Rock Chick Rescue (Rock Chick #2)(44)

I stood and watched him go. He had a great behind, I’d been spending months appreciating it through his jeans but now I could see that fact especial y as he was only wearing a pair of blue and white striped boxers.

By the way, Big Head Todd and the Monsters was stil playing on the CD.

* * * * *

Eddie parked behind Fortnum’s and I got out of the truck. He did too so I hurried forward but my sexy green sandals slowed me down. He caught up to me and grabbed my hand so we walked into the store, fingers laced together. Indy, Al y and Tex were al behind the espresso counter and their heads came up when we entered. Indy and Al y took one look at Eddie and me and smiled. Tex scowled.

There was a line of customers, ten deep, ready to give their orders.

“The cavalry arrives!” Tex boomed. “These two ain’t worth shit behind the counter. Get back here, Loopy Loo.” I started to walk forward but Eddie’s hand tightened in mine and I turned around.

“I have to get to work,” I said, like the mil ionth time that day.

He closed in on me and said, “Okay, but first, promise me you won’t go lookin’ for your Dad.”

I thought about it, then nodded. I decided that if I didn’t make my answer verbal then maybe it wasn’t a ful -blown lie, more like half a lie or even a third of a lie, which wasn’t as bad, was it?

He looked at me for a beat then turned toward the books and dragged me along behind him. He walked in two rows, turned left and stopped halfway down the aisle.

“Eddie, I have to help out. Did you see how many people were in line?”

He dropped my hand but then both of his went to where my shoulders met my neck.

“I’ve got something else to explain to you.” Oh no, not this again.

I braced for impact.

“This morning, things changed,” he said.

I stared at him.

“What things?” I asked.

“Before, I was makin’ you my business. Things are different once I sleep with a woman, make her come and intend to do it again. Now you just are my business.” Dear Lord.

My knees went weak and I grabbed onto his t-shirt to stay standing.

One of his thumbs started stroking my neck.

“You stil got a bouncer takin’ you to Smithie’s?” I nodded.

“Get Tex or Duke to take you home from Fortnum’s and walk you up to your apartment. I’l pick you up from work tonight.”

“Oh… kay,” I said.

He smiled, dimple and al , and bent his head to kiss me deep. He let my neck go but tucked my hair behind my ear.

Then he was gone.

I wandered out of the books stil half in an Eddie Daze.

The minute I exited the shelves, Indy and Al y descended on me. I saw that Duke had arrived and was working the espresso counter with Tex.

“How’d it go?” Indy asked.

“You have to ask? She’s stil in her clothes from last night. Fuckin’ cool!” Al y said.

Both of them stared at me.

I stared back.

“Wel !” Indy nearly shouted.

I gave them an abbreviated version of the Eddie Date.

They looked at each other then turned to me.

“More,” Al y said.

I sighed and gave them the longer version, including Mom and Trixie, Blanca and Eddie’s siblings, details on Eddie’s “Sleep with You/Keep You Safe/Wear You Down” Speech and maybe got a little carried away and shared a bit much about that morning’s activities.

When I was done, both of their mouths were open and their eyes were glazed over, just like I expected I looked when I was in an Eddie Daze.

I nodded in understanding at their reaction.

“I know,” I said.

“If you hens are finished pecking over Eddie’s carcass, we could use a hand back here.” Duke yel ed.

* * * * *

The morning was a crush, Al y chose a Nickelback CD for the occasion and played it loud.

Normal y, “work” at Fortnum’s didn’t seem like work. It was more like hanging out with your friends al day, which was sometimes interrupted by something that felt kinda like work.

Just after noon, the crowd significantly died down and Tex turned to me.

“Let’s go, Loopy Loo. I got a plan to get your Dad’s friend talking.” He turned to Al y, “We’l take the ‘stang.

You’re drivin’.”

I gave him a look.

“Does this plan involve your shotgun?” I asked.

“Nope,” he said and I felt some relief. Then he said, “At least Plan A doesn’t.”

Uh-oh.

“What about Plan B?” I pressed.

He started walking toward the door. “Let’s just hope Plan A works.”

Wonderful.

We al got into Al y’s brand-new Mustang convertible, Indy, Tex, Al y and me, and rol ed out to Lakewood. Al y parked outside Bear’s house and we barely cleared the Mustang when Bear appeared at the door, turned and careful y closed it. He met us halfway down the walk.

“I haven’t seen your Dad,” Bear said by way of greeting.

Not good.

“Bear…” I started but then the door opened and Lavonne appeared.

Lavonne dyed her bobbed hair an ultra-fake-looking black. Her roots were steel-gray, she was two inches shorter than me and at least thirty pounds lighter, if not more. She was petite, wiry and had a two pack a day smoker’s voice.