by Piper, M.
“I’m scared,” I mumble, making him laugh. He watches with a grin on his face as I crack the box open and busts out laughing as I pull the mug out.
“You got me a Luigi mug,” I say, chuckling.
“It’s got your weird facial hair on it!” He laughs. “This is the best day ever!”
“Hey, be nice, man. I grew that shit in after you made me feel like a tool.” I rub the scruff on my face and he pats my shoulder.
“Good man, good man.” He nods towards the house. “Want a tour?”
“I want to see your sister,” I say, making his eyebrows raise in amusement.
“Okay then,” he mumbles. “I see where I lie on the list of importance.”
“Sorry. I mean… Yeah. I want a tour. After I see Reagan.”
He chuckles and I glance around as we walk inside. This place is exquisite. Modern with a touch of the original character that I’m sure made this place what it is today.
“She’s down the hall, down the stairs, and out the back door. You won’t be able to miss the shop.” He nods after we walk through what I’m assuming is the banquet hall.
“It’s like a maze,” I mutter, glancing around. “Beautiful.”
“Hey, I tried taking you on a tour. But noooo…something about Reagan’s p—” He chokes on his words. “I’m sorry. That’s my sister. I can’t talk about that shit with you.”
He walks away and I chuckle, rolling my eyes at him. He’s a good guy. A little quirky but a good seed. I haven’t had many friends like this family in my life. Ever. Not that I had it rough, but I didn’t have the connections to anyone like the West family seems to come by easily. It’s nice, finally having people I can call friends and actually rely on.
As soon as I make it out the back door I zone in on her shop. The brick’s been painted white. There are flower baskets under each front window and the purple door at the front adds to the charm. This looks more like something she’d enjoy doing. Not bartending.
When I walk through the doors, the small bell on it rings and I’m greeted by a small dog, jumping at my feet.
“Be right there!” I hear Reagan yell from somewhere in the back. I grin to myself and pick up the puppy, letting it lick at my face.
“You’re just a tiny ball of adorable, aren’t you?” I say, laughing when it tries to climb on my shoulders. It’s so excited its butt is wiggling as fast as it’s licking me and I can barely keep a hold of it.
“Sorry about that. What can I do fo—” she stops short as she rounds the corner and sees me. Her eyes go wide as she stares at me, but the smile I wanted doesn’t grace her face and I’m worried I fucked up. Maybe I shouldn’t have come today. Last night’s conversation ended awkwardly and I hope she’s not upset about it, but I can’t tell her what we’re going to do because honestly I don’t know yet. God, she’s beautiful. I want to drop the dog and rush to her, but this little man’s kind of stolen my heart.
“How much for the dog?” I ask, grinning and pushing past the nerves.
“You… You’re…” Her mouth flaps and she shoves her hands in her hair, walking over to me. “You’re here? What are you doing? You’re supposed to be on your way to Wisconsin. Why didn’t you text?” Her eyebrows push together and she pauses, then a small smile pulls on her lips and I’m trying not to be hurt she’s not more excited to see me. “Sorry I look like this, it’s shipment day. Shipment days suck,” she mumbles, shaking her head. I stand there and watch her fuss with her clothes and my heart swells for this girl. It’s right then, when she’s wearing no makeup and hair a mess yet I still find her to be the most beautiful creature on this earth, that I know what I’m feeling for this girl is more than lust. It’s more than a passing attraction. It’s love. I fucking love her.
“It was cancelled. I thought it’d be nice to surprise you.” I grin, finally letting the dog back on the floor and taking Reagan into my arms. “I’ve missed you Ten.”
“Yeah,” she whispers into my chest with my arms tight around her, but she barely returns the hug. I pull back and look into her beautiful eyes, but something’s missing and I can’t fucking place it. My hand snakes behind her head and I pull her to my lips, pushing mine to hers gently as if testing the waters. She’s hesitant, but she kisses me back finally and when her body melts into mine I think I’m finally going to get the reaction I wanted when I surprised her.
