Page 23 of Make Me Whole
Chapter Twelve
BRADLEY
"By the wayyou're attacking those shavings, I'm guessing the stick removal was unsuccessful."
Screwing my eyes shut, I dropped my chin to my chest and drew in a breath through my nose. No, the stick was not removed because mystickwas never removed from its confines. Shortly after I'd watched Hailey slip into the cover of darkness, withmydog no less, I'd driven Claudia home.
I couldn't explain why, but it just felt wrong to go through with it when I knew my mind would be elsewhere.On someone else. If I were completely honest, my head was never in the game to begin with.
When I'd invited her back to my place, the words had tasted bitter in my mouth. Her touch hadn't elicited any spark. No pinpricks. No electricity zipping down my spine or fire spreading through my veins.
She'd curled her fingers around my thigh on the drive back to the ranch and the only thing I could think was that her hands weren't small and delicate. Her nails were too long. Too red.
By the time I'd unlocked the door, a heavy uneasiness had settled deep in my gut. Angrily, I'd pushed it aside and with Claudia draped over me, I'd stepped into the house. My brain needed a reset, needed to go back to a time before dark hair and green eyes plagued my every thought.
My determination had lasted all of two steps. Peering at me over the back of the couch were the very same eyes I'd wanted to forget. My limbs had instantly felt heavy, my arm uselessly falling to my side.
I was vaguely aware of Claudia's movements, but her touch never registered. All I saw wasHailey. Those impossibly big eyes of hers trained on me. I'd wondered if she could see the storm raging inside of me.
If she could tell I'd wanted to push the woman clinging to me away, so I could lunge forward and spear my fingers into her hair. Dip my head and taste her mouth. Would she roll my lip between her teeth the same way she'd done her own?
A hard smack landed against my back, my entire body jerking because of its suddenness. "What the hell?"
Sawyer's deep laugh reached my ears before he appeared in front of me. "You checked out, man." Hands perched on his hips, a mocking glint in his eyes, he asked, "What happened?"
"When?"
"Dude!? Did you even hear a word I said?" When all I could offer was a raised eyebrow, he shook his head. "The blonde?" His tone left the wordduhhanging between us.
Setting the fork on the floor between my spread feet, I rested both hands on top of the handle. "I took her home."
Sawyer rolled his freaking eyes. "That part was obvious when you left the bar with her hanging on you like a spare limb."
Fighting the urge to snap my eyes shut again, I settled for grinding my teeth together. "To her home. Alone."
His brows pulled together before realization dawned and his eyes grew wide. "You mean you didn't—"
"No." Ready for a subject change, I asked, "Did you need something, or did you just come here to get on my nerves?"
His face fell, the teasing smile turning into a thin line. "Actually." Even his voice sounded sombre. "I, uh, need a favour."
Standing taller, I straightened my spine and squared my shoulders. "Anything." And I meant it. He might've irritated me on most days, but I'd go to bat for him in the same way I would for Talia.
He was anxious. I could tell by the way his hand palmed the back of his neck and his refusal to look me in the eye. "It's my dad," he said quickly. "He wants me to come see him." His gaze lifted to mine. "Today." The muscle in his jaw jumped. "I know your dad is away on business and that things are already crazy here." Sawyer's shoulder jerked. "He's never asked to see me before."
That I had no time for Henry Axon was no secret. The things that man had put his own son through were despicable. But I had no say in who Sawyer let into his life. He was big and ugly enough to decide all on his own. And I'd support him even when he believed everyone deserved a second chance—even the man who'd done him wrong.
I made sure to keep my voice steady as I spoke, "I'll take care of things here. You just take care of you."
His nod was so small, I almost missed it. "Thank you. I'll be back tomorrow."
"Don't worry about the ranch, Sawyer. And for shit's sake don't go in blind. Trust your gut, not him." I simply couldn't keep that last part from slipping out, but when I saw the gratitude in my friend's eyes, I didn't regret speaking the words.
He knew I had his back.
With a tilt of his head, Sawyer started for the door but then stopped abruptly. He threw his hands in the air, clearly frustrated. "Ah, shit."
"What now?"
