Текст книги "Out Of The Blue"

Автор книги: Carina Adams

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Текущая страница: 19 (всего у книги 20 страниц)

Rhett threw an arm around my shoulder, ruffling the top of my hair in a brotherly way. “Our little girl is all grown up,” he joked to Nate.

Nate hadn’t budged. His eyes searched my face. “You sure?”

I nodded, “They’re gonna print whatever they want anyway, so let’s give ‘em something good to talk about.”

“Hell, yeah!” A smile tugged at his lip and he reached for my hand, “I fucking missed you, kid.”

Sam only rolled his eyes, but called the cars around front. We battled our way through bright flashes and shouted questions, everyone trying to get a shot no one else had. We ignored their questions, but Nate’s hand never left mine. I could only imagine what tomorrow’s headlines would claim. I smiled all the way to the hotel. Fuck them.

By the time we made it back to the hotel, I was so tired I wanted nothing more than to head straight to bed. The boys wouldn’t let me. “Everyone will want to see you,” Nate explained as he led me to the conference room our group had apparently commandeered.

Rhett hadn’t been lying. It seemed like everyone, from the band to security to Julie, was there. They cheered when we walked through the door, all happy Nate had finally talked me out of Jamie’s room. A plate of food was shoved into my hands, followed by another cup of coffee, and then I was safely deposited in a chair by the windows so I could eat in peace.

Of course, peace to my friends meant someone stopping by every five seconds asking the same questions I’d just been asked, sharing the same information the person before them had shared, and telling me how great it was to see me. God, I loved my music family.

After I’d eaten more than I had in days, Lia set my cell phone on my lap. “It’s fully charged. Call Anneslee. She’s worried sick and said she didn’t care what time it was.”

I nodded, not blaming my sister. I longed to hear her voice as well. I also needed to call The Joneses. They needed to hear about what happened from me instead of reading some half-truth on the cover of a magazine. But it was late on the East Coast, so I’d have to call them the next day.

Before Lia could slip away, I grabbed her hand. “Any word on Mike? Are they charging him?”

“I doubt it. They just need to cover all their bases.”

“Will you let me know as soon as you hear something?”

“You will be the first person I tell, I promise. Now, go call your sister so she can stop blowing up my phone.” With a smile, she walked off, giving me some privacy.

I stood, stretching. Everyone was being very kind, but I didn’t want to have this conversation here. Déjà vu hit, and nerves tightened my stomach thinking about the chain of events that happened the last time I’d had that thought. Glancing around the room, I decided to take my chances with the bathroom this time.

Julie caught me just as I was about to push through the door. She smiled, something that could actually be passed as genuine happiness on her face. “I’m not sure welcome back is appropriate, but welcome back.”

I only stared back. “Julie.” Suddenly I realized I hadn’t seen Jake or Janet. “Are the kids in the hotel room?”

Her look turned almost smug. “Oh, no. I sent them home. They’re staying with Mike’s grandmother until I find out what’s going on with Mike. I didn’t want them here for this.”

I almost commended her parenting skills. I wouldn’t want my children here for this crap, either.

Then she stepped closer and ruined the perception. “I’ll probably let them fly back out for the trial and let them say goodbye before he gets sent to prison, but I still haven’t decided for sure.”

I rolled my eyes. “You watch too much TV. There isn’t going to be a trial and he’s not going to go to prison,” I snapped, annoyed.

She shrugged. “That’s too bad. Makes for a better Lifetime movie that way.”

I was too fucking tired to deal with her and her shit. “What in the hell are you talking about?”

The bitch smirked. Actually smirked. “Oh, you haven’t heard? I’ve gotten all kinds of offers. People want to know the story of the handsome bodyguard who had an affair with the country star, breaking his wife’s heart and leaving his children in the process. If he goes to jail, it’s more marketable.”

In that moment, I hated her. I wanted to hit her, but deep down, I knew it wouldn’t do any good. In fact, it would only hurt Mike’s chances of getting his kids. “I’ll remember that when I testify at your custody hearing.”

