The Keys to Jericho (100 page)

She swipes at the black streaks on her face and yells, “I don’t know what to think! Maybe you’re trying to talk your way out of a big mistake you nearly made!”

“I didn’t! I
knew
! Kat! Come on! Fuck! Why don’t you believe me?”

Again, she twists her arm from me. “Bye, Jared.”

Dad grabs my arm, holding onto me. When she turns, I try to grab her arm again, but my dad wrenches me back and she escapes backstage. He says, “You’ll only make it worse, bud. Cool down.”

“She’s leaving me! We’re supposed to get married tomorrow!”

Grabbing my shoulders, he turns me to face him. “You will. It’ll be okay. You’re both edgy and emotions are high.”

“I swear to God I knew it was her, Dad. The way she moved. The shape of her lips. Her perfume. Even her fake blue eyes. I knew it was Kat because I’d never make the mistake of not knowing her again.”

“I know that. So does she, but do you realize how nervous she is right now, too? She’s not thinking very rationally. She will, though, when she thinks it over more. You’ll both be okay. Once this wedding stuff is over with and you’re on the plane Sunday morning, you’ll remember why you went through all this.”

Looking to the side of the stage and then back to my father, I plead, “Dad…”

“I promise, Jared. She’ll be there tomorrow.”

Determined, I say, “If she’s not, I’ll hunt her down. Remind her why she has to marry me.”

“That’s my boy.”

And if she doesn’t remember, she’ll have fucked me in a gazebo in front of an audience.

CHAPTER 35

Lying on my bed at Dad’s house, staring at the ceiling, a soft knock on the door doesn’t do much to tear my attention away from the swirled pattern.

When I don’t bother to answer, I hear the door creak open. “Are you decent?” Hadley whispers.

Glancing over at her, I see her covering her eyes and I roll mine. “Yeah. Come in.”

“Why are you in your room? I thought Rio and Dash were staying here tonight?”

“Rio is. He’s asleep on the rec. room couch.”

“No Dash?” she asks, and I’m dismayed to hear disappointment in her tone.

“No. Dad dropped him at his apartment.” Hadley’s here, feeling beyond low and Dash is extremely drunk. Not a good mix.

Hadley cautiously asks, “Did you guys have fun?”

Sitting up, I say, “Hang on. You were with Kat tonight. When?”

“After she surprised you at the club. Liberty and I were going to take her out for some drinks afterward, but...”

“How is she? She won’t answer my calls or texts. I’ve left messages…”

“Kat is upset. She wouldn’t go out with us. I was going to stay with her, but she told me to be with you.” That surprises me, and it shows on my face.

“Why?”

Hadley sheepishly smiles. “She wouldn’t say. Let her sleep on it. She’ll feel better.”

“Where is she? Her apartment? Her mom’s house?”

She shakes her head. “Jared, leave her alone tonight. I’m sure she got your messages. Liberty’s with her.”

“Fuck.” Heaving a heavy sigh, and shoving my hand into the front of my hair, I ask, “Am I being totally idiotic about this? Her brothers even believe me! They know I wasn’t drunk off my ass! Hell, I sent most of my shots to Pete! They also realized I wouldn’t have kissed some stripper!”

“I don’t think you’re being idiotic, but I wasn’t there, although you’ve proven yourself worthy of that title before.”

I frown. “Jesus, Hadley.”

She sits down on the end of my bed and says, “Please say that you’re telling the truth, Jared. Don’t be that prick who cheats on his girlfriend, especially over something stupid or because of a misunderstanding.”

I stare at her in silence for a few seconds before I say, “I’m not. I swear. I realized it was her. I’m not…” I shake my head, and sincerely as possible, say, “Christ. I wouldn’t cheat on Kat because I can’t commit to her or because I have deeper issues that have nothing to do with her. I wouldn’t run from this and try to solve my problems with a random fuck, either. I’d fight for her until it killed me, so I’m not
that
much of a prick.”

Hadley shakily sighs, looking down to the worn bedspread, and is quiet. When she doesn’t look up for some time, I sigh and touch her arm. “Hadley.”

She lifts her head and asks, “Did Dad talk to you?”

