Fated Bliss (Bliss #2) (14 page)

What in the world?

“Surprise,” Clara murmured in my ear.

I glanced over my shoulder. “You knew about this?”

She winked. “Of course.”

Grey hooked an arm around my neck and gave me a nuggie. “Welcome home, squirt.”

“Grey!” I shrieked and wrestled out of his arms, smoothing out my ponytail. I glared at him, but he was completely unaffected – his tawny eyes danced with humor. “I hate it when you do that!”

Arms wrapped around my waist suddenly, and I was being hoisted in the air. “There’s my girl!” boomed in my ear.

I giggled. “Dad!”

I was on my feet in the next moment, and I spun around, throwing my arms around my father. He held me close, whispering, “Missed you.”

I took in his familiar scent and closed my eyes. “Missed you too, Dad.”

Since the day I was born, I was a daddy’s girl. He was my favorite person in the whole wide world. That didn’t work out well for mom, though. If she told me no, all I had to do was go to Dad and bat my lashes at him to get whatever I wanted. She gave him hell for it, but he didn’t care. He loved me fiercely, no matter what.

Dad leaned back but kept a hold of my shoulders. “Let me look at you.” His eyes – the same ones that stared back at me in the mirror every day – traveled my face, softening. “Pretty as ever, but that’s a given. It’s good to see you, precious girl.”

I beamed up at him. “You too, Dad. It feels like it’s been forever.”

“Move it, Brad,” came from behind Dad, and then Mrs. Birdie was shoving and elbowing him out of the way. I was wrapped in her arms next. “’Bout time you got back. It’s not the same ’round here without you.”

Mrs. Birdie had worked at the B&B since I was a little girl. She was in her early seventies and bustled around like she was still twenty. She always wore a Mumu, even in the dead of winter, and had her hair done religiously every Tuesday afternoon so that it was curled and styled in her short, signature look. She was the grandmother I wished I had (mine was a bit acentric), and I loved her dearly.

I disentangled myself from her strong grip and kissed her cheek. “It’s good to see you, too. I missed you.”

“Have fun?” she questioned.

“A blast.”

She waggled her eyebrows playfully. “Meet any handsome men?”

“Mrs. Birdie,” I chided, giving her a
really
look.

“It’s an honest question. You’ve been uptight since that jerk broke your heart. If anyone needed to get a little somethin’, somethin’, it’s you.”

My mouth dropped opened and then snapped shut. “I cannot believe you just said that!”

Something sparked in Mrs. Birdie’s expression as she smirked. “Honey, there might be snow on the roof, but there’s still fire in the furnace.”

Oh, God.

I need to bleach my brain!

The mental pictures that came along with that were gag-worthy.

Mortified, I covered my face and shook my head back and forth. “That…that’s,” I sputtered. “I don’t even know what to say to that.”

She guided my hands from my face and leveled me with a stare, the same one she used while lecturing me when I was little. “I thought about this while you were gone. It’s time you’ve calmed down.”

“Calmed down?” I parroted.

“You’re not gettin’ any younger, Sammy dear. You need to find yourself a husband. We need more babies in this house.”

Oh, lordy.

“How can you go from askin’ about me gettin’ some on vacation to talkin’ about marriage and babies?”

Is she mad?

“Well, you have sex when you’re married, and that leads to babies. Makes sense to me,” she replied, straight-faced.

I held up my hands, my palms forward. “Nope. No more. I’m too tired to have this conversation.”

“Here,” Adam said and slapped a beer in my palm. “You look like you needed that.”

He took a drink from his beer as Mrs. Birdie stated, “You too, Adam. It’s time you settled down and found a wife.”

Adam choked and nearly spewed beer everywhere. Wide-eyed, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “I…err…what?” He glanced at me, wanting an explanation…or maybe he wanted to be saved. I didn’t stick around to find out.

I slinked away as Mrs. Birdie continued, “Adam, you go through women like you do underwear. I’m surprised your ding-ding hasn’t fallen off yet.”

I was going to pay for that later.

Working my way around the house, I said hi to different friends and family. The beer Adam handed me didn’t help my drowsiness in the least. I started yawning every other second, so I escaped into the kitchen, needing a break.

Grey was slipping a beer from the fridge as I walked in. Noticing me, he grabbed another one. He passed it over and rested a hip against the counter. “Holdin’ up okay?”

