Just as Rico reached for his phone to open his notepad app he felt something brush his arm.
“Sorry we’re late,” Max grumbled. “Mustang wouldn’t start.”
Rico looked up to see Chloe quickly signing to Avery. Avery smiled brightly and responded. After they sat down, Chloe introduced Max to Avery. Rico watched, dumbfounded, as Max also communicated with her. Chloe nudged Max to remind him that Avery could read lips.
“Whoa. Wait. You can sign?” Rico demanded.
Max laughed. “Yes, a little.”
“Since when?”
“Since they needed someone at Roadie’s Gym to work with a couple of deaf clients. I put myself through a crash course.”
“Wonderful.” Rico deflated a little. He was the only one who couldn’t understand what the beautiful woman across the table was saying. “Did Chloe explain the situation to you?”
“Yeah. I can’t talk about my job. Or how we met and became friends. Or what I do for fun. Really, I just shouldn’t talk.”
Rico blew off Max’s glare as he turned back to Avery. “You’re beautiful,” he told her.
Avery blushed as she responded. Chloe spoke for her. “You aren’t bad, either. Tell me about yourself.”
“Not much to tell. I hang drywall for a construction company. When I’m not working, I’m at the gym.”
He could have sworn he saw a dreamy look in her eye. Chloe translated her words again. “I can tell that you workout.”
Rico felt his cheeks grow warm. “Tell me about you.”
“I enlisted in the Marines right out of high school and served for five years until I was injured. I went home to California to rehabilitate then moved in with my brother here in Minneapolis so I could go to school. I’m working on my Masters now. When I’m not working or studying, I volunteer with Operation First Response.”
“I’ve never heard of them.”
“They help service men and women injured in battle, along with their families. They were a tremendous help to me. What I do is a small thank you in return.” Chloe continued to translate.
Rico felt his heart swell a little. True, he barely knew this woman. But it didn’t matter. He was already so proud of her.
Avery looked at Max as her fingers asked a question. Max’s face paled, and his eyes grew wide.
Rico frowned. “What is it?” he questioned.
Max smiled at Avery then glanced warily at Rico. “There’s not much to tell about what I do, Avery.”
Rico’s stared at him in horror. “You can’t, Max.”
Max pressed his lips in a thin, angry line. Then, he turned back to Avery and signed quickly. She responded, her brow creasing. Max answered back. She smiled and nodded.
“What did they say?” Rico pleaded to Chloe.
“Max told her he owns Hard Drive. He also told her that you came in to take classes to keep in shape. He told her that you’re some crazed fitness nut. That’s how you became friends,” Chloe deciphered.
Rico breathed a sigh of relief. “I owe you, Max.”
“You have no idea,” Max growled.
They kept chatting and signing as they waited for their meals. Rico hung onto everything he learned about Avery. No woman, not even Phoebe, had ever affected him like this. She was simply incredible.
When they were finished eating and they had told Max and Chloe goodbye, Rico walked with Avery outside. The road glowed from the pure, white light of a street lamp. He took her hand in his and drew her closer. They didn’t get five steps from the restaurant when a large, black quad cab pickup pulled up to the curb. A large, intimidating man with a shaved head glared at him. Few men could actually put the fear of God into Rico. This one did.
Avery pulled free and opened the passenger door. She rummaged for something in the messenger bag on the floor. She retrieved a notebook and scribbled on it. Then, she handed it to him. Pressing a kiss against his cheek, she climbed inside the truck and pulled the door closed behind her. It was barely shut before the bald guy sped away.
Rico looked down at the message that Avery had scrawled for him.
Rico, I think you’re a great guy. If circumstances were different, I would love to go out with you again. But it’s not fair to bring your friend, Chloe, along everywhere so we can talk. I don’t think we should see each other again. I’m sorry.
Avery.
He crumpled the sheet in his hand then reared his arm back to throw it. But he stopped before he did. Sighing resignedly, he shoved the ball of paper into his pocket before he shuffled back to his Jeep.
»»•««
Chloe squinted at her computer screen as her fingers typed away. She yawned. She hated working on her and Max’s budget, especially after spending the last hour and a half kickboxing with her husband. The second she caught sight of Rico’s Jeep in the parking lot she retreated, hot and sweaty to the office. Let the big boys beat on each other for a while. Now, if she could only stay awake long enough to balance their checkbook.
She glanced over her shoulder at the couch Max had put in the room. Draped across it was one of her favorite blankets. It certainly looked inviting. With a sigh, she returned to her numbers.
The sounds of Max and Rico’s grunts as they sparred floated through the open door. Chloe felt bad for Rico. It had only been a couple days since their double date. She could tell Avery had wounded him when she said they were done. Chloe understood where Avery was coming from. How could they have a relationship without communication? Still, this girl had gotten to Rico. Chloe had never seen him react this way about a woman. She doubted she’d ever see it again.
Chloe rubbed her tired eyes and glanced back to the couch. A little nap wouldn’t hurt. Maybe the numbers would make sense afterward. She stood up and crossed the room, grabbing the blanket from the back of the sofa. She never heard the footsteps behind her.
“Chloe.”
