“And he didn’t take it well, huh?”
“He told me to end our relationship. If I don’t, he’ll evict me.”
Reese’s heart pounded in his chest. “So this is it?”
Lily leaned in to kiss him. She gently grazed her nails through the scruff of hair that dusted his chest. “Silly boy. I slept in your bed last night, didn’t I? I’m not letting you go. Ever.”
Reese’s scowl melted into a grin. He caressed her face. “If he kicks you out, you can move in here.”
“We’ll see. I’m beginning to wonder if his bark is worse than his bite.”
He chuckled as he kissed her. “I love you, Lilybug. I know facing him wasn’t easy. I’m proud of you.”
“I love you, too.”
His eyes slowly grazed her body dressed only in her bra and panties. “If you want to make it to work in time, you’d better get dressed. I’m about to toss you back into bed.”
“Don’t you have work too?”
He laughed. “I forgot. Yes, I do. It’s been so long since I held a job. I can live pretty contently on my purses and my sponsorships. Work for me is training. It’s been quite a while since I’ve had to punch a clock.”
“Poor guy,” Lily teased.
“Smartass.” Reese countered with a wink.
Lily kissed him on the cheek before bouncing off the bed to finish dressing.
He climbed from under the covers after her, pulling open the drawer of his dresser to find a clean pair of briefs. The brush of fingers across his butt sent a surge of pleasure through him. He gazed down at a pair of mischievous brown eyes. “We got to go to work,” he croaked in protest.
“I know. But it’s such a cute butt.” Lily giggled. She plopped down on his bed to button her blouse.
He shook his head as he dressed. His sweet little librarian could be such a tease. And what she did with the scruff of hair on his chest nearly set him on fire with lust. He glanced over his shoulder, finding her gaze locked tight to him as she bit her lower lip. And she likes to watch me dress. Once he zipped up his fly, he reached out to her. “I don’t have to leave for a bit. I can walk you to work.”
“I need to go home to take a shower and change.”
“I’ll see you to the door then. I’m so proud of you for facing your father. But we probably shouldn’t rub his nose in our relationship.”
“Probably a good idea.”
He took her hand and led her down the hall to the front door. They both stifled a laugh when they found Buddy sound asleep snoring in his recliner.
“If he only knew what we were doing there last night,” Lily whispered.
“Yeah,” Reese agreed. “I might have to tell him later just to see his reaction.” He opened the door and nudged her through. “See you tonight?”
“Of course. Should I bring something for supper?”
“Well, now that we're officially public, why don’t we go to the bar for supper?”
“Sure. That’d be fun. Can I meet you there, so I can go home and change first?”
“Sure. And pack a bag. You can shower here. There’s no need to go home in the morning.”
“All right.” Lily parted his lips with hers.
He loved it when she slipped her tongue between his lips, at first timid then with force like she finally mustered the courage to kiss him deep like this. He grabbed her hips and pressed them tight to his. If the neighborhood was about to find out about them, they might as well make the announcement worth it. By the gasp he heard from the little old lady next door, they made an impression. “Bye, Baby. Have a great day at work.”
“You too. Love you. See you tonight,” Lily replied.
He kissed her on the forehead before letting her go. “Love you too.” Reese didn’t move from the front step until Lily disappeared from sight. He silently berated himself. He should have walked her home. Not that she would be in any danger. Braden was one of the safest places he knew. The thought of her being alone, of anything happening to her, tore at him. He stepped and closed the front door behind him.
“What should you tell me?” Buddy rumbled sleepily.
“Oh, that…Lily and I had sex in your recliner.” Reese chuckled.
“Ugh! Gross!” Buddy leapt out of his chair, glared at it and then Reese. “Clean it.”
“Doubtful. But I’ll make breakfast if you give me a minute.”
“Fine.”
Reese laughed as he strode down the hall to his bedroom. He scooped his cell off the dresser. Tapping the screen, he texted. Let me know when you get home. And to work. Please. K?