“Do I look that bad?” I asked, stifling another yawn.

“You’ve looked better,” he admitted.

I stuck my tongue out at him, causing him to chuckle.

“So…” I drawled. “What’s this about a boy comin’ to work for us?”

Grey snorted. “God…I don’t know what Dad’s thinkin’. He’s gonna be trouble.”

Wincing, I replied, “That bad?”

“Yep. You should see their yard. The boy didn’t have the decency to feel ashamed.”

“From what Mom said, he hasn’t had it easy. What about the dad? How’d he react?”

“He was mortified,” Grey revealed. “I would be, too, if that was my son. Although, I’d be kickin’ some ass.”

“All summer…
yikes
. He’s gonna be feelin’ that by the time he’s done.”

Grey’s eyes gleamed. “Oh, yeah.”

Before I could question him further, “You’re a little shit,” was whispered in my ear and large hands dug into my sides, tickling ruthlessly.

“Eeee!” I squealed and tried to wrestle away from Adam.

“Not so cocky now, are we, sweet cheeks?” Adam taunted, sinking his fingers in deeper.

“Adam!” I cried, laughing harder. “No more! Please! Stop!”

“Say
I love you, Adam
.”

I bucked against him. “No!”

“Come on, Sam. Say it.”

“No!” I wailed, flailing.

“Say it.
I love you, Adam.
That’s all you’ve gotta say, and I’ll stop.”

“Fine,” I relented, panting and giggling. God, it hurt almost, he was tickling me so harshly. “I love you, Adam!”

He let me go suddenly, and I had to grab the counter to keep from falling on my face. It took a second to regain my breath, and when I did, I aimed a glare at him. “Asshole.”

“I’m the asshole? Did you not hear what she said to me?!”

I giggled again. “God, that was too funny. How is your
ding-ding
, Adam?”

“I don’t even want to know,” Grey muttered to himself, shaking his head at us.

Adam grabbed his crotch and rocked his hips forward. “Perfect. Wanna take a look?”

I made gagging noises in the back of my throat.

He smirked at me and then glanced at Grey. Something sinister lit in his blue eyes.

What’s he up to now?

“How
was
England, Sam? Meet anyone special?” Adam questioned, giving me a half smile. “Any crazy one-night stands?”

Oh, I’m gonna kill him.

I took a drink of my beer, hoping to appear calm. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

“All right,” Grey groaned, heading for the door. “This conversation turned weird five minutes ago. I’m done. I’m gonna take my fiancé home and forget I ever heard it.”

“Hey!” I called out, chasing after him. I flipped off Adam as I exited, gaining a loud laugh from him.

“What?” Grey barked, noticing me on his heels.

“I need you to take me home. My stuff is in Clara’s Cadillac.”

Grey stopped and studied me intently. “Is there anythin’ you wanna tell me, Sam?”

I gave him my most innocent face. “I have no idea what you’re talkin’ about, Grey.”

Yeah, like I was going to confide in my brother about a guy I had sex with one night.

Grey narrowed his eyes. “You’re lyin’.”

“Whatever,” I grumbled and ambled by him. “You’re delusional.”

He caught my arm before I could pass him completely. “The only time you act innocent is when you’re hidin’ somethin’.”

“Have you ever thought that maybe it’s not your business,” I fired back, pulling my arm from his grip. “Everythin’s fine, Grey. Let it go.”

I could feel his eyes boring into my back as I walked into the foyer, but I kept my head held high. I didn’t do anything wrong.

Damn you, Adam.

Now that he made a comment, Grey was going to be extra observant. He was great big brother, but he was an extremely protective one. If he knew I’d slept with some guy while I was gone and he disappeared on me…

Yeah, not happening.

I’d never hear the end of it.

As I approached Clara and Chelsea, I heard Chelsea say, “He moved in next door to Adam and me. I watched as he unloaded a U-Haul shirtless. Holy shit, that man was hot. All those muscles…
yum
.”

Chelsea’s actually talking about a man that isn’t Justin?!

It was a miracle!

Since Justin’s disappearance, she’d been a blubbering mess. Call me a hypocrite, but I’ve told her for months to get back in the saddle and start dating again. Chelsea was a gorgeous girl, with auburn hair, navy-blue eyes, and creamy freckled skin. On top of that, she had a killer personality, sweet and fun-loving. I was sure she’d find many men willing to show her a good time. She didn’t think so.

