The set changed and another band took the stage. He silently reflected on the ride they shared so many years ago, how he almost sent her home to a hidden corner of hell. His gut clenched when he remembered that ethical argument he’d had with himself, ashamed he’d even considered returning her. Eternally grateful he’d done the right thing and not the monetary one, he tightened his arms around her.
She was nothing like her ex-husband claimed. Nor was she the woman he’d rescued six years ago. Perhaps it was the mystery of her, the secrets she kept, that made him want to know her better. Regardless, he was in.
As the concert ended she ran her hand over his. He wished they had more time, but it was getting late. “You about ready to go, doll?”
She looked briefly over her shoulder and then dropped her gaze and nodded, back to not looking him in the eye. He tried not to let it bother him.
When they reached the blanket, all traces of his sister and family were gone. Chloe let go of his hand to fold the quilt. He reached for the other end and helped her double the material into a manageable bundle. As the blanket shrank between them he stepped closer. When she reached for the corners, he stilled her hands.
There were those soft brown eyes he adored. Leaning in, he placed a chaste kiss on her lips. Her mouth trembled nervously but then curved into a shy smile.
Once inside his truck, he found himself stalling for more time. “Did you enjoy yourself?”
“Yes. Thank you so much for inviting us. It was such a nice day, like a little sneak peek at spring.”
“You like the warmer weather?”
“I don’t mind winter, but by March cabin fever usually sets in.”
“I like summer. Makes it easier to travel for work.”
Her brow creased. “Does your job require a lot of travel?”
He hesitated, not wanting to get into the details of what he did. “Sometimes. I work with Pete so I have to go up to their place a lot. They get harder winters. They're about two hours north of us.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize. Are they driving all the way back tonight?”
“Yeah, but it’s fine. Pete’s used to it.”
“Your sisters are nice. Tommy and Adam seemed to get along well with Georgia and Amanda.”
Recalling his relief that the two closest men to her life were gay, he asked, “How long have Adam and Tommy been a couple?”
“Since before I knew them. I think they’re celebrating their ten-year anniversary this year, but they’ve only been married two. Thank you for making them feel welcome. Not everyone’s as accepting.”
“Makes no difference to me. With Georgia, we grew up knowing that different people have different tastes.”
“Did you always know she was gay?”
“Yes and no. She was always a little more into sports and stuff than my other sisters, but I guess it wasn’t until we all started dating that I realized she was more interested in my dates than any of the guys my sisters brought home.” He laughed. “We never had one of those made for TV coming out moments. She just showed up one Thanksgiving with a girl and introduced her as her girlfriend. Since then it’s been accepted.”
“How long has she been with Amanda?”
He thought for a minute. “I guess about four or five years.”
They were silent for a few miles. He enjoyed the way his cab filled with the now familiar scent of her hair. He wasn’t sure what would happen when they reached her house. He wanted to kiss her some more but also didn’t want to rush things.
When he pulled into her driveway behind her yellow car, he decided to play it safe. “Can I call you, Chloe? I’d like to take you out again.”
She lowered her gaze to her lap and her cheeks pinked in the soft glow of the porch light. Letting out an audible breath, she whispered, “I don’t understand this. Why?”
What did she mean why? “Because I like you.”
“But you’re…” She shrugged and he wasn’t sure he wanted to know the rest of that thought. She shook her head. “And I’m … just me.”
He frowned. “Yes, you’re you and I would like to take you out again. Why’s that difficult to understand?”
She blinked a couple of times. When she looked at him, the reflection of light shone brightly in her eyes as if they were coated with tears. “Trenton, guys like you don’t date women like me. They only end up disappointed in the end.”
“What are you talking about, guys like me?”
“I mean… You’re… Look at you.”
A pinch of insecurity nipped at his chest. He thought she found him attractive. Maybe she was just being polite and having a hard time blowing him off. Sometimes he could come on a little strong.
“Is it this?” He touched the jagged scar crossing his jaw.
