Perfect Embrace by Kaylee Ryan

Chapter 4

Grayson

The girls are spending the night with my parents. I was resolved to a night of cleaning the house, getting caught up on laundry, and sleeping in. When Ryder called telling me everyone was getting together at Pony Up, I tried to decline. He wasn’t having it. Apparently, he ran into my parents and the girls in town, and they told “Uncle Ryder” they were having a sleepover with Nana and Pop.

So, here I am. Sitting at a table in the back so that Tucker and Grady can keep an eye on their women. Not that I blame them. I did the same thing with my late wife more times than I can count.

“Damn, the Abbott sisters are looking good tonight,” Malcolm comments. “When did Lenora get back in town?”

“Today,” Tucker answers. We all turn heads to look at him. “What? My girl talks, I listen.” He shrugs.

“Pussy.” Grady coughs the word into his arm.

“Right.” Tucker tosses his head back in a laugh. “Like Charlotte doesn’t have your balls in a vise.”

Grady grins. “It’s fun, right?” he asks.

“Every fucker in this place is watching them,” Ryder grumbles.

I look at my best friend, trying to get a read on him. I know he’s struggling with the fact that his ex-wife is in the center of the group. Olivia is beautiful, with long blonde hair and blue eyes. Those two have more history than the actual History Channel. He doesn’t talk about it, not anymore. They've been separated for a while now. I know he still loves her and that damn bird of theirs. I’ve tried to tell him to let the petty shit go, but here he sits, still brooding.

I know what it’s like to have the love of your life and lose her. Not just in a separation, but to have her no longer walking on this earth. That shit cuts deep, and if I could give any of these guys a piece of advice, it would be to remember that. Life is short, more for some of us than others. Live and love each day as if it could be your last.

“Let them have their fun,” I tell him.

He glares at me, but it doesn’t faze me. I know he’s hurting and stubborn as hell. I’ve been where he is. I’ve lived through the pain of losing the woman I loved. I know the hell he’s living through, and I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.

“That’s right, seems like you’ve staked a claim to Laken.” Grady smirks.

“Fucking Tate,” I grumble, and the guys all laugh. Thankfully, that’s the end of talking about Tate and her damn gossip column. The joys of living in a small town.

“I need another,” Tucker says, standing.

“I’ll go with you,” I tell him, pushing back my chair and standing. I follow him through the crowd and stop to stand next to him at their table as he checks in on Justine.

“Good to see you, Grayson.” Justine waves at me.

“You too.” I nod. I scan the table and notice Charlotte is staring off in the distance. Following her gaze, I see her eyes are locked on Grady as he talks about something animatedly with Malcolm.

On their own accord, my gaze swings to Laken to find her watching me. “Hi.” She raises her hand in an awkward wave.

“Laken,” I greet her. Her hazel eyes smile at me, and something happens—I feel a lightness in my chest. Something I haven’t felt in years, not since that night.

“Hey, Grayson.” Lenora smiles.

“Hey, Leni. Visiting long?” I ask. She moved away after high school.

“Actually, I’m home. Just got back today.”

“Really? Well, welcome home.” Her facial expression tells me she wants to say something else, but she doesn’t.

“Have the girls been working on their story?” Laken asks, her face turning a light shade of pink.

I laugh. “You’ve created literary monsters,” I tell her. “They made sure to tell my parents they had a story for them when I dropped them off earlier tonight.”

“They’re great kids.” She turns to look at Lenora. “They’re four, so they would get along with Trace.”

“Your son?” I ask Lenora. I knew she had a kid, but that’s about the extent of my memory where that’s concerned.

“Yeah. He starts kindergarten in the fall.”

“My twins are a year behind him.”

“We should do a play date.”

“Sure.” I shrug. “The girls would love that.” Lenora nods, and our conversation lulls. I’m trying really hard not to stare at Laken. Her long red hair hangs down her back with a slight wave tonight, and it’s sexy. I shake out of my thoughts. It’s been a long damn time since a thought in regard to a woman being sexy has crossed my mind. It has to be the way she’s good to my girls. It’s got me off-kilter.

“Ready?” Tucker asks.

“Yeah. See you, ladies, later.” I wave and follow Tucker to the bar.

“Which one?” he asks after ordering the girls’ entire table another round of beers, shots, and five bottles of water.

“What do you mean?”

“Which sister is yours?”

“Um… neither of them.” I don’t know what gave him the idea that either of them was mine. I know he’s not a Mason Creek native, but he’s been around for a few years now.

“Huh,” he says, handing over his credit card to pay.

“What do you mean, huh?”

“Just seemed like there might be some interest there.”

“Nope,” I say, popping the p.

“You sure about that?” he asks, turning his back to the bar, resting his elbows on the ledge.

“Yes.”

“Maybe you should tell her that.” He gives a subtle nod toward where the girls are sitting. Unable to stop it, I mirror his position, resting my elbows casually on the bar as well, and my eyes connect with hers.

Laken.

