Justified Love (The Southern Gentleman Series Book 1) (2 page)

            His face flared red as he realized he was speaking his thoughts out loud. His omission was unusual, and yet, highly endearing. Chuckling, I patted Blake on the back, “I’m not sure you can handle all this.”

●

              Leaving Blake to stew in his misery, I shoved the door to my office open. Admiring the shiny placard on my desk, “Carrington Mason,” put a giant smile on my face. I had studied my ass off in high school and got a full ride to Columbia. Just so I wouldn’t put any burden on Daddy, I worked three jobs in college and all through law school. Between running around campus and three jobs, I slowly shed the baby fat I had accumulated over the years. Pound by pound, the weight melted away like butter and I began to morph into what Harley would call, a “sex kitten.”

              Catching a glimpse of a picture on my desk, I had to giggle. Staring back at me was the reflection of three sun-kissed teenagers. Why Harley and Skye had allowed me to leave the house in such a hideous cat T-shirt that day, I will never know. I missed my girls like crazy and hoped they would come visit me soon. I had zero intentions of ever going back to Avery, Texas, but thankfully we had Skype and Facetime to keep us connected.

              These girls had seen me at my very worst, and yet, they still loved and supported me. There was no doubt about it; they were my best friends and sisters for life. In high school, their loyalty was regularly put to the test involving confrontation, after confrontation with the school bully, Paisley Parker.

              To put it nicely, Paisley was a bitch and a royal pain in my ass. She was determined to make my life as miserable as possible, and naturally, I didn’t know why. At the time, I was a good ninety pounds overweight and came from a middle-class family. I had nothing to brag about, and had given Paisley no reason to hate me. Alas, she was determined to make my life a living hell.

              She was known for using me as a human punching bag, especially when it involved a crowd. She seemed to go out of her way to hunt me down and humiliate me at every opportunity possible. Thankfully, my soul sisters were always there to have my back. If they were willing to put up with the relentless attacks, they were meant to be my life-long friends.

              All of a sudden, I was snapped out of my recollections with the ringing of my work phone. Lunging for the receiver, I tripped over my briefcase falling into my rolling chair. Ironically, my middle name was Grace.
Way to go, Carr. You’re doing a bang-up job living up to your name.
Even after all this time, I was still the same Carr deep down - clumsy and awkward.

              Out of breathe, “Hello. This is Carrington Mason.”

              “Care Bear, it’s Daddy. You sound busy. Want me to call you back?”

              “Hi, Daddy. No. No. I always have time for you. I was just having a “Grace” moment.”

              “You tripped over your bag again. Didn’t you?

              “You know me all too well,” I said with love.

              That’s what I loved about my Dad; he got me, even with all my flaws and imperfections.

              “Thankfully, that is one trait your mama gave you and not myself.”

              “Way to throw mama under the bus, Daddy.”

              “It’s not throwing her under the bus if it’s true.”

              “Well played, Dad. Well played. Why the sudden phone call? You never call me at work. Is everything O.K.?”

              “Why does there need to be something wrong? Can’t a father call his favorite daughter?”

              “Seeing as I’m your only daughter, no. Something’s up. Spill.”

              “Well, Care Bear. I’m in a bit of a pickle. To be honest, there are several reasons; however the main reason I’m calling is to hire out your legal services.

              “What sort of legal services are we talking about, Daddy?”

              “Well, it’s complicated, Care Bear, but I’ll tell you when you get here.”

              “When I get there? And by there, you mean…”

              “Avery, honey. I need you to come home, please.”

              “You know, I can find an excellent attorney in the area that can help you just fine. One with glowing accolades, tons of knowledge and expertise…”

              “Carr, I may have understated the importance of my call.”

             
Shit. This wasn’t sounding right.

              If there was any one person I loved more than my girls, it was my Daddy. Ever since my mama died when I was eight, Daddy had been taking care of me the best he could. Thankfully, he had the help of my Granny Bird, but it wasn’t without its struggles. He was a stubborn man, but hearing him almost begging for my return had me concerned. The situation must be pretty serious for Daddy to reach out like this.

              “Ok, Daddy. No need to go any further into detail. Let me finish my case, and I’ll be on the first flight home.”

              “Thank you, sweet pea. Granny and I can’t wait to see you!”
Well, this should be fun. Fuck my life.

Chapter 2

            Packing my bags to head back to Avery, I was starting to get the nervous sweats. I must admit I had mixed emotions about seeing Colton again. Just thinking about him made my breath hitch and my heart race. The last time I saw Colt, I was in the backseat of Dad’s quad cab headed to the airport, and off to Columbia. Colt was on his morning run when we passed him. Running down our road without a shirt on, I had to admit, it was the best going away present I could have asked for. Just as we passed him on the dirt road, I looked back to catch one last glimpse of the man I was leaving behind. Locking eyes, Colton slowed his run to a jog and then to a walk. Not wanting to take my eyes away from him, I watched the figure fade away into the dust.

