Red Haught: Haught Brother's Book 4 Page 7

  “I don’t think that’s the same thing. You can’t go wrong with saying something positive about yourself.”

  Damn it. He’d turned that shit around pretty easily. “You are my first paying client and I’m excited about my new venture.”

  “That’s great.” He stood up, put on her jacket and pulled her into his arms for a hug goodbye. When he let her go he looked down on her. “Was that alright? I didn’t think about it in terms of therapy I was just hugging you before I left, but I don’t want to infringe on any rules you have.”

  “That’s fine.” Rosy didn’t really want to tell him that wasn’t how it was because whatever she said about other clients didn’t pertain to him. What they had was a bit odd since their situation was unconventional. “As long as you remember the other stuff.”

  “That being?” Red paused on his way to the door and turned to look at Rosy.

  “That whatever little fling we had didn’t happen in front of the group.”

  “You mean flings since it happened more than once. Right?” Red’s demeanor changed a little but Rosy couldn’t say it was a physical change more like the tone of the vibe he was putting out changed.

  “It was one fling with more than one occurrence I think. It wasn’t more than one fli—you know what this is stupid. You know what I mean you’re just trying to fluster me.” Rosy put her hands on her hips waiting for him to deny the charges.

  “It’s just good to see I can cause some kind of reaction.” Red took a few steps in front of her and kissed the tip of her nose.

  “Is this a one time thing or do you really think you get something out of this?”

  “Mark me off on your calendar I want to make this a weekly thing.” Red opened the door and smiled at her as he walked out and she let out a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding. It was nice to have him think it was a valuable service she was giving.

  Rosy couldn’t believe how she felt after an hour of cuddling it was like it was a recharge of her battery. She’d definitely picked the right route for her life this time…things may be looking up.

  Chapter 8 - Draven

  Red walked into The Haught Spot and tried hard not to let the anxiety that filled him each time he had to meet a person with the last name of Haught that wasn’t Gemmi or Camden take over. After his hour long cuddle session with Rosy, he’d been relaxed, recharged and ready to take on the world. He’d been back and forth about it but in the end he’d just wanted to spend a little time with her and could think of no better way to do it since she was convinced that them seeing what they could be would damage his relationship with his newly found family. It had taken one call from Gemmi and one invitation to get him wired again.

  Alec was at the bar and he cocked his head to the side when Red walked into his line of vision.

  “I heard you might make an appearance tonight.” The man looked like he’d rather not be talking to him and Red was prepared to give the brothers as much space as they needed.

  “I was invited.” Red didn’t know why he was giving this man shit. Alec looked like he was the wrong guy to mess with but when had that stopped Red before?

  The guy just grunted as he stared at him like he was taking inventory. “Do you have any pictures of your father?”

  “No. Like I said the match wasn’t a love match and I’m pretty sure they weren’t dating. They just talked about their loss and things just happened, I guess.”

  Alec nodded for a while before he pointed Red to the infamous room where the secret had been spilled. “Everyone is in there. I’m assuming you’re here to help set up the reception.”

  “I wasn’t given any direction just asked if I could come by.” Red was walking to the room as he finished he thought, but he could feel the piercing eyes of his oldest brother following him.

  When he reached the party room he could see Gemmi, Camden, True, Karessa and Beau all doing different things to set the room up and they all stopped when he opened the door.

  “You made it.” Karessa said as Gemmi ran over to give Red a hug and Camden was close behind her.

  “Absolutely. Where do you want me?” he asked no one in particular.

  “Can you help Rosy? She is working with the liquor order they placed. The shipment came in today and she needs to group the booze by category and prep the custom mixer they want. The basement door is in the kitchen all the way by the back door.” True yelled out directions before turning back to what she was doing.

  “I’m on my way.” Red walked out the way he came and was off to find Rosy. It didn’t take long to find the basement and he could hear her muttering under her breath before he needed to call out her name. “Having fun?”

  She screamed and jumped back with her hand against her heart. “Damn it…you scared me.”

  It was hard not to look at her flushed face and wide, wild eyes and not chuckle. He pulled her into his arms for a hug.

  “What are you doing?” She sounded scandalized but she lay her head on his chest.

  “I scared you and was offering you comfort.” Red loved holding her in his arms. She seemed to like being hugged and touched as much as she liked doing it for others.

  She took a deep breath in and snuggled into his chest for a few seconds more before she pushed him back. “This isn’t going back to normal.”

  “There isn’t anyone around.”

  She looked cute standing there with her hands on her hips. “We have to be careful.”

  “Sure.” Red moved closer to where she had been muttering before. “I know you’re doing something with the alcohol but I’m not sure what and your supposed to be making something.”

  “Yes. I have the beverages sorted but now I’m supposed to make this mix in this big vat and then my part is done.” She looked at him and held out the instructions. “Do you want to read the instructions or do you want to put the ingredients together?”

  “I’m guessing you want me to read the instructions.” He took them from her and watched her walk to the counter. “Since you’re holding them out to me.”

