Fighting For You

by Megan Noelle

  Now I was stuck dealing with a woman who wanted to take tequila shots and wore the same goddamn heels that drove me crazy. Swell.

  As the hour drug on, the woman proceeded to slam back a few shots and suck down a couple margaritas. She never lightened up on the flirting, but I could tell she was starting to lose steam. That alone was a relief and when I heard her mention that it was about time to go home I was beyond relieved. I was about done with this torturous flash back of the one thing I couldn’t let go.

  While I was pouring a few beers to regulars, the woman’s phone rang and her animated expression brightened but her voice transformed into a whisper. Her gaze shifted to me a few times and I knew, without question, I was the subject of her conversation.

  This wasn’t completely unusual, of course. Women would have a few too many and then believe that I must want to take them all back to my place and fuck their brains out. Truth was, even before Dani, it was rare for me to do that, especially with chicks that could be chalked up to bar sluts. But with Dani, everything was different. I had to have her, without question. And then I couldn’t get her out of my mind.

  After that first night, I had been intoxicated by the lingering perfume on my pillow. I’d watched her from my door until that cab pulled away. It had taken everything in me not to run down there and steal her back. When I’d made it back to my room, I laid on the bed that was still messed up from our sweaty encounter and I’d held that little receipt with her number.

  Maybe it’s a little presumptuous to say that, in that moment, I knew that phone number was going to be the last one I ever wanted to get. But, I did. I knew it.

  The woman ended her call and I saw her slip on the coat she brought to cover her barely there dress. As much as I wanted to keep my distance, since I had the feeling that there was more behind this visit, I couldn’t just let her leave. It was my job as a bar owner to take care of my customers and it was my job as a man to make sure a woman was going to get home safely.

  I walked up to the girl and pointed to the bar phone on the wall.

  “Want me to call a cab to come get you?”

  She smiled and shook her head. “No, that’s okay. Dani is on her way now.”

  My heart stopped beating. My body stilled and the slight, barely noticeable intake of breath from her lips told me all I needed to know. Her Dani was undeniably my Dani.

  “What did you say?” I asked, teeth clenched together.

  “Shit.” She swore under her breath. “Nothing. I gotta split.”

  The girl turned to leave and it hit me—I was a fucking idiot. The purple shoes, request to take tequila shots, pressing me about what I thought about her. This was a goddamn test! I quickly reached out and let my hand circle her wrist. She wasn’t going anywhere.

  “Let me see your ID.”

  Her mouth dropped open in shock as she viciously shook her head. “No way! You already served me!”

  “My rules, Sugar. Now, show me your ID or I will call the police and make up some ridiculous story to get you hauled away.”

  “You can’t be serious!” She yelled with evident panic in her voice.

  I leaned in infinitesimally. “Try me,” I whispered.

  She puckered her lips in a pouty manner that had no effect on me. Finally, she conceded. After digging through her bag, the woman pulled out her ID and threw it at me. With one glance I knew I had been right. The woman in front of me was Gabriella Martinez from New York. She was Dani’s best friend.

  “Nice to finally meet you, Gabby,” I said with a tone that could have frozen the Sahara.

  Gabby sighed and cast her eyes downward, clearly aware that she screwed up. “You, too,” she mumbled.

  *~*~*~*~*

  Danielle

  I had been waiting patiently (okay, not really) for Gabby’s call. My original plan was to go home and wait for her. Instead, I picked up a McDonald’s ice cream cone and drove around town. The whole time I was on edge. One minute I was worried that he’d figure out who she was, then the next I was terrified that Gabby would fall for him the same way I did. Or worse—that he’d fall for her. It was all these thoughts that kept me from returning home and chilling out in front of the warm fireplace.

  Lord, I had issues.

  As I drove up to the bar, I felt butterflies dancing wickedly in my stomach. I’m sure it had to be preventing a peaceful rest for my little bean.

