Rock Hard Neighbor

by Rye Hart

  The judge banged his gavel and tears sprang to my eyes. Amanda threw her arms around me, but I felt like I couldn’t move. It was done. The nightmare was over, and Lanie was officially mine. I felt tears running down my cheeks as Amanda kissed my neck, her words lost in my ears as I teetered on my feet.

  “It’s over,” I said in a whisper.

  “Yes, it is,” Amanda said.

  “And to let the two of you know,” the judge said, “that marriage license expires in thirty days. If you’re not going to get married soon, be prepared to refile.”

  “Yes, Your Honor,” I said. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  I felt a pair of warm lips against mine, and it brought me out from my stupor. I wrapped my arms around Amanda’s waist, pulled her in close and dipped her down low. She giggled at me as our tongues danced, and every single ounce of stress I’d been under for the past week lifted itself off my body. My hands buried in her, my mind losing myself in her taste as my lawyer tried to get us out of the room.

  “Excuse me, you two? I’m going to need this room in a few minutes,” the judge said.

  “Sorry,” I said as Amanda giggled. “We’re leaving.”

  We followed my lawyer out into the waiting room as another docket number was called. We sat in a corner and he began throwing paperwork at me to sign, but I could tell there was something he wanted to say. I signed and initialed where he asked me to, then he took the paperwork from me and sat back.

  “Brian.”

  “Yes,” I said.

  “This is a massive victory,” he said.

  “I know,” I said.

  “I’ve seen a lot in my time practicing law, and I have to tell you, I think you two are the real deal. I know this was originally an arrangement to benefit the custody case, but watching you two today in that court room? Only people who know how they feel can face a judge and answer that easily. As a man who’s been happily married for thirty years, take my advice and put that marriage license to use. Just my two cents,” he said as he rose.

  I stood shook his hand, watching as he walked down the hall to file the paperwork with the records clerk. I turned back to see if Amanda had heard what Luther had said, but she was on her phone, presumably with Sarah, who had begged to watch Lanie that morning so we could go to court. I needed to figure out what the fuck I was going to do.

  I knew now, without a doubt, that I loved this woman, but I didn’t know exactly how she felt about me. I needed to know. I gave her a little wave and she ended her phone call.

  “Everything ok with Lanie,” I asked.

  “She’s perfect. Sarah is playing tea party with her and they are having a ball,” Amanda said.

  “Good,”

  “We should pick up Sarah and Lanie to celebrate,” Amanda said.

  “That sounds like a good idea. Any place you’d like to go?” I asked.

  “Did Lanie like that pizza place you guys went to?”

  I could tell she was fishing within the confines of my memory as I reached out and cupped her cheek.

  “Yes.”

  I saw relief cascade over Amanda’s features as a smile bloomed across her cheeks.

  “Then let’s go there,” she said with a grin.

  CHAPTER 29

  Amanda

  “I gotta pee pee.”

  I looked over at Lanie, her face covered in pizza sauce as she wiggled around in her chair.

  “Come on. I’ll take you to the bathroom,” I said.

  “Oh, perfect! This gives me a chance to tell you about the time Amanda got so drunk she passed out on the kitchen floor,” Sarah said to Brian as I stood.

  “Don’t you dare. I’ll be right back,” I said as I reached for Lanie’s hand.

  “No, really. It’s a good story. She got drunk in one outfit, and woke up in another sprawled out on the kitchen floor,” Sarah said.

  “Shut up, Sarah!”

  “Pee pee,” Lanie said.

  I was worried about all the stories Sarah would try to cram in during the bathroom break. But I was shocked when Lanie announced she had to go to the bathroom. The three of us had been working with her on recognizing when she needed to pee before it was too late.

  “Need help?” I asked.

  “I can do it,” Lanie said.

  I watched as she pulled down her pants and pull up and got up onto the toilet. I closed my eyes and turned my back to give her some privacy. She was humming and scooting around on the toilet seat as she went to the bathroom, and my heart swelled with pride when she was done.