“I know, right? My eyes nearly popped out of my skull when I saw him,” Clara agreed.

My curiosity was officially piqued.

“And who are we talkin’ about?” I questioned as I joined them.

“The new doctor in town,” Clara replied, grinning at me.

“Adam and I have a new neighbor,” Chelsea added, fanning herself.

“Ah, fresh meat,” I joked, rubbing my hands in anticipation. Chelsea and Clara laughed. I was about to ask for details, but Grey joined us, halting the discussion.

“Ready to head out?” he asked Clara, shooting a half smirk at me. “Sam can’t stop yawnin’. She’s supposed to be here bright and early tomorrow. I can’t have her sleepin’ on the job.”

“Ass,” I muttered and then yawned, driving the fact home.

If I was honest with myself, I shouldn’t be here – I was ready to keel over.

Clara laughed again, saying, “I’ll get Bella from Mrs. Birdie and meet you at the car.”

“Later, y’all,” Chelsea said, giving us a small smile and a wave. “Call me soon, and we’ll get together, maybe do lunch. I wanna know everythin’.”

“Sure,” I agreed, stifling another yawn. I just couldn’t stop.

Grey hooked his arm around my neck. “Come on, trouble. Let’s get you to bed.”

I let him lead me to the door, saying, “Yes, master.”

Chapter 12

Ben

“You’re lucky it
was Brad,” Pops voiced behind me.

We were on the back deck at my house, grilling steaks. I’d just finished relaying the days’ events to Pops, desperately needing guidance. He’d been around a while, so if someone could point me in the right direction, it was him.

“I know. If not, he could have been charged with trespassing and destruction of property. And that’s just the beginning,” I stated, my anger and frustration lingering.

A chair dragged away from the table as Pops muttered, “Yep.”

I flipped the steaks and rotated the foil wrapped potatoes. “What am I supposed to do, Pops? How do I fix this? I can’t get through to him.”

As Pops sat, the chair creaked and he let out a long groan, his aches and pains getting the better of him. “You love him through it, Ben. You show him that he’s got your support and that you will never give up on him. It’s all you can do.”

“He hates me, Pops,” I whispered, my voice catching.

“No, he doesn’t. He’s just confused.”

Lyric’s suggestion popped back into my mind. It had been all afternoon.

“Do you think I should tell him everything?” I questioned, my words low. “Should he know?”

Pops was quiet for a moment. “I don’t know. That’s somethin’ you need to think long and hard about, because once those words are spoken, there is no takin’ them back.”

I transferred the steaks and potatoes from the grill to a platter with my tongs and shut off the burners. “I don’t want to tell him.”

“I will say this, though – if I were him, I would hate being left in the dark. I would be mad as hell if I found out the people I love kept things from me that were important, that were pertainin’ to me.”

I cursed under my breath.

“Maybe if he knows about the beginnin’ only… If you tell him about Maggie and Gwen, he’d understand your marriage better. You can keep out the more…troublin’…details regardin’ his mother,” Pops suggested, his tone sympathetic.

“You don’t think he’ll resent me for never loving his mother?” I asked, carrying the food to the table.

“He already resents you, Ben.”

I sat everything down and then pinched the bridge of my nose, my heart heavy. “True. I just don’t want to make it worse.”

“I think your relationship with him is already at rock bottom; you can only go up from here.”

“Parenting needs to come with an instruction manual,” I muttered to myself.

Pops chuckled under his breath. “It would make things easier; that’s for sure.”

“You don’t mind driving the Jeep home in the morning, do you?” I questioned, getting back to the matter at hand.

“Not at all,” he assured me. “I might visit with the Raiden’s for a bit, act as a buffer between them and Linc at first.”

“I’m sure Linc would appreciate it. He might put on a good front, but he’s not looking forward to facing them again.”

“I wouldn’t either. Brad can be scary.”

It was my turn to chuckle. “I would have pissed my pants if that man came after me when I was Linc’s age.”

“I still would,” Pops agreed, widening his eyes slightly.

I laughed again and headed for the sliding glass door. “I’m gonna grab Linc.”

I walked inside and found Linc lounging on the couch, engrossed in
Call of Duty
. Annoyed, I stepped in front of the large flat screen and blocked his view. “Dinner’s done.”

