Be With Me(87)

“Hutch, you were just a boy,” she said gently.

“Yeah, just a kid,” he said derisively. “I haven’t thought about those times in years, Reggie, but when I came home and saw that, it was like seeing my dad and my mom al over again. I know what I did was wrong, but it sickened me to think of anyone ever hurting you like that.”

He looked away guiltily. “And maybe I’ve just been waiting for Sawyer to screw up. I’ve never liked how rough he was with you, but I’ve sat on my hands and held my tongue because I knew it would only cause an argument, and I guess deep down, I know I’m being an ass.”

She opened her mouth to speak, but he began pacing again.

“He kil ed her, Reggie. And the bastard got away with it. Her death was ruled an accident. Ironical y she was drunk. She never drank, but I guess that night it was just too much for her. He pushed her down the stairs and then played the grieving husband. I couldn’t stay there anymore so I ran, and I never went back.”

The ache in her heart grew as she saw the raw pain grooved into his face. He looked as lost as Sawyer had looked when Hutch had condemned him.

“I thought your parents were dead . . . like Cam’s and Sawyer’s,” she said quietly. “I never realized . . . I mean you never talked about them.”

“What’s to tel ?” he said derisively. “My old man wasn’t exactly something to write home about, and I was always afraid that I’d get sent back to him. It was easier to pretend he didn’t exist.”

She rose falteringly, her feet unsteady beneath her.

And then she went to him, sliding her arms around his waist and burying her face in his chest.

“I’m sorry, Hutch.”

He gripped her tightly to him, his chest heaving with unspent emotion. “You have nothing to apologize for, Reggie. I was a complete and utter jerk. I jeopardized everything. Not only for me but for Sawyer and Cam. Can you ever forgive me for that?” She closed her eyes, hoping it was as simple as forgiveness. For al of them.

“You have to make this right with Sawyer,” she said quietly.

“I know. But first I had to make it right with you.

What I did was unforgivable. I did exactly what we swore we wouldn’t. Put you between us. I love you, Reggie. And I’m sorry.”

She squeezed him tighter. “I’m going to go up and wait for Sawyer, okay?”

Hutch rubbed his hands up and down her back.

“I’m so glad you came home, baby. I was so worried.

Don’t leave like that again please. Next time stay and kick my ass or make me leave, but don’t walk out. This is your home. You belong with us even though I don’t deserve you.”

She smiled and then tilted her head back so she could lean up to kiss him. “I’m tired and it’s been a long day. I’m gonna head up and crawl into Sawyer’s bed. I just hope to hel he comes home so I can talk some sense into his head.”

Guilt flashed again across Hutch’s face. He started to speak, but she held a finger over his lips.

“Save it for Sawyer,” she said gently.

He nodded and loosened his hold on her. She let her hands slide down his arms to his wrists, and then she squeezed his hands once before turning to head up the stairs.

She hadn’t meant to fal asleep, but when she heard the door creak open and saw the time, she realized she had.

The light flipped on, and she threw an arm over her eyes as her eyebal s al but exploded.

“Fuck! Sorry, Reggie,” Sawyer muttered before slapping at the light switch to plunge the room back into darkness.

“It’s okay,” she said groggily. “Turn it back on.” Instead he walked over and switched on the bedside lamp. Cautiously, she removed her arm from her face and stared up at him.

He looked . . . rough. Like he’d been a few rounds with a guy much bigger than him, though she wasn’t sure there were many of those around.

“What the hel happened to you?” she demanded.

“And where’ve you been?”

The corner of his mouth cracked up in what looked suspiciously like a half grin.

“Went and had a few,” he said with a shrug.

Her eyes narrowed. “And you drove home? Damn it, Sawyer, why didn’t you cal me? Are you just trying to kil yourself or get arrested?”

He plopped down on the bed, leaned forward then turned his head to look at her. “You stayed up just to give me a lecture?”

“No, dumbass, I stayed up because I wanted to see you. Because I wanted to talk some sense into your thick head.”

“I can see why I came home for such abuse.” His voice was thick with amusement, but shadows stil haunted his eyes.

She crawled across the bed, grabbed handfuls of his shirt and yanked him forward. His mouth fel open in surprise about the time she swooped in to kiss him.

She slid around his body like she was a pole dancer on the make. Then before he could so much as blink, she shoved forward, knocking him flat on his back.

She went with him and they both landed with a thump.

Her lips found his again. She kissed him then released then kissed him again. “Don’t.” Kiss. “Ever.” Kiss. “Run.” Kiss. “Off.” Kiss. “Likethatagain!” His hands slid up her back to cup her shoulders as she peppered his mouth with hers.