by Cary Hart
“Here.” I throw the towel over my shoulder in her direction. “Cover up and we will talk.”
“Thank you.” Her voice is quiet and unsure. “I mean, get the hell out! This is beyond crazy. How in the hell did you even find me?” she spits out.
“You covered?”
“Umm yes.”
“Good.” I turn around and instead of seeing her dressed she is still wrapped in a towel, beads of water dripping down her back from her shower-soaked hair. This girl is pure torture. “I believe we have a meeting today. To go over the plans for your add-on?”
“Oh.” She suddenly becomes flustered. “You’re Kyle?”
“No, not Kyle, Andrew Williams, but everyone calls me Drew.” I reach my hand out, “and you must be Aubrey Harris?”
Gripping her towel tighter, she opts for a head nod, ignoring my hand. “Ummm...nice to meet you...again?”
“Yeah, it is.”
Again. That one word takes on a new meaning, one of equal levels of regret and hope.
Leaving her on the dance floor was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. I knew she wanted me as much as I wanted her, but my life is crazy fucked up right now and she is the type of girl you wouldn’t just want around for one night. No, she is the type that consumes you. Every second of every goddamn day.
“So, what happened to Kyle?” She slowly begins to relax. Leaning her hip against the table, she settles in for a conversation.
“He was the one who suggested we hit Spotlight last night. Apparently his night didn’t end when we left.”
“Oh?” She begins to tense up again.
Not sure what I said, but if I could take it back I would.
“Can I ask you a question?” Her voice is soft and barely audible.
“Sure.”
“Why did you run off? I mean, did I do something?”
Her voice is hesitant but curious.
“I’m sorry. That wasn’t my intention to make you feel that way, but to be honest...it felt too good and if I would have stayed, I would have taken you back to my place and showed you exactly how well I wanted to get to know you.”
“Oh?” She blushes.
“That was my first weekend without my daughter and I didn’t want to make you a victim of circumstance.” I wince at my words. Not exactly what I wanted to say, but if I bring attention to them she may catch on.
“Oh!” She stiffens.
Shit!
“I totally understand.” She begins to fidget. “This was my first full weekend without my daughter as well. It’s a good thing you had your morals in place and stopped us both from doing something so reckless and irresponsible.” Sarcasm laces her voice.
“Aubrey, that isn’t what I meant—”
“I totally knew what you meant,” she interrupts me. “So, how about we get down to business and I’ll give you a tour and fill you in on what I already explained to Kyle.”
“Aubrey—”
“Drew, please, let’s put last night behind us and move forward. Strictly business.”
“I was going to suggest maybe you would be more comfortable if you changed.”
“Oh! Umm...yeah.” She backs slowly down the hallway. “Good idea. I guess that is why you are the brains of the company. I mean not that your guys aren’t smart or that I’m not, I mean...” She huffs out a breath. “Give me five.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” I reassure her, pulling out my notebook to go over the notes Kyle jotted down from their phone conversations.
“I’m sorry, just another moment.” She comes out of one of the bedrooms in just a pair of yoga capris and a red sports bra that is causing everything to come to life. The smooth silky skin on her shoulders is lined with the tiniest amount of freckles, which makes me wonder where else they may be hiding.
“I just need in here.” She points, but I don’t move.
When she was naked, I looked, but didn’t stare. Now, I can and I am. Her body causes me to lose myself in a trance.
“I just need to squeeze through.” Aubrey doesn’t wait for me to move. She just wedges herself in between me and the door. “Drew, ummm, can I get through?” Her breathing picks up, chest rising and falling drawing, my attention to her breasts.
I could move, but instead I lift my hands up so she can fit through and when I do, I graze her sports bra which isn’t very sportsy after all, but more of a T-shirt material, allowing me to feel her nipples. My touch causes them to harden to peaks.
“Th-thanks.” Her eyes are hooded as she finally breaks free. “J-ju-just one more second,” she stutters. “I just need to get a shirt.”
“Please do.” I catch myself saying out loud but not for the reasons she thinks. Again, open mouth insert foot.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to.” She covers her face.
“No! It’s fine. It happens all the time.” Making a fist, I bring it up and hit my forehead. “That’s not what I mean. I just mean sometimes when we have projects where we find ourselves in unfortunate circumstances.”
“I see.” She tugs a shirt over her head.
“No, no you don’t. Yours isn’t an unfortunate one, it’s fortunate. Very, very fortunate.”
Drew, shut up man!
“OK?”
“How about this? Show me the house and afterward let me take you out for coffee. You do drink coffee, right?” I don’t give her a chance to say no. “We can get you a little caffeine and maybe me not so much since my mouth is obviously working faster than my brain and maybe just maybe I can make it up to you for being an idiot today.”
“Coffee is needed, but I already made arrangements to meet my friend. Maybe some other time.” She walks past me and into the family room. “Follow me and I’ll show you exactly what I hired you to do.”
Grabbing my work belt, I follow her from room to room listening carefully to her visions for her new home. Something simple. Expand the kitchen and add a master bedroom suite.
“Well, I guess I’ll leave you alone and let you do your thing.” She slides on her flip-flops and grabs her purse.
