Looks Like Trouble to Me - UNCUT (Bad Boys Need Love, Too Book 1)

by Calinda B

  “Huh,” Billy said. “You could do better. She’s no Kate.”

  And that’s a problem, why?

  “That’s for me to decide. Have her number?”

  “I don’t know. I tend to delete the ones I put on the back burner. They always try to contact me again so…” He drifted off, looking thoughtful. “You know where she works. What else do you need? Man, I feel like dog shit,” he said for the third time. “I think I’m still drunk. Or high. Maybe both. I’m going to call in sick and hope that no one saw me. Even if they did…” He glanced around. “I’ve gotta sleep this one off.” Without another word, he slouched away, leaving Jace standing with his mouth open.

  “What a prick. Only thinks of himself,” Jace muttered. But he’s right about one thing. I do know where Zoé works. I might have to make another trip to Seattle without Billy. What’s another two hours out of my day? He sighed, his thoughts on Marni.

  At lunchtime, he decided to head over to Aunt Molly’s and check on Marni. As he traipsed to his motorcycle, he spotted Kate in the parking lot, walking straight toward him, stylishly dressed, as usual. His heart went into deep freeze.

  “Hi, Kate,” he said in a monotone voice as she neared.

  “Hi.” She looked at him with a mixture of sorrow, longing, and pain.

  “What are you doing here?” he asked. He studied her impassively. Her silky hair, lithe body, and drop dead gorgeous face used to excite him to no end. Too many bad experiences had left him cold.

  “I heard about your sister. That’s rough.”

  “Yeah,” he said stiffly. “I’m trying to keep it quiet but everyone seems to know. To what do I owe the visit? You didn’t come here to talk about my sister.”

  “No,” she said, taking a step closer.

  He stiffened. “Then, what?”

  “I, um…I got a job—away from here.”

  “Oh, yeah? Good for you. It’s about time you took care of yourself for a change.” He took a step backward.

  Her eyes narrowed at the slight but she pressed on. “Yeah. I think it will be good for both of us. We have to see each other too much in this town.”

  He nodded, his lips pressed tightly together, his heart forming a glacier in his chest. Each time he saw her he had to re-live the breakup all over again.

  “It’s in California.”

  Jace’s shoulders fell away from his ears. Thank God. “The job?”

  “Yeah. At a museum. I’ll be setting up new exhibits.”

  “That’s great, Kate. You’ll be good at that. I’m happy for you.”

  “I’m really sorry for the way things turned out between us,” she said, her eyes locking with his.

  “If you’re hoping to find signs of a connection,” he said, “you can stop the search. I’m over it.”

  Her eyes grew teary. She nodded. “I understand.” She stroked the polished black alloy of the Deus with her fingertips. “I haven’t used for months. Ever since we split up. I’m clean.”

  “It’s about time,” he said. “You’re too good for that shit.”

  “I know. I went through a hard time, that’s all.”

  “It’s not all and you know it. I could have stood by you while you cleaned up your act. But you had to fuck Billy.” He clenched and unclenched his hands.

  “I know. It was stupid. I’ve re-lived that moment a thousand times, wishing I could change it, wishing I could erase it. I was in love with you, Jace. I thought you were the one.”

  “Don’t start with this shit again, Kate. I’ve heard it a thousand times.” He ran his hand wearily through his messy hair, then picked up his helmet off the black leather seat.

  “We could…I could…we could try again, you know. I could show you that I’ve changed.”

  “From two states away? Right.”

  “Well, I haven’t started the job yet. I could say something came up in Washington and I couldn’t accept it.”

  Jace studied her beautiful heart-shaped face, the delicate, light blonde hair framing her cheeks. He’d once been completely addicted to Kate Bethlehem. She was his moon, his muse. He photographed her in exotic places around the world. He loved her under star-kissed skies and sun-lit beaches. He could never get enough of her. She’d been his drug. But me? I’d been her means to get high.

  “I don’t think my heart could take it, Kate,” he finally said. “You shattered it, first when you became an addict and then when you took up with Billy.”

  “I only needed the drugs to get through a rough patch,” she said.

