Dean just grinned. "What happens in LA stays in LA. " He winked at Grant. "Dont it, boy?"
Yeah . . . there was a lot I didnt know. I was pretty damn sure I didnt want to know either. "Okay, lets get off Grants private life and lets focus on the point of this meeting. As you all know, you are now my board of directors. I dont make decisions without meeting with this group and discussing it. You are my advisers. Its time to take the Kerrington Club into the next generation. Were going to do that together. "
Darlas pleased smile as she sat back and listened to me talk meant more than she could have known. She was proud of me. Right now, I needed someone to be proud of me.
"Does this mean we can get rid of those damn coming-out balls? That shit is ancient," Jace said.
"Hey. Dont knock the coming-out ball. The girls get all sentimental, which leads to horniness," Thad argued.
"Could you please watch what you say in here, Thad? We have a lady on the board and another will be joining us soon. "
Thad looked properly guilty. "Sorry, Miss Darla," he said sheepishly.
"No worries, Thad. Ive been watching your horny ass screw through my cart girls for years. "
The entire room went silent, then burst into laughter. This was a good group. We would make my grandfather proud.
Page 30
Della
I opened the door as Tripp came walking up to it. Id been expecting him. I had called him over an hour ago. Told him we needed to talk.
"You look good, Della. Much better than the girl I left here," he said before stepping into the house.
"Thank you. A lot has changed," I said, then motioned for him to go to the living room.
"Apparently it is a good change. You look almost happy. "
Almost was a stretch. I wasnt happy. I missed Woods. I missed him so much it hurt. "Not sure if Ill be able to achieve happy, but I hope to," I said simply.
Tripp sat down in the closest chair, stretched his legs out in front of him, and looked up at me. "Talk, Della girl. Im listening. "
"Im not going to South Carolina. Im not sure what Im going to do next but I wont be going with you. Thank you for everything. Thank you for putting up with me for the past two weeks and helping me when I needed it. What you did means more than words could ever express. I promise to pay you back every penny you spent. As soon as I get a job Ill start sending you money. I have your address. "
Tripp frowned. "Dont send me any money. Keep it. I had fun. I had a traveling buddy for a while. "
I wasnt going to let him get away with that. I had taken two weeks of his life on the road and now he was staying in Atlanta this week while he waited on me. "No. Im paying you back. "
Tripp smirked and shook his head. "I wont argue with you right now," he said.
"I found out some things this week," I told him. "Im not having night terrors anymore. I still have dreams and therere still bad memories but I dont get scared. The fear is gone. I just wake up. "
Tripps eyes went wide and he beamed at me. "Thats awesome, Della. "
I nodded because I agreed. It was amazing. I had conquered something. "Yeah, it is. "
"Are you going back to Rosemary?"
I wasnt sure. Every minute that passed in which I didnt have a panic attack and have to fight off the fear that used to overwhelm me, I wanted to go back. I wanted to show Woods that I was complete. I wasnt broken anymore. I was whole. He could love me. I was safe to love. But had I burned that bridge?
"I dont know," I replied.
Tripp bit his bottom lip. He did that when he was thinking. Finally, he let it pop free. "Listen. I cant say much because it isnt my place, but go back. If you want to go back. Be brave and go back. "
I wish it was that easy. "What if he doesnt want me back?"
Tripp shook his head. "Not possible. Trust me. "
"I left him. All I left was a note. He hasnt looked for me. He must hate me. "
Tripp stood up and paced back and forth in front of the fireplace while biting his bottom lip again. What was he so worked up about?
I watched him, waiting for him to say something.
Finally, he stopped and ran his hand through his hair, pulling on the ends a little, like he was having a hard time with something. "Tripp, whats wrong?" I asked.
He stared at me hard a minute. He knew something. Is Woods dating someone else already? Surely not. Oh, God. Im going to be sick. Could he move on like that?
"The money, it was all---"
"All because he was a good friend and wanted to help you, Della. Wasnt it, Tripp?" Bradens voice startled me as she interrupted Tripp.
