SIX MONTHS_(A Seven Series Novel Book 2)

Chapter 10


“Holy smokes, Trevor. You look like one of those hot, swanky models in the magazines!”
White dress shirt, slim grey tie, dark wash jeans with fading in the front, and instead of a pair of oxfords, he wore black Converse sneakers with white laces. It was an outdoor thing and he didn’t want to ruin his good shoes. Trevor smelled amazing, and his hair was combed forward in that every-which-way style that made him devilishly handsome.
“Who were you talking to on the phone?”
“No one important,” I lied. “Just a friend.”
Whose name happened to be Maddox. He had agreed to loan me what I needed, which would cover the business account and pay off Sanchez. I didn’t disclose what the loan was for, and true to his word, he didn’t ask. Maddox said we still had an appointment to discuss the details of our arrangement, and that this loan would be tacked on in addition. He seemed like a reasonable man in comparison to Delgado.
An hour after our call ended, a knock sounded at the door and a delivery truck sped away. The package on my step looked like an ordinary yellow envelope with bubble lining.
Inside it was my lifesaver. Sanchez’s cut was stuffed in a letter envelope in my purse and I put the rest in my bedroom drawer to be deposited at the bank. Trevor knew I wanted to head back no later than nine o’clock and he seemed content with my request. Then again, it didn’t seem like he was overly excited about going in the first place.
I, on the other hand, was looking forward to a night of music and fun. My nails were polished lavender, and I’d spent an hour washing and styling my hair. I swept my bangs to the side and away from my eyes, securing them with a few pins. My hair barely tickled my shoulders and I liked the no fuss aspect. Plus, it suited the shape of my face. As I put on my dress, I wondered if I had gone overboard. I felt as if I didn’t deserve something so beautiful. A few stretchy bracelets covered my wrists and completed the outfit. I debated wearing perfume and finally decided against it since the barbecue grill would be going. I couldn’t think of anything else, and so I declared myself ready.
Trevor was thick with compliments from the moment I emerged from the bathroom. We sat at the table staring at each other, genuinely impressed by how nice we cleaned up. All we needed were horses and a carriage.
“I’m your date,” he announced.
“Of course you are.”
“No, I’m your date. I have a feeling some of the jerk-offs there will want to get in your panties, and I don’t want you tangled up with that kind of drama. You’re not about to become a one-night-stand girl because of that sexy dress. Also, don’t tell anyone about me.”
“When have I ever done that?” I lifted my oversized brown purse from the table and glanced around to see if I’d forgotten anything.
“Robert’s party.”
I gave him a scolding glance. “That was two years ago. How long are you going to hold that against me? I didn’t know better.”
“Yeah, well, when I want people to know I’m gay, I’ll pass out flyers and hire a f*cking band to sing a song about it. Otherwise, you’re my date.”
“What if someone has gaydar and they find you out?” I smothered my laugh.
“Babe, that’s one radar I can fly under when I need to. You should know that by now.”
“In that case, you’re going to have the girls swarming all over you.”
He smiled wolfishly and we stepped out of the trailer. “No complaints here. What was in the package that came by this morning?”
“Oh, just something I ordered on the Internet.” I quickly changed the subject as I locked the door. “I don’t want to stay there all night, but do me a favor and don’t start any fights. Please?”
He kicked up a clump of dirt and tucked his hands deep in his pockets. “I can’t promise.”
“Yes, you can.”
“What if they are the ones who start shit?” He looked nervous and twitchy, which was so unlike him.
“Then let me do the fighting.”
Trevor gave a boisterous laugh. “Now that I’d like to see, babe.”
I wore a pair of slingbacks and carefully walked down the steps.
He held my hand as we strolled to his car. “We look pretty swank.”
“Maybe it’s your swag,” I suggested.
“Maybe it’s your swing,” he replied, waggling his brow. “I promised I’d find you a Mr. Right, April. I just don’t know who the hell deserves a stunner like you.”
