“Don’t you dare mention this to Shane!” Liv actually colored at the idea.
“Why not? Oh my God, did you just blush?”
“Because! Jeez, I’m not desperate, Maggie! I can trap a man without having you tell Matt’s brother that I like him. That’s so eighth grade.”
“I guess a Halloween party at my house and a game of spin the bottle is out then?”
They all laughed at the memory of the Halloween party that Dee had at her house when they were in the ninth grade. “That was my first official French kiss. Andrew Johnson, in Dee’s mom’s broom closet. Good times,” Liv said dreamily.
“Yeah well look what you did to him, Liv, he’s gay.” Maggie laughed. “Clearly you were too much woman for him and it spoiled him forever for the rest of us.
“Seriously, Liv, I’m on it. I’m going to think of something because let me attest that a taste of Chase is worth the work.” Maggie waggled her brows suggestively and the laughter started anew.
Across the room, Matt and Kyle Chase ate their brunch while they watched the women laughing at their table. “What do you suppose all of that is about?” Kyle couldn’t stop himself from looking at Maggie Wright. Damn, he liked the way she looked when she laughed. But his brother liked her first and so he backed off. There were rules about this sort of thing.
“Looks like trouble but the kind of trouble a man enjoys in the end.” Matt sipped his coffee.
“So what did Shane say about their date last night?”
“I haven’t seen him yet. Maggie looks pretty glowing though.”
Maggie looked over and saw them. Smiling, she waved. The other two looked around and waved hello as well before huddling together, the laughter starting again.
“Hmm.” Kyle grinned. “I do believe we’re the object of some female giggling, Matt. I think I like it.”
“Hell, Kyle, I know I like it.”
When the women left they waved again. Kyle enjoyed the view through the big front windows as the three women walked together down the street.
* * *
Alex melted back into the doorway of the hardware store so he wouldn’t be seen. Someone had to watch over her.
He’d wanted to get Maggie alone but she was always with her damned friends. Or with that jerk Shane Chase. Oh he’d seen the man pick up his fiancée the night before. Saw the kiss when Maggie returned. But she did not let Shane in. His Maggie was still saving herself just for him. And Shane Chase was just a momentary distraction. Alex would make sure of that.
* * *
Olivia and Maggie decided to grab a bite at The Pumphouse before Maggie’s ice cream date with Shane.
Arriving a bit early, Maggie saw Matt Chase across the street with Johnny Prentice. She gave a friendly wave hello and they returned the greeting with a few shouted hellos.
Still smiling as she turned back toward the door, she bumped into Alex. Fear slithered through her as she realized she hadn’t even seen his approach.
Shit. She really hadn’t wanted to deal with him that night. She’d tried to call him to arrange to see him face-to-face to break things off. But he hadn’t returned any of her calls. It wasn’t like she was avoiding the issue but she certainly didn’t want to have the discussion in public in the middle of the sidewalk.
“Hi, Alex.” She gave him a wary smile, not at all liking the look on his face.
He grabbed her arm in a grip so tight she winced. “Hi, Alex? Is that all you’ve got to say?”
“What the heck are you talking about?” Her voice rose as she struggled to get free.
“The way you can’t help but talk to every man you see. I told you, you’re with me. You don’t need to talk to any other man. Are you trying to make me jealous, Maggie? You don’t need to play games. All it’s doing is really pissing me off. I don’t like my woman to act that way.”
Still keeping a tight grip on her arm, he steered her into The Pumphouse. That grip was the only thing that prevented him from getting slapped as she tried to get free and keep her balance.
“What the hell are you talking about? I don’t need to talk to other men?” she demanded through clenched teeth. “Let me go this instant!”
“You heard me, Maggie. You’re my girl, I don’t want you all over other men like a slut.” He hissed and his grip on her arm tightened and caused her to gasp in pain.
Hearing the words, she stilled for a moment. Fury replaced the fear. “You did not just call me a slut!” Her eyes narrowed at him. “And I said—Let. Me. Go. Now or I’m going to kick you in the junk!”
