Standing By (Road House) (2 page)

He glared at the box. If it weren’t so expensive, he’d consider drop-kicking the damn thing across the room. He kept getting the same reading, but there just didn’t seem to be a reason for it. The exhaust was in perfect working order. Hell, the whole thing purred like a kitten. Or maybe a small tiger.

Emilio threw down his gloves and went to the cooler for some water. Maybe this was less about the bike and more about his thumping head. He massaged his temples. Getting wasted the night before had been not such a hot idea.

He sighed. No, it had been a terrible idea.

Not only was Karen ready to rip his balls off, but he didn’t know if he could look Pan in the eye again. In the haze of the moment, she had been there when he wanted her the most. With her looking so amazing, he just couldn’t stop himself. When she had slid her hand down to her tits, he just lost it. Even now, just thinking about it made him hard.

Shifting to the side, Emilio tried to hide the evidence. Last place a man wanted to be hard was in a garage full of men. Well, the last place a straight man wanted to be hard.

A noise from across the gravel lot drew his attention.

Pan climbed out of her Lincoln Town Car. She looked his way. A blush darkened her cheeks, and she quickly looked away.

Emilio nearly groaned when she climbed into the backseat of the car, her jean-covered ass poking out. The way those pants fit like a second skin made him want to explore things he shouldn’t. She came out loaded down with boxes, and he was slightly disappointed he hadn’t spent more time checking out her low-cut top.

“Hang on, Pan,” Tyler shouted from the mouth of the garage. Emilio couldn’t stop the hard line that formed around his mouth.

He liked Tyler, but he had no right to be all over Emilio’s woman.

Emilio froze. That wasn’t right. She wasn’t his woman. Hell, he’d done just about everything in his power to convince not only her but himself that she wasn’t his woman.

There was no way he’d drag her into his shit. His dad had done a good enough job of that considering the mess he, his sister Mary, his brother Nicoli and mother were all in thanks to that douche. It would be a miracle if he came away from his dealings unscratched. He already suspected Nic was involved in dangerous shit.

He looked longingly as Tyler reached Pan. No, there just wasn’t room for her and everything she would mean.

Pan pasted a smile on her face. How was it that the last person she wanted to see was the first person she looked at? Yes, some cruel force must have been at work for that to happen.

Tyler stepped up and reached out.

“Here, let me take some of those,” Tyler said. She reached out to hand over a few of the boxes but came back empty handed when he took them all.

“Thanks.” She hurried to open the door.

She took the boxes back and placed them just inside the door. Iris peeked through the screen.

“Oh hi, Tyler.” Iris caught Pan’s eye. The questions were nearly bursting out but now was not the time.

“Looks like you’re really settling in now with Luc,” Tyler said with a nod.

Pan smirked at the blush coloring her sister’s cheeks.

After the wild courtship between Iris and Luc, it was no surprise to anyone that Iris ended up pregnant or that she would move in with him. They really were a complementary match. Iris and her bookish ways, Luc and his bike shop.

Pan chuckled. He was her yin to his yang.

“I guess I am,” Iris said. She gave a weak smile and placed a hand on her growing belly.

Iris seemed a little less ashen today. The past few months had been hell for Iris. At nearly six months, they had all expected the morning, or in her case all day, sickness would be gone. Unfortunately, she was one of the few whose illness lingered. It had been a big reason Pan had stayed close to home and taken the job from Max. She wanted the money, but traveling out of state just wasn’t something she wanted to risk. Luc had been great, but someone had to be there when he couldn’t. Besides, who was going to run the bookshop when Iris felt like garbage?

Truth be told, she actually liked being home. She got to hang at the bar and keep up with friends. It meant she and Iris had time to bond, something they hadn’t done in years.

“I’m just going to take this stuff back to the room,” Iris said. She gave Pan a pointed look.

Boy, Pan was pretty sick of people acting like she was taking advantage of Tyler. He was a big boy, and if he wanted to flirt, then so be it.

“Yeah, I don’t think so.” Pan crossed her arms. “You’re gonna go and rest on the couch. I’ll be inside here in a bit.”

Pan laughed when Iris shot her a dirty look.

“Quit being a baby and go sit down. You look like death warmed over.”

