by RB Hilliard
Of course I handled it as maturely as possible. I chugged down my drink and ordered another.
Chapter Sixteen
Zane
‡
Get a grip, Zane.
I was spinning out of control and didn’t know how to stop it. What the hell was wrong with me? I broke into a woman’s apartment after making her breakfast. I even stole a fucking flower for her. I don’t do relationships and I certainly don’t do love. I am not that guy, so why do I suddenly want to be? I stared out my office window and thought about what happened in Cathryn’s apartment earlier this morning. The image of her head thrown back in ecstasy, not pain, made my dick hard. Everything about this woman made my dick hard. How had she slipped past my defenses? I raked my fingers across my scalp and realized I’d forgotten to shave my head this week. I never forget to shave my head. I need to distance myself. I need to concentrate on my life and stop thinking about Cathryn. She wants to keep it professional? Fine, so do I.
Four days later…
“Look, I’m not trying to talk you out of anything, I just think you need some riding experience under your belt before going custom. What if you decide it’s not for you? What if you decide you don’t have as much time to ride as you thought? We’re talking upwards of fifty thousand dollars, Zane. Do what you want, but that’s a lot of money to drop on inexperience,” Gage explained.
“So what do you suggest?” I asked.
“I suggest we take a ride over to the Harley Dealership.”
Yesterday I was looking for something in my office safe when I came across an envelope with my mother’s handwriting on it. Inside were pictures of my father. A few were of him on his motorcycle. I’d forgotten about the motorcycle. How could I forget something that once meant so much to me? For hours I stared at those pictures and let myself remember. Not long after Dad died Mom sold the motorcycle and I cried for days. I promised myself I would buy my own one day. I’d been thinking a lot about my dad lately. I wondered what he would look like now if he’d lived. I hoped he would be proud of me. This got me thinking. I had the money. Now would be the perfect time. So, I picked up the phone and called Gage.
Gage Blackwell ran a custom motorcycle shop at an upscale garage called MMG. MMG was owned by Max McLellan. Max and Gage came into Whisky’s every now and then but since Max’s best friend, Kurt, owned Dragonfly, they mainly stuck to that side of town. Their women had been in several times, however, and each time they had caused some sort of hell in my bar. We now had an unspoken understanding. When the MMG women walked through my door, I called Max or Gage. Gage was more than happy to talk bikes with me and suggested we meet at MMG the following day.
“I hear you but I like the idea of a custom build,” I told him.
Gage tapped his finger on his chin and stared at me. “How about this, ride with me over to the Harley dealership sometime this week and, if you still want custom after, I’ll give you custom. That work?”
“That works for me,” I told him. Gage stood to shake my hand and Max walked in.
“Zane Mitchell, how the fuck are you?” he asked. I shook his hand and he pulled me in and slapped me on the back.
“What’s up man? How is that gorgeous wife of yours doing?” I teased. Everyone knew Max McLellan was crazy possessive over his wife, Ellie. Max’s eyes narrowed and I laughed. He smiled and turned to Gage. “Are we drinking tonight?”
Gage looked over at me. “Can you stay for a few?”
“Let me check with my boys at the bar and I’ll let you know.” I stepped out of the room to call Blake. Apparently Sally had shown up for work for a change, so Blake was in a good mood and told me to take the night and get laid. Yeah right.
When I stepped back into Gage’s office Cas was there. Cas Ashford was part owner of a security firm called LASH. Cas was also involved with Max’s sister, Sarah. Cas and I got along well but he hated Hunter because of something that happened between Sarah and Hunter. I never had gotten the complete story on that. Cas and I nodded to each other.
“I left the girls at the house. They were ordering pizza and watching movies. I say we have a drink here and head to Dragonfly,” Max suggested. Everyone nodded in agreement and we headed toward the bar area.
After a drink I followed them over to Dragonfly. Dillon had been bragging about the new beer garden and I was anxious to see it. The crowd was cheering as we walked through the door and Isabella launched into an amazing version of David Bowie’s Rebel Rebel. I followed Max across the bar and wasn’t paying attention until I was standing in front of her. Cathryn.
