Running on Empty (Mending Hearts, #1)

by L. B. Simmons

  I pull him close and bury my head in his chest, letting my tears fall onto his shirt. He had every right to be disappointed in me. I get it. He loved me, and I left him behind, without a second thought.

  But, I also understand that even though he was upset with me, he helped without hesitation when I needed it. He forgave me when I simply asked. He put his weekend aside to help me take care of my children. He held me when I cried. He did all of these things because of the person that he is. I know I won’t allow myself to take this relationship for granted again. I lost it once by being selfish. I refuse to allow that to happen for a second time. I’ve already lost too much in this lifetime.

  With his arms still around me, I pull away from his chest and wipe my face with my hands. Taking a deep breath, I look up to see his concerned eyes looking down at me. “I’m okay, Blake. I promise. It just caught me by surprise, that’s all.”

  “The last thing I want to do is hurt you, Alex. I guess, after all these years, I feel that I owe it to myself to at least tell you the truth so I can stop being angry at myself and running every what if scenario though my head.” He watches my face carefully while he speaks. “I’m sorry if I shocked you. But I also want you to know that having you back in my life as my friend…well…I’ve missed you. And I hope that what I said doesn’t ruin that for me. I just needed you to know the truth.”

  I reach back and grab his hands that are resting on my lower back and bring them to the front of our bodies. Holding them tightly, I scoot closer to him. “You won’t lose me. I know you would never hurt me.” I hesitate, trying to plan my next words carefully.

  “I’m not sure what’s going on between us. It scares me. I feel things for you that I never thought I would feel again. You make me feel alive. I can’t thank you enough for that, Blake.” I lower our hands and shift my body backwards.

  “But I need time. This isn’t the same as when we were kids. I have three little girls who are very affected by the decisions I make. I have to be responsible. I can’t get wrapped up in something just because it feels good. I don’t have that luxury anymore. I hope you can understand that.” Blake lets go of my hands and reaches up to gently stroke my face.

  “Alex, I’ve waited this long. Turns out I’m a very patient man,” he says with a smile. “I can wait. I understand about your girls, and I wouldn’t let you rush into anything you’re not absolutely sure about…for their sakes. I understand that completely. I can wait knowing that in the end, if you choose me, then I’m a lucky man. If you don’t choose me, we’ll still be friends, but then I can move on. There will be no more what ifs.”

  His thumb moves down my jaw line until he holds my chin between his thumb and forefinger. He inches forward closing the distance I just created. He leans over slowly and puts his face in my line of sight. My eyes involuntarily watch his mouth as he licks his lips. In one swift movement, he leans forward and plants a soft kiss on the corner of my mouth. I feel his hair as it falls forward and tickles my face. His scent washes over me. A smile breaks across my face and, with his lips barely touching mine, I feel him do the same.

  “So, just friends, right?” he teases.

  With the same smile plastered on my face, all I can manage is a small nod and a simple, “Friends.”

  Totally. Just friends.

  I think.

  A couple of weeks have passed since our romantic recreation on the boat. Blake regularly shows up at my office to take me to lunch. I can tell Harlow is secretly pleased, but she never says anything to me. I keep our “lake discussion” from her; I feel guilty doing it. There’s nothing I keep from Harlow, but anything between Blake and myself I want to remain private, for now. The last thing I want is her interjecting her every opinion. I need to make this decision on my own.

  During our lunch dates, Blake and I discuss the girls, Harlow's love life, his dad's retirement and his impending decision. The conversation is effortless and we easily fall back into being friends. It's nice, yet different. When I’m around him, there’s definitely no shortage of longing gazes, heart flutters, and jolting touches. We both know there are feelings involved. I think he’s waiting for me to make the first move. I never do, but that doesn’t mean I don’t think about it every now and then.

  In fact, he’s been invading my thoughts way too much lately. I know I need to take control of this issue… like, now. But deep down, I don’t think I want to. Which is probably the reason I’m giggling like a school girl, on this very early Sunday morning, as I hit the send button on my phone.

  “Hello?” I hear his sexy raspy voice; I’m obviously waking him from his sleep.

