Torque

by Gillian Archer

  “I’ll think about it. You know I’m not a confrontational person.”

  “But you are when it’s something you care about. You don’t have a problem sticking up for other people like when Sabrina got pushed down by that one girl in grade school. Remember that? What was her name again?”

  “Alexis Montgomery. Wow. You remember that? I’m impressed.” Alexis hated that Sabrina had so many hot brothers who wouldn’t pay Alexis any attention, so she pushed Sabrina down during lunch on the playground. Which had pissed me off, so I’d pushed Alexis down and stomped on her fancy barrette that’d fallen off her head. She hadn’t deserved to keep such a pretty accessory when she was such an ugly person. No one screwed with my friends.

  “Right, and then they sent the three of you to the principal’s office and called your parents. Wendy was so pissed.”

  “My mom was, too. Apparently, it’s not ladylike to push people around like a hooligan.” I remembered my mom’s lecture well. It was a favorite of hers.

  “Bullshit. You were defending your friend. And I seem to remember Wendy taking you out for ice cream to thank you, once you got off restriction. She wouldn’t let any of us besides Sabrina go along.”

  “Right.” I remembered the way the boys had glared at us when we’d left for our treat. Pretty sure Nathan had muttered something about not getting any treats when he got into fights. No wonder it’d been so memorable for him.

  “So, don’t you think you deserve the same kind of defense that you’d give any one of your friends? You’re just as important, Maddie. You’re worth fighting for.”

  “I-I-I…” I shook my head, lost for words, feeling the flush heating my cheeks, and a similar heat spread to my chest. I just couldn’t with this man. He was too much. “Thank you, Nathan. I…that means so much to me. I love that you think about me like that. Thank you.”

  He hitched a shoulder and studied his empty plate like my words had embarrassed him.

  “Did you get enough to eat?”

  “Huh?” Nathan blinked, apparently confused by my change of topic.

  “Did you get enough to eat?” I stood up and grabbed his hand, pulling him up with me. “Because I’m going to give you the best blow job of your life.”

  “I, uh, okay.” Nathan followed placidly behind me as I led him back to his bedroom.

  The easiest way to my heart was through words, and I wanted, needed, to show him how much it meant to me. And he wasn’t about to complain.

  And later, after a dessert of ice cream and some messy chocolate sauce, he made love to me with an expression in his eyes that left me breathless. So many times, the words I love you hovered on my lips, but I knew it was too soon to let them go.

  He didn’t try to kick me out of his bed, letting me curl up to sleep in his arms, and I knew what a huge step that was for him. Nathan was famous for his no sleepovers policy.

  Apparently, we were breaking rules left and right tonight.

  The next morning, I stole Nathan’s shirt since mine was still missing buttons. I might’ve only had to make it thirty feet to Dylan’s condo for my walk of shame, but I wasn’t going to do it clutching my shirt back together. Inhaling Nathan’s scent that still clung to the soft cotton, I stood at the window and waited for Ryan to turn the corner so I could run for it.

  “What are you doing?”

  I jumped as Nathan’s arms came around me.

  “You scared me.” I slapped his arm as I turned to face him.

  He bent to give me a kiss, but I dodged him. “No. Morning breath.”

  “Like I give a fuck.” He still gave me a tongue curling kiss that had me forgetting my own name. Until he pulled back and asked me, “Why were you skulking in the shadows?”

  “Hmm?” I blinked a few times. “Oh. Right. I was just waiting for Ryan to go to work before I made my walk of shame. Pretty sure he’s gone now.”

  “Shit. It’s Friday.” Nathan ran a hand through his hair. “I should’ve been to work an hour ago.”

  “Well, you can leave now. I’ll go first and then you follow a few minutes later.”

  “Fuck that. Lemme grab my shoes. We’ll go together.”

  My heart filled with that same feeling from last night—awe and anxiety. “But I thought you agreed we should wait to tell anyone about us?”

  “It’ll be fine, as long as no one sees you leaving my place. And you said Ryan’s left. Dylan probably didn’t even sleep here last night, and that last unit isn’t owned by family. Hope’s busy, so who’s around to see?”

