“Morning,” Parker says, and I smile as he takes a seat next to me on the step.
“Morning.” I nudge my shoulder with his, listening to the boys giggle and yell for Dillon to go faster.
“When are you guys going to take the dive into parenthood?” he asks, and I feel my face soften when Dillon’s smiling eyes come to me.
“I don’t know,” I say honestly, staring into Dillon’s eyes. Seeing him with his nephews makes me want to see him with our kids. I have no doubt he will be an amazing dad. “Maybe a few years. We’re still trying to get to know each other, and as you know, we didn’t start out like most married couples.”
“Do you love him?” he asks softly, and I pull my eyes from Dillon and the boys to look at him before I answer.
“Yes.”
“That’s all that matters. The rest will fall into place with time.”
“I guess you’re right.”
“I’m always right.” He grins, and I roll my eyes, seeing he’s just as cocky as his brother.
“You sound just like Dillon.”
“Dillon sounds just like me. I’m older.” He smiles then looks at the door when the bell rings. Dropping the boys to their feet, Dillon pulls it open, and as soon as I see who is waiting there, I feel my temper flare. Then I hear Parker mutter, “You’ve got to be shitting me.” I’m staring at Isla who is standing on the front porch.
“Dillon, please.” She holds up her hand when it looks like he’s about to shut the door in her face, and he shakes his head then looks over his shoulder at us.
Standing, I start down the last two steps, but then drop my eyes to my wrist when Parker takes hold of it, stopping me. “Boys, go hang with your mom,” he orders, and the boys look at him and frown, probably confused by his change in demeanor. “Now,” he urges, and they take off toward the kitchen.
“Can we please talk?” she pleads, looking up at Dillon, and my stomach fills with all the anger I’ve been holding back.
“Why are you here?” he asks as Parker releases me and goes to stand next to him, crossing his arms over his chest.
“I… I tried to see you yesterday. Did Ashley give you my message?” she prompts, and I grit my teeth, knowing for a fact she’s very aware my name is not Ashley.
“Are you serious? Are you so desperate to see him that you came all the way to Tennessee?” I question as I shoulder my way between the two guys blocking the door, and she looks at me.
“I don’t want to be rude, but this is family business,” she murmurs, looking contrite, and my hands ball into fists so I don’t reach out and strangle her.
“Baby,” Dillon says gently, wrapping his arm around my waist.
I turn my glare on him, daring him to say something, and then move my eyes back to her and narrow them further. “I’m his wife. That makes me the definition of family.” I point at myself, and her eyes fill with spite before she hides it with pity.
“He didn’t even give you his mom’s ring,” she says. Dillon and Parker growl, “What the fuck?” at the same time.
“You’re right. He didn’t, but I don’t see it on your finger, either,” I hiss, lunging for her, but Dillon’s arms band around my waist before I can reach her.
“Baby, calm down,” he rumbles, but I ignore him and attempt to pull myself from his grasp to get my hands on her.
“Get her the fuck out of here,” Dillon barks at Parker, who quickly ushers Isla down the steps to her car as I fight against his hold. So pissed that my vision has turned red and no amount of self-control will be able to change it. “Calm the fuck down.”
“No!” I buck against him, pissed at myself for acting like a deranged, jealous wife, and pissed at him for having anything to do with her. I’m not this person. I’m not someone who gets jealous and acts crazy… or I wasn’t until him. Sagging against his chest, I close my eyes, feeling defeated and humiliated. “Let me go.” His arms tighten and his mouth drops to my ear.
“I’m not ever fucking letting you go.”
“Please,” I whisper, feeling tears burn the back of my eyes. I’m not this woman, and I don’t want to be her. “Please, just let me go,” I murmur, and he must hear the desperation in my tone, because his arms loosen enough for me to get away.
Stepping back from him, I pull in a breath then turn to face him. “Baby.” He reaches for me, but I take another step away from him.
“I…” I shake my head as tears sting my nose. Shutting my eyes tightly, I only open them back up once I know I’ve fought them back.
“What the fuck was that?” Parker slams the door, making me jump, and I look at him, feeling my cheeks heat in embarrassment. I can’t believe I acted the way I did in front of him. I can’t believe he just saw me at my worst.
“I’ll talk to you about it in a minute. Go check on Cara and the boys. I need to talk to Ash.”
“Fine, but you better tell me what the fuck is going on,” he warns before storming off toward the kitchen, and my eyes follow his retreating back.
“Come here,” Dillon calls, and my eyes go to his and I jerk my head from left to right.
I… I need some ti—” I begin quietly, and his jaw clenches as he cuts me off.
“I’m not letting you go.”
“You guys go to the zoo. I just need some time alone.”
“You don’t need time alone,” he denies, and my stomach twists.
“I do. This… you… God! I don’t even know the person I just was,” I cry, and he takes a step closer to me, but I move before he can touch me. “Please, I’m begging you. Just give me some time to think.” I hold up my hand to ward him off, and his eyes drop to my outstretched palm.
“Goddammit. Let me hold you!” he roars, and I cringe, feeling my shoulders sag.
“I think we both need some time to think. Some time to calm down,” I whisper, and his eyes close then open and pin me in place.
“If you’re not here when I get back and I have to come find you, I’m going to be pissed,” he snarls, then turns and storms off, leaving me shaken.
Chapter 10
Dillon
“Talk to me.”
Looking at my brother, I feel my teeth grind together. “I don’t even know where to fucking start,” I mutter, leaning against the fence in front of me, not seeing the boys and Cara feeding the animals inside the pen. My mind is consumed with Ashlyn and the look I saw on her face before I left her standing in the foyer.
“You can start by telling me why the hell Isla is still around. I thought you cut her out of your life after you ended your bullshit engagement to her.”
“I did,” I grit out, and he shakes his head, leaning his elbows on the rail.
“I told you it was stupid to even pretend to be with her. I told you that shit was whack and was going to blow up in your face.”
“I don’t need to hear ‘I told you so’ right now. You know how it was growing up in that house. Her parents were around, but were never really there. And when you left, it was just me and her. It’s not an excuse, but I’d always just taken on the job of looking out for her, so I missed it. I didn’t see her bullshit for what it was. I had no idea she was in to me like that.”