Hagen

by Janice M. Whiteaker

  But there were. There always were.

  And now it was time to start figuring out how to deal with the fall out. Like how to face a man after you jump on him. Especially when your advances weren’t exactly reciprocated.

  Initially, her slightly inebriated mind thought the way Hagen pressed his strong, hard body against hers meant he was as willing a participant as she was. At least until he suddenly wasn’t. Then he was gone so fast it made her head spin.

  No. That was probably the whiskey too.

  Should she apologize to him? Try to make up for what she’d done and hope he could pretend it never happened? Because that was the plan she was going with. Pretending like it never happened.

  Certainly Rhea wasn’t the first woman to try to climb him like a tree out of the blue. A man like Hagen was probably quite used to the attention of women.

  A clap of jealousy smacked her belly.

  Holy hell she needed a shower and coffee. Hopefully it would hit the reset button on her brain and wonky emotions. A person didn’t get jealous over someone they just met two days ago.

  “I’m sure it was nothing.” She turned to Stewart as her friend’s full statement registered in her more than slightly hung over brain. “Bigger and Scarier?”

  Stewart nodded at her. “I don’t know who in the hell it was but it had to be someone related.” Stewart flung his hands above his head and then out to the side. “Dude was huge.” He blew out a breath looking across the room. His attention snapped back to her. “What are you doing? We’ve got to go.”

  “I was being a good friend and listening to what you had to say.” Someone had to since it sounded like Chauncey wasn’t one to relinquish conversation control. She stepped into the bathroom trying not to think about whether or not a person who only liked to talk about themselves would really be interested in filming more important types of documentaries. Telling stories that make a difference. Bring awareness. Help change lives for the better.

  It didn’t do any good for Stewart to plant the seeds of her ideas if they were being dropped into barren earth.

  “Give me five minutes.” Rhea shut the door, choosing to focus on the throbbing in her head instead of the pile of potential problems stacking up around her.

  Stewart was glaring at her as she stepped out of the bathroom, washed, shaved and brushed. He crossed his arms. “That was at least ten.”

  “You live with me. You know exactly how long it takes me to get ready.” She set her pajamas on top of her suitcase. “I’m putting that on you.”

  There was a light rap on the door. It opened slowly and Chauncey peeked his head in. A knit beanie covered his head. “Are you two ready?”

  Stewart practically skipped across the room. “Yes.” He stopped beside Chauncey and motioned toward Rhea. “Come on Re-Re.”

  Her bag felt light as she pulled it on. A wallet full of money and a cell phone without service would do her no good where they were headed so she’d cleared them out to make room for items that would come in handy. She glanced Chauncey’s way. “Are we having a pow-wow to go over what you’re wanting? What you would like for us to do?”

  Chauncey stepped into the room. “I heard you’re the best camera operator for this style of filming so I think we should just go with it.”

  Rhea looked from Stewart to Chauncey. Never before had a producer told her to just go with it this early in the game. “Just go with it?”

  Chauncey waved one hand dismissively. “I’ve seen your work. You have an eye. You are a fast mover and can frame your shots quickly and that makes a huge difference. Especially on productions like this.” He looked at her matter of factly. “I have faith in you and what you can do.” He glanced at Stewart. “Both of you.”

  Stewart beamed like a proud papa. “I can’t even be mad that you think she’s better than me.”

  Chauncey turned to Stewart and wrapped one flannel clad arm over his shoulders. “Not better than you, just better at the fast moving stuff.”

  This guy was either going to be fantastic to work with or a nightmare in skinny jeans.

  “This morning we are just going to go out and get a feel for the mountains. Get the lay of the land so to speak. Then we’ll come back here and take a break before we go back out.” Chauncey stepped in her direction, directing his words at her. Probably because Stewart already had to listen to all of this. Twice. “Bigfoot is nocturnal so most of our work will be at night.”

  Rhea looked at Stewart suspiciously. “But we’re coming back in every morning when we’re done, right?”

