Marked Heart (Marked Heart #3) (15 page)

M
27
H

Standing outside The Dog House, Braden's breaths grew heavy. He had to wonder if she was telling the truth. It wouldn't be the first time he misjudged a woman's feelings for him. He wanted it to be a lie. But if it was, she never would have walked off with Pat.

Braden walked back into the bar. There were too many people in there. Wading through the crowd was making him sick. He could feel himself starting to hyperventilate. He pushed through the swinging door into the back.

There was no levity in the back as he heard Auggie say, "We thought we were doing the right thing."

"Well you thought wrong didn't you." Charlotte confirmed as Penny spoke up, admonishing her own husband. "I expect this stupidity from my brother. You know better."

Braden hung his head. Everyone was feeling the fallout of what they had done.

He was about to walk out of the back door when he heard his brother say, "We were wrong."

Angry with him, Braden stepped into the back office.

Heated, he shoved his brother as soon as he walked in.

"We were wrong? It was your idea."

Auggie shoved him back griping, "No one forced you."

"Like I had a choice." Braden spouted, turning to walk out.

Grabbing him by the front of his shirt before he could, Auggie barked, "You did, but you have to have a mind of your own to make one."

"Get off me!" Braden snapped, pushing his brother off of him.

"Why'd you tell her now? After all this time? She never would have found out."

Anger swelled in Braden's chest as he shouted, "Pat was gonna tell her!"

Before he could move, Auggie grabbed hold of him again.

He could hear everyone else in the room shifting around as his brother pushed him into the wall, holding him against it.

"That's why you told her?" Auggie growled. "You hurt her instead of standing up to Pat's stupid ass?"

"We hurt her." Braden defended, trying to push his brother off of him.

Pulling him off of the wall, just to shove him back into it, Auggie barked, "No! We screwed up trying not to hurt her. You hurt her tonight. This is on you."

His brother's words rang through his head causing wretched pain in the pit of his stomach.

"Hit me or get the hell off me!"

Auggie appeared tempted for a moment, then slowly let go.

With his family staring at him, blaming him for something that he wasn't the only one guilty of. He couldn't take it. Braden thought 'to hell with them' he needed to make things right with Liv.

~

The farmhouse was dark and silent when he arrived. Liv's car was there, but she wasn't. He tried her cell, but his calls when straight to voicemail. She left with Pat and it was clear, he was more than just a ride to her. Braden had lost.

Sitting on her couch, he thought about what she said outside the bar. Comparing it to what he woke up believing that morning, his cell phone rang. He didn't recognize the number as he let it ring. When it stopped then called again, he thought her phone may have died and she was trying to reach him.

He answered, "Hello?"

A woman's voice that sounded familiar, but he couldn't quite place, replied, "Braden? Can you hear me?"

"Yes?"

She sounded relieved saying, "Thank goodness. Braden this is Mrs. Strouse."

It was Brooks' mom.

"Ma'am."

"Mr. Strouse and I are in the middle of the Caribbean. The ship captain just notified us that Brooks was in a car accident. Can you please go check on him for us."

"Mrs. Strouse, I..." he started to politely decline before she pleaded, "I know you two had a falling out, but please. There is no one else for us to call."

"Yes ma'am," he agreed, unable to say no to the people he used to consider his second family.

Braden and Brooks had been friends since the seventh grade, up until a few years ago. They were like brothers. That was before though, before Brooks cheated on Penny with Lily. Braden was actually a pretty forgiving guy but when it came to his sister being hurt, there was no such thing. And the fact that it was with Lily, just added insult to injury where both he and Penny were concerned.

All Braden intended to do was go in and make sure Brooks was still alive. When he saw him, lying in the hospital bed, cut up, bruised and with his shoulder in a sling, he was pissed. Not only because he had not seen him since the night their friendship ended, but because Brooks could have died and they weren't friends anymore.

Appearing surprised to see him, Brooks winced as he tried to sit up.

"How'd you know I was here?"

Keeping his tone short, Braden replied, "Your mom called."

"Guess she forgot we weren't friends." Brooks said with a hopeful smile.

"She didn't forget, she said there was no one else to call," he replied hoping it stung.

With slight frown Brooks nodded. "Lily does have that effect."

"Why the hell did you sleep with her?" Braden surprised his own self with his outburst.

"What can I say, she talks a good game."

Shaking his head at his former friend in disgust, he turned to walk out.

"I really don't know what I was thinkin' getting with her. Penny was so awesome."

Making his way back to Brooks' bedside, Braden assured, "She still is."

"It didn't last long, ya know. Lily and me."

Full of contempt, Braden blurted, "Shocker."

The room was silent for a moment.

"Thanks for comin'. I guess."

