The Closer You Get (Fidelity #1) Read online

They sat in awkward silence for a minute before simultaneously slapping their thighs and standing. They shook hands and headed back to the apartment complex. As they stepped out of the woods and onto the gravel of the parking lot, Rye saw Cash standing outside next to Adam’s car, looking around.

  “Looks like now’s your chance,” Rye said. He patted Adam on the back and gave him a shove toward Cash, who had started walking toward him.

  Adam dug his heels in, looking less confident than he had before. Looking downright scared.

  “What’s going on?” Cash asked as he met up with them.

  “We went for a walk,” Rye said.

  “You went…for a walk?” Cash asked.

  “Yeah. Right?” Rye turned to Adam.

  Cash shook his head. “You never volunteer the right information.”

  “I’m sorry. We went for a walk to the river.”

  “God, go away. Adam, what’s going on?”

  Rye started walking toward the apartment as Adam answered the question more thoroughly. He went inside and suddenly didn’t know what to do. For the past week, his one purpose had been getting out of Fidelity. Now he knew he wasn’t leaving. He wouldn’t leave Cash. What was more, he didn’t want to leave Fidelity.

  He turned around and stepped back outside. Adam’s car was nice. Very nice. Rye’s truck was still in the shop. “Hey,” he shouted to Adam and Cash, who were still facing each other in the parking lot. They turned to face him. “Can I borrow your car? You know, since we’re friends now?”

  Adam watched Rye sling gravel in his car. When he hit the pavement, the tires squealed, and the back end fishtailed slightly. “He’s going to kill my car, isn’t he?” The car sped up toward Main Street and then out of sight.

  Cash, behind him, said, “I don’t know. We don’t usually let him drive fancy things. You’ve seen his truck, it takes a hell of a beating. But who knows? Maybe he’ll be more careful with your car. You wanna come inside?”

  Adam gave one last wistful look at the cloud of dust left behind by his car before turning to follow Cash inside.

  Cash collapsed into his recliner, his expression blank. Adam slowly perched himself on the edge of the sofa. “So, like I was saying, I came to make things up to Rye. I realize how unfair I was being. Like you said, it was so petty even I was shocked. I mean, one minute you think you’re on a righteous crusade, the next you realize you’re no better than…than…than Lester Dunigan. It’s humbling.”

  Cash gave little away. His lips twitched in a hint of amusement, but that was all.

  Adam swallowed down his nerves. He didn’t often want something this badly. With Todd, he hadn’t put up a fight at all. They had talked, decided the relationship wasn’t working, and gone their separate ways. With Cash, well, if he had to walk out of that apartment still single, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to get out of bed ever again. Facing life alone without this man he’d grown to love was a prospect he couldn’t bear to entertain. No, he had to win him back. “I…” He gulped and tried again. “Cash, I’m…”

  Cash’s eyebrows lifted in anticipation. He apparently wasn’t going to help.

  “I’m sorry for how I treated your brother. For being insensitive to how that affected you. And for not paying more attention to your pain. I read about what you went through. I read the testimonies. I’m sorry about that, too, I know it was a betrayal of your trust. But I needed to know, to understand why you were holding back from me. From the relationship.”

  “I was holding back because I didn’t trust you. Turned out I was right, wasn’t I? All you did when you read all that stuff about me was go out and try to use it against my brother—”

  “Cash, I—”

  “I’m not wrong, am I?”

  “No. No, love, you’re not wrong.”

  Cash nodded. The color in his face had heightened for a moment, but now it slowly faded as he leaned back in his chair. “If you’re truly sorry, then I forgive you. I don’t hold grudges. But I don’t want to get back together.”

  Adam thought his chest might collapse. His vision blurred with tears. “I love you, Cash.”

  A flicker of emotion passed through his eyes. “I love you too, Adam.”

  Adam scooted forward on the edge of the sofa. “Please,” he said, his voice cracking, “give me another chance. Give us another chance. I don’t feel like either of us got a fair shot. You were withholding yourself, and I was completely absorbed in my own stupid issues. I’ve never felt this way about someone. I mean, I want you to meet my parents. I want us to move in together. Live our lives together. We’d be so happy together, Cash.”

