Chapter 25
Saturday morning, when Xavier was trying to sneak back into his apartment, Benji happened to be standing out in the hallway, locking up his door.
The sly grin he gave Xavier seemed out of place.
Typically, Benji avoided interaction. Then again, they were friends, and he’d been a lot more open at Wednesday’s game night.
Benji smirked. “Walk of shame, eh?”
Xavier couldn’t exactly hide his bedhead or wrinkled clothing. He and Justine had shared the most remarkable Friday together. Mostly in bed, doing all manner of things. They’d gotten takeout, watched movies, and made love all day and night.
Tired but sated, he didn’t have the energy to do more than hold up his hands in surrender. “Busted.”
“I have a feeling you’re walking down from the third floor. Am I right?”
Benji’s smug expression only made Xavier laugh. “Maybe.”
“Nice. But you might want to be careful. From what I hear, you have some tough competition for the lady upstairs.”
“Oh?” Xavier started to come down off his Justine-high.
“Yeah. I bumped into Adam last night, and apparently Sam has a real crush on Justine.” Benji grinned. “Kid’s got it hot for an older woman. Better watch yourself.”
Relieved Adam wasn’t looking at Justine for himself, Xavier nodded. “Good to know. Thanks.”
“No problem.”
“So where are you off to? It’s Saturday. Don’t you normally game all day?”
Benji looked away, fiddling with the door he’d just locked. Now that Benji Xavier knew. “Um, usually, yeah. But I’ve got a few errands to run today. Bye.” Benji took off as if his shorts were on fire. In sneakers, not his customary sandals.
Hmm. Something seemed off about that, but Xavier had a tough time focusing when all he could think about was Justine, naked, on her knees, her back, her belly, while he thrust inside her. In and out, over and over.
And like that, though he should be too tired to function, he wanted her all over again.
He let himself into his apartment and took a long shower and nap, needing to rebuild his energy and regroup. He’d lost himself in Justine, wanting nothing more than to be with her, in her.
Consumed by her.
He had a feeling she felt the same way, a bit overwhelmed by it all.
They’d mutually agreed to spend the day apart, taking care of chores and odds and ends.
Fortunately, instead of their separation turning awkward, it felt natural, and he didn’t sense that he’d offended her at all by agreeing to part ways for a while.
Xavier knew that made sense. He’d been so wrapped up in Justine he hadn’t wanted to leave. Must be in the new, obsessive phase of this relationship. He tried to convince himself it would pass, but after waking several hours later, he missed her even more.
And that wasn’t good at all.
He tried to distract himself by getting in a decent workout, going for groceries, and cleaning up his already spotless apartment. Then he worked on a few more panels for Aunt Truth.
As he drew and answered advice questions, he wondered if he’d ever answered one of Justine’s. Most of those inquiring never used their real names or email addresses, but every now and then someone did.
He wondered why Rosie hadn’t confided in her favorite niece that she was in fact Aunt Truth. But since she hadn’t, he hadn’t felt comfortable telling Justine about her aunt’s secret identity. Or his part in Aunt Truth’s columns. He needed to talk to Rosie to ask why.
After another hour of work, he figured to go downtown and grab a drink or ice cream.
He wanted to ask Justine to accompany him, but he didn’t want to seem pushy.
Plus, anytime he thought about her, he recalled how good she felt wrapped around him, how she tasted of sex and sweet cherries, a lingering aftereffect of her shampoo and soap.
He had it bad for her, no doubt. But as much as he fixated on her looks, it was her smile, her joy with life, that had him truly enchanted. So intelligent and compassionate, yet Justine was less than perfect with her insecurities and vulnerability.
It was that imperfection that drew him to her. She was perfect because she wasn’t perfect.
No, Justine was the whole package—personality, smarts, and looks.
A woman he could easily envision a forever with.
But he knew better than to think of happily ever after.
Worried when he’d previously been so happy, he hurried out of his apartment and downstairs, on the hunt for ice cream, when he saw his mother and Top laughing near the fountain. He stopped at the foot of the stairs and watched, not liking all the closeness he was seeing.
“Oh, wow. How’d you get to be so handy, Max?”
Xavier gaped at the surly Max Dixon grinning like a kid at Christmas. Holy shit, was that a dimple? And had she called Top by his first name? The guy had allowed that?
“Ah, just lucky, I guess. I used to fix everything around the house for Lydia. Then after she passed, I needed something to keep me out of trouble. When I wasn’t out in the field or overseas on a float, I’d have too much time on my hands at home.
So I started fixing things. Taking classes about electric and plumbing work.
