Starting Over (Sugar Creek Romance )

by Jordan Silver

  JULIE

  I'm too happy. I kept telling myself that while I drove into work with him behind me in his truck. My hands gripped the wheel as I fought the nerves in my tummy. It’s not normal to be afraid of happiness, but I’ve learned over time that for each day of happy I get five of not so much. Fingers crossed that this time will be different.

  He’d told the kids that we were getting married but had yet to discuss it with me. That was the reason for my angst. I don’t think he’d lie to them about a thing like that, but if true, it was not what I’d expected the outcome of this little reunion to be. Would I give my eyeteeth to marry him? You betcha; but is it what’s best for me, and my kids?

  They loved him, that was obvious and he certainly seemed to have a fondness for them, but was it enough? I couldn’t put them or myself through the hell of their dad again, and I’m not a hundred percent sure that Kevin can ever get past the fact that they’re not his. I remember very well his words to me about owing him two kids. Did that mean he resented my kids?

  But how can he when he treats them so well. I smiled when I remembered Tiana’s announcement once we got back from the park and he’d helped me clean her up before putting her down for her nap. She’d opened her tired little eyes, as he was about to lay her head on the pillow, her arms wrapped around his neck. “I’m gonna call you daddy.” She fell asleep right after her little announcement, but it was his reaction that brought tears to my eyes now.

  He’d looked shocked at first, then he’d blushed, then he’d ran his hand over her hair and leaned down to kiss her cheek. I’d slipped out of the room silently even though I wished I’d caught the moment on camera.

  He didn’t say anything when he came out of her room, just mumbled something about work to do in his office and disappeared. Now we were headed for the restaurant. I’d finally called Sandy and told her where I was. Of course she had a million questions but I told her I’d tell her all some other time. This conversation was going to need a couple bottles of wine at least.

  She seemed to accept that and was just happy that I was with her brother. I don’t know why I’d been so worried about it, she acted almost as if she’d known or seen it coming. He opened my car door once I parked in the lot closest to the door where he’d directed me. “From now on this is your spot.” It said reserved and was the closest to the door.

  I didn’t question just followed him. Sandy swooped in as soon as we cleared the door. “Geez it took you long enough to get here.” She dragged me away from her brother who just waved me off when I looked back at him. “Come I have a lot to show you and Mr. Impatient seems to think it can all be done in a day.”

  “What’re you talking about? I thought I was through training?”

  “Not for this you haven’t.”

  “I still don’t know what you’re talking about.” She dragged me into an office. ‘Ta da. Your new office.” I stood in the doorway speechless. “What’s going on?” She grinned and dragged me into the room and over to the desk.

  “Didn’t he tell you? Well, big brother calls up and says to me, ‘I need a position for Julia at the restaurant. I says, ‘she already has one, waitress. He says, ‘that’s dead find her something else in back of the house.’ Well we already have a day manager, a night manager a general manager and an owner and I knew he wasn’t talking about a cook. So I told him so and he says, ‘well she’ll be me when I’m not there.’ And I said, ‘the owner?’ and he says ‘yes’ and hangs up the phone. And that’s how I knew there was something going on for sure-sure before you called.”

  I’d followed every word she said but it wasn’t registering. “I still don’t…” I was starting to get a headache.

  “Come I’ll show you.” She booted up the computer and opened files and excel spreadsheets and my hands started to tingle. Kevin was putting me in charge of his restaurant. I looked up at her to ask if this was a joke, but she was serious as a judge.

  ‘These are all the finances for the restaurant. Order sheets, suppliers, this list here keeps track of what comes in and when we’re low or need to order more of something. You’ll meet with the head chef at least twice a week to discuss whatever it is they discuss. Oh and Tuesdays and Thursdays are our big delivery days, but one of the managers and the general manager, me, usually handle that. You just have to walk around and flick your whip to keep us all in shape.”

