Fight Me

by Lacey Black

  “First off, there was no one there and the ones that came in, we heard right away. And second, when I feel the need to round the bases in the back of the library, I guarantee you will be begging me for that homerun, darlin’.”

  I have to restrain from fanning myself from the incredible heat permeating from the inside of the truck. No one has ever talked to me the way Jake does. It’s controlling and edgy and sexy as hell. And I think I like it. I just can’t let him know that. “Whatever. Just make sure that if you come back to the library, you’re there to check out books.”

  “Deal.”

  When we pull into the parking lot, I see it’s just as busy as it used to be on Saturday nights. There are probably tons of locals in there, ready to drop a title onto whatever this night is between Jake and I. Is it an official date? I mean, it’s just dinner amongst old classmates.

  “What’s wrong? You just got this funny look on your face.”

  “Nothing.”

  “Tell me,” he demands without moving from the truck.

  “I was just noticing that it’s pretty busy and thinking that maybe we should go somewhere else less crowded.”

  “This place is always busy. You don’t want to be seen with me? Somewhere so public where someone could start to ask questions?”

  What the hell? Is he a freaking mind reader? “No. I just assumed we’d have a long wait.”

  Jake turns in the seat, grabbing my hand in his much larger one. “Listen to me, darlin’. Don’t lie to me or beat around the bush. When I ask what’s on your mind, I want to know. If you’re worried about what everyone is going to think, then say that. We can go somewhere else, but promise me that you’ll be 100% straight with me all the time, even if it’s something you think I don’t want to hear.”

  I realize that he’s right. Trying to sugar coat everything is one of my many flaws as a person. I’ve always been the people pleaser, the peacemaker. “Okay. I promise.” I take a deep breath and look in his crystal blue eyes. “Let’s go inside.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. I can handle whatever this town has to throw at me.” Jake gives me a lopsided grin as he brings my hand that he’s still holding up to his lips. He places a feather light kiss on the outside of my hand.

  “That’s my girl,” Jake says as he gets out of his truck and walks around to open my door.

  “One more thing, I am not your girl,” I throw over my shoulder as we walk towards the front door of the restaurant.

  When we step inside, I am pleasantly surprised there isn’t too much of a crowd waiting for seats. I walk towards the hostess stand with Jake right behind me. The girl looks up at me with a smile on her face. Then she seems to notice Jake and instantly frowns. “Jake Stevens,” she says with disdain dripping from those two little words.

  “Hello, Lauren. We’d like a table for two, please.”

  “Huh. Are you going to get cold feet halfway through the dinner and bail on her too?”

  “Lauren,” Jake says with a look that means business. If he was interrogating me right now, I’d probably confess all my secrets just based off of that one look.

  “Jake,” she spits back at him, narrowing her eyes into tiny slits.

  I can’t believe the conversation I’m bearing witness to. To Jake’s credit, he’s trying to not make a scene, but Lauren does not seem to have the same self-control.

  “Hi. Obviously you two know each other and that’s great and all, but I’m wondering how long of a wait it is for a table,” I ask the hostess, trying to redirect her attention.

  She sighs dramatically as she turns her attention back on me. “It’ll be about ten to fifteen minutes.”

  “Great. I guess you already know what name to put down on the table. Thanks.”

  “Good luck, honey. He ain’t even worth a fraction of the rumors you heard about him,” she says as she turns to seat a couple in front of us.

  I turn towards Jake whose jaw is tight with tension. “What rumors?” I ask in a whisper.

  “I’m assuming she’s talking about the ‘easy, only looking for a one night stand’ rumors.”

  “You were looking for more from her?”

  “No. She was looking for the one night stand. I wasn’t interested. Apparently, she’s still a little upset.”

  “Apparently.”

  We make small talk until our name is called - called rather rudely if you ask me - and we’re shown to our table. Laverne’s Steakhouse has been a staple in Rivers Edge since it opened almost thirty years ago. Besides their signature steaks, they offer a wide selection of entrees including chicken, fish, and pork. Plus, their cheddar rolls are to die for!

