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  “What in the hell do you think you’re doing?” he asked, ripping the door open. Megan could have sworn there was steam coming from the top of his head. He looked scary. It was just the cold air after coming out of a warm car, but it added to the effect.

  “I’m waiting for Trevor to come back out so I can go in. What are you doing?” she asked in forged innocence.

  “Megan, I’m not playing around here. You barely know this guy and you’re going into his house? On a first date?”

  “What makes you think this is our first date?” He cocked his head inward at her. “It’s not like you’re going to be out here until we’re done.”

  “Done? What do you mean by done?” he asked through gritted teeth. If his hands fisted any more, she worried he would end up breaking his own fingers.

  Okay, maybe she went too far. It did sound a little whorish and she wasn’t going to sleep with Trevor. “I mean, when I’m ready to go home.”

  “Trevor isn’t known for taking girls back to his place and having a cup of tea while discussing politics.”

  Trevor opened his front door and came up to them before she could spew a response.

  “Everything okay?”

  Sliding out of the truck, Megan grabbed Trevor’s hand and practically dragged him to his door.

  “Watch yourself,” Drew seethed in a scary, low voice.

  “Come on.” Megan opened Trevor’s door and walked in.

  She wasn’t sure what to do once they were inside, so she stood just inside the door with her hands fidgeting in front of her. Trevor walked ahead so she followed. His place wasn’t a disaster. It was the epitome of a bachelor pad, though. None of the furniture matched and the walls were bare.

  “I’m sorry about outside. Drew’s intense, but he won’t be pulling you over every chance he gets.” She hoped.

  “It’s okay. I get it.” Megan wanted to ask him what it was then, because she didn’t get it at all. Drew was acting like a jealous boyfriend when he was the one who had pushed her away. “Do you want a drink?”

  “What do you have?” she asked, taking a seat at the edge of his floral couch. Megan wondered if he had gotten it for free from an ancient relative because it was the only reason someone would have this in their house.

  “Soda, water, beer.”

  “Soda, please. Thanks.” As Trevor left to retrieve her drink, she thought about the look on Drew’s face when she grabbed Trevor’s hand and walked away. Letting the anger go, she could almost swear she saw hurt in his eyes. Why, she didn’t know. Didn’t understand. But now she felt like she was doing something she shouldn’t. She was hurting him.

  “Here you go,” Trevor interrupted her thoughts, handing her a glass of soda and sitting next to her with his arm around the back of the couch.

  “Thanks,” she said nervously, taking a sip of the drink and held onto the glass as if it was the only thing keeping them from having wild sex on the spot.

  “You okay?” He moved his fingers to the back of her neck, gently massaging her as he scooted closer.

  “Yeah, I’m fine.” She made herself smile and took another drink. “What now?”

  “Oh, honey. Now it’s time for the fun to begin.” Trevor gave her a wicked grin.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “Wha… what do you mean by fun?” Megan was afraid to ask but terrified not to. Oh gosh, what had she done?

  “Calm down,” Trevor replied, patting her knee as he smiled. “You and I both know you’re in here to piss Calloway off.”

  Her cheeks flushed and she took another long drink. “I didn’t go out with you to make him jealous.”

  He exhaled. “I know.” He turned to the TV and picked up two video game controllers from the coffee table. “But he’s jealous all the same, so why don’t we keep him wondering?”

  Glancing to his sweet bad boy face, all the tension left her body in an instant. Trevor was a great guy and some girl was going to be very lucky someday. She just wasn’t that girl. Megan took the controller from him. “What are we playing?”

  “Mortal Kombat. Prepare to die.”

  “Oh, it’s on like Donkey Kong, buddy.”

  A short hour and a half later, after she had given Trevor the worst ass-kicking he’d ever had, Megan decided it was time to call it a night and head home. She put her heels back on her feet and he kindly offered to drive her home but peeked out the window to a waiting Drew and declined.

  Megan patted Trevor on the chest and smiled up at him. “Is this what you do with all the girls you bring back to your place?”

