by Cathryn Fox
Caleb drew her in for a hug. “Matt told me what happened. I’m glad you’re okay, but Matt can take care of himself. Don’t ever do anything like that again, okay?”
Her glance left Caleb’s and went to Matt’s. Something seemed to come over him when he saw her in Caleb’s arms. The muscles along his jaw ticked, and his fingers curled into fists.
Testing him, she looked back at Caleb. “About Friday night…”
Caleb pushed her hair from her shoulder, then gave a little tug. “Seven, okay?”
Her glance moved to Matt, who stood as still as a stealth soldier. She waited a moment, giving him a chance to say something, do something, but he continued to stare at her, his mouth pinched tight, so she responded with, “Seven is great.”
* * * * *
Matt spent the better part of the week visiting and making arrangements for Gran, grateful that he had something to keep him occupied and his mind off Sky. Due to her age, and the fact that she wasn’t healing as quickly as the doctors would have liked, Gran wouldn’t be getting out of the hospital for another week or so. But he’d brought his stuff over earlier this evening, moving in before he really needed to because he didn’t want to be at his place tonight when Caleb picked Sky up, and he certainly didn’t want to be there in the morning if Caleb decided to stay the night.
He walked through the old house, Dexter purring at his feet. He thought back to when Caleb had hugged her in her office at Sky Bar, and Matt considered the look in her eyes when she brought up her date with Caleb. For a fleeting second he thought he spotted something else in her gaze when she looked at him, something that went deeper than friendship. But if she felt more for him, then why would she keep her date with Caleb?
Because he’s the guy she really wants, dumbass.
As his gut tightened, he stepped outside, locked the door and jumped on his motorcycle. He drove toward his apartment, and when he saw Caleb’s SUV parked outside he spun around and headed to the bar. He parked, and made his way inside. When he found Josh and Jack at the pool table, he joined them.
“Hey, what’s up?” Jack asked, taking a swig from his beer and placing it on the edge of the table.
In a shit mood, Matt grabbed a pool cue. “Nothing, why?”
“Oh, maybe because you look like a lovesick puppy that has just been kicked.”
“I’m not in the mood for your counseling tonight, Jack,” he said.
Josh went to work on racking the balls, as Matt signaled the new waitress for a beer. He looked around and was surprised to see that after only one week, Marco and Sky had made significant changes in the place.
Jack put his hand on Matt’s shoulder. “Wouldn’t dream of counseling you, pal.”
“Yeah, why’s that?” Matt asked.
Instead of answering, he said, “Where’s Sky?”
“She’s out.”
“With Caleb?”
He shrugged and chalked his cue stick. “I’m not his keeper.”
“Tonight’s the night they’re going on their first date, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“Shame it didn’t work out with you two. I thought you and Sky made a great couple.”
“I’m not the guy for her. Caleb is.”
“How do you know that?”
“I just do.”
Jack laughed. “That sneaky bastard got to her before I could ask her out.” The waitress came with Matt’s beer and he took a huge drink. “If it doesn’t work out with them, I think I’ll ask her out,” Jack went on to say.
The thoughts of her with another man—with Caleb—had his blood boiling and possession racing through him. “Don’t,” he said through gritted teeth.
“Why the hell not?”
“Because…just don’t.”
Jack put his arm back on Matt’s shoulder. “And that’s why you don’t need any of my counseling. You already know everything you need to know.”
Chapter Eleven
Sky sat across from Caleb at her favorite restaurant. She took a sip of wine and fell into easy conversation with him. It actually felt weird to be on a date with him after all this time, and especially because she couldn’t stop thinking about Matt.
She’d wanted to cancel the date, but Kat had insisted she go, plus she didn’t want to be discourteous to Caleb, which was the only reason she was siting across from him right now talking about work, the dogs at the compound, Gran’s health and how Matt had moved into the old house to take care of her. He was also interested to hear about her writing and how she wanted to go back and take some creative writing classes. He was a great conversationalist and she truly enjoyed being with him—but he was no Matt. Soon the meal was cleared and the waitress came back with the dessert menu.
“Coffee?” Caleb asked.
“Tea,” she said, realizing how little he knew about her. Matt would have automatically known what her favorite after-dinner drink was. Just like he knew how much she really wanted to write for a living. The more she thought about Caleb and Matt the more she realized what a mistake tonight had been. She and Caleb were friends, good friends, but there could be no more between them. They finished their drinks and Caleb pushed from his chair.
He looked at his watch. “We still have time to catch the late show if you want.”
She shook her head. “I think I’ll call it a night. I work the early shift tomorrow.”
“Okay,” he said.
His hand went to the small of her back when she stood, and he kept it there as he led her out of the restaurant. They reached his vehicle and he pressed the unlock button as she circled to the passenger side. She hopped into the cab, and as he backed out of the parking lot she fussed with the radio stations. They listened to the music, both lost in their own thoughts as he drove her home. Once there he parked and climbed from the driver’s side seat.
“It’s okay.” She released the latch on her seatbelt, and put her hand on his. “I can see myself in.”
