Lakeshore Love: The McAdams Sisters (By The Lake Book 3) Read online

  Glad we cleared that up? Glad we cleared that up!

  Jake was furious. They damn well didn't need to clear anything up about events from over ten years ago involving his alcoholic, drug-addicted mother and sister. It was his past. Sydney could never fully understand the danger associated to that life and he didn’t want to drag her into it.

  Damn it.

  He hit the tile and pain seared through his fist.

  He deserved it.

  He never should have initiated that kiss when deep down he knew her curiosity about those years hadn’t diminished. His stupid feelings and hot desire, which he’d done a fine job of ignoring until now, had convinced him to believe that maybe, just maybe, Sydney forget those years and look forward to a future with him. Nope, that wasn’t the case and he wasn’t about to start spilling the events, not to Sydney...not to anyone.

  Jake dressed quickly and headed back to the Cliff House.

  The night party crowd was beginning to gather and, like every weekend, it would end in a ruckus. He was personally ready to straighten that ruckus out. Even if he had hired Devon and Chuck to do just that, he was feeling the need to vent some anger.

  Someone cross my damn path so I can throw you out on your ass.

  He stopped by his office and poured himself a drink before facing the crowd beginning to line up around the bar. He stepped behind and started filling out the orders being hollered.

  Just the simple act of pouring drinks, like he and Sydney had done many fun nights, made him think of her.

  Jake shook his head, poured a shot, passed it along and nodded to the next customer for their order.

  He could do this in his sleep but he didn't have to. No one in his family had to work another day in their lives after the money his dad left them. In fact him Joan and Adalyn...his insides tightened at the mere thought of his sister living the life Sydney wanted to talk about...could go on a permanent vacation around the world, stay at exotic hotels, or on cruise ships, take limousines to every event big or small. Jake chose to stay in Willow Valley, run the last business his dad invested in to make him proud and be close to Sydney. She was one of the few people that he considered family. All she wanted to do was dig into two conversations that weren’t going to benefit anyone involved.

  “Oh seriously?” His next customer sent him a frown. “I thought the two of you would be shacking up by now,” Abby said, kneeling on the stool and leaning across the bar so she wouldn’t have to yell as loudly over the crowd and music.

  Abby had changed into a black lace mini dress with spider web arms and neckline and with zippers down each side. Her face wore an extra layer of make-up and her already almost black eyes popped behind the thick eyeliner and shadow that to anyone else would send a dark and menacing look. Her red painted lips softened the look, but added a boat load of seduction to her package. It barely registered with Jake since he still saw he as Sydney’s baby sister, even when she was young Abby had run around wild, like leaves caught up in a gust of wind.

  “With all that sexual tension between you two at the table, I thought for sure you were taking her home...to her bed.”

  So did he. “What will it be?”

  She sighed loudly, knowing defeat when it arose. Out of all Sydney’s sisters, he would say Abby knew him the best and vise versa. Not only had she stuck around in town, unlike the twins who took off for six years. Abby had been a regular at his bar since she was legal to drink. “Two tequila shots.”

  He grabbed the shot glasses as the bubbly blonde, always attached to Abby’s arm, Isabelle Caliendo, pushed her way through the crowd. She was loudly making a scene and squeezed between Abby and the person sitting on the stool beside her.

  “What's taking you so long Abby!” It was not a question but rather a whiny complaint. “Come on Jake, pour a girl two shots. On the house would be best,” she added with a flirtatious wink.

  Jake poured the shots, chuckling to himself over the statement. On the house for a Caliendo. Her family owned resorts across the country and if memory served him correctly, this girl hadn’t worked a day in her life and wasn't lacking in the money department.

  “Jake was supposed to be banging Sydney right now,” Abby said.

  Oh Lord, this girl has no limits.

  He slid the shots across the counter.

  They threw them back and slid the empties back for another.

  “What are you doing here then?” Isabelle shouted over the band’s music pulsing from the speakers at the other end of the bar. He was grateful for the music and crowds so everyone else wasn't listening to how frank these two were being about his love life.

