HOT MEN: A Contemporary Romance Box Set

by Ashlee Price

  Hopping back into her car, she drove out of the lot, away from the busier part of town, toward a small, pale yellow house just down the road. She’d spent countless days riding her bike up and down these streets as a girl. Now, as she drove down those same streets, her heart swelled with feel-good memories that she’d never let go of.

  She pulled up to the house, refusing to park behind her father’s pickup truck in the driveway. Before she could even move the gate, he was out of the house and greeting her with a smile and open arms.

  Paul Ferris was tall and lean, with the most telling signs of his age being around his face. Crow’s-feet clung to the sides of his bright blue eyes as his smile beamed from ear to ear while he watched Jenna get out of her car. Running his fingers through his hair, dark brown with burgeoning streaks of grey, he rushed to meet her.

  “Now why didn’t you let me come pull my truck out so you can put your car in the garage?” he scolded playfully.

  “Daddy,” she smiled, inhaling his scent that always made her feel safe and warm, “I’m not going to make you move the truck when I know you gotta head down to the bar to open up soon.”

  “I’m not going down there today,” he huffed. “Doesn’t make much sense since they shut off the lights.”

  “Wait,” she pushed away from him slightly, “you knew they were shutting off the lights?”

  “Of course I knew!” he practically shouted. “I’m the one who ain’t paid the bill!”

  “Well, it’s paid now. Go on and get ready. I’m going to come work with you tonight and see if I can scrounge up some of us who made it home to come buy a few drinks.”

  “What do you mean, it’s paid? How?” He raised an eyebrow to her.

  “I paid it. I was coming into Doveport and instead of coming straight here, I went to The Wheel. There was a guy there shutting the power off and I stopped him. I just paid the thing. We can’t have a business that’s not open for business. And what’s this I hear about you not wanting a rowdy crowd in the bar? Rowdy crowds order drinks and food, and leave money for you to pay the bills with. What’s going on, Daddy?”

  Paul took a step back, pumping his hands in the air to get her to slow down. “Now you hold on just a second, young lady. No one told you to pay that bill. I don’t even want to know where you got the money for it. I told those people down at that miserable company that I’d have the balance for them by the end of the week and I meant it, damn it! I was waiting for one of my customers to settle their tab, and they did! But I shouldn’t have to explain anything to you, Jenna! I’m running this business. I’m in charge of this family. You should have called me first!”

  Their formerly sweet and loving reunion was in danger of being cut short by a fight in the front yard. Jenna took a deep breath. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to pursue the issue or if she should just apologize and hope he’d let it go. “I’m going to go inside. Did my stuff get here yet?”

  “We’re not done!” He charged after her. “Where did you get the money to pay off that bill? It was almost 900 dollars!”

  “Don’t worry about it! You need to start asking me for help every now and then. I have a degree in business now, after all. I can stay here for the fall semester and—”

  He cut her off. “You will not! I will not have you squandering that fancy education on a little ol’ bar that I can run on my own. I know what I’m doin’! Now tell me where you got that money from!”

  “Gram sent it to me last week since she couldn’t make the ceremony,” Jenna blurted out.

  Paul threw his hands up in frustration. “That stubborn old bat can send you a thousand dollars but can’t come bury her…”

  Jenna was on the brink of tears, and he stopped himself. “That woman just thinks her money can fix anything. I told you I don’t want anything from her. When your mother needed her she wasn’t here, and it’s her guilt that gets you that money. Now I’m not gonna tell you to stop talking to your Gram, but I will tell you that I don’t want her guilt money that she’ll lord over me with every chance she gets.”

  “She won’t, Dad, because she thinks I’m using the money to go on a trip for Labor Day weekend, and that’s what I’m going to tell her,” Jenna told him firmly.

  Paul appeared to calm down, as if he realized he wasn’t going to win this one. “Fine, let’s just get your stuff out of the garage, and then I guess I should get ready to open. I’m going to get your money back for that trip. Thank you, baby girl. I know I don’t say it often, but I appreciate you looking after your old man. Just don’t make it a habit! I’m still strong enough to take care of you.”