  Cash blinked, his jaw muscles twitching. “It’s just…” He looked away, then back again. “It’s not…not something I can do. We can be friends. I’d like us to be friends. But, that’s all I want.”

  “It can’t be all you want. What we had was once in a lifetime, Cash. I mean, I seriously want to raise children with you, man.”

  Cash let out a laugh before burying his face in his hands. “I’m still angry about what you did. But even if I got over that, I just think I’m more comfortable going solo. I don’t think I’m meant for a heavy relationship, Adam. I’ve missed you this week, I really have. But the part where I’m supposed to open up about my feelings and my past, the part where I’m supposed to trust someone else with my weaknesses and vulnerabilities…I just don’t think I’m cut out for that.”

  “Everyone is afraid of that, baby. Everyone. But when you find someone who means as much to you as you mean to me, you take the risk. I get it if you’re not ready to trust me, I sure as hell haven’t earned any trust. But give me a chance. We’ll go slow. There’s no hurry at all. Just…give us a shot.”

  Cash dropped his hands from his face. His blue eyes were cold. Determined. Adam’s heart sank.

  “I’m just not up for it,” Cash said. “I’m truly sorry. I wish you all the best, and I hope we can be friends.”

  That was it. Adam was out of words and out of hope. He couldn’t stop the two tears that escaped. He couldn’t speak for the effort of holding back the rest of them. So he stood and held his hand out to Cash. They shook, and Adam turned and left, glad for the long walk home, which forced him to hold back his emotions for just a little while longer.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  RYE SHIFTED GEARS, let off the clutch, and sped up the curvy highway to the little white church on the hill. This was too much car for Adam. There was no way he was taking advantage of the full potential of this engine. Rye thought about how Cora’s hair would look, blowing in the wind with the top down.

  He slowed as he approached the driveway to the church parking lot. People were already exiting the building, so he parked and got out. He leaned against the car and watched for Cora.

  As the exodus of Christians slowed to a trickle, Rye grew concerned. He caught sight of a woman who looked familiar. Older, blond, beautiful. Rye smiled and moved toward her. “Mrs. McKay?” he asked.

  The woman looked up from her purse in which she’d been digging for her keys. “Yes?” she said at first. Then her eyes narrowed, and she said, “Oh, it’s you. The boy who snuck into my house with Cora.”

  Boy. That was a laugh. “Yes, ma’am. I came to pick up Cora and take her out. Is she still inside?”

  “She called earlier complaining of a headache. I had assumed you were the source of that headache. Is that not the case?”

  “Yeah. I’m the source.”

  “Do you intend to grovel for her forgiveness?”

  “Like a dog, ma’am. Whatever it takes.”

  Noreen’s lips quirked up in a prim, little smile. “My children are throwing a little tea party for me this afternoon. Why don’t you go change into something more presentable and attend? Cora will be there. You can make your case with her after the party.”

  Rye blinked, not sure whether this was a good plan or not. “I could just go to her house—”

  “Nonsense! She won’t be prepared to see y
ou. She’s probably in her pajamas with her hair all messed up. You don’t go catching a girl off guard like that.”

  “I kind of like her with her hair messed up—”

  “Go change and come to my house. You can help the girls set up for the party and give us a chance to get to know you. It’s really not fair, you know, seeing as how she went to meet your family but hasn’t bothered to bring you around to ours. Here, give me your phone number, and I’ll text you directions. Oh, wait. You’ve been. I’d forgotten,” she said in a tone that said she clearly hadn’t.

  Rye laughed. “All right. Define ‘more presentable’ and I’ll go change.”

  “Suit and tie, dear. Church clothes. I’ll see you in a few minutes.” She got in her car and drove away, leaving Rye in the now nearly empty parking lot.

  He shook his head and drove home. Cash’s bedroom door was closed. It was either a good sign or bad sign; Rye didn’t have time to ask. He dug around in his closet and managed to locate a tie and sports jacket. He found a white button-down, but no fancy slacks. He dug out some dark jeans that didn’t have any holes in them and changed.

