“What we have is special, Dylan. No matter what we face in this life, you’ll always be what my heart wants, what my heart needs.”
The hum of their bond proved that he felt the same, even though he parted his lips to tell her as much. Then he closed them again. Planting a single, soft kiss on her lips, he brushed her cheek once more then turned toward the garage.
Words weren’t always needed. Not when you could sense how much the other person felt. How much love coalesced within their heart. Besides. No word existed in any language to describe what she felt for Dylan or what he felt for her.
“Looks like tradition is true.”
Chelsea’s chuckle startled Heaven. Pressing her hand against her chest, she turned to face her best friend. “How long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough to know that you caught my bouquet for a reason. When’s the big day?”
Heaven’s body stiffened. Well hell. How much had her best friend heard? And would she let the secret slip to the rest of the guests? Only one way to find out.
“What makes you think we’re getting married?”
Chelsea brushed by to set her cocktail glass on the table. “Please, Hev. The way that guy looks at you. I wouldn’t be surprised if we weren’t here today to have a ceremony.”
Was this Chelsea’s way of letting Heaven know she knew? She checked her best friend’s energy level, but reading Chelsea didn’t come as easy. Maybe it had something to do with Heaven’s connection to others. Like her soul connection with Dylan. Her blood connection with her sisters. But this theory didn’t explain how she could read Layne’s energy as well as she could.
Why did he keep entering her thoughts?
“So, am I right?”
Heaven refocused on her friend. “Sorry, Chels. No wedding today. Though you’re not the first person to suspect we gathered everyone here for a reason.”
“Well, it is odd. You two have kept to yourselves for the last few weeks. Now we’re all here for a party. Just curious as to what’s going. Wait a minute. Did you two sneak off and get married?”
Keeping her hand at her side, Heaven twirled the diamond around her finger. Dylan really needed to hurry in the garage. Curiosity grew contagious amongst the guests. If they wanted to surprise everyone with the news, their opportunity was running out.
“I’d never run off and get married. Hope would kill me and my parents would be disappointed. You know how much my mom wants each of us to have a big wedding.”
“True. I’m sure she’ll get that wish with you and Hope. Faith, on the other hand…”
Yeah, Faith. Their mom would be lucky if she saw Faith make a trip down the aisle. Getting her first grandchild would be more like it. Heaven wanted to vomit.
“You okay, Hev? You look green.”
How many people would ask her that, today? “I’m fine. Just tired.”
“Are you worried about Faith? Something happened between her and Layne, didn’t it?”
A whole hell of a lot had happened between those two. Where would Heaven begin? If she actually wanted to discuss it. Which she didn’t. But others did. Like Brooke, who just jerked a chair away from the patio table.
“That’s the question on everyone’s mind. Care to dish up the news, Heaven?”
As much as Brooke loved Faith, those two were best friends for a reason. Both loved gossip. And drama. The similarities between them didn’t cease to amaze Heaven. Faith would want the dirt on Brooke if her relationship with Jerry appeared in trouble. It shouldn’t surprise her that Brooke would want the same.
“I’ll give you the same advice your sister gave Faith when we first arrived. If you want to know about my sister’s love life, ask her.”
“Don’t feed me that shit,” Brooke grumbled, reaching her hand out toward Emma, who carried three margaritas in her hands. Brooke took the lime green one before Emma offered Chelsea one of the red ones.
“You want one, Hev?”
Shaking her head, Heaven placed her hands around the sweating water bottle. “I’m sticking to this, today, but thanks.”
Maybe she should reconsider. The liquor would definitely help with the nerves. Between her and Dylan’s announcement and the problems surrounding Faith and Layne, her stomach burned with anticipation.
“Getting back to what I was saying,” Brooke paused to sip the icy beverage. “You know something. I saw you talking to Faith and to Layne. What’s going on?”
“She spent the night with you. Why don’t you tell me?”
Heaven barely heard Chelsea and Emma choke on their drinks at the news. She was too busy tuning into Brooke’s energy. If Faith would divulge her problems to anyone it would be to her best friend. But Brooke’s vibrations only spoke concern.
