Jake and River look at each other, and both laugh. River pointedly looks at Jake and says, “He’s so whipped.”
“He’s a goner.”
“He thinks he can forget her.”
“He has a lot to learn.” Jake nods at his own words.
“You two are dicks,” I say, because they’re talking about me like I’m not here. “When’s the wedding?” I ask River trying to change the subject.
“Smooth transition,” Jake says.
“Wedding?” I ask River again.
“No idea. Your sister is a pain in my ass. She’s saying it’s too much stress, and she doesn’t want to commit to a day. I’m thinking about taking her to the justice of the peace, and just eloping. Anyway…” River flicks his hand. “You putting a ring on your girls’ finger?” He sharply looks to Jake.
Jake shrugs. “We haven’t talked about it.”
“There’s nothing to talk about. You ask, she says yes—for some unknown reason ‒ or she’s smart and says no,” River teases.
“He’s right, you’re a dick,” Jake replies with a chuckle and pointing to me. “Soon. We’re not ready yet. But, soon.”
“Do you have a ring? Girls love rings,” River asks.
“She’s not a jewelry person. She doesn’t even have her ears pierced. I wanted to get her some diamond earrings, and I noticed she doesn’t have her ears pierced. She’s definitely a tattoo person though.”
“I must admit, I never thought you’d end up with someone who has tattoos,” River says.
“Why?”
“Elle’s a good person, and you’re damn lucky to find her. Especially considering you’ve both been here all that time and never really hit it off before. Or have you?”
“I was hesitant to develop any relationships with the opposite sex,” Jake says carefully.
“But you had relations with men?” I ask. “Hey, you know what? If you’re into guys and girls, then more power to you.”
“No, it’s not that.” I pick my drink up, and take a sip, invested in Jake’s explanation. “I was in a relationship, many years ago,” Jake says as he looks down at his soda.
“You were?” River asks. “Why’s this the first I’m hearing about it?”
“Because it’s taken me a long time to talk about Rachel and Mila. Elle…” He rolls his eyes and slightly nods his head. “Elle helped me to talk about it.”
“Oh, who are they?” River asks, as he readjust in his seat enthralled by Jake.
“Their names were Rachel, and Mila.” Jake smiles, but anyone can see, this is hard for him.
“Oh, twins?” I ask. Sexy.
“My wife, and my daughter.”
I look at River, whose mouth falls open while he slowly turns his head to look at me. “Wife and daughter?” I ask. Not twins and probably a very sad story.
Jake nods. “Rachel and Mila. Rachel and I were childhood sweethearts, and Mila came along while we were in our senior year of high school. Long story short, both were killed by a truck driver who was high on meth and ran a red light.”
“Oh man,” I say. “Fuck, I’m sorry.”
“It’s taken me a long time to come to terms with their deaths. And I think about them all the time, but it’s getting a bit easier.”
“And Elle knows?” River asks.
“Yeah, she does. But it’s not something many other people do.”
I lean forward and smack Jake on the leg. “You’re alright,” I say before leaning back and finishing my drink. Shit, I think it’s gone to my head a bit.
“Yeah, you’re a good man, Jake,” River says.
“I never said I wasn’t. But anyway, Elle and I will get married, but we’re still working through stuff. But I think I’ll take her to the tattoo studio over at Mulberry Point, and get her a tattoo of a wedding ring because I can’t see her wearing a gold one.”
“She might. You have no idea what she’ll do. You gotta give her the option,” River says.
“Marry me or else? That’s a pretty good option.” Jake laughs.
“Depends what the ‘or else’ is? Truthfully, I’d take the ‘or else’ if you were asking me,” River teases. And just like that, the heavy becomes light again.
“Oh, I didn’t realize you two were a couple before Hope and I came to town.” I wag my finger between Jake and River, bantering with them both.
“Well, even if we were, you’re not welcome to join us,” Jake says with equal cheek. Absentmindedly, I pick my phone up to check if Tabitha has messaged.
“There he goes again,” River says and points to my phone.
“Jesus, he’s worse than I thought,” Jake replies.