  There was no anger in her voice but I still felt uneasy about taking a position that would practically make me her boss. “I don’t know about this Sandy. Shouldn’t you be getting this job? How about we switch?”

  “Are you crazy? First of all, I’m just the sister you’re the woman he’s in lurve with. Secondly you couldn’t pay me to do this shit too much work. I signed on to help the bastard get the business up and running and three years later my ass is still here. I have enough to do thank you. Have fun and I’ll see you at break time. I hear the boss coming.”

  She left and left me sitting there wondering if I’d really woken up this morning or if this was all part of an extended dream. “You all settled in, she showed you what you needed?” That voice, that look, that body. All real. “Yes she did but are you sure you wanna do this?” He walked over and caged me in with his hands on either side of the chair.

  “Yes. Now I have to be somewhere for a few hours I’ll be back.” He kissed me one quick peck on the lips and left. I felt the smile begin deep in my heart and spread across my face, still I was too nervous to hope.

  I got lost in what I was doing, happy to be able to put my knowledge to good use. Not that there was anything against waitressing but this was more my speed. In the background behind the scenes.

  My chirping phone brought my head up and I fished around in my bag for it without looking. I had a fleeting thought that it might be one of my parents who I hadn’t spoken to since they refused to let me and my kids come stay with them. As far as they were concerned my place was with my abusive husband and the divorce was all my fault.

  “Hello.”

  “I want to see my kids.”

  “When?”

  “Now, today.”

  “I’m at work…”

  “I don’t care where you are I want to see them NOW.” Has he been drinking this early in the evening? I got that queasy feeling in my gut and that tinny taste of fear sprung in my mouth.

  I took a few deep breaths and reminded myself that I was no longer attached to this asshole; except for the kids we shared that is. “Where are you?” Maybe I can buy some time and work it out to see him another day.

  “I’m in your little bullshit town, at your parents as a matter of fact.” The bottom fell out. That was right around the corner from where the kids were. I was never so scared in my life. Did he know?

  “Fine, I’ll meet you at the little diner in Copley Square.” It was almost time for my break anyway. He agreed and I grabbed my bag and headed out the door. I passed Sandy in the hall coming to get me. “Hey what’s your hurry?”

  “I can’t stop now I gotta go. I’ll be back before my break is over.” I hope. I wasn’t planning on sticking around my ex for too long. I peeled out of the parking lot and headed for the diner. I knew it wouldn’t last; gets me every time.

  20

  Julie

  I pulled into the diner and parked having second and third thoughts about going in. I saw that his luxury car was already there and shored up my courage to get out and face him. It would be the first time since I snuck out of the house months ago, the day after I’d filed the divorce papers. It felt like a million years ago now since I’d made that decision.

  I stepped out into the afternoon sun and pushed my purse strap higher on my shoulder. Inside I found him at a booth in the far back and made my way over there. “What are you doing at my parents’ house?” I didn’t even want to sit across from him.

  Seeing him now after the last few days with Kevin I wondered what the hell I’d done to myself. I couldn’t regret my kids, but I sure as hell bem
oaned the fact that he was their dad. Kevin had shown them more love in the last couple days than he had their whole lives, which was pretty pathetic.

  “Since when do you question what I do?” In the past those words would’ve sent fear racing through me because I knew what was coming next. Now I fought back the fear and stared him in the eye.

  “Since we’re no longer married and you never visited them even when we were.” I finally sat on the edge of the seat farthest away from him. “About that… I think that was a mistake. There isn’t going to be any divorce.”

  “Sorry but it’s already final.”

  “Yes but we can remedy that. We wouldn’t need a big wedding this time, just a trip to the courthouse.”

  “I’m not marrying you. Now what is it that you really want? You never had any interest in the kids before.”

  “I want my family back. Do you know how stupid you made me look, sneaking off in the night like that? People are talking.”

  “Did you forget that I have information that could put you away for a long time?”

  “You’d never use it, it would destroy the children’s lives and you’d never do anything to hurt them.” Was that a sneer on his face? What an ass.

