Olivia's Ride (Sawyer Brothers Book 4) (10 page)

Chapter Twenty

Keeton

I left work in a decent mood, feeling as if for once things were falling into place.

I worked out a deal with the company that sublet out their computer programming to me. They agreed to allow me to work from Livingston over the summer. And Nate had assured me my job would be waiting for me when I returned.

I wasn’t sure how long I would stay, whether it be two weeks or the entire summer, but I was looking forward to getting to know not only Olivia better, but the family she loved so much.

Being surrounded by an actual family was something I never had and I wanted to witness as much of it as possible.

I pulled up in front of my apartment a little after five and grabbed the case of beer I had stopped for from the passenger seat. Walking up the path toward the front entrance I was startled by the sound of Lacy’s voice.

“Kurt showed up tonight looking for you.” She pushed off the wall as she stepped in front of me. “I saved your girlfriend from having to face them so you can thank me later.”

A rush of panic boiled within my stomach as I thought of what Olivia had to witness. Then that panic turned to anger, because I was damn tired of that man interrupting my life.

“Not that your sweet little Olivia could have handled the situation had I left it up to her. She kind of reminds me of a timid mouse, scared of her own shadow.” Lacy had always been cool. She and I had this relaxed relationship without any drama, but lately I was seeing a side of her I didn’t much care for.

“I can assure you Olivia can handle herself.” I pushed past her and reached for the front entry door of the apartment complex. Pulling it open, I looked back over my shoulder. “Do me a favor and stop thinking you need to handle shit for me. It’s becoming a problem. And let go of whatever the fuck your problem is with my girlfriend, because she isn’t going anywhere, Lacy.”

The moment I entered the building and walked in the direction of my apartment, I could smell something cooking. The aroma seeped out from beneath the door and filled the entryway.

A warm feeling slowly began to deplete the irritation I felt only moments ago. There was just something about coming home to Olivia. It was something I was growing quite fond of, something I found myself looking forward to each day.

People say home is not the house itself, but the people and the love shared with them that truly make it a home. I was beginning to understand just what they meant.

Olivia was allowing me to see that a little more each day. She was giving me the sense of family and hope, and I don’t think she even realized it.

As I entered the apartment, she turned around and looked back over her shoulder as she continued to stir something on the stove. A smile graced her lips, and no one would have guessed she had earlier witnessed the tantrum of the man who gave me shit almost on a daily basis.

“Smells good in here,” I said as I pulled off my boots and let them drop to the floor. That sweet damn smile of hers lit up my night in an instant. Forget about all the garbage that followed me; all it took was Liv to melt my heart.

I stepped up behind her and kissed her temple as her body relaxed back against mine. We remained in this position for a few moments without speaking. She continued to stir the sauce in the pan as I wrapped my arms around her waist.

“You gonna tell me about it?” I finally broke the silence even though I had to fight to do so. The moment was so peaceful I truly did not want to break it, but I knew I had to.

She lifted the spoon and tapped it on the side of the pan before lowering it to the holder sitting at the side of the stove. It was just another girly addition Olivia had added to my place over the last few weeks.

When she turned to face me, she looked up and her big blue eyes locked with mine. “You’re amazing,” she whispered. I was a little taken aback but remained quiet as I waited for an explanation. “You’re so kind and loving and are nothing like that man. I just need you to know I don’t pity you, not even in the smallest amount.” Her eyes filled with tears and my stomach tensed. “I admire you.”

My own throat burned with emotion.

“After everything you’ve gone through, you flipped it around and used it as motivation to do better, to be more. There is nothing about that which makes me feel sorry for you.” She rose up on her toes and placed her trembling lips to mine. “It only makes me love you more.”

She kissed me again and for a moment I got lost in that kiss. Until her words registered in my mind.

Pulling back from the kiss, I placed my hands on her face and held her close. “You love me?” I had to hear it again. It was as if I craved the words once she spoke them.

“Yes,” she nodded. “I love you.”

I could listen to her speak those three words over and over. I hadn’t realized just how much they meant until I heard them from Olivia.

I closed my eyes tightly, still holding her close. I was fearful of speaking at that moment. I just needed a few seconds to breathe through it all.

“Keeton, you don’t have to say…” I didn’t let her finish that sentence. I took her lips with mine and savored the taste. I couldn’t allow her to believe I didn’t feel the same thing.

I slowly eased out of the kiss only long enough to say what I couldn’t say moments ago. “I love you too, Liv.” I whispered against her lips kissing her softly. “I love you too.”

***

We lay in bed, curled around each other. It was hard to tell where I ended and she began as our naked bodies twisted together. I loved to feel her against me. It gave me peace.

“So when we get to Livingston, I need you to be prepared,” she whispered in the darkness and I couldn’t help but chuckle. “It’s not funny, Keeton; the three of them are not gonna make things easy on you.”

