Part of Me (The Seaside Chronicles Book 2), page 8
“Perfect. I’ll show you where to put them.”
A while later, I stood in the middle of my new room. Harlee had taken off after cleaning up the paint mess we’d made. The racks were all stored in the middle of the back room, away from the freshly painted walls. I couldn’t help but smile as I took it all in. I was expanding the store, and that was an exciting thought. But also scary. Especially since my business bank account was sitting at zero.
“Looks amazing in here.”
The sound of Brody’s voice made me jump. “You scared me!”
He smiled. “Sorry about that. I like the color.”
“Thanks. Harlee helped paint, and the racks were delivered a little while ago.”
He nodded and looked around. “You excited about expanding?”
I gestured toward my office, not wanting anyone in the front of the store—or Palmer, for that matter—to overhear me. Once inside, I shut the door and walked around my desk. I needed to put some distance between myself and Brody. He looked too good in his jeans and tight T-shirt that said Welders Do It Best.
With a long sigh, I answered, “I would be more excited if my ex hadn’t robbed me of all of my money.”
“What did your lawyer say?”
“He said the next time Jack shows up, to call the police. Same thing he’s been saying. Every time I call the police, though, he’s gone before they show up.”
Brody closed his eyes, and I could see the frustration on his face. “What about the money, Sutton?”
“The bank froze the account, and they’re looking into it. Since he’s still listed as part owner, they need to see the divorce ruling that says he has to sell to me. It’s a big mess right now.”
A look of anger passed over Brody’s face. “He has the right to fucking drain the account and leave you stranded? How in the hell is that okay?”
I pressed my fingers to my temples to ease the instant ache building there. I had managed to not think about the whole Jack drama for most of the day, but all the stress was coming back now. “I don’t know, Brody. My lawyer sent something to the court saying that Jack left me with no means to pay any bills. He’s confident we’ll be able to get the money back. Meanwhile, Jack thinks he has a hold over me.”
“You haven’t heard from him?”
“No,” I said, my voice cracking with emotion. I’d been trying to put up a good front for the last two days, and it was beginning to take its toll.
Brody walked around the desk and reached for me. He pulled me up and drew me into his arms. “It’s okay, Sutton.”
I pushed him away. “It’s not okay, Brody! My crazy ex-husband is back in town. He stole my money, and when my father finds out… I don’t even want to think about what he’ll do. He doesn’t need this type of stress.”
“We’ll get it fixed. We’ve got the marriage certificate. As soon as you say the word, we can get married.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. But what would happen after? Would Brody want to consummate the marriage? How would things work? Where would he live? Oh God—what if he moved in with me? How in the hell would I be able to resist him, living under the same roof?
“Where will you live?” I blurted out.
The corner of his mouth twitched with a hidden smile. “I’m assuming I’ll move in with you. The idea is to make Jack think he no longer stands a chance, right?”
“You want to move in with me? How in the hell am I going to explain that to my parents?”
“We can tell them whatever you want to tell them. The truth, a lie, or a combination of both.”
“And? What do you expect from me?”
He frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Sex-wise. I mean, if we get married, would you expect me to have sex with you? Isn’t that what all guys want?”
Jerking his head back, Brody stared at me for what felt like an eternity. His eyes fell to my mouth, and I could feel the instant pull between us. The sexual tension that had been building for months—and that we’d both been ignoring—seemed to catch fire. The idea of being with Brody again sent heat right to my core. My breathing sped up, and I had to work on making it steady.
He sighed, finally breaking the silence. “If you think I’m going to force you to sleep with me simply because of a marriage certificate, then you don’t know me at all, Sutton. I’m not doing this to fuck you. I’m doing it because I care about you, and I want to help you.”
I raised my brows. “Will you still be sleeping with other women then?”
“What?” he asked in a shocked voice. “Did you seriously fucking ask me that?”
There was a light knock on the door, and we both turned to see Palmer standing in the doorway of my office with a confused look on her face. “Um…I knocked, but it sounded like you were arguing so I don’t think you heard me. Am I interrupting something?”
Brody said, “Yes,” at the same time I answered, “No, not at all.”
He tilted his head, gave me an incredulous look, then stormed around my desk and started to head out of the office.
Palmer watched him with wide eyes. “I don’t know how to say this but…Jack is here.”
Brody stopped and turned around. “He’s here? In the store?”
Palmer nodded. “I told him he has to leave, but he said he has a right to be here.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Brody said.
I stepped forward. “No! Brody, don’t. You’ll only make things worse.”
“Then call the cops, Sutton. You have a restraining order against him.”
“What?” Palmer gasped. “What did he do?”
“Palmer, not right now, okay?” I said as I made my way around both of them. “I’ll take care of this.”
“Jesus Christ,” Brody said as he turned away from me in anger.
Palmer looked over at me. “Wow. He’s pissed.”
“If you don’t mind sticking around for a bit, Palmer…”
She nodded. “Of course.”
“Give me a minute alone with Jack. If he doesn’t leave, will you come out? The last thing I need is for Brody to get involved.”
She nodded and quietly listened as I called the police to inform them of the violation. Then I drew in a deep breath and headed toward the front of the store. Jack stood there with a smug look on his face.
