Empty Net

by Toni Aleo

  Tate cringed. The dude was an idiot! But all in all, his loss was Tate’s gain.

  “Did you try?” he asked.

  Audrey looked over at him, and nodded, “Yeah.”

  “Did you give him everything you had?”

  “Yeah, and he used me.”

  “Then forget him, he doesn’t deserve you. You deserve someone who will love you, not some jackass that doesn’t know his ass from his head.”

  Audrey covered her mouth as she giggled, “Everyone tells me that.”

  “Then maybe you should listen,” he said with a grin.

  She grinned back before nodding, “Maybe I will.”

  For some reason, he got the vibe she was flirting with him. His heart rate picked up as his dick hardened with the beautiful memories of her naked. She was hurting and he was a dick for thinking of sex, but he couldn’t help it. She was so sexy and gorgeous. At the right angle he could see perfectly down her shirt. He couldn’t help it. For some reason he found himself thinking about her naked and sex when he was around her. He had wanted her since he watched her leave the hotel room. It had been a long week and he was ready for a repeat and more.

  Tate turned up his charm, channeling his inner Lucas before grinning over at her.

  “Maybe a good guy is in your future.”

  “Maybe,” she grinned as she stood up, suddenly, “thanks for the talk.”

  “Anytime.”

  Audrey handed him the empty mug as he stood. He looked down at her; a little closer than needed but he wanted her in his arms again. Nothing was said for a moment as they stared into each other eyes. Her eyes were so dark with pretty little spots of honey. She was beautiful, so beautiful. Audrey pointed behind her, just as her eyes fell to his lips. She looked away quickly and muttered, “I gotta get dressed and go buy a couch and mattress before Aiden gets here.”

  “Yeah, Lucas told me Aiden is staying with you for the week.”

  “Yup,” she nodded, taking a step back from him.

  “He told me to help out but to know that you probably won’t need it.”

  She smiled, “No, Aiden and I are good, but thanks.”

  “Sure,” he said as she reached the door. He didn’t want her to go so he said, “I’m home alone for the week, if you guys want company let me know.”

  Audrey smiled, her eyes brighter than they were earlier, “Will do. Thanks again, Tate.”

  “Anytime.”

  She went inside and he leaned against the brick of the condo, taking in deep breaths. She did something to his heart and he didn’t understand it, but he liked it. He liked her.

  “Hey.”

  Tate came off the wall, a quick smile on his face for Audrey. “Yeah?”

  “What’s your favorite thing to eat? Candy wise?”

  Tate laughed, that was random but it wasn’t a hard question to answer, “Gummy bears.”

  Audrey smiled brightly and nodded, “Are you going to baby Shelli’s birthday party this weekend?”

  Tate nodded. He didn’t want to, but Shea, his captain, said he had too.

  So he was.

  “Yeah.”

  “Good, I’ll see you there.”

  With a wave she left, shutting the door behind her.

  Audrey confused the hell out of him but Tate didn’t care. He wanted her, and he couldn’t wait for the chase. He would give her a week or two but after that, it was game time.

  And he had his mind set to win.

  Chapter 7

  “AA, what happened to your couch again?”

  Audrey knew that Aiden didn’t believe the story she told about why she had a new couch set and bedroom suite but it didn’t keep her from sticking to her story. It had been four days, why would she change it now?

  “I told you, Punkin,” she said. She paused to lick the icing from her fingers, “Those hippogriffs you left here, pooped and peed all over my couch! I had to fight them off and then go get a new set!”

  Aiden’s giggles filled the room causing Audrey to smile.

  “You’re so silly, AA,” Aiden giggled.

  Audrey smiled, “And you love me so much.”

  “To the moon and back!” he exclaimed with his hands in the air. Audrey giggled as she nodded while continuing to put icing in her piping bag. Once she had all the icing inside the bag, she squeezed the right amount on each orange crème flavored cupcake while Aiden leaned on the back of the couch watching her.

  “Are you gonna come on over here and pick out all the orange gummy bears from this bag for me?” she asked, cocking her head to the side, where a large bag of gummy bears sat.

