Kaleb

by Nicole Edwards

  ♀♂

  To say Zoey was tired was an understatement.

  She and V were going on hour number three of their weekly visit to the Wilson’s gi-freaking-normous house in which they scoured the five thousand square foot monstrosity from top to bottom. Sometimes she wished she wasn’t quite so gullible because when Victoria Wilson had bragged about how well kept her house was, Zoey had actually believed her.

  Ummm... That was so not the case.

  “V?” Zoey called out, her voice echoing off of the Travertine floors and twenty feet tall ceilings. “Where are you?”

  Making her way to the master bedroom downstairs, Zoey had a good idea where V was, and she smiled at the thought.

  Noticing that the master bedroom was in tip top shape, Zoey continued toward the master bathroom and the sound of V sighing. Loudly.

  “Are you almost done?” Zoey asked when she found V on her hands and knees near the toilet – the one thing V absolutely detested about cleaning houses. For a while, she had tried to convince Zoey that she was allergic to toilets, and some of her excuses had bordered on insane, but knowing V, Zoey had never given in.

  “Does it look like I’m almost done?” V snarled. “If someone,” cough, cough, “understood how much I truly hate this part of the job,” cough, cough, “they might’ve agreed to handle the bathrooms all by herself.”

  “Ummm... In case you didn’t know, I’ve already cleaned the other four. And you’re just lucky I volunteered to clean the kid’s bathroom.” Zoey snarled back, remembering all too vividly what the Wilson’s son’s bathroom had looked like before she went in there.

  Unfortunately, the bathroom hadn’t been the worst of it this time. She wasn’t sure what it was the Wilson’s did to make this much of a mess in a seven day period, yet each week it seemed to get worse. With six children – Zoey had no idea how they kept up with six kids – it was a wonder the house was even still standing.

  “Well, what’s one more?” V asked, still scrubbing away before flushing the toilet and standing. With a little wiggle of her hips, V managed to straighten her skirt before tossing her hair back over her shoulder.

  How the woman could come to work – cleaning houses, mind you – looking impeccable day in and day out was beyond her. If she didn’t know better, Zoey would’ve thought V worked in the corporate world for all of the trouble she went through to get dressed up each day.

  Not Zoey. No way. Her outfit for the day consisted of her soft, faded jeans and an oversized t-shirt that had clearly seen better days. But, neither her shirt nor her jeans had holes in them, and that was about as good as it got for her.

  Staring back at her friend, Zoey realized they looked like polar opposites, what with V wearing wedge heels and a flouncy skirt. V was also tall and curvy in all the right places while Zoey was on the short side. Like day and night, Zoey smiled to herself.

  After V stripped the latex gloves off, tossing them into the sink, she turned her attention to Zoey. “What’s left?”

  “I think we’re done.” Zoey smiled. “As long as you’re done in here, that is.”

  “Oh, I’m done.” V said feigning exasperation.

  “What do you say I buy you a drink then?” Zoey asked, turning toward the kitchen to pack up the rest of their things.

  “Throw in dinner, and you’ve got a date.” V stated, tossing the last of her supplies into the bucket they used to haul them back and forth from the truck.

  “Can’t do dinner tonight.” Zoey grinned. “I’m meeting Kaleb.”

  “Ohhhh... That’s right. I almost forgot. You’re weekly date.” V pretended to be offended, but Zoey knew better. “I’m being shunned for that sexy, hot neighbor of yours.”

  “It’s not a date.” Zoey realized how defensive she sounded as soon as the words were out of her mouth.

  “When are you going to give in and sleep with him?”

  Hefting her bucket of cleaners, Zoey managed to lock the front door and roll her eyes at her friend while pretending not to have heard the question.

  It wasn’t the first time V had asked that particular question, and she knew it wouldn’t be the last, so Zoey wasn’t even going to dignify it with a response. Best friend or not, V had an uncanny ability to get on Zoey’s last nerve with her constant pestering when it came to her friendship with Kaleb Walker.

