It’s Saturday night, and Jake made sure that the three of us were all off. Apparently, it’s fight night. The bar will be buying the pay-per-view, which is sure to bring in a huge crowd. That’s part of the reason I’m surprised we’re all off. I volunteered to go in, but Molly shut me down. She and Jake are having people over to watch the fight, and insisted I be there. I conceded and asked what I could bring. Which leads me to my current situation—at the grocery store at ten in the morning on this dreary cold Saturday morning. It’s just a week before Christmas, and the masses are out doing their last-minute shopping. I finished a couple of weeks ago. I have very few people to buy for, so it’s an easy process.
Pushing my cart down the baking aisle, I look for the last few ingredients I need for my holiday baking. I have a few tins that I’m making for people, and the rest I’ll just leave on the bar at work. I can’t leave it in my apartment or I’ll eat it all. That I don’t need.
I’m almost at the end of the aisle when I hear my name. Turning, I see Pete and his baby mama, Tabitha, headed toward me. Tabitha moves her hand to her small baby bump. “Saylor, hi. How are you?” Pete asks.
“You know, living the dream,” I say deadpan. Whirling around, I start to push my cart when they walk up beside me. Pete places his hand on my shoulder, and I flinch. His touch is not welcome.
“I’ve been calling,” he says.
“Yeah, well, I’m busy and frankly have no desire to talk to you.” My body is rigid. I’m not afraid of him, but I don’t want to see him. I don’t want to be anywhere near him. He did me a favor, I know that now, but it doesn’t change the fact that just being around him has me going on the defense.
“Peter,” Tabitha says in a whiny voice. “We have things to do.”
He looks over at her. “Yeah, just give me a few minutes.”
“Saylor, I want us to be friends.”
I can’t even with this guy. After everything, he’s going to stand here in the middle of the grocery store with the woman he cheated on me with and tell me we need to be friends?
“Hey, babe, I got the vegetable tray. What else did we need?” a deep voice asks.
Turning, I see Rhett placing a vegetable tray in my cart. He’s wearing a Baxter’s Distillery T-shirt and a pair of gray sweatpants. His hair is mused, as if he just woke up. I squeeze the handle on the cart to keep from reaching out to run my hand through it.
“Who are you?” Pete asks.
“I’m hers.” He points to me. “Who the hell are you?” Rhett asks, coming to stand behind me. He places his hands on my hips.
“I’m her—I mean, we’re friends,” Pete says.
“No we’re not.” I point to Tabitha. “You slept with your secretary, multiple times, while we were together. Then you knocked her up and kicked me to the curb. We’re nothing.”
Rhett’s arm shoots around me, and he holds his hand out for Pete. Reluctantly, I see Pete take it and the slight wince as they shake hands. “Thank you,” Rhett tells him. Pete furrows his brows in confusion. “If you wouldn’t have fucked her over, I would have missed out on the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” He places his hand back on my hip.
Tabitha makes some kind of squeaking noise and stomps her foot like a toddler. Pete just stands there with his mouth hanging open. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him speechless, which has a smile tilting my lips.
“Ready, baby?” Rhett asks, kissing my temple.
“Y-yes.” I don’t bother saying goodbye or that it was good to see them. No use in lying about it. I push the cart on shaking legs. Rhett places his hands on my shoulders and walks behind me. I walk until I reach the other side of the store then turn. It’s then I notice we’re in the dog food aisle.
“You all right, Short Stack?” Rhett asks, releasing me from his hold.
“Yep. You’re making quite the habit of swooping in and saving the day.”
“You looked like you wanted to be anywhere but there.” He shrugs.
“Something like that,” I agree.
“So, he’s your ex?”
“Yep.” I look up at the shelf, pretending to care about dog food.
“You have a dog?” he asks, amused.
“Nope. I should go. Thanks for that back there, but I had it handled.”
“I know you did,” he agrees. “But now he knows he fucked up. He’s seen you with someone else.”
I groan. “Great, now his calls are going to be more frequent.”
“Possibly, but he’ll know that the ship has sailed and that you’ve moved on. He might make a last-ditch effort, but he knows the deal.”
I look up at him. “How are you so sure?”
“I’m a guy. I know that if I had a girl that looked like you and I lost her, I would try to get her back too. If I saw her with another, well, I would try even harder knowing that it’s over. It’s like I would have to give it one more go so I would always know I tried.”
“That might be what you would do or even most guys, not Pete. He’s relentless. He calls me a couple of times a week, and I just let it go to voice mail. I delete them without listening, and I ignore his texts.”
“Is he stalking you?”
I laugh. “No, just annoying the hell out of me. Thanks again, I’ll see you around,” I say, gripping the cart and pushing it down the aisle.
“Short Stack!” he calls out.
I turn to look at him over my shoulder. “I accept all forms of sexual favors as payment.” He smirks.