  I shuck my coat as I slide into the booth, cautious to not get myself tangled up in it. A few moments later, our server arrives with menus and glasses of ice water.

  “My name is Chris. What can I get you folks to drink tonight?” she asks, pen ready to write our drink orders on her pad of paper.

  “I’ll have a light beer. Whatever you have on draft is fine.”

  “Same,” Jake replies.

  “Appetizer?”

  “Yeah, do the variety platter, please,” Jake tells Chris.

  “I’ll be right back with your drinks and to take your orders,” Chris says as she turns to walk away.

  “Light beer?” he asks with a raised eyebrow.

  “What? Doesn’t everyone like beer?”

  “No. No, they don’t. I don’t think I’ve ever been with someone who hasn’t ordered a big fruity drink.”

  “Well, then maybe you’re hanging out with the wrong kind of people,” I say with a pointed look.

  “Maybe,” he says with a small smile on his face. “So what looks good to you?” he asks as he redirects his attention back to the menu.

  “Oh, you don’t come to Laverne’s Steakhouse and order anything other than the steak.”

  Jake looks up and just stares at me. I start to feel a little self conscious about my appearance. Maybe I have something on my face? “What?” I finally ask when I can’t take it any longer.

  “Nothing. It’s just that you haven’t been here in twenty years.”

  “True. But twenty years ago, I used to come here with my parents at least once every few weeks and I remember that their steak was the only thing on the menu worth getting. Don’t get me wrong, everything else that I’ve tried was good, but their steak was out of this world. I’ve never forgotten that.”

  “It’s still that good. I came here a few weeks back with my family to celebrate Avery and Maddox’s engagement.”

  “How did those two get together anyway? There’s a bit of an age difference, isn’t there?”

  Chris delivers our beers at that moment. “What can I get you guys?”

  “I’d like the signature steak with mushroom and onions, medium. Twice baked potato and steamed vegetables, please.”

  “I’ll have the exact same,” Jake adds.

  After Chris leaves us with a basket of the delicious cheddar rolls that I’ve been fantasizing about for the past twenty minutes, Jake dives back into his story. “There is definitely an age difference between them. She’s ten years younger than us. They started sneaking around behind my back last fall.”

  I about choke on my beer I was just starting to sip. “They were sneaking around?”

  “Completely behind my back. I almost killed him. Smashed my fist into his face a few times, too.”

  “Wow. Didn’t see that one coming.”

  “Yeah, me neither. But I guess when I really look at it, they’re great together. He treats her and her daughter like the princesses they are and that’s all I’ve ever wanted for my sister.”

  “That’s great.”

  “Yeah, he’s a great guy. He’s adopting Bean as soon as they’re married.”

  “When’s the wedding?” I ask in between bites of roll.

  “March first.”

  “As in this March first?”

  “Yep. What does that gi
ve us? Three, four weeks?”

  “Wow. Quickie wedding.”

  “Yeah, but they have good reason. Avery’s ex is a true douchebag and hasn’t ever been a part of Brooklyn’s life. Maddox is filling that daddy role and loves every minute of it. He asked me to be his best man a couple of weeks ago. I can’t wait.”

  “That’s wonderful that you both have managed to maintain a close friendship throughout your youth. He was always a nice kid in school.”

  “Unlike me, right?” he asks without looking up from his bread roll.

  I have no idea how to answer him but know he wants an honest answer. “You always seemed nice to everyone else. But to me, you seemed mean and spiteful.” It’s hard to swallow over the lump in my throat.

  “Well, that’s probably somewhat accurate. Though, I wasn’t as mean and spiteful as you think I was. I always liked to tease you and get a rise out of you. You’ve always had this incredibly sexy blush.”

  “I was in seventh grade,” I say dryly.

  “Okay, so it was cute back then. Now, it’s sexy.”

  “So, you picked on me just to embarrass me?”

  “Yep. Well, that and because -” Jake is cut off as our waitress arrives with our steaks.