  He laughed a deep, nice laugh and tapped his fingers to his lips. “Don’t tell anyone or my reputation will go to shit.”

  “Your secret is safe with me. The reputation of Trevor Gaines, Hope’s resident bad boy, will live on.” She opened the door and he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her deep, making her knees wobble.

  Stunned, she pulled back and stared at him, wide-eyed.

  “Parting gift, babe.” Trevor winked and slapped her rear end before giving Drew a small wave.

  “See you Saturday,” she said, not knowing what else to say.

  By the time Megan walked to Drew’s car, he already had his lights on. “Um, can I ride home with you?” He didn’t look at her, didn’t speak to her, but just sat staring at the steering wheel. “Thanks.”

  She climbed in and barely had her seatbelt on before he whipped the car on the road. They were around the corner when he finally spoke and even then, it was more a growl. “From now on, no more dates until this ordeal is over.”

  “Controlling my love life now?”

  “Until my sister is found, you don’t have a fucking love life,” he snapped back.

  “Oh, really?” Megan glared at him. “You weren’t saying that when it was you I was spending time with.”

  “That was different.” Drew’s voice grew louder with each syllable. Megan’s, in turn, did the same thing.

  “How exactly would that be different?” She twisted to face him with her hands in the air.

  “Because it was with me! You were safe with me,” he yelled, slamming the palm of his hand against the steering wheel.

  “Sure. Sure, I was safe until you found out something about me that I can’t help and now you treat me like a freak!”

  “You went fucking invisible, Megan. In-vis-i-ble! How was I supposed to react?”

  Megan choked back tears, her vision blurred by the effort. “I know. It’s crazy and I’m different, but I didn’t even know about the invisibility until it happened. But that does not excuse the way you’ve treated me since then.” It was then she realized he was looking straight at her and not the road. She looked around and found they were in her driveway. Megan yanked the door open and stomped her way into the house with Drew in tow.

  “Obviously, you’ve picked yourself up and jumped right back on the horse again,” he said, slamming the door behind them.

  “Oh, screw you, asshole!” Megan yelled as she moved to her bedroom and slammed the door. She kicked off her shoes and paced back and forth, never having felt so much anger and hurt in her entire life.

  “I already did, remember?”

  “And I’ll never get those two minutes back!”

  The door swung open, hitting the wall behind it. “Two minutes my ass. And if it would’ve been, it would’ve been the best two minutes of your life, Sweetheart.”

  Before formulating a good enough comeback, Drew was so close she could feel his breath on her face. Her pulse pumped at an alarming rate and Megan wondered if he would hit her back if she slugged him in the nose. At that point, she almost didn’t care if he did just so she could have the satisfaction of decking him.

  Standing toe to toe, they glared at one another, waiting to see who would make the first move. It was Drew. To her surprise, he grabbed the back of her neck and pulled her tight to him, his lips coming down hard against hers. Every nerve ending in Megan’s body was filled with anger and passion, maki
ng her want to take control. She kissed him back with full force. She thought she felt a smile from his lips, so she nipped his bottom lip and continued her assault on his mouth.

  That’s what it was. An assault, and she was determined to win this battle.

  “Well, do I have impeccable timing or what?” she heard Lillie ask with a laugh.

  Using both palms on his chest, Megan shoved Drew hard enough that if she had a portion of Lillie’s strength, he would be laid out on the front lawn.

  “Lillie,” she said, trying to catch her breath. Why did she feel like she just got caught making out behind the bleachers at a Friday night football game? “What are you doing here?”

  The sides of her mouth crept up until she was in a full-out smile. “I came to see how your date went.” She pushed off the door jamb and walked into the bedroom. “Looks like you’ve had a busy night.”

  Megan took a sideways glance at Drew, whose chest was moving hard up and down. It was hot, seeing him so worked up and it was for her, but she couldn’t think about that or she would disappear. Literally.

  She left Drew in the room and led Lillie to the small back porch off the kitchen so they could have privacy. Opening the door, Megan stepped through and practically dragged Lillie out and shut the door behind her.