The car radio blared a song by Pearl Jam and he turned it down.
“Trevor?”
“Yup.”
I stared at him for a second, unable to verbalize what my heart was feeling. Total admiration, but also fear. I had no idea what was in store for me later that night when I planned to meet up with Sanchez to deliver his money, and I kept wondering if something were to happen to me, how would Trevor react? He’d once said I was the only family that mattered.
“Nothing. I just love you is all.”
“See? April Showers, always showering me with love.” He kissed my hand and turned over the engine. “Hold on to your panties.”
***

By the time we arrived at the party, it was in full swing. Multicolored Chinese lanterns were strung up along the porch and in one of the nearby trees. The skies were clear and the sun had just set. Dark clouds loomed on the horizon. As soon as we parked the car and walked up the long stretch of driveway, I began to get butterflies. Trevor took my hand and lent me some of his confidence.
“April!” Lexi shouted, hobbling across the grass in her heels. “Oh my God. I should have never worn these shoes,” she said in an exaggerated voice. I gave her a hug and she whispered, “Hot damn, girl. Where have you been hiding this one?”
“Lexi, you remember Trevor? We’re old friends.”
He cleared his throat. “I’m her date,” he announced.
Oh yeah.
“Is that so?” Lexi said wonderingly.
She looked beautiful with her hair pinned up. Her silver necklace stood out against her black top, and the powder-blue pencil skirt showcased her long legs.
“Who are all these people?” I asked, sweeping my eyes across the large crowd that covered the lawn and spilled into the house.
“Austin’s friends, neighbors, and just about everyone else with a pulse,” she said, smoothing out her hair.
I could see Lexi was in a good mood from the way she kept swinging her left leg back and forth so that it peeked in and out of the slit in her skirt. Austin must have been showering her with compliments all evening—she glowed with happiness. Or maybe the glow was from the shimmery blush, or the fact she was going to get laid by a man who worshipped her.
The music was loud, but not obnoxiously so, and an old Aerosmith tune had a few people singing along. I didn’t listen to classic rock, but Lexi played it in the store during downtime. My guess was that Austin had given her full control over the music playlist.
It fell silent for a moment and the crowd chattered and laughed. The sky quickly darkened and the smell of barbecue and smoke hung heavy in the air.
“Come grab a cheeseburger and beer before it’s all gone,” she said, strolling toward the house. “Denver’s been barbecuing out back and people didn’t waste time fixing their plates. Not everyone here knows each other, so just mingle and have a good time. If you need anything, scream. Literally. I have no idea where I’ll be.” She laughed and Austin appeared, scooping her into his arms and planting a kiss on the curve of her neck.
“Missed you, Ladybug.”
“I was only gone for a minute.”
“A minute too long,” he said, inviting her lips into a sultry kiss.
Suddenly, a Kings of Leon song came on. Austin gave her a wolfish grin and swaggered off.
“Austin Cole!” She flounced after him with quick steps.
Trevor’s palm was sweaty and I glanced up at him. “Are you sure this is okay? We can go if you want.”
“I’m here to have a good time, babe. Don’t worry about me.”
He bent over a metal tub filled with ice and beer and grabbed a couple of bottles. I waved away his offer, so he tucked one under his arm and cracked open the other, downing half the bottle in one swig. I scanned the lively crowd and noticed a disproportionate ratio of men to women. What seemed odd was how none of the women had formed their own separate groups like I’d usually seen go on at parties.
“April?”
I looked over my shoulder and recognized a pretty brunette with a long braid coming my way. Ivy lived with Lexi and had helped me with a situation we had at the shop many months ago during a power outage. She was a thoughtful girl who was probably my age but seemed wise beyond her years. Ivy carried herself in an elegant manner with radiant, sun-kissed skin and earthy-brown eyes. She had to be part Native American or Spanish, but not full-blooded.
“I love your outfit,” I said, admiring her turquoise earrings and the chocolate-brown dress that fell to her ankles. It made me wish I hadn’t gone overboard—sometimes simple was classy.
