2. A Week of Anticipation
Chapter 2
A Week of Anticipation
Maya
I should be glad that the kind woman next door took pity on me. As it was, I was on the verge of tears. My hot water isn’t working, and the superintendent can’t get to it until later today, which means a cold shower to start my day and keeping my fingers crossed that the man shows up to fix the problem. I almost didn’t make it to the grocery store when my car had a flat. I’m lucky my dad made me learn how to change my own tire. I got there five minutes before the store closed.
Just when I thought I could relax for the night in front of the television with a bowl of soup and crackers, the door jammed. How embarrassing to literally fall on my ass and take down a giant at the same time. I expected him to start shouting the house down.
His voice was a sexy rumble, and despite my clumsiness, he was nice to me, even when I caused him to drop all his groceries, along with my own. Gertie called him Bull. I can see how he got his nickname. He has muscles from head to toe. His shoulders are so big and wide, I had to move around Bull to see Gertie in the hallway. Bull had very short, light brown hair and hazel eyes. And when he looked at me, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him.
I had to get out of there before I made a bigger fool of myself. As wonderful as Gertie seems, I needed to bury myself in my apartment and hope they forgot all about me. Although, it was really nice that Bull not only opened my door, but went to have a new key made for me. When he carried my groceries over to my place, I couldn’t even find the words to thank him. Then he touched my cheek, and I wanted to lean into him so he’d keep his hand there. I was proud of my self-restraint. And then he was gone.
This morning, it all seems like it was a bad dream. The sun is pouring through the window over my tiny sofa, where I’m huddled in the corner with a soft blanket wrapped around me, coffee mug in hand, letting the early morning unfold slowly.
I have one more week before I have to get up early and make it work. Ma was really upset about me taking this job and moving away. I’m not a thrill seeker or looking for something “special.” I want to learn to live alone and be independent. My family is fabulous, and I love them all, but I’m either their little sister, Donna’s daughter, the reliable babysitter, or all of the above.
Growing up in a small town is a wonderful thing, but it doesn’t give you space to explore, or at least that’s how I felt. I’ve always lived at home. When I tried to move into a place of my own back home, my family all played the guilt card. That’s when I knew that if I wanted to be by myself, I needed to leave. Then, as if it were meant to be, this job became available, and I threw my hat into the ring.
For this one job, there were two hundred and thirty-two applicants. I didn’t think I stood a chance, but I gave it a go anyway. When I met with the principal for the interview, we hit it off immediately, and even though I still thought I didn’t stand a chance, I relished the experience of a real interview away from the town where I grew up. If I got the job, it would be because I was the most qualified, not because everyone knew who I was.
Landing the position as the English and history teacher at Belmore is huge for me. It was a big boost to my confidence for all of ten seconds. Then it sank in that I now have to prove myself to be the best teacher they’ve ever had. I’ve been planning lessons for weeks and have the entire course outlined for the year based on the curriculum. I’ve worked tirelessly to prepare for the start of the school year, and I’m ready. Or as ready as I can be! This week is all about taking it easy and venturing out to see the great little shops I’ve driven by, but haven’t had the time to check out.
My nice, quiet lull is interrupted by a knock on the door. I’m hoping it’s the guy coming to fix my water issue. I haven’t had the courage to step into a cold shower, not without my coffee. That’s a two-cup-of-coffee requirement. I open to find Gertie standing there with cookies in hand and a really pretty woman by her side. I wonder right away if she’s Gertie’s daughter, though they look nothing alike.
“Hi, Gertie.” I give her a smile, then acknowledge the woman with her. “Hello.”
“Well, my lovely, I brought a friend. This is Kailyn. We’re all on the same floor, and we girls gotta stick together,” Gertie says with a chuckle.
“We’re intruding, Gertie,” Kailyn chastises the older woman, then looks at me. “I’m sorry. It’s still early, but Gertie was on a mission to come see you this morning.”
“Oh, no. Please come in.” I open the door wider to let them in. “I was having a lazy day while I wait to have the hot water fixed.”
“What’s wrong with it?” Gertie asks with a frown.
