Meet Me in the Middle (Wattle Valley, #2)

by Jacquie Underdown

  Anders’ fist closed as his hand rested on his hip. His jaw was tight enough that she could see a pulse.

  She touched the scar on her face. ‘The car rolled and the windscreen shattered. A tree branch broke through and sliced my face open. Joshua fared worse than me because his airbag exploded and shrapnel went through his eye and lodged in his brain.’

  Leaving Joshua with the intellect of an eight-year-old boy.

  ‘I lost a few so-called friends because I gave up on Joshua pretty quickly and a lot of people, especially his mother, thought that I was heartless. I couldn’t even defend myself by saying that I was now petrified of him because my gut feeling was that he tried to kill us, because I didn’t know for sure.’ She lowered her focus to the bed and sighed. ‘It’s kinda screwed up. I told Jager about it and he hasn’t been able to forgive himself for introducing me to Joshua in the first place.’

  Anders rolled onto his back and looked up at the ceiling. ‘It makes sense now that he’s so over-protective.’

  She nodded. ‘And it’s also why I’m cautious. I didn’t see the red flags with Joshua. Looking back, there was a box full of them, but I was head over heels for him and mistook his manipulation for love.’

  ‘You weren’t in a great place at that time, admittedly,’ he said.

  ‘No. Mum had nearly died from pneumonia, and we had made the decision to put her into full-time care. It felt like Joshua was all I had. He took advantage of my vulnerability.’

  Anders blew out a long breath and scrubbed his hands over his face. Seems he wasn’t so great at controlling emotions in all instances because she could feel the anger rolling off of him.

  ‘It’s over now,’ she said. ‘And I’m getting on with my life.’

  He rolled back on his side, smoothed his hand over her knee as he looked into her eyes. ‘I’m really sorry that happened to you. And if I’d known—’

  ‘Joshua is not Joshua anymore,’ she said quickly, anticipating where he was headed. ‘Jager soon realised that after he confronted him …’ She shook her head. ‘It didn’t end well. I think Joshua cried and pissed himself and Jager ended up looking like a thug.’

  ‘At least I can understand where Jager is coming from now. It might help when I …’ he stopped, smiled a little. ‘If I have to have a conversation with him about us.’

  Her heart rate sped up—she wasn’t ready for an ‘us’. As wonderful as Anders was, this was merely explorative. ‘Not yet. Please. Let it just be you and me for a while longer.’

  He nodded. ‘As I said, you’re setting the pace.’

  She laid back down beside him and touched his cheek, feeling the rough stubble beneath her fingertips. She didn’t want to talk anymore, so she leaned in and kissed him because when her lips were pressed to his, nothing else in the world mattered but the two of them.

  Chapter 16

  Anders’ parents’ property was silent. No breeze. The sun was drenching the early morning sky, lining the base of the clouds in orange, pink and yellow.

  Anders leant back against the front of his ute, arms crossed, taking a long moment to be among the space and stillness before the rest of the crew arrived. The trees in the distance were still in shadow, long, gnarled branches appearing black against the sky’s lighter canvas. Magpies carolled and soon other birds joined in.

  When the first car pulled in beside him, he shifted gears and got to work. The silent farm soon awoke to the chug of robotic milkers, mooing, munching and quad bikes roaring up and down the aisles preparing the troughs with fodder.

  By nine-thirty, this part of the routine was over and he awaited a good breakfast with Mum and Tony. But when he got to the house, he was only met by Mum.

  ‘Where’s Tony?’ he asked.

  ‘His arthritis is giving him grief. Thought he’d sleep in a bit longer than usual.’

  Anders didn’t know who was more shocked, himself or Mum.

  ‘So just you and me.’

  Anders took a seat; everything was already cooked and laid out on the table under alfoil covers. He liked the idea of having some alone time with Mum. As much as he hated to admit it, he didn’t drop in enough to see her. But with work, football and now Neve, it didn’t leave a lot of downtime.

  ‘Dish up,’ Mum said, gesturing at the platters.

  He didn’t hesitate a moment longer; his stomach was achingly hollow. Having such an active job and lifestyle meant he needed to eat … a lot.

