Distracted: An Everyday Heroes Novel (The Everyday Heroes World)

by Michelle Fernandez

  Just moments ago, Grady gave a speech roasting Grayson’s heroic act and announced that Grayson is part of some hot dad contest. He’s definitely got my vote.

  As I look across the room, I also see another hot dad who always had my vote.

  Spencer Hayes stands there tall, confident, and looking devilishly handsome. His thick hair is messily styled. His sexy as hell smile softens the sharp features of his profile.

  Every time I looked his way, he returned a panty-dropping smile. And every time, I had to turn away so he wouldn’t see the burn warming my cheeks. How does he still have control of my emotions?

  My phone buzzes in my back pocket, and I assume it’s Aunt Rose, who is watching Lily this evening and who encouraged me to attend this celebration.

  Spencer: Hi. You look beautiful tonight.

  Just those four words make thousands of butterflies in my belly flutter. When our eyes meet, Spencer doesn’t just look nice. He looks amazingly sexy. The ridges and dents of his muscular tattooed arm stretch the fitted blue T-shirt that’s practically painted on him. Grant nudges Spencer to get his attention. They both laugh, and then his gaze meets mine again.

  Me: Thank you. You don’t look so bad yourself.

  My head is a jumbled mess, and I have no idea why I texted him that. Maybe it’s the liquid courage fuzzing up my thoughts and the very little I ate before I came here this evening.

  Spencer: Can I buy you a drink?

  Before I reply, there’s a tap on my shoulder.

  “Are you having a good time?” A man with dark, neatly combed hair and perfect teeth smiles back at me.

  He looks familiar, but I can’t remember his name. I really need to quit drinking while I’m ahead.

  “It’s me . . . Kenny. Academic Decathlon,” he reminds me.

  “Oh my god, Kenny!” He’s changed so much that I almost didn’t recognize him. He’s no longer the brace-wearing-scrawny-boy I remember who didn’t care about how he dressed. He’s a foot taller than me, and it’s as if he’s grown into his skin. His broad shoulders and chest filled out the crisp white button-up shirt, and a trim waist leads down to a pair of dark slacks. “Wow. You look good,” I say as I look into his dark brown eyes and handsome face.

  “You look great. Then again, you always did,” he says as his eyes go from my face to my feet, then back up. “When did you get back in town?”

  “Several days ago. My grandmother passed away.”

  “I’m so sorry, Sabrina.” He brings the tumbler of brandy colored liquid to his lips and takes a drink. “What happened?”

  “She had a heart attack on her way home and lost control of the car.”

  “Wow. That’s terrible. How are you holding up?” he asks.

  “I’m coping. I actually didn’t want to go out this evening, but Callie and her mom pretty much forced me.”

  “Well, I’m glad you did. If you hadn’t, we wouldn’t have bumped into each other.” He flashes a warm smile.

  “So, tell me, what are you doing nowadays?” I ask.

  “I’m a financial advisor and an investor.” He takes another sip.

  “Math was always your strong suit,” I say.

  “Do you remember that time at Kessler High School? Our last competition? When you stumbled over the question about World War Two and you froze?”

  “Oh my god!” I cover my face with my hands. “I remember that night explicitly. It was sophomore year. We almost lost that night.”

  It was the last round of questions, and the score was tied. Then I was selected by the opposing team to answer the history question, which is not my strong suit. That’s when Spencer walked through the auditorium doors with a bouquet of yellow roses.

  He wasn’t supposed to be there. But he showed up anyway.

  All I could see in the dimly lit auditorium was Spencer’s sparkling blue eyes and his smile that melted me every time. He sat next to Callie, Gabby, and my parents. When the question was asked, my palms were sweating, and I was dumbfounded. All I could hear was my heart thumping in my chest during the face-off with my competitor.

  Then I looked out to the audience and saw Spencer sitting in the crowd wearing that ridiculous battleship T-shirt, which triggered the answer.

  “The Battle of Midway?” I guess, speaking into the microphone.

  “The new State Champions . . . Sunnyville High School,” is announced, and my team roars with hoots, hollers, and applauds behind me.