“What? No!” She shook her head, eyes wide. “It has nothing to do with your appearance. I mean it does, but not in a negative way. It’s just… I know what I am, Trenton. I’m not little. I’m not cute. I have freckles and difficult hair and I have no recollection of what a size twelve even feels like.”
His frown transcended to a scowl. “If I wanted a size twelve I’d date one, Chloe. I like my women with a little meat on their bones. And as far as being cute, I find you adorable.”
Her mouth pursed as her eyes narrowed with skepticism, so he went on.
“I think you’re sexy and charming. And in case you haven’t noticed, I’m not exactly small myself. Tonight, when I had my arms around you, I kept thinking how great it felt to hold a woman who fit me so well. And as far as your freckles, I could spend days mapping them out with kisses, tasting each one.”
Her cheeks darkened and she smiled. She unbuckled her seatbelt and lunged at him, pulling his mouth to hers as she kissed him passionately. He laughed in surprise and wrapped his arms around her, relief tunneling through his veins.
Her fingers pulled at his shirt as she stretched across the seat. Tucking her feet under her body, she kneeled and deepened the kiss. He groaned and reached for her ass. God, he loved her ass. One kiss and his cock already pressed painfully against the zipper of his jeans. They either had to slow down or move somewhere more comfortable.
“Chloe…” The windows wore a coat of steam. “Chloe, baby, we need to slow down.”
As soon as the words left his mouth she stilled. Startled awareness flashed in her eyes and she tensed as if just realizing what she was doing. Lowering herself back onto the seat, she looked down and folded her hands in her lap.
Shit. That wasn’t what he wanted. He touched her cheek. “Hey.”
“I … I’m sorry.”
“Doll, there’s nothing to be sorry for. I was just going to suggest we either take it inside or slow down a bit.”
Although his words were meant to reassure her, he could tell she was embarrassed. She reached for the door. Keeping her gaze averted, she whispered, “Thank you for a wonderful day, Trenton. If you want to call me … I’ll answer.”
The door shut before he could respond. She was up her steps and inside her house within a few seconds. But she said she’d answer if he called. He smiled. Progress.
Chapter Ten
Over a week had passed and Trenton still hadn’t called. Chloe tried not to let her disappointment take over, but his disinterest stung. Why had she let herself hope that something might come from this? Her life was satisfying a few weeks ago, but now she was very aware of parts that were missing. Urges that had been in hibernation for years were suddenly wide-awake and demanding attention—attention she wasn’t capable of supplying on her own.
He consumed her thoughts. She thought about him in the car, at the office, in her kitchen, in the shower, and most dangerously, in her bed. But eventually, her fantasies took a backseat to the cynical voices in her head.
Of course, she hadn’t imagined him kissing her in the parking lot or in his truck, but she was sure she'd embellished the details. It seemed clear he’d changed his mind.
She supposed it was better she
accepted this now instead of later. Next time she saw Trenton she wouldn’t give him the opportunity to lead her on. She was grateful it was Friday, game night with Tommy and Adam because she was running out of ways to distract herself from thinking about the man she assumed would call, but never did.
“Mom, Tommy just left for the store. He said game night's at his house tonight. He invited some other people,” Dayton informed, dropping his school bag on the kitchen table.
Her nose scrunched. She didn’t feel like facing outsiders. Truth be told, she wanted to get plastered, safely, in the company of her closest friends. “Did he say who?”
Her son opened the fridge. The boy never stopped eating. “No. He just said other people and that Adam was setting up the Wii for us because you guys would probably play something for grownups.”
She returned to her closet—internally grumbling that she couldn’t stay in her comfy clothes. She never cared about the way Tommy or Adam saw her, but other people were different.
Her boys left the moment Tommy returned from the store, excited to start gaming. She followed once she had her hair decently styled and a more presentable outfit on.
“Hey, Chloe,” Adam greeted as he opened a bottle of wine. “I just ordered the pizzas.”
“Hey, yourself and thanks.” She stashed her purse in the corner.
