by J. W. Ashley
“All right. Call me when you can. Love you!”
“Love you too, Claudia.” The call ends, and I replace the basket, unlocking my phone again and tapping on Leo’s contact before I can chicken out.
It rings twice before he answers with a gruff, “Hello?”
“Hey. First of all, you were right about Jackson. He’s an asshole, and I want to throat punch him.”
Leo chuckles. “Told you.”
“Yeah, you did.”
“Second?”
“Huh?” I lean against my counter and take a drink of coffee.
“You said first of all, so I imagine there’s a second coming?”
“Oh, yeah,” I start, my throat constricting painfully. What if he says no? What the hell am I doing?
“Red?”
“What are you doing this weekend?” I blurt.
“Not much, working at my grandparents and then probably going to the Fourth of July parade.”
“Want company?” I ask. Holding my breath, I wait for his reply. Luckily, I don’t have to wait long.
“Absolutely. If that company is you.”
“Pick me up from the airport this afternoon?”
“Hell yes. Text me the time.”
“Will do!” I end the call and stare at Tony who’s watching me from the back of the couch. “I’m sorry, bud.” Guilt weighs on me, and I consider calling and canceling. I literally just picked him back up.
My phone rings again, and I half-expect it to be Lena panicking. Instead, it’s my mom.
“Hey, Mom. Sneak him out the back yet?”
My mom chuckles. “He went out the front, thank you very much.”
“I’m glad you’re happy.”
“Thanks, baby. How are you? I know you were really enjoying the company of a particular lumberjack back in Montana. Or at least, your texts said you were.”
“I was actually just talking to him.”
“Oh?”
“I was considering flying out there for the weekend.”
“Miss him already?”
“I do,” I admit. My mom will never push me, but I know the idea of me being interested in someone long-term will make her happy. She blames herself for my outlook on romance, but it’s not her fault. It’s the asshole who left us who made me grow up so jaded.
“I can watch Tony. Since it’ll only be for the weekend, I’ll swing by a few times a day.”
“Is it fair to him though?” I walk over and run my palm over his back as he arches up into my hand. “I literally just got home.”
“Honey, he’ll be fine. Promise. If it makes you feel better, I can stay there for the weekend.”
“All right, but no sexcapades in my sheets.”
A gasping sound drifts over the line moments before my mom’s laugh. “You shouldn’t say things like that when I’m drinking!”
“You shouldn’t drink when you talk to me. These things literally fall right out of my mouth.”
She snorts, and the laughing trails off. “I’m happy you found someone.”
My stomach flips, and I feel the overwhelming urge to correct her. “I didn’t find someone. It’s just a thing.”
“Oh, okay.” But her tone tells me she doesn’t believe me even for a second.
“I’m serious, Mom. It’s just a fling.”
“Okay, whatever you say. What time do you want me there?”
I saunter to my computer and set my coffee down, taking a seat at my desk and pulling up the airline’s site. “There’s a flight leaving at seven.”
“Awesome! I’ll pack a bag and come over after I close down the shop.”
“Are you sure, though? You think Tony will be fine?”
“He’ll be fine, honey. Do you want a ride to the airport?”
“I can just Uber.”
“Well, I hope you have a wonderful weekend with your non-thing.”
Rolling my eyes, I finish booking my flight and lean back in my chair. “Love you, Mom.”
“Love you too.”
I end the call and set my phone down on my desk, staring at my flight confirmation. I’m going to Montana.
Going to spend the weekend with Leo.
My stomach twists in knots of anticipation, and I grin like a crazy person.
15
My Mission…Should I choose To Accept It…
Leo
“What’s with the smile?”
I glance up to find my mom watching me intently as I set down the fifth rose bush from her latest nursery raid.
“Leo’s got himself a girlfriend,” Rex says with a smile, and I shake my head.
My mom’s face lights up like a Christmas tree. “You do! That’s wonderful! When do I get to meet her?”
“She’s not my girlfriend,” I counter, ignoring the slight jab my words have at my heart. I’m just damn grateful she’s coming back out this weekend. We were apart for a matter of days, and somehow my world seemed less bright without her in it.
“Then what would you say she is?” Rex asks, knowing full and damn well I won’t admit we’re just a fling. My mom’s no prude, but she’s a firm believer in waiting until marriage.
I don’t know if she realizes I blew that rule when I was still in high school.
“We’re—friends,” I say.
“Friends?” My mom’s grin widens. “That’s how the best relationships start.”
I stare down at the bright red petals of the budding rose bush. They’re delicate, but the thorns will take an eye out if you get too close. Kinda reminds me of Claudia.
Beautiful and dangerous.
“You thinking about your girlfriend?” Rex comes to stand beside me and waggles his eyebrows.
“Shut your damn mouth,” I shoot back with a grin.
“Hey, you two. Watch your language, Leonardo.”
“Yeah, Leonardo.”
Rolling my eyes, I head back to my truck for the next load. No matter how old we get, my brother still enjoys fucking with me. I’m pretty damn sure it’s his favorite pastime. I’m just about to my truck when something moves at the corner of my eye, and I turn to see my dad heading up the path.
