Finally, he goes inside giving me an opportunity to go to my car while avoiding him before I die of embarrassment from that stupid salute like we’re soldiers or something.

  I swap my sim card into the other cell and wait for it to boot. I know Millie is about to pop a gasket. I was due to call her hours ago. I dread telling her I’m not coming back.

  She answers on half a ring with an impatient, “Where the heck have you been?”

  “Had a mishap with my phone, but I have a replacement. I’m fine. No need to call the police,” I tell her on a laugh, attempting to lighten her mood.

  “Lord, Vada. You’ve had me worried sick. I was about ready to start that way and look for your car. Had me thinking I would find it abandoned on the side of the freeway.”

  “It’s not that serious.”

  “Are you insane? Don’t answer that. You’re okay though? Things are on the up and up?”

  I’ve watched too many crime documentaries with her. She’s always had a crazy imagination and is prone to overreacting at times. “Yes. All good. I met Solo. He’s a bit of an asshole, but there’s a nice side to him.”

  “Asshole how?”

  “I don’t know,” I murmur, not wanting to get into all the complications and how I find him attractive. She’ll have me committed.

  “Is he cute?”

  “You could say that.”

  “You’re not being very forthcoming.”

  “It’s been a long and interesting day, but I don’t think I want to sell.”

  “He was lowballing you. What an asshole.”

  “It isn’t like that.” I can’t believe I’m defending him, but she’s not here and hasn’t met him or saw the bar.

  “Okay. Then what’s it like?”

  “Can we talk about it later? I’m kind of exhausted and I have plenty to do if I plan to get any sleep anytime soon.”

  “What hotel are you staying at?”

  I bite my lip. One reason she didn’t insist on traveling with me was I promised to check in often and that I would get a nice hotel room. Well something decent. And I needed to do this on my own. I love Millie but sometimes she tries to mom me which is silly considering I’m a month older than she is.

  “About that…I.”

  “You what?”

  “You see Les had a trailer and I thought I could stay here and maybe get to know him. I mean about his life or whatever.”

  “Is that safe? Do you want me to come there?”

  I sigh. No. I don’t want her to come running.

  “Is that Vada? Did she have any car trouble?” I hear Mrs. Jeffers in the background.

  “No. I’m an adult, you know. I get you mean well, and I love you for always looking out for me, but this is something I need to do for me.”

  “You’re right. I’m sorry. We worry about you, and I’ve always looked out for you. Someone had to do it.”

  “I know but it’s time you stopped worrying about me and started taking care of you. You always put me first and that’s one of the things I adore about you is how selfless you are. But Mills, you’re married and having a baby.”

  “It doesn’t mean I can’t be there for my bestest friend in the whole world when she needs me.”

  “You’re always here for me. It’s just right now I think you and Tim need some time before the baby comes and I think I might stay.”

  “What do you mean stay? Like as in you aren’t coming back?”

  “Maybe. I don’t know. Of course, I’ll come when the baby arrives and be there every step of the way. I want to give this a shot though. See where it takes me. I have a place of my own. Half of a business that has some great potential.”

  “I get it. It’s just well it’s always been you and me.”

  “And now you’ll be you and Tim and the baby.”

  “Why do I feel as though we’re breaking up?” She sniffles.

  “Never. But we’re starting our own paths.”

  “When did you get so wise?” She laughs.

  “I wouldn’t go that far. Anyway, I’ll call you tomorrow night and tell you about it all.”

  “You better or Momma and me will load up and come drag you back.” I smile at the thought. They’d do it to.

  We end our call after I promise for the millionth time to check in tomorrow.

  First things first I need clean sheets. I go through the cabinets in search of cleaning and laundry supplies and find that there aren’t any. This means I’ll need to take a trip into town and pray there’s a store open. I grab my mini notebook from my bag along with a pen and write out a list of what I need including some groceries. I know I can’t afford to eat out three times a day, so I’ll need to be careful. I have enough money in my bank account to last me a month at best. I don’t know what Les’s finances were like, but I’m not expecting there to be much if anything. I’m praying he didn’t leave me any debt to contend with. I’ll find out Wednesday when I see his lawyer.

