Playing Fate (Endgame Series Book 1) (9 page)

“Didn’t you tell me I shouldn’t fall for him?” Avery glares at Lee Lee.

“That was before I saw him this morning. I’ll warn you. Deacon wants you, and he gets what he wants. All the guys do.” She stares at my comforter and whispers, “I was wrong. You should go with him.”

Avery huffs, “You need to decide where your loyalty is. Adriane walked away from everyone, including her child. The stars in your eyes are skewed.”

“I know.” Lee Lee meets my eyes. “I have the perfect dress for you to wear.”

I stare at her and shake my head. “You’re tiny. No way in hell will anything you have fit me.”

“Now it’s you with skewed perception. Girl, you’re gorgeous, and he’s taking you to Chester’s.” That means nothing to me.

“And?”

“It’s dressy.”

“How expensive is it?” I cringe inwardly, knowing I’m dipping into my spending money. I try to not to spend my mad money; you don’t know what can happen.

“Aw, that’s cute.” Avery grins at me.

“What?” I glance around the room. Is there a puppy here?

“You think you have to pay. It’s a date. He pays. With him you’ll have a fight on your hands—one you’ll lose if you challenge that.”

Shit! I’m coming up with more protests when the front door slams into the drywall. “They’ve got to quit being barbarians.” I roll my eyes, knowing it’s Mason or Caden—or both.

“Shortstop, care to tell us why my ass just got chewed and my dick threatened?” Mason and Caden’s huge bodies fill my doorway.

“Uh, you were drunk last night and didn’t look at what you brought home? I hope you wrapped it.”

Mason smirks. “Oh, I know what I brought home. I banged her like a screen door in a hurricane.” He gestures to Lee Lee, and she rolls her eyes.

“You didn’t say that!” I don’t understand their arrangement, but it works for them.

Caden is by my side. “I can’t believe you didn’t find us.” He’s lifting up my arm and inspecting it, drawing the attention of three other sets of eyes. Avery scoots under his arm and gasps. Lee Lee climbs over Mason and is sitting next to me. Mason is shooting daggers at my arm, and I feel the heat radiating from Caden.

“Y’all were busy.” I try and pull my arm back, but he won’t let go.

“Talk.” I stare at him because he’s lost his mind. “Shortstop, I have a best friend who is ready to find Alec and kill him. I promised him we’d get to the bottom of it. He has a kid to raise, and I don’t want him in prison.”

“Oh.” I exhale, taken aback at the intensity he’s putting off.

“Oh. Now talk.” Mason is crowding me on the bed.

I turn to Mason, “You saved me at the last party.” He nods.

“You had bruises the next day,” Caden points out.

“I’m not defending him, but I bruise easy. He was a bit feely and can’t take a hint, but Mason handled it.” Caden scoffs. “Last night he wouldn’t leave me alone. Every time I would dodge his advance he came back a bit more forcefully. I thought I lost him when he went to the bathroom. I went to lock myself in my room, and he must have seen me and blocked the door from shutting.” I shudder; I realize I’m lucky.

Mason and Caden both growl. Fucking animals. Lee Lee is staring at my arm, and Avery is pacing. “He pushed me back in my room, and I tried to avoid the bed. He picked me up and tossed me backwards. I scrambled off the other side to escape, but he grabbed my arm and pulled me back to the bed. That’s how it happened. His nails dug into the skin, and he wouldn’t let go as I pulled away. I screamed, and it stunned him long enough for me to run.”

“And you went to Deacon’s.” They know. Shit. Avery and Lee Lee stare at me.

“Yes.”

“You should have found us.”

“It was a party. I had no idea where you were, and I can protect myself.” Caden lifts my arm in front of my face. I roll my eyes. “I’m fine.”

“Let’s go.” Caden nods to Mason.

“Mason.” Lee Lee grabs his hand. “Careful.” Her tone is soft, and he nods.

“Where are they going?”

“To find Alec.” Both Avery and Lee Lee seem fine with that scenario. I’m not.

“They’ll get in trouble.” Avery shrugs and Lee Lee laughs.

