“So how did meeting the parents go?” Presley grinned at Scott. “I didn’t get the chance to get the full scoop from you last night.”
“It was good,” Scott said as he filled his mug. “They love her.”
“Was she ok, after last night?”
Scott frowned. “Yeah, we worked it out. She’s been off this week. Family’s not her thing. This is just throwing her out of her element.”
“Meeting the parents.” Presley raised a brow and grinned. “The manwhore is settling down. I never thought I’d see the day.” She reached over him and grabbed a coffee cup from the cabinet.
“Oh, shut the fuck up.” Scott grinned. He pulled out his phone to see if he had any messages from Tori. She must not be up yet. When he’d left her she was sound asleep.
“Shhhh,” Presley said, “do you hear that?”
“Hear what?” Scott asked, although he wasn’t sure he wanted the answer.
“It’s the sound of hundreds of hearts shattering all over the world.” Presley chuckled.
“Hundreds? You‘re insane. I’m not that bad.” They loved to constantly tease him about his random hook ups. “Never broke any hearts,” Scott groaned.
Well, maybe one.
Brandi flashed through his head. He still had some lingering guilt over that one. Becca and his father mentioning her had brought it to the front of his mind.
“You’re right. Tinder sluts are never looking for anything other than a hook up.” Presley plucked his phone from his hand and began fishing. “Wow, you’ve actually deleted the app! This is serious!” Presley gave him a wink. “Aw, you’ve got Tori’s photo set as the home screen.” She grinned, eyeing the photo of Tori on the horse.
“If you’re done,” Scott growled. He snatched his phone from Presley.
“She’s hot, I’ll give you that. You know how to pick them. She’s hella fun too. I like her a lot.” Presley grinned a little too much. “She seemed to really like me too.” Presley nudged him in the side and gave him a wink.
“She’s mine. Back off, Shey.”
“So,” she breathed, “Speaking of manwhores, where’s Blaze?”
That was a damn good question. “He should’ve rolled in with you.” Scott raised his brow.
“When I left the bar last night and walked back to the hotel, he was still downing whiskey and scamming on girls,” Presley tattled on him. “When I knocked on his door this morning there was no answer. I assumed he went home with some skank and would take a cab here.” Presley shrugged.
Scott grabbed his phone and tried dialing Blaze, it went straight to voicemail.
You have to be fucking kidding me.
“You sure bringing him on was the right call?” She frowned.
“I’m sure there’s a logical explanation. We don’t need him till this afternoon anyway, until we head to the range; he knows that.” Scott’s plan was to divide the officers into smaller groups. He found that a more intimate setting was better suited for teaching. “I’m sure he’ll be here soon.”
If he’s not, I’m going to kill that fucker.
Tori’s phone vibrated across the nightstand.
Unknown number, unknown number, her VoiceOver repeated.
Shit! Had she overslept? Tori popped up. Wait, no, she wasn’t home and she didn’t have work. The fog lifted and the smell of freshly baked bread reminded her that she was at Scott’s parents’ house.
She reached over and grabbed her phone, double tapping to answer. “Hello?”
“Holy fuckin shit, Blondie. I was afraid you weren’t going to answer,” Blaze’s voice boomed through the line.
“Blaze? Aren’t you supposed to be with Scott? Is he ok?” Tori sat up and ran her fingers through her knotted hair.
“Harris is fine, but he’s gonna have my ass if I don’t get there soon. I need your help. I’m in a godforsaken diner in goddamned rural I-don’t-know-where and I need money, and a ride.”
“And yet you called the one person that can’t drive.” Tori burst out laughing. “What the hell happened to you anyway?”
“I got taken by a sweet, southern accent wearing daisy dukes,” Blaze groaned. “Bitch took my phone, wallet, and left me with the clothes on my back.”
Tori doubled over in laughter, clutching her belly. “You got robbed by a girl?” Tori was laughing so much tears streamed down her face. “You, a Navy Fucking Seal?”
“Yes, it’s so amusing,” Blaze growled. “We can have a nice big laugh about this later, but now I really fucking need your help. Thank God you slipped me that business card last week.”
“Wait, you mean to tell me you’re wearing the same shirt you had on last week? You haven’t washed the thing?” Tori had tucked her card into the pocket of his shirt just in case they got separated when they met in Miami the week prior.
“Really? Are we doing this now?” he huffed.
“Ok, ok.” Tori caught her breath. “Text me the address and I’ll bring you some cash. You owe me big time.”
“I think after shopping with you in Miami Beach this puts us at about even.”
Tori chuckled. Yeah, she’d dragged him in and out of shops all day long last week.
