by Carnal, MJ
He sighed. “Okay, truth. It was never going to be that much money. But I increased the amount because I figured you needed it. And before you go blowing up on some macho power trip, I’m not taking it back. I’ve seen the figures, Timber. You’ve helped production and I’ve implemented some of your techniques out in my other fields.”
Even after all these years, he knew me well. I didn’t want to take the money knowing that he never had intentions of passing down that much. I wasn’t a charity case, and I certainly didn’t need the money because he felt sorry for me. Almost every penny that I’d earned while overseas was put away and did nothing but earned interest in some CD’s and other various accounts. I could live just fine on that money for quite a while; Kat included, if need be. However, the look on his face told me that he truly agreed with whatever Slim had told him about me.
“Look, man, I appreciate that you were willing to be so generous, but doubling my salary was over the top.”
“Would you have questioned it, if you hadn’t found out it was me?”
“No. But now that I do know, I don’t think I can accept what you’ve offered.”
“Bullshit, Timber. You can, and you will.”
I put my hands in the air, palms out, in a sign of surrender. “Okay, easy. How about we compromise? Why don’t you lower the amount, just to whatever it was you were initially going to raise it to, and we’ll call it good? You’re happy, I’m happy….”
He sat back. “Alright, you’ve got yourself a deal.”
It got quiet again for a brief moment, then he switched subjects on me. “So do you have a certain someone in your life? I don’t see a wedding band.”
“You hitting on me?”
He barked out a laugh. “Not with all those tattoos and piercings, but thanks for thinking of me.”
I grinned. “You should get some. Chicks dig it.”
“I’m good, thanks. I’ve got a bit of a needle phobia.” That made me chuckle.
Kat came to mind and I shifted a bit in my seat, wondering how best to approach this subject without it getting weird. “Going back to your question before, I do actually have someone that I’m pretty crazy about.”
He lifted his cup, pausing briefly before taking a drink of his soda. “Oh yeah?”
“I think you might be surprised to know that you know her.”
The same look that he had back at the worksite crossed his features again and it caused me to stiffen. I couldn’t figure out why he looked so strange. “I do? Are you planning on telling me who it is, or are we going to play the guessing game?”
For some reason, his tone came across more aggressively than he wanted and he realized his mistake. Adam cleared his throat and visibly relaxed. I thought on it for a few seconds before I spoke. “Well, she works at the bar in town that I had planned on us stopping at later. She’s changed a bit since the last time you saw her, but we’ll see if you recognize her at all.”
“Interesting. Alright, this should be fun. At least tell me this so I’m not walking into a landmine here. Have I slept with her before?”
I bristled at the question, my mood turning dark even thinking about someone else touching Kat. “No,” I said more forcefully than I’d intended. “How about we just go settle the bill and head over, and you can see for yourself, alright?”
Grabbing the check, I headed to the counter and paid for the both of us. We rode separately because I planned on staying at Kat’s again tonight. I didn’t want to leave her after being away all day. I missed her. Slinging my leg over my Harley, I wondered if this was a good idea. Would Kat be okay with seeing Adam after all these years? Either way, we were about to find out.
Chapter Seventeen
Kat
The bar was busy with its usual patrons for a Monday night. I was busying myself with stocking the beer coolers when I heard someone clear their throat behind me. Turning, I saw it was Slim taking a seat on a bar stool and getting himself comfortable.
“Hey, kid, heard you had a decent weekend.”
I walked over to stand in front of him and passed a cold glass of our draft beer across the wood. I smiled at him and gave him a second to chug down the icy brew before I responded. I started wiping down glasses with the rag I had slung over my shoulder.
“It was a great weekend. Timber’s dad is really nice, spitting image of him too. Now I know what he’s going to look like in twenty five years.”
Slim raised his brows. “Didn’t realize you were planning on being with him for the long haul. What did the two of you do besides watch fireworks?”
