Deception by Evie Rose Read Free Book Online Page A

to learn from a young age. I never got the chance to move on from my mum’s homemade meals to a girlfriend’s dishes, like a lot of guys I know. If the team had it their way, I’d be the chef every night. Too bad for them, I’m there to save lives, not their stomachs.
    The microwave dings in the kitchen, and it looks like Jake is eating two meals yet again. Since he’ll probably be ready soon, I get up for a shower and get ready for work.
    I’m not surprised to see all of the eight other guys sitting around the table when we get there. As usual, they give me shit about the apron I insist on wearing. “Cute apron, I really think it matches your eyes.” Dex bats his eyelashes at me, no doubt thinking he’s absolutely hilarious. “What’s cookin’, good lookin’?”
    “Shut-the-fuck-up pie.” A few of the others give their best shot at riling me up too, but they still have no problem eating every last bite of the food I prepare for them. I chuckle to myself as I speculate if they liked the extra spit flavour I put in, just for them.
    We’re sitting down around the table later, playing cards and shooting the shit, when Jake reminds me of plans we made for the weekend. “Lukey boy and I are hitting the town Saturday night, if you fellas want to come. He’s getting a bit cranky lately, if you know what I mean.” He raises his eyebrows suggestively and makes a jacking off gesture, getting a few laughs. I on the other hand, don’t find me having to service myself so funny.
    “I’m only moody ’cause I have to listen to you and your latest conquest, constantly screaming down the hall. I’d get more sleep here, even with the regular alarms waking me.” Only that comes out short-tempered and jealous, not exactly giving strength to my argument. Which I guess I kind of am, but I’m grumpier at the fact I might miss a chance at an early morning run with Roxi, if I’m out on the town all night. Since when do I want to go jogging with a friend more than going out to get lucky? This thought makes me even more irritable. I guess I really do need to go out and get over the strange fascination I have with this new friend I hardly know. However, I’m still more excited over the prospect of running with her tomorrow, than partying with the guys on Saturday night.
    Jake sits up straighter in his chair. “I can’t help it if I please the ladies. I’ve tried asking them to keep it down before, but when it comes to me, they just can’t help themselves.”
    He’s too much sometimes. I don’t think he’ll ever grow up. I’m not denying I’m not a horn dog, right along with him. My thoughts can be pretty obnoxious too. Nevertheless, I never speak disrespectfully about the women I’m with.
    A shrink I went to for a while after my family’s deaths, told me I most likely act this way, as a coping mechanism. I distance myself from emotion and getting close to anybody, because I don’t want to replace the family I lost. The family I killed. I don’t think I deserve to. She’s probably right. I’ll do whatever it takes to stop craving the love and affection I’m not entitled to have in my life.
    Dex, Toby, and the newest recruit, Jy, all say they’re in and we agree to meet up at Dollie’s at ten p.m. Hopefully, I can find a hook up quickly, so I won’t have to endure the place long. As long as I can keep my mind off Roxi that is, because even though I know I shouldn’t be, I can’t seem to concentrate on anything else.
    Not much of consequence happens through the night. Mrs Jones, an elderly woman in the Lockwood Retirement Village, causes her alarm to go off at around 2:00 a.m. She decided to put on a piece of toast and forgot about it. There’s no risk of fire, but the bread went black before it popped, and the small amount of smoke set the process of us going there in motion.
    The alarms at the village automatically trigger us to get out there straight away. It’s the fifth time that it’s happened this