Chapter 6
6
A mber sat on her front stoop with her laptop. Concentrating on work had been nearly impossible. She’d managed to muddle through a couple of showings, but all day she couldn’t help but get the feeling someone had been watching.
Following.
She’d texted Garth three times informing him of that sensation but couldn’t give him anything concrete to go on. He told her he’d call in a favor and have a cop buddy check in on her, but that only seemed to make matters worse. She constantly looked over her shoulder, waiting for someone to jump out of the bushes.
Now, she could barely sit in her own home. It felt safter to be outside, where she could see someone coming, if that made any sense.
Her phone buzzed, making her jump.
Garth.
“Hello,” she answered on the first ring.
“Hey. How are you doing? Are you home yet?” Garth asked.
“Yeah. Got here about a half hour ago, and now I’m just hanging out trying to do some paperwork. Is it too early to start drinking?”
Garth chuckled. “It’s five o’clock somewhere.”
“Where are you?”
“I’m still at the fire station,” Garth said. “Our team meeting went on for hours. Then we had a training session, which we’ll have another one tomorrow. I hate this shit, but we have to do it every year. I’m about to get in my truck. I have about an hour before I have to head over to the Aegis Network for that meeting. I thought I’d swing home. Can I bring you anything?”
“You’re going to regret offering because I’d love a greasy cheeseburger and fries. I don’t feel like cooking for one tonight and all I had for lunch was a boring salad. I might as well eat dinner early.”
“You got it and I need to eat too. I’ll see you in about twenty.”
“Thanks, Garth.”
“My pleasure.”
The line went dead.
She shifted her gaze back to the computer screen and finished inputting the last of her new listing. The life of a real estate agent. It was a good gig and she made decent money, especially now that she had some pricier listings. When she’d first gotten her license, her brother thought she’d been nuts. He never thought she’d be able to make a living doing it. Of course, he’d been strung out on drugs when he’d said that.
And at every turn, he was coming to her, begging for money.
But that had all changed a few years ago when Steve had finally gotten his shit together.
She pulled up the note her brother had written and stared at the words. Garth had implied that it was possible Steve hadn’t composed the letter. She understood why he’d suggest that. Hell, she’d even thought it.
But she knew her brother. Knew his language. The way he drafted sentences on the page.
That letter had indeed been authored by Steve. No doubt about that in her mind.
She slammed the top of her computer closed and swiped at her cheeks, willing the tears to stop. She had no one left in this world. She was truly alone.
Well, she had Garth.
That thought made her smile.
Damn man was a goofball. Adorably sweet. Incredibly kind. Really fucking good in bed. While that hadn’t been a surprise, based on that first kiss, he still wasn’t what she’d expected. When she’d first met him, he was so reserved it was almost painful. Not to mention his pickup lines were the absolute worst thing she’d ever heard.
But the man had a heart of gold and once he was settled in and talking, he turned out to be the most genuine human she’d ever met.
His only downfall was he was honest to a fault.
Which was what had infuriated her when she asked him to look over her brother’s case in the first place. All she wanted was for someone to say it was possible, and he couldn’t do that, because he didn’t believe it, no matter his feelings for her.
She still wasn’t sure what he believed and that tormented her soul. However, he was digging, and that was something.
The women of the neighborhood had started to gather at the corner, waiting for the school bus.
Amber loved this neighborhood. She loved living a block from the ocean. All she had to do was walk down the path across the street, and she was on the beach. She could smell the salty air and feel the warm breeze on her skin. The water had always been her happy place, and one day she hoped to be able to afford a place on the water.
Her eye twitched as Rhonda and Veronica glanced in her direction.
What Amber didn’t like about the neighborhood was some of the people. Specifically, the catty women. Well, not all of them. Just those two. But it seemed like whatever they did, everyone else followed. Not to mention, there weren’t too many single people on the block. Only her and Garth. For some strange reason, that made her an outsider.
Shit.
Veronica strolled across the street and made her way up Amber’s walkway.
Wonderful.
“Good afternoon,” Veronica said with a smile. She wore a pair of workout shorts and a fitted top. She was an attractive woman. Fit. And she should be. She ran every freaking morning without fail. She organized most of the neighborhood gatherings and was most definitely in everyone’s business.
