TJ Read online

  Wow. She hadn’t seen that one coming. “Fine. Would you rather I come back another time and interview Miss Evans?”

  He shook his head. “No. I said I’d do this for her. So, what do you want to know?”

  Dani was taken aback. It was such a disappointment to find out that the hot limo driver wasn’t really a limo driver. He was some rich guy, playing charities, by the looks of it. At least he wasn’t like his brother. This one had all the charm of a cactus. She pulled out her notebook and looked him in the eye. “I’ll make this as quick and painless as possible. Just tell me what you want the readers to hear about this amazing dinner and bachelor auction.” She couldn’t help it; even she could hear the sarcasm in her voice.

  His jaw set, and he pursed his lips. For a moment, she thought he was going to ask her to leave. She’d be glad to. Good looking as he was, she didn’t want to spend a moment longer than she had to in his company.

  “I’m sure you have questions prepared. We should stick to those.”

  “If you’d rather.” She reached into her purse. “Do you mind if I record this? It’ll make things quicker, and I’m sure we’d both prefer that.”

  He nodded curtly. “Sure.”

  She turned on the little voice recorder and launched into her questions.

  Chapter Two

  When Dani got back, Alan followed her into her office. “What was she like?”

  “Who?”

  He gave her a puzzled look. “Err, Grace Evans. The woman you just interviewed.”

  She shrugged. “I have no idea. She wasn’t there. She’d left early and asked someone to stand in for her.”

  Alan scowled. “So, who did you talk to? Part of the angle on this one is getting some insight into Oscar Davenport and his fiancée.”

  “I know, I know. It’s hardly my fault they weren’t there, is it? I even suggested I should go back another time, but he’d told them he’d cover it. Though why I don’t know.”

  “Who? Who did you interview?”

  “TJ Davenport. Oscar’s brother.”

  “Whoa! I take it it didn’t go well?”

  She shrugged. “He answered all my questions.”

  “But?”

  “But he hates journalists, apparently.”

  “You can hardly blame the guy.”

  Dani gave him a puzzled look. “Why? What don’t I know?” The whole time she’d been interviewing TJ, she’d felt as though she was missing something. He had a story. There was a reason he didn’t like journalists, but she had no clue what it might be.

  Alan shook his head. “You know, if you’re going to make it in this industry, you need to actually care about the news.”

  She let out a short laugh. “What we do is hardly news. We cover the rich and famous. We serve their agendas—telling the masses whatever they want them to know.”

  Alan made a face. “You’re never going to make it with that attitude. We might not cover hard news, but it’s local news, community interest. We just happen to live in a city where a certain percentage of the community happens to be rich and famous, and a much larger percentage likes to follow what’s going on in their lives.”

  “So, what is it that I should know about TJ Davenport? Why does he hate journalists?”

  “He was a marine …”

  “Hey, boss.” Andrew stuck his head around the door. “Can you come give a final yea or nay on the photo spread?”

  Alan nodded. “Give me a minute. I’ll be right there.” He turned back to Dani. “You know what, I’m not going to spoon feed you. Do some research. Figure out for yourself why TJ Davenport doesn’t like reporters. Do it before you get to work on the story and come see me on Monday morning.”

  “Okay.”

  “Make sure you figure the guy out before you write a single word.”

  “Why?”

  “Because when you know, you won’t be so pissed off that he was mean to you, and you’ll write a different piece.”

  “I’m not …”

  Alan gave her a knowing smile as he turned to leave. “See you on Monday, Dani.”

  She sat down at her desk and fired up her computer. She might as well google TJ and see what she could learn.

  She hadn’t even managed to log in when Sarah knocked on her door.

  “Hey. Are you coming out tonight?”

  “I’m not sure I’m up for it. Where’s everyone going?”

  “Six.”

  Dani rolled her eyes. “In that case, I don’t think so.”

  “Why not?” Sarah came in and took a seat.