Tommy’s voice collided with the boys’ laughter in the other room so she went to go check on them. Mattie was hysterical on the couch, holding his stomach laughing. Dayton and Tommy stood on the carpet, where the coffee table usually resided, pointing their controllers at the television.
“What are you guys playing?”
“Nothing yet.” Dayton laughed. “Tommy won’t let us play until he designs his Mii.”
She looked at the flat screen as Tommy scrolled through various eye colors and shapes.
“These options are hideous! They don’t even let you choose a decent shirt.”
She laughed. “Well, it looks like you found skinny jeans.”
“Thank God for that. The lack of accessories is a crime.”
“Tommy, they’re girl eyes!” Dayton teased.
Continuing to scroll without pause, Tommy said, “So? As long as there’s an apple there’s a banana. Don’t forget that, Dayton.”
“What are you talking about?” her eldest asked.
Tommy pointed to his Adam’s apple then his crotch. “Apple equals banana. Clothes are just a façade.”
“Lovely,” Chloe grumbled. “I’m going to get a glass of wine. Do me a favor and try not to corrupt my son’s innocent mind.”
Pouring a glass of wine, she read the instructions to the game on the counter.
There was a knock at the door and Adam called, “Chloe will you get that? I have to run upstairs.”
Opening the door, she prepared to pay for the pizza, but it wasn’t the deliveryman. Georgia and Amanda stood smiling on the porch.
“Hey, Chloe! How are you?”
A little taken off-guard, she tucked the money in her pocket and grinned nervously. “Uh, hey. I didn’t know you guys were coming. Come in.”
The girls entered the kitchen as Tommy and Adam returned. Everyone said hello and exchanged kisses and settled in at the table. Chloe took a big gulp of wine. When there was another knock at the door she handed Adam the pizza money and refilled her glass.
A bottle of wine later, she’d gotten over the aversion to hanging out with Trenton’s sister and loosened up. Loose as a goose. By her fifth glass, she was beyond punch drunk.
“Okay, the rules…” Tommy started and Chloe giggled for no reason. “I’m with Amanda. Chloe, Adam, and Georgia will make up the other team.”
“How come they get more players?” Amanda asked.
“Because Adam’s terrible at games outside of the bedroom. Trust me, he’s more a handicap than anything else.”
“Hey!”
“You know I love you, sweetie, but it’s true. Anyway, here’s how it’s played.”
As Tommy babbled on about the rules, Chloe got comfortable. The game was like hot potato. They had to guess the word before the buzzer sounded. Rapid-fire clues led to hilarious descriptions.
Although Adam wasn’t good, Chloe was worse. When the clicker came to her it didn’t leave her hand until the buzzer sounded—every time. By her fourth turn, she finally got her team to guess a word, but only because it was “ring” and she had one on her finger to point to.
Several empty bottles of wine later, the kids were asleep on the couch and things in the kitchen had gotten wildly out of control. She was smashed.
Disco and 80’s music played from the stereo and she happily bounced with the tunes. When the clicker came to her the phrase read “melon”. She probably shouldn’t have gestured to her breasts, but she was beyond caring what Trenton’s sister might think of her. Besides, Georgia guessed the word right away and they needed the point.
“So… Have you gone out with Trent again?”
Chloe stilled. “Uh, no. I don’t think he’s interested in me like that.”
Georgia raised an eyebrow. “I doubt that. I know my brother. He likes you.”
She waved her finger at the rest of them. “Oh contraire, mon frere.” She really should stop drinking. “A man who’s interested calls.” She pulled her cell phone out of the front pocket of her sweater and waved it at the others. “See? No calls.”
“He’s an idiot,” Amanda commented. “I swear, men are so stupid. I’m glad I have Georgia. No offense, boys.”
“None taken.” Tommy laughed. “Adam and I are the exceptions to the species. We communicate and cuddle.”
“Let’s call him!” Georgia poured more wine. “Let’s ask him why he hasn’t called our lovely Chloe.”
The smile left her face, panic working hard to sober her senses. “No, no, no, no, no. Georsha, no.”
