Pop The Clutch: A Second Gear Romance

by Kristin Harte

  The answer was automatic and not necessarily true. “I’m not.”

  Her silence said more than any words could have. The quiet begged to be filled, and I caved far too easily.

  “I’m not letting anyone win. I know you don’t believe me.”

  “You’re right—I don’t. But I hope for you. I still hope that you’ll find a way past everything and come home.” She sighed before whispering, “I miss you so much, Violet. These next few months are going to be brutal for all of us, and we need you here.”

  “I know.” I swallowed hard, my throat tight and my eyes burning. “I miss you too, Dahlia. We’ll get through this together, I know it. I need to figure a lot of things out, but I have to go right now. Easton’s outside.”

  “He’s a good man,” she said after a slight pause. “Don’t keep him waiting. Grandma and Mary are playing that building video game they love, and I’ve got nothing but bad reality shows to catch up on.”

  “Good. I’ll see you when I get back.” I hurried out the door, chewing on the inside of my cheek. Her words hit hard, hit home in a way only Dahlia could do. I shouldn’t keep Easton waiting for me. This situation—me being here—wasn’t permanent. I couldn’t ask Easton to leave Downriver, couldn’t make him risk his business and his career on the chance of something great. Great didn’t always last. Great sometimes failed. True, I’d probably be home more over the next few months as I tried to steal every second I could with Grandma, but that would never be enough. Not for him. Not for me either. And even if it were, that need to be here would end when Grandma died… Then what?

  I wasn’t at all ready to think about that.

  Easton stood on the passenger’s side of the car, waiting for me. Even though he wore dark sunglasses, I knew his eyes were on me the whole time. I could feel them. And I liked knowing he was paying so much attention. Without a word, he helped me into the passenger seat then shut the door behind me, running around the front. Once he was in the driver’s seat with the engine humming, he turned to me with a serious expression. “Everything all right?”

  I nodded, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. “Yeah. Of course.”

  He put the car in gear, the engine growling low and strong. “Liar, but I’ll let it go for now. Answer me this, though. What do you want to eat?”

  I stared blankly. “Food.”

  “I figured that, but what kind?”

  “Any?”

  He pulled out of the driveway, revving the engine down the street. “Steak? Fish? Burgers? Wings?”

  My stomach practically growled at the words falling from his lips. “Burgers. Definitely burgers.”

  “My kind of girl.” He grabbed my hand with his, weaving our fingers together while using his palm to change gears. Windows down, radio blaring, he drove us to the river then turned south, heading away from the city.

  “Where are we going?”

  “New joint on Biddle. A couple of the guys I know opened it. Good beer, great burgers.”

  “Sounds perfect.”

  He glanced at me, smiling. “Yeah, it does.”

  We drove down Jefferson, passing the shuttered steel mill and the small community golf course, over railroad tracks and through neighborhoods good and bad until we came roaring into Wyandotte. The downtown stretch was crowded with shoppers out walking on their main thoroughfare along the water. A fact that had the butterflies flying about in my gut. So many people. So many chances to be recognized.

  Not what I needed to focus on right then.

  Easton pulled behind a strip of buildings to a small parking lot practically filled with muscle cars like the one he was driving, only older. Bright paint jobs, wide tires, and animal-like curves made of metal and fiberglass decorated the space and stole every bit of my attention.

  “Everyone driving large these days?”

  Easton grinned. “This parking lot is like an art gallery of my work.”

  “You rebuilt these?”

  “Every single one of them.”

  “They’re…beautiful.” And they were. All curves of steel and aggressive design. Paint jobs ranged from simple black to a glittery bright-blue paint with flames over the wheel wells. I pointed at the flame-covered car. “Flashy, no?”

  “That’s Gunner’s car and Colton’s handiwork with the paint. Gunner manages the restaurant, and if you think his car is flashy, wait until you meet him.” He escorted me inside with his hand on my back. A polite but possessive move that made me walk a little taller, made my hips swing a little more. We entered through a back door, cutting down a hallway and past what had to be the kitchen on the way to the main dining area. When we turned the final corner, Easton leaned down and whispered in my ear. “Get ready.”

