I cross the kitchen as Tracie's flip flops clomp on the hardwood behind me. The pantry light automatically flicks on when I pull the doors open and I reach up and grab the grocery bag with chips in it, handing it to her as I reach for another.
"Oh, let me do that, momma." Duke's voice comes from over my shoulder, and I see Tracie jump lightly as Duke sweeps past her to grab the bag from my hands. "What else do ya need?" His blue-green eyes roam over my face as a slight smirk quirks the corner of his mouth up, and I can't help the blush that runs over my skin.
"Just the box with the ketchup, mustard, and pickles," I say, pointing at the small box at the very top of the pantry. He pulls it down with ease—I would have needed to get the stool from the corner of the kitchen—and he places the bags of chips on top, turning to face Tracie and I with a grin.
"Somethin' smells amazing in this house. Wait! Don't tell me," he says, his eyes darting around the kitchen, "you're cookin' beans in the oven?"
His eyes lock on mine and they are filled with a childlike sense of amusement. I know he loves the baked beans I make, and I just grin at him, nodding as Tracie giggles. "Oh damn," he says, making his way to the patio door, "I'm gonna go home stuffed like a Christmas turkey tonight." His laugh is full and hearty as he pushes the door open with his leg, winking at me over the bags and box in his arms.
Why is he making me so giddy tonight? I think to myself, letting him grin down at me as I slip past him out into the yard, the edge of one of his hands brushing against my hip. I am lonely and sad, and at this second it is catching up with me in a tidal wave; a heat filling my limbs at the thought of a man's touch.
NO, not just any man. Even just this split second of Duke's touch makes me yearn for Chad, makes me want to drop everything and travel the world to find him and take advantage of him. Hell, he'd be more than willing, so I wouldn't have to work that hard, and I giggle to myself as Tracie and I cross the yard to place our things on the table with the food.
I think it's funny how food brings everyone together. It can mend burned bridges, at least until the night is over. For now everyone in my yard gathers around and chats away as they fill their plates. They all commend Brad on his grilling, slapping him on the back or shaking his hand.
Sitting in my favorite Adirondack chair with my legs tucked up underneath me, I eat my burger, beans, and salad in comfortable silence with Garth sitting on the grass in front of me, looking like some sort of watch dog. I find out quickly how right that analogy is. As Duke makes his way over to us, Garth sits up a little straighter, his ponytail brushing against my folded leg as Duke comes up to us.
"Hey Ray, can I show Jes and Jarrod, Rooster's truck in the garage?" Duke's blue-green eyes don't waver from my face as he takes a quick drink from a can of Coke. I can see that Jesse and Jarrod see Garth's apprehension and unease at their closeness, and a smirk fills Jesse's smug little face.
"Yeah, I'll show you guys," I say, unfolding my legs from underneath me and setting my half eaten plate on the arm of the chair. Garth shoots to his feet, extending his hand to help me up, and I gratefully accept it, smoothing my dress down over my butt as I straighten. Garth squeezes my hand and I look up at his green eyes, my gaze immediately going over the scar running across his left eyebrow and cheek.
"I'll take a look, too," he almost whispers to me as his hands guide my arm into the crook of his elbow, leading me toward the back garage door. I can see a raised eyebrow on Duke, but he and the other two just follow along without a word.
The garage light is bright as I flick the switch up, the fluorescents buzzing lightly as they warm up. I snake my arm out from Garth's grip and make my way over to the tarp-covered truck in the far corner, running my hands over the seat of Chad's Harley as I pass it. A yearning of desire shoots through me as I think of riding on the back of it, wrapping my arms tightly around his firm chest, resting my cheek on one of his massive shoulders.
As I pull the tarp back, I hear a mumble of amazement from Jarrod and Garth, their eyes wide as I pull it back over the bumper. I'm definitely not going to tell them about the crying session I had last night sitting in the front seat of this truck, with my fingers wrapped around the steering wheel as the tears rolled down my cheeks. I had screamed into the silent night air, pounding my bare feet on the floor boards as my heart ached for my brother, my mother, and Chad. I sat there for more than two hours, eventually falling asleep being slumped over on the bench seat and woke up in the morning, stiff and still exhausted.
