Tagged For A New Start Read online

  She cleared her throat. “I know that, but I’ll worry about that the moment I have the okay from your bosses.”

  “And Tessa didn’t come with you to plead your case because…?” Jazz asked and Tank wanted to punch him.

  Yeah, they knew Evy had come on her own account to talk about the even, without her best friend’s approval, but did he really have to call her out like this? Tessa would cover her ass if she was going to be asked about it, that much Tank was sure of.

  “She was busy.”

  Jazz’s gaze softened and he stopped forward, kissing Evy’s cheek like he would with his sister if he was worried.

  Tank envied him for being able to do it so easily and without having to worry what she’d think.

  “She knows you cannot handle so much to begin with, doesn’t she?”

  “That wasn’t what she said,” Evy replied and Tank willed her to shut up. She had to know the couple would be talking about this. “Let me try, Jesse, okay? Please,” she begged and finally his best friend sighed.

  “Good luck then.” He glanced from Evy to Tank and bit his cheeks to probably stop himself from grinning. “I’m gonna go and tinker with that car some more.”

  And with that he retreated back into the garage while Tank looked from him to Evy. The silence between them was suddenly heavy, and yet he didn’t know what to say.

  “Can we meet up tonight? I hope Hilary will take Leila, but…”

  His heart started to bang against his ribcage. He should’ve known it would be like that, the booty calls, and yet it felt weird. He’d rather wanted to take her out and then bring her back to base to make love to her in a bed. However, he’d promised her sex whenever and wherever, and if it was all she wanted, then—

  “I desperately need to talk to someone and I… I can’t talk to Tessa about this, so beers at a bar?” she finished and he exhaled.

  Not a booty call. Just a friend thing. Frankly, he was just as disappointed about that as he’d been at the prospect of sex. What the fuck was wrong with him?

  “You better take a cab if you plan on drinking,” he stated, not knowing what else to tell her.

  She grinned. “Worried about me?”

  He shook his head, acting nonchalant. “Just don’t want Hilary and Tessa to come after my balls if anything happens to you,” he replied and she sobered.

  “They won’t. I’ll make sure of it. So text me which bar and when, okay? Leila, we need to get going.”

  “Leave her here. Your meeting will go much smoother when not distracted by a child,” he predicted and she sighed.

  “She’ll be in the way.”

  He smiled, touching Leila’s nose. “She’ll be perfectly okay. Your talk won’t take forever, I’m sure.”

  She shook her head and then thanked him before turning away.

  “Good luck,” he whispered, figuring she could use it because if neither Tessa nor Jazz thought she’d get what she wanted, she probably wouldn’t.

  He wished he could do something for her, but knew better than to interfere with her and her best friend.

  Turning back to the cars, he put Leila on her own two feet and then crouched down. “So, let me tell you something about cars,” he started and she instantly nodded.

  “Tars,” she agreed and he couldn't help but grin.

  She was adorable and he’d teach her all he could—as long as her mother would allow it.

  “Shit” didn’t even begin to describe how the meeting went. Tank’s superiors had made it pretty clear that unless Tessa came and a) complained about the other company and b) suggested Evy specifically, they’d never trust her to do any event for them.

  Not even small ones because they had no idea who she was and where she was from. Also, it was a new business in the US and they weren’t sure about the quality of her work.

  She’d kept the tears at bay just barely, but now that she was out, she wondered if she could allow a few of them to slip out. Then again, she needed to pick up Leila from the garage and she sure wasn’t in the mood to have the guys see her cry. Especially because it would cause too many questions.

  She pulled out her phone, not bothering to calculate what time it was back in the UK. She was close with her mother, or rather used to be, and loved her family above everything else, but they were the reason Tessa and currently weren’t the friends they used to be.

  Her family also was the reason why she couldn’t be honest with her best friend without feeling as if she lost her independence in the process.

  “Jackson?”

