Friends and Lovers

by Tara Mills

  “You should. And now I have to go.”

  “So do I,” he said, moving in for her mouth next.

  “No,” she said more firmly, the voice of reason returning. “I have to leave, which means you have to back up and let me open my car door.”

  Wes kissed her again, slipping her a little tongue, and Lauren melted against him.

  “You sure?” he whispered suggestively.

  He’d just spent most of the night making love to her, so letting Lauren go shouldn’t be this hard. Then again, neither should his dick, yet there it was, rearing between them once more.

  Lauren sighed. “Unfortunately.”

  Accepting the inevitable, Wes stepped back and opened the door for her. “We’ve probably given my neighbors enough of a show anyway.”

  Lauren got in and started the engine. “I’ll talk to you later.”

  He shut the door and leaned in. “I’m serious about Thursday night, so keep your schedule open.”

  “I said I would.”

  “And obey the speed limit. I’m not fixing any tickets for you.”

  She made a face at him, and he grinned and waved as she backed out. When she was safely on her way Wes went back inside to turn off the coffee pot.

  * * * *

  “Don’t say it,” Lauren said, pointing at Jackie as she rounded her desk.

  Jackie shook her head, looking both amused and worried. “Honey, don’t give him everything all at once. Draw it out. Keep him coming back for more, or he’s going to put you in traction.”

  What Jackie didn’t say hung in the air like thick humidity. Or he’s just going to move on that much sooner.

  Lauren danced away from the unpleasant thought, unwilling to even consider it. This was her moment, damn it!

  “I would if I could, but I have no willpower,” she admitted, drooping against the doorjamb. “Am I going to miss anything important if I bail early and go home to nap for a couple of hours?”

  “I’m surprised you even bothered to come in this morning. Since you’re working tonight anyway, I figured we wouldn’t see you until at least noon.”

  “I would have liked to stay in bed, but I wasn’t actually in my own bed and Wes had to get to work. Is there any coffee in the pot?”

  “Plenty.”

  “I could kiss you.”

  Jackie laughed. “Save it for him.”

  “He’s covered.”

  Lauren walked across the entry to the kitchen and smiled at the newest crayon artwork hanging on the gold refrigerator. The big, irregular block lettering on the bottom said Addy. Someone was learning how to write her name. Cute. Lauren shifted the paper on its magnet so she could grab the handle underneath.

  Setting the flavored creamer on the counter, she took her favorite mug out of the cabinet and held it under the thermal pot.

  Jackie walked in holding out her cup. “Since you’re at it.”

  Lauren smirked. “Hand it over.”

  Jackie leaned against the counter and folded her arms under her chest. She shook her head and accepted her cup back. “Those are some serious circles under your eyes. Go home. You’re never going to get anything done when you’re this tired.”

  “I have books to do and checks to write.”

  “They can wait a day. Nothing’s overdue.”

  Lauren covered a big, drawn-out yawn. She had to wipe her eyes when she opened them. “You’re right. I’m wiped.”

  Jackie took the cup out of Lauren’s hand and dumped the coffee into a thermal mug that was sitting in the rack by the sink. She clapped the lid on it and handed it back to Lauren. “Here, and don’t fall asleep on your way home.”

  “I’ll drive with my windows down.”

  “All of them.”

  “All of them,” Lauren agreed and bumbled her way out to find her purse and keys.

  * * * *

  Wes called Lauren after four to ask if she wanted to catch dinner with him when he got off.

  “I just ate.”

  “You did?”

  “Sorry. I’m not following my schedule today.”

  Wes’s eyes tracked a car going down a side road when they crossed an intersection. Dismissing it, he said, “No problem. Oh, while I’ve got you on the phone, I found out that the gym is booked the next two nights, so you’re off the hook—for now. How do you feel about renting a movie instead?”

  “Sounds good.”

  “I’ll see you later,” he said, his voice dropping intimately.

  Chuck shook his head as Wes shut his phone. “What the hell was that? I distinctly remember a promise you made this morning when you handed me the car keys. Is this what you consider pacing yourself?”

