“Don’t you mean handle the crowd?”
“It’s kind of the same.” Todd tips his hat and walks toward the café.
Kris looks up, and for a moment, our eyes lock. My stupid hand automatically comes up, and I wave at him, but he doesn’t respond. He looks away, and I quickly walk in the opposite direction toward my home.
I am such an idiot.
Why did I wave?
Chapter Four
Kris
My heart stopped. There she was, Athena, in the distance, kissing the deputy who’s walking toward me. And she waved. Everything inside me felt like I’d been electrocuted at the sight of her. The thought of her being with someone else angers me, even though I have no right. After all, I did bring Sophia with me, although I should have left her at home.
I should have waved back.
Why didn’t I wave back?
“Okay, folks, move back. Let’s give Mr. Livingston some room.”
It’s the deputy who was kissing Athena. The crowd moves back a step, and he touches me on the arm, propelling me forward toward the café doors. Plastering a big ole smile on my face, I shake his hand.
“Thank you, deputy?”
He places a hand on his hip. “Todd, Todd Roth, and you’re welcome, Mr. Livingston.”
“Please, call me Kris.”
“Yes, thank you, deputy. Lord knows how we’d be able to make our way through this crowd,” says Sophia in her most sarcastic tone.
The smile on the deputy’s face falters for a moment. “You’re more than welcome, Miss Thorne. I hope you enjoy your stay in Boothbay and bless your heart.” He tips his hat at me, smiles, gives TB a wave, and moves off down the street.
Sophia flashes her best smile and walks into the café like she’s the most important thing on the planet. She stands just inside the door, looking around while she waits for someone to seat her.
Placing a hand on her waist, I lean in and whisper, “It’s not that kind of place. Just take a seat and try not to make a scene.”
“Do I ever?” Sophia replies sweetly.
Before I can answer, TB thrusts a paper cup full of hot coffee in my hand. “Hey, man, good to see you. Is that Missy Webster out there? Wow, in high school she hated you. Look at you now.”
TB slaps my stomach causing me to reflexively suck it in and spill my coffee.
“Hey, hey, hey! Be careful of the movie star,” I tease.
“Pfft. Some movie star, your last flick was shit.” TB turns and smiles at Sophia. “So good to see you again. Sit. What would you like to drink?”
“Oolong tea, please.”
“Ooh, what?”
“Oh, black tea will do.”
“TB, don’t tease Miss Thorne like that. You know we have oolong tea. I’ll go make it, you catch up,” says Shannon with a big smile.
Sophia nods and regally sits in the window so everyone can see her and take their pictures.
“Babe, wouldn’t you rather sit in the back?”
“No, Kris, I want to sit here in the sun and enjoy the view.”
I nod, smile, and turn my attention back to TB.
“It was not a shit flick, it was nominated for a Golden Globe. What’s the plan?”
“It was one of those artsy films. It sucked. And Kris, you weren’t supposed to be here until next week. You’re early.”
“I’ve got some downtime between projects. Thought I’d catch up with you, your mom and dad, and my father.”
“Athena?”
I squint at him and put my hand on my hip. “Yeah, and Athena.”
“Athena, she’s the high school sweetheart, right?” asks Sophia as she saunters over and possessively drapes an arm around me.
“Oh, they were way more than that,” replies TB dismissively as he sits at a table. “Inseparable is what they were. I swear my dad nearly made Kris marry her when he found them in her bedroom.”
“Well, it was a long time ago,” counters Sophia.
“Yeah, I guess. Athena’s moved on anyhow. She’s a New York Times best-selling author, and she’s won a stack of literary awards. Our girl made a life for herself.”
Our girl.
It’s how we used to talk about her when we were kids. It wasn’t until Athena turned fifteen that I took any notice of her. Up until then, she was just TB’s kid sister. I still remember the day everything changed. We were all at a bonfire, and Tommy Baker was walking Athena down to the beach. I was sitting opposite them, and as the night wore on, I started to see Athena in a different light. She stood, pulled her top off over her head, looked at me, smiled, burst out laughing, and ran for the water with Tommy on her heels.
