Page 27 of Bad to the Bone
Chapter Fourteen
“I DON’Tknow,” Sam said, stirring some cream into her coffee. “I guess if I was worth millions, I might not want everyone coming at me with their hands out.”
“He’s convinced that everyone still sees him as a grown-up juvenile delinquent, and proving otherwise would somehow be lowering himself to admit that he cares what they think. At least, that’s the way I understood it,” Alex replied. They both pitched their voices low enough not to be overheard by the other patrons of the diner.
“Well, it’s his choice to make. And it’s not like it will matter once he heads back to Portland.” Something in Alex’s face must have given him away, and Sam pounced on it like a tomcat on a mouse. “He is planning to head back to Portland, isn’t he?”
“Eventually, I’m sure. But he’s renting a car so Crae will have a way to get around other than the Harley, so I expect he’ll be here at least a while longer.”
Sam didn’t have any better poker face than Alex did, if her smile when Alex mentioned Crae was anything to go by. “Good, then maybe Crae and I will have a chance to do some sparring together before they leave, since I’m sure you’ll be taking up all Ricky Lee’s free time.”
“I’m not sure that would be such a good idea. Not you and Crae, I mean. But Ricky Lee and me—hell, Sam, heisgoing to leave eventually. Am I stupid to let him get any closer, knowing that?”
“And what’s wrong with just enjoying the sexy times with a smoking-hot man while he’s here? Seriously, Alex, when was the last time you got laid? And you and I don’t count.”
Alex tried not to blush. “Katie, then, not that it’s any of your business.”
“Jeez, Alex, you’re worse than I am,” Sam exclaimed. “Get some more of that while it’s around!”
“Shout it to the world, why don’t you?” Alex hissed, glancing quickly around the diner, though fortunately no heads had turned in their direction. He took a calming breath before continuing. “I keep telling myself the same thing. I’m just worried that—”
“Mind if I join you?”
Ricky Lee must have come in the instant after Alex looked around, because he hadn’t been there a moment ago. He couldn’t possibly know what Alex and Sam had been discussing. That assurance didn’t do anything to calm Alex’s flustered nerves. “Sure,” he said quickly. “You remember Sam from the reunion.”
If he’d hoped Ricky Lee would join Sam on the other side of the booth, he was doomed to disappointment. Ricky Lee offered his hand to Sam and then squeezed in next to him. Alex scooted closer to the wall—but not far enough that he couldn’t feel the warmth of Ricky Lee’s body next to him on the bench.
“I offered to drive Ricky Lee to Tillman’s to rent a car so he wouldn’t have to leave the Harley there,” he explained to Sam. To Ricky Lee, he added quietly, “Sam knows. She’s the one who looked up the information on Polynomial Software.”
“Am I under police investigation?” Ricky Lee didn’t look pleased at the idea.
“Not officially, no. But Alex is my friend.” Sam met Ricky Lee glare for glare. “I haven’t told anyone but him, and I don’t intend to.”
“And I haven’t told anyone else, not even Alanna.”
To Alex’s intense relief, Ricky Lee laughed. “Maybe I should have come back to town incognito. I didn’t expect to stir up so much interest.”
“Someone who looks like you will always stir up interest,” Sam said as Brigit came to the table with coffeepot and menu in hand.
Glancing at Alex and Sam’s empty plates, Ricky Lee waved away the menu. “Just coffee, thanks.”
“We have time if you want to eat before we head to Tillman’s,” Alex offered as Brigit filled their cups.
Ricky Lee shook his head, and Brigit moved off to check on the next booth. “He was always feeding me back in high school,” he told Sam after taking a sip of black coffee.
“Alex has always been a nurturer, and you were a lot skinnier then. I’m sure he appreciates how nicely you’ve filled out since.” Alex kicked her under the table before she could say anything more outrageous. Sam glanced at her watch and stood. “I have to head to the station and pick up my unit. Ricky Lee, let me get your coffee. You boys stay out of trouble.” She winked at Alex before walking off to settle up with Brigit.
“Sorry about that,” Alex said, shaking his head.
“Don’t apologize until you’ve heard some of Crae’s comments. It’s nice to know we both have friends who won’t hesitate to embarrass us.”
AFTERthey finished their coffee, Alex led Ricky Lee to the Morrison Hardware truck parked in the coffee shop’s lot. “I hope you don’t mind, but I have a delivery to make on the way back.”
“Alex, stop apologizing. You’re doing me the favor, remember?”
“You’re probably used to something nicer than a ten-year-old pickup truck.”
“Okay, stop.” Ricky Lee grabbed his wrist before he could turn the key in the ignition. “For three years after my mom died, I lived on whatever money didn’t go toward my dad’s booze. I was skinny because half the time the only meals I got were the ones you and your parents fed me. Do you know why I always wore black jeans and T-shirts? I’m sure people thought I was dressing like a thug, but the real reason was that I could get them cheap at Walmart and they didn’t show the dirt as much, so I didn’t have to do laundry as often. I don’t take anything I have for granted, and I don’t look down at anyone for what they do or don’t have. Don’t make assumptions that I’m different just because I have some money now, okay?”