She startled, letting out a high-pitched squeal and spinning at Rico. “Don’t ever scare me like that again!”
“Sorry,” he apologized.
She slumped on the couch and covered her legs. “I thought you were sparring.”
“Water break. Hey, I need a favor.”
“Another one? This will be the third or fourth one you’ll owe me, Rico.”
“Well aware.”
“What do you want?”
Rico sat beside her. She could see the sudden ray of hope in his eyes. “Teach me Sign Language.”
“What?”
“Avery said that if we could talk to each other, she’d go out with me. So, teach me to talk to her.”
“Rico, it’s not an overnight thing. It’s going to take a while to learn. I doubt she’ll just wait around.”
“I have that handled.”
Chloe rolled her eyes. “I’m afraid to ask.”
“I’ve been sending her flowers at the coffee shop the last couple days. I know how to charm a woman, Chloe. Just help me talk to this one on my own.”
Chloe stared at him for a long moment. Then, she smiled. He really had it bad for Avery. And she cared about him too much to be the hurdle standing in his way. “All right. I’ll teach you. But I get your full attention the entire time. Got it?”
“Absolutely. Got it.”
“Come back up here after lunch, and we’ll have your first lesson. Okay?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Good.” She shooed him away. “Now, go. You need to train. And I need to nap. Fight camp wears me out.”
Rico laughed. “You aren’t going through camp. Max and I are.”
She raised an eyebrow at him. “Really? Who’s been holding mitts for him every morning? Oh, yeah—me. So, let me sleep.”
He stood, still laughing. “Sure thing, sis. And thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” Chloe waited until he stepped out of the room before she stretched out on the sofa. It took only moments before she dozed off.
It was nearly noon before Chloe woke up. She frowned. She had only be
en planning to nap for an hour. It had lasted nearly three. She shrugged to herself. The accounting would just have to wait until after her lesson with Rico. She knew there was enough money to buy groceries tonight. That was all that mattered.
Chloe stood then folded the blanket and tossed it over the back of the couch. She reached into the refrigerator for the salads she had made her and Max for lunch. She glanced at the third one sitting there. Knowing Rico, he had forgotten to bring anything to eat. As both men bounded into the room, her suspicions were confirmed. She handed the two salads in her hands to them then retrieved the third one for herself.
After they had finished eating, Max disappeared downstairs to teach a class. Chloe pointed to the sofa in a silent command. Rico sunk into the cushion obediently. She wheeled her office chair over to him and settled into it. “Okay, let’s just start with a simple greeting.” She slowly signed to him. “That means ‘Hello, my name is R-I-C-O.’ Now, do it with me.”
Chloe watched as he butchered the first couple of attempts. As it started to come smoother for him, an alert chirped on his phone. He stopped his hands and dug for the cell in his short’s pocket.
“Rico,” Chloe chided.
“Give me just a sec. It’s Sam,” Rico defended, as he typed.
“You promised you’d give me your undivided attention.”
“Sam’s the promoter. I can’t tell him to wait.”
Chloe stood and crossed the room to her desk. She picked up a magazine. Rolling it in her hand, she returned to him. Then, she whacked him in the shoulder with it using all the strength she had. She scowled at him as he dropped his phone and clenched his arm.
“Hey!” he protested.
Chloe tossed the magazine next to her chair where she could reach it again. “I know Sam. He’ll understand. You promised me.”
Rico glared at her. “I know. All right.” He tucked his cell back in his pocket.
Chloe settled herself back in her chair with a sigh. This might take more effort than I originally thought. “Let’s start with the alphabet next.”
»»•««
Avery frothed the milk in a customer’s cup then slowly poured in the espresso. After squirting in a generous amount of chocolate syrup, she popped on the top and slid on a sleeve. She forced a bright smile on her face as she handed over the Styrofoam container decorated with coffee beans. The woman’s lips were animated as she rambled on to Avery. Not that Avery could hear a word of it.
Some days, it would be easier just to wear a T-shirt that said “I’m deaf.” Not that I should have to.
She had been deaf for so long that she couldn’t remember what it was like to hear anything. Her memories played in her mind as silent movies. She missed what voices, music, and nature sounded like. Her brain only held on to one sound—the screeching and groaning of the metal body of an armored convoy vehicle being ripped to shreds in a ball of fire.
The explosion was the last thing she had ever heard. From then on, it was smothering silence.
She looked up to read the next drink order. She had learned to live with being deaf. She was a Marine. Adapt and overcome. She had been through boot camp. She had served as a Military Police Officer in Afghanistan. She had almost been killed by a roadside bomb. She had lost her best friend in that attack. She hadn’t even cried when she’d learned the news. She could handle a little disability.
Admittedly, her stubborn pride interfered quite a bit. She refused the simple pleasures she had before she was deaf. Like driving. Or talking. She went through months of therapy to try to get her voice back. She could make some sounds. But every time she tried to form just one word the disappointed gaze of the therapist told her only one thing. It was never coming back. So she quit trying.
