It was clear that the deal had meant securing Teddy’s approval, but Beck doubted that would ever happen. Teddy was a cold customer. He’d dangle the carrot of his affection in front of Jami and then hit her over the head whenever he didn’t get what he wanted.
He wished he could take back his harsh words. She’d been hurt and furious. Hell, she’d tackled him and dumped him into the hot tub. A grin split across his face, and a passing traveler shot him a half-smile with a confused look.
Beck pulled his phone out of the front pocket of his shirt, regarded it, and shoved it back in his pocket. He shifted restlessly. He was going to have to apologize, but then what?
They’d had an island fling, and now it was a thing of the past. She’d been vulnerable and wounded, and he’d been a douche-canoe.
It was just more proof that he wasn’t good at relationships. Somehow he’d gotten both of his parents’ bad marital genes. His dad had plain given up on marriage after Fiona had epically cheated on him. And Fiona might be a serial marriage junkie, but she sure didn’t have a clue how to maintain a long and healthy relationship. Hell, her children barely tolerated her.
The deck was stacked against him. He’d be better off forgetting about Jami. He sure didn’t need a wife to make him feel complete. He was fine solo. It was substantially less complicated.
Beck closed his eyes and laid his head on the seatback. He was ready to be home, and get moving forward on relocating his business. Damn. That meant more of Jami.
“Is this seat taken?” a laughing voice asked.
Beck turned from the window. Kyle Barrett stowed a backpack in the luggage compartment and slipped into the seat next to Beck.
“I didn’t know you were on this early flight, too.” Beck pulled his earbuds out with a grin.
“First chance possible.” Kyle rolled his eyes. “I snagged the earliest water taxi from Santa Tarita to St. Lucia and wandered the town for an hour. I needed a change of scenery.”
“Weddings aren’t my thing either.”
“That’s funny since I’m guessing you’ve been to a fair number of them.”
Beck groaned. “You can only mean Fiona.”
“Did I hear right that she’s had seven husbands?”
“I lost track.”
“You’re the smart one to stay out of it.”
“Why do you say that?”
“I don’t think either one of us thinks marriage is worth a damn. Just look at our parents.”
“We’ve had a week of them, haven’t we?”
“I’ve been avoiding my dad the whole time. I’ve got news he’s not going to like, especially since he’s grumpier than shit about losing the Anderton property to you.”
“What’s your news?”
“I got accepted as a late entry engineer student at Berkeley. I’m the number one mechanic at the moment, and Dad is going to flip his lid that I’m leaving at the end of the summer.”
“Why would he be angry? You’re building a whole new career with lots of potential.”
“You’ve got a lot to learn about Teddy Barrett. He only thinks in terms of what’s good for the business. He won’t want to lose a mechanic and one that he thinks he can manipulate. He seems to think I want to run the company one day, so he tries to play me and Austin off each other.”
“Austin is a corporate attorney for a tech firm, right?”
“Exactly. But Dad can’t see that Austin is happy.”
Beck chewed over Teddy’s behaviors. He tried to control people, but they kept running from his selfishness. Poor Jami. She was entangled in his web, too. “Is there anything wrong with Barrett Logistics?”
“Trucking is fine, if challenging, but we all have other interests. Besides, I don’t think any of us want to work too closely with Dad for fear of losing our heads and our dignity. You probably didn’t notice it, but he was ruthless with Jami last night.”
“I thought he’d ignored her.”
“You must have missed the fireworks.” Kyle whistled under his breath and mimicked an explosion with his fingers. “It was pretty late, and he ran into her outside of the piano bar. He laid into her, and practically disowned her. Man, the bartender even came out to see if she was getting physically threatened.”
Beck’s blood boiled. “It wasn’t her fault that BKI won the deal. With a special federal grant on our side and the promise of bringing four times as many jobs into the area, of course the commissioners ruled in our favor.”