“What kind of a gentleman would I be if I didn’t walk you to your door.” He cringed. “Besides, if I didn’t Matt would kick my ass.”
That brought a smile to her face. Matt was protective and possessive and he really would kick Caleb’s ass, despite the fact that they were best friends, but when it came to her, he went above and beyond the role of friendship. It took a pretend relationship to open her eyes to the kind of man he was. She pulled her key from her pocket and opened the front door. She was about to step in when Caleb stopped her.
“Sky?”
She turned to face him and found him standing close. Too close. Oh, God, she hoped he wasn’t going to kiss her. Perhaps she should say something, explain how she felt about Matt. She owed him that much after taking her on a date. And she couldn’t forget that Matt had told him that she was interested in exploring a relationship with him.
“Yeah,” she said softly, wondering how she could tell him without hurting his feelings or coming across as flighty.
“This was…nice.”
“Yeah, it was nice,” she said, truly meaning that. She loved Caleb…like a brother, and spending one-on-one time with him was nice. He leaned into her and she turned her head so his kiss landed on her cheek.
He looked confused for a moment, then he asked, “Will you be at the cottage next week for Matt’s birthday?”
She nodded. “I wouldn’t miss it.” She grinned and added, “After what he did to me on my birthday, I owe him a spanking and a dollop of icing on the nose.”
When she thought about spankings, and putting icing on his body, heat moved through her, and she coughed to hide her sudden arousal.
“Garrett works Saturday and can’t make it so the guys are going down Friday night. I have rounds, so I’ll be late.” He touched her hair and in familiar Caleb fashion, gave a little tug. “I guess I’ll see you Saturday then.”
“Okay. Good night, Caleb.”
“Night, Skywalker.”
Sky made her way inside and stopped to listen
outside Matt’s door, not that she expected him to be home. Just then her phone pinged. She grabbed it from her purse, her heart racing and hoping it was Matt.
You’re home early.
She texted Kat back. I work in the morning. What was she supposed to say? Oh, I went out with Caleb but now I think I’m crazy about Matt. Talk about a plan backfiring in her face.
Want some company?
She thought about it for a moment. Honestly, she really did need someone to talk to. Not that Kat gave the best advice, but still, her emotions were in a hot mess, and Kat was a good listener. Sure, she texted back.
She let herself into her apartment and threw her purse onto her coffee table. Her gaze went to her stack of DVDs. With her mind racing back to her conversation with Kat, she dug out Jenny and Ving’s wedding video. She stuck it into her player and fell onto her sofa. She smiled when she saw Jenny walking down the aisle with her brother Garrett, and when they reached the altar and the camera panned wide to take in Ving waiting for her, Matt at his side, Sky’s heart lodged in her throat.
She’d never seen him look more handsome in his suit, the warmth in his eyes as he watched Jenny, doing the weirdest things to Sky’s insides. For a moment she visualized Matt standing there awaiting for her, watching her walk toward him, the look in his eyes similar but different. She thought about that, yet couldn’t quite put into words the way Matt looked at her. One thing was for certain, she’d never seen him look at anyone else the way he looked at her.
The sound of her bell ringing prompted her into action. She turned the television off and jumped from the sofa. “Come in,” she yelled.
Kat let herself in, took one look at Sky and said, “Oh, honey.”
Sky put her hands to her face and exhaled. “I’m in big trouble.”
“I know, come on.”
Kat led her to the kitchen and gestured for her to sit while she filled the kettle with water. Ten minutes later she sat across from her friend, sipping chamomile tea.
“So what are you going to do?” Kat asked.
“I don’t know,” she answered, wondering how she failed to see what had been right under her nose all this time.
“There’s always that napkin plan,” Kat said, grinning.
“This is serous, Kat,” Sky said, even though she couldn’t help but grin too.
Kat’s hand closed over hers. “I know. And I also know you and Matt belong together. I think everyone but you two know that.”
“Then why did you tell me to go out with Caleb? I don’t get it.”
Kat rolled her eyes. “Because unlike you, I know guys and what makes them react.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Matt is crazy about you. Of that, I’m certain. I wanted you to go out with Caleb so it would push his buttons and finally get him to do something about how he feels.”
“He didn’t do anything.”
“That’s because he cares so much about you.” Kat reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “You asked him to help you get together with Caleb, right?”
“Yeah.”
“So he believes it’s Caleb you want, not him. Don’t you see, Sky? He’s sacrificing what he feels for your happiness.”
“Oh, God,” she said, thinking about the way they came together in the bedroom. Everything inside her said it was more than just earth-shattering sex. They had a connection, one that went deeper than anything she’d ever felt before.
“Do you really think so?” she asked over the rim of her cup.
Kat nodded. “I know so.”
She took a sip and put her cup down on the table. “What do I do?”
“It’s his birthday next week, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.”
“Then show Matt it’s him you want, not Caleb.”
“Oh, God. I never should have gone on that date.”
“Of course you should have. How else would you have known it wasn’t Caleb you’re in love with?”
“What must he think though?”
“Just talk to him, Sky. If there was no sexual spark, Caleb would know too.”
She nodded, thinking about how she’d turned her head on the kiss. “But he tried to kiss me.”