  “For a girl who doesn’t have any self-confidence when it comes to men, you sure have plenty of them,” Lillie said, laughing and plopping herself down on a small wrought-iron bench.

  Brushing the bangs from her eyes, Megan backed into the railing and leaned in, placing both palms on the top. “It’s not what it looks like. It was just… temporary insanity.”

  “Hell, throw a straightjacket on me then if I can get some action like that!” Lillie slapped her jean-clad thighs.

  “Oh, stop it.” Megan rolled her eyes, but a chuckle escaped. “You can get anyone you want, anytime you want.”

  Lillie’s shoulder bounced. “Yeah, I can, even though I’m swearing off men for a while.”

  Megan smiled and pointed a finger at her. “I’ve always been told that’s when you find the right one.”

  “There’s no right one when it comes to me. There’s a bunch of jerk ones, loser ones, all hot ones, but never right ones.” For the first time since meeting Lillie, her smile dimmed, but as quickly as it left, it reappeared.

  “Are you okay?” Megan wasn’t one to pry, but she had to ask.

  “Sure I am. Just tired.” Lillie leaned back and looked to the sky. Thinking she needed it, Megan sat next to her and looked up to the multitude of stars filling the clear sky. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

  Exhaling slowly, Megan thought of Drew. “Yeah.”

  Lillie squeezed her hand. “He feels the same way, you know.”

  Megan put her mental shields up to keep Lillie out of her head. She already knew Drew thought she was attractive; she didn’t need Lillie to tell her that. It was time to change the subject. “Why did you come over? Not that you’re aren’t welcome anytime,” she hurriedly added.

  “I came to bring you your key and see how your date went.”

  Megan twisted around and looked through the house until she found Drew on the couch, typing away on his laptop. “How about I make some hot cocoa and I’ll tell you all about it?”

  “Do you have whipped cream?” Lillie asked guilty, squishing her face.

  “Lillie! You want sugary sweets?” Megan feigned shock.

  “Only on special occasions, and we both have something to celebrate.”

  As Megan made the hot cocoa, she told Lillie about her so-called date and what happened later with Drew. They sat down at the table and Megan looked at her expectantly. “So, what do you think?”

  “I think it’s hilarious.”

  “Yeah, cause it didn’t happen to you!” She took a sip and set the mug down. “Trevor really is a great guy, just not the guy for me.” Her gaze involuntarily moved to Drew, who was pacing in the living room while once again on his cell phone. The man was on his phone so much he needed a hands free device.

  “Men,” Lillie said with fake disgust. Megan agreed and lifted her hot cocoa, clanking it against hers. Lillie stood and put her mug in the sink. “I need to get going.”

  Megan stood in a rush, not ready to be left alone with Drew. “Why so fast? We could watch a movie or something. I think I have popcorn.”

  Lillie looked at her watch. “It’s almost midnight and you have to work in the morning. Plus, I have a rise and shine yoga class in the morning. You should come!”

  “Wait! Do you need anything for your place tonight? I have tons of extra stuff, if you need it.” Megan held a hand up.

  “Tonight?” Lillie shook her head. “The apartment came furnished and I bought sheets and towels today.” She took a step closer and held both of Megan’s hands in hers. “Honey, you’re going to have to be alone with him eventually. Might as well be now.”

  Lillie moved swiftly through the living room with Megan following behind trying to think of a legitimate reason to keep her from leaving, but she couldn’t, so she stood by the door as Lillie told Drew goodbye. Before walking out, she dug in her purse and handed her the spare key to the house. “Thank you so much for letting me stay here. Call me if you need me and don’t forget about rise and shine tomorrow morning.”

  “I have a lot going on, so I won’t make it in the morning, but you are coming to the festival, aren’t you?”

  “I wouldn’t miss it for the world. A real small town hoedown. No way am I going to miss it. I can already see the pickle eating contest, overalls, and prized pigs.” She had a glimmer in her eyes. “And that is why I love small towns.”

