by Vivian Arend
Didn’t mean he would change his mind about being involved with Vicki. Just meant he’d know off the bat exactly how difficult this deal would be.
Mike Coleman was easy to find, tapping away on a small display shelf his mama usually had hanging in the living room.
“Need any help?” Joel offered.
His father glanced up. “You done with your earlier project already?”
Joel stifled his laughter. “And Mom wonders where us boys got our sense of humour from.”
Mike laid down his tools and turned to face him full on. “You’re a grown-up. You make the choices who you spend time with. But you’re still my son, and if you want to talk about anything, I’m here.”
“Is that dad-speak for ‘what the hell are you doing with Vicki Hansol’?”
“Well I’m not blind, so I pretty much already know what you were doing with the girl.”
“Dad.” Joel was thirteen again, caught necking behind the barn. Only that time his father hadn’t walked away. He’d stayed and watched until Joel and the girl he’d been kissing had separated and returned to the school picnic being hosted on the ranch.
His father grinned. “Look, I’m not some saint. I see why she caught your eye. Just…”
Joel waited. Leaned back on the nearest wall and let his hands hang by his sides. Kept his body language open. “Whatever you’ve got to say, I want to hear it. I respect you.”
Mike sighed, his lips tightening into a thin line. “You’re too old for me to be warning you about safe sex. If you haven’t got the message by now, you ain’t never gonna learn it. And I don’t know Vicki other than hearsay. Never liked the type of man who assumed, because a lot of the time, they’re wrong.”
“Her family isn’t the best in town,” Joel admitted.
“I’m not talking about her family. I’m worried about you in the long run. All I’m gonna say is be careful.”
Joel could hear the wheels spinning. The things his father was trying to say without saying them. “You are the fairest man I know.”
“I’m still human. I want what’s best for my own first and foremost, and right now I’ll admit I don’t know what to say to you.” Mike shook his head. “Dammit. Raising you boys was easier when you were all trying to kill yourselves building tree forts on rotten limbs instead of getting involved with people I have no control over.”
“She helped me clean stalls today.” Joel had no idea why that bit of information popped out. “Just talked, mostly. She’s fun to be around. Easy to talk to.”
“Easy to kiss as well.”
Joel nodded. “Hell, yeah.”
Mike shrugged. “You make your decisions. I’m not about to turn into some fool of a tyrant, since laying down the law and ordering you to stay away from her would probably be the stupidest thing I could do, right?”
“You’ve never interfered before.”
“Exactly. I don’t know what brought you two together more than she’s a pretty little thing, and I doubt she minds looking at you either. It’s not my business. Only I hope you trust me enough to say there are warning signs here. Be careful. Don’t let your dick lead you into trouble.”
Joel bit down on his lip and swallowed his laughter. “Yes, sir.”
Mike flipped the shelf over and pounded in another nail. “You bringing her to Thanksgiving dinner next week?”
Oh hell. He’d forgotten. Suddenly the entire Vicki as girlfriend was rolling along way faster than he’d expected. “Not sure. She welcome?”
Mike tossed him a glare. “Don’t be an ass. If you’re going out with the girl, bring her home to our table. If you don’t want to bring her home, then you’re not dating her, you’re fucking her. And if that’s all you’re doing, I don’t want to know the details, but I’d be hell of disappointed in you.”
The fact he was doing Vicki a secret favour eased the flash of guilt at his father’s words. “I’m not fucking around. For once.”
“Smart ass.”
Joel chuckled. “Well, I’m not.”
The pause that followed was long enough to get Joel wondering. Mike crossed his arms in front of him and refused to break eye contact as he asked, “Jesse fooling around with her as well—?”
“No.” The word burst out like a shotgun blast. “And whoa on this conversation continuing.”
“Why?” Mike asked. “Because you think I don’t know about some of the games you and your brother play? I’m not stupid. Don’t treat me like I am.”
