16. Crossland

CHAPTER 16

Crossland

“Hey, man,” Ethan’s voice came through as I held my phone to my ear. “Sorry I can’t make it to the dedication tonight, but I wanted you to know that I handled my end of the bet. Congratulations, I really love Aspen.”

Guilt sliced through me, and I worked my fingers through my hair.

Aspen had gone with my driver to pick up Brecken. She’d been surprised when I told her that I’d invited Brecken to join us tonight, but when I reiterated how important tonight was for me, and that I wanted her sister included, she’d kissed me and rushed out the door.

“Yeah, I need to tell you something about that,” I said, taking a seat at my kitchen island. “Fuck, man, don’t tell me you’ve blown it with her. She’s literally perfect for you.”

“Not yet,” I said and was shocked as hell to be saying that.

I’d waited all last night to see if Aspen would bring up the contract end date, but she never did. And she didn’t hesitate when I asked her to be at my side today, either. It meant something to me that she was willing and excited to attend such a big event even though it had nothing to do with the initial terms we’d set up at the beginning of this.

“Then what is it?”

“Promise you won’t get mad?” I asked in my most playful voice.

“Jesus, just tell me.” Ethan’s tone took on a level of concern that I hadn’t heard in a while, so I cut to the chase.

“I may have, sort of, hired Aspen to be my girlfriend because I couldn’t bear the thought of losing my dad’s car.”

The line went silent, and my heart thumped hard against my chest.

“I know it was stupid,” I hurried to continue. “And I’m sorry, but I wanted to come clean with you. I don’t like lying to any of you, but I couldn’t lose my dad’s car, man. I know it was my dumbass fault for betting it, but you know me. I was going to do anything to keep that car.”

“I would never have kept the car,” Ethan said. “Would I have driven it around the block? Hell fucking yes. But I would have never taken that from you. Not for longer than an hour. But that’s beside the point,” he continued. “You’re telling me every time we saw you two together, it was an act? Because if so, she deserves a fucking Oscar.”

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “In the beginning? Yes. But now...”

“Holy fucking shit. You fell for her, didn’t you?”

“Yep,” I answered, no point in denying it. “I’m crazy about her. I don’t want anybody else. Can’t picture myself with anybody else and I have no idea where she stands.”

“So, ask her,” Ethan said, like it was the most obvious answer in the world. “What are you waiting for?”

“I don’t know how to do this,” I said. “And how the fuck am I supposed to approach the subject when our entire relationship was based off of a contract? I paid her to be my girlfriend, and now what? Should I renegotiate the terms⁠—”

“She’s not a business deal,” Ethan cut me off. “Not anymore. Clearly. Hell, from the way you were acting around her, I doubt she was a deal one week after you struck it. It was clear to all of us that you were crazy about her, and now what? You’re just leaving it in limbo?”

“Apparently,” I said. “Living in the unknown is easier than venturing into uncharted territory. I’m terrified,” I admitted. “What if I tell her and she says she just wants more money in order to be with me?”

Ethan sighed and took a minute before he responded.

“I get it,” he finally said. “Neither one of us thought we were cut out for this kind of life. And despite your jokes and your past, I know there’s a lot in you that questions whether someone could want to be with you for the long haul. But I can tell you from experience that when it’s the right person, there’s no question. There’s no hesitation. Alex changed my life, and yeah it was hard as hell getting to where we are, but with her, everything feels easy. And from the way you were behaving around Aspen, it seems like that’s the case for you too. Am I wrong?”

“No,” I admitted.

“When was your contract up?”

“Yesterday.”

“And she’s going to the dedication with you tonight?”

“Yes,” I answered.

Ethan chuckled softly. “Well then, what are you worried about? If she’s going with you, that’s a sign that she’s in. The fact that she lasted this long and hasn’t strangled you is another. How many more signs do you need before you can work up the courage to tell her how you feel?”

“I don’t know,” I said. “How long did you need before you and Alex got your shit together?”

“Fair enough,” he said. “But no amount of tossing my own shit at me will help you with yours.”

“Fair enough,” I conceded.

“I get that feeling of being completely tossed out to sea and not understanding which direction you need to go. But if it was me, I’d ask. There’s literally nothing else you can do.”

“I know you’re right,” I said. “I plan to after the dedication tonight. Just the thought of her asking for a check and never wanting to see me again makes me feel like shit.”

“Aspen doesn’t seem like that kind of person,” he said. “But if she is, I’ll get on a plane. You’ve always been there for me. I won’t hesitate to be there for you.”