  “I’m sorry, baby. I’m just so scared,” I whispered timidly to my little one. My little bean was probably far too small to hear me, but I chose to believe it could. Actually, I needed that reassurance in my heart that I wasn’t nearly as alone as I felt. “I just needed to make sure Daddy hadn’t forgotten me.”

  My car slowly pulled into the parking lot and standing directly outside the bar door was Gabby. Even from afar, I could see she was uncomfortable. That’s when I noticed that standing behind her, was the most amazing man I’ve ever known. He was in jeans, a hoodie, a beanie and everything about his appearance may seem plain but not to me. He was perfect and it fit my fading memory of him flawlessly - strong jaw, downright sexy body and those piercing blue eyes. Even in the night, I couldn’t miss those blues. They were all I had thought about for months and now they were staring a hole straight through me.

  Gabby lifted a hand and coyly waved, as if she didn’t completely blow our cover. My heart was in my throat as I half considered turning around and speeding the hell out of the parking lot. But I knew I couldn’t. I was so drawn to this man and his intimidating glare that I couldn’t turn away if I wanted to.

  When I stopped my car, Corey took hold of Gabby’s upper arm and led her to the passenger seat. He opened the door for her and helped her in. I watched in complete awe, not truly believing this was happening. That was when he looked into my eyes and my heart melted. I saw it. Behind that cold, hard stare was every ounce of pain and sorrow he felt. That I caused. I felt the air leaving my lungs as I was punched with the reality of what I had done.

  “Don’t you fucking dare drive away,” he scolded before slamming Gabby’s door. My eyes locked onto him as he stalked around the front of the car towards my side.

  “I am so sorry, Dani!” Gabby practically pleaded with me. Although I was pissed, I’d deal with her later because right now all I could think of was Corey. My Corey, I hoped.

  In a second, he flung open my driver’s side door and clenched the top of it until his knuckles turned white. He leaned in and the scent of aftershave hit me like a ton of bricks. I wanted to grab hold of his sweatshirt and breathe in the smell I missed so much. It tickled my senses and my very-emotional-self wanted to break down and cry because of how damn much I really did miss and need him.

  “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?!” Corey’s voice came out in a growl causing my own to get lost in my throat.

  “You disappear for three goddamn months and you come back to what—test me?!” Unfortunately, it was the naturally defensive side of me that spoke up, not the apologetic side that should have made an appearance.

  “I was not testing you, I was just …”

  Corey immediately cut me off. Steam practically billowed from his ears.

  “You just what? Wanted to see if I would hook up with any willing chick thrown into my face?”

  “No!” I yelled back. “I just …” Okay, maybe that was exactly what I did. “Fine! So what! I just got back today and I wanted to know if you were back to your old ways!”

  His teeth ground together, a rarity for Corey.

  “You left me hanging, thinking everything was going to be phenomenal when I woke up. That everything was going to be fucking perfect! I finally had the only woman I’ve ever loved. Instead, I woke up to a note that broke my fucking heart. Every single word pierced through me and left me with the aftertaste that I lost it all. Lost. It. All! So don’t for one second think you can come back here and start throwing tests at me!”

  Angry tears threatened to pour out. Memories flooded my mind - the f
ight, the phenomenal sex, and that note. It all came rushing back to me and I felt the air once again being knocked from my lungs. I couldn’t be here anymore. I needed to go home. Every harsh breath I took was filled with Corey’s scent and it made this situation that much worse.

  Before I could say anything, he leaned in even closer and spoke again.

  “And, for your information, the answer is no. I don’t fuck any random chick that walks into my bar. Want to know why?” It was clearly a rhetorical question, since he gave me no chance to respond.

  “This is why - I am foolishly in love with this crazy woman who won’t stop running from me! I couldn’t forget her even if I tried and she’s the only one I want to be with. But she is too damn stubborn to let that shit happen.”

  I don’t think I’ve ever been at such a loss for words. By some cosmic miracle—Corey still loved me. And I was still hurting him. I needed to do everything possible to rectify the situation, before it was too late. Sadly, I could hardly form a thought, let alone a sentence. My mouth hung open like a dead fish as I stared at the man I loved.

