Screwdriver (3 page)

“Since when do you live by the snobbery code?”

Gabriel shrugged. “My parents—”

“You’re wasting your breath if you try to convince me your
parents won’t approve of her because she’s the daughter of a mechanic. They
aren’t like that any more than you are. Last time I checked, no one in the
Lawson clan gave a shit if a woman you dated was a member of the country club
or not.”

Gabriel walked into the closet and sat down on a box. He
looked…defeated. Casey wished he could make things easier, but this
conversation was already long overdue. An only child, Casey considered Gabriel
the brother he never had. He refused to watch his friend continue to
self-destruct.

“Can we just give this a rest? What’s wrong with the air
conditioner?”

“Nice try, but I’m not biting. You know, it sounds to me
like you have a lot in common with Jordan. You’re both business-minded. Geeks,”
Casey teased, hoping the bitter pill he’d administered would go down better
with a joke.

Gabriel ignored his jest. “She’s trusting and looking for
love. Those are two things I can’t give her.”

“You aren’t the first guy to have his heart stomped on by a
woman, Gabe, and you won’t be the last.”

Gabriel shrugged. “Maybe not, but it’s not going to be
my
heart taking the beating again.”

Casey didn’t believe that, so he poked back. “You know,
you’re probably right about Jordan’s interests. They say opposites attract. I
bet she prefers the type of guy who works with his hands rather than his
brains. God knows I didn’t have any trouble keeping her around this afternoon.”
As far as jabs went, Casey knew he’d hit below the belt the instant Gabriel’s
features darkened. Still, he let the insult ride. He was tired of Gabriel’s
indifference. Time to provoke some emotion.

Gabriel rose and stepped closer. “Stay away from Jordan.”

Casey didn’t like the implied threat. “From where I’m
standing, she’s available.”

Gabriel crossed his arms but refused to take the bait.
Refused to fight for what they both knew he wanted. “I guess she is. So you
genuinely want to date her or are you just looking for sex?”

Just like that, Casey’s goodwill vanished and he went on the
defensive. “Are you fucking kidding me? You’re going to take my attraction to
Jordan and twist it around to your current level of depravity? I don’t fuck
around and you know it. Last time I looked, that was your game.”

Gabriel’s arms dropped to his sides. “I’m sorry. Christ.
That was uncalled-for. It’s just, after Paula…”

Casey swallowed heavily. Neither of them had mentioned
Paula’s name in almost two years. Casey had been a fool to think mere avoidance
would heal the wounds she had inflicted on his best friend.

“Forget it. No harm, no foul.” Casey wouldn’t force Gabriel
to take a walk down this particular memory lane.

Gabriel leaned against a shelf. “A few years ago, Jordan
would have been exactly my type, but when I met her, I was still reeling from
Paula’s deception and all I had to offer was friendship. I can’t risk that
relationship now. It’s too important to me. Jordan’s too important to me.”

“It’s been two years since you and Paula split up. You’ve
got to let this bitterness go.”

Casey had only met Jordan a couple of hours ago but he’d
suspected Gabe’s interest in her for months, even if Gabriel hadn’t admitted
it. Casey tried to ignore the small pang that told him Jordan was perfect for
himself too.

“It’s time you moved on, Gabe. Put the past away. Ask Jordan
out before someone else swoops in and takes her away from you.”

Gabriel glanced toward the doorway. Casey could just make
out Jordan’s voice as she spoke to Stephanie on the phone.

Gabriel rubbed his forehead, scowling miserably. Casey could
tell from his friend’s face the thought of Jordan finding another guy had never
occurred to him. “You want to be that other guy, don’t you?” Gabe asked.

Casey shrugged. He could see the thought of Jordan with
another man was triggering some painful memories for Gabriel.

Paula Robinson had done a number on his best friend. Her
family and Gabriel’s had been friends for years. There wasn’t anyone in their
tight-knit circle who didn’t expect a marriage between them. They were well
suited to each other and the marriage would have merged two of the wealthiest
families on the West Coast. Paula had captured Gabriel’s heart the summer they
turned seventeen, and held on to it for years. No one had been surprised when
they’d gotten engaged, and Casey would have been pleased to stand up as best
man at their wedding.

