Hendrix (Caldwell Brothers)

At home, I leave a note that I need her help at the bar tonight. I know Livi; she’ll come. I smirk and think, more than once.

Livi being standoffish should have made me question my feelings, but it didn’t, not after this morning’s chat. It fucking hurts in a different way, one that I haven’t felt before. A way much deeper than you feel when you disappoint a teacher, a boss, a sibling, or even a parent.

I never want to disappoint her, not ever fucking again. I love her fucking crazy, and strong, and even pissed off. As a man, I really love the way she looks at me like I could and have solved the troubles in her life. Her eyes shining as she looks at me makes my smile spread wider, my heart swell with pride, and my dick twitches all at the same time. I want that back.

I won’t begin to understand why she felt like she wasn’t important after the other night, but that shit will be rectified tonight.

I look behind me to see she is walking into the kitchen of the bar.

“This is the last of the fruit.” She sets down the plastic containers then walks over to wash her hands. “If you don’t need anything—”

“I certainly fucking do.” I slam my fist on the stainless steel counter and then turn around.

She stands taller, sets her little fists on her hips, and scowls.

“When are you gonna stop acting all pissed off at me, Livi? What do I need to do to make you understand I was taking care of shit for my family?”

“What about me?” she yells. “What would have happened if something happened to you? You know what, it doesn’t matter. I let down the mask, and I never—”

“Don’t even finish that fucking sentence. Don’t you do that to us!”

She covers her face and starts to cry. No, not just cry, she is sobbing, and I fucking did that to her. I fucking did that to her!

I don’t need fucking consent anymore, so it takes me three steps to cross the room and scoop her up in my arms. Then, it takes three seconds before she is wrapped around me.

“Livi, like it or not, you’re my family. I’ll fight just as hard for you as I will them. Fuck, harder if I have to.” I set her ass on the stainless steel island and pull her hands away from her face. “Talk to me.”

“I don’t know what to say.” She wipes her eyes and takes in several quick breathes.

“This isn’t just about the other night, is it?”

She shakes her head and then nods, and I am instantly melting because of my crazy ass, little chick.

“You know I love your ass, right?”

She nods.

“And the rest of you, too. Talk to me.”

“I’ve had a bad few days, and when I said that, you said that’s not what you’re here for. I don’t know—”

“Hold up, Livi. I meant it’s not my intention to give you bad days.” She looks up at me and closes her eyes slowly. “Wait, you thought…? Holy shit, Livi, babe, come on, talk to me. Tell me that one little no-call while handling my brothers shit didn’t make you doubt everything I have said to you.”

She shakes her head, but I know it did.

“I went to the cemetery today and saw my mom for the first time. I told her about you—”

“I want to be closer to my father, Hendrix. I want to see him. I know—”

“So we look into places around here. Hell, move him into my place.”

“Not that close.” She laughs, and I smile.

“So we do it. After work tomorrow, we sit down and check out some places.”

“It’s ladies’ night.” She looks down.

“I hired a new guy.” I smirk. “My ass will be shaking for one set of eyes only.”

That makes her smile. “Your mom? I didn’t mean to interrupt; it just made me realize you never know how long you have to right wrongs.”

I grab the hem of her shirt and pull it up, and despite having been told I don’t need consent, I look at her, making sure. She lifts her arms so I can pull her shirt up. Then, her little feet start to kick slightly like a happy, little kid, and I laugh to myself.

She’s low maintenance, a worker, beautiful, greedy for my touch—like I am to her taste—and mine. My fucking crazy Livi.

“She said she left a legacy of good in a world of bad.” I reach behind her and unsnap her bra, kissing it off her shoulders one strap at a time. My mouth takes a tit while I use my hands to undo her jeans and pull them down, taking her shoes off before completing the job.

“You’re real good,” she moans as her hands rub up the back of my head.