Half an hour later, I could feel the tension leaving my body as I stared at the familiar brick building. There was just something about this place that filled me with peace. The small 1930s building was quaint and cute and kinda like home now.
Or maybe it was the knowledge that Maddie was inside.
I found her in the farthest corner of the second story stacks, sitting next to her book cart, thumbing through a hardback book. Shaking my head, I snuck up behind her. When I was a few feet away, I cleared my throat.
Maddie let out a muffled shriek and jumped six inches into the air. Clutching the book to her chest, she spun around and glared at me. “I should’ve known it was you.” Her voice was a harsh whisper in the still room. “Only someone who grew up with four older brothers could be so mean.”
I snorted. She was right.
I nodded to the book she still clutched. “Anything good there?”
“Of course. It’s La Nora. I’d read her grocery lists.” Maddie rolled her eyes and shoved the book onto the shelf. “What are you doing here? I thought we weren’t meeting for book club till next week. Did you come to scope out your next pick?”
“No. I don’t… I can’t…” I raked a jittery hand through my hair. The long drive didn’t do anything to calm me down. “Can you take a break?”
Maddie stood up with wide eyes. “Yeah, of course. What’s going on? Are you okay? Is your mom okay?”
“Yeah, no. We’re fine. It’s not…” I shook my head as a croaking sob sound lurched out of me.
“Sabrina.” My friend grabbed my shoulders and pulled me in for a tight hug. And I just lost it. I shuddered as tears burned my eyes and sobs shook my body. Maddie held tight and gently rubbed my back through it all. She didn’t try to talk me out of crying—she just held on and let me fall to pieces.
After what felt like ages, I finally calmed down and pulled away from my friend with a wry smile. “Thanks.”
Maddie pulled a pack of tissues from her back pocket. “Always. Are you feeling up to talking about it?”
I took a second and wiped my eyes—thank god for smudge proof mascara—then blew my nose. “Logan is back.”
“Logan, Logan?” Maddie’s eyes all but swallowed her face.
“Yes, that Logan.”
“Did he explain why he never called you again?”
“No. I couldn’t tell if he honestly couldn’t remember me or if he turned into an asshole. Either way, he was practically unrecognizable. He was all blunt and abrasive and dismissive. Then, at the end, he held his business card up to me like I was a total stranger, and I just lost it. I tore into him until he ran out of the shop like his pants were on fire.”
Maddie grunted much like Logan had a little bit ago. The sound gave me a pang. “Good. Sounds like he deserved it. What was he even doing at Badass Builds?”
I tried not to notice the way my bestie whispered the shop’s name almost reverently. I knew she had a crush on one of my brothers, but I never teased her about it. I knew nothing would ever come of it. Maddie wasn’t the kinda girl they went for. She was too nice and smart and just…normal for lack of a better word. She was my bestie, and I’d neuter any of them who’d dare to touch her. Because they’d break her heart and she wouldn’t want to hang out anymore. It wouldn’t be the first time I lost a friend over them. They knew better now.
“We’re getting quotes for a new sprinkler system because we got that notice from the city.”
“Are you going to let the guys hire him? Can you imagine having him hanging around for god knows how long to install it?”
I sighed. “I don’t know. I guess I’ll have to wait and see his quote. Hopefully he’s more expensive than the other firm.”
“Have you told your brothers about him? About…” She tilted her head, letting the thing go unspoken.
I shook my head. “Ryan knows some but not everything. He’s the only one.”
“They’re your family, Sabrina. If anyone would understand, it’s them. They’ll back you one hundred percent.”
“I don’t want to answer their questions. I don’t want to dig that up all over again. Hey, if he can pretend he doesn’t know me, I can pretend to forget him too. Girls can be assholes too.”
“Sure, sure.” Maddie gave me a disbelieving look. “If you say so. How’d he look? Still as yummy as ever?”
