by J. Daniels
I climb off my stool and grab my keys, keeping my smile hidden. “She’s Tessa’s best friend who’s visiting for the summer. Nolan met her today when I took him swimming.”
I could’ve saved my explanation, because Angie doesn’t care for it. She’s too busy rubbing me through my shorts.
I grab her hand and remove it with a disgusting grunt. “Get the fuck off. I’m not interested.”
“Oh no?” She reaches for me again, but I grab her wrist, pressing it against her body. “Jesus. What’s your problem?” Her forehead creases as she stares at me, but her face relaxes with her next question. “Does this have anything to do with Princess Mia?”
I don’t answer, because Angie doesn’t need to know about my personal life. It’s not like we are friends and I can share shit with her. We aren’t anything. I brush past her and move toward the door. “Tell Nolan I’ll see him soon.”
“Are you really going to leave with a hard on?”
“What hard on?” I turn, stopping at the front door. “My dick doesn’t want you, Angie. Stop kidding yourself.”
“Well it wanted me last week, when I sucked you off and swallowed what you gave me. Or what about the week before that when I jerked you off on the couch?” She stands with her arms crossed over her chest, trying to come off as cocky and strong, but her face is giving her away. Angie hates rejection more than anything, and I’ve been rejecting her for years. “We can make this work, Ben. You know we can.”
“There is no we. There never was. You’ve sucked my cock when you wanted to. I’ve never asked you to do that. I haven’t even touched you in three years.” I open the door and move out into the hallway of her apartment building.
“What about Nolan? Why can’t you at least try for your own son, Ben?”
My blood boils. I grip the doorframe until my hand stings. “Don’t ever use Nolan against me. How the fuck would seeing his parents at each other’s throats every second benefit him?”
“You won’t even give us a chance,” she pleads, her eyes glistening over with tears.
“Enough with the bullshit. I won’t pretend to have feelings for you just because you’re my son’s mother. I won’t lie to him. Ever.” I exhale roughly as her face saddens. “Make sure you tell Nolan I’ll see him soon.”
And I don’t give her a chance to respond before I close the door behind me.
“So, let me make sure I’ve got this straight,” Luke says behind his beer.
We decided to grab a few after our shift ended, and I’ve just made him fully aware of everything involving Mia. Everything except the fact that I took her virginity.
“You tormented the hell out of this girl eight years ago—”
“Nine,” I correct him. Not that one year really matters one way or the other. But I feel putting the most distance between my old asshole self and my current self helps my cause.
He waves me off with his free hand. “Whatever. You used to be a little dickhead, and now you’re kicking yourself because she’s smoking hot and the lay of your life.”
I write her name in the condensation on my glass, but wipe it off before Luke sees it and gives me shit about it. “It’s not just about the sex. I could listen to her talk for fucking hours if she’d let me.” I sigh heavily, meeting the eyes of my very amused best friend. “Fuck you. Like you aren’t completely whipped over my sister.”
“I’m not.” He is, he’ll just never admit it. “And if you ask me—”
“I’m not.”
He flips me off before continuing. “I think you’re going about this the wrong way. You can’t expect Mia to just jump into a relationship with you when she’s hated you for years.”
“Why not?”
“Because she’s hated you for years,” he reaffirms. “She’ll just keep telling you to fuck off.” He states his argument as if it is obvious, which I suppose it is. Even though I have undeniable chemistry with Mia, she isn’t going to acknowledge it herself while she still hates me. “Why don’t you try to be friends with her first? Let her see that you’re interested in more than just fucking her.”
I contemplate his advice in silence. That could be a better way to go about this. Winning her friendship means gaining her trust, which would surely grant me forgiveness. And friends do spend a lot of time together, and that definitely appeals to me.
“Nolan’s crazy about her, and she’s amazing with him. Would I be a complete shit to use my kid as an in?”
