Chapter 13

Eden

I'm trying to convince my friends to go to Moose's bar after Georgia and Celeste left earlier to meet up with Skye and Hartley. Carrie and Autumn are with me, trying to stop me from polishing off the rest of the wine before we leave the restaurant.

I know I've had a wine too many tonight, and I'm about another mouthful away from getting really giddy.

I told them what happened with Kirk. After holing myself up in my house for the last couple of days, I had to pull myself together and get out of my pajamas to collect my dog and pick my daughter up from school. It was hard trying to act like everything was okay for Blake. Especially when she asked how Kirk was. And our conversation didn't go how I thought it would;

"Kirk wasn't too good," I tell her. I didn't want to lie, but some things you really can't discuss with an eleven-year-old. "Mommy and Kirk had a little fight, honey. So I came home early to give us some space. Grownups need that sometimes."

"Did you know Dad has a tattoo of your name across his heart?" she replies with a smug smile. She doesn't seem the least bit concerned about Kirk.

I stare at her. "Blake, what are you talking about?"

"Mom! How can you not know this?"

I know Blake isn't one to make up crazy jokes like her father is, thank goodness, so I know she must be telling the truth. When the hell did he get that done?

"When did you see it, honey?"

"Ages ago when he took me swimming. He has my name too."

What the hell?

I stare at her, agog. I know he has tattoos on his chest, a heart with wings on his right side with colorful roses all around it. He got it eons ago. I always thought it was sexy.

He also showed me the Bassett Logo he got inked on his upper arm last year. But he's never mentioned anything about my name being on his body.

How come I never knew about this?

"He must have told me, you know how I forget things sometimes," I tell her, trying to wave it off.

Even Blake isn't buying that one. "Mom, you remember everything!"

"Well, clearly not this, sweetheart."

What else could I say? I would definitely have remembered something like that.

I didn't press her on it, of course. She's just a kid telling me the truth about something she saw, but it's been rattling me for the last few days.

It's all I've been thinking about. Not that I disclosed it to the girls, either. That's another thing to add to my long growing list of what I have to talk to Brooklyn about.

It's getting longer every day that passes.

I know I need to tell him what happened with Kirk. And we need to sort out our real divorce this time; Autumn and Carrie know all about that too. I let it slip with everything else before we met up with Georgia and Celeste. I am a little tipsy though, and not exactly thinking straight. "One drink at Moose's," I moan to my friends who are already talking about going home. "Don't be party poopers. It's my one night off without my child or ex asshole boyfriend who I should have punched in the face…"

They all look at me. Crap. I'm a mouthy drunk, what can I say?

Autumn links her arm through mine as we leave the restaurant. "Sweetie, it's gonna be okay. You're better off without that asswipe."

"I know," I sniff. "I'm just feeling sorry for myself."

"And you're allowed to do that, but you dodged a bullet," she goes on. "And just so we're clear; it doesn't matter how drunk you get, there's no way I'll let you ride the moose tonight, whatever happens."

"I've never been that drunk," Carrie laughs.

"You two are no fun!" I giggle.

"You deserve to let your hair down," Carrie says on the other side of me. "After what that asshole did. Plus, there's plenty more fish in the sea… I shouldn't say this, but I'm going to for your sake, that broody Gaitley is a little bit easy on the eyes."

I screw up my nose. "I've known him since we were in diapers." He's cute, like his brother Easton, but they're more like my brothers than available bachelors.

"Plus, lusting after another man — even one you've known since diapers — might just be the ticket," Carrie says. "The fastest way to get over someone is to get under someone else, or so they say."

"Can you believe that guy!" I balk, flip-flopping back to Kirk again. "Thank God I didn't haul my cookies all the way under his duvet. The universe is always working in mysterious ways… that's what Georgia says anyway."

"There's the silver lining," Autumn sighs. "But it doesn't matter if you had slept with him; you didn't do anything wrong, remember? He's the dickwad."

"Brookie is going to have a field day with this." I slap my hand over my mouth. I'm kinda aware I'm blurting shit out, but I'm past the point of caring. "He hated Kirk. He nearly broke his hand at Blake's birthday giving him a handshake, it was pretty funny now that I'm not his girlfriend anymore."

