Catching Raindrops (The Sutter Family #1)

by H. D'Agostino

  “Better luck next time, Em,” he taunted as he smacked the piling in front of him and held his arms in the air showing his victory.

  “You cheated!” I scowled.

  “How’s that?” he quirked a brow from behind his sunglasses as he pulled the earbuds out and stuffed them in his pocket.

  “You just did,” I frowned as I paced in a small circle with my hands on my head and tried to slow my breathing.

  “Un huh,” he mumbled before snickering. “You just don’t want to see me tonight. That’s it, isn’t it?”

  “What?” I gasped as I froze and looked over at him. I could tell he was teasing, but I wondered if his worry was real.

  “You owe me a date,” his voice lowered as he moved closer to me. His hair was wet with sweat; his shirt sticking to his chest. His breath was still coming in pants, and as he moved so close we were almost touching, I gulped.

  “What kinda date?” I murmured as I stared at his lips.

  His tongue slipped out and ran across the bottom of his mouth as he smirked and a low chuckle escaped. “How about you come down to the water tonight and find out.”

  “Where?” I bit my lip because I remembered how much it drove him crazy the night before, and seeing him all flustered right now was a real trip.

  He reached up and ran his hand through his sweaty hair, causing it to stick up everywhere. “How about here?”

  “How about in front of my house? You remember where that is, right?” I tipped my head to the side and watched him. His smile dropped for a moment, but then the grin was back.

  “I’d like to be somewhere we won’t be spied on,” his brows jumped as he advanced closer. I stepped back until I felt one of pilings behind me. His grin spread wider as he moved closer. “I can’t do what I want if your dad is watching me,” his voice dropped to barely above a whisper.

  “And what would that be?” I gasped as I felt him lean into me. His athletic shorts did nothing to hide what was underneath, and I sucked in a breath when I felt him press up against me.

  “This,” he growled as he leaned down and attacked my mouth. It wasn’t slow and sweet like the night before. No, this was animalistic and dominating. His head slanted as he pinned me against the piling; his hips pushing into mine as his hands held my face in a manner where he could take complete control of the kiss. He growled as his tongue pried my lips apart before plunging in. My body roared to life as my childhood fantasies rushed to the forefront of my mind. I’d spent countless nights pretending this was real and now it finally was. My brain warred with my heart as the past six months plagued me.

  “Stop,” I pushed away panting. “Please stop,” I leaned forward placing my hands on my knees.

  “I’m sorry,” he stumbled back and wiped the back of his hand across his mouth.

  “It’s not you,” I shook my head, refusing to look at him. “So much has happened that you don’t know about. So many things that I just can’t talk about. I’m sorry.”

  “Things like quitting the team?” he spun from where he was pacing a few steps away.

  I shook my head and squeezed my eyes shut. He was so close to the truth that it scared me. I wasn’t ready to share this with him. I wasn’t ready to share it with anyone. No one knew what had happened, and I didn’t want to relive it when I told them. They wouldn’t understand why I left. I knew they wouldn’t.

  “We don’t have to go out if you don’t want to,” he sighed. Great. He was backing off.

  “No!” I shouted a little louder than I had intended to, causing him to pause. “My dad has a meeting to go to tonight. No one will spy on us,” I flipped my hand in the air. “What time do you want to meet?”

  He took a few deep breaths and blew them out as he muttered something about a dumb idea before he faced me. “I have some things I have to get done this afternoon. I can meet you around eight. Will that work?”

  I was taken aback slightly by his time choice, but nodded and agreed anyway. That was late for dinner, but I didn’t think I’d feel like eating anyway. Being around him always made me too nervous to eat. Maybe this date didn’t include food, or at least not the kind that I was thinking.

  “Deal,” I smiled as I leaned closer to him and pecked his cheek. “See ya at eight by the water at my place,” I turned and began jogging back home, this time not looking behind me to see what he was doing. Brock Foster was a total mystery to me. He was hot one minute and cold the next, and I had no idea what I was getting into here but I seemed to not be able to stop myself.