  “All done,” Lanie said. “Help with my pants?”

  “Of course I can,” I said.

  “I went pee pee!”

  “Yes, you did. And I’m so proud of you.” I wrapped the little girl up in my arms as a smile broke out on her face. She buried her face into my neck as I reached out to flush the toilet. She was scared of the sound the toilet made, and I could feel her whimpering against my skin.

  “It’s okay. The toilet’s not gonna get you while I’m around,” I said.

  I held her as she washed and dried her hands, then she opened the door and took off. She crawled onto Brian’s lap and started clapping her hands as she tried to tell Brian what she’d just done.

  “And I, I pulled it down all by myself. And the pee pee happened. And it all went in and didn’t go everywhere!” Lanie said excitedly.

  “She peed all by herself without making a mess,” I said.

  “You’re kidding? Lanie! I’m so proud of you!”

  I watched as Brian encompassed the little girl in his arms.

  “I did it, Daddy. I did it.”

  We all froze at the table as Brian’s face dropped. He pulled the little girl away from his shoulders and studied the smile on her face. Sarah’s eyes were darting between the two of us as Lanie’s smile slowly faded from her cheeks. I wasn’t sure what Brian was feeling, but he looked almost upset.

  “Is that okay?” Lanie asked.

  “Is what okay?” Brian asked.

  “Can I say ‘Daddy’?”

  Brian’s eyes flickered over to mine before he nodded his head and grinned. He was in disbelief. Hearing Lanie call him daddy was helping everything to sink in. The fact that we had won this morning. The fact that Lanie was now his daughter. I could see the happiness and the pride and the contentment rolling through his body as Lanie wrapped her arms around his neck.

  “I love you, Daddy,” Lanie said.

  “I love you, too, Princess.”

  The pizza we had was phenomenal. Everything was made in-house, and all the meat and vegetables were locally-sourced. I ate until I couldn’t eat anymore, and I was concerned that Sarah would have to roll me out of the restaurant. I kept bugging Sarah about what kinds of stories she had told Brian while I was gone, but all they did was grin at me. Every time Sarah struck up a new story I thought I was going to melt into the floor, but it wasn’t until Brian put his hand on my knee that I settled down.

  Whatever she told him, it must not have scared him off.

  Yet.

  The four of us laughed together and waited for our food to settle. It was nice, and it felt natural between all of us. Brian and Sarah bonded over their mutual hatred for reality television while Lanie and I colored with the crayons the pizza place had given us. I was teaching her about letters and colors, seeing how many she could identify before I had to jump in and help. We were there for three hours before we were winding down and ready to leave, so I made sure to leave a really nice tip as Brian picked up the check.

  “Brian, I have to go back to the hotel and get my car. Could you drop me off there?” I asked.

  “And I’ll have to ride back with you guys so I can get my car. It’s still at Brian’s,” Sarah said.

  “Not a problem. We’ll get all the cars to where they need to be,” Brian said.

  By the time we got back to my car, Lanie was already sleeping. I told Sarah to ride with me up the mountain, so we could talk, which meant Lani
e could stay asleep through the ride home. We got into my car and followed Brian up the mountain, but I could tell there was something on Sarah’s mind.

  “What?” I asked.

  “What?”

  “There’s something on your mind. You keep giving me that look,” I said.

  “What look?” Sarah asked.

  “The look like you want to say something. Come on. I’ve known you for years. I know when something’s on your mind.”

  “You look happy, is all,” she said.

  “Uh huh. And that’s it? Just that I look happy?” I asked.

  “No. You’re actually happy. You’re not just smiling just to get by. You’re actually happy.”

  I grinned as I drew in a deep breath.

  “Yeah. I am,” I said.

  “Are you two still going through with the marriage thing now that he has custody?” she asked.

  “I’m not sure that we have to,” I said.

  “I think you should still do it,” Sarah said.

