Chapter 33 JR
JR
“No,” I said as the dog jumped up into my truck on the way to work.
Moving over a seat, he barked at me, waiting for me to get in and drive him wherever the hell he wanted to go.
“Listen, I put up with you because Josie seems to really like you, but you can’t get in my truck and go with me everywhere. I have to work.”
Whining, he wagged his tail at me, seeking sympathy where I had very little to give. But the longer he sat there, the more I felt myself giving in. Those sad little eyes watched me, begging me to take him with, and I just couldn’t say no.
I’d held out as long as I could.
“Fine, but you have to promise to behave yourself.”
Yipping excitedly, his tail went crazy as I climbed in the truck.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this. You should be ashamed of yourself, you know.”
He let out a single bark in excitement.
“Seriously, it’s terrible the way you manipulate people to get your way. But I’ll have you know, I’m not getting you special dog food or treats. You’ve pushed me as far as I can go.”
Ignoring the happiness on the dog’s face, I backed out of the drive and headed to work. The damn dog seemed so happy to be out with me that it actually brought a smile to my face.
And that was really fucking dangerous. He was creeping under my skin just like Josie.
But I had no room in my head or my heart for anyone else. Alyssa was the only person I could afford to care about, and that was because she had been part of my life for so long.
“Shit,” I muttered as I pulled into the parking lot and found Lizzy’s truck parked outside. “What the fuck is she doing here?”
Stomping to the door, I flung it open and nearly stopped in my tracks when I saw her sitting at one of the tables with her feet up while she ordered her brothers around.
“No, that doesn’t go there, Liam.”
“But I like it there,” he argued.
“I don’t care if you do. This is my bar, and we agreed that you would be a silent partner. Nothing more.”
Grumbling, he moved the liquor back to where it had been, grumbling under his breath.
“Michael Benjamin Parker, I know you didn’t just sweep that dirt into the corner of the room.”
I smirked as he rolled his eyes at her. “It was the smallest amount of dirt.”
“And it’s a health code violation for it to be on the floor. Do you want me to be shut down? Do you want your future niece or nephew to be left with no inheritance because you decided that small amount of dirt was just too much for you to sweep up?”
“No,” he grumbled, walking back over with the broom and dust pan to sweep up the mess.
“Having fun?” I asked, pulling up a chair beside her.
A wide grin split her lips. She looked better than I’d seen her in weeks. “Can’t complain.”
“And the baby?”
“Doing fine, but Momma’s on bed rest, which sucks big time.”
“So, you roped your brothers in and you’re having fun ordering them around.”
“Well, someone has to put them in their place,” she said just before her gaze snapped to her other brother, who was taking a drink. “Jeffrey Michael! Beer is for paying customers. Did you pay for that?”
Slowly lowering the glass, he sighed heavily. “No.”
“Put the money in the register. Now.”
Shoving his hand in his pocket, he pulled out some cash and shoved it in the register, slamming it shut. “Happy?”
I winced at his choice of words. No man should ever say that to a woman.
“No,” she smirked. “Make sure you add a tip to the tip jar.”
“But I poured it myself! You’re making me tip someone else for me doing the work!”
“Well, I guess you should have thought about that before you tried to take my beer.”
I snickered under my breath, but quickly schooled my features when her gaze whipped in my direction.
“What are you laughing at?”
“Not a damn thing. Just came in to get a few things done before my shift.”
“Well, you can get to it. Those glasses won’t clear themselves.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I laughed, shoving in my chair before going around to collect the glasses left over from the previous night. Whoever had worked hadn’t bothered to clear anything, leaving a mess for the morning crew.
Liam made his way over, careful not to look like he was chatting on the job. Lizzy would bust his balls for it.
“Why weren’t you here earlier? You could have saved us all a lot of work.”
“Sorry. Didn’t know she was released yet. Is everything really okay?”
Liam’s gaze landed on Lizzy for a moment before he turned back to me. “Yeah, she’s fine for now, but she’s on bed rest for the rest of the pregnancy.”
“That’s gonna be rough on her.”
“And all of us,” he grumbled.
“How are the folks?”
Sighing, he grabbed a few glasses and loaded them into the carton. “Pissed that she won’t tell us anything about the guy. Even more pissed that she hid the pregnancy for so long.”
My eyes slid to Lizzy lounging in the chair. She looked happy, her face bright and cheerful. It reminded me of the night I met her.
“She had her reasons.”
“And you’re still not saying anything? Even after all this?”
“If she wanted you to know, she would say something. It’s not my place to say a damn thing.”
Scoffing, he picked up the carton and shoved it into my arms, ramming it into my chest. “If you were really her friend, you would keep her family in the loop.”
“And if you love your sister, you won’t try to rule her life.”
I walked away, nearly tripping when the dog rushed under my feet, barking at Michael across the bar.
“Hey!” Lizzy shouted. “I told you to keep that dog out of here.”
“You keep him out,” I said over my shoulder. “And stop yelling. It’s not good for the baby.”
Shoving the kitchen door open, I hauled the carton over to the sink and loaded the dishwasher. Roy wouldn’t be in for another hour to start prepping for the lunch rush, and it would be nice if he didn’t come in to a complete mess.
“You know she trusts you,” Michael said from behind me.
“And?”
“And that means something. Lizzy generally likes everyone, but she puts her faith in very few people.”
“What’s your point?”
Crossing his arms over his chest, he glared at me. “It means that no matter what I may think of you, Lizzy has already put you off limits.”
I didn’t know what the hell that meant, and frankly, I didn’t care. He could think whatever he wanted to about me. Like or dislike, I would do whatever the hell I wanted.
“Gee, I’m so glad. I was really scared.”
His eyes narrowed as he took me in. “I looked into you, and let me tell you, I didn’t like what I found.”
“Because it scares you or because I’m around your sister?”
“The second one. I’ve known men like you, and I left that life behind because all that shit brings is danger and fear into everyone’s lives.
Lizzy has a good life here, and she doesn’t need someone like you making her life more complicated than it already is.
So, while I may not be able to touch you, I will warn you to stay the fuck away from her. ”
I laughed at that.
Stalking closer to me, he meant to intimidate me. And if I were a smaller guy, or still that kid back in foster care, he might have done the job. But I wasn’t that kid, and I’d dealt with the worst of humanity. There wasn’t a single thing he could do to shake me.
“Leave,” he commanded. “Get the fuck out of here. I don’t care what the hell you tell her. You’ve got a new job. Your sister needs you. Hell, tell her you fucking hate it here. Just get the hell out of her life before you drag her down with you.”
“I don’t answer to you,” I spit out. “And I don’t answer to her either, but if she wanted me to leave, I would.”
“Yeah? What about that neighbor of yours? Would you leave if she asked? Or are you too busy fucking her to realize that anything you touch will turn to ash?”
Rage boiled inside me at his implication. Not because he was wrong, but because I knew it was true. If I stuck around, my life would eventually catch up with me—and her.
“You need some connections? I’ve got some for you. Anything to get you the fuck away from here.”
It was tempting to take him up on his offer. Deep down, I knew it was best if I left. But I never let anyone tell me what to do, and I wasn’t about to start listening now.
“If I decide to leave, I’ll be sure to let you know. Until then, stay the fuck out of my way, or you might find yourself on the receiving end of my bad intentions.”
Shoving past him, I got to work, ignoring him the rest of the day. My mood soured with every hour, but it was my past that kept haunting me with the stroke of the clock. It would all come crumbling down around me one day, and I only had myself to blame.