by Kat Bammer
“Julie? I’m here, on time.” Kevin chuckled at himself. He was in a good mood. They had been busy all morning. The boys had moved stuff out of the little cottage on the shore that soon would be his new place. He, Peter, and Blake had moved all the lawn chairs, kids’ playthings, and various bits and pieces that had piled up through the years to the small woodworking studio behind Lisa’s parents’ cottage. There’d been a tense moment, because apparently Lisa’s father had died just months ago.
He’d asked later how it was possible for Blake and Peter to have the morning off, and Blake told him about his bar. He opened his bar in the early afternoon and since he had close to no obligations in the mornings, he’d decided he wanted to spend it with his soon-to-be wife at the Inn.
Kevin went into the studio. Since it was just one big room really, he figured Julie must have run to her parents’ house or something like that, and he went back to undress, when he heard a sob. He turned to the counter and peeked over it. There she was down on the floor, tears streaming down her face. Her face was in so much pain he nearly toppled over the counter in his effort to go around it.
“Julie, what’s wrong?” He slowly lowered himself to the floor and sat next to her. “Did you hurt yourself?”
Julie shook her head, but another sob escaped her mouth.
Kevin sat next to her and put his arm over her shoulders and pressed her to him. He sniffed. There was a strong flowery smell, and when he searched for the cause, he found flowers stuffed into the trashcan next to the counter. Next to it on the floor lay Julie’s mobile phone with a cracked screen.
“Hell, what happened? Did you drop your phone?”
But Julie just cried harder and turned her face into his shoulder.
They sat in this position for a while until Kevin’s leg started to cramp by the unnatural angle he’d folded himself behind the desk. Shit, he’d just got the feeling that Julie was getting a grip on her emotions and her crying got a little less heartwrenching. He angled his legs past the desk, careful to not disrupt their contact. When he looked down at her, he couldn’t fathom just how beautiful she was. Even though her face was splotchy and her nose was red, Kevin still felt insanely attracted to her.
“You ready to tell me what’s wrong?”
Julie just shook her head and pressed her face into his shirt again. But she didn’t start crying again like before, so he put his finger under her chin and lifted her face.
“Tell me what’s wrong.”
He could see the torture in Julie’s eyes, and her unwillingness to speak about it. So Kevin scrambled for a simple question.
“Who sent the flowers?” Simple enough—it would just require a one-word answer, but Julie shook her head again and swallowed. “They are from someone whom I don’t want to send me flowers. I just want it to go away.”
Okay. Kevin didn’t get it. At all. But if they were from an ex or maybe a secret admirer, whose feelings Julie didn’t return, her reaction was odd. Did the man hurt her? His stomach hardened just thinking about the possibility.
“What happened to your phone. Did you drop it?”
Julie shook her head. “He calls too… A lot.”
“So, your phone?”
There was a half-smile underneath Julie’s devastation. “I threw it against the wall.”
Kevin’s eyebrows shot up. She threw it against the wall? Just because somebody called. Someone she didn’t like? Was she nuts? “So he calls and sends flowers. Anything else?”
Julie took a deep breath and held it for a while before she slowly released. “I think. He might follow me sometimes.”
He did what? Fuck. This whole thing had turned into something deeply concerning…fast. “Where did he follow you?”
Kevin stared into Julie’s beautiful green eyes. Deep as a pond in the shadows of a forrest. None of the usual sparkling was visible; they were clouded with desperation.
“He followed me here once. And he was here at the night of the opening party.”
“So he was in here with all the other people?”
“No, he was watching through the window. He’s always watching. And then he calls me, sends me roses, and tells me about it. I know I shouldn’t freak out every time, but I just can’t control it.”
Kevin dragged himself up with the help of the counter and offered his hand for Julie to get up. When she was standing next to him, he embraced her again. They stood like this for a minute or so before he could feel her spine straighten. He released her, and she took a step back.
“We can’t do this anymore.”
“Do what?”
