Clean Start

by S. M. Shade

  Or a frenemy, I think, biting back a smile. Wait until Aiden finds out Eddie is going to be his neighbor as well. “Thanks again. I’ll bring the paperwork in with him on Monday.”

  We manage to make it out of the community center without any further drama. Aiden climbs in the backseat, then groans when he sees the baskets full of laundry.

  “Sorry, kiddo. It needs done. I brought your tablet and snacks.”

  Usually, I hate the laundromat as much as he does, but Emily is working today, and I need to talk to someone.

  At least the place isn’t busy. After I get Aiden settled in at a table with a bag of chips, juice box, and his tablet, I load up the washers with this week’s dirty clothes. What I’d give for a washer and dryer at home.

  Aiden is lost in the world of his cartoons when Emily waves me over. She’s working behind the counter, ironing a stack of shirts.

  “Hungover?” she teases.

  “Nah, I only drank one beer.”

  Her lips twitch as she runs the iron across a collar. “I saw Neal leaving your place this morning.” Yeah, I’m sure half the neighborhood did. She continues. “Is this where you swear he slept on the couch and you’re just friends?”

  “No,” I sigh, glancing back to make sure no one is in earshot. “This is where I tell you he fucked my brains out, and all I can think about is having him again.”

  “It’s about damned time.”

  “It was a mistake. It won’t happen again.”

  “Is that you talking or him?” Emily sets down her work, grabs a soda from the table and comes around the counter to stand beside me.

  “Both of us. We agreed it was a one night thing.”

  “So, you’re both idiots.”

  I shove her. “No, we both have kids we have to consider.”

  Emily stares at Aiden. “Look, I can’t speak as a parent, but I’ve seen Aiden with Neal. He adores him. And I know Bailey is close to you.”

  “And we can keep it that way. But if we tried to date and it didn’t work out, we could ruin that.”

  Emily nods. “I see where you’re coming from, but, I think it’s too late for those kinds of worries now. You’ve already been together, you won’t be satisfied with a friendship anymore. I’ve been there.”

  That’s what I’m worried about.

  “I’m just going to act like nothing ever happened, and I’m sure he’ll do the same.”

  “Let me know how that works out.” She grabs my arm and whispers. “That’s the guy I was telling you about. No ring, but always washes a bunch of kid’s clothes. Isn’t he sexy?”

  He is. And his gaze searches out Emily. Smiling, he nods at her, and I swear she practically dissolves into a puddle beside me. “What do you know about him? Other than he wants in your panties?”

  She swats at me. “He does not. I don’t know anything about him. I’ve never spoken to him, other than a passing hello.”

  “So, go talk to him.”

  She scoffs. “Yeah, because it’s that easy. I’ll just walk up and offer him some fabric softener. Besides, he’s probably got a brood of kids and he must have ten years on me.”

  It’s probably closer to fifteen, but the guy is as fit as any twenty-five year old. The only real sign of his age is the gray that peppers his hair and beard.

  “Have we decided we’re both just going to be spinsters and live with a load of cats, then?” I ask.

  “It’s looking more likely. Uh…Veronica?” Emily tilts her head in the mystery man’s direction, and I see Aiden heading his way.

  “Shit. I have to go before he starts talking about Jesus penis.”

  Emily blinks and exclaims. “What?”

  “It’s a long story.”

  Chapter Eight

  Neal

  It’s only been a week and it’s clear the whole no sex with Veronica plan isn’t going to work. No matter how much I tell myself that she’s a young mother who doesn’t need me complicating things, I can’t stop thinking about her. Her smile, her laugh, the way she scratches her jaw with her pointer finger when she’s nervous or thinking.

  Sex with her was way better than I ever imagined, and my imagination is pretty vivid. I want her again. Maybe I could resist if I knew she didn’t want the same thing, but she does. It’s obvious in the way she watches me when she thinks I don’t see. She goes out of her way not to touch me, even in innocent ways, when she never cared before. She’s trying to pull away to keep control which just makes me want her more.