She turns away quickly, but I caught her. I didn’t get a good read on her facial expression, but it was obvious she was observing me. I watch her as Justine leans in close, and then her sister does the same from the other side. Laken shakes her head, and I am curious as hell as to what they’re talking about.

“Looks like it’s the younger sister,” Tucker comments.

“Nah. The only females I’m giving attention to these days are my four-year-old daughters.”

“As you should be, but let me tell you, brother, she wouldn’t want you to be lonely.” Before I can utter a rebuttal, he’s telling me to pick up one of the two trays of drinks and walks away.

Grabbing the tray of drinks, I follow after him. I make it to the table and pass out the shots, one for each of them. “You ladies have rides home?” I ask them as they reach for their shots.

“This one.” Justine smiles at Tucker as he presses a kiss to her cheek before handing her a bottle of water.

“Grady.” Charlotte smiles, holding her shot glass up in salute before tossing it back.

“Liv?” I question. She knows what I’m asking without me having to say the words.

“Yeah, Grady and Charlotte are taking me home.” She closes her eyes and tilts her head back, taking the shot like a pro.

“Good.” I nod. “What about the two of you?” I turn my attention to the Abbott sisters.

“Laken drove,” Lenora says as she quickly grabs her shot and tilts it back, just like the others have.

“Laken?”

“Uh… we’ll walk.” She shrugs, grabs her shot, and shoots it back.

“You girls behave,” Tucker says after setting a fresh beer in front of each of them and walking away.

Looking down at my tray that holds two bottles of water, I’m ready to hand them to the girls, but I know they’re already too far gone. Even if they switch to water now, there is no way that any of them are driving home.

Over the next few hours, the guys and I shoot the shit, all while keeping an eye on their table. When the clock strikes midnight, I yawn, which makes me feel much older than my thirty years. It’s been ages since I’ve been out this late. Unless it’s one of the girls up sick or with a nightmare, I’m usually in bed exhausted by this hour.

“You all right, old man?” Ryder teases.

I chuckle lightly. “I think it’s time for me to call it a night.”

“Ry?” A feminine voice sounds from behind us. All eyes turn to see Olivia standing behind us.

“You okay?” Ryder is immediately on alert.

“Yeah.” She sways on her feet. “Take me home?”

Without a word, Ryder stands, gives us a nod, and slips his arm around her waist, leading her out the door.

“Looks like they’re all losing steam.” Grady chuckles.

“We better get them home.” Tucker stands and stretches before draining his bottle of water.

“What about the other two?” Malcolm asks. He obviously knows that Tucker has Justine, and Grady has Charlotte.

Tucker gives me a pointed look. I glance at Malcolm, and before I know what I’m doing, the words “I’ve got them” come spewing out. He gives me a curt nod, tells us he’ll see us later, and walks away.

“You sure, man?” Grady asks.

“Yeah, I’ll take them. They have no business walking back to Laken’s at this hour.”

“This is Mason Creek,” he reminds me.

I give him a look, and he nods. I don’t need to tell him that in no way am I having any more tragedies. Not on my watch. Not if I can help it.

I can see them safely home. There is nothing wrong with that. I’m just being neighborly. Hell, I’m a firefighter. It’s practically in my job description to help damsels in distress. Granted, they’re not in distress, but they are highly intoxicated.

“Laken, Leni,” I say, approaching their table. “I was hoping you ladies would let me drive you home.”

“Oh!” Justine says. “Laken,” she says, getting her friend's attention and wagging her eyebrows. I have to fight back a grin at how ridiculous she looks. Not only that, but with the MC Scoop, everyone in town is talking about my new “love” interest. Her friend isn’t hiding her approval of the matter.

“W-We can walk,” Laken says, turning her attention back to me.

“I know, but I need to stop by the fire station.” Lies. “It’s on the way.” I give her what I hope is a charming smile. It’s been a while since I’ve tried to muster up anything remotely charming.

“Thank you, Grayson.” Lenora tries to smile, but it’s more of a smirk.

Damn. How much have these ladies had to drink? “You’re welcome. You ready?” I ask them.

“I need a hug!” Justine announces.

I watch as Charlotte stumbles out of her chair and, with Grady’s help, gives Justine a hug goodbye. Lenora is next, and she’s a little steadier on her feet. Finally, it’s Laken’s turn. She pushes back in her chair and stands. Immediately, she loses her footing, but I swoop in and catch her in my arms. My hands slide to her waist to steady her.

“I-I’m sorry,” she says, staring up at me. Her hazel eyes are glassy but still gorgeous.

“Can you stand?” I ask her.

“Yeah.”

Reluctantly, I release my hold on her, and she again stumbles. Quickly, I slide my arm around her waist and help her to where Justine is standing with Tucker’s help. The girls manage to hug, and then Laken is stumbling again. I pull her closer, and she rests her head on my chest, snuggling close. I ignore what it feels like to have her in my arms. I ignore the way my heart stutters in my chest, and my cock swells in my jeans. I can ignore all of that and pretend like it’s no big deal when it’s anything but. This is the first woman, besides my late wife, to ever garner this reaction from my body. Since I’m in the habit of ignoring things, I push that out of my mind as well.

