Becks’ eyes flew up from the screen to meet Ghost’s in the rearview mirror. Time slowed, and for the briefest of moments, Becks saw rage in Ghost’s gaze. She recalled his leap onto the porch last night, how swiftly and efficiently he moved. There was no doubt in her mind that he was lethal.
Yet, she hadn’t been scared. His initial appearance, absolutely. She’d spilled her tea and broken her mug, but the moment she saw him, that fear had dissipated.
What she saw now in his eyes terrified her, because that blink of rage wasn’t aimed at her. She’d been the one to reject him, yet she knew thatRitchiewas the cause of his anger.
The phone kept ringing.
As his eyes returned to the road, Ghost pressed the button on the steering wheel that answered the call.
“Hello? Rebecca?”
It took a second for Becks to find her voice. He must still be at the office and near one or more of his bosses if he was calling her ‘Rebecca’. “Ritchie, hi. We’re still in the car and you’re on speakerphone.”
Ghost’s suspicious eyes flicked back to the mirror. Did he think her announcement a warning? Like Ritchie would speak to her any differently now that he knew he had an audience?
“Cool, cool. You got your aunt?”
“Yes, she’s here in the car too.” Based on the time, she would hope Ritchie would be leaving the office soon. “Are you on your way out?”
“That’s actually why I was calling. I had to bump an appointment from this morning to this afternoon to accommodate a client, so I’m going to be staying here a little longer and going straight to the hotel tonight. Hell, I might even be late for my own bachelor party.”
Disappointment sank into her. She’d really been looking forward to seeing him tonight before he went out. He was staying at the hotel with his groomsmen and they had the private dining room reserved for his party. The church was right down the road from the hotel, so it would be an easy trip in the morning. Becks had wanted to be traditional, and with her mom planning a surprise tonight at her house, it just made sense for Becks to remain there and Ritchie to sleep at the hotel.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” she answered honestly. “But it’s not the end of the world. I’ll see you tomorrow, right?” She meant it as a joke, yet somehow it came out as a plea.
“I’ll be there with bells on,” he promised. “I really am sorry, babe. It couldn’t be helped.”
Now Becks felt guilty about making him feel bad. He couldn’t help a client meeting. “No, it’s fine,” she insisted, adding conviction to her voice. “Really. I’ll see you tomorrow. Let me know when you make it to the hotel, please.”
“Of course. Love you.”
Becks’ tongue felt like it weighed a thousand pounds as she answered, “Love you, too,” before he hung up.
Ghost attachedhis saddlebag to his hog. It didn’t matter that it went against every fiber of his being to leave. He had to, because he was fuckinghonorable. He’d promised he’d go, and now he was going.
It was a little after four in the afternoon. With stops, he should be back in Mount Grove in the middle of the night. How fucked up was it that only days ago he’d been loath to leave, and now he hated himself for returning?
Ghost grabbed his helmet, refusing to look at the house. What did he expect to find? Becks running out the door in someHallmarkmovie moment, calling out for him to wait, and then leaping into his arms where they experienced their first kiss? Ghost scoffed at the very thought, because this wasn’t some movie where some twisted writer chose his fate. This was real life, and he’d already worn out his welcome at the Fremont house.
He straddled his bike. Turning on the engine, he backed it out of the driveway.
Becks flinchedas she heard the roar of the motorcycle engine. They were in the backyard. Her mom, her aunt, Libby, and her three bridesmaids, Gillian, September, and Dani, who had only recently arrived. Gillian was her closest co-worker while September and Dani were friends from college.
The surprise her mom had set up while Ghost and Becks were collecting Aunt Jean was a giant theater experience for her bachelorette party. A blowup screen was against the back fence with a projector attached to the roof over the porch. Lawn chairs and a couch had been moved into the backyard. Twinkle lights were strung all across. Pillows and blankets were piled up foreveryone to take as desired. Her mom had also rented a popcorn machine, cotton candy machine, and candy dispenser. Wine, champagne, and soda pop were in bottles.
It was incredible.
Upon returning with Aunt Jean, Libby had rushed Becks upstairs so she wouldn’t see anything yet. She helped her change into a beautiful cocktail dress, did her hair up in a bow bun before putting a crown atop her head. A white sash withBridestenciled in gold lettering was draped across her chest.
And now she was standing on the back porch while looking over her own bachelorette party with anything but excitement in her heart. This was theperfectparty for her. As much as Becks appreciated the male form and would have enjoyed a night out at a strip club, she’d requested months ago to have a girls-only, homey bachelorette party with the intent of her grandma being here too. Even though she’d passed two months ago, Becks had still told her mom and Libby to keep their plans.
And her mom had exceeded expectations. Traditionally, it was the maid of honor who hosted, and sometimes paid for, the bachelorette party. However, since Ritchie insisted on paying for the entire wedding, her mom wanted to pay for the bachelorette party.
She felt someone step up beside her. For a moment, her heart leapt at the masculine form, and it was far too telling when disappointment hit her that it was her brother and not Ghost returning.
Fuck.
“He left.”
