A Broken Forever

by Megan Noelle

  “Was it an old guy?” I asked, laughing.

  “Nah, younger dude. It was his Granddad’s or something. He passed away and left it to this kid. For years I guess he kept it and wanted to fix it up but it never happened. He had one condition on me buying the car, and that was when it was finished he wanted to take a ride in it. So his Granddad could be there to see his baby in top shape again.”

  “Did you ever go back?”

  Stefan nodded proudly. “He was the first person I called. We both had a connection to it; he with his Granddad and well, it was my first car and the one we practically lived in.”

  My cheeks blushed furiously. “Yeah, we kind of did. It was sad to see it go.”

  “It was, I found a lot of other ones similar to it, but I was very specific. It had to be that 1964 Cadillac Eldorado we had. Color didn’t matter as much, I had no problem painting it something I liked better. Anyway, I don’t take her out too much, but if we’re going old school, I could think of no better car.”

  “It’s perfect,” I beamed at him. I stepped up to my side but Stefan still leaned against my door.

  “What?” I asked as he narrowed his eyes at me.

  “You’re wearing my hat.”

  I bit down on the inside of my cheek to suppress the smile I felt oncoming. “Actually, it’s mine.”

  His hands reached up to grasp the sides. “I believe I know my own hat, Greyson Rose. Besides, I remember putting it on you just like this. You were so cute in it, I had no choice but to give it to you. I’d never look that good in it.”

  The smile I had been trying to hold back came out even wider than anticipated. “I think you pulled it off fine.”

  “I’ll bet,” he said with a smirk. Moving away from the door he pulled the handle and opened it wide.

  “Let’s go, pretty girl. We have a game to get to.”

  He didn’t have to tell me twice as I slid onto the bench and watched him walk around the car, and jump over the side into his seat. Flashing me a grin he flipped on the radio and off we rode. It seemed the closer we got to the stadium the closer together we sat on the Caddy bench. Finally, I was close enough that Stefan’s arm came down around the seat and held me into his side. We never stopped joking, and we never stopped laughing.

  We found a spot near Fenway Park and the bubbling excitement between us was combustible. Our arms locked together at the elbow for the walk and the only time we let go was when we had to walk through one at a time after giving our tickets to the gate keepers. Before we found our seats we maneuvered around the swarms of people to load up with some of our favorite ballpark treats.

  Until we reached the concessions, Stefan reached his hand backward and without a second thought, I took it. It was easy to get separated in these crowds and there was nothing I wanted more than to stay near him.

  Loading up with nachos, hot dogs, popcorn, peanuts, and a couple beers we made our way to the seats. I purposely selected the bleacher seats that were directly off the outfield. There wasn’t an overload of people all the time and I was more than relieved. Not that it would have mattered honestly, all I saw was Stefan. That stunning smile, his sparkling eyes, and the way he looked in a pair of jeans and t-shirt. It had been a while since I had really looked at his body but for some reason today, I couldn’t look away.

  His biceps were big enough to stand out, but not too oversized that he looked fake. His forearms were tan, and toned with nothing but hard muscle underneath. My eyes wandered over his shirt as I tried to imagine what his pecks looked like, and if his stomach matched the rest of his body. The only way I could get myself to cool down from the thoughts of his body was by taking another sip of beer. Although, that only seemed to be making it worse.

  Stefan’s arm either wound around my waist or held my shoulders tight to his side. His hands found any excuse to touch me; holding my knee, pinching my thigh, and every other little thing he could. Not that it bothered me, I found myself doing the same thing. My hands always grabbed onto his arms, or brushed against his chest. It was addicting to graze my fingers against his body and each time it sparked a fire deep within.

  At one point a pop fly headed directly toward our section but reached the very back row. Everyone ran to get it but we stayed in our seats, looking to each other laughing along with the rest.

