by J. D. Rivera
Me: You busy?
Natalie was a neighbor who lived a few doors down. We met when I found her in the parking lot, looking under her hood. I helped her figure out the cause of her car problems and she gave me her number. After that, we had seen each other a few times over the last two months.
Natalie: No. Come over.
I picked up my keys and shut the door behind me.
Natalie’s door was open with the TV blaring. “Hey,” I called as I stepped inside.
“Hey,” she called back from the hallway.
I sat down in a chair and waited for her to come back to the living room. Once she did, I wished I hadn’t bothered. She was holding her six-month-old niece in her hands. I knew she babysat her from time to time, but she should have told me.
“Um, so, you’re babysitting?” The answer was obvious, but I asked anyway.
“Yeah. I thought we could hang out or something. Get to know one another a little better.”
Was this chick insane? She was a convenient hookup. Nothing more. “I don’t think so.”
Her eyebrows pulled together. “What do you mean?”
How do you nicely tell someone you don’t give a rat’s ass about them personally? I couldn’t do that. I sighed and rubbed my forehead. “Sorry. Yeah. What do you want to know?” I asked as my cell phone beeped.
Hayes: I’ll pay you if you come over now.
Perfect timing.
“I have to go,” I stated as I stood up.
“What? You just got here.”
I opened the door. “I’m sorry. It’s just that my…friend needs me to help him with something.” I didn’t want to mention I was babysitting—she might suggest we babysit together.
Thirty minutes later, I was pulling up to Hayes and Mackenzie’s house. His Jeep was in the driveway but Mackenzie’s Explorer wasn’t there. I knocked on the front door and heard Hayes yell, “It’s open.”
“It’s me,” I hollered as I walked inside. I could hear Hayes in the kitchen area talking to Harley. Something about a toy.
Rounding the corner, I spotted Hayes and Harley at the dining table. She had a plate of veggies in front of her and a pouty face. “Bwad!” she squealed in her little one-year-old voice.
“Hey, little girl. Why do you look so sad?”
“She won’t eat her vegetables. I even offered to buy her a new princess doll if she’d eat them,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “Screw it.” He hopped up and grabbed something out of the cabinet. It was a small pouch that had what looked like an apple and a carrot on the front. “It’s baby food. Mackenzie doesn’t want her eating it anymore, but hell, it’s the only way I can get her to eat her vegetables.” He unscrewed the cap and gave it to Harley. “We just won’t tell Mama, okay?”
I burst out laughing. “You are so incredibly whipped.”
He shrugged. “Listen, thanks for coming early. Mackenzie should be getting home soon and I thought I’d surprise her by taking her shopping before dinner. She never buys anything for herself, so I thought I’d force her.”
Damn. He really was whipped. “No problem. I wasn’t doing anything anyway.”
The front door banged open and Mackenzie hollered, “Why is Brad here already?”
“Glad to see you, too.”
Hayes quickly grabbed the empty pouch from Harley and took it to the trash as Mackenzie came into the dining room. “I am glad to see you. I just thought you’d get here later.”
She walked over to Harley, kissed her head, and eyed the plate still full of vegetables. “Hayes,” she waited for him to come back in the room, “did you give her the baby food again?”
He walked toward her, planting a kiss on her cheek. “I missed you.”
“Yeah, yeah. I missed you, too. Next time, make sure you clean her off. She has orange baby food all over her face and nothing orange on her plate.”
“Damn.” He chuckled. “Hey, so Brad’s here early. Go get dressed. I want to take you somewhere before we have dinner.”
She gave him a questioning look. “Um, okay.”
Chapter 5
Miranda
After Brad left the coffee shop, I sat there, stunned. He’d sat down at my table, talking to me like we were old friends. I knew he meant nothing by it, but I still loved it.
He’d never like the real me.
That was right, he’d never like the real me. If he knew all of my faults, he’d never even look in my direction, let alone sit down and talk to me.
