Good Girl Gone Plaid: The McLaughlins, Book 1

by Shelli Stevens

  He’d mastered the ability to turn his thoughts from Sarah when they appeared. And forget thinking about Sarah and a husband. Literally, he couldn’t think about the reality of it without feeling ill—even a bit violent toward the other man, actually.

  He set his wine down on the coffee table next to the couch and stood.

  “I should go.

  “A fabulous idea,” she said over brightly. “Thanks for dropping by, Ian.”

  “Before I do, though, I wanted to warn you about MacGregor.”

  She tilted her head, though he saw the flicker of awareness in her eyes. “MacGregor?”

  “The man you saw me speaking to in my office?”

  “Ah, yes.”

  Judgment clouded her gaze now, and he knew she was again finding his choice in company disappointing. He couldn’t blame her. It didn’t matter, though, this was too important. This was about keeping her safe.

  “Stay away from him,” he said with quiet authority. “Please.”

  She looked skeptical and gave a nervous laugh. “It’s not as if I planned to go have a beer and burger with the guy. He’s not my type in the least bit.”

  “I realize that. What I’m saying is if you do see him around, give him a wide berth. Stay away. And let me know immediately.”

  She swallowed visibly, wariness flickering in her eyes now. “What kind of guys do you run with? And why are you dragging me into their circle?”

  “I never intended to drag you in.” Whether he’d intended to or not, he had. And he was kicking himself over the realization. “Your paths crossed, unfortunately, and it’s not something I can undo. I just wanted you to be warned.”

  “Your friends sound awesome. Just awesome.”

  He’d have to be dead to miss her sarcasm.

  Ignoring her words, and denying how much they stung, he dug in his pocket for the card he’d stuffed there earlier.

  “Here’s the info for the garage. I put my personal cell number on the back if you need anything.”

  “I won’t.” But she took it anyway.

  “Careful. Because you might.” He went to the front door and paused. “Thanks for the wine, doll. And sorry about the kiss.”

  She rolled her eyes and folded her arms across her chest. “You’re not sorry.”

  His lips twitched. “No, I can’t say that I am. And neither are you.”

  Sarah watched him go. Her heart was pounding a little too fast and there were butterflies in her stomach. They were the same damn symptoms she’d had all those years ago. Symptoms that warned she could fall for him all over again if she wasn’t careful.

  And she had to be careful. She had to be very, very careful.

  She refused to end up in the same boat she’d been in eleven years ago…

  “We’re moving to Japan.” The words she’d been dreading were out. Fleeing her mouth on a wave of emotion and tears that she couldn’t let fall. “My dad got his orders and he’s getting stationed there.”

  Ian stared at her. Absolute shock registering on his face. “No. You can’t go.”

  Misery welled in her and she shrugged. “I don’t want to, but I don’t think I have a choice. I’m not eighteen yet.”

  “You will be in a year.”

  “Yeah. A year.” Tears did flood her eyes now.

  “Can’t you stay here? If we talk to my parents, I’m sure they’d take you in. They love you.” Ian’s voice grew more animated with the idea. “You and Kenzie can share a room—”

  “You don’t understand. My dad hates you. He’s thrilled that this move will break us up. He says I need a year, at least, to make sure you’re really what I want out of life.”

  Ian pulled her into his arms, his voice low as he asked, “And you think I am?”

  “I know you are,” she whispered. “I’m not going to lie. I want to go to college after graduation and get a degree, but I love you. I don’t think I’ll ever love anyone like I love you. We can take it slow, but there’s no one else I want.”

  “Then we’ll make it work, doll.” He kissed her forehead again, then the tip of her nose, and finally her mouth. “Trust me. I’ll go talk to your dad tonight.”

  She gave a soft harrumph, only half-kidding as she advised, “You might want to wear a bulletproof vest.”

  Ian laughed, though, and tightened his arms around her. “We’ll just be real with him. He’s got to know how we feel about each other.”

  “He knows. I just don’t think he cares.” She sighed. “What time does your party start tonight?”

