by Bella Emy
“Sit back down.” He grabs the glass and refills it with the same bronze-colored liquor.
“Thanks—” I take the cup but I stop midsentence because I realize I don’t know his name. I didn’t notice what the name of the bar even was before I walked in. Was his name on that sign?
“Gage. And you are?”
“Preston Scott. I go to the university in town.”
“Aw, nice. I graduated from there a few years ago.” After a couple moments, he says, “So what’s eating at you?”
I bring the glass back down, and Gage takes it. I could easily down another few, but I’m going to have to drive back home after this. I don’t need to get pulled over… or worse.
“Just some girl… a really gorgeous one I haven’t been able to get my mind off of since we were kids.”
He nods in understanding. “Ah, I see. And she doesn’t want you back?” He wipes the counter with a green rag.
I shake my head slowly. “Well, she did, a long time ago. But I blew it.”
“So get her some flowers and apologize.”
“It’s not that easy.”
He chuckles. “No matter how badly you fucked up, if you want her, you need to at least try to apologize to her.”
Shaking my head again, I give him a short response, hoping it will explain everything. “She’s my best friend’s baby sister.”
He gently tosses his head back, his eyes widening. “This sounds familiar.”
I furrow my brows.
“Never mind that. I’ve just seen the same type of scenario before. Anyway, have you tried talking to your boy about it? That would probably be the first step.”
I take his words into consideration. Talk to Cory about being with his sister? Cory would never go for it. But it would mean Harleigh wouldn’t hate me, which I know she does because of what happened a few years ago.
“Maybe. I really don’t think he’d give me his blessing.”
Gage shakes his head with a sad smile and then points at the glass, silently asking if I’d like another drink.
“Nah, thanks, man. I’m good. I should probably get home and get some sleep. I appreciate you opening up and serving my sorry ass.”
He chuckles. “Anytime, dude. Next time you need a fix, stop on by again—but before two a.m.”
I chuckle. “I’ll do that. How much do I owe you?” I dig into my pockets, fishing for my black wallet.
Gage raises a hand, waving it back and forth. “No need, man. It’s on the house. I’ve already tallied all the money from tonight’s tab. I don’t want to have to open up the books again. I need to get a little sleep myself.”
I go to pull out some cash, but before I can argue with him, he stops me.
“Really, it’s fine. Think of it as a consolation gift.”
I chuckle softly. “Thanks, man. I appreciate it.”
I make my way toward the door and he walks behind me, locking up once we’ve said good-bye. I have a feeling this is going to be my regular spot going forward.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Harleigh
I snap my eyes open as the glaring sunlight from the cracks of the shades practically makes me go blind. I bring a hand in front of my face to shield my poor eyes, and then go to sit up.
“Ow,” I say as I go right back down. My head hurts. No, scratch that. It pounds, and I’m dying. Everything sounds so loud. There are no real noises, but the silence is loud enough, if that makes any sense. To me it does.
Where the fuck am I?
Slowly, I try rising again. I finally manage to sit up without causing any more agony to my body. I rub my eyes and take in my surroundings. Pink curtains over white blinds are to the left, a white desk probably holding over fifty books are on the top two connecting shelves, a floor-to-ceiling mirror is off to the right of the closet, and a wooden oak bureau rests near the door. There’s no denying it; I’m in my old room.
Like a ton of bricks, last night hits me right across the face: the dance club, Aubrey and her crazy dance moves, Luis dancing so close behind me I could feel every contour of his hard body against my back… and then, somehow, winding up in Preston Scott’s embrace, looking into his eyes and coming so close to kissing him once again like so long ago.
That prick!
I don’t care how drunk I had been. I shouldn’t have wanted to kiss him again. I shouldn’t have… but I did.
And I still do.
Fuck me. I need to stop. I can’t think about Preston and his perfect lips with his perfect smile, and his perfect… everything.
I shake my head to get my thoughts off of Preston and reach toward the night table. I rummage through some items without bothering to look at them until I find my cell phone.