  “Yeah?” Abby asked. “What are you doing back here?”

  Jake poured the shots and slid them across the counter hoping they'd take them and retract anywhere but here. He was not talking about Sydney with her.

  They threw them back. Hard drinkers. He knew they could be since they were weekend regulars. He would never tell them, he wouldn’t want to bust their egos, but in the last few years they had slowed their alcohol consumption and spent most of their time dancing into the morning.

  Isabelle fluttered her large, round, thickly applied black eye-lined blue domes at him wiggling her way onto the stool with Abby. “Did she turn you down?” she asked seductively leaning across the counter even more than Abby with her chin on her hand. This move would send Chuck right over the edge, any man really, but Jake wasn't interested.

  “If you're looking to blow off some steam, I'm free all night long.” Yup Chuck would have latched onto this blonde bombshell quickly in her skin tight red dress matching the full red lips she was pursing at him and left the bar that very moment.

  Abby grabbed her shoulder. “Down girl. He's Sydney’s so off limits to you.”

  Thank you Abby.

  Jake wasn't anyone's, not that it made a difference on whether he was going to take this Caliendo up on her offer. He wasn’t.

  Isabelle turned a pouty look at Abby. “Come on. You say Jake’s off limits. Riley’s off limits. You're keeping all the bad guys for yourself.”

  Bad guy? That was his image? He was good with that. It meant people left him alone. He liked being left alone, except when it came to the one woman who had walked away.

  “Hey come on!” a man shouted from behind them. “Get your drinks and get out if the way!”

  Jake’s stare tapered in on a brawny man who was having his share of enjoyment staring at the women’s rears while complaining about their speed.

  Abby turned before Jake had a chance to even open his mouth. “Hold your pants on. We will be done when we're done.” That mouth was going to get her in trouble, like it usually did. But nobody messed with a McAdams, and especially not in his bar.

  “How about now!” The impatient jerk grabbed her wrist, causing Abby to lose her balance and she tumbled off the stool onto the floor. She stayed on her feet, he wasn’t sure how with the height of the heels she was wearing, but a loud cry came from her lips as she hit the ground. Jake didn’t know if it was surprise or pain. This guy better run if he hurt Abby.

  “Hey!” Isabelle screamed, jumping off the stool and grabbing the thick arm like she was superwoman, because being just tiny little Isabelle wasn’t going to get her anywhere against this man.

  Jake’s insides lit up. This was exactly what he needed. He flipped the counter walkway up throwing drinks across the platform and onto the floor. He heard the smashing and surprise of everyone around him but he didn't care. His hand grabbed the jerk’s arm and twisted it behind his back with more force than Isabelle’s tiny attempt and in a second he released Abby and was dropping to his knees in pain.

  “You enjoy picking on women half your size?” Jake asked, putting more pressure on his arm.

  “No man. Hey, I'm sorry. I will buy them a drink.”

  “It's a little late for that. Don’t apologize to me, apologize to her.” Jake lifted his head to Abby, who instead of being startled, was waiting, expecting hi
s apology. She was quite the opposite of Sydney, who would be telling him to release the jerk and let it go.

  “I’m sorry. Alright?”

  Jake felt a hand on his arm. “Jake, I got this.” Chuck came around and Jake let the guy’s arm go with a little shove making him fall to his hands and knees.

  “Get him out of my bar.”

  Chuck did exactly what he demanded.

  He turned to Abby. “You okay?”

  She smiled. “I'm glad you weren't banging my sister.”

  He didn’t agree with her.

  Chapter Eight

  SYDNEY’S PHONE RANG at almost two in the morning. Panic rose as she reached to answer it. No one phoned her at this hour, unless...

  “Hello.”

  “Hey Syd. It's me, Jake.” Like he had to clarify. She would recognize this man’s voice at any hour of day or night.

  Why was he calling? Had he changed his mind and was ready to talk? The thought made her sit straight up. Or was it Abby...

  She couldn’t let the excitement get the better of her when she didn’t know what this phone call was regarding.

