Nashville Nights [Mountain Wolf Pack 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Jane Jamison

  She would’ve stayed in his arms until her body was fully functioning if she hadn’t heard the door open.

  “Rae? Are you okay? I thought I heard you scream.”

  Rae brushed the hair out of her face, still too worn out to do much more. Carolina stood in the doorway, her eyes wide and her jaw slack.

  Not knowing what else to do, she fell back on the manners her grandmother had instilled in her. “Guys, I’d like you to meet my roomie, Carolina Tallen. Carolina, meet Wyatt and Stone.

  Chapter Five

  “I just about died when I walked in and saw you.”

  Rae had a hard enough time stumbling from her bedroom to the kitchen the morning after Wyatt and Stone had been there. When Carolina had shown up, the men had done their best to get out as fast as they could. She could understand their embarrassment. Hers had been off the charts.

  “You’re never going to let me live it down, are you?”

  “Of course not.”

  Carolina put on a headband to push her unruly golden locks away from her angular face. She was a curvy woman, with breasts some might assume were fake but were all original. Her big green eyes captured everyone’s attention, not only for their size, but for the wicked glint of mischief that never seemed to fade. Although she had a decent voice, her dream hadn’t included getting onstage. Instead, she preferred to work behind the scenes with a fledgling artist management company.

  Rae hoped that one day Carolina would introduce her to her boss, Walter K. Witward. Carolina was Walter’s assistant, and she worked hard, planning to move up the ranks and become a manager for country singers like Rae. Yet Rae couldn’t bring herself to ask her for such a huge favor. She didn’t want to use their friendship to get ahead.

  Rae poured a cup of coffee then added cream to it. How anyone could drink coffee black was beyond her. Reconsidering, she added more coffee. She needed the caffeine jolt every morning, but today she could use an extra boost.

  “So where did you meet these guys and why haven’t you told me about them before now?”

  Rae sipped her coffee, keeping her attention on the steaming liquid. How could she explain what happened when she wasn’t even sure?

  “I met them about a week ago.”

  Her friend tried to cover her initial reaction, but it was all too clear what she thought.

  “Oh, hell. I knew I should’ve said a month ago.”

  Carolina did her best to cover. “No, no. I’m not thinking you’re a slut or anything. It’s just that I figured you as kind of a—” She closed her mouth, then whirled around and got busy slicing a bagel.

  “As a what?” Was there something worse than being thought of as a slut? She tugged on Carolina’s shoulder, making her turn and face her.

  Carolina swallowed the hunk of bagel in her mouth. “Please don’t be mad.”

  “O-kay. I won’t be mad.” Maybe.

  “Promise?”

  “Carolina, just spit it out. And I’m not talking about the bagel.”

  Carolina blew out a breath, realizing that Rae wasn’t about to give up. “It’s only that you seemed like more of a cold fish than a hot tamale.”

  “What? Me?” She was dumbfounded. Was that how everyone saw her? Yet it was obvious that Wyatt and Stone didn’t think that way. Or did they and considered her a challenge because of it?

  “That came out all wrong. It’s just that you’re always so put together and all you think about is work.”

  “So because I have ambition, I’m a coldhearted bitch?”

  “Hey, no one ever said cold hearted bitch. You are so not a bitch.”

  “Gee, thanks.”

  “Oh, hell. You’re not cold hearted, either.” Carolina took her coffee mug, set it down, and drew her into a hug. “Remember, you promised not to get mad.”

  “I’m not mad.” She wasn’t. “Just a little hurt.”

  “I’m sorry. Is there any way I can make it up to you?”

  She’d planned on asking her friend to help anyway. Now it was easier. “Yeah. You can help me get my car off the restaurant’s lot and to a mechanic. Providing they haven’t already had it towed.”

  “Rae, don’t you think it’s time you put money into a new car?”

  “I wish.” She didn’t have that kind of extra cash. Not really.

