Where I Belong (Alabama Summer)

by Daniels, J.

  “You are a complete shit.” He motions for the bartender. “Two Sam Adams, and did you card those fuckers at the end of the bar?” I follow Luke’s finger and notice the two kids he is referring to. And they definitely are kids. No fucking way are they twenty-one.

  “Yeah, of course I did. Their ID’s said they were twenty-two.” The bartender gives us both another beer.

  “Grab their ID’s for me,” Luke insists. The bartender returns seconds later, and I don’t miss the uneasiness in the eyes of the two kids. “These are fake. How the hell did you miss this, Ray?” Luke is on his feet and I’m right behind him. He holds the ID’s out in front of him, showing them to the kids. “You morons do realize that using a fake ID is a felony, right? How old are you?”

  “We’re twenty-two,” one states with snarky confidence. His smugness alone makes me want to throw him out on his ass.

  “Are you really that stupid to use a fake ID at a bar where two cops are drinking?” I ask, seeing Luke tuck their ID’s into his pocket. Either that or they’re blind. We’re still in our uniforms for Christ’s sake. “Answer my partner before I make you call your parents and I explain to them that their sons are getting arrested.”

  “We’re nineteen,” the meeker one answers urgently. His friend starts sweating, his hands shaking at his sides. “Please don’t make me call my dad, officer. Can’t you give us a warning or something?”

  Luke and I step closer to them, seeing them shrink and cower. I narrow in on the honest kid. “Get out now before your friend screws you both.” He moves quickly and his friend tries to follow, but Luke shoots his arm out to stop him.

  “Don’t lie to a cop, asshole. Especially when you’re dumb enough to use your real name on your fake ID, Parker Lance.”

  “How do you know it’s my real name?” Wow. This kid is asking to get locked up.

  “Because you’re too stupid to memorize any information that isn’t really yours. And no one would willingly pick the name Parker. I’d feel sorry for you if you weren’t such a lying piece of shit.” The kid opens his mouth to argue but smartly decides to shut it. “Get out.” His now panicked face disappears out the door and we reclaim our seats at the bar.

  “Fucking prick. I should’ve made him call his parents just for being an asshole,” Luke says. I nod in agreement as I stare at the bottles of alcohol on the shelf in front of me, taking generous sips of my beer. My mind is elsewhere at the moment and Luke notices. “Damn, man. I’ve never seen you this obsessed over some chick before. What the hell are you going to do when the summer’s over and she goes back home? You know that long distance stuff doesn’t work. Ask Reed. ”

  I rub my temples with my fingers. “I don’t know. I can’t worry about that right now when I’m still trying to get her to tolerate being around me.”

  “At the rate you’re going, you might not have to worry about it.”

  I ignore him and down my beer. I can’t think about three months from now, and not just because I’m not anywhere near where I want to be with Mia. The thought of her not being five minutes away from me formed a knot in my stomach and a tightness in my chest. I hate the idea of not being able to see her on an impulse. What if I had a sudden urge to kiss her, touch her, talk to her, or breathe the same air as her and she lived four hours away from me? The thought was maddening. I knew I’d never survive that kind of distance from her. The girl I once couldn’t get far enough away from had become the woman I couldn’t get close enough to.

  **

  Later on that night, I grab my phone and open up a new text message. I only have three months with Mia, and I want to get the whole friendship thing rolling. The sooner she likes me as a friend, the sooner she’ll see me as I see her.

  Me: Can I have Mia’s phone number?

  Tessa: Why? Are you changing it up and trying to make her cry via text message?

  Most days I love my sister. Most days.

  Me: Look, I fucked up when I was younger and I’m trying to make up for it. You know I care about her, so would you please help me out here? I fucking gave Luke your number.

  Tessa: I’ll give it to you, but you need to know that Reed got her number too. I don’t know if she sees him like that, but heads up. He’s a nice guy and he’s never made fun of her. He’d be good for her.

  Fucking Reed Tennyson. I should’ve knocked his ass out when I had the chance.

  Me: I’d be good for her. Reed can go fuck himself.

