Hendrix (Caldwell Brothers #1) (18 page)

Chapter Twenty-One

Hendrix

“We can talk about that later. Get some sleep, so we can get to the hospital early.”

“I’m not tired, and all I’ve done is talk about me. I want to know you better.” She lays her head on my chest and starts tracing ink.

“She passed away over a year ago.”

“What?” She springs up in the bed and takes my hand. “When?”

“January twenty-fourth, but I really don’t want to talk about it.”

She looks at me sadly. “Okay.” Her hand drops from mine, and then she grabs my face. “I’m here for you, just like you are for me.”

She straddles me again and buries her face in my neck as her fingernails massage my scalp. I feel relaxed immediately.

“Cancer. Started with HPV,” I finally whisper, opening up to her.

“Cancer sucks,” she whispers back.

“Died at the hospital you work at.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“I hadn’t been back until I went to see you.”

“That must have been hard,” she says soothingly.

“No, I knew what I was going for. Didn’t have to get off on the second floor.”

“For me.”

“She’d love you, Livi.”

“I’d love her.”

I feel tears on my skin and pull her to me a little tighter. “She’d be damn proud that I found someone like you.”

“What was her name?”

“Janis.” I smile.

“Like Janis Joplin?” She looks up, lays her hand on my chest, and rests her chin on it.

“Yeah, babe.” I push her hair out of her eyes and look at her.

“She kept the musical theme going.”

“Sure did. Music was her thing.”

She smiles and nods.

“She sang like a raspy, little bird.”

“And your dad?”

“He’s a drunk who banged her while she was working for him, got her knocked up, moved her in, cheated on her, started pushing her around, then pushed us around, and then he fucked around on her some more. That ended up being what killed her—his dirty ass dick.”

She doesn’t say anything, but I know she is seeing a theme here.

“I would never do that to you.”

She nods then shakes her head and rolls her eyes. “I can’t imagine someone hurting you. I wasn’t thinking about you and me, but wow. Wow, Hendrix, is that why you were so…?”

“I never wanted to be like him, and it was a little familiar. Sins of the father, you know.”

She leans up and kisses me. “I can’t even sing.”

“Yeah, you can. I heard you in the bathtub.”

“Not very well.” She blushes.

“Sounded beautiful to me.” I run my hand up her back then fist her hair, pulling her into a kiss. “Mom used to sing that song all the time. If she wasn’t singing it, she was humming it. Her way of telling us she would always be here for us. I swear to God, she sent you to me.”

Her eyes pool immediately, and I can feel mine threatening to do the same. I hold her tight against me as we fall asleep, wrapped up in each other.

*.*.*.*

I wake up with her on me and morning wood. I know that period shit flows lighter in water. I also know this will be the last time I’ll be bare back until she is on the pill or some shit.

I sit up, holding her, and she wake ups. “Hendrix?”

“I’m fucking you in the shower.”

“Is that so?” She laughs and hangs on tight as I stalk to the bathroom.

“You have a problem with that?”

“I don’t suppose it would stop you if I did.” She laughs again, and I stop immediately.

“Babe, I’m not him. You don’t want—”

“I wasn’t thinking like that. I know who you are. You’re the man who has completely changed my life, the man who loves me, the man I love, and you can consider this the last time we have this conversation. I don’t ask for your thingy; you don’t ask for mine.”

“Communal property?”

She bites her bottom lip, smiles, and then nods.

“Thank fuck!”

I pull her shirt off and start stripping. I see her going for the toilet, so I give her some privacy while she takes care of whatever it is she needs to take care of.

“You want it hot, right?” I ask after I hear the toilet flush and turn around to see her butt-ass naked, staring at my cock.

She nods.

I grab my cock, giving it a few strokes. “Not this, babe, the water.”

“You are so dang, mmm…”

“Get my pussy over here, Livi. It’s been too damn long.”

