Page 21 of Zane

“So that you don’t have to.”

Blake stared at the parking lot as a mid-size sedan pulled in.She knew it was Josh.He’d never really been flashy with cars or clothes, it was other things.He wanted a bigger house, one that would make a statement.He wanted watches that he couldn’t afford.He wanted first-class tickets to Monaco, Paris, and Athens.

When the car door opened, she held her breath as his dark head finally appeared.He’d always been average in Blake’s opinion.Average looking, average height, average build.She never understood what her mother saw in him.

He wore a pair of linen dress pants that looked as if he’d slept in them.The t-shirt seemed out of place and too young for him but she simply brushed it off.When the bell above the door rang, she stilled.

Josh looked around the small diner, staring at the people seated in the small, country dive.

“Have a seat anywhere.I’ll be right with you,” smiled Piper.

His eyes caught the redhead he came to see and he smiled, slowly walking toward her.Stopping at the table, he looked down at her.

“Doesn’t your old dad get a hug?” he smirked.

“You were never my dad, Josh.Let’s not get things confused.I’m here.What do you want?”His smiled disappeared, replaced with a disgusted smile as he slid into the booth.

“You always were an uppity little bitch, thinking you were too good for me.Why are you way out here?”

“What do you want, Josh?”He glared at her, frowning.

“I’d heard you had a job at a feed store,” he said with a knowing glance.

“How would you hear that?” she asked, now shaking beneath the table.He realized his mistake and wiped the grin from his lips.

“Just things I hear, Blake.I hear lots of things.I need you to take a little trip with me.I have a friend who needs your help.A bunch of sick animals.”

“I can’t do that anymore.I don’t do that anymore,” she said flatly.So, this was it.He wanted her as his trick pony.

“It wasn’t a request, Blake.You’re coming with me.I’m in some trouble with someone and he needs you.”

“Your woes are not my problem,” she said.“Tell them I’m not available.”

He shifted in his seat, rubbing his hand over his face.

“Blake, Blake, Blake, you’re so damned annoying.You’re going to get up from this table and follow me to the car, or I’m going to shoot you right here in this fucking low-life diner.”

“Funny you calling anything low-life,” she said flatly.“I’m not going with you, so shoot.Go ahead.Shoot me and see how far you get.”

He slammed his hand on the table, rattling the silverware.Eyes turned toward him and he stilled.

“What are you fucking looking at?” he growled.Cowboy and Gator walked toward the table and Josh immediately realized his mistake.“It’s a family thing.We’re fine.”

“Are you?” said Gator.“Are you okay, ma’am?”

“No.Actually, I’m not.He’s my stepfather but apparently wants me to leave with him for some reason.I don’t want to go.”

“You heard the lady,” smirked Cowboy.“She doesn’t want to go.”Zane stepped up to the table and held out a hand.

“Come with me,” he smiled.

“Stop!You can’t interfere in my business,” he snapped.

“Wanna bet,” growled Ham.“Now, what’s going to happen here is that you’re going to get up and you’re going to come with us.”

“Wh-what?Why?Why would I go with you?” he said suddenly panicked.

“Because you walked into the wrong fucking diner.”