I let out a sound that could be considered a growl. “I see your point. What do you want me to do about it?”
“She and Reed are heading home for the reading of the will tomorrow. While she’s in town, I wondered if you could take her to dinner and find out what the hell is going on with her.”
“Gotcha. So, you want me to ask your sister out on a date?” I decided to fuck with him a bit. “Oh, yeah. I can so handle that, my friend. I’m sure she’s even hotter these days.”
“Dude, don’t make me regret asking.”
“I’m kidding, man. Again, she’s like my sister.”
He still didn’t laugh. “Yeah, well it doesn’t help that she always had that massive crush on you.”
“She did?” I might have heard that rumor once or twice, but I never put much stock in it due to the way she acted around me. She was mean to me often, and when she saw me coming would run the other way. Of course, when I mentioned it to him back then, he’d get angry.
“Come on, man. Stop dicking around with me. You know she did.” I just liked to hear him admit it.
“Why didn’t you tell me? I can’t believe you didn’t want me to date her. You love me.”
He let out a loud groan that vibrated into my ear. “When I see you again, remind me I owe you a good clip in the jaw.”
“I’ll be waiting for it, with your sister on my arm.” I laughed loudly as he groaned, and then he let out a breath.
“In all seriousness, man. I’m scared some asshole’s fucking with her heart. She’s a complete mess when I do talk to her, and a few times, I thought I heard her crying. She said it was allergies, but that was just an excuse.”
The thought of Lauren crying had me pissed off, too, and I could remember her as a young girl sobbing over a skinned knee.
“I’ll handle it, man. You can trust me, but I can’t guarantee any answers. She might not open up to me. It’s been years, and she’s bound to know we’re still close friends.”
“She does, and that’s why I think this will work. She’ll lean on you since she feels like she can’t talk to me. Just press her okay. She’ll cave. And swear to me that you’ll tell me, whatever it is.”
“Of course, I’ll tell you. Just don’t kill the messenger. You may not like what I find.” I had a feeling if things were like he said, she was indeed seeing someone he’d disapprove of. She might be ashamed.
“Just find out if someone’s hurting her, so I’ll know who to hurt.”
“Man, don’t go getting yourself all worked up. It could be nothing, and she’s a busy woman, right?”
“Yeah, she’s been at a new firm for the past six months. It’s been a great opportunity for her, but I’m always nervous about her being in that city. God knows what could happen to her. I see horrible shit daily, man. Horrible. It’s the things people do to one another that gets to me most.” He’d been an EMT for years now, and I knew he’d seen some awfully crazy and sad things.
“I’m on it. Text me her number when we’re done.”
He let out a sigh of relief. “Thanks, man. I knew I could count on you. She’s been really worrying me; I couldn’t even make her laugh the other day.”
“I’m sure she’ll be okay, man. I’m on the case. And maybe I can get her to look over some of these papers for a potential client. I’m not sure he’s on the up-and-up.”
“That’s perfect. Make her think it’s more than just wanting to catch up, but I’m sure she’s going to love seeing you.” We said our goodbyes, and I hung up and lay back in my bed to stare at the ceiling. Lauren Patrick. It had been too many years.
Lauren had always been the prettiest girl I’d known, but with Noah being her brother, things were not only awkward because of it, but she was totally off-limits no matter how hot she’d turned out. Even Reed, their oldest brother, was protective, and with him in town, I knew I better watch my step.
I wasn’t worried; even if she did have a schoolgirl’s crush on me, she was all grown up now and had made a life for herself as an attorney like her brother, Reed, and her father, too. Noah was the black sheep, having become an EMT. He had joked with me before about how the others were always trying to catch up to him; they were ambulance chasers, and he was the driver. I laughed it off and decided I better get up and go check on Ollie.
As I walked down the hall, I imagined she was out cold. She’d never made it to this hour, and I stepped lightly at her door and then slowly turned the knob and pushed it open. She was laying like a little angel with the lights out, except for the multi-colored one glowing from her nightlight.
I was just about to shut the door when I gave her one last look. That was when her eyes opened wide, and she smiled big. She uttered two words. “Monkey book.”
Score one for Ollie.
Chapter 4
Lauren
Chloe kept her eyes on me as I walked back and forth from my closet to my bed, where I had opened up my suitcase to pack for my trip home. “What?”
She shrugged like she wasn’t doing anything. “What?”
I stopped halfway across the room and glared at her. “You obviously have something you want to say, or you wouldn’t be watching me like a cat.” I didn’t need to hear any more of her opinions of what happened with Craig, and I’d asked her days ago to keep them to herself. What I needed now was her support.
“I just want to make sure you’re okay. You’ve been so emotional this week, and with you driving so far, I’m worried about you.”
“I’ll be fine. Besides, the drive home is familiar enough, and even though its nine hours, it’s going to be time for me to think through everything that’s happened and prepare myself for my father’s last words.” I thought for a minute about how ashamed of me my father would be, and a fresh tear made its way to my cheek.
“Your father loved you; I’m sure any words he says are going to be with love.” She had always been afraid of my father, like most people. He had a been a very powerful attorney, and my brother, Reed, and I had followed in his footsteps.
