Hard Drive Boxed Set

by Tricia Andersen

  “Can’t wait.”

  Rico waved to Lindsay as he held the door open for Avery to pass through. A grin spread across his face as he jogged down the steps. The whistling started again.

  Chapter Five

  Rico spent every moment he could with Avery that week. Which meant he fielded a lot of phone calls from an irritated Max. Did he care if Max was angry that he kept skipping out at the end of practice instead of standing around and chatting about their upcoming fight? No. He knew the fight was important. But in his heart, Avery was far more so.

  He helped Avery study for her tests and papers every night after Hard Drive. Or at least he tried. Their study sessions always started out innocent enough—with Rico helping her do research or asking her questions. But then, there was a stolen kiss amongst the bookshelves. A soft caress at the table. The suggestion that they move to the wildly colored vinyl chairs to be more comfortable.

  Before they knew it, they were sitting in just one chair with Avery curled up on Rico’s lap as she read. She laid her head on his shoulder as she studied. He interrupted her with kisses on her cheek, chin, and lips. At first, she was exasperated that he stopped her reading, but it wasn’t long before the book was on the floor and she was returning every kiss he gave.

  He knew he would be fully to blame if she failed. Yet, how could he resist her for that long? Despite their less than academic activities in the library, Avery passed her first test with flying colors. Their study sessions were still on.

  Everyone at the library knew Avery, and it was easy to tell they loved her as much as he did. She introduced Rico to Mary, the librarian who had given her the chicken recipe. The older woman bragged over Avery, telling him what a wonderful student and great help she was. After talking for nearly a half hour, he learned that Mary used to live in Mount Vernon, which wasn’t far from where Mark and Dan grew up. Maybe he needed to bring his friends in and introduce them so they could chat about things back home.

  Rico shuffled the deck of flash cards then set them on the table. It was Friday night. Any other Friday night, he’d be at the clubs looking for some woman to charm. Tonight, he was in the library helping Avery study for her last exam. He couldn’t possibly be happier.

  “What do you want to do this weekend?” he questioned.

  She sighed. He could see the weariness in her eyes. She pulled out her cell. Seconds later her text arrived. All these tests and papers have worn me out. I just want to relax. Of course, that is after the 5k I am helping with.

  Rico frowned. “A 5k?”

  She grinned. Yes, sweetheart. A 5k run and walk. It’s to raise money for Operation First Response. I’m organizing it along with the store owners that we picked up the donations from. Oh, and Chloe is helping me.

  “Chloe is helping? When did you talk to her?”

  She stops in the café. We’ve been talking since shortly after our double date at the Italian restaurant. It is all right if I make friends with your friends?

  “Of course it is.” Rico shook his head, baffled. So much for damage control. “When were you going to tell me about this?”

  I thought I had. I am sorry.

  He smiled because he was the last person who should be angry about holding things back. He was hiding a huge part of his life from her. “No worries. So, I’ll see you after the 5k?”

  Or… Avery crept her finger across the tabletop until they wrapped around his. She squeezed then let go to sign. You could come run. I’ll even waive the late fee because you are so hot.

  “You want me to run? Seriously?”

  You are so physically fit. I just figured you could run a little over three miles. Unless, of course, I am wrong.

  Rico huffed. “I can run three miles.”

  You can?

  “Yes, I can.”

  Good. Then you can run with Max, Chloe, and me.

  He stared at her, bewildered. His best friend could harass him constantly about the fight, but couldn’t mention this race he was running? “Max knows about this?”

  Well, yes. He registered to run. He even had Hard Drive sponsor it. I’ve thanked him a million times. She stopped tapping on the screen then started typing again. Have you ever thought about fighting?

  Rico paused a moment. “Once or twice. Would you be okay with it?”

  “Sure. What’s a fight or two?”

  “What if one or two led to the big time? What if I become known throughout the world?”

  Avery frowned at him. Her fingers flew over her phone screen. Then she handed to him. A video of the latest MMA fighter behaving badly played. Rico shook his head. “They don’t all behave like that.”

