Love War (Battlefield of Love Book 1) Page 8

  Walking up on her talking to the delivery boy burned my ass. Jealousy raged through every vein in my body. I was on fire and it took everything I had to keep from exploding.

  I knew I couldn’t have her, but I didn’t want someone else to either. She was mine. I just had to figure out how to make that happen with the situation I’m in, without ruining us both in the process.

  After spending Sunday at the park with her and the girls, I could see the future with her and Reece in it. Everything was just easy with them. Our two families fit together perfectly. Hell, the girls bonded instantly and that is another reason why I have to make this right. Andie has been through hell and back with her mom and me separating. She needed this, a friend. Being six with divorced parents is confusing as hell. Her happiness depended on me. I just had to figure out how to make this work without any casualties.

  So what did I decide to do? Be a dick while throwing insults her way. That’s one way to get the girl, right? Wrong!

  She tried to get my attention as the day went on. Stripping off her tank top, exposing her sports bra drenched with sweat. I ignored her, acting as if it didn’t affect me.

  A couple hours later she offered me a glass of ice cold, freshly squeezed lemonade. Again, I rejected her. So what does she do? Walks outside in her barely there cut off jean shorts and sports bra carrying a try filled with cups of the icy beverage for my crew. That got my attention again, but I ignored her, refusing to let her see what she does to me.

  Now it’s lunch time, and as I walk outside I see the table set up with cold subs and chips. Something simple, but thoughtful.

  “Oh hey! I was just fixing some lunch and I thought you would like to join me. Thought you could use the break.” She fidgets. “You know, since you have been working so hard.”

  I want to join her. Sit down and tell her how thankful I am that I found her. That she is exactly what I need in my life right now, but I can’t. I won’t. Not at this moment in time.

  “I wasn’t sure exactly what type of lunch meat you liked so I just made up a few of everything. Whatever is left over I can give to the guys.”

  Picking up my cooler, I hold it out in front of me. “Thanks, but no thanks. I brought mine. I have a few calls I have to make, but I’m sure the guys will devour them.” I walk right past her and out the door. Wishing I was lying, that I didn’t have to make this call.

  “OK well, maybe another time,” I hear her call after me.

  Yanking open my truck door, I slide in the seat, throwing my cooler in the passenger side. It’s at least a hundred degrees out right now. Cranking up the air, I pull out my phone and just look at the text I received last night.

  Sarah: I didn’t sign the divorce papers.

  Why in the fuck would she do this? She is the one who found another, cheated and moved on. Ten months. Ten months of being separated and now this.

  Pulse racing, heart pounding out of my chest, I make the call.

  “Hey, Drew. How’s work going?” Sarah purrs into the phone.

  “Cut the shit, Sarah. What do you mean you didn’t sign the papers?”

  “Exactly what it says. It is simple really, I didn’t sign the papers,” she says in a matter-of-fact tone.

  “Why the fuck not?”

  “Drew, calm down.”

  “How can I calm down? You cheated, I filed for divorce and signed the papers. You moved on with your boss and were supposed to sign the papers as well. What changed?” I bark across the line.

  “Well for starters, I miss us being a family. You, me and Andie.” Her voice is more whiney than wanting.

  “I’m sure you do. But you can’t just come and go as you please, fucking who knows who while you are gone.”

  “Now Drew, it was only that one time.” Her voice agitates me.

  “Sarah, I’m done. I want a divorce. Sign the papers,” I demand.

  “I’m contesting the divorce, Drew.” I can almost hear the smile through the phone.

  “Don’t do this Sarah. Do you know how hard this is going to be on Andie? How confused she will be?”

  “Speaking of which. I think it’s best if Andie stays with me full time. If you want to see her, come home.”

  “Fuck you, Sarah! Don’t you fucking use Andie to get me to come home! I’ll be damned if you think you can keep her from me,” I spit through the phone. “She is my daughter and I have spent more time with her, taking care of her, making sure she gets to her recitals and Girl Scout meetings. I have been there for her while you work your late nights fucking your boss.”