“Do this.” She pointed her finger between the two of them. “We can’t touch anymore. It’s not professional. And we need to be professional.”
Kevin narrowed his eyes. “Don’t you think that ship has sailed?”
Julie sniffed but then straightened her spine even more. “You don’t understand. This is what I do. He was a client of mine, too. I crossed the line. I went out with him once. And then it all turned out the way it did. This was a mistake. And I don’t want to make the same mistake again. So this has to be it. We can’t mix our professional relationship with something like this.”
Kevin took a step back. Maybe she was right. They were just muddying the water. It would be better to keep this professional. He should leave her alone; it would be better for both of them. A lot less complicated. Maybe he should have stayed home. Coming here was a mistake.
Kevin took a step back, but then he looked her in the eyes. This beautiful fairy was all broken and his instincts just wouldn’t let him leave. He stepped forward and took her in his arms again. It felt right. This is where she belonged. At first, she struggled against him. But then she relaxed, and all tension left her body, and she wrapped her arms around him.
This is where they were supposed to be. He understood all of her concerns, but at the same time there was something about her that drew him. Something strong. Like a moth to the flame. “Kevin?”
“Yeah.”
“You shouldn’t want to stay.”
“Why?”
“You should… You need to concentrate on your career. Getting you back on the ice counts. If I fall in love with you, I might get soft.”
“You? Soft? Not possible.” He could feel a small smile against his shoulder.
“If I’m soft, I will not be able to push as hard as you need to be pushed. Because it will be hard to get you back in shape. It will be hard to get you back on the ice and you will not thank me for being soft on you.”
“So then, be hard on me in here. And soft when…” …you take me to bed…was what Kevin intended to say, when his blasted phone rang in his pocket. He let go of Julie and pulled his phone out of his pocket.
“Hey, Paul, what’s the matter? Already miss me?”
“Hey, Kev. Do you know where Julie is? Somehow her phone is off.”
Kevin’s eyes met with Julie’s and her eyebrows shot up.
“She’s standing right next to me. Should I get her?”
He handed the phone to her and when he walked to the wardrobe to change into his training gear, he could hear her rambling about how she dropped her phone and it was now broken. She didn’t tell her brother what she told him—that she threw it against the wall, but rather that it was none of his business. Julie said goodbye to Paul and then she came toward him and knocked on the wardrobe.
“Kevin? He wants to talk to you again. Are you decent?”
Kevin stood up and opened the door again, and Julie held the phone in her outstretched hand. As soon as he grabbed it, she turned around and walked back into the studio.
“There something else, buddy?”
Paul hesitated for a second, but when he spoke, dread filled Kevin’s stomach. “I don’t have to say again that she’s off limits for you, do I?”
Kevin’s chest tightened. Hell, if her brother knew about his thoughts, he would sure as hell kick him in the nuts. “No, you don’t. You made yourself perfect
ly clear the first time.”
“Okay, because there’s a favor I have to ask from you.”
He blinked but stayed silent.
“Could you keep an eye on her? The parents and I are worried about her. Something’s not right, but she doesn’t talk about it. At least not to us. So, could you please fill in for me as her big brother and take care of her?”
Kevin’s stomach tightened. He knew exactly what he was doing was wrong. His best friend’s sister had a stalker and he should tell him right now that he knew what was bothering her. But Paul wasn’t here. He couldn’t do jack shit, even if he told him. And he would break the trust Julie put in him.
“I’ll keep an eye on her for you.” And he would. He would take care of her. He would take care of her inside and outside the studio. And he would take extra care to keep his distance somehow. But this was going to be hard. Maybe he should’ve kept his distance in the first place. Both of their lives were difficult enough. So it wasn’t his wisest moment to add another layer to all the shit they’d piled up.
But he could be there for her as a friend. A substitute brother. He would keep her safe, from the asshole and from his overactive libido.
7
“Hey, guys, glad you came.”
