Stone Deep: An Alpha Bad Boy Romance (Stone Brothers Book 3) (15 page)

Chapter 26

Britton

Slade’s car was in the driveway. I sat in my car for a good ten minutes trying to talk myself out of this. He’d never let me explain anything. I just wanted that chance. I pushed the driver’s door open and stepped out. A misty spray of rain was being blown on shore by a strong wind, but the sky above the town was still blue.

By the time I reached the door, my stomach was twisted into a painful knot. I knocked.

A minute later the door opened. It was Slade’s sister-in-law, Amy. A frown crossed her face. “Slade isn’t home,” she said curtly.

“Oh, thanks. It was sort of a surprise visit so that makes sense.” I turned to leave.

“Wait, Britton, why don’t you come in and have a soda? Hunter’s out too.”

I hesitated.

The frown vanished, and her radiant smile appeared as she grabbed my hand. “Come on. I live with two Stone brothers. Girl talk is like a friggin’ walk in a park full of flowers and free ice.”

She held my hand, led me to the kitchen and motioned for me to sit. She squinted one eye in my direction. “Hmm, you look like a lemon-lime kind of girl.”

“Good call.”

She grabbed us each a glass of ice and a soda and pulled up a chair across from me. We sipped the cold drinks. Amy was one of those people who was never a stranger to anyone. You instantly felt as if you’d been friends with her forever. It was a cool and rare quality. I admired her for it.

She smoothed her pretty copper hair back. “I told Hunter I wanted to cut my hair in that pixie style, but he looked grumpy about the idea. Of course, grumpy is sort of his usual expression. Even when he’s having a good time, he’s wearing a scowl.”

“They say opposites attract, so you two are perfect for each other.”

“I guess so.” She took a sip and laughed. “Shit, if that isn’t a major understatement. It was like someone dropped that big ole butthead onto the planet just for me. I never saw myself with anyone but Hunter. Weird, huh?”

“Not at all. You strike me as the kind of person who would know when she found the right person.”

She laughed. “Hey, do you want some cookies? They’re those pink and white animal shaped ones with the tiny sprinkles.” Before I could answer, she’d sprung off the chair and reached up into the cupboard for the cookies. She seemed to weigh the bag on her palm and creased her brow. “Those pigs have eaten half the bag.” She placed the cookies on the table. “I swear sometimes that they’d eat my hand if I was unlucky enough to stick it in the bag at the wrong time.”

“It’s got to take a lot of food to keep those two guys happy.” I opened the bag and grabbed out a cookie. “I confess that I have a weakness for junk food. Slade got to see my dirty little secret firsthand on our road trip.”

“See, I knew I liked you.” She grabbed out a cookie and looked at it. “Scored an elephant.” She turned it around. “Or maybe it’s a lion.” She shrugged and popped it into her mouth. “My mom used to put these in my lunch. I love nostalgic stuff that reminds me of grade school. Don’t know why. I just do.”

“Hmm, let’s see why—playing at recess, parties at friends’ houses and no worries about paying the rent or any of the crap that comes with adulthood.”

“Yep, that’s it.” She raised her can. “Here’s to kidhood.”

We toasted and sipped.

She glanced around her kitchen. “This was the house Hunter, Slade and Colt grew up in.” Her face smoothed, and she tapped the can with her finger. “They didn’t have a good childhood.”

I nodded. “Yeah, I sort of caught that. Sounded really harsh.”

“It was.” She leaned back. “But they all came out of it all right. Not everyone would agree, but I think they’re all great guys. Colt and Slade are like brothers to me. Colt and I argue like siblings.” She leaned forward. “I take pleasure in irritating him. Slade, he’s always been the most levelheaded of the three. It might have been because he wasn’t the oldest and he wasn’t the baby. Not that he didn’t suffer just as much as Colt and Hunter. He did.”

My throat tightened at the thought of Slade having to endure so much hardship as a kid. “I’ve never met anyone like him,” I said. “When he came to find me—” I blinked back tears. “I hadn’t told him about my marriage because, to me, it hadn’t been a marriage for a long time. There is still a piece of paper keeping me legally tied to Ryan, but that’s all there is. But Slade was so shocked and hurt and—” I shook my head. “Shit.”

She reached over and took hold of my hand. “I’m going to tell you something, but you are sworn to secrecy cross your heart hope to spit on your mother’s grave or step on a crack or whatever. You can’t tell Slade.”

I nodded.

“I’ve known Slade my whole life. He usually just blows through each day a happy camper. Not much bothers him, and he’s always in a good mood. In fact, I’ve always considered him to be the easiest Stone brother to hang out with—less grumpy and funny as hell.”

