“The fuck did you do this time?” Batta asked with a chuckle.
I held up my hand to show him my latest set of stitches. “Box cutter slipped while I was making a cut getting stuff ready for the install I have scheduled for tomorrow.”
“What’s the total count now?”
I smiled proudly. “Two hundred and forty-seven.”
“What?” Kennedy asked.
“Judge is a bit accident-prone. To date, his injuries have resulted in two hundred and forty-seven stitches,” Batta explained.
“And seventeen staples,” I added.
“You should be more careful,” River chastised.
“You sound like my mother,” I snapped back. It wasn’t like I enjoyed having to stop whatever I was doing and go get sewn up, and I wasn’t purposefully careless. Shit just happened.
“Well, thank you again for your help this evening, but I think I’ve had all the fun I can handle for one night. So, I’m going to head out,” River said.
“Yeah, me, too,” I said. “I’ll walk you out.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary. I’ll be fine.”
“I wasn’t asking,” I said pointedly and stood. “Let’s go.”
Chapter Four
River
I bit back the snarky reply trying to burst from my mouth and said goodbye to Kennedy and her date before allowing Jonah “Judge” Jackson to escort me to my car.
I just wanted to go home and pretend like the night never happened. Arguing with him would only delay my ultimate goal. My headache was getting worse by the minute, and my cheek was starting to throb.
He followed me out to my car and even held the door open while I slid into the driver’s seat. “Well, thanks again. Take care,” I said awkwardly.
“No problem. See ya around,” he said with a wink and walked across the parking lot to a shiny black motorcycle. He swung his leg over the seat and slid on a helmet before the engine roared to life. When he revved the engine twice, I realized I was staring at him with my lips parted.
I shook my head to clear it and backed out of my parking space. Yes, the man was sexy as sin and then some, but I was in town for a job, nothing more. Feelings were not included in my five-year plan, especially feelings that had anything to do with Devil Springs.
At the first red light, I noticed Jonah was in front of me. When he was still in front of me fifteen minutes later, an uneasy feeling started to form in my gut and continued to grow as he took every turn I needed to take. When he turned on to my street, I still didn’t know what he was doing until he pulled into the driveway of the house next to mine. Without a single glance in my direction, he pulled his motorcycle into the garage and closed the door. What the hell? He was my next-door neighbor?
I couldn’t stop myself, even though I knew I should have. I stomped across the lawn and pounded on his front door.
The porch light came on, and the front door opened to reveal a smiling Jonah. “It’s a little late for visiting, don’t you think?”
“Oh, shut it. You live here?” I asked incredulously.
“For now, yes.”
“Why?” I asked, even though it was none of my business.
“Well,” he drawled, “I sold my old house, and they’re not finished building my new one yet. Since I’m a little too old to be living with my mother, I’m renting this house until mine is ready.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you were my neighbor?” I asked, clearly unable to shut my big mouth.
“I didn’t know until just now. Might’ve figured it out over drinks, but you had no interest in talking to me.”
“I never said that.”