I let out a breath. “I hope so. I just don’t understand why Noah isn’t coming. I need him to be there for me.” I walked to the dresser and took out a couple of bra and panty sets and tossed them into the case. They weren’t my best ones, but those had too many memories lately. I might never wear them again. I needed to get to Victoria’s Secret soon.
I walked to the closet and to the bed again, and still, she watched my every move. “This is about more than just your father, and you’re not going to be able to pretend it isn’t. You should have told Noah.”
“I’m not telling him. I feel like a fool. I’ve had the worst luck with men, and when I finally think I’ve found a good one for a change, he’s not only my boss, which is bad enough, but he’s my married boss. He’s made a laughing stock out of me, and I’m lucky that our partner found a new place for me in the office. A few people are already talking about why, and apparently, we weren’t as discreet as I thought.”
“He probably bragged about it to the other men in the office.” Chloe meant well, but she wasn’t helping. I could imagine him laughing it up with the men around the water cooler about what a hot time he’d had and how I’d made him cum like a champ.
“Great, so now I look like as big of a jackass as I feel.” I closed my suitcase as my phone wailed out my brother’s ringtone. “Now I have to get through another conversation with my brother without crying and feeling like the world’s biggest loser.” He’d grilled me about what was wrong every time he’d called lately.
Chloe gave me a reassuring look. “It’s going to be fine, Lauren.”
“I’m putting him on speaker because I’m packing.” I opened my suitcase so it wouldn’t be a lie and then answered my phone. “Hey, big brother, you’re on speaker with me, and Chloe’s here.”
“Hey, Chloe, how’re you? Are you taking care of my little sister?” Noah’s tone indicated to me that she’d better be.
“You know it.” She ga
ve me a guilty look, and I knew it was my brother’s way of asking how I was.
“You know she is. And she’s sick of hearing me complain about you not coming to Dad’s reading.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t get back. I’ll make it up to you.” He sounded sorry enough, but I missed him terribly.
“You’ll miss Christmas, though, and you know Reed isn’t as festive.” I had hoped I could talk him into it.
He belted out a laugh so loud it hurt my ears. “That’s a nice way of putting it. The guy’s a complete stick in the mud, and trust me; if I could, I’d be there.”
“I know.” I tried not to sound too resentful, but Noah and I were so close we were practically the same person, and we knew how to have fun, while our brother didn’t have a fun bone in his entire body.
“I do have some good news, though,” he said. “I talked to Gage and told him you were going to be back in town, and he wants to see you.”
“Gage wants to see me?” I tried to keep the suspicion from my tone, but it was no use.
Chloe’s head whipped around. “Wait, Gage? As in, your lifelong crush, big fairytale wedding groom, Gage?” She bounced in her place on my bed.
My brother went quiet as I gave her a pointed look. “No, you’re thinking of someone else, Chloe. Gage is my brother’s best friend.” She put her hand to her mouth, realizing what she’d done.
Noah spoke up. “I’m sure you meant someone else, right? Lauren?”
“Yeah, of course.”
“Because you know I’d hate to have to poke out my best friend’s eyes for looking at you, right?” There was a deadly edge to his tone. He was a complete lunatic, and it was hard to believe the bad boy actually saved lives instead of taking them.
“Calm down, Noah. She doesn’t know what she’s talking about.”
“It doesn’t matter. Look, Gage is just meeting with you so he can get you to look over some papers of his, so don’t get your hopes up.”
“Would it be so bad if she were with him?” Chloe asked. “He’s your best friend for a reason, right? He’s an all-around good guy?”
I remembered the time she’d admitted how hot she thought Noah was. I had nearly puked. Noah was handsome like our father, but I’d never tell him that, not that he didn’t already think it.
He laughed. “He’s the best, but still not good enough for my sister, if you feel what I’m putting down. Besides, he told me he only sees her as family.”
“I’m right here, and thanks a lot.” I had always wanted him to see me as a woman.
“Well, shit, Lauren, you two have known each other your entire lives, and besides, I know how gross he can be and how dirty his mind is, and I don’t want it anywhere near you.”
“He’s not gross,” I said with a laugh.
“No, he’s not. I’ve seen pictures. You could hook him up with me, then, right?” Chloe made an appreciative “Mmm” sound, and then Noah laughed.
“Right, maybe I’ll fix him up with Chloe?” I knew he probably thought that Gage was too good for either of us, and if he knew what kind of shit I’d gotten myself into over the past two months, he’d probably not even want him near me.
“I just wanted to tell you that he asked about you. I texted him your number, and he’s going to be calling you soon. Behave, Lauren. Don’t make me regret letting him have your number.”
“Oh my God. We’re not kids anymore.” I would never find a boyfriend if he didn’t stop policing my love life. It was no wonder I had to hide everything.
“And I’m not kidding around.” The tone of his voice told me that.
“Look, it’s no matter. I’ve sworn off men, so you can relax.” I pulled my lips in tight and wished I hadn’t opened my big mouth. He just kept on coming at me, so I felt the need to defend myself.
He paused a moment. “Why is that? Did something happen, Lauren? If it did, you need to tell me.” His mood wasn’t right to tell him, and I wasn’t about to let him know anything.