  How do you know?

  “I know a couple fighters. Besides I doubt I’m that good. Nothing to be worried about”

  Avery grinned at him. So, you will run tomorrow?

  “Sure. Anything for you.”

  Avery smiled slyly at him. Awesome. Then, afterward, you can come over to my house. Lindsay is going out of town with some friends. We could order pizza and watch movies.

  “Or, I can bring some things over to make you supper, and then watch movies. What do you think?”

  You can cook?

  “I’m not too shabby at it.”

  You are hot, and you can cook. I guess you are the perfect guy.

  “There is no guessing. I am the perfect man.”

  Avery giggled and punched him lightly in the shoulder. Catching her fist, Rico pulled her across the wood table into his kiss. As they broke apart, he signed. “So, running then movies. Is it a date?”

  It is most definitely a date. Meet me at the lake at six-thirty in the morning. You can help me set up for the event.

  “Or, I can pick you up at six.”

  Avery giggled. I like that idea better.

  “Your wish is my command.”

  She purred as she sank into another kiss. It was hardly audible. It was still the sexiest sound he had ever heard.

  As soon as Rico dropped Avery off at home, he headed to the grocery store to get the items he would need to make her dinner. Things would have to be sliced and chopped before he went to bed. It looked like it would be a late night then an early morning. He wasn’t going to get any sleep, but he didn’t care. It would all be worth it if he could impress her.

  Rico was up with the sun the next day, tugging on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt before he fully woke. He slumped onto the couch then pulled on his running shoes and tied them. This was a switch for a Saturday morning. Normally, he slipped his shoes on to head to Hard Drive. Running wasn’t usually on his agenda, or at least not three miles. He knew he could make it the whole distance, but it had been quite a long time since he had run that far. He would have to shake the rust off.

  There was a pile of plastic tubs waiting on the porch when Rico parked outside Avery’s house. He stared at them, puzzled, as he strolled up the sidewalk. No matter how many times he thought it through, there was no way that many boxes were going to fit in his vehicle. Avery stepped out the door as he reached the bottom step, dressed in a white tank top and little pink running shorts with black trim. Rico lost his breath as he took her in. She greeted him with a kiss. Good morning, sunshine.

  “Good morning, baby.” Rico cocked his head toward the containers. That is a lot of boxes.

  It is. All of the race stuff is in there.

  “It is going to take a couple trips to get them to the lake. I can’t fit that much in the Jeep.”

  Lindsay shoved the front door open with a bang, his arms too full of boxes to maneuver the doorknob. By the look of disgust on his face, Rico could tell that he had something to do with the force that Lindsay had used to slam it open. “I’m going too, genius. Most of this will go in my truck.”

  Rico scowled at Lindsay. Yes, he understood that the former Army Ranger was very protective of his little sister. But it didn’t warrant getting snubbed or earning that nickname. “That makes sense.”

  Lindsay growled as he stalked o
ff to his vehicle. Rico mused for a second then climbed the porch steps. He gathered a couple bins in his arms and followed Lindsay. He met Lindsay’s hot glare with a cool, collected one of his own. “What are you doing?” Lindsay demanded.

  Rico carefully set the bins on the tailgate of the truck then slid them in. “Helping.”

  Lindsay stared at him, clearly astounded, as Rico spun on his toe and retreated to the porch for more boxes. Silently, they worked to load the truck with most of the containers. Then, Rico set the remaining in the backseat of his Jeep. Avery wrapped her arms around Rico’s waist for a quick hug then faced her brother. See, he is a keeper.

  Lindsay huffed. “He's all right.”

  Avery giggled as she took Rico’s hand and led him to the Jeep. Rico fought back a chuckle. Was Lindsay actually starting to warm up to him? Could it be possible that her over-protective, big brother might actually grow to like him?