What is she doing here? Before I had the chance to ask her, Lena was introducing her to everyone and Cas had taken the seat next to her and was chatting her up. Fuck that!
“Hey Zane, long time no see. What can I get you tonight?” Lena asked.
“Whatever you have on tap,” I told her. Cathryn loudly laughed and my eyes shot to where she was sitting. She had on one of those stretchy dresses that showed her curves. Her creamy skin called to me and I had to look away to keep from touching it. I watched Lena slide Cathryn another drink and wondered what number she was on. As soon as Cas stood and headed for the bathroom, I stole his seat. Dillon launched into Peaceful Easy Feeling and Cathryn began singing along. I could tell she was drunk by the way she swayed dangerously back and forth on the barstool. God, the woman was something else. Without appearing to want my attention, she had it. I waited for her to look at me and asked, “Are you having a good time?” She drunkenly bobbed her head up and down and continued singing.
“Is this man bothering you?” Cas asked from behind us. We both turned and Cathryn gave him one of her killer smiles. I wanted to punch him in the face.
“Zane here thinks I’m utterly forgettable,” she slurred, “Do you think I’m utterly forgettable?” Cas gave her a puzzled look. His eyes drifted to me and I shrugged. I had no clue what she was talking about and then it hit me. My phone conversation.
“Cat-” I started to say.
“Don’t worry Zane,” she patted my arm, “I forgive you.” She stood and without saying a word headed in the direction of the dance floor.
“What was that about?” Cas asked.
“Nothing,” I told him.
“It didn’t sound like nothing.”
For the next hour I watched Cathryn dance. A few times I started to rescue her from wandering hands but each time she managed to deal with it herself.
By the end of the night she was hammered. She’d just ordered what had to be her fifth shot, when I decided I was done. As if sensing the night was over, Lena slid me the bill. I quickly paid, said our goodbyes and hustled Cathryn out. Too drunk to put up much of a fight, she slumped into the passenger seat and eventually passed out.
When we reached the complex, I parked and stared over at her. She was out cold.
How could I be so careless with my words? I didn’t mean it. In fact, after I said it I wanted to take it back. I needed to apologize but clearly now was not the time. With a sigh, I exited the car, walked around to her side and gently lifted her out. Then I carried her up to her apartment and used my key to open the door. Her place was dark but I knew where I was going. As I lay her on the bed she roused.
“Zane?”
“Yeah, babe, I’m here,” I told her.
“I wanted it to be you,” she slurred.
Gently brushing her hair from her face, I asked, “You wanted what to be me?”
“My vibrator,” she whispered. Her head dropped back and her loud snore let me know she was officially out. I waited for a few minutes to see if she would revive but she didn’t, so I removed her shoes and pulled her comforter over her.
Well fuck, I thought, as I walked out her door.
Chapter Seventeen
Cathryn
‡
Bang! Bang! Bang!
“Go away!”
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Whoever was at my door was not going away. I pried an eye open and gla
nced at my clock. Thank God it was Sunday. If not, I would be an hour late for work and Zane would be losing his mind. Zane. Bits and Pieces of last night rushed back in and I let out a groan.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
“Hang on!” I shouted. Slowly, I pushed myself up to a sitting position. Nausea roiled in my belly. I was fine last night…until Zane arrived. Then I turned into that girl and started slamming back drinks and acting like a dumb ass. I rubbed my aching head. A lot of good it did me. I vaguely remember Zane putting me to bed last night but I couldn’t recall the details. Note to self, don’t do that again.
As soon as I determined I could make it without vomiting, I shuffled to my front door. Not bothering with the peep hole, I pressed my mouth to the crack in the door and asked, “Who is it?”
“It’s Lena, Cat! I wanted to make sure you were alright,” Lena called through the door. Her loud voice made me wince. I opened the door and stepped back to let her in.
