The Favor Read online

  “Think it’s been a hundred yet?” he whispered against her lips.

  “Fifty at most,” she answered. She slid her tongue in his mouth and ran her palms across the top of his shoulder. He placed his hands in the back pocket of her jeans.

  “It’s been a hundred. Can we finish this tonight?”

  Anna opened her eyes and looked into his. “Think you’ll still be in the mood?”

  “Absolutely no doubt.” His green eyes glimmered with heat. After he gave her a light tap on the ass, he set off to find Redhawk’s hideout.

  Anna sat on the grass and watched him. Only a couple of days into her marriage of convenience, and she was already growing more and more attracted to him. On top of the heat she felt every time he was in the room, she liked him. She poured herself another glass of wine and fantasized about what was going to happen after they put Louie to bed tonight.

  A few minutes later, the boys shot out from behind one of the large rocks. Louie was running, and Clark wasn’t far behind him. Both of them were laughing, loving the chase. It was what she’d always wanted for Louie, and it broke her heart that it was only temporary. Her arrangement with Clark was only designed to keep custody of her son. It wasn’t a long-term thing, and even though Louie needed this kind of male role model in his life, she couldn’t ask that of Clark. She’d already taken too much.

  I just have to see it for what it is. A way to keep custody of my son and have a little fun at the same time.

  “I’m closing in on you,” Clark said.

  Louie giggled and tried to run even faster. He stumbled and fell into the grass a few feet from Anna, and Clark fell beside him. They tumbled around, tickling, laughing, and jabbing each other. Eventually, they both ran out of steam and fell onto their backs, wide smiles on their faces.

  “Having fun?”

  “The most fun ever!” Louie declared.

  Anna’s chest felt too small to hold her heart.

  Clark scooted closer to her and placed his hand on her knee. “Pretty good day, huh?”

  “This is a magical place. Thanks for bringing us up here,” Anna said. It was the best day she’d had in ages. She hadn’t worried about money once, and she’d been able to spend time with her son on top of a beautiful mountain. The setting sun painted the sky in brilliant oranges and gold, making the mountain appear dusky purple. “I had a great afternoon.”

  Clark put his arm around her shoulders. “I know you’re used to working all the time, but while we’re together, I want you to take some time for yourself.”

  “Thank you. For everything.” Before she realized what she was doing, she was leaning into him again. She was about to kiss him when Louie’s voice brought her back to reality.

  “Mom.”

  “What, baby?”

  Still on his back in the grass, Louie said, “Redhawk and the Blot are tired.” He pointed to Clark. “It’s not easy to save humanity.”

  “Let’s pack up everything and head back toward the cabin,” she said.

  Clark rose and offered her his hand. “Get him settled. I’ll take care of the trash.”

  Back at the truck, Anna wrapped the picnic sheet around Louie so he could fall asleep on the ride home. “You know the only thing that could’ve made this day better?” Louie asked.

  Anna handed him Redhawk. “What?”

  “If I’d had a puppy to bring along.”

  By the time they reached the town of Hot Springs, Louie was asleep. “He really wants a dog, huh?” Clark asked.

  “He’s been begging for one since he started kindergarten, but not only would my landlord have a fit, I just don’t have time to take care of a dog. Maybe when he’s a little older and he can take more responsibility.”

  “That’s too bad. Every little boy needs a dog. We always had dogs when I was growing up. I loved all of them, but Sasquatch was my favorite.”

  “Sasquatch? There’s got to be a story there.” She’d heard Taylor mention the dog, saying he was always chewing something up, digging holes, and getting into trouble. He was the main reason Taylor was a cat person.

  Clark’s eyes briefly left the road and met hers. “I was nine, firmly in the monsters stage of boyhood, when a puppy wandered into the yard. He was a mutt, probably a cross between a German shepherd and a Lab, and even at only a few weeks old, he was huge and shaggy. I loved him instantly.”

  Anna had never had a dog of her own, but she loved animals. “Your parents let you keep him without a big fight?”

