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

by Michelle Fernandez

  “Sabrina, it’s just dinner. But I’m not going to lie to you. I hope we can rekindle something. Maybe give me a chance again.”

  “A chance at what, Spencer? We are two different people. And we’ve not only grown-up, but we’ve also grown apart.”

  “And I want to change that. I fucking miss you, and I want to get to know you all over again. And I want to get to know your daughter, too.”

  “It’s getting late. I need to get Lily from your parents.” Sabrina shifts her feet, and her heels wobble on the graveled rock as she pushes herself from the car.

  I catch her in my arms and pull her close to me. “You okay?” I ask. Her eyes lift and meet mine as she looks up at me through thick lashes.

  Fuck me. Those chocolate brown eyes of hers make me go crazy. “Please don’t look at me like that, Buttercup,” I say, pulling her lip from under her teeth before my thumb glides across her plump lip. I try to fight every muscle in my body, but I can’t control myself with our bodies this close.

  Our eyes stay locked. I cup her face with my palms as one of her hands wraps around my wrist. I’ve missed her so fucking much. Her soft hands, her warm body, and the sweetness of her voice in my ear.

  “I told you not to call me Buttercup,” she whispers as her eyes swim with desire, and her fingers play with the collar of my shirt.

  “Do you not like it when I call you that?”

  “I don’t like it,” she says as her nose twitches.

  A grin tugs at my lips. “I know you’re lying. Tell me why you don’t want me to call you the name that came from a dare.” My thumb glides along her delicate jawline. “I dare you to tell me, Sabrina.”

  “Spencer, we aren’t kids anymore. And I can resist your dares now.”

  “Fine. Since you don’t want to tell me, I guess you call chicken and have to kiss me. It’s the easy way out of this situation.”

  “I’m not going to kiss you.”

  “Then why is your hand under my shirt?” A shit-eating grin plays across my face, and I know I’ve got her.

  “I-I don’t know.” She immediately pulls her hand back.

  “Just admit it, sweetheart. You don’t want to let go just as much as I don’t want you to walk away from me. Tell me you don’t feel anything for me, Sabrina.” I pray she won’t say the words. “Tell me you don’t miss me, that you don’t miss what we had. Tell me you don’t want me. And if you do, then I will stop pushing.”

  “I can’t . . .” That look she gives me is enough to bring me to my knees.

  My hand slides up her back, pressing her body closer to mine. “I’m going to claim my forfeit kiss.”

  “I don’t think it’s a good idea, and we are too old for dares.”

  “I’m not playing games with you anymore, Sabrina. This is for real. I want you back in my life.” I move closer to her mouth. Our lips are a whisper apart, and my heart is racing. “You’ve always been that untouchable girl in my life, and that night we made love, you made every fucking fantasy of mine come true.”

  Before I finish my sentence, she rises on her toes and presses her lips to mine. My feet move forward as she steps back, and I pin her back against the car with my body. I cup her face, and when she opens her mouth slightly, our tongues tangle. She tastes of beer and sweet whiskey.

  Her soft moan sends a tingle straight to my dick. Holy fuck, she tastes so good and I’m too weak to stop kissing her, nor do I want to.

  My hands grab the back of Sabrina’s thighs, and I lift her. She yelps as I sit her ass on the hood of the car, and I don’t care who’s watching. I want her so badly, and I know she feels the same. The undeniable attraction has always been there. We were just too stubborn to admit it.

  I move my mouth down to her neck, my tongue tracing her collarbone, and I taste her skin. She makes a soft moan as I move back up the column of her neck and she whispers my name.

  Sabrina is the only woman that has ever made me want more out of my life. There’s this longing to make her happy. I want to protect her, put her on a pedestal, and love her. My mind wanders as I think of Lily and how I want to put a smile on that little girl’s face and listen to her unicorn stories.

  “We should stop,” Sabrina says with desire swimming in her brown eyes. “The last time we did this, we ended up in the back seat of your car.”

