Just One Chance (Oh Tequila Series Book 1)

by C. A. Harms

  I drove across town to the apartment I knew she shared with her friend, and as I stepped up to the door, I took in a deep breath. I heard the sound of the locks clicking and a chain being slid across the metal bracket, just before it came open. “Well, if it isn’t Mr. Pineapple.” Just inside stood her roommate and the man I knew would never let me live down that night. I was afraid to know all the things he heard and actually witnessed from that night.

  But the entire pineapple flavored lubricant was more than I wanted him to know already. I was very thankful to find that the night hadn’t gone as I initially thought once I woke, but I had this creepy feeling that Marcus stood outside Morgan’s room and got an earful.

  Some things are just better left unknown.

  “Is Morgan home?” I asked, ignoring his pineapple comment.

  “Nope,” he said, enunciating the pop of the “p” of the word. “She took my car over to her parents’ house, but uh…” He paused, lifting his phone from his back pocket. He typed out a message, and just when I was about to speak, he looked up at me with a gleam in his eyes. “You could be a hero and take me over there so I can get my car, though.”

  I won’t lie; the guy creeped me out a bit. I think it stemmed back to the fact that he did indeed see me naked.

  “You’ll get to see Morgan,” he offered with a grin. Apparently bribing me was his next attempt.

  “Sure,” I replied as I backed away when he rushed forward, crowding my space. The guy seemed harmless; something told me he just liked getting a little rise outta me. Maybe it was the way my cheeks reddened whenever he mentioned anything about that night. Or hell, the way he looked me over as if remembering the way I lay sprawled out on Morgan’s bedroom floor with my ass in the air.

  Once we were inside the car, Marcus made himself at home. He took control of the radio until he found the station he liked. When he started looking through my glove box, I looked at him, thinking the man had lost his damn mind. I mean, who does that shit to someone they barely know?

  “Do you know that there are two very sure-fire ways of getting to know a person for real?” he said, not looking in my direction as he continued to search my glovebox, now empty, as he held its contents in his lap. “Someone’s garbage, but I’m too good-looking to search through the garbage at that fraternity house. So the next option is a person’s car.”

  He shrugged as he continued to look over one item after another. I had nothing to hide, though I did find his tactics strange.

  He lifted a picture out of the bunch as I slowed for the red light. “Family?” he asked.

  I leaned in closer, “Yeah. That is Carter and Cassie, my brother and sister. The woman is my mother, Caroline.” I had forgotten that picture was even in there. It was at least four years ago, because Carter was now in high school and it was taken before Cassie cut off all her hair.

  “Your father in the picture?” Marcus asked just as I sat up straight once again and eased my foot off the brake.

  “Yeah, he is.” My parents were so together that it was at times nauseating. Still to this day they acted as if they were teenagers dating. I don’t think the newness phase had ever worn off for them. My family was amazing. “He just works a lot.”

  “Something you and Morgan have in common,” Marcus added as he placed the items back in my glovebox. “Her father works way more than any one person should.”

  “Does she have any brothers or sisters?” I asked.

  “Toby,” Marcus said and I could almost hear the smile in his voice. “Amazing kid.”

  He didn’t say anything more about him, but “kid” gave me enough indication that he was younger than Morgan. The remaining part of the ride the only conversation shared was when he’d tell me where to turn and so on.

  “Here we are,” Marcus said, pointing toward the small yellow house on the left corner. It was aged, grass a little taller than the others surrounding it. It appeared at one time it had a screen door of some type, the frame with hinges were still visible. The blue paint on the front door was cracked and weathered, chipped away in places, showing the wood beneath. In the driveway was a bright blue car, clean and sleek. Just next to it was an older model Toyota, the paint faded and aged in spots throughout.

  “Come on, loverboy,” Marcus hollered out as he pulled open my driver’s door and hurried toward the front porch.

