Trace + Olivia Series Boxed Set (90 page)

Gramps let out a sigh of relief and then began to laugh hysterically. “It’s about damn time you grew a pair and told me,” he chortled. “I would’ve never let you take the company, knowing you hated it.
But
I wanted you to come to that decision yourself.”

“You mean—” Trace started but Gramps cut him off.

“Yes, I knew you hated it. I’ve known this life wouldn’t be for you since you were a small boy. No matter what you do, I’ll always be proud of you. When I’m gone, I’ll be smiling down on you from above, proud to call you my grandson … even if your hard headedness drives me crazy.”

“I love you,” Trace sobbed, standing and kicking the chair back as he hugged Gramps.

I watched them hug each other, two generations of Wentworth’s, and it killed me that Gramps was leaving us. Why did he have to get cancer? Why did he have to die? It wasn’t fair!

I couldn’t take it anymore, I had to get out of the hospital room. I opened the door and fled down the hall as far and as fast as my feet would carry me. I hadn’t made it far when I collapsed onto the floor, sobbing hysterically. I rested my back against the wall and drew my knees up. Burying my face in my hands, I let myself cry. Not just a few tears, but a torrent of them. I let them cleanse me and try to heal the pain I felt inside. But I knew I could never really be healed. There would always be a hole in my heart where my love for Gramps was held and so brutally cut out.

Someone sat down beside me and arms wrapped around me. Trace’s scent enveloped me and I grasped his shirt in my hands.

My tears were waning and anger was replacing sadness.

“It isn’t fair,” I smacked his solid chest as hard as I could, like this was his fault. “Why? Tell me why, he has to die. This isn’t right. He doesn’t deserve this,” I cried, hitting him repeatedly with the sides of my fists. I had never felt anger like this before, not even after Aaron tried to kill me.

Trace didn’t say anything as I hit him. When my fists fell to my sides, he pulled me onto his lap and rested his chin on top of my head.

“Life is never fair,” he whispered, “and it really fucking sucks.”

I clung to his shoulders, getting tears on his shirt, but he didn’t seem to mind.

He ran his fingers through my hair in an effort to soothe me.

When I was calmed down, I laid a hand over his heart. “I’m sorry for hitting you,” I whispered, ashamed of myself. “I shouldn’t have done that.” My hair fell around me to conceal my face.

“It’s okay. I understand. I feel like punching a wall, so I get it,” he pressed his lips lightly against my forehead.

“Did you really mean what you told Gramps? You’re not going to take over the business?”

“Yeah,” he sighed, “I meant it. You were right … God, you’re always right,” he leaned his head against the wall and gazed at the ceiling. “I need to do what makes me happy. Being a mechanic does that for me … and there’s something else I need to tell you …” He paused, taking a deep breath.

“What is it?” I cupped his stubbled cheek in the palm of my hand.

“A week before we left,” he swallowed thickly, “Pete called me into his office to talk. He’s older and not in the best shape, and he wants to sell the shop … to me.”

“To you? Like … to own?”

“Yeah,” he nodded. “Pete said he trusts me to take it over. He doesn’t have any kids and he wants it to go to someone who really cares about cars. Apparently, I’m his only choice. If I tell him no, he’ll close down the shop for good.”

Despite the situation we were currently surrounded by, I found myself smiling.

“I’m so proud of you,” I kissed his chin.

“Proud? Why?”

“For being the man I love and a person I can respect,” I traced a finger over his collarbone.

He kissed me lightly and stood, pulling me up with him.

“Let’s go find my mom and get this wedding figured out.” We turned down the hallway and a nurse directed us to the waiting room.

Lily was asleep in one of the chairs, her neck tilted at an uncomfortable angle. She’d definitely be feeling that later.

“Mom,” Trace shook her knee.

She came sputtering awake. “What? What? Did something bad happen?” She looked around hastily.

“No, nothing like that, mom,” Trace crouched in front of her.

“What is it, then?” She rubbed her eyes. “You ready to go?”

