Fat & Fine

by Mary E Thompson

  Addi finally looked me in the eye and started laughing. “Really, Sam? Are you serious?”

  I raised my eyebrows at her, silently asking her to prove to me why I should be worried. Joey sat there looking more confused by the second.

  “Sam thinks you did something you shouldn’t have done and is plotting where we should bury you body,” Addi told him with a laugh.

  I was glad she could still read my mind, or at least read the looks I gave her, but why was it so funny?

  Joey looked at me with a pained expression. Yep, I’d definitely made things worse between us. Before he thought I didn’t like him, now he was worried I’d kill him in his sleep.

  “Joey proposed. We’re engaged,” Addi said, drawing my attention away from Joey. She was holding out her left hand, complete with a sparkling ring on the correct finger. My jaw hit the table as I reached up to grasp her hand. I pulled her toward me, Addi’s stomach pressing into the table that separated us, so I could look at the ring.

  It was beautiful. A simple style, which suited Addi perfectly, with a large diamond in the center and tiny diamonds set within the band that circled her finger. “The wedding ring that goes with it sits under the diamond and ends up looking like two bands with the diamond. They fit together perfectly. Just like Joey and I do.”

  It was a good thing I hadn’t started eating yet because it would have come back up with that comment. Seriously, gag me.

  I released Addi’s hand and swallowed the bile that was tickling the back of my throat and pasted on a smile. “Congratulations, guys. I’m so happy for you.”

  “Thanks,” they said together, grinning at each other instead of acknowledging me. They kissed and I rolled my eyes. Damn it. I was jealous. That little green monster was getting bigger and bigger over the course of just a few days. First Monica and her perfect life, now Addi. She was my best friend. I wasn’t supposed to be jealous. Especially because I didn’t want Joey for myself. I just wanted someone who looked at me the way Joey looked at Addi.

  Maybe with a touch more intensity. And a shaved head, hazel eyes. Someone I’d have to look up to be able to see his eyes. Who owned my gym and had me squirming in my seat without even being there.

  I was going to have to face it. I wanted Brady in a bad way. Obviously it was bad enough that I’d agreed to take things slow, which meant starting a relationship with him, against my better judgement, but it was worse than that. I was starting to see my future with him in it. He was the groom at the wedding, the man kissing me after our engagement, the one I snuggled against on the couch during a movie, the guy holding my hand when our child was born.

  Damn, I had it bad.

  I’d never gotten anywhere close to that worked up over any other guy. Especially not before our first date. I needed to get a grip.

  “How did you ask?” I forced myself to say, bring my focus back to Addi and Joey. Asking him instead of her brought him into the conversation, one that had been pretty two sided so far.

  Addi smiled at me and Joey sat back in his chair, focusing his attention on me. His hand held Addi’s, but he was looking straight at me. “I wanted to ask her where we’d first met, but that was a little tough since we’d met near the lodge where she’d nearly taken me out.”

  “It was an accident,” Addi protested. She told me about it when it happened, but Joey teased her that she just couldn’t come up with a reason to talk to him so she created one by slipping on the ice so he would catch her. Either way, it worked.

  “I know, babe,” he said with a smile. “Anyway, I didn’t want to be that much in the open for a picnic since it’s kind of a high traffic area. We went up to the top to eat then walked down. Thankfully it’s dry so we didn’t slip. When we got to the spot where we’d turn off to go into the woods, I covered the slope with rose petals and installed a sign that read, ‘Beware of Falling Men.’”

  Huh? I gave him one of those WTF looks.

  “Yeah, Addi had the same look on her face when she turned around. I was on one knee and told her that was where I fell in love with her. Every time she ducked under those branches or raced me off the slope, I fell a little more for her. And I asked her to be my wife. Obviously she said yes.”

  It was cute, I had to admit it. It suited them. Addi liked cheesy, and for Joey to go cheesy for his proposal said how much he understood her. I wouldn’t go for it. Not that I needed an elaborate proposal, but dammit, I wanted to be the center of attention for my proposal. Something different. Something unique.