  “You’re right.” I push a loose strand of hair off her forehead. “When I told you that was a mistake, I meant you deserved better than that.” My thumb caresses her delicate jawline, and I press a soft kiss on her lips. “The next time I make love to you, it will be perfect, just like you.”

  I may not deserve a second chance, but I sure as hell want one. And if I get it, I’m not going to screw it up this time.

  “Spencer,” she whispers. “We can’t . . . that night ended us. And I don’t want that to happen again.”

  I lean down and kiss her plump lips again. “Is sex what you think I want from you?” I stifle a laugh. “I want us to try what we’ve denied all these years. I fell head over heels for you when I was fifteen. Why do you think I brought you a rose every day until you were completely healed from your broken leg?”

  “I-I had no idea. I just thought you felt guilty for daring me.” She pauses for a moment. “It’s too complicated. There can’t be an us. You live in Los Angeles, and I have a life in San Francisco with my daughter.” A tear rolls down her cheek, breaking my heart in its path.

  “I don’t care. We’ll make it work.” There’s no way I’m letting her go again. “I’ll do everything I can to keep you.”

  Sabrina

  “It’ll be about two weeks to replace and repair the loose diamonds,” the jeweler informs me, peering through the jewelers’ loupe.

  Today is a day off for both Lily and me. She gets to have a playdate and I have a girl’s day out with Callie.

  Betsy Malone offered to watch Lily since she and Luke, Grayson’s son, were going to the park. When I dropped Lily off this morning, it was a relief to see those two kids hit it off immediately since Lily’s been cooped up in the house all week, doing her homework then helping Callie and me boxing up Nonna’s things.

  Nonna had been using the casitas to store her junk. We boxed some for charity, of course, keeping the ones that had sentimental value, and some belonged in the trash. My god, that woman was a hoarder. She kept everything from newspapers, magazines, and movie stubs to matchboxes.

  When I finally tackle Nonna’s room in the main house, I found her wedding ring. The vintage solitaire diamond with floral accents on a twisted band was absolutely stunning.

  “Two weeks?” I replied. “Why so long?”

  “We are short-staffed, and there’s been an increase in customers.” The bald man pulls the loupe away from his eye and slips it into his shirt pocket. “It’s the best I can do. If I finish earlier, I will let you know.”

  I let out a breath. I guess I don’t have a choice. “Very well.”

  “It’s a stunning ring,” he states. “The details are exquisite.”

  “It was my grandmother’s.”

  “We’ll take good care of your grandmother’s ring. I’ll be right back with the invoice.” He walks to the back office, leaving Callie and me waiting out front.

  “It’s not like you’re in a hurry to leave,” Callie says, leaning on the glass case. “Besides, you still need to figure out what you want to do with the house. Are you still thinking about selling it?”

  “No.” I shake my head. “It’s my home, and all I have left of my parents and grandmother.”

  Callie’s smile is beaming. “And did you talk to Spence about it?”

  “Not yet. But I plan to, eventually. I’m still trying to process who will take care of it once Lily and I head back home.”

  “I think you should move back here.”

  “Here? Are you kidding? I have a job, and friends, and a life in San Francisco.” I point out the window to the city I miss.

  “You said it yourself. This plac
e is your home.”

  “Yes, it is. But so is San Francisco.”

  “You can get a job here,” she pushes. “Maybe talk to Grant and see if there are any forensic lab rat positions open,” Callie suggests. “It’s not like you need to work for the rest of your life. Lillian’s inheritance set you up. You can be a full-time mom and not have to worry about who will take Lily or pick her up from school activities.”

  It’s not a bad idea. But I really love working at KSIG.

  I want nothing more in the world than to raise my daughter full time. Not having to worry if Tyco can pick up Lily from school or if Rocky can take her to Tiny Tigers, and not eat takeout and pizza for dinner.

  “It’s something I have to think about,” I say.

  Callie’s eyes beam. “Does that mean you will consider staying in Sunnyville?”

  I smile and nod slightly. “It’s a possibility. I need to talk to Lily about it and Rocky too.”

  “She’ll understand, won’t she?”

  “Rock is like family to Lil and me. They all are, and I know exactly how they would react if the tables were turned around.”