Trenton’s sister plucked Chloe’s phone from her hand. “Why not? I know he likes you. Let’s see what his excuse is.”
Chloe clumsily stretched for her phone, but Georgia held it out of her reach as she dialed. Nausea tightened her fermented belly. “Oh, God, don’t call him. Really, I’m over it.” Was her tongue swollen? Suddenly her words were coming out all wrong.
“Oooh, girl, is that a new phone cover?” Tommy asked as Georgia put the phone to her ear. “Bedazzlie! I like it.”
“I know!” Chloe nodded and smiled, momentarily distracted. “I got it on eBay for fif-fif-four dollars.” She laughed as her words, again, awkwardly fell out of her mouth.
“It’s ringing.”
“No!” Chloe hissed and snatched the phone from her, hanging up, and tossing it on the table. “Georsha! We’re supposed to be a team! No calling your sexy brother.”
Bad Romance by Lady Gaga started chirping from her phone and everyone stilled. Without touching the table Georgia leaned forward and read the screen. “Oops.”
Chloe’s hand flung over her mouth as her eyes went wide and she scooted away from the table. “Is it him? What do I do?”
Before anyone could offer a solution, Tommy scooped up the phone and answered. “House of Beauty—name your cutie!”
Georgia snorted and Amanda cracked up.
“Oh, Trenton!” Tommy cooed. “How lovely of you to call. How have you been, poodle?”
Chloe lunged across the table and Tommy slid his chair out of reach. Adam moved the glasses so they didn’t spill.
“Oh, good. I’m actually sitting here with our girl now. Seems she’s had a bit too much of the bubbly.”
“Tommy, hang up the phone!” she hissed, all merriment leaving her in a whoosh.
He waved a hand for her to buzz off. “No, she’s fine. She’s just—”
She grabbed his sweater and tugged.
“Ahh! Honey, this is Ralph Lauren! Don’t do that!”
She swatted his hand, trying to knock the phone out of his grip. “Hang up!”
“Ouch! Oh, crap! What? No everything’s fine—”
“Ouch! Oh, poodle, I’ll have to call you back. No, it’s … I gotta go, Dancing with the Stars is on!” He clicked off the phone. “Damn, girl! Adam, she scratched me!”
“You asked for it. Should’ve given her the phone.”
“She never would have answered. My left nipple’s going to look like a swollen udder by morning.” He tsked. “Bitch.”
“I’m really sorry, Chloe. I didn’t think you’d get that upset,” Georgia apologized.
Chloe held her head. “This is bad. Bad, bad, bad, bad.”
Amanda tipped her face to the side. “Why? If he likes you and you like him, why not tell each other.”
“Chloe, honey.” Adam calmly pulled her hands from her face. “It’s not that big of a deal. If he calls back, Georgia will answer and explain what happened. Tommy won’t touch your phone and she’ll tell her brother if he wants to talk to you he can call tomorrow.”
She took a breath and Bad Romance played again. They all stared at the phone.
Georgia’s eyes turned apologetic. “Do you want me to answer it?”
Chloe groaned and pushed the phone to her.
“Trent? Hey, it’s Georgia. No, we’re over Adam and Tommy’s. Yes, she’s here… She’s perfectly fine… Um, I think you’d better wait until morning. What?” Her gaze shifted to the guys. “Um… Well, I guess. Okay … bye.” She ended the call. “He’s coming over.”
“What?”
Adam rested a calming hand on her arm. “Don’t worry. We got this.”
Thirty minutes later, after nearly hyperventilating a dozen times, Chloe still hadn’t calmed down. Adam and Amanda’s solution was to give her more wine while Tommy fussed over her hair and makeup. Georgia paced and apologized profusely.
Her heart pounded and she tried to convince herself no one special was stopping by. However, her stomach informed her she was a liar.
When he knocked at the door, Chloe attempted to stand but thought better of it when the room tilted. She straightened the game pieces as if they were still playing.
Something Borrowed (New Castle Book 3) Page 11