Page 54 of Storm Warning
I fish inside my bag, pulling the buckle out again to examine it. A hunk of metal not even strong enough to withstand gravel, once considered a trophy, now just worthless junk.
Removing myself from the floor, I head upstairs in search of something to wear tonight to Sawyer’s performance, tossing the buckle into the garbage the moment I reach my bathroom.
I wince as the weight of it hits the bottom of the bin.
One man’s treasure truly is another’s trash.
“Should have held on to it if it mattered to you.” Anger seeps through my lips. “I hope we never meet again.”
Silence sounds back at me, but somehow I feel better knowing that this buckle had its run, and by next week, it’ll be forever gone the moment the garbage truck drives away. Tossing myself on my bed, I look up at the plain white ceiling of my room.
A small cracking noise breaks my focus and I search around the room but see nothing out of place. Another crack sounds. I sit up, leaning on my forearms.
What is that?
The sound continues again and again. And this time, I catch its direction. Pebble after pebble hitting my window until I reach it and take a seat on my bench. A squeak resounds as my weight shifts forward to peer out onto the street. Sure enough, I spot Rhett and lean away just as quickly.
I race down my stairs, swinging open my front door before poking my head out. “Hey, Dipshit. What are you doing?”
“Tryin’ to get your attention.” His bright smile shines back at me.
“And you assumed I was in my bedroom?”
“First off, I didn’t know what room that was, but thanks for confirmin’ my suspicions.” He takes a few steps closer to my door. “Second off, it’s rude not to invite your guest in.”
“I said see you at the show, not in ten minutes at my house.”
He gasps, pretending he’s offended. Of course. Ever the performer that he is. I groan, giving into his antics with a smile, swinging the door open and waving him in.
“Ya can’t kiss people like that and not expect them at your door, Angel. It’s just not how life works.” He looks around my living room before returning his gaze to me. “Lucky for ya, I’d never hold it against ya.” He winks, and, for whatever reason, his fake arrogance makes me want to kisshim even more. “Now, since I’m a handyman and all, I better go check out that window. Make sure it ain’t broken. And if I’m lucky, the home owner will have me check out her pipes too.”
“Shut up,” I laugh.
“Just kiddin’...kinda.” He winks, advancing toward the stairs and I follow.
He enters my room like he’s been here a million times, doesn’t examine anything, and walks straight toward the window. It’s like he’s truly only interested in checking for damage and not really just being clever about snooping through my house. Looking the pane up and down, he turns back toward me, concern in his eyes.
“Just as I suspected.”
“You’re kidding, right?” Pacing toward him, I think of who the hell I’m going to call to get a new window and how much that will even cost.
“Nope, the window’s fine. The homeowner, however, is a total babe.” He breaks eye contact with me to look over my room. “Questionable taste, given the sparkly blow-up chair, extreme over use of pink, and, well, she’s not all over the Cowboy in her room yet. But if this was Room Raiders, I’d still be interested,” He chuckles.
I push him. “I thought the window was actually broken, you ass.”
“Well, I can make it happen if ya want. Kinda seems silly, but I’m here to please.”
His words send a thrill of excitement through my body, desire igniting at the idea of him doing things just to appease me. Mostly because I could think of many now that he’s here in my room. But I’m not going to give in so quickly. He’s always the one teasing, now it’s my turn.
“I absolutely do not want that,” I scoff, “but since you’re here, my bed seems to have a weird squeak. Can you fix that?”
A devilish grin finds its way to his lips. "You’ll have to show me.”
Shoving past him, I climb onto my bed and bounce a little. “Hmm,” I hum. “So weird, maybe you should try.” He slips off his shirt and I smile. “Pretty sure the bed will squeak with your shirt on.”
“It’s the uniform, Angel. I don’t make the rules I just enforce ‘em.”
Every square inch of his body is toned, like a piece of art sculpted to perfection. “Remind me to call your boss later and thank him.”
