Hendrix (Caldwell Brothers)

“Hendrix Caldwell, this is my father, Darren Hemmingway.”

I nod, and he tries to as well.

“You have an amazing girl here. Strong, smart, and a worker.”

“Job?” he croaks out.

“He owns a bar,” she answers. “In Detroit.”

“That’s how we met,” I tell him. “Livi applied for a position when she was walking in the freezing cold, ‘cause her car broke down. Like I said, she’s a worker. Doesn’t expect something for nothing and wouldn’t take a hand out if offered.”

“Good. Girl.”

“She certainly is.” I wrap my arm around her and pull her against my side.

There is silence for a while, and I force myself to step away, but she grabs my hand and rubs it.

“Sorry,” he slurs again.

“I accept your apology,” she says in a much different tone. Livi sounds strong for the first time since receiving the phone call about him.

“Bryce. Sorry.”

“Dad, please don’t push.”

“So. Sorry. Failed. You.”

She nods. “You need to rest. I’m going to talk to your doctor, give them my number, and then be back in a few hours.”

With that, we walk out in the hall where she turns and wraps her arms around me. No words need to be exchanged; she simply needs to be held. So I fucking hold her, and hold her tight.

Eventually, something jars her, and she pulls away.

“Olivia?” I look up to see a woman walking toward us. Not just a woman, though; an older woman and a younger man.

Livi turns, still holding my hand, and freezes.

“I’m glad you could make it.”

Livi doesn’t say anything, not one thing, and I have no clue what to say. However, when I see the way the man looks at her, I am ready to blow.

“You wanna get out of here?” I am growling.

She shakes her head.

“Hello,” she croaks out.

“Olivia, you look—” He pauses then looks at me. “Can I have ten minutes?”

“No,” I respond, pulling her closer to me.

“Bryce, you don’t have to—”

“Enough, Mom. Enough,” Bryce snaps at the stepmother then looks back at Livi. “I don’t deserve this, but I want ten minutes of your time.” He looks at me. “I won’t hurt her.”

“You’re damn right you won’t,” I hiss at him.

He takes in a deep breath and looks at Livi. “I need to talk to you.”

“Were you in Detroit?” she asks.

He looks confused.

“Were you in Detroit?” she snaps.

He shakes his head no.

“Bryce, let’s go.” Victoria tries to pull him away.

“You go,” he snaps at her. “Now.” He looks back at Livi. “Five minutes.” He walks toward a small room.

“You do not have to do this. You do not—” I am practically begging her. I promised no one would hurt her.

“Yes, I do,” she says, wiggling out of my grip. “You can come.”

“I might kill him.”

“Hendrix, please.”

I follow her into the room where Bryce is pacing. He stops when we walk in, closes his eyes, and then takes a deep breath.

“I’m gonna talk fast, because you agreeing to come in here is a gift, and I know that. I had a stepfather, Victoria’s second husband. He wasn’t kind. He always told me Daddy doesn’t want a broken boy.” He pauses, slamming his eyes shut. “When I told her, she didn’t listen. I lost something I can never get back. I was ten when it started. She thought I was lying and still won’t face it. Your father believes me, though. He confronted the man.

“When I met you, I was angry, but you made me smile. You were so good, Olivia. I wanted that. I don’t know if I was trying to steal your light or crush it. You were a breath of fresh air. Sweet and kind, always. When my mother began saying mean things, I didn’t want you to be broken. I didn’t want you to feel broken. Hell, I thought I was trying to save you. I don’t deserve for you to accept it, but I have to give my apology.”

He waits for her to say something, but she doesn’t.

“I’m married. I have a two-year-old little girl. I would kill someone if they touched her. I won’t use the old excuse that I was young, hormonal, or you were just too beautiful, but all that topped with being abused myself…” He shrugs. “I’m sorry, Olivia. I am so sorry.”

She nods and swallows hard. “Take care of her.”

“I would die for her.”

“I accept—”

“Livi, no means fucking no.” I can’t contain my rage.

“Hendrix—”

“If you so much as look at her cross-eyed, I will feed you your balls,” I threaten.

“I’ve changed. I am regretful. I am so sorry.”

“People can change,” she says and shrugs. She looks up at me. “People can change.”

I nod once, and then Bryce lets out a long, slow breath.

“I’m going in to see your dad. Mother will have him in knots again.” He pauses at the door. “Olivia, he left her a couple years ago. Not that he is your responsibility, but he really has no one.”