  Still, maybe if she used some of the money that her grandmother left her, she could get a new, unbroken car. But she quickly dismissed the idea. Her grandmother had given her an inheritance to use for a rainy day. Broken-down cars and paying rent were normal cloud-covered days. She’d save her grandmother’s money for a hurricane kind of emergency.

  “And if I don’t have enough money to get it repaired, then I’m going to need a really good friend to help me get around town until I can get it fixed.”

  “You can count on me, bitch.” Carolina faked a shocked face then took off running.

  “Why you—” Rae tossed a kitchen towel at her, missed, then altered her direction at the sound of someone knocking on the door. She hurried to the front door, checked through the peep hole, then pulled it open.

  The delivery man held out a clipboard. “Miss Rae Barnes?”

  She wrapped her robe around her. “Yes?”

  “I have a delivery for you. Please sign on the bottom line.”

  “What is it?” She took the board, skimmed the information there, but still didn’t understand what she was signing for.

  He waved to the teen standing behind him holding two vases filled with colorful flowers. “Bring them inside for her, Michael.”

  “Sure thing, Jed.”

  The flowers overflowed the two huge vases and contained many of the varieties she liked, from daisies to roses interspersed with baby’s breath. Michael came up the steps, waited until she nodded that he could continue, then went inside the apartment and set the arrangements on the coffee table. He hurried back out and down the steps.

  “Wait. Are you sure both of those are for me?”

  “This is 2013 Westwood Way, right? And you’re Rae Barnes, right?”

  “Yes to both.”

  “Then, yeah, they’re both for you.”

  “Who sent them?” She handed the clipboard back, but Jed held up his hands.

  “I don’t know for sure, miss, but there’s a card on one of the flowers. Although I’m pretty sure they’re from the same guys that sent you that.” He pointed toward the street. As it usually was, the street was lined with cars. No house in the neighborhood had a garage.

  “Sent me what?” She didn’t see anything but cars. And then it hit her. One of the cars, a cute little baby blue VW Jetta, sported a huge red bow on its hood. “You’re not talking about that car, are you?”

  “Yes, miss, I am. Please sign the next page saying you’re taking delivery of it.”

  She didn’t know what to say. What did someone say when a new car showed up? Instead, she numbly turned to the second page and scribbled her signature.

  “Here you go.”

  Without thinking, she held out her hand and let him drop the keys onto her palm.

  “Someone must like you a whole lot,” offered Michael.

  She handed the clipboard back. “This has got to be a mistake. Who would send me a car?”

  He flipped the pages to the last one. “Says here it’s from Wyatt Montgomery and Stone Garrett.”

  “Holy shit.” Carolina came up behind her. “Those guys from last night sent you a flowers and a car? Oh, my God.”

  “No. I can’t accept it. I’ll keep the flowers, but a new car?” She reached for the board, ready to scratch out her signature, but Jed held it out of her reach.

  “I’m sorry, miss. They said you might do something like that and told me not to let you. Have a nice day.” He wheeled around and was down the steps and on the sidewalk with Michael right behind him before she could think of anything to do or say.

  Carolina was hopping up and down behind her. “A new fricking car. That’s amazing. Wow, Rae, you hit
the jackpot.”

  “No, I didn’t.” She shook her head, trying to make the car disappear just by willing it away. “I can’t take a car.”

  “What? Of course you can.”

  “No, Carolina, I can’t. It’s not right. I haven’t even dated them and they’re giving me a car? Who does that?”

  “Apparently you did enough last night that they wanted to reward you.”

  Horror struck her. “You mean like money on the nightstand? Like I’m some kind of hooker?”

  Carolina’s exuberance took a nose dive. “No, of course not. That’s not what I meant at all.”

  “Maybe not, but that’s sure what it feels like.”

  “Aw, shit, Rae, don’t go there. Come on. Let’s take a look. That won’t hurt anything.”

  Carolina tried to snatch the keys from her, but she held them tightly against her chest. “Not happening.”

