by R. Linda
“You are not going to feel him up.”
“Oh, come on! Get your mind out of the gutter, Harper. I just want to see if…” She moved her hand again and touched his…hair? “If his hair is set rock hard like it always looks, or if he uses a soft product. I need something soft to tame all my curls.”
I hadn’t realised I’d been clenching my jaw until that moment when I suddenly relaxed because I knew Kenzie wasn’t going to touch Nate inappropriately. I quickly pulled on a pair of jeans and dragged her from the room.
“What are you doing here, Kenz?”
“The question is, why is Nate asleep in your bed if nothing is going on?” I followed her downstairs to grab some food.
“He’s just…he was tired. He’s been having trouble sleeping since the fire, and he came in here last night. You should have seen him. He looked dead on his feet. I made him lie down and go to sleep, and he hasn’t moved since last night.”
“Yeah, I heard. Brody told me.”
“Oh, you are Brody are such good friends now, huh?”
“Uh-huh. And you’re wearing Nate’s shirt because…?”
“Because I like it,” I said, and Kenzie nodded.
“Because you like him,” she said.
I nodded once then realised what I was doing. “What? No.” I shook my head furiously to get my point across. “I like him as a friend. That’s it. We’re just friends.”
If that wasn’t the biggest lie I’d ever told, I didn’t know what was.
“I don’t believe you, but I’m going to let it slide because I have news. Sort of.”
We sat at the counter with our food. It was well past lunchtime now.
“What?”
“Brody’s friend dug up some stuff on Chace, and I don’t know what to do about it.”
“Like what?”
“Like pretty bad stuff. Like assault. Attempted sexual assault. It was only stopped because Ryder beat him within an inch of his life,” she said before taking a huge bite of her burger.
“You’re kidding?”
“Nope.”
“Who did he assault? It wasn’t Bailey, was it?”
Kenzie’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t know. I don’t think so. Ryder would have told me if it was. Brody’s friend didn’t give too much information, just enough to make me wary. So now, do I mention it to Chace so he knows I know what an asshole he is? Or do I take it to the lawyers and fight for custody of Cole?”
I wasn’t entirely convinced Ryder would tell her if it was Bailey. He didn’t tell her he was arrested for assaulting Chace, and he didn’t tell her Johnny bailed him out
“Both. I think it’ll be the only way stop him from harassing you any further.”
“Maybe. It’s all so messed up. Why can’t things ever be simple?”
“Life isn’t simple.”
Chapter Thirteen
Nate
It was boys’ night, apparently, or so Jack insisted when he got to town that morning. But I had no desire to go out or be social. My much-needed sleep had been short-lived. I’d not slept again for the last two nights, and I blamed therapy.
I swore my therapist was a masochist. She seemed to enjoy making me suffer, making me relive the incident over and over again. Like it was going to make it any better. Surely, moving on and trying not to think about it would be better than going through and analysing every last detail and thought or emotion that occurred as a result of the fire. But no, she liked to get me worked up and frustrated, only to tell me our time was up for the day.
I stormed out of the therapist’s office and got in my car, in desperate need of a drink. Maybe a boys’ night wouldn’t be so bad. We were meeting at the one place I failed to avoid no matter how much I tried. The roadhouse. Jack wanted to try the best burgers in the state, so I raced home to have a shower and get changed. Our options for a night out were pretty limited in a town this small. There was only one bar, and it was a dive. But it had cold beer and a pool table, so that was where we were headed after dinner.
I walked into the diner at the roadhouse an hour later and waved at Julie. The guys were in the booth already. It seemed as if that one particular booth was reserved for us, even though I’d never seen anyone else in the diner.
“Nate,” Jack said and held out his hand for a fist bump when I sat down.
“Hey. Good to see you, man.”
“Wish I could say the same.” Jack frowned and pinched my cheeks. He tilted my head back then pulled it down before turning it from side to side. What was he doing? This guy had no boundaries and no clue about personal space. I slapped his hands away, and he simply laughed. “You know, bloodshot eyes and pasty skin aren’t a good look on you.”
“Whatever.” I knew I looked like shit. I wasn’t sleeping, but I couldn’t do anything about it. Sleeping tablets weren’t even working. Nothing worked, except for those few peaceful hours in Harper’s bed. I just figured I’d crash eventually.
My thoughts drifted back to Harper. We gave in again. I didn’t mean for it to happen. I didn’t mean to fall asleep in her bed. I didn’t mean to lose myself in her. But I did, and I wanted to again, even though we swore no more. It couldn’t happen again. Brody was my cousin, and it would kill him to find out.
“So, this is Blackhill.” Jack looked around the diner as though Blackhill was only the roadhouse, his nose screwed up in disgust. “Why does everyone like it so much?”
“It’s home,” Ryder said.
“It’s not so bad. The beach is pretty good,” Linc said.
“Oh, can we go surfing while I’m here?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“You’re the most uncoordinated person I’ve ever seen. You want to surf, Ace can teach.”
“Ace.” Jack sniggered as though he knew the meaning behind the nickname.
“Shut up.” Linc balled up a napkin and threw it at him.
