Fail to Trust (The Casteel Trust Series Book 2)

by Scarlet Wolfe

  “Glad to have you back, little brother,” Roman says before he chuckles. Sarge is shaking his head and Everett is laughing.

  “It’s going to be a long day, isn’t it?” I ask.

  “You better believe it,” Franklin says. “I had to cover your ass for the last month.”

  “Yeah, and if that was difficult, then it shows how valuable I am to this company.”

  Sarge rolls his eyes. “There’s the arrogant brother we know. OK, everyone back to work, and make sure the customers aren’t in the line of fire of your inappropriate behavior today. Not the female employees, either. We don’t need sexual harassment lawsuits filed around here.”

  Damn, I wouldn’t dare tell my family at this moment, but it’s good to feel like one of them again.

  Becca

  Everett’s out drumming up business today, so Reese and I go to lunch together. We pull back into the Casteel parking lot after, and I spot someone in the driver’s seat of Travis’s truck.

  “I think someone’s in Travis’s pickup, and it’s not him. Who is that?” I ask.

  “I don’t know. Let’s see.” Reese and I exit her car and start toward Travis’s truck, which is parked in the row in front of us and to the right.

  Once we’re a few feet away, I throw my hand over my mouth and snicker.

  “Is that what I think it is?”

  “I swear these men are like children,” Reese says tersely, but when I glance to her, she’s smiling.

  “So, I’m guessing the guys are pranking Travis.”

  “Yes. He already encountered a few this morning. Blow-up dolls are their favorite.”

  “What’s going on here?” Travis asks from behind us. I spin around and shield my bottom lip with my top as I try not to burst into laughter.

  He spots the naked doll and shakes his head.

  “I swear they’ve taken this shit to a whole new level today.”

  “I didn’t know you had a new girlfriend,” I say, snickering. “I’d give anything to have those sexy, red full lips of hers.”

  Taking a glimpse at me, he starts to say something but stops himself.

  “Uh, I’m gonna go inside,” Reese utters before she meanders off. Shit, why is she leaving me here?

  “Seems like they’re happy to have you back.”

  Granting me one of his boyish grins, he rests his left arm on the hood of his truck. “I guess that’s a positive way of looking at it.”

  I realize I’m blocking his door, so I step away.

  “Oh, here, I guess you’re needing inside your truck.”

  He rakes a hand over the side of his hair that’s gotten longer. It’s sticking out around his ears in a way that enhances his already sexy appearance.

  “I was looking for you actually. I was going to see if you wanted to grab lunch, but I guess you’ve already gone.”

  His smile disappears, but his gaze doesn’t leave mine. I cross my arms as vulnerability sets in.

  “Yeah, Reese and I just got back from lunch.”

  “Would you go with me tomorrow? I have a lot I need to say to you.”

  Breaking our eye contact, I look toward the sky to my left. My first thought is of Clay, who I’ve been out with a few times now.

  “I don’t know if that’s wise this soon.”

  “What do you mean by ‘this soon’?”

  “I’m worried if we talk and it goes poorly, it could hinder your recovery.”

  He takes the few steps separating us and grips my chin.

  “Beautiful, spending time with you could only help me. People can’t treat me like fragile glass. I’ve acquired other tools besides alcohol to help me deal with stress, so don’t let that be a reason to stop you.”

  “Trav, it’s too soon,” I say as my lip quivers.

  “It’s two friends talking over lunch. What’s the harm in that?”

  I recall something I’d heard about recovering alcoholics where once sober, they want to make amends with those they’ve hurt. Maybe that’s what he’s needing to do.

  “OK, I’ll go to lunch with you tomorrow.”

  That once lost twinkle is back in his eyes, competing with his genuine grin.

  “Great. We’ll talk then … if not before. I think it’s cool you’re working here like your sister.”

  “It’s only temporary, but I’m grateful.”

  His smile vacates once again.

  “Why is it only temporary?”

