Page 11 of Junkyard Dog (Lonesome Garage #3)

Chapter Eleven

M y investment in the Sunny-Lu Salon and Spa is not the secret that we originally planned.

That may work out in my favor, especially if I’m on hand to take a more active role if Romy needs me.

I’m a writer; I can create as many reasons as I want to move but the bottom line is that JD is here and not there.

My friends are here too. I can travel just as easily from North Dakota to see my family as I can from the east coast.

“JD sure had everybody fooled thinking that he was the strong, silent type. That Dobermann is downright loquacious when it comes to you,” Romy teases.

“Don’t be hating because I got the best looking one.”

“Rhi, he nailed you in a junkyard.”

“Romy, you got down and dirty in a staff room above a garage.”

“What’s your point?”

“We’re smart enough to take good sex wherever we can get it,” I say. We both crack up.

Romy drops me in front of the gate. “Text JD when you get to the house. I don’t want him coming after me. Bishop gets growly but JD can be downright scary.”

“Will do.” I wave good-bye and am already thinking about supper by the time she vanishes from sight. The dogs are antsy, so I let them out while I stare into JD’s empty freezer. When I hear barking, I close the fridge. When I hear the yelp, I race out the door.

Mandy barks frantically at a white van. It’s hung up on a car trailer that was hiding behind a stack of tires.

Cajun is on his side, whining, with one leg pointing the wrong way.

The van engine is still racing but there is nobody behind the wheel.

Mandy whirls to bark at me. That dog has been nothing but sweet to me, so I take it as a warning and throw myself to the ground.

A pipe whistles by my head and hits the post beside me.

“Jesus, you pathetic bitch, what is wrong with you?” I try to scramble to my feet, but I’ve winded myself. Wasting my breath on the insult has slowed me down.

“You are the reason that I’m not with Brandon and Bronson right now. Why are you trying to keep us apart? They would never want you!” Each of Abby Trask’s comments is punctuated with a swing.

“They are fucking fictional, you lunatic.”

“Stop trying to steal them from me!” She looks like she hasn’t washed in days. Her hair hangs in greasy chunks over her face. Her clothes are equally gross. I think she’s been living in her van.

Mandy jumps and snaps. Abby swings and nearly connects. “Mandy, come,” I shout. Cajun has stopped making noise. I can’t let JD’s other dog get hurt too.

“You think you’re so smart, trying to lead me away. But those guys in the bar told me they saw a Charger here with Washington plates, you lying whore. Cheating on the twins with some random guy just because your bed is empty. I could kill you for that. Brandon and Bronson deserve better than you.”

I see movement up the row beyond the disabled van. It’s JD. He looks like hell—jeans torn up, jacket covered in dust. I think he might be limping. I try not to stare. I don’t want Abby going after him as well. I risk another glance. He holds his finger to his lips. I look away.

“You’re right, Abby. I don’t deserve them,” I say. I need to buy JD time to do whatever he’s planning. “But it’s not what you think.”

“You’re definitely trying to steal them. I saw?—”

“Brandon and Bronson are planning a surprise for you.” The words fall from my mouth. I have no idea what comes next. I haven’t plotted this scene in my head. But Abby slows down to listen, so I keep going. “They asked me to help them plan it all for you. It’s you they want.

“I don’t believe you.”

“It’s about Brentley. He’s going to be on the cover of my next book.”

She staggers. “What? Who the fuck is Brentley and why should I care?”

I have no clue where this is coming from, but JD is practically on her.

I have to keep going. “Brandon and Bronson aren’t twins.

They’re triplets. They wanted to keep it a secret until Brentley’s book.

All three of them asked me to dedicate it to you.

Their biggest fan. They know all about you.

That’s why I’m here. To finish writing it while they plan your surprise party back in Washington. ”

Abby stills. She pushes her wild hair out of her face to study my expression. “Really? They’re doing all that for me? They love me that much?”

JD launches himself off a tire and slams into Abby, taking her down like he’s a wrestler coming off the top rope. They both grunt when they hit the ground. I only care about JD. I pick up the pipe that Abby dropped and step away.

“No, not really, you moron. It’s one fucking model and he doesn’t know who the fuck you are.” I’m tempted to bash her over the head to make sure she doesn’t get up. Then JD rises to his knees and cold cocks her. She’s out for the count.

He pushes himself to his feet. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“Rhiannon, you’re not.” He reaches for my hand. When he turns it, I see a gash on my wrist I haven’t felt. JD pulls a bandana from his pocket and wraps it around the cut. I feel like he is a second from calling an ambulance for me.

“I must have fallen. I jumped out of her way. She never made contact. I swear.” If JD starts thinking he failed in protecting me because of that bitch, I’m going to kick her while she’s down. I wouldn’t be here right now if it wasn’t for him.

His grip on me is like iron. “I can’t lose you, Rhiannon. I love you. I just found you.”

I never expected him to say the words. I’d hoped he felt the same way as I do, but I thought I’d have to work to get them out.

I’ll take them any way I can get them. “I love you too, JD. I’m not going anywhere.

” I’d mostly decided after talking to Romy that I’d be trying life in Lonesome for a while. This proves I made the right decision.

“Promise me, Rhiannon.”

“I promise, JD.”