I planned on building my own home someday. ”
“Did you?” Cynthia leaned close, looking way too attentive.
Hold on. Had his mother just batted her lashes? Was she flirting?
“I did not, but I did help my brother build his place.” Top shrugged, the nice, collared polo making him look somewhat polished, his short hair gleaming under the evening light.
“Oh? Where’s that?”
Top broke into an animated description of a house in the Midwest. Cynthia, bless her, looked captivated by his every word.
Xavier stared at the pair, hidden in the stairwell though he might as well have been sitting right next to them. It wouldn’t have mattered. They seemed totally enrapt in their conversation.
And in each other.
Huh. Did Auggie know? But really, did Xavier? Just because his mother and Top seemed to be overly friendly didn’t mean much. He’d seen them chatting before. No, they were just being sociable.
Oddly relieved, he walked out of the shadows, determined to see for himself, and watched as his mother’s eyes grew large when she spotted him.
Top drew back with a smile that to Xavier, seemed forced. “Hey, Xavier. Just chatting with your mom.”
“I see that.” He looked his mother over, sensing nothing odd in her appearance. She looked pretty, as always, dressed in a casual tee-shirt and shorts, a spot of makeup enhancing her beauty. But she wore jewelry today, not something she always did.
“I was just coming up to see you.” His mom smiled and turned back to Top. “Thanks for keeping me company.”
Top shoved his hands in his pockets, looking discomfited. “Ah, it was nothing, Cynthia. Great to see you again.”
“Hey, Mom. I was just heading out for some ice cream.” He studied Top but saw nothing but the man’s poker face. Had Xavier imagined his unease? “Feel free to come with us, Top.”
“Nah. You and your mom enjoy. I think I might take some time off today.”
Cynthia nodded. “You totally should. Maybe see a movie. The latest action thriller has been getting decent reviews. There’s a six o’clock showing I might see.”
Top nodded, hanging on Cynthia’s every word. “Huh. Maybe I’ll check that out.”
The way he looked at Xavier’s mom, Xavier thought the guy would do more than check it out. No doubt he’d be there early, entrenched in position, waiting for Cynthia to show.
His mom flushed. “Great seeing you. Bye.” She walked with Xavier toward the front of the building.
Top watched them leave until he saw Xavier watching him. Then he gave Xavier an indecipherable look, turned, and walked away.
“Mom, what is going on with you and Top?” Xavier asked the moment they left the building.
“Who? Oh, Max? He’s such a nice man.”
“Top?” His voice came out louder than he’d intended, and he deliberately softened it. “I mean, yeah, he’s a decent guy. A real hard worker. In fact, I was telling Auggie that he’s probably a softie on the inside.” Buried very, very deep.
“Exactly. I think he acts tough to keep others away. I get the sense he still misses his wife. She died fifteen years ago, you know. Cancer.”
“No kidding. I knew he was married but not that she passed away.” That explained a lot about the gruff older man. “So you’re going to a movie later?”
She nodded. “I need a break myself. I’ve been helping Jane with her online craft store, and a bunch of us have been putting in hours with Pets Fur Life, that animal charity that’s been pretty popular.”
“You’re getting a pet?” Was his mother having some kind of midlife crisis?
“Um, no. I’m helping animals get adopted and working to schedule a few events since their coordinator is out East helping sick family.”
“You’re such a nice lady. Trying to get yourself into heaven with good works.” He patted her head.
She slapped his hand. “Don’t be a jerk, boy.”
He chuckled. “I still think you’re nice.” Too nice for Top.
“I am nice. So nice that you’re buying me a rocky road ice cream cone.”
“Sounds good.”
“And while we’re eating, you can tell me all about this new woman who has you hooked. Apparently, you’re eating out of the palm of her hand, and it’s embarrassing and amusing.”
“Freaking Auggie,” he muttered.
Cynthia hugged his arm as they walked. “She likes the girl. Kind of. But of course, she thinks it would be best if I met her too. How about inviting her to dinner tomorrow night?”
Xavier had called it with Justine earlier. A need to use the fake girlfriend. He smiled, pleased he could rationalize the need to spend more time with her. Not because he was falling for her, but because his mom wanted to meet her.
The lie scoured his brain, but better discomfort than a broken heart when the relationship ended.
He paused in thought. Is that what I’m afraid of? Grief?
“Xavier?”
“Sure, Mom,” he hurried to say, bemused at his inner demons. “I’ll invite her. Tomorrow, what time?”
“Six sounds good. Anything she doesn’t like?”
“Nosy women prying into her life, I’m sure.”
His mother popped him in the back of the head. “Ow.”
