Page 1 of Dangerous

1

Katy/Katherine

Ding. Ding.

Grateful for the interruption, I shoved my algebra notes to the side. I was supposed to be studying for my exam next week, but instead I’d been staring at the page as the words and the equations floated in front of my eyes. Who needed algebra anyway?

“Welcome to Vet’s Pets.” Not very original, but the local large animal veterinarian, Geoff, opened the pet store on a whim after spending too many working hours answering his phone only to listen to locals asking for advice on which animal food would be best for their household pets. Choosing a name was the last thing he thought of and came from a night of sitting around and drinking withmy guys. To be able to think about them in that way, knowing that I’d kissed each of them instead of just dreaming about them, sent a warmth through me, like the feeling I experienced whenever they wrapped me up in their arms. “Let me know if you need any help.”

“Thanks, I'm looking for dog food. If you can point me in the right direction?”

At the sound of his voice, I yanked my gaze up, looking to see who it was who walked into the store. I tilted my head to the side, eyes narrowed to combat the glare of the setting sun coming in through the window. While the voice triggered a familiar feeling, I couldn't say the same about the young man. He looked to be about my age, but he wasn't anyone I recognized from school. And with his tall height plus leaner but muscular body—not like a swimmer, but more like someone who ran track—and his brownish-blond hair, he was someone who stood out in a crowd.

Not wanting to look like I was mesmerized by his looks or anything since he already sported a cocky smile on his face, I sought clarification before sending him to the correct aisle. “Big dog or little dog? Puppy or older?” When he took a step closer to where I was safely ensconced behind the counter, my breath caught in my chest. Being near him, unsettled me and I really wanted a second to settle myself and think about why he seemed familiar before I got any closer. So, without giving him time to answer, I jumped in, explaining how the store aisles were organized.

With a nod of his head, he moved off towards the back of the store where the various dog foods were located, but not before I saw the twinkle in his blue eyes as if he held back laughter.

“Stupid, arrogant, jerks,” I muttered as I turned back to my trig question. Studying didn’t wait for anyone, and it was part of my deal with mom that allowed me to work at the pet store this summer. She’d wanted me to wait another year before I took a summer job, but with all my friends working, I begged her for the chance. I didn’t want to spend another summer mostly alone like the last one, even if it did lead to my first kiss from Jason.

After enlisting the help of Jason, Jarrod, and Peter, she finally relented but set so many restrictions that I worried I’dnever find one that worked. Then Geoff mentioned to the guys how he wanted someone trustworthy to help over the summer. The job—not directly dealing with lots of tourists and off the main downtown tourist streets—fit all her criteria until he mentioned having me start when he opened the store… before school finished. That was nearly the deal breaker, but he assured mom I could spend hours studying since there wouldn’t be many duties yet as he didn’t have any animals in stock. With his veterinary background, he didn’t want people coming into the store and purchasing an animal on spur of the moment so the only animals he was planning on keeping in the store would be those who’d been rescued and treated once they recovered at his clinic. And they’d only be in the store to help them socialize with people.

Between the offer of study time and my threats to find a waitressing job, they sealed the deal and mom gave in. The thought of me growing up, knowing that this next year was my final year of high school was both a blessing and a curse for her. I was her last real tie to my father—the love of her life—even if I was a continuous reminder that he was no longer here with us.

I stared at the question. Find all the zeros of the polynomial P(x)=x3+3x2-10x+24 knowing that x=2 is a zero of the polynomial.

The numbers and letters swam before my eyes, not making any sense. There was something I was missing, but I couldn’t figure out what and it annoyed me. Math may not have been one of my strongest subjects, but I still pulled in an above eighty average, so not understanding this question drove me crazy.

