Free Me, page 20
“Anytime.” I passed him a glass. “But I don’t think you did.”
“I might not go back to Wyoming.”
The fork in my hand clattered into the sink. All eyes snapped over to us. I smiled sheepishly and made an “oops” face.
“You’re coming back to New York?”
He bent, busying himself loading a serving platter into the dishwasher. “Maybe.”
“Want to tell me why? I thought you loved your job.”
He straightened himself. “I did.”
Talking over dishes was easier than over drinks or at dinner. There was something to keep busy with. And my brother was avoiding me like mad, moving and rearranging dishes until the machine was fit to be photographed for a dishwasher ad.
“And now?”
He leveled me with a lethal look. “I don’t know, okay?”
“Okay,” I said calmly as I handed him the last plate.
“That’s it? You’re not going to grill me?”
“I figure you’ll talk about it when you want to.” I wiped my hands on a dishtowel and offered it to Holt.
“I don’t want to,” he said through gritted teeth.
“Want to stay with me until you decide what you’re going to do?”
“Yeah. I love Dad, but sometimes I feel like I’m cramping his style.”
I snorted. “What?”
“He’s a man about town. I just want to hang sometimes, but he’s always doing something.”
“He loves having you back.”
Holt dropped his chin to his chest. “I know.”
I placed a hand on his shoulder. “I didn’t mean that to make you feel guilty.”
“He feels like I left him when I moved out west.”
I squeezed until he looked at me. “No. If he had his way, we’d all live at home. But he’s happy when we’re happy.”
“Yeah, but—”
“If he ever hears you say that, it would kill him. You did what you needed to, and that’s the most important thing to him.”
Holt flashed a sly grin. “The old man is kinda fun to go out with.”
“I’m not telling him you said that, either.” I pulled him in for a bro hug. “But he is kinda fun to go out with.”
“I might stay this weekend with you.”
I sank my teeth into my bottom lip. “I have a better idea. Show up at your sister’s place and tell her you’re bunking with her for a few weeks.”
He held up his hand and we slapped. “That is gold. She’ll have a fit. Our nephew will learn a new phrase. ‘Fuck off.’”
I laughed. “He already knows it.”
“What’s so funny?” Trish glided over to us by the sink.
“We’re just stirring up trouble with our sister,” I said, opening my arm to her. She slid into my side, and Holt gave me a knowing look.
“I might try it,” he said, turning serious. “We should spend time together. I barely know my own nephew.”
“You sure you want to open that door? Next thing you know, you’ll be a babysitter instead of a park ranger.”
Holt punched me in the arm. “You coming to Sunday dinner?” He turned his attention to Trish, who turned bright red.
“Um, I’m not sure.” She darted her gaze to me.
“I hope so,” I murmured in her ear. I grinned wickedly at Holt. “Hey, Baker. Sunday dinner is at four.”
“Son of a bitch,” Holt said.
“What are you telling me for?” Baker fired back.
“Because you’re coming,” I said.
“Not a chance.” She picked up Ella, who let out a scream, though I wasn’t sure if it was in approval or protest.
Trish tensed beside me, her eyes glued to Baker and Ella. I didn’t like the kid screaming, but it seemed to trouble her greatly. Maybe she didn’t like children.
Ella shrieked again and everyone in the room looked at her. She arched away from Baker’s hold and leaned toward Trish. And when she did, her scream escalated, so Baker whisked her away to another room but not before saying to Trish, “We should get her home soon.” Trish nodded and seemed even more tense.
“Think she’s like that all the time?” I nudged Trish in the side.
She looked . . . angry?
“She’s just a baby. She can’t help it,” she snapped.
I held up my hands. “I know. I know.” Another pissed off glare came at me from her direction. “I didn’t mean anything by it.”
Her shoulders relaxed, and she leaned against me. “It’s been a long twenty-four hours.”
I kissed the top of her head, the faint scent of vanilla filling my nose. “Want to go home? Watch a movie? We could do your place, if you want.”
She stiffened, but immediately melted against me. “Can I take a raincheck? I’m so tired.”
“As long as you know it’s not an indefinite one.”
Trish tilted her head back, blue eyes meeting mine. “Soon.”
The promise was enough for me. One I was going to hold her to.
Soon.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Trish
“I appreciate you being here, but I don’t need a bodyguard.”
“Would it help if I told you Sonya made me come?” Drew leaned against the counter and ogled his wife’s behind, who was currently bent over to retrieve a bundle of straws.
“It was your idea,” she said over her shoulder.
He shrugged and refilled his glass of lemonade.
I’d never had more than one other person work with me in the food truck, and that was trying at times. Three people? When the other two were Drew and Sonya? It was a lot, even for me. Although I loved them dearly for the help, I couldn’t believe it was Drew’s idea to come.
“How do you operate this thing on your own? Until Andrew showed up yesterday, we were limping along and there were four of us.”
Pride filled me. Because I could do anything. That one phrase had helped me survive for a lot of years.
“Trish and I are doing all the work now,” Sonya muttered.
“Somebody’s got to make sure this stuff is good enough for the customers.” Drew took a sip of his drink.