  I gather my list and go to get in my car when someone pulls into the driveway. I continue to my car pretending I’m not trying to get a good look at whoever is going to visit Solo.

  Again, I don’t know why I care only that I do.

  The first thing I notice is they drive a Denali and it’s a woman. Big blonde hair.

  I open my car door at the same time she whips out of her ride, eyes on me. She’s not Jeannie from the Pizza Palace. Dressed in a denim mini skirt and black tube top with gold chunky bracelets she draws attention. Pretty with tattoos and big boobs. Exactly the kind of woman I’d imagine him being attracted to.

  His door opens and she turns her attention his direction, forgetting all about me. I don’t think Solo notices me getting into my car.

  She struts toward him, her bracelets clinking together with the movement. I buckle my seat belt and start my car glancing up in time to see his hands on her ass and his gaze meeting mine as a sexy smirk plays at his lips.

  I scrunch my nose and as though he sees me doing the action, he grins wider, giving me a flash of his pearly whites before the two of them disappear inside.

  Chapter five

  Vada

  I find the grocery store and one of the first things I see as soon as I walk through the door is a strawberry shortcake that has my mouth watering. I balk at the fifteen-dollar price tag but put one in my cart even though I could probably make it cheaper and better myself. Since I no longer need to worry about purchasing a new phone, I can splurge a little for dessert. My mind keeps flashing to Solo and that stupid smug look he gave me when I was preparing to back out of the driveway.

  No matter how deep he tries to dig his way under my skin I’m not giving in and letting him win. I’m here to stay. I’m not some silly girl he can simply run over. If being attached at the hip to Millie all these years taught me anything it’s to stand up for myself and not take shit from anyone. Family or not.

  I move through the store going down my list tossing items in my cart, but my stupid brain keeps going to that image of him with her. His hands on her ass and that smirk are seared to my mind. Stupid jerk. Along with the shit he dished at the restaurant I’ve come to the conclusion that he’s a cocky asshole. He probably got the name Solo because he’s a dickhead that no one can stand to be around unless it’s to get off. I’m sure he’s probably mastered sex. He’s got that look like he knows exactly how to put it down in the bedroom. Don’t ask me why I think that. I just do. This is a topic I shouldn’t be harping on. Maybe it’s because I haven’t been laid in a while.

  I glance around the grocery store checking out the other customers. Not that I’m seriously entertaining the idea of picking up some rando to take back to my recently deceased father’s trailer to get busy with. One night stands aren’t exactly my style. Plus, this is a smaller town, and I don’t want to bump into a person I want to use and forget all the time.

  Unlike Solo apparently, I’m on my own. Isn’t that ironic. I snort to myself and grab a romance novel from the small rack of books by the greeting cards. I don’t know if there’s any cable at the trailer. I didn’t think to check, but at least after I get the sheets and towels washed, I can take shower and read some good smut until I pass out. I could always stream something to watch on my phone but that would eat up all of my data. I’m too tight on money to pay for the unlimited plan even though it is technically like a ten-dollar difference. That ten dollars I save ads up.

  When I arrive back home the blonde is gone and so is Solo. I guess their romp didn’t last long. Something about that makes me happy. I do a quick unload of my supplies and get the bedding thrown in the washer. It isn’t ideal. I don’t exactly feel comfortable using the belongings of a man I never really knew but beggars can’t be choosers.

  I munch on my leftovers from earlier and debate trying out Solo’s porch swing while waiting for the washer to cycle through. He might find the act a bit invasive, and I don’t want to embarrass myself any further. I could go out and sit by the fire pit though. It’s set up as though it is a shared space.