  “Don’t you even want to give it a spin around the block?”

  “And fall in love with it? Hell, no.” She whirled around and headed for her bedroom. “I’m going to give it back along with a piece of my mind.”

  “But why?”

  “Are you kidding? For thinking I’m some prostitute they can pay off.”

  “I’m sure that’s not what they’re thinking. Although…”

  Rae spun around to confront her friend. “Although what?”

  Carolina backed away, a sheepish look on her face. “Well, you did sort of have sex really soon after meeting them. Like you said, you haven’t even gone out with them yet. You know how men are. Maybe that confused them. I’m not saying they’re right. Just that maybe they got the wrong idea.”

  She was on her friend in the next instant, her finger in her face. “I had sex with them because I like them. A lot. Not because I wanted them to give me compensation.” Then the hurt hit her, vanquishing most of her anger. “I can’t believe you’d think that of me.”

  “I’m sorry, Rae. I really don’t, and I’m betting the guys don’t, either. From what I saw, they were into you and not just wanting to get into you, if you know what I mean.”

  “Do you really think so?” She huffed out a breath, surprised she could get off track so easily. “That doesn’t matter. I’m taking it back to them.”

  “At least then you’ll get to drive it once.”

  “Oh, no. I’m not driving it one second. Can you take me to The Dive later on? They’re doing an early set tonight. I’ll give them the keys then.”

  “Sure, but don’t you think you should at least read their card first?” Carolina pulled a small white card out of her pocket. “I’m sorry, but I read it while you were busy with the delivery guy.”

  “Carolina!”

  “Yeah, I know. I’m a horrible snoopy person.” She put on her I’m-so-adorable-you-have-to-love-me-anyway smile. “You forgive me, right?”

  “I guess.” Rae took the card and opened it.

  “Read it aloud.”

  She shot her friend an irritated look, then started reading.

  Dear Rae,

  How about dinner tonight at our place? We’d like to promise to behave ourselves, but we don’t make promises we don’t know we can keep. See you at 9:00.

  Wyatt and Stone

  210 Mayfield Farms Way

  “See? They’re asking you out on a date. Why not give them a chance to explain?”

  “Fine. I’ll go to their place if I can switch shifts with Melinda. But I’m not going there to eat or to listen to their explanation. I’m going there to give them back their car. You can follow me then give me a ride back.”

  “See? I knew you wanted to drive it.” Carolina put on her Cheshire cat grin at Rae’s frown. “This will be great. I can check out their place while I’m at it.”

  “Oh, no, you don’t. We’re not going inside. I’m going to drop off the key and get out of there. Got it?”

  Carolina couldn’t look more disappointed if she’d just found out that puppies no longer existed. “Aw, Rae, you’re no fun. Can’t we at least have a drink? You know. To be sociable?”

  “No. Nothing. In fact, you’re going to stay in your car.”

  “What?”

  “You heard me.” She whipped a finger in front of Carolina’s face. “I’m done. No more discussion.”

  She was inside her bedroom, door closed behind her before Carolina could offer another protest.

  Who gives someone they barely know a car?

  She frowned then plopped onto the bed, grabbed her phone, and punched the second number in her speed dial. When in doubt, she always called her friend Livi Brackin. They’d hung together in L.A. where Livi had scratched out a meager living as a freelance photographer.

  “Hey, girl, I’m so happy to hear from you!”

  Livi’s cheerful voice always brightened her mood. Now that Livi had found love in a little town called Lost Hills, Arizona, she sounded even happier. “Hi, Livi. How’s it going?”

  “Terrific. You would’ve never believed it, but I think I love living in the boonies.”

  “You’re right. I never would’ve believed it.”

  “I’d be happy anywhere with my guys. But that’s not why you’re calling, is it?”

  “You do have a sixth sense, don’t you?” Most of the time that was a good thing.

  Her guys? That’s right. Livi found happiness with three men. How did I forget that?

  “So I’m right, huh? Then get down to it. What’s up?”

