She wasn’t home thirty minutes before her mother laid into her about how improper it was to fool around with a kid who would never go anywhere. A poor, two-bit musician, as opposed to a young man worthy of her, like her then on again/off again boyfriend. Except, he really wasn’t worthy of her, and she was well on her way to figuring that out by then.
In tears, she got herself to the airport and left for good, or so she thought. Her excuse was that she needed to prepare for her next semester. In reality, she needed to find her own path without her mother’s influence.
Part of her hoped she would come back to Seattle, and find Doug. In a perfect world, she would confess everything, and he would forgive her. Too bad she lived in the real world, and he had zero reason to trust her a third time.
If his scowl was any indication, it was far too late.
*
Can I resist her this time around?
Probably fucking not.
Doug tried to forget the longing on Chloe Mae’s beautiful face when she walked in and her eyes landed on him. She’d already stabbed him in the heart twice. The night of graduation, and again the following summer.
He wished like hell she didn’t still affect him. She always had, probably always would.
Stupid considering she’d proven he was nothing more than a hot bod and a decent lay. On both occasions, she disappeared without a word. No explanation. Nothing.
This time, he refused to fall for her sexy smile and pouty lips. She would have no problem finding another man to keep her satisfied.
Mindlessly keeping tempo, he strummed the bass rhythm and scanned the crowd. Right there, two feet in front of him, she stood with Jackie Oceans. Chloe’s eyes were locked on his. Her expression somewhere between lust and—guilt?
Can’t be guilt. Even if it is, she’ll only pull the same stunt.
Thank god. Time for the last song. Maybe everyone would be ready to leave early and he could escape before being pulled into her web all over again.
Trevor walked on to sing with Roxy, and Doug couldn’t help smiling at the pair. They were so damned perfect together. And Mike had found his match. Even Jordan was happily monogamous, though they were still in the fuck-like-bunnies stage and not a real couple.
Maybe one day he’d find love.
His eyes travelled the crowd and landed once again on Chloe, who stood perfectly still, watching his every move.
Why does she look so hopeless?
Chapter Two
After putting his bass in Mike’s van, Doug made his way back to the bar and ordered an iced tea. After growing up with an alcoholic father, who went through hell to clean up his act and fix his relationship with Mom, Doug wanted nothing to do with booze.
Jackie nudged him. He looked over with a raised brow. “Did you see who’s here?”
He drew a slow breath, trying not to scowl. “I suppose you think I’m stupid enough to go down that path again?”
Glancing at the ceiling, she shrugged. “What path might that be?”
He shook his head and drank more of his tea. The sooner everyone was ready to go, the safer his heart would be.
Jordan walked up with his arm around Chloe. First instinct? Punch the man he loved like a brother. Instead, he told himself to chill the fuck out.
He did neither. Couldn’t.
Tension ratcheted up as Jordan nodded to Chloe. “Look who’s back in town.”
Bravely, he met her gaze, attempting a pleasant expression. “Welcome back.”
Her smile fell clean off her beautiful face.
Shit, probably scowling. He relaxed his features.
Hope flittered through her eyes and she bounced back with determination. “Can I buy you a drink?”
He lifted his glass. “I’m covered.”
Mike came by, and placed his keys in Doug’s hand. “Gwen and I are taking off. Roxy and Trevor already left. Think you can get Jordan home, and I’ll swing by to pick up the van in the morning?”
He frowned. “Sure.” Once again, he had to wonder what was going on with Mike. Something always came up lately, and he’d bounce without an explanation.
Jordan shrugged. “I’m catching a ride with Leanan when she gets here. You’re on your own.”
“I’ll give him a ride,” Chloe offered. “That way you’ll have your van.” She snagged the keys and handed them back to Mike.
Grinning, Mike waved. “See you later, guys.”
“And there’s my lady.” Jordan strode toward Leanan who walked through the door.