“About?”

“His…date?”

“Yeah. My  mind has been fucked so much today, I don’t know what to think about him keeping her a secret for so long.”

“I know. I just hope she’s good for him.”

“He seems to be happier than he used to be. I just didn’t attribute it to a person.”

“Neither did I. I wonder what she’s like.”

“Or hope
who
she
isn’t
like.”

Hadley says, “I barely remember her anymore.”

“It’s more of the principle she left us when she, well, left us.”

Hadley nods. “I don’t want to see him get hurt, but if he’s happy…”

“He says he is.”

“Then I want to be happy for him, too.”

“I do, too.” I sigh. “Stop changing the subject.”

“Stop pulling me into that subject.”

“Hadley, talk—”

She shakes her head and looks away from me again. “Jared, don’t ever make Kat feel like she’s not good enough for you, because if you do, I’ll kick you in the balls with high heels.”

I stammer, “She’s
more
than good enough for me. She’s my…everything. I went without her for so long, and I never want to go back to that place. I don’t even want to imagine my life without her in it anymore.”

Glancing at me, Hadley’s eyes become glassy and she nods, as she wraps her arms around herself. “Good.” She looks back to the bedspread, and we’re quiet again.

After a minute, I scratch my jaw and tentatively say, “I’m sorry.”

“Jared…” She clears her throat and sighs, guessing why I’m sorry.

“I never got to say that to you.”

She shrugs and runs her fingers through her long hair, the same color as mine. “No need to apologize.”

“Someone has to. You’re like a damn robot...”

Holy fuck.

She blandly replies, “Maybe because I’m still recovering from the hospital food.”

Straightening, I say, “I’m not joking, Hadley. What you just went through is fucking—”

She hurriedly shakes her head and her eyes well up again. “I can’t go there. Please. I can’t.”

“From my experience, it helps to talk to someone about what you’re feeling, as fucked up as that sounds coming from me.”

She shifts her gaze to the wall and mumbles, “Not now.”

“Ever?”

“I don’t know. Just…” She sighs and looks at me. “Just grab onto Kat and never let go. Love her with all your heart. Anything less is deplorable. Cherish her, Jared. She’s an extension of yourself. Treat her as such. When you’re on a family vacation in 15 years, hold her hand as you look at the children you made together, even if she has scars from giving birth to them. Love her if she gains weight. Love her if she has gray hairs or wrinkles she’s trying to hide. Love her even more
because
she’s not perfect, but because she’s
yours
.”

Tears fall down Hadley’s cheeks and I crawl over the bed to her. She brokenly says, “Don’t you dare let anything come between you. Nothing. Not your fears, your family, friends, enemies, job or…” Covering her mouth, her purple nails catch my eye, before she dissolves into sobs. Reaching for her, I pull her to me, hugging her tighter than I ever have.

She clutches my shirt as she cries into it, and I whisper, “I’m here for you, Hadley. I always will be. I’ll never let this happen to you again. I promise. When I move to Richmond after I get back from our trip, you’ll be so tired of me watching out for you that you might just want to kick me in the balls with high heels.”

“I don’t need a bodyguard. I have one.”

I scoff, “Too bad. He’ll have to move over.”

“Just worry about Kat. She’ll be your…wife.” Her voice catches and I swallow the tightness starting to choke me.

As evenly as possible, I say, “I can watch both of you. She would kick me in the balls with high heels if I didn’t look after you.”

“God. I love her.”

“She loves you, too… And so do I, Hadley.”

I feel her smiling against my chest and she sniffs. “You sunk my battleship.”

I smile over the top of her head. “I’ll sink
all
those motherfuckers.”

She tearfully scolds, “Watch your mouth, little brother.”

Hearing a small laugh, I say, “Not a fucking chance, big sis.”

Hadley wipes her face and mumbles, “Fucking hell.”

I grin and rest my cheek on her head, holding her tighter.

Little does she know,
I’ll
be the one who does the ball-kicking in steel-toed boots.

“How are you holding up?” Dad asks, straightening his purple tie, as I lean onto the gazebo railing in the corner, trying to get two seconds away from people in my face.

