by Madison, Mia
Tyler was in the living room when we came downstairs. I strode past him and entered the kitchen, taking in the scene.
“The step she was on broke and she and the ladder ended up in a pile on the floor,” Gabi explained.
“I can see that.” I also could see the rickety ceiling fan above our heads. It was so old and decrepit that they were lucky it hadn’t fallen down and beheaded someone years ago. But it wasn’t rotating anymore. Sierra had done what she’d set out to do. Pride filled me. I remembered thinking she was like a warrior woman when I’d first met her. She still was.
“Where are you going?” Tyler asked when I marched out of the room.
“To the hardware store to get a new ceiling fan.”
“I’ll come with you.”
“You stay here and get rid of that fucking fifty-year-old ladder,” I snapped. “And call me immediately if she wakes up,” I said to the girls.
There was nothing I could do to help Sierra, but I had to do something. I’d always been good with my hands, thanks to the early training Mr. Hanson had given me, and putting up the new celling fan—the most expensive one the store had had—was therapeutic. I refused all help and wouldn’t even let anyone steady the aluminum ladder I’d also bought. If Sierra had had one like that, she wouldn’t currently have a broken bone, stitches, and a cast that went almost up to her kneecap.
Evening fell, and I refused to join the others at dinner. I slept on the sofa, and in the morning, Gabi made me coffee and some breakfast. And then Kait reported that Sierra was awake and wanted to see me.
“Take these to her,” Kait said, handing me a glass of water and some pills.
Up in the bedroom, I helped Sierra sit up, her back against the headboard, her cast up on a pillow to keep it elevated. I sat on the edge of the bed and gave her the medicine. When she was done, I took the glass from her and brushed strands of her long blonde hair away from her face.
“Did you stay the night?” She asked. She sounded tired.
“Yes.”
“Gabi said you replaced the ceiling fan.”
I nodded. “I bought you a new ladder, too. But I don’t want you going anywhere near it.”
She gave a rueful little laugh that ended in a grimace of pain. “Wasn’t planning on it.” She scooted around, trying to find a more comfortable position and winced in pain.
“Shouldn’t you rest more?”
“Probably,” she said. “But since you’re here, let’s talk for a few minutes.”
“We’re not really known for that,” I pointed out.
She shook her head, one corner of her mouth twitching upward. “We’re better at playing games.”
“Yes, we are. But maybe that’s not enough.” Her eyes were downcast, so I waited until she looked up. “I’m sorry I couldn’t come to your aunt’s party on Friday.”
“I know you had to work,” she said hurriedly. “I got that. But what I didn’t quite like was how disappointed I felt. I… I kind of told my mom some stuff about you.”
That statement was precisely the kind of thing I’d tried to avoid in my past encounters with women. But somehow, it pleased me that she’d perhaps bragged about me a bit. “I wish I could’ve been there.”
“I know,” she said, and she seemed to mean it. “I was disappointed that we couldn’t spend the evening together, but I was also a bit… freaked out to realize that I cared about you more than I realized.”
“I know that feeling,” I said.
“You do?” Her head tilted to the side.
“I do. And I’m sorry I haven’t been honest about that, but you haven’t either.”
“What do you mean?” She didn’t sound angry, just curious.
“Well, when you asked me to come, you made it sound like it wasn’t a big deal. Like maybe you didn’t care if I came or not. Like maybe you were only asking to be polite.”
Sierra sucked in a breath, her gaze distant as she thought about it. “I think maybe I didn’t want to admit to myself how much I wanted you to come.” She bit her bottom lip. “I’m not very good with relationships. That first phone call when you offered me the job pretty much proved that.”
“That phone call proved to me that you were a strong, fierce, and fearless young woman. That phone call was what made me want to know you better. I still want to know you better. And because that should be a two-way street, I’ll let you in on a little secret. I’m not very good with relationships, either.”
Sierra’s blue eyes were wide as she looked up at me. “So maybe we can learn together. After all, it’s just another challenge to take on. Only we can take it on cooperatively, not competitively.”
“But I’m good at competing. And so are you,” I said, trying to get her to smile again.
“I guess it’s a good thing we’re on the same team, then,” she said simply.
“I guess you’re right,” I said, gently lowering my forehead against hers.
And she was right. We were both strong people, and together, we could navigate unfamiliar territory together.
Holding her carefully, I pressed my lips against hers and kissed her.
Working together, two highly competitive people like us, we’d be unstoppable.
21
Epilogue One
Sierra
“Thank you for bringing me out here,” I told Gabi and Kait. “I was going a bit stir crazy staying inside so much.” I breathed in the fresh air as I sat between my two best friends on the park bench. It felt good to be out. After a few days of Ian carrying me up and down the stairs, we’d decided it was better for me to stay on the first floor.
Everyone had pitched in to make Kait’s father’s old study into a bedroom, but it didn’t quite feel like it was my space yet.
I had gone into the office a few times and also done some work on my laptop from home. With crutches, I could get around fairly well on flat ground, but the stitches still hurt, and I got tired easily.