  It seemed as though once a week V would go off on a tangent about how Zoey and Kaleb were dancing around one another and should just give in and admit they wanted to sleep together. For the most part, Zoey managed to ignore her. The rest of the time she just made it worse by arguing.

  There was possibly a smidgeon of truth to V’s assessment of the situation, but Zoey wouldn’t admit it. Ever since Zoey’s marriage came crashing down around her, she and Kaleb had managed to rekindle the friendship they’d shared since middle school. Only this time, her best buddy managed to spark an irritating amount of lust that Zoey refused to acknowledge.

  Considering there weren’t many days that passed in which they didn’t meet up for dinner or drinks, or just to hang out with a group of friends, Zoey was having a hard time ignoring this little infatuation she’d apparently developed for him.

  As far as she could tell, there wasn’t an ounce of reciprocation from Kaleb’s side, so it made it a little easier to pretend he was just her friend. And she could’ve lived with that if her warped and twisted mind hadn’t gone and conjured up a plethora of images that consisted of all of the things Zoey wanted to do to the man.

  She had a feeling V’s comments were to blame for that carnal slide show playing over and over again in her mind.

  Ten minutes later, Zoey was pulling her truck into the gravel parking lot of Moonshiner’s – the one and only bar in their very small town. For a Thursday afternoon, it was packed, but the more the merrier, Zoey thought to herself.

  It took a little persuading – or flirting, whatever you wanted to call it – to commandeer two bar stools, but they finally managed. Ordering their usual – mango margaritas – Zoey glanced around the dimly lit room, scoping out the familiar faces.

  Most of the Thursday crowd was younger, getting a jump start on the weekend and choosing to battle it out at the pool tables. The dance floor was empty, but that wasn’t unusual for this time of day. It usually livened up quite a bit after dark, but they were still a few hours off from that.

  Feeling a tad surly after V’s pestering from earlier, Zoey turned to her friend and threw out the one question she knew would get V riled up. “So, when are you going to focus on your own Walker man and lay off my nonexistent sex life?”

  “My Walker man?” V almost sounded as though she had no idea what Zoey was talking about. Almost. “Who the hell are you talking about?”

  Remembering the way V had all but jumped on Zane Walker the last time they’d all gotten together, Zoey arched an eyebrow in challenge. “Don’t deny it. I saw the way you were eye fucking Zane the last time we were here.”

  “Zane? Zane Walker – Zane?” Vanessa laughed, and the sultry sound had half the bar turning to look at them.

  “Do you know another one?”

  The best defense is a good offense – the phrase suddenly rang through Zoey’s mind when she saw the look in Vanessa’s eyes. It was about to be a free for all.

  “Wait.” V held up a hand, taking a sip of her drink. “You first.”

  “Me first, what?” Zoey was confused.

  “You admit to crushing on Kaleb, and then I’ll tell you my story.”

  “Oh, whatever.” Zoey laughed. “I am not crushing on Kaleb or anyone else for that matter. But you, my beautiful friend have a bad case of the hots for one Zane Walker.”

  V blushed immediately, but turned her head and avoided Zoey’s knowing stare. It was obvious the woman had been lusting after Kaleb's younger brother, but Zoey had no idea for how long. Not that age mattered, but there was a six year age gap between V and Zane, which was surprising because her friend had never been the type to
go for younger men.

  “You can’t deny it, V.”

  When Vanessa’s ears flamed red, Zoey knew she’d hit her mark. But, they both knew it was all in good fun because yes if either of them were to own up to it, both of them had the hots for one of the Walker brothers.

  “Maybe not, but what about you and Kaleb?”

  “What about me and Kaleb?” Zoey asked, forcing a smile. She did not like where this conversation was going, regardless of whether this was her best friend or not. She was not willing to admit whatever these strange feelings were that she’d developed for Kaleb.

  “You have to admit he’s hot.” V grinned.

  “Well, of course, he’s hot.” That wasn't a secret.

  “Have you ever fantasized about what it would be like to kiss him?” V asked, getting pushy as always.

  What was this? Eighth grade?

  Hoping like hell the heat that suddenly infused her face wasn't visible, Zoey smarted off. “Hasn't everyone?”

