“I’m sorry! I’m an idiot. I don’t know why I did it!” Avery sputtered. What next? What would Lucas do now?
Lucas sighed. “Avery. Stop.”
He looked up at her, a torn expression on his face. His eyes clouded over with frustration. But he reached for her hands and took them in his.
“I need to tell you something. I’ve been wanting to, anyway.”
A nervous knot formed in Avery’s belly. This wouldn’t be good, would it? She watched Lucas’s every move. A nerve ticked in his jaw. He seemed really wrought out by whatever it was. Like it would be hard to say, or something.
“I’m here to keep an eye on you. Kind of, anyway. You and Rodney.” Lucas never let his gaze waver away from Avery’s face. She gasped.
“What do you mean? Why?” Avery fought the urge to yell and scream. Bile rose in her throat.
“I represent someone that isn’t sure about Rodney’s intentions. So I was sent here.”
“So you and I- this- what we did-” Oh, how perfect for him. Avery played right into his plans. Just when she thought Lucas’s feelings were real. What a fool.
“Avery, no. Having feelings for you was never part of the plan. That’s why this makes it so much harder. I was just supposed to be here a few weeks, make sure you were okay, and go back to my life. But meeting you changed that. And then I didn’t know how to tell you-”
“Who are you representing, and why would they care about me or Rodney?” Avery’s anger began to build now. How could she be so stupid? Last night had been amazing, and then this bombshell today? Avery flew off the bed, needing to distance herself from Lucas.
That explained why he’d had so many reservations before. The night in his room, when he’d pushed her away. The kisses he’d started then bolted from. So what changed last night? “Ugh!” She wanted to throw something.
Lucas was by her side in a span of a heartbeat. He held her hands in his. Avery almost pushed away, but instead let his hands encircle her wrists. “Avery,” he whispered. Another look clouded his eyes.
“I have a right to know, Lucas. Who the hell are you?”
“Everything I’ve told you is true. I promise you.”
“And now you’re words are supposed to have any merit with me right now?”
Lucas lowered his head. “No, you’re right. But give me a chance to explain. Please?”
“Fine. Explain.” This better be good.
“Can we sit down? Something? Please?” Lucas motioned toward the bed.
“Oh that’s a good one. You want to go back to bed?” Now she was just hurtling words. Avery didn’t care. Her heart raced, her blood boiled. Just when she thought she could have something with Lucas-.
No. Just stop those thoughts right there.
“I just want to talk, Avery. I understand you’re angry. You have a right to be. This isn’t easy for me.”
“Fine. Let’s sit. Talk.” Lucas followed Avery as she perched at the edge of her bed. She folded her arms over her chest and waited. Lucas told her last night that she could trust him! How’s that for trust? Avery knew he had his secrets, but she had never imagined one had to do with her.
Lucas frowned. “Okay. I’m just going to say this straight up. But when I do, there’s no taking it back, and I need you to not run off angry. I need you to listen.” Lucas took her hand in his, but Avery snatched it away.
“I don’t need you holding me down. I’ll be right here, listening to every word. But right now, you’re stalling.” Avery clasped her hands in her lap. Her legs started to tremble.
Lucas sighed. “Okay. Here goes. I represent someone that knows your birth mother.”
Chapter Fourteen
“What?” Avery shot to her feet as if someone had kicked her off the bed. “You what? I can not believe I’m hearing this! Why would you not tell me that, Lucas, especially since you’ve been around me when I’ve talked to Rodney and wondered. You made love to me knowing this information. You- you- Oh my God, Lucas!”
“Avery, I’m bound by contract. I could get in serious trouble for even talking about this right now. And trust me, I’ve been fighting it. I didn’t want to get involved with you, at least not without you knowing who I am. I can’t stand that I had to hold that in. I didn’t plan on what happened with us. You have to believe me.” Lucas practically pleaded.
“I don’t have to do anything,” Avery growled. She ran a hand through her hair, trying to decide what to do, what to say next. “Do you know who she is? My mother? Have you met her?”