  “It’s Evangeline, Mom,” she stated, waiting for a heartbeat. After Leila’s birth something had cracked between her mother and her, and she wasn’t sure it could ever be repaired.

  “Evy, hey! How are you doing? How is that child of yours?”

  That child of yours…

  And another tiny crack appeared.

  “She’s good. We’re in the US and I’m surprised how well she’s adjusting.”

  Her mother clucked her tongue in disapproval. “Another trip to the US? You should probably consider your finances a little closer, daughter.”

  “My finances, exactly, Mother,” she replied, regretting the bite in her tone instantly. “And no, I’m here for work. My boss sent me over.”

  And now would come the next part she already knew she was going to hate hearing. “The guy who’s paying child support and therefore financing all your crazy ideas and trips?”

  She gritted her teeth. “Actually, he’s not paying child support, so—”

  “Oh God, that can only mean it’s not his child. How many men have you slept with?” Her mother’s outrage cut deep.

  “He doesn’t pay child support because he considers tolerating me at work enough of a payment. And yes, that’s the one.”

  “He must be a good man, making your biggest dream come true,” her mother stated dreamily, clearly deciding to ignore the rest, and Evy wondered if her mother was actually listening to her at all.

  She had no idea when her mother had gotten such a bad impression of her own daughter, especially because when Evy originally crushed on Ian Lanestrong, her mom had wondered if there could be something more at some point.

  “How are you and my dearest sister?”

  She heard her mother’s excited intake of breath and knew the last thing she’d hear now would be about her mother and the rest of the family—and wasn’t wrong.

  “Cyn has this amazing job now where she earns so much money. She went all by herself and got it, just being awesome in the interview. They hired her on the spot. It’s incredible. And just imagine, she came out of another job and they offered her a lot more money just to keep her. That’s how much they loved her there! I’m so proud of Cyn.”

  Of course she was because she didn’t know that her little sister got everything she did because she also did whatever was asked of her—including kneeling at any given point. Not that Evy would ever tell their parents that. It was enough when she regularly tried to convince Cynthia to do honest work before she got herself in trouble. Naturally Evy had been the one who got pregnant from a one night stand, the first and only one she’d ever had. That was, if you didn’t count Tank, which she didn’t because there was going to be a repeat.

  “That’s good, mom. I’m happy for her.” Yes, her lack of enthusiasm said exactly that.

  “Don’t be jealous, Evangeline. Eventually you’ll manage something all by yourself and you’ll feel accomplished.”

  It was a split-second decision, one Evy knew she was going to regret even before she spoke but she wanted just some praise. “I’m actually going to organize an Army event over here. A big one.” It was a lie, although she still hoped she’d land the gig, no matter how slim the chances were.

  “Army?

  Just that one word let Evy know already that she hadn’t done herself a favor.

  “Tessa helped you score that, didn’t she? After all, she’s dating that solider. Their story was all over the me
dia. She’s like a celebrity now. A small one, but famous anyway. Aw, it’s so nice of her to do that for you.”

  God, when had her life gone so off the path she didn’t even recognize the direction she was going any longer? Biting back tears yet again, she told her mother goodbye and pocketed her phone.

  The February air was cool against her skin, but nothing compared to London at this time of the year. Here the sun was actually shining and Evy lifted her face toward the warm rays, hoping it would lift her mood.

  It didn’t help much and she forced her feet forward, back to the garage to pick up her daughter.

  She met Jazz first, and he pointed at her to be quiet. She arched a brow and he nodded her forward. Careful to not make a sound, she joined him where he stood and followed his eyes to where Tank and her baby girl were leaning over an engine. He’d built a steady looking small tower for her to stand on she he had his hands free to show her things.

  “Starter,” Tank said.

  “Starter,” Leila repeated perfectly.

  “Cooling water pump?” he asked and Evy watched in disbelief as her daughter reached out.

  “Toolin’ water pumt,” she stated expertly and he nodded.