“It makes total sense to me, but Jami and Dad were so blinded by winning for the company. Jami looked really shaken by Dad’s fury. He’d better watch out, or none of his kids will be talking to him.”
Beck kept his mouth shut. It was not his place to interfere or comment. The plane accelerated down the runway, the wheels left the ground, and Beck left the islands behind him.
It was complicated, no matter how he tried to spin it. There wouldn’t be any chummy family dinners with the Barretts. He’d be lucky if Teddy didn’t have him blackballed in the tight-knit community. Barrett Ridge was a far cry from a booming metropolis like Los Angeles. There’d be no avoiding the Barretts.
A sinking sensation of a shot dropping into a beer stein hit his gut. He was going to have to smooth things over with Jami. But what was his end game? Jami wasn’t a woman to trifle with. He was either all in or nothing.
Beck glanced at Kyle who had plugged in his headphones and was watching a movie on his phone now that the plane had reached cruising altitude. Beck stared out the small, oval window at the turquoise seas below.
Teddy Barrett might not see his own daughter’s worth, but Beck sure did. Jami was worth twenty of Teddy. She was a prize. Someone would be lucky to have her in his life. Beck’s pulse accelerated. Maybe he knew exactly who.
Beck fiddled with the shade and pulled it low so that no glare hit Kyle’s screen, and then he closed his eyes. It was a long ride back to LAX, and he had a lot of plans to formulate...between relocation, and perhaps laying the foundation for a fresh start with a sexy real estate agent.
CHAPTER TWENTY
JAMI SNAGGED A pint-sized bag of chips and an iced tea and ducked up the back stairs to her second-floor patio. With a floppy hat and a pair of sunglasses to hide behind, she nestled into the cushioned rattan chair and ottoman. She nibbled a chip and eyed the thick romance novel on the side table.
She wrinkled her nose. Romance was the problem, not the solution.
“Is that you up there?” Sam called up to her from her lanai below.
“Come join me.”
“Let’s go swim.”
“No. I’m noshing on junk food.”
“Are you still smarting from last night?” Sam paused.
Jami stuffed a chip in her mouth. “I’m fine.” Yeah, she was still licking her wounds. Between Beck and her dad, she was surprised she hadn’t bled out last night.
Sam grunted. “Dad’s a complete bastard.”
That was true enough. Jami tossed the chips on the table. “If you come up, I’ll share with you.”
“Deal.”
Within minutes, Sam bustled into Jami’s suite with a tray stacked high in succulent fruits, savory cheeses, salty olives, crunchy crackers, and a pitcher filled with a bubbly, fruity berry beverage.
Jami waved the lone bag of chips, and Sam laughed. “I knew I’d better bring some reinforcements.”
“I think I only have five chips left to share. Where did you get all that?”
“I’ve been sweet-talking one of the staff, and I got a cool tray of stuff delivered last night, and I ordered up this white wine sangria thingie on my way here.”
Jami wondered if Sam had been the smarter one. While she’d been making out with her rotten rival, Sam had at least been scoring scrumptious food.
“I’ll set us up outside, and you can find some glasses. You look like you need a drink.” Sam smiled widely, and Jami’s gloomy attitude lifted a notch.
Jami hunted and found two clean tumblers i
n the cabinet next to the mini-refrigerator and strolled out to the balcony while waving them in the air. “I’ve saved the day.”
Sam poured a generous portion of the wine and ginger ale spiked with blueberries, strawberries, and some melon chunks. “I’m dying of thirst, and this is amazing. It’s barely alcoholic. I think the staff knows we’ve all just about pickled our livers at this point.”
Jami laughed and knocked back a healthy swig.
“Do you want to talk?” Sam squinted at Jami’s half-empty glass. “The last time I saw that expression on your face was right after Eric’s mother called to break up with you. It’s more than just Dad, isn’t it? You’re in the middle of man troubles again.”
“There’s absolutely nothing going on.” Jami studied her glass. “I’m tired and didn’t sleep well after Dad’s butt chewing.”
