“Would you like anything else?” the waitress asked, interrupting their conversation.
“I’m good,” Nicole said, putting her crumpled napkin onto the empty plate.
The lithe server placed the bill holder on the table. “Okay. Here you go.”
“It’s on me,” Ashley said as she reached over and grabbed her purse, pointing a finger at her friend. “Don’t argue with me.”
“I wouldn’t dare.” A smile spread across Nicole’s face. “Thanks.”
When the two women left the restaurant, there was a line halfway down the block of people waiting to get in.
Nicole whistled. “I’m glad we came when we did. I hate waiting in line when I’m starving.”
Walking into the parking lot behind the eatery, Ashley immediately saw that her car had been vandalized. Her eyes darted to the other cars in the lot, but it was only hers that had been trashed. Anger crept up her spine, entwining with the fear coursing through her.
“Shit!”
“What’s wrong?”
She pointed to the Buick. “Look at my car.”
“What the hell?” Nicole shouted as they approached the vehicle. “It looks like someone egged it.”
“Yeah. This is a real pain in the ass.” Popping the trunk, she rummaged through a bag and took out a bottle of window cleaner and a roll of paper towels.
Nicole laughed nervously. “It looks like yours is the only car that got it. Did you piss someone off?”
“Only Jeffrey Elion,” she replied in a hushed voice, vigorously spraying and scrubbing the front windshield.
Nicole’s eyes widened. “No way. You think that douche drove all the way up here to egg your car? How would he even know where we were?”
Ashley paused. “When you say it out loud like that, it sounds far-fetched and ridiculous. I keep thinking it’s him, but I know Jeffrey wouldn’t waste his time driving all the way here just to egg my car.” Sighing, she scrubbed harder.
“Has other crap happened to you since you’ve been here?” Nicole grabbed the window cleaner and some paper towels and spritzed the back window.
“My tire was slashed several nights ago when I was at the diner.” The image of Smokey fixing the tire flashed through her mind. He was so sweet and concerned. He even got Zach to put in the alarm. He really is a good guy.
“Hey, are you zoning out on me?”
She looked over at her friend. “Sorry, I was just thinking about something. This and the tire are probably just coincidences.”
“I doubt it. I mean”—Nicole gestured around the parking lot—“there are absolutely no other cars hit, and I bet your tire was the only one slashed that night. Am I right?”
Ashley nodded. “What should I do about this?”
“I’d go to the police. It sounds like someone may have a grudge against you, and is probably following you around. Either way, what’s happened is vandalism, and that’s a crime.”
“You’re right. It’s probably some kids who think it’s funny to harass the city woman.” Ashley forced out a small laugh despite the uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. “Let’s go to the car wash. I hope the egg shells didn’t chip the paint.”
“Sure. And then I could use a drink.”
“I second that.” Gathering the cleaning supplies, she threw them back inside the trunk. “After the car wash, we can go to this really cool place I told you and Danielle about.”
“Is it where you saw the Raging Demons?”
“Yes. It’s got a great vibe. I met this really nice bartender, Whitney, and we’re having dinner tomorrow night. The work staff is pretty nice too.”
“Sounds great. I wonder if they’ll have live music tonight?” Nicole said as she slipped into the passenger seat.
“I don’t think they do on Sundays, but they have this old-fashioned jukebox with an amazing selection.”
Ashley switched on the ignition and drove out of the parking lot.
An hour later, the two women sat at the bar with their drinks in front of them. Ashley ordered a blackberry margarita, and Nicole picked up her frozen pineapple daiquiri and took a sip.
“This is good,” she said as she put the drink back on the counter. “I love it. I’m surprised this is only the second time you’ve been here.”
“I’ve been so busy at work. And besides, it’s not that fun to go to a bar alone. If you lived here, we’d be at Blue’s Belly once a week for sure.”
“I love the layout and décor.”
“Mr. Sexy renovated the place. He’s good friends with the owner.”
