Searching for Winslet (Fallport Rescue Operations #5)

Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX

Jett jerked awake. He blinked as he reached for his cell.

“What the hell is that noise?” Winslet asked. “And why is it going off?”

Freaking six thirty in the morning. He was going to have his sister’s head on a platter and drizzle it with fish guts. “It’s the ringtone I use for my family.”

“It’s horrible. You could have picked anything, including a song, but no, you chose the damn alien thing.” She brushed her hair from her face and glared. “I was in the middle of a good dream, too.”

He chuckled, tapping the green button on the screen. “Go back to sleep.” He kissed her temple as he pressed the cell to his ear.

“I plan on it.”

“Sleep? I think not,” Evelynn’s voice bellowed from his phone’s speaker. “And who’s the chick with the sexy voice?”

He let out a slow breath as he swung his legs to the side of the bed, found his boxers, and hiked them up over his hips.

“I can hear you breathing. Are you going to answer my question?”

Gently, he closed the door behind him and strolled toward the kitchen. “Why the hell are you calling me at this hour on a Sunday?”

“Andy had hockey practice and Carli has a game an hour later. I’m going to head over right before the puck’s dropped.”

“Since you’re not coming down until after school gets out, I should fly up and watch the kids play. I miss those rascals, but it doesn’t really explain the early morning call.”

“Only a couple of weeks left of spring league,” Evelynn said. “No point and stop avoiding the topic. You slept with her.”

“You’re the one avoiding and don’t sound so shocked.” He snagged a mug and set it under the machine.

“I kind of am. I thought we were going to ease into life in Fallport. Not ease into bed with the first girl who tickled your fancy.”

He glanced down the hallway. “Yeah, well, shit happened.” He tapped his fingers on the counter, waiting for the coffee to finish pouring into his mug. He didn’t want to get deep into this conversation while sleeping beauty was ten paces down the hallway. He snagged his brew and headed outside, where he copped a squat on the front step.

“Talk to me, Jett. Last time you got involved with a woman, she tore your heart to shreds.”

“You’re exaggerating.”

“Seriously? I’m the one who sat with you while you cried like a fucking little baby after Becky left you.”

“I was more upset over the things she said about her brother. Not dumping my sorry ass. He was a friend of mine.” Jett blew into the dark liquid. He wasn’t in the mood for this conversation, but he knew his sister. She wasn’t going to let him hang up the phone and not at least go through the motions. Besides, he did have a few lingering feelings about what the hell he was doing with Winslet that he needed to chat with someone about.

And it couldn’t be one of the guys.

They’d all kick his ass.

“I understand that,” Evelynn said. “And so not the point. You got involved with Becky right after she’d been in an abusive relationship. You were there for her when she needed a shoulder to cry on and you’re always that guy. You never fall for the girl who doesn’t need your help. Or shall we talk about Kiki and what she was going through when you first started dating her?”

“No. I’m well aware of my faults.” He took a large gulp of his coffee, wishing he hadn’t since it burned the roof of his mouth. He set his mug on the step. “I didn’t intend for this to happen.”

“Right. She just landed on your dick.”

“Don’t be crude.”

“I’m being honest,” Evelynn said. “And I’m sure she’s a nice enough girl. They always are. Now, tell me her baggage so I can talk you out of this.”

“It’s a little too late for that. Even if she hadn’t spent the night, I already agreed to help her with a situation.”

“Of course you did.” Evelynn let out an audible sigh. “One of the things that makes you so damn lovable is your bleeding heart, but it’s the same reason why you can’t find the right girl.”

“I’m never going to settle down.”

“Never say never,” Evelynn said. “What turned your head with this one?”

He chuckled. “Well, it wasn’t her problems. I didn’t learn about those until after I was already thinking about her, if that makes you feel better.”

“It doesn’t, but at least I know you were thinking with your penis first and not your heart.”

“That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.” He shook his head. “Most people would want it the other way around.”

“Not if they knew your track record. So, what is it this time? Is she broke? Got a kid she’s battling custody for? Parents who hate her life choices? And please don’t tell me she’s just off a bad relationship, because if this is another Becky situation, I’ll be on the next plane down there to bitch-slap you.”

