Checking It Twice

by Jodi Redford

  “Yeah. Why?”

  “You had a weird look on your face just now.” Nick propped an elbow on the edge of the bar, his expression concerned. “Are you mad about yesterday?”

  The last thing he wanted to do was rehash any of this while his nosy coworkers were within earshot. “Do you mind if we go somewhere else?” He gestured toward the nearly full Jack and Coke when Nick automatically rose from his seat. “You can finish that first.”

  “I’ll get another at the next place.” Nick abandoned the stool and indicated for Kevin to proceed ahead of him. Once outside, he led the way to his rental car. “Any particular destination in mind?”

  “There’s a new bar and grill about five blocks from here.” Kevin hesitated, his fingers on the door handle. “Want me to drive?”

  “No. This is a nice change of pace.” Nick shrugged in response to Kevin’s frown. “I don’t get to do a lot of driving in Chicago.”

  With that settled, he climbed into the passenger seat and waited for Nick to start up the engine. A few seconds later, they left the Dockside behind and joined the heavy traffic congesting Jefferson Avenue. Nick adjusted the volume on the radio before sliding him a sidelong glance. “Congrats on the five-star rating with Metro Cuisine, by the way. Not that I’m surprised. You always were a mad genius in the kitchen.”

  So that was how Nick had tracked him down. “Thanks.” He cleared his throat. “Contrary to what you probably think, I wasn’t hiding from you all these years.”

  “No, but you didn’t exactly call to let me know if you were alive or dead, did you?”

  “How would I have been able to call you if I was dead?”

  Nick’s lips twitched. “Yeah, that might have been tough.”

  Kevin stared out the windshield. “You’re right, though. I’m not going to make excuses. I’m an asshole.”

  “For five years, I talked myself out of looking for you because I was pissed and stubborn. Guess that makes me an asshole too.”

  “We’re quite the fucking pair, eh?”

  “We always have been.” Nick’s voice held an unmistakable note of melancholy. “I’ve missed you. Missed this.”

  “What? Arguing and admitting we’re assholes?”

  A grunt fell from Nick. “You know what I mean.”

  “Yeah, I do.” Leaning his head on the padded neck rest, he eyed the bright display of Christmas lights bedecking the exteriors of the buildings lining either side of the road. Rubbing his jaw, he shifted his focus to Nick. “I’ve missed you too.”

  Obvious relief relaxed the tension furrowing Nick’s brow. “Let’s not let angry words get between us again, okay?”

  He nodded. A companionable silence descended on them for the remainder of the short drive to the River Lodge Grill. After parking, they made their way into the rustically themed restaurant. The place was surprisingly quiet for a busy weeknight this close to the holiday. In little time at all, a waitress with a broad, friendly smile approached and led them to an available booth near the back.

  Nick eyed the moose head hanging on the wall. “He better not steal my waffle fries.”

  Giggling, the young waitress passed Nick a flirtatious smile along with a menu. Once she’d taken their drink orders, she moved on to the next table.

  Cracking open his own menu, Kevin shook his head. “Still have a way with the ladies, I see.” Realizing what he’d just said, he shifted on the bench seat and hunched his shoulders, trying without much success to shield his no-doubt-flushed face from Nick’s view. He didn’t need to glance up to detect the heat of Nick’s gaze drilling into him.

  “We need to talk about what happened with Jana.”

  He automatically stiffened. Unfortunately, a good portion of that reflex was centered below his belt. Even when he realized that Nick was referring to the scene at her store, not the phone sex, his arousal didn’t immediately dissipate. The damage was already done, so his damn cock wasn’t about to give him a break. You better behave yourself, or I’m letting my hand go to town again. Jesus, he was mentally conversing with his dick. He was more warped than even he’d suspected.

  Reluctantly lifting his focus from the menu, he met the solemness in Nick’s eyes. “There isn’t anything to talk about.”

  “You love her.”

  “So do you.”

  As always, Nick had the balls to continue staring him down, even when faced with such a damning accusation. “You saw an awful lot, considering the short time you were standing there watching us.”

