Secretly Hers (Sterling Canyon) (12 page)

Trip threw back his fifth or sixth shot of tequila, he couldn’t be sure. Then he took a long swallow from another cold bottle of beer.

“Hey, man, you might want to slow down.” Grey shook his head. “What demons are you drowning? I’ve never seen you as grumpy as you’ve been since you got back from Denver. Does this have something to do with Kelsey storming our offices today?”

Trip defiantly swallowed another long gulp of beer. “I’m just blowing off a little steam. But if I want a babysitter, I’ll be sure to hire you.”

“On that note, I’ll think I’ll head over to Avery’s for the night.” When Trip waved him off, Grey hesitated. “You gonna make it home all right?”

“Home?” Trip chuckled. “Not sure that’s where I’ll land, but I’ll be all right, don’t worry.”

Grey scanned the bar and shook his head. “All these poor women are at risk now, aren’t they?”

“At risk of having an awesome time, maybe.” Trip laughed, but it rang hollow in his chest. When Grey merely rolled his eyes, Trip nodded. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Trip glanced around the bar after Grey left. Not even the prettiest girls captured his interest tonight. His mind kept wandering to Kelsey.

Where was she, who was she with, what was she doing? An image of some other guy’s hand tangled in her hair flashed through his mind. He chugged the rest of his beer and slammed the empty bottle on the bar before pressing the heels of his hands against his eyes, as if to rub away the image.

She’d promised to follow his advice, which included the all-important final tip about not sleeping with a guy too soon. But Kelsey would have trouble playing it cool from the get-go. Restraint went against every one of her instincts. That sexy bundle of fire and emotions believed if she just loved someone enough then he’d automatically love her right back. Well, she’d better not
love
this other guy tonight.

He clutched his stomach when it lurched. What the hell had he been thinking letting her go off with some stranger without getting the details? She might not be safe with this dude. Worse, what if the guy wouldn’t take no for an answer?

In fact, maybe Trip should go stake out her house to make sure she was okay. Even if she weren’t in danger, he’d be doing her a giant favor, actually, by making her stick to his tips. Yeah, a
giant
favor.

He wasn’t interested in seeing who this guy was,
that’s
for sure. Nope. That other guy didn’t matter, ’cause she couldn’t even like him, whoever he was. What
did
matter was making sure she listened to him so he’d win back his hat. Dammit, she still had his hat. Why had he let her hold on to it?

Didn’t matter. He needed to stop her from doing something stupid. So what if she got a little mad tonight? She’d thank him tomorrow. Thank him, yessir. No doubt about it.

Yeah, the more he considered the idea, the better it sounded. Really, he couldn’t think of a single good reason
not
to go.

He tossed twenty bucks on the bar and waved good-bye to the bartender before sliding off the stool.

Whoa.
He braced one hand against the bar to steady himself, then shook his head and blinked twice before crossing the bar. After staggering through the door, he straightened his Stetson and zipped up his fleece.

When he finally looked up, the entire sidewalk seemed to rise and fall beneath him as he watched Mason and Kelsey, arm in arm, crossing the street.

He stopped, swaying slightly, and squeezed his eyes shut in confusion. But they popped open as soon as he heard Kelsey giggle and he realized he wasn’t just having a nightmare.

“Get the hell away from her!” Trip’s voice exploded from his throat. Then outrage tore through his veins like barbed wire when he noticed the tight dress she’d worn for her date.

Kelsey stumbled in shock, or from yet another pair of sky-high shoes. But Mason merely cocked an amused eyebrow.

“I’m sorry, Mason.” Kelsey glared at Trip and snapped, “Go home, cowboy, before you cause a scene.”

Trip shook his head, his gaze locked on Mason’s mocking stare. “Trust me, Kelsey. He’s using you to get to me.”

“This may be hard for a man whose ego spans the entire galaxy to comprehend, but everything that happens isn’t about you.” She tugged at Mason’s arm to proceed, but Trip stepped in front of her.

“Maybe not, but this,” he gestured between Mason and her, “is definitely about me.” Trip nodded at Mason, the weight of his own head tipping him off balance. “Tell her.”

“You’re wasted!” Kelsey poked his chest. “Go sleep it off before you embarrass yourself further.”

“Kelsey, my brother is using you to fuck with me.” The streetlights swirled in Trip’s peripheral vision, the sidewalk shook like skis cutting through crud. He blinked and focused on Kelsey’s face.

“Your brother? You’ve lost your mind.” Kelsey shook her head while Mason remained silent. “He’s not a Lexington. This is Mason
Cutler
.”

