“They actually started dating their girls during our senior year. Brad’s girl made him choose between her and Izzy’s friendship. He picked his girl and Izzy was a wreck about that for a while. By the time we graduated, I was dating Allen, they had their girls and Izzy…well, she really was alone, now that I think of it. I mean Allen and I tried to set her up on dates and stuff, but I guess we were really more in our own little world.” She had a guilty look on her face that turned into a sorrowful look. Tears formed in the corners of her eyes.
“Hey, don’t beat yourself up about it. Things just happen like that. She’s back now and you guys are making up for lost time.” I tried to make her feel better, but the tears spilled over. She swiped them quick and looked away. Shit. She’ll ruin her makeup.
She shook her head in agreement with me. “Yeah, you’re right. She’s back now. I gotta figure out what actually happened with him.”
I smirked, “So what night are we getting her plastered?” She was funny drunk last night and I wouldn’t mind seeing her like that again to get the information out of her.
Mel laughed. “Easy boy. I’ll find out without making her puke her guts out.” She glanced at the clock. “Shit, is that the time? I need to get going. We’ll talk more later. If you see her, tell her I’ll call or text her later.” Mel grabbed her keys and headed out.
I sat there with my coffee mug, wondering if maybe I should go up there and see if she’s alright. I mean she was there for me when I was puking my guts out.
And then I heard a sound on the stairs and looked up. I inhaled sharply when I saw her still in her PJs if you could call them that. Fuck. A tank top and shorts. I could see her hard nipples under her tank top. How long had she been standing there? Had she heard our conversation? And why can’t I stop staring at her breasts? Shit. I can’t even get up right now because of my boner. Her hair was all mussed up and despite that she was the most gorgeous woman I’d ever seen. Her hand held her forehead, apparently from the headache she must have from slamming beers last night. I finally realized I had been staring way too long.
I cleared my throat and swallowed hard. “Uh, Hey. Umm, so how’d you sleep? Uh…coffee is made.” Great job, dickwad. Could I look any more like an idiot? Then she did that cute, sweet, demure thing where she seemed a bit shy and her hair was hanging in her face and she brushed it back behind her ear. Then she had that spark in her eyes that she seemed like she was going to say something that would really mess with me…and then it left just as quick as it came. What’s up with that? Guess the beers made her tongue loosen up. Note to self, always have beer on hand.
“Umm, do you want some coffee?” Asshole, you already told her the coffee is ready. I still scrambled up to grab a mug for her.
“Thank you, I can get it.” Her smile faded and she stiffened up.
“You know a Bloody Mary usually works best for a hangover. I could make you one really quick if you want.” I started to walk toward the liquor, but she waved her hand telling me she didn’t want that.
She chuckled a bit and said, “Yeah, I made those for the gang the other day. You were still passed out.”
“We could run out and grab some breakfast.” I was a bit over-eager, but I really wanted to spend more time with her. She was like a puzzle and I couldn’t wait to figure her out. I wanted to protect her and take care of her, after all, the shit Mel told me.
She smiled sweetly, “Yeah, actually I’d like that. Let’s go grab some breakfast. Let me change really quick. I don’t think I can run out in this.” She giggled and gestured to her tank and shorts. I wouldn’t mind you walking around like that 24/7. Fuck she looked hot. She turned and ran upstairs and I watched her ass until she was no longer in sight. I grabbed my shoes and started putting them on.
She couldn’t have been gone a minute before she came bouncing down the stairs looking just as hot in jeans and a tight white V-neck t-shirt. I loved her hair all wild looking. I was dying to get her underneath me and see her hair sprawled out on my pillow. I shook my head to get some sense back into me.
“So where is the best place to get a Bloody Mary?” She asked flirtatiously with an incredible smile to her eye.
