CHAPTER FOUR
S ummer was mortified . No. Mortified didn’t even begin to cover it. It was worse than that. It was “changing your name and leaving the country” bad.
When she’d first woken up at Teddy’s, there were a lot of blanks. It hadn’t taken her long to remember getting shitfaced with Laney. The dry mouth, pounding headache, and nausea were a bit of a giveaway. She wasn’t even surprised she’d woken up at Teddy’s. It made sense that either Laney or Max called him. And being the man he is, Teddy had stepped in to be her knight in shining armor. But the night before was blurry at best. Until it wasn’t.
The more time that went on, the more she remembered. Which was why she was currently hiding under a blanket on her couch. As if she could physically hide from all the embarrassing things she’d said and done.
Yeah right.
A knock on her door had her peeking up from the woolen cover. She wasn’t expecting anyone. It was her day off. Thank God. Besides, the entrance to her apartment could only be accessed through the back of the bar, so it wasn’t exactly easy for people to show up unannounced.
Maybe it’s one of the bar staff. Or Teddy. Oh God, please don’t let it be Teddy.
Crawling off the couch, she winced as each step toward the door rattled her still-pounding head.
“Ivy! What are you—”
Ivy jumped into Summer’s arms with enough force, it managed to back her further into the apartment. “Summer! It’s been forever! I can’t believe you’re back!”
Once Teddy’s sister finally untangled herself, Summer had a chance to get a good look at the woman she’d become. Her long, dark hair was tied into one of her signature braids. As usual, she looked effortlessly beautiful in just jeans and a vest. But there was something different about her. She was glowing.
“You’re looking really frickin’ fine, girl.” Summer beamed and reached for her hand, pulling her further into the living room. “Come on in, I’ll make us some coffee.”
Ivy followed her into the connecting kitchen and leaned against one of the granite counters. “Coffee sounds great. How long are you back for? I would’ve been by sooner, but Teddy only told me you were back today! Can you believe that? When he mentioned you’d been back a week, I swear to God I almost punched him. A week . A whole week , my dumbass brother doesn’t tell me you’re back in town. You must have thought I was being so rude not coming to see you.”
Summer couldn’t help but smile. Ivy liked to babble when she was flustered, it was good to know that hadn’t changed. She realised then just how much she’d missed Ivy. She was like the little sister she never had. Even though there was only a few years difference in their age, Summer had always felt protective of her, and that would never change either.
“Don’t be silly, you’re like the least rude person I know.” She passed Ivy a mug and grabbed her own. “I’m sorry I haven’t managed to come over to the ranch to see you yet. Teddy mentioned that it’s doing really well and—” Summer’s eyes widened. “Oh my God, is that what I think it is?”
Ivy’s smile was dazzling as she lifted her left hand and allowed Summer a closer inspection of the ring. “Yeah, I guess it is. I kinda met someone.”
“Holy shit. That’s the biggest emerald I’ve ever seen! You marrying a prince or something?”
Her friend giggled. “No, not a prince. His name is Ace. He’s friends with Brady Mitchell—you remember him, right? Well, they served together. You’re gonna love him, I know it.”
“Yeah, I remember Brady; how’s he doing?” Talk about a blast from the past. “Oh, I’m sure I’ll like him. If he makes you smile like that, then he’s already got my vote.”
“Oh, Brady’s good. He’s a cop now and married. You’re gonna love his wife, Ali, she kinda reminds me a bit of you. Oh, and her sister, Lily. Lily’s married to Jake McAllister—you remember him too, don’t you? Well, you’ll love her too.” Ivy paused for a second and then excitedly screeched, “I know! We should arrange a girls’ night so you can meet them. I’ll set it up! You’re working at Mickey’s now, aren’t you? It will have to be on one of your nights off. Hmmm. Okay. I’ll plan it. You still haven’t told me how long you’re in town for? Please don’t say you’re leaving soon?”
Summer tugged on Ivy’s hand again and led her back into the living room and onto the couch. Summer had a feeling seating would be required for the type of catch-up they were about to have. Once they were both settled into the cushions, Summer put Ivy out of her misery.
“I’m not leaving anytime soon. In fact, I’m here to stay. Permanently. And yes, I’m working here. And yes, a girls’ night sounds good. I can’t wait to meet them. And your man. Brady and Jake were always great guys, I’m glad they found equally great women.”
Ivy opened and closed her mouth several times before she finally said something. “You’re staying here? For real? You quit your job?”
Letting out a slow breath, Summer nodded. “I did. I’m back. For good.”
Ivy launched herself at her once again and hugged her so tightly, Summer struggled to breathe for a moment. “That makes me so happy Summer, you have no idea. Does Teddy know you’re staying? For good, I mean.”
“Yeah, he knows, why?”
“Oh, uh, no reason, just wondering.”
Ivy was never the best liar. But for now, Summer would let it slide. She was more interested in learning more about Ivy’s ranch, her fiancé, and her new friends. So that’s what she did.
***
M ickey’s was bustling . It felt like the whole town was out tonight. Which meant they were slammed behind the bar. Summer couldn’t even remember taking a breath in the last two hours, let alone a break.
After her last wine order though, she realized pretty quickly there was a problem. They were low on clean glasses. They’d obviously been pouring quicker than the glasses were getting cleaned and restocked. She knew she needed to leave Teddy and Kelly behind the bar and do a round. Mission Collect Empty Glasses was on.