  “Because I’ve had enough of the Davenports already, and I’m going to have to spend most of the weekend working on a story about them.”

  “Oh, that’s right. You get to cover the big fundraiser they’re doing, don’t you?”

  Dani nodded sourly.

  “I don’t get you. You’re the only one on staff who didn’t want that assignment. The rest of us were all fighting over it, and Alan went and gave it to you.”

  “I know. Sometimes I think he just likes to mess with us.”

  Sarah smiled. “No. He’s a wise man. He does it on purpose. He gives us the stories that we’re not interested in because he knows we’ll approach them with a fresh perspective.”

  Dani pursed her lips. “Yeah, and that works out well, a lot of the time. This time he might have screwed up. I don’t think the perspective he’s looking for is how a couple of rich assholes are indulging themselves playing at being do-gooders.”

  Sarah raised an eyebrow. “Wow. Don’t tell me, Oscar Davenport made a move on you, and that’s why you’re pissed at him and why you don’t want to go to Six. That bastard. From what I’ve heard, Grace is amazing.”

  “No. It wasn’t anything like that. I was supposed to interview Grace, but she wasn’t there—neither was Oscar. I interviewed his brother, TJ.”

  “And he’s an asshole?”

  Dani thought about it. He hadn’t really been an asshole. “He just … I don’t know. He hates journalists, and he …” She shook her head.

  “What? You like him, don’t you?”

  “No! Granted, he’s a good-looking guy, but he isn’t a very likeable person at all. He answered all my questions, tried to talk up the event, but I don’t know. It was obvious he didn’t like me, and he didn’t like having to do the interview, and it was just an unpleasant experience.”

  “Hmm.” Sarah gave her a sly smile. “It wasn’t all bad, though, was it? I mean, you got to sit and look at him for a while. Did you get any pictures of him? I know I would have.”

  “No. I didn’t even want to ask. As soon as we were done with the questions, I got my ass out of there. He is good to look at; I’m not going to deny that, but even his looks can’t make up for his manner. He was … cold. That’s the word. He wasn’t rude, it was like he wasn’t even there. It was like getting automated responses from a robot. He said all the right things, but …” She shrugged. “I’m glad it’s done with. Now I just have to write it up.”

  “And at least when you cover the event you’ll get to talk to Grace and not have to deal with him.”

  “Yeah. That’s true.”

  “Are you sure you’re not going to come tonight? It’d do you good.”

  “No. I’ll pass. I have to do some research on TJ, and then I’ll start the article tomorrow.”

  “What kind of research?”

  “I don’t know the first thing about the guy, and Alan said I should get some background before I start.”

  Sarah shook her head. “You really should come to Six. You need to know about the people we write about. You seriously don’t know anything about TJ?”

  “I don’t.” Dani knew she should pay more attention, but she really didn’t care about the socialites in this town and their complicated lives. She’d gotten the job at the magazine because Alan was a friend of her dad’s. Her heart wasn’t in her work, but it was a go
od job, and she didn’t know what else she might want to do with her life.

  “Then Alan’s right. You need to read up about him. But, I’ll start you off by telling you that you might not want to be so hard on him. From what I’ve heard, he’s a good guy. He was a marine, and he lost a bunch of friends in Afghanistan.”

  “Oh.”

  “Yeah. I thought that might hit home for you.”

  Dani nodded. It did.

  ~ ~ ~

  “I’m going to head home now, Terry … unless you need me for anything?”

  “We’re good, son. You go on. It’d be nice to think that you’re going to go out, have a date maybe, but I guess not, huh?”

  TJ smiled. “You know me better than that. I’m going to pick up a pizza and watch a movie.”

  “You’ve got a whole life ahead of you, TJ. I wish you’d live it and not keep hiding from it.”

  TJ bit his tongue. He couldn’t make himself say anything. He didn’t need to. If anyone understood, Terry did. Terry had come home from Vietnam. Most of his buddies hadn’t. How were you supposed to get on with living your life when your friends had lost theirs?