  Then, without preamble, Spencer jumps up on the stage and swings me around. “You did it, Buttercup!” he says, squeezing me. “You’re the smartest girl I know and the most beautiful.”

  “I am? You think I’m beautiful?” I look into his sparkling blue eyes as the cheering crowd quiets around me.

  “Of course. Inside and out.” Spencer pulls out an embroidered thread from his pocket. “This is for you. It’s a friendship bracelet.”

  “Thanks,” I say as he slips it on my wrist.

  “You’re my best friend, Sabrina, and I don’t want us ever to break up.”

  I play with the friendship bracelet he gave me that night. I’ve worn it every day since.

  I look over to him. He’s the man I’ve loved for as long as I can remember. He’s the one I see when I look at Lily. He’s the one I compare every man to, but none can hold a candle to him.

  I may be looking at Kenny, but I’m clearly not listening to him as he rambles on about that night and winning the State Champion trophy. My thoughts are on Spencer, and I have the urge to walk over to the other side of the bar and kiss him.

  I pull my gaze away from Kenny, only to find the vacant chair Spencer once occupied. My eyes dart throughout the crowd but can’t seem to find him. I only assume he left the bar, leaving me to wonder if I should go too.

  “So, tell me what you have been up to,” Kenny says, bringing me back.

  “Huh? Oh . . . well, I live in San Francisco, and I have a five-year-old daughter.”

  “Did you say you have a five-year-old daughter?” Kenny asks, shock written on his face.

  My smile grows wider as I nod. “Yes. Lily is amazing.”

  “And your husband?”

  “He’s, um, not in the picture,” I say with a sad smile.

  “That’s too bad . . . at least for him,” Kenny says, pointing his chin at the empty bottle in my hand. “Can I buy you another drink?”

  I shake my head. “I shouldn’t. I need to pick up Lily soon.”

  “Oh, come on. Just one more drink,” he pushes.

  I give him a forced grin as I rise on my toes to see what’s taking Callie so long.

  “Looking for someone?” he yells above the music that’s suddenly blaring through the speakers.

  “Callie. She said she’d be back, but that was over twenty minutes ago.” A person skirts behind me, forcing me to fall into Kenny’s chest. “Oh god, I’m so sorry.”

  He chuckles as his arms wrap around me. “I’m not,” he says, smiling. “Since you don’t want a drink, how about a dance?”

  “That’s sweet. But I should wait for Callie right here.”

  “It’s just one dance, Sabrina. And I’ll look out for her,” he urges. I’m trying not to be rude as I push off him, gaining some distance.

  Kenny releases my arm as I get my balance back on the high heels Callie encouraged me to wear. A roar echoes from the other side of the bar, and a blonde woman is kissing Grayson. People are hooting and hollering as cell phones raise in the air and snap pictures of them. This will definitely hit the rumor mill.

  My eyes go past the scene, and I spot Spencer. He didn’t leave after all. I can’t stop looking at him.

  My god, he really is sex on a stick. His scruff is a couple of days old, which doesn’t mask his strong jawline and lips I’ve kissed once before.

  “Did you come with Spence?” Kenny asks.

  “I came with Callie. Why do you ask?”

  “He hasn’t stopped looking at you since you’ve been standing here.”
Kenny leans closer. “Does he have a claim on you?”

  “Claim? No,” I say, wishing otherwise.

  A grin widens Kenny’s face. “That’s good to know. I was hoping we could. . .”

  I clear my throat, knowing where this is going. “I should go look for Callie,” I say as I try to go around Kenny.

  He grabs my elbow. “Do I make you nervous, Sabrina?” His hand slides up my arm, and a shiver slithers up my spine. I don’t like the way he’s looking at me as he licks his lips. “If I do, I don’t mean to. It’s just that I’ve had a crush on you since freshman year. But I never had the guts to ask you out.”

  “You asked me to prom, remember?”

  “Yes, but you already said yes to Elliott.”

  “Kenny,” I mutter as I press my hands to his chest, and to anyone watching us, they would think we were getting cozy. “My parents were so strict. And, um, the only boy I was allowed to hang out with was Spencer. Because he’s family.”

