Page 45 of Hard to Love

“Yes, you should have. Yet, that’s not how you fucked up.” One stands there, glaring at me.

“What? What else did I do?” Throwing my hands out to the side as I shrug.

“Learning you had a wife and child was devastating to all of us, especially Thayer. Yet, that’s not what made her walk away.” What the fuck is he saying?

“So enlighten me.” Leaning back against my truck again.

“Hardy, if you would step aside and consider her, you would know what the problem is. But you’ve got your head so far up your own ass with this, ‘I’m not worth it's bullshit. Fuck that. Get your head outta your ass or lose her for good. Do you hear what I’m telling you?” His hands are now tightly fisted.

“I know. I was there.” I hang my head as my eyes begin to water.

“So you know she said yes? And you did nothing?” Shaking his head as his mouth twists into a smirk. He’s gone entirely rigid.

“What was I supposed to do? He’s an attorney. He can give her everything I can’t, goddamn it.” Pushing away from my truck, I’m in his face quick as lightning.

“Yeah, he can give her everything but one thing, asshole.” Stepping forward as his voice rises, he pokes me in the chest. We’re standing nose to nose, and all I can think about is how much Thayer looks like him. Fuck.

“Okay, fine. I give up. What the fuck is it?” I say, flailing my arms in the air.

“He’s not you. She may be faking it now, but one day she’ll regret marrying a man she didn’t love the way she loves you. We both know how that ends, don’t we?” One searches my eyes for an unspoken understanding.

I hear him loud and clear.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Walker

The buzzing from the office shredder resounds in my ears. Standing here, all I can think is, what the fuck did I just do? I’m an attorney. Sworn to uphold the truth. There are laws against what I just did. What the fuck? All over a woman.

Checking the door, the offices are still dark, so I grab the bag of trash, making a mad dash to my office. Shoving the trash into my gym bag, I pick up my briefcase and get the hell out of there. What am I thinking? Reaching my car, I throw my bag in the back. Sliding into the seat, I draw a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves.

Once I’m calm enough to drive, I open the console and pull out the black box waiting inside. The ring: a four-carat French-Set Halo Diamond, has been sitting there for two weeks.

Making the final turn before her house, my mind races. What if she says no? I know she still loves him. I just need enough time to show her I can love her better. Hardy has nothing to offer her. He’s always been a prick. Nothing but trouble.

I’m a good man. My actions a few minutes ago were for her protection. That’s what you do when you love someone. You protect them. He’s no good for her, she’ll see. With time, she’ll understand true love and know she was always in better hands with me.

Parking my car, I can see her waiting at the door. Still, I glance around, looking for him. He’s here. I have proof. I have lots of information I shouldn’t have. Grabbing the box, I open my door with more determination than ever before. Hardy will never have her again.

Running to her as she waits by the front door for me, I get right to it. Asking her to marry me took her by surprise, I know. But the man standing in the dark was even more surprised. That makes me smile as she says yes and kisses me, accepting my ring and proposal.

The next day, we decide not to wait. Well, with a bit of prodding from my mother and me, Thayer finally agrees. We’ll be getting married on Thanksgiving, just two weeks from now. We both know we don’t need a big wedding, but I’m making it one for everyone to see. Especially Hardy.

He needs to understand there’s nothing left here for him. It’s time to move along. Thayer’s mine, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her. Even lie. Long after he’s gone, I’ll explain to her. She’ll be so in love with me it won’t even matter. There’ll be no need to ask for forgiveness; she’s the best at looking past someone’s mistakes.

The weeks progress rapidly as the wedding draws closer. We visit the church Thayer’s family attends. I grew up in the next town over, Shallotte. We have a church there, but I wanted Thayer to be happy with the choice. We meet with the florists and the minister. There’s no time to order tuxes, so we opt for suits.

Thayer asks her sister-in-law, Lea, to be her matron of honor. I’m shocked when she agrees. I thought One wouldn’t want her to. She also asks her friend, Christy, to be her bridesmaid. We plan to honor my late sister’s memory during the ceremony. I miss Sallie every day. I wish she could be here.

Sallie was four years older than me; we were inseparable when we were young. When she got accepted into the University of North Carolina, we were all so proud. Her future was so bright, as she aspired to be an attorney. She’s the reason I decided to become one.

She’s also the reason we left Chapel Hill. After her death, my parents just couldn’t stay there. Everything reminded them of her. Her death was devastating to them. I would never pretend to understand their grief. It’s a personal journey for everyone. Nevertheless, moving to a new town as a teenager isn’t what we all dream of.

It was hard for my little brother and me. We grieved for Sallie, but we also wanted our old friends and school. Sallie’s death devastated my family in so many ways. I sympathize with families who have lost someone; I know how hard it is when a loved one is murdered. I do everything I can for domestic violence victims. It’s what Sallie would’ve wanted.

I’m sure it’s what drove my desire to protect Thayer from a less than savory life with someone like Hardy Turner. His past drug addiction would be enough for me to protect her. But given the information of his deceased wife, I know I need to do it for her own good.

Running into her at the grocery store that day was fate. We were meant to be together. I remember seeing Thayer cheer at a high school football game under those Friday night lights. She was every guy’s wet dream.