I took a deep breath admiring her simple beauty. “I’ve got the best breakfast place in mind.” And with that we headed out the door.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Izzy
WE STARTED WALKING out of the townhouse toward the breakfast place he suggested. I was just a bit relieved that he already knew some of my history. I was angry with Melanie at first, but then kind of relieved that I didn’t have to tell him. I didn’t want him looking at me with pity if I were to tell him. The worst thing in the world is when someone learns my past and gives me that horrible expression of pity. At least he had some time to process it all before I came down.
I was still trying to determine if I should tell him I could hear their conversation in my bedroom at the top of the stairs. I wonder if Lucy ever told them how voices seemed to echo up the stairs into that first room. Maybe she kept it to herself so she could eavesdrop. I might have to ask her if I ever meet her.
It just seemed easier to talk to him knowing I didn’t have to skirt around all the issues, even though I hadn’t explained the whole thing to Melanie. I chuckled to myself remembering how they discussed getting me drunk.
Then I started thinking about Z’s voice–deep and masculine, but still caring and soft at the same time. How is that possible that I was so attracted to his voice? It was almost like Brad’s. I really had loved Brad, but Melanie was right. He was more brotherly since he knew about my foster parents and the crap that one foster dad pulled with me. Brad always wanted to protect me more than he wanted anything romantic with me.
We walked in comfortable silence past Allure and it was a gorgeous day. Young business people were in full swing in their suits and briefcases going to work, appointments or wherever they needed to go. Then Z pointed to a door leading into a small, inviting diner. He opened the door for me, placing his hand on the small my back.
I glanced around the restaurant taking in the décor—white floors, wood tables, and the chair seats were covered in red plastic. The place was small but had a couple steps going up to the left leading up to the second level. We went up the stairs and took our seats right in front of the window.
“Thanks, Mandy,” Z said to the waitress as we sat down. I studied the menu without speaking, but could feel his eyes on me.
“What’s good here?” I peeked at him from behind my menu. He had been staring and his eyes softened the moment mine met his.
“They make a great hangover special. Eggs, crumbled bacon, hash browns in a huge pile with a southern gravy poured over the top, served with biscuits. It’s actually called the ‘hangover special.’ Comes with a Bloody Mary too.”
“Sold,” I exclaimed with a smile putting my menu down. I drank some of the water that was brought to us and took a deep breath. The waitress came by and Z made a gesture for me to go first. I told her the Hangover Special and he said he’d have the same.
“So,” I started out, “now that you know a little bit about my childhood from last night…what was yours like?”
He chuckled. “Nothing like yours. I had the total opposite. We were brought up in a picture perfect middle-class family in a great neighborhood. I have an older brother, Matt. He’s four years older than me. Flynn and I literally grew up together being that our parents are best friends. They still live across the street from each other.” He explained with a smile in his eyes. I hadn’t known they knew each other that well. He continued telling me how it was fun having basically two sets of parents. But also not so great since whenever they got in trouble they received lectures from both sets of parents. I loved hearing how much fun their families are and how great his childhood was.
He stopped talking but smiled briefly. I saw a flash of pity in them and I cringed. “I’m so sorry. I haven’t stopped talking.” He looked away thoughtfully and then sa
id, “So, you bartended through college, huh? You must have some great stories.”
I was thankful he changed the subject as well as the pity in his eyes. I laughed thinking back to bartending in college. “Yeah, I really do. It was so much fun working there. My boss was great and let us get away with way too much.” I glanced at him and giggled, “We used to hang out after closing and sit around drinking. I’m pretty sure you’d never let that happen.”
Chuckling, he said, “Yeah, no, that’s not really a good idea. Cuts into profits. Although, obviously from the other night, I have been known to do that on occasion,” he said with a wink, which made my heart skip a beat. God, his eyes were gorgeous. The flecks of grey mixed with blue sparkled when he smiled. I glanced down to his lips, which curled into a knowing smile. I wanted to kiss them so badly it made me ache. I took a deep breath and I glanced back to his eyes and he was gazing at me, in the same way. Of course that’s when the waitress walked up with our food, interrupting our quiet moment.