Doug looked over and Jackie was nowhere to be found. Leaving him alone with Chloe.
Oh, fuck me. Here we go again.
Guessing his train of thought, Chloe explained, “She went home early.”
He turned to her. “Why do you want to take me home?”
She flinched. “Hoped we could talk.”
“Talk?” He snorted. “Thought you preferred to run the other direction.”
She rubbed her arm and looked away. “I made mistakes. I listened to the wrong people and let them influence my decisions. No more.”
Hope sparked, and he tried to squash it. Drawing in a breath, he purposefully remembered the last time they were together. She claimed running was a mistake, but she repeated it. “I can walk home. It’s not far.”
“You’re not drinking alcohol. Maybe you’d go to the Jitterhouse with me? We can sit on the patio and catch up.”
As much as he wanted to say no, he couldn’t. “All right.”
*
Her heart sped up, a smile blooming on her lips. Chloe nodded toward the door. The tiniest thread of hope wound through her. “Walk from here? Or drive?”
He looked up at the sky and shrugged. “It’s a nice summer night. May as well walk.”
He let out a half-laugh and walked beside her, down the street. The silence was uneasy, the tension thick. Doug hardly looked at her. She wanted to kick herself when he sighed and shoved his hands in his pockets.
Taking a deep breath, she attempted to break the ice. “For what it’s worth, I’m done with my parent’s bullshit guidance. I was stupid and let them sway me into the wrong choices.” She looked over to gauge how that information landed.
His brow pinched as he watched her with a stony expression. “Your folks didn’t approve of me because I’m a musician and not some hot-shot lawyer.”
“They wanted me to be a lawyer. I went the opposite direction?”
“What’s that? Waitress, janitor, garbage woman?”
“Doctor.”
One corner of his mouth tipped up as he looked away. “That makes more sense. You’re the only reason I got through science and math.”
“Always loved our study sessions.”
He shrugged. “Apparently not enough to give me an honest chance.”
“You could’ve had anyone you wanted,” she pointed out.
He shook his head, his eyes narrowing. “You were it for me.”
Wait, what? “You mean… No, I don’t buy that. You had a string of girls hot for you.”
“I kissed other girls, Chloe. I never had sex with them. I wanted you all along, but you blew me off, time and time again. Somewhere along the way, I started hoping if I dated enough girls, one would burn brighter than you. No one ever did.”
“Doug—”
He snapped, “Too late now. That was a long time ago.” Shaking his head, he dropped his gaze to the pavement. “This was a bad idea.”
A pain-filled cry pulled their attention. Something crashed into metal. “Get off me!” someone screamed, followed by a grunt.
Without a word, Doug took off at a run. He turned down the alley. Chloe followed, her heart slamming in her chest. She peeked around the corner of the building.
A guy slid down a dumpster holding his face. Doug engaged two men bigger than him, and he wasn’t small. He punched the one in the face and elbowed the other in the gut, before shoving the first into the second.
One went down, the other sp
un and dove at Doug, smashing him into the wall. Doug slammed his fist into his opponent’s side.
Chloe winced, and turned, leaning against the front of the building. She pulled her phone out and dialed 911.
*
Doug heard the fight, and burst into motion. He turned the corner and saw Jared pinned by one guy while the other used him as a punching bag.
Doug grabbed the one throwing punches and threw him to the ground before slamming his fist into the other guy’s face. Spinning back to the first, Doug jabbed his elbow into the other guys gut, then shoved him into the first.
Before he could straighten up he was pushed into the wall. A grunt exploded from his mouth and he pounded his fist into the guy’s side. When he stumbled back, Doug threw a right hook connecting with the attacker’s jaw.
The asshole’s eyes rolled back in his head as he fell on his buddy. His buddy groaned and shielded his eyes from the flashing lights that filled the alley.
“Fuck,” Doug muttered, and turned to assess Jared’s damage. He wasn’t too tall, built lean. Guy didn’t stand much chance against two dickheads twice his size.