  She held her breath, hoping.

  “Listen, Abby is here, at the bar and she's had her limit of alcohol.”

  Abby. Her heart sunk. Just like old times.

  “I'm closing soon but she's hanging with a bad crowd and I'm not letting her leave with them.”

  Jake always protected Abby. Jake would always protect you if you didn’t force him into the past. Jake will always protect you even if you only remain friends...he just won’t touch you, kiss you, and love you the way you want.

  “I have a feeling she's not going to listen to me tonight and likely end up having a scene when she realizes that I’m not letting her leave with any of these fellows. I thought you might want to come down and we could avoid a scene. She will listen to you.”

  Abby must be pretty drunk for Jake to call her. Sydney used to get these late-night calls before Abby moved in with Gran. The older woman snapped Abby out of most of her un-ladylike ways, including excessive alcohol, excessive boys, and excessive vulgar vocabulary. Gran had been an amazing inspiration for Abby and surprisingly Abby had listened without aiming her rebellion at Gran. Abby was better for it, but after Gran died the calls began again, and Abby seemed lost for a while. That had scared Sydney.

  It was her new friendship with Riley that once again slowed her drinking, slowed her late nights, and slowed Abby down in general.

  Sydney had been wary about Riley at first sight with his long hair, beard, tattoos and that he barely spoke a word. Sydney wasn’t generally quick to judge people, but when her unpredictable sister was involved, she had to be extra cautious.

  After Gran had passed last year and Abby took off up north, forcing her sisters to chase after her and make sure she was okay, they had found Riley had accompanied her. After spending a weekend with him, Sydney had learned Riley’s rough exterior was similar to Jake’s. He was kind on the inside once you got to know him. He was the boss of who was allowed to get to know him and who he let in...just like Jake. Riley didn’t drink, at all, absolutely nothing. Sydney found it odd with no explanation, but he was good for Abby.

  Until tonight. What happened, Abby?

  “Alright, I’m coming.”

  Sydney pouted like a child being made to wake up early and go to school as she pulled a denim dress over her head and slipped into her cowboy boots.

  Why hadn’t Jake said, Sydney, I’m ready to talk. Those five words would have brightened the sleepless night she was having.

  Sydney grabbed her car keys off the hook, they very rarely moved from the location, but she wasn’t about to try and walk a drunken Abby home from the Cliff House.

  The garage door went up with a press of a button and the small car Joan had bought her for emergencies came into view. Not only was Jake not calling to take a step, but now she had to drive.

  What a splendid night. The sarcasm didn’t make her feel better.

  Sydney took her time driving, as she always did, and when she walked through the Cliff House doors, she saw Jake was right about Abby’s condition: wasted.

  Wasted. Abby come on! How old are you? Act your age.

  Dressed like a woman looking to have a good time, Abby was standing...stumbling...by the pool tables with a crowd of obnoxious drinking men, who had apparently enjoyed the tight dress and high heels. No Isabelle in sight, which was odd.

  Sydney’s eyes searched for Jake next and found him behind the bar staring at her. Should I go over? Should I say thank you? She wanted to stand in front of him, hoping he would say the five little words she yearned to hear. That hope alone almost made her turn toward Jake instead of her sister, but a quick glance at the unfriendly crowd around Abby and her feet knew where to take her, even when her heart craved the other direction.

  “Hey, Abby.” Sydney touched her sister’s shoulder and when Abby turned, her eyes lit up.

  “Sydney!” Abby hugged her, stumbled, then leaned all her weight on Sydney. “What are you doing here? I missed you.” That was the alcohol talking.

  “Jake is closing up, so I popped by to give you a ride home.”

  Abby sent her a grateful, drunk-laced look. “You drove here? For me?”

  I didn’t have a choice.

  Sydney nodded with a forced partial smile.

  They would talk about this in the morning, or when Sydney got back from her trip. Sydney wouldn’t be able to drag Abby from the sleep that would overtake her once they got back to her house at five in the morning, when they were leaving for Joan’s house.

