Steal Me (Haunted Roads Book 1)

by India R. Adams

  I smirked with a touch of flirt. “I already have a nickname?”

  She grinned at my sarcasm, conveying an unspoken respect.

  Yep, my kind of girl.

  Then she coyly replied, “It’s either Mav, or Goat ’cause of your goatee.”

  I couldn’t help but notice that the impressively bigger guy sitting to her left quickly smirked. Ah, he likes her attitude also. His acknowledgment of Blondie’s sass carried so much admiration that I was shocked the girl sitting on his lap wasn’t jealous.

  I graciously chose a name. “Mav it is.”

  “Mav, want a beer?” the guy with the ball cap asked me. “I’m Bryce, by the way.” He was a little goofier looking, wearing glasses but also a Falcons hat, so I knew he was solid.

  “Nice to meet you, Bryce.” I waved off the offer. “No, I’m good.”

  “He’s driving Bailey, you idiot,” the sassy blonde snipped at him while further inspecting her cards.

  Bryce winced at me. “Oh, damn. Sorry, forgot about the little one.” He waved. “Hi, Bailey.” Looking at the cards in his hands again, he said to the blonde, “Viola, I’m not an idiot. Now, focus on your hand before you lose my money.”

  So, Sassy is Viola. V for Vixen. I like.

  Viola winked a seductive blue eye at Bryce, and it was not friendly—it was sexy as shit! The idiot, as she called him, was clearly her man.

  Lucky, goofy, vixen-lovin’ bastard.

  “Hi, I’m Hailey,” a tiny voice said from somewhere below. Bailey and I looked down at a little black-haired girl who looked to be the same age as Bailey, with huge blue eyes to match Jazebelle’s. Bailey shyly waved at her from my arms. Hailey asked, “Wanna watch TV with me? I have toys.”

  Bailey looked to me for an answer. “Up to you, Peanut.”

  She nodded, so I put her on her feet. As her slippers shuffled away, I heard Bailey ask, “Do you want some l-licowice?”

  Proud of Bailey for trying harder on her Ls, I grinned and mouthed, “Good girl,” watching the two little girls go into a bigger den attached to the kitchenette room where I wouldn’t lose sight of them. I realized Viola was staring at me. She glanced at Bailey and then gave me a nod. More respect. Damn, this girl is hot.

  Cole watched Bailey and Hailey too. “See? I’m so smart!”

  Every card player and bystander grumbled, apparently not agreeing.

  He laughed. “Haters. A bunch of jealous-ass haters.”

  “Damn jealous haters,” Hu echoed from the couch in the big room Bailey was in.

  Cole pointed to the bigger guy with the girl in his lap. “Maverick, meet Tucker.”

  Tucker was not as laid-back as the others seemed to be. He looked a little older and wiser with an easily agitated, rougher edge. He glanced over his cards and saluted me then pointed to the tiny chick on his knee. “This is my girlfriend, June.”

  June had auburn hair and happily waved from where she was happily perched. “Hi!”

  Cole moved us along, pointing to the bystanders. “These are the twins, Nelson and Nash.”

  Nelson and Nash were of average height and had dark hair. I knew it would take me some time to get used to being watched by identical green eyes. “How’s it going?” I asked, giving a chin lift because Nelson placed his hand on Jazebelle’s shoulder. I remembered which one he was because he had a scar above his left eye.

  I hear you; she’s taken. But you may want to explain that to your bro, who’s mean muggin’ you. Nash was staring at his brother’s hand on Jazebelle’s shoulder.

  Cole then pointed to Ball ’n Chain on the couch and groaned. “And that’s Adele.”

  It was clear Adele wasn’t a fan of Cole either when she flipped him off. Then she fake smiled to me as if I had already managed to be added to her shit list. I did an internal shudder and instantly understood Cole’s gripe about the horrid girl.

  Cole gestured to another young woman—one I’d somehow missed but never would again. “And over there is Delilah.”

  Sweet lord!

  All right, this is going to sound cheesy as hell, but you know those movies when the guy meets the girl, and she is mysteriously surrounded by rays of perfect lighting and all that unrealistic nonsense that makes your eyes involuntarily roll? Well, yeah, apparently that’s no special lighting; it’s you losing your shit! Oxygen going in all the wrong directions in your body, making you see mysterious fucking lighting. I shit you not. It’s the damn truth.

