Chapter 2

Teddy

Not many jobs would allow me the time for a late morning swim, but it was one of the perks of working for myself. This week included lots of downtime, well not exactly downtime so much as planning for an upcoming consultation with yet another reality TV couple. Not that I had anything against reality stars, but they were newly rich without the accompanying taste. But I gave them what they wanted, a lavish wedding befitting their new status as D-list celebrities.

Ugh. Now wasn’t the time to think about them—this time was mine. After a good thirty minutes of laps back and forth across the pool, I turned over on my back and let my body float. I got to relax in a way I didn’t always get to do, especially in public. People always stared at me and I wasn’t being full of myself, it was just the truth. They either recognized me as the former runway model and cover girl, and wanted to know what I’d been up to. They loved to tell me how much of a shame it was that I’d lost everything, because to them, losing the fame and the money was everything. The others? They just told me how fucked up it was that my limp marred the runway I’d spent my youth perfecting.

I went out and I used my sharp tongue to weed out the jerks and rubberneckers, and I usually had my best friend Jana at my side. Reluctantly, but still, at my side. Days like today, I preferred privacy and used the pool at the rehab center where I still did the occasional round of physical therapy to keep my muscles loose and strong. The old people usually gave me a smile and a wave, sometimes the occasional wink and the few kids were so focused on their own therapy, they paid me no attention.

“Hey lady.”

Must’ve spoken too soon. I looked over and spotted a black-haired kid with the lightest blue eyes I’d ever seen. “What’s up, kiddo?” He couldn’t be more than seven or eight, two lanes away from me with a bright grin on his face.

“What happened to your leg?”

I stifled the groan that wanted to escape at his question—hell, it was everyone’s question. I liked kids, when they were quiet, but most of them were too damn curious. Still, I couldn’t bring myself to be mean to the adorable little twerp. “I was in a car accident that broke my leg in several places.”

To his credit the kid didn’t ask to get an up close and personal look at the zipper scar that ran the length of my left leg. “I have a scar too, see?” He lifted his shirt to reveal what was clearly some type of heart surgery. “But when I get older I’m gonna get a Superman tattooed right here,” he smacked the spot with a proud grin. “My mom says it’s a sign that I made it, just like Superman, nothing can kill him.”

“Hey, you’re pretty smart for a kid.”

“Thanks. You’re a pretty cool for a grownup.” He waved and turned onto his back as he began to float away. “You’re a girl, maybe flowers or something for your leg!”

I shook my head. Even when they were young, men couldn’t help giving out unwanted advice. “Yeah, thanks kid.”

I couldn’t help but think about his words though, even days later as I prepared for my meeting with Ron Hardy and Tessa McMann, the winners of the most recent season of I Wanna Fall In Love. They’d postponed their consultation until her latest boob job had a chance to heal, which meant I was free to attend the grand opening of GET INK’D, the tattoo shop owned by Max’s younger brother Tate.

I didn’t really relish hanging around with a bunch of bikers all night, but Max was good people and completely in love with Jana, and until he proved otherwise—that meant Tate was good too. The only problem I had with him was he was too much man. Too big, too much hair and a smile that could drop even the tightest pair of panties. “Congratulations, Tate. The place looks good.”

He flashed that damn smile and leaned in. “Thank you, Teddy. You’re looking pretty damn good yourself.”

I rolled my eyes at his over the top flirting, but I never took him seriously. It was just a little innocent flirting and I knew it was harmless because he hadn’t made a move in all the months I’d known him. It was nice though, being able to flirt without any inappropriate blowback. Besides, my sharp tongue didn’t seem to faze Tate. If anything, he seemed amused by it. “Thanks. I did it just for you.”

He shook his head, his hair falling around his shoulders. “Not possible. If you’d dressed for me, you’d be wearing a lot less.”

I looked at him seriously before a laugh escaped. “I’ll keep that in mind for your next grand opening.” The place was nice even though it was set up like pretty much every tattoo shop ever. The artwork however, was incredible. “Did you draw this stuff?”

“Yeah, you like it?”

I nodded as I looked around, spotting Jana looking uncomfortable as hell, surrounded by Max’s biker brothers. “You’re very talented, Tate. Can we set up a consultation?”

His golden brows rose in surprise. “Sure, but you don’t strike me as the tattoo type.”

I grinned, but I rolled my eyes just so he knew how ridiculous he sounded. “Yeah, well there’s a lot you don’t know about me, Golden Boy.”

Amusement flashed in his gray eyes that could, under the right circumstances, really get my motor going. But he was too close to my life to go there. With his hand to his chest, Tate feigned hurt. “You don’t think I look like a Golden Boy?”