  Five in the morning! That was only three hours away and Sydney was sure she hadn’t even gotten a whole hour’s worth of sleep yet.

  “Awe, thanks Sis but I'm actually going home with...that guy over there.” Abby pointed at a much older man. Flame and skull tattoos covered every piece of skin peeking out around his black tank top. His daunting eyes were watching them closely and he didn’t appear to be nearly as drunk as Abby was. Sydney didn’t like that one bit and was grateful Jake had been watching out for her sister.

  Sydney made a mental note to call or text Kate in the morning in case Abby continued this streak throughout the long weekend while she was away. Peyton was forceful, able to relate and could handle Abby’s drinking, but with her being pregnant, Sydney didn’t want to put her in a situation like the one Sydney was currently partaking in. Kate was forceful in a motherly fashion and didn’t fear chasing Abby down.

  “Nah. How about you come home with me? I have cupboards full of candy.” She was exaggerating, but Abby had a sweet tooth for candy.

  “I'm just going to go with...with...” Abby laughed and Sydney didn’t find the situation at all amusing. “I forget his name.” That was the perfect reason not to go home with him, plus the strangely possessive looks he was sending their direction was creeping Sydney out. There was not a chance Abby was going home with creepy stare man.

  “No, you're not.”

  Abby pouted at her like a child which was another good indication of her drunkenness. She wasn’t likely going to remember any of this is in the morning. Jake’s respectable words came to mind, I'm not the guy who makes love to a woman who doesn't remember anything in the morning.

  Jake was an honorable man, unlike the creep heading in their direction.

  Ugh. She didn’t want a confrontation with him.

  “Come on, Sydney,” Abby whined.

  “Let's go. Now.”

  Sydney thought Abby might pout again, but instead she wrapped her arms around Sydney and said all sweet and child-like, “I love you, Sydney.” Then she gasped and Sydney felt her heart jump up her chest.

  What? God what now?

  Her eyes darted around the room.

  “Did you see Jake? He was all ready to kill someone today after you guys didn't have sex,” she loudly whispered the last word right in Sydney’s ear.

  Sydney had seen him. How could she miss him? Why did Ab
by assume they were going to be having sex?

  On their way to the door, she glanced over and saw he hadn’t moved and neither had his eyes, locked on hers.

  “He's totally into you.” I’m totally into him. “Give him a chance.” I did. “I bet he's a great bang.”

  “Abby!” Sydney didn't doubt it.

  Just then Sydney felt a tug at Abby’s weight and she stumbled backwards herself, knowing exactly who was pulling Abby.

  Why couldn’t they just exit without a scene? Why was Abby so drunk? Why hadn’t Jake phoned her for her instead of this?

  “Hey, hey now. This here lil’ lady is coming home with me tonight.” Even his voice was spine-chilling, in a disgusting, creepy old man kind of way.

  Oh great.

  What had ever possessed Abby to befriend these people or this person in particular? This was why Sydney didn’t drink to get drunk, not to mention her dad was a recovering alcoholic and the night of the February dance was another good reason to stay on the game. At least she had ended up with Jake who protected her. Abby on the other hand had been heading down a dirty road.

  Sydney turned to the creepy eyed man who had Abby’s arm in his hand.

  “She’s coming home with me,” Sydney told him, her skin crawling at the sight of his dirty nails digging into her sister’s flesh.

  He stepped closer to her. “I don't think you heard me correctly,” he threatened, hovering over her but not nearly as threatening as the man by the bar that would protect her and Abby in a heartbeat, no matter what was going on between the two of them.

  Sydney took a deep breath and tugged Abby back. “I don't think you heard me correctly.” His grip remained solid on Abby’s arm. “Let go of her.”

  “I didn't hear her complain.” He smirked and flashed his yellow teeth, making Sydney’s stomach turn.

  Abby did a pitiful pull of her arm but his grip never faltered and she eventually gave up lying on Sydney’s shoulder and yawning loudly. “I'm going home with my sister.” Her week declaration was pathetic.