“Aww…I’ve missed you so much, Lincoln.”
Ryder laughed, and Linc sighed. “Why did we invite you, again?”
“Because I’m Jack.”
“Jack-ass.” Linc grinned, causing Ryder to cough on air.
“I resent that. It hurts, right here.” Jack beat his fist on his chest, his smile dropping from his face and his eyes glazing over. Hell. He looked like he was going to cry.
“It does not.” Ryder rolled his eyes.
“You’re right, but I totally had you there, didn’t I?” He tipped his head back and let out a laugh.
The kitchen doors swung open, and Harper walked out carrying a tray of burgers and fries. My jaw dropped. She looked hot. Hotter than normal. Something about her in biker boots and skin-tight black leather pants. They looked painted on, and I had the sudden urge to peel them from her long legs. Linc kicked me under the table and shook his head once. She approached the table and gave me a small smile before saying hi to everyone else. I snapped my jaw shut and sat a little straighter.
“Harper?” Jack’s eyes widened, and his lips pulled up into a smile. He shoved me sideways, forcing me out of the booth so he could greet Harper properly.
“Hi, Jack.” She pulled a face that was equal parts confused and amused when he wrapped her in his arms and spun her around.
“It’s so good to see you.”
“Ooh, you’re a friendly one, aren’t you?” She laughed when he kissed her cheek. My stomach churned, and my chest tightened. She never laughed like that when she was with me.
“Too friendly,” Linc seethed.
“Hey, I told you I missed Indie. And it’s not my fault she’s, like, the best kisser in the world,” he teased.
“What?” I gaped at him before flicking my gaze to Linc, whose jaw was set, his lips pressed in a firm line. “You kissed my sister?”
“Oh, wait.” Jack folded an arm across his chest and tapped his chin with the other hand while looking at the ceiling in thought. “It’s totally my fault she’s a good kisser. Taught her everything I know,” he said with a
squeal of delight that soon turned into fits of laughter.
Ryder banged his head against the table while Linc groaned and gripped a knife in his hand.
“And to answer your question, Nathaniel, yes, I totally kissed your sister. Multiple times. Remember? Fiji? The plan?” he asked.
How could I forget? He acted like a total dick, treated Indie like a piece of meat, kissed her every chance he got in the hopes Linc would finally man up and stake his claim…or whatever. It worked.
He looked at Linc. “You’re still welcome. Even though you never thanked me.”
“You don’t deserve a thank you. And you kissed my damn fiancée this morning. In. Front. Of. Me.”
Harper gasped and stared at them both with wide eyes.
“Would you rather I do it behind your back? ’Cause I’m good with that.”
Shit.
Jack was a dead man.
“Jack. Enough.”
“Okay, sorry. I’ll keep my lips,” he paused and took in the expression on Linc’s face, “and tongue to myself. Happy?” He pouted.
“No.”
“You love me.” He flopped back into the booth and smiled innocently at Linc.
“Not likely.”
“But your fiancée does.” He rested his head in his hands and pursed his lips, making kissing noises.
Harper giggled beside me.
“I give up.” Ryder threw his hands in the air and leaned back against the seat. “I’m not saving your ass this time.”
“Ahh,” Jack sighed in contentment. “It’s so good to see you guys.”
“Wish I could say the same,” Linc muttered under his breath. Linc had nothing to worry about, and he knew it. Aside from the fact that Indie was head over heels in love with Linc, Jack was gay and not interested in Indie that way. He was just good, too good at acting and knew how to press Linc’s buttons. Indie and Jack were best friends.
“Get used to me, Linc baby! I’m all yours. All summer.” Linc’s fist tightened on the knife. “Hey, where’s Brody? I thought he’d be here.”
“Nightshift,” I said.
“Oh, shoot.” Harper looked at her watch. “I gotta go or they’ll be ringing to see where I am. You guys have a good night. Jack, try not to get dead.” She waved goodbye and left.
My eyes trained on her ass the whole way to the door.
“Playing with fire, man,” Linc said.
I shrugged. It was nothing. I was totally in control. Nothing was going on. We were friends.
“Huh?” Jack asked, and Ryder looked between Linc and me, lips pinched between his fingers. The guy noticed everything.
“Nothing.” I reached for a burger. “Let’s eat so we can get out of here.”
“Oh, my god. This burger is so good,” Jack mumbled through a mouthful of food.
“Don’t let Johnny hear you say that. He’ll come to brag,” Ryder said.
After we finished eating and insisting on paying the full bill, because Julie never charged us when we came in, and I was concerned how they still managed to run a business with no customers and no profit, we made our way into the centre of town to the little bar.
“Wow. Blackhill has a bookstore?” Jack asked incredulously. “I’ll have to check it out while I’m here.”
“It’s a great bookstore,” Ryder said before adding vaguely, “Lots of good memories.”
I laughed. “Good memories of a bookstore? Man, you gotta get out more.”
“Trust me.” He smiled wistfully, and I figured it had something to do with Bailey. I was pretty sure she worked in a bookstore when they were in high school. I remembered Indie saying she was hanging out there and thought it was weird. Indie never read, and she only went because Bailey was there.
