Page 37 of Run the Play (Nashville Rampage #2)

Chapter Twenty

R owan

The drive passes in a blur. My mind won’t stop replaying today’s events like a movie reel.

When we pull into Landry’s driveway, I’m surprised to see two cars.

One I recognize and one I don’t. We climb out of the van only to have Sloane race toward me and wrap me in a hug.

I return it one-armed because Landry refuses to let go of my hand, and if I’m being honest, I don’t want him to.

I love that when I told him I just wanted to go home, he brought me here.

Being in his arms, in his space, it calms me, settles the fear that was choking me when Chaz had me at his mercy.

“Are you okay? I’ll kill that fucker,” she seethes as she steps out of our embrace.

“I’m okay,” I assure her. My voice wobbles, giving me away.

It’s not okay. What he did was not okay, but I will be.

I have these amazing people here to support me, and this time, I’m not alone in my fight.

This time, I have shoulders to lean on, and Landry’s warm hand wrapped around mine.

I’m not okay. I’m shaking on the inside, but I refuse to give him more than that.

Chaz Brown has stolen so much from me. I won’t give him anything more.

“Thanks, Mrs. Ward,” Baker says. I turn at the sound of his voice and see that Mrs. Ward was in the car I didn’t recognize. Baker takes Camden out of his seat and kisses his cheek before walking toward us. “Hey, buddy,” he coos to the baby. “I think Aunt Rowan could use some cuddles.”

Aunt Rowan.

Tears prick my eyes as I take Camden into my arms. “Hey, little guy.” I snuggle into him, and he coos up at me.

My teary gaze finds Baker. “Thank you.” Holding the baby close, I take in his scent and the innocence of his life.

I let it ground me. Cam coos up at me, and I smile.

This precious little boy is more proof that there is good in this world.

Today could have ended much worse, and I’m so damn thankful Landry came looking for me, and in turn the guys and Coach Warner came looking for him.

Baker nods and walks back toward the nanny, grabbing a couple of bags from the back seat of her car.

“What’s going on?” I ask.

“Well,” Corie says, coming to stand in front of me, “I thought you might want to do a family sleepover.” She shrugs. “And we can’t do that without this little guy.” She rubs her hand down Camden’s back.

“Really?” I turn to look at Landry. My chest explodes with love and gratitude.

“Say the word, and we send them home.”

I shake my head. “A family sleepover sounds perfect.” I blink to fight back my tears.

Landry wraps his arms around me from behind and kisses my cheek.

“Reynolds, what do you got to eat in this place?” Reid asks. He winks at me as he moves toward the front door.

Landry tosses him the keys, and Reid unlocks the door. We all file in behind him.

“How about a shower?” Landry asks. I nod, and he takes Camden from my arms. He smiles down at the baby before passing him to Corie. “We’ll be back,” he says, not offering further explanation as he guides me to his bedroom.

“I’ll wait out here for you,” he tells me.

“What? No. I want you with me.”

“Are you sure?”

“Unless you don’t want to see me….” My voice trails off.

“Baby, I never want you to leave my side again. I want to be stuck to you like glue. I didn’t want to push you or make you feel uncomfortable.”

“I need you to help me erase him.”

His throat bobs as he swallows hard. “I’ll give you whatever you need.”

Stepping into his space, I place my hands on his cheeks. “I need you, Landry Reynolds.”

He bends, pressing his forehead to mine. “I’m yours. All yours, Rowan.”

I don’t know how long we stand here, foreheads pressed together, hands clasped.

Eventually, I pull away and lead us into the bathroom.

Quickly, I strip out of my clothes, ignoring the aches and pains, and turn on the water.

I don’t look back to see if Landry is stripping.

I know he is. I know this man. He’s a part of my soul and owns every single piece of my heart.

When he says he’s mine, I believe him with all that I am.

Once the water is warm, I step under the spray, letting the hot water rain down on me.

Tilting my head forward, I let the warmth penetrate my shoulders.

My neck and shoulders are stiff, my head hurts where he was yanking on my hair, and my arm is bruised from where he grabbed me and pulled me into the shower room with him.

