by Nora Blake
© Copyright 2021 Nora Blake
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Cover Design by Emily Wittig Designs
Edited by Katie Ivy
Edited and Formatted by Wendi Close
To all the people who have promised someone their forever, just remember how lucky you are to have found someone you can promise that to.
This one is for you.
CHAPTER ONE
Aaron
I find my mind filled with the past a lot lately. I was getting a divorce and wondered what life would have been like had I made better decisions. I tried not to go there too often because then that would mean I wouldn’t have my boys, but it was hard not to wonder. Especially since seeing that Sarah was back in town.
I killed the engine, and as I got out of my truck, I saw my brother pulling into the driveway. He took off his work ball cap that stayed full of dirt and hard work and set it on his dash. I had one that matched that. We both worked at the Jenks’ Family Farm taking care of the cows, baling hay … You name it, we did it.
He followed close behind me as we made our way into the garage. We had a lot of work to do on the car. Getting back into racing over the past year was the only thing keeping me sane and busy on the nights the house was too quiet without the boys here. I almost stayed with Melany, my soon to be ex-wife, just so I didn’t have to split time with the kids, but our nights were filled with fighting behind closed doors and trying to pretend things were okay in the morning. It wasn’t a life. Neither of us were living; we were just going through the motions and fucking miserable. The kids, Keeton and Kallon, were very perceptive at their young age, and it was starting to affect them, too.
I walked past the car that took up most of the space in the middle of the garage and around the maze of workbenches and tools that led to the light switch for the shop light that hung above the car. I flipped on the switch, grabbed a few tools I had hanging on the corkboard on the back wall, and headed back to the car.
Nick popped the hood. “Guess who I saw at the gas station earlier? I mean, I think I saw who I saw. It’s been a while, so, I’m not completely sure,” Nick said as he fumbled around through tools on a nearby bench.
My brows drew together. “I’m too tired to play guess who. Will you just tell me who you saw?” I asked, before leaning inside the car to work. “And hand me a shop towel.” I held out my hand and he put one in it. I draped it over my shoulder and continued working.
“Sarah Stone.”
I hit my head on the hood.
Nick laughed. “I think. It looked like her, but her hair is shorter. You did say she moved back, right?”
I rubbed my head and nodded. There was a silent ache in my heart at the mention of her name. It had been years since I had seen her. “Yeah, that’s what it said on her Facebook page.” I started working on the engine again. “How … how’d she look?”
“Still short,” he chuckled. “Hot. So hot.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “I meant did she look happy, healthy … never mind,” I mumbled when he grinned. I didn’t need him to tell me how hot she was. I knew that. She had always been gorgeous. I also didn’t like him talking about her like that. It made me territorial even though I didn’t have the right to be.
His eyes crinkled at the corners, a sure sign he was trying to hold back laughter. “Come on, you know you’ve been stalking her ass on Facebook. You’ve seen pictures.”
I shrugged. “Maybe.” Damn right I’ve been stalking her page. I have since forever and never had the balls to message her. Too much time had passed. I’m sure she hated me or forgot about me. She was probably dating some amazing guy and had her shit together. Unlike me.
“You’ve been in such stalker mode, I bet the FBI has you on their certified creeper radar.”
I laughed. “I haven’t been that bad.”
Nick raised both brows.
“O-kay, maybe I have. But she’s all secretive or busy. She never posts anything. Every once in a while, she’ll change her profile picture or post a funny meme, but that’s it. And what does it matter if I am checking on her? I’m technically single now. It’s fine, right?” A twinge of guilt filled my gut. I was getting a divorce. Separated for a while now yet thinking about another girl with this damn ring on my finger felt wrong. But it was Sarah Stone. My Sarah Stone. I’ve loved her since middle school. That was a big reason Melany and I had issues. There was never a connection. We got married because it was the right thing to do after getting her pregnant. Sex was all we had going for us. Aside from the boys, the past five years have been hell.
He dragged a stool closer, the metal legs screeching against the oil-stained concrete. He sat down. “Not according to paper, but technically, yeah.” He looked at the ring on my finger. “Still having trouble with that thing?”
“The damn thing won’t come off. Any ideas?”
“I told you my idea, but you didn’t like it, remember?”
The thought of my brother cutting it off with a skill saw was not something I wanted to do.
I groaned. “You’d cut off my finger.”
“Your lack of faith in me hurts, man. It hurts real deep,” he said as he dramatically grabbed his chest. “Wear the thing for the rest of your life then. I mean, we’ve tried everything else the internet suggested. But you know what? I bet there’s a jeweler somewhere who could cut it off.”
I laughed. “I’ll look into it. Now get your ass over here and help me get this engine installed. I’m ready to take her out for a test run.”
Nick hopped off the stool and started helping me.
“You still think if you see her, the feelings you had all those years ago will still be there?”
I grinned. “There’s only one way to find out.” My smile faded quickly. “Or do you think it’s wrong? What if she doesn’t want to speak to me?” My heart thudded harder at the thought of her rejection. “And my boys. They aren’t ready for me to bring someone new into their lives.” Keeton and Kallon were my world.
