Harley's Achilles (The Rock Series Book 3) (18 page)

“You’re going to have the best Christmas ever, Harley. I promise.”

Harley

As soon as we got back to town, I went to see Arielle-Adrianna. She’d fucked up royally, but I felt she needed to know why I’d broken up with her so long ago. I stopped by her father’s house, and he informed me that she was in the hospital undergoing detox. She’d made bail apparently. I checked in at the front desk at the hospital and told them who I was. A nurse ushered me to Adrianna’s room and I closed the door behind me. She looked so small, so frail; and in that moment, I actually felt sorry for her.

“Hey,” I said, as I moved a chair over to the side of her bed.

“Harley?” Adrianna croaked. “What are you doing here?”

“I felt like you needed to hear why I did what I did so long ago.”

“You don’t owe me anything after what I did.” Adrianna closed her eyes.

“I kinda do. See, when we were dating, I knew at some point you’d want to come to my house and meet my parents. I couldn’t let that happen. You have no idea what my life was like back then — hell, what it’s been like over the past three years. Back then, it was as if I wasn’t even there, and it only got worse over time. I wasn’t ashamed of you, Adrianna. I was ashamed of
me
.”

“What?” She opened her eyes at that.

“I am invisible to my parents, I always have been. I didn’t want you to see that. As for my love life now? Well, let’s just say I didn’t think I’d fall for a man, but here I am.”

“I’m so sorry, Harley,” Adrianna whispered.

“Well, you didn’t kill us, that’s a plus, right?” I tried to grin.

“Stop that. Don’t make this into some kind of joke. I know what I did, and I know I belong in jail for it. Hell, maybe it will help me get clean.”

“When did you…well, you know?”

“In my first year of acting. I was so tired all the time and one of the guys offered me a pick-me-up. I didn’t know what it was at the time, so I stupidly took it. Then I got busted with a friend for having weed and it just escalated from there. Now I’m in hell and I know I belong here.”

I patted her hand and leaned in, giving her a smile. “You’ll kick it. You’re a strong person, Adrianna.”

“Is…your boyfriend okay? He kind of scared the ever-living shit out of me. I left him up there…” Adrianna trailed off.

“He’s fine. Achilles is one hell of a man, Adrianna.”

“He really is. Thank you, Harley. For coming to see me.”

“You bet.”

~*~

I spent my Christmas Eve birthday with the guys. They took me out to dinner and showered me with gifts. Okay, sex toys, but it was the thought that counts. I sat with Jinx as Achilles and the other bodyguards stood around talking. Jinx was watching Jayden across the room with the rest of the London Boys. Gareth plopped down into the chair next to me, and Ransom and Rebel took the seats across from me. We all sat there staring at each other for the longest time before Rebel spoke.

“So. Thirty-one, eh? It’s all down hill from here, bud.”

“You’ll all be catching up to me real soon. Well, except for Gareth.” I winked.

“I think I speak for all of us when I say Achilles is the best thing to ever happen to you.” Ransom took my hands across the table. “Any word from your parents?”

“Nope. Not even today, of all days. They didn’t even call to ask if I was going to follow through on Achilles’ threat.”

“Are you?” Jinx asked.

“I don’t know. They are still my parents, you know? Besides, I have all the love I could want from you guys.” I wiggled my brows.

“Well, we expect to see you and Achilles at my parents’ house for Christmas,” Jinx cut in. “You know how much my mom loves you.”

“I’ll be there with my gramps.” Rebel grinned.

“Oh hell,” Ransom sighed. “Will you make sure he stays dressed this time?”

“Why? I thought him chasing you while waggling his dick was pretty comical,” Rebel snickered.

“That is, like, burned on my temporal lobe,” Gareth groaned.

“Hey, my gramps says life is too short to play by the rules.”

“Didn’t that get him banned from the book store?” Ransom chortled.