After she walks up to me with a little sway in her hips and wraps her hands around my neck, I grab her ass and lift her up. I reach under her, grab my rod, and line us up as I walk into the shower.

“Hang on,” I say as I slam into her. Her back hits the wall, and she cries out. “Fuck, I’m sorry.” I kiss her neck.

“Hendrix,” she cries my name as I slam into her again.

“Too much?” I ask.

“Harder, do me har—oh, God,” she screams as I slam into her again.

Her teeth clamp onto my shoulder, her nails run down my back, and I fuck her harder.

“Yes,” she pants. “Oh, yes!”

“Fuck, Livi, hang on.” I can’t go soft with her. I have to go hard.

I give her everything I can physically, ‘cause she knows everything I try to hide. She takes it, ‘cause she has given me everything and has nothing to hide.

“I”—I stop and thrust hard upward, hitting her sweet spot—“love”—I pull out and ram in again—“you.”

Her body tenses as she holds her breathe.

“Whose pussy is this?”

“Ours,” she cries as I thrust into her again.

“Mine,” I correct her.

“Yes … oh, yes,” she whimpers as I slam into her again.

“All. Fucking. Mine.”

“Always.” She wraps her arms around me and trembles as she comes.

“Fuck yes,” I say right before I pump my release into her.

She doesn’t let go as I drag my cock out of her. I shove my knee between her legs, and she leans against me. Then, I grab a washcloth and rub it up and down her back, washing her beautiful body.

*.*.*.*

While we spend the entire day at the hospital, I notice she is moving a little slower. I did that, and yes, it is sexy as fuck.

Between talking with doctors and nurses, making phone calls, and being more patient than a saint with her old man, she comes and sits on my lap.

“Tired?”

“Uh-huh.” She wraps her hands around my neck.

“Sore?”

She looks up at me and nods her head.

“I like that you’re still feeling me, Livi. I like it a lot.”

“I bet you do.” She nuzzles in again. “They’re gonna move him in a couple days.”

“I heard. You good with that?”

“I am. It’s a nice place. If everything goes well, he’ll be able to live unassisted. They’re hopeful.”

“If things don’t go perfect, Livi, we’ll figure it out together.” I grab her hand from behind my neck, link our fingers, and then kiss her knuckles. “Together.”

*.*.*.*

By the end of the week, we are back in Detroit, and as grateful as I am that my brothers stepped up, they left a fucking mess. Livi has the day off, yet she comes in with me even though I all but insist she stay home. Still, I love having this hot, little ass attached to me.

I try to act like it is no big thing, but she is all wide-eyed when she looks around.

“You okay?” she asks as she rubs my back.

“Yeah,” I lie.

“Let’s get this place cleaned up. I know it’s gotta be bugging you since it’s bugging me.”

“Go rest. You’re bleeding and shit. Gotta be tired.”

“I can’t believe you just said that.” She giggles with a snort.

“I can’t believe you won’t let me touch it,” I say as I reach down and rub between her legs.

“I think you’ll make it.” She steps back, shaking her head.

I grab her and pull her closer. “You’ve been taking care of me, but, Livi, I am jonesin’ to bury my tongue—”

“Welcome back,” Morrison interrupts, walking out of the back, shirtless and buttoning his pants. “How’s your old man?” He walks up to Livi and pulls her into a big bear hug, hiding her face against his chest as he nods his head. Then, while two chicks come sneaking out of the back and beeline it to the door, he gives me a wink, and I shake my head.

When he finally lets go of Livi, she looks at me, and I merely shrug and roll my eyes.

“Things are fine,” she says, stepping back. “But this place is trashed.” She gives him a look, one like our momma used to give us when we fucked up.

He’s caught off guard. “Well, I…”

“You should have had them two”—she points to the door—“help you clean up instead of making them sneak out.”

His jaw drops, and he runs his hand through his hair. “They, um, they were too drunk to drive?”

