CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
G iggles pull me from the daze I accidentally stumbled in. The warmth in my belly cools as the grocery store returns to focus. Charlie and Kenzie are whispering, their grins stretched wide. I pull the cart to a stop and give them my full attention.
“What’s so funny, moo-boo?” A smile pops on my lips when they don’t fuss about the combined nickname that’s apparently not cool anymore.
“We passed the snacks, Mommy!” My daughter thumps her forehead. “See?”
My gaze slides to where she’s pointing, at the aisle very much behind us. “How did that happen?”
But the question is rhetorical. Not that my kids know that. Thoughts of Drake have been distracting me since the beginning of July. The obsession is worse than normal after the sexcapades marathon we banged out last weekend. It’s becoming quite inconvenient, especially when my kids notice.
Charlie laughs loud enough to startle me. “You’re thinking about Rake.”
My cheeks burn. “How do you know?”
Kenzie joins in and the chorus of their amusement attracts several stares. “You got hearts in your eyeballs. Pinkie Pie gets ‘em too.”
“But only when he’s lookin’ at Mommy,” Charlie chimes in.
A dreamy exhale precedes the trick flips in my belly. As if I need encouragement to fantasize about Drake. His unique blends of romance and grand gestures are my kryptonite. He’s a tug in my gut stronger than basic instincts. I shake off the temptation to text him and whip the cart in reverse.
“Okay, we need chips and cookies. Your game starts soon, monkey moo.”
“And Daddy is gonna be there,” Kenzie squeals.
My little boy punches the air. “The Colts are gonna win!”
I’m reaching for a bag of Ruffles when a man appears at the end of the aisle. He looks familiar, but I can’t place him. His face is one of those that blends into a crowd. It’s strange and unsettling.
“Hello, Ms. Brooks. I thought that was you. What a pleasant surprise.”
The coaxing edge in his tone is creepier than a tarantula crawling toward me. Ice fills my veins as recognition slams into me. It’s a shock I don’t immediately curse his name. Kenzie and Charlie scurry behind my back, sensing the threat. Our reactions probably fill him with satisfaction.
Without taking my gaze off him, I grab treats for the team and turn to get us out of this situation. The enemy doesn’t get the hint. He jogs to get ahead, cutting off our retreat. I slam to a halt to avoid a collision but he could benefit from a strike of common sense. My pulse hammers as I realize we’re caught in a trap.
“Let us pass,” I demand.
“Mommy,” Kenzie murmurs and yanks on my dress. “Who’s that man?”
“Nobody, bunny. Just ignore him.”
“Shhh,” Charlie whispers to his sister. “He’s a stranger.”
“Don’t you remember me? I’m Alan from Sutherland Homes.” His toothy smile raises the hair on the back of my neck.
An ache blooms in my jaw as I clench down. “Move.”
Alan crouches on the floor, putting himself level with the twins. I widen my stance to block them from his view. His chuckle lacks any trace of humor as he rises to his full height.
“Just wanted to say hello.”
“How dare you corner me while I’m out with my children.” It’s a challenge to keep my voice even.
Especially when his eyes flash. “Would you prefer I speak to you in private?”
Bile climbs up my throat and I gag. “This is a new low, even for you. I’m going to call the police.”
“There’s no need for that. This is a polite conversation.” Alan holds out his palms as if that will placate me.
“I strongly disagree. Get out of my way.” I grip onto the cart until my knuckles bleed white.
He taps on the metal buggy acting as a barrier between us. “Just a quick message.”
“Spit it out.” A tremor rolls through me when his friendly mask slips into a sneer.
“Your rich boyfriend is ignoring our calls and texts. We don’t appreciate that. What you’re going to is—”
“Not listen to a word you say,” I snap.
His glare turns mean. “Don’t interrupt me.”
“You started it, but I’ll end it.” I grab onto the twins and prepare to crush Alan like the pest he is.
His manic laughter freezes me on the spot. “Ah, Ms. Brooks. I’m going to thoroughly enjoy leveling that precious farm of yours.” He slaps his palms together to mimic the destruction. “Such a shame we couldn’t reach an understanding.”
