Page 5 of No Regrets

Kaden nodded, not really wanting to talk to anyone. As the funeral home cleared, all the flowers stacked inside the vehicles, he made his way to the front of the building, unable to hold back his emotions any longer.

Tim Riggens had been the most exceptional man Kaden had ever known. From the first time his grandfather took him out on the docks to the first time he had actually let Kaden have a glass of his finest whiskey, he’d always been the one person that didn’t push Kaden to do anything. He had wanted him to be happy and had said happiness only comes from within.

He loved Brianna to death. Treated her like his own granddaughter. He even once said that he could see the two of them getting married. Kaden chuckled at that as two fat tears rolled down his cheeks. She’d only been twelve at the time, making him fifteen. He clearly didn’t want a wife, and she clearly didn’t want to marry him. Little did he know how much he had screwed up their relationship until now.

“Kaden?” Greg Riggens came up behind his son, patting his back. “You okay, son?”

“Just thinking.” He scooted over in the seat, allowing room for his father to sit. “I figured I should probably tell Bree about Grandpa’s passing, but she’s really pissed at me right now. I’m not so sure calling her would be a good idea.”

Greg folded his hands in his lap. “Women are fickle creatures, son. But I’m sure if that’s all you intend to say, she’ll bite her tongue until you hang up. Why don’t you give her a call?”

Kaden shrugged. “I suppose a two-minute conversation couldn’t be that bad.”

He stood to leave, but his father caught his attention. “Son, we’re gathering the family together tonight to have the reading of the will. Make sure you’re available.” He paused for a moment, meeting Kaden’s eyes. “And not drunk.”

He left him alone in the funeral home, the room seeming so big without anybody near. Bree’s number was still programmed into his phone, but he knew it by heart. He flicked open his black cell phone, punched in the number, and hit “talk.”

Three rings later, a breathless Brianna came to the phone. “Hello?”

“Bree?” His voice sounded groggily even to his own ears.

“Kaden? What’s wrong?”

No arguing so far. Maybe his father was right. “Um, I just wanted to tell you my grandfather passed away. He died yesterday morning, and I would have called you then but I’ve been busy helping with the funeral arrangements. He didn’t want a big funeral, so we had it today. Uh, I just thought you’d want to know.”

He sniffed, refusing to get emotional on the phone with her.

“Are you okay?” she asked, not something he was expecting.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

A heartbeat later, she spoke again. “Do you need me to do anything? Um, I have tomorrow off. Do you need me to come to Raleigh?”

Her kindness tore at his haywire emotions. “No, I’m fine. Thanks, though.”

Silence filled the phone line, and it was all he could do not to ask her to come over tonight. Through thick and thin, she was always there for him, and he really wanted to have her here now.

“I can come tonight,” she said, taking him by surprise. “Shiloh is with Mom for the night, so it’ll be just me.”

“I can’t ask you to do that.” Even as he said it, tears rolled down his cheeks.

“What if I want to? Will you let me?”

A million times, yes. “Yes.”

“Okay. Uh, I’ll probably be there in an hour or so. Can you give me directions?”

He told her everything she needed to know and hung up, feeling a sense of peace come over him. Even though they fought like cats and dogs, she wanted to come to his side when she knew he needed her the most. It would have been so easy for her to brush him away, like he had when she came to him over a year ago, but she didn’t. She knew he needed her and offered to take off from work to come be with him.

He couldn’t possibly feel more like an ass than he did right then.

* * * *

Kaden waited in the foyer before the family gathered to read the will. Brianna’s car appeared at the gates a moment later, and his heart picked up a beat. He never thought he’d be eager to see a beat-up Mazda, but he couldn’t help feeling excited to see her. Pathetic really, considering the hell she’s been through. He’s probably the last person on earth she’d want to see.

She parked in front, obviously not planning to stay long. He came out of the house and greeted her on the steps. She wore a slinky black dress with a knot at the waist that accentuated her breasts. She was beautiful in every right.

“Kaden,” she climbed the steps and didn’t think twice before pulling him into her arms. “I’m so sorry.”

---