Wrecking Us Saving You Read online

  “I am sorry.” I wrap my arms around her. “I’ve missed so much, I want to do what I can to help. If we were together, I would’ve helped pay the bill.”

  “You can’t spend the rest of our lives making up for what you missed; no one can do that, Chord. Especially when you weren’t at fault.” She slips her hands under my jacket.

  “I get it, you’re right.” I press my lips to hers. “Wait. Did you say, you love me?”

  Her eyes gleam. “Did I? I’m not sure.”

  I nod my head. “I heard it, I heard ‘I love you’.”

  “That’s because I do, I love you.” My heart thunders in my chest.

  “I love you most.”

  Chord helps Silas from the backseat, taking him by the hand. I don’t have it in me to tell him Silas can walk on his own. Chord has carried him or held his hand everywhere we’ve went. I can’t break his heart by telling him.

  Chord holds the door open, allowing Silas and me in first. The office has a receptionist area with offices down both sides of the building. The conference rooms are located just behind the main desk.

  “Hey, anyone around?” Chord calls out as he walks around the desk, searching the mail.

  One walks out of the office to the left. “Hey, have you checked your emails yet?”

  “No, I was about to,” Chord answers, turning to the computer.

  One walks over, hugging me. “Hi, Sarah.”

  Silas tugs on my shirt. “Can I go around there with Chorwd.”

  “Come on, buddy,” Chord answers before I can.

  I roll my eyes at One. “He’s gonna spoil him rotten.”

  “Is there another way?” One shrugs, beaming at his little brother.

  Chord helps Silas up on his leg. “There it is, passed it! I’m officially a Real Estate Agent.” Chord holds his hand to Silas for a high five.

  “Congratulations.” I reach over the desk, caressing his face.

  “Congratulations, now get to work.” One chuckles, and I wink at him as he smiles.

  Chord nods. “I’m on it. Is Lea here, I need an update on a few things.”

  “Lea’s here, so is your desk.” She comes around the corner.

  “We’re gonna be making a run to Charleston tomorrow, will that give you enough time to finish the house?” Chord winces.

  “Plenty, I have your office almost finished.” She jerks her head toward the hall.

  “What are y’all going to Charleston for?” One pulls his brows down low.

  Chord’s eyes flicker to mine, and I smile. “Chord asked us to move in.”

  “You should’ve just brought it when you came.” Thayer walks in, giggling.

  “Right? I was waiting for him to ask, and he was waiting for me to speak up.”

  Chord narrows his eyes. “It wasn’t nothing like that, I didn’t want to rush her.”

  “Whatever, we knew y’all would be back together. It was just a matter of time.” Thayer puts her arm around me.

  “Thayer, have you looked at any of the applicants for the receptionist? We keep growing, and we need the help,” One says.

  “Umm, we need a receptionist. A family-owned business needs help. I happen to know someone who wants a job.” Chord stares at me.

  “I’ve never been a receptionist. I wouldn’t know where to start or what to do.” My eyes widen, and my stomach flip flops.

  “There’s nothing to it, you answer the phone and take messages. We’ll all be around to help.” Lea raises her brows with a smile.

  “And who can say they have a job with full benefits? You can also bring your child to work with you anytime. We have cribs in our offices.” One inclines his head toward his office.

  “Seriously? You want me to work here, with you all?” My mouth hangs open.

  “Think about it this way, it’ll keep us from having to chase Chord while he runs around checking on you all day.” One laughs.

  I look from person to person, they seem genuine. “I’d need a week to get settled. I still need to check on schools, and we need to fix Silas’ birth certificate.”

  “Oh, yeah. I forgot to mention a small, tiny thing.” Chord smiles at Silas before his eyes dart to mine. “Sarah’s a Hamilton.”

  The entire room drops their jaws. “Y’all, not like that. We’re not married, I took the name to work and for Silas.” Ahhs and Ohhs spread throughout, and I glare at Chord.

  “Well, with the way you two do things, we were comin’ along for the ride.” Lea giggles.

  “Is there anything we can do to help to get y’all ready? With the move, school, or work?” Thayer asks.

