On the Mend (Carolina Waves Series Book 1)

by Tina Gallagher

  17

  Sabrina

  I can’t believe the depths to which I’ve sunk. Pumping a small, defenseless child for information should be punishable by law. It really should.

  Not that I set out to ask Lexi personal information about her father, it just sort of happened. At least I couldn’t be charged with pre-meditated prying, just involuntary.

  After Dan’s workout, I found her eating cereal in the kitchen with Jeff.

  “How’s he doing?” Jeff asked. His eyes shifted to Lexi, then back to me warning me not to get into too much detail. As if I would.

  “He’s doing wonderful. I see improvement every day.”

  “Great.” He topped off his coffee, and offered me a mug. I eagerly accepted.

  “So how’s it going, Lex?” I asked.

  “Pretty good,” she said around a mouthful of Cheerios.

  “What are your plans for the day? Anything exciting?”

  “Nope. Just hanging out. Daddy said he’d go swimming with me if you said it was okay.”

  “I don’t see a problem with that. But no wild stuff,” I added with a smirk.

  “Do you wanna come too?”

  “I didn’t bring a suit with me.”

  “Couldn’t you go in your workout clothes?”

  “I suppose I could…” I was trying to think of an excuse when Jeff joined the conversation.

  “You could buy a suit. The mall is only ten minutes from here.”

  “I could go with you and help you pick one out,” Lexi offered in an excited tone. “I love going to the mall.”

  So that’s how I ended up in my car with Lexi, asking her for information about Dan. In my defense, she brought up the subject, not me. After asking about his leg and his work-outs, she moved onto more personal topics.

  “I think Daddy needs a girlfriend.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  She shrugged. “He just does. I’m not the only one who thinks so, either.”

  “No?”

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her shake her head, her curls bobbing. “My friends’ moms think so too. They’re always trying to introduce him to women, but he never goes out with any of them.”

  “Never?”

  “Never,” she added, her green eyes wide and solemn. “And some of them are real pretty, too.”

  “Did he ever have a girlfriend?”

  She shook her head. “He says I’m his best girl and he doesn’t need another one.”

  “And there haven’t been any women just hanging around that he might have been dating?”

  “No.” She frowned. “And he never goes out, so I don’t think he goes on dates.” Her face brightened. “But I think he’d like you to be his girlfriend.”

  “Me? Why would you say that?”

  “I don’t know. I just think he would.”

  Thankfully, we arrived at the mall, distracting Lexi from the conversation.

  Lexi performed a not-too-graceful dive into the pool.

  “Getting better, honey,” Dan yelled from his raft as her head popped to the surface of the water.

  “Do you really think so?” she asked, swimming toward him, obviously not believing him.

  “You’re not doing belly flops anymore,” he pointed out.

  Lexi nodded, and was about to say something else when she spotted me standing at the side of the pool. “Sabrina,” she yelled, directing Dan’s attention my way. “How do you like Sabrina’s suit, Daddy? I picked it out.”

  The royal blue two-piece Lexi had picked out was more sporty than skimpy, but I felt way too exposed as Dan’s hot gaze roamed over every inch of my body.

  “It looks great,” was all he said to Lexi, though his eyes spoke volumes more to me.

  “Can you dive, Sabrina?”

  Dan answered for me, his eyes still glued to mine. “She can do better than dive, Lex, she can flip.”

  “You can?” Lexi bobbed up and down in the water, moving the raft Dan was floating on with her.

  “I don’t know. I haven’t done that in a long time.” Actually, it hasn’t been that long, but just thinking about what I’d look like performing that particular maneuver in a two-piece suit made me cringe.

  “I think she’s chicken.” Dan spoke to Lexi, though his gaze was still riveted on me.

  I planted my hands on my hips and glared at him. “Don’t think you can use that old trick on me Daniel, because it won’t work.”

  “What?” He lifted his hand to his chest. His innocent “Who me?” gesture didn’t fool me. “If you’re afraid to do it, just say so. Lexi and I totally understand. Don’t we?”