“Thank you,” I said to her, looking at my plate. I needed this. My stomach was still a little queasy, but I knew this would help out. I took a sip of my Bloody Mary. “Mm, this really is good! What’s that taste? Is that siracha?”
His eyebrows shot up. “It’s great, isn’t it? I probably should try to figure out how to make it for Allure. But I like coming here to get something different. Try the food. You’ll love it.”
I took a bite and it was just as he said. “Mm, this is soo good!” I wasn’t trying to be weird or anything. It really was just that good and exactly what my slight hangover needed. Not to mention I hadn’t had food like this in a very long time. I looked up and he was staring at me as if I were crazy. I cringed. “Sorry…bit overdone, huh? It really is good though, you were right,” I insisted.
He cleared his throat and took a bite of his food. He made the same face I did and repeated what I said in the same manner. Okay...yeah, that was weird. I started laughing, “Okay, I get it. A bit dramatic, huh?”
He laughed. “No, I’m just teasing you. I knew you’d like it here.”
We ate our food as we talked and laughed. He was great company and it just felt natural being around him. We didn’t have to force our conversation.
We finished up, and he insisted on paying since he suggested eating there. We headed back to the townhouse. As we were walking he asked, “Do you feel like joining me at my gym? It’s a different type of gym—boxing.”
“Uh, nah. I’ll probably just go for a run, but thanks.” I really didn’t want to be at a gym yet, maybe not ever, regardless of what type it was.
“Okay, that’s cool. Do you mind if I come with you?” I thought about it for a second. Mark wouldn’t be on the trail because he was with his training coach at his gym.
“Think you can keep up with me?” I teased, smiling at him.
He licked his lips, smiled and winked. “I might stay behind you if you wear that same cute outfit you wore yesterday.” Oh. My. God. My heart sped up and I flushed thinking how great that would be for him to be behind me in other ways. I was so glad he couldn’t hear my thoughts.
I took a deep breath as I giggled and looked away, brushing my hair behind my ear. “Umm, do you want to run home and change and just meet me back here?” We were in front of the townhouse by then.
He chuckled at my obvious attempt to get the back to the subject. “That’s good. I’ll be back in a few.” He touched my arm and squeezed it, lingering before letting go and then headed out.
I felt much better after that meal although I didn’t eat that much of it. I wondered if Z could run after that meal. I might need to take it easy on him.
After changing, I sat at the kitchen island waiting for him while I sipped on some water. My phone chimed. I glanced at the text from Melanie.
Melanie: Feeling alright?
Me: Yep, Z took me to Rita’s. I didn’t have that bad of a hangover so we’re going for a run.
Melanie: Good, glad to hear that. What are we doing for dinner tonight? Are you cooking again?
Me: Would love to. Anything you have in mind?
Melanie: No idea! Create something.
Me: Sounds good.
Melanie: Perfect. I’ll alert the gang! See ya later!
Z walked in as I finished my text conversation. “Ready to go?”
I hopped off the stool, “Yep. Just texting Melanie. I’m cooking something tonight. Care to join us?”
He smiled brightly. “Ah, besides chili, I finally get to taste another creation of yours.”
I smirked. “Yep, you might just be sober enough to actually enjoy it.” He chuckled as he opened the door and we headed for the trail.
We started our walk and then picked up the pace to a light job. We didn’t talk much and I wasn’t sure if he ran often. Remembering the other night when he had to catch up to me, he had been out of breath. I looked over at him and he seemed alright. I felt like seeing if he could pick up the pace. I started running a little faster. He was fine with that. Hmm…should I try a full sprint and see? Yep. And so I did. He kept up and then some, he passed me and then looked back. I smiled and slowed down.
“Did I pass your test?” His eyes were bright with mirth.
I chuckled. “What test?”
We were back to a jog now and he laughed. “Whatever test that’s in your head to see if I could keep up with you.”
I snickered. Was it that obvious? “Yes, you passed.” I smirked and rolled my eyes.
