Chapter Five #4
Roxanne lurched around Jonah’s large frame. She couldn’t have been more than five-six, almost a full foot shorter than him. As her body extended forward, the collar of her shirt dipped, giving him a peak down her shirt and a view of her cleavage. He clenched his jaw and averted his eyes.
“You’ll pay the entire amount.” She pointed like a mom scolding her child. “You did this and it’s your responsibility. Had you not been on your phone, maybe you would’ve seen my bright red brake lights and not rammed into my bumper.”
“I was not and …”
Jonah wasn’t going to let him finish whatever lie he was going to concoct on the spot. He had no doubt his brother was in the wrong and he’d pay for it. One way or another. Jonah turned around, placing his hand on Cord’s chest. Hard enough to prove his point.
“Shut up.”
Cord immediately clamped his lips. He knew better than to continue this if Jonah was shutting it down. “You got the cash?”
Cord rolled his eyes. “No.”
Shit! It looked like he’d be covering Cord’s ass. Again. Jonah turned back to Roxanne. Her blue eyes peering up at him with a soft pink hue across her face.
“And he dodged my calls for the past week.”
He resisted the urge to smile knowing she’d probably take it the wrong way.
Watching her all fired up was making her even more appealing.
So was that fact that she was not backing down and fully prepared to hold Cord’s ass to the fire.
Nothing sexier than a confident woman, especially the one in front of him.
“Twelve hundred is the quote?”
“Yes. He asked that we not go through insurance.” She scowled, turning her attention to his brother. “Now, I know why. You had no intention of paying me, did you?”
Cord flinched as if insulted. “Yes, I did. Just don’t have it now.”
“But you didn’t tell me that a week ago, did you?”
Cord had no retort. It was shitty and Jonah was feeling the effects of his brother pulling an asshole move on her. What did that say about Jonah? He was the one who raised Cord. He’d make this right. They both would.
Jonah sighed, gripping his hips. “How about, he’ll do the repairs and pay for all the parts. I know a guy who can get me the materials at cost. Would you be willing to do that?”
Roxanne eyed him then Cord. “Does he know how?”
Cord’s jaw squared. The question had undoubtedly been a hit to his ego. He had no idea if the insult was intentional. But touché.
“I’ll do most of the work, but his ass will be helping, trust me.”
Cord scoffed. “She should pay at least half, Jonah!”
Cord could be a whiny brat at times, but Jonah knew how to get him in line. He hardened his stare and inched closer to his brother. A little fear was a good thing, and he was going to enjoy watching his brother cower a bit. Jonah glanced at Roxanne.
“If he’s not willing to do it then you might have to let your brothers know.” He cocked his brow, in hopes she’d follow his lead.
She did.
Roxanne bit her lip and cocked her head.
“Who should I tell first? Ethan?” She paused.
“I’m going to T’s on Friday, maybe I’ll just mention it to him.
He’ll probably come by right after. Do you know T?
” Her faux innocence had Jonah biting back his smile.
His brothers had only met T once, but it was enough to leave an impression.
Cord’s face paled as the realization hit him like a ton of bricks. He remained silent but his mind was racing. Holden, on the other hand, was known for speaking every thought. His mouth fell open and he jerked his stare to Cord then back to Roxanne. “T as in T Garrison? That’s your brother?”
“One of them.”
Holden’s sucked in a breath and stepped back with wide eyes. He slapped Cord on the back hard enough to send him a step forward. “Oh damn, man. You’re dead! You hit T Garrison’s sister!” He raked his hand through his hair gripping the ends. “He’s gonna destroy your ass!”
When he heard her soft snicker, he was tempted to join in, but Jonah kept his stone mask in place.
T was a scary motherfucker especially to someone like his brother.
A little fear often had people doing the right thing.
Cord glanced up at him. Jonah would never let T, or anyone else for that matter, lay a hand on any of his family but he wasn’t going to let Cord in on that.
Cord cleared his throat. “I’ll do it.”
“This weekend,” Jonah said. It was a statement not a question. The plans Cord had made to go to a concert were now void. If his brother was smart, he’d agree. Cord cursed under his breath and tightened his lips. He’d been planning the trip to Dallas for months.
“Fine,” he muttered. “This fucking blows.”
Jonah grabbed his arm. “Mouth.”
It was all he had to say for Cord to shut up.
It was hard raising boys when he was just a kid himself, but he’d done his best with the basics.
