Page 43 of Starting Over with You (Beer League Belles #2)

CHAPTER

FORTY

Kenni

“Darlin’, I’ve been in love with you since before you ever asked if I was going to kiss you or not.”

Dean’s words crash into me with the force I used on my white plate on the first day I got to Thistlebrook.

One thing is for sure, Dean’s name was nowhere on that plate.

My eyes burn as I rage-clean the living area.

It was one thing to hear the truth from my sister—as her blood, I wanted to be mad that Dean embarrassed her like that.

But then, the girl who has always been so utterly obsessed with him preened.

He thought of me, he wanted me, and I was wasting my life with a man who couldn’t even love me with an ounce of what Dean felt.

I was so upset that he hadn’t told me, but when did I tell him?

When did I admit that kissing him was the best moment of my life?

When did I admit that I’d watched his games and imagined being the one he kissed after a damn good game and even the bad ones?

Did I admit that I’d watched him when I knew he wasn’t looking just so I could memorize the sharp angles of his jaw?

Or that I cried when he got Missy pregnant, or that I almost named one of the boys Dean just to keep him close?

No, I never admitted any of that. Nor did I admit that I have fallen so fucking in love with him that I can’t picture a day without him.

That in the last nineteen years, I’ve only focused on the big moments.

Making sure my boys were loved and taken care of.

The house always clean and presentable. Along with myself.

I never had a hair out of place, and I always wore makeup.

When Stratford claimed it didn’t feel good to fuck me, I sucked his cock like it was the best thing in the world.

I made sure the big things consumed me, but with Dean, it’s all the little things instead.

His laughter that feels like home. A silent moment never being truly silent.

His presence causes everything to slow down and make sense.

I’ve wanted for so long to be happy, and in a month, I’ve learned that true happiness isn’t loud.

It doesn’t knock or announce itself. No, it can tiptoe right in there with a coffee from Noelle’s or by buckling my seat belt.

It can be his hand on the small of my back, the way he twirls me on the floor with his eyes locked on mine, or how he is always there to care for me.

I’ve been home a month, and I couldn’t have prepared for him.

And I sure as hell can’t imagine my life without him.

I lean against the island and open our chat.

Thousands of messages stare back at me, and each one fills my cup like nothing else.

With a smile, I type quickly.

Me

When will you be home?

Dean

Around 3, Wagner is in Knoxville with his mom. I told him I’d cover for him, but he says it’s fine and he’ll come back. I’m a bit worried about it, but he’s a man. I can’t tell him what to do.

My heart swells. God, he’s so good.

Me

I miss you.

Dean

Oh, my darlin’, I stay missing you.

I bite my lip.

Me

I wish I hadn’t pushed you away last night.

Dean

You didn’t push me away. You asked for space.

Me

I should have brought you inside.

Dean

Now we’re talking.

Dean

Because I might not be a weatherman, but you can expect some inches tonight.

Now I’m cackling. I can’t with him.

Me

I’m about to call you my Kindle…

Me

Because I want to take you to bed for hours and forget the world exists.

Dean

I HAVE MET MY MATCH!

Dean

Marry me. Now. Right now. I’ll meet you at the courthouse.

Dean

No underwear so I can take you on the side of the building.

I’m snorting, my laughter as loud and wild as he makes me feel. He has to be joking, but damn it if I’m not considering jumping right into another marriage if it means I’ll be Dean Moore’s wife.

Before I can text back, though, my phone rings with a call from Flint. I already spoke to the boys this morning, so my heart spirals into full mom panic mode as I answer.

“Hey, honey. You good?”

The moment he speaks, I know he’s not. “I’m fine, promise. But I was on Life360 to get the address where Ash is, and I noticed that Dad is in Thistlebrook.”

I clench the side of the island. “What?”

“Yeah. He’s, like, right outside of town. I called him, but he declined my call.”

What. The. Fuck.

“I don’t know what he’s doing, and I almost called Dean first. But I wanted to hear your voice to be sure you’re okay.”

“I’m fine,” I say quickly, but then I pause. “Why would you call Dean?”

There is laughter in my baby’s voice. “’Cause he’s your boo thang,” he sings like the dork he is.

I press my lips together. “Who told you?”

“Skyye. ”

“Jesus,” I mutter. “I wanted to be the one.”

“Nope. Dean needs to call.”

I laugh. “We’re adults, son.”

“But you’re my mom, and if he wants to be with my mom, he’s gotta come through us.”

“I can’t with you,” I laugh, shaking my head, but I can’t ignore the uneasiness in my belly.

Nothing good can come from Stratford Robbins being here.