  “I’ll get more sleep.”

  “You’d better. I’m not springing for Starbucks again tomorrow.”

  Wes dropped his sunglasses back over his tired eyes and reached for his coffee. “Noted.”

  Then Chuck grinned roguishly. “Was it worth it? You can tell me.”

  Wes raised his sunglasses so Chuck would get the message.

  “I guess that’s a big no. Since you’re going to be tight-lipped anyway, I might as well tell you that while you were trying to set up a rendezvous a call came in. Seems a thirteen-year-old kid took his mom’s car out for a joyride and flattened the equipment shed at Spinner Park.”

  “Is he okay?”

  “Beats me. Let’s go find out.”

  * * * *

  At the gym four hours later, Wes pulled off the last of his pads and rolled his neck and shoulders to loosen up. He felt good. Tonight’s class went well and he saw several new faces so that was even better.

  Since he was still in the mood for exercise and already dressed, Wes put on gloves and went to work on one of the speed bags. He started with a few easy punches then whipped up the pace until the bag sounded like a beehive coming to life. After ten minutes he hopped back and moved over to a heavy bag so he could work on his uppercuts, hooks, and jabs.

  By the time Wes finished and lowered his gloves, he was panting hard and a line of sweat cut him vertically from throat to navel. His shirt was plastered to his back and droplets of sweat ran out of his hair and into his eyes. He shook it off like a dog and lifted the right glove to his mouth, tugging at the Velcro closures with his teeth.

  He nodded a greeting to a couple of the guys lifting weights on his way to the locker room. Ten minutes later while scrubbing down under the hard shower jets, Wes heard his phone ringing in his locker. He finished rinsing off and caught his towel on the way out, drying vigorously as he wandered back into the locker room.

  He spun the dial and released the lock then went rummaging through his clothes trying to find his phone. The phone went silent before he could answer it. Wes flipped it open and saw he’d missed a call from Ken. Still roughing the hair behind his ear, Wes returned the call.

  “Where’ve you been?” Ken barked with a tinge of hysteria in his voice.

  Wes frowned. “I’m at the gym. You caught me in the shower. What’s up?”

  “We’re at Memorial.”

  Wes felt the blood drain from his face. “Is Sherry okay? How about the baby?”

  “She went into premature labor. They’re working on her now. Your parents are on their way.”

  “Shit. I’ll be right there.”

  Wes phoned Lauren immediately. “Are you still at Memorial?” he asked.

  “I’m in the parking ramp. You just caught me putting my laptop and LCD projector in my trunk. Why?”

  “Turn around and head back inside. Sherry and Ken are there, and I’m coming right over.”

  “My God, what happened?”

  “Premature labor. They’re trying to stop it.”

  “Is she up in maternity?”

  “I forgot to ask. Judging by all the noise in the background my guess is they’re still in emergency.”

  “See you soon.”

  * * * *

  When Lauren found Ken he was so wound up he looked read
y to collapse. The poor man had been pacing by himself with nothing but his fears and the ongoing drama of a busy ER for company.

  She put her arm around his shoulder and moved him out of the way where they could talk more freely.

  “Where is Sherry now?” Lauren asked.

  “That room there.” He pointed. “They gave her an injection. It’s supposed to stop the contractions. If that doesn’t work, we’re heading upstairs. They’ve got her hooked up to a fetal monitor.” He looked at the door again, a haggard man. “They haven’t rolled her out to the elevators yet, that’s a good sign, right?”

  “I’d like to think so. Can I get you something, coffee maybe?”

  “I’m already too wired.” Then his eyebrows pinched together in confusion. “Where’d you come from?”

  “Wes called me. I was already here giving a presentation.”

  “Oh,” said Ken in a far away voice.

  Lauren could actually see his eyes glaze over and his mind wander back to his own concerns.

  * * * *

  Sherry’s labor wasn’t the last shock of the night for Lauren. Seeing the elder Dunlops rushing toward her and Ken was jarring. She knew they came late to parenting but she wasn’t prepared to see how much they’d aged since she last saw them. They both seemed smaller, shrunken now, and their hair had turned silver. Lauren wanted to weep at what else she’d missed in the lives of people she loved.

