by K. C. Lynn
My stomach knots at the mention of Grant.
Zoey senses the reaction. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to bring him up.”
I shake my head. “Don’t be. It’s fine.”
Actually, it’s not fine. Nothing to do with Grant was ever fine. If I could go back and change the seven months I foolishly gave him then I would. But I can’t. All I can do is move on and never let myself stoop that low again. Being with my family again will help. I’ve missed them so much.
Shoving my thoughts aside, I flash Zoey my perfected fake smile before turning back to the packed bar to deliver my order. It really is a great place with booths and high-top tables littering the worn hardwood floors, creating a maze of sports enthusiasts, eager to catch whatever sporting event is on for the evening. Most local sports teams come in to either celebrate their victory or drown their sorrows.
As I place each drink in front of the waiting patrons, I feel a crowd at my back as people take the table behind me. I spin around to greet them with a bright smile that dies when my gaze collides with a pair of sexy chocolate brown eyes that girls drop their panties for in a heartbeat.
Jase Crawford, my brother’s sworn enemy.
His gaze blatantly sweeps down my body, making my skin tingle before slowly climbing back up to my face. I stand tall, refusing to shift under his scrutiny, knowing that’s exactly what he wants. A slight smirk plays at the edge of his full lips, but there’s no denying the hint of hostility in his eyes as he stares back at me.
The sexy bastard.
No, not sexy. He’s just a bastard.
Well, maybe he’s a little sexy…or a lot. But definitely more bastard than sexy.
Frustrated with my internal debate, I shift my gaze away from his and focus on the rest of the group. My smile returns when I see a few of the guys he’s with are Jake Ryan, Cam Phillips, and Austin Hawke. They work at the fire station with him and also happen to be childhood friends of Sawyer’s.
“Well, if it isn’t little Evans,” Cam boasts, being the first to greet me.
“Hey, guys. Good to see you.”
“You, too,” Austin says. “How are things?”
“Good thanks, and you?”
He shrugs. “Can’t complain. How about your brother? It’s been a while since we spoke.”
“He’s doing great. Living the dream down in Charleston with his beautiful family. He even coached my nephew’s first year of hockey last season. My dad swears he’s a natural and the NHL’s next legend,” I relay with a proud smile.
There’s a grunt to my left, interrupting our conversation.
Twisting my head, I glare at those mesmerizing brown eyes. “You have something to say, Crawford?”
If he makes one rude comment about my family, I’ll mess up that pretty face of his.
“Nope, I’ve got nothing,” he answers with an infuriating smirk.
That’s what I thought.
I turn to dismiss him when he speaks again. “However, I would like a drink whenever you’re done bragging about your perfect family.”
My fists clench at my sides as I get the urge to slap the smug look off his sexy face. Choosing to ignore him, I return my attention back to Austin and find his eyes lit with amusement.
“What can I get you, Austin?”
With a chuckle, he gives me his order.
I move to Cam next, then Jake, making my way around the table to everyone except Jase. Once I have their orders, it’s only then that I acknowledge him.
“You?” I ask, keeping my eyes averted. If I look at him, I could end up being arrested for bodily harm…
Don’t think about his body, Sam.
“Well, thanks for finally asking me, Peaches.”
My teeth grind at the nickname. He started calling me that the last few times I’ve run into him, but I have no idea why. It drives me crazy.
“I’ll take a bottle of Bud.”
When I start away he gently snags my wrist, stopping me in my tracks. His touch ignites an inferno throughout my entire body that burns from my head right down to the tips of my pink painted toenails. I drop my gaze where his fingers sear my skin before meeting his eyes, getting lost in the deep dark irises.
“And while you’re at it, fetch me a menu.”
I snap back into myself at his condescending tone, narrowing my eyes in anger.
Oh, I’ll fetch him something all right.
Yanking my hand back, I head to the bar, slamming my tray down with a resounding smack.
