I followed him through the door to our seats. He looked across the room.
“I see,” he said.
“What do you see?” I asked.
“Your girl is on the wrong side,” he said.
“Not my girl,” I said, as I sat down.
Bridget's eyes connected with mine, and there was something in them. That cocky look she'd had earlier was gone.
“She can sit there is she wants to,” I said. “I don't care what she does.”
As soon as those words left my mouth, I watched the asshole that had talked to her several times walk toward her. I knew he gave her the creeps. She'd told me so. He wasn't a bad guy. He just didn't need to be making her nervous. She looked up and plastered a fake smile on her face. I couldn't hear what he was saying, but I could see her body tense.
Stephanie was just walking toward the front to start the meeting. I looked up to see her watching me. She looked across the room at Bridget. Then her eyes came back to me, and a huge smile spread across her face.
The meeting was going to start, and Bridget was on the other side of the room with her admirer. I knew he was about to sit down.
Me: I know you don't want to sit next to him.
Bridget: Maybe I do.
Her ass wasn't planning to move. She was willing to sit through the whole meeting, a ball of nerves inside, just to prove a point. Fuck that, I thought. I'd give her one win, but that was all. The rest would be mine.
Me: You win! Now get your ass over here.
She looked up from her phone and shook her head. It was taking all I had not to get up, walk across the room, and drag her over where she belonged like some kind of caveman would. I thought for sure she wasn't going to give in. The second Stephanie opened her mouth and the guy sat down, Bridget stood quickly and made her way across the room to the seat next to me.
I leaned toward her just before the first person stood to speak.
“You buy the coffee tonight for pulling that shit,” I whispered.
Before she could come back with a cocky comment, I pulled my chair away a few inches and turned toward the front. I felt her eyes burning into me the entire meeting, but I didn't give in. I never turned my attention back to her.
The second the meeting was over, she was up and gone. I pulled out my phone and sent a text.
Me: Don't make me chase you all the way home. I'm not sure your dad would like that. I'll see you at the coffee shop.
Bridget: You wouldn't. What do you mean my dad?
Me: Try me.
Bridget: You're an asshole.
I burst into laughter, as I stood up.
“What's that about?” Taylor asked.
“None of your business,” I replied, as I put my phone away.
“Want to check out my ride?” he asked.
“Bring it to work tomorrow,” I said. “I have somewhere to be.”
“I'm sure you do,” he said, as he walked away. “I would be too if she was going to be buying me coffee.”
“Fuck you!” I called out, as he stuck his hand in the air and gave me the finger.
I did have somewhere to be. She'd met her match. There was no way I was backing down from a good competition. I gave her one win, but I planned to win the rest.
Chapter 23
Bridget
I had to get to the meeting early to show his ass I held control over myself. When he walked in, the look on his face was priceless. My job was done. He knew I was boss. When he sent me the first message, I couldn't help but smile. Before long, I felt bad. He got up and walked out. I wanted to go after him but knew I couldn't. When the guy I'd talked to a few times walked up, I wanted to get up and run to other side of the room, but I wasn't going to. When the words you win came through, I knew I could go back over where I felt safe with total satisfaction. It didn't take long for him to rip that satisfaction away.
“You buy the coffee tonight for pulling that shit,” he said.
I couldn't get his attention after that moment. We weren't supposed to have coffee again. We were even on the coffee front. His ass made sure to look away from me. No matter what I did, he refused to turn my way. Screw that, I thought. He wasn't winning.
As soon as the meeting was over, I was out of there. I barely made it to my car before I heard the ding and knew exactly who the message was from.
Derek: Don't make me chase you all the way home. I'm not sure your dad would like that. I'll see you at the coffee shop.
What did he mean by dad, I wondered? He knew nothing about my relationship with my parents or lack of one really. Doug was the only guy that lived with me. Why would he say that about Doug? I knew he would do it. He'd follow me home. The man was a pain in my ass. I had to give in. Gabby was already upset about me going to the meetings. If she found out Derek was there, I knew she'd lose her shit. She wouldn't have the right to, I know that, but that wouldn't stop her. She wouldn't like it. That was one thing I knew for sure. One more coffee wouldn't hurt, I thought. If anything, it would give me a few moments to relax before heading home.
I had our coffees on the table before he even pulled his truck into the spot next to my car. When he walked in and saw me in the corner booth, he laughed. Then he plopped his huge body down across from me and took a sip of his coffee.
“What took you so long?” I asked with a smile. “Did Stephanie hold you up?”
“Very funny,” he said sarcastically. “It was Taylor. I guess he felt the need to buy a motorcycle and wanted me to see it.”
“That was his?” I asked with excitement.
I'd seen it in the parking lot on my way out but had no idea whose it was. My ex had a bike, the guy before Gabe.
“It was,” he said. “You like bikes?”
“I'd definitely ride with the right person,” I said.
“You've been on one before,” he said, as more of a statement than a question.
“I have,” I said. “I liked it the first few times.”
“What changed?” he asked, almost with worry in his tone.
