“Where did you learn to do this?” Ava asks.
I wait to answer her until I hear the click of the lock. “My mom.”
Dad was a cop, and since I was his baby girl, no matter how old I grew, he taught me a lot of self-defense moves. Mom helped, usually with the shadier techniques.
As well as picking simple locks, I can also get myself out of a car trunk and shoot most firearms, hitting my mark virtually every single time.
“Cool mom.”
“Yep,” I agree. “There you go,” I announce as I drop back beside Sasha, who I’m happy to see looks to be impressed.
I glance back over to Zander, seeing he looks a little unsure now, especially when Ava takes off the steering wheel lock and places the keys in the ignition.
“Let’s do this!” she cries, then reverses out of her spot, putting her foot down on the accelerator.
“Wait, stop!” Sasha cries, and Ava immediately slams on the brakes, meaning we all test out our seatbelts.
“What the hell!” Cynthia cries.
I eye the door, asking myself if now might be my chance to make a break for it. We are just idling at the entrance of the parking lot, close to the main road, but not so close I can’t leap out and make a run for it.
“Joey is pulling up,” Sasha explains, winding her window down and waving Joey over.
He turns into the parking lot, pulling up beside us, and lines his window up with Sasha’s.
“Going for another joyride?” he asks on a smile.
“We sure are. Try to keep Zander from blowing a gasket, and don’t worry about your girl; we’ll take good care of her.” Sasha leans back so Joey’s eyes fall on me.
I’m worried when he changes from easygoing to horrified in two seconds flat.
“No way! Ava, you pull the fuck over right—”
Sasha winds her window up and taps Ava’s seat. “Hit it.”
Ava’s heavy foot hits the accelerator again, and we fly forward, luckily finding a gap in traffic and not causing an accident.
“Where to?” Ava asks.
“Not Ravello,” Cynthia moans, causing both girls to gasp.
“Why not? Did something happen?”
“Yes. And no, I don’t want to talk about it,” she snaps.
There is a tension-filled moment before Sasha quickly fills it. “I feel like pizza. Want to try that new Italian place down on Halsted?”
Nods happen all around.
I look down at my phone when it begins buzzing from my bag.
“Is that Joey?” Sasha asks.
I grab it out and see that it is.
“Don’t answer it. He can live without you for an hour,” she assures me.
I’m too nervous to go against her.
“I promise we don’t bite,” Ava speaks up, her eyes connecting with mine through the rear-view mirror. “Now, who are you exactly?”
“This is Joey’s lunch date,” Sasha says this with extra emphasis.
“Lunch date? Lunch?” Ava repeats.
“What is the big deal about this?” I ask, not understanding the significance.
“Joey doesn’t do lunch dates,” Cynthia fills me in.
“Why not?”
“Because, generally, you don’t have time for sex on a lunch date, not if you’re going out for a meal. A lunch date means you want to have a conversation,” she explains matter-of-factly.
“And that is surprising because …?”
“Because Joey doesn’t do conversations. He does sex; that’s it,” Sasha tells me.
“Now, that I can believe. I’ve seen plenty of women coming and going from his place,” I speak up and instantly get all eyes back on me. Luckily, we are at a stop sign, so Ava isn’t risking our lives by staring back at me. “I should also point out that I’m Joey’s neighbor.”
“Neighbor?” Sasha repeats dumbly.
“Yep, and just a couple weeks ago, I burned his house down,” I blurt out, knowing they will likely figure out it’s me sooner or later. I might as well bite the bullet and get it out in the open now.
“You burned down his house?” Cynthia gasps, sounding surprised.
“Wait, Joey’s house burned down?” Ava asks, glancing at the other women now.
“Yeah, how do you guys not know about this?” I murmur, eyeing them all and realizing none of them appear to have known.
I know a lot of people like to keep to themselves, but somehow, your house and all your worldly possessions going up in flames feels like something you might bring up to your friends.