Kevin watched Blake and Peter bro-hug over the bar before he greeted Blake with a handshake.
He’d planned on spending the evening in his new cottage but then Peter knocked on his door and somehow trapped him into going to Blake’s bar with him.
Allegedly the girls were somewhere around here too. Including Julie. And seeing her in a non-professional environment was much more enticing than he cared to admit.
“What can I get you?” Blake asked.
“Beer for me—whatever’s on tap,” Kevin said and Peter just nodded in agreement. Then Kevin turned his back to the bar and his gaze glided over the room. It was a nice bar. Crowded for a Thursday evening. There were some old men sitting by the bar staring at the big TV. Some action was happening around the pool tables in the back. A surprising number of women crowded the part of the bar by the door. Kevin turned slightly, looking to see the nooks that were right next to the entrance. When he laid eyes on Julie, his nerve endings tingled. He watched her listen to something one of her friends was telling her before she shook with laughter. Kevin could hear the laugh despite the constant noise of the room. It was like a bell that reminded him of Christmas. He loved seeing her so carefree and happy. Warm, open, and radiant. This was his Julie. At the party it’d been the very thing that pulled him in. Seeing her flustered when she crashed in on him naked or fierce, that day when they had their fight on the stairs of the Inn, just made her more endearing. Kevin shook his head. Never would he have thought he would find a woman adorable when she was laying into him. He must be crazy. Somehow he must’ve hit his head when he blew his knees out, because this…this woman didn’t fit in with how he was trying to run his life. He thought about another situation. Julie, her eyes filled with tears. Shaking in desperation. He hadn’t liked this one bit. Seeing her like that. Kevin could feel the fury rising in his body. How could a man behave in such a way? Scare his woman that way.
Kevin turned back to the bar to the ongoing conversation between Peter and Blake.
“So, they’re having fun?”
Kevin didn’t need to hear the first part of the conversation to know they were talking about the girls.
Blake nodded while he filled the beer. “Would you believe it, they are laughing and giggling the whole time? Even though they’re going virgin tonight.”
“All of them?”
“Yep, they are torturing me with it, too. Pretending they’re in a fucking cocktail bar. Their last round was a virgin tequila sunrise, can you believe it? This fucking drink has the fucking alcohol in its name, so why the hell should I mix the damn thing without any?”
Peter grinned. “So what did you do?”
“OJ straight with a little bit of grenadine syrup. Nothing fancy, but they seem to love it.”
Blake scoffed and Kevin grinned. The two men could pretend all day long, but they adored their women. And they would jump through hoops to make them happy. Kevin’s thoughts still circled around Julie, sitting on the floor in her studio, crying.
“Hey, Peter, you’re in law enforcement, right?” Kevin had seen Peter in his uniform once so he was pretty sure even though he could be some park ranger or something else.
Peter nodded. “Deputy sheriff—why’re you asking?”
Kevin hesitated. He shouldn’t blab on things that weren’t his business, but he could gather some information even without telling the details. “What’s your professional opinion about dealing with a stalker? You know, what to do, what not to do, that kind of stuff.”
Peter’s face turned sheepish. “Did some crazy fan follow you here?”
Kevin grinned. “My fans are lovely. Haven’t met a single crazy one.”
Peter pinched his eyebrows together. “If it’s not that, is there something happening I should know about?”
Kevin had a sinking feeling. He shouldn’t have said anything. He guessed he could have found all the info he needed with one search of the internet. He looked down at his hands resting on the bar before he looked Peter in the eyes and shook his head. “Nope, at least not for now. But if something changes, I’ll let you know. I was just curious about your professional opinion on how to act in such a case.”
“So”—Peter took a sip from his beer—“in general, there’re a few rules a victim should follow. No contact with the stalker. He or she should tell others to increase personal protection.” Peter stared him in the eyes, until Kevin took a sip of his beer and broke eye contact. “The victim should collect evidence against the stalker. Things like that.” Peter shrugged. “But sadly, that’s not what most victims do, nor is it easy for them. Therefore, it’s important to report to the police, get them involved. There are laws against this kind of thing. And we’re better equipped to do something.”
