It's Just Love, Not a Time Bomb

by Dawn Martens

  “I think you should go for it,” Sarah says smiling.

  “Uh, you think maybe you could get a hold of that cousin of yours then? See if she could put me up for a bit?” I ask hesitantly.

  Sarah beams brightly. “Of course!” She leaves the room after grabbing her cell phone from the coffee table. Minutes later, she comes back. “She said she has no issues with that. She actually just bought a house, so she said she has lots of room. She just told me to ring her when you get firm plans, so she can make sure it’s all set up.”

  “Sweet.” I rub the back of my neck, relieved that she agreed. Now the hard part is out of the way. “Also wanted to tell you both something.”

  “You knocked someone up, didn’t you, man?” Bobby says laughing.

  My head falls down, and my shoulders sag.

  Sarah gasps from where she is sitting.

  “Shit! You did, didn’t you?” Bobby asks.

  “Renee showed me the ultrasound picture about a month ago, while I was having lunch with Shaun.”

  “Shit, man. That’s really fucked up.” Sarah slaps Bobby on the chest. “Ouch, what was that for,” he growls at her.

  “Don’t be mean,” she tells him. “You don’t believe it’s yours, right?” she asks me, glancing between Bobby and myself.

  “I asked for a DNA test.”

  “Well?” Bobby questions.

  I lift my head and look towards them. “She tried telling me it happened when we were in Hawaii on that trip we took, but the funny thing is, I found her in her bed with the next door neighbor. It’s funny how you think you might have found the right person, only to find out that they have been sleeping around behind your back for a while.”

  “I knew she wasn’t good enough for you,” Sarah growls from her chair.

  Bobby grins beside her, looking on proudly.

  “Well, she wasn’t.”

  “It doesn’t matter anymore. The DNA test confirmed the results, it’s not mine,” I tell them.

  “Why didn’t you start it off with that news?” She shakes her head in disbelief. “I thought you were planning to run off with the way you were talking. Gee, you about gave me a heart attack,” Sarah says, sounding just slightly irritated.

  I grin. “What would the fun have been in that?”

  Bobby laughs. “Well, looks like we need to plan you a goodbye party, huh?”

  “Won’t be any time soon. I still need to work out details and let everyone else know. Plus, I might come back after I finish up school. We’ll just have to wait and see what the demand for a heavy duty mechanic will be,” I tell him.

  “We have a party for everything. You know that. Even if you were coming back in a month, this crew would still throw you something. Plus, after you get that trade, are you sure you want to come back here? Money here is shit, man. No matter what kind of degree you have, you still will only get the minimum wage offered. Kevin works out there, and for Heavy Duty, he gets paid thirty-two an hour with a guaranteed four hours over time and twelve-hour shifts,” Bobby says.

  “Shit, that’s a lot of money, but I also heard it’s more expensive to live out there too.” I shake my head. “If we do a party, let’s just have it at Dad’s house. That way you girls won’t end up in another fight over who gets to host it,” I say, looking at Sarah. I hope she doesn’t do the cooking. I wouldn’t ever tell her that though; she loves to cook.

  Last time there was a party was when Sam and Simone got married. Liz and Sarah got into a huge catfight about where the reception was going to be held. Sarah wanted it at her house, Liz at hers. Simone was trying to wade in and just have the reception at her house, but she ended up in the catfight and with a black eye on her wedding day.

  Sarah looks excited. “That’s great. I’ll call Liz and the other girls and have them get things put together.”

  “Wait, will Liz want to be there? Shaun will be there with Annabelle,” I tell her.

  She momentarily loses her excited look, but she grins slyly at me. “When was the last time you talked to your brother?” she asks.

  I narrow my eyes at her. “Why?”

  “Because then you would know that Liz and Shaun are trying,” she says with a sad smile.

  Wow, I had no idea. Shaun never told me. Last I knew, Liz was still trying to finalize her divorce. “Wait, isn’t she still married?”

  “Nope,” she says popping the ‘p’. “Was finalized two weeks ago. Once Shaun found out, he wouldn’t let her out of his sight. Both him and Annabelle have been staying at her house since,” Sarah says.

