Broken Dreams

Steve sucked in a shaky breath. “Did you ever touch Sissy?”

Noah looked up at me. “She told you everything?”

I nodded my head, and he looked away.

Steve yelled, “Did. You. Touch. Sissy?”

“No. Never.”

I was pretty sure Steve and I both let out the breath we had been holding, but I didn’t trust this bastard.

“The only reason I’m not walking over to my gun safe right now is because I love my family, and they need me. Otherwise, you’d be dead right now.”

Noah’s face dropped, and I could see the sweat running down his forehead.

“If I so much as ever see your face or find out you are attempting to talk to anyone in my family, I’ll find some way to make it happen. Do you understand me?”

Noah nodded his head and whispered, “I understand you. What are you going to do?”

Steve stood up and turned to look at me. “I’m going to leave you alone with the man who loves my daughter, and you better pray the police get here fast.”

“Think about Courtney,” Steve said to me as he made his way past me and to the door.

As the door shut, I turned and looked at Noah. He just stared at me as I made my way over to the same chair Steve had been sitting in.

“Why don’t you just get it over with?” he said as he looked away.

I sat down in the chair and let out a gruff laugh. “Believe me, asshole, I’d like to beat you until you’re barely breathing.”

He gave me a cocky smile and said, “Then, why don’t you?”

“Because I love Courtney, and I won’t do anything to harm our future. Besides, I’m the winner in this.”

“You’re the winner? How do you figure?” Noah said as he touched the side of his eye that I had split open when I hit him over and over.

“I’m married to the most amazing woman, and we’re going to have a baby in April. I’m going to give her everything she has ever dreamed of. I’m going to make love to her every single chance I get. Each morning and each night, I’m going to cover her in kisses while I tell her how much I love her. I’m never going to take her love for granted, and I will adore her always.”

He smirked and said, “I’ll always be her first.”

I jumped up and grabbed him by the shirt as I got in his face. “You were never her first. You were nothing but a nightmare that I intend on making sure she never has to worry about again. I swear to God, if you ever attempt to contact her, you will regret it. I would go to jail for the rest of my life to protect her and my child.”

Noah quickly looked away.

“Do you understand how lucky you are? There are three men here right now who would love to kill you. I suggest you leave and never look back.”

The door opened, and Noah’s head snapped up. He closed his eyes as he dropped his head.

“Reed?”

I took a few steps back and turned around to leave. There was another man standing next to Steve. He looked like an older version of Noah.

“Noah’s father is here. Courtney is asking for you.”

I nodded my head and walked past the two men. As I made my way out, I turned in the opposite direction of where Courtney was and made my way to the guest bathroom. I shut the door and turned on the cold water. I splashed water on my face over and over again as I lost it and began crying.

After a few minutes of trying to get my breathing under control, I heard a knock on the door. I cleared my throat and held out my hands. They were barely shaking now, so I opened the door. Marie and Steve were standing there.

“Courtney is asking to leave, Reed,” Marie said as she wiped a tear away. “Oh God. I only wish we had known.”

Marie broke down crying as she fell into Steve’s arms. He looked at me, and I gave him a knowing nod. I knew exactly how he felt. He just wanted to take all their pain away.

“I’m going to get Court and take her back to the hotel.”

Steve nodded and began walking with Marie.

As I headed to the living room, I heard Tyler and Meg talking. My heart ached for them. It was supposed to be one of the happiest days of their lives, and it had turned out to be nothing but a nightmare.

I walked past the kitchen, and Tyler called out for me, “Reed! Please…wait.”

I stopped and took a deep breath.

“I just wanted to say I’m sorry. If I had just known what Noah had done, and…I mean…” He began choking back a sob. “He asked me not to tell Meg, but that didn’t surprise me because Meg had made it known that she didn’t like Noah, but I…I didn’t…fuck. He didn’t want me to let Court know he was here either, and now, looking back, I fucked up so bad. I don’t know why I didn’t see the signs.” He fell back against the wall and said, “My own sister and girlfriend. Oh God…”

I placed my hand on his shoulder and said, “I think you and Meg should spend some time alone together. If she hasn’t talked to anyone about this, she is really going to need you now more than ever.”

He nodded his head. “Court won’t talk to me. She wouldn’t talk to anyone but Mom, Dad, and Sissy. Do you think she hates me, Reed?”

I shook my head and gave him a weak smile. “No, Tyler. She just needs some time. Just give her some time.”

He slowly nodded his head and attempted to give me a smile.

“Listen, I need to get Court out of here. Is Meg okay?” I asked as I looked around him and into the kitchen. I was guessing it was her mother and father who were in there with her.

Tyler looked back at Meg and said, “Yes and no. But we’re gonna be okay. I’ll do everything in my power to help her in whatever way she needs.”

“I know you will.” I reached out my hand and shook his before I headed to my girl.

She was curled up on the sofa, and Sissy was sitting on the floor. Courtney was running her fingers through Sissy’s hair. When Sissy saw me, she turned, gave Courtney a kiss on the cheek, and whispered something to her.

Sissy walked up to me and gave me a hug. “Please take care of her.”

I brushed away the single tear from her cheek and smiled. “Forever and always.”

I gave her a kiss on the cheek and then made my way over to my angel. I bent down and ran the back of my hand down the side of her face. When she smiled, my heart began pounding harder.

She sat up and said, “I need to get out of the house.”

I reached for her hand and helped her up. I reached down and swooped her up into my arms.