“I don’t have any,” I reply with a giggle. “I called yesterday, and they promised to come today, but who knows when that will be?” I shrug. “I just made a fresh pot of coffee. Can I get you both some?”
“They’ll go great with the cookies,” Kailyn says. “Let me give you a hand.”
“You do that,” Gertie says, and moves to my phone. “I have to make a call.” I know that ninety-nine percent of the population doesn’t have a landline anymore, and I was right on board with that until my mother had a fit. She went on and on about what happens if I forget to charge my phone, or if I lose it or drop it. How on earth would she be able to check if I was still alive? I acquiesced immediately, mainly because I wasn’t going to win the argument anyhow, and it gave her peace of mind.
I pull out two more mugs from the cupboard and lay out the cream and sugar, while Kailyn pours the coffee. Then I hear Gertie’s sweetness turn sour toward whomever she’s speaking with.
“That’s unacceptable. You have an obligation to your tenants. Goodness knows we pay enough for rent, and having to wait for something as basic as hot water is ridiculous,” she says angrily. She pauses to hear what’s being said. “Now, Jordan, I know your mother and father, and they would be appalled to know that a brand-new tenant is in their building without the amenities she requires. And I do understand that we all have to be patient, but this isn’t a burnt-out bulb in the hallway. This should be a priority.”
There’s another pause, and her frown turns into a smile like a cat getting her cream. “That’s my boy,” she exclaims. “Thank you for putting an old woman’s heart at rest. I’ll stay with Maya until he’s done. Half an hour is perfect. And I’ll make sure to send along a dozen of those squares you love so much. Now, you be sure to come by for a visit soon, and bring that sweet little girl of yours so I can get a snuggle or two. Bye-bye, now.” She looks up at Kailyn and me. “Problem solved.”
“Uh, thank you, Gertie. I hope he wasn’t too upset. I hope Jodan wasn’t too upset,” I say. I never expected Gertie to pull rank. Not that I’m not grateful, but I don’t like to cause a fuss, especially since I just got here.
“Nonsense! Yesterday, it was your door problem, and now the water. That’s unacceptable. I’ve lived here a long time and I love this building, and normally, Jordan would be right on it. Unfortunately, his father has quite a few doctor’s appointments, and Jordan hired a young man who needs a little push once in a while,” she says. “Jordan will set things right.”
“Well, coffee is ready.” Kailyn sets down the mug in front of Gertie.
“Bring those cookies over as well,” Gertie says. I jump to do it, then take a seat in my chair while Gertie and Kailyn settle on the sofa. “We’ll keep you company for a spell.”
I give her a warm smile. “I’d like that.”
“Gertie tells me you’re out here all alone,” Kailyn says.
“Yeah. My mother almost had a fit, but I really needed to find my own way. She’s already put her foot down that I have to make it home for Christmas.”
“My parents are the same.” Kailyn giggles. “But Mason’s mom wants us to visit with her. Since we don’t want to hurt either of them, we’re hosting.”
“Mason’s her fiancé, lovie,” Gertie adds. “You’ll meet him soon, I’m sure. He’s also one of Bull’s best friends, you know.”
It’s ridiculous, but at the mention of Bull’s name, I get butterflies in my belly. I feel like Gertie and Kailyn are waiting for me to say something. “He was very kind to help me out last night. I’m not sure what I would have done if he hadn’t come to my rescue. I have to repay him for getting me a new key next time I see him.”
Both women burst out laughing. Gertie sputters, “That’s priceless.” Still chuckling, she glances at Kailyn. “Isn’t she precious?”
Wondering what I said that was so funny, I look at Kailyn and shrug.
“You’ll soon find out that the Storm men are decent people who would be insulted if anyone tried to pay them back for a key,” Kailyn replies.
“Oh,” I murmur. I’ll bake him some raspberry chocolate squares anyway. Mind you, I see that his body doesn’t have an ounce of fat on him, so he may not want them. “Does he like sweets?” I ask curiously.