  “Well, shit, I’m gonna have to go talk to Shaun then,” I say shocked. I feel like a shitty brother right now. He’s my twin; I should have been in the loop with this.

  “Okay, back to party talk,” Sarah starts.

  “Seriously, you don’t have to go all out.”

  “Yes, we do, because this will be great. You’re going to do something to help better yourself. You only stayed local because you were helping your mom. She’s gone now, man, and your dad is good. He’s better, healthy. You were already planning to go to Calgary for college years ago, so I really think you should do this,” Bobby says.

  *~*

  I started to actually consider staying local. A move to another province, just to go to school for a new trade, seemed stupid. Everyone agrees about me going back to college though. I called the local college about courses, and they have me in for fall classes. Works out good; I still get to work at the dealership and go to school. Pay might not be overly great, but hey, at least I’m still home and around my family.

  Over the last week, I’ve gotten a shit load of hang up calls and a few unsigned letters. And I swear, everywhere I turn, Renee is there watching me. It’s creeping me the fuck out. That chick needs help, big time help. She’s moved into stalker territory.

  I pull into my driveway and see Renee sitting on the bench seat by my front door. “Fuck,” I mutter.

  Getting out of my car, I stalk toward her, and she instantly stands up. “Get off my property, Renee.” I demand.

  “Jordan, honey, can we please talk?” she says, trying to hook her arm in mine and walk with me. I shove her off gently.

  “Nothing more to say. You’re about this fucking close to me getting a restraining order on your ass,” I tell her, holding my fingers close together. I’m tired of her and this bullshit. Her head games aren’t working. Not falling for her shit again.

  Her face turns angry. “You wouldn’t do that to the mother of your child.”

  “You have a fuckin’ screw loose, lady! We already proved that poor kid ain’t mine.” I move past her and go to my front door, her following close behind me.

  Turning around, staring at her while I shake my head, I say, “You need to back the fuck off.” I’m getting angry; tempted to call the cops, but she probably fucked them too.

  She runs her hand up my chest, purring, “Honey, we were so amazing together. We can be that again. You, me, and our baby.”

  Gripping her wrist, I fling it away from me. “You’re fuckin’ delusional! If you aren’t fuckin’ gone in about two seconds, woman, I will make your life a living hell,” I shout at her, losing my temper. My nostrils are flared; bitch is driving me nuts in a bad way.

  She huffs and stomps her foot. “Fine, I’ll leave, but I’ll be back. You aren’t getting away from me, Jordan!”

  Fuckin’ hell. Guess you can’t reason with a psycho like a normal person.

  I get inside the house, go to the fridge, and pull out a beer. Reaching into my pocket for my cell, I scroll to Sarah’s name and hit call.

  “Hey, Jordan,” she says cheerily.

  “That offer to stay with your cousin, that still good?” I ask her while getting a nice long drink, though the ice-cold beer providing little relief.

  “Um, yeah, why?” she asks confused.

  “Shit with Renee is getting worse. Need to get away before she goes all fuckin’ fatal attraction on my ass, more than she already
is.” I sit my beer on the counter and lean against it with my arm folded across my chest.

  “Well, yeah, of course. I’ll give Alix a call.”

  “Also, you think you could put my place up for rent while I’m gone? No need for it to just sit here unused.” I bought the house not long after Mom died with the money she left me in her will.

  “Yeah, that’s fine. I’ll do you up a contract and stuff, so you can just have me take care of it all,” Sarah says. She became a real estate agent, even has a side business of owning a bunch of rental properties.

  We talk a few more minutes before saying goodbye.

  Hoping with me gone for a while, shit will calm down and Renee will find some new guy to stalk. My head hurts from dealing with Renee. I scrub my temples, grab my beer, and head to the couch to try and relax some. Kicking my feet up, I wait for Sarah to call back. Fuck, I hope that offer still stands to crash with her cousin.

  The phone rings about an hour later, and I see it’s Sarah. “Hey,” I say, picking it up.

  “Hey, she said, yes, that’s fine, as long as you don’t try to have sex with her,” Sarah says.

