Drew also recalled the way she rallied when he’d needed help. Hadn’t even hesitated for an instant. She was the one who’d found his son the night he ran away. And she hadn’t even minded slogging through the rain and mud to do it. He owed her.
“Tell me what she said, Josh. I might be able to help with this, but in order to do that I need to know her exact words if you can remember them.”
“Sure. The dance academy is closing until further notice.”
“That’s it? Nothing else?”
“Well, when Emma and Nicole cried, Miss Casey said she’d try to find another place as soon as she could. But I know what that means. Never. I used to think Miss Casey was different. But she’s just like you and mom and other grown ups. Saying things you don’t really mean and promising things that never happen.”
Those words hit Drew like a blow. “I know I haven’t come through for you as often as I should. You’re right about that. But you’re wrong about Miss Casey. She is different from everybody else. She’d never let you down unless her back was against the wall. Guaranteed she’s got some trouble you don’t know about that’s making it impossible for her to keep the academy. But I’m going to change that.”
“Yeah, right.”
“Make you a bet I can get Miss Casey’s academy back in business. And if I win you have to stay and do the performance on Got Moves.”
“And if you lose?”
“I won’t, Josh. I promise. And this is one promise I’m not going to break. So pack those bags, because I’ll be coming to get you this afternoon.”
But Drew’s certainty waned slightly after calling Casey’s cell all morning and leaving messages that were not returned. He wasn’t surprised. He’d guessed she wouldn’t talk to him. Totally unfair. He was the one who got thrown over for a stupid rock star.
The sound of a distant buzz coming from the area beyond the tennis courts suddenly registered. He raced to the other side of the house and saw the truck. Richardson’s Landscape Gardening And Lawncare.
Drew followed the buzz across the back lawn. And there he was. That same Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome that he’d seen with Casey. Drew laughed to himself about the way he’d accused her of lying about the hunk being her brother. He’d never been so jealous in his life.
“Hi. You’re Parker Richardson, right?” He held out his hand. “I’m Drew Byrne.”
“I know.” Parker shook his hand, eyeing Drew with what appeared to be a combination of curiosity and suspicion.
“You mind taking a break for a minute? I just need to talk to you about something. Want a beer or iced tea?”
“No, thanks.” He joined Drew on a stone garden bench under a shady apple tree.
“You know my son goes to your sister’s dance academy?”
“Uh-huh.”
“I heard she just closed it.”
“Yep.”
Add Strong, Silent Type to that casting profile. “Why’d she close? I thought she was going to use Taz Ravage’s barn?”
“Casey never accepted his offer.”
“But she told me she had.”
Parker shrugged.
“She still dating him?”
Parker shook his head. “She never dated Ravage.”
Drew scolded himself for acting like a damn girl, getting all elated that Casey had nothing romantic going on with Taz. “Where is she living now?”
A muscle tightened in Parker’s jaw. He paused. Then he stood, glanced silently back at Drew and studied him through hard, squinted eyes. “I’ll be honest. At the risk of losing a good client, I have to tell you I don’t like you dating my sister.”
“I never treated Casey with anything but respect.”
“Must’ve done something to hurt her.”
“For your information, she dumped me. Out of the blue.”
“I’m sure she had her reasons.”
“Well, I’d sure as hell like to hear what she told you because—”
“She won’t talk about it. So just keep away from her.” Parker started walking away.
Drew followed. “You’re being ridiculous about this. I can help her if you tell me where she is.”
“Don’t you get it? I don’t want you seeing her.”
“Too bad. You’re not going to stop me. I’m not quitting till I find her.”
Pop! Parker’s fist caught Drew clean on the chin, knocking him to the ground. “Now do you get it?”
Drew jumped to his feet, the world around him spinning, his warrior instincts a hair from dishing out the payback. Nobody took a piece of Drew Byrne. But he stopped himself. What was at stake here went far beyond two alphas going toe-to-toe. “You can hit me all day if you want, I won’t fight back. And it won’t keep me from Casey.”