That was until the night he and Gabriel came home early from
a business trip. They’d taken more than a few nips of whiskey from the limo bar
on the drive from the airport to Gabriel’s house, so Casey accepted his
friend’s invitation to spend the night in the guest room.

They walked in on Paula, naked and entangled with Bruce,
Gabriel’s business partner and friend, on the living room floor.

Gabriel had reacted more calmly than Casey would have. Even
now, Casey’s fingers itched to beat the shit out of Bruce for his betrayal.

Rather than yell or scream or fight, Gabriel merely told the
love of his life to pack her bags and get out. Paula reacted first with tears
and pleading, apologizing for the mistake, swearing it was the only time she’d
ever cheated on him. None of her words moved Gabriel.

Desperation turned to anger as Paula tried to incite some
sort of emotion. She flung some of the most hateful, hurtful words Casey had
ever heard. She’d told Gabriel it was his fault she’d turned to another man.
She accused him of leaving her alone too often, of not appreciating her. With
every word, Gabriel disappeared further into himself, becoming colder, more
withdrawn.

His silence provoked Paula even more and she screamed at
him. When it was obvious Gabriel wouldn’t respond with anger, Paula’s
viciousness became completely uncontrolled. She told Gabriel he was the worst
lover she’d ever had and she’d only stuck around to make her parents happy.

The cocky, self-confident friend he’d known from college
disappeared that day. Gabriel donned an emotionless façade, never letting
anyone close enough to hurt him, dating small-minded, self-centered women who
didn’t stand a chance at capturing his heart. The only time Casey saw glimpses
of his old friend was when Gabriel talked about Jordan.

“Jordan isn’t anything like Paula, Gabe.”

Casey studied his friend’s face and forced himself to
acknowledge exactly how much he’d failed Gabriel. When Paula first left, Casey
had ignored the haunted look in his friend’s eyes, told himself Gabriel would
be fine eventually. While Gabriel had lost his youthful swagger, his undeniable
confidence, Casey had felt certain time would heal his friend’s wounds. He
wasn’t sure that was true any longer, and was besieged with guilt for letting
Gabriel suffer alone for so long.

“It’s time to jump back in to the dating pool, Gabe. And I
don’t mean with your trophy-wife wannabes. You’re ready. Trust me.”

Gabriel didn’t respond.

“Hey.” Jordan appeared in the doorway.

Both men turned to face her.

“I’m going to meet Steph and Jayne for lunch. Either of you
feel like coming along?”

Gabriel stepped toward her, shaking his head. “Can’t. I’ve
got a date.”

Jordan’s grin didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Oh yeah? Is this
the heiress or the owner of that fancy dress shop downtown?”

“Both. I’ll see you two later.” Gabriel left and Jordan
stood still for several moments, looking toward the exit.

Casey studied her face, seeing what Gabriel wouldn’t admit
with his cowardly, quick retreat. His answer had devastated her, which was no
doubt Gabriel’s intention. Just more proof that Casey had been wrong to ignore
the changes in his friend. Gabriel’s strike-first attitude toward women had
gone too far.

Time to step in. He knew exactly what he needed to do.

“I need to clean up my tools, Jordan. If you’re in a hurry,
I can lock up behind me.”

“Oh no. I’ll help you.” She bent over to gather the
scattered nuts and bolts.

Casey had to give her props. She shook off her hurt quickly.

It was time to lay the cards on the table. Casey lifted his
hand and waved toward the door. “You know, he didn’t always used to be such a
jerk.”

“Actually, he doesn’t usually act like that. Maybe the
heat’s made him cranky?”

Her words set his mind at ease and confirmed his suspicions.
The real Gabriel was still lurking beneath the surface—and if anyone could
reach him, it was Jordan.

“Maybe. I was wondering, Jordan. Would you want to go out
with me sometime?”

She smiled. “You mean like a date?”

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, unable to resist
touching her. “Exactly like a date.”

“I’d like that.”

“Tomorrow?”

She nodded. “I have a hair appointment in the morning and
then I was going to do a little bit of shopping at the mall.”

“Why don’t I meet you after you get your haircut? We can
shop together and then do lunch.”

