Sin's Haven Read online

  Evernight Publishing

  www.evernightpublishing.com

  Copyright© 2013 Carlene Love Flores

  ISBN: 978-1-77130-655-3

  Cover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs

  Editor: JS Cook

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  DEDICATION

  For the unique and the brave

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  My deepest thanks and respect to the wonderful team at Evernight who have the courage to bring so many wonderful and unique stories to life. Thank you so much for loving my quirky webmaster tale! A huge thank you to my editor, JS Cook, for her help, enthusiasm and encouragement on this series.

  On a heartfelt note, if your life has been affected by suicide, my heart and thoughts are with you. It has touched mine and I take comfort in knowing that my loved one was one of the bravest people I knew. Suicide does not change that and now they are at peace. I wish blessings to you and yours, comfort and healing and eventual smiles. Thank you for reading.

  SIN’S HAVEN

  Sin Pointe, 3

  Carlene Love Flores

  Copyright © 2013

  Chapter One

  Six years was a long time to wait for a girl. Rephrase that. Six years was a long time to wait when you were a guy and you were actually waiting. Maybe it was time to wake up and smell the obvious, that it was never gonna happen with his crush, Erby. Part of him wondered if he’d been dropped on his head as a kid. According to his friends, nobody waited that long. Like, ever. If Jaxon cracked one more Saint Benjamin joke…

  Benjamin Wright stood with a slouch so his well-meaning pseudo-stylists, Trista and Lily, could fuss over his tie, hoping one day the joke would be on his buddies. The two girls tucked hair behind his ears that he promptly shook loose. It wouldn’t matter what he looked like tonight because yet again, he was the only dude going stag. To make things even worse, it was his party. Benny slumped more, making it easier for Trista and Lily to reach him, but he had to fight the inner scrooge telling him he’d never get the girl.

  “Will you two leave that poor boy alone? The man’s turning thirty-one years old. Geez.”

  Lucky had a point. The big three-one. There hadn’t been much to celebrate this time last year either but his Sin Pointe buddies had once again insisted on dragging him out. Slanger’s Night Club had been a bust with its rowdy beer chugging crowd. And those were the ladies. Word was they were switching it up and hitting a night owl coffee place this year. Maybe if Benny still couldn’t get lucky with this tamer clientele, next year they’d go ahead and hit the local library.

  Did Benny mention the guys all brought their dates along to these outings?

  He’d sat there on his barstool last year wondering what city Erby and her band Lonerby were playing in.

  It looked like much hadn’t changed this year. He twisted his mouth to the side which Lily noticed right away. She reached way up and he felt her fingers softly try to rub his lopsided frown away. Not in a sexy way or anything, because that would be all kinds of wrong and Jaxon would murder him, but her touch felt really good. Sort of like most things he witnessed as the glorified errand boy between Sin Pointe and their women.

  These boys and girls did a lot of touching. He sat, feeling Lily’s fingers slip down to a sisterly pat on his shoulder.

  Just the thought of nearing his thirty-first birthday and the prolonged bout of celibacy he’d inflicted on himself nearly gave him the shakes. Most everyone who knew Benny thought of him as sweet. No really, that was the exact word his boss and roommate, Jaxon, had used to describe him just the other day. Well, if they could read his thoughts right now, they’d be in for a red-blooded surprise.

  As he stood there looking down at Trista and Lily, he couldn’t help but think something drastic was going to have to happen so that he might finally end up with a girl.

  The girl. Erby.

  There had always been something about her. She had that quirky oddball quality, kind of like him, that made him feel better about his own freakiness and therefore less like a freak. If he ever had her to himself, he’d peel away all her punk rock armor and appreciate the soft, smooth woman he dreamed about beneath it. Maybe she’d be okay seeing the real him too. He shook the thought of Erby being revolted away and cracked his knuckles.

  “Benny, be still,” Trista said as she bounced her little monster on her hip a few more seconds before handing Eddie over to Lucky. Benny smiled at the pipsqueak who cooed back.