  “Get your ass home. It’s cold as hell. You’re going to get sick if you keep driving around like a maniac.” Corey’s tone softened ever so slightly, letting me hear the voice of the man I left behind.

  “Okay,” I whispered.

  Corey sighed and the smell of mint brushed against my face. My eyes closed for a moment to commit the aroma to memory. Lord, I was so pathetic. I opened my eyes in time to see him pull his beanie off his head.

  “Wear a hat from now on. You don’t want to catch cold,” he said, as he adjusted the hat over my head. He pulled it down enough to cover my ears.

  We were inches apart and I wanted nothing more than to lean my lips into his the way I used to so carelessly only months before. But I didn’t. Instead, Corey backed away and took with him the warmth I craved from only him.

  “Thank you,” I answered, my eyes locked on his, willing him to see into the inner workings of my mind. To hear everything I couldn’t say at this moment.

  Corey moved away, then stopped and looked down at me.

  “I’m glad you’re back.” With that he shut the door and returned inside the bar, leaving me a ticking time bomb, ready to break down at the slightest movement.

  I put the car into gear and drove off before I could think twice. Gabby’s eyes were fixed on the side of my face the whole ride back, ready to spring into best friend mode the second it was needed. Thankfully, we made it all the way home in silence, all the while my mind was trained on the hat resting on my head. I wanted to escape to my room, sob and clutch the hat to my chest.

  I wished Gabby a hurried goodbye the second we walked through the door. Unfortunately for me, she didn’t quite understand that I wanted to get away because she took hold of my arm. I looked into that pitied look in her eyes and felt the stinging tears behind them threatening to unleash.

  “I know you love him. Dani, that man is so in love with you! Now it’s time to let him love you back. It’s time to let him be the one.” I nodded my head furiously as a few stray tears slid down.

  “Thank you for screwing up the plan tonight,” I said, sincerely. In a twisted way, I was glad that I was forced to see Corey. I needed it just as much as I dreaded it. But Gabby was right—it was time to let go of doubts and fears and win him back.

  Gabby gave a careless shrug. “It’s what I do best.” I laughed.

  “Night, Gabby.”

  “Night, Dani.”

  I finally escaped to my room and slid under the covers, holding close to my chest Corey’s hat, which was so much more than just a piece of clothing. This was the sign to me that he was still mine…and I was still his.

  Chapter Five

  The incessant buzzing of my cell phone woke me with a start the following morning. I batted my arm out to the side, inevitably smacking the phone on my side table. After a few more moments of fumbling around I put the phone to my ear.

  “’Ello,” my tired voice answered.

  “Danielle Hamilton! Did you move back and not tell me?” I kicked myself for not paying attention to my caller ID.

  “Gram, I told you I was coming home.”

  “But you did not tell me you were returning home yesterday!”

  “I know and I’m sorry about that but it’s really not that big of a deal. We made it safely and Gramps knew about the journey.”

  “Don’t even remind me! Your Grandfather still has to deal with me later, but for now I’m on my way.”

  That got my attention. “Wait—you’re what?!”

  “On my way, Danielle. Please pay attention when I am talking to you.”

  “Sorry,” I mumbled before she hung up the phone.

  The second I hung up the phone I drug myself from the bed. My feet hit the floor and I bolted towards the guest bedroom where Gabby was probably still sleeping off the inevitable hangover. I tried to reign in my manic reaction but, unfortunately for her, it was without success.

  “Gabriella! Get up right now!” Her response was to merely groan and shove a pillow over her head.

  No way was I giving up this easily. “No! Gabby, this is serious!”

  Once more a deep moan came out half-heartedly along with a grunt that sounded like, “Eh…tequila.” This time I ripped the blanket from her, making her immediately recoil.

  “Danielle! If you think I’m getting up right now—you are seriously delusional!”

  “You need to get up and get in the shower. My Gram is on her way and right now you smell like a bar.”

