by A. M. Wilson
Content to wait, I lean against the brick exterior and prop a foot on the wall behind me. Ghost settles at my feet. I stroke her fur on the top of her head, mildly amused at the change in our relationship in just a day.
“You’re not bad, are you, girl?”
Just as I go for another swipe, I hear a strained voice.
“I said leave me alone.”
My foot propels me off the wall. Every muscle in my body grows taut as I round the corner. That fucking trucker Dan corners Evie against the building. He doesn’t touch her, but her body language clearly communicates he’s invading her personal space.
I’m not the only one who takes notice. Ghost releases a vicious-sounding snarl and snap. Dan’s gaze flicks from Evie’s breasts to the dog on the strained leash. He retreats a hasty step out of self-preservation.
Hell yeah, she-demon.
Before I can utter a word, Evie pulls out a wicked-looking sharp knife from Lord only knows where and thrusts it in the vacant space between them.
“Between this knife and my dog, you won’t have any hands left if you come at me like that again.”
“Fucking crazy bitch,” he spits and retreats another step when Ghost lunges again.
“Speak to her like that again, and this leash is out of my hands.”
Another step, another recoil. I nearly laugh that he’s too scared to turn his back.
“Thanks,” Evie mutters once Dan’s out of earshot.
At the sound of her voice, Ghost ceases pulling. While keeping one eye on Dan, I give her my attention and notice how fast she’s breathing.
“You okay?”
“Yeah. Thanks.” Her fingers flex on the knife’s handle before she easily stows it away.
I cautiously step closer, afraid she’s going to drop or bolt. “You already said that, Rosie. I don’t know what for. You handled him like a badass.”
She nods, but when she turns her wild eyes to me, it’s clear she’s not processing this well.
“Fuck. Come here.”
She doesn’t hesitate to let me fold her in my arms. The breeze flitters in the space between our bodies, bringing the sundown chill, and I wrap her tighter. She cinches the back of my athletic fitted hoodie in tight, juddering fists. With my glare pinned on the truck of the man who did this to her, who stole her sense of security and independence, I hold her tightly to my frame until the trembling concludes with a shuddered exhale.
“You good?” I pull back and wipe a strand of hair sticking to her cheek.
She releases her lower lip from the grip of her teeth. “I think so. I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t even think about it. Holding a beautiful woman doesn’t require an apology.”
The feel of her hands releasing the fabric at my back sends a dart of fury through me. No man should ever make a woman feel that fear. The tug of the leash steals my attention before I can share the thought with her.
“I can take her back to the car.”
Evie’s hand wraps so close to mine the heat of her small fist emits against my skin. Replacing my scowl with a smirk I’m not quite ready for, I move the strap out of her reach.
“She’s my new best friend. The way she came to your defense makes her as badass as you are. I might keep her.”
I swear she grunts in a way that rivals her dog.
“Seriously, though.” I hand her the leash, and we stroll to our cars. “I’m glad you don’t have a damn chihuahua riding around with you. Ghost did her job and did it well.”
“My brother will be pleased when I tell him.”
I cup her elbow and stop us twenty feet away from what I hope is still a lukewarm dinner. “You have a brother, and you’re living here?” My arm sweeps the near-vacant lot like I’m a host on a game show and the producers just revealed the convertible prize.
She tries to pull her arm back, but I retain my grip. The explanation is a clue. One I want more than I’m willing to admit.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but yes, I have a brother and a sister-in-law.”
“That doesn’t explain what you’re doing here.” A strong desire to pull her close has me reacting the opposite, and I let her go.
She rolls the shoulder of the now free arm and continues to her car. Between ducking in and out for Ghost’s food items, she prattles an answer.
“They live in Germany. I didn’t want to uproot my life and move overseas.”
“So you uproot your life to live in your car?”
She sets Ghost’s food bowl down with a slap and does the same with the water dish, sloshing some over the side. “Dammit!”
When she ducks back in for a third time, I cup her bicep and halt her movements. The scowl she wears as she turns to me is damn cute. But my intention wasn’t to rile her, even if I do enjoy her feisty attitude.
I peel my shades off my eyes and slip them to rest in my hair. Free from barriers, I implore her to listen.
“I’m not judging you or your situation. If anything, I want to help. To do that, I need to understand. What brought you to Arrow Creek?”
“What difference does it make?” She signals Ghost to eat and then straightens, returning her gaze to mine. Uncertainty and distrust swirl there, along with a tiny flame of heat.
I can’t help but brush my thumb over the apple of her soft cheek. “We’re not so different, you and I.”
I snag her hand and lean into the open car to grab our meal. Ignoring her sounds of protest, I lead us to the front of the car and start unpacking. The weather holds an evening breeze that cools but isn’t too intense to remain outside. She watches intently as I peel back the aluminum lid from the pan of lasagna. I dig a fork in the immediate center, pulling a long string of melted mozzarella as I raise it in the air. The billow of curling steam indicates the food is still hot. Perfect for the cool evening.
I stare into her hazel eyes with a dare to refuse. “Open.”
