by Quinn, Taryn
“Dammit.”
“Let her go.”
“No, I can’t let her go. She’s upset.”
“She’s embarrassed. Same as she was the first time I caught her doing it.”
“I thought you weren’t going to say how it happened,” I growled.
“Don’t get shitty with me because you’re angry. Give her a bit to calm down.”
I let out a breath. “No, she’s been running away from me for long enough.”
Seventeen
I raced up the stairs to my apartment.
I hadn’t done that the night before. I’d been so stupid to think maybe I was settling down again. Why did it have to be in front of Gage? That careful tone of his voice. The confusion in his eyes.
I knew what was coming next. The stammering, the race for the door. Or even worse, kind words followed directly by pity.
The worst was when they tossed the nice card around. As if Hallmark could make a slogan for this.
Hey, sorry you don’t know how to sleep like a normal person. Good luck with that and see ya around.
God, I couldn’t even write a good card description in my head.
I went for the cupboard above the fridge for my hidden bottle of whiskey then shoved it in the sink when I remembered that couldn’t happen. The glass shattered in the sink because of course it wasn’t the cheap shit.
If I was going to drink, it was worth the time and effort.
I stalked around my tiny kitchen as embarrassment flowed into anger. Why now? We were just starting to…
What?
Sort of click? Not just at the waist. We’d laughed over the movies and I’d even told him about my ideas for the movie screening nights I wanted to talk to Macy about. Especially when she brought out the popcorn and Gage got a first hand look at how fun it could be.
He’d seemed excited for me.
Not writing me off.
And now this?
I didn’t have time to ease him into my dirty little secret.
“Ry?”
My eyes burned at the sound of his voice. Maybe if I stayed quiet, he’d think I went to bed. Though he knew firsthand that I didn’t fucking stay there.
He knocked. “Come on, Rylee. I know you’re in there.”
I went over to the door, but I couldn’t bring myself to turn the doorknob. I didn’t want to see the pity on his face. The poor Rylee expression in his eyes right before he walked.
Just like Shane.
At least this time I didn’t do it in the middle of the quad. Heck, I could go and do it in the gazebo to show the whole damn town. Did they make industrial locks to protect a person from themselves?
He slapped his hand against the door. “You’re going to make me do this through the door?”
I pressed my forehead to the smooth wood, aching to undo the locks keeping him out.
“Okay, if that’s the way you want it.”
I braced myself, the tears dripping down my stupid face. He’d go back down the stairs and head out. Back to his folks’ house?
I didn’t even know where he was staying. I just didn’t ask. Not wanting to see him in any kind of permanent status with this town—or with me.
“You surprised me, huntress. Being all kinds of a coward over something so stupid.”
I straightened and swiped away tears. What the hell did he mean that I was a coward?
“This just makes you even more interesting.”
I unlocked the door and swung it open. “What?”
He gripped the top of the doorjamb, his posture lazy and sexy. Just like the first time I saw him. “Yes. Do you know how much I can fuck with you? I can whisper shit in the dark—maybe I can get you to even—ooof.”
I jammed my fist into his belly. “You asshole.”
He reached inside and hauled me up against him. “You don’t want to hear what I want you to do?”
“No, you pervert.” I didn’t laugh. I didn’t want to be charmed.
“How could you think so little of me?”
“Because you’re male.” I tried to push out of his arms, but he held me tight.
“Really, Ry.” He touched his forehead to mine. “You think this matters?”
I tried to twist away and he tucked his hands into the back pockets of my ancient jeans. “Gage…”
“No. This is not our dealbreaker.”
“I’m a freak.” I stared at his neck because I couldn’t look at his face.
“No, you’re not.” He shook me. “Look at me. Dammit, Ry.”
I snapped my gaze to his.
“You have a hugely active mind that doesn’t know how to sleep laying down in a damn bed. Why does that make you a freak?”
“Hello? You saw me.”
“Do you know what you did?”
My face heated. No. I never remembered what I was doing. Whatever I was dreaming about didn’t stay with me when I woke up. It was like two different planes almost.
“You walked across the room. Put a bowl of popcorn in a bakery case. That’s about it.”
I frowned. “I felt like I was doing more.”
“Well, you kind of did go for a knife.”
“Oh, God.”
“Not sure what else you were looking for. Hopefully, not my head.”
“Peanut butter.”
“Come again?”
I sighed. “Peanut butter. I’m going to be three-hundred pounds by the end of this pregnancy. It’s all I keep finding—peanut butter knives in the drawer and sink. I’ve gone through multiple jars of the stuff since I moved in.”
“Could it be part of the pregnancy thing? You know, how you were wanting sweet and salty flavors. Peanut butter certainly fits the definition.”
I relaxed in his hold. “Maybe.”
He eased me farther inside and closed the door, then he took my hand and led me to the couch. “Okay. Let’s talk about this.”
I perched at the edge of the couch. “Talk about what? I sleepwalk, end of story.”
“Somehow I doubt it.”
I twisted my hand free and clutched them together between my knees. “I used to do it as a kid. My doctor said I’d grow out of it. Just gave my parents some tips on how to deal with it. And I did grow out of it.” For awhile. Unless I was crazy stressed.