“You haven’t seen them in action. Deacon would join them if it weren’t for Julie. They fight. They win. They aren’t troublemakers and don’t start it. This crossed a line with them, and Alec will deal with the repercussions.” Nonchalant as hell. I’m not comfortable with this.

“Call them. Tell them to stop.”

“Do I need to introduce you to them? I can’t stop them, and I don’t want to,” Avery says as she stares at my arm. It’s a bruise and scratch . . . I don’t have gangrene setting in. I look to Lee Lee.

“Oh no darlin’. As soon as Mason beats the shit out of someone, he fucks like an animal, and I’m not willing to give that up. Call me greedy. Get your ass in the shower so we can get you ready.” Every person in the state of Kansas has lost touch with reality. That may be a bit harsh. Every person who lives within a two-house radius is fucking delusional. Including myself. I get up and head to the shower, as I snag my lingerie. I ignore the grin from Avery and the snicker from Lee Lee.

I wasn’t prepared to see him walk in the front door, dressed up with his gray eyes bluer than I’ve ever seen. Cradling that precious baby in his arms sears my insides. A flash of melancholy hits me, wondering if my dad was ever like this with me . . . I’m starting to forget all the good times and the last memories of him are erasing along with everything I hold dear.

“Ready?” His voice is soft, trying not to startle Julie. I nod and meet him at the door.

“You look stunning, Saylor.” His eyes haven’t left me since he entered. It unnerves me and spurs me to want more . . . but I can’t pursue that.

“Thanks.” I rise on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek, inhaling his scent. I groan and can’t stop the blush.

He chuckles, vibrating his body and causing my breast to brush against his arm. “Fierce.” His breath tickles my face as he whispers.

“Huh?” I’m staring at his lips; they’re moving, but nothing is making sense.

“The name of my cologne. It’s Fierce.” Fucking figures. My core clenches and pulses remembering every bit of
fierce
he showed me last night . . .

I stare at him. He doesn’t need to know I’m planning to buy that cologne and spray my pillow with it. Saturate it. Wash my bedding in it. “Is it expensive?” This causes him to chuckle again.

“I’ve got an extra bottle. You can have it.”

I shrug; I’m humiliated enough, so it doesn’t bother me. “Thanks.” He takes his free hand and guides me to his Jeep. I gawk in fascination with how gentle and thorough he is while buckling and securing Julie in her car seat. When he’s done, he reaches for my hand and helps me in the passenger seat—it was unnecessary but nice.

“The top has to stay on tonight.” He nods his head to Julie. He backs out of the driveway, heading towards the highway.

“We could have ordered in. I don’t think she should be around a lot of people. She’s so little.”

His smile stops my breath. “She’s almost four months, Saylor. She’s not going with us, but it means the world to me that you would be okay with that. I’m dropping her off at my parents, and we’ll pick her up after dinner.”

“Deacon,” I sigh. This is ridiculous. “Turn around and we can order pizza.”

He glances at me before concentrating on driving. “No way in hell am I gonna miss showing you off in that dress. It’s fine. A few hours will make my parents happy and keep them off my back. Next week I’m having a sitter watch her during school and practice. Driving back and forth was too much. I want my parents to enjoy her, not raise her.”

And I fall harder. This isn’t good. He can’t say shit like that, making me wish for something I don’t believe in. “I know I just found out about Julie, but I have to say I admire you. You’ve made her your priority. That’s uncommon for a guy your age.”

“It isn’t, Saylor. I’m her father. She’s my responsibility, and I love that little girl more than my own life.”

“It is, Deacon. At your age, it’s commendable. Some grown men don’t take that responsibility.”

“They aren’t men. Cowards. Pieces of shit.” I swallow my retort. I need to reconcile that part of my life myself.

“Where’s her mom?” I watch for telltale signs of pushing too far. Being too nosy. I know via Avery and Emberlee she walked away but I want to know if she’s coming back.

“Gone. Didn’t want her, so she signed her rights away.” He’s relaxed like he just recited a bedtime story to his daughter. I have a bad taste for dads in my mouth, but to hear a mother could walk out . . . I can’t comprehend that. My mom gave up her life, her freedom, her everything for me. I’m thankful for everything she did. All while never making me feel I was a burden. I worry about her, seeing her in love, head in the clouds . . . I don’t want her to lose herself and have to pick up the pieces of her heart again. Nobody deserves to be a fool twice; but when you fall in love, that’s the risk. “You’re quiet all of a sudden. You shocked?”