“I’m not so drunk I can’t ID my own brother. I’m a Cutler even if I kept my mom’s name.”

“Don’t remind me,” Mason finally chimed in, his tone cold enough to cause frostbite.

“Wait, it’s true?” Kelsey released Mason’s arm and pressed her fingertips against her temple. “You’re brothers?”

“Aren’t you listening?” Trip thrust his arms outward and let them fall against his sides. What he really wanted was to toss her over his shoulder and run. “The fact he asked you out is no coincidence. He’s doing this to get to me. I knew when he arrived here weeks ago something like this would happen. Kelsey, he’s been doing this to me my whole damn life.”

“But how could he have known about us?” Kelsey’s confused gaze drifted back and forth between the brothers. “We’ve been discreet.”

“Tell her the truth, Mason,” Trip demanded.

“What truth, Gunner?” Mason crossed his arms, feigning ignorance and innocence at the same time. Alarms went off, but in his altered state, Trip couldn’t work fast enough to shut down the conversation. “By the way, it’s quite an insult to assume my interest in Kelsey has to do with you instead of the fact she’s a beautiful, kind woman.”

“Did you know about Trip and me?” Kelsey’s eyes widened; her voice turned thready.

“Yes, but I didn’t come after you to hurt him. My mother mentioned your name before I first arrived in town.” Mason had perfected phony sincerity, and it made Trip want to kick him in the ass. First he had to get Kelsey away from his brother.

“Let’s go, princess.” Trip motioned for Kelsey to follow him.

“But you don’t confide in your stepmom, do you?” Kelsey stood still, waiting for an explanation.

“Hell no!” Trip scowled, then turned on Mason, desperate to end this discussion before his brother repeated the dismissive words Trip had used in Denver to try to throw Deb off his trail. Although it humiliated him to do so, he groveled. “If you need to mess with me, come at me directly. Don’t hurt her to do it.”

But the gleam in Mason’s eye torpedoed any hope Trip might’ve had of calling a truce.

“I’m honestly shocked by your reaction.” Mason held his hands up, shrugging. “You told Mom ‘Boomerang’ wasn’t anyone special, so I assumed you wouldn’t care
who
she dated.”

Trip squeezed his eyes shut again, heat flashing through his body. When he opened them and turned to Kelsey, her watery eyes pierced his heart, sobering him up a bit. “I only said that to protect you from this ass. I knew if he thought you meant anything to me, he’d pull a stunt like this. You believe me, right?”

“What’s ‘Boomerang’?” The gentle, hurt tone of her voice, coupled with her lifeless expression, twisted his gut.

“Nothing.” He reached toward her but she stepped back.

Mason scoffed. “Liar.”

Kelsey turned on Mason, a bit of fire in her eyes. “Don’t look so self-righteous. How dare you use me just to play out some juvenile sibling rivalry? If this is how you treat people, your wife’s decision to bail makes a lot of sense.”

“I didn’t pretend anything, Kelsey. What’s not to like about you?” Mason’s smooth voice sounded too convincing to Trip. “And besides, I didn’t coin that derogatory nickname.”

She whirled on Trip. “What’s that nickname even mean?”

“It’s just a stupid name Grey came up with last year when you kept chasing after him.” The humiliation in her eyes nearly brought him to his knees. He reached out to embrace her but she shoved him away. “I’m sorry.”

“You shared it with your parents?” Her lower lip trembled when she spoke, and the betrayal in her voice scraped against his skin worse than any rough rock he’d ever climbed. Everything Trip had said in the past five minutes had made things worse instead of better, while Mason had yet another front row seat to witness the damage he’d set out to cause.

“I made an offhand comment to my dad before anything happened between us. It slipped out, but I swear I didn’t use it to be cruel.”

He watched her put on a brave face despite the unflattering and heartless revelations, but she couldn’t hide the tear trailing down her cheek. She squared her shoulders. “I’m going home.”

“I’ll walk you.” Trip started toward her, but she stuck her hand out.

“You stay away from me, Trip Lexington.” Then she spun on Mason. “That goes for you, too. What a pair you two make. Your parents must be so proud.” She looked right at Trip. “You should be glad your mom’s not around to see how you turned out.”

Although she’d hit a bull’s-eye with her last retort, seeing Kelsey’s spirit broken snapped something inside Trip. His hat went flying as he lunged at Mason. His fist connected with his brother’s face, sending him reeling backward. Kelsey yelped and Trip vaguely registered the small crowd that had formed to watch the spectacle, yet nothing would stop him.