  “Why, Lauren,” Mrs. Dunlop said in surprise. “Is it really you?”

  “Like a bad penny.” Lauren smiled feebly and was pulled against Mrs. Dunlop for a warm hug. It felt wonderful, comforting, and so forgiving.

  Mr. Dunlop moved over to Ken and clapped a supportive hand on his shoulder. They spoke softly together.

  Mrs. Dunlop released Lauren and stepped back with glittering eyes. “I’m so glad you’re here for her.”

  Feeling moved and emotional herself, Lauren dug blindly in her purse and asked, “Do you need a tissue too?”

  Mrs. Dunlop composed herself with a little laugh. “No, I’m fine. How is Sherry?”

  “No news yet. We’re choosing to see that as a good sign.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  Just then Wes stormed through the doors, his long stride carrying him purposefully toward them. The first thing he did was give his tiny mother a long hug then he pulled his dad in for a one-armed squeeze.

  “Wes, look who’s here,” his mom said, drawing his attention to Lauren. “It’s Lauren.”

  He smiled. “I know, Mom. I called her.”

  “You did?” It was clear from her expression she couldn’t be more surprised—so far.

  “Yeah.” He stepped over to Lauren with a soft, “hey there,” and leaned down, giving her a lingering kiss on the lips right in front of everyone.

  Easing back he caught the gaping mouths and wide eyes with a grin of amusement.

  “Are you…” his mother said, but her question trailed off into nothing.

  “Yes. We’re seeing each other.” Wes took Lauren’s hand, pulled it against his stomach, and covered it with his other hand.

  Mrs. Dunlop recovered from the shock with a tremulous smile. “How nice.”

  Ken’s mute stare was cut short when a doctor came out of a side door and headed right for him. The two men peeled away to talk alone while the others anxiously watched their conference.

  Ken nodded and returned, and the doctor went back to his patient.

  “Sounds like they stopped the contractions,” Ken said, “but they’re going to move Sherry upstairs and keep a close watch on her tonight. I’m going to stay with her. The baby is doing fine. Heartbeat is strong and he doesn’t seem to be in distress.”

  Mrs. Dunlop clapped softly. “Thank heavens.”

  “Did I hear the word he?” Mr. Dunlop asked with an excited gleam in his eye.

  Ken smiled. “It’s official. You’re getting a grandson. I guess they got a pretty good look at him and there’s no doubt about it.”

  The older man bounced happily on the balls of his feet. “Well, how about that?”

  Lauren held out another tissue and this time Mrs. Dunlop took it, too overcome with relief and joy to decline.

  They left Ken to manage his wife’s admittance on his own, and Wes and Lauren walked his parents out to their car.

  While Wes and his father talked Mrs. Dunlop caught Lauren’s sleeve and said in an undertone, “You have to come to dinner with Wes soon. We haven’t seen your pretty face at our table for too long—much too long.”

  “I’d like that. I’ll mention it to him,” Lauren said, not entirely sure how she really felt about it yet. She was still trying to get her head around Wes’s unexpectedly possessive demonstration in front of his family.

  They bid his parents goodbye at the car, and as their brake lights disappeared down the exit ramp Wes curled his arm around Lauren’s waist and guided her to the staircase. They were both parked one level up.

  The city looked beautiful from above, the multicolored lights winking and solid, reflecting off the wide dark St. Clair River flowing below.

  They stopped beside Lauren’s car and Wes reached for the door handle, but then he drew his hand back and turned to cup her cheek, stroking it with his thumb. There was a startlingly tender smile on his face.

  Lauren felt his magnetism, like gravity, pulling her toward him, and she relaxed and let it happen. Wes kissed her lightly on the lips, and she opened her eyes and stepped back with an uncertain smile. “Well, I guess we’re out of the closet.”

  “Lauren,” Wes said with a sigh. “I probably should have asked you first, but honestly, I’m glad it’s out. It’s just easier this way.” He opened his arms. “Come here.”