“It’s not exactly the same.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “There’s no violence involved, so no need to worry about me getting in a fistfight.” Hopefully, though he wasn’t sure how he’d respond to Shamus if he was ever left alone with the man. While Jett could control his fists, he often couldn’t control what came out of his mouth.

Not when it came to men treating women badly.

He might have been a shit husband, but he never raised his voice, or his hand, to Kiki.

He glanced over his shoulder. “I feel bad breaking her confidence about this, so you have to promise me this stays between us.”

“As if I’ve ever broken your trust.”

“True,” he said. “Unfortunately, she spent eight months in a relationship with a man who was married, only he neglected to inform her of that status. To make matters worse, he has kids. Now he’s coming to town and expects her and the few friends she has with her, to keep it all hush-hush, so he doesn’t get caught. So he can go on with his life as if nothing happened. While she’s dealing with a broken heart.”

“In your arms.”

“We had sex. Why are you making this weird?”

“Because I know you and you always fall in love with a woman who needs a strong man.”

“You haven’t met Winslet. She’s not the kind of woman who needs a man to take care of her. That’s what makes this so hard,” Jett said. “She’s a lot like me. One short-lived relationship after the other. Never wanting anything too serious. Certainly not marriage or kids. But this guy she was involved with, she fell madly in love with, and it changed everything. Her entire world view, and now she’s grappling with him coming to her turf. She wants to hurt him, but of course, she doesn’t want to harm his kids. She knows what that’s like. All I’m doing is offering friendship.”

“And your bed.”

He laughed. “I’m attracted to her. She’s nice and incredibly hot. But she’s not staying here longer than a few months. After that, she’s gone. But once this guy comes to town, I get to play boyfriend.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“It’s not a big deal. It will make it easier for her and perhaps help her move past all the hurt,” he said. “And truthfully, it’s helping me too.”

“Oh yeah? How do you figure that?”

“Because I realized recently, I’m not completely over Becky.” It took a lot for him to admit that out loud.

“You don’t want Becky back, do you?”

“She said a lot of hurtful things the day she broke up with me. But I have no idea what I’d do if she showed up at my front door with an apology.”

“Jesus,” Evelynn muttered. “I can’t believe I’m going to tell you this. She reached out asking where you were a few weeks ago. I wouldn’t tell her.”

“You should have told me.” His sister didn’t keep many things from him, but when she did, they were usually big, and she always thought they were for his own good.

But they never were.

“If you wanted to talk to her, you could have given her your new cell number. But you didn’t. And she’s no good for you. I don’t know this Winslet girl, so I can’t make a judgment, other than she’s a damsel in distress and that’s never good for you. But I think I’d rather you take your chances with her than go back to Becky. Who breaks up with a man in a wheelchair?”

He opened his mouth, but his sister didn’t give him a chance to respond.

“Oh, wait. I know the answer. A woman who didn’t love you in the first place, that’s who. And don’t you dare go into all the shit about what a struggle it was for her dealing with you being deployed. She knew the score when she started dating you. Or how hard it was for her when you died and had to be brought back to life, because I’m your fucking sister. Trust me, I know what that was like. And the reality is, she wasn’t as concerned about what happened to you, as she was the fact that she lost her brother.”

“Now who’s being dramatic,” he mumbled. “Do me a favor and give Becky my number. If she wants to talk, that’s between me and her.”

“At least you’re not asking for me to give you hers.”

“I already have her number, but I’m not reaching out first. I don’t owe her an apology. Actually, I don’t owe her anything at this point. But I would hear her out.”

“Fine,” Evelynn said. “But over my dead body are you taking that woman back. She doesn’t love you, Jett.”

“I hear you.” And he did. But that didn’t change the unresolved sensation that swirled in his gut. Or maybe it was that he honestly needed closure. He needed to hear her voice to know it was truly over—for him. “Now, I do want to talk to you about Winslet.” He reached for his mug and took a small sip. “I get that I have a pattern when it comes to women. I spent a few months discussing that with a therapist while recovering in that rehab facility. I don’t want to fall into the same pitfalls with Winslet. Thing is, I do like her, but I need to figure out what is my so-called savior complex and what is normal male animal attraction.”

