Mr. Unlucky

by BA Tortuga

  “Jesus, you’re all sorts of a slut, aren’t you? Walk out on a man in Boston and hook up here. Bitch.”

  They both stopped short, and Bodie looked over at the stranger standing like a bulldog, huffing and blowing his lips at them. Whoever the asshole was, he wasn’t local. Who the fuck wore a shiny silk shirt in July?

  Addie knew who he was, though, because her eyes went wide, skin paling almost to the color of milk. “Jim, you have a lot of fucking nerve coming around…”

  He never even saw Maddie move, but he sure as shit heard her fist slam into the stranger’s face. Bodie put Addie behind him, his body between her and the falling man. “What the hell?”

  “This is her fucking ex-fiancé.” Maddie cocked her fist back, looking fully ready to hit him again. “He hit her, threw her out. He hurt her hand. He’s a fucking psycho.”

  Bodie stared at the man, his hands clenching into fists. He’d dislike the guy just on the ex-fiancé thing, but it had to be bad if both the girls were this upset. “Well, then, you got no right to see her. I got this, Maddie.”

  The feller gave him a twisted little smile, blood dripping where Maddie had hit him. “You think so? She’ll cheat on you, then steal you blind.”

  Addie gasped. “I didn’t take a thing that wasn’t mine.”

  “Bullshit. You’re a fucking thief, you little bitch.”

  Oh, now. That was enough. “Back off, man.”

  Maddie growled. “You get the fuck out of here of I will rip off your head and shit down your neck, you hear me? She came home with broken bones from you hitting her!”

  Broken bones? His girl?

  “I’ve been trying to call you, damn it. Just fucking listen to me.” Jim stumbled to his feet and reached for Addie, and Bodie lost it. He hit the man right in the same spot Maddie had landed her blow, sending the fucker staggering back. When the idiot didn’t stay down, Bodie hit him again, then again, dodging when the asshole tried to cheat and kick him.

  Bodie just kept at the guy, landing punches on his chest and face. “Stay. Away. From my girl.” Each word was punctuated by the sound of his fist hitting flesh, by the jeers of the crowd that had formed.

  He didn’t let up until someone bigger than him grabbed his arm. “Bodie. Bodie, stop it before you kill him, and I have to haul you in.”

  “He tried to touch her, John. He already assaulted her once, back in Boston.” His knuckles stung and ached.

  “And I’ll deal with it from here, okay? You get the hell out of here.”

  Bodie glanced at Maddie. “You okay, Mads?”

  “I am.” Man, that was one tough broad. Rodeoing was hard on a woman. “Go on. John and I can handle it.”

  “You’re the best.” He didn’t even look back. He just grabbed Addie’s hand and tugged her out of the club, adrenaline rushing through his veins.

  “Oh, God. Did that just happen?” Addie sounded just pure-D stunned.

  “Are you all right, honey?” He stopped, hands on her shoulders, so he could look her in the eye. She looked a little shocky.

  “What the hell is he doing here? That asshole. Accusing me of stealing from him?” And pissed off. She looked furious.

  “Come on, honey.” He tugged her to the truck, getting her inside. They’d go to the Dairy Dart, get some food and a shake and sit in the truck. He probably needed to know more about this ex.

  Hell, he needed to know why he didn’t know there was an ex.

  “You okay?” he asked once they’d backed out of the lot and hit the open road. He’d ease into the questions.

  “I’m not sure. I’m a little wigged. Did you see Maddie? She was something else.”

  “I did.” He chuckled a little. “She never would have gotten a shot at him if I’d known you had an ex.”

  “I didn’t ever expect to see him again. He threw me out.”

  “Were y’all serious?” How had she never mentioned that there was a serious guy?

  “We were fixin’ to get married. I moved to Massachusetts for him after I resigned at the paper.” Addie sighed, the sound damn near lost under the roar of the engine. “It was a huge mistake.”

  “What happened, honey?” He was clenching the steering wheel hard, and he had to let loose a little, breathe.

  “You…you see, it’s a little funny, because it’s sort of like us, in a backward way, I mean. I was late and, unlike us, we were engaged and not using protection. I got a pregnancy test and he found it. I wasn’t pregnant, but he was…well, he’d gotten fixed and he hadn’t told me.”