  “What?” I asked her, surprised by her comment. “Look, I know it sounds crazy. Trust me, I feel crazy for even mentioning it. But lunch? That shit flowed between the two of you effortlessly. And that niece of his is crazy about you. I can tell he is, too.”

  “Really? You think so?” I asked.

  “All I’m saying is, there’s no use in shutting a door that hasn’t been opened yet,” she said.

  We rode in silence as I pulled up beside her car in front of Brian’s cabin.

  “You think he actually has feelings for me?” I asked.

  “I think that the two of you should talk about it because you obviously do,” Sarah said.

  “Shit,” I said.

  “I feel you. Now, I’m going to get in my car and go back to my hotel. Talk to him tonight. Get drunk to do it if you have to. But if you have feelings for him, he deserves to know before the two of you ruin something really great by overthinking it.”

  “I know,” I said. “I know.”

  “And by the way? That rock is serious. He could’ve bought you any old small, dinky ring. But he picked that fucker. That should tell you enough.”

  I looked over at Sarah as a smile ricocheted across her cheeks.

  “Tell him,” she said. “Just trust me, for once.”

  “I always trust you, Sarah.”

  “Then trust me again. Talk to him. Then call me and tell me all about it.”

  “Of course,” I said, giggling. “It’s a shocker you don’t like reality television. That shit is right up your alley.”

  “I don’t enjoy fake pettiness and drama. I enjoy actual pettiness and drama.”

  “Talk to you soon?” I asked.

  “You better,” she said.

  CHAPTER 30

  Brian

  I woke up to Amanda talking excitedly on her phone in the corner. She was sitting on the windowsill with her legs curled up to her, a bright smile on her face. I rolled over with a groan and looked at her, my eyes running along the smooth contour of her legs.

  “That’s wonderful. Yes. Yes, please, go ahead. I’ll be down there this afternoon. Uh huh. One o’clock tomorrow sounds perfect. I’ll see you then. And thank you. Thank you so very much.”

  “Who was that?” I asked.

  “Brian, you’re never going to guess what just happened.”

  I sat up in bed as Amanda turned her smile toward me.

  “What happened? Who was that?” I asked.

  “That was the man from the art gallery. He chose me to sell the gallery to!”

  “Wow. Amanda, that’s incredible.” My heart felt lighter than it had in years. Amanda was bouncing around with excitement as she wiggled herself around. I slid from the bed and wrapped my arms around her, drawing her in for a congratulatory kiss. I felt my soul collapsing into her, and the last of my walls dropping.

  This woman had me enraptured — body, mind, and soul.

  “I’m so happy for you,” I said.

  “Well, good morning to you, too.” She drew me back in for another kiss as I picked her up into my arms. My hands cupped her ass as her legs wrapped around me. I could feel my cock throbbing painfully beneath my pajama pants, seeking out her warmth as her heat grew. I could smell her already. Her intoxicating scent filling the space around us as she threaded her body around mine.

  “Is this a good time to ask when we’re getting married?” I asked.

  Amanda pulled her body away from mine as I sat down on the windowsill and captured her eyes.

  “You still want to marry me?” she asked.

  “Yeah, Amanda, I do,” I said to her. “But I think we need to talk about some things first.”

  “Yes, we do,” she said.

  “What do you have going on at one tomorrow?” I asked, suddenly remembering her conversation.

  “The owner’s expediting the paperwork. I have to go into town today to fill out the loan paperwork and then I’m going down to sign for the place tomorrow.”

  “That’s amazing, Amanda. We can talk after all of that is taken care of. I’m so proud of you.”

  I gazed into her eyes before a small knock came at the door. Lanie came walking in as Amanda scooted off my lap. Her movements weren’t as quick as they were the last time Lanie almost caught us. She didn’t try to jump away from me or make it look like we weren’t up to anything.

  It gave me hope that our conversation would be a good one.

  “Breakfast, please?” Lanie asked.

  “Of course you can have breakfast,” Amanda said. “What would you like?”

  “Cereal and milk,” Lanie said.

  “Hmmm, that depends. Can I get a kiss?”

