Chapter 27
Adrienne
Iinhale the fresh cup of warm coffee I just brewed to savor during this grueling contract. I’m halfway through a clause when my door opens without a knock.
Of fucking course.
Axel leans against the frame, his usual smirk in place. “Hey sis. You look busy.”
“I am.” I don’t look up. “And not in the mood, so unless you’re here to confess a felony and need to retain me—”
“Actually,” he says, closing the door behind him. “I’m here to apologize.”
That makes me glance up. “Shocking. Do you only have weeks to live or something?”
He chuckles, dragging a chair around so he can sit backward in it, arms braced over the backrest. “I deserved that. But no. For running my mouth. For… being me, I guess.”
I drop my pen and lean back. “Wow. Did it hurt to say that?”
“Like hell.” His grin softens, the joking edge fading. “You were right, though, you're right. I talk too much. Especially when it comes to you.”
I cross my arms, narrowing my eyes. “So this is your version of groveling?”
He shrugs. “Pretty much.”
Something in his tone makes me ease up.. “I’ve been lashing out too,” I admit quietly. “You may have gotten caught in the crossfire a time or two.”
Axel raises a brow, mock-offended. “You mean you actually feel bad for yelling at me?”
“Don’t ruin it.” We both laugh, the tension thinning.
“You talked to Aiden yet?”
I frown. “No. Why?”
He hesitates, looks anywhere but at me. “No reason.”
“Axel—”
He waves a hand. “Drop it, seriously. It’s nothing.”
I study him for a beat too long. “You’re a terrible liar.”
He sighs, dragging a hand through his hair. “Fine. Dad’s been on my ass since dinner. Asking questions about Scotty. About what’s going on between you two. About whether it’s serious or not.”
The blood drains from my face. “What? So now he’s talking about it behind my back to you?”
“He’s not mad. Just… worried, I guess. You know how he gets when he thinks he’s protecting you.”
“Unbelievable.” I push back from the desk, pacing to the window. “He could come to me if he’s so damn curious.”
“I told him that,” Axel says quickly. “I swear, though, I didn’t say anything else.”
I turn, arms crossed, eyes sharp. “You’d better not have.”
He lifts both hands like he’s under oath. “Scout’s honor.”
I sigh, pressing my fingers to my temples. “I just wish everyone would stop treating me like I need a babysitter. I’m not seventeen anymore.”
Axel leans forward, elbows on his knees. “No one thinks that, Adrienne. They just—”
“—don’t trust my judgment?” I snap.
He winces. “That’s not what I meant.”
I shake my head, sinking back into my chair. “Forget it.”
Axel clears his throat. “So… are you and Scotty good?”
I glance up, cautious. “Why?”
He shrugs. “Because I was wrong about him.”
That pulls me up short. “Come again?”
He smiles faintly. “I thought he’d hurt you. Thought he was just another guy who didn’t deserve you. But… maybe he does.”
I study him carefully, waiting for the punchline. “You sure you’re feeling okay?”
He grins. “Don’t push it. But yeah, I’m serious. You look different lately. Happier. I figured that had to mean something.”
My throat tightens. “It does.”
“How much something are we talking about?” he presses.
I hesitate, then smile. “We said I love you.”
Axel’s eyebrows shoot up. “Holy shit.”
“Yeah.”
He sits back, stunned. “So… he’s the one?”
I bite my lip, heart steady but certain. “Yeah. I think he is.”
For once, Axel doesn’t make a joke. He just nods, with a genuine smile. “Then I’m happy for you, sis. Really.”
“Thanks.”
He pushes up from the chair, stretching. “Guess I'd better go before you start crying on me.”
I roll my eyes. “You wish.” He’s almost at the door when I add, “And Axel?” He glances back, “I’m going to talk to Dad tonight. This conversation with him isn’t over.”
“Give him hell, sis.”
I smirk. “Always.”
I park halfway down the drive, needing the extra seconds to steady myself before facing my dad. The house glows warm from inside, but that familiar comfort doesn’t reach my chest tonight. I park my car, taking in a few deep breaths before heading toward the porch.
Dad’s shadow moves past the back porch window.
I square my shoulders, grab the bottle of bourbon I brought as a peace offering, and climb the steps.
He’s already sitting out there when I push open the screen door.
He’s in his uniform of jeans, flannel, and a bourbon glass resting on the arm of his chair.
“Hey,” I say quietly.
He looks up, one brow lifting. “Didn’t expect company.”
“I figured we should talk. I brought a peace offering.”
He studies me for a beat before nodding to the chair beside him. “You want a drink?”
