“I know, but my grandmamma, and even Poe, had different remedies for teething back in the day. Those silly old remedies were passed down until they hit us.” Violet leaned forward and picked up a bottle of wine that Teal’s earlier perusal had missed. She popped the cork and poured a healthy amount into a rather large glass.
Teal watched her, cocking a brow once Violet placed the bottle down.
“It has been one of those weeks,” she explained, then took what Teal could only describe as a gulp of wine.
Teal’s mouth watered at the thought of the Riesling’s semi-sweet flavor. But, she had her daughter, and still had to drive home. She focused instead on the meat and cheese platter and pitcher of tea. Pouring herself a glass, she nabbed a few pieces of spiced meat. “What’s going on at work?” Teal assumed it was work, and not her home life, that had her tense and frazzled. Nibbling on a slice of meat, Teal sat back, waiting to see what Violet had called her over for.
Her friend shrugged and smiled wistfully, watching Emma slam her pony into the car then squeal at the carnage she’d created. “Poe and I talked about a child once.” She shook her head as she spoke, and Teal realized that while they may have spoken about it, the decision had already been made. “There is not enough time in the day, nor enough eggs in my ovaries.”
“Oh God.” Was she unable to conceive?
“No, no.” She waved off Teal’s concern and took another gulp. “I meant I am close to the age in which viable eggs are far and few between.” She placed the glass on the table beside her. “But that’s not why I called you here.”
Teal perked up. She’d been bored all week, and if she had to watch one more episode of Vanderpump Rules, she’d jump off a bridge.
Violet leaned in, a scheming smile on her lips. “I’d like you to help me plan Poe’s fortieth birthday party.”
Teal sat back, nearly bursting into laughter. “You want me to help you plan a party, here?” She motioned around. “I am not high society. I have no clue—”
“No, not here. At the bar.”
Teal’s eyes widened. “Now that I can do.” She needed something more to keep her busy. “Do you have a budget in mind?” Teal had never planned a party, but she had been in charge of heading up various programs at Capshaw, and she had the impression her skills would translate well for this new task. Hell, she’d likely enjoy it much more than helping create a pen pal system in a maximum-security prison.
“Yes, I’d like to keep it around fifteen thousand, and I also have a theme and all that jazz. You won’t have to worry about alcohol, as the bar will have plenty. I’m expecting about a hundred and twenty guests—”
“Wait a second.” Teal was used to large budgets, but . . . “You have a free venue, it’s a bar, and there’s food . . . yet you still need fifteen thousand?” Teal thought she could manage with half of that. Hell, probably a quarter of it. She’d just need to cover decorations and a live band. What else was there? “So, are you looking for more of a bar crawl theme?”
Violet tucked her feet under her. “You know, Poe isn’t into all the balls, getting dressed up, or ‘hob knobbing,’ as he calls it, with the southern blue bloods.” She laughed and took another sip of wine. “So,” she stretched her legs out and sighed, “I’ve decided that his fortieth should be away from all that crap.”
“That crap?” Teal laughed. “I never thought I’d hear you say that.”
“Yeah, it is what it is. Crap. Being raised in it, you get to see it for what it is worth.”
Nodding, Teal said, “You’d know better than I.”
“Hmm.” Violet’s eyes narrowed. “Your last wine-induced confession said your net worth was in the millions as well.”
“Oh, no. My mother’s net worth is in the million—singular. And that is not my money. That is not how it works with my mother.” For some reason, Teal didn’t feel comfortable talking about her mother with Violet. It wasn’t as if Violet had purposely made her feel that way. But when Teal needed an ear, she was used to that ear being Katie’s. However, with another book tour on her schedule—this one out of the country for her German translated books—Teal was coming up empty with female companions.
Violet wouldn’t understand, as her parents had heavily invested in her future, and had made her and her brother, Jason, co-owners of the farm. They’d even gone as far as to buy Violet a silo to start her new business. In Teal’s family, money was kept and well-guarded by the one who earned it; to ask for it was a show of indolence and insatiability. You earned your keep and made it grow through hard work and dedication.