  “Have you set a date yet?”

  Addi shook her head. “Not yet. We weren’t going to tell you because I haven’t been able to get to see my parents. Joey asked them, but until I can get over there and show them the ring we’re trying to keep it quiet. Sorry we didn’t want to tell you.”

  It hurt. Six months ago I would have been the first one Addi would have told something to. She had Joey now. I was relegated to second best, if that. I wasn’t first for anyone anymore.

  “No,” I forced out, pushing the pain aside. “I understand completely. It makes perfect sense. I won’t tell anyone.”

  I smiled at them before they turned back to each other. I felt like a third wheel. Waiting silently for my food to arrive while my best friend started her new life with her new best friend, the man who’d permanently take that role on. The man who’d stolen her from me.

  Damn, I hated being jealous.

  Ten

  The next day Brady wanted to take me out. Since we were taking things slow, I wasn’t really sure what to expect from our first date. He told me to be ready at seven and to dress casual which gave me no clue what was going on. Evenings were warm so I opted for a pair of khaki shorts and a blue top. I couldn’t decide between sneakers and sandals but opted for sneakers in the end. Brady was a fitness buff. For all I knew he could be planning a run through the park or something.

  That would kill the date in a hurry.

  Brady knocked on my door right at seven. I took a deep breath, suddenly nervous, then opened the door.

  Dear. God. The man was gorgeous.

  “Hey,” he said with a smile, looking me over appreciatively. My skin tingled, but I held back, remembering our agreement to take things slowly.

  “Hi,” I replied.

  “Are you ready to go?”

  I nodded then grabbed my keys from the table next to the door and followed Brady. He took my small hand in his and led me to his Jeep. It was old with faded paint, rust spots along the bottom, and more dents than I had rolls.

  “You look great, by the way. Beautiful,” Brady said when he opened the passenger door for me. He leaned down and gave me a quick kiss then guided me into the car and closed the door behind me. When he sat down next to me his clean, fresh scent washed over me and calmed me.

  “I like the Jeep,” I told him completely honestly. It matched him. Rough, abused, but still kicking.

  Brady eyed me as though he thought I was joking. “It’s a piece of junk,” he declared as though that would change my mind.

  “It runs. And it’s a classic, not a piece of junk. The only reason I have a decent car is because I put so many miles on mine every year. Otherwise I’d have something like this.”

  “Are you for real?”

  “Brady, your crappy Jeep isn’t going to scare me off. If that was your plan, sorry, but you failed.”

  He sat for a moment, thinking, watching me, then shook his head. “I didn’t plan it. This is the only vehicle I have. I barely drive so I never bothered to upgrade to something better.”

  Brady started the car and headed toward the center of town. “Do you live close to the gym?”

  Brady glanced at me but kept his focus on the road. “I live in the gym, actually. I have an apartment attached. I’m not sure if you noticed, but there’s a door in my office. It goes to my apartment.”

  I cocked my head and smirked. That was totally awesome. If I could have gotten a studio that had an apartment attached I probably w
ould have done it. Charlie lived above Bite Me! and loved it. I was jealous.

  “That’s awesome. I would love to live in my studio.”

  “Studio? What do you do?”

  “I’m a photographer. I have a studio close to your gym.”

  “How is it I don’t know anything about you?” he asked, laughing.

  “I think it’s because most of the time we’ve spent together our mouths have been busy doing other things.”

  Brady laughed and nodded. “I guess that’s true.”

  “So, where are we going?”

  Brady gave me a sidelong glance and offered a half grin. “To the pound.”

  There’s no way I heard him right. It had to be a joke. Who went to the pound for a date? And why were we going anyway?

  Oh, God. He was playing a cruel joke on me. Dropping me off or something like that. I had to get out, get the hell away from him. I couldn’t handle another joke at my expense.

  My heart pounded and blood rushed through my ears. Sweat coated my palms.

  “Excuse me?” I said softly, praying I was wrong.