  “Okay,” the jeweler interrupts, returning with the ring in a small baggie and the repair order. “I just need you to sign here and here.”

  After I complete the paperwork, Callie and I walk around the outdoor mall. The sun warms my face and the breeze is refreshing. After packing Nonna’s things and cleaning the dusty casitas, a day like this is needed.

  “Let’s go in here,” Callie suggests, pointing at a boutique window. “Maybe you can find a cute dress for your date tonight.”

  “Cal, it’s not a date.”

  “Sure it is,” she says, tugging open the glass door as the bell chimes above us. We enter the store and Callie is immediately charmed by the clothes on the hangers. “Spencer has been so hush-hush about it.”

  “It’s not a date,” I state again. “Lily will be with us.”

  “Well, I think it’s cute that my brother is taking you both out. He’s nervous, you know.

  “Nervous? Why?” I feel the same.

  “Come on. You two are finally talking and getting together. It’s all he’s talked about since he asked you out.”

  “It’s been a while since I’ve been on a date.” With work, then spending as much time with Lily, it’s almost impossible to have a social life.

  “Well, when you quit your job and start living here, you will have all the time in the world.”

  “Callie, I haven’t confirmed I’m staying.”

  “Nor have you denied,” she tosses back, grabbing a few items from the rack and heads to the dressing room towards the back of the store.

  My fingers blindly fumble through the hangers and I feel like I’m sixteen again. This is the same boutique I bought a cute dress to wear to Spencer’s graduation party.

  “Wow. Who are you trying to impress?” Callie asks, eyeing the dress I slipped on. We are cramped in this small dressing room and have been trying on outfits for the last hour.

  I turn to face the mirror and glare at the royal blue dress snug on my stick-figure-hardly-any-boobs-and-no-butt-body. “No one.” I feign innocence. If she only knew I’m trying to look older and hotter for her brother. “Does it look like I’m trying too hard?”

  “You’ll make some guy hard,” she pipes out.

  “Callie Hayes!” I gasp. I can’t believe she said that.

  “What?” She props her hand on her hip. “I know this is for Spence. I don’t know why you’re trying to impress him.”

  “This is not for Spencer,” I lie. “It’s a senior party. One of the biggest events of our high school career and I need to look good.”

  “For Spencer,” she eggs. “I don’t know why you like my brother, anyway. He’s a big jerk to the girls he dates. He strings them along and cuts off all ties with them, leaving them heartbroken, and I don’t want that to happen to you too.”

  “You don’t have to worry about that. I’m not his type. He likes them blonde, with big boobs and a plump ass,” I say, slapping my butt. “And I am the complete opposite.”

  Callie laughs. “You may be the opposite, but you have something those girls don’t have.”

  “What’s that?”

  “You’re smart for one. Smart not to fall for Spencer. You have class and don’t flaunt your assets, which makes you respected.”

  “Whatever,” I wave my hand at her.

  “I’m serious, Sabbie.” She removes the blue dress and places it back on the hanger. “If you ever get with Spencer and he breaks your heart, I hope that doesn’t ruin us.”

  “What in the world are you talking about? You’re my best friend. Nothing will ever come between us.”

  “Have you thought about going out with Kenny? I think he has a thing for you.”

  “Kenny is just a friend.”

  “And he’s nice,” she adds.

  I don’t want nice. I want Spencer and all his hotness. Just once, I want to be one of those girls, and I really don’t care if I’m left heartbroken. At least I won’t be left to wonder.

  “What about this one?” Callie asks, tugging down the purple floral dress over her body. “Too innocent?”

  I giggle. “You are innocent, Callie.”

  “I hate being the innocent one. I wish I were like you, daring and adventurous.”

  “Hardly.” I roll my eyes.

  “You are,” Callie reassures. “You and Spence do all those crazy things that I could never do.”

  “It’s because he calls me chicken every time. And no one calls me chicken.”

  Callie laughs. “Like I said, Spencer is a big jerk.”

  “Sabrina?” A woman’s voice calls from behind me, yanking me from the memory.