  She shot up, a little too fast from the looks of things, and she shot me her best angry glare. “I wouldn’t smell that way if you weren’t goddamn nuts!”

  We had basically no time to talk about anything and, as much as I wanted to argue that, it would have to wait until later. “You’re right. Now come on!”

  Slowly but surely she got out of bed and reached into her bag, pulled out a pair of yoga pants and a tank top. Just as slowly, she padded off towards the bathroom. I, meanwhile, was hopping around like a maniac behind her. When we finally made it into the bathroom, I hurried to turn on the water and grab a spare towel. In the meantime, Gabby plopped herself onto the edge of the tub, her head supported by her hand. I couldn’t help but wonder if she was still sleeping.

  “Dani, chill the fuck out! You’re making me dizzy.”

  “So sorry, but my Gram is just—harsh. Be thankful you’re going to be showering.”

  “I’d be more thankful if I was sleeping,” she mumbled.

  I chose to ignore it and just as I was about to leave the bathroom, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror. That’s when it hit me—my bump. It looked very small, quite insignificant at the moment, honestly. But I had a sick feeling she would notice. I pulled my shirt up over my stomach and let my hands mold over the little bean that had become a permanent staple in my heart.

  “Gabby—do I look,” I paused to find the words, “more pregnant?”

  A mixture between a snort and a laugh escaped her as she looked at me. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “Well, it’s just - do I look bigger to you?”

  She squinted her eyes at me, more so because of the bright lighting. “No, you don’t look bigger.”

  “Thank God.” I said, breathing out a side of relief.

  “Now, you do realize you need to leave if you want me to shower.”

  “Oh yeah, sorry!” I quickly hurried from the bathroom and into my bedroom. I slid on a pair of jeans and a baggy hoodie that would hopefully hide my bump from the scrutinizing eyes of my Grandma. The moment my sweatshirt was tugged into place, the doorbell rang. My breath caught in my throat, and my nerves spiked. What the hell was my problem? It was just my Grandma! Since when was that so terrifying!?

  Since ever—that’s when!

  With one final glance in the mirror, I prayed my bump remained unseen and I took off towards the front door. Unfortunately, I didn’t
make it before the bell buzzed again. I swung it open and there she stood, completely decked out in winter attire with hands on her hips. Violet hadn’t changed much in the past three months and she still had the judgmental look in her eyes, telling me immediately that I was in deep shit.

  “Well, are you going to invite me in, Danielle? It is freezing out here.”

  “Yes, of course. Come on in. Sorry, I was just finishing getting dressed.” I stepped aside so she could come in. I shut the door behind her; Violet in the room made things cold enough without adding a chilly draft to the air.

  I watched as she slipped off her gloves, hat and scarf with ease. “Would you like some hot tea or coffee?”

  She gave me a look that said she was impressed I asked. The natural fighter in me wanted to argue and ask why it was always such a surprise that I knew how to be cordial. My energy wasn’t up to par and the last thing I wanted to do was bring on unwanted attention from her, so I simply smiled.

  “No, thank you. I’m not staying long.”

  “Alright. Well, let’s sit.” I motioned to the living room furniture but didn’t move. Something in the way her eyes held me had my feet planted in place.

  Her hands rested on her hips as she took in my appearance. The outside was hardly changed. The inside, on the other hand, would never be the same. That didn’t stop me from nearly breaking into a sweat as her eyes passed my stomach. I couldn’t help but wonder if I was even breathing anymore.

  “It took you that long to let me in and that was what you were putting on?” I looked down at my typical jeans and sweatshirt get-up and I shrugged.

  “I just woke up,” I answered.

  When I opened my mouth to once again usher us into the next topic of conversation, her hand flew out to silence me. “Is the shower running?” Her accusing tone was surely meant to show her ‘undercover’ work, as if I was hiding something I was ashamed to tell her about.

  “Yes, it is. My friend and roommate Gabriella Martinez from New York drove with me.”