by Nora Blake
Nick: Not even a few jokes?
Me: I will kill you.
Nick: All right, all right….
Me: And knock from now on unless you know for sure she’s not here.
Nick: I will. Congrats on almost getting some head, bro…
Me: Almost-head. Asshole.
Nick: Man, that ball sack necklace you almost bought her has so much more meaning now.
Me: Night, Nick.
Nick: LOL Night.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Sarah
Kait’s mouth fell open. “You told him you love him? This is huge! Why haven’t I met him yet? And we can’t go this many days without hanging out, it sucks.”
I laughed as I took a bite of my sandwich. After taking a drink, I looked at her. “Calm down, Kait. It’s all happened so fast; I haven’t even had time to breathe.”
She had her elbows bent on the table and rested her hand on her fists, staring at me with dreamy eyes. “I’m sooo jealous. So, did you guys have …” her words trailed off as she wiggled her eyebrows at me.
“No. I mean, almost. But last night …” My cheeks heated up. “The most embarrassing thing happened.”
“Oh no, worse than that time with your dad at the college party?”
I cringed. “I don’t know if anything can top that, but it was close.”
She sat up straight. “What happened?”
“I was eating cake … things with Aaron and I got interesting … then Nick barged in.”
She rested her elbows on the table and leaned forward. “Define interesting.”
I laughed, my cheeks on fire now. “Aaron’s pants down, me on my knees …” I covered my face and groaned. “You get the picture.”
Kait burst into laughter, tears falling down her cheeks. “And his brother comes in!”
I nodded and peeked at her through my fingers.
“Girrrl.”
I ran my hands down my face slowly and leaned back against the seat. “Then after he left, I went and hid in the bathroom for a while until I felt like I could face life again. Aaron and I fell asleep watching a movie.”
“Poor guy probably has blue balls now.”
I laughed a little. “I know, it was terrible. I should’ve made up for the whole shit-show, but I just couldn’t get in the mood again. It was horrible. And it’s so ironic because Nick has been pushing for Aaron to get laid and he totally cock blocked him.” I took a drink of my water. “Maybe I should introduce you to Nick. He needs something to occupy his time. No telling what Nick would say if he found out I’ve never had sex.” I’ve done plenty of other things but sex was never one of them. Moments were never right, and the guys I dated were most definitely never the one. Aaron was always in the back of my mind.
“You said he was young.”
I nodded. “He is, but you never know. Age doesn’t have to matter.”
She laughed and shook her head. “Nope. I don’t want to feel like I’m dating my little brother. Okay, so are we scheduling a time for me to meet Aaron?”
“Sure, he’d love that. Maybe I can see if he wants to go out to eat this weekend.”
“Doesn’t he have the boys this weekend?”
I shook my head. “Sadly, no. If it were up to him, he’d get every second with them. The kids are so amazing. I’d love for you to meet them, too.”
“His ex sounds like a legit bitch.”
I shrugged and stirred the straw around in my water. “I don’t know. I’ve never met her, but I don’t like how she treats Aaron. I try to stay out of it, but it’s hard when I see him hurting.”
“I bet.” She looked at her cell. “My lunch break is almost over. Text me and let me know what he says about this weekend.”
“I will.” She was about to set money on the table, but I stopped her. “I got it today.”
“Thanks, Sarah! Talk to you later.” She put her money back in her purse and headed out.
After finishing my lunch and paying for our meals, I headed out to my car. Before getting in, I texted Aaron.
Me: Before I forget, my best friend Kait is interested in meeting you. Actually, she may kill me if I don’t let you two meet soon. Want to hang out Friday night?
I got into my car and noticed I still had a little bit before having to go to work. I decided to turn up my music and just chill for a bit before having to head back.
Aaron: Sounds good to me. What are you doing right now?
Me: At Petey’s Pub and Grill. I had lunch with Kait. Now I’m just wasting time before I have to head to back to work. How’s your day going?
Aaron: It’s going. Tiring. I miss you.
The love-sick-smile he induced spread across my lips.
Me: Miss you too. Don’t forget I’ll be late coming over tonight. I have that photoshoot right after work.
Aaron: I’ll be here. I’m cookin’ dinner for you tonight.
Me: Is it just us or is Nick coming too?
Aaron: Just us. Nick has “plans”
Me: LOL I’m sure he does. I think he’s starting to feel like the third wheel.
Me: And I’m sure after last night, Nick was gonna avoid us for a bit. I didn’t want to mention that though because I just wanted to forget about it. So So fuckin’ embarrassing.
fuckin’ embarrassing.
Me: I’m gonna head back to work. Love you
Aaron: love you too
I backed out of the parking spot and headed to work.
When I came into the vape shop, there were three dozen red roses on the counter. Stacey was beaming and wiggling her eyebrows at me.
"Someone got laid," she teased.
I burst into laughter. "Why is everyone so interested in my sex life today? And shut up! Trust me, no one got laid. He's just that perfect." And probably trying to cheer me up after being humiliated. I went over to the counter and took the cards off each set to read.
