Harper And The One Night Stand (Scandalous Series Book 3)

by R. Linda

  Neither of us moved until the front door slammed shut, no doubt from Linc.

  “Fucking frustrations.”

  I laughed as I got to my feet and walked around the bed in search of my clothes. Nate grabbed my hips and pulled me to him.

  “What are you doing?” His breath was warm on my neck.

  “Getting my clothes.” I moaned and tilted my head to the side when his mouth found that curve between my neck and shoulder and began sucking.

  “Why?”

  “You heard Linc. They’ll be waiting for you.”

  His chest rubbed against my back, and he brought his hand up my body, sliding it around my neck until finally he grasped the side of my head and turned it to face him. “They can wait. I told you this wasn’t over.” And then his mouth was on mine. Hot, needy, demanding. I melted in his arms, completely at his mercy for the second time that day.

  Nate dropped me home a little while later, dressed in gym shorts and a tank, ready to meet the guys at the basketball courts by the beach. We spent fifteen minutes making out like teenagers parked in his car out the front of the diner where anyone could have seen. But we didn’t care. I didn’t care.

  I knew when I climbed out of his car, leaving him with one last kiss, that over the course of the last two weeks I had inadvertently given him my fragile heart to protect.

  It was a risk, but it was worth it.

  I just didn’t know the risk I’d be taking so soon.

  Chapter

  Seventeen

  Nate

  Linc pulled me aside after the game once everyone had left. Ryder had gone to meet Bailey, and Brody was heading to see Audrey. He slapped me over the back of the head, causing me to choke on the water I had just swallowed.

  I rubbed the spot he hit and growled. “What was that for?”

  “For thinking with your dick.”

  “What?”

  “Harper. Seriously. Of all the chicks you could smooth talk your way into bed, you had to choose her. I hope you know what you’re doing.” He tossed the basketball at me.

  “It’s not like that.” I bounced the ball a couple of times.

  “Well, by all means, enlighten me.” Linc lifted his arms in a wide gesture then sat on the hot court. The sun was scorching today, burning the back of my neck.

  “I don’t know, man. It’s just not. It’s not a casual thing,” I said and sat in front of him, the ball between my legs.

  “You know Brody is still in love with her, right?”

  I nodded. I knew, and that was why it was so hard to admit.

  “So am I.”

  “Well, shit.” Linc barked out a laugh and slapped his hands on his knees. “You got yourself in a hell of a mess.”

  “I know. But I can’t let her walk away this time.”

  “You sure about that?”

  “Would you willingly walk away from Indie?”

  “Hell, no,” he growled, his eyes narrowing and a scowl forming on his face from the mere thought.

  “There you go.” I shrugged.

  “So, what are you going to do?”

  I thought about it for a moment and laughed. “Set Brody up.”

  Linc paused, his eyes squinted in concentration before he slanted his head to the side and shrugged. “Not a terrible idea.”

  “I wasn’t serious.” I threw the ball and hit him hard in the chest. He caught it, but the force knocked him backwards.

  “What? It could work. If he moves on, he won’t care as much that you’re sticking it to his ex.”

  “Sticking it to his—” I shook my head in disbelief. “Who even says that?”

  “I know.” Linc dropped his head. “Spend too much time with Jack, and he rubs off on you…or against you. Literally. Seriously. There’s no boundaries with that guy.”

  “Jack arrived two days ago.” He couldn’t have that much of an effect on Linc already.

  “Believe me. I am well aware. He is everywhere. All the time.”

  “Least you know what to expect with him. Anything and everything.”

  “Okay, back to Brody. Do we know any single women?” He was scheming now.

  “None.”

  “There’s gotta be someone.”

  “He doesn’t have time to date anyone, anyway.”

  “Why the hell not?”

  “Between working and spending nearly every other minute sitting in that hospital room with Audrey, he’s hardly home.”

  “He was home today,” Linc pointed out helpfully.

  “Yes. I know.”

  He laughed. “You guys have balls, that’s for sure. Huge risk bringing Harper to your place. I mean, really.”