Then her hand goes to my chest and stops everything, pulling back and looking up at me.
“We can’t here,” she whispers, her eyes finding mine full of need.
I nod, my dick screaming to be let out but she’s right. We can’t here. But fuck my life it’s been too long.
“Tonight,” I say. A promise. She grins and bites her lip, nodding in agreement. “So whose dog is that?” I ask, watching its tail wagging like I’m the first human he’s seen in ages.
“Mine,” she chirps, cheering up the slightest at the mention of the dog. “I bought it today.”
“No you didn’t,” I laugh, calling it over to me and all she does is smile at me.
“I did. It’s a Puggle.” She tosses a ball and the thing runs to retrieve it and is back in no time flat dropping it at her feet.
“A Puggle?” I laugh, leaning down to pet it. It’s cute. “The hell is a Puggle?”
“A Beagle Pug mix.” She picks it up and kisses it before setting it back down and letting it run around the store.
“I like it. What’s its name?” I ask.
“Monroe,” she says and I laugh.
“Another president’s name,” I say, grinning.
“I mean, I figure I’m probably not having kids at this rate, so this is the closest I’ll get.” She stands up straight and throws her hands to her hips, sighing and all I can do is watch her. “I have a ton of work to do today,” she winces. “But the rest of the week I’m free from this place if I need to be.”
If she needs to be? God, she’s making it sound like I’m an inconvenience being here.
“Can I help you today?” I step towards her and my hands cup her face and she smiles softly at me.
“You don’t have to if you don’t want to. It’s just unloading stock and getting it all into the system. Boring. Daunting. But it’s gotta be done.”
“I can handle a box cutter like no one else before me,” I brag, backing up. She turns and reaches over the counter, grabbing a pair of scissors, her ass perfectly on display in those tight as fuck pants she’s wearing.
“This is all I have,” she says, smirking.
“Don’t care. If I get to look at your ass in those pants all day I’ll die a happy man.”
“Hands off the goods, funny guy,” she says, turning and shaking it for me and I groan, adjusting myself in these jeans. Fuck, this is uncomfortable. Before I can reach out and grab her ass, the door dings open and Ford barges in, hands over his eyes.
“Stop fucking, I’m here!” he yells.
“Ford!” Reagan yells, making him uncover his eyes. “Don’t be a pig.”
“Just watching out for my sanity,” he says then points at me. “You done here? Can I take you on the tour?”
“He’s not here for you,” she bitches at him.
“He’s not here for your grumpy ass, that’s for certain. Come on Luigi.”
“Ford. Go away.” Reagan rolls her eyes at him, hands crossed in front of her and I force out a chuckle.
“You two are fighting over me. With me right here. You realize that, right?” I smirk and Reagan rolls her eyes.
“This bro-mance you’re forming makes me uncomfortable,” she grumbles.
“That’s a bold faced lie and you know it,” Ford blurts, walking over to me. “Let’s go, man. Pick me.”
I scrape my teeth over my bottom lip and smirk at him, shrugging.
“I already promised her I’d help, buddy.” I pat his head, ruffling his hair. “Another day. I’m here for four days.”
“Dumb!” he yells, stomping out of the store and leaving Re
gan grinning at me.
“You two are adorable. Weird…and I don’t get it…but adorable.”
“He’s a good guy.” I grin at her. “Now where were we?” I walk over and grip her ass in my hands, making her squeal in laughter.
“We were about to unpack today’s shipment. And not fuck in the boutique.”
“Right. No fucking. You’re the queen of that phrase, you know.”
“At least I’m the queen of something.” She wiggles her eyebrows and heads to the back.
We spend the rest of the afternoon working side by side and it’s not as bad as it sounds. Her mood seems to lighten a bit and she opens up to me a bit more as the day goes on, but something still seems off. I’m hoping it’s the fact that I surprised her and nothing else. It’s hard not being here daily, not seeing her daily, not being able to touch her daily. It’s hard not knowing what she’s thinking, and when she doesn’t offer that information up willingly I’m not sure what to think. All I know is the day with her, working in her shop, seeing her in her element… It’s fun. Maybe it’s the fact that I love the girl, but even something as mundane as opening and unpacking boxes with her was a good time.
