Only You [Red Hook, Texas 5] (Siren Publishing Classic) Read online

  “We are both single adults,” Dee snapped, putting a hand on her hip. It made her short, tight red blouse rise up and show her bare, pale skin. Her black skirt was so short Alicia was surprised they couldn’t see the color of her underwear. “Just because you have been mooning over Tony for months, Alicia, don’t get mad at me. He wants a grown-up, not some little kid like you. Tony is a tiger and doesn’t need a little mouse like you.”

  Tony stood there with his arm around Dee’s waist, and she had her arms wrapped around his. He didn’t open his mouth. He just stared at Alicia as if he didn’t know what to say.

  Alicia’s mouth tightened with anger. The barb stung. She was a lot younger than him and Dee. Dee was thirty and dressed like a teen still. “Well, I guess he can keep an old hag like you, because I am done here. I quit the team.”

  She looked at Tony, letting her fury show clearly. “Don’t ever speak to me again.”

  She turned and stalked off, heading back outside. She had come in here feeling so happy and confident. What was she thinking? She had sworn she would never let another man make her feel like shit the way John did. She couldn’t blame it on Tony. He never acted as anything but her friend. She had been the one with the hopes and dreams for more. It hurt. Once again, she was the one left with hurt feelings while the man walked away scot-free. It was so unfair. He’d stood there like a lump letting Dee talk to her that way. He was not even a good friend. She had been so blind. Were all women so blind to good-looking men, or just her?

  She felt the warm air hit her face as she walked out. She felt the tears roll down her cheek but she ignored them. She felt totally humiliated. She wanted to go home and cry.

  “Alicia, wait!” She heard Tony’s voice behind her but she ignored it. She kept walking, hoping to at least get inside her car before the floodgates opened.

  Just as she reached for her car door, she felt him grab her arm. “Didn’t you hear me calling you?”

  She sniffed and looked back at him. She felt like hitting him. “Go back inside to your girlfriend. Leave me the fuck alone.”

  A look of anger came over his face. “Watch your language.”

  “Or what? You gonna spank me, Tony, like the child I am?” she yelled, rather loudly. She took her keys out of her jeans pocket. Her hands were shaking when she tried to unlock the car. He grabbed the keys out of her hand.

  “Alicia, I’m sorry you were upset by seeing me with Dee. I thought we were just friends.” His voice was soft. Was he feeling sorry for her? Anger overtook the hurt feelings. She didn’t want his pity.

  “Go away, Tony. We are no longer even friends.” Alicia snatched the keys out of his hands. She looked into his green eyes for the last time. “Are you blind? Haven’t I flirted with you enough and thrown hints around? You prefer Dee’s fakeness over me? You didn’t even defend me in there.”

  She allowed the hurt. Tears flowed down her cheeks, and she could not make them stop. She just wanted to go home and let them out freely.

  “I was in shock. I never knew she could be like that. You know how Dee is. She likes to flirt. I never saw her bitchy side,” he explained seriously, looking a little confused.

  “No, all you saw is her short skirt, fake blonde hair, and fit body.” Alicia felt self-conscious. She wrapped her arms around herself and let her chin touch her chest. “I’m the stupid one for thinking you could possibly like me. I am young and am not as skinny as Dee. Maybe Ray is right in always teasing me for loving his cooking. What man wants a chubby girl?”

  “You are wrong, sweetheart. You are perfect the way you are. I love your curves,” he stated firmly.

  “Then why was Dee nibbling on your neck while you were enjoying it? You had your hands at her waist,” Alicia accused him. She sounded like a shrill housewife who’d caught her husband playing around.

  “I do like you, Alicia, but I figured I was too old and too rough for you,” he said softly.

  Alicia shook her head. She unlocked her door and opened it. This whole night had turned out to be a nightmare. She felt humiliated and heartbroken.

  "You could have talked to me, Tony. Don’t we know each other well enough to have honesty? Why do you think I came early? I was going to admit I liked you, and hoped you felt the same. Now I know. Have fun with Dee. A word of warning, she gets bored easily.”