  Lindsay followed in the truck as Rico drove to the lake. Avery was bubbly, signing away even though he couldn’t watch her fingers. Occasionally, he would hear her laugh as she realized she was really talking to herself. Despite the tired circles under her eyes from the week of studying, she was full of life.

  Max, Chloe, and the store owners were already at the lake when they arrived. Having more hands helping to unload the boxes made things move faster. The containers were unloaded and everything was set up long before the first runner arrived. Avery and Chloe signed happily to each other as they sorted T-shirts. The shop owners divvied up the other jobs between themselves, a couple settling behind the registration table, others setting out refreshments for the runners, and the rest finishing small, miscellaneous tasks. Max and Rico were sent to mark the course with signs and tape.

  “Tomorrow, we’re practicing all day. Then, we can go to dinner to talk about the fight,” Max informed him.

  “I’ll be with Avery,” Rico protested.

  “Have you talked to her?”

  “About tomorrow? Not yet. I didn’t know about all this until last night.”

  “You’ll be available. Trust me.” Max grinned as he strode away. Rico frowned after him. How could he possibly know what Avery was doing tomorrow? He ripped a piece of tape free from the dispenser and slapped a marker to a park sign in silent protest. Then, he trudged after Max when he realized his best friend wasn’t watching.

  The runners lined up at the start, each jostling for the perfect place to take off. Avery, Rico, Max, and Chloe weaved their way through the crowd to find a place near the end of the runners and the beginning of the walkers. None of them were there to win, just to run and have fun. Lindsay gently cradled a starter’s pistol in his hand as he climbed a ladder to get in full view of the participants. After the national anthem and a few instructions, the runners and walkers got on their marks.

  Lindsay raised the gun above his head and pulled the trigger.

  The throng of people trudged their way down the pathway along the lake. Rico breathed in deep with each stride. He was an MMA fighter. He was in better shape than most of the people around him. This 5k would be a piece of cake.

  His lungs and his legs started to burn as he reached the first mile. He pushed the pain out of his mind as he kept on. It was just a run. He had taken shots to the face that had cut him up and left him bloody. He had broken his leg to the point that the bone had jutted through his skin. This race should be nothing.

  By the second mile, his breathing was jagged. He growled as he watched Max, Chloe, and Avery pull ahead. He couldn’t remember when they had said they had gone running. It would have been nice if they had invited him along. He was sure he was in better shape than this.

  Rico nearly collapsed as he reached the finish line. He had never stopped running, yet he had also never been so exhausted in his life. And he finished at least two hundred yards behind the others. Max sauntered over, a bottle of water in his hand, as Rico sank to the ground. “You really need to work on your cardio,” he laughed.

  “My cardio is just fine,” Rico barked.

  “Really? You’re about to heave up a lung.”

  “Seriously? You’re going to give me grief on this?”

  Max was still chuckling as he took a drink. Rico struggled up to his knees as he felt his legs start to cramp. He needed to stand. He needed to stretch. He was distracted from the pain in his limbs as Avery jogged over, her blonde hair bouncing with each step she took. She giggled as she stopped and signed. Wow, Choate. You are out of shape.

  Rico bit back a snarl as he responded. “It’s a good thing you’re cute.”

  Avery reached down to him and tugged him to his feet. He smirked at her as he pulled her into his arms and hugged her. True, she was a little sweaty. But he was drenched. It looked like he had taken a shower with all his clothes on. And he had yet to meet a woman who enjoyed being held so close by a man this full of sweat. His suspicions were confirmed as she started to fight to pull free.

  Rico grinned at her. “I thought you liked it when I held you.”

  I do. But you smell.

  “You have to take the good with the bad.”

  I agree. She waved her hand in front of her nose. But right now, it is really bad.

  Rico laughed as he took her hand and limped to the refreshments table. After a bottle of water and a little walking, he started to feel better. He slipped to the back of the crowd as Avery, Lindsay, and the store owners gave away the awards. Several of the runners and those who came to watch clearly recognized him. A few asked for a picture or an autograph.