“How dare you show your face here,” I snapped.
He smirked. “It’s half my store, Sutton. And by my calculation, I have a good four minutes before the police show up.”
“Give me back my money, Jack.”
“Oh yes, the money. My lawyer wasn’t too happy with me. I’ll tell you what, I’ll redeposit the money if you give me one night with you.”
A feeling of sickness rolled through my entire body, and it took everything I had not to gag at the idea of being with Jack again. “No.”
“So you’d rather lose the boutique then?”
“Yes.”
“I’m not asking you to fuck me, Sutton. Let’s just go out to dinner and talk about my share of the store.”
I pulled my shoulders back so I stood taller. “Go fuck yourself, Jack.”
His brows pulled down some. “Did your little boyfriend cover the bills for you? Is that why you’re so confident all of a sudden?”
I slowly shook my head. “I don’t know why I ever married you. You make me sick, and the idea of spending a single moment alone with you repulses me. You have one minute to get out of this store before the police get here to arrest you for violating your restraining order.”
“Even though I’m in my store?”
“It’s not your store!” I shouted.
He laughed—and I instantly knew I’d made a mistake. He wanted to rile me up. That’s why he was here. That was always how he’d gotten his kicks. The damn mind games.
A siren wailed in the distance, and Jack held up both hands as Palmer appeared at my side.
“Good seeing you, Palmer.”
“Fuck off, Jackass.”
He laughed again, then turned on his heels and rushed out the door. I quickly locked it and leaned against the glass as I attempted to get my heart rate back to normal.
When I opened my eyes, I saw Brody standing there. I could see the anger all over his face, but before I could say anything, Palmer started to speak.
“Okay, do you want to tell me what that was all about, Sutton?” she asked.
Brody turned and walked away.
With shaking hands, I called 9-1-1 back and told them Jack had left. The dispatcher told me the officers would still do a drive-by. I ended the call and drew in a slow, deep breath before exhaling it all out in one big whoosh.
I met my sister’s gaze, and the only thing I could do was shake my head and let out a quiet, “Not now, Palmer. I can’t. Not right now.”
For once, my sister let something go. Her face softened as she said, “I’ll finish closing up and meet you in your office, okay?”
I nodded. “Thanks, Palmer.”
She reached for my hand and gave it a squeeze. “Of course. I love you, sis.”
Fighting back tears, I drew in a shaky breath. “I love you too.”
“Why are those two over there pouting?” Palmer asked as she walked up and handed me a glass of wine.
My eyes followed her gaze to where my brother and Brody were sitting alone at a table.
“Who knows with those two,” I said before I took a sip of my drink.
“Apparently, Brody told Brax to invite some single women to this party.”
That caused my heart to do a weird drop. Would he really do that? Was he hoping to get in one last weekend of meaningless sex before Monday, when we were set to head to the Justice of the Peace together? “Why?”
“Who knows. Maybe they both want to get laid.”
I looked back over to the table and stared at Brody. He was listening to something Braxton was telling him, ignoring the party going on around him, his head bent and a look of concentration on his face. The idea that Brody might want to sleep with someone before he was officially off the market made me sick to my stomach.
“And where in the hell is Harlee?” Palmer asked. “I swear, if she snuck off with Thomas to have sex, I’m never talking to her again.”
I sighed. “At least one of us is having sex.”
Palmer huffed. “Right? At this point, I’m ready to pull that hot waiter over there into a closet and have my way with him.”
I giggled.
Palmer turned to face me. “What did Dad want, by the way?”
“He wanted to make sure I was okay. Thanks for not telling him and Mom that Jack is back in town. I was hoping to keep it on the down low until after today. I want them to focus on Addie.”
“I can’t believe he emptied your bank account, Sutton.”
After Jack showed up at the store, I’d broken down and told Palmer about the money he stole. It felt good to talk to someone other than Brody and my lawyer about it. I’d also gotten good news—the judge had ordered Jack to replace the money, plus the lost interest, which honestly was next to nothing. “He has until Monday to put it back or risk going to jail.”
Palmer sipped her wine while we both looked around the room. As Addie had requested, the party was being held in the large space above The Maine Bakery. It was a cool and convenient event space to have in the middle of downtown. My folks had catered the food, and they’d let Ruby, their longtime employee, take care of all the planning, included managing the serving staff. I had to hand it to her, she was a natural. No wonder my parents loved her so much.
“I don’t even know half of these people,” Palmer said. “I honestly didn’t think so many people would show up with such short notice.”
I let out a laugh. “Please. They all want the free food and the gossip.”
“True that.”
We both sighed at the same time, then chuckled.
She looked over at the buffet table. “Oh, Lord. Looks like it’s time to eat. Do you have a speech ready?”
I snapped my head up to look at my sister. “What do you mean, a speech?”
“Well, you’re like the hostess. Don’t you have to give a speech?”
I frantically looked around for Brody. “No, that’s for the wedding. I mean, we don’t give speeches at the…at the…whatever kind of party this is! Shower slash bachelorette slash bachelor party. No one gives speeches at those.”