He swallowed hard, then nodded. "Yeah," he finally said.
That wasnt what he was going to say. Braden knew what he was going to say and she had stopped him. She was keeping something from me. What was it?
I stood up and spun around to look at her. "Is he with someone else?" I asked. Just saying it ripped me into pieces. If she said yes I would crumple to the floor. I wouldnt be able to deal with that.
Her eyes were determined. I could see she wanted to tell me but she wasnt going to. "I think you need to go back to Rosemary and take back your man, if thats what you want. I think that if you love Woods Kerrington, then you need to be brave enough to put your heart on the line and go after him. You need to stop fearing things, Della. This is your last obstacle. Face it. " Her voice cracked. "Please, Della. Go get him. If you want him. Go get him. "
He had moved on. I sank back down on the couch. "Oh, God," I gasped as the pain started filling every inch of my body.
"No, Della---"
"Shut up, Tripp," Braden snapped. She wanted me to know the truth. Tripp was trying to ease my pain because he was a good guy but Braden loved me enough to be honest.
"How do I go after him? He doesnt want me," I said, my voice no more than a whisper.
Braden knelt down in front of me. "You are beautiful, smart, kind, and selfless, and youre the best friend Ive ever had. I love you like a sister. You are my family. Ive watched you hurt and Ive watched you hide from your fears as if they really were those monsters under your bed that your mother threatened you with. In two days Ive seen you face life with a strength I knew was in there but Id never seen you use. If you want Woods Kerrington---if he is your forever---then go get him. Dont doubt yourself. Dont doubt your importance. People dont love you and forget you, Della. Youre unforgettable. "
I covered my mouth to smother a sob. Braden didnt reach for me and hug me. She didnt offer words of comfort. She just knelt there and watched me. She was waiting on me to decide. She was betting on me. When the rest of the world thought I was hopeless, she bet on me. She believed in me.
So had Woods.
"Can I have one last ride?" I asked Tripp as I raised my gaze to meet his.
"You know it," he replied.
Braden let out a loud sob as she stood up and wrapped her arms around me. "Im so proud of you. You did it, Della. You did it," she said into my hair as she cried in my arms.
I smiled over her shoulder at Tripp, who was getting a little teary-eyed himself.
He gave me a thumbs-up and winked, then he turned and walked out of the room.
Page 31
Woods
I walked into my house and went for my suitcase. Della had four hours left to come back to me. I was packing. I was going after her. She wasnt going to come back. She was scared, and Id be damned if I was going to continue to let her think I didnt want her. Whatever reasons Braden had could go to hell. I was going to get my woman. I was going to make sure she damn well knew I loved her with all my heart.
My phone rang and I froze. It could be her. She could be coming back. I was almost scared to hope. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone. It was Tripp.
"Yeah," I said, then held my breath.
"Get your ass ready. Shes coming back. "
I sucked air into my lungs and threw my head back as my heart
started beating again for the first time since shed walked away from me. Della was coming back.
"Are you sure?" I asked.
"Shes packing her bag and telling Braden good-bye. I aint gonna lie, dude. That was a tough scene in there. I was real damn close to telling her the truth and sending her back to you, but Braden is hard-core. She was determined that Della make this decision. When she broke and agreed to come back, even though she thinks youve moved on, it was emotional. "
"What are you talking about? Why does she think Ive moved on? What the hell does that mean?" Had Braden lied to her?
"Shes convinced youre with someone else now. That the secret she can sense between me and Braden is that youve moved on to someone else. So, shes coming to Rosemary to win you back. She isnt just coming back to you---shes coming back thinking she has to fight for her man. "
As much as I didnt want Della ever thinking I could even touch another woman, the idea of her coming to fight for me made me smile. "Are you bringing her?"
"Yep," he replied.
"Bring her to my house. Drop her off and leave. Ill be here," I told him.
Tripp chuckled. "Ah, damn, you mean I dont get to watch the make-up sex?"
