Down and Dirty

by Christine Bell

  “No, no, I’m fine. It’s just…” Lacey snuffled and shook her head with a watery grin. “It’s so silly. We, ah, haven’t exactly been trying, but we haven’t been using any protection for the last few months since we both want to start a family soon. But nothing’s happening and I’m afraid I’m—” She bit her lip and turned away.

  “Hey, sweetie, stop that. Do you have any reason to believe that’s the case? I mean, everything normal with your monthly and all? Have you been feeling okay?”

  “Yes, it’s just… We do it all the time. Like, a lot. Constantly. Your brother is very s—”

  “Okay, I’m drawing a line in the sand. TMI. But I get it, you guys are active. Still, it takes a few months to get the Pill out of your system.” She gave Lacey’s arm a reassuring squeeze. “I’m sure it will be fine. If you want, make an appointment, and I’ll go with you and hold your hand. Or an ankle, even, if need be.”

  This elicited the desired chuckle from her friend, and the tension in Cat’s gut eased. “You were made for motherhood, Lace, and I have no doubt you’ll be able to get pregnant. If something down the line makes that an issue, there are still so many options out there nowadays. I’ll be crazy Auntie Cat before you know it, and I can’t wait.”

  Lacey smiled and nodded. “I’m just being paranoid. I know you’re right.” A car door slammed, and she pulled away. “Galen must be back with the food.” She swiped a hand over her eyes and blinked at Cat. “Is my mascara running?”

  “Nope, all clear.”

  She jabbed a finger in Cat’s face and frowned. “Do not think you’re in the clear, sister. I’m not done with you by a long shot. We’ll pick this Shane discussion up later.”

  Lacey made her way to the door to help Galen with the sandwiches and Cat let out a sigh of relief. Later was good. Later was a hundred times better than now. It would give her a chance to fine-tune her argument, and then Lacey wouldn’t stand a chance. She’d spent a lifetime convincing her friend to see things her way. This would be no different.

  If she could just avoid running into Shane over the next month, she’d be home free.

  …

  “Look who I found,” Galen called down the long hallway.

  Lacey threw her arms around Shane and squeezed. “Hey, you! I thought you were going over to your sister’s tonight to see the twins?”

  Shane shifted the bag of sandwiches to his other arm and hugged her back. “Abby has the stomach flu, so we had to postpone.” He released her, and Galen ducked in to give his fiancée a quick kiss.

  “Yeah, and I saw him at Sam’s Subs getting a meatball grinder for the game, so I dragged him home with me. The only thing better than the Patriots beating the Giants is Shane being here when it happens.”

  Shane shook his head mournfully. “I feel sorry for you, man. And for you, Lace, having to live with this delusional bastard. The Pats are going down. The reaming Tom Brady is about to take from the Giants D is going to leave him sore for a week.”

  “Put your money where your mouth is, son.”

  Lacey rolled her eyes and smiled. “You two are ridiculous. Come on, let’s get this stuff put out so we can eat.” She took the bag from Shane and started down the photo-lined hallway. “Make sure you guys take your boots off if they’re muddy and hang your coats in the closet,” she called over her shoulder.

  They complied before following her into the kitchen, where Cat stood at the island, laying out sandwich toppings. His pulse kicked up a notch when she turned to face him.

  “Mary Catherine,” he said with a nod, taking in her thunderous expression and full, glossy lips. In the past forty-eight hours, it had been his biggest regret that they hadn’t really kissed that night in Atlantic City. Granted there were other—a million other—things he wanted to do with her…to her, that he hadn’t had the chance to do, but the fact that he hadn’t tasted those lips for real in almost ten years? It was a fucking crime, and he wouldn’t let it stand. But she didn’t need to know that. Not yet, at any rate.

  “It’s Cat. And I thought you weren’t going to be here?”

  She said it with a smile, but there was no mistaking the tightness in her voice. Lacey set the bag down and stepped between them, hands fluttering. “Abby is sick, so we’re lucky to have Shane with us tonight. Isn’t that great?”