  “Eight. Are you sure you don’t want to come?”

  “I don’t drink.” She wrinkled her nose. “Besides. This is for the graduating seniors—I’d feel like a dork crashing it.”

  “You’re my girlfriend. No one’s going to question you being there with me.”

  No one would question it because she’d be on Ian McLaughlin’s arm. His reputation still ensured that people weren’t stupid enough to start something with him. Ian was right. Her presence might be bitched about quietly, but wouldn’t dare be voiced aloud.

  “Besides, Hailey and Steve are going,” she added. “She’ll keep an eye on you.”

  Ian and Sarah had often gone on double dates with the other couple. Hailey was another cheerleader and close friend on the cheerleading squad.

  “What, you don’t trust me?” he teased.

  “You know I do,” she said softly. “I just get nervous with a lot of intoxicated teenagers.”

  “You sound like a little mother.” He kissed her again. “I promise I won’t have more than a few beers.”

  “You’d better not, because that’s an MIP. if you get caught.”

  “Never been caught before.”

  “It’s really kind of disturbing the things you brag about,” she drawled.

  “I’m not bragging.”

  Though she enjoyed teasing him, she knew he wasn’t all that big of a drinker. Sure, he and his friends snuck a few beers or Scottish whisky now and then, but they never got totally wasted.

  It had bothered her at first, more so because she was such a rule follower. She refused to drink until the government told her she legally was of age to do so. But she was also aware that if she refused to date any guy that drank underage, the pickings were slim.

  And she didn’t really want to pick anyway. Ian was her soul mate. She knew it, without a doubt. The bad boy act was just that. More for show than a reality. It was an image he projected to the world, and she still wasn’t sure why. But then, they’d only been dating for seven months.

  “I should go. I need to study for a chemistry final on Monday.” She sighed and snuggled closer. “But promise you’ll be careful tonight, okay?”

  “I promise. You want to grab breakfast tomorrow?”

  Yes. “Sure you won’t be too hungover?” she asked lightly.

  “Do I have to say it again? I’m not getting drunk.”

  “Okay, then I’d love to. I just heard how crazy these end-of-the-year senior parties are.”

  “Well you don’t need to worry about me. I’ll text you by nine.”

  He kissed her again, deeper this time, and her heart and head spun in a giddy swirl of love and happiness.

  “Can’t wait,” she whispered when he lifted his head.

  And that had been the last time everything had been sunshine and roses between them. It had gone to hell in a handbasket pretty damn fast when morning came.

  The visual slipped through her head. The memory of wandering through the party house, trying to find Ian. And then when she had…

  Not wanting to think about it anymore, she started to re-cork the wine when another knock sounded on her door.

  Had Ian come back?

  Groaning in disbelief, she went to peek through the peephole to be safe.

  She had the door open in seconds. “Hey, you. I’m trading one McLaughlin for another tonight.”

  Chapter Eight

  Kenzie arched a brow, the same damn way
Ian did all the time, and stepped into the house.

  “Which brother of mine has been here? Or do I really need to ask?”

  Crap, maybe she shouldn’t have let that comment about trading McLaughlins loose.

  “Never mind, I don’t have to ask. The blush on your face says it all.” Kenzie strode into the kitchen. “I see you’ve got the wine going already. Good, because I’ve brought dinner. Aleck sent me with a couple shepherd pies, chips and another apology.”

  “Oh yum. Tell him apology accepted, with or without the pies.” She snagged the brown bag from her friend and peeked inside, inhaling the scent of meat and gravy. “Though the pies are definitely helping.”

  “I know, right? So why was Ian here?” Kenzie’s tone was deceptively light as she grabbed a wine glass and poured herself some. “You want some?”

  “No thanks, I’ve still got a bit left from earlier.” Sarah pulled the shepherd pies from the bag and began to unwrap them. “Ian was, um, was working out a payment for my car.”

  “What happened to your car?”

  “You didn’t hear?” Sarah cast her a quick glance as she found plates. “I assumed you would’ve. Both Colin and Ian showed up at the scene to help me.”