  A quick look in the mirror told him this was probably not what Mrs. McKay had intended, but she’d just have to deal.

  He sped through town to the rich neighborhood, parking in the driveway next to two other vehicles. He rang the doorbell and waited.

  The door swung open to reveal the redhead. Ginger. She leered at him, her eyes raking him from top to toes and back again. “Rye Holcomb. What can I do for you?” Her voice was sultry. Her tongue darted out to dampen her bottom lip. Rye almost laughed at the obvious seduction techniques. Those things used to turn him on. Now they just seemed silly.

  “I was invited,” he said. “Is your mom around?”

  “Sure. She’s back in the glass room.” She grabbed him by his tie and pulled him inside.

  He thought she was going to lead him straight back to wherever the glass room was, but instead, she turned and he nearly ran into her. She slid her hands up his chest and her knee between his thighs. “Cora’s all heartbroken,” she said. “What about you? Are you heartbroken?”

  “What I am is uninterested. Back off and take me to your mom.”

  Ginger stepped back and narrowed her eyes. “You’re a fucking idiot. I could care less. There're a million guys just like you, and I can have any of them I want, I just thought I’d give you a shot.”

  “Thanks. Very generous of you. Take me to your mom.”

  With a huff, she turned and led him down a hallway and into a large room with lots of windows and skylights. With all the greenery, it seemed like a conservatory. There were tables set up and several women setting out plates and bowls. Ginger left him in the doorway, but another, equally beautiful woman approached.

  She smiled and held out her hand. “You must be Rye. I’m Whinny, Cora’s oldest sister.”

  He shook her hand, immediately at ease. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Mom said to put you to work, so if you’ll follow me.”

  He followed her to where there was a man dressed in a suit sticking flowers in vases and looking utterly disgusted. “This is my husband, Chad,” Whinny said. “Chad, this is Rye, Cora’s beau. He’s going to help you with the centerpieces.”

  Chad’s mouth was twisted as though he was about to vomit. “I don’t want to do this.”

  “I know baby,” Whinny said sympathetically. She patted him on the cheek and walked away.

  Chad’s shoulders slumped. He reached out a hand to Rye. “Nice to meet you. Welcome to the annual homage to the queen.”

  Rye shook his hand, laughing. “Can’t be all bad. What do I gotta do.” He rolled the sleeves of his shirt and jacket up together.

  Chad placed a pile of blue flowers on the table in front of Rye. “We’re making centerpieces. You put five or six delphiniums to a vase, then tie this white ribbon around them in a pretty bow.”

  Chad was obviously reciting instructions he’d been given.

  “What the fuck is a del..delphy…”

  “Delphinium. That’s what I said. It’s these flowers. They’re Noreen’s favorites.”

  “Boys!” Whinny shouted from across the room. “Get a move on, people will be arriving soon.”

  Chad groaned. Rye went to work. He assembled his first vase and looked up at Chad for approval. Chad’s expression was bland. “You want a trophy or something?”

  Rye laughed and started on his second vase. “What’s the big deal? You stick some flowers in a jar, you get to go home and have sex anytime you want.”

  Chad snorted. “Yeah, that’s how it works. You go ahead and believe that if you want. You’ll see. The balance shifts after marriage. You end up doing way more of this shit and way less of the fun stuff.”

  Rye tied a second bow. “Yeah, but are you happy?”

  There was silence, but when Rye looked up, he saw that Chad was smiling as he worked on his centerpiece. “Yeah, I’m happy.”

  “Well, there you go,” Rye said.

  “Cora…she’ll be a little easier on you. She’s not as into this girly stuff as Whinny is.”

  “Rye, darling, what are you wearing?” said the voice of Noreen McKay.

  Rye turned to greet her. She was installing earrings while striding his direction. “Wearing my fancy duds, Mrs. McKay.”

  “This is pathetic, I’m afraid.”

  Rye looked down at his clothes and thought they looked pretty damn good.

  “You could at least tuck in your shirt,” she said.

  “How ‘bout just the front of it, since the back’s covered by the jacket?”

