Copper Creek: The Complete Boxed Set

by Smith, Wendy

  I’m sorry.

  4

  Hayley

  I’ve never had a one-night stand. Nor have I ever been the other woman.

  Tonight, I did both.

  The idea nauseates me. Not so much the one-night stand as the fact that the connection between Drew and me was so strong, I was sure it would turn out to be more than that. But if he has a girlfriend, that’s all it can ever be. My heart hurts that he omitted to tell me about her before we had sex.

  He leaves before he sees me sob. I could say I’m heartbroken, but that would be a lie. We weren’t in love. All it had been was uncontrollable lust between us.

  That’s a lie too.

  I cry myself to sleep with my head wrapped in the pillow. I’ve spent my whole life running from the men my mother’s tried to set me up with. ‘Nice boys,’ she always says. They probably are, but I don’t want to be with someone just because she’s chosen them. The reality is that they may be nice, but she chose them because they’re rich. Tonight, I thought I’d found a nice boy of my own.

  In the morning, I drag myself out of bed. My eyes are sore from crying, but I look semi-decent, and I give my hair a good brush before tying it in a ponytail and heading out the door.

  My heart sinks when I see the silver Holden parked outside Lily and Adam’s. The same one that stopped outside my gate last night.

  If I didn’t take my work so seriously, I’d bypass their place and come back later. But I made a time with Lily, and I intend to stick with it. It’s my job.

  I park outside. The gate’s shut, but that’s just to keep the dog in. He’s a young Border Collie who’s so affectionate he’d probably lick a burglar to death. I love visiting here. I only knew Lily in passing before her pregnancy, but she and I have become friends. Adam clearly adores her, and Max is the sweetest kid. I’ll miss it when I don’t come by so much.

  Lucky, the dog, runs toward me as I come through the gate. Max will be in school, and Lucky’s hanging out for him to come home. He nudges my hand as I walk, and I scratch his head, walking around the corner to the house.

  “What the hell is wrong with you?”

  I freeze when I hear Drew’s voice. We didn’t part on good terms, but thought he might at least be civil.

  He’s sitting on the swing-seat on the deck, swaying gently in the breeze.

  “Drew, I …” As I draw closer, I realise it’s not me he’s talking to. He doesn’t hear me, or at least he doesn’t seem to, and he rubs his forehead with his fingers, his phone in the other hand.

  “It’s really simple, Lucy. Pack your shit and get out of my flat.” He sighs loudly. “No, there’s no point. Even if you don’t want to be with him, you were cheating on me in my own home. I repeat. What the hell is wrong with you?”

  My heart sinks. I might have made a snap judgment after all.

  Mounting the steps, I watch for a moment, my heart aching for him. He’s in obvious pain, but I get the feeling it’s not because his relationship is broken. With his hand pinching his forehead, he doesn’t seem to have seen me.

  The seat sinks as I sit, and he turns his head, his eyes widening when he sees me. I give him what I hope is a reassuring smile and place my hand on his shoulder, gripping it gently.

  “Fine. I’ll tell you what. I’ll leave, and you can stay in the flat. Maybe Ray will rent it to you cheap, or even free.” He rolls his eyes. “You can even keep the couch. As if I’d want that.”

  He hangs up the phone and drops it to the seat beside him. “I’m sorry you had to hear that.”

  “I’m sorry I told you to leave. I should have listened to you.”

  Drew shrugs. “You weren’t to know.” He turns his head to catch my gaze. “My relationship with Lucy wasn’t that great to start with. Yesterday morning, I came home from work early and found her blowing the landlord. On my favourite couch.”

  My jaw drops. “What a bitch.”

  He gives me a lopsided smile. “Yeah. I mean, I kinda knew that things were screwed for a while, but when you’re working, life has a habit of creeping by without you realising. And all of a sudden, you’ve been cheated on, you’ve broken up, and then you’ve ended up in bed with someone much better.”

