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Authors: Cara Carnes

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BOOK: Twisted (Delirium #1)
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Chapter Five

News of my scandalous evening traveled down Highway 290 and hit White Bluffs like a nuclear torpedo. By the time I dragged ass in to Pete’s Percolator for my late afternoon shift, all the regulars were there with big grins on their faces.

Ugh. I should’ve called in.

“You’re on counter today, Hollywood.” Pete tossed an apron at me the moment my purse left my hand. “They want the nitty gritty, you give it to them, but only after they pay up. Coffee and a muffin is the price for the goodies. You hear me?”

I stared at the copious amounts of muffins in the display case and sighed. Pete was in for a rude awakening because there was no dirt to dish. Okay, so I’d gotten carried out over Caleb’s—sorry,
Colt’s
—shoulder the night before. Big whoop.

So we’d had toe-curling sex. Repeatedly.

So we got tossed in the slammer for indecent exposure, after being captured in full color screwing on the balcony. Big whoop.

I was in full-blown denial mode and had every intention of staying there.  Muscles I’d forgotten existed ached. The sweet euphoric wave I’d ridden all night crashed when I woke this morning. My skin and hair still smelled of him. I hadn’t had the heart or energy to wash away the remnants of my romp fest. I cupped my face with my hands and inhaled deeply.

The last thing we’d done together was shower. I’d never shower again without thinking of him, his hot body pressed against mine as water pelted my heated skin.

“Shake a leg, Hollywood. Your adoring fans wait.” Pete slammed through the kitchen door and I groaned. The disapproving tone made my gut clench.

I followed him into the back and stopped in the door to his office. Pinned with nowhere to go, he turned his disappointment on me, quick and efficient, a bandage being ripped off a festering wound.

“I thought you knew better than get tangled up with him again.” His weathered face, lined with worry, angled away as he fiddled with a pile of papers on his desk.  “Those boys did good for themselves, better for their folks. They didn’t do what most kids would’ve done when they hit it big. They’ve done right by this town. I heard they’re donating to fix up the old baseball field.”

I nodded and waited for his muddled thoughts to drop bombs on land I’d attacked myself the moment I’d woken up. No doubt whatever he said I’d screamed a hundred times already. I might be in denial about what last night meant to me, but it didn’t mean I couldn’t bitch myself out.

“He tore you up something fierce. Harrison gets wind of what happened he’ll be Austin bound with a shotgun and fifty alibis lined up. Mark my words.” Pete shook a finger at me. “You get your head on straight, missy, because half the town is cheering you on and the other half is waiting for shit to hit the fan. Success breeds jealousy and my shop reeks with some of those busy bodies out there.”

Half the town wouldn’t fit in Pete’s shop, but I got what he said. Most of the implants from Austin’s population explosion settled into two massive “neighborhoods” outside of White Bluffs and, therefore, weren’t really residents as far as old timers were concerned. They were wandering wannabes with no business hanging around and wrecking a good thing.

Too late.

The surge of several thousand new residents brought a massive grocery store, chain eateries and national retail outlets. All those things, when combined, made small local business owners itch. Progress sometimes sucked the marrow from one’s soul, or so I’d heard more times than I’d care to count.

“Caleb ain’t for you, Shasta Monohan. It’s time you moved on.”

“I know.”

Pete’s arthritic hands shook as he tied an apron and looked over his shoulder at me. “If you need a couple days to let the dust settle, I’ll make it happen.”

I glanced back at the filled lobby and dutifully shook my head. My penance for bad decisions would be Pete’s reward. Someone might as well prosper from her impulsive ways. “I’m good.”

Grabbing an apron, I tossed it on and forged into the throng of awaiting customers. It didn’t take long for me to note a trend—lots of small coffees and way too much time spent for each purchase. The line grew, swelling to an angry, buzzing beast looping as far as my gaze could track down the sidewalk.

Lovely.

“Counter girl and general know-it-all about you know what motoring through.  Make way people.” Bets shoved her way through the door and glared at one man when he didn’t budge. “Man, I’m short on sleep and long on misplaced frustration. Do you
really
want to mess with me? I had to bail my BFF out of the pokey last night. Don’t think I won’t make her return the favor.”