"Maybe he could see something we all couldn't." Carrie gives me a sympathetic look. "I'm just sorry you got hurt."

"I'm not hurt!" I declare. "I'm fine! See…" I kick my leg out in the air just as we get to Moose's. I'm glad I've convinced them to meet up with the girls and not call it a night just yet. "I'm going to find my husband and boot scoot the night away with him. At least Brook knows how to have fun…"

I feel Carrie and Autumn look at each other. Yes, they most definitely know exactly who I'm talking about.

"I'm not sure this is a good idea," I hear Carrie mutter under her breath.

"It's an excellent idea!" I declare, shooting one arm up in the air. "Or, if not my husband, then maybe another hot cowboy. Hey! I know what… I should grope a random stranger tonight and take him back to my place, that'll show Kirk that I'm not sitting around at home moping over him. I haven't had sex in… gosh, how long has it been?"

"Let's just get inside and I'll order some iced water." Carrie is so sweet but there's no way I'm drinking water.

"I love you," I tell them. "Both of you. Coming out with me tonight… listening to my woes…"

"And we love you too," Autumn says. Then she glances at Carrie. "I think she might need something a little stronger, like a double shot of coffee."

"Coffee?" I screw my nose up. "Hey, can I ride the Moose?"

"No," they both say in unison.

"Let's find the others," Carrie says, pulling my arm along.

We weave through the crowd and I'm already bouncing along to the music. I don't have any Kirk cares in the world tonight. He can go to Hell for all I care. I have almost gotten him and his little floozy out of my head by the time I plonk down in the booth where Georgia, Celeste, Skye and Hartley are sitting.

"Ladies!" I sing-song, then look at Hart and Skye. "Have you met my girls, Autumn and Carrie? They're the bestest friends ever…" I wave my arm at them. I forget who knows who — they all know Autumn, but I'm not sure about Carrie. Smiles and hellos go around the table.

"Right then, let's get some drinks ordered!" I bang my fist on the table and Georgia looks over at me.

"Are you okay, E?"

"I'm never better!" I chirp. "Since you last saw me anyway." I cast her a little wink since it's only been about half an hour. Her and Celeste did just have dinner with us, after all.

"What was in that Tiramisu?" Celeste giggles.

"I know right." I laugh along with her. "But I haven't had this much fun in ages. Why don't we do some shots?"

"Shots?" Autumn balks, giving me a side eye like I've lost my mind. "I think maybe we'll see if they can get some coffee brewing."

I poke my tongue out at her. "You better not be a party-pooper missy, or I'll go find your bestie Beau Bassett and get him to give you a talking to. You know, I think he's always had a bit of a crush on you…" It was something I overheard ages ago from Brook, but maybe I shouldn't be revealing that… Oops.

"You're really not making much sense, Edes," she says. "Beau is a sweetheart, but a crush? I don't think so."

"Don't say I didn't warn you!" I press my hands into the table to steady myself as I stand up, announcing; "I'm gonna go order some drinks." But Carrie stops me on the other side and I plonk back down again.

"I'll order you one shot," she says firmly. "Then I think we should have a dance, you can make every man in this room jealous and then we can head home."

"I don't think she needs any more liquor," I hear Autumn, the party-pooper, say.

"I'll fill it with water," Carrie says. "She won't know the difference."

"I can still hear you," I tell them, pressing my fingers to my ears and flapping them. "These still work even when I've been drinking."

"Coffee could be good," Hartley says. "She's not much of a drinker."

"And what was that about heading home?" I exclaim, even though it's a delayed reaction. "The night is still young. Hey, has anyone seen my husband?"

I feel all eyes on me now, except Carrie. She's gone up to the bar like a good-natured bestie to get a round of drinks and probably a coffee they keep threatening me with.

"You mean your ex-husband," Georgia chuckles. "But hey, you still have the Bassett name."

"Who's going to be a Bassett next I wonder… Well, we know you will be soon, Cece. Race you to the altar! We all knew you and Callan would get back together, I called it first. Hart, Skye, are you two going to join the dark side with us?" I laugh. I'm drunk but I don't care. "You haven't lived until you've married a Bassett brother. I mean, I still remember me and Brookie sneaking into the barn…"

"Oh God, please no." Georgia puts her hands over her ears.