That and the sound of the new guy, singing off key with the overhead music made me cringe, reminding me of the mystery relating to his presence. No way was I going to get any more studying done with him in the shop. Unable to deny what I needed to do, I pushed away from the counter and headed backto join him, passing all the cute little displays of dog toys and clothes. An unbidden smile rose to my lips when I saw the cute rain poncho that looked like a Viking headdress. Despite its absurdity we barely kept them in stock. Fitting since the heritage of the Voyageur Bay was a mixture Icelandic, Norse, and Viking culture along with French fur traders.

“Any luck so far?”

He jumped a little at the sound of my voice, raising a light blush to his cheeks. But when he lifted his gaze to meet mine, a bolt of familiarity shot through me. I knew him from somewhere—not just his voice, but him. I just wondered how. “Not really.” He shrugged before pointing between three different bags. “Which one would you recommend?”

I leaned against the shelving unit before giving in and squatting down beside him. “What type of do you have?”

A grin split his face, revealing a large dimple in his left cheek. “He’s a twelve-week-old Pomsky and a bundle of energy despite having the run of my uncle’s ranch.”

“A Pomsky?” My squeal of excitement made him laugh. “Can I see him? Pleeease.”

“Are you asking to see me again? A date?” The corner of his mouth lifted into a smug smirk as he winked.

My eyes widened as his words hit me. “Wh-what? No. I mean?—”

“Relax, Katy. I’m just joking. I know you only want me for my dog.”

My mouth hung open at his loaded statement, allowing too many emotions to barrel through me. Shock, wonder and curiosity followed the changes in his speech that started with levity before moving on to resigned frustration containing a tinge of anger. I wanted to step back, to put a little space between us, but I didn’t. All of this was too confusing and too much for me to deal with. I already had enough on my plate between mydeepening relationships with Jason and Jarrod plus the newly forming one with Peter if he ever stopped being so stiff around me. I didn’t need to add to my issues by what his statement implied. So, I did what I do best and pushed them all aside except for the very first one.How the heck does he know my name?

A shiver of fear ran through me as I continued to stare at him. Numbness and tingling at my fingertips sought to remind me to breathe as I fought off memories of the last time guys I didn’t know were nice to me.

I squeezed them tight into fists, letting my nails press in, giving me the jolt of pain I need to pull me from the vision that wanted to overwhelm me. I wouldn’t let those memories control me. I’d worked too hard to curl up into a ball and hide. I was strong… but that didn’t mean I wouldn’t do what I needed to do to protect myself.

All the anger over my assault gathered within me and I used its power to draw myself upright. “How do you know my name?”

At the coldness in my voice, he lost what remained of his smile. “Shit. Sorry. That probably sounded really bad since I doubt you remember me.” He rose as he ran his fingers through his hair. The sudden movement startled me, but I clamped down on my reaction. He didn’t need to know how he affected me. He dropped his hand back down to his side. “I met you at my cousin Danny’s party. You were really drunk so I stayed with you outside as you waited for your ride.”

Grainy images of that night popped to the front of my brain. Memories of a floating voice collided with the picture of the guy in front of me, morphing together into one. He was the guy who’d brought me water, who’d spoke to me, and yes, who’d waited until Peter and Jarrod arrived. But even back then, he’d known my name, known who Mason was and where he’d gone. The feeling of unease continued to prick my consciousness evenas I felt myself relaxing, knowing he wasn’t some crazy guy who was going to attack me.

I forced my fingers to straighten, praying I didn’t damage my palms because Jarrod would certainly notice when he came to pick me up from work. And those were questions I really didn’t want to answer. Not so much about this guy whom I still didn’t know the name of, but rather how I freaked out about being alone with him. The idea of working by myself had been the major stumbling block the guys had. They knew—despite me not telling them—that I still suffered from the occasional panic attack based on what happened last summer. It’s why Geoff had installed cameras and had given me a panic button that not only sent an alert to him, but also to Jason, Jarrod, and Peter. And that was after one of the four stayed with me for at least one shift each to make sure things weren’t too rough. And being honest with myself, I’d been glad when they’d done it because as much as I said I was ready, I really hadn’t been.

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