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“What the fuck was that all about?” Nash yelled as he got closer to me.
“She was running her mouth, so I shut her up.” I shrugged like it was something I did daily.
He ran his hands through his hair and let out a sigh. “Nora, you can’t do that. I know this is hard on everyone, and you more than anyone other than Kipp, but we have to do this right.” He sat down at the table and looked at his phone. He was silent for a minute but then quickly put it away again.
“And just what do you mean by right?” Crossing my arms, I stared him down.
“I can’t tell you.” He shook his head and was suddenly very preoccupied.
“Can’t or won’t?” I leaned over, pressing my palms on the table, glaring at him.
“Fine won’t. You just held the woman’s head under water, you think I’m going to give you any information? Get it together, Nora, or I’ll have to ask you to leave.” He got up from the chair and walked out of the room.
Nash was right, I had no right to lose my temper, and I wouldn’t have if I wasn’t already having the same thoughts. Kipp was my boss, I should have ended my employment the moment this crossed the line. If I had, she wouldn’t have anything to hold over him. I heard the door slam and a car start. Bella drove away, spitting gravel everywhere.
“Did you really try to drown her?” Griff said, walking into the kitchen, smirking.
“I wasn’t going to drown her. I just wanted to shut her up for a while.” Tossing the tea towel on the counter, I sat at the table.
“We’ve all had that feeling with her, you’re just the first one to actually do it.” His smirk turned into a smile, and I thought he was going to burst out in laughter.
“What did Kipp ever see in her?” I asked as I rolled my eyes. I didn’t have any right to judge who Kipp was with before me, but I was going to a little bit where Bella was concerned.
“Her mom is Sonja, Julie’s best friend. They were destined to be together from birth. When she cheated on Kipp, Sonja took his side and things have never been the same between them. She blames Kipp and Julie, because she’s too self centered to know that she’s caused the problems.” Griff went quiet and I knew he wanted to say more but I wasn’t sure if I should pry. “Kipp was going to marry her.” His voice was low and he stared off into the distance. “It’s taken him until you to be himself again. You brought him back, Nora. I’m just worried about what this is going to do to him. He makes everyone believe he’s this tough guy.”
“But he’s really just a tender hearted man who wants to find a love like his parents had.” I finished Griff’s sentence and he nodded.
“That’s what most people don’t see. Don’t break his heart, Nora. I don’t think he’d make it through it.” Silence filled the kitchen and Lincoln and Ryder joined the two of us. They didn’t say anything, it was as if they already knew. Like they’d voted for Griff to come in here first. These men were brothers without sharing blood, they looked out for one another and anyone who crossed them better watch out.
My phone buzzed, and I picked it up.
Julie: Sonja said you shoved Bella’s head in a sink of water?
Me: Yes I did.
Julie: Why?
Me: Because she was saying inappropriate things about your son and I was tired of it.
Julie: I knew I liked you.
I couldn’t help but smile at my phone. Just at that moment Cooper came running through the kitchen with Nathan hot on his heels. I’d forgotten how quick a two-year-old was, and the trail of disaster that could be left in their wake. Getting up from the table, I began cleaning up the messes, which gave me more time to be lost in my thoughts.
My phone chimed again and I looked at the screen.
Kipp: On my way home, can’t wait to see you.
I smiled, obviously my little escapades hadn’t made it to Kipp, and I wasn’t going to be the one to tell him before he got home.
Me: Miss you.
Kipp: Miss you more.
Evening crept in and there was still no sign of Bella, so I got the boys ready for bed. Nathan was a good kid despite being raised by that woman. My heart broke for him and wished he could just be a regular part of our family. He and Cooper had gotten along all day and as long as it was, it wasn’t a bad day.
“Where’s my son?” Her screeching voice echoed as she blew into the house, her hair perfectly fixed. She must have made a stop off at the salon before she came back. I couldn’t deny she was a beautiful woman, her vibrant red hair matched her personality, and her perfect makeup made me long for my pageant and rodeo queen days. I missed getting dressed up and looking like a woman rather than just a mom. But I wasn’t going to let on to her about that.
“Take your shoes off, please,” I said, watching her saunter into the kitchen.
