Fight Me

by Lacey Black

  I can’t believe I’m heading to the library tonight. It’s my weekend off, but it is booked solid. My sister, Avery, and Maddox, as well as my niece Brooklyn, are moving into their new house this weekend. Not exactly how I wanted to spend my first weekend off in the New Year, but they asked and I couldn’t say no. Maddox has been my partner on the police force for ten years and my best friend a hell of a lot longer. It was a pretty big shock to me when I found out before Thanksgiving that he was seeing my little sister behind my back.

  Avery’s had it rough the past few years. She dated this douchebag that ended up leaving her alone and pregnant. I thoroughly enjoyed punching him in the face, making sure he took the first swing so it didn’t get me in trouble with my job. The only good to come out of their relationship was my niece, Brooklyn. I love that little girl like she’s my own. She’s the spitting image of my sister and has Maddox wrapped around her finger.

  Maddox proposed to Avery a couple weeks back on Christmas morning. Honestly, it still weirds me out a little, but there’s no one better for my little sister than Maddox. He really is a good man with a huge heart, even if he is ten years older than she is. In the short time they’ve been together, I can tell how much he loves her. And as her oldest brother, that’s all I’ve ever wanted for her and Brooklyn.

  He put in an offer on the house of her dreams around Thanksgiving, and they closed on it last week. So here we are, the first weekend in the new year and I’m giving up my entire weekend to help them move in with the help of my other brothers, Nate, Will, and Travis. If I know my parents at all, they’ll be there helping; Mom bossing everyone around from the kitchen, and Dad entertaining Bean and keeping her out of the way.

  Brooklyn’s nickname was given to her at the hospital when she was born. Everyone argues over who came up with the nickname, and I’m pretty sure it was me. I am her favorite uncle, after all.

  As I finish buttoning up the shirt I’m wearing for the evening, I text Maddox to confirm he’s still coming to this shindig tonight.

  You’re still coming, right?

  Yes. Cap will kill us if we don’t show.

  I know. Do you think they’ll have beer there?

  Uhhh, probably not. It’s at the public library.

  Shit. I should drink before I go.

  Don’t even think about it. You show up hung over tomorrow when we’re moving and your sister will kill both of us!

  I chuckled out loud at the image of my five foot seven little sister getting in Maddox’s face and letting him have it. She’d have to stand on a stepstool to even get close to his six foot plus frame, but she’d do it in a heartbeat. And he’d let her without as much as a word back at her. He’s fucking whipped.

  You’re right. I don’t want to piss her off.

  Good man. See you in a little bit.

  Yep.

  I slip my phone into my pocket and grab my keys before heading out my back door. My old 1986 Chevy pick-up is in the driveway. I love this truck. I get my love for older cars and trucks from my dad. With his help about ten years ago, right after I was discharged from the military, I put a lot of time and money into bringing this truck back to life. I slide in the driver’s seat, throw the shifter in reverse, and head out towards the library. This night is definitely going to suck.

  I find a parking spot in the back of the full lot and head inside. People are everywhere, talking over the person next to them. I start to push my way through the crowd but everyone there seems to want to chat. It takes me thirty minutes to even get into the main part of the library to find Maddox.

  I see him standing against the far wall with a few of our fellow officers. I head in their direction, trying to avoid making eye contact with anyone else so I don’t get stopped. I keep my head down and barrel through the crowd.

  When I finally get over to the guys, we all shake hands. “You ready for the move tomorrow?” I ask Maddox.

  “Yeah, I think so. My house has been boxed up for a couple of weeks now since I’ve been staying over at Avery’s. I put Brooklyn to bed tonight so Avery could stay up and finish all the last minute packing. I think we’ll be all ready to go by eight when everyone is supposed to get there.”

  “I’ll be there by eight, maybe earlier. You gonna have coffee ready?”

  “Of course. Not saying we’ll be able to find the cups, but the coffee pot is the last thing Avery’s planning on packing.” Maddox smiles at the mention of his fiancée’s name.