Trace didn’t hear her. Instead he was looking around the large waiting room. “Where’s Grammy?”

“I had Trent take her home. She was tired and wanted to stay here, but being in this place isn’t going to do her any good.”

“Right, of course,” he nodded. “Anyway, we need to talk to you about something,” Trace explained as I took the seat beside Lily. Before she could question him, he continued, “We need to move the ceremony up … do you think you can have something ready in three days?”

“Three days?” She gasped, startled. “Trace, are you crazy? Three weeks is pushing it. Three days is impossible.”

“Make it happen.”

Her mouth gaped open.

“Mom, he doesn’t have much time and Gramps wants to be there. Move it up. I know you can put together a beautiful wedding for us,” he reached for me and took my hand. “The
whole
family needs to be there.”

Rubbing her face, she eyed each of us tiredly. “You two better love me a lot.” I knew asking Lily to plan a wedding so quickly was unfair, especially with Gramps in the hospital, but it needed to be done.

“Thanks, mom,” Trace hugged her tightly. “You’re the best mom anyone could have,” he planted a loud kiss on her cheek. “Now, can you do me another favor and take Olivia home and go home yourself? I’ll stay with Gramps.”

“Are you sure?” She asked. “You have to be tired from your flight.”

“I’m fine,” he assured her. “If I go home all I’ll do is worry and keep Olivia awake.”

“Okay,” she stood and hugged him. “Call me if you need anything. I’ll be here as quick as I can.”

I kissed Trace goodbye and followed Lily outside. We were both quiet as she drove me to the apartment, but when we reached the parking lot and she parked, she said, “Promise me you’ll be there for him through this. Since Trey died, Gramps has been like a father to Trace. I’m worried about how he’ll react. He needs you.”

“I’ll be there for him, no matter what,” I promised, even though I wasn’t sure I could do it.

“Thank you,” she patted my cheek.

I dug the key to the apartment out of my purse and grabbed our bags from the trunk, hobbling up the steps.

When I opened the door, a streak of black ran at me, knocking me to the ground.

A long pink tongue flicked out and swiped over my cheek. “Ace!” I cried in delight. “I missed you, buddy!” I hadn’t been expecting Ace to be here, but sweet Trent had brought him home since he knew we were back. He was getting a big hug for this. Now, I didn’t have to be at home alone and I had my fur baby to comfort me. After Ace had thoroughly licked my face, he looked over my shoulder for Trace. “Sorry, Ace, but daddy isn’t home yet,” I scratched his ears. It’s just you and me tonight. Are you going to keep me safe?”

At my words the large lab ran over to his basket of dog toys, grabbed his Jabba the Hutt squeaker toy, and ran into the bedroom. A second later I heard the thump as he jumped on the bed.

Shaking my head, I got to my feet, and carried the bags into the room.

After a quick shower I climbed into the bed. Suddenly, I was exhausted. I’d been running on adrenaline since the moment we got the phone call and the day’s events had finally caught up with me. Curling my body against Ace’s, I promptly fell asleep.

A banging on the front door had me sitting up and instantly alert.

“What the hell?” I groaned, looking at the clock. It was after nine in the morning, but after everything I’d been through yesterday, I wanted to sleep till noon.

I grabbed a jacket and tugged it on as I headed to the door. I opened it to find Avery standing there, her hair blowing in a slight breeze with sunglasses holding the long strands back, and there was a huge smile on her face.

“I missed you!” She hugged me.

“I missed you too,” I hugged her back, a bit surprised by her exuberance since she’d been such a downer before we left. She stepped away from me and I took a moment to study her. Her hair was more vibrant and her skin had a rosy hue.

“You seem … happy,” I commented as I closed the door.

“Luca and I are back together,” she beamed. “We had a heart to heart, and I told him that I couldn’t live without him. He’s it for me, Livie. I was being stubborn and fighting what I felt for him. But I realized that he and I … we’re perfect for each other.”

I rolled my eyes. I’d known that since the moment they met each other. I couldn’t believe it had taken her three years to figure that out.

