Road to Redemption (6 page)

Alex sighed. “Babe, you sayin’ shit like I’m ‘breakin’ the cycle’ drives home the fact that I’m fuckin’ failin’ at it.”

“So I
did
say something.”

“Fuck me, Payton. You ever not intuitive?”

“I’m paid to be intuitive,” I said. “It makes me a good teacher.”

He nodded. “Look. You have a charmed life, good family, fuckin’ great friends—”

“And you don’t?”

“It’s different, Payton. My club’s my family outside of Kayla and Lily. Before the club, I never had friends I could trust like you can trust yours.” He dragged his hands through his hair. “I know I’m fuckin’ Lily up big time. Shit, her teacher even said she’s behind in her language skills and asked me if I read to her at night… like if I don’t, I should be ashamed.”

“And do you?”

“If I’m home… sometimes. But not always.” He frowned. “I’m not breakin’ any cycles, babe. I’m just makin’ new ones to fuck up my daughter.”

“So I hit a nerve,” I observed, and smiled.

“Yeah, babe, you hit a nerve.”

“Can I put my two cents in regarding Lily… purely from a professional standpoint?”

“Have at it.”

“Okay, I’m not sure why her teacher would say she’s behind in her language skills. Yes, she sometimes says words a little softer than other girls her age, has some difficulty saying her r’s, but she forms full and coherent sentences and understands what you’re saying to her, so in my opinion, she’s right on track. She also has a pretty good sense of what people she can trust, considering I heard her crying for a little while in the store before she stopped and talked to me. She inherently knew I’d help her. I think her teacher is either an insensitive cow, or wants to offer up her personal services to help Lily in the hopes of getting in your pants.”

It took him a second to respond but then he let out a booming laugh that filled the cab of the truck. I was so distracted by the sound, I didn’t register him reaching for me until his mouth was on mine and I was melting into his arms.

I broke the kiss and dropped my forehead to his arm. “Alex.”

“In less than five minutes, you’ve erased the fear I’ve had for years, babe.” He stroked my cheek. “I won’t apologize for kissin’ you.”

I met his eyes. “I was just telling you the truth. I do think Lily’s perfectly fine. If she wasn’t, I’d say that too.”

He kissed me again.

“Alex,” I said, smiling against his lips. “You can’t keep kissing me when I tell you the truth. Our mouths will be permanently attached if that’s the case.”

“Explain why that would be a problem,” he retorted.

“Just imagine trying to track down some bad guy with my mouth attached to yours.”

He grinned. “Minor point made… maybe.”

I giggled. “Do you need more examples?”

“I’m good.” He smiled at me. A smile that went to my soul.

“I need to go,” I whispered, shifting away from him.

He nodded and reached for my hand again. “Thanks, babe.”

I smiled. “Not sure what I did, but you’re welcome.”

He climbed from the cab, made his way to my side, and pulled open the door. I jumped down and grabbed my purse, hitting the trunk button on my key fob.

“Want some help?” Alex asked.

“No, I’m good. Just have to see if Macey left a bag,” I said, and peered inside. “Which she did.” I pulled our shopping bags out and then closed the trunk.

“Thanks for tonight, babe,” Alex said, and smiled.

“I’m always up for burgers and boats.”

He chuckled. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Will I see you before Thanksgiving?”

“Babe, Thanksgiving’s over a week away.”

“You say that like I’m not aware of that fact,” I retorted.

“Yeah, you’ll see me before Thanksgiving. I’ll call you.”

“Maybe I’ll answer.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You’ll answer.”

I giggled. “We’ll see, handsome.”

“I’m gonna kiss you, babe.”

“Nope,” I said even as I raised my head.

He chuckled and bent part of the way, forcing me to stand on tiptoe to reach him. “You’re a butt,” I said just before his mouth covered mine.

I found the bags in my hands obtrusive, especially since I wanted to touch him, so I dropped them to the ground and wove my fingers into his hair. I was grateful it was dark, but even if it hadn’t been, I wouldn’t have objected. There was something about kissing Alex James that made me want more. I liked him. A lot.

I forced myself to break the kiss, dropping my forehead to his chest. He pulled me closer, tugging gently on my ponytail. I raised my head so I could meet his eyes. “You’re still a butt.”

He chuckled. “Told you I was going to wear you down.”

“Hmm-mm. We’ll see.” I picked up my bags again and rifled through my purse for my keys.

“Sure I can’t help you carry those?”

I shook my head. “I’m good.”

“I’ll wait for you to get inside.”