Parker’s lips pressed together as he balled his hand into a fist. Then with a frustrated exhale he released the tension and tucked his hands in his pockets.
“Look, Parker, I understand why you’re acting this way. You no doubt see me as a rich player working my games on your sister. Especially after the image I portrayed on that reality show. Personally, I think I was a fool for agreeing to do the damn thing. And, yeah, I’ve often played out that role. I won’t deny it. But there are some things you don’t see, and I’d like you to just hear me out.”
Drew held up three fingers. “Number one: I’ve spent most of my life working my tail off for the family trucking business, and I’m not as big a jerk as I might seem to someone like you. Two: I’m not sure what value you put on Casey’s little dance academy, but it gave self-worth, a purpose and a dream to the two people I care most about: my son and your sister. I refuse to let either of them get lost in the shadows while I’m able buy a building to house the school and provide the funds for its set-up. Three: I’m in love with Casey. I need her and want to be there for her when she needs me.”
Parker wasn’t the only one stunned by these words. Drew could hardly believe he’d spoken them.
I’m in love with Casey.
And he realized it was true.
He glanced up at Parker, whose dark eyes were fixed on him. All at once the tension seemed to lift from both men.
Parker’s mouth eased into a faint smile. “Know something? I believe you really mean it. You do love my sister.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Drew took the ferry to Shelter Island, then to Greenport and sped down the road to North Cove. He’d seen the quaint coffee shop before, but hadn’t realized this was the one owned by Casey’s best friend. Of course he’d arrived at noon and hadn’t anticipated the sizable lunch crowd. Bigger than he’d expect in this small town on a Wednesday. Scanning the place, he saw Casey taking an order at a table, noticed an empty one in her section and quickly seated himself there.
He tried to watch her without being obvious. How could a woman look so innocently sweet and so wickedly hot at the same time? She wore a short denim skirt white blouse and a turquoise apron tied in a bow at the back of her waist. Made him want to pull the bow and watch the apron fall to the floor. Along with the rest of her clothes.
When Casey turned from the table she spotted him. Her eyes went wide, her jaw dropped, and she moved swiftly to the kitchen. And didn’t come back. The big, bad womanizer was here.
A slightly plump, baby-faced chick delivered that table’s food and came to take his order. He recognized her as the woman who’d given out the raffle prizes at North Cove’s community bazaar. Thinking to get on her good side, Drew said, “Any raffle going on lately? I enjoyed my free readings with Madame Lumina.”
Instead of opening a friendly conversation between them, this seemed to make her extremely uncomfortable. She went silent, but finally said, “Glad to hear it. I’m Natalie, may I take your order?”
So this was Natalie. Casey’s best friend. But Drew could tell mentioning that wouldn’t get him anywhere. He ordered the lunch special. Didn’t even know what it was, since he’d been too busy watching for Casey to actually read the menu.
Left alone with his coffee, he contemplated his options. Obviously, Casey did not want to see him, and Natalie would probably pinch hit for her until he was gone. Parker had told him Casey worked until two, so she was still here. Unless she ducked out the back door to get away. Would she pull that move?
Before he even knew he was doing it, Drew found himself striding through a swinging door into the kitchen. A thickly built guy, a tall woman and a teen gaped at him. But he saw Casey hovering in the back.
As he moved toward her, Natalie stepped into his path and said, “You can’t come in here.”
Drew stopped, but didn’t give ground. He called over her shoulder, “Casey, I need to talk to you. It’s important.” Casey said nothing, but looked as if she might cry.
Which only made Drew fight harder. “You don’t have to lose your studio. It’s stupid. I can help.”
“Want me to get rid of him?” a thickly built cook asked.
“Only if he won’t go quietly,” Natalie said.