  “No, I didn’t hear. Scene? Did you get in a crash?” Alarm wove through Kenzie’s rising voice. “Are you hurt?”

  “I’m fine. I swerved to avoid a deer and ran off the road and hit a tree.”

  “You’re so lucky you’re okay. You should’ve just hit the deer.”

  “Exactly what your brother said.” Sarah grimaced and carried the plates to the dining room.

  “And your insurance will say too.” Kenzie followed her and took a seat.

  “He said that as well. Which is why I’m not calling them to file a claim.”

  “So Ian’s fixing your car?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I hope he gave you a good deal.” Kenzie paused to take a bite, but her gaze stayed on Sarah. “You’re blushing again.”

  “He’s not charging me.”

  “Well now. That is a good deal.”

  “Yes.” Sarah diverted her attention and focused on her food. It was much easier to bury her head, focusing on nearly orgasmic shepherd pies from the McLaughlin Pub.

  “Ian’s not a bad guy you know…”

  Kenzie obviously had no clue of the type of guys Ian did business with. But she obviously knew her brother was a felon. How could Kenzie even try to deny that her brother was the type a smart girl stayed clear of?

  “Maybe while you’re here you guys could let the past go and give it another chance? It’s clear there’s still some chemistry between you both.”

  Sarah fell back against her chair, shock roiling through her. “Holy crap. You did not just say that.”

  “Why, because he made an awful mistake? We all do. He’s not perfect.”

  Sarah made a soft snort. “He’s nowhere near perfect. Besides, Ian and I were ages ago. I’ve moved on.”

  “Have you? Because I see the way you look at him. And that doesn’t scream ‘moved on’ to me.”

  With her heart pounding now and despondency clawing at her throat, Sarah shook her head. “Please, I’d rather not talk about it.”

  “Fine. Sorry, you’re right. I’m being ridiculous. Of course there’s not a chance for reconciliation there.” Kenzie gave a chagrined shrug. “I’m afraid I’ve always been reluctant to let go of the idea of you as a sister-in-law.”

  Yes. It had been the topic at so many slumber parties, or during coffee runs made before first period. Kenzie had always been thrilled with Sarah and Ian dating.

  “So tell me about Neil. I didn’t even know you’d gotten married until you emailed me months later.”

  “Sorry, yeah. It was all very low key.” The food she was eating began to taste like sawdust as thoughts of her ex-husband filtered into her mind. “We met when I was almost twenty. He was just a few years older than me. A sailor my dad worked with and introduced me to.”

  “Right, I remember you said he was in the navy. Well you certainly bounced back from Ian well enough.”

  Ouch. Ouch a hundred times over. Though she knew Kenzie hadn’t meant to be accusing or anything, just conversational.

  “But it didn’t work out between you guys, huh? I’m sorry.”

  I’m not. “Sometimes you’re better off alone.”

  “Oh, trust me. I understand.” Kenzie’s forehead furrowed as she continued to eat. “I think I’ve resigned myself to being single, but I’ll be all right.”

  “I don’t know how you’re single.” Sarah shook her head, truly confused. “You’ve always had guys trailing you around like lovesick puppies. Men love you.”

  Something like pain flashed in Kenzie’s eyes—and maybe something darker. Fear? Before she shrugged. “They love the idea of me. Or just my body.”

  She wanted to ask her friend to elaborate, but then Kenzie laughed and her expression turned light once more.

  “We sure know how to turn the topic to the heavy stuff, aye?”

  “Aye.” Sarah couldn’t help but grin and mimic Kenzie good-naturedly.

  “You said something about movies? Am I going to have to turn on Lifetime? Or do you have something good floating around.”

  “Pretty sure Gran has some classics.”

  “Singing In the Rain? We watched it with her once when we came over for pizza, I remember. I’d totally watch that again.”

  Sarah remembered that day too. Her lips curled fondly. Gran had been awesome to come hang out with. She’d even brought Ian over on several occasions for dinner.

  Standing from the table, she murmured, “Well, I’m sure we can find it around here somewhere. Let’s watch it again.”