Before he made his way to the kitchen, it vibrated again.
I’m home. Just about to jump in the shower.
Reese moaned at the thought of Lily in the shower with water streaming down her bare skin. He tapped on his screen. I told Buddy about the chair. He was pretty grossed out.
He waited for her response. It came almost instantly.
Lol!
He smiled and typed a little more. Text me when you get to work. Love you.
When the endless line of hearts answered him, he smiled. Setting the phone on the counter, he pulled out a fry pan and set it on the burner. He reached into the refrigerator for the package of bacon and the carton of eggs. Tearing the wrapping off the bacon, he dumped the contents into the pan and turned on the heat.
Buddy shuffled into the kitchen and cracked a grin at Reese. “Bacon and eggs, huh? I haven’t eaten this well in the morning for a long time.” He rustled Reese’s thick, dark hair. “You make such a good wife.”
Reese shook his head as he laughed. “I am not your wife. I may have a death wish but not like that. And who says I’m the wife?”
“I’m not the wife.”
“In a fist fight, who would win?”
“That’s unfair. You fight for a living. That’s like me challenging you to a drinking contest.”
“I could give you a run for your money doing that too.”
“You wish, little man.”
Reese chuckled as he stabbed at the bacon, shepherding it around the pan for it to cook better. Once he scooped bacon onto a plate, he cracked the eggs on the edge and dumped them in.
Buddy munched on a piece of bacon as he leaned on the counter. “You were on the porch for a long time. Weren’t you afraid someone would see you and Lily together?”
Reese shrugged. “Lily told her dad about us.”
“I just paid Daryl three hundred dollars to keep his mouth shut!”
Reese glanced down at his chirping phone to find an, At work. Love you! message from Lily. He quickly tapped back, Love you too baby before turning to Buddy. “I told you I’d pay you back.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Buddy huffed. “Whatever keeps Lily out of harm. How’d the great Reverend take it?”
“He threatened to evict her.”
“So she’ll be living here to now, huh?”
“Not right away.” Reese scraped at the over easy egg. “He’d have to have the balls to do it first.”
“She pretty much is anyway.”
Reese scooped a couple of eggs on a plate and handed it to Buddy. Turning off the heat, he jiggled the last two onto his own plate then stabbed his fork into the pile of bacon. “Anything I need to know about opening the bar?”
“Just set the register. Jenny will walk you through that and everything else.”
“Quality time with my cousin, huh?”
“Her and Carl, yep. I’m going back to bed after I’m done eating.” Buddy accented his point by cramming a forkful of eggs into his mouth.
“Slacker.”
“Hey, I’ve been putting in full days at that bar since I bought it. I’m looking forward to not putting in a fourteen hour day.”
Reese laughed. “Glad I can help.”
The two men finished their breakfast in silence.
Reese ran a sink of soapy hot water to let the pan soak then headed to his room to finish getting dressed. Slipping out the f
ront door, he walked down the maze of sidewalks to the bar.
Carl was already in the kitchen pounding hamburger into patties for the day’s burgers.
Reese poked his head around the corner. “Hey, Carl.”
“Hey, Slugger,” the older man returned, his long salt and pepper ponytail slightly swinging as he moved. “Buddy said you were opening.”
“Yeah. Where’s Jenny?”
“Knowing that girl, oversleeping.”
“Buddy said I needed to set the register.”
“The code to the safe is under the keyboard of Buddy’s computer. The increments you need to put in the register are on a slip in the bank bag. When you get that sorted out let me know and I’ll come show you how to draw the perfect draft.”
“You know how to work a tap?” Reese asked him.
“Who do you think taught Buddy?”
“Awesome. I’ll come get you as soon as I’m ready.”
“Great, kid. See you in a bit.”