  Tessa: Easy, tiger. I’m secretly pulling for you if it helps. 205-555-7991

  Me: Thanks. I owe you.

  Tessa: I know.

  I’ve never been nervous about anything involving women. Never. But right now, a simple text message is terrifying me.

  Me: Hey it’s Ben. I was wondering if you wanted to hang out sometime this weekend.

  Shit. That sounds like I’m asking her out. Which is what I really want to do, but that’s not part of this new friendship route I’m trying to establish.

  Me: Not like a date or anything.

  Damn it. That just sounds shitty, like I need to clarify that I’m definitely not asking her out. Shit.

  Me: Just as friends.

  I chuck my phone to the end of the bed. I should just throw it outside to keep from making a further ass out of myself. It beeps and I dive for it like my life depends on it.

  Mia: I don’t know.

  I half expected that type of response. And I was locked and loaded.

  Me: A certain knight is requesting time with his favorite princess. You wouldn’t want to disappoint him, would you? He’ll probably cry for days when I break the news to him.

  Mia: Wow. Did you really just use your son as bait?

  Me: I did. I’m desperate.

  One, two minutes go by and I’m starting to sweat.

  Me: I just want to spend some time with you. I’ve made you smile a few times and I think I can do it again if you’ll let me. I’m just asking for a chance, Mia. If you hate the guy I am now then I’ll leave you alone. I swear.

  Fifty three seconds later, she responds.

  Mia: Okay, fine. But I get to pick what we do.

  I pump my fist into the air.

  Me: Fine with me. What did you have in mind?

  Mia: There’s this medieval dinner show I passed on my way here the other day. I think it was off two exits before Ruxton. Has Nolan ever been there? He’ll get to see knights jousting and stuff.

  Holy shit. Nolan’s going to lose his mind. Why do I not know about this place?

  Me: No, but that sounds awesome. Do I need to make reservations?

  Mia: I’ll take care of it. Saturday work for you?

  Every day works for me. I’ll rearrange my entire life at this point.

  Me: Yeah. I’ll pick you up. Just let me know what time.

  Mia: Okay. I’ll text you after I book it.

  Me: I can’t wait.

  She doesn’t respond to that, but I don’t need her to. The only thing I need is the chance she’s now willing to give me. I can finally show her the man I am now. I can make up for all the hurt I’ve caused her. All the pain. I’ll earn her friendship before offering her my life. It’s hers anyway. She just needs to take it.

  Chapter Eight

  Mia

  Ben: I can’t wait.

  Me either. I wanted to type, but I didn’t. I wasn’t just looking forward to spending time with Nolan, who just so happened to be the cutest kid on the planet. I wanted to be around Ben. I didn’t want to fight it. I knew I couldn’t keep shutting him out. I didn’t want to hate him for things he did to me years ago. Not when he definitely wasn’t that guy anymore. It’d be different if he was. That hate would be justified. But he’s nothing like the old Ben. He doesn’t talk to me like that same boy. He doesn’t look at me like that same boy. And he definitely doesn’t make me feel like that same boy. I’d be a total bitch if I didn’t at least give this Ben a chance. So that’s what I’m giving him.

  Saturday wasn’t coming soo
n enough for me. I’ve never felt anxious about doing something with a guy just as friends before. But this was Benjamin Kelly we were talking about. He’s seen me naked. Completely naked. And now he wanted to hang out like we haven’t brought each other immense pleasure.

  He came just as much as I did that night so I’m taking credit for that.

  How the hell am I supposed to navigate a friendship with a guy that I can’t stop fantasizing about? I’ve had guy friends before. It’s doable. But I’ve never gotten butterflies over those guys. I’ve never felt like I might actually combust just being in the same room as those guys. And I’ve definitely never wanted to bang the hell out of those guys.