“When did Taylor get it?” I asked, trying to change the subject.
“Today,” he said. “I'm thinking he wasn't working like he should have been.”
“How's the new case coming along?” I asked. “The one with the police.”
“Great actually,” he said with a smile. “I'm so damn close to being able to go to them with my information. They'll definitely be able to make an arrest very soon.”
“That's cute,” I said without thinking.
“What?” he asked.
“The way you smile and get all excited when you talk about it. That serious, broodiness goes away. You must really like it.”
“Broodiness,” he said. “Really?”
“Yes,” I said. “It's nice to see you smile. You really like what you're doing.”
“I do,” he said. “I like to do more than watch cheating wives. There are so many of those.”
“And husbands too,” I said. “Don't even try to act like it's just the wives.”
“When I started the company, I was hoping to help,” he said.
“Like you did as a SEAL?” I asked. “It had to have been super dangerous.”
“How are you liking being home?” he asked, totally changing the subject. “Do you miss work?”
“I like being with the baby,” I said. “I really do. I don't miss everything about work, but there are some things I do miss.”
“You miss my smiling face,” he said with a laugh.
“You're pretty funny,” I said. “You were smiling here and there before I left. It was a nice change.”
“Are you coming back, or have you decided to stay home?” he asked.
“I'll be back eventually,” I answered. “Doug and Gabby are paying me while I'm off. He thinks I should wait at least three months to come back.”
“Doug,” he said in a rough tone.
“Yes,” I said.
Any humor in his mood was gone instantly
as soon as Doug's name came from his lips.
“What do you think? How long do you want to be off?” he asked.
“Gabby doesn't want me to come back at all,” I answered. “Since her and Doug gave the baby money, she thinks I should stay home.”
“What?” he asked.
“Gabe left everything to Gabby and Doug. It was to be split equally between them. They didn't decide until much later, after they made it six months without killing each other. By then, they knew about the baby. Each of them gave half of the money they got from Gabe's account to the baby. She thinks I should stay home and use that money to do it.”
He was thinking about something, but he didn't say anything for a minute.
“You don't think you should?” he asked.
“That is the baby's money,” I answered. “It's not mine. That will be for his future. I want him to do whatever it is he dreams of doing. That money will help him. I'm not touching it.”
He nodded but didn't speak.
“Who were you with before Gabe?” he asked.
I felt my whole body freeze. Where the hell did that come from, I wondered?
“I haven't asked you who you were with before your wife,” I said, trying to think of some way not to answer.
“Nobody,” he said, as he sat back.
“Nobody?” I asked.
“We were high school sweethearts. My family sucked. I never knew my dad, and my mom was too busy trying to get with the next guy. Jennifer's family treated me as their own, and that was pretty much where I stayed.”
“You joined the service right after school,” I said, trying to figure it out in my mind.
“I did,” he said. “I didn't have many options. I knew that way I'd be able to take care of her. She was my forever. I already knew that. She wasn't happy, but she stood beside me. I hadn't planned to stay in as long as I did.”
“What changed your mind?” I asked.
“Who were you with before Gabe?” he asked.
My phone dinged, and I looked to see who it was. Then I saw the time. The meeting must have run longer than normal. We hadn't been at the coffee shop that long, and it was already later than usual. Gabby's text told me she'd noticed it too.
Gabby: You okay?
I knew she was just worried about me, but it bothered me that she'd been opinionated when it came to everything I did myself or with Gabe. She was his aunt and wanted the best for him and for me. That was what I kept telling myself anyway. I'd been on my own for years and knew it would take some getting used to when I moved in with her. She was doing it all out of love. That was something I hadn't ever had much of before. There was no way I was going to take it for granted no matter how crazy it drove me.
Me: Yes. The meeting ran late. I'm just leaving.
“I have to go,” I said, as I stood up.
When I looked down at Derek, I wanted so badly to know what he was thinking. His jaw was tight, but he didn't say a word. All he did was nod and stand.
“Text me when you get home,” he said.
Then he turned around and was gone. He was in his truck before I even got out the door of the place, but he didn't leave. Instead, he waited for me to get in my car and go before he backed out.
When I walked through the door, Gabby was right there. I could tell she wanted so badly to ask me about the meeting, but she didn't. It was taking all she had, and I was proud of her for holding back. I didn't want to feel like I was going to be interrogated every time I walked through the door.
Doug walked out with Gabe in his arms and handed him to me. I couldn't help but wonder what Derek had meant when he said dad. I wanted to ask Doug if something happened between the two of them, but I couldn't do it. Either he'd tell Gabby, she'd hear, or he'd start asking me questions. There was no way I wanted any of those things, so I just smiled at them both and went up to Gabe's room to get him ready for bed.
As soon as I got him settled, I went to my own room and got ready. I knew he'd be up in a few hours to eat, and I was tired. I grabbed my phone and thought about not sending the text. Then I thought about the look on Derek's face when I told him I had to go. I'd already fucked with him early in the night, and he didn't seem like he was in a playful mood when I left, so I decided to give him a break.
Me: I'm home.
