The Player Next Door

“Ho-ly fuck,” Justine hisses, leaning in over my shoulder to spy Mr. July.

I gape at the picture—Shane, posed with his bare back to the camera, against the fire engine with his arms and legs spread, as if awaiting a pat down before an arrest. The pants of his uniform sit at the hump of his ass, just enough to tease without being labeled indecent. But it’s not the pose or the flesh that’s shocking.

It’s the sooty writing across his skin.

The big, bold letters that read “Property of Scarlet Reed.”

My heart pounds in my ears. “Oh my God, he did not.”

“Oh yes, he did!” Justine cackles. “And they sell over a thousand of these things every year, the lady at the table told me.”

The session with the photographer wasn’t until the week after Cody’s accident, which means he did this after we broke up.

“If that isn’t a declaration, I don’t know what is,” my mother murmurs and I can’t help but note a hint of pride in her voice.

I’m speechless. This is simultaneously the most embarrassing and overtly romantic gesture any man has ever made in my life. I don’t know whether to scream or cry or laugh.

I sense a person looming over our table. I look up to find Penelope. “Cheesy, right?” she says, and there’s a glimmer of something unreadable in her eyes.

She knew about the calendar. She knew what Shane had done. He must have told her he was doing it. Was it in warning?

In any case, she doesn’t look ready to club me over the head with her paddle.

I swallow. “It’s appalling, but it’s all for the children.”

Her nostrils flare with her deep breath. A calming technique, perhaps. “Yes. For the children.” Her rapturous gaze cuts to my mother—there is still disdain there, no doubt—before shifting back to me. She sets her winning paddle on the table and then struts off without another word.

Justine gasps. “You know what that means, right?”

“No?”

“She might have bid on him, but you’ve won!” She waves the paddle in the air to emphasize her point.

Is that what this is? A peace offering?

“Go and talk to him!” Becca urges, practically bouncing in her seat.

“But he went behind the curtain.”

“So what? He’s not the Wizard of Oz. And he did that!” Justine stabs at the calendar with her index finger.

She’s right, of course. I need to talk to him.

With a mixture of trepidation and excitement, I scurry onto the stage and fumble with the thick material until the separation appears. I find Shane and Dean standing on the patio beneath the heat lamp, savoring their beers. “How are you fine American gigolos feeling tonight?” I ask, clearing my throat against the slight tremble in my voice.

Dean grins. “She could have had me for five bucks.”

“Who are you kidding? She could have had you for free.”

His grin grows wider. “Still can. And I hear she’s single.”

“And brokenhearted,” I warn him in a severe tone.

“Not for long.” Dean slaps Shane on the shoulder and, with a wink at me, he leaves to go inside, his bulky frame rearranging the curtains as he fumbles through.

Shane smiles. “Don’t worry, I think he’s too intimidated by her to try anything.”

I step closer and inhale deeply. He smells heavenly tonight. “I’m not worried. She’s all talk. He doesn’t have a chance in hell with her.” I stare up into his eyes, a deep, rich amber that sparkle in this moment. “Are you crazy?”

“In love with you?” The corner of his mouth curls. “Completely.”

I take a few long moments to calm my erratic pulse. Shane Beckett just told me he’s in love with me. He basically told all of Polson Falls and the surrounding area too. “Everyone will know.”

He studies my lips intently. “Good. I want everyone to know.”

I shake my head at his antics, but I can’t keep the grin from emerging as I hold up the paddle. “Penelope gave me this.”

“Huh.” He sets his beer on a nearby table. “I guess she bought us a night out then.” Wrapping his arms round my waist, he pulls me into his chest. “She’s never going to be an angel, and she won’t always be easy. But she’s starting to come around. Slowly.” He leans in to settle his forehead against mine. “If you want to wait until next summer when Cody’s out of your class, we can wait. I’m not going anywhere, Scar. Ever.”

I smooth my palm over his lapel, savoring his strength beneath my fingertips as an overwhelming sense of calm washes over me. Is this the moment? The one I’ll remember years from now, as the moment I realized I wanted to spend the rest of my life with this man?

He catches my lips with his. God, it’s been a long month apart. I allow it, enjoying the feel of them again.