              After graduation, I had zero desire to return to Texas. I avoided Avery like the plague, but I guess it was time to bite the bullet. I couldn’t let Daddy down. Judging by our last conversation, I was a little nervous at what I was walking into. Not only was I terrified at why Daddy needed my legal services, but also my biggest fear going back to Avery was running into Colton.

              Harley, Skye and I had a strict “No Colton” policy over the years. We agreed that at no point would we speak of Colt, at least not unless I brought it up myself. I had not brought his name up in almost eight years and had no intention of starting now. Externally, I was cursing his very existence, but internally I was singing his name with the angels above. Not only that, but screaming his name when I woke up from an erotic dream. There was something about Colt that had me humming with excitement every time I thought of him. The sensual thoughts were becoming something of a regular occurrence, but in a way I really enjoyed them.

              I knew as soon as the girls found out I was headed back they would be all over me trying to break our “No Colton” policy.
What was he doing with his life? Was he happy? Was he dating? Oh God, was he married? I don’t think I could handle him being married. What if he was married to Paisley? Fuck.

              It was no secret that Colt’s parents, Shepley and Wynonna Wilson, were determined to make Paisley and Colt a couple. It was pretty much understood the two would get together at one point or another. Now, whether it was amicable or not, was another story altogether. Paisley’s parents along with Colt’s were steadfast to combine their fortunes, but Colt never seemed to fit their family dynamic, let alone share their same vision.

              Even from a distance I could tell Colt was not like his parents in the least. He came across as the “Golden Child” gone terribly wrong. Although he had done nothing to warrant being a failure, his parents always seemed to be disappointed in him. It wasn’t until high school when they started to acknowledge his talents on the football field. The better he got, the more his parents began to appreciate him. Something tells me it had less to do with his talent, and everything to do with his potential success in the NFL. Their motives were skewed, steered by their greed and power.

              There were several times in high school, when I wanted to tell him he was worth it. He wasn’t a failure in the least but appreciated and admired for his passion and drive. You would see it in his eyes every day; he just wanted to appease his parents, and yet, the admiration was never reciprocated.

              I’m not sure I’ll be able to follow our “No Colton” policy when I get back to town. Every bone in my body ached to know anything and everything about him since graduation.

●

              Sitting in the terminal at John F. Kennedy airport waiting to board, I was quickly reminded why I left Texas in the first place. Seeing the passengers waiting to board was like watching animals out of their natural habitat. Prowling the aisles like wild carnivores with their massive hair and overly applied makeup. Laying my head back in the chair waiting to board, I caught the sharp aroma of RAVE hairspray and Charlie perfume, invading my nostrils.

            If there’s one thing I loathe most in life, it’s the smell of hair spray and cheap perfume. That’s why I loved Harley and Skye so much; they were all natural. My girls were the epitome of beauty but never flaunted it in anyone’s face.

            Harley was blessed with beautiful brown hair, which trailed down her back, resting just above her perky ass. Her sweeping bangs just barely touched her long lashes, protecting her stunning emerald eyes. Not only was she blessed with adorable dimples, but her Marilyn beauty mark accentuating her pouty lips. Harley was a unique combination of tomboy meets stripper. She didn’t take any shit, and she looked sexy telling people that, too.

            Skye, on the other hand, was completely opposite. Skye had long, gorgeous, golden locks, usually garnished with a daisy chain headband. Looking into her hazel eyes, you would never know there was a vixen waiting to be unleashed from inside her. While Harley was aggressive with her intentions, Skye was laid back and relaxed. She appreciated the little things in life like, watching the beauty of a sunrise or the freedom of walking around naked. Yeah, she was that kind of girl. Did you expect anything less from a girl named, Skye Breeze?

            Finally finding a comfortable spot in my chair, I was quickly interrupted by the sound of the intercom system, “Now boarding, flight #518 to Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas”.  My flight left New York at ten a.m., connected in Boston, and landed safety in Dallas at five thirty. Even though I was a New Yorker, I was still a country girl at heart and planes still scared the shit out of me. After taking one, or two, Prozac, we finally landed safely on the tarmac in Dallas. I was relieved, and yet terrified at the realization that I was back in Texas. We still had a two-hour drive back to Avery, but already my anxiety was off the charts.

              As I retrieved my luggage and headed down the escalator, I saw a bubbly group jumping up and down holding neon signs. Skye’s sign read, “City Slicker, Mason,” while Harley’s sign read “Get your ass down here
now
, hooker.”  I couldn’t contain my laughter and ran the rest of the way down the escalator. I had never been so happy to see my Dad, Granny, Harley, and Skye.  As I went in for a group hug, my anxiety levels began to subside. Looking up at Dad, I was convinced I saw a little glisten in his eyes as he held his baby girl again.

              “We sure did miss you, Care Bear,” my dad whispered into my ear so only I could hear.

              Squeezing the life out of me, Harley and Skye began the barrage of questions.

              “Please tell me they put you next to a crazy cat lady or some whiny baby. I love it when that happens to someone other than me. Nothing’s worse than a sick old man to get you ready for takeoff, am I right? Oh please, please, please,” she said with a mouth full of sarcasm.