Lucas hesitated.
Was he going to lie again?
“I’ve met her. I don’t know her that well.”
“Damn you, Lucas. I guess it’s a good thing you’ll probably be on your way soon, and I can forget you, right? Or how long do you plan on staying here to spy? Does Rodney know who you are?” She fired off each question, each one like she was spitting fire. How dare he! How dare he! And how stupid was she, coming on to him like she had without ever knowing honestly who the man was? Forget temptation, forget urges and desire, she should have thought with her head instead of anything else. Then maybe she could think with better judgment.
“He has no idea who I am.”
“I can’t believe you. Trust you? You keep saying that,” Avery muttered bitterly. Ha! Trust him! What other secrets was he hiding? Was his name even Lucas? Fury consumed her. She let herself get too close to another man. Avery palmed her face in her hands and tried to gather herself.
“Avery- something tells me you aren’t safe. That’s why I’m here. Not to hurt you. I went and did a damn good job of that, didn’t I?” Lucas stood, catching one of her wrists and pulled her to him. Avery struggled, but then gave in, sobs erupting from her body. She cried into his shoulder. With her free hand she punched Lucas’s chest, until he caught that arm too. “I’m sorry, Avery. I really am.” She said nothing. What more could she say? Avery let out her frustration through her tears against Lucas. “Go ahead and cry. Let it out. I’m so sorry, Avery.”
He could sooth her with his voice, with his touch, but Avery no longer felt right. She pulled away from him like he was on fire and glared at him through blurred vision. She shook her head. “What do you mean, I’m not safe?”
She wasn’t safe from Lucas, or her conflicting feelings, that’s for sure. But that couldn’t have been what Lucas referred to.
“I don’t have much information other than some concerns now, from your birth mother, that you aren’t safe.”
“That’s crazy. Why wouldn’t I be safe? Other than falling into bed with a man that isn’t honest?”
“Low blow, Avery.” Lucas reeled back as if he’d been slapped.
“It’s not any worse than what you’ve just admitted, Lucas. I’m just speaking the truth.”
“Just be careful. That’s all I’m asking.”
“Right now, you’re the last person I should be taking that advice from, unless you’re warning me about yourself. I can’t imagine I’d be in any danger from Rodney. Why don’t you just go back and tell my birth mother that I’m fine! I don’t need to be looked after,” Avery shot back. Lucas’s eyes narrowed and he looked away, but not before Avery saw the hurt flash in his eyes. She’d hit him where it counted. Right now, she didn’t care. Let him be hurt. He should have thought of that before letting things go this far before being honest. Contract, bah! Shouldn’t it state in a contract not to have sex with the woman he had to keep an eye on? He went and broke that rule, but he wouldn’t tell Avery what she needed to know? Seems like the lines were crossed and yet he wouldn’t even tell Avery anything more.
“You don’t mean that.”
“What would you know about what I mean, Lucas? It’s all a game to you. Double crossing. Lying. You used me. I’ve heard what you had to say, and I didn’t run off. But right now, I need to go see how my mom is doing. You need to go.”
Without a word, Lucas gathered his clothes, quickly got dressed and stuffed his phone in his pocket.
“This isn’t over, Avery. I hate that I hurt you, but I came here to do something, and I intend to see it through. I didn’t use you, despite what you think. I feel more for you than I ever imagined I could.” Lucas watched her for a moment before turning away and leaving the room. She waited until she heard the sound of the front door closing before heaving a sigh, sinking to the floor in tears.
******
Lucas stormed back to his room. He was so riled up. A run might help relieve the stress. But before that, he needed to make a phone call. This morning didn’t turn out at all like he’d thought. He wasn’t even that upset at Avery for answering his phone. Should he have been? Maybe, but that was so low on the list it didn’t matter. What mattered was that he’d let his feelings get in the way of his job.
That wasn’t something he ever intended on. Hell, he hadn’t really felt anything before. Meeting Avery changed that. He should have just come clean then, when he realized that he actually cared for her. Now everything turned into a complete fucking mess. She would probably never forgive him again, and then how would he keep her safe? But the questions was, safe from what? If he didn’t have all the answers, how could he do anything?
