Page 54 of All This Time (Blossom Peak #1)

God, he looks incredible—and he’s mine.

Our eyes meet and he rushes over to me. “Elliot is asking questions, and I don’t have any answers to give him. Bring me up to speed.”

“Well, the only thing we know right now is that Tori was kissing some guy and now she’s gone. Henley went by their house and said all her stuff is gone.”

Fletcher turns to Henley. “Fuck. What the hell?”

“And apparently, she has an address in Nashville that she shares with a man named Barry Eggert,” Rhonan chimes in, gaining our attention.

“Who is that?” Dilynne asks.

Rhonan pulls some papers from his pocket displaying Tori and Barry’s picture on the paper. The gasp she lets out makes us all jump. “That’s the guy she took off with!”

“Let me see.” Fletcher says, taking the paper from Rhonan.

“Isn’t that her boss?” He snaps his fingers and then opens his phone to search for more information.

After a few minutes, he brings up the website for the talent agency that Tori works for, which just so happens to be owned by Barry Eggert.

“Why the fuck would she have acted so head-over-heels for Elliot and eager to marry him if she’s with her fucking boss? ”

“I need a better name for her than the Wicked Witch of the West,” Dilynne chimes in as we process this detail.

Fletcher turns to me. “I need to tell Elliot.”

Tears fill my eyes. “He doesn’t deserve this.”

“I know, but it’s better that he knows now than as he waits at the end of the aisle for a bride who’s not coming.”

Rhonan clears his throat. “Let me tell him.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I think he’s going to take it better coming from me, especially when I show him the proof.”

Fletcher turns to me for approval. I nod. “You’re probably right.”

Dilynne steps up to me, her lips pursed in irritation. “Do you want me to go out and send everyone home?”

“Yeah. I think it’s best if they’re all gone.”

Henley straightens his jacket. “I’ll tell the caterers to pack up too.”

“Thank you. All of you.”

Dilynne grabs my hand. “Of course. We’re family. We’ll get through this.”

I look around the room at my brother’s best friends, my best friend, and the man I’m in love with, knowing that no matter what happens today, Elliot will survive this because we all have each other.

The weight of what’s about to happen is sitting on my chest like a ton of bricks, but I know that our support system here will be the reason we get through this—because what’s happened to Elliot with Tori didn’t just happen to him—it happened to all of us.

A woman infiltrated our lives, lied to our faces, and made us believe she cared about a part of our family.

Fletcher and I find ourselves alone in the room.

He doesn’t let me say a word before his lips are on mine. “God, you look beautiful. I know we have other things to worry about, but I just needed to tell you that.”

“Thank you. I just can’t believe this is happening.”

“I know, angel. It’s fucking crazy.” Fletcher retreats from me as he looks off to the side of the room. “This is going to devastate him.” My bottom lip trembles as I stare at the things Tori left behind in the room. Fletcher notices and rushes over to me. “Hey, it’s going to be okay.”

“How can you be sure?”

“Because Elliot is one of the toughest people I know. He’s been through some shit, and he will survive this too. It’s better that he knows now, though, instead of finding out after they were married.”

“That’s true. I just… I know how much he wanted this, how quickly he fell into the idea of this new life…”

“Maybe that’s the problem. It was too quick.”

His words sit between us like a truth bomb we’re afraid will detonate if we speak.

The entire progression of our relationship has also moved incredibly quick these past few weeks. Does that mean we’re doomed to end tragically a second time?

Before I spiral too far, Fletcher leans down and presses his lips to mine. His touch reassures me. For the first time all day, I feel comfort, and as I deepen the kiss, a switch inside of me flips.

Fletcher matches my desperation, pulling me closer to him, fucking my mouth with his tongue. We drown in each other. I claw at his back. He cups my ass with his hands, pressing his erection into my stomach so I know he wants me just as badly as I want him.

The last thing we should be doing right now is letting our lust for one another drive our decisions, but right now, I just want to forget about what’s happening.

I move to push his coat from his shoulders, but a voice at the door stops me cold.

“What the fuck is going on here?”

Fletcher and I freeze, turning our heads slowly to find my brother and Elliot staring at us.

Rhonan’s eyes bounce between us as Fletcher releases me from his grasp.

“Rhonan…” Fletcher starts as I wrap my arms around my body.

“What the fuck is this?” My brother waves his hand between us. “You and my sister?”

Elliot’s eyes are bloodshot, his fists clenched at his sides. “You broke the pact, man.”

“Listen, it’s not what it looks like…” Fletcher takes a step toward Rhonan.

“Jesus Christ,” Henley mutters behind my brother, shutting the door. “I guess we’re doing this now, too.”

“Then what is it?” my brother asks. “Because to me it looks like you were about to fuck my sister in our winery.” His eyes move around the room as anger wafts off him.

“God, I fucking knew it. That night with the popcorn cart…” He turns to me.

“I asked you if something was going on, and you lied to me.”

“I know—” I’m cut off before I can attempt to explain.

“You fucking violated bro code, Fletch.” Elliot’s voice is low, almost void of any emotion, but the intensity of his body is saying otherwise.

“This isn’t just some fling, okay?” Fletcher explains. “I’m in love with her…”

My heart stops. But before I can process his declaration, Henley takes a step forward, holding my brother back.

Rhonan shoves him off. “Love? You don’t know the first thing about love!”