  “Well, you’re a big girl now.” He looks over Spencer’s way. “And being that you said he doesn’t have a claim on you, would you like to go on a—”

  “There you are!” Callie bellows as she approaches. She takes my hand as if she can read my mind. “Oh, hi, Kenny. I just need to borrow my friend.”

  “Hey, Callie,” he replies, taking a step back and downs the rest of his amber liquid.

  “Actually, I was going to—” Kenny starts.

  “Great! Thanks,” Callie cuts him off. “I want to do some shots.” She takes my hand, and we zigzag through the crowd on the wooden floor. “You’re welcome,” she yells into my ear.

  “Kenny’s harmless.”

  “Please,” Callie snorts. “He’s been asking about you since he moved back here a year ago.”

  Once we reach the bar top, we slip ourselves between two men. Callie orders two Tennessee Honey whiskey shots. Is she crazy? Since when does Miss Pristine-and-Proper Callie shoot shots?

  “Callie, are you okay?”

  “Yes, I’m perfectly fine. I don’t want to be thought of as the girl who backs down and doesn’t take risks.”

  “Who are you, and what have you done with my best friend?” I stifle a laugh.

  “Nothing. I just want to have some fun. Is that too much to ask?”

  “I guess not,” I reply as I wrap my arm around her shoulder.

  “Kenny was undressing you with his eyes.” Callie’s eyes veer over my shoulder, where we left Kenny. “And I didn’t like it.”

  “Callie? What’s going on?” I ask suspiciously. She’s never been this protective of me, especially from men.

  “Nothing. Can’t a girl just save her best friend from making the biggest mistake and ending up in his bed?”

  “Callie!” I yelp. “What in the world would make you think I would sleep with him?”

  “Because since Kenny’s been back in town, he’s like this Casanova wooing every girl, and somehow they find their way in his bed.”

  “Did you sleep with him?” I ask.

  “No!” she yelps, rolling her eyes.

  “Callie,” I say her name, full of suspicion.

  She lets out a breath. “We went out to dinner. Once. But nothing happened.”

  “Well, nothing will happen with Kenny and me either. I do not plan on sleeping with him or anyone.”

  “Sabs, can I ask you a question?”

  I shrug then say, “Better than anyone else I know.”

  “Are you happy? I mean truly happy?”

  “Am I happy? What kind of question is that?”

  The shots arrive and the bartender places them in front of us. A fifty dollar bill is slid across the bar top by a pair of masculine hands.

  “Can you add another shot?” Spencer asks. The bartender takes the fifty, grabs another shot glass from below the counter, and fills it with the whiskey. “I’d like to know the answer to that question too,” Spencer tacks on.

  Am I happy? Aside from burying my grandmother a few days ago, I’m as happy as the next person. I have a great job, live in the city I love, have incredible friends, and the most amazing daughter.

  I raise my glass, ignoring the question. “To family. The people who make me happy.”

  Spencer

  “That is the most disgusting thing I’ve ever tasted,” my sister cries, wiping her mouth with her dainty fingers. “Now I know why I never participated in your shenanigans.”

  Sabrina and I laugh like it was old times. “Oh, come on, take another shot, sis.”

  “No way!” Callie raises her hand toward the bartender. “Can I get a bottle of water?” The bartender nods and hands her a bottle from the fridge below the bar. “Thanks,” she tells the bartender. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to say hi to a few folks over there.”

  As soon as Callie moves from her spot, Kenny appears by Sabrina’s side, and I don’t like that his hand is resting on her lower back, just inches from her ass.

  I caught Callie coming back from the ladies’ room and pulled her aside to ask who the sports coat-wearing-yahoo was talking to Sabrina. She reminded me it was Kenny from high school and told me about his reputation—sleeping with every woman in town. I nearly lost it. No way is that fucker going to sink his claws into my Buttercup.

  My eyes narrow and I’m seething as Sabrina turns to face him. Kenny leans in and whispers something in her ear. She giggles then his eyes glare at me, saying, “your loss fucker, my gain.”