  He laughed softly and made another turn, not looking at me. “I’ve been wanting to get a dog but didn’t want to pick one out alone. I figured you might be a good help. Dogs respond differently to men and women. I wanted to get one that won’t be aggressive toward women. I hope you don’t mind me using you.”

  He pulled into the parking lot of the local SPCA. I tried to suck in a deep breath, but it wouldn’t come. My lungs were full of fear. I knew this wasn’t going to end well. Too many men had seemed kind right before they crushed me. I wasn’t sure I could handle it from Brady, or anyone, on the heels of Cade, and Blaine, and Addi’s engagement, and Monica’s perfect life, and my mother, and-

  Brady got out of the car and came around to my door. He opened it and I sat there, unmoving. I couldn’t get out and listen to Brady insult me. I had to hold on to my fantasy of him just a little longer.

  He crouched down and looked at me. I couldn’t face him so I stared straight ahead.

  “Are you afraid of dogs, Sam?” he asked, concern filling his voice.

  I shook my head, not giving him any more than that.

  “What’s wrong?” He reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and I lost it.

  “I can’t do this,” I laughed mirthlessly. “I really thought you were different. But taking me to the pound? That’s a new kind of low, a new version of nasty. Take the fat chick to the pound and drop her off? I’m not going in there, and you-“

  Brady stopped my rant with a rough kiss. I felt his anger in the kiss. His lips were pressed so tight to mine it almost hurt. His tongue butted against my lips, demanding entry I was determined to refuse.

  He unbuckled my seatbelt as he kissed me and turned my body toward his, pressing himself between my legs. An erection grew against me, making me moan even though I didn’t want to.

  Dammit. The asshole used my moan to his advantage and forced his tongue into my mouth. He stroked against my tongue, softening the kiss, asking instead of taking what he wanted. One hand caressed my cheek while the other held me tight against his body.

  When I finally gave in and slid my hands around his neck, he pulled back. His eyes were dark and dangerous, angry. “Don’t ever call yourself fat again,” he growled at me. “At if you don’t stop thinking I’m an asshole this will be over before it starts. I know what I am, but I’m not cruel. I would never treat a woman like that, I’ve told you this already. I want a dog. That’s why we’re here. But if you honestly believe I could do that to you. That I would bring you here as a joke? I’ll take you home right now, and I’ll never contact you again. What you feel between your legs is how I feel about you, not some imaginary bullshit you tell yourself because of the other fuckers you’ve known. This,” he nudged against my sex, “is me. But the choice is yours. Who are you going to believe, them or me?”

  I chewed on my lip, feeling like a scolded child, but also relieved. In the back of my head, the doubt lingered, but I pushed it aside and looked up at Brady. He was angry with me. Not at me, but because of what I’d been through and how it’d broken my trust in men. I could see it in his eyes, focused on me and not straying from my face.

  “I’m sorry,” I finally whispered, dropping my eyes from his face. “It’s not fair to you. Maybe I’m not ready for this.”

  “Too fucking bad because we’re in this. You’re not getting away because of some other asshole. This is about you and me, not him. You’re ready. You want me as much as I want you, and one day I’m going to worship your body and make you forget every word that’s ever been spoken to you in anything but adoration.”

  Tingled erupted over my entire body at the conviction and passion in his voice. Dear. God. The man knew how to turn a woman on with just a few words. I wasn’t sure I’d survive him not being there, but I would enjoy every minute we had together, for as long as it lasted. I’d face the end when it came.

  I finally relented and followed Brady inside, my hand clamped within his. I loved dogs so shopping for one, even if I wasn’t taking it home, would be kind of cool.

  Brady greeted the woman inside as though he knew her well. They chatted about the dogs they had and what Brady was looking for. She took us back to see the dogs who were already excited and letting us know they wanted company. I breathed a small sigh of relief when he didn’t turn and walk out the door, leaving me behind.

  We walked down the aisle lined with cages on each side. Every dog you could imagine was there, all colors and breeds. I wasn’t willing to offer an opinion since the dog would be Brady’s and not mine, but he pulled me along with him.

