The Keys to Jericho (95 page)

I roll my eyes at both of them, but when Kat encouragingly smiles, I automatically smile back at her. Pulling her closer, I whisper, “I love you, too. It’ll make me feel better if you get a nurse’s uniform, at least.”

She giggles. “I’ll see what I can do.”

Almost a month later for Kat’s birthday in May, and enough time had passed since my surgery, we again, chose to stay the weekend at my apartment. We need the time alone to fuck without interruptions, since that’s all we seem to have anymore, and every one of them have to do with wedding planning.

Arriving at my apartment, she immediately goes for the balcony, hanging over the railing, watching the scenery.

Leaning onto the railing, careful not to drop it over the side, I hand her a rectangular gift, wrapped in birthday paper. “Happy birthday, Kit Kat.”

Glancing up at me, she grins as she takes the gift, unwrapping it to reveal the black velvet box. When she opens the lid, she giggles. “It matches my necklace!”

“Uh-huh,” I say of the starfish bracelet.”

“Oh my God, Jared. Are these real diamonds?”

I scowl, but dubiously laugh. “I don’t buy fake ones.”

“You’re spoiling me. I don’t even know what to say. You give me way too much.”

“It’s just a bracelet.”

“I mean everything you’ve given me. I can’t thank you enough, but I’ll try.”

“You can thank me some other time. Tonight, it’s all about you.”

Yanking on my arm, pulling me to the door, she says, “It’s bedtime.”

As we pass the kitchen, I ask, “Aren’t you hungry? I want to take you out to dinner.” Right.

She shakes her head. “Are you?”

“Yeah.”

Kat stops pulling on me, stopping outside the bedroom. Somewhat disappointed, she asks, “What do you want to eat?”

I tilt my head and whisper, “You.”

I push her the rest of the way into the room, and she attacks my mouth, but I break away to coax her onto the bed. She puts the box on the nightstand and crawls to the middle of the beige comforter. Pushing up her dress, I rip at her underwear, until I can slide them down her legs. Splitting open her legs, I lean down, taking a long lick. Looking up over her body, I say, “I’ve been saving myself for you for over a month now. I want to fuck.”

She pants, “Jared. Your tongue.”

Hearing her moan, I smile. “Damn, you taste good enough to eat.”

She pulls on my hair and moans again. Taking more licks, I then whisper against her pussy, “Better than icing. Happy birthday, Kit Kat.”

Standing on my balcony on a Thursday night in late June, after hanging up with Kat, I stare out at the Philadelphia skyline, thinking about our upcoming wedding in a little over two weeks.

I’m going to be Kat’s husband. I still find it hard to believe. At the same time last year, I was in such a different place, yet still mourning the loss of her because of my stupidity.

Then, I think of my sister and what she’s going through right now; however, my thoughts soon take me down a dark and vengeful road. 

Suddenly, my phone rings, and I nearly drop it over the railing. Looking at the screen, expecting it to be Kat remembering she had something else to tell me, I’m surprised when I see my dad’s name.

“Hey, Dad. Have you heard from Hadley? I tried calling her, but—”

“She’s in a hospital in Richmond. It’s not good, Jared. A friend of hers called me. I’m on my way down there now.”

I grip the railing, looking aimlessly around the city. “Holy fuck. Dad, don’t tell me she tried…”

He shakily replies, “No, but I hope you’re sitting down for this.”

I impatiently ask, “What? Just tell me. What can be worse than what happened to her last week? I gave her enough time, this weekend I’m going to Richmond and—”

“Jared, listen to me!”

As I listen to Dad’s garbled news about Hadley, I go numb and the cityscape becomes a blur. I mindlessly look around and blink so I can see. I dazedly ask, “You’re joking right?”

He answers, but I know Dad isn’t teasing because he’s crying. Not only that, this shit can’t be made up. It’s too bizarre, even for a joke. 

Swiping my hand over my wet eyes, I bow my head and drone, “Jesus Christ. What the fuck…? Will she be okay?”

He says, “I don’t know. Kat may need to find someone to fill Hadley’s place in the wedding. I don’t know if Hadley—”

I snap, “I don’t give a shit about a replacement.”

“I know, but I just wanted to let you know ahead of time on Hadley’s behalf.”

Trying to keep my voice steady, I mutter, “Got it.”

“Jared, you should go see your sister at some point. She needs us.”

“I’ll be there for her. Oh, fuck, Dad.” Ultimately losing it, I sob into the phone, along with my dad. I disjointedly say, “She can count on me. I promise.”

Hadley can believe I’ll keep my fucking word.

CHAPTER 34

My heart bleeds for my sister.

Rumor has it robots do that shit, too.

Since Dad and a couple of Hadley’s friends were taking care of her when she was released from the hospital, I held off on driving to Richmond. Dad had said she wasn’t in a talking mood anyway, which proved to be true when she didn’t return any of my fucking calls. She no longer can blame her phone for her not getting the messages, having finally bought a new one. Dad did say Hadley insists she’ll be well enough to be in my wedding, which I think is ridiculous for her to attempt, and because she’s staying with my dad for the wedding, I will be having a talk with my sister.

