Breaking the Silence (Hard Drive Book 2) Read Free Page B

nametag this time. “Well, Cody, iced tea will be fine. And get me a coffee too, for my friend,” Rico answered.
    Cody typed into the register. “Awesome. I hear you’re here to talk to Avery.”
    Rico watched Avery work, his eyes raking over her figure. “That I am.”
    “Dude, you can’t tell her who you are.”
    Rico laughed. “What do you mean I can’t tell her who I am?”
    Cody glanced over at Avery warily. He looked like he was certain he would get busted. Then, he leaned across the counter and spoke in hushed tones. “You can’t tell her about being huge in the MMA.”
    “Why not?”
    “She hates celebrities. Doesn’t matter what kind they are. If you have any sort of following, she despises you. I’ve watched her set those celebrity magazines on fire behind the shop.”
    Rico frowned. He certainly had a following. He had fans who tracked his career back from his boxing days in high school. “Great advice. Thanks, man.”
    “No problem.” Cody took Rico’s grin with an adoring smile. Rico chuckled as he stepped away from the counter to wait for the drinks.
    The tinkling bell on the door announced the arrival of another customer. Chloe stepped in, dressed in a T-shirt and denim shorts, her hair up in its customary ponytail. Rico took the drinks from Avery with a wink then hurried across the room to sit at the table Chloe had chosen next to the large, front window. He glanced behind to catch Avery slipping her apron off and disappearing into the back room, probably to punch out.
    “Hey,” Chloe greeted, as Rico set the cup of coffee before her. “Thanks. Did you put—?”
    “You can doctor your coffee in a minute,” Rico snapped as he dropped into the chair beside her. “We got to talk.”
    “You don’t have to bite my head off.”
    “I’m sorry. But this is important. We can’t mention my career in MMA, Hard Drive, fighting, or anything. We met at the gym. I hang drywall. That’s it. And I’m one of those crazy bodybuilders. I have never been near an octagon, other than to go watch a fight or two with buddies. All right?”
    Chloe stared at him, clearly baffled. “Wait. What?”
    Rico grinned as he watched Avery approach. “I’ll explain later,” he muttered as he stood to greet her with a hug then pulled out her chair.
    Chloe shook her head confused. She forced a smile on her face for Avery. “Hello, Avery. This is my friend, Rico .”
    Avery signed something in answer. Rico looked at her, puzzled. “She says it’s nice to meet you, Rico,” Chloe reported.
    “I want to know more about her,” Rico requested.
    “Then tell her that, you moron. I just talked to her, didn’t I? Just look at her so she can read your lips.”
    “Oh.” Rico felt his cheeks warm. He hoped Avery couldn’t see him blushing. By her amused smile he could tell she noticed. He took a deep breath. “So, Avery. Tell me about yourself.”
    Avery responded with her hands. Rico watched her long, delicate fingers as they formed the words. An urge built deep inside him to kiss the tips of each.
    Chloe smiled as Avery finished and began translating. “I was a Marine. I served as a military police officer in Afghanistan. I’m now working on my Masters in Psychology at the University of Minnesota.”
    Rico frowned. Instinctively, he pointed to his ear. “I didn’t think…”
    He was distracted by Avery’s flying fingers. He noticed her crystal blue eyes narrow angrily as they did. The smile faded from Chloe’s face. “I lost my hearing in combat. IED.”
    Rico’s heart swelled with pride. He barely knew this girl, and he could tell she was something incredible. Definitely not one-night stand material . “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you. Can you talk?”
    Avery’s lips turned up in a small smile as she responded. Chloe spoke. “No. My vocal cords are mostly paralyzed. I’m not sure if it was from the blast or from when I was intubated for surgery. They tried to repair it. I went through