As if noticing Teal’s discomfiture, Violet changed the subject. “What is a bar crawl?”
Momentarily confused, Teal’s glass froze midway to her mouth. “Wait, you don’t know—I guess you wouldn’t. In college, a bunch of us would head to a few different bars in a single night. We called it a bar crawl because half of us would end up crawling to the last bar. It was wild, crazy, and fun, but we can pull off something like that in Poe’s bar by just changing up the music and creating a few different signature drinks.”
She pursed her lips and tsked. “Sounds just like something Poe and the boys did back in the day.”
With a chuckle, Teal added, “You know it.” She finished her tea. “What does the guest list look like? Southern money tycoons, or men like Trent and Poe?” Teal wasn’t sure this type of party was one Violet’s circle would be caught dead in.
Emma made a shrill noise, before rolling over and looking for something she could get into. Just as Teal made to stand, Violet motioned for her to stay seated and made her way over to the baby.
Demurely sitting down beside Emma Mae, she continued. “We are talking about the boys from the other side of the tracks.”
Teal gasped, unable to hide her surprise. “Uh, I don’t know if I want anything to do with that.”
“And why not? You live over there, and honestly Teal, do you think I am talking about the men Trent used to deal with?” She looked over her shoulder. “Come on now.” The censure in her tone was well deserved. “I think you know me better than that.”
“I do.” Teal pinched the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes. “It’s just that, after everything with Jake, I’ve been a bit jumpy and on edge around strange men.”
“I understand. And Poe’s friends maybe rough around the edges, but at no time will you be in any danger. I’ve met a lot of them, and they’re mostly hard-working men. Now, I didn’t say that to undermine your concern, but only to ease it.”
Teal watched as Emma sat in Violet’s lap, straining to get to her diamond earrings. “Last time we were there . . .” She didn’t need to finish. Violet knew the rest.
Her friend bowed her head. “Yes, I did forget about that. Damn, you thinking you want out?”
Teal thought exactly that; however, she’d made great strides in feeling safe in her own home again, and maybe it was about time to graduate to feeling safe in all stressful places. Trent would be there, and they did have that appointment at the shooting range later tonight. It was something they’d been doing once a week for an hour or two, depending on how good Teal performed. She couldn’t allow a man in jail to dictate what she did on a day-to-day basis.
Coming to a decision, she clapped her hands and sat up. “Okay, I’m in. But I have a few concerns that need to be addressed.” Well, she had more than a few concerns, but she was positive that Violet and Poe would agree to all of them.
Teal placed Emma down in her crib, and headed into the master bedroom. Trent would be taking her to the gun range, as soon as their babysitter showed up. Following the sound of the shower running, she opened the door and made her way through the steam and scent of ivory soap. Trent leaned under the spray of water, rinsing his blonde mane free of shampoo.
She took a moment to admire his tight, round ass and hard, muscled back. They’d both started a healthy eating lifestyle to keep Teal’s blood pressure down, and she had to admit, it’d done her body good. Ho
wever, Trent, who’d always had the body of a Greek God, seemed to be bulking up even more. Pushing his body’s limits every day on that weight bench had afforded him with toner abs, more definition in his back, and strong muscular arms—arms that’d often pick her up and manhandle her in the bedroom.
“Creepy ass stalker.” Trent’s words pulled Teal’s attention from his tanned, round cheeks. He smiled wide. She forgot why she’d even come to the bathroom to begin with. Then he turned around, giving her a complete view of his hard body and semi-erect cock.
“What in fresh hell were you in here doing?” She gestured to his manhood, and propped her hip on the counter, crossing her arms over her chest.
Trent pushed open the shower door. “Waiting on you to put Emma Mae down.” He held out a hand for her, as if she would step fully clothed into the shower.
Keeping her arms over her chest, Teal pulled back. “No way. We don’t have time, and I have all my clothes on.”
Trent quirked a brow and stepped out of the shower, only to create a large puddle on the floor. He placed his hands on her waist and lifted her up until her ass met the top of the cold sink.
She gripped his slick shoulders to steady herself. “Damn, baby.” He’d lifted her with his injured arm, without a hint of struggle.
