Briar Valley: The Complete Duet

28. Willow

CHAPTER 28

WILLOW

TREAD ON ME - MATT MAESON

The blare of a hand slamming down on a car horn marks Killian’s impatience. I pull my long hair up into a ponytail, smoothing my sunflower-spotted blue dress. It’s another sweltering day outside. The cabin is stuffy with heat.

“Willow!” Killian barks.

He’s hanging out of the truck, glaring at his cousin lounging in the passenger seat. Zach’s smoking a cigarette and blowing it straight into Killian’s face. I grab my handbag and lock the cabin door, racing over to the truck to climb in the back.

“Morning, grumpy.”

I lean between the seats to peck Killian’s bearded cheek.

“I’m not grumpy,” he defends.

“Tell your face that.”

“This moron has been blowing smoke in my face for ten fucking minutes. What took you so long to get ready?”

“I couldn’t find a hair tie. Arianna keeps stealing them all.”

Moving to kiss Zach’s cheek next, I wrinkle my nose and decide to skip him. His mouth turns down in a dramatic pout. He quickly tosses the cigarette aside and drags me closer for a lip-smacking kiss that ignites my core.

“Mornin’ babe,” he whispers.

“Good morning, Zachariah. What have I told you about smoking?”

His pout intensifies. “I’m down to three cigarettes a day. That’s an improvement. Where’s my gold star?”

“Arianna probably stole it.” I snort.

“Little tyke. I’ll get my revenge later.”

“Yeah, good luck with that.”

Killian throws the truck into gear and takes off in a peel of rubber. We’re heading into the city to pick up the curtains we ordered last month. They had to be custom made to fit the massive glass windows that span the entire cabin.

After winding out of Briar Valley and down the steep, wildflower-lined slopes of Mount Helena, we begin to enter back into civilisation. Zach cranks up the radio and rolls the windows down, letting the warm breeze flood into the car.

“You think it’s warm enough to swim in the lake?”

“Oh yeah,” Zach hums. “Best time for it.”

“Arianna’s been bugging me about it. She wants lessons.”

Killian meets my eyes in the rear-view mirror. “I can teach the sassy little shit, but she has to stop making me play dress up with her.”

“Got a problem?” I tease him.

“I spent an hour trying to remove nail polish from my toes the other day.”

“You’re the one who let her paint them.”

“I’ve got to defend my reputation as the favourite somehow.”

His fire-lit eyes narrow on me in the mirror, and I fail to hold back a giggle. We all know he’s the biggest softie for Arianna in the whole damn town. No one else can coax Killian’s allegiance like she does.

“I’m her favourite,” Zach pipes up.

“Like hell you are.”

“You’re both as bad as the other,” I accuse.

They both give me matching innocent looks. I hate it when they gang up on me. It’s worse when Zach and Micah decide to tag-team. I can hardly tell the pair apart when they round on me with identical smiles.

“Don’t look at me like that. I had to put Arianna in the naughty corner the other day. You’re all turning her into a wild child. I caught her swearing again.”

Turning onto the main road, Killian laughs under his breath. “That’s probably my fault. I called Albie a miserable fuckhead in front of her by accident the other day.”

“Kill!”

“Sorry, sorry,” he replies. “It just slipped out.”

“Don’t even get me started on Ryder.” I scowl at them. “She’s seven years old. I caught him teaching her how to service a car engine. Like, how is that safe?”

“We should teach her to drive next,” Killian muses.

I feel the blood drain from my face.

“Only joking,” he adds.

“I think she’s just enjoying having all this male company in her life.” Zach blows me a kiss over his shoulder. “Calm down, hot mama.”

“Hot mama?”

“Hell yeah, you are.”

“Zach… politely, fuck off.”

“What was that? Fuck me? Because I totally would.”

“Try to touch me right now and I’ll break your wrist.”

“She can do it,” Killian tells him. “I taught her last week.”

“Why the hell would you do that?” Zach laughs.

“Self-defence. It’s a good skill.”

“Just shut up and drive, the pair of you.” I pull my shopping list from my handbag. “We need to pick up supplies for the housewarming in a couple of weeks.”

I figured having everyone who helped us settle in over for a celebration would be a good way to say thank you for their months of good will. My life has completely changed since I set foot in this tiny town.

It’s all because of them. I’ve made more friends than I ever thought possible, and I’m actually excited to be the host for once. Especially now that the cabin is finished. A proud part of me wants to show off my new home to them all.

“Remind me to chop more wood for the bonfire,” Killian mutters. “Once I’ve finished the swing set. And the sandpit. Oh, and the wood store.”

“Anything else?” Zach scoffs.

“Not all of us are lazy like you, kid.”