I sighed and started shoving things in my bag. I shouldn’t be thinking about him that way. He was just a nice guy. I stood up as my phone rang. Pulling it out of my pocket, I glanced at the screen. It was a number I didn’t recognize, but I answered it anyway.
“Hello.”
“Hello, Miranda,” a voice said, giving me chills.
I stood there, rooted to the spot as my heart stopped and then began beating rapidly. How had he gotten this number? Why was he calling me after all this time?
Hang up! Hang up before you do something you’ll regret. Think of…Brad. Sexy as hell homicide detective Brad. That’s the addiction you want.
“Miranda? Please talk to me. I’ve missed you so much, baby.” I closed my eyes and shakily hit end on the screen of my phone. Fumbling, I placed the phone back in my pocket and bolted out of the coffee shop.
I was terrified. Not of Preston but what I would do if I were around him again. If he could find my new cell number, he could easily find where I lived. And if he comes to my apartment, I’d probably give in and follow him into the hell otherwise known as cocaine.
As soon as I climbed in my car, I locked the doors and cranked the engine. I needed to get out of there. Nervously, I drove home, checking in the rearview mirror every two seconds. After I pulled into an empty parking spot at my apartment complex, I sat in my car for an extra fifteen minutes, checking every direction to make sure he wasn’t around.
This was my worst nightmare coming true. Preston had a hold on me like no one else. He knew my one true weakness, and he’d use it to his advantage.
I knew I was being paranoid, but he had found my new number—he was obviously a resourceful man. I grabbed my backpack, took a deep breath, and bolted out of my car, hitting the lock button as I ran to my apartment.
My hands wouldn’t quit shaking, making me drop my keys twice before I unlocked the door. Once the door was open, I flew inside and slammed the door shut.
I was locking the deadbolt when I heard Kristin’s voice. “Everything all right?”
Taking a deep breath, I turned around to see her standing next to her plants, holding a watering can with a bewildered look on her face. I ran a hand through my long hair and took a deep breath. “Yes. No.” I shook my head. “I’m fine. I’m just being crazy. Don’t mind me.”
She nodded. “Uh huh.”
I smiled, then walked down the hall to my room and closed the door. Dropping my bag in the floor, I flopped onto my bed and closed my eyes. I was a mess and I needed to get a grip. Just because he knew my number didn’t mean he was going to come after me. It didn’t really mean anything. Keep telling yourself that.
I needed someone to distract me. I plucked my phone out of my pocket and texted Carson.
Me: You want to hang out tonight?
A few seconds later, he texted me back.
Carson: I can’t tonight. I’m meeting up with someone.
Shit!
Me: Okay. Have fun.
After another few seconds, I received another text from him
Carson: If you need me to cancel, I will.
Me: Don’t be silly. Do not cancel because of me.
Carson: Are you sure? Are you okay?
Me: I’m sure. And yeah, I’m okay. I was just bored.
Carson: Okay, but call me if you need me.
Me: Will do.
It was sweet that he was willing to cancel his plans for me, but I was not going to be that person. I didn’t want people dropping everything for me.
I plugged my phone into the charger on my nightstand and decided to take a nap. I was positive I would feel better and have a new perspective when I woke up.
***
Knocking at my door woke me. I rolled over, and yelled, “Come in.”
Kristin opened the door, an apologetic look on her face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were sleeping.”
“That’s okay,” I said, looking at the clock on the nightstand. “It’s seven o’clock anyway. What’s up?”
“I’m going to catch a movie with a few friends. Wanna come?”
I liked Kristin, but her friends could be a little weird sometimes. And a lot annoying. “No thanks. I’m just going to stay here and study.”
“Okay,” she said, shutting the door.
Glancing at my backpack and then my desk, I realized I really didn’t want to study. My head was all over the place, I’d never be able to concentrate. And I didn’t want to stay there by myself. Being alone was not the way to go. Hanging out with Mackenzie seemed like the best plan, plus I’d get to play with Harley.