  My stomach has developed butterflies, it’s just fluttering. “I think we may be good. I do need a couple of things to start work in, and I need to plan a birthday party.” I wink at Silas, who turns to smile at Chord. Chord gazes at him, his eyes glossy. I lay my hand across my stomach, Thayer slips her arm around me.

  “They look so good together,” she whispers.

  “Perfect.” Chord’s eyes flicker to mine.

  “Another first, I’m not sure I can take all of this in a matter of weeks.” He rubs Silas’ head. “Just a little information, Aunt Lea has the most money, go for gold and kiss up to her.” My eyes are wide as everyone laughs.

  “Aunt Lea, can I have a plane?” Silas asks as he giggles.

  “I tell you what, we’ll plan a trip and you can take mine.” Lea tweaks his nose.

  “You have a plane?” I think my eyes bug out like a cartoon character.

  “You’ve missed so much.” Thayer bumps my arm. “We need to go shopping, sounds like a girls’ day!”

  “Friday, we’ll make a day of it.” Lea winks.

  I pick at my nails, glancing at Chord as his mouth twitches. “We’ll be fine, you should go.”

  “Just like old times, you can even slip into your favorite store.” Thayer bumps me with her shoulder.

  “You remember that?” I grab my chest as it skips a beat.

  “What favorite store?” Chord quirks his brow.

  Thayer giggles. “Oh, I bet you remember. I’m thinking it was white, maybe with lace?”

  My face goes from rosy to red in two seconds. Chord’s eyes smolder, mirroring mine. “Yeah, I remember.”

  “Me too.” My core tightens as the memory of him entering me flashes in my mind.

  “Wowza, Mommy and Daddy need a playdate.” Lea fans herself.

  Chord sets Silas down and stands as he watches me. “Sorry.”

  I give a half shrug. “It’s true.”

  “We need to get over to Walker’s. I’ll drop the key off tomorrow before we leave. I need to make a few copies so we have spares.” Chord scratches his head.

  “Hardy can let Lea in and then go get some copies. Please let Mom know you’re headed out of town. I’m sure she’s wanting to see Silas again soon,” One says.

  Chord stands beside me and I slip my hand into his, earning me a squeeze. “Will do. Hate to run, we’ll get together this weekend. Thanks y’all.” He turns, tugging me along with Silas in the other hand.

  Chord drives a few lights down, turning into what looks like an old bank but it says law office. He parks, turning to me. “Are you okay with this? I feel like all I’ve done is railroad you since you got here.”

  “I hate we have to do this. I wish like crazy we didn’t.” My palms are sweating, and I feel sick at my stomach.

  He takes my hand. “There’s nothing you could have done about it. I know one thing, we’ve got to push past our regrets. None of them were our fault.”

  “Silas, this is our last stop and then we’ll do something fun.” Chord smiles at him, erupting my butterflies.

  Chord stands to the side as Silas and I walk in front of him. He moves to the front once we’re in the door. “Hi, Chord Hamilton.”

  “Walker’s expecting you, go on in.” His secretary is the sweetest.

  “Thank you, Donna.” Chord takes my hand, leading us to the back office.

 
; He knocks on the open door. “Chord, how are you?” Walker extends his hand, shaking Chord’s hand. He’s tall, big, and handsome.

  “Good.” He smiles. “I’d like you to meet, Sarah. Sarah, Walker Pennington.” He reaches for my hand, and I take it, gawking at Chord.

  “It’s good to finally meet you.” He grins. “All these years, I thought he was delusional.” He closes the door behind us. “Please, have a seat.”

  Chord takes Silas’ hand and we take a seat across the desk from Walker. “Sarah and I have decided to move forward. One of the ways that will help us do that is to have me added to the birth certificate.”

  Silas tugs at Chord’s arm. “Chorwd.”

  “One minute, buddy,” Chord whispers.

  “Alright. Do you have the original?” Walker asks as he takes out a file.

  “I do but there’s another problem.”

  “Chorwd.” Silas pats his leg, and Chord moves him to his leg.

  “What’s the issue?” Walker leans forward.

  “Sarah had to take on an assumed identity but never had any paperwork. She added my name and Silas was born a Hamilton,” Chord explains as Silas taps his arm.

