The Key West Anthology (6 page)

Chapter Ten

Quinn

My mom wasn’t there when I got home from Jett’s. I changed quickly into my clothes for Spencer’s and snuck back out. I was sure she was sitting in a bar somewhere, drowning her sorrows. I had no doubt I would come back tonight to find her passed out on the floor, or worse, on the front lawn again.

So imagine my surprise when I walked in at almost one a.m. and there she was, sitting in our darkened kitchen. She was sober, which had me once again staring back at her in confusion. She fidgeted with the tablecloth as she waited for me to remove my shoes and approach her.

“Quinn, I know I was wrong on so many levels. I should have told you, and I should’ve found a way to make him see me so I could tell him about you. After you were born, I tried to see him.”

I took a seat across from her as she began to explain.

“He wouldn’t accept my letters or grant me visits. It was the same for Brandy. He just cut himself off from the outside world. I would get my letters returned unopened, weekly. I tried, Quinn, I truly did.” She looked up at me, her eyes glossy with tears. “He refused to allow me to wait for him. I never stopped loving him, though. Sure I dated other men throughout the years, but they were never anything true to my heart, not like Beau was. He just said it was too hard and told me from the beginning to move on. He left me no choice.”

Silence set in as I stared at a worn spot in the tablecloth. “Why didn’t you just tell me? I deserved to know, Mother. After everything, I deserved to know the truth. If it wasn’t your fault, then why hide it from me all these years?”

“I thought about it so many times, but the more time passed, the less nerve I had. I just kept pushing it away and pretending he was someone I didn’t know. It was easier than admitting the life I wanted would never happen.” She took in a deep breath. “That night, when he stabbed that man, it all happened so fast. The other guy had a weapon too. Beau was just protecting himself.”

“I found the story online. I looked it all up, Mom, I know,” I told her.

She only nodded as we sat in silence.

“Do you think he’ll even try to contact you? I mean, after all this time, do you think he’ll try to find you?” I couldn’t imagine after twenty-five years of no contact that he truly cared. If he loved my mother the way she appeared to love him, how could he live all these years without at least seeing her?

I could see the pain in her eyes at the thought of him rejecting her. I could also see the hidden hope that he would come to find her.

“I don’t know,” she whispered in return, averting her eyes to her hands as the toyed once again with the tablecloth.

***

I woke up late for work, a sense of panic hitting me hard when I saw the clock at the side of my bed.

10:42 a.m.

I was on the eleven o’clock shift, and I knew I would never make it. My heart sank instantly.

I had never gotten ready faster in my life. Pulling into the parking lot of Jett’s, I was still trying to put my hair back in a ponytail and put on my shoes. After parking, I rushed out and rounded the corner of the hall toward the employee’s break room in a panic, only to come to a screeching halt, almost colliding with Jett.

Oh shit.
He looked back at me with hardened eyes. “Not a way to start out at a new job, Quinn,” he stated coldly, his tone catching me completely off guard.

“Um, yeah, I, uh,” I stuttered.

“Let me guess,” he said. Crossing his arms over his chest, he narrowed his eyes. “Late night and you slept in. Out burning the midnight oil, so to speak, with those who are much more important than your employment here.”

I don’t know what came over me, but his attitude was completely unnecessary. I knew I was late, but only by fifteen minutes. Yes, being late was inexcusable when others were relying on me to be here, but my lateness wasn’t worth his arrogance. I know the way he was acting all boiled down to his ego and how I had made him feel rejected. He just needed to check himself, because job or not, I wasn’t going to stand by while he was a total jerk to me.

“You have no idea what my life consists of outside of these doors. Everything is not black and white, Jett. Not all of us live the charmed life you do. If you want to fire me, go ahead.” I swallowed hard, trying to hold back the urge to run away in tears. The thoughts of nut punching him were swarming as well. I didn’t know which I felt stronger.

“But don’t stand here and attempt to intimidate me with you domineering stares, your overwhelming desire to overpower those who are weaker than you. I’m late. Not because I was out half the night partying it up. I worked until after one a.m. and then spent the next few hours talking with my mother. I was not out partying and—what did you call it?—‘burning the midnight oil.’ Those luxuries are not something I get to experience.”

We stood there having a silent standoff. He glared at me, and I offered the same in return, neither of us willing to back down.

“Jett,” Callie said from behind me. “Mr. Jackson is in your office waiting for your meeting to begin.”