I thought before maybe he had another house somewhere and was using the house next door to mine as a cover to keep an eye on Hart Clayton. Maybe that part is true?
“I had no fucking idea. You mean, the place he’s had for about a year? The house on Wabash Avenue?” Sasha asks, confirming that perhaps he doesn’t have another house somewhere. “Do the guys know about this?”
“If, by guys, you mean Zander and Declan, then yes. They were at my house the morning after it happened.”
“Wait a minute. Can we just go back to the bit where you said you burned down his house? What the hell happened?” Cynthia demands.
Nerves settle in as I realize I am about to admit to a bunch of Joey’s friends and work colleagues what I did. And he looked horrified that I am with them. Does that mean this could be dangerous? By all accounts, we just stole the car we are driving. What would they do to the woman who burned down the house of one of their friends, whether it was an accident or not?
With no way out of it, I bite the bullet.
“I could hear Karma whining for her dinner, so I went over to feed her. His house was cold, and his electricity was turned off, so I decided to start a fire in his fireplace,” I say, immediately sounding defensive. “Karma got a little excited while I was holding the match, knocking me down. Next thing I know, the house is on fire.”
“Shit. You weren’t hurt?” Ava gasps.
“No, both Karma and I got out. Joey’s things were all destroyed, though, which is why he’s been staying with me.”
“It’s probably a good thing his stuff went up in flames,” Sasha announces.
My mouth drops open in shock. “How is that a good thing?”
Does no one care about personal possessions anymore?
“From the stories I heard, every piece of furniture likely needed exorcising. Ghosts of women scorned or whatever. You likely did him a favor,” Sasha overshares.
“Don’t tell Joey’s new girlfriend about that! You’ll scare her off,” Ava protests.
“I’m not Joey’s girlfriend. We’re just—”
“Teagan is Joey’s neighbor; if what she’s witnessed hasn’t scared her off, then nothing will,” Sasha points out.
“Actually, I’m—”
“Joey is a good guy deep down, just completely clueless about most things,” Cynthia informs me, and I just decide to shut my mouth and ride this out. What else am I supposed to do?
“She’s right; Joey has a heart of gold. He’s always been super sweet to me,” Ava pipes up.
“The man has always been fickle, though. I can’t believe you’ve managed to catch him.” Sasha eyes me carefully again.
“I haven’t exactly caught—”
“His gay-dar is the worst I’ve ever seen. If you ever want a free meal, challenge him. He can’t pick someone’s sexual orientation to save his life. He just assumes everyone wants to fuck him,” Cynthia says on a laugh.
“Wait, so, you’re living together?” Sasha pushes.
“Just for now,” I say when it appears no one is going to interrupt me. “Only while he gets his house sorted out.”
“He could have stayed with me,” Cynthia points out. “I have a spare bedroom, I’m closer to the office, and I owe him for when he let me stay with him after I broke up with Vanessa.”
“Yeah, but you aren’t likely to put out for him,” Ava rebuts before her eyes widen and she quickly looks at me through the mirror aga
in. “Not that I’m saying Joey is with you for that reason. I’m sure you’re a good friend, or whatever. And he’s not a creep, I promise.”
“Ava …” Sasha says on an exasperated sigh. “The woman is his neighbor, or did you forget that part? She knows what Joey is like.”
“We’re just friends, and I’m just helping out. It’s not a big deal,” I rush out before anyone can interrupt. Not that their words aren’t penetrating. I already knew what Joey was like. Besides, they are right; living next door to him has clued me in to that. But I think maybe I was starting to forget.
It’s good to be reminded.
Now I need to keep reminding myself … before my heart gets involved and it’s too late.
Chapter 5
When we sit down at a four-seater table, I already fear I’m going to be leaving late. When we order two large pizzas, full of delicious toppings, and glasses of wine, which I’m surprised they ordered since this is supposed to be a lunch break, I know it.
