by Alison Kelly
‘By rights my father should have left his share of the garage to my uncle—he was the one who kept it going—but it came to me.’ He sighed. ‘Bill died while I was off racing bikes and busting limbs. With him gone and Savvy only a kid I came back and took over running things. And here we are.’
For a moment she simply stared at him, then one of those smiles that made him feel like the greatest man ever born edged across her face. ‘I hope Savvy appreciates how very lucky she was to have you. Not many guys in their early twenties would have assumed the responsibility you did. It can’t have been easy dealing with an orphaned ten-year-old.’
‘You reckon? Looking back it seems a damned sight easier than dealing with the fifteen-year-old wild child she is now. Get this,’ he said. ‘She’s already got more holes in her ears than a sieve and now she wants to get her eyebrow pierced.’
Amanda-Jayne struggled with a grin. ‘Yes, I know.’
‘Huh! Probably approached you to soften me up, did she?’
‘Er, no. I overheard the discussion you and she were having in the garage the other night. On her part at least it was very…er…loud and impassioned.’ She bit her lip, no longer able to rein in her amusement. ‘I don’t think I even knew those words existed when I was her age.’
Reb groaned. ‘Savvy’s too street-wise for her own good. Not that it’s her fault. She’s hardly had a conventional upbringing, but since mine was as bad if not worse it’s a case of the blind trying to lead the blind.’
‘Stop being so hard on yourself, Reb. It’s not like she’s out of control. Basically she seems pretty…er…normal, compared to most of her friends.’
‘Her friends are half the problem.’ He gave an exasperated sigh. ‘How do I convince her that she deserves a better future than she’s setting herself up for without encouraging the idea she’s better than everyone else?’
‘I…I don’t know. We can’t help being products of our environment, Reb. I know that better than most people, I guess. But fourteen months ago when I finally bit the bullet and left Anthony I think I took the first step away from being a slave to mine. Savvy—’
‘What do you mean?’ he said, not willing to let the first reference she’d made to her former marriage slide by. ‘Why’d you leave?’
She traced several figure eights on the table cloth before lifting her head. ‘I married Anthony during my second year of an art degree at Sydney University. But make no mistake,’ she said, her eyes narrowing, ‘it wasn’t expected I would graduate with a degree. The arts courses the Vaughan women traditionally undertake are regarded as Marriage Hunt Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3. The fact my aunt graduated with honours and a Ph.D. has always been blamed on the fact she was the ugly duckling of the family.’
She drew a long breath before continuing.
‘Anthony swept me off my feet and also impressed the life out of everyone who met him in the process. He was good-looking, ambitious and well bred; everyone from my father to the society columnists regarded our union as the match of the century. When everyone was telling me how lucky I was to have him, it was hard to worry about the fact he was going through my trust money. Mind you,’ she said dryly, ‘it was somewhat harder not to worry when rumours started flying that he was “going through” my so-called friends as well.’
‘He was cheating on you?’
‘He didn’t see it that way. According to him my abysmally poor sexual prowess was cheating him out of the physical satisfaction a married man should receive from his wife.’
Rage erupted so violently within him that Reb was certain the top of his head was plastered to the ceiling. ‘And you believed that pile of—’
‘It was difficult not to, Reb. Any hints I dropped to my father that his golden-haired boy was being less than faithful to me were regarded as…well, if not my imagination, then certainly my fault. I was reminded also that no matter what the circumstances the Vaughans had never sullied themselves with something as middle class as divorce—the fatherly message clearly being I should either pick up my game or have the dignity to turn a blind eye.’
Reb swore under his breath. And people reckoned he came from a dysfunctional family!
