Love Conquer

by Hart, Cary

“That is absurd and if you hit me again—” The feather pillow slams against my head. “That hurt!” I’m out of the bed in a flash and grab a throw pillow from the corner chaise. “This…it’s sooooo firm.”

  “If you throw that and it breaks my chandelier…” She eyes the ceiling and my eyes follow.

  “You don’t?”

  Opening the drawer, she begins pelting me with Gavin’s rolled socks, one at a time. “Of course not.”

  A round of socks.

  “That would take a special anchor.”

  More socks.

  “You are unbelievable.” I back away to the door. I’m raising the throw pillow above my head when it disappears. “Hey!” I swing around and see Gavin standing there looking exhausted, yet amused.

  “I thought you two were going to have a girl’s day.” He walks past me, throwing the pillow back in the corner. When he gets to Niki, he wraps her up in his arms, inhaling her scent as if he needed a fix.

  For a moment, their world stops moving. It’s just the two of them, in a universe they created.

  I want that.

  I should turn away, but seeing my sister this happy gives me hope and right now, it’s exactly what I need to hold on to.

  After a tender kiss to her lips, Gavin face plants into the bed.

  “Your kiss killed him,” I joked.

  Mumbling into the sheets, Gavin rolls over, propping himself up on his forearm. “What time is your appointment?”

  “Eleven,” Niki replies.

  “Good. That gives you both time to pick up your mess before—”

  “That was all her.” Hands on hips, I interrupt.

  “Figured as much.” He looks down at his watch. “Yep, you…” He points his finger at Niki, turning it in a come-hither motion. “Come here. We have just enough time to cuddle before your girl’s day.”

  Picking up the socks as she comes over to me, she says, “Looks like I’m being beckoned.” She pushes me out the door. “Two hours. Me and you. Pedicures.”

  “Hey! I thought—”

  With a gleam in her eye she says as if it was no big deal, “What? It’s flip-flop season. Gotta look good!”

  Then the door shuts in my face while I’m left standing wondering what in the hell happened. Oh, well. I’m getting my toes all cute.

  Padding to the bathroom to take a shower, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I’m smiling.

  Happiness.

  Kyle

  Walking up to the house, I can hear that it’s pure chaos inside, but it’s music to my ears. Especially after the phone call I just had.

  Reaching the door, I raise my hand to knock, but the door flies open, catching me off guard.

  “Kyle!” Andie and Reece jump into my arms and I have no choice but to catch them or tumble to the ground.

  “Hey girls.” I set them both down, rubbing their little heads. Waiting for their crazy-ass dog to attack or at the very least snag my bag, but he doesn’t come. “Where’s Putter?”

  “Aubrey said he had to go back to Doug’s house since the baby was coming, but we aren’t supposed to talk about it because Reeses gets upset. Right Reece?” Andie glares. “Did you get it?” Holding out her hand.

  “Yeah... Mom said we had to wait until we got to Dad’s, but…” Reece chimes in. “Is it in the bag?” Reece’s eyes light up while Andie opens it.

  “Score!” Andie throws the sleeve of Andes mints to Reece and grabs the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups for herself. “What about the other?”

  “I don’t know why you need this…”

  “It’s for Clark.” Reece grabs it from my hands and throws it to Andie to put it in a basket on the table.

  “They think they need to buy a candy bar for their brother every time they get one.” Drew walks up. “Lewis, I’m so glad you are here.

  “My daddy says we can have a party when he comes home.” Andie tears into her candy first.

  “Mommy says he can’t have them until he is…” Reece squints her eyes, counting on her fingers. “Mommy!” she shouts.

  “Yes, baby girl?” Aubrey comes out of the kitchen, very pregnant and looking more tired than yesterday.

  “When can Clark have candy again?” She unwraps a mint, stuffing it in her mouth.

  “Not till he is old enough to chew.” Aubrey tries to cross her arms, but her protruding belly gets in the way, so she puts her hands on her hips instead. “Baby girl are you eating candy?”

  Reece chews and swallows quickly. “Noooo,” she draws out as she throws Andie another mint.