  The game ended and I could hardly remember the score. All I could recall was that it was already one of our best days. Walking back toward the car, Stefan stopped walking, squatted down an inch or so and let me hop on. My arms locked tightly around his chest, my chin settled against his shoulder as he squeezed my thighs the entire walk. A bittersweet mood hung over us as soon as we reached the Caddy. Saying goodbye to the perfect day was the last thing either of us wanted.

  We sat silently for a few minutes in the car before he put the keys into the ignition. I sat with my hands in my lap, anxiously awaiting Stefan to start the car and bring me home. He looked my way and I cautiously looked over to meet his eyes.

  “I’m starving.”

  I let out a nervous giggle. “Yeah, me too.” My palms began to sweat and my heart raced as I watched him.

  “What do you say we get something to eat?”

  I shrugged, trying to hold back the explosion of happiness in my soul. “Sure, what’d you have in mind?”

  His thoughtful expression transformed into a devilishly sexy grin. “Oh, I have the best idea.”

  “Spill it!”

  “Let’s stop at a store and get the fixings to make your favorite thing.”

  “What would that be?” I asked, suddenly clueless as to what that might be.

  Stefan’s face transformed to shock. “Don’t tell me you have changed that much, Greyson Rose. I’m talking about homemade pizza with extra cheese, as much meat as we can get on there, and black olives.”

  “I haven’t changed, that’s still my favorite. I just haven’t had it that way in a while.” I wanted to completely avoid using Richard’s name, and from the slow nod of Stefan’s head, he understood.

  “Which way is it being made now?”

  “The crust is rolled out more, the sauce is organic and the veggies far outweigh the meats.”

  Stefan’s face scrunched up with disgust. “Let me guess, there’s no extra cheese is there?”

  “Nope.”

  “Bonus points if I get this right, but I’ll bet there is usually wine to go with it. Instead of the delicious combo of beer and pizza.”

  My face lit up with a laugh. “You got it.”

  “Well then, my bonus points will be redeemed now. And that means you can’t say no to homemade pizza.”

  “I’m okay with that.” I felt my eyelashes flutter flirtatiously.

  “Good.” Stefan’s eyes scanned over my body, lingering a little longer upon the bare skin on my thighs. I should have smacked him for it, or told him to bring me home instead. What I shouldn’t have done was like it.

  “Now get over here.” He opened his arm to me again, and half a second later I was next to him. That was the second thing I shouldn’t have done, but there were no other options in my mind. Back in Stefan’s arms was where I needed to be.

  He drove off to a local market and during the drive his hand curled around my shoulder. My fingers moved tenderly in a pattern on his thigh. After a few moments I realized that it wasn’t just any random pattern.

  I had been tracing a square.

  With our pizza makings in the backseat, Stefan put the car in the direction of our next destination. It wasn’t until that moment that I realized I was going to be spending the evening at Stefan’s home.

  My sudden nervous tension reached an all-time max as Stefan steered the Caddy into the underground garage.

  “This is where you live?”

  From the outside the place was stunning, of course. Countless floors of expansive windows, high end amenities; a home like this was the epitome of luxurious living. A couple years back I had been researching potential places for me and Ri
chard to live. This place had captured my attention immediately; catered dining room, spa, heated pool, and your own little movie theater right there. Everything about it had been right, except the price, and that was where that dream had ended.

  As we pulled into Stefan’s specified parking space it wasn’t those things that made me as my question. It was the distance from my house.

  Stefan observed my stunned reaction from the corner of his eye. “I do.”

  “Did you move here, on purpose?” I stuttered the words out. Watching me, keeping tabs on my life, he made it all sound so harmless. Was it?

  Stefan’s luxury penthouse style apartment was miles away from my home. Miles, as in, less than five from my house. If one were to drive, it would take under ten minutes to get from his place to mine. This couldn’t be a coincidence, could it?

  “I didn’t move here on purpose, Greyson. Frankly, it wouldn’t have mattered where I lived, I still would have watched over you. This place had everything I needed, and much more than I would probably ever use. It caught my eye and when I came to view it, I knew I had to call this home. When I first realized how closely we lived, I immediately worried. I wanted to see you again but I was terrified that I would see you out and about in your everyday life. Not just the way I saw you with your co-workers from the salon. If I would have seen you grocery shopping with your new sweetheart, it would have killed me.”

