Redemption(25)
“You love him, don’t you?”
I jerked my attention away from Dan on the court to face my new friend. I’m sure I was white as a ghost. I shook my head adamantly. I couldn’t be that obvious. If she saw it, Dan certainly would.
Annie laughed, head tossed back, throat bobbing, chest rumbling, laughed. When she regained her composure, the expression she wore indicated how cute she thought all of this was. She chewed on her lip, obviously trying to stifle her outward expression.
“Don’t laugh. It’s way too early.”
“Says who?” I didn’t respond, and she kept talking. “Why is there a time frame on love? And who set it? You guys aren’t eighteen. I’m sure you’ve dated enough to know what you do and don’t want—so if you want Dan, tell him.”
I wasn’t sure if I was just saved from this conversation when Dan and Brett barreled toward us or outed by it and the possibility he’d overheard me.
Dan kissed me on the mouth, dripping with sweat. “What did I miss? What’d you want to tell me?”
If it weren’t me we were talking about, I would have found the timing and the topic entertaining, but since it was me, it was neither.
“Pizza. She wants to go to Harley’s to celebrate.” Annie saved me this time. It had been far too close.
It didn’t take much to distract men, and apparently, the mention of beer and pizza was all it had taken with these two. Brett and Annie had gone home to shower and change, leaving me with Dan, who once again would have to drive out to end of the earth to take me home.
“Sorry, I would have driven had I known we were going to go out.”
Dan took my hand and his gym bag with his other. “Why would that matter?”
“So, you wouldn’t have to drive all the way out to my house tonight.”
“I don’t mind. Why don’t we just go there now, get your car, and whatever you need for tomorrow?”
“I’m not following.”
He threw his bag in the bed of the truck and jerked my hand to tug me to his smiling face. My entire body met his with the unexpected movement. “You promised me you’d stay with me tonight and go to work from my place in the morning. Last night does not get you around that commitment. So we can go to your house. I’ll shower while you gather your things and play with your cat. Drop your car and stuff at my place, and then we will meet our friends for pizza and beer. After that, I’ll give you the time you need to finish your papers, but the minute you set the last one down, you’re mine.” His lips claimed mine in a very public kiss.
Breathlessly, I pulled away. “You’re hopeless.”
“Likely. But I usually get my way, so it’s easier to surrender than fight.”
He was right. He would always get his way with me because I had no desire to fight with him. I’d had enough of that in my life. I’d savor the sweet moments, cherish the memorable ones, and avoid the unpleasant times—I’d had enough bad to last an eternity. I was determined to treasure the good.
*
Annie and I had become fast friends. She had a small group of girlfriends, but they were currently on different paths. She was career driven, focused in a way most women never are because they’re more interested in husbands and babies. I admired her and Brett for that matter. The more time we spent with them, the more I saw the intricate way their lives were woven with Dan’s and just how easily they were bringing me into that fold.
There was no longer a day that went by that I didn’t receive messages from Annie; she wasn’t big on talking on the phone, which suited me just fine. We met for lunch when she was out near the University and coffee after work. Having a girlfriend who wanted nothing more than to be my friend was priceless. She was pulling for Dan and me just as much as I was.
The last time we’d met for coffee was the day I knew Annie valued our friendship as much as I did. Dan had told me for months she was a private person. Her past had been daunting, and she didn’t share it often. When she opened up to me about her two relationships prior to Brett, I knew she’d opened her heart. It was a gift she didn’t freely give and one I would honor.
Annie’s first boyfriend, Will—he was our connection. I didn’t know how, and it wasn’t a literal connection but rather an emotional one, and it centered around his death. Their story was heartbreaking. High school sweethearts, abuse damaging both of them, his lashing out at her, her acceptance of it—to anyone else it would be a horrible Hallmark after school special against domestic and child abuse—but reading between the lines, her inner turmoil was far deeper than just the surface level question of why she never left. Annie didn’t provide any details surrounding his death, and I didn’t ask for them. When she was ready to share them, she would—today wasn’t that day. But the truth behind Will was what tied me to Annie. I knew it in my heart. If anyone could forgive me and love my truth, she was it.
She had quickly moved on to the only other man she’d ever loved before meeting her husband. I wondered how Brett could work with her ex-boyfriend and not murder him after what she’d told me about their relationship. Brett would kill Dan to protect his wife, without hesitation. I can’t imagine his being professional with this guy, Gray pulling the shit he had. And now he’d started reaching out to her again.