“Lindsay mentioned something about a double date next weekend.” He flicks on his signal and passes Grampa in the big-ass Dodge in front of us. “Did Jules say anything to you?”
“No, and we’re not dating. We’re just hanging out.”
He chuckles. “And fucking. Don’t forget the fucking…”
My gaze flies to his. “Your point is?”
“Nothing.” He shrugs. “She seems like a nice girl.”
“Yeah, she is,” I say. Jules is a strong, beautiful, fiercely independent woman who likes it when I take over, giving her the freedom to relax and feel safe in the bedroom. Damn, I like that about her. But I’d be wise not to develop any deeper feelings for her. She told me she wasn’t looking for more—and I’m not, either. But it confuses me since she has white picket fence and family written all over her. It does make me wonder, once again, why she’s so afraid. Jason wrecked her confidence, but who hurt her heart?
“She knows you’re not looking for anything serious?” His eyes move over my face. “Unless you changed your mind on that.”
“Yeah, she knows, and no, bachelor for life, dude.” I stretch my legs out, and while I might look relaxed, the sandwich I’d eaten on the plane churns in my stomach and threatens to make a second appearance. “You and Lindsay a thing? Getting serious?”
“I like her,” he says.
“I hope it works out. That might get Jaclyn off my back for a while,” I joke.
Kane laughs and turns his focus back to the road as a Maserati pulls up beside us, clearly wanting to race. But when the guy sees the two of us in Kane’s car, his eyes go wide and he backs off. Kane laughs and guns it a bit.
His phone pings, and I glance down to see that it’s Lindsay. I toy with my own phone, anxious to message Jules, but she’s at work. Why can’t I get that woman out of my thoughts?
I rest my head and close my eyes, a strange headache brewing in the base of my skull. Yeah, fucking dipshit Mackenzie Windsor gave me a good body check in last night’s game, sending me head-on into the boards, but I shouldn’t be feeling woozy this long after the hit. Maybe I’m coming down with something. Maybe that’s why my stomach is roiling.
“You sure you’re okay? You don’t look so good.”
“I’m fine.” I tug my ball cap lower onto my head, and will the nausea in my gut to go away. By the time I make it home, I’m really not feeling so great. I thank my brother for the ride, and make my way inside my house. After being on the road, the silence is almost deafening. I toss my gear aside, make my way to the bathroom and grab a couple of pills from the medicine cabinet. I toss them back, swallow a mouthful of water, and plunk down on my comfy bed. The next thing I know, my buzzing phone is waking me. I blink my eyes in to focus and turn to see the clock. Fuck, it’s past dinner, and I slept for hours. I reach for my phone and grin when I read the text from Jules.
Jules: Make it home okay?
Her concern for me fucks my heart over a bit. I slide my fingers over the phone.
Rider: Went to sleep just waking up now.
Jules: I hope I didn’t wake you.
I laugh quietly. She could do anything she wanted to me and I’d still like it.
Rider: Nope. How’s your shift going?
Jules: Work has been insane. I haven’t stopped for ten hours.
I can’t see her expression or read her body language, but exhaustion colors the words in her text. I sit up a little straighter, everything in me going on high alert. With my headache gone, and my stomach grumbling, I text back.
Rider: Did you eat?
Jules: No time.
Rider: I can bring you something.
Jules: That’s sweet but I’m okay.
Rider: How about I cook for you? Come to my place after work.
Focusing all my energy on the task at hand, I mentally examine the contents of my fridge. I pretty much cleaned it out before leaving, but I think I still have time to do a grocery run and cook before her shift finishes.
Jules: I can’t. I have to go home and feed Peaches. She’s been alone all day.