‘It was after one of these futile visits with my father that I returned to Sydney and walked in on Anthony and his boss’s wife. That’s when I decided that since I couldn’t live up to other people’s expectations of me I’d better at least try and live up to my own. I told Anthony to lock up when he left, walked out of the apartment and on the way to the family solicitors to instigate divorce proceedings I called Anthony’s boss on my car phone and told him where to find his wife.’ Her wry smile turned into a sigh. ‘Needless to say it was a long, ugly, drawn-out court battle and my father died before it was final… I’d like to think that in the end he’d forgiven me, but…’
‘For God’s sake you’d done nothing to forgive!’ Reb said, wanting to shake her. ‘Hell, A.J., right now I don’t know who I’m more furious with—your idiot of an ex, your pompous, insensitive father or you for believing the garbage they fed you!’
That he should be so outraged on her behalf touched her deeply, but she hated the fact that he was again drawing darts of disapproval from around the restaurant. She didn’t want an ugly scene to ruin the wonderful night they’d shared.
‘Shh,’ she urged, her hand closing over his. ‘People can hear you.’
‘I couldn’t give a stuff!’ he retorted, sliding from his chair to crouch before hers. ‘Just so long as you hear, listen and comprehend everything I’m about to say… So,’ he said, gently cradling her face. ‘Are you listening?’
With his nearness and the intensity of his dark eyes nullifying her vocal cords Amanda-Jayne nodded, but she didn’t think she’d hear anything over the drumming of her heart.
‘You,’ he said, his gaze never deviating from hers, his thumbs lightly grazing her cheekbones, ‘you are the most incredibly sexy, beautiful and sensual woman I’ve ever known…’
His words came out in a rasped whisper that brushed her face more lightly than a breeze, yet caught at her emotions with the force of a tornado.
‘Your ex was a jerk,’ he continued. ‘It wasn’t your money that compelled me to take you to my hotel that night. It isn’t the thought of your money which turns me on every time I look at you. And it sure isn’t an economical decision which has me praying you’ll agree to pass on dessert so we can get out of this place!’
The tears in Amanda-Jayne’s eyes made her uncertain if he’d lowered his lips to hers or if she’d risen to initiate their kiss, but ultimately it didn’t matter; all that did was that this man made her feel more special than any other living soul.
‘Does that mean you want to skip dessert?’ Reb asked, easing back from her bone-melting response to his kiss.
A slow, sly smile slipped across her lips. ‘No…’ she said, slowly drawing a finger across his lower lip, seduction blazing in her eyes. ‘Just that I’d rather have it at home.’
Reb snatched out his wallet, drew out a wad of bills and fisted them, before scooping A.J. from her chair.
Her surprised squeal ensured every head in the place swung in their direction. ‘Reb, you idiot! Put me down!’
Because she was obviously more amused than embarrassed he ignored her request and started towards the door. Laughing, she buried her head in his shoulder and whispered, ‘You realise you’re likely to send the other patrons into shock, don’t you?’
‘Honey, they’d get more of a shock if you weren’t camouflaging the front of my jeans.’
As they approached the horrified-looking maître d’ Reb held the money towards him. ‘That ought to cover it, mate,’ he said, tucking the bills in the guy’s top pocket when he remained statue-still with his jaw in the vicinity of his shoes. ‘If not…well, I’m sure you know where to find me.’
Before the waiter had a chance to respond in any way, A.J.’s hand flashed out and pulled a twenty-dollar note back from the waiter’s pocket. ‘Tha
t’s too much, Reb,’ she said. ‘The service doesn’t warrant a tip.’ She stared right at the maître d’ as she added, ‘For some inexplicable reason, tonight it was nowhere near the standard Captains usually affords me. I won’t be coming back.’
Reb figured the tone of her voice should have reduced everything within a hundred-metre radius to ice, but knowing her ire stemmed from the undercurrent of disapproval directed at him all night filled him with a soothing warmth. Usually his pride made him resentful of anyone feeling the need to defend him, but having A.J. do it had the opposite effect… It had him feeling damned lucky that she was in his corner and, more importantly, in his life.
CHAPTER NINE
AMANDA-JAYNE cast a final glance over the carefully decorated table, wishing that Reb would hurry up and get home. He’d left twenty minutes ago to collect Savvy from her friend’s house and after having kept her surprise to herself for over nine hours her excitement had fermented to a level where she could barely contain it. She couldn’t help it…she felt so damned proud of herself! Her success today was going to change everything; from now on she’d no longer feel as if her existence around here was a total waste of space and oxygen.