“Totally agree.”

“Since that day when he found out you were married—he’s been moping around like Pooh’s little blue donkey, you know the guy with the pin-on tail. Why the heck couldn’t that Christopher kid sew that tail on?” She waved off the question. “Anyhow.” She pulled an invisible zipper across her lips but then spoke again. “It’s the first time any woman has had an effect on his life. I’m not kidding. He liked you. I will amend that. He likes you.” She leaned back. “Do not tell him I told you that.”

I smiled. “I won’t say a word or spit on a mom’s grave or anything like that. But since we’re giving out secrets, I can tell you, I really like him too.”

The front door opened. We’d been so deep in conversation, we hadn’t noticed that the clouds had darkened the skies above the house. Hunter walked in, instantly filling the kitchen with his massive physique. He looked upset, but, thankfully, it didn’t seem to have anything to do with me sitting at his table.

“Is Slade back?” he asked.

“Haven’t seen him since he walked out with Cleveland. Why?”

“Shit.” Hunter walked to the window and looked out.

“Uh, you want to let us in on the mystery,” Amy said.

He turned around, pulled his phone out and seemed to be checking it for texts. “I was down at the marina, and Pete Driscoll was on his boat. He heard a distress call on the radio and thought it sounded like the girl said the
Sea Empress
. Something about a fire on deck.”

Amy’s eyes rounded. “The
Sea Empress
. That’s Stewie’s boat.”

I wasn’t completely sure what was happening, but something had the two of them truly distraught.

Hunter tapped his phone. “I tried to call him but no answer. I’m going to see if Colt has seen him.” He walked out.

“What’s going on? Is Slade in trouble?”

“Not too sure but Slade went out with his friends on the boat that made the distress call.” Amy hopped up. “I’m getting my sweatshirt. We should get down to the marina and find out what the heck is going on.”

“I’m coming with you,” I said.

We walked out to the front room. Hunter was just hanging up from a conversation. “Colt hasn’t heard from him either. I’m going down to the marina.”

Amy pulled her sweatshirt on. “We’re going too.”

For the first time since he walked in, Hunter acknowledged my presence.

“Please,” I said. “I need to be sure he’s all right. I can drive.”

He nodded, and the three of us headed out the door.

***

We drove into the marina parking lot. Colt and Jade pulled in just as we were climbing out of my car. It seemed news of the boat in distress had traveled fast. There was a group of people huddled on the dock, including a middle-aged couple who were especially upset. They were being consoled by others. I could only assume that they were friends or parents of other people on board.

The clouds had moved on shore, but they’d brought only a slight amount of precipitation. The cold air and the storm had left behind a clammy haze that only added to the anxious, somber mood on the pier.

I was merely a stranger amongst friends, neighbors and family, but I felt sick with worry. I stood alone looking out at the water as Slade’s family grouped together with some other people, to hear the latest news. My only information came from the increased look of concern on all their faces as they spoke to each other.

Amy finally glimpsed my direction and came over to let me know what was happening. “You can join us,” she said.

“Thank you but I’m fine. What news?”

“Last word was that the coast guard had reached the burning boat just as it sank below the surface.”

I sucked in a breath, but she took hold of my hand. “They were in the water. From what we hear, they were all right. Everything is preliminary right now, and it is hard to get all the information over the radio. But it seems we should be seeing him soon.”

“Thank you, Amy, for everything. Thank you for inviting me into your house and letting me come along and—just thanks for not hating me. I really do care for Slade.”

“Sure.” She reached over and hugged me. “Now take some deep breaths. You look like you’re ready to toss those animal cookies right on this dock.” She looked back at the others. “You sure you don’t want to stand with us?”

“I’m still feeling a little awkward about everything. I’ll be fine here. I’m going to wait until I see him walk off the boat alive and well and then I’ll get out of the way. I’m sure I’m the last person he wants to see after this ordeal.”

“I think you’re wrong about that, but I understand.” Something out on the water caught her eye. A cheer from the crowd on the dock followed. An orange boat was heading toward the marina. “That’s them.” She patted my arm. “It won’t be long now.” She walked back toward her husband.

Every nerve in my body pulsed with worry as we waited for what seemed an interminable amount of time for the rescue boat to reach the marina. A group of bystanders helped tie off the boat as it puttered alongside the pier. I couldn’t get close enough to see well, but there were a number of people on the deck of the boat. I walked up behind the group gathered to watch. Amy smiled back at me. She was gripping Hunter’s arm. It was big and strong like his brother’s, and all I could think was how much I’d missed Slade’s embrace. I couldn’t remember ever feeling that secure in a man’s arms, not even in Ryan’s arms. Especially not in his.

