Chapter 2
Two
DARCIE
Lennox woke me entirely too early for my liking, and I was reconsidering our friendship until she placed a warm mug of coffee in my hands as I stumbled into the kitchen, my eyes half-closed.
“I can hear you grumbling. I thought you were a morning person?” she asked, sitting next to me at the bar.
Ignoring her for a second, I took a sip of the coffee, letting it fall over my tongue. The bitterness helped to ground me; the aroma aided in not wanting to roll back into bed, consequences be damned.
“You’ve only seen me after a pot of this stuff. Anyone can be a morning person after a pot of coffee,” I finally said, opening my eyes to stare at her. “Besides, I don’t think this counts as morning. This is sleepy time,” I whined when I noticed the clock said it was 5 am.
“We’re heading out at seven, so I wanted to ensure we had enough time to take care of you before we left.”
I caught a hint of sadness wrapped around her words, making me wake up more. Finishing the last of the mug, I set it down on the counter before wrapping my arms around her. Lennox came easily to me, hugging me back just as fiercely.
“I wish we had more time. I hate that I have to leave. Just say the word, and I’ll stay, Darce.”
I pulled back, shaking my head. There wasn’t any situation where I’d make her delay her dreams to save me. It just wasn’t who I was.
“So, when do we talk to Bubba?” I asked, hoping to show her I was on board.
“We need to leave in twenty minutes,” Slade said, walking into the kitchen wearing all black. His tattoos peaked out on his neck and hands, but everywhere else was covered. If you didn’t know him, Slade painted a menacing picture. “I’ve moved your car to the barn. It will be safe there.”
“Why can’t I take it?” I asked, not liking that I’d be without a vehicle.
“I’m not saying you can’t, just that I wouldn’t. I know someone you can trade it with for a new one just in case you were captured on any CCTV footage or traffic cams you weren’t aware of.”
Sighing, I thought over his words, hearing the truth there. “Yeah, okay. I’ll go change.”
Sliding off the stool, Lennox squeezed my arm as I passed by. I offered her a sliver of a smile, my thoughts jumbled as I headed toward the room I was staying in.
I quickly pulled on a jean skirt, a flannel shirt, and my cowboy boots. I brushed my hair back, parting it into two pigtails before placing my cowboy hat on. If I was going to play a part, I might as well dress like it.
Gathering my bags, I double-checked that the few things I held dear were with me. My mother’s music box and the contents of the safety deposit box were all in my bag with the journal. I instantly felt better knowing they were with me. I’d need to face the contents of the box one day, but I knew it wasn’t this one.
Soon though.
I carried my two bags out toward the door, finding the rest of my belongings being loaded into the back of a van.
“This what you took on your road trip?” I asked, pointing toward the van.
“Yep. It was perfect,” Lennox said, beaming a megawatt smile at me.
“You didn’t, you know?” I asked, wiggling my eyebrows.
“What?” she asked, looking from me toward the van.
Simon snickered as he shut the back, clearly understanding my question. “It’s safe from any bodily fluids, Darcie. We do have some restraint, you know.”
Lennox’s face turned red for a second then she shrugged, accepting that my question was valid when she had three boyfriends.
“Oh, I’m sure you do,” I joked, deciding to pick at her some more. “It’s Lennox I worry about.”
She stuck her tongue out at me, twirling in her dress as it spun out around her, her colorful hair shining in the rising sun.
“Just you wait, Darce. I’ll get you back one day.”
“Bring it, short stuff.”
“Short stuff! You’re just as short,” she hollered.
“Nah. I’m definitely an inch taller,” I argued, enjoying the banter. I’d forgotten how much fun we had together.
Lennox rolled her eyes this time, huffing as she placed her hands on her hips. “I was going to be nice and tell you all about Bubba, but I think I’ll keep it to myself.”
“I already met the guy,” I said, moving closer to the van. “I’m still unsure how he will protect me, but I’ll give him a shot.”
Lennox looked between Simon and Slade, her mouth opening like she wanted to say anything. I caught Simon shaking his head slightly, her mouth closing in response.
“Hmm, well, you’ll see. Then we’ll see who’s teasing who!”
I wrapped my arm around her shoulders. “I’ve missed you, friend.”
She tilted her head, knocking it into mine. “I’ve missed you too. You sure you don’t want to come on tour?”
“Nope!” I practically shouted, stepping away as she chased me.
“Let’s go,” Slade said, stopping our fun as he slid into the driver’s seat. Simon took the passenger seat, leaving Lennox and me in the back.
“Where’s Thane?” I asked, buckling in.
“He’s finishing up some paperwork and getting the last few things we needed in town,” Lennox answered. “By the way, if you want a way to make some money, we could use your help at the shop.”
“The shop?” I asked, not understanding.
“Tattooed Hearts. Bubba’s the manager of it now since we’ve been gone. But they never filled my front desk role, so you could help out there if you wanted. Slade said he’d tell Bubba to pay you in cash so you wouldn’t have to worry about being tracked and all that.”
I gulped, her generosity was more than I expected. “Thanks.” I licked my lips, looking at the others and nodding that I appreciated the offer. “I might take you up on that. Mostly because I’m worried I’ll get bored more than anything. I’ve been working every day that I can remember since I was a teen. I’m not a woman of leisure.” I chuckled.
Lennox laughed as well, pleased I was going to give the shop a try. “You know, he’s single, right?” she asked, lifting her eyebrows.