Sitting in the kitchen at Dad’s house, I check through my to-do list that Kat and I had devised to make sure nothing is forgotten. Because I’m currently between jobs, as I was last summer, I’ve been able to get my shit done this week.

Pausing my pen in mid-air over the notepad, it strikes me that it’s now been a year since Kat and I got together at the beach house. When we were living in separate cities during the year, time dragged, but now that our wedding is tomorrow, it seems time has flown by.

Hearing footsteps coming into the kitchen, I look up to see Hadley. Looking surprised, she then frowns and asks, “What are you doing here this early?”

“Early? It’s 11:13.”

“Oh. Why are you here then?”

“Waiting for you. Dad said you got back from your trip with Bethany yesterday and were coming here afterward.”

She crosses her arms as she stiffly walks past the table, avoiding eye contact with me. “So?”

“So… I’m here.”

“Congratulations,” Hadley blandly sneers, while she goes to the cabinet for a glass. Filling it with water, she picks up a pill bottle sitting on the counter.

Tapping my pen against the note pad, I hesitantly ask, “How are you feeling?”

“Fine.” Looking downward, she cringes as she shakes out a pill from the first bottle.

“Don’t give me that shit. You look far from it.”

Swallowing her pill, she snaps, “Thanks a lot.”

“I wish I could say you look great, but you don’t. There’s a reason for that and—”

She grumbles at the window, “I’m sorry I’m not in the running to win a beauty pageant.”

“That’s not what I was aiming for. I’m only saying that because—”

“I said I’m fine. Drop it.”

“You’re just going to close up about it?” Fuck. This is like déjà vu in a sci-fi movie.

She rolls her eyes as she continues to avoid looking directly at me. “I should rent a billboard and advertise how idiotic I am, right? WWJD—What would Jared do?”

“You’re
not
idiotic.”

“I guess Dad didn’t tell you the entire sordid story because you
would
be telling me that right now.”

“Hadley, look at me.” When she doesn’t, I go on anyway. “I would never do that, and why would I? It wasn’t—”

“My fault? Yeah. It was. All of it. Even when the room spun around, so just don’t bother.”

I clench my teeth together and ask, “Where’s Finn right now?”

Still not looking my way, she mumbles, “Working.”

“No shit. Where?”

“Jared. Leave it alone.” Hadley shifts her gaze to the counter and she sighs. “Why aren’t you with Kat?”

“She’s getting her nails done and running errands. Don’t deflect.”

“Don’t inspect. I said I’m…fine.” I hear a small gasp before she opens another pill bottle. “I’ve been a horrible bridesmaid. I haven’t been around to help her.”

“Fucking understandable, Hadley. Kat knows this. We both said not to worry about—”

“I’ll give her a call to see if she needs me to do anything after I pick up my dress.”

“We need to talk, and you’re supposed to be resting. I can go pick up your dress.”

She finally looks up at me. “
I
need to do it.”

“It’s just a dress. I can manage it. I just hope they don’t make me wear heels when I try it on.”

Not even cracking a smile, she shakes her head, repeating, “I need to do it.” Setting down her empty glass, she asks, “Is there anything you need me to do for
you
today? Do you have your tux? I can go pick that up for you, too.”

“I have it. The only thing I need you to do is get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be a hectic day for everyone. If you don’t rest today, I’ll demote you to benchwarmer.”

Without warning, Hadley’s face crumples before her hand goes to her mouth. Confused, I ask, “What? Are you okay? Is it pain?”

Just as fast as that happened, she drops her hand and composes her face. “I’m fine.” I still notice a brief passing of pain on her face and I sigh. “I’ll be okay. I’ll be a good bridesmaid.”

“No dancing or swinging from the chandeliers.”

“I’ll just sit at the bridal party table and get trashed.”

“You’re on medication.”

“I’ll only take my pain meds if I need them. If I don’t, I’ll be drinking.”

“Easy on the drinking, too. Dash Calder will be there.”

Hadley glares at me, but it doesn’t last long. Deflecting again, she says, “I thought that maybe Bethany was the one Dash liked. He was always looking at her funny.”

“Uh, yeah. When she was with you, but she’s not the one he was gawking at.”

She winces. “Oh.”

“Are you bringing Bethany tomorrow as your plus one? I mean, since…”

Hadley shakes her head. “She has to take inventory at her bakery. From what I’ve learned, a career defines a person more than they realize.”

“It’s apples and oranges, Hadley.
Not
the same. He’s—”

Glancing away from me, she says, “I’m going to get dressed and run some errands. I’ll call Kat, too.”

“I mean it. I’ll be watching you tomorrow. I’ll have someone bring you back here if you don’t take me seriously.”

She snaps, “You’re irritating me.”

I frown and drop my pen. “What the hell for? I’m only looking out for you.”

“Because… I’ve been looked after before by…” She slides her hand over the counter, something to busy her mind, I think. “Don’t treat me like a victim.” Shit. My sister sounds like me.