  My parents aren’t wealthy, but they’ve done well for themselves. My father owns his own construction business, updating homes and remodeling. It was a business his father started so long ago that has since flourished and expanded beyond his wildest dreams. They’ve all planned well for the future through investments. My mother was a teacher at the high school in Kissimmee, Florida, where I’m from.

  I wasn’t raised to think I was better than anyone; we were all the same. But looking ahead, I knew there was a part of this beautiful girl I had not witnessed. She was so different, and I think I knew that from the beginning.

  Marcus didn’t even knock before entering, just pushed the front door open and hollered out something about the sexiest man was in the house. I chuckled to myself, because honestly the guy seemed like a fun dude.

  Just outside the front door was a makeshift ramp, made out of plywood and two by fours. My first thought was it would really dress up the front if they added a small deck with maybe some railings.

  I felt a little strange just walking inside without being invited, but Marcus was nowhere in sight. I could actually hear his voice echoing out the still opened door, but I couldn’t see him.

  Not wanting to leave the front door wide open, I stepped just inside and closed the door behind me. Pushing my hands into my front pockets, I looked around at the small space cramped with an abundance of furniture. In the corner was some type of contraption with straps and a hoist, or seat, or something.

  I felt huge in the space as I continued to scan the area.

  “Well, hello.” I looked to my left and felt nervous as a shorter woman with cropped blonde hair entered the living room. “You must be Xavier, though Marcus did insist that I call you Pineapple Man instead.” She smirked. “I’m not sure I even want to know.”

  I tried not to react, but when she laughed I knew my face gave away my shock, and maybe discomfort. I made a mental note to get him back in some form whenever the opportunity arose.

  “Xavier,” I said, thrusting my hand forward, “Stone. Just Xavier Stone,” I insisted as she reached out and shook my hand.

  “He tells me you’re a friend of Morgan’s.” I didn’t miss the curiosity in her eyes. “I never get the chance to meet many of her friends, besides Marcus, of course, but he is like one of my own. She keeps her life outside of here pretty private.”

  “I’ve learned that about her too, she’s a difficult puzzle to solve,” I agreed, and her smile only grew.

  “Difficult is one way to describe my daughter. Strong willed, determined, and stubborn would be a few other options we could use too.”

  “Cranky, broody, irritable,” Marcus said as he entered the living room. “Maybe bitch too.”

  Morgan’s mother laughed as she nodded her head, agreeing with Marcus.

  My thoughts on the topic were suddenly lost when a small boy entered the room in a motorized wheelchair. He beamed brightly, a toothy grin as he drove right up to me and came to an abrupt stop.

  I could feel the eyes of both Marcus and Morgan’s mother on me, as if they were weighing my reaction to the boy. At first I was a little shocked, but that quickly passed as I leaned in and placed my hand on his. “Hi,” I said. “You must be Toby?”

  He didn’t respond. He turned his head toward his mother, and by the excitement on his face, I’d have to say I passed the test.

  “He approves, Mom,” Marcus told Morgan’s mother. “Toby knows a good one when he sees one.”

  I had no idea what that meant, but when they welcomed me in and led me toward the table where they too, joined me, the tense feeling inside me faded. I had been ac
cepted.

  “Morgan went to the hardware store with Ed, and then they were gonna stop by and pick up lunch for all of us. I’m sure they’ll be back soon,” Morgan’s mom said; I now knew her as Kathy. “She’ll be excited to see you’ve stopped by to visit.”

  Marcus snickered and I narrowed my eyes at him. I think we were both thinking the same thing. She would be shocked, irritated maybe, but I doubt excited.

  “Come on in and get comfortable.” Kathy waved me in.

  I sat down on the couch and Toby slid his chair as close as he could get to me. He appeared to be a happy kid, always smiling. His legs didn't seem as if they had much mobility or strength, but he was able to use his arms. A small switch that operated his wheelchair was mounted within reach and he used it to move himself around with ease. His right hand looked a little tighter than the left.