“Not good. I either want to puke or puke.”

He smacks my arm. “Shake it off. Man up. You’re about to get married.”

“Oh, God,” I groan, clutching my stomach as I see his smile growing wider.

“Like father, like son. It isn’t even funny.”

“If you ever get married again, I’m going to enjoy watching you suffer.”

He shrugs and whispers, “My balls are bigger. Don’t be a pussy.”

“What the hell is up with you, Adam Franklin?”

Shrugging again, he offhandedly asks, “How come you’re wearing a tie instead of a bowtie?”

I irritably answer, “Because bowties are for pussies.” From the other side of the gazebo, Tony and Pete wave at me and I stiffly nod in return, afraid if I move too fast, I’ll hurl.

Dad laughs and grabs my shoulder. “Get a grip. Marry the woman you love. Make me prouder than I already am of you.”

“Jesus, Dad. Shut up.” I peer around the gazebo, noticing my sister, wearing her light purple bridesmaid dress, hugging someone, while standing with a small group of people, two of whom are Rio and Liberty. Rio and I ate breakfast together this morning and we didn’t say a word. It was calming and says a lot about our friendship.

Dad says, “By the way, your car is sweet. Thanks for letting me drive it here. I’ll take good care of it while you’re gone. I need to get one of those.”

I frown. “Not.”

“I bet people would think I’m cooler than you.”

I scoff, “Like I give a shit what anyone thinks of me.” Just one person.

Someone says his name and we both look. He waves over a blonde woman with a side braid, and gives her a kiss on the cheek. Turning to me, he says, “Nora, this is my son, Jared.”

She smiles and it lights up her face. “Wow. You are very handsome. The pictures I’ve seen of you don’t even do you justice.”

I put my hand out and say, “I like you already.”

Taking my hand, Nora says, “It’s so nice to meet you. Your dad talks about you both all the time. I’ve been wanting to meet you, but…”

Dad says, “My fault.”

I glance at him, seeing more resemblance I have to him than I thought. Christ.

Nora lets go of my hand and says, “You and your sister look so much alike.”

“That’s what I hear.”

“Hadley is so sweet. I met her a little while ago.”

I say, “She can be tough when she needs to be.” She even surprised me.

Nora nods, peering at my dad, as he nods with her. “I’ve heard. She was downright kickass.”

I laugh. “I
really
like you.”

Dad says, “Hey, now. Go find your own woman. I’m sure there’s one around here who’ll flirt with you.”

I scratch the back of my neck, peering around the gazebo, as if Kat is milling around the guests.

Dad grasps my shoulder. “She’s coming. Don’t worry.”

Nora says, “I saw her earlier. Oh, Jared. She’s beautiful. I remember when she was in first grade. Kat is absolutely breathtaking now.” I know.

I urgently ask, “She really is going to be here?”

She laughs. “I think so. She’s certainly dressed for it.”

Howie walks up the stairs and comes over to me. “Hey there, Jared.” He shakes my hand, giving me a steady look as he laughs. “Nervous?”

“Uh…” I cover my fisted hand with the other and feel like I suddenly have a tic in every muscle of my body.

Dad laughs. “Immensely.” He clutches my shoulder again and asks, “You okay, bud?”

I stutter, “No. Yeah. I don’t know.”

Nora gently pats my arm and I grip the railing, feeling like nothing I ever have before.

Howie says, “I can go home if you don’t want to do this…”

I whip my head to him, feeling suddenly determined. “No way.”

“Good. Then I think we’re ready to start.”

“She’s here?”

Howie nods over his shoulder. “I just saw a white limo pull up. I’m assuming Kat was in there. Why? You want them to leave?” They all laugh, but I don’t feel like joining as I crane my neck to catch a glimpse of her, but I can’t see through people. Instead, I restlessly shift on my feet, and go to tug on my hat that isn’t there.

Nora says, “Don’t do that. You’ll mess up your hair, sweetie.” She reaches up to readjust what I did to my hair, and then tugs at my light purple vest beneath my jacket, straightening it. She smiles at me. “You look great. Just calm down. Breathe. We don’t want you passing out before you kiss your bride.”