“Right. Because you chose to come to Miami.”
“Fuck you. I never claimed to be perfect. I’m towing the line here. I’m following the rules and focusing on my career. I’d call that dealing, wouldn’t you?”
Mitch blew out a breath. “I’m not suggesting that you aren’t doing those things. I am suggesting you’ve traded booze and hookers for weight machines and the treadmill. One vice for another. Never mind.” He shook his head as if defeated. “You can’t spend every spare minute working out. It’s not healthy.”
That made him laugh. “You think I should take up smoking and junk food like you?”
“This isn’t about me.”
“No, it’s not, but this ought to be good. Tell me, oh wise one, what do you suggest I do?” He had months before he began training with the team. Thanks to Ian’s stipulations, he was pretty much on lockdown. He couldn’t sit on his ass and do nothing all day long. The gym was all he had.
“I dunno.” Mitch waved his arm around. “Pick up a hobby. Do volunteer work. I don’t give a shit, as long as I don’t have to see the inside of a gym for more than a couple of hours a day.”
A hobby. Right. Like his ass was gonna take up knitting or some shit.
“I don’t think your job description leaves you much of a choice, does it? You’re kidding yourself if you think Ian is going to complain about me being in top physical condition by the start of the season.” Tanner rapped his knuckles on the counter. “On that note, I’m hitting the shower. Be ready to head out in twenty.”
Mitch pulled into the circle drive of Tanner’s parents house and shoved the convertible’s gearshift into park. Mitch had a sweet ride, and what a perfect way to travel on such a beautiful day. The ride from the hotel had left him downright chipper.
Tanner slid his sunglasses to the top of his head.
It had been two years since he’d been home for a visit. Nothing much had changed about the single-level spread he’d bought for his mom and dad after he’d signed with the team in LA. Flowerbeds lined both sides of the massive portico, landscaped with the flowering plants and shrubs his mom loved. The front yard was well maintained, mowed and edged to perfection around the stone steps leading to the driveway.
Tanner closed his eyes and drew in the sweet scent from the magnolia tree blooming next to the house. The place was a helluva lot nicer than the one he’d grown up in. Safer, too.
The car rumbled under his feet, making him realize Mitch hadn’t turned off the engine. Tanner cut him a look. “My parents know about you.” There was a conversation he never wanted to repeat. It was one thing to know he’d made a mess of his life. Laying it out for the loving parents who worked their asses off to ensure he had a solid foundation for a meaningful life? Brutal. “There’s no reason to hang back.”
“I’m gonna sit this one out.”
Tanner twisted in his seat. “Mom will only march out here and drag you inside to eat. You might as well come in now and get it over with.”
“No. I’m not staying. You don’t need me hanging around while you visit with your family.”
He was getting a pass? That surprised the hell out of him. “What would Ian think about you shirking your duties?” And would it come back to bite him in the ass?
“I’m giving you a gift. You gonna unwrap it or sit there like a little bitch and whine about it?”
“What’s the catch?”
“No catch. A show of faith. Consider it a trust-building exercise, but keep in mind if you leave this property—and I mean even to cross the street to chat up a neighbor—I’ll have your ass on a platter.” Mitch snagged a cigarette and brought it to his lips. “Go on. I’ve got shit to do. Shoot me a text when you’re ready and I’ll come collect you.”
As though he were an eight-year-old or something.
No one’s fault but your own. Eye on the prize, buddy.
Tanner swallowed a retort. “We’re still hitting the gym later.”
With a snick of his lighter, Mitch lit the cigarette and blew smoke into the air. “You’re a real pain in my ass, Wild.”
Grinning, Tanner reached for the door handle. “I’m not paid for my personality.”
Mitch actually chuckled at having his own words thrown back at him. “Get the fuck out of my car.”
