Blocked (33 page)

“Love you, too.”

With less than an hour of drive time left before getting to the Poconos, April turned her iPod on and thought back to her earlier phone conversation with Robyn.

“April, honey,” Robyn Brand had said to her when she called to learn of Decker’s whereabouts, “it’s lovely to hear from you.”

April remembered Decker saying that his mother had taught both he and his brother impeccable phone manners. Clearly the woman led by example.

“What can I help you with?”

Jittery, April had cursed the fifth cup of coffee she’d consumed, not the usual amount for her by that point in the morning. While nerves ate away at whatever stomach lining the coffee hadn’t touched, she knew that it was time to pull up her big girl panties and talk woman-to-woman with Decker’s mom. “Robyn, I’m sure you’ve probably heard what went on between Decker and me?”

“Yes, April, I did. And I was really disappointed in my son’s behavior.”

Had it snowed in Hell, and she just hadn’t heard about it? For real, how often did a mother agree to the fact that her son had acted like an ass? Robyn had expressed her disappointment to a practical stranger when April knew damn well that both Decker and his brother were the lights of their mother’s eyes.

“No son of mine should ever treat a woman like that,” she’d continued. “Not any woman, let alone one that he’s crazy about. So believe me, he got an earful. But I don’t think that’s the reason for your call. Is it?”

Fairy wings and pitchforks tangled in her tummy as Robyn’s words settled. Of course April knew Decker cared. She’d believed him when he said he loved her, but hearing it come from his mother was a different type of surreal. That said, if Robyn knew about Decker’s role in their breakup, she must also have known about hers.

“No, Robyn, that wasn’t why I called. I called because while Decker did screw up, I did too.” April drew in a breath and continued to speak. “I was angry, and I know I had the right to be, but I’m not the only one with a nasty past. And I forgot that for a while. Now I’m scared. I’m scared that I’ve let things go for too long and Decker may have moved on.”

“April,” Robyn’s tone was amused, “why do you think he moved on?”

“Because as embarrassing as this may be to admit, I’ve been texting and calling him since noon yesterday, and I haven’t heard back from him.” April heaved a sigh. “After everything that happened, I assume that if he wanted to talk to me, he would have reached out by now.”

Robyn snickered. “Oh, honey, you know what they say about assuming?” April felt a lick of embarrassment run up her spine, but it quickly faded with Robyn’s next statement. “He and Charlie went to the Poconos this weekend. I think he may have told you about it, right? The indoor water park? Anyway, it’s his weekend to unplug from work and the world. His phone is locked in the safe in his room. It may be on, but the ringer is off. Even I am to call the hotel and have him paged in case of an emergency.”

As if someone had stuck a thumb drive into her head, memories of Decker inviting her and Eli away with him and Charlie resurfaced. Even as she broke them apart, he still tried to keep them together.

“Shit! Err, I mean… no, I meant shit. Robyn, I’m such an idiot.”

“No, honey, you’re human. I’ll text you the address. I know he’d be happy to see you.”

Was she kidding? “Are you kidding? Do you think I should interfere on his time with Charlie?”

Robyn’s laugh had been musical. “You’re not an interference, April. You were supposed to be there. Drive carefully.”

Not thirty minutes later, April had left a message with her sister explaining where she’d be in case Eli needed her, thanked her mother for helping out and also gave her the lodge information in case of an emergency, packed an overnight bag, and headed north to Great Wolf Lodge.

As she pulled her Acura into the massive parking lot, she realized she hadn’t called ahead to reserve a room. That would have to wait, because the only thing she could think about was finding Decker and finally being back in his arms.

Chapter Twenty-Three

A Family-Friendly Establishment

THE WARM, CHLORINATED air blanketed Decker’s body and tickled his nose as he and Charlie walked from the arcade back into the water-themed area of the park. It had been a half hour since they ate lunch, and while he didn’t ascribe to the waiting-before-swimming rule, he took the waiting-before-water-rides rule quite seriously. There were few things more disgusting than watching a kid vomit their meal down the length of a slide. He’d witnessed said act his first trip to the lodge with Charlie, and the horror and shame that he’d seen in the eyes of both the unfortunate child and his parent was something that Decker never forgot.