  Reaching out, he pointed at something else Evy couldn’t see. “Coolant pipe.”

  “Toolantpipe,” Leila echoed, fascinated like Evangeline had never seen her before.

  “How long have they been doing that?” she asked quietly, not wanting to disturb the other two.

  Jazz shrugged, a proud smile on his lips. “Since you left. He was patient and your daughter eager. I’m surprised she focused as long.”

  So was Evy. She was also surprised her daughter repeated so many of the words because usually she’d lose interest in speaking if you tried to make her say specific things.

  “Dengine,” Leila announced and Tank laughed, pulling back.

  “Engine,” he corrected, but she didn’t drop the ‘D’ in front of it no matter what. Not that he seemed to mind.

  His smile froze when he spotted her. “Your mom’s back, little one,” he announced and Lei glanced over her shoulder briefly before looking up at him.

  “Toolant,” she demanded and he ruffled her hair.

  “Another time, okay?”

  Even without seeing Leila’s face Evy knew she was going to throw a fit. But before she started screaming, Tank had whisked her up in his arms, tickling her until she couldn’t breathe anymore while he carried her daughter over.

  Evy spotted black finger prints on her daughter’s baby pink clothes, but she couldn’t even muster the anger she’d usually feel because the display was too amazing, too touching.

  Tank was an ass with basically almost every female he knew, and yet, when it came to Leila she’d never seen anyone as good with her as he was.

  “Mom,” Leila greeted her, reaching out when Tank was close enough.

  Again tears came to Evy’s eyes, but this time it was gratefulness because there was a man who clearly cared about her daughter, and not just a little. No matter what he’d say or not, she knew he did because actions were everything.

  “I don’t know what to say,” she admitted and Jazz leaned in.

  “Thank you would be a great way to start,” he grinned and she nudged him with her shoulder.

  “Thank you, Tank. And I’ll text you?”

  She wasn’t sure she wanted Jazz to know that they were going to meet up, and then suddenly felt bad about it, because she didn’t plan on anything happening… not like the night at Hilary’s house, when she’d drank the liquid courage for no other reason.

  “You’re very welcome. It was fun. I had to dig deep for my knowledge.” He winked and then turned away, as if he was embarrassed he let her see how much he’d enjoyed his time with her daughter.

  “See you tonight then?” she asked his back, and he stiffened slightly before turning to her with a beautiful, honest smile.

  “Yes, tonight.”

  She nodded one last time, then turned and walked out of the base, her daughter babbling in her arms, throwing around words that made absolutely no sense and sounded wrong. Evy assumed she’d just learned from Tank. Damn, she hoped the excitement about that would never begin to fade, because her daughter deserved the attention—and so much more.

  Tank waited in front of the bar because he needed to be sure Evy came either with a cab or wouldn’t drink. It was irrational how much he worried about her, but when a cab stopped in front of him and a now-familiar dark head got out, he breathed a sigh of relief. He’d drive her home, that much he’d already decided, and when she looked at him, her hazel eyes full of hurt, her knew it was the best decision ever.

  He held out his hand to her, and she took it, entwining their fingers. “Come on, honeycomb, I’m gonna find us a table to sit,” he told her.

  Her hand was small in his, and yet he liked the feel, regretting the need to let go when they sat and she took off her coat, reminding him again to not give her nicknames.

  “Vodka with orange juice, and tequila,” she said at his questioning gaze and he realized she really wanted to talk. It made him curious as to what was weighing on her mind.

  He got everything she asked for and bought himself a beer he had no intention of drinking, but at least it would keep her thinking he, too, was going to drink.

  “What’s up, buttercup?” he asked as he sat at a worn table across from her.

  “Stop with the nicknames,” she demanded like she’d done the day he’d picked her up from the airport.

  “Fine. What’s on your mind, Ev?” He wondered if she realized that this was a nickname, too, but she just sighed.

  “I’m not staying in the US.”

