Rock Hard Neighbor

by Hart, Rye

  “Coffee?” she asked.

  “Coming right now.”

  I slid from the bed and pulled on some pants. Amanda’s hair was tousled against the pillow as she wrapped herself up in my sheet. She looked good in my bed, all tangled up and spread for me.

  If I hadn’t been so hungry for food, I would’ve made her my breakfast.

  I padded my way out to the kitchen and started making coffee. Amanda emerged a few minutes later, her beautiful body completely clothed. That fucking sweater of hers was falling off her shoulder, showing me the mark I’d left on her so people would know not to fuck with her. She was mine. Period.

  Her eyes followed my line of sight to the bruise, and she turned bright pink.

  “Does it hurt?” I asked.

  “Not really. Looks kind of sexy, though,” she said.

  I smirked as I poured her a mug of coffee.

  I heard something vibrating before Amanda squeaked. I walked her coffee over to her at the table as she pulled out her phone. She smiled at me and brought the mug to her lips, sighing over the warmth before she took a sip of it.

  “Thank you so much,” she whispered.

  I stayed in the kitchen to give her the space she needed to take her phone call.

  Whoever it was, it was someone who made her happy. I could hear her giggling and getting excited, trying to keep her voice down since Lanie was still sleeping. I heard something akin to clapping taking place before she said goodbye, then I went to sit down across from her as she stuffed her phone back into her pocket.

  “Good news?” I asked.

  “That was my friend, Sarah. She didn’t know if she was going to be able to fly in this week because of work, but she can! She gets in this afternoon.”

  “Will you still be able to watch Lanie tomorrow?” I asked.

  “Oh, definitely. She’s not staying with me. She’s too scared of the cabin right now. She’ll be in a hotel at the bottom of the mountain.”

  “What’s wrong with your cabin?” I asked.

  I watched her face falter just a bit before she brushed off the question.

  “It’s fine. She’s just a little high maintenance . But she’s bringing all my art stuff with her, which is exciting because I have so many ideas running through my head from the hike.”

  “Sounds like a good friend,” I said.

  “She’s the best. I met her my freshman year of college.”

  “Roommates?” I asked.

  “Yep. And Greek sisters,” she said.

  “I didn’t take you for the sorority type at all.”

  “Fraternity, and we aren’t really. We went to Greek Week on campus, got invited to rush, and we ended up joining Phi Sigma Pi. It’s the honor’s fraternity. Because we were smart or something.”

  “Or something,” I said, grinning.

  “I should probably get going and get cleaned up. Can I take the coffee to go and return the mug to you tomorrow?” “You're leaving?” I asked, disappointment creeping into my chest.

  “Well, Lanie saw me in these clothes yesterday. You think she’ll notice if I’m wearing the same ones?”

  She had a point, but I didn’t want her to leave yet.

  “She might not notice. She’s only three,” I said.

  “Are you willing to take that chance?” she asked.

  It was comforting that she was looking out for Lanie like this. We hadn’t exactly planned our encounter, and I’m glad that she cared enough to not want to confuse my niece.

  Still, I wasn’t ready for it to be over.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow morning, then,” I said.

  She got up from the table and bent over, kissing me on the top of my head.

  “See you tomorrow,” she said.

  “And have fun with your friend.”

  “I will. I promise. We always have fun.”

  She bounded out the front door, and I was alone again.

  I walked over to the window and watched Amanda all the way back to her house. Her hips swayed lightly, and the loose tendrils of her hair blew in the wind. She disappeared over the horizon, and I sighed. I really hadn’t wanted her to leave, and that stirred up feelings I wasn’t ready to deal with.

  A call to Jack would do me some good, so I went in search of my phone.

  “I was wondering when the fuck I’d hear from you next,” Jack said.

  “Nice to talk with you, too,” I said.

  “How the hell have you been? I haven’t heard from you in almost a month.”

  “You know you have a phone, too,” I said.

  “Yeah, that rings every damn second since you put me in charge of this business four years ago.”

  “Everything going that wonderfully?” I asked.

  “We finally got the expansion approved if that’s what you’re asking about.”

  “Only took you four fucking years.”

  “Your board of investors are bullshit, You know that right?”

  “Nope, they’re your bullshit board of investors now.”

  “Ha. Ha. Ha. Anyway, how are you doing? How’s Lanie?” he asked.

  “Lanie’s okay. Still sleeping, believe it or not. We went on an all-day hike yesterday, and she was whipped.”

  “Well, I’m sure she loved it. How are things going with being a dad? Still keeping steady?”

  “There’s been some upheaval with her biological father, but I’m handling it,” I said.

  “Uh-oh. What the hell does that fucker want now?”

  “Money,” I said.

  There was silence on the end of the line before I heard a door shut.

  “Okay. You have my full attention. Start from the beginning.”

  “Nothing to really start. He appeared on my fucking doorstep a few days ago telling me he was going to take Lanie away from me. He fucking figured out where I lived, Jack. So, I’ve lawyered up and I have a meeting with a PI in town tomorrow afternoon. My lawyer thinks it best I fight him in court for custody or he’ll just keep coming back for more money if I try and pay him off.”