Iris slammed the door but not before Pan heard a trail of curse words.

“I can see she hasn’t been able to shake the morning sickness,” Tyler said.

Pan turned toward him.

“Nope. I swear, I’ve seen that woman puke more than I ever thought possible.” Pan stepped a little closer, so Iris wouldn’t be able to hear. “We’re all a little worried. Doc said she’s fine, but it’s just so sad to see her so sick.”

Pan glanced through the window. Her sister was lying on the couch. She seemed so small and delicate.

“She’s stronger than you all give her credit for,” Tyler said. He turned to look through the window.

Iris popped up on the couch and turned toward them. Busted! Iris flipped them off and went in the bedroom.

“Fucking crazy pregnant lady on the loose.” Pan rolled her eyes. When she turned, she and Tyler were just inches apart.

“What are you doing tomorrow night for dinner?” he asked.

She stared at his mouth as he spoke. The gauge inside his tongue flashed every now and then, causing heat to pool between her legs.

“Can’t tomorrow.” She shifted her gaze to his. Amusement danced in them. “It’s girls’ night.”

“Day after?”

Pan’s breathing became a little labored. Tyler might not be the man she wanted, but he was nice, and damn, he really looked great. A shiver slipped through her. Yeah, every girl had a special place for that bad boy look. Spiky black hair, tattoos and piercings made him exactly that.

“Okay,” she whispered.

His brown eyes lit up.

“Great!” Tyler bounced on the balls of his feet.

“Great,” she said, feeling a little bad. It wasn’t her intent to set him up, but she deserved to be happy, damn it. Pan smiled weakly at him.

From the corner of her eye, she spotted some movement at the bike shop. Emilio was pacing back and forth inside the garage. He stopped and seemed to notice her looking. Pan nearly choked at his stern look.

“Yeah, well,” Tyler fumbled. Pan turned to say goodbye and found him staring intently at her. She knew he had guessed who she had been looking at. Her feelings had never really been a secret. “So I guess I’ll pick you up at the shop.”

“Sounds good.” Pan made her way to the door. A hand grasped hers and pulled her around.

“I know how you feel, but he isn’t going to change.” Tyler nodded toward the garage. “I’m not him, but we could have something. I’m just asking for a chance.”

A little taken aback, Pan nodded.

“Right. Okay, see you then.” Tyler bounded off the porch and back to the garage.

Emilio threw his hat on the floor and pounded over to Tyler.

“What the fuck was that about?” The muscles in his arms quivered to beat the shit out of Tyler.

“Just working out plans for a date.” Tyler slipped by without breaking step.

Shock seeped in, and it took Emilio a few moments to refocus. “You what?” He whirled around and found Tyler drinking down some bottled water.

Tyler took his time to wipe his mouth and cap the bottle before replying. “Listen, I don’t know what the hell is stopping you from making a move, but if you aren’t then I will.” He tossed the bottle roughly into the trash. “We’re all sick and tired of the games. You want her, but you won’t take her. Better yet, you won’t tell any of us why.” Tyler stepped closer and jabbed Emilio in the chest. “You want to knock my teeth out, go right ahead, but that ain’t going to stop the next guy.”

Horror raged through Emilio. She would find someone. No way in hell someone as hot as her wouldn’t find a guy.

Tyler ran a hand through his short spikes. “Listen, I’m not trying to be a dick, but if you don’t let anyone in, how the hell are we supposed to help?”

With that, he walked away. Emilio was left trying to hold his emotions in check.

This was really shaping up to be a shit day.

“I’m in the baby’s room,” Iris called when Pan closed the front door.

She gathered up the boxes and wandered through the house Luc and Iris now shared. Luc had really worked hard to make it a home for the both of them. He seemed so thrilled when Iris started adding her own flair to the place. More than anything, it looked lived in and inviting. The perfect place to raise a baby.

She walked into the second bedroom and sat the boxes on the dresser. Yellows and greens jumped out at every turn.

“You sure you don’t want to know the sex?” Pan asked.

Iris sighed. They had been over this several times, and each time it was the same response.

“We want to be surprised.”

“Well you aren’t going to be. Any which way it’s going to be a baby.” Pan crossed the room and sat on the floor to pass over the new boxes.

