by Brook Wilder
“Well, this is a hell of a way to wake up.”
I jump, squealing loudly. With how deeply he seemed to be in it, I didn’t expect Dominic to wake so quickly. I turn, and I’m rendered speechless.
Dom leans against the door-jamb separating my kitchen from the living room. I knew he didn’t have much going on as far as clothing went, but seeing him standing tall and bare chested, nothing but his boxers hugging his body, and a bear paw tattoo on his chest, he’s got me speechless.
“Something the matter?” he asks. “Anything I can do to help?”
He doesn’t even wait for me to answer before he saunters into the kitchen. Dumb as it sounds, his muscles ripple with each movement, and my mouth dries as he comes close to me, as his arms brush mine. His scent wafts up. He smells so good.
Come on. Get your head together, Amy. He’s just a man.
I force my schoolgirl thoughts out of my head as I smack Dominic on his hand as it sneakily reaches out to steal a piece of bacon.
“No picking at the food until it’s all done!” I scold him, letting that settle the mood.
No use or need to get all hot and bothered.
Dominic pouts; damn, it’s not getting easier to not ogle him. His poked-out bottom lip just reminds me how close I was to those lips just hours ago. How we almost go up to more, and how badly I wanted him to…
Focus!
“You’re no fun, Amy,” he says. “And here I thought I’d have some good old-fashioned hospitality.”
“You can have your hospitality when you’re not getting your fingers all into food both of us have to eat.” I nod over to one of the cabinets. “Get down plates?”
“Yeah, yeah. Should totally float me some extra bacon for that.”
Even with his ‘complaining,’ he goes to the cabinet, pulling out two large dinner plates. I start loading them up as soon as he hands them over. I’m even super nice and give him extra bacon for his ‘troubles.’
I wouldn’t call myself much of a chef, but I eye Dominic’s face for any sign of pleasure or disgust as he takes a bite.
He chews and frowns.
“Taste like crap.”
I hesitate for a moment. Is my cooking really that bad? Just as I’m on the verge of asking him if he wants cereal instead, Dominic bursts into laughter.
“Just kidding.”
I shake my head.
“Very funny.”
“This is really good, Amy. Best breakfast I’ve had in a while, to tell the truth.”
I can’t help but smile at him. We lock eyes. The sexual tension between us is like nothing I’ve ever experienced. I wonder if he’s thinking about our drunken kiss last night. There is no doubt that one thing was going to lead to another, and I would have had zero regrets.
Stop it, Amy. Focus.
I look at his face, trying to avoid his muscular chest. Dominic looks like a boy next door turned movie star.
“Coffee?”
“Sure,” he nods.
I brew a pot as he continues to devour breakfast.
“Are you going to come up for air?”
“I can’t help it, it tastes so good.”
The way he says ‘so good’ makes me wonder if he’s talking about more than just the bacon. He flashes a big grin. There’s something about his smile that makes my heart flutter. I turn my attention to the coffeemaker and hope that he doesn’t notice me blushing.
***
Dominic and I step out into the morning sun. He looks sexier than ever as he hops on his motorcycle. He revs up the engine and waves goodbye as I get into my car.
Last night, we didn’t get a whole lot of research done. Between him opening up about Beth and the beer and that kiss – oh, that kiss! – it’s safe to say we were more than a little distracted. But now I feel a new resolve to find the truth.
As I drive through the streets of Tomahawk, I think about the look in Dominic’s eyes when he spoke about Beth. In my soul, I know he’s sincere. I think I can trust him. I know I’ve made mistakes before. One of the biggest that comes to mind is Lyle. But Dominic is so different.
I can’t imagine him hurting anyone. But the pain in his eyes is obvious. He has been living for years with the fear that she abandoned him – or worse, that something horrible happened to her. In my mind, I replay what he said about wanting to settle down and start a family with Beth. It’s clear that he loved her very deeply.
I doubt Dominic ever got over her. Is it even possible for him to love another woman? Is it even any of my business? I feel a little strange thinking this way. I agreed to help him, but the last thing I need is to get caught up in some sort of fling, especially with Abel’s best friend.
Speaking of Abel, I call into work and leave a message with Maddison, letting her know I’m going to be a few minutes late. I need to see my brother. A few minutes later, I pull up to the sheriff’s station.