She only laughed, as if that was the funniest thing she’d ever heard. “Oh, honey, there won’t be a custody hearing. Mike shot someone who might die. He shot you. No judge in their right mind will give my kids to him. Either way, I win.”

“Is that all this is? A competition between you and Mike?” Someone came out of the bathroom, but I couldn’t pull my eyes away from the trainwreck in front of me.

“Me and Mike? Jesus, no. He had his chance to come back to me. If he realizes tomorrow that he made the wrong choice, I’d welcome him with open arms. No, this is a competition between me and women like you and women like her.” She pointed in Lia’s direction. “You think you can take something that isn’t yours and live happily ever after. I enjoy showing you how wrong you are.”

I scoffed. “You mean women like you? Ones who want the world to think they’re perfect but are never happy with what they have. Women who actually seek out and sleep with married men, destroying marriages in the process. ‘Cause women like Lia and me don’t chase men who don’t want us. We don’t pretend to be something we aren’t. We simply are who we are. And somehow, we manage to end up with amazing men. We don’t take anything that isn’t ours, Julie. Men just started seeing through women like you.”

Julie glowered at me. She opened her mouth, then closed it, gave me the stink eye, and spun, stomping out of the room. I watched her go, shaking my head. The woman was delusional.

“I’m impressed.”

I jerked in surprise, and Noah reached out to steady me.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you. Should have thought about how jumpy you’d be.”

I shook my head, smiling up at him. “It’s all good.” Embarrassed he’d witnessed my interaction with the ex-wife from hell, I asked, “How much of that did you hear?”

“Enough to know you must really love him.”

I tipped my head, looking up at him. “I’ll bite. How did you come to that conclusion?”

He chuckled. “Mols, you could have wiped the floor with her if you’d wanted to. She’s full of shit, by the way. There is no potential movie deal. Nobody even knows who the fuck she is. Carson’s not gonna go to prison. She was tr                            ying to get you to react so she could use it against you. You held it together and even managed to put her in her place. I’m impressed. Mike would be, too.” He offered me a hand. “Come on, kid. You look like shit. Let’s get you to bed.”

*****

I was dreaming of Mike again. He was the only thing that haunted my dreams, had been for weeks. This time, though, I heard him calling my name.

I jerked awake, almost regrettably, and knew something was different. The covers moved slightly, the bed shifted, and a large hand settled over my waist, pulling me into a warm, hard chest.

“You’re back!” I muttered into the darkness, silently praying it wasn’t a dream.

Mike chuckled, nuzzling his face into my neck. “I’m back. I missed you like fucking crazy.”

I pulled his arm up my body, clutching it to my chest. “Is everything okay?”

He moved in closer, cocooning me with his body. “It is now.”

I smiled into the darkness. “I meant with the police.”

He moved his head, scratching me with his whiskers. “Oakes woke up.” Relief washed over me at the news. “He’s going to make a full recovery. I shot him protecting someone from imminent harm. They’ve got nothing.”

“It’s over?”

“It’s over.”

I turned in his arms, facing him, holding him as tightly as I could. His hand moved to the back of my head, cradling it. “But you and me? We’ve only just begun.”

I laughed. “God, you are so fucking cheesy sometimes.”

“I can honestly say I don’t think anyone has ever accused me of that before.”

“What can I say? I bring out the best in you.”

“That you do.” He tipped my chin up toward me. “Now kiss me, woman. Before I think you didn’t miss me.” I pressed my lips to his, but he pulled back before I could deepen it. “It’s been a long four days, Mols.” All humor had vanished from his voice. “Just let me hold you tonight, ok? I just need to know you’re here.”

“I’m here Mikey.” I wiggled into his chest further, breathing in his scent. My heart was happy for the first time in days. “You’re stuck with me, ya know. I’m never leaving.”

“That so?” His chest rumbled with laughter. “Now who’s bein’ a cheese?”

I lifted my shoulder in a shrug. “Just wanted you to know.”

“Glad we cleared that up.” He tipped his face down, kissing the top of my head, wrapping his arms tighter. “‘Cause I love you too Goddamn much to ever let you go.”

Epilogue

~ Mike ~

Six months later

“Stop fidgeting.”

“I can’t help it!”

