by Jennifer Ann
“Anything you have to say to her can be done by phone,” the twin calls after him.
Once the door slams shut behind Richard, I turn to the twin and laugh brightly. “You were brilliant.”
Eyes flickering down to my mouth, he drops my hand like a hot potato, and his brown eyes darken even more though I can’t imagine how it’s possible. He already appears ready to throw his Thor-sized fist through the wall. “If you don’t want anything to do with that guy, why’d you let him in? You shouldn’t be letting strangers like me in, either. That’s self defense one-oh-one.”
“You’re hardly a stranger. I recognized you from Ev’s photographs. You’re Hunter…or James. Sorry, I haven’t the faintest idea which.”
“James,” he answers briskly, eyes fluttering about the flat. “Where’s Evelyn?”
He may be rather striking, but apparently he’s not one for conversation. It occurs to me Evelyn wouldn’t have run off with Charlie had she known her brother was going to be in town and she would’ve at least mentioned it. This can’t be good. “She’s out for the day, I’m afraid. Working. At the bar.” I’m a piss poor liar. “Did she know you were coming?”
“I need to talk to her now,” he insists, reaching inside his bag to produce a rolled up tabloid. With pictures of Evelyn plastered across the cover.
Bloody hell. I casually take the glossy magazine for a closer inspection. In addition to the pictures of her posing with the girls at her cafe, there are several from the night we were jumped outside of Leona’s. The headline reads “Who’s that Girl?”
If I dare stop to actually read the article inside, he may realize there’s a bit of truth to the story. It’s imperative that I talk him down before he blows his top. I hand it back over. “Certainly you don’t believe this rubbish.”
The brother grabs his phone, flicking the screen with a thick finger. “Yesterday I got an email from some woman saying my sister is sleeping with Charlie Walker. When I found pictures of them together plastered all over the web, I took the first flight I could get out here. This wasn’t the only magazine I saw at the airport with her full name attached to them. Tell me if I should believe these.”
He hands me his phone, showing a picture of Evelyn and Charlie holding hands on a beach near the same yacht club my father often goes when chartering boats. The headlines claim she’s his new flavor of the month. At least they both appear to be having a splendid time with matching grins on their faces and a tasteful swimsuit looks smashing on her frame.
James’s eyes narrow on my face, sending an unexpected shiver down my spine. Fit and intense as hell. Can’t decide which turns me on more. “Why is my little sister running around New York with a fucking rockstar? Is he the reason she moved out here? Is she even living with you, or was that a bunch of bullshit the two of you cooked up for my dad’s benefit?”
“Listen here, James,” I warn, narrowing my eyes back at him and poking his chest with my finger. I stall for a moment when his muscle refuses to soften beneath my touch. He’s built like a house. “Who do you think you are, appearing at my doorstep and accusing me of ‘bullshit?’ Just because you’re Evelyn’s brother doesn’t mean I know you from Bob. As you were so quick to point out, you’re a stranger and I don’t appreciate your tone. I most certainly don’t want to be having this bloody conversation with you about my flatmate when she’s a grown adult and not here to defend herself.”
The giant man seems to soften a smidgen. Tension rolling off his wide shoulders, he dips his chin and his eyes close. They reopen, their chocolate depths swarming with regret. “I spent half the night sitting in the O’hare Airport, waiting for a connecting flight. Guess it gave me too much time to think. After seeing my sister’s reputation smeared on national news and being caged up for a few hours, I’m all fired up.”
One pathetic look from the bloke and I’m ready to forgive him for being so hard on Evelyn. Rolling my eyes, I decide kindness is the only way out of this. “Come on then, drop your knapsack by the door and have a seat. I’ll put on a cuppa tea.”
He drops the bag and strides after me. “Water’s fine. Not much of a tea drinker.”
After I grab two bottles, we settle side-by-side on the couch, knees mere inches apart. Heat from the mammoth man warms me in parts that as of late had become inoperable. I’m struck with a delicious vision of what I could do with the healthy lips bent my way in a smile, showing a row of dazzling pearly whites.