  See, that right there. That was awesome. Yeah, Benny could admit it. This past couple years, he’d thought of wanting something like that, at some point. While he wasn’t envisioning pint-sized, bright-haired little ones with Erby just quite yet, it wasn’t completely off his radar.

  Oh, the baby making would be uh-may-zing. But so would be the other stuff.

  He liked kids and they liked him. Trista told him it was because of all the striped clothes he wore which were easy for them to see. He was pretty sure it was because they liked pulling his long hair and drooling on his most favorite wool caps. Now if he could just convince Erby that she was missing out.

  “I think I’m gonna call her. Like, now. Are you almost done?” Thoughts of the looming, all-important band camping trip excited and scared the crap out of him, way worse than tonight’s birthday gathering. How many years had he gone alone? Every single one.

  That could not happen this time.

  Benny considered calling Erby again and inviting her to join them at the coffee club. If she came, maybe he could ask her to be his camping date.

  But he’d already left that message.

  Twice this week.

  He understood how busy she must be with her band not to have responded.

  And why couldn’t he keep his mouth shut? Announcing his need to call Erby just now had plunked a big ole frown on Trista’s face. He fidgeted with his bracelets, pulling the rubber and letting them slap back against his skin, and wondered if he would ever be someone’s other half.

  Just then Lily was at his side picking cat fur from his sleeve. “When you said her, did you perhaps mean Erby Wells?”

  “Uh, yeah. Why?” He’d lived with Lily and Jaxon long enough now to know when Lily was acting all girly and coy. Sometimes it was fun to join in the act with her but that usually got more jokes from Jaxon. Nothing meant to be hurtful because he knew Jaxon could give a crap about whether Benny was into dudes or not.

  But that was the thing.

  He liked girls.

  A lot.

  They just didn’t like him back. Not like that anyway. He shrugged his shoulders and thought of how close he was to Trista and Lily. And then noticed Lily about to twirl the hair right off her head if she didn’t stop twisting it.

  “Earth to Benny. Hey, hun, over here.” She tried swatting his nose with the ends of her curled hair but was entirely too short. “Promise you won’t be mad but I may have found someone’s number and invited her to your party tonight.”

  Before Benny could respond, Trista chimed in. “Oh geez, Lily. You should have your own show. ‘Completely Unexpected and Poorly Timed Hook Ups by Lily’. Seriously.”

  “Whatever, sis. I would not be as happy as I am had I not brought Jaxon back here for you.” She paused and smiled. “Which yes, ended up being a win-win for me.”

  “But this isn’t abo
ut you, Lily. You haven’t known Erby as long as I have.”

  That was when Benny threw up a time-out signal to separate the two. While he knew why Trista was so irked about this secret phone call, he had to admit the thought of Erby being there tonight thrilled him. A little too much. Benny adjusted himself by casually shifting his weight from one foot to another, hoping that tingling feeling that started in his chest and dove down through his groin wasn’t showing up anywhere.

  Six years.

  He had to secure that camping date. And even if Erby wasn’t really into the outdoors like he presumed, wouldn’t she want to attend for the mere fact it was a Sin Pointe party? Couldn’t hurt since he knew she wanted them to invite her and the rest of Lonerby back out on the road again when the new tour started. “Trista, it’s okay,” he said, willing to overlook that reasoning if it meant having Erby’s company.

  Trista eyeballed Lily and then turned her eyes on him. “But Benny, baby, you just said the other day that you thought maybe it was time to move on. Sweetie, I agreed with you wholeheartedly, remember? Didn’t we fist bump on it?”

  He stood there wide-eyed, surrounded by the two sisters, and embarrassed that Lucky was even hearing any of this. Apparently Lucky was embarrassed for him too because he shaded his face with his hand, and pretended to be really into something on the breakfast bar counter.

  “Lily, did she say she was coming?” Benny asked quietly, turning away from Trista and sidestepping her reminder. He had to know.

  “She did,” Lily said with a cheesy smile for her big sister who just scowled.

  “Fine. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you. You really should let it go. Move on.”