“Ya think?” Iris rolled her eyes and took the first box. “We just think it would be fun. His mom and sister are dying to know. It’s going to be so special when Luc walks into the waiting room to announce the gender.”

Iris stared off dreamily. She had been doing that a lot recently. The more pregnant she grew, the worse it became.

“Fine, fine. So what’s on the list today?”

“Bouncer and stroller.” Iris huffed. “It’s convenient how Luc seems to miss out on the stuff that would be the easiest for him.”

“Down tiger.” Pan held up her hands. “You know he’s taking on as much extra work as he can before the baby comes.”

Iris sighed. “I know. I’m just tired, and we haven’t been able to spend as much time together.”

“Is that the code word for sex?”

Iris shot her a dirty look and rubbed her tummy.

“Oh!” Iris jumped causing Pan to jump.

“What? Are you all right? Should I call the hospital?”

Pan started up off the floor when Iris reached out to stop her.

“No!” Iris turned and grinned at Pan with pure joy. She yanked Pan’s hand and placed it on her belly. The strange rolling she felt made her giggle.

“Is that the peanut?” Pan stared in awe at her sister.

Iris nodded.

“That is insane!” At her exclamation, she felt a sharp kick and chuckled. She leaned closer to her sister stomach. “Hey, you. Don’t start something you can’t finish.”

Iris giggled when Pan pulled her hand back.

“So,” Iris turned her attention back to Pan. “What’s up with you and Tyler?”

And there is was. Sure didn’t take long for that to come up.

“What is up with everyone being worried about Tyler?” Pan tossed the instructions to the stroller on the ground and stood to pace the room. “The man is sexy as sin!”

A low chuckle came from the door. “I’m sure he’d be happy to hear you say it,” Luc said.

Iris struggled to stand. Pan reached out a hand to pull her up and watched as she flung herself into his arms.

“Luc,” Iris said before crashing into him.

“Hey, baby.” He leaned down to kiss her and rub her belly. Iris reached out and ran her fingers through his blond hair, her thumb gently caressing the scar across his face.

Pan always hated these moments. Not that she wasn’t happy for her sister, but there wasn’t a clear outline for what she was supposed to do.

“You putting together the stroller?” Luc said as he pulled Iris into the room.

“Yup, and on that note, I’m out,” Pan said. The room felt about ten times too small with his massive frame swallowing most of the room.

Iris grabbed her hand as Pan made her way to the door.

“You don’t have to go.” Iris gave her a loving squeeze.

“I know.” Pan smiled. “Enjoy your time together. Won’t be long before you all get very little of that.”

Pan rubbed her sister’s belly and then made her way to the front door. Just as she turned the knob, Luc called to her.

“Tyler had it rough as a kid. Won’t go into details but wanted you to know.” Pan started to respond when Luc put up a hand. “Not saying not to go out with him, but just know, it means something.”

Pan thought on this. Tyler was a nice guy, but how much did it mean to her? She nodded her understanding to Luc. Tyler knew her feelings, but that didn’t mean that he wasn’t hoping for something. She was just going to have to be blunt.

“Thanks,” Pan muttered before rushing out the door.

Chapter Three

“All right, another round and a sprite.” Sarah bounced into her seat after passing out the shots. Iris was finally feeling well enough to come out for an evening, but the only way that was happening was if Luc got to sit at the table next to them. Not much of a girls’ night if they had to deal with the sausage fest living it up next door.

Pan stuck out her tongue at her sister. She was tired of seeing them make goo-goo eyes at each other, and she had just gotten there. Not that Sarah and Jake were much better, but at least he was behind a bar.

“Thanks again for covering this afternoon. The nap seemed to really help.” Iris touched her knee.

Pan waved her hand. “Bah. No problem. Better have you rested than falling asleep at the table.” She gave a wicked smile. “Besides, nobody wants to hear you snore.”

Iris pinched her leg. “I do not!” She stamped her foot.

“’Fraid you do.” Luc reached over and stole the shot in front of Pan. Likely for starting something with Iris. She flipped him off. Nothing worse than stealing a shot before a girl even had the chance to take one.

“I hate you both.” Iris hopped up and fled to the bathroom.

Pan rolled her eyes at Luc.

“Pregnant women.” She stood to follow. “I’ll handle this.”