I square my shoulders, staring Alan down as if intense eye contact will send him running. “Stay away from me and my family. If I ever see you again, I’m getting a restraining order.”
He snorts. “On what grounds?”
My focus doesn’t waver. “This is harassment. I should’ve reported you months ago, but that’s no longer necessary. It’s obvious your business is in trouble. You’re pathetic and karma is a bitch.”
The cart screeches as I swerve around his threatening leer. I pay and shove us out of that store like we’re being hunted. Might as well be. That sense of being followed sears into my back. Kenzie and Charlie exchange a glance, worry creasing their foreheads. My fingers tremble while I get them situated in the backseat.
I’m shaking as I drive to the game. It’s too quiet, allowing the altercation with Alan to repeat on a loop. Heat burns my eyes and I fight the urge to scream. I need to stay strong for the kids and prove bullies don’t win. Those bastards deserve to go bankrupt.
“Mommy’s mad,” my little girl murmurs.
Leather creaks in my unforgiving grip. “I’m fine, moo-boo.”
“Bleh,” Charlie scoffs. “That’s for babies.”
I should’ve known twice was pushing it. My bottom lip trembles. “Right. I forgot. Can I still call you monkey moo?”
He must hear the hitch in my voice. “Why are you sad?”
“I’m not.” But there’s no disguising the warble in my reply.
Kenzie gasps. “You can say moo-boo. Don’t cry, m’kay?”
I avoid glancing at them in the rearview mirror. “No promises.”
A thick exhale does little to dislodge the lump in my throat. It’s a miracle we arrive without me shedding a single drop. The instant I shift into park, the twins are racing for the field. My approach is much slower as I try to regain composure.
I lose the battle when the scene comes into view. Charlie and Kenzie are hanging off Drake’s arms, trying to reach his neck where their names require a retrace. He lifts them like sacks of flour while talking to none other than Shawn. The two men laugh as if they’ve already bonded as besties. I can’t fully appreciate that right now, which needles me. It’s just too much and I release a muffled sob.
Drake’s concentration follows the noise to find me standing there. I’m momentarily distracted by his backward hat and coaching gear. That is until the humor twinkling in his baby blues fades. A storm rolls over his expression while he gently puts Kenzie and Charlie on their feet. My hurried steps carry me straight into his embrace. Safety and comfort hug me tight as I give myself permission to fall apart.
He rubs a palm along my broken spirit as I dampen his shirt. “What happened?”
“It’s… nothing,” I blubber.
“I call bullshit, beauty,” he mumbles into my ear. “Tell me.”
But my throat is raw and coated in shards of glass. I roll my head back and forth on his chest. There’s a pressure sitting on my stomach that spreads until I can’t move. I clench my eyes shut, begging the emotion to recede. The opposite happens as more tears stream down my cheeks.
“There was a bad man talkin’ to Mommy,” Kenzie reveals. “He was suuuuper mean and didn’t listen to our words. Oh! I think he knows you, Pinkie Pie. You’re Mommy’s boyfriend. Are you rich? That’s what he said. We left but Mommy was still mad. And then we almost made her cry ‘cause we don’t like moo-boo anymore, but she can use it for today.”
Drake becomes rigid against me, his body taut and armored. “Give me a name.”
I gulp and draw in a deep breath, but the emotional turbulence rattles me again. “Al-Al-Alan.”
He pries me off him, forcing my gaze to meet his. “Alan?”
My nod releases a fresh trickle of tears. “From Sutherland.”
His thumbs swipe away the droplets before lowering to my shoulders. There’s thunder in his eyes, preparing to strike a specific target. Drake doesn’t look away from me when he says, “Hey, Shawn?”
The children’s father is beside us in a second, or maybe he was already there. “Yeah, man?”
“Can you coach this game for me? Somebody made a big mistake, and I need to fix it.”
“No,” I blurt.
“Yes,” Drake argues. “He made you cry. That deserves a swift punishment.”