  The smile that beamed on V’s face had Zoey stilling in her chair.

  Oh God.

  She was suddenly enveloped in strong, muscled arms and overwhelmed by the all too familiar, highly intoxicating scent of the one man she wished hadn't just heard that comment.

  “So, what would it be like?” Kaleb’s sexy voice whispered in her ear, his warm breath tickling her cheek seconds before his lips landed in a chaste, friendly kiss.

  Shoving him off of her, Zoey laughed because if she didn't, she might just cry. “Oooh, gross! Boy cooties.” Yep, definitely eighth grade.

  “Boy cooties?” V asked, laughing. “That’s what you scream when Kaleb Walker plants a kiss on you? Mercy, woman. I’m beginning to seriously worry about you.”

  Zoey felt the heat flood her face as she purposely ignored Vanessa, all the while trying to pretend Kaleb hadn't actually heard their conversation.

  “You’re early.” She told him when she finally managed to compose herself.

  “I’m starving.” He waved off the bartender when he strolled over. “Take me to dinner.”

  “Nuh uh, buddy. It’s your turn to pick up the tab.” Zoey reminded him.

  Before Kaleb could argue, Zane walked up and Zoey watched as V’s entire demeanor changed. If she wasn't mistaken, it just got a lot warmer in the bar, despite the blast of cold air from the air conditioner.

  Zoey smiled. Right. Nothing there.

  “Ok, I’ll take you to dinner.” Zoey stood abruptly. “Here, Zane. Take my seat.” Throwing a knowing grin at Vanessa and watching as her friend tried to shoot daggers from her eyeballs, Zoey laughed.

  “You are so dead,” V mouthed before Zoey turned away.

  Truer words had never been spoken because as Zoey turned to walk out of the bar with Kaleb, she was hammered with a sudden, overwhelming urge to... kiss him.

  Chapter Two

  ♀♂

  Five minutes later, Zoey was pulling her truck into a vacant parking space beside Kaleb’s. She’d insisted on following him to the restaurant because she had needed a minute to get a grip. As she shut the truck door, turning to face him, she realized she probably could’ve used a few more minutes. Damn it.

  Walking through the parking lot, Zoey tried to distract herself by figuring out what she was going to have for dinner. She had to reminder herself not to let him choose the restaurant in the future because although the food was decent at this particular establishment, the service was well...

  “You thought about trading that truck in lately?” Kaleb interrupted her thoughts as he held the door open for her.

  Trading it in? What on earth was the man talking about? She loved her old Chevy and couldn’t imagine ever trading it in. “No, why?”

  “Because it’s too damn slow.” He goaded her before throwing his arm around her shoulder in a friendly gesture.

  Zoey took the opportunity and elbowed him in the ribs for his comment. “It’s not my fault I don’t drive like a bat out of hell. If you and that monster of a truck would obey the law, you wouldn’t be worried about my driving.”

  “Where’s the fun in that?” He asked as they approached the hostess stand which was as usual lacking a hostess.

  Zoey’s senses were assaulted by the delightful smells of home cooking, mixed with the low hum of conversations as they waited for someone to seat them. The place was packed, but that was normal for any day of the week but especially on Thursday when fried chicken was the specialty.

  “Hey, Kaleb.” Rachel Talbott, the hostess slash waitress, swooned.

  “Hey. You got a table for two?”

  “I do, sugar. Anything for you.”

  Yuck.

  Zoey had spent more than one night watching as one woman or another lusted after Kaleb, more than obvious in their pursuit of him, regardless of her presence. Since she and Kaleb were only friends, and the entire town knew it, she’d come to expect it, but it still grossed her out.

  “Yeah, sugar. Anything for you.” Zoey muttered, and Kaleb squeezed her shoulder as they followed the overly flirty hostess through the restaurant.

  Once seated, Rachel took their order – their frequent visits made them regulars and they always got the same thing. Two of the specials, salad with ranch dressing, mashed potatoes and iced tea. Two peas in a pod they were.

  “So, tell me more about this kissing fantasy of yours.” Kaleb said, trying to hide a grin. He didn’t fool her.