By that point, the conversations around them had gotten quiet and for the second time in a few weeks, she was the subject of attention at The Pumphouse.
Noting that they were being watched, he let go and she took the opportunity to move away from him. But he stepped closer, filling the space between them. “You don’t need to be hanging all over other men.”
“I waved at them. I didn’t flash my boobs at them or blow a kiss. I waved hello. But even if I had, you don’t get to decide what I need to be doing, Alex.”
He grabbed her arm again and moved her toward her usual table. “You’re making a scene. Sit down.” He shoved her into the booth.
Her eyes widened at that. “In the first place, you will not touch me ever again or you’ll draw back a stump. In the second place, you need to get a hold of yourself right now, Alex. No one talks to me this way. You don’t own me. Hell, we’ve only gone on three dates.”
“You don’t tell me to get a hold of myself when you’re the one acting like a whore!” he said in a stage whisper.
“What?” Grasping the water glass on the table, she dashed it in his face, taking his moment of surprise to push him back and scoot out of the booth. “I know you didn’t just call me a whore! How dare you!” She pushed up into his face, seemingly undaunted by the fact that he was several inches taller than she was.
Liv and Dee came rushing in with the Chase boys right behind them. For a moment, they all stood and looked in the direction of the fracas. Kyle’s face turned so red it was purple. He and his brothers together with Arthur stalked over.
“How dare I? You’re a tease, Maggie Wright. You come on to every man you meet and now you don’t like it when you get called what you really are.” The viciousness in his voice made her skin crawl. He was like a completely different person. Reaching out, he grabbed her arm and yanked her to sit back down.
Shane stalked forward and grabbed Alex’s wrist, squeezing tightly until he blanched and let go of Maggie. “You need to let the lady go now, Alex,” he said in a voice that was low and threatening.
“Are you all right, Maggie?” Kyle had moved around Shane so he could kneel in front of her. Slowly, he reached out and took her hand.
“That asshole called me a whore!” Maggie fumed but she knew her trembling was so bad that anyone looking could see it.
“I think you need to leave the premises, Alex, before I have to arrest you for assault.” Shane moved so that he stood between Alex and Maggie.
“Oh, so you can fuck her then? This is all about you getting into her bed isn’t it?” Alex’s voice broke, he screamed it so loud. Incensed, Maggie jumped up to get in his face but Kyle grabbed her, his arms around her waist, murmuring into her ear.
“You bastard! Don’t you ever call me or contact me again.”
Shane dragged Alex to the door and tossed him bodily outside. “You’re lucky I’m here as the sheriff today, Alex. If I was just here as Shane Chase you’d be spitting out teeth right now. Now you leave her alone just as she’s asked or you’ll be asking for a world of hurt.” Shane glowered at Alex and turned back into The Pumphouse.
Olivia and Dee spoke softly to Maggie, trying to calm her down. Shane approached and put a hand on her shoulder. “Maggie, are you all right?” he asked, concern evident in his voice.
br /> Kyle looked at the staring crowd. “Okay, folks, I’m sure we don’t want to upset Maggie any more so let’s just get back to our beers and burgers.”
“Thank God you came in when you did. What made you come in?” Maggie asked them gratefully.
“Matt saw you bump into Alex. He thought it looked like Alex had grabbed you. I was walking up the street with Kyle, Matt called out to us and we all came over. I’m sorry I didn’t stop him sooner. What happened, Maggie?”
“I don’t even know really. I was walking in here and saw Matt and John across the way and I waved. I turned around and bumped into Alex. I said hello and for whatever reason, it set him off. He started freaking out about me waving at Matt and John. He said I was acting like a slut, that I was his girl.” She rubbed her arm where he’d grabbed it. “Then he grabbed me, twice, and shoved me into the booth and called me a whore. That creep called me, Margaret Elizabeth Wright, a whore! I should kick his sorry ass for that.” On the outside she was livid but she burned with humiliation.