  It was so easy, so right to step into them. There was nowhere Lauren wanted to be more than held against his chest. They swayed together for several minutes, silent, feeling no need to talk, completely in the moment as the sounds and the lights of the city carried on without them.

  He made a good point. It really was better to be open about their relationship. Keeping her love for him a secret for so long was too difficult and destructive.

  Wes rubbed his cheek against Lauren’s hair. “Are you going home now?”

  She nodded. “Alone.”

  He laughed softly. “Just checking.”

  “But I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “One way or another.”

  Lauren slid her hand up his chest and grabbed hold of his collar to haul him down. She wanted to give Wes something to think about tonight when he was alone in his bed. She should have known it would backfire on her.

  Wes pulled her hard against him and took her mouth. Lauren’s feet left the floor and she could feel his very potent suggestion pressing into her upper thigh. Her body responded instantly—craving him too. She was disappointed when Wes slowly set her back on her feet.

  Lauren stepped back and fanned herself, hoping to regain a little self-discipline.

  “No, I can’t,” she said firmly. “I need to get some sleep.”

  Wes’s eyebrow rose. “Did I say anything? Who are you trying to convince?”

  “Me.”

  Wes chuckled and, giving her a chaste kiss, opened her door with a flourish. “Good luck with that, sweetheart.”

  Chapter 14

  It was cold and dark this early in the morning, but it barely registered with Wes. His soft, black, leather gloves kept the chill of the cold rifle from penetrating his skin. Dressed entirely in black he was night, he was shadow. He wasn’t there.

  Creeping covertly toward the next large tree, Wes kept his head down and his footfalls slow and careful. He listened intently for anything out of the ordinary, but there wasn’t even a hum of mosquitoes in the air yet, though there would be—soon. A mouse scurried under the damp leaves not six feet away followed swiftly by a snake. Wes moved left around it then continued forward. He took cover behind the tree, no longer relying on his black clothing to hide him. The stars were
fading fast in the eastern sky and the horizon was already backlit. It wouldn’t be long before the sun broke clear of the canopy and exposed him.

  His body was wired, taut, and alert. When he was riding the adrenaline like this it was much too easy to feel invincible, capable of almost anything, but giving in to a false sense of confidence could be fatal. Only those who used their heads to counterbalance the heady rush of instinct and energy could hope to keep the odds of survival in their favor. Still, there were no guarantees. The trick was tapping into your inner animal without letting it take the lead.

  An airplane flew overhead but Wes didn’t spare it a glance. His eyes were trained on a thick copse less than thirty feet away. He’d heard something in that direction not two minutes ago—a sharp snap. It differed from the muted sounds of morning and he knew to pay attention.

  His guard up, Wes peered carefully around the trunk and caught a glimpse of the glossy barrel of the gun hunting him. He froze, holding his breath as the other man moved just as cautiously. Judging by the man’s dark outline Wes knew one important thing—that wasn’t Chuck.

  The partially hidden man turned slightly, clearly focused on something. His head was cocked as he listened intently to a sound that didn’t carry. Wes steadied himself and raised his gun slowly, taking aim.

  Suddenly the other man turned and spotted Wes. His gun came up but even as he squeezed the trigger Wes was already dropping back behind the tree, his shot on its way. A neon orange spot burst across the man’s chest.

  “Fuck!” Woods yelled. “Dunlop, you cocksucker!”

  Wes chuckled softly and slinked off before he was caught by the other man’s partner.

  Rocks large enough to trip over and brittle branches that could crack underfoot were now easily identified as the sky continued to brighten. Wes walked carefully so his steps wouldn’t give him away. His black clothing couldn’t possibly help him now so he maneuvered around clearings and wide gaps between trees.

  An unnatural rustle like the brush of fabric sounded on his left. Wes dove for the ground, and a bright green splotch burst against the tree right in front of him. He rolled for cover and there was another shot followed instantly by another, only this time one green and one orange. The green spent itself on the ground, missing Wes by inches but the orange hit its mark, exploding across Morrison’s back.