  The daggers those soft brown eyes were shooting at Cat said it all. Lacey knew what had happened between them. Interesting. He’d wondered if Cat would keep it to herself and try to pretend it never happened, but apparently, she had been compelled to share it with her best friend. Maybe that was a good sign? Although judging by the way her arms were crossed over her chest and from the expression on her face, he was guessing not.

  “Yeah. Great,” Cat replied flatly. “Is the rest of the crew coming?”

  “Rafe was supposed to come, but he got stuck at the precinct, and Mick is away on business, so it’s just us. Mom and Dad might swing by for the second half, but that’s about it.”

  “Lovely.”

  Clearly the idea of a foursome didn’t sit well with her, but it was fine by him.

  Galen set his bag down on the counter and frowned at his sister. “What crawled up your ass and died?”

  Cat unfolded her arms and shook her head. “Nothing, I’m good. Just tired.”

  “Tired from what? Aren’t you on vacation this week?” he asked.

  She made a show of fussing with the napkins. “Yes, but I still got up early and went to the gym. Plus I had a lot of errands to run.”

  Shane took a closer look at her face and noted the dark smudges under her eyes. Not sleeping well. Good. That made two of them.

  “Galen, can you help me put some of these snacks out in the living room?” Lacey asked loudly, leading the way from of the kitchen.

  Galen’s gaze flickered between his sister and Shane for a moment before he followed. “Sure. Right behind you.”

  Once Shane gauged that they were out of earshot, he rounded the island to get closer to Cat, keeping his voice low. “Listen, I—”

  She wheeled on him, quick as a snake. “No, you listen,” she whispered, keeping an eye on the doorway behind him. “I like you, Shane. You’re a good guy, and I don’t want things to be weird between us, but I didn’t expect to see you this soon after…the thing. So cut me some slack, would you? It was a mistake. I really don’t know what I was thinking. The sooner we forget it, the quicker things can go back to normal. Let’s just get through the next few weeks until you go back to California, and this will all be a nonissue.”

  The words weren’t a surprise. Hell, he’d known she was going to do her best to shove it under the rug, but the knowing didn’t make it sting any less. He curled his lips into what he hoped resembled a smile, trying to ignore the way her breasts heaved against the fitted green sweater she wore. “Take it easy there, killer. I was just going to ask you not to mention it to your brother. I know you told Lacey, but I think it would make things a little awkward trying to explain it to Galen. I don’t think either one of us needs the hassle.”

  Cat cleared her throat and nodded. “Oh. Yeah, well, duh. I wasn’t going to tell him.” She unscrewed the cap of a pickle jar and laid the spears on a plate, unwilling to meet his gaze. “And I only told Lacey because she was suspicious that something was up. I’m not a good liar.”

  Could have fooled him. She was clearly a pro at lying to herself. “Well, I’ll leave you to—” he tipped his chin toward the counter where she was building the leaning tower of pickles, way too high for the number of people there “—whatever it is you’re doing. You coming soon, or you planning to avoid me for the next few hours?”

  Ha. Judging by the look on her face, the next few years was probably more like it, but he wasn’t going to let that happen. Before he’d left Cali, he’d already put in transfer paperwork in order to be closer to his family. He’d gotten the call this morning that everything was a go, and after tying up some loose ends later in the month, he’d be on the

East Coast for good. And, for the foreseeable future, he had every intention of making sure he was front and center, in Cat’s face, making it impossible to forget what they’d done together. For her to be as haunted by the memory as he was. The way she’d felt, body pressed against his, gasping and writhing. The way she’d broken apart in his arms and groaned his name. His cock swelled, straining against his zipper.

  She gifted him with a tight smile. “Nope. No avoidance here. As long as you’re going to be cool, I’m cool. It was just sex, after all, and we’re both adults. No biggie.”

  Right. No biggie.

  “Great.” He edged around her, accidentally-on-purpose brushing his torso against hers when he passed, and she stiffened. “I’m going to grab a beer from the fridge, you want one?”