Kyle’s face darkened. “Are you hurt?”
She shook her head. “I might have a bruise on my arm but other than that I’m just pissed off.”
“Would you like to press charges, Maggie? It’s assault you know.” Shane knelt on his haunches in front of her.
“No, I don’t ever want to deal with him again.” Her bottom lip was trembling.
“Come on, let’s get you home. I have some time left on my shift.” He looked to Kyle. “Can you run her home? Just go through her place?”
“It’s not a problem. Really, don’t go out of your way.” Maggie chewed on her lip.
Kyle smiled gently at her. “Don’t worry about it. It’s not out of my way at all. And it’s certainly not a chore to ferry a beautiful woman around town.” He reached out to her to give her a hand that she took gratefully.
Liv and Dee hugged her and told her they’d call her the next day. “Do you want to stay with me?” Liv asked.
“No, Liv, I’ll see you tomorrow, I just want to go home and take a bath and go to sleep.”
With a gentle guiding hand, Kyle nodded to everyone and took her out to his car.
On the way to her house he stayed quiet, letting her pull herself together. She appreciated that space. She wasn’t ready to talk about it any further at that point.
When he pulled into her driveway he got out and came around to help her get out. “I’m going to come in, Maggie. Just to do a quick check. I don’t think there’s a problem but let’s just be safe. All right?” He took the key from her and unlocked the door.
“You think he might be here?” Nausea rolled over her at the idea. She’d always felt safe living alone, now she didn’t.
“No, darlin’, I just want to be safe.” His voice was soothing as he reached in to turn on the light before walking into the foyer. “I’m just going to look around. I want you to stay here while I do. I’ll be right back.”
Leaving her there, trying to set aside how scared she looked, he walked through each room of the house. He checked window seals and locks, closets, doors and under beds. No one else was there or had tried to get in and he was pleased to note that her locks and other security were in good shape.
“It’s all right,” he called out, coming down the stairs. The scent of her bedroom was burned into his memory. Rain and vanilla. And the sight of her panties, folded in silky piles on her dresser, had made him clutch his chest. The knowledge that the woman wore silky, lacy thong underwear in every color of the rainbow haunted him.
The woman was involved with his brother. His brother who hadn’t bothered to call yet to check in.
“I know it sounds weird but I’m suddenly hungry. Care to see what I’ve got in my fridge? I know I need some food to go with that scotch I’m going to drink.”
He didn’t want to leave. “Sure. Sounds good.” Following her into the large kitchen, he sat at her comfortable, worn table.
On her tiptoes, she reached up into a cabinet and pulled out a bottle of scotch. “Why don’t you do the honors?” She put the bottle on the counter. “I’m going to see what we’ve got to choose from.” Turning quickly, she opened the fridge and began to examine the contents.
In companionable silence, Kyle poured them both two fingers of scotch, breathing in the smoky scent. He handed her a glass that she quickly drained and held the glass out to be refilled. With one eyebrow raised, he poured more but she merely took a sip and put the glass down and continued to work.
He went back to his place at the table and watched her as she moved through her kitchen. She pulled out vegetables, rice, some chicken and started preparing things. “How does chicken and rice sound?” She poked her head around the refrigerator door to ask.
“It sounds really good. Are you sure you wouldn’t rather get takeout? Or be alone? I don’t want to impose.”
She grinned at him. “Hey, it’s no problem now that the scotch has kicked in. I’d love to cook for you as a thank-you for coming home with me.”
He laughed. “Okay then, lay it on me. Can I help?”
“Nah, I’ve got it down to a science.”
And so he watched her as she moved with efficiency around her kitchen, chopping and sautéing. They made small talk but he let her lead, not pushing her to fill in every moment of the silence. He could tell she was still processing the events from earlier.
With a start, he realized he wanted to know her more. Wanted to spend time with her. And God, did he ever want to kiss her. He’d known he had an attraction to her but this was more.