“What is Achilles up to over there? He seems very preoccupied on his phone.” Jinx tilted his head, watching Achilles.

“I don’t know,” I shrugged. “Said he had a surprise for me when I got home.”

“You two are so cute together,” Gareth mused. “I could tell he liked you from the beginning.”

“Oh? So now you know everything, little matchmaker?” I mussed Gareth’s hair.

“The day they walked into the dressing room, I saw Achilles’ face the second he laid eyes on you.” Gareth pointed at me. “It was all over his face.”

“Yeah, well, he’s everything to me,” I said, staring at Achilles dreamily.

“Three down, two to go!” Gareth eyed Ransom and Rebel.

“Now wait.” Rebel lifted a hand. “I don’t think there’s anyone out there who can put up with my shit.”

“Yeah?” Gareth sat forward and pinned Rebel with a look. “I think there is.”

“Hey guys!” Stan walked over to our table and sat down in the chair next to Rebel. “Happy birthday, Harley. What did I miss?”

We all laughed as Rebel stared at Stan.

“Uh huh.” I leaned back, crossing my arms.

“We were just talking about Rebel’s gramps,” Jinx hurriedly spoke.

“I love that guy! He cracks me up.” Stan laughed, wiping at his eyes. “He bought me an inflatable doll for my birthday.”

“He did?” Rebel asked in astonishment.

“Yep, but it was a woman doll, so I had to explain. He just taped a cucumber on it.” Stan cracked up.

“Oh God.” Rebel banged his head on the table.

“He wanted to know if he could go with me to the gay club,” Stan admitted.

“What?!” Rebel lifted his head.

“Yep,” Stan nodded. “Wanted to be my wing man.”

“Oh Jesus,” Rebel whispered. “I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be! We had a blast,” Stan replied.

“You mean he actually went?” My mouth dropped open.

“Yep. He regaled all the guys with his war stories. I think he has a boyfriend now.” Stan chuckled.

“I can’t leave that man for two seconds.” Rebel sighed.

“Oh, so anyway, Harley, Sal Falco gave us all tickets to the movie premiere and he says happy birthday.”

“Awesome.” I turned to Ransom. “Will you be attending?”

“Shut up,” Ransom grumbled.

“Happy birthday, Harley,” the guys all sang in unison.

“Thanks, guys.”

I caught Achilles’ eyes from across the room and he grinned at me salaciously. I couldn’t wait to get him home.

~*~

I stood looking at the ginormous tree in my living room with my mouth agape. When I said a tree, I meant like a five footer, or something like that. This tree touched the ceiling and ornaments of all kinds hung from its branches. Achilles really loved Christmas, I guess. I hadn’t really thought about it too much over the years. After Holden died, I’d stopped celebrating all together. Now I had a life with Achilles and I wanted to celebrate everything I had.

“Wow!” I gushed.

“Wait until I turn on the lights!” Achilles said excitedly.

“You look like a little kid.” I grinned at him.

“It’s too much, huh?” Achilles frowned up at the tree.

“No. I really do love it. I love the ornaments, too. We’ll have to call your mom and dad and thank them for all this.”

“They love you, Harley.” Achilles crossed the room to me and took my hand. He pulled me over to the tree and pointed out one of the ornaments. “Look at this one. It’s you in front of the temple.”

“I don’t remember wearing a Santa hat.” I smiled.

“Photoshop. My mom loves doing stuff like that.”

“Well? Put the lights on.” I pushed him playfully.

Achilles went behind the tree and I turned off all the lights in the living room. Achilles plugged them in and I stood in awe in front of the tree. Multi-colored lights painted my walls in a rainbow of colors as they twinkled on and off.

“There’s an ornament for Holden, too.” Achilles pointed to it and I leaned in. It was Holden and me on his bike. We were both smiling.

“I love it,” I whispered, tears in my eyes.

“So, Christmas is tomorrow. Anything you really want?” Achilles asked.