  “Oh, shut it.” Zoey laughed, but the telltale heat was back in her face. “There is no fantasizing going on here.” She lied.

  “Awww, well, that’s too bad. I was going to share some of my fantasies with you, but noooo. I get it.”

  Zoey smirked. “I have no desire to hear what goes on in that warped brain of yours.” Unless of course your fantasies include me.

  “Now you’re lying.”

  Zoey was mesmerized by that signature Walker grin – just a little crooked, just a little wicked, and just a lot sexy.

  “I heard you myself. You’ve fantasized about kissing me. What if I said I’ve fantasized about kissing you, too?”

  The sudden desire to wish he were telling the truth was overwhelming as was the increasing awareness of him as way more than just her buddy. “Cool it, cowboy. So, what’d you do today?”

  “Not nearly enough.” Kaleb stated, sounding serious.

  “Something wrong?”

  “Not necessarily, no.”

  Zoey could tell Kaleb was holding something back, and she had an idea of what it was. “You went to talk to my dad, didn’t you?”

  Purchasing some of her father’s land was one of the main priorities of Kaleb’s for several months now, and yet, he hadn’t spoken to her much about it. Figuring he was trying to avoid an argument – not that she would’ve argued – Zoey never broached the subject either.

  “I did.” Glancing down at his hands, then back up at her, Kaleb continued, “I just don’t get it.”

  “Get what?” Ok, so now she was curious what they’d discussed.

  “From the past conversations I’ve had with him, he seemed interested, yet for the last few days, he’s given me the run around as soon as I walk in the door.”

  Watching his mouth, Zoey did her best to listen to what he was saying, but she was becoming way too distracted. “With the economy the way it is, I figured he’d be all for getting rid of it.” She told him.

  “That’s what I thought, but I’m beginning to wonder if he’s hesitant because of the family connection. You said the land had been in your family for generations, right?”

  “Yes. My great great grandfather purchased the land back when the town wasn’t even a town. And it’s been handed down generation after generation to the men in the family.”

  “Which makes sense, but...”

  Zoey was pretty sure Kaleb continued to speak because she saw his lips move, but she was suddenly flooded with a wave of desire so strong the roaring in her ears drowned him out. It seemed that whatever this condition was,
she was growing more aware of the man every time they were together. From his adorable, unkempt hair, those scorching blue gray eyes that every single one of the Walker boys had inherited, to his sinfully delicious body, the man made her dormant libido come to life.

  Not a good thing.

  Especially not while she was trying to have a casual, friendly dinner with the man.

  “Earth to Zoey.”

  Shit.

  “Sorry, what?”

  “Where’d you go?” That stunning grin of his damn near blinded her. “Off to fantasy land again?”

  This time the blush suffused her face, and she was unable to hide her embarrassment.

  Good Lord.

  What the hell was wrong with her?

  ♂♀

  Ok. Something was seriously off here.

  Call him crazy, but there was a remarkably different feel to this so called casual dinner with Zoey. Not only was he having a damn hard time focusing, but apparently he wasn’t the only one. Since the second he walked up on Zoey and Vanessa having a conversation not meant for him to overhear, he’d been fighting a mad case of the what the fucks.

  Didn’t she know that he’d laughed off her comment and was only teasing when he brought it up? If he thought there was a chance in hell that Zoey had actually fantasized about him...

  Ok, so his dick knew exactly what to do with that thought, unfortunately, now was not the time, and this was certainly not the place.

  As much as he wanted to think that Zoey had actually fantasized about him once or twice – God knows she’d played a starring role in some of his more erotic thoughts – Kaleb knew she had just been joking.

  Hadn’t she?

  For a second, he wasn’t so sure.

  The woman sitting across from him – the one wringing her hands together, blushing, and avoiding eye contact – was not the same woman Kaleb had known for so long. His best friend would be giving him a rash of shit about anything and everything, going off about Rachel’s incessant flirting no matter when they came in, or better yet, telling him to dream on as far as fantasies went. That’s the exact opposite of what was going on between them right now.