  I laugh, my cheeks heating with embarrassment.

  “You’re something special, Hayley McCarthy. I hope you know that.”

  Shrugging I turn away, and he places his hand on my knee.

  “I don’t know what that was last night, but I’ve never experienced anything quite like it.”

  I nod. “Me too.”

  “I’d really like another chance.”

  Turning back, I see his eyes are full of emotion. There are moments when this thing between us feels like pure, unadulterated lust, but there’s something behind that. A man who wants more.

  I want more. Or at least a repeat of last night.

  “I’m not going home until tomorrow. Have dinner with me.”

  There’s no way I can stop the smile now gracing my face, and I nod.

  “We can either go somewhere fancy, or grab fish and chips and sit down at the cove.”

  My grin widens. “I like the second idea. The cove is one of my favourite places.”

  “Mine too.”

  “I need to go and see Lily.”

  He nods. “Give me your number, and I’ll text you later. I’ll come by and pick you up around six if that suits.”

  “Sounds great.” I bite down on my bottom lip. “I’m sorry for last night. I should have given you a chance.”

  Drew shrugs. “I shouldn’t have let her distract me. What was happening with us was far more important than her crazy texting. Next time, I’ll just turn my phone off.”

  “Next time.”

  He squeezes my knee. “If you want to.”

  “I want to.”

  * * *

  Lily’s in bed when I get inside, all snuggled up and feeding the baby.

  “How are you feeling today?”

  She gives me a blissful smile. “Better than I thought I’d be. I guess having a healthy full-term baby is a really different experience to what I had before.”

  “I bet. How’s she doing? Is she feeding well?”

  Lily nods. “She’s so hungry. But I managed to get a little sleep last night too. Adam took her between feeds.”

  “That’s awesome. How’s Max doing?”

  She laughs. “He popped his head in the door at about two this morning and told her off for making noise. We gave him the option to stay home from school today because things are so crazy, but he wanted to go and tell everyone about his little sister.”

  I grin. “I’m so glad he came around.”

  “So am I. I knew he’d have a problem with it. It was just me and him for so long. But we’ll get there.” She shoots me a sly smile. “So, you and Drew ...”

  “That obvious?”

  “The way he was looking at you, and then how he disappeared when you left? It was just a guess, but given how red your face is, I’d say I guessed right.” She grins.

  I let out a loud breath. “Yes, you guessed right.”

  Lily chews her lower lip, and places her hand on mine. “Did he tell you he has a girlfriend? Maybe I shouldn’t be so blunt, but it’s not like Drew to lead someone on, and I think you should know if he hasn’t told you.”

  “They broke up.”

  Her eyes widen. “Really? When?”

  “Yesterday, before he came here.” I pause. “What was she like?”

  Lily shrugs. “I don’t know. They were together for a while, but I never met her. He’d say she was a city girl, but she just sounded like a snob.”

  I laugh, despite myself.

  “But I do know you, and I know Drew. He needs someone good in his life, and you’re amazing.”

  “Thank you.”

  She squeezes my hand. “I mean it. There was no way I could tell Adam how nervous I was about giving birth again after everything that happened with Max. You were a godsend helping me t
hrough that.”

  “It’s been a pleasure. Drew seems really nice.”

  “He is. If you do start seeing him and he doesn’t treat you well, I’ll kick his arse.”

  I laugh, but I can picture her doing it. One thing I have picked up on in the time I’ve spent with Lily and Adam, is that his brothers are very protective of her. I wish I’d had a reason to get to know her earlier. While I’ve made friends in this town, it’s a place full of gossip, and I’ve been reserved. Lily’s one of the few people I trust.

  “Have you got a name for that baby yet?”

  She shakes her head. “That’s still up for debate.”

  I smile. “You’ve got a little while.”

  The baby screws up her face, and lets out an almighty wail.

  “How about I leave you to it and I’ll see you again tomorrow?”

  “Maybe I’ll be organised enough to make you coffee.”