Spinning around to face Teddy as he poured yet another beer, she didn’t have to wait long to garnish his attention.
“What’s up?” He side-glanced her.
“I need to do a glass run ... you gonna be okay back here while I’m gone?”
She knew he would, but it didn’t mean she didn’t have to ask. “Good thinking. Yeah, Kels and I will be okay. I forgot to mention that Jacob is on his way in too to help us out.” He took a minute to scrub his free hand over his stubble before fixing those big green eyes on her again. “I don’t know what in the world is going on tonight, or where all these people are coming from, but thank you. I’d be screwed if you weren’t here, or if you weren’t so damn good.”
He was killing her.
“You don’t have to thank me, Teddy. I work here ... remember?” She smiled, knowing full well it didn’t reach her eyes. “Be right back, boss.” She threw in a wink for good measure. Maybe that would sever some of the intensity off that relentless gaze. Spoiler alert. It didn’t.
Squeezing through the crowd, Summer grabbed as many empty glasses as she could. In one very ninja-like move, she even managed to curl her body around an occupied corner table to pick up the empties settled along the window ledge.
For her fourth and final trip, she decided to tackle the area around the pool tables. Located at the very back of the bar, the two tables were always crowded. Even if people weren’t playing, it was a place where they liked to linger. She knew before she got there this would be where she would find the majority of glasses. Maybe even enough to keep them stocked up for the rest of the night.
Summer mentally high-fived herself when her eyes roamed over dozens of pint glasses scattered across the nearby tables. Jackpot. The happy high crashed and burned as soon as she caught sight of Colt though. He was already stalking toward her before she’d even gotten the chance to collect one glass. If the leery look in his eyes was anything to go by, this wasn’t going to be good.
Oh dear.
With every step he took, she took one back. She stupidly thought if she dodged and weaved he’d give up. Get the message. He didn’t. Within seconds, Colton’s hands were on her hips, maneuvering her against the wall. As he used his six-foot-two frame to shield her from sight, a familiar feeling of helplessness trickled through her. She hated feeling vulnerable. Hated that he could easily overpower her. Hated that she was scared. She never used to be like this. The old Summer wouldn’t have been shaking like a leaf. No. She would have no problem screaming in his face, calling him every name under the sun, and kneeing him in the balls. Where was that Summer when she needed her?
“What do you want, Colt?” Even her voice was wobbling. God, she was pathetic.
“Dang, Summer, you’re looking hot tonight.” She flinched as Colt dragged the tips of his fingers down her cheek. “God, I missed this face. It’s been too long since I touched this silky-soft skin of yours.” His eyes openly perused her body before returning to her face. “We were really good together. We had a lot of fun too. Remember that time at the lake?” When she didn’t reply, he carried on. “I do. I remember peeling that sexy-as-fuck bikini off you and taking you right there on the bank.”
She was going to be sick. “We’ve been over for years, Colt.” That sounded better. Stronger. Firmer.
But her newfound strength didn’t last all that long. His thumb went to her mouth and stroked her lower lip as he dipped his head, allowing his whiskey breath to sink into her skin. “All the more reason to get to know each other again. Refamiliarize ourselves with each other’s bodies. Huh?”
“I’m not interested, Colt.” Her breathing was coming out in pants now. “Please let me go. I-I need to get back to work.” She struggled against him, but he didn’t move a muscle.
Instead, he got closer, pressing his body so far into her until they were touching from hip to chest. Goddamnit. She knew she should scream. Hit. Push. But she couldn’t. She was frozen in place. What was happening to her? What had Ben turned her into?
“I bet I could have some fun convincing you, babe.” His dirty smirk made her shudder. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten what that sexy little body of yours looks like while you’re writhing around beneath me. Tell me you don’t miss me. Huh? Tell me you don’t miss me pounding into that tight—”
Thankfully, his words were cut off before she could throw up. His big body was wrenched from hers and tossed aside like he weighed nothing more than a rag doll. She felt relieved but still couldn’t move. She could take in the scene before her though. Teddy. Of course, Teddy had saved her. Summer was getting damn good at being the damsel in distress.
“No means no, asshole.” Teddy growled as he picked Colt up by the scruff of the neck. “You ever, ever , lay one fucking finger on her again ... I’ll carve you up into tiny fucking pieces and feed you to the fucking dogs. You understand me, asshole?”
Jesus.
She watched as Teddy practically threw Colt across the room. “Get your ass out of here and don’t ever come back.”
With the help of his friends, Colt was dragged out. But Summer was still shaking. Still frozen. She tried to focus on her breathing, which had somehow gotten wilder.
Teddy noticed. His hands were on her shoulders as he did his thing, assessing the situation. Assessing her. Soothing words in a gentle voice washed over her as he forced her to slow down her breaths.
“That’s it, dollface. Just breathe with me, okay? In ... and out. That’s it. You’re doing so well. Again. In ... and out. That’s it.”
Moments later, she was in the air, cradled in his big, strong arms, and being carried toward the back door to her apartment. It had been a long time since she’d felt this safe. This protected. She was still trembling, but at least her breaths were evening out. Though that also meant that it was only a matter of time before mortification set in.