  He hadn’t figured how hard it would be to deal with the public and still keep his secret from Avery. Not to mention, he could tell by the snarl on a couple of the women’s faces that they might have spent a night with him.

  Once the crowd had dissipated, the containers were packed once again and the truck and Jeep reloaded. This time Rico followed Lindsay back to the house. At each stop light, Rico stretched his legs out. As they reached the third signal, Avery laid her hand on his. Are you going to survive, my love?

  I will be fine, sweetheart. Really.

  She giggled. Are you sure?

  Yes. Are you enjoying my suffering?

  Maybe. You are so physically fit. I didn’t expect a little run to bring you to your knees.

  It didn’t bring me to my knees.

  When I got to you, you were on your knees, Rico.

  He shook his head and huffed as the light turned green. It would be a while before he lived this one down.

  Rico climbed out of the Jeep then helped Avery down. He pulled free the containers from his back seat then carried them to the porch as she hurried to help her brother. Rico stood with his hands full, scanning the area. They certainly didn’t want the boxes out here. He managed to free his hand and reached for the knob.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” Lindsay stormed up the stairs with Avery on his heels.

  Rico looked at him, puzzled. “I was going to take these inside.”

  “Just leave them there. Avery and I can unload the boxes. You don’t need to be inside.”

  Rico shook his head. “I’m not going to leave you two with all this. I’ll get them to the porch if you want. But you’re stuck with me until then.”

  Lindsay snarled as he dropped his bins on the porch then strode back to the truck. Rico followed right behind him. He was going to prove to Lindsay Walker that he was good for Avery if it killed him. And knowing the quick temper of the Ranger, it just might.

  Once everything was unpacked, Lindsay disappeared into the house. Rico pulled Avery into his arms and held her close. The distraught look on her face tore at him. The fact that the two most important men in her life couldn’t get along clearly wasn’t easy on her. He tried his best. It just wasn’t good enough for her brother. After several long minutes in his embrace, she pulled free. You still smell.

  “I am going to go home and take a shower before our date night.”

  That would be awesome.

 
; Rico glanced at the porch. “That is a lot to put away. I can stay and help.”

  No. Lindsay can do it. If he’s going to be so awful to you, it’s the least he can do.

  “Avery, what is the most he could do to me?”

  He could shoot you.

  Rico’s hand fell to his side as he stared at her, dumbfounded. “Seriously. He wouldn’t do that.”

  Seriously. He would. He has shot people for less.

  Rico exhaled slowly. Avery gently kissed his lips then shooed him away. Go home. Get cleaned up.

  “All right. I will. I love you.”

  I love you too. See you later.

  Rico kissed her once more before he jogged to his vehicle. He watched as she flew into the house in a rage. Lindsay was about to be chewed out for how he acted. Avery’s bad side was the last place Rico wanted to be.

  He took a long, hot shower to soothe his tired muscles then snuck in a quick nap. When his alarm chimed four, he flew out of bed and pulled on a T-shirt and blue jeans. He smiled at his reflection. It was time to make dinner for Avery.

  At five o’clock on the dot, he arrived at her front door with a cloth grocery sack full of ingredients hanging from his arm. He lifted his fist to knock on the screen door. His eyes landed on a small handwritten laminated sign taped to the plexiglass. Please ring the bell. He pressed the white button next to the doorframe. He startled as the lights inside flickered.

  Avery peeked her head out. Who’s there?

  Rico chuckled. “The big, bad wolf.”

  I better not let you in then.

  “You might if you want to eat.” He lifted the bag for her to see. She giggled as she opened the door wider. As he stepped in, he kissed her. The kitchen? He quizzed.

  That way. She pointed to a doorway on the other side of the living room.

  Rico looked around as he strode to the kitchen. The living room was modest with worn, outdated furniture. A large, flat screen television sat on a stand against the far wall. The end tables were piled with books and notebooks. It was definitely the home of a bachelor and a college student. He chuckled. In a way, it reminded him a little of Max and Chloe’s place.