Page 65 of Saving Me
“Now I have two,” I whisper, blinking back the tears.
“Sweet dreams, little hummingbird,” he says sleepily. I listen to his breaths as they eventually even out as I join him in sleep…his warm body pressed against mine in a safe cocoon.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
JAKE
Ilook up from my desk and see my brother, Travis, walk into the office and shut the door.
He is wearing our custom-inkedt-shirt and matching black baseball cap. We look so much alike that a lot of people get us confused. At thirty, he’s the oldest and someone I’ve always looked up to. I couldn’t ask for a better business partner. It’s been fun the past few years building up our clientele and success together.
“Give me one minute,” I say, entering the last invoices into the system.
“No problem.” He walks over to the bar in the corner and pours two bourbons before sitting down on the sofa.
“Done.” I file the last receipt and shut my laptop, taking a seat next to him. Visions of Lyla on this couch enter my mind, and I find myself smiling.
“From the goofy-ass grin on your face, I take it things with Lyla are going good?” He laughs and hands me a drink.
“It couldn’t be going better.”
The last few days have been nothing short of amazing. When she’s not baking or doing catering events, we’re eatingdinners together and telling each other about our day. Our nights always end with her in my bed and me refusing to let her go. I sleep better with her beside me, knowing she’s safe. If I’m being completely honest, I have no intention of ever sleeping apart from her again.
“Any word from fuckface?”
I shake my head and scowl. I’ve caught all my brothers up to date, keeping the private details that Lyla shared with me out of it. None of us can even stomach his name, so he’s now referred to asfuckface,fucker, or anything else that comes up for us.
“Not a word. Hopefully, he’ll sign the papers and be out of her life for good. She still looks over her shoulder everywhere we go. I just want this to be over for her so she can finally move on.”
Lyla and I met with Maria a couple of days ago and started the divorce papers. I also talked her into filing a restraining order just in case he thinks about reaching out to her.
“Do you think he’s going to let her go that easy? From what you’ve said, he seems pretty obsessed with her.”
“If he knows what’s good for him, he won’t step a foot in our town.” My fingers tighten on the glass tumbler in my hand. Thinking about him makes me want to do things I never thought I would, which scares me. I’m not afraid of him…I’m scared of what I might do if I ever meet him. I’ve never wanted to hurt someone as much as I want to hurt him.
Travis notices my body language and frowns. “Just be smart about it. You can’t protect Lyla if you’re in jail. She needs you to keep a level head. He’ll get what’s coming to him one way or another. Karma has a way of taking care of those that need it.”
“Let’s just hope he stays in Alabama and I never get put to the test.”
“I can’t even argue with you on this because I would feel the exact same way if it was Sophia,” he sighs and rubs a hand overhis face. “Just call us, at least, if you hear or see anything. You know we have your back no matter what.”
“I know.” I throw back the rest of my bourbon and feel the burning liquid make its way down my throat. “How’s Max doing?” I ask, wanting to change the subject so it doesn’t sour the good mood I was in.
Travis’s eyes light up at the mention of his son. “He’s good. School is almost out for the summer, so he’s already making plans with Ryder to come to his shop and help him out. He’s been talking nonstop about the car show,” he chuckles.
“Ryder showed me some of the signups. It’s looking to be a pretty big deal.”
Ryder decided to sponsor his first-ever car show here in Blue Haven. People from all over the country have signed up to showcase their babies. From exotics and supercars to decked-out motorcycles and bikes…you name it…it will be there.
“It is. He’s got some big hitters coming, and the local businesses are already excited about the huge crowd for the three-day event. The Blue Haven Cafe and the other restaurants in town are even changing their menu and making it car-themed for the weekend.”
“I heard that. Mom’s been helping come up with some of the catchy names,” I laugh. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Mayor Hayes makes it a regular town event.”
Travis grins into his drink. “If Ryder brings in the money for our small town, which I think he will, I have no doubt Mayor Hayes will announce it at the next town meeting.”
“You’re probably right,” I shake my head, chuckling.
I pour us another drink before we get busy with our monthly meeting. We meet once a month, alternating offices, as we go over both business locations and compare notes with what is working and any changes that need to be made.