  “Hey!” The word is out of my mouth before I can stop myself. “She belongs with me, Kenny-boy.”

  His chuckle is condescending, and I want to punch him in his face.

  “Funny, Sabrina told me just a moment ago you don’t have a claim on her.”

  Fucking bastard. He’s antagonizing me.

  I came here tonight to celebrate a friend’s heroism, but also to see if I can get my girl back. To prove that I’m the one for her and no one else. So, fuck this gentlemanly thing I’ve been trying to portray as I watched Sabrina from across the bar the entire night.

  We fall silent, staring at each other, and our male egos inflate. I’m not backing down. My fists clench and immediately, Sabrina’s hands are on both of our chests.

  “Kenny, I said no one has a claim on me . . . and that includes you.” Sabrina’s eyes narrow, and I know that look. Watch out, Kenny, you just pissed off my Buttercup. “And because you seemed so confident thinking if you bought me a drink, I would somehow owe you something in return. As much as I hate to say this, you’re not the same person I used to know, and I’m not impressed with the new and improved Kenny.” Sabrina turns to me as she pushes her hair back behind her shoulders. “Spencer, will you please take me home?”

  I extend my arm as Sabrina brushes ahead of me. It’s tempting to turn around, flash a cocky smile, and raise my middle finger toward Kenny, but I decide to be the better man.

  The escalating agitation I felt calms once we exit the crowded bar, and the fresh air hits my face. The moonlight shines on Sabrina’s silky brown hair. I love it when she wears it down. I can’t help that my vision goes to her cute ass as it sways expeditiously through the parking lot.

  “God! The nerve of him!” She turns to face me as she drags her fingers through her hair. “And don’t even think anything beyond this, Spencer.”

  “I’m not thinking anything, Buttercup,” I quickly respond with my hands up in surrender. “The only thing I am thinking about is how sexy you were back there.”

  Sabrina crosses her arms over her chest. “You thought that was sexy?”

  I step closer, forcing Sabrina to lean against Callie’s car, her back against the passenger window. I downplay how badly I want her, but it’s unavoidable as I cage her in with my hands on either side of her shoulders. “I think you are very sexy. Always have.”

  “Flattery will get you nowhere, Spencer Hayes. I know your game and it won’t work this time.”

  “My game, huh? And what’s that?” I ask, pushing her hair back behi
nd her ear. And although it’s dark, I see the blush of her cheeks under the light as my thumb glides over her skin. “I’m just stating the facts, Sabrina.”

  “Spencer.” Her voice is a soft warning as her eyes look back at me with desire. I could be imagining it, but I think she wants me to kiss her.

  I want to kiss her too, but I refrain. “I miss how comfortable we used to be together.”

  “It’s been a long time since we were this close.”

  “So, are you going to answer the question?”

  “What question?”

  “Are you truly happy?” I remind her.

  “Is anyone truly happy?” she throws back.

  “You want to know my answer?”

  “Do I have a choice?” she asks, looking over my shoulder as the bar door opens, and patrons walk out, laughing as they cross the parking lot.

  “I wasn’t happy when you weren’t in my life. Why did you completely cut me off?”

  “You know why,” she states.

  “Yes. But there’s more you don’t want to tell me.”

  She clears her throat, and I can see the façade she hides behind. “It was nothing. It was about that night, and being that you were with Tanya, I didn’t want to complicate things.”

  I think about all the stupid shit I did to her and how I hurt her. If I could turn back time, would I have stopped myself from making love to her that night? Probably not. But what I would have done was call her before she called me. I royally fucked up, and all I want to do is make it up to her.

  After a deep breath, I say, “I hope I won’t complicate things if I kiss you.”

  “It will complicate things . . . and I don’t want to confuse Lily.”

  “And why would this confuse, Lily?”

  “It, it’s just, um, we’re here temporarily. If you come around, she may grow attached to you,” she answers quickly, stumbling over her answer as her nose twitches.

  She’s hiding something.

  “And what’s wrong with that?” I push.

  “Maybe the date next weekend is a bad idea.”