Pushing between her legs, he dipped in and nipped Teal’s bottom lip. “Is Emma Mae sleeping?” He nipped again, before making his way down her chin to her neck.
Teal’s mind scrambled for an answer and her body heated, readying itself for Trent. A moan that somehow transformed into words escaped her mouth. “Yes, she is.”
Just then, there was a knock at the front door. Teal took a deep calming breath and patted him on the back. “I’ll get the door. For what Poe’s sister is charging us, we can’t afford to have her waiting out front for even a second.”
Trent growled in frustration and kissed the tip of her nose. Reaching for a towel, he wrapped it around his waist and headed out into the bedroom.
Teal grabbed her clothes off the floor, hurriedly put them on and rushed to the door. Out front, Poe’s younger sister, Sadie, stood waiting with her five-year old daughter, Clara Leigh. “Come in, ladies.” Teal winked at little Clara as she flounced past and headed straight to the television.
Using the remote, Clara switched on the TV and changed the channels until some bright and annoying cartoon flittered over the screen.
“Good Lord,” Sadie mumbled as she followed Teal to the kitchen and plopped down into a chair. “That child, I swear. No, that show.” She laid her head on the table and lightly banged her forehead repeatedly.
Teal laughed. “I bet. Hell, that show looks like a migraine if I ever saw one.” The screen was filled with a bunch of bright vegetables singing about their very own demise in healthy eating. Teal opened the fridge. “You want anything to drink?” She pulled a bottle of water out for herself and waited for Sadie’s answer.
Sadie opened her arms wide. “Yes, a huge ass glass of wine.”
Teal looked back at her, pity no doubt etched in her face.
“Or a juice,” she added sheepishly.
Teal grabbed a bottle of juice and handed it to her. “You know. I wouldn’t be against the idea of babysitting for you once and awhile.” She knew all too well what it felt like to be cooped up in the house with a kid and no adult conversation. What compounded Sadie’s stress was a messy divorce from a ten-year marriage.
“That’s kind of you, but honestly, where would I go?” She has a point. “I am a thirty-eight-year-old single mother with no single mother friends.” Opening the bottle, she took a quick drink.
Teal took the seat adjacent to her. Crossing her legs, she leaned back into the chair.
“Hell, I’m still trying to figure out who I am.”
Teal picked up the bottle of water and twisted the cap. “It seems to me you think you’re a thirty-eight-year-old single mother with no single mother friends. And I am not sure what that feels like, but I am positive lonely is one of the emotions.” She leaned forward, just as Trent appeared in the kitchen in a dark Henley, faded, form-fitting jeans, and boots. He’d fixed his hair and smelled damn good in the cologne she’d bought him for Christmas.
Sadie cleared her throat. “You were saying?” She gave Trent a lingering glance as he walked over to address Clara before turning back to Teal.
Teal smiled. Trent definitely had a way about him. Women noticed the raw magnetism he exuded. They could sense the predator in him, and desired to be claimed by it. Hell, Teal fought that shit on a daily basis.
“I was saying that you should bring Clara over sometime. She and Emma can hang out, while you and I go and get a drink at a bar.”
“That sounds fun,” Trent called. “Me and the girls can hang, while the mommas get a little tipsy. Ain’t that right, Clara Leigh?”
Teal peeked over her shoulder as Trent brought out the tickle monster.
“Aw, I wish Clara had a daddy like you.”
Teal turned back to Sadie, in time to see the wistful glint in her eyes as she watched her husband playing with Clara. Teal’s smile fell, and an emotion too similar to jealousy reared its head. She trusted Trent, but other women? Not so much.
Teal stood. “Well, Uncle Trent and I have to go now.” She’d added the emphasis solely for Sadie, yet Trent turned as if he noticed the tension.
He stood, patted Clara on the head and strode to Teal. “Ready, baby?” He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. He placed his lips to her pulse point and nipped her gently before kissing the sting away. Gooseflesh rose over Teal’s skin and the fingers tightened on his waist.
“Very,” she murmured.