              “Oh, shut up. Let her speak,” Skye nudged Harley. “How was the flight?”

              “A little bumpy for my taste, but I did sit next to a rather smelly Scottish fella with wicked breath if that makes you happy Harley?”

              “Very.”

              As we walked out of the airport, I wrapped my arm around Granny giving her a big kiss on the cheek. “I missed you Granny,” I said with the utmost adoration.

              “I missed you too, little bird. It’s about damn time you got here; my bunions are killing me.  Look at you; you’re nothing but skin and bones. What are they feeding you up there? You need to eat a good ole’ country cooked meal, sweetheart.”

              It never failed Granny would be the one to make me laugh the hardest coming back into town.  Gripping my luggage, we walked through the automated doors letting the hot Texas air hit me in the face. Like a vice grip, the humidity strangled me, just like being home did. I need to make this a quick in and out.

●

              Riding back to our small town, it was just like old times again. The bad thing about Avery, it was in bumfuck Egypt. There wasn’t a damn thing around for miles, but cornfields and cotton plantations. With a town population of five hundred, what did you expect? Dallas International was the closest airport and even then, it was two hours away. In reality, it was fine with me since it gave us time to catch up. We gabbed about New York City and the firm, my last case and the tiny apartment I loved and owned.

              “Listen to that Yankee accent” Granny finally chirped.

              “It’s not that bad, Granny. I still have a lot of country left in me.”

              The girls filled me in on all the town gossip, being careful to exclude any pertinent information regarding Colt. Instead of going straight for the kill, the girls circled around the topic like a pack of wolves.

              “Speaking of country,” Harley chimed.

              “After you settle in, wanna hit up Ralph’s?” asked Harley. “I’m a bartender most nights, and Friday nights are pretty busy. Ralph just got a new jukebox, and I’ve programmed all my favorite songs - naturally.  I’m sure Wyatt, Chuck and…”

              “I’m game!” Skye interrupted quickly.

              “I guess that would be ok,” I said cautiously.

             
Great.
I haven’t been back but thirty minutes, and I’m already being thrown into the gauntlet. The last time we tried going out, I broke a heel, dropped my cell phone in the toilet, and walked around for a good ten minutes with lipstick on my teeth before anyone said anything to me. I was Cosmopolitan Magazine’s worst nightmare. I’m not sure I could get any less attractive when it came to flaunting my sexuality.

              For years, I tried to be sexy - I did. Every time I thought I was making way with my fashion choices, I was quickly reminded why I hadn’t had a date in forever. I had no business going out in public, especially when I was a walking disaster. At least I had the good sense to throw away my cat T-shirts.
Seriously, who doesn’t love a kitten hanging on a clothesline reading, “Hang on, it’s almost Friday?”

              Rolling down the windows to the truck, I let the sticky, muggy air hit me in the face. I was amazed at how much I actually missed Texas. In New York, the streets were regularly littered with people and the air always smelt of street cart hot dogs. I’m not saying they were bad; in fact they were quite yummy.  People who were hard wired differently quickly replaced the politeness I was accustomed to in the south. City dwellers were too busy for, “Excuse me” or even, “Thank you.” It was as if they were raised in a barn, which was ironic, coming from me.  Over the years, I came to realize very early on Northerners quickly mistook my slow, southern draw as a sign of ignorance. In some instances, this worked to my advantage, especially in court. I was a sneak attack attorneys never saw coming until it was too late.

●

              After dropping off Harley and Skye, we finally pulled into the gravel driveway leading up to the house. Man, I’ve missed this place. Bumping down the road, as the chunks of gravel kicked off the mud flaps, I closed my eyes and took in the familiar fragrances surrounding me. Like a giant hug, the well-known scents circled my body.              

              Pulling up to the house, I needed to acclimate myself to the sudden change in the atmosphere. In the summer, home always smelled of honeysuckles and fresh cut grass, and in the winter, crisp, clean air. These were the smells you couldn’t bottle even though many had tried.

              Rounding the driveway, I took in the memorable view of our house. It was your typical farmhouse. However, to this very day, I thought our house was the prettiest house in Avery. It was a white two-story house with a huge wraparound porch decorated with red shutters. I stared at the porch swing for a bit and got lost in memories.

              As a child, mama and I would sit and swing while listening to the crickets chirp on hot, summer nights. I would lay in mama’s lap, sucking my thumb while she stroked my tangled, red hair. Swinging, she would sing Frank Sinatra in my ear, her favorite. Her sweet voice shot through me like an arrow and landed straight into my soul. “Who knows where the road will lead us, only a fool would say, but if you’ll let me love you. It’s for sure I’m gonna love you, all the way.” Just thinking about those nights made my heart swell with love and sadness.

              Mama was diagnosed with cancer when I was barely seven years old, but that never prevented her from being a wonderful mother to me. She always made sure I was loved and protected, even up until her last days with us. When she passed, Daddy and I were there to hold her hand as she drifted away from us; peacefully into the arms of our heavenly father. She looked so serene that day as if she was finally O.K. with leaving us. I miss my mama every day, but I’m so blessed she isn’t suffering anymore.