Trusting You, Trusting Me - Jacki James

Chapter 1

Ash

Creek. Bang. What the hell was that, I wondered, turning down the television so I could hear. I’d lived alone ever since I graduated college, and that had never been a problem, which was why it bothered me that my roommate, Becca, leaving for London had me spooked. Having a twenty-year-old woman here shouldn’t have made me feel safer, but for some reason, it had.

I glanced over at the alarm panel by the door to make sure it was armed. It was. But I knew that already. I was super careful about setting it. I heard another sound from outside. Like feet shuffling across the back deck. A squirrel maybe, or even a raccoon? Nothing to freak out about. Something clattered, and I yelped. Shit. There actually was something out there.

I snuck through the house in the dark, trying not to make a sound. My back door was in my kitchen. I slowly lifted one of the blinds over the sink and peeked out into the backyard. I didn’t see anything out there at all. I clutched my cell phone in my hand and debated calling Trey, but I didn’t want to sound like a baby. I should’ve gotten a dog like we’d talked about. A big dog with a loud bark and an even bigger bite.

Crash!

I jumped and gave up trying to pretend to be brave and dialed Trey’s number. “Hey, Ash,” a voice that was way too deep to be Trey’s answered. “Trey is in the tub. Do you need him?”

“No, yes, I mean, no, not him, but one of you. Roman, I’m hearing noises from outside. In the backyard, I think. It’s probably just a raccoon or a squirrel or something, but…”

“It’s okay, Ash. You’re right, it’s probably nothing, but just in case, I’ll come check it out. Is your alarm system on and your doors locked?”

“They are,” I assured him.

“Okay, you stay inside. I’ll let you know what I find.”

I let out a deep breath and went to sit back down on the couch. There were a lot of benefits to living next door to your best friend—especially when your best friend’s boyfriend is a big tough bodyguard.

I sat there and waited, but it didn’t take long before my phone rang. “Hey Ash, it’s me. Can you let me in the kitchen door?”

“Sure, I’ll be right there.”

When I entered the kitchen, I flipped on the light and saw Roman standing at the back door. I turned off the alarm and let him in. “Well?”

“There was definitely something out there. When I got here, the back gate was open, and some of your pots on the deck are turned over. I would say it was just an animal, but I’m not sure how a dog or a raccoon could’ve opened the back gate.”

I felt my cheeks heat. “Um, the latch on the gate is kind of broken. I kept meaning to tell Jordan, but I forgot,” I said sheepishly.

“Okay, here’s what we’re going to do. We’ll get someone over here to fix the gate, and I’ll have Carter install some cameras. Then if you hear anything else, you can look for yourself. But you know you can always call me or Trey, or even Ryan or Rand.”

“I know, thanks.”

“Nothing to thank me for. Now, why don’t you grab what you need and come with me? You and Trey can play video games until dawn. I have Cherry Garcia.”

I knew I shouldn’t go. I was a grown man. There was no reason at all why I couldn’t stay right here in my own house. But I was still spooked, and I did love Cherry Garcia ice cream.

Chapter 2

Ash

“I don’t know, Trey,” I said, looking at all the dogs. “How am I supposed to choose?” I stood there in the middle of the large room. The walls were lined with cages, and each cage held a dog who was waiting for someone to take them home.

“I didn’t expect there to be so many,” Trey said, looking around. “Maybe I should take one, too.”

“Maybe you should talk to Roman about it before you bring home a dog. I think that’s the kind of thing you’re supposed to discuss before you do it.”

“But think how much fun it would be. We could take them for walks and to the dog park.”

A large dog hopped up on the gate barking, and I jumped. I stepped back and looked at him. He was exactly what I came here for, but he was kind

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