I want to bust up laughing. Morrison is never at a loss for words, and Livi is being all badass, not even rubbing that ass. I am fucking starving for her now.

As he clears his throat and looks at her, I see his eyes. I know shit is about to get funky.

“Babe, they couldn’t even walk straight, so how do you expect them to clean up?”

“They looked to be walking just fine.” She laughs as she bends over to pick up a bottle. She hands it to him. “Someday, you’ll be able to handle one all by yourself.”

“What?” He grins.

“I just don’t understand why you needed the other chick to help you out,” she says, tossing it out over her shoulder as she walks past him. She looks at me and smiles. “I’m going in the kitchen.”

“Where all women belong,” Morrison yells to her.

What does my little, sexy badass do? She flips him off and keeps on walkin’.

Morrison looks at me. “I liked her better before you two took off.”

“Yeah, well, I love that one in there, so you better behave.” I chuckle as I walk around the bar.

“What the fuck did you just say?” Morrison gasps.

“You heard me. Now grab a broom and a bag, and let’s get this place cleaned up before I flip my shit.”

“So, is she…?” He gestures a big belly.

“Nah.” I shake my head.

“And you still”—he cringes—“L-word her?”

“Shut the fuck up and clean.”

*.*.*.*

By noon, the place is clean. Livi is yawning, so I send her fine, little ass home. For the rest of the day and night, it isn’t busy, but it is steady. Some of the locals even ask where she is. It’s a mind fuck. They like her, too, and they better, ‘cause if I have it my way, she’ll be a permanent fixture soon.

At midnight, the place is a ghost town. Normally, I would hang out and listen to tunes, but the only tune I want to hear right now is the little, sleepy sounds Livi makes when she sleeps.

I am getting ready to turn out the beer lights when I see Jagger hobbling out of a cab. He stumbles to the door as I swing it open.

“What the fuck happened to you?” His eyes are swollen shut, his face gashed, and I know he needs stitches.

“Same shit, different day, man.”

“You fucking his bitch again?”

“Nope. I won’t fuck that again. I did let her suck my dick, though.”

“No choice this time, Jag, we’re going to the ER.”

Jag is getting sewn up as I text Morrison to meet me. I ask the ER doc how long it’s gonna be, and he tells me an hour at least.

It isn’t long before Morrison texts me that he’s out front, and I tell Jag I’ll be back. He’s half asleep and doesn’t give a shit. His rib is cracked, but he’s hopped up on pain pills.

I open the door to Morrison’s car and get in.

“He okay?”

“He will be, but this shit is done. That mother fucker is done.” I punch his dash.

“Dude, not the dash.” Morrison rubs where I hit. “Save it for the fucking pussies who jumped Jag. How many are we looking at, by the way?”

“Four, five, he wasn’t sure.”

“Fuck,” he says and looks down at his shirt. “I’m gonna fuck up the threads.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

~Olivia~

Movement in the room wakes me from my slumber.

“Hendrix?” I greet groggily, looking over at the clock that reads five-twelve.

“Go back to sleep, Livi.” His voice is gravely with fatigue.

I sit up, looking through the dark at him. “You’re late,” I simply state, trying to keep my girlie emotions in check.

Where has he been? The bar has been closed for hours. More than where has he been, who has he been with? My mind races.

He walks into the bathroom, the light catches, and I see his face is different shades of purple. Quickly scanning down his exposed torso as he changes, I see the red marks of irritation around his ribs even through the tattoos.

Sliding out of the bed, I follow him to the bathroom. His hands are busted, and his knuckles are covered in abrasions, swollen, and clearly irritated.

“Hendrix?” I question from the doorway of the bathroom as he continues to strip and climb into the shower.

What happened?
I mentally ask myself.

“Livi?” he replies.

“Why are you banged up?” I ask as fear builds inside me.

Did someone attempt to rob him? Jump him?

“Go back to sleep. You have to work tomorrow. I’m sorry I woke you up.”