  “It’s really simple but they are written so small it’s hard to keep my place. I’m actually almost done.”

  He read out the last remaining items and measures before she had the mix made and they worked together to get the mix stored.

  “You ready to go up?” Red put out his arm like he was some romance period dandy.

  “Draven ‘Red’ Haught…I’m serious. There can’t be any playing around here. I don’t want anyone to get the wrong idea about us.”

  “So there can’t be playing around here but what about somewhere else? Maybe we can go out for a drink, or coffee. Hell I’ll even take a movie.” Red walked by her as they made their way to the door that leads up to the kitchen. She stopped at the bottom of the steps and turned toward him. What she was looking for he didn’t know but he stood there and hoped she found what she was looking for.

  “Why are you pushing so hard for this? We’ve had sex more than once so there is no need to chase.”

  “Is that what you think I’m chasing?” Red moved closer to her and pulled her close. She felt tentative in his arms and her demeanor made him want to know more about her even more. “You and I are a lot alike, Rosy. I don’t think you can see it but it’s so crystal clear to me.”

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “Spend some more time with me and I’ll help you figure it out.” Red gave her a smile he hoped was enticing enough to make her want to engage with him outside the parameter of cuddle therapy.

  She walked up the steps leaving him to walk up behind her. Was there more of a sway in her hips or was there just something about her he couldn’t get enough of. When she reached the top landing there was a short corridor and she turned to face Red. “One cup of coffee in a place called Coffee Smoffee. It’s a few towns over.”

  “Is it near my town?”

  She shook her head. “Thought we may need to go another direction.”

  “
Sounds good to me. When?”

  Rosy looked like she was searching the calendar in her mind. “Next Wednesday at 2pm.”

  “That pretty specific.” He reached around her to open the door and found it locked.

  “It’s a good time and we’ll be there before traffic.” She sounded a bit distracted as she watched Red jiggle the door handle. “Is everything okay?”

  “Yep, it’s not biggie. Someone either forgot we were down here or this door is stuck.”

  He moved around her to work on the door and heard the faint sound of sobs. Not the loud blubbering kind but the kind where someone is trying their hardest not to be heard. “Rosy?”

  “Don’t mind me. Just keep trying.” He turned around to see the woman with one hand over her mouth and the other wrapped around her waist like a self hug.

  “What’s the matter?” He pulled her hand away from her mouth and she seemed to break down a little more.

  Clearing her throat she tried to project a bit of confidence into her voice but the heaving breaths made it hard for her to pull off. “I’m a bit terrified of enclosed spaces.”

  “Really? Your studio is kind of small that doesn’t bother you?”

  “No because I can get out when ever I’d like.”

  Rosy started shaking a little and he held her hand. “Do you have your phone with you?”

  She shook her head. “I left it in my purse. Where is your phone?”

  Red took the phone out of his pocket and knew that there was going to be a problem. He was supposed to charge it last night but damn he was tired. The phone was black and not doing anything when he pressed the buttons. “Ummm…it’s dead.” Red banged on the door but remembered that there wasn’t anyone in this part of the kitchen when he’d come down. They were separated from everyone and the thick, wood door was a blast from the past. It would be a wonder if anyone heard anything. He waited a few seconds before hitting it again. The soft ragged breathing made his heart hurt.

  “Well since we can’t get out at this moment how about we self medicate. They have us locked in the den of libations so lets see what we can find to calm you down and waste time.

  “Sounds good.” Her voice was still shaky but it sounded like she was getting herself together.

  “I’m sure someone will come check on us in a while.” He led her back down the stairs.

  “So…what’s your poison?”

  “I’ve not been a big drinker in a good while but I do like the cherry wine they have here. It packs a punch and it’s delicious.” She actively looks for the wine and he can see her anxiety decreases as she focuses on something other than being stuck in the basement.

  He moved away from her, found a couple of glasses and the wine opener before returning. Filling up both of their glasses Rosy downs one and then another glass of wine in quick succession. After drinking it all she takes a deep breath in.

  “Better?” he asks.

  “Better,” she sighed holding her glass out for a refill.

  The wine cellar was not the best lit but it was cave like and he wondered why she didn’t feel claustrophobic in this small space. He didn’t mention it because if she wasn’t thinking about it he didn’t want to bring it up.

  “I guess I should tell you why I’m the certified outcast since we may just die down here.” She put her drink down and hopped up on the counter that was in the middle of the room.

  As much as he wanted to ease her mind about the possibility of them dying down there with the loud music and people above them he was dying himself. Dying to know what she did that was so awful she didn’t think anyone could get over it.

  She settled on the counter and it left him standing at boob level. He thought she’d done that on purpose because she clearly didn’t want to look his way while she told her tale.

  Clearing her throat. “So this is going to be the short and horrible version. Okay?” She looked down at him briefly.

  “When I was a kid Gemmi’s mom was the most awesome mom I’d ever met. She’s my aunt.” Rosy took a drink. “I’m not sure how this story is going to come out. I know I’ve only had threelarge glasses of wine but I’m a lightweight when it comes to alcohol consumption and I’ve not eaten anything today.”