  “No. It was a huge fight. They preferred pedigreed dogs, mostly springers and setters, expensive ones my dad took bird hunting once or twice a year. I hated seeing those dogs stuck in a pen just waiting for his pleasure.”

  “How did you talk them into letting you keep Sasquatch?”

  “Begged and begged until they were so exhausted they had to give in.”

  “Why did you love him so much?”

  “He loved me unconditionally, and I really needed that.” He took one hand off the wheel and rubbed his chin. “He was my best friend.”

  “Taylor seems to think he was a menace.”

  “He was,” Clark said with a laugh. “He ruined my parents’ backyard, several pairs of nice shoes, and a truckload of pillows. Taylor’s probably still mad that he ate her lip gloss. All of it.”

  “Probably. She’s pretty serious about her makeup.”

  “Always has been. I replaced the stuff with my allowance money, but she never forgave Sasquatch.”

  Louie murmured in his sleep, and Anna swiveled in her seat to check on him. He was the most perfect thing she’d ever seen, and she wanted him to have everything she hadn’t. Including a childhood filled with love and attention. Protecting him from George was at the top of that list. Nothing would say real family like a puppy. But then again, what would happen to the dog when she moved back to Florida Street? She turned back to Clark and put her hand over his. “Let’s talk more about it later.”

  Clark’s face lit up, like he was the kid who might be getting a puppy. “At least there’s a chance.”

  …

  Clark woke slowly, Anna’s naked body snuggled close to his. It felt so right, he was afraid to open his eyes.

  “Mmmm,” she murmured. “I have to get moving.”

  He kissed her neck and ran his index finger in a lazy circle around one of her nipples, making it go diamond-hard. His dick responded immediately. “Already?”

  She playfully elbowed him. “You’re going to make me late. Again.”

  “It will be worth it. Let’s make it three tardies in as many weeks.”

  “Nope. Mrs. Wilson waits for me with watch in hand.” She rose and slipped into her robe. “See you at breakfast.”

  By the time Clark was dressed, Louie was halfway through his Cheerios.

  “Ready for school, buddy?” he asked, ruffling the kid’s hair as he passed on the way to grab a cup of coffee.

  “We have PE today. That’s my favorite,” he said between two slurps of milk.

  “Only a few more days until summer break, huh?”

  “Yeah. Then I have to go to my dad’s more often.”

  “You’ll have fun.” Clark heard the false note in Anna’s voice.

  Louie shrugged. “He yells a lot.”

  Clark’s heart squeezed. Louie was a good kid, well-behaved with great manners. Clark had yet to see anything that required yelling. “Maybe it’s just his way. My dad yelled a lot, too.”

  “He did?” Louie swished his spoon around in his cereal.

  “Yep. I hated the way it made me feel.”

  “It scares me. Even when he’s not yelling about something I did, he still makes me nervous.”

  “Have you talked to him about it?” Clark sat in the chair opposite and took a sip of his coffee.

  “He’s not a very good listener.”

  “I’m so sorry.” The urge to punch George again rose up in him, but he knew that would only make matters worse. He’d have to find another
way to beat the bastard.

  After breakfast, Louie and Anna left the house and Clark went upstairs to his office. It was time to make sure George didn’t do anything crazy to get custody of Louie. Jake had mentioned George wasn’t a stranger to trouble and wasn’t afraid to grease the wheels of justice when necessary.

  Maybe that meant he had a few secrets no one knew about, secrets that might cool his jets permanently.

  He texted Jake.

  Any info on George’s priors?

  A few minutes later, his phone pinged.

  Mostly drunk and disorderly. One fight that landed him the hospital. Ask Taylor. Maybe she’s talking to YOU.

  Nothing happened in Franklyn or at the hospital that Taylor didn’t know about. In the years she’d worked there as a physical therapist, she’d built an incredible network of friends and allies. If she didn’t have an answer, she could get one usually within a couple of hours.