Those puffy pink lips curl between her teeth for half a second before releasing with a smack. Her tongue touches the lower one, leaving behind a glistening dew. She finally acquiesces with an eyebrow raised in challenge.
The second the warm Italian flavors touch her tongue, her entire face melts, and she closes her eyes. Her groan of appreciation is one I file away for later.
“Oh, God. It’s wonderful.”
I move in for another bite, this time keeping it for myself. “Dig in, babe. I can’t eat all of this alone.”
I’m pleased when she follows my lead and sinks the other fork into the middle too. Nothing wrong with splitting a meal a little unconventionally.
She breaks the silence a few bites later. “My parents died here.”
My brows dip over my eyes as I snap my gaze to hers. She holds a hand to cover her mouth as she chews and waves her fork around.
“Not here, as in Arrow Creek. Here, as in the United States. I grew up near Denver, Colorado. We lost them both in a car accident when I was only fourteen. The reason I didn’t move to Germany is because I don’t want to leave them behind.”
“It’s impossible to leave them behind. You carry them everywhere inside you, babe.”
Her head bobs sharply. “Right. I know that, but leaving the country makes it more permanent. At least this way, I can always drive back for a visit. Not spend fourteen hours on an airplane to cross oceans.”
I hand her a slice of the fresh garlic bread. The aroma of garlic filters between us, and we both take a minute to savor that first bite.
“Wouldn’t have to be permanent. You could move to get back on your feet and get a little cash.”
Her glance beyond my shoulder reveals more than I think she intends. “It’s going to take more than a little while to find stability again.”
“Tell me.” I reach out and run my index finger along her exposed arm. “Please.”
She shakes her head, not ready to reveal her secrets. The challenge to wear her down becomes even more enticing. “I can’t. This cleaning job is going to
make a big dent in getting what I need, so if you can send some good vibes my way, I’d appreciate it.”
I drop it for now, even though I want to get her to open up. She doesn’t understand that I could help. Once this shit with Nora is settled, I’ll be free to do what I want with my money. I have more than I could ever need, and I want to help her.
“Are we friends yet, Rosie?”
“What?”
“How many days in a row do you have to spend with a complete stranger before you consider yourselves friends?”
“At least five,” she replies surprisingly quick. I bark out a laugh.
“I’ll consider us friends after five.” My tone changes from searching to a command. “Tell me about the job.” I dig in for another bite. We’ve killed nearly half the pan, and I’m filling up fast.
She moans around a mouthful of garlic bread. “It’s a big job. The house is enormous, but the woman is generous too. She’s paying way above my rates, and I don’t have a clue why. I tried to talk to her about it, but she waved me off like it was no big deal. Oh! She has the most adorable little boy. That’s why I had bananas smeared on my clothing. He gave me the sweetest hug.”
Hearing about a little boy sends a pang rippling through me. The organ that sustains life gives a threatening squeeze.
“I also put out a search on social media, so hopefully, I can add to my client list soon.”
“That’s great,” I mumble through a dry throat. I should have thought to bring us a drink. “I’m going to grab something from inside. You thirsty?”
“Just water would be nice.”
“I’m on it.”
I shuffle around the car and rub a fist against my breastbone. Thinking about Tommy fucking hurts sometimes.
As I enter the air-conditioned building, my phone rings from my pocket. Marcus flashes across the screen—my attorney.
“What a time for you to call. Were your ears ringing?”
“Why? Are you talking about how handsome I am again?”
I bark out a laugh. “When I said that, it was in reference to you being eye-fucked by my almost ex-wife. Don’t flatter yourself.”
The sound of papers rustles through the line. “Speaking of which, I spoke with her attorney today. She wants to meet you in person, and as your lawyer, I highly recommend against it without me present.”
I stop in my tracks in front of the fountain drinks. “What the fuck for?”
“She says she’s ready to give up the house if you’re ready to discuss what she calls adequate compensation for losing out on her dream.”
My snort of derision has no hope of being contained. “I didn’t realize getting caught screwing your boss fell into that category. The house has to sell. There’s not another option unless she wants to forfeit her half of what’s in the bank accounts.”
“I said the same thing. She can fight all she wants, but she’s going to lose if this goes before a judge. You’ve agreed to a fifty/fifty split, which is beyond what she deserves at this point.”
“Well, thank you. I’ll take what you said into consideration, but if it’ll get her to give in sooner, I might just get it over with.”
“Again, I advise against it.”
“I hear you.”
We hang up, and I pay for a fountain drink and a water. When I return to the car, I find Evie bundled in an oversized dark gray sweatshirt and the food packed away.
“Here.”
“Thanks. I hope it’s okay I cleaned up. I have a cooler that can keep it cold until tomorrow.”
“Sounds like another date.”
Her gaze snaps to mine. “This isn’t a date.”
I give her a sultry wink. “I know that, Rosie. I’m just fucking with you.”
“You’re insufferable.”
“That’s not what you said when I had my fingers buried inside—”
She releases a charming squeal and slaps me across the chest, pushing the air from my lungs in an audible Oof!