“You’re right. I don’t, but—”

Elliot’s laugh is maniacal. “Love? Love is a fucking joke!” He points a finger at Fletcher. “You lied to Rhonan! And you knew Tori was gone and didn’t fucking tell me!”

“That’s my fucking sister, asshole!” Rhonan shouts, stepping toward Fletcher.

I move to stand in front of him, but I’m too slow.

Rhonan cocks his fist back and swings at Fletcher’s face, forcing me and Fletcher to both stumble back.

The sound of Rhonan’s fist connecting with Fletcher’s nose is enough to make my stomach turn.

“Rhonan!” I scream, but Elliot rushes him next.

“You motherfucker!” Elliot’s fist collides with Fletcher’s ribs, causing him to fold in two.

“Easy there, buddy.” Henley pulls my brother back before he can get another swing in.

I rush over to Fletcher, checking his face. Blood drips from his nose, staining his white shirt. When our eyes meet, I see the apology in his.

This wasn’t how this was supposed to go.

I twist to face my brother. “Rhonan! Are you out of your mind?”

“Yeah, I fucking am!” he yells, his voice echoing in the small space.

“Rhonan…” Fletcher starts, but my brother spins on him and moves to punch him again. Henley steps in front of him this time to stop him.

“Rhonan, that’s enough!”

“You’d better go, angel,” Fletcher says to me, ushering me toward the door.

“No. I’m not leaving you.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“You both need to fucking leave,” Henley barks out as Elliot grabs Tori’s makeup bag and throws it at the wall, glass and plastic shattering and spraying everywhere.

“Fucking bitch!”

Henley motions for us to move. “Let him have his moment, and Rhonan needs time to calm down too.”

Rhonan glares at us as we leave. “You’re supposed to be one of my best friends…” my brother grates out as we move toward the door.

Fletcher pushes me through the door, following closely behind.

“Jesus Christ,” he mutters as he rests his back against the wood.

The sound of Elliot taking his anger out on the bridal suite continues as we stand there, and Rhonan’s voice is booming as he yells at Henley for not telling him about us.

“You’re bleeding,” I say, reaching up toward Fletcher’s face. I take the pink silk square from his tux and wipe it under his nose, pressing it to the opening to soak up the blood that’s still flowing.

“Your brother has a mean right hook.”

“Is it broken?”

Fletcher reaches up and pinches the bridge of his nose. “Doesn’t feel like it.” Sighing, he looks at me. “I’m sorry.”

“What are you apologizing for?”

“This wasn’t how this was supposed to go.”

“I know.” I drag my hand over the curve of his jaw. “But none of today has gone how it was supposed to, not just the part where my brother found out about us.”

He lifts my hand and kisses the top of it.

Dilynne races up to us. “Oh my God. What happened?” Guests are starting to gather in the main room, peeking down the hall to get a glimpse of the drama.

“Well, Rhonan and Elliot walked in on us kissing and they both punched Fletcher.”

Dilynne nods. “Yeah, I can see that.”

A loud crash comes from inside the bridal suite again. “Is Elliot…”

“Taking out his anger on the room?” I finish for her. “Yeah.” The emotions of the past hour catch up to me as tears fill my eyes. “I can’t believe this. God, that bitch…” The dam holding back my tears breaks as I start to cry.

Fletcher pulls me into his chest. “He’s going to be okay.”

And then something else dawns on me. “Where’s Ellis?”

“Joanne has her,” my father announces as he approaches. “What the hell happened to you?” he asks Fletcher.

“Rhonan found out about me and Laney,” he explains.

My dad’s brows draw together. “You two are together?”

Fletcher sighs as I swipe under my eyes, trying to gather myself. “Not officially, but if she’ll have me, she’s the only woman I want.” He reaches out for my hand. “The truth is I’ve been in love with your daughter for a very long time. It’s just taken me a while to admit it and finally act on it.”

My father clears his throat. “I see. Well, I can’t say I’m surprised…”

“Well, Rhonan was, apparently.” I look over at my father who’s taking tissue out of his pocket and handing it to Fletcher. “That’s him in there, screaming, and Elliot is the one throwing things.”

“Your brother will get over this if you two are happy. He’s just…very protective of you, Laney. We both are.”

My eyes find Fletcher’s, feeling the certainty I’ve been waiting for. “This is what I want, Dad. Fletcher is who I want.”

“But what about the pact?” Fletcher says as the corner of his mouth tips up.

“Fuck the pact,” Dilynne interjects. “I think it’s ridiculous that y’all even made it.” Of course I told my best friend about the ridiculous notion that these boys were going to dictate who we fell in love with.

Rhonan storms out of the bridal suite, and his eyes immediately land on Fletcher. “You’re still here? You’ve got some fucking nerve…”

“Jesus, I can’t handle you right now.” I push him back, grab Fletcher’s hand, and make my way out to the main room as eyes descend on me. Guests that haven’t left are waiting around, prying for more information, but I need to get out of here.

“Excuse me,” I say, pushing through the throngs of people in desperate need of fresh air. I can feel Dilynne, Dad, and my brother on our heels, but I don’t turn back.

Everything is falling apart around me, and I can feel a panic attack coming on.

Fletcher squeezes my hand, leading me to his truck as people stand off to the side, watching our every move.

When we finally make it to his truck, Fletcher’s dad is standing there, a pleased grin on his face and a glass of wine in his hand. And I have a feeling this day is about to get worse.