  Thx. Will ask her. She’s not talking to you?

  No. I missed a doctor’s appointment and she’s pissed.

  Clark had no idea why the two of them weren’t already together. It was obvious they were in love with each other, but neither of them could see it. It worried him that Jake had missed the appointment, too, but it wasn’t a conversation he wanted to have via text.

  Need anything? He texted back.

  I’m cool.

  Will stop by later.

  K.

  If George had been in a fight that required medical care, maybe it was something Willa could use in the custody battle. But before he brought it up, he needed more information. He fired up his laptop and did an internet search of local private investigators. He’d never had cause to hire one, but after seeing Louie and Anna together over the past few days, he was more convinced than ever he needed to make sure George didn’t separate them.

  The PI might find nothing, but in Clark’s mind, it was worth a few greenbacks to give it a shot.

  After deciding on an investigator, he made the call. The PI agreed to take the case, and Clark arranged to drop a check off at the man’s office. He leaned back in his chair and exhaled. He felt much better knowing that someone would be keeping an eye on the abusive bastard.

  Since Anna wouldn’t expect him home for a few of hours, he decided it was the perfect time to head over to Jake’s apartment. He stopped by the grocery store and filled a cart with some things Jake might need—milk, bread, eggs, and sliced turkey. At the last minute, he threw in a bag of Doritos.

  With the grocery bags and milk in his hands, he tapped on the door of his best friend’s apartment with the tip of his shoe. When he didn’t hear Jake moving around inside, he placed the bags on the concrete and rang the doorbell. Still nothing.

  He’d asked Jake for a key several times, just in case, but Jake had refused every time, citing the need for privacy, as if the two of them had any real secrets from each other. He stepped backward and looked into the parking lot. Jake’s van was in the handicapped spot. Maybe he was sleeping.

  Clark pulled his phone from his hip and texted Jake. Finally, after more than ten minutes, he heard the deadbolt on the door click.

  “What’s up?” Jake looked terrible, like he hadn’t showered in days. His skin was greyish and pale and he had a faraway look in his eyes. He made no move to clear the doorway so Clark could get past him with the groceries.

  “I got you some chips and stuff,” Clark answered, holding one of the bags in his hand.

  Jake reached for it. “Thanks.

  “Can I bring the rest inside?”

  Jake hesitated but finally wheeled backward. “I guess.”

  In all the years Clark had known Jake, he’d never seen him like this. His best friend was the kind of guy who usually bounced back quickly. Whether it was from heartbreak or a setback at work, he was a driven person with a sunny disposition. The man in front of him barely resembled the Jake he’d known for more than twenty years.

  Why wasn’t I the one who ended up in a wheelchair? At least that would’ve been fair.

  Clark picked up the bags and walked into the apartment. It was a wreck. Beer bottles and food packages were everywhere. It smelled terrible, like the garbage hadn’t been taken out in a long time. All the blinds were closed, and even on this bright, sunny early summer day, it was cool and dark inside.

  “How long has it been since you’ve cleaned the place?” Clark asked.

  Jake wheeled himself into a corner of the living room and focused on the television. “A while.”

  He’d always been neat and liked for his things to be squared away. The state of the apartment shocked Clark. Guilt, a familiar companion, stabbed him in the heart again. He should’ve been checking on his best friend more often. Instead, he’d been busy with Anna and Louie, and he’d let his responsibility to Jake slip.

  I should be helping him, not playing house with Anna and letting it screw with my head.

  Clark took the groceries to the kitchen and started putting them away. “Have you been anywhere this week?” he asked through the pass-through into the living room.

  “Nope,” Jake answered, his eyes never leaving the television.

  “Why did you miss your doctor’s appointment?”

  “Forgot about it.”

  “That sounds like bullshit.”

  “Give it a rest, Duck. Shit. Taylor has already chewed my ass. I won’t miss another one, okay?”

  Clark knew he wasn’t going to get anywhere by pushing harder. “Want to come out to the cabin this weekend? Maybe we can catch a game.”