He didn’t look away from me. “I’ll be right there, Callie.” He stepped around me, “Get to work, Quinn. This was strike one.”

I looked straight ahead, refusing to give him the satisfaction of knowing the effect he had on me. My heart was racing and my throat felt tight.

I wasn’t sure working here was the best thing for me, or for him. In fact, I was sure now that this was a disaster in the making. One that may leave me feeling weak and stripped daily.

Chapter Eleven

Jett

My meeting went on and on. My mind never once left Quinn and our face-off in the hall. She was pissed and she stood her ground.

I was beating myself up over the way I had acted toward her. The desire to have her again was almost unbearable. I had never before had such a problem with getting things I wanted until now. I could feel her in my veins, I swear.

Once my meeting with our new supplier was completed, I made my rounds through the dining area. I visited with some of my favorite guests, attempting to be casual. All the while Quinn refused to meet my gaze. She was obviously doing everything she could to avoid me.

When her shift came to an end, she didn’t stick around. I looked around in a panic, and Callie met me by the bar.

“What’s up, boss? You look a little lost. Forget how to make it to your office?” She bumped hips with me.

“Looking for Quinn. You see her?” I said, still scanning the room.

“This have anything to do with you and her having it out in the hallway earlier?” she asked.

“Yeah, I was an asshole. I need to talk to her, make things right,” I said, sitting back on a barstool in defeat.

“What’s going on with you and her? I mean, I noticed some sort of connection between the two of you the day of the interview.” She paused for a moment. “I never really thought anything more of it. But I see the way you watch her. The way she looks at you when you’re not paying attention. It just feels like there’s something there.”

Hearing Callie say that Quinn looks at me and she sees something in Quinn’s eyes, gave me hope.

“I’ve met Quinn before, I mean prior to the interview. I’m interested in her, in more than being just friends.” I stop and chuckle and her wide-eyed expression. “Yeah, smartass, I said I wanted more. She doesn’t feel the same, though, and I can’t accept that.”

“Well that is not surprising,” she stated.

“You know me. Rules and rejection, that shit is foreign to me.” I grinned.

“Yes, I know that.” She paused, smiling at a guest as the hostess led them past us toward their table. “As for her not wanting more, I don’t buy it. There is something there, Jett. Anyone could see she is attracted to you. She watches you with such appreciation. She observes you with customers and even the employees.” Callie lowered her voice so only I could hear. “There has to be more to this, to her. She comes across as someone with a hard life. Keep that in mind.”

Chapter Twelve

Quinn

Avoiding Jett was next to impossible. I snuck out yesterday before he had the chance to corner me, but today he was smarter than I gave him credit for. He was waiting in the break room when I entered.

I jumped back and placed my hand against my chest, startled. “Holy sh—” I took a step back. “You scared the hell out of me.”

He smiled and stood from the table. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. I just wanted to apologize.”

I placed my purse in to my locker and busied myself. I did everything I could to keep from looking in his eyes.

“I was an asshole. You didn’t deserve that. I just—” I turned around to see him running his hands through his hair. He gripped the back of his neck and hung his head. “I just don’t take being told no well.”

I laughed. It was instinct. I slapped my hand over my mouth, but it was too late. His eyes met mine and he arched an eyebrow in confusion.

“You find something funny about that, sweetheart?”

“Yeah, I sure do.”

He stepped closer, and I stepped backward toward the door. “No,” I said, stopping him in his tracks. “I have to get to work. You see, my boss, he’s a real ass. If I’m late, he tends to get a little mouthy.”

“Mouthy?” he asked, smiling in return.

“Yeah, and I don’t want another strike on my record. Already have one,” I said as I pushed the door open with my bottom. I winked just before turning around and walking down the hall, leaving him staring after me.

***

“I need a side of marinara and an order of Mediterranean shrimp,” I directed as I placed the plate of appetizers on my serving tray. I waited patiently for the sauce.

Once the cook placed the dish of sauce on the serving counter, I reached out for it, but a strong arm snatched it from my grasp. I could smell him instantly and felt the heat from his body. “Do you need any help?” he whispered just inches from my ear.

“Uh, no, I got it,” I insisted as he placed the sauce on my tray. I had no choice but to look back over my shoulder. His eyes scanned over me, and my body heated from his obvious perusal.

I knew what he was doing. This was payback for earlier in the break room. His way of knowing he still affects me. Of course my body was betraying me and giving him the answers he needed to confirm that.

“I was just about to make my rounds. I think I’ll start in your section.” He knew exactly what his closeness was doing to me.

