Chapter 54
Cori
Eden says goodbye to my parents, promising to visit more often. As kids, the three of us were either here or at Eden’s house. We never hung out at Selene’s because her father would take every visit as an occasion to preach to us. It got old quickly.
I hug my best friend, walk her to the door, and watch until she gets in her car and backs out of the driveway.
I nearly collide with Selene when I turn around. She takes my elbow and pulls me into my old bedroom, which is now Ruby’s room. My bed is still there, but there’s a crib and a clutter of toys and clothes scattered about. I kick a stack of dirty laundry to the other side of the room.
“Your husband is a dummy. You should see the way he looks at you with love-colored vision.” She bats her eyes. “But now you’re looking at him the same way. Are you sure, Cori?”
“We talked, and I’m positive.” I take both her hands in mine. “I’m a happily married woman now.”
Selene looks into my eyes. I hold her stare and give her a reassuring smile. She drops my hands and pulls me into her for a hug. My eyes fill with tears, and I cry on my cousin’s shoulder.
“You know I love you,” she whispers.
“I have never doubted that. I love you, too.” She pulls away and cups my face.
“As long as you’re happy, I’m happy. I’m still gonna keep my eyes on him, though. Beat his ass again if he needs it.” I let out an unguarded laugh and hug her again.
“You’ve always had my back, but we’ve talked about it, and I’ve forgiven him. I want you and him to be friends, like we’re all friends with Ripley.”
“If you love him, maybe he has a redeeming quality or two.” She speaks as if that admission hurts.
“Stay right here.” I leave her in the room, and a few moments later, return with Dax, who is once again holding Ruby. “I want you two to make up. Selene and Eden are my best friends, and Selene, I told you I love my husband. I want you two to be friends. Don’t make me call Haddie to mediate.”
Selene looks from me to Dax, who is glaring down angrily at my cousin.
“I’m willing, but he’s not looking all that friendly.” Selene points at a displeased Dax.
“I know you were only defending me. I love you for that, Selene, but you don’t have to do that anymore.” I extend my hand to my cousin, and she takes it. I do the same with Dax. “Please, make up. For me.” I get on my tippy toes and kiss Dax. “Drop the frown.”
“Fine,” Dax concedes.
“Hug it out,” I order.
“Take her.” Dax hands me Ruby. I take a step back, and he takes one forward. “Come on,” he coaxes. For the first time, Ruby extends her arms to me, and I take her from him. She wraps her arms around my neck and puts her wet lips on my cheek.
“Hug it out, Selene,” I order my cousin. She exhales and opens her arms.
“Okay, cousin,” she says to Dax. “I’m sorry for kicking your ass.
I was protecting Cori. She hasn’t had it easy, but she could always depend on Eden and me.
Eden lived away for ten years, so it’s fallen on me to look after her.
I thought you were taking advantage of her, so I reacted. I’m sorry. Friends?”
“I get that, but protecting her is my job now, and you don’t ever have to protect her from me.”
“I know that now, but I didn’t know that then. You took her off the street and forced her to marry you. That’s what I was fighting against.” Dax stares but doesn’t answer. “I’ll make payments to you on the house.”
“Paying off the house was my idea,” I interject. “Selene never asked for anything. Getting her to take Finch was my idea, too.”
“Yeah, but she went along with it.” Dax’s eyes harden when he looks at Selene. “I don’t need you to pay me back on the house, but if you ever try to take my dog again, I’ll make you disappear and help look for your body. Got it?”
“Daxton! Don’t threaten her.”
My husband gives Selene a tight smile.
“Fine. Friends.” Dax reluctantly pulls my cousin into a hug.
We walk to the living room hand in hand. Devin sees us and rolls his eyes. I put Ruby on Mom’s lap. She grabs Mom’s collar and tries to put it in her mouth.
“We’re going home,” I announce to the family.
“Ruby, do you want to go spend the night with Uncle Dax?” Devin’s annoying question immediately triggers a headache.
“Oh, that sounds like a good—” I cut my mother off before she could finish that thought.
“That’s not going to happen, so you need to stop it right now.” My mother gasps at my sharp tone. “Let me make something clear to all of you. I’m not doing another thing for this family.”
Without another word, I take my jacket, walk out, and slam the door behind me. Dax follows behind me and snatches my hand before I get to the car.
“Sweetheart, come on. Wait.” I stop walking and face him. “Don’t let Devin piss you off. We—” I hear a buzzing sound. He taps his jacket, sticks his hand inside a side pocket, and pulls out a phone I’ve never seen before. He immediately gives me his back and takes a few steps away. I follow him.
“Ok.” He stops and listens. I inch closer, and he moves away. “At the location we talked about?” He pauses for a minute and stares up into the night sky. “On my way.” He ends the call and slides the phone back in his pocket.
“Where did you get that phone from?” He runs a hand over his brow, but he does not answer my question. “And where are you going?” I grab the lapels of his jacket. “I thought you were coming home with me for some newlywed time.” I press my body to his, tilt my face up, and wait for a kiss.
His lips are barely pressed to mine before I hear the click-clack of heels against the pavement.
“I need a ride,” Selene yells. “I would ask your dad, but he’s giving Devin hell, and I didn’t want to interrupt that.”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea.” He extends a hand to Selene. “Cousin, go and keep my wife company for a bit. Spend the night if you want, and one of us will take you home in the morning.”