I paused. I did want to be with him. I had no intentions of us not being together. And just the mention of fireworks brought back that night and Timber’s breakdown. Certain parts were etched into my brain, while others could go away. It was the sadness I’d seen on his face that had nearly broken me. Shaking my head, I did my best to clear away any negative thoughts that were associated with our first time together.
“We ended up doing all sorts of stuff like walking in the park, and some shopping downtown. His dad makes a mean BBQ, and Alice, his girlfriend, is one of the sweetest women I’ve ever met.” Slim took another swig of his beer. “And yeah, I think I do plan on being with Timber for a while. He makes me really truly happy.”
“I’m glad to hear it. He’s a good man. But I hope you know that he has been through some things that might be hard for you to really understand. So if he ever seems off, just give him some time, okay?”
It was sweet that he was concerned for me, and it also made me hopeful that he approved of my being with Timber. If he accepted him being with me, then maybe my uncle would be okay with it as well. Reaching across the counter, I placed my hand on Slim’s cheek. “You’re such a thoughtful man, but you don’t have to worry about me so much. Timber has already told me about what happened to him in Iraq.”
Slim’s eyes grew wide. “He did? What did he tell you?”
Unsure of how much to share because I knew it was personal to Timber, I said, “He told me about the guys he lived with. I also know that they all were killed in an IED attack and that he’s struggling with the guilt of that.”
He was well and truly shocked. “I’ll be damned. He really does love you, doesn’t he?”
That caused me to laugh. “I’m thinking so, yes. And before you ask, I think I’ve fallen for him as well.”
He plastered a wide grin on his face. “I knew that son of a bitch looked too happy today.”
My cheeks warmed. I hoped Slim and Uncle Roger didn’t let their imaginations go too far. There were just some things those two men didn’t need to think about when it came to Timber and me. Thinking of my guy, I looked at the large clock over Slim’s shoulder and noticed that Timber should have gotten off work an hour ago.
“Speak of the devil, where is he anyway?” I started chewing my lower lip.
Realization dawned on his face. “Shit, I forgot. He wanted me to tell you he would be a little late tonight.”
“Late? He’s never late.”
“He’s actually out having dinner with the owner of the company right now. He said he was going to bring him by when they were done.”
Slim looked like he wanted to say something more, but thought better of it. I scowled, wondering what he was holding back. “What is the boss of the company doing in Port O’Connor?”
“Uhhh, Princess, sometimes they actually do come in to check on the little people.”
“Ha ha, smart ass.”
This time he was the one reaching over and pinching my cheeks. “In fact, speak of the devil, I think your guy just walked in.”
Feeling like a magnet being pulled to him, my eyes flew to the front door. He looked across the way, his eyes searching for mine. When we connected, I felt like I was able to take a deep breath that I hadn’t realized I’d not taken since he left me this morning. I smiled at him - a bright, full mouthed smile - and watched him walk over to me. My grin faded a bit as he got closer. He didn
’t look particularly happy about something. I walked around the bar so we wouldn’t have anything between us when he got to me. Stopping about a foot away, Timber’s hand came up and rubbed the back of his neck. He was shifting a bit from foot to foot. Why on earth was he so uptight? And why was he standing so far away from me?
“Hey,” I said, with mild trepidation. “How was work?”
He wasn’t making eye contact with me, and it was making me feel anxious. “Oh, it was just your normal day.” He looked over at Slim and tipped his head, acknowledging his presence. I didn’t appreciate feeling like he was blowing me off.
“That’s it? I don’t get a kiss, a hug, or a ‘hey baby, I’ve missed you’? I just get a brush off?” I didn’t mean to sound as angry as I did, but the vibes coming off of him right then were scaring me.
“Sorry, baby, come here.” He grabbed my arm and pulled me into his chest. I pressed my nose against his shirt and smelled his intoxicating scent. It helped put me at ease, but I knew something still wasn’t quite right. This wasn’t the greeting I’d been expecting after he’d been away from me all day and after being together for a full weekend. I felt his hand brush down my hair, smoothing it down my back. “How was your day?”