  He almost laughed. “You just arrived. Why in the world would you want to leave so soon again? Especially if you were so excited to finally be here?”

  She nodded, and he watched with worry how she downed the tequila before signaling for another, and then took a long swig from her mixed drink.

  When a waitress came, Tank stopped. “Fries and a burger,” he ordered, knowing Evy wouldn’t take it if he told her it was for her.

  The way she was drinking, though, he’d feel much better knowing she had some food in her stomach.

  “My mother thinks I cannot do anything alone. Except for getting pregnant, because that I obviously did all by myself, not with a guy. And my asshole boss knows that being the US is all I ever wanted. He called this a promotion. However…” Her words broke off as tears started to roll down her cheeks and Tank was so out of his element, it wasn’t even funny. He patted her hand on the tabletop.

  “There, lady, it can’t be so bad. I know it can’t be,” he assured her, but his voice shook. He didn’t handle tears well. Never had, and probably never would. Did she expect him to go and hug her? Or did she expect him to refill the drink and tell her to man up? Hell, what did you do with a crying woman?

  The food arrived faster than he’d expected and he pushed the plate toward her, thinking that maybe feeding her would ease the heartache.

  She reached for a fry, sobbing while she chewed it, and then another, and another until she was no longer sobbing, but just eating.

  “Can I have a bite?” she asked and pointed at the burger.

  “You’re welcome to it, I realize I’m not that hungry anymore,” he told her and she pulled the plate even closer, her face clearing.

  “This is so good.”

  Tank couldn’t help but mentally pat his shoulder and make a mental note. Tears vanished when there was food. It was a good thing to remember.

  “They have the best food around town, even if you don’t exactly expect it from a bar. So now, what’s up?” He figured it was better talking about it while she was still chewing, and she lowered the burger thoughtfully.

  “You know those stories where you have a Djinn, and it gives you what you wish for, but turns the wish for the worst? Like you wish for a million dollars and he’ll grant the wish, but the moment you get the
money, your sister dies. Or you wish for a better position, and you get it, but your favorite co-worker is let go for you to get it. Know what I’m aiming at?”

  “The wish turns sour and you couldn’t properly enjoy it,” he concluded and she nodded.

  “Yes, like that.” She smiled at him before taking another bite from her burger, and he watched her. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes red-rimmed, but there was a silent strength in them, letting him know she’d be fine after this, after the break-down.

  As if she’d needed a safe place to fall apart and she’d picked him to be that safe place.

  “Okay, what does that have to do with you, with this?” Tank asked.

  Before she could answer, a guy stepped to the table.

  “Hey, I watched you from across the room and… you know, you seem to be in distress, and your friend here doesn’t exactly do a good job at making you look less sad, so I was wondering if you’d want to come to the bar with me and—”

  “She’s here with me,” Tank snarled.

  The guy turned to him and Tank did a quick once-over, dismissing him as no threat. He wasn’t even a soldier, and girls never picked normal guys over a uniformed one, right? Besides that, the newcomer was smaller than he and clearly halfway drunk already. Tank probably wouldn’t need more than one punch to knock the guy out.

  “Your date? Then you’re doing an even worse job, mate.”

  “Mate?” Tank shook his head. “I’m not your mate, and what I do with my dates is none of your business.”

  He wondered briefly how often he could say ‘date’ before Evy would open her pretty mouth to say something contrary when the guy crossed his arms in front of his chest, trying to look bulkier.

  “Actually it is when the lady’s crying.” God, who was that guy?

  “Unless you can fuck me as well as my date here can, you better move,” Evy injected, munching the last of the burger.

  Tank coughed at her words while anger colored the other man’s face.

  “I can probably fuck you better,” he stated toward her and Tank watched with unbidden satisfaction how Evy wiped her lips, arching a brow in dismissal.

  “Doubt it. You look too weak to even be able to pick me up, let alone hold me against the wall to eat me out.”