“So, what do you do, Teagan?” Ava asks between bites while drinking a soda, much to her annoyance when she sees us all with wine.
“I manage a childcare center.”
“Oh, really? Which one? Jensen is at Little Tots on Randolph Street, but I’m not sure if I’m completely sold on them.”
“I’ve heard good things about that place. Your kid is in safe hands,” I assure her.
She smiles brightly at me. “Thanks. I always feel awful for leaving him there, like I’m abandoning him or being a bad mother. I already get judgmental eyes from mothers enough; I don’t need more of that crap on me.”
“Who is giving you judgmental eyes?” Sasha demands.
“I don’t know … Everyone. The world!” Ava snaps, and we all take a second to glance at each other before we look back to her.
“Everything okay?” Cynthia asks softly, while Sasha reaches out and squeezes Ava’s hand across the table.
“I just feel overwhelmed sometimes. Like I’m making the wrong decisions. Zander makes a lot of money, and we have a lot of money, but I should just stay at home and look after Jensen myself.” She looks down at her lap, or perhaps her baby bump, which is hiding her lap, her guilt obvious.
“No way. And if you think anyone thinks badly of you at this table, you’re wrong,” Cynthia assures her.
Ava gives a small nod, but she still looks upset.
“I see it all at the center. Workaholic parents, lazy parents, overwhelmed parents, clueless parents, single parents,” I tell her, feeling every set of eyes on me. “But one thing I know is that we provide a service because it’s needed. You sound like you need this, and for whatever reason, whether it’s just to have a break, to have some you time, to be around adults, relax and switch off, or whatever—it’s needed. I bet you’re a happier person because of it.
“For some reason, people think once you become a mother, that’s all you are. But it’s just another new facet to you. You’re still important, as are your needs. So, if anyone is making you feel guilty or bad, then remember that’s on them. That is their insecurities coming through, and only you can let that penetrate you.”
Sasha actually claps after I finish, and I flush in discomfort.
Ava gives me a warm smile. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I shrug a little, hoping they go back to talking over me as I take another bite of the cheesy pizza.
“Okay, I love her. I don’t think we should give Joey a say. We’re keeping her,” Sasha announces, and I laugh when both women nod enthusiastically.
“I think Joey might have something to say about that,” I point out. Especially since Joey and I aren’t even a thing, which these women don’t seem to care about.
“Fuck Joey. You can be our friend without him. Welcome to the club.” Sasha wraps her arm around my shoulders, giving me a side hug.
My heart thuds heavily in my chest. I now have friends.
I just made three new friends.
Natasha burned me badly, so I have had no wish to let anyone in who has the power to hurt me. Not a man or a friend. But now I have gone and gotten myself three friends, and I can’t even bring myself to worry about it. I just feel light and happy, giddy even.
“Are you going to cry?” Cynthia asks.
Ava pushes her lightly and shushes her, then toasts, “To new friends!”
We all clink our glasses together before taking a sip, or in my case, a large gulp.
“Oh, shit. How did they find us so quickly?” Sasha grumbles.
We all glance over to the doorway and watch as Zander and Joey enter the restaurant.
“Damn, you didn’t text Joey, did you?” Ava asks me.
“No.” In fact, as I pull out my phone, I see several missed calls and texts from him.
“What a surprise, drinking on your break,” Zander mutters, leaning over to kiss Ava. When they part, he gives her a tender smile, one that makes even my heartbeat speed up. It’s so full of love.
I don’t think I have ever gotten one of those before. Not even from my ex-husband. I so settled when I got married. Too young, too clueless, and too stupid to know what the hell I was doing. I’m nearing thirty now, and I still don’t have a clue.
“How did you find us?” Sasha demands.
“I put a tracker on my car,” Zander growls, but it’s lacking any real heat.
Ava stands up and wraps her arms around him before he leans in and speaks quietly in her ear. For a second, I think she’s getting a talking to, but when she basically flops into his arms, I decide it’s much mushier.