  He blinked at the road a minute. “He’d gotten a vasectomy? That seems like something you might want to know if you were getting married.”

  “Yeah. Yeah, I mean, that’s big, you know? Do you want babies, don’t you want babies. Can you have babies, can’t you?”

  “I know. It is important.” Scary. But important. And something he’d thought on more than once since their argument.

  “That’s what I said, and then…things got ugly, and suddenly I was on the steps of the Boston Public Library with everything in my car. He lost his shit altogether, screaming about me sleeping around, being a whore and all.”

  Bodie frowned hard. “Define ugly, honey.”

  She shrugged. “Black eye and two broken fingers.”

  Jesus. Maddie had said he’d hit her, but that hadn’t registered until now. He burned a U-turn, heading back to the club.

  “Bodie?” Addie was holding onto the oh-shit handle.

  “I’m going to kill him.”

  “I think you made a valiant effort to do that, but John says you can’t.”

  “That was before he hit you.” Bodie growled when she laughed. “You know what I mean!”

  “I do. I do, but John will deal with it, okay? He’s probably not even there anymore.”

  “Oh.” Man, he felt like a pinball. Ping, ping. “Sure. Okay.”

  “I’m sorry, Bodie. I never…” She shrugged. “Shit, to be honest, I just don’t think about him, unless he’s texting or calling. He’s just not that important.”

  His arms relaxed a little, his shoulders coming down from around his ears. He burned another turnaround. “Screw him, huh? Dairy Dart it is.”

  “Onion rings sound like heaven.” Her hand was on his thigh, warm and solid. “You know, Maddie’s the good twin, right?”

  “Good at what? Kicking ass?” He chuckled.

  “Apparently. She’s a stud.”

  “She is.” They pulled up at the Dairy Dart, and it was still early enough that they weren’t fighting the teenagers. “Onion rings? Anything else but a shake?”

  Addie looked at the menu, lips twisting. “Oh, what the hell, I’ll take a patty melt.”

  “That’s my girl.” Bodie hooted.

  She gave him a half-grin, a wink. “Delicate and retiring, that’s me.”

  “Oh, hell, you’re perfect, At least for me,” He kissed her real quick, tugging her across the seat before settling her back and pulling into the drive through window.

  Her hand was on his leg again, fingers tracing the seam of his jeans. She made him so stupid he damned near took off his side view mirror at the window.

  Her soft giggle made him grin, like he was a teenager again. He pondered taking her parking, just because he could. How fun would that be? Drive them out to the pond out on his land, make out like mad things. He loved the whole idea. Bodie handed her the bags of food. “Wanna go park somewhere and eat?”

  “You know it.”

  “Cool. I was thinking out by the pond. We’ll eat in the back of the truck, huh?” He took off, zipping along, ready to get that hamburger while it was hot and then get his girl.

  “Works for me. The nights are finally trying to cool off some.”

  “They are. Good thing, too. We’re hot enough as it is.”

  “Yeah.” Her phone beeped and Addie grabbed it. “Jim’s in the clink. Maddie talked John into it for Jim’s safety. All blinky and girly.”

  “Texas gi
rls.” Bodie snorted. “Good thing us Texas men never learn better.”

  “You know it,” she repeated, as her eyelashes fluttered, playfully.

  “Hey, go her.” That meant he was less likely to go back to the club later looking to wipe up the floor with a certain ex. Fucker. Coming here and bothering his woman. He wouldn’t have that shit.

  “Maddie says I should have known better, than to date a Yankee.” She chuckled. “Of course, my best friend from high school, Marjorie? She lives in New Jersey. Has a wife and three kids, and just loves it, so everyone has a place they belong.”

  “There you go.” He patted her leg, getting a little grease on his hand from the Dairy Dart bag. Lord.

  She grabbed a napkin, handed it over. “I’m going to have to take my shirt off to eat.”

  “I won’t tell.” He might stare. Maybe lick things.

  “Somehow I don’t see you as the type of guy that eats half naked and tells.”

  “No, ma’am. I don’t kiss and tell either.”

  She offered him another of those sweet, slow caresses. “I know, cowboy.”

  He turned into his property, truck bouncing over the cattle guard.

  “I’m glad you were there tonight.”

