That Was Yesterday

by HJ Bellus

  “Of course, I’d have to break my right wrist.” I blow my bangs out of my face struggling to get in the door.

  I growl in frustration as it dawns on me that taking a relaxing shower isn’t going to be so damn easy. It’s moments like these I want my momma. Being the only child, I was always doted on and taken care of. My loving parents are now traveling the world and loving their lifestyle. They deserve it after having me so late in life.

  After studying the shower for several minutes, I give up on the idea for now. I open the bottle of pain pills I refused to take last night and pop one in. Soon the world grows hazy and I’m sinking onto my couch, pulling my favorite quilt on top of me. It’s Max’s scent, strong jawline, and piercing eyes that fill my senses before sleep takes over.

  ***

  This is the dumbest idea ever. I’m about to turn around when I get a glimpse of Max’s backside. He’s shirtless, heaving large, long boxes off a flatbed trailer. I stand frozen with the plate of cookies in my hands. My jaw slackens at the sight of layers of muscle rippling with each of his movements.

  It’s not hot outside by any means, but I find myself heating up from head to toe underneath my leggings and baggy sweater. Sweat droplets drip down his back, but it’s when he turns to face me that I too begin to sweat.

  A dazzling smile lights up his face as he strides toward me. “Nice gear.”

  He nods to the lime green cast on my right hand. I shrug and extend the plate toward him, thanking God I brought them with me because it would have taken all of my will not to leap into his hard, chiseled chest.

  “Here. A thank you.”

  Max takes the plate of cookies wrapped in Saran Wrap. “What’s this for?” He quirks an eyebrow.

  “A thank you for taking care of me last night, making me breakfast, and paying my bill.” I reach down into my pocket, tug out the bundle of money, and extend it his way.

  “The hell? You push drugs too or something?” He lifts the wrap, not waiting to taste the cookies.

  I snort in laughter. Not lady-like at all. “No, broke into my piggy bank.”

  “I’m not taking it.” He shoves a cookie in his mouth, taking a large bite. Crumbs linger on his mouth. I bite down on my bottom lip, stifling the moan building up inside of me. What has this man done to me?

  “Why not? Pretty darn sure that wasn’t a little bill and it was no fault of yours.” I take a step back as Max finishes his second cookie.

  “Kate, just gonna say it one time. And as screwed up as it may sound, it’s how I feel. There’s no way in hell I’ll ever be able to pay you back.” He holds up a hand. “And before your smart mouth goes off about not needing to be paid back, listen to me. The thought of me living the rest of my life not knowing I had a son out there guts me. Not to mention the thoughts of the abuse he’s suffered at the hands of a disgusting human being more obsessed with drugs and getting her next fix.”

  “But…” I try.

  “You are hard-headed as hell with a stubborn streak to match, Kate. I’m not hearing any of it, and thanks for the home-baked cookies. I’m a sucker for sweets.” He nods to the porch. “Want a drink? I need a break.”

  “Sure,” I squeak out, clasping my fingers together as we walk to the small porch framing the house. The fresh boards lining the floor and the railing let me know the porch must have been the first thing Max worked on.

  “This is nice. I didn’t notice it last night.” I run my hand along the railing.

  “Thanks. I’ll be right back.” He points to one of the rocking chairs and then disappears into the house.

  Rattling of glasses fills the air as I continue to run my hand down the railing and finally take a seat in a rocking chair. The screen door swings open, revealing Max holding two copper mugs while chowing down on another cookie.

  “You like Moscow Mules?” He sets them both down on the table between us.

  I shrug. It seems it’s the only thing I know how to do. “Never had one.”

  “Then you’ll love them. It’s my specialty.” He winks.

  “This porch is amazing,” I admit, picking up my mug.

  “My dad said a porch makes the house, so it was the first thing I worked on.”

  I bring the copper mug to my lips, taking a tiny sip. “Mmmm. That’s tasty and refreshing. Thanks.”