  Delilah was sitting in a big easy chair with her long legs lounged over one of its pillowed arms, in a corner across the den. She was reading a book and ignoring the loud voices as if she had mastered blocking out the world. She didn’t even acknowledge my presence. My mind and body were in complete overload, and my existence wasn’t even on her radar. Brown-golden hair hung over the other arm of the chair, and her profile was enough to make me forgive her for not knowing I had just fallen in love with her.

  “Delilah, this is Maverick,” Cole announced.

  When there was still no reply, Vixen sang out, “Earth to Pretty D.”

  Delilah glanced up, looked me up and down, and went right back to reading her book.

  So, the feeling’s mutual? If I hadn’t been so dumbstruck, I probably would have looked around, wondering where my special lighting was. No one seemed shocked in the slightest at her reaction, and they all went about their business.

  Cole pulled up two stools, and as I sat, Hu walked up. “Where’d ya come from, Mav?”

  “Outside Atlanta,” I answered, trying to ignore the female I felt I should be bowing down to, willing to be her servant forevermore.

  Tucker did not sound like a fan of the capital of our home state. “How close to Atlanta?”

  I jokingly backpedaled. “Not close enough to be considered a city boy?”

  That didn’t win me any smiles, but Tucker nodded. His stern look softened when he politely spoke to June. “Mind getting me a beer, sweet girl?” June had too much pep in her step for my liking. She practically bounced out of his lap and to the fridge to retrieve Tucker’s beverage of choice. By the time she got back, I was relieved the beer didn’t explode in Tucker’s face. When Tucker saw her, he softened again and leaned in for a kiss. “Thank you, baby.” Her lips puckered quickly, seeming anxious for anything he had to offer.

  Bryce, immersed in his card game, tried the same strategy with Viola. “Babe, will you get me a beer?”

  “Piss off.”

  “Guess not.” Bryce laid down a card and sulked. “You’re a lucky man, Tucker.”

  Tucker squeezed the girl in in his lap as though he considered her a jewel. “I am, but let’s not pretend that Viola’s bite don’t rev your engines.” The way Tucker spoke was as if Viola was capable of revving more than one engine in the room. Possibly his. Viola looked up at Tucker, and something I couldn’t quite put my finger on crossed her face, but there was obvious admiration.

  Definitely a story there!

  Oblivious, Bryce said to his girl, “Your turn, babe.”

  Viola looked at her cards… then slammed them down, yelling, “Pay me!”

  I’d never heard of the game before, though I thought it was finished by the way all the other players growled and complained as they handed Viola two quarters. But then cards were reshuffled, and the game continued.

  Bailey happily ran up to me, stuck her licorice in my hand, then took off to play some more. Jazebelle was delighted. “This rocks! Do you have Bailey a lot?”

  The table got quiet. It was time to hear the new guy’s story. “Uh, yeah… she… well, my dad passed away—” Delilah’s head jerked up. It caught my attention, but I continued to answer Jazebelle. “And my mom’s not taking it so well.”

  I waited for the pitying look, but it never came. Instead, I witnessed understanding. Heads nodded in silence. It was the first time since my dad had passed that I didn’t feel alone.

  “Sorry for your loss, man.” Tucker spoke in a tone that told me he was no stranger to th
e pain in my soul.

  “When?”

  Delilah. The question could seem trivial to others, but from someone who had experienced such a loss, it really meant, When was your world shattered?

  I met her eyes, letting her know I understood that she had once been torn apart. My voice came out deeper than I meant. “Last year.”

  She went into thought—into memories, it seemed. Then Delilah solemnly nodded and went back to reading.

  I needed to get out of the heavy thoughts that were daring to sink me. “So, Cole Coleman?”

  Cole smirked and hesitantly answered, “Yes, Cole Coleman Genner.”

  Jazebelle giggled. “Yes, Cole, but what Maverick here wants to know is why?”

  Viola egged him on. “Come on, grill boy. Do explain.”