I park and walk inside. Familiar faces wave and smile at me. I wave back as I make a beeline for Abel’s desk. He’s on a phone call. I can’t help but smile at the sight of my brother in his sheriff uniform.
I think of how he used to be such a goof-off when were kids. But now he’s Mr. Law & Order. It’s cool that we both went after our dreams and stayed in the small town where we grew up.
Abel hangs up.
“Hey!”
I give him a big hug.
“Hey!”
“What brings you in here? If it’s another parking ticket, I can’t help you out this time.”
I smile. “No.”
“Good.”
I lower my voice, “Can we talk in private?”
“Is everything okay?”
“Yeah.”
He grabs his empty coffee mug and leads me into the kitchen. We’re alone. He pours some coffee into his mug.
“You want some?”
“No thanks, I already had some.”
“What’s up?”
I glance around to make sure that no one is within earshot.
“Lyle.”
“What about him?”
“You know he’s looking into Beth’s disappearance.”
He nods slowly.
“And you know he thinks Dominic had something to do with it?”
“That’s ridiculous. I investigated Dom, back when Beth first went missing. I didn’t find anything.”
I search his eyes. I want to believe my brother, but I can’t help but wonder if he’s covering for Dominic because they’re both Grizzlies. I try to erase that thought from my mind. I contemplate telling him about Lyle’s theory – multiple women disappearing on Dominic’s tour route – but I decide to keep that to myself for now.
“Dom had nothing to do with it. If anything…”
“What?”
“It was just really weird. How everything went down. I don’t know, I just never felt right about it.”
I take a deep breath. I consider telling him that I’m helping Dominic find the truth, but I don’t want to open that can of worms. Next thing you know, I’ll end up confessing that Dominic stayed the night at my place and…
“Amy? Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’m fine. It’s just that Lyle came by the library yesterday, and Dominic happened to be there at the same time.”
“Oh shit.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
“What happened?”
“They exchanged a few words. It wasn’t too bad but I’m afraid it might get worse.”
“Is Lyle bothering you?”
I hesitate.
“I’m gonna talk to that bastard and set him straight as soon as his shift starts.”
“I can handle myself. I’m not a little girl anymore.”
“I know, but…”
“I gotta go. I’m already running late for work.”
“That’s a shocker.”
“I know. It’s just been one of those mornings.”
I catch myself before I delve into more details.
***
I’m organizing books in the history section when a group of high school kids walk into the library. They’re a little loud, but the place is empty, so I don’t bother to tell them to be quiet. Besides, my mind is elsewhere. I can’t stop thinking about Dominic.
Two teenage girls, both of them strawberry blondes with freckles – I assume they are sisters – make their way to the science fiction section. They glance at me and smile knowingly. I can’t help but wonder what they’re thinking.
“It’s her,” the taller one whispers.
The other girl nods and keeps walking. I want to stop them and find out more, but I decide against it. I push my cart down the aisle and keep shelving books.
“Excuse me.”
The taller girl clears her throat.
“Yes.”
I turn around. I’m curious and confused. What’s going on here? If they don’t tell me, I need to ask.
“Are you going out with that famous singer?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Dominic Jones.”
“Why do you ask that?”
“Oh. I don’t mean to be nosy, but we saw you driving around with him.”
I try not to blush.
“Yeah, but we’re just friends.”
The girls giggle.
“If I was you, I would totally go out with him.”
I keep shelving my books. It’s a little embarrassing. Are rumors starting to spread about me and Dominic already? In a small town like Tomahawk, it should come as no surprise. There are no secrets around here.
But it’s not true. My heart skips a beat at the thought of that changing. I can’t deny that I’m drawn to Dominic. His looks, his smile, his confidence, his sexy singing voice and best of all, he has a good heart. I can just tell. Even though I’ve made judgement mistakes in the past, I know it’s different this time.
Yet there’s another part of me that wonders if he’s dangerous. What if Dominic has something to hide? What if I can’t fully trust him? I’m afraid to admit it, but I’m more afraid of him getting caught and thrown in jail than of anything he might do to me.
The way we kissed. That tender sensation of his lips against mine. I just can’t get it out of my head. Dominic might be trouble, but right now trouble is what I’m craving.
Chapter Eight
Dom
I walk into the diner to the sounds of an 80s rock band on the jukebox. This place hasn’t changed much since I was a kid. It almost seems frozen in time. A few white-haired regulars are watching the baseball game on TV.