Braden started to walk out again then stopped, "Are they keeping you overnight or what?"

"Yeah, for observation."

Nodding, he replied, "I'll be sure to tell your mom."

Making sure he knew it wasn't because he cared, although a small part of him did.

In the hospital parking lot, Braden paused, when he saw the brunette that had caused most of the trouble in his life heading towards him. He clenched his fists at the sight of her, thinking, 'of course'.

Lily's expression was sweet as always, in a conniving way, as she greeted, "This is a surprise."

"An unpleasant one," he assured, letting her know there was nothing good about seeing her.

"Oh don't be mean, from what I hear, you're... fine."

He couldn't help wondering what could have been if it weren't for her.

"No thanks to you."

Flipping her hair off of her shoulder, she laughed.

"I'm glad you think destroying my life is funny."

There was absolutely nothing redeemable about her.

"I didn't destroy your life. Those were the choices you made."

"You lied to me," he stated, finding it hard to believe that she was being serious.

Shrugging a shoulder at him, she gave a light smile. "People sometimes lie."

"You swore you loved me."

The smile vanished from her face as she replied, "I did love you."

Braden couldn't help feeling a hint of joy at her irritated expression.

"You know you can buy into blaming me and all that your family spews about what a terrible person I am. All the horrible things I did to their precious little Braden, but you and I both know, I wasn't the only one at fault."

"You were screwing Keven," he reminded, almost finding it humorous that she had bought into her own lies.

"That's right and every night you were off making love to your music."

It was nice of her to bring that up. Another reminder of what she'd done to him.

"I missed out on a great opportunity because of you."

"You can tell that lie all day long, but if you had wanted it, you would have gone no matter what I said."

As always, she did talk a good game. He knew better than anyone, he had bought into it for years.

Braden stood there wondering why he was wasting his breath on her. He had already given her a large portion of his life.

"Anyways, I thought you should know. You can have your house back."

"How generous of you."

"It was generous. We were never late on the mortgage. Not even once."

Shaking his head at her, she really was something.

"Keven got moved up state. He's going to counseling. And so am I. We've both made a lot of mistakes but we're working it out."

"Fascinating."

Lily started to walk off then stopped.

"Would you like to know why I married Keven and not you?"

"Thrill me."

"He wanted me. That's all I ever wanted. I only wanted to be wanted. I wanted you. I loved you. I wanted to be the most important thing in your life, but I was always second."

He was so angry with her for trying to make what she'd done his fault, he could feel himself starting to sweat.

"Oh, and good luck with your new Lily, maybe things will work out for you better this time." Lily said as she continued on her way and into the hospital.

What the hell was she talking about?

Shaking his head as he walked to his car, he thought, Lily and Keven deserved each other.

M
28
H

Standing on the cobblestone walkway, Liv stared at the grey house with maroon shutters. She was exhausted but she knew the man inside would want answers. He always came across as accusatory. Not unkind just straightforward.

After her fight with Braden, Pat had taken her straight home, but the moment she stepped inside, she couldn't stand being there anymore. There was nothing left for her at the farmhouse or in that small southern town. In hindsight, she wished she had hopped in her car and drove, but her mind was so clouded. Flying seemed like a better idea at the time. The flight was actually a blur at this point. All she remembered was listening to 'Scars' by Papa Roach through her earbuds, and trying to get Braden off of her mind.

Liv knocked twice before a man with varying shades of silver in his hair and beard answered the door.

"If it isn't my wayward girl."

It felt better to see him then she thought as she smirked, saying, "I come by it honestly."

"That you do," he said in a gruff voice that was softened by a smile.

Stepping back, he opened the door wider to let her in. The house smelled familiar giving her a sense of home, even though she never lived there with him.

Romeo Vera looked exactly the same as he always had, with the exception of the over-abundance of gray he now had. It was slicked back, long on top, cut high and short on the rest of his head. His beard was long but always well maintained. Although he didn't sport full sleeves like his daughter, his forearms held their fair share of tattoos.

The smell of coffee wafted through the air as Liv made her way into the kitchen.

"It's got chickaree in it." Romeo cautioned as she pulled a cup out of the cabinet.

Pouring herself a cup, Liv asked, "You still retired?"

"I do the odd job here and there."

With a smirk Liv questioned, "Depending on what she looks like?" as she leaned against the counter and sipped her coffee.

Agreeing with a laugh, he asked, "You need money?"

"No."

"You in trouble?"

"No."

"Runnin' from the law?"

"No."

"Man troubles?"

Liv paused before laughing, "Man troubles?"

Romeo took notice, questioning, "What happened?"

"Nothing."

In a harsh parental tone, he stated, "Lillian."