“And…”
I flopped back on the couch. “And then it came back when I was in college.”
He winced.
“Yeah, as bad as you’re thinking, times it by one hundred.”
“Ah, babe.” He shifted closer to me until our knees bumped.
“Yeah, I wanted to finish college. I was a freshmen and stressed out. I was dating a nice guy. He thought the sleepwalking thing was cute. I didn’t do anything other than talk in my sleep a little. Sometimes tried to get ready for class in the middle of the night. He’d just put me back in bed and I’d go back to sleep.”
“Until you didn’t, I’m guessing?”
That night was still burned in my memory. Not the dream—no, that was still stubbornly gone. But the embarrassment of the moment? Yeah, that was etched in my brain forever.
“Try middle of the quad at two in the morning while a party was going on.”
“Shit.”
“Oh, yeah.” I gave a surprised grunt when he hauled me over his lap and hugged me to him. I rested my hands on his chest. “Gage.”
“I’m sorry, huntress. That had to be the worst. Not just doing it, but at a party. I can’t even imagine.”
I relaxed against him. I’d never really told anyone what happened. There were witnesses of course, but the particulars had always been mine. I’d told my parents I was sleepwalking, and it was enough for me to beg to come home.
“And the worst part? Shane was at the party. It was a big Greek night, but I had my mid-term the next morning so I’d skipped the party.”
He hooked his thumbs in my back pockets in the lazy, possessive way I was growing used to. “Probably not really psyched about that either.”<
br />
I hadn’t really thought of that before. I’d been too focused on the embarrassment. “Actually, you’re probably right. Maybe even why I ended up at the party. Too bad I didn’t put pants on.”
“Fuck.”
“Oh, yeah.”
“Hey, eighteen-year-old Rylee probably had amazing legs. They’re damn fine now.”
I laughed. “Ass.”
He leaned forward and kissed me around the laugh I couldn’t stop.
“So, I lived with my parents for years after that.”
“Did you go see someone? A specialist? Like those sleep studies they do for people. I think my friend’s dad had to do an overnight stay for something.”
“Apnea?”
He shrugged. “Maybe.”
“I did one when I was younger. It was awful.” Being hooked up to machines and trying to sleep. It had been a nightmare. “I just dealt with it.”
He frowned. “Just like that?”
“It took a few years. My dad jerry-rigged a sensor on the door. But I usually got around it. I’m some sort of Houdini when I’m asleep.”
“Ah. That makes sense. Macy wouldn’t say anything about why she knew.”
My eyes stung again. “She’s a really good friend.” I cleared my throat and dabbed at my eyes. Crying wasn’t going to help. “I hadn’t been sleepwalking for a long time. I never could find a job I loved, but I saved because my mom and dad wouldn’t let me pay rent. And I got the job here. I thought it was time to grow up, you know? Go out on my own.”
“And your doctor never told you why you did it?”
I dashed away the last of my stupid tears. “They never had a definitive answer. Hormones, just luck of the draw.”
He lifted a hand to cup my face. “Well, pregnancy might cover it.”
I laughed. “Ya think?”
“Maybe we can ask the baby doctor? You can’t be the only one this has ever happened to.” He dropped his hand to my middle. “And we have a little more to worry about now than just embarrassing you with some peanut butter. What if you fell down the stairs? Or worse, went out the front door?”
I dipped my head. “I know. I have my cup trick.”
“Cup trick?”
“Yeah. I try to set little booby traps for myself. That’s the Houdini thing I was talking about. Somehow since I’m the one who did the trap…”
“Your subconscious knows how to get around it.”
It sounded insane to say it out loud. “Still don’t think I’m a freak?”
“I think you’re a fucking genius, even in your sleep.”
“Genius felon, if you ask Macy.”
“Tell you what. I’ll set the trap tonight, huh?”
I sat back and slid off his lap. “Really?”
“Yeah. I used to be really good at doing some stealthy shit against Dare. Did you know Legos hurt like a bitch if you step on them?”
I laughed. “Um, no. Me and Kelsey were more into Barbies and drawing paper.”
“Well, if you step on those suckers in your sleep, you’re definitely waking up.”
“Gage?”
“Hmm?”
“Where are we going to find Legos?”
“Guess we’re going shopping tomorrow.” He stood up and dragged me to my feet. “Tonight will be a kamikaze maze of cups.”
“Why are you being so…I don’t know…cool about this?”
“It’s a problem we’ll figure out together, that’s all. It’s not about being cool about it.” He slid his arms around me. “I don’t want anything to happen to you. I just found you, dammit.”
I curled my arms around his neck and held on tight. I’d never had anyone just hold me. Worried glances between my parents were a staple for sure, but just holding me and telling me it was all right?
Yeah, not so much.
Every damn thing was new territory with this man. And I was growing to care more about him by the minute.
Eighteen
I was about to switch allegiances with realtors. If Oliver showed me one more new build, I was going to toss him into Crescent Lake. With a small prayer, I tapped in the address into my GPS and headed out.
A ten-minute drive from town should make Rylee happy at least.