  “Ev’s only helping me out, letting me do some projects I can then add to my portfolio for a future job. Every company I applied to required experience.”

  “I don’t see why you can’t stay working here.”

  “I don’t think that would be good for either of us.”

  Narrowing his gaze, he purses his lips.

  “You say that because you don’t see us ever back together.”

  “No, I don’t, and I conveyed that at the hospital.”

  “And that was before I got help. I’m better, Becca, and I want the chance to show you that.”

  “This is what I was talking about and why I can’t stay here long term. You’re getting worked up right now,” I spout with a hand in the air.

  He blows out a loud breath and grips the back of his head.

  “Alright, I get it.” He steps between me and his truck door. “I need to go so I can get back here soon.”

  “Trav, I’m sorry.”

  He turns and is even closer to me now. His tall, muscular frame towers above, and portals of light sky blue stare down at me.

  “Don’t be. I shouldn’t be trying to rush things between us. I can’t expect you to trust me again this soon, but Becca … I’m not giving up.”

  The intense energy between us is concentrated by our physical attraction and emotional bond, and a sudden need for him to hold me overwhelms me.

  Knowing I’m about to cave and throw my arms around him, I practically run toward the front doors. After all I’ve been through, I need someone stable and calm in my life like Clay.

  How will Travis and I make this work when the first day we’re in each other’s presence again it turns disastrous?

  Chapter Seventeen

  Travis

  I’m fuming as I drive to the fast food restaurant. I want Becca back, and maybe I’m acting like a spoiled teenager, but I don’t want to wait for her, and I sure as hell don’t want to give her time to fall in love with Clay Carlton.

  Feeling my anxiety rising, I pull into a parking space at a fast food restaurant. I told Franklin I’d bring us some lunch back, but I need a minute to get my shit together. I’m thinking about alcohol, and not in a way I’m proud of.

  At home, I have a list of AA meetings in my area, but I need a game plan now, so I pull out my phone and search for local chapters. Once I find a meeting being held near me tonight, I feel a little better. Nervous but better.

  I pull into the drive-thru to order lunch, and an idea comes to mind. I wonder if Link would go to the meeting with me.

  Once I pull up to the window to pay for our food, another idea surfaces, so I smile at the older woman waiting for me to hand her my cash.

  “Could you add a chocolate shake to that order please?”

  “Sure, hon.”

  Yep, it’s time I got someone on my side again. I owe Reese an apology.

  I drive back to the shop and hand Link his food.

  “I have a favor to ask. Well, actually two of them. First, would you mind if I go to the back to eat? I got Reese a shake, and I need to take it to her.”

  “No problem. What’s the next favor?”

  “Uh, would you go to an AA meeting with me tonight? It’s my first one, and I–I don’t want to go alone.”

  He’s eyeing me, and after a few seconds, he cracks a faint smile.

  “I’ll go, but you’re running up a big tab of IOUs. I’m gonna start collecting on them soon.”

  “I figured as much. Thanks, man.”

  He nods and smiles broader, and
I’m relieved Franklin is a forgiving person. I do owe him big time.

  I head to the back of the store and approach Reese’s door. I know Becca is now in the office they made for Holly while she was working here. It’s between Reese’s and Sarge’s, and I want to go see her, but I stop and tap on Reese’s open door instead.

  “Trav, what do you need?”

  “Can I come in for a minute?”

  “Sure.”

  Shutting her door behind me, I step up to her desk and hand her the shake.

  “A peace offering ... I’m sorry for all I put you through the last few months and for the out-of-line things I said to you on multiple occasions.”

  She stares at the shake a few seconds before her hand stretches out to take it.

  “Thank you. Have a seat for a minute. You look good, Travis,” she says once I’m sitting across from her.

  “I feel good. Better than good.”

  Looking into her cup, she smiles.

  “Chocolate. You are truly sorry.”

  “I’ve said some shitty things to you since Becca and I broke up. It was wrong of me, and I’m sorry. I really like you, and I’m grateful you’re with Everett.”

