“Water would be nice, thank you. And some headache pills if you have.”

Jeff nodded and disappeared into his kitchen. I hardly noticed anything around me except the view he had of the city. It was dark and the city lights lit up the breathtaking horizon, showing off Lake Michigan in the distance. The sofa dipped next to me and I turned to take the glass of cold water out of Jeff’s hands. I swallowed the pills he gave me and hoped that the throb in my temples would subside sooner rather than later.

“You ready to tell me what happened?”

I looked into Jeff’s eyes and found what I had been sorely lacking since the day Brody left. Safety. I trusted Jeff, more than I trusted anyone at that time, and when I was sure I could handle reliving the last few weeks, I told him everything. That had been the start of something new, and something that had meant more to me than I thought possible after what I’d endured in just eight long, painful weeks.

I took a seat in the crowded waiting area at O’Hare airport in Chicago and waited patiently for them to call our flight. I was heading home to Breckinridge, Alabama for my best friend Grayson’s wedding. It was only a week away but they had a number of smaller events planned preceding the big day. It had been a year since I left and sometimes it was difficult to comprehend how much had happened in the short time I had been gone. Sienna took a seat next to me and handed me a cup of coffee before curling into my side. I once again acknowledged, rather bitterly, that having her next to me felt wrong but I allowed it because it filled a hole. A hole I’d been living with for the past twelve months and a hole that would become far more obvious the minute I arrived back in my hometown. I’d achieved everything I’d hoped to when I arrived in Chicago last year, and while most people would dream of my kind of success, I hated the man it made me. Sienna squeezed my hand and again it felt wrong. I looked into her brown eyes and like many times before, compared their color to the explosive green ones I’d spent my entire life in love with.

“You okay, baby?” she asked, giving me a smile. Her long blonde hair was tied up in a pony tale high on her head and I found myself wishing it would somehow magically change to the fiery red color that fueled my demons and haunted my dreams. I got myself into quite the situation as far as Sienna was concerned. She was my boss’s daughter and somehow she found her way to my bed. Admittedly, it was only six months ago, and while I’d spent the majority of our semi-relationship being riddled with all-consuming guilt, she temporarily soothed the loneliness that threatened to drown me. I got hopelessly drunk one night and after she took pity on me, I spilled my guts and told her how I had lost the love of my life. It hurt to think about Demetria and how broken we’d left things, which is why having someone like Sienna was so…convenient.

“Yeah,” I replied. “Just anxious to get home and see everyone.” And Demi. Part of me wondered if bringing Sienna with me was a good idea but at the same time I didn’t want to attend Grayson and Huntley’s wedding alone. Jeff would be Demi’s date but I was still worried that she’d moved on and if I had to be subjected to seeing her with someone else then I at least I wouldn’t have to be alone. Sienna curled deeper into my side but it felt wrong to wrap my arms around her so I didn’t. Instead, I pulled my phone from my pocket and dialed Grayson’s number. He answered on the second ring.

“Hey bro,” he greeted happily. “What’s up?”

“Nothin’ much, just waiting to board the plane and get my ass home,” I replied.

“Yeah man, we’re looking forward to seeing you. Hunter keeps asking when his uncle Brody is going to be here, it’s driving me crazy.”

I chuckled, smiling at the thought of my Godson.

“I can’t wait to see the Lil’ man either.”

Grayson clears his throat and the other end of the line filled up with a somewhat awkward silence before he spoke again. “Is Sienna with you?” he asked hesitantly. The tone of his voice did little to cover his concern.

“Yeah, why?”

“Listen man,” he began. “I’ve booked you into a hotel for the week. You know we’re doing renovations to the ranch, so you can’t stay there. I made reservations under your name until you leave on Sunday.”

“I thought we were staying with you and Huntley?”

He sighed heavily. “That was the plan, but Huntley…” he hesitated.

“Huntley what?”

Grayson muttered ‘shit’ on the other end and I was pretty sure he was brushing his hands through his hair. I’d seen him do it a thousand times. “Huntley doesn’t want you staying here with another woman,” he said. “I guess she’s still pissed about everything and she doesn’t want any drama before the wedding.”

I responded with a sigh of my own and had difficulty suppressing my anger. Huntley was fiercely protective of Demetria and I granted her that but I was tired of being made to feel like the villain. I was also hurt. Hell, I was still hurting. I’d just learned to live with it.

“Alright Gray,” I said, giving in. “Send me the check-in info and I’ll stop by at your place once we’ve arrived.”

“I’m sorry,” he replied. “I tried reasoning with her but fuck, she’s stubborn and I didn’t want to fight with her over this shit so close to the wedding. She’s been stressed enough as it is.”

“Don’t worry about it. I understand. I know you guys were caught between a rock and a hard place when all that shit went down with Demi and me. I get it.”

Sienna looked up at me, a frown between her eyes. She watched me carefully while I spoke to Grayson. “Thanks for being cool about it and again, I’m sorry you have to crash in a hotel. You can stop by for a drink once you’re settled, I’ll be waiting.” The fact that he didn’t invite Sienna to their house didn’t go unnoticed but I understood and chose not to make an issue of it.

“Yeah bro, I’ll see you later.”

Grayson said his goodbye and I ended the call before slipping my phone back into my pocket.

“What was that about?” Sienna asked, staring at me.

“Nothing,” I lied easily, avoiding her gaze. “We’re staying at a hotel. Grayson will send me the check-in info when we land and then I’ll go and say hi, maybe have a drink with him.” I didn’t bother asking Sienna if she was okay with this plan because I didn’t care. As far as I was concerned, having her here was a means to an end, a place-filler. Nothing more. She stayed quiet and went back to reading her magazine while I tried my hardest not to think about how hard the week ahead was going to be.

After arguing with Sienna, I left her at the hotel and took a cab to Grayson and Huntley’s house. My truck was parked in their garage so I’d just use it to get around this week. The cab came to a stop and I paid the driver quickly before making my way to the front door. Before I could knock, the door flung open and Hunter launched himself into my legs. Grayson stood there smiling.

“Bwody!” Hunter squealed, squeezing my legs.

“Hey Lil’ man,” I replied, picking him up. He’d grown so much since I last saw him and it was hard to believe he was already two years old.

“Hey man.” I greeted Grayson with a fist bump and walked through the house. Grayson followed me out onto their outside deck and grabbed us each a beer. I took a seat with Hunter in my lap and Grayson followed suit on the opposite side of the table.