Her pulse leapt at the growl of an approaching motorbike and, snatching up a pair of oven mitts, she set about transferring the ready meal to the table. Satisfied everything was as perfect as she could make it, given the limitations of durable rather than delicate dinnerware and mismatched cutlery, she smiled. At the sound of what could have been a herd of elephants stampeding up the internal stairs she turned and waited for the surprised expression her efforts would bring to Reb’s handsome face.
It was Savvy who burst into the apartment first.
‘You cow!’ she screeched by way of greeting. ‘You selfish, money-grubbing, snooty-nosed—’
‘Savvy!’ Reb followed on her heels, grabbing an arm that appeared to be swinging towards Amanda-Jayne. ‘That’s enough! Now settle down!’
‘I won’t settle down! I should’ve expected you’d take her side!’
‘I’m not taking anyone’s side, I’m still trying to get the full story.’
Reefing free of her cousin’s grasp, she directed a look of pure hate at Amanda-Jayne. ‘The story is,’ she said venomously, ‘she’s got heaps more money than anyone alive and she’s still not satisfied!’
Staggered by Savvy’s fury, she sent Reb a questioning glance. He returned it with an emotionless study of silent perusal.
‘Wh-what have I done?’ she stammered, scrambling to work out what was going on.
‘As if you didn’t know!’ Savannah sneered.
‘I…I don’t.’
‘Savvy said you applied for the sales job in the boutique.’ Reb’s statement wore as much disapproval as his overalls did grease and what remnants of the pleasure she’d been feeling a few moments ago instantly evaporated.
‘Well?’ he prodded. ‘Did you or didn’t you?’
Confusion as to why he was so obviously angry at the idea robbed her of words. It was all she could do to manage a nod.
‘I told you so!’ Savvy shouted, but Amanda-Jayne’s attention was held transfixed by Reb’s gaze.
‘Would you mind telling me why?’ he demanded of her.
‘Because she’s a selfish cow who thinks of no one but herself!’
‘Savannah! Will you just shut up and let me deal with this?’ Reb injected before Amanda-Jayne could formulate an answer to his question. She felt as if she’d been dropped into an episode of the Twilight Zone, where nothing was as it was supposed to be. She’d anticipated her success in getting the job would have inspired hearty congratulations and admiration; instead she was being subjected to scathing disapproval.
‘A.J., I want to know what possessed you to apply for a job.’
‘The same thing that possesses most people,’ she retorted, confusion giving way to anger. ‘I wanted one.’
‘Why?’ he insisted.
‘Because I’m bored witless with nothing to do here every day but sit around and get fat! I thought the money would come in handy! It’s not like it’s hard physical labour, Reb, if it’s the baby you’re worried about.’
‘See, Reb! It’s always got to be about her! It would never occur to you that there are people who need that job more than you do, would it?’ The narrow-eyed glare Savvy nailed her with indicated the question wasn’t rhetorical.
‘I know a lot of people had applied for it, but obviously the owner didn’t think they were as qualified for it as I was.’
‘As well connected, you mean!’ the teenager snapped. ‘Michelle Costica, Kara’s sister, was told the job was hers yesterday. Today she gets a phone call saying the owner had changed her mind.’
‘I…I don’t understand. That doesn’t make sense; the notice was still in the window last night.’
‘The store manager took it out first thing this morning, but when you phoned about an interview Michelle got the flick quick smart! Tell me,’ she went on, ‘did they even bother to interview you or was the Vaughan name and your country-club connections enough to seal things in your favour?’