  Andie turns her back, hiding her face while she finishes her pack.

  “Mmm-hmm.” Aubrey waggles her finger at both of them, then directs her attention to me. “Consider yourself lucky they are going to Doug’s. Girls, go wash your hands if you want to make tacos.”

  “I really don’t know what I’m going to do with them.” Drew shakes his head back and forth as he watches the events unfold.

  “Well, at least they share.” I clap him on the back and take a seat.

  “True, man.” He nods in agreement. “Hey, don’t get comfortable. I need to show you something out in the garage.”

  “Is it our surprise?” Reece comes in first, drying her hands on her shirt.

  “Shhh!” Andie holds a finger up to her lips. “Reeses, remember we aren’t supposed to know about it. Right Daddy?”

  “Right munchkin,” Drew agrees, turning to me. “They may be on to us.” He lets out a laugh.

  “Come on.” He slides on his shoes and grabs the keys.

  “I thought you said we were going out to the garage.” I stand and follow.

  “We are. I have to keep it locked so the girls or Aubrey don’t come in.” We head out the back.

  Unlocking the door, he flips on the light and right in front of me is an organized disaster. Three projects going on at once.

  “I may have over-extended myself this time.” Drew walks around the playhouse. “This one is done.” He shows me each section explaining we just have to carry the pieces out and secure them to each other.

  “Seems easy enough.” I step over to what looks like a cradle. “What’s this?”

  “Exactly what it looks like. It just needs a couple coats of stain and then sealed.”

  Then I examine the pile of wood pieces. “Please tell me you aren’t about to ask me to build something?” I look over, pleading. “I have to meet Nina.”

  “Man, I know.” He walks over to me. “But I’m running out of time.” He takes the neck of his shirt and wipes his forehead. “We can knock this out before your date.”

  “Can’t we do this tomorrow?”

  “I promised Aubrey I would spend the day pampering her.” He’s practically begging now. “Man, we are used to having every other weekend together and now, with Clark coming, we’ll have no alone time. At least, not for a while.”

  “The baby isn’t due for—”

  “What if he comes early? Do you see how big she is?” He puffs out his belly, jumping when the Alexa announces a Drop In from in the house.

  “Drew, Doug is running late.”

  “How late?” He looks over to me, worried.

  “Between four and five.”

  “Shit,” he exclaims, frustrated.

  “Mommy? Did Drew just say shit?” Reece whispers.

  “Reeses, my daddy wouldn’t say shit. Would you Daddy?” Andie speaks up.

  “Girls, fix the drinks!” Aubrey ignores their questions. Her voice is now muffled, closer to the speaker. “Tomorrow, Mr. Williams.”

  “It’s a promise, Mrs. Williams.” He smiles at the speaker waiting for the light to go off.

  “Man…” I can tell panic is beginning to set in. “When you have a family, you will totally understand.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Shit. I didn’t mean…I’m a dick. I meant with having a blended family like ours…”

  “It’s cool. I would be lucky if I had a family like yours.” I bend down
, looking at his organized piles. “Let’s get started.”

  “I owe you one.” He hands me the plans. “It’s a simple design.”

  “Yes, one day you will.”

  Kyle

  “I thought you guys might be thirsty.” Aubrey comes strolling outside, lemonade in hand.

  Drew hops up and meets her halfway. “Thanks, baby.”

  “You’re welcome.” She stands on her tip-toes, giving him a quick peck. “It’s getting late, I can order a pizza if you guys are hungry.”

  Stretching, I sit back on my feet and say, “We’re almost done.”

  “Kyle found a few rough edges that I didn’t catch. Put plastic edges on some and just sanding down the others.” Kyle walks over, handing me a glass.

  “Thanks, Aubrey.” I hold up the lemonade before I down it.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to stay for pizza? If I call now, it will be here by seven…”

  “Seven?” I stand quickly. “What time is it?” I reach for my phone and notice it’s dead. “Dammit.”

  “Quarter after six.” Aubrey looks between me and Kyle.