  “Thank you. That means a lot, and I accept your apology.”

  “Do you think Becca ever will?”

  “Becca already forgave you, Trav, but it doesn’t mean she can trust you in the same amount of time.”

  “I asked her to go to lunch with me tomorrow. She said she would. I know you don’t owe me anything, but I hope you’ll encourage her to go with me.”

  She leans back in her chair. “I can’t do that. I’m sorry, but Becca has to make her own decisions. I won’t pressure her.”

  “Reese, I want her back. I swear I’d be good to her.”

  “I would like more than anything to see the two of you together again, and happy, but it’s not something that can be forced. Trust takes time to earn.”

  I nod. She’s right, and I already knew it, but I don’t want to accept it.

  “Can you tell me one thing? Do I have competition?”

  Her gaze falls to her lap, and she’s silent.

  “Great. Like things aren’t challenging enough.”

  “Look, I don’t feel comfortable talking about this with you, especially when my sister is in the office next door, but I’ll tell you this … Becca still loves you, and she doesn’t love him. Work on your own stuff, and I believe everything else will fall into place.”

  “OK. Thanks for talking to me, and I truly am sorry for everything I put you and my brother through.”

  “I know. I believe you because the real you is decent and kind.”

  Standing, I nod and smile. “Thanks, Punch Bug.”

  Becca

  I’m finishing up some things before I leave Casteel for the evening. My desk phone rings, so I grab it.

  “Hello.”

  “You have a visitor. He is at the door,” Travis says bitterly. Holy shit, who is here to see me?

  “OK, I’ll be up in a minute.”

  I shut down my computer and grab my purse. I say goodbye to Reese as I pass her office and head toward the front of the store.

  Clay is standing right inside near the counter. He’s in tan dress pants and a navy button-up shirt. I now feel underdressed in my snug red sweater and skinny jeans. His hands are shoved into his pockets, and he grins at me as soon as he sees me.

  My eyes dart to the counter. Travis is gazing at me, too, with pursed lips and a scowl. Wonderful. My stomach tangles over Clay being here, especially on Travis’s first day back to work.

  When I glance back to Clay, his eyes are on Travis and then revert back to me. He knows something is up. I approach him and give a nervous smile.

  “Hi, what are you doing here?”

  “I’m sorry to show up without warning. I thought it would be a good surprise, but I’m sensing it’s not. I wanted to check out this place you’ve been excitedly talking about, and I needed to see you, too.”

  My eyes stray to the counter again, even though I know they shouldn’t.

  “Let’s go outside. I was leaving for the day, anyway.” Clay takes my hand in his, and I cringe. The door shuts behind us, and I wish my guilt had stayed inside. I start leading us toward my car. “What’s up?”

  “I know we weren’t supposed to see each other until Saturday, but I have to fly out tomorrow at noon. I’m going to D.C. to take care of some of my dad’s business. I was hoping we could spend the evening together.”

  “Sure. That’s sweet that you wanted to see me before you leave.”

  “It’s because you’re sweet,” he stops and leans down to kiss my lips, “and sexy. Mmm … I’ve missed you. I thought I’d take you to my condo. I’ve been wanting you to see it. We could order take-out and relax.”

  “Sounds perfect, but I probably smell like a mechanic’s garage.” Leaning over a second time, Clay’s nose glides up my neck. “You still smell enticing like always,” he whispers in my ear.

  He’s feistier than usual, and I’m speculating that it stems from what he witnessed between Travis and me.

  “You can leave your car here. We’ll take mine,” he says. He’s parked next to me, so we begin our walk again. Once inside his luxury ride, he starts it and backs out.

  “Who’s the guy at the counter? He was friendly until I asked for you.”

  I lean my head back against the seat.

  “Travis … He’s my ex.”

  Clays head jerks my way. “You took a job where your ex-boyfriend works?”