“It’s pretty simple. Have sex with her, don’t try to fix her and her problems with her past relationship. Stay the fuck out of that one.”

“Kind of hard when I agreed to make myself available to be her boyfriend around this guy when he comes to town.”

“Only my brother would get involved with a woman who is in love with someone else,” Evelynn whispered. “Okay. How about don’t sleep with her again and just be her friend. Think you can do that?”

“I don’t know. She’s the kind of chick you wouldn’t kick out of bed. She reminds me of Janice.”

“Oh Christ. Why do you always have to bring up the one time I had a thing with a girl?” Evelynn said. “I was twenty years old. I was in college and experimenting. Sowing my wild oats. Besides, Doug was dating that god-awful woman. Hell, they were practically living together. I was bored. One could say I was waiting for him to smarten up and realize he was in love with me, though it took him long enough.”

“Sometimes I think Doug wanted to have both you and Janice.”

“What is it with you men?” Evelynn said with an ounce of sarcasm. “You know, he once asked me if I had pictures of us. That’s so gross.”

“He’s a guy. And we’re all visual that way.”

“Oh my God. You’re my brother. I can’t believe I’m even having this conversation with you,” Evelynn said. “Listen. I get you want to help this woman. It’s kind. Neighborly even. I can even get on board with you finally getting yourself back out there. You haven’t been with a woman since Becky. But when we do finally make it down there, I don’t want to have to be spending it with you all mopey because some girl broke your damn heart again.”

“I’m not going to fall in love with her. I’ve learned my lesson.”

“If that were true, I wouldn’t have woken you both up this morning.”

He lifted his gaze and watched a couple parallel park their SUV in front of his building. The man raced around the front of the vehicle and helped the woman from the passenger side of the car. Her hair was cut short, to the shoulders, but she had a familiar look.

The shape of her face—with her high cheekbones and rounded chin—looked a little too similar to Winslet’s. Not to mention the eyes were identical.

“Hey, sis. I’ve got to run.” He stood, opening the door for the couple, painfully aware he was shirtless and shoeless.

The older gentleman eyed him suspiciously but nodded with a weak smile while his gaze still landed on the center of Jett’s chest.

Right where the scar from heart surgery was located.

Jett knew the damn thing was right out of a horror show. It didn’t bother him. Nope. It was a reminder he wasn’t dead. He wore his scars like a fucking badge of honor. He’d decided that when the time came, any woman who couldn’t handle them, well, they could walk right out the bedroom door.

Winslet hadn’t even flinched. She appreciated them for what they represented.

His personal war with life and death.

One that he’d battled hard and won.

“Thank you,” the woman said, lowering her gaze, trying to not to look, but she blinked. A few times. And it was impossible to miss how her eyes shifted right back to his scars.

“Call me in a couple days and I definitely expect to hear from you if Becky reaches out,” Evelynn said.

“Will do. Love you, sis.”

“Right back at you, big brother.”

He ended the call and strolled inside, glancing over his shoulder. The couple stood in front of Winslet’s door. The older man tapped his knuckles on the wood panel.

Well, shit.

Stepping across his threshold, he made a beeline for his bedroom, only to find Winslet hiking up her pants.

She caught his gaze, wearing only her jeans and a lacy bra. “My fucking parents are here. I guess they called and texted me last night and this morning. So did my sister, though hers was late last night.”

“I believe I let them into the building.”

“You did what?” She yanked her shirt over her head. “And they saw you walk into this apartment?”

“They did.” He arched a brow. “I guess now they will see you come out of it.” His heart thumped in his chest. Meeting parents wasn’t his strong suit. He glanced down at his torso and all the scars that he knew must have horrified her parents.

No one in his family paid them any attention anymore. Not even his mother, and she could cry at the drop of a hat when some people brought up the helicopter crash. But to everyone, the scars on his body also represented the fact that he was alive and breathing, something they were all grateful for.

“They have their panties in a twist over something,” she said.

“At seven in the morning? On a Sunday?”

“They are on their way to church. Probably want me to go with them. But that’s not happening. Could have to do with my little sister, Tammy.”

“Of all the things we discussed, you never mentioned a sister.”

