Breaking point, p.12
Breaking Point, page 12
“Yes.” John’s eyes narrowed. “I’m serious. I don’t know where we’re going or if she’s even that into me.”
Rucker stepped forward. “In other words, be cool. Don’t screw it up for him.” He shot a stern look at Dawg and every other man on the team. “We’re a team. We look out for each other. If Tank wants this to work, we have to help.”
“By not helping,” Tank added.
“Okay,” Dawg said. “But we can still hang out at the saloon. I could use a beer.”
“As long as you don’t do or say anything to Collette,” Tank warned.
“Can I order a beer?” Dawg asked.
Bull threw a cleaning rag at Dawg. “Don’t be an ass.”
“What?” Dawg said. “She might be our waitress.”
“Be cool.” Rucker turned to Tank. “I’ll go with him and stuff my fist in his mouth if he does something stupid.”
“And I’ll go to check out this redhead,” Lance said.
“Hey,” Tank said. “No poaching.”
Lance grinned. “You aren’t married yet. She’s fair game.”
Rucker sighed. “I’ll put a leash on Lance.” He waved at Tank. “Go. I’ve got your back.”
“We all do,” Dawg said. “We just have to poke the bear for fun.”
Tank shook his head. “With friends like you, I don’t need enemies. I’ll see you all in the morning.” He left, regretting saying anything to his team. He’d be sweating bullets all evening, worrying about what the guys might be doing or saying to Collette at the Salty Dog. He wished he could be there to make sure they didn’t say anything about his confession.
First things first, though.
Hope.
She needed someone to pick her up before they locked the doors at the church.
He hurried out to his truck, drove off post and sped through Killeen, cursing at the red lights and speeding to the next intersection, only to be stopped again. It was a minute after five o’clock when he pulled into the parking lot of the church. The lot was empty but for one dirty white van.
John kicked himself for being a minute late. He hadn’t wanted Collette’s daughter to worry that he’d forgotten.
Hope leaned against the wide front doors that led into the chapel, her backpack slung over one shoulder.
John parked and dropped down from the driver’s seat. “Hey,” he said with a smile. “Sorry I’m late.”
“You’re fine.” Hope pushed away from the door and walked toward him. “The secretaries just left. I told them they didn’t have to wait for my ride to come. I knew you’d be here. They had to get home to feed their families.”
A movement at the far corner of the church complex caught John’s attention. He glanced toward a big man exiting a smaller door. He wore a gray coverall and carried what appeared to be a toolbox. He glanced their way, his gaze going to Hope first, and then John. Then he hurried toward the white van without making further eye contact. The guy was strange.
“Who’s that?” John asked as the van drove past his truck and turned out onto street.
“That’s the janitor, Mr. Earles.” Hope shivered. “He gives me the creeps. I swear he’s always looking at me. I’ll be studying in one of the Sunday school rooms, and I’ll look up and he’s standing in the doorway. When I see him, he shuffles off without saying a word to me. I think he might be mental or something. They must have felt sorry for him when they hired him to clean the church. He’s always here. I see his van parked outside even when no one else is here.”
John opened the passenger door for her.
Hope climbed in and turned to John with a frown. “Do you think he lives here? I mean, maybe he can’t afford a place of his own on what they pay him.”
John shrugged. “I don’t know. It does seem strange. You might consider hanging out at the library if he makes you feel uncomfortable. There are probably more people there.”
She nodded.
John closed the door, rounded the front of the truck and slid behind the steering wheel. “Feel like getting a burger?”
She shook her head. “Not really. I’m saving my allowance for Saturday night. The youth group is having a marathon movie night. We’re staying out until midnight.”
“Is your mother on board with that?” John asked as he pulled out of the parking lot onto the street leading to the main drag through Killeen.
“Sure. She’s all for participation with the youth group. They’re well-chaperoned and clean fun. It’s better than hanging out at the lake, getting drunk, which is what most of the kids my age do.”
“Good point.” He’d been one of those kids out drinking with his friends, underage and stupid. They’d been lucky to live through that phase. A few kids in his high school hadn’t been as fortunate.
He turned into the mobile home park, coming to a stop beside his camper.
Hope was out of the truck before he could open the door for her.
“Thanks for giving me a ride home,” she said and headed for her trailer.
“I’m making chili tonight if you care to join me,” he called out.
“I have homework.”
“You can bring it. I won’t talk. I prefer not to eat alone.”
She paused, her brow furrowing when she turned to look back at him. “Did my mother put you up to feeding me?”
He grinned. “No. I really like having someone share a meal with me.”
“You could ask old man Randolph. Chili might work for him. He doesn’t have any teeth.”
John tried again. “I don’t know him. And I like your company.”
She tilted her head. “Why?”
He laughed. “You challenge me. I have to be on my toes in a conversation with you.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Some people find that irritating.”
“I’m not some people.” He turned away. “The offer stands. Dinner should be ready in an hour. We can eat in silence if you like. I only know how to make enough for ten people. You’d be doing me a favor by eating a healthy portion. My refrigerator isn’t big enough for a lot of leftovers.”