“Invite her to the race in a few weeks. Nothing wrong with catching up with an old friend.” He winked at me.
I threw the shop towel full of grease at him. “Asshole. Stop!” I chuckled.
“Stop what?” He batted his eyes as if he weren’t trying to start something that didn’t need to happen. Not right now anyway.
I shook my head and laughed some more. “Okay. I’ll message her, but you stay out of it from here. Don’t be all weird and shit if she agrees.”
“Me?” He pointed to himself. “Weird? Never.”
I smiled and looked at the unfinished car. “Come on, we’re wasting time.”
The mention of Sarah and the smell of grease brought me back to the dirt track.
“Dammit! What the hell? What the fuck is my dad doing!” Sarah shouted over the roar of the engines as the cars raced around the track. I wondered if she knew how sexy she was when she was pissed her dad was losing the race. The way her cheeks turned red, the fire in her eyes, and the way her language turned extremely colorful … Damn I had it bad, but she’d never know it.
I laughed and sat back in the bleachers, leaning my back against the one behind me. I was being a complete perv, staring at her full ass as she stood beside me. I’d personally thank the good Lord for cut off shorts in my prayers tonight. I shifted my eyes to hers when she turned around. If she caught me, it’d be a guar
anteed punch to the shoulder. Not that it’d hurt, but I’d pretend it did, so she’d feel like she accomplished something. But what was a sixteen-year-old boy to do? You couldn’t not look at her.
“Ugh,” she said, sighing dramatically. She sat down next to me and plowed her hand into my bag of popcorn, causing some to spill out.
“Now, what did this popcorn ever do to you?”
She huffed as she put a handful in her mouth. A piece fell down her shirt, and I was instantly jealous of that specific kernel.
“He’s not paying attention. He shouldn’t be so far behind, Aaron. We worked on this. That man is gonna make me get behind the wheel and show all these idiots how it’s done.”
“Well, Dirt Queen, you can’t win ‘em all.”
She rolled her eyes. “Shut up.” I chuckled when she covered her eyes with both hands. “I can’t watch. It’s so bad. Tell me when it’s over.”
“What’s the fun in that?” I loved how the stands were full of people, but it felt like only her and I existed.
“Please. Just tell me when it’s over.” I noticed her peek through her fingers a little before closing them tight again.
I jumped to my feet when my eyes caught his car. He was in the lead again. “Sarah!” I shook her shoulder.
She jumped to her feet and started yelling. “Go, Dad! Hell yes! I knew he could it!” She took off down the bleachers, weaving her way through all the people and saying a quick ‘sorry’ for intruding their space. I slowly made my way down behind her to make sure I could be in close distance to grab her if her temper got the best of her and she tried to go onto the track. We made it to the chainlink fence that surrounded the track, and she laced her fingers through the wires, gripping them so hard her knuckles turned white.
“He’s winning, Aaron!” she yelled over the roar of four engines as they zoomed past, now grinning ear-to-ear.
My lips curved upward before putting popcorn in my mouth. Best not comment on the doubt she had moments ago.
When the race was over, Sarah and I headed out to the track to help her dad load up his car. Normally, my dad would be racing too and we’d help him, but my parents were out of town this weekend. They had my little brother, Nick, with them, so it was just me at the house.
“Do you want to come hang out at the house tonight? We could watch that stupid movie you love.”
She crossed her arms, making even more cleavage show in her pale-blue, V-neck shirt. “Breakfast Club is not stupid. It’s magnificent.”
I threw my head back with laughter. “Magnificent? Rocky is magnificent. You can’t put Breakfast Club into that category. It’s shallow as hell.”
“It has a good message, and I don’t have to agree with you. It’s called democracy.”
“Ohhh, now we’re bringing in politics? This is getting serious.”
She rolled her beautiful eyes. “Anyway … I’d love to come over.”
Maybe tonight would be the night I actually make my move, tell her I love her.
Who was I kidding? No, I wouldn’t. I’d be chicken-shit as usual.
I did this a lot. Going back and forth between spilling my feelings. Telling your best friend you were in love with them was too risky. It could ruin everything, and I just wasn’t willing to risk that.
Because … Sarah Stone was my everything.
“Aaron!” Nick shouted, snapping me out of my past.
I looked at him, blinking a few times.
“How long do you plan on tightening that bolt? I think it’s good. As a matter of fact, I doubt it’ll ever come off again.”
I laughed, my cheeks flushing a little from being caught daydreaming. I was completely lost in my thoughts. I did that a lot lately. Ever since I found out Sarah had moved back, all I could think about was her and how close we were. All the feelings I tried to avoid were resurfacing, making me question what it would be like to see her again. You couldn’t forget a girl like Sarah Stone, and when someone like her came back with the potential of being a part of your life again, you’d be an idiot not to reach out.
I looked at the engine—everything we needed to accomplish tonight was done. “Let’s go find something to eat.”
He nodded and I waited while he locked up the garage. I followed him out and down the driveway until we made it to the side door of my house that led to the kitchen.