“Faith hasn’t told me anything. In fact, she said she didn’t want to talk about her and Layne.” Brooke took a few more sips of her margarita before placing it on the table. “I tried to get her to drink with me and let loose but she didn’t want to go out. Hell, she didn’t eat her dinner. Just picked at it. She wanted to go to a hotel, but I convinced her to come back with me and stay in the guesthouse. We didn’t talk about anything.”
The knot in Heaven’s stomach grew. It wasn’t like Faith to pass up a meal or a night on the town. Could she really be pregnant? Morning sickness could keep her from wanting to eat. Suspecting a pregnancy would keep her from drinking.
Dear God.
“If Faith hasn’t divulged her problems to you, you can rest assure she hasn’t with me. You’re her confidant.”
“Judging the slap she gave him, I’d say she and Layne are on the verge of a breakup. Not that it surprises me. Layne’s a player. She probably caught him in bed with another woman.”
A rush of fire built in Heaven’s gut. Hearing Brooke’s comment about Layne ticked her off. “Why does Layne have to be the guilty party? Maybe someone else caught Faith’s eye.”
Brooke leaned back against the chair. Her eyes roamed Heaven from head to toe. “Since when did you join team Layne? You know that guy’s a player. Or maybe you don’t. Trust me, Heaven, I’ve known him longer than you.”
“And I know my sister pretty damn well. She’s no different than Layne. If they are having problems, I’m sure it’s mutual. You don’t sleep with a guy the first time you meet him and expect to have a lasting relationship.”
“Wow, Heaven. Do you, Dylan, and Layne have something going on the side?”
“Hold up now,” Chelsea butted in before Heaven could react to Brooke’s comments. Good thing she did. “Don’t attack Heaven for voicing what we all know, Sis. Faith and Layne are a lot alike. Both suck at monogamy. They can’t help it. We all knew this would blow up in their face eventually.”
“There’s no need to defend me, Chels.” Heaven said, taking a step closer to Brooke chair. “I know Layne’s a player. But he’s a human being. You didn’t see the hurt in his eyes after Faith walked away. Whatever problem they’re having is theirs to make right. I’m not getting involved. Neither should you.”
Though she wouldn’t admit it, Heaven sensed that somehow she’d already become involved in their issues. Faith was her sister after all.
Somewhere between their conversation this morning and his argument with Faith, she’d became Layne’s confidant. Maybe he hadn’t confided all the details of their problems, but he had opened up to her. For whatever reason, she could read his energy clearer than she could her own sisters’. That definitely made her involved.
“I’m sorry for my comment,” Brooke huffed. She rubbed the rim of her glass, scooping the salt inside. “It was rude. I mean, you’re not even Layne’s type.”
That stung. Not that Heaven wanted to be Layne’s type. It didn’t give Brooke the right to be so callous.
“Listen, Brooke, I know you’re concerned. But you can’t live Faith’s life for her. No one can. Layne went to check on her. Give them a few minutes to talk then go see if she’s okay. Just leave me out of this.”
/> “Fine. I need another drink anyway.”
Heaven waited until Brooke disappeared inside before she glanced at Emma and Chelsea. “I’m in a bad spot. I love my sister, but Layne is Dylan’s friend. How can I be rude to him?”
“You don’t have to be,” Emma cooed. “Layne’s not a bad guy. He just hasn’t found the right girl. Sorry to say that.”
Leaning against the chair Brooke vacated, Heaven waved away Emma’s comment. “You’re not saying anything I haven’t thought. I wish them both the best, together or apart,” and hopefully minus a baby.
“I hate to break up this lovely conversation, but my bladder doesn’t like me much today.” Chelsea complained as she crossed her legs. “Where’s the bathroom, Hev?”
“There’s one in the hallway.”
Chelsea nodded and made her way to the back door. Emma’s laugh drew Heaven’s attention toward her. “Guess I’ll go check on the guys, see if I can pry them out of the garage. I’ll be back in a few.”