  I shake my head. “You take care of that baby, and yourself. That’s all I need you to do.”

  * * *

  I spend an hour getting ready, only to end up wearing a similar outfit to the one I wore the night before.

  Drew knocks on the door, right on time at six p.m, and lets out a low whistle when I open it.

  “You know how to drive a guy crazy.”

  I laugh. “I’m comfortable. Might as well be if we’re sitting on the sand.”

  He rolls his eyes. “I’m a bit more civilised than that. I’ve got a blanket.”

  Stepping past him, I pull the door shut and lock it behind me. He speeds past me on the path to the gate, and opens the passenger door of the car for me.

  I pat his chest as I step into the car. “Such great service.”

  “I aim to please.”

  There’s the familiar scent of paper-wrapped fish and chips coming from the back seat, and I grin as Drew gets in the driver’s side. “You came prepared?”

  He nods. “To feed an army actually. I didn’t know what you wanted, but leftovers are good for a midnight snack.”

  I lean over and peck him on the lips. “I’m glad I found out the truth.”

  Drew has these tiny dimples in his cheeks when he smiles, and they make my heart flutter. “So am I. I was thinking of turning up on your doorstep to explain tonight. If you listened.”

  “Well, I’m here now, and we have food to eat before it gets cold.”

  “Is that you bossing me around?”

  I lick my lips. “Better get used to it.”

  “Yes, boss.”

  I lean back in the seat of his late-model Holden as we take a drive to the cove. The weather’s warm, and we’re far from alone on the beach, but there aren’t that many people there.

  I carry the bundle of food and Drew carries the blanket. He lays it down on the sand, and I unwrap the parcel. The Copper Creek Fish Shop makes the best fish and chips I’ve ever tasted. I inhale the amazing smell.

  Drew sits next to me, and for a few minutes we eat in silence, sharing smiles and glances.

  My cheeks heat at the memory of last night, how Drew’s hands on me felt, how he put me first the entire time. It was frantic and hot and everything I never knew my body was capable of.

  I want it again.

  “I hated leaving last night when you were so upset,” Drew says.

  “It really hurt. I didn’t get a lot of sleep after that.”

  “Neither did I. I spent most of the night trying to work out how to put things right.”

  “Where did you go last night?”

  He picks up another chip. “I went to Mum and Dad’s. We’ve all still got rooms there if we want them. Except Adam. They changed his into a spare room.”

  “Why?”

  “I think they thought he’d never come back. Then he did, and moved in with Lily, so I guess changing it wasn’t a waste of time.”

  I rest my head on his shoulder. “I’m sorry again for kicking you out. I could have done with a giant hot-water bottle.”

  Drew laughs. “If you’re interested, the offer’s good for tonight.”

  He plants a kiss on the top of my head, and I sigh. “Might just have to take you up on that.”

  “Promise?”

  “We’ll see.”

  I lean back on my arms and close my eyes.

  “I always loved coming down here. When we were kids, we’d spend a huge chunk of the summer holidays at the cove,” Drew says.

  Grinning, I roll onto my side, propping myself up on one elbow and look at him. “That must have been nice.”

  “Four horny teenage boys with a bunch of girls in skimpy bathing suits? It was awesome.” He laughs, and reaches to run a finger down my cheek. “I like being here with you now, though.”

  “Even if I’m not wearing a skimpy bathing suit?”

  He smiles, the dimples in his cheeks setting my heart alight. “Even then.”

  I swallow and lick my lips. “I’m glad you’re giving me another chance.”

  Drew shakes his head. “Don’t worry about it. All those texts made me a little nuts.” He leans over and brushes my lips with his. “We did have a real connection. Do have a real connection. I spent all of today thinking about you.”

  “I did the same.”

  “What am I going to do about it, Hayley McCarthy?”

  “I don’t know, Drew Campbell. What are you going to do about it?”