I lifted my head to look into his baby blues. “It was just your ordinary day at The Hole,” I said sarcastically. I saw a small smile tug at the corner of his lips. Standing up on my tip toes, I gave him a brief peck on the lips then lowered myself back down. “Slim said you went out to dinner with the owner of the company. How come he took you out and not my uncle or something?”
I felt Timber stiffen around me. He glanced over his shoulder at the front door. “Yeah, about that. Kat, I need to talk to you for a minute, but can we go somewhere private?”
“Yeah, of course. But what’s this all about?”
“I don’t want to talk about it out here. Let’s go to Ed’s office.” He started to pull me in that direction when Mel stepped in front of us.
“Kat, we are completely out of Absolut and I still have a couple of drinks that need to be made. I think there is a case buried in the walk-in, could you go see if you can find it?”
Timber growled his frustration and I felt my heart kick up a notch in my chest. He was making me nervous. And poor Mel knew I’d rather head into the back for something instead of taking over her tables for five minutes. I generally preferred to stay behind the bar. She had no clue that we were headed off to chat about something that was clearly making him uncomfortable. Figuring I could go find the vodka quick enough to come back out and talk to Timber, I looked at both of them and said I’d be right back.
I raced into the walk-in, lifting heavy crates out of the way, attempting to get to the back corner. How on earth we ran out of Absolut was beyond me. We generally had enough of that stuff to fill a kiddie pool. Several minutes passed and I’d shoved everything around before finally locating a case of it on the floor. Heaving it up, I walked out of the cold room and kicked the door shut with my foot. When I walked back out to the bar, I was just about to sit the box down on the counter when my eyes landed on a set of brown pits I never thought I’d see again.
Adam was sitting on a bar stool between Timber and Slim. I didn’t even manage to make it the last steps to the counter when the box slipped out of my hands and went crashing to the floor. Vodka seeped out of the cardboard sides, pooling around my feet and under the rubber mats I was standing on. I was held captive by his terrifying dark eyes and rooted on the spot. Adam looked absolutely menacing. I saw the knowing look on his face.
He’d come back for me.
It felt like every ounce of air had been sucked out of the room, and I couldn’t breathe. I had no conception of time and I hadn’t a clue how long I’d been standing there. Eventually, most everyone continued on with their conversations and ignored the girl who’d spilled the alcohol. I was vaguely aware that someone was saying my name, but nothing was breaking through the trance I was in.
Adam continued his visual assault on my nerves. He knew he was affecting me, paralyzing me until I felt like I needed to throw up. The little hairs on my body were standing straight up and I was fighting the instinct to run. The monster of my dreams was sitting in my bar, looking at me, and I was utterly frozen. He still looked as cold and calculating as he had six years ago. The only difference was that he’d traded the football jersey for a suit. It didn’t matter, though. None of it did. He was here to destroy me. To take away any ounce of sanity and happiness I’d built after our last encounter and shred it to pieces.
Something touched my forearm and I gasped loudly, my hand flying to my mouth. I almost screamed, but my palm muffled the sound. I looked to the thing that touched me and met familiar blue eyes. Every inch of Timber’s face was etched with concern. He searched my eyes, trying to see if I was okay, but he had no idea of the storm that was brewing in my body. I couldn’t have managed to utter a word right then if I’d wanted to.
“Kat?” His deep voice questioned. Was this what he wanted to talk to me about? Had he run into Adam while out at dinner and he’d wanted to tell me about it before he came in? He had to have known I wouldn’t be happy about seeing him, but there was no way he knew that Adam was my worst fear come alive. I’d never told him a name. And, standing here now, I was pretty sure I’d never planned on it.
I’d hoped that Timber would accept what happened to me and we would move on. I’d been in total denial. And now, I was feeling like the most naïve person on the planet for thinking that I could escape Adam. He’d threatened me. He’d told me he would never be too far. Just when I‘d gotten a shot at happiness, my solid ground was taken out from under me.