When I finally told her I was house hunting.
Sweet Jesus, I hope she didn’t try to de-ball me. Ever since I’d gotten her fired, she’d been stressing about her job situation. I wanted to take care of her, but she was hellbent on the independent woman action.
Which I appreciated…in theory. Until she thwarted me at every turn.
However, I had won the Legos argument that first night and the ones since. I was pretty in tune with her now that I stayed at her place most nights, but one night she did get up without me noticing. Probably because I’d been up late the night before and sleeping a little more soundly than I usually did.
She’d stepped through my Legos landmine and swore a blue streak. It sure as shit woke her up. Point one for the Kramer camp.
I was still in the losing column. Considering I’d started off that way with our first meeting, it wasn’t all that surprising.
From the first bet, she’d been one-upping me. And had been ever since.
Rylee hadn’t been kidding about her peanut butter obsession. I was ready to get a Costco membership just to keep up with her.
Christ, me and a wholesale membership. Wasn’t that a fucking kick? But I was ready for it. My mom kept tearing up every time she saw me thanks to our family dinner the other night.
Breaking the news to them felt much like I was a teenager telling my mom and dad a rubber broke, but I was pretty sure Dare had already broken them in on the shock factor. He’d done it twice.
But in my mom’s mind, it meant I was sticking around. Hence the tears every five minutes. Oh, and the random onesies she kept showing me whenever I came home to do laundry. She was firmly in the “it’s a girl” camp. I was pretty sure Rylee was too.
During our doctor’s appointment, she’d just wanted to make sure the baby was healthy. I wanted to know the actual sex of the baby. I figured I should know if I needed to buy a shotgun or an extra racing helmet.
Though knowing my luck with the fairer sex, if I did have a girl, she’d probably be the next Danica Patrick just to make me insane.
Then I’d need shotguns and valium.
Telling Rylee’s mom and dad had been a little more of an ulcer-inducing affair. Especially for me because Ry didn’t want to tell them her sleepwalking was a problem again. There’d been some disappointment and worry between them. Add in the grilling I had endured from her father, and I felt like I’d been on the last lap of a very shitty race by the end of the dinner.
Not to mention the “What are your intentions toward my daughter” daggers I got through the meal from Mr. Ford. I had not been invited to call him Doug. I wanted to reassure them that my sole goal was to get Rylee to see me as the forever guy she needed. Unfortunately, she’d been quick to throw me under the bus.
Independent woman.
I’d said curse words with less vehemence lately.
She was so worried about telling everyone she could handle everything, I was left on the sidelines looking like a chump half the time.
So, here I was doing a secret house hunting spree to make sure she knew I was serious. I wasn’t fucking going anywhere. What said that more than buying a damn house?
I pulled up behind the SUV at the bottom of the drive. It was a long driveway which I liked. Less chance of Rylee making it down to the road. I hated to think that way—in fact, I’d even looked into a special security system used by Alzheimer’s patients to prevent them from wandering.
Only I was trying to keep a woman subconsciously running from me.
Helluva thing.
I climbed out of my car and tilted my head at the pretty swanky SUV. It still made my palms sweat a little at the thought of driving a family car versus a sports car, but not as much as it would have a few months ago. My,
how things had changed in my life.
Oliver Hamilton climbed out of his SUV with a shark smile. I liked him. He wasn’t quite as affable as his brother, but he was no nonsense about house hunting and I appreciated that. I hated the sales schtick that most realtors laid on thick.
I’d almost bought a house twice in my life. Once for an investment. Tax brackets and some other BS from my accountant had dented my party brain for a half a second. Being on the road all the time got tiresome and my trailer felt more like a home than even my old hometown. But then my sponsorship had changed, and I’d been distracted with even more time on the road.
It seemed stupid to put down roots when I’d never actually be in the house.
And the other had been when I’d made my first million. Buying a house seemed the thing to do. Instead, I’d bought a ridiculous apartment in Manhattan, selling it for a loss within a year.
Gun-shy? Who, me?
Now there was a new life change sitting on my shoulders. I had more boxes to check this time around. Just not ones I had planned on.
Oliver came at me with an outstretched hand. “You didn’t want a new build. I’d say this definitely applies.”
I shook his hand and took off my sunglasses. “No, definitely not new.” The stone house was close to the lake, but not right on top of it. All I needed to do was stress myself into a straitjacket about Rylee sleepwalking into the water. Followed directly by a drowning child.
But the land went on forever.
“Six acres.”
I whistled.
“Yes, it’s a miracle this hasn’t been bought up by one of the developers who have been picking at the coastline for the last year. As soon as it went on the market, I called you.”
“It’s gorgeous.”
“The house is a ranch style. It was renovated five years ago by the previous owners. I think you’ll like it. It’s move-in ready.”
“I like the sound of that.” I followed him up the gravel drive that turned into cement.
Oliver gave me the breakdown on the county roads and snow removal. It had been a damn long time since I’d had to worry about such things, but I was back in the snow belt.
The yard went on for…well, acres. There was plenty of flat ground for a kid, maybe even kids, to run around. The little buzz I’d been waiting for started humming at the back of my neck.