No way, no how am I going to share that with these four men as they gawk and ogle the classic Chevy left behind by my Navy SEAL brother when he never came home. The guys’ conversations fade into the background as I stand there and muse over my happy childhood with my older brother at my left hand and Chad at my right. I can't think of anytime, except for when they enlisted, that I was void of them both.
When we were younger, they used to flank me as we walked down the sidewalk to school, splashing me with water from puddles when it rained and tossing leaves in my hair in the fall; the three of us filling the blocks from our trailers to school with laughter. Even when they got their drivers licenses, I always sat in the middle if the three of us were in the vehicle together. Chad had an old Chevy S-10 when he was sixteen and Randy had the truck that sits before me now, before he had restored it.
"Has it been driven lately?" Jarrod's voice breaks my daydreaming, and I whip my head in his direction, seeing his hand running over the wheel well, brushing the dust and dirt away and rubbing his hand on his jeans.
"No," I say meekly, afraid of the question I know will come next.
"Can we..." Jesse starts to say.
"No!" Duke cuts him off, his eyes darting from mine to his cousin's face. "If anyone's gonna take this fine piece of machinery for a drive it'll be Rhea."
He winks at me and I catch Garth rolling his eyes, and in a split second, his back is pressed up against Randy's truck; Jarrod's hands gripped into his shirt. Their faces are only inches apart, and I am frozen, my mind jumbled with all sorts of things I need to do to stop this from escalating.
"You know, I'm sick of your smug little attitude," Jarrod almost growls into Garth's face as Garth pushes him back. Ignoring their angry banter, I push by Chad's Harley, yelling for help as I reach the open back door. I hear the word 'fag' uttered and blows start to land as I turn back around, Duke and Jesse's voices yelling over those of Jarrod and Garth; their arms trying to restrain the brawling men. Coming up to Duke's elbow, I'm a nervous mess, not wanting to see anyone fight.
"Please stop them." Punches are landing on cheeks and chins, Jarrod spitting blood onto my garage floor. I have a hand on an arm of both of the warring parties when I hear Harlan's voice enter the garage and I let my guard down; turning my head toward the sound, I'm surprised to feel a blow land square in the middle of my chest, knocking me to the floor. My head hits the garage door and a sharp pain flows up from my tailbone through my hip and right leg. I'm in shock as the cool feel of the concrete fills my lower half. Kendall's angry voice replaces the ringing in my ears.
"Are you okay?" I hear her repeat over and over, her brown eyes and blonde hair filling my line of sight. I hear one of the guys say that he didn't mean to hit me and Kendall responds with a "Shut the fuck up Jar, and get the fuck outta here before I kill you."
"I'm okay, I think," I say, rubbing the still stinging spot in the middle of my chest as I try and get up. Harlan's large hand on my shoulder keeps me still. "I'm okay; really, just let me get up."
The crowd is hovering over me now, more than thirty sets of eyes burning holes into my sitting figure and I start to blush under their scrutiny. Taking Kendall and Harlan's offered hands, I let them slowly pull me to my feet, feeling that my right leg and hip are going to be sore tomorrow from their impact on the concrete. Taking a few steps, I wince slightly and am scooped up into Brad's arms. He walks quickly through the crowd, and I can hear Garth's words over his shoulder.
"I'm
sorry, Brad, but he punched me. He called me a fag; it made me crazy." That even makes me mad as Brad carries me through the mud room and kitchen, slowing by the couch.
"You should've used your head, Babe," Brad says, giving him a sidelong glance over my head as he turns and heads up the stairs.
"Excuse me," I say tartly, "but where are you taking me?" Brad's strong arms hold onto me like I am nothing, cresting the stairs and heading toward my master bedroom.
"Harlan is breaking up the party; we don't want any other fights breakin' out." Brad sets me down on the edge of my bed. "And I need to see if you're really okay." Brad has medical training, being a part time EMT for our voluntary fire department, so I let him have his way.
"I really am okay," I protest mildly as he runs his hand down my right leg, moving and prodding my ankle and knee. Putting my hands on his shoulders, I say as innocently as I can, hopefully playing to his masculine side, "I'm really okay, Brad, thank you."