  ‘How have you been?’ Mum asked as he scooped scrambled egg onto his plate.

  He went for bacon and sausages next. ‘Busy.’

  ‘I took some meals around for Don yesterday arvo and planned to drop in afterwards to see how your game went.’

  He stopped his arm mid-air as he went for the mushrooms. ‘I didn’t hear you knock, but I may not have been home yet. I did stay for a couple of drinks after the game with the team.’

  ‘You had a visitor,’ she said, a brow arched. ‘Neve Mitchell’s car by the looks of it. Going by the personalised number plate that basically spells her name out.’

  His shoulders slouched. ‘Ah, yeah … she,’ he scrambled for a believable excuse, but he was done with lying about this, and he drew the line at looking into his mother’s eyes and not telling her the truth. ‘We’re kind of seeing each other.’

  ‘What do you mean by kind-of?’

  ‘It’s not serious.’

  She closed her eyes a moment and took a deep breath. ‘I’ll pretend I don’t understand what that means. So what does Jager think about this?’

  ‘He doesn’t know.’

  She blew out a long breath. ‘You’re hiding this relationship because you know you shouldn’t be kind-of seeing Jager’s sister?’

  ‘Not exactly. It’s complicated.’ After what Neve admitted to him yesterday about Joshua, he had found himself in an even tighter position than he had assumed. For Jager, guilt, fear and regret were involved, and they were emotions Anders dreaded dealing with when it came time to tell Jager about this relationship. ‘And, as I said, it’s not serious.’

  ‘A mother doesn’t want to hear that. And to be quite honest, it’s not like you.’

  ‘It’s complicated.’

  ‘So you keep saying.’

  He lowered his gaze and finally managed to pile the mushrooms on his plate. He tucked into his breakfast, hoping for some silence and a change of subject, but he sensed now that Mum knew the basics, she was going to want more.

  ‘Those kids are troubled,’ she said.

  He put his knife and fork down. ‘One, they are not kids. They’re adults. Like me. You know, adults who make their own decisions and live their own lives. And two, they are not troubled. Seriously, they do well on their own. Great jobs. Kind, caring, good people. And thirdly, I’m already a part of their lives. Jager’s my best mate, remember?’

  She sighed. ‘A friendship is much different to a relationship.’

  He was beginning to see that, but it didn’t change his mind or reduce his defensiveness. ‘Jager is a top guy. He’d have my back in a second. And Neve, she’s amazing. Strong, intelligent, determined. Incredible work ethic. To come through so much and to still be so well put together, is admirable. Those two are the sole carers of Mrs Mitchell, and I’ve not ever heard them complain. Not once.’

  His mother looked at him for a long moment and he realised he was breathing heavily.

  ‘I think this thing you have with Neve sounds a little more serious than you might be willing to admit.’

  He rubbed his jaw, shook his head. ‘I hope it will be. In time.’ He was certain of that. He could see a future with her. It was up to her now to allow for that. But with her reservations and trust issues, for the time being, he wondered if he should be holding a part of himself back. Self-preservation, just in case he couldn’t break down those walls.

  His mobile phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and checked the screen.

  NEVE: I will be in the neighbourhood in about an hour.
I could stop in if you’re home.

  A slow smile spread across his lips before he could stop it. He caught it once he noticed and drew his lips into a long line and punched out a reply.

  ANDERS: See you in an hour.

  He shoved his phone back in his pocket and didn’t look at his mum; instead, continued to eat his breakfast.

  ‘That was Neve, I presume?’ Mum asked.

  He didn’t give an answer. ‘I’ll have to leave as soon as I’m done here.’

  ‘Be careful, Anders. That’s all I ask. And, please, for god’s sake, use your head.’

  He rolled his eyes and regretted it because he wasn’t a fifteen-year-old boy anymore.

  ‘Don’t give me that,’ she hissed.

  ‘I’m sorry. Of course, I’ll use my head. But honestly, just because you had your own problems with Mrs Mitchell, doesn’t mean that Neve is that same person.’