I rolled out of my bed and moved toward the bathroom. My eyes were hurting, no doubt because I’d passed out in my contacts, so I took them out and reached for my glasses. I didn’t really like the way I looked in my glasses, but I didn’t care, and I doubted anyone else would.
I pulled a pair of yoga pants and a T-shirt out of a drawer, changed, and tossed my hair up in a sloppy bun, deeming myself good to go. After grabbing my keys and wallet from my backpack, I walked out of my room and exited my apartment.
On the drive to Mackenzie’s, I cranked up the radio, blaring Poison. I had a thing for eighties music, Poison being one of my favorites.
I pulled into the driveway, noticing a truck I didn’t recognize. Checking my reflection in the rearview mirror, I debated over whether I should go in or drive away. I definitely wasn’t looking my best. After a five minute inner struggle, I decided, fuck it, I was going inside.
I grabbed my keys and wallet, then marched to the front door and knocked.
A minute later, the door swung open and Brad stood on the other side. Suddenly, I couldn’t breathe. I looked like complete shit and he looked…gorgeous. Life was so not fair.
“Hey,” he offered as a greeting, a smile gracing his face.
I blinked and shook my head. “Um…hi. I was just…coming to see Mackenzie.”
“Bwad! Bwad! Cookie!” Harley yelled in her cute toddler voice.
He opened the door wider. “Mackenzie isn’t here, but you’re welcome to hang out with Harley and me. We have cookies.”
I wasn’t sure if I should go inside or not, but spending time with Brad sounded nice. Better than nice, actually. It sounded fucking great. “Sure. Why not?” I finally answered as I walked inside.
“Hayes and Mackenzie are on a date,” he stated as he grabbed a cookie from the counter and handed it to Harley. “This is your last one, okay, princess?”
She took the cookie from him and finally realized I was standing there. “Randa!”
I squatted down as she walked toward me. “Hey, little girl. What are you doing?”
“Cookie.”
Noticing crumbs on her cheeks and chocolate on her lips, I laughed. “Yeah. I can see that.”
She gave me a quick hug before heading toward the living room and jumping onto her smaller couch. “She’s watching some princess movie,” Brad said.
I looked back over at him. He was so hot. His blonde hair and slight beard made me want to run my hands over his cheeks, then into his hair right before I kissed him. Stop it! He’d never want you! He was smiling at me with a quirked eyebrow, as if waiting on me to say something. I shook my head. “I’m sorry. Did you say something?”
He chuckled. “Yeah. I asked if you wanted something to drink. They have sweet tea in the fridge.”
“Um, sure.”
He walked over to the fridge and I couldn’t help but look at his butt as he bent down to grab the tea. “So, what brings you over here?”
“I was just bored and thought I’d spend some time with Mackenzie.”
He poured some tea into a glass and handed it to me. “Hayes took her shopping then to dinner and movie. He was quite excited. I guess they don’t get much time for just the two of them.”
I nodded but didn’t say anything. I was completely nervous around this guy and I didn’t know why. I had known him for months and had spoken to him just hours ago. It’s because you’re a fucking idiot. I shook my head and followed him to the couch.
He sat down on one side, propping his feet on the coffee table. “You a fan of princess movies? If you are, you’re at the right place. This is our second one.”
I sat down on the opposite end of the couch and tucked my legs under me. “Of course. That’s my favorite type of movie. What’s your favorite? No. Let me guess. The Notebook?”
“Ha-ha, you know me so well.” He smiled, showing off his dimples.
I took a drink of tea. “So, what’s your real favorite movie?”
“The Notebook.” He laughed. “Okay. My favorite movie? I don’t really have a favorite, but I guess I’d say…Scarface.”
“Isn’t that movie about a guy in the mob or something?”
He gave me a confused look. “You’ve never seen Scarface? This needs to be rectified!”
“Sorry,” I said, giving him a sheepish look in return.
“So, what’s your favorite movie? Or favorite type?”
“Comedy,” I answered without having to think. “But my favorite movie would be…Napoleon Dynamite.”