  Chauncey straightened slightly. “Oh yeah. Sure.”

  Those three words told Rhea two important things. One. If and when the opportunity arose to present her ideas to Chauncey she would have a leg up. Two. They were going to be sleeping outside at some point.

  Because it was easy as hell to tell when Chauncey was lying through his teeth.

  ****

  Hagen stood against the side of his truck staring at the group lining their equipment up on the still-dark sidewalk. Scowling.

  Jerrik ambled down the steps of the bed and breakfast, the porch lights illuminating him from behind, making it look like he was glowing. “Morning.”

  Hagen shot him a glare.

  Jerrik gave him a grin as he came to stand beside the truck, leaning one shoulder against the frame. “I would think you’d be a little more appreciative.” He pulled a toothpick from the narrow silver case he always carried in his pocket and slid a thin strand of wood between his teeth. “You’d be in jail right now if it wasn’t for me.”

  “A good brother would’ve let me stomp that pecker’s head.” Hagen eyed the crew as they loitered around the sidewalk, waiting on the same thing he was.

  Jerrik held one finger up. “Not true. A good brother would’ve helped you stomp that pecker’s head.”

  Hagen nodded to the group waiting in front of the B&B. “A good brother would take them out for me.”

  With a quick flick of his tongue, Jerrik flipped the toothpick between his molars and widened his smile. “And we’ve already established I’m not a good brother.”

  “You’re an ass.” Hagen crossed his arms over his chest, the bad mood he’d been sporting since leaving Rhea standing alone on the porch half-kissed deepening. “This is a terrible idea.” Hagen looked at the men’s perfectly groomed crew cuts and meticulously trimmed facial hair. “They have no idea what they’re getting into.”

  Jerrik looked him up and down. “I think you’re the one who doesn’t know what he’s getting into.” He bumped his body off the side of the truck and stood straight. “That little redhead has you scared shitless.”

  Scared was not how Rhea made him feel.

  That was the problem.

  “She’s not my type.” Hagen uncrossed his legs and took another quick glance at the front door.

  Jerrik cocked an eyebrow at him. “You have a type?” His brother flipped the toothpick and eyed him. “What type is that?”

  “Not her.” Hagen opened the shell of his truck bed. Just as he reached down to grab the first hard plastic case the front door clicked open. He kept his eyes on the ground. Seeing her standing on the stoop would only remind him how it felt to press against her soft body as her taste filled his mouth.

  And he didn’t need reminding.

  “Hey guys. Is everyone ready?” Stewart’s friend skipped down the steps with his cell phone on a stick in front of him. “We are about to go out and see what we’re getting ourselves into.” He spun in a circle. “The crew is getting all loaded up and pretty soon we will be on our way deep into Bigfoot country.” He backed toward Hagen until they were side by side. “This is our guide.” The camera angled up and down as the guy tried to get them both in the same frame. “What are we in for today?”

  Hagen moved his eyes down to the top of Stewart’s friend’s beanie covered head then back to his reflection in the screen of the cell phone.

  “He’s a man of few words ladies and
gentlemen.” The man smiled at the phone. “I’m gonna sign off for now. Bigfoot doesn’t have cell reception but you’ll be the first to hear about everything the minute we get back.” He kissed his hand and blew it at the screen then turned to Hagen. “That was good.” He gave Hagen a quick once over. “The ladies are going to love you. I bet I have a thousand messages when we get back.”

  Stewart sided up to his friend. “I see you met Big and Scary.” He held his hand out palm up and moved it from Hagen to the other man. “Big and Scary, this is my friend Chauncey. He’s in charge.”

  Hagen looked down at the two men in clothes more suited for a walk through a coffee shop than a hike through densely wooded terrain. “Is he.”

  Stewart smiled at Chauncey. “He has fifteen million YouTube followers.”

  Of all the things in the world to brag about, YouTube followers felt like it shouldn’t be one you led with. Yet another clear indication he was dealing with a different breed this go round. “You must be very proud.”