He gripped Mason by the shirt and pushed him to the ground, straddled him, and started punching.

“Stop it!” Kelsey cried. “Trip, stop!”

But fury blinded him. Trip rained his fists down on Mason, who tried desperately to shield his face and body from the force of Trip’s blows.

A cop finally pulled Trip off his brother, who lay bloody and beaten on the sidewalk. Trip’s heart was racing, his skin damp with sweat. Red and blue lights reflected off the plate-glass windows of the bar, and a dull murmur from the crowds grew louder. Wooziness gripped him as he struggled to catch his breath and fight against the shock setting in. He’d never lost control of his temper like that.

He glanced around the crowd, but couldn’t find Kelsey in the melee.

One cop handcuffed Trip while another tended to Mason’s injuries. A wave of relief washed through him when Mason stood up despite the pummeling he’d endured. In a matter of minutes, Trip had physically beaten his brother, and inflicted damage far worse on Kelsey.

Shame and guilt converged with all the tequila he’d drunk and, before he could stop himself, he threw up next to the police car.

The cop dabbed his chin with a handful of wadded-up tissues and tossed Trip’s hat in the back of the car. “At least you’ll have time to sober up in the tank.”

The cop then guided Trip into the backseat. The last thing Trip noticed as the car pulled away was Kelsey walking alone on the sidewalk, crying.

Chapter Eleven

“I hope you feel as lousy as you look.” Grey shook his head as he strode out of the jailhouse ahead of Trip. “Honestly, Trip. Kelsey? I begged you to stay away from Avery’s friends. Instead, you ignore me
and
throw me under the bus with the Boomerang thing.”

“Sorry.” Trip tucked his hands in his jacket pockets and tipped his hat forward to shield his eyes from the sunlight’s sting. If only the dusty streets had been this empty last night, things would look a little better for him this morning.

Grey stooped over to untie his golden lab, Shaman, from the public bench, then glanced up over his shoulder and sighed. “What are you, twelve? Sorry’s all you’ve got to say?”

Grey had been a good friend—Trip hated having disappointed and deceived him.

“What else should I say?” Trip cleared his throat, wishing for some water and ibuprofen. “Can’t change the past, but I’ll pay you back the bail money.”

Shaman trotted over and sniffed around Trip’s boots, then wandered ahead of the two men toward an elderly couple strolling out of Higher Grounds coffee shop. The woman’s crinkly eyes radiated warmth as she bent down to pet Shaman, her husband lovingly supporting her by holding her elbow. Trip found himself rubbing his chest, as if struck by the tender scene.

“You know I don’t give a shit about the bail money. I’m concerned about Avery and our business. Not that you remember, but you were supposed to take a group climbing today.” When Trip winced, Grey waved him off. “I already called them and offered a major discount to reschedule. I just hope your arrest doesn’t cost us clients. What’s your plan if your brother presses charges?” Grey tipped his head sideways and scanned Trip’s face. “Doesn’t look like the guy landed a single punch. You must’ve really kicked the shit out of him.”

“Don’t remind me.” Trip rubbed his face with his hands and looked east, toward Kelsey’s condo. “I’ll make some kind of public apology and do community service work to clean up my image. But first I need to take care of something.”

Grey followed Trip’s gaze and then shook his head. “I think you should leave Kelsey alone today. According to Avery, she doesn’t want anything to do with you right now.” He whistled for Shaman, who trotted back to them. “The girls leave for Mexico on Friday, which gives everyone time to cool down. Wait until they get back before you go talk to her.”

“Can’t do that. You didn’t see her face last night. I have to talk to her today.”

Grey stuck his hand out, stopping Trip’s progression. “I’m serious, Trip. She’s not in the mood to hear you right now.”

“I’m gonna do what I’m gonna do, and you can’t stop me.” He very deliberately removed Grey’s hand from his chest. “I don’t want to fight with you, too.”

“Wow.” Grey’s brows rose and then he narrowed his gaze. “Answer me this: is Kelsey the reason you’ve been so moody lately? Are you in love with her or something?”

Trip wasn’t going to talk about Kelsey with Grey or anyone else. How could he when he didn’t even know how he felt? “I haven’t been moody. I’ve been
busy
trying to stop that land deal, cope with my dad’s heart attack, and come to terms with the fact that my brother’s living in town.”

“Last night Kelsey told Avery a little about your family. Given how you overreacted, I’m guessing there’s a lot more history there. How come you told Kelsey about it, but you’ve never talked to me?”