I look up to see them both looking at me. “What?”
“You messaging Tabitha, or you waiting for a message from her?” River asks.
“No, what? Nah.” I place my phone in my pocket, where I can’t easily reach for it. It’s set to vibrate, so I’ll be able to feel it if a message or phone call comes through.
“Right. The pool table is empty. Whose butt am I kicking?” Jake stands and waits for us to follow.
“I’ll play ya. But let’s make it interesting,” I say as I take a few bills out of my pocket. River starts laughing. “What?”
“If you want to lose your money, that’s your business. Maybe start small, say like twenty dollars, because he’s good.” River points to Jake, who’s standing by the pool table, with his chest puffed out and all proud about River calling him good.
“I’ll take my chances,” I say. “But I play better after I’ve had a few more drinks.”
“You’re gonna get your ass handed to you,” River says in a low voice.
Hah! The funny thing is, I do play better with a few drinks in me. Off to the bar I go; can’t let these bozos win. I’ll let Jake claim the first game, but then I’ll wipe the floor with him.
Fourth game and I’m kicking Jake’s ass. I line the black ball up, call it, and shoot. The black ball rolls down the table smoothly and slowly, and ends up in the pocket I called. I hold out my hand to Jake, where he reaches into his pocket and takes out another fifty-dollar bill. “You hustled me,” he says.
“Abso-fucking-lutely,” I say as I take his fifty, and add it to the two others he’s given me. I look around for my drink. I’ve lost count to how many I’ve had now. “Where’s my drink?” I ask whoever’s listening.
“You finished it, Charlie,” River says. “I think it’s time we all head home.”
“Nah, a couple more drinks,” I say as I slowly walk toward the bar. I hit my leg on a chair. “Who put that chair there?” I look around to see where the culprit is, ready to have words.
“Come on, Charlie. River and I are heading home. I’ll give you a ride.” Jake motions for me to follow them.
“Just one more drink, then I’ll come with ya.” I turn and walk backward. “And one more game of pool. I’ll even give you a chance to win back your money.”
“Nah, I’ve gotta be up early, so I’m heading home. Come on.” Jake gestures again.
I hold up a finger. “One more.”
“I’ll drive your truck back to May’s, and Jake can give me a ride home. If you stay, you’re too drunk to drive, and your truck will need to stay here. And I’m not explaining that to your sister,” River says.
“I’m fine to drive.” I flick my hand at River.
“No, you’re not. And I don’t want to have to arrest you, or tell Hope that you’ve gone and killed yourself because you drove under the influence,” Jake says.
“I haven’t had that many.” Johnny the bartender walks up to me, he looks at me, then his eyes dart behind me. “I’ll have a double scotch.”
“Sorry, bar’s closing. But you can settle your tab.” He lifts a paper, and I squint to try and make sense of what it says. Who am I kidding, I’ve had too much to drink to see it clearly. Jake’s probably right, I better get my ass home. I still need to be on site tomorrow. Man, Hope’s gonna kick my ass if I show up hung
over. And besides, I have a lot of work to do tomorrow. I wait for Johnny to give me the total, and I pay the bill, then walk over to where River and Jake are waiting for me.
“Here,” I say to River as I throw him my keys.
River catches them, and we walk out to cool night air that hits me hard. I get in the passenger side of the truck, and take my phone out of my pocket. There’s a message from Tabitha. I try and focus on the words. You home?
Shit, I want to say I’ll be home soon, but I can’t keep torturing myself with not being able to have her. I find my fingers typing the reply before I get a chance to think it through. I’ll be home soon. I wanna fuck. What the fuck, man? What am I doing?
I’ll be home in fifteen minutes. Want some company?
I smirk as I type my reply too drunk and horny to care about something like feelings. Will said company be naked?
And wet.
Fuck, I make sure my shirt is covering my dick, because he’s stirring to life in my jeans. I don’t need River seeing my hard-on. Naked, wet and sprawled out on my bed.
I like to be accommodating.
