Overtime

by Toni Aleo

  “Fucking hell!” she yelled, falling into the counter, her hands coming up to catch the cups of her bra as Jordie slowly rose off the closed toilet.

  Holding his hands up quickly, he said, “Just me.”

  “I know! That’s why I cried out in desperation, praying that someone would save me from your stalker-like actions,” she gasped, her heart pounding against her chest. “Jesus, get out of here. I’m trying to take a shower.”

  But he wasn’t moving. His eyes ran down her body, and if she were dressed, he’d be stripping her with those corrupt brown eyes.

  Biting his lip, he met her gaze again and asked, “Did you tell him no?”

  Her face scrunched up. “Why does that matter to you?”

  He moved slowly, closing the distance between them as he twirled the end of his beard with his finger, his eyes still drinking her in. It was one of those things that brought her to her knees and had her wetter than she could think to be. He always looked so sinister, like he was about to tear her apart when he did that, those eyes trained on her. One look from Jordie turned her to goo; Liam grabbed her ass and raped her mouth and nothing.

  Something was really wrong with her.

  Gasping for breath, she watched as he stopped in front of her, his eyes boring into hers.

  “Because it does,” he said softly, his voice so rugged and full of dirty promises. “Did you?”

  She didn’t understand why her mouth started moving, but it did. “No, I didn’t. I told him I’d tell him tomorrow. He’s being traded and wants me to go with him.”

  His face didn’t even move a muscle as he said, “Don’t go.”

  She felt his words deep down in her soul. “Why?”

  “Because you don’t love him, for one. And two, because I want you to give me another chance.”

  She tried to scoff, not showing any signs of surprise. But instead, she sounded like she was choking as her heart came into her throat, because surely he was joking. “What? Another chance?”

  He nodded, his eyes completely serious. The air around them was so thick with tension and lust as his eyes held hers. The hair on her arms stood at attention, her heart pounding as she waited for him to answer. When he didn’t, she knew he was full of it. But then he reached out, his hand cupping her around the neck before dropping his mouth to hers and she was sure she was flying to the moon. His lips were butter against hers, moving and savoring her as if he had been starving for her taste.

  Melting against him, she brought her hands up to his chest, but then she pulled away, gasping for breath. Her hand covered her lips as she turned to hold on to the counter, closing her eyes and begging her body to remember that she was still with Liam and also that Jordie had broken her heart in a thousand pieces.

  And he could do it again.

  Squeezing her eyes shut, she felt him behind her, his heat radiating off him in waves and burning her but also comforting her. His heat was always home to her. She was naturally cold all the damn time, but not when Jordie was around. He was her furnace.

  Was.

  Not anymore.

  He didn’t want you. She had to remember that.

  But when she met his gaze in the mirror, his lips were red, parted as they slowly curved, sending heat straight between her thighs and remembering was the last thing she could do. She couldn’t even think for that matter. She wanted him to take her against the counter and pull her hair.

  Over. And over. And over again.

  By the way he was looking at her, he wanted the same thing, but that’s all he wanted. Sex. Nothing more, and Kacey just couldn’t do it. She wanted more.

  Clearing his throat, he said, “Yes. Another chance to love you. To be the man you want.”

  Whoa. What?

  She could only blink as he slowly wrapped his arms around her body, his hands sliding down her waist, his thumbs brushing her mound. But his eyes never left hers as she gasped for breath, begging for the will to stop him, but stunned speechless instead. His lips trailed along her shoulder, his eyes burning into hers as he nibbled.

  But wait, what did he just say?

  Pressing a small kiss to the side of her neck, he whispered against her, “Meet me tomorrow. I have this thing after training, but come to our spot around three. Gives you time to blow off the dude and be with the man you want.”

  “Jordie—”

  She wasn’t sure what she was going to say, but before she could, he squeezed her mound. He might as well have electrocuted her because she cried out, her back pressing to his ever hard chest as his lips brushed along her ear. “Just say yes. Please. I have so much to say to you, promise me you’ll come.”

