Page 26 of Hard Focus
“My neighbors. Their sexualized…sexual orientation doesn’t matter. They’re my friends, Nelly. Be nice.”
“I’m always nice.” Nelly pouted and then crossed her eyes, and Connie laughed at the expression on her sister’s face.
Whoever was at the door knocked again,andConnie called, “Coming. Keep your pants on, Taylor.” Silence. “Thanks.”
“Want more wine?” She heard a clink of glass against glass and knew Nelly was already pouring.
Shaking her head, she unlocked and opened the door, mouth open to greet Taylor. A broad chest was directly in front of her and Connie angled her head up to see Cole Stewart standing there instead of her friend. “You’re not Taylor.”
“No, I’m not.” He paused and angled his head, sniffing once. “You have a closed head injury and are on pain medication. Are you drinking?”
“I haven’t taken the pills. I don’t like them.” She waved her hand around her head. “And my head is fine. No more headache or anything.” He took a stepforwardsandshe retreated. “They said it was mild, the head thing.” He took another step,andshe lost her grip on the door when she took another matching stepbackwards. “Are you coming in?”
“You’ve been drinking.” The flat statement held an edge of anger to it. With brusque motions, he retrieved a half-filled duffle from the hallway and then closed the door. She watched as he left the deadbolt unfastened.
She pointed to it. “I always lock that.”
“How much have you had to drink?” He leaned over and stared into her eyes. “Blink for me a couple of times.” She didandhe nodded. “Okay.” Straightening to his full height, he looked down at her. “Do you have a minute to chat?”
“My sister’s here.” His eyes flicked towards the living roomandConnie saw a wash of relief cross his face. “Why does that make you feel better?”
“Because I was afraid you were here alone, drinking, and opened your door without even looking to see who was on the other side.” She heard footsteps behind her and knew Nelly wasn’t waiting to see who had come to visit. Then Cole said the absolute worst thing he could have said, given her sister’s presence and Connie’s current plan on hiding everything about what had happened with Jonas. “It could have been that asshole, and you would have let him into your apartment. Taylor told me how he forced his way in once, and just now you opened your door to whoever was knocking. At least you have someone here.” He tipped his head behind her. “And from the look on her face, you haven’t told your sister anything.”
“You’re worse than Taylor.”
“Not sure that’s an insult.” Cole chuffed a laugh. “Not in this situation. Not if it gets you to pay attention to what matters.”
“I like him. Hey, you’re familiar.” Nelly’s arm slipped around Connie’s waist,andshe leaned heavily on Connie’s shoulder. “You’re the guy from the videos. Thefireman.”
“I am.” His lips curled crookedly, and Connie caught a flash of teeth behind his smile. “And you’re the sister.”
“That’s me.” Nelly thrust her hand outandCole met her palm with his. Connie felt a thread of jealousy wind through her chest. He hadn’t touched her since walking through her door, but here he was holding Nelly’s hand. “You andmeare going to be besties. I need you to…” Nelly released Connie and leaned forwards, pulling Cole towards her with the retained grip on his hand. She stage-whispered the next part, and Connie felt her face flame with embarrassment. “Tell me everything about the asshole, so I can tell Daddyandhe’ll put the fear of Jesus into him.”
“Think your Dad could do that?” Cole’s smile was wider now,andthat thread of jealousy thickened, growingstronger,because that was aimed Nelly’s direction, not hers. “He a magician? No one has managed it yet.”
“Oh, yeah. Daddy’s been a cop for years and years. He’s going to have a field day with this when I tell him Connie’s been dating someone, and that someone’s an asshole as described by the hero fireman our parents both want Connie to marry and bear his children.”
Cole’s head dropped back,andhe laughed,cordedstrength of his neck moving with the deep, amused sounds pouring from him. Even with that, when he righted himself, his eyes were somber, his gaze only for Connie and she felt pinned to the wall at the scrutiny. “Sounds like a deal to me.” Her belly warmed, and blood raced through her veins at what might be a declaration in other circumstances. Cole reached for her,andshe realized he’d dropped Nelly’s hand at somepoint,because his palm was now cupping the back of her neck. “That’s an idea I’d definitely want to explore at some length.” His fingers squeezed. “But now’s not the time, and I know it.” He took a step closer, his heat radiating all along Connie’s body. “I just wanted to check on you, Connie.” She tipped her head upandher belly clenched when his gaze dropped to her mouth, slowly raking up her face to hold her eyes again. “I’m glad you’ve got family around you. Makes me feel better with how Jonas has gone off the deep end.”
“What do you mean?” Her voice sounded strange, trembling and quiet.
“He hasn’t picked up Addy in a couple of weeks. Probably since you broke up with him. Hasn’t called.” He shook his head. “When I asked a friend to check up on him, I found out he’s not keeping his PO appointments, either.”
“PO?”
“Probation officer. Not something a felon forgets if he wants to stay outside.”
“Felon?” Now it was Nelly’s turn to sound strange, and her voice squeaked when she gasped out the one word.
“You—” Connie turned to face Nelly, part of her mind registering how Cole didn’t lose his grip on her, but adjusted with her movement. “—are going to keep your big, fat, baby sister mouth shut.”
“Baby sister?” Cole asked, at the same time Nelly shook her head saying, “Nuh uh. No, I’m not. You know what Dad would do to me if I keep my mouth shut on something likethat? I’m not the one with a death wish.”
“Yes, you are. You tell him, and I’ll kill you.” Connie took a breath. “Listen, Nelly, if you want to hear the story from me, it will only be with your promise you won’t tell Dad.”
“So, you probably know all the dish on your sister, huh?” Cole spoke into the silenceandNelly’s glare turned to him.
“Yeah.” Her scowl returned to Connie. “I’m not promisinganything. You dated a felon? Daddy’s gonna have acow.”