  “Sure!”

  Aiden ran over to the island, hopping up in the chair before opening the bag. Audrey continued to frost the cupcakes while Aiden picked out all the orange ones. He was the best helper in the kitchen, plus she just loved being near him. She had been missing him so much lately.

  Once she was done, she leaned back inspecting her work. She had done well with the bright orange buttercream icing she had made. It matched the cake perfectly, and also the wrapper that Aiden had picked out.

  “All done,” Aiden said before hopping off the chair to throw away the packing.

  Audrey nodded, “Good work, good sir!”

  Aiden laughed while Audrey proceeded to put a gummy bear on the top of each cupcake. When she was done, she popped one in her mouth and grinned over at Aiden. “You sure Mr. Tate likes orange?”

  Aiden nodded quickly, his hair moving with every move. “Yup! He says he hates purple and hates wearing it at the games.”

  Audrey laughed, “I like the purple.”

  Audrey had always been a fan of the Assassins’ jersey. The jerseys were a dark purple. On the front as an emblem was a large masked man who held a hockey stick over his head with the Nashville skyline coming out of his shoulders. The jerseys did it for her; she had two of her own. She thought it made the guys look scrumptious. Something about a manly man in a girly color turned her on. Call her crazy, but it was hot!

  “Me too!” Aiden exclaimed, “Dad, got me my own jersey that says Brooks and 11 on the back, since he is 22.”

  “How cool! What’s mommy? 33?”

  Aiden rolled his eyes, “Duh, AA, she’s number one!”

  Audrey laughed, “Dad said that?”

  “Yup! Mommy will always be his number one, that’s what he always says.”

  That Lucas Brooks! He honestly could make any woman swoon. Audrey shook her head while she placed each cupcake in a cupcake tin. For the past couple days, she had been working on the perfect cupcake to give Tate as a thank you. When she found the Orange Crème ones online, she was quick to make them. They tasted divine, and she hoped Tate would think so too.

  Audrey hadn’t seen Tate since she left him that morning which was probably for the best. When she wasn’t busy with Aiden, she was in her room crying. She was still broken hearted with the way Levi had left. They had split up before but he had never been so cold and taunting about it. It was like she didn’t even know this person. He made her feel like everything they had was worthless and that he was glad to be done with her. But what didn’t make sense was his text about wanting to see her again. Didn’t he know that she couldn’t do this anymore? That she needed to be done with him? No matter what her heart said. She should have taken a picture of the burning pile of his crap and sent it to him. That would have shown him!

  With a shake of her head, as if she was trying to get rid of the thought of him, she placed the cupcakes in the center of the island. She had promised herself that she was done thinking about him, but she hadn’t had much luck with that. She needed to give up guys completely for a while. It would be for the best. She had been so caught up on Levi when God knew she shouldn’t have. She hated feeling like this. Like she was nothing, a stranger who no one would ever love. She knew that there was a man out there for her, but she was pretty sure he had fallen off his horse on the way to her house.

  What she needed was a break.
A guy break. Maybe Piper would want to go on it with her, having a partner would help. It wasn’t like Piper had had much luck with guys either lately. She had dated just about the same amount of idiots that Audrey had. Plus, she was apparently in love with a guy who didn’t want her. More of a reason to go on a guy break.

  As Audrey cleaned up her mess, Aiden ran around the house playing with his imaginary friend, Will. It creeped Audrey out a little but Aiden reassured her that Will was a good guy. She didn’t care though; she was pretty damn sure Will was a ghost that was going to eat her in the middle of the night, once Aiden left.

  Not that she would ever tell Aiden that.

  “AA, can I go outside?”

  Audrey turned from the sink, wiping her hands on her apron. “Yeah, be careful, stay in the front yard and put a jacket on. It’s getting colder out.”

  Finally! It had been in the low 70s for the past month and it was November! How did that make sense? But, that was Tennessee weather for you! Audrey wasn’t worried about it though; once December came it would be so cold that she would be wearing thick tights everyday under her dresses. She loved when seasons changed and she got to wear new outfits. She got to go shopping too, which was awesome. Some people have husbands and boyfriends, Audrey had shoes and dresses.

