his chest, forcing him to take a step back. “What makes you think you can talk to her?” I growl.
He raises his hands in a gesture of peace. “Hey man, I’m just trying to catch up. I haven’t seen you in a while.”
Catch up? What is this guy smoking? “Hayden,” I take another step closer to him making sure I have his full attention. “Read my lips just in case you have hearing problems, don’t come near her. You made her life hell. There’s no catching up. There’s only you turning around and walking away, or I swear I’ll make you.”
“Fuck, don’t lose your shit, man,” he chuckles again. “What? You’ve been to the city and now you think you’re too good for the likes of me?”
I have to hold myself back so I don’t hurt this idiot. “She will always be too good for the likes of you.”
Hayden gets a look on his face, the same mean one he always got before he did something stupid. I step right up to him, and I tower over him. Lacey grabs my hand, reminding me that she’s behind me. “Don’t think about it, Hayden. I swear I’ll beat you so bad you won’t know your own name.”
I see a flash of fear in the coward’s eyes. I should beat the shit out of him, but I don’t want to put Lacey through that.
Hayden takes a step back and a satisfying feeling expands my chest. He’ll always be a coward.
“Whatever man,” he gives a nervous chuckle and then finally turns around and walks away. That must be the wisest choice he’s ever made. I would’ve beaten him within an inch of his life.
Lacey pulls at my hand. “Seth,” she whispers and just like that all my all my attention is back with her. I turn around and look her over to make sure she’s okay. She smiles and then surprises me by slipping her arms around my waist. “Thank you for that, but I would’ve been fine. I’m not scared of him anymore.”
I nod and fold my arms around her, pulling her closer. “Yeah? You would’ve taken him on?”
She nods. “I learned a few moves from you the last time you kicked his butt.”
“Is that so,” I start to lean down, my eyes dropping to her lips. “How about you show me how thankful you are?”
Her eyes dart around us and then jump to my eyes. She takes one more look around us and then gives me a quick kiss. I start to laugh. “Really? That’s all the thanks I get?”
She makes her eyes big. “There are people!” Her cheeks flush and I lift my hand to her face, brushing a finger over her soft skin.
“And your point is?” I lean down and when I’m so close that I can feel her warm breath on my face, I stop and say, “Kiss me, Lacey.”
She moves and the last inch between us vanishes. Her lips are warm and soft under mine, and at first she’s tentative, but then she gets brave as she bites at my lip. I open my mouth and when her tongue slips into my mouth, I feel a tingle run down my spine.
~*~
We drive into the RV park and Lacey grabs hold of my leg. “I’m scared, Seth!”
“Remember what I said,” I pick up her hand and place a kiss in her palm, “I’m here. You’re not alone, Sweetheart.”
I slowly steer the car up our old street and then I park in front of her parents’ RV. I give her hand another squeeze. “Are you good to go in?”
She nods and doesn’t wait for me to walk around the car so I can open the door for her. She gets out, lifts her chin, squares her shoulders, and then walks to the RV. She knocks on the door and takes a step back. She wipes her hands on her jeans.
The door opens and I hear Lacey suck in a sharp breath. “Mamma?”
I hear the sob and then, “Nate! Nate! She’s home! Our baby girl has come home!” Sophia slams the door open and almost jumps on Lacey in her rush to get to her. They hold each other for a long moment and cry. Nate joins them, holding both Sophia and Lacey.
After a while they all break apart. “Come in,” Sophia says and that’s when Lacey turns to me.
Sophia and Nate look in my direction, and then Sophia frowns. “Well, don’t just stand there, son,” she scolds me.
I walk