His dad wanted blunt, Joel could give him blunt. Even though his cheeks were burning. “No, Jesse’s not invited to play any games with me and Vicki. Not anymore. They were fun at the time, but they’re done.”
At that, his father looked him over carefully before nodding. “Maybe you are growing up then. Damn good job I’m doing with you boys, if I do say so myself.”
Joel snorted. “Nothing to do with Ma, right?”
“Hell, no, it’s all my work setting a shining example that’s coming to the foreground.” Mike glanced around the barn. “Although if you repeat that to your mother, I’ll deny I ever said it.”
They stood quietly for a minute, Joel thinking everything through. He wanted to reassure his father, but without breaking confidences he was caught. Which pretty much meant his father was right. He was growing up. Thinking of more than himself and his pleasure for the first time in his life.
Still, his family deserved something for all they’d given over the years. “It’s going to be a good thing, me and Vicki. Really.”
Mike nodded. “Thanks for that. You know where to find me if you need a butt kicking. Or a shoulder. Or whatever. You’re my son, and that’ll always be true, no matter what.”
Mike patted him on the back, which was about as close as his father got to saying I love you to his sons. Joel grinned and went in for a hug.
Masculine back pounding ensued before they broke apart, Mike to return to his repairs and Joel to head home.
He was pulling into his driveway before his twin’s truck reminded him he had another set of explanations coming. He wasn’t looking forward to lying to Jesse at all.
Vicki was still buzzing when she pulled up to her apartment complex, lips tingling from the memory of his kisses. The oh-my-God-goodness of touching him. Being touched. The fact she’d spent a couple hours doing chores with the guy was totally forgiven because there’d been no actual horses involved—poop didn’t count.
She might have been a little light-headed from the sheer hormone overload. When her key twisted in the stubborn door lock far easier than usual, it took a second for her to realize why.
She’d already swung the door open as it registered. The door had been unlocked already. Fuck.
Vicki froze on the spot. Released the handle and prepared to back away and call the RCMP. She wasn’t about to be one of those too-stupid-for-words women who wandered in on a thief and got killed for her troubles.
Only the room was small enough she’d already spotted her intruder, squatted down and rummaging through the bottom drawer of her dresser. The recently bleached silver-white hair was a dead giveaway, and Vicki stormed in, fury rising to replace all the happy thoughts she’d been swimming in for most of the morning.
“Sarah? What the fuck are you doing?”
Her sister blinked in surprise, snatching her hand away as she shot to her feet. Just as quickly, Sarah relaxed, hip sliding out to the side, head tossed back. “Hey, sis. Good to see you.”
Bullshit. “Why are you here?”
Sarah clicked her tongue. “That’s so sweet. You’re always so nice to your family, aren’t you, baby? Too bad Mom never taught you any manners.”
Goddamn hypocrite. Vicki bent to see what Sarah had been going through, but it was only T-shirts and shorts. All too plain and simple to be interesting to Sarah for the most part. “Going through other people’s things is manners? God, don’t even start with me.”
Sarah shrugged and headed to the lone chair by the table
, pulling it out and sitting like she planned to stay a while. “I thought you might still have that sweater you borrowed. I want it for a party next weekend.”
Vicki looked her sister over closer. Sarah’s hair was perfect, held in place by more hairspray than Vicki had used in her life. Her sister’s flashy new hair colour was a welcome change—there was always hope that now that they didn’t look so much alike the gossipmongers would stop treating them alike. The rest of the package was typical Sarah. Her low-cut V-neck T-shirt emphasized her chest, tight faded jeans clung to her ass. Boots that rose up high and hugged her narrow calves. Vicki admitted it; her sister was attractive. If only she’d stop selling her wares so cheap.
“Next weekend is Thanksgiving. Mom’s not doing something for us?”
Sarah snorted. “Mom’s got a new boyfriend. They’re going to Jasper for the weekend. Just you and me, sis, and since the last time I invited you over for a meal you said you’d prefer to starve, I’ve made other plans.”