“You okay?” Joey asks, stopping beside me.
I glance up at him. “Yes.”
“I’m sorry about them.” He nods to Sasha and Cynthia who are speaking amongst themselves, although I feel their eyes on us.
“It’s okay. Sorry I missed out on our lunch,” I tell him, sounding nervous for some stupid reason. Probably because we are being analyzed.
Truthfully, I’m not sure I am sorry I missed out on lunch with him. I got a much-needed reminder about how Joey is, and I apparently made three friends. Some would call that a successful lunchbreak.
“I know you didn’t have a say in that. You want me to take you back to your car?”
I glance down at my watch to find my break is almost up. If I don’t leave now, I will be late getting back.
“Do you girls mind?” I ask. Ava is still busy with Zander, kissing a little too passionately for the lunch crowd, so I take in Sasha and Cynthia instead.
“No, but don’t forget we’re having dinner and drinks at mine soon,” Sasha tells me while piercing Joey with a look I can’t identify.
“We are?”
“Yep, and it’s compulsory. I’ll get your number from Joey and send you the details.”
“I’m not giving Teagan’s phone number to any of you,” Joey growls.
I try to hide the shiver from hearing his gravelly voice, but I’m pretty sure Sasha and Cynthia’s hawk eyes catch it. Damn.
“Sure, you will, unless you want me to tell her all your secrets when we do have our dinner,” Sasha threatens with a smile.
“You won’t be having dinner because—”
“Teagan is our friend, and she wants us to have her number, don’t you?” Sasha gives me a warm smile.
I feel frozen again, stuck between disappointing either Sasha or Joey. Either way, one will be angry with me.
How did I get myself into this mess?
“Shit,” Joey mutters before nodding. “Fine, but we’re leaving,” he concedes, stepping aside so I can stand up.
“Thanks for lunch. It was—”
I finish with an undignified squeal as Joey unexpectedly grabs my hand and yanks me away from the table. He swings around to drop some bills beside my plate, easily paying for our entire meal, plus the tip, before leading us toward the door.
“You don’t have to—”
“Consider it an apology for being kidnapped,” he throws out there.
“We love this one, Joey!” Sasha yells after us just as we make it to the door.
I think he sticks his middle finger up, but before I can get a good look, he turns back to me and opens the door.
Since Zander is staying behind, he will likely catch a lift with the girls. They did steal his car, so I guess it will be more him taking them back to the office.
Once we are in Joey’s car, he glances at me, not starting the car. “You sure you’re okay?” He sounds so concerned it’s almost comical.
“Yes.” I know I sound exasperated. “Why? Did you think they were going to eat me alive?”
“Yes,” he replies with a straight face.
“Don’t be silly. They’re harmless,” I tell him, wondering if I should put an “ish” at the end.
“They’re a tornado, and as they surround you, they cause chaos and drama.”
I roll my eyes at his own dramatics. He wasn’t fazed when his house burned down, yet he is freaking out over a lunch with his friends?
“They seemed nice to me. They had nice things to say about you.” Some of the time.
“What I’m saying is, you don’t have to do whatever it is Sasha was pressuring you to do.”
“Dinner and drinks? She wasn’t pressuring me,” I mutter.
I’m not really one for having drinks, but it would be nice to have a girls’ night. It’s been years since I let loose and had some fun.
And while I have some worries about trusting friends, those women seem like a sure thing. Ava and Zander are clearly, disgustingly in love, and Joey has already given me the impression Sasha and her partner Declan are the same. And lastly, Cynthia bats for the other side.
Maybe it’s a coward thing to do, but small steps are better than no steps, right?
“Still, you don’t have to go,” he pushes.
“Do you not want me to?”
“I …” He trails off as his gaze shifts outside the window where he seems to lose himself in thought. “I think it would be best if you didn’t.”
“Why?”
“I don’t want you to get the wrong idea.”
I Burned Down His House (Love at First Crime Book 3) Page 6