“Kat.” Timber wasn’t asking for my attention now, he was demanding it.
“What?” I was such a mess. I bit down on my tongue to prevent the tears I knew wanted to form in my eyes. Mel was standing off to the side, looking every bit as concerned as Timber did.
“Do you feel okay?” Her soft voice chimed.
I didn’t take my eyes from the crystal colored ones looking at me. Whether he realized it or not, he was the only thing holding me together. “I’m fine.” My voice had a slight edge to it, but Mel got the picture that something was going on, but it didn’t involve her. She picked up a tray of glasses and set about serving the customers. I knew she would be keeping an eye on me, though. Beaver was also watching me, probably deciding if he should help. He wisely kept his seat at the front door and let Timber deal with me.
“Hello, Katherine,” Adam spoke.
Everything I’d eaten that day was sitting in the back of my throat threatening to come out. I gritted my teeth to keep them from chattering. As much as it pained me to tear my eyes from Timber, I did. I leveled my gaze on Adam.
“Adam,” I said curtly. He raised an eyebrow at my tone.
“It’s been a long time. Too long, actually. You look… different.”
“Not long enough,” I said, no louder than a whisper. His eyes narrowed. He’d heard me. “I suppose I’ve changed.”
He leaned forward, his chin perched on his thumb and pointer finger over his lips. “Yes, you certainly have.”
My hackles rose. His inflection indicated something so much more than a change in my appearance. He was letting me know, in not so many words, that he enjoyed the way I looked. I had to break eye contact with him. If I didn’t get out of there soon, I was going to lose all mental ability to not go ballistic. The bile in my throat made another attempt to come out.
Looking anywhere but at Adam, I said, “Well, I have work to do.” Turning to Timber, who looked completely perplexed by the exchange he’d just seen, I spoke quickly. “I need to make sure everyone is still good down there.” I tipped my head to the opposite end of the bar where they were sitting.
He put his hand up to cup my cheek. My eyes shot over to Adam who was watching us. His jaw was working back and forth. Oh, God, please don’t say anything!
“Kat, eyes.” I looked back to Tim
ber. “You okay with this? Whatever went on between the two of you is history, okay? I promise he won’t stay long, but I need to hear you say the words.”
I couldn’t tell him what I really wanted to say, which was to get that fucking piece of shit out of my bar. It was so close to the tip of my tongue, but instead I said, “It’s history. Go visit with your friend.”
He kissed my temple. Despite his clear reluctance, he walked back around to where Adam and Slim were. I turned to look at both men. It was like looking at an angel and a devil sitting side by side. One who brought peace into my life, and one that brought misery.
I began mindlessly wiping down the same glasses I’d already taken care of earlier, trying my hardest to keep myself distracted from the conversation behind me. Timber cleared his throat a few times to get my attention, but I couldn’t muster turning around. One look at Adam was one too many.
I lost track of time. I had no idea how long they had been sitting there and I’d moved aimlessly around behind the bar, keeping my distance. At one point, Slim stood up and walked down to where I was standing and said a cheerful goodnight. Did I reply?
In the short time that the monster had been here in my presence, a million questions had formed in my head. Did Timber know that Adam was the owner of the company? If he did, why didn’t he say something? In fact, why hadn’t his name ever been mentioned in past conversations between my Uncle Roger, Slim and me? It all just seemed so odd to me. And it didn’t go unnoticed to me that there was no coincidence that, out of all the oil fields Adam could own, he owned the one that I had family working on? Little pieces of the puzzle were slowly fitting together and I realized that this was how Adam had kept tabs on me. All this time, I thought I had run far enough away, when really, I hadn’t. He’d known right where I had been all along, and he’d made sure he’d kept me within reach.
A loud barking laugh came from behind me, and my shoulders rose. The glass I’d been wiping fell from my hands and clattered to the floor. Thankfully, it didn’t break, but it still got the attention of the two men I was trying to ignore.