“Loves them!” Kailyn says. “Although you wouldn’t know it. He’s like Mason and works out hard every day. Mason says it’s so that he can indulge. By the way, Mason lives down the hall from us. We plan on moving in together, but we’re waiting for the corner apartment to be available. That unit has two bedrooms and a small den. It’ll be perfect for us. The couple who are there now are moving out next month. They’re having a baby and bought a home of their own.”
“That’s exciting. Moving in together, I mean.” There’s a knock on the door. It’s the handyman, come to fix the water. As he works on the water, Kailyn tells me all about Mason and the men who she and Mason work with at Storm.
Ex-military brothers, she calls them. All of them were part of special ops. That says something about these men. They’ve been in dangerous situations, and based on what Kailyn tells me, they still put themselves in danger with the security details and assignments they take on.
“Is that how you two met?” I ask Kailyn. I love hearing how two people met and fell in love.
“My husband, Cory, was in the same unit as Mason and the others. Cory never made it home. I was devastated when he died. I never thought I could love another man again. But there was always something about Mason. He made me feel safe. We both fought what we felt for each other for a long time, until one day, we couldn’t ignore it,” Kailyn says. “It’s caused some tension between the guys, but they all finally got on board.”
“I’m so sorry to hear about Cory. It’s hard to lose someone you love. I miss my pa every day. But wouldn’t they want you to be happy?”
“Cory was loved by all. Rebel, Bull, and Wire thought it was disrespectful to his memory, at first. And it was hard for them to get used to. But they saw how happy Mason makes me. Honestly, Mason and I both felt a lot of guilt for falling in love, and we needed to work through that before we got to where we are now,” she tells me.
“I’m glad you and Mason got through the rough patch.”
“Well, Gertie and I have decided to have a welcome-to-the-building get-together. It’s this Saturday at my place,” Kailyn announces.
I look over at Gertie, then back to Kailyn. “You don’t have to do that,” I say. “That’s too much trouble.”
“Already done, lovie,” Gertie responds. “Besides, those boys are looking forward to good eats and great company. I invited a few of our other neighbors too. Everyone’s excited to meet you.”
I’m not much for parties. I didn’t even want to go to prom, but my parents were unrelenting until I agreed to go. I had a good enough time, but all through the evening, I kept thinking about how much nicer it would have been to be lying in my bed, under the covers, reading a book or watching a movie.
Gertie seems so happy to be doing this for me, though, and she was so sweet to take me in last night and get my water sorted out this morning that I can’t refuse.
“Sounds like fun.” I hope I sound more enthusiastic than I feel.
“Wonderful. That’s all settled.” She clasps her hands together. “Pass me another cookie, Kailyn.”
Kailyn passes her the plate, and Gertie doesn’t take just one or two. She takes three.
“Gertie!” Kailyn says in a warning voice. “You have a doctor’s appointment next week.”
“I’ll be good tomorrow,” Gertie says, waving her off. Kailyn rolls her eyes and smiles at me.
The ladies stay until the handyman leaves and make sure to have me check I have hot water before they move on with their day. It’s a good thing I keep busy throughout the day. It stops me from thinking about socializing with a roomful of people I don’t know.
I decide to check out the local shops. I discover a really cool boutique with gently used vintage clothing that I get lost in for over two hours. I could have bought over a dozen items, but I curbed my itchy spending habit and picked up a peach-and-gray scarf and a black leather belt with an intricately designed buckle. Both will look great with a soft gray pencil skirt and cream sweater.
Autumn is my favorite time of the year. Sweaters, ankle boots, peacoats, ahh, I love them all. I’ve learned to become a selective shopper, and I am the deal-finding queen. Hence, I’m excited to discover hidden gems in a shop like the one around the corner.
Unfortunately, when I’m home alone, I have time to think, and all thoughts go back to the party and seeing Bull again. He’s too handsome, too sexy, too… Everything. I couldn’t stop staring at him. His eyes are mesmerizing. I was stunned when he reached out and touched me. His rough hand felt good on my skin. His lips were full, and when he smiled, I was left breathless.
I have an entire week of torture ahead of me. A week of anticipation, making myself crazy, and trying to think of a million excuses not to go. All of which are a waste of time because I won’t let Gertie and Kailyn down.