  “Really, Drew, I think you need to calm down.”

  “Calm down? CALM DOWN? I don’t need to calm down. I need to call my fucking lawyer.”

  Pressing end, I throw my phone down in the seat, forgetting my cooler is there, shattering the screen.

  “FUUUUUUCK!” I roar, punching the roof of the truck until my knuckles pulse with pain. “FUCK YOU SARAH JONES!”

  I know she can’t get away with this. She left us and chose her other life. Living apart for months, MONTHS! Passing Andie back and forth, getting her used to a schedule.

  Andie...

  I can’t do this, not now. I have a job to finish and an explanation to give. Aubrey has done nothing wrong, but needs to know why I’ve been acting strange. Like an asshole on speed. Exactly why I can’t take things further.

  Losing my appetite, I forgo my sandwich and decide on the glass of lemonade and an apology.

  Throwing open the door, I jump down and race to the house, but instead of finding her sitting at the table having lunch. I see a note on a stack of subs.

  “Damn it.” I wad up the note, throwing it across the room.

  “Hey boss?”

  Turning, I see one of my crew, Lee, standing there.

  “We are at a stopping point. You got a problem with us taking lunch a few minutes early?” He stands there waiting for my answer. “Hot damn, did the hot chick make those for you?”

  “She’s not a hot chick, she is our customer and she didn’t make them for me she made them for the crew.”

  “Well then, I would say today is our lucky day.” He walks over, takes the tray from my hands and heads out the doors, shouting to the men, “COME AND GET IT!”

  At least luck is on someone’s side.

  Aubrey

  IT’S BEEN A COUPLE weeks since I last talked to Drew. I never intended it to go that long, yet it did. Maybe I’m to blame? I left, leaving behind a note and for what? Because he was a little grouchy and wouldn’t have lunch with me?

  He has my number from the paperwork. He could have called me, but he didn’t. He hasn’t. We just pass each other every day like nothing has ever happened between us. That we never danced, flirted, kissed.

  Nothing.

  Every morning as we head to the main house he pulls in as we leave. Not a word from him. We exchange waves. Nothing more, nothing less. Well, except for yesterday when Reece quizzed him for Andie’s phone number.

  Today was different. I left, he pulled up, waves were exchanged, but today we stood there just looking at each other, expressions saying what words couldn’t.

  We were an explosion waiting to happen. A spark put out before it could ignite. I know he felt the heat between us, there was no way he could deny it. Maybe I scared him or maybe, just maybe, we scared him.

  We are two recently divorced individuals with children we both adore. Getting into a relationship this soon would be complicated and neither of us needs that. Right now it’s about bringing happiness back into our lives. We want that, our kids need it.

  Maybe this is for the best. I have too much on my plate to worry about what our unspoken words meant. I have a house to paint and reinvent and a new life to build for me and Reece. This bed and breakfast is what is going to keep the bills paid so I can put her child support in savings.

  “Damn it!” I trip over the can of paint and try to catch myself before hitting the floor, causing the paint roller to splatter my fa
ce. Luckily I’d just finished painting and the can was empty or the wooden floors I just restored would have been a new creamy shade of yellow.

  This day has sucked, given everything that has happened this morning — the fridge going out, the toilet overflowing, painting the trim white after I forgot I’d decided to keep the natural wood state. Just everything blows, and to top it off Reece is at her dad’s and I’m alone...again.

  I guess it’s a pizza and Netflix kinda night. After ordering the pizza I head upstairs to take a quick shower and rinse the rest of the paint off. I don’t have anything but dish soap here since we are doing some minor renovations.

  When I’m done, I pull on the clothes I had on before and run downstairs to look for the driver. Nothing. So I leaving the door open and grab my phone to make sure Reece didn’t call.

  Today was a hard day. She didn’t want to go visit Doug. Normally he leaves early to come and pick her up for lunch, but today he had a meeting and had his mom pick her up. Let’s just say all hell broke loose once her Gigi showed up.