  I shivered at his breath against my skin, but the hall erupted in noise before I could say anything to him.

  “Easton Cole, you filthy fuck. Get over here!” A man with wild, bright blond hair and the iciest blue eyes I’d ever seen hurried over. He smiled at the other customers like a shark, all teeth and no emotion, but for Easton, that smile went all the way to his eyes. Lighting him up, making him more stunning than anything I’d ever seen before. A fallen angel in the middle of a suburban restaurant.

  “What’s up, Gunner? How’s business?”

  “Eh, local code inspector’s got my nuts in a vise over some stupid vent hood issue, but otherwise, it’s good, man. I’d ask about your business, but that would mean ignoring this beautiful piece on your arm.” He turned those eyes on me, almost dazzling me with the power of his attention. “How you doin’, doll? I’m Gunner.”

  “Easy, killer.” Easton put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me against his side. A not-so-subtle pissing-on-my-leg maneuver that I, oddly, didn’t mind. “This is Violet, and she’s here with me.”

  “You poor thing.” Gunner’s eyes practically twinkled as he leaned closer. “You get tired of dealing with this lug, you come see Gunner. I’ll take good care of you.”

  “Okay, okay.” Easton laughed. “Enough with trying to steal my girl. We’re just here for lunch.”

  I grinned, biting my lip to try to hide it. Gunner was hard to resist in a way, not that he had a shot. I had Easton wrapped around me and calling me his girl. There was nothing that could compare to that. Even if it was temporary and would hurt like hell once it ended, it felt too good right then to give up.

  Live in the moment, and all that jazz.

  “You finally bring a girl around, and all you want to do is eat my food.” Gunner winked at me. “Come on this way. I’ll give you two primo seats up front.”

  We followed Gunner to a table by the windows overlooking the street. The restaurant was crowded even though it was a little early for lunch, telling me the food had to be good. It definitely looked good. My mouth practically watered when I saw all the hefty burgers on plates as we passed.

  “A seat for the lady.” Gunner held my chair for me and pushed it in as I sat, making Easton roll his eyes.

  “I got this, man.”

  “Don’t listen to him,” Gunner said, leaning over to hand me a menu as he motioned for a waiter. “He knows a lot about nuts and bolts, but I taught him everything he knows about being a gentleman. This guy was a boorish brute when we met. It was I who smoothed those edges.”

  “Now that’s the truth.” Easton grinned, sitting back in his chair. “I had no game before Gunner.”

  “Damn straight.” Gunner turned to the waiter. “Charlie, set them up, anything they ask for. On the house.”

  “Gunner, no—”

  “Shut up, Easton. My treat for you bringing me such a lovely decoration for my window.” He leaned over my hand and kissed it. “Miss Violet, I truly hope you enjoy your lunch. If you need anything, you tell Charlie to come get me and I’ll be here.”

  Jeesh, those eyes were so…intrusive. It was as if he could see right through me, or at least through my clothes. “Thank you.”

  “You’re very welcome.” He smacked Easton in th
e head on the way past. “Put your napkin in your lap, you cretin.”

  “Yes, sir.” Easton laughed and shook his head, but he dropped his napkin into his lap as directed.

  “Soooo,” I said, trailing the word until I knew Gunner was across the room. “He seems nice.”

  Easton snorted a laugh. “‘Nice’ is an understatement. He’s the epitome of charm but on speed. When we played hockey together, the man gave all of us lessons on manners and how to treat women, but he did it while busting the balls of every guy on the team.”

  “Sounds almost terrifying.”

  “Try exhausting. But he means well, and he did teach me how to treat the lady on my arm.”

  “Yes, he certainly did.”

  Easton’s eyebrows shot up as his lips tipped into a crooked sort of smile. “So, no complaints so far?”

  I shook my head, hiding my grin behind my water glass. “Definitely not.”

  He nodded, smiling as he looked over the menu. “Good to know.”