Reese wandered into the office of the bar and flipped over the keyboard of the computer. With a grin, he turned to the safe and typed the code into the safe. Once the moneybag was in his hand, he made his way to the bar. He nearly dropped the pouch when he saw the wad of cash inside. He lived in Las Vegas and had never seen that much money all at once. He heard a chuckle behind him.
“You look shell shocked, kid,” Carl remarked.
“I didn’t realize Buddy made this much.”
“And that’s a weeknight. You should see the weekends.”
“How does he get this much business?”
“Folks come from all over to Buddy’s. It’s the service he provides. People can relax here. It’s like having a beer with an old friend. You know you mean a lot to the guy if he offers to cut you into half of that. Now, get the money in there, so we can have a cold one. Not gonna waste good beer and you need to learn how to pour one.”
“I’m on it.” Reese shuffled the bills into the register then shut it. Once the bag was back in the safe, he joined Carl for his first lesson. With the cook’s patient guidance, he pulled a perfect mug of brew by his third try.
The chimes on the door excitedly announced Jenny’s arrival as the two men were enjoying Reese’s few screw-ups. “You’re opening with me, big cousin?”
“Opening with me would mean you’re here when we open.” Reese winked at her.
“Are you seriously going to give me grief?”
“Only because you’re related to me, Jenny.”
“Just remember, Reese. I have more incriminating stories about you. And the library is just a couple of blocks away. I might have to go ask our town librarian to suggest something to read.”
Reese’s eyes narrowed as he glared at her. “Point made.”
Jenny giggled as she rushed off to the kitchen to start working.
It was only minutes later, when regulars started to gather for lunch. Nerves hit Reese harder than they ever did in the octagon. Carl was right. For Buddy to cut him in on half of the bar, a business he built from the ground up, meant the world. When he left Braden, this bar was nothing but a hole. It had three customers on it’s best day. Now it was the most talked about place in the area.
Within the first hour, the anxiety flew away. Reese was right at home, talking to men choking down a burger on their lunch break and barely swigging down a cold one before rushing out the door to get back to work. He caught the look of pride on Jenny’s face. The place had reached near capacity when Buddy sauntered in with a yawn.
“Hey, Buddy! Your new employee might just put you to shame,” one burly construction worker shouted as he plopped on a barstool.
“Really?” Buddy chuckled. “Not bad for a first day on a job that doesn’t require you punching someone in the face.”
“Thanks for the compliment, boss,” Reese sneered.
“Not boss. Partner. I’ve started the paperwork on our little deal.”
Reese’s grin spread across his face as he wiped out the glass in his hand. “Thanks, Buddy.”
“My pleasure. Having you here has been a blast. I can’t wait to be in business with you.”
“I feel the same.”
“Pour me one, then I’ll go run a couple of errands.”
“Sure.” Reese pulled a frosted mug out of the cooler then filled it slowly from the tap.
Buddy moaned as he sipped it. “Not bad,” he complimented.
“Thanks.”
The door chimed as a bunch of farm boys waved their farewells. Between the bodies shuffling in and out at the same time, Reese didn’t notice Howard enter the bar until it was too late and the older Cooper was sitting on a barstool in front of him laughing. “Sunk this low, boy? Gotta schlep drinks for a living now?”
“Remember, Dad. I’m the one serving you that drink.”
“Not yet.”
Reese grabbed a mug from the cooler and filled it, setting it in front of Howard. Then he reached into the pocket of his jeans, tugged free a few bills and put them in the register. “There’s your drink.”
“Oh, big shot is buying me drinks now.”
“Just trying to build a relationship with you.”
“I don’t want a relationship with you. If you were a busty blonde, it would be a different story.”
“I’m your son.”
“No, you’re a mistake. You’re a reason to always have a condom handy.”
Reese let go a laugh of disbelief. “Really? That’s what you think of me?”
“You’ve never given me a reason to believe otherwise.”
“Because I don’t use my hard earned money to support you?”
