Walking to the couch, knowing Travis is following closely behind me, I’m nervous about where to sit. It’s a couch, but it’s a small one and the only one that fits in this tiny living space. Thankfully, he takes the lead, folds his large frame and positions at one end, so I follow suit and fold into the other.
“What is it you want to talk about?”
“I just wanted to come by real quick, before Hayden got here and made a big deal of everything, to tell you I’m sorry for reacting the way I did last night. It wasn’t your fault and after you left, Marlee made it clear to me that I may have made you feel it was.”
“I’m fine.”
“I shouldn’t have jumped at you, and I’ll do better.”
Stretching my body toward his, I place my hand on his knee. “It’s fine. I’m glad you were there and saw what was happening. I panicked.”
“You did, and that’s what made me realize he wasn’t someone you were comfortable with.” Clearing his throat, he places blame. “Ace shouldn’t have brought you there.”
“I asked him. I begged him, actually. I had been in town for two full weeks and we hadn’t ever really left this apartment other than errands. Ace wasn’t ecstatic about me going in the first place, and the night got off to a rocky start to begin with. He probably won’t let me out again for a while.”
“There’s a lot to do in this city, Raegan. Whatever you want to do, tell me and I’ll take you.”
I’m surprised. “You will?”
He’s not. “Yeah, why not?”
Pressing my luck, I tell him where I want to go. “Okay. Take me to the wax museum.”
“You want to go where?” He’s confused. I’m unsure if he knows the place I’m talking about.
“They have one here. I’ve seen the flyers. I’ve never been to one and I want to go.”
“Well, all right.”
“All right.”
Ace clears his throat as he stands at the living room entrance. I hear him let out a gruff and groan as Sarah pushes him out of the way to get to the bathroom.
“Making moves on Cherry, Travis?” His voice is confusing to me. I’m unsure if he’s joking or if he’s pissed his friend has offered to take me somewhere.
Travis doesn’t know, either; I can tell by the vague answer he offers. “She mentioned something about a wax museum.”
“And you’re gonna take her?” His eyebrows raise, displaying anger. He’s upset at Trav’s offer.
“I told her I would. I didn’t think it would be an issue being how you two are just friends.”
“When did I say that?”
“When did you
not
?”
The sarcasm and contempt is lingering through the air. At that exact moment, another knock comes to the door and without looking at either of them, I stand to answer it. Ace stops me mid-step and meets me in the middle of the room. Standing so close, I feel his breathe on my face. “I’ll get it. Sit.”
Travis’s back goes straight as I walk past him and sit where I was when Ace came in, ruining our conversation moments earlier.
As Ace opens the door, I hear Hayden’s voice, the same sexy voice I heard playing through the speakers last night. “What’s up, guys?”
Making his way further into the room, he senses the mood. “Hey, Hayden.” I try to ease the tension but fail.
Hayden ignores Travis and me and looks back to find Ace standing near the door. “What’s going on? What’s everyone looking so pissed off about?”
“Not a fuckin’ thing,” Ace mumbles while grabbing his boots near the door and yanking them on.
Ignoring Ace’s tone, Hayden continues. “We still goin’ to practice?”
Ace answers again, now standing and holding the door open. “Not sure, ask Travis. He seems pretty good at makin’ plans, aren’t you, buddy?”
Travis’s growl isn’t quiet. “Fuck you, Ace. Lighten the fuck up.”
Not wanting to witness two friends go at each other any longer, I inquire on their plans. “Practice?”
Without delay, Hayden answers while talking over Ace who is telling him not to share with me the meaning of said practice. “Yeah, band practice. Ace used to be a member of our band.”
I’m stunned. I never knew Ace knew how to play an instrument. Knowing Ace won’t tell me anything, I ask Hayden, “What did he play?”
Ace steps in front of Hayden, pushing on his chest with his hand; he’s shorter but much larger in size so he does this with ease. Hayden tries to answer but doesn’t get a word out before Ace shuts him down and cuts him off. “Guitar, Cherry. I play the guitar.”
Travis and Hayden lock eyes. Travis shakes his head as if telling Hayden without words to not say anything more. Hayden’s bright smile says enough. If it’s such a big secret that has Hayden looking the way he does, I’m guessing Ace is pretty good with that guitar.