  “Nuh uh. Not buying that shit. You got addicted to narcotics, then to the pain killers prescribed to me for no reason other than they made you feel good. And then you felt so good you fucked Billy.”

  “It was only one night,” she pleaded.

  “Right. We both know that’s not true.”

  “It was a mistake.”

  “Yeah, that’s what my sister says. Mistakes have consequences,” he said, thinking of Marni. “I’ve gotta get going. I only have so much time for lunch.”

  “I could go with you,” she said, hope blooming on her face. “My treat.”

  “Nope,” Jace said. “You’re no longer a part of my life. I’m actually glad you’re moving away.”

  “You’re such a stubborn asshole when you want to be,” Kate said, anger flaring in her eyes.

  “Jesus, Kate.” His gaze snagged on Billy, sitting in his gunmetal gray Porsche, watching them from across the parking lot. “You’d stand a better chance with him.” He stabbed his thumb toward Billy.

  “With who?” Kate whirled around, spied Billy, and then spun back around to face Jace.

  Billy laughed, his laughter punctuating the air like a hyena’s bark.

  “I thought you called in sick,” Jace called. “What are you still doing here?”

  Billy fired up his car and sped out of the parking lot, sending gravel spraying.

  “You’ll never let that go, will you?” Kate said.

  “Not if I’m smart, I won’t.” His heart softened a little. “Look, Kate. You know how much I loved you. But it’s over now. All I can do at this point is wish you well and move on with my life.”

  “Are you seeing anyone?” she asked, looking up at him through her long lashes. “You know…a girlfriend?”

  “Not yet. Maybe. I don’t know. It’s none of your business, though. Let’s at least part in peace. I don’t want another argument. I’ve had enough drama with you to last a lifetime. I’d rather remember the good times.” He smiled a half-hearted smile. If there were any…

  She lifted her gaze to meet his. “All right, Jace, if that’s what you want.”

  “I think it’s what you want, too, if you really think about it. We both needed a clean break, remember?” He pointed to his tattoo.

  “Yeah,” she said, lifting her sleeve to reveal a smaller, but similar design. “It was the last great promise we made to each other.”

  “So, let’s keep it, okay? Clean break, free the past, move forward with peace,” he said, repeating the phrase he’d uttered to her so many moons before on an isolated ridge in the mountains. It was the last time he’d made love to her. Come to think of it, it was the last time I loved, period.

  “Clean break, free the past…” Her words broke off in a sob. “Who’s going to love me the way you did?”

  His face grew stony.

  She turned her tear stained face up to him. “Remember Paris?”

  “Of course I do,” he said, woodenly.

  “How about Peru?”

  “Stop this, Kate. Stop memory tripping. It doesn’t change the way I feel about you right now.”

  “I’ll always love you, Jace. You were the best thing that ever happened to me.”

  “Yeah,” he said, his lips pressed into a lifeless smile. “I was. And I’ll always remember you, too. Goodbye, Kate Bethlehem.” He gave her a polite hug and kissed her soft cheek, fighting the urge to shout with glee at her departure. “And good luck in Califo
rnia.” He hoped the way was clear, now, to pursue something new. Then again, with the way things had been going, trouble would probably get in the way.

  Chapter 5

  Zoé

  Zoé hugged her dad tightly at the front door of his house tucked in the older neighborhood of Seattle’s University District.

  “Glad you’re feeling better today,” she said to him.

  “Yeah, they do a good job at Harborview. These cuts will heal in no time,” he said, indicating his bandaged thigh.

  “Tell me the story. What happened?”

  He shrugged. “I was guiding a group of teens down the river. We came across a boat that had capsized. The kids were all swimming, floating, screaming for help. I helped.” He shifted his weight to the side. “Want to come in?”

  She didn’t move. “Come on, Dad, there’s more to this story, I know it.”

  “Yeah, maybe.” He looked away.

  “Out with it, Dad. Tell me what happened.”

  “One of the girls got caught in a hydraulic. My legs got banged up a bit trying to rescue her. That’s all.”

