The Right Kind of Reckless

by Heather Van Fleet

  “I won’t like what?” At the sound of Mr. Montgomery’s voice, I whipped my head to the back door. He grinned, his eyes focused on his wife as he moved to pull her into his arms.

  “Oh, you’re home. How was work?” she asked him.

  Instead of answering, he went in for a kiss that probably should’ve made me feel like a creep for watching but didn’t. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders, his around her waist. Weird as it was, I loved the idea of married couples still so touchy after all their years of marriage, especially since I didn’t see that growing up.

  Seconds later, Mr. M pulled back to face me. “Now, what do you think I won’t like to hear?”

  “Oh, nothing.” Mrs. M pressed her hand against his chest. “Our Maxwell is just having some lady troubles.”

  Mr. M grinned and walked to the fridge. He returned, two beers in hand. “Guessing you need a drink then.”

  Not thinking twice, I reached for one, twisting the top off with the bottom of my sweaty shirt. “Good to see you, sir.”

  “Enough with this ‘sir’ business. I’m John, always John.” He patted my shoulder and then twisted the top off his own beer.

  I nodded and took a heavy drink.

  “And if my daughter has you in her corner, I’ll never worry about her again.” He winked at his wife, but then shrugged one shoulder and smiled at me. “Unless you knock her up before you put a ring on her finger.”

  I coughed and spit out my drink.

  Mrs. Montgomery laughed. “I’m in agreement with my husband…” She leaned closer and pretended to whisper in my ear. “Unless you give me a grandson.” She kissed my cheek.

  A nervous chuckle built in my chest as I stared back and forth between the two people who’d grown to be like pseudo parents. I loved them almost like I loved my mama and Charlotte.

  “But you better move fast.” He tsked. “Because our girl might just run before you can catch her. This job opportunity is pretty spectacular.” He grabbed a tray full of hamburgers and hot dogs off the counter. “Gonna start the grill.” He kissed his wife again and stepped outside, whistling as he went.

  “What were you saying about my husband and Collin not wanting you to be with Lia?” She smirked and took a step back, leaving me shaking my head. “Why don’t ya head outside? I’ll make you some sun tea. It’s much better than that nasty beer you boys insist on drinking.”

  I needed the fresh air to clear my head, so I didn’t argue. But I also wasn’t in the mood to get grilled more by the man whose daughter I wanted—even if he did seem cool with the fact.

  Chapter 21

  Lia

  “…and how long have you and my son been dating?” Mom took a bite of her brownie, a grin lighting up her face as she chewed.

  “I’d say about eight months now?” Addie cleared her throat, not meeting Mom’s eyes as she stood up from the couch in their living room. Hands trembling, she rubbed her palms down the front of her colorful skirt. Poor girl was all sorts of nervous. Probably even more than I was. Granted our issues were over two different things, but still.

  “Well, I’m certainly pleased you’ve stolen his heart. He needs a good, strong woman in his life after everything he’s been through. As does Chloe. She’s lucky to have you.” Mom stood and wrapped Addie in a powerful hug.

  And just like that, my brother’s girlfriend was an official member of the Montgomery clan.

  “I’m going to see if Chloe’s doing okay. She was up half the night with an upset tummy.” Addie pulled back, her hands twisting with nervousness. Apparently, she didn’t do the parental meet and greet that often, most likely because of her own nonexistent relationship with her parents. But I’d say she handled herself like a pro. Mom was already wholeheartedly in love with her because of the way Collin doted on her. She wanted him happy, just like I did, and knowing that someone could help make him that way was all she could ask for as a parent.

  Sparing us a smile, Addie slipped out the door that led to my parents’ back porch like her feet were on fire. Seconds after, Mom turned to me, wearing a wide, hopeful smile. “Do you think she’s pregnant?”

  The possibility of more grandchildren made her all but dance a fertility jig.

  “No idea.”

  She clapped once, then said, “Now, let’s talk about this thing between you and Max. What’s been going on? He seemed pretty upset earlier this evening about you moving away.”

