“Why fall in love when it’s so much more fun to fall in lust?”
I shake my head at him. “That’s really sad.”
“Can you truly feel that way after what happened with your ex-husband?”
He has me stumped with that, because he’s right in some ways. I wish I never fell in love with that scumbag. Not only would I have never gotten hurt, but I also would have never been in the position to get hurt.
Then I think of most of my brothers, all happy and in stable relationships. My mom and dad were happily married for many years. There are good marriages and relationships out there, I just happened to find a dud.
“Sorry, that was uncalled for,” Harvey mutters, reaching out to touch my arm.
“No, you’re right. I made a bad call, but I can’t just shut myself off for the rest of my life. I’m not built that way.”
“So then, what is your worry with Joey?”
“He’s a man who isn’t interested in relationships. I mean, he’s basically a straight version of you. How would a guy rein you in?”
The look on his face is priceless. It’s obvious Harvey would rather be shot in the head than fall in love.
“See?” I wave my hand in his face. “I might be coming around to opening myself up again, but why is my heart content on him? I mean, my freaking neighbor would be a better option than him. Hart is handsome. He doesn’t have constant wo—”
“What the fuck?” Harvey snaps, pulling me up short as he grabs my arm again, none too nicely this time.
“What?” I gasp, pulling on my arm, only to have him grip me tighter.
“Why the fuck are you bringing Clayton up?” he demands. He must know whatever Joey’s case is involving him.
“I’m not. Well, I mean, I did. I’m just pointing out there are better prospective men out there for me, yet I still can’t get my mind off Joey.”
“Joey is a million times better than that asshole. You promise me right here, right now, do not go near Hart Clayton, okay?”
“Okay, okay,” I rush out on a huff. “I get it. Joey has already read me this riot act. Can you let go of my arm now? You’re hurting me.”
Harvey quickly releases me, but it’s clear this cloud that has settled over us isn’t leaving anytime soon.
This was not the reassuring conversation I wanted before I went out to see the girls.
I sigh, wishing I could take back bringing Hart up.
“Look, I’m tired and need to get ready for tonight.”
“Tonight?” he snaps tersely, still agitated from before.
“Yeah, I’m having dinner with the girls at Ava’s place.”
He shivers like I said I would be dining with snakes or something.
“Oh, come on. They’re not that bad.”
“I’d rather eat glass and wash it down with lemon juice.”
“Never took you for a big baby.”
He shakes his head at me. Then his phone begins buzzing from his pocket. He passes the leash to me so he can have some privacy.
“Shit,” I hear him mutter, hanging up the phone and glancing at me apologetically. “Do you think you’ll be able to get home okay? I need to head off.”
“Of course,” I answer, my mind shifting back to that man earlier. Not only did Karma attack him—something I couldn’t control—but he also had that photo of me. What was that about?
“You have my number and Joey’s. Call one of us if something happens or if you feel unsafe,” he demands.
Before I can question what he thinks will happen to me, he leans over, surprising the hell out of me when he kisses me gently on the cheek. Then he gives Karma a talking to about behaving and protecting me before he jogs away quickly to wherever he parked his car. All this happens while I dumbly touch the cheek he just kissed.
Sure, I have thought of Harvey as becoming my friend over the past couple weeks, but he hasn’t seemed interested in cementing that. His casual kiss, as well as his concern over my safety, makes me feel butterflies.
It’s a nice feeling knowing someone cares about you.
Joey may not be a safe choice for my heart, but Harvey has been an excellent choice for my soul. I don’t care what he thinks. That man is going to be my best friend, and that’s that.
I smile, hoping my happy buzz carries me all the way home. However, Karma is not keen to behave as I hoped.
My shoulder is killing me by the time I see my house, and before my eyes can even gaze at the wreck that is Joey’s house, something I now can’t stop doing whenever I’m outside, Karma leaps forward and I find myself being dragged across the street.
Already knowing her destination, I use both hands to pull on the leash, but it doesn’t do a thing. My sneakers actually drag along the street. I have to stomp my feet before I’m propelled onto my ass.
Unsurprisingly, we make our way to Ms. Asher’s house.
“Please, Karma, don’t do this,” I beg, not that she listens as she pounces on the newspaper, grabbing it with her slobbery mouth.
Why can’t this woman just subscribe to the online newspaper like everyone else in the world?
“Karma, let go!” I demand, pulling on the other end of the paper, which then leads to a fun game of tug-of-war for her as she growls and roughly yanks back.
I lose my grip, as well as my balance, and fall on my ass, landing in her garden and on top of a pile of mud by the driveway.
“Shit,” I grumble, scrambling to my feet when Karma moves to attack the fake potted plants. “Leave them alone!” I hiss, worried we are close enough that, if I talk too loudly, we will be discovered.
I lean over and grab the base of the largest potted plant, hoping to move it out of Karma’s range, but it puts my hair in the direct line of fire, something I quickly figure out when I find myself tangled in the twigs and leaves. This potted plant may be fake, but it feels real enough to scratch my scalp, and then painful enough when I try to untangle myself from it.
Karma loses interest soon, since she has other pressing matters, like taking a shit on Ms. Asher welcome mat.