“Let’s start over,” he suggests, offering his massive hand once again. “I’m James. Guessing you're Sharlo.”
“That’s more like it, mate,” I tease, taking his hand. Biting my lip, I pray he doesn’t hear the delighted hum that falls from my lips. “It’s my pleasure, James. Keep at it and I’ll mistake you for a proper brother and not the Neanderthal that’s been harassing my flatmate most her life.”
“You don’t know the whole story,” he insists, dropping my hand. Leaned back against the couch, his head tilts to the ceiling. “After our mom died, she got lost in the mix with a house full of men. Our sisters had already graduated and left home. The only thing left for Ev to do was fill our mom’s role. She didn’t have much time for dating. There wasn’t time for that kind of thing between the farm and keeping our dad out of trouble.”
Dark eyes hitting mine, he pulls up on his cap a few times before setting it on the couch at his side. A fit head full of touchable hair spills down, touching the tops of his ears. I don’t realize I’m staring until he clears his throat.
Aces. As he’s going on about his dead mum, I’m dreaming of running my hands through his thick locks while those brilliant lips trail across my body.
I straighten my spine and hope my cheeks aren’t rosy, giving my thoughts away. “There are some things you need to know straight away, James. First off, your sister is not nearly as inexperienced as you would think. She simply hid her love life from you and your brother after you wankers ran her out from the backend of that truck while she was enjoying a lovely evening with someone she had been dating for quite some time.” Stopping to take a breath, I roll my eyes. “Nice one, really.”
He sits forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “She was dating that clown?”
“You really are daft. Of course. Your sister is not some slag, James. She was simply too embarrassed to set you straight with a yard full of their mates watching on as you started a row with the poor bloke.” He opens his mouth to speak, but I shake my head.
“Second off, your sister is twenty-two years old. You don’t possess the right to dictate her life. And her decision to move here had nothing to do with Charlie Walker. She didn’t even bloody meet the chap until after she moved here. It may seem she’s moving fast, but once again she’s an adult, capable of making her own decisions. You don’t have the right to fly halfway across the country to yell at her for dating someone because you don’t like his music or whatever bone you have to pick with Charlie despite the fact that you’ve never even met him. Next time you decide to visit your sister on a whim, might I suggest you simply make a phone call instead of wasting your time and money chasing after someone who’s quite capable of looking out for herself.”
The darkness in his eyes gives me the shivers. There seems to be a queue of emotions driving this complicated man. Can’t remember the last time I was this turned on without a vibrator in hand.
“If you’re smart, you’ll hop back on a plane and head home before Evelyn knows you cocked up,” I add.
Once I’m quiet for a beat, his lips twitch with a minuscule grin. “Can I ask you something?”
Feeling as if a cat’s got my tongue, I nod.
“What in the hell does ‘cocked up’ mean?”
A laugh sticks in my throat. Hearing the word come from his lips gives it an entirely different meaning that awakens something animalistic. I don’t think it would be proper for me to jump onto his lap given the fact we’ve only just met.
Before I’m able to form an answer, my phone buzz
es on the table at my knees with Evelyn’s picture. I swipe it from the table and jump away from James, holding my finger up in warning when he opens his mouth.
“Ev,” I answer, trying to keep my voice steady as I glare her brother down, “I was just about to ring you.”
A soft, hiccuping cry is released from the other end. “I made a mistake. Shar, you have to come get me.”
This certainly can't be good.
Heart squeezing for my dear mate, I press my phone against my stomach and narrow my eyes at her relentless protector. “If you want to salvage your relationship with your sister, I suggest you take that fit arse of yours back to the airport straightaway before she knows you were here.”
His paw-sized hands run across his face before he stands, throwing me a look of defeat. Though I’d rather work my way up to getting him naked, it sounds as if Evelyn is in the midst of a crisis. My overactive hormones will have to wait, likely until I’ve become an old spinster.