  My eyes bug out. “What?” I sputter out.

  Sarah giggles. “Just repeating it.” I give my head a shake. “She has full on long pink and blue hair, so shouldn’t be hard for you to miss when you get up there.”

  “Wait, she’s not some crazy ass freak, is she?” What kind of chick is Sarah getting me stuck with?

  Sarah bursts out laughing. “No, she’s not a freak. She’s really great. Honestly.”

  “Fine, but seriously, if she turns out to be a freak or some shit, I’m holding you responsible.”

  Searching the crowded airport, I don’t see Jordan. I check my phone to see if I got any texts or calls to let me know if he’s late, but there’s nothing from him, only messages from Hayley, asking me if I’ve seen him yet and if he’s hott. Laughing to myself at her messages, I scan the area in front of me, looking for a guy with the description that Sarah gave me, but no such luck. I’m ready to give up and make my way home when there is a tap on my shoulder¸ and I hear a voice ask, “You Alix?”

  Whirling around, I gaze up into the eyes of the most handsome man I’ve ever laid eyes on. He’s also got this stupid ass smirk on his face, and his eyes look as if he wants to devour me. Great, another God damned cocky asshole, but damn, he is cute.

  “Yeah, you Jordan?” I look him over. He’s cute, really cute.

  “Sure am,” he says all cocky. “Like what you see?” he asks, raising his eyebrow toward me. God, he just reeks of trouble.

  “You wish,” I reply with attitude. My eyes end up being stupid and follow his movement as he folds his arms over his chest, standing in front of me all sexy as sin and full of himself. His arm muscles bulge as the blue shirt stretches over them. Swallowing the lump in my throat, there is no way in hell I’m giving him the answer he wants. Why does he have to be so damn full of himself? It pisses me off and turns me on. And why does his shirt have to be blue? Blue is my favorite color. Jerk! I hate him already!

  “You sure? You’re staring like you want to devour me.” He grins again.

  Shaking the lustful thoughts from my head, I grin and take a step toward him, causing his smile to widen. Asshole is messing with my hormones. I grin back like an eager schoolgirl for a moment. Ugh! Snap out of it!

  “I wouldn’t want you if you were the last man on earth.” His smile grows even wider, and my mind goes all dirty, thinking of something else on him growing. My cheeks flush. “Whatever, let’s just get out of here,” I growl and spin around, storming off out of the airport and toward my car.

  His laughter booms through the airport, and I cuss myself for even allowing myself to check out the fine ass specimen that was standing in front of me. I have got to get a grip! This man is already dangerously close to getting under my skin, and we just met.

  Looking around the airport, I search for my ride. I feel stupid because I have no clue what she looks like. The text I got from Sarah just said to search for someone with blue and pink hair. I hope this chick isn’t a weirdo. I get nervous; what was I thinking, coming up to Calgary and moving in with a woman I know nothing about?

  Then I see her. Blue and pink hair comes from out of the crowd. The girl is fucking stunning. She’s looking around, searching the crowd. This has to be Alix. She has on a tight body hugging dress that ends just below her ass, and it is just as colorful as her hair. It looks like she is wearing something I’d see on one of my niece Annabelle’s dolls. Plus, she’s wearing DC shoes with it—odd combination. No wonder I couldn’t spot her at first. She’s short. Her body has some nice curves too. She looks like she doesn’t starve herself, and that’s a good thing.

  I walk up to her and tap her on the shoulder. “You Alix?” I say when she whirls around.

  Her stunning, hazel eyes narrow at me. “Yeah, you Jordan?” she throws at me. No hi, no smile; all I get is a glare. Damn, she’s cold. Her personality doesn’t match her colorful appearance.

  “Sure am.” I say. After deciding to be a bit cocky, I pull back slightly, but not before I catch her staring at me, letting out a smile I’m sure was a mistake, then she blushes. Now this chick is getting highly pissed, and maybe it’s wrong, but I’m loving every minute of our banter.