“Okay.” I smiled. “Thanks for dinner.”

“Anytime, babe,” he said, and I let myself inside, leaning against the door for a minute to catch my breath.

I fired off a text to my mom to let her know I was home, and then one to Macey to let her know I had her stuff. Then I locked up, set the alarm, and headed to my room with a glass of wine. Time to process.

A
LMOST A WEEK later, I was walking out of school when my phone rang. I grimaced to see ‘
SMA
’ pop up on the screen. I almost ignored it. He’d waited six days to call me and, if I was being honest, I was hurt that he hadn’t called sooner. I thought we’d had a connection, but when day three, then four, then five passed without a phone call, I thought I was wrong.

Unfortunately, the truth was I’d missed him, so I answered. “Hello?”

“Hey, baby.”

I shivered as his voice washed over me. “Alex?” I played dumb.

“You busy tonight?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Seriously?” He sounded surprised and a little annoyed.

“Seriously,” I said. “I have plans with Macey. Why, what’s up?”

“Can you blow her off?”

I snorted. “
No
.”

“I wanted to take you out on the boat.”

“Well, then you can plan a day that works for me and we can go from there.”

He sighed. “Don’t get all pissy, Payton. It was just a question.”

“Was it just a question, Hawk? Because I was thinking you decided I was going to drop everything at your beck and call.” I unlocked my car and climbed inside. “It’s girls’ night out, which trumps you, handsome.”

“You pissed at me?”

Ohmigod, talk about clueless. “Why would I be pissed at you?”

“Okay, babe. You have fun tonight. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

Then he was gone. He hung up. I let out a frustrated squeal as I started my car and pulled out of the parking lot. I made it home in record time. I was probably irritated enough to speed, but I’d deny it if anyone asked.

My parents wouldn’t be home from work for a while, so I had plenty of uninterrupted time to shower and change for girls’ night out, and even had the minute chance of getting out the door before they arrived. Dani and her best friend were joining us, along with my sister-in-law, Bailey, and then Bailey and I were crashing at Macey’s place, so I packed a bag before jumping in the shower. Dinner and live music was the plan and it was at a place you didn’t have to dance if you didn’t want to. I was more of a homebody, so I would more than likely watch from the sidelines… well, unless I drank a little too much. Then all bets were off.

Once I’d applied my makeup and dried my hair, I set it in hot curls while I pulled out my second favorite little black dress. The stretchy material formed a fitted bodice and flared skirt that stopped just above my knees, while a sheer mesh decolletage sculpted a sweetheart silhouette. The open back had crisscrossing straps which tied in a pretty bow at the center which made me feel feminine and fun at the same time.

I did own a sexier dress, but I wasn’t really looking for attention, wanted or otherwise, tonight. I just wanted to hang with my girls.

This thought brought Alex to mind and I shook my head. The pull of a night out on his boat was definitely tempting, but I didn’t bail on my friends and I certainly didn’t ask ‘how high?’ when a man said ‘jump.’ It just wasn’t me. Even if the man
was
sexy as hell.

After completing my ensemble with my very favorite four-inch pair of cherry red Jimmy Choos (a
major
splurge on my part), I grabbed my purse, bag, and coat, and headed upstairs. The house was still pretty much dark, so I knew my parents weren’t home. Setting the alarm, I let myself out and locked the door.

“Fuck me, babe, you take forever to get ready.”

I squeaked and dropped my stuff, turning to find Alex sitting on my front porch. “Ohmi
god
, Hawk, you can’t keep doing that to me.”

He chuckled as he stood and picked up my discarded items. “You look beautiful, Payton.”

“Thank you. What are you doing here?” I demanded, ignoring the little flutter of delight that was spreading through my body. He looked delicious, his jeans painted on, a black thermal and leather jacket that made me want to peel his clothes off of him.

“Taking you to girls’ night.”

“Come again?” I shivered, having underestimated just how cold it was outside.

“Why aren’t your wearing your coat?”

“I never do when I’m driving. It’s too constricting.”

He took my coat still draped over my arm and helped me into it. “Well, now I’m driving, so you can stay warm.”

“You can’t take me to girls’ night, Hawk.”

“Yeah I can.”

“Hawk, I don’t hear from you for days and now you expect me to go with you because you show up here?” I studied him. “Who does that?”

He shook his head. “Babe, I was a dick.”

“Ya think?” I retorted.

“Let me make it up to you.”

I narrowed my eyes. “How exactly?”