“Hard earned? You make your money beating people. Sounds pretty easy to me. Even I can do that. You were always in my way. When I tried to shove you off on your aunt, she shoved you back. Can’t you get it, boy? Nobody wanted you. Nobody wants you now. You’re just one huge mistake.”
Reese slammed his fists on the bar. His breath peaked in anger. Inhaling deeply, he growled. “Someday, Dad. Someday, we won’t have a chance to mend things. All I’m asking is for you to be my father. You’re the only parent I have. I love you, Dad.”
Howard chugged down the beer and slammed the mug on the counter. “And all I want is another beer. Not you. Not your pathetic little life. Just a beer.”
Reese poured another beer and pushed in front of Howard. “Here. I wouldn’t want to deprive you of what you really love.” Spinning on his toe, he stormed back to the office not stopping until he slumped into Buddy’s office chair. He heard the footsteps follow him.
“Reese, are you all right?” Jenny asked with concern.
“Never been better,” Reese snapped.
“Reese, he’s full of shit,” Buddy assured.
“Is he? Name me one person who has actually given a shit about me. You sure as hell won’t find one in Vegas. And I’m pretty sure there isn’t one here in Braden.”
“Really? One? I can do you better than that. I’ll name you three.”
“Right.”
“There is a librarian down the street who believes you are her world. I know. I keep finding her in my house mooning over you.” Buddy motioned between him and Jenny. “And me and the chica here think you’re pretty awesome too.”
“So does Mom, Dad and Jane. You know that, Reese. You haven’t been by the house yet. Dad has every article ever written about you. Mom gushes with pride every time someone mentions you. They didn’t call human services because they didn’t love you. They knew how much you loved your dad. They were hoping he’d come around.”
Reese sighed. “He didn’t.”
“Buddy! I want another beer! Where the hell did you go? Either you or that shithead needs to get me another beer!” Howard shouted.
Buddy rolled his eyes. “That’s it.”
Jenny frowned. “What are you going to do?”
“Something I never thought I’d do.” Buddy strode out of the office.
Reese stared at Jenny as th
ey both strained to hear.
Buddy’s voice was undetectable.
Howard’s wasn’t. “You’re kicking me out? How dare you? Just because that shithead came back? You are that willing to turn business away. Fine. You can kiss my ass. I’ll go drink at home.”
The sound of the chime was followed by silence. Once again, there was heavy footsteps. Buddy appeared around the corner, a scowl on his face.
Reese opened his mouth but nothing came out. Finally, he found the words, “Buddy, you didn’t have to do that. He’s called me that all my life.”
“Yes, I did. I won’t let him treat my family like that.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. Let’s get back to work.”
Reese stood and followed the other two to the bar. The rest of the afternoon was quiet. Reese could tell Buddy was fuming. He didn’t know how he was going to make everything right.
Chapter Eleven
Reese settled down for his own brew after his shift. Rubbing his finger up and down the glass, leaving a path on the frost, all he could think about was Lily. He wanted to hold her. He wanted to feel loved. He hadn’t really known what that felt like until he was with her. He needed to remember how it felt. He listened to the rain pelt the roof and windows of the bar. It had been since the early afternoon. In the past hour, it had rained even harder.
The sound of the weather alert echoed through the bar. Buddy flipped the game off the flat screen to the local channel.
Every pair of eyes in the bar were on the screen.
“Thunderstorm warning,” he mumbled. He glanced around the bar. “You folks might want to wrap it up. There isn’t that much room in my freezer for all of us.”
“Why would we get in the freezer?” Reese questioned.
Buddy pointed at the deep red blotches on the screen. “Been a while since you’ve been in a tornado warning, hasn’t it?”
The rain outside drove hard against the window as the wind picked up and began to howl. Reese cringed at the lightning strike outside. “Yeah, quite a while.”
Patrons finished their drinks but didn’t move. The weather outside froze them in their places. As they all expected…the sound of a siren pealed over the roar of the wind.
The Heartbreaker (Fighting the Odds Book 1) Page 13