Chapter Six
Turning into the parking lot of Cherry Vale, the rehab center, Hailey shut off the radio and pulled the visor down. Swiping a bright fuchsia pink on her lips, her stomach fluttered when she thought of Goldie’s mouth on hers. She’d never been kissed that way by any man, and she could only imagine what his sexy mouth could do to her body.
She leaned back in the seat and closed her eyes. Their stolen kiss in the back room had been more than hot. If the waitress hadn’t come in, Hailey didn’t doubt that she probably would’ve ended up doing something decadent and totally out of character. She wasn’t one to rush sex or act on her emotions when it came to men, but the way he held her, rubbed against her, and kissed her was beyond awesome. Whenever she thought about it, her lips tingled and her body shivered.
The only snag was that he acted like the whole thing had been a mistake. She’d told him it was no big deal only to save herself the humiliation of him dissing her, but the truth was she’d felt a connection to him, one so strong that she’d chided herself about it the whole way home. What’s the matter with me? So he was a good kisser, and he probably knows how to screw real well. So the fuck what.
As if on cue, her phone rang and Brent’s name flashed. Making a face, she shoved her phone in her purse and exited the car.
Her aunt Patty was propped up on a straight-backed chair in front of the large window overlooking a courtyard. The flowering crabapple trees around the small pond gave off the ambiance of calmness. Her aunt’s roommate wasn’t in the room, and Hailey smiled as she saw a half-made afghan. Josephine, the roommate, was either crocheting or knitting, and afghans, scarves, and baby hats were her favorite projects to make. Hailey reckoned she’d be taking home the red, green, and yellow striped afghan she saw on Josephine’s bed when she’d completed it.
“Hi, Aunt Patty.” Hailey went over and gave her aunt a soft squeeze.
Patty shifted her body around. “How’s the shop?”
“Doing great. We’ve got so many weddings for the next three months. It’s going to be wildly busy. How’re you doing?”
“The same. Stuck in this damn room and bored out of my mind. Some of my friends came by yesterday and snuck in a bottle of champagne. That was fun. You should’ve seen the way Josephine guzzled it down. I don’t think she’d ever had any. She was out cold for the rest of the night.” Patty laughed.
Hailey placed a box of chocolates on the table next to her aunt. “I didn’t forget.”
Patty’s eyes lit up. “Did you get the mixed variety?”
Hailey nodded. “What does the doctor say about your progress?”
“He tells me everything’s going as it should be. I still can’t put weight on this damn leg.”
“Just keep listening to him. You don’t want to end up coming back here like the last time when you rushed it.” She glanced outside and then back to her aunt. “It’s a beautiful day. Do you want me to take you for a walk so you can get some fresh air?”
“Not today. I’m feeling kind of tired. Let’s just talk. Tell me all about the weddings and the flowers we’ll have to order.”
For the next two hours, Hailey and Patty talked, laughed, and reminisced. Her aunt loved talking about the business as much as Hailey did, so she filled her in on all the goings-on at the store.
When the physical therapist came in, Hailey stood up and said her goodbyes. Promising to see her soon, Hailey left the room and walked down the hallway.
During the day, Cherry Vale was a flurry of activity with the nurses, aides, doctors, and techs bustling about. Residents congregated in the lobby either watching the birds flit in the aviary or the traffic whiz by on the street in front of the center. Hailey walked slowly and looked at the names posted on the residents’ doors.
When she reached the end of the hall before the lobby, she glanced at the name on the door by the entrance. On a gold background in black lettering, she read “Helen Humphries.” The name sounded familiar. Then she remembered it was Garth’s grandmother’s name. A tickle rode up her spine. Can there be two Helen Humphries in Alina? She supposed it was possible, but it seemed like too much of a coincidence. She stopped at the doorway, then went in quietly.
The early afternoon sun beat against the closed drapes, making the room not quite so dim. A woman in her early eighties with white hair dozed on a dark green recliner as the images on the television screen blinked. Padding over to the woman, Hailey glanced around the room and noticed several framed pictures. She paused and looked at one on the wall. Standing beside the Helen she remembered were Garth, his sister, Monica, and his brothers, Chad and Dylan. She smiled when she saw Garth’s smartass smirk and his blue eyes full of devilishness. He must be about thirteen in this picture. “I had such a crush on you,” she said out loud.
Helen moaned, and Hailey darted her gaze to her. The woman’s eyes fluttered open, and a vacant look searched Hailey’s face. She went over to her, bending down in front of her.
“Mrs. Humphries? I don’t know if you remember me, but I’m Hailey Shilley. Ryan’s sister. It’s been a long time.”
“Is that you, Susan? Where’s your father? Did he come home from work yet?” she asked in a feeble voice.
“My name’s Hailey, not Susan. Susan was your daughter. Garth’s mother.”
“Is Garth here? Where’s your father? Why won’t you answer me, Susan?” Helen’s face contorted into a mask of distress as her tear-filled voice crushed Hailey.