  Stewart looked up at him, his brow furrowed. “I’m a little hurt Big and Scary. You’ve said exactly—” he counted off fingers, “seven words to him. That’s seven more than you’ve said to me.”

  “Didn’t have a choice.” Hagen bent to grab another case. When he stood up Rhea was standing on the front porch.

  Watching him.

  He pretended not to notice and slid the black plastic container in beside the last. She was still watching him. He didn’t have to turn around to know her brown eyes were dissecting every move he made. He could feel them as clearly as he could a physical touch.

  “I can help you with this man.” One of the other crewmen stepped beside him and pushed a large canvas bag into the truck bed, settling it in place before reaching out to him. “I’m Heath. Sorry I didn’t introduce myself yesterday. I was a little sick from the drive.”

  Hagen shook his hand. Heath’s grip was strong and firm. Hagen used his free hand to clap Heath’s shoulder. “You’re not the first. It’s a rough ride through the mountains.”

  Heath nodded. “Thanks.” He grabbed another bag and slid it in.

  Hagen looked at Heath and then at his truck. Maybe there was a way he could help them both out this morning. “Would it help if you rode in the front with me? Keep you from feeling too bad?”

  Heath shook his head and held his hands up. “No. I’m sure I’ll be fine. Rhea should ride in the truck. I mean she’s a...”

  “I’m a woman Heath. One who has ridden in the back of a truck more times than I can count.” Rhea slid beside the men and shoved in a bag. “Ride in the front. There’s nowhere to lay down where we’re going.” She looked at Heath. “Unless you want ticks.”

  Rhea didn’t even give Hagen a passing glance as she grabbed and loaded another bag. “I’ll be fine.” She climbed in and scooted the bags to one side of his truck bed, situating herself against the other, leaving Heath no choice in the matter.

  Hagen looked to the rest of the group, still loitering across the sidewalk. “Everybody in.”

  “I’ll just follow you up.” Somehow Chauncey managed to pull a keychain from his jeans pocket, wrestling his fingertips into the painted on pants.

  Hagen took a deep breath. “Your car won’t make it where we’re going.”

  “I can just leave it in the lot closest to the trail.” Chauncey pointed his fob across the street at a cherry-red Prius, the lights flashing as he pushed the button.

  Hagen stared at the car. “I don’t think you realize what you signed up for here.” He turned his stare to Chauncey. “This isn’t a nature hike we’re taking.”

  “Well no, I wasn’t expecting it to be like a hike but I thought there would at least be parking lots for the visitors to use.” Chauncey looked around his crew, obviously a little confused. “Where do the people who come here park their cars when they go out there?”

  Hagen pointed at the Prius. “First of all, they don’t drive a car like that.” He threw his thumb over his shoulder. “They drive trucks with four-wheel drive because that’s the only way you can be sure you get in...” He paused.

  “And back out.”

  Chauncey’s mouth sagged open.

  Hagen gave him a smile. “Get in boys. Time to go.”

  The other two crew guys climbed in beside Rhea, one siding up a little close for Hagen’s taste. A low grumble brewed in his belly. One that took a little more work than normal to snuff out.

  Chauncey held one hand out and relocked the Prius, glaring at Hagen as he did. He had to give the little guy credit. There weren’t too many people with balls enough to look him in the eye, let alone stare.

  Stewart turned and scooted his butt onto the tailgate and then crawled into the bed on Rhea’s free side, back braced against the cab. Chauncey hoisted himself into the truck and sat beside Stewart. He glanced Hagen’s way before leaning close to Stewart and lowering his voice, not realizing it didn’t matter how quietly he spoke, it still wouldn’t be hushed enough.

  “We’ll take the Prius and trade it at the rental car place for a truck this afternoon.”

  “If you want to do this on your own than by all means.” Hagen flipped up the tailgate and knocked it into place. “But I only take out groups that ride with me.”