“Thank you for all your help today,” she says, locking the front door at the end of the day and gripping Monroe’s leash tightly.
“I wouldn’t have missed it. I came here to be with you, and if that includes unpacking boxes for the next four days I’ll happily do it by your side.” I nudge her, then take her hand in mine, lacing our fingers together. From day one I’ve never had much control when it came to being around her. If she’s near me, I’m touching her. Period.
We head back to her place after she drops in and grabs us a pizza for dinner. I tried paying but she insisted, still distant and strange like she was when I arrived. She’s quiet while we eat, but she also turned on a movie when we started so I’m hoping that’s why she’s not talking much.
When we finally make it to bed, without the sex I wanted so badly tonight, she sighs heavy, lying flat on her back and staring at the ceiling. I reach over and rest my hand on her stomach, snaking up under her shirt to feel her soft skin, but she shifts to her side and faces me, forcing my hand away from her.
“What’s got you so distant tonight?” I ask, nerves wracking my insides because she’s being so weird.
“Long distance relationships suck,” she says, letting out an annoyed laugh and pushing her eyebrows together.
“I know.” I push my lips to her nose gently and back up. “We’ll figure it out, babe. I’m just happy I’m here with you now.”
God, Ten, don’t pull away from me now.
“I can’t move back to Chicago, Nico,” she says and my heart sinks. I know what she’s about to ask me, but I don’t have an answer for her. I can’t right now.
“I know.” I push a kiss to her head again and smooth my hands down her back, pulling her tight against me and she allows it, thank God. “It’ll be fine I promise.”
“How? How will it be fine?” She pushes the topic and I sigh.
“It just will be, babe.”
Fuck my life. I love this girl, but she’s pulling away and I don’t know how to fix it.
The next morning I wake up with her ass pressed against me and I pull her closer.
“I could wake up like this every morning,” I murmur in her ear. She hums and turns in my arms.
“You could move here.” She bats her eyes at me and I chuckle.
“I wouldn’t have…” I pause mid-sentence. “Hey did I tell you Johnson and Steele is opening up a Springfield branch?” I crease my brows and watch her face light up.
“They are?” She’s got hope written all over her face and it’s adorable as fuck. This is the happiest she’s looked since I got here yesterday and for once during this trip I have hope for us.
“Yeah. Don’t know when or where yet, but I just found out yesterday. My mind got sidetracked when I saw you in those pants and it was pretty hard to think of anything else.” I grip her ass and pull her tighter against me.
“You should ask about it. Maybe ask to get transferred. That’d be amazing.”
I watch her, letting the elephant in the room settle in the corner for now and press my lips to hers. I’ve barely talked to my boss about it. I’m not going to give her any false hope.
“Hey I’m gonna hop in the shower, then we can start the day. You can show me the sites of the city?”
“Sounds fun,” she grumbles, rolling her eyes. “I’m going to drop Monroe off at the shop with Mack before we go so he doesn’t piss all over the house. You know. While we’re out acting like tourists. So much fun. Sounds like soooo much fun…” she groans.
“It does.” I smack her ass. “Just because you’ve lived here your whole life doesn’t mean I have. I’ve never seen this shit. Presidential shit.” I stand.
“It’s pretty cool the first time you see it, I guess. After all these years of it, it gets kind of mundane.”
“Well, power up, Ten. We’re going on an adventure.”
I head into the bathroom before my resolve breaks and I spend the rest of the day in bed with her. As much as I’d like to, we don’t get time like this just to be a couple much. I want this time with her, and I will be selfish about it.
“Hey my brother just called asking if I could watch Carter today for them.”
“Isn’t the kid in school?”
“They’re on fall break and the sitter flaked. Wren’s got her huge art show coming up soon so she’s busy and Lincoln says he gets bored at West House all day.”