Zoey looks up at me from where she makes a Caesar, her brows arched. “You all right?”
“I’m fine, why?” I grind out.
“Because your cheeks are flushed and you look like you’re about to rip someone’s head off.”
“I am.”
“Who?”
I shake my head. “Don’t worry about it.”
Concern pinches her expression. “If someone is giving you problems, Sam, just say the word and his ass is gone.”
“No, it’s fine,” I assure her. “It’s just Jase Crawford. That man drives me crazy.”
She looks over my shoulder with a smile. “Ah, the sexy fire boys are in the house.” Her fingers dance in the air as she gives them all a wave before bringing her attention back to me. “What happened with Jase?”
“He pushes every single one of my buttons.”
“I wish he would push mine, especially the one between my legs.”
As irritated as I am, I can’t help but laugh. By the smile she gives me it’s clear that was her intention.
“Don’t ever let him hear you say that. He doesn’t need his ego fed.”
“True, but you have to admit he’s hot enough to be a little arrogant. They all are.”
“Hey, whose side are you on here?” I ask defensively.
“Yours. Always yours, but there shouldn’t be any sides with the two of you, Sam. The problem is between him and Sawyer. It always has been.”
“Exactly. He hates my brother so of course that affects me, too. And let’s not forget our fathers can’t stand to be around each other either.”
Though, I’ve never understood why.
“Okay. I get it. I do,” she says. “I can assign Tara to their table. I’m sure she’ll have no problem serving a group of sexy firefighters.”
“No!” I reject her offer immediately. “I’m not going to give him the satisfaction. I can handle him.”
“You sure?”
“Absolutely.”
She shrugs. “Okay, let me know if you change your mind.”
“I will. Thanks.”
Relaying their order to her, I wait while she fills the drinks. When the sound of laughter cuts through the steady noise of the bar, I glance behind me and see it’s coming from their table. Unable to stop myself, my eyes immediately lock with Jase’s. He gives me a cocky wink that has my blood heating to a dangerous temperature.
Turning back around, my eyes land on the bottle of Tabasco next to Zoey. A smile dances across my lips as an idea forms. “Pass me that, will ya?”
“What?” she asks, bringing her attention up to me.
I gesture to the sauce next to her. “That.”
Once she hands it to me, I unscrew the top and tap a few drops into the bottle of Budweiser before soaking the rim with it.
“What the hell are you doing?”
“Fighting fire with fire,” I tell her, feeling my smile spread.
“Oh shit. I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s just a little hot sauce. No harm. No foul.”
She shakes her head but a chuckle escapes her. “Fine, but you’re on your own with this one.”
“Don’t worry. I can handle it,” I promise before pointing over her shoulder. “I need a menu too, please.”
After she passes me one, I slide it under my arm then lift my tray and head back over to their table. My smile is radiant as I stop beside Jase first. I place his beer down in front of him then
take the thin booklet from under my arm.
“Your menu,” I announce, slapping it against his chest with as much force as I can without losing my tray of drinks.
He flashes me those dimples of his that girls swoon over. “Why thanks, Peaches.”
“No problem, sugar plum,” I toss back, making him and everyone else at the table chuckle.
We’ll see how funny he thinks it is a minute from now.
I keep him in sight as I deliver the rest of the drinks. When I place the last one in front of Cam I see him grab the beer and tilt the bottle to his lips.
Within seconds what fills his mouth spews right back out. “What the fuck?” he sputters, wiping his lips with the back of his hand.
“Is there a problem with your beer, Jase?” I ask, nothing but sweet innocence coating my tone.
His furious eyes snap to mine. “What the hell did you put in here?”
“Just the Tabasco you ordered. That was you, wasn’t it?” I ask, tapping my bottom lip. “Or maybe it was someone else…”
Laughter erupts around the table; Cam’s being the loudest of all. “This is the best fucking thing I’ve ever seen.”
Jake gives me a nod of approval while Austin reaches over the table, giving me his fist. “There’s that Evans’s spirit.”