  Drew’s eyes go wide. “Shit, man. I’m so sorry. I lost track of time.”

  “I need a charger.” I head toward the house.

  “In the kitchen.” He runs up beside me. “Look, it will be fine. She will totally understand.”

  “Man, I still have to shower and change clothes.” I look down. “Look at me, I’m a sweaty mess.”

  “Shower here and wear something of mine.” Drew takes my phone and plugs it in.

  “What’s going on?” Aubrey is behind us.

  “He has a date with Nina…at six.”

  “Ohhhhhh!” Aubrey stands there while we both wait for some womanly advice, but nothing comes. “What?”

  We both let out a chuckle.

  “Any advice?” Drew asks.

  “I got nothing.”

  With that, we hear a chime singling my phone is powering up.

  “Thank God.” I grab for it, pressing the home button, trying to make it go faster, but it doesn’t work.

  “I’ll get the bathroom set up.” Aubrey gives me a thumbs-up while she heads down the hall.

  “And I’ll find you something to wear.” Drew follows behind her.

  The phone finally lets me scroll through my contacts, and I select her number. It rings, then goes to voicemail.

  Shit!

  Needing to take a shower, I hurry and type out a text so at least she knows and isn’t waiting on me.

  Me: I’m running an hour behind. Had to help Drew.

  Me: I’m sorry.

  I set the phone down and hurry down the hall, but something gets the better of me. I’m late and I sent a text. Running back, I punch out something quick.

  Me: Nina, I’m really excited for tonight.

  Me: Nervous too.

  Me: I just wanted to let you know.

  Me: OK now I’m borderline stalkerish.

  Me: See you soon.

  Running back down the hall, I head to the bathroom.

  “Thanks guys!” I yell out loud enough for them to hear me.

  Stripping down, I turn on the water and hop in, washing the day’s grime off.

  Drew knocks. “You naked in here?”

  Peaking my head around the curtain. “Come in. Almost done.”

  “Here’s your clothes and a toothbrush.” Drew walks in and sets everything on the counter.

  “Thanks man.” I close the curtain and rinse my hair.

  “Oh, and she texted you back.” I hear him set down the phone.

  “What did she say?” I turn off the water and blindly reach for the towel.

  “Here.” Drew hands it to me. “She basically said it’s cool, but I’ll let you read it for yourself.”

  “Thanks man.”

  “No problem.” He begins to leave. “I really appreciate your help today. Sorry it screwed everything up.”

  “Not your fault. I should have paid closer attention.” I wrap the towel around my waist before I step out. “Now, let me get dressed so I’m not late for being late.”

  “Yeah, don’t know if you could recover from that.” He shuts the door, letting me get dressed in peace.

  Black shirt and khaki shorts, not bad. I probably would have worn jeans, but it’s a hot day, might as well be comfortable. I pull the shirt over my head and reach for the shorts. A pink pair of zebra print boxer briefs falls out.

  “Very funny, Drew!” I holler.

  After I’m dressed I quickly do my hair, opting for a slicked-back look. I search the cabinets for some cologne within the sea of glittered bath gels, but fail to find any.

  Hurrying, I grab my phone and search for her messages.

  Nina: It’s fine. I’ll be here.

  Nina: I’m excited too and only a little nervous.

  Nina: Confession, a lot nervous.

  Nina: Be safe. ;)

  Grabbing my clothes, I stuff them in the bag Drew left and head out the door, thanking them both once again for having me over.

  Jogging out to my truck, I fumble with my keys.

  “Get a grip, Lewis. You got this.” I give myself a little pep talk.

  Opening the door, I climb up, throwing the bag in the back and punch out one last message before I throw the phone in the console.

  Me: I’m on my way.

  Nina

  I was in the bathroom checking my hair for the millionth time when I missed Kyle’s call. I’m worried it’s too boring or too big. Is my makeup too much or not enough? The back and forth on top of the excitement was giving me one huge case of the jitters.

  When the doubt set in, I reminded myself of his words.

  “I wanted to see you.”