  “Well, there’re these two men.”

  “Hey, good for you. More than one man is the way to go. I’m living proof of that. As long as they know about each other, of course.”

  Livi had fallen in love with three men who she described as “living an alternative lifestyle.” Although she was dying to know what that meant, she knew Livi well enough to know not to push. Livi would get around to explaining in her own good time. And as long as her friend was happy, Rae was good.

  “Yeah, well, it’s kind of a different situation.”

  “Spill it, girl.”

  “Okay, so here’s the deal. I met them about a week ago and we hit it off.” That was an understatement of the feeling she got whenever they were around. Even now she could still feel that tingle of excitement.

  “Kind of like how I hit it off with my guys?”

  Livi had fallen in love with one of her men in Vegas years earlier, but soon after meeting the other two men, she’d fallen in love with them, too. Rae had thought it an impossible thing to happen, but after meeting Wyatt and Stone, she knew it could happen.

  “Yeah, like that.”

  “Good for you.”

  It was nice to hear that Livi was sincerely happy for her. Her approval meant a lot to Rae.

  “Yeah, well, we kind of flirted throughout the week, but you know my thoughts about dating anyone in the industry.”

  “I do. And I’ve always thought it was kind of silly. I mean, who better to understand what you’re going through trying to catch a break than someone else trying to do the same thing? But I’m getting off the subject. Go on.”

  “Anyway, we kind of got together last night.”

  “Kind of? What does that mean?”

  She hesitated, but if there was anyone in the world she could tell anything and everything to, it was Livi. “We did just about everything you can think to do except actual intercourse.” She grimaced then plunged ahead. “On top of the kitchen counter.”

  She hadn’t expected Livi to laugh. At least not so hard that she could hardly breathe. “You didn’t! Oh, wow. Rae, I’m so proud of you. I always knew you had that inner slut in you.”

  Damn. Slut. There’s that word again.

  “That was not one of my proudest moments, Livi. And thanks. You calling me a slut makes my day.”

  “Okay, maybe it wasn’t one of your proudest moments, but I bet it was one of your happiest. And you know I’m kidding about the slut thing. You are one of the last people I’d ever think of as a slut. You’ve got
to have strong feelings for them to go that fast.”

  She was right. Even now, when she was afraid they’d gotten the wrong idea, she sizzled whenever she thought about being with them.

  “The thing is that Carolina, my roomie, came home at the worst time.”

  “Oh, no. I’ll bet she’ll have a tough time eating on the counter from now on.” Livi went into another fit of giggles. “Just one word, Rae. Disinfectant.”

  “Eew. Knock it off. Anyway, they took off as fast as they could, hardly without saying good-bye.”

  “Well, it had to have been an awkward moment for all of you. And from what you’ve told me about Carolina, she probably didn’t make it any easier. I haven’t even met the girl and I already like her.”

  “That’s because you and she have the same warped sense of humor.” Carolina and Livi were very much alike in other ways. They were both outgoing, adventurous, and ready to tell her the truth even when she didn’t want to hear it.

  Livi had pegged her right, too. Carolina had stayed in the living room, gawking as everyone got dressed. The men had mumbled their good-byes, pecked Rae on the cheek in a brotherly way, grabbed their guitars, and made a hasty retreat. They’d no doubt heard Carolina’s laughter as they stormed down the steps.

  “Then this morning, I got a delivery from them.”

  “Yeah? What’d they send you?”

  “Two big vases overflowing with flowers.”

  “Aw, now that’s sweet. Don’t you think?”

  “Very and I appreciated the gesture.” She lay back on her bed and stared at the popcorn ceiling.

  “Then what’s the problem?”

  “That’s not all they sent me.”

  “What else? Chocolates? Jewelry?”

  She braced herself for another round of laughter. “No. They gave me a car.”

  No laughter. Only silence. Was that better?

  “Livi, are you still there?”

  “Sure I am. I’m just trying to figure out why that’s a problem.”