And that’s the fucking truth. I’ve been all over the world and much of the United States, and there isn’t much that’s comparable to this area in the way of scenery and activities. Throw in the grandeur of Yellowstone just north of us, and the competition for work is stiff.
Movement over Jake’s shoulder and beyond the open doorway of the breakroom catches my attention. I see Cat walking toward us. I’ll admit that my tongue was hanging out of my head this morning when she came out of the bedroom wearing a slim-fitted skirt that came just down to her knees but with a slit up the side that showed just a tiny peek of her lower thigh when she walked in her high heels. It wasn’t enough to be overtly sexy, but it was enough to get a man’s attention and for him to wonder what else was up there. Luckily, I knew the answer to that question.
I smile at her, and she says hesitantly, “The guy up front said you were back here and that I could come on back.”
Jake turns to the sound of her voice. Because he’s a genuinely friendly guy and an extrovert on steroids, he sticks his hand out and says, “You must be Cat?”
She enters the breakroom and takes his hand, shooting me a quick smile before looking back to him. “And you must be Jake. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“And I haven’t heard nearly enough about you,” he says as he gives a quick shake and releases her hand. “But unfortunately I’ve got to get to work. So I demanded that your man set up a double date with me and my wife, Lorelei.”
Cat’s eyes cut to mine. While she doesn’t need to say a word, I can read the look. It says, He doesn’t know we’re just fucking?
I shoot her back a look that says, It’s more than just fucking and you know it.
She smirks at me before turning back to Jake. “That sounds like fun. We should do it soon.”
And just like that, it looks like I might be having my first real date in well… for fucking ever. There’s never been anyone other than Tarryn and shit… we were still kids when we started seeing each other. Dates back then consisted of making out in the school library or grabbing an ice cream in town. Once we got older and life got busy, dates were an uncommon occurrence.
“Sounds awesome,” Jake says. He turns to look at me with a pointed look that says, Let’s do this sooner rather than later before you chase her off. Turning sideways, he slides past Cat while saying, “Nice to meet you.”
“You too,” she murmurs and then turns back to me. “Sorry that took so long.”
“No worries,” I assure her. “You hit all the places you wanted to?”
A slightly uneasy look crosses her face, but she nods. “Yeah… now it’s a wait and see.”
“What happened?” I ask bluntly. I can tell something happened in the last two hours that has her a bit rattled.
“What do you mean?” she asks, those large, brown eyes blinking at me in faux innocence. I don’t buy it for a second.
“Come on, Cat,” I say softly as I step into her. She looks up at me with her lower lip tucked in between her teeth, and Christ… that’s sexy, but I move past that thought. “You’ve already told me enough of your dirty laundry that you obviously trust me to some extent. Tell me what’s got that beautiful face filled with trouble.”
That lip pops free as she gives a resigned sigh, her eyes lowering briefly as she takes in a breath and then looks back up at me. “I ran into Kevin on the street.”
For a moment, I don’t comprehend who that is, but then it hits me hard and my protective instincts arise. Reaching out, I take her by the upper arm and pull her a little closer. “Did he hurt you? Are you okay?”
She nods quickly. “Yeah… I mean, he was a creep as always, and he threatened me, but I think—”
“He fucking threatened you?” I snarl, and she jerks in surprise over the deadly tone in my voice.
“Not to fuck with him,” she says timidly. “To forget about the will.”
“You two discussed the will?”
“Among other things,” she says as she steps backward and pulls her arm slightly to get me to release it. I’m not sure if she’s seeking distance because I just scared her or she doesn’t appreciate the caveman mentality, but I let it go for now. Instead, I cross my arms over my chest.
“Okay, how about tell me everything start to finish?” I command.
“It was short… we literally bumped into each other on the street. Well, actually, I think he ran into me on purpose to get my attention, but no matter. Anyway, I told him wanted a copy of the signed will and he wasn’t happy about that. But then he propositioned me—”
I curse under my breath and that stops Cat’s dialogue. She looks at me in question, and I wave an impatient hand at her. “Sorry… go on.”
“He said I could move back into the Jackson house, but I told him I wouldn’t let his needle dick anywhere near me. Then he told me not to fuck with him, reiterated the Jackson house offer, which was essentially to be his side piece, or I could take five thousand in cash and go away.”