  “Jesus, Dad, why do I have to pry information out of you?” Zoé huffed. “I hate that. You called me to pick you up. You didn’t call your girlfriend. At least do me the honor of not having to beg for facts.”

  “We lost her,” her dad said, staring at nothing.

  “Who did you lose?”

  “I gave her CPR —the girl. But she didn’t make it.”

  “She what? Didn’t make it as in dead?” A sudden head-rush overtook her, threatening to make her knees buckle.

  “Yeah.” He squeezed the bridge of his nose.

  “Oh, Dad, I’m so sorry.” She wanted to throw her arms around him but noted his stiff posture.

  “I’ll get over it.”

  “Stop being a hard ass. I can see this really shook you up.”

  “I said, I’ll get over it.” He pointed his gaze at her.

  Zoé stepped back from the reprimand.

  “I’m sorry, honey. You’re right, I am shaken up.”

  She regarded him softly. “Thank you. I hope it didn’t hurt to admit that. You’re such a stubborn man sometimes.”

  “It doesn’t do me any good, though, to whimper about it,” he said, resuming his tough-guy demeanor. “Watching the life seep out of a young woman…” he added, as if to himself. He whipped his face away, swiping his eyes with his thumb and forefinger.

  She picked at a piece of peeling paint on the doorjamb and surveyed the splintery front porch. “You might put a little care into the house, too, Dad.”

  “I’m thinking about it. My girlfriend said the same thing.”

  Zoé grimaced. “Like her opinion matters.”

  “You’ve got to give her a chance, sweetheart. She’s really nice.”

  “Look, I know you like her but why do I have to? She’s not Mom.”

  “And she’s not trying to be,” he said, exasperated. “Just give her a chance. Dinner Sunday? I’ll cook. All your favorites.”

  “Maybe. I have to work the lunch shift.” She paused, glancing at his shorts and frayed t-shirt. Her mother-hen role kicked into gear, the same way it always had since he and her mom divorced. “You do realize it’s raining today, right, Pops? I mean, shorts? Really?”

  He chuckled. “Stop mothering me, Zoé. You know me —I’m comfortable in shorts.”

  “Yeah, I’ve even seen you wearing them when it’s snowing.” She turned and leaned against the side of the house, crossing her arms.

  “I think you’re trying to change the subject. I won’t force you to like Linda but it would sure be a kindness if you’ll get along. Your mother and I divorced years ago. I never thought I’d love again. You might be happy for me.” He, too, leaned against the wall, mimicking her posture.

  Zoé sighed. “At least your girlfriend doesn’t allow you to boss her around like you did with Mom.”

  “Your mom held her own with me,” he said defensively.

  “So why didn’t she start her own business until she left you?”

  “Because she took care of you kids,” he snapped, scowling. “Enough, Zoé. We’ve gone over this a million times. I made mistakes. Are you coming to dinner on Sunday?”

  “Okay. Dinner, Sunday. I’ll at least be polite,” Zoé said. “I’ll come.” She patted his shoulder.

  “That’s my girl.” He pushed away from the house. “Maybe I’ll go fishing tomorrow with Jonas. That’ll take my mind off these damn stitches. See if we can catch a salmon for supper.”

  “Cook it on the grill?”

  “You know it.”

  “I think there’s still corn in the stores.”

  “Sounds great.”

  “Okay, if it’s grilled salmon and corn on the cob, I’m in.”

  “You can bring over the guy you’re dating.”

  “Billy O’Reilly? God, no! He doesn’t even remember my name.” The mere mention of Billy’s name made her sweat. She stroked her forearm, trying to soothe away his memory.

  “What an asshole!” her dad commiserated. “No one treats my daughter that way and gets away with it. Where’s my knife?”

  Zoé chuckled. “You don’t have one.”

  “Okay, where’s a paddle?”

  “Uh, rafting paddle?” She smirked. “Probably with the rafts and other water stuff at the adventure center where you work, miles from here.”

  “Darn it! Where’s a tool for annihilation when you need one?”

  “In your locked closet where you keep the guns.” Zoé patted his head.

  He smiled. “So, nobody else?”