  Swallowing hard, she opened her eyes, seeing in the mirror that his body was all but consuming her, and she knew she didn’t want that. Well, she did, but she knew she shouldn’t want it. She couldn’t want it because it would only lead to him hurting her. She didn’t know what he was saying or doing, but there was no way he meant it. He couldn’t.

  That was her fantasy.

  And Jordie wasn’t who he was in her fantasies.

  He was relationship-impaired.

  So as much as she wanted to become one with him, she pulled away, her body crying and begging for her to stop, but she knew she couldn’t. Putting some distance between them, she closed her eyes and shrugged her shoulders.

  “I don’t know.”

  When his fingers came under her chin, lifting it slowly, she met his heated gaze and he smiled. Just a small smile. One that hit her straight in the gut.

  “Yeah, you do,” he said softly. “I know you are curious and want answers. I just want a chance to explain, Kacey. I want a chance to fix my mistakes, to love you the way you want to be loved.”

  She moved her face from his grip and shook her head in utter shock. Who was this guy? “You don’t love anyone.”

  He shrugged. “Maybe before, but now is different. Meet me. Please.”

  Looking away, she bit the inside of her cheek as she thought it over. She did want to go. She did want to know what he was doing, but just hearing him say the words had her hoping for forever.

  And Jordie didn’t do forevers.

  He really has changed.

  Lacey’s words rang in her head, but could she believe them?

  Looking up, she met his expectant gaze, and while she wanted to press her lips to his, she also wanted to smack him. She hated that he’d put her in this position, that he had brought so much uncertainty in her heart. She didn’t owe him anything and he knew that, but she wouldn’t just submit to him. Wouldn’t do as he asked just because. No, she’d keep him in the dark. The same way he did her.

  Clearing her throat, she shrugged. “We’ll see.”

  His smile grew as he crossed his arms over his chest. “We’ll see?”

  She nodded. “Yeah, maybe I can pencil you in. I might decide to go with Liam.”

  With his grin still there, he didn’t say anything, and she knew she had to get out of there. It was obvious he wasn’t going anywhere. Turning, she went through the doorway, but when she reached for the door to shut it, her eyes met his again. Before she could close it, he called out, “Then I’ll drag you right on back home. Where you belong. With me. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Breathless, she shut the door and leaned her head against it.

  What the hell was going on?

  First Liam was begging her to go with him and to love him, but the thing was, he didn’t have her heart. Not even a piece of it. Then she had Jordie begging her to stay and supposedly let him love her, which was completely mind-blowing. But he had broken her heart. And still had it.

  Letting her head hang, all she could do was think what a freaking mess she had gotten herself into.

  And not even Ben & Jerry’s could get her out of this.

  Jordie was a confident man.

  But even he was nervous that Kacey wouldn’t show up.

  There was something about the way she’d said, “We’ll see” tha
t kept him up most of the night. The following morning, all he could do was think over and over again about what he was going to do if she didn’t show up. He tried not to think about it, but it wasn’t working. As he spat his toothpaste out into the sink, he glanced over at her door. It was shut, and he wondered if she was taking a nap.

  When he got home with Karson after training, she was on her way into her room and he hadn’t seen or heard from her since. All through training she didn’t even look at him. Not that that was a new occurrence, but he thought after the kiss they’d shared she would have been a little warmer to him.

  No luck.

  He was sure she made him work even harder just because she was mad or whatever she was. He wasn’t sure, but he was ready to get his AA meeting over with so he could rush to their favorite Mexican restaurant and find out his fate. It was honestly killing him, not knowing what she was thinking. In the past, she’d be putty in his hands, and he knew he didn’t deserve that now. But surely, after everything he’d said last night, she’d see that he meant business. That he wasn’t playing around. But maybe not.

  Maybe she hadn’t seen the change, which meant he had to work a lot harder. He wasn’t doing something right. Or maybe he had broken her heart so badly, she wanted nothing to do with him. He knew it was a possibility, but one he really hoped hadn’t happened. Running his hands through his hair, he looked at his reflection and nodded.