I had no doubt she was speaking the truth. I had heard more than enough from her about her two uncles and her father. I knew they were extremely protective of Olivia, and that I would be forced to prove myself to them. But I was willing to do whatever it took to show them Olivia was just as important to me as she was to them.

We decided to drive, because putting Duke in a crate in the luggage compartment of a plane was inhumane in my eyes. He was like a kid, and I wouldn’t place my kid in a dark crate.

Okay, so maybe it’s not that bad, but I still wasn’t doing that shit. So driving was our only option. It also gave us a few days to enjoy the scenery and take our time. I looked forward to our time together.

Olivia’s dad gave her a hard time over it. I overheard something about her being trapped in a hotel room with a horny college guy, and the threat of shooting off my dick or something along that lines. I sat next to her on the couch as she buried her face in her hands and all I could do was smile.

The man was brutal when it came to his daughter. But I couldn’t blame him; Olivia’s safety should be number one.

I knew this trip would be nothing short of terrifying, but I couldn’t wait. I loved the idea of so many men looking out for the girl I loved.

“You won’t be smiling so much once they start on ya.” She curled into me a little tighter. “I may have to tie your ankles together so you can’t run away from me.”

“It’ll be all right,” I assured her, and she groaned out in frustration.

“You have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about, Keeton Pearce. You are in for one hell of a summer, and you can’t say I didn’t try to warn you, multiple times. They are ruthless and pushy. They’re forward, and at times it’ll all make your head spin.” I felt her warm breath fan out over my chest. “You take all that, multiply it times ten, and you have my father. He took my prom date for a ride in his squad car, lecturing him about the consequences of violating his wishes—not mine, his. Those wishes consisted of keeping his hands off me at all times and his eyes weren’t allowed to look at anything below my shoulders.”

I loved how Olivia’s voice raised to more of a squeal when she would go off on her rambling complaints about her father. It was fucking adorable.

“I can just imagine what he and the guys have planned for you, because I am more than positive they know we’re sleeping together.” She let out a deep breath.

“Wait, what?” I asked as her words registered in my mind. “How would they know that?”

“It doesn’t take a genius, besides…” She got quiet for a moment.

“Liv,” I said.

“I may have talked about it all in detail with my Aunt Bailey; but just so you know, I had no idea I was on speakerphone.” Another silence set in and this time my heart may have raced a little. I knew the chances were there; we are young adults in a new relationship and sex was inevitable; but I hadn’t expected for them to know the details of said sex life. Explicit details, straight from Liv’s mouth.

I was fucked.

“And um, who was there with your Aunt?” I asked.

I hoped like hell she didn’t say her uncle.

“Uncle Jackson,” she replied.

My stomach lurched, and I swear my balls shriveled just a bit. “And my gran.” She paused and I knew there was more, so I remained silent. “And Trinity.”

“Ah hell, Liv,” I groaned as I grabbed the pillow from beneath my head and placed it over my face. I’d been told stories of all these people over the months. They were her family and the people closest to her. Now they knew the details of our sex life.

“I said I didn’t know.” I detected a little humor in her voice. “But I tried playing it off like I knew.”

That once calm feeling inside me was long gone. I only felt ill with the thought of being face to face with not only her father, but this Uncle Jackson as well.

After all, the man knew in detail some of the dirty things I had done to his precious niece.

I was in a world of trouble with no way out.

Was it too late to back out and choose to remain in Texas for the summer?

Chapter Twenty-One

Olivia

I could almost feel the fear rolling off Keeton in waves. The poor guy hadn’t said more than ten words in the last hour. The closer we got to my home town, the more uneasy he became.

We were only about thirty minutes from Livingston, and from the grip he held on the steering wheel I was sure he was trying to break it. Or maybe he was trying to come up with a way to tell me he wanted drop me off without so much as coming to a complete stop before he bolted his ass back to Texas.

“Keeton, if you don’t want to…” He cut me off by shaking his head. I almost laughed at the reaction because he honestly looked terrified. I hadn’t once, since I met him, witnessed the fearful look that now graced his gorgeous face. He was inside his head so deep I’m not sure anything I said at this moment would soothe his worries.

“I’m fine, Liv,” he assured me as his eyes remained on the road. “I’m fine.” He repeated his words, but they honestly sounded more like a question than an actual statement.

I just sat in the seat beside him, quietly. I gave him the last twenty minutes of our drive as time to reflect. Maybe somewhere inside that gorgeous head of his, he’d be able to find some form of peace.

The
‘Welcome to Livingston’
sign came into view, and I couldn’t help but feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I was home, and I could barely contain my excitement.

“I think we should go to the bakery first,” I said as I looked out the window at the buildings coming into view. “It’s too early in the day for anyone to be home, and Amber will still be there.”