“Don’t go,” I blurt. “I mean, it’s not a bother and honestly I could use the company.”
“Oh. I’m sorry. I wasn’t aware that I needed to be here to help with measurements. That is why I told Kyle where the key was.” She sets her purse back down, looking puzzled.
“Of course you don’t. I just meant—”
“Remember, meeting friend for coffee.” She glances at her phone. “And if I don’t leave now, I’ll be late.”
“Well, don’t let me keep you. I’ll get this taken care of, supplies ordered and as long as the weather holds up we should be able to start on the outside once the lumber is delivered.”
“Perfect! I’ll see you then.”
“Aubrey?” I call out her name.
“Yes?” She turns, hand still on the doorknob ready to leave.
“There is construction on the way to Starbucks so you may want to find an alternate route.”
What in the hell? Smooth. Real smooth.
“Thanks, but we are going to Java Talk. See you next week.” And she’s gone.
Aubrey
AS I WALK THROUGH the doors of our local coffee hangout, Java Talk, the chime of the bells announce my arrival. We have a different coffee house depending on our mood. If we want to relax and get some work done we head to our local Starbucks. If it is research, our public library has a coffee bar near the main entrance. But just for our gossip sessions, Java Talk lives up to its name. A little too loud to concentrate, but quiet enough we can trade stories.
Searching the crowd of gossipers, I spot Niki. Aviators on, leaning back in her chair balancing her coffee in one hand and phone in the other. Of course she has already ordered and downed half of her drink by now. This girl is always late except when it has to do with one thing: coffee. It’s her kryptonite.
Seeing me, she sets her phone down and slides her shades up. “Look who decided to grace us wit
h her presence today.”
“Girl, we gotta talk!” I take a seat, grab my coffee and pry the lid off to release the steam.
“Coffee is just the way you like it. I even had them add a couple ice cubes. So if your fragile mouth can’t handle this we are going to revoke your coffee drinking privileges when you are around me.”
She removes the cup from my hands and takes a sip, scrunching up her nose. “My God!” She shakes her head.
“Perfect!” A giggle escapes as I take the cup back from her.
“Sooo?” Niki settles back in. “I came across some interesting—”
“That has to wait because I had something happen today that is going to BLOW. YOUR. MIND!” I interrupt, not being able to contain it anymore. It’s not every day you are confronted with your almost one-night stand. OK, so maybe it wasn’t a one-night stand, but it was something. Bodies touched, that is pretty damn close.
“Girl, spill it!” Niki closes the gap between us, giving me all her attention.
“Well, you know the guy I was dancing with last night?”
“Yeah, Mr. Spotlight?”
“YES! That’s the one.” I can’t contain the smile any longer.
“OK?” She drags it out waiting for my reply, but continues. “You going to let the kitty out of the bag or did you...” She nods toward my lady bits.
“NIKI!”
“What? It wouldn’t hurt for you to play with a couple balls of yarn.”
“Whatever. Actually Mr. Spotlight has a name. He is none other than Andrew Williams, owner of WilliamSon Construction. The company I hired to add on to the pool house.”
“Aubrey, seems fishy to me. He sought you out last night and now he is at your house the next day, a Saturday, on top of it. Who works on a Saturday?”
“Um, you do?”
“That is neither here nor there. Anywho, tell me more.”
“Well, I walked into the kitchen and noticed Putter got into the trash again.”
“You really should train that dog. I know a person who has a person.” She starts going through her phone.
“I can’t afford a person right now.”
“Get your in-laws to pay for it.” Niki looks up and waits for my comeback but when I don’t give in she continues on with why Doug and his family owe me.
I refuse to have them pay for anything. Nothing is free and it certainly isn’t a gift. With them, everything has a price.
“Niki, he saw me naked!” I holler above her rant, but instead of it falling upon deaf ears it falls upon every single one in Java Talk. Everyone turns. Girls stare, workers chuckle, men look me up and down probably getting a visual at this very moment.
“Nice! I knew you had it in you.” She reaches up to give me a high five.
Putting my head on the table, shielding myself from the stares, I hold my hand up and give in to her celebration.
An hour and a couple refills later I’ve filled her in with every little detail about Drew and our chance encounter, saving Doug and his accusatory comments for last.
“Speaking of Doug the Douche. I heard something this morning at the gym that I think you should be made aware of...” Her watch buzzes with an incoming text. “Shit...” Niki taps the screen, bringing it to life.
Something is obviously bothering her. The gym is a tell-tale sign. That girl refuses to exercise unless she is trying to work through issues and with the drinks she had last night, she had to have sweated out a pint of tequila.
“Gotta go?”
“No, well, yes, but first I need to talk to you about something.”
“OK. Spit it out.”
“Aubrey, there is no easy way to tell you this, but apparently Doug had been cheating on you with his assistant.”
“Cheryl? There is no way.”
“Not Cheryl, his junior accountant.”
“Niki, this isn’t funny. When would he have had time?” I’m making excuses, but all the late nights, business trips, late night messages...it very well could have happened.
Denial.
“Aubrey, his junior accountant is JoJo.”