  “He was born with complications, and though I know there was nothing I could do to change it, I feel like sometimes I did this to him.” I looked at Morgan’s mother and could sense her sadness. “But he is our special little man, full of love and determination. Stubborn like his sister, but has his daddy’s heart.”

  “And his mom’s too,” Marcus added as he reached out toward her and hugged her closer. She touched his arm with her hand and offered a gentle pat.

  I didn’t know the situation between Marcus and Morgan’s family, but anyone could see they were close.

  “Well, I may have just met ya, Toby,” I said, reaching out to tap his knee, “but I say you are an amazing guy.”

  He nodded his head, before looking over toward his mother and Marcus.

  “That he is,” Marcus added.

  I was studying the field of orthopedics, and though it may not have been the same thing, I’d always been fascinated with muscles and how they work. I had gone through courses for rehabilitation and the best exercises to treat specific injuries for full recovery. Again, not the same as what Toby needed, but the tightness and spasms he experienced were sometimes treated using the same tactics.

  Chapter 20

  Morgan

  The last couple of days were hard. I’d missed school, refusing to leave my mother’s side. Even though she insisted she’d be fine after the doctor prescribed meds and we all sat down and talked, I still couldn't go. I felt awful knowing she was fighting some type of hidden battle I couldn't fight for her.

  So I stayed at my parents’ for a couple nights, making sure she had very little to do on her own. I wanted her to just relax, take some time for herself, and let me handle everything else. She was stubborn, even though she said it was all me, but where did she think I got it from? She fought me, then when she finally realized I wasn’t gonna budge, she gave in. She napped, took long hot baths, and even went to lunch with an old friend.

  My mother has such an amazing heart, so full of life. Lately though that spark within her had faded and I wanted nothing more than to get it back for her. I wanted her to laugh and smile, know that it was not forced or for show, and that it was truly genuine.

  I’d do whatever I had to in order to get back that sweet woman. I was slowly starting to see her again; with each day that passed she resurfaced.

  “Looks like we’ve got some company,” my father said as he rounded the corner onto the street. “Fancy little red car, isn’t it?”

  I didn’t respond, because all I could focus on was the tight knot in my stomach. I knew that red car. It was the same red car Xavier climbed in after he gave me his number and walked away. A red two-door sports car that looked like it cost more than mine, my father’s, and my mother’s combined.

  My question was why he was here. Oh, and how in the hell did he figure out where my parents lived?

  I moved from the truck within seconds of my dad slowing to a stop as I moved toward the front door with purpose. I pushed open the front door, fully intending to tell Xavier he had a lot of nerve taking his need to know me this far and froze instantly.

  My mother and Marcus sat on the couch, while Xavier stood in the center of the room. He held Toby’s hand in his as he extended his fingers, pressing firmly to the palm of his hand. I recognized the movement immediately; it was a therapeutic method we used on him daily. The muscles and tendons throughout his arms and hands needed continuous stretching, otherwise they remained tight and caused him pain.

  What I didn’t understand was why Xavier was now the one performing them.

  “Do they recommend this once a day?” he asked.

  They were all still oblivious to my presence.

  “Actually we do it with him twice a day,” my mother said in response. “There are times, though, that we’ve done it more. Usually Morgan will do it or Marcus when they are sitting down to watch a movie. He does better when others help him; I think he gets frustrated with me.”

  “Sometimes a change is good,” Xavier added, “for the both of you, actually. Does he have therapy weekly outside of the house? Cycling, maybe,” he asked. “They say that truly helps with the muscle spasms.”

  “What are you doing?” I asked, gaining everyone’s attention.

  Marcus spun around, looking back over the couch at me, and my mother stood. I knew he was somehow behind this and I’d handle his nosy, pushy ass later. By the look on his face, I think he sensed I was irritated with him.

  “Honey,” my mom said, taking a step toward me. She looked so much brighter than she had a few days ago. It could be related to the fact that she was now on medication to help her cope with her depression. Or maybe that none of us have left her alone for more than thirty minutes at a time. “Xavier was just…” I cut her off as I stepped around her and focused on Xavier.