"And those hips…" I go on, too wrapped up in my own rambling to worry about Georgia's obvious discomfort.

"Please make it stop," Georgia mouths.

I notice Skye suddenly has a pink flush to her cheeks as she takes a sip of her wine. "It's early days for us, but one day, you never know. I'd like to walk down the altar."

"And I'd marry Gray in a heartbeat," Hartley sighs.

"That's so sweet!" Georgia gives her a little nudge. "You know my mom goes on about babies daily and when any of us are going to give her more."

"True love does exist!" I declare. "We should all make a toast to all the Bassett men, and all the other available hot men in Stoney Creek!" For what purpose, I don't know.

Little giggles ensue around the table. At least these women find me funny and easy-going, not like Kirk who wouldn't know a good woman if she fell down from the sky and hit him over the head.

Well screw him!

"I think that's an awesome idea!" Celeste chuckles.

"Show us your shiner again," Autumn says toward Celeste, who flashes her beautiful diamond and sapphire ring Callan proposed with. It was his grandmother's and it's beautiful. Such a sweet gesture, but Callan has always been a good sort.

"Ow, ow, I'm blind." I giggle, pretending to cover my eyes with my hand back and forth. "I still have my wedding rings. We may have been young back then, but Brookie knew how to surprise a girl with a diamond. He knew how to do a lot of things other men couldn't."

"Oh no, not again," Georgia moans, placing her hands over her ears again. This time she pretends to sing and everyone laughs.

"Shit, sorry, George. I shouldn't talk that way about my hubby in front of his sister. To the other ladies, I'll let you in on a few secrets later…" I pump a wink or two in their direction behind the back of my hand.

"You know you keep calling Brook your hubby," Celeste points out. "Not that I'm sure Brook would mind."

"No," I whisper. "You don't understand, I have a secret. So does Brookie." I place my index finger over my lips as Carrie comes back with a tray of shots, and a suspicious looking mug with steam billowing out of it.

"Ooh, good one!" I chuckle as she passes them around.

"One drink!" she tells me, "then we'll get you home."

"No way! I'm dancing tonight and none of you can stop me!"

"What was the secret?" Skye asks, as we all hold our shots up toward the middle of the table. We clink glasses and I take my shot to my lips, tipping my head back, I down it in a second. It tastes a lot like… nothing… Did they just give me water?

"Ah, that. Well, don't tell anyone," I say in a hushed whisper as I try to contain my giggles, placing the shot glass down on the table. "But Brookie didn't file the papers all those years ago when we signed. Can you believe it? We're still hitched!"

Georgia gasps and stares at me with wide eyes, her mouth hanging open. "What the hell?"

"Yes, it's true," Autumn confirms. I guess the cat is really out of the bag now. "It's all a big misunderstanding, right, E?… one you can rectify at the court?—"

"Maybe it's fate?" I interrupt as I slam my fist down onto the table again, like I've cracked the code. "Georgia is always saying things happen for a reason, right G?"

Georgia is still staring at me mid-shot until Celeste snaps her fingers in front of her face. "I knew something was up with Brook!" she says. "OHMYGOD!"

"I know right? And get this, he told me about it right after everyone left Blake's party. I prized it out of him, he didn't want to tell me."

"That must have come as a shock," Hartley says, glancing at the other girls around the table. I think she's trying to gauge their reactions.

"Oh, trust me, it was."

"What are you going to do?" Skye asks, tucking one of her pretty red curls behind her ear.

"I've no idea. Maybe I should stay a Bassett?" I snort a laugh.

"This is actually brilliant," Georgia says when she's finally recovered. She sits back against the booth seat and observes me for a moment. "It really could be the universe intervening, saying you made a terrible mistake even getting divorced in the first place."

"Or it could have just been Brook's oversight?" Carrie always looks on the more practical side of things.

"No way," Autumn adds. "It's one sure hell of a sign if you ask me. I've always liked Brook and you together. You're so cute."

"Awww." I sling an arm around her shoulder and then hear a song I really love on the jukebox which snaps me to attention. "That's it girls, enough Bassett talk. Let's get on the dance floor!"

"You know, you might have actually gone a little crazy," Carries says as we slide out of the booth. I link my arm with hers again and I practically skip over to where other people are dancing and jiving away.

"Takes one to know one!" I giggle.