  I took a drink of water and picked up my menu as well. The burgers crowded their section, words calling out every type of meat and topping available. And I wanted them all. The last twelve hours had brought on one hell of an appetite.

  When Charlie made it back to the table, Easton glanced my way. “Ready to order?”

  “Yeah. I’ll have the double black and blue burger, medium, with caramelized onions on brioche please.”

  “Great choice,” Charlie said, smiling my way. “If I could recommend a side, the truffle fries are amazing.”

  “How about one large order of those?” Easton said, looking to me for approval. “We can split them, that way we have room for ice cream later.”

  I grinned. “Sounds perfect.”

  Charlie took my menu. “And to drink?”

  I glanced at the beer listing on the table. “How’s the pilsner?”

  “Light and well-balanced,” Charlie replied. “Not too heavy on the hops and perfect for a hot summer day.”

  “Sounds like exactly the right choice.”

  “Yeah, it does.” Easton handed Charlie his menu. “I’ll have the same.”

  Charlie nodded once. “Great. I’ll get your orders in and bring you your beers.”

  “Blue cheese fan?” I asked once we were alone again.

  Easton shrugged. “I like a little bite to my cheese sometimes.”

  “You should try the blue-cheese cheesecake I make. It’s savory and sweet at the same time. It sells out every time it’s on the menu.” And just like that, my good mood wobbled. That light, fun feeling I’d been enjoying turned darker, and my stomach knotted into something unbearable. Two days. Our relationship would change or end in two days, and he had no idea. I had to tell him. I still had so much to tell him.

  Easton grew quieter, smiling softly. “I’d love to try it. I’d love to try anything you make. Cooking seems like such a passion of yours.”

  “It is. Which reminds me.” I swallowed hard, fighting to find the words I needed to say. To find the guts to speak them. “Remember I told you about the catering job I have scheduled back in Chicago?”

  He nodded and grabbed his water “Sweets table, right? What about it?”

  Before I could answer, a group of people walked into the restaurant, talking overly loudly and disrupting the vibe of the place. But that wasn’t why I spun, why I stared, and why my chest seized up.

  Lacey Brown led the way into the restaurant. Former head cheerleader at my school. Former friend. One of the first ones to turn on me, and definitely the most vicious.

  Also, Jace’s twin sister.

  “Shit.” The vision of everything I’d attempted to build over these past weeks came crashing down. I should have known I’d run into her eventually, should have been prepared for it. Instead, I’d built a house of cards in a room with the window open, tempting fate.

  Easton followed my gaze, his shoulders going stiff when he noticed the same crowd I did. “Do you want to leave?”

  I glanced toward the back of the restaurant, but I couldn’t see past the crowds. We were trapped. My chest tightened, my breathing turning labored. Everything hurt, every inch of me burned. I couldn’t focus, couldn’t speak. I couldn’t—

  Easton placed his hand over mine, his blue eyes calm but fierce as they stared at me. They gave me something to focus on even as a chill descended over my body. Every instinct screamed at me to run, but Easton sat tall and steady. Boosting me up. He was a man ready to fight when all I wanted to do was disappear. It was then, as I peered at the man my heart had chosen to love, that the sickening truth washed over me. I’d never be strong enough for this man. But I could try.

  I took a deep breath, glancing once more at the group behind him. “I’m afraid this is going to get really ugly.”

  Easton nodded and squeezed my hand. “It’s fine. We’ll go.”

  He waved for Charlie, but the motion was also noticed by the crowd at the door. By Lacey. And when her eyes met mine, I knew that house of cards was about to come crashing down.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  EASTON

  I waved for Charlie, watching as Violet’s face went white. Shit. I’d brought her all the way down here without thinking about the clientele. The restaurant was popular with people from our area because Gunner was a sort of local celebrity. He’d been on television a hundred times, had helped emcee a parade or two, and he hosted a radio show about the food scene in Detroit. He was a draw for the restaurant, but I hadn’t even considered that. And because I’d been an idiot, Violet was sitting across from me looking as if she was ready to sprint all the way back to Chicago. Where the hell was that waiter?

