“Oh, stop it.” I playfully smack his arm and he leans in closer.
“I’m glad you came and found me.” His low-spoken words trigger goose bumps along my arms.
“I was worried I’d be interrupting guys’ night out or…” I drop my gaze to the side. A blush burns up my neck, landing on my cheeks.
“Never.”
Keegan and Sully return with two pitchers of beer and extra glasses. “Are we interrupting?” Keegan asks.
“Yes,” Liam answers in a bored tone.
I spot one of the girls from my support group and nudge Liam. “Can you let me out? I want to go say hello to someone.”
He actually hesitates and I wait for him to question me. Then he slides out of the booth and I hurry over to catch Emily before she leaves.
“Hey, Em.”
She turns and smiles when she sees me. “Hey, I thought I saw you over at Hot Guy Island.”
I let out a snort. “Overprotective Island maybe.”
“Is tall, dark, and staring holes in your back the guy you told me about? Your brother’s friend?”
“That’s him.”
My eyes follow Bree to the bar, where she stops to talk to a red-haired girl about her age.
“You scare Bree away already?” Keegan asks.
When I don’t respond, he and Sully resume whatever they were talking about.
Jake returns without Teller. “Where’d your buddy go?” I ask.
“He’s here somewhere,” he answers with the evasiveness I expect from Jake.
While the guys continue their discussion, my gaze strays to Bree, still talking to the redhead.
My diverted attention doesn’t go unnoticed by Jake. “So, is Bree single or not?”
Silence descends on the table while the guys wait for my answer.
“Not as far as you’re concerned.”
Keegan snorts.
“Dude, just piss a circle around her,” Jake suggests.
Hostility lights me up inside. “Fuck off.”
He’s not intimidated by my outburst. “Obviously you’re into her.”
“She’s special. She’s not one of your hit-it-and-quit-it chicks, so don’t even think about it.”
“Does she get a say?” Sully asks.
I cock my head, disappointed in my friend. “You too?”
“Nah. I hate seeing you so twisted up.”
“He’ll be fine,” Keegan says. “Can we discuss something else? I feel like I’m on an episode of Oprah listening to you three.”
Jake rolls his shoulders. “Just trying to get our boy laid.”
“Thanks for the concern.”
“It’s been what?” Sully asks. “Five or six months since you broke it off with Nurse-stick-up-her-ass?”
Guess I’ll never live down the night I brought Linda here to hang with my friends. It’d been an unpleasant night for everyone involved.
“Something like that,” I grumble, hating that my friend knows I don’t do one-night hookups.
I spot Teller coming out of the back hallway and stand. Jake follows my line of sight. “Christ, Hollister, aren’t you off the clock? You really need to hassle him now?”
“Mind your own business.”
I intercept Teller before he reaches the bar area and tap his arm, gesturing for him to follow me outside. He’s naturally suspicious of me and keeps his distance.
“What do you want?” he asks when we’re alone.
I hold up my hands, wanting him to understand this is personal. “Easy. You said if I needed anything for Bree, you’d help.”
That snags his attention and he drops his scowl. “What’s wrong?”
“Are you going to be around Sunday?”
“I can be. Why?” His gaze never stops moving, assessing everything around us while he waits for my answer.
Am I really asking this thug to look out for Bree?
“I have to work a double. I’m worried about Bree being alone so long.”
He runs his hand over the back of his neck and gives me a crooked smile. “I feel like you warned me to stay away from her last time we spoke.”
“Yeah, and then you fed me that line about her treating your sister nice and being a friend. Were you full of shit?”
His cocky act disappears and he glares at me. “No.”
“Can you come up with an excuse to drop by? Maybe mid-afternoon, early evening?”
“Am I staying for dinner or just checking on her?”
“Just checking on her,” I growl.
“Do I get more information?”
“What more do you need?”
He folds his arms over his chest. “Even with all the spackle she’s got caked on, it’s obvious someone cracked her in the face recently.” He stares me directly in the eyes. “Since I assume you didn’t do it, who did and where is he?”
“Her ex and he’s down in Empire County Jail.”
“Ahh, okay.”
“Satisfied?”
“I just like to know what I’m walking into.”
Fair enough. I still have an urge to punch him, though.
“If he’s in lock-up, what are you worried about?”
“His family. Specifically his brother. I’m having him served with a restraining order for continuing to harass her.”
“This douche have a name?”
“Chad Joseph. The brother’s name is Christopher.”
“Why you asking me?” He lifts his chin toward the bar. “Why not one of your more upstanding friends?”
“Because Bree doesn’t know them that well. It would be obvious I asked them to check on her.” I hesitate before adding. “And I don’t trust Jake around her.”
Teller snorts. “Can’t blame you there.”
“I can ask one of the other guys in my department to drive by, but I don’t want to freak her out.”
“Yeah, I hear you.”
“Thank you.”
“No problem.” He cocks his head, studying me for a minute. “You have any connections in Slater County?”
And this is why I didn’t want to ask for Teller’s help. Now he’ll want something in return.