Nicole swiveled around on the bar stool. “I’m impressed. He’s got an eye for design, and he did a kick-ass job.” She poked Ashley’s shoulder, giggling. “Now you’ve got another reason for indulging in an affair with your boss.”
Ashley laughed. “You’re so bad.”
“Would you like another drink?” the bartender asked.
“I’ll have another. Your daiquiris are the best I’ve ever had, and I’ve had a lot of them.” A peal of laughter broke through Nicole’s lips.
“Thanks,” the handsome man drawled and glanced at Ashley. “What about you?” There was a biting edge in his tone that surprised her.
“No thanks. Is Whitney here?”
“She called in sick. Are you two friends?” There it was again.
“I met her the last time I was here.”
“I remember you.”
Nodding, she turned away and looked over in the corner of the room to find Brady Shelling sitting with Gage. It looked like the director of the homeless shelter was arguing with the handyman. The younger guy kept pounding his fist on the table, and Brady’s face was red and blotchy as he pushed the table toward Gage.
“He’s cute,” Nicole said.
“Who?” Ashley turned toward her friend.
“The bartender. I’m a sucker for a dark-haired guy with dreamy eyes. What do you think?”
“He’s okay, but not really my type. And he’s not all that friendly.”
Nicole smiled. “He is to me. If I were staying a few days more, I’d lay it on thick and snag myself a date with him.”
“I’m sure he’ll be around the next time you visit.” She looked back over to the corner table. “I know those two guys.”
“Where?”
“The corner table to the right.”
Nicole craned her neck to see them. “They’re not bad looking. Who are they?”
“One works at the shelter I volunteer at, and the other one came over yesterday to help Mark at the house. His name is Gage, and he’s a bit creepy.” A shudder ran through her.
“He looks sort of goofy, and the shelter guy looks pissed as hell.”
Ashley nodded. “He does. I wonder how they know each other?”
“Why don’t you ask them?”
Shrugging, she turned back toward the bar. “I don’t want to be nosey.”
For the next thirty minutes, Nicole flirted with the bartender while Ashley snuck peeks over at the corner table. When she saw Brady stand up, she slid off the stool and strolled toward the front door.
Walking with his hands in his pockets and his head bent down, she cut him off.
With a smile, she said, “Hi.”
Looking up, his glazed eyes stared at her blankly for a second, and then a spark of recognition flickered. But instead of smiling back, he frowned at her.
“Ashley. It’s nice to see you.”
“Same here.” She glanced over at Gage who sat perched on his chair, giving them a menacing look.
“I’m surprised to see you here. Are you following me?” Shifting from one foot to the other, he then asked, “How do like working at the shelter?” He seemed restless, as though he’d rather be anywhere but there.
“I love it. But why did you think I was following you?”
“I saw you at Bud’s …” His eyes widened as his voice trailed off.
“You were at the restaurant? Why didn’t you come over?
”
“I was just driving by.” Brady looked over her shoulder, and his frown deepened. “I have
to go.” Without another word, he yanked on the door handle and stepped outside.
Ashley watched the door swing shut and she shook her head, as if that would unscramble the jumbled thoughts running through her mind. The encounter with Brady was odd. And he slipped and told me he saw me at Bud’s. Was he the one who egged her car? I’m losing it. Why in the hell would Brady do something so childish? She was grasping at straws in a feeble attempt to rid herself of the niggling suspicion that Jeffrey Elion was the one playing cat and mouse with her.
Suddenly, Gage brushed past her, threw open the door, and stepped outside. She shaded her eyes from the bright sun as she watched him storm down the sidewalk before disappearing around the corner. What the hell was that all about?
“Do you want another drink?” Nicole’s loud voice broke through Ashley’s thoughts.
“No, thanks,” she hollered as she walked back to her friend who was leaning against the bar, waving at her with a wide smile plastered on her face.
“Are you sure? Jared makes real good drinks.” Giggling, she placed a hand over her mouth.
“It looks like you’ve had one too many. Remember, you have to drive to Steamboat Springs in the morning.”