  Things are complicated since neither of us think dating would be good for our kids, so I have a new plan that I’m determined to get her on board with. We’ve both been sex deprived for too long. We need to get it out of our systems. So, we’ll just take our opportunities when the kids are gone or asleep. It’s not the kind of relationship I pictured having at my age, but I also didn’t foresee raising a girl alone and having to put her emotional well-being above my own. If it weren’t for Bailey, I would be all in with Veronica, but I have to put my little girl first.

  The last few years have been lonely. I’ve filled the time working extra hours, and hanging out with the guys from my poker group here and there, but the older Bailey gets the less she needs me. It leaves a lot of time to miss the things I’ve tried to block out since her mother left. I’ve rediscovered a lot of those small joys with Veronica. Little things like eating dinner together, laughing over the kids’ antics, having good natured arguments over T.V. shows. I want her in my bed, but I want her in my daily life more. I have to find a way to make this work.

  It's a beautiful Sunday and I have the day off, so I fire up the grill and text Veronica.

  Me: Hamburgers, ribs, and chicken at my house.

  Her: On my way home. Be over after I shower.

  Me: Stop making me picture you naked.

  After a minute or two, I know she isn’t going to respond to that. Maybe because she’s driving, but more likely she doesn’t know what to say. We haven’t talked about that night since it happened, but I’m not willing to keep pretending it didn’t.

  Aiden rushes around the side of my apartment a few minutes later. “Hey Neal! Mom said to tell you she’ll be here in a few minutes. Me and Eddie are going to the park!”

  He rushes off again before I can reply. I peek around the corner and watch as Eddie joins him, and they enter the playground. There are plenty of other kids there, including Bailey and her friend Amber, who spent the night last night, so they’re fine.

  I hope they stay over there for a bit while I have a little discussion with Veronica.

  She pops around the corner a few minutes later, a covered bowl in her hands. “I made some potato salad last night.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Damn, look at her. Wet hair pulled into a ponytail, jean shorts that end right under her ass, and a clingy shirt that shows off her small curves. “I’ll just put it in the fridge,” she says, and steps through the back door.

  I follow her inside. She turns, shutting the fridge door, and stops when she sees me standing there. “Damn it, Neal! You scared the hell out of me!”

  Her lips are open in surprise, and I can’t stand it anymore. My hand threads into her hair, and I plant my mouth on hers before she can react. It’s the moment when I know for sure I’m not in this alone, because she doesn’t hesitate for even a second before kissing me back and it’s filled with the same amount of passion and desperation I feel.

  Her arms wrap around me, and my other hand cups her ass in those little shorts.

  “The kids,” she gasps when we finally break apart, and I kiss down her neck.

  “Are at the park.”

  Her tongue dives back into my mouth, and I slide my hand under her shirt, feeling the warm, smooth skin of her stomach.

  “We can’t.” Her actions don’t match her words. She presses her hips forward into mine as I run a thumb over her nipple, through her thin bra.

  “The kids don’t have to know. We’ll just take advantage of
times like this.” Closing her eyes, she groans as I suck the sensitive spot below her ear. “It’s driving me crazy not to touch you, V. Tell me you feel the same way.”

  “You’re all I think about when I—” She stops herself. Caught up in the moment, she almost said something she didn’t mean to reveal.

  “When you what? Tell me.”

  Her cheeks flame. “When I use my vibrator.”

  Fucking hell, is she trying to kill me? My cock is rock hard in my pants, and I’m standing in the kitchen where the kids could pop in at any minute. Stepping back a bit, I press my forehead to hers. “Jesus, V. That’s the sexiest fucking thing I’ve ever heard.”

  We stay that way for a few moments before she asks, “You want to sneak around like teenagers hiding from their parents?”

  “Is that too weird and immature?”

  “No, just clarifying,” she says, kissing me again.

  The thwack of the front screen door slamming shut makes us both take a step back, and I grab a stack of paper plates to hold in front of my crotch. Veronica quickly turns and pretends to be rustling in the fridge as Bailey steps in. “Amber’s dad just picked her up.”