  “So why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

  He shrugged. “Honestly, I don’t know. I suppose I just feared we’d have this conversation in my mind it would go much worse than it is.”

  “I…” Was at a complete loss for words. Stefan had been honest about things thus far and had no reason to doubt that now. I just couldn’t believe all along he was living mere minutes away. “It’s just so…”

  “Implausible.” He finished.

  Nodding my head, I agreed. “Yeah, it’s just such a strange coincidence.”

  Stefan shrugged. “Maybe, or maybe it isn’t. I didn’t do this on purpose, but what are the chances?” Looking to him I saw what he was implying. While it wasn’t the most believable reasoning, it still left me thinking the same.

  “Destiny.” The word blew from my lungs on a whisper. Saying aloud didn’t feel strange as I had expected it would, it felt…true.

  “Let’s get inside. I’m so ready for some pizza and I’d love to show you around.”

  I nodded, following his actions of exiting the car as he took the bags from the trunk. We made our way to the elevator and as the doors opened Stefan motioned me forward.

  “After you, pretty girl.” My legs hesitated. The overpowering range of emotions suddenly settled in. Here I was, at Stefan’s personal home. There weren’t numerous employees within ear shot, and no one knew we were here together. It was impossible to stand my ground that this was purely a friend thing anymore. The tension between us had amplified all day and I knew there was no mistaking it, this tension was wholly sexual. My intentions were innocent but at the back of my mind I knew getting into this elevator would change it all.

  “Grey?” Stefan asked after a few moments passed.

  “Yeah?” I asked, looking into his face.

  The sapphire of his eyes deepened, it almost looked as if a fire had ignited within him.

  “Are you going to get in?”

  Looking from the empty parking garage, to Stefan’s face, I finally nodded. “Yes.”

  One foot over the threshold and I knew there was no turning back.

  From the first step I had in Stefan’s place, I was in complete awe of how breathtaking it was. Floor to ceiling windows provided a stunning backdrop for his place. Above the dining room was an office that looked over onto the exquisitely decorated living room. Beautifully colored paintings hung all over the white walls providing the place with a homey feel. The kitchen was designed with granite counter tops, top of the line stainless steel appliances and black cupboards.

  At one point I realized Stefan was talking to me, but I hadn’t registered a single thing. My mouth gaped open as I took in the expansive glory of the walls surrounding me. Stefan’s chuckle drew me from my endless admiration. He watched me with his arms crossed over his chest, and delight dancing in his eyes.

  “What do you think?”

  “It’s spectacular. It must feel like a dream to live here.” He shrugged, the smile on his lips never wavered.

  “I do love it, but sometimes it would be nice to have someone to share it with.”

  “It would get pretty lonely.” I agreed.

  “It certainly does. Now what do you say we get started on that pizza?”

  “I don’t know.” I stammered. Stefan’s eyebrow rose as he leaned against the beautifully clean counter top. “I want to, but, we might get the kitchen dirty. It’s just so pretty.” The stars in my eyes were undoubtedly sparkling as I looked around.

  Stefan laughed out loud, shaking his head. “Oh my sweet Grey. That is perfectly okay, trust me.”

  “Alright, if you say so.”

  “I do, now are you thirsty? I have more beer here than I should probably admit.”

  I smiled, nodding. “I’ll help you get rid of some so you don’t feel so bad about it.”

  Emerging from the fridge with two beers in hand he smirked. “Thank you. I knew you’d always have my back.”

  Removing the tops, he handed me one and extended his toward mine. I didn’t need to ask what he meant as I clinked my bottle neck with his.

  “Cheers,” we both mumbled. Tilting my head back I drank down more than necessary. As I pulled the bottle from my lips I saw Stefan watching my ceaselessly. Cautiously he closed the space between us, placed his beer down, and took hold of my hips. I felt the wind escape me as I stood perfectly still, unsure of what to do. Suddenly I was off the floor and seated on top of the granite counter.

