Chapter 64
Sixty-Four
A s much as I don’t want to be seen by anyone other than Butch, he’s somewhere inside Hamilton Restorations. I inhale a deep breath and with tremulous fingers, push through the main door.
One of the shop hands sits at the desk on the phone with a sandwich and a Dr. Pepper before him.
I offer the briefest of waves and keep moving.
My neck cranes past classic cars in various stages of repair, jolting when I hear a drill whir and tools clank over the loud music.
It’s some of that old rock Butch loves, something I’d tease him about if I weren’t nose-diving off an emotional cliff.
I round the corner and spot two figures in the distance bent under an open hood.
One man relocates to the driver’s seat; the other is clearly Butch.
He spots me from twelve yards away and does a double take.
His smile falters from whatever visual cues I’m presenting.
My heart thuds hard with a mixture of churning lava-level anxiety and relief I’m here.
My face falls, tears spilling down my cheeks as I throw myself into Butch’s sturdy frame and cry my thousandth tear.
“Jacqui, what’s wrong?” He wraps his arms loosely around me, chin resting on my head .
I mumble incoherently.
“Jeff, go ahead and take lunch. We’ll finish this up later,” he tells his coworker. The car door squeaks open and shuts soundly. Heavy boots recede. Butch raises his hands. “I don’t want to get grease on you.”
“Don’t care,” I blubber. “Just hold me. Please.”
He squeezes tighter and doesn’t pressure me, giving me precious minutes to cloak myself in his comfort.
“Baby, you’re scaring me. Tell me what’s going on.”
I nod into his chest, inhale a breath. “Somewhere private.”
“My place?”
My head bobs again, and he lifts my chin to meet his warm, searching gaze. He gives me a reassuring kiss and keeps an arm around me until I’m in his car.
Butch casts concerned glances my way as fresh adrenaline sprouts in my system. By the time we make it inside the cabin, a new layer of sweat coats my skin. He guides me to the couch, and even though I’m jumpy as fuck, I force myself to sit down.
Then I start my story…from the beginning.
Butch’s expression and posture morphs multiple times during my monologue—mostly pissed, judging by his ticking jaw and clenched fists. I finish, and he breathes heavily, pushing his fingers against his temples.
“Right now, all I want to do is drive to Richmond and rip that prick’s throat out. And much, much worse.” His voice is lethal, a tone I’ve never heard from him before. He cracks his knuckles, pins me with those enraged green eyes. “Is this the reason you wanted the boxing lessons?”
I bite my lower lip and nod.
He stands, paces, stops by the mantle. “I’m proud of you for kneeing that fucking scumbag in the balls and throwing a punch. You took care of business today, stood up for yourself, and that’s exactly what you were supposed to do. ”
I’m proud of me too. For that part.
“But goddamn it, Jacqui, why didn’t you tell me about this fucker and what was happening?” His eyes blaze. “We agreed not to lie to each other or keep secrets. Help me understand why you kept this from me.”
My shoulders sag. “Your father is friends with him. I assumed there’d be fallout and I just…I didn’t want to cause problems for your family.”
Butch vehemently shakes his head. “We’re going over to my parents’ house right now?—”
“What? No!”
“And you’re going to relay this entire goddamn travesty to them. My dad is honorable, and he will not stand for this, any more than I will. Mark my words, it will make him sick to his stomach.”
I rake my fingers through my hair. “Oh, god. What will they think of me?”
He looks incredulous. “Of you? Of you ? Jesus, Jacqui, you’re not the asshole in this equation.”
Butch pulls me to standing and wraps me in his arms. “I’m so fucking relieved you’re alright, and here with me now. You did the right thing.”
My breath catches, thwarting another sob.
“We’re going to figure it all out—together. It’s going to be okay, baby. You can stay here as long as you need.”
“But I was fired. And?—”
“Hey,” he says, cupping my face. “I’ve got your back, your six, your everything. The rest we’ll work out. Now, let’s go—I want my dad’s input, and my mom’s.”
I nod, blindly trusting his advice.
Turns out, it’s marginally easier regurgitating the whole sordid affair again despite my embarrassment, angst, and reticence.
His parents are aghast and disgusted by what I relay, their expressions shifting with every lecherous, degrading detail.
In addition to Don’s transgressions toward me, Gus fumes over my boss using him as leverage.
He intends to call his personal attorney to find out what legal action is possible, including contacting the publishing group to get Don terminated.
Jerri declares Don always gave her the creeps.