  Letting him wrap his arm around her shoulder, Jenna walked side by side with him. “I know you’re always gonna be strong enough to take care of me, Daddy. I just want to be able to help out more, you know, before they shut the power off.”

  Paul chuckled and Jenna giggled. Home was home, and there was no better welcome than arguing with her dad on their front lawn.

  Chapter 2

  It was nearly ten o’clock and The Wheel only had a few customers. Jenna couldn’t believe how empty the place was. With a white apron tied around her waist, a notepad in her pocket, and her chin resting in her hands on the counter, she let out an exhausted sigh, wishing for anything exciting to happen.

  Another few minutes passed, and finally she just couldn’t take it. Clearing her throat, she straightened up and yelled out to the patrons, “Um, hey everyone?!?”

  The few men in there looked tired and weary from a long day’s work. The last thing any of them wanted was a bubbly coed screaming at them. Still, they turned toward the center of the room where she was standing behind the bar. She let out a nervous giggle before smiling wide and telling them, “Okay, I just want to liven up the place a bit. Would any of you mind if I turned on some music or something?”

  “I mind,” one bearded guy grumbled. The rest fell in line behind him, voicing their support for continued drinking in silence.

  Jenna threw her hands up in frustration. The bar itself was in the center of the room, so no matter where she stood behind it, Jenna could scan every corner around her. And in every corner, there was either an empty table or a silent plant worker nursing a lone, lonely beer. Ducking down under the hatch, she stormed off toward the back office.

  “Dad!”

  “Jeeze Louise, Jenna, what’s the matter?” he shouted, clutching his chest.

  “I thought RJ was kidding when he said this place was a bar for librarians! It really is! It’s so dead out there! No wonder we’re having money problems. Where’s the ambiance, Dad?!?”

  “Ambiance?” He furrowed his brow.

  “Atmosphere! No one, other than those guys out there, would feel welcome! And honestly, those guys out there aren’t the kind of customers we need! How are we supposed to bring in money when they only drink one beer each?!? That’s 60 bucks for the night, not to mention that they don’t tip!”

  Paul huffed. “First of all, I know what ambiance is. Secondly, the atmosphere is fine. Third, stop worrying so much. I’ll make the money for the month like I always do. I have a big customer who comes in to settle his tab at the beginning of the month. Just relax! And if you’re in here, who’s out there watching the customers? I’m sure someone’s going to want a refill on their beer sooner or later.”

  Jenna wanted to stand there and argue with her dad some more, but he was right. She needed to get back out there. She was glad she did, because just as she came out of the back a familiarly warm face entered the bar. With her red curly hair pulled back into a French braid, and her dark hazel eyes scouring every inch of the bar, Hannah Jones stepped into The Wheel in search of her oldest friend.

  Squealing with delight, Jenna took off running toward her childhood bestie. “Oh my goodness!”

  The girls embraced, hugging and hopping around in circles while the grumpy workers nursing their beers looked on unamusedly.

  “What are you doing here?!?” Jenna asked once they stoppe
d spinning and hugging. “I’m sorry I didn’t even think to call you. That should have been the first thing on my list, but I was arguing with my dad and the electric company was out here about to shut us down, and these guys only want to order one beer. Ugh!”

  “Relax, Jen,” Hannah chuckled in her raspy voice. Jenna had always been envious of Hannah’s vocals. She swore that she could be a great country singer if she really wanted to, but Hannah was perfectly happy staying in Doveport. “Take a breath and come pour me a drink. I’ve had a long day, but I’m guessing your drive was even longer.”

  “Yeah, it was,” she agreed, walking with her toward the bar.

  Hannah pulled up a stool, her eyes beaming with joy. Jenna’s concern about the ambiance faded immediately. She would be perfectly content with serving Hannah all night. And her friend hadn’t come in for free service either: She slapped a hundred dollar bill on the counter and told Jenna, “Shirley Temple, please. Keep the change.”

  Jenna slid the bill back toward her. “You’re going to have to drink like twenty of them for this.”