“Honestly?”

“Always. I can handle it.”

“I’m disgusted. Sad. Shocked.”

“Explain.”

“I have a preconceived notion that dads are the bad guys. Daddy issues and all. I love my mom, and I watched her struggle to survive for years, but I was always her first and last thought. If you told me you didn’t want to be a father I’d believe it quicker than you telling me her mom didn’t want her.” I can’t stop looking back at her sleeping in the backseat. How?

“Wow, Saylor. I don’t know if I should be offended.” He winks at me. “I get it. I don’t agree with any parent walking out, but it happens no matter if you’re a mom or dad. Probably more men leave but some women aren’t wired for kids.”

“Then they should figure it out before having them.”

“I want to agree, but if I did I wouldn’t have her. And I can’t imagine my life without her.” He stops in front of a mini-resort. He shuts the car off and jumps out, working on getting Julie. She’s rousing, and her little grunts undo me. I brush my hand over her head and feel his eyes bore into me. He doesn’t stop staring at me, and I can feel his gaze penetrating. “You coming, Shortstop?”

“I’m good.” I don’t feel right meeting his parents, and I don’t feel comfortable in a house this size. The front door opens, and I see a woman coming down the walk.

“Deacon, hurry up and give me my angel.”

“Hey, Ma. Glad to see you.” He smiles over his shoulder before turning to me. “She just wants me for my DNA.”

She smacks the back of his head. “Hush up.”

“Ouch. Be careful woman, precious cargo.” He faces her with Julie in his arms, and his mom reaches for the little bundle. “Were you raised by wolves? Say hello to Saylor.” My breath falters, and her eyes widen.

“I didn’t know you had a guest with you. Damn it, Deacon. I look rude.”

“And deranged. Don’t forget that part.” She smacks him again.

“Hi, I’m Sara. This delinquent’s mom. Nice to meet you, Saylor.”

I feel rude because I didn’t get out of the Jeep. “Hi, Mrs. Douglas. Nice to meet you.” I reach to unbuckle my seatbelt, and she stops me.

“You can come in and chat when y’all get back. And I do think I introduced myself as Sara, not Mrs. Douglas.”

“Sorry.”

“No apology needed. But calling me Mrs. Douglas makes me think my gray is showing and I need a hair appointment.” She smiles and winks. “Give me that baby and go feed Saylor.” Not waiting for her son, she takes Julie from her. She carries herself with a grace only a mother can have as she snuggles Julie to her chest walking to the house wearing heels and a chic outfit. Factor in the million (or more) dollar home and her beauty, and I’m out of my element.

“Bye, Ma. Love you,” Deacon hollers after her.

“Love you too, Son. Shoo.” Her eyes are trained on Julie’s face, and it’s adorable.

He hops back in and starts the Jeep. “Let’s go eat.” Half way down the street, I notice the diaper bag.

“We have to go back. You forgot her stuff.” His eyes glance back to where I’m reaching for the bag.

“No. I have that in case something happens between houses. They bought everything to keep at their house. She has a nursery there and diapers, formula, blankets, toys . . . it wouldn’t surprise me if next week she has a pony.”

“How unoriginal. I was thinking a unicorn.” His dimples show, teeth flashing, and his laughter booms in the car.

“When you let down those defenses, you’re kind of funny.”

“Don’t get used to it.”

“Oh, I will. I’ll bring out the real you, Saylor.”

Question is—who is the real Saylor? I think I’m just discovering her.

Walking into the restaurant, I feel nervous. I wasn’t raised with multiple forks on the table; we used the same one to eat our salad and meal. I’m going to make a fool of myself. Swanky is the only description I can come up with. Sophistication. Class. Exclusivity. This place reeks of it. I pull his hand. “What’s wrong?”

“Do we have to eat here?”

He tilts his head, studying me. “They have the best steak.” Shit. He said the magic word. Steak.