by C. A. Harms
“Never would have what?”
I waited for her to continue. After what felt like forever, I watched as she squared her shoulders and her chest rose and fell with one deep breath. “This is the only place I found that I truly loved.”
Sadie seemed torn, which confused me.
“The idea of living above or beneath someone else, hearing their entire conversation when all I really want to do is relax is the exact opposite of what I want in a home. And this place,” again she looked toward the cottage and its then that I understood what was happening.
“I work a lot,” she shifted her attention back to me. “With the shifts at the station and the heavy workload of everyone around town adding more projects they need help with, I’m barely around. The chances of us running into one another often are slim.”
Her throat bobbed as she swallowed hard.
“We can make this work, no need for unnecessary conversation.” Taking a step back, I held my hands at my sides. “Rent is due by the first of the month, you can put it in the mailbox near the front door. If you need anything at the house, just shoot me a text.” I held out my card. After she took it, I turned around and walked back toward my house.
When I found out Sadie was the one renting the cottage, I actually thought things could change. Maybe she’d let go of the shit of the past and we could start anew. I guess I was wrong.
It’d been almost a week since Sadie moved in. I’d managed to avoid any direct contact with her, coming and going as usual, but with caution.
I’d noticed she parked closer to the cottage, making the trip to the front door shorter.
I was half asleep on my couch when I heard the sounds of someone knocking on my backdoor. Sitting up, I waited to see if it would continue and when it did, I stood and walked through the kitchen toward the back of the house.
That’s when I noticed Beau standing at my back door.
“Are you gonna let me in or what? Is freezing nuts out here.”
Unlocking the handle and opening the door, I stepped aside so he could come inside. Within seconds he starting hassling Gus and the two of them where gone. On the floor rolling around like an idiot, Beau did all he could to get Gus riled up.
With Anna’s mom living in the attached apartment on their house, they had a built in babysitter. Putting Drew to bed then sneaking out for some adult time was easy.
“What are you doing?”
“Playing with Gus.” The two of them were growling and snarling.
“I mean what are you doing here? As in showing up at my house late at night?”
“Oh,” it took him a few minutes to finish his sentence. “Anna is out back with Sadie, apparently having a girls night, unpacking. She drug me along and told me to keep you company. I think she brought me along so she could drink and know I’d be here to drive her home.”
After grabbing two beers from the fridge, I walked back to the living room to find that Beau had finally gotten himself up off the floor and was now sitting on the couch.
We sat for a little while, neither talking as we watched the movie that was playing on the television.
“You two still pretending the other one don’t exist?”
“I ain’t pretending nothing, just staying out of her way.” Sadie had made it clear, she wanted me to remain distant, so I would give her that.
“Maybe if you just—,”
“Leave it alone, Beau.”
Mr. Fixit, or so he tried. The guy had always been like that, unable to sit back and let anyone be at war. Always trying to soothe over a situation, make everything right, and mend wounds. This wasn’t up to him to fix, hell I couldn’t fix it either.
Chapter Ten
Sadie
* * *
“Admit it.” Anna sloshed her wine from her cup and laughed as she leaned over the countertop to clean up her mess. Giggling the entire time, both of us feeling the effects of hours of drinking finally hitting us. “He’s handsome.”
“Does Beau know you think his best friend is good looking?” Resting my elbows on the marble, I used it to hold myself securely.
“Please,” she slurs, and again she practically dumps her drink and this time I take the glass from her hand. She pouted, but continued on rambling. “My man knows he’s all I need and want. There is no comparison, but Wyatt is a looker.” Her words slurred slightly which only made me laugh. Tonight had been so much fun, I needed to relax. I swear I’d been bound so tight since I had my first run in with Wyatt and it felt good to let it all go.
“So, he was an asshole when he was a kid. He stood back and said nothing when everyone made it a point to revisit your embarrassment over and over, but you have to cut the guy a break, Sadie. That was years ago, he’s changed. You can’t hate him forever for something he did when he was a kid. Believe me, that blew up in his face, big time.”
“How?”
“Let’s just say Karlie wasn’t the dream he thought he’d been gifted. That woman was a mess, and he paid the price for his actions.”
Anna picked up a grape and tried to toss it into her mouth, missing completely and bouncing it off her eye instead. This threw us both into a fit of laughter and soon the conversation of Wyatt quickly faded.
My place was finally coming together.
A cute little haven I could call my own, decorated and organized. I now had dishes in my cabinets, and a sweet welcome rug outside my front door. I’d hit the jackpot at the consignment store outside of Mason Creek and found the softest plush couch and matching ottoman, which fit the living room perfectly. A few colorful throw pillows, some rustic looking end tables and lamps, now all I needed was a television.
There was a knock on the front door and Anna froze in place like she was doing something wrong. Her eyes wide, her hands crossed over her chest. “Drinking makes you paranoid, you dope.”
Moving across the small space, I focused on putting one foot in front of the other. All I needed to do was face plant into the hardwood.