I’ve never moved so fast. I pushed Tommy over, grabbed her by the waist, and we went swimming. Athena had me hook, line, and sinker after that night, and Tommy Baker never forgave me.
“How many books does she have out now?”
TB smiles. “Over twenty. Not that I’ve read them. Romance isn’t my thing.”
The waitress comes back with a pot of tea and a cup on a tray.
“Shannon, is it?” I ask her.
“Yes,” she squeaks out excitedly.
“Sorry to be a pain, but could we get that in a to-go cup?”
Her face falls, but she quickly recovers. “Of course. Coming right up!”
I raise my eyebrows at TB.
“She’s a fan. I think she thinks it’s funny that I know you, and you came from such a small town. I think Shannon thought you were hatched in LA.”
“It’s certainly where he began his life, so almost the same,” replies Sophia.
TB frowns at her. “So long as he doesn’t forget where he came from.” Sophia looks confused. “You know, so he stays grounded. No one likes a stuck-up snob who forgets about his friends and the place he grew up.”
Sophia smiles warmly at TB. “Kris would never do that. After all, we’re here, aren’t we?” Venom drips from each word. She reminds me of a snake, cold-blooded and ready to strike.
Shannon returns with a paper cup. “Here you go, Miss Thorne.”
Sophia takes the cup but doesn’t look Shannon in the eyes as she says, “Thank you.”
“TB, we’re going to check into the Sea Shore Motel. We’ll catch up later, yeah?”
“What? You’re not staying with your dad? If he doesn’t have room, I’m sure we could fit you in or Mom and Dad can.”
“No, no, no!” says Sophia quickly. “We don’t want to impose.” Sophia kisses my cheek. “I’ll meet you in the car, darling.”
I watch her retreating figure as she leaves. “I know she can be demanding, but underneath she’s got a heart of gold.”
“Oh yeah, I’m sure it’s gold-plated.”
I quirk an eyebrow and look at him sideways. “Plated?”
TB shrugs. “Anyway, get settled in. Come to Mom and Dad’s for dinner tonight.”
I nod and look back at Sophia. “Will Athena be there?”
“Who knows. Athena is pretty busy. Does six sound okay?”
I look at my watch. “Yeah, six is good.”
“Is that a Rolex?”
I chuckle. “Yeah, I got it as a gift from the studio for that artsy movie you didn’t like.”
“Nice. Still a shit movie.”
Pushing TB, I head for the door. When I get to it, I turn. “See you at six.”
“Just you?”
“We’re a couple, TB. Play nice.”
“See you at six,” he replies with a grin.
Chapter Five
TB
You ever do anything that you know you’re going to get your ass kicked for?
I told Athena to come to Mom and Dad’s for dinner and said it was just a family thing.
Just us.
Athena is going to throttle me when she sees Kris and Sophia sitting at the family dinner table. She’s never gotten over him. Sure, she’s been on dates, but no one seems to stick. I thought once she got her degree in journalism, Athena would find someone.<
br />
But that was before the attack.
After that, she came home, bought the house up on the hill that you have to be a billy goat to get to, and she became a recluse. Writing books is the only thing she does, and she doesn’t even go to book signings. I know she gets invited to them since I follow her on Facebook. Athena’s fans adore her, and her publisher is more than happy to pay for her to go, but she always declines.
I think life is too much for her some days. First, Kris left, and then she got attacked, and it feels like she stopped trying. Athena celebrates each book release with Mom and Dad and occasionally Todd, but that’s it. She has to want more out of life
Athena is only twenty-five. I’m twenty-seven, but I’ve traveled, and I’m lucky enough to have Ashlea who loves to travel too. Ash has family in India, and they’re wealthy. She talks about having bodyguards and security systems when she goes there. It’s hard to believe when she’s fair-skinned with long curly red hair. They are flying over for the wedding and should arrive next week.