“We’re well past the taste tester stage.” Sonya poked her head out the window. “Hey. You’re walking by the best food you’ll ever eat,” she shouted at a man passing by.
He picked up his pace, and I grabbed the back of her shirt, pulling her inside.
“Should have flashed him, sugar.” Drew popped a hand-cut potato chip in his mouth. “And this isn’t taste testing. It’s quality control.”
“What about making sure your wife and children have something to eat? You haven’t done a thing all day but graze.”
“I’ve helped. Tell her, Trish.”
We’d been at this four hours, and I was about ready to close up shop. These two hadn’t quit since we left Paths this morning.
“Of course you’ve helped.” He had. Both of them had been a godsend during the lunch rush.
“Where’s all the eye candy that was here yesterday?” A woman lifted on her toes and peered inside the truck.
“Here I am.” Drew stepped forward. “What can I get for you, sugar?”
I groaned when he flashed her a grin and turned up his Texas drawl.
Sonya pinched his cheek. “You’ve only got one sugar, sugar.”
“Keep up being all possessive. You know what it does to me.”
“I’ll have one of everything,” the woman said, ignoring the two of them. “Especially you.”
“I’m flattered—”
“He’s not worth it, honey,” Sonya piped up from behind him.
“I’ll be the judge of that.” She tossed him a wink.
“You’ll end up looking like this.” Sonya stepped up to the window and rubbed her giant belly.
The woman recoiled before her eyes slid back to Drew. She licked her lips. “I’ll take my chances.”
“Why aren’t you cooking?” Drew whispered-hissed to me. “She wants one of everything.”
“She wants you,” I retorted, unable to keep a smile from my lips. He appeared so pleased with himself it was impossible to be irritated.
I edged in front of both of them. “What would you like?”
“She already told you,” Drew said loudly in my ear.
“Steak Diane. And him.” She pointed at Drew, devouring him with her eyes.
I had to look away for a second to keep from laughing.
“You’ll have to talk to her about how much he costs,” I said, motioning to Sonya.
I got out of their way to avoid that conversation and prepared her food.
Drew followed me. “Let me handle the customers. We had her for everything. I would have been salesman of the day,” he huffed. I scooped garlic mashed potatoes into the to-go container. “I am salesman of the day,” he amended.
“You are. Now go get Sonya away from your new friend before the hair-pulling starts.” His eyes gleamed, and I scowled. “Never mind. Just go make another sale.”
“I want hair-pulling and sales.”
“The hair-pulling happens on your own time.”
“You’re a tough boss lady.” He moved back to the window, already charming the next woman.
“I’m here for the eye candy,” she said.
“Can’t have any of that without ordering something to eat.” Drew leaned forward on his elbows, the taut T-shirt showcasing his muscles.
Sonya slapped his rear, and he winked at her over his shoulder.
“There were more of them yesterday,” the first woman said to the second. “I hope they come back.”
I pressed my hand to my forehead. It was a mistake to have gorgeous men work my truck. There were a lot of disappointed ladies on Park Avenue right now.
“Oh, here’s another one.” The lady furiously tapped on her friend’s shoulder. “He was my favorite yesterday. You should see his forearms.”
I couldn’t see who they were talking about. “Sonya, who else have you recruited?”
She gave me an incredulous look. “Nobody. They wouldn’t come help if I was.”
I wondered how much truth was in that statement. Probably some.
I finished plating the order, my heart stuttering when I saw Andrew standing behind them. He had on a chocolate suit today, no forearms to be seen. The ladies at my window weren’t the only ones disappointed.
“When do you work again?” one of them turned around and asked.
Red splotches bloomed on his cheeks. “I’ll have to check with the boss.” His eyes met mine and shimmered with amusement.
The women practically tripped over themselves as they walked away.
“Man, you’re stealing my spotlight.” Drew made an annoyed face at Andrew.
“You’re married,” Sonya said.
“I see nothing has changed since last night,” Andrew said, cutting his eyes to Drew and Sonya.
“Not a thing.” I grinned at him. “You’re late for lunch.”
“Crazy busy day.” He glanced behind him, one side of his mouth turning down at the line that had formed. “Looks like yours is too.”
“Are you here for more than an afternoon pick me up?”
His expression turned serious. “Always.”
“Cake, lemonade, and a surprise?”
“Yep.” He leaned in like he was going to tell me a secret. “Can I have the special as my surprise?”
“I don’t want you comparing my cooking to yours.”
“I won’t be. Yours is better than mine and Dad’s combined.”
“Andrew.”
“Bright Side.”
“Whatever you ordered, I’m charging you double,” Drew said from behind me.
“Is that supposed to run me off?”
“No. We need all the customers we can get.” Drew winked at me, and I blushed.
“Hey. Wink at your own girl,” Andrew said, and my cheeks burned.
“Any chance you’d take mine. I’ll pay good money.”
“Trish,” she whined.
“I can’t do anything to help you,” I said. “You married him. You have to live with it.”
“What about my children? Don’t you want to save them?” She threw her hands up in dramatic fashion.