  “Thanks, but I’m okay.”

  When Clark finished putting the food away, he grabbed a couple of trash bags from under the sink and began cleaning up the place.

  “I’ll hire someone to come over a couple times a week to help you clean up. You can’t live like this.” He opened the blinds in the living room, and Jake winced.

  “I don’t need help. I just haven’t gotten around to cleaning up. Shit, Duck. Is that a fucking crime?” He shook his head and sank deeper into his wheelchair. He cranked up the volume on the television and went back to ignoring Clark.

  By the time Clark finished, all the trash had been taken to the dumpster, the carpet had been vacuumed, and the kitchen had been wiped down. Jake was still actively ignoring him. On the way out the front door, he paused and looked at his friend.

  I have to do something.

  …

  At Clark’s insistence, Anna had given up most of her cleaning jobs. She worried constantly about what she’d do when the custody case was settled. Although, it was nice to have a vacation from the backbreaking work and it was wonderful not to feel the constant financial pressure she’d lived with for so many years, this wasn’t forever. As soon as the custody case was settled, she and Louie would be back to the house on Florida Street, and she’d have to find a way to support them. In addition to keeping in touch with all of her clients, she regularly combed the internet for job listings. Maybe, in the time it took to settle custody, she could find something with regular hours and benefits.

  Life with Clark is just a temporary fairy tale. I have to be prepared for the inevitable ending.

  She was stirring the pot of pasta on the stove when Clark came through the front door. “How was your day?” One look at her husband, and she knew something was wrong. In the short time they’d been together, she’d learned to read his moods and expressions. “I’ll meet you on the back porch. Beer or whiskey?”

  “Whiskey,” he answered, tossing his keys and cell phone onto the counter.

  Anna dropped a couple of ice cubes and some bourbon into a glass and took it outside. Clark was slumped in a chair watching Louie through the screen. She handed him the glass. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  He took a slug of the amber liquid. “It’s Jake.”

  Anna sat down in the chair next to him. “What’s going on with him?”

  “I went by his place today to drop off some groceries, and the place was a
pigsty. He barely said two words to me the whole time I was there. I took out the trash and vacuumed, but he needs a service. I offered to send someone over, but he refused.”

  “Maybe he’s embarrassed about how dirty it is. I’ve had clients like that, people who normally keep things neat, and then something major happens and they just can’t keep up anymore. I can go by there and give it good scrub if you’d like. After all, I’m a professional.”

  Clark shook his head. “I don’t think he wants anyone in the apartment. He almost didn’t let me in, and I’ve known him since kindergarten.” Clark exhaled and ran a hand through his hair. “He’s isolating himself like never before.”

  “He’s depressed?”

  Clark nodded. “He looked like he hadn’t changed clothes in a week.”

  “What about counseling?”

  “When he lost his job and was forced to go on disability, his access to mental health services was very limited. I offered to pay for him to see the therapist of his choice, but he refused.”

  Although Anna didn’t understand how Jake felt, she did understand how debilitating depression could be. “Maybe he doesn’t realize how badly he needs help. Sometimes people are too ashamed to admit they’re depressed. He might think it makes him seem weak.”

  Anna wanted to ask Clark about the accident. Taylor had mentioned the accident several times, so Anna knew some of the details, but not the whole picture. “Maybe he needs a job, something that makes him feel productive again,” she said.

  “I offered him a job in my office, but he wouldn’t take it. Said it felt too much like charity.”

  “Maybe you could find him a job with another architect or construction company. But be sure to talk to him about it before—” Before Anna could finish cautioning him that interfering might be the worst thing he could do, Clark was rushing into the house to grab his cell phone.

  …

  With all his contacts in the construction business, he could find the perfect job for Jake. Talking to Anna had helped him. She knew just what to ask, just how to approach his raw feelings.

  When Jake had blown off the job Clark offered him, he’d never stopped to consider that maybe Jake wanted to work with someone other than his best friend.