“Hey, all I said was she’s a nice girl. She’s been through a lot of crap.” He sighs. “You don’t want to know why she run away then?”
“No.” I’m not sure I want to know. My gut churns. “Why?”
“Looks like the aunt’s husband was an abuser.”
The blood in my veins feels like it turns to ice water. “What?”
“Yeah.” Mitch sighs. “The wife—Jessica’s aunt—left him and changed her name when it all came out. Someone reported him for sexual abuse but I guess it never stuck because nothing happened to him. However, the wife must have thought it was true as she reverted back to her old name and moved away. Never divorced him though. Guess she wanted nothing more to do with him. But that would explain why you couldn’t trace her.”
“Godammit.” I slap my palm on the table. “Asshole. Why didn’t she ever say?”
Mitch shrugs. “Sometimes it’s easier just to outrun your past rather than deal with it, I guess.”
Mitch’s words ring in my mind. Isn’t that what I’ve been doing? Running away, avoiding my responsibilities?
Connor shakes his head. “Makes me glad I never got into the security business like you guys. My job is nice and simple. Build a bike, sell a bike, get paid. Done and dusted.”
Mitch laughs. “That’s not what you normally say. Weren’t you just complaining that a customer wanted you to change the paintjob and that it would look shit?”
Connor looks sheepish. “It will look shit,” he grumbles. “But I’d rather put up with that crap than dealing with abusers and lost girls.”
I shake my head. Lost girl? Is that what Jess is? I want to jump to her defence, which is a weird emotion for me. I’ve been swinging between regret to disgust to… I don’t know what. But Jess is so much more than a lost girl.
“Hey, Hunter might be getting a rough deal, but I have things sweet.” Mitch flashes a wide smile.
“Yeah, yeah.” Connor chuckles. “Don’t rub your success in. Everything comes easy to you, doesn’t it, man?”
Mitch lifts a shoulder. “What can I say? I’m blessed? Nothing quite like travelling the world and guarding a few hot women for big bucks. You should have stuck with being a bodyguard, Hunter.”
“Fuck no. I’d die of boredom.”
“Gotta be better—”
A group of four girls approach and Mitch pauses to study them. “Ladies,” he greets, flicking on a charming expression.
I suppress a groan. I’m not in the mood for company. I glance over, barely taking note of what they look like—unusual for me seeing as being observant is part of the job. Early twenties, various hair colours.
Not Jess.
Fuck. I scrape a hand through my hair and force a smile onto my face. I need to get that woman out of my head. One of the girls mutters something about being new to the area or something. It’s probably bullshit but Mitch doesn’t care. He stands and I follow suit. Two girls slide into the booth between Connor and I and I sit as Mitch wraps an arm around a blonde’s shoulders. Typical, Mitch. I envy him. No worries, no stress. I was like that once before Mam’s cancer. I wish I could be the same again then my heart wouldn’t ache and sickness wouldn’t churn in my stomach.
The dark haired girl next to me introduces herself but I immediately forget her name. Connor engages the other one in conversation and I try to focus on the pretty woman. She’s hot. I should be into her. She’s definitely interested.
“I’m Hunter,” I respond.
She offers a sweet smile and settles a hand on my arm. Definitely interested. “That’s a great name.”
“Thanks, so is yours.” I wish I could remember it.
I somehow stumble through the evening. I try to get drunk but lose interest in my beer too and end up depressingly sober. The girl—Charlie, I finally figure out—doesn’t seem to notice my disinterest and is definitely tipsy as well as hot for me. The touches increase until she’s practically wrapped around me. I glance over at Mitch who offers me a grin and I realize the man is going to be enjoying a threesome tonight.
Charlie leans into me and puts her lips to my ear, nipping at my lobe. “You fancy coming back to mine tonight?” she whispers.
I force myself to debate it even though my instinct is to say no. Drawing away, I eye Charlie and try to summon some enthusiasm. But I’m not interested. I haven’t even thought about another women since…
Since Jess.
Shit.
“I’m sorry, Charlie, I’ve got to go. I just remembered…” I stand and she pouts.
“Come on, Hunter.” She pats the seat beside her.
“Hey, what’s going on, man?” Mitch raises both brows.