“You are a complete shit.” He motions for the bartender. “Two Sam Adams, and did you card those fuckers at the end of the bar?” I follow Luke’s finger and notice the two kids he is referring to.
And they definitely are kids. No fucking way are they twenty-one.
“Yeah, of course I did. Their ID’s said they were twenty-two.” The bartender gives us both another beer.
“Grab their ID’s for me,” Luke insists. The bartender returns seconds later, and I don’t miss the uneasiness in the eyes of the two kids. “These are fake. How the hell did you miss this, Ray?” Luke is on his feet and I’m right behind him. He holds the ID’s out in front of him, showing them to the kids. “You morons do realize that using a fake ID is a felony, right? How old are you?”
Both of them stand up straighter. “What’s it to you?” one asks with snarky confidence.
Luke and I both pull out our badges, flashing it in front of their faces and seeing the panic set into their features. Luke steps closer. “You’re making me repeat myself. I don’t like doing that. How old are you?”
“We’re twenty-two,” the one who is apparently doing all the talking states, trying to sound as convincing as possible. His smugness alone makes me want to throw him out on his ass.
I move closer now, no longer in the mood for this kid’s shit. “Answer my partner before I make you call your parents and I explain to them that their sons are getting arrested.”
“We’re nineteen,” the meeker one answers urgently. His friend starts sweating, his hands shaking at his sides. “Please don’t make me call my dad, officer. Can’t you give us a warning or something?”
I narrow in on the honest kid. “Get out now before your friend screws you both.”
He moves quickly and his friend tries to follow, but Luke shoots his arm out to stop him.
“Don’t lie to a cop, asshole. Especially when you’re dumb enough to use your real name on your fake ID, Parker Lance.”
“How do you know it’s my real name?”
Wow. This kid is asking to get locked up.
“Because you’re too stupid to memorize any information that isn’t really yours. And no one would willingly pick the name Parker. I’d feel sorry for you if you weren’t such a lying piece of shit.” The kid opens his mouth to argue but smartly decides to shut it. “Get out.”
His now panicked face disappears out the door, and we reclaim our seats at the bar.
“Fucking prick. I should’ve made him call his parents just for being an asshole,” Luke says.
I nod in agreement as I stare at the bottles of alcohol on the shelf in front of me, taking generous sips of my beer. My mind is elsewhere at the moment and Luke notices.
“Damn, man. I’ve never seen you this obsessed over some chick before. What the hell are you going to do when the summer’s over and she goes back home? You know that long distance stuff doesn’t work. Ask Reed.”
I rub my temples with my fingers. “I don’t know. I can’t worry about that right now when I’m still trying to get her to tolerate being around me.”
“At the rate you’re going, you might not have to worry about it.”
I ignore him and down my beer.
I can’t think about three months from now, and not just because I’m not anywhere near where I want to be with Mia. The thought of her not being five minutes away from me forms a knot in my stomach and a tightness in my chest. I hate the idea of not being able to see her on an impulse. What if I have a sudden urge to kiss her, touch her, talk
to her, or breathe the same air as her and she lives four hours away from me? The thought is maddening. I know I’ll never survive that kind of distance from her.
The girl I once couldn’t get far enough away from has become the woman I can’t get close enough to.
Later on that night, I grab my phone and open up a new text message.
I only have three months with Mia, and I want to get the whole friendship thing rolling. The sooner she likes me as a friend, the sooner she’ll see me as I see her.
Me: Can I have Mia’s phone number?
Tessa: Why? Are you changing it up and trying to make her cry via text message?
Most days I love my sister. Most days.
Me: Look, I fucked up when I was younger and I’m trying to make up for it. You know I care about her, so would you please help me out here? I fucking gave Luke your number.
Tessa: I’ll give it to you, but you need to know that Reed got her number too. I don’t know if she sees him like that, but heads up. He’s a nice guy and he’s never made fun of her. He’d be good for her.
Fucking Reed Tennyson. I should’ve knocked his ass out when I had the chance.