  Noreen huffed. “Look at my son-in-law. He knows how to dress for tea. You’ve got a lot to learn, I’m afraid.”

  Rye glanced back at Chad and smirked. “I’ll take notes. I’m a slow learner, though, so don’t get your hopes up.”

  Noreen smiled condescendingly and patted him on the cheek. “I’m sure you’ll turn out fine. Thank you for coming. Cora’s around here somewhere.”

  Rye dropped the flowers on the table and started looking around. “She is? Where?”

  “I’m not sure.” Noreen moved away. “Thank you, girls!” she shouted to her daughters. “Guests will be arriving soon, so I’m going upstairs now. You’re doing a lovely job.”

  Whinny, Ginger, and Dana waved her off, and she disappeared back the way she’d come.

  “Why’s she leaving if the party’s about to start?” Rye asked.

  “So she can make her grand entrance,” Chad muttered. “Check the kitchen for Cora. I got this.”

  “Thanks,” Rye said and hurried out the door. He took a wrong turn down the hall and ended up in the den he and Cora had stolen whiskey from. He retraced his steps, took a different turn, and stopped in the doorway of the kitchen. Cora had her back to him. She was wearing a sleeveless, navy blue, knee-length dress and matching heels. Her hair was down and bounced around her shoulders as she spoke. She was addressing the servers, giving them instructions.

  So Rye waited. He kept having to remind himself to breathe.

  “So circulate with appetizers until Noreen is announced,” Cora said. “After that, you won’t be needed again until after tea is over and everyone moves outside to the garden. Got it?”

  The four servers muttered their understanding.

  “Great. And thank you all.” Cora turned, a polite smile still on her face. It vanished as her eyes widened at the sight of him. “What are you doing here?” she asked.

  He shuffled his feet. “Um, your mom invited me. I drove up after church to see if I could take you to lunch. I’d forgotten today was the big party.”

  “Yeah. I didn’t go to church.”

  He almost smiled. “I noticed. Do you have a moment?”

  She glanced around at the busy kitchen. “Let’s go in the den.” She walked past him and into the hallway. He followed her, holding his breath the whole way.

  In the den, she perched herself on one end of t
he sofa. So he sat next to her, angled toward her. “You look so beautiful today, Cora.”

  She blushed and smiled. “I feel like shit. Glad it doesn’t show.”

  He swallowed and glanced at her hands folded in her lap. He reached out and put his hand over hers before looking into her eyes. “I wanna stay.”

  She licked her lips and blinked. “In Fidelity?”

  “Yes.”

  “At the company?”

  “Yes.”

  For a moment, he thought she might reject him. Her eyes widened, and the color rose in her cheeks. “With me?” she asked.

  “God, yes.”

  She bit her bottom lip.

  Rye scooted closer and brushed the knuckles of his free hand along her cheek. “You were right. I was selfish. And cowardly. I’ve been running away for a long time. I can’t bear the thought of running away from you. I love you so much, Cora. Please, please say you’ll forgive me?”

  She sucked in a shaky breath. “Of course I forgive you.”

  “It’s important that you know just how miserable I’ve been these past few days. The prospect of going on without you in my life was just…fucking depressing. I don’t know what it is that happens when two people fall in love that changes your whole life, but suddenly, every future I tried to imagine without you looked bleak and miserable. All of my joy and ambition is wrapped up in you, Cora. So I have to ask you two questions.”

  Her eyes sparkled with tears. “Okay,” she squeaked.

  “First, Mrs. McKay, can I have my job back?”

  She laughed and nodded. “Of course. We don’t have an abundance of structural engineers in Fidelity, after all.”

  He grinned and kissed her cheek before sobering for his second question. “Okay,” he said. “My next question is…will you take me back, Cora? I won’t run again. I don’t want to. Not ever. What you and I have can last forever, and I swear to God I’ll stick with it. With you. So will you? Take me back?”

  A sob escaped her lips as she nodded again. She couldn’t seem to say anything, so Rye accepted the nods and wrapped his arms around her. When he felt her arms go around his waist, he knew everything was going to be okay. “I love you, Cora. So much.”