Page 20 of Unloaded
Rachel turns the knob that both of our hands have been holding onto while I’d made my little confession. I don’t want her to walk away from me again, not without making this right, but I’m not sure how to do that, so I remove my hand and watch as she hurries into the kitchen.
The door slams in my face, jarring me out of the trance she seems to put me in whenever I get close to her. I run a hand over my face, then through my hair, trying to clear my head, but nothing seems to help. Every time I turn around, I’m fuckingthings up with Rachel. My heart and my head are still at war over what I should do about this woman.
I draw back to punch the wall in my frustration. Just before I make contact, Dalton’s hand catches my jab, saving me from fracturing my hand.
“Damn, Duke!” Dalton exclaims, shoving my hand away. “What’s gotten into you? You’d have broken your hand if I hadn’t been here.” I glare at him even though I should be thanking him for saving me from my foolish behavior.
“Nothing.” I move around him to walk away, hoping he will notice my sour disposition and leave me alone, but no such luck. I can feel him right behind me. “Leave it alone, Dalton. I’m not in the mood.”
“You are never in the mood to talk when something is eating at you. I’m not going to drop it, and you know it.” Dalton chuckles like anything about this is funny. “We’ve been doing this song and dance for months. You might as well get it over with. I’m not going away, man. Just spill it. Get if off your chest so you can move on.” I spin around nearly knocking him down with my abrupt halt.
“Stop! Just leave me the fuck alone!” I yell, more than pissed he is pushing when he can clearly see I’m at the end of my rope. “I strongly suggest you go back to whatever you were doing before you decided to become my therapist. I don’t want to kick your ass, but God help me, I will.”
Dalton’s humor at the situation is completely gone. His face is set in a hard line.
“Maybe you’re the one needing an ass kicking,” he grumbles. “We’ve been friends for more than twenty years. I know when you’re chewing on something you can’t process. I’m only pushing, because you would do the same for me if you saw me struggling like you are, Duke. Stop pushing me away.”
I grit my teeth to suppress the urge to knock him into next week. I know he is just being a good friend and teammate, but I’m not ready to deal with my shit yet. Maybe I’ll never be ready to deal with it.
“I don’t want to fight with you, Dalton.” I keep my voice calm, despite how enraged I feel. “You are my closest friend, closer than my brothers. You might as wellbemy brother.” He nods. His body relaxing, a slight grin ghosting his face.
“But I can’t…I won’t talk about the shit in my head, right now, okay? I know you think you can fix it, but there’s nothing anyone can do to fix it. Please? As my brother, let it go?”
Dalton stares me down. I can feel his eyes boring into me. Just when I’m about to go ahead and get the fists flying, he gives me a single nod, turns, and walks to the kitchen door, disappearing inside.
I heave out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. Dammit, I hope he isn’t going inside to flirt with Rachel again. “God dammit!” My hands grip the back of my head as I pace up and down the alley.
I really need to get my shit together, sooner rather than later, but I don’t see it happening any time soon. I’ve been trying for six years and haven’t managed it yet. I don’t think I’m ever going to. Rachel is better off if I stay away from her.Fuck! Why does that make me feel sick?
Later as the event is winding down…
Marley and Shelby are once again cornered by Mrs. Cruise and one of her socialite friends. As much as I want to avoid Mrs. Cruise, and her groping hands, I need to keep an eye on my sisters-in-law. So I make my way over to them.
“Oh yes,” an average-sized, older woman with perfectly styled gray hair says. She is obviously very wealthy and wants everyone to know it. All of her jewelry is dripping with diamonds, and her outfit is tailored to fit her slender frame. Irecognize the heavy perfume she is wearing as a very expensive one. I’d gotten a bottle for mother a couple years ago.
“Everything was delicious. It was presented in a perfect order and the display was magnificent. I’ve never had an event that has turned out so well. How far in advance would I need to book?” The woman peers at Marley waiting for an answer.
“It depends on the size of the event,” Marley says. “Since we are newly opened, we aren’t booked at maximum capacity yet. Do you have something in mind, Mrs. Winthrop?”
“Oh, I always have things going on, and it never hurts to have options in case my regular caterer has a conflict or some type of disaster,” the woman, Mrs. Winthrop replies. “When are you due?” She bobs her head toward Marley’s belly.
“Five weeks,” Marley sighs, rubbing her bump. “I’m so ready for him to make his appearance.”
“What about you, Shelby dear?” Mrs. Winthrop asks, gazing at Shelby.
“I’m due in about three weeks,” Shelby answers, a wistful smile on her face. She, too, is cupping her belly with her hands. “I can’t wait, either. I’m pretty sure this one is going to be a soccer or football star the way he kicks and tumbles.”
The women laugh. My lips twitch with a smile. There’s no doubt my nephew will be athletic. Especially considering Bo is his father, and I’m going to be his favorite uncle. We’ll teach him everything he needs to know to excel in sports, or whatever he wants to do.
“Where’s the lovely young lady you introduced us too earlier?” Mrs. Winthrop asks. “What was her name?”
“Rachel?” Marley asks.
“Yes, she seems very competent. Good help is so hard to find these days.”
“Oh, Rachel is more than the help,” Marley insists. “She and her brothers have become like family. I don’t know what we’d do without her.”
“Her brothers?” the woman’s tone is full of curiosity.