  Drew and Megan both laughed, but Megan spoke. “It’s not that bad and there aren’t any pigs. Sheep maybe, but no pigs.”

  “You know what they say about a man and his sheep,” Lillie threw over her shoulder, leaving them with that final thought.

  Megan waited until she was safely in her car before she closed and locked the door.

  “That girl is something else,” Drew said, turning off the television.

  “Yeah, she is.” She started toward the bedroom, but he stopped her.

  “Listen.” He stood, putting his hands deep into his pockets. “I want to say I’m sorry. Again.”

  Megan crossed her arms over her chest and angled her stare just over his shoulder. Looking him in the eyes wasn’t an option right then. “Well, I’m sorry, too.”

  He walked directly in front of her and stuck out his hand. “Friends?”

  Not wanting to be his enemy, but sure as hell not wanting to be his friend, she debated her choices here. They lived in a small town and would see each other all the time. He knew her secrets and could destroy her life if she made him an enemy. What choice did she really have? She exhaled and took his strong, outreached hand into hers. “Friends.”

  He moved back to the couch and sat down. “Where’d Lillie say she’s from?”

  Feeling awkward, Megan went to her favorite leather chair and sat down. “New York.”

  “Really? Did she say what part?” he asked like they hadn’t kissed, fought, or made love. She didn’t share his ability for an easy transition.

  “New York City, I think.”

  He shook his head. “I could see that, I guess. Crazy place.”

  “Have you been there?” she asked, trying to picture him in The Big Apple with the constant commotion around him. It just didn’t work. He was too personable and moved too slow.

  “I lived there for a few years long time ago.” Drew got a glazed look over his eyes and his forehead creased. Clearly, whatever happened in New York didn’t leave him with fond feelings.

  Glancing at the time on the television, Megan’s mouth fell open. She had to get out of bed in five hours and had a full load ahead of her. “I can’t believe the time. I need to get to bed. If it’s more comfortable for you, you can sleep in the bedroom upstairs.”

  “Thanks, I’m good down here.” He stood and
started unfolding the blankets stacked at the end of the couch from the night before.

  With that, she went to her room and shut the door. Megan rested her back against the back of the door and tried to breathe through the pain and lock it away. She was forever in the friend zone and had better learn to get used to it.

  ****

  Friday came fast and furious. Megan ended up sleeping late and thankfully, Brandy had opened the shop for her. Brandy expected Megan would end up having a sleepover with Trevor and planned on it anyway. After a few hours of Megan assuring her that wasn’t the case, she let it go with a disappointed pout.

  “At least you’re actually going on dates.”

  “True,” Megan agreed while dressing a mannequin for the window. “My life has done a complete one-eighty in less than two weeks.”

  “Now you’re going on dates and freely talking to Drew, which I honestly never thought you’d get the nerve to do. Before you know it, you’ll be having drunk sex.” Brandy laughed, but Megan’s gut cringed at the thought.

  “Speaking of Drew,” she said casually, “did you know he used to live in New York City?”

  “Sure, everyone knows about it. Sad story there.” Brandy walked away and started sweeping the floors.

  Sad story? That’s awfully vague. Especially when it was Brandy saying it. Unless she wanted the drama and Megan’s full attention. If that was the case, she sure as hell had it. “What was?”

  “Don’t tell me you don’t know.” Megan shook her head. Brandy put the broom she was carrying against the wall and pulled Megan to the stools behind the counter. From that alone, it was going to be some juicy stuff. For any of Brandy’s big gossip, she wanted to sit down. “See, Drew made detective up there. Apparently, he was tracking a serial killer who took blondes and tied them to trees, naked, and killed them.”

  “Oh, that’s horrible.” Megan’s hand went to her chest.

  “Yeah, and anyway, the serial killer started enjoying playing cat and mouse with Drew. Leading him to the girls, but making sure they died before Drew could get to them. Drew’s girlfriend was a cop and just so happened to be a blonde and she and her partner thought they were protecting Drew or something and went behind his back, setting her up as bait. They made sure she was noticed in the areas the women were taken from.