Page 7 of Heartless Pucker in Love

“You were happy to give Lucy Bennet an interview.”

“The chief saved my ass,” I shrugged. “I owed him one.” Plus, she was April’s sister. I owed April one too. I owned her big time for being a dick growing up. “Let's just drop it, Mom. I’m not leaving this house until it’s time for me to go.”

She just didn’t get it. I was getting tired of the attention. But how could she get it when I hadn’t said a word? No one knew how much I was resenting fame nowadays. I always put on my charming mask in everyone’s company. To everyone, I was that guy that reveled in the attention.

“We’ll get someone to come in and tend to your wounds then,” Mom announced. “Privately.”

“No, thank you.”

“Don’t be foolish. We’re not risking your health because you’re suddenly camera shy.”

I rolled my eyes but said nothing. “Whatever makes you happy, Mom,” I sighed and laid back down.

The pain meds I’d gotten to take home were kicking in. This wasn’t the visit I’d anticipated back to my hometown. I’d pictured a quiet time with my family, away from the media. I usually flew Mom and Andy out to visit me. I don’t know what brought me here. Perhaps it was that little feeling of nostalgia that had been pricking me lately. I felt like I wanted a change. A different life. One far away from fame and the fast track. I’d been considering retiring and lying low for a while, but I hadn’t breathed a word to anyone.

5

APRIL

“Yes.”

Laughter sounded in my ear. “April, you don’t even know what I’m offering yet.” Janice, the woman who ran the agency that I often got private clients through, laughed again.

Holding the phone between my ear and shoulder, I locked my car door and started up the stone walkway to my sister, Tessa’s, front door. “All I need to know is that you found me a private gig. I already know it’s in town or close by so I’ll take it.”

Janice didn’t understand my desperation here. I needed the extra money. The way things were going with my fundraising?or wasn’t going?I’d probably have to resort to pumping cash from my pocket into the project. Although it was supposed to be a community effort, I felt responsible because it was my idea. There was no way I could sit back and allow the residents of that nursing home to get booted out.

“Well, alright,” Janice said, sounding uncertain, “if you’re available, it’s yours then.”

“I’m available. You know my hours.” I skirted around my shifts at the hospital with my private clients. “As long as the client’s hours work with mine, it’s all good.”

“Okay, I’ll let her know you’re coming in tomorrow at eight.”

“Awesome. Thanks for looking out, Janice.”

“You got it.”

“And if anything else comes up…”

“You’ll be the first to get the call.”

With a huge satisfied grin on my face, I skipped towards Tessa’s front door. I’d never been the social butterfly, but the few people I interacted with seemed to like me a lot. Janice always showed a little favoritism when it came to work. She was older like Cathy and Margaret. I suppose they all saw me as a kid sister who they wanted to look out for, and I didn’t mind it. I was horrible at making friends, so I’d take the ones that were actually interested and liked me for me.

The door was already opened by the time I made it up the steps. Cassandra stood in the doorway, arms folded and head tilted to one side. Her bone-straight black hair, streaked with burgundy, spilled around her oval face. It was the face of all the Bennet girls. We all had some resemblance to one another although some of us were closer in looks than others. Her green eyes sparkled with curiosity. “Well, well, well, it looks like somebody got laid last night.”

I almost tripped on the last step. “Excuse me?” Why was I even surprised by the things that came out of my younger sister’s mouth? Cassandra had no filter. She didn’t even know the definition of a verbal filter and had been saying whatever came to her mind since she learned how to talk.

“That big goofy grin you’re wearing must mean you got some, April. I heard Julian Grayson is in town…” She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

I froze momentarily, and for some reason, butterfly wings started flapping in my stomach. The thought of hopping into the sack with Julian was just…Why is that even a thought? I quickly dismissed it, and Cass. “Out of my way brat.”

“You sound like Lucy.” She scowled, her brows puckering, drawing attention to the two silver studs she had through her left brow. She had quite a few piercings and tattoos. Cass was the wild child of the bunch. The true rebel who didn’t give a shit about most people’s opinions. She was my opposite. “I only remember giving her permission to call me that.”

“Don’t need permission, brat.” I stuck my tongue out and brushed past her.

“Don’t be a bitch, April, it doesn’t suit your sweet nature.”

“Up yours, Cass,” I returned.

---