  “Alright. Did James call you?”

  “Yep. He’s taking his pickup and trailer to my place. Will and Travis are going to meet him there and work on loading up my house. Nate is coming to Avery’s and the three of us will work on her place.”

  “Sounds like you have it planned out pretty well. I threw my tie-down straps in the bed of the truck tonight so I should be ready for tomorrow. Anything else you can think of that I should bring?”

  “Nope. I don’t think so. Sunday is when I’ll need the most help.”

  “More help than all the manual labor you’re getting tomorrow?”

  Maddox smiles at me. “Yep. Sunday we’re putting together the man cave.”

  Ah, yes. The man cave. It’s my favorite feature in the house he bought for Avery. There’s a large room and shop on the back of their two car garage that is perfect for a couch, big screen television, fridge, and maybe a pool table. It’s the room I look forward to frequenting as much as I can.

  Just then someone thumps a microphone and encourages the crowd to quiet down. Mayor Thorsten is standing at the front of the library by the front desk at a make-shift podium. “Good evening, fine citizens of Rivers Edge. So glad you could all join us this evening.” The crowd gives him a round of applause.

  “Tonight, we are honoring the forty-five years of service that Mrs. Mabel Masterson has given to the fine folks of Rivers Edge.” Mabel is standing up next to the Mayor, scowling at the crowd there to honor her. “Mabel has dedicated her life to serving you all in the educational capacity and has turned our fine library into a wonderful place to read and learn. Mabel, would you like to say something?” He turns and looks at Mabel who in turn gives him a sour look like she just sucked on a lemon.

  “Well then, thank you for all coming this evening and helping wish Mabel Masterson a happy retirement.” Another round of applause.

  “And now, I’d like to introduce Mabel’s replacement as librarian. She’s no stranger to our fine town, having lived here for part of a year during her youth. She comes to us from Jackson, Mississippi where she’s been an assistant librarian for the past four years. Please help me welcome, Miss Erin Anderson.”

  The applause around me fades away until I can’t hear anything. I stare at the front of the library as Erin, my Erin, walks up to stand next to Mayor Thorsten. What the hell? Erin is the new librarian?

  “Thank you, Mayor Thorsten. I look forward to getting reacquainted with the residents of Rivers Edge and continuing the fine service this library offers the community.” Her voice is light and happy. Her fiery red hair is barely contained by a clip, and her emerald green eyes scan the crowd. She has a big smile on her face that only seems to enhance her beauty. I can’t help but stare at the simple radiance of this woman. The woman I’ve barely stopped thinking about since the day I ran into her in the grocery store last fall.

  “Thank you all for coming tonight, everyone,” she says as she waves and starts to walk away from the podium. I continue to watch her as she scans the crowd, taking in all the faces in front of her. But when her green eyes slam into mine, my chest tightens and my breath catches in my throat. Her startled green eyes quickly look away as she walks towards a woman and begins talking.

  I continue to stare at her, watching her, as she chats with townsfolk. She glances up once and my equally surprised eyes lock with hers. I couldn’t look away from her if I tried. She quickly diverts her attention back to those she’s speaking with. I turn back towards Maddox; the smiling, very smug face of my best friend.r />
  “See something you like, my friend?”

  “Screw you. I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I mumble.

  “Sure you don’t,” he says as he slaps my back and chuckles. “Just so you know, I said the same thing when I was fighting my feelings for your sister.” And with that he turns and walks away.

  I stand there for a moment, watching his retreating back as he heads towards another group of people. Out of all the people in Rivers Edge, I finally find someone that I can’t get out of my head. Someone who invades my thoughts day and night. Someone who, apparently, still hates my guts. Erin Anderson. What the hell do I do now?

  Chapter Two

  Erin

  It’s been the longest night of shaking hands and making small talk. There are only a few faces I actually remember from all those years ago when I lived that short time in Rivers Edge. But of all those faces, the one I remember the most was staring at me half the night: Jake Stevens.