  Speaking of boys that wanted to be friends with me, I promised Reed that I’d meet him for lunch today. We’ve talked on the phone a few times since the day at Rocky Point. He was really sweet and funny, and when he asked me to hang out with him, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. He picked a sandwich shop in town that I was familiar with. Tessa and I ate there several times when we were younger with her parents. I spent the morning in the pool with her, not being able to sunbathe because the heat was enough to make you pass out. After a quick shower, I drove into town and parked my jeep next to Reed’s truck. He was already seated at a table when I walked through the door.

  “Hey, how are you?” I ask, walking around the table as he stands up to greet me. He gives me a hug which I’m not expecting but it isn’t awkward. And it definitely isn’t anything other than a hug you’d give a friend, which relieves me. I’m hoping this really is just a lunch between new friends and not anything more. I’m not interested in anything else with Reed and I don’t want this to become uncomfortable. He ends our one armed hug with a pat on my back. Very non-date like.

  “I’m good. I ordered you a shrimp salad sub. I hope that’s okay.” Reed smiles at me as he takes his seat and I take mine. He has the lightest blondest hair I’ve ever seen, almost white, that falls in his eyes with a bit of curl.

  “Yeah, thanks. That sounds delicious.” I take a sip of the water he had also ordered for me. “So you were off work today?” Reed had mentioned a few days ago that he was a laborer for his father’s construction company.

  He nods. “Yeah. Business is kind of slow right now. But it should pick up soon. We’re usually slammed in the summer time.” Our sandwiches are placed in front of us and we both take a bite, chewing behind our smiles. “What town in Georgia are you from again?”

  “Fulton. Smallest town in the world.” I swallow my bite and take a drink. “It’s a military town. The air base is really the only thing in it besides a Walmart.”

  “Have you ever been on the air base? I bet they have some really cool planes there.”

  I shrug. “I’ve only been on it a few times. They’ll show movies there at the theatre for a dollar, but it’s always like three months after their original release date.” I take another bite of my sandwich. “I don’t think given the choice I’d choose to live in Fulton. It’s mainly a lot of old people that are retired,” I pause and grin slyly. “And Marines.”

  He laughs behind his drink. “I could totally live there. I’m a sucker for girls in uniforms and military planes. My grandfather was a pilot and used to take me to the air shows when I was younger.” The door to the shop chimes open and I watch Reed’s eyes react to whoever walks in. “What the hell are the odds,” he mumbles before fixating his gaze on me.

  I turn in my chair and nearly fall out of it. Sweet mother of all that’s holy. Ben stands frozen just inside the shop door, his eyes shifting between mine and what I’m going to assume are Reed’s. But I can’t turn around to be sure. I can’t do anything besides stare at the glorious sight of him in a cop uniform. He’s a cop? I had no freaking idea. What the hell else is Tessa keeping from me? My chatterbox best friend seems oddly tight lipped on everything involving her brother.

  “Well look who it is.” I’m broken out of my trance and glance up to see Luke’s amused grin. “How are you, Mia?”

  Movement comes from my left and I turn to see Ben walking over. Oh, Good God. He’s right next to me. He’s right next to me and he’s got handcuffs. I swallow heavily and pry my eyes from his to look at Luke. “I’m good. Great. I’m… I’m good. Or great. Both. I’m both.” And I’ve apparently forgotten how to hold a conversation. Luke muffles his laugh.

  “Hey,” Ben greets me with a smile. I’d usually be able to react like a normal human being and say something, anything in response, but considering the fact that he paired that knock me on my ass grin with the uniform he’s rocking, I’m pooling in my chair and unable to do anything but continue breathing. He shoots a glare at Reed, one that I wouldn’t ever want directed toward me. “Reed,” he practically growls and I think Reed says something in return, but at the moment, my entire body is completely focused on Ben’s, including my ears. He looks back down at me and grips the back of my chair. “Are we still on for Saturday?”

  “Hmm?” His lips move, parting sensually, but I’ve no idea what words if any just came out of them. I know exactly what those lips are capable of and that’s the only thing filtering through my mind at the moment. My God. Those lips are orgasmic. “I’m sorry, what?”

  He laughs and looks over at Luke quickly before returning to my stunned face. “I asked if we’re still on for Saturday.”

