Need Me

by Shelley K. Wall

  Carter kissed her on the cheek and Jackson could tell he’d had a beer before showing up, maybe two. He was relaxed. Loose. Not his normal tight-wound demeanor. “So, this is your new girlfriend, Jax? Wow. She’s gorgeous.”

  Amanda pulled free and frowned. “Um, hell no, I’m not with him. I’m with them.” She pointed across the room where two women beckoned for her to join. “Good luck with that new girlfriend, Jax.” Amanda’s tight business skirt snapped as she clipped away.

  Carter coughed. “Wow, should have known you’d never score a chick like that. What was I thinking? So, where is the new love?”

  Jackson shrugged. “Gone. We stopped dating a couple weeks ago. She wanted serious and I wanted anything but. So, what d’ya think about this shindig?” The two men strode to the nearest chairs and plopped down. It felt good to sit and stretch a bit.

  The instructor, who called himself a coordinator, introduced the other organizers and outlined their first three outings. All three were mild for Jackson’s taste: a hike through the canyon near Fredericksburg, zip lining above the trees near the lake, and a mud run obstacle course. Easy-peasy.

  Jackson was tired and figured he’d listened attentively enough so he searched the room. For Amanda.

  “Introduce me.”

  “What?” Jackson returned his thoughts to Carter and the group surrounding him.

  “Introduce me to that girl you came in with. You obviously know her.”

  “She came up the elevator with me.”

  “Yeah, saw that … but you know her, right?”

  “Sort of. She used to work with me. She left a year and a half ago.”

  “Good, then you’ll make a great wing man. Let’s go.” Carter yanked Jackson’s sleeve and slid from his chair.

  Jackson cringed. “You really don’t want to know this one, Carter. She’s … high maintenance.”

  Carter punched Jackson’s arm. “She can’t be all bad if she showed up for this club. You’re the one who said I should get out there and meet someone. Besides, I had a great week. I’m on a roll. This might be good.”

  Yeah, but roll somewhere else, man. Not toward her. Jackson pushed out of his cushy comfortable chair. Perfect. He was introducing his best friend to the one girl who was off limits—for him, and everyone else. She kept everyone in the “friendship” category, which was where she’d shoved him years ago when they were classmates.

  As they strode toward the women, Amanda met his gaze. Jackson held onto her eyes like they were liquid gold. How should he do this? Her friend swiveled to look over her shoulder and gasped. “Well, aren’t you a tall thing? You look like you could shimmy through that obstacle course like nobody’s business and come out slathered with mud in all the right places.”

  Jackson blinked. Her friend was giving him the once-over. “And I bet you’d make mud-wrestling an art form. This is Carter Coben.” He waved a hand at his best friend who completely honed in on Amanda. “And I’m Jackson.” He offered a hand to the shorter woman.

  “Darlene. And this is Amanda.” The two were as opposite as night and day and appeared significantly different in age as well. Amanda had to be significantly younger. How’d they ever become friends? “We’re attorneys over at—”

  Oh, of course. Darlene the Bulldog. He’d seen her ads. “I recognize you now, though you should sue your marketing group. Those ads don’t do you justice.”

  Darlene giggled and put a hand to her throat. Jackson let the smile on his face go dead as Carter wedged between them and sat next to Amanda. Carter put a hand on his leg and flexed his bicep, his signature move. Jackson rolled his eyes.

  “You ladies like to do these things a lot?” Carter asked.

  Carter had made one small error in his move: He’d left a comfortable amount of personal space between himself and Amanda. Jackson flopped down between them and threw his arms behind their chairs. “Don’t kid yourself, Carter. Amanda here won’t even step in a rain puddle, let alone do a mud run. And I’d bet the only thing she’s climbed or hiked lately is the Galleria Mall when there’s a shoe sale. Right, Mandy?”

  Jackson noticed her pink cheeks and the flash of fire that swept through her baby-blues. She clucked and tapped a palm to his face. “Oh, Jax. It’s so nice to see you throwing your typical childish bullshit insults again. Don’t you think you’re a little old for that?”

  Darlene’s mouth dropped. “You guys know each other?”