Avery’s eyes caught the pale pink bouquet of flowers that sat on the counter behind her. She sighed. She had to admit that there were times being deaf sucked, like when the most incredible guy in the world had walked into her life but couldn’t communicate with her. Telling Rico Choate she couldn’t see him again was the hardest thing she had ever done.
She didn’t really date. She had just never found interest in a man. When she had been enlisted, she was too consumed with her career. The Marines were all she had cared about. When she had rejoined the civilian world, she didn’t have the patience for immature guys who couldn’t handle being with a deaf woman without making it a joke. The only guy she had ever been comfortable around was her brother, Lindsay.
Then, Rico had walked into the cafe. She could lose herself in his deep blue eyes. His tall, strong build made her knees go weak. She wanted to bury her fingers in his thick, dark brown hair. She had thought—there’s no way a guy that hot would want to ask me out.
Then, through his friend, Chloe, he did just that. After one date, she had ended it. Ever since, he had filled her thoughts and haunted her dreams. Rico didn’t help the situation at all. Nearly every day, a different arrangement was delivered for her, of the most beautiful flowers she had ever seen. Each bore a simple message.
Thinking of you.
Rico.
Avery glanced across the small shop. Her breath caught in her throat as she felt her heart race in her chest. Speaking of the devil, Rico stood at the counter placing an order. She swallowed hard and took a deep breath to calm herself. It didn’t slow her stampeding pulse.
This is getting ridiculous. She would have to set him straight. She just couldn’t torture herself like this.
Once she capped his iced tea, she grabbed a note pad and pen. She sat the drink on the counter as she scrambled to think of what to write. Her thoughts stopped as she noticed his fingers.
His smile was shy as he signed again. Hello. How are you?
Her eyes flew open wide in surprise. You sign! But how?
Rico gestured then picked up the pen and paper.
I’m still learning.
He lifted his hands to sign again. Did you like the flowers?
She giggled. Yes. Thank you. She scrawled beneath what he had written.
Why are you learning sign language?
His lips cracked into a wide grin as he took the pen from her again.
So we can talk. So you’ll go out with me again.
Avery’s pulse kicked up a notch as her knees went weak. She leaned against the counter as she followed his words before writing her own.
Get a few more lessons then come back and ask me out. I might just say yes.
She didn’t think his smile could get bigger, but it did. He scribbled at the bottom of the page.
Your wish is my command. I’ll see you soon.
He waved goodbye as he stepped back. She couldn’t pull herself away until he disappeared out the door. He was learning sign language…for me? There was no doubt. For the first time in her life, she was falling in love.
Chapter Three
It was getting harder and harder to concentrate on training. Rico would rather spend his time learning sign language with Chloe than sparring with Max. A couple fists connecting with his chin brought him back to the task at hand.
At least fight camp was going better than expected. He would easily make weight in time. And, much to Mark and Dan’s agony as their sparring partners, he and Max were performing well.
But the moment training stopped, Rico leapt up the staircase to the office two steps at a time to have his lesson with Chloe. He kept her for hours. She was right. The whole process was slow. At least she was extremely patient. He was giving himself migraines trying to remember each word, phrase and syntax. He spent all his time at home practicing in the mirror, when he wasn’t shadowboxing.
It was all worth it when he would stop in at the coffee shop to talk to Avery. Her eyes glowed with excitement as she watched him sign to her. It was even better when he understood her response. She graciously helped him when there was something he didn’t comprehend. He started to sign more than he wrote on their pad.
Finally, Rico worked up the courage to ask her out again. He
camped out in a plush, blue checked chair to wait for her shift to finish.
He grinned at her as she plopped exhaustedly onto the couch tucked next to the chair. You were waiting for me?
Of course. Had a question.
That is?
Will you go out on a date with me again? You and me only?
She blushed. When? And please just talk.
“Tomorrow is Saturday. Maybe one o’clock for lunch? How about then?”
Her face fell. I am volunteering with Operation First Response. I am sorry.
He frowned as he spoke. “I didn’t get that.”
Avery tugged her phone out of her pocket then opened the notepad app. She typed what she said and handed it to him.
Rico took it and read the message. He grinned. “Could I come with you?”
Her face brightened as she smiled. Yes. That would be great. Suddenly, her expression darkened instead. Maybe we shouldn’t. It’s too much to ask.
“Nothing is too much to ask.”
She laughed. It was fuller and louder than the giggle he had heard before. The sound struck Rico like a bolt of lightning. He fell in love with it. Her sound was simply lovely, more beautiful than music. She typed another message on her phone. An eight-hour round trip might be too much to ask, especially with my brother.
“What if I drove you? Give your brother the day off.”
She glanced over his shoulder to his Jeep. Gas is expensive for that.
“Don’t worry about it. When should I pick you up?”
Give me your phone.
Rico slipped his cell from the back pocket of his jeans and handed it to her. Avery typed on it furiously. Rico’s heart seized in his chest. Not another note, he thought, even if it is electronic.
She handed the cell back to him. Meet me at that address at ten in the morning. I also programmed my phone number in there. I can text you instead of handing the phone back and forth to each other. I need to get to class. She leaned over and kissed his cheek.
Breaking the Silence (Hard Drive Book 2) Page 3
