Together Forever (12 page)

We make our way down the hall to the guest room and find Paxton sitting against the headboard of the bed, sheet pulled up to her chin, screaming. Tuck is across the room, in his boxers only, with his hands out in a stopping position.

Paxton looks at Shane and scowls, “Get him the fuck outta my room. The pervert was sleeping next to me and had his hands on me. Get him the fuck OUT!” Ouch! My head is going to explode.

“Sugar, I didn’t do anything to you that you didn’t want last night. Now, calm the fuck down,” Tuck yells back, starting towards her. Oh, my! This is not good.

Shane becomes referee and takes me over to the bed, sitting me down by Pax. He grabs Tuck’s clothes, which are all over the floor, and pushes them into Tuck’s chest while he pushes him out of the room. When the door closes, I look at Pax, move over to her side and get under the covers, putting my arm around her. She lays her head on my shoulder. “Do you remember anything? What happened?” I ask as I smooth her hair.

She wipes her eyes with her hand. “I dunno, for sure. I don’t feel like anything— Happened. Oh, my God, baby girl. I am never drinking again. Especially around him.” She points at the door. “I don’t even remember leaving the bar. UGH!” She looks up at me with sadness in her eyes. “You don’t think—”

I hold her close and rub my hand up and down her arm, shaking my head. “No, Tuck wouldn’t. He’d never do anything to a woman that’s unconscious, not his style.” I laugh. I don’t think she thought that was very funny as I watch the tears roll down her cheek. “Oh, honey. I was just kidding. Seriously, Tuck’s not that way, truly. He would never take advantage of anyone. He really is a sweet guy. All he did was take care of you last night.”

She looks at me again and half smiles. “You think?” I nod and start smoothing her hair again. Wow, what a night! I better be right about this or I will kick my own ass.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

“What the fuck, mate?” I say pushing him into the living room. He’s stumbling as I keep pushing on his chest with his clothes. “Put those the fuck on. I don’t wanna see you in your skivvies. Hurry up!” He quickly puts his jeans on, nothing else, and sits on the couch.

I sit in the chair next to him and cross my arms. What the hell was he thinking staying in her room, in her bed last night? What? Is he fucking crazy?

“Are you fucking crazy? Why in the hell would you stay with the ice queen?” I lean my arms on my knees and cock an eyebrow. He opens his mouth, but I cut him off. “Did ya think you’d get lucky? Or did you think you’d just take what she wasn’t willing to give sober?” I ask my eyes squinting.

He lowers his head, shaking it as he looks down. His head tilts back up and he looks me in the eyes. “Shane. I would never do that. I laid her in bed, covered her up and when I turned to leave, she grabbed my arm. She looked sad and asked me to stay with her until she fell asleep. Honest! I fell asleep waiting for her to go to sleep. I never touched her.” He looks a bit sheepish. “Well, ok. In my sleep I guess I moved over and cuddled.” Now it was my turn to open my mouth, but he cuts me off. “She cuddled me back!”

Fuck, he sounds like a teenager, what the fuck? I get up to go make coffee. I think everyone will need a heavy dose this morning. I know I do. Oh! And aspirin, lots of that. Tuck follows me in and sits at the table, resting his head in his hands. I take a look at him and sigh.

“I believe you. But, you better be telling the fucking truth, so help me—” He raises his hands up.

“Shane. Mate. I am telling the truth. I promise. I would never do that, you know that, you know me.” I look at him and raise both eyebrows. “Ok. Scratch that. But I swear I didn’t do anything. You know I wouldn’t lie to you, man.”

I nod slowly. Bringing the cups of coffee over to the table, I sit and take a drink of mine. I watch him drink, his eyes on me the whole time. He leans across the table with that damn puppy dog look on his face. “You gotta believe me. I’ve never felt this way about a girl before. She’s different.” I roll my eyes. Fuck me. That is contagious. “I mean it. There’s something about her, Shane. In just the few days she’s been here, she’s changed me. I don’t want anyone else.”

Oh, my God! He’s killing me here. The light bulb goes off in my head. I believe him, he really is telling the truth. Wow. Never thought I’d see the day ole Tuck would be a one woman man. Ok, he’s only 22 but shit he’s had enough women in his young life to equal a forty year old, seriously. He’s definitely what one would call a man-whore. I keep looking at his eyes and take a deep breath. “I— I believe you, mate. I never thought you would stop your whoring ways, but I believe you. Now how in the hell are we going to convince her?” I smirk.