  Amanda huffed. “No.”

  It came in unison with Jackson’s “Yes.” He grinned.

  “Figures,” Darlene said. “I’m always late to the party.”

  Amanda sighed. “Jackson’s an attorney, too. We worked together very briefly.”

  Jackson cocked his head sideways. “Yes, briefly. Why is that, Amanda? Why so briefly?”

  The crowd had begun to disperse as people signed up for whatever events they chose then gathered belongings and left. Amanda stood and thumbed at the lists, ignoring his jab. “Gotta go, gentlemen. I have money to win and work to get back to. Nice meeting you, Carter.” She waved, then cast a hate glare Jackson’s way before striding off. Her friend Darlene followed after tossing him a quick wink.

  Carter frowned. “That went well. You could have at least tried to be civil long enough to give me a shot.”

  Jackson shrugged and pointed at the wall of paper with scribbled names. “You don’t need my help. This one’s a no-brainer. Go look at what she’s signed up for and put your name on the same list.”

  Revelation crossed his features. “Think I will.”

  Once Carter left, Jackson followed his own advice and added his name to the lists as well. No sense in letting Carter get kicked around without his wing man.

  • • •

  The following Sunday afternoon, Jackson stood by his Jeep, sipping cold coffee and watching Amanda’s tight shorts rise up her ass while she lifted gear from the back of an SUV. Great way to start the day. He leaned against the hood, crossed his legs, and took another sip. “Need some help with that?”

  She lowered the box onto the ground and glared at him. Hmmm. Nice to see you too. She tossed her hair back and returned to digging through the trunk.

  Jackson tossed the paper cup in the trash bin beside his car, then strode her way. “Guess you didn’t hear me. Do you—”

  “I heard you. I just didn’t answer. If I needed help, I’d ask for it. Okay?”

  Carter shoved in front, scooped the box from the dirt, and pulled a bag from her hands. “What kind of guy lets a woman carry heavy boxes while he’s empty handed? Come on, the group’s already starting toward the trailhead. Are you planning to take all of this on the hike?”

  Amanda opened her mouth to protest, then stopped. She gave Carter one of those dazzling smiles and Jackson cringed. He remembered how many times she’d used that look with him. It had caught his breath on occasion but he shrugged it off as hormones—or maybe just hadn’t understood. Carter stopped for a second. Yep, that look went straight to the man parts and his friend wasn’t immune, damn him. It wasn’t jealousy seething through Jackson’s skin. Amanda was like a sister. Okay, she had kissed him a little too passionately one night in law school when they were both drunk. That had stunned him, coming from her. Still, she deserved better and he’d managed to keep the losers away before. But Carter? He wasn’t a loser. So why the hell did the fact that it was Carter bother him more? “That’s sweet of you. No, I just wanted to put the drinks in the coolers for the after-party. John, the organizer, said we could drop them off at the starting point. Do you mind carrying them that far?”

  Carter winked and threw the box onto his shoulder. “Piece of cake. You look amazing, by the way.”

  Amanda slammed her trunk closed and dropped a hand into the pocket of her tight cargo shorts. She shot Carter another megawatt smile. “Thanks. I wasn’t really sure what was appropriate for this kind of thing.”

  Jackson felt his face flush. Seriously? She was flirting?

  Steam
started to rise from his already sweating forehead. Couldn’t she see what an idiot/asshole Carter was? Surely Jackson wasn’t the only person to notice his complete lack of personality. Sure, they were best friends but friends know each other’s faults best.

  Amanda tucked a hand into Carter’s arm and walked alongside as he toted her things.

  At the trail head, the organizer handed out maps to everyone, then told them to be back at five. “The sun goes down at six so if we don’t have a full headcount at five fifteen, we’ll send out a search party.” The man laughed, then waved his hands like Moses sending his flock into the ship, two by two. Carter dropped into step by Amanda and her friend. It was a dumb move since the path wasn’t wide enough. Then Jackson had a thought.

