Chapter 3
Chapter Three
There was nothing like a creeper pecking at your window while you were trying to sleep.
Sloane knew better than to uncover her head because, as yet, the guy hadn’t seen her face. She could be a man hiding beneath the blanket for all he knew. But it was stifling under the blanket, and if he didn’t go away soon, she was going to have to climb over the seat and find a new spot to park.
Thankfully, her new boss had barely blinked at the fact her car wouldn’t start, and since yet another brother ran a towing service out of the convenience store, getting a jump had been easy. But the icing on the cake?
Cole had paid her the day’s wages in cash, so she’d been able to keep her savings and still get gas as well as dinner, which she ate inside the Laundromat while washing her clothes. It felt good to have that done. And to have her stomach full, even if it wasn’t the healthiest of food.
She’d thrown all her clothes into one huge load to save money and then driven down to Ft. Fisher where one of the ladies at the laundry said parking was still free.
There, she’d stayed as late as she was allowed. Reading, walking. Just enjoying the view and fresh air and the fact her clean clothes were now folded neatly in stacks and smelled good again.
As she sat on the rocks and watched the waves, she realized there was something innately peaceful about this place, forgiving, with each roll of the water as it came to shore. This town gave her a sense of tranquility she hadn’t felt for a while. Maybe ever.
Granted, it was the off-season, but Carolina Cove had that friendly vibe larger, more manic and overgrown beach towns didn’t. With luck she’d be able to stay a while before having to move on.
Once the parking area closed for the night, she’d been forced back into Charlotte the Chevy, where she’d crawled along the side streets of Carolina Cove looking for a discreet place to park and spend the night.
She really didn’t want to leave the island unless she had to and risk being late trying to make it back to work.
She liked the job, Cole seemed easy going enough and was totally smitten with his Ana.
And for the first time in a long time she didn’t feel like a piece of meat or pawn to a boss wanting side benefits from someone he held at a disadvantage.
Sloane drove like an old man on a Sunday drive along the side streets.
After passing by a quiet neighborhood a few times and noting the lack of activity, she’d made one more loop before sliding in to park behind a large SUV.
A huge tree at the end of the street hid her unless someone physically walked her way.
After about thirty minutes spent making sure she wasn’t going to be noticed and asked to leave, she even risked cracking a front window.
Just a bit. She felt safer doing so here since it was a residential neighborhood and not an alley, and the salt-air breeze felt fantastic as she’d climbed into the back.
The pecking sounded again, more insistent. Sloane stiffened on the bench seat and tried to decide whether they were a danger or merely the curious neighborhood-watch type.
She hadn’t seen any signs for that, but it didn’t mean there wasn’t one. Please don’t call the cops.
A louder tap sounded at the window, and she groaned, hopes dashed that they might just move on and leave her be. She should’ve known better. When it came to luck, hers was in the toilet and had been for quite some time.
She pried open an eye and tried to get a look at the window tapper from beneath her hiding place, but all she could make out was a shadowy figure due to the start of sunrise at his back. He was big, though. Something that made her nervous.
“Merida, wake up.”
Merida? The name was all wrong, but she definitely recognized that voice. It was him again. Seriously?
She shoved herself upright and waited for the cobwebs to break up a bit more before moving toward that side of the car. Yup, it was him. The starfish guy. “Before you ask, I’m not following you or something weird,” she grumbled in a sleep-rough voice. “It was just a quiet neighborhood.”
“I know. It’s why I moved here,” he muttered. “You said you’d get a new roommate.”
“Good roommates are hard to find,” she shot back, taking in his shorts and sleeveless shirt and phone strapped to his bulging arm, earbuds in his ears. “Sorry to crash your neighborhood. I’ll get going.”
It was almost time for her alarm to go off anyway. That way, she could freshen up in a bathroom and get ready for work.
“You’re not safe sleeping in your car, Merida.”
She shook her head and grimaced. “What’s with the Merida? That’s not my name.”
“My nieces like the movie Brave. You remind me of Merida with all that hair and the freckles, so until you give me a name…”
“Sloane.” It just came out. She hadn’t actually meant to give him her name. Especially not her real one.
“Sloane. Well, Sloane, I hate to say it, but you’d better move on before someone reports you.”
She nodded. “Yeah, I will.”
He didn’t walk away. And she didn’t budge.
“Is there something else?”
“There are shelters, you know. Cots, hot meals.”
The look he gave her tugged at her heartstrings because he seemed so sincere. Like he was trying to help and worried about her. Were there still good guys in the world? “Thanks, but I’m okay. I’m saving up for my own place. And some of those shelters aren’t as safe as my backseat.”
The man rested his palms on his lean hips and gave her an unwavering stare.
“Look, you seem like a nice woman. If you get really desperate for a place to park, go back to the building and park in front of the starfish. I’ll allow you to stay a few more nights, but then you really do have to move on before the city gets after both of us.”
She blinked at his words, only then noticing the fact he had the same dark hair, similar build and seemed to be the about the same height as her new boss and the two brothers she’d encountered.
And the building where she’d first met him? It was located right next door to the gas station and convenience store—which was attached to the rental building.
She’d been so happy about the job and Cole stating that she’d be working for him that she’d blown off the fact a stranger had said she could park behind the building overnight. Of course they were related.
Sloane barely held in a pained groan. He was one of them. A Blackwell brother. He had to be. But did she speak up and confess? Wait and see if she managed to hold onto her job during the brief trial period? Which brother was he?
Cole had indicated one of the brothers bordered on insane due to his many side hustles.
That he was the one with the scheduling issues she’d spent all day sorting out yesterday.
Apparently, he was an overachieving workaholic who burned the candle at both ends and then threw fireworks into the flames for giggles.
But Cole had said she wouldn’t see that brother much at all, especially if she didn’t plan to stick around.
So, was this the brother? Or just one of the many? There were eight of them in all, so it was possible. But if he wasn’t the brother and co-owner, it wouldn’t matter. Unless he told her boss—bosses—she was homeless?
What should she do?
She ran through worst-case scenarios in her mind. Cole had said there were eight brothers and a sister. He’d listed their names, but she’d barely caught a handful of them at most, more surprised and empathetic for the sister because she couldn’t imagine having eight older brothers. That poor girl.
She only had two brothers, and they made her life a living hell.
But if this guy was one of the Blackwells—and the resemblance was uncanny, indicating he was—should she cut her losses now? Had she blown her chance after one day because of choosing the wrong parking spot—twice?
“Stay safe, Sloane. Remember what I said.”
“Yeah, I will. Thanks.” She nodded dazedly as she slid a leg over the seat and climbed into the front. “Not necessary though. I— I’ll find a place today,” she lied, because realistically? What she’d find was another spot to park. Maybe the far side of the island held fewer Blackwells?
He stepped back when she started up the vehicle and shoved it into gear. She gave him a breezy wave of her fingers before heading down the street, spying him in her rearview.
Arms crossed over his broad chest and muscles bulging. Eyes locked on her as though he could see her in the mirror rather than watching her drive away.
She pressed her head against the seat rest and groaned. Of all the guys and all the jobs on the island…
Why did she keep running into him?