  “Don’t look at me like that. I know what you’re thinking, and I’ll give you one good reason why you should not only get on with your life, but you should live the hell out of it.”

  TJ waited.

  “The ones who didn’t come home? They don’t get to live their lives. I know that’s what you’re thinking. So, don’t you disrespect them by squandering yours. You need to live, TJ. Really live. You can honor them by doing that. You need to live twice as much—for them.”

  TJ held his gaze. He had no words.

  Terry reached out and wrapped his gnarled fingers around TJ’s arm. “Think about it, son. I know how you feel. I’ve been there. I wasted a whole lot of years feeling sorry for myself, wishing I’d died with them. But I didn’t. I reckon if I’m still here—and it’s the same for you—if we’re still here, then there’s something we still need to do. I lost too many years before I realized that. You don’t have to. You can decide now that you’re going to live and you’re going to figure out whatever it is you’re still here to do—and do it.”

  TJ blew out a sigh and nodded. He knew Terry was right, but he wasn’t ready to step up and live. He was making progress, he knew that much. The first few months he’d been home, he’d spent most of his time drinking and staring at the wall. He’d found purpose and meaning here at the shelter. He’d helped get the place running as it should be. It’d flown under the radar for years, and he’d dealt with all the agencies at the city and county levels, working to get compliant and get permits—and forgiveness for all the codes that had been violated. He was good at that kind of thing. More importantly, though, he spent most of his time with his fellow vets. That stopped him from feeling too sorry for himself. In one sense, they were all in the same boat. They’d seen and done things they didn’t want to remember, and they’d lost friends they didn’t want to forget. In another sense, working with them made him realize that he was lucky. He’d come home to a loving and supportive family. His parents gave him his space, but they were there for him. His brothers, Oscar and Reid, had both gone out of their way for him, to help him settle back in. In the first few months, Reid had flown down to LA every weekend to be with him. He smiled at the memory. He hadn’t wanted to be around anyone—hadn’t wanted to talk—so Reid had been the perfect company. He’d just been there. He’d ordered in food, made him get out of bed and shower, and sometimes even taken the bottle away before it was empty.

  Terry’s fingers tightened around his arm, bringing him back to the present. “If you wanted to start living, that girl who was here today might not be a bad place to start.”

  TJ scowled. “The journalist?”

  Terry grinned up at him. “Dani. I saw the way the two of you looked at each other when you opened the office door. She’s a fine-looking girl.”

  “She is, but that’s not the point.”

  “What is the point?”

  TJ sighed. “The first point is that I’m not looking, and the second is that even if I were, I wouldn’t be looking at her. She’s a damned journalist.”

  Terry chuckled. “She’s a woman. That’s all she is. Don’t tell me you weren’t interested.”

  TJ didn’t want to say anything. He had been interested—interested enough to get out of the limo this afternoon to go see if she was okay. When he’d opened the office door and seen her standing there with Terry, he’d been even more interested. She was even more beautiful up close, and there was a kind of energy about her that drew him in. But she was a journalist. End of story. As far as he was concerned, she might as well be a vulture.

  Terry let go of his arm, looking disappointed. “Fair enough.” He turned his chair and started to wheel himself away.

  TJ went after him. “Don’t, Terry. I know you mean well, and I do appreciate it. I guess I’m just not there yet.”

  Terry nodded sadly. “I know. I’m pissed at myself, not at you. I shouldn’t push you. You’ll get there in your own time.”

  “I will. I’m doing better every day.”

  “Yep, except on the weekend when you go home and you hole up and you wallow till it’s time to come back here on Monday, right?”

  TJ met his steely blue gaze. He didn’t want to admit it, but it was true.

  Terry shook his head sadly. “You do great in the week, then every weekend you set yourself back. I wish you’d go out, have some fun with your friends—live.”