‘Look, Savvy, I don’t know why the manager did what she did, but I certainly didn’t pull any strings to get—’
‘Oh, wake up to yourself, A.J.!’ Reb cut into her defence in a ridiculing tone, angry fingers raking his hair. ‘You didn’t have to bother pulling strings. Your family name and the fact you’ve seemingly thumbed your nose at your blue-blooded heritage are the hottest bit of gossip this town has had in decades. Anyone with a scrap of nous knows you didn’t get hired because of any so-called job skills you might have; your sole value to that store is as a crowd-puller for the cashed-up and curious.’
‘Th-that’s not fair!’
‘No, it’s not,’ he agreed. ‘Because for all you might feel like your current life isn’t what it should be it’s a damn sight better than most people’s in this part of town! Unlike you, Michelle Costica doesn’t come from a wealthy family or have a veritable fortune waiting for her when she turns thirty; her boyfriend’s in gaol and she’s fighting tooth and nail just to manage regular meals and keep a roof over her and her child’s head. For her the money she’d have got from that job would’ve been a whole lot more than handy.’
The disappointment and disgust in his voice seared her to her soul. The tears welling in her eyes rose straight from her heart and her throat tightened into a hard, painful lump that prevented speech and restricted breathing. She’d expected him to shower her with praise; instead he’d rained on her parade more effectively than anyone else could have—a point Savvy’s prolonged silence seemed to acknowledge.
‘I wondered what all the cryptic comments I was getting today—about how things must be worse in the auto business than people thought—meant,’ he continued. ‘It never occurred to me that my wife was undermining my credibility as a provider! You wanna tell me how long you were planning to keep this a secret from me?’
She opened her mouth to—to what? Try and explain that she’d done it to help him, not hurt? What was the point? Once again he’d failed to give her actions the benefit of the doubt and she’d be damned if she’d chase his forgiveness when her intentions had only ever been well meaning! Forcing her chin up and her tears back, she kept her distance from him as she moved towards the bedroom.
‘I’ll phone the store owner and resign immediately; I’ll also insist the job be given back to Kara’s sister,’ she informed them coolly. ‘I assure you, however,’ she went on in a formal tone that would have done credit to Patricia, ‘it was never my intention to bring ridicule on the Browne name by applying for the position. But you’re right, Reb,’ she conceded, fighting to conceal the cracks in her fast crumbling façade. ‘It was stupid of me to assume I might have been hired for my capabilities when history has proved all anyone has ever had use for is my name.’
Her words hit Reb like a punch to the guts and the expletive he uttered as she turned away came out as a hiss. ‘A.J
., wait! That’s not what I meant.’
She spun back to him, her eyes too bright in her disbelieving face. ‘It’s what you said, Reb. Like everyone else you believe that because I’m a Vaughan I’m insensitive to the needs of others. That I’ve got and can get anything I’ve ever wanted by trading on my name. But you know what?’ she said. ‘There’s one thing I always wanted and have never been able to get…and that’s for people to look beyond my name, to look at me and either accept or reject me for the person I am, not for what my being a Vaughan can do for me. Or,’ she added, ‘for them.’
His speed was no match for the distance separating them and he reached the door only in time to feel the breeze created as she slammed it in his face. The sound of the bolt being thrown across it continued to reverberate through his entire body for hours.
No lights shone in the apartment when Reb returned five hours later. He immediately killed the motor and, knowing Lethal would wake the dead if he entered the apartment via the garage, he wheeled the bike around to the external stairs which led to the apartment balcony. The clear starry night held no threat of rain, but his concerns far outweighed those of what dew might do to the machine.
Sighing, he eased off his helmet and gloves, wishing he could claim the long, aimless ride had gone some way to clearing his head. It hadn’t. And it hadn’t made him feel any less of a jerk for the way he’d ripped into A.J. earlier either. He owed her an apology; he’d hurt her. The damnable thing was he’d hurt himself just as much in doing so. That was what had his head so badly scrambled; these days it was as if he was feeling everything through her. And what good was that going to do him if her stepmother, in a fit of conscience, released the money she was withholding and provided A.J. with the means to leave? Trapping her into marriage might have provided him with a legal hold on their unborn child, but he had no way of holding on to Amanda-Jayne.