Peter’s eyes were still focused on Kevin until he got hot under his collar. Wow, they taught those guys well on how to stare someone down.
Then Peter’s gaze turned toward Blake, and Kevin caught the long, silent look between them. They knew, or at least suspected something already.
Kevin nodded. “Thanks, buddy.” Then he turned around and watched the room again.
His eyes were naturally drawn to Julie. Like she was a magnet and he some worthless piece of scrap metal, not able to fight the pull.
A moment later their eyes connected. Kevin felt a sizzling sensation in his chest when she grinned at him. But far too soon Julie turned back to her friends when asked a question.
After a while Julie and her friends got up and sauntered to the bar to exactly where Peter and Kevin stood.
Blake took Kevin’s empty glass. “Hey, you want another beer?”
Kevin shook his head. One was his limit. Julie stepped up next to Kevin.
He could feel her body heat and a low buzz when her arm brushed his. Desire pooled deep in his belly. How was it possible that just a simple touch from this woman ignited not only his thoughts but his body, as well?
“Hey, guys, I’m gonna head home. Thanks for a great evening. I really needed this.” Julie kissed her friends on the cheeks and turned toward Kevin. “Hey, do you want to stay or need a ride home?”
Kevin thought about the attraction that spiked every single time he was near her. How much worse would it be in the small confinement of a car? He remembered their last conversation. Her need for them to keep their relationship professional. He had to rein in his hormones somehow otherwise this would never work. Maybe he should just stay for a while. Get another beer. Catch a ride with Peter. He was about to decline when he caught the look in Julie’s eyes.
She was afraid.
Afraid to go home alone. Afraid of whoever was out there watching her.
The urge to protect her drowned out every other sentiment. Maybe this wasn’t the
best idea, maybe they should keep their distance, but he sure as hell wouldn’t let her go home alone.
Kevin nodded and aimed for a nonchalant shrug. “Curfew’s a bitch.” He said goodbye to his new friends, including the two girls he didn’t know, and ignored the amused grins of Peter and Blake.
He was a sucker for this woman, all right. Kevin put on his jacket and helped Julie slip into hers. As soon as they stepped outside, Julie turned to him and opened her mouth but then snapped it back shut and turned away.
“What?”
She shook her head.
“What? You wanted to say something. What is it?”
“I was just wondering if drinking is the right choice for you?”
Kevin grinned. She was meddling again. Looking out for him, yes, but nevertheless she was all over his business. “Alcohol was never my problem. Didn’t you read my reports?”
Julie looked at him with exasperation. “They never stated why you changed to a different rehab facility. I had to google it to find out it was for addictions.”
“It was the pain meds. Even before the surgery I took them, and after, it became really problematic. So now I take nothing stronger than Advil.”
“As a rule?”
“As a rule. And FYI, I had one beer tonight. It’s not like I’m drunk or anything.”
Julie nodded. “Okay.” She cleared her throat. “Just…honesty…you know.” Then she grabbed his arm. “Just wait here, I’ll go get the car.”
Kevin’s knees were slowly getting better, but walking on gravel still felt somewhat wonky.
His eyes followed Julie across the brightly lit parking lot of the bar. Blake ran a good ship there, taking care of his patrons’ safety even outside the bar. No dark corners. Anywhere.
Julie disappeared in her car and when she drove toward him, Kevin swallowed.
This car was annoyingly happy even though it was a sorry excuse for a car. He couldn’t believe it when the small yellow Fiat 500 stopped in front of him.
He opened the passenger door and eyed the inside.
“Are you serious? I’m not getting into this. I wouldn’t even fit.” Who in the hell had a yellow car with baby-blue seats? This car was a Class A hippie car. The only problem—this wasn’t Woodstock. He didn’t even know they made cars like these.