Cringing at the name, she automatically narrowed her eyes at him.

"Still going by Liv? Figured you'd of grown outta that."

"Nope," she replied with a serious expression.

Taking a sip of his coffee, he nodded at her.

"How long you stayin'?"

"Until I find someplace else to go."

Romeo nodded again, saying, "Might be good to have you around for a while."

Thinking it might be, she smiled at him.

"I'll be in the shed out back if you need me. Get some rest, you look like shit."

Liv's smile grew wider as Romeo left the kitchen. It was good to be home.

M
29
H

Instead of going back to his apartment, Braden stayed the night at the farmhouse. It was wrong and he knew it but he wanted to be there the second Liv got back. That way he would know without a doubt, she was telling the truth.

It was around three in the afternoon, Liv still hadn't shown up, and Penny stopped by.

"What are you doing here?" she questioned as he let her in.

Braden repeated, "What are you doing here?"

Penny appeared hesitant to tell him as she replied, "Liv asked me to stop by."

The thought of her spending the weekend with Pat made his stomach turn.

"Why?"

Glancing away from him, she answered, "She just wanted me to check the house."

His anger flared as he questioned, "For what? For me? Does she wanna make sure I'm not here when she gets back?"

Penny frowned, saying, "She's not coming back."

Feeling as if his chest was tearing in two, he sat down on the couch.

Staring down the hall at her bedroom door, he couldn't seem to get past the pain he was in.

"She's moving in with him?"

"Who?"

Braden couldn't look at his sister as he replied, "Pat. She's moving in with Pat."

"I don't think so."

Braden could hear the confusion in her voice.

"Then where'd she go?"

There was a pause before Penny replied, "Up north."

Shifting his focus to his sister, he asked, "Where?"

"She doesn't want you to know," she answered before taking a seat next to him on the couch.

He couldn't believe she left town. She left him.

An over powering sense of dread filled him at the thought of never seeing her again.

"Braden." Penny said in a soft voice.

The pain was unbearable. Quickly standing up, he stormed out of the house.

~

Braden parked his car and got out. Swiftly walking up to the Shady Acres Golf Course, he passed the club house and walked straight onto the green. He could hear shouts and complaints from nearby golfers but he didn't care. He knew Pat would be there. The golf course was a Saturday ritual for Pat. He just had to find him.

Spotting Pat at the seventh hole, he kept a steady pace until he reached him. Pat took notice and stopped as Braden interrupted his putt. Before he could open his mouth Braden punched him in his right eye. More shouts and complaints echoed in the background. He still didn't care. At the moment, the only thing Braden cared about was kicking Pat's ass. Swinging again, and again, Braden continued punching him until he himself was face down on the green with his hands handcuffed behind his back.

~

After declining the option to make a phone call, Braden sat on a metal bench in a holding cell at the city jail. His knuckles were red and swollen and his hand ached from hitting Pat numerous times in the face. He wanted to feel better, feel like he'd at least accomplished something or achieved some sort of payback. Unfortunately, as good as it felt in the moment, beating Pat's ass wasn't going to bring Liv back.

Leaning his back against the wall, he hung his head and closed his eyes, when he heard the jailer holler to him.

"Caffrey, let's go."

Standing up, he shook his head.

"Come on, Judge Stevens came all the way up here on a Saturday evenin' to set your bail. Don't make him wait."

The jailer opened the holding sell and Braden followed him down the hall to a door on the left.

Instantly irritated, he saw Brooks sitting there talking to a man who he assumed was the judge.

"What are you doin' here?"

Brooks stood, saying, "Judge Stevens is a friend of my dad's."

His arm was no longer in a sling and he didn't look nearly as bad as he did in the hospital the night before.

"And?"

"Come on, man, I'm just tryin' to help."

Furious, Braden swore, "I don't want your help."

"To bad." Brooks insisted before sharing, "Just because you stopped being my friend, doesn't mean I stopped being yours."

"What kinda stupid ass..." Braden started before the jailer cut him off, reprimanding, "Want me to take you back to the holding cell?"

"Yeah." Braden snapped, not wanting to accept his ex-friend's help.

Judge Stevens spoke up scolding, "Son, you should be a grateful to have a friend like him."

Clearly the judge had no idea what he was talking about.

"He's not my friend."

Brooks stepped in front of Braden, griping, "I am your friend."

"Cheating on my sister with my ex? Yeah, you're a great friend." Braden mocked giving Brooks a little shove.

Brooks shoved back and before the judge or the jailer could stop them they were rolling around on the floor swinging on each other.

~

Sitting in the holding cell, Braden was now handcuffed to the metal bench. Brooks sat on the opposite side with his arms crossed tight against his chest.