  I turn to where the voice is coming from. “Cathy?”

  “Yup. It’s me. In the flesh,” she states, her hand on her hip and a huge smile on her face.

  “Oh my god, hi. I almost didn’t recognize you with your pink hair,” I tell her. It’s all coming back to me. It’s Chatty Cathy, the gossip queen of Sunnyville.

  She fluffs her hair. “I just came from the salon. Colored hair is all the rage now. And my second graders love it. So I decided to keep it this way.”

  “Well,” I clear my throat, “it looks lovely.”

  “Thanks, hun.” Cathy rubs me on the shoulder. “I’m sorry to hear about your grandmother. I heard the ceremony was beautiful.”

  “Thank you,” I tell her. “It was an intimate ceremony.”

  “So how long are you in town for?” she asks, and I’m afraid to say anything to her. She may take that simple piece of information and embellish it.

  “Not sure. I’m just wrapping a few things up for my grandmother.” I glance toward the back of the store where Callie peeks her head between the dressing room’s curtains. She rolls her eyes and immediately closes the curtains. She’s hiding from being suckered into a long drawn out conversation with Cathy.

  “I have to say, time has treated you very well. You look amazing. Hard to believe you had a girl. What is she five? Six?” she probes.

  “Lily is five. Wait, how’d you know?”

  She laughs, lightly patting my arm. “I just so happened to see Mrs. Malone at the park with Luke and your cute baby girl.”

  “She’s hardly a baby,” I say.

  “She looks just like you. I assume she gets her pretty blue eyes from her father.”

  “Yes,” I say nervously.

  “And your husband”—she peers around my shoulder—“is he here?”

  “Um. No. He’s . . . We aren’t together.” Now she’s got her gossip, and I need to shut this conversation down. “I mean, he’s back in San Francisco,” I recover and hope she’ll believe me.

  “Oh, that’s too bad. I am dying to know who got their hooks on you. I always thought Spencer was going to be the one you ended up with.”

  “Really?” I laugh. “We were just friends.” I pick up a pair of shorts,
holding them up to avoid eye contact with her.

  “Please,” she snorts. “You mean to tell me nothing ever happened between you two?” She’s fishing and I’m not taking the bait.

  I shake my head and purse my lips. “Nope. Nothing.”

  “Nothing, huh? I mean, after he left for college and came back here, he still spent most of his time with you instead of hanging out with Finley, Hudson, or even Grady.”

  I make a non-committal sound. “Really? I hadn’t noticed.”

  Who am I kidding? Of course, I noticed. Spencer threw pebbles at my bedroom window almost every night. I’d sneak out of the house, and we’d make our way to the oak tree, talking all night as we waited for shooting stars to cross the sky above us.

  Now that I think about it while listening to Cathy ramble on and on about how she spotted us together all those years ago, questions sift through my head.

  Why didn’t he try anything? Why didn’t he kiss me? I mean, sure, I fell asleep next to him and he had his arms wrapped around me, but nothing else happened.

  Until that night, the night Lily was conceived.

  “How can you not notice, Sabrina?” Cathy questions.

  “He was my best friend, Cathy. Of course, we spent time together.”

  “I rooted for the two of you. We all did.”

  “Who is ‘we’?” I ask, my interest piqued at her statement.

  “Oh, the girls.” She waves her hand in the air. “We all knew you had a crush on him. I think Spencer knew too.”

  “What makes you think I had a crush on him in high school?”

  She juts her chin toward the dressing room. “Having conversations in the dressing room about boys is never a place to keep those secrets under wraps.”

  I shut my eyes, remembering the memory. “It was a long time ago.”

  “And girl, that kiss in the parking lot at Hooligans,” she adds.

  “You saw that?”

  “Kind of hard not to notice. And speaking of the handsome devil himself.” She points out the store’s large front window. “Now, that’s a man I’d notice anywhere. God has blessed him in all the right places. That man, mm-mm-mm, he even farts sex appeal with that gait of his. What is it with Sunnyville, breeding handsome and sexy men?”