  Trista was right. The fact Erby was coming to his party didn’t mean anything.

  It meant everything.

  The possibility of a happy birthday hug or kiss, or more, and confirmation he wasn’t a complete loser would be the icing on his cake. For the love of God and finally proving he had some game other than Xbox, he hoped she showed.

  “Trista, my hair is less likely to cooperate than yours,” Benny reminded her and poked a finger into her giant messy bun, hoping to get the glare off her face. She tugged at a stray piece one more time and softened.

  “Does it look that bad?” he asked. “I want to look good.”

  “Sweetie, you’re handsome as can be. But just remember the right girl wouldn’t care about that. She’d see the amazing man you are inside, from the moment she laid eyes on you. Okay, that’s all I’m going to say about it.” Trista zipped her lips then slid the invisible key into her dress pocket.

  Whatever impressed women, that’s what he needed to ooze tonight. He considered shoving a pair of socks down his pants but they were already uncomfortably tight. Anyway, Benny knew size wasn’t his problem. How many times had Stefan teased he was going to hurt some poor girl whenever one finally gave him the chance? Stefan meant well but could be pretty vulgar. Benny was the exact opposite which is why he’d kept his past sexual experiences to himself.

  Visions of sleeping alone in his sleeping bag and one-person tent sucked out what little bit of macho Benny had just managed to find. How could he be everything to Erby if she wouldn’t give him the chance?

  Trista twisted her mouth and he could tell she wanted to unlock her zipped lips. “I hope this ends up being a wonderful night for you … and that Erby knows how lucky she is.” Trista aimed a stare at him that said or else she and I will be having words. Benny just shrugged, trying not to show any of his friends how hopeful he was. All he could think about were brightly colored lips leaving a sticky and sweet taste in his mouth.

  “Aw, Benny, you are gonna knock her socks off tonight,” said Lily as she came back into the room following behind Jaxon, her arms wrapped around his waist and “hopeless romantic” written all over her smiling face. Apparently Lily had managed to sneak away and snag her man while Trista reminded him about moving on.

  Jaxon and Lily may as well be stuck together at the hips. It was just one more example of what Benny knew he was missing out on.

  “Hopefully that’s not all you’ll be knocking off tonight, mate.”

  “Hey Jaxon.” Benny blew off his friend’s comment even though he was in total agreement. The girls, on the other hand, were having nothing of it.

  “Jaxon, you’re so crass,” Trista said and thunked him in the chest while Lily gave her fiancé a shove from behind. Good, the girls were back on the same side again.

  “What? You all know it’s true. I’m feeling his, what are those things? Sympathy pains. My man needs to get laid. Right, Lucky?”

  They all looked at Lucky who had eyes only for his wife. And Trista looked like she was spelling out “Don’t answer that” in secret, invisible wife code. Lucky smiled, put his hands up and turned silently around to check on little Eddie who was about to spend the night at his grandpa’s house, along with Jaxon’s daughter, while the adults went out to celebrate.

  Benny guessed they should get going when Luke Mason, Lucky’s father, arrived at the door, still wearing his woodshop overalls. “Y’all kids go have fun. Benny, happy birthday, young man.” Luke shook his hand.

  Luke. A great guy and an even better man. Everyone loved him. Especially the kids and the girls. But here Luke was, all alone.

  When Benny turned his attention from Lucky and the baby, Jaxon and Lily were already wrapped up in a hug at the front door in front of him, and then when he turned again, Trista had made her way to Lucky and they stood behind him. Great. He was the cheese in a love sandwich.

  Benny stepped away, swallowing the humiliation he felt, and found the mirror hanging on the entryway wall. He tucked his wayward bangs behind his ears with more dedication this time and swiped a hand over his wool hat tucked into his back pocket. He’d leave it there for now, like he’d promised the girls who’d said he needed to show off his hair. He didn’t get it but whatevs, if that’s what women liked. He even straightened his collar, double-checking he hadn’t misaligned the buttons on his shirt like he often did, a hazard of being taller than most wall mirrors. Nope, everything about his favorite Kenzo looked good if you asked him. Hopefully Erby would like the blue leopard print. Well, this was it, he supposed, letting out a breath so tight it whistled on the way out. Take it or leave it. Please take it, Erby, he thought, as he felt his body come alive just picturing her taking him. Any part of him.