“Not really. Their department’s a fucking mess. Word is that they’re under investigation for corruption.”
He nods slowly as if that wasn’t new information.
“Sunday afternoon,” he confirms.
I hold out my hand and he shakes it. “Thanks.”
Inside, Bree’s finishing her conversation and meets me at the table. Feeling territorial, I take her hand and she smiles up at me. “Emily said a group of her friends are going dancing at the Lantern and asked if we wanted to go.”
Christ, that’s the last thing I feel like doing. But I want her to feel more comfortable to go out and do things. I guess I can suck it up for one night if it makes her happy. “Do you want to?” I ask.
She glances down at her dress. “I do, but maybe another time.”
Can’t say I’m not relieved.
“Who’s the hot redhead?” Jake shouts to Bree.
She giggles and slides into the booth. “You stay away from her. She’s getting out of a bad relationship.”
The jerk has the nerve to raise his eyebrows. “You know what they say, right, Bree? The best way to get over a guy is to get under a new one.”
“No, I’ve never heard that before,” she deadpans. “That’s brilliant.” Her tone makes it clear she finds it anything but. The guys crack up. Even Jake.
Keegan leans in. “So when do you start graduate school, Bree?”
“End of August.”
“Moving back to Empire or you going to commute?”
“I…” For some reason her gaze lands on me. “I haven’t decided yet.”
I’m not sure where Keegan’s going with his questions, but given his earlier interest in my career, I sense the sneaky bastard’s up to something.
“Vince is away so much, you’d have the house to yourself most of the time,” Keegan says.
Bree tosses her hair in a vigorous headshake. “No way. It’s bad enough I need to stay there now. I don’t want to make it permanent.”
I raise an eyebrow and give Keegan a pointed look that he ignores.
“Going to live on campus?” Keegan asks.
“I guess I could. I liked my apartment…” her voice trails off. “I really need to look for a job.”
Jake jerks his thumb toward the bar. “Oscar’s always looking for pretty girls to serve drinks.”
“No,” immediately pops out of my mouth.
All heads turn and stare at me. Mistake. Telling Bree ‘no’ is as good as laying down a challenge.
Under the table, I squeeze her hand. “You don’t want to be on your feet all night long, dealing with drunks. Can’t the school find you an internship or something?”
My explanation seems to relax her. “I’ll ask around Monday.”
While I want what’s best for her, I know if she takes a job near campus, it’s one more thing that will pull her away from me.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Liam and I had such a fun evening. Even with his friends hassling each other. He may have wrapped his arm around me, but I think that had more to do with keeping his friends away from me than any romantic feelings on his part. It still felt good to be included, let go and feel normal.
I want to repay him by making breakfast before he leaves for work.
“What’s this?” he asks, walking into the kitchen and rubbing his face.
“Breakfast.”
“You don’t have to—”
“I want to. You’ve been doing so much for me. I should at least send you to work with a full belly.”
He chuckles and drops a kiss on the top of my head. “Thank you. I told you I have to work a double tomorrow right?”
The smile slides off my face. Whoa. That’s a lot of hours alone in this house. Not that my loneliness is Liam’s problem. “I should probably pack a lunch for you then.”
“You don’t have to. I usually grab something at Stewart’s.”
My nose wrinkles. “That’s gas station food. What if you get food poisoning?”
He slaps his hand over his stomach, the gesture moving the material of his faded green T-shirt up enough to provide me with a glimpse of abs. “I can handle it,” he says.
“What?” I mumble, distracted by muscle and happy trail.
His finger brushes under my chin, lifting my face. “You all right?”
“Uh, yeah. Are you ready to eat?”
“Bring it on.”
Even though I protest, he grabs plates and utensils for both of us.
“I’m not messing up your morning routine, am I?” I ask, once we’re seated.
“Not at all. This is nice. Usually I just rush around and grab whatever.”
“Figured,” I mumble.
“Have any plans for today?”
I glance up. “Not really. Why?”
“You could always go up to my parents’ if you wanted,” he suggests.
I gather up my patience before answering. “I’m not some lonely charity case, Liam. I’ll be fine.”
“Hey.” He reaches out and touches my face. “I didn’t say you were. I just feel bad for leaving you alone so long.”
“I can entertain myself.”
He stares at me for a few beats before taking his hand away. “I have to get ready. Thank you for breakfast.”
For a Saturday, our little town is surprisingly quiet. That’ll probably change later tonight, but since I’m off the clock in a few, I’m not going to worry about it. Tomorrow I’m sure there’ll be plenty for me to do.
As I climb into my truck, my phone buzzes and I groan. If it’s someone calling me back into work I’m going to be pissed.
It’s Keegan.
“What’s up?” I answer.
“Were you able to talk to your parents?”
My mind blanks. “About what?”
“The dog I need to find a home for.”
“Shit. No. I didn’t realize it was urgent.”
He sighs. “We can’t get her in for the surgery until next week. She needs to be supervised and be somewhere calm so she’s not making the injury worse.”
An idea forms and I wonder if Bree will go for it.
“How bad is it?”