Two thirty in the afternoon. Fuck me. I had slept through the whole morning and well into the afternoon. Great. There go my plans for today, but it’s not like I really had anything set anyway.
Judging by the number of notifications on my lock screen, Aubrey tried to call and text me quite a few times, starting an hour ago.
After I get myself somewhat situated and make myself look presentable, I head into the hallway and amble into the kitchen. Even before I enter it, the strong aroma of bacon and pancakes hits my nostrils, and my mouth waters. It’s not time for breakfast, but I’m guessing Cory figured I’d be out cold all morning. Guess it’s going to be brunch, which is completely fine with me. Breakfast is perfect at any time of day.
As I step foot into the kitchen, sure as day, there’s my big brother, Cory, standing in front of the stove, cooking up a storm. He’d never been much of a chef, but once Aunt Celia moved in with us after our parents died, she’d taught us everything she knew, saying how important it was for us to know how to fend for ourselves.
“Wow, Cory. That smells wonderful,” I say, taking a seat at the opposite end of the table from where he’s cooking.
Cory turns around and smiles at me. “Hey, sis. Sleep okay?” He goes to grab the mug from the Keurig, which just finished brewing some coffee, and walks it over to me.
God, I love my brother.
“Thanks,” I say, taking the mug from him. “I slept like a crackhead, and my head is pounding. Got any aspirin?” I take a sip of my coffee, and the hot liquid soothes my insides.
He points at the cabinet to the left of the sink. “Up there. There should be some Advil or Aleve, but wait till you get some food in your system before you take something. That shit is strong and can mess with your stomach.”
I look at the center of the table where a platter full of bacon and eggs is sitting. I take a piece of bacon, pop it into my mouth, and chew. After I swallow, I say, “There. Now where’re the drugs?” I get up, hearing Cory chuckling, and head for the cabinet. I scavenge through the bottles of pain meds and finally find the Aleve. I open the bottle, pour two liquid capsules into the palm of my left hand, and make a tight fist around them. I blow into the mug and then take a big swig from it. Then I pop the pills into my mouth and swallow, hoping for the best.
As I go to sit back down, Cory spins around with a full platter of pancakes, and they look amazing. He places the plate next to the bacon and eggs and takes a seat. I realize now is the perfect time. I’m going to gather all the courage inside me and ask the one question that’s been eating me alive since I remembered last night.
I pick up a fork and stab one of the pancakes, then bring it to my plate. “So, Preston left?” I ask nonchalantly, not even meeting his gaze. It’s as if this one little question means nothing to me, but in reality, and as much as I hate it, it means everything.
“Yeah, he was gone before I even got up. He’ll be back around though. I finally gave him the shop last night.”
I finally meet my brother’s gaze with a widened expression. I knew Cory was meaning to give Dad’s mechanic shop to Preston. I think it’s a great idea. There is no one better than Preston to run that shop. Lord knows my brother doesn’t have a clue when it comes to cars. Or, actually, anything invol
ving manual labor.
Preston, on the other hand, knows exactly what to do with his hands… I imagine. I need to stop. Immediately.
“Oh, yeah?” I ask through a mouthful.
“Uh-huh. I signed over the papers to him last night. So I’m sure you’ll run into him again,” he says with a wink and shuffles a spoonful of eggs into his mouth.
I raise an eyebrow at him, even though he’s no longer looking at me. “And what’s that supposed to mean?”
He looks up at me with an innocent expression, as if he has no idea what I’m talking about. “Nothing at all. I just know you enjoy Preston’s company.”
“Not anymore,” I say and take a sip of coffee.
He furrows his brows. “I don’t understand it. You used to have the only crush on my best friend. Now it’s like you can’t stand him. Did something happen between you two? ’Cause I’ll kill him.”
Well played, big bro. Not happening. I’ll never tell. And I knew he’d want to kick his ass if he were to find out the two of us had messed around. No one is good enough for Cory’s little sister. Blah, blah, blah!