  Before Chauncey could argue he pulled down the camper shell hatch and walked up to the driver’s side, sliding behind the wheel. Glancing up in the rear-view he caught a pair of brown eyes with his.

  This was going to be the day from hell. Taking a group of people into the mountains that had no clue what it was really like up there. Keeping them all together would be the most important thing. If one got loose there was a real chance they might not be easily found and God knows not one of them would be able to make it through the night alone.

  Hagen glanced at Heath sitting in the passenger seat beside him. “You bring a hunting knife?”

  Heath slowly turned to face him. “Uh, no. Should I?”

  “What about bear spray?”

  Heath shook his head. “No. I didn’t know that would be a thing I guess.”

  He’d dealt with city people before but usually they were so into the whole Bigfoot hunting thing they came with spreadsheets listing all their supplies. Normally they came overprepared.

  This was something new.

  Today would be a short trip. Then they would all sit down and have a nice long talk about why the fuck Chauncey thought he was ready to run through the woods like a big boy, and make sure everyone was real clear on what exactly they needed and what he expected.

  No one was getting hurt out there on his watch. Hagen glanced at the brown eyes still watching him in the mirror.

  No one.

  5

  “I think we should ditch him and just do our own thing.”

  Rhea looked at Chauncey. “You think we should go into the mountains without a guide?” She looked at Stewart then back at Chauncey. “Uh, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  Chauncey smiled at her. “I think it’s brilliant. It will add another layer of suspense to the filming that my viewers will love.”

  Stewart leaned between them, butting in before she could say anything else. “What I think Re-Re is trying to say is that we should at least see what we’re getting into here before we make any decisions that could be...” He spun his hand as he held the last word. “Problematic.”

  “That’s not at all what I was trying to say.”

  Chauncey nodded at Stewart. “Uh-huh, uh-huh, yeah I think that is probably a good thought. Let’s go out with Hogan today and use him to get our feet wet and then we can come back out on our own tonight.”

  Rhea shook her head at the dumbassery coming out of Chauncey’s mouth. She was putting her foot down even if it got her sent home. With all the craziness going on around this place that might not be the worst thing that could happen to her. “His name isn’t Hogan and I am not coming out here at night without him.”

  The woods were a comfortable place
for her, one Rhea took every opportunity to experience. But being alone in the woods with a group of inexperienced outdoorsmen?

  Nope.

  Chauncey raised his brows. Trust fund baby probably wasn’t used to not getting his way. He was about to discover if he wanted someone who would bend to his every whim than he hired the wrong chick.

  Rhea leaned back against the truck bed. “Have you ever been in the woods at night?”

  Chauncey pursed his lips at her defiantly. “No but—”

  She cut him off, not needing to hear any more of his bullshit. “I have.” She leaned forward. “It’s not the cake walk you think it is.” Rhea pointed out the side window of the shell covering Hagen’s truck bed. “There’s no walking path out there for us to follow. No one has cleared the trees for you to pass through. You’re going to get scratched by thorns, eaten up by bugs and exhausted fighting your way through the brush.”

  She leaned back against the side of the truck, letting the reality of their situation sink into Chauncey’s thick skull. “And that’s during the day.”

  Rick and Andy, Heath’s friends and the muscle Chauncey hired to carry gear, looked at each other then at Rhea. Andy, the larger of the two, rubbed one hand over his freshly shaven skull. “Why in the hell did you agree to do this?”

  She was beginning to wonder the same thing. Being in the mountains, even at night didn’t scare her. It was actually at the top of her list of favorite things to do. It was something she’d done many times growing up with her parents and sister. Being miles away from everything was the only way her mom and dad could unwind and completely detach from the pressures that went along with being surgeons. There was no way for anyone to reach them no matter how hard they tried.

  But she wasn’t here to hang out in the woods. She was here to convince Chauncey to use his vast fan base and connections for good. To consider showing them some of the terrible things going on right under their noses. Poverty, hunger, abuse. Those things didn’t happen other places. To people they didn’t know.