“Thank you,” she said, smiling at my dress. “You look like a delicate flower that some of these men would like to pluck the petals from. Come with me and we can put your purse in a safe place so you don’t have to lug it around.”
“Trevor?” I asked, turning around. “Are you okay on your own?”
He glanced at Ivy and then back at me. “Go have fun. I’ll catch up with you in two shakes.”
I leaned up and kissed his cheek. “Be good. I’ll be inside if you need me.”
Ivy led me up the wooden steps and through the main door. Several men looked me over as I passed them and Ivy grabbed my hand. I grinned because it was flattering to receive warm smiles of admiration. We climbed the staircase on the left side of the room and reached the second floor. One hall went toward the back of the house, and another to the right.
We walked toward the back. “This is my room,” she said, opening a door on the right. She took my purse and set it near the door. “Your things will be safe in here. Closed rooms are off-limits; everyone here knows the rules.”
“And how are you going to monitor that?”
She closed the door and leaned against it. “No need to. If anyone breaks the rules, we’ll find out. That wouldn’t go over well. Are you feeling okay? You look nervous.”
Loud voices boomed from downstairs and the outside music seeped through the walls.
I shrugged and swiped a strand of hair away from my eyes. “I don’t go to many parties—not as big as this one. I’ve never seen this many people gathered in one place.”
“Austin has a lot of friends,” she replied, touching the end of her braid. I caught the strange way in which she said it. Like there was a hidden subtext. “Are you hungry?”
“Famished.”
“Great! How’s a cheeseburger sound with some potato chips?”
“Um, I think I’d like some of that pasta salad we brought over instead of chips.”
“Oh, that’s already gone.”
My mouth hung open. “Already? Jeez, I guess we didn’t buy enough.”
She snickered. “Oh, you bought plenty. But these are hungry men who know a good thing when they see it. Everything you suggested has been a hit with the crowd. Don’t worry; we have a backup plan if the food runs out. Denver volunteered to pick up a couple dozen pizzas from an Italian place up the road. He’s a bit of a Nazi on the grill and was hoarding some of the meat in a futile attempt to make it last. Austin chewed his ear off, so the burgers are on the fire again. Austin is the kind of Pack—person who doesn’t care about cost. He wants to make sure all his guests are fed and taken care of. The game room’s a few doors down to the right if you want to relax and have a drink. Denver just bought a new pool table and they’re practically glued to that thing. I’ll go downstairs and fix you a plate with something cold to drink.”
“No beer,” I said adamantly. “I’m the designated driver.”
“Lemonade,” she sang, floating down the stairs.
Voices echoed from the game room and I gripped the edge of my dress as I approached the open door. Holy smokes. The television on the wall to my right was humongous! All they needed was a couple of leather chairs in front of it instead of the oversized beanbag. There weren’t many places to sit, although most of the guys were just standing around by the dartboard and bar. A couple of men stood beside an impressive billiard table with a green felt top that looked brand new. A cylindrical lamp hung from the ceiling with a red shade, illuminating the table. A couple of guys clinked their glasses together at the bar on my left. It was a spacious room full of men.
Attractive men.
Not that all of them were physically good-looking, but there was an air of confidence about them—something magnetic I couldn’t put my finger on.
I targeted a barstool and quickly went to claim it. Someone whistled and the boisterous chatter fell to a murmur. I tucked my skirt beneath me as I took a seat.
No bartender. Great.
“Hey, April. Glad you made it,” Denver said with a welcoming smile. He walked behind the bar and patted his hands on the smooth surface. “You want a drink? Anything you like; this is what I do for a living.”
“Do you have any soda?”
He shook his head, and my eyes wandered down to his faded red T-shirt.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I pointed at the cross on his shirt that had Lifeguard written below it.
Denver poured ginger ale in a short glass and leaned close on his elbows. “It means if someone needs any mouth-to-mouth, I’m your man.”
“Even that guy?” I suggested, pointing a few seats down.