“Ha! Yeah, right. I can’t stand Preston. His conceited, arrogant, self-absorbed ass is not a trait I look for in a guy. He’s so fucking full of himself, and it’s just not my thing. I don’t find that attractive at all.”
He nods, but I can tell from his expression he’s not buying my story. “I see. Well, you’re going to have to learn to like him again because he’s the new owner of the shop, and being that he’s still my best friend, he’s going to be coming around much more.”
“Fine” is all I manage to say. I’m dreading it, but at the same time, the teenaged girl inside me is jumping up and down for joy.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Preston
I still can’t believe this is all mine. I can’t believe my best friend gave his pop’s shop to me. Me… This is all mine.
It still needs a ton of work, but I’ve been busting my ass every single day after my classes to bring this place back to what it was back in the day when Mr. Davis owned it.
Damn, I still can’t believe he and Mrs. Davis have been gone for so long.
Right smack in the middle of the floor is Mr. Davis’s old Chevy Lumina, the car that he had loved so much. That’s one piece of metal I will never be able to get rid of in here.
I just finished going through some old paperwork and boxing it all up. Cory asked me not to throw anything away; I could have never done that anyway. He’s going to put it in storage. I think he can’t bear to throw away any reminders of his parents. I can’t say I blame him.
I’m facing the back of the place, cleaning out some of the floor cabinets from behind the counter. This place is in dire need of a good dusting and then some. I don’t think Cory has done any of it. Hell, I know it’s hard every time Cory steps foot in here since… since his parents died.
“Still open?” a cute voice I recognize all too well announces from the doorway.
I rise and spin around in time to be met with the familiar dark eyes that have haunted my days and nights ever since we were kids.
She’s smiling—nervously, but still… it kills me. God, she’s so beautiful.
“Hey, Harleigh,” I manage to say.
She walks toward me and stops once she reaches the counter. It’s the only thing separating us, but fuck, it’s too much. I want to be closer to her.
She’s dressed in denim blue overalls with a tight white T-shirt underneath. Her dark, curly hair is in low pigtails, split at the nape of her neck. If I weren’t already hard from seeing her walk in here, I would be now. Fuck.
“Cory sent me,” she says.
I furrow my brows. Well, thank you, best friend. I knew there was a reason I liked him so much.
“Oh? How come?” I’m asking but I really don’t care. I’m just glad she’s here.
She takes a look around, not bothering to answer my question. My eyes take the opportunity of her looking away to check her out further. Her rosy cheeks have the cutest glow. Her pink lips are plump and full, and holy fuck, I want to kiss her. I want to taste her and savor all that is Harleigh Davis.
My eyes dart lower to her neck, noticing the heart-shaped charm on her necklace nestled right between her tits. Oh, to be that damn charm. It makes it that much better the shirt she’s wearing has a low-cut neckline.
She clears her throat, throwing me for a loop.
Busted. She caught me staring, and now, as if she didn’t already think this of me before, it confirms her suspicions of me being a perverted asshole. I’m sure she thinks this. Hell, look at what happened the night after the concert. We kissed and then I ignored her. No, wait a second. I got caught red-handed kissing another girl. But Gina had literally thrown herself at me. I didn’t mean to kiss her. I was a stupid kid in high school, and I didn’t know how to react. I only did the thing that felt natural and went along with it, until I pulled away. Of course, by then, it was too late.
Finally, she speaks up. “He said you could use the help, and by the looks of this place, it seems he’s right.”
Hell, Cory has been here a few times to check in and see how it has been going. I’m making progress, of course, cleaning the place out, little by little. Between my classes and football, time is something I have very little of.
She walks around the counter until she’s standing right next to me. Fuck, she smells good too, like lilacs or daisies or some other kind of beautiful flower.
“Can I have one?” she asks.