  “So am I.” He was. Amazing, how quickly he was getting past the not knowing and into the righteous rage on her behalf. He guessed that was how it went with love. Oh, man. He loved Addie. Like one hundred percent, bone-deep, forever, fuck him he was caught through the balls in love.

  Shit, marthy.

  He just let everything go but the moment, parking out by the pond and pulling out a couple of battery operated lamps he kept back in the back.

  He had partially naked hamburger eating to look forward to. He’d worry about being in love tomorrow.

  Chapter Ten

  “Oh, Daddy Chris, that smells so good.” She bounced into the house, arms full of an ice cream cake—half lemon, half chocolate. “We love your lasagna.”

  “I know. That’s why I’m making it. Did you get bread and stuff for salad?”

  “Yes, sir. Maddie says she’ll be in in about an hour. She’s helping Dad unload those calves, then she’ll need a shower.”

  She felt a little giddy, really. The dads always celebrated Maddie and Addie’s birthdays together, whenever they could, but this would be the first one where Bodie was coming. Bodie, Maddie’s best friend Carrie Ann, even Uncle Mark was threatening to show up.

  It was going to be so much fun.

  She had a neat satellite radio for Maddie’s truck, and she knew the dads had a sweet little set of colts hidden away in the barn for Mads, too. She couldn’t wait to see Maddie’s reaction to that, because these colts would be champion barrel horses. They came from amazing bloodlines.

  Her cell rang, and she put everything on the counter, grabbing it.

  “Hey, cowboy. How’s things?”

  She steadfastly ignored Daddy’s snort.

  “Good, good. I was on my way over and I thought I’d see if y’all needed anything.” Did Bodie sound nervous? Poor baby.

  “Daddy? You need anything else? Bodie’s on the way.”

  “Nope. You tell him just to come on.”

  “We got everything we need, cowboy. Just head on out.” She smoothed her little top over her belly, making sure she was tucked in.

  “I’ll be there in two shakes, then. See you soon, honey.”

  “Good deal.” She hung up, then felt her cheeks heat as Daddy Chris gave her that look. “What?”

  “You’re smitten.”

  “What?”

  Her daddy grinned, eyes crinkling up at the edges. “You, my angel baby, are stupid for that cowboy. I’m not sure you’re allowed to hook up with one of us. We’re bad news.”

  “Bodie is a rancher, not a rodeo cowboy. That was good enough for you.” She was going to burst into flames.

  “Ranchers suck.” Daddy put the lasagna in the oven, then leaned back, barely holding the laughter back.

  Her dad, Brandt, laughed out loud, popping Daddy Chris on the ass. “And blow, and pull and ride and all that good stuff.”

  “Dad! Gross!” She cracked up, shaking her head.

  “But true.” They cackled like a couple of blackbirds, and Daddy Chris slapped her dad’s hand when he reached for a sautéed mushroom.

  “Addison is in love with that cowboy, lover.” Daddy Chris looked so serious.

  “Well, I guess that’s that, but she needs to be careful.” He held up his hands when she stared at him. “I don’t mean his rep. I mean losing two women he cared about that much has to leave scars. Have I mentioned that?”

  “It’s not like he’s going to ask me to marry him, y’all. We’re having a good time.” She was having the time of her life, in fact. “And I’m using birth control, so don’t ask.”

  “Okay, kiddo. Just remember we’re your dads.” Brandt kissed her cheek. “Happy birthday.”

  “Thank you, Dad.” She hugged him tight, lips near his ear. “I just like him, you know? So much.”

  “I know, baby girl. And sometimes that’s all you need for the time being.”

  “Yeah.”

  He squeezed her waist. “Now. Let’s make a salad.”

  “You hooligans get away from my kitchen. I’m cooking for my babies.” Daddy Chris wielded his spatula like a sword, chasing them out of the kitchen. They were still tromping around the front room, pretending they were a marching band, when Maddie came in.

  “Are we having a birthday parade?” Maddie’s hair was wet, braided, the girl’s t-shirt clinging.

  “Lord, couldn’t you dry off?”

  “Fuck off.”

  “Madison!”

  “Sorry, Dad,” Maddie said, flipping her off.

  “Happy birthday, you evil bitch.” She winked over.

  “Happy almost birthday, baby sister. Do I smell Daddy’s lasagna?”

  “Yes!”