Thankfully, Chloe spoke to the police, giving him a minute to find out what had happened. He asked Jared, “You okay?”
“Gonna be sore tomorrow, but I’ll manage.”
Doug reached out a hand. Jared grabbed on and was pulled to his feet. “You sure?”
Jared leaned back against the dumpster. “Shit, maybe more than sore.”
“Why’d they attack?”
He rolled his eyes. “Apparently I was flirting with the wrong girl.”
Doug shook his head, containing a laugh. The guy did have a habit of hitting on every female in the vicinity. “That’s okay, looks like help’s coming.”
Two cops approached. Doug looked over. “Pretty sure Jared here needs a paramedic. Probably these two assholes as well.”
“And you?” one asked.
“Nah, I’m good, though I imagine you need my statement.”
“Yup. Miss Mae told me where you came in. We won’t take too much of your time.”
*
Chloe paced the end of the alley, waiting for the police to finish questioning Doug. The paramedics had already taken Jared to the hospital. The other two were in cuffs.
Maybe coffee wasn’t such a bright idea. She had to wonder how much Doug would blame her for the fight.
Finally, he walked toward her with his jaw clenched, his right hand wrapped in a fist and pressed to his chest.
She stepped closer, studying his swelling and bleeding knuckles. “Come back to my place, and I’ll treat your hand.”
One corner of his mouth lifted. “Am I your first Seattle patient?”
Her head tipped. “I suppose you are. Does that mean you’ll come with me?”
“Sure. Going to the hospital seemed like a waste of time.”
A smile pulled at her lips.
“What?” he asked with narrowed eyes.
“If you really wanted to avoid me, you would’ve hopped in that ambulance and ditched me.”
He snorted. “No way you’d let me off that easy. You would have followed.”
“I’d want to make sure you’re okay. What you did…” She shook her head. “Reckless, but brave.”
“You saw Jared. He’s half the size of those pricks.”
“You aren’t as big as either.”
He sighed. “Well, we both know I don’t learn from my mistakes.” Looking at his hand, he shrugged. “After some ice, I’ll be fine.”
“I’ll be the judge. Come on.” She wrapped her hand around his forearm and smiled up at him. “Maybe I can make up for the past.”
“Don’t, Chloe. Leave the past in the past. Things change.”
“Writing me off already?”
His breath huffed out. “Rather start fresh. What we had may not exist now.”
Their chemistry still burned. When he wasn’t trying to shut her down, he looked at her the same way as when they were kids. Maybe if she’d realized it then, they wouldn’t be in this predicament.
Chapter Three
Downtown Seattle, in one of the fancy high-rise buildings on 8th overlooking the freeway, Chloe led Doug to her apartment. Doug wanted to bolt, but he decided to see where the night led.
He had a feeling she’d put another hole in his heart. Was that enough to stop him? No. Clearly, he hadn’t learned his damned lesson yet.
She stopped to open the door and let him inside. Sleek, modern furniture, colorful art on the walls. The room didn’t feel like her. Not that he knew her now. One more sign this was a really bad idea.
Chloe turned to him, her head cocked to the side. “I moved in a few days ago. The furniture and decorations came with the place.” She rolled her amber eyes. “Sometime soon I’ll be redecorating.”
Nodding, he shrugged. “It’s your place.”
“The current stuff lacks personality.” She walked to the kitchen and pulled out an icepack, then to a drawer with a basic first aid kit.
She looked over her shoulder. “Wash your hands, please.”
Without a word, he walked to the sink and soaped up. He grimaced every time he moved his fingers. His knuckles were sore, definitely bruised, hopefully not busted. He relied on his hands.
After shutting off the water, he dried his hands carefully with the offered towel. As soon as he set it aside, she gently took his right hand and turned it palm down. She probed the bones. “Going to scab up, and bruise, but no breaks.”