  “How many times have I told you it’s not safe to leave your door open for just anyone to walk in?” The deep rumble of his voices breaks me from my thoughts.

  “What the hell, Drew?” I scream. “You about gave me a heart attack.”

  “Aubrey, I hollered for you and you didn’t answer. I thought maybe something was wrong.”

  “Well, as you can see, I’m fine.” I wave my hand up and down, showcasing how well I am. “I was waiting for my pizza and wanted to make sure I didn’t miss the delivery guy.” I put my hands to my hips, giving him my best pissed-off pose, but the heat between my thighs betrays my inner bitch.

  “Damn it!” He stalks to me, pizza still in hand. “Anyone could have walked in here and done who knows what to you...” He pauses, his voice now going soft. “Aubrey, I couldn’t have stopped them.”

  “Why would you even want to? Huh, Drew? You don’t even care!” I step closer, daring him to finally give me some reason as to why he never even tried to call me.

  Tossing the pizza to the ground, he engulfs my frame with his, backing me up until I hit the side of the stairs. “My life is a currently a cluster-fuck of complication and Andie’s mom is doing everything she can to make it difficult. I was afraid of what she may do.” Both of his hands are in my hair, tugging. His forearms pressed into the wall, trapping me with nowhere to go, his steel blue eyes shining with desire, locked in on mine.

  “To me?” I hesitantly ask, not sure I even want to know the answer.

  I breathe.

  He breathes me in.

  I ache for him.

  “I don’t know exactly. I panicked...but you? I wasn’t expecting it, not now...not ever.”

  “What does that even mean, Drew?” My voice trembles.

  “This...”

  His mouth slams into mine. Tongue searching, teeth scraping in a kiss so dominating that it alone screams more than his words ever could.

  He cared.

  He wanted.

  He desired.

  Me.

  Consumed.

  By him.

  His kiss, searing. Touch, intense...need more, need him. Reaching around I pull Drew closer, my legs part, inviting him in. Wrapping my arms around his neck, hands clawing, I lift my leg, begging for anything to relieve this pressure building up inside of me.

  “Babe, we—”

  “Shh...just don’t. Please don’t stop.”

  “My phone...the crew...your house...” He taps my other leg.

  He turns us, back against the wall, kiss bruising, teeth knocking...not enough.

  “Drew, please...”

  “Aubrey...” He slowly slides down the wall until he’s sitting on the floor. “Babe, this is not how I imagined this happening. Not here like this.”

  Looking around, “Umm...I’m pretty sure I’m really OK with this, right here.”

  “Yeah, me too.” His laugh echoes throughout the house.

  “Then what’s the problem?” I shrug my shoulders.

  “Look at us.” He points between us. “I’m a dirty, sweaty mess and you are covered in paint. Which is pretty damn hot.”

  “Really? I thought I got it all off.”

  “Babe, you have cream freckles all over your face.” He starts to pick the paint from my cheeks.

  “Let me see.”

  Shifting me a little to the left, he reaches for his cell phone in his back pocket. Reversing the camera. He turns it on us. “Say CHEESE!”

  We both make a crazy face and he snaps a picture. Taking the phone from his hands, I examine it closely. “Huh. Barely there, but yep. You’re right.” I save the picture forwarding it to myself.

  “Well, yeah.” He taps my nose. I wrinkle it as he picks the paint away. “What is it about you?”

  “It’s just my awesomeness. It’s irresistible.”

  “Yep. It sure is, which is why we had to stop.”

  “Says no man ever,” I interrupt.

  “Says every respectable man.”

  “Drew...thank you.” I reach over and kiss the tip of his nose.

  “For what?”

  “For being you.”

  Leaning in, mouth hovering over mine, his baby blues search. “I’m not really sure what I did to deserve you, but Aubrey, I swear to God, I won’t mess this up again. I promise you. We will do this right.”

  “I just want to get laid,” I joke, grinding into him. Then my belly chooses to growl.

  “I’m sure you do, but first you eat.” Stretching out he reaches for the pizza box, scooting it over with the tips of his fingers.

