FUEL (DirtSlap Series Book 1) (7 page)

Tears shimmered in her eyes as she slid back onto his drum stool.

“You’re the one who got social services involved? Hell, I should have put two-and-two together when you were gone shortly after.” She shook her head, disbelief on her face. “My dad told me you left because everyone always leaves me. Because I was nothing but trash. If my mother didn’t want me, why would anyone else?”

Outrage and grief choked him. “You know that isn’t true.”

“I didn’t want to think so, but…” She shrugged. “You never sent word. Nothing. Cam was gone. My mother left when I was six. Everyone left.”

The vacant look in her eyes carved the hole in his heart deeper. There was nothing he could say to make it better.

“Did they help you? They said they would.” He hoped liked hell they had.

She angrily wiped at the one lone tear.

“Oh, yeah. They got involved. At first I was relieved, then I realized they were going to put me in a foster home.” Her jaw worked and nostrils flared. “So I lied. Told them it was fine. Made the house look presentable for their visits. It may have been hell, but at least it was a hell I knew.”

Thrand sagged against the wall. He couldn’t believe it. He’d hoped and prayed that she’d been okay. But he knew what Cam had lived with. Cassie had not been fine. It left a sour taste in his mouth and his chest tightened. There was no way he would ever be able to apologize for leaving her like that. “I’m so sorry, Cassie.”

“You tried. Which is more than anyone, other than Cam, had ever done. It’s fine though. Doesn’t matter anymore. I got out. I don’t know if it was luck or fate that I ran into you, but I would have been fine one way or another. I appreciate the help, but I don’t want or need a hero.”

She stood and strode toward him, her hand fiddling with the leather cuff. “I kissed you because I wanted to. You could have had more, but your so-called morals stopped you. One day, you might regret it. Life is too uncertain to waste on ‘what ifs’.”

Then she stormed out, the front door banging shut.

Had a truck hit him, he couldn’t have felt more fractured. That girl ripped out his heart even though it thundered in his chest. He hung his head and stared at the floor, the sticks not far from his feet. She hadn’t aimed at him, but he might have felt better if she had. Because she was right. On all counts.

He might be five years older than her, but she understood more about life than he could ever claim. He scrubbed his face with his hand and swallowed bitter rage. He had seen the scars on Cam. He’d seen just how fucked up Cam had been. How had Cassie even survived it?

T
ears spilled over
her cheeks as Cassie ran down the concrete steps in bare feet. The air was cool, but she didn’t care. She took off at a fast clip down the paved street. No way could she stay in there and let Thrand see her cry. She’d been so caught up in his music. The rush of want that made her blood pump. The need in his darkened eyes. She’d made the first move, knowing he wouldn’t.

His greedy hands and scorching kisses told her he wanted her. And lord he could kiss. Her dreams couldn’t compare to the reality of his lips on hers or those strong arms that held her while she came apart.

She wanted him.

Always had.

She didn’t let him know how devastated she’d been when he’d disappeared. She’d even gone to his home, only to have his parents slam the door in her face and then put a restraining order on her. She couldn’t even serve them when they’d come into Ruth & Pops.

She might have been only fourteen, but her feelings for him had been real. Were real. Seeing him again reminded her how much in love with the stubborn ass she had been and, to her utter surprise, still was. She had no idea he’d tried to save her. Had no idea that he’d been driven from her. That only solidified it.

She was here. He was here.

There was no way she would miss her chance. Not again. He may have shut her down, but this wasn’t over. She had no delusions that this was a forever thing. This wasn’t a fairy tale. Had never believed in them anyway.

She knew for a fact Thrand Medlam wanted her and she might only get him for a little while…but she would have him.

She furiously wiped at her tears as a steady rain fell.
Of course
. She balled up her fists and screamed at the sky. If fate was involved maybe it should take a long hike down a short plank. She was having a hard enough time without that evil bitch stirring the pot.

It was about that time she heard shoes slapping on the wet pavement.

“Cassie, come in out of the rain.”

She sighed when she heard his strained voice and turned. It figured. Thrand looked even better under the dim streetlights with his shirt plastered to his body. Dammit.

“Yeah, I’m coming,” she muttered and stomped off ahead of him.

She didn’t stop when she got inside, just went straight to her room without a word. She might be in love with him, but she wasn’t a simpering fool.

Thrand was gone
when Cassie got up the next morning, but at least he’d left a note.

“Working in studio today. Take the truck. ~ T”

Keys were lying next to the scrap of paper. She grabbed the keys as she walked out the door to her new job.

The first thing she noticed at Booseys was Dooley wasn’t on door duty. She stepped inside and realized the place was very dead. No band in sight, just music playing from the speakers overhead and a couple of people sitting at the tables.

She walked up to the bar, where a slender girl worked. Chin-length, straight, black hair framed a surprisingly angelic face, with storm-blue eyes that matched Mick’s.

“You must be Cassie,” the girl said softly. “I’m Angel.”

“Nice to meet you. Mick’s daughter, right?”

