“Pardon?” Kate stared, trying to comprehend what she’d just heard.
He moved closer, the smell of alcohol mixing with the cigarettes. Lord, how did Lois kiss this guy? Sure, he was handsome and charming, but the fumes were enough to make her eyes water.
“A dance with just the two of us. I suspect it’s been a while. William was my friend. He’d want me to help.”
Geez, had he been listening at the bathroom door? He could not be serious. “What about Lois?”
He ran a finger from her shoulder down her arm. She fought the urge to yank away. “I don’t think she’d understand. We’d have to keep it between us.”
Did he really believe women would fall for this crap? Poor Lois. “Thanks, but I couldn’t put you in that position. I’ll pass.”
She went to move around him, but he gripped her shoulders and laid his cheek against hers. “Don’t you want to remember what it feels like to have a man make love to you until you scream with pleasure?” His voice was low, an attempt at a sexy whisper.
She grimaced. Was this supposed to turn her on? She was pretty sure he didn’t mean to make her laugh. She bit her lip, hoping to stop the fit of giggles. But her humor mixed with anger when she thought about his wife.
“As tempting as that sounds, I must decline.” She pushed on his chest with both hands, but he didn’t budge. Oh great, just what she needed. A scene.
“Just one kiss. If you still say no, I’ll let it drop.”
“I believe the lady already said no,” Jake said from behind Vince, voice firm yet laidback.
Kate never wanted to hug someone so much in her life. She glanced around Vince and grinned at Jake, rolling her eyes.
Her ‘savior’ turned to him, also. “Run along, boy scout. Let the adults talk.”
With hands tucked casually in his trouser pockets, Jake strolled toward them. “Oh, I’ll go, but not without my date.”
Vince moved into Jake’s space, glaring up at him. “Didn’t you hear her before? She said you weren’t her date. From the looks of it, you can’t be more than a designated driver.”
Jake chuckled. “Be that as it may, move aside.”
“What are you going to do if I don’t, Opie? Threaten to beat me up in the parking lot?”
“No, I’m going to do what every good little boy does.” His impish grin made Kate want to jump him where he stood. “I’m going to tattle on you.” He turned away.
In a heartbeat, Vince was beside him, grabbing his arm. “Not cool, dude!” He scampered off.
“Dickhead.” Jake watched him scurry away, then turned to Kate with a one-sided smile. She swore her knight in shining armor never looked sexier. “Time to go?”
Torn between wanting to get the hell out of there and not wanting to be alone with him, Kate nodded and linked her arm with his. Butterflies attacked the lining of her stomach.
They may be leaving the party, but she had a feeling the evening was far from over.
Chapter Sixteen
DREW SNATCHED A T-SHIRT from his dresser and shoved it into the open suitcase. Mom would be mad he hadn’t folded it, but he didn’t care about being neat right now.
“Hey.” Alex stood in the entrance, his shoulder resting against the doorjamb. “Lisa and the boys are asleep. You want to play Skyward Sword?”
Drew grunted and, after yanking out a pair of worn shorts, slammed the drawer shut, wishing it was his brother’s head.
“What gives? We’re not going away with Grandma and Grandpa for a few more days. You’re usually packing as they’re sitting in the driveway honking the horn.”
“I had to do something, otherwise I might hit someone.”
“Hit someone?” Alex’s eyes grew wide as he pointed a finger to his chest. “You mean me?”
“Duh!”
“Why?” His brother entered the room and slapped the suitcase shut.
Drew glared at him. “I hate these stupid tricks we’re playing on Mom.”
“Hey, you want Mom and Coach to get together just as much as I do.”
“I didn’t think I’d be lying to her!” He flipped the lid of the case open again. “I ‘accidentally’ dumped a glass of wine on her scrubs. I had to lie about getting hurt, and then today about messing up the times.” He lowered his head and his voice, guilt eating at him. “She trusted me to get it right.”