“You know I’m not one for heart-to-hearts, Grey. For the most part, I’ve put my past behind me.” Trip held up a finger. “I opened up to Kelsey a little the first night my brother blindsided me by showing up at our office. If I’d mentioned his name, he couldn’t have duped her. I was stupid, but I won’t make that same mistake again.”

“Are you sure you’re not being a little paranoid? He met Kelsey through Wade.” Grey held his hands out in question. “Kelsey’s an attractive woman. Isn’t it possible his interest in her has nothing to do with you?”

“Except that it does.” Trip crossed his arms, looked at his feet, and kicked the toe of his boot against the pavement. “I’m sure he likes her fine, but Mason’s primary goal was to needle me. It’s his favorite pastime.”

“Maybe, maybe not. Interesting, though, that you reacted that way to a single date.” Grey whistled for Shaman, who’d run far ahead again. Then he grinned and mocked Trip. “Of course, if you’re in love with Kelsey, then maybe you couldn’t help yourself.”

Leave it to Grey to toss around the L-word over and over, as if every guy wanted hearts and flowers like he did.

“Can’t I
care
about Kelsey without you labeling it love? We’re friends, and I feel shitty that she’s hurt because of the way I handled this whole situation.”

“Friends don’t normally have sex.” Grey raised one brow. “A friend doesn’t usually get so jealous he pummels a guy with his fists.”

“I’ve had sex with plenty of friends.” Trip scowled, needing to dismiss the innuendo in Grey’s remarks. “And I wasn’t jealous, I was angry. Don’t make more of this than it is.”

“Fine, don’t talk to me. But before you go over there to see Kelsey, you better know why you’re going. Don’t compound the lousy decisions you’ve made to date. And, Trip? If you have to see her today, I suggest you go home and shower first.”

Trip lifted his arm and sniffed. “Maybe you’ve got a point about the shower.”

“Pathetic.” Grey shook his head and tossed a doggy treat at Shaman. “Since you ignored my request about staying away from Kelsey, can you at least promise me there won’t be any surprises involving Emma?”

Trip cracked his first grin of the day. “That’s a promise I can keep.”

The lilies in his hand were beginning to wilt. Trip peered through the windows of Kelsey’s office. No lights, no signs of life—just like her condo. He pulled his phone out of his pocket. She still hadn’t returned his texts, voice mails, or emails. After checking to make sure the sound wasn’t muted, he returned it to his pocket and wiped his sweaty forehead.

The massive hangover and lack of sleep slowed his reflexes and stiffened his muscles. This hide-and-seek game wasn’t helping his headache, either.

Grey had sworn Kelsey wasn’t camped out at Avery’s. Emma had practically chased him from her inn with a broom. The only place he hadn’t yet tried was Maura’s house. He sighed, closing his eyes.

Maura would probably be at least as angry as Emma, if not worse. But he had to face the music, and he had to see Kelsey before her hot anger cooled to hatred.

Trip lugged himself toward Maura’s, slowing down as he rounded the corner and the familiar porch and picket fence came into view. Doubt niggled. Was he making a mistake? Maybe waiting until she returned from Mexico
would
be smarter.

As he drew nearer, he saw little Fee playing with Cowboy in the grass. Kelsey
was
here. The fact neither she nor Maura were on the porch watching over Fee surprised him.

He must’ve been frowning, because when Fee looked up, she asked, “Are you mad, too? Everyone’s in a bad mood today.”

Trip remained on the sidewalk side of the fence. “I’m not mad. But I am looking for your Aunt Kelsey. Is she here?”

Fee nodded. “She’s eating all our ice cream. My mom keeps saying ‘told you so’ and then Aunt Kelsey just eats more scoops. So I sneaked out here to play.”

The image Fee had painted made Trip smile despite knowing nothing about the situation was funny. “Ah, I was wondering why you were out here alone.”

Fee approached the gate with Cowboy in hand, her baby-blues twinkling above a cheery grin. She pointed at the lilies. “Are those for me?”

“No, sweetheart. These are for your Aunt Kelsey.”

“Are you going to marry her today?” Fee bounced on her toes. “That will make her happy.”

“No, no.” He had to smile at how strong the marriage-crazed gene ran through the Callihan family. And contrary to Fee’s opinion, he doubted very much that Kelsey would accept any proposal from him today, let alone a marriage proposal. Not that he’d ever take that vow. “These are to say I’m sorry.”

Fee scowled. “What’d you do?”

“Well, it’s complicated. But I’d like to apologize.” He knelt down and ruffled Fee’s hair. “Would you run inside and ask her to come out here?”