“All right, fine.” Tori chuckled. “But we need to have a serious conversation about the caliber of women that you’re choosing to sleep with.”
“She was worth it. That little thing rode me like a fucking bull.” He let out a dreamy sigh.
Tori huffed. “I’ll be there soon.” She hung up the phone, tossed on some clothes, pulled her hair back into a ponytail and threw on one of Scott’s baseball caps. There was no time for makeup to cover her black eyes so she opted for a pair of Aviators. She opened her Uber app, then cursed when she realized there was no Uber service in Austin. What the hell? She filed that away to ask Scott why later, then Googled a local cab company and made a call.
She flipped open her cane and went down the hall as quietly as she could, which wasn’t very. Her stealth skills were shit. Tori thought she’d almost made it as her hand reached for the handle on the door.
“Just where do you think you’re sneaking off to?” Judith’s voice rounded the corner.
Tori froze like a deer caught in the headlights. Never in her life had she been scolded by her own mother for sneaking out, much less someone else’s.
Is this what it felt like to be a teenager?
God if she knew. She practically never was one.
“I…uh…” Tori stammered before finding her words. “A friend of mine wants to meet me for breakfast. I have a cab coming.”
Judith huffed and Tori imagined that she was frowning with her hands on her hips. “You will do no such thing. You don’t need to be taking a cab by yourself!”
Tori opened her mouth to speak but Judith continued ranting.
“Why doesn’t your friend come and pick you up?” Judith asked suspiciously. “I mean they have to know that you can’t drive. I can’t believe they would make you take a cab—”
“Well, they aren’t from around here…” that wasn’t a lie. Tori really did feel like a sixteen-year-old at the moment.
“What if the driver is some kind of sick man that would try to take advantage of a pretty little thing like you?”
“Judith—”
“No, I won’t have it. I’ll drive you.” Tori heard Judith rustle for her keys.
There was no way out of this. “Ok, I suppose, but you can just drop me off. I’ll make sure to have them ride in the cab with me back here, that way you don’t have to make two trips.”
Yeah. That should work.
“We’ll see.” Judith obviously wouldn't commit to that. They walked to the car in silence.
“Who are you meeting so early anyway?” Judith asked her as she buckled in. “Who do you know that’s in town that doesn’t live around here?”
Good lord, the woman was full of questions. Scott probably never got away with anything as a teenager.
The odds of Judith knowing Blaze were slim to none. It was highly unlikely the two had ever crossed paths. Tori gulped. “Just a friend from Florida. We happen to be in town at the same time.” Again, not a lie.
They sat there in silence for a few moments.
Maybe I should tell her what’s going on. Yeah, that was a brilliant idea. Tell the woman that wanted you to sleep in separate bedrooms that you’re going to rescue her son’s best friend after he got robbed by a woman that chances were fifty-fifty was a hooker.
“Well?” Judith said.
“Well what?”
“Where are we going, dear?”
“Oh!” Tori snapped out of it and pulled out her phone. She clicked on the text that had the address. The VoiceOver blared it out and went to her map to navigate.
“Well, look at that!” Judith exclaimed. “Fascinating how easily you use a phone. I had no idea that it had all that talking stuff.”
“Yeah, it’s pretty simple with the VoiceOver.” That reminded her. “I guess I should cancel my ride.” Tori frowned, called the cab company and cancelled her ride. “Why don’t you all have Uber anyway?
“Oh, it was big news. Uber wouldn’t adhere to our background check requests, so the voters gave them the boot. You know, it’s been in the news that several women have been assaulted by drivers?” Tori could practically hear Judith shudder at that thought. “You really shouldn’t be taking those, Victoria.”
“Judith, it’s fine.” Tori couldn’t hide the exasperation in her tone. “I take rides in DC all the time. I’m very capable.”
Judith’s hand reached over and squeezed her leg. “Oh, honey! I didn’t mean it like that. I know you’re quite capable. I just care about you. Lord, I bet people question you all the time. That must feel awful…” Judith sounded so upset with herself. “I should know better. When you need help you’re smart and bold enough to ask. I just…” she let out a heavy breath, “I just wanted to mother you a bit.”
Tori put her hand on top of Judith’s and squeezed it. There were about a thousand emotions that filled her with that statement, but they all clogged in her throat. Finally, Tori croaked out a meager, “Thank you.”
“Oh, and I’m sorry I keep touching you; Scott warned me about that.”
“Oh, did he now?” Tori’s voice went up an octave.
“Yes, he told me I can’t touch you without warning, that it startles you. I can’t help it. I’m a touchy-feely person.”