“Ares Boswell, are you listening to me?”
I look up, and Ashlea is in front of me, hands on hips and a smirk on her face.
“Of course, babe.”
“What did I say?” I look at her and shrug. “You know you just agreed to move to the moon and open a café?”
“Sorry. I was thinking about Athena.”
Ashlea sits on my knee and drapes an arm across my shoulders. “Does she hate the dress?”
“What? No. I’m worried about her and Kris coming face to face.”
“It’s been seven years.”
“I know, and I may have lied and told her tonight’s dinner was just us, no Kris and Sophia,” I reply sheepishly.
“You did what now?”
“She wouldn’t have come otherwise.”
Ashlea stands and picks up her cell phone. “You can’t ambush her like that, it’s not fair.”
“What are you doing?”
“Texting her to bring a date.”
I bark out a loud laugh. “Oh, and who’s that going to be? Athena doesn’t date.”
“Forewarned is forearmed.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means Athena is a big girl and can take care of herself.”
I stand and put my hands on her shoulders. “I know that, babe. But Athena doesn’t really have a life. She spends most of her days cooped up in her house, writing. I wish she did things, had a partner, was in love.”
“You can’t project your life onto hers. Athena is happy. Yes, she gets lonely, but she’ll find someone when she’s ready, not before.”
I nod, not wanting to argue with my bride-to-be before the wedding. Athena stopped living two years ago. It’s like she gave up on the world.
“You ready?” I ask.
“How do I look?” asks Ashlea as she does a twirl.
“Perfect.”
“Pfft!”
“To me, you always look perfect. Now, get in the car, woman.”
Chapter Six
Athena
Kris and the Ice Queen are going to be at dinner.
I stop breathing as I read the text message again. Goddamn Ares. I flop onto my bed and look at the ceiling. I can’t go to dinner now. My cell begins to ring, I hold it up, and Todd’s face is staring back at me. I hit the little green icon and put it to my ear.
“Hello, Todd. How is my bestest buddy tonight?”
“What do you want?” he asks suspiciously.
“You rang me, remember?” I say sweetly.
“I was just checking on you.”
“Todd, remember that time I went with you to see that movie, Love Simon?”
“Yes,” he replies, drawing out the word.
“Would you say you owed me for that?”
“Athena, you said it was a good movie and you wanted to see it, too, if I recall.”
“That’s true, and I did, but I need your help. What are you doing tonight?”
“You asking me out?”
“Sort of, I need you to come to dinner at my parents’ house.”
“Okay, I love your parents. What’s the catch? Why are you inviting me? It’s not like I haven’t been there for dinner before.”
I suck in a breath. “Kris and what’s-her-name are going to be there.”
Todd’s laughter filters down the line. “You want me to go as your date?”
“Please? I’ll love you forever.”
“You know I love you, yeah? But this isn’t going to be a full-service date. I don’t do girls.”
“Todd! I can’t believe you said that!” I screech through laughter.
“Just making it clear.”
“Do you think you could pretend to be my date as in a date-date just for tonight?”
“As in a love interest?”
I sigh. “Please? I’m not sure I could go without you for support.”
“Hmm… okay, but if Kris Livingston suddenly swaps teams, I’m ditching you.”
I smile into my cell. “It’s a deal, but what about the friendship code?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I wouldn’t date any of your old boyfriends. It’s a rule.”
“Honey, I’m pretty sure none of my old boyfriends would date you either.” Todd pauses, and then I hear a tut-tut. “Although Harry might have. You would have liked him.”
“I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have as he hurt you. It’s the code.”
“Right, the code.”
“Meet me there at six?”
“Six? That’s like twenty minutes away.”
“Yep.”
“Honestly, Athena, I need to shower, and I’ll pick you up seeing as this is a date. And I’m still ditching you if Kris swaps teams. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
Todd doesn’t wait for me to say goodbye. He ends the call, and I’m left feeling slightly better at the thought of facing Hollywood’s hottest couple.