“I am.” She handed her an apron. “Just keep the place clean, and take orders as they come in. It will pick up in a couple of hours and Lila will be in a bit.”

Several hours later, Cassie was leaning against the bar for a short break, amazed at how busy the place had gotten even though they kept telling her it was still slow.

She tightened her ponytail and glanced up when Mick made his way toward her. “Holding up okay, Jailbait?”

She laughed at the name. “Dooley?”

“Yup. That’s all the man would call you, so looks like you’re stuck with it.”

“I’m okay. It’s just light years from the diner.”

“You’re doing good. No worries. The customers like you. All I care about. You’ll get used to the crowd. You have any questions or problems just let me or Dana know.” Mick tossed her a wink and walked off.

A band was setting up when one of the members approached her.

“Cassie,” Ryan gave her a slight hug. “Didn’t know you worked here.”

She hugged him back. His carefree attitude was infectious and it was impossible not to like him. She placed tumblers on a tray. “Today is my first day. I didn’t know you played.”

“Guitar.”

“Sweet. Is that your band?”

“Naw. Just filling in.” In the daylight, his eyes were a pretty shade of cinnamon brown, but he still had that playful grin, and he was just as disheveled-looking. He made her want to ruffle his hair.

When she felt eyes on her, she looked up in time to see Thrand walk through the door. Her breath seized. He wore his signature black cap on backwards and had that swagger that she knew so well. It hadn’t been that long since she’d seen him, but in the light of day, all she could focus on was his lips and how they had made her feel the night before.

He didn’t stop until he was right in front of her. “Hey, Cas. Ryan.”

Cassie didn’t say anything, just smiled. Not that she would know what to say anyway.

“Hey, man. How’d studio go today?” Ryan asked.

“Went all right.” Thrand leaned in a little closer. He cocked his head toward the rest of the band. “You know you’re better than that?”

“I like playing live.” Ryan shrugged.

Thrand snorted. “To get the girls.”

Ryan winked at her and grinned. “Of course. Why else?”

“Of course,” Cassie added, enjoying the banter between the two.

Thrand slapped Ryan on the back and turned those intense gray eyes on her. “Ryan is a damn good guitar player and fair singer.”

“Fair? Dude, that’s all you’re giving me?”

Thrand’s laugh was a deep chuckle that left goose bumps on her skin. “Sorry, man. All you’re getting.”

“Not everyone can be as good as you.”

“While you boys argue over who’s better, I should get back to work. Good luck with the girls, Ryan.” She returned his wink and grabbed another empty glass on the way to the bar.

A
s Cassie walked
off, Thrand’s muscles tensed, ready to demand Lila give her a new shirt. The one Lila had altered for her slipped completely off one shoulder and the bottom was just a ragged edge, giving a glimpse of tanned flesh. Her honeyed locks were pulled up in a ponytail, wispy bangs hung slightly in her eyes. All it did was bring out those greens that landed on him now and then while she worked.

“Like that, huh?”

“What?” Thrand looked at Ryan, confused.

“Dude, I saw you with her Saturday night, remember? You might want to change the ‘friend’ term when you introduce her to people.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Thrand was still so wrapped up in what happened last night he was having trouble following anything. Even his drum work had been off today.

“It doesn’t matter who she was. Cam’s sister or not, if you feel like that, you need to do something about it. A girl like that won’t be alone long.”

“It does matter that she’s Cam’s sister. And she’s just a friend,” Thrand said, not wanting to think about her hooking up with someone else.

“Only if you’re sure.” Ryan went back to setting up.

Thrand moved to the bar and sat down.

Angel came over and put a beer in front of him.

“Thanks,” he said absently, as he pried his eyes away from Cas to look at Angel who was glaring at him.

“All this time, the other girls never bothered me ‘cause I knew all I had to do was wait. But she’s the one.” Tears brimmed in the girl’s eyes but didn’t fall.

Thrand opened his mouth, but he wasn’t sure what to say.

“She’s just a friend,” he muttered. Was he trying to convince himself at this point?

“No, Thrand. I’m
just
a friend. Figure out the difference.” She fled toward the back room, leaving him staring after her, wondering what the hell he’d done.

It wasn’t two seconds before Mick was there, glaring at him. “Anything you need to tell me?”

Thrand lowered his beer and sighed. Sure, he’d talked to Angel, a lot he realized. But he’d never seen her as anything other than a friend. Just a nice girl…who had paid
a lot
of attention to him. Knew his favorite beer. Had even chipped in advice when he’d been working on lyrics while at the bar. They’d never dated but they had gone for coffee.

Ah, fuck.

“No, Mick. I would never do that. You know that.” He rubbed at his chin and shook his head. “I had no idea—”

Mick held up his hand. “I didn’t think you did but had to double-check. Angel is back there, throwing out the trash and cussing you a blue streak. Not really like her.”

How many times today would he be struck dumb? “Honestly, I had no clue.”

Mick smirked as he grabbed a few beers for customers. “You were the only clueless one.”

That was about all he could take. He got up and walked out the door without looking back.

*