“No, ma’am.” He blushed as I shifted on my feet so I could reach across the desk and trail a finger over one of his biceps. “We have several great personal trainers here.” He swallowed again as he looked down at where I was touching him. “Or you can sign up for a class.”
“You seem to be in great shape, Joey,” I winked. “I bet you could teach me a thing or two.” I licked my lips before I looked toward the clipboard still on the counter. “If I join, can I pick who I want as my trainer?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He fumbled as he moved around behind the desk not really doing anything productive. Angie giggled behind us as she watched me in action. It’d been a while since I’d done this for her, and I couldn’t help turning on the charm full throttle. I always did know how to turn up the heat, but I was really enjoying this. He seemed sweet and like a guy I might actually date. I couldn’t help wondering if after all this he would want to go out sometime.
“Please stop calling me ma’am,” I pouted. “You make me feel old. I bet I’m the same age as you,” I tipped my head to the side. “Do I look old, Joey?”
“No, ma…I mean,” he sighed and muttered something before glancing back up at me. “I didn’t get your name.”
“Oh, silly me!” I exclaimed. “It’s Alison. Alison Tanner, but you can call me Ally, everyone else does. So do I look old, Joey?”
“No, Ally.” His eyes slowly skimmed down my body, stopping at my breasts and then again at my hips. “You most certainly don’t look old.”
“Thank you.” I grinned as a sense of pride washed over me. “So, Joey, if I want to book Wes as my trainer, how do I go about that?”
Joey’s head dropped back. “I know what this is about.” He glared past me at Angie. “He doesn’t want anyone to know where he is. I was given strict orders not to tell anyone. He wants to be left alone.”
“But you can tell me. We’re old friends. I really need to talk to him about something,” I pouted, and I saw the crack widening in Joey’s resolve.
He huffed and shook his head. “Fine, but you didn’t hear this from me. He needs to get his ass back here anyway if he’s really going to do it. He’s at his lake cabin training.”
“What?” Angie stepped closer, completely invested in the conversation. “Training for what?”
“See? This is why I didn’t want to tell you. You’re going to get me fired,” Joey groaned.
“No, I’m not.” I smiled. “He knows me. He knows what I can do. Tell him I forced you. He won’t fire you. Now, what are you talking about?”
“This.” Joey slapped a flyer up on the counter. “Some guy came in here like three months ago and asked me to give this to the boss man. He said to make sure he read it. I did, and he did. He packed his things two days later and left for the cabin. He hasn’t called or anything since. All I know is that Stephens Incorporated is backing someone who’s supposed to win this thing. Boss man flew out of here on a mission. He said something about starting the fuck over.” Joey lifted his hands to make air quotes. “Do you know what that means?”
“He’s gonna do it,” Angie muttered.
“What?” We both looked at her.
“He’s getting back in the cage.” She grinned as she reached for the flyer. “Can I have this?” She didn’t wait for an answer, and she stuffed the flyer into her purse. “Thanks, I owe you.” She hugged me quickly before turning and rushing for the door.
“So...” I turned back to Joey and smiled. “You got any plans later?”
He chuckled, “Are you asking me out?”
“Maybe. Does it matter?” I bit my lip as I watched him. He reminded me so much of mystery guy. He had the same green eyes. His hair was a little lighter, but the facial features were uncanny. He was shorter and not as muscular, but I wasn’t too picky these days.
“Not really,” he shrugged. “I get off at six. Wanna meet at Hype?”
I swallowed as that night so long ago flashed through my mind. Hype was where everything started. I hadn’t been back there since I gave up my search. I’ve been on countless dates, but I never let them take me there. Could I do this? Could I go back there?
“We can go somewhere else.” He filled in the dead air that I’d created.
“No,” I swallowed. “It’s ok.”
“I’ll meet you there at seven?” He smiled. “I want to shower the gym smell off,” he added when I gave him a look.