“You’re not so old that I can’t take you down a notch.”
“Yes, Mom.”
She smiled. “Good. Now tell me about Justine Ferrera and what’s going on with Aunt Truth. Any new advice letters that have you stumped?”
“Not so far. Although there was one from a harangued man in his thirties dealing with a demanding mother.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Is that so?”
He smirked. “Yeah. Aunt Truth told him to give his mother whatever she wanted and she’d leave him alone.”
She gave a harrumph. “For that smart comment, I’ll get two scoops instead of one. And I’m definitely getting chocolate sprinkles.”
Xavier laughed. “Whatever you want, Mom. I am but your humble servant.”
“You remember that.” She patted his arm. “Now tell me about Justine.”
He sighed and gave in. “You’re going to like her. I’m sure of it.” He found himself running at the mouth about all of Justine’s finer qualities. When he’d finally wound down, they stood outside the ice cream parlor, and his mother was smiling at him in a weird way.
He added in a mumble, “Oh, and from what I know, she’s not allergic to anything. But I’ll doublecheck.”
“That’s my boy.”
Saturday morning, while Xavier napped…
“You’re sure he was coming from the third floor?” Auggie asked him again.
Benji didn’t pause in his repetition, finishing the set. He dropped the weights and wiped sweat from his brow. To Auggie’s surprise, he’d met her this morning at the gym without protest.
Of course, she had promised him breakfast afterward, but still. The shy guy actually showed. It helped that the gym wasn’t too crowded on a Saturday morning. She loved it, having already run three miles to warm up.
He nodded to the bench. “Want me to spot you?”
“Nah. I’m doing legs today. You keep going. We adding twenty-fives?”
He nodded.
She watched him settle back down and added the weight to his bar. Lost in the rhythm of his workout and what Xavier’s new connection with Justine meant, it took a minute to realize he’d finished and was sitting up, staring at her. “What’s wrong?”
He swallowed, his expression hidden behind a lot of a hair over his eyes. “You’re pretty defined. Nice arms.”
She looked down at herself. “Oh, yeah. Got a summer competition coming up.” Not nearly as important as this news about Xavier. “So my brother. You’re sure he was coming down from Justine’s?”
“Since Kai’s in Italy with Rosie, yeah. Unless he’s getting it on with Top or Adam, I’d say he was coming from Justine’s place.”
“Oh my gosh. Was that sarcasm I heard, Wolf Man?”
“Wolf Man?” He frowned. “Oh, a crack about my beard, right?”
“Beard, hair, all of it. You’re almost furry. Get a haircut, why don’t you.”
He shrugged. “I hadn’t thought about it.”
“But don’t you get all sweaty under that mop?”
He wiped his face again with a towel. “You get sweaty, but I’m not complaining.” He gave her tank top an appreciative look.
Shocked, Auggie stared. “Are you on drugs?”
“What? No.” He flushed and stood.
Auggie had to look up to make eye contact. “I’m teasing. It’s nice to see that you have a sense of humor up there.”
“Ha ha. First I’m hairy, then sweaty. Now I’m too tall?”
She was teasing, but he didn’t seem to understand that. “I’m just messing with you, Benji. Geez.” She turned to walk away, but his large hand on her shoulder stopped her.
He squeezed. “I’m messing with you right back, Auggie. Geez,” he said in a higher voice, poking fun at her.
She turned back and grinned. She caught his return smile and felt something inside her shift. Seeing Benji in a whole new light as a fellow gym enthusiast passed by and gave him a onceover startled her, and she coughed to cover her confusion.
“You know, you owe me.”
“I do?” He crossed his arms over his broad chest.
Huh. Benji has muscles and a broad chest. How have I never seen this before?
“Yeah, you owe me. I helped you with that video game demo. You’re slacking on the intel, buddy.”
Benji frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“You haven’t given me much on Justine. The pretty lady my brother’s boning.”
He flushed, as she’d known he would. Man, he was cute when he was flustered. How about that? “How would I know about her? I’ve talked to her maybe twice.”
“And? What do you think? Is she pretty? Nice? Smart?”
He flushed even redder. “She’s okay, I guess.”
“You guess?” She tightened her ponytail.
“She’s not prettier than you.”
“Aw, Benji. Just for that, I’m not going to make you do burpees. Goblin squats instead.”
He groaned.
“Then we’ll go to breakfast for our first official date.”
He tripped over a barbell sitting nearby but righted himself quickly. “Date?”
Man, who knew his voice could pitch that high and still sound masculine? She winked. “Grab that kettlebell and let’s get to it.”
His shy grin had her pulse racing, doing a workout all its own.