  “I wouldn’t want you if you were the last man on earth. Whatever, let’s just get out of here,” she says and marches out the doors. My eyebrows raise at her rudeness and I laugh as I follow her out. I wonder what has her panties crawling up her ass, or her thong riding her ass, by the looks of her bare ass cheeks showing through the thin material. Wonder if she knows that I can see through the fabric? God, she is sexy. My eyes narrow in on her ass again. I shake my head; that ass is fine.

  “Follow me,” she says, walking out the door and to a dark grey Chevy Malibu.

  “Whatever you say, Princess.” I let out a chuckle, since I already am following her. She has no idea how comical it is to see this beautiful, spunky woman who is so bright, have such an attitude.

  “Asshole,” she says under her breath. This is going to be fun.

  The silence on the drive to her home sucks. Every time I try to talk to her, she just stares out at the road in front of us, hands on the wheel, ignoring me. I take my ball cap off and on at least three times, trying to distract myself, but it isn’t helping.

  Just as Sarah said, before I left, everyone threw me a going away party. It was the usual madness Liz and the girls usually do. Dad encouraged me to go, saying I spent too much time taking care of him and Mom when she was alive, and for me to do something better with my own life. Told me to get out, just make sure I come home every Christmas. Shaun and Jones, a co-worker I became friends with when I first started at the dealership, both tried to convince me to just go to the local college, saying it seemed stupid for me to go to a whole different province for schooling.

  But the minute I brought up Renee, they both shut up and agreed I needed to get away for a while.

  Plus, I finally got all the details from Shaun about him and Liz. He didn’t want to say anything to me in case it backfired, but those two that night, were so happy, and it was nice seeing it.

  I’ve had enough of the silent treatment. Turning Alix’s radio off, I speak up.

  “Is Alix short for something?” I ask her.

  She grunts before answering. “No, just Alix,” she snaps out.

  “Wanna tell me what the fuck your problem is? I didn’t do shit to you, yet you’ve had some stick shoved up your ass since we met back there.” I look to her, trying to will her to turn in my direction.

  “Men, that’s my fucking problem, okay, so don’t talk to me. Just mind your business and look out your window.” Man, some asshole really did a number on her. She continues the queen of mean routine for the remainder of the drive. Her attitude drives me crazy and makes me want her all in the same. I’ve never met a chick like her.

  Because it’s funny seeing her
just get pissed at me for existing, I am going to make this more interesting. Grinning, I ask, “You on your rag or something? Or maybe you just need to pull that thong outta your ass and live a little.”

  “Screw you! And I’m not wearing a fucking thong. I’m not even wearing panties,” she says, then blushes, realizing what she just revealed to me. Thinking about her not having panties on, my pants are getting uncomfortably tight. She is going to be the death of my dick. I fiddle with my seatbelt and tap my fingers on the dashboard.

  “Could you not fucking do that?”

  “Do what?” I snort, loving that I annoy her so much.

  “Act like a middle school shithead. Drives me crazy,” she growls, turning the music up louder than before.

  “Just trying to enjoy the ride,” I mumble to myself, though I am laughing on the inside. I just found my favorite thing about moving here—driving Alix crazy.

  Okay, maybe I was a wee bit harsh, but seriously, today has just been amazingly shitty! From the look he was giving me, after I declared to myself no more men, and of course, my parents, including Liam, found out I was staying with Hayley, so they decided to send me a few letters, including pictures of my new niece. To say I was in a pissy mood today would be putting it mildly. I had to make sure Jordan knew his place with me. I wasn’t letting anyone in again. Nope, no more of that shit, and I am going to stick to it.

  My heart has officially left my body. Yep, it is no more. Of course, I’m probably gonna have to go and stock up on a variety of sex toys though, because come on, no way in hell I can go the rest of my life without some sort of release. This thought actually has me near smiling as I open my car door. I’m so pissed at myself because if I was wearing panties, they would be soaked right about now, with his damn cocky attitude and stupid sexy smile.

  “Grab your shit. I’ll show you to your room,” I say, walking past him.

  I take him first to his room, letting him set down his luggage. The walls are dark chocolate in color; it’s one of the only rooms I haven’t gotten to yet to repaint.