Pierced Hearts (Southern Charmers 1)

“What are you guys doing here?”

“We’re here to support our favorite girl,” he booms.

“Whatever you do, don’t put him in charge of the samples.” Miller pulls me from his dad into his own hug.

I giggle at the pained expression that fills Warren’s face.

“Thank you all for coming. I can’t imagine this is what you wanted to do on your Saturday afternoon.”

“This is exactly what we want to do on our Saturday, Darby.” Jill squeezes my shoulder affectionately when I step back.

I can’t help but feel the ping of sadness that Pierce is not here. He mentioned bringing the kids out later today, but we decided it was not the day for me to formally meet them. Actually, it was his decision, stating I’d be too busy. Internally, I was relieved at his decision because tomorrow’s horseback riding ‘date’ is already giving me anxiety.

“You got a plan?” Evin eyes my unfinished display table.

“Yes, I need your help moving some things around.” Suddenly, the additional materials aren’t a big deal, and a table arrangement pops in my head.

The parents all announce they are going to walk around before the bizarre kicks off, leaving me to work with Miller and Evin.

“This is unlike any other exhibition booth I’ve ever seen,” Miller comments, taking in the huge ice cream cooler displaying my refrigerated items.

Evin and I share a look and say at the same time, “Annie.”

Miller jerks his chin in understanding.

“Mom badgered the chairman until we had this exact spot on the main drag. Somehow, she arranged all the refrigeration units, too. I was going with cookies and truffles until I knew we had them.” I motion to the two standing coolers behind me.

“Explains the need for all this electrical.”

“It’s a little ostentatious, but she insisted on a full selection.”

“Full selection, huh?” His eyes light up, peering in one of the coolers.

“Help yourself to whatever you’d like, Miller.”

“Did you make any of those special truffles?”

I nod, pointing to the cooler, which has trays stacked on trays of the truffles. He doesn’t hesitate to snatch two, shoving them into his mouth. “Mmmmm,” he mumbles.

Evin reaches in, too, grabbing a chocolate covered banana and taking a huge bite. I raise an eyebrow at him, and he shrugs. “What? I ran today and need the potassium.”

“Mmhmm.” I grin at his hidden sweet tooth and go back to straightening the literature.

They carry on a conversation about the upcoming football season, Miller inviting Evin to join his Fantasy group. It strikes me how at ease they are around each other. I know from Pierce and Evin there was a lot of avoiding over the years—Evin always protecting me and my secret, and Miller protecting his brother. All of the Kendricks were living in the dark.

For so long, I thought exposing the reasons I left was humiliating and a sign of weakness. But now, it’s the opposite. Everyone knowing has been uplifting in a way. There is regret, but it’s slowly disappearing.

“Soooooo,” Miller draws out with a sly smirk.

The recognizable teasing tone in his voice makes my skin prickle. My head jerks up in time to see them exchange a look.

“Soooo… what?”

“Tomorrow’s the big day.”

“Yes.” My answer is sharper than intended. The smirk falls from his mouth, and his eyes fill with concern.

“Darby, it’s going to be fine. They are great kids, mostly because of Pierce.”

“You’re their uncle, and they adore you. It’s easy to think they’re great. I’ve already been labeled a home-wrecking floozy that’s going to snatch their dad away. Not to mention, I’m indirectly responsible for an eleven-year-old’s phone privileges being monitored.”

“You have to let that go. It had nothing to do with you,” Evin explains again. At our lunch on Wednesday, I told him about Pierce wanting me to meet Maya and Cole and the conversation Pierce had with Connie. I hate my own lack of confidence, but the truth is that I’m slightly terrified of what may happen tomorrow.

“I agree with Evin. You’re putting too much pressure on yourself. They may be my blood, but I’m telling you the truth. If it helps ease your mind, I stopped by Pierce’s this morning, and they are excited about the horseback riding.”

I nod absently, a feeling of sadness creeping in. This was the first morning in a week I hadn’t woken up in a bed with Pierce in it. We alternated between our places this week. My first night at his house wasn’t bad, but I was definitely tense. I tried to hide my discomfort, which was useless because he picked up on it right away. His solution was to make love to me on the kitchen island, erasing the bad memories of the last time I was there. It worked. He became obsessed with making me comfortable, and every time I started to sink, I found myself naked. Finally, I drew the line at having sex on the porch swing. He didn’t seem to understand my hang-up, and I knew sometime in the near future, he would wear me down.