“Thanks,” I said. “And you’re really not pissed about the bet?”

“Nah, man. Like I said, I was never going to take that car from you. But I’m glad you’ve learned where your line is. What you aren’t willing to lose. Does Aspen now fall into that category?”

“I think she does,” I said.

“Make sure you know,” he said. “No thinking about it. Before you put yourself out there like that, you better know she’s what you want. I think all of us are fond of that girl, and if you break her heart, we may just have to kick you out of our little club.”

I laughed, and he joined in, the light jab exactly what I needed to shake myself out of my thoughts.

“Thanks,” I said. “Aspen just pulled in, so I’ve got to go.”

“Let me know how it goes,” Ethan said before we both hung up seconds before my security cameras showed Aspen and Breckon heading up to my apartment.

The pep talk from my friend gave me the confidence I needed, so I shoved the thoughts of where Aspen and I stood to the back of my mind, and concentrated on what really needed my attention right now. And that was the dedication.

After that?

Well, after that, I’d know.

“Bristol, I said, tugging my sister into a side hug as we made our way inside the hospital. The media was a frenzy, cameras flashing as I reached behind me and grabbed Aspen’s hand, Brecken trailing behind her. “You look beautiful.”

“You look pretty good yourself, brother,” Bristol said, her massive husband acting almost like a bodyguard as we made our way inside, him at the helm. It was a lucky thing that he didn’t have a hockey game tonight. I knew Bristol wanted him there, and luckily the schedule worked in our favor.

Certain media outlets that had gotten special permission from us followed us inside, documenting everything from the head of the hospital greeting us and guiding us to the newly constructed level one trauma center, to the nurses and doctors who would be taking the first shift there giving their thanks for the new space.

Having Aspen’s hand in mind meant everything to me. Especially on a night where my parents’ death felt so close.

How would their lives have gone if there’d been this kind of resource when they’d gotten into their accident? Who would Bristol and I be now if they had survived?

“I love that piece on you,” Bristol whispered to Aspen.

Aspen smiled at her, running her hands lovingly over the glittering black dress that my sister had made just for her for this occasion. It’d been a welcome surprise when it showed up at my apartment this morning, and Aspen practically squealed at the sight.

“Thank you,” she said. “It’s remarkable. And I’m just glad to be here to support you both.”

Bristol hugged Aspen, then flashed me a knowing look that screamed in her sisterly silent way you better hang on to this one.

I kissed Aspen on the forehead before leaving her side while Bristol and I were beckoned by the head of the hospital. A beautiful gold ribbon had been ceremoniously hung up over the main entranceway to this wing, a symbol of what this place stood for.

My throat tightened slightly, something I wasn’t particularly used to when it came to public speaking. I never had a problem before, but tonight was different. Tonight was closer to my heart than any business deal I’d ever done before.

This was more important.

This would save lives. Save sons and daughters from a lifetime of grief.

The crowd before me hushed as the head of the hospital put a pair of scissors in my hand.

“I want to thank you all for coming tonight,” I finally managed to say, doing my best to ignore the cameras that were recording my every word. “Some of you know mine and my sister’s history. You know we lost our parents to a fatal accident that might have been prevented had there been a trauma center like this nearby. It’s been my sister’s and my dream to ensure that hospitals and smaller cities have access to the resources they need to save lives. And I’m honored that all of you are here in order to witness that dream come true,” I said, clearing my throat when it cracked. “And we can only hope that this center will be the place that saves many lives to come.” I looked down at Bristol, feeling as if we’d come to a pinnacle in both of our lives. Cutting this ribbon would be a healing moment in grieving our parents.

We’d always miss them, but there was something monumental about achieving this goal of ours, and when I reached out to the ribbon, I made sure that Bristol helped me cut it. The fabric fell apart, and the crowd erupted into applause. I wasn’t sure how my heart could feel so heavy and so light at the same time.

Bristol and I hugged before we welcomed everybody into the new center, doctors and nurses walking inside.

And when I released Bristol, despite all the reporters asking for more questions and more details, there was only one person I wanted to see, to talk to, and that was Aspen. I made my way to her through the crowd, effortlessly catching her when she wrapped her arms eagerly around my neck.

“I’m so proud of you,” she whispered into my ear.

I couldn’t speak. I just leaned my cheek against hers, closing my eyes as I inhaled deeply.

Having her here tonight, having her support, and holding her against me truly felt like I was holding my heart in my arms. She’d become a safe space for me, this non-judgmental and fully accepting space. She never asked me to change.

She may have started off as a business deal, but she’d quickly become something so much more.