  I nod. A lot. My head might have fallen off if I hadn’t forced myself to stop. “Yup. I made reservations for the five o’clock show.” I clear my throat and take a sip of my water before continuing. Christ. It feels like I swallowed super glue. “Um, we have to be there fifteen minutes before show time. I arranged for Nolan to get his picture taken with the King.”

  His eyes light up and his cheeks hollow out with his dimples. “Oh man. He’s going to freak out over that.” We smile at each other and the other two guys could probably catch on fire and I doubt either one of us would notice. I definitely won’t notice. “Good idea, Princess Mia.”

  “Yeah, I can be pretty awesome sometimes.”

  Luke slaps Ben’s back and the sound snaps me out of my obsessive gazing. “Well, as much as I’d love to stand here and listen to you two not flirt with each other, I’m starving and we need to get back out there.” He smirks at me. “You know, bad guys to catch and all. Protect and serve. That whole thing.” He turns his head toward Reed. “Sorry to interrupt your date.”

  “It’s not a date,” I blurt out, immediately regretting the hidden implication that I’d never actually be on a date with Reed. I look over at him, silently pleading for him to agree with my statement and not make this anymore awkward than I’ve just made it.

  Help a girl out. Don’t leave me hanging here.

  He cocks an eyebrow at me. “Well, that’s the last time I service you with my free hand underneath the table. You’ve broken my heart, Mia.”

  My jaw hits the table I definitely was not recently serviced under. Is he nuts? “What?” I manage to choke out.

  “What the fuck did you just say?” Ben questions with a tone that no man in his right mind should challenge. “Say it again, asshole, and see what happens.” He moves closer to Reed but Luke steps between the two.

  “I’m gonna let him punch you if you say something stupid like that again,” Luke states, straining his head over his own shoulder to connect with Reed. Ben and Luke are roughly the same size, so Luke doesn’t have any difficulty in holding him back. Reed, on the other hand, is more leaned out than muscular and probably wouldn’t stand a chance against Ben. Luke turns back toward Ben who is still looking ready to kill. “Not a date, man. Just relax.” His words are barely audible, but I hear them. And Ben seems to calm down as he processes them himself.

  Reed holds up his hands in surrender. “Kidding. Jesus Christ. You used to have a sense of humor, Ben. What the hell happened?”

  Ben places his hand on the back of my chair again, hovering over me in a very possessive way. If I’m not mistaken, it’s as if he’s staking his claim in front of Reed,
just like he did the other day on the pier. But this time, I don’t object to it. This time, the very thought of being Ben’s doesn’t infuriate me. It intrigues me. I want to know what that feels like. But he asked me out for Saturday as friends, and friends don’t act like that with each other. So that can’t possibly be what he’s doing right now. He’s probably just looking out for me. So I push those thoughts to the back of my mind and watch his eyes shift back to mine. He hasn’t said anything else to Reed but I don’t think he needs to. His actions and demeanor are speaking loud enough for him. “I’ll pick you up at four o’clock. I figured we’d surprise Nolan so I’m not going to tell him where we’re going.” His tone is friendly, all edginess and agitation gone as if he didn’t just have a pissing contest with the guy that I am not on a date with.

  I tuck my hair back behind my ear. “Make sure he brings his sword. He’s gonna need it.” I feel his thumb brush along my back and that slight bit of contact sends my lower half into a frenzy.

  “Ben. Get over here and order,” Luke calls out, having moved to the counter. He must have thought it was safe to leave his friend alone with Reed. That or he was too hungry to care anymore.

  Ben lets go of my chair with a grin and brushes against my shoulder with his hand. These tiny touches are going to kill me. “See you Saturday.”

  “Okay,” I choke out with a shaky voice.

  He turns, shooting Reed a scowl before walking over to the counter. And now his back is to me. His shoulders in that shirt. His ass in those pants. Someone may have to scrap me off the floor.

  “You’re hilarious.” I glare at Reed, accomplishing the difficult task of prying my eyes off the glorious body standing no more than fifteen feet away from me. “I think I’d remember getting fingered underneath a table, ass.”