Linc leaned to the side to see around me. “Come on, Dad! I’m in the middle of a game. I’ll eat later.”

“No,” I replied sternly. “You shouldn’t be playing. I said no video games for a month.”

Linc rolled his eyes rebelliously and leaned to the other side. “Right. A month. Can you move?”

“Nope.” I whirled around and shut off the television. “You’ll come outside and sit down with Pops and me.”

“Damn it, Dad! I was winning!”

“Language, Linc.” I pointed a finger at him and stepped closer. “You’re already on shaky ground, son – don’t push your luck.”

He climbed to his feet and stalked to me. “Or what? What are you gonna do?”

“Do you want to scrub the clinic for the rest of the summer, too?” I inquired, staying calm. “Cleaning up blood and vomit isn’t the way I’d want to spend my summer on top of what you’re already doing for the Raiden’s.”

Defiance burned in his gaze, but he kept quiet.

“Good. Now grab the salad from the fridge and get yourself something to drink. The steaks are ready,” I finished and ambled back outside.

I sat as Pops questioned, “What was that about?”

“He’s pushing the boundaries, testing me,” I explained.

Pops tsked. “That boy is as stubborn as a mule.”

I smirked. “Wonder where he got that from?”

“I don’t say this often enough, Ben, but I want you to know that I’m proud of you.” My heart clenched in my chest. “You’ve been through hell and back, and you didn’t let it beat you. Others would have buckled under the pressure, but you’ve made somethin’ of yourself.”

I rubbed my mouth with the back my fist, trying to stamp down the bubbling emotions inside me. “Thanks, Pops,” I rasped.

The sliding glass door opened, and Lincoln walked out. He sat a large bowl of salad in the middle of the table, next to the steaks and potatoes, and handed Pops and me a bottle of beer. He met my eyes briefly before casting his down again.

A piece offering.

It was moments like these that I saw the old Lincoln in him waiting to be set loose, the one that eagerly met me at the door after a long day of classes. If I was home, Linc and I were inseparable, playing catch or basketball, watching movies, playing video games – you name it, Lincoln and I were doing it together.

“Who’s ready to eat?” Pops asked, rubbing his hands together in eagerness. “This smells delicious, Ben.”

“Yeah, Dad. It smells really good,” Lincoln agreed.

My brows shot up in surprise.

That’s a new one.

“Thanks, bud. Come on.” I grabbed the platter. “Let’s dig in.”

∞

I shut the dishwasher and dried off my hands. Pops left a few minutes ago, telling me to swing by his house in the morning. Lincoln had disappeared somewhere, probably his room. I was pleasantly surprised that we had a normal dinner, filled with conversation and laughs. Even Lincoln joined in.

Baby steps, Ben. It’s only the beginning.

I threw the towel on the counter next to the sink and glanced around the new house. It was a nice home, somewhat larger than what we needed. There were four bedrooms, three and a half baths, a formal dining and sitting room, a study, den, game room, and two garages. The ranch style provided high ceilings adorned with wood trusses and multiple windows in every room. The master was too big for only me, with a walk-in closet that led to a massive bathroom, but I didn’t mind. If I was starting over, I was going to start over in a home I could see myself in, and this house fit that. It was beautiful, slightly rustic and modern at the same time.

The kitchen had all new appliances, dark oak cabinets, and leather-colored marble countertops. A long bar replaced one wall, seating six comfortably in high-back barstools on the den side of the counter. It gave the illusion that the two rooms were, in fact, one.

The back patio was large and spacious, made up of limestone. A pergola with wisteria growing up the sides and top provided shade for the area outside the sliding glass door, where I had the table and chairs. An in ground fire pit was off to the left, right outside the master bedroom’s French doors. The lawn was massive and unfenced, leading to the forest. I hoped to put a pool in next year for Lincoln and me. There was enough yard to have one and still have a lot of room left over. Even the front yard was massive, with a long driveway that stretched to the road.

Before I brought Lincoln back to Bliss, I moved and unpacked everything from Portland. It would have been nice to start over from scratch, but I wanted something familiar and comforting for Lincoln. Well, except for my bedroom – I bought all new furniture. I would have no memory of Gwen in that room.

