“You can move in tonight if you’d like. You could come by when our shift is over.”
I thought about Liam. “That would be great, but I would have to take care of something right after.”
Turned out, she had a small two-bedroom brownstone. One bedroom was at the front of the house, her son’s room was at the back. Therefore, every time I came upstairs, I would walk past her bedroom door. The place was older but well maintained. The floorboards squeaked. That didn’t bother me other than hoping if I worked late, I wouldn’t wake her when I came in. It was a solution to a problem that saved me money.
I had all my things and could’ve just texted Liam the good news. Yet, I found myself standing outside the hotel room door. I shouldn’t have been nervous. He’d made his feelings clear. When I opened the door, I planted a smile on my face and hoped I wouldn’t leave in tears.
Eleven
Liam
Highlights of last night’s game were on the screen when Natalie walked in.
“There’s food on the table if you’re hungry,” I said, and turned away. Despite having put our connection on ice, I was still crazy attracted to her.
When she didn’t answer, I turned in the direction of the door as she stopped short of joining me on the sofa.
“Thanks, but I’ve eaten. I do have news.”
That sounded ominous and I muted the TV. “What’s up?”
“I’ve got a roommate.”
“That is good news,” I said, feeling somewhat disappointed.
“Yeah.” Her smile wasn’t a bright as her words. “In fact, I’m moving in tonight. I just didn’t want to text you. It felt wrong.”
“Is it nearby?” I said, managing to sound casual.
“Actually, it’s not. It’s in the opposite direction of the hospital. So I can’t stay long. I don’t want to show up late.”
Awkwardness set in as neither of us knew what else to say. I stood, walked over and gave her a hug. Everything I couldn’t admit was all wrapped up in it. “I’m happy for you,” I whispered in her ear before pulling back.
“Thanks. I think it might work out better than my original rooming situation,” she said, sounding relieved.
“Even better.” I hadn’t let her go and she hadn’t tried to leave.
“Thanks for everything.” Then she lifted on her toes. It wasn’t supposed to happen as she looked as surprised as I felt. Instead of a platonic kiss on the cheek, our lips mashed together in fire. I might have known better but when she gasped, I would have taken things deeper. Only she shrugged out of my hold before I could.
Her cheeks were in flames and the scorch marks of our kiss still burned my lips. I watched as she fled, leaving me alone with the embers of my thoughts. If there had been any chance for us, I would have chased after her. As it stood, it was for the best, because I’d clearly lost all reason. I was ready to step back everything I said for at least one night.
Instead, I was hard, lonely and missing a woman I barely knew. We’d taken a step past friendship to the point that I cared a lot about this woman’s wellbeing. I needed to know she was safe out in the big bad world. Snagging my phone, I sent her a text.
Me: Be safe. Text me you made it safely.
When the reply came, I’d almost given up on her answering.
Natalie: You too. Thx again. Don’t be a stranger. We should do dinner before you leave NY.
Me: We should. Don’t be a stranger either. We’re practically neighbors.
That last bit was a reminder that our homes outside of New York were nearby. It was an hour before she replied.
Natalie: I arrived. And yes. If not in NY, there is always dinner in MD.
Maryland. Home would never be same, knowing her home base was so close. Things might be different for us when she returned there.
While I was in the shower, I got a call from Grant. He left a message, but when I tried to call back, I got his voicemail. It wasn’t surprising, considering cell service was spotty at his cabin.
Sitting on the sofa with the TV on in the background, I realized how alone I felt. I never believed myself to be someone who needed company. Yet, somewhere in the last few days, I’d gotten used to Natalie’s presence. In a weak moment, I picked up my phone, letting my finger hover over the call button after I’d pulled up Carrie’s contact.
It would be so easy to call her and have one night of forgettable sex with a familiar person. However, what would that solve? There was no getting back with Carrie. Though my moral compass fluctuated enough to allow me to fuck her one more time. Only there was no turning back the hands of time. I couldn’t lead her on and have a bad case of the regrets I’d called Natalie out for.
What did I really want? Natalie. I wanted to sink into her honey sweetness and lose myself. I wanted to wake up next to her one more time.
“Damn it, Liam,” I said out loud to no one. “You let her walk away.” I had because I had that much respect for her. She wasn’t just some random chick you meet with an itch you needed scratching. She was the kind of woman you introduced your mother to. That was the reason I’d let her go.
I had nothing more to offer her than one fantastic night. I still needed to figure where my life was headed. I hadn’t been home that long from deployment. Yes, I had a job with Uncle Ted, and I could do it well. The training I’d received in the military had given me other skills. I also could go back to the covert unit I’d been in. Possibilities.
By the time I got the call from my brothers for a meet, I was crawling up the walls. New York was dead because of the virus. My hotel was like an island I couldn’t get off. I’d been on the verge of going back home to Maryland when I got the text.
This time when I knocked on the door, I was let in without suspicion. Kalen, however, hadn’t lost his hostile gaze. I was led to the same room I’d come face to face with my father. Only he wasn’t there.