  She got in the car and slammed the door shut. He knocked on the window but she ignored him, refusing to even look at him. She started the car and took off. She pulled over at the local park and then let the sobs out, crying hard for the loss of love before it even began. Men were untrustworthy. She had to remember that.

  She felt her cell phone vibrating through her jeans. She took it out and looked at the screen. It was Jasmine.

  “Hey, girl, how’s the love fest going?” Jasmine chuckled.

  Alicia opened her mouth to answer but all that came out was loud sobs.

  Chapter Three

  Alicia closed her locker door. Her head was pounding from her crying episode last night. Jasmine had met her at the park. They had sat on a bench as Alicia poured out the whole, ugly story. Jasmine had been pissed at Tony and had offered to hunt him down and tell him off. Alicia was glad she had such loyal friends. Holly had called her and also told her she had given Tony the cold shoulder at breakfast, but Alicia didn’t want Holly caught in the middle. Holly shared a house with Matt and his brother, Tony. Alicia had assured Holly she would survive and move on. She did her best to pretend it was no big deal when inside, she was dying.

  “So do you want to come with us?” Janice asked. Alicia snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Janice. She had been working for them for two weeks now and seemed competent enough. Alana didn’t like her, but Alicia thought Janice just needed a chance. Janice was still young at twenty-two.

  “I’m sorry. I was off in my own little world.” Alicia smiled as she closed her locker door. “Go where?”

  Kelly grinned excitedly. Alicia knew Kelly better. She had been a waitress for seven months now. “Janice and I are going to Club Rock in Morehead. Janice says it is hopping.”

  Alicia smiled and put her hand on her head. She needed aspirin. “Maybe. I’ll let you know at the end of our shift.”

  They walked out of the employee lounge together, talking. Alicia headed for her hostess station. She loved interacting with people, but she was a terrible waitress. She tended to drop things.

  Alana stood there looking angry. Her long black hair was pulled away from her face and her cheeks were pink. Her brown eyes were narrow and filled with anger.

  “What’s wrong, sis?” Alicia was immediately concerned. Usually her sister was such an easygoing person.

  “I came out of my office, and Tony and Dee are at a table. Should I call Ray to kick him out?” Alana spat out. Alicia had confided in her sister about last night’s events.

  Alicia gasped. How could he bring Dee here, knowing this was her family business? She never thought he would be that cruel. She shook her head. She did not want Ray finding out what happened. He would yell at Tony and that would be even more humiliating. “No. That would cause an awful scene. People will start gossiping. I will stay here, out of the way.”

  Alana didn’t look so sure. She crossed her arms in a stubborn way. “Fine, but the first wrong move and they are gone. I mean it, Alicia. No one hurts my sister and gets away with it.”

  Alicia hugged Alana. She tried not to start crying. She had to be strong, or at least pretend to be strong. She had put her family through enough grief when she had her fling with John. It had caused a lot of drama with Ray and John fighting. She was the youngest sibling but she wanted to prove she could handle her own life. “Thanks. I’ll be fine, Alana.”

  * * * *

  Tony bit his lip to keep from snapping at Dee. He had come into the restaurant to talk to Alicia. A waitress had told him she was in the breakroom. He sat down to wait and saw Dee out of the corner of his eye. He groaned and prayed she was meeting a date. No such l
uck. She slid in the booth across from him and smiled happily. She wore her usual revealing outfit and heavy make-up. Matt and Holly had both given him hell when they found out what happened at the pool hall last night. He felt like shit already and didn’t need Dee to make things worse.

  “How did you know I was here?” he snapped. Last night, after Alicia ran off, he told Dee he was sorry he allowed her flirting to get to him. He told her she was nice, but his interest lay elsewhere. She refused to believe him. Alicia and Kyle had quit the team and they had to forfeit the game. He hadn’t cared. He only joined to have the excuse to be near Alicia.

  He couldn’t believe how badly he messed up. He let his doubts ruin the friendship he had with Alicia. He was still taken aback that Alicia had feelings for him. Instead of wallowing in the happiness, everything had blown up in his face. He wanted another chance to apologize, but Dee was ruining it by sitting with him uninvited. What was wrong with her? She knew how he felt.