"Nope, I'm not done." His hazel eyes peer at me from under his long, dark lashes. "I saw you favor your leg. I'm gonna check it out, and then tomorrow morning I'm taking you to Doc Young, bright an' early." He doesn’t hesitate, and it doesn’t bother me when he hikes up my sundress, revealing my black panties to Garth. Brad's hands push me to lie back as he inspects my hip.
"Tell me if any of this hurts," his strong voice washes over me as I feel his fingers massage into the flesh at my hip, pushing me over on my side to rotate the joint and a shot of pain fills my body. My hand slaps on top of his to stop him as a slight whimper escapes.
"Yup definitely taking you to the Doc in the mornin'," he says, leaning back on his knees as I sit up, watching him take his cell from his pocket. "You’re not experiencing any abdominal pains? You gotta tell me, cuz if ya are we'll go to the ER right now."
"No," I shake my head, subconsciously running my hand over my slight bump, "nothing I've noticed at least."
His concern scares me all of a sudden, making me worry. "I didn't fall that hard, did I?" I ask, my voice trembling as my eyes begin to water. What if something happens to the baby? is the only thing running through my head at this very second, over and over, building the fright in my heart to an alarming amount.
"You're scaring her,” Duke's voice comes in the room, and he's kneeling by the bed in a second, taking my hand in both of his. His eyes are filled with concern as he looks me over.
"Well, maybe if your dumb-ass friend hadn't started with me," Garth starts to chime in, but Brad throws his hand up, stopping his boyfriend's banter. Garth chokes on whatever else he was planning to say. His fists clench at his sides and I can't help but want to comfort him. He was just defending himself after all, so I stand, and ignoring the pain in my leg, limp over to him and throw my arms around his neck, hugging him tight. I smile as I feel his arms wrap around my waist, squeezing me lightly, his face resting in the crook of my neck and shoulder.
Releasing Garth, I kiss him on the cheek and whisper, "You kicked his ass, brother." My heart lifts at the smile that quirks up on his lips.
"Are you sure she shouldn't go to the hospital?" Duke questions as I turn to face Brad and him. He shoves his hand back through his now loose blonde hair, and I can't help but let my thoughts wander to Chad. Duke kind of looks like him right now, except blonde. Shaking it off mentally, I wobble back to the edge of the bed and lower myself down, the pain in my hip being not as bad right now.
"Rhea, do you want me to take ya to the ER?” Brad asks, and I can sense a tinge of frustration, seeing his gaze flicker from Duke to me.
I think about it, running over if I really feel the need to go or not. I am feeling just fine except for my hip, I don’t even have any gas, which is a miracle for me seeing as I have been a walking ball of fumes the last week or two. Running my hand over my stomach, I shake my head. I look up at Brad and see him nod.
"We are gonna stay the night just in case, and I'll take ya to the Doc in the mornin'," he says, and I nod my head with a smile.
"Alright, I'll get going then," Duke resigns and I can hear a slight sadness, even feel it wash over me as he stands, hovering by the corner of the bed. I reach my hand out and capture his, squeezing his fingers in my grasp.
"Thanks for comin’,” I say, my eyes running up his body to land on his face, "and for building my fire pit." I smile at him, seeing a slight spark in his eyes, and release his hand.
"Anytime, Rhea," he says, leaning down and kissing me on the cheek, disappearing out through the open door before I can react. His lips leave a burning sensation on my flesh, and a blush fills my skin as Garth and Brad both stare at me.
Why is Duke getting to me? I am so lonely, that must be it. Just lonely. Saying goodnight to everyone, after Brad checks my blood pressure with his EMT bag spread out over the floor of my bedroom, I snuggle into bed and pull Chad's pillow to my chest.
"Oh Chad," I whisper, rubbing the material of the pillow case between my fingers, "I miss you so much." Slight tears build on the edge of my lashes, spilling slowly over my cheeks and soaking into the pillow as the faint Old Spice scent fills my nose. I want him, need him, so much so that it hurts, making my heart feel as if it is going to beat right out of my chest.