  “Chorwd.”

  “So it’s as though her name is Hamilton and there’s no father listed.” Walker goes over the paper.

  “Chorwd.” Silas pulls on his arm. “Chorwd.” He pokes him. “Daddy!” Chord’s eyes grow wide.

  “You called me daddy.” Chord’s face glows. “I’m sorry, what is it, buddy?” Chord’s eyes are filled with tears.

  “He looks like Thor and he’s got his hammer.” He points to the table by the couch, his eyes are about to pop out of his head.

  Chord laughs, hugging him close. “Actually, Walker, you do have an uncanny likeness. Are you sure you’re not Thor?”

  “Positive, I’m better looking.” Walker laughs with Chord. “Let’s see what we can do with this. I think we’re going to need to petition the court and have a family law judge sort it out.”

  “I thought so.” Chord sits back in his seat.

  “What is it? Why a family law judge?” My head bounces between Walker and Chord.

  Walker stops taking notes to explain. “When you gave birth, you were Sarah Sutton Hamilton. You are neither, Sarah Hamilton or Sutton Hamilton which means you have no way of proving you’re his mother. Nor is there a record he’s the father. A family law judge will hear it privately, and we can skip over some of the technicalities of the story.”

  “We might have a better, maybe easier, chance of getting it fixed.” Chord takes my hand.

  “There’s always marriage.” Walker shrugs.

  “Excuse me?” My chest tightens.

  “Since your given name is on there, it would be like you dropped Beth and kept your maiden name. You two get married and it’s done. He signs he’s Silas’ father, and they issue a new certificate,” Walker says as matter of fact.

  “Oh, that’s it. We’ll just get married.” I tremble at the thought.

  Chord’s gaze drops, fuck. “We’ll try this way first.”

  “Alright, I’ll get to work on it right away.” Walker stands, moving around his desk. He picks up the toy hammer before kneeling in front of Silas. “This is for you, it was good to meet you, Silas.”

  Walker’s taken by surprise when Silas throws his arms around his neck. “Thank you, Thorw.”

  Chord fist bumps Walker, mouthing ‘thank you’. “Hit me up if you need anything.”

  “No worries, we’ll get this worked out.” Walker holds his hand out. “Congratulations, I know how much this means to you.”

  He turns to me, hand extended. “Sarah, I hope to get to see more of you. I hear you’re an exceptional mother.” My heart thrums, there’s only one person who could’ve told him that—Chord.

  “I’m sure you will and thank you, but I think he’s biased.”

  “I am, she’s amazing.” Chord wraps my hand with his, grinning.

  “Have you talked to Luke?” I glance at her.

  She picks at her shirt. “No, I haven’t. I know, I should’ve called.”

  “Why didn’t you?”

  She turns in her seat to see me better. “I love him, I do. He’s my best friend, besides you and Thayer. But he’s so damn judgmental.”

  “Yeah, he kinda read me the riot act before we left. Don’t get me wrong, he was doing it because he loves you and I appreciate anyone who has y’alls back.”

  She leans against the headrest, the little v forming between her eyes. “I know he does, he has for six years.”

  “What do you think he’s gonna do?”

  “I’ll hear a hundred times how this is too soon. That we need more time. It’s insane to think we can make it,” she grumbles.

  “Sarah, how do you feel about this? Us? Rip off the band-aid and tell me what the hell you’re thinking?”

  “I’ve told you, I love you. Am I scared? Yes. There’s no way I’m walking away. I’ve waited my whole life for this love, and I’ll be damned if I don’t fight for it.” Her brows hang low over her eyes.

  “You know, that’s the first time I’ve heard you say you’d fight for us.” My heart’s so full, my chest may rupture.

  “When Walker mentioned getting married yesterday, you wanna know the first thing that popped into my head?” She gazes at me.

  “Of course.” I take her hand, laying it on my thigh.

  “I love our son, I don’t want him to be the reason we get married or the only bond we share. A marriage, the one we wanted, should be more. A child shouldn’t keep someone in it, and they should never end one.” She shakes her leg, waiting for my thoughts.