“It’s a date.” I smiled as I turned to leave. Did I really just do this? Hell yeah, I did. I got a date with a cutie. As I walked to the door, I couldn’t help but put a little swing in my hips. I stopped before going outside to glance back over my shoulder. Joey was staring at me, and when our eyes connected, he winked. A little dimple appeared in his cheek and I couldn’t help melting a little inside. Caleb had that same dimple. I was meant to meet this guy, and I couldn’t wait for tonight.
Chapter 5
Alison
I’d walked to the coffee shop to meet Ally, and we’d taken her car to the gym, so I hadn’t thought about how I was going to get home until I stepped outside. Luckily, it was the middle of the day and wasn’t hard to get a cab. I spent the entire ride home going over how I was going to ask my mom to babysit. The last time I’d gone on a date, she’d told me that I needed to be upfront about having a child. The guy took one look at Caleb when he dropped me off and went running in the other direction. Most men did this, in fact. I was used to it, but it still didn’t make it any easier when it happened. Men saw Caleb as an interruption. They didn’t think a young woman like me would be a single mom. I didn’t fit their stereotype, I guess. I mean, I don’t know what they expected, but every time I’d mention that I had a little boy, I got the same reaction. Their faces would go blank, and they’d give me some line about calling me sometime. Sometime never came, and Caleb and I suffered.
“You know,” my mom called from my bedroom. I was currently in the bathroom cleaning up. I was supposed to meet Joey in an hour, and I’d convinced Mom to stay. Caleb was sleeping, and she was spending her time trying to tell me that I was crazy. “You should just tell him first thing. Don’t spend the night trying to be someone you aren’t. If he doesn’t want Caleb too, then he’s not the one for you.”
“Mom,” I sighed as I stuck my head out the door. “What am I supposed to do? Just walk up to him and say hey Joey… I’ve got a kid? If I was him, I’d run too.” I rolled my eyes before going back to my make-up.
“Ally,” she groaned and shook her head. “All I’m saying is if you’re upfront with him, you won’t waste your time or his.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I smacked my lips together and smiled in the mirror. “I’ll think about it.” I turned to face her and placed my hands on my hips. “What do you think? Do I look like a single mom?”
“What exactly does a single mom look like?” She smiled at me. “You look nice. Isn’t that what’s important?”
“Sure.” I shrugged as I made my way over to my dresser and began fumbling with a pair of earrings. I don’t know why I was trying so hard. I’d done this so many times now that it should be routine. Maybe it was the fact that I wanted more. I wanted to get past the awkwardness that came with dating. I wanted to get to the comfortable stage where you could wake up looking like shit and not care that the man of your dreams is seeing you that way. I didn’t want to worry about what I said, how I looked, or where things were going. I hadn’t had that in so long I’d forgotten what it felt like. Joey seemed sweet from the little bit that I knew about him, and I was hoping that when I told him about Caleb, he’d stick around.
“What time do you think you’ll be home tonight?” My mom followed me when I stepped out into the living room and reached for my purse.
“Not too late. We’re just having drinks, and it’s a first date.” I smiled tightly. I knew what was coming next.
“Just drinks, huh?” She stared at me pointedly.
“Yes, Mom. Just because I’m going out doesn’t mean that I’m goin
g to jump him. I’m not like that anymore.” She didn’t know that I hadn’t had sex in over eight months. All she knew was that the first time I tried dating when Caleb was a baby, I climbed the guy like a tree in the parking lot. We’d barely made it to his place, and then when I left, I mentioned that I had a baby, and he couldn’t get me out of there fast enough.
“I just don’t want to see you fall into a pattern. You’re a mom now; you can’t be doing things the way you used to.” She opened her arms to try to hug me. I knew she wanted to smooth things over, but I just wanted to get out of there before I said something to make her to change her mind about babysitting.
Caleb must have sensed my worry because he let out a little squawk, causing my mom to release me and go after him. “Thanks.” I waved as I slipped out the door.
ooooooooo
Hype was only six blocks away, but it was spring and the nights were still cool. I was able to catch a cab pretty easy, and when it pulled up in front of the bar, I couldn’t help feeling a little nervous. I’d driven by the place numerous times. Every time reminded me of him: The man who haunted my dreams and stared back at me daily through my son’s eyes.