“Hi, Veronica.” Amber lifted her iced tea and took a sip, wishing it were a shot of tequila. “How are you?”
“Doing well, but we’re all more concerned about how you’re doing and if you need anything.” She stood at the bottom of the steps. “We all feel so horrible about your brother and how we haven’t done anything other than bring you some food. If you need someone to talk to or just don’t want to be alone, we’re always around.”
“Thanks, I appreciate that.” Amber really didn’t know what else to say. She wasn’t about to start chumming it up with these ladies when they hadn’t given her the time of day for months. They had nothing in common. Amber was a career woman.
They were not.
Which was fine.
There was nothing wrong with being a stay-at-home mom. Nothing at all. It was a difficult job. Often a thankless one and many people looked down on it when they shouldn’t. Amber certainly didn’t. Her mom had chosen to give up a career to care for her children and Amber respected that. If she ever got the chance, she had no idea what choice she’d make. But it would be a decision she and her partner would make together.
“We worry about you being alone with all the break-ins lately,” Veronica said. “It’s something that Rhonda’s husband is fuming over because he has to go out of town a lot for work. We’ve all devised a plan to keep a watchful eye over Rhonda and her kids while he’s gone to help ease his worry. We’d like to include you in that too.”
“While that’s very kind of you, I’ve got it covered.”
Veronica narrowed her stare. “We have to look out for each other. The police believe it’s just kids, based on the things that have been stolen, but still. We don’t know.”
“I’m being careful and I know you all have that neighborhood watch thing. If I see anything, I’ll be sure to call the police and inform that program.”
Veronica nodded. “Well, if you need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out.” She turned. “Oh, and the neighborhood block party is coming up. My sister is coming. She’s so excited. She and Garth have this thing. It’s sort of been on and off. But I know he’s looking forward to seeing her too.” She jogged off across the street and joined her friends.
That was the second time Veronica mentioned her sister and Garth.
In all the time she’d known Garth, she’d never seen him with a woman. Never seen a girl come or go from his house. Never seen him on a date.
However, a pang of jealousy hit her chest like a ton of bricks.
It was an unwelcomed feeling. She had no claim to Garth. They had sex. Great sex. Earth-shattering sex. But that didn’t make her his girlfriend.
The school bus rolled to a stop and a bunch of rowdy children ran toward their mothers with oversized backpacks, yelling about their days. It warmed her heart. Even watching Veronica hug her kids. She might be a nosey woman, but she was a good mom.
Amber did want a family someday. While none of the men she’d dated so far gave her that overwhelming sense of urgency or had her hearing church bells, she still believed that her knight in shining armor would ride in on his horse and sweep her off her feet.
All the kids and their mothers disappeared into their respective homes and the street was quiet once again until the roar of Garth’s truck rumbled in her ears. He pulled into his driveway, slipped from vehicle, and strolled across the yard carrying a bag full of food in one hand and balancing a tray of drinks in the other.
Her stomach growled. She stood, greeting him at the top of the steps. “You’re a lifesaver.” She took the drinks from his hand. “Can you sit for a bit?”
“I have about fifteen minutes to scarf this down.” He leaned in and kissed her tenderly. It didn’t last very long, but it destroyed every ounce of jealousy that had been cruising through her veins for the last ten minutes. He eased into one of the chairs and opened the bag.
“Do you know anything at all about the break-ins in the neighborhood?” she asked as she pulled out a fry and plopped it into her mouth.
“What brought on that question? Did something happen while I was at the station?”
“No. But the ladies at the bus stop seem to be worried about it.”
“The cops did pick up some kids skipping school today and one of them had a stolen Xbox from this neighborhood. I believe they most likely found the culprit. I’m sure they will notify the neighborhood watch program.” He lifted his massive burger and bit into it. A small amount of mustard dribbled down his chin and onto his shirt. “Fuck.”
She reached out with her index finger and flicked the yellow goop off his face and brought it to her lips. “Leave the shirt with me and I’ll wash it.”
“You don’t have to do that.” He laughed. “Do you have any idea how many T-shirts I ruin because of this shit.”