Alex flopped down on the edge of the bed. “I apologize. I came up with the plans and then expected you to bring them to fruition.”
“Stop using such big fucking words!” Drew threw a pair of socks, delighted when they bounced off the side of his brother’s head. “What if Coach couldn’t go with her? She would’ve been stuck going alone. Because of me.”
Eyes and mouth rounded in shock, Alex stared. “Dude, I said I was sorry.”
“Sorry doesn’t make the lies go away.”
“That’s it then.” Alex picked up the socks, folding them back into a neat ball before placing them in the bag. “No more planning, no more tricks. I won’t do that to you... or Mom. Are we cool?”
Drew zipped the luggage closed, the anger lessening knowing his brother understood. “We’re cool. So what do we do now?”
“What we should’ve done from the beginning, I guess. Stay out of it.”
“Yeah.” He sat next to Alex, not really liking the sound of that. “I really did want Mom and Coach to get together, though.”
“Even if they did, who knows how long it would’ve lasted? You know how she feels about Dad.”
The roar of an engine cut into their conversation. Drew ran over to the window facing Coach’s house. He peeked through the blinds. “They’re home. And, whoa, check out that ride.”
He moved aside so Alex could get a peek. Coach stopped the car halfway up the driveway before hopping out and jogging around to Mom’s door. He opened it and held out a hand for her.
“I didn’t expect them to be home this late. I figured Mom would show her face then leave as soon as she could,” Alex said.
Drew shrugged. “Half the town was there. Everyone probably made sure she had a good time.”
Alex shook his head. “No, she had fun because of Coach.”
“Why do you say that? It’s not like it was a real date.”
“Because of the way he helped her out of the car.”
Drew studied his brother, not sure what that had to do with anything. Alex held his finger to his lips, unlocked the window and slid it open about an inch. They leaned in close, Drew with his ear nearly pressing against the screen.
Mom stood next to Coach, her purse in one hand and shoes in the other. “...really did me a huge favor tonight.”
“Kate, I swear if you thank me one more time, I’ll fire you.” He took her arm and began leading her down the driveway, but she stopped him.
“Aren’t you going to put your car away?”
“I will, after I walk you to the door.”
“Don’t be silly. I’ll be fine.”
Coach dropped her arm, studying the keys in his hand. Drew couldn’t help but feel bad for him. “Then I’ll just say good night.”
They turned away from each other, Coach toward the garage and Mom down the driveway. She stopped and spun around. “Jake, would you like to come in for a drink?”
Coach dropped his keys. He faced her, his mouth hanging open.
“Never mind, it’s late—”
“No, no.” He picked up the keys, dropped them again, then made a second attempt to retrieve them, successfully this time. “I’d love a drink.”
“Great.” He couldn’t see Mom’s face, but her voice had a catch to it.
“Hang on a sec while I put the car away.”
Drew turned to his brother. “Is it lying to pretend to be sleeping?”
He slid the window closed. “Yeah, kinda.”
“It’s late. The kids are fine. Mom would expect us to be asleep, too.”
Alex’s lip twitched into a one-sided grin. “And we wouldn’t want to
intrude on their drink.”
Drew glanced out the window then back to Alex. “They’re coming. Run!”
His brother dashed from the room, the pounding of his hasty footsteps on the stairs making Drew cringe until he made it to the top. He tossed his suitcase to the floor, yanked back the covers, and flicked the bedside lamp off as he hopped into bed.
He hugged his pillow, a smile on his face. So much for staying out of it. Even if Mom and Coach never got together, at least she was happy for once.
That was worth all the guilt in the world.
***
Shock still resonated through Jake as he stood behind Kate, who balanced her shoes in one hand and inserted the key in the front door with the other.
She’d invited him in, waited for him to house his car, and then walked beside him to her door.
Just like a real date.
He had no idea what brought about her sudden offer. He didn’t kid himself into thinking it meant anything more than her need for company. She’d been quiet on the drive home, still angry, he suspected, with Vince and his sordid proposal.