Love.
You.
Always.
I held the cards to my chest and squealed.
"Someone’s … ‘going to the chapel and they’re gonna get mar-ar-ar-ried’," Stacey sang as she headed to the back office.
“Mind your business.” I chuckled, shook my head, and texted Aaron.
Me: Just got back to work, and I got flowers from a really sexy guy… you may wanna be worried or step up your game.
Aaron: I’ll kill him.
Me: LOL Thank you, Aaron.
Aaron: Of course. I hope you’re having a good day. See you tonight, babe.
I was grinning like a fool as I put my phone in my back pocket. I moved the vases out of the way, then got to work.
I sat across from Aaron while we ate.
“You sure your mom didn’t make this lasagna? It’s pretty impressive.”
“I’m positive. I happen to know how to cook.” He grinned at me. “My mom taught me. She always said one day, when I met the right woman, I needed to know how to cook, clean, and hold doors open. She said it would make me a keeper.”
"She was right. I’ve always hated the whole idea of women feeling like they have to be the ones to clean, cook, stay home with the kids. In my opinion, it’s teamwork. Each person in the relationship should help out," I said before putting a forkful of the best lasagna I had ever had in my mouth.
“I agree. Melany never agreed with me on that, and we actually fought over me helping out around the house. It was so stupid. She said I didn’t do it right.” He frowned. “Sorry, I shouldn’t bring her up.”
I shrugged. “If you need to get it off your chest, then talk about it. I really don’t mind.”
He nodded and a sideways grin appeared. “So, you really like the lasagna?”
“Best I ever had.”
“Just wait until you have a taste of my other goodies,” he said as he winked at me.
I burst into laughter, only because my mind went somewhere totally and completely dirty.
“And what could you be thinking of to laugh like that, I wonder.�
��
I couldn't stop laughing.
“Now I really need to know.”
I finally started to calm down and wiped the tears pooling in my eyes. I took a drink of my water.
"So, what was so damn funny?" he asked.
I shook my head. "My lips are sealed. You can't know what all goes on inside my head."
“But I want to.” He kept his eyes on mine. “I want to know every thought, good or bad.”
I pretended to zip my lips.
He stood and walked over to the fridge and pulled out a pie. “Well, if you zipped your lips, then I guess I will have to eat this chocolate pie all by myself.”
"You better bring two forks if you know what's good for you."
He let out a deep chuckle and grabbed two forks out of the drawer before coming back over to the table. “You can only have it if I get a kiss first.”
"After pie. If I kiss you, we both know we'll have trouble stopping." He started to hand me a plate, but I stopped him. "It's more fun just eating it out of the dish."
“And here I thought you couldn’t get any better.”
After he sat down and put the pie in the middle so we could both reach it, I dug my fork in.
"You have no idea,” I said before taking a bite.
He grinned back. “I can’t wait to find out.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Aaron
I sat on the couch with the popcorn and watched as Sarah looked through my stack of movies.
“Whatcha pickin’?” I loved watching her. The way she bit her bottom lip and her nose wrinkled as she tried to carefully pick the right one was unbelievably adorable. She opted for glasses instead of contacts tonight, and they were my favorite.
Her eyes lit up and a full smile stretched across her mouth. She held up Days of Thunder. “This is classic! It’s mine and my dad’s favorite movie!” She stood from the Indian-style position she was sitting in and put it in the DVD player. She came over and snuggled next to me on the couch.
I wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head. “I love this.”
"Me too. I wish every night was spent like this." She pressed her lips softly against the crook of my neck, then put her head on my shoulder again. She picked up the remote beside her and hit play. “I can quote this movie word for word.” She chuckled.
“Me too, it drives my brother crazy.” I kissed the top of her head. “You know … You don’t ever have to leave. You could move in.”
She turned down the TV and looked at me—her eyes were hard to read. I couldn’t tell if that made her happy or scared her.
“Too fast to offer that?” I asked.
She laughed. “I don’t know. I’ve given up on the idea of rules applying to us. You know, since you’re such a big rule breaker and all.”
I chuckled. “Very true.”
“I’d love to move in, but I don’t know if it’s the right time for that. I mean, I’ll stay over some, but I definitely won’t stay the weekends the boys are here. I don’t want to upset Melany any more than I already have.”
“I told you that wasn’t the main issue.”
She nodded. “I know, but it is still an issue. Let her get used to the idea of me being around more before we take that step and say I’m officially moving in. Besides, your weekends with the boys need to be focused solely on them. Things are going so perfect, and we don’t need to get ahead of ourselves and jeopardize it.”
I kissed her softly. I wanted to argue with her, but I knew I wouldn’t win. Besides, she was probably making a good point. “Okay,” I whispered against her lips. I pulled back and smirked. “Why are you so cute when you’re right?”
“Sorcery.” She laughed and laid her head back on my shoulder, then turned up the TV.
If I had it my way, she’d move in tonight. My heart was moving faster than my head, but that was fine by me. With her, my head didn’t work, and I didn’t even care. It was probably a good thing she was being the level-headed one.