  Brock

  “Fuck!” I cursed under my breath as I made my way to my car. Why had I agreed to this? Because you like her you stupid fuck. I’ve been telling myself since the moment I figured out who she was, to stay away. I can’t, though. Just being near her makes me feel something. It’s like a drug for me. My entire body lights up with awareness every time she gets within three feet of me, and when I kiss her? Hell, if she hadn’t stopped us this morning, I probably would have her in my backseat right now.

  I have to tell her, but how? How do I confess the one thing that might cause her to run? How do I let her know why I’m here, and what I do every day? The truth was I didn’t have an answer to that, and I knew the longer I waited, the worse it was going to get.

  As soon as I got home and took a shower, I got dressed in my usual attire. A teal golf shirt and khaki shorts. I grabbed my sunglasses and clipboard with the papers I’d been going over the night before, and headed to work. I needed to get my head straight before I got there, because Emma had gotten me stuck between a rock and hard place. She was the hard place, or maybe my dick was, and I was getting ready to go work for ‘the rock’.

  “Morning Brock,” he called when I stepped into the fieldhouse to get ready for summer training camp.

  “Morning boss,” I waved as I kept my head down and entered my office. It took him a few minutes but I knew he’d be down to go over our schedule for the day. You see, I was the quarterback coach for the UNC Wilmington Seahawks, and my boss? Yeah, you guessed it.

  “I’ve got a freshman coming in today who’s really raw. He’s got talent, but he’s wild and unpredictable,” Nick leaned against the doorway to my office. “See if you can work on getting him under control.”

  “Sure thing,” I nodded as I shuffled some papers around on my desk. I was trying to look busy, and not like a nervous wreck.

  “You ok today?” he pushed off the door jamb and stared at me.

  “Fine, just busy,” I muttered. I mean how do you tell your boss you were making out with his daughter an hour ago and all you can think about is pressing up against her naked body?

  “Well, I’ll see you on the practice field in twenty,” he walked away leaving me there stunned.

  “Fuck, fuck, fuck!” I growled as I leaned back and banged my head against the wall behind me. I was so screwed it wasn’t even funny. Why did she have to be so perfect for me? Why? Why didn’t she tell me to go to hell like she should have? Why did I feel this indescribable pull to be near her every time she got close to me? And how the fuck was this ever going to work?

  Yep, definitely screwed.

  Chapter 6

  Emma

  “How’s life in the library?” I giggled as I rolled onto my back and held the phone to my ear. I’d just gotten out of the shower, and saw I had a missed call from Mel.

  “Oh, it’s great!” her voice held a sarcastic tone. “I mean, there’s a lot of boys here, and with sun and all... well, I’m getting a great tan.”

  “Come visit me,” I chirped as I tugged at my towel.

  “Can’t. It’s only the second week of classes,” she sighed. “You know these summer classes are accelerated.” The truth was, I did know this. Last summer I’d signed up to take a class early. I figured it’d help me stay ahead. This was where I’d met Jordan. I now have a new theory on summer school.

  “So, when do you get out of jail?” I laughed. “I need you here.”

  “And why�
�s that?” she giggled. “Did you meet someone?” I stayed quiet trying to decide how to answer her. “You did, didn’t you?” I heard a ruffling sound in the background like she was shifting on whatever she was sitting on. “Is he hot?” she giggled. “Tell me!”

  “Mel,” I sighed into the phone. “He’s so hot I think I might get burned. You have no idea,” I mumbled.

  “What’s his name?” I could hear the excitement in her voice.

  “Brock,” I whispered. I didn’t want my parents to hear me. I didn’t think they were spying, but they knew my history with Brock, at least my mom did.

  “Ooh, even his name sounds sexy,” she giggled again. “Is he a lifeguard? What does he look like?”

  “No, and come here and see for yourself,” I grumbled.

  “God, I wish I could now,” she moaned. “This sucks! You go and meet some hottie within days of arriving in paradise, and I’m stuck in study hell with a bunch of wannabe geniuses.”