  He didn’t care that I smelled like coffee or looked like a hot mess, sporting a ponytail and barely-there makeup. He came in to see me.

  Every.

  Single.

  Day.

  That speaks volumes.

  Sitting in the bay window, I keep my eyes on the driveway while I wait, unable to contain my nerves. I haven’t gone on a date since my first one with Brandon. Which kind of started the same way, with him being an hour late.

  The difference is, he didn’t call and even though he paid for our meal at Applebee’s I ended up paying in the end. He handed me his Oakley sunglasses to put in my purse, but I was worried they would get scratched up so I set them on the table. Where we both could see them.

  After a couple hours of conversation, it was dark and neither of us noticed we didn’t have the sunglasses, but the next day when he couldn’t find them, he made me feel bad for not putting them up like he asked, so I bought him a new pair.

  That should have been a huge clue, but I ignored it. We had so many amazing phone conversations that something so little seemed irrelevant.

  Taking in a deep breath, I notice the time.

  Seven.

  Pushing the curtains back a little more, I see him coming around the corner. Jumping up, I run to the door and fling it open, skipping down the steps and to his truck.

  “Hey! You’re supposed to let me come to the door.” He rounds the front of his truck, tucking in his black shirt as he approaches.

  “I was excited.” I bounce from foot to foot. “And a little nervous.”

  “Me too.” He opens the passenger door for me. “You ready to go?”

  “Heck yeah.” My words are filled with awkward dorkiness, which causes him to flash me those dimples.

  “Well, good.” He helps me in. “I’ve been wanting to do this since the first day I saw you.”

  “You have?” I’m shocked by his confession. “I was a mess when I ran into you.”

  I wait for him to answer, but he just stands there, holding my door, and I can’t help but think. Does he agree? I take a deep breath to calm my nerves.

  Wait? Is that…perfume?

  He must see the wheels turning because he chooses this moment to speak up, comforting me wit
h his words. Making me feel a little less crazy.

  “You weren’t a mess. Distracted maybe,” he corrects me, “but a mess, not even close.” He tilts his head to the side. “Can I hug you?”

  “Huh?”

  “A hug.”

  “Now?”

  “Yep.”

  “Okaaaay.” I lean over, opening my arms, curious as to where he is going with this.

  “A real one.” He lifts me up and out of the truck as if I don’t weigh anything at all. “A hug has proven to help build trust and a sense of safety.” He gives me another squeeze and I give in, relaxing in his arms. “Which then helps with communication.”

  “Mmm…I can see that,” I mumble. “I like this kind of talking.” I smile into his chest as he towers over me.

  “It’s the best,” he agrees. “You know, it’s also a proven fact if you hug eight times a day, it could keep the doctor away.”

  “Well, we are on our way to a living a longer life.” I lean back, breaking the hug first.

  “That we are.” He lifts me back in. “Now, let’s get out of here.”

  Kyle shuts the door and rounds the front, suddenly stopping when he gets to his door. Digging his phone out of his pocket, he stiffens, but answers, twisting from my view.

  The problem with being in a broken relationship for so long is it ruins you for all possible fresh starts.

  What was I thinking?

  What if I’m just a fun time for him? Jen said he had a fling with her sister and it didn’t end well. Am I the next one? Just another notch on the bed post?

  Who’s on the phone?

  Whoever it is, it’s causing Kyle to get upset. “Tristen, I told them I would be there. So, I’ll be there.” He begins to shout. “You have to realize…” His tone quickly changes. “Oh! Hey, Trinity. Yes, Paw-Paw’s birthday is today…”

  I can’t take it anymore. Everything is making sense. Being late, tucking in the shirt, perfume and now a woman calling.

  The walls are closing in, my throat begins to close up and my heart feels like it’s pounding out of my chest.

  I can’t breathe.

  I fumble with the door, push it open, and fall just as the memory crawls its way to the surface.

  Standing in front of the mirror, I begin to twirl, catching my reflection in each pass. I feel so beautiful right now. Brandon paid for me to have a full day at the spa. Hours of being pampered was exactly what I needed.