He willingly obliged, suddenly looking forward to a few hours without Mitch under foot. The dude was cool considering the circumstances, but watching Mitch drive away lifted a weight from his shoulders. It was going to be nice to sit down with his parents without a living, physical representation of his own douchbaggery sitting next to him.
Reaching the front door, Tanner knocked a couple of times before letting himself in.
“Hello?” he called out. “Anyone home?” The smell of fresh biscuits drew him into the kitchen. “Mom?”
Standing at the center island chopping vegetables, his mom glanced up. “Oh, you’re here!”
Petite and fashionably dressed, she had flour on her shirt and cheek. Her hair was piled on her head in a chaos of dark curls. She hadn’t aged a day since he’d seen her last. The warm eyes that matched his own sparkled with a familiar hint of mischief, like she had hidden secrets he wanted nothing to do with knowing.
As she set down the knife, her smile was radiant. Her arms shot out, hands opening and closing in a grabby fashion. Laughing, Tanner went to her and pulled her into a hug.
She gave him a quick squeeze, then leaned back, her gaze scrutinizing. “How are you doing? Are you okay?”
“Things are good.” He dropped a quick kiss on her forehead and let her go. While she resumed her work at the cutting board, Tanner slid onto a barstool on the other side of the counter. “And everything will stay that way, don’t worry.”
“I always worry.” She peered around him. “Where’s your…”
He’d been prepared for this, but it still chafed like hell. “It’s okay to say babysitter, Mom. No sense trying to fancy it up. That’s basically what he is, whether I like it or not. But I give you my word I’m determined to keep him bored out of his mind.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Now where is he?”
“He’s not—”
The knife clanked against the board. “Tanner David Wild, did you make that poor man stay in the car?”
“—here.”
Tanner latched on to his mom’s arm and swung her around as she tried to storm past him, presumably to go save poor Mitch from his apparent life of slavery.
“I didn’t leave him in the car, Mom. He had things to do. He took off.”
“Oh. You aren’t going to get into trouble are you? You’ve been back so short a time.”
Icy shame ran through his veins. She had every reason to doubt his character. Something he could only fix through action, not words. Still, he sought to reassure her. “No trouble, I swear it.”
Her relief was palpable as she turned to stir something in a pot on the stove.
“Is Dad at Reynolds?” He snatched a fresh blueberry from a tray of fruit and tossed it into his mouth.
“Reynolds shut down years ago. Your dad is helping out over at Village Youth these days.”
Tanner’s stomach sank. Reynolds Youth Center had been his home away from home growing up. His dad volunteered for years, but had taken a more active role since retiring from teaching in the public school system. Both of his parents had been school teachers. Overworked, underpaid employees doing the best they could in a flawed system.
He learned to throw a football on the field behind Reynolds. He’d played his first scrimmage on that field. Had learned about hard work and sportsmanship there. Most of all, the center had provided him a safe place to go after school and on weekends in their steadily declining neighborhood.
“I had no idea.”
“Really?” Her brow crinkled. “I’m sorry. I know how much the center meant to you.”
Not much apparently, since he hadn’t known it shut down.
“What
happened?”
“Lack of funding. Your dad fought hard to keep things going, but in the end…” His mom sighed heavily.
“I wish he would’ve called me.” He could’ve helped. Sent money. Something.
“You had other things going on.”
Tanner stared at the tray of fruit on the counter, unable to meet his mom’s gaze. He’d been a selfish bastard, hadn’t he? Taking everything and everyone around him for granted. He’d gone off to college and forgotten all the things that were important to him. The center. His family. Abby. He’d let them all down.
By God he was through with all of that. He couldn’t turn back the clock, but he could damn well make sure things were different moving forward.
An idea formed in the back of his mind. “Have my boxes arrived?”
“Yes. I had your father stack them in the guest room.”
“That’s great, thanks. I’m looking for a house so you won’t have to store the stuff for long. Do you mind if I run back there and take a look? There’s a couple of things I’d like to grab while I’m here.”