Chapter 23
CHARLIE
“What the fuck?” I shout into my phone, feeling the veins in my neck bulge. “Why were there a shit-ton of photographers outside my door?”
The minute I found those parasites on the front step, my blood was boiling. The urge to smash every last one of their cameras was almost too much to hold back. Even though no one has bothered me here before, I should’ve prepared Evelyn for the possibility of a circus. The color drained from her face when they started shouting questions. For a minute I was scared as shit that she’d pass out. What if she can’t handle this kind of exposure? There are enough things stacked against this relationship the way it is. I refuse to lose her over something I have zero control over.
She watched from the couch in a comatose state as I jerked down every curtain looking onto the beach before leaving her to call Lorenzo inside the garage.
“Fuckin’ internet has exploded with images of you and the brunette!” Lorenzo’s voice chirps through my phone. “You’re trending everywhere, brother! This is the kind of exposure you needed to get back on top!”
“You think this is something I want to fucking celebrate? I’m trying to get Evelyn to trust me, Lo. She’s so freaked out that I think she’s in shock.” Clutching the phone so hard it’s on the verge of breaking, I grind my teeth together. “Why do they think she was hired to ‘fix my image’ and why were they asking about a threesome at my place last Sunday? That was weeks ago, before I met Evelyn! Where the fuck would they get that kind of bullshit?”
“If you think I’d tell them that I thought you should use this chick to save your career, you’re off your fucking rocker. And the three-way thing? Madison wasn’t afraid to lie. There’s an interview of her claiming it recently happened. And…man, I didn’t want to tell you this, but I think she’s the one who also posted pictures of your apartment and gave out the address.”
Uneven breaths rake over my chest. All these years I’ve managed to live a quiet life when at home and now I’ll have to worry about my picture being taken 24/7. Worse yet, worry about Evelyn’s pictures being taken. Jesus, this really will scare her away unless I get it under some kind of control.
“Stop calling her a chick,” I sneer between clenched teeth. “Seems you’re the only one in the fucking world who doesn’t know her name is Evelyn.”
“Sorry, man. Guess I’m not used to you being all worked up about a chi—er—woman after all these years. Cut me a little slack here.”
My chest burns with all the shitty things people are probably saying about Evelyn—at least the rabid fans like the bitch that pulled her hair outside of Leona’s. If I don’t get inside a ring soon and work this out with my fists, I’ll completely lose my shit.
“Release a statement,” I say. “Tell the world what Evelyn and I do is our fucking business and if they don’t stop spreading lies I’m going to sue every last one of their sorry asses.”
Lorenzo’s quiet for a moment. “Um…for real? I don’t know if that’s such a good idea. Especially not in those exact words.” He chuckles quietly at his ill-timed humor. “Listen. You think they’re all over her now? Just wait until they know you’re actually serious about this thing. You two are the next Brangelina. It’ll create a media frenzy like nothing you’ve ever seen before. You won’t be given a moment of privacy. Your girl okay with going public?”
He’s right. I have to check with her on something that big. “Hold off until I get back to you.” I rub at my temple, feeling the start of a raging headache. “In the meantime, hunt Madison down,” I say. “Offer her whatever amount it takes to shut her fucking mouth before she spreads any more lies. If she won’t take the money, tell her we’re filing a civil lawsuit and she better find herself a good lawyer.”
“Whatever amount it takes? Bro, I don’t think you’re thinking this through. You can’t let a little pussy mess with your head like this, no matter how good it may be.”
My heart hammers in my chest. I want to crawl through the phone and ring his goddamned neck, even if he is my best friend. “Talk about Evelyn like that again and your ass is fired.”
Lorenzo busts out laughing. “Damn, you’ve got it bad! If Danny heard you—”
“Danny’s fucking gone!” I roar. “Don’t bring him up right now, I’m fucking warning you, Lo!”