  Yeah, he had. The way Nick touched Jana, kissed her, it’d been clear there was more to it than lust. He’d seen Nick with plenty of women, and not once had Nick looked at them the way he did Jana.

  “My feelings aren’t the ones in question here.” Nick’s gaze pinned Kevin in place. “It’s you she wants.”

  No. Not just me. His cock hardened even more as he recalled her intense response to the fantasy of Nick fucking her. Willing away his stubborn erection and the phantom of Jana’s sexy cries ringing in his ears, he cleared his throat and slid a desperate glance toward the waitress, praying with everything inside him that she’d stop chatting with the neighboring table and go get his much-needed whiskey sour.

  “I told Jana about your voyeurism.”

  “I know.”

  “It slipped out before I realized you hadn’t—” Words back piling in his mouth, Nick blinked. “Wait. What do you mean you know?”

  “She told me. I called her last night, and…” We had phone sex and she came like crazy while you fucked her and I watched. His cock thickened behind the fly of his trousers.

  “And what?”

  “Nothing. I apologized for being an asshole. Seems I’ve been doing that a lot lately.”

  Nick’s hawklike gaze sharpened on him. “No, there’s more to it than that. Something you’re not telling me.”

  “We talked. That’s all.”

  Dropping his arm from the back of the bench seat, Nick leaned forward. “Liar. I’ve seen that expression on your face too many times not to recognize it for what it is.” His mouth crooking at one corner, Nick lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “You’re turned on right now. And unless you’ve switched teams without telling me, I doubt I’m the cause.”

  Kevin scratched the back of his neck, earning a frown from Nick.

  “Holy shit, are you batting for the other team now?”

  “No.”

  “Then what’s got you so uncomfortable?” Nick persisted. When he was after something, he could be a damn pit bull.

  “Nothing. Drop it.”

  “Now you’re getting defensive. Which means I’m right. Clearly something came up during your conversation with Jana.”

  Oh yeah. Something definitely came up. My damn cock. “You’re stabbing in the dark here.” He peered around frantically for the waitress. “Where’s our damn drinks?”

  “Shit, whatever it was, it must have been good.” Nick’s fingers drummed on the tabletop. “Was it something to do with the voyeurism?”

  Kevin slid Nick a peeved look. “Jesus. Would you keep your voice down?”

  “No one heard me. And you’re evading the subject. You might as well spit it out, otherwise I’m going to hound you all night.”

  Sonofabitch. Exhaling heavily, he scrubbed a hand through his hair, stalling. When he glanced warily at Nick, he caught his patient stare. Might as well get this fucking over with. “Don’t jump to conclusions about what I’m going to tell you. All right?”

  “Damn. It must be really good.”

  “You’re a pain in the ass.” Grumbling, he shuffled his feet and eyed the closest table. Fortunately it was a safe enough distance away. It’d be unlikely they’d hear anything. “I might have had phone sex with Jana.”

  Nick was quiet for a moment before a wide smile tipped his mouth. “Hallefuckinglujah.” Still grinning obnoxiously, Nick cocked an eyebrow. “Although, if you’re questioning whether you did have phone sex with her, it makes me
wonder how long it’s been since you’ve gotten any action.”

  “None of your damn business, you nosy fucker.” There was no way in hell he’d let it slip that last night hadn’t been the first time he’d played a part in making Jana come. If Nick knew about the episode on the couch, he’d take it as glaring evidence that Kevin’s willpower where Jana was concerned teetered on a fraying thread. That kind of information in Nick’s hands? Shit. The nefarious lengths Nick was capable of employing made Jana’s seductive ploys look like child’s play.

  Nick chuckled. “Don’t feel bad. It’s been a dry spell for me too.”

  It was Kevin’s turn to blink. Nick…celibate? Deliberate or not, the concept was insane. “That’s hard to believe.”

  “Work’s been keeping me too busy to have much of a personal life. Plus, the only woman who’s stirred the ole blood lives three hundred miles from me and happens to be in love with my best friend.” Nick’s expression turned challenging. “So when are you going to come to your damn senses and do something about it?”