  “So you were saying?”

  “I enjoyed flirting with you.”

  “Don’t try to butter me up, Jake.”

  “You know back in grade school when boys liked girls and so they picked on them?”

  “Yes.” Jake raises his eyebrow at me. “No way. I was short and boney. I had frizzy red hair and big horrible glasses. There’s no way you actually liked me.”

  “You were cute.”

  “I was horrible. I don’t believe you.”

  “Oh, believe it, darlin’. I did everything I could to get your attention that year. You were adorable and so genuine. Like now.”

  “I don’t need you turning on the charm, Jake.”

  “You think I’m charming?” he asks with another huge smile.

  “You know you are,” I reply dryly as I cut my steak.

  When I take a bite, it’s like a rainbow of flavor bursting in my mouth. I moan as I slowly chew, savoring every bite of the tender choice cut of beef. After I’m done chewing, I look up and see Jake’s eyes are wide and fixated on my mouth. It’s hard to swallow the meat in my mouth with him watching me so intently.

  “What?” I mumble with half a mouth full of food.

  “Huh?” he asks, returning his eyes to mine.

  I finally get the meat down my throat. “You were staring.”

  He looks back down at my lips and shakes his head slightly, like shaking off a thought or an image. Maybe I did have some effect on him after all.

  Following dinner, when the plates are cleared and the check is paid, we sit at our booth visiting and catching up over another beer. It’s surprisingly easy to talk to Jake. I love listening to him talk about his family. He’s obviously very close to his parents and siblings. Nate seems to be the brother he’s closest too, but that could be because they’re so close in age. He also talks about his time in the military and his work as a cop. My favorite story was when he was a rookie his first year on the force and got the call about a drunk man wandering down Main Street. What they didn’t tell him over the radio was that it was old Mr. Forrester. He was stumbling home from Jack’s Pub. And he was naked.

  “To this day, no one knows what happened to his clothes. He was wearing them when he left the pub and definitely was not wearing them when I pulled up to give him a ride home.”

  I laugh at the mental image Jake painted for me. “That’s hilarious!”

  “It is now. Then, not so much. I caught ribbings from all the guys for weeks, hell months, for that call. You about ready to go? It’s getting pretty late.”

  I look down at my watch and see that it’s after ten o’clock. How we just managed to sit and talk for over four hours is beyond me. “Yes. Thank you for dinner. Are you sure I can’t pay for half of the bill?”

  “You’re welcome, and I’ve already told you no. I asked you to join me. No way are you paying. Come on, let’s head out.” Jake helps me back into my coat and places his hand comfortably on my lower back. I never knew that simple gesture could ignite my blood and soothe my soul all at the same time.

  After the short three block drive, Jake pulls into my driveway. That’s when I start to get a little nervous. Am I supposed to invite him in? Will he even want to come inside?

  “I had a great time tonight. Thank you, again,” I say.

  “I did, too. I’ll walk you to your door.” Jake climbs out of his truck and comes around to open my door.

  As we’re walking up the front steps, I try digging in my purse for my keys. My fingers are shaking a little. I have no idea if it’s from the early February cold or from the mere nearness of Jake. He’s so close I can smell his aftershave, his soap.

  When my fingers fumble with the keys, Jake reaches inside my purse and pulls them out, placing them in the lock and turning. “There you go,” he says with a small smile.

  “Thank you,” I whisper, the words all but sticking in my throat.

  My eyes are glued to his, my breathing coming a little heavier in anticipation. Jake leans forward ever so slowly and places a gentle kiss on my lips. His lips are warm and soft, and all I want to do is reach out and grab him, pulling him closer against me. I start to move my lips against his, taking the kiss deeper. He returns the kiss with a fury. In three point five seconds, we’re all hands and lips and tongues.

  Just as quickly as the kiss starts, Jake pulls back and rests his forehead against mine. Our breath is mixed together, our hearts beating wildly in our chests. “You better head inside before you get too cold.”

  “Yeah,” I respond. “Good night, Jake.”