  “It can’t be that bad,” I rolled my eyes. “I thought Roger was taking summer classes.” Roger was a guy Mel met at orientation last year. He seemed to have a thing for her, but never would ask her out. He was so shy it took me meeting him twice before he ever talked to me.

  “He decided to go home for the summer. I’m telling you, this sucks,” she muttered before she got quiet. “I’m thinking I’ll scrap the idea of graduating early, and just come to the beach.”

  “You’re always welcome here when classes end. I know you don’t mean all this ‘quitting stuff’ you’re talking about. Finish your class, and then come stay with me. My parents won’t care.” I rolled to the side to see that it was nearing afternoon. I needed to get up and start drying my hair or I was going to be looking like a hot mess when it was time to meet Brock.

  “Yeah, yeah,” she groaned. “So, about this guy...” she paused waiting for me to pick up the conversation.

  “I don’t know, Mel. I like him, a lot, but he lives here and I don’t. He’s older too,” I rubbed my eyes.

  “Like how much older?” I could tell that got her attention.

  “Five years,” I cringed.

  “Ooh. I bet he has some experience then. None of this first time bullshit that Jordan was spouting.”

  “I don’t want to talk about him,” I growled. “He’s a liar, and a cheat; I hope his dick falls off.”

  “Atta girl,” Mel cheered. “Listen, I gotta go. I’m meeting a group to study, but call me tomorrow and let me know how this date goes. I want details,” she ordered.

  “I’ll call, but I’m not telling you the details that you want,” I laughed.

  “Yes, you will,” she teased.

  “Bye, Mel,” I groaned as I disconnected the call.

  I tossed my phone on my dresser, and shuffled over to my closet. I had no idea what I wanted to wear tonight to this beach/ dinner thing. Brock was acting weird when I suggested meeting here. I tried to not let it worry me, but shouldn’t a guy meet your parents? Why did being seen with me seem like such a bad thing? I blamed it on the age thing as I sorted through my clothes. I’d always been pretty laid back. I never cared what people thought about me, and being comfortable was always more important than dressing up. Something inside me told me to make this dinner count, though.

  I pushed through my clothes, looking for something that I could wear on the beach, but still look nice and that’s when I saw it. I had a pretty white sundress that I’d bought back in high school and didn’t get to wear. I’d been seeing this guy for a little while, and had planned to give it up to him. I bought the dress as kind of a ‘this is finally it’ thing. He stood me up, and then I found him with another girl the next day. So yeah, I was totally wearing this.

  After dressing myself and drying my hair, I sat on the floor in front of my full length mirror. Makeup sat strewn around me as I frowned at my reflection. My skin was a golden color from being outside so much, but I had a nice set of tan lines on my shoulders and ankles. It looked weird, and if the sun wasn’t going to be setting by the time I met him, I probably would have changed.

  I yanked a brush through my hair several times before giving up. The humidity had been making it wild the last few days, but I figured the breeze on the beach would mess up whatever I tried to do with it. After applying a little lip gloss and some mascara, I stood and appraised myself. I still couldn’t quite grasp the idea that Brock liked me. I mean, I knew I was older now. It wasn’t weird like it would have been back then, but he had to be so much more experienced than me. I’d had boyfriends, but Jordan was really the only one I’d let do anything to me. I’d kissed boys, don’t get me wrong, but I’d only lost my virginity last year. I’d held out after graduating thinking that it wasn’t that big of a deal that I was still a virgin. It didn’t bother me like it did some of my friends. I’d thought back when I was dating Steven that I needed to give in to his pressure. I’m kinda glad that I didn’t, looking back now. What would that have really meant?

  I ran my hands down the front of the sundress as I took a few deep breaths. The clock on my nightstand read 7:58. Brock would be here soon if he wasn’t already waiting. Mom and Dad had left an hour ago to go to some coach’s dinner and meeting. I don’t know how Mom still put up with it, but she did. Anything Dad went to, she was right there with him.