  Ian lay in bed, staring at the slow-moving ceiling fan since sleep was evading him.

  His thoughts wouldn’t stop going a mile a minute. And every last one of them had to deal with Sarah.

  Just thinking about what had happened in his office had his dick stirring once more. He’d struggled to not walk around with a hard-on the rest of the day.

  And tonight, it still lingered. He knew before he fell asleep, he’d likely take matters into his own hands. Literally.

  Though his arousal had tapered somewhat after the sour conversation with Gina. She’d not been happy in the slightest to learn he was moving on.

  But it wasn’t fair to her. Not that she’d wanted serious, but now he couldn’t even give her casual. Not with Sarah on the island.

  Gina hadn’t taken the phone call well, though. And had cursed him to hell and back, vowing to head out to another bar in town and take home the first biker she could find. If she’d been hoping to make him jealous, she’d failed.

  If anything, he hoped she would do exactly that. Perhaps it would help her move on quicker. He worried that she might’ve gotten a bit attached, despite protests otherwise.

  His thoughts returned to Sarah. Again. He remembered the feel of her lips beneath his, and he made a murmur low in throat.

  Bollicks. What was wrong with him?

  He wasn’t seriously entertaining the idea of trying to rekindle something with her again, was he?

  No. Perhaps he could seduce her into some short-term island fun, where no emotions beyond lust were involved. But anything serious was out of the question. He would never be good enough for Sarah. Not in his eyes, and certainly not in hers.

  Closing his eyes, he remembered how everything had gone from so perfect, to so completely fucked up.

  “Have another whisky, Ian. You brought it.”

  He shook his head, even as his glass was topped off by some guy he recognized from gym. Shite, when Da discovered he’d snatched the bottle from the pub, he was going to have kittens.

  The music at the party blared, and nobody seemed to worry since the kid throwing the party lived out in the middle of the woods with no neighbors for miles. His parents, both doctors, were in Seattle for a medical conference.

  “Are you
having fun?” Hailey appeared at his side, a shot glass in her hand.

  “Aye, it’s a good party.”

  “Hell yeah it is.” She bumped her glass into his. “Cheers.”

  “Cheers.”

  They drank their shots together.

  She set her glass down and hiccupped. Her cheeks were red and her eyes were glassy.

  “You’re completely pissed, aren’t ya?”

  Hailey frowned, pushing back a wayward strand of chestnut hair. “What? No, I’m not mad.”

  He grinned. “Not mad. Drunk.”

  She gave a wide grin that flashed a dazzling smile, and propped a hand on her hip. “Oh. Yeah, I think I’m a little drunk.”

  And a bit adorable too. Big brown eyes that seemed almost doe-like. She wasn’t much taller than Sarah, but quite pale and a little on the scrawny side. Her dress wasn’t as fashionable as some of the other girls’ at the party, but she looked pretty in the short blue lace dress.

  He knew her family struggled with money. Actually, rumor had it her parents were crackheads and she was just trying to graduate and get off the island.

  And Sarah had told him she was able to stay on the cheerleading squad from a scholarship. Sarah had befriended her early on—taken her under her wing, so to speak. There weren’t many weekends where Kenzie, Sarah and Hailey weren’t sleeping over at Sarah’s house. Sometimes Kenzie had them over, though, and he loved those nights. He’d always manage to sneak Sarah away for a few stolen kisses.

  But they were tight knit friends, the three of them.

  “So is Steve the designated tonight?” He glanced around the crowded room, trying to pinpoint Hailey’s boyfriend.

  “No. Steve went to some party in Anacortes.” She hesitated. “Actually, we broke up a couple days ago.”

  “Shite, really? I’m sorry. Sarah didn’t say anything about it.”

  “I didn’t tell her. I’m still in shock.” Hailey’s cheeks, already red from alcohol, flushed further. “He dumped me for some college chick at Western.”

  Christ, his gender could suck.

  “But enough about me and my shitty love life,” Hailey went on overly brightly. “Want another drink?”