  “If it’s any consolation, I’m getting closer. I’m not looking forward to going home and holing up in the same way I was. But, even if I wanted to go out and do something, I don’t have any friends.”

  “That’s not true. Don’t you go—"

  TJ held up a hand. “I’m not talking about the guys who are gone. All I mean is that I haven’t made any friends here. I do stuff with Reid when he comes, and Oscar and Grace, but that’s it.”

  “Not true. You’ve got me. I know I’m an old fart, but …”

  TJ smiled. “You want to go out?”

  To his surprise, Terry grinned. “Yeah. Why not? We’re both going to have to go out with the lucky ladies who win us in the auction. We should probably practice how to behave in public, right?”

  TJ had to laugh. It wouldn’t have occurred to him that Terry might be angling to go out. That put a whole different spin on things. “You’re absolutely right. Where do you want to go? Do you want to try Six?”

  Terry laughed. “Nope. Let’s start with baby steps, huh? We could go to Spider’s coffee shop.”

  “That’s a great idea. Do you want to wait here while I bring the car around?”

  “Nah. I’ll go with you.” He patted his wheelchair. “We’ll figure it out.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Dani looked up at the clock. Wow. It was nine o’clock already. She’d meant to start reading about TJ Davenport when she got home, but she’d gotten distracted researching where she could go next month on her little vacation and hadn’t looked up since. Her stomach grumbled loudly, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast.

  She got up from her desk and went to the fridge. There wasn’t much in there, and none of it looked too appealing. She could run down to the coffee shop on the corner. They stayed open late on the weekends, and they did great sandwiches. She picked her purse up off the counter. Hopefully, they’d still have some left.

  She smiled to herself as she walked down the street. She’d only been living here a couple of months, but she was already growing to love the neighborhood. It wasn’t fancy, but it was safe. It had a great vibe. She wasn’t one for staying anywhere for very long, but she could see herself settling here—for a little while, at least.

  She was relieved when she reached the coffee shop to see that it was quiet. Sometimes they had bands playing, and she hadn’t relished the idea of doing battle with the crowds j
ust to get a sandwich. She let herself in and made her way to the counter. The guy who owned the place greeted her with a smile. It was quite a smile, too. He wasn’t her type—he was all muscles and tattoos—but she could see why some women went for that.

  “Welcome. What can I get you?”

  “What sandwiches do you have left?”

  “Hold on. Let me go see. I took most of them over to the center, but I kept some here.”

  She frowned to herself as she watched him duck into the back. The center? The community center where she’d been today wasn’t too far away. Was that what he meant?

  He came back and held up a tray with a smile. “We have turkey and swiss, tuna salad, or BLT.”

  “I’ll take a BLT, thanks.”

  “Will that be everything?”

  Dani looked around. It wasn’t too busy. There was an empty table over by the wall. She smiled. “No, I’ll take a bottle of water and eat in, if that’s okay.”

  “Sure. I thought you were getting it to go.” The guy smiled. “You’re becoming a regular, right?”

  She nodded. “I’ve been living here a while now.”

  “Welcome to the neighborhood. I’m Spider. You go sit down, and I’ll bring this over for you.”

  “Thanks, nice to meet you. I’m Dani.” She took a seat at the empty table. She hadn’t planned to eat here, but she needed a break, and she knew if she took her sandwich home she’d only eat it at the computer. She looked around the place while she waited. The clientele was a mixed bunch. There were a couple of girls chatting in the corner. A family off to her left. A group of what looked like students, and a guy in a … suit. White shirt, open at the collar. Short cropped hair and five o’clock shadow. Oh. And light green eyes … that were glaring at her. TJ Davenport.

  She held his gaze. He’d made it obvious enough this afternoon that he despised her. If she irritated him that much, he could simply look away. There was no need for him to glare at her like that. Eventually, he did look away, and instead of feeling relieved, she was a little sad. His eyes really were beautiful, and while she’d been looking into them, she’d had the feeling that there was a nice guy hiding behind them somewhere.