  “Right.” It’d be fine. I was just overthinking it. Right?

  “Ready?” Nathan asked he stood now with his boots on.

  I avoided looking at him and instead checked the window for foot traffic. “We’re clear.”

  Nathan had already crossed to the door but stopped with his hand on the knob. A frown creased his brow. “You okay?”

  “Yes, let’s go. I’ve still got to get dressed for work.” I joined him at the door and batted his hand away from the knob so I could open it.

  “Seriously, Maddie, what’s going on?” Nathan asked just as I pulled the door open.

  “Maddie?” My mom asked, spinning around. She had passed Nathan’s door on her way to Dylan’s. Now she stood frozen. Her eyes flicked from me to Nathan then back to me, taking in my borrowed Badass Builds t-shirt and wrinkled skirt. “Um, I thought you were staying with Dylan.”

  Seriously? It couldn’t have been Hope? Or Dylan? “Mom. Oh my god. Really? You couldn’t have called?”

  “Someone wasn’t answering her phone.”

  “Well, someone was busy,” I snapped.

  “So I see. And how long has this been going on?”

  “I’m an adult, Mom. I stopped answering to you a long time ago. As you can see, I’m alive and well, so you can call off the search party. Now if you’ll excuse us, Nathan and I need to get ready for work.”

  I was midway to kicking my mom off Nathan’s doorstep when I heard the distinct sound of baby Fliss’s wails, which could only mean that Hope was on her way out her door with Fliss.

  Shit.

  I grabbed my mom’s arm and tugged her into Nathan’s condo, slamming the door behind her.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Nathan

  “What the hell’s going on?” I blinked at Maddie.

  “Sshhhh!” Maddie hissed, ducking behind the curtains and peeking out.

  A beat later, Fliss’s wails passed by the door. Hope murmured to her baby. “It’s all right. Uncle Nathan just needs to learn how to close his door like a normal person and not the jerk that Daddy says he is. Well Daddy doesn’t say jerk, but Mama doesn’t curse, and Daddy really shouldn’t either.”

  Her words faded as she walked away and Maddie slumped against the window. “That was close.”

  “What the heck is going on?” Maddie’s Mom swung her wide-eyed stare between me and Maddie. “I feel like I just stumbled into an episode of Three’s Company!”

  I really didn’t know how to answer that without answering it. And we weren’t supposed to be answering it. God, I really needed a cup of coffee. “I’m dating your daughter.”

  “Nathan!” Maddie’s glare could’ve started a fire.

  “What? Is there another explanation for why you’re clearly wearing my shirt and hiding from one of your best friends inside my place?” I shook my head and headed for the kitchen. I didn’t do woman drama period, but I sure as fuck wasn’t gonna do it without some caffeine in my bloodstream.

  But unfortunately, my attempt to run from the problem didn’t work. Maddie dogged my heels.

  “I wasn’t ready to tell my mom about us yet. I thought we agreed to wait.”

  “Fine.” I filled up the pot with water then transferred it to the machine. A few seconds later, the lifegiving scent of coffee flowed into the kitchen. I turned to Maddie’s Mom, Kim, and crossed my arms over my chest. “Maddie slept over last night since Dylan wasn’t home. She ripped her shirt and needed
to borrow one of mine.”

  “Uh huh.” Kim raised her eyebrows. “That all sounds like it could be the truth to me.”

  “Because it is.” I grabbed a coffee cup and held it up for Kim. When she nodded, I grabbed three and set them on the counter. “The part I left out is where I ripped her shirt off her body and that she slept with me in my bed.”

  “Nathan!” Maddie hid behind her hands with a groan. “Why are you doing this to me?”

  Mostly because I enjoyed riling up her serious façade. The woman took herself way too seriously. Also, I still hadn’t had any caffeine this morning. “What? It’s the truth.”

  “Truth that my mother doesn’t need to know. You wouldn’t say something like that to Wendy.”