  Set to leave before he exploded with anticipation of a woman’s touch, he dug his car keys out of his front pocket and left them on the mantle. It was his birthday and while he didn’t plan on getting drunk—that would be very uncool to Jaxon—he knew no one would begrudge him something strong if the night crapped out. He patted his other back pocket for his wallet. “All set,” he said to them all. “Let’s go.”

  “Oh sweetie, this is your night. I can feel it. She’s gonna be over the moon to be in such good company. You look so handsome.”

  “Thanks, Lily. Let’s hope you’re right.”

  As Benny was about to lead them out the door, Jaxon excused himself from Lily’s arms. “Let me go warm the Rover up. It’s cold out,” said Jaxon.

  Jaxon tugged on Benny’s sleeve, signaling him to follow. Benny felt a pep talk coming on. Once they were outside, he got it.

  “Hey man, all jokes aside. Have a good time tonight. You deserve it. My advice?”

  “Sure. Shoot, boss,” Benny said.

  “Don’t let tonight end without two things. A kiss at the very least, and a date to this damn camping trip, mate. Don’t laugh, I’m serious. My balls are fucking ready to explode on your damn behalf.”

  “I know. You think I don’t know? Trust me, I know.”

  They both tried not to laugh at how obvious and ridiculous Benny’s lady situation was and Jaxon slapped him good on the back. “Alright, mate. May you get insanely lucky tonight. There’s plenty of room in here, by the way. In case you want to bring someone home.”

  Benny just nodded, hopeful but doubting tha
t would happen, and ducked down into the backseat. He knew himself. There had to be a date first, one that went well, before he’d even consider trying to get a girl to come home with him. He blew out a breath and watched as Lily joined them in the front seat and Trista and Lucky climbed into their Jeep. Before Jaxon backed them out of the driveway, Benny once again wiped long pieces of bang away from his face and then let out a big, fed-up breath. “Here we go. All or nothing,” he said to himself on a wave of hope.

  But one glance back at the front door and he saw Luke. The giant, solitary man nodded, reminding Benny too much of himself. He had to get the girl tonight or he’d be sixty years old and babysitting his friend’s grandkids. The old bachelor everyone secretly felt sorry for and had on speed dial.

  Jaxon’s balls weren’t the only ones suffering. Benny took advantage of having the backseat to himself and stretched his legs open wider, giving the boys some room to breathe. Dang, the girls had picked out his tightest pants. It was a long drive into Nashville, which meant he had around sixty miles to imagine how amazing it would feel if he was lucky enough to score a date, steal that kiss and maybe, just maybe get out of these pants.

  ****

  “If we’re lucky tonight, we’ll pull in enough to really make a difference for some folks,” Mark said as Hazel wiped and wiped at a water mark on the old wooden bar, feeling Dusty’s eyes on her ass and trying desperately not to think about anything but getting the bar cleaned. She turned and winked at Dusty who went back to ringing up his customer’s tea and bagel order. Even the new guy knew she was just a born flirt. She turned her attention back to Mark. “I heard you listening to 80’s music all day. I think you’re gonna do great. I bet you twenty bucks you know at least 95 percent of the requests tonight.”

  “If we make at least that much, I’ll take you up on it.” Hazel smiled at Mark’s attempt to distract her. “Thanks for letting me practice during my shift. I didn’t realize you could hear the radio all the way out here. I was feeling a little weak on some of the genres and I want to do really well tonight.” Plus you never knew what kind of crowd they might pull in. Nashville was renowned for its country music but at Mark’s, they did their best to cater to the other five percent looking for something different while still making the country fans feel welcome. Which meant she could be singing anything from Toby Keith to Katy Perry.