  The screen door shut and Audrey glanced back to see Aiden running through the yard with his hockey stick in hand. Aiden had gotten so good the past couple months. Audrey loved watching him play and couldn’t wait to leave for the game that night. With hockey season in full swing, Lucas was gone a lot, and with Aiden’s hockey, Audrey and Fallon were pretty busy. Fallon being the workaholic she was meant that Audrey was the one who took Aiden to all his practices and most of his game. Fallon always joined them after closing her wine cellar but she was always a little late. Aiden and Audrey were used to it. That was Fallon and they loved her anyway. Most people would get fed up with it, but not Audrey. She loved helping Fallon but she really didn’t get to do it much anymore since Lucas had come along. Not that it bothered her much; it gave her more time to focus on her.

  And her shoes.

  Audrey turned back to the sink, going through her list of things she needed to do before they would leave for Aiden’s game at Centennial. The Sportsplex was only seconds away, so they didn’t need to rush, but she needed to get all his equipment ready. She prayed that he knew what he needed because she sure didn’t. Lucas would usually have everything packed and put in her car the day before, but since he had left right after the wedding, Audrey wasn’t sure if the bag would be in her car. She should probably check that.

  Untying the bright green cupcake apron that Aiden and Fallon had gotten her for Christmas, Audrey hung it on its peg. Audrey then grabbed her grey blazer off the back of the chair, and slid into it. She loved the outfit she was wearing; it was one of her favorites. The skinny greyish jeans paired with a fitted white tee, went fantastic with her blazer that had a cute little teal brooch on it. But that wasn’t the best part, nope, it was the peep toe, Gucci teal pumps, with black ribbons that tied up the heel into a bow. They were to die for.

  As Audrey made her way to the front door, she pulled her hair up in a messy bun, admiring her new couch set. It was beautiful and better than the last set. Grabbing her keys, she pushed the door open and went out, colliding right into a rock hard chest. Someone’s strong hands took ahold of her arms, holding her in place as she stumbled to a halt. When she glanced up into a pair of ocean blue eyes that had been staring in her dreams for the last couple night, she took in a sharp breath.

  “AA! Tate’s home!”

  Audrey smiled, her eyes still locked with Tate’s, as his own mouth formed into a wide grin. His jaw was clean shaved and his lips were full. His teeth were a pearl white and he was pushing his tongue against the back of his teeth so she saw pink in his gap.

  An unexpected need to press her lips against his, came quick, taking her breath away.

  “I see,” she said breathlessly as Tate continued to smile.

  “Hey, Audrey,” he said in a throaty sexy way. Audrey blinked twice, swallowing loudly.

  “Hey.”

  “Aren’t you gonna give him his cupcakes?”

  Tate’s grin grew as he continued to stare down at her. They were only inches apart and she had the urge to touch him. What was up with him? How could she be this attracted to someone? He was a baby! Knowing she couldn’t touch him since the last time she did she ravished him, Audrey took a step back. Tate eyes continued to watch her as he slowly tucked his hands into his pockets.

  “Cupcakes?” Tate asked.

  Audrey nodded as Aiden said, “Yup! She made yummy gummy bear ones! She’s the best cupcake maker ever! Aren’t you AA?”

  Audrey’s cheek dusted as she smiled, “Maybe, Punkin,” she glanced back up at Tate and said, “Let me check my car for his bag and then I’ll get those for you.”

  “AA, Dad put my bag in your car before he left.”

  “Party,” Audrey gushed as she took a hold of his hand, “Come on, let’s go give Tate his cupcakes. Come on in,” she said to Tate as she turned to go back inside. As she walked through her house to the kitchen, she hoped that he liked her new couch set. It was an amazing sectional that had a black base and beautiful grey cushions. She had bought some bright yellow pillows to go with it and it seemed to bring the room together. It made her happy.

  “Nice couch.”

  Yay! He like it!

  Why did that matter?

  Audrey threw Tate a grin over her shoulder as she reached the island. She picked up the cupcake tin, and turned, smiling up at Tate.