  “Can and have.” Not that it was the best idea to talk about past lovers, but it was the truth. “Aunt Wendy knows exactly who I am, and so do you. I just don’t see the point in lying to your mom. She knows what’s going on; she’s a savvy woman. And she doesn’t seem to mind.”

  “I’m enjoying this actually.” Kim grinned at me as she crossed the room to pick up her coffee cup. “Do you have any non-dairy creamer?”

  “No, but I do have soy milk since that’s what Maddie likes in her coffee.”

  “Well aren’t you the sweetest boyfriend.” Kim’s eyes twinkled as she struggled to hide her laughter. She walked to the fridge and got out the soy milk. “And you two have clearly been dating a while if you already know how my daughter takes her coffee. In addition to other things.”

  “Oh my god, Mom. This isn’t dinner and a show. We have to get ready for work. Or at least I do. I don’t know what the hell Nathan is doing.” She sent another heated glare my way before turning back to her mom. “Can we do this another time?”

  “I thought so, but that only works if you answer your phone. You didn’t, so here I am.” Kim held out her hands in a dramatic display. “In Nathan’s kitchen when you clearly told me you were staying with Dylan. Well, no. Actually, I had to hear that little tidbit from Wendy. I’m kinda surprised that she didn’t tell me about this too.”

  “She doesn’t know,” Maddie said with a groan. “We haven’t told anyone in Nathan’s family about us.”

  “So I’m the first to know?” Kim practically preened. “I finally have one up on Wendy Wagner? Really?”

  “Again, Mom, this isn’t a competition or a show. This is my life. Why are you here?”

  “Sorry for taking an interest in my daughter’s life. I tried to go at your pace, but you weren’t communicating with me. I didn’t know what was going on. I was worried about you.”

  “I talked to you two days ago! I’m fine. I’m figuring out my apartment and my job. There is nothing for you to worry about!”

  “Your job? What’s going on with your job?”

  I put one mug back into the cabinet and pulled out an insulated travel mug. I had a feeling this was gonna take some time, and I had a bike reveal I was running late for. I poured some coffee into my travel mug and joined Maddie on the other side of the kitchen.

  Her glare was fierce, but I’d had a few sips of coffee so I was feeling bulletproof. Or maybe it was the sight of her in my kitchen wearing my shirt. Either way, I knew she was really gonna hate what I had to say next. But I still said it. “As much as I’d like to stick around, I have a bike reveal that I’m late for. Lock the door when you leave?”

  Maddie’s glare promised retribution, but I still risked it to give her one more kiss.

  A kiss that she grudgingly returned.

  When I straightened, I couldn’t help but give her one more, a little peck on the tip of her nose. Her eyes had that dreamy, aroused fogginess that I couldn’t resist. “We still on for tonight?”

  “Yes.” Her voice was all breathy when she replied. Then she blinked and her eyes narrowed. “I mean no. I have book club tonight with my friends. And I’m mad at you.”

  “I like you with a little fire. Call me when you’re done with your girls’ night.” I grinned and took a step so I was out of her reach, just in case she was feeling a little too fiery. “Kim, nice seeing you again. And maybe give my girl a break? She’s had a rough couple of weeks here lately.”

  Kim raised her eyebrows. “Well unlike you, I’ve been out of the loop, so I didn’t know anything about that.”

  I sighed. I’d tried. “I gotta get to work. See you later, baby.”

  Just before the door closed behind me, I heard Kim repeat in a teasing tone. “Baby? He calls you baby?”

  Maddie was definitely going to kill me later.

  * * *

  Dylan showed up to the reveal. Late. Which was embarrassing. We had people counting on us to do our job—camera operators, makeup artists, assistants—not to mention having the client waiting on us. And judging by the bags under Dylan’s eyes, I wondered how much of him was really here.

  I swallowed down my anger and didn’t confront him about it once he finally appeared—over thirty minutes late. And once we got underway, the bike reveal went off without a hitch.

  The cereal company loved our take on their product, judging by the huge grin on the CEO’s face as he sat on the bike. He didn’t actually ride it, but then that wasn’t exactly surprising. Most of these corporate builds were really just product placement to get whatever they were hocking a little airtime and a shiny trinket to show off at trade conventions.

