The Rogue (Hideaway Springs #3)

5. Levi

5

“ W here you takin’ her now?” my father calls after me before the door shuts behind us. “To apologize to someone else she screwed over?”

I pull open the passenger door and Tess doesn’t need to be asked to jump in. “Wait here,” I order, half certain that when I come back, she’ll be gone, and half …not.

Pulling the door to the inn open, I stalk over to the check-in desk, where my father is casually looking over the day’s ledger like he didn’t just act like the biggest asshole on the planet.

“The hell is going on? Something bite you in the ass this morning?”

“Don’t worry, I called a buddy of mine—not a cop. He’ll take her off your hands and see that she leaves town quietly.”

“Wha—who did you call?”

“Who cares? She’s not our problem anymore.”

“Do you know she woke up before dawn this morning, cleaned up my wreck of a living room, dusted the goddamn curtains, and made pancakes? ”

Dad doesn’t look impressed .

Or surprised.

“With sliced strawberries . All before Jackson even came downstairs.”

He points a finger at me. “She’s up to something.”

I’m outraged. “She’s out of work. Cut her some slack.”

A smirk spreads across my father’s face, followed by a laugh.

“What?” I snap.

He shrugs like it’s nothing.

“You’re not going to tell me why you just turned Hulk on her?”

“I wanted to see something.” Scratching his chin, he scans me like I’m that something.

“I’m out of here.” I curse and stalk to the door.

Dad calls after me. “The next time you think about bringing someone over here to humiliate them, I’d like a heads up.”

“That’s probably never going to happen again.”

“Glad I could still teach you something.” He checks his watch. “Oh, and make sure Tessa grabs something to eat soon.”

I turn back. “What do you mean?”

“She’s been up for almost five hours. She’ll need fuel soon.”

I’m static for a brief moment. Snapping out of it, I head back and hop into the driver’s seat of my truck with a grunt. “You knew he was faking all along?”

A grin that brightens her eyes spreads across her face. “Not until just before we left. He had me goin’.”

I confirm she’s buckled before turning back to the road. “You ever cause any trouble at Township Bakery?”

“Not that I can think of. Why?”

I put the car in drive and steer onto Main Street. “Because we’re having breakfast there. ”

She watches me like we’re having a moment where I don’t despise her. Like she’s waiting for me to turn to her and confirm our newfound friendship. Well, it’s not going to happen.

“So…are we like, cool now?”

And there it is.

“Far from it. I’m feeding you as a thank you for this morning, and then I’ll throw Beau an extra few bills to speed up your repairs.”

“Okay—”

“After that, I’m going to personally follow you to the highway until you’ve cleared some border—town, state, doesn't matter.”

She stares at me with wide eyes, which I pretend I don’t notice as I keep mine on the road.

“What’s your damage?”

“I don’t like to be fucked with, that’s all. And I really don’t like that my father fucked with me for your benefit.”

She laughs. “Oh, is that all? Well, then, let me cancel my master plan to fuck with you until you’re blue in the face.”

“Am I dead? Is this purgatory?”

She laughs again—but with her whole body. My pulse stumbles at the sound of it. The sight. It’s not at my expense. It’s real . As if all the sarcasm typically inside her melts away and in its place is warm, genuine amusement.

Okay, it’s a little at my expense.

But I don’t mind it so long as I get to witness it.

She swipes at a tear at the corner of her eye. “Oh, that was good, Indie. Breakfast with you might just be tolerable.”

I turn onto a side street. “So, how does my father know you need fuel soon? ”

She sighs, coming down from the high of her laughter. “I’d…forget to eat something in the morning once my shift started and…may have fainted once. Twice.”

“So you’re a troublemaker and a damsel in distress.”

“I’m no damsel. I laugh at women who complain about morning sickness for a few months. Because I literally live with it.”

“Ever try and find out why?”

“Sucking candy, ginger tea, I’ve heard it all. They give you solutions instead of finding out what’s wrong with you.”

“Maybe it’s all in your head at this point.”

“Maybe,” she mutters, her thoughts drifting her away.

She’s quiet as we enter the bakery. Tessa sits by the back wall while I order at the counter. I join her with two cups of coffee and pass her one.

“Thanks.” She pops the lid and blows softly while I struggle to pull my gaze off those pouty lips. “So, who got you the mug you claim isn’t yours?”

“Lonnie,” I answer flatly, blinking away.

“Pepper’s friend?”

“Technically, she’s Pepper’s boss.” My ex Lonnie, is the Denver Ice Queens choreographer and trainer. When Pepper returned to town last year as a runaway bride, Chase got her a gig at the arena in an effort to disguise her. They had it all worked out, even faked an engagement so no one would figure out the woman with the million-dollar reward on her head by the name of Penelope Walker—was our very own Pepper Woods.

Even after the debacle with her ex was over, Pepper stayed an Ice Queen, working with her—now real—husband, the team captain of the Denver Kings hockey team, and my brother.

She sips her coffee, watching me like I’m keeping a secret. “Hmm…but you kept it. Could that be because you’re still hot for her? ”

I scoff. “No, because cowboys really do do it better.”

She humphs. “Doubtful,” she says as the eggs, bacon and toast platter is placed between us.

I’m going to regret asking. “And why’s that?”

“Well…if you were really that good”—she points her fork at me—“she wouldn’t have bought you a parting gift.”

I laugh. “I can assure you, Lonnie’s breakup with me was not because of that.”

But apparently, my ex-wife’s was. Since I found out she was sleeping with anything that moved in between her sporadic appearances.

She holds up a hand. “Actions speak louder than coffee mugs.”

“False,” I say. “That coffee mug is still speaking. Through you…”

“Hmm… you’ve got a point.” She takes a bite of bacon, scrunching her nose at the eggs.

“You better eat these eggs, woman. I’m not having anyone pass out on my watch.”

“Maybe just a bite.” She pouts at the platter of four over easy eggs.

I lift my fork. “I’ll help.” My phone pings, and I lift it off the table.

Beau: Got a new estimate for you.

I clear my throat. “Excuse me,” I tell Tessa while I type out a response.

Levi: What do you mean new?

Unless there was more damage to the car after he left with it, there shouldn’t be a new estimate.

Beau: Part going to cost more. Not worth it in my opinion .

He sends me a figure that basically doubles what he told us initially. And if I remember correctly, Tessa’s jaw practically fell to the floor when she heard it.

Levi: I’ll send you the difference now if you get it done by tomorrow.

Beau: Tomorrow before supper.

Levi: Perfect.

"Everything alright?" Tess asks.

I set my phone down. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Your jaw is tight. Your body is tense, and well, you basically look the way you do when I walk into a room.”

I smirk. “You’ve noticed.”

“And yet you hide it so well.”

I lift my fork. “Good news is your car will be ready tomorrow.”

“And the bad news?” She winces.

I picture the figure Beau sent and he’s right; it’s not worth the extra cash to save that thing.

But neither is telling her.

“Bad news is you’re spending another night in my den.”

She leans back in her chair, her brown eyes searching mine like she knows there’s something else.

But she drops it. “Can I bring my toothbrush in this time?”