“I’ll take a glass,” I say, setting the bottle on the table between us.
He pours without a word, slides it over. I take a sip before breaking the silence. “Axel told me you’ve been asking about Scotty.”
Hudson exhales slowly, eyes fixed on the dark horizon. “I asked a few questions.”
“Behind my back.”
He doesn’t flinch. “Didn’t seem like you wanted to talk to me about it. Especially after the way we left things at dinner.”
“That’s not your call to make.” My voice cracks sharper than I meant, but I don’t back down. “You could’ve come to me.”
He nods once, patient in that infuriating, fatherly way. “You’re right. I could’ve.”
I blink, thrown off balance by the admission. “Then why didn’t you?”
He takes a slow drink, the ice clinking against the glass. “Because every time I ask about your life lately, you shut me down. Figured I’d go to the other source.”
I laugh, disbelieving. “By other source, you mean Axel?”
“We both know it isn’t hard to get him to talk.”
“Apparently?”
“Adrienne.” His tone softens just slightly.
“I’m not angry. I’m… trying to understand.
You’ve always had big dreams. LA, Boston, D.C.
—hell, you could’ve taken any path. Now you’re talking about staying put, and I need to know if you’re doing it for you, or because some guy finally told you what you wanted to hear. ”
The words cut deep, sharp as glass. “Wow. You think I’d throw away my career over a man?”
“I think love makes people do stupid things,” he says simply. “I’ve seen it.”
My chest burns. “You don’t know him.”
He meets my eyes then, steady and unflinching. “I know his kind.”
The insult lands hard. “His kind? What the hell does that mean?”
He sighs, rubbing a hand over his jaw. “Jesus, why are you always looking for a fight? I mean the kind of man who swings his dick all over town, Adrienne. For fuck’s sake, I’ve been that man.”
Before I can respond, headlights sweep across the porch. Tires crunch the gravel fast. I turn toward the driveway, heart sinking. “Oh no.”
Scotty’s truck skids to a stop, engine rumbling before he cuts it. He steps out, broad-shouldered.
My dad stiffens. “What’s he doing here?”
“I have no idea,” I whisper, but my pulse is already racing. “Please don’t—”
Too late. My dad’s already on the porch steps when Scotty stops at the bottom.
“Mr. Slade,” Scotty starts, voice rough, steady. “I need to say something.”
Hudson folds his arms. “You can say it to me and my daughter, since you showed up uninvited.”
I step between them. “Dad—”
“No.” Scotty’s voice cuts through mine. “I deserve answers, and so do you.”
He looks at my dad, his voice steady. “You think I’m not good enough for her.
You’re right, I’m not perfect. I’ve made mistakes.
I’ve been reckless with women, with myself.
But I’ve also worked my ass off for everything I have.
I built myself from the ground up. I’ve saved every dime, bought my land outright, and I’ve got no debts, not to any bank, and not to any man. ”
My dad’s hard expression doesn’t change, but I see a flicker in his eyes.
Scotty presses on, his voice shaking slightly now. “I can take care of her if she ever needed it, but she doesn’t. She can take care of herself just fine. I’m not here because she needs me. I’m here because I chose her and she chose me. Every damn day, I’ll keep choosing her.”
My throat tightens, tears threatening. I didn't expect this.
“And if that’s not enough,” he adds quietly while glancing over at me, “then I’ll spend the rest of my life proving it will be.”
The silence after is heavy. I step forward, standing beside him. “And for the record, just to double down on what he said,” I say, my voice steady, “I can provide for myself just fine, with or without the Slade name.”
Dad’s gaze moves between us, and for the first time tonight, he doesn’t look angry. He taps his finger against his leg thoughtfully, then lets out a defeated sigh. “You both done?”
Scotty nods once. “Yes, sir.”
“Good,” Dad mutters, gripping the porch railing. “Because I think it’s time we stop talking at each other and start talking to each other.” He finally settles back into his seat, grumbling, “You can sit down, boy. No need to stand there like you’re about to face a firing squad.”
Scotty hesitates but lowers himself onto the step, arms resting loosely over his knees.
I stay beside him, heartbeat still thudding in my ears.
I might be a grown woman, but my dad still intimidates me, and for as much as I want to be happy no matter what, I still want him to be proud of me and be happy for me, too.
Dad swirls the ice in his glass before speaking again.
“Let’s get one thing straight. It’s not about money.
Never was.” Scotty nods once at him in understanding.
“I know you can provide for her if you had to. I’ve been around long enough to see how hard you work.
Shit, that’s why I tried to poach you for the brewery a long time ago. ”
“Thank you, sir. My dad would be proud to hear that.”