“You deserve it.”
Resuming her previous position, she rests her butt against the hood and leans back on her palms, tipping her face to the last rays of the sun. In a few minutes, the first stars of the night will peek out amongst the scattered clouds.
I mirror her stance, raising one hand to scratch the side of my nose with my thumb. “Currently, the woman who cheated on me after fifteen years together is trying to take everything I own—including sole custody of our son.”
Evie’s attention on my face feels physical, but I keep my gaze averted, not wanting to see the pity shining there. Not yet anyway.
My eyes burn, and my throat constricts like a vise clamps around the cartilage. “What she’s too stupid to realize is I’d give every cent I have if she’d just give up this fight. Our divorce already means that I’m guaranteed to miss half of his childhood. I don’t know how that’s not good enough for her.”
“Rhett.” Her gentle voice cradles my name.
“Love my boy.” I cough to clear the thickness in my throat. “Love him more than myself.” My revealing gaze holds her pinned. “I love him so much that I’m willing to give it all up and live out of my fucking car so she can have our house to herself.”
Concern creases her forehead. “That doesn’t seem right.”
“Of course it’s not right. None of it’s right. The fact I had a plan for our lives that she threw to shit isn’t right. But it’s life. I’m just out here doing the best I can.”
Needing a modicum of comfort, I seek her warm hand and thread our fingers together. “Just as you, Rosie. Doing the best you can.”
“We aren’t so different.” She repeats the phrase I said earlier.
It takes on a different meaning, hearing part of her story and sharing mine. I can’t put my finger on it, but I vow to myself. If I can sort this shit with Nora, I’ll help Evie out of her situation. Even if that means getting her a plane ticket to Germany.
As we sit under the starry sky, I can’t help but feel a little less alone and slightly more hopeful in this truck stop parking lot.
8
Evie
The shrill ring sounds through my speakers as I wait for my brother to pick up the phone. Excitement flows through me, and I twist my grip on the steering wheel. The tires spit gravel as I drive a little too fast back to the parking lot to meet Rhett.
“Are you finally calling to tell me to pick you up at the airport?” Eric splashes his mood across my enthusiasm.
“I’ll just hang up.”
“Wait! I’m only joking. How’s it going out there?”
I take a left onto the narrow road leading to my temporary home. “I was calling to tell you that it’s going really well so far, but if you don’t want to hear about it…”
He sighs. “I don’t want to hear about it because I wish my baby sister would just come live with me for a while.”
“You and I both know that’s not going to happen. However, after the client I secured this week, I might be up for hosting you in a month or two.”
“Why wait that long? We can come sooner and help you get settled.”
A frisson of anxiety races up my spine. “No.” I react a little too quickly. “I’m really busy working right now, and it wouldn’t be much fun for you guys,” I amend. “Once I’m a little more settled, I can take a few days off. Show you the town.”
Not that I’ve seen much of it yet myself.
I slide into my usual spot and tamp down the part of me pleased to see Rhett’s Jeep. He’s already crossing the space between our vehicles before I’m in park.
Too busy ogling the man wearing fitted Levi’s and a long-sleeved blue Henley, I nearly miss my brother’s question.
“Have you heard from Tate?”
“Eric,” I hiss as a warning. He swore to never bring up his name unless I brought him up first.
The sound of a throat clearing emanates through the speaker. “He’s been calling, Evie. He’s just worried. He also mentioned something ab
out mail he needs to get to you.”
I rub my forehead and sigh. “When I’m ready, I’ll get you a forwarding address. A PO Box. You can give that to him.”
“Okay,” he responds in a sympathetic tone.
Rhett stands beside my window with a thermos clutched to his chest. I hold up my index finger to him, and he nods.
“I have to go. I just wanted to check in. I’m doing okay, and things are looking up for me.”
A silence pulses across the line.
“You’d tell me, right? If you weren’t okay, you’d tell me? Because you have to know I’d want to help.”
A vise compresses my heart. “You took care of me from the time I was fourteen until I could stand on my own two feet. I know I can count on you for anything. But you have to know I need to figure out some things on my own.”
His coarse chuckle warms me. “It’s going to be hard on me, but I’ll try. We’ll talk soon, yeah? Love you.”
“Love you too. Send my love to Caiti.”
I stab the button on the dash harder than necessary to disconnect the call and swipe a rogue strand of hair off my forehead. A knock on my window jolts me into remembering Rhett’s waiting outside. For a second, I got lost in absorbing what my brother said, but I shake off the guilt. Rhett’s here to take me someplace fun.
We shared meals every night this week, and when he learned I didn’t have to work Friday, he promised to take me on my first official Arrow Creek outing. I’m both nervous and excited to explore the area I’m quickly developing a fondness for.
I step out and tip my face to the warm sunshine. Rhett controls the reins on this outing, but I hope we remain outside. It’s a perfect day to explore. Nights spent eating beneath the stars and sleeping in my car have instilled a new appreciation for the outdoors.