“I shouldn’t have come in. I’m sorry if I’ve upset you.”
Helen tried to push herself out of the chair, wincing when she fell back against the cushion. Wringing her hands, her gaze darted around the room.
“Are you family?” a woman’s voice asked.
Hailey spun around and saw a pretty woman in pink scrubs walking into the room. “No. My aunt’s rehabbing here. Patty Manning. I just stopped in when I saw Mrs. Humphries’s name on the door. I used to live in Alina, and I knew the Humphries and their grandchildren. My brother and one of her grandsons were best friends. I just wanted to say hi, but I’m afraid I’ve confused and upset her.”
The woman ran her eyes over Hailey. “Don’t sweat it. She’s confused a lot. I know your aunt. She’s a very funny lady. I’m surprised I’ve never seen you before.” She extended her hand. “I’m Shelly. I’m the day-shift nurse five days a week.”
“Hailey. I usually come after work, or on Sundays.”
“That explains it, since I have Sundays off. I’ll be back in a few minutes. Helen’s too agitated to take her meds right now. It was good meeting you.”
Shelly dashed out of the room and Hailey hung her head down, pivoting around to face Helen. “I feel terrible about upsetting you, Mrs. Humphries.”
“What did you do?” a deep voice asked from behind.
Jerking her head up, she spun around and gasped: Goldie stood looming in the doorway. What the hell is he doing in Mrs. Humphries’s room?
He walked into the room and went over to the woman. Bending down, he kissed her cheek and a huge grin spread over her face when she saw him. He hugged her. “How’re you doing, Grandma?”
Grandma? This is Goldie’s grandmother? Confusion flitted through her. What the fuck’s going on? Then she looked at his leather vest, the one he wore the night before. She remembered he’d had a lot of patches, but she hadn’t seen the back of it. Now, looking at the back, the words “Night Rebels MC” stared at her in red lettering. Night Rebels. I know that name. Wait, Rory said it’s that biker gang. The one Ryan told me Garth joined. Goldie must be Garth’s friend. “Do you know Garth?” she said.
He raised his head and his eyes boldly ran over her body, making her feel conspicuous in her jean shorts and blue T-shirt. She crossed her arms over her chest. He laughed.
“Do you?” She stepped back.
“Why do you ask?”
“Because my brother told me he’s in a motorcycle gang, and this is his grandmother. I knew him when we were younger.”
“Night Rebels is a motorcycle club, not a gang. Gangs are for fuckin’ losers.” He leaned back on his boot heels.
“Garth! Your language,” Helen said in a strong, clear voice.
He guffawed, leaned down, and hugged her tightly. “Awesome.” The elderly woman laughed, but then her bright eyes turned dull and the vacant veil came back.
“She’s got Alzheimer’s,” he said softly as he ran his fingers through her snowy white hair.
Hailey darted her gaze from Goldie to Helen, then back to Goldie. “I’m sorry. She thinks you’re Garth.”
He leaned against the windowsill behind the recliner. “I am, or at least I was. No one calls me Garth except for my grandma.” He pursed his lips.
A hand flew over her mouth as she took him in, her stomach twisting in knots. Goldie’s Garth? The guy I kissed last night is Garth! “I had no idea. You’ve really changed.”
“I fuckin’ hope so. You grew up nicely.” His gaze dropped from her eyes to her shoulders, then to her breasts.
An unwelcome surge of excitement coursed through her, and she moved farther away from him. “I can’t believe you’re Garth. I mean, you gave me a tattoo.”
“On your ass. And an incredible kiss on your lips.”
She groaned and threw her head back. “I can’t believe this. Did you know it was me?”
“When you came into the tattoo parlor, I had no clue it was you. I thought you were just another hot-looking chick. Ryan never mentioned you moved back to Alina. When did you get here?”
“About eight months ago. My aunt Patty shattered her left femur and needed help with the shop. She’s here for rehab. That’s why I’m here. I was visiting her earlier. I just happened to see your grandma’s name on the door. I don’t know why I didn’t notice it before.”
“They just put them on the door. Before, they were just on the charts inside the rooms. This is a small world. I wonder why Ryan didn’t tell me you’re in town.”
“I think he was trying to protect me. He did tell me you joined a biker gang—I mean club. I don’t know. Sometimes he acts like I’m still a child.”
Cocking his head to the side, he slid his gaze over her again. “He knows me too well.”
“This is kinda awkward.” Hailey rubbed the back of her neck.
“Why’s that?”
“Because of last night and the tattoo and all that.”
“I bet you wouldn’t have done any of that if you knew it was me.”
“No, I wouldn’t have.”
“But you were attracted to me.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t know it was you, Garth. I mean, the whole thing is weird. You’re my brother’s best friend. We’ve known each other since I can remember.”
His face hardened. “You’re right. Ryan would be pissed, and we can’t do that shit to him. We’ll forget last night ever happened, and I’ll try to forget your cute ass.”