I couldn’t help but smile at his playfulness. I’d been through some shit in my life, but if I’d gone through what Tate had, wrongfully imprisoned for six years, I would be pissed off all the damn time. “You do have kind of a whole golden thing going on,” I told him and took him in. Without the tattoos, long hair and big muscles, he could have easily been like the suits who thought they deserved a woman like me. “But you do have really great hair.”

He snorted and rolled his eyes. “Yeah, thanks. Just what every guy wants to hear.”

“Oh, come on, Golden Boy, I’m sure your ego can handle it. Besides you seem to have a whole fan club over there.” I nodded in the direction of a group of rough looking women blatantly staring at us.

“They’re like that with everyone,” he grunted with disgust.

Against my better judgment, I dropped a hand on his shoulder. “Poor baby, not feeling too special on his big night?”

Instead of throwing a tantrum, he waggled his eyebrows. “I am special, sweetheart.”

All I could do was roll my eyes at him. “Do we need to set up an appointment or anything? I’ve never had a tattoo consultation before.” That kids’ words had really stuck with me. I wasn’t the wilting flower type so there was no reason for me to play the part.

“Sure, lets.” He grinned with a sparkle in his eyes. “Since I’m a businessman and all. How about I come up with a few drawings and you think up some ideas?”

“Thank you, Tate.” I couldn’t even describe how grateful I was that I could talk to him without worrying about...anything, really. I handed him my phone. “Put your information in and I’ll try not to stalk you.”

He flashed another boyish grin. “I make no promises,” he said and handed the phone back to me.

“Right. See you soon, Golden Boy.” I left the man of the hour and headed for my girl Jana and her fiancé. “Hey guys, how’s it going?”

Jana shrugged, a sure sign she was feeling all kinds of uncomfortable. “It’s going.”

Max wrapped an arm around her waist and tucked her under his arm. “Whenever you’re ready, say the word babe.” He dropped a kiss on her forehead and Jana looked down, using her hair to cover the scar on her face.

“No way, tonight is Tate’s big night. He needs our support.”

“Jana, do his books if you want to support him. Don’t stay and be uncomfortable, unless of course I’m asking you to.” Just as I hoped, she smiled and rolled her eyes.

Max flashed a grin filled with gratitude. “That’s a good idea. Go tell him and I’ll take you home.”

“Don’t worry Max, I’ll take her. I need some time with my girl anyway.”

“Thanks, Teddy.”

“Don’t mention it, Max.” I stood by the door, ignoring the angry stares of the women who looked like they were rode hard and put away wet and the looks of the bikers, probably imagining me naked.

If only they knew, I thought to myself with a grin.

***

“He actually said he couldn’t believe I was still so hot,” I griped on the phone to Jana as I drove home from the office. “And then he told me I could make big money on reality TV. I wanted to choke that motherfucker, Jana.”

I heard her snicker down the line and it made me smile. “Those reality people think no one has ever made the money they make, Teddy. It’s good no one knows how rich you are.”

“You’re right, but it still pisses me off.” I was half tempted to rub strawberries all over his face, but anaphylaxis was a surefire way to end my business. “Anyway, how are you?”

She sighed and I swear I could hear her smile. “Good. Work has been great, but busy. Max wants to get married sooner rather than later.”

“Of course he does, the man is cuckoo for you. You still want to marry him, right?”

“Hell yeah I do! I love Max, it’s just hard to believe this is happening.”

“Not if you know you—which I do. Trust me, this is exactly what’s supposed to happen for you.”

She sighed heavily, still not accustomed to accepting compliments. “Thanks, Teddy. I called to invite you to dinner tonight.”

“Sure,” I told her absently as I walked up the five steps to my little split-level home. Blue roses in a beautiful crystal vase were on my stoop. No card or note, and a gold box that looked like it held lingerie or chocolate. “Did you send me flowers?”

“No, maybe it was one of your clients?”

“Unlikely,” I scoffed. “They’d never get something so subdued, trust me.” I got a weird feeling about the flowers, because no delivery person would simply leave them out like this.

I chose to leave the items on the porch, went inside and kicked off my shoes. The truth was, the reason I went so hardcore on physical therapy and fitness was due to my love of expensive shoes — not because I was an image conscious former model. “What’s for dinner?”

“Why don’t you show up and find out?”

I laughed. “Oooh, my little kitten has claws. Rawr!”

She laughed. “Come whenever, crazy lady. Bye.”

Jana was the best friend I’d ever had. The only real friend I’d ever had who didn’t want something from me, other than my friendship. I loved her for that, but I also loved her delicious home cooking. I showered and changed, ignoring the packages on my porch as I exited the house again and made my way to Jana’s place.