  He rests his head back on the rocker, his neck fully exposed as he takes a drink. “You ever been afraid of something so bad that you keep it around yourself so it doesn’t haunt you?”

  His deep question throws me for a loop. Silence floats between us before I internalize his question.

  “Not sure what you’re talking about, Max.” I twist in my chair, tucking a leg underneath me in order to face him.

  “My birth mom was an alcoholic. She drank herself to death and managed to beat the hell out of me on the way.” He pauses briefly, rubbing small scars on his chest. “The first day I saw Finn and talked to you, I went to the liquor store and bought a bottle. Planned to drink the whole son of a bitch then buy another, but it was my dad who stopped me. He grabbed the bottle and poured me a drink. We shared a few, and I knew then I was stronger than the demon I could so easily fall into.”

  “I’m sorry, Max.”

  He goes on, telling me everything about his past and his mother and how Jessie, his football coach, saved him and took him in. My heart aches with each word that flows from Max’s lips.

  “And now I’m about to get custody of my own son, saving him from the same life I lived, and how the hell do I know I’m going to be any better than what he’s coming from?”

  Without thinking, I reach over and grab his hand. “I get it now. You hold that pain close and let it go slowly. Max, I barely know you but can already tell you’re going to be one hell of a dad. So many men would’ve driven out of town and never looked back.”

  He nods. “I get to meet him on Wednesday. It’s going to be supervised. My lawyer is pushing for full custody. The shitty thing is the system protects Ally’s rights as long as she’s showing progress. At the moment, she’s not, but I don’t trust her not to. I can only hope she gives up all rights to him.”

  A bubble of happiness and nerves blooms inside of me. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s finally time for someone to stand up for Finn. I remain speechless for several moments not knowing what in the hell to say.

  “I’m so proud of you, Max.”

  “I have lots of work to do before Wednesday to get this place in shape. The visit is going to be here.”

  I hop up from the rocker, my head spinning a bit from the sudden movement. “Let’s get going then.”

  Max stands up, grabbing the last cookie from the plate.

  “You are like a garbage disposal,” I say, taking a step closer to him.

  A crooked smile lights up his face. “The Sprinkles Bakery chocolate chip cookies are my favorite. My true weakness.”

  “You jerk.” I slap his chest. “How come…”

  He grabs my hand, tugging me toward him. “I thought I’d let you indulge in a little white lie.”

  “And he has jokes on top of his good looks and heart.” I shake my head.

  Max drops his hands to my hips, tugging me to him until we are chest to chest. I splay my palms out on his chest. My fingertips sear to life with the contact.

  “You think I’m cute. Is that what you’re saying?” He tilts his head, bringing a hand up to my cheek.”

  “You know you are, Max,” I whisper.

  He runs the pad of his thumb over my cheek. “You’re not half bad yourself.”

  A shrieking voice pulls us out of our trance. We were seconds from brushing our lips together.

  “Max!” I turn to see a teenage girl running our way. She halts in her tracks as soon as she puts together the scene.

  And then it’s like an army of people follow her, all decked out in work clothes. Some carry coolers while others pack supplies.

  “Whit.” Max jerks his chin and takes a st
ep back, but before he does, he whispers in my ear, causing flutters to ignite low in my belly. “It’s my family. They are tough as hell when it comes to me but mean well. Hang tight. You’re about to get the full meal deal with us.”

  “Okay,” I whisper.

  And just like that, Max’s family, along with Cody, invade our moment of peace. Paint brushes fly, hammers swing, and we all work in unison.

  “Max hates painting. I find it so soothing.” His mom peers over her shoulder with a gentle smile.

  “I agree. I love painting. Guess that’s why I always wanted to teach kindergarten.”

  The humor in my words fall flat. I don’t miss the side eye glares that Whit, Max’s little sister, keeps sending my way. She snorts but doesn’t say a word as she continues to run the roller on the wall.

  “Whit, why don’t you go see if your dad needs help?” Jules suggests.