Okay, Vicki wasn’t proud of that loss of temper, but damn it. “You weren’t cooking. You were opening cans and heating them in the microwave. Which, fine, if that’s what you want to eat, but when you fed the lasagna I brought to the damn dog, I got pissed.”
“Whatever. Make your own plans because we’re all busy. You can stay in this hole and cook whatever fancy crap you want.”
It wasn’t late enough in the day to start drinking, but hell if the thought of a couple of shots to numb her right then and there didn’t seem attractive. “Okay, Sarah. I haven’t borrowed anything from you for years. There’s nothing here you need.”
Sarah slowly gazed around the room, taking in the tiny space, the uncluttered bookshelf and counter.
Uncluttered, because Vicki didn’t own a hell of a lot of stuff. And that was fine. It was going to make it much easier when she finally did get to take off and get free. Nothing to weigh her down. Nothing to hold her back.
“You know, there’s room for you at the house.” Sarah sniffed lightly. “I still don’t see why you rushed to move out in the first place. Now that my old roommate is gone, it would be nice to have some company.”
Yeah, right. Like Sarah really wanted the company. She wanted someone to help pay the rent. Her sister also knew why Vicki had moved out. Listening to Sarah having loud sex with random guys was not something Vicki ever wanted to experience again, along with other issues. “I’m good here.”
Sarah rose and headed toward the door, pausing at the picture of their middle sister. “Lynn call you lately?”
Lynn didn’t keep in touch very often, but when she did, it was with Vicki. “She’s doing well.”
Sarah snorted. “I bet. Mom’s still pissed at you for contacting social services.”
“Well, she can stay pissed. It’s been four fucking years already. Lynn is happy, and that’s what counts.” Happy and safe. Vicki suddenly felt way older than twenty. “You know Lynn needed to be in the special education program earlier, and Mom didn’t follow through. The group home is exactly the kind of—”
Her sister cut her off. “Whatever. If Lynn’s happy, that’s great. Just don’t expect Mom to ever welcome you with open arms, not after you pulled that fast one. Got the authorities on her ass and all.”
Another conversation that didn’t need to continue, because it was going nowhere but old paths. “You planning on hanging around for a while?”
Sarah rolled her eyes. “Nah. I guess not. If you ever decide to get that stick out of your ass and have a good time, call me. Otherwise, I’ll see you round.”
No wave. No hug. Nothing but back as Sarah left without another word.
First things first. Vicki was getting the damn locks changed on this place. She didn’t think she’d ever given Sarah a key, but obviously, she’d gotten one from somewhere.
Her plans for the following weekend were now easier. No need to go through the motions of being an all-loving family. Mom would be out, Sarah would be partying. Lynn would be celebrating with the caring people in her life, thank God.
Vicki would be the one sitting at home and staring at the walls. Or not. Maybe she’d go for a long ride into the mountains. Pack a picnic lunch and stare at the wilderness for a while.
Tomorrow she’d make arrangements for the locks to get changed. Sometime this week Joel and her would get together for another lesson. A bright shiny spot to look forward to.
It was like wiping away the grime after a long time of not cleaning. It wasn’t going to be easy, making changes. Getting the hell out from where she was trapped. But with the memory of Joel Coleman kissing her senseless, the feel of his tongue over her lips—
Okay, life was looking up. She would cling to that truth for all she was worth.
Of course, when she decided to go grab a few extra bucks to put in her purse, and the cash she kept stashed in the top dresser drawer was gone, she wasn’t really surprised. Guess Sarah had found what she’d been looking for after all.
Vicki sighed.
Clinging to hope for the future didn’t change the fucked-up life she still had to live today.
Chapter Nine
Jesse sprawled on the couch in front of the television, the screen turned on, the volume at zero. It only took a moment for Joel to put two and two together. Jesse was hungover. Which, since it was past noon, meant he was royally hungover.
The temptation to make loud noises was childish, instantaneous and nearly impossible to fight.