Peeking through the small window next to the door I turned around and found Anna still in the same place she was moments ago. “It’s your guy coming to steal you away.” Immediately her face lit up with joy. I’d never met a couple that was still in the honeymoon phase after this long. The two of them were almost too in love. Honestly what couple likes each other as much as these two. It was nauseating at times.
Really, it was sweet.
I opened the door, bracing my body against the solid frame. “She might be a little drunk,” I said, and holding my hand up I place a very small gap between my thumb and forefinger which only made Beau chuckle.
“I think you both are.” Arching his brow, he dared me to argue, which I did not. I was most definitely feeling very good at that moment.
“Has my handsome man come to take me home?” Anna called out as she walked very slowly toward us. It was almost like she was walking on broken glass.
“Did you know that Anna thinks Wyatt is handsome?” The words had left my mouth before my brain could filter them. As if my brain couldn’t keep up.
“Oh really?” Beau smiled at his wife, as she practically fell into his arms. He scooped her up, his body flush with hers and instantly I felt envious of my best friend. It had been so long since a man held me like that. If I was being honest with myself I’d have to admit that I’d never been held the way he held her. So delicately, like she was a china doll, and the way he looked at her, she was so lucky.
“Handsome, but there is no one in this world as perfect you.” Very clumsily Anna stood a little taller and pressed a kiss to Beau’s cheek.
“Did you girls have a good time?”
“Did you boys?” Anna challenged him and the two of them shared a moment I immediately felt like I shouldn’t be a part of.
Looking away, I stepped around them and out onto the front porch. The crisp night air felt good against my flushed skin. I’d been cooped up in the house for hours and a little fresh air felt good.
&nbs
p; “It’s not too bad out.” I jumped in surprise at the sound of someone’s voice so close. Stumbling I reach for something to hold onto but found that the only thing near me was Wyatt. Part of me thought I’d rather fall then have him help me, but he didn’t allow me to make that choice.
Instead, he reached out, grabbing my arm, and pulling me upright.
Of course, being half looped it was as if my body was swaying uncontrollably and the next thing I knew my entire front was laying flush to his. I could feel his warm breath span out over my cheek, the sound of his deep inhale, followed by the release. It took far too long for me to pull back, as if my body was betraying my mind.
I didn’t look up, still feeling completely flipped around, unsure of what to do next.
“Well, I’m going get this one home.” Beau stepped out of the house, holding Anna close to his side. She pretended to be unable to walk, and allowed him to practically carry her, but when she winked at me, I knew it was all a game. The damsel in distress being rescued by her prince.
Smiling I focused on them instead of Wyatt as Beau led her to his truck. The entire time it took him to load her up and fasten her in I could practically feel Wyatt’s eyes burning a hole in the side of my head. The cool night air did nothing to soothe my heated body.
Anna’s words from our night together rolling around in my mind. He’s not the same guy. Isn’t Wyatt handsome? You can’t hate him forever.
Both Beau and Anna waved through the windshield of the truck as it slowly backed down the driveway. Then I was left alone with my thoughts and Wyatt, who still stood at my side.
“Goodnight,” Wyatt said as he stepped passed me. It was the first time I’d seen him since he grabbed me to keep me from falling. Sweatpants and a sweatshirt, he seemed like a completely different person from the man I’d seen every time before. So relaxed and settled.
“I don’t hate you, ya know.” Wyatt stopped walking only he didn’t turn around to face me. A million thoughts ran through my mind but again my mind couldn’t keep up with my mouth. Drunken rambling was a curse I was dealt. “I know you think I do, and fine maybe I haven’t really given you any reason to think otherwise. It’s just,” I tried to move forward but my foot got caught on the rug beneath my feet. I stumbled a bit and grabbed the railing around my porch.
Taking in a deep breath I looked back up and it was then I was met with Wyatt staring back at me. “I’m humiliated. I was then, and I still am now.” Shrugging, I did my very best to hold myself together. Crying was not an option, but sadly I was also cursed with the drunken sniffles. It alone was some wicked form of voodoo that overpowered me when I least expected it to. “I liked you,” the confession wasn’t as humiliating as I thought it would be. But then again, I was three sheets to the wind, so that helped. “Really, really liked you and then you…” I waved my hand before me, I knew I couldn’t finish the sentence. My emotions were sneaking up on me like a crazy bitch. “Well, you know what you did. I just thought you should know that I don’t hate you, I just hate what you did.”
I’d had enough, honestly I was surprised I was still standing.
“Good night.” I said those last words in a rush and hurried back inside, closing the door securely behind me. It was time to call it a night, I knew I’d feel like hell tomorrow and I’d already said too much.
Chapter Eleven
Wyatt
* * *
Hearing the tires of a vehicle pop against the gravel drive, I moved toward my kitchen window and peered outside. Almost immediately my body tenses, when I see its Cole Jackson. It had been more than a couple weeks now since Sadie signed the rental agreement, so there was no reason for him to follow up with her.
He climbed out of his Expedition and walked around the opposite side, making it harder for me to see him. Hurrying across the dining room, I made my way down the hallway and stood just at the side of the backdoor, peeking through the bind that covered the window. I felt like a peeping tom.