  “Are you scared?” Lexi asked.

  “I’m not scared.”

  Before I could add to that, she cut in. “So you’re gonna do it? You do it and then I can try.”

  “Don’t push her, honey,” Dan said. “I don’t think she wants to.”

  The man is infuriating. Sitting there on that raft, looking so sure of himself. Like he has any idea what I’m capable of. I’ll wipe that smug smile off his face.

  I stepped onto the diving board and bounced lightly to judge its spring. Feeling Dan’s eyes on me the entire time, I stepped back, then quickly moved forward, jumped onto the very edge of the board and pushed off, propelling myself forward. I flipped once in the air, my body curled tight, before I straightened and plunged into the water. Allowing myself to sink all the way to the bottom of the pool, I checked that my bathing suit was in place before kicking off the floor and pushing myself to the surface of the water.

  “How did you learn how to do that?” Lexi asked, her eyes wide.

  “My brother taught me. But it takes lots and lots of practice,” I emphasized. “And don’t ever try doing it if you’re alone.”

  “Can I try it now?”

  “Why don’t you practice doing somersaults under the water? That’s the best way to get started.” She clearly wasn’t pleased with that, but didn’t argue. Instead, she moved away from Dan and me and proceeded to practice her flips.

  “So how was your trip to the mall?” His tone was casual, but the look on his face was anything but.

  “Good. We had a great time. Lexi showed me all the hot spots.” His eyes were devouring me and I dipped further into the water to shield myself from their heat. The smirk that spread across his face told me he knew exactly what I was doing.

  “That’s a nice suit you’ve got on.”

  “Thanks.” I bent my knees until only my head was above the water. “Lexi picked it out. I don’t normally wear a two-piece, but somehow I let her talk me into it.” I’m not sure why I added that last part.

  “You should always wear a bikini. You’ve definitely got the body for it.” I couldn’t hold back my snort of disbelief. “Honey, if you looked any better in that suit, I’d have to climb off this raft and hide in the water for fear of embarrassing myself.”

  I didn’t have to ask what he was talking about. My eyes lowered to his crotch. Dan’s low chuckle drew them back up to his eyes, which were filled with both amusement and hunger.

  My body felt so overheated, I’m surprised I didn’t set the pool water boiling. I stood with the intention of escaping, and the water level dipped to my waist. Dan’s eyes lowered and he groaned then tipped himself off the raft.

  “God, Bri.” His voice sounded strangled.

  My insides fluttered at his obvious attraction, as my brain fought for control. Of course, I feel flattered by Dan’s interest. Who wouldn’t? I’m just surprised he’s still so obvious about it after my blunt refusal. He asked me for a second chance. I said no. I thought he’d let it go at that.

  Maybe by refusing, I’ve made myself a challenge. Dan has always been very competitive, and I’m pretty sure he doesn’t have too many women refuse him. Maybe now it’s a matter of pride.

  “Sabrina, can we talk later?” His eyes looked soft and sexy, yet pleading.

  Not a good idea.

  “I don’t think we have
anything to talk about. That is, unless you want to discuss your therapy.” I raised my voice an octave on the last word, turning the sentence into a question.

  His eyes narrowed, but were full of determination. Just when he was going to answer, Lexi interrupted. “Can I try to flip off the diving board now?”

  Anything to get away from Dan.

  “Sure,” I said. “Let’s go.”

  For the rest of the afternoon, I stuck to Lexi, teaching her how to flip off the diving board. Dan climbed back on his raft and cheered her on. While he managed to look relaxed, I sensed his underlying tension, and the look in his eyes promised that our conversation was far from over.

  Dan

  I slid off Lexi’s bed, leaned over, and tucked her in. A full day in the pool had tired her out and she fell asleep before we finished reading her favorite book. I switched on her night light, stepped out of the room, and shut the door behind me.

  Glancing at Sabrina’s room, I noticed that her light was still on.

  Should I knock on the door?