I hated to wake her up. She was so beautiful and peaceful sleeping with her head in my lap. I played with her hair and looked at the time. It was almost eleven.
We spent the entire movie laughing and trying to beat each other quoting the scenes. My parents always talked about them being each other's other half, and I saw that with Sarah. It was like she was cut from the same cloth as me. I always felt that way when we were growing up together, too. I didn’t have to think when I was around her; I was just me and nothing less. It’s the same way now, only better because I can kiss her any time I want.
I looked at the time again and sighed. “Sarah,” I whispered, still playing with her hair.
She stirred a little but didn’t wake up.
“Sarah,” I said a bit louder and ran my thumb over her cheek.
She blinked her eyes open and stretched. “What time is it?” she asked in a whisper.
“Eleven. You want to just stay here?”
She rubbed her eyes and looked up at me. “I didn’t bring anything to sleep in.”
“You can borrow one of my t-shirts and some sweats.”
“They’ll swallow me whole,” she said with a sleepy smile.
“So?”
She nodded and sat up slowly. “Okay.”
I stood and held my hand out to her. She took it and stood. I led her to my room.
She sat on the edge of my bed while I dug through my drawers to find her something to wear. I found one of my 34 Raceway t-shirts and a pair of drawstring sweats that she could at least tie to somewhat fit. When I turned around to face her, she had an empty stare on her face.
“You okay?”
She blinked when she looked at me. “Is this bed … Is it …” She stopped talking and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. I hadn’t realized this was the first time I had her in my room. Last time she slept here, we both passed out on the couch.
I handed her the clothes. “No, it’s not. Melany took it with her, and I got new bedroom furniture.”
Her sigh of relief made me laugh. She took the clothes and stood. I pointed toward the bathroom connected to my bedroom and she went in. While she was changing, I changed into a pair of shorts and a t-shirt.
As I was pulling back the covers, she came out, and a grin spread across my face. My clothes didn’t fit her at all, but she was cute as hell in them. She laughed as she fidgeted with the drawstring on the pants. No matter how hard she tried, they still hung loosely on her hips.
“Give it up, baby,” I said with a laugh. “Come here.”
She looked at me and huffed, causing some of her short, dark strands to move out of her face. She walked over and had to hold the top of the pants to keep them from falling.
“Lift your shirt up, I’ll try to help.”
She lifted it, showing her stomach enough to make my mind imagine her lifting it farther. I tightened the draw string as far as it would go and tied it. I then took the top of the pants and rolled them down twice. The bottoms still swallowed her feet, but at least they were semi-staying up.
She grinned at me. “Told ya they’d swallow me whole.”
I grinned back and softly kissed the top of her right hip. I felt her shudder and watched as goosebumps rose on her skin. We got in bed, and I wrapped her in my arms. Having her here with me, knowing I’d get to hold her all night, made my heart swell a million sizes. This right here … this was perfect. Never in a million years could I have dreamt how complete I’d feel.
I ran my fingers up and down her spine as I watched her fall asleep. I had no doubt in my mind that this is the way I wanted to spend the rest of my life. I was never letting her go.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Sarah
I was on my second cup of coffee. I was completely exhausted today. It wasn’t that I didn’t sleep—I slept like a baby being engulfed in Aaron’s arms and in his bed—but we have had a lot of late nights lately, and I think they were finally catching up with me. I was mid-sip when
the door opened.
I set my cup down and smiled. “Good afternoon! Can I help you?” I walked around the counter and over to the woman who looked to be in her mid-fifties. Very well put together, her peppered hair in a perfect bun. I couldn’t find a single stray hair on her head. We didn’t normally have people like her in this store. Mostly misfit types of people.
She looked around, not like she was looking for any products, but someone. She looked at me. “I’m looking for a Sarah Stone.”
Her tone struck me as odd, and for a moment considered saying she wasn’t here. Her posture wasn’t human-like. It was too perfectly straight. The way her mouth formed a hard line also made me a bit uneasy. If I were a cat, my hair would be standing on my back for sure.
“That’s me. Can I help you?”
“Yes, you can. Can I speak to you outside?”
I frowned. “No, I need to stay in here; I’m working. Is everything okay? Do I know you?”
She shook her head. “No, you don’t. I’m Melany Davises mother.”
My heart stopped. I swear it did. “Oh. Okay. Is there an issue?”
“I’m coming to ask you to please stay away from my grandsons. We know Aaron has intentions of fighting for the kids, and with everything up in the air right now, the last thing they need is to be confused by him being with another woman. Melany is their mother, and bringing a potential stepmother in their lives would be detrimental right now. They’ve had enough changes in the past year.” Her matter-of-fact tone pissed me off.
“Wow. Ummm …” I ran my fingers through my hair and laughed coldly. “With all due respect, ma’am, I have no intentions of trying to take Melany’s place. I care for Aaron a lot, and Keeton and Kallon are part of his life. When they are with him, I feel like it’s his decision who they are around.”