Jake had wanted to pound the little gnome into the pavement, but the last thing Kate needed was a scene. She’d had enough for one night.
She opened the door and tossed her purse onto a side table. “Hey, guys, I’m home!”
Silence.
“They must be sleeping. I hate to wake Alex, but I want to know how it went tonight.” She headed for the stairs.
Jake pulled at his tie. “Would you mind if I checked on the little ones?”
She paused on the third step then turned to him. “Not at all. They’re probably upstairs in my room.”
Gripping the handrail, Jake followed her up. At the top, she pointed to the first door on the left. He entered the large mostly dark room, save for the light coming from the hallway and the moon shining on the sleeping children.
Tip-toeing over the carpeted floor to the window, he grabbed the post to close the blinds. It felt odd being in Kate’s bedroom, whereshe slept, dressed, and partook in intimate deeds his perverted mind could only imagine. He was about to twist the blinds shut when a soft glowing light across the way caught his eye.
His bedroom.
The image of her watching him undress and do other, slightly less innocent activities shot heat through his body so fast he had to adjust the front of his trousers. He twisted the rod, causing a rustling sound as the wood blinds clicked together.
“Where’s Mommy?”
Jake jerked around. Tony sat up, rubbing his eyes. Nothing like a child to squelch a flaming desire.
“She’s not home yet, Buddy.” He lowered himself to the edge of the bed, stroking the little man’s hair. The three-year-old crawled into his lap, laid his head against Jake’s chest, and then promptly fell back asleep.
His heart pounded as Susan and Rob’s son snuggled against him. Closing his eyes, he hugged the tiny child, kissing the top of his shiny, brown head.
Just for a minute, I’ll pretend he’s mine.
He had no idea how long he sat there, holding the sleeping child, but for that moment, everything was okay with the world.
“They’re awfully cuddly, aren’t they?”
He smiled at Kate’s words, spoken from behind him. “They sure are.” He laid Tony down, moving the covers over him.
She entered the room, tossed her shoes into a corner, then crossed her arms tight against her chest. “Looks like they’re going to be here a while. Susan texted Alex not too long ago, saying they were going out for a late-night snack after the reception.”
“That was considerate of her.”
“She could’ve told me. She knew we were coming home.”
“Maybe she didn’t want to disturb you.”
“Don’t be silly. What could she possibly disturb?”
Me grabbing you and kissing you until you realize I’m no kid. Just like that his pants were too tight again. He darted from the room. “Nothing, I guess.”
Jake hastened down the stairs to put some distance between them, but stopped in the foyer, waiting to follow her lead.
She headed for the kitchen. “Would you like some wine?”
“Sure.”
“Have a seat.” She gestured toward the family room.
Jake sat on the sofa facing the kitchen as he removed his jacket and loosened his tie, still wondering why she’d invited him in.
He watched her pour their drinks. The light shone down on her, emphasizing the dark circles under her eyes and the tightness of her jaw. She looked tired, stressed. Then he realized.
She didn’t want to be alone.
With beverages in hand, she joined him in the family room. She further surprised him when she sat down next to him and handed over a glass before raising her own. “To a great neighbor. I owe you one.”
Jake clinked their glasses. “I don’t know about you, but I had fun.” He took a sip.
“I guess it wasn’t as dreadful as it could’ve been. Except for that shithead making a pass at me.”
Jake nearly spit the wine from his mouth.
Eyebrow raised, Kate stared at him.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m just not used to you talking like that.”
“Oh, believe me, I can swear like a truck driver when provoked.”
“Well, now you’ve got me curious enough to provoke you.”
“I wouldn’t advise it.” Even though she grinned, her hand shook.
“Are you okay?”
With a deep sigh, she rubbed her eyes. “I’ve been better.”
He sat forward and put his wine glass on the table. “Talk to me.”