  “She’ll be there. She loves you.”

  He felt stupid saying that out loud, but he thought maybe it would help him believe it.

  It didn’t.

  Letting out a long breath, he shook his head and left the bathroom, despite the temptation to knock on her door and ask. He’d leave it to God, as Elli would tell him to do. He believed she was it, but maybe she wasn’t. But then, that wasn’t an option. He needed her to show up, or he was going to lose his shit. He had lived too long in a life that he did not love; he was ready to love his life and her.

  Shutting his door, he looked toward Mena’s door as he always did and saw that Karson was in there rocking her to sleep. He nodded his head at Jordie and Jordie nodded back before turning to head to the kitchen for a snack before he left. He really didn’t like the stale cookies and coffee they served at AA. He wished he would have called Shea or Elli to go, but he figured he’d try to go alone. He’d have to do it sooner or later.

  When he got into the living room, he noticed that Karl and Regina were outside, enjoying the sunshine and had a big bowl of something that look delicious. Deciding he’d spend some time with them and see if they’d share their food, he made his way toward the door, but he paused when he heard Kacey’s voice.

  “I just don’t know what to do,” she said, and then he heard the chair pull out. “I mean, I have to tell Liam no, I’m not going. I don’t love him.”

  “Right,” Lacey agreed. “There was no hope there.”

  “Exactly, but it’s just so frustrating, you know? I mean, I tried so hard, but nothing.”

  “I know, but I think you did that to get someone else out of your mind,” Lacey said and Kacey let out a long breath.

  “With him, I never have to try,” Kacey whispered and Jordie smiled.

  “Which means something,” Lacey sang and Kacey groaned.

  “Ugh, Lacey, he kissed me last night.”

  “What!?” Lacey hollered and Kacey quickly shushed her. Leaning against the wall, Jordie knew he was wrong for listening, but he had to know what she was saying. What she was thinking? Scooting along the wall so he could hear better, he knocked into one of Mena’s toys and closed his eyes in response.

  “What was that?”

  Shit! He was caught.

  When neither of them started yelling at him, he opened his eyes as Lacey said, “Probably Karson playing with Mena. Now, focus! What do you mean he kissed you, and why are you just now telling me?”

  “I didn’t plan it, or even want it—okay, that’s a lie—but he just did it and said all this stuff about wanting to love me. It was weird but perfect at the same time. I just don’t know what to think.”

  “Maybe that he’s telling the truth?” she asked. “I told you he changed.”

  He’d always loved Lacey. Since the moment he met her, he’d known she was a good gal, and after this, he was going to buy her whatever she wanted.

  “Lacey, come on, people don’t change.”

  “Yes, they do, if they really want to. I swear to you, Kacey, he isn’t the same guy he was a year ago.”

  Wasn’t that the damn truth?

  “I don’t know, he just hurt me so bad. Broke me in two. Yes, I know that’s dramatic and very high school, but really. I’m haunted by it all. I mean, it took everything within me to pick myself up. Especially after the baby. That really gutted me.”

  “I know, Kacey, but everyone deserves a second chance, don’t you think?”

  “Yes, I do. But how can I trust him? I’ve forgiven him, but how do I forget?”

  Jordie looked down, guilt drowning him as Lacey asked, “I don’t know, but can you live with yourself if you don’t give him the chance to at least explain himself? No one said anything about taking him back—though I vote yes. I know how you feel about him, but maybe just hear him out.”

  “I don’t know,” Kacey admitted. “Maybe I should say fuck it all and go with Liam?”

  Lacey laughed. “I like the idea of giving Jordie the chance to explain why he did what he did better.”

  Some dishes crashed together and Jordie thought they were done, but then Kacey asked, “Would you give him a chance to explain if it was you and Karson and he did what Jordie did?”