Drew figured he could take the guy and pay for any damages, but he didn’t want that. He pulled out the stops. “Cut the indulgent crap, Casey. Josh is so upset he’s backing out of Got Moves, quitting dance and moving to Germany with Heather next week. Think of him and all the kids you’re letting down. Let’s put our own mess aside and do something for them.”
Before Casey could respond, Natalie turned to her and said, “He’s right.”
Casey sighed, then nodded. “I know.”
“Deal?” Drew said to her.
“As long as we keep it business and nothing more.” She seemed nervous and reluctant to look him in the eye.
Drew agreed, figuring he’d better not push her any farther. He rushed over to her, saying, “I spoke with Karl. He has a few properties we could look at right now.”
“I have to work until—”
“You’re fired,” Natalie barked. “Get out of here and look at those buildings before somebody else takes them.”
***
Two of the properties didn’t even come close, but the third was in a perfect location, still in North Cove. It had once been a roadside hay and feed store. Only one story, which meant no upstairs living space for Casey, but that was actually preferable. She didn’t want to live in a building that belonged to Drew. Didn’t want to take any chances of being used and hurt by him again. This time she’d keep it all business.
Now if she could only keep herself from staring at him whenever he turned his back, drinking in his presence as if it were some kind of elixir. Elixir? More like poison. She wondered how many women he’d slept with since she’d seen him. Or was it his habit to pick just one, use her as a toy for a month and then drop the poor girl? The way he’d done with her.
When those phone calls came in from Drew this morning she’d been so tempted to pick up, to start the whole affair again. It was clear now that Josh was the only reason he’d finally called her. She was his son’s teacher. Someone important to the boy. But obviously nothing more than that to Drew. Good for a sexual toss and—
“Casey? Karl asked if you needed air conditioning?”
“Sorry, my mind sort of wandered. Air conditioning? Not necessarily.”
They got out of the car and walked into the huge, rundown, barnlike building. The moment Casey stepped inside she felt herself expand with the incredible immensity of the space. “I love it,” she murmured.
Drew heard her and flashed a smile that sent a rush of heat through Casey. She tried to cover her reaction by strolling to a doorway that led to a small room. Perfect office.
“The high ceiling will make it difficult to heat,” Karl said. “And the reason I asked about the AC is that the wiring is a bit dated.”
A “bit dated” turned out to mean in shambles. Not only would the building need a whole electrical overhaul, but it would also need new plumbing, as well as extra bathrooms for dressing rooms. There was a leak in the roof. Rodents had made a home in one wall. And it went on. Sinking Casey’s initial hopes.
Drew pointed out a lot of these things, and Casey was grateful for his astute observation and the knowledge he had of real estate. She scolded herself for being the same old dreamer she’d always been. Whether it was seeing only the beauty of this old building instead of what it would cost to make it usable, or spending all those weeks imagining that Drew loved her.
She glanced at him now on his mobile phone. The high roller doing business. Or maybe he’d gotten a call from his latest fling. Or Amber. Was Amber the one girl he always went back to in between flings? Was she the one he’d eventually marry?
Drew finished his call and strode toward Casey and Karl. “Can you two hang out for a half hour? Got a hold of a contractor who’s done several projects for me. He’s going to buzz by and give it a look. Check for major structural issues. If he doesn’t see any, I’ll get a ballpark estimate of what the renovations might cost and we’ll talk turkey.”
“Oh, Drew,” Casey said, shaking her head, “there’s no way I could earn enough on a dance studio to pay you back for that. And we haven’t even considered dance floor, mirrors and start-up promotional costs.”
Drew rested a hand on her shoulder. Her body stiffened to avoid feeling the delirious sensations his touch ignited. He lowered his voice, his eyes boring into hers. “Tell me the truth. Would you want this place if the repairs were affordable?”
“But they’re not.” Casey backed away. Aside from his proximity making her already taxed self-control even harder, she hated his question. It reminded her so much of growing up in a household where mentioning anything she wanted required coupling it with the phrase “if we could afford it.” Which of course meant: “don’t get your hopes up.”