When she reached to adjust a cupcake, I swatted her hand away. “Stop.” Emily smiled at us as she brought another tray out of the kitchen. “Em, tell her to stop messing with stuff. It’s perfect the way it is.”

Emily paused, looking over the table. “Stop it.” She scolded my wife. “It looks amazing. Don’t ruin it.”

I stuck my tongue out at Mols. “See?”

She narrowed her eyes back at me and brushed her blue-streaked hair over her shouler.“You’re an ass.”

“Yeah, but I’m your ass, Mrs. Carson.” I grabbed her around the waist, pulling her to me and leaning down to nibble on her lips, tugging the ball of her ring slightly.

“Seriously dad? Get a room.” Jake’s voice broke as he pushed through the door carrying an armload of presents. Poor kid had a high pitched squeaky voice one minute and a low baritone the next. He shook his head in disgust in that exaggerated way only a teenager could.   One day he’d learn half the fun of kissing Molly in public was embarrassing him. The other half was simply because I couldn’t stop touching her.

“Whose presents are those?” He cocked an eyebrow, as if to say ‘really smartass?’

I fought a smile. “I meant, who are they from?”

“Grammy Ginny.”

Molly shrunk away from me and went back to worrying over the decorations. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close again. “You presented at the CMTs. You performed at the CMTs and then at the Grammys. Both televised, with millions of people watching. So can you please explain to me why you’re afraid of my Grammy?”

She laughed nervously, stepping away from me. “I’m not afraid of Grammy Ginny.” When Grammy’s voice carried from the foyer, Molly stiffened. “Fine,” she snapped at me. “I may be a little intimidated. She loves Lia and I’m afraid Grammy Ginny will be disappointed in the party.”

“Baby, she loves Lia, but it doesn’t come close to how much she adores you. She thinks you walk on water and could never be disappointed in anything you did.”

Molly shot me a look that clearly said she thought I was a dumbass and held up her left hand. “No?”

“Okay,” I conceded, smiling at the thick gold band glinting back at me “She was a little pissed we eloped.”

“A little?” Molly snorted. “It was two months ago, and just yesterday, she asked me when we planned on correcting our little mistake.”

I shrugged. “She’s traditional. She wanted the big church wedding with a seating chart that takes hours to decide where to put everyone so there isn’t a brawl. If she didn’t love you, she wouldn’t be upset about it. Give it time.”

“Vegas on Valentine’s Day is traditional.” She chuckled, shrugging. “In a white-trash-class sort of way.”

I could only laugh. Before Molly could respond, Gram came in. “Where is that granddaughter of mine?” she called out.

Molly turned, answering, “Nettie’s in the playroom with Emma. I’ll go get her.”

“I said granddaughter, not great-granddaughter,” Gram clarified. “Come give me a hug and show me what a wonderful job you did decorating this old place.”

As she obliged my grandmother, more guests started to arrive. Molly had wanted the party to be at our home or Nate’s farm, but for the element of surprise, it worked better in a rented hall. Over the last two days, she’d transformed the local church vestry into a space fit for a queen. Or king. A Kelly.

Noah set his present with the pile and grabbed a couple of beers before he headed my way, handing me one. I couldn’t help but notice how exhausted he looked. “You still getting hounded?”

He sighed as he leaned back against the wall and propped one ankle over the other. “It’s fuckin’ brutal. They’re everywhere.”

After things started to settle down for Molly and me, Noah had been discovered. He’d always been in the limelight – he was a Kelly after all. Yet, something shifted when Molly went public about our relationship. Suddenly, she wasn’t as interesting.

Noah became the guy to watch. People speculated he’d start a solo career before long, one that would rival his brother’s. Women came out of the woodwork to throw themselves at the kid. Most men thought he was lucky, but I knew what a burden it really was. The sudden pressure, plus the family shit he was dealing with, and I knew it was just a matter of time before he cracked.

He took a deep breath and tipped the end of his beer bottle toward the decorations, changing the subject, “It looks awesome.”

“All Molly, man. If she ever decides she doesn’t want to sing anymore, she can have a successful career as a party planner.”

