Until I look down… The couch. Not my bed. Never a bed. I remember all he took from me, and I wonder…
Is it even worth living?
Chapter 2
Kol
Pop. Pop. Pop.
“What the–?” So help me fucking god, if these little punks have egged my damn truck again, I’m kicking ass and saying fuck their names!
Three times now some punk ass little shits have egged or teepeed my truck since I moved onto the block six months ago. My oldest brother Arsen and I thought letting our little sister, Ember, live in the house we grew up in while she finished school was a good idea. She wouldn’t have to worry about rent, and her bills would be minimal. She also wouldn’t have to concern herself with pain in the ass kids with nothing better to do than piss off the new neighbor, either.
Ember wanted freedom, and honestly, as selfish as it sounds, I wanted out. When our folks died a few years ago, Arsen was already in Nashville, his career was taking off, and I didn’t think it fair that he leave that behind to take care of our little sister.
I ended up moving back home to make sure she graduated high school and went off to college. Only she didn’t want to leave. She loves Knoxville, always has, probably always will. So we stayed. And now, after just rounding out her second year of college and Arsen and Marina having adopted an adorable little boy, I’m ready to work on my life.
Hence the purchase of a fixer-upper house in a middle-class neighborhood with these little shithead delinquents I probably shouldn’t be cursing at—in my mind, or out loud.
“Hey, Kol!” One of the aforementioned kids comes running over, eggs in his damn hands. “It was an accident.” He looks sheepish enough, but I’m no fool. At thirty-three, I’ve been on the job for just over ten years and a detective for seven of them. I know bullshit when I see it.
“These eggs,” I grab one from his hand as him mom—a widow working two jobs—comes out on the front porch of their house across the street. “They what? Just sailed through the air all on their own, hitting my windshield by mistake?” He stares down at his shoes, and I hold the egg over his head, looking at his mom trying to hide her giggling as she nods her head. “Like this?” I drop the egg, and it cracks over his head, running through his hair and down his face.
“Kol!” he screams, and I walk away chuckling. “Make sure these eggs find their way off my truck before I’m back in an hour!”
Having a rare Saturday off, I’m on a mission to get better trained for an upcoming children’s charity marathon in three months.
My first stop is always a little health café about two blocks away for a disgusting energy-boosting protein smoothie. It helps work off the burn I get in my legs when I push myself too far. The walk there is a quick warm up to the five-mile jog that follows.
Entering the store, I see a new girl standing behind the counter. Her head is down, but her long light blonde hair looks soft as silk. Perfect for running my fingers through while making sweet love.
Hold up. I haven’t so much as looked at another woman since meeting Thea Matthews at Ember’s recital for the shelter almost a year ago. I haven’t seen her since, and Em won’t spill any details which is driving me fucking nuts.
Thea is broken on so many damn levels that I should cut my losses and run, but my heart won’t let me. I’ve been captivated by her since the first moment our eyes met. Her pale blue eyes expressed more hurt than I’ve ever seen on the job before.
My attraction to her runs deeper than physical. It’s like kinetic energy fused our souls together that first time.
As the line moves forward and I get a better look at the girl behind the counter, our eyes meet just like they did a year ago, and I’m lost in her pain-filled aura.
“Thea?” I keep my voice low so as not to scare her. As soon as I say her name, I detect recognition in her gaze.
“Ho–how can I help you today?” she asks instead of acknowledging who I am.
“How are you?” Her stare strays behind me to what is likely a long line for the popular place, but I need her focus, so I move with her, forcing her to meet my gaze.
“Fine, thank you.” She blushes sweetly, and when she goes to push a stray strand of hair behind her ear, I notice two things: a small scar on her jawline and her trembling fingers. I’m making her nervous.
Cutting her some slack, I place my order, but I don’t stop admiring her. Sitting at an empty table, I observe her with each new customer. I’m amused at her trying to ignore me. More than once her curiosity wins out, and I catch her staring. I flash her an easy grin each time, so she knows I’m aware.
The phone buzzing in my pocket interrupts my new fascination, and as I glance at the text, I’ve never been more annoyed with my job. A robbery turned homicide has caught my department’s attention, and I’m the go-to guy. Which means I have to leave her.
Walking to the counter, I’m glad for the small break in customers as I say to her, “Gimme your cell phone.”
“What?” She looks up startled.
“Your phone, give it here.”
As if on autopilot, she hands it to me. Quickly punching in my number, I hit call, so our two lines connect, and then I create a new contact so she doesn’t forget. “I’m gonna call you later, blue eyes. Answer it.”