Her mouth twisted into a skeptical smile. “You really like my mother, don’t you?”
He didn’t deny her statement, choosing to counter with a question of his own. “What does that have to do with chili?”
“You’re trying too hard to ingratiate yourself with me.” She sighed. “You don’t have to work so hard. You already have my approval.” She left him standing there.
A moment later, he heard the door to her trailer open and close. Through the window into the kitchen, he could see her moving around.
Hope was an old soul. She needed to learn how to be young and carefree. Then again, that was how he’d been. She might not be wired the same.
All he knew was that he liked her and really hoped she’d join him for chili.
However, he’d better get cooking or there wouldn’t be any chili.
An hour later, he sat at the outdoor camp table with two bowls of chili.
Alone.
He was on his second spoonful when the redhaired teen appeared in T-shirts and shorts and took the chair opposite him.
He didn’t say a word, just ate in silence with the daughter of the woman he found himself loving more and more each day.
Her mother had raised an intelligent, independent young woman with enough grit to make it in life.
When she’d finished her chili, she helped him clean the dishes.
As she turned to leave, she asked, “Would you mind picking me up from the library tomorrow afternoon?”
“No problem,” he said.
“Thanks for dinner.” Hope hurried back to the trailer.
When John was sure she was inside and safe, he moved his camp chair to a position where he could watch the sunset. It wasn’t the same as when he sat with Collette, holding her hand, but it was peaceful and gave him time to reflect on his interactions with Hope and Collette and the reaction he’d gotten from his team upon learning he had a thing for a woman. They were happy for him, despite the teasing.
As for Hope, it might be too late for him to be a father figure to her, but he could learn to be her friend.
He’d like that and hoped his relationship with Collette gave him that chance.
Collette.
Strong, loyal, caring and sexy as hell. She had goals and ambition. She also wasn’t the type who’d ditch him while he was deployed. He could see himself growing old with her.
Yeah, he was thinking of a future with a woman, who came as a package deal, while he was still a member of Delta Force. The beauty of it was that the thought no longer scared the shit out of him.
Chapter 10
When Collette returned home after ten o’clock Thursday night, she went straight to Hope’s room to kiss her goodnight.
“How was your evening?” she asked, bending over her daughter’s bed to press her lips to her forehead.
“Good.”
Collette sat on the edge of the bed. “Did you find something for dinner?”
Hope yawned and stretched. “Chili.”
“Chili?” Collette tipped her head. “Where did you get chili?”
“Your boyfriend.” Hope rolled onto her side and tucked her hand beneath her cheek. “He’s a good guy. You could do worse.” She closed her eyes. “Night, Mom. Love you.”
“Night, sweetie.” Collette turned off the light on her daughter’s nightstand, left her room and closed the door behind her.
Boyfriend? Since when was John her boyfriend? She hadn’t corrected Hope since she’d been half-asleep when she’d called John her boyfriend. Who else would have fed her chili on a hot Texas day?
Boyfriends were what you had in high school. John wasn’t her boyfriend. He was her friend.
In the back of her mind, a little voice interjected. He’s more than that, and you know it.
Yeah, he was. Collette just wasn’t ready to put a name to what they were to each other. She’d only survived in her life by remaining focused on what was important.
Her daughter.
Everything she’d done for the past sixteen years had been geared toward making sure Hope had food, clothes and a roof over her head. Now that she was becoming more self-sufficient, Collette had a little more time to think about herself. Not much, but a little. She found herself smiling during class over something he’d said over a shared meal or while they’d watched the sunset. Her daydreaming worried her. Her classes were hard enough without a man filling her mind.
She showered and lay in bed for over an hour, winding down before she could go to sleep. Was she crazy to think she could juggle fulltime school, a job and a love affair?
She’d be lying to herself if she said she didn’t want it. She wanted to continue her liaison with her sexy neighbor and looked forward to seeing him again. If it wasn’t so late and she wasn’t so tired, she might’ve sneaked over to his camper and knocked on the door. She missed his goodnight kisses and the way he wrapped his arms around her, making her feel…cherished.
She fell asleep dreaming of John lying next to her, holding her close, the sound of his heartbeat soothing her.
The next day, Collette woke with a smile, ready to face the day and night at work.
Hope was already up, dressed and ready for school. “Ryan’s on his way. I’m hanging out at the library this afternoon. Mr. Sanders is giving me a ride home, and then Ryan and I are having dinner with his folks. See you later.”
Collette followed her to the door. “Do I get a hug before you go?”
“Oh, yeah.” Hope grinned. “I almost forgot.” She set her bag on the ground, wrapped her arms around Collette and hugged her tight. “I love you, Mom. Study hard and make me proud.”
Collette laughed. “Hey, that’s my line.”
“It was. Now, it’s my turn.” Hope winked. “Have a good day and don’t let the drunks get sassy with you at work.”
“Thanks.” Collette stood in the doorway as Hope climbed into the car with Ryan. She waved at the young man and hurried into the trailer to dress and get ready for school. The current semester was almost over. She’d be studying for final exams soon, which left little time for her to be fooling around.