Derek: Thanks.
Then I thought about it. Where did he go when he left? Shouldn't he be telling me when he was home? That was only fair.
Me: Are you home?
Derek: Can't you ever just do what you're supposed to do.
Me: I did. I told you I was home. It's only fair that you should text me when you are home too.
Derek: I just wanted to make sure you got there safe.
Me: So do I.
Derek: Fine! I'm home.
Me: I don't believe you.
Derek: What?
Me: I think you're just telling me that. I want a picture.
Derek: You're just doing it to be a pain. It has nothing to do with my safety.
Me: It does. Where's my picture. Not a dirty one, and you have to be in it. If not, it could be an old one of your room or something.
Derek: What do you think of me? That's not my style. I'd never send a dick pic. If I wanted to show off my dick, I'd do it in person.
Me: That's not what I meant.
Derek: That is exactly what you meant.
A few seconds later, I heard the ding. When I opened my phone, my eyes had to have been as big as my head. There was a picture of Derek, in his bed, without a shirt on. His abs looked like something out of a magazine. I could see the thin line of dark hair running down and under the top of his sweats.
Me: Really? You're just lounging around without a shirt on.
Derek: Be glad I actually got up and put sweats on. I sleep in boxers. Where's my picture. You were the one that mentioned lying about being home. I'm starting to think that might not be where you went.
Me: I wouldn't lie.
Derek: How do I know that? It was your idea, not mine.
I thought for a moment before bursting into laughter. Then I got up and combed my hair to stand out in every direction. I climbed into bed and pulled the cover up just below my chin. Then I took a picture. When I hit send, I couldn't stop smiling.
Derek: Nice! That looks like it took some work. I guess I'll be keeping that to use for bribery later. Can you imagine what the people at work would think of that?
My humor disappeared instantly. I hadn't even thought of that when I'd sent it. The one he sent made him look amazing. There was no way he'd mind that getting around.
Me: Delete it.
Derek: Not a chance. You went through the trouble of making your hair look like that. There's no way I'd get rid of it. Nice bed by the way. I would have thought you'd have something girly.
Me: It was Gabe's. Gabby had me move into his room, and my bed would have looked tiny in here.
A moment went by before he sent the next text.
Derek: I'm off to bed. Some people have to work in the morning.
Me: You push a watermelon out of tiny hole and you can stay home too. You will be deleting that picture. See you next Monday.
When I set my phone down and closed my eyes, I felt lighter than I had in a long time. It didn't take long before I drifted off to sleep. The only problem was that damn picture he'd sent. I couldn't get it out of my mind.
Chapter 24
Derek
When she'd said that Doug thought she should stay home, I couldn't help the irritation that filled me. Then she said that Doug and Gabby had given her half of the money they got from Gabe, and I was pissed. I get that they kept the company to run. It was worth so much. Gabe hadn't left anything to Bridget from the sound of it. They both knew she was pregnant. I couldn't help but wonder why they hadn't given the baby all of the money. Bridget didn't seem like it bothered her at all. Why I was letting it piss me off, I had no idea.
When her phone dinged, she quickly checked the tex
t. That I understood. I would've done the same thing if I thought it was about Jenny. I couldn't tell who it was or what it said, but she stood, instantly ready to leave. Part of me wondered if it was Doug. He wouldn't text her. Maybe he would. It could have been Gabby checking on her. Either way, I was starting to feel like she had two parents instead of one.
I had to get out of there before I said something I knew I'd regret. My company was in the same building as theirs was. That was what I needed to remember. There was no way I was risking that. If Doug got pissed and we had to move, it wouldn't look good. I liked the stability, and the police department had just started working with us. I didn't want to give them any reason to change their minds. Not to mention, her life was none of my business. I'd handed her that card because I thought she needed it. She needed friends that had been through something equally as hard. I was one of those friends. That was all.
The next two weeks went by quickly. I'd finally locked down all the information I needed and had handed it over. When I got the call that it was solid and they'd made the arrest, I felt like a million bucks. We'd helped get the streets just a little bit safer. That was all that mattered. That was what I wanted.
I'd been to both meetings, and so had Bridget. We'd gone out for coffee and had some great conversation about everyday things. I hadn't asked her about the guy before Gabe again. I was pretty sure, whoever he was, that he was the one that had such a huge impact on her and how she reacted to people. I decided to drop it, but there was no way that subject wouldn't be coming up again. After both meetings, I'd received silly pictures of her in Gabe's room. That was what she'd said that first time, and it had stuck with me. She put a lot of time into them, so all I could do was laugh when I'd open them.
We were having our next picnic, and Jenny was more excited than normal. She was totally convinced that Bridget was going to come over and watch her favorite cartoon with her. I tried to tell her Bridget was a busy mom and might not be able to do it, but she wouldn't listen. As soon as we pulled into the park, she was looking around for her. When she didn't see her, the smile left her face.
“Maybe she'll be here later,” she said.
Then she took off to play with her friends. A few minutes later, TJ came running over.
Derek (Hunter PI & Security #1) Page 17
