Page 13 of Breaking the Alpha
Refusing to touch the envelope again, he kept his eyes on the outline of the tower against the night sky.“Then buy yourself a new bed or new shoes.Save it for the wedding or something.You took three years in the slammer for that payout, Birch.You earned it a million times over.”
He knew few details about the deal Birch made years ago when he took the fall for a break and enter committed by Sheriff Fogerty’s son.But he did know his brother had agreed to take the jail term in exchange for enough money to secure their house, cover Grey’s education, and pay for River’s first months in LA when jobs were scarce, rent was outrageous, and the pressure to become more than some kid from the sticks was high.All River had to do was raise Grey for the three years Birch was locked up.
His brother sat silent for a minute.“You’re sure you don’t need it.”
“Guaranteed.”
With a slow nod, Birch stood.“It’ll be tucked in the garage rafter where we used to keep the soup cans, okay?If you ever need it, take it.No questions.”
As his brother disappeared inside, he got to his feet and followed, locking the door behind him.He sat on his bed in his old room until the house went quiet, his thoughts drifting between memories of his childhood and Angelina.Then, when he was unable to take the silence of the house and the turmoil in his own mind any longer, he snuck down the stairs and out the door.
*
River eased thefront door closed, listening for the quiet click before he slid his shoes off and crept toward the stairs.He was stopped in his tracks by Jocelyn sitting at the kitchen table, a cup of coffee in hand and her laptop open.
“Sleep well?”she asked, a single manicured brow lifting as he froze with his hand on the railing.“Pour yourself a coffee and come sit.Grey won’t be up until noon and Birch just hopped in the shower, so he’s out of earshot for thirty minutes at least.”
He paused for a moment before complying and grabbing a mug from the cabinet.“I was just out for a run.”
“Mm-hmm.In jeans without breaking a sweat?You’ll need a better excuse for your brother.He’s dating a former track star.”
Cringing, he slumped into a chair and lied through his teeth.“Fine.I was at a friend’s place.”
“A pretty friend?”
“Gorgeous,” he corrected, when his thoughts instantly jumped to Angelina from Wisconsin.“Shit.I meant I wish.No.Uh—”
Jocelyn grinned, her calculating eyes softening.“I’m just messing with you.I won’t tell if you don’t.Make sure your bed looks slept in and I’ll cover for you any time, so long as you’re back before nine.”She took a sip of her coffee and slid her computer aside.“So she’s gorgeous, is she?”
He shifted in his seat and glared at his mug, kicking himself for not thinking of a better lie to cover the fact that he’d spent the night sleeping in the back room of Serpent’s Tongue.
They sat in silence until he glanced up to see her watching him, amusement on her face.
“What?”he grumbled, looking back to his coffee.
“Nothing.Just noticing some Baker boy similarities and appreciating them from the other side of the table.”
Grunting, he sipped at his coffee until curiosity got the better of him.“Like what?”
She pulled her computer back in front of her and laughed.“I’ll tell you in a few months.You have three minutes to get into your room and make for a convincing wake up.”
Chapter Five
Angelina clicked thelock, walked into her shop, and propped open the door with the pretty, floral-painted doorstop she’d bought from an artist online.She tucked her purse under the till, turned on the soft harp music she favored, and sat in the bamboo rocker she’d picked up for a song at a flea market two towns over.There was a tiny price tag stuck under the seat which refused to come off without stripping the finish, but she also was in no hurry to sell the piece.After all, her long days were made infinitely more entertaining by people watching the strip mall clientele from the relative peace of Wholly Yours.
Of course, it was also an ideal spot to greet Zoe as she strode in, two coffee cups in hand.“I’ve waited six long days, girl.Spill.”
Feigning ignorance, Angelina accepted the drink with a smile and rocked in her favorite chair.“Spill?Well, I got a new shipment of anklets coming in this week, if that’s the gossip you’re hoping for.”
Zoe’s dark eyes narrowed into accusatory slits.“I watched him approach you.You talked to him.You know who.That Ocean or Lake dude.”
“I talk to a lot of people.It’s a perk of owning a store.”When her retort was met with a light kick to her shin, she laughed.“Fine.Yes, I talked to River.Yes, he’s a sweet guy.And no, there’s not much else to say.”
Zoe sat on the knotted rag carpet (which was currently selling for eighty dollars) and crossed her legs.“I don’t care if he’s sweet.Did he drag you up to his room and do unspeakable things to you?”
“How could I tell you if they were so unspeakable?”
The exasperation on her friend’s face was priceless.“You’re the worst best friend ever.You bag the most delectable hunk of man who’s ever graced this town, and then give me zero details?I mean, come on.Those fuck-me eyes?Those biceps begging to be licked?And I know damn well he has a v-cut because no man’s shirt dips in like that if he doesn’t.”
