Fool For You

by Megan Noelle

  “Yeah… right.” Karly said with a laugh as she took a seat on the other side of Lainey. I half-wished I had some crazy urgent emergency right now—or anything to get me out of this. It’s not that I was completely opposed to meeting Corey’s sisters, but not without a little preparation.

  “I can see it though,” Abby decided, still eyeing me down. “You’re gorgeous, and definitely his type.”

  “The last time I went over there when there was another visitor, he apologized for the intrusion but called her a cab to bring her home. He sure as hell didn’t cuddle with her on the couch and then go back home to her.” Karly was practically bouncing with her story, while my heart quickly plummeted into the pits of my stomach. How long ago had it been since the last time he had a…visitor?

  “So are you the manager here or something, Dani?” Abby asked, leaning closer towards me. My eyes cautiously darted around; looking for a heat lamp that might be bearing down on me—causing the sweat to form along my neck and hairline. There really was no way I could possibly be so freaked about answering questions about myself in front of them…right?

  “Something like that. My Grandmother is the owner; the Inn is just in the family, so I came back to help them out for a little while.”

  “Where did you come back from?” Lainey asked.

  “I have been living in New York since I graduated high school.” Abby and Karly gave an approving nod.

  “Is this a permanent move home?” Karly asked.

  I shrugged my shoulders. “It’s hard to say.”

  “Were you seeing anyone there?” Abby asked. The questions came at me without hesitation. The solemn look on their faces made me wonder if they were all professional interrogators.

  “I’ve had boyfriends since living there, but when I came back I wasn’t attached to anyone.”

  “So why aren’t the two of you official now—is that his idea?” The three of them leaned in on their elbows with Lainey’s question.

  “Uh…no.” I cast my eyes down, watching my twiddling fingers. “I’m not ready for a relationship, so we are just friends.”

  “Well, that’s it then,” Lainey said, sitting back in her chair. “It’s the classic—he wants what he can’t have situation.” My stomach churned at the thought. Was that really all this was to him? I wasn’t ‘on the market’ so I was exactly what he wanted.

  “Shut up, Lainey. I’ve seen the two of them together—that’s not at all what it is.” Karly scolded.

  “I’m just saying. I’ve seen it before, is all!” Lainey defended.

  “Don’t pay attention to my sister, Dani, Lainey’s just a little jealous that she’s yet to find someone.” Karly said, shooting a warning glare at Lainey.

  “Core isn’t like that.” Abby added to Lainey before turning to me. “Corey could probably get any woman he wanted; if he didn’t care he wouldn’t be around. The one thing you should know about our brother is you will probably never meet a man that has as big of a heart as him. He has beaten up more jackass boyfriends of ours than I can even remember. There hasn’t been a time he turned down a shoulder for us to cry on. Not to mention, every week he calls each of us to ask about our lives. Just to make sure we are all okay. Corey rarely talks about himself because he is more worried about how we are doing.”

  “When I turned 18 I got my first tattoo, and as soon as I contemplated who I wanted to be by my side—it was a nobrainer; I wanted it to be Corey. Not even my boyfriend would have been as compassionate. Core held my hand the whole time and kept telling me jokes to keep my mind preoccupied.” Karly added with a smile.

  “When this jackass I was dating in high school asked me to prom and then bailed, Corey took me and made the night the absolute best. He never made me feel stupid or upset about the situation and I was able to dance the night away without worrying.” Lainey said with a smile.

  “Has Corey told you anything about our dad?” Abby asked.

  “He’s told me some, mainly about how he just wasn’t around very much.”

  Abby nodded her head. “My mother Lillian, bless her heart, is one of those women that has always needed a man to hold her hand and tell her everything is going to be okay. When she met our dad she was immediately taken with him, he was one of those guys that wanted a woman to take care of the house and kids. She loved it and everything seemed fine until Karly turned a year old. My dad started staying out all hours of the night, getting drunk and doing God only knows what else. Then he’d storm into the house anywhere from two to five o’clock in the morning and there she’d be—just sitting in the living room waiting for him. She spent her nights crying until he got there, then he’d yell at her for something. This went on for years and years; when Corey was eight he left us for good and my mother was devastated. Corey took on the man-of-the-house role without a second thought.