My stomach knots, and I glance back at the garden, hoping Rex is out of view. The last thing he needs is my dad getting on his ass about something stupid. He’s already stressed enough with baby Stella coming any day now.
“Leo,” my dad greets with a small wave.
“Dad.” Wiping my sweaty palms on the rough fabric of my jeans, I take his offered hand. That’s how it’s always been with my dad for Rex and me. No hugs, just handshakes.
Not Stella, though. She was daddy’s princess, and he’d love on her endlessly. It’s why he took her death so hard and why he still insists it was Rex’s fault.
“What are you doing here?”
“Helping Mom with her latest binge buy,” I say, gesturing to the bed of my truck, which is still loaded down with rose bushes, various vegetables, and a couple of small trees.
“I see. She in the garden?”
Before I can answer, Rex and Mom come into view. Rex stops dead in his tracks, his face paling when he sees Dad. I turn to the man beside me and wait, holding my breath, for him to blow up.
“Rex.” Dad’s stiff tone doesn’t betray any emotion.
“Dad.”
“Why are you here?”
“He’s helping me,” mom says, stepping forward and kissing my dad on the cheek. “I didn’t realize you’d be home early.”
His eyes—so like mine—stay leveled on Rex. Brutal and unwavering. Just as it’s been since the day Stella died.
“Why are you here?” he asks Rex again, and my brother's cheeks flush with color. He takes a step toward him, and I instinctively step between him and my brother.
It’s been my place for years, and I’ll never move aside.
Dad’s gaze falls to mine. “Get out of my way.”
“Nope. Rex came with me. He’s here helping Mom. If you don’t like it, you can leave an
d come back later when we’re gone.”
“This is my home.”
“Then go inside.” My dad is a match for me in height, but I’ve got at least twenty pounds on him. If it comes down to a fight—which it has before—I’m no longer the skinny teenager unable to defend himself.
My thoughts drift to the belt scars on my chest. I’m not angry at him for that. He was hurting and lashed out. But I can be mad at him for the way he’s treated my baby brother ever since that night.
A kid who was just trying to help out his sister.
“Paul, stop it,” Mom scolds. “They’re my sons, and they’re helping me.”
Just like always, her voice snaps him out of whatever haze he’s suffering from, and he looks away from me, turning his attention to her. “I’ll be inside until he’s gone,” he says and turns on his heel, stalking back to the house.
I let out a breath and turn to my brother, who looks like he can't decide whether to be pissed or depressed.
“I’m sorry, Mom,” he mumbles, and she wraps an arm around his waist.
“Don’t be. It’s not your fault.”
Knowing my brother wouldn’t want to talk about it, I gesture to the truck. “How about we get the rest of this stuff off?”
“Sounds good.”
“Mom, I’m going to run in and hit the bathroom.”
Eyebrow raised, she nods, and I know full and well that she knows I’m not going in for a bathroom break. Air conditioning blasts me as soon as I step inside, and I wipe my feet on the navy blue welcome mat just like I’ve done my entire life.
Photographs decorate the entryway, bright smiles lighting up from inside the frames. It always intrigued me how a photo managed to capture the best part of a memory. Stopping just inside the door, I look at the image of the five of us smiling widely from a family photo that was taken the summer before Stella died.
I remember that day like it was yesterday. Dad was pissed because he’d needed to work, and Mom dragged us all outside because I was deploying soon, and she wanted to make sure she had an up-to-date picture.
She and my dad were fighting. Rex and my dad were fighting. And Stella—Stella was perfect as always. I smile as I take in her honey blonde hair and bright eyes.
Grief squeezes my heart, and I remind myself why I’m inside instead of out helping my brother. And it’s not to walk down memory lane. Well, at least, not entirely.
The TV is on in the living room while my dad’s sitting in his leather recliner, not bothering to even acknowledge my existence.
Which pisses me off even more. “When the hell are you going to let it go?” I demand.
He doesn’t even bother to look up at me. “Let what go?”
“You fucking know Rex isn’t to blame, and yet you won’t stop punishing him.”
“Your brother knows what he did.”
“And what was that? Go pick Stella up when she needed help? Tell me, Dad, are you pissed at him because he was there? Or pissed because your illusions about Stella being flawless were wrecked?”
He shoots to his feet so fast the recliner creaks as it rocks back and forth. “Your sister made a mistake.”
“Maybe. But Rex was there because she needed help and she called him. Who knows what would have happened if she’d tried to drive. Maybe she would have been the one to kill someone. Would you rather have lived with that?”
His face reddens until it’s nearly purple, his fists clenching at his sides. “He should have gotten me!”
I snort. “Because you would have been a better alternative. You never let her make a single misstep without pointing out that you expected better. Remember when she got a B+ in Algebra? You told her that she needed to do better, that it was an A or nothing at all.”
His bottom lip quivers, the first sign he’s feeling anything but rage.
“I’m not saying you have to be buddies with Rex. Let’s face it, you don’t give two shits about Rex and me. You tolerate us for Mom. But you sure as hell better start treating him with some damn respect or you may never get to meet his daughter. Baby Stella deserves to get to know her grandfather, don’t you think?”