“That’s all you’re sorry for?” I rub my butt. ‘Keep it real’ is my current inspiration. How fitting.

He raises an eyebrow at me, but this only sets my temper off more.

“You come home late, clearly you have been in an altercation of some sort, and all you say to me is ‘I’m sorry I woke you up?’ How about, ‘Livi, I wasn’t mugged tonight, but about these cuts and bruises…’?”

He smirks at me.

“Well, were you robbed? Do we need to call the cops? Do you need to go to the hospital?”

“Livi—”

“Don’t you Livi me! You’re hurt. We need to get you looked at.”

“I’ve already been to the hospital once tonight. I’m not going back.”

“What!” I shriek. “You went to the hospital and didn’t call me? I can’t believe you wouldn’t want me to be there.”

“Chill, Livi, and let me get a word in.”

I put my hands on my hips and tap my foot, waiting for him to continue.

“Jagger got jumped tonight. After I got him to the emergency room and stitched up, Morrison and I went and took care of it. I’m home now. I didn’t mean to wake you. I know you have to work at the hospital, so go back to bed. I’ll be there in a few.”

“Is Jagger okay?”

“Yes, Livi. Now, please, go to bed.”

I blow out a breath. He wasn’t mugged. Scrapper. He was in a fight for his brother.

One thing I love about the Caldwell brothers is their loyalty to each other. They are a family.

My frustration builds. I understand why he did it, but his attitude coming home bothers me. Coming in at five in the morning like it’s okay bothers me. Coming in and not explaining what is going on bothers me. There is so much about this situation that bothers me.

Go back to bed. Go back to bed.
The more I stand here, and he dismisses me, the more annoyed I get.

Fine
, I decide,
I’ll go back to bed
.

I lay there, unmoving, as the bed dips a short while later, and Hendrix climbs in. He pulls me to him, and as much as I want to fight it, I can’t. He is home. He is safe. A little banged up, but it is not nearly as bad as it could have been.

I fall back asleep, but all too soon, my alarm goes off, and I quickly dismiss it. Moving off Hendrix, I get up slowly, trying not to wake him.

I watch him as he sleeps. He has a black eye, a cut on his nose, but otherwise, he is looking much better than just hours ago.

Finally, I move efficiently and leave the room without waking him.

Arriving at work, Tabby and Toni are already in our small office talking. They both come over and hug me, making sure to ask about my dad.

Before we can settle in to catch up with each other, I am buzzed to a patient’s room.

The day passes in a blur as I help a family negotiate through the loss of their dad. In a strange way, I miss mine. We aren’t close, but after seeing him so sick and fighting to make things right with me, I can’t help but miss him now.

Feeling unsure where I stand with Hendrix only makes me want to run back to California more. He left me out in the cold emotionally. Something happened with his brother, and he shut me out to handle it. He said he loved me, but did I read more into things with us?

I work later than usual. Getting home, Hendrix is already at the bar for the evening, so I feed Floyd and have some dinner.

Being in his space, I realize the joke is over. I should probably sort out my living situation. I need to find a new place.

How much do I owe Hendrix for the work on my car and for staying here? All the questions playing in my head make me more emotional and, quite frankly, dizzy.

Exhaustion sweeps over me, and I fall asleep on his couch. Sometime in the night, Hendrix comes in and carries me to bed. I wake up to my alarm, all tangled in him and unable to remember being moved.

“Livi…” Hendrix tries to talk.

“I have to get ready for work,” I whisper then move away from him and out of the bed, sadness swelling inside me at the distance between us.

Silently, I ready for my day. He watches me, yet says nothing. Broody is back. What is he so pissed off about?

Tension builds between us as I leave for my workday.

The hospital day passes all too soon. As I leave, I am a little depressed knowing I am going home to an empty house that I’m not sure I am even wanted at anymore.

Surprise slaps me in the face when I come home to find Hendrix sitting on the couch, waiting for me.