  “So, my lovely daughters have taken my coffee hostage and refuse to give it back to me unless I call you and officially invite you to breakfast this morning.” Blake laughs loudly into the phone. “Blake, we have a hostage situation. This is very important so stop laughing! I need you to get over here because I have to have my coffee.”

  I shift around in my bed to make myself more comfortable with this conversation. This is the first time I’ve called him to ask him for anything. Only for my children…I tell myself.

  “Really? I’ve actually been waiting on this phone call…but if you want me to come over, just ask me. You don’t have to use your children…or coffee. Really, Alex?” he says, snickering on the other end of the line.

  This is exactly what I’ve been dealing with these last few weeks. Innuendos from Blake and me deflecting them like Wonder Woman. For someone so sweet, he’s seriously full of himself. Unfortunately, I seem to be finding it sexier and sexier. This does not bode well in my favor.

  “Look, the girls would like to cash in their breakfast date. I’m just relaying the message. If there’s some weird fascination you have with me asking you to come over, that’s your issue…not mine.” I smile to myself. Ha! Take that.

  “Alright.” I hear him moving under his sheets. My mind goes places I don’t even want to describe. “I’ll be there at nine o’ clock. Is that too early?”

  “No, you know as well as I do that they get up at the crack of dawn. We’ll be up and ready…unfortunately. Come on over. You’re more than welcome to keep them busy so I can enjoy my morning.”

  I hear his familiar chuckle. “I could help you enjoy your morning even more, you know?”

  “Shut up, Blake! Seriously, my children have requested your presence…not me. So you’re officially their guest, not mine.” Luckily I’m used to this from him by now so I’m not taken by surprise. “I’m going to tell them nine o’clock. You better be here.”

  “I’ll be there. There’s no place I’d rather be on a Sunday morning.” I sigh out loud. I don’t know why he has to go and say something like that…always making it hard for me to breathe. Jerk. But not. Damn him.

  Rolling my hair around my finger like I’m in high school, I sit up in bed to catch my breath. “Okay…so I can go get my coffee now?”

  “Alex, I’ll bring you any kind of coffee you want…within a twenty mile radius, just name it.” Damn him…again.

  “I’ve infiltrated their quarters and located the target. I just need to be sure negotiations are secured so ‘Operation: Get My Freakin’ Coffee Back’ can commence. So, just be here at nine. You aren’t the one that has to deal with ‘Where’s Blake?’ every five seconds. If you really want to make my morning, just be here on time.”

  “You got it. I’m there. Tell the girls I can’t wait. What do you need me to bring?”

  I literally laugh out loud, picturing the shopping trip we made in preparation for this phone call. Once Harlow paid the girls, I made them wait a while. I didn’t want them to think every weekend was going to involve a visit from Blake. So, once I finally caved after their millionth request, they insisted we go right then to the store. Buying two bags of chocolate chips this time.

  “Nothing, Blake. We have it covered, trust me. Just bring yourself…that’s enough.” I cringe at the last part of my statement. Really? I hope that doesn’t s
ound too obvious. I want him here, but I don’t want him to know I want him here.

  “Alright, I’m there. Nine o’clock.” I feel my heart race triple speed.

  “Okay, see you then.” I hang up before he has a chance to say anything else. I look over to my end table. Opening the drawer, I smile as I pick up the last thing I put in there before going to bed last night, and every night recently.

  I flip through all the charms that Blake had given me. Reliving each memory, I hold the bracelet and let it intertwine between my fingers. When it falls to the base of my fingers, I wrap them around the bracelet and clench it tightly in the palm of my hand. Turning into my pillow, I take a breath of contentment and close my eyes.

  Everything in me wants this man. I can’t deny that. I’m drawn to him and unfortunately I can’t seem to control it. And I don’t know what to do about it. I can’t go through another loss like I did with Derek. I can’t put my girls through that. It feels much safer to just not allow it to happen. But the warmth I feel inside when I’m around him, the life I feel…it’s undeniable.