  “He what?” And there it was. The real reason he’d been avoiding me all night. Crap, crap, crap. I shut my eyes and hung my head. “Did you tell him about my interview, Mom?”

  “I mentioned it, but I didn’t… Oh dear. He didn’t know, did he?”

  I looked at her again, finding her hand over her mouth. “He does now.”

  “Oh, Leanne. I’m sorry.”

  I cringed and looked away, trying to hold back my scream. It wasn’t her fault. She didn’t know I hadn’t told anyone. But Mom also wasn’t supposed to know there was something going on between Max and me.

  “We’re just friends, Mom. It’s fine.” My voice shook, the lie so clear I could taste it on my tongue.

  Before she could reply, Max came into the living room using the same door Addie had left through. Angry eyes met mine before flashing sweetly at my mother. “Care if I steal Lia away for a minute?” he asked her, not me, which I’m pretty sure meant he was ready to spank my ass or worse…

  Mom shot me a look, silently asking Are you okay with this? I nodded and smiled, knowing I couldn’t avoid the conversation any longer. If only I had told him the truth. As I’d said to myself on Monday, word of mouth hurt worse than anything else.

  After Mom headed out to the porch, I blew out a breath, just in time for Max to put his hand on my lower back. I jumped in place as he leaned in to whisper, “Follow me.” Then he dropped his hand and headed out of the room, not even bothering to wait for me.

  God, this was worse than I thought.

  My fingers curled into fists, yet I couldn’t stop the shivers of unease that slithered through me. “Max, wait a sec.” I bit my lip.

  He froze, a hand on the wall.

  “I’m done waiting.” He spun back around, hurried my way, bent over at the waist, and shoved his shoulder into my stomach.

  “Hey!” I squealed as he lifted me, my legs dangling over his chest. “Put me down.”

  Ignoring me, he powered through my parents’ house and landed at the coat closet by the front door. “This looks to be as good a place as any.” He whipped it open, looking both ways before walking us inside.

  I blinked, trying to adjust to the blackness as he shut the door from behind.

  He plopped me onto my feet. With his hands still wrapped around my waist, he said, “Why didn’t you tell me about your interview?” His demeanor changed so suddenly that I could barely catch my breath.

  “W-why are we hiding in the closet?”

  “Don’t try to change the subject, Lia. Did I fuck up or something to make you not wanna tell me? Are you having second thoughts about us?”

  “No, no. That’s not it at all.” I grabbed the neck of his shirt and held tight, wishing I could see his face. “This was all me and my stupidity. I’m so sorry. I should have told you. I just…I chickened out is all.”

  His eyelashes fluttered against my cheeks as he moved in close. Lips brushed over my skin, not kissing, but touching as he sighed. “I thought I did something. I mean, I was pissed you hadn’t told me, but I kept thinking you’d changed your mind about us. Scared the hell out of me.”

  “I’m sorry,” I apologized again, pressing both hands to his face. “I never meant for you to find out this way.”

  “I forgive you.” He pulled my hands off his face and flattened them over his heart. “I will always forgive you.”

  Beneath my palms, his heartbeat fluttered and I shut my
eyes, shame washing over me. He touched his forehead to mine and whispered, “But, Lee-Lee, you feel this? My heart?” He rubbed his thumbs over the backs of my hands. “Do you feel how fast it’s racing?” I swallowed hard but nodded. “It only beats for you. No other woman will ever make it speed up like this. Which also means you’re not the only one who can get hurt in this relationship.”

  “I’m a hypocrite. I wanted honesty, but I didn’t give you the same. I get it.” Tears filled my eyes, and I was thankful it was too dark for him to see me. “It won’t happen again. I promise.”

  “Just tell me things, Lee-Lee. Keep the communication going. That’s all I’m asking.”

  I swallowed around the lump in my throat, saying what I needed to say before I grew too chicken to admit it out loud. “I’m moving, Max. I got the job. I…I’m moving to Springfield.”

  He kissed my lips, just once. “I want to be with you, Lia. I love you, and I don’t care how far apart we are. If you’d told me about this earlier, I would have said the same thing and meant it.”