“All right, Charlie-bear, time’s up. We can go back in the water.”

“Yay!” his daughter cheered. “Can I go with Sam and play in the sprinklers?”

The boy standing next to Charlie smiled with a gap where two teeth used to be. Decker still couldn’t believe how much he’d grown from the previous year. His eight to Charlie’s six had never seemed more pronounced than it did now.

“You’ll watch out for my girl, right, Sam?”

“You bet, Mr. Brand.” Sam’s blue eyes sparkled with the responsibility.

“Daddy, I’m not a baby,” Charlie pouted.

“You’ll always be my baby.” Decker winked. “Now go play before I’m ready for another round of slide races.”

Within seconds, the two kids were surrounded by others laughing and splashing and having the time of their lives.

When they’d arrived early the day before, he and Charlie checked into their suite, had a quick snack, and went to the ropes course. It was something she’d been too afraid to try the year before then spent the next twelve months mentally preparing for the challenge. Decker wasn’t sure who was more proud of her success: himself or Charlie. Either way, she’d made him promise to do the course once more before the weekend ended.

After they had lunch they went to the resort’s version of an enchanted garden. It had been Charlie’s favorite part of the trip the previous year, and it seemed to have retained its charm, because his little girl’s smile had nearly split her face as her magic wand cast spells and created beauty. The first day of the trip was always his personal favorite, because it was their family time, their time to bond before the other families got there and the trip became more social.

Today, as expected, the other three families had arrived, and both he and Charlie were excited. He’d already caught up with the fathers and sons while the mothers and daughters were at the salon, getting their fingernails painted.

“Well, if it isn’t Decker Brand. How are you, my friend?” The attractive woman smiled as she rested her towels on the lounge chairs and looked up to meet his gaze. “Long time, no see.”

“Janine the Queen,” Decker teased, using the nickname bestowed upon his friend back in their college days, and he chuckled when her eyes narrowed in mock irritation at the old rib. “I’m doing well. And it has been too long. My God, Sam looks like a whole different boy.” Decker pointed toward where the children were playing. “Seriously, the kid must have grown four inches since last year.”

Janine threw her head back and laughed. “I know. If he keeps it up, he’ll tower me by the time he’s ten.”

Decker smiled as he looked at her from head to toe. The woman was only about five feet tall, so her prediction may not be that unrealistic.

“Gimme a hug, Deck.” She stood up on her toes and looped her arms around his neck. “Remember when we all saw each other every day? Man, times have changed.”

Happily, he pulled his friend in for a squeeze, remembering the four years the group of them had spent together, a force to be reckoned with. They had an unbreakable bond so many years later. As he dropped a kiss on the top of Janine’s head, something moved to his far right, catching his attention. As if pulled by a magnetic force, his entire being shifted when the one woman he’d been dying to see suddenly came into focus, and as luck would have it, it was during the one damn moment he’d had his hands, even platonically, on another female. His body was glued in position, unable to move, speak, or breathe as their eyes locked.

Even from across the vast space, he could feel her heart rate double as her breaths became shallow, or was that his? Her mouth formed a perfect “O,” yet to his surprise, April didn’t turn away. No, she just stood there in the moist, warm air and stared. He could practically see her rearranging the pieces in her mind, trying to discern what in the hell she was supposed to do next. Was she going to leave? Stay and fight? It didn’t matter, because there was no way he was going to let any sort of misunderstanding get in the way. Not ever again.

“Goddamn motherfucking son of a bitch,” Decker ground out as the spell finally broke, allowing him to pull away from Janine.

“Uh, Deck, you okay?” Her concern was evident, but there wasn’t time for explanations.

“No. Hey, Janine, can you and Michael please watch Charlie? I’ll be back as soon as possible. If she asks, I’m fine. I…uh…went to make arrangements for dinner.”

“O… okay…”

Anything Janine said after agreeing to look after Charlie fell upon deaf ears, because Decker had already made his way halfway across the watery haven with his mind set solely on making things right between him and April once and for all.

