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“What?” they shouted in unison.
“Relax. Hayes handled it, okay? He came in guns blazing. You think he’s no good for her, but I hate to break it you, all he’s been is good to her. He’s exactly the kind of man you’d want her with. Honestly, he’s a lot like all of you and if you had given him half a chance, you’d have seen it too.”
I never loved my best friend more than I did at that moment.
“All you’re doing is pushing her further and further away from you. We graduate in three weeks. There are colleges all over the world that are ready to open their doors to her. Where do you think she’s going to want to go? Because I’ll tell you right now, if I were her, I’d attend the furthest college away, just to get away from you. You’re losing her and your mother is probably rolling around in her grave for how you handled Hayes.” She paused, letting her words sink in.
“Haven knows what’s right for her because you all taught her what she should expect from the man she loves. She wouldn’t be with a criminal. And the fact that you think she would? Doesn’t say anything about her, but everything…”
She spoke with conviction…
“About you.”
Forty
Hayes
Almost two and a half months later and there wasn’t a second of the day I didn’t think or miss Haven. She consumed every last part of me the same way she always did. Her graduation was next week, I envisioned what she’d look like in her cap and down. How her beautiful smile would light up the stage. How proud her family would be of her.
How proud I was of her.
Billy’s murder was all over the news. Just as I planned, nothing was traced back to me. For the first time in my life, I was free, and all I wanted was my girl back. I was over the bullshit of not having her in my bed every night. We had missed so much time together, and I planned on making up every last minute.
Although I didn’t want to, I waited to let the emotions settle. I needed to do right by her. Against all reason, I found myself driving past the gates of her home. Praying like hell this wouldn’t end with one of her brother’s fists in my face or worse, her father’s. Before I could contemplate what I was truly doing, I stood at her front door.
Ready to fight for her.
The same way she fought for me.
It was her dad who opened it. If he was surprised to see me there, he didn’t show it in the least.
I extended out my hand. “Hi, Mr. Beckham, “I’m—”
“I know who you are.”
I hoped this would go over well.
To my surprise, he shook my hand, gesturing. “Come in.”
Haven was at school all morning. I waited until I knew she wouldn’t be around. This needed to be me and them alone. Without her influence over the situation.
I walked inside, abruptly stopping when I saw all five of her brothers standing there with their arms crossed over their chests. I hid back a smile, respecting the hell out of what they were trying to do.
“I know why you’re here, Hayes.”
“Figured you would.”
Her dad glanced around. “I assume you’re all acquainted.”
I nodded at them. “Something like that.”
“Let’s go in the living room.”
I followed them in there, sitting in the armchair while they spread out throughout the wide-open space. Her father sat in the armchair parallel to me. I waited for him to speak first.
“We don’t need to beat around the bush, Hayes. My daughter has been a wreck for the last few months and it’s safe to say it has something to do with you?”
“I’ve been a wreck too, sir.”
He narrowed his eyes at me. “My sons have caught me up on the circumstances of your relationship with my daughter.”
“I imagine they would.”
“What do you have to say for yourself?”
I leaned forward, setting my elbows on my knees.
“I’m in love with her.”
“She loves you too.”
“I know. I’m not going to pretend like this one conversation is going to make you all like me, but I’m hoping it will ease your concern when it comes to her and I.”
“We’re listening.”
“I’m sure you’ve seen on the news my old man was gunned down.”
“Yes,” Mr. Beckham stated. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
I didn’t hesitate. “I’m not. My father was a bastard. He spent my most of my childhood slapping my mom around and when that didn’t work, he came for me. I grew up in a house filled with nothing but despair. I had to grow up fast and I’m not going to lie to you and say it hasn’t messed with me as an adult. Up until his death, I thought…” I inhaled a deep breath, steading my composure.