Trent pulled away and reached out to her. Placing her hand in his strong grasp, Teal followed as he led her to the door. She turned back to Sadie, to see that the longing glint had evaporated from her eyes, only to be replaced by sadness. Maybe Teal had been a bit too sharp. The woman had just lost her husband, along with a few—if not all—of her friends, and she was alone.
“Hey,” she called back to her. Sadie blinked and glanced up. “Saturday. Me, you, the bar. Dress up.” Teal pointed at her sweatpants. Every time she saw the woman, she was dressed as if she’d given up on life. Hell, Teal was headed to a shooting range and she still dressed up. She wore a pale pink silk blouse, a crisp pair of straight leg jeans, and her signature high heels. Granted, Sadie was only over to babysit, but the woman could have at least donned a stain-free shirt.
Sadie nodded. “Sounds good. If Trent is okay with babysitting.” She looked to him in question, a pitiful smile on her lips.
“Sure,” Trent added and pulled at Teal’s hand. “Come on, baby, we don’t want to be late.”
“Be late? It’s just the shooting range,” she said as Trent yanked her from the house and down the drive. “Who the hell cares if we are late to shoot paper people?”
Chapter 10
“You sly fucking dog,” Teal whispered as Trent helped her out of the truck. He’d passed the range and headed straight for the Italian restaurant she’d pointed out last week.
Trent placed Teal’s hand in the hook of his arm after tipping the valet. “You mentioned it smelled delicious the last time we passed it.” He gave a light shrug.
“It did.” She sniffed the air, taking in the scent of fresh baked garlic bread and pasta sauce. While Teal and Trent were doing well with the healthy eating, Teal was in the mood for chicken smothered in red sauce and a huge glass of wine.
Holding tight to his arm, she followed him through the parking lot and into the restaurant. Inside, as the hostess stated her spiel, Teal took in the nice décor and finely dressed occupants.
“Follow me,” the hostess called over her shoulder, as she led them to a cozy booth in the corner. She handed them two linen menus. “Your server will be with you shortly.”
Teal nodded. “Thank you.”
Trent leaned back in his seat and eyed the menu. “Nothing healthy at all on here.�
�� Glancing at her over the menu, he winked. His hot gaze took her in, saying more than his sexy lips ever could. Placing down the menu, he bent forward. Candle light flickered, and the sound of tinkling laughter and hushed whispers surrounded them.
He placed his hand on the table palm up and slowly pushed toward her, his fingers outstretched in an open invitation. Teal accepted and placed her smaller hand into his. Closing his fingers around hers, he squeezed lightly. Teal met his gaze, taking in the sparks and the heat of his intense stare.
“Um . . . would you like to start with water, or perhaps a glass of wine?” the waitress said, appearing at the end of the table.
Teal was the first to look away. “Yes, a nice red for me, and Trent here will take whatever custom beer you have on tap, please.”
Jotting in her pad, she smiled in Trent’s direction. “We have some pleasant craft beers. If I may recommend?” Teal nodded. “Our, IPA, Rush Low, is great paired with our filet mignon, steamed asparagus, and garlic roasted potatoes.”
Teal cocked a brow and chanced a peek at Trent. He didn’t need that fancy shit. An ice-cold beer, a T-bone steak, and some loving, and Trent was as satisfied as they came.
However, tonight, for her, Trent nodded. And without an ounce of snark said, “Sure, that sounds good—medium.”
“I’ll have the same, but with the wine, please,” Teal added.
“Great, I’ll get that started for you.” Taking the menus, the woman strolled away to put in their orders.
Trent shoved his blonde hair over his shoulder, then threw his elbow over the back of his chair. “Baby, let me ask you something.”
She caught a glint of mirth in his eyes and couldn’t help but get excited. Perking up, Teal leaned forward. “Hit me.”
Trent chuckled. “What do you think about—”
“Here you go.” A glass of wine and a tall, frosted glass of beer slid into Teal’s vision. “Your food will be out shortly.” And again, the waitress sauntered off.
Indebted: 'Til Death Do Us Part (Teal & Trent Book 3) Page 7