  “Vee? Is that really you?” Lacey Brown walked up to the table, her fake smile a little too cunning for my liking.

  “Hi, Lacey.” Violet looked sick, though she sat with her back straight and her head up.

  “I heard you were back in town. Where have you been hiding?” Lacey caught a look at me, her eyes widening a bit. “And out with Easton Cole. What a…surprise.”

  Violet had been right—this was going to get ugly. It was time to get Violet the fuck away from Jace’s sister.

  I rose to my full height, towering over Lacey. Making sure she got a solid look at my glare before heading around her. “C’mon, Violet. We should get back.”

  “Everything okay over here?” Gunner appeared out of nowhere, his manager smile in place. Thank fucking Christ.

  Violet’s arms shook under my palms as I helped her out of her seat. “Yeah, but we were thinking about getting our order to go.”

  Gunner looked at each of us in turn, his eye twitching just slightly when he focused on Lacey. “Of course. I believe you parked in the private lot, correct?”

  I nodded, hoping like hell Violet could hold on for just another minute. And that Lacey could watch her mouth for that same time.

  “Why don’t you two come back with me?” He grabbed Violet’s elbow, looking like the perfect host helping a lady to her feet. But I knew him. Knew he was holding her tightly, that he was directing her. Gunner was good with people. He had to see how badly Violet needed to escape. I was so thankful for that knowledge, too.

  Once Violet was on her feet, Gunner stepped between her and Lacey, giving me the opportunity to take his place at my date’s side. Which was good, because all I wanted was to touch her, to lend her my strength. To let her know I was right there with her and wouldn’t let her fall.

  Gunner gave me a subtle nod as I took Violet’s elbow, then turned to face Lacey. “I’ll have Charlie over here in a flash to seat your party, ma’am.”

  “Going so soon, Vee?” Lacey asked.

  Violet flinched but pasted a smile on her face. “Yeah. It’s time for me to get back to my grandma’s house.”

  By now, other people were noticing our little party. Heads turned and whispers started as they recognized me or Violet. Or Lacey.

  “You should stay,” Lacey said in a fake, high-pitched voice. �
��It would be fun.”

  Fun, my ass. Cruel. A cat playing with the mouse it was going to eat when it got bored. Well, fuck that—Violet was no mouse, and I wasn’t about to let her be batted around for nothing.

  But before I could steer her toward the back hall, Violet grabbed my hand. Clinging to it, really. “My grandma’s sick, and I’d really like to get back and make sure she’s okay.”

  “Oh well, that’s too bad. Jace is on his way here right now. I bet he’d love to see you. You two haven’t really talked since he found out you cheated on him with that football player from Grosse Pointe, right?” The smile on Lacey’s face turned positively wicked, not that she mattered anymore. Violet had gone completely pale, her eyes almost dead as she stared at the other woman. “Too bad the cameras never showed his face. I heard he was a real looker. Though they caught you just right. Made any other pornos for my yearly rodeo party, Cowgirl? Or was that the end of your adult film career?”

  All the air disappeared out of the room, and every head turned our way as my blood practically boiled. If Lacey had been a man, I would have decked him. All out, no holding back, knocked him flat on his ass. But some lessons were too ingrained not to stick, so hitting a woman was off-limits.

  But words weren’t.

  “You’re a real piece of work, bringing up stuff that hasn’t mattered in ten years,” I spat, stealing Lacey’s attention from Violet. “Maybe we should call that basketball player from Monroe you got cozy with sophomore year. The one you gave a blow job to right under the bleachers.”

  Lacey’s face went stiff, her emotions well hidden. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “No? You put his dick in your mouth, but you don’t remember? We could call my buddy Jude, then. I heard all about that night when you dragged him into the ladies’ room at the Metro Lounge. It was your bachelorette party, if I remember how the story goes. How many women walked in and saw you on your knees on the bathroom floor, I wonder? Violet was just a kid making a bad decision. What was your excuse as an adult with a fiancé at home?”