“I don’t know if we can,” I said solemnly.
“We’re just getting started, Tigress. I’ve decided I want six,” Drew said.
“Six? You’re out of your mind. You want six kids, you have them.”
“I’m going to.”
Andrew cleared his throat. “Think you two can hold down the fort while I eat? Give Trish a break?”
Sonya beamed at him. “If you show me those legendary forearms, we’d be happy to.”
“Uh—” He looked at me as if asking if she were being serious.
“Don’t do it,” I said, placing his items in a bag.
“Oh, come on.”
“Why do you need his when you’ve got mine?” Drew flexed his muscles, and Sonya pretended not to be impressed, though her eyes lingered.
“Here’s your lunch. I’ll meet you out front.” I held out the bag through the window, Andrew’s fingers brushing mine when he accepted it. Fire raced up my arm.
* * *
“You deserve a treat.” Andrew opened the box of cake and forked a bite, holding it up to my lips.
The sugary icing melted on my tongue, and I closed my eyes. “I needed that.”
“They been at it all day?”
“All day,” I confirmed, unable to stop my smile. “It’s been kind of nice having them around.”
Andrew looked at me as if I’d lost it. “I like them, but they’re over the top.”
“They’re good help. And the customers like them. It’s kind of funny the way they are.”
“How do you mean?” Andrew fed me another bite of cake before starting on his steak Diane.
I chewed slowly and swallowed, taking a sip of lemonade. I made a face. “Ugh. Cake and lemonade do not go together.”
He laughed. “I’ll admit milk is better.”
I sat up straight and gripped his thigh. “You’re a genius.” I said, and his eyes rounded in confusion. “Milk. I should serve milk too.”
His smile broadened. “That’s a great idea. You can test it out, see how it goes.”
I kissed his cheek, and he blinked at me in shock. “Thank you.” I relaxed back into the bench. “I’m going to talk to Muriella and Gemma about gluten-free and vegan options too.”
He took a bite of steak and tilted his head in consideration. “I think Marlow went through a phase of one of those. Maybe both. Why don’t you talk to her?”
“You don’t think she’d mind?” I asked hopefully. It made me uncomfortable thinking about inconveniencing her, but I could use a place to start besides the internet.
“Not at all.”
“That will give me the perfect excuse to call her.” I bounced my knee a couple of times. “How’s it coming with your client buying up all the property?”
“I hate to say this, but I’ve really outdone myself so far with this batch.” His chest puffed up, and I smiled.
“Proud of yourself?”
“Yeah. It’s been a lot of work. More than I’ve taken on at one time. Problem is, my client is going to expect this from here on out,” he said wryly.
“You only have yourself to blame,” I said.
Andrew sighed heavily. “I was going to see if you would have dinner tonight, but I’m so close to getting this first group finished out—”
“We’ll celebrate when you’ve got it all done,” I said.
I couldn’t recall ever seeing anyone look happier. “It’s a date.”
“Definitely.”
“Triiiish.”
I turned at the sound of Sonya’s harried voice. “Guess I’d better get back to it.”
“Don’t want them to burn your truck down,” he teased.
“Thanks for the break. I think I can make it through the rest of the afternoon now.”
“Then my job here is done.”
* * *
My cheeks hurt from smiling so hard as I went back to the truck.
“What happened?” I asked, looking from Drew to Sonya.
“He ate the last piece of chocolate cake,” Sonya said with disgust.
“Then you’ll have to be the one to deal with Mr. Hardaway,” I said to Drew.
“But it was mine,” Sonya said, her lower lip poking out.
“Stop pouting,” Drew growled.
“You know what that does to him,” I said.
Both of them froze, staring at me incredulously.
“Did you just make a sex joke?” Sonya asked.
“Pretty sure that’s what that was.”
They both burst into laughter.
Drew pointed at me. “She’s funny. Right. But funny.”
“Is the problem solved now? Can we get back to work?” I asked sternly, though I wasn’t upset. Today had been interesting.
“Hello? I’d like to order something, but I’m in a hurry.”
I tensed at the sound of the voice and closed my eyes. It was so familiar, everything around me floating away until it was all I could hear. Except the last time he’d rasped against my neck “I’m in no hurry.” Bile rose up my throat. A sheen of sweat broke out across my forehead. Darkness seeped in on me.
I couldn’t escape the basement. I couldn’t take the blindfold off, my hands and feet bound. I’d never be free. Never be free.
I’m going to feed you your favorite thing. My cock.
I opened my mouth to scream, but nothing came out. With my eyes closed, I struggled to get away from the blackness, the terror. When an arm came around my waist, I thrashed to get it off me.
“Trish. It’s me. Sonya. It’s Sonya. I’ve got you.”
No. No one was here to help me. No one could save me.
Your skin. It’s like silk. I can’t stop touching it. When I’m not with you, I dream of the feel of it against mine.
Please don’t touch me. Please don’t touch me please don’t touch me please don’t touch me.
“Trish. You’re safe, honey.”
The voice was so gentle, I almost believed it.
“Look at me. Please.”