He reached out and touched the ends of my hair. “You’re really pretty.”
His directness flustered me and I sat up straight, almost knocking over my drink. It splashed on the bar and he leaned over and grabbed a rag, wiping it up casually with a private smile.
“Is Reno around?”
He frowned a little. “Maybe you should stay away from him.”
“Why?”
Denver slanted his eyes to the left and then back. “He’s rough with women in bed.”
“I didn’t say I wanted to sleep with him.” This took me by surprise and piqued my curiosity. “What do you mean by rough?”
“I mean, unless you like being tied up, blindfolded, and submissive to his every command, then you should keep away from Reno. He’s got control issues and plays them out in the bedroom. You don’t seem like his type. At all.”
Why did a tiny thrill move through me as I got a visual? I had never done anything adventurous in bed, but a small part of me was a little curious. Then again, Denver was probably yanking my chain. That’s what brothers did.
When I turned around, my heart almost stopped. Reno filled the doorway, arms folded, his sharp eyes taking in my every move. And he looked all kinds of hot—from the shine on his boots to the neat way in which his white button-up shirt was tucked in. My heart thumped harder and harder until I had to take a deep breath. Even worse, Reno didn’t move. He just kept watching me and I couldn’t read his expression. I thought he wanted to dance with me? Why didn’t he come over?
Because you look desperate, my inner voice said, mocking me. Men don’t want a woman that clings to them like a sock fresh out of the dryer.
I swiveled my chair toward the pool table. One man leaned over and took a shot, while his friend with the trimmed goatee hung back. He had his pool stick standing on end and rolled it slowly between his fingers.
Eyes on me.
“Motherf*cker!” the man taking the shot barked out as he missed. The white ball bounced around the table and clipped a green ball.
I knew nothing about pool outside of what I’d seen in the movies. What I did know was that tough guys looked sexy holding a big stick.
With slow precision, I crossed my legs. It gained an immediate reaction from the man with the goatee across the room, but my interest was in Reno. I swept my fingers through my hair and casually swung my eyes in his direction.
That’s when I saw her. A brunette strutted through the doorway wearing wedge shoes that boosted her four inches taller, white shorts, and a silk blouse. The kind that was low-cut in the front and looked like a gust of wind from the snap of a finger could make it evaporate.
Not to mention she was grossly endowed and had porn-star lips.
So that’s your competition? my inner voice wondered. Looks like your chance just went from slim to none.
Had she just walked into the room and mingled, I wouldn’t have given her a second glance. But she had her eyes all over Reno as if she were memorizing his DNA.
She crossed in front of him and turned around so that he could admire every angle of her curvaceous figure. When they engaged in conversation, I sulked.
How could I compete against someone like her, an ambitious woman who didn’t take no for an answer?
“Want to play a game of pool?” Denver winked and offered me his hand. “It’s my table; I can kick them out anytime.”
“I’m sure that’ll go over well,” I said apprehensively.
Denver whistled through his teeth by curling in his lips. The sharp sound caught the attention of the men and he gave them the universal thumb that said, “Get the hell out.”
To my astonishment, they obeyed, setting their pool sticks on the rack and shaking their heads. Denver retrieved the balls from the pockets and placed them in the triangular rack. “You ever played?” he asked.
“This’ll be my first time.”
“Okay then, I’ll break.” He handed me a stick and stood close, rubbing the chalk on the tip. “Solids and stripes. If a solid goes into the pocket, then that’s what I need to sink for the rest of the game, and you’ll target the stripes. Don’t sink the black ball until you’ve cleared your balls, or else you’ll lose the game. First person to clear the table of all their balls plus the black wins. Each time you sink a ball, you get another turn. Whenever you miss, you lose your turn.”
“Why don’t you show her how to hold your balls?” someone razzed.
Denver snapped his fingers at them without turning away from me. “Shut it,” he yelled and continued his billiard lesson. Excitement flared in his indigo eyes and I wondered if it was the game or me. “If you sink the white ball then you lose your turn, even if it goes in with your target. Make sense?”