Four faces watched me as I came in and sat in the empty chair across from the sofa where Bails and Lizzy sat. Connor and Kalen stood behind their respective wives.
“First,” Connor began.
“Would you like something to drink or eat?” Bails cut in. She waved to the spread of finger foods and drink laid out on the coffee table between us.
“No, but thank you for offering,” I replied.
“I’m Bailey by the way, Kalen’s wife. I didn’t get the chance to introduce myself before. This is Lizzy, of course, Connor’s wife.”
“Nice to meet you,” I said.
“First,” Connor repeated, asserting himself again. “The kids are napping. No shouting or raised voices.”
“Fine with me,” I agreed. Just don’t say anything shady, I thought.
“The samples were submitted. The lab came back and said it could be weeks before we could get the results. Whatever this virus thing that’s going on, most labs joined to help develop testing for or are slammed doing testing for that with limited staff due to lockdowns. DNA tests that don’t relate to crime scenes aren’t high on the priority list no matter how much money we could throw at it in normal circumstances,” Connor said.
“What are you saying?” I asked, my bullshit meter on high alert.
“I’m saying, according to the lab, it will likely be weeks before we get results,” Connor said.
Kalen jumped in. “What Connor means is that you don’t need to wait around New York. We will contact you when we get them back.”
“I’m not leaving New York until those results are back,” I said.
Connor sighed. “We figured you’d say this.”
Then it hit me. “Are you kicking me out of the hotel? Because that’s fine. I’ll find my own place.”
Bailey gave her husband the side eye before saying, “We aren’t kicking you out.”
“The hell we aren’t,” Kalen barked back.
Lizzy held up a hand. “I have a better idea. You can stay at my old place.”
Connor immediately spoke up. “No. He can stay at my place in Soho.
”
Lizzy held firm. “That doesn’t make sense for what you’re about to offer.”
That piqued my interest. I would have asked, what offer, but Connor countered her. “Then my Manhattan place.”
She patted his hand that rested on her shoulder. “That’s ours and with all the customizations you have there, it makes more sense for him to stay at my place. You know I’m never going back there and would have sold it, but Matt wanted a place to crash when he’s in New York.”
The way they looked at each other when she mentioned the customizations made me wonder.
“Fine,” Connor said before looking at me. “You can stay at Lizzy’s old place. It’s a two bedroom in Manhattan about a five-minute drive from here without traffic.”
“What’s the offer?” I asked.
Kalen took the lead. “We know about your training in the Air Force. We know about certain missions where you conveniently had emergency landings in enemy territory.”
What the fuck? How could they know this? That was top level, classified, most of the world didn’t know the Air Force had a covert team, information. Especially when that team had only been created when I was enlisted.
He didn’t stop there. “The point is, I have mate that owns a security firm. He could use a guy with training like yours with the added benefit that you can fly planes and helicopters.”
“Who says I’m looking for a job? I have one flying planes for my uncle—our uncle.”
“True,” Connor agreed. “But based on your background, I bet you’re bored. And with everything going on we need someone with your specific skills.”
Something wasn’t making sense. I called them out on it. “Kalen said he had a mate. But now you are saying you.”
“I did. We hire security through Griff. We need someone to run the old man to appointments for treatment at the hospital. With the virus the way it is, having him flown there will limit his contact with anyone.”
“Treatments?”
Connor shook his head. “Sorry, until we can figure out how you fit into the family, that’s need to know.”
I wanted to roll my eyes. “What makes you think I’m a good candidate for the job?” Why would they want me alone with our father?
“Seeing as you would be flying the helicopter, your life would be in jeopardy if you tried anything. Besides, his nurse or one of us would accompany him as well.”
“How does that fit with security?” I asked.
Kalen said, “If things work out, we may ask you to take our wives or kids places they need to go. We’ve had some trouble in the past and we want someone who can handle themselves with them at all times.”
There had been some stories in the news. All of them had been unsubstantiated.
Connor handed me an envelope. “Here is an offer and documentation you would need to fill out. We can give you a couple of days to think about it.”
I opened the manila envelope and took out all the paperwork, holding back shock when I saw the salary offer. “Like I said, I have a job. I can’t do this full time. Uncle Ted may need me to fly a charter for his clients.”
“Do you fly internationally?” Kalen asked, interest piqued. “We have a corporate jet.”
“It depends on the size of the jet. Though Grant’s more your guy for that,” I said, still looking at the amount they were willing to pay me.
“We can work out a daily or hourly rate. You think about it.”
Lizzy pulled out keys to the place in Manhattan. “Here. This will get you access.”
Connor gaped. “You had this planned?” he asked his wife.
She only shrugged.
“You’ll have the hotel tonight. I bet you still have things there,” Bailey said.
I really liked her even more than the rest.
“My place has a garage where you can park your truck. And thanks again for the ride the other day,” Lizzy added.
“No problem. And congrats,” I said to the new parents.
She smiled up at Connor. “Our son is the spitting image of his father.”
His jaw tightened and she patted his hand again. There was something there I couldn’t put my finger on. He didn’t seem at ease with his new role as father.