“I’ll be here.” Heaven replied, watching Emma make her way to the garage. She didn’t bother knocking. Good thing she hadn’t. The guys wouldn’t have heard her. Once Emma pushed her way in, guitar riffs poured into the yard. Someone was showing off their musical talent.
“Sounds like Jerry’s playing with his new Fender.”
Layne’s voice wrapped around Heaven’s soul. Her eyes rose to meet his but stopped at his chest. Looking him in the eye would confirm what she sensed in his energy. Hurt. The kind that made his insides shake. His chat with Faith hadn’t gone well.
Forcing herself to meet his gaze, her heart pinched when she noticed the red outline on his cheek. A handprint. Faith had slapped him again.
“Layne?” Heaven shot out of her seat. She reached out to him, aiming for his cheek but he flinched. “Did my sister—”
“She went for round two.” He snorted, doing his best to play off Faith’s assault. Despite how much he tried, his energy wound tighter. Poor guy. Any more abuse and he’d snap. Not violently. No anger pulsed within him. His pride had taken the brunt of Faith’s damage.
Heaven didn’t stop until her fingers stroked the welted skin. It burned like her hand had this morning. Why did he run so hot? Why were her fingertips tingling from touching his skin?
Layne’s eyes fluttered shut as he released a sigh. His vibration settled back into a normal rhythm, one that didn’t have Heaven’s stomach knotting. “I wish she would have struck the other cheek. This one hasn’t recovered from earlier.”
“Why don’t I get you some ice? Maybe that will help.”
She took a step past him when his fingers wrapped around her wrist. The surge of heat rushing up her arm didn’t surprise her. Nor did the way it spread like a wild fire. But the moment she met his eyes, her breath caught.
“Don’t go.” His voice went so low, she barely heard him. “I don’t need any ice. I just need a friend.”
Their friendship had just begun. Now he wanted to confide in her again. Not that he had many choices right now seeing as they were the only two people in the backyard. Maybe she should tell him to go to Dylan.
Her stomach twisted in protest. Guess that meant no. Besides, she’d agreed to be his friend. Now that he needed one, it was time to step up to the role. “What happened? I thought you went to apologize.”
“I did,” he grunted. “But it didn’t matter. She said I didn’t care about anything but you and Dylan.”
Great. How had she and Dylan become a part of their equation? “She’s pissed, Layne. She’ll calm down. Just give her a few days.”
Layne released her hand then gripped the chair closest to him. “I will. But I think she and I need to end this before we end up hating each other. Well, before I end up hating her. She already hates me.”
Heaven searched for the right words to say, but none came to her. She couldn’t tell Layne why he couldn’t end things yet. If he knew about the baby it would only make this horrible situation worse.
Before Heaven could respond, raised voices resonated from the house. Maybe Faith had decided to go for round three. Then again, it sounded more like a man shouting.
As Heaven stepped back from Layne, her eyes darted to the backdoor just in time to see the screen slam against the outer wall.
“Where the hell is he?”
Perfect. Just when she thought the day couldn’t get worse. Dark eyes glared at her. Just like they had in her vision. Nate McBride rushed in her direction.
CHAPTER 6
The warmth of Heaven’s hand still lingered on Layne’s cheek. But he couldn’t think about that now. Couldn’t enjoy the way it soothed the ache in his heart. The ache Faith placed there. The only thing he could think about was the look in Nate’s eye. The way it twitched as he advanced toward Heaven. How the air around them stilled, as though the oxygen depleted from the atmosphere. Whatever brought Dylan’s father here, he’d planned to take it out on her.
“Where is my son?” Nate growled.
Fire filled Layne’s gut. He had to stop this before someone got hurt. No chance in hell of it being Heaven. Not on his watch. If only his legs would cooperate instead of acting like dead weights. The internal debate chipped away the seconds—precious seconds that could keep Nate from harming the one person he—
The ground vibrated against his feet. Shit! This wasn’t the time for tremors. Or an earthquake. Yet something didn’t seem right. The birds still chirped in the background. Animals had a sixth sense about them. If a quake were about to hit, they’d be silent.