  While still clenching the bracelet, I feel the peace it brings to my heart. Something about it is familiar, it eases my soul. So for now, even if I don’t know anything about my life and the course it will run with Blake, I keep him close every night when I hold these charms.

  And something within me knows I’ll continue to hold on until there’s a reason not to.

  I belt out a laugh as I walk out of my bedroom to start cooking for the much anticipated breakfast. I see all three girls running around the living room, dressed like they’re about to attend prom. We’ve had lots of dress up outfits over the years that now reside in trunks on the floor of Rylie’s closet. Most of them are dresses covered in sequins, which I see my daughters have chosen as their attire for this morning.

  Nycole’s dressed in a bright red sequined “clapper” dress that she wore last year for Halloween. Complete with matching feather.

  Kyndall’s dressed in an old hot pink dance dress with black polka dots and black sequined trim. Complete with black tap shoes…which are not quiet as she runs around on the tile in the hallway.

  Rylie’s dressed in her favorite Sleeping Beauty dress and matching plastic Sleeping Beauty shoes. Complete with a set of cat whiskers that her sisters must have drawn on her face while I was in the shower. I really hope they used the washable markers.

  I can’t help but feel underdressed. I glance down at my beautifully made “That’s What She Said” t-shirt and jean shorts.

  “So, do I need to go change? I didn’t know we were dressing up today.” I turn around slowly displaying my outfit. Nycole’s face lights up. “I know exactly what you can wear. Stay here,” she says bolting out of the room. When she re-enters, she’s holding one of my favorite dresses. I knew this is the one she would pick. It’s the one I wore for my last anniversary with Derek. It’s a sequined tube dress that’s nude in color with darker sequins sewn onto the mesh overlay. It’s beautiful. In her other hand she’s holding my favorite six inch T-strap champagne high heels. I shake my head at her and the wide grin on her face. “No way. The dress I’ll wear, but no shoes. I’ll break my ankle running around in those things.”

  Nycole nods her head in acceptance. “Deal. But you need to go put some makeup on and fix your hair. It would look pretty dumb to be dressed up with no make-up.” She throws the dress to me and points to my bedroom. Gee, thanks.

  “Fine.” I start to head into the other room to change. “But no whiskers on my face – I think that would also look dumb with my dress.” Stopping to look at Rylie I add, “But on you, my dear, they look gorgeous!” Rylie giggles and continues spinning around the room in her dress…something she’s been doing since I’ve been in here.

  I walk into my bathroom and turn on my curling iron. I dry my hair quickly and apply some make up. Just a little because I don’t want to look like I’m overdoing it. Not that the dress itself isn’t overkill enough. I slide the dress over my head and walk over to the full length mirror on my bathroom door. I turn from side to side and watch the dress swish back and forth hitting the middle of my thighs. I forgot how short this dress is. Yikes.

  I quickly add some loose curls to my hair and slide a light lip gloss over my lips. Smacking them together, I take a final look in the mirror, surprisingly pleased with the outcome of my efforts. Not bad for nine o’clock in the morning.

  “Alright girls,” I say, once again entering the living room. “Let’s get started!”

  All three girls stop what they’re doing and stare at me. I spin around and look back at them seeking approval. Nycole flashes me the thumbs up sign and a huge smile.

  “You look like a model, Mama!” Kyndall runs up and hugs my waist.

  “Mommy – you look so pretty!” Rylie exclaims as she runs to me and embraces my leg. I look down at them and smile. “Well, Blake isn’t going to know what to do with all of the beautiful Meyer girls this morning, is he?”

  Giggles ensue followed by high pitched shrieks when the doorbell rings. Great – we have absolutely nothing ready. I hope he isn’t too hungry.

  “Blake’s here! Blake’s here!” they all shout once again, trampling each other as they run out of the living room. Nycole reaches the door first and turns around to face them holding both hands in front of her signaling for them to calm down. “Shh! You’re both acting crazy. I’m not opening the door until you settle down.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.

  Once they’re quiet, Nycole gives then a quick nod and turns to open the door. As soon as they see Blake, Kyndall and Rylie push Nycole aside and run to him. He’s already crouched down, waiting for them, with four roses in his hand…three pink and one yellow with red tips along the petals.