I swallowed as I paid the cabbie and climbed out. The lights of the sign shone bright in the dim spring sky. Summer would be upon us soon, and the outdoor eating area would be alive with laughter and patrons. After taking a deep breath, I reached for the door handle and heaved it open.
It was loud as I stepped through the door. The colleges in town were on spring break, and this place was a hangout for them. Co-eds covered the bar area, and a crowd was gathered in the back in what appeared to be a game area. I guess they’d installed dartboards and pool tables since my last visit. The same blonde bartender from a year ago was moving swiftly behind the bar. Her eyes flashed when she caught me staring. I didn’t know if she remembered me, or what, but she smiled.
“Hey, you made it,” Joey grinned as he appeared beside me. I didn’t know which direction he’d come from, and I jumped slightly.
“I made it,” I smiled nervously. I don’t know why this guy made me so nervous, but he did. Whenever he was close, my pulse seemed to race, and we hadn’t even known each other for twelve hours yet.
“I got us a table over here,” he motioned to the side, and I let him lead me to a corner that seemed to be a little quieter. “I thought we could talk if we could actually hear each other,” he chuckled as he pulled my chair out for me.
“Thanks.” I placed my purse on the back of the chair as I sat down. He moved to the spot across from me before signaling the cocktail waitress.
“Order whatever you want. Would you like to eat too?” He picked at the napkin his beer was sitting on. He was nervous, and it was sweet. I’d never seen a guy this way because of me. I’d always gone after the ones that were so cocksure. It was nice to know that there were guys out there that didn’t think they were the answer to all women’s dreams.
“I’m fine. I ate at home,” I smiled, “but a Long Island would be great.” I hadn’t had one of those since that fateful night, but tonight seemed to be the night to air out old ghosts, so why stop the trend?
Joey ordered my drink before turning back to smile at me. “So tell me about yourself,” he said as he placed his elbows on the table.
“What do you want to know?” I flirted back and watched him swallow…hard. “Do I make you nervous?” I reached over and touched his hand.
“No.” He slowly shook his head. “I just… I don’t know.”
“What?” I wrinkled my forehead. “You’re not underage are you?” That was all I needed, some guy that was pretending to be old enough to date me, but in reality was only like seventeen.
“I’m twenty-one,” he chuckled. “Why? How old are you?”
“Twenty-three,” I blushed. I didn’t know why, but everything about him put me on edge.
“So, I’ve got an older woman,” he grinned.
“I’m not that old,” I teased as I swatted playfully at his arm. By this time, the server had brought my drink over and placed it in front of me. I swirled the straw around before lifting it to my mouth to take a sip. As the liquid hit my lips, I debated whether to tell Joey about Caleb. Deciding that I was enjoying my time too much, I pushed the idea to the back of my head. I’d tell him eventually, but for now I wanted to enjoy this time with him.
“Something wrong?” Joey’s head tipped to the side. He must have seen my internal struggle.
“No,” I shrugged as I placed my drink back down in front of me. “I just didn’t know guys like you existed,” I laughed lightly.
“Guys like me?” He pointed to his chest. “Is that a good thing?”
“Nice guys, and yes it’s a very good thing,” I giggled.
“So…” he paused. “Tell me about you. I know you’re twenty-three and want to work out or was that just a ruse earlier?”
“It was a ruse when I went in there, but I really would like to get in better shape.” I lifted a shoulder as I glanced around the room. It was busy, but I couldn’t help tuning it all out. “I grew up here in Boston. It was just my mom and me. Went to BCC for a business degree, but now I do graphic design work. It started as a hobby, but I love it. What about you?”
He chuckled as he spun his beer bottle between his fingertips. “Born and raised in Montana. Moved here my senior year of high school. Dad got a job transfer and didn’t really care that I wanted to finish school with my friends. Went to BC and got a degree in Sports Medicine.”