  Lacey didn’t even hesitate. “Yes, because I’ve always loved him, and I know you love Jordie.”

  Jordie held his breath as he squeezed his eyes tightly, waiting for her to either confirm or deny.

  He didn’t have to wait long for her to whisper, “Yeah, you’re right.”

  Thank God!

  He knew she still loved him. There was no getting over what they had, but his mistake had broken her, and it was his job to fix what he had done. He knew that going in, but hearing how badly he’d hurt her when she wasn’t aware he was listening was really heartbreaking. He’d never meant to cause so much pain. He was stupid and drunk.

  God, he was so fucked up.

  “I know, and I also know what it’s like to have your heart broken. But remember this, if I hadn’t given Karson a second chance, would I be sitting here looking at you right now?”

  Kacey scoffed. “Lacey, he broke your heart because your dad made him. Jordie broke mine because I wasn’t enough.”

  Whoa, what?

  Lifting his head, he opened his eyes, fully intending to go in there and set her straight. She was way more than enough for him, she was more than he deserved—he just had been too stupid to realize what he’d had in his arms. But before he could, his gaze met that of a very angry Karson and he froze. Karson didn’t freeze though. He pulled his arm back, his face full of anger, and Jordie swore everything was moving in slo-mo.

  Because right before Karson’s fist connected with his mouth, he was able to say, “Well, shit.”

  “You broke her heart!” Karson yelled, his fist connecting with Jordie’s mouth again. Jordie’s head whipped back, hitting the wall before he held his hand up, stopping Karson as he wiped his mouth with his other hand. “I should kill you! I trusted you! You told me it was one time and done, but obviously, it was more if you broke her heart. That means she loves your fucking ass!” Pushing Jordie’s hand out of the way, Karson’s fist connected, this time to his jaw, and Jordie swore he saw stars.

  “Oh my God, Karson, stop,” Lacey shrieked before stepping between them and holding her hands up. “Stop, they are adults. These things happen between adults!”

  “Not between my best friend and my baby sister!”

  “I am a grown-up and I do what I want, Karson! Shut up!” Kacey yelled. “I can’t believe you actually hit him.
I can care for myself, you big jerk!”

  “I am defending your honor!” he spat back as Jordie tried to get his bearings. That last hook really did a number.

  “What the hell is going on?” Karl yelled.

  “Oh my goodness, Karson! Jordie, your mouth. Kacey, get a rag!” Regina yelled, coming to his aid. “What is going on?!”

  “He broke Kacey’s heart!” Karson yelled, trying to come at him again, but Karl stopped him.

  “And like your wife said, they are adults. It’s none of your fucking business, now stop!” Karl yelled, his booming voice shaking even Jordie’s bones.

  Regina looked at Jordie and then to Kacey. “Kacey Marie, what in the world? You two were together?”

  “Yes, Ma! Obviously!” Kacey yelled. “What is wrong with all of you? Why is everything such an ordeal all the damn time? And why is my love life always on blast?”

  Ignoring her outburst, Regina looked to Jordie and glared. “You broke my baby’s heart?”

  “I did, but—”

  Before he could finish, Regina slapped him across the face, causing Kacey to cry out, “Ma! Jesus!”

  “He broke your heart,” she said simply, throwing the rag she had at him and walking away.

  Looking at Kacey, Jordie scoffed. “Very violent family you have,” he said and she shot him a deadpan look.

  “Shut up,” she snapped. “And can everyone just calm the hell down?”

  “No, not until I beat the shit out of him,” Karson yelled, his chest puffed up, his eyes wild. Jordie had always known it wasn’t going to go over well when Karson found out, he’d even expected it to come to blows, but the anger in Karson’s eyes was scary.

  He could actually lose his best friend.

  Holding his hands up, he said, “Karson, buddy, listen to me. I deserve everything you’ve done, and more. I do. But you can’t beat me up any more than I already have. I fucked up.”

  “What else is new? You always fuck up!” Karson yelled, and that hurt. Looking away, Jordie nodded.