Before she could answer, several personnel ran past. She poked her head out into the hallway and saw a bunch of people go into one of the rooms. A few residents stood in the hall trying to peek inside.
“I wonder what’s going on,” she said.
He came up behind her, pressing against her back as he looked over her head and down the hallway. Static charges jumped through her as the heat radiating from him hugged her. Her body became alert and she felt his heat radiating off him. When he placed his hand on her shoulder, it set off an inferno inside her, and she leaned back against his solid chest. A subtle scent of leather, pine, and earth infused her senses, and her arousal screamed for his touch, for his lips on her skin.
“Looks like a problem in Mrs. Heller’s room.” His breath fanned over her shoulders and she fell farther back into him. His finger caressed her cheek. “Be careful what you’re doing. You might wake the beast in me, and he doesn’t play nice.” The way he ground his hips forward, rubbing his hard dick against her, made her want to wake up the beast and more.
Shelly ran by, then stopped and came back to the door. Tension etched her face, and she glared at Hailey before looking at Goldie. “I didn’t know you’d come in.”
“What’s going on down there?”
“Mrs. Heller’s passed.”
“Damn. That’s too bad.”
“Yeah. She was old. When you get past eighty, you never know.”
“Age doesn’t matter to her family. It still fuckin’ sucks.” Goldie’s hand slipped under Hailey’s hair and he swept his fingers over the base of her neck. Goose bumps freckled her skin as she shivered from desire.
“True.” Shelly looked back down the hall. “I have to go. Are you going to stick around for a while?” She smiled widely at him.
She’s got the hots for him. Hell, I’ve got the hots for him. I can’t believe how sexy he turned out to be. But he’s a womanizer. Remember, Ryan told you that. You’re so out of his league.
“I’ll be here for a bit.”
“Sweet.” Shelly scampered down the hall as the administrator of the facility tried to move the residents away from Mrs. Heller’s room.
The exchange with Shelly must have brought him back to reality, because he stepped back from Hailey and cool air replaced his warmth as he went back over to his grandmother. Hailey pivoted around and watched him wipe Helen’s nose. That single act made her heart melt. She wanted to tell him that she’d always had a huge crush on him, that the kiss they’d shared the night before was the best one she’d ever had. That he did something to her—always had—and that she wanted to get to know Garth the man. But she just stood mutely in the doorway, watching him share a tender moment with his grandmother.
He threw the tissue in the trash, then went into the connecting bathroom and turned on the water. When he came back out, drying his hands with a paper towel, he gave her a half smile. All of a sudden, she felt like an intruder. She smiled back and went over to the chair to pick up her purse.
“I better get back to the shop,” she said.
“Okay.” There was a spark of some indefinable emotion in his eyes.
She spun around and walked out of the room. Outside, the hot, dry air bore down on her as she cut across the parking lot. It was an inferno inside her car, and she turned up the air conditioning to high and rolled down the windows to let the heat escape. Her mind was still spinning over the discovery that the man she’d been lusting after since he’d given her a tattoo was Garth. What were the chances of that? She didn’t think he’d contact her again. Since he was a player, he probably figured he could fuck her a couple times and then move on. Discovering who she was must have put a major kink in his plans of seduction.
Her phone vibrated and she hoped it was him. With slumping shoulders, she read Rory’s text.
Rory: What’s going on? Brent said u haven’t returned his call.
With a heavy sigh, she frowned while she shook her head slowly. Not in the mood for this, Rory.
Hailey: Been 2 busy 2 think. Slammed @ the shop.
Rory: I feel 4 u, but u have 2 get out. What about Sat?
Hailey: Not sure. Brent doesn’t do anything 4 me.
In anticipation of Rory’s response, she pressed her lips together and looked out the window. In front of her, a silver metallic motorcycle shone under the glaring sun. The artwork on the bike drew her in—a zombie apocalypse. She’d never seen anything like it, and her gut told her it was Goldie’s bike.
Rory: Y not? Please don’t tell me u’re into the tattoo guy.
Hailey: K, I won’t.
Rory: R u serious? Brent’s handsome, smart, witty, and a NICE GUY.
Hailey: Then u go out with him. Gotta run. Later.
She chuckled as she started the engine. What could she say? Brent just didn’t do it for her. She was serious about Rory going out with him. He was a million times better than that pessimist Troy. Anyway, she was seriously attracted to Goldie. The funny thing was that she saw the sexy tattoo artist as Goldie, not Garth. Garth was still a teenager locked in her memory. Plus, thinking of him as Goldie made her not mind so much that he was Ryan’s best friend.
The tires squealed as she turned too sharply onto the main road. Maybe she’d come back the following day and see if she happened to run into Goldie. Maybe she’d turn into a stalker or something. One thing she knew for sure: she would see him again, even if it meant her seeking him out.
She wanted to get to know him all over again. Ryan wouldn’t be happy about it, but he was halfway across the world. Goldie was just across town. Besides, people were always running into each other in small towns. It was inevitable.
She’d make sure to make the unavoidable happen.