  “How the hell did he find you?” Jack asked.

  “I don’t fucking know, but that’s why I’m not cutting any corners now. If he can find me, it means he’s got someone doing it for him. He showed up here high as hell and reeking of alcohol.”

  “Your PI looking into that?” he asked.

  “Hell yeah. He’s digging as deep as my money will help him dig,” I said.

  “It’s a good thing you kept your controlling shares of the company then,” he said.

  “How’s the security business going, by the way?”

  “It’s good. The contract work is picking up, and we’re seeing more conversions from contract work to full-time packages.”

  “Ah, you got them to agree to the packages, too? See, you should’ve run this damn company from the start. I don’t know why the hell you wanted me to be the face of it.”

  “Because yours is prettier than mine. Anyway, yes. Got the packages up and running at the beginning of last year, so the statistics are pretty solid.”

  “Last year? Shit. We don’t talk business at all, do we?” I asked.

  “You were in a rough spot. Lanie had just been dropped in your lap, and you were struggling. I kept my mouth shut on it until you got your feet underneath you. You sound good, Brian.”

  “I feel good, Jack.”

  “Even with all this shit Lanie’s father’s pulling?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Hmmm. Something’s different. Do I dare ask if it’s a woman?”

  My silence made Jack burst into laughter as I shook my head.

  “Holy shit. I never thought I’d see the day after what that bitch did to you,” Jack said. “How many dates?”

  “Depends on what you call a date. She’s come over for breakfast, and she went hiking with us yesterday. Then, I woke up to her this morning.”

  “No, you fucking didn’t. Way to go, dude! Is she hot? Is she young? Please tell me she’
s hot and young. That’s exactly your type.”

  “I don’t have a type,” I said.

  “You do have a type. A hot, young, curvy little thing that needs your protection. You’re a sucker for that shit. I mean, look at the fucking business we started. Come on.”

  “Just because we started a protection and security business doesn’t mean I’m attracted to women who need protection,” I said. “She’s a smart, passionate young woman who seems to hold her own just fine.”

  “But she is young. Why the hell is she with your crabby ass?”

  “You’re a dick.”

  “Hey, just asking the obvious question. So, what are you scared of?”

  “What the fuck? I’m not scared,” I said. “I fucking slept with her last night.”

  “And I’m sure you did your men everywhere proud. But I can hear it in your voice. Don’t let your ex ruin this for you. It’s the first time you’ve branched out since her.”

  I drew in a deep breath and allowed that reality to sink in.

  “I like her, Jack. She’s refreshing.”

  “That’s good. You should like who you screw,” he said.

  “No, you fucker. I mean, I like her. As in, I want to talk with her. Get to know her. That type of shit.”

  “Oh, you got it bad for her. Damn. Well, no wonder you’re scared. The last woman you were with was a shithead that tried to take you for everything you had.”

  “Thanks for the reminder.”

  “What I’m saying is, you have trust issues. And that’s okay. But if you feel this pull to talk with her, don’t fight it. Sometimes your gut knows better than your brain. Remember when we were first starting out?”

  “You thought I was an idiot for wanting to start that company,” I said.

  “Yeah. Because you were thinking with your gut and not your head. But I trusted you, and your gut took us to the fucking top. I trust your gut, even if you don’t right now. If it’s telling you to open up to this woman, then do it.”

  “What if she turns out to be like her?” I asked.

  “You want my honest opinion?”

  “That’s why I asked.”

  “No one could turn out to be like her. That bitch was a piece of fucking work. You knew you should’ve never married her. You went against your gut on that one, and it screwed you over big time. If your gut’s with this woman, go for it.”

  “How the hell did you make that seem so easy?” I asked.

  “Because you’re rotting your brain away in the mountains. It’s okay. I expected you to get dumber.”

  “Asshole.”

  “Dick. You’re missed here, by the way. You know you always have a spot here if you want to come back. Namely, mine. Because this job is bullshit, and I’m over it.”

  I chuckled into the phone as I shook my head.

  “I don’t know if I’m coming back,” I said.

  “Don’t worry. It’s been four years. You have Lanie now, and plenty of shit still going down. It’s here if you want it, but I’m not holding my breath.”

  “Well, I should get off here. Lanie still isn’t up yet, and if she sleeps any longer, she won’t nap.”

  “Have fun with that. I’m about to go deal with a bunch of whiny toddlers too,” he said.

  “The Board of Investors?” I asked, laughing.

  “That’s them. Talk with you soon. And by soon, I mean not a month from now.”

  “So, two months?” I asked.

  “Goodbye, asshole.”

  CHAPTER 13

  Amanda

  “Well, I’m checked in!”

  “You know you can come stay with my at the cabin. You think it’s a death trap, but it’s just a little old,” I said.

  “I’ll take my chances with the hotel. There’s this cute little coffee shop I passed by. It was called ‘Coffee Creations.’ Want to meet me there?” Sarah asked.

  “I’ll meet you anywhere. I’m so excited to see you!” I said.

  “Meet you in fifteen?” she asked.

  “Make it thirty. I take it easy going down this mountain.”