I’m awed by their genuine concern, steadfast belief, and instant defense of me. It’s bolstering and helps me stop questioning whether I did something wrong. Gus isn’t worried one iota about his friendship with Don—that’s now over. He’s only pained that it caused me to stay silent.
Jerri wraps me a fierce hug, whispering about men acting like animals, reassuring me, comforting me. She clutches Butch’s hand, praising him for teaching me to protect myself.
We all know, without saying it aloud, that the outcome could have been much worse.
“The prick won’t get away with this,” Butch reiterates. “I don’t care what it takes.”
Gus flashes a warning look. “Son.”
Butch’s jaw is clenched in such a hard line it might break. What does Gus think he’s going to do?
“Son,” Gus repeats, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. “I’ll handle it. Do we understand each other?”
Butch grumbles in reluctant agreement.
I stay with Jerri while Butch heads to the garage to dole out responsibilities. He’s quitting early, despite my protests. I’m no longer a total disaster, but I’m not fine either and he knows it. My entire life was just tumble-dried, and I’m screwed in more ways than one.
Jerri brews tea and suggests we sip it on the front porch, a place I’ve come to love.
On another day, I’d think it was a pleasant afternoon.
The spring flowers are fully in bloom and the temperature moderate, reminding me of Bay Area weather.
It’s normally a comforting setting, but I’m the opposite of calm .
“I’m sorry I turned your world upside-down today,” I say sullenly.
“Jacqui,” she chides. “Don’t be ridiculous. We’re family. That’s who you turn to in times of trouble.”
My nose stings and I fight against more tears as that statement hits me squarely in the chest.
Jerri notices my struggle. “What is it, sugar?”
“It’s just…I’ve never had a healthy family. Mine is super messed up.” My stupid eyes leak, even though it seems biologically impossible for my tear ducts to be operational at this point.
“Oh, honey.” She pauses, her gaze sympathetic. “Not everyone gets lucky where relations are concerned. Thank goodness we get to choose our family later in life, whether through marriage or friends. You’re not alone.”
“You say the most reassuring things,” I rasp out, wiping my damp cheeks.
“I say what I mean.”
“And you consider me family…even though Butch and I are just dating?”
She flashes a knowing smile. “You two are more than just dating . You’re in love with each other, as plain as that azalea bush is bursting with blooms. Butch has been through a lot, and I wasn’t sure he would find his way to loving again. But he has, and I couldn’t be happier about the recipient.”
My spirits lift. “I’m head over heels for that man…and I adore your whole family.”
“I’m glad to hear it because I couldn’t bear to watch him get hurt again. Butch has always been a little tender-hearted. When he loves, he gives the full hundred percent.”
Don’t I know it. “I’m amazed by it actually…that he has a hundred percent to give after all that.”
Jerri’s eyes fasten on me, assessing. “Your heart’s still a little broken, isn’t it?”
I nod, gnawing on my lower lip. “I’m realizing my parents broke it first. Then…others. But Butch has patched me back together in a way I never expected.”
As if he’s heard us, Butch walks out of the shop and his gaze swings our way, zeroing in on me.
Jerri leans back in her rocker. “He’s gifted that way, has always known how to step up for people.” Her eyes flit to mine. “He’s a good one to have in your corner.”
I’m so lucky. “I’m grateful…for all of you. Thank you for being so welcoming. And kind. It’s a privilege to be included.”
She squeezes my forearm across the small table between us. “We’re glad you’re here.”
I steal another glance at my boyfriend. “Can I ask why Gus seemed worried about Butch earlier?”
Jerri drops her head, as if collecting her thoughts. “I’d wager my son would like nothing more than to drive to Richmond and beat that man to a pulp. The Butch of yesterday would be gone already. His fists have gotten him in trouble before.”
My eyebrows hike.
“He’s...protective. But not a bad guy, if you know what I mean. More like the hero seeking justice.”
I stare into the distance, mulling that over. I totally see that in him. Still...
“What kind of trouble?”
“He’s familiar with the county jail,” she says ruefully.
“Bar fights—often from defending women. Admittedly, he was a little hot-headed in his youth. I’m sure my husband saw the murder in his eyes today.
It doesn’t sit well with Butch to let a man like Don go unpunished, especially when the person he wronged is someone he cares deeply about. It’s probably eating him alive.”
Oh.
“He can’t afford to be on the wrong end of the law, even if he’s in the right. Gus will help him temper that inclination.”