“Whatever. Deny it ‘til the steel drum band quits playing, but I know you and that expression.” Sam popped a pair of olives in her mouth and chewed thoughtfully. “I’ve done the math, and I’m guessing you’re flirting with Beck.”
“Um. No.”
“Liar. I saw you come out of his bungalow at dawn yesterday. I don’t think you two were playing cards.”
Jami flushed. “I’m totally busted.” The tension knot in her belly loosened, and she could almost breathe.
“You lucky thing.” Sam sighed. “You were smiling and looked completely relaxed. You were in la-la land. You’d so been laid. I’m jealous.”
“Is it totally gross that I slept with our brother-in-law?” Jami studied Sam and was relieved to see that her sister wasn’t judging her.
“No. He’s hot. Besides, he’s totally unrelated. Can you even call your sibling’s spouse’s family your in-laws?” Sam plucked a handful of grapes and popped one in her mouth. “It’s way too complicated. He’s just a dude.”
“He’s the guy who’s ruining our family’s business.” Jami frowned and the knot squeezed tight.
“Don’t be so dramatic. Dad can live without expanding the business. No one’s going belly-up.”
“Easy for you to say since it’s not your deal that fell apart. I look like a loser.”
“How can you say that?” Sam was indignant. “You win at everything. You turn setbacks into victories. You know what your problem is?”
“I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”
“First off, you let Dad manipulate you.” Sam wagged a finger at Jami. “Second, you’re a big chicken.”
“I’m not a coward.” Jami glared and swatted Sam’s hand away. “Since when have I run away from a challenge? I seek them out.”
“I’m not talking about your real estate deals, or all your races, or your status as the tennis champion of Barrett Ridge.”
“What else is there?”
“You’ve only once taken a chance on love.” Sam lowered her voice and looked intently at Jami. “I’ve had a never-ending stream of boyfriends, and I think I’m in love each and every time.”
“That’s so not appealing.” Jami grimaced. “Don’t take this wrong, but the idea nauseates me.”
“See? That’s way too risky for you.” Sam nodded knowingly.
“So what’s your point?”
“Eric.”
“He’s ancient history.”
“That’s true, but I think you’ve given up.”
“One strike and I’m out?”
“Did he ever apologize to you?”
“He hemmed and hawed, but never said he was sorry for being such an arrogant ass. He mostly tried to put the blame on me.”
“That’s pathetic. Exactly how was it your fault that he couldn’t keep his pecker in his pants?”
“It doesn’t matter. He was not the one for me. I don’t love him, and I really don’t much think about him anymore.”
“Thank goodness you didn’t end up marrying him.”
“I’m relieved, too. But I’m wondering if marriage is even my thing. I did such a bad job picking Eric.”
“You win some. You lose some.”
“I don’t think I want to play the game. It’s too painful to lose.”
“We all pick losers from time to time, but that’s no reason to quit trying.”
“Did I ever tell you that Eric and I had started talking about having kids?”
“That’s a normal conversation to have with your fiancé.”
“I was the one doing all the talking, and he wanted nothing to do with it.”
“Do you want kids?”
“I thought I did, but Eric sure didn’t. At least not with me.”
“Omigod. He’s totally having twins now. That’s hilarious.”
“I’m not jealous or anything, but it does make me feel like crap. What’s wrong with me that he didn’t want to make babies with me, but some bimbo he picked up at a strip club is good enough to be the mother of his children?” Jami’s anger melted into a trickle of tears, but she scrubbed them off her cheeks.
“Oh, Jami. I didn’t know you felt that way. Eric is a total tool. None of us liked him. Would you believe that he made a pass at me during that school fundraiser three weeks ago? Isn’t that gross? His wife is pregnant, and he’s hitting on anything in a skirt.”
“I know I don’t need a turd like him.”
“Are you still in love with him?”
“No, but it still hurts that I failed.”
“How can you call it a failure if you avoid the colossal mistake of marrying a two-timing ass-hat?”