I lifted the tray and took a step to the side, looking up at him. “Okay, boss, follow me, then.” I had to maintain my composure.

“My pleasure,” he whispered from behind, and an involuntary shiver ran through me.

I carefully walked to my section, concentrating on not screwing up. The last thing I needed was to drop food in someone’s lap or spill their drink.

“So how is everything, Mr. Evans?” Jett asked the older gentleman as I placed his drink in front of him.

“Well, son, everything is great as usual. I must say, though, the help seems to get prettier every time I come in.” My cheeks heated as I smiled at Mr. Evans.

“I would have to agree, sir,” Jett replied. I tried my best to keep from looking over at him. “Quinn is a beautiful woman.”

The moment he said I was beautiful, it was pointless. I couldn’t keep my eyes from his any longer. My pulse raced and my stomach fluttered as he held my gaze without faltering. The intensity in his eyes was enough to make me melt at his feet.

“Well, enjoy the rest of your lunch, Mr. Evans. If there is anything you need, please don’t hesitate to ask.” Jett smiled down at the gentleman before excusing himself.

I watched as he moved on to the next table and slowly began making his way around the room.

“He is a looker, honey, a real gem.” I looked up to find the woman at the table to my right watching me closely. “He sure has his eyes on you, that’s for sure.”

“He’s my boss, ma’am. He is just making sure I am doing my job,” I assured her as I gathered my tray.

“If you say so,” she said as I hurried away.

Chapter Thirteen

Jett

“Seriously, dude, this shit isn’t normal.” Kade chuckled as he took a seat next to me. “Why don’t you just talk to her? You can’t keep being a creeper.”

“I tried,” I replied.

“Well try harder, man.” He propped his legs up on the coffee table in front of us, resting his hands behind his head. “Obviously she is attracted to you. I mean, she went home with you, barely knowing you. So just lay it out for her. Be all domineering and commanding. Chicks dig that shit.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose and tried like hell to hold back my laughter. Kade was a bullshitter, a straightforward clown. Right now, though, he was serious as shit, and it was impossible not to laugh.

“Okay, first of all, I don’t need help with chicks. I got that under control.” He shrugged and sat forward. Grabbing a handful of cashews from the bowl on the table, he popped them in to his mouth. “I’ll break her down, I guarantee that. Quinn’s got some shit she’s fighting. I haven’t figured it all out yet, but give it time.”

Harper came barging through my office door without knocking. She’s loud and obnoxious and she makes sure wherever she goes, she’s noticed. The inability to keep things quiet was something she suffered from.

“Hey, boys, what are we doing today?” she asked, wedging herself in the small space between Kade and I. “Who are we making fun of, or imagining naked?” A soft moan escaped her and she continued. “Oh yum, how about Mr. Tall and Tasty, right there in the suit. What I wouldn’t do to see what he’s hiding beneath all those clothes.”

“Harp,” I groaned. The girl was like a dude wrapped up in a tiny package. She had no filter, no shame. One day she would give a man a run for his money, and I had to admit, it’d take one hell of a man to tame her.

“We’re actually talking about how big of a pussy your brother is,” Kade chimed in, and if he’d been in reaching distance, I would have sucker punched his ass.

“Oh really.” Harper was now intrigued. I knew I was in trouble. She turned to face me and tugged at my tie. “So who is she? Show me...” She continued to tug me forward.

I pried her hands from my tie, stood up, and moved around the back of the couch. “No way, leave it alone, Harper. I got this. I don’t need help from my sister, or my best friend for that matter.”

I glared at them and caught Kade pointing out Quinn to my sister. I lunged forward and slapped the back of his head. “Dick, you’re supposed to be on my side.”

Harper’s eyes lit up, and I immediately blocked the doorway. “Leave it alone.” I stared at her as she walked to me.

“Stop being a baby, Jett. I’m just going out there to talk to Callie. She was my friend before she became your gofer.” She smiled innocently and I refused to move.

“I don’t need you going out there and making Quinn uncomfortable. I don’t need any help on this.” I hoped for her sake she understood and sensed my seriousness. The last thing I needed was Harper and her damn mouth.

“Okay, I won’t say a word to her. I really do just need to talk to Callie. Oh, and I want to get a closer look at Sexy in the Suit. What I wouldn’t do to give that shiny man a good hard—” I put my hand over her mouth, cutting her off. The last thing I wanted to hear was my little sister talking about riding some guy. The thought made my stomach churn.