  “Whatever.” She rolls her eyes and stomps off.

  “You’re a smart girl for picking a grade to teach when they’re cute and lovable compared to the hell days of puberty and teenagers.”

  I drop my roller in the pan and sit down on a bucket. His dad was stand-offish while his other siblings flocked to Max. Jules has been friendly but tentative, and all of a sudden I feel like an enemy on traitor lines.

  “I met Max because of Finn. That’s it.”

  “Oh honey,” Jules pats my shoulder, “it’s nothing personal. We are all protective of Max. He’s been through hell, and it’s our job to protect him. I’ll admit, we may go overboard sometimes.”

  “I’m not a bad person.” The words are out of my mouth before I can take them back.

  Jules kneels down before me. “Then prove it to us. Max is pretty damn quiet and keeps to himself since serving his country. If I was a betting person, I’d put all my chips on the fact he likes you a lot.”

  And with that she goes right back to painting and humming to herself.

  Chapter 11

  Max

  “You walked here?” I ask.

  She nods. “I only live a few blocks away.”

  “Then I’m walking you home.” I grab her hand, leaving no room for argument.

  Kate worked her ass off on Sunday, not letting her cast get in the way. She took my family’s judgmental analysis like a champ. It took me having a side conversation with Whit to get her damn hackles down. I had to remind her it was because of Kate that we found out about Finn.

  Kate came back on Monday after school and today, not asking how she could help. Instead she jumped right in, doing what needed to be done. That fact alone relieved me, because I was at the point of being so overwhelmed, I had no idea where to even start.

  I had a sports-themed room all set up for Finn right down to the wallpaper border. The paint for the walls was, of course, my college colors, along with framed posters of my football players. It was with a gentle ease that Kate pointed out Finn despises sports.

  Then the magic happened. She didn’t waste one thing I bought and only had to run to the store for chalkboard paint. The walls are the same colors I planned but now have a chalkboard border for Finn to work out math problems. She brought in live plants he can tend, abstract art, and a minimal number of toys. The room is crisp and clean and not overwhelming at all. She reassures me it’s an area where Finn will feel safe and comfortable, and I trust her.

  The football pictures ended up in my bedroom, and the rest of the stuff I had no problem donating to the local second-hand store.

  “It’s fine.” Kate swings our connected hands.

  I glance down to our connection. “I know it’s fine if I walk you home.”

  “You know what I mean.” She rolls her eyes, her cheeks flushing the slightest hue of delicate pink.

  We haven’t had another moment like we had on the porch. It’s been nothing but busting our asses for tomorrow. There hasn’t been one second go by that I don’t find myself wondering how she would’ve tasted and felt against me.

  “How about we detour over a few blocks and share a pizza?” I squeeze her hand in mine.

  Kate freezes in front of a stop sign, looking up at me. She nibbles on her lower lip, which I’ve picked up is her tell-tale sign. I give her the time she needs to spill what has her all bothered.

  “Um, would you mind grabbing the pizza and coming back to my house?”

  I shake my head side to side. “Not at all, but gonna need to know why, babe.”

  Kate remains silent. I can see each of her thoughts play out on her features as she decides whether to tell me or not. The setting sun cascades over, arranging the scene perfectly. That almost forgotten kiss comes crashing back in. I lean closer, feeling Kate’s chest rise and fall against mine. The moment consumes me.

  “I’m going to kiss you, Kate.” I run my lips along hers.

  She doesn’t say a word. Instead she leans forward, fueling the desire low in my core. I drop a hand down to her hip, tugging her closer, and cup her cheek with my other. I move slow, relishing each second of this sweet miracle. Something inside me tells me I’ll never be able to get enough of this woman.

  I glide my lips across hers, unable to stifle the moan. It rolls out, vibrating off our lips. Kate takes me by surprise when she leads the kiss, her magical lips sealing to mine. She tilts her head, allowing me to deepen our connection. She’s sinful, tender, and all too consuming. I sweep my tongue in her mouth. She follows suit. We kiss for what seems like forever and no time at all. When a semi-truck’s Jake brakes sound around us, we break apart.