  Deciding against it, I made my way down to the kitchen, grabbed a beer out of the refrigerator, and went outside to the patio. Settling into a lounge chair, I popped the top and took a long draw on my beer before setting it on the table next to me.

  It had been a nearly perfect day. I was able to do more than float on a raft and it felt good to move around. Lexi had a lot of fun, especially learning how to flip off the diving board, thanks to Sabrina, who had actually relaxed and enjoyed herself. Not to mention how she looked in that two-piece.

  Damn, when she came outside wearing that bathing suit, I’d almost embarrassed myself. Then later, when she stood up in the water and her hard nipples cleared the surface, there had definitely been movement down south. Thankfully I was able to jump off the raft and cool myself off.

  I settled back in the lounge chair and closed my eyes, letting the memory form an image in my head. Even though she doesn’t think so, Sabrina has an amazing body. Womanly with curves that had always fit so seamlessly against me. I know for a fact that her boobs are a perfect handful with the most sensitive nipples. The way they stood at attention against the thin material of her suit earlier had me fighting the urge to latch on and see if I could make her lose on control.

  I sat forward, grabbed my beer off the table, and downed half the bottle in one gulp. That train of thought isn’t going to get me anywhere. I think she wants me physically, mentally is another story. But there were times today when it had seemed like she forgot she hates me.

  We’d spent the day in the pool, then went to the gym for a therapy session, and returned to the patio to cook steaks on the grill, followed by some more subdued antics in the pool.

  It had been fun. Easy. And it gives me hope.

  I finished my beer and went back into the house.

  Time to find out.

  18

  Sabrina

  I’d just put the last of my freshly laundered clothes away when I heard an impatient knock on the door.

  “It’s open,” I yelled, knowing without a doubt who would enter my room.

  Dan crossed the threshold, closed the door behind him, and proceeded to stare at me. I felt uneasy with those amazing green eyes looking right through me, but I’ll be damned if I’d show it.

  “Did you need something?”

  “I think I mentioned that I wanted to talk to you.”

  “And I think I told you we had nothing to talk about.”

  “Do you really believe that?”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “Don’t tell me you don’t feel this thing between us, this thing that’s always been between us.” He moved toward me as he spoke. I forced myself to stand my ground, both literally and figuratively.

  “Dan, if you want to discuss your therapy or your health, I’m all ears, but everything else is off limits.”

  “This is about my well-being.”

  My eyes shifted to his leg. “What’s wrong?”

  “My heart is broken.”

  “Oh please,” I snorted. “Tell me another one.”

  “Bri, I want you back, need to have you back in my life.”

  “Why?”

  He studied me for a moment. “Because I love you. I always have, and after ten years of trying not to, realize I always will.”

  Tears stung my eyes, but they were more from anger than anything else. “Why are you doing this?”

  “I just told you—”

  I couldn’t bear to hear it again, so I interrupted him. “I know what you told me, but I’ve heard it all before.” I spat. “The thing is, I’m not the same stupid, naïve girl I was ten years ago. I learned my lesson well and will never fall for sweet lines and charming smiles again. Not from you, not from anyone.” I took a breath and glared at him. “The thing I don’t understand is why you did it. I mean, if you wanted all those other girls, why bother with me at all? I couldn’t hold a candle to any of them in the looks department and certainly not in the body department, so why did you have me around at all?”

  “Because I loved you.”

  I was getting ready to lambaste him again, but he stopped me.

  “And as far as those other girls, they couldn’t hold a candle to you.” He sighed and shook his head. “I told you before, I fell in love with you the minute I laid eyes on you.” He flashed an adorable, crooked smile. “Then again, I suppose I only fell in lust with you when I first saw you. The love came shortly after we went out and I realized you were just as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside.”

  My knees weakened, so I sat on the bed and hugged them to my chest. “Dan, please don’t.” My voice cracked.

  “Bri.” Dan sat down on the edge of the bed beside me. “I might’ve done some stupid things back then, but I never lied to you. Every word I ever said was true.”

  The look of sheer disbelief I threw at him said all I wanted to.

