“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Beckett stepped in front of me, blocking his bothers and giving me privacy from the rest of the party, the wall at my back. He held my gaze, a fierce protectiveness mixed with … rage, in his eyes.
“Because I knew it would hurt you more to know someone you trusted spoke that way about you behind your back. I didn’t want you to go through that. And because it was all I could do to not hunt him down and make good on the threat my brothers made.”
He brushed some loose strands away from my face and tucked them behind my ear. “He wasn’t worth any of your tears and I wasn’t about to give you another reason to cry or make you doubt your judgment. I’m sorry if you think it was the wrong call, but I’d do it again if it protected you from pain.” His voice was quiet, but sincere.
I took a moment to breathe and sort through my feelings and decide what it all really meant. These men had all, at one point or another, warned or threatened the guys I dated. An outdated way of watching out for me. They’d done the same thing with bullies in middle and high school. Thatcher and Noah had even picked me up from an awful date one night when Beckett had been sick with the flu.
The laughter and chatter of everyone else at the party surrounded us, but Beckett was a solid barrier that allowed me to process everything.
I looked up at him, my anger dissipating into the air.
“As angry as I am they did that and that you didn’t tell me the truth, I’m also grateful for the interference.” I leaned my forehead against his chest and embraced the warmth of Beckett as he pulled me in for a hug.
Beckett sounded surprised as he asked, “You really didn’t know Thatch and Noah looked out for you, too?”
I shook my head. “Not to the extent they threatened to bury a guy in the back forty for being a creep.”
“They’re pains in the ass most of the time, but they have always protected you. Thatcher actually warned me not to hurt you.”
I couldn’t stop the few tears that fell. I wiped them away quickly. “Really?”
“Yeah. I half-expected him to remind me about his aim.”
I laughed. I couldn’t help it. “Isn’t he a terrible shot?”
Beckett shrugged. “Not sure that’d matter.”
There wasn’t really a reason to be angry – especially not after all the time had passed. Deciding to let it go, I took a deep breath and held it for six seconds before releasing it in a slow exhale. “Let’s get back to the party.”
Beckett kissed my forehead and stepped to the side as he placed his hand on my lower back once again. Steady, calm, and … mine.
Chapter Sixteen
Beckett
As we re-entered the party and did a second round of saying hello and catching up with people, I marveled at Clara.
She flowed through conversations with poise and had such a natural grace about her. Everyone had a smile when they saw and spoke with her.
There were some whispers after we walked away from some groups, and I caught a few phrases.
Of course, none of them actually knew me, my family, or Clara. Most people didn’t comment when they noticed my hand on her back.
Except for May Wilkins. The older woman was a friend of my mother’s and had no filter. She ran one of the coffee shops in town and credited her success to her sharp mind – which she said stayed sharp thanks to good coffee and even better sex.
“It’s about time the two of you got your heads out of your asses.” She wiggled a finger at both of us.
Clara blushed, clearly at a loss for words. Few people could keep up with May, and fewer still ever had a response to one of her quips.
I nodded at the woman before I kissed Clara’s temple. “You’re right, Ms. May. I’m grateful my head is no longer somewhere so unpleasant.”
May’s eyes sparkled. “I bet you are, young man.” She reached out to grip my shoulder and placed her other hand on Clara’s cheek. “Take care of each other – both outside of and inside the bedroom. An orgasm a day is the key to good health and a great life together.” With that, she winked at Clara, who gaped, and walked off.
A low laugh escaped as I decided to take the older woman’s advice. I leaned down to whisper, “Follow me,” and grasped Clara’s hand.
I led us to the kitchen area and out the side door that was off-limits to guests, and down the path away from the party. Laughter and chatter followed us until we were on the other side of the trees and fence that separated the Lodge from the private cabins my family used.