  “I’m not going to put her through the heartache of a screwed-up relationship with me. I care about Jana way too much to do that to her.”

  Nick sighed. “What Heather said five years ago was a crock of shit. You’re as capable of sustaining a normal relationship as the next guy.”

  They’d had this same conversation before, right before he’d walked away from Nick and Heather. Just like then, it was hard for him to share Nick’s faith in him. “All of this is irrelevant anyway.” He steepled his fingers in front of him and took a deep, fortifying breath. “I’m moving to Las Vegas after the holidays.”

  A deathly quiet enveloped the table. Unable to take the silence anymore, he lifted his gaze to Nick’s. The shock—and yes, anger—riding his best friend’s features was impossible to miss.

  “What do you mean you’re moving to Vegas?”

  “I accepted a job offer from the Cinders.”

  Nick’s eyebrows slashed low. “Are you sure that’s the only reason you’re moving out there?”

  “Yeah. Why else would I?”

  “I can think of two. Jana. And your dad.” A heavy note of accusation edged Nick’s tone.

  “My dad has nothing to do with this.” Fucking liar. Still, he damn well wouldn’t confess to the guilt that motivated his decision.

  “No?” Nick’s stare was far too assessing and invasive. “Mighty convenient that your pops just happens to be part owner of the Cinders. No doubt that coveted five-star rating you’re toting is looking pretty damn enticing to that asshole.”

  The hollowness in Kevin’s stomach wouldn’t let him forget that he’d had similar thoughts regarding his dad’s motives for the uncharacteristic pulling of strings where his son was concerned. “You’re making more of this than there is.”

  “Only because I know you. And how you’ve been punishing yourself all this time. That cold son of a bitch took his pound of flesh twelve years ago when he kicked you out on the street. You don’t owe him anything more.”

  Kevin stared at his fingertips. “Some would say he was more than justified in his actions.”

  The upholstered bench creaked as Nick abruptly leaned forward, his eyes blazing with anger. “You are not to blame for what happened with that bitch Madis—” Apparently remembering his promise regarding that particular name, Nick snapped his lips into a fierce line.

  It was yet another thing he and Nick disagreed on. Yeah, he certainly wasn’t willing to shoulder all of the guilt for the part he’d played in destroying his dad and Madison’s marriage, but he also couldn’t play the innocent party. “I told you, my decision to take the Cinders job has nothing to do with my dad. So drop it.”

  “Fine. Then what about Jana? Don’t even try to tell me you’re not running scared because of your feelings for her.”

  “It’s business. Nothing more.” But even as he voiced that statement, he had a hard time believing his own words.

  Chapter Eight

  Despite the wintery weather, the shopping district in downtown Rochester was jam-packed with people out looking for gifts and holiday bargains. As Nick searched for an available parking space, he debated the sanity of braving the crowds just so he could find a souvenir to ship off to his mom. He knew how much she appreciated and looked forward to the little mementos from his various travels though. Deciding her happiness far outweighed his inconvenience, he circled the city parking lot again until he spotted a tan SUV with evergreen garlands decorating its roof rack vacating a spot. Mentally pumping his fist in victory, he stepped on the gas and cruised into the parking space. After double-checking that he had his wallet with him, he climbed from his car and hit the locks.

  The bracing air giving him a brisk slap, he rushed toward the cluster of shops up ahead. The first store he entered was too crowded to be comfortable. Fortunately, a fast scan verified that most of the merchandise appeared to be ultra-modern home furnishings and the like. Definitely not his mom’s style. Leaving that shop behind, he tried his luck at the neighboring one and hit pay dirt when he noticed they sold mostly local, handcrafted goods and folk art. Stuffing his gloves in his coat pocket, he ventured toward a rack of quilted hobo sacks. A bright pink and lime green one catching his eye, he freed the strap and held up the tote for a closer inspection.

  “Personally, I think blue is more your color.”