  “You sit right up here and wait while I get the ingredients started.” A mix of disappointment and relief washed over me as I nodded. “How about some music?”

  “Yeah, sounds fine.”

  He pulled out his phone, found the playlist and instead of the phone speaker sound I expected; the music played from all around the apartment. I whipped my head around to locate the sound source and felt ridiculously like a curious pet as I did.

  “Pretty cool, huh?” He asked with a wink.

  “Well you just have all the fancy stuff, don’t you?”

  He bobbed his shoulders, while his action focused on the groceries bag of supplies. “Gotta do something with my money now, don’t I?”

  I rolled my eyes and his laugh said I gave just the reaction he wanted.

  “Has anyone ever told you just how damn cute you are?” Stefan asked, and I flashed my biggest smile.

  “Not lately.”

  “That’s a real shame.”

  I wanted to respond but figured it would be best to just leave it alone. Instead I focused my attention on Stefan’s food preparation; turning on the oven, preparing the pan, and chopping up the meat for the pizza. I drank my beer and laughed with him as we talked. Stefan’s steady hands chopped the ingredients, and his forearm muscles tensed and I couldn’t look away. After I had finished two beers I felt my blood race with a fire that suddenly burned within. I needed to be closer to him, but I couldn’t explain the feeling more than. I knew I wasn’t drunk by any means, but the liquor seemed to successfully make any reservations fade away.

  Stefan reached up to look for something in the cupboards making the bottom of his shirt rise up. My eyes fixated on the tan exposed skin and just before his shirt came back down I saw a deliciously deep line plunge from his hip to the front of his jeans. My throat dried instantly. I hopped down from the counter and was about to go to the fridge to chug copious amounts of water.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” Stefan wrapped his hand around my wrist and pulled me to his side.

  “Water.” I stammered. “I’m thirsty. I was just going to get some water.” Stefan’s eyes
gleamed as he brought me closer.

  “Later, I need your help.”

  On the counter I saw what he had been reaching for, a bag of flour sat open. He reached in, sprinkled a handful onto a small area of the counter then held the bag out to me. I eyed him suspiciously, only making him smile more.

  “We’re going to work out the pizza dough together. You need to get flour on your hands so they don’t stick. Do you seriously not remember any of this, Greyson Rose?”

  Suddenly I was able to recall our past traditions, and it was true, we always did this part together. The problem was that we needed to get very close and I wasn’t sure I could handle that. At least not with my hormones spiking up.

  “Stef…” He heard my excuse coming and shook his head.

  “You want pizza? You gotta work for it.”

  I saw the glimmer of a challenge in his eyes. “Fine.” I caved in, and grabbed a small bit of flour. After rubbing it between my hands over the pile already spread out, Stefan grabbed the fresh ball of dough and rolled it around.

  With one hand on the dough, he extended the other arm to let me in. When I was standing directly in front of him brought his arm back to enclose me in his arms.

  “Hold on one sec.” He said, I didn’t move. Frankly, I hardly let myself breathe. Every inhale was an intoxicating fill of everything Stefan. My body jumped as his hand closed around my ring finger. His soft laugh vibrated my body as goosebumps rose over every inch of my skin.

  Carefully he slid the diamond ring from my finger and set it down next to the sink. “Calm down, Grey. You probably don’t want to get this dirty. Not to mention, I don’t want to crunch on a diamond later.”

  “Oh yeah.” Was all I managed to get out.

  Stefan’s hands reached for the dough as his arms squeezed me tight. My hands did the same but my mind could care less what was happening with the pizza. Delicately we began to knead it together, our hands moved together the way they had every time before. His muscles tensed around me in a gentle massage and the focus I tried to keep was fading away. Stefan took charge of the dough, working it out. My hands gave up trying on my own, but cautiously I slid my hands over his, letting the movements he made guide me. He squeezed his arms tighter against my waist. A deep growl rumbled deep within his chest, making my body shiver and my knees shake.