Fee wrinkled her nose, appearing to consider the pros and cons of helping him. “Okay, but I’m taking Cowboy with me.”

“Good idea.” Trip stood up and watched Fee scamper up the porch stairs and into the house, carrying the kitten in both hands.

His stomach burned a little, so he started pacing in front of the gate while he waited for Kelsey. He noticed movement on the porch and turned to face her with a smile, only to be confronted by her angry sister instead.

Maura was a pretty woman, although not a bombshell like Kelsey. She looked a little wiped out, which made sense given the fact she was pregnant and caring for two small kids, and now an angry sister, too. Why was Kelsey in such a rush to be like her sister when her own life—free and financially independent—seemed like so much more fun?

Maura marched down the walkway with her arms crossed. “If you think a few flowers are going to make a difference, you’re sadly mistaken.”

“I take it Kelsey sent you to shoo me away.” Trip aimed for a contrite yet jovial tone, hoping to loosen up Maura’s scowl.

No dice.

“Yep.” Maura stopped a few feet before the gate, which she did not open.

Trip straightened his hat and rubbed the back of his neck. “I get that everyone’s upset, but I’d really like to speak with her. What are my chances of getting you to convince her to come out here?”

“Oh, um, about zero.” Maura’s face wore the same fierce expression he’d seen on Kelsey from time to time. “After last night, I’m not sure she’s safe around you.”

Trip briefly closed his eyes. “I’ve never started a fight in my life before last night. I was drunk and my brother has just pushed me one too many times, I guess. That aside, I promise I’m no threat to you or your sister, or anyone else, for that matter.”

“Maybe not physically.” She shook her head. “I warned her not to get tangled up in your stupid sex plan. I told her she’d end up hurt or worse. But no, she had it all figured out. Had
you
all figured out. Now she’s humiliated and hurt thanks to you, your partner, and your idiot brother.”

“And I feel awful about that.” Really awful. Couldn’t she see it? “It’s why I’m here. I need to explain everything, so please get her to come talk to me.”

“No. You might be able to smooth-talk all the other women in town, but I don’t want you and your silver tongue within ten miles of my sister.” Then Maura pointed her finger at him, like some old schoolmarm. “She’s too good for you. You don’t deserve her forgiveness, especially after creating a public spectacle that people will talk about for weeks.”

Trip could take his lumps, but he was reaching his limit as to how much dressing-down he could endure in one day.

“This is silly, Maura. She can’t avoid me forever. Please. I just want to apologize.” When Maura hesitated, Trip started to open the gate. Maura grasped it, eyes flashing hot with disbelief.

“I said no. You’re not welcome here.”

Trip saw a curtain move in one of the upstairs windows. Kelsey was barely fifty feet away, watching him tap-dance with her sister on the sidewalk. Well, if either of these two women thought they were going to stop him from making sure Kelsey knew he didn’t think of her as some kind of joke,
they
were the ones sadly mistaken.

“Do you want another public ‘spectacle’? Because I’m about five seconds away from calling her name over and over until she talks to me. So will you help me or not?”

“Even you wouldn’t be that big of an ass.” Maura scoffed.

“Oh, Maura. You underestimate me.” Trip winked and then put one hand at the side of his mouth and bellowed, “Kelsey Callihan! I’m not leaving until you talk to me.”

“Ohmigod, you’ve got no shame. Shush!” Maura whipped her head left and right to see if any of the neighbors had taken an interest in the scene at her house. She opened the gate and waved Trip into the yard. “Wait here on the porch. I’ll see if she’ll speak with you, but you have to promise you’ll leave as soon as you finish whatever you have to say.”

Trip noticed Fee’s face pressed against the storm door, smiling. Apparently she appreciated his dramatic flair. He knew he liked that kid.

Finally Kelsey appeared behind Fee, kissed the top of her little blond head, and then came through the door, staying within arm’s reach of the knob. “Once again, you win. So make it fast, because I have nothing to say.”

Trip extended the bouquet toward her. He watched her brow furrow with concern when she noticed his bruised knuckles, but she quickly wiped her expression clean and tossed the flowers on the porch swing.

“Princess—”

“Oh, so you’re back to princess, now? Guess Boomerang got
boring
.” She looked away, nose tipped upward.

He deserved that, but he didn’t like it. “Kelsey, please stop. Just look at me for two minutes.”

To his surprise, she snapped her gaze to meet his, her tawny eyes looking as gray as the thickest ice on any cornice he’d ever skied.