Trick - By Lori Garrett Page 0,14

to anything. And I think he likes to prove people right just to be an ass. But I know better. I know how he can’t drive past anyone with a flat without pulling over to help. I know he’ll stand forever to hold the door for an elderly lady. That he used to do Mr. Daniels’s chores for him extra early because Gunner knew his arthritis made it hard for him to handle it all. That when I told him I always wanted a pony, he broke me into a horse farm he worked at and we rode the trails all night.”

I remember that night, the moon, the horses nickering softly on the trail, the pasture we galloped through, the cabin he had set up. That was the night we made love for the first time, the night I’d lost my virginity and my heart to Gunner Hunt.

“He could have gotten your dumb asses arrested for horse thievery,” Daisy gripes. “And that’s all sweet, hon, but your future won’t be stolen horses and helping stranded motorists. No matter how romantic it sounds.”

“What do you mean?” My mind flutters back from those sweet memories to face Daisy’s harsh reality.

“I mean, other than sweeping you off your feet three years ago—before he shattered your heart into a billion pieces—what does Gunner have going for him? What’s he doing, just working at that bar? Does he even have an apartment?”

“He’s living at the Daniels’ place. Tending to it, I guess.”

“Legally?” Daisy asks.

I swat at her arm. “Yes, legally. And last night was...it was a good night. Really.”

“I just hope this isn’t some phase, and you don’t end up doing something you’ll regret. You do know that going after the bad boy isn’t going to get you out from under your father’s thumb, right, Har? You’re going to have to talk to him about your plans sooner or later. Preferably before you piss him off by running off with a Hunt boy. You know how much he hates that family.”

“Don’t worry so much.”

“If you say so,” Daisy says. “I hope you know what you’re doing. Seems to me if he wanted to be with you as desperately as you like to think he does…well, he just would be, you know?”

“I’ve got a plan, don’t worry. But right now, I just need a shower,” I say. I know Daisy means well, and from anyone else the words would sting like fire ants. It sounds crazy to have tracked him down only to be told he doesn’t want to be with me, and still be wanting to go back for more. But I also know Gunner, and I know he still loves me. He’s hiding something that he thinks should keep us apart and I plan on figuring out exactly what it is.

“I bet,” she laughs. “I’ve got to get going to work anyway.”

“Say hi to my dad,” I yell as I make my way down the narrow hallway.

CHAPTER 4

GUNNER

“Hey, man, sorry for not making it back last night. Something...came up,” I say.

“No worries, man. That something was hot as fuck, I don’t blame you. And I hope you don’t blame me for helping myself to the entire tip out,” Jared says, scooping ice into the bin.

I laugh, trying to keep it light even though him talking about Harlow like that makes me want to pummel him. “Nah, man. You deserved the tips. Thanks again for keeping an eye on the place.”

“So, what’s the story on that one? You know her before last night?”

I nod. I like Jared. But I don’t want to talk about Harlow with him. Or anyone, really. I just want her to fade away again. And maybe if I tell myself that enough, it’ll be true.

“Are you guys together-together?” Jared asks.

“Dude,” I slam the case of beer down onto the counter harder than I intend. “What’s with all the questions?”

“Sorry, man, I was just wondering, cause late last night after you left some other girl came by asking for you.”

Fuck.

“Rebecca...Rhonda...fuck, what was her name? Petite little brunette. Small tits, but the ass on her was—”

“Rochelle?” I ask.

Jared snaps his fingers. “Yeah, that’s it. Rochelle. Jesus, Gunner, you know how to pick em. Both of them, sexy as hell and—”

“Jared?” He looks up from the ice. “We best girlfriends now? Gonna chat about our love lives? You know why I hired you, man? I’ve been surrounded by loudmouth assholes my whole life. You were real quiet during the interview.”

“Got it,” he says, and