“When you put it that way, it does sound like I drew the winning hand.”
“Exactly.”
“But, I was going to go through with the wedding, even though we were fighting.”
“You were too scared to dump him.” Sam poured a fresh splash into Jami’s empty glass. “You couldn’t admit he was a loser because that would mean you’d made a bad decision.”
“I suck at love.”
“Tough. I stink at sports. Get over it.”
“How?”
“Just like in sports. You get ready for the next race or competition. I’ve never seen you give up just because you pulled a muscle and couldn’t finish a 10k.”
“That’s true.” Jami didn’t sound convinced, even to herself.
“Love is the same.” Sam laughed. “Break out a dating app or get me to set you up on a blind date. Whether it’s Beck or some other guy, get back in the game. Of course, I think Beck’s a good choice.”
“You make it sound so easy.”
“It is.”
“But what if I get hurt again?”
“It’s not if, it’s when. You can’t guard your emotions or wall them off forever.”
“I don’t know. It’s so risky.”
“You’ve always been that way, but Mom was always great at bringing you out of your shell.”
“I still miss her.”
“Every day.” Sam stared out at the palm trees. Her smile faded. “I wonder if that’s part of why you’re so closed off?”
“You make me sound like some special needs case.”
“We all need some sort of therapy, but you’ve never been a big one for wearing your emotions on your sleeve or opening yourself up to get hurt. You have a big social network, but only a handful of close friends.”
“It’s not a crime.”
“No, but I think I’m onto something. You threw caution to the wind and dated stupid old Eric, but that went sour. Now, you’re gun shy.”
“I’ve been on a date or two since the Eric disaster.”
“Really?”
“I had coffee with Jay Dunning.”
Sam choked. “He’s over fifty years old and has grandchildren in my class.”
“Got ya!”
“All I’m saying is that you try too hard to protect yourself, but at least you’ve ventured out and had a fling with Beck.”
“He’s probably another Eric.”
“Give him a chance.”
“I’m sick to my stomach.” Jami
shifted to one hip and pulled her knees up to her chest. “I have a crush on the man who’s wrecking our family business.”
“Even Austin said there will be other opportunities.” Sam scrunched her nose and shook her head. “It’s not the end of the world. You need to let Dad run his business and not get drawn into his web. He’ll twist you up in knots. Every. Single. Time.”
“I hate losing.” Jami’s voice was soft.
“Pride goeth before the fall.”
“I think it already has.” Jami folded her hands across her knees and rested her chin on them. “I may have to chalk this up to experience and move on.”
“Don’t sell yourself short with Beck. Besides, he’s going to be around town a lot. Don’t give up without at least competing in the game.”
“I lost the match. Love zip.”
“Will Thanksgiving be awkward?” Sam laughed heartlessly.
“Shut up.”
Sam patted Jami’s arm and stood. “Let’s go swim. Today’s our last day, and we need to snag a few more rays of sunshine before we head home.”
Jami gave Sam a lopsided smile. “I’ll join you in ten minutes.”
“Good. I’ll be waiting at the stairs.” Before she closed the door behind her, Sam turned and squinted at Jami as if daring her to be late.
“Don’t worry. See? I’m up and getting my swimsuit.”
The door closed, and Jami stared into the mirror over the dresser. Sam was right. She needed to let go. She was worried that one defeat would prove to everyone that she was a failure. She had a reputation of a tough competitor, but deep down, she was afraid she was a fraud.
It was easy to compete in a triathlon. She knew the rules. But when it came to love, she didn’t know the first thing. Her father played games and kept her second guessing her worth.
With a last glance in the mirror, Jami bent and rummaged through the dresser drawer for a bikini. She held up a scarlet string bikini top, and she quivered. She closed her eyes, and she was back at the waterfall pool. Beck’s hands caressed her neck as he tied her top for her. Heat flowered between her legs, and she hugged the fabric to her breast.
Two Reckless Hearts (Barrett Ridge Book 1) Page 13
