Breaking the Silence (Hard Drive Book 2) Read Free

You’re not even going to ask how the trip went? We have a fight in eight weeks and then a second a few weeks later. You and me. We need to start training today.”
    “Yeah, I know.” Rico turned to Chloe. “So, are you coming?”
    “Max just got home. I want to spend time with him.”
    “It’ll be just a couple minutes.”
    “Where are we going?”
    “The coffee shop.”
    “What is it with that place? They have good coffee, but you’re hooked worse than I’ve ever seen.”
    Rico shrugged. “I can’t get that barista out of my head. I can’t stop thinking about her. I even dreamed of her last night. She won’t give me the time of day. I don’t get what I’m doing wrong.”
    “And I’m supposed to do what?”
    Rico grinned. “Talk me up. She’ll chat with another woman.”
    Chloe cast an astounded look at Max then turned back to Rico. “So, in short, you want me to be your wingman?”
    “Yeah. That’s pretty much what I want.”
    Chloe looked helplessly at Max. He pulled her closer and kissed her cheek. “Go ahead. I’ll be here when you get back.”
    “Okay. Then, let’s go,” she sighed, discouraged.
    She followed Rico outside, murmuring a quiet “thanks” as he helped her into his vehicle. She bit back a laugh as he rambled on while he drove. In the little over a year that she had known him, she had never seen him so rattled. And by a girl no less. He was always cool, calm, and collected around women. This one must be something to have the great Rico Choate scrambling around like a nervous schoolboy.
    Chloe softly whistled to herself as she hopped from the Jeep and crossed the parking lot. She stopped short as Rico grabbed her arm.
    “Wait,” he gasped out.
    “What? Now you don’t want to go?” she questioned, irritation seeping into her voice.
    “I do, but…we can’t seem to be together. I don’t want her to think I have a girlfriend.”
    Chloe lifted up her left hand, turning the back toward him. Her rings sparkled in the sunlight. “Rico, I’m married. You have no rings. Obviously, you aren’t the guy.”
    “Maybe I took my rings off.”
    “Maybe you should have brought Max.” She tugged open the door and led him inside. Blinking to adjust to the dim light of the coffee shop, she scanned the room for the barista he was obsessed with. She smiled then stepped up to the counter.
    A black haired girl with dark make-up forced a polite smirk on her face. “Can I take your order, miss?”
    “Yes. I’d like an iced tea, please,” Chloe answered with a smile.
    “And for the gentleman with you?” The barista pointed her pencil over Chloe’s shoulder. She cast a glance back at Rico, noticing him bopping and weaving to see who was working. He almost looked like he was in the octagon. She shook her head and turned back to the girl. “Nope. He’s just tagging along with me.”
    The barista grinned at her. “Your boyfriend is cute.”
    “He’s not my boyfriend. More like an annoying brother.”
    “Oh. Too bad.” The girl winked past her then typed on the cash register.
    Chloe could tell by the motion behind her that Rico never picked up on the flirting. Or if he did, he didn’t care. This woman must really be something.
    She paid for her drink then took a step back. Suddenly, she felt the sharp pain of an elbow in her spine. “She’s right there,” Rico hissed in her ear.
    Chloe glared at him then slowly looked to where he nodded. It was hard to watch without being obvious, studying the blonde barista as the girl took the order from the cashier. She stepped to the cooler to pull out a jug of dark liquid then fetched a plastic cup. She added ice cubes then poured the tea. She capped it with a lid and set it on the counter.
    Chloe approached with a friendly expression then subtly raised her hand to her chin then moved it away. The blonde’s smile blossomed across her face as she raised her hand and returned the gesture. Chloe picked up her drink and a straw then turned