  Cole mumbled, “My mom got knocked up with me while camping, so she named me after camping gear.” The kitchenette’s walls shook with roaring laughter. Apparently, this joke didn’t get old. “Mom said it was the most romantic and special time of her life and that she didn’t want to forget it.” Cole Coleman shrugged and threw a hand in the air. “Moonshine and tents. What can I tell ya?”

  June said quietly, “I think it’s cute.”

  Tucker kissed her cheek. “You are correct.”

  What gives? Tucker had an angered look to him until he was talking with June or Viola, and the way June lit up with each compliment from him had me reevaluate my first assumptions. I’d thought Tucker saw June as a trophy because she was hot, but then I noticed the way she sat on his lap, almost as if she felt safe there. Her aims to please were not needy or ditsy but courteous.

  A couple of hours went by with laughing and a lot of storytelling. Bailey came to me, rubbing her eyes. I stood from my stool and picked her up. “You want to go home?” She shook her head but laid that tired-looking face on my shoulder. Bailey was light as a feather; I could’ve held her all night. While rocking her, I kept talking with the others, and I didn’t realize anyone had come up behind me until I felt Bailey’s arms reach out.

  Looking over my shoulder, I saw Delilah smiling at Bailey while taking her from me. My jaw dropped. Delilah snuggled with Bailey, asking me, “What?”

  I shook my head. “Nothing, it’s just… Bailey doesn’t go to anyone till she knows them.”

  Delilah had round light-golden-brown eyes that reminded me of honey, and I couldn’t help but stare into them. Up closer, Delilah was even more breathtaking than I had originally thought. I told her, “Peanut must like you,” and gave her my dimpled smile, which usually worked like a charm.

  Delilah stared at me while rubbing Bailey’s head, which rested on her chest. “Peanut… that is so appropriate for her.” A very gentle smile began to cross Delilah’s full lips, and just when I thought I had started winning her attention, she shook her head. “I can’t do this.” She handed Bailey back to me before walking away.

  After she grabbed her keys and headed out the front door, I looked at Cole. “Did I say something wrong?” Cole shook his head but didn’t offer an explanation for what had just transpired. Everyone else stared at Tucker, who kept staring at his cards. I wondered if Delilah was his ex.

  Jazebelle kindly said, “Maverick, you didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just—”

  “Delilah’s business,” Tucker interrupted. “And she will speak of her business with whomever she sees fit.” Tucker wasn’t rude, just firm.

  Jazebelle told him, “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. You’re fine, Jaz. We just have to respect her privacy.”

  “Do you want me to try and talk to her?” June asked.

  Tucker looked at June with adoration. “You are so sweet, but no, I’ll handle it.” With that, he removed her from his lap, sat her in his chair, and went out the front door.

  I was concerned when I saw Viola get up quickly and head toward June. Maybe she was planning to smack her for sitting on the knee of a guy she seemed to have feelings for.

  Cole clamped his hand on my shoulder. “Every small town has got a story, right?”

  Neither Tucker nor Delilah came back in. Feeling a tad bit awkward, I decided it was time for us to leave. “It’s been great meeting everyone, but this one needs to hit the sack.” I rubbed Bailey’s back.

  Houston said, “We’re going to the lake tomorrow. You in?”

  “Is this a Hailey, Bailey thing?”

  Viola mumbled, in appreciation, “Hailey Bailey.”

  “Yeah,” Jazebelle answered. “I’m bringing her. Bring Bailey.”

  Cole pulled out his cell. “Why don’t you give me your number?”

  I raised a brow. “It doesn’t mean we have to go camping and fall in love, does it?”

  “No,” he said, laughing along with everyone else. Then he shrugged. “But a dinner would be nice.”

  After giving Cole my digits, I carried a sleeping Bailey to my truck. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw movement at the edge of Bryce’s front yard. Tucker was watching me, and he had Delilah in his arms.

  Yep! That’d be a big old ex-boyfriend right there. Damn, does Tucker have something going on with every girl in this fucking town?

  Chapter Three

  At a lake surrounded by woods and trails, I joined everyone on the shoreline. There was a section of lighter dirt resembling a beach, where everybody was setting up coolers and storing their belongings. The lake wasn’t huge, but it was big enough that a gator would stick to his side of the lake to stay away from all our ruckus. Bailey was tickled pink to see Hailey and was very impatient to get into the water. “Bailey, you must have your wings on first.” I tried to slip floaties over her little arms.