"Me and Cece are just going to the ladies, and to get another drink," Georgia hollers behind us.

"I'll be the one making an ass of myself on the dance floor!" I laugh. Hart and Skye are right behind us.

But I don't even make it that far. In fact, I barely put a step on the dancefloor before I feel a tug at my elbow with firm fingers and I spin around. My face is met with a very broad chest, and dark blue shirt.

I smell him before I even see his eyes; cedar-wood undertones with a hint of vanilla. It's always been this way; heady and very masculine and reminds me of the woods.

Brook.

I glance up as a huge grin spreads across my face. "Hubby!" Then I throw my arms around him, giving him a big hug like I haven't seen him in a million years.

I feel his body stiffen as he pulls back to look at me, my arms still dangling around his neck. "E, are you okay?"

"Never better, come and have a boot scoot with me. You know you want to."

"Have you been drinking?" He frowns.

"A couple of wines at dinner," Autumn helpfully informs him. "And a fake shot."

I shoot her a look. "I knew it!" Then I hold my finger up in front of him. "One drink with me? For old times' sake?"

"That's all it took to get you drunk?" he mutters. I sense a smidge of exasperation in his tone. "The answer is most definitely no to more alcohol."

"She's a lightweight." Carrie shrugs.

I unwrap myself from around him and link my arm in his, ignoring them talking about me like I'm not here again. "You're looking dapper tonight, Brookie."

"Edes, we need to talk."

"Dance with me first."

"I heard about Kirk."

I stop in my tracks hearing that and scowl. "I don't want to talk about Kirk…"

"So it is true? You broke up with him?"

I'm straining to hear him over the people and the music. So I pull his arm to move us out of the way and the girls take to the dance floor with Hart and Skye. We step away slightly and I whirl around to look at him. "Is what true?" I poke him in the chest.

He glances down at my finger. "You and him are through?"

"Good news travels fast." I smile.

"Eden, you're drunk."

"Not that drunk! Not as drunk as I want to be."

"What happened?"

"I said I don't want to talk about it." I reach forward to him with a slide of my foot and wrap my arms around his waist, realizing I'm overstepping the boundaries, but I don't care. He smells good and I want to snuggle. He seizes my arms and looks down at me, tilting my chin up.

"You need coffee."

"Why does everyone keep saying that? I'm just having fun. Don't you want to have some fun? How long has it been since you had some fun?" I waggle my eyebrows.

He's not smiling, which is odd. "You really wanna go there?"

I break away from him and stalk my way up to the bar where I see an opening. He comes after me, pushing through the crowd where I'm already ordering a shot of bourbon and flinging some money on the counter before he can stop me.

"Eden!"

I quickly pick up the glass, clutching onto it for dear life and lift it to my lips to take a sip. I only get half down before he stops me. "Hey!"

"I'm taking you home. Now."

"My place or yours?" I bat my eyelids at him. "Or the barn?"

He swallows hard, but the heat in his eyes quickly passes as he presses his lips together. I don't honestly think he knows what to do with me. "Don't even," he rumbles.

And is it just me, or does he suddenly sound breathy?

"Don't even, or don't Eden?"

"Both!"

"Fine, you can take me home."

He looks at me weird for a moment. "Are you gonna at least try and be agreeable?"

"The music is starting to hurt my head." I try to down the rest of the shot but he doesn't let me. He pries it out of my hand and shoves it down the bar. "Brookie, I don't feel so…"

The dizziness hits me and I feel my legs start to falter. I haven't drunk that much… But maybe that wine before was more lethal than I thought. That half a shot probably didn't help. And I'm only just noticing how hot and crowded it is in here…

I feel his hands on me in an instant, holding me up under my arms. Then I squeal as I feel my body being lifted, and I realize he's just hooked one arm under my legs and the other around my back.

"Wrap your arms around my neck," he growls huskily. I feel his beard tickle my neck as he says it.

I sigh into his skin and close my eyes. "Mmmm."

"Let's get you out of here," he says, and I feel him moving.

A few seconds later the music fades out and the cool night air hits me.

Brookie. My angel. My savior.

The man who has my name tattooed on his chest after we divorced. Who does that? I don't care anymore; I just want to bask in his warmth. Even if it's just for a moment.