Everything about this house was much bigger than ours back in Portland, so I had to get a few other things. I spoiled Lincoln somewhat when it came to the game room, though it was partly for me. I’d bought a pool table, a shuffleboard table, a dart board, and a couple of old arcade games. I wanted the area to be somewhere where Lincoln and his friends could hang out and not get into trouble.

Wishful thinking, I know.

Exhaustion rode me hard as I walked down the hall leading towards Lincoln’s room. I wanted to say a quick goodnight before I retired to my room for the evening.

As I approached his door, I heard him speak. “I’m fine, Mom. Bliss seems like a cool town.”

I ground my teeth together. The tone he used when speaking to Gwen was too soft and broken, so far from the boy that defied me at every turn.

“I can’t move back, Mom. You know…you know I can’t.” His words caught in his throat. “Please don’t ask again. You’re making this harder.” He paused for a moment, listening to whatever garbage his mother was telling him. “Mom, Dad hasn’t said that. He seems to want me here.”

What?

“Please don’t say that,” he begged, sounding close to tears. “Of course I love you, Mom.”

That was it.

Enough was enough.

I pushed Lincoln’s door open and marched into the room. Lincoln’s face was white at first, but anger slowly clouded his features.

“Give it to me,” I demanded, my voice laced with steel, and held out a hand. “Now, Linc.”

Hearing my tone, Lincoln gulped and did as I said. I put the phone to my ear and listened to her sniffles and thin voice. “I can’t believe you’re not fighting this, Linc. Do you care about me at all? Remember all the lies. He doesn’t love you-”

“That’s enough, Gwen,” I snarled, my pulse jackhammering.

“Ben, wha…what are you doing? Where’s…where’s Lincoln?” she sputtered, knowing she was caught.

“No more, Gwen. If you are going to pull this shit every time you talk to him, I will cut off all communication.”

Sweetly, she murmured, “Ben…”

“Nope. You can’t talk your way out of this, Gwen. The stuff you’re saying to him… God, woman, it’s sick and demented. You don’t do that to your child.”

“You don’t under-”

“Gwen, I was married to you for fifteen years, and I still don’t understand you. I’m beyond the point of caring to know.” I breathed in deeply, trying to control the rage simmering right beneath the surface. “I know this is something you can’t grasp, Gwen, but when you become a parent, your child’s wellbeing should be the most important thing to you. Not your agenda. I don’t know what you’ve cooked up this time, but it has to stop. No more. If I find out your saying shit like this to him again, I’ll take you to court and I’ll lay out everything.
Everything.
You don’t want that to happen.”

“Ben!” she yelled.

I disconnected the call and tossed the phone on the bed next to Lincoln. I stared at the floor, trying to reign in my anger.

Lincoln whispered, “That’s gonna make it worse.”

I raised my head and gauged him. He’d never heard me speak to his mother that way – I wouldn’t normally speak to any woman that way – but I’d hit my limit with her tricks and dirty ploys. “I don’t care. You don’t need that crap in your head. Is she why you question whether I want you or not?”

Lincoln laid down and threw an arm over his eyes, not wanting to answer – he didn’t want to betray his mother.

I took a seat on the bed next to him, guiding his arm away from his face. Gingerly, I murmured, “I’ve always wanted you, Linc. Since the moment your mother told me she was pregnant, I wanted you.”

He pressed his lips together, forcing down his emotions and words.

We needed to talk this out for good. After hearing that call, Gwen forced my hand.

“I think it’s time you knew some things,” I revealed. Something in my tone must have given away the gravity of the situation – Lincoln became alert, his eyes wide and guarded. “I’ve wanted to protect you from this, but I don’t think I can anymore. You need to understand the type of woman your mother is and always has been.”

Lincoln’s voice came out small and unsure. “Dad…?”

“I’m telling you this so that your mother doesn’t have the power to hurt you like she does. Hearing her say those things to you…” My jaw clenched. “It breaks my heart that you have to go through that.”

“She’s… Mom’s just-”

“No. Don’t defend her, son.”

“Okay, Dad,” he agreed, his voice barely audible.

“Have you ever wondered how your mother and I got together?”

“No, she told me,” he disclosed, his face shutting down.

It was my turn to be unsure. “What did she say?”

“Mom told me about how in love you two were.” He sneered at me. “She said that before she got pregnant with me, everything was perfect.”