“You really want to go shopping with me?”

Casey nodded. “Sure. Why not?”

He followed her out of the closet and let his plan play out.
Jordan was the perfect woman for his friend. All Casey had to do was continue
to prod at the only emotion he’d seen his friend recently convey.

Jealousy.

Casey leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. It had
been a busy morning and he was glad to have a chance to sit down and relax.
When Jordan shopped, she went after it with more enthusiasm than a
five-year-old in a toy store.

Soft hands landed on his shoulders. “Tired?” Jordan asked.

His nod was followed by a groan when she massaged his tight
muscles. “That feels so good,” he said.

She tightened her grip. Damn. He loved a deep massage.
Jordan’s fingers worked magic on his weary body.

“I want to thank you for coming with me today. Nice to have
a man’s opinion on clothes. My very own hot-or-not meter.”

He glanced over his shoulder. “You picked out some pretty
sexy outfits. It was no hardship looking at you in them.”

“I’m glad you think so. Can I ask you something?”

He started to say, “Anything,” but before he could reply,
Jordan moved in front of him. She stepped closer, hiked up her short skirt and
straddled his lap. Her legs were open over his, her pussy perfectly lined up
with his cock. The only things separating them were her panties and his jeans.

“Jordan?”

She bent forward and bit his earlobe. “What do you think of
this skirt?”

It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her it would look
better on the floor, but she robbed him of speech once more when she placed her
lips against his. He accepted her light kiss then deepened it.

His tongue touched hers and he savored the lingering
sweetness of soda on her breath. He placed his hands on her waist and pulled
her even closer, pressing his cock firmly against her.

She moaned as she picked up a rhythm of her own, rubbing him
with her pussy until he saw stars. Jesus. She was magnificent. Too much more of
this and he’d come from just her dry humping.

“So good,” he murmured.

Jordan’s soft laughter surprised him. “I’m glad you’re
enjoying your lunch. Personally, I’ve never gotten that worked up over a
McDonald’s hamburger.”

Casey glanced up. He found Jordan looking down at him.

He quickly picked up his burger and leaned closer to the
table to conceal his rock-hard cock. “Um, yeah, well, you’re missing out.”

What the hell was wrong with him? He was sitting in the
middle of the mall food court having the mother of all sex fantasies about the
woman he planned to hook up with his best friend. Thank God he’d placed a paper
napkin on his lap before losing his fucking mind, or there would be some fairly
obvious evidence of where his thoughts had wandered.

Jordan joined him at the small table. She’d opted to wait in
a longer line for Chinese. Placing her shopping bags on the floor, she opened
her food and chopsticks and dug in, oblivious to his horny state.

“I want to thank you for your help today.”

Her comment sent his mind right back to the gutter as he
recalled his fantasy. “Sure.”

He swallowed heavily and tried to will away the hard-on that
cut off all flow of blood to his brain. His jeans were digging into the
sensitive flesh. He was in agony.

Jordan reached up and ran her fingers through her hair.
“You’re sure you like this new style?”

He smiled. She’d look good bald, but he didn’t say that. “It
looks terrific. What prompted the change?”

“I’ve always wanted to try some red highlights. My natural
hair is pretty damn boring.”

“I don’t think your hair is boring.”

She accepted his compliment with a dismissive wave of her
hand. “It was completely devoid of life and I was tired of ponytails. I figured
it was time I went for a jazzier style.”

“Good for you. So did the hip hairstyle prompt the new clothes
too or are we in the midst of some makeover show that I don’t know about?” He
pretended to glance around for hidden cameras.

“I’ve been in a rut for a very long time.”

“What kind of rut?” he asked.

“I don’t know. It’s hard to explain. If you’d asked me last
week if I was happy, I would have said yes. And that would have been true. Then
yesterday, Stephanie and Jayne pointed out some hard truths to me and it’s like
the light went on.”

“What hard truths?”

She blushed, not answering immediately. Her silence sparked
his curiosity even more.

He watched her think about her answer and worried she’d try
to change the subject or fib. “Be bold, Jordan. Tell me the truth, not whatever
half-baked lie you’re conjuring.”

She gave him a rueful grin. “I suck at lying.”