I want his body next to mine, keeping me warm in this darkness chilled room. I want his hands running over my skin, teasing me as his lips roll over mine; then move to my neck, and my shoulders, then down to my chest. And oh, how he kisses my chest; his lips and tongue teasing my now hard nipples. A shiver runs through me as goose-bumps fill my skin at the thought, and I have to restrain a little moan from slipping out as I swear I can feel his touch sweeping down to my thighs; his rough hands rubbing tenderly over my thighs. His smell washes over me as I clutch his pillow tight, moving my own hand down to the juncture of my thighs and massaging for a second into my panties. My legs shake at the sensation, my body not seeing any attention like this in what seems like forever, and I leave Chad’s pillow lying on top of me as I reach into the bedside table drawer and retrieve my little bullet massager.
It’s not the same as my Chad, but it will do for now. I close my eyes and think of him as the slight buzzing noise breaks the silence in the room. It doesn’t take long for the delicious feeling of my climax to fill me, my eyes starring as I hold them shut tightly, envisioning his body enveloping me and his blue eyes locked on mine. I hear a few of the stitches on the pillow case pop as my teeth pull at it, trying to stifle the moan of passion that rumbles in my throat as I take a deep breath of Chad’s scent.
It’s just not the same. I do feel a little better, but coming down off the high lying in bed alone still makes me feel lonely, and the tears of loneliness start to edge my eyes as I curl onto my side; hugging his pillow tight again.
I can do this, I tell myself over and over. I can do this. I have to do this; I have to trudge on not only for myself but for Chad, for the baby, and for my four friends sleeping down the hall. If I give in to the emotional waterfall and become a weeping lump of nothing, what kind of situation would that put them in?
I can do this, I drift off to sleep thinking, smiling. I can do this. I can’t help but think for a second over my confusion of the whole Duke situation and his attitude toward me recently, but again, I take a deep breath and push it aside.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Duke
You can't fathom how much I wanted to kiss Rhea on the lips instead of the cheek as I left her bedroom, but the heated looks I was getting from Brad and Garth were enough to send me away chastely. She is really more beautiful than ever; her skin is practically glowing and her curves more tantalizing. It is hard to stick to my plan to be cool until we are totally alone for a little period of time, just earning her trust without being too aggressive. Every time that I see her I want to rip her clothes off.
Jesse and Jarrod are arguing incessantly in the back seats of my truck’s cab, Jesse trying to wipe the blood from Jarrod's face after his fight with Garth. That fucking dumb ass.
"Shut
the hell up you two!” I bark at them, roaring through the middle of town without stopping at the red light. I am running a situation or two through my head for the next week with Rhea. Things I can do to make her happy and to get into her heart.
"You shut the hell up, Duke," Jarrod hisses as Jesse throws a rag at him, "you're not the one bleedin'."
"Well, if you weren't such a fuckin' prick you wouldn't be bleedin'," I retort, whipping into my short driveway and throwing my Dodge in park. Swiveling around, I look both of them in the face, lowering my voice to a menacing growl.
"And if you two fucked anythin' up that I had goin' with Rhea, I'll kill you both." They both grumble a response and slide out. I slam my door with more force than necessary just to get my point across, and Jarrod meets me at the front of the truck, peering at me through a swollen, already blackened eye.
"An’ what the hell makes you think she's even thinkin' ‘bout you that way. Hell, she's got an entire support system behind her with Payne, what do you have to offer her?" His voice is echoing through the dark early morning air, and I step up to be nose to nose with him, our chests touching. My intimidation isn’t working as he continues with his rant.
"You have this shitty trailer, that shitty truck, and a dead end job." He laughs, stumbling over to his truck. "She'd be the dumbest girl alive if she left him for you. Plus, he loves her, you don't...."
"Don't fuckin' try and tell me what I feel, asshole." I stalk over to him quickly, shoving my fist into his chest and knocking him back against the passenger door of his GMC Sierra. "I love Rhea more than that jackoff, and you know it. And keep your God damn voice down." I push his chest one more time before turning and leaving him in my driveway, with Jesse hot on my heels as I throw open my trailer’s door.
Coming Home: Book 2 The Wakefield Romance Series Page 7