  He gives me this wistful look, one that says he’s feeling the same as I am. “Drop you off home and go back to Mum and Dad’s for the night. That’s probably what I should do.”

  “I don’t know if that answers my question.” I poke my tongue out, and his mouth is on mine with soft, romantic kisses as he rolls me onto my back.

  Parting my lips, I sigh as his tongue touches mine. The feeling from last night is lingering, and all I want right now is him. Are we rushing this, or is this going at the pace it needs to?

  “I really like you. Does that answer your question?” He’s breathless, and it’s so hot.

  “I like you too.”

  His blue eyes penetrate my brain with their stare. “Should we go back to your place?”

  “I thought you’d never ask.”

  His mouth covers mine again, and my entire body is on fire, needing his touch. “Maybe I should take you to your place before we end up naked on the beach.”

  I reach up and run my fingers down his cheek. “There’s a great idea. It’s a bit too public.”

  “Don’t think I wouldn’t do it.” He waggles his eyebrows.

  I laugh. “You don’t have to live here.”

  He pushes himself up and stands. “Come on, then. I’ll save you from the gossip.”

  “With your car parked outside my place all night?” I tease.

  Drew offers me his hand, and I take it, pulling myself up.

  “Okay, maybe some of the gossip.” He wraps his arms around my waist.

  At my place, he makes good on his promises with more gentleness than I’d thought a man was capable of. What we have is special. I guess we just have to work out exactly what it is.

  When I close my eyes to sleep, Drew’s naked body is curled around mine.

  All is right with my world for a change.

  How long will this last?

  5

  Drew

  I went to university in Auckland, and then straight onto Hamilton, so the city has been my world for a long time.

  As much as I enjoy going home, I love being in the ‘big smoke’, as the people back home would say. My apartment isn’t far from work, and the life there suits me.

  When I left the city two days ago, my mind was full of Adam and Lily, as well as the mess I’d left behind. All the way home, the only person I think about is Hayley. For the first time in a long time, I hate leaving Copper Creek.

  I unlock the apartment door, and frown at Lucy sitting on the couch.

  “What are you doing here?”

  She flutters her eyelashes. “Waiting for you.”

 
“That shit’s not going to work on me this time.”

  I make my way into the bedroom and open the wardrobe. Pulling out my large suitcase, I fill it with shirts and pants before hitting my drawers.

  Hands with long, red painted nails run up my chest.

  “Don’t,” I say.

  “But Drew, I don’t want us to end this way.”

  “Should have thought of that before you sucked another guy’s cock.” I turn around and glare at her.

  “It was a mistake. I swear.”

  “Your lips fell onto it?”

  She tries that femme fatale look she does so well that’s sucked me in before. Not anymore. Her right hand slips to the front of my pants. I grab her wrist to stop her.

  “No. You don’t get to do that anymore. I’m packing, and I’m leaving. I’ll be back to get the rest of my things next weekend.”

  Her face falls. “But …”

  “There are no buts. I dealt with you quitting your job without speaking to me. I dealt with you spending my money like there was no tomorrow. It wasn’t the first time you cheated, was it?”

  Lucy’s expression tells me everything.

  “Was he the first one? Do I need to get tested?”

  “You always wore a condom.”

  “I’ll do it anyway.”

  Her eyes narrow. “I was never unsafe.”

  “Never? How many have there been? Fuck, I’m just a sucker, aren’t I?”

  “Stop twisting my words.”

  “Really? How would you have felt if you’d walked in on me going down on another woman? I’m sure you wouldn’t just shrug it off.”

  I let go of Lucy’s wrist. “I’m going to a motel, and I’ll find somewhere else to live. I’ll give Ray notice, and you can either stay here alone or go somewhere else. I’m not going to be your doormat.” Picking up the suitcase, I wheel it out of the room.

  “Drew.” She whines, and I realise it’s been so long since we’ve had a proper conversation. It’s funny how when you’re busy and life is passing by that you don’t notice these things. Now, I notice everything.