“So don’t. I won’t judge you.”

“Can you keep a secret?”

He crossed his heart with his finger. “Scout’s honor.”

“I haven’t dated in a very long time.”

It was a simple confession and Casey suspected there was
more. “Why not?”

She took a deep breath. “Because I’ve been harboring a very
deep—and probably not completely healthy—crush on Gabriel.”

He’d asked for honesty and she’d given it. Her revelation
should have made him happier than it did. “So you made these changes for him?
To capture his attention?”

“Oh my God, no. I realized yesterday my feelings for Gabe
are holding me back from finding true happiness. He and I are friends and it’s
very unlikely we’ll ever be more than that. I decided it was time I put some
effort into my hair, update my wardrobe and get back on the horse, so to
speak.”

“So what you’re saying is you used me to help you pick out
outfits that will attract other men,” he teased.

She’d spent the afternoon trying on some of the sexiest
clothes Casey had ever seen, which no doubt explained his vivid fantasy and
current erection. He’d invited her out with the intention of making Gabriel
jealous. He’d hoped seeing her with another man would help Gabriel realize
Jordan was the woman he wanted. The plan had backfired. Casey’s attraction to
her was officially full-blown. What was he supposed to do now?

She put her chopsticks down. “Or maybe I’m just hoping
they’ll attract you.”

Damn. So much for his cock deflating. “You did that
yesterday with the old Jordan.”

Her cheeks flushed and the smile she gave him was one of
genuine pleasure. He resisted the urge to lean forward and taste the soda on
her lips firsthand. He shook himself, fighting to recall his purpose.

“Have you ever told Gabe about your feelings?”

She shook her head. “No. It’s been hard to catch him between
girlfriends. Besides, we come from two different worlds. He’s caviar and I’m
Kraft Mac & Cheese.”

“You two aren’t so dissimilar. You might be surprised to
know Gabe loves Big Macs.”

“Really?” she asked.

He nodded.

She propped her cheek on her hand. “You guys have been
friends for a long time, haven’t you?”

Casey popped a fry into his mouth. “Met our freshman year at
USC. Got put together as roommates. It was a bit touch-and-go at first. Gabe’s
a complete neat freak, while I tend to be a little more free with my dirty
laundry.”

“In other words, you’re a slob.”

He covered his heart, feigning offense. “Such a strong word.
We artistic types find beauty in everything, even chaos.”

She rolled her eyes. “Has that excuse ever worked for you?”

He sipped his Coke. “It’s worked with everyone except
you…and Gabe.”

“Good for Gabe,” she said, lifting her cup in a silent
toast. “So I guess it’s safe to say you overcame your differences.”

“Yep. We got an apartment together our sophomore term and
stayed there for the next five years. I managed to score my undergrad degree in
architecture with a minor in art, but I stuck around L.A. two more years
working in a fix-it shop. Gabriel continued taking classes, earning his
master’s in finance. His plan was to take the New York Stock Exchange by storm.
I was going to go along with him and strike it rich as a young Henry Moore or
Frederic Remington—without all the damn horses.”

“I like his cowboys and Indians.”

Casey was impressed she knew who Remington was. Most women of
his acquaintance weren’t up on art, least of all sculptors.

She wiped her face with her napkin. “So what happened then?
How did you both end up in Portland?”

“Gabe’s dad had a heart attack shortly after he graduated
from grad school. It was a wake-up call—at least for Gabe’s mom, who insisted
Mr. Lawson worked way too hard—and his old man decided it was time to hand the
reins of the family business over to Gabriel.”

Jordan nodded. “He told me about his dad’s heart attack, but
I never knew about his New York goal. It was nice of him to give up his dream
and come home.”

“Yeah, it was. Don’t get me wrong. There’s very little Gabe
wouldn’t do for his family, and it was no secret he was going to take over for
his pop eventually, but sometimes I wonder if he regrets never getting the
chance to try his dream job.”

Jordan leaned back in her chair. “So that explains why
Gabriel is here. Why are you?”

“I’m the opposite. I actually tried to live my New York
dream. I didn’t make it very far. I managed to get a few pieces into an art
show, sold a couple. It wasn’t enough to pay the bills.”