That’s why he needed to make that phone call. Avery wasn’t the only person he needed to come clean with. Somehow, he had to fix this. All of it. Then find a way to a new start. No more of this shitty life, keeping secrets, doing things to make other people’s lives better when in all honesty, it wouldn’t be. They would go on and still make their mistakes. Lucas just wouldn’t be there to clean it up any longer.
Then maybe his conscience would be clean and he would be free. Live the kind of life he wanted. Strike out on his own. But what would he do? He’d been tagging around so long that being literally on his own would be a strange new event.
But it’s one he wanted. So very badly.
Then maybe he could find a way to regain Avery’s trust. He had to at least give it a shot.
Lucas pushed the speed dial until someone answered.
“What was that all about this morning, Lucas? Was that her? Avery?”
Lucas swallowed hard. “Yeah, it was.”
“You did NOT tell her, did you? Damn you, Lucas!”
“I didn’t tell her everything, okay? And I’ll tell you, I fucking hate it. I like her. A lot. And things went further than I expected.”
“Oh, Lucas. You think with your dick way too much,” the caller chided, clicking her tongue. “Can’t you just do the job I need you to do?”
“You didn’t even give me clear instructions about why I’m here. Now you say something about keep her safe. Safe from who?” Lucas stared at his rugged reflection in the mirror.
“I don’t trust him, Lucas.”
“Trust who? Her father? Why can’t you take care of this on your own, instead of dragging me in it? I knew one day this would come back to bite me in the ass.” Sure enough, that day had come.
“Well, how did I know you were going to fall in the sack with her? I don’t pay you to get laid, Lucas!”
“What’s it going to take for you to just leave me alone? Can I give you the money back for this, go on my way, and be done?” Lucas roared. “If you always hide behind me, how will you learn to take care of your own problems? I’ve done enough to repay you for everything.”
A sigh. “You want to be done, Lucas? Fine. You go. Do your thing. I can make your life a living hell. And if anything, I mean anything happens because you’re being an idiot, you’ll have no one to blame but yourself. If you claim to care about Avery, then you should think long and hard about what you’re doing.”
Then there was nothing.
What? She hung up on him? That was a first. Usually he was the one to end the call.
Whatever.
Lucas found his running shorts and changed into them. A run would calm him down, give him time to think. Burn off the pent up energy that made his body quake.
As he left the room, images of Avery and the night before filled his mind. With each thought, he upped his pace. He passed the inn and took the route near the highway.
“Keep her safe.”
“I got this text...”
“You’re not supposed to think with your dick!”
The sound of squealing tires startled Lucas out of his thoughts. He looked up and noticed a dark sedan barreling right for him. He couldn’t make the face of the driver out very well, but Lucas didn’t have time to think. That car was going to hit him if he didn’t change his course. To the right was a fence, and to the left, the highway, filled with cars heading away at a high speed. If he took his chances just right, he could jump that fence in just a few leaps. He had to do something. That car was gaining speed and didn’t appear to be stopping.
Keep her safe? Well what about me?
Why would someone try to run him over? During the day, of all times?
Or his instincts were wrong and he’d look like a fool for nothing. Wouldn’t be the first time.
But with the area isolated enough, and a wall dividing the road and the highway, it could easily be done. But who? Why?
The engine revved high. Lucas took to the fence and climbed it quickly, jumping down from it safely on the other side. He lost his footing and collapsed, his ankle throbbing in pain. The car rolled on, even faster.
Something wasn’t right.
That car had been heading toward him. It wasn’t his imagination.
Lucas got to his feet and tested his ankle. He cringed and swore when he started to walk. Stabbing pain shot up right up that leg with each step. Fuck. Hopefully, it wasn’t broken. No, if it were broken, he wouldn’t be walking on it at all. Lucas weaved through the trees, hobbling along. He’d gone about a mile away from the inn. If he could just make it back, get some ice, he would be okay.
