One More Round

by Shelli Stevens

  She missed Emily so much. This would be the longest they’d ever been apart.

  “Hi, sweetie. Are you behaving for your grandma?”

  “Yeah. But she watches a lot of stupid shows on TV, and she tells me the Disney channel will rot my brain.”

  The unhappiness in her daughter’s voice had Sarah smiling reluctantly.

  “A break from TV isn’t a bad thing. You should go outside more and practice your gymnastics.”

  “It’s too hot outside. I feel gross if I’m out there for more than a few minutes. I hate Grandma’s house.”

  Emily had never liked hot weather. For just a second, the thought of what it would be like to move them both to the island flitted through her mind. Emily would love the mild weather in the Pacific Northwest. But it was impossible. She’d spend the required month here and then she’d sell the house. There was no other choice.

  “I know it’s a little hot. Maybe you guys can catch a movie.”

  “I dunno. I miss you, Mom.”

  “I miss you too, sweetie. So much.” Tears did fill her eyes now, and she resented the fact that she was being forced to stay here for a month. “Hey, tell me how Bubba is handling the stay at Grandma’s?”

  Once her daughter launched into an excited conversation about her chubby Chihuahua, Sarah knew her daughter was sufficiently distracted from her unhappiness at being banished to Grandma’s house for the summer.

  When Sarah hung up the phone a few minutes later, though, she knew her own unhappiness wasn’t so easily dismissed.

  Her phone buzzed again and she frowned, wondering who would be texting. Her mother didn’t even own a cell phone and would’ve just called her back.

  Sarah stared at the message and smiled slightly.

  Kenzie who was at work. She wanted her to drop by the pub and hang out, fill her in on how the lawyer’s visit had gone.

  No way. Not going to happen. Sarah started to put her phone away, deciding to text her back later, when a second text popped up.

  And I promise the brother with jerk tendencies won’t be there. He’s at work.

  Unable to stop a soft laugh, Sarah shook her head. Most of her hesitation at going to see Kenzie had been because of Ian. But if he really wasn’t going to be there…

  It would be good to go see her friend. Kenzie would be a good distraction from how much Sarah was missing her daughter. And then she could have that glass of wine…

  Before she could overthink it, she hit reply and told Kenzie she’d be there within a half hour.

  *

  Why Sarah took the time to reapply her lip gloss and fluff her hair was beyond her comprehension.

  She wasn’t trying to look good for anyone. Not that the person she was most concerned about would even be there.

  McLaughlin’s Pub was off a side street in Oak Harbor. It literally looked like someone’s small one-story home that had been gutted and made into a bar.

  When she stepped inside, though, there was no denying the place was a Scottish pub. The national flag of Scotland was placed throughout the connecting rooms of the pub in no less than four spots, along with photos—some autographed—of various celebrities native to Scotland.

  The place was dim, the stage in the back currently empty. But there was music piped in from hidden speakers, and her throat tightened as she recognized the band Simple Minds. The song playing, “Don’t You Forget About Me”, seemed a little too apt.

  Surprisingly, it was fairly busy for a Tuesday afternoon. It was weird being here now, knowing she was of legal age to stay until closing time, instead of being kicked out by eight because she was a minor.

  So many changes. So much time had passed.

  “So the rumors are true.”

  Following the sound of the voice, Sarah’s gaze darted to the extended bar counter to her right. Tall and dark, with an expression that held only warm curiosity, Aleck McLaughlin watched her from where he stood framed by the various beers on tap.

  Her stomach clenched as she summoned a polite smile. Well. Apparently the rule still held that all McLaughlins must be attractive.

  “Hello, Aleck. It’s been a while.”

  “Aye.” He gestured to an empty barstool. “Have a seat. Kenzie is in the kitchen at the moment, but she’ll be out shortly. I assume you came to see her?”

  “You’d assume right.” She pulled out the barstool and sat, folding her hands in her lap. “Could I get a glass of merlot? I’m not picky.”

