The Next Day (Foothills Book 2) by Carrie Thorne (christmas read aloud TXT) 📕

He grinned. “These guys are handy to have around.” Trotting toward Zane, Jonah threw out his hand to introduce himself now that Zane’s hands were free, Toby in cuffs and being escorted to one of the police cars. Zane was so calm, so at ease despite everything that had happened. She was nauseous from the adrenaline letting down, but Zane looked like this was an easy stroll in the park.

The ambulance pulled in and Sienna said to Freya, “Thanks again. Really. Your husband, he’s a good guy. Those are hard to find.”

“I know. Look, you take care of yourself, okay?”

“I will. Please, come on over to Larissa’s sometime for some pie. My treat this time.” She crossed the driveway, her spine straight and her head held high, despite her hand gripping her ribs and the hitch in every step as she approached the paramedics that were already heading her way.

One of the police officers was talking with Susan and Craig, Jonah still chatted with Zane, and the others were already stuffing Toby into the squad car, one paramedic strolling over to check on him. Freya stuffed her hands in her pockets, her focus homing in on Zane. He was warming up, a full smile on his face when she reached his side.

As she neared, he stepped close and wrapped his arm around her, tucking her against him. “No, uh, thanks though. Asher already tried to convince me to join you guys. Not interested.”

Jonah laughed with him, “Worth a shot.”

Freya melted into Zane’s side as her adrenaline plummeted. Her legs about crumpled beneath her. This may be routine for him, but the fear of losing him was entirely new to her.

He planted a kiss on her temple, then nodded to Jonah, “Are we good here? I mean, you can swing by anytime if you need anything, but we were just heading out for a walk.”

Gaze notably falling at the bling on each of their left ring fingers, Jonah nodded to Freya, the corner of his mouth teasing up. “You know, my mother is about the biggest gossip in town and does Zumba with Tammy. I can’t believe I didn’t know you’d gotten married.”

She shoved her left hand into her pocket. “Well, I mean…”

Zane cleared his throat, but didn’t say anything.

“It’s a really long story,” she bit her lip as it wavered between laughing and crying.

“Well, congratulations either way. You guys can head on your way and I’ll swing by or give you a call sometime in the next few days.”

Zane linked hands with Freya and they walked over to his stunned parents. As soon as they saw him approaching, Susan and Craig leaped over and wrapped their arms around them both, passing back and forth with emotional hugs and tears. Fingers laced together, Zane didn’t let go of Freya.

Susan released Zane long enough to let Craig have a turn, then hugged him again before wiping a juicy tear from her cheek. “I guess I…”

Craig nodded, standing back and taking in the scene, the blood on the gravel, the tow truck coming down the driveway for the truck, the police cars clearing out. “That was something else. I… you…”

Zane stepped out of their grip and nodding to the driveway. “Let’s go for that walk.”

Susan shook her head, “But Zane, you, and that…”

He shrugged. “Yeah. That. We could go back inside and hash and rehash and I could explain that’s the sort of shit I did the last twelve years of my life, but honestly? I’d rather get some fresh air.”

Turning, Zane looked at Freya with a heavy hopefulness. “Sound okay? Feel up to a walk with me?” His shirt was rumpled from the fight, his hair spiked rebelliously, an adoring glimmer in his look that said everything she wished he’d say.

She nodded. “Anytime.” Heart breaking a little more as he chipped away at her armor, she rose to press her lips to his. Breathless, she leaned her forehead against his.

She wanted to say everything that should be said, to ignore the fear that caged her heart, but she couldn’t do that to him. A romantic, he would agree. And then six months from now? When the thrill of the pheromones faded?

The marriage would be over in two days. How in the hell was she going to stand in front of a judge and say she didn’t love him, she didn’t want to stay married to him, and that she regretted the drunken mistake?

Zane deserved the freedom to decide who and when and how much. Not be stuck in a drunken mistake.

21

That Look

Zane trailed his hand along the angle of her jaw, stealing one last kiss. He didn’t give a damn that his parents were watching, not having a clue what was going on between them. That there were a dozen first responders beginning to clear out, a violent bastard of a man he’d just kicked the shit out of, and a tough but injured woman that had a long journey ahead of her… all with the potential to ruin a perfect sunny morning in which he held the woman he loved in his arms.

Could he really stand in front of a judge and declare this marriage was a mistake? His mouth opened to say the words that needed to be said, but as usual, his timing fucking sucked.

Freya’s phone buzzed in a cheerful jingle. Chest still heaving from the kiss or the adrenaline or… all of it, she pulled her phone from her pocket. Her brow scrunched at the number. She held her finger up and wandered up the stairs, answering, “Hello?”

His parents turned and started to speak to him. He shook his head, placing his finger over his lips let them know it wasn’t the time. Feet light on the steps, he followed Freya.