  “I don’t want an aggressive dog,” he told Barbara, the employee who was helping us. “I don’t want a lazy dog either. I’ll take it out on runs and will train it so I want one that you think will be a good fit.”

  Barbara nodded and led us to a handful of cages toward the back of the room. “The dogs over here seem to be pretty calm. None of them give me any trouble and we think they’re young which helps them to learn easier and they’ll run.”

  Brady stood back and looked at the dogs. There were five cages that he was focusing on. The dogs were medium to large sized but I couldn’t identify a particular breed for any of them. One of the dogs was sitting, wagging its tail, and watching us.

  But it was ugly.

  I felt bad for the dog because I knew no one was likely to adopt it. His fur was a little long and a mix of brown and grey. He had a long snout and big floppy ears but a small head that made him look a little like Dumbo. With a long, shaggy tail and a larger size, he was an intimidating looking dog, except that smile.

  I shit you not, he was fucking smiling at us.

  If Brady didn’t take that dog home I thought I might.

  Brady looked into the cages of the other animals and asked Barbara to let him in. One by one he got down on the dirty floor and gave the dogs full body rubs. He talked to them like they were regular people. And one by one he put them back in their cages. Then he got to the ugly dog.

  “What’s his story?” he asked Barbara.

  She shrugged. “We really don’t know. He was tied up outside one morning when we got here. It was raining and he was soaked through, but once we got him inside and warm he was better. He could probably use a hair cut, but he’s a healthy dog, even though he’s not much to look at.”

  Brady nodded solemnly and let the dog out of the cage. The dog came out with his tail wagging slowly, tucked low to show he recognized Brady’s dominance. He approached Brady cautiously enough that I wondered if he’d been abused.

  Brady held his hand up and waited for the dog to sniff his fingers. He nuzzled Brady’s hand and came closer, his tail wagging more and more until his entire butt was swaying from side to side. As he got closer to Brady he ducked his head, but kept moving toward Brady.

  When his big hand moved down the dog’s back he moved against him as though he craved the
attention. The dog settled into Brady’s lap and licked his jaw. I wondered if Brady would flip but instead he just laughed.

  “You’re a friendly one, aren’t you?” he asked the dog. “A little shy though, huh?”

  I watched as Brady bonded with the dog, petting his back and talking to him. The dog got more and more comfortable with Brady the longer the two sat together, licking his face and nudging his hand if he didn’t pet him enough.

  Brady finally looked up at me and asked, “Do you mind petting him? See if he’s okay with you, too?”

  I dropped to the floor and held out my hand for a sniff and coaxed the dog away from Brady. Once he was clear, Brady got to his feet and asked Barbara about the dog again.

  “Is he good with different people?”

  “Yeah,” she told him. “None of the employees have had trouble with him. He’s a sweet dog. He may have been abused though so you need to be careful with him, but I think he’s a good dog. You two shouldn’t have any trouble with him.”

  Brady didn’t correct her assumption that we would own the dog together so I let it go as well. It didn’t matter what she thought. She didn’t need to know it was our first date.

  I rubbed the dog’s ears and enjoyed the feel of his head nuzzling against me. He was a sweet dog. I knew Brady was going to take him and I was a little jealous. Although as long as Brady let me snuggle with him once in a while it would be okay.

  Brady talked through the specifics of adopting the dog while I continued petting him. He settled across my lap and rested his head on the hard concrete floor, his tail still wagging once in a while. Normally they gave the dog his shots and a bath overnight, but Brady requested everything be done immediately so we could take him home right away.

  An hour later the three of us pulled into a parking space at the park. With a grin Brady grabbed a picnic basket I’d not noticed before and climbed out of his Jeep. With Lucky’s leash in one hand and the picnic basket in the other he reached for me and we held the leash together.

  It was getting late, but the park was quiet which was nice. Brady stretched out a blanket for us and pulled out sandwiches, fruit, bottles of water, and dessert that he wouldn’t let me see. Lucky sat next to us patiently until Brady pulled out a small bag of dog food and set it in front of him.