  He winked and reached for a bottle behind the bar. “Well lucky for you I am picky. I’ll only give you the best.”

  “I appreciate it.” She accepted the glass a moment later and took a small sip. He hadn’t been kidding—it was definitely one of the better wines she’d tasted.

  “You made it!” Kenzie slid onto the empty barstool next to her a moment later. “I want to hear everything the lawyer said.”

  Sarah grimaced. “Everything? I’m not sure even I remember everything.”

  “Well the big points. And I see you’ve got wine already—must’ve been a doozy.” She glanced at her brother. “Aleck, give me a pint of the African Amber Ale.”

  Aleck folded his arms across a broad chest and arched a brow. “You do realize you’re working, Kenzie?”

  “I’m on my break.” She rolled her eyes. “Now don’t be an arse, and pour me my beer already.”

  Surely there were regulations about that kind of thing, Sarah thought, but smothered a laugh when Aleck dutifully went to pour the beer.

  Kenzie had always had her brothers twisted around her finger. It seemed some things never changed.

  “Now.” Kenzie turned back and propped her elbows on the smooth bar surface. “Tell me about this morning.”

  Chapter Four

  Ian wiped a dirty hand down the front of his coveralls and stepped back from the ’65 Corvette, giving it a narrowed glance.

  “How’s it coming along, boss?” Frank, one of his employees, stopped by to check out the ’Vette.

  “Just replaced the front panel.” Ian patted the hood. “Another couple days and I think this bad boy will be ready to go.”

  “It’s looking awesome. We just got in a ’41 Willys Pickup, pretty sweet condition. They’re asking for some rust removal and a paint job.”

  “Easy enough. I’ll check it out in a minute.”

  “You should. But, hey, wanted to let you know that your phone has been going off.”

  “Thanks. I’ll check it out.” Ian dropped a stained rag onto the counter and headed toward the small office at the back of the shop.

  He picked up his phone and saw several missed texts from Aleck. He clicked on the first one.

  Stay away from the pub for the next couple hours. She’s here.

  Ian frowned. She? Sarah? He read the next text.

  And that would be Sarah in case you’re a bit daft.

  His lips quirked and he read the final message.

  Apparently she’s staying for at least a month. It’s a condition of the will if she’s to inherit the house. And I swear I must’ve grown a vagina with all my gossiping.

  Ian did laugh now, and typed in a quick reply that he’d avoid the pub. Because the last thing he wanted was to run in to Sarah again. He was still irritated from the first encounter. And held a bit of guilt, if he let himself admit it.

  The next half hour he kept himself immersed in his work, but as lunchtime rolled around and he had nothing to eat, the idea of dropping by the pub had more appeal.

  There was always a free meal available and it wasn’t unusual to drop by on his lunch break to go visit Kenzie and Aleck if they were working. Why shouldn’t he go?

  Because Sarah’s there today, his conscience reminded him. You don’t want to aggravate her.

  Ah, but he did. The devil on his shoulder was itching to stir up shit. To watch the anger and shock on her face if he were to show up for lunch.

  Then there was the sentimental side of him, which barely existed anymore, that wa
nted any reason to be near her again. Because it was Sarah. The only woman who’d ever slipped so deeply into his soul.

  He sent a quick text to Gina and then grabbed his keys.

  “Going to lunch. Back in an hour,” he called out before he left the shop.

  Driving from the small shop in Coupeville to Oak Harbor was only about a ten or fifteen minute drive, but it was plenty of time to let his mind wander.

  *

  “You know you’re lucky you don’t break your back doing that.”

  Ian nearly laughed at the look of incredulity on Sarah’s face as she turned to face him.

  With her hands on her hips, she was breathing hard from the series of handsprings she’d just done on the grass field. The black leggings and dark tank top hugged her body perfectly and showed off her petite, toned, athlete’s body.

  “Seriously? You again?”

  “I’m picking up Kenzie,” he drawled and crossed the grass toward her. “Do you need a ride?”

  A look of discomfort flickered across her face and she looked away. “Kenzie is staying late. She didn’t call you?”

