Truly, Madly, Whiskey(75)

A few hours later, when his mother was getting ready to leave, she pulled him aside. “Want to tell me about Jace and Maddox?”

“Not really,” he said honestly.

She crossed her arms, her sharp green eyes telling him he wasn’t going to get away with that answer. “Your uncle Axel used to say that you were going to be the next Harley designer. You were the kid everyone came to with their broken bicycles, skateboards, and toys. You’ve designed and built more motorcycles than you’ve purchased. Now, Robert, do you want to talk to me about Jace and Maddox?”

“Seriously? You’re pulling Robert on me?”

“I’m pulling a mother talk on you. We don’t do these often enough.” She touched his cheek. “You’re as stubborn as your father.”

“Hardly,” he said.

“I didn’t say as ‘rigid.’ I said as ‘stubborn.’ There’s a difference, sweetheart. I know better than to come between you and your father, so I’m going to say only this. You’ve done more for this family than a parent could ever hope for. You’re a loyal, strong, intelligent young man, and I will forever be grateful for that enormous heart of yours. You saved this family, and you know how we Whiskeys work. When you’re in trouble, we’re in trouble and we have your back. You may not be in trouble right now, honey, but you need saving. Only this time you have to save yourself.” She hugged him and whispered, “Bring that beautiful love of your life over sometime. It’s time we do more than smile across the room.”

Stunned by her support, Bear could do little more than watch her walk away.

By the time he rolled out of the parking lot at two thirty in the morning, he was beat. He’d received a call from Tru that had his gut tied in knots. Apparently Crystal had finally come clean to Gemma. As he drove up the dark mountain road, he cursed himself for taking the shift and not being there for her. It had been a long night. A group of rowdy guys had come in around eleven and stayed until after one, playing pool and hitting on every woman in the place. That shit got old quick, and tonight, when he wanted to be with Crystal and not babysitting horny guys, his patience had been hanging on by a thread.

He pulled up the long driveway, activating the solar lights he’d installed last weekend and bringing Crystal’s car into focus. He slammed it into park and jumped out.

“Crystal?” he called into the dark, peering into her car.

With his heart in his throat, he ran to the front porch and found her fast asleep, curled up on a chair with Harley in her lap, holding her car keys and clutching the little worry doll between her fingers. She wore a pair of plaid pajama pants and the shirt that read Dip me in honey and feed me to Bear. His heart squeezed. He dropped to his knees and wrapped his arms around her waist, a wave of relief washing over him.

She opened her eyes, a smile curving her lips.

“Hey, sugar. Are you okay?”

“Our bed felt empty,” she said sleepily.

Our bed. Christ, she was every bit as in as he was. He picked up Harley and hugged Crystal. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“I told Gemma,” she whispered against his cheek.

“I know. Tru called to check up on you. Are you okay?” Tru had also wanted to check up on Bear and make sure he wasn’t losing his mind, which he was, but he was keeping it under control.

“Yeah. She didn’t hate me.” Her eyes dampened, and another wave of guilt for not being there tonight hit him. “Tru called? Does that mean everyone knows?”

He helped her to her feet. “No. He just wanted to make sure you were okay. I’ll make you a key tomorrow. I don’t want you waiting outside for me. Why didn’t you call? I would have come to you.”

“I don’t know. I missed you, so I packed up and came over.” She glanced down at her backpack beside the chair, and he picked it up.

They went inside and headed upstairs. He was glad she was there, but Crystal sitting outside alone at night didn’t sit well with him. He took a quick shower and found Harley sleeping on his pillow. Leaving Harley where she was, he climbed into bed and cuddled up to Crystal.

She turned toward him. “Is it too presumptive that I came over?”

“I want you to be presumptive.” He pulled her closer and pressed his lips to hers. “I hated the idea that you were alone tonight. I hate every night that we spend apart. I always want you with me.”

“Me too.” Her eyes turned serious. “I’m dreading seeing my mother this weekend. I know I didn’t want you to meet her, but now that I’m not hiding anything from you, would you consider coming? Jed will be there, and we don’t have to stay long.”

“Of course. Whatever you want.” He touched his lips to hers.

“I keep thinking about Gemma. She doesn’t see her mother regularly because her mother is so awful. In a different way from mine, of course, but still. And seeing my mom…Well, you saw me that day we were supposed to paint Tru and Gemma’s house. Every time I see my mother, I feel like I fall into a tar pit and I have to claw my way back out again afterward.”

“Then why do you do it? I’m a loyal guy, but if it’s that bad, why go? Are you helping her in some way by visiting?”

She shook her head. “She doesn’t even seem like she wants me there. She’s hateful and says horrible things about me and my father. She’s even bitchy to Jed, who has always been there for her.”