Cole took something out of his backseat, closed the door and started walking toward the front of the cottage. It was a basket of something, all wrapped up in cellophane, and a ribbon tied around the top.
The tension in my shoulders grew and I knew that I had no right to feel anything, but it didn’t change the fact that my body was humming with annoyance.
Opening the door slightly, I pressed my ear to the gap and listened the best that I could. With the quietness, the no interruptions of traffic and more, it made it easier to hear things.
“Wow, that’s sweet!”
I couldn’t hear what he was saying in return and it was grating on my nerves. Unable to control the urge I slipped my shoes on, grabbed the garbage and walked out the back door. Pretending to take out the trash gave me a better advantage.
“Dinner maybe?” Cole said gaining my full attention. I pretended to be completely oblivious of their interaction, but I couldn’t have been more aware. “Or coffee?”
“You’re sweet really, but right now isn’t a good time.”
Or next month, hell even next year.
I continued on to the large garbage can near the side of the two stall garage. Lifting the lid I lowered the bag inside and closed it carefully so that it didn’t drown out their voices. I smiled to myself once again when I heard Sadie decline Cole’s offer for lunch. I had no right to feel pleased, but I was ecstatic at this point.
Busying myself at the side of the garage, I pulled some dead shrubs and tossed them off to the side. I’d gotten preoccupied with tedious tasks hoping to gain as much insight as I could that I’d missed that I was no longer alone.
“Are you honestly eavesdropping on my conversation?”
Spinning around, a hand full of dried weeds, I looked up to find Sadie hovering only a few feet away.
“What?” Real smooth Wyatt!
“You heard me.” The corner of her mouth tipped up in a smile.
There was no way to deny it. “So, you and Cole, huh?”
She crossed her arms over her chest and arched a brow. “I never expected you to be some kind of creeper. A girl tells you she doesn’t hate you and the next thing you know your sneaking around hiding next to garages, pretending to pick weeds and trying to snoop.”
“I was pulling weeds.” Shrugging I lifted the brittle debris and give them a little shake. “And the garbage won’t take itself out.”
“Wow.” Sadie laughed and honestly, I couldn’t stop myself from grinning wide. Damn that laugh alone was the best sound. I’d never thought I hear it let alone be the cause of it. “Well, I’ll let you get back to your weeds.” Smirking, she started to back away, her head shaking from side to side. Then she turned around and I took the opportunity to watch her walk away.
For days I’d felt like I was tied in knots. Frankly since the day outside the coffee shop I’d been unsettled. But suddenly I could feel myself relaxing, hopeful that maybe Sadie and I could move beyond our past.
Maybe she’d be able to look at me and not see that asshole jock that made the end of her high school career nothing more than a miserable memory.
Walking out of Java Jitters I lifted the coffee to my lips and took a sip. Jessie made the best damn cup of coffee I’d ever had.
Reaching out for the handle on my cruiser I freeze when someone spoke from only a few feet away.
“Heard a group of misfits last night,” I spun around holding my cup securely. Grady Jackson stood just outside the entrance of the coffee shop. Not sure how I missed him but lately I have been a little one tracked. A certain brunette has been on my mind heavy, cloudy my thoughts and filling my dreams.
“When I found that my neighbor and friend wasn’t out on patrol, I took matters into my own hands and scared them off.”
“Should I ask?”
He shrugged, but the smile on his face assured me it couldn’t have been anything too bad. “I walked the tree line surrounding the springs and when I got close enough I reached through and pressed the fog horn.” He chuc
kled. “Those little shits tore off, falling over themselves to get away. Like they had an ass full of fire ants. It was the funniest damn thing. Gave me a good laugh, that’s for sure.”
I didn’t know how the guy did it. He worked like a dog, raising his little girl on his own and still managed to find time to laugh. Just thinking about everything he had going on made me exhausted. But Grady is a good guy, always has been.
“What’s been keeping you so distracted?” Lost in thought I realized he’d asked me a question and I paused, staring at him. “Fine example.” Arching a brow, he waited for my response. “You got something on your mind?”
“I’m good.” Maybe talking about it would’ve helped, but I still wasn’t sure if there was anything to truly talk about. Somehow telling Grady that Sadie finally talked to me without calling me an asshole or looking at me like I was Satan felt strange. Not everyone knew our history, and most would wonder why after all this time it still mattered, but I understood. I did hurt her, and it was something that changed Sadie, it wounded her, I did that. She’d held a grudge, but hopefully it was beginning to fade.
I’d wait. I’d continue to show her how I was different. If that’s what it took, I’d jump through hoops.
“Wouldn’t have anything to do with the rumors around town about an old flame moving into your cottage.”
And there it was, I should have known. Nothing stays quiet in Mason Creek. God knows I love this town and its people, but would it kill them to keep some shit to themselves?
“Where did you find that? Was it front page news?”
“The MC Scoop.” When I wrinkled my brows and stared at him, he shrugged. “Yes, I know it’s a gossip column, but it keeps a single dad like me in the loop. Most are rumors, but I have found some useful information there a time or two.”