“Kid’s gonna endure sightseeing with us today, I guess.” I grin and shrug. I haven’t been around kids that much as a grown adult, but I’d like to think I’d do okay around them.
We pick Carter up from the West House after dropping Monroe off with Mack at the store, and start our day at the Lincoln Museum and presidential library. The place is huge and strangely enough I’m enjoying learning more about Lincoln…the president.
Reagan’s pulling away from me. I can feel it, and I’m starting to get panicked. I’m a fucking dumbass for not telling her how I feel about her already, but right now isn’t the best time either. She didn’t hold my hand in the car. She didn’t make small talk. Something’s on her mind and I wish I fucking knew what it was.
Tonight. I’m going to tell her how I feel tonight. After we get back to her place. And if she doesn’t feel the same way, that still gives me two days to try to get over the love of my life breaking up with me before I have to go back to work.
Fuck, Nico. Pull your shit together. The girl’s madly in love with you. It’s written all over her face.
At least it used to be.
“Did you know this isn’t really where he was born,” Carter says and I fall in step next to him as we walk along.
“I did not. Tell me more.”
I see her watching us from across the gallery as Carter goes into a long, almost memorized, speech on the life of Abraham Lincoln. It’s adorable and endearing that someone his age is so into presidents and politics. Gives me a little more hope for our future.
“You sure do know your stuff,” I say, nudging him.
“I once did a report on the similarities and differences between my dad and Abraham Lincoln,” he says like he’s a big shot.
“Oh yeah?” I chuckle. “And how’d that go?”
“Horrible. The only thing they have in common is their name.”
I laugh and Reagan walks over to us, mussing up Carter’s hair.
“Lunch time, anyone? You still like those dissolvable puff things, right?” She asks Carter and he cringes.
“Aunt Reagan, I haven’t liked those for years!”
“Oh, so steak? A nice steak dinner?” She smirks at him and he rolls his eyes.
“How about a burger and fries?” I say, falling into step next to him and his face lights up.
“And a shake?!” His voice echoes throughout the gallery and Reagan laughs, shushing
him.
“I’m playing with you guys, God. Let’s go, we’ll head to Allister’s.”
“Oh my God I love Allister’s!” Carter says, practically running in front of us to get there.
We eat a good-sized lunch and spend the rest of the day seeing all the other sites Springfield has to offer. I rubbed Lincoln’s bronze nose at his tomb, saw the inside of the State House, and had some amazing barbeque joint for dinner that Carter and Reagan raved about.
By the time eight o’clock rolls around I’m exhausted and Carter’s zoned in the back seat.
“We’ll drop him off then head back to my place. Mack stole my dog for the night,” she says, pulling down a street of brick houses.
“That’s nice of her,” I whisper, reaching across the cab and taking her hand in mine, practically forcing her to touch me.
“Hey, Monroe is awesome,” she says. “Needy. But awesome.”
When she parks in her brother’s driveway, I get out and walk up to the door with them.
“Hey,” Wren blurts, covered in different colors of paint when she opens the door.
“We’re back and he’s tired,” Reagan says, leaning down and giving Carter a hug before he shuffles inside.
“Hey is that Reagan?” Lincoln asks, coming to the door and pulling it open more. “Nico, awesome. I heard you were in town. How’d today go?”
“Great,” Reagan mumbles, walking past him inside the house. “I have to piss.”
“You know where it is!” Lincoln calls out after her then shakes his head at me.
The three of us stand there in awkward silence before Wren clears her throat.
“I’m going to get back to work. It was good seeing you again, Nico.”
“Same,” I say. “Have a good night.”
She walks away and Lincoln steps out onto the porch, closing the door behind him.
“Hey, how serious are you and my sister?” he asks, crossing his arms and leaning against the door. No small talk. Just straight to the chase.
“I’d say pretty serious,” I say, mimicking his behavior against the porch post.
“You love her?” He raises an eyebrow at me and I nod.
“I haven’t told her yet, if that’s what you’re asking.”