“This is a beautiful spot,” Kait said, looking over the lake and the playground.
“I love it here.” Gabi turned to me. “Are you feeling okay?”
“Yes. Besides, I need to walk around and get stronger. After all, I have a date the week after next.”
“Look at the flush on your cheeks. Admit it, you’ve got it bad for Ian.”
“That’s just from the wind,” I said though I knew it wasn’t. “I just hope I’ll be strong enough for a whole evening out.”
“You can always leave early,” Gabi pointed out.
“But it’s a wedding,” I said.
“His second cousin’s wedding.” Kait said.
“I know, but I want to make a good impression on his family.” Things with Ian and I had been going really well lately. Due to my injury, we couldn’t hang out all the time, but our risqué texts had been mostly replaced with in-person visits and phone calls. Well, okay, we still sometimes engaged in naughty texts—not to mention other naughty things—but it felt balanced now. We talked. We ate together. We had real conversations—and we made each other moan with passion whenever we could.
“There’s that blush again,” Gabi said, but mercifully, she was distracted by the arrival of the twins.
“Gabi!” Ava said, bounding up with Brandon right behind her. Gabi introduced them to Kait and then reached in a bag at her feet, pulling out a plastic container of toffee cookies.
Kait looked aghast as the children helped themselves.
“Save your breath,” I whispered to her. “Apparently they’re friends.”
“That’s right, we are,” Brandon said, and I smiled at him. I hadn’t realized he could hear me.
Gabi and Ava were talking about the start of school. “In just two weeks, we’ll find out our teachers,” Ava said.
“Are you excited?” Gabi asked.
“Yes, and our birthday is a couple of days after that.”
“Is it?” Gabi said, her voice filled with enthusiasm. She really liked these two. “Let me kno
w a few days out and I’ll bake you something special.”
Ava exchanged a look with Brandon. “It’s August twenty-ninth,” she said.
“We’d like you to come to our birthday party,” her brother added.
“Me?” Gabi seemed shocked.
“Of course. You’re our friend.”
The humor of the situation struck me. “You should go, Gabi. Your height will be a real asset when it’s time to take a whack at the piñata or play pin the tail on the donkey.”
Kait giggled. “You’ll be the biggest kid there.”
“Ignore them,” Gabi said firmly. “I’d love to come if you’re sure it’s okay with your parents.”
“Dad said we could invite you,” Brandon confirmed.
“Should I bring anything?”
“Like what, a bottle of wine? It’s a kid’s party, Gabi. All you need to bring is a present.” Kait still found the idea amusing. So did I for that matter, but Gabi was my friend, and these kids were her friends.
“Two presents,” I corrected, and the little girl smiled at me.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Gabi said, her smile wide and genuine.
I smiled too, because I had something to look forward to, as well. Ian cared about me enough to introduce me to his family. He wanted me by his side at his cousin’s wedding. And after that, maybe I’d invite him to dinner with my mom.
Gabi was right. It was good to have something to look forward to.
* * *
“I’ve always loved dancing with tall women,” Ian murmured, his arms around me, his lips close to my ear.
“Even ones wearing a clunky old cast?”
“Especially ones wearing a clunky old cast.”
Oddly enough, my cast hadn’t stopped me from having a wonderful time at his cousin’s wedding. I’d worn the beautiful navy dress he’d bought me for our first date. It was long enough to cover most of the cast.
Ian expertly turned us in a circle on the dance floor. My feet rested on his, and every time he took a step, I did, too. I hoped I wasn’t hurting him, but he didn’t seem to mind. He was so damn strong—I knew because I kept stroking his broad back and thick biceps every chance I got.
Moving a little faster in time to the music, he twirled us again, and I felt heavy fabric brush against my thighs. To my shock, when he’d picked me up tonight, he’d been wearing a white shirt, a dark blue tie, a black jacket… and a kilt.
My jaw had dropped to the ground, but it looked amazing on him. It emphasized his flat stomach, strong calves, and firm backside. I couldn’t stop staring—and I also couldn’t help wondering what was underneath it.
But those thoughts receded as the night wore on. Ian and I talked with his family and friends. He’d introduced me as his girlfriend, time and time again. We were recognized as a unit. As a team.
We felt like a team, and it was the best feeling in the world. At least until the evening ended and it was time to go home.
Ignoring my crutches, Ian scooped me up in his arms, as effortlessly has he had after the accident. He carried me to his car and gently placed me in the front seat. Bending low, he fastened my seatbelt snugly around my hips, making me feel cherished. Before he could straighten up, I grabbed his tie, tugging his head toward me.
His lips met mine and it was like our first kiss all over again. Tingles spread through my body as I felt the rightness of this. We belonged together.
I didn’t want the kiss to end, but when it did, I was glad. Because before he stood, he whispered in my ear. “I love you, Sierra.”
“I love you, too, Ian.”
Tears glistened in my eyes as we exchanged those precious words for the very first time.
I hadn’t thought I’d ever love again, but I did. I loved Ian with all my heart.