  Maddie squealed and headed in, and they heard Daddy Chris’ laugh booming out. She and her dad chuckled, knowing how Mads loved that stuff. That was when the knock came on the door.

  “I’ll get it.” She opened the door, Bodie standing there in what she knew was his best good shirt. It was blue with stripes on it, which made his eyes pop. He had his dress hat on, too.

  “Hey, honey.” He smiled, and her silly heart flip-flopped a little.

  “Hey, cowboy.” She pushed into his arms and took a chaste kiss, ignoring the way Dad cleared his throat.

  Bodie smiled at Dad Brandt. “Hey, Brandt. Good to see you.” He held out a hand to shake.

  “Glad to see you, Bodie. Come on in.” Dad nodded, nodded toward the couch. “Have a sit.”

  “Thanks.” Bodie took a flat little box out of his pocket and put it on the table with the wrapped presents. He pulled an envelope out of his back pocket, too, but it was labeled, “Maddie”.

  “Oh, what did you get her?”

  Bodie winked. “A gift card for the feed store.”

  “She’ll love that.” She nudged him. “What did you get me?”

  “You’ll have to open it and see.” He kissed her again, just a light touch of lips. “Wanna sit with me?” Looked like he was a little nervous at being alone with Dad.

  “Surely.” She plopped down, winked at Dad. “So are you going to play that whole mean dad thing or am I old enough to just avoid it?”

  “Don’t make me beat you, child.” Dad just grinned.

  Bodie shook his head. “How often does he get to do this? Just let him get it over with, huh?”

  “I haven’t had to do this in years, man, and I never got to meet that Jim asshole.”

  “Dad.” She didn’t want to talk about Jim.

  “What? It’s the truth. I hear he’s in town, looking for you.”

  “Maddie and I took care of it,” Bodie said, spreading his hands. “And, hell, if he comes back I’ll just kill him.”

  “Only if I don’t get that sorry motherfucker first.” Daddy Chris stood
in the kitchen doorway, hands on his hips. “Hitting my baby girl. I can’t believe you didn’t tell us.”

  “Guys.” Lord have mercy. “This is our birthday party.”

  “Happy happy birthday!” Maddie bounced in wearing a clean, dry shirt and a pair of ridiculous yoga pants with a giant flower on one leg. “Woo.”

  She looked at Maddie, then cracked up, laughing so hard that it felt like something inside her was going to strain.

  “Oh, good lord. You got the girls giggling again, brother?” Uncle Mark came in, an exceedingly pregnant Carrie Ann waddling along behind. “Look who I found outside! Some little lost redneck girl.”

  “I think I’ll have to beat him,” Carrie Ann grumbled, holding out a pair of wrapped boxes.

  “I’d love to see you try.” Mark looked just like Dad Brandt, except taller, older, and rounder. Maddie was grabbed and squeezed, then those dark eyes landed on her. “Come give me a hug, Carrot Cake.”

  She hopped up and went to give him a bone-cracking hug while Maddie assaulted Carrie Ann. Bodie stood, too, motioning to the couch. “Sit, Carrie Ann, before you pop.”

  “Hey, Bodie. Have you met Mark?”

  Dad nodded, eyes rolling. “My older brother. Much older.”

  “Fuck you, Brandtley.” Uncle Mark delivered her into Bodie’s arms, before shaking Bodie’s hand hard. “Hey, man. Mark Grainger. How goes?”

  “Good. Good. How are you?” Bodie was more at ease every second. She approved.

  “I am celebrating the birthday of the most beautiful nieces in the history of the world and hoping that Mr. Chris made lasagna.”

  Just on cue, Daddy Chris came in, beers in hand. He passed them out, handing Carrie Ann a bottle of Sprite.

  “Thanks.” Carrie Ann sighed. “I’m not sure if I’m up to all that tomato. Sorry, Daddy Chris.”

  “Au contraire, Missy. I made you a couple of lasagna noodle rolls with a nice, mild parmesan cream sauce.”

  “Oh, Daddy Chris, you are made of win.”

  Maddie looked at her, and Addie looked back, winked. They had good dads. It was easy to understand why they wouldn’t settle for the first guy who came along. Like Jim.

  Bodie hugged her, then settled in one of the side chairs. He was a good guy, too, giving up his seat.