  He and Carter had competed in almost everything since they were kids. Technically it started right after Carter’s sister died but he never brought up specific dates. Carter was strong and built like a college quarterback. He worked hard to stay fit and hated that Jackson’s natural athleticism often beat out his own work ethic. Jackson sidled up to his friend. “Have you looked at the map yet?”

  Carter glinted into the sun above Jackson’s head. “No, why?”

  Jackson unfolded the paper. “There are four trails. Each one is different and they’re classified by difficulty. Let’s take this one here and first one to the summit buys the other a beer.”

  Carter glanced at the map. “You do realize that the drinks in the cooler are free and they have beer, water, and juices? Technically, we’re not buying anything.”

  Jackson slapped Carter on the back. “Such a smart ass. Okay, then first one up to the summit and back wins. That means the first to reach that cooler full of drinks.”

  Carter’s eyes flickered with interest. “What do I win?”

  “Assuming you actually make it down first, you win … I don’t know. What about …”

  Amanda twisted the cap off a water bottle with a click. “Skinny dipping in the river behind those trees while the rest of us cook and clean up.”

  Gulp. Jackson leaned into her ear and whispered, “Would that be with or without you?”

  Her hair whipped his cheek as she stepped into a power walk. She glanced over her shoulder. “Without. This isn’t a team event. See you in my dust, Jax.”

  Hmm. That idea backfired. Beating Carter would be easy; the guy never bested him at anything. Beating Amanda, though? He could do it but she might hate him even more.

  Four more steps and she vanished into the trees. The image of Amanda skinny dipping stopped him dead for a couple of seconds. Long enough for Carter to dart past and disappear behind her. Oh, hell no. If anyone was going to be in that ice-cold, fish-infested water with—or just watching—Amanda, it wasn’t going to be Carter.

  Jackson took off at a trot. It took him about five minutes to catch Carter. He yanked him by the neck and shoved him into the trees before focusing on the back pockets of Amanda’s shorts. Thank God she hadn’t seen his strong-arming. Carter rustled out of the undergrowth. “Hey, asshole. You’re dead meat.”

  Jackson picked up his pace. Amanda was about fifteen yards ahead. Unfortunately, the path tilted upward. Her calves tightened and bulged as she stair-stepped up and over rocks. Jackson followed suit. Long legs were a distinct advantage when it came to rugged terrain. Within minutes, he was behind Amanda. He glanced upward at the rocks and pine needles, seeking a solid footing so he could make his move. He dug into the pebbled dirt with his toes and lunged forward.

  A vise grip clamped around his ankle and killed his forward movement. What the hell? Jackson teetered and fell to a knee. Below him Carter cursed and held tight to his other leg. Jackson kicked. “Let go before we both roll down the hill.”

  “Nope. You’re going down.”

  “Like hell.” Jackson kicked again. The movement caused him to lose his footing. He hit the dirt like a sack of potatoes, mashing his face into the side of the rock-covered hill, and his left cheek banged against a hard stone. Shit, that stung. His eyes watered.

  Carter let out an evil laugh and dug a hiking boot into his back as he stepped over him to catch Amanda.

  “Son of a bitch.” Jackson felt his eye. The skin below was puffing up into a healthy bruise. He ran a hand over his spine. “I think I slipped a disk, you fat-ass.”

  Carter climbed up the hill. “Jax, you’re a pussy.”

  A pussy? Yeah, right. That came from the guy who has yet to beat me in a sport other than pool. Jackson pushed off the ground and lunged forward. It took four long steps to reach Carter. Jackson dove on Carter’s back, wrapping him up in an old-fashioned football tackle. Both men went down with a thud, cavorting in a barrel roll.

  “Hey!” They jolted around at the sound of Amanda’s voice. She speared a finger at them—or just behind. “Look, you Neanderthals.”

  Jackson felt a cool breeze of air. He glanced over his shoulder. Holy shit. He was two inches from rolling off the path’s edge, right into the tree tops ten feet below. Maybe not certain death but definitely serious injury-bound. “Oh, thanks.”

  Carter fisted Jackson’s shirt and rolled his body to safety. Crawling to a knee, he gave a final shove to Jackson’s chest and stood. “Grow up.”

