Love and Chaos: A Growing Pains Novel Read Online Free PDF

up the good time with your issues, Cassie.
    She scoffed at herself as she gathered her stuff and walked toward the checker like a grumbling old man. Where was her head lately? Up, down—she was all over the place.
    It didn’t matter, though. She wasn’t here for a love connection. She was here to help a friend through a hard week. Plus, this guy was probably that same asshole she always went for. He had all the criteria—the tattoos, the tough guy vibe, the bad boy persona, and all the glorious muscles. Oh yeah, and don’t forget the chip on his shoulder and hesitancy to smile.
    She wasn’t missing out; she was intelligently avoiding another asshole—that was all.
    Nodding decisively to herself, s he ignored that delicious smell as it wafted closer, his easy gait and obvious confidence definitely screaming athlete.
    Too bad Cassie wouldn’t get to see if he was as good as he said. She might be a disaster in her love life, but she fit perfectly in any athletic setting. Guys always thought women weren’t as good—she never let their ignorance and obvious disdain bother her when she asked to play a sport, and she never held their surprise and disbelief over them when they finally changed their mind.
    Yeah, she’d totally rock him.
    She grinned slightly to herself as her bad mood lightened. She paid her bill and shot a glance his way. His beautiful gaze, watching her, stirred her stomach. “See ya. Thanks for the help.”
    “Have a good party,” he said in a deep rumble as she hefted her purchases and headed for the door.
    Out in the crisp sunshine she veered around a shiny black Harley parked on the edge of the sidewalk, the owner apparently thinking parking spots didn’t apply to him, and found Peter reading a magazine in the car. As predicted, a new outfit lay in the back seat, stretched out so it wouldn’t get wrinkled.
    “Marcus is a bad influence, ” she accused, loading the groceries into the trunk.
    “What took you so long?” Peter asked out the window.
    “I ran—“
    A roll of thunder from the Harley crashed through her sentence. Two muscled arms held the handle bars as muscular legs pushed the large bike into the parking lot. Those muscles rippled and moved as the rider maneuvered the heavy bike into position to take off. The beer had been strapped to the back seat, riding bitch, and the wine must’ve been stowed in one of the saddlebags.
    His gaze met hers ac ross the sleepy parking lot. He nodded once in goodbye, before the roar sent the bike on its way.
    “I ran into a hot guy,” Cassie finished as she watched him expertly guide his bike out onto the street. “Apparently he also rides a motorcycle and thinks rules don’t apply to him.”
    “You did?” Peter popped out of the car so fast it seemed like magic. The bike was already disappearing around a corner, though. “How hot?”
    “Jeez, can you grow up?” Cassie shut the trunk and opened the back seat door, eyeing the outfit Peter had chosen.
    “You tell me about a hot guy riding a motorcycle, and you want me to act with decorum?” Peter raised his eyebrows.
    Cassie laughed. “True. I see your point.” She pointed at the outfit. “What’d you do, go through my things?”
    “Yes. Don’t worry, though, I made sure to repack just like you had it. I’m impressed with your ability.”
    Cassie rolled her eyes. “Okay, well, take a walk and I’ll shrug into this stuff. Or, better yet, stand guard. I should probably put on a layer of makeup, too.”
    “I got out your brush.”
    “Super, ” she said sarcastically.
     
     
    A fter an uncomfortable change, a quick donning of war paint, and a yanking of a brush through her hair, they were back on the road, headed to Ground Zero.
    “Should we check in at the hotel first?” Cassie asked.
    Peter checked his watch. “No, we’ll do it later. I said we’d get to the house about now. My mom likes everyone there before she starts dinner.”
    Cassie opened her window a crack to suck in