Two women were helped off the deck. First aid blankets were draped around their shoulders. They looked shaken and cold and relieved to be on solid ground.

One of the rescue crew stepped onto the pier with two other men, and they were carrying four life jackets. I stretched my neck to see over the crowd, but I was at such a height disadvantage it was impossible. I walked over to Amy.

Colt’s girlfriend, Jade, flashed me a warm smile but didn’t say anything.

“Can you see him?” I asked Amy.

“Not yet,” Hunter said as he easily peered over the heads. He looked at Colt, and I didn’t like the expression on his face. “Everyone else is off the boat. Where the hell is he?” Hunter asked. The two brothers forged through the crowd. Amy, Jade and I followed in their path.

The coast guard crew member was talking to the two men, and one seemed to be getting a stern lecture.

“Hey,” Hunter called to the guy, “where’s my brother?”

The rescue crew member turned to us. “He was in the water the longest, so they’re just rechecking his vitals before they release him.” He looked pointedly at the four life jackets in the hands of the two wet men. “This irresponsible boat owner didn’t have enough life jackets for five people. Among other things,” he added sharply.

Hunter stepped quickly toward the boat owner and the guy’s eyes nearly popped from his face as he stumbled back two steps. “Come on, Stone, I didn’t know the engine was going to catch fire.”

“That’s a lame fucking excuse,” Colt said. “Everyone on this dock knows that boat was a wreck waiting to happen. You were captain. You should have been the one without the life jacket.”

The second guy, a big, friendly looking man who seemed vaguely familiar, stepped between the boat captain and the Stone brothers. “Slade was the one who insisted on going in without the jacket,” he said calmly. “Yes, Stewie is an idiot, but we all made it safely back. Mostly thanks to Slade, of course. He really watched over the women. They were pretty freaked out, but he kept them calm. You know Slade. That’s just how he is.”

Amy grabbed Hunter’s arm. “There he is.”

An involuntary cry of relief burst from my lips, and too late, I covered my mouth with my hand. Amy smiled and gave me a brief hug. They headed toward Slade. He looked wet and bone weary as he tromped toward his family. His green gaze flickered through the forest of people and landed on me. He stared at me as if he wasn’t completely sure what he was looking at. Before I could lift a hand to wave, Amy and Jade threw their arms around him and pulled his attention away.

I had to make a conscious effort to slow my breathing and my pulse. He was safe. As much as I wanted to stay and talk to him, I didn’t have that privilege anymore. I’d disappointed him. I realized as I was standing there, that no matter how badly I wanted to keep him in my life, it was his move to make. He hadn’t called me since he’d discovered that I was married. I didn’t hold out much hope that he wanted me around. That reality made my heart feel as if it was filled with lead. Slade had been the first great thing to happen to me in a long time, and I’d screwed it up.

I turned and headed to the car without looking back. It was easier not to see him. Everything about him was so darn heartbreaking. I just had to push him from my thoughts or go nuts kicking myself about it.

I pulled my key out of my sweatshirt pocket and stuck it in the door lock.

“Nice car. I’ll bet it’s fun on a road trip,” a deep voice said from behind.

I turned around. A long soak in the cold ocean hadn’t washed away one ounce of his appeal. He looked just as breathtaking as always.

He stepped closer, just an arm’s distance away. Tiny crystals of sea salt had dried on the tips of his hair. “Were you just going to leave without saying anything?”

“I figured you probably didn’t want to see me. I just wanted to make sure you were safe.” I glanced out toward the dock. People were beginning to disperse. “Tell me, is there ever a time when you’re not putting yourself in harm’s way to help others?”

He pointed to his chest. “Trouble magnet.” He twisted his mouth in thought. “Hey, that might be better than Bolt.”

“It’s a lot of syllables for a nickname.”

“True, but it makes a statement. Although, Master was good too.” We were talking as if nothing had come between us. I’d never felt as in tune or comfortable talking to anyone.

“I’m sorry, Slade. I was thinking about why I hadn’t ever told you, and I realized it was because the marriage had already become that unimportant to me. As far as I was concerned, Ryan was no longer my husband. I married him when I was only twenty  . . . and you know how much stupidity comes with twenty. Ryan was unfaithful right from the start, but I didn’t have the money or options to leave him. My lawyer is working on the divorce right now.”

He stepped even closer and gazed at me. “I was playing the coward. I was uneasy about how much I wanted to be with you. I saw it as my excuse to walk away.”