CHAPTER FIVE
Ace
“ALL RIGHT, LADIES. What the ever-loving
fuck
was all that drama about back there?” Hayden asks while searching my face, then turning to Travis to do the same. No one answers. “Well? Someone needs to start talking. Who’s on their period?”
Travis does. He’s all about being Chatty Cathy when it comes to anything to do with Cherry. “I’m taking Raegan to see the wax museum tomorrow.”
Butting in, I attempt to cut him off. “She has plans. Can’t make it.”
Travis crosses his arms against his chest and leans his body against the truck. Casual move, but he’s full of shit. He’s as pissed as I am. “Tell me, Ace. What fuckin’ plans does she got ‘cause she seemed to be pretty fuckin’ open to doing anything. She told me she’s home all the time and she can’t live like that. Bean’s got more of a life than Raegan.”
Taking two steps toward Travis, my aim is to get in his face so he hears me loud and clear. “Cherry’s off-limits, asshole.”
“What did I miss? Damn, I always miss the good shit.” Rightfully so, Hayden is confused.
“What you missed was Ace pissin’ all over Raegan.” Travis looks from Hayden to me. “You said yourself last week that you and her were friends. Has this changed?”
No, it hasn’t, but I’m unsure how I feel about her hooking up with my friends. Let her meet someone else. No, fuck that, too; let her concentrate on getting her life together. “No, but she’s not ready…”
“Fuck, Ace. I didn’t say I wanted to date her. I like her; she’s sweet. Let me fuckin’ take her to the goddamn wax exhibit or whatever the hell it is, and I’ll bring her home right after. Does that help with easing your daddy complex?”
I think, momentarily, about punching one of my best friends in the mouth. He’s right, though; I can’t keep Cherry confined to the house. It’s not fair to her. I concede, but not without stipulation. “Fine. You pick her up here, you drop her off after. Don’t fuck with her, Trav. I mean it. She’s been through a lot and she’s doing well, so don’t fuck that up for her.”
“What the fuck? I’m not Hayden. I don’t want in her pants. I just thought since she’s here it would be nice if someone offered her something other than hostility. You’ve got enough of that for her.”
Hayden ends our conversation, not denying Trav’s point about him only being interested in a woman for sex. “Guys, can we stop with the drama and just go already? My dad’s garage is prepped and we’re ready to roll.”
“Let’s go,” I say while stepping into my truck as Travis follows behind me making his way to his Jeep.
On the forty-minute drive to the garage, I have time to cool down. I didn’t bring Cherry here to meet someone and fall in love. I brought her here to help with Bean and Sarah, get her life together, and get her son back. Wherever the road takes her after isn’t my business. She’s been a good friend to me since I’ve known her, and I’m paying her back. That’s it.
On the other hand, if I’m being honest with myself, why does the idea of her with Travis, Hayden, or anyone else piss me the fuck off? I don’t like complicated. I fuckin’ hate it.
Once I arrive at Hayden’s dad’s place, I pull out my phone and send Cherry a quick text. The picture she posted as her profile to my phone stares at me. Her bright smile, her dark hair blowing, and her dark-blue eyes jump out of the picture. It was a selfie she took on our way here. We had taken a scenic route so she could see the ocean, and she loved it. I’m amazed by her in many ways. How is it that someone could once be so broken but still come out swinging at life as she does?
Focusing on my words, I send the text.
09:29 a.m.
Won’t be home ‘til late. Sleep in my room. Don’t dodge me again. That couch sucks and you know it.
Inviting her to my room, to be around all my things, is probably a mistake. But that couch isn’t comfortable, and I’m sure as fuck too big for the damn thing. I know she’s not sleeping with her nightmares are keeping her up at night.
Before stepping out of the truck, I get a return text.
Cherry 09:30 a.m.
Couch does suck, but your snoring is worse. I’ll take my chances with the couch.
Denial, added with insult. What the fuck?
09:30 a.m.
Do as you’re told.
Cherry 09:31 a.m.
’Cause it’s that easy? Couch.
09:32 a.m.
If your ass is on that couch when I get home, it won’t be for long. Sayin’.
Cherry 09:33 a.m.
Don’t you have to practice your banjo? I’ll sleep in your room, but only if Trav can take me out tomorrow. Compromise or lose, Ace.
I smile. Challenging little shit. We’ll see about that.