  He was right. It was stupid, but I’d do it again. And again.

  I smiled.

  “You’re in so deep,” he said, checking his watch, and then cursed. “We have to go.”

  “Why?”

  “Dinner at your parents’. They’ll kill us if we’re late.”

  I’d almost forgotten about the weekly dinners, and I really didn’t want to go, but then my stomach rumbled at the thought of food.

  “Good, I’m hungry.”

  ***

  It seemed I missed the memo that my parents were cooking dinner for everyone. I pulled my car to the side of the street because their drive was full, and I had nowhere to park.

  Opening the front door, laughter rang through the house. I walked through to the kitchen, and Mum was standing behind the counter preparing a salad.

  “Need help?”

  “Nate.” She smiled and gave me her cheek when I leaned in to kiss her. “No, go on outside with everyone. Relax.”

  “You sure?”

  “Of course. It’s just something light. Your father’s out by the barbecue.” She nodded in the direction of the French doors.

  “Okay.”

  “What took you so long?” Indie asked when I stepped onto the patio. She was sitting around the table with Kenzie, Bailey, and Jack, a bottle of wine between them. Linc was standing with my dad watching Ryder flip burgers on the grill. Cole was splashing in the pool.

  Honest answer? I was obsessed with a particular fair-skinned, raven-haired beauty. I swung by the diner on the way home to see Harper. And a good thing I had too. Johnny had said she came home and demanded to know where her brother was and how she could contact him. It took a lot of arguing on her part, but Johnny eventually gave up Jeremy’s number, and Harper called him. She was in full-blown panic mode, on edge, nervous and jittery. He agreed to meet with her next Tuesday. Just to talk. But, there was no chance in hell I would let her go alone.

  I couldn’t.

  What if he told her he never wanted to see her again?

  What if he had changed from the teenage boy she remembered?

  What if he was dangerous?

  I couldn’t let her go alone.

  “Nate?”

  “Huh?”

  “What took you so long? We’ve been here for an hour.”

  “I had things to do. I have a life, you know.”

  Indie scoffed. “You do not.” And then her eyes brightened, and she clapped her hands. “I have an idea.”

  I eyed her warily and folded my arms. I didn’t like her ideas. What was with this group and their scheming ways? “What?” I asked hesitantly.

  She leaned forward with a smile and placed her wineglass on the table. “I’m going to set you up!”

  “No.” I shook my head. “No way.” Shook it again for reinforcement. “I can get my own dates.”

  “You haven’t had a girlfriend for two years. Clearly, you’re doing something wrong. Linc told me about your plan to find Brody a girlfriend, so let’s find you one too.”

  Kenzie watched me curiously.

  “Just because you finally have your first boyfriend does not mean you’re a matchmaker or an expert,” I said.

  “Fiancé.” She wiggled the diamond in my face. “And maybe it does. Maybe I just know how to pick ’em. Soulmate radar.”
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  I tipped my head back and laughed. “Soulmate radar. What is wrong with you?”

  “I got Bailey and Ryder together, didn’t I?” she said, a smug smile on her face.

  “Ah…” Bailey raised her hand, her head tilted to the side and her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “You did not.”

  “I totally did.”

  “Are you crazy?”

  “No. I’m Indie.” She waved Bailey off. “Whatever. If it weren’t for me, you never would have admitted you were in love with him.”

  “I would so.” Bailey rolled her eyes and poured more wine.

  “Psssh, you thought you were fake dating, when it was clear to even Blind Freddy that it was real. I specifically remember making you realise you had real feelings for your super-hot boyfriend.”

  Linc whipped his head around at that statement, a scowl on his face. Ryder just laughed.

  “You might want retract that statement, Ace,” Linc growled, slamming his beer on the table and walking over to her.

  “Not as hot as you, stupid ass.” Indie rolled her eyes and tipped her head back when Linc grabbed her face and claimed her mouth.

  “One day, I will understand the meaning of those nicknames,” I muttered.