  “I agree. I love him but I want you to marry me because you want to spend the rest of your life with me. I’ll wait until you’re sure we can withstand the test of time.”

  “Haven’t we though? To be apart six years and still have my knees go weak when I hear your voice. To have butterflies take flight when I hear you say I love you.” She laces our fingers.

  “I think you know your heart and mind, tell him.”

  She takes a deep breath. “I’m going to, after I tell the club to fuck off.”

  “One of these days, he’s gonna be awake and repeat one of us.” I chuckle at her choice of words.

  “I know.” She covers her mouth. “Why are we waiting?”

  “Waiting?” I glance at her, holding my breath.

  She closes her eyes. “To get married?”

  “I have no clue, why are we?” I raise her hand to my lips, kissing it.

  “Once we’re settled, how about we plan a small wedding? Maybe on the beach? Is that cliché?” She scrunches her nose up.

  “If you want a beach wedding, I’ll buy the damn sand. Tell me when and I’ll be there, waiting.” I kiss her hand again as my pulse races, telling me I’m alive again.

  “Luke’s gonna flip shit.” She winces. “Is he still asleep?” She leans over, staring into the backseat.

  “No, Momma. I heard what you said.” Silas glares at her, shaking his finger.

  “Silas, we may need to talk about bad words.” She laughs. “For the first time in a long time, I feel perfect.”

  “That’s because you are, to us anyway.” She unbuckles her seatbelt and kisses me. “And you’ve lost your mind, get your seatbelt back on.” I swat at her ass when she sits back down.

  We drive into Charleston around noon, knowing Luke will be awake by now. We brought boxes and a few suitcases. Sarah told me they don’t have a lot to move, which just upsets me more.

  “Hey, where you at?” Sarah calls out as we enter the apartment.

  Luke stumbles from his room, still half asleep. “I had to cover for Meagan last night, which you would have known if you’d get a decent phone. Texting, it’s this incredible thing.” He kisses her cheek.

  “Chord has threatened to get me a new one.” She elbows Luke.

  “She’s getting one soon, we can only do so much at once.”

/>   “What are you doing here?” Luke’s head bounces from the suitcases to Sarah.

  “I’m sure I know how you’ll feel about this but, Luke, as much as I love you, I have to do this for us. I will never be able to repay you for saving Silas and me. I don’t want to lose you. We’re moving in together.” She fumbles for my hand, and I grip hers tight in mine.

  Luke scoots close to her, holding her face in his hands. “Sarah, I love you. You’re my sister, the only family I’ve had. You say you owe me. Not true, I owe you. You brought me back to life. You and Silas did that for me. You’re never getting rid of me.”

  Sarah pulls him into a hug. “Thank you.”

  “Luke, we have two extra bedrooms, you’re welcome anytime.”

  “It has a beach view like you won’t believe.” Sarah snickers.

  Luke gazes at me. “I have to hand it to you, I thought for sure she would’ve come back by now. You must be doing something right.”

  “We’re taking our time, planning a wedding and loving life as it comes.” I shrug.

  “I’m happy for you, honestly.” Luke hugs her this time. “Now, what can I help do?”

  “There’s some boxes downstairs, I guess we’ll start with the clothes first.” Sarah looks over her shoulder at me.

  “I’ll grab the boxes."

  We work for two hours, getting them packed in no time. On one hand, that’s great but the other, it means they did without. I try to keep the anger at bay thinking of what they didn’t have.

  “Please, if you need me, call. I’m a bus ticket away.” Luke hugs her close.

  “Luke, if she needs you, my sister-in-law owns a plane, we’ll come get you.”

  “Damn.” He slaps his hand over his mouth. “I mean, dang. What’s this house look like?” Luke places his hand on his hip.

  “Four bedrooms, three and half baths, four-car garage...” Luke belts out a loud laugh.

  “You, a four-car garage? Are you planning to learn to drive?” He chuckles at her, Sarah’s face is red.

  “I am and the Mister’s gonna buy me a nice ride.” She elbows me.

  “We’ll start tomorrow.” I kiss her cheek.

  “Spoil her but good. She deserves it.” Luke smiles.