I leave Pax and go into my bathroom to take a shower. Man, I am wiped! My head feels a little better after Shane brought up some aspirin and my latte for me. He’s so sweet. He just had to know how to work my latte machine, so he could make me one and a damn fine job he did too. I sit on my bed and drink my divine latte. I just don’t know how I got so lucky. Paxton shuffles into my room, sits next to me, holding her latte and lays her head on my shoulder.

“You’re so lucky to have a man like Shane.” She lets out a big sigh. “I’m never gonna find someone like him.” She sighs again. Oh, my!

I put my arm around her. “Honey bunch, you have to lighten up if you’re ever gonna get a man.” I turn my head and look at her sweet face. “I mean really. Um, don’t take this the wrong way or anything, but— um— you’re kind of a bitch queen.” I shrug. What else can I say?

She sighs again and looks up at me. “I know. I just can’t help it. It’s the way I was raised and well, you know how it’s been for me.” I nod sadly. She sits up and takes a drink. “Every guy only wants my body. They don’t want me for anything but a piece of meat.” She looks at me again. “You know how I’ve had to fight them off and Jesse’s had to as well. He’s always stuck up for me and beaten them up for me.” I nod sadly again. Yes, I do know. Shit. I don’t know what to tell her. I have no advice whatsoever. Ugh! What kind of a bestie am I?

I look over at the door and see Tuck standing there, looking shy. Weird. Pax sits up straight and looks down at her cup.

“Can— can I talk to Paxton for a minute?” His hands go up in surrender. “I can just stay right here at the door. Just a minute?”

Looking at Pax, I nod and smile. She rolls her eyes and shrugs. I pat her hand and get up, walking to him. I take his arm and squeeze, looking into his eyes. “Be gentle,” I whisper. He smiles at me and winks. I roll my eyes. Oh, my God! I have to stop doing that! I leave the room, but stay in the hall right outside the door. No way am I leaving my bestie alone with him right now.

“So, um, how’s your head?” I hear him ask her. No answer back. “I, um, I hope you know I just fell asleep last night. Sorry, I— sorry I cuddled you. I—” Man he sucks at this.

“It’s ok. Didn’t even know you were there,” she answers finally.

Oh, no Pax! Come on, drop the bitch queen act. Let him in.

“I mean, Thanks. Um.” Silence.

“Well, I gotta get to the shop so— Maybe I’ll see ya before you leave. Maybe,” he says quietly. He turns and walks past me down the hall and the stairs. I walk into the room and stand in front of her, crossing my arms.

“Well. That went well.” I smirk. She just looks up at me with tears in her eyes. I sit down immediately and wrap my arms around her. Patting her head that landed on my shoulder again, and I whisper, “Baby steps. Baby steps.”

She decided to lay down for a bit, so I went into my office to check on my book, fan page and whatever else I needed to check on. I haven’t been on my laptop for a few days. I was just booting it up when Shane walks in with another latte for me. So sweet, my sexy man.

He bends down so I can give him a thank you kiss. My hand cups his face. “Oh, darling. You’re so good to me. What did I ever do to deserve you?”

He places his hand over mine, rubbing his thumb across over it. “Love, all you have to do is be you. The question is, what did I do to deserve you?” I sigh. He kisses my cheek, then my forehead. “I’m gonna leave you to do what you do best and I am going to the shop for a bit.” He smiles. “Now, don’t get mad.”

I look at him and frown. “Why? Why would I get mad?” My eyebrows crease over my eyes. “What did you do?” I cross my arms under my boobs, taking them up a notch. He looks right at them and lick’s his lips. “Ahem, Shane!” That got his attention.

“Oh! Oh, sorry. I hired Rock to keep an eye on you and Pax while I’m at the shop.” My eyes go big. “He’s out on the front porch, and won’t get in the way.” He cups my face and my eyes soften. “I’d feel better, ok love?” I nod and he kisses me with passion. Our kiss starts to go into more than a goodbye kiss until he breaks it. “I gotta go now or I’ll never leave and I have a few clients that need their artwork done.” He winks and leaves me to go do his work.

I take a drink of my fresh latte that he is becoming a master of and open my emails. My book! It’s back from the editor! I spend most of the day doing the edits, until my eyes cross. As I get ready to send the edited copy back to her to check again, an instant message pops up on Facebook.

Hey, chickie! What’s up? I’ve been missing my fav author!
☺

I can’t help but laugh. Lana and her emoticons.