  “I saw your truck and knew you needed company,” she said cheerfully. Her red lips curled up into a wide smile. “Can you believe that little brat last night? So jealous.”

  “You do know this is her family’s restaurant?” he spoke in a low tone so no one would hear them.

  Dee shrugged carelessly. She flipped her blonde hair back. He could see the dark brown roots growing back in and he wanted to smile at Alicia’s catty remark about Dee’s fakeness. He had been stupid to allow her flirting to tempt him. He had spent days thinking of distancing himself from Alicia, and when Dee came on to him, he thought briefly that Dee might help him to forget. She hadn’t been able to.

  “It’s a public place. Let’s get out of here and have dinner at my place. I know you want me, Tony. You kissed me last night.” She leaned forward and her blue blouse opened up. He could see her white bra.

  He winced, glad Alicia had not seen that part. It had been a short kiss that Dee initiated. He should have pushed her away, but he’d hoped to feel something. He hadn’t. He hadn’t known Kyle had a thing for Dee, either. He had been so focused on Alicia all the time that he had missed that. Boy, when he fucked up, he did it big. He took in a deep, calming breath.

  “Dee, I told you last night was a mistake. I had a few too many beers, but I don’t feel that way about you.” He hoped she got the hint this time. He had told her this last night, but she had been persistent until he left the billiard.

  An angry look came over her face. “You can’t possibly have feelings for that chubby little girl?”

  Now he felt the anger rise. His blood started to boil. He leaned forward and looked into her eyes, letting her see his fury. “Alicia has the body of a real woman, Dee.” He looked at Dee’s bony frame. She always wore revealing clothes and her thinness was obvious. “She is a legal adult, so watch what you say about her. I won’t put up with you bad-mouthing her like you did last night. Understand?”

  She gave him a murderous glance and stood up. “You will be sorry for this, Tony. No one dumps me.”

  She stalked off to where Alicia and her sister now stood. He could see all three women arguing. He stood up feeling a headache coming. He walked over in time to hear Dee tell Alicia, “I know you are jealous, but Tony is too good of a lover for me to give up. He will belong to me. Stay out of my way, little girl.”

  “You can have him. We aren’t even friends anymore,” Alicia snapped. Alana nodded, looking ready to tear Dee’s hair out. He’d better intervene.

  Tony walked up to them and looked at Dee. “You need to leave, Dee.”

  She smiled at him and rubbed his chest. “I know, lover. This is awkward.”

  She turned to Alicia. “Poor little girl. You can’t even keep a man. I heard John cheated on you and dumped you. You can’t satisfy Tony like I can.”

  “That is it!” Alana grabbed Dee by the arm and led her to the front door. “You skinny ass is out of here for good. I better not see your scrawny ass back here ever.”

  Alicia looked at him with tears in her brown eyes and he felt the pain in his chest. He didn’t like seeing her look so defeated. He liked her smiles and her joy. “How could you bring her here, Tony? I never thought you would be so cruel to me. I got the hint last night. You have no interest in me, other than as a friend. You didn’t have to flaunt Dee in front of me or my family like this. I never thought you would do something so cruel.”

  Before he could answer, Alana stomped over to him and pushed her finger into his chest. She looked furious. “Get the hell out of this restaurant and never come back, Deputy Smith. I will sic Ray on you, or Noah.”

  Alana hugged Alicia, who started crying. He felt like a heel. He wanted to explain, but left for Alicia’s sake. He had come here with good intentions. Damn his bad luck with women. Maybe he should just stay away from Alicia for good. He left the restaurant with a heavy heart. Romance sucked.

  Chapter Four

  Noah Blake, Red Hook’s sheriff, stood behind the wooden podium. He always held the morning meetings in this conference room. Normally they were light and quick since Red Hook was a mostly quiet town. There was a large window that let the sun shine in, but today nobody was noticing the sun. The mood in the room was grim and filled with tension.