  “Why are you here?” I asked.

  “I invited him.” I turned my body toward Marcus and gave him a look I knew he’d understand.

  This is my life, my family. I wouldn’t allow any guy to weasel his way into my life by using my family to do so. Especially Toby, and Marcus knew this. I was territorial of my brother. No, I was obsessive. He was the most important thing in the world to me, and at that moment I felt bulldozed.

  My emotions were all over the place.

  “He gave me a ride over here after he showed up at our place looking for you,” Marcus clarified, only it did nothing to ease the tension I felt. I bit down hard on my lip to keep myself from saying all the things rolling around in my head.

  “Thanks for the help, Morgan,” my father said from behind me as he squeezed past me carrying bags. “There’s more in the truck,” he added.

  It was my way out, my escape. I needed a moment to just breathe.

  Without another word I turned on my heels and walked back out the front door. By the time I reached the truck my heart was racing. I leaned forward, bracing myself against the side of the bed and closed my eyes.

  I could hear someone approaching from behind and assumed it was Marcus coming to explain his actions. I spun around, fully intending to let him have it, only it wasn’t Marcus. It was my mother.

  “He seems nice,” she said cautiously, “and Toby loves him.”

  “That’s just it, Mom,” I said, throwing my hands up in the air. “Toby.”

  I ran my hands over my face, trying to regain a little self-control.

  “What?” she asked.

  “Toby is off limits.” I sounded louder than I intended to.

  When I lowered my hands and looked back at her she was just watching me. How could she not see why this upset me?

  “He’s just a guy, Mom,” I told her. How the hell do you explain to your mother that you hooked up with someone you didn’t even know and now he wants to do it all over again? “I barely know him.” I left the rest unsaid. “He’s asked me out and I declined. Now he’s here, in my space, with my family. He’s acting as if he gives a shit about Toby and his therapy and you all are buying into the act.”

  “Do you know anything about this guy?” she asked, still giving me a look like I’d lost my damn mind.

  “He’s j
ust a frat guy who isn’t used to being told no,” I assured her. “I give in, he gets what he wants, and then he’s gone.”

  “I don’t get that from him,” she stated, crossing her arms over her chest. “I see a boy who likes a stubborn girl.”

  I rolled my eyes and leaned back against my father’s truck.

  “Morgan.” My body tensed as I looked over my mother’s shoulder to see Xavier standing only a few feet away. “Can we talk for a minute?”

  My mother stepped forward and pressed her hand to my cheek. “You’re young, you shouldn’t be forced to push the things you want aside. I may be old, honey, but I know what it’s like to be your age. Give the boy a chance.”

  Her hand dropped away and she turned to face Xavier. Walking toward the house, she patted his arm as she passed him and I cocked a brow in question. Had he really had them all so fooled?

  “Just a frat guy, huh?” he questioned me as he stepped closer.

  I should’ve felt bad about him overhearing my thoughts, but at least it saved me from having to repeat it all.

  There he stood, with his hands pushed into his front pockets, his forearms flexed, showing off the contour of the muscles throughout his arms, shoulders, and chest. A flashback of those very muscles ran through my mind as I remembered the way they tensed when he hovered above me not that long ago.

  “You have this perception of men,” he began, pulling me back to the present. “Like we all want one thing, as if we aren’t capable of commitment. That may be true for some, but I’m not sure why you’ve categorized me as the same. I’ve tried since the morning after we were together to be more with you than just that one amazing night.”

  “I told you I didn’t…” He held his hand up to stop me.

  “I know, you didn’t have time,” he finished for me. “I didn’t show up here to make you mad. I didn’t decide I would invade your life and leave you with no other choice but to give in.”

  “Then why did you come here?”

  “At first,” he shrugged, “it was because Marcus assured me I’d get the chance to see you.” I arched my brow as if to say “I told you so,” and he chuckled. “I know, but then after I met your mom, and Toby, it was different.”