“All right, everyone, we need to clear this space, but we’re having a celebration on the lower level in the conference room. We hope all of you can attend,” the head of the hospital announced.

I interlocked hands with Aspen and smiled down at her as I followed Bristol toward the elevators, waiting our turn to attend the celebration that would commemorate this great achievement of ours.

By the time we made it down to the party, I was surprised at how packed the room was. Benefactors, press, some of Bristol’s friends, and obviously me, Aspen, and Brecken made up only a small portion of the crowded room of attendees.

And it wasn’t until I’d mingled with a few of the people who approached me that I finally found my voice.

“I don’t know what I would do if you weren’t here,” I whispered into Aspen’s ear, sliding my hand along her lower back.

“You’re doing amazing,” she said, looking up at me. “Once this is all over, I’ll be here. I know how hard this must be for you, so I’ll be there when you need to let the mask down.”

“Aspen,” I breathed her name, leaning closer to her, my heart racing as the words I needed to say rose in my throat. “I⁠—”

“There’s my daughter,” a crass masculine voice cut over my words, seconds before a man inserted himself between us.

Aspen’s eyes flared wide, fear and shock swirling together as she stepped away from him. A woman quickly followed, stepping up to his right side and wearing a saccharine grin as she looked at Aspen.

“Why do you look so surprised, sweetheart?” the woman asked. She reached toward Aspen, like she meant to push some of her hair back, but Aspen flinched away from the touch.

It took me seconds to put two and two together. The final piece of the puzzle clicking together the second Brecken gasped as she returned from the drink table. Aspen immediately put herself in front of her little sister.

I quickly stepped to Aspen’s side instead of doing what my instincts were screaming at me to do, which was shield her entirely.

“You are not welcome here,” Aspen said, but her voice was a version of soft and shaky that I’d never heard before.

“Why wouldn’t we be welcome here?” her father asked. He brought a champagne flute to his lips and downed the contents in one gulp. From the way he was slurring his words, he’d already had more than his fair share. Her mother too.

“It’s an open party,” her mother said. “And to our surprise, when we saw the coverage on the event, who else would be on the arm of this man, but our daughter?” She leaned closer to Aspen, and I could smell the alcohol on her breath. “Such a smart girl to put your hooks into someone like him. I always said you were.” Her eyes trailed to Aspen’s stomach. “Are you pregnant?” she asked, her eyes shining with hope that had nothing to do with the joys of potentially being a grandparent.

Jesus, these people.

“Leave,” Aspen said.

“No,” her father said loudly enough to draw the attention of the people closest to us. He snatched another champagne flute from a tray a server was carrying, nearly causing the young man to drop the rest of the drinks.

“If there’s something we need to discuss,” I finally spoke up. “I would be happy to speak to both of you outside.”

Aspen’s father’s eyes met mine, hazy with drink. “Oh, we do have things to discuss,” he said. “But right now, I’m trying to talk to my daughter.”

“You have nothing to discuss with him,” Aspen snapped. “You shouldn’t even be here. I’ve told you every time you’ve ever come around, we want nothing to do with you.”

“You ungrateful little bitch,” her mother whispered. “Is that how you treat your family?”

“Careful,” I warned.

“Why?” Her father asked. “You afraid of us making a scene in your fancy ass party? That’s the least of what we’ll do.”

“Cross,” Aspen said, drawing my attention down to her. “We should call security.”

I nodded, making eye contact with the security details that had blended into the crowd across the room. One nod and they started making their way over.

“Security may throw us out,” her father said. “But we’ll keep coming back. You know that, Aspen. And you owe it to us. We raised you. If you want us to leave you alone, your new boyfriend is going to have to pay.”

“Jesus Christ,” Aspen muttered under her breath, her hand trembling in mine.

Brecken was in tears behind her, but kept her spine straight as she stood behind her sister.

“That’s right,” her father continued. “You finally did one smart thing in your pathetic, idiotic life. You hooked yourself a good one here. We looked him up. And if you don’t want us knocking on your door every day, all you have to do is write a check.”

“I’m not paying you anything,” I said calmly.

I worried about this situation happening since the moment Aspen told me about her parents. Honestly, I was surprised it’d taken them this long to find us.

“You can lay your empty threats on us all you’d like,” I continued. “But you will not receive one dime from me.”

Her father’s face screwed up like he tasted something sour. “She’s not worth it to you?” he asked, sneering at her. “You may have dressed her up to look like one of your dumb debutants, but under underneath all that fancy fabric she’s still what she’s always been, a selfish little whore⁠—”

I swung.