Me: I’d be good for her. Reed can go fuck himself.
Tessa: Easy, tiger. I’m secretly pulling for you if it helps. 205–555–7991
Me: Thanks. I owe you.
Tessa: I know.
I’ve never been nervous about anything involving women. Never. But right now, a simple text message is terrifying me.
Me: Hey it’s Ben. I was wondering if you wanted to hang out sometime this weekend.
Shit. That sounds like I’m asking her out. Which is what I really want to do, but that’s not part of this new friendship route I’m trying to establish.
Me: Not like a date or anything.
Damn it. That just sounds shitty, like I need to clarify that I’m definitely not asking her out. Shit.
Me: Just as friends.
I chuck my phone to the end of the bed. I should just throw it outside to keep from making a further ass out of myself. It beeps and I dive for it like my life depends on it.
Mia: I don’t know.
I half expected that type of response. And I am locked and loaded.
Me: A certain knight is requesting time with his favorite princess. You wouldn’t want to disappoint him, would you? He’ll probably cry for days when I break the news to him.
Mia: Wow. Did you really just use your son as bait?
Me: I did. I’m desperate.
One, two minutes go by and I’m starting to sweat.
Me: I just want to spend some time with you. I’ve made you smile a few times and I think I can do it again if you’ll let me. I’m just asking for a chance, Mia. If you hate the guy I am now, then I’ll leave you alone. I swear.
Fifty three seconds later, she responds.
Mia: Okay, fine. But I get to pick what we do.
I pump my fist into the air.
Me: Fine with me. What did you have in mind?
Mia: There’s this medieval dinner show I passed on my way here the other day. I think it was off two exits before Ruxton. Has Nolan ever been there? He’ll get to see knights jousting and stuff.
Holy shit. Nolan’s going to lose his mind. Why do I not know about this place?
Me: No, but that sounds awesome. Do I need to make reservations?
Mia: I’ll take care of it. Saturday work for you?
Every day works for me. I’ll rearrange my entire life at this point.
Me: Yeah. I’ll pick you up. Just let me know what time.
Mia: Okay. I’ll text you after I book it.
Me: I can’t wait.
She doesn’t respond to that, but I don’t need her to. The only thing I need is the chance she’s now willing to give me. I can finally show her the man I am now. I can make up for all the hurt I’ve caused her. All the pain.
I’ll earn her friendship before offering her my life. It’s hers anyway. She just needs to take it.
Ben: I can’t wait.
ME EITHER. I wanted to type, but I didn’t. I wasn’t just looking forward to spending time with Nolan, who just so happened to be the cutest kid on the planet. I wanted to be around Ben. I didn’t want to fight it. I knew I couldn’t keep shutting him out. I didn’t want to hate him for things he did to me years ago. Not when he definitely wasn’t that guy anymore. It’d be different if he was. That hate would be justified. But he’s nothing like the old Ben. He doesn’t talk to me like that same boy. He doesn’t look at me like that same boy. And he definitely doesn’t make me feel like that same boy. I’d be a total bitch if I didn’t at least give this Ben a chance. So that’s what I’m giving him.
Saturday wasn’t coming soon enough for me. I’ve never felt anxious about doing something with a guy just as friends before. But this is Benjamin Kelly we’re talking about. He’s seen me naked. Completely naked. And now he wants to hang out like we haven’t brought each other immense pleasure.
He came just as much as I did that night, so I’m taking credit for that.
How the hell am I supposed to navigate a friendship with a guy that I can’t stop fantasizing about? I’ve had guy friends before. It’s doable. But I’ve never gotten butterflies over those guys. I’ve never felt like I might actually combust just being in the same room as those guys. And I’ve definitely never wanted to bang the hell out of those guys.