“It’s fine, Judith.” Tori gritted her teeth, seething inside. She couldn’t believe that Scott said that to his mother. “You just be you, please. Mother me all you want.” God knew she could use some mothering.
They were quiet for some time until Judith spoke again. “Getting the call about Scott, that he’d been injured… that’s a mamma’s worst nightmare. It was touch-and-go for some time with him before we knew he’d pull through. It was terrifying to see him unconscious on that ventilator. Then he got the infection and we had to make such a quick decision to take his leg.”
Tori wasn’t sure why Judith was telling her all this, but she listened.
“I babied him too much afterward. I begged him to move home, where I could take care of him, but he was too stubborn.” Judith let out a chuckle. “For the life of me I couldn’t figure out why he wouldn’t leave DC. When he came home for a bit afterward…” She paused as if she was reflecting on something. “He wasn’t himself. I think I understand why now.” She patted Tori’s bare thigh. “He’s different with you than he was with…” Tori heard Judith hesitate as she stumbled on her words. “I can see how happy you make him.”
With who?
Who else had Scott been serious with?
“I…I…” Tori stammered. Scott came home after he left DC? She was off living the life in New York, hell if she knew what he was doing back then.
“Thank you for watching out for my boy for me,” Judith said warmly. “I know you will always take good care of him.” She rocked Tori’s leg back and forth and finally let go of her.
Tori’s heart swelled with pride at Judith’s words.
She trusts me.
Suddenly a wave of guilt washed over her.
“I lied to you,” Tori blurted out and buried her face in her hands, wishing she could disappear. Tori straightened her spine back up and sucked in a breath. “Ok, not lied, but I stretched the truth about where we were headed.”
“Mmm hmm,” Judith hummed, and Tori imagined that her lips were pulled together tightly as her eyes narrowed on the road. “I gathered as much when I saw the address.”
“I really am going to meet a friend, well, Scott’s friend I guess I should say…” Tori tried to explain. “Scott has this friend, Blaze, who’s somewhat of a mess—”
“What kind of name is Blaze?”
“It’s a nickname, long story.” Tori waved her hand. “Anyhow, he goes by Blaze now.”
Judith chuckled. “Blaze sounds like some sort of drug dealer. Now I know my boy doesn’t do drugs, well not Scott.” Judith sounded pained.
Tori’s encounter with Chad the night before flashed through her mind and a pang went through her heart.
“Blaze isn’t a drug dealer.”
I think.
Tori went into the short explanation of how he came by the nickname by singing Bon Jovi’s “Blaze of Glory” in the chopper after he was shot overseas. Halfway through, she realized she had no idea what Blaze’s real first name was. Scott had said his last name once on the houseboat telling her the story.
What the hell was his last name?
Tori racked her brain till it finally came to her. “Hodges! That’s it!” Tori exclaimed. “I don’t know the first name.”
“Hodges…” Judith seemed to mull that over for a bit. “Lord have mercy, Ian Hodges?” Judith sounded as if it meant something important.
“Possibly…” Tori shrugged, “Like I said, I don’t know his first name.”
“Honey, everyone knows who Ian Hodges is, especially Wayne and I.” Tori could hear emotion clogging Judith’s throat. “He’s a military hero. He saved Scott’s life. He took ten rounds to the body and one bad one to the neck on a hostage rescue mission with Scott. Nearly killed the man, and almost paralyzed him. He wasn’t only awarded a Purple Heart, but the Navy Cross. Wayne and I sent him letters and packages while he was laid up in the hospital. We wanted to go visit him, but he wouldn’t return our letters.”
Tori let that sink in for a moment.
Scott had given her the watered-down, PG rated version of the story. Scott said several rounds, but ten? How in the hell does someone survive that? He did that saving Scott? Tori’s soft spot for Blaze grew a little bigger.
“So why are you going to meet with Ian Hodges?” Judith asked.
“Well, Blaze, I mean Ian,” Tori couldn’t quite bring herself to call him that, he was just Blaze to her, “got himself in a mess last night with a woman. Let’s just say he picks the wrong companions.” Tori gave Judith her own PG rated version of the story leaving off the she-rode-me-like-a-fucking-bull part.
The car came to a halt and Judith turned off the engine.
“Thank you for the ride, Judith. Blaze will make sure I get back safe.” Tori grabbed the handle of the car.
“Oh, no he won’t.” Judith dug her heels in. “I’m going with you. I need to have a talk with this boy.”
Tori chuckled. This was about to get interesting.
