17. Hardy
Chapter Seventeen
Hardy
One’s silence makes me wonder if we’re going to the job site or a burial site.
I knew he was going to be pissed, but damn, it’s as though I’ve ruined her.
Maybe I have. One and I both know Thayer deserves better.
My shortcomings will never measure up to the fantastic person his little sister is; we both know it.
“So I’m sorry, dude. I should’ve been upfront with you.” Wringing my hands, I shift in my seat like I’m sixteen and waiting on my prom date. Damn.
Still, he sits there, stone-faced and reserved. It fucking pisses me off. What the fuck? Yeah, dude, your sister is better than me, but I love her. I’m going to do my best to make her happy. To be the man she deserves and needs. By God, I’ll do whatever it takes.
“Fine, asshole. Can she do better? Probably. But I’ll be goddamned if anyone will. I love her, man. I’ll do anything to make her happy and proud of me. So with or without your approval, I’m gonna love her.” There, fuck you.
One steps on the brake as he skids to a stop on the edge of the road. Staring out of the windshield, his hands fist the steering wheel. Shifting in his seat, he looks me in the eyes.
“Bullshit.” One glares at me, waiting for a response. Fuck it. If I have to lose my best friend, at least it’s over, Thayer. I’ll take her any day.
“Say it, mother fucker. Go on, say what the hell is on your mind.” I square my shoulders.
“Who the hell are you trying to fool?” Placing his forearm on the wheel, he leans back against his door, narrowing his eyes.
“I’m not trying to fool anybody, asshole. You know what? Fuck you. I knew it. I tried to tell her. I fought this all the way, but there’s no fighting Thayer. I’m not giving her up, goddamn it.” As much as I’d like to, I can’t glower at him. Lowering my eyes, I sigh.
“Hardy. Hardy, look at me, man. Damn. Do you really think that little of me? Of our friendship? Man, you gotta know, I love you. I’m not sure why you think so little of my family or me.
Have we not treated you with fairness? You’re my brother.
You’ve been my brother for almost as long as Thayer’s been, my sister.
So why do you think I would disapprove?” Staring at One, I realize my mouth’s agape.
“What? I mean, it’s me, Hardy. I’m a fuck up; I’ve had a shitty life, I’ve been addicted to drugs and did time in jail.
You know what a mess you found me in when I was in Charleston.
I’m a terminal playboy. The look in your eyes at the hospital let me know there was no way in hell you’d let this happen.
” Shaking my head, I twist back in my seat, leaving my head down in defeat.
“Don’t give me that load of horse shit, you fucking asshole.
I’m pissed as hell you’d keep this from me.
We talked about her at your place. Fuck, I talked to Thayer about you.
You want Thayer? Well, you better be prepared to do one thing.
” One looks at me, his eyebrows pulled down tightly. He’s angry as hell.
“What’s that? I’ll do anything,” I plead with him to understand how much I’d give up for her.
“Be honest. Tell her everything, just like you’ve always told me.” One’s eyes are soft, not a hard line in his brow. Just like he did so many years ago.
“I’ll do my best. I thought you were gonna kick my ass, old man.” I shake my head as my tension dissipates.
“Who said I wasn’t?” One chuckles as he punches me in the arm before turning his attention back to the road.
One has so much going on with Lea and all of his job sites having issues. I really don’t know how he does it all. Then behind his back, his best friend hooks up with his little sister. Damn, I’m glad he didn’t beat the shit outta me.
State inspectors were at the site all day, and One’s so on edge he could explode any minute. Which puts me in the position of being by his side all day to make sure he doesn’t, leaving me with no time to text Thayer to let her know I’m okay. That we’re okay.
By the time my ass hits my truck seat, I race to Thayer. I can’t believe one day away from her has done this to me. I’m a crazed lunatic trying to drive and text her at the stoplights. Yeah, don’t do as I do, do as I say. Don’t text and drive.
By the third light, I still haven’t gotten a response. I try to play it cool and send another to be sure she doesn’t need anything. We’ve fallen into a habit of going to her place every other day. She even gets Lulu from my place if I’m running late. It’s comfortable. Good.
About the time my phone alerts me, I’m turning into her neighborhood. Glancing down at the text, I see she’s scared, and Lulu’s going off. That can only mean one thing, Eric. Lulu hates him almost as much as I do. But why is he at Thayer’s? Fucker.
Taking a right onto her street, I spot him immediately. What the hell does he think he’s doing? Mother fucker is signing his death wish coming around Thayer. I’ve warned him, he’ll not get to her. No matter what it costs me.