A moan nearly spills from my lips, which is ridiculous. But Drake in protective mode is next-level sexy. The appeal makes me squirm. I can’t appreciate that in this moment either. That doesn’t mean I want him to hurt Alan. Well, maybe a little. But now isn’t the time for violence.
I grip onto his wrists. “Don’t leave. He’s not worth it.”
“Beauty,” he sighs. “You’re not happy and it’s his fault. Today was meant to be great, but he ruined it. There’s not a chance he’s getting away with that.”
My gaze slides to Shawn for a moment before returning to Drake. “I’m sad I missed the beginning of this bromance.”
“Do you want us to reenact our meet-cute?” Shawn’s smile suggests he’s willing if I’m interested.
Meanwhile, Drake looks ready to snap a certain sales consultant in half. “I’m not in the mood.”
“That’s a first,” I mumble.
His exhale is rough, fluttering my hair like a breeze. “This is just something I have to do. It won’t take long. I’ll be back before the game is over.”
My frown is stooped low to deny his request. “It’s fine.”
“You know I’m not accepting that as a proper response.”
An ache blooms at my temples. “I don’t know why I’m so bothered. They can’t hurt me.”
“Tell me what happened.” Drake motions for me to spill the beans.
“You have a team to coach.”
“I’m not going on the field until you tell me what he did.” His firm stance reinforces the message.
That earns him an eye roll. He doesn’t budge, only lifting his chin at me to get on with it. The story blabs from me in a sloppy replay. With each detail, his muscles flex tighter. I watch him grow into an imposing force when I expose Alan’s plans for my farm. Even Shawn notices the change in my typically carefree boyfriend, giving me a thumbs-up before ushering the twins to the bleachers.
That allows me to use a variety of colorful terms to describe the bane of my existence. Once I’m done, Drake’s expression resembles a stone wall. He’s practically frothing at the mouth. I almost feel guilty for aiming his fury on Alan, but then I remember the bully’s threats. Sutherland Homes will probably give him a bonus for accosting me. The entire company deserves Drake’s wrath.
“So, yeah,” I breathe. “He’s a menace along with the shady business that employs him.”
“I can’t believe he came at you.” My boyfriend cracks his knuckles. “He’s officially made an enemy out of me.”
“It’s just a tactic. I don’t think he’s dangerous. Not that I’m excusing his awful behavior,” I add.
“Doesn’t matter what reason led him to you. It’s messed up and can’t continue. That’s why I need to handle this.”
My palms drift across his Colts shirt. “Let’s focus on winning the game.”
His heart hammers beneath my hand. “Like it’s that simple.”
“It’s for the kids.”
A conflict sparks in his gaze. “That’s not fair. Shawn can take my place.”
“But he’s not their coach. Please stay,” I urge. “For me? Sutherland can wait.”
His stubborn streak remains fixed on my gaze. “But they’re going to pay.”
“Tomorrow, trouble.” I rise onto the balls of my feet to kiss him. “Honor is defended best after breakfast.”
“That doesn’t sound right.”
Laughter bursts from me, bringing a smile along for the ride. “You’re questioning my phrasing?”
“Ah, there she is.” Drake’s focus dips to my mouth. “I’ve missed your happiness.”
My grin spreads into pure bliss. “It belongs to you, just like the rest of me.”
“Jeez, woman. Fine. I’ll wait to defend your honor until dawn.”
“That’s all I ask. Love you.” A loud smooch gets planted on his cheek.
He twists to kiss me properly. “I love you, beauty. More than anything.”
“Which is why you’re here.” I check our surroundings for children before patting him on the butt. “Get out there, big guy. They’re depending on you.”
He winks and jogs backward to the field. “What happens when we win?”
I don’t overlook his optimistic choice in verbiage. “You know that drawer in my bedroom I don’t let you touch?”
Drake stumbles but catches himself. “Uh-huh.”
My eyebrows wiggle to the throbbing beat between my thighs. “Make me proud and I’ll let you slide in there.”