“No, it’s just they’re all jerks. Except for you, of course.” I had always made him the exception, even though his temper could make him a real piece of work and he hadn’t had much luck with the ladies, either.
“Uh huh.” After a moment of silence, just when I thought he was about to badger me into spilling, he let out a sigh. “Fine, but know I’m here if you want to talk. Always, okay, sister?”
“Thanks, brother.”
Chloe held her hand over her heart. “You two are going to make me cry. I hate being an only child. I want a brother, too.”
“I’ll give you mine,” I whispered.
Noah grumbled. “I heard that.” Then his laughter belted through the air. “Bye, sis. Bye, Chloe.” Then he hung up.
“Gage is going to call and ask you out to dinner? That’s wonderful news, right?” She knew all of my deepest secrets about loving him from afar and how I’d wanted to marry him when I was younger. I’d also wanted to go to prom with him, but Noah told me he’d never go and to stay away.
“It’s great. I just don’t think he’s interested like you want him to be. He never has been, and it’s always been a bit awkward. I used to get so nervous when he was around that I’d run away, and I remember trying to act mean to him because I didn’t want him to know I loved him.”
Chloe grinned. “That’s the oldest trick in the book. He’s bound to know. And just think, the two of you will be all alone. I bet he tries to make a move on you.”
“I’ll take that bet. He’s probably too loyal to Noah to do that, and I bet he even had a warning.”
“What if he does make a move?” Chloe folded her arms across her front and raised an eyebrow at me.
“If he does, it’ll be a shame and too little, too late. As I said, I’m swearing off men. I’m going to get myself dusted off and try to pick up the pieces on my own. And focus on my career.” I grabbed my bag and my keys and raked my hand through my hair, which hung loose and casual down my back for the long trip ahead.
“What you need to do is get dusted off and get right back on that horse.” She grabbed her bag, and I walked her out.
“Give me a hug.” I pulled her into my embrace and thought of how much the girl cared for me. She was my best friend for a reason, and I was lucky to have her in my life after all these years.
“Be safe, and don’t worry. I’ll check on the place. Call me.” She followed me to the car, and I waved goodbye as I shut the door and started the car for the long journey ahead.
The weather had called for snow, and I figured by the time I got back down to Gatlinburg, it would be starting, but hopefully, I’d make it before it got too bad.
On the way, I thought of Gage Riley and wondered when he’d call. My heart got a bit fluttery thinking of the boy I used to know and adore. I’d had it bad for him and used to think he was so damned perfect.
It had been years, though, and I wondered how many hearts he’d broken since. He had a decade-long pile accumulated, while I had zero experience, other than my boss and two other jerks who’d wanted to fuck me and leave. Noah hadn’t found out about them, either.
By the time I made it into Tennessee, the snow was falling heavily and ahead of schedule. My nine-hour drive was going to take me eleven.
Chapter 5
Gage
James had sent over the contract from the new potential client a week ago, and while I had looked it over five times, the language was trickier than usual, and I was getting a headache. I thought about calling Lauren to set up our date and make sure she was going to look over it for me, and if for some reason she couldn’t, I was going to have to turn it down based on the fact that it was too difficult for me to decipher. I had a feeling that was the point.
My phone rang, and I glanced down to see if it might be Ollie or the staff calling from the house phone. I still hadn’t made up my mind to work at home and didn’t want to get anything going at the moment that would confuse Ollie or give her hope that I’d be around more often. The last
thing I needed was for her to pitch a fit every time I had to go into the office.
“Hello?” I waited to hear who was calling, hoping my daughter was behaving herself.
“Mr. Riley, this is Helen. I’m afraid there’s a disciplinary problem with your daughter.” So much for that. Helen and Ollie were still not getting along too great.
“What is it this time, and where is she?” I was hoping she’d be close and I could talk to her. I didn’t want to resort to spankings as my own father had, but I knew I was going to have to take a firm hand with her one way or another. She needed to know who was boss. It sucked that her voice melted me like butter. I still felt like I was making up for lost time.
“Olivia’s upstairs in her room, sir, and I’m afraid she’s not going to come down anytime soon. She’s sulking because she doesn’t like salmon, which you requested for dinner, and with Ava gone, that would leave any cooking to me.”
I hadn’t thought that Ollie might not like what I ordered, but it was Ava’s day off, and I had always had Helen order something per my request.
“What does she want?”
“She wants pizza, sir. But might I remind you that she has had pizza four times this week?” Helen let out a breathy sigh. “I’m also afraid that there isn’t any money left in the grocery account from ordering said pizzas.”
“Could you connect me to her room, please? I’ll take care of this.”
“Sir, might I ask that while you’re at it, you ask her if she’ll clean her room? Her toys are strewn all over the upstairs. The hallway, the bath, and even your bedroom and bed, sir.”
“Yes, Helen. Thank you.” I waited as the call was transferred to Ollie’s room, and finally, her sweet little voice came through the phone.
“Daddy, is it really you?”
“Yes, it really is. Why don’t you want to eat the dinner I requested? It’s one of my favorites, and you should try it.”
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