  ‘I’m not suggesting she is.’

  He shrugged. ‘I don’t get it. Why don’t you like her mother? She always seemed nice to me.’

  His mum’s spine straightened and she got that look on her face when she was trying to appear composed. He knew better—underneath that impartial expression was a storm. ‘I guess it’s probably a good time you learned. When you first came here to live with us and Jager befriended you, Mrs Mitchell paid me a visit. She insisted that you stay well away from Jager. Seems she had heard rumours about your father’s tendencies, and with you being so volatile when you first got here, it only added to her concerns.’

  Anders’ eyes grew wide. He shook his head. ‘What? Really?’

  ‘Yes. So I told her to get off her high horse because Jager wasn’t perfect himself. And if she was so pig-headed to judge a twelve-year-old boy and not give him a chance to make his own reputation, then she would no longer be considered a friend to me.’

  Explained the hours spent in the milking sheds on the weekends. The endless football training. All to run that energy out of him. The painstaking time and patience Tony took to show him what it was to be a good man.

  Anders knew well enough that Mum was a lion when it came to him—always had been, going in to bat when he couldn’t. And she was more capable of holding grudges than anyone else he had ever met.

  She had been hurt plenty by Dad and was determined to never be taken advantage of ever again. So if you crossed her, she cut you out of her life for good.

  ‘I can promise you, Mum, Neve and Jager are the least judgemental people I know.’ He looked away as he remembered how adamant Jager was when he told him to stay away from Neve. His stomach cramped.

  Deep down, did Jager believe Anders wasn’t good enough for Neve? Did Jager know him well enough that he saw a side of him Anders wasn’t able to see in himself? A side like his father?

  No, couldn’t be. This was his own demons coming to play now. Demons he thought he had left well behind him.

  ‘I hope so, Anders,’ Mum said. ‘Because you deserve so much. The way you’ve grown into a good and decent man. I’m really proud of you and all that you’ve achieved. And I want to see you happy.’

  ‘Thanks, Mum.’

  ‘I mean it. And if you need to talk about anything. I’m always here, okay?’

  He smiled. Mum only had his best interests at heart, but where Neve was concerned, she was worrying over nothing.

  ***

  ANDERS: I’ll leave the garage door open, so you can park in there.

  NEVE: Okay. I’m five minutes away.

  ***

  Anders opened the door to Neve, who was dressed in a pair of tight jeans and a white, long-sleeved shirt with a brown leather jacket. She barely had the jacket off and hanging on the rack near his door and he had only managed to put the garage remote back after closing the door before she jumped into his arms and kissed him.

  Her warmth and sweet powdery scent slammed into him, overwhelming him in the best kind of way. As her lips moved against his, he managed, ‘Is this how we greet each other from now on?’

  She reared her head back from his and a cheeky grin lit up her face. ‘It works quite well, don’t you think?’

  His hand went to the back of her head, the other firmly holding her body up, and he tugged her face back to his. ‘Absolutely,’ he whispered just before their lips crashed against each other’s again.

  He didn’t need to be asked to take her to his bedroom. When there, he laid her on the bed and crawled on to nestle beside her. The anticipation of her hot lips on his had him as hard as a rock. His blood flowed hot and fast through his veins.

  Sure, she wanted to take things slow, but his body didn’t get the memo; it was acting as though there were no such thing as brakes.

  ‘You are gorgeous,’ he whispered against her ear and pressed kisses to her neck. Her scent was so feminine—powders and perfumes—it drove him swiftly over the edge. He drew that fragile flesh of her neck between his lips and he swelled, even more, when she sighed in response. That sound tore him apart.

  Needing to touch every part of her body, his hand crept under her shirt meeting silky smooth skin. The searing heat of her belly undid him. He ventured higher, higher, gently, until, with his thumb, he grazed her breast covered in soft lace. Back and forth. Her nipple hardened at his touch.

  She gasped, and her mouth fell away from his. That heavy-hooded look of pleasure was what he craved to see. He nudged the shirt higher, helped her lift it over her head, then unclasped her bra, sliding the straps from her shoulders.