  “Thanks, you should see the bed.”

  Once the words left her mouth, she turned deep red as her whole body flushed with desire. For goodness sakes! Could she sound any more like a slut?!?

  Tate’s chuckles ran up her spine while his grin couldn’t get any bigger. His eyes were darker and Lord, help her; she was convinced she was going to spontaneously combust with the way he was looking at her.

  “I would love to see the new bed, Audrey,” he said in a husky manly way that made Audrey’s clothes want to fly off. She was pretty sure he didn’t care about the new bedroom set, more like laying her down in it. The more she was around this man the more she forgave herself for going home with him so quickly. He was basically sex on legs! But how at such a young age?! Poor little girls, they would have no chance with him! Lord knew, Audrey didn’t!

  He had to be a lady killer. A man whore. He was just too damn sexy.

  “Ugh, yeah, here’s your cupcakes,” she said, basically throwing the tin to him.

  He laughed as he looked down at them, “Wow Gummy Bears, I love them.”

  When he glanced up at her through half lidded eyes, his eyes boring into hers and his lips curving into a sexy little smirk, Audrey knew he had to leave. “Thanks for being there the other morning.”

  Tate nodded, “My pleasure.”

  The way he said pleasure sounded way more intimate than he probably meant it, and it had Audrey’s body tingling. Or maybe he did mean it that way?

  He needed to go.

  Now.

  “Thanks again,” she said quickly, looking around him to see Aiden dancing by the door trying to put his shoes on, “Ready bud? Aiden’s got a game,” she said still not looking in Tate’s eyes. She could get lost in them and since that was a horrible idea, she kept her eyes on the ground.

  “Yeah, he told me.”

  His voice was so husky, and dirty sounding. He honestly had the kind of voice that could talk a girl out her panties…oh wait, he had. Bad Audrey, bad. With a shake of her head, Audrey looked up to see that Tate was still staring at her. Damn it! With the voice and the eyes and the gap, how was she supposed to stay on a guy break!?

  Audrey looked away, gathering her things as she told herself to not look him in the eyes. As long as she didn’t make him talk or look in his eyes, she wouldn’t be tempted to hump his leg.

  “Tate, wan
na come to my game?”

  Oh, come on!

  Aiden was hanging off Tate’s arm laughing while Tate grinned and lifted him off his feet.

  “I would love too,” he laughed.

  Audrey couldn’t stop the smile that came across her face if she wanted too. Levi didn’t like kids at all. He never played with Aiden, that’s was probably the reason why Aiden didn’t like Levi at all. The kid was one smart cookie, another person she should have listened too.

  “Cool! Let’s go, AA,” Aiden exclaimed between giggles.

  Audrey leaned against the island, taking in a deep breath. Part of her was excited while the other part was nervous. She was still upset about Levi and the love she had lost when he left. But the curious part of her wanted to know about Tate. She wanted to know everything about him, while the other part of her, knew it was a bad idea to get to know him. She knew they were fantastic in bed. What if they were great together out of bed? What if she fell for him and he just wanted another roll in the hay?

  Exhaling a long breath, Audrey’s shoulder slumped while she watched Aiden and Tate rush out the door.

  This was going to be a long game.

  ***

  “Centennial, right?”

  Tate watched as Audrey nodded her head, walking with Aiden’s hand in hers, “Yup.”

  “Alright, I’ll meet you guys there.”

  “Okay,” she said as they reached the car.

  Tate watched as Audrey made sure Aiden was buckled in before she got into the car, and started it up. He waited until they were driving away before he made his way to his truck.

  Like always, his pulse kicked up with every step he took. He reached for the handle of the truck three times before he actually took a hold of it, and opened the door. He stood for another couple minutes staring at the driver’s seat before he took a step towards it. He then ran his hand nervously through his hair before he finally climbed into the seat. Tate let out a long breath as he laid the cupcakes Audrey had made for him on the seat beside him. His knee bounced uncontrollably as he reached in his pocket for the keys. He stabbed at the ignition, trying to put in the key, countless times until he finally got it right.