When I arrived, I noticed a bike in the driveway, but that wasn’t all that uncommon since Max pretty much lived there these days.

Before Jana met Max, I’d walk right in. Now, I knocked. Every damn time. Walking in on my best friend getting rammed by the love of her life wasn’t something I ever wanted to see. Not again.

The door opened to reveal a smiling blond, but not the one I was expecting. “Here for the free food too?”

“And the company. How’s the tattoo business, Tate?”

He shrugged and stood back to let me in. “So far, so good. Need to do some marketing shit to keep up the steady flow but you know how it is.”

“I do. If you need tips, ask.” Jana stood at the counter tossing a salad with a satisfied grin of a woman who’d recently had an orgasm. “Damn J, you look hot!”

She looked up with a blush. “Thanks Teddy but it’s just a dress.”

“Tell that to Marilyn’s iconic white dress.” Her blush deepened and I gave her break. “So this is like a full on party, huh?”

“Not at all, but I felt like cooking and figured I’d invite our two favorite people. You okay?”

I sighed and put on my best catalog model smile. “Sure, just a bit tired. Brides are the worst!” I laughed and wrapped her up in a hug, feeling uncharacteristically touchy-feely today. “You need some help?”

“You remember how to make that vinaigrette I showed you?”

“Do I? I only make it once a day, so I think I got this.” Back when it became clear that my modeling career was over, the first thing I learned how to do was cook to avoid eating out every night. Okay, to avoid going out every night. But meeting Jana had taught me that I didn’t know what cooking was until she showed me her skills. She smiled as I began to move around her kitchen, pulling out ingredients. “Where’s Max?”

“The grill,” she said with a soft smile. “He loves my cooking but he says, she lowered her voice in a mock Max voice, “‘grilling is man’s work.’”

That was such a Max thing to say. The man wasn’t a chauvinist or a pig, but he had a mile-wide protective streak and I appreciated that about him. “Just be sure he thinks cleaning that bad boy is also men’s work.”

She laughed and picked up the mac & cheese that made my stomach stand up and protest its hunger. “I’ll let you tell him that.”

“Why me? You’re the one he sees naked, use that to your advantage.”

“Let’s go, cuckoo bird. We’re eating in the backyard tonight.”

We ate out in the yard a lot, especially now that Jana had decked it all out, making it the perfect place to entertain almost year-round thanks to the mostly mild weather in Mayhem. I thought about the flowers on my stoop. It still gave me a strange feeling, but I couldn’t even describe it if I’d wanted to. And with two overprotective former service members, I really had no desire to bring up my suspicions now.

Besides who in the hell would stalk me? I was a party planner. A damn good one, but still, not exactly living a high-risk lifestyle.

“Hey, you okay?” Tate looked at me halfway through dinner, his gray eyes shining with concern.

I slapped a smile on my face, which he clearly didn’t buy, and nodded. “Yep, I’m good. Thanks. How are you?”

His lips twitched with amusement. “Getting better every day.”

“Glad to hear it,” I said and tapped my glass to his beer bottle. “To getting better.”

He grinned and tapped my glass again.

By the time the meal was over and the dishes were done, I felt better but still uneasy. That gift had me rattled and I’d learned in the early days of my modeling career to listen to my gut. It was how I avoided being left alone with certain photographers and models, and why I had a reputation as a good girl, because I didn’t go to parties where kids had no business being. Right now, I was getting those same vibes.

“Hey, are you sure you’re all right,” Jana asked.

“Just a little frazzled. I’ll be fine after a good night of rest.”

“Okay. If you’re sure,” she said but she didn’t believe me. “I’ll let that answer slide. Tonight. Tomorrow, we’re talking about it.”

“Damn, look who’s gotten bossy as hell.”

“Between you and Max, I had to adapt.” The pink on her face and neck told the whole story. Jana was still getting used to voicing her opinions. “Tomorrow,” she said and pointed a finger my way.

“Tomorrow,” I agreed as I stepped out into the slightly cooler, but still warm, night air.

“Hey, you want me to follow you home? You seem spooked.”

Dammit, was Tate a decent guy too? “Thanks for the offer, but I’m fine. I swear.”

“Be safe,” he said as he hopped on his bike, started it and drove off like a rocket.

I appreciated the gesture, but I’d been on my own for a very long time and whatever this was, I would handle it. But inside my house, I double-checked every door and window just to be safe. Everything was locked up tight, the security system was armed and I headed upstairs to get ready for bed.

By the time my head hit the pillow, every sound I heard was a potential serial killer coming to do me in.

Tomorrow, I’d have a drink before bed.