Indestructible (11 page)

“I’m not helping you with anything that is ordered and not asked for politely. Find some manners, already.” Yeah, bitchy Cassandra was in the house.

“Then I’ll just make a quick call to Caleb to let him know his girlfriend is planning to give away his child. Caleb has a temper—especially where family’s concerned. You ever see it?”

I exhaled a long-winded breath and halted my steps. “Tell me why you’re helping Natasha to begin with. What does she have on you?”

His smugness disappeared, and was replaced with irritation. “She just wants a chance to prove herself, that’s all. What she has on me means shit compared to my nephew having a chance with his mother. We need to give her a chance to try. Ask Logan to at least acknowledge her, and I won’t speak a word about Miss Preggo.”

Holding his stare, I felt a smile creep onto my expression. “No. If I want to help Natasha, it will be on my own terms, and because I believe she deserves it—not because of you or anyone else. If you want to call Caleb, I can’t stop you. But if you do, you and me?” I pointed back and forth between us. “You can kiss any chance of us ever being friendly again goodbye.”

I’d begun climbing the stairs when he called out, “All right, damn, can’t blame me for trying. Honestly, I’m impressed. Thought you’d do anything to protect her secret.”

“Like I said, it’s not my secret. And I’ll never lie to Logan.”

That seemed to please him. “Well, it’s safe with me. I won’t tell a soul.”

Smiling to myself, I continued walking. “Thank you.”

“You should know, though, Logan hates secrets. Just a little fact to remember.”

I nodded as he appeared beside me. “Good to know, but I told you, I won’t lie to Logan…
ever
.”

We walked up in silence a few steps before I asked, “So, where were you?”

“When?”

“When the doorbell rang. I waited for you to answer it. Wait, let me guess—chilling in your room for some guy time?’

He chuckled. “Nope. Shower.”

“Ah.” We reached the top. “I’m about to go running. Want to join?”

Suddenly, he was laughing. “I attempted to blackmail you minutes ago, and now you’re asking me to go jogging with you?”

“I am. No reason we can’t be friends.”

“I’m intrigued. Most chicks would’ve either folded and accepted defeat or threatened to tell Logan.”

“Well, I’m not doing either. So what do you say? Are you a runner?”

“Sounds fun, but I have plans.”

The doorbell rang a moment later, and his brows rose. “Now
that
is someone I’ll be spending time with in my room—and I’ll be greatly enjoying myself.”

Jax headed down the stairs and opened the door to reveal a beautiful brunette with a short pixie cut and not even a trace of makeup on. She looked sweet, friendly, and so not Jax’s type, but what did I know about what he looked for in a girl?

He held out his hand, telling her to enter, and led her up the stairs past me. “Cassandra, this is my tutor. We have some studying to do.”

“Studying?” He wasn’t in school.

She said a quick hello as Jax threw a sly wink my way behind her. “Lots of studying,” he mouthed, grinning.

Shaking my head, I laughed. Yep, it was in the genes. Poor Oliver.

Chapter Eight
Surprises

The instant I stepped outside, frigid air filled my lungs and my feet sprinted forward, searching for warmth. Logan’s driveway was recently plowed, but the road was covered in drifted snow. I jogged steadily until I reached my usual turnaround, then began my trek back.

My mind was jumbled with thoughts of Hilary, her unborn child, and the opportunity she was robbing Caleb of. It was surreal to think of how much her life was changing, and I knew it was her body and her decision. But I also knew Hilary better than anyone. She was obviously scared, and I needed to figure out a way to break through that fear and convince her that she had the support surrounding her to raise a child. Regardless of whether Caleb was one of those people, she’d be taken care of. That baby would be loved—I’d make sure of it.

My eyes closed briefly as I attempted to clear my head of everything, including the image that fought to break through as I passed the place where I’d parked my car innocently behind Kurt’s a few short days ago: the spot where I’d started my race through the forest.

I shook the thoughts from my head, increased my speed, and cranked up the music on the iPod I’d found on Logan’s dresser. His preference in music was different from my own, which created a sense of safety around me. I felt as though he was there looking out for me.

When I reached Logan’s driveway, I gazed over to my house, where two white trucks with construction logos on the side doors sat. Strangers were in my home. I knew they were there to repair the damage, but it still left me unsettled.

I switched off the blast of Pearl Jam and entered Logan’s house, ready to shower and begin my mission to find Scout. Whatever ‘studying’ Jax was up to in his room didn’t involve looking for my pup, and I couldn’t sit around and wait any longer.

Dressed in a pair of jeans and white snug-fitting sweater after my shower, I made my way to Jax’s room. It wasn’t hard to find, considering the sounds leaking out.
So much for asking him to print flyers.
I made my way farther down the hall to Logan’s office and opened the door. A massive flat computer screen sat on top of his desk, with a printer off to the side atop a hutch.

My internal debate to use it ended quickly. It felt wrong without Logan’s permission—not to mention, knowing him, it was probably password protected. Going to my house wasn’t an option, which left only one alternative.

I waited patiently, playing solitaire on my fully charged phone until Jax’s door cracked open and the surprisingly gracefully composed tutor slipped out. The second she saw me, she flushed.

Relax, I wasn’t listening.

“Jax is a great guy,” she said, as if words were necessary, slipping into her coat. With one sleeve on, she winced, lowering her head.

“You okay?” I moved toward her.

“Yeah, thanks. I’m a bit of a wuss. It was my first time.”

What! First time? And a wuss?
What the hell?
I was seething.
This poor girl.

“Hey, don’t say that about yourself. I’m sorry…I know it’s not my place, but…” I couldn’t hold back. “…Jax doesn’t seem like the type of guy to get serious with a girl. You should be careful.”