Blaze’s eyes were immediately drawn to Tori. She looked like the world’s shittiest bank robber, wearing a hoodie and a baseball cap drawn low over her eyes, which were covered with Aviators. Was she trying to be sneaky wearing that getup? He laughed at the absurdity of that. The white cane did nothing but fucking draw everyone’s eyes right to her. It took Blaze at least twenty seconds to even register that she was with someone.
Next to Tori stood Judith Harris, aka Mamma Harris as she scrawled on the bottom of every handwritten letter.
Oh, the hell she didn’t.
He may have never met the woman face to face, but he’d know her for certain if he passed that red-head on a crowded street. Judith sent him not only letters, but dozens of cards with sky filled doves and bible scriptures scrawled on them when he was in the hospital. Oh, and cookies. Yeah; he appreciated those. He read every word she wrote, trashed the scripture filled cards, but ate every last crumb. The woman could bake a mean-ass chocolate chip cookie.
Blondie whispered something to her and Mamma Harris scanned the diner, her eyes locking with his. Her brow raised in acknowledgment and her thin lips tightened as if she was displeased with him. She may not look much like Scott, but he’d inherited that scowl from her.
She marched straight over to him, dragging Blondie along for the ride. Blaze stood and let out a hefty sigh, peering at the two of them.
Judith Harris was small but fierce with her wild red hair and her thinly plucked, arched brows. She was shorter than he expected, considering the size of her son. She only stood about five feet two inches tall, he guessed. How that tiny woman ever gave birth to the beast that was Scott was beyond his comprehension.
“Hey, Blondie, nice getup.” Blaze reached over and tugged on the brim of the brown ball cap with the Makers Mark patch on the front. “You look like the Unibomber.”
“I wouldn’t know.” Her mouth quirked up in the corner and she curled her nose.
“Mamma Harris, I presume. Pleasure to make your acquaintance.” He gave her a nod and a slight bow.
“You never wrote me back.” Judith’s green eyes narrowed, and she jutted out her strong, square chin.
Looking back, he was a son of a bitch for not writing her back, but he was so damn angry at the time. When you get a fucking bullet lodged in your neck and you aren’t sure if your dick will ever get hard again, it’ll piss any man off. He didn’t say that though, instead he opted for, “I did love the cookies. Best chocolate chip cookies I’ve ever eaten.” He flashed her a wolfish grin and patted his stomach.
A smile reached Judith’s eyes first, then her painted, red lips curled. Before he knew it, Judith lunged toward him, wrapping her arms around him, practically choking off his air supply. His eyes bulged at Judith’s strength.
“Holy cow,” he croaked, pretending to be out of breath. “Now I know where your son gets his ox strength from.”
As he returned the embrace, he glanced over her shoulder and could see Blondie holding back a snicker. “Judith’s hugs need to come with a warning label that they may cause internal injury,” Tori quipped.
Finally, Judith released the straight-jacket-hold that she had on him and then whacked him in the shoulder. “What are you doing, going home with a strange woman? A bar is no place to meet a lady!” She scolded.
“Harris told me he met Blondie in a bar.” Blaze may as well tattle like a kid, since he was being treated like one. “He went home with her that night. Worked out well for him.” Blaze shrugged.
“Blaze!” Tori’s jaw went slack and she turned about three shades of red. Served her right for dragging Scott’s mom with her—of all people.
Judith’s brow went up and she cleared her throat. “Don’t throw this sweet girl and my son under the bus to get yourself out of trouble, boy.” She poked him in the chest.
A smug grin crept across Tori’s face, as if she’d just won a huge victory. Apparently, Scott wasn’t the only Harris that was wrapped around Blondie’s little finger.
“Now be a gentleman and escort Miss Victoria out while I take care of your bill.” Judith nodded to the table with his dirty dish on it.
“It’s taken care of,” Blaze said with a wicked grin.
His waitress came over and leaned across the table, her tits spilling out of her tank top as she cleared his dishes. “You have a good day, darlin.” She licked her pouty, pink lips and winked at him. “Thanks for the tip.” The waitress leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.
“Well, I’ll be,” Judith huffed and marched toward the door.
“Do I even want to know how your tab was paid?” Tori whispered to him as he looped his arm with hers.
Blaze laughed and patted her hand. “Probably not, Blondie, probably not.”
God bless Texas.
Scott’s cell phone buzzed for the second time inside his pocket and he figured it was a good time to give the guys a break anyway. He dismissed his class and walked outside, heading away from the smoking section where Presley hung back with a few of the men. He was growing impatient with Blaze and as much as the nicotine would relieve the pounding in his temples he didn’t need the grief that Tori would give him. She’d smell it like a bloodhound all over him. Somehow, she’d found the pack he hid in the potted plant last week and chewed his ass out for it, rightfully so. He didn’t even enjoy the damn things anymore, it was more of a vice every now and again when he was stressed, and he hated himself every time he succumbed to having one.