Feeling proud of myself, I tap knuckles with him. Jase, however, looks less than amused. He looks downright pissed.
With more courage than I feel, I saunter over to him, placing my hands on either side of his chair. Leaning in close, I try to ignore the way his alluring masculine scent invades my senses. “I tell you what, Crawford. If your mouth is a little hot why don’t you head up to the bar and fetch yourself some water.”
Something dark flashes in his eyes before his gaze drops to my mouth. A gasp parts my lips when he hooks a hand behind my neck and pulls me in closer. So close that I can feel his warm breath whisper across my lips.
“You just waged a war, little girl. I hope you’re prepared.”
Swallowing past my dry throat, I try to calm my wild heartbeat, refusing to let him rattle me. “No, Jase, I just ended it.” I give his freshly shaven jaw a gentle slap. “Now, let me go get you another beer…minus the hot sauce.”
I grace him with the same wink he gave me earlier then move out from under his hand and walk away. My steps are slow and faked with confidence as I make my way back over to the bar. The air that’s been trapped inside of my lungs finally releases once I reach the counter.
“Jesus murphy. What the hell was that?” Zoey asks, fanning herself. “I thought you were going to slip him the tongue.”
“So did I,” I admit on a heavy breath.
Seconds pass before we burst into a fit of laughter.
“God, Zoey.” My hand moves to the back of my neck where I still burn from his touch. I swear the guy is some sort of magician to have that kind of effect on women.
“I told you he was hot.”
“Yeah, he’s hot. And arrogant and infuriating and—”
She raises her hand with a chuckle. “I get the point.”
Shaking my head, I try to erase the last five minutes from my mind…and body. “Get me another bottle of Bud, please. I’ll pay for it before I leave tonight.”
She quirks a brow at me but does as I ask, popping the cap.
“Thanks.” Swiping the bottle, I start back to their table. My steps falter when I see a few girls have joined them, one being Stephanie Taylor. The town bicycle and Jase’s ex. She sidles up next to him, wrapping her arms around one of his biceps. He doesn’t reciprocate but he doesn’t push her away either.
A sick feeling forms in the pit of my stomach. A feeling that should have no bearing on me whatsoever because Jase is no one to me. I can’t stand him.
So why the hell do I care?
Because I don’t like Stephanie. It’s her fault Sawyer and Jase hate each other. She made Sawyer think she and Jase had broken up when he slept with her. However, I must admit that Sawyer was stupid to mess with her in the first place. Everyone knows that girl is nothing but trouble.
Arriving at their table, I avoid eye contact and place the new beer down in front of Jase before picking up the old one. My plan is to keep moving—until the bitch speaks.
“When did you start working here?” she asks in a patronizing tone. “I thought you are a babysitter.”
I’m a preschool teacher and she knows it, but I don’t bother correcting her. Instead, I turn back around and ignore the way she clings to Jase. “My friend needs extra help tonight to make sure whores like you aren’t spreading their diseases.”
Muffled chuckles sound around the table.
Her eyes narrow in hatred. “Go back to the playground you’re always at and leave places like this for real women.”
“I’d pick those children over the likes of you any day. Their IQ is much higher and so is their class.” I start away, refusing to waste any more time on her, but what she says next has me freezing in place.
“How’s your family, Samantha? Oh wait, that’s right, they all left because they couldn’t stand you.”
I fight like hell against the pain that infiltrates my chest. She’s wrong. She doesn’t know what she’s talking about. Logically, I know this, but it doesn’t stop it from hurting. She knew exactly where to hit.
“Shut the fuck up, Stephanie.”
Surprisingly, the harsh words come from Jase. A few of the other guys start in on her too, but I don’t stick around to hear it. I continue on, not wanting her to see how much her words hurt.
For the next hour, I avoid their table like the plague and hand it off to Tara. I can’t trust myself to be near that bitch. I’m not usually a violent person but for her I’d make an exception.