  “He did everything he could think of to make my mom feel better about what happened; while still taking care of us. So you see we never really grew up missing a father because we had Corey. But Corey was forced to grow up in the time when a boy needs his dad the most. It’s made him the protective guy he is now and that is why he has also refused to become seriously involved with any woman. Unless of course—it is the one he wants—he would never want to hurt them the way my dad hurt our mom. That is why I can promise you—it’s not the chase. It’s you.”

  Abby finished her story and I felt my heart melt at the words. Corey was the light in these three women’s lives; all the things he’s done for me have been special and meant more than I ever believed possible. What’s worse is I’ve been treating it as though they were normal, everyday things. Corey was so used to being the tough guy, protector, guardian of his family. With me, he was all those things but was also giving me a side he didn’t give anyone before. He was giving me his heart and I wasn’t protecting it the way I should have been.

  “Don’t let this scare you away, Dani!” Karly reached out and grabbed my hand. “Abby just told you all that so you know for a fact, that if you’re hesitating because you’ve been hurt too—my brother wouldn’t hurt you. It isn’t in his genetic makeup to hurt a woman. I swear!”

  “I don’t want to hurt him.” Was the only response that came to mind. “I hope not. Corey has spent all his time taking care of us and setting up a nice little future for himself financially with his businesses.” Abby added.

  “Businesses?” I asked, thinking solely of the bar and his distribution of liquor to the Inn.

  “Oh yeah, the bar he lives above is his—100%, but he also invested money in about a dozen other bars over the state. He’s co-owner on all of them and goes around to check in every now and then to make sure they are running efficiently. People that couldn’t get loans but had plans similar to his came to Corey, and he helped out.” Abby’s face beamed with how proud of her brother she was. He made a life for himself, even through all the barriers that stood in his way.

  “I didn’t know about all of that. I just knew Corey had the bar and worked with the Inn to supply liquor and servers for weddings or other events.”

  “That he started more because he was close with your Grandma and respected her. She needed someone and Corey was there.” Karly pitched in with the brotherly praise.

  “Does that man have any flaws?” I asked with a laugh. My mind played back to all the things he’s done for me and been by my side for. There was the simplicity of changing my tire, and comforting me after my disastrous date. Then of course, when I needed him the most, for a visit with mommy dearest. Each time he did something, it was telling me even more that I was someone worthy of good things, in his mind.

  Abby smiled. “He doesn’t open up about himself. His life has been spent taking care of everyone else. So it’s almost like he doesn’t know how to lay his own problems out on someone else.”

  “Just do us all a favor.” Karly waited for me to respond, I nodded.

  “Anything.”

  “Don’t hurt him. If he cares about you as
much as I think he does—it would break him.”

  “I promise.” There wasn’t an ounce of hesitation in my voice. Even if I couldn’t be Corey’s girlfriend, I would still be the best friend he ever had. For some reason, he chose me as a person in his life that he didn’t want to lose, and I wasn’t going to take that for granted any longer.

  “Good.” Karly said with a smile.

  “Now, onto your wedding—the reason we’re all here today!”

  “Oh yes!” Karly practically squealed with excitement. We spent the next hour and a half covering every little detail of her wedding. What she wanted and didn’t want. She told me about her and Jake, while her sisters added in little requests, as well. I found myself having a good time just being around them; their automatic like towards me was easy to recognize. We didn’t talk like event coordinator and client—we talked like friends. Bailey swung by at one point to check on things; I put in an order for some mimosas, which went over very well. Before leaving, Karly stopped and turned to me, taking my hand in hers once more.