Rolling my eyes, I scoffed. “I highly doubt that a girl on the run is his type. I’ve had enough man problems to last me a lifetime.”
“He’s got two roommates that are attractive as well,” she whispered.
“You sure this is for my safety? If Slade hadn’t suggested it first, I’d wonder if this was your way of setting me up.”
Lennox giggled but dropped it, zipping her lips closed. I glanced out the window at the world beginning to wake up around us. I’d only been up here a few times, but I always forgot how beautiful Kentucky could be. There were hills and fields of crops, pastures full of animals, and a sky so clear that you got the true meaning of what country living was.
We pulled into a subdivision ten minutes later, Slade maneuvering the van around the curvy roads until we reached the end. He pulled into a cul-de-sac, heading toward the middle house. Several cars were parked around the circle, and a few bikes were sitting in the driveway under a carport.
The house was red-brick, one story with a few bushes lining the front. While the grass had seen better days, overall it wasn’t a bad-looking house. Unsurprisingly, the neighborhood was quiet at the early hour, and I realized how strategic that move had been as well—limiting the number of eyes that saw Lennox and me together.
I had to give it to Slade. The man cared about my bestie a hell of a lot. It made me trust him a little more, knowing he wouldn’t do anything to make her mad.
Lennox pulled open the door the second the van turned off, bounding toward the front door. I looked at the two guys, wondering if I should follow or stay here.
“Um, should I go?” I asked, some hesitation edging in my voice.
“Give her a minute,” Simon said. Slade grunted in response, stepping out of the van and walking to her.
When the door opened, the man I’d met once at a party stood in the open space. He was shirtless, his barrel chest on display, covered in tattoos and ginger hair. Outside his beard, there wasn’t any other hair on his head. The man was built like a tank, and the more I stared, the more I realized he was a ginger Vin Diesel with a Viking beard.
Shit. Did I suddenly have a thing for Bubba? No. I couldn’t. He was at least ten years older than me, perhaps more. Besides, what I’d said to Lennox was true. I didn’t need any more male drama. It had only brought me trouble my whole life.
Dropping my eyes to Lennox, I watched as she explained my situation. I wasn’t sure what she was saying, but when his eyes glanced toward the van, I felt the immediate need to hide. Blue eyes seared into me, making my skin heat.
I was so focused on this that I missed the next few seconds as he dropped his blue orbs back to Lennox. He must’ve agreed because Lennox was bouncing on her toes, wrapping her arms around his neck, much to Slade’s annoyance.
Lennox ran back to the van, a smile on her face as she neared. I flicked my gaze back toward Bubba and Slade, finding Slade shaking his hand and slapping him on the back. The door opened, jolting me out of my snooping, and I slid out of my seat, my cowboy boots hitting the pavement.
It felt like I was wading underwater as I picked up my bags and moved toward the front door. While I’d agreed to this, it felt odd to be going through with it now. Slade moved past me, probably heading to grab the few boxes I had. Lennox was talking a mile a minute in my ear as we approached, but I didn’t hear a single word.
My eyes were fixed on the man in front of me. He was an unmovable force as he stood in his doorway, his thick arms crossed as he watched me approach.
“Bubba, in case you forgot, this is my bestie, Darcie. Thanks so much for doing this again. You’re the absolute best, Bubba bear.”
The man stayed stoic, his usual jovial smile long gone from his face. I didn’t know if it was a good sign or not. He seemed more menacing this way, making me believe he could protect me. But it was odd to not see the laughing man I’d met before.
“Hi,” I said, my voice almost cracking at the end. “Thanks for letting me stay.”
“No problem.” Bubba didn’t say anything else but moved aside so we could enter.
Stepping into the house, I was surprised to find how tidy it was. If three grown men lived here, I expected it to be cluttered at the least.
Instead, I found a cozy home that was organized and clean. Boots were lined up against the wall, and hats and coats were on pegs. As we turned the corner, couches filled one space with a bookcase along one wall and a giant TV on another. A soft rug lay in the middle, pulling colors from the pillows and wall. It was tastefully decorated, making me more curious about these men.
A dining room was off to the left, a table that would seat about eight sitting in the center. A breakfast bar led to an open kitchen where I could make out a package of eggs and bread on the counter. It seemed we’d interrupted him preparing breakfast.
Dark hallways jetted off in either direction from the kitchen, stopping my perusal of the space. Slade and Simon entered with my boxes and placed them on the floor near my feet.
“Lennox, you got ten minutes,” Slade said, nodding his goodbyes as he pushed Simon out the door.
Lennox hugged Bubba once more, whispering something in his ear before turning toward me. She grabbed my arm and walked to the door.
“Call me or text me whenever you can get a phone. I want to know you’re okay. If you don’t feel comfortable here, we can figure out another plan. My dad would help you, Darce.”
She stopped, holding my hands in hers as she stared at me. I nodded to appease her, knowing going to her father was the last option I’d consider. He might be able to argue self-defense, but I didn’t want to chance it. I was too pretty for prison.
“I promise. Go win America’s heart. They’re going to love you, Len.” I pulled her close, needing one more of her hugs to hold me until I could do it again.
She pulled back, wiping a tear, her smile a bit wobbly. “Be kind to him. He’s the sweetest.” She kissed my cheek and headed out the door.
The sound of it latching seemed to echo around me, and I knew I could only wait in this hallway for so long before it became weird.
Taking a deep breath, I headed toward the kitchen to find my new roommate.