  “So buy the place a round on me,” she told her. “I’m happy to have you here, home. I don’t have anyone to drink nonalcoholic drinks with when you’re not around.”

  “I know, how odd is it to work in a bar and not drink?” Jenna laughed. Sometimes she thought that she and Hannah were the only women in Doveport who couldn’t pound beers. They probably were, but when they were together, they didn’t need any alcohol to have a good time. As she started making the drink, she asked, “So tell me, what’s going on out here? How have you been? Your folks? Thank them again for me for my graduation gift. It came in super handy shipping my stuff back here.”

  “Yeah, I’ll be sure to tell them their cash was acceptable,” Hannah joked. “Don’t worry about it. It’s only right. I mean, your Dad did the same for me, so they thought it was fair. And as far as me, I’ve been good. I’m still at the employment center helping these kids.”

  “Is it a lot of work?”

  “Um, not really. There’s only municipal jobs, the mill, or the power plant. I try to encourage the more creative ones to open up some other stuff out here, maybe start a small museum or something, try to get more arts and activity venues.”

  “Any success stories yet?”

  “Actually yeah, one kid had the brilliant idea to open up a paintball field. It’s great, really fun. It took him about a year to do everything, but it’s good to have something like that nearby. You can really blow off some steam.”

  “Yeah, it sounds like a whole lot more fun than coming here,” Jenna sighed.

  “Oh, honey, I didn’t mean it like that,” Hannah backtracked instantly.

  “I know that, but things have been super tight and Dad doesn’t seem to care about livening this place up.”

  “Well, can you blame him? This place has your Mom’s touch all over it. I’m sure he just doesn’t want to change anything. Give him some time, and don’t Jenna it.”

  “Now just what is that supposed to mean?” she scoffed.

  Hannah huffed, tilting her head slightly. “You know exactly what that means. I love you to death, but when your mind’s made up, that’s it. It’s done. This needs a truly gentle touch. You grieve differently than your dad, and if you try to change everything all at once, like that look in your eye says you want to, he’s going to resist it hard! Besides, you’ve only been back a few hours. Relax. I’ll send out a few texts to get some people in here tonight, but you got time to turn this place around, right? It’s not like the bank is coming tomorrow to foreclose or anything.”

  “Leave it up to my dad and they just might,” Jenna solemnly replied.

  “Buck up! Let’s keep you in that fantastic mood. So… tell me what your plans are? Grad school?”

  Jenna was just about to let her know about her plans when the door opened. The flat, round face with a visibly broken nose was the first thing she noticed about the gentleman walking in with five other men following him.

  “Finally, some more customers,” Jenna sighed.

  “Jenna, wai—” Hannah tried to stop her, but Jenna was already out from under the bar and walking toward the group.

  “Welcome to The Wheel,” she beamed. “Wasn’t expecting too many more people tonight, but we’re glad to have ya. You fellas take a seat anywhere you’d like and I’ll be right over to take yer order.”

  “Thank ya, but we’re heading to the back. You must be Jenna.” The blue-eyed man winked at her. “Yer father speaks very highly of ya. Here’s what I owe him, and just bring me a pint of Jack, and a pitcher of Guinness for the fellas. Thanks.”

  His Irish accent was subtle, but it wasn’t lost on her as she took the thick envelope from him. Jenna thumbed through the bills to see a few thousand dollars inside. Restraint wasn’t exactly her best trait, and she hurried up behind the group. “I’m sorry, but this is for one month?”

  “Yeah.”

  “And exactly what and how much were you drinking to run up this kind of tab in a month?”

  “You sure are inquisitive, darlin’,” he chuckled. “I don’t explain myself to anyone. Just be happy that I paid it.”

  “I’m more than grateful for you settling your tab, Mr…?”

  “Hannity, Sean Hannity.”

  “Mr. Hannity, I’m more than grateful for your payment, but you see the problem I’m having with you having such a big tab in the first place. Because my father has to wait for you, our bills don’t get paid on time. I had to chase away the utility company earlier today waiting for this. You should really pay your bill at the close of each night.”