Yes, she does. She’s a fucking wildcat when it comes to sex. She’s adventurous, and horny all the time, just like me. I smile down like an idiot, looking at her messages. My dick is semi-hard, and totally uncomfortable, restricted in these tight jeans. Jesus, I can’t wait to be inside Tabitha.
“What are you smiling about?” River asks.
“Nothing much. Hey, thanks for driving my truck. Jake’s right, I’ve had too much.”
“I’ll come pick you up in the morning too. Go home, sleep it off, and be ready by seven.”
“Yeah, I will.” I won’t. I’ve got a beautiful blonde who’ll be sitting on my bed, with her legs spread open, ready for me to devour.
River drives my truck up the long, dusty driveway, and I know Jake’s probably already at home. While Tabitha and I were sexting, I heard River on the phone to Jake telling him to just go home, because River’s taking my truck and he’ll come back in the morning.
“Thanks for the ride,” I say.
“Seven. Be ready.”
“Yep, I will be.” I shut the door to my truck, and head straight to the stable. River reverses out, and takes off.
I straighten myself before I reach the door, knowing Tabitha is naked, and on my bed.
I open the door. The lights are dim and I know she’s here. As I inhale deeply, I can smell the scent she uses when she’s showered. It’s a cross between flowers and baby powder. Oh my God, I love this about her.
I walk into the bedroom, and find Tabitha nude on my bed. She looks up at me from beneath her thick lashes, and my cock springs to life. She’s deliciously naked, gloriously sitting on the edge of the bed, waiting for me.
I go out the kitchen, and bring in a chair from the small dining table, placing it about two feet from the bed. “Sit back,” I instruct. She loves when I tell her what to do, and I love instructing her. She scoots her ass backward. “Legs up, and open, heels on the edge of the bed.” She responds to me immediately. I love telling her what to do, because I’m always rewarded with her perfect, glistening pussy. And again, she doesn’t disappoint.
I unzip my jeans, and sit on the chair, taking my hard cock out so she can see it. Her eyes go to my dick, and she unconsciously licks her top lip. Her chest rises and falls quickly while she stares at it.
I stroke myself, making my cock even harder in my hand. “I can do that,” she offers.
“No. I want you to play with your nipples.” She sucks in a deep breath as she looks up to my eyes. One hand snakes down between her legs. “Ah.” I hold up a finger. “Stop. That’s not what I said.” Tabitha smirks and moans. With her glistening pussy on display, she starts to play with her nipples, all the while watching me stroke myself.
Wow, she’s so beautifully perfect for me. She’s sexy as sin. I couldn’t find anyone more perfect than her.
Tabitha’s mouth falls open as I increase my stroking, her breathing intensifies and a small sigh escapes her full, pouty lips. “Let me do that for you,” she offers again. I stand, walk over to her. She sits forward, greedily about to suck on my cock, but I step back and shake my head. “Please?”
“You’re not doing what I want you to do.”
“Eeek,” she squeals, but quickly squeezes her tits.
“That’s it. Don’t stop.” I fall to my knees, grab her hips, and bring them to the edge of the bed. I bury my face between her legs, licking every droplet of wetness from her pussy.
“Shit,” she murmurs as she dares to grind her hips on my face.
I think I’m falling for you, Tabitha.
“What?” she says as she sits up and moves away from me. “What did you say?” Tabitha flings one leg over my head, and stands from the bed.
“What?” Shit, did I say what I was thinking? I bring my hand up to my forehead, and rub at my temple. I watch as Tabitha scrambles to get dressed.
“You just said you think you’re falling for me. I’ve told you, all we are, is just sex.” She wags her finger between us.
My dick is now no longer hard. I slip it back into my jeans and zip up. “Fuck, Tabitha, what do you want me to say? Yes, I fucking like you, and I think I’m falling for you.”
She stops getting dressed, and slaps me across the face. “I don’t do relationships, with anyone. I told you that from the beginning. Get it through your head. Fucking is all I can give you,” she yells in my face.
“I want more!” I say, trying to curb my desperation to show her how well we’d work together.
“Sex, Charlie. That’s it. Just sex.”
“I can’t do that. Not with you.”