Palmer lifted her brows and gave me an are-you-sure-about-that look.
“Oh shit,” I whispered as I stood, heading for Brody. “I have to go!”
“Good luck!” she called out.
I not-so-politely pushed my way through the crowd until I got to Brody’s table. I grabbed his arm and pulled him up and into the nearest corner.
“Jesus, Sutton. If you want a moment alone, I’m sure I can find us a better spot.”
I hit him in the stomach, causing him to let out a breath. “Are we supposed to give speeches?”
His face paled. “What? I can’t give two speeches. I’ve only got enough material for the wedding speech.”
I blinked at him. “Material?”
“Words, thoughts, well wishes, whatever the hell you want to call it. I feel like my brain is fried after putting together that damn slideshow you wanted to do.” He yawned, and it made me yawn. “I’m still tired.”
“What are you even complaining about? You fell asleep on my sofa an hour into it. I put the whole thing together while you snored next to me.”
He pointed at me. “Hey, I can’t help it if you have an incredibly comfortable couch. That thing is made for napping.”
I rolled my eyes, then spotted my mother walking by. I grabbed her arm and pulled her into the little nook. “Mom! Are we supposed to give a speech?”
She looked from me to Brody, then started to laugh. “You both look white as ghosts. No, you don’t have to give a speech. But I would suggest getting everyone’s attention so you can start the slideshow.”
“You can’t do that?” I asked.
She shot me a stern look. “Sutton Bradley, you did not just ask me that.”
“I believe she did,” Brody said. It took everything I had not to elbow him in the side.
“One of you, the hosts, should get everyone’s attention and introduce the slideshow. I’ll leave it up to you to decide who it is.”
The second she walked off, Brody and I turned to face each other. “Rock, paper, scissors?” he asked.
“Fine. One. Two. Three.”
“Wait, wait, wait. Best out of three or one and done?”
“Um…” I glanced over my shoulder. Nearly everyone was almost seated. “One and done.”
He nodded.
“One. Two. Three.”
Brody did paper, and I threw out a rock.
“No! Dammit. You always do scissors!” I said.
He winked. “And you always do the rock.” He motioned for me to lead the way. “Shall we?”
I huffed and started to stomp away like a child as Brody chuckled from behind me.
Once we got to the table where we’d be sitting for dinner, I picked up a water glass and tapped the side with a spoon. When I had everyone’s attention, I thanked them for coming. Then Braxton cracked a poor joke and Palmer hit him in the stomach. When the video slideshow started to play, I sat down and let out a relieved breath.
Brody leaned in close to me. “See, that wasn’t so hard.”
I forced myself to smile as I replied, “Payback’s a bitch.”
He lifted his glass and took a drink. “I won fair and square.”
“You cheated.”
“How did I cheat? I can’t help it if you’re predictable.”
“What?” I nearly shouted. Both sets of our parents turned to look at us. I flashed them a wide grin, then leaned in and whispered into Brody’s ear, “After we get married, and you’re sound asleep on that comfy sofa, I’m going to write on your forehead with a Sharpie.”
He tried to hold in his laugh, and a snort came out instead. Drawing away, he looked at me and smiled. Not a lazy smile, but that crooked grin that made my insides melt. “So that’s a yes, then.”
I quickly looked away because I was positive it wasn’t happiness I was seeing in his eyes. It was something deeper. Stronger. I just couldn’t pinpoint it.
“Sutton?”
“I already agreed to it, Brody.”
When he reached under the table and took my hand, squeezing it lightly, my chest tightened with a feeling I hadn’t had in a very long time.
Hope.
Brody
Sutton and I stared at the door of the Justice of the Peace’s office for what felt like an eternity before I reached for the handle and opened it. Mindy Larson—no relation to Jackass Larson—looked up from her desk and smiled. I had called Mitch Murphy, our Justice of the Peace, on Friday to let him know we would be here this morning.
Sutton wanted to keep it simple, so I’d worn dress pants and a button-down shirt with a tie. She had on a cream-colored dress that hugged her body in ways that had me fighting an erection the entire drive over here.
We’d parked a couple of blocks away and walked to the municipal building. The entire time, Sutton kept glancing around to make sure no one was watching us.
“If you keep looking so suspicious, someone’s going to think we’re up to something, Sutton.”
“Sorry! I just don’t know who’s a spy for that damn column. I don’t want to read that we got married in this Thursday’s edition.”
“You won’t.”
She exhaled. “I wish I had your confidence.”
Once inside, Mindy quickly pointed out that Sutton needed to have some flowers to hold. After all, it was our wedding day. Sutton tried to tell her it was okay, but Mindy insisted. It was, it turned out, why she kept fresh flowers in the office at all times.
I could see the small cluster of flowers shaking in Sutton’s hands as Mitch read through our vows. Not going to lie: I had never pictured my wedding day like this. I wanted a wedding with my parents there and with Gannon standing up next to me. Though I’d always envisioned Sutton as the bride, even when she’d been married to Asshat.
But to sneak into the JP’s office and do it in secret in an effort to keep Sutton’s ex from harassing her…yeah, that wasn’t how I’d wanted it to go down.
