Page 54 of Inviting Trouble
Ty just wouldn’t let it go. “If you’re not gonna marry her, if it’s not serious, then hands off. I won’t stand by and watch you bail and break her heart again.”
Park startled. “What? What do you mean again?”
“She was devastated when you left for the Air Force.”
That hit him like a slap. “I know you said it was tough on her, but everyone was leaving. She was the youngest; it was inevitable.”
“No, it was different with you. It took her years…God, she’d kill me for saying this. Forget I said that. Marry her or cut her loose. It’s that simple.”
“You know I’m not cut out to be a family man.”
“That’s what she deserves and, if you care about her at all, move on. There’s plenty of women out there you can hook up with.”
Park glared out the front window, pissed off yet knowing Ty was right. He wasn’t serious about her. Wasn’t serious about anyone. He didn’t think he ever could be. He told himself it was for the better. He’d find a new place to crash as soon as possible so he wouldn’t be tempted living in the same house with her.
Ty socked his arm. “Glad we understand each other.”
Park said nothing.
“You know I’m going easy on you, right? I really wanted to kick your ass when—”
“Got it,” he said through his teeth, annoyed that Ty kept harping on the same point. “You’re the big brother.” And she was a grown woman who knew what she wanted. He’d never forget she wanted him to be her first. It meant a lot to him, even if he wasn’t, just knowing she’d chosen him.
“You used to look out for her too.” Ty scrubbed a hand over his face. “Ah, hell, I don’t want to think about it. Moving on. Why don’t you meet up with me in California after the New Year? I’ll introduce you around. I’m sure we could get you some work.”
“I’ll let you know,” Park said, accepting the peace offering. “I’m applying a bunch of places. I’d like to work on planes if I can. Use what I know.”
“If you wanted to work on planes, then why’d you leave the Air Force?”
He’d been tired of being shipped off to the desert, tired of being in war zones, missing home. Especially since Mad’s texts and emails had been less and less the last couple of years. He understood, she was juggling working and going to school, but he hadn’t realized how much that tie to home had sustained him until it was gone.
“Guess I was just ready for a change,” Park said. “Ready to come home.”
“Was it tough over there? I don’t even know some of the places you’ve been.”
Park filled him in on what he could, the early mornings, the late nights, all the volunteer 365-day deployments he’d signed up for in classified locations for the extra hazard pay. It wasn’t just enemy fire they had to worry about, either; friendly fire from young recruits blowing off steam while they waited to be called to duty was also a danger. He was proud of his part in serving his country. His main goal, always, was to strive to be the man Joe Campbell raised him to be. A lofty goal, one he feared he could never quite reach with all his damage.
Ty told him all about the stunt work he did out in LA and sometimes in New York City or Vancouver. Exciting stuff, but Park found his mind wandering as thoughts of Mad and their night together flashed through his mind. That tattoo. He still couldn’t believe she’d matched him, right over her heart. Like she wanted to be reminded of him forever. Didn’t she know he was a bad bet?
By the time they arrived back home in Eastman, Park had convinced himself he was not the man for Mad. He’d explain it to her and hopefully she would understand. She might get pissy, but she’d cool off eventually. Then they’d go back to being friends.
Ty dropped him off with one last warning. “Don’t forget what I said.”
He bit back the snarky remark he wanted to say,how could I when you won’t shut up about it?He gave a curt nod, exited the car, and let himself in the house. At least Ty was staying in a hotel in the city and wouldn’t be in his face about Mad all the time.
She appeared at the top of the stairs and flashed a wide smile. His heart beat loud in his ears, the message harsh and insistent,danger, danger, danger.
“You’re back,” she said, heading down the stairs toward him.
He stayed frozen in place, hands at his sides. Her clothes were baggy—T-shirt with cargo shorts—and should not be tempting in the least, but his body was on high alert because he knew in exquisite detail the perfection underneath.
“Hey, little bit,” he said to remind himself as much as her what she’d always been to him. His pip-squeak to look out for.
“Hey, big guy,” she said in a voice dripping with innuendo as she sauntered over to him, making a big show at looking at his cock. Shehadnoticed he was hung earlier. His cock rose in appreciation of the compliment.
No, wait. He wasn’t supposed to like that. He took off his leather jacket and casually held it in front of him.
She smirked. Yeah, she noticed. “Have a good time with the guys?” Her black T-shirt read Try Me and it was damn hard not to take that as an invitation.