Speaking of boys that want to be friends with me, I promised Reed that I’d meet him for lunch today. We’ve talked on the phone a few times since the day at Rocky Point. He was really sweet and funny, and when he asked me to hang out with him, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. He picked a sandwich shop in town that I was familiar with. Tessa and I ate there several times with her parents when we were younger. I spent the morning in the pool with her, not being able to sunbathe because the heat was enough to make you pass out. After a quick shower, I drove into town and parked my Jeep next to Reed’s truck. He was already seated at a table when I walked through the door.
“Hey, how are you?” I ask, walking around the table as he stands up to greet me. He gives me a hug, which I’m not expecting, but isn’t awkward. And it definitely isn’t anything other than a hug you’d give a friend, which relieves me. I’m hoping this really is just a lunch between new friends and not anything more. I’m not interested in anything else with Reed, and I don’t want this to become uncomfortable.
He ends our one armed hug with a pat on my back. Very non-date like.
“I’m good. I ordered you a shrimp salad sub. I hope that’s okay.” Reed smiles at me as he takes his seat and I take mine. He has the lightest blond hair I’ve ever seen, almost white, that falls in his eyes with a bit of curl.
“Yeah, thanks. That sounds delicious.” I take a sip of the water he had also ordered for me. “So, you were off work today?”
Reed had mentioned a few days ago that he was a laborer for his father’s construction company.
He nods. “Yeah. Business is kind of slow right now. But it should pick up soon. We’re usually slammed in the summer time.” Our sandwiches are placed in front of us, and we both take a bite, chewing behind our smiles. “What town in Georgia are you from again?”
“Fulton. Smallest town in the world.” I swallow my bite and take a drink. “It’s a military town. The air base is really the only thing in it besides a Wal-Mart.”
“Have you ever been on the air base? I bet they have some really cool planes there.”
I shrug. “I’ve only been on it a few times. They’ll show movies there at the theatre for a dollar, but it’s always like, three months after their original release date.” I take another bite of my sandwich. “I don’t think given the choice, I’d choose to live in Fulton. It’s mainly a lot of old people that are retired,” I pause and grin slyly. “And Marines.”
He laughs behind his drink. “I could totally live there. I’m a sucker for girls in uniforms and military planes. My grandfather was a pilot and used to ta
ke me to the air shows when I was younger.” The chimes on the door ring when it opens, and I watch Reed’s eyes react to whoever walks in. “What the hell are the odds,” he mumbles before fixating his gaze on me.
I turn in my chair and nearly fall out of it.
Sweet mother of all that’s holy. Ben stands frozen just inside the shop door, his eyes shifting between mine and what I’m going to assume are Reed’s. But I can’t turn around to be sure. I can’t do anything besides stare at the glorious sight of him in a cop uniform.
He’s a cop? I had no freaking idea. What the hell else is Tessa keeping from me?
My chatterbox best friend seems oddly tight lipped on everything involving her brother.
“Well, look who it is.” I’m broken out of my trance and glance up to see Luke’s amused grin. “How are you, Mia?”
Movement comes from my left, and I turn to see Ben walking over.
Oh, Good God. He’s right next to me. He’s right next to me and he’s got handcuffs.
I swallow heavily and pry my eyes from his to look at Luke. “I’m good. Great. I’m . . . I’m good. Or great. Both. I’m both.” And I’ve apparently forgotten how to hold a conversation.
Luke muffles his laugh.
“Hey,” Ben greets me with a smile. I’d usually be able to react like a normal human being and say something, anything in response, but considering the fact that he paired that knock-me-on-my-ass grin with the uniform he’s rocking, I’m pooling in my chair and unable to do anything but continue breathing. He shoots a glare at Reed, one that I wouldn’t ever want directed toward me. “Reed,” he practically growls, and I think Reed says something in return, but at the moment, my entire body is completely focused on Ben’s, including my ears. He looks back down at me and grips the back of my chair. “Are we still on for Saturday?”
“Hmm?”
His lips move, parting sensually, but I’ve no idea what words, if any, just came out of them. I know exactly what those lips are capable of and that’s the only thing filtering through my mind at the moment.