  I looked at my reflection one last time before turning my lights off, and heading out to the living room. When I rounded the corner, I stopped dead in my tracks and squeezed my eyes shut. I did not want to see what was currently happening on the couch. “You know you’re not home alone?” I called as I kept my eyes closed.

  “Shit!” he hissed and she shrieked in embarrassment. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me you were here?” Ryan growled, and I heard the sound of them rushing to right their clothes.

  “I didn’t know I needed to,” I huffed. “I didn’t think my sixteen-year-old brother would be half naked on the couch when I came out. “Hi, Jess,” I giggled.

  “Hi,” she squeaked as I cracked one eye open. Jess was red faced on the couch with Ryan standing up tugging at his shorts.

  “Please tell me you weren’t actually doing it out here,” I motioned to the couch.

  “No, you stopped that. Thanks, by the way,” he rolled his eyes and then glared at me.

  “I gotta go home,” Jess mumbled as she pulled a tank top over her bikini top. “I’ll see ya tomorrow, Ry,” she waved and started walking toward the slider that led to the back deck.

  Ryan narrowed his eyes at me, “Thanks for that.”

  “Are you two dating?” I placed one hand on my hips as I motioned to where Jess was jogging down the steps.

  “No,” he ran his palms down his face and sighed.

  “Does she know that?” I gawked.

  “I don’t know,” he rolled his eyes as if he were aggravated with me. “She does her thing, I do mine. We’re having fun,” he shrugged.

  “Un huh,” I nodded as I started walking toward the slider.

  “What do you care, anyway? You’ve been sneaking off with some guy for the last three days,” he flopped down on the couch and flicked the TV on.

  “I’m not sneaking,” I scowled as I opened the door. “It’s not my business, but be careful. She likes you, don’t ruin your friendship with whatever itch you’re trying to scratch,” I called as I stepped outside and took a few deep breaths to calm myself.

  I could see him in the distance. His hair was blowing in the breeze, along with the shirt he was wearing. His back was facing my direction, and a basket was sitting a few feet behind him.

  “Hey,” I called as I approached him.

  “Hi,” he smiled as he looked back over his shoulder. His lip curled on one side as his eyes danced with mischief. “I didn’t think you were going to show,” he mused.

  “Sorry,” I motioned behind me toward the house. “My brother was about to get laid and I walked in on him.” I snorted as I thought about it now. It was funny. He thwarted so many of my attemp
ts to make out with guys over the years, and now I was getting a little payback, so to speak.

  “Your brother is in there?” Brock’s face paled slightly.

  “He won’t bother us. He’s dealing with guy problems now. I bet he’s looking up videos to help him with his problem,” I laughed harder as I bumped my shoulder into him.

  Brock nodded a few times before he shook his head as if clearing it. “I brought some snacks. I wasn’t sure what you’d want,” he motioned to the basket behind himself. “I’ve got some fruit and cheese and crackers,” he walked over to the basket and pulled a towel out. He spread it out, and sat motioning for me to join him. “I wasn’t very hungry, and I guess I didn’t think you’d be either,” he pulled a beer out and popped the top off. “Want one?” he held it out for me.

  “Sure,” I shrugged as he handed me the one he’d opened and grabbed another. I wasn’t old enough to drink so I usually took whatever was offered, but I wasn’t really a drinker. It was more of a hanging out or party type thing. “So, how was your day?” I tucked my legs under myself as I got comfortable.

  “Long and busy,” he sighed as he leaned back on one hand and stared out at the ocean. He took a few sips of beer as he watched the waves. With the way he was sitting, it was as if something was weighing on his mind, and he was trying to figure out how to express himself.

  “You ok?” I turned to face him and he closed his eyes and sighed.

  “I’m fine, just tired,” he murmured as he took another sip of beer.

  We sat there in silence just listening to the waves and watching the sunset. It was beautiful and calm, and one of the fantasies I used to dream about. I don’t think Brock truly understood how obsessed I was with him back then.

  “I like nights like this,” he murmured, breaking the silence between us. “It’s peaceful, and sometimes I just like to sit and do nothing.”