“Fine!” she huffs as she turns to leave.
“Tabitha,” I say as I try to stop her.
She’s already outside when she turns to look at me. “What?”
“I can’t do that. I have to step away from you. From whatever the hell this is.”
She straightens her shoulders and lifts her head. “Well…” She half shrugs. Even though she’s trying to be proud, I can see this is hurting her. Maybe this is what she needs. Tough love. Fuck, I don’t want to do that, though. I run my hand through my hair, waiting for her to say whatever it is she thinks she has to say. “Then leave.” She turns, hunches her shoulders forward and walks back to May’s, who happens to be standing at the door, watching.
Great.
May stands at the door, her hands on her hips as Tabitha walks toward her.
Fuck, can this get any worse?
I take myself back inside, knowing we’ve disturbed May, and knowing this isn’t going to be resolved tonight.
I slam the door shut, but it’s a slider, and all it does is derail from the track. “Fuck!” I fix the door, and head for a shower. What a disastrous night.
I want more from her, but she won’t allow anything more than just sex.
“Go home. Come back tomorrow without that dick attitude,” Hope tells me at the end of the day.
“I’m not a dick,” I reply curtly.
“Really? That’s why none of the crew wanted to work with you today. That’s why you’ve been snapping at everyone, and cursing like a dick! That’s why you’re not listening to anything I have to say, and now you’ve plumbed the wrong pipes in the main bathroom. That’s why you’ve been walking around like you have a giant chip on your shoulder. Pull your head out of your ass, and come back tomorrow when you’re not a dick to everyone.” Hope stands at the entrance of the half-bath and points out the front door.
“Fuck you!” I say as I straighten and walk toward her.
“Hey.” She closes the space so I can’t leave. “Whatever is going on with you, you don’t bring it to the job. And you don’t talk to me like that.”
“Why? Because you’re my boss? Remember, you made me equal thirds partner.”
“No, not because I’m your boss. Because first, I’m your sister, and second, because you don’t talk to anyone
on this crew like you’re talking to me.”
I lower my head, and close my eyes. Taking several deep breaths, I calm myself. Looking at Hope, I shake my head. “I’m sorry, Hope. I’m…” I shake my head again. “It’s just that…” Again, I take another breath. Fuck, I have been a dick.
“Look, I love you. But whatever’s going on, you have to get it together. Because it’s not healthy to be like this. I won’t have you back on the tools if you’re going to be a jerk to everyone.”
That’s exactly what I’ve been, a jerk. “I’m sorry.”
“Go home, Charlie. If you want to talk, you know where you can find me and you know I’ll always be here for you, okay?”
I step in and give Hope a hug. “Thank you.”
“Call me later.”
“Sure.” I give Hope a kiss on the cheek, take my tools and supplies and pack them into the locking storage container we’ve rented for all our supplies and tools.
I get in my truck, and head toward home. I can’t believe how badly I’ve been treating everyone, Hope’s right. I’ve been a jerk.
Tabitha told me she doesn’t want a relationship. Why the hell am I so hung up on having her when she’s made it clear she doesn’t want me? “This is fucked,” I mumble to myself as I drive toward May’s.
I can’t keep doing this to myself. I have to break off all ties with Tabitha, for my own sake. I drive down May’s driveway, and find May out on the porch. She sees me, tilts her head to the side, then motions for me to come over to her.
Crap. The last thing I want is to see May and have her bust my balls about Tabitha.
I take a deep breath, wipe my hands down my cargos and get out of the truck. Why does it feel like I’m walking toward my own execution? May’s going to kill me, knowing now that I’ve been sleeping with her niece. Shit, I hope she doesn’t think I’ve taken advantage of Tabitha.
“Drink?” she offers. It doesn’t feel like she’s going to accept no as an answer.
I notice a glass jug with what looks like homemade lemonade. The jug is dripping with condensation, and lemon slices are floating on the top of the liquid. It does look good. “Thank you, Gran” I reply. “Is it lemonade?”
Healing Hearts: A friends with benefits, small town romance (Hope River Book 3) Page 6