  I only hope the bugs aren’t a nuisance. Mosquitoes seem to treat my blood like the sweetest nectar. Daylight is fading anyhow. Making myself comfortable on the futon is the better option. I open up the romance I bought then snort when I realize it’s a motorcycle romance. I must’ve subconsciously been drawn to it. One minute I’m sucked deep into this love story about a girl in love with a man who is too old for her. A biker who at one point dated her own mother. And the next I’m waking up to a scratching sound.

  I wipe the crusted drool from the side of my mouth. My novel hits the floor as I sit up, rubbing at my eyes with a heavy yawn. I blink as something fuzzy perched on the coffee table comes into focus. Is that a cat? I blink and rub at my eyes again when horror strikes me deep in the gut. I scream so loud I’m sure they’ve heard me in town as the scary little bastard makes a sound that’s a cross between a hiss and a purr.

  The trailer door bursts open revealing a shirtless Solo who I may add looks simply delicious. “What’s wrong?” He looks around as confusion crosses his brows.

  “There’s a god damn raccoon on the coffee table,” I shriek and the furball repeats the noise as though he’s arguing with me.

  “Fuck. Did I forget to tell you about Tater?”

  “Tater?”

  “Yeah. Les’s dog.”

  “That no dog.”

  “Shh. Don’t let Tater hear you.”

  “He doesn’t understand me and what the fuck? Les had a pet raccoon?”

  “He’s harmless. He’s been hanging around since he was a baby. Les domesticated him.”

  “You can’t keep wild animals as pets.”

  Solo shrugs at me and the “dog” in question scratches at the table again.

  “He’s hungry. Must’ve noticed someone in the trailer and thought his ol’ buddy was back. Two of them had breakfast together nearly every morning.”

  “You think you could um get him his breakfast elsewhere and put on a shirt.” I make the mistake of checking him out again and notice he’s also not wearing any pants. “And pants.”

  He grins big like he enjoys embarrassing me. Jerk.

  “I could but I like the way you’re currently blushing when you look at me.”

  “As if. That’s gross.”

  “Babe,” he leads off with that stupid word again, “think we both know you’re into me. Got a crush on me.”

  “In your dreams.”

  The raccoon tilts his head from side to side as though he’s invested in our spat.

  “Just get Tater his breakfast.”

  “C’mon, buddy,” he coaxes, and the trash bandit listens. The two of them leave and I let out a groan.

  I didn’t finish the laundry last night and I never got that shower I desperately need. I was too wrapped up reading about Wylla Mae and Easton Reed and their forbidden love.

  I wish I had a love that epic.

  It seems to only exist in books.

  The laundry will have to wait until later. I’m desperate for coffee and a shower.

  A quick glance at the clock has me rushing to get my ass in gear. Solo said the bar opens at ten. I’m curious to see how many employees there are and if the place is bleeding money like he claims.

  I didn’t have time for coffee and hope there’s a pot somewhere at the bar. I mean coffee is good for sobering people up. Why does a bar open at ten in the morning? Surely people at least wait till noon before they start getting hammered.

  When I arrive at the bar again there’s only Solo’s motorcycle in the lot and my car. I was hoping we’d have the buffer of a waitress or something but with it being early on a Monday I suppose there isn’t a need to pay someone to stand around staring at empty seats. I’m not ready to start sparring with Solo yet so I pull the book I started on last night out of my purse and decide to read a chapter or maybe two before I exit my car.

  I’m only two pages in when there’s a knock on the driver’s side window. I glance over to Solo staring at me with an amused grin on his face.

  He opens my door slightly which also bugs me.

  “No loitering.”

  “I wasn’t. It doesn’t matter what I’m doing out here.”

  “Read the sign.” He points to a small sign that’s posted on the dumpster at the far end of the parking lot.

  “Is it really loitering though if I own half the bar?”

  “You planning to come inside or you going to sit out here like a stalker?”