  After gathering his emotions, Noah finally spoke. His eyes were red from lack of sleep.

  “As you all know, we have a grave situation here.” He took a deep breath, then continued talking. It was obvious to everyone in the room he was struggling to keep his emotions under control. “My sister-in-law, Alicia Garcia, and her friend Janice Sands are both missing. They haven’t been seen since yesterday when they clocked out from work around eight p.m. They were last seen leaving a club in Morehead around midnight. They never made it home.”

  Tony sat still in his chair, clenching his fists tightly in his lap. He was having a hard time not letting his own feelings erupt like a volcano. He was equal parts terrified and furious. The news of her disappearance was hard to accept. He couldn’t believe that anything bad happened to her. Not to Alicia.

  He had not spoken to her over the last five weeks. After their bitter parting at the restaurant, Noah had warned him to stay away from his sister-in-law. He would have gone against Noah’s wishes, but Alicia had made her hatred for him very clear. He could see the hurt shining in her beautiful brown eyes every time he ran into her by chance. He wanted to talk to her about what happened. Several times, he almost fell to his knees and begged her for forgiveness.

  He figured he was too old for her, and thought the best thing to do was leave her be so she could find a nice young man to share her life with. Still, he missed her like hell. He went through the motions every day, but it wasn’t the same without Alicia. He still remembered her smile when she teased him, or when he felt her small, soft hand touching him. She was always touching him as if his big size didn’t bother her. Even his scowls made her shake her head with amusement. Matt had tried to tell him he was making the same mistake he had made with Holly. As usual, Tony assured Matt this was different. He knew what he was doing. Only, he now realized he hadn’t a clue.

  Tony didn’t notice when Drake took over the meeting. He had been so lost in his own thoughts. Noah wasn’t even in the room any longer. What had he missed?

  “Noah had to step out,” Matt whispered in his ear. “He got too emotional. I heard he and Ray spent the night searching for the girls.”

  Tony nodded, crossed his arms, and listened to what Drake had to say. He wanted to be out there searching for her, but first he needed all the information he could get.

  “According to another waitress, Kelly Wilson, they have been going to Club Rock in Morehead on a regular basis. Kelly didn’t go last night because she couldn’t find a babysitter.” Drake looked at the report in his hand. “Noah has asked Jack to search the woods outside of town. As you know, there are a lot of acres to cover.”

  Drake looked at Tony. “He asked if you and Matt could help him.”

  Tony and Matt both nodded. Tony would do a
nything to help. He needed to keep himself busy. He was being hit with so many emotions at once that he wanted to howl out his pain. It didn’t feel real. He felt like he would do his usual patrol and catch a glimpse of her somewhere in town. Red Hook was a small town. He often caught glimpses of her here and there. Word of the missing girls was spreading fast, and people were bombarding the station with questions and offers of help.

  “Has anyone gone to the club? It is a popular place with our young people,” Greg, another deputy, said. He was in his early thirties but had been working for Noah for a long time. He knew everyone in town. His mother owned a hair salon in town and heard a lot of gossip.

  “Her brother Ray called Morehead’s sheriff early this morning. The bartender says Janice was wasted, but Alicia had been drinking water and soda. She told him she was driving. They left around midnight. He also said it appeared Janice and Alicia were arguing over something. Even though it has only been around nine hours, we are taking this as a missing person case,” Drake replied, looking frustrated. “Ray saw no sign of her or her car along the road. That is all we know right now. Morehead police are searching their area and we will stick to ours for now.”

  “Finding these girls is our top priority right now,” Drake announced firmly. He looked determined to get going. “Sam, you know the Sands family. Can you see what they know? So far, they haven’t even reported Janice missing.”

  Sam stood up. He looked at his watch. “Janice’s dad, Harold, has breakfast at Helena’s Diner every morning. I’ll go talk to him.” He left the room.

  Drake looked at Greg. “We can patrol the town and see if anyone knows anything. The more people that know about them missing, the more information we can get. We know Alicia very well and she would not be out of contact with her family for this long, so we know something is wrong.”