15. Hadley

15

HADLEY

H adley leaned against the wooden wall in the children's event center. The faint light from her phone cast an eerie glow around the small room. She'd been staring at the message from Gage for a quarter of an hour, and her heart rate still matched the thunder of horse hooves as the wranglers drove them home every morning.

Gage: Red Bend. 9.

He said he'd meet her later, but what was she supposed to do with this? The map on her phone showed a road called Red Bend about a twenty-minute drive out of town, and she assumed the number was the time. Or was it the street number?

The clock on her phone turned over to 8:35 and she shoved it in her pocket. No sense waiting around if she was planning to meet him.

After misunderstanding his message earlier, she didn't want to mix things up again. She couldn't forget the fire in Gage's eyes when he'd walked straight up to her only to shove her back in the car with a warning.

Ugh. She'd thought he meant the place they were meeting was changing. Since his uncle's place was open to the public, she didn't think it would be dangerous.

Walking through the night to her car wasn't scary, but the thought of facing Gage was enough to make her feet heavy. He definitely wasn't happy with her right now. Maybe she'd thrown a wrench into everything.

She gripped the wheel and glanced at the dining hall. Everyone was still hanging out. Should she tell Cheyenne where she was going just in case she ran into trouble?

No, she trusted Gage.

But did she trust his family? Absolutely not.

Hadley shifted the car into gear and headed out of town. Her breaths were uneven and shaky as she prayed. What could she do to fix things? Why did she go to his uncle's today?

Because she wanted to see Gage that badly. It had been easy enough to get directions to his uncle's garage. It was listed as a business on Google. Anyone could drive up in that lot at any point in time and ask to get their tires rotated or whatever else mechanics did for vehicles. She hadn't thought much about showing up in the middle of the day.

What was Gage going to say? Probably not anything good.

She turned onto Red Bend Road and slowed the car to a crawl. This was where Gage wanted to meet? It looked like the setting of a horror movie! There was no way he had anything good to say to her if he wanted to meet in the absolute middle of nowhere after dark.

Driving slowly, she searched both sides of the road. No houses. No buildings. No other cars. Just woods and darkness.

"Turning around. I am turning around right now because I'm not gonna be an idiot twice in one day."

She turned a slight curve and met the first vehicle. The headlights illuminated a familiar truck facing her. Gage was stopped in the middle of the road with his left blinker on.

How long had he been sitting there? He couldn't have given her a meeting place with an actual address?

She turned in front of his truck and crept along a bumpy unmarked road. Trees grew so close to the path she could hear the branches scraping against the sides of his truck as he followed her. When the path opened up to a small clearing, she drove toward the middle, and Gage parked beside her .

Please don't let him kill me. Please don't let him kill me.

Gage shut off his truck and stepped out. She could barely see him in his dark shirt and pants against the moonless night. He opened the passenger door of her car and slid inside.

Hadley sucked in a deep breath as his tall and broad body filled up the tiny space in her cab, kinda like he'd taken up all the space in her head lately. He was so much bigger than her, but she didn't feel the need to run from him. His nearness soothed the unease she'd been carrying around all day.

He propped an elbow on the console, leaning toward her and erasing all the distance between them. "You have to get a new car."

Her brows scrunched into a frown. "What?"

"You need a new car. Like, now. Do you know anyone who could trade cars with you for a while?"

"Um, no. In case you haven't noticed, I'm new ‘round here." She didn't need to thicken her Southern accent to get the point across.

"They all know your purple car now. There's probably not another one like this in the whole state." Gage tore off his ball cap and tossed it onto the dash before running his fingers through his hair.

"I don't go into town a lot. I've been staying home even more since…" Oh good gravy, she'd almost spilled the beans about Thea staying with her. "Since I'm working so much. "

"Why in the world did you go there today? I think you scared about ten years of life out of me."

He'd been scared today, and she was the cause of it. Well, half the cause. His family was where the real fear came from. She didn't want him to worry about her, but knowing he was worried about her stirred the pot of feelings bubbling in her middle.

"It's a place of business!" Despite her adamant defense, she didn't expect Gage to be won over by it.

Gage turned to face her again, and the softness in his eyes had her wishing she could take back her excuse.

"Hadley, they can't know about you. I'm already worried sick about Thea, and I can't stomach the thought of them getting a hold of you too."