  “No. And I assume by staying late you mean hanging out with Brady Vandercamp again?”

  Surprise showed on Sarah’s face, but she didn’t reply.

  “It’s cool. My sister is overdue for a little fun.” He stopped in front of Sarah. “You too, I’d bet.”

  Her chin came up and she tossed her head, sending her long black ponytail flying. “Whatever fun I may or may not be having is none of your concern, Ian McLaughlin.”

  “We could make it mine. You’re really good at that handspring stuff for being just a cheerleader.”

  “I’m not just a cheerleader. I’m on the gymnastics team too.”

  “Nice.” He grinned. “I bet you look hot in one of those spandex bathing suit type things.”

  “Oh, you are such a jerk.” Her words were terse, but her cheeks filled with a pretty blush and he saw the flicker of pleasure in her eyes before she looked away.

  Amusement eased through him and his smile widened. When he took another step toward her, so that they were just inches apart, she stepped back.

  “Why do you keep running from me?”

  “Because I’m a smart girl who knows she should avoid the bad boys.”

  Before he could blink she’d turned and sprinted away from him. Her pace increased until she threw herself into another series of handsprings.

  Only this time, on the last one, something happened when she landed. With a sharp cry of pain, she fell to the ground and clutched her ankle.

  Not by any means an athlete, Ian surprised himself by how quickly he reached her side.

  He fell to his knees and probed her ankle with gentle hands. “You land on your foot wrong? Does this hurt?”

  “Ouch! Yes.” Tears filled her eyes and she bit her lip. “I think I heard a snap. Oh no, what if it’s broken? I’m so screwed. This is all your fault.”

  “My fault?” He scowled and lifted her into his arms.

  “Yes, dammit you distracted me.” She wound her arms around his neck, clinging to him. “And you’re doing it again.”

  He glanced down, gauging her face for the amount of pain she was in. Pretty bad, going by her pinched expression and the glaze of agony in her eyes.

  His concern spiked and he increased his stride to his car. “How am I distracting you?”

  “Not—oh God it hurts—telling. Where are you taking me?”

  “To the hospital. Do I need to take you to the one on base?”

  “Either one. My dad’s insurance lets me go anywhere. Look, you don’t have to take me—”

  “I’m not leaving you. Hang on a sec.” He set her down gently, keeping one arm around her waist. “No pressure on the hurt foot, okay?”

  He dug his keys out of his pocket and opened the car door. After knocking the pack of cigarettes off the passenger seat, he eased her in and then buckled her up.

  Several hours later, when she’d been x-rayed and diagnosed at the ER, he again helped her outside to the car. This time she was on crutches and touting a hairline fracture.

  Sarah’s navy dad was apparently out at sea on a ship, but her mom had come by the hospital initially with the insurance information and to check on her daughter. But despite the mom’s worries, Sarah’s antsy little sister had made it difficult for the two to stay.

  After the assurance that Sarah would be fine and a promise that Ian would drive her home safely, the mom and younger sister had left.

  “Thank you.” Sarah rolled her head to look at him, a wide, relaxed grin on her face. “My mom pretty much thinks you’re the best thing since sliced bread.”

  “Really now? How are those painkillers working out for you?”

  “The drugs are wonderful.” Sarah drew out the “uh” in wonderful. “And my mom?” She waggled a finger at him. “You’ve charmed her, but little does she know it’s all an illusion.”

  He laughed and caught her finger, pressing a kiss to the fleshy underside. “An illusion you say? I think I’m quite a bit better than sliced bread, actually.”

  He didn’t miss the way her breath hitched and her lips parted. “Yeah. You kind of are. Do you miss Scotland?”

  Shite, she wanted to talk about Scotland? He’d much preferred the other conversation.

  “Sometimes. But after four years I’m pretty settled here. Besides, there’s a lot I like about the States too.”

  She waggled her brows. “American girls?”

  “Aye,” he said softly. “At this moment, most definitely an American girl.”

