by Natalie Ann
“I’m sure. I have some long nights. Or did before I moved back here. I’d work all day, then be baking and decorating all night to get things done for the weekend, then go back to work on Monday. The money was good, but it just wasn’t working all that well.”
She was burning out and had no life. The few relationships she’d had down there, the men weren’t happy. They wanted to spend time together on the weekends and she was working her second job. And sometimes working it nonstop. Many thought she was crazy to be doing it and didn’t put up with it for long.
“You have to do what works for you, but not make yourself sick in the process. Sounds like you’ve got the best of both worlds here.”
“I really do,” she said. “I’m very thankful and appreciative of the support of my family. And, speaking of family, how is your father doing?”
“He’s fine,” he said quickly. “The second treatment was faster than the first. No reactions from it, but he’s stubborn and doesn’t want to take any anti-nausea meds when he gets home. For the second time he spent Tuesday and some of Wednesday sick until I convinced him to take something to at least get through the night.”
“I’m so sorry. Why doesn’t he want to take anything?”
“He says they make him want to sleep.”
“I’d think sleeping through the worst of it is the way to go,” she said.
“That’s what his doctor and I keep telling him, but he wants to know what is going on at work and can’t do that if he’s sleeping. I told him hugging the bowl in the bathroom doesn’t allow him to either. He went to the course today.”
“Is that smart?”
“I can’t tell him much. My mother won’t let him overdo it. This morning he was stronger and keeping food down since last night. If my mother is watching him he’ll at least drink enough liquids and maybe talking with people and visiting will take his mind off of what is going on. He still looks somewhat normal to many and that helps too.”
“Meaning he hasn’t lost his hair yet?”
“No. It’s going to happen and I told him to be ready. My guess in the next week or so. By the third treatment they said it will probably be gone. He was already balding and has short hair and half the time a hat on his head, so I’m sure he’ll be able to cover it if he wants.”
“I want to say it’s easier for men than women, but I’m not sure it’s easy for anyone.”
“No,” he said. “It’s not.”
He looked off in the distance and she knew there might be more going on, but it wasn’t her place to talk about it. “So, what were you in the mood for?” she asked.
“Maybe some go-carts and a little laser tag. We could work up an appetite and I can burn off the calories from eating most of that cake you brought me. Then if you’re free, if you wouldn’t mind getting some dinner?”
“I think that sounds like a good time. Why don’t you follow me back to my office so I can get my phone. I don’t like just leaving it there in case someone is trying to reach me. Good thing I don’t have to dress up here and can go from work to play.”
That was another thing she enjoyed. No more dressing up for work. Shorts in the summer, jeans in the winter. She had sneakers on her feet and though they weren’t made for running, they’d be fine for what Justin had planned.
“This place is massive,” he said. “I would have loved this when I was growing up and wishing there were things to do.”
“Tell me about it. Kennedy brought Logan here when he came to visit last year. They kicked some butt on the paintball field. Logan was an Army Ranger with Trevor and more recently an NYPD detective. He’s done with that life now after being shot. Said he had enough of it.”
“I’m sure. I’ve seen enough bullet wounds plus a lot of weird things that I’d rather not talk about.”
She laughed. “Like that TV show they used to have about strange things in ERs.”
“Oh yeah. You don’t know the half of it.”
She got her phone and was walking out when they passed Logan and stopped. “Logan, this is Dr. Justin Cambridge. He stitched me up and I brought him a cake as a thank you and told him to check out the park while he was in town. Justin, Logan Taylor.”
Justin shook hands with Logan. “Taryn is feeding you cake and now you’re going to run around the grounds with her?”
“Don’t be like Trevor,” Taryn said, narrowing her eyes at him. “One older brother is enough.”
Logan laughed. “If I didn’t say that I’d never hear the end of it from my wife and best friend. You can at least say I attempted and you put me in my place.”
She shook her head and walked away, pulling Justin with her. “Sorry about that.”
“Don’t worry about it. I used to be that way with Ashley too. Now she’s an adult and can take care of herself. Or so she tells me half the time.”
“I say the same thing, but no one listens. I guess that is what happens when you are gone and come back. Everyone is worried something happened that I’m not telling them and they won’t leave me alone.”
“Did something happen?” he asked.
“Not you too,” she said. “What happened was I thought life would be different there. It wasn’t. It was more of the same and I figured if I wanted to change my career then I needed more support than I had there.”
Why go into more detail? It wasn’t like it was anything more horrible than she just wasn’t happy.
The grass isn’t always greener, she learned. And thankfully her family was accepting of her decision to return just as easily as they were to let her leave.
If only everyone would give her space so she truly believed that.
8
Definition Of A Date
When Justin decided to get out of the small apartment and come here, he didn’t think he’d be asking Taryn on a date or that she’d accept.
Not that he wasn’t thrilled they were going to spend some time together, but he knew he’d have to make sure she was aware he wasn’t looking for anything serious. He was sure she figured that, but best to make it clear.