Joel dropped into the recliner and grinned, speaking louder than normal. “Had a good time?”
Jesse narrowed his eyes. “Don’t make me come over there and kill you.”
“Moments like this I wish I’d taken trumpet in band class. Or drums. Or—”
“Fuck off and die.”
Joel waited for Jesse to relax back on the couch, his head cradled on the cushions, blood-shot eyes watching the screen without focusing. “It was a good party, I take it.”
“Brutally fun. I don’t think Travis is ever coming home.”
“Right.”
“No shit. He and Ashley were all over each other the entire weekend. I swear I couldn’t see daylight between them most of the time.”
After years of Travis constantly going with someone new, the feisty Ashley was the first in a long time to last more than a week. “I thought Travis said she couldn’t go. Had to hit the States for some meetings.”
“Got moved to next weekend. Trust me, she and Travis were a definite item.”
“He’ll be back.” Joel was more concerned about how to explain what he’d been doing all weekend. Maybe if Jesse had found someone interesting… “You have fun with anyone in particular?”
Jesse shook his head then cringed. “Fuck. No one I’d want to see again, but I had a great time. You should have come, jackass.”
“I enjoyed staying here, thanks. Also, don’t make plans for next weekend. Or not for Sunday. Family dinner, remember?”
Joel breathed out slowly. “Oh, yeah. I can handle Thanksgiving with all the trimmings. Mom’s and Jaxi’s cooking? Damn, I can totally go for that.”
“We have to bring something to contribute. You remember that part as well?”
Jesse waved a hand. “I’ll pick up more chicken wings.”
Joel laughed. “You would too. That could get you killed.”
His twin wiggled to a more vertical position and stared across the room. “What’s up?”
“What?”
Jesse frowned. “You’re not telling me something.”
Damn twin connection. “You’re not letting me get a word in edgewise. I had a good weekend as well.”
“Stuck around here and found someone to play with, did you?”
Oh hell, yeah. “Surprisingly, yes.”
Jesse waited expectantly. “Come on, spill.”
Joel went for broke. “I’m seeing Vicki.”
“You shit.”
Not the reaction he’d expected. “What?”
“If
I weren’t ready to die, I’d come over there and beat the crap out of you. You said you weren’t interested in anything other than ogling her tits.”
“Hey, that’s enough.”
“What? You telling me you weren’t ogling them the other day in the café? Sure the hell looked like it to me.”
“She’s got more than tits, okay?”
Jesse leered. “She’s got a whacking hot bod and a reputation for putting out.”
And that’s where this stopped. “She and I are going out, so cut the trash talk. Do me a favour, and assume I’m smarter than you and know what I’m doing.”
“Hell, I know what you’re doing.” Jesse wouldn’t let it go. “Was the sex good?”
“God, you are such a shithead. We didn’t have sex. We only started dating.”
Jesse leaned forward on his elbows, upper body swaying. “You’re serious. You took out one of the Hansol girls, and it didn’t end in bed?”
“No. Not yet. It might get there eventually—”
“My God, you’ve been taken over by a pod person or something. What the fuck are you up to?”
Joel looked past the crude words and at the actual concern on his brother’s face. “Vicki’s okay. She’s not like her family, at least not as far as I can tell.”
“If the date didn’t end with her asking you for some cash, I’d say yeah, she is different.” Jesse blinked hard. “I’m still too damn drunk to find a way to say this other than straight out. The Hansol family is known for using sex to get what they want. You really thought about this?”
“Yeah.” It was all he was willing to share.
“Use a goddamn condom. And bring them with you. Don’t use one of hers.”
Joel froze for a second. “What the hell are you… Oh fuck. You’re not suggesting she’s going to get knocked up or something?”
“I’m saying I hope the girl is different, and you’re not usually an idiot, so fuck around with her if you want, but don’t take any chances.” Jesse’s glassy eyes had finally focused; concern chasing more of the liquor from his system.