I furrow my brows again, having no idea what she’s talking about. Hell, she can have anything she likes. More than one, even. If only I knew what she’s talking about.
She raises an eyebrow and points at my right hand.
“Oh, sure,” I say, giving her my rag. “Here.”
She snatches it from my grasp and bends down to be at eye level with the cabinet under the counter. She looks inside, analyzing the dust and cobwebs or whatever else is in there.
Damn, her ass looks fucking good as she’s bending down. It’s so round and luscious; I want to sink my teeth into it. My cock throbs, aching for some relief. Once she’s gone, I’m going to need to go into the back room and take care of this situation in my pants.
My eyes dart upward so I don’t blow my load in my pants from staring so hard at her booty and—holy shit. Her shirt rises, revealing her tanned skin.
Thank God for overalls.
I try to control myself, but as she kneels and starts running the rag on the inside of the cabinet, I get a nice glimpse of the black string sitting on her hips. Thong.
Oh my God, I’m going to fucking explode. I want this girl so badly, yet I know I can’t have her. Fuck, why does she have to be Cory’s little sister?
“Oh, fuck! Eww!” she exclaims. The obscenity coming from her mouth sounds so sexy. I want nothing more than to hear her spewing a line of them as I’m pounding into—
I need to stop.
She jumps back and snaps her head around to meet my gaze. “Um, excuse me, your royal highness, but are you just going to stand there or help me get this disgusting thing out of here?”
I snap out of my idiotic state and bend down to look at what she’s freaking out over. A small, black spider crawls around aimlessly, without a care in the world. I chuckle quietly to myself because obviously, to her, this is a beast. I take a paper plate and plastic cup from the top of the counter, scoop it up, and walk it toward the door to let the insect free into the world.
“All taken care of,” I say with a smile as she gives me a smirk. She’s now standing, waiting for me back behind the counter, I hope.
“It’s about time,” she answers before spinning around and getting back to work.
I grab another rag from the counter and join her. Leaning down, I spray some cleaning solution and go to town inside the next cabinet. Yes, they’re a bit dusty and dirty but, all in all, not in terrible condition.
“All jokes aside, you’ve done quite
a bit in three weeks. My dad would have been proud of you,” she states, turning her head to face me.
She pushes herself up onto her feet, and instinctively, I do the same. I have no idea what I’m doing, but I just want to be near her.
I swallow hard. She looks so beautiful. Fuck, she looks so innocent, but with that innocence, I’m hoping there’s a whole lot of trouble wrapped up underneath.
Shit, listen to me, talking as if I can have her. What am I doing? I should probably walk away and go clean something else, but something about her doesn’t allow me to rip myself away from her side. I want to stay here, right next to her, and, and… and what?
Something in this moment is pulling me closer to her. Something in the atmosphere is drawing me nearer. The look in her eyes, as if she wants me too, is making me crazy.
Am I crazy to think she wants me as well? Is she feeling the same way I do? I know, once upon a time, she used to like me. I know, once upon a time, she would have loved to know the way I’m feeling about her, even if it is wrong.
But now? After everything? She probably hates my guts, and it’s why she had been so standoffish when she first got here.
“Thanks,” I finally answer after a too-long pause.
She fusses with the rag in her hands, but all the while, she doesn’t look away. She doesn’t break the tension between us that I know she’s feeling too. She has to.
“Harleigh,” I whisper.
She’s about to say something; her lips are slightly opening.
“Preston, I,” she coos. “I just—”
I’m sorry, Cory, but I can’t contain myself any further.
I abruptly lean forward, cutting her off as my lips smash into hers.
I grab her and feel her tense in my embrace, but she doesn’t pull away or try to break free.
Instead, she gives in and gives me more of her, opening her mouth, allowing me access to deepen the kiss as my tongue darts into her mouth to find hers.
Fuck, the taste of her is amazing. There’s no other way to explain it. Her lips, her mouth, her tongue… it’s amazing.
She lets out a soft moan as she pushes forward and leans into me even more.