by SJ McCoy
“I am.” She wasn’t looking forward to telling her parents, but she was looking forward to having that behind her.
“Good, because I talked to them earlier. They want to come next weekend.”
Amber stared at her.
“Don’t look at me like that. It’s a good thing. The sooner they come, the sooner you can tell them. You can put that life behind you and get started on the one you’re going to have here.”
~ ~ ~
“Are you out tonight?” Austin asked Dallas.
“Yeah. I think I’m going to stop into the Boathouse. Is that where you’re taking her?”
“It is. I don’t know how long we’ll stay—”
Dallas grinned. “Are you going to bring her back here afterward?”
Austin made a face. “Probably not.”
“Hmm, that’s better than the outright no I expected.”
“I’m not a freaking monk, D. I’d love nothing more than to bring her back here. But I’m trying to wait.”
Dallas nodded. “I know. I’m only yanking your chain. But you surprise me. You’re crumbling sooner than I expected you to. You like her a lot, don’t you?”
“Yeah. I do.”
“And you think she’s going to stay here?”
He nodded.
“Then, in that case, do you have a place you want to rent to me?”
Austin frowned. “I meant I hope that she’s going to stay here in Summer Lake, not here at the house.”
Dallas laughed. “I know, dumbass. But if she stays in town, and you two get together, she’s going to start staying here at the house, too. You don’t need me getting in the way.”
“Perhaps you should wait a while. I’m not a hundred percent sure that she won’t change her mind yet.”
“Either way, I’ve been thinking about what you said—about me working for you?”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. If you mean it. I’d like to. But if I do, I think I should get my own place. I only meant to crash with you for a little while anyway. And if we’re going to be working together, you’re not going to want me in your hair at home, too.”
Austin smiled. “I guess you’re right. Go on the website, see which places are available, see what you like the look of.”
Dallas grinned. “Just like that?”
“Yeah. Just like that.”
“Do I get an employee discount on the rent?”
Austin had to laugh. “Sure. You can have the first month free if you need it.”
Dallas frowned. “How would that work? I don’t want you paying out of pocket for me, and the owners are going to want to get paid.”
“So, pick one of my places.”
“How many do you have?”
Austin smiled. “Take a look at the website—the business portal, not the public site. You’ll see.”
“You’re not going to tell me?”
“Nope. I’m going to take a shower and get ready to go see Amber.”
He was just finishing getting dressed when his cell phone rang. He smiled when he saw Colt’s name on the display.
“Hey, bud. What’s up?”
“Nothing’s up. I wanted to know if you’re going to be out tonight—out with the rest of us? Are you going to bring Amber? Or are you doing something just the two of you?”
He smiled. “We’re going to come out.”
Colt laughed. “Come out as a couple?”
“Yeah. If we’re going to start seeing each other, then we need to face the gang at some point.”
“Is it still an if? If you’re going to start seeing each other? I thought you already were.”
“We have been, but she’s been figuring out if she’s going to stay. So, there was no point getting into anything if she wasn’t.”
“But she’s decided she is?”
“I think so.” He’d talked on the phone with her last night and she’d told him that she’d made her mind up. He hoped that she was going to stick to it when she saw her parents. In his mind, he couldn’t take anything for granted until she’d told them that she wasn’t going home.
“I hope so. What’s her problem?”
He sighed. “I’ll tell you later. Is everyone going?”
“Yep. All the usual suspects, plus a few more. I was talking to Dan the other day. You know how he’s set up this cybersecurity team?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, he already has Brayden working for him and a couple others. It sounds like they’re going to come out. And I think you can expect a call from him soon, too. He said he wants to set up some kind of corporate housing deal. You know, rent a couple of places from you where he can put his guys while they find their feet.”
“Awesome.” Austin liked Dan. He’d be happy to set him up with whatever he needed.
“Sorry. The point of all that was that some of the new guys might be out tonight, too.”
“Great. Well, I guess I’ll see you there. What’s Sophie doing?”
Colt laughed. “She’s sleeping over at her friend’s house tonight. And Cassie’s fretting like crazy. So, do me a favor and don’t mention Sophie when you see her. You’ll only set her off again.”
Austin smiled. “Okay. I won’t.”
It was just before seven when he pulled up outside Amber’s place. He smiled when the front door opened. But it wasn’t her who came out; it was her sister, Jade. He made to get out, but she shook her head and came to the passenger door and got in.
“Hey.”
She smiled. “Don’t look so scared. I’m not here to warn you off. I’m here to help you out.”
Austin had to smile. She was different from Amber. “That’s a relief. What’s going on?”
“Nothing new. From what she’s told me, you know the deal with her feeling like she should go home.”
He nodded. “Yeah. She’s told me how she feels about your folks—and about Milo.”
Jade made a face. “He’s an asshole.”
“I’ve never met the guy, so I shouldn’t judge, but I’m inclined to agree with you.”
“Good. At least that way you’ll be prepared.”
“For what?”
She shrugged. “For anything he throws at you. He’s holding out for her to go back, and when he realizes that she isn’t going, I don’t think he’ll go down without a fight.”