“Why the fuck is Mariah getting married so far away? This whole wedding thing is a pain in the ass,” Nicole replied loudly.
“I think it’s time to go.” Smiling, Ashley signaled for the bartender.
“You ready to pay up?” The barkeep put his hands on the counter and leaned forward.
“Yes.”
“Is it separate or together?”
His penetrating gaze unnerved her, but she resisted the urge to look away. “Together,” she replied with a lift of her chin.
“Are we leaving?” Nicole asked him.
“It looks like that’s what your friend wants to do,” the bartender replied, his eyes still fixed on Ashley.
“We’ve both had enough,” Ashley said to her friend.
“I wish you”—Nicole pointed a slender finger at the barkeep—“lived in Denver. We could hang out sometime.”
He grinned. “That would be fun.”
“Isn’t Jared the best?” Nicole cooed.
Ashley scowled. “He’d be better if he figured out our tab.”
Jared’s eyes narrowed. “You’re a bit of a smartass, aren’t you?”
“And you’re kind of rude, so I guess we both have our flaws.” Looking down, she opened her purse.
Nicole hiccupped. “Are you guys fighting?”
Jared pushed away from the bar, and with a bit of swagger in his step, he strode over to the cash register.
“Isn’t he a hunk?”
“Hardly,” Ashley muttered under her breath.
It took another twenty minutes to pry Nicole away from the bartender, who seemed amused by her flirtatious advances.
Once Ashley finally got her best friend inside the car, she slipped into the driver’s seat, switched on the ignition, and backed out of the parking space. Nicole chatted incessantly the whole ride home, and when she went into the family room, she headed straight for the couch.
“I could use a cold Coke.” She kicked off her pumps and stretched out on the couch. “I’m not feeling so good.”
Ashley smiled. “I’ll get you a Coke. Do you need a cool towel for your head?”
“That would be awesome. Why the hell did I drink so much?” she groaned.
“To be fair, your bartender was making the drinks really strong.” Ashley pulled out a glass from one of the cupboards, then poured the soda into it.
“He sure was cute.”
“If you say so. He wasn’t my type.” But Smokey is. Ashley sighed. Don’t start thinking about him. She looked down at her phone, hoping there was a text or missed call from him, but there was nothing. Why would he call? I told him I didn’t want anything but a business relationship. And why the hell am I disappointed that he didn’t call? I’m making myself crazy! “Here you go.” She handed her friend the glass of Coke and the damp towel.
“Thanks.” Nicole sat up and took a long drink, set the glass on the table, and laid back down. “This feels good,” she said as she put the towel across her forehead.
“Do you want a blanket?”
“Yes, please.”
Going into the bedroom, she snagged a fleece throw from the overstuffed chair by the window and shuffled back into the family room.
The steady, rhythmic sound of Nicole’s breathing told her had fallen asleep. After draping the blanket over her friend, Ashley walked back to the bedroom to change out of her clothes. As she slipped the fleece lounger over her head, she heard her phone ringing. For a split second, she wondered if it was Smokey, and a thread of excitement weaved around her spine. She padded over to the long dresser and grabbed the phone.
“Hello?” she answered, holding her breath.
“Hi, Ashley.”
Her shoulders slumped. “Hey, Zach. How are you?”
“Fine. I just talked to Smokey, and he said the two of you are finally going to go over the marketing campaign.” A low chuckle sounded through the phone. “I told you he’s on his own schedule.”
“Yeah. I meant to call and thank you for putting in the alarm system.”
“Alarm system? Smokey called me about it, and I told him he was being unreasonable. For Chrissake, you’re living in a small town.”
“Well, someone put it in.”
Zach didn’t respond right away, and the silence grew between them. Ashley felt the urge to talk, to fill the quiet. She sank down on the bed, one hand gripping the edge of the mattress.
She cleared her throat. “I do feel safer with an alarm, even if it sounds crazy to you.”
There was only silence.