I knew what she was trying to get me to say, but I wasn’t gonna. “He’s uh, still tall, muscular.” I closed my eyes as I briefly remembered that feeling when he first came into the shop and how he’d still smelled the same. Shaking my head, I opened my eyes and shrugged. “He had some scars that made me think maybe he was injured worse than I thought from that fire.”
Maddie’s eyes widened. “Maybe it’s not an act. Could be he has amnesia.”
“Amnesia? Really? I think you’ve been reading too many romance novels.”
Maddie laughed. “You might have a point there.”
My lips twitched at the sound of her laughter.
“Do you still have feelings for him?”
“No, of course not.” I scoffed weakly.
“Sabrina.”
“I don’t, okay? I learned my lesson. I don’t do smooth bad boys anymore. Not that Logan is a smooth bad boy now, but that’s not the point. Hopefully none of that matters, and I won’t have to see him again.”
“Right.” Maddie bit her lip.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Just say it.”
Maddie sighed. “Fine. If I know anything about you, and I think after almost two decades of friendship I do, it’s that this is not over.”
“Maddie.” It was my turn to sigh.
“You have acres of unfinished business, and you’ll never be able to move on until you sort your shit out.”
I had to laugh at that. You’d think she was a therapist and not a librarian. “You made me sound like a ghost haunting him or something.”
“No, he’s the spirit who’s been haunting you for the past two years.”
“I think you’re mistaking him for the baby I miscarried.”
Maddie winced. “Sabrina, I’m sorry. That was a poor choice of words. I didn’t mean to make light of—”
“No, I’m sorry.” I’d lashed out without thought. Maddie had been there for me then and always. I couldn’t take out my horrible feelings on her of all people. “I was the one to say it first. But let’s just drop it, okay? I don’t have feelings or unfinished business with Logan. I’d be ecstatic if I never saw him or heard from him ever again.”
“Okay. If you say so…” Maddie’s disbelieving tone said it all.
“I do.” I gave my friend a sad smile. “But thanks for letting me unload all over you.”
“What are best friends for? You know I love you.”
“Ditto, chica. You’re my soul sister. Well, you and Hope.”
“Agreed. We good for dinner tonight?”
I sighed. I wanted to postpone, but that would only prove Maddie’s point about Logan, and I’d be damned if I did that. “You know it. See you.”
“Later.”
I gave her another hug then headed for the front door before she could pry any further into my brain. I was done with Logan no matter what she said. The past was best left in the past, and that was where Logan belonged.
In the past.
Chapter Two
Logan Carter
Ten days later
Karma was bitch—and I didn’t mean Travis’ favorite stripper at Gold Standard.
Just seeing the large sign for Badass Builds, made me wanna bang my head against the steering wheel, but the skin graft on my back wouldn’t allow it. I should’ve done those stupid physical therapy exercises this morning.
Every minute I’d spent here two weeks ago had been pure agony. I didn’t think I could take another second of looking into her face and seeing the life I had before. Remembering the man I used to be. The man she obviously wanted to see again.
But that wasn’t me. That would never be me again.
Fuck my life.
At least you have a life.
My inner voice was a bastard, but he was right. I didn’t have a fucking thing to complain about.
All I could do was hope she got a clue and moved on and left me where I belonged—in her past. And if I needed to be a bastard to make that happen, I could do that. Hell, I had done it last time I saw her.
I pushed open the door to my pickup and gingerly climbed out. I might’ve slammed the door behind me with more force than necessary, but no one was around to hear it. Despite the five other vehicles in the parking lot, not a soul was in sight. Everyone must’ve been inside already.
But when I pushed open the front door, there was still not a soul in sight. What the fuck?
I paused, and in the distance, I heard the muffled sound of an argument.
“…bullshit. I’m not doing it,” a man’s muffled voice said.
“We all agreed at the last staff meeting.” It might’ve also been barely audible, but I’d recognize the sound of Sabrina’s voice anywhere. Her voice was mellow and smooth, washing over me like a balm I didn’t deserve to feel. “I’ve already taken the deposit. They’re expecting you all to show up Friday night. It’s booked. What do you want me to do?”