  “Okay, well, dinner will be ready in about an hour.”

  Bailey’s gaze bounces between us as Veronica shuts the fridge and smiles at her. “I’m going back to the park.” Her tone makes it clear she thinks something is up, but a second later, she’s out the door.

  “This is crazy,” Veronica says through a grin.

  “Absolutely insane,” I agree.

  The back door opens and this time it’s Aiden. “Are we eating soon? I’m starving.”

  Forgetting why I’m holding the stack of paper plates, I hand them to him. “Pretty soon. Why don’t you take these outside?”

  My hard-on has lessened a bit, but the shorts I’m wearing do little to conceal it.

  Aiden grins up at me. “That happens to me sometimes too. Peeing helps,” he announces before scampering out the back door.

  Veronica bursts out laughing, and I rub my forehead. “I just got erection advice from a preschooler.”

  “Well, he was worried there was something wrong with him, so you set his mind at ease, if that makes you feel better.”

  “Not even a little. Come on.” I grab her arm and lead us to the back door. “We will never speak of this again.”

  “I can’t promise the same for Aiden.”

  Fantastic.

  # # #

  It’s been an interesting day. My meeting with the pro bono lawyer has a smile plastered across my face. He’s pissed. And a pissed off lawyer is a good thing to have on your side. He’s filing a lawsuit on the behalf of the tenants for multiple things, but the main case is about management taking tenant’s belongings and selling them back to them. Apparently, owning a property doesn’t give you the right to steal from your renters.

  It will take some time to make its way to court, assuming they fight it instead of changing their policies, but at least we have someone on our side. I wanted to do this before I end up moving, and it looks like a great time since I just received my updated credit report. After years of trying to pay off all the debt my ex-wife left me in, I’ve finally succeeded.

  My credit has crept up from good to excellent, and I have a nice nest egg in savings. It’s taken me longer than I expected, but I got here all the same. My next appointment was with the loan officer at the bank. He’s no stranger to me since we went to school together and he’s had my information on hold until I could qualify for the amount required to purchase the house and business. When he told me I was good to go, that I could make an offer, I almost kissed him.

  Now it’s time for a talk with George, the owner of Jetsky’s Car Wash. George hired me over ten years ago. I spent years working my way up from doing windows and interiors, to drying and vacuuming, to management. He has always said that he’d be happy for me to take over the place when he’s ready to retire, and last year he started hinting that his retirement wouldn’t be far away.

  It’s one of the reasons it took me so long to pay off all the debt I was left with. I could’ve put more toward it, and less in savings to pay it off quicker, but I knew this day was going to come. I’ve seen what Jetsky’s nets per month, and it’s far more than I’ll ever make as a manager.

  The biggest draw about this plan is that when George sells, it won’t just be the business. He built the car wash right across the street from his home. He plans to sell both and move to be closer to his kids and grandkids, so I’m hoping to make an offer on both. If Jetsky’s continues to do well, I’ll have no problem paying on both mortgages. If it doesn’t, I’ll be filing bankruptcy and back on Violent Circle, but I have to try.

  “Neal, good to see you,” George exclaims, as I take a seat beside him at the bar. He spends a few evenings a week at this little tavern, so I wasn’t surprised when he had me meet him here.

  “You too. What trouble have you been causing?”

  Laughing, he tips a wink at the thin, pale skinned bartender. “Just trying to convince this beautiful lady here I still have some fuel left in the tank.”

  “I don’t doubt you have gas, you dirty old man. Go blow it somewhere else,” she says, wiping down the bar.

  Turning to me, he takes a drink of beer. “That woman loves me. Hates it when I’m not here.”

  “You’re never not here, George,” she says, setting another beer in front of him.

  “I’ll have the same, thanks,” I tell her. I’ve been here a couple of times so this isn’t the first time I’ve seen the good natured exchange between them. George is a likable guy who gets along with everyone. Every now and then, he’ll cross that line into raunchy territory, but if anyone gets offended, the I’m just a feeble old man who doesn’t understand what he’s saying act seems to work for him. It’s hilarious because the guy is sharp as hell.

