The front porch light switches on and Jenn sighs. “I wanted to introduce myself and ask you to come to the house this Sunday for dinner. So when I heard you were beating down some fucker and needed a ride home, I volunteered.”
“I’d like to come to dinner.”
“See you then,” Jenn says then waves at Darby when I open my door.
Darby stands on the front porch and waves back. I hurry past her and into the house.
“Don’t stress, Shay,” Darby says, locking the door. “I’m packing Patton.”
I frown at her then glance down at shotgun the robe-wearing Darby is holding.
“Okay.”
“You’re stressed. Go take a hot shower and I’ll find you fluffy things to wear. Soft clothes always make me feel better. Then we’ll drink cocoa and watch TV until your stress is gone.”
I do as Darby suggests. First, a hot shower washes the gravel from my hair and the aches from my body. Second, her fluffy pajamas and slippers make me feel like a princess. Third, a cup of cocoa with marshmallows soothes the fear I’d felt since Ford pulled me off the asshole. Finally, a few hours of watching late night comedy reruns with Darby helps me accept I’m home.
10
Ford
Got an Itch Only Shay Can Scratch
In the walk-in freezer, Creepy Spencer hangs upside down. His chattering teeth act as a nice diversion from the whimpering he’s done since we dragged him though the backdoor of the closed Hunk O’ Love. The restaurant has two freezers. One for food and one for guys like Creepy Spencer.
“I didn’t know,” he whines again.
Pax glances at me as we sit in the kitchen and wait for the final word on Creepy Spencer’s fate.
“I’m proud of your restraint,” he says, chewing on a wad of gum. “A man messes with your intended piece of tail and you don’t burn the world down. I guess you’re maturing.”
“Thanks, man. Means a lot coming from you.”
“Maybe you just know it’ll never happen with Lucky’s kid.”
“She’s not his kid,” I mutter, thinking about Shay. “If she was, Lucky would have pissed a protective circle around her by now. You ever see the way he is with Paige? She’s only nine and he’s already throwing rocks at neighborhood boys who are sweet on her.”
“True. Doesn’t change the fact that you’ve been shot down twice by Miss Trucker Hat. That’s gotta hurt, bro.”
“Fuck off, champ.”
“Eat shit, fella.”
I grin. “Did you see her wailing on the creeper? A man could fall hard for a chick so crazy.”
“The mouth on her too. Make a sailor blush. I liked when she was screaming about his fucking mom. Classic trash talking. Yeah, I can imagine her raising you some pretty pups.”
I roll my eyes. “That reminds me, we need to get home and let Folgers in before it rains.”
“We could just shut the door on this fucker,” Pax says, gesturing towards Creepy Spencer. “Who would care if he froze?”
“Our boss might care,” I say, staring at the pervert. “I’m killing him eventually though. A guy like him is on borrowed time.”
When Creepy Spencer stares back at me, I know he’s thinking about Shay. The guy has a habit of latching onto girls and stalking them until someone beats him down. Tonight, Creepy Spencer got beaten down twice, but he’s still jonsing for Shay.
I suspect he wants revenge, but he’ll never get it. Even if the boss says to let him live, the reprieve will be short term. Creepy Spencer has fucked with a lot of women over the years, but now he’s gone after mine. No way does he walk away from such an error.
According to Trigger, Creepy Spencer lives to be creepy another day. After ditching the fucker near his house, Pax and I head home to let in the dog before the storm arrives. Large drops tease the night and Folgers isn’t happy to be slightly wet. The Rottweiler and Shepherd mix shakes himself next to Pax, clearly blaming my brother for the delay.
“I met a chick,” Pax says, checking the mail while I kick off my shoes. “Goofy little broad just getting out of a bad marriage. I’m thinking I’ll hit her up tonight.”
“Go for it. I’m planning to stay home with Folgers.”
“Want me to ask if she has a goofy little broad friend for you?”
“You know the answer.”
Pax stares at me. “She’s a kid. A cute kid, but she’s not ready for anything besides high school boyfriend shit. You come with too much baggage. My advice is it go and have fun until she grows the fuck up.”
“Nice advice, but when I had my arm around her tonight, it felt good. A million times better than fucking Maggie or another random chick. A small touch like that made me want more and I’m not settling. You’d understand if you knew how it felt. Once you get a taste, settling for easy shit won’t cut it.”
Pax studies me. “This chick might be the magic pussy that makes you lose the need for easy fucks. She might be everything and you go domesticated like the other guys. That’s all nice and well, but if she steps in between us, I’ll bury her deep.”
I can’t help laughing at his pathetic threat which pisses off Pax. He grabs his keys and heads for the door.
“Blood before beauty, right, bro?” I call out.