“Don’t talk loud,” I told her. “As you can see, other than looking like something the cat chewed up before dragging home, I’m fine.”
“Good gracious, you look awful,” she loudly whispered.
“Why thanks.” My sarcastic retort made her laugh.
“I’m really hoping that’s mascara on your lip,” she said with a big grin and it was my turn to laugh.
“Owowowow,” I chanted at my pounding head. I told Lena to sit and went to the kitchen to get a glass of water and start a pot of coffee. On the way back to the living room I grabbed three Advil and swallowed them down.
She waited for me to settle before diving in. “Soooo, what’s the deal with you and Zane?”
Not a damn thing was on the tip of my tongue. Instead of saying it though, and risk outing myself, I decided to play dumb. “Uhhh, nothing, Zane is my boss.”
She eyed me for a second and then quietly said, “Wow, and I thought we were friends.”
Awww, damn, she just had to go and pull the friend card. “We are friends. I just don’t like talking about Zane. The entire situation is embarrassing, not to mention unprofessional,” I tried to explain.
“Did he do something to you?” she whispered.
“What? No! That is not what I meant,” I stammered, and then grabbed my aching head. Finally, sick of trying to watch my words I just told her like it was. “I have feelings for Zane. He stopped by the other night and I invited him to dinner. At the end of the night I kissed him and he couldn’t get out of here fast enough. After that he disappeared for four days. He obviously doesn’t feel the same for me and it really, really sucks. That’s what’s up with Zane.”
Lena’s eyes softened and a look of pity appeared on her face. My eyes instantly welled. “Don’t you dare feel sorry for me, Lena Owens. I am well aware I’ve done this to myself.”
“Honey, I wish we had met earlier so I could warn you about what a man-whore Zane Mitchell is, but I do not pity you.”
I threw up my hands in frustration. “What’s wrong with me? I know what he’s like, believe me I do, but I can’t get him out of my head.”
“Let’s get you a cup of coffee and then we can talk,” she said.
I followed her into the kitchen and fixed us both a cup of coffee. Once we settled back into our seats she told me everything she knew about Zane. A few things she mentioned really hit home. One I already knew, Zane Mitchell was a major player. However, I was beginning to see that he was even more emotionally stunted than I’d realized. I wasn’t dumb enough to think I could change him. I didn’t even want to try and change him. I actually liked the man. He was gorgeous and successful but wasn’t obsessively fixated on money. I liked how we bantered back and forth. I even liked his surly attitude. By kissing him I placed him in an awkward position and I shouldn’t have.
“All you need is to get out and meet some people. Good looking single men come into Dragonfly every night. I promise, once you start dating around you will realize that Zane is not the guy to hang your heart on,” Lena said.
“I never expected to like this job so much. I really don’t want to lose it,” I confessed.
“Then let Zane go and move on.”
She made it sound so easy but there was a major flaw in her plan, I was falling in love with the man. Of course, I didn’t tell her this. Lena was right. I needed to figure out a way to move on. We talked a little more about last night and how amazing Dillon and Isabella were on stage together. I now understood what Zane was talking about when he said he wanted the best. It was going to be hard for him to find an act to beat what Dillon and Isabella had, that’s for sure. After exhausting the subject of Zane Mitchell, Lena left to run some errands. We agreed to have lunch sometime later in the week. The rest of the day I planned on relaxing and taking it easy. Maybe I would even watch a movie or two. Before that, though, I needed a shower.
While washing off my drunken night in a nice hot shower, I contemplated my situation. The thought of leaving Riverbend made me sad, but I wasn’t sure I had the emotional fortitude to stick around and watch Zane with his revolving door of women. Thank God I didn’t confess my feelings to him that morning. The more I thought about it, the more I decided this might just be a blessing in disguise. I had my own issues to deal with. The last thing I needed in my life was a man with commitment issues. Zane’s utterly forgettable comment hurt me, but it also put me in my place. I am his best friend’s little sister and his employee. That is all I will ever be.