Spotting a few empty tables in the back that need clearing, I grab the bottle of cleaner and my dishtowel then head that way. As I’m wiping one down I sense eyes burning into my back. Looking over my shoulder, I find Jase watching me. There’s something in his gaze as he stares at me, something I’ve never seen from him before. I can’t pinpoint what it is but it’s captivating, like an invisible magnet pulling me in. I’m so caught up in it that I don’t realize I’m not alone until it’s too late.
“Hello, Samantha.”
Every muscle in my body stiffens; dread twisting my stomach at the regal voice. Straightening, I turn to find Grant. The last person on earth I want to see. I’d even take bicycle bitch over him.
He takes me in from head to toe, his nose wrinkling in distaste. Not surprising. My long, wavy hair, jean skirt, and black tank top would never be up to his standards. Good thing I don’t give a shit about his standards anymore.
Of course, he is in immaculate condition. He’s dressed in his usual business attire with not one strand of his light brown hair out of place.
Obviously, another late night at the office.
Crossing my arms over my chest, I take a step back from him, feeling my back meet the wall, and quickly realize I’m cornered. Definitely not something I want when dealing with him.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, skipping over any pleasantries.
“I came to see you. I had no choice since you’ve been refusing my calls.” His voice is calm but there’s no denying the anger in his crystal blue eyes. An anger that used to scare the hell out of me and still does, if I’m being honest, but I’d never let him know it.
I will never give him that power over me again.
“We have nothing more to say to each other.”
“Yes, we do. Now this needs to stop, Samantha. You’re acting like a foolish adolescent.”
My teeth grind at the way he uses my full name, scolding me like a child.
“It’s time to get over your tantrum and—”
“This is not a tantrum,” I snap. “We’re over, Grant.”
“The hell we are!” Fear grips my chest as he steps closer to me, his eyes flashing in fury.
Stay calm, Sam. He won’t touch you. Not here.
/>
Not ever again.
“Everything all right?”
My head snaps to the side, unexpected relief swamping me at the sight of Jase.
“Fine,” Grant answers before I can, his tone icy. “We’re having a conversation, if you don’t mind.”
“Actually, we’re done.” I seize the opportunity to slide out from the corner I’m in and move closer to Jase. “Grant was just leaving.”
At the feel of his furious gaze on me, my eyes drop to the floor, silence hanging heavily in the air.
“Very well,” Grant says, sounding a lot calmer than I know he is. “We’ll talk about this another time, Samantha.”
I shake my head but it’s pointless since he’s already turned his back and walked away. A shaky breath escapes me, my hand resting on my queasy stomach.
I should have known he would show up sooner or later.
I clue in to the person standing next to me, feeling his eyes boring holes into the side of my head.
“You want to tell me what that was all about?”
“It’s nothing,” I mumble, my throat burning with humiliation that it had to be him who showed up at the right time.
“Really? That’s why you’re shaking right now?”
I look down at my trembling hands, angry with myself for letting Grant rattle me so much. Gripping the washcloth tighter, I move to walk past him, but he doesn’t let me.
His fingers wrap around my arm in a gentle grip. “Sam…”
“Just let it go, Jase.” Pulling my arm free, I walk away and head into the back for some privacy. It takes me a few minutes before I’m able to find my composure again. When I return to finish my shift, I try not to think about Grant, but it proves impossible. So many emotions storming inside of me, especially regret.
Once the place dies down, Zoey offers for me to go home. I take it because I’m not being much use right now anyway. My head is not in it anymore and I think she senses that. It’s obvious she never saw Grant come in; otherwise, she would’ve had a field day with his ass.
After giving her a hug, I grab my jacket and purse then pay for Jase’s beer that I sabotaged. Before leaving, I glance over at their table one last time but don’t see him there. My first thought is he left with Stephanie, but I spot her by the far corner near the bathroom. I give the rest of the guys a wave good-bye then head out into the dark night.