Cursing like an ingrate was something he had a low tolerance for.
He had no doubt Roxanne had heard them all before, but it didn’t mean she should hear it from his brothers.
Cord pulled his arm away, heading toward the stairs.
Holden stepped forward, smiling as he looked at Roxanne. “Can I help too?”
Jonah rolled his eyes. There was only one reason his youngest brother was offering to forfeit a Saturday. It had less to do with car repairs and more to do with impressing Roxanne.
“Yeah, you can help by starting dinner.”
His shoulders sagged as he dragged his feet, walking toward the kitchen. “How come take out night never falls on my cooking night?” He disappeared into the kitchen and Jonah turned back to see Roxanne smirking. She pointed toward the kitchen doorway.
“He’s funny.”
“He has his moments.” Jonah smiled then sobered up. “I’m sorry about all of this.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“Guilt by association.”
She laughed and the light caught her eyes at the perfect moment. God, she’s beautiful.
“C’mon, Jonah, he’s an adult.” She raised her brows. “An immature and irresponsible one but still an adult. Can you imagine if I had to take on responsibility for all the shit my brothers have done?” She snorted. “I mean, you’ve met Bogs, right?”
He found himself doing something he rarely did. Jonah laughed. It didn’t last long and seconds later they were stuck in an awkward silence.
“I should get going. I guess I’ll see you on Saturday?”
“Drop it off around noon. That work for you?”
She licked her bottom lip, and he found himself unable to tear his eyes from her mouth. “Not sure if I can get someone to pick me up. Would it be okay if I just waited for it?”
“It’ll probably take a few hours.”
Her face softened and she shrugged. “I don’t mind, if you don’t.”
Ah, fuck. He didn’t mind. That was the problem.
“No, I don’t mind.”
“Should we exchange numbers?” Her voice hitched and she blinked, giving a subtle shake. “In case something changes with the plans.”
Jonah battened down his smile, pulling out his phone. She entered his number into her phone and seconds later, it vibrated in his hand. He glanced down at her message. A simple “Hi.” He quickly tapped the contact information and added her name.
“I guess we’re all set. See you on Saturday.”
Yes, you will.
She walked to the door with Jonah following.
His gaze scanned her back, landing on her ass.
Her jeans hugged her in a way that had him jerking his head.
Not this woman, brother! Everything about her screamed, look away.
Roxanne Barrett was everything he wasn’t.
Too good, too pure, too damn fucking beautiful.
She walked down the front steps and glanced over her shoulder. “You walking me to my car?” Her lips spread into a smile.
“I’m gonna check out the damage so I can order parts.”
“Oh.”
He didn’t miss the disappointment in her tone.
He made his way to the rear of her car. Damn.
Cord had done quite a bit of damage. He was lucky it wasn’t more than twelve hundred.
She must’ve known someone if she got an estimate that low.
If he had to guess, it looked like a couple thousand dollars’ worth.
He bent over, taking a closer look at the bumper, sliding his hand across the undercarriage.
“Runs good? No problems?” he asked.
When he didn’t get a response, he looked over his shoulder. Her eyes were locked on him with her stare gliding over his back and arms. Her gaze was so intense he could almost feel it caressing over his skin. He locked down the urge to flex.
“Roxanne?”
She blinked, seemingly startled. Yeah, sweetheart, you got caught. She swept her hair over her shoulder, shielding a bit of her face, but not enough to conceal the blush on her cheeks. She turned toward the driver’s side and walked behind him.
“Well, I should get going. I’ll see you at twelve on Saturday.” There was a slight shake in her voice. She glanced over her shoulder and smiled. “Bye, Jonah.”
He’d assume the car ran fine and let her be on her way. It felt good, though, seeing her get a little flustered by him. Hell, half the time he was in her presence, she left him unsettled. He walked back toward the house.
“Later.”
He listened as her car started and turned around in the cul-de-sac. He spared another look at the street. She was pulling past his house when her head turned. Now, he’d been caught.
Jonah walked into the house, stopping at the bottom of the staircase. He assumed Cord was still holed up in his room. Not for long.
“Cord! Ass down here, now!” His brother was in dire need of a serious ass-beating.
Though Jonah had never raised a hand to either of his brothers, he was the main source of their discipline.
He’d admit he messed up at times, and his parenting came with a sharp learning curve.
Nothing in his short eighteen years had prepared him.
At least he had the rearing from his own parents to set him on the right path.