  “No. Haven’t found anyone I like.” Except for Jace. Too bad he was with Billy. She’d spent last night with her battery powered boyfriend, immersed in thoughts of Jace. Her fingers began tappity tapping on the doorjamb.

  “Keep an eye out. You never know when you’ll meet the right guy.”

  “What?” She blinked, focusing on her dad, instead of her rabid fantasies.

  He stared at her with a strange, soft-eyed gaze. “You’ve got a big heart, honey. A lot of love to give. Make sure you give it to the right guy. Keep your eyes open. He’s out there. And he’s not going to be a guy who uses you.”

  What does that mean? He knows I pick losers, too? “Okay,” she said cautiously.

  “You’ll know it when you’ve met the one. And when you find him, hold on tight.”

  That’s the problem. How will I know? I fell hard for Jack, and even harder for Billy. How will I know when I’ve found the one?

  The soft gaze disappeared. He winked at her. “In the meantime, I thought you had to get to work.”

  “I do. I wanted to check on you first, though.”

  “Thank you, honey. You’re a good daughter. Always so dependable, responsible. You’ve been my rock since your brother died, you know that?”

  “I know. I’m the one everyone can count on.” She sighed. Reliable me. “We don’t need to revisit that time. Please.”

  “Yeah, I know. I’ve been thinking about him lately. Wondering what he’d be doing with his life if he were…”

  “No, Dad, don’t. I can’t keep looking backward. I should run. I’m glad you’re okay.” She kissed her dad goodbye on the cheek and headed toward her Jeep.

  Twenty minutes later she let herself in the back door to Chica Ríos, wandering to the break room to deposit her purse and coat.

  Devon, dressed in his work attire of black pants and shirt, greeted her as she entered. “Hey, gorgeous. It seems you have an admirer.”

  “What do you mean?” She tucked her purse and coat in the cubby on the back wall and picked her server apron off a hook where she’d left it the night before.

  “Over there. On the table. See anything?” He slammed his locker shut.

  She spun around, coming face to face with a vase of roses. “Oh! Man, am I observant,” she said, shaking her head. “I completely missed these. They’re beautiful. Are they for me?”


  “See for yourself. Look at the card.”

  She plucked the small, white card free from the plastic holder, reading the word Zoé in a descriptive, flowery font. She slid her finger under the flap and opened it, pulling out a crisp white card. Care for some trouble tomorrow night? Meet me after work. Love…

  Her brow furrowed. “It doesn’t say who it’s from.”

  “What does it say?”

  She read the card to Devon. “The only person I can think of who would have sent these is…” A blush formed on her cheeks as she thought of Jace.

  “Is…?” Devon prompted. He regarded her with an impish smile. “Sounds like definite trouble if you’re already blushing.”

  “It could be nothing. It’s the guy who was sitting with Billy last night. We chatted a bit. I found him sexy. But then when I found out he was with Billy, well…there went that fantasy.”

  “He might not be so bad. He didn’t leave with them. You can’t always judge a guy by the company he keeps.”

  “Yeah, but if he’s hanging around Billy?” She stuck out her tongue and wrinkled her nose. “No, thanks.”

  Devon shook his head. “I told you, we could have finished him off, right then. A little poison in his beer and…” He slashed his hand across his throat.

  Zoé laughed. “It’s sure tempting. What do you think?”

  “I think you should give the new guy a chance. He said, ‘after work.’ He’ll probably show up here. Have a drink with him. I’ll be here. Martha will be closing. Jose, the new cook, will be in the kitchen. You’ll be safe.”

  Zoé thought for a second. “I don’t know. That whole crowd is kind of messed up —Billy and friends. I’ll see if he shows up. If it doesn’t work out, I leave, and you take him out back and mess him up a bit.” She winked.

  “I’ve got your back, girl.” Devon winked back. He looked at the clock on the wall. “Three thirty. Time for the fun to start.”

  “Here we go,” Zoé said. “Let’s serve the good people of Seattle.” She held out her fist to bump knuckles with Devon before heading out to the floor. Before departing, she fastened her apron around her waist, grabbed an order pad from the shelf, stuck it in her pocket, and followed Devon onto the floor.