Hey, am just sending the edited version of my book back to the editor for her to check again.

She shoots one back quickly.

Too fucking awesome! Woot! So proud of you! So, did she say how long until she would get it back to you again?
♥

I roll my eyes. Oh. My. God! I punch myself in the arm. Stop that!

She said a day or two, not long. Squeeeeee! I’m so excited! And, I found the best cover designer and she said she will have it done tomorrow. Holy shit! I’m really doing this!

She’s pinging me over and over but all I can do is stare at the screen. I can’t believe I’m doing this. I feel a slap across my arm. Ow! I look up and see Pax smiling at me, like she ate the canary.

“Shit, woman! Answer her! She’s gonna have a coronary on IM,” she snickers. She sits down in the big oversized chair I have, for reading, propping her feet over the arm. She’s got a bowl of popcorn in her lap, munching away. Well, looks like someone is feeling better.

I turn my attention back to my laptop screen that is blowing up with IM’s.

Ok! Awesome! I am sending out the form for your cover reveal and getting a bunch of other blogs on board. Then how long do you think before you hit the publish button? Wait! If she gets it back in a couple of days, wow! Ok, sending out the form to get blogs signed up for your book tour too! Shit! This could all happen really soon! Allie? Allie?

I laugh as I envision the vein in her neck popping. Oops.

I’m here. Just watching my IM blow up. Ok, seriously, what do you need me to do?

I sit there watching everything she is telling me, nodding. Like she can see me. Ugh! I just rolled my eyes again. Help me!

I do what she says and post on my Facebook page about the cover reveal and book blog tour coming soon. I also make a separate post that I will be publishing my book very soon. I get a ton of replies. I love interacting with everyone.

I look up from my computer and see that Pax has left the room and apparently she turned on the light that sits next to the chair. Wow, I had no idea I had been here this long. My phone starts ringing on my desk, so I reach for it but stop. The number shows as unknown. I get the creeps and look around the room. It stops ringing and buzzes that I have a voice mail.

My hand shakes as I pick it up. I punch in the code and listen.

“You know you can’t hide, Allie Cat. I’m watching. When I get you and I will get you, I’m gonna fuck your brains out and then beat them outta you. You’re gonna pay for what you did. You and your family. Slut! And, the man you think that’s gonna protect you? (Evil laughter) He’s never gonna want you again, after I’m done with you.” Click.

I drop the phone on the desk and run to find Pax. She’s in the kitchen getting out leftovers from the fridge. I barely stop from running as I collide into her, grabbing her, and hugging her tightly.

“Hey, baby girl. What’s wrong? Oh, my God, you’re shaking. What happened?” She says pulling my face up to look at her. Tears are making their way from my eyes, and I can’t seem to get the words out of my mouth. “Ok, come here, come with me.” She keeps a firm grip on me as we walk to the front door. She opens it and yells for Rock. He comes barreling in looking concerned. “Call Shane. NOW! Something’s happened and I can’t get her to talk.” He nods and pulls out his phone and follows us to the kitchen. My legs begin to buckle. Rock grabs me by the waist and sets me in a chair. I hear him talking but it seems all muffled. I can’t think. I need Shane.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

My phone rings as I am finishing up a client. “Just a sec,” I tell them. I see its Rock’s number. “Rock. What’s up?” My heart starts beating fast. Something’s wrong. He never would call me if it wasn’t. I listen to him talk and start to stand. “I’m there. Keep her safe!” I shut the phone and look at my client. “Sorry, man. I have an emergency. I’ll do the rest tomorrow, for free, ok?” He nods at me and smiles and tells me to drive safe. Good thing I rode my bike today, I should be able to get there a lot faster.

I break all kinds of speed records to get home. I run into the house and find Rock, Paxton and my girl in the kitchen. Paxton is kneeling beside Allie. My girl’s head is down between her legs. What the fuck? I reach her and pick her up, her body shaking uncontrollably. I sit down with her and cradle her in my arms. “What the fuck happened?” I ask Paxton.

She shrugs, “I’m not sure. She won’t talk. It’s like she’s in shock or something. What do we do?” She’s in tears now.

I bring Allie’s face up to look at me. “Love. What happened? What do you need? What can I do?” I beg. I look at Rock and cock my head towards our liquor cabinet. He nods and gets the Jack out and pours a shot. He brings it over and hands it to me. “Here, take a sip of this.” I hold it up to her mouth, her eyes go to mine and she takes a sip.