I looked over at him. “I have everything I could possibly want.”

We sat in front of the tree and watched the lights for what seemed like hours, both of us talking about past Christmases while sipping hot cocoa. I leaned against Achilles’ shoulder as the lights flickered on and off. I smiled and thought of Holden and how much he loved Christmas.

“Ready for bed?” Achilles stood and then helped me to my feet.

“I am,” I yawned.

“Good. Get some sleep. I have a surprise for you later.”

~*~

I woke up to the bed dipping, and rolled over to find Achilles hovering above me with a huge grin. I wiped the sleep from my eyes and smiled up at him.

“What time is it?” I asked sleepily.

“It’s eleven fifty-five. Come with me.” Achilles took my hand.

I got up and walked with him. The Christmas tree lights were blinking as we passed through the living room. Achilles stopped in front of the garage door and checked his watch.

“What are you doing?”

“Shh.” Achilles lifted my face to his and kissed me lightly. He pulled away slowly and palmed my cheek. Checking his watch once more, Achilles placed my hand on the knob of the door.

“Happy birthday, Harley,” Achilles whispered.

I twisted it and walked into the brightly lit garage. Snowflake lights hung down, bathing the garage in white light, and in the center of it all was Holden’s motorcycle. I covered my gasp with my hand as I took in the bike. It was as if it had never been in an accident. I approached it slowly, for fear it would disappear if I got too close. I touched it with a shaky hand and tears began to flow down my cheeks. It was so beautiful. Holden’s name was painted along the side of the tank in beautiful red and orange paint with his birthdate and the date of his death. I turned to Achilles, not able to speak. He simply took my hand and pulled me into his arms.

“Merry Christmas, Harley.”

“This is…it’s so beautiful, Achilles!”

“It’s all yours, Harley, just like she should have always been. Holden wanted you to have her.”

“I have something for you, too.” I took another long look at the incredible gift and led him back into the house and sat him on the couch.

I grabbed the present for Achilles from its hiding spot behind the tree and handed it to him. Achilles eyed it and then turned to me.

“You didn’t have to get me anything.”

“Just open it.”

I watched as Achilles carefully opened his present, making sure not rip the colorful Christmas paper. He pulled open one side and peered inside. His head snapped up and I took his hand.

“You’re my lobster, Achilles,” I said quietly.

Achilles removed the stuffed lobster and held it up. He noticed the lobster keychain hanging from the side and grinned, removing it.

“I’ll put this on my keychain right away.” Achilles put the present down and took my face in his hands. “You are
my
lobster, Harley Payne.”

Achilles kissed me and I practically melted right into him. We broke from the kiss and I peered at him through my lashes.

“There’s something else in there.”

“There is?” Achilles lifted the paper and held it upside down. The ornament I’d had made slipped into his hand. Two lobsters were holding claws and underneath in cursive it said, “Harley and Achilles, Christmas 2015”.

“I love it.” Achilles stood and hung the ornament on the tree.

“I have to tell you something.”

“Okay.” Achilles came back to the couch and sat down, leaning back on the cushion.

“I, um, don’t have a motorcycle license.”

Achilles grinned, and then a loud laugh escaped him. He took my hands.

“You’ll get one.”

I made love to Achilles until well into the morning hours. I couldn’t get enough of him. Besides, it was my birthday.

~*~

We arrived at the Jett house a little late, but Jinx’s mom forgave me. Then she put me to work. I helped her stuff the turkey while Jinx made more stuffing. Pecan and pumpkin pie scents wafted through the whole house. I wiped flour from my forehead and yelped when someone pinched my ass. I turned to find Achilles grinning widely.

“Hey sexy,” he rumbled huskily.

“Hi.” I blinked up at him. He was so gorgeous in his black turtleneck sweater. He had to wear it because I’d sucked on his neck like a vamp all night. The thought made me chuckle and Achilles bent down, kissing my forehead.