“I think so.”
“If you sink the wrong ball, well, you just did me a favor. Ready?”
He whirled around, leaned over with his right arm pulled back, stroked the stick over the knuckles on his left hand, and made his shot. A loud crack filled the room and balls scattered across the table, sending a solid red in the pocket. Denver took another shot and sank a blue.
“Why do I have a feeling that I’m getting hustled?” I said, walking around the table.
Denver missed the next shot. “Your turn, honeypie,” he said quietly. “Aim for the stripes.” The music cranked up outside and the room became noisy again. Denver stepped up close and spoke privately. “Look, I can see you got a thing for Reno. You want to know why he won’t talk to you?”
“Why?” I whispered.
“Some dogs don’t like to be handed a bone; they want to work for it. Reno’s the kind of man you need to make jealous to get his full attention. He likes the challenge. Keep that in mind. Your shot.”
I nervously stepped up to the table and felt a sea of eyes watching me. I mirrored how Denver had held the stick and when I took my shot, the stick scraped across the felt top.
Denver hissed through his teeth. “Careful, it’s a new table. Here, let me show you.” He came around and took my left hand, curling my index finger. “Slide it gently through that hole.”
“That’s what she said.” It was our heckler again.
“Get the f*ck out,” Denver said in clipped words, his biceps tightening as he threw back his shoulders.
The men shook their heads and stood by the bar but didn’t leave.
I’d been so caught up in the game I hadn’t realized Reno had his eyes on me. Not only that, but the girl with the Dolly Parton rack was still talking to him.
Grrr. Maybe Denver was right. I’m not sure why I’d sought Reno’s attention out of all the available men in the room, but because of the things I had told him about myself, I felt a connection with him that went beyond physical attraction.
“But you didn’t hold it like this,” I argued.
“No, but I have more control,” Denver pointed out. He’d held the stick across the base of his thumb but hadn’t looped his index finger.
I bent over and Denver leaned across the table next to me. “Your angle is all wrong and you’re in too much of a hurry to hit the shot. You have to line it up and take your time.”
“I can’t do this,” I said disparagingly. “I’m just no good at games.”
“If there’s one thing that all women are good at, it’s games. Let me show you.” His eyes lit up and he got behind me. Denver’s arms came around me and his hands slid up to my wrists. “The corner pocket is the easiest shot,” he said roughly in my ear. “You’re too close to the table, so step back a little. That’s it. Now bend over a little more.”
When I did, he walked around and readjusted my fingers to hold the stick properly. As he leaned over my back, I thought I heard a growl, but the music kept a steady beat that drowned out the low sounds. Denver stretched across my back and placed his chin on my right shoulder, holding my right arm and lining up the shot. His breath slid across my neck and when I flicked my eyes around, I saw the men watching with hooded eyes and whispering to each other.
I’d seen guys showing women how to play pool before, so I didn’t understand their interest. The pool stick gently glided between my fingers. In and out. In and out. In and out.
“Take your aim,” he said, settling over my back.
I stretched out my leg, causing some friction between our bodies. He released a hard breath and I focused on the ball as if my life depended on it. All eyes in the room were watching; I couldn’t mess this up!
“Concentrate on the ball. You’re too high. That’s it, honeypie.”
I thrust my arm forward and after the loud crack, the white ball sank the stripe. “I did it!”
An exhilarating rush filled my veins and suddenly pool was a game I wanted to learn more about. I turned around with a broad smile beaming across my face. Denver looked feverish—a look I’d seen on men before. His eyes lingered on my mouth as if memorizing its shape.
“That’s a pretty color of lipstick on you,” he said, licking his lower lip. “What’s it taste like?”
I shoved the pool stick against his chest and frowned. “Thanks for the crash course, but I should get back to the party.”
Disappointment flared in his eyes and he stepped back. When he did, I noticed the empty space where Reno had once stood.