Freda, the waitress, behind the counter looks up at me. She smiles wide, causing a fan of wrinkles to form around her eyes. Her blonde hair is streaked with gray, but she’s still a very attractive woman. And she seems fully aware of that.
When I was in high school, I had a ridiculous crush on her. She used to date one of the Grizzlies years ago. Back then, Freda was a sight for sore eyes, dressed in all-black leather, riding on motorcycles. The stuff of fantasies.
But so much has changed. She’s been married and divorced twice. And these days I think of her as a friend who always gets my order just right at the diner.
“Hey, Dom!”
“Hey!”
“The usual?”
“Actually, let me get the grilled special with rice.”
“Changing it up, eh?”
“Something like that. Make it two.”
She raises her eyebrows.
“Two dinners to go? Who’s the special lady?”
“It’s not like that. She’s a friend.”
“Let me tell you, both of my ex-husbands started off as ‘friends’.”
I can’t help but smile a little.
“It’s the truth.”
“How are things around here?”
“About the same. How about you? Any new songs?”
“I’m working on some stuff.”
“I’m gonna try to make it to your next show. How’s James?”
“Good. He’s about to be a proud papa.”
She smiles.
“That’s right. I think it’s great. Him and Lena were made for each other.”
“You can say that again.”
“Here I am talking your ear off... Let me put this order in for you.”
She heads to the kitchen.
I glance at the score on the TV. The Diamondbacks are losing, but I can’t help but feel like I’m on a winning streak. This whole thing with Amy was so unexpected, but somehow it’s so right. I can’t stop thinking about that kiss. I want her so bad. I don’t even know how to put it into words.
But what if the feeling isn’t mutual? What if it was just the beer talking and she wants me to stay in the friend zone? Maybe that’s for the best. I’ve got a lot of shit on my mind. I need to figure out what happened to Beth and I have to keep a careful eye on that snake known as Lyle.
A few minutes later, Freda comes out with the food. I pay her and leave a generous tip. Then, I hop on my motorcycle and head straight to the library.
At the stoplight, I glance at my watch. She should be closing up about now. I hope she’s hungry. I know I am. And, to tell the truth, I’m hungrier for a lot more than comfort food from the dinner. What I wouldn’t give to kiss Amy again and again.
I pull into the parking lot of the library next to Amy’s car. I turn off the engine and head up the mossy steps. I smile at the thought that I’ve been to the library more often in the last few days than I have been in all my life. And it’s all because of Amy.
I approach the door. Most of the lights are off inside. This place is spooky as hell. I still don’t get how Amy stays here on her own. I walk inside.
I quickly remember the rule about not bringing food into the library. But then again, I’ve already broken so many rules, like kissing my best friend’s sister. I really don’t know what Abel would think if he found out. It’s probably for the best that he never does.
“Amy?”
I look around. Nobody’s there. I hope she hasn’t left already.
“Amy?”
Seconds later, I’m face-to-face with Amy. She looks gorgeous. I have this urge to kiss her, but I stay calm.
“Hey. What’s that?”
“You hungry?”
She nods.
“I picked up some carryout from the diner. I figured, since we didn’t get a chance to finish our research, maybe we can pick up where we left off. And I wanted to check on you, make sure you’re alright. Has Lyle been around?”
“Not today.”
She stares at me with her beautiful big brown eyes. I can’t help but wonder what she’s thinking. She seems a little reluctant. I don’t want to push.
“We can do it some other time.”
“No. It’s okay. I just wasn’t expecting you and…”
“What?”
“I don’t think this is a good idea, Dom.”
“Why not?”
“Because…”
“What is it?”
“It’s probably for the best if you leave town for a while.”
“Huh?”
“It’s for your own safety.”
“That doesn’t make any sense.”
My stomach drops. I can’t believe she’s telling me this. I thought we had a connection, but it’s clear that I was totally wrong. Here am I, on the verge of falling for this girl, and now she’s telling me to skip town?
It brings back all those bad memories of Beth. In the back of my mind, I can’t help but wonder if she just wanted out of our relationship. Maybe nothing bad happened to her at all. It’s hard for me to face that. I never even opened up to anyone about the letter she wrote, except for Amy, and now Amy’s rejecting me too.