  “Don’t look at me like that. I didn’t lie to you,” he insisted. “Not even when I wanted to. Not even when you confronted me and I knew, just knew, I’d lose you if I told the truth.”

  I wanted to yell at him, wanted to tell him that it doesn’t matter anymore…but I couldn’t, because it does. A familiar ache settled in my chest and my eyes began to sting. One question kept ringing through my head…why? I didn’t realize I’d spoken the word out loud until he answered.

  “I was an ass. That’s all there is to it.”

  A tear escaped, ran down my face, and plopped onto the back of my hand. I reached up and wiped away the trailing moisture, hoping he didn’t notice. “It doesn’t matter anymore, Dan,” I said, softly.

  “Is that why you’re lying in the fetal position with tears rolling down your face?” I narrowed my eyes and gave him my best glare. His own expression softened. “Talk to me, Bri. I want to know what you’re thinking and feeling. I want you to understand what happened back then.”

  I couldn’t restrain myself any longer.

  He’s asking for it, so he’s gonna get it.

  “You want to know what I’m thinking?” I dropped my feet to the floor and straightened my spine. “I’m thinking that I’ll never understand why you did the things you did. I mean, why would you screw half the campus and keep me as your girlfriend? I could see if you were screwing me too, but that wasn’t the case.” I laughed, but it held no humor, only disgust. Whether it was directed at myself or him, I couldn’t say.

  “When I think of all the time I wasted thinking you were a true gentleman, I feel sick. All the times you told me you loved me and wanted to wait until we were married to make love so it’d be special, I believed you.”

  Dan opened his mouth to speak, but I raised my hand halting his words. “Do you want to know what I’m thinking, or not?” He nodded. “I believed you. I believed every single word you told me.” I wiped at the tears streaming down my face and glared at him, silently daring him to speak. He remained silent. “I should’ve trusted my instincts. I knew you
were too good to be true. Guys like you don’t date girls like me. I know that, yet somehow you made me feel like we belonged together, like we were made for each other.”

  Tears glistened in his eyes, but I forced myself to ignore them. “But what gets me the most is the way you just blew it off when I confronted you. Girls you fuck and girls you marry,” I mocked, gaining a small amount of pleasure when he flinched at his own words. “Was that supposed to make it all right, Dan? Were those lovely words supposed to make me feel better about the fact that the man I loved with my whole heart and soul stuck it to every girl who crossed his path? Make me feel less embarrassed about begging you to make love to me?”

  “Is that what this is about? You don’t have anything to be embarrassed about, Bri.”

  “This is about your inability to keep it in your pants while we were together.”

  “Is it?” His brow cocked. “Or is it about the fact that I kept it in my pants with you?”

  “Don’t you dare try to turn this around. I may not be perfect, but I never once cheated on you, never even thought about it.” I shook my head in disgust. “And the thing that really kills me is the fact that I fought you. Remember that? I didn’t want to go out with you because I knew it wasn’t natural. Ken dates Barbie, not the generic Dollar Store version. But you kept at me and convinced me to go out with you, made me fall in love with you.”

  “Are you finished?” he asked, nostrils flaring, his tone impatient. I nodded. “Good, now it’s your turn to listen.”

  I wanted to remind him that he’s the one who’s supposed to be groveling, but his thunderous expression stopped me.

  “First off, what is this Ken and Barbie thing you’re talking about? You’re a beautiful woman, Bri.” His jaw tensed when I rolled my eyes. “Do not roll your eyes,” he said through clenched teeth. “You’re beautiful and smart and funny and I fell head over heels in love with you. The problem was…” He looked at me for the space of several heartbeats, lowered his head, and rubbed the back of his neck. “From the time I was fourteen years old, my father drilled it into my head that there are girls you fuck and girls you marry, and that you don’t fuck the girl you plan to marry until the wedding night.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “Even once you married them, he said that you treated them with respect in and out of the bedroom. If you wanted raunchy sex, again you’d go find a girl you fuck.”