  “Night, Erin,” he says, hands in his pockets as he watches me go inside the house. As soon as the locks are engaged, he turns and walks down the stairs, gets inside his truck, and drives away.

  I stand there at the window and watch him go, thinking about the kiss that just shook me to the core. What is it about Jake Stevens that leaves me mindless and breathless? I have no clue, but I know I should probably stay away from him. The problem - I don’t think I can.

  Chapter Seven

  Jake

  It’s raining like a cow pissing on a flat rock. What a shitty Monday. I had a great dinner with Erin on Saturday night, and then nothing. More radio silence. If I don’t hear from her today, I’ll reach out and text later night.

  Maddox is driving the squad car as we cruise through town heading towards Mom’s bakery for lunch. Avery is supposed to meet us there with sandwiches, and as I glance down at my watch, I realize we’re already running a few minutes late. Hell, we’ll probably still beat Avery there. That girl is never on time.

  “So I hear Erin decided to take pity on you and have dinner with you Saturday night.”

  “How’d you hear that?”

  “Avery. They’ve been talking a lot lately. Erin came over yesterday and helped with some of the wedding stuff.”

  “Really?” I ask, not able to mask the shock in my voice.

  “Yeah,” Maddox replies as he pulls into a parking space in front of the bakery. “You okay with that?”

  “Why wouldn’t I be?” I ask as I get out of the squad car. “She doesn’t really have any friends here yet so it’s good that she’s hanging out with someone.”

  “Someone as long as it’s a girl and not a guy, right?”

  “Why? What have you heard?” I ask as I stand straight up, bracing myself for whatever blow Maddox is about to throw at me.

  “Nothing. I can just tell that this girl gets under your skin.”

  “I have no idea what is going on, dude. I can’t stop thinking about her. I want to drive by her house all the damn time just to see what she’s up to or maybe catch a glance of her through the window. I can’t even take a chick home from the pub anymore because I feel like it would be cheating
on Erin. What the hell?”

  I look over into the smug, smiling face of my best friend. “You’re falling for her,” he says matter of factly.

  “Bullshit.”

  “Save your breath, dude. The same thing happened to me with Avery. One minute your life is smooth sailing with tons of chicks, then the next thing you know you are only thinking of doing a certain one and you can’t imagine not seeing her or touching her. Happens to the best of us.”

  “First off, don’t ever talk about doing only one chick when that one chick is my sister. Second, you’re wrong.”

  “About what?” he asks with a laugh as he opens the door of the bakery.

  I choose to ignore the question and head towards the back table. Surprisingly, Avery’s already there and setting sandwiches out on the table for all of us.

  “Hey, sis,” I say as I press a kiss to her cheek.

  “Hi.” Avery practically ignores me and stands up to greet her fiancé. She throws her arms around him, kissing him passionately.

  “Knock that shit off. You’re in a public place,” I growl.

  She laughs against Maddox’s lips and smiles widely at me.

  “Oh, big brother. What am I going to do with you? Oh, that reminds me. You and Maddox need to go get fitted for your tuxes by the end of the week. I already picked them out. You just need to stop by the shop and have them measure you.”

  “Can do. We’re off Friday.” To Maddox I ask, “Wanna head to St. Charles on Friday?”

  “Sure. I’ll have Brooklyn on Friday since Rosemary is out this week visiting some family, but we can head over as soon as I grab her from preschool.”

  “Cool. Just come by my place when you’re ready.” I dive into my sandwich and turn back towards Avery. “So, what’s this I hear about you hanging out with Erin?”

  “Is that a problem?” she asks as she nibbles on a potato chip.

  “No. I’m glad she has someone to hang out with, I guess.”

  “She’s going with us this weekend for our dress fittings.”

  The thought of Erin hanging out with my mom and sister and her friends should make me sweat. But, honestly, it doesn’t. Since when does it not bother me for my personal life and family life to collide? How about never. “That’s cool. I’m thinking of asking her to be my date for your wedding.”