  “What if you decide I’m not important enough to have a long-distance relationship with? I mean, what if you change your mind down the road about us?” I asked, worrying my lower lip.

  Boxes went flying as he urged me back against the wall. “Don’t even think I’ll be the type to walk away if shit gets tough. You hear me? I’ve never wanted to commit to a woman until you, and you can damn sure bet I’ll work my ass off to make it work, no matter how far apart we are.” He fell to his knee before me and nuzzled his face against my stomach.

  Tears stung my eyes, and my throat burned with a trapped sob. The okay was on the tip of my tongue. Any girl would be an absolute fool to say no to someone like him. Max was a good man, but could I push past my insecurities and fears to take a chance at being with him? Could I have things both ways? Find myself and love him too?

  “Please, Lia. I’m down on my knees, begging you to believe in this. Believe in us.”

  If he was willing to try, then I would too. But in my own way. “Day by day, okay? We can’t think forever right now. Not yet. Because if this doesn’t work out, I’m afraid it’ll break me.”

  I felt his lips part into a grin against my stomach. “Day by day. We’ll take it slow.” He stood, leaning forward to scoop me up into a hug. “We’ll make this work. I promise you.”

  And just like that, I believed him.

  Chapter 22

  Max

  It was Lia’s last night at Jimney’s, and I couldn’t have been happier.

  Gav, Collin, Addie, McKenna, and I were all going out to celebrate, and we were gonna be doing it at Jimney’s.

  “Hot date?” Addie leaned against the doorframe with a smug smile.

  “With you, maybe.” I tapped my razor against the sink.

  “You’re getting awful pretty for a casual night out.”

  I grinned behind the towel I was wiping my face with.

  “Who is she?” A serious expression passed through her eyes. “The girl you’re getting all dolled up for?”

  “Nobody you need to know about just yet.” I headed past her and went into my room. Inside my closet, I grabbed the first thing that didn’t stink like ass and yanked it on, while Addie stood watching me, her eyes narrowed with suspicion. The woman was on to me, which would’ve been okay, had Lia not wanted to wait to tell everyone we were together. She’d said she needed time to prepare her thoughts in case her brother wasn’t good with the two of us hooking up. Not gonna lie, I was just as scared as she was. Probably because I had a lot to lose if Collin wasn’t okay with her and me being together.

  “You haven’t been around much this week. Everything okay?”

  “Everything’s been good. Promise. Just busy with the new business.” And spending my nights with Lee-Lee. Holding her in my arms, kissing her with every breath I had in me… We hadn’t done anything but kiss since that Sunday night in her room, but like I’d said to her that day at the rugby game, I wasn’t going to push it. We had all the time in the world for more.

  “You sure?” Addie grabbed a few pieces of my laundry off the floor and stuffed them into the basket. She was always cleaning and taking care of us. “Because word on the street is you and Lia are hooking up.”

  My arms went stiff, as did my back. I looked up from my tennis shoes, my eyes wide. “Who told you that?”

  She grinned. “Nobody. Just a wild guess.”

  I followed her out of the room and down the hall. Gavin was still next door, pouting about something like always. I was headed there first. Colly was taking Beaner to his parents’ house for the night. It’s the first time we’d all gone out together—us guys, Lia, Addie, and her friend, Kenna.

  “It’s not true.”

  Addie shook her head and laughed. “Don’t worry. Your secret’s safe with me.”

  In the kitchen, I stared at Addie’s back, losing the fight. The woman was maddening. “Seriously, Short Stuff. Lee-Lee would kill me if Collin found out before we had a chance to tell him.”

  She rinsed off a few dishes and then glanced at me from over her shoulder. “I won’t.”

  “Liar. You tell Colly everything.”

  She opened her mouth, only to snap it shut before she said, “Do not.”

  I rolled my eyes. “If anything, keep it a secret for Lia’s sake. If he finds out—”

  “Your secret’s safe with me.” She zipped her lips and feigned throwing an invisible key away. “Just don’t hurt her. Please.”