“I’d move it, buddy. The last man who pissed her off got chased down Main with an axe.” Frank Meadows tossed out the statement with a grin and a nod in Bets’ direction. “Betsy.”

“I didn’t tag you as the gossipy sort, Frank. “ She tossed a final glare at the stranger, who’d shuffled to the side with widened eyes. “You get sick of chatting up all those cows of yours and realize you need some real friends?”

The line whistled. Frank’s sun-weathered face spread into a grin. A few years older than us, I figured he was bumping mid-thirties. I didn’t mind the gossip mill as much as most, but it didn’t take a rumor mongrel to recognize the exhaustion on his face. The pain. The general I’m-sick-of-caring-about-life shadow clung to him.

I hadn’t seen him since his wife’s funeral a couple of years ago. Guilt made my insides sour when he stepped forward and stood before me. I forced a smile I didn’t quite feel. “How’s it going, neighbor?”

“I’m thinking I’m better than you are.”  Frank smiled. “I know you’ve been staying out with your mom at the old ranch, so I wanted to let you know the buzzards are circling the main entrance.”

“Great.” I ignored the glower from Bets as she fisted an apron from beneath the counter and took her place beside me to take the next order. The immovable wall. Would this day never end? “Thanks for letting me know. I’m sorry I haven’t seen you around. I keep meaning to wander over, see how your boys are doing.”

“They’re good, growing faster than weeds. Four and seven now.” Sadness entered his gaze as he cleared his throat. “I’ll take six of your blueberry muffins and a large coffee to go, black.” He chucked a twenty on the counter. “Put the rest in Marcy’s tin.”

“You’re a good man, Frank.”

“I’ve been meaning to tell you the same thing. What you’re doing? Handling your mom, even after all she’s done over the years? The mark of a good woman. Most would’ve taken off.”

Or raise hell in White Bluffs the way my brothers had. My mom might’ve been shit when it came to parenting, but she’d done what she could when Dad took off. Times had been tough, but we’d gotten by. I had to lay the credit at her feet for getting me through until I’d been old enough to hold my own. I owed her.

I looked down at the empty tin we’d started for Pete’s granddaughter. Chemotherapy treatment was expensive, and insurance only covered so much. I nodded my gratitude as I made change and shoved it into the tin. Bets watched with a glimmer in her gaze.

What was she up to now?

Frank shrugged. “Time gets away from you. It’s none of my business and not something you much care about, but I’m happy you’re getting a second chance.”

“Thanks.” I fell into an awkward silence as his words struck me. He knew more about loss than most. Losing a wife the way he had would suck the happiness from anyone. I’d been bemoaning my tragic life thanks to an impulsive decision and there he was, smiling and buying muffins for his motherless kids and donating money to a sick little girl with cancer. The action, his very presence in Pete’s screamed at me.

Pull your head out of your ass, Shasta Monohan. It isn’t always about you. Pull your big girl britches up, lace them up tight and make a decision. Either take a risk on Caleb or cut him loose.

One night couldn’t define an entire future. She’d had seven years of healing getting over him the last time. Now she’d gone and ripped every last mended stitch out and let him back in. Although she wanted to believe he wanted something beyond the here and now, taking a chance meant risk. Getting over him a second time would be impossible.

“You take care, Frank.”

“You too, Shasta.” His voice lowered as he took the bag of muffins and his coffee. “The western gate is open. I’ve got a work truck parked there, keys in the ignition. Help yourself to the foreman’s cottage if you want some peace. Otherwise, you can use the paths to get to your mom’s place.”

The generosity shook the dregs of gloom hanging from her. How had she gotten so lucky to have such awesome friends? “Thanks. Your concern and help mean the world to me, Frank.”

“Anytime.” He wandered out of the store, leaving his heart-wrenching kindness in his wake.

“Damn, we need to find him a good woman. He deserves good.” Bets’ gaze wandered to the can. “For now, we’re gonna follow his lead.”

Huh?