Kate leaned her head against the back of the couch and stared atthe ceiling. “You just spent most of the night in the company of my family. I think you can figure it out.”
Jake shook his head. “I know you. You can handle your mom, andWilliam’s family, and,” he grinned, “shitheads like Vince. There’s something else.”
She swallowed hard, her eyes blinking in rapid motion. “It’s the time of year.”
“Did William die around this time?”
“No, that was in the winter. Back-to-school is fast approaching. And with the beginning of every school year comes the reminder that Alex is a year closer to college.” She leaned forward and placed her glass beside his. “And a year closer to me having to sell this house.”
Jake’s heart plummeted. “You’ll leave me?” He hated that his voice sounded so desperate, but the idea of not seeing her on a daily basis was like a punch in the gut.
“I’d still work for you, unless I have to move so far away it wouldn’t be worth the commute.”
When no words of wisdom sprouted to life he simply said, “I’m sorry, Kate.”
She pulled in a deep breath. “It could be worse. I’d hate saying good-bye to Seashore Cove, but at least I have my boys and my family.”
“Yes, at least you have them.” He swallowed. Hard. The lump in his throat grew by the second.
“What about you, Jake?” She twisted in her seat, curling one leg on the couch and resting her elbow along the back cushion. “Where’s your family?”
A cold, dark cloud settled over him. He shivered, but somewhere inside, he wanted her to know. “They’re gone.”
“They moved away?”
“They died. In a fire. Mom, Dad, my sister, and brother. Gone.”
She made no sound, no movement. He chanced a glance at her. Her eyes were wide and brimming with tears. Finally, she sucked in a breath as if she’d realized she could breathe again. “A fire?”
“It was during my second year of residency. I was at the hospital when the ambulance brought them in, but the attending physician told me the news before I found out the hard way.”
He still remembered the last time he saw them. Arthur, his over-achieving older brother, who lived with Mom and Dad while waiting to close on his house, eating breakfast before heading off to work. The closing would’ve been a
week later.
His younger sister, Maureen, in her Goth-style clothes and make-up, waving at him from the bus stop as Jake left for a twenty-four hour shift at the hospital. He always joked she was the happiest Goth girl he’d ever met. And the smartest. She was in line to be valedictorian.
Mom and Dad had been planning a trip to Wales so they could meet Dad’s cousins for the first time.
All those dreams were so close to becoming reality, and they never got to live them.
Just like him.
A comforting hand on his shoulder reminded him he wasn’t alone. His eyes burned as Kate wrapped her arms around him. He kept his hands in his lap, but he lowered his head to her shoulder. “I’d reminded Dad so many times to change the batteries in the smoke detectors. But he never listened.”
“Is that why you moved out here? To get away from the memories?”
Jake’s sorrow turned to anger in an instant. “No, I moved out here to get away from my ex-wife.”
“What?” She jerked back so violently she knocked into the coffee table, causing their wine glasses to teeter. “You were married?”
“Yup, to a woman I’d only dated for three months.”
“Was it love at first sight?”
“Not exactly. But when you live through a tragedy like I did, you tend to grab on to the first real thing in reach. And Carol was in reach.”
“I’m guessing it wasn’t an amicable divorce?”
“Oh, no. Carol hated that she had a failed marriage, so she had to blame me for it. She said I’d cheated and used emotional blackmail to get what I wanted. Our friends believed her; the women did, anyway. I think the guys knew it was bullshit, but their wives would get pissed if they hung out with me. After a while, they decided I wasn’t worth the grief.”
“Good Lord, such hatred.” She paused as if seeking for the right words. “Was there someone else?”
“I thought there might be. So I had the added fun of going to one of the few friends I had left and asking for a round of tests. They all came back negative, but the damage had been done. He started believing maybe Carol’s lies were true.”
With a low growl, Kate jumped to her feet and stomped around the table, her brown eyes blazing with anger. “Fuck them! Every last one.”
Crazy Little Thing Called Matchmaking Page 12