Something for the Pain(31)

“You,” I admit. “My protectiveness over you won over all the other bullshit of being his friend. You’ve been my top priority since day one, and your happiness is at the top of my every day fucking list, dammit.”

I stand up and pull her in for a hug, showing her I’m fucking sorry and I’m an idiot, when her eyes begin to glisten. “The last thing I ever want to do is make you cry, babe.” I press my lips to the top of her head and rock her back and forth in my arms, comforting her. “I’m sorry. I’m here for you no matter what. Never forget that. That’s all I’m trying to say. I’m trying to look out for you. I need to look out for you. It’s how I survive.”

“I know . . . I don’t . . .” She stops talking and squeezes me tighter as if she can’t get close enough. Her sweet smell overwhelms me, causing me to bury my face into her neck, wanting more. “I’m just having a hard time right now.”

“Me too, baby. Me too.” Pulling away, I grab her chin and force a smile. “Take the day off. Let’s both call in. I want to spend the day with you and see you smile. You need to smile.”

There’s no hesitation when she agrees to take the day off, and it makes my heart jump with joy. The old Tripp would never say no to an Alex and Tripp day. We need this more than we both know. “Where are we going?”

I tangle both of my hands into the back of her hair and massage. “Will you go see my mother with me? I just want to sit there like old times, in silence, just remembering all the good times. You’re the only one that seems to soothe my pain when there and it’s been a while since I’ve gone.”

Her voice is thick with emotion when she responds. “Of course, Alex. I miss her too.” She squeezes my hand and smiles. “I’m going to take a quick shower. Meet me by your truck in twenty?” She backs away with the cutest grin I’ve ever fucking seen. I love this girl.

“My truck in twenty.” I flash my dimples and laugh as I watch her walk toward the door. “You know me well, Firecracker.”

She stops and peers over her right shoulder. “I do. Never forget that.” She winks and my dick twitches.

Seriously . . . just like that. Just like fucking that.

Just like always, when I walk outside twenty minutes later, fresh out of the shower, she’s standing beside my truck looking painfully beautiful. She’s wearing one of my favorite dresses today. The material is red, thin, and skin tight. It takes everything in me not to run my hands all over her stunning body and tell her that I want her for myself . . . to myself.

“You look hot.” I lift my brows, making her burst into laughter as I check her out. “What? You do. That’s my favorite dress on you. I’ve never denied it. You’re definitely my firecracker now.”

“Alright, stud.” She tries to hide her face, but I still manage to see her face turn just about as red as that damn dress. I love that I can make her feel that good. She deserves to blush at least once every day, and I know for a fact that Lucas can’t do that for her. “Let’s go. Memphis and Lyric are meeting us there. They don’t have much time before work.”

My heart squeezes at the mention of her inviting my brother and Lyric. The things this woman does are so damn incredible, and she doesn’t even have to try. It just comes naturally.

I smile at her, silently showing my appreciation before helping her into my truck.

When we arrive at the cemetery, Memphis and Lyric are already parked. Looking through the windshield for them, I spot them both sitting in the grass about fifteen feet away.

“Oh good.” Tripp smiles and reaches over to squeeze my hand. “The whole family is here now. It’s been too long since we’ve done this.”

Tripp lets go of my hand and hops out of the truck. She looks back at me, but I give her the okay to go. I just need a small moment to myself. Seeing my mother’s name etched across the tombstone never gets any easier. Not one fucking bit.



Lizzy Carter

Loving Mother and fighter till the end.

You shall never be forgotten



Those words have haunted me for six years now.

Clenching my jaw to keep the tears at bay, I run my hands over my face and lean into the steering wheel. “Be strong for her. That’s all she’s ever wanted.”

I wait a few minutes before finally getting out of the truck and joining the others.

Memphis instantly walks over and pulls me in for a hug, wrapping his arms around my head. “She’s good, bro. She’s happy and healthy. Remember that.”