“Could’ve been worse.”
She took alcohol swabs and cleaned the still-bleeding knuckles. “You really hit them hard, didn’t you?”
Ignoring the sting, he kept his face stoic. “I suppose. You going to give me a lecture on how I should have been smart like you and called the cops?”
“Nope. Someone needed to do something. I’m glad you aren’t hurt worse.”
She dabbed on some ointment, covered it with loose bandages, and gave him a cold compress. “Go sit. I’ll make some coffee. You still like hazelnut mochas?”
Surprised, he smiled. “You remember?”
“I never forgot anything, Doug. I may have been stupid and walked out when I didn’t want to, but I’ve thought about you every day.”
He frowned, and sat down, facing away. Plopping his elbows on his knees he stared at his hands as he pressed his knuckles into the rigid ice pack. Seeing her brought back everything he’d locked away.
A million questions plagued him. Maybe it was his fault all those years ago. He never told her how he felt until it was too late to change anything. Her plans were always in Rhode Island and he was never leaving Seattle. They were doomed before they ever started.
The whoosh of steaming milk made him smile. The moment he realized he was falling for this girl came back.
To get out of the cold, Doug stepped into Cappa Java. His eyes locked on Chloe Mae and the world stopped. Chopsticks held her red hair in a lopsided bun. A fuzzy charcoal sweater and holey jeans caressed her curves. She chewed on a pen while staring at her notebook.
He couldn’t resist a smile. She’d always been his unobtainable temptation. Her parents were snobs, expecting her to run with all the popular rich kids, but she preferred to hang out with Roxy, Jackie, and Skylar, which meant he saw her often.
His hands itched to reach out and smooth a stray lock of hair behind her ear, maybe run his thumb over her juicy bottom lip before claiming a kiss. He wanted to feel her against his body, taste her lips, explore every delectable inch.
He cut those thoughts off before he had a tent in his pants.
Finally moving his feet, he leaned against the counter. “Whatcha working on?”
His eyes were drawn to her breasts as they rose and fell with her sigh. He had to force his gaze back to hers.
“English,” she grumbled. “Have to write a poem. So, I’m sitting here staring at the paper. Why can’t I be like Roxy and have words come to me?”
His
brow arched. “I’ll make you a deal.”
A single corner of her mouth tipped up. “What’s that?”
“Help me study for the chemistry test and I’ll help with the poem.”
Her smile brightened. “You’ll help me write the poem? How do I know you can write one?”
“Because English is my best class. I always ace it. Science is yours. It’s a win-win.”
“You’re on. When and where?”
“How about my place. After you’re off work?”
“I’ll be there.” Her head tipped, her smile quirked. “Want a drink?”
He glanced at the menu and randomly picked a flavor. “Hazelnut mocha.”
“You got it.”
From then on, they were study partners, and he always drank the same coffee. It wasn’t until senior year, after she went through a bad breakup, that they snuck out of grad night to make their own memories.
Chloe stepped in front of him and sat on the coffee table. She held out his mug.
He accepted and looked into her eyes. “You even remembered the whipped cream.”
*
His sad puppy dog look twisted Chloe up. She almost admitted his favorite drink had become hers. A daily reminder of the boy who could cheer her up with a single smile.
Doug laid his bruised hand, and its ice pack, on his knee then took a drink. His expression softened. “Thank you.”
“Sorry I got you into a fight.”
He laughed. “You didn’t make me charge around the building and jump in. That was all me.”
“Always doing the right thing.” She drew a breath and let it out.
His eyes closed and he shook his head.
Hoping to get him to open up, she said, “Talk to me. Tell me what you do with your days.”
A real smile finally stole across his lips. “I opened a music store. Selling instruments, music, giving lessons, that sort of thing. Because I’m the boss, I get to take the time off I need for Nights Embrace. Though, we’ll be on hiatus for a while. Tonight was the last show until after Roxy has the baby.”