  “You said you wanted to talk. If you’re here to tell me you’re quitting, just turn your ass right around now.”

  Ice cold beer hits the spot today, and I’m ready to celebrate a little. “Actually, I came to send you off to pasture. You’re looking a little ragged, George. You need some of your daughter’s home cooking to set you straight.”

  He cocks his head to look at me, suddenly a lot more interested in what I have to say. “It’s about damned time. Not the home cooking. My girl can’t boil rice without setting the house on fire. But I was wondering if you’d ever shit or get off the pot.” George laughs his wheezy laugh.

  “Are you still asking the same amount?”

  “Yup. Papers are all drawn up. Been collecting dust in my desk drawer for the last few years.”

  “Are you okay with me sending a home inspector over to make sure there’s nothing major wrong?”

  “Knock yourself out. I wouldn’t want the roof to fall on your ugly head once you’re in there.”

  “Then you’ve got a deal.”

  It will take a couple of months to get everything ironed out with the handover of the business and house, but George calls me a few days after our meeting to tell me the inspector found no problems and I’d be getting paperwork to that effect in the mail.

  “I’m taking a trip in a couple of weeks down to see my daughter and find a nice apartment.”

  “Be careful, old timer.”

  “Fuck off. I’m in my prime.”

  “Tell that to the cop when he sees your driver’s license is written in hieroglyphics.”

  His cackle rings through the air so loud, I have to hold the phone back. “You know you’ve got a month’s worth of vacation time coming to you. You should take some time off and use it. Once you’re the boss, you may not get the chance again.”

  It’s not a bad idea. I’d love a little free time, especially because I know once I take over, I’m going to be working my ass off to make this a success and to pay off the loans. “Are you sure you can do without me?”

  “I’ll get Jim to cover your shifts. So, go away. I don’t
want to see you for two weeks.”

  “I guess I could take Bailey to visit my parents.”

  “Or go to Vegas and get laid. They have escorts who won’t care about your unfortunate face.”

  “Fuck off, old man. Call me if you need me. Try not to kill the business before I get back.”

  We trade a few more insults before hanging up. I really am going to miss that guy.

  I’m thrilled to see Veronica’s car is home when I turn onto Violent Circle. I didn’t want to tell her about the business or house until everything was final in case it all fell apart for some reason. Now, I can’t wait to tell her everything.

  “V?” I call out, tapping on her door.

  “Come in!”

  I step into the living room and she emerges from the hall in a pair of shorts and a thin, clingy t-shirt, her hair wrapped up in a towel on her head. “Sorry. I just got out of the shower.”

  “Don’t be sorry,” I murmur, running my hands up her sides, over the soft material. She hums when I lean down to kiss her neck.

  “Don’t start anything we can’t finish, you tease. Bailey’s bus is going to let off any minute.”

  “I’m aware. But you can’t come out here looking like that and expect me to keep my hands off of you.” I settle for giving her a quick kiss, then take a step back before I end up dragging her into the bedroom, kids be damned. “I have some big news.”

  “Yeah? Good, I hope.” She takes a seat and whips the towel off her head, using it to dry her long locks.

  “Really good. My bank approved me for the loans I told you about.”

  Her mouth falls open. “You’re buying Jetsky’s?”

  Sitting beside her, I nod, a wide smile on my face. “In a month or so, I’ll be the owner.”

  Her squeal fills the room, and she throws her arms around me. “I’m so happy for you! I know how long you’ve worked and saved for this.”

  I can’t remember the last time I felt this happy. My life is finally heading in the right direction, and I have someone who is genuinely happy for me. Of course, my parents will be thrilled too, but this is different. I know my feelings for V have surpassed any kind of friendship, but our little arrangement makes it difficult to know if she feels the same. I’m terrified I might be falling in love with her, but at this moment, with her arms wrapped around me, and her words of approval and happiness in my ear, I don’t care.