  “In a couple months we’re going out to this resort we all used to go to as kids. It’s so much fun; snowmobiles, tubing, skiing, all that fun stuff—Corey’s coming and I would absolutely love for you to come as well!”

  Her enthusiasm made it hard to turn down. Even when I tried, she recognized the rejection in my face but wasn’t satisfied.

  “Please, Corey will need someone to talk to, especially after dealing with all of us! Even as his friend, he would love it—and so would we.”

  “Sure, I’d love to.” Karly squealed and threw her arms around my shoulders. I was reminded of the warm and comforting sensation I had every time I was next to Corey. There was just something about the Preston family that hit my heart in a way, that when I was around them—I knew I was safe.

  “Great! I’ll let mom know we have one more coming!” The three of them hugged me goodbye and I finally realized all that had happened. Not only had I met Corey’s sisters but I was now joining them for a family vacation. What have I gotten myself into?

  Bailey stood at the door to my office with a smirk on her face.

  “You’re in trouble now.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” I snapped.

  “Well, you know what they say—you don’t just fall in love with a person—you fall in love with their family, too.”

  “That’s ridiculous.” I pushed past her into my office but I knew she was right. Hearing the truth about Corey as a person then seeing how adoring his sisters were, it only added affection in my heart. How was I supposed to plan his sister’s wedding and still keep my distance from them.

  This was all too much—I needed a cigarette.

  Before heading to the destination I had in mind, I stopped for a fresh pack of cigarettes and some gum. In the car I smoked two, and chomped away on two pieces of excessively minty gum. I was determined to save my cigarettes for later and not have them taken away. The bar wasn’t busy—not that I expected it was going to be—as it was a Monday afternoon. There was one car in the parking lot and it was the other bartender Jerry’s vehicle.

  The two of them stood behind the bar; taking turns trying to bounce quarters into whiskey glasses. Corey’s glass had far more than Jerry’s and the tension around Jerry’s eyes showed how irritated he was about their simple game. The two looked up at me when I walked in. Jerry rolled his eyes—his normal reaction since realizing I did not intend to date him—while Corey’s face lit up.

  I took a seat on the stool on the opposite side of him. He placed his arms on the bar and jumped up to lean across to give me a kiss. The motion took me by surprise but with my heart still softened by the words of his sisters—I gave into it. Placing my hands on either side of his face, I held him against my mouth. Deepening the kiss while we were both lost in the moment.

  “Jesus Christ Corey, that shit ain’t sanitary—get a room.” Corey returned to the ground and pulled two beers from the cooler.

  “Keep an eye on things.” He said back to Jerry, making his way around the bar; placing a beer in my hand and a kiss on my cheek.

  “Let’s go upstairs so we don’t have to listen to him bitch and moan.” A quarter came from Jerry’s direction and whizzed past my face, inches away.

  Corey stopped and glared at him. “You’re lucky as shit that didn’t hit her.”

  “What the fuck would you have done about it?” Jerry pressed Corey’s mood, crossing his arms over his chest— preparing for a battle. Corey’s jaw tightened under his skin as he stared at me while he tried to regain control. He handed his beer bottle to me and turned back to face Jerry; instinctively stepping in front of me.

  “Don’t act like I haven’t beat your ass before, Jerry. Who do you think you are to throw shit at people in my bar?”

  “You wouldn’t have said shit if I would have chucked it at someone else. You’re just pissed because it was her.” He sounded repulsed by me, making me wonder what I did to create such hostility.

  “First of all, I would have been pissed if you threw it at anyone. Second, you’re damn right I’m even more pissed that you threw it at Danielle. What are you trying to start? Don’t bitch around about it—get that shit out—before I throw you out of my bar and never let you back.”

  “That girl has you wrapped so tight around her little finger. When was the last time you worked a wedding at the Inn, Core? You gave those events to Sanders and me; you know I count on the money and tips that come with it. Suddenly there were two slots and now you’re taking one of them? All so you can flirt with your booty call? That’s fucked up, man, and you know it.”