Slamming my truck in park, I jump out at a dead run toward Eric. He’s standing there with his arms crossed as if he’s entitled to be here. To be a part of my life. Maybe he once was, but not anymore. I’ve had enough; it’s time to put an end to this shit.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing, Eric?” I demand of him as I stalk closer. He smirks at me as I stand in front of him, seething.
“You know exactly why I’m here, Hardy. Tell her, or I will.” Eric narrows his eyes as he threatens me. I grab him by his shirt, pushing him against his beat-up Ford. His body hits with such force, he cringes. It’s then I hear Thayer; there’s no stopping me.
“I’ll kill you. Do you understand? I’ll finish you.
I’ve had enough; I’ve paid my penance. Now, stay the fuck away from her.
” Thayer tugs on my arm as she repeats my name over and over.
Eric’s smile grows while the scene unfolds.
“Stay away from here. Do you understand?” I repeat in a menacing tone.
“Yeah, I hear you. Did you hear me?” Eric’s eyes shift from me to Thayer, who’s standing beside me with a look of horror on her face.
“I heard you, now leave. I mean it, Eric. Don’t come back here.” Releasing his shirt, I step away from him. Silently praying he’ll just walk away. It’s too much to ask.
“For now. I’ll go for now. But you need to come to see me. Thayer, you have a nice evening.” Nodding at Thayer, he opens his door, stepping in as I help close it.
“Don’t, Eric,” I warn him once more before he leaves. His answer is a wink toward Thayer as he flashes a grin and then pulls away.
“What the fuck was this? Who is that, Hardy?” Thayer’s arms are crossed over her chest; she’s closed herself completely off from me.
“It’s nothing, Thayer.” Turning away from her, I take deep breaths, gathering myself so I can tell her the truth. Thayer walks away from me before I can respond.
For the third time since meeting Thayer, I’m allowed to walk away.
A good man wouldn’t have to; he would stay with no fear of what the future could bring.
I’m not a good man, I keep telling her, but she’s not listening.
By God, I’m selfish. Following her through the front door, she rounds on me and unloads.
“Will there ever be a time that you trust me?” Thayer’s eyes are glassy and so unlike her.
“Trust you? How about the fact you question me at every fucking turn, goddamn it?” I can’t even explain what I’m thinking right now. She has every right to question me.
“You’re right. I spend so much time figuring out what you haven’t told me that trusting you is hard.
But I can tell you one thing for certain.
Until you trust this”—she waves her finger between us—“we’ll never make it.
” Her eyes are no longer glassy; the tears she was holding back are now running down her face.
“Thayer, it’s nothing. Eric is a part of a past I want to forget. You, yourself said, I had the right to put it to rest.” Stepping closer, I reach for her, but she steps back.
“Didn’t look to me like he’s ready to put anything to rest,” she says as she leans against the doorframe, her hands shoved into her pockets.
“Well, I am. It’s a part of the worst time in my life. Mistakes that I’ll never fix. People were hurt, I was hurt, and there’s no fixing it.” Slowly, I walk closer to her, praying she’ll move on.
“I’m just asking you to trust my love as much as you trust yours for me.” Removing her hands, she presses them against my chest as she searches my eyes for understanding.
“Trust. A small word with tremendous meaning. Can you trust my love, Thayer? Trust it enough to know that there’re some things I will never be able to share.
Not because I don’t want you to know, but simply because I don’t want to remember.
” Laying my hands on hers, holding her as closely as she’ll allow.
“I don’t want you to hurt. Not everything needs a story, but if we’re ever going to create our own, we need a strong foundation, Hardy.
Whatever Eric wants to be told, he’ll find a way to tell it.
With or without your permission.” Thayer begins to pull away from me, but I tighten my grip on her hands.
I can’t lose her, not now and not over this.
“I promise you, I’ll tell you everything before we’re too old to fight about it. Sound good?” I ask as I release her hands and place my arms around her. She studies my eyes before finally nodding and burying her face into my neck, murmuring her promise.
“I promise you, I’ll do everything I can to be here.” Her words give me the promise of more with her. More time. More love. It’s enough for now.
Laying my hand on her face, she tilts her head into my touch, making my cock go wild. Taking her into my hands, I invade her mouth with my tongue. Battling our wills as we devour one another. She knows she drives me wild.
Thayer begins to moan as my tongue follows her lower lip before I nip it between my teeth. Giggling as she pulls away, she leans just far enough away to look me in the eyes.