It’s Always Us (Abandoned Brothers #3)

Chapter 24

LEX

I park my truck in my usual spot along the side of the old building I thought one day would be mine. I take a deep breath, gearing up to face my guys inside. Particularly the tall, heavily tattooed, and bearded one who’s probably spouting steam since I’ve ignored his messages.

I glance at Mark, who’s been preoccupied with his phone all morning. He received a text from his agent, but his quiet nose-in-his-phone state is making my crazed nerves wage a battle over which worry takes top priority.

He sets his phone on his leg, coming back up for air. “You ok?”

I pull the keys from the ignition and wipe my sweaty palms on my unbuttoned, mostly unzipped jeans. I tried that elastic hair tie around the button trick, but even that didn’t give me enough room.

“I have no idea what Grandpa told them. I haven’t missed days of work . . . ever. I left them without a word in the middle of projects, so I’d be pissed if I were them. Plus, Slade’s texted me a couple of times—”

“He didn’t talk to you about possibly buying Cal out.” Mark’s irritated tone almost makes me smile.

“Are you ready? These guys are like my brothers.”

“Yeah, I’m ready. You have no idea how much I hate that you work with a bunch of dudes. I’ll happily tell them to keep their eyes and hands to themselves.”

I laugh. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Hey. I know exactly how you look when you’re talking cars, let alone working on them. Your tank tops and flannels. Shit, the work boots. Lex, you’re stunningly beautiful, but when you’re in the middle of all that . . . I’m getting pissed just thinking about anyone else seeing you—”

I lean over and kiss him, hard and fast on the lips, then pop my door open. “Let’s go. Sitting out here won’t make it better.”

Mark doesn’t move. “Are you sure? I think you should come back over here.” His voice is low and sexy.

I bite my lip to suppress a smile and shove myself out. He meets me, grabbing my hand. “You know, I wouldn’t mind kicking someone’s ass or watching Cal do it. I know that man’s still got a few rounds in him.”

I laugh, knowing he’s probably right. I haul open the heavy metal door, and there’s a whoosh of the same heavy scents and noise that’s filled my days since I was old enough to help out.

I was six years old when Grandpa had me on a stool watching how to change fluids and replace hoses. This is my place, and these are my people. The idea of it not being mine causes my throat to ache and constrict, and I stop inside the door.

As if Mark can sense it, his arm slips around me. I peer up at him, reminding myself of all I have to gain if I let this go. His strong jaw is set as his beautiful, dark, brown eyes roam the space like he’s taking stock. A few long strands of black hair rest on his forehead, and I want to reach up and push them back in place. His powerful, muscular body stands tall in defense.

He asked me to go with him. Looking at him, I wonder what’s holding me back.

“Well, look who it is?”

Wind’s voice breaks through my perusal of my brilliantly handsome husband. I notice all the noise has died down except for the radio, and the guys are standing, staring.

Carson leans against the hood of a Dodge Caravan and crosses his meaty arms over his broad chest. “Is this show and tell? I forgot to bring Taylor Swift.”

Ok. So they’re mad. I knew they would be. I can handle it. I’d be pissed, too.

Mark’s fingertips dig in, and I know at least Slade, standing in the far back, notices our closeness.

“Is that Mark Sandberg?” Trig leans over and whispers to Wind as his hands fidget with a socket wrench.

“Taylor Swift? Really? That’s your comeback?” Wind asks .

Slade shifts, widening his stance as he grips a greasy carburetor. His cold, hard eyes are dead set on me. He. Is. Pissed.

Great. I’ve seen him with Krissy, and his bark is always worse than his bite.

“We heard what Slade did.” Carson disrupts the weird stillness.

I hear a growl, and I don’t even have to look at him to know Slade’s nostrils are flaring wide. It’s possible there’s fire, but I don’t peek to confirm.

Wind settles his hands on his hips. “We aren’t on speaking terms if that makes you feel better? What he did, not talking to you, that was horse shit.”

I bite my lip, trying really hard not to smile. These men are seriously worse than a bunch of old ladies with nothing but gabbing to fill their time.

I hear the squeak of Grandpa’s office door. He comes down the hall and stands just inside the shop.

I bite my lip. “So . . . ”

“Like, you didn’t even tell us you were leaving.” Trigger’s sad baby face is a punch in the gut. The budding race car driver with the need for speed is tender-hearted and too sweet for his own good.

“I know. I’m sorry. I . . . There was something I needed to do, and it was kind of urgent.” I rub my forehead, feeling like a big, fat, lying excuse-maker. I don’t even have to look to know Grandpa is sporting an ass-eating grin. That man just rolled in here to watch his daytime drama.

I glance at Mark and . . . To hell with it. These are my guys, and they’re giving Slade the silent treatment for me. “I called off the wedding because I couldn’t marry someone unless it was him.” I point at Mark. “So, that’s what I did. I met him in Vegas months ago, and we got married.” Not one of them moves a muscle, except for maybe their jaw when their mouths fall open just a little. “I needed a few days. I needed to be with him because . . . I’m pregnant.”

It’s as if I can see thought bubbles translating what I said into the English language or whatever the hell it is Carson speaks. I suck at reading, but that man makes up words with his southern drawl no one can understand .

“You married him?” It’s Slade’s low, forced tone that breaks the silence. I meet his eyes and severe frown. “And you’re having a baby?” His eyes flick to Mark and then back to me.

“Yes,” I confirm.