His eyes watched her across the room. “Marriage looks good on her, Carson. If she ever decides she doesn’t want to be hitched anymore, she can climb on me any day of the week.”

“She’d taken.” I ground out between clenched lips. “Eat dick, asswipe.”

He shook his head. “Can’t do it, man. I’m strictly vag-itarion.”

I didn’t want to laugh, but that was funny shit. Leave it to Noah. I coughed when I realized Emily was working at the table next to us and probably heard every word. Noah followed my gaze just in time to see Em’s cheeks flare bright red before she turned and ran back to the kitchen.

“Goddammit! I’m so fucked.” Noah followed her, pausing only to leave his bottle on the end of the table. I stared after them for a minute. That was an interesting new development that I couldn’t wait to share with my wife. Molly had been worrying about him lately, claiming something was off and he hadn’t been himself. Looks like she didn’t have to worry anymore. How had I missed that in Vegas?

I stood there, pulling on my beer, as my friends and family filled the room. One by one, the ‘Bama Boys filed in next to me, each a little more than uncomfortable. Molly drifted around the room, greeting women, hugging babies, and flirting with men. She was fucking beautiful and I couldn’t keep my eyes off her.

“Honeymoon phase still going strong I see.”

I nodded at Finn’s words. The honeymoon phase was fucking amazing. I got to spend every night wrapped up in the most beautiful woman in the world. Once the kids were in bed, I started off our nights attempting to count Molly’s tattoos – for some reason, I always got distracted. One day I’d get to them all. Until then, I’d be thankful I was the lucky son-of-a-bitch who got to call Molly his wife.

“She’s glowing. I’ve never seen her look so happy.”

“She is.”

“Is that your way of telling me I’m going to be an uncle again in a few months?”

I tore my eyes away from her, snapping my head in his direction. “What?” Even I could hear the surprise in my voice. “Nah, man.” We’d talked about kids, but we’d been so focused on buying our house and getting the kids settled into our new hometown that we’d pushed the subject to the backburner and hadn’t mentioned it since. My eyes sought her out again, trying to observe her objectively. “She’d tell me, right?”

Finn laughed. “Not if she doesn’t know.”

Well, fuck.

Now would be the perfect time to add to our little family. We were finally settling in, getting used to all being together. There were ups and downs, struggles that we worked through, but at the end of the day, I had the people I loved most under one roof, and I wouldn’t give it up for anything, even if the last few months had been a constant flow of life altering changes.

Before we’d gotten the paternity test back proving that Janet was biologically my daughter, we’d filed paperwork for custody. Molly, because she was who she was, had started gathering information before our lives blew up. To my surprise, legal fathers had parental rights in some states. When things got nasty with Julie, Molly wouldn’t let me give up. She fought for my kids and she fought for me. Hell, she’d even dragged my ass to Vegas, giving up her dream paradise beach wedding, so that we could prove we were more stable than a couple just living together.

Now she was the kind of stepmom every child deserved. She loved them just as much as she would have if she’d given birth to them. She called Julie regularly, even though I knew she despised the woman, just so Julie wouldn’t miss anything. And Molly insisted that when Julie was ready, she’d help her relocate out here.

We’d all gone to meet Bryant for his birthday in January. Molly had worried herself sick, afraid that he’d be angry she had a family now but she’d given him up. Of course he wasn’t. Bryant and Jake had clicked immediately, and with his parent’s permission, they now talked and emailed each other constantly. The kid was wise beyond his years – when it was time for us to leave, Bryant pulled her aside and told her he was happy she wasn’t alone anymore. She sobbed all the way back to the hotel. I had no doubt we would see more of him as time went on.

We’d found our dream home. A money pit that would require constant maintenance, but it was exactly what we’d hoped for. The kids had adapted to Alabama life well enough. We’d gotten a small place in Maine so we could vacation near my family and be near the kids while they were spending every summer with their mom. A fact Julie had been pissed about, but since we’d been awarded primary residency, she couldn’t say much. The farm, a few miles up the road from the Kelly’s, was our home base, though.