“Maybe he wanted to see if it could ignite a spark. Did it?”
“I turned my head.”
Kat smiled. “Then Caleb already knows where you two stand.”
“I still need to talk to him.”
“For sure, but right now you need to think about how you’re going to show Matt he’s the one you really want.”
“How can I do that?”
“Let me just say, actions speak louder than words.”
“Meaning?”
Kat gave her a look that suggested she was dense. “Do you really need me to tell you that?”
Sky thought about that for a moment. There was no denying that she’d fallen for Matt—a guy who was the total package. Everything about him felt right, in her head and in her heart. As she thought about what Kat was suggesting, a plan began to formulate in the back of her mind. She gave it further consideration and as she began to warm to the idea, she couldn’t help but smile. This Saturday was his thirtieth birthday. He might be having dinner with Gran before he headed down to the cottage, but once there he was definitely going to be having dessert with her. Oh, yeah, his thirtieth was going to be a night neither of them would forget in a hurry.
Chapter Twelve
Matt stretched his legs out and twisted the cap off his beer, happy to just kick back and shoot the shit with the guys for a change and self medicate with a six pack—which was disappearing rather fast. He looked at Cole, Brad, Luke, Garrett, Ving, Josh and Jack as they all sat around the fire. The guys weren’t just his comrades; they were his friends, there for the good times as well as the bad. The only one missing from the group was Caleb. His closet friend in the world, next to Sky.
Matt took a look at the late hour, grabbed his phone and sent him a text. Where are you?
Sorry, running late at the hospital. Not sure what time I’ll get out of here.
Dibs on your bed. His reasons for not wanting to sleep on the boat were twofold. One, it was uncomfortable, and two, it reminded him of Sky and the way she’d snuggled in with him last time they were all at the cottage.
Fuck you, came Caleb’s response.
Hey, it’s my birthday.
Fine. I probably won’t be in until late so I’ll crash on the boat.
He powered down his phone and his thoughts returned to Sky as he tossed another log on the fire. He hadn’t seen much of her after her date with Caleb, partly because he’d moved into Gran’s place, and partly because they’d both been so busy. With his MCATs two weeks away, and making sure Gran had the best home care for when she left the hospital, his days were pretty full. Plus he picked up a few of the night shifts at the bar now that Sky had changed her hours. She spent the better part of her days working and when she wasn’t she was hiring new staff and restructuring things at the bar now that she had a new partner. Once things settled there, she’d have more time to write, and for that he was happy.
He hadn’t heard much from Caleb after his date with her. Basically the only thing he’s said in a text was that it was…nice. He could only image he’d hear the details this weekend. Matt just hoped he planned to leave out the intimate ones, not that Caleb was a kiss-and-tell kind of guy. He wasn’t. Neither of them were, which was why Caleb had no idea Matt had slept with Sky. Twice.
Fuck.
The roar of a speedboat engine had all the guys turning toward the dock. The motor stopped and the two girls who vacationed at the cottage down the road waved to them. They all waved back.
“Who’s up for a ride?” one of the girls called out.
“Sure,” Josh said, climbing to his feet.
“Yeah, why not,” Jack said. He kicked Matt’s foot. “Coming?”
Of course they’d all expect him to go. After all, he was the only other single in t
he group. “Can’t. It’s my birthday and I’ve got a beer to finish.” Technically it wasn’t his birthday until tomorrow, but whatever.
“I can’t think of a better way to spend your birthday.”
He could.
“The numbers don’t add up, Jack. And I’m not sharing with you.”
Jack laughed. “Worried you can’t keep up?”
“More like you’re my friend, and I’d hate to make you feel any less of a man.” Matt shot back.
The guys all laughed.
“Tell you what. You stay here and think on that, while I go down there, and…not think about it.”
The guys all laughed as Jack took off with Josh. Matt reached into the cooler and pulled out another beer. From the corner of his eye, he caught Cole watching him. In fact, he’d been studying Matt for the better part of the night.
“What?” he finally asked him.
Cole scrubbed his hand over her jaw. “That’s what I was wondering.”
“No idea what you’re talking about,” Matt said.
“You’re all mopey,” Cole said, channeling Gran. “I’m guessing it has something to do with Sky.”
“Fuck off,” he said and took another swig of beer to hide what he was really feeling.
“Then why didn’t you take those girls up on the offer?”
“Like I said, the numbers didn’t add up.” He looked at the beer in his hands. “Plus I drank too much.”
Turning the attention off him, Matt said, “So what do you think about Murph? Have you had a chance to work with him one-on-one yet?” Cole was the best damn handler of them all. A few years back he’d trained one of the smartest, yet most-undisciplined dogs at the shelter. Ralph was now working with a soldier here on American soil, and from all reports he was an expert at detecting leftover munitions.
“Yeah, I don’t think he’s cut out for bomb work.”
Matt looked at the fire. “What will happen to him?”
“Actually, Gemma told me someone came in yesterday and wanted to adopt him.”
His head jerked toward Cole, and while he was happy Murph was going to a good home, he knew he’d miss the guy. “Really?”