Great going, my inner voice said. Looks like your plan to make him notice you backfired. Or was the goal to make him livid by hitting on his brother?
I mentally gave her the finger. Part of it was to make him jealous so maybe he’d walk over and talk to me, but I guess Dolly Parton had more to offer a man like Reno. I left the room and lingered in the empty hall, feeling uncharacteristically defeated. I hadn’t realized how much I liked Reno until I saw how little he liked me. Only then did the sting of rejection fill me up like venom.
“Hey, prettylicious,” a smooth voice called out. I looked up at a tall man lurking in the hall. He popped open the lid to a plastic container tucked under his arm. “I’m Jericho. I don’t remember seeing your sweet face around here before.”
This was the guy Lexi warned me about? I had imagined a musician with yellow teeth, nose rings, and gaunt features. Not a man with lush lips, razor-cut hair that fell to his shoulders, and an amazingly firm body. It was apparent the Cole brothers had been blessed with the hot and sexy gene, each flaunting it in their own unique way.
“I’m Lexi’s friend, April. We work together at the candy store.”
“Ah,” he said with a brisk nod, a look that indicated he “got” something that I didn’t. I wondered what Lexi had told them about me. “I have a private party going on in my bedroom. Want to join?”
I walked up and peered in the room. A woman was sprawled out on a beanbag chair with her legs open, holding a guitar and plucking the strings. Lying on his bed was a busty blonde in a pair of leather pants and a black top that tied in the back with a little string. She was on her stomach reading a magazine, her legs bent at the knee and crossed at the ankle.
“Um, no thanks. I’m waiting for Ivy to bring me a plate.”
“Here,” he said, offering the plastic container. “Tide yourself over with one of these. They’re abso-f*cking-amazing. A friend of mine makes them for a living and I brought over a bunch of containers, but most of these pigs have already cleaned them out. I grabbed these for myself,” he said with an orgasm-inducing grin.
I reached in and politely took one of the cupcakes, licking the mint-cream icing off the top. “Mmm. Not bad. Is that buttercream?”
Jericho’s broad smile had a glimmer of mischief—the kind that could make a woman’s panties damp and give her a feverish glow. He seemed harmless and I didn’t know why Lexi had presented him with all the warning labels like he was some kind of a prescription drug. Jericho looked like a rock star, but he didn’t act cocky or rude.
“So you’re the guy Lexi warned me about.”
“Shit, really?” He shook his head. “I personally think she doesn’t dig my music.”
I peeked in the room again and noticed Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd posters, a black amplifier, and three guitars sitting on stands.
“Anyhow, if you change your mind and want to get away from those jerk-offs, I’ll be in here. Some of those a*sholes get a little rowdy as the night wears on, so watch yourself.”
He winked and closed the door, abandoning me in the hall to devour my chocolate cupcake. I patiently waited at the top of the stairs because it would have been rude to let Ivy go through all that trouble and then disappear on her. When I licked the last crumb from my finger, I wadded up the wrapper and placed it on the floor beside me. Why didn’t I just talk to Reno like a normal person? Maybe all that stuff he had said to me about saving a dance was just talk.
A door swung open behind me and a cacophony of sound headed my way. A man stormed out, pulling a shirt over his head as if he were getting dressed. I recognized him as the one who’d made all the lewd comments in the game room. A few spatters of bright blood stained his shirt, but his face didn’t appear broken or bruised.
“I don’t give a shit,” he said to his buddy. “That motherf*cker is going down, so don’t you even try to stop me.”
“If you go after the host’s pack, then you’ll get buried in a shallow grave. I’ll be sure to stop by and piss on it to water the daisies,” his friend said. “Packmasters don’t like trouble at peace parties. Get a grip.”
“F*ck off. A swing for a swing is all I want.”
They tromped down the stairs in a hurry and I wondered what drama I had missed.
As the front door slammed, I rubbed my finger on a piece of icing staining the fabric on my dress, disappointed by the growing smudge. I had a hunch this would be an uneventful night.