“Are you for real?” I bemoan, not believing my luck.
I have walked Karma enough times to know these things are common, but everything all at once? Really?
Having done her business, Karma moves off to sniff along the wall while I glance down at the large poop. At least it isn’t sloppy.
I reach into my pocket to grab a poop bag, only to find my pocket empty. Either I lost it or never replaced it from when I used the last one.
I consider running back home to grab a bag, but a quick glance down the street shows Ms. Asher is approaching in her car.
I’m not interested in having this fight with her. I have seen Joey have it plenty of times. I don’t think I’m capable of putting myself through it without saying something I can’t take back. This woman lives across the street from me. The last thing I want to do is go to war with her.
“Karma,” I hiss, crouching down so I’m not seen. Luckily, from this angle, she won’t see me until she is all the way in her driveway.
I glance back at the poo sitting innocently on the welcome mat, just begging for someone to step in it.
With only seconds to spare, I pick the mat up, fling the poo into the front shrubbery and slap it back into place, my calves aching from the odd angle I’m crouched in.
Karma is blissfully unware of the drama she has created, but she thankfully isn’t rushing back toward the driveway to give us away.
I crabwalk over to where she is sniffing by the window, retrieve the leash, and glance at the small wall close by that is only waist-high and separates Ms. Asher’s house from the Alder’s house, a young family who always look run off their feet.
Can we make it without being seen?
A car door slams shut, propelling me to move.
“Jump!” I hiss, encouraging Karma to amaze me by leaping over the wall. Instead, her ears prick up as she gazes at me in confusion. “You are hopeless,” I groan, hearing footsteps now.
I hope for an adrenaline rush as I pick Karma up, an action she is not a fan of since she immediately tries to worm her way out of my grip, and I plonk her over the wall.
Because she is actively trying to get away, I focus too much on trying to not drop her and not enough on keeping my own balance. Therefore, Karma gets a gentle placement on the neighbors’ ground, while I topple over the fence and land chest first into a new pile of mud.
“Are you shitting me?” I gasp, slightly winded.
Karma attempts to make a run for it, likely afraid I’m going to pick her up again, but I can promise that won’t ever happen again. Instead, I grip her leash with both hands, holding her in place.
“You are most definitely not my dog,” I snap at her, getting to my feet once I hear Ms. Asher’s front door open and close.
When Karma gazes at me with her sweet, sad eyes, I instantly feel bad.
“But you’re a great dog, and Joey is lucky to have you,” I finish.
She seems appeased, or her nose is, since it has picked up a new smell. I keep my hold on her leash, and thankfully, it isn’t too much trouble getting her across the street and back into my house.
Maybe it’s the promise of food, since it’s nearing dinnertime, or maybe she’s embarrassed to be seen with someone who has mud on her ass, chest, legs, and half her hair is pulled out of her ponytail. Whatever the reason, I’m thankful when my front door closes behind me.
Unfortunately, I am only thankful for all of five seconds.
“Are your walks always that hilarious?” Joey asks from the living room, a huge grin on his face as he stands by the front window. From there, he would have had a clear view of everything that just happened, if he was there long enough.
“When did you get home?”
“About half an hour ago,” he says around his cheeky grin, which is still blinding me, as well as frustrating me.
“And how long have you been there?” I nod to where he’s standing.
“Long enough to know you got roughed up by a fake potted plant.”
I wait for the mortification or embarrassment to hit me. It doesn’t. I’m just relieved it’s all over.
“Karma needs a bath, and so do I,” I murmur, turning my back on them both and making my way down the hall, careful where I walk so I don’t tread mud through the house.
“I can help you both with that!” Joey calls out, his laughter echoing down to me.
“In your dreams!” I yell back, closing the bathroom door and wincing when I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror.
I don’t think I could have made myself look less attractive if I tried.
Perhaps it doesn’t matter what I decided at the park with Harvey. My ridiculous look right now, plus the show I just put on for Joey, will easily have killed any romance that could have potentially kindled between us.
It’s probably for the best.
Now I just need to get my heart on board with this.
Why do I feel like that’s going to be about as probable as tonight with the girls not turning into something crazy?
Yeah, I’m so screwed.
Chapter 8
Dinner with the girls ends up being a lot of fun. The conversation remains light as we drink wine, or sparkling water for Ava, over some Chinese takeout.
We have all congregated at Ava’s since she insisted she’s still unsure with her upset stomach, so she’s reluctant to go out, even if it’s just to Sasha’s house.
I get to meet Jensen, who is adorable with his dark curls, deep blue eyes, and cuddly, chubby frame. He sits on my lap for a short while then insists I read him a book. Thankfully, the book is short, and soon Ava puts him to bed while he whines the entire time.
“That kid is adorable,” Sasha gushes as soon as they are both out of the room.
“He is,” I agree. Since I work with kids, I have seen them all. And usually, looks can be very deceiving. However, Jensen seems like a true sweetheart through and through.
“I can’t believe she’s having more. I’m exhausted just from being around him. Where does he store all that energy in a body so small?” Cynthia groans, her head falling on the back of her dining room chair as she sinks down.