  “See you then. I have so much shit to tell you it’s insane.”

  I was ecstatic that Sarah was finally in town. I knew she couldn’t stay long, but it would be wonderful to see her. I cleaned myself up a bit before I went into town, taking it slow as I drove down the mountain. It didn’t matter how many times I traveled that road in my life, I would always have minor panic attacks going down it. Coming up wasn’t an issue. But being pointed down at the ground for seven miles?

  It turned my stomach every time.

  By the time I arrived the coffee shop, I was ready to lunge into Sarah’s arms. I wrapped myself around her and picked her up. I swung her around as the two of us giggled, and I could feel people staring at us in the coffee shop.

  But I didn’t care. This was my best friend, and I had no idea when I was going to see her again.

  “Okay, okay, okay,” Sarah said. “I can only take so much loving at once.”

  “Yeah, yeah. I hear you,” I said as I sat her down. “Ready to get some coffee?”

  “Oh, I already bought it for us. A large white chocolate mocha latte for me and a large hot mocha raspberry coffee with creamer for you.”

  “Bless you,” I said breathlessly. “I have the most incredible best friend alive.”

  “And don’t you forget it. Oh! Before we leave, remind me to stick all your art shit in the trunk of your car.”

  “It’s not shit, and you’re not going to at least come visit the cabin?” I asked.

  “Nope, but you can always come visit me in my hotel room,” she said, grinning.

  “Wimp.”

  “Weirdo.”

  “I’ve missed you,” I said.

  “I’ve missed you, too. Any word from your dick ex since his shit on the plane ride down?”

  “Not a word,” I said. “Now, what’s all this drama you spoke of? I’m ready for my daily dose of pettiness.”

  I watched Sarah’s face sink the moment I brought it up, and I reached over and took her hand.

  “Boyfriend shit, I take it?” I asked.

  “Ex-boyfriend shit,” Sarah said.

  “What? What happened?”

  “I found out he was cheating on me, Amanda.”

  “Well, he wasn’t really a winner, to begin with,” I said.

  “Come on. Work with me here.”

  “Sorry. How did you find out?” I asked.

  “He called me from jail.”

  “Wait, wait, wait. Back up a second. How the hell did Blake wind up in jail?”

  “I haven’t told you?” she asked.

  “I think I’d remember a fucking conversation about Blake going to jail, Sarah.”

  “He got into a fight with someone at a gas station. From what he told me, some guy was yelling at his pregnant girlfriend, and Blake stepped in. Punches were thrown, and both of them were arrested.”

  “Oh. So he’s not, like, in prison. He’s just being held,” I said.

  “Until a couple of days ago, yeah.”

  “Okay, so fast forward a bit. When did you get this phone call?” I asked.

  “I was his one phone call you get while you’re in holding.”

  “He didn’t call his parents or something?” I asked.

  “I guess not,” she said, shrugging. “Anyway, he was giving me the details of what happened, and I told him to stay there. That I was coming down to the station to bail him out or whatever I had to do to get him.”

  “So, you went to the station?”

  “And there was some bitch there who had already bailed him out. I walked into the station and saw them coming out, hand in hand with her lips attached to his damn neck.”

  “But you were the only phone call he made?” I asked. “How did that other girl know he was in there?”

  “It was the pregnant girl,” Sarah said flatly.

  I had to take a second to wrap my mind around that fact before I d
rew in a deep breath.

  “So… let me get this straight. Blake got into a fight with a man in the gas station who was yelling at a pregnant chick. We assume it’s the man’s girlfriend, but really it’s a girl Blake knocked up?” I asked.

  “Yes,” she said.

  “And she went to the station to bail him out.”

  “Yes.”

  “After he called you to tell you what was going on,” I said.

  “Yes.”

  “Have I told you this asshole’s an idiot?” I asked.

  “Why the hell do I get tangled up in men like this?” she asked.

  “Because you don’t listen to a damn thing I tell you. I told you he was no good from the start.”

  “My heart hurts, Amanda.”

  I got up from the coffee table and pulled Sarah into my arms. No matter how happy I was that she was away from that man, it didn’t discount how much she was hurting. I held her close as she sniffled into my neck, her hands gripping my body tightly.

  “It’s going to be okay, Sarah. It’s gonna be okay. When did all this happen?”

  “Two days ago,” she said.

  “Before or after we talked about the contractor shit?” I asked.

  “After.”

  “Why didn’t you call me?”

  “Things got busy, and when I saw him with that pregnant woman I didn’t want to stay in the city. I couldn’t. I needed to get out.”

  “I understand that feeling,” I said.

  “Can you stay with me tonight?” she asked.

  “I can, but I’ve got somewhere to be in the morning.”

  “Oh? Did I come in at a bad time?” she asked.

  “Not at all,” I said as I pulled her away from me. “I told Brian I would watch Lanie.”

  “Ah, the sexy neighbor,” she said, grinning. “How’s all that going? I need a nice, juicy distraction.”

  “How about we save those stories for when we get to your hotel room?” I asked.

  “Oh, my gosh. You didn’t. You slept with him?”

  “Keep your voice down, would you? Let’s take this stuff back to your hotel,” I said.