His mom waved him away. “Of course not. Go on. Your dad should be home any minute. You can tell us about the house hunt over lunch.”
He’d happily discuss the houses he’d seen, but he wasn’t quite ready for his parents to know about Abby. He’d keep that bit of info to himself until he knew where he stood with her.
“I’ll be quick.” He grabbed another blueberry and headed for the guest room.
The majority of his belongings had been moved to a storage unit. The more personal items—the bulk of his clothes, bathroom items, and the contents of his office—had been packed up and shipped to his parents’ house for safekeeping and easy access.
He found the box marked office files and set it on the bed. He tore off the packing tape and flipped it open. Fingering through the stack of manila folders, he found the one he wanted. Setting it aside, he reached back in, moving things out of the way so he could get to the bottom. His fingers curled around the antique strongbox he had restored into a more secure safe.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, he placed the box on his lap. He popped the latch and raised the lid, revealing a small electronic keypad. He punched in the code and voila. His valuables. Such as they were.
There wasn’t much. His passport. Birth certificate. The title to his car. Life insurance documents. A copy of his will.
He bypassed all of those things to get to the unassuming plastic baggie underneath. His chest tightened, as it always did when the small silver band hovering in the corner of the bag came into view. Only now it wasn’t just regret he felt, but hope, too. Hope that maybe he hadn’t lost the single most important person in his life.
Watching Abby come apart in his arms had forced things into perspective. The years of moving from one lover to the next, avoiding emotional attachments and commitments. He hadn’t been tempted. Not once. Because none of those women were the girl he’d left behind. The girl who stole his heart in freshman English and never gave it back.
He opened the bag and dumped its sole inhabitant into his palm.
He’d worked as a lifeguard, carrying the maximum amount of hours he could and still keep up with his football commitments. He spent his entire summer’s wages on the ring and offered it to her the night of their junior prom. There’d been tears and laughter and talk of dreams of their future together. Him in the NFL. Her teaching and coaching volleyball in whatever city he played for. A house. A dog or two. Kids. All of the things young lovers wax poetic about.
She hadn’t taken the ring off until the night he left. He remembered the anguish in her eyes all too well as she tugged it off her finger and threw it at him.
What he wouldn’t give to go back and kick his younger self in the ass. He went on to realize his dream of playing professional football, but what about Abby? Had her dreams been nothing more than fanciful teenage chatter? Was selling real estate something she yearned to do?
In that moment, Tanner knew he’d do anything in his power to make sure her dreams came true—no matter what they were. He would support her, be there for her, help her in any way he could.
He took the ring between his fingers, rolling the cool silver back and forth.
A single word was etched into the band, bracketed by tiny stones that matched the color of Abby’s eyes.
Forever.
Fitting, because the last time he checked their ever was far from over.
Chapter Seven
She’d told him not to do it. Everything was fine, she’d said. She assumed the earth-shattering sex would’ve distracted him, but no. Apparently he hadn’t been affected. Hadn’t lost himself in her as she had in him.
Because he’d done it anyway.
“Abigail? Are you there?”
“Yes, Mr. Lindsey. I’m here. Did Tanner indicate why he felt the need to arrange for a draw on commission?” For a house she hadn’t sold yet.
Damn him.
Abby didn’t know whether to be angry or elated. The money would be enough to get her square, as well as giving her a few months of breathing room, but she hadn’t earned it. She earned her money when he signed the closing papers.
What if Tanner didn’t find a house he liked? What if he changed his mind and decided not to buy? There were too many what if scenarios for comfort. As quickly as he had solved her financial troubles, he could just as quickly make things worse.
“Mr. Wild said you’ve worked very hard to accommodate him and he felt you should be compensated for your efforts.”
His emphasis on Mr. Wild made her flinch, reminded her of how unprofessional she’d been. If Mr. Lindsey knew what she and Tanner had gotten up to the other day she could lose her job.
Back in her life for less than a month and already she was making poor decisions where Tanner was concerned.