Her brows knit together. “I have no interest in dating Jax. I mean, he’s hot…” She smiled. “But he’s screwed both of my roommates.”

“Oh.”

“In the last week,” she added.

“Ew, okay then.” I was officially confused and grossed out.

“See you around,” she said, looking a bit too satisfied for my taste. How was it that the West men brought even the strong women of Harmony to their knees? I was
not
impressed.

Holding back my frown, I waited until she turned out of the hall. The second she was out of sight, my fists began pounding.

“No need to knock.”

I opened the door slowly and warily, especially at his next words.

“Forget something, or did you change your mind about wanting more?”

Yuck.
I made a face with my head downcast, not wanting to see anything I wouldn’t be able to block out. “Nope, just need a favor.”

“Shit!”

Jax’s legs were all I saw leaping across the room. I peeked up, catching sight of a white sheet floating down from his hands, covering something in front of the wall. Cautiously, I raised my head, relieved to find him standing there fully dressed and looking surprisingly nervous.

“What do you want?” his voice grated.

“What’s that?” I nudged my head toward the sheet.

“Nothing. You said you needed a favor?”

He was definitely hiding something, but considering he wanted me gone, now was the perfect time to ask. “I need to borrow your car.”

He blew out a rapid snicker. “No, seriously, what’s up?”

“Come on. Mine’s not back yet, and I wanted to make some flyers to post around town.”

“Flyers for what?”

My eyes widened. “For
what
? For Scout!”

“Oh, right, yeah.” He at least attempted a sympathetic shrug, but I wasn’t convinced. He’d forgotten all about my dog.

“I take it you grew bored of looking for him.”

“Not at all. I got everyone I know out there searching. So, did you make the posters?”

“Not yet. I need a computer.”

“Here, use mine.” He grabbed his laptop from the desk and unplugged it. “It will print in Logan’s office. I’d give you my car, but nobody drives it except me, so how about a compromise? I’ll give you a ride downtown, drop you off, and when you’re done with your…business, I’ll pick you up and bring you back.”

“So that would make you my…personal driver?” My lip quirked up.

“Yeah, yeah, go make the flyers. I need a shower.” His hands raked through his hair.

“I’m sure you do!”

He grabbed a towel hanging over his desk chair and snapped it at me. “Out! I’ll be ready in ten.”

Carrying his laptop, I laughed at his persistence as he guided me back to the door and ushered me out into the hall. I turned back to throw a clever retort for his briskness, but was faced with a slamming door and the telltale sound of a lock clicking. He was definitely hiding something, and if need be, I’d find out. But for now, I was pleased I had a computer and a ride.

“Call me when you’re ready, but not before three,” Jax said, pulling into a fire lane in front of
The Harmony Tribune
.

I unbuckled my seat belt. “Why three?” It wasn’t even noon yet.

“’Cause I have things to do, too. So if you want a ride, hit me up after then.”

“Fine.” I climbed out, my hands full of a massive stack of flyers. “Thanks,” I said, my smile genuine.

“No problem. Oh, and uh, no need to tell Logan I helped with those.” He glanced at my hands.

My brow scrunched. “Okay,” I replied.

With that, I closed the door and watched as he merged back into traffic, heading toward the college. When I turned back, I couldn’t help but want to pay a little surprise visit to Logan.

The newspaper was housed in one of the oldest buildings in town. It was also one of the largest, which wasn’t saying much; if you plucked it up and situated it in the middle of a real city, it’d probably be one of the smallest there. But to us in Harmony, it was grand. The architecture alone had caught my attention even as a young child, and although I’d been curious, I’d never entered; for some reason, the mystery held more appeal. But now I’d finally get a glimpse inside.

I wondered if Logan would give me a tour. The thought had me way too giddy.

Inside, the design was as breathtaking to behold as the exterior’s. Massive columns and domed ceilings highlighted the mural on the front wall: an image of the building during its construction over a hundred years prior.

“Cassie?”

I turned to find Mrs. Welsh, my high-school librarian and the widow of the previous owner, walking out from behind the front desk. I’d only seen her in occasional passing over the last few years.

“Mrs. Welsh, hi! How are you?” I asked, surprised to see her there. I figured she’d retired for good after her husband’s death and selling the paper.

“I’m doing great, as always,” she said, though the concern etched over her brow told me she wasn’t immune to the town gossip. “How are you, dear?”

“Good, as always.” I smiled brightly. She didn’t need to worry about me.

She sighed thoughtfully. “Still the spitting image of your mother at your age. A hellion, she was.”

I laughed. Every time I saw her, she told me the same thing. And she wasn’t the only one—I’d heard it from others, but never once could I picture it. The mother I knew was the epiphany of moral standards.

“I didn’t know you were working here.”

“I know. Everyone thinks I need to retire, but to do what—sit in my house till death comes a-calling? No thank you.” She looked around as if remembering another time. “This was his home, his life. It’s the one place I still feel connected to him. I’m not leaving.”

That was the ultimate dream for me: a powerful love that consumed you, even when you were separated by death.

“I’d do the same thing.”

“Yes, well, maybe one day you will. I’ve heard through the town cesspool that you’ve nabbed the affections of our mysterious new owner.”

“Mysterious?” My amusement couldn’t be contained.

“Yes, all the young ladies here are stepping over themselves for a chance at his attention, but he’s all business the entire day.”

I doubted that. My joy vanished. There were probably a few employees he’d dabbled with before me.

“I’m glad he kept you on board,” I said, swallowing down the acidic burn of jealousy.

“He had no choice. I gave this paper to him because he had a dream for it—a passion for what needed to be done to get it rolling again—and he agreed to keep me on until my death, no matter how old or senile I became.”

I grinned, laughing softly. “Sounds like you.”
And him.