“You’re not a victim.” Jesus. I’ve said that to my fiancée plenty, too.

“Then don’t treat me like one. It’s all my fault.” Christ Almighty. We Becketts are more alike than I thought.

She leaves the kitchen, and I sigh as I pick up my pen, adding a couple things to my to-do list, as well as to the one running in my head, which will be dealt with soon. I can promise her that.

Fucking hell.

Setting aside the shop vac, I shut the driver’s side door of my car as Dad pulls into the garage.

Walking over to me as he loosens his tie, he asks, “How’s everything going?”

I nod at my car. “Just checking off another thing on my list.”

“Where’s Hadley?”

“She had errands to run.” Before he can argue, I say, “I told her to rest, but you know how stubborn she is.”

He frowns. “Yeah. She’s going to end up back in the hospital if she doesn’t take it easy. I’m worried about her.”

“She said Bethany can’t make it tomorrow.”

“That’s too bad. Hadley will have plenty of people to talk to there to cheer her up. I’ll make sure of it.” He glances into the garage and then back at me. “What do you have to do next?”

“Nothing until the rehearsal.”

“What’s Kat doing?”

“Decorating the hall with her mother. I was told to stay away. Dash is there helping, though. I think it’s because of my keeping the honeymoon location a secret.”

Dad ruefully smiles as he unbuttons the top of his shirt. “Oh. About that. Brenda knows. She heard me talking to you on the phone at the office. Sorry.”

I scowl at him as I wrap the cord around the vac. “Jesus. As long as she doesn’t tell Kat.”

“She said she won’t.”

I roll my eyes. “We’ll see about that.”

Heading into the garage, Dad says, “I’ll be back. I want to change clothes.”

When I have the vacuum and the rest of my mess put away, the sound of a basketball snags my attention. Seeing my dad wearing nylon gym shorts, a tank top, and roughed-up hair, looking like the basketball star he used to be, I give him a weird look. He asks, “You in the mood for a little one-on-one?”

I laugh. “What? You’re crazy.”

Dad goads with a grin, “Are you chicken?”

“I’m sober. There’s no way I can play you.”

As he nimbly dribbles the ball, alternating hands, he scoffs, “Come on. I’ll go easy on you.”

“Thanks? Maybe you should offer your charity to the homeless shelter or something.”

Tossing the ball to me, I actually catch it and he laughs. “There may be hope for you yet, young Beckett.”

Spinning the ball on the tips of my fingers, the only cool trick I know how to do, I counter, “I’m beginning to think that I’m walking into a noose, headfirst.”

He crosses his arms and looks out to the road before looking back at me. “Nah. Just a friendly game of basketball between father and son.”

I dubiously laugh. “Right.”

Dad smugly smiles. “If you’re man enough, go move your car and we’ll play some.”

“Wait. Oh, no. You’re actually calling my masculinity into question?”

He shrugs. “Maybe
you
should be the one wearing the dress at your wedding.”

My mouth falls open and I sneer, “That’s it, old man.” Since he’s not ready, I shoot him the ball, intending to bounce the ball off his body, but he quickly catches it and I gape at him in disbelief.

Dribbling the basketball beneath his leg, making a flawless recovery, he grins. “How long are you going to stand there and gawk? You move slower than a legless turtle.”

I laugh. “Come again?”

“The clock’s ticking. You’d better get your ass in gear.”

Getting into my car, I scoff, “Someone kidnapped Adam Beckett.”

Parking my car in front of the house, I spin my hat backward as I walk up the driveway. He bounces the ball to me and says, “Visiting team goes first.”

I roll my eyes as I dribble the ball, but I seriously ask, “What’s going on with you and Brenda?”

Taking his eyes off the ball, he looks at me, confused. “Huh? What do you mean?”

“Come on, Dad. Do I really have to spell it out for you?”

Giving me a suspicious look, he says, “Maybe…”

I sigh, scratching my head through the outside of my cap with my left hand, while dribbling with my right. “Are you fu—sleeping with Brenda?”

Putting his hands on his hips, Dad squints his eyes at me and tilts his head. “Why would you think that?”

“You’re awfully chummy with her.”

“We’re friends.”

“With benefits?”

“Jared.”

“You’re a guy. You can’t have stayed celibate since… It’s just not possible.”

“I didn’t say I have.”

I stop dribbling, stunned that he admitted that. “Oh?”

He shrugs. “I’ve had girlfriends. Are you going to shoot the ball or am I going to have to show you how to do that?”

“Smartass today.”

“When necessary.”

Tucking the ball under my arm, I ask, “So you’ve had girlfriends? Why didn’t I know about ‘em?”

“Didn’t really stay with anyone long enough to tell you two.”

“You have girlfriends occasionally or all the time?”

Dad cautiously answers, “Off and on.”

“Is this an
on
time for you then?”

He laughs and glances down. “Actually, yeah. I uh, I
am
with someone. I’ve been with her since the week before Christmas.”

“Um, how come I know shit about this?”