  “Oh, I know!” Jack hollered. “Ace is because she’s a great kisser. Well, duh.” He flicked his hands at himself. “Great teacher. I should charge. And stupid ass is what Indie said when she told Linc she loved him.”

  “Huh?”

  “I believe it went something like this,” Jack said and cleared his throat, facing an invisible person on his left. ‘Hey, Linc, is Indie a good kisser?’” Then he changed the direction he faced, and in his best Linc-inspired voice said, “‘Yeah, she’s Ace.’” He shot a wink at Linc and gave him a thumbs up.

  “Right,” I said slowly. Kenzie and Bailey were trying not to laugh behind their hands, while Ryder ignored him and focused on taking the meat inside.

  “And then the bombshell dropped. They were fighting on the beach because my plan was just that good. And Indie turned and shoved him away.” Jack brushed his imaginary long hair and pouted, trying terribly to imitate Indie, then in a high-pitched voice said, “‘Because I love you, you stupid ass.’” Then he cleared his throat and used the deep voice for Linc. “‘Say it again?’” Switched back to Indie. “‘Stupid ass?’”

  Yeah, that totally sounded like Indie.

  “Then they made sweet, sweet love on the beach in front of the entire resort.”

  My hands balled into fists. My jaw set.

  “Knock it off. We did not.” Linc punched his shoulder.

  “Ouch. Pick on someone your own size.” Jack laughed. “No. They didn’t, I swear. He didn’t steal her virtue right away. He waited a day.”

  A growl erupted in my throat.

  “All right. Enough. Jack, stop trying to work Nate up.” Dad stepped in, laying a hand on Jack’s shoulder.

  “Dinner’s ready,” Mum announced, holding the doors open for Ryder as he returned carrying two trays of freshly made burgers. And I’d be damned if they didn’t look and smell better than Johnny’s.

  “Cole, come on,” Kenzie called and got up to help Cole dry off and fix him some food.

  “Ugh, Mumma… Stop.” He shook his head and tried to get out from under the towel she was using to dry his hair.

  “Where’s Brody? I thought he was coming,” Dad asked as he pulled out a chair for Mum. After all these years, they were still romantic and kind and loving toward each other.

  “He was going to the hospital again,” I said and grabbed a burger and took a huge bite. Juice dripped down my chin and fingers, but Ryder wasn’t lying. His burgers kicked Johnny’s ass.

  Dad cleared his throat and glanced at my mother, who reached over and patted his hand reassuringly.

  “What’s going on?” I asked, watching them carefully.

  “Well, I guess now is as good as any time,” Dad said, taking a mouthful of his beer. “We wanted to speak to the four of you, but…”

  “Four?” Indie asked.

  “Yes. You and Nate, obviously. Lincoln, son, because you’re just as much family as our own, and Brody because it will affect him as well.”

  Silence fell over the table.

  “We’ll give you a minute,” Bailey said and pushed her chair out.

  “Nonsense. Sit back down. You’ll all find out soon enough,” my mother said, pointing at Bailey’s chair. She dropped back into it silently.

  “Your mother and I have decided to have another child.”

  I choked on my beer. Indie sprayed wine all over herself, and everyone else was too stunned to even blink, let alone speak. My eyes found Indie’s, her face betraying every thought she had. Linc leaned back in his chair and rested his arm around her waist. Bailey’s mouth was twisted, and her eyes narrowed. Ryder, once again, was blank. No expression. No reaction. The dude had a killer poker face. Kenzie busied herself with Cole, pretending not to have heard, and Jack looked like he’d seen a ghost. Face white, hands slapped on his cheeks, his mouth open in a silent scream. Exactly like I felt.

  “Come again?” I asked.

  Another child. A kid? What the hell? They couldn’t have another child. Pretty sure that ship had well and truly sailed, medically, at least. Were they adopting? Why would they want one? Holy shit.

  “We’re lonely. The house is empty. We just don’t know what to do with ourselves anymore.”