My knees are throbbing, and I’m sure will bruise as well.

As I mentally catalogue my injuries, I remind myself that it’s over.

I’m safe, and have a house full of people who care about me.

A set of strong, muscular arms wrap around me gently, and I don’t hesitate to lean into him.

I hiss in pain, and he tries to move away, but I place my hands over his arms to stop him. “Don’t go.”

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Not holding me would hurt me.”

“Your injuries,” Landry says, his voice cracking.

I turn in his arms. “You saved me.”

“I should have been there. I’m so sorry, my love,” he says, his voice gravelly.

“You were there, Landry. You came for me. You fought for me. You and the guys, and even Coach. This time I wasn’t alone.”

“Fuck,” he rasps, bending his forehead to press against mine.

I’ve had several unfortunate events with Chaz, like the one I experienced today. However, today is different. Today, I have the love and support of my family and this amazing man behind me. I didn’t have to fight him alone, and that makes all the difference.

I ran before, but this time, I’m not running. When I first found out that Chaz was being traded, that’s where my mind went. Not anymore. Never again. I won’t run from him. Instead, I’m going to stand up and fight. I’ll tell my story and pray justice will prevail.

“I don’t want to run,” I tell Landry.

“Please don’t,” he says, his voice pleading.

“I hate that your name is going to be dragged into this.”

“I don’t fucking care about that shit. What matters is how you’re coping with all of it. I’ll be beside you every step of the way.” There’s determination in his voice, and I know it will be shining in his eyes.

Pulling back, I tilt my lips into a small smile. I see his resolve, but I also see a tenderness he doesn’t show everyone. I see love, so much love, and it makes my heart skip a beat.

“I love you.”

His eyes widen, then soften as his lips curve upward. He rests his palms against my cheeks while I press my bare hands against his hard chest. Hard on the outside, soft and gooey on the inside, that’s my Landry.

“I love you so fucking much.” He bends to press a kiss to my lips.

I accept it eagerly. Hungrily. “The moment I walked into that room and saw you,” he says, pulling away, “my heart dropped to my feet. I wanted to scream the words to you. I wanted you to know that I was there and that I love you so fucking much. You’re my entire world, Rowan. ”

“This is going to be a fight,” I tell him. I know he’s with me on this. I can see it in his eyes, feel it in his touch, but for me, I need to make sure he knows he can walk away. “I won’t blame you if you want to walk away.”

“I’d be leaving myself behind,” he tells me. “There isn’t a world in which you and I don’t exist as one.”

“Sweet words, number one,” I tease, lightening the mood.

“Only for you, baby. He’ll get what’s coming to him. I promise you that.”

Fear and worry for what happens next washes over me.

“I’m sorry for any heat or unnecessary drama this brings to your doorstep.

” I feel bad that the media is most likely going to rake us over the coals, but then again, maybe justice will win.

Perhaps it will only be Chaz who will do the time for his crimes.

“Stop. This is our home, it’s our doorstep, and they can bring it all they want.

They won’t get inside. Not in here.” He removes his hands and places one on his chest over his heart and one over mine.

“And not beyond these walls. This is our home. Our safe space. We’ll deal with whatever comes our way. Together.”

“You said our home.”

“You’re moving in with me.”

“Oh, am I?” I ask, unable to hide my smile. I want nothing more than to live here with him. I’m ready to start the next chapter of our lives together. No more letting fear hold me back. I have nothing to fear with Landry.

“You are. This is where you belong with me. You stay here most of the time anyway. Why not make it official?”

“If you insist,” I say, leaning to place a kiss on his chest.

“That was easier than I thought it would be,” he says, laughing.

“Don’t expect me to be this docile with every decision we make,” I warn him.

“I don’t care as long as I get to call you mine.” He reaches around me and grabs the shampoo. “I know your head has to hurt. I’ll be gentle.”

“I can do it.” I wince. Just thinking about it hurts.

“Let me take care of you. I was so scared, Rowan. I was afraid to step in, terrified you might get hurt worse. I was frozen with fear. I need to take care of you. Please let me.”