I turn and leave him behind me, not interested in what he has to say in response. He knows I’m right even if his stubborn ass doesn’t want to admit it.
Leo
By the time I’m pulling up to the airport, my bad mood is gone. Erased by the image of Claudia walking through the glass door and right into my arms. I pull into a spot and turn off my ignition before climbing out.
It’s dark, the bright sun giving way to the deep blue of night. Stars shine brightly above me, and I take a deep breath, surprised that I’m nervous. Why the hell am I nervous?
A woman is walking out of the airport, so I step to the side and hold the door, offering her a smile and nod as she passes. Then, I make my way inside, stopping a few yards in front of the door Claudia will be coming from.
An entire weekend wrapped up in Red, what could be better than that? Voices carry through the door moments before it opens. She’s the first one I see—my entire world lights up when my eyes land on Claudia.
It’s ridiculous really, the effect she has on me.
Dressed in black pants and a white tank top, she’s got a bright green sweater tied around her waist, a bag hoisted over her shoulder.
She’s makeup-free, her beautiful freckles dotting her nose and cheeks.
Claudia smiles when she sees me, and I have just enough time to open my arms before she’s jumping into them, lips pressing against mine.
She tastes of coffee, and I drink her in like she’s my lifeline. By the time we pull apart, we’re both breathless.
“Hello, beautiful.”
“Hey yourself.”
Reluctantly, I set her down, letting her slide down my body to retain as much contact as possible. “How was your flight?”
“Not too bad, a little crowded, but I had the best seat buddy.”
She finishes and lifts a hand to wave at a woman with stark white hair who returns the gesture. Slinging my arm around her shoulders, I tuck her in against my body just so part of me is touching her. I still can’t believe she came back.
“Glad it was a good flight.”
“I’m better now,” she says, tipping her face up to mine.
“Same. You have a bag coming?”
She pulls her black bag around and shakes her head. “Have all I need right here.”
“Same,” I say again and grin as heat rushes to Claudia’s cheeks, making her face nearly as red as her fiery hair. “Shall we then?”
“We shall.”
I guide her out into the evening air, walking to my truck and opening the passenger side so she can slide in. By the time I’m climbing into the driver’s side, she’s already buckled in the middle seat, so as soon as I’m in, I wrap an arm around her shoulders.
I could get used to having her around—hell, I already am—and it scares the shit out of me because I have no idea how she feels. Is this just a blip on her radar? A fun way to spend an otherwise boring weekend?
Or is it possible that she wants something more? Because the moment she emerged from that airport door, I decided that I sure as hell do.
I’m never going to be content with just a weekend here and there. Not when I’m constantly craving her. My mission for this weekend? Prove to Claudia that I’m worth sticking around for. That what we share is worth it.
16
No Time For Heartbreak…
Claudia
“So, is this a typical Friday night for you?” I ask, tipping my head to the left to look up at Leo. He’s naked, the sheet covering his lower half as he leans against his dark wooden headboard, my head in his lap. His fingers toy lazily with my hair as he rests his eyes.
“Hmm?” he asks, barely opening one lid to stare down at me.
“Are you typically this lazy?” I ask as I try not to smile.
“I wouldn’t call what we did earlier lazy,” he replies, closin
g his eyes again.
Hell no, it wasn’t. I’m pretty sure my body will be deliciously sore tomorrow after the way we clawed at each other the moment we were free from the truck. My bags are still downstairs, hastily tossed in a corner as I fought to free us both from the cotton and jeans keeping us apart.
“Besides, I worked hard today,” he says as he yawns, ending the action with a short groan.
“I’m sure you did.” Reaching up, I run my finger down one of the three scars on his chest. It’s long and ragged, and it looks like whatever caused it hurt like hell.
“My dad,” he says, voice gruff. I tear my gaze from his chest and look up to see him watching me intently.
I’ve seen these scars nearly every day for a month, and not once has he opened up about them before. What’s changed? “Your dad?”
Leo nods. “After my sister died. He went after my brother with a belt, and I stepped between them.”
My chest tightens, tears burning in my throat. I can see the pain etched in the sharp lines of Leo’s handsome face. The grief he is trying to conceal. “I’m so sorry,” I say, knowing my words won’t help. “Your dad had no right to take that out on you or your brother.”
Leo shrugs, and I sit up, rotating around so I’m kneeling beside him. “It is what it is,” he says. “I miss my sister, but the rift it tore—it’s like we lost our entire family that night.”
I don’t know what else to say, the words literally stop in my throat as I try not to cry. I don’t have any siblings. Lena is the closest I’ve ever gotten to a sister. And the thought of losing her terrifies me.
Leaning down, I press a kiss to his chest before sitting back up on my knees and looking directly at him. “I’m so sorry for your loss and for your family’s loss, but if anyone ever puts their hands—or a belt—on you again, I’m going to kick their ass.”
Leo grins, a wide, bright smile that erases some of the dark encompassing us. “I appreciate that, Red. Same goes for you.”
His words send a chill up my spine, and I can’t help but wonder just how this guy has gotten under my skin. For so long, I’ve been happy with the casual, with random flings to keep me interested just long enough to make me forget I’m alone.