“But you said you only minored in art.”

Casey nodded, touched by how interested she was in his
story. “Dad owned an electronics repair shop, so I grew up fixing all kinds of
stuff with him. My father is way too practical, which is why he insisted I back
up my art classes with a major that would provide an income.”

“Hence the degree in architecture?”

He nodded.

“Very wise dad,” she teased.

Casey pitched a fry at her, which she neatly dodged. “Yeah,
I guess. Unfortunately, most of his wisdom was offset by my stubbornness and
pride.”

“How so?”

“I wouldn’t give up on the art, even though I was failing
miserably. I couldn’t admit my dad had been right. Eventually I was evicted
from my apartment. I spent more than a few nights on the street.”

Jordan gasped. “In New York?”

“I slept in the park, ate out of trash cans. It was
miserable.”

“What happened?”

“Gabe happened. When he couldn’t get in touch with me, he
flew to New York and looked for me. He’d visited me a few times before, so he
knew my hangouts. He found me at the lowest point in my life and offered me a
job. His family owns half of Portland and he needed someone he trusted to help
with repairs, renovations and so on. I jumped at the chance, flew to Portland
with him and here I am.”

“Any regrets?”

He rubbed his chin and considered her question. The answer
came easily. “Honestly? No. I took my shot, gave it a try. Since then I’ve
found a way to make money
and
do my art. I didn’t give up sculpting.
It’s a huge part of my life, but I’m not going to lie. I have a nice apartment,
money in the bank and I basically set my own hours. I think in some ways I
ended up with more than I ever expected, or maybe even deserve. Sometimes I
wonder where I’d be if Gabe hadn’t come looking for me.”

Jordan smiled. “He’s a good friend.”

“The best,” Casey agreed.

“I’m glad to hear you’re okay with your life. I think too
many people waste years reaching for what they think will make them happy
instead of living in the moment, appreciating their blessings. I’m sure my
friends from school look at me and think my life is boring. I’m an accountant
in a bookstore.”

“But it’s
your
bookstore.”

She nodded. “I’m my own boss—well, along with Steph, Jayne
and Sophie—and I love that. Love owning something I’m proud of, love being able
to make my own decisions rather than answering to someone else.”

He understood what she meant exactly. “It’s good to be in
charge of your own destiny.”

“Yes, it is.”

“So this new Jordan is you taking another step closer to a
happy future?”

“I think it is. I was living on an impossible dream and
trying to convince myself it was enough. Now I’m moving on, looking for
something real.”

Casey frowned slightly. “You realize there’s one flaw in
your thinking.”

“There is?”

“I took my shot at being an artist. You didn’t take your
chance with Gabe. You dismissed it out of hand without ever trying.”

Jordan didn’t answer for several long minutes. “It’s not
that simple.”

He leaned closer and grasped her hand. “You haven’t given
yourself the chance to find out if he’s the guy for you. You have confidence
when it comes to your job, running the store, but that self-assurance seems to
dry up when faced with forging a romantic relationship with Gabe.”

“He’s not interested.”

“Have you asked?” Casey wasn’t sure where he found the
strength to push her. If he listened to his own desires, he’d be throwing
Gabriel under the bus with both hands. But reliving the memory of his time in
New York made it even harder for him to give up on his friend. Gabriel was
hurting and needed help. It was time Casey paid it forward.

She shook her head. “No. I haven’t told him how I feel. What
I want.”

“What
do
you want from life, Jordan?”

“I guess I want the same stuff every woman wants.”

“Love? Marriage?”

She nodded. “What about you? Are you dating anyone?”

“No, but I’m looking. Like you.” Casey realized she wanted
the same things he did. He was thirty-one and anxious to settle down with a
good woman, maybe start a family. Just his luck he’d fall for the same woman as
his best friend.

For a minute, he took Gabriel out of the equation. How would
this date be different if it was just Jordan and Casey? He imagined the
possibilities. He’d continue dating her, talking to her, trying to provoke a
few thousand more of her innocent blushes.

And he wanted her. Badly.

She ran the fingers of her free hand over his knuckles, the
soft touch conjuring up some wicked needs.

“Where does sex fall in your grand life scheme?” he asked.