Austin nodded. He didn’t know what to say to that.
Jade gave him a long appraising look. “I know it’s hardly fair to land you in the middle of it. You’ve only gone out with each other a couple of times. I wouldn’t blame you if you decided it’s not worth it.”
“No. I know we’ve only been out a few times. But you know I’ve liked her ever since you guys first came here. I want to see what can happen between us.” He gave her a grim smile. “I’m not some pussy who’s going to scare off easily, if that’s what this is about?” He raised an eyebrow at her.
She chuckled. “Sorry, you got me. I did want to see where you stand, and I know it’s none of my business really. But she’s my little sister.”
Austin smiled. “I know. And I don’t mind. I’m glad you’re looking out for her. I want to look out for her, too. But at the same time, she’s not some little weakling. She’ll make her own decisions.”
Jade nodded. “I know. I just wanted to warn you that when I talked to my folks the other night, they still think that she’ll go back. I tried explaining to them that I don’t think she will, but they didn’t take any notice of me. They think that I’m trying to make her go out in the world and do things my way.” She let out a short laugh. “They refuse to see that they’ve made her withdraw from the world and do things their way.”
“Withdraw from the world? How?”
Jade shrugged. “They live in a little bubble. All they care about is money and what it can buy.” She made a face. “Sorry, that sounds horrible. They’re decent people, in their own way. But … I guess what you need to know, is that they think she’d be better off there
because she can do her job—which comes easily to her—and have the big wedding and a couple of kids and live in a McMansion and drive a … a …” she laughed. “I don’t know, whatever expensive car soccer moms drive these days. You get the idea.”
“I think so.” It sounded to Austin as though Jade’s values were very much at odds with her parents. From what he knew of her so far, Amber’s were, too. “So, just so we’re clear. What are you telling me?”
She gave him a rueful smile. “I’m not sure I even know. You seem like a good guy. You guys have liked each other from the get-go. I’d like to see you get together, but you’re going to have an uphill battle—with Milo, or at least the way he messes with her head. And maybe with my folks, too. They’re going to come up here soon. And I’d guess that they’ll want to meet you if Amber tells them about you.”
“If? You think she might not?”
Jade shrugged. “I don’t know what to think.” She looked up at the apartment. “I should probably get back up there and send her out.” She smiled at him. “I’m rooting for you. I wanted you to know that. And if I can help, I will.”
Austin watched her open the door. “Should I come up with you?”
“No. I’ll send her down.”
~ ~ ~
“Where did you go?” asked Amber.
“I just took the garbage down.” Jade smiled. “And I’ll bet you can guess who’s down there already.”
Amber’s heart skipped a beat. “He’s here?”
“Yep. And looking like …” She laughed. “I really shouldn’t comment on how hot my sister’s boyfriend is should I? Let’s just say you snagged yourself a hottie.”
Amber smiled. “I think so. I didn’t realize you did, too.”
Jade laughed. “Don’t worry, I’m not pining after your man. I appreciate male beauty. You know that.”
“He is dreamy, isn’t he?”
Jade laughed. “He sure is. After Milo—in fact, even before Milo—I didn’t think you had great taste in men—even in just the looks department. Austin’s not just an upgrade; he’s a whole different league.”
Amber nodded happily. “I think so.”
“So, stop standing around here swooning over him and get your ass down there. If I were you, I’d be taking him to bed instead of taking him to the Boathouse.”
“I’d love to. But he won’t do that until I’ve told the folks that I’m staying here.”
Jade frowned.
“He’s not trying to make me tell them or anything. He just doesn’t want things to get physical if it’s not going to last.”
“Wow! Most guys I know would have that the other way round. They’d sleep with you till you said that you were staying and then they’d lose interest.”
Amber smiled happily. “He’s not like most guys, though. He’s special.”
“He’s starting to sound that way. Go on. Go see him. I’ll see you at the Boathouse.”
Chapter Eleven
Austin slung his arm around Amber’s shoulders as they walked across the square to the Boathouse. When she’d come out of the house, he’d had second thoughts about bringing her to see the gang tonight. He wanted nothing more than to take her back to his place—and to bed.
She was wearing one of those strappy dresses that she seemed to favor. This one had a flowery pattern, and more importantly, it dipped a little lower in the front and clung a little tighter in the back than the others he’d seen her wear. As far as he was concerned, she always looked gorgeous. She was his idea of perfect—not too tall, not too short, and rounded in all the right places. Tonight’s dress just showed everything off a little more than usual.
He was already debating with himself whether he could back-track on his insistence that they shouldn’t sleep together until she’d told her parents that she was staying here.
She looked up at him and smiled. “Are you okay?”
“I’m great.” He stopped walking. “I’m just thinking how lucky I am.”
She laughed. “I feel like the lucky one.”
He slid his arms around her waist and drew her closer as he dropped a kiss on her lips. “Are you sure you’re going to stay?” He was ready to give in when she pressed herself against him.
“I am. I’m going to tell them when they come.”