Especially when I know he received all the evidence I have of his affair a couple days ago.

“We will continue this discussion later. I need to call Dean to let him know about your dad.”

“Okay. I’ll call you if he finally calls me back.”

I doubt Stratford will, but I’m thankful just the same. I tell my boy how much I love him before I dial Dean. “Oh, let me go into my office if we’re moving our sexting to phone sex.”

I shouldn’t smile, but I can’t help it. “Babe, pause.”

“What’s wrong?” he asks. “Are you okay?”

“Flint just called and said Stratford is in town.”

“What?”

“Yeah.”

He’s quiet for a moment, and then he says, “Matt is on his way over to stand by while you have this meeting. I’m gonna call the boys, see what they can give me. And then I’m gonna chase that fucker out of our town.”

Heat floods my core at the steel in his voice. “I shouldn’t be turned on, should I?”

Dean chuckles. “Stop, I can’t focus if you’re being all sexy.” I giggle despite the situation. “Stay in the house, don’t open the door until Matt gets there, and text me after your meeting.”

“Okay.”

“Okay.”

I press my lips together. “I wish you were here.”

“Me too,” he says. He hangs up, and my heart aches. I know there was so much we each wanted to say, but we didn’t. I hate that. I almost call him back, but then Matt walks through the door—not in uniform, but I can tell he’s packing his weapon.

His eyes cut to mine. “You good?”

I nod. “Yeah. Flint says he’s out by the town sign.”

Matt’s green eyes blaze, and I can’t express how much I love this man.

Not only does he love my bestie like she is a queen, but he showers us with the same love.

He’s a protector, just like Dean is. “Okay. I’m gonna hang on the side porch so that I can see the road in, but no one can see me.

I had Jackson drop me off, so it looks like it’s only you here. ”

I perk a brow. “Smart man.”

“Shit, you say that now. Until Sadie finds out what’s going on, and then I’m a dead man because I didn’t include her.”

I snort at that. He’s not wrong. “I’ll protect you.”

“I know,” he says with a wink then heads to the back door. “When’s your meeting?”

I check my watch. “In thirty minutes.”

“Okay. I’m gonna go set up shop. Holler at me if you need me.”

“Will do,” I say, my voice a little weak. “Thank you, Matt.”

He tips his ball cap at me and heads out the door.

I feel so much better that he’s here, but I wish it were Dean.

I continue to clean before setting up my meeting area.

Winston Moralle wants to bring a TeaPot Market to Thistlebrook.

He owns a few TeaPot Markets, which are vintage teapot stores, in Nashville and Alabama, and with the success that the Ice Thistle is bringing to town, he wants to capitalize on it.

His business is successful, but I’m nervous it won’t succeed here.

We are more of a mom-and-pop kind of town, and I don’t know if the townsfolk will want a chain store of the caliber Winston is wanting to bring here.

Nonetheless, I built one hell of a market plan for him.

But I was honest, something that bites me in the ass sometimes.

Though, I can’t lie. I want people to be successful because when they are, I am.

I should be focusing on this meeting, but knowing Stratford is in town isn’t sitting right with me.

He has never been aggressive with me or violent, but this doesn’t feel right.

I’m not scared, but I am worried. Why would he be here if not to threaten me or try to get me to do what he wants?

He can try, but I’m not budging. I don’t want to be married to him any longer than I already have been.

I want to be Dean Moore’s wife, which is fucking insane to think, but damn if I’m not certain I want it.

I smile to myself as I recheck that I have everything.

The alarm sounds to alert me of someone coming down the drive, and I head to the front door.

I open it just as Winston is getting out of his Tesla.

It’s blacked-out and fully loaded. He steps out in a full three-piece black suit.

He has dark glasses over his eyes, his hair bright blond and combed to the side.

He looks clean, crisp, and reminds me of Stratford.

My stomach instantly sours. This is going to be a long meeting.

Still, I plaster a huge smile on my lips, but he doesn’t smile back.

“Kenleigh Robbins?”

I hold back my glare. “It’s Colburn,” I correct as he walks toward me. He isn’t carrying anything with him, which I find odd. I have binders of information, and usually my clients have at least a tablet or a laptop.

“Apologies,” he says, but his voice doesn’t seem the least bit apologetic. He’s a rather small man, thin, and my height. I know I’m on the tall side, but being around my boys, Dean, and Matt, I always feel small. With this guy, I feel massive.

Which makes me even more uncomfortable. Maybe I should cancel.

“Ready?”

I exhale hard and try really hard to ignore my apprehension. I think I just feel off because that man who tried his best to ruin me is in my town. With a nod, I guide him inside.

Wishing like fuck that Dean were here.