Molly had offered to move to Maine for me. Yet, she was offered the chance of a lifetime and needed to be near Nate and the ‘Bama Boys. Or, Molly Ray and the ‘Bama Boys, as they were now called. It only made sense – Molly only performed with them and they all worked fabulously together. Plus, Nate needed more time for his family and wanted to share the spotlight with his best friend.

Nate and Mols spent most days writing songs for the new album, and pretty soon, they’d all be heading into the studio to record. There was no tour in the immediate future, everyone deciding they needed to take some time off from traveling constantly. They still performed, a couple times a month at the most. But it was never more than a weekend trip.

Yes, now would be the perfect time to add another Carson to the world. If she wasn’t growing one now, maybe she would be soon. I’d talk to Mols about it later. It might take a little while, but we’d have a fucking blast trying. I laughed to myself, causing my friends to look at me like I was nuts. Before I could justify my actions, Noah came into the room. “They’re here guys!”

A quiet hush fell over the group as Lia’s voice drifted into the room. “I hate being late.”

“We’re not late, Red. I bet half the boys aren’t even out of bed yet.”

She laughed, a sound that still made me smile. “Good point.”

Then, the door opened and a very round redhead waddled into the room to shouts of, “Surprise!”

Putting her hands on her non-existent hips, she beamed at us. “You guys!”

Nate laughed, his hands coming around to rest protectively on her giant belly. They looked more than happy. Content. It was about damn time.

Since we didn’t know the gender, and wouldn’t until the next Kelly came flying into the world looking for a brawl, Molly had decided on a “Precious Cargo” theme. The room was a blend of antique suitcases, planes, and maps in gender-neutral colors. I now knew way more than I ever wanted to about baby shower etiquette. But watching my girl smile and pay me with kisses as I helped was worth handing in my man-card for a few days.

The party moved surprisingly quickly. Before I knew it, we’d eaten lunch, played games, had cake, and Nate and Lia were opening presents. I didn’t know what half the shit was, or what it was used for, but Molly, Lia, and Janet oohed and aahed over every little thing. Lia had just set the last present down when I stood up.

“I have one more,” I told them, pulling the small gift bag out from where I’d hidden it, handing it to my friend.

Lia took it gingerly, glancing at Molly, who shrugged. “This is from you?”

I nodded, clearing my throat. “It is.”

She pulled the tissue out slowly, reaching in as she eyed me suspiciously. Pulling out the book I’d spent weeks searching for, she turned it to see the title. “The Kissing Hand?”

I shrugged. “You will never be alone, Lee. I’m always right here.” I smiled, not wanting her to focus too much on it right then. “Now open the rest of it.”

When she pulled out the two soft plush raccoons, her face was a mixture of horror and delight. Molly smacked my arm, appalled – if she’d known that I was going to buy them, she would have stopped me. Lia stared at the two little vermin, who were holding hands, for a long moment, and then she clutched them to her chest.

“Arthur and Rocket.” Tears filled her eyes as she shook her head at me. No one in the room could understand that gift, or know why my best friend began crying over a pair of raccoons. But I did.

We’d been two lost, miserable kids. We’d clung to each other, and loved each other for so long that we didn’t know how to survive without the other. Our lives were changing, and we’d grown into people that didn’t need each other quite as much. But like the stuffed animals she held, we would always be connected.

When she stood and threw herself into my arms, I hugged her back. I still loved her, as much as I ever had. Somewhere along the line, I realized that love was nothing compared to what I felt for Molly. Lia was my sister. Molly was my everything. I deposited Lia back into her husband’s arms and pulled my wife down onto my lap.

“We should design the nursery in a raccoon theme,” Lia sniffled into her husband’s shoulder. “They’re really cute and very soft.

“Unless they have glowing red eyes,” Nate muttered, trying not to laugh. Dick.

“Or giant fucking fangs,” Molly added, bursting into giggles as I tickled her sides.

A sappy and emotional love song came on the radio. I rolled my eyes, thinking about how much I hated songs like that. Then I realized I was living a goddamn country song complete with cowboy boots and a camo Yankees hat. I chuckled. It really was amusing how you could just be living your life, and then one day, completely out of the blue, everything changes.