“It’s bullshit is what it is.” The man’s voice came again. “I’m tired of doing these goddamn meet-and-greets every fucking weekend.”
“Hello?” I called out as I set my toolbox down with a crash. “Anyone around?”
“What time is it?”
“Shit. He’s here.”
The voices came fast but still muffled. I was sick of eavesdropping. I had a job to do. The sooner I started, the quicker it would get done, and I could get gone.
A moment later, four men came around the corner in quick succession, one with a baby on his hip. Even if I wasn’t a fan of their show—which I was—I would’ve been able to guess that they were brothers. All four were equally tall, muscular, and had similar features with brown hair and hazel eyes. I expected to see some veiled anger at my appearance, but they all had open expressions and no apparent judgement or hostility.
“Hey, man.” Austin held his hand out. “Thanks for squeezing us in so fast. We have the city breathing down our necks and can’t do shit until you install the new system for us. I’m Austin.”
“Right. Sure.” I shook his hand then bent down to grab my toolbox. “You okay if I head back and get started tearing out the old system?”
Austin smiled. “A man after my own heart—one ready to get to work. Unlike the bums around here.”
“Not funny.” Nathan retorted. “I put in plenty of hours.”
“With the T and A squad,” Dylan muttered under his breath.
I knew from watching their show that when they got arguing it could escalate quickly. And despite how entertaining it was, I had shit to do. “So the main shutoff valve is where?”
“Follow me.” Nathan elbowed his brothers out of the way. “You clowns go get lunch or something. It’s not like we can get any work done.”
It was only ten in the morning, but none of my business. And it looked like his brothers weren’t going to argue because they were gone before he finished talking.
Only Ryan stayed behind. “I’m gonna see if I can drag Sabrina out too. She’s looking really stressed.”
I sighed and headed for the shop. I bet I could find the shutoff valve on my own.
“Maybe because you guys were yelling at her.” Ryan continued behind me.
I froze. He’d been yelling at Sabrina?
Nathan snorted. “I wasn’t yelling. Felicity there wouldn’t still be sleeping if I’d been yelling.”
“Not how I remember it, and Fliss can sleep through anything, but whatever.” Ryan rocked the sleeping baby laying against his chest. “Lay off the four-letter words, okay? Something has Sabby fragile right now, and you’re not helping anything. Who cares if we have a meet-and-greet every weekend? It’s not like we’re making money building bikes right now. We gotta do something to keep the money rolling in until this new system is installed.”
“Fine. I’ll play nice. I was just asking for a break is all.”
The rest of their argument was muffled as the shop door shut behind me.
Sabrina was hurting.
But it wasn’t any business of mine. I tried not to think about what I’d blatantly eavesdropped on. Instead I got busy laying out my tools.
A few minutes later Nathan burst through the door. “Sorry about that, man. Family shit. Anyhow…”
Nathan quickly showed me the main shutoff valve, gave me phone numbers in case I needed anything else, and then disappeared.
Then it was all quiet, and I was alone. The way I liked it.
I got to work.
I spent the next two hours working solo since Tommy and Paul were running behind on a job. I did as much as my shit body would let me—which was a lot less than I used to be able to do. But I didn’t bitch and moan about any of it. It was more than I deserved.
I was about ready to bleed the pipes in the hallway when a startled gasp made me jump. And lose my grip on the fucking ladder.
I reached out blindly for something to hold onto, but the stupid treads were wet. My feet slipped and the ladder went one way and I went the other.
“FUCK!”
The crash was drowned out by my yelling.
Because it hurt.
And I landed on my bad side.
I took a beat to make sure all my skin was still attached, and I felt a telltale dampness on my left wrist cuff. My heart racing, I looked at my wrist, but it was only the water from the sprinkler system. Not blood. Thank God.