“Yeah, I’ve seen you eat before. For someone who appears to be a neat freak, you’re a slob when it comes to food. And why the hell is there so much mustard on that thing?”
“Because I asked for double. I love it.” He smiled. “Just don’t love it on my clothing.” He took a napkin and swiped it across his chest.
“Jesus. Don’t do that. Now it will stain.” She curled her fingers around his wrist. “Don’t you know anything?”
He took another bite. This time he managed to keep all the sauces in his mouth. And there were a lot. Mustard. Ketchup. Mayo. And something else. Maybe hot sauce.
“When I was in the military, I always got demerits for my inability to have clean clothes that were pressed properly. When I first met Arthur, he gave me so much shit about it, and then he tried to teach me how to iron. I burned my uniform. He gave up and told me to spend the money to send my clothes, all of them, to the cleaners. So, that’s what I’ve been doing ever since. If they can’t get out the stain, oh well.”
“Are you serious? You don’t do laundry?”
He shook his head. “If I did, my underwear would be pink.”
“Which you left in my kitchen this morning and I did wash them, but I might keep them and use them for pajama bottoms.”
He burst out laughing. “But they’re my favorite pair and I do need my shoes back.”
“Those, you can have. But the boxers, they’re mine.” She lifted the soda he’d brought and guzzled it down as if she’d hadn’t had anything to drink all day. She loved this side of Garth. So playful and fun. Hell, there wasn’t anything she didn’t like about the man. Even his goofy side, which if she was being honest, had been a big part of his charm and why she’d been so willing to spend to time with him.
He didn’t need the pickup lines. Or the swagger.
Because he was the entire package.
“Does that mean if I leave this shirt here, I won’t be getting it back either?” He turned and cocked his head.
“That’s a good possibility. Though it might come to my knees.”
“I’m not that much taller than you.”
“Are you kidding me? You’ve got six inches on me at least. That’s half a foot. And you’re twice as wide. I’ll swim in that shirt and it will make for great sleepwear. Loungewear. Bathing suit cover-up.” She pressed her finger against the mustard stain. “Once I get that shit out.”
He grabbed her finger. “I’ll let you have my shirt on one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“You wear it tonight with nothing underneath it.” He leaned closer, licking his lips. “Except maybe my boxers and then let me rip them off you.”
“Promises, promises.” She giggled like a schoolgirl. “But only if it’s in my bed.”
“And do you have an aversion to sleeping at my house?”
“No, but if you get to place conditions on things, then so do I.” She lifted her burger and took a bite. A big clump of mustard gushed out and landed on her bare thigh. “What the hell? Did you have them put all that extra stuff on mine too?”
“No. But I guess they did. Sorry.” With his index finger, he gathered up most of the mustard and licked it off his fingers. “How does anyone not love this stuff.”
“I like it, but not that much.” She lifted the bun and wiped half the crap off her burger before eating more. “How do you even taste the meat? I like my meat.”
“I learned that this morning.”
“I can’t believe you just said that,” she whispered as heat spread across her cheeks.
“Sorry. That was rude. I’m not sure what came over me other than I really want to bend over and lick the rest… Shit, never mind.” He shook his head and let out a slow breath. “I’m not usually like this. I’m a gentleman and that wasn’t very?—”
“I took it exactly in the good nature as it was said.” She leaned over and kissed his neck. “Besides, I set myself up for that one.” She glanced at her cell. “And we do have about eight minutes before you have to leave.”
He smacked his hand to his forehead. “I can’t decide if you bring out the best in me or the worst. However, as much as I’d like to lift you into my arms and find another spot in your house to have a quickie, I can’t. I seriously can’t be late. And even I can’t be that quick.”
“Can’t blame a girl for trying.”
He cupped the back of her neck, drawing her closer for a quick but passionate kiss. Then he stood, ripping off his shirt, showing off his chiseled abs. He tossed the article of clothing on the chair. “I need to go get a clean shirt. I’ll be back later with dessert and wine. I expect you to be wearing that and my boxers when I return.” He jogged down the steps and raced across the yards, leaving her breathless.
This was not the shy, awkward man she first met.
No. This was a man who had her insides twisted into a mega knot, turning her into a blushing little girl. Not something she was used to, but part of her enjoyed the change of pace.