Austin held her gaze for a long moment. He was so tempted to ask if she wanted to go home with him instead of going into the Boathouse. He didn’t want to wait another week. And she said she was sure …
The door to the bar flew open, and Jade came hurrying out to meet them.
“Hey, sis.” Amber’s smile faded. “What’s wrong?”
Austin’s heart started to pound in his chest. He didn’t know why, but the look on Jade’s face filled him with foreboding.
“You’re going to kill me!” said Jade.
She looked up at Austin. “You too.”
“Why?” They both asked at once.
“I screwed up. Big time.”
Austin could feel Amber start to tremble, and he pulled her closer into his side.
“What did you do?” Amber’s voice sounded shaky.
“I’m sorry. I … Milo called me.”
“And?”
Austin’s heart was thundering in his ears now.
Jade shot him a worried look. “He was trying to convince me that he’d be good to you if you went back. He wanted me to help talk you into it. Pft! Can you believe that?”
“No. But tell me what you did.”
Jade dropped her gaze and then looked first at Amber, then at Austin and back again. She blew out a sigh. “I told him you’d met someone else.”
Amber smiled at Austin. “There’s nothing wrong with that. I have.”
Austin knew there was more to come. From the look on Jade’s face, it wasn’t anything good.
“I kind of told him that you’d done more than met someone.”
Austin didn’t get it. Amber didn’t either.
“More like what?”
“I’m sorry, sis. He told me that he’d asked Dad if he could ask you to marry him …so, I told him that he couldn’t because you were already engaged.”
Austin’s breath caught somewhere in his chest.
“You what?” asked Amber.
“Yeah. Sorry.” She shot Austin an apologetic look, and he realized he must look horrified. He didn’t feel it—not horrified. Shocked, yeah, but the thought of being engaged to Amber didn’t sound horrific, which surprised him. That was exactly the word he’d used to describe how he felt when he’d told Colt that Nadia thought it was time they got engaged.
“He just pissed me off. He was talking like it was a foregone conclusion that he’d be able to talk you into going back to him. As though marrying him was going to be the best thing for you, and you were just a dumb little woman who was taking her time to figure it out.” She shrugged. “I’m sorry.”
Amber nodded slowly. “It’s not that bad, really, is it?” She looked at Austin. “It’s not like he’s here or ever going to come here. He doesn’t know you …”
“Err …” They both looked at Jade who was looking even more uncomfortable. “There’s more.”
Austin’s heart sank.
“I only talked to him after you guys left the apartment. He wasn’t happy. As you can imagine. And I got off the phone as quick as I could. I wanted to tell you what I’d done.” She pursed her lips. “On the way over here … Dad called me.”
“Oh, shit!” Amber had turned white.
Jade nodded. “Yeah. Sorry. At least he called me and not you.”
“I take it Milo had told him?”
“Yup.”
“What did he say?”
“That they’ll be here next weekend.”
Amber blew out a sigh and shook her head sadly. “They were coming anyway. They’d already told Lenny that.”
Jade touched her sister’s arm. “I’m sorry.”
Amber let out a short laugh. “So, you should be.” She loo
ked up at Austin. “I’m sorry.”
He hugged her into his side. “You haven’t done anything wrong.” He gave Jade a pointed look. He didn’t need to say anything. She knew what he meant.
“I’ll have to call them,” said Amber. She shook her head. “What am I supposed to say though? I don’t want to just outright tell them that you made it up.”
“I was thinking about that …”
Austin didn’t like the idea of Amber lying to her parents to cover up the fact that Jade had.
“What if you guys went along with it?” said Jade.
Austin frowned. “What do you mean?”
“No!” Amber shook her head adamantly. “I’m not going to lie to them, Jade, and I’m not going to put Austin in that position either.”
Jade shrugged. “If that’s how you feel, I’ll explain it all to them. I don’t mind them knowing that I lied. But think about it.” She met Austin’s gaze for a moment, then looked back at Amber. “What harm would it do? It’d get Milo off your back once and for all. It’d convince Mom and Dad that you have good reason to stay here. Once they meet Austin, they wouldn’t have any worries about you … It could work out well all around.”
“No.” Amber sounded less adamant this time. “No. It’s not right to lie.” She looked up at him. “I wouldn’t ask you to lie.”
He was relieved about that, but he could understand Jade’s logic. It did sound like … no. He shouldn’t even be thinking about it. If he and Amber were going to start seeing each other—if they were going to get serious—he didn’t want to start out on the wrong foot with her parents.
Amber’s cell phone rang in her purse, and she looked at them with wide eyes. “What do I do?”
“Let it go to voicemail,” said Jade. “You need to figure out what you want to say first.”
Austin tightened his arm around her shoulders and gave her an encouraging smile. “You might want to look who it is.”
She let out a nervous laugh. “Oh. Yeah. Right.”
She pursed her lips when she looked at the screen. “It’s Lenny. I bet they’ve called her.”
“Shit!” Jade blew out a sigh. “She’s going to kill me.”
“If she wanted to do that, don’t you think she’d have called you?”