  The familiar, humor-filled voice poured over him like warm butterscotch. Nerves tingling in pleasure, he glanced over his shoulder and met Jana’s amused gaze. A shock of lust splintered through him. Jesus Christ. Would there ever come a time when he wouldn’t be insanely aroused every time he looked at her? Probably not. Which was why he fucking hoped to God that Kevin came around, and soon. Jana was the best damn thing that could have happened for Kev, and there was nothing Nick wanted more than to see Kev and Jana together and happy. But he’d also be a damn liar if he didn’t admit that he was experiencing a struggle of epic proportions to not want Jana for himself.

  Fuck. He did want her. With every breath inside him. God knows, if Jana loved him the way she did Kev…

  Nothing on this Earth would keep Nick from being with her. Maybe not even Kev.

  The thought making him feel suspiciously guilty, he hooked the tote back on the rack. “I’m looking for a gift for my mom.”

  “Ah, now it’s making sense.”

  “You’re a long way from Wicked Delights.”

  “My part-timer, Allie, mans the store all day for me on Thursdays and Saturdays, so I’m officially off the clock.” She glanced at the rack of tote bags. “Do you want me to help you find something for your mom? I’m pretty good at picking out presents.”

  The prospect of time spent with her was too irresistible to pass up, regardless if it ended up tormenting him. “I’d like that.”

  Her smile threatened to blind him. “Okay, tell me about your mom so I can get an idea of what the perfect gift for her would be.”

  He stroked his chin. “Well, I don’t know. She’s…mom-like.”

  Jana snorted. “Not only is that incredibly unhelpful, I’m sure your mother would love the description.”

  He offered her a sheepish look. “She’s kind of a homebody. Loves to read and knit.” He gestured toward the bags. “I was thinking she could use one of those for holding her yarn and needles.”

  “Hmm, that sounds like a good option. There’s another rack of these in the back that feature animal prints.”

  “You mean like cheetah and zebra? I don’t think she’d be in to that.”

  “No, you goofball. Like whimsical cats and ducks.”

  “She does love cats.”

  “Then we might have a winner.” Snatching his arm, she dragged him toward the rear of the store. The tote in question proved to be the ideal present for his mom, according to Jana. He definitely agreed with her. She also convinced him to purchase coordinating slippers and a handmade journal. One hundred and fifty dollars later, he followed Jana through the
front door and huddled with her beneath the protective awning. “I don’t know whether to thank you or weep for my bank account.”

  She tossed him a cheeky smile. “I’m extremely skilled at spending other people’s money.”

  He stared at her mouth, remembering its addictive softness. “How about you spend some more of my money by having lunch with me?”

  “I thought our complicated situation precluded noshing together.”

  He frowned. “It does?”

  “Well, I don’t think so. But I thought you did.”

  “Why would you think that?”

  She nibbled her lip. “You backed out on taking me to dinner the other night.”

  Fuck. I did. Sticking to that plan would probably go a long way in preserving his sanity. Then again, sanity was highly overrated. “I’d really like to take you to lunch. Assuming I have the willpower not to ravage you while we’re waiting for the soup to arrive, we should be okay.”

  He wasn’t sure if the sudden color in her cheeks was due to the cold or his statement. Regardless, it was going to make it doubly hard for him to keep his promise about the non-ravagement.

  “There’s a really good bistro within walking distance, if you’re up for it.”

  “Hell, a little subzero windchill isn’t going to turn me into a wimp.” Hugging Jana tight to his side, he used his body to block most of the arctic gusts as she tugged him down the sidewalk.

  Less than five minutes later, their teeth chattering, they piled through the doorway of the cozy cafe. The blessed warmth felt nearly as wonderfully welcome as Jana cuddled against him. Heeding the sign that told them to seat themselves, they headed to a small table situated near one of the windows overlooking the street.

  Jana shrugged from her long leather trench coat and draped it over the back of her chair. She caught him eyeing the garment and chuckled. “I know, it’s not practical. I’m worse than a six-year-old when it comes to things like dressing appropriately to avoid frostbite.” She plopped down on her seat and shivered.

  He removed his coat and sat across from her before reaching for her hands. They were blocks of ice. He speared her with a stern look. “Gloves?”