Once inside, Nick kicked off his shoes and went straight to the sink to wash his hands. “Hey, go ahead and call the boys, and I’ll order some pizza or something.” He dried his hands on some paper towel and looked at me.
“Pizza sounds great. I don’t feel like cooking tonight. Work at the farm kicked my ass and then the car. I’m exhausted.”
I headed down the hall and into the master bedroom bathroom. After washing my hands and changing into something comfortable, I called Keeton and Kallon. Telling them goodnight over the phone didn’t come close to tucking them in and telling them goodnight in person. That was the darkest thing about this whole situation with Melany. She had the boys, and I didn’t. I was allowed every other weekend with them. It wasn’t enough, and it killed me.
I sat on the bed while I waited for an answer.
“Daddy!” both boys voices rang out. My heart swelled and felt tight at the same time. I loved talking to them, but I hated not being with them every night.
“Did you guys have a good day?”
“Yup! We went swimmin’ at the pool!” Kallon said excitedly. “Keeton cried a lot.”
“He splash me, Daddy,” Keeton said in a pouty voice.
“Kallon,” I said in a warning tone.
“I know! Mommy already yelled at me.”
“I know you boys are so happy it’s finally summer. Don’t forget I get you this weekend. I thought maybe we could go to the zoo or something.”
“I wike da monkeyz,” Keeton said with a giggle.
My shoulders shook with laughter. “I know because you’re like a monkey yourself.”
Keeton tried his best to mimic the sound of a monkey, but he sounded like a dying bird which made it even more adorable.
“Can we do the stingray thing again?” Kallon asked.
“I don’t see why not. Anything else you want to talk about?”
“Why da sty bwoo?”
“That’s a stupid question, Keeton,” Kallon said as he laughed at him. It reminded me how much older he was getting. He was becoming more logical about things.
I went to start up more conversation when I heard Melany in the background telling them to hang up. I sighed sadly. “Good night, kiddos. Be good for your mom.”
“Otay, Daddy,” Keeton said quietly.
“We will,” Kallon answered.
“Night, Daddy,” they said in unison, before hanging up.
My heart dropped to my feet. I wiped my eyes before heading into the kitchen with my brother.
CHAPTER TWO
Sarah
Too good to come to the races anymore, Dirt Queen?
My breath caught in my throat as I looked at the private message on Facebook.
I stared at the text message with confusion. I blinked a few times. No way. Aaron? It’d been so long since I heard from him or heard my nickname from back in the tenth grade. I had no doubt I’d respond, but what the hell was I supposed to say? This would’ve been a hell of a lot easier if he started with a hello or how you been. But nooo, he sucker punches me right in the feels with: Dirt Queen.
I minimized Facebook and looked at the hundreds of pictures I needed to finish editing. I had to get them done before my trip to California with my mom. If I wasn’t distracted enough with everything else going on in my life, now I had that message waiting to be answered. From him. The guy who stole my heart so many years ago.
I always had such a strong connection with Aaron and thought about him throughout the years, not that it mattered now. I blew it. We moved away before I could tell my best friend I had fallen for him. So much time had passed, we lost touch, and now, he was ta
ken. He was married. I also couldn’t hide the hurt that I wasn’t even invited to the wedding. Yes, we drifted apart, but that didn’t change how much we cared for one another. Or maybe it did him and not me. Maybe he decided I wasn’t someone to hang onto. It was never in the cards for us. It shouldn’t matter to me now, but seeing his name and profile pic on my screen brought me back to the summer I had to say goodbye.
I stared into the distance, watching the storm clouds roll in. The incoming weather matched my current mood—gloomy, dark, and depressed.
Aaron sat on the swing next to me, staring at his hands. “What do you mean you’re moving?” The look in his eyes would’ve made you think someone had died. I’m sure my own looked the same, except mine were clouded with tears.
I moved my pink Converse around in the dirt, making circles. “Dad got a new job. I begged, Aaron. I told him I didn’t want to move, but he said it’s a great opportunity for him and us. We move in two weeks.”
“I don’t want to do high school without you, Sarah.” He looked at me, and that’s when I noticed tears were pooling in his eyes too. “You’re my best friend.”
I wanted him to hold me, tell me this was all a bad dream. I wanted to reach up and wipe the few tears that fell down his cheek and kiss him until we both forgot what we were even talking about. Instead, I looked off into the distance.
“We’ll keep touch, right? I can’t lose you as a friend.” My voice was quiet, cracking a little.
He looked at me like I had lost my mind. “You think you’d lose me? Never. Not in a million years. Don’t forget our pact.”
I smiled the best I could. “Always.”
He nodded. “Always. You and me, we’re the forever kind of deal.”
Oh, how I wished he meant more than friends. I looked at the circles I had drawn in the dirt. I was going to tell him how I really felt and that I had completely fallen for him, but it didn’t matter now. It wouldn’t be fair to drop that kind of news then leave.
“Who the hell am I gonna hang out with at the races?” he asked sadly.