  I’ve managed to avoid him over the last couple of months since my arrival in town. Well, with the exception of that time in the grocery store. He didn’t even remember who I was. That should tell me exactly what kind of person he is. He doesn’t care whose life he tried to ruin in school. Okay, so maybe I’m being a little dramatic. Fine. But seeing Jake tonight - in my library of all places - has my stomach all in knots and my brain a little out of whack.

  I decide to help the caterers clean up the messes on the tables and around on the bookshelves that was left by all the residents of Rivers Edge who stopped by tonight. Honestly, I am a little surprised by the amount of people who showed up. I remember how grumpy and impersonal Mabel Masterson was when I was in school here twenty years ago, and she definitely hasn’t changed any. I’ve spent the past two months learning the ins and outs of the library from her. Getting her to talk to me was like pulling teeth. I guess I’m just going to have to learn as I go. Trial by fire? No problem. I’m up for it!

  As I drag the garbage can to the next table, I catch bits and pieces of a conversation behind me. I know whose voice it is but I choose at this moment to ignore him. If I don’t acknowledge him, maybe he’ll just go away?

  “Hey, Erin. Good to see you again. I know I’ve said it before, but welcome back to Rivers Edge.” I turn to face Maddox Jackson who is sliding his coat on, apparently ready to head out the door. He’s standing with a few guys who look familiar, but I can’t think of their names, and Jake.

  “Thanks for coming, Maddox. I’ll see you around,” I say as I turn back to the table I’m clearing.

  I hear Jake say good-bye to his friends, but don’t turn around again to see who from the group is actually leaving. Don’t turn around. Don’t you dare turn around.

  “So, a librarian, huh?”

  Don’t turn around. “Yep,” I say, still trying to focus all of my attention on clearing the plates and cups from the table.

  “I can see that about you.”

  “What does that mean?” I ask defensively as I whip around to face him. I didn’t realize how close he was to me. We’re standing barely a foot apart. My eyes go wide with the realization that we’re so close. I look up and up into his stunning blue eyes. He’s taller than I remember him, definitely over six feet. Depending on what shoes I’m wearing or whether or not you’re looking at my driver’s license, I’m just a handful of inches over the five foot mark. My hands fling to my hips, taking a defiant stance, ready to do battle with Jake Stevens.

  “Nothing,” he says with both arms up as if waving the white flag in surrender. “I just meant that I could see you as a librarian. You always liked reading and books.”

  I turn my attention back to the table I was clearing. “You know nothing about me, Jake.”

  He sighs and is quiet for a few moments. I start to think maybe he has gotten the hint and walked away. “You’re right. I know nothing about you. Anymore. I used to know you.”

  “Even then, you knew nothing about me. You thought you knew me twenty years ago based on a few months of school and a few small encounters. I wasn’t your friend then, and I’m not your friend now.” I realize I’ve been wiping the same spot over and over again, but I can’t seem to calm down enough to do another task.

  He’s quiet as he stands behind me. I hear him clear his throat before he says, “You’re right. Good night, Erin.” Then he turns around and walks out of the library.

  I’m left standing there, looking at the place he just stood, and wondering if I’ll ever really get over Jake Stevens. It’s not like I’m in love with him or anything. I just don’t know if I will ever get past the hurt and anger I’ve carried around with me for twenty years. And for the first time in the past two months, I question whether coming back to Rivers Edge was the right choice.

  *****

  After all the patrons have left, all the food is cleaned up and removed, and the doors are locked up for the night, it’s finally time for me to head home. Tomorrow is the first official day that I take over as Librarian. I’m excited and a little nervous knowing that Mrs. Masterson won’t be around to answer any questions that I may have. Though, she didn’t really help answer my questions before, so I guess it’s really just another day at the office.

  I pull into the driveway of the large house I’ve been renting for the past few months and kill the engine. I got this old house for a steal after Mr. Johnson passed away last spring. Mrs. Johnson couldn’t keep up with the day-to-day upkeep of the large house and her family finally convinced her to move into assisted living care.