“Oh my God,” Sabrina’s voice came from far away and then I blinked and she was hovering over me. “Are you okay?”
My legs were still tangled in the ladder. I kicked it away with a muttered curse. “Yeah. Fine.”
“I… Uh, okay.” She sighed and took a few steps back. “You got anything you want to say to me?”
“Nope.” I got my feet back under me and stood back up, avoiding her eyes the entire time. I already felt like shit; I didn’t need to read it all over her face that I was an asshole. Nothing about that was changing.
“You gonna sue us for this?”
“What?” My head jerked up on its own volition, and I glared at her. “What the fuck for? It was my mistake. I didn’t take the time to wipe the ladder off after I got it wet with the last bleed job.”
“Good. Now I don’t have to waste time thinking up all the wonderful questions I’d have our attorney ask you. Under oath.” She bared her teeth in a scary semblance of a smile. “I’m going out for lunch. If you leave, lock the front door up behind you. You’re not the only asshole in Sacramento.”
Without giving me a chance to reply—not that I had one ready—she pivoted on her heel and walked away. I’m not ashamed to admit that I enjoyed the view the entire way. Right up until she paused to pull the door open. Then I put my head down and concentrated on sorting out my fucking ladder. And not thinking about how hot her tight, little ass looked in her black pencil skirt.
Or the way her hips rolled with her walk.
Or the way the red tips to her otherwise white-blonde hair broadcasted her feelings about me. When I’d seen her ten days ago, her tips had been bone-white like the rest of her hair.
But none of that mattered. I had a job to do, so I got back to work.
* * *
I was packing up at the end of the day—those bastards Tommy and Paul never had shown up—when my phone rang. No doubt they had some fantastic reason not to get their asses over here. Still packing up my tools, I hit accept without looking at the screen and answered. “Yeah, what.”
“Is that really how you answer your work phone?” Vanessa’s dulcet tone sang over the line. “What if I was a client? Or your boss?”
I forced a chuckle. Vanessa was the one person o
n this entire planet who deserved whatever the fuck she wanted from me. I owed her—I couldn’t even begin to try to pay her back. “Pretty sure my boss knows he hired a miserable S.O.B., and any client calling probably should know that up front anyhow. No surprises that way. What can I do for you, darlin’?”
“Why do you think I want something? Can’t I just be calling to see how you’re doing? You know general chit chat—how are you, what’s new in your life—that kinda thing.”
This time the laugh was genuine. “Never. I know you. And I know that tone in your voice. What blew up, and how much is it gonna cost to fix?”
“It’s the dishwasher, and it didn’t blow up so much as leak. All over my kitchen. The hardwood’s a mess, and I don’t know what the hell is wrong with the dishwasher. This was exactly the kind of thing Jay was great at.” She sighed and the sound was so fucking heartbreaking—kinda muffled like a sob she really didn’t want me to hear.
I didn’t think it was possible to feel any lower, but finding new lows was like my super power.
She cleared her throat and continued with a false happy note to her voice. We were both great at putting on masks for the rest of the world. “But you know me. I’d probably end up electrocuting myself if I tried to fix it. Can you come by and take a look? It’s not an emergency or anything.”
“No, it’s fine. I can be over in about thirty minutes if that works for you.”
“Logan. You don’t have to come today.”
“I want to. And maybe we can get a burger or something after?” Anything to get her out of her tomb of a house and out among the living. She’d said something a while ago about her therapist encouraging it.
“I don’t know. How about I cook us something? I’ll make your favorite.”
I caved because I couldn’t say no to this woman. “Sure. That way I can bring Bella.”
“Okay. Sounds like a date then. Thank you.”
The fake happiness still in her voice made me feel like shit. I had to do better for her. I cleared my throat. “Hey, I got some shit to clear up here, then I’ll grab Bella and head over to your place. Say five thirty?”
Spark: A Bad Boy's Second Chance Romance (Burns Brothers Book 3) Page 2