I slap his shoulder and squeeze it before pulling away. “I know, man. I’m just picturing her smile.”

Memphis smiles and grips both of my shoulders. “I love that woman’s smile. You were the lucky asshole that got her dimples. Lucky dick . . .”

Lyric pulls Memphis away and forces her way in between us. “My turn. Come here, Alex.” She pulls me in for a tight hug and kisses my cheek. “It’s good to see you.” She leans in next to my ear and talks quietly. “I want to talk to you for a minute.”

I look over Lyric’s shoulder and see Memphis standing next to Tripp with his arm around her shoulder. It makes me happy to see how close they’ve grown since he’s gotten out of prison. That’s another reason why I can’t fuck this all up. “What’s up?”

Grabbing my hand, she pulls me away so that we can talk privately. “I’m going to give you some advice and I hope you take it. Listen to me, Alex. I love you like a brother. You know that, right?”

I nod my head. “Yeah . . . of course. I love you too, girl.”

My heart starts racing as she glances back over at Tripp. I know where this conversation is headed and I’m not sure that I can handle it right now. I’m already confused as shit.

“You love her, Alex. I can see it in everything that you do.”

I nod my head. “Of course I do. That girl is everything to me. I breathe for her, but that’s no secret.”

She gives me a hard look and grabs my chin, forcing me to look her in the eyes. “Tell me what the hell you’re going to do about that.”

“What the fuck am I supposed to do, Lyric? She’s my best fucking friend. There’s nothing I can do about it. I’m not ruining thirteen years of friendship if it doesn’t work out. I can’t do that shit.”

“After thirteen years you still question if it could work out? Make her yours before someone else does. That’s what you do about it. Do you want to see her with someone else? Like really see her. . . . Do you want Lucas to keep her to himself?”

“Fuck no.” I clench my jaw in anger just thinking about Lucas touching her. “That motherfucker doesn’t deserve her. Who enjoys sleeping with other women when they have a girl like Tripp? Don’t even get me started on him right now.”

“I know that, Alex. You don’t have to tell me. I hear things. I know things. Every time that I talk to that woman she tells me how much she cares for you, how you made her smile that day, or that you made her breakfast . . . washed her apron, or whatever else you do for her. You’re a good man, Alex. That woman lives to fucking make you happy and you live to make her happy. That’s the only kind of true love there is. It wins out over everything. What you two have is the only relationship that will work.”

She grabs the back of my head and places her forehead to mine. “It’s time to cross that line and show her how you truly feel. You’re important to me. I don’t want to see you miserable, and I know for a fact that if you two don’t speak up fast . . . that’s what you’ll be. Don’t make me watch that, Alex. I need you happy. Memphis needs you happy. He worries about you.”

Her words shake me up and I find myself staring at Tripp as she leans into Memphis’ shoulder to cry. Fuck, it makes my heart ache. The only thing I can think about is getting to her as fast as I can and comforting her. I live to comfort her.

“Shit . . . I gotta take care of her. We’ll talk later.”

Walking up behind Tripp, I pull her away from Memphis and bury her against my chest. “It’s okay, baby. Let it out.”

“I miss her. I miss seeing you two together.” She sniffles and wipes her face across my shirt. “You were always so happy when you were with her . . . and Memphis.” She starts crying harder. “He didn’t even get to be there for her last days. I don’t know . . . It’s just hitting me hard. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t ever be sorry for crying for my family. Don’t ever be ashamed to cry in front of me. I want to see every side of you. I want it all,” I say, being completely honest, and hoping that she doesn’t figure out in which way I mean that.

She looks up from my chest a few seconds later and reaches out to wipe away my single tear. She’s bawling her eyes out, yet she’s worried about my one tear over her face that is now pouring enough to create a puddle.

Fuuuck . . . I love you. I’m in fucking love with you.

I want to say it aloud so damn bad, but stop myself before I do. She’s already emotional enough, and I can’t bear the thought of adding to it.

“Can we sit here for a while?”