* * *
Once the guys and I wrap up, I check the time. It’s already eight o’clock in the evening and we’ve not gone to have our traditional end-of-practice beer. Fuck, I’ve lost a whole day. Although it felt good to hang with my friends like we used to, I keep thinking about Cherry sitting home in that fuckin’ apartment with Bean and Sarah all day. It’s now I make my decision. I’ve got to let her start living a life and finding friends, and the safest friends she could have are mine.
“Take her, Travis. Enjoy the day. Whatever you wanna do, I’ll back off.”
Hayden stops packing his bass and looks to Trav, who is breaking down his keyboard. Travis is as surprised as I am by my blessing. “You’re serious?”
“Serious. I trust you, just don’t let her out of your sight, okay? Like I said, there are things she’s lived through. If she wants to share those, that’s on her.”
Travis puts his case down and comes toward me, offering a fist bump. “She’ll be okay, Ace. Give her some space.”
Toby is lost with the entire conversation. He’s standing in the middle of the room, looking around at all of us as if we were a bunch of women making up after a quarrel.
Hayden notices and walks to him, pats him on the shoulder and explains his version. “Dude, don’t ask. You wouldn’t
believe
what I witnessed at Ace’s place this morning. Worse than castration, man. Jerry mother-fucking Springer episodes pale in comparison. Definitely rough.”
Toby laughs. “I’m gonna take your word for it, but I don’t remember the last time Travis said so many sentences in a row, so whatever Raegan is doing for him, let her do it.”
I actually hear myself growl in frustration to that statement, but let it go. It’s one fuckin’ day that she’ll be out of my sight and back in the public eye. One long, mother-fuckin’ day.
“Beer at The Ward, I’m not buying.” Of course, Hayden isn’t buying; he never does.
“Mooch,” Toby ribs.
“True that, mother fucker. I gotta spend all my money on the women. I’m getting older, and they’re starting to require more drinks then they used to.”
Each of us groan to one another before heading out to our cars and making our way to The Ward.
The parking lot is even packed. It’s Saturday night, so it’s no less packed than I would expect, but after the night we had last night, then the run-in with Travis this morning, and practice all day, my mind is spent.
Finding a table is easy when you use Hayden Flynn to do it. Two innocent women, out looking for a good time and enjoying a table to themselves, don’t stand a chance against Hayden’s charm. He convinces them to go to the bar and wait for him there. Whether he makes true on this commitment, no one will ever know. Not my business, and I don’t care either way, but I’m glad to take a load off.
The waitress, Shelby, brings us our usual rounds and leaves us to it. There’s no live band tonight so we’re able to hear ourselves without interruption.
Toby starts. “So, Ace. You’re better this time after coming back from Ohio, I can tell.”
Hayden concurs before taking a pull from his beer. “I noticed as well, man. Good for you.”
Travis says nothing.
“It’ll take some time, but it’s good to be home.”
Lowering his voice and in a serious tone, but meant for all of them to hear, Toby prods. “But… you still miss her.”
“Yeah. I do.”
Sadey.
Toby continues. “It’s not my business, so don’t take this the wrong way.” I nod compliantly, giving him unspoken permission to keep going. “I never met Sadey. I’ve heard about her, from you of course, but never met her. I’m not so uncertain you don’t have the same feelings for Raegan that you did for her. Just an observation, don’t get pissed.”
“They’re two different people, Toby. Two
completely
different people.”
“Doesn’t mean they both don’t deserve what you have to offer, if you’re willing to offer that to Raegan. I saw the way she looked at you last night, Ace.”
“I’m not over Sadey.”
Hayden speaks on the subject, which is odd because he, of all people, has zero experience when it comes to relationships. “You won’t be over her until you let so much as the
idea
of someone else in.” Then, coming back to his former self, he offers, “She’s smokin’ hot, though. Gotta give her kudos for that. When we were on stage, before that asshole touched her, there wasn’t a man within distance that didn’t feel her presence, and they were feeling it
hard
, if ya know what I’m saying.”
Again, Travis says nothing. I can’t read his expression. I don’t know his true intent with Cherry and it pisses me off.
Picking up my beer, swallowing the last of it, and setting it down with a heavy hand, I explain my exit. “I’m goin’ home.” Then reiterate to Travis again. “Cherry gets up late. She doesn’t like mornings with me and Sarah. I’ll tell her you’ll pick her up at noon. Take care of her for me, Trav. I’m serious.”