  I’ve been putting all of my free time and extra money into updating some things around the place. I’ve painted almost every room which already breathes new life into the old, worn out home. I’ve also painted the cabinets in the kitchen, updated lighting fixtures, and purchased new outlet covers. I have a handful of new outlets, but I’m not ready to tackle those by myself just yet. I’ll find someone who knows a little about electrical and pay them to help me. Eventually, I’d love to rip up the old carpeting in the living room and refinish the hardwood floors underneath, but that’s still a little ways out there. All in all, I think I’m doing pretty well learning new home improvement skills thanks to a couple of How-To books I found at the library.

  I walk in the familiar front door and deposit my work satchel down on the foyer table. I was also lucky that the Johnson’s left a ton of furniture for me to rummage through. The older, eclectic furnishings fit right in with the older home charm. I hear the soft “meow” before I see my Siamese cat, Miss Whiskers, stroll in from the living room. She arches her back and stretches like I just busted her from one of her many daily naps. She’s a lazy cat, but I love her all the same.

  “Hi, Miss Whiskers. Did you miss me today?” I ask as I pick my kitty up off the old floor and rub my nose along the top of her soft head, nuzzling her pointed ears.

  I rescued Miss Whiskers from a shelter back in Jackson, Mississippi where I was living prior to coming to Rivers Edge. I was a resident of Jackson for almost twenty years before I finally decided to broaden my horizons and move away from the only place I’ve ever really called home. It was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make, but I’m comfortable with the changes, the move, and my life in Rivers Edge.

  I love snuggling up to Miss Whiskers; the feel of her heart beating against my chest and the sound of her joyous purrs. I’ve never considered myself a cat person. Heck, I’ve never been able to have a pet before, not even a fish. When I was younger and moving around so much, my parents didn’t want to deal with a pet on top of relocating. So, as soon as I was living on my own, I went to the shelter and adopted my baby girl.

  I walk into my kitchen and set Miss Whiskers down on the floor by her dish. There’s still a little water in her dish, but she’s out of food. Miss Whiskers is a high maintenance cat – only eats fancy wet food. I’ve tried to break her of this eating habit, but every time I put dry food in her bowl, she refuses to eat any of it and just meows as loud as she possibly can. Ye
p, she’s a food snob.

  Miss Whiskers starts to meow at me as I step over to the sink to top off her water bowl. When I get to the counter, I slip on the floor, almost falling down.

  “What in the world?” I open the cabinet under the sink and see the water streaming down from the old pipe. “Great!”

  I reach into a drawer and pull out all the hand towels I have and lay them out on the floor to soak up the water. What do I do now? I search my memory for anything in those How To books that talked about water leaks. Nothing. I have no idea what to do so I grab a large bowl and stick it under the leak. There. Done.

  Except I can’t leave it like this all night.

  I really don’t want to call a plumber at this point on a Friday night, knowing it will cost a higher overnight or weekend rate. Mrs. Johnson’s daughter won’t be able to help me, and she lives forty-five minutes away anyway. The only person I can think of to call for help is Maddox. He gave me his phone number when I ran into him at the hardware store a couple of months back, offering his help anytime I might need it. Well, I think this qualifies.

  I grab my phone and pull up his number. I cringe when I look up at the clock on the stove and notice it’s well after ten o’clock. It was ringing for the third time and I start to get nervous, ready to hang up. Maybe he’s already asleep? I’m calling later than I ever wanted to call anyone’s house knowing they have a family at home sleeping.

  “Hello?” A woman answers sounding very tired.

  “Good evening. This is Erin Anderson, and I’m so sorry to call so late at night. Is Maddox available by chance?”

  “He’s right here. Hold on a second, Erin.” I hear muffled voices talking and assume she puts her hand over the phone while she talks to Maddox.

  “Hello?”

  “Hi, Maddox. I’m so, so sorry for calling you so late at night but I have a little problem.”