“Does that mean you’ll be topless and sweaty again?” I interrupt.

The look Killian shoots me is full of promising heat. “You like that, baby?”

I squirm in my seat. “I’m saying nothing.”

“See? Baby gets her all hot and bothered,” Zach complains, glaring at the countryside houses appearing around us. “You’re stealing all of the attention.”

Killian shakes his head. “Call her hot mama again. See where it gets you.”

Zach turns in his seat to grin at me. “Well?”

I narrow my eyes on him. “I can still punch you, Zachariah. Don’t push your luck. Hot mama is firmly off the table.”

“For fuck’s sake,” he curses. “I’m going to kill Ryder. That name is banned. I’ve been Zach since I was a goddamn toddler. Only he calls me that name to wind me up.”

“What? I like your full name,” I say sweetly.

He slumps and shuts his eyes. “Wake me up when we get there.”

It’s another two hours of farmer’s fields, quaint villages and expanding roads before we pull into the bustling chaos of the nearest city. I haven’t been here before. We managed to source the rest of the cabin’s furniture in Highbridge.

With my nose pressed against the window, I take in the busy city streets, packed full of countless cars, bikes and buses streaming past us. The ebb and flow of traffic is hard to comprehend. I quickly realise why Killian hates this place so much.

“Welcome to hell,” he grumbles.

We circle the main streets of the city centre several times before snagging a parking spot on the side of the road. Killian only just manages to squeeze the mud-streaked truck into the tight space, cursing like a madman the whole time.

“Have you thought about downsizing?” I look from the truck to the gleaming cars parked all around us. “Just a thought.”

“Leave my truck alone. She’s my pride and joy.” He opens my door for me. “These crap cars won’t get you anywhere near Briar Valley. I drive a real man’s car.”

“A real man?” I repeat incredulously. “How’s that toxic masculinity taste?”

“Great, thanks.”

“It’s the twenty-first century, you caveman.” Zach dares to elbow Killian in the ribs after climbing out. “I wouldn’t mind driving a cute little convertible.”

“It would have to be pink, otherwise Arianna would chew you out,” I say with a giggle. “You’d pull it off though.”

Zach bats his lashes. “Well, obviously it has to be pink. Reckon that’ll be enough to make me her favourite? This bastard has been the reigning champion for far too long.”

Killian grabs Zach in a headlock. “You’re driving me insane. Come on, the store’s this way.”

“Yes, sergeant,” he quips back.

“We need breakfast too. I’m fucking starving.”

“You’re always fucking starving,” I mutter.

Trailing behind them, I study my surroundings with ravenous interest. Mexico was beautiful in a raw, rugged kind of way, but I rarely left the mansion to explore. I settled for watching the swirls of sand in the air from my balcony.

On the odd occasion that Mr Sanchez took me to an event or fundraiser for the sake of appearances, I was always far too worried about obeying his rules to take it in. This feels like I’m seeing the world for the first time, and damn, it’s pretty bloody beautiful.

Stopping by the family-owned embroidery shop sandwiched between a cocktail bar and a fancy restaurant, we collect my new curtains, and Killian pays the designer before I can.

“Nope,” he deadpans. “I’ve got it.”

“You promised not to do this again.”

“I promised no such thing. Put your money away.”

I reluctantly tuck it back into my handbag. After much pleading and daily knocking on my front door, Lola has loaned me some money to cover buying clothes for the approaching seasons and final finishing touches for the cabin.

With the curtains deposited back in the truck, we decide to grab some breakfast. Zach finds his way around the city on instinct, and he knows all of the back streets to avoid the flow of people, along with a suspicious number of local bars.

“There’s a great place up here,” he explains as we walk. “They do awesome French toast and these huge omelettes too.”

I link our fingers together. “You’ve been there often?”

“Once or twice.”

“How many women have you taken there for a hangover cure the morning after?”

Zach glances at me. “Ah.”

“You’ve clearly spent a lot of time here.”

Enjoying his panicked squirming, I let him splutter for a few seconds before pecking his lips.

“Relax, Zach. It doesn’t matter how many women you’ve taken there, or anywhere, for that matter. I’m messing with you.”

“I wasn’t a man whore if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“Would it be so wrong if you were?” I challenge him. “Why does it matter? Your sex life is your business. I don’t understand people who feel it’s their place to judge others.”

“Really?” He gapes at me. “Why?”

“Because they should just mind their own business. We’re all adults and have our own pasts. That shouldn’t dictate our relationships in the future.”

Halting outside the small, brightly lit restaurant, Zach tells Killian to head inside and grab a table. Once we’re alone, he steps into my personal space and grips my chin to tilt my head up. My lips are seized in a fast and hard kiss.