Any fire in her middle died instantly. Gage put on a terrifying front, but he was a nice guy–a nice guy who looked like he wanted to throat-punch someone while he confessed how much he cared about her.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

Gage hung his head, but his jaw tensed back and forth. Silence hung in the cab around them until he reached for her hand. Slowly, he threaded his fingers with hers and squeezed.

Hadley stared at the link between them as her heart rate kicked into another gear. Touch had never been something she cared for, but every time Gage touched her, she lit up like a Christmas tree from the inside. The strength in his hand seeped into her palm, calming her doubts and indecisions.

"Tell me something," Gage whispered.

"Like what?"

"Anything. I just want to hear your voice."

Shoot. She was in trouble. The stakes rose higher every day, but she was sinking deeper and deeper into Gage's arms.

"I heard from Thea today."

"And?" he prompted.

"I think she misses Brett."

"That's okay, as long as she isn't with him."

Hadley sat up straighter. "What? How can you say that? I'm almost positive those two are in love. She's just scared."

"If she's smart, she'll forget about him."

Hadley let out a huff. "Don't you care about her happiness?"

Gage sat up straighter. "I care. I care so much that I want her to stay alive. I know what my family does. They don't just jump to revenge. They're cunning. They'll wait for the right moment. And if they know that Thea is the way to hurt Brett, they won't let the opportunity pass."

Hadley swallowed a lump that was clogging her throat. "That's awful," she whispered. After hearing so much about the things the Howards and Pattons had done, she still had trouble understanding how people could be so evil .

"The Howards like to play with their food before they destroy it. They know that sometimes the way to hurt someone the most isn't by beating them to a pulp or breaking bones. It's by hurting the things they love most. And they'll want nothing more than to watch Brett have to suffer that loss. I care, and that's why I want her far away." He brushed his thumb over the back of her hand. "You shouldn't be here with me either. It's not safe."

"I trust you," she whispered into the darkness.

It was true. If anyone could find a way to break away from the madness that he'd been raised in, it was Gage. He was careful and smart. He was trying to help his sister, and now, he was trying to keep Hadley out of trouble too.

Gage turned to face her and leaned closer. They were mere inches apart, but the darkness hid the little nuances in his expression. If he was feeling half of what was in her heart right now, they were both in trouble.

"I'd do anything for Thea, and she's stuck in this because of blood. You're free to go. The smart thing to do is drive away tonight and never look back."

"I… I don't think I can do that."

Could she? Could she walk away and act like the moments she'd spent with Gage didn't mean anything? Could she leave him to protect his sister on his own, care for an ailing mom, and try to navigate the politics of his family alone? She wasn't helping, but did it mean anything to him that she was on his side? That she believed he could be the change that could break his family curse?

"You should. I don't have anything to give you except my protection. I know what it's like to fight for the things I want, and I'll fight for you." He brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear and let his fingers trail down her jaw, then up again to cup her cheek. His skin was cold like the Wyoming night, but the chill reminded her that this moment was real. "But you're better off walking away."

She placed her hand over his where it rested on her cheek. "You're a good man, Gage. I believe in you."

He scoffed. "No one has ever mistaken me for the hero, sunshine. My family knows how to raise heartless legacies. You hate, and you hate, and you hate until you die. Life sucks."

"But you're trying. You're making a big effort to be different. That counts for something."

"No. No one gets awards for trying and failing."

She squeezed his hand and scooted closer. "When I first met you, I was afraid you were awful like them."

"I am," he said quickly, breathing heavily as he held his ground.

"No, you're not. I see you, and I see good."

Gage shook his head but kept his gaze locked on her. "There's something wrong with your vision. "

"There isn't. One day, you'll see it too."

"I'm not in the running for man of the year, Hadley. What you see is what you get, and it doesn't get better than this. I'm not digging out of a hole. I'm stuck in it."

"Stop talking about yourself like you're a monster."

His fingers slid into her hair and his powerful hand flexed, holding her tight. "Stop talking like I'm someone who can be saved. It just makes it harder to walk away."

Hadley gripped his arm. "Don't. We can figure this out together."

"There's no figuring things out. This is my life, and you deserve better. I'm not great. I deserved every night I've spent in jail."

Hadley relaxed and adjusted herself in the seat. "Listen, we have a lot to talk about. First thing being the way you talk about yourself like you're garbage."

"Hadley, it's not self-deprecating. It's just the truth."

"I don't care. It starts now. No more talking like that."