It was the best feeling in the world.
22
Epilogue Two
Gabi
Somewhat nervously, I knocked on the door of the attractive brick house. I wasn’t sure where the nerves came from, it was only a children’s birthday party. But nonetheless, I felt a little unsettled and jumpy.
The feelings intensified when the door opened revealing a man in his mid-thirties. My breath caught in my throat, and I fought the urge to take a step back in shock.
The man was gorgeous.
Drop dead gorgeous.
He looked like a model with his penetrating brown eyes. They gleamed at me as if they knew me. As if they liked what they saw. His jawline was covered in just the right amount of sexy stubble that surrounded lips currently pulled into a polite smile. “May I help you?”
His voice was like warm honey, and it entered my body and settled in my stomach. Lower, actually. It made my heart pound harder even though I was standing still.
“Miss?”
“Sorry,” I said, barely able to formulate the words. He was taller than me though most people were. He looked to be a little over six feet tall. He wore a copper-brown sweater pushed up at the sleeves. His forearms were tan and lightly dusted with dark hairs. “I, um… I’m here for the birthday party.”
He frowned. “There’s no party,” he said, and confusion flooded through me.
“I must have the wrong house,” I stammered, disappointed to find out that he wasn’t my host for the evening.
“No, it’s the right house, but there’s no party. The twins insisted on only inviting their friend Gabi. Are you her…” he trailed off, staring at me intently. “There’s no way you’re old enough to be her mother. Are you Gabi’s aunt?”
What? “I’m Gabi.” I shifted the gift bags in my hands as if to prove I’d been invited. But if there wasn’t a party, then what exactly had I been invited to?
At that moment, voices called my name. “You’re here!” exclaimed Ava.
“Come in,” added Brandon.
Wordlessly, their dad stepped aside to allow me access. “My apologies,” he said. “When the twins said they’d invited a friend, I expected it to be a child.”
“I’m sorry, too. I thought this was going to be a party with lots of attendees. Why don’t I just give Ava and Brandon these gifts and then head out?”
“No, you’re here now, all dressed up and ready for dinner.” His eyes swept down my peach-colored dress to my silver sandals and back up. “Welcome to our home. I’m Luke.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” I stepped inside. In spite of the somewhat awkward situation, I took a moment to admire his house. The entryway opened up to a large, high-ceilinged room with a sofa and chairs placed around a huge fireplace. To the left was a grand piano. I wondered who in the family knew how to play it.
Ava grabbed my hand and led me to a dining room table. Plates were set for four, so clearly, they were expecting me—even if Luke had thought I was a child. “You can sit here, Gabi.”
Setting the presents down on a bench along the wall, I started to sit where she indicated. Suddenly, Luke was behind me, pushing my chair in as I sat. Wow. I’d never seen a man do that except in the movies before.
Ava and Brandon sat across from me leaving space for their father at the head of the table. Luke headed to the kitchen but then paused. “We, um, have a slightly unusual birthday tradition.”
“We always have the cake first,” Brandon said excitedly.
Luke looked a bit embarrassed. “We will have dinner, too, but for the last couple of years, we’ve had the cake first.”
“It’s delicious, but Dad says you have to leave room for the real food, too,” Ava added.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Since I’d always had a pretty hearty appetite, I didn’t think that would be a problem.
“Coming right up. Gabi, what would you like to drink?”
“Just water, please. Can I help with anything?”
“Thanks, but I’m fine. I’ll be right out.”
The moment he left, I turned to the children. “Why didn’t you tell me I’d be the only guest?”
“Because we thought you wouldn�
�t come,” Brandon said honestly while his sister elbowed him.
“We wanted you to be here. It’s our birthday so we get to do things our way. That’s what Dad always says. That’s why we have the cake first,” Ava explained.
Luke re-entered the dining room carrying a white sheet cake that was obviously store-bought. He started singing Happy Birthday and I quickly joined in. When he placed the cake in front of the twins, I could see that he’d done something cute with the candles. There were nine on each side, presumably eight plus one to grow on for each of them to blow out.
Their dad sat down as the song ended, and then we both looked expectantly at the kids. “Don’t forget to make a wish,” I said.
“We won’t,” Ava said, and the twins noisily blew out the candles. “We decided on our wishes a long time ago.”
“What were they?” Luke asked, amusement in his voice.
“I wished for Gabi to be our new mommy,” Ava said in a matter-of-fact tone.
My jaw dropped as I stared at the little girl in shocked surprise.
“And I wished for you to marry her, Daddy,” Brandon chimed in.
I could feel everyone’s eyes on me as I sat there, completely at a loss for words.
“Then we can be a family!” Ava added.
Still speechless, I turned and met the eyes of the handsome man sitting next to me.
He looked every bit as stunned as I was.
* * *
Thank you for reading Red Hot Games! If you liked this story, please leave a review at Amazon. I’d really appreciate it!
Gabi’s story, Red Hot Stakes, is coming very soon. Please keep an eye out for it at my Amazon Author Page.