* * *
Her school day was long and boring. While her instructor droned on about drugs and the origins of their names, Collette followed along in her books, made notes and started work on the study guides she’d use to cram for exams. By the end of her school day, she was already tired.
Since John was picking up Hope at the library, Collette went straight to work, changing into shorts and the saloon T-shirt in the bathroom.
The afternoon was like so many others. Soldiers came in after work, hung out with their buddies, played pool and drank too much.
Hope had texted her when she’d arrived home and when she’d left again for her date with Ryan.
Collette wondered what John would do with his evening. Did he have dinner plans with friends? She found herself wishing she didn’t have to work and could be out with John, getting to know the other members of his team.
On a trip back to the bar to unload empties and fill new orders, Collette balanced on one foot to give the other a break.
“You’re looking a little down tonight,” Red said as she pulled the tab, filling a mug full of beer. “What gives?”
“It’s been a long week.”
“And you’d like time off to be with your girl.” Red jerked her head toward a table full of noisy young men. “Instead, you’re here with a bunch of strangers, having drinks spilled on you and men asking for your number and your bra size.”
Collette laughed at the absurdity and truth of her statement. “Yeah. I’m just tired, and I know I have a long way to go before my schooling is done. If not for school, I could get a job that pays enough I don’t have to wait tables.” She looked at her coworker and friend. “How do you do it?”
“I’m not waiting tables for one. The bar is between me and the customers. That helps. And I like what I do. Call me crazy. I get to meet new people, practice barroom psychology and work with Sarge.”
“One of the perks of the job,” Sarge said as he passed behind her carrying a case of whiskey.
“When do you have time to be with Blade?”
“Every night,” she said. “Granted, he’s asleep on the nights I work, and he has to get up in the early hours of the morning. But we make time to be together on my days off.”
“That’s the problem with going to school and working at the same time,” Collette said. “I don’t have much spare time.”
“To have a life?” Red nodded. “I’ll take whatever time I can get with my man, knowing he could deploy at any moment and be gone for months at a time. If you want something bad enough, you make time for it while you can. You have to grab for the joy. Nobody’s going to hand it to you. It’s as simple as that.” She slapped a mug of beer on Collette’s tray and grinned. “And you didn’t have to pay a psychologist to have him tell you that. I give advice for free. I learned everything I know from the school of hard knocks and some psychology books I bought on the internet.” She winked and popped the top off a bottle of beer. “You better get those drinks to that group of guys before they start tearing up the place.” Red turned to a customer at the bar, smiled and joked with him.
Collette admired the woman. She was young and beautiful but had a job that kept her from being with her man. They passed each other coming and going. Yet Collette had never seen Red happier than after she’d returned from her trip to Cancun with Blade. She’d said he’d finally come to his senses and realized he loved her. She’d loved him all along but had remained in the friend zone for far too long. Now, they were together and seemed to be very happy.
The night passed without major incidents. Every time a customer came through the door, Collette looked up, hoping it would be John. As the hours passed, she quit looking and concentrated on making it to closing time. She forced smiles, laughed when she was expected to and raked in the tips that would help her buy this week’s groceries. She might even have enough to replace her battery if she needed a new one. So far, her car still started, and she was able to get to work and school without getting a jump.
An hour from closing, Collette’s energy level hit rock bottom. On a trip back to the bar with a tray loaded with empties, she tripped over her own feet. The tray flew from her hands, the mugs and empty bottles launching across the floor to crash into the bar.
Collette landed on her knees on the sticky floor. For a moment, she stayed there, too exhausted to pick herself up, much less clean up the mess she’d just made.
Strong arms gripped her shoulders and lifted her to her feet. Those same arms turned her around and gently held her for a long moment, pressed against a solid chest “Hey,” a familiar voice whispered in her ear. Warm breath stirred the tendrils of hair that had escaped her ponytail.
She looked up into John’s warm brown eyes and nearly cried her relief. “When did you get here?”
“Just now,” he said.
As much as she wanted to remain in his arms, she had to clean up the broken glass and spilled liquid before someone got cut or slipped. She pushed away from him. “I’m glad you’re here, but I have to work.”
“Sit,” he said.
Collette shook her head. “No, really, it’s my job. I get paid to do the work.”
“I’ll take care of the this. You can take a break. You look like you need one.”
When he turned to pick up the tray, Collette touched a hand to his shoulder. “John, I appreciate that you want to help, but you don’t work here. I do. Let me do my job.”
He straightened, a frown furrowing his brow. “I don’t like to see you so tired.”
“I’ll be okay. We close in an hour. I can make it to then. I’ve done it before. I can do it again.” She smiled. “The fact that you’re here is enough.”
He stared down into her eyes for a moment then nodded. “Okay. I’ll just sit here and drink a beer. Do you mind if I at least walk you to your car when you leave?”
She sighed. “I’d love that.”
For the rest of that hour, Collette felt a surge of renewed energy. With John nearby, she had incentive to make it to closing. He’d be there to walk her to her car. He might even kiss her.