  “Join a club. Ride a bike. Take a class. Pottery. Golf. Hell, do yoga with Bailey’s mother. Music lessons. Travel. Anything!” I suggested and looked to Indie for support, but she was still sitting there wide-eyed. She was no help.

  “We love you both, so much, and if we can provide for another child in need the way we did you, then that would mean something.”

  “You’re really serious?” Linc asked.

  “Immensely.”

  “I think that’s a lovely thing to do.” Bailey smiled. Ryder nodded in agreement.

  “Thank you, Bailey.”

  “Oh. My. God…I’m going to be a big sister!” Indie squealed, a look of wonder on her face. “I’ve always wanted a little brother or sister. I can teach him to ride a bike and play basketball—fairly.” She elbowed Linc and stuck her tongue out at me.

  “Indie,” my dad said.

  “Or I can teach her how braid her hair and make dresses look really cute with Chucks.” Her eyes widened.

  “Indie,” Dad tried again.

  “I can buy her first pair of Chucks. She’ll be a mini me.”

  “Indie.”

  “What?”

  “Listen, please. Your father and I have seen a lawyer and are going through the process of fostering a young lady.” My mother’s eyes glistened with tears. My dad squeezed her hand, and they both looked at me with sad smiles. “We hired someone to look into the girl’s background. She’s an orphan. No family. Her parents immigrated here from Italy before she was born.”

  My stomach dropped. I shook my head.

  “Our lawyer is taking care of everything. Dealing with child services and pushing our application through as fast as possible.”

  “Why the rush?” Jack asked. My hands were clammy. Sweat prickled at the nape of my neck.

  “The girl. She has no one. And pretty soon the place she is staying will no longer be able to care for her. She’ll be placed into foster care, and she’ll get lost in the system. Her needs are great. She will need help with everyday things. Things that come naturally to others. She’ll need doctor visits and therapist visits. So much that we can provide for her. We want to provide for her. Give her the best care possible.”

  “What’s wrong with her?” Indie whispered. Linc shifted in his seat uncomfortably and glanced at me. He knew. He’d figured it out.

  I wiped my hands on my shorts and closed my eyes. I didn’t want to see their faces when they found out who my parents were adopting.

  “She’s a burn victim,” Dad said sadly.

  “Aud
rey,” I croaked and opened my eyes to look at my parents.

  “Audrey.” My mother sniffed. “Nate, it’s the right thing.”

  I stood from the table and walked toward the door, stopping to kiss her on the head. “I know. I just need time to sort through some things, and you need to make sure you’re not rushing into this. It is a huge responsibility.”

  “We know. And we’re prepared. We’ve discussed this long and hard. We’ve got everything in motion. We just need to speak with Audrey first. She’s not a child and obviously will have a say in what happens. But we can’t bear the thought of her being put into the foster system. So many of those families are in it for the money, and they don’t really care about the kids. We do. We want to help her,” my dad said.

  I nodded then shook my head. I was confused. A thousand thoughts swirled through my mind. “I have to go.”

  I walked out the door and got in my car.

  Chapter

  Eighteen

  Harper

  I was watching television with Julie. Nothing terribly exciting, just mindless stuff I didn’t have to concentrate on. Which was perfect because all I could think about was my brother and how he’d sounded exactly the same on the phone earlier as he did the last time I saw him.

  I kept replaying our last conversation in my head. Him telling me to go and not come back. It still didn’t make sense to me why he would do that. He’d spent his entire life looking out for me.

  What changed?

  And I then I began to wonder whether he resented me, blamed me for his life in prison. If he hadn’t been in a rush to save me from the clutches of my parents, he wouldn’t have been speeding. He would have seen the kid out on the road. He would have had time to stop. The kid would be alive, and my brother and I would have been living a glamorous life somewhere far, far away. He wouldn’t have spent eight years in prison and pushed me away when he’d had enough. He wouldn’t have made parole and not reached out to me.

  My phone buzzed in my pocket, pulling me away from the show I wasn’t even watching. Taking it out, I saw a text from Nate.