“No...no-no-no-no-no...this can’t be happening. Not her. Not JoJo.” Rocking, I shake my head back and forth. I know what’s coming, but I refuse to let it happen here.
Niki’s eyes go wide. “Just breathe. Aubrey look at me, babe.” She grabs my hand from across the table. “In and out. Watch me. Just like this.” I see her chest rise and fall, in and out, but I can’t calm my racing heart.
“I-I-I can’t.”
Crushed.
In an instant, Niki is up, gathering my things, mumbling to herself. “Jesus girl, I didn’t think you would react like this....” I see her mouth moving, but I can barely hear the words.
“Aubrey, you fucking stay with me.” I feel myself rise and her tiny frame support me out.
“Miss is she OK? Do I need to call—” a voice begins.
“Mind your own business, she’s fine,” Niki spits out and before I know it I’m on a bench, head between my legs with her rubbing my back.
“Nik?”
“Aubrey, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have told you like this. I just figured with everything that has happened and the divorce that it wouldn’t have...hell, I don’t know what I thought.” Niki falls to her knees in front of me hugging me tight. Which says a lot. She doesn’t hug.
“It’s fine. Seriously, I suspected he was cheating, I’m just shocked that it was with JoJo.” I pull back, “How long?” I search her eyes for the truth.
I know she knows, but given the major freak out inside, I’m sure she will tread lightly.
“A little over a year.” She winces prepared for my attack, but nothing. I’m still in shock.
“I need to go.” Rising, I search for my bag.
“Aubrey, don’t go. Not like this?”
“It’s fine. I just need to process this.” I round the building to the back parking lot. “How about you come over and we will have a little wine time?” I unlock my car, turning to look over my shoulder, letting Niki know I’m fine.
“I have a dinner date at seven, but it won’t last long.”
“Anyone I know?” I wiggle my eyebrows, waiting for her to tell me it’s with Gavin.
“The suit from the club, but don’t worry. He is nothing like the last guy and it’s not even serious. He flies out tonight,” she blurts out.
Not Gavin. Interesting.
“Whoa, there Nelly, slow down. I’m not judging.”
Which is true. I’m not judging because if I had it to do all over again, I’m not sure if I would do it the same. Yes, I loved Doug, but after a few years together I quickly learned we were different. Some say you can work through this, but honestly I’m not so sure.
Opposites can attract, but if your core values aren’t the same then you are doomed before it even begins.
“You know, it wouldn’t hurt for you to get back out there and have a little fun. Maybe nail some wood with the carpenter guy?” Now she wiggles her eyebrows.
“Aren’t you running late?” I avoid her last question. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“Yes, I am, but don’t think I don’t know what you just did there.” Niki flips me the bird as she makes her way back to her car, giving up the battle for now.
Drew
FOR A SATURDAY THE local lumber yard is packed. Waiting until Monday to have our secretary order the supplies for the Harris addition would have been the smart thing, but after finding out our newest project was Aubrey Harris, the girl from the club, I couldn’t help it. I needed to get the move on this project so I can have an excuse to see her again.
Just as I was about to make it to the counter, my phone buzzes in my pocket.
Damn it!
Sarah: I need you to get Andie tonight. I have a meeting.
Me: I’m sure you do. Same meeting I caught you in a few months ago?
Sarah: You know what? SCREW YOU!
“Sir? Excuse me, sir?” The kid hollers
while slapping his hand against the counter. “If you aren’t ready to place your order then move to the back of the line. We are down a man and I’m ready for my break.”
Of course he is. I swear kids these days don’t know the meaning of real work.
Typing out a quick response so I can place my order would be the right thing to do, but that would make me the bigger person and right now I’m not feeling it. She is the one who tore our family apart. Not me.
Moving to the back of the line which is now overrunning the paint section, I pound out one more dick-ish response.
Me: Nope... you haven’t done that in a long time.
Sarah: Drew... get her at 7pm sharp. She will be at my parents’.
Me: Fine.
She’s not going to run all over me and tell me when I can and can’t have Andie. Either she is going to stick to our schedule or I’ll fight for primary custody and let her try her hand at the every other weekend thing, because it sucks. Less than a week into it and I’m miserable.
Irritation takes over. I’m pissed and want nothing more than to drive over to her parents’ house and get Andie. If Sarah isn’t going to have her why can’t I have her now?
Forgoing the hateful texts, I decide to give her a ring in hopes of getting Andie sooner. I could keep this up and make it difficult or I can accept this is happening and take advantage of every minute I can spend time with her.
Taking a step back away from the crowd I’m met with a small cry as I feel toes crunching under my work boots.
“Hey! Watch what you are doing!
Turning around to quickly apologize I’m met with the deepest brown eyes, so soft and at the moment pissed.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to—”
“You!” she interrupts.
“Me.”
“I thought you said you weren’t stalking me.” Her arms cross over her chest, paint samples in one and now her newly broken flip flop in the other.
“Not stalking but I am here for you, well for your house.” Something flashes in her eyes. Disappointment maybe? Surely not.
“Oh! I’m grabbing paint samples.” She uncrosses her arms, fanning them out. “I’m kinda overwhelmed at the moment. So many shades of grey.”