“That’s not fair,” Justin said, laughing. “You work here. You know all the best lines to drive to win.”
“I’ve been here a month,” she said. “Just admit I’m a better driver than you.”
“A month?” he said when they got back in line. “I didn’t realize that.”
“I came back on May tenth, so yeah. Just about a month exactly. I was here for Kennedy’s wedding the week before, but then flew back home to finish packing and had the movers drive it up while I drove my car here.”
“Okay. Then maybe you don’t know the best line to take,” he admitted.
“Not only that, I’ve only played here twice with Kennedy. This is crazy, but we had a joint bachelor and bridal party here. Why not when they had the place and all the kids could come. It was a blast. We had the whole park to ourselves.”
“That sounds pretty cool, to be honest.”
“It was great. We had teams for paintball but had to make sure Trevor and Logan were split up, the same as Kennedy and me and my father and some of the guys in the departments and the troopers. Couldn’t stack the teams. Talk about epic battles.”
He frowned. “Why you and Kennedy?”
She bumped shoulders with him. “You don’t think my father and brother wouldn’t have taught us how to shoot? I will admit I didn’t do it much in Florida. Only when I came back up here Trevor would take me to the range to make sure I still could shoot.”
“Damn,” he said. “That’s taking older brother status to the next level.”
She turned and looked at him. “I know Trevor doesn’t like this known, but it’s pretty well known here. He was a sniper in the Army.” Justin paled and she started to laugh. “I’m not joking but he doesn’t like talking about it.” She patted his arm. “Don’t worry. He’s pretty mellow.”
“I remember that about him in school. Not sure I thought he’d be a Ranger or a sniper.”
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br /> “He was pretty serious for years. Logan and he are best friends and were in the same squad.”
“So your brother-in-law was a sniper too?”
“Yep. He has no problem talking about it. Logan is always smiling and joking.”
“Is there going to be an issue with them that we are here?”
She tilted her head. “I’d hate to think you’d be afraid of my brother and brother-in-law.”
“Not afraid. Just asking if there is going to be an issue.”
“I doubt it. It’s not like we are on a date right now,” she said.
“Ah, but we are going to dinner later. That is the definition of a date in my eyes.”
“I guess it is in mine too.”
They went through the gate and got in their cars and another word wasn’t spoken until she beat him on the track once again.
“Okay. No more. My ego can’t take it.”
“I think your ego is pretty big.”
“Maybe,” he agreed. “But nothing with guns either. What are our options?”
“How about video games?” she said. “Or there is mini golf. Oh no. Sorry, not doing that.”
“Oh yes, we are,” he said. “I need to try to get a leg up on something.”
She grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the mini golf course, got in line and then they got their scorecard and putters.
When it came to mini golf everyone was pretty well matched until they got a few feet away from the hole. He did end up beating her, but only by three strokes, which wasn’t that much.
“This was great. I had a blast.”
“Me too,” he said. “I guess I needed it. Life has been getting in the way more than I thought. How about some food?”
She looked at her watch, then said, “It’s after five. That might explain why I’m starving. I didn’t even have a snack this afternoon since we’ve been out here having a great time. I just need to get my purse and lock my office.”
He wanted to go with her but offered, “Do you need to go change even though you look great? We can meet somewhere if you want.”
“Where did you have in mind?”
“It’s a nice night. Anywhere with outdoor seating works for me. It might get chilly though by the time we are done.”
“If you don’t mind, maybe I’ll run home and put some jeans on and grab a sweater. If you want to pick me up you can or we can meet somewhere.”
“I can pick you up,” he said, glad she made the offer.
She read off her address and he knew where it was. “You can’t miss it with the sign ‘Kennedy’s’ on the front. Just park in the lot on the side and there is a door there. Ring the bell and I’ll buzz you up.”
“Buzz me up?”
“Security systems. Trevor insisted with Kennedy and it was a good thing. She had some trouble last year, but Logan saved her. Well no. He saved her from shooting someone in more than his arm.”
He laughed, thinking she was joking. “You’re serious?”
“Yeah. An ex-boyfriend was stalking her. He’d been vandalizing the outside and then when she went outside to see what was going on in the middle of the night, he snuck in the house because the alarm was off. He attacked her from behind, but never underestimate a Miles woman.”
“Now I’m not so worried about your brother as I am of you or your sister. Did she really shoot him?”
“She did. He was attacking her and she broke free, had the gun on her and he didn’t know. She fired and got him to stay down until Logan and Trevor showed up. He was high on drugs.”
“I’m sorry that happened to your sister.”
“Me too. She’s tough though. Not much ruffles her feathers. I’d be a nervous wreck still to this day.”
“Something tells me you’re pretty tough too. Shooting ability aside.”
“I probably look it more on the outside than I feel it on the inside,” she said. “Okay, let me get my stuff and I’ll see you soon.”
He knew when to end the conversation and went back to his SUV and decided to run back to his place and change too. Maybe even wash up since he was afraid he smelled like gasoline from the go-carts.