  The air surrounding Corey tensed, his fists turned white with the force with which they were being squeezed shut. I quickly set the beer down on a table and ran my hands from Corey’s shoulders to his fists. Under my touch he relaxed and laced his fingers with mine. I leaned against his back; then pressed my lips to the base of his neck.

  “Get out of here. When you learn some respect, you can give me a call. What she is to me is none of your business but I’m sure as shit not going to let you disrespect her. Your work’s been sloppy, and you’ve picked up this bitch ass attitude that sure as shit isn’t going to end up at a wedding ceremony. That’s why you’re not working the wedding. And because you are throwing shit at customers and disrespecting my girl in my bar—that’s the reason you’re not working here anymore.”

  My thumbs slowly rubbed circles on his hands, as I felt them tense up again.

  “You’re making a big mistake, Corey.”

  “I’m not, but if you keep flapping your gums right now—that’ll be the mistake.” I looked past Corey to see Jerry take his hand and swat the glasses filled with quarters towards us. The sounds of everything hitting the ground made me jump. Corey’s grip on my fingers tightened, as he stood tall and unafraid between Jerry and me. Jerry looked sufficiently pissed with Corey’s lack of response and stomped his way out of the bar, throwing the door open as he went.

  It was a few moments before Corey moved, releasing my fingers to turn and face me. “I’m so sorry, Dani. You shouldn’t have been forced to see that.” I shook my head; handing Corey his beer.

  “It’s my fault, I shouldn’t have come.” He set his beer down again to frame my face between his hands.

  “I always want you here. Jerry’s just a little bitch and to be quite honest, he’s been driving me crazy lately. This just happened to be the last straw. He happened to take it out on you, because you’re one of the only women that won’t give him a second look.”

  I shrugged. “He’s not my type.”

  “Am I your type?” He asked with a smile.

  “Of course, you’re loaded with booze.” A smile spread over my lips as he playfully rolled his eyes before pressing his lips to mine.

  “I’m happy to see you, but this is a pretty odd time for you to be here—so, what’s up?”

  “Oh yes.” I took a swig of my beer and he did the same.


  “So your sisters interrogated me today at the Inn. Was that your doing?” His eyes widened before he choked on his beer.

  “My what—what?”

  “I had a wedding consultation today, it was Karly. Abby and Lainey were there with her and they spent the whole first half of their visit grilling me about us, and saying how great of a guy you are.” Corey’s wet lips pulled up into a satisfied smirk.

  “Remind me later to thank them.”

  “Funny, did you tell them to come see me?”

  “No, I really don’t think I need to bring in reinforcements to boost me up. They usually stay out of my business, so I’m surprised they said anything. Were they nice to you?”

  My plan originally was to be pissed off about the situation, but I couldn’t be. His sisters were great and I had enjoyed my morning with them. Corey didn’t send them and I believed that. Truth was—I was here because talking about Corey all morning, made me miss him even more than I did all morning. Not that I planned to share that tidbit with him.

  “They were great; your sisters absolutely adore you.” He smiled and nodded.

  “I love all of them, despite how crazy they make me.”

  I reached my arms up and wrapped them around his neck. My lips trailed the length of his jaw; I quickly felt Corey’s body harden at my touch. His hands wound around my back, pulling me in close.

  “Whatever they said to you—I am forever indebted to them.” I giggled against his lips; my leg reached up and wrapped around his waist. Painfully slow, his hands slid down my back and grabbed hold of my ass to lift me up. My legs circled his waist, as I felt his tongue trace my lips and make its way into my mouth. After a few minutes of hard core making out, he pulled back his swollen lips enough to speak again.

  “Please tell me you’re not here to tease me again.”

  I wasn’t sure what was making me respond to him this way, but I knew I was in no place to make him stop. “Take me upstairs.” I moaned against his lips as he pressed his groin against mine. He set my feet down, took my hand and practically flew us upstairs. After shutting the door, he pinned me against it as his mouth worked on my neck.