“Okay,” I say, my shoulders sagging with relief. He’s my other half, and I need to lean on him right now. He makes my heart happy, and knowing he wants to take care of me, fills me with more love than I ever knew I was capable of.

He does just that. He takes his time washing my hair and then conditioning it. He uses steady, gentle hands to cleanse my body. His expression is mixed with pain and anger as he washes over my bruises. I take my turn with him, and by the time we’re done, I no longer feel Chaz’s hands on me.

Only Landry’s.

We put on lounge clothes, I pull my hair up in a wet knot on top of my head, and we head back to our family, who are waiting on us.

We find them in the kitchen. Corie and Sloane have made spaghetti and garlic bread.

I take a minute to look around the room at each of them.

What happened today was terrifying, but knowing I’m not alone, that I have all of these amazing people in my corner, it eases the hurt and washes away the fear that threatened to choke me in the moment.

“Brownies are in the oven,” Sloane tells me. “We thought something sweet would hit the spot.”

“Thank you for this—all of you. I love you guys,” I say, my voice cracking. “I’m so used to being alone.”

“Not anymore,” Knox says.

“I know. You’ve all accepted me into your lives, and for the first time, I feel like I have a support system.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for driving back with me and staying tonight.

” I peer up over my shoulder at Landry, who’s got his arms wrapped around my waist from behind.

“I wanted to spend tonight with my family.”

“Dammit, Rowan!” Corie says. She comes around the island and pulls me out of her brother’s arms and into hers. “Are you okay?” she whispers in my ear.

“I’m okay,” I assure her. However, I don’t whisper the words. I say them loud and clear so that everyone can hear.

“Well, move over, Core. You’re not the only one who wants a hug.” Sloane pushes Corie playfully out of the way and hugs me tightly. “We’ve got you,” she assures me.

And they do. I know they do.

The guys all take their turn, much to Landry’s dismay. They give him a hard time about it, and he just shrugs. Knox mumbles, “I told you so,” and everyone laughs.

It’s the perfect end to a shitty day. I’m surrounded by these amazing people—my family. I’m not sure if they chose me or if I chose them, but either way, we’re here together, and that’s what matters.

“Let me take him so you can eat,” I tell Baker. I steal baby Camden out of his arms and move to settle on a stool at the end of the island.

“You want me to make you a plate?” Landry asks.

“Nah, I’ll eat in a little while. I just want to sit here for a few minutes.

” I smile down at the baby in my arms and can’t help but hope that one day, I’ll be snuggling my son or daughter.

I can see Landry being a daddy, being his protective yet playful self.

It’s a life I barely dared to dream about, and now, it’s playing out like a movie reel in my mind.

That’s my future.

That’s what I have to look forward to.

Landry makes himself a plate and comes to stand next to me. He drops a kiss on my temple, then does the same to Camden. The room is filled with love and laughter, and after this horrible day, I can’t think of a better way to end it.

“I do have one favor,” I say, and all eyes turn my way.

“What’s up?” Foster asks.

“How do you feel about helping me move all of my things?”

“Where are you moving to?”

“Here,” Landry says. “To our home. Where she belongs.”

“You know we got you,” Foster tells me.

“Yeah, I mean, you can’t depend on Landry. It’ll never get done. Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” Reid asks with a mischievous grin.

“Just wait, Montgomery. You’re going to fall head over ass for a lady, and I hope she gives you hell,” Landry tells him.

Reid chuckles before turning to look at Baker and Foster. “Don’t drink the water. It’s contagious. Two down,” he says, shaking his head.

“I have a son to raise,” Baker reminds him. “Relationships are the last thing on my mind.”

“I found her once,” Foster says, surprising us all. “If drinking the water was all I had to do to bring her back, I’d never stop.”

Knox lays a hand on Foster’s shoulder. It’s a silent comfort that we’re all there for him. As far as I know, Foster never talks about this woman, and from the shocked faces, I’m pretty sure I’m right. One day, he’ll tell us. When he’s ready to talk, we’ll be here to listen.