Thirty minutes later, he parked in the lot and went to the door and rang the bell. “Come on up,” he heard over the speaker.
He pulled the door open, saw the door open at the top of the stairs and Taryn turn the corner in nicely fitted jeans with little flats on her feet, a snug T-shirt on and a sweater over her arm. “I’m glad you texted me a time so I could jump in the shower quick.”
“I did the same. I smelled like gasoline.”
She leaned closer and gave him a little sniff. “You smell good now,” she said.
He had a massive desire to run his hand through her hair and pull her closer to touch his lips to hers but figured it was too soon. “Same goes,” he said.
“Food time,” she said and moved past him down the stairs. She set the locks and alarms when she got to the bottom and then moved to his car.
He drove down Main Street, they parked in the public lot and paid for a ticket, then walked to a restaurant. Being a Thursday night, it wasn’t that busy and they got a table right away.
“So I just want to start by saying you know I’m not here long term, right?”
She grinned at him. “I know. If this is where you are saying you don’t want me to get my hopes up with fanciful thoughts of romance and happy ever after, don’t worry. They’ve been dashed enough in my life. I’ve given up.”
That made him feel like shit. “I don’t mean anything by that statement.”
She laughed. “I know. I’m just joking. Not about giving up. I know I’m young, so don’t even go there. But I’m not looking for anything other than a little bit of fun.”
At least they were thinking the same thing. “Why?” he asked her. “You live here. I don’t.”
“And you don’t want to come back. I get it. Trust me, I do. I never thought I’d come back, but I figured I’d give it one more chance.”
“Meaning you might leave again if something doesn’t work out? What is it you want to work out?”
“I’m not making too many long-term plans because honestly I’m not sure what I want. For now I’ve got a good job and I’m starting another business. I don’t have much time for a man anyway. Basically that is the story of my life.”
Some things were making more sense to him. “I guess we are members of the same club.”
“The selfish club?” she asked. The waitress came over and they placed their orders, each getting a beer. He liked that she was willing to throw one back with him. He didn’t drink often, but it seemed like so much shit was imploding in his life that it was nice to enjoy one. Especially with a hot woman. “Sorry, that came out wrong. Not saying you are selfish. I’ve been told I have been.”
“I’m not sure I’ve had that word used toward me, but I understand. My job seems to come first and most women aren’t happy with that.”
“See. Same club. So how about we create our own club? What should we call it? And don’t say something cheesy like friends with benefits.”
He might have been thinking that but wasn’t going to voice it. “Fun Club?” he said. Talk about cheesy.
“Works for me. We are the only two members in it,” she said. “And let’s make a pact. I know this sounds like I’m in high school again, so tell me I’m being childish, but the last few hours I’ve felt like I was a carefree teen again. Now I know why Kennedy loves the adventure park so much.”
“Again, same feeling as me. So what’s this pact?”
“No pressure or stress about spending time together. You’ve got commitments and greater responsibilities than me. I’ve got a job and business I’m trying to grow. Though I don’t have anything planned for this weekend, I do next weekend. You’re working this weekend too. If we can find a time to make it work and have dinner and a drink, we do. If it’s weeks until we can, then it is.”
“Deal,” he said, reaching hi
s hand out to shake hers. What he wouldn’t say is he was damn well not going weeks without seeing her again.
9
Made You Leave
“What’s this I hear you had a date last night?”
Taryn shouldn’t have been surprised that Kennedy would have heard or that she would come knocking on her door at eight while she was frosting cupcakes she’d made last night after getting back from her date with Justin.
She’d been too wound up to sleep and figured she’d make use of her time while she thought about the kiss Justin gave her at the door.
She saw it coming a mile away and she’d wanted it like a priest reaching for the collection plate at the end of the pew.
His mouth touched hers slightly, then deepened when she moved into his arms. It’d been way too long since she’d held a man and didn’t want to let go of this one.
Considering they were kissing for about ten minutes she’d have to say he might have felt the same way.
But he took his leave and she went to the kitchen to bake.
“Do I want to know how you found out?”
“Come on, Taryn. You introduced him to Logan and you were seen grabbing his hand and pulling him all over the park.”
“Was Logan spying on me?” she asked, looking up from the piping bag in her hand.
“No. He’s always all over the grounds and saw you. You had to know he was going to tell me about it.”
She had known. That was a given. “So we were at the park together. What’s the big deal?”
“And then dinner later on?”
“Seriously? Who told you that?”
“No one,” Kennedy said. “I was nosy and looked at the security cameras. I saw him pick you up and bring you home. He didn’t stay long though. Maybe long enough for a lip lock.”
She’d have to remember there were cameras everywhere. “What’s your point?”
“I’m happy for you.”
“Don’t be happy. He’s only here for like six months, if that. If we can find time together, we will. He’s got a lot going on in his life the same as me. It was one date. Who knows when the next one will be?”