“She’s mobile. Great guard dog. You don’t need to carry her around or anything. Just figured your parents are home and—”
“I’ll take her.”
“How? You work more hours than I do.”
“You heard Bree last night. She needs something to do. I’d feel better if she’s not home all alone when I’m working.”
“Okay, but what about when she goes back to school? I don’t want to keep re-homing the poor dog every couple months.”
Inside I’m laughing at the way my big, intimidating friend worries about animals more than people.
“I understand. We’ll work something out. I’ll talk to my parents too. Bring her over tonight so Bree can meet her.”
“Yeah, all right. At least Vince’s place doesn’t have any stairs.”
“Just the front porch, but we can take her in and out the back door.”
“Thanks, bud.”
We work out a time for him to stop by, and inside I’m excited about this plan. Bree’s wanted a pet for as long as I’ve known her.
Or at least she did. Am I overstepping?
If nothing else, at least I’m helping Keegan out.
Bree’s in dog heaven a few hours later. As soon as Keegan brought the dog in the house, Bree knelt down on the living room floor and the oversized Rottweiler immediately plopped down next to her and rolled onto her back. Bree’s been rubbing the dog’s tummy and humming to her ever since.
“So, I think this will work out,” Keegen comments with a smile on his face.
“She needs a more dignified name,” Bree says without looking up at us.
“What’s not dignified about Waffles?”
Bree shoots a glare at us. “She’s not some weenie dog.”
“How about Kimber?” I suggest.
Keegan raises a brow. “Like the guns?”
I tip my head in Bree’s direction. “First gun she ever shot.”
“I like it,” Bree says.
“Fine by me. Now, I need you two to keep her meals light. Haven’t been able to exercise her much, so she’s gotten chubby,” Keegan explains, earning another glare from Bree.
“You’re not chubby,” she croons to the dog.
I doubt Kimber cares what anyone thinks of her waistline as long as Bree keeps rubbing her belly.
Keegan leaves us with the medical instructions, which aren’t much. Keep her off her feet as much as possible. Pain meds as needed. Light meals. Easy enough.
Bree unfolds herself from the floor and plucks the list out of my hands.
“Will you be all right with her tomorrow?” I ask. “Sorry I sprung this on you.”
“We’ll be fine.” She hesitates and glances down at the dog. “Now that I have some protection, I guess you don’t need to keep staying here with me.”
Shit. I hadn’t even considered leaving. I hate when I have to go to work. Can’t imagine going back to my apartment knowing she’s a few streets away.
Even I have to admit, my reluctance to leave has little to do with her safety.
“That’s not why I told Keegan we’d take her.” Bree raises an eyebrow at “we” and I rush to finish my thought. “He was in a bind.”
“So, you won’t be gracing the couch anymore?”
Does she want me to leave? Or is she daring me to leave?
Kimber struggles to sit up and then stand, unsteady with her injured back leg.
“I’m not leaving. You can’t pick her up by yourself if something happens,” I answer, feeling only a twinge of guilt for using the dog as an excuse.
A look of what I want to believe is relief washes over Bree’s face. “Think Vince will be mad?”
“Nah. He’d love to have a dog. Just can’t do it since he’s never home.”
“What about when I go back to school?” she asks softly.
The question hits me hard and all the points Keegan made at the bar last night flip through my mind.
“We’ll worry about it then. I might see if my parents want her.” I take a step closer and brush a few loose strands of hair off her cheek.
She glances down at Kimber, who’s watching us closely. “Looks like we’re both homeless, girl.”
My chest tightens from the pain in her voice. “No, you’re not.”
She lets out a huff of air. “You know what I meant.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
With Kimber to keep me occupied, Liam’s long hours don’t seem so daunting. Besides, at a certain point I need to learn I can’t lean on him forever, right?
We spent last night helping Kimber adjust to her new surroundings. With Liam sleeping in the living room and me in Vince’s room, Kimber picked out a spot halfway between the two locations and made it hers by dragging over her bed and flopping down.
This morning she glued herself to my side once Liam left for work.
“Maybe you’ll come live with me,” I mutter out loud. Kimber turns her head, her fat pink tongue hanging out. She’s belly up, all four feet in the air while I rub my hand in circles over her short fur. So far we’ve discovered she really likes the belly rubs.
Knowing that my job is to keep the dog calm seems to calm me. For the first time since I came home, I feel settled and able to concentrate. I unearth my laptop and plop down on the floor next to Kimber. Opening my email jolts me into action. So many unanswered messages from people at school. I work through them steadily, ignoring the ones who must’ve read about Chad’s arrest in the paper and clearly want the gossip.
I also find a number of ranting emails from Chad’s brother. Once I realize the content is all pretty much the same, I set them aside in a special folder for Liam to go through.
A few hours later I’ve done some research on student housing—no dogs allowed—and glanced at a few for rent ads. One thing becomes clear—I need to find a job. Chad covered our bills while I was in school. My job at the college bookstore barely paid for our groceries. I have a lead on a Teaching Assistant position, but I’m not the only one applying for it.
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