Leaves crackled underneath his feet. Overhead, birds chirped loudly. The trees were so thick at this point. The pain from his ankle spread up his leg and didn’t subside.
Lucas groaned.
“Hey man, you all right?” a voice asked from behind him.
Lucas whirled around to see someone come up behind him. He recognized that face, but from where? Oh wait, wasn’t that the guitar player in Avery’s band? The one she’d been dating?
“Just fine,” Lucas grunted, studying him carefully. Jameson, that was his name.
There was no way this guy would have been behind this, was there? Maybe he’d seen Lucas with Avery and had a jealous streak or something.
“You’re limping pretty bad. I hardly ever see anyone in these woods. You lost?” Jameson weaved around the trees until he was at Lucas’s side.
“Yet you’re here.” Lucas gave him a once over.
Jameson pointed. “I live a quarter mile that way. So sometimes I come through the woods for some quiet time. It’s peaceful. I’m Jameson.”
“I know who you are. You play in Avery’s band.” Lucas hadn’t meant to blurt that out, but oh well.
Jameson studied Lucas. “Oh, I’ve seen you at the club. You and Avery...” Sadness flashed on Jameson’s face.
“I’m not quite sure what Avery and I are,” Lucas said quickly. Before this morning, he had a better idea, even though there still hadn’t been any assurance. But now, well...
“Avery’s something else,” Jameson said wistfully. “You need help? Where do you live? Other than recently, I haven’t seen you here before.”
“I’m staying at the inn. Went for a run, and someone tried to hit me with their car.”
Jameson’s eyes widened. “Say what? Are you sure? We don’t usually have that kind of stuff happen here.”
Lucas grunted. “Well, I’m sure. I jumped the fence, rolled, and I think I twisted or sprained my ankle.”
“And the car?”
Lucas lifted his shoulders. “Took off when they realized I’d come on this side of the fence.”
“And you have no idea who?”
Lucas shook his head. “None. I’m a stranger in this town. Why woul
d anyone wanna hit me?”
“Couldn’t say. Let’s get you back to the inn. We can go to my place. It’s closer and I’ll drive you over. If you’ve got a swollen ankle, it’s best to get off it as soon as possible.”
A quarter mile versus close to a mile. As much as Lucas wasn’t sure about going with Jameson, it looked to be the best option. “If you’re alright hauling me to your place, then I guess that’s what I’ll go with.”
“Okay. Let’s go.”
Lucas thought Jameson would go on about Avery or give Lucas nasty looks because he was sort of involved with her. He was surprised when they had conversations about music instead. Jameson was actually a nice guy. Easy going. With their talking, the time flew by and soon Jameson commented that his house was right ahead. Lucas noticed it. A clearing in the trees, and a house came into view. “I have some wraps you can use for your ankle, then I’ll drive you over. Want something to drink? Water, Coke, a beer?”
“I’ll have some water. That’d be great,” Lucas said. The pain was so bad it was almost numbing, but he muddled through it anyway. Damn, it would be nice to get off his feet.
“Mom? You here?” Jameson called as they entered the house from the back. He gestured to a chair at the dining room table. “Make yourself at home. I’ll get you that water and a wrap.” Jameson opened a door to a stainless steel refrigerator and handed Lucas a bottle of water. “Be right back.”
Lucas pulled out a chair and sank into it. Relief washed over him as the pain eased up a bit from sitting down. He removed his shoe and sock to inspect his ankle. The swelling and purplish bruising indicated that he’d sure done something to it. He cringed and winced as he moved his ankle around.
“I guess my mom is napping. She’s had it rough. We lost my father about seven months ago. She’s been staying with me ever since.” Jameson handed him a wrap and held a bottle of anti-inflammatory pills in his hand. “You want some of these for the pain?”
Lucas nodded. “Sorry about your dad.”
Jameson slid the bottle across the table to Lucas. He uncapped it, shook out two pills and popped them into his mouth, downing them with the water. “Thanks.”
Baby Stetson (Love and Music in Texas #1) Page 13