  “No, thanks.”

  Her voice sounded a little huskier than it had a moment before, and he bit back a grin and helped himself to a lager. Flipping off the cap, he threw a lingering look over his shoulder, letting his gaze travel the length of her before he walked out. “By the way, you might want to turn the heat up in here. You look cold.”

  Chapter Four

  Cat glared down at her traitorous nipples, clearly visible against the teal cashmere. At that moment, she couldn’t determine whether it was the incidental contact or the earthy scent of his cologne that brought the memories rushing in, but damned if she didn’t have the sudden urge to drag him back into the kitchen and see if the countertops were as sturdy as they looked.

  But for him to call attention to it? What a bastard. And she was the one who needed to grow up?

  “The game’s starting,” Galen called from the living room.

  She straightened her shoulders, pasted a smile on her face, and scooped up a basket of chips and a bowl of dip. After a quick nipple check, she called back, “Coming!” and went to join them.

  It took a couple hours, but eventually, she was actually able to enjoy herself. For the first half of the game, she’d been on edge, waiting for Shane to slip up about their indiscretion or embarrass her somehow. But aside from his comment in the kitchen, he’d acted like everything was normal. Maybe he really was going to let her off the hook that easily.

  Once it was apparent he’d decided to behave, she settled in, allowing herself to relax and soak up the warmth of the crackling fire. That was nice. Galen never used to light it.

  She peered around the room and noted that, in the past few months since she’d moved in, Lacey had really lent the place a warm touch all over. Cat had seen it at points, in transition, but seeing it all come together was something else. The soothing earth-toned walls and honey-colored hardwood floors made the living room feel like the welcoming great room at a ski lodge, compared with the almost sterile feel of the white walls and serviceable furniture Galen had preferred. It was nice and inviting. Still, she couldn’t help but wonder if her brother liked the new look or if this was another one of those compromises that people in relationships did for their partner.

  She was stretched out on the recliner in the corner, nursing her beer and contemplating that, when the smack talk got loud. This was the best part of football season, and she was as loud as the guys, name-calling and whooping it up. The Patriots were up by fourteen, and Galen had his sights set on Shane.

  “I can already taste the lunch you’re going to have to buy me tomorrow when the Pats log this win. But, man, don’t feel bad. There’s always next week. And Eli’s such a good quarterback. Did you know, he’s the third-most-famous quarterback…”

  “…in his family,” Cat deadpanned, as was expected of her. Her brother stuck his hand behind him from his perch on the beanbag chair in front of her for a low five, and she complied with a laugh.

  “Say what you want, but he’s a come-from-behind kind of guy,” Shane said, from his seat on the couch next to Lacey, eyes glued to the set. “Anything can happen.”

  “There you, go, Shane. That’s some team spirit,” Lacey said. She didn’t really care for football much, but she tended to join in on the jabber anyway, and always in support of the underdog. Another reason Cat loved her so much.

  “I don’t know. He’s doing a lot of scrambling in the pocket. Maybe your O-line should start thinking about waking up and buying him some time?” Galen piped in.

  Shane tipped his head and shrugged. “If a guy really knows what he’s doing, he doesn’t need a lot of time.” Was it her imagination, or had his voice gotten deeper? “He makes the most of the time he’s given.”

  Galen spouted off about benefits and detriments of a quick-fire quarterback, but Cat stayed silent, suspicious eyes on Shane. He took a pull from his beer, his gaze still locked on the TV, in spite of the commercial break. A long moment later, she finally decided that he was actually talking football and not baiting her with sexual innuendos as she’d suspected. Until he winked. Or blinked? She was directly to his left, so she could only see his one eye. Son of a bitch, he was driving her nuts.

  She popped a handful of cashews in her mouth and crunched them harder than necessary.

  “Anyway,” Galen continued, “I think it’s good to have more than one secret weapon in your arsenal, you know. And speaking of secrets. Shane.” The intensity of her brother’s expression belied his casual tone. “Got anything you want to tell me?”