“I’ll drive you wherever you want to go. Pick you up. You can drink all night and I’ll make sure you’re safe. If you’re wasted, I’ll bring you home if you want, take you back to the club or get a hotel room.”

“So you’re trying to get me drunk and into bed?”

He cocked his head. “Now you’re just being ornery.”

I bit back a giggle. He was right. I was being ornery. “I’m staying at Macey’s tonight, so I have to drive or I’ll have no way to get home tomorrow.”

“I’ll pick you up tomorrow and we can spend the day together, or I can drive you home if you have other plans.”

“Alex,” I whispered.

“There she is,” he said, and slid his hand to my neck.

“What?”

“You call me Hawk when you’re irritated, handsome when you’re beyond pissed, and Alex when you’re back to liking me.”

“I do?”

He chuckled. “You do, babe.”

“I have a tell?” I let out a mock huff. “Damn it!”

Alex laughed and I couldn’t help but smile. “I’m your driver for the night, baby, yeah?”

“What about Lily?”

“She’s with Kayla.”

“She’s okay with that?”

“Baby, I’ve had a shit week, Lily’s been sick and I took some time off, which meant I’ve been behind. Kay was happy to do this for me because I needed to see you.”

“So that’s why you didn’t call?”

“Yeah,” he said. “I probably picked up my phone a hundred times, but baby girl took all my attention. Will you let me make it up to you?”

“You really don’t mind?”

He dropped his forehead to mine. “I really don’t mind.”

I smiled. “Okay. Thank you.”

This is when he kissed me and it was
good
. So good, I didn’t want it to end, so I wrapped my arms around his waist and up his back. Finally! God, I’d missed this. He took his time and I didn’t want it to end. However, the lights of my dad’s car pulling into the driveway had me pushing Alex away like an errant teen. “Damn it! Let’s go.”

“I take it this is your dad?”

“Yep.” I grabbed my purse from his hand and slung it over his shoulder. “I’ll meet you at your truck.”

He shook his head. “Ah, no.”

“What?” I frowned, trying to push him from the porch. “Go.”

“Baby, I’m not running from your dad like we’re kids doin’ somethin’ we’re not supposed to be doing.”

“Then what do you propose?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Alex droned. “How about I meet him like a man?”

The garage door raised and I heard my dad drive inside. Maybe he’d just go into the house… maybe he didn’t even notice us.

“No. Absolutely not. I had this all planned for Thanksgiving. You were going to meet him and everyone then.” I yanked my coat closer to my body. “You’re not meeting him on the darkened front porch just as I’m scurrying away.”

“Baby, you’re not scurrying anywhere.” He frowned. “You fuckin’ ashamed of me?”

“What? No.” I shook my head. “No. Alex, I’m sorry. This isn’t what this is about.”

“Pay?” my dad called as he locked his car. “That you?”

Or maybe not.

“Yeah, Dad. I’m just heading out the door to meet Macey. Alex came to pick me up.” My dad appeared before us and I smiled. “How was your day?”

He looked Alex up and down, but not in a judgy way, just in my Dad sizing up my man-friend kind of way. “It was good, honey. How about yours?”

“Good. Um, Dad, this is Alex. Alex, Dad.”

My dad reached out his hand and Alex took it. “Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too, son.” Dad glanced back at the street. “Is that your truck?”

“Yeah.”

“It’s a good truck. Safe. Just how I want my daughter to be.”

Alex grinned, his hand settling at the base of my spine. “Couldn’t agree more.”

“You staying at Macey’s tonight?” my dad asked me.

“Yep. Brock and Dallas are gone, so Bailey’s staying too.”

Dad nodded. “Good deal. You need me, you call.”

“I will, Dad,” I said, and kissed his cheek. “Thanks.”

He hugged me and then smiled at Alex. “I think we understand each other.”

Alex nodded. “Yeah.”

Dad let himself into the house as Alex grabbed my stuff and guided me to his truck. “Your dad’s pretty laid back.”

I giggled as I settled myself in the truck and saw the front curtain flutter. “Yeah, sort of. He’s got my cell phone tracked as we speak and he’s watching from the front window.”

Alex laughed. “Good to know.”

He threw my stuff in the back and then climbed up beside me and started the truck.

“So, what happened with Lily?” I asked as he pulled away from the curb.

“Croup. I was worried it was whooping cough, but she was immunized, so the doctor said she’d just be uncomfortable until the virus left her system. A couple nights sitting in a steamy bathroom seemed to do the trick.”

“Still scary though.”

He nodded. “She went back to school today and really wanted to spend time with her aunt, so I used the distraction.”