After my shower I was feeling better about things. Lena was right. I needed to get out more and start dating. Zane Mitchell was not the only shark in the sea. He was just the only one I wanted.
I’d just hit play on my first movie of the day when I heard a knock at my door. After clicking the pause button on the remote, I walked over to the door, lifted to my toes and peered through the peep hole. When I saw who it was, I dropped back down and smiled.
Steeling my expression, I opened the door and said, “I’m surprise it took you so long.”
“What I did was inexcusable and I am truly sorry.”
I let out a snort of contempt, “You think?”
“I love sweets.”
“You told me you had a dead daughter, Mr. Brass.”
“My wife doesn’t understand.”
“And your nonexistent aunt got run over by a bus,” I continued.
“She can eat anything she wants and it doesn’t affect her.”
I could feel myself caving. “You told me you had a dead daughter,” I repeated.
“I’m a horrible man.”
Contriteness didn’t suit him at all. “Was your wife as mad as I think she was?”
“Worse.” He sighed. “Please say you’ll forgive me?” His hang dog expression was both pathetic and endearing.
“Fine, but no more sweets and no more lying, okay?”
“I am a reformed sinner,” he said with a smile.
“Yeah right. Would you like to come in?”
“I’d better not. Dani would have my ass if she found out.”
A burst of fear shot through me. “She doesn’t think we are…?”
He laughed. “No, she thinks I have bothered you enough, that’s all.” Relief poured through me. Danielle Brass was one scary woman. He stared at me for a second and then asked, “Why such a sad face?”
“I’m about to watch a sad movie,” I told him.
“No, it’s more than that. Do you want to talk about it? Wait, is it a guy?” I shrugged and he smiled. “I can see that it is. How old are you, twenty-two or three? Men are worthless until they’re in their thirties, and even then half of them are still shmucks. Take it from an old man who’s been around the block a time or two, you’re worth all the tea in China and any man who disagrees is a fool.” My eyes welled and he patted my arm. “Dani and I are grilling burgers by the pool tonight. Come join us?”
“I’m sure the last thing your wife wants is me around,” I sniffled.
“Are you crazy? She would kick my ass if she fou
nd out I let you refuse me. Please say you’ll join us.”
I was about to turn him down when he informed me he wouldn’t leave until I said yes. “Is this a private party or is the whole complex invited?” I asked. The last person I wanted to see right now was Zane.
“It’s just us but you can invite anyone you like,” he replied.
“No thanks. I will join you but only if you let me bring something, and it won’t be dessert. How about I bring the potato salad and beer?”
“Chips, too?” he asked.
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Can you have chips?”
He laughed. “I swear on my Aunt Bula’s grave I can have chips. It’s only sweets I have to worry about.” His mention of Aunt Bula, plus the mischievous gleam in his eye, made me smile.
“That really was horrible of you,” I told him.
His smile fell. “It was and I sincerely apologize. I never meant to hurt anyone. If it’s any consolation, you make better cookies than my daughter and the banana bread was out of this world.”
“Seriously, I could have killed you, Mr. Brass,” I scolded.
He patted my arm. “But you didn’t. Look,” he held out his arms, “I’m as good as gold.”
I snorted and he laughed. “Never again, okay?”
He held up his hands. “I swear.”
“We’ll see, now, what kind of chips do you like?”
“Spicy Doritos, though Dani likes Salt-n-Vinegar Pringles.” I made a mental note to get both kinds. Hopefully I could convince Mrs. Brass I meant no harm to her husband by appealing to her stomach. Once we decided on a time, Mr. Brass took off and I was left to watch my sad movie.
After the movie I rushed to the grocery store for provisions. As this was a family event, I decided on my solid black one piece instead of my usual two piece. It was conservative, yet attractive. I quickly pulled my hair into a ponytail before whipping up my stepmother’s famous potato salad. Then I shoved the twelve pack of beer and chips into a tote, threw on my cover-up, slid into my flip flops and headed downstairs.