“Because she’s married to my ex-fiancé’s best friend. They do everything together and while I’m over him.” She held up her hand. “I really am. I don’t like Harvey’s wife. I don’t like how Anne is now besties with my little sister and they do everything together and I’m just supposed to forgive and forget that Harvey dumped me three days before my wedding.” She arched a brow. “I know I sound bitter. It’s not about the relationship; its only about the fact my sister doesn’t understand how awkward that is for me. Not to mention my father once had an affair with Anne’s mother.”

“You can’t make this shit up.” He inched closer, wrapping his arms around her waist, heaving her to his chest. “Does Tammy know about your father’s infidelity?”

“I have no idea. She’s six years younger than me. When I found out, I was fourteen. And Tammy has always been my father’s favorite. She could never do anything wrong in his eyes. Me? I’m the girl who had a lesbian love affair in high school that shamed the family.”

He burst out laughing.

She cocked her head.

“Sorry. But I was just talking to my sister about her little fling with a chick. Her husband used to ask her for pictures of it. Kind of cracks me up.”

“I like your sister, but her husband is such a typical guy, and don’t you have something to say about that? She’s your sister. You should be defending her honor.”

“My sister can fend for herself, and Doug was my best friend before hooking up with Evelynn. Besides, I’ve seen you naked. You should see the wild things going on in my brain right now. And it’s all about you and a?—”

She covered his mouth. “Men. You’re all the same.”

He curled his fingers around her wrists, leaned in, and took her mouth in a hot, wild, but brief kiss. “It’s every guy’s fantasy. But right now, it’s being cut short by your cell going crazy over there.”

“Yeah. I better go see what my folks want.” She stepped around him and made her way out of the bedroom, through the kitchen, and toward the front door.

He followed. He shouldn’t have. It was nuts. But he did it anyway. He reached around her and turned the knob.

She glared.

He shrugged as he pulled open the door.

Her parents turned. Her father cleared his throat. “Winslet,” he said with a dark tone.

“Hey, Dad. Hi, Mom. What brings you by at such an early time?” She stepped into the foyer of the building.

Jett chose to keep the door open and leaned against the wood frame. He nodded, still aware he was shirtless.

Stupid not to put on a shirt.

“We tried texting and calling, but you didn’t answer,” her father said. “Where’s your sister?”

“I would assume at home with her husband and child.” Winslet planted a hand on her hip.

Jett should really excuse himself, but he was like a doe in headlights.

“We thought she was coming here,” her mother said, clutching her purse for dear life. “She mentioned she might come over last night.”

“She does know the code.” Winslet scooted past her parents and pressed her fingers on the keypad.

“Are you saying you haven’t been home all night?” her father asked, glancing between Winslet’s apartment and Jett. If looks could kill, Jett would be underground.

He scratched at the scar on the center of his chest.

“That’s really none of your business, Daddy.” She pushed open the door and groaned. “Well, there she is, sound asleep in my bed.” Winslet tugged the door and sighed. “Why did she feel the need to sneak into my apartment and crash for the night?”

“No offense, but this is a family matter,” her father said.

Jett raised his hands. “None taken.”

Winslet leaned against the wall. “What’s going on? Why didn’t Tammy sleep at her own home last night?”

“We’re not going to stand here in the hallway with your flavor of the month?—”

“Daddy, that was rude,” Winslet said.

“I’ve been called worse.” Jett waved his hand. “If you want, we can all go inside, grab a cup of coffee, and wait for Tammy to wake up.”

Winslet pushed from the wall and inched closer. “Thanks, but I’ll go wake up my sister.” She rested her hands on Jett’s shoulders. “I’ll call you later.”

Without really thinking too much about the people in the hallway, he cupped her face. “I got a text from Zeke a bit ago inviting us over to his place for a barbeque around four, if you’re interested.”

“I’ll let you know.” She raised up on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “I’ll see you later.” She turned on her heel and marched herself back toward her apartment.

Jett waited until she and her parents disappeared inside.

“Well, that was weird,” he mumbled as he closed the door. Part of him wanted to forget all about what might be going on with Winslet and her family.

It wasn’t his business.

But unfortunately, his heart and soul actually cared for Winslet, as crazy as that might seem.

Yeah, he had issues.