“Are you serious?” he asked, laughing.
“‘Tina, you fat lard, come get some dinner. Tina, eat. Food. Eat the FOOD!’” I responded, quoting the movie, which only made him laugh harder. “So, you’ve seen it?”
“Fuck yeah I’ve seen it. It’s just…how is that your favorite movie?”
“Because it’s awesome,” I answered, a genuine smile spreading across my face for the first time in what felt like forever. Brad made me forget about everything else and I found myself actually enjoying the conversation.
“Bwad, daw,” Harley said as she placed a doll in Brad’s lap.
“Okay,” he told her before looking at me again. “Looks like its doll time. You better grab one.”
“She didn’t ask me.”
He stood up, yawning before stretching his arms over his head, exposing his amazing abdominal muscles that led to a very sexy V. “You’re here, you’re playing. You can be the blonde princess.” He winked before walking over to Harley’s dollhouse and sitting down next to her.
I stood up and joined them, taking the doll Harley placed in my hands.
Harley was hilarious as she played with the dolls, twisting them around in a dancing motion. “I think she’s picked up the dancing from the movies,” Brad stated as we watched her swing the doll around by its hair.
“Yeah.”
“I didn’t know you wore glasses.”
I hated that he was seeing me in my grungiest clothes with no makeup or contacts. “Yeah. I normally wear my contacts, but I was expecting to just hang out with Mackenzie.”
He placed a hand over his heart, pretending to be hurt by my words. “Sorry you’re stuck with me. But for the record, you look great with glasses.”
He hadn’t really said anything, but just hearing him say I look great made my heart skip a beat. “Thanks.”
A few minutes later, Harley hugged one of her dolls and went back to sit on her princess couch in front of the TV as we followed. I took a couple of sips of tea just to give my hands something to do as I thought about the situation. I was alone with Brad Nicholson—again.
He glanced in front of us. “Looks like Harley’s falling asleep.”
“Oh. That was quick. I guess I should get going.” I didn’t want to annoy him by staying too long.
“Stay. I’ll put her to bed and then we can chat some more. I can’t wait to hear about your favo
rite music.” He stood up and gently picked Harley up, cuddling her in his arms as he took her to her room.
What the hell did I think I was doing? He would laugh so hard if he knew I had the hots for him. Then again, he probably knew he was hot and just expected it.
He came back into the room with a bag of chips and sat down closer than before, extending the bag to me. “Want some? I’m hungry.”
I grabbed a handful. “Thanks.”
I chewed for a minute then took a sip of my drink.
“So…tell me what kind of music you like. I honestly can’t wait to find out.”
Why did he have to have a great personality and be attractive? “Well, I like all types. But I really like bands from the eighties.”
“Like?”
“I’m a big Poison fan. I also like AC/DC, even though they started in the seventies.”
He nodded. “Okay. Those are good. Do you like anything current?”
“I like Brantley Gilbert.”
“Me, too.” He took a drink and shook his head. “You’re very interesting, Miranda. Has anyone ever told you that before?”
“Not that I can recall,” I answered, noticing how close we were. He was looking at me differently than he ever had before. My heart started hammering in my chest as heat crept into my cheeks.
“Well you are. Very interesting.” He lifted his hand and brushed it across my lower lip. “You had a piece of chip stuck to you.”
“Oh,” I said, deflated. He had been looking at me differently because I was the stupid ass who didn’t know she had something on her lip.
Chapter 6
Brad
We fell into a comfortable silence and turned on some boring ass movie on TV. Then she fell asleep about thirty minutes later, which gave me a free pass to look at her. She was fucking gorgeous. She was also nineteen.
Her head fell to the side, making her body move and fall against me, and causing her glasses to shift. She looked sexy as hell in those glasses. She didn’t wake up and I couldn’t stop my hand from brushing her hair away from her face. Earlier, I had wanted to kiss her so badly. Flashes of me licking the chip off her lip before taking her mouth with mine was driving me insane. But somehow, I managed to control my growing need for her.