“I have to admit, with a kid that sweet, she’s probably carrying the devil child right now.”
I snort out a laugh, especially when Ava returns and looks incensed by Sasha’s words.
“This devil child is going to be your niece, and she will be a little angel who … who …” Ava quickly shoots her hand to her mouth before she makes a run for the bathroom.
“Just saying, Jensen never made you sick,” Sasha calls after her.
“Not too loud. She just put Jensen down,” Cynthia reprimands Sasha, who then looks a little sheepish.
I feel bad for Ava. Morning sickness usually disappears by the time you are this far into your pregnancy. I guess Ava is one of the unlucky ones.
“So, where is Joey tonight?” Sasha asks, her voice back to a normal level.
“He said he had to work,” I answer, recalling Karma’s forlorn gaze when I left her behind and locked up the house. Who knew a dog could make you feel so damn guilty?
“Working where? Has he gotten another job or something?” Sasha grumbles.
“Not that I’m aware of,” I answer, already thinking back to the conversation I overheard in my house. He’s clearly working on something the girls don’t know about.
“He’s had one client this month. One! He can usually juggle several cases at a time. The one client he had took him two days to sort out.”
“Maybe his house burning down is taking up his time,” Cynthia offers.
Sasha immediately shakes her head. “No way. This started before then.”
“And he has definitely been working lots. Like, I barely see him at all,” I point out.
“He could be … well, you know.” Cynthia grimaces, looking apologetically at me.
“What? Sexing it up every night with a different woman?” Sasha bluntly blurts out. “No way. I know Joey, and he’s intrigued by you.” She nods at me. “I think he’s over his man-whoring ways, anyway.”
“Why do you say that?” Ava asks, coming back from her quick trip to the bathroom, looking a little pale. As she gulps down some water, I feel awful that we can’t do more to make her feel better.
“I don’t know … I just have a feeling. I saw how he was looking at you at that lunch. He’s into you. Besides, he’s brought you up in front of me a couple times.”
“What do you mean?” I only ask because all the women are looking like that is completely surprising. Harvey once said something similar, but I don’t see what the big deal is.
“Joey doesn’t ever bring up a woman to any of us. He’s never been interested in someone enough to think about them outside of the bedroom.”
“I doubt it’s like that,” I quickly rush to butt in. “I burned down the man’s house; of course my name is going to come up.”
“How about before you burned his house down?” Sasha pushes, shocking the hell out of me.
“Joey didn’t even know who I was when I called him from the police station. I had to tell him my full name and remind him I was his neighbor,” I admit, embarrassed all over again.
“You mean, when you called him in the dead of night?” Sasha rolls her eyes. “Listen, it didn’t click at first, but I remember him bringing up something about a Teagan at least a few weeks before you came into the office. Joey totally had his eye on you then.”
“Yeah, but for what purpose? Joey doesn’t have a great track record of wanting more than a few nights with one woman,” Cynthia brutally points out.
“This was different. He was smiling when he said your name.” Sasha looks sincere. “I swear. The only reason I didn’t remember until now is because Declan caught me listening, and then, before I could interrogate him, he took me home and literally fucked my brains out. Like, I couldn’t see straight for a week, I swear.”
&n
bsp; “I knew you couldn’t go one night without talking about you and Declan having sex!” Cynthia gripes.
“Whatever. My point is, Joey definitely likes you.” Sasha is eyeing me carefully, making me question why she is pushing this so much.
She obviously knows Joey well enough that there is a good chance he’s not interested in more. He’s even told me as much, fearing I will get the wrong idea from the girls about him. I can’t say his fears are unfounded, since the very next time we catch up, they are trying to sell dating him to me.
“It doesn’t matter.” I shake my head. “He’s not right for me.”
“Why not?” Sasha demands.
Ava leans over the table and slaps her arm lightly. “Sasha, don’t push. If Teagan wants to tell us more about this, she can in her own time. She doesn’t owe us anything, and we want to be her friend because we like her. We’re not here to force her to do something she doesn’t want to do.”
For whatever reason, this is all I need to hear before I am ready to speak about my past.
“I was married to a man who couldn’t keep it in his pants.” I pause as all the women look at me in shock. “I’m not looking to change a man. I want to meet someone who already matches me. Joey is all about the thrill and rush, but not the follow through. I want someone who will stick around longer than one night.”
“First up”—Sasha points her wine glass at me—“your ex-husband sounds like an asshole. And secondly, what are you talking about? You and Joey are living together. He spends more nights with you than any other woman he’s slept with in his life.” She finishes this by taking a large gulp of her wine.
Sasha picked Cynthia and me up tonight, so I’m not sure she’s behaving entirely as a designated driver should.
“We haven’t slept together, though.”
“Not even a little?”
My eyebrow rises at that. How can you sleep a little bit with someone? Then my mind wanders over to us falling asleep on the couch together the other night. We only napped for half an hour or so before I jolted awake when the loud music for the ending credits rolled. Does that count?
“Can we talk about something else?” I beg, fearful any self-control I have built up about Joey is going to be knocked down and trampled on by the end of the night.
I Burned Down His House (Love at First Crime Book 3) Page 9