Page 13 of Sin Bin

She gave him a seductive smile. “If you change your mind, you know where to find me.”

Logan winked at her, then opened the door and walked out. He barely flinched as a blast of cold air hit his bare chest. He’d been homeless at various intervals of his childhood. So he knew what it was like to sleep on the streets on chilly winter nights, though, admittedly, Vegas rarely ever got this cold.

He strode to his black truck in the driveway, hopped up into the driver’s seat and slammed the door. The windshield and windows were frosted over, and the leather seat felt like ice against his back.

He fired up the engine and let it roar while the windows defrosted and heat poured from the vents, warming his skin.

The dream lingered in his mind, the details haunting him. He’d been having it more frequently as his birthday approached. He turned twenty-five on April eighth—a day to be dreaded, not celebrated. Every birthday was a painful reminder of the last one he’d spent with his mother. The last day he ever saw her.

An all-too-familiar ache started in his gut, twisting into a hard knot.

Frowning, he reached into the backseat and grabbed his battered leather jacket. As he shrugged into it, his gaze caught on a silver chain draped around the rearview mirror. Dangling from the chain was a small clay pendant representing the planet Jupiter. It was slightly misshapen and painted in varying shades of pink and gray.

He reached out and grasped the pendant, remembering the little girl who’d given it to him fifteen years ago.

Jupiter, he mouthed to himself.

He’d spent most of his childhood bouncing between group homes and juvenile detention facilities, racking up a rap sheet of petty crimes and misdemeanors. Of all the kids he’d met along the way, Jupiter stood out most clearly in his memory. Which was ironic given that she’d barely talked to him except to babble about astronomy. Other than that she’d mostly kept to herself, as if she were trying to make herself invisible to the world. But he’d always seen her. And she’d seen him, her huge amber eyes watching him when she thought he wasn’t looking.

He still remembered the hug she gave him the day she left. The moment had played over and over in his memory, the sweetness of it lingering like the taste of sugar.

He found himself smiling as he held the pendant, rubbing his thumb back and forth across the glazed surface.

Over the years he’d often wondered what became of Jupiter after she was adopted. Did she get along with her new parents? Did she go to college? Did she have a good life? Was she happy?

He hoped she was much happier than he was.

Catching movement out of the corner of his eye, he turned his head to see the brunette step out onto the porch. She’d put on a thick robe and fuzzy slippers while he was sitting in the idling truck. And now she was staring at him, clearly hoping he’d changed his mind about leaving.

Grimacing, he released Jupiter’s pendant and threw the truck into reverse, then backed out of the driveway and rumbled off down the street.

He was doing the chick a favor by not getting involved with her. He wasn’t relationship material. Never had been.

Never would be.

Chapter Three

MEADOW

That evening when meadow arrived at Gamenetic’s suite at the Pepsi Center, she didn’t know what had her more nervous. The pressure of trying to make a good impression on a prospective employer, or the anticipation of seeing Logan for the first time since they were children.

The company’s suite was filled with members of the management team and their invited guests. Dirk Lange met her at the door with a friendly smile and a firm handshake. Then he took her around the suite and introduced her to everyone. She was relieved to see the others dressed casually. It made her feel more confident about her own chosen outfit—a cropped leather jacket over a V-neck sweater, black skinny jeans and black leather ankle boots.

There was a bar and a buffet table in the corner. She was too nervous to eat, but she didn’t want to offend the management team by declining their hospitality. So she fixed herself a small plate and followed Dirk to a row of plush seats overlooking the arena.

Suspended above center ice was the biggest JumboTron she’d ever seen. Although the game didn’t start for another half hour, the arena was already nearly full. A Zamboni machine cleaned the ice as Drake’s “Big Rings” thumped over the sound system.

Meadow munched on her food while Dirk sat beside her with his ankle resting over his knee, super laid back in khakis and black Vans. He was mid-thirtyish with shaggy brown hair and blue eyes that crinkled at the corners when he smiled. Fortunately he smiled a lot, which helped put her at ease. He seemed like he’d be a good boss. She hoped she’d get the chance to find out.

“Thanks for being so flexible about tonight,” he told her. “I know this is a pretty unconventional spot for a second interview.”

Meadow stared at him in mock dismay. “Is that what this is? An interview?”

He laughed, appreciating her humor. “All of us are huge hockey fans. We never miss a home game unless we’re out of town or have to work. Sometimes we bring our laptops and work during intermissions.”

Meadow smiled. “Wow. You are fans.”

“Super fans.” He grinned.

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