  I let go of a breath. “Never. She’s my world.”

  A smirk covered her lips. “Good. Because I’ll kick your ass worse than Collin if you do.”

  There was no doubt in my mind that was the truth.

  * * *

  An hour and a half later, we were walking into the bar: me, my boys, and Addie and Kenna. Willie Nelson blared from the speakers, the country crowd in full swing tonight. Tight jeans and short skirts filled the dance floor, reminding me of home. I grumbled under my breath, locking my eyes on the old jukebox across the room. The music would have to change now. I listened to Willie enough when Collin sang it to Chloe. My version of good music was Aerosmith, meshed with a little Lynyrd Skynyrd and the occasional Alabama tossed in when I was missing home.

  Certain moods called for certain music, and knowing I was about to see my girl made me into a different kind of man altogether. Which is why I beelined toward the jukebox, not bothering to tell anyone where I was heading.

  Satisfied I had at least fifteen good early-nineties love songs picked out, I grinned and turned around… And there she was, like she’d been plucked from a garden full of pretty flowers. Lia. My girl.

  No, not my girl. My woman.

  With her eyes locked with mine, her lips pulled up into a half grin, she looked like she was weak in the knees as she pressed her hands against the top of the bar from the other side. And as I moved around the tables and through the crowd of loudmouthed people, I realized something.

  Lia made me weak-kneed too.

  Chapter 23

  Lia

  I was alive with energy, serving customer after customer, happier than I’d ever been working at Jimney’s. I refused to admit that the playlist on the speakers was making me this way, but the music Max had chosen—the slow, cock rock of Guns N’ Roses, mixed with God only knows who else—was no doubt the reason I felt the way I did.

  I plucked a few limes from the bowl beneath the bar and grabbed the saltshaker from my left. Tossing my apron on the counter, I hollered at Aubrey about taking my half hour—not that she’d listen.

  I approached the table full of my favorite people, only to hear Addie squeal, “Lia!” She jumped up, knocking her chair to the floor. It was apparent she wasn’t pregnant, considering how much she’d been drinking. Mom would be disappointed.

  “I miss you.” Just b
arely giving me the chance to set the tray on the table, Addie slammed into me, her arms around my neck.

  “Whoa.” My eyes went wide, zeroing in on my brother. “Maybe these extra shots aren’t such a good idea.”

  Collin chuckled from over her shoulder, then leaned back to listen to something Gavin was saying.

  “I know your secret.” Addie giggled against my ear and patted my head at the same time. “It’s about time you bashed that man’s meat monkey.”

  I stiffened. Bashed the what? On instinct, I searched the room for Max.

  “I won’t tell your brother though.” She squeezed me tighter, almost cutting off my oxygen supply. “Promise.”

  I pulled back, but her glazed stare told me not to push. I’d never seen Addie this drunk before. It wasn’t a pretty sight. Red-rimmed eyes, slurring words… She was a mess.

  “Have a seat, lady. It seems I have some catching up to do,” I said, settling her on my brother’s lap, all while trying to ignore the tug of guilt in my stomach. If she knew about Max and me, then it was only a matter of time before Collin found out. It’s not that I didn’t want him to know. I just wanted to be the one to tell him—at the right time.

  Addie happily obliged, snuggling against my brother’s chest like it was where she belonged. Seeing her and my brother so in love only pushed me to want what they had. Things between Max and me had been so easy this past week, almost like it had been before we stopped talking to each other. Except now we got to kiss. A lot. And holy Jesus, did I love to kiss Max.

  “Where’s Max?” I asked, searching the room.

  “Dance floor,” Gavin grumbled, jutting his chin out.

  “Hey, that’s mine.” Addie leaned forward, grabbing Gavin’s arm as he reached for her glass. The drink tipped, spilling all over his pants.

  “Christ, Addie. Sober up.” Gavin shot out of his seat and took off toward the bathrooms.

  “Wow. He’s a piece of work tonight.” I sipped on the soda I’d brought over for myself, knowing I couldn’t drink on the job. When I turned to look for Max again, my jaw dropped in shock.