  “Do you get a lot of stalkers?” I shove my book in my purse before he reads the title. Last thing I want him to do is see Lady & The Biker and think I’m reading it because of him.

  “On occasion.”

  “Like your friend from last night,” the words tumble out before I can process that I’m speaking them aloud.

  “Which one? Though I’m touched you care. Thought I felt someone staring at me through the window.”

  “Okay let’s get this straight. I do not care, and I wasn’t staring. It was kind of hard to miss your hands on her ass when I was getting in my car.” He knows I saw them. Asshole.

  “It’s okay if you like to watch. Next time let me know ahead of time so I can make it worth your while.”

  “There’s something wrong with you.” I glare at him as he opens the door wider for me to get out. “Why do you open at ten if no one is here. Isn’t that like a waste of time and money?”

  “Running a bar is more than slinging drinks. Got a payroll to take care of. Orders to make and sign off on. Shitters to clean. Place doesn’t operate itself completely.”

  “Noted.”

  When I exit my car, he does a double take. Now that I know I don’t exactly need to make a good impression and what type of place The Brew is I’m dressed appropriately in a scoop neck black tank top and my distressed denim shorts I made myself. Kick ass snakeskin slingback sandals and I styled my hair in a side braid while it was still damp. When I take it out later my hair will have gorgeous beach inspired waves.

  “You look…” He pinches lips between his fingers, gaze traveling up and down my legs.

  “I look what?” I’m waiting for it to come. An insult or crude remark to embarrass me or make me uncomfortable.

  “Different.”

  “Different how? Good different or bad different?”

  “Was classy yesterday. Today you’re biker babe material. Suits you better than the skirt.”

  “Thanks. I think. Now that we’ve established you approve of my choice in fashion, can we go inside our establishment and come up with a game plan so that we’re no longer bleeding money?”

  “Wasting no time. Ready to get right to it.”

  “That’s right. The bar is mine as much as it is yours. You stating the place bleeds money concerns me being as I basically quit my job and gave up my apartment therefore breaking my lease and costing me my savings to be involved in this.”

  “Fucking hell. You said you’d consider selling. Babe, not sure if you’re aware but we don’t get along.”

  “That’s because you’re a conceited asshole who thinks he’s the big guy upstairs’ gift to the female sex.”

  “Ouch. Tell me what you really think of me.”

  “I just did and while we are on the subject of what I think I’d rather much appreciate if you stopped referring to me as babe. It’s degrading and gross. I’m your equal here and all things considering our relationship its wrong.”

  “And what the hell do you think our relationship is? Please enlighten me since you seem to know it all.” He stomps toward the bar and keep pace with him.

  Chapter six

  Solo

  This bitch is neurotic. Thinks my calling her babe is gross. Any other woman would be hanging off every word if I called her babe but not Vada. She’s hot and cold. I don’t know what to make of her feisty ass. One seconds she’s all sexy and cute the next she’s a raving lunatic telling me I’m gross.

  “You’re giving me whiplash, woman.” I open the door to the bar, and she follows me inside.

  “You don’t see a problem with us flirting and you checking me out back there at my car. And that little show you put on last night grabbing that chick’s ass because you knew I was watching. Then this morning you running in all hot and sexy with no shirt.”

  “You think I’m hot and sexy.”

  “That’s not the point.”

  “Then fucking get to the point. Fuck me.”

  Her head whips back. “Don’t cuss me.”

  “Jesus.” I rub a hand over my head and blow out a breath before steam blows out my damn ears. I’ve got a migraine and we’re not even halfway through the day. “I need a drink.”

  “That reminds me.” She produces her wallet. “I owe you for my drink.”

  “You’re a real piece of work.”

  “Okay you’re not a morning person. Why don’t I get out my notepad and go around making a list of things that could use some TLC that aren’t expensive and some ideas that could maybe draw in more business and once you’re not Mr. Cranky Pants, we can sit down and converse like two grown ass adults who aren’t at each other’s throats every ten seconds. Deal?”