  “Oh, but I do what I want. And your father has been more than welcoming to that. We’ve been going around like this for months now, and I’m afraid I don’t quite like the idea of changing it.”

  “Well, if you don’t pay up front and the lights get cut off or the bank decides to come board the place up, you’ll be forced to change, now won’t ya? I’m pretty sure this is the only bar in town with a private room in the back that isn’t cluttered with a bunch of junk. In fact, you should really be paying up front to reserve it, especially now I see it’s our bread and butter. Maybe I’ll start renting it out to other folks.”

  Sean narrowed his thin brown eyes. “Fine. What do you want?”

  Jenna thought fast on her feet. “Well, it looks like having this room at your disposal is important to you. I don’t want to ruin your night, but I also don’t want my father’s place going belly-up. So why don’t we help each other out? I will rent that back room to you exclusively, as in you’re the only person allowed to use it unless you okay someone else. Think of it as your private room. You can use it to play poker, drink each other under the table, throw darts, whatever you want. I won’t bother you and neither will anyone else. You pay what you agreed with my father, plus an extra fifty percent so we can keep the lights on and the doors open while we’re waiting for you to settle up.”

  “So you want me to pay an extra two thousand dollars a month for exclusive rights to your back room?”

  “Yup. And if you leave a message on the office phone or with my dad, I’ll make sure it’s clean and stocked with snacks. Your drinks will be cold and waiting for ya,” Jenna promised.

  “Will you wait on us?” one of the men smirked, touching her wrist gently.

  Jenna flinched but maintained her smile. Sean glared at the man who’d touched her like he wanted to kill him, but he simply snapped his fingers and the group retreated to the back room.

  “My apologies. The last thing I want is to make the owner’s daughter uncomfortable. That would make what I do here uncomfortable. So you know what? You’ve got a deal, Miss Ferris. And if any of my fellas give ya a hard time, let me know and I’ll take care of it.” He winked and extended his hand to her.

  Jenna, full of pride and accomplishment, shook it with a wide, bright smile before heading back behind the bar. It wasn’t until she noticed Hannah’s face down in her dr
ink that she realized the rest of the men in the bar had turned their backs to Hannity as he made his way toward the back room.

  “What’s everyone’s problem?” Jenna whispered to Hannah.

  “You don’t know who that is, do you?” she asked sadly.

  Jenna shrugged her shoulders, grabbing a towel to wipe down the already clean bar top. “A guy my dad does business with. What about it?”

  “You shouldn’t be talking to him, Jen. He’s bad news,” Hannah warned her.

  “I think you’re overreacting a bit. I just made a huge deal with him! I’ve been back home less than a day and I’m already bringing in extra cash.”

  “Yeah, you’ve been back for less than a day, but you’ve been gone these past few years. Coming home for weekends obviously didn’t give you a chance to get to know Sean Hannity. He’s not as nice as he was to you just now, and I wouldn’t expect that attitude to hold up. Just be careful.” Hannah was practically whispering.

  “I don’t think Dad would do business with anyone too terrible, but thanks for the warning. I’ll keep my guard up. So… back to you, are you dating anyone or what?”

  “Not really, been focused on work for the most part. I did call a few buddies of mine from the firehouse to come in. They should be in in a few, their shift ends soon.”

  “A few buddies from the firehouse? And you’re not dating anyone?” Jenna asked in a playful tone.

  “Not a one,” Hannah giggled.

  As if they knew the girls were speaking about them, a rowdy bunch of firemen burst into the bar. They were filthy, covered in soot and sweat. Hannah got up to meet them. “What the hell happened to you guys?!?”

  “Firemen fight fires, and we just put out a big one.”

  “A round on me!” Hannah called out to Jenna.

  The group cheered and planted kisses on Hannah’s cheek as they filed past her to take seats at a table near the bar. Hannah came over with them. “Jenna, I think you know most of these dudes, but in case you don’t, that’s Gary, Bryan, Mark, Alex, Johnny, and…”