“Smell good,” she mumbles.

Luckily, the bar’s loud, and I’m the only one who heard her. At least, I hope so. That’s all either of us needs are more rumors flying about the two of us. This is Mason Creek, after all, and the gossip mill is strong. My eyes scan the room, looking for Tate.

Lenora smiles at us, and this time it’s a real smile. She walks to where I stand with her sister in my arms and links her arm through mine. I don’t know what’s happening right now. I kind of feel like I’m in an alternate universe having both of the Abbott sisters in my arms, well close enough. I have one on each arm, so to speak.

“You good?” Grady asks.

“Yeah.” I nod, and, with a mind of its own, my hand holds Laken just a little tighter.

“Call if you need help,” Tucker tells me.

“I’ll be fine. Ready, ladies?” I ask them.

Laken mumbles, as does Lenora, so I take that as yes. Carefully, one foot in front of the other, we make our way out of the bar and to my truck.

“Where are we headed, ladies?” I ask once I have them both in my truck and buckled in, a feat I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to accomplish with all their wiggling around. I thought the twins were bad.

“Uh, I can’t go to Mom and Dad’s like this,” Lenora moans. “Don’t want Trace to see me.”

I glance in the rearview mirror at Lenora and nod. I know where she’s coming from. I assume Trace is her son, and I wouldn’t want my daughters to see me in the state that she’s in either.

“My house. Do you know where I live, Grayson Davis?” Laken asks, making me smile.

“Yes, Laken Abbott, I know where you live.” Did she forget this is Mason Creek?

“Good. That’s good,” she mumbles, resting her head against the window.

The drive to her place is short. I pull up to the back entrance and park my truck, retrieving the keys. “Home sweet home,” I tell them.

“Thanks, Grayson.” Lenora manages to unbuckle her belt and push open the back door.

I climb out of the truck and rush around to help her. “I’m good,” she assures me. “However, Laken might need some help. She doesn’t drink. I don’t either, not really, but Laken definitely had more than usual.”

“She okay?” I ask her.

“Yeah, there’s this guy she’s always crushed on that was there. She needed liquid courage, I guess.” She shrugs, and I can’t explain why, but a surge of something… almost like jealousy courses through me. It’s ridiculous. I have nothing to be jealous about. She’s not mine, but the feeling is there all the same.

“She doesn’t need it,” I mumble. If she needs alcohol to be around this guy, she doesn’t need to be with him.

“What’s that?” Lenora asks.

“Nothing.”

“That—” She points at a sleeping Laken in the passenger seat of my truck. “It’s what happens when your high school crush is suddenly in your inner circle.”

My mind races as I run through all the men who were at the bar tonight and which one could be her crush. I’m pulled out of my thoughts by Lenora’s laugh.

“It’s you, Grayson,” she says. Reaching around me, she grabs Laken’s purse from the floorboard and reaches in, pulling out the keys. “You might have to carry her.” With that, she walks to the door, manages to unlock it, and leans against it, holding the door open for us.

It’s you, Grayson.

Scrubbing my hands over my face, I sigh. I need to get Laken inside and get my ass home. “Laken.” I shake her shoulder. Nothing. She’s out. “Laken, you’re home,” I tell her. This time her eyes flutter open.

A slow sexy smile pulls at her lips. “I like this dream.”

I don’t know why I do it, but I cradle her cheek in the palm of my hand. “You’re not dreaming, babe. Can you walk?”

“This is my dream. You have to carry me.”

Shaking my head, trying not to smile, I lift her into my arms and kick the door closed. She snuggles in close, wrapping her arms around my neck. “You feel so real,” she murmurs.

“Oh my God.” Lenora guffaws. “I’m never going to let her live this down.”

Walking past her, I give her a stern look. “Let’s just keep this between us, yeah?”

“No way, Davis,” she says, calling me by my last name. “I wish I would have recorded it.” She grins.

Hitting the stairs, I carry Laken up them with ease and step back, waiting for Lenora to unlock the apartment door. Inside is a small studio-style apartment. I take her to the corner and place her gently on the bed.

“Gray?” Laken asks.

“Yeah?”

“You smell good.” With that, she rolls over and closes her eyes.

Unable to stop myself, I brush her red hair out of her eyes and pull the cover over her. When I turn to leave, I see Lenora standing with her arms crossed over her chest, watching me.

“Thanks for the ride, Grayson.”

“Between us,” I remind her.

She nods. “Not for you, but for her. She’d be devastated.”

I want to look back, but I know that I shouldn’t. I feel a connection toward Laken, and it’s fucking with me. Instead, I tell Lenora goodnight and remind her to lock up after me.

The ride to my place is quick. I walk straight to the cabinet over the refrigerator and grab the bottle of whiskey that I sometimes indulge in. I pour myself a glass and down it before pouring another. I try to drink the beautiful Laken out of my mind, but it’s impossible.

Giving up, I clean up the kitchen and the living room, but I’m still amped up. For the first time in three years, I fall asleep thinking of someone other than my late wife, and I’m not sure I know how to handle that.