“Hello? Zach, are you there?” she asked, thinking he’d disconnected.
“What’s going on with you and Smokey?” The cheerfulness in his voice was gone.
“We have a meeting tomorrow. I thought we already talked about that.” She picked at tiny threads in the quilt, her mouth drier than desert dust.
“I know that, and I know my friend. There’s no way Smokey would install a security system for someone unless …” His voice trailed off.
“You don’t know if he installed it.”
“That’s doesn’t even make sense, Ashley. He called me about it, and if I didn’t pay for it, then it’s pretty obvious he did. You’re not letting him get to you, are you? He’s real smooth with the ladies—he makes them feel unique and special. It’s been his way since I’ve known him.”
She licked her lips several times, then said, “I’m not letting him or anyone get to me. I’m sure he’s just concerned about my safety since I’m working for him on this project. He often follows his assistant home when the weather is bad.” I hope he’s buying this crap.
“Pearl?” He laughed. “She’s been with him since he started the company. But yeah, I guess you’re right. Smokey’s very protective of his staff. I guess it comes from being in the motorcycle club.”
“Why didn’t you tell me he was in a biker club? I just found out recently.”
“I didn’t want to scare you off. Smokey can be intimidating as hell, and the club he’s with is an outlaw one, so they don’t play nice.”
“Have you ever ridden his bike?”
“No way. He never lets anyone near his baby.”
“I guess bikers are that way when it comes to their motorcycles. I’ll touch base with you tomorrow. I’m planning to go to Aspen to meet with Ted Henson next week.”
After several minutes of chatting about business, Ashley disconnected, rose to her feet, and walked out of the room.
Nicole was still out. Ashley padded over to the window. She pulled the drapes aside and looked out at the sinking sun lighting the sky with purple clouds set in a sea of gold and pink. Ashley watched a silhouette of birds flyin
g off in the distance, and suddenly, she missed Smokey with an ache that completely blindsided her. Breathing in deeply, she exhaled slowly. Maybe I’ve been wrong about him. Why would he pay to install an alarm system if he just wants to have sex? Snippets of their conversation the day before flitted through her mind. Smokey had opened up about his past, and she doubted he did that very often. He trusted me, and I ran away, scared, because he was right—I think every damn man will turn out to be like my dad. Closing her eyes, she rubbed her forehead with her fingertips. “Talk about being screwed up,” she whispered.
“What?” a drowsy Nicole asked.
Looking over at the couch, she watched as her friend struggled to sit up.
“Just thinking out loud. How’re you feeling?”
“Like shit.”
She snickered. “I bet. Do you want a bottled water or Ginger Ale? When I was a kid, that was my mom’s go-to whenever my siblings or I had a queasy stomach. It actually helps—a lot.”
Resting her head against the back of the sofa, she whined, “Why the hell didn’t you cut me off?”
“Like that would’ve worked.”
She gave Ashley an off-center smile. “You’re right. I’ll try the Ginger Ale.”
Standing, she started for the kitchen. “I’ll bring a bottle of water too.”
“I wish I could stay another day. I don’t feel like doing wedding crap tomorrow.”
“I don’t blame you on that.” Returning, she handed Nicole the can of Ginger Ale and put the bottled water on the coffee table. “Would Mariah freak out if you postponed by a day?”
“Absolutely. She’s a drama queen, remember?” Nicole popped open the tab and took a sip. “Anyway, I have to be back to work on Thursday.”
Ashley walked back to the window and started to close the drapes when something across the street caught her eye. It was a man, standing at the edge of the parkway, looking at the house. Shoving a hand into his coat pocket, he pulled something out. Squinting, she pressed her face closer to the glass, but she couldn’t make out what he was holding. Then, the man’s focus shifted, and he was staring right at her. Jumping away from the window, she pulled the curtains closed.
“What’s wrong?”
“There’s a guy across the street. He’s staring at the house … and me.” She said the last two words in a low voice.
Smokey’s Distraction: Insurgents Motorcycle Club Page 15