My eyes landed on the shirt she was wearing and I began to laugh.

“What? You don’t like it?” She plucked at the red garment.

“It’s very you.”
I’m the Maid of Honor B*tch
, I read the shirt over again.

“I thought so too,” she smiled, doing a little twirl. “You need to get dressed. We have to go dress shopping. Lily knows a place in Tysons that should have something beautiful and in your size so we don’t have to worry about alterations.”

I hurried into the bedroom and changed out of my pajamas into clothes. Avery stood in the doorway, looking at her bright red fingernails.

“You know,” she said, “I should really still be mad at you for getting married without having me there. I mean, I’m your best friend, Livie. But I’m so happy to be back with Luca that I don’t care.”

“It’s not like everyone else was there and you weren’t invited,” I shimmied into a pair of shorts. “It was only Trace and me.”

“Do you think that matters?” She fluffed the ends of her hair. She smiled slowly, “I’m sorry, I’m not mad … anymore. I just like to give you a hard time.”

“I know you do.” I opened a drawer and grabbed a shirt. Before I could put it on, Avery yanked the fabric from my hands. “Avery!”

“Seriously, girl, we’re going into the city. You can do better than this,” she held up the black tank top, “and shorts.”

“You’re wearing shorts and a t-shirt!” I accused.

“But I’m the Maid of Honor. I can’t outdo the bride,” she reasoned, going through the closet.

“Isn’t that just on the wedding day?”

She turned to me, rolling her eyes. “If I tried to look my best, I’d outshine you.”

My mouth fell open.

“I’m
kidding
, Olivia. Geez, I’m not that much of a bitch. Honestly. Haven’t you known me long enough to know when I’m being serious and when I’m not?”

“Yeah, sorry,” I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. “I’m going to go brush my hair and what not while you pick out my clothes … you know, since you seem to think I’m your doll or something.”

“Damn straight, and you’re a pretty little doll.”

Shaking my head, I wandered out of the bedroom and into the bathroom. I put on makeup, still having to hide the slightly yellow colored skin around my eye, and let my hair hang down instead of braiding it out of the way.

When I came back into the bedroom Avery had a peach colored dress laid out on top of the bed with a pair of brown cowboy boots. I’d swear neither were from my wardrobe.

“Where’d you get those?”

“Your closet, duh,” she looked at me like I was stupid. “Where else would I have gotten it?”

“I don’t know,” I shrugged, fingering the soft fabric of the dress. “I just don’t remember this.”

Avery shook her head, fighting a smile. “That’s because you wear the same thing all the time.”

“I don’t like getting dressed up,” I frowned. “It’s not comfortable.”

“You’re ridiculous,” she put her hands on her hips. “Now get dressed and meet me in the car. We’ll stop for breakfast on our way.” With that, she flounced out of the room and outside. The front door slammed closed behind her. It wasn’t the first time I was glad we didn’t have neighbors.

I got dressed and grabbed a cereal bar before joining her outside. Knowing Avery, she would forget to stop for breakfast and I’d be left starving. At least the cereal bar would be
something
.

“Hurry up, biotch,” she called from inside her red Volkswagen Beetle convertible. She slid her sunglasses on and waved me forward.

I reluctantly made my way down the steps and slid into her car.

“Ready to have some fun?” She asked.

“Yes,” I said, even though inside I was screaming
no
.

“Let’s find you a wedding dress,” she grinned, speeding out of the parking lot.

“How about you drive like a sane person so I don’t throw up on all the pretty dresses when we get there?” I retorted.

Her foot eased off the gas pedal. “You’re such a party pooper. First, no strippers, and now you won’t even let me speed.”

“You’ll thank me when you don’t have a speeding ticket,” I eyed her.

“Oh, whatever,” she turned the blinker on, making a hasty turn, “you’re still a fun sucker.” She grabbed a pack of gum from the center console and unwrapped the stick, tossing the wrapper into the back of her car. “You want a piece?” She held the pack out to me, already snapping away.