* * *

STONE STILL, APRIL took in the scene unfolding before her. After the two-hour drive and prolonged search, she’d finally spotted Decker across the teeming water park, chatting animatedly with a pretty woman just before the two embraced. Her knee-jerk reaction was horror and jealousy, but her gut instantly redirected the thoughts with reminders that Decker loved her. He’d tried to contact her just a couple of days before. There was no way he’d move on that quickly, especially not with Charlie around.
There must be an explanation.

When their eyes locked, she immediately knew her gut had been correct. Who knew a man could convey so much with a simple stare. There was certainly no misconstruing the foul language that seeped from his clenched jaw as he spoke to the woman before him. While she tried to regain his attention with what appeared to be gentle shakes and soft words, his molten brown gaze bore into April’s, rooting her to the ground, holding her captive. Her heart began to race as Decker rounded the woman and quickly stalked in April’s direction with fire, hunger, and determination engrained on his beautiful face.

“April.”

“Decker.”

They spoke simultaneously. His hand snaked out, and the touch of his knuckles as they traced her jawline sent tingles through her body. It had been weeks since she’d felt his touch, and just the small reminder was enough to make her want to beg for more.

“What…what are you doing here?” Curiosity was written over his features, and hope sprinkled like seasoning through his tone. “I mean, Christ, April, I’m so fucking happy you’re here, but”—he huffed—“how are you here?”

Unsure if she wanted to laugh or cry at the relief she saw in his face, in his entire being, she settled for both. Hot tears stung her eyes and a smile so broad her cheeks ached spread over her face. She placed her hand over the one he’d left on her cheek, lacing their fingers together. “I drove.” She snickered, wiping at a tear that refused to stay put. “I just couldn’t stay away any longer. I’m so sorry, Deck,” her voice trembled. “
You
may have left, but
I
was the one who ran. It just took me more time to realize what I’d done.”

Understanding washed over his features as he stepped closer. The smell of chlorine mixed with his usual cedar essence invaded her senses, making concentrating on her apology nearly impossible.

“Apr—”

“No, wait, let me finish. The night you walked out on me…” She inhaled the chlorinated air deeply, allowing herself to feel the hurt of that night and still be in the present with the man she loved. “You brought back things… emotions, insecurities that I never wanted to feel again. And to be honest, that night, you were one hundred percent in the wrong.”

“April, you’re right. I know I fucked up,” Decker agreed.

“But”—she held up her hand to hold off further interruption—“in the days that followed, I screwed up too. You’re unlike any man I’ve ever met, and for me to compare you, even in my own mind, was unfair. You’ve owned your mistakes, and I honestly believe you when you say you’ll never hurt me like that again. I may have been too angry and scared to realize it at the time, but I know it now. I do believe in you, Decker and I believe in us.” She lowered his hand from her cheek and pressed her lips into his rough palm. “I’m sorry it took me so long to come to my senses. Can
you
forgive
me
?”

“Beautiful,” he murmured, pulling her body flush against his, his warm minty breath tangling with her own, “all is forgiven. I love you, do you understand that?”

She felt the smile on his lips as they touched hers in a quick kiss.

“You’ve owned a piece of me since we first met, and more of me became yours with each passing day.” His second kiss was slower but harder, hungrier. “I wasn’t going to give up on you, but I must admit your coming after me”—he grinded his pelvis into her abdomen and whispered in her ear—“turns me on like you wouldn’t believe. What? What’s got you smiling like the Cheshire Cat, dimples?”

“Oh, your enthusiasm is definitely evident, big guy.” April looked around before subtly rubbing her hand over his erection. “This is a family-friendly establishment, Mr. Brand. I think the management would frown on these shenanigans happening out here in public.”

“Mmm, you keep touching me like that, Ms. Maddox, and they’re gonna need to distribute blindfolds to all the children and half of the adults in this place,” he growled as he twined his fingers through her long golden hair finally smashing his lips to hers.

Boneless and vulnerable in his arms, she’d never before felt more cared for, safe, or loved. The sheer happiness that sparkled through her was nearly overwhelming and completely consuming.