Page 2 of Love Shots

She really wasn’t kidding. She wanted him to give her a job and a place to live. After the shit she just pulled. Unbelievable. When he didn’t reply quickly enough, she spoke again.

“Come on, Teddy, we both know you’re gonna let me stay there. And you know as well as I do, I’m the best darn bartender in this town. I’ve been working on and off at Mickey’s ever since it was legal. Now, hand over the keys and you can go get your precious beauty sleep.”

He leaned down, ignoring the vanilla scent filling up his lungs, and whispered into her ear, “Not a fucking chance, dollface.”

***

Teddy couldn’t sleep. He’d tossed and turned all night after kicking Summer out of his apartment. A mixture of guilt, intrigue, and confusion meant he was now wide awake, and the sun wasn’t even up yet. So much for sleeping in.

He stared up at his bedroom ceiling, replaying his fight with her over and over again. What the heck was she doing here? He’d been back in Bluestone three years, and she’d never once ventured back before. Not even for a visit.

One thing was for sure though: Summer Willis had always been his weakness. And if the lack of sleep was anything to go by, she still was. While he was being honest with himself, he should probably also admit that she had been the reason he’d moved back to Bluestone in the first place. Getting a job at Mickey’s wasn’t a coincidence either. It was a connection to her. The bar her grandfather owned. Well, until recently. Now, Teddy was the proud new owner.

He’d always wondered about her. Even if it had been years since they’d seen each other. Despite them not being on such a friendly basis right now, they had been close at one point in time. Really close. They’d grown up together, and Teddy wasn’t ashamed to admit that he’d had one hell of a crush on her. There was even a time he thought she felt the same way about him, but he’d been wrong. Colossally wrong.

Letting out a heavy sigh, Teddy pushed himself up and out of bed. He needed to stop thinking about Summer. That ship had sailed. If he wasn’t going to sleep, then he’d do something useful. There was always work to be done at the bar. So, there it was. He had a plan. He would just quickly jump in the shower, then he’d head on over there.

Fifteen minutes later, Teddy was out of the door and headed to Mickey’s. What he definitely wasn’t doing was thinking about Summer Willis.

Keep telling yourself that, buddy.

Choosing to ignore the troll inside his head, he instead focused on his walk. Living in town had its advantages. He was just a five-minute stroll to the bar. While walking with a purpose through the parking lot, something to the side of him caught his eye. His steps stalled as his attention went to the blue Prius in the far corner. Cursing under his breath, he was back on the move as he started toward it. The closer he got, the angrier he became.

“Un-fucking-believable.” He huffed as he came to a halt by the car door.

One knock on the window later, he was looking into Summer’s startled eyes. When she didn’t immediately roll down the window, he impatiently gestured for her to do so. But she simply frowned and scrunched up her nose. He realized then that his pissed-off expression probably wasn’t doing him any favors.

Trying his best to keep his tone gentle, he decided to ask her instead. “Please, Summer, roll down your window.”

A cute little grimace took over her face as she pressed down on the window button. “Morning,” she shyly greeted.

“You gonna tell me why you’re sleeping in your car?”

“Um ... I’m being environmentally conscious?”

He raised an eyebrow and was rewarded with a smile that hit him full force in the chest. “You’re not staying with Mickey?”

She looked at Teddy like he was certifiable. “Mickey’s gone. I thought you knew? He sold the house the same time he sold you the bar.”

Teddy had no idea. But that wasn’t important right now. What was important was why the hell Summer was sleeping in her car and not staying with friends or in a hotel.

“What about Laney? You couldn’t stay with her? Or book into a hotel?”

Running her hand through messy blonde strands, she sighed. “Laney’s married and has two kids under five. The last thing she needs is me showing up at her door at two in the morning, asking for a place to crash.” He was about to protest but she cut him off. “It’s not a big deal, Teddy. Really. It’s just one night. You don’t have to worry about me bringing down the property prices. Give me a minute and I’ll get out of your hair.”

“Where will you sleep tonight?”

She shrugged. “I’ll find a motel or something.”

She’d never been a good liar. She was definitely planning on sleeping in her car again. His gaze drifted to the bags and clothes filling her backseat. She was in trouble, but it didn’t make sense. Just a few hours ago she’d been pissed that he’d been the one to buy Mickey’s and not her. How could she afford to buy a bar but not a hotel room for the night?

He knew he was seriously going to regret what he was about to say, but he said it anyway. “You can stay in the apartment above the bar. Until you find somewhere.” The relief in her eyes twisted his gut. “And I might be able to throw a couple of shifts your way.”

Now she was beaming. The guilt he’d been feeling all night came flooding back. He should have given her the keys when she’d asked and saved her from a night in her car. Anything could have happened to her. Anything. And it would have been his fault. All the signs that she’d needed help had been there too. The crumpled, mud-stained clothes, her chipped nail varnish, messy hair.

Some Navy SEAL you are.

Then there was that bruise. His fists clenched at the memory. He knew right then he needed to put his feelings aside and do what he could to help her. Even if she was a giant, beautiful, pain in his ass.

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