"Careful," I warned him as my mind started making plans. I had a lot to do before she got here. "Go rent a car. Use the money I just put in your account. Dont put her on the back of your bike again. "
"Im a good driver," Tripp argued.
"Dont give a shit. If I have to think about her arms wrapped around you one more time Ill lose it. I dont want her on the back of your bike. Ever. Again. "
Tripp let out a sigh. "Fine. Ill rent a damn car. "
"Bring her back to me safe. And hurry. "
"Yes, sir. Gotta go, here she comes," he said.
I hung up and looked around my living room. It was time to start getting ready. She was coming back to me. I was going to make sure she never regretted it.
I dialed Jaces number. I needed Bethys help.
"Hey. "
"Bethy with you?" I asked as I began cleaning up the kitchen.
"Yeah, why?"
"I need her help. Give her the phone. "
"Okaaay," he said. I heard him telling her it was me and that I needed her help.
"Hey, whats up?"
"Della is on her way back to me. I need rose petals. Where do I get a bunch of rose petals this late?"
Bethy squealed. "Shes coming back! Thats wonderful. Im so happy for you!"
"Focus. I need rose petals," I told her as I put the last dish in the dishwasher and turned it on.
"I will get you rose petals. Dont worry about it. Ill be by in about an hour. "
"Thanks," I told her before hanging up. I glanced over at the wall where the picture Id smashed once hung.
I quickly dialed the next number on my list.
"Hey, Rob. I know its late but the picture I brought you to frame---I need it. Now. "
"Its not ready and I close in the next hour. "
"A thousand dollars if you can get it to my place in two hours. "
"Shit. Okay, yeah. Ill make it happen. "
"Thanks. "
Hanging up, I walked to the bedroom and started stripping the sheets. I hadnt changed them because they smelled like Della. My girl needed clean sheets. Once I had my room cleaned I dialed one more number.
"Boss?"
"Jimmy, I need your help. Close the dining room early. Tell everyone that theres a private member meeting or some shit. Just close it. I need the kitchen staffs help. "
Page 32
Della
"You didnt have to rent a car. I was fine with the bike," I told Tripp again when we pulled out of the car rental parking lot.
"Yeah, I did. Trust me," he replied with a smirk.
I was tired of arguing with him about it. He had been determined to rent the car and now it was too late to change his mind. I leaned back in the seat and stared out the window. I would be in Rosemary in five hours. I wasnt sure if I would go to Woodss house or if I would go to a hotel. Maybe I could call Bethy. There was always Tripps condo. I could ask him for one last favor. Id asked him for so many already.
"Are we going straight to Woodss place?" Tripp asked.
"Um . . . I dont know. Maybe I shouldnt blindside him. I could just go see him tomorrow while hes in his office. That way I wont have to just show up at his house in case . . . " I couldnt bring myself to say in case hes with someone else.
"What? You getting cold feet now? Cant do that. You want to get your man, then go get him. "
"Im not sure if thats the way I should do it. "
Tripp shifted in his seat and cleared his throat. "Okay. Picture this: Woods is at his house with another woman. One he cant love like he loves you. You havent been gone long enough for that. Shes gonna get to sleep in his bed, where you belong, tonight. Unless you march up to his door and take back your man. "
The idea of this faceless woman sleeping in Woodss bed and touching him made me physically ill. No. He was mine. She couldnt touch him. He was mine first.
"Youre getting fired up, arent you? Ready to take back what belongs to you? I think its about damn time. Shame to let him sleep with her another night when he would rather be with you. Shes just filler. "
He was right. Woods wasnt in love with her. He had been in love with me. I could make him love me again. I could show him I wasnt weak. I was worthy of his love. I was going to fight for it. I would get him back---no one was sleeping over there tonight except for me. She was leaving. Id make her leave.
"Take me to Woods," I told him.
Tripp let out a whoop and patted my leg. "Attagirl. You got this," he said.
I sure hoped I did. If not, I mightve been on my way to making a complete fool out of myself.
When we were ten minutes away, I started having second thoughts.