When we break apart, I’m seriously considering skipping breakfast. His hair hangs over his face in the sunlight, framing dimples unveiled by his lazy grin.

Hell, I’m screwed.

“You’re incredible, Willow. You know that?”

“Hardly,” I whisper back.

Zach kisses me again. “No, you are. You’ve got so much to give to the world even when you don’t see it. I’m so glad I met you.”

My heart melts into a pathetic puddle.

“I’m thankful to have you in my life too, Zach. Even when you’re being a pain in my ass and corrupting my daughter.”

“Told you we didn’t need a dog, huh?” He winks at me. “Come on, let’s eat before Killian gets even hangrier and eats the waiter or something.”

Heading inside the restaurant, we find Killian hunched over a menu in a dark-red leather corner booth. He barely lifts his head as we sit down. He’s too engrossed by the prospect of food.

Zach slides me a menu. “Choose whatever you want.”

“Thanks. What do you recommend?”

“I usually go for a cheese and tomato omelette. Plus, French toast. Maybe some pancakes too. Oh, I forgot about the pastries. They’re homemade.”

“Zach,” I interrupt. “Slow down.”

He flashes me a toothy smile. “What? I’m starving.”

“I might just order it all,” Killian agrees, placing his menu down. “Sounds good.”

Nauseated by their huge appetites, I request a simple omelette and coffee. Killian bellows for the waiter, who definitely doesn’t appreciate his lack of manners, then we’re left alone with hot drinks and wrapped cutlery.

Zach turns his attention to me. “Have you made up with Lola then?”

I fight the urge to groan. “Stop fishing, Zach. It’s more complicated than that and you know it. I took the money because she wouldn’t leave me alone until I did.”

“Did you talk to her about your mum?”

“No.”

“Katie really had no idea who you are?” Killian asks next.

“I don’t think so.” I sigh. “She kept staring at me, but I think I just threw her off. Lola came over to apologise a couple of days ago. She hasn’t revealed my identity to Katie.”

His thick brows draw together. “Why?”

“She’s giving Willow the chance to do it,” Zach guesses. “Lola cares about you, enough to lie to one of her closest friends. She’s buying you more time to figure stuff out.”

Despite my behaviour in recent weeks, Lola is still doing her best to look out for me. That must count for something. Many people would’ve simply given up on ever having a relationship with me and let the resentment grow.

“I’ve never had real parents or grandparents.” I stare into my milky coffee. “No one ever looked out for me. I’m not sure I know how to recognise or appreciate it.”

“Willow… she loves you,” Zach points out. “A hell of a lot. She’s made some serious mistakes, but that doesn’t change the fact that she refuses to abandon you.”

“Shit. You’re right. I should really apologise to her.”

“She did lie to you,” Killian supplies. “Maybe don’t go that far.”

Zach cuts him a warning look. “She lied for the right reasons. Lola is one of the most kind-hearted people I know. Everything she does is for the good of Briar Valley.”

At that, Killian backs off. “True. Her and Pops saved all of us.”

“I’ll talk to her,” I concede. “But what about Katie?”

“Do you want a relationship with her?” Zach prods.

“I don’t know the answer to that question.”

Killian snatches my hand from across the table. “Then we figure out the answer together. There’s no rush. She doesn’t need to know that you’re here.”

“Really?”

“Of course. You can take some time to figure out how you feel.”

Nodding, I squeeze his huge paw tight. “Thank you both for being here. I realise I’m a hot mess at the best of times. You’ve stuck by me through a lot of shit.”

“Emphasis on the hot,” Zach adds.

Killian smacks him upside the head. “Zip it, Romeo.”

Our food arrives, offering a needed reprieve from the emotions twisting my gut. A stack of plates encircles them both and they dig in, shoving huge forkfuls of eggs and bacon into their mouths. I tackle the omelette with less enthusiasm.

“Maybe hot mess could be your new nickname,” Zach wonders, gulping his coffee down around a mouthful. “I’m willing to trade out the mama part.”

I brush my lips against his ear. “Call me that again, and I swear, I’ll murder you in your sleep. Killian already explained how to dismember your body in great detail.”

“Was this before or after he taught you how to break my wrist?”

“After,” the brute in question answers. “I’ll even throw in a free body disposal service to say thank you for getting rid of him. My fucking pleasure.”

Zach rolls his eyes. “You both love me far too much to murder me. Who would keep you entertained?”

“It’d be a hell of a lot quieter,” Killian grunts.

After a beat of silence, we all burst into laughter. Loud enough to startle the customers in the booth behind us, and the unnerved waiter who gives us a weird look.

Clearly, my time in the wilderness has made me as uncivilised as the guys. I couldn't care less about how insane we are. I’ve got the family I always wanted right here.