Gage huffed. "When did you get so bossy?"

"Next, we need to come up with a plan. You need to figure out a way to get out of there and save the parts of your family who need protecting."

"Okay. I'll get right on that. "

"I don't care for your sarcastic tone. I'm being serious."

"I am too. It's not easy to just leave. I know everything my family does. Spoiler alert, it's not legal. You think they're just gonna let me walk away?"

"Brett and Jess left their family. They've had normal lives for the last five years."

"We wiped out the two patriarchs. They don't have anyone pushing for revenge."

"Why don't you talk to Brett? He was just as adamant about protecting Thea when she was here. You two are basically on the same side now."

Gage threw his hands in the air. "Seriously? He's a Patton."

"And as long as you keep thinking of him as the enemy, your situation isn't going to change. Brett isn't your enemy. He never was. Open your eyes, Gage. You want the same things!"

Gage took a few deep breaths and stared at the night outside the windshield. "Maybe you're right. I just…it's so hard to change something that I've thought for so long."

Hadley rested her hand on Gage's shoulder. "I know, but I really think a mindset change is what is going to help you get out of this mess."

Gage covered her hand with his. "All I can say is I'll try."

"Good, because I have another big idea. I want you to meet someone. "

"I'm really not the guy you want to take home to Mama."

"Not my mom. My boss." She'd been thinking over the idea for a while, but after Gage said he was open to hearing about the Lord, she couldn't think of a better person to share the gospel with Gage than Mr. Chambers.

"Um, am I in trouble or something?" Gage asked.

"Not in trouble." Hadley laughed. "He's a good man, and I think you could learn a lot from him."

"I'm not gonna pretend like I understand why you want me to meet your boss, but okay."

"Really?" Had she really expected him to say yes?

Gage rubbed his bearded cheek. "I'm starting to think I'll do anything you ask me to do, so try not to take advantage of me."

Hadley threw her arms around him and pulled him in tight. "Thank you!"

Gage wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in the crook of her neck. "Not sure what I did to deserve a hug, but I'd like to do it again soon."

"This is your warning. He's gonna talk to you about the Bible. It's something you need to hear."

Gage's hold on her didn't change as he whispered "Okay" against the sensitive skin of her neck.

"You'll listen?"

"I'll listen."

Hadley's phone dinged, and they both pulled out of the hug. Brett's name was written across the screen.

Brett: Are you okay?

Gage cleared his throat. "You talk to Brett a lot?"

There was a hint of unease in Gage's voice she didn't like. Lying to him about Thea was hard enough. She wouldn't lie to him about anything else. "Yeah. He was one of the first friends I made when I moved here."

"But the two of you are not–"

"No, we're not together. Never have been. But since I helped Thea out, he's been checking in on me. I think he's still spooked after what happened to Thea."

That was at least partly true. Brett was checking in on her. He was still staying at her place, even though he and Thea hadn't mended their fences yet.

Gage brushed the pad of his thumb over her chin. "Tell him I said thanks for looking out for you."

"I'm thankful for both of you. I should probably go before he figures out I'm on an unmarked road with a criminal."

That earned her a little chuckle out of Gage. His thumb brushed over her cheek, and he leaned in to press his lips to the soft skin. His beard raked against her as he pulled away.

Somehow all of the air in the cab had been sucked out all at once. Hadley turned her head a fraction of an inch, leaving their lips only a breath apart.

No one was around, and they weren't putting on a show. Gage kissed her because he wanted to, and the mere thought had her heart leaping off a cliff into the unknown.

Gage's deep breaths were close and warm, but he didn't pull away. She could lean the slightest bit, and their lips would touch.

His thumb lazily slid across her cheek and back to her chin. Was he going to kiss her before her heart exploded?

"Will you let me know when you make it home?" he asked.

Hadley nodded, unsure if she could trust her voice right now.

"Good night," Gage whispered before letting his hand fall away and opening the door.

Two seconds later, he was gone, and the car was eerily quiet until his truck roared to life.

Still shaky from her close encounter with Gage, she sent Brett a quick text letting him know she was on her way. She took her time and slowly drove back to the main road. Gage's headlights followed her to the edge of town before veering off onto a side road.

She tiptoed into the cabin, waving a quick good night to Brett before closing herself in her room. Alone in the darkness again, she couldn't help but wonder what it would have been like if Gage had kissed her tonight.