  I raise my hand to my mouth to cover my smile. He never ceases to amaze me. I know the meaning of that yellow rose. It is symbolic of falling in love from friendship. I swallow the basketball lodged in my throat and giggle as the girls almost knock Blake over when they reach his open arms. He gives them a tight hug and then looks up at me. Releasing them, he stands up and smiles a sexy grin while approaching me. “This is for you.” He puts his arms around me gently and whispers in my ear, “You look beautiful, Alex.”

  I squeeze him a little tighter. “Thank you, Blake,” before letting him go. Stepping back from him, I accept the rose.

  Turning to the girls, Blake exclaims, “Well, don’t you all look gorgeous. I’m such a lucky man this morning to be surrounded by such beauty.” He takes the pink roses and gives one to each girl. “I couldn’t show up to our breakfast date without flowers. What kind of gentleman would I be if I didn’t bring roses?” He gives them a wink and they each grin back at him, all sniffing their roses.

  He looks at Rylie and chuckles. “Rylie, I love your whiskers. I didn’t think it was possible, but they make you look even more stunning.” She giggles and skips into the house with her rose.

  We all turn to follow her into the house. Blake reaches forward and gently hooks my hand from behind, causing me to turn around. His eyes move slowly up my body. When his eyes finally meet mine, he lets out a quick breath and gives me a sexy lop-sided smile. “Seriously, Alex…breathtaking.”

  I look him over for the first time this morning, noticing how handsome he looks. Trading his signature faded jeans for darker ones, he’s wearing a light blue button up dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the middle of his muscular forearms. I also notice his motorcycle boots have been replaced with black Kenneth Coles. He looks absolutely gorgeous. I bite my bottom lip to avoid drooling all over myself. “You look handsome as ever, Blake. Not that there’s ever a time when you don’t.”

  I glance over to my driveway. “No bike today?” He runs his hand through his hair as he turns to look as well. “Nope. I wouldn’t take the bike on a dress-up breakfast date. What kind of man do you take me for?” He turns back around and offers me another sexy grin. “The girls have been planning this one for a while;
you really should keep an eye on your cell phone, Alex.”

  Oh my devious, devious children.

  I shake my head and lightly laugh. “Good to know, on both accounts. I will definitely be putting a pass code on my phone ASAP.” I laugh again. “And we both saw what happened last time I tried to ride your bike in a skirt.” He lets out a laugh and I grin back at him. “Let’s get inside and see what else they have planned.”

  As I turn to enter the house, I notice that our hands are still joined. I continue to hold his hand until we enter the kitchen where the girls have already started the preparations for breakfast. When I let go, I make sure to give him a quick reassuring smile. He nods his head in understanding.

  When Blake approaches the stove, Rylie holds her little arms straight up in the air for him to pick her up. He gently lifts her and places her in her usual seat by the stove. “Not too close, Blake.” He looks back at me and laughs. He scoots her over a millimeter. Laughing under his breath, he turns to face me again. “Better?”

  I roll my eyes, walk over and slide her much further away. “Better.”

  He shakes his head and grabs the mixing bowl and the eggs from the counter. He cracks one and lets Rylie help break it open into the bowl. I leave them to it and turn to help Nycole and Kyndall. “Not the whole bag!” I shout as the last chocolate chip falls into the mix. They giggle together. “Sorry! We used both bags!”

  I try to suppress my laughter, but when I look at their not so innocent little faces, I break. “You guys are so bad!”

  They continue mixing the pancake ingredients. There are so many chocolate chips it takes both of them to stir the batter. I’m a little worried about how these pancakes are going to turn out. I think the two bags of chocolate chips are a recipe for disaster, literally.

  Walking over to the other side of Blake in front of the stove, I grab the skillet and the bacon. “I’m going to make the whole package. I’m starving and I think the girls have officially ruined the pancakes.” Blake turns his body slightly to watch Kyndall while she tries to mix the pancake batter by herself since Nycole has moved on to setting the table. We both laugh at her determined expression. “No, that seems about right. I remember her making that face last time.”