“Jesus, I’m sorry, man! I get it, you’re pissed! We’ll fix this, I promise!”
I end the call, ready to bust my fist through a wall. This thing with Evelyn has barely had time to start and there’s no way I’m going to stand by helpless while it comes to an abrupt end. I’m not going to let the first woman I’ve ever loved slip between my fingers.
As I look down on my phone, ready to shove it back into my shorts, I see the voicemail light blinking and click the app. May as well see what other disasters are coming at me next. When I see the PI’s number come up, I relax a little knowing he’s just checking in.
“Charlie, this is Harry. There’s been a major development on your brother’s case. It’s not something we should discuss over the phone. I need you to stop by my office as soon as you get a chance. Call to let me know when you get into the city and I’ll met you there.”
Anxious beats of my heart stutter through my chest. What could he possibly have to tell me that can’t be left in a message? Is he onto the truth? My gut surges with the possibilities. His timing couldn’t be any shittier. I can’t just leave Evelyn to run off and meet with Harry and it seems wrong to drag her into more of my shit when she’s upset. Running my hands over my short hair, I growl. Where are your smart ass comments now, Danny?
Taking a few calming breaths, I stroll back into the house, hoping Evelyn can’t see that I’m ready to completely fall apart. “Freckles?” I call out when finding the living room empty. “Where are you, baby?”
I follow the soft licks of her voice coming from the bedroom. She’s back in the shorts and top she wore the night we left her place, standing in the middle of the room with her phone to her ear and a stuffed shopping bag looped around her arm. Her honey-brown eyes, brimming with tears, widen when she sees me.
“I have to go,” she says suddenly, ending the call before wiping at her wet face.
My eyes flip between her broken expression and the bag. “What’s going on? Why are you crying?”
“Shar sent a private car from a company down the road,” she says quietly. “It should be here in a couple of minutes.”
She’s leaving me. Heart plummeting to the floor, I take a few tentative steps closer until I’m able to touch her. Part of me wants to grip her tight and never let her go even if it is barbaric. “Don’t leave. Please. Remember what I said, baby. Half of what they say is a bunch of—”
“Thanks for everything," she cuts in. The saddest smile I’ve ever seen forms on her lips. “I really had fun with you this weekend. It’s just…I can’t do this with you now that I know the truth.”
The words cut deep, searing against my heart. “Nothing they said back there was true,�
�� I promise, giving in to the innate need to hold her in my arms. “You have to believe me. Please, give me another chance. I can’t do this without you.” When I bury my face in her hair, she struggles to break free.
“Tell me if this is real or bullshit.” She draws her phone back out of her pocket and runs her finger across the screen, starting a video. The loud intro music to Celebrity Insider plays as a brunette reporter I’ve talked to a few times appears with a somber expression, looking as if someone fucking died. A picture of us from the beach surfaces in the right-hand corner.
“Tonight we bring you an exclusive on the budding romance between rocker Charlie Walker and the woman spotted accompanying him in the Hamptons, recently identified as Evelyn Kendall, a twenty-two year old from rural Minnesota. While Thrashtag fans celebrate what appeared to be a perfect match for their leading man, Celebrity Insider has obtained an audio recording between Charlie and his manager, Lorenzo Marchetta, that would suggest the relationship that has America swooning was a set-up to boost the washed out rocker’s dire career.”
As my voice plays, sounding hollow and distant, my words flash across a still picture of me and Lorenzo from my last birthday, mouths open with laughter. It’s obvious we were both wasted the way our eyes are watery and it seems we’re holding each other up. We look like total jackasses.
“Look at her, man. She’s new to the city…another groupie.”
Then Lorenzo’s voice cuts in.
“Use her for a little fun…do it in private so you don’t have rabid fans pounding your door down when you break her wholesome heart. Wine and dine her like a gentlemen so her new fans have something to salivate over. Milk this thing for as long as you can—social media will eat it up.”