  Sometimes I wondered why we put engines in them.

  “We gonna talk about why you were over thirty minutes late this morning?” I tried to rein in my anger. The camera crew was still on site, and I knew without looking that more than one lady was looking out the windows at the only two available Burns Brothers standing in the parking lot.

  “You’re not my father. Get off my fucking back.” Dylan shoved his sunglasses on and tried to shoulder past me.

  I shoved him back with one hand. “Are you fucking high? I’m not your daddy? Really?”

  “What’s your problem?” Dylan shook his head like my reaction baffled him.

  Really?

  Really?

  I was vaguely aware of the sound of approaching footsteps, but the haze of anger muffled it all.

  “Are you fucking kidding me?” I roared as I closed in on him, jabbing a finger in his direction. “You have the fucking gall to compare me with that bastard? Last I checked I haven’t murdered anyone. Or tried to kill our sister while burning down Aunt Wendy’s livelihood. And unlike that son of a bitch, I’ve been there every fucking day for you. Every. Day.”

  A muscle flexed in Dylan’s jaw like he was biting words back or something. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”

  “What the fuck is going on?” Austin shouted, wading in between me and Dylan and putting a hand on both our chests. “Are you two seriously throwing down in our client’s parking lot in full view of them?”

  Dylan sneered at both of us. “This asshole decided this was the perfect time to give me shit about siding with Dad.”

  “You’re so fucking clueless you don’t know your head from your ass.” Out of the corner of my eye I saw the cameras and James’ gleeful expression, but I didn’t let it deter me. This had been building up for a while. “All I wanted to know was why you were late. Again. You were the asshole who brought him up.”

  Ryan strolled up and put a casual arm around Dylan’s shoulders, but really, he was another referee in our fight. “Is this the best place to have this conversation? Maybe we should talk about it back at the shop.”

  “Or better yet at Aunt Wendy’s house during Sunday dinner.” Austin waded in again.

  I snorted. “That would only work if he actually showed up this week.”

  “Fuck you,” Dylan sneered. “You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”

  “So tell us! What the fuck, Dyl?” I threw my hands up in frustration. “What the hell is going on with you?”

  Dylan just shook his head as he rubbed a hand on the back of his neck. He opened his mouth
then shook his head again and turned to leave.

  “That’s it?” I shouted at his retreating back. “What the fuck, bro. Are you at least coming back to the shop? Or are you gonna run late again?”

  Dylan whirled around. “What are you talking about? We did the reveal. We’re done for the day. I’m not going back to the shop.”

  “The fuck you’re not.” I shouted back. “We got the rest of those receptionist interviews to get through. I’m not doing that shit alone.”

  “You’re gonna have to. I’ve got a thing.” Dylan shrugged and turned to leave.

  “I don’t give a shit what your thing is,” I shouted at his retreating back, making him freeze. “You’ve got an obligation, and you’re gonna see it through.”

  Dylan turned back around and glared at me. “Knock it off. Stop treating me like a goddamn kid.”

  “Stop acting like one then.” I glared back.

  But he just shook his head and walked off. A few seconds later the rumble of his bike broke the tense silence. He avoided looking at us as he rode by.

  I watched his retreating figure for a second before I turned back to my remaining two brothers. “What the fuck was that? You two seriously had nothing to say?”

  “What the hell is going on between you two?” Austin blinked at me like I was a stranger to him or something.

  I gave a baffled laugh. “Seriously? You don’t have a problem with what he’s been doing lately? Something’s not right.”

  “No, what’s not right is the bullshit you just pulled on our client’s front step.” Austin shook his head like a disappointed teacher. “That shit’s not professional.”

  “He’s right,” Ryan said quietly from behind me.

  I didn’t even bother to turn around to confront him. What was the point?

  “See?” Austin waved a hand toward Ryan like a prick.

  “No, I agree with Nathan. Something’s up with Dyl.”

  This time, I did spin around to look at Ryan. His concerned frown matched Austin’s, but he was siding with me.