"Maybe I should just go to your place tonight. "
Tripp let out a short laugh. "Uh, yeah, no. Woods is already going to want to hurt me when he gets ahold of me. Im not about to bring you back to Rosemary and take you to my place. "
"But if hes with another girl . . . "
"Della, do I have to give you another pep talk? Because I will. You can do this. You came back here. You wanted Woods enough to come back and face this. Its time to face it, baby. "
He was right. I knew he was, but I was scared of what seeing Woods with someone else would do to me. Id come so far this week. I didnt want to turn into a whimpering lunatic in front of him. I wanted him to see the new and improved Della. Not the girl he had gotten rid of.
"Hes gonna want to see you. I know you dont believe that but he will. Im a guy. I know these things. "
"He may want to see me, just not when he has another . . . " I couldnt say it.
"Remember, you arent gonna let her have him tonight. Youre back. "
I nodded. Right. I was going to take back what was mine. Even if it wasnt mine anymore, I was gonna fight like hell.
"Okay. Hurry before I change my mind again. "
"Two more minutes," Tripp said with a smile.
Those two minutes felt like hours. When Tripp finally pulled into Woodss driveway I almost wept with relief to see that his truck and my car were the only two vehicles there. That didnt mean he was alone, though. He could have brought someone there. The "she" in my mind still existed.
Tripp squeezed my hand. "Go get him," he said.
I couldnt talk. I was too nervous. I just nodded and opened the car door and stepped out. I hadnt even asked Tripp if he was staying and waiting on me or if he was going back to Macon to get his motorcycle. I couldnt think about that now.
I closed the door behind me and moved toward the stairs.
Then he drove away. I turned back to see Tripp pulling back onto the street. He stuck his hand out of the window and waved good-bye before speeding off. Hed just left me there.
I looked back to the front door and took a deep b
reath. Woods was in there. I was going to plead with him for a second chance if I had to. I was going to make sure I was the woman in his bed tonight.
The lights in the house were off. All I could see was a dim light in the bedroom. It almost looked like candlelight. Please, God, dont let it be candlelight. I gripped the railing as I walked up the stairs to the front door. He was never in bed this early. Maybe he isnt here. Maybe hes with Jace.
I reached the top step and stood there staring at his bedroom window. I was pretty sure that it was candlelight I was seeing there. It was flickering light. This was a bad idea.
No.
It wasnt.
He was mine, and Id be damned if I was going to let some other woman have him. I would shove the candlelight up her ass.
I closed the distance between me and the door and knocked several times, then stood back and waited. If it took a while, that meant he had to get his clothes on.
The door swung open and there he stood. He had on a pair of khaki shorts and a white button-up shirt. The sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. I loved it when he wore white. His dark skin was startling in white. I sucked in a deep, fast breath at the sight of him.
He didnt move. We just stood there, staring at each other. It had been almost three weeks since Id left. It felt like forever since Id seen his face.
"Hi," I managed to croak out.
"Hi," he replied, still standing in the doorway, looking like a beautiful fallen angel. Who had he gotten dressed up for? My nose caught a scent from inside and I stiffened. Someone was cooking. In the dark?
"Can I come in?" I asked.
He stepped back so I could enter the house. I didnt see her yet. But I smelled the food. Maybe she isnt here yet.
"Are you expecting someone?" I asked without looking back at him.
"Yes," he replied. His voice was low. He didnt want to tell me that. At least he was honest.
"Oh, Ill---" I stopped myself. I almost told him Id be quick. I almost apologized. I wasnt going to do that. I was here to fight for him. Not lie down and let her have him.
"You should probably call her and tell her that your plans have changed," I said, turning around and facing him.
Something flashed in his eyes but the stupid lights were off and I couldnt see him well enough.
"Whys that, Della?" he asked as he took a step toward me.
I stood my ground. He was hurt. I had hurt him but I was back. Dammit. I was back. "Because if she steps foot in this house I will have to kick her ass. " I snapped my mouth shut. I couldnt believe Id said that.