“Answer me, Casey. Can you see this as your dance studio?”
“It’s much bigger than I could ever—”
“Yes or no. And don’t lie. I can tell you like it. I saw the look on your face when you came in. I heard what you said.”
“Well, yes. This building appeals to me and the space is exhilarating, but—”
“Location, size, layout, ambience.” He looked at Karl. “Those overgrown weeds outside the west wall? Is that part of the deed?”
“It is.”
“Parking.”
“Drew, I can’t possibly—”
“I’m the one buying here. I’ll pay for the repairs and renovation of my property. And if I want to make my property into a dance studio, I’ll pay for that too. All you’ve got to do is advise me on what a dance academy it needs. And run the place.”
That rendered Casey speechless. Her reaction brought out a delight in Drew’s face that made him look adorably boyish. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she forced them back. Drew turned away, giving her space, pretending he didn’t notice her struggling not to cry.
No fair. How could she not love him when he did something like this and made it clear he didn’t even want to be thanked? Regardless of his womanizing issues there was a sweetheart in Drew Byrne that touched her deeply. She wanted to hug him, but she didn’t dare.
So Casey just walked to his side and said, “Wait’ll Josh sees this place.”
***
Drew followed his ex-wife Heather through the living room that looked like an obstacle course. He sidestepped boxes and crates and the movers sent by Nate’s company to pack up the house, most going into storage. “I told you not to buy his airfare. He won’t be going. At least not yet.”
Heather made a tsking sound. “Give it up, Drew. Just because you suddenly feel that fatherly urge after nine years of acting like an adolescent doesn’t mean—”
“How about we let Josh decide?”
“Decide what?” a voice called from the stairwell.
Both parents looked up at the boy standing on the stairs, Yankees cap backwards, baggy cargo pants drooping off his narrow hips.
“Got stuff to tell you,” Drew said and loped up two steps at a time.
Heather walked behind him.
“I’d like to talk to him alone,” Drew said to her.
“I’m sorry, but I’m in on this conversation. This is too important. And I know how persuasive you can be.”
Drew felt like reminding her that when it came to their son she was the all-time champion at that. But he just said, “Fine.”
Josh’s room had yet to be packed by the movers. Drew took a seat on the bed, Heather the desk chair. The boy stood, looking wary of both parents.
Drew began. “Josh, I want you to know that Miss Casey only closed the school because the man who owned that building sold it to someone else, and she didn’t have enough money to rent another. So I bought a building today that’s going to be a beautiful studio.”
“What?” Heather shrieked. “You bought a whole commercial building for that slut, who can’t even—”
“Stop it, Mom! Miss Casey’s a nice lady. You used to like her a lot.”
“I seem to recall that, too,” Drew said, but figured it had probably changed the moment Heather had learned Casey was dating him. “You told me what a great teacher she is.”
“Okay, so she’s a good dance instructor. But I don’t know much else about her. And I don’t like how important she’s become to Josh.”
Drew shook his head. “It’s not Casey, but what she has to offer Josh that’s important. Through her he’s found a part of himself that’s bold and confident and happy. And I don’t want to see him lose it.”
Heather crossed her arms over her chest. “You make it sound like Josh is going to remain here. I’ve only agreed to a delay of one month so he can do his TV performance. That’s it. I’m not leaving him with a wild bachelor any longer than that. If he still wants to stay at all.”
“I do, Mom. I want to stay. I promise I won’t get into any trouble.”
“I’m not worried about you getting into trouble.” Her eyes cut sideways to Drew.
“I’ve changed,” Drew said. “And I would never do anything that would put Josh at risk.”
“I just don’t like your choice of female company around my son. He needs the stability that a committed husband and wife give to a home.”
The Ultimate Romance Box (6 Bestselling Romance Novels) Page 110