  Lanie grabbed Amanda’s cheeks and pressed a kiss right to her lips. The two of them giggled as Amanda carried Lanie out of the room, her hips swaying as she held my little girl close. I quickly threw on a shirt and followed them out there. Lanie was talking at the table as Amanda poured her a bowl of cereal, and I started a pot of coffee as a knock came at the door.

  “You expecting anyone?” Amanda asked.

  “No. Did Sarah say she was coming by?” I asked.

  “Nope. I told her I’d call her, but she never said anything about coming by.”

  “Open up, doofus. I know you’re in there.” I recognized Jack’s voice instantly. Lanie’s eyes grew as she gasped with delight, scurrying down from the table as Amanda set her bowl of cereal down. I opened the door, and Lanie went rushing for Jack, wrapping her arms around his leg.

  “Uncle Jack! You’re here!” Lanie said.

  “Yes, I am. And this is for you,” Jack said.

  “Whoa! It’s bigger than me, Daddy!”

  Jack’s eyebrows hiked up with surprise as I beamed down at my niece.

  “Yes, it is. Do you want help carrying it to your room?” I asked.

  “No. I got it,” Lanie said.

  I ushered Jack into the house as Lanie struggled to get the bear down the hallway. Amanda stayed behind the kitchen counter, her cheeks a vibrant red as I looked over at her. I shifted myself between Jack’s view and her body as she ran down the hallway, looking for a pair of pants to put on as I embraced my friend.

  “Congratulations,” Jack said.

  “I didn’t think you got my voice message. I never heard back from you,” I said.

  “I was too busy booking a plane ticket. I wanted to come out here and congratulate you in person. This is a huge fucking deal. I wasn’t missing this.”

  “Well, I’m glad you’re here,” I said.

  “You must be Jack,” Amanda said.

  She walked up beside me and held her hand out for my best friend. He took her hand and brought it to his lips to kiss and I felt a small twinge of jealousy taint my stomach. Amanda grinned and shook her head, then she wrapped her arm around me and held me close.

  “I came by to congratulate Brian on his custody battle win,” Jack said.

  “Well, we’re glad you’re here. Are you hungry? The coffee’s alm
ost done brewing. I could cook everyone something?”

  “Do you have a specialty?” Jack asked.

  “Omelets and bacon,” Amanda said.

  “That sounds phenomenal.”

  “You don’t have to cook if you don’t want to. I can get it,” I said.

  “Sit down and have some time with your friend. You let me have mine. Now take yours,” Amanda said.

  “I like her. Listen to the beautiful woman. Come sit down and talk with me,” Jack said.

  A few minutes later, Lanie came running back out. She dove into Jack’s lap and curled up next to him, telling him about all the things she’s done lately. She told him about our hike and about how she peed like a big girl yesterday. She told him about how Amanda always had tea parties with her and promised they could dress up next time. She told him about all the times she watched Snow White and how she had been sick for a little bit but was feeling better.

  “Lanie. Let’s give Uncle Jack some time to breathe,” I said.

  “Time to breathe? Lanie, does it sound like I need time to breathe?” Jack asked.

  “No, Uncle Jack!”

  I heard Amanda’s giggle flutter from the kitchen as the smells of breakfast permeated the cabin. She was making omelets and frying up bacon like it was something she did every morning. Jack was rolling around on the floor with Lanie and I was staring at Amanda, running my eyes up and down her beautiful body as bacon grease popped in the pan.

  “She’s a beautiful woman,” Jack said.

  “That she is,” I said.

  “You know if the three of you ever need anything, all you have to do is ask.”

  “I appreciate it,” I said.

  “That’s a pretty big rock on her finger…”

  “It’s a pretty big rock for a pretty complicated situation,” I said.

  “Do you love her?”

  I whipped my head around at Jack’s question.

  “What?” I asked.

  “Do you love her?”

  “What does that have to do with anything?” I asked.

  “Everything, my friend. I saw the way you just looked at her. You’re more than a little infatuated.”