  Her breasts were bared, and he had to stop himself with a breath at how gorgeous she was.

  ‘You okay?’ he asked, needing to know she was good to continue.

  She nodded, her hand cupping his face as she shuffled closer and kissed him deeply, the soft warmth of her chest pressing to his. He snuck a hand between them and almost groaned as he held her breast, its fullness filling his palm. Soft, soft skin and the hard peak of her nipple grew with his touch, igniting his desire. He stroked his thumb gently over her nipple and her breaths deepened.

  So sensual she was, and his mind was fogging from arousal, shutting all else out but Neve.

  A knock at the front door.

  He ignored it; too lost.

  ‘Oi, you home, Ando?’

  They pulled away from each other, and Neve scrambled for her bra and shirt.

  Jager.

  ‘Did you lock the door?’

  He shook his head, climbing out of bed and straightening his hair.

  ‘Does he have a habit of just coming in?’ she asked, threading her arms back through the straps of her bra.

  ‘Sometimes.’

  ‘He can’t know I’m here. Go answer him.’

  He couldn’t think straight. He had a more than noticeable hard-on, so he took a few deep breaths as he waited at the bedroom door, hoping it would subside a little. He was in the lounge room when the door handle clicked.

  ‘Hey, Ando, you home?’

  ‘Yeah, mate. What’s up?’ he said, opening the door wide.

  ‘You okay?’ Jager asked. ‘You look flushed? Oh, shit, I didn’t catch you in the middle … I didn’t see a car …’

  Anders shook his head. ‘I was just cleaning the shower. Got this new cleaning stuff …’ He hated how easily these lies were rolling off his tongue now that he had started.

  A sigh of relief. ‘Grab your gym gear and let’s go for a session.’

  Anders shook his head. ‘Mate, I’m still sore from yesterday.’

  ‘Don’t be a fucking soft-cock. If we want to win this final, we need to work for it. You think Maffra are sitting at home today cleaning their fucking shower? No, they’re working on winning next week already.’

  Anders grinned, liking this passion from Jager, even though it was getting in the way of his own.

  ‘Now go get your gear ready and I’ll meet you in the car.’ He didn’t give Anders time to answer and strode out the front door.

  Anders shut it behind him and rushed back to his room. Neve had
been hiding in his walk-in-robe and crept out when she heard him. ‘Is my brother always that demanding?’

  Anders chuckled. ‘Not usually. But I think he’s taking the loss yesterday personally. He knows he didn’t give it enough in the dying minutes.’

  ‘Go with him. You’re the captain. You can’t let your team down.’

  He went to her and held her hips, planting a kiss on her lips. ‘But I also don’t want to let you down, and I would much rather spend the afternoon with you than with sweaty men at a gym.’

  A slow, seductive smile. ‘Me too.’

  ‘I’m more than happy to tell him to go without me.’

  A couple of honks sounded from outside.

  ‘No.’ She lowered her gaze, her teeth grazing her bottom lip. ‘Go. It will look suss otherwise. I’ll let myself out.’

  He tilted her chin up, so she was looking at him. ‘Everything okay?’

  She nodded. ‘More than okay.’ She lifted onto her toes and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. He was certain he could never tire of how amazing that felt. ‘I’ll give you a call later?’

  ‘Sure.’

  He quickly threw on some gym gear and shoved his joggers in a bag, then rushed out the door to meet Jager.

  Chapter 17

  Neve parked near the big four-bay sheds at the back of Wil and Emily’s property and headed up to the house. Emily had already swung the back door open and was standing there with a smile on her face as Neve trudged over gravel towards her.

  ‘To what do I owe this pleasure?’ Emily asked with a smirk. ‘Romance troubles, perhaps?’

  Neve laughed. ‘I’ve got a feeling, you’re kinda hoping that’s the case.’

  ‘Perhaps,’ Emily said, then narrowed her eyes. ‘Is it the case?’

  Neve’s shoulders slumped and she sighed. ‘It certainly is.’

  ‘Luckily, I’ve opened a fresh bag of coffee beans and my schedule is clear. Come on inside.’