  “Actually I think having you around them would do that. If you want to see the kids I’ll make sure they’re ready tomorrow.” He wasn’t too pleased and I could see him thinking really hard about what to say next. Obviously he thought he still had the power to cower me, and that his threat would’ve brought me to heel. And it might’ve had it not been for Kevin.

  Thinking of him brought a smile to my face, which fell right off when I saw Ty walk in. He did a double take when he saw us, gave Robert the stink eye and walked over to our table even though I prayed hard that he wouldn’t.

  “Hey Julie, the boss know you’re here?” He lifted his brow at me and I cleared my throat and rushed to make introductions before he said too much. “Tyson this is my ex-husband Robert.” He didn’t offer his hand just sized him up like he was taking notes.

  “Uh-huh, enjoy your lunch.” He started to turn away when Robert reached over and grabbed my hand. “Who the fuck is that guy?” I tugged my hand away and begged Ty with my eyes not to say or do anything when he turned back and looked at Robert like he was going to strangle him. I was afraid I knew who he was calling when he put his phone to his ear as he walked away.

  “I’ll call you tomorrow with a time to see the kids.” I jumped up from the table before he could waylay me and wasn’t at all surprised when Ty followed me out the door to my car, without a word.

  I was more nervous returning to the restaurant that I had been going to meet Robert. The way Kevin talks it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out how he felt about my ex and any relationship we might still have.

  My phone rang again and I read the readout this time. My heart jumped when I saw that it was him. “Go home, I’ll meet you there.” He hung up and I made a U-turn and headed back to his place. Oh man he sounded pissed.

  The kids were already in bed and Tracy was in the den watching a movie. “Oh you’re early did something happen?” She must’ve seen the look on my face. I shook my head.

  “No, everything’s fine.”

  “Oh cause mom called earlier asking if you were her, she thought something had happened to one of the kids.”

  “Oh no, I just had an errand to run.”

  We both heard her uncle pulling up and she started gathering her things to leave. They met at the door and said goodnight but he only had eyes for me. I had the sudden urge to run and as soon as Tracy was gone I took off. He came after me, running. Oh shit.

  I made it to the bedroom but the pocket doors were too wide for me to slam them shut before he got there. He pushed them open and I stepped back and into the room. When he turned and closed them I knew I was in trouble.

  I kept backing up and he pointed a finger at me. “Stop fucking moving.” I needed to pee. Why the hell do I always need to pee when I’m nervous? And why wasn’t I even a little bit scared? Well that’s not technically true. My heart was beating the hell out of my chest, but I didn’t have that sickening fear I always got with Robert.

  He didn’t say anything for the longest time, just stood there watching me like he was getting ready to pounce.

  KEVIN

  I needed to calm the fuck down. There were kids in the house and I didn’t want any part of this touching them, but she’d scared the fuck outta me. When Ty called me I’d been on my way back from meeting someone who knew a whole lot more about her ex than I’d learned thus far. What I got from that meet was that the asshole was a bully.

  Bullies are weak fucks who lash out to hide the fact that they’re fuckwits, very fucking dangerous. “Where were you?” I stalked her across the room until she cornered herself against the wall. “I had to meet Robert.” Her eyes grew big as saucers when with my hand wrapped around her throat I pushed her back against the wall.

  “What the fuck did I say?” I saw the fear in her eyes but bypassed that shit. This was about her safety, and right now I was her biggest danger. “When I tell you to do something do you think I’m talking just to hear my fucking voice? Do you need a fucking dictionary?” She shook her head and tried to pull my hand away.

  “Take your fucking hands down. You’re lucky you’re not getting worse.” She dropped her hands and tried holding my gaze. “Now let’s do this again. Did I or did I not say that you weren’t to meet him without my approval?” Her nose flared and I looked down at where she was biting the hell outta her lip. My dick got hard. Not the fucking time.