We approached the bar and could hear the music echoing down the street.
“One bar in town?” Jack asked.
“Yep.”
“Hmmm.”
“Don’t like it? You can always go home,” Linc suggested.
“I’m sure I’ll love it. You’re not getting rid of me that easy.”
We found a table in the back corner, and Ryder went to get a couple of jugs of beer. The bar was relatively quiet. The town was small, so the number of young people who ventured out at night was low. Most places were guaranteed to be quiet. Traffic was almost non-existent. There was no noise. It was peaceful. I liked it.
After a couple of beers, Jack and Ryder got up to play pool, and Linc went to get more drinks for the table. I didn’t want to move. My body ached from exhaustion. My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out to see a text.
Harper: Hi, friend.
I smiled. I couldn’t help it. My thoughts drifted back to her and her leather pants that I wanted to run my hands all over. I was screwed.
Nate: That’s my line.
Harper: I learned from the best. How are you?
Nate: Exhausted.
Harper: Have you slept?
Nate: Not since your bed.
Harper: That’s not good. I’m worried. What are you doing tonight?
Nate: Watching Jack and Ryder play pool and drinking beer.
Nate: What are you girls doing?
Harper: Pillow fights in our underwear. You know? The usual girls’ night shenanigans. We’re going to paint our nails and braid our hair later too ;)
I barked out a laugh and thought about my response.
“What’s so funny?” Linc asked when he returned with another jug of beer.
“Nothing.”
Nate: I’d like to see that, friend.
I waited for a response. The dots moving at the bottom of the screen indicated Harper was typing and deleting the message and retyping.
“Who are you texting?”
“Harper.”
“Nate.” His voice held a hint of warning. It wasn’t that he didn’t approve. He liked Harper. It was just that he didn’t want to see Brody get hurt either.
“What? We’re friends. That’s it,” I said, bringing my glass to my lips.
“Friends who snuggle?” Linc asked, with an eyebrow raised and an amused expression on his face. I just about choked on my beer. Snuggle? I’d said that exact thing to Harper after waking up in her bed.
“What?”
“Friends don’t snuggle like that.”
“How do you even know?” I glanced at my phone again. Still no response. Did I push it too far?
“Come on. Kenzie walked in on you in her bed. She told Bailey. Bailey told Indie, and Indie told me. Secrets don’t stay quiet for long.”
I took a drink of my beer, the cool, bitter liquid soothing my suddenly dry throat. “It’s not like that.”
Linc folded his hands on the table and waited.
I checked my phone again.
“Friends also don’t obsessively check for text messages.”
“I fell asleep. Passed out from exhaustion.” It was the truth. I just left out the rest of the night.
“So, you’re sleeping better now?”
“Not at all. Haven’t slept since that night at Harper’s. The nightmares are getting worse.” I drained my beer and poured another one. Maybe I could drink myself to sleep.
“Hmm…” Linc stood and rapped his fist on the table. “Just be careful. Play with fire, and someone’s bound to get burned. You’ve got a message,” he said and walked over to Ryder and Jack.
I looked down at my phone and saw a message from Harper.
Opening the message, I spat my beer out, spraying it everywhere.
Harper: This what you were imagining?
I stared at the photo she sent. I couldn’t believe she actually took the photo, let alone sent it to me. Her hair was twisted into two small schoolgirl type braids on the sides of her head, and she posed in front of a bathroom mirror in nothing but her underwear and a pillow placed strategically in front of her body to hide everything. But I could clearly see a hint of skin on her lower back where she arched, pushing her chest forward, her bare shoulder bl
ade, the curve of her hip covered by nothing but small scrap of black material. Her left foot was lifted behind her, and she balanced on her right. Her lips pursed as though blowing a kiss at the phone she held in her right hand and aimed at the mirror.
As though blowing a kiss to me.
Shit.
Nate: Are you trying to get me killed?
Harper: You said you wanted to see…
Nate: I thought you were joking. No one actually has pillow fights in their underwear.
Harper: I was joking. We’re watching a movie and drinking a bottle of wine.
That meant she purposely stripped out of her clothes and posed with a pillow. For me.
Nate: You can’t send me something like that and not expect me to have inappropriate thoughts.
Harper: Oh, do tell, friend…I’m listening. What are these inappropriate thoughts of yours? ;)
I groaned and dropped my head into my hands. What was I doing? I wasn’t seriously entertaining this idea. But I was. I lost it the moment she cried in my lap over her brother and traumatic past. I was beyond the point of no return when I fell asleep with her in my arms, because as exhausted as I was, I was sure I only slept because she was there. She was the calm in the storm.
Nate: I’m thinking how much I want to lick the two dimples on your lower back.
Harper: Nate…
I hesitated, thinking about what I wanted to do, about the right thing to do, what I should do, and what I wanted to do.
Jack came over to the table in a rush. “We have to go,” he said urgently. I looked up to see Linc and Ryder behind him, frowning in confusion.
“Okay,” I agreed, not really caring what was so urgent that we had leave right then. All I cared about was finishing things with Harper.