“You’re late,” he greets.

Well, I see how this is going to go.

“That happens sometimes with my job.”

“Cut the shit, Livi.”

“You cut the … crap, Hendrix.” I try for sass; only, I miss the mark.

“What is wrong with you?”

I tap my fingers on my chin. “Hmmm … The man I’m in love with comes home hours late, beat up—”

He cuts me off. “I was not beat up, Liv. I promise, the five shitheads who touched my brother were worse off than Morrison or myself.”

Tears fill my eyes. “When I looked at the clock and saw the time, I panicked. Do you know the thoughts that ran through my head?”

“I told you, they jumped Jagger. I had to take him to the hospital, and then Morrison and I needed to handle it.”

“Yes, you did tell me all of this. After. The. Fact. It’s okay; I get it now. You guys are family. I’m the outsider. I’m just the ‘piece.’” I know it’s a low blow throwing the panties in his face, but he hurt me by pushing me out.

Before I can react, he is up and in front of me.

“What did you just call yourself?”

Nerves hit me, but I stand my ground. “I’m just the piece. Your—” I can’t finish as his lips crash down on mine. His lips are like a drug I can’t turn down. He intoxicates me with his taste.

Once he has me off balance physically and emotionally, he pulls away.

“You’re more than just a piece, Livi. Don’t play games with me.”

“You shut me out. I know they’re your brothers, but it made me feel like you didn’t want me to be a part of that, like you didn’t want me to be part of your family. I was worried about you, about Jagger, and Morrison. Yet, I was left in the dark and dismissed like I was a regular booty call, not something more.”

“Fuckin’ crazy—” he starts, but I cut him off.

“Crazy about you. Crazy about Caldwells. I want to know you’re safe. I want to know your brothers are safe. I want something real, Hendrix.”

“It doesn’t get any more real than this, Livi.” He steps back and holds my hand. “You and I live together, sleep together, and we even work together.” He lifts my knuckles to his mouth and rubs his lips across them. “I love you. Nothing’s changed, but you can’t ask me to ignore shit like that. Jagger’s busted up and—”

“You should have called me.”

“Noted.” He nods his head and pulls me closer. “You should call when you’ll be late, too, then.”

I melt into his embrace because I have missed it.

“Talk to me,” he whispers.

“I’ve had a couple of rough days. That’s all.”

“Not what I’m here for,” he says, and in those five words, I am completely confused.

“I know,” I say, just wanting a reprieve from being upset. I need his touch. I need his embrace. I need his comfort.

“You wanna come to the bar? I have Morrison covering for me. Needed to make sure we were okay.”

“We’re okay. I’m gonna stay in.”

“Okay.” He steps back then leans in and kisses me. “I miss you, Livi.”

I force myself to smile and nod.

“See you in a few hours. Jagger and Morrison have been holed up in a hotel. You don’t mind if they come hang out?”

“Why are they at a hotel?”

He shrugs. “Told them we needed space, but with our schedules, we haven’t had much time or opportunity to utilize that space, now have we?”

I shake my head.

He leans in and gives me another kiss then smiles and shakes his head. “That communal property, that’s a ‘you and me’ thing still, right?”

I nod and swallow hard.

“You still bleeding?”

I shake my head.

“Good, I need a taste, Livi.” He smirks. “I’m gonna have to wake you up tonight, so why don’t you get some sleep now?” With that, he winks, turns, and then walks out the door.

I look around and think about what he said.

Not what I’m here for.

Confusion sets in, but I am once again exhausted. Going to bed, I fall asleep faster than I expected.

I wake later to the bed dipping and his arms pulling me close.

“Livi?”

I don’t answer.

“Babe?”

I can’t do this tonight, not when I am trying to prepare myself for what I know is coming.

I feel his lips press against the back of my head. Then he breathes in deep, moans, and whispers, “I love you, Livi.”