Kyle knew in his gut that Shane would fuck up. He was of two minds about it. The mercenary side of him wanted Shane out of the way so he could take her out. Freely express to her just how much he enjoyed her company. But he also knew a woman as sweet as Maggie would be hurt when the inevitable happened and he hated the thought.
So he put his feelings away and decided that fate would out in the end. He had to step back. He didn’t like it, but brothers had rules and he would not betray that.
After dinner he walked to her front door. “Are you going to be all right? He’s wrong, you know,” Kyle said quietly, touching her chin.
A lump formed in Maggie’s throat, words couldn’t get past it.
“You didn’t do anything wrong. You’re a good person, Maggie. A kind, beautiful woman. Alex is twisted, broken. This is about him, not you.”
Swallowing her tears she nodded. “Thank you. Thank you so much for saying it. I’ll be fine. My doors will be locked up tight and I have no problem calling 911 if I have to.”
He smiled and leaned in, kissing her forehead. “If you need anything, you can call me. I’ll talk you through or come over, whatever.”
“That’s very sweet. I appreciate it.”
“Good night, Maggie Wright.”
“Good night, Kyle Chase.”
* * *
Maggie cleaned up the kitchen, grateful to have something to do. Leaving a few lights on downstairs, she trudged toward her bathroom and took a long hot shower. With a butcher knife, her cell phone and a baseball bat all within reach.
It might have been an overreaction but she was alone and you got to overreact when some creep attacked you.
Clean and warm, she crawled between her sheets and left her bedside lamp burning. But as she lay there, it wasn’t Alex she thought of, or Shane, it was Kyle.
He’d been so gentle with her, so kind and funny and considerate. On top of being marvelously handsome, he was such a beautiful person on the inside. She really liked his company.
For long moments, there with her eyes closed, she imagined that his attentions that evening had been more than a man helping out a woman in distress. He’d seemed attracted to her but that couldn’t be right. It was absurd enough that Shane was attracted to her, there was simply no way that two Chases were interested in h
er. And anyway, she was dating Shane, she should be thinking about that.
Yeah.
* * *
Maggie had to admit that she was slightly bothered by the fact that Shane hadn’t really checked in with her after the incident at The Pumphouse. Not that night when he was supposed to have taken her out and only one brief phone call in the week after. It was an effort but she reminded herself that they were just casual and that she’d be a brokenhearted fool to get attached. That way lay pain and anguish.
So she’d told herself until Friday night. She and her friends sat at their normal Friday night table, drinking beers and talking when she saw Shane walk in the front door. Her heart skipped a beat and she smiled at him. A smile that quickly faded when she saw he was with Kendra Fosse. Tall, blonde, regal Kendra. Maggie turned back to the table quickly.
“What?” Liv looked toward the door. A frown marred her face when she sighted Shane and Kendra. “Maggie, I’m sorry, hon. Don’t worry about it. I was thinking that we should go and kick up our heels at the Honky Tonk tonight. What do you say?”
Dee nodded, standing up and throwing some money on the table. “Sounds good, I haven’t danced in forever. Let’s go!” She tugged on Maggie’s arm and got a smile and an eye roll. Still, she thought it best to leave and allowed them to pull her out the front door.
In the back room, Kyle saw Shane’s entrance with Kendra and Maggie’s reaction and subsequent retreat. “You are some piece of work, Shane,” he murmured as Kendra walked past them to hit the ladies’ room, probably to apply more hair spray.
“What?”
“What? Jeez, you said you were going out with Maggie, right?”
“Yeah? So? It’s not like we’re serious. I like her and all but I’m not planning to marry the girl.” Shane’s voice was gruff. Kyle knew it was just to hide how freaked his brother was about being hurt again like he’d been with Sandra. But at the same time, it was bullshit that his brother protected his heart by being an asshole.
“I never made promises, Kyle. Stop making me out to be the bad guy here. I honestly didn’t remember about her being in here on Fridays until I was already through the door. I’m not trying to hurt her.”