I turned to look at Keeton and he only offered a gentle nod. Turning back to look out the window I couldn’t help but roll my eyes; he was so lost in fear. If didn’t know it would irritate him, I think I would have laughed at his discomfort. It was comical to see this big bad guy fearful of my family.

I directed him when and where to turn, and he still remained quiet.

We slowed to a stop in front of Heavenly Temptations, and a sense of pride washed over me. It was just before lunch and the place was full. Amber had swooped into town and stole everyone’s hearts. She dazzled us with her kindness and won us over with her ability to turn almost anything into the perfect treat.

The town’s people adored her.

Keeton was slow to climb from the truck as he left both windows down more than halfway for Duke to get the breeze blowing through. He was stalling; if I wasn’t so excited about introducing him to everyone I would have left him behind.

“Will you come on? Dragging your feet is not gonna help you out any.” I tugged on his arm and hooked his waist to pull him along faster.

When he reached out and grabbed me, pulling my body tightly against his, I let out a squeal, catching the attention of a couple walking by. They smiled and I returned the gesture.

“If I go in there and face the firing squad,” Keeton cooed in my ear. “You have to promise to soothe me later.”

“And how would you suggest I do that?” I asked.

Turning my body to face his, he spread his hand out over my lower back and pulled my body flush against his. His mouth hovered over mine. “I’m positive you don’t need direction in that category, sweetheart. You’ve perfected that task.”

“Would you mind removing your hands from my daughter’s ass?” I spun around so quickly my head bumped against Keeton’s chin and he jerked back.

There, only a few feet away, stood my dad—looking less than impressed. When I looked back at Keeton, the laughter fell from me without control. “Dad, will you please stop with the scare tactics?”

I walked toward my father and wrapped my arms around his shoulders, hugging him close. “Can you please stop putting the fear of god into my boyfriend?” I could feel him tense beneath my hug. “He’s good to me, Daddy. He treats me like I’m the most important person in his world.”

“That’s because you are,” he whispered.

When he returned my hug I felt that coldness fade.

“Don’t run him off dad,” I said in a low tone. “Because I love him.”

“Ah, Liv,” he grumbled, and I laughed.

“I do,” I assured him. “And he loves me too. So be nice.”

I knew it would take a whole lot more than that, but at least it was a start.

When my dad held his hand out to Keeton, I watched as they shook hands and exchanged pleasantries. “This doesn’t mean for a moment that you’ve earned your right to date my daughter.” And then my father had to go and ruin the moment. “The jury is still out on that. Between my brothers and me, we’ll see if you make the cut.”

Keeton surprised me by nodding his head and giving back just as good as my dad dished it out. “I wouldn’t expect anything less, sir. Olivia is a special girl and she deserves the best. I intend to prove to you as well as your entire family that she means the world to me.” He smiled and gave me a wink. “I’m up for the challenge, because nothing would ever make me walk away from Liv.”

When I looked back at my dad, I couldn’t determine if the look he held was that of adoration or irritation. I could guarantee he hadn’t expected that response.

“It looks like you two are about to takes ten steps, turn, and whip out your guns.”

I turned to find Bailey standing in the doorway of the bakery with a knowing smile on her face. “Damn, Ryan, you need to cut this boy some slack.”

She stepped past me, bumped my hip with her own, and walked toward Keeton. “You must be the guy I’ve heard so much about. It’s good to see you got your shit together,” she said, in more of a hushed whisper.

Keeton’s cheeks reddened just a bit and I couldn’t help but smile.

“Hi,” he held out his hand out to her. “I’m Keeton and I sure hope I’m the guy you’ve been hearing about.”

“Oh, I’m sure you are.” Bailey looked back at me and winked. “I’ve gotten some explicit details over the last couple of months, and I can assure you the description was dead on.”

Oh my god, not right here in front of my dad.

One of the reasons I loved my stepmother so very much was because she had impeccable timing.

“Liv,” she squealed as she rushed from the bakery and engulfed me in her arms. “Sweetheart, I’ve missed you so damn much.”

I hugged her in return and told her how much I missed her as well. I may have asked her to save my boyfriend from my father’s evil eye, too.

She turned on my dad and put her hand on her hip. “I thought I told you to be on your best behavior?”

“I am, darlin’,” he cooed, and once again I rolled my eyes. She was not blind, ol’ man.

“Oh yeah?” she replied. “Is that why you’ve already started on him and he’s been here less than ten minutes?”

She reached out and took Keeton’s hand in hers. “If you have any problems with him while you’re here, you let me know. I know how to handle him,” she assured him.

She dragged him toward the bakery, leaving behind my father—who looked stunned, Bailey—who couldn’t wipe the smile from her face, and me—thinking of tossing Keeton in the back of the truck and driving back to Texas without a single look in the rearview mirror. I wasn’t sure this idea was one of the brightest I’d agreed to.

We hadn’t even met the rest of the gang, and I was already exhausted.