Trouble(32)

She withdraws her hand. A look of surprise on her face.

You’re surprised, sweetheart? Well, you’re not the only one.

With the hot lava flooding straight to the main man, I talk to distract myself from my impending boner. “So you’re a doctor,” I say, just remembering that. How the fuck did I forget that?

Hell, she’s a living, breathing wet dream.

“Training to be,” she says quietly.

“Where?”

She slides me a glance. “Harvard.”

Harvard. She’s beautiful and incredibly smart.

There’s isn’t anything that’s less than perfect about her. Except for the douchehole of an ex.

“Ivy League – nice.” I nod, impressed.

She shrugs her shoulders in response and looks to the floor, kicking her sneakers together.

So, she’s from Boston. Interesting. I don’t remember seeing that on the form she filled out last night, but then I was too busy eye-fucking her to notice where she was from.

What’s she doing way out here then? I’d say vacation, but women rarely vacation alone, and they always take pre-planned trips. Turning up at Golden Oaks like she did … this was an unplanned trip. And I’m guessing it had something to do with the asshole who marred that perfect face.

“So, are you originally from Boston?”

I see her hesitation. Her whole body has stiffened again.

“Yes,” she says on a breath. “Lived there my whole life.”

“What you doing way out here in Colorado?”

She shifts in her seat, tilting her body away from me. “I’m trying to, um…” She clears her throat. “I’m here to find my mother.”

Didn’t expect that.

“You adopted?”

Did I mention I have no filter?

She shakes her head. “No, my father—I lived with my father. My mother left when I was a baby.”

“Shit,” I say. “So your dad … he’s okay about you been out here alone searching for your mom?” And why hasn’t he kicked the cocksucker’s ass who hurt her?

“My father is dead.”

Shit. Guess that answers my questions. But what surprises me is the lack of emotion in her voice about her dad being dead.

Losing my mom was horrendous—beyond horrendous. I adored my mom. If I lost my dad … well, my world would implode.

“Sorry to hear that.” It’s a crap thing to say, but really what else is there to say.

“Thank you.” Emotionless again. Weird.

I twist in my seat to her. “So your mom lives here?”

She brushes her golden hair from her eyes. “Apparently so. I have an address, but it was from over twenty years ago. Whether she still lives there or not, I’m not sure.”

I nod in agreement. “What’s your mom’s name? I’ve lived here my whole life. If she’s still here, I might know her. If not, my dad will. He used to be a cop. He knows everyone.”

She sucks her top lip into her mouth. An image of me doing exactly the same plays a scene in my head.

“Anna Monroe. Well, that was her married name. I don’t know her maiden name.”

I rake through my brain for an Anna. The only person I can think of is Annie Parker, and she’s only a few years older than me. Has a mouth like a vacuum cleaner. Good memories.

“Sorry.” I shake my head.

“It’s okay.” Her smile is sad.

“Hey, how about I look up the address on my phone? See if she still lives there?”

“Would you? I never thought to do that. Thank you.” She reaches into her bag and pulls out a ratty piece of paper, then hands it to me.

I get my cell from my pocket and type the address and the name Anna Monroe into the search engine.

What comes up makes my heart drop for Mia. I almost don’t want to tell her.

“Anything?” God, she sounds so hopeful.

I glance up at her. “The address you have for your mom is now home to a grocery store.”

“Oh.”

Jesus, I can literally feel her disappointment like it’s my own.

My chest feels tight again. Seriously, what the fuck is that? I rub at my sternum with my fingers.

“The houses must have been leveled for the store to be built,” I say. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’s not your fault.” She takes the piece of paper from me and holds it in her hand.

She smiles, but it’s forced.

She looks so lost. So sad. It’s painful to see.

“I can help you find your mom, if you want?”

What the fuck! Have I lost my mind?

I don’t spend time with girls outside the bedroom. Apart from Beth, and that’s only because she plays for the same team as I do.

If I spend time with Mia, I know what will happen. And I can’t get balls deep with her.