  Jackson wanted to throw a retort but knew it would be equally juvenile to respond. He simply rose and dusted himself of debris while Carter joined Amanda, both leaving him standing like a ten-year-old caught playing in the mud before church. He wondered briefly where her friend Darlene had gone. Had she seen their wrestling match also?

  Feeling chastised, he stood still and enjoyed the sun and scenery a moment before following. They crested the hill a few minutes later and took a different route to the bottom. Jackson pulled the map from his pocket, searching for a way to bypass them and win the challenge.

  If he took the second trail to the left, he’d gain a quarter mile over the others. It looked steeper and he’d have to ford the water in the creek to beat them. Wait. The creek. Where Amanda or Carter would be skinny-dipping and soaking their tired legs if they won. He decided not to try to win the challenge after all. He grinned and hoped his timing would be impeccable.

  The trees were shrouded in near-darkness when he finally reached an outcropping of rocks that smelled of damp moss and leaves. Eureka. Water spilled over the stones into a pool less than five feet below, then moved lazily down the river. The top of a head glistened, shiny and wet. From between the stones it was impossible to identify whether Carter or Amanda had won the bet but his money was on Carter. He seriously doubted anyone could outrun the former track star and health nut. Except himself, of course.

  Jackson shucked his shorts and shirt, peeled off skivvies and shoes, and launched into a cannonball. He grabbed his knees, unworried about the water depth. They’d swam here as kids. It was safe. “Incoming!” His voice echoed off trees and hillside—along with the corresponding high-pitched scream.

  Of Amanda’s naked friend, Darlene. Shit.

  Don’t look, asshole. What an idiot idea.

  When Jackson rose to the surface, he blinked twice and focused on the bank as he scrambled toward anonymity. Above he saw three sets of legs, two male and one female. Carter, the club organizer whose name escaped him, and Amanda.

  “What the fuck, Jackson?” Carter frowned.

  Darlene glided to the far side of the stream, then plunged behind an outcropping of granite that rose to make a great sunbathing ledge or hiding spot. She laughed. “Look, cowboy, as much as I like your company, give me a warning next time, okay? I’ll skinny-dip with you any day but you scared the shit out of me.”

  Amanda plopped her hands on hips, chewing a wad of gum. Her eyes volleyed between Jackson and Darlene. Without a word, she threw her gaze toward the treetops and stomped away.

  To purchase this ebook and learn more about the author, click here.

  For more books by Shelley K. Wall, check out:

  Text Me

  Numbers Never Lie

  Praise
for Numbers Never Lie:

  “Shelley K. Wall calculates a successfully suspenseful romantic tale with this digital page-turner. I loved the supporting characters as they added a fantastic depth to the story. I’m looking forward to seeing what else this author has to offer, and if it is half as interesting as this story it will be well worth picking up.”—-Night Owl Reviews

  “This was one of those reads that had it all: a heavy dose of suspense that kept me glued to the edge of my seat, enough action to make me want to scream out loud, and a lovely touch of mystery and romance. … Think John Grisham meets romance with a twist, with a touch of Mission Impossible!”—Harlequin Junkie

  “Corporate shenanigans, betrayal and a happy-ever-after are all highlighted in this exciting thriller by Wall. Additionally, there’s enough technical jargon to give credence to the story without overwhelming the reader.”—RT Book Reviews

  Bring It On

  Praise for Bring It On

  "Bring It On by Shelley K. Wall is a romance full of excitement and intrigue that will keep you turning the pages. If you want a fun, sexy, and intriguing read, then this book is for you."—Harlequin Junkie

  “Wall’s writing has the ability to grasp readers’ attention . . . Hang on till the end—it’s quite a surprise.”—RT Book Reviews

  The Designated Drivers’ Club

  Praise for The Designated Drivers’ Club:

  “Wall’s latest will tug at your heartstrings with an emotional story of coping with death, managing family, and accepting love when it’s being freely given. With situations that every reader can identify with—especially the difficulties of handling new love—this is easily read in one sitting.”—RT Book Reviews

  In the mood for more Crimson Romance?

  Check out Southern Hospitality by Amie Louellen at CrimsonRomance.com.