We continued our jog and then a couple more sprints, jogging again and then finally slowed down to a walk. He told me some fun stories about how he and Flynn used to get in trouble. I could just imagine the trouble the two of them got into. I would love to see some teenage pictures of them. They’re both so good looking, I could only imagine what heart breakers they were in high school.
We returned to the townhouse and he came in to get some water. “Do you feel like going to the store with me to get the stuff for dinner tonight?” He was so easy to talk to and we really seemed to be hitting it off so well and I wanted to spend more time with him.
“Yeah, that’d be great. I need to shower and change first. Mind if we swing by my place before we go?”
“Sure, I’ll go grab a shower really quick and be down in a sec.”
I ran upstairs and took my shower. My hair was still wet; it would take too long to dry, so I just put a little makeup on, got dressed and headed downstairs. He was texting someone on his phone. He looked up and his eyes grazed over me. A slow smirk formed and then he smiled brightly when his eyes met mine.
“Ready?” I asked.
“More than.” He cleared his throat, grabbed his keys and stood up.
I grabbed my phone and keys off the counter. I checked the time really quick and noticed I had a text from Mark. I wondered if it had gone off while I was in the shower. I checked the time, which said about five minutes before I came down. The text said, Can’t wait to see you tomorrow. I swallowed and wondered if Z had seen it when my phone lit up. I shook the thought from my head. Surely, he’d be upset or something if he had seen it.
We walked outside and he hopped onto his motorcycle. My heart skipped a beat just thinking about how much fun it would be to be back on a bike. I loved to ride, but I hadn’t been on one since college.
I straddled the bike nestling right behind him and wrapped my arms around his taut stomach and pressed my face into his back. I loved how it felt to be with a guy on a bike. He put his hand on my thigh, turned his head and asked, “I take it you’ve been on one before?” His jaw seemed tight and I couldn’t imagine why.
“Yes,” I exclaimed excitedly and squeezed him tighter. He nodded his head, took a deep breath and started up. We didn’t have far to go to his house, which was only a few blocks past Allure.
As we pulled into his driveway, he asked, “So when was the last time you were on a bike?” His jaw was clenched after he asked that and I couldn’t figure out why.
“I
n college our friend Brad had one. I loved riding on that thing. I always felt like any problems would just disappear when we rode. Nothing to worry about.” I paused, feeling silly. “Sorry…probably sounds weird, doesn’t it?”
He smiled so big it reached his eyes. “No,” he shook his head and said, “No, doesn’t sound weird at all.”
We walked into his house and he smiled as he told me, “Make yourself at home.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Z
I RAN up to take my shower thinking about how she loved to ride a bike. Fucking Whore hated it and had wanted me to sell it. There was no way I’d sell that thing. I felt the same way Izzy did whenever I rode it. Not a care in the world and all your problems disappear.
The more I talked with Izzy, the more my attraction for her grew. Her sweet caring personality complimented her fun, carefree nature. And once she got past that vacant look in her eyes and took off with what she wanted to say, she was amazing. More and more, I felt like I needed to convince her she wouldn’t be a rebound if we got together. I hoped we got together. She was playful, smart, quick-witted…well, with a couple beers in her. God, she was naturally gorgeous. She seemed to barely wear any makeup, especially when she came down the stairs this morning and after our run. I would love to see her first thing in the morning in my bed like that.
Running with her was more than amazing. But even in our quiet spells, it felt like we didn’t have to talk. I laughed to myself that she tried to test me. I wondered if I actually did pass. I was pretty close to collapsing, but I wasn’t going to let her see that. I couldn’t let douche Mark win that competition. Shit. Was I in a competition? I started sounding like Flynn now. Great.
I thought back to the text I noticed on her phone about meeting him tomorrow. I thought about all the ways I could try to keep her up late so she’d be too tired to run with him tomorrow. Crap, she’d be pissed at me. Again. Probably not the best idea. I figured I should just try to win her over with the incredible attraction we have with each other. What if she has that with douche? Shit. No wonder why Flynn acts like a dick with Mel if this is the way he goes back and forth in his head.
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