Scott glanced at his phone, two missed calls from Tori. Two? She wouldn’t call twice unless something was amiss. He dialed her back.
“What’s wrong?” he shot.
“I have a package for you,” her devilish, throaty purr sang through the line.
“You do know I’m in the middle of training, right?” he lowered his voice. “I thought something was wrong since you called twice. Babe, you’re out of your mind. I can’t leave to have sex right now.”
“Aw, I hate to burst that gigantic ego of yours, but that’s not what I mean.” She snickered. “No. This is a different package. It’s from Florida. Something you’ve been missing all morning.”
Scott’s ears grew hot. “Blaze is with you!” he growled. “What the hell is he doing with you?”
“This is Blaze, babe, what do you think happened?”
“Oh, I’d assume it has something to do with a scantily dressed, hot chick.” Scott rolled his eyes.
“Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner.” Her voice bellowed like a radio announcer. “Tell me the address where your mother and I can ship your grand prize.”
Scott tilted his head back and roared in laughter. Blaze had to be getting an earful from his mother about right now. Finally, his laughter died down. “I’ll text you the address. Message me when you get here. I’ll meet you at the gate.
They must not have been too far because Scott received her text about twenty minutes later. Thankfully one of the other men took the lead in the class so he could slip out the back unnoticed.
“Well, well, well, look what we have here,” Scott said as he sauntered over to the car with his hands in his pockets. His mom, Tori and Blaze were all climbing out. “Had to get Mommy and big sis to come save your ass?” Scott walked over to Tori and wrapped his arms around her, greeting her with a kiss.
Tori said nothing but smiled sweetly at him.
He knew her well enough to know she’d had quite an interesting morning with his mom. He couldn’t wait to hear her recap later.
Blaze rolled his green eyes at Scott. “She was worth it, Harris. That’s all I can say.”
Scott released Tori and let his arm hang casually around her waist.
“Nice hat.” Scott tugged on the brim. He liked seeing her in his clothes; it was intimate to him.
“I didn’t have much time to get myself together.” Tori frowned. Whatever. She looked damn adorable to him.
His mom scowled at Blaze and placed her hands on her hips. “I expected much better from this soldier.” His mom ranted on for several moments recapping the story, including how this woman robbed him blind and got him kicked out of his hotel.
“Wait? You got kicked out of the hotel?” Scott pinched the bridge of his nose. He’d have to call Jack Riley, get the company card, and book another room, which would lead to questions about his judgement for bringing Blaze on the gig. Scott didn’t need this right now.
“Apparently, the upscale establishment you all were staying at frowns upon solicitation.” Tori twisted her mouth.
“God, Blaze! Do you realize the heat that this will bring on me with Riley?”
“She wasn’t a hooker, dammit!” Blaze scratched the back of his neck. “She just looked like one.”
“How about you stay with us the rest of the trip?” Scott’s mom suggested.
“Fine, but only if you promise to make me chocolate chip cookies again.” Blaze gave her a childish grin.
Scott couldn’t contain his chuckles of mirth. One thing you didn’t do was argue with Mamma. About that time, Scott heard the group coming out the gate, Presley and the rest of the team headed to the parking lot along with several of the officers. Presley caught his eye and he waved them over.
“Look who finally showed up in time for lunch break.” Presley’s grin grew wide. “What was her name?” She cocked her hip to the side and crossed her arms, glaring at Blaze.
Blaze scratched his temple. “Honestly, I don’t even know. I called her Dolly because she had bleach-blonde hair and tits like—”
Judith knocked him on the back side of his head.
“Ow!” Blaze yelped. “Strong and violent! Lord, Harris, now I know where you get it from.”
Everyone laughed.
“Presley, I’d like you to meet my mother, Judith.” Scott placed his arm around his mom and gave her a squeeze.
They exchanged pleasantries. Thankfully, his mother didn’t embrace Presley in one of her choke-hold hugs.
“Y’all about ready to have lunch? Why don’t you come to the house and let me whip you up something? We don’t live far from here at all.”
By whip up something, she meant go to extremes trying to impress his friends. “Mom we don’t have much time,” he protested.
“Ok, dinner tonight it is. Say six?” Judith nodded to the group.
They all exchanged glances, then looked to Scott for approval. He nodded.
“Only if you promise to bust out all the embarrassing photos of Scott as a baby,” Presley chimed and gave Scott a playful grin.
“Well, of course!” His mother clapped her hands together and beamed.