  I brush the pad of my thumb over her plump, full bottom lip. “And to think that was just our first kiss.”

  “I’ve never been kissed like that.” She ducks her head down.

  Using my fingers under her chin, I tilt her face back to me. “No need to be shy, and now you can explain about me getting the pizza.”

  She twists her lips side to side after releasing the plump lower one from her teeth. “My principal is a dick. He’s been riding me about having a relationship with you.”

  Rage consumes me but doesn’t overpower me. Her beauty and the glow from the sleepy sun trumps it all.

  “He’s asked me out several times, and right before I broke my arm, I sent him a text basically telling him off, and he wasn’t so kind to me yesterday and today at school.”

  I step closer, tugging her to me. “What did he do?”

  I can’t help the growl that escapes me. The thought of some power-hungry douche bag treating her like shit makes me see red. Intimidation and bullying are a hard limit for me, no matter who is involved.

  I get he’s more than likely enamored by Kate. Who in the hell wouldn’t be? And I haven’t seen her in action in the classroom but have no reservation that she’s one hell of a teacher. I know this without a shadow of doubt by the way she talks about her students and the hours she puts into planning her lessons, not to mention the money she spends on her classroom. I’ve learned all this in just the few days I’ve been around Kate. It’s her passion.

  “It’s embarrassing.” She drops her head to my chest, avoiding eye contact.

  “Kate.” I urge her on.

  “He pulled me in his office.” Her voice is muffled by my chest. It takes everything inside me not to force her to look up at me. “He wrote me up and said when it happens again, I’ll be put on a plan.”

  “What in the hell did he write you up for?” This time I don’t dare to hide the fierceness of my growl.

  “I forgot to turn in my lesson plans on Friday. He caught me this morning putting them in his box. It was the first time I was late with them. He’s just pissed I turned him down.”

  I step back, placing my hands on her shoulders and waiting for her to face me. When she does, tears swim in her gorgeous eyes. Not on my damn watch.

  “You go to the superintendent, and if he doesn’t listen, then you go to the school board. This is bullshit and straight-up wrong.” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I tug her back to me. “There’s
no negotiating on this topic.”

  “It’s a small town, Max. They can do whatever they want.”

  “You’re preaching to the choir, babe. But you will stand up for yourself.” I kiss the top of her head. “You’re gonna have to let me go, so I can get us dinner.”

  Her tender giggle puts a smile on my face. “You’re the one squeezing me to death.”

  “Lies, all lies.” I kiss the top of her hand before stepping back. “What’s your address?”

  She fires it off as I walk backward, running my hands through my unruly hair to keep myself from grabbing her sweet-ass body again. I turn around, knowing damn well I have to or we won’t be eating anything tonight. Or at least, I will be and it won’t be pizza.

  “No pineapple.” A voice echoes down the road as I jog across the crosswalk.

  I glance back to barely see Kate with her hands cupped around her mouth.

  “Got it. Extra pineapple.”

  “No.”

  A genuine spark of laughter vibrates from deep in my chest. I’m so screwed with this woman.

  The pizza joint is packed. We should’ve called in our order. I haven’t eaten here yet. Not very proud of it, but I’ve been pretty much living off bar food from Cody’s. Damn lucky he’s open late. I’ve been busting my ass remodeling the house. It’s been damn long days and nights working with my hands while keeping up with my business of designing and managing websites at night.

  I keep my head down as I make my way to the counter. Besides Deputy Dickhead, I haven’t run into anyone else from my past. It’s a damn miracle. Even though we are a good fifteen miles from Boone doesn’t mean shit doesn’t mesh, and news travels fast. I’m guessing things are going to heat up after Ally is served papers.

  “How can I help you?” a young teenager asks from behind the counter.

  The menu is overwhelming as hell. Calzones, pizza, salads of every kind you could think of.

  “You have a special?” I ask.