“How?”
“He went back for it after dropping us off. He took a cab from your house back to the Clayton’s to get hiscar.”
“That’s amazing! Thank you both,” she breathed, her shoulders relaxing. “I’ll see you at the farm,” she added, pressing her lips tentatively to mine before she slid out from under my arm and walked out to the car. Rob opened the back passenger door, letting her climb in before he closed it. I remained in the doorway, watching as the Escalade pulled away and trying to stomp down the pessimistic feeling sitting in mygut.
I understood it better than anybody, but it still sucked that we had to keep this secret for another week. It felt like we’d spent years being each other’s secret. I wanted to break free of that, but she was right; we needed to tell Brockfirst.
I walked back inside, letting the door slam behind me. I had to shower and get ready to head over to the Armstrong’s farm to help clean up the aftermath of the wedding reception. A part of me kind of wanted to sit at home and sulk with my guitar, but I had an obligation as one of the groomsmen. Braden would kick my ass if I bailed, and I knew I’d see Beckythere.
Besides, there was no sense in sulking. At least Becky had acknowledged that we were something, even if she didn’t want to share that knowledge with the world. I was happy to live in a private bubble with her a while longer, but I knew I’d want to solidify things between us before I returned to Nashville inSeptember.
I was in and out of the shower within five minutes and dressed within two. I pulled my Under Armour cap on over my wavy, damp hair and grabbed my keys and wallet. Mom was in the kitchen unloadinggroceries.
“Want any help with that?” I asked, grabbing an apple from thebag.
“I can handle it,” she replied, putting away the carton of eggs she’d bought. “What are your planstoday?”
“I’ve got to go help clean up from the reception. Then who knows, maybe I’ll stick around and see what everyone’s up to, or maybe I’ll just come home,” Ishrugged.
Mom nodded, giving me a loving smile. “Is Becky stillhere?”
“No, she left about half an hour ago,” Ianswered.
“Oh,” she looked a little put out by that. “I was hoping she’d stick around forbrunch.”
“She has to change and pick Aiden up,” I explained, and Mom nodded withunderstanding.
“Another time then,” shemused.
“Might be a while Mom, we’re only just starting to figure things out and I don’t think she’d be comfortable with any sort of meet the parents type situation,” I warned her, kissing her on theforehead.
“I know. I’m just excited,” Mom smiled. “I’ve been wondering when you’re going to settle down and give me somegrandkids.”
“Whoa,” I backed away slowly, my hands in the air and my eyes wide. “Slow your roll Mama C.” She laughed lightly as I practically sprinted from the kitchen and toward the garage. I couldn’t get out of the house quickenough.
Becky
Itriedto quietly sneak inside undetected after I had Rob drop me off at the end of the street. Braden’s truck was parked in the driveway, so I knew he was home. I tried to quietly sneak inside undetected, hoping that he would be sleeping when I got in. But, I had no such luck; he was standing in the kitchen makingcoffee.
Hunter barked a few times when I opened the door, then came over to me to investigate, his large wet nose sniffing at my legs. Brock and Tessa must have dropped him off early in the morning before they drove to theairport.
He peered around, as if searching for Aiden. When he realized I was alone, he let out a heavy sigh and nudged my hand with hishead.
Aiden had been so excited to dog sit for his uncle, and I’d completely forgotten about the damn thing. EvenifBraden wasn’t in the kitchen staring at me like I had eight heads, I would have been outed by the dog. Absently, I stroked the fur on hisface.
“Where have you been?” Braden asked me, suspicion lining his features as he took in my frazzled state. My hair was a mess, my dress was rumpled and it was very obvious that I’d been somewhere I shouldn’t havebeen.
“None of your business,” I responded through narrow eyes that dropped down to the two cups in his hands. “Who’shere?”
“Elle,” he grinned, elation lighting up his blue eyes. Braden and I had similar eyes,Miller blue, as my mom used to call them. Aiden had inherited them too, while Brock’s eyes were more of a stormy graycolour.
“Braden,” I sighed, exasperated. I knew that they’d been dancing around each other for weeks, but I couldn’t help but worry that if things didn’t pan out the way he wanted…all the progress he’d made for himself over the last few years would be wasted. He was doing well, and I didn’t want to see him fall back into oldhabits.
The easy smile on his face faded slightly and he frowned, locking his jaw. “Look, I won’t tell you how to live your life if you don’t tell me how to live mine, gotit?”
Wordlessly, I nodded. He had a point. I had made plenty of mistakes of my own. Braden nodded too, satisfied with my response, and headed back down to his basementbedroom.
I stood there, thinking about the hazel eyed, sweet talking country singer that had somehow managed to steal a very large piece of myheart.