Angry. Definitely angry. Served with a side of piping hot humiliation.
“I’ve done my job. Nothing more.” Okay, maybe a little more, but she wasn’t about to share how she’d compromised his business by messing around with Tanner during a showing. It wouldn’t happen again. “He shouldn’t have called you. Don’t trouble yourself with the draw. It’s not necessary.”
Which was a big ole lie, but damn it. She didn’t need Tanner’s charity. That’s what it was, plain and simple.
She took care of herself. Always. She didn’t rely on credit cards. She didn’t borrow money from her parents. And she never, ever took a draw on money she hadn’t yet earned.
“It’s already done. We received the money on Friday and I forwarded the info to Claire in order to make the transfer into your account. This call is nothing more than to let you know so you won’t wonder where the money came from when it hits. Now tell me how your week went.”
After a few minutes of updates and outlining her detailed plan for the near future, Abby hung up.
For the first time since receiving her real estate license, she dreaded the coming work week. The thought of showings, meetings, and phone calls made her feet feel heavy, as though they were stuck in thick sludge preventing her from moving forward.
She loved helping people find the home of their dreams. Didn’t she?
Glancing from the stove’s digital clock to the plate of cookies she did a quick calculation. One more hour. Six cookies. That’s one every ten minutes … added to the six she’d already eaten … and her hips were sure to expand at least an inch. Right before bikini season, too.
Fuck it.
After the single worst open house of her career, she deserved a damn cookie or twelve. Not one person had come to see the over-priced home. She couldn’t blame them. The house rang in at a modest twenty-two hundred square feet of oddly shaped rooms—each closed off to the other, giving the house an impersonal, uninviting feel. If that weren’t bad enough, it sat smack in the middle of a once affluent area—now a place where bars on the windows were the norm.
Abby sighed and grabbed a cookie.
&nbs
p; When had she become so, so … unsatisfied?
I’ll tell you when. The moment Tanner Wild waltzed back into your life with his apologies and greedy hands and perfect cock.
He barged back into her life and made her yearn for things she hadn’t thought about in years.
Staring at the cookie as though it held the answers to the universe, turning it this way and that, she allowed her mind to wander.
She’d wanted to be a teacher once. She dreamed of being a positive influence, passing on her love of learning to grade school children. She would find new, inventive ways to get students excited about reading, writing, and arithmetic. Oh, she was going to change the world by empowering young minds with the tools to make a difference, by god.
Abby shoved half the cookie into her mouth, wishing she had a gallon of milk to wash it down.
Along with her love of learning, she planned to work as a coach. With her height and agility, volleyball had come naturally. The summers she spent helping Tanner’s dad at Reynolds Youth Center, organizing programs and acting as assistant coach for girl’s volleyball were some of the best, most rewarding times of her life.
She loved volleyball, had played all through high school with plans … well, plans change.
She’d given it all up in an attempt to rid herself of Tanner’s memory. Anything that reminded her of the life she’d planned and lost was too painful.
Not as painful as the idea of sitting through another open house.
She swallowed the hard truth with bits of chocolate chip cookie.
She hadn’t found new dreams. She hadn’t dreamed at all. Oh, she’d lived her life. She had a career. She had dated some nice men. She’d been happy—until Tanner arrived to show her what she’d been missing.
Ten fucking years.
Her heart hadn’t recognized the passage of time. She’d given her mind to her work and her body to other men, but her heart, damn the thing, had remained loyal. Steadfast.
Abby finished off the cookie in a flair of self-disgust, ruthlessly wiping her hands on her skirt. She was fucked in the head over a guy who couldn’t even take her out in public. Why? Because of his man-whorish ways, that’s why. Because while she was living her apparently hollow life, he was yucking it up with every blonde, brunette, and redhead he could shake his dick at.
Dare To Love Series: Dare's Wild (Kindle Worlds Novella) Page 6