"Penny forgave me, why can't you?"

Braden glared at him griping, "Like hell she did."

Turning towards Braden, Brooks swore, "Yes she did. A few months after she got married."

His glare turned into a curious stare as Brooks continued.

"I ran into her at The Store. She even hugged me."

Shaking his head at himself, Braden said, "How could you sleep with her?"

Shrugging, he replied, "Bad judgment."

Braden started to laugh, that about summed up his own relationship with Lily.

As a new jailer came on shift, Braden started to wonder if he'd blown his chances of getting out before Monday. He was about to ask for his phone call when the jailer walked up to the holding cell.

"Strouse."

Brooks looked at Braden before hesitantly standing up.

"You want out or what?"

"Is Judge Steven's still here? I came to bail him out." Brooks explained pointing at Braden.

Before the jailer could answer, Braden rolled his eyes hearing his brother's voice.

"What in the hell is wrong with you?" Auggie questioned with a scowl.

"Sir, you can't be back here," the jailer fussed before his radio went off with a voice assuring, "I cleared him to go back."

"Braden jerked against his handcuffs griping, "You bailed Brooks out and not me?"

"You and I are going to have us a talk," Auggie replied before telling the jailer, "Let me in there."

Appearing shocked that Auggie was giving him orders, he assured, "No one is allowed in the cell unless they're arrested and booked in first.

With an irritated scowl Auggie gave a loud sigh before offering, "Alright then. It's you or him."

The jailer stared at him in disbelief as Brooks, questioned, "What?"

When the jailer took a step back, Auggie turned and punched Brooks in the face.

Brooks fell backwards into the wall holding the side of his face.

"What the hell, man!" he shouted at Auggie.

"Like you didn't have that comin'." Auggie fussed before walking down the hallway with the jailer close behind him.

~

Braden was still handcuffed to the metal bench in the holding cell. Now, he was stuck in the cell with his brother sitting next to him.

"Got anything to say for yourself?"

Giving Auggie a stupid look, he replied, "Yeah, but I'm handcuffed and you're not. It would hardly be a fair fight."

With a hard scowl, Auggie griped, "Fine, I'll go first."

With a disgruntled expression, Braden waited to hear what his brother had to say.

"Do you know what I did when I thought I'd lost Charlotte?"

"Got good and drunk?"

Shaking his head, Auggie shared, "No, smartass. I cried."

Rolling his eyes, Braden replied, "Oh bullshit."

His face was sincere as he swore, "It's the truth. Kneeling on the floor in Will's room, I cried."

Braden had never seen his brother cry. Not once in all his life.

"Why?"

With a heavy sigh, he replied, "Because I'd finally run out of excuses and people to blame."

Swallowing hard, Braden's chest felt heavy.

Admitting he was responsible for his life not turning out the way he wanted it to was all well and fine, but it wasn't going to do him any good. Liv was still gone.

"Charlotte didn't leave though."

Nodding, Auggie agreed, saying, "That's because she really wanted to stay."

Drawing in a deep breath, Auggie appeared thoughtful.

"Ya know, Liv's not Charlotte."

"Nah, really?" Braden sarcastically replied before informing, "I blew it with her, man. From the beginning."

"Don't beat yourself up to bad. She was married when you met her," before taking the opportunity to poke fun at him saying, "Although that's never stopped you before."

Braden laughed, before wrinkling his forehead in distress.

"I had her before Kieran. I just didn't know what I had."

"What?"

"Once in high school while Lily and I were broke up."

Auggie's eyes grew wide, "That was Liv?"

With a laugh, Braden assured, "I was surprised when I found out too," before admitting, "I don't even know what to do now."

"I don't either, but if you're gonna keep half-assing your way through life, then stop expecting things to turn out different than they always do."

Braden nodded as the jailer walked up to the cell.

~

Charlotte was standing there waiting on them, when Auggie and Braden walked to the front of the police station.

"You know, somehow I always knew this day would come," she teased, curling the corner of her mouth into a smile.

Auggie wrapped his arm around Charlotte, kissing her on the cheek.

Braden smiled wide at her before asking, "Can we go?"

"Jackson and Emerson are still in there with the judge. All three of them are waiting to talk to you before you can go."

"Great," he complained before she informed, "Hey, be grateful. If it weren't for them your ass would be going to prison for assault." Braden nodded at her as she added, "And it didn't hurt that Ren had your back too."

"She did?"

"Mmhmm. She went and had a talk with Pat at the hospital. He won't be pressing charges."

Auggie laughed, "Lucky for him it was just a talk."

"Even her 'talks' scare me."

Charlotte laughed at Braden as she agreed with Auggie saying, "I think she may have invented the term badass."