  She pouted. “But I know how to swim.”

  “I know, Peanut, but this water is murky and—” How could I explain to a five-year-old that I was afraid if she sank, I wouldn’t be able to find her in time—and how I would die without her? “I need to be able to see you at all times. The end.”

  Hailey saved me when she ran up wearing her floaties. “Are you ready to play?”

  Bailey turned to me for the answer. “Sunscreen, then you’re free,” I said.

  She hurriedly handed me a tube of lotion from my backpack.

  “Dear Lord, Maverick,” Viola teased. “Any more sunscreen, and that child will sink with all the extra weight.” I was learning quickly that Viola was the outspoken one of the bunch.

  Not wavering from my duties, because the sun was scorching, I covered Bailey with an inch of protection, put a hat on her, and then sent her on her way. She and Hailey ran to the water, and I saw they were becoming two peas in a pod.

  Once again, everyone was super friendly and constantly willing to play with Bailey throughout the day. In the water with floats and tubes, we had a lot of playtime. Delilah, however, again kept to herself, floating on a raft away from the bunch.

  June’s auburn hair and bubbly smile shined in the sun. She stayed on Tucker’s back for most of the day even as he threw a ball with Nash, Nelson, Cole, and Hu while playing water football. During that game, every time Bryce made Viola squeal from an activity under the water, I would hear one of the guys, catching a ball thrown extra-hard by Tucker, say, “Ow.” Tucker didn’t seem too pleased by squeals he didn’t cause.

  Adele sulked without Hu’s full attention. How dare Hu play some football? Damn, cut the kid some slack, girl.

  Jazebelle and I sat on the beach, staying close to Bailey and Hailey as they splashed about on the shoreline. They were having an absolute blast.

  “How’d you like your old school, Mav?”

  “My freshman year was scary in the beginning, but my sophomore year and part of my junior were legendary. It all changed with my dad. You learn who your true peeps are, right?”

  “Yeah, you sure do.” She looked at everyone in the water through her sunglasses. “This day is bittersweet, my new friend.”

  “Yep. Last day of our summer break.”

  I kept my distance from Delilah as
the hours passed. I thought it best to stay away from her and that odd love triangle between her, Tucker, June, Viola, and whoever else Tucker had staked a claim to.

  Hu’s over-the-top, domineering girlfriend said, “I’m thirsty!”

  With Adele whining for hours, Cole’s last nerve was under attack. From beneath his cowboy hat, he yelled, “Please stop! If you’re thirsty, for the love of God, go get a damn drink!”

  “Cole.” Houston was trying to prevent an explosion before it took place.

  Adele defended her actions. “But I’m in the water, Cole Coleman.”

  “So is Hu!” Cole pointed.

  Adele stomped out of the lake, followed by a regretful Hu.

  Tucker threw the ball. “Cole, we don’t talk to girls like that. You feel me?”

  “I know, but damn, she’s awful! Senior year is here, man, and she’s going to smother my best friend and ruin it!”

  Tucker shrugged his massive shoulders, moving the attached June. “Hu’s choice, my man.”

  “Well, it’s a shitty one.” Cole threw the ball back.

  “Agreed.” Tucker jumped up and caught it, not seeming to feel June’s weight.

  When it was time to feed Bailey, she and I sat under our umbrella to give her fair skin a break. She didn’t have the natural tan from our dad like I did. Bailey was my mom, through and through. She sat between my bent legs, eating her tunafish sandwich, her little toes playing in the sand as she leaned back on me. And me? I stared at the wonderful view. Delilah was lying on her stomach on a yellow raft, and her butt was screaming for my eyeballs to focus on her perfected mounds.

  Good God, that girl has a juicy ass.

  Viola yelled from the water, “Are you eating again?”

  Tucker laughed at her teasing of me and picked Viola up out of the water, throwing her to the deeper part of the lake. June just held onto his back and neck through the activity. When Viola resurfaced, wiping water from her eyes, I yelled back, “I’m a growing boy, and I am always hungry.”