  Her eyes widened to crystalline pools of blue. Had he shocked her? Embarrassed her?

  She opened her mouth, and he suspected she would blister him with a reply.

  “You are ridiculously hot, Ian McLaughlin.”

  All right, that was not what he’d expected. And he definitely wasn’t about to protest.

  A lazy smile curved his mouth. “You think I’m hot?”

  “Oh yeah.” She nodded and leaned toward him. “And you know it too.”

  Ah, the truth came out under the influence of drugs. Pure masculine satisfaction slid through him. “I lied. Kenzie did call to cancel her ride today. I was just hoping you’d let me drive you home.”

  Her mouth parted. “You did?”

  “Oh yeah.”

  “I’m glad.”

  He cupped the back of her neck and tilted his head down.

  “You know what else?” she murmured. “You’re nicer than you want people to believe.”

  He frowned, her words not sitting well with him. “I’m not nice.”

  And he proved it by kissing her. Slowly and deeply.

  But it didn’t matter. He needed to taste her again. Touch her. And if it had to be a stolen kiss while she was drugged to the hilt, then whatever.

  *

  Ian blinked away the memory as he turned the corner that eased into Oak Harbor.

  Only as the days had gone by and she’d eased off the pain meds, Sarah hadn’t seemed to regret the kiss or make any attempt to distance herself from him.

  He’d followed her around school, carrying her books while she’d hobbled on crutches. He was late to almost every class—not that that was anything new. Just the reasons for it had changed.

  For once the temptation to actually go to class—and chance passing her in the hall—had been stronger than skipping.

  They’d been together non-stop, and when they couldn’t be together physically, they were sneaking in phone calls and expensive texts.

  And the crazy thing was, she wouldn’t sleep with him—and he’d never been the type of guy who waited around for sex when plenty of girls were willing.

  But he did wait for her. And as clichéd as it was, the night they finally made love was after his prom that she’d talked him into attending. She’d been a virgin and there’d been something heady and primitive about being her first. He’d wanted to be her last. Couldn’t imagine his li
fe with any other girl.

  And once the sexual seal was broken after that night, they couldn’t keep their hands off each other. Were together as much as they could be.

  Looking back on it now, he knew without a doubt it wouldn’t have been long before he started thinking about ring shopping. At eighteen. Christ, he’d been stupid.

  Because one night had proven it all a lie. Everything he’d believed about her—about himself—was proven wrong.

  One night was all it took to slice Sarah neatly from his life.

  He pulled his Camaro up outside the pub a few minutes later and stared at the propped-open door and the darkness inside.

  Maybe he was stupid for coming here today—actually, there was no denying he was. If he had any sense, he’d throw the car in reverse and get the hell back to Coupeville. Stay away from Sarah and all the trouble she was.

  But he’d never had much sense, so why the hell start now?

  Spotting the car that pulled up beside him, he gave a wave and climbed out of the Camaro.

  *

  Sarah set her glass of wine back on the bar to avoid spilling it as she snorted back a laugh.

  “You are so funny, Kenzie.” She shook her head and grimaced. “Some things never change.”

  Her friend gave an innocent shrug, her eyes wide. “What? I’m not trying to be funny. I’m just telling you about my last date. Seriously. How would you have reacted if you showed up to dinner and the guy asked to be addressed as Mr. Pleasure Hands?”

  “Umm, I’d have walked out.”

  “And I’d rather not hear any of this, thank you very much,” Aleck drawled from behind the counter and shook his head. “And, Kenzie, I believe your break is over now. Or rather, a half hour ago?”

  “Such a hard-arse.” She rolled her eyes and hopped down from the barstool. But when she rounded the bar she pressed a smacking kiss on her brother’s cheek. “Thanks for the extended lunch, Aleck.”

  “You’re welcome, kid.”

  Sarah bit back a sigh at how sweet the siblings were together. Aleck had always been nice, though. Colin too, even if she didn’t know him all that well—only that he was the more well-behaved twin. While Ian loved to get in trouble, Colin was likely off doing some good deed.