The Finish Line

Chapter 70

It took everything I had not to walk through the door and stomp her ass. But, I needed to know how Jordan would handle the situation.

“Get off me, Wendy.” He shrugged her off, his lip curling with disgust. “Desperate doesn’t suit you. You’re pathetic.” He was on a roll, I put my fist in the air in victory celebration as he rounded on her. Jordan Slater, angry, was a sight to behold. He pulled up to his full height, his chest out and his eyes narrowed with rage. “He’s too good for you. He always was. And what do you do? You beat him down and make him feel like shit. He’s given you everything and it’s never good enough. You’re less than nothing, Wendy. You’re a washed-up slut with no sense.” He tossed a grease covered rag at her. “Get the fuck outta my garage.”

“This is because of Raelynn, isn’t it?” Her voice went cold.

“Don’t you even say her name,” he growled dangerously.

When she reached for him again, I couldn’t stand it anymore and interceded. If she was dumb enough to not comprehend what he was telling her, it was time for an education. “You heard him, Wendy.” I stepped through the side door. “Or do I need to call Aiden?”

Wendy snarled at me, “You think you know everything.” The black mascara was clumped on her lashes and did little to hide the desperation in her eyes.

“No.” I took my place at Jordan’s side, interlacing my fingers with his as I’d done in bed the night before. “But, I know enough about you to know that Jordan’s right. You’ve never been good enough for my brother and this time I’ll make sure he knows what you’re up to. All I can hope is my niece grows up more like us than you.” I wanted to hit her. Only Jordan’s strong arm pulling me close stayed my hand.

“You killed him!” She shook with hate as she launched her volley. I flinched and absorbed the shock of it, even though it was meant for Jordan. “You killed him and fucked the woman he loved the most. And suddenly you get self-righteous about Aiden?”

“Get, the—” My words were stolen from my lips from a very familiar voice.

“—fuck out of here, Wendy.” My heart froze in my chest. The sunlight behind him cast golden flecks into the dark hair that fell into his face. There was pain in his eyes, though not surprise. My brother wasn’t stupid. “I won’t have you talking to my family like that.”

If Jordan’s voice had been dangerous, the low sound that slid from my brother’s lips was deadly. On his hip, my nephew’s blue eyes were wide with apprehension.

“Fuck you, Aiden,” she spat and stomped out of the garage. We all stood, shell shocked, as she peeled from the driveway tossing gravel. She hadn’t even looked at her child.

“Molly?” I asked him.

“With Mom.” He nuzzled Luke’s curls.

I turned to Jordan, pressing my face against his chest. “She’s wrong.”

He said nothing and held me tight. Whatever passed between he and my brother, I couldn’t see, but Aiden’s free arm wrapped around both of us. I turned and pulled Luke’s face to mine and kissed his cheeks.

“Can you help Mom with the kids?” Aiden asked me as he handed the little guy to me. “I’m going to get our shit.”

“I’ll come with you and bring the trailer. I’ll call Vic, and we can have you out of there tonight.”

“I’ll send Breanna to help when she gets home,” I added. My sister would be all too happy to get rid of Wendy.

Jordan kissed me once, gently on the lips, and loped after my brother.

“It may not seem like it, but this is the best day ever, kiddo,” I told my nephew as he played with my hair. “Today the rest of our lives begins. And you know what? You and your sister will have the most amazing life. Aunt Rae will make sure of it.”

“Rae!” He squealed and wiggled in my arms.

Everything would be okay, I had to feel that way. I wouldn’t let Wendy poison the happiness I’d found.

****

I should be happy. Wendy would be out of Aiden’s life now, mostly. I would stay with Jordan and start my life in earnest. Everything was falling into place for me like I always hoped it would.

Yet, a melancholy had settled over me. Aiden had tried and failed at marriage. His children would be raised by a loving father and grandparents, most likely without their mother. They would have family and know the love of the family, but I doubted Wendy was going to stick around. It wasn’t her style. She might have even gone after Jordan so that Aiden would leave her.

Aiden would live with the knowledge that he’d failed. Although he hadn’t, not truly. I knew because I’d thought the same thing when I’d left and when I’d come back. Even now, having lost Devin who we cared so much about, I didn’t feel like we’d won anything.

I wasn’t as happy as I should be. It seemed a heavy price had been paid for my happiness.