Runaways by Nicole Dykes
Amonth later, we found the perfect place for us. It has four cabins on the lake. And yeah, they all need a lot of work, but that’s okay.
I smile over at Hayden and Tammy as they work together, painting a table that will go in one of the cabins as we sit out on the porch. They’ve become fast friends, and although Amanda was sad to see us leave the resort as employees, she’s become a really good friend of ours too.
Fitting right into this strange little family we’ve made.
Loraine and Andrew are going to be our first guests when we open after Christmas, and I can’t wait to see her. She’s kept in touch this entire time and wasn’t upset in the slightest when we told her the truth. She said she had a feeling but knew in her heart we were good.
How she thought that, I have no idea, but I’m grateful.
We went through hell, but we also lucked into some amazing friends along the way.
“He’s here.” Lawson looks out over the railing and stands up as a familiar truck pulls in front of the cabin and parks.
I smile wide as Lawson walks down to greet Nash. The brothers hug, and I can’t hold back my laugh when Hayden’s jaw literally drops. “Oh my God, there’s two of them.”
“Down, boy.”
He turns to me, his eyes wide and full of lust. “What? Is he straight too?”
I think about it for a moment. “You know? I don’t really know. I’ve never seen him with a girl or a guy.”
“He could be into guys,” Tammy says as she continues to paint. “I haven’t heard any juicy gossip about him. Like none.”
“That’s saying something where we’re from.”
Hayden seems to be deep in thought. “Hmmm, well. That would mean if he is gay, he’s deep in the closet. And I want none of that.”
“No?” I tease, smiling at my best friend.
“No way. Too much drama for me. My life is going to be easy peasy from now on.”
“So only out gay guys for you, then?” Tammy asks.
He nods his head with determination. “Yup. Or none at all. I don’t need drama.”
“I think that’s smart,” Tammy says as she grabs Hayden’s hand. “I’m done with the drama too. We can be drama-free buddies.”
“Sounds good.”
We all move to greet Nash. Law introduces Hayden before we show him around his new home. Nash is going to stay with us and help us with the renovations. It’s kind of awkward at first, considering the last time I saw him, I’d forced him to help me run away from Law. But I’m glad he’s here.
After dinner, I head outside to the porch, sitting in one of the two rocking chairs, giving Law and Nash time to get reacquainted. But I’m surprised when I’m joined by Nash, who takes the other chair. “It’s beautiful out here.”
“Yeah. It really is.”
I’m tense, more nervous than I should be. But I frankly don’t know how Nash feels about me. “Thank you, Rae.”
I’m dumbfounded as I turn to look at Nash. “What? Why?”
He chuckles. “For taking care of my brother. For keeping him safe, and when it was time to resurface, you did. Thank you. I’m sure it wasn’t easy, even with Colin going to prison.”
“I know he needs you.” Truth be told, I’d have been okay without my trust fund and to just stay as Rose forever. But I knew Lawson needed Nash in his life even if he’d never admit it.
“I needed him. I’m grateful for you.”
“He saved me.”
“No.” He shakes his head, looking out over the water. “You saved each other. That’s the way love is supposed to be.”
“Speaking from experience?” I have to ask.
“Nah,” He looks directly at me, his eyes sad. “Lack of. At least that kind of love.” He turns away again, swallowing hard as he looks at the horizon. “I was an asshole to you.”
“What? No, you weren’t.”
“I was. I’m sorry. All I ever focused on was taking care of him. But you were a kid too. You needed help, and I should have helped you.”
I never blamed Nash. Not once. “You couldn’t have. You did everything you could.” I think about the article about him. “I’m so sorry he hurt you.”
He shrugs it off like I knew he would. “That was nothing.”
“They beat the hell out of you.”
“They caught me by surprise, but I fought back. Pretty sure I broke one of their jaws.”
That makes me smile. “Good.”
“You’re a good kid, Rae. I can’t imagine a better person for my brother.” His eyes meet mine once again. “I thought you were a spoiled rich girl, just using him for a thrill. I’m sorry I judged you. I’m sorry I was so cold to you because that’s not you.”
“I have a feeling you knew someone like that once.”
His jaw ticks, and I know I’m right. He doesn’t confirm it though. Instead, he stands up and looks over the railing. “I think I’m going to like it here.”
I smile as Lawson comes outside, carrying mugs of hot cocoa. “It’s cold out here.” He hands me one and Nash the other. He sits down, and I move to his lap.
“You out here to keep me warm?”
“I’ll always keep you warm, Rae.”
I kiss him softly, and Nash groans, looking away. “Is this what I’m going to have to endure?”
Law laughs. “Yup. But the rent’s free.”
“Free, hell. I hear I have a lot of hard work ahead of me.”
“You’re going to love it,” I say, and he doesn’t argue. Soon, we’re joined by Amanda, Tammy, Tristan, and Hayden as we sit around, talking about the future of the cabins and how we’re going to fix them up.
Colin is in prison. My mother is in her own type of hell. They never made a baby together, thank God.
And I have Lawson in our own sort of paradise.
One thing I’ve learned, I can get through anything in this world as long as I have Law by my side.
The End