  Terror hit harder than Holyfield, and Cat sucked in a panicked breath. Along with it came a wayward cashew, which lodged itself neatly in her windpipe. A little nugget of doom. Her mind reeled, the fear of being found out oddly no less potent for a moment than the fear of choking to death, and how sad was that? She tried to cough, but nothing happened. And that’s when it really hit her. She was actually in trouble here. She clutched at her throat, Shane’s voice dimly penetrating the sound of blood pounding in her ears.

  “What do you mean, bro?”

  They had no idea. She was dying and they had no clue. She wanted to scream, but no sound would come. Instead, she shot up, waving her arms, frantically pointing to her neck.

  “Cat! Oh my God, she’s choking!” Lacey screamed.

  Shane was on his feet in an instant and behind her in less, with his firm thigh planted between her legs. His strong arms wrapped around her without hesitation, his cupped fist just above her belly.

  “It’s going to be okay,” he murmured, his voice almost unnaturally calm. “Ready? Here we go.” He thrust up and in once, hard, sending the cashew along with some other nutty shrapnel flying out of out of her mouth at breakneck speeds.

  She gulped at the air, desperate for oxygen like she’d never known it, despite having only been without for a short time. She’d held her breath under water far longer, but the forced deprivation had made even these twenty seconds feel like an eternity.

  “Are you okay? Should we call 911?” Galen asked, his eyes on Shane.

  “I don’t think that’s necessary. Give her a minute, and I think she’ll be fine.” Shane turned her to face him, his perceptive eyes searching her face. “You good?”

  She nodded, swiping a trembling hand over her mouth. “Scared the shit out of me, but I’m okay.”

  The eerie calm seemed to falter as fear flickered in his eyes and his jaw tensed. “Maybe try chewing those next time.”

  Charming. Before she could shoot off a response, Lacey had grabbed her and was shaking her by the shoulders. “Oh my God, Cat. That was awful. Are you sure you shouldn’t go to the ER?”

  Cat managed a weak laugh and shook her head. “I’m just a little freaked out. Let me sit for a minute and I’ll be like new.”

  She sank back into the recliner and closed her eyes for a second. Shane was right. Aside from the jittery adrenaline dump and a bit of an ache where Shane had Heimlich-ed her, she felt like nothing had happened. She tuned back into the conversation and caught the tail end of Lacey and Galen praising Shane on his quick response. She hadn’t even thanked him.

  “You were great,” Cat chimed in. “Thanks for…uh…” What? Saving my ass? Bailing me out of trouble, just like old times? Instead she waved her hands around in the general direction of where they’d been standing, “You know, that. I really appreciate it.”

  “I’m just glad you’re okay.”

  Lacey insisted on getting Cat a bottle of water and taking the cashews from her, which was fine by Cat. Cashews were officially right up there with sushi and liver now. Never to pass her lips again.

  A few minutes later, everyone had settled back in and Cat’s hopes for a reprieve started to build when Galen turned to Shane.

  “So before Cat decided to steal your thunder, you were about to tell us something.”

  It wasn’t a question.

  Cat’s throat closed up again, but this time there was no nut to blame. She pinched the bridge of her nose between her finger and thumb and let out a sigh. “Look, this isn’t really anyone else’s business. We—”

  “I guess you heard it from my mother, then?” Shane cut in smoothly, attention still locked on Galen.

  Jesus Christ on a stick, he told his mom? That was just wrong. “Listen, I—”

  “It wasn’t official until today,” Shane continued, sending her a quick, pointed glance, “but I guess I should’ve known the second I let the town crier in on it, word would get out. I put in a transfer request last month and it was approved. So, you heard right. I’m moving.”

  For the second time in the past hour, Cat nearly wept with relief. So Galen didn’t know about her and Shane. She took a steadying breath and stepped away from the mental ledge. Shane’s mother was a love, but she did have an ear—and mouth—for gossip. Not the venomous kind, but she always seemed to be the first to know if someone’s kid was going to medical school or about a new beau.