  Then I noticed her nipples were hard and almost got diverted. “Are you fucking wet?” Her face went up in flames and she dropped her eyes. I shoved my hand down the front of her panties. Her horny ass was wet as fuck and her clit already swollen. I tugged on her panties until they tore from around her hips and fell between her feet. She lifted her hands to stop me, or some shit.

  “Hands against the fucking wall behind you.” She dropped her hands beside her and flattened them against the wall. Her pussy breathed on my fingers as I fucked her with them, and teased her fat clit with my thumb. I couldn’t resist leaning over and taking that sexy ass mouth under mine. I pulled back as soon as she got interested.

  “Now tell me again, what the fuck were you doing meeting him?”

  “He wanted to talk about the kids.” She was starting to get huffy. I could see her straining to hold back.

  “That fucker own a phone?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did he give a fuck about the kids when he lived with them?” I gave her a don’t you fucking lie to me look.

  “No.” She looked away from me as if ashamed of her answer.

  “Then what the fuck? You wanted to see him? Is that it? You missed being smacked around? Should I pop you upside your fucking head?” I was fishing here, I still didn’t have any proof and the meet earlier hadn’t even touched on that. Still I couldn’t shake the feeling.

  “No, Kevin….” She was shaking so hard now her knees almost gave out.

  “Then what the fuck were you doing alone in a room with him?” I pulled my fingers out of her just as her body tensed to cum. I don’t care which end of the monetary spectrum she comes from, you deny a woman an orgasm and she’s gonna lose her fucking mind.

  I’m guessing that’s what the fuck was wrong with this one because of the shit that came out of her mouth next. I moved back away from her and that glazed look in her eyes went from lust to pissed the fuck off in seconds. “He’s their father what do you want me to do? He has a right to see them if he wants.”

  I didn’t answer her and I guess that infuriated that female gene that lives inside all women that makes them batshit crazy.

  “And besides it’s none of your business. I’m just a casual fuck remember?”

  “Watch your fucking mouth.”

  “Fuck you.”

  Okay see now, I was already planning to beat her ass after tha
t first asshole statement, but this shit just added a whole lot more pain for her ass. I grabbed the back of her head as she went to flounce past me and pulled her back. “Wrong fucking move.”

  Her eyes widened at my tone and I saw the fear beat like a drum in the pulse in her throat. “Oh you scared now? You should be. I’m gonna beat your ass red and put you outta my bed for being stupid. First I’m gonna fuck you because you were just in his space and that shit don’t sit right with me. Then I’m gonna beat your ass red.”

  I took her down where she stood and mounted her, driving into her hard from behind. “Kevin, ouch.”

  “Shut your fucking mouth.” She bit her lip and kept her complaints behind her teeth. “You’re already in enough shit as it is.”

  She put her all into it then, pushing her ass back into me and taking my cock deep. Probably thinks that shit will make me go easier on her ass. Not a fucking chance.

  “You gonna do that shit again?” I slammed into her until my balls swung against her clit. She shook her head and I stopped moving. “I want the words, so next time you do this shit I’d know you were deliberately disobeying a direct order.” She stopped and fought to catch her breath.

  “I won’t but…”

  “No fucking buts. No means no.” What the fuck? Did she not hear me tell her kids that I was going to marry her ass? Did she think she was going to be my woman, living in my house, sleeping in my bed, and keeping some kind of relationship with this fuck? Not gonna fucking happen.

  “I’ll deal with him from now on. Understood?”

  “Yes, please.” She moved her ass and tried sucking my dick deeper into her snatch. She had no idea that I wasn’t planning to let her cum. I slid back inside her going nice and slow while teasing her clit between the fingers of one hand while squeezing one of her tits with the other.

  She clenched around my cock and my cock started to spit. I pulled out and jerked my jizz off on her back and ass before getting to my feet. “Get up.” She had tears in her eyes. I have a feeling that in the future that would be all it would take for me to go easy and maybe cuddle her ass a little bit, but not today.