I know this man. It takes a moment, but I see a glimmer of a smile behind his thick beard, and my chest expands with relief. We aren’t all good yet, but we’ll get there.

“I’m sorry I—”

Wind holds up his hand. “You’re pregnant, like with a baby? Fuck. How the hell did that happen?”

Carson snickers. “Let’s see, Wind. When a man and a woman—”

“Ok.” I hold up my hand this time.

“Is his name really Wind?” Mark whispers.

“Congrats, darlin’.” Carson beams. “About damn time you snatched back the one that got away.”

A bubble of laughter rolls out of me. Of course, they all know about Mark. Well, maybe not Trig. These men couldn’t mind their own business if they were paid a million dollars. Man, do I love them.

I pull in air, and the muscles around my ribs relax.

Trigger surveys the room like he’s missing something. “Wait, you’re married?” He’s dumbstruck, making me wonder if Slade was right about that little crush.

“All right, you blockheads,” Grandpa steps forward. “It’s no wonder you never have a woman. Man!” He shakes his head. “Alex married this guy and is carrying my grandbaby. That’s all you need to know for now.”

“I need to know if she’s got ten minutes to help me figure out what’s wrong with this dumpster on wheels,” Carson winks and kicks the tire on the van.

I smile. “I’ve got ten for you, Gorgeous.”

The guys laugh and whistle, and my body relaxes as my nerves settle. For now.

Mark pulls his phone from his pocket. “I’m sorry. I have to take this.” His hand slides further around me to pull me closer, and he kisses me on the corner of my mouth.

I smile against his lips. “Do you want to pee on my leg, too? ”

“Whatever it takes.” His face breaks into that perfect, sexy smirk. “Just making sure we’re all on the same page. You’re mine.” He swats me on the butt and then steps outside, and I return to the now amused stares.

Heat rushes my cheeks. “What? Just out with it.”

“Never seen you smile like that before,” Wind says in a highly uncharacteristic, wistful tone.

Carson steps forward and wraps me up. “We’re happy for ya, and so glad you’re back. Please don’t ever leave us again. These guys don’t have a clue as to what they’re doing,” he teases as they throw jabs back at him. “And Slade has been like a starved bear on the prowl,” he whispers. “We’ve thought about locking him out but then worried he might rig something to blast the door open.” He raises his eyebrows and widens his eyes in warning.

Slade starts toward me as Carson retreats to the Dodge and Grandpa heads back to his cave.

“Nice to see you’re ok.” The big man tosses out, his crossed arms a clear boundary between us.

I stare at my shoes. “I’m sorry I didn’t text you back.”

“Was that payback?” His bright green eyes bore into me.

I don’t know what to say, so I save my words for the moment.

He doesn’t wait for an answer. “I’m sorry you found out like that. It was only a discussion. I would have talked to you about it.” He pauses. “It’s not because I don’t think you can run this shop.” It’s just like Slade to always cut straight to it. “I know you could and do it better than me.” That has me peeking up at him, wanting to know if he really believes that. “This is yours for the taking. I wanted Cal to know I’m interested, but I should have told you.”

I exhale slowly, gathering the right words. The ones that hurt to admit out loud, but I trust him with them. “It’s terrifying to think that the one thing you’re capable of might be taken from you, especially when . . . ”

His stiff stance eases. “You and that baby are going to be just fine. I can see that.” A sudden burn consumes my throat, and I blink a few times. “I’m proud of you for finally going after what should’ve always been.”

This big, growly man hits me right in the chest. I step forward, push to my tiptoes, and throw my arms around him. His big arms scoop me up, and I’m surrounded by the strength and stability of one of the men who helped me keep going when my heart wasn’t sure it could .

“I’m real happy for you. Just don’t disappear like that again. Krissy’s been asking about you every day and blaming me. I’m surprised she didn’t kick my ass out of my own house. And these nags . . . I can’t take one more minute of their nonverbal assaults.”

I laugh. “I’m sorry.”

“Krissy’s going to flip her shit when you tell her.”

The metal door bangs closed, and Slade releases me, his eyes flicking to Mark as he steps up beside me.

“Mark, this is Slade,” I say, standing between the two men. One, my best friend. The other, my husband. “Slade, this is Mark.”

It takes a second, but eventually, Mark sticks out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.” His words come out stiff, not in his usual playful tone.

“Congratulations.” Slade returns the shake.

Slade looks back at me. “You be careful out here on the floor.”

“I will. I can’t stay long. I have a doctor’s appointment.”

He nods, stepping away. “Good.” Reading my mind, he says. “Don’t worry. We’ll figure something out.”

I offer him a soft smile, but telling me not to worry is like asking me not to breathe right now.

I turn to Mark; his eyes are locked on Slade’s back. Something about the expression on his face recharges the churn in my stomach. “Everything ok?”

He rubs his forehead, his eyes not meeting mine. When he doesn’t immediately answer, my intestines decide to join the party and do a little jig. The kind that makes me want to run for the bathroom.

The noise in the shop resumes, and he grabs my hand, pulling me to the door. He gaze drags to mine, and I’m not sure I want the answer.

“That was Rob. I have to leave tonight. I’m meeting with the Liberties first thing in the morning.”

I stare at him. I don’t know what to think or say, so I don’t say anything.

I knew he’d be leaving. I just didn’t think it would be today. It wilts the joy that’s been blossoming. I close my eyes.

It’s not goodbye.

I pull in a slow breath, shoving down the looming panic that he’s leaving and absolutely nothing will be ok. We’ll be back to two people who love each other but live completely separate lives.