  “What? It’s like 8 o’clock at night.” Red didn’t mean to make any outbursts that would detract from this story but she had to start taking better care of herself.

  “Yes. I know.” She let out a little giggle before she took another sip. “Okay I didn’t start at the right place. My mother was a fuck up who loved drugs more than she loved the baby she made offering her body for product. I was passed around from family member to family member until I joined Gemmi’s family. It was fun and I was comfortable but when my aunt got a divorce she couldn’t take care of me anymore.”

  Red didn’t like thinking about young Rosy being passed around from house to house. “Why didn’t any of the other relatives keep you.”

  “Red…I was a bad girl. Not the cute little ‘You’re a very bad girl’ I was the fire starting, bull shit stirring, quick tempered, headed to juvie or jail bad girl. I don’t blame anyone for not wanting to keep me. I totally got it, but when Gemmi went to college for a year I helped her mother out with things. I had so much fun. I stayed out of trouble and I kept my nose clean.” It was like she was reliving it again as she told the story. She took another sip of her cherry wine and put the glass down on the table. “When Gemmi got home she was sad and miserable and her mother wanted to comfort her. I figured it was just a matter of time before I was shown the door. Back then I’d march out the door before I was kicked out.” She took a deep breath and Red waited for the rest of the story, but it appeared the wine and melancholy had slowed her speech.

  Red moved closer to her. Putting his hand on one side of her and his other hand on her lap. “Then what happened?”

  “I was mad. I slept with one of Gemmi’s boyfriends at our annual family reunion and I made sure everyone knew about it. The next year Gemmi started dating Camden, the Haught I thought was the easiest to get. When she brought him to the reunion I had plans to get with him too. I lured him away telling him I needed help, I’m not sure how well you know Camden but that’s his claim to fame. Then I locked us in the bathroom until morning with me.”

  Red blew out a breath. “That is a pretty fucked up story.”

  Rosy nodded. “When Camden sat me down and made me really look at what I’d done and to whom it really opened my eyes. I’ve tried to show her and tell her how sorry I am but I’ll never have the respect of your brothers.”

  He took a gulp of his wine and nodded.

  “I just want you to know that I had no idea you were related to the Haughts when we met. I was just trying to blow off a little steam where I’d not be known.”

  “So what. You think you can’t ever be in a relationship again because of what you’ve done?” He understood trying to make amends with her cousin but he was struggling to get why she couldn’t be with anyone.

  “I just don’t want to remind anyone of how I was. I screwed up with this whole family. They came to the reunion looking for their brother and I was there looking like everything wrong. I wouldn’t want to mess with anyone in their circle because I don’t want to embarrass my cousin and I don’t want them to put pressure on her to leave me alone. I don’t have a lot of family, because I burned a lot of bridges before I wised up.” She drank the rest of her wine and pushed on Red’s chest so he could back up and she could get down. “Excuse me.”

  “You’re always going at full blast when you talk to me. It’s hard to keep up with what you’re saying and be ready with a response.” He moved closer so his head was in the middle of her breast bone. Her heart was fluttering so fast he hoped it wouldn’t stop. “Calm down. Just calm down.”

  “That’s why I want you to promise no one knows we did anything together. We just act like we have been doing and that will be that.” She said looking around like was looking for another exit. He coul
dn’t see her because his head was on her chest but he could feel her frantic head movements. Lifting his head he looked into her eyes.

  “Because you want them to think you aren’t having sex and you think you’ll be shamed if you actually got involved with a man who has the last name Haught?”

  “I realize that this might sound silly to you but it’s the truth. Do you see how they look at me? They’re always watching me like I’m going to steal the silver or hurt Gemmi and do I deserve it?” She looked down at her hands. “Yes.”

  “You’re driving yourself crazy. Why don’t you just get away from the whole lot of them?”

  “Because Gemmi is my cousin and she loves me. Not many people do.”

  “Rosy? True and Karessa are very fond of you. I’m not sure if you’re in the love category but what do I know about that. Right?” Red knew he was falling into the suckish level of cheering her up, but it didn’t sound like she needed cheering up. “Look I honestly think what you did to your cousin was insane but she forgave you. I’ve seen your Cinderella routine and I didn’t know what you did but I knew you were sorry. I can tell you that the person you need to work on making it up to is yourself.”

  “You don’t understand.” Rosy tried to get off the counter but Red put his hands on her waist.

  “You don’t think I understand how it feels to want to apologize for your very being. To doubt that you’re worthy of anyone’s love and dedication. That maybe you were put here on earth to be a service to others no matter how much you want to be a part of something bigger than your solo existence?” Red backed away from Rosy. “I get what your saying and I understand where you’re coming from but if you remain content to let people allow you to feel like you have to stay in some self loathing bubble there is no one to blame but yourself.”

  The air around them was filled with misery and he wasn’t sure if it was because of what he felt about her or about how she made him face some truths about himself.