Before he had a chance to think things through, Nate’s voice rang in his head. “I won’t ask again.”
A surge of adrenaline shot through Layne. The son-of-a-bitch had every intention of hurting Heaven. God help Nate if he laid a finger on her.
Forcing his legs to move, he stepped away from the table until he blocked Nate’s path, using his hands to push the angry man back. “Dylan’s here, Nate. Calm down. What’s wrong with you?”
Had Dylan’s father hit the sauce today? Layne inhaled a breath of air, but no booze lingered on Nate’s clothes. He couldn’t even smell Nate’s cologne. Not when a sweet, musky scent remained in his nose. God, Heaven smelled good.
Damn it. She kept distracting him. Not a good thing when the disgruntled devil standing across from them wanted to cause her physical pain.
Nate’s eyes hadn’t met his. Every ounce of malice within them fixed on Heaven. “I’ll tell you what’s wrong.” His voice boomed. “It’s her! She’s ruining everything.”
Layne turned in time to see Heaven’s lower lip drop. As she stepped back, the sun hit her eyes enough to enhance the moisture building inside them. His heart plunged toward his gut. He wanted to tell her not to cry, that he’d take care of this, but Nate’s shoulder brushed against his. The bastard sidestepped him, his mission to hurt Heaven becoming more of a reality. If he could get through Layne.
Gripping Nate’s upper arm, Layne pulled until his friend’s father came to a stop. Nate’s icy glare shifted to Layne’s hand, traveling the length of it before meeting his eyes. “Let go of me, son. This has nothing to do with you.”
He tried moving past Layne on the other side, but the patio chair blocked his way. At least for a moment. The chair went flying across the cement. Had he even touched it? It happened so fast, Layne couldn’t be sure. Not that it mattered. Stopping Nate did.
“The hell if this doesn’t involve me.” A quick sidestep brought him toe-to-to with Nate. “That’s my friend’s girl you’re going after. Since Dylan’s not here to defend her—”
“Then you will?” The sound of Nate’s laugh proved more menacing than the look in his eyes. “Cut the bullshit, Layne. Don’t stand here and pretend like you give a damn about her. I know things about you, son. I know your true feelings.”
Like hell he did. Not his real feelings. Things had changed since… No! He couldn’t allow his mind to go there. While that mistake might haunt him for the rest of his life, he’
d be damned if he let it mess with him now. Not when Heaven needed him.
“Don’t drag me into your war with Dylan. Your issues are your own.”
“You’d like her to believe that, but I know better. You share my concerns.”
So Nate planned to out him if he stood in the way. Then let him. It wouldn’t prevent Layne from defending Heaven. Even if she hated him once she heard the news, he wouldn’t allow Nate to touch her.
Then again, maybe he didn’t have to worry. Heaven stepped up beside him. Just out of Nate’s reach, the heat of her body radiated to Layne. She was close. Heart-poundingly close. The earlier tears had disappeared from her eyes, leaving them hard but determined as they focused on Dylan’s father.
“I know you don’t care for me, Nate. It’s not a secret that Layne had mixed feelings, too. But he and I have settled our differences. I hope that in time you’ll feel differently about me, too.”
That was the last response Nate wanted to hear. Not that Layne could read his mind. The way his jaw tightened said enough. Along with the crease in his forehead. And the clenched fist.
“Whatever you’re thinking about doing, Nate, it won’t end well. Not for you. If you touch her, it won’t win back your son. He’ll hate you for the rest of his life. If he doesn’t kill you.”
Dylan wouldn’t be the only person out for blood if Nate struck her. There wasn’t one person at this party who wouldn’t come to Heaven’s defense, including Layne. Nate should back away while he had the chance. But the hate in his eyes raged on. And those eyes remained on Heaven.
“If I wanted to hurt her, there isn’t anything you or Dylan could do to stop it.”
Fuck! Dylan needed to be there. He should ask Heaven to go find him. At least she’d be out of Nate’s line of fire. But as the thought entered his mind, Heaven began to cough.