  “Hey, what happened to my pizza guy? Did you pay him off or something?” I cross my arms, still on his lap, not ready to get off anytime soon.

  I wonder if I sit here long enough if I can claim squatter’s rights? His lap, mine forever. Hmm. I must investigate this further.

  “He actually delivered it to the pool house. I paid for it and thought I would walk it up myself.” He opens the lid, hands me a cold piece and takes one for himself.

  “Cheers,” I say, tapping my pizza against his.

  He smiles, my awkwardness growing on him. “Cheers,” he repeats taking a bite.

  “So...I don’t have Reece tonight. Do you have Andie?”

  “No, I don’t have her tonight.”

  “Well, how about after you get done, I can put together a few finger foods, pop some popcorn and we could Netflix and chill,” I offer.

  “Sounds good, but I’ll need to go home and shower.”

  “Guess what?” I tap his chest. “You need a shower, I happen to have one!”

  Grabbing my finger, he pulls it up to his lips, playfully biting. “Well, guess what? I actually have a change of clothes in the truck. If you’re sure, I’ll take you up on that offer.”

  “Yep! Let’s do this!” I hop up, shaking the crumbs onto the floor.

  “Well, alright. Let’s do this.” He stands up, stretching out his legs.

  “What time?”

  “Actually, we are almost done with the framing. So, maybe around six. Does that work for you?” He heads toward the door, then turns around waiting for my answer.

  “Perfect. I’ll finish up here and pick up a few things from the store.” I give him a thumbs up.

  Thumbs up? Geesh...LOSER!

  He chuckles and returns the gesture. “Perfect.”

  Drew

  I SHOULDN’T HAVE KISSED Aubrey, but I couldn’t let her think I don’t want her, that I don’t find her desirable.

  I do.

  I could have lied, but what’s the point? It’s not going to change how she makes me feel. It’s not going to stop her from feeling rejected. She is worth something. Hell, she is worth more than something and needs to be shown every goddamn day.

  I just can’t be the one to do it, not now. Not until Sarah signs the papers and I’m a hundred percent legally single. Most men would argue, saying Sarah ended the marriage when she was caugh
t fucking her boss, but only a coward would let her take all the blame.

  I didn’t realize this then, but now I know. I shut down, put all my energy into our family and not into my wife. She went unnoticed.

  I loved what she gave me, instead of loving her. I single-handedly drove her into his arms because I wanted a family more than I needed a wife. I failed her...and Andie.

  Now I have a chance at having a real relationship, not one out of obligation, but one I choose. The problem is, I’m not a free man.

  Aubrey’s different. She’s a force of nature, crashing her way into my life. I tried to shut her down, boarding up my feelings, taking cover, hiding behind the well-constructed walls. Easy, right? It should have been, it’s what I do, but she has this way about her that makes me want to pull her in. Let her get close and see what we could be despite the obstacles. Everything about this situation screams that I’m doing it wrong and she deserves it to be right.

  Honesty is where it begins. I just have to figure out a way to explain the situation. To tell her the truth before the guilt eats me alive.

  Tonight.

  Aubrey

  FINISHING UP AT THE house, I quickly make a mental list for our dinner and a movie. Finger foods, candy, popcorn...anything and everything we could possibly want if we were really going on a date. Including a box of condoms.

  A girl has needs.

  Heading to the store, I realize I don’t know anything about this guy. Well, I know some things, but mostly it’s about the way we make each other feel. I don’t know the other things. His likes, dislikes. What he eats and doesn’t.

  Before I push the panic button, I shoot him a text, not expecting him to answer anytime soon.

  Me: Quick question for later. Chips and dip or chips and salsa?

  To my surprise he answers right away.

  Drew: Either. Chips are chips and dip is dip. What about you?

  Huh? He wants to know what I think. Maybe I shouldn’t read too much into this.

  Me: Thnx.

  Drew: You’re welcome. Two can play this game. Fall or spring?

  Me: That’s easy... Fall. Bonfires and s’mores.