I watched in horror as Bets charged to the exit and stood on the table outside the door. Shock riddled me mute as the line of customers stared at her. Sadly, most didn’t seem very shocked. Bets was known for being sort of…unique.

“Okay, people. Listen up. I’m saying this once, so you’d better make damn sure and pay attention. No back talk. No arguing. This is how we’re doing it. We’re going to do right by Pete’s grandkid since y’all have to get the 4-1-1 on my girl’s business. So, you get to the counter, you pay up. Big. One question each. You want good dirt, you reach deep into those pockets and put it in Marcy’s can. You feel me? I’m not talking about the little lint ones and fives here. I’m talking about real green, the kind you’ve gotta run to the State Bank across the street and get.”

“What on Earth?” Pete stared out at Bets.

Shrugging my indifference I looked at him. “We may as well do some good with the meddling, right?”

He shook his head and wandered away. Though he said nothing, I could see the moisture in his eyes. People didn’t get much better than Pete, except maybe for Frank. They grew them good in White Bluffs.

“Everyone understand the rules here?” Bets’ voice rose as she turned in a full circle on the table. A few people grumbled, some strangers sprinted across the road toward the bank as though the fires of hell lit their nosy asses, cameras in tow.  “We decide what we’ll answer based on how generous you are with Marcy’s can.” She flung the last part toward the throng of media vultures swarming the bank.

Butterflies fluttered in me when a black Hummer with tinted windows pulled up at the curb. Sleek and smooth, like the man casually exiting and flashing a come-hither grin at the flock of paparazzi now sprinting their way back toward Pete’s. Horns blared, traffic halted as the group reconciled their need for dirt and the potential picture of the year strolling into the coffee shop with a commanding purpose in his molten gaze.

The intensity assailed me when he approached. My insides burned clear to my toes, my skin tingled beneath his sweeping gaze until it locked on mine with laser focus. My pulse thundering in my ears muted the hushed whispers around us as the crowd pressed forward, entombing Caleb against the counter.

He leaned in and brushed his fingers along my cheek, parking a stray curl behind my ears. I brushed my tongue across his thumb when it swept across my lips. Arousal surged within me as he feathered his lips across mine. Light exploded behind my eyelids. The kiss deepened until a groan of need rose up my throat. Flickers of blinding light assaulted my half-hooded eyes.

Cameras.

I growled my frustration for the lack of privacy. Caleb chuckled. “Be glad they’re here. Otherwise I’d put you over my knee for leaving me the way you did.”

Something in my expression must’ve given away the wicked web his threat cast in my thoughts. My inner hussy hadn’t gotten enough of Caleb last night and, quite frankly, loved the possibilities his promise offered. He could spank me anytime.

“Damn.” He cupped my face. “What time do you get off?”

“Okay, lover boy, step aside. We’ve got a can to fill and she’s not getting off for several hours.” Bets tugged him backward toward her. “Which means neither are you, rock star, if you catch my drift.”

Heat rose in my cheeks. For once my BFF was wrong. A couple minutes with Caleb was all I needed to get off.

Ugh.

I tried slamming the vault on my hussy to tuck her away, but she had escape strategies in place and somehow always escaped when he was around me.

Caleb took a couple steps forward, returning to front and center of my focus. He smirked as he reached into his jeans and pulled out a roll of cash.

Bets gasped and yanked it from his fingers. She unfolded the bills and began thumbing through them, her lips moving and her eyes widening the longer she went.

“Bets. Hand it back,” I said.

“Shh. We’re negotiating here.” She pulled the wad of cash away from him, holding it over her shoulder. “What do you want?”

His eyebrows rose. “What can I get?”

Her gaze darted to the fistful of money and swept over to me. Lips pursed and eyes narrowed, she swept her eyes back to him. “One minute, two questions.”

Caleb chuckled and shook his head. “Ten minutes. Whatever I want.”

I gasped. Seriously? I was being bartered. “Hey, guys, I…” Bets held up her hand to silence me. Mortified, I hid my face in my hands and willed the floor to open and take me on the world’s longest elevator ride to China.

BOOK: Twisted (Delirium #1)
6.46Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
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