***
Todd arrives on my doorstep with slick-backed damp hair at ten past six. He has one of those styles where it’s long on top and short on the sides. I swear he uses more hair product than I do.
“You’re late,” I chastise.
“How do I look?”
Todd does a twirl. He’s wearing jeans, a white short-sleeved shirt, and black loafers. With his tan and his hair, he looks perfect.
“You look good, but we’re late. Mom abhors tardiness.”
“You only gave me twenty minutes! It takes time to look this good,” snaps Todd theatrically.
I close my front door and put my hands on his chest. “I need Deputy Todd tonight, not normal Todd.”
“Too gay?”
“A little. Could you rein it in a touch?”
With a flick of his head, Todd agrees. “Just because it’s you.”
I kiss him on the cheek, and he takes my hand as we traverse the pathway down to his car.
“One day, you’re going to break your neck on this.”
“Nah, I used to visit the lady who owned this before me. I’m used to it.”
Todd gives me a disapproving look and shakes his head.
“What do I need to know about tonight?”
“Nothing. Be the attentive boyfriend, just for tonight, and that’s it. I told Mom you were coming, and she said she always cooks too much, so it’s fine.”
“I like your mom and dad.”
“They like you, too.”
“Have you told them?”
“About you?” Todd nods. “No, it’s no one’s business but yours.”
We get to the end of the path, and Todd opens the door to his cruiser.
“You brought your work car?”
His face goes a nice shade of red. “Yes, I’m on duty.”
“You’re always on duty. Why didn’t you bring Betty?”
Betty is his 1972 light blue Citroen.
“This is more manly.”
Laughter bubbles up out of me. “There’s nothing wron
g with Betty.”
“I know, but this makes a statement.”
“You sure it wasn’t just so you could remind Kris he’d met you earlier?”
Todd’s face goes a deeper red. “Just get in the car, woman.”
I giggle and slide in. “Yes, officer.”
***
It’s a short drive to my parents’ house. When we arrive, Todd gets out and runs around the cruiser to open my door, then he links his arm through mine.
“Stop grinning like a kid,” I chastise him. “Remember, you’re my date.”
“Right! Right!” he replies, trying to look serious.
“You’re hopeless. Come on, Romeo, let’s go have dinner.”
Dad opens the door to the house. “You’re late!”
“Sorry, Dad. My hair took longer to dry than I thought. We’re only fifteen minutes late.”
Dad shakes his head at Todd. “Women, hey?”
“Yes, sir, they take forever.”
I scowl at Todd grinning at me, and we go inside. I lead the way into my parents’ dining room. Sitting at the table are TB, Ashlea, Mom, Kris, and Sophia. Mom has all the women on one side of the table and the men on the other. Todd is sitting next to Kris and looks like he’s about to explode with excitement.
I sit and smile at Kris. “Hey, Kris, you look good.”
“Hello, Athena.” He smiles then gestures to Sophia. “Athena, this is Sophia.”
“Hello,” I say cheerfully. “Kris, Sophia, this is Todd.”
“Ahh, deputy, we met earlier today at the café, yes?” purrs Sophia.
“Yes, ma’am. I was there for crowd control.”
Sophia’s laugh tinkles through the dining room. “Ma’am? Please call me, Sophia.”
“Sophia,” repeats Todd. “Did you have a nice drive down? Was it comfortable in that car? It’s a Spyder, yes?”
Kris turns slightly to talk to Todd. “We flew into Portland. It’s just a rental. The studio arranged it. And yes, it’s comfortable. So, you’re the town’s deputy? How many do we have these days?”
“It’s just the Sheriff and me. Not much happens in Boothbay, but you know that.”
“Indeed,” replies Kris as he locks eyes with me. “TB says you’re an international best-selling author?”
Powerful: A Driven World Novel (The Driven World) Page 2