  “Where you headed?” Cat waited, the curiosity making her stomach dip, and not in a pleasant way. When he’d been on the West Coast, it had been perfect because it made anything more than an annual trip difficult. Still, as long as he wasn’t too close, she’d manage. She even conjured up an interested smile for him.

  “Headed?” Galen said, a huge grin splitting his face. “He’s not headed anywhere. He’s coming home.”

  Cat’s stomach nose-dived, landing somewhere in the vicinity of her feet, and her head began to swim. Shane. Home for good. What had she done to deserve this?

  “How exciting!” Lacey squealed and leapt to her feet. “This calls for a celebration.”

  “It’s going to be great to have you back,” Galen said.

  Cat barely registered the hubbub over Shane’s imminent return because for her, it meant nothing but trouble…

  Run away, kitten.

  “To Shane.” Lacey said, holding up her pint glass.

  Cat’s hand shook as she held up her water bottle to join the toast. She could feel Lacey’s gaze drilling into her. She’d given her friend a pile of excuses for why she shouldn’t date Shane and already the whole long-distance one was shot to hell. If the rest didn’t hold, soon she would be faced with a very unpleasant truth. A truth she wasn’t about to trot out for show-and-tell right now because it had already been a long and confusing couple of days. She chugged the rest of her water and set the bottle on the table.

  “Anyone need anything while I’m up?” Galen asked, heading for the kitchen.

  “I’ll take a Winterfest, if you’re buying,” Shane said.

  Mind still reeling, Cat was tempted to add a snifter of cyanide to the list of requested refreshments when Lacey pointed to the TV. “Oh, that’s the site Rafe just joined.”

  Rafe was a longtime friend. He and Galen had boxed together in high school, and they’d been tight ever since. Shorter and leaner than Galen, he’d been a middleweight, fast as lightning, but not quite crisp enough to make a living at it. He’d moved on to MMA and was still fighting semipro, but he was also a detective in the Crimes Against Persons Unit at the Wesley Police Department.

  Cat turned her attention to the advertisement for a dating site, featuring several satisfied customers extolling the virtues of finding love online.

  “Fun, right? Rafe said that when he gets some hits, he’s going to have me come over and help him pick his dates.” Lacey waggled her brows suggestively. “I think online dating seems like a great way to meet people. Especially for someone as busy as Rafe.” She turned to face Shane, eyeing him speculatively. “Hey, you’re coming home soon. You should join, too.”

  Wait, did that mean she was going to get off her jock about this Shane thing, or was Little Miss Innocent trying to be slick somehow? Cat eyed her friend hard but saw nothing but sincerity shining back. Okay, so maybe she really was trying to help. Finding Shane the kind of girl who wanted to settle down would be awesome. Maybe then he wouldn’t be such a temptation.

  “I think it’s a great idea,” Cat said, with what she hoped passed for an encouraging grin.

  Shane met her gaze, eyes glittering with something that had her cheeks going all hot. “Do you?” he asked softly.

  She took a gulp from the dregs of her warm, pre-choking beer and swallowed hard before responding. “I do. And you’ve been gone so long, it will get you meeting some new people in the area and whatnot. Plus, if your quarterback can’t score, at least maybe you’ll get a chance to.”

  Galen let out a low whistle. “Dang, them’s fighting words.”

  When Shane’s lips split into a challenging smile, a shiver went through her. “You’re very confident for only being up seven points. Care to make a wager?” he asked.

  She didn’t answer right away, a sudden, jittery feeling making it hard to resist the urge to see if her nostrils were quivering like a bunny downwind of a fox.

  “What’s the matter? You don’t have faith in your team? Up by seven and there’s less than four minutes to go. Either you believe in your team and will make a wager, or you won’t.”

  Lacey and Galen were hanging on their every word now, wanting to get in on the fun. Far be it from her to disappoint them or back down. He’d run her off -->