“One more question?” I asked, trying to break the tension. I got to my feet. “How does our father feel about this arrangement?”
Kalen, who didn’t mince words, said, “He’ll deal with it.”
Connor said, “He doesn’t know. We’ll tell him when and if you agree.”
“Fine. I’ll look this over and get back to you.” I held up Lizzy’s keys. “Thanks for this.”
She shh’d me. “Don’t even think about it. No one is there. It’s sitting empty. There’s furniture and a kitchen. I bet you’re tired of being cooped up in a hotel room.”
She was right about that. “I am. This is cool.”
“Don’t mention it. Trust me when I say I’m paying it forward.”
I took that to mean that someone had offered her a place to stay before when she needed it. “Thanks again,” I said, because what else could I say?
She smiled and it was genuine. It appeared the wives had my back. I didn’t have a full read on my brothers. At least they hadn’t dismissed me. They’d taken it a step further and were even helping. The question was why?
I’d gone back to the hotel and immediately thought of Natalie. She was gone and I would be too. I spent a restless night. Grant called in the middle of it.
“Sorry we keep missing each other. The weather is affecting everything. Tell me what’s going on.”
I gave him an update about the latest job offer.
“Do you want to do it?” he asked.
“I can’t leave Uncle Ted in the lurch. With you flying for Skyland—”
“That’s off for now. They’re cutting back flights because of the virus. I have Dad covered. Do what you have to do.”
The conversations with Grant gave me things to think about the job. The next day after some negotiating, they ended up revising the offer to a job-by-job basis with the understanding that my priority was with my Uncle.
What I didn’t expect was the outcome on my first day.
Twelve
Natalie
In only a few days, I had a routine. The last one I spent my time off semi-decorating my room. I didn’t want to move too much around, but I also didn’t want to feel like I was borrowing someone’s room. Ms. Allen, who insisted I call her Patty when we weren’t at work, had cleared some space in her son’s closet for me. I didn’t need much, not yet at least.
I turned on my tablet to watch something when I got a text.
Liam: I wanted you to know I’m not leaving NY yet.
Liam: I won’t be in the hotel. I’ve got a place.
He sent me the address.
Liam: It’s temporary, but I wanted you to know in case.
Oh, this man.
Me: Can I call you?
A second later, my phone rang.
“Liam,” I answered.
“What’s up?”
“Nothing. It’s just I thought talking would be better than texting.” I really just want to hear your voice, I didn’t say.
“Yeah. Sure. How are you doing?” he asked.
“Fine actually. I was off today. That was nice.”
“You should have called. We could have met up.”
“So we’re friends now?” I asked.
“Aren’t we?”
“I don’t know, Liam.” Why hasn’t he mentioned the kiss? I couldn’t forget about it. “You made it clear where we stood and now you send me your address.”
“We are both strangers in the city…” The pause was way too long. “I probably shouldn’t have.”
“No,” I said, quickly cutting him off. “No. It was nice. You’re a nice guy.”
“I’m not really.”
“You really are.” I giggled at the silliness of our back and forth.
“I can be as
much as an asshole as the next guy.”
I shook my head even though he couldn’t see it. “You’ve never shown me that side. Nice guys don’t leave anyone to freeze outside of a hospital.”
“One example.”
“Okay. Nice guys don’t think about a woman’s virtue over their own self-gratification especially when a woman throws herself at said guy.” Did I really just admit that?
“You’re different.”
“How?” I heard that too much. “Is that another way of telling me I’m ugly or not sexy enough.”
He chuckled. “Believe me, neither is true. If you weren’t you, I would be asking you what you were wearing.”
“Oh, you do the sexy phone thing?” I teased.
“I’m not sure what you mean. But you wouldn’t call me nice if you could hear my thoughts about you right now.”
“Says the guy who turned me down flat. You’re so not an asshole and that’s a good thing.”
“I’m warning you, so you don’t get disappointed. Don’t mistaken my kindness for being a nice guy. The one thing I love more than beer is pussy. And I’ve only had one girlfriend. What does that tell you?”
Why was he warning me off? The answer hit me.
“That you’re capable of love and that I’m friend material. Don’t worry. I’ve heard it enough. I used to think maybe my dad was somehow interfering in my life because one guy flat out told me ‘Your dad is scary.’ But something tells me you wouldn’t be scared of my dad. Thus, I’m unfuckable friend material.”
“No. You’re a good girl who deserves more than a guy like me who would have fucked you in a heartbeat if I hadn’t gotten to know you—”
“See.” I pointed, but again, it was for my benefit only as he couldn’t see me. “Friend-zoned.”
“Friend-zoned because I respect you. I like you as a person which overruled my baser instincts to hook up with you and walk away.”
“I’m still calling bullshit.” I smiled as I held the phone to my ear. I looked up at the ceiling and just blurted out, “Tell me what you’re wearing.”
His chuckle sent shivers through me. “Don’t start. Friends, remember?”
King Me (King Me Duet Book 1) Page 7