“Is that how you know Wes? From college?” I interrupted.
“No, I kinda fell into the job and met him that way. It’s not very interesting. I won’t bore you with the details.” He shook his head.
“How are you out of school if you’re only twenty-one?” I crinkled my forehead.
“I took extra classes in the summer,” he sighed and looked away. “I was a nerd like that.” He finished his beer and signaled for another.
“Being driven doesn’t make you a nerd.” I placed my hand over his, and the warmth from it began to spread through my body. It climbed up my arm and made my heart race. It was a foreign feeling, but my nearness seemed to be affecting him too. He started to pull back and distance us, but then he turned his palm and laced our fingers together. It caught me off guard, but the smile that spread across his face was hard to deny.
“You wanna get outta here?” He looked away as the words tumbled out.
“I do need to be getting home,” I glanced at my watch. I knew my mother would be upset if I stayed out too late. She’d been nice enough to babysit after having Caleb all day.
“That’s not what I meant; I suck at this,” he hissed under his breath.
“I know what you meant,” I giggled. “But I like you. I think I should go home to my place for tonight.”
“Did you drive?” He stood, tossed some bills on the table, and then placed his palm against my lower back to walk me out.
“Nah, I grabbed a cab. It’s no biggie.” I waved my hand in the air as we stepped out onto the sidewalk.
“Nonsense.” He shook his head as he grabbed my hand. “I’ll drive you home.” He began tugging me to the parking lot in the back and a sense of déjà vu washed over me.
We came to a halt beside a beautiful silver Range Rover, and it blinked when Joey clicked the key fob. “You don’t have to take me home,” I tried to back pedal.
“I’m not leaving you to grab a cab after a date with me.” He rolled his eyes as he opened the door for me. “And next time—” he leaned in close to my ear— “I’m picking you up. None of this meeting up crap. I was an asshole for doing it this way.”
I shivered at his nearness and swallowed. “It’s no big deal.”
“It is a big deal. Ladies should be picked up and dropped off, and you are a lady.” He closed the door and walked around to the driver’s side.
“If you only knew,” I muttered under my breath as I watched him. He thought I was this sweet girl. I
could be, but I also had a sharp sarcastic side too.
“Now, where do you live?” He grinned as his head turned to face me.
I gave him directions as we cruised the short distance to my apartment. My brain was going so fast that I almost missed telling him where to turn at my building. My mother and son were up there, and I was trying with every bit of brainpower I had to figure out a way to keep Joey from coming upstairs. I wasn’t planning to hide Caleb, but I just wasn’t quite ready for the fantasy to end. Joey was sure to go running in the opposite direction when he found out I had a kid.
“So when can I take you out again?” He smiled as he opened my door and reached for my hand to help me out.
“Again?” I swallowed as I looked around nervously. I paused and took a deep breath, preparing to make an excuse to keep us in the parking lot.
“Are you free next Friday? I have the day off.” He reached up and ran a hand through his dark hair, causing little pieces to stand up on top.
“I should be, but can I get back to you?” I knew I needed to find a sitter. I didn’t like making commitments for my mom, and I needed time to find a backup in case she couldn’t. He seemed a little deflated with my answer, so I tried to recover. “I’m working on a big job. Sometimes we meet on the weekends, that’s all,” I shrugged.
“Oh, ok. Well, let me give you my number.” He reached for my phone and began typing away on it. “Here,” he handed it back. “I put my info in your phonebook and then texted myself so I have your number too. I hope that’s ok.”
“Sure,” I smiled. I had about a million ways I could have been a smartass here, but I wasn’t sure we knew each other well enough to let that side out yet. “I had a nice time,” I said again before rising up on my tiptoes and pecking his cheek. When I pulled away, his head turned and his lips brushed over mine in a light kiss.
“Me too,” he whispered. “Good night, Ally.” His voice was quiet, and he squeezed my hand one last time before I pulled away.
Broken Pieces (The Broken Series Book 4) Page 4