Page 31 of Claiming Ours
“Sorry, I got so wrapped up in seeing you and the mess from last night.” Memphis’s soft lips pressed into a thin line at my blubbering and waving both hands like an idiot. “I’m sitting here talking, and you just came to have your furry friend checked over.”
Of course he wasn’t here for me, to reminisce about the good times. But why did it feel like he was and wanted to surpriseme? Memphis wasn’t listed as the owner’s name. I would’ve remembered that because it was so unique.
I really wished he was here for me, not just for Elvis’s health, because a little piece of my heart that had yet to heal mended upon seeing him. It was like my childhood home had suddenly found me, offering the warmth and happiness that I hadn’t felt in a long time. My life here was great, but I still missed home sometimes, and now a piece of that was here at my clinic.
When I reached for Elvis’s leash, Memphis’s tattooed fingers interlaced with my own, stopping them. Confused, I studied our joined hands before blinking up at him.
“The appointment wasn’t real, Baylee.”
I shook my head, knowing I saw it earlier in the scheduling system. “No, you’re mistaken. It’s in the system, but under a different name, I think. I can show you where?—”
A wide smile spread across his face, making him appear exactly how I remembered him from high school, minus the new bad-boy look he had going on. Which, holy shit, was a good look on him.
“I mean I’m here for you, Baylee. I made up the appointment and name—sorry about that, by the way—as an excuse to come see you. Elvis is fine. Besides his very recent growling episodes, he’s perfectly healthy.”
All I could do was blink at Memphis as his words went in one ear and out the other.
Seeing my confusion, he blew out a slow breath and squeezed my fingers. “I came to Alaska for you. To talk to you. I was just chickenshit and didn’t know how to approach you, and I figured this was the easiest way.”
“What! That’s amazing and confusing and I don’t know what else,” I said, meaning every word. “You came all the way to Alaska just to see me?” I furrowed my brow. “Um, why exactly?”
Memphis looked away with a chuckle and raked his fingers through his hair. “I was hoping we could talk about the why later, but yes, I came all the way from Florida to Alaska to see you.”
I froze. “Are you the one who’s been calling me nonstop, leaving those empty voice messages?”
His features hardened, and his eyes seemed to darken with anger. “What calls? What messages?”
My brows pulled in tight as the realization hit me like a freight train that I knew nothing about the man standing in front of me. Again, I scanned his tattoos, the small scar along his cheek, and the one that cut between the brow without the ring.
I might’ve grown up with Memphis Thomas the boy…
But I didn’t really know this man.
11
LIAM
“They don’t know shit,” Aiden grumbled from where he paced on the other side of Harry. I nodded, agreeing with him as I continued to clean out his hoof. “And our only lead wasn’t a lead at all.”
Carefully releasing the gelding’s leg, I patted his side in silent communication that I was moving on to the next one.
Noting that Aiden had paused, I glanced over the horse’s back. He glared at the ground, both hands on his hips, no doubt thinking about Caroline. No one had heard from or seen her for weeks now. We didn’t want to assume the worst, but it wasn’t looking good for our friend.
“What about that notebook or whatever Jasper said he was looking for when we caught him going through Caroline’s cabin?” I asked as I lifted Harry’s back hoof and set it on top of my knee. “Though that sounds sketchy as shit, like something he made up as an excuse for him being in there.”
“Hudson and Oliver worked him over pretty good.” A huffed laugh escaped at the happiness in Aiden’s tone. “They believe him, and while we haven’t known Hudson that long, he seemslike the kind of guy who can smell bullshit when it’s given to him.” His brows pulled in tight. “Why didn’t Caroline tell us she was doing her own investigation for the missing women? Why did she keep it a secret and write it all down in some mysterious journal instead of coming to us?”
I stood straight and faced Aiden, absentmindedly running a hand along Harry’s back.
“Because every single one of us is an overprotective asshole who would’ve made her stop because it was dangerous.” Aiden’s noncommittal grunt made me chuckle as I shook my head. “You know it’s true. Look at the way we acted last night. We practically stormed into Dave’s and dragged the women out like the fucking cavemen we are.”
“I’m sad that I missed out on being there. From what Miles and Aspen told me, it sounded… entertaining.” A wide grin spread across his face, erasing the earlier concern. “I heard you took Baylee home, though, and didn’t go back to your place until this morning.” A single brow lifted in a silent question. “I’m assuming that means you two are….”
“I’m not telling you shit,” I muttered. “But yes, I stayed the night to make sure she was good. I was worried she’d get sick considering the amount of alcohol she consumed and mixed too.” He winced, and I nodded, knowing that was a fucking death sentence for hangovers. My hand paused on Harry’s spine, and I narrowed my eyes. “Wait. How in the hell do you know about me staying the night with Baylee?”
Hands in his jeans pockets, Aiden shrugged, but there was no missing the smirk he attempted to smother. “Come on, you know my best friend and roommate is basically the neighborhood watch.” Clearly wanting to change the topic, he gave a pointed glance at the horse I was almost done grooming. “You have trail rides today?”
“None scheduled for today or tomorrow, which is good. The horses need a few days off. We were booked solid last week.” I didn’t need to mention that I fully intended to spend the downtime over the next couple of days worshipping Baylee. My cock twitched in my jeans, remembering our earlier time in and around the shower. “What about you and Miles? Any ATV or dirt bike excursions booked?”