  “It’s a family business, and Travis’s brother, Everett, is my sister’s fiancé. Reese works there, too, and it’s partly why Ev offered me the job.”

  “Travis was jealous. Why is that?”

  “It’s the first time he’s seen me with another guy, so I imagine it caught him off guard. It’s really nothing.”

  “When did things end between you two?”

  “Early July.”

  “It’s only been a few months then.”

  Hearing the frustration and worry in his voice, I clutch his hand between us.

  “He has seen other women since.”

  “I don’t care about that. I only want to know if I should be worried.”

  “No, you have nothing to worry about. I’m hoping Travis and I can be friends again, since our siblings are marrying, but there is nothing more between us. That was in the past, and I’m only focusing on the future.”

  He glances over again and smiles. His tension is easing, and I’m relieved.

  “Then we don’t have to talk about it again.”

  Clay is an understanding man, and Travis is not going to be. Tomorrow will be interesting. Although my head told me I was truthful to Clay, something about my words didn’t feel honest.

  I have to stay focused on him and what could develop between us. I need to remember that Travis is a loose cannon. He can be hot-tempered when he doesn’t get his way, and he has a long road ahead of him with his recovery.

  Hell, he could start sleeping with random women again as soon as tonight. I need someone more mature and stable. I keep telling myself that, anyway. Maybe spending more time with Clay will convince me.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Becca

  “Wow, your home …” I say to Clay as I stand in the great room of his downtown Atlanta condo. I’m looking around the abundant space, taking in the cream and black décor and vaulted ceiling.

  My gaze is quickly pulled to the window across the room. “You have an unbelievable night view of the city.” The glass stretches across the length of the wall and stops at about my waist.

  I glance over my shoulder and see Clay in his kitchen ordering Chinese food from a menu he’s holding. The great room and kitchen open up to one another, but I can see the long dining room table in the next room on the right.

  Looking back at the skyscrapers, I admire how they’re lit up before me, and it reminds me of a giant version of a Christmas vill
age, minus the white snow that typically sits beneath them.

  “Will white wine be OK?” he asks. “Unfortunately, I don’t have any aged bottles on hand.”

  I snicker. “Any kind works for me. It could be Boone’s Farm, and I’d be OK with it.”

  “Boone’s Farm … I haven’t heard of it.”

  Turning around, I grin at him.

  “Please don’t seek it out. I imagine you wouldn’t like it. It’s a cheaply priced wine my friends and I drank when we were teenagers. I always loved the taste of it, but it would be embarrassing to know you saw the price tag.”

  I watch him pour me a glass of white wine in the large kitchen. His condo is too much space for one person.

  “We were raised quite differently,” I say as he strolls over and hands me my glass.”

  “I guess it’s true that opposites attract.”

  “Aren’t you drinking?”

  “Not since I’ll be driving later. Getting a DUI is the last thing an aspiring congressman needs. Unless … If you think you’ll be staying the night, I could drink then.”

  His hands grip my shoulders, and he slides them up and down my arms. A seductive look is boring into me.

  “I hadn’t considered that an option.”

  “Sorry … You’re beyond desirable, Becca. It’s not the reason I brought you here, but the idea has been on my mind. Of course, I will respect your decision.”

  I take a long drink, tilting my eyes up at his the entire time. No pressure or anything. Shit. Am I ready to take it to the next level?

  “Let me think about it.”

  With gentleness, he kisses the top of my head.

  “Sure. Let me show you around.” Clay takes my hand and leads me to a hallway off the great room. There is a bathroom on the left and an office across from it. A guest bedroom is after that. Clay opens the last closed door on the left, showing me the master suite.

  “There’s a master bath through that door, and a walk-in closet there.” He’s pointing, and I’m nodding, and what I notice most about his condo is how clean it is and how every item is in its place.

  I think back to when I went to Travis’s apartment. It was cluttered and dirty, and I wonder how much our environment is a reflection of our life and mental state.