all love you. You know the only reason I came to get you tonight is because Emerson sent the boys to shake some sense into me. The girls want to keep you, and the guys gave me a hard time for being such an idiot. You’re one of us.”
She smiles and laughs. “You don’t know what it means to hear that.”
“I do. When I was away, I didn’t realize how much I needed this place. I thought I was okay on my own. But I wasn’t. I wasn’t living my life at all, I was just trying to block it all out. The friends we have here will be your family like they are mine.”
“I really hope so.” I gently brush away a tear that rolls down her cheek. “I don’t have mine anymore. That night at the bar, I tried to talk to my father, but he lost his shit with me and told me I was being ungrateful, she says, her voice thick with emotion. He wouldn’t listen to what I wanted. It wasn’t important to him, she admits, her voice breaking with the weight of unspoken pain. The injustice of it all prickles beneath my skin, igniting a simmering rage that threatens to boil over.
So, I found a job here, and Emerson helped me find accommodation, and once I knew I had it all sorted, I took off when my parents were out one day,” she says, her voice steady with resolve. Its a declaration of independence, a refusal to be shackled by the chains of her fathers expectations.
“He forced you to run away?”
“I know it sounds ridiculous. I’m twenty-three, I should be able to do what I want, but you don’t know my father. He’s insanely controlling.” The tremor in her voice makes it obvious she’s frightened of her own father. He sounds like an asshole. Im furious that he made her feel helpless.
I knew it was the only way I could ever try something different. When he worked out I was gone, he called me irate about it. Saying I was to return home immediately or he was cutting me off.”
“But you stayed.” I take her hand smiling, so impressed. Despite his threats, she chose freedom.
“I did. Whats the point in having his money if I hate my life? I would prefer to be broke and happy,” she says, her fingers wrapping round mine. She squeezes like she needs my strength to go on. And I will give it to her. Whatever she needs, I’m here for her. God help her father if he ever dares to show his face around here. I’ll let him know what I think of him. “He cut me off, saying I had three months to realize I was making a big mistake then get my ass back home to audition for his latest show,” she says, her voice steady with resolve. “And that’s what he did.”
“You know you don’t need him. You have all of us now. You have me. I’ll take care of you.”
She smiles at me. “When I came here, I fell in love with this town. With my job at The Alexander,” her eyes rise to meet mine, “and with you. I never want to leave.”
“You fell in love with me?” I ask, unable to stop the smile from forming on my face.
I see the pale pink blush rise on her cheeks. “Yeah, I did.”
The pain in my chest eases, and I look at her like it’s the first time I’m seeing her. She’s so beautiful inside and out, and she was able to see past all my flaws and still find something to love. “I fell in love with you as well, Gigi, the first night I met you back in New York.” I pull her toward me and kiss her sweet lips.
She leans back from me. “Why do I feel like there is a but coming?” I ask. “Are you about to tell me you’re leaving?”
“Going back just made me see that everything I had here was the life I wanted, and that place just wasn’t for me. The only problem I had was my father. He’s used to getting what he wants. He’s been a big name in the entertainment industry for a long time, and he’s now producing Broadway shows. He wanted me as the lead in his new show.”
“What happened?”
“I told him I couldn’t do it. Wished him the best of luck with it. He said I was ungrateful and either I audition and land the role, or he cuts me off for good and never talks to me again.”
Rage fills me. How dare he give her an ultimatum like that. “Where does he live? We’re getting on the next plane to New York tonight, I’m fixing this,” I growl out, furious for her.
She raises her brow in my direction. “You don’t need to fix this for me, Brody. I’m telling you this because I want to be completely transparent with you. I need you to know where I stand. I didn’t do the audition. I won’t be going back to New York. For the first time in my life, I stood up to my father and told him what I wanted. He didn’t understand it, and I knew he wouldn’t, but I don’t care anymore. I don’t need his approval to be happy, only my own.” She offers a small smile, and I can see how hard that was for her.
“I’m so proud of you for fighting for what you want.” I kiss her. “Will he really disown you?”
She shrugs. “Probably, but he has to live with his choice just like I do. And I chose you and my life here.” Her lips curl into a smile, and I know I have her, this is what she wants.
I pull her onto my lap and kiss her with all the desperation I have been feeling. I need to show her just what she means to me. She’s given up so much to be here, and I’m going to spend every day making sure she never regrets it.