“Damn, and I gave my last sexual favor for the year last night.” I shrug. “I guess you did this one for free.” Turning back around, I push the cart to the end of the aisle. I see Pete and Tabitha are walking out the door, so I circle back around to the baking aisle to get the rest of my supplies. When I reach the checkout, I see the vegetable tray and go ahead and get it. I’ll just bring it to the fight tonight. I’m sure that’s what Rhett was doing with it as well. No doubt he’ll be there.
After unloading all the groceries, I put the meatballs in the Crock-Pot and start on the no-bake cookies. They’re my favorite and one of the many items Elaine and I used to make every year around the holidays. I crank up the radio and get busy. By the time I’m finished, every inch of the counter, the small kitchen island, the dining room table, and two trays on the coffee table are filled with no-bake cookies. I might have gone a little overboard. I forgot that Elaine’s recipe was tripled because of all the cookies she would give away. As a social worker, she became close to many families, and we always made tins full of goodies as gifts.
My phone rings, and I rush to put the pan down, wipe my hands, and find my phone under the rows and rows of cooling cookies. “Hello,” I say quickly, hoping I didn’t miss the call.
“Hey, Say,” Tara greets me.
“Hey. How are you settling in?”
“Good. I miss you. I really wish you would come here to stay. Then at least I would have someone.”
“I’m sorry. You know I can’t do that.”
“You can, you just refuse to,” she says sarcastically.
“No, Tara, I can’t. This is my life now. How is that fair to me to pack up and move just so you’re not alone? Would you have done that for me?” I ask. I’m a little ticked off at her tone.
“I have Colin. You know I couldn’t do that.”
“Really, Tara? Do you hear yourself right now? You’re pissed off that I won’t move to live with you in Oregon because you’re lonely. I get it, trust me I do. If anyone understands that it’s me.”
“You’re stubborn,” she snarks back.
“Stubborn? What has gotten into you?”
“Nothing. I need to go. I thought I could count on you.”
“Tara, you can count on me. We’re friends, but I can’t just pack up my life because you’re lonely. I have a life here.”
“Right. You have no family, you can go anywhere.”
My heart constricts at her harsh words. “I don’t even know what to say to you right now,” I whisper the words. How is this happening? Tara and I have been friends for years. She knows my history. How is she treating me like this?
“Whatever,” she says, and the line goes dead.
Phone clutched in my hand, I step back until my body is aligned with the refrigerator. Hot tears prick my eyes. Tara has been my closest friend since I moved in with Elaine. I can’t believe she would say those things. She used my history to hurt me. Why? Because I won’t move across the country to live with her and her fiancé where I am guaranteed to be a third wheel the majority of the time? West Virginia is my home now. Sure, I moved here with Pete, but that was after a lot of thought. We’re not together, but that doesn’t mean this isn’t where I belong. I love working at the Corner Pocket, and I value the friendships I have with Jake and Molly. Life has taught me you depend on no one.
All I have is me.
I give myself a few minutes to let the tears fall before climbing to my feet. Feeling sorry for myself is getting me nowhere. Now more than ever I’m grateful for my decision to stay here to take the job at the Corner Pocket and the generosity of Molly and Jake. Grabbing a paper towel, I dry my eyes, wash my hands, and get back to work. Once all the cookies are dipped out onto wax paper, I head to the shower. I’m not going to think about it or let it get me down. I’m looking forward to tonight and meeting new people.
Just keep moving forward.
Grabbing a reusable shopping bag, I fill it with two containers of cookies. Luckily, the vegetable tray is sealed tight, so I tip it on its side and place it in the bag as well. I check to make sure my phone is in my pocket, as well as the key to the apartment. I know I’m just going next door, but you never know who could be lurking in the shadows. I shiver at the thought. Sliding into my coat, I throw the bag over my shoulder and grab the Crock-Pot from where I have it sitting on the table. I wanted it to cool off a little before the walk next door.
Setting the Crock-Pot on a small table that sits on the balcony of the steps, I pull the door closed and lock it before grabbing the food and starting my trek down the stairs.
“Hey,” Rhett calls, climbing out of his truck. “Let me help you.”
“I got it,” I say. I walk right past him to the main house.
“Saylor, come on. Let me carry that,” he says, catching up with me. He puts his hand on my shoulder to stop me. I have no choice but to stop. With my hands full, I’m in no position to brush him off. Rhett takes the Crock-Pot out of my hands.
“Thanks,” I mutter.
“Why are you so against people helping you?” he asks. He’s not being a dick this time. I can tell from the sound of his voice, he really does want to know.
“Old habits and all that,” I say, deflecting. He doesn’t need to hear my life woes.
“We need to break those habits, Short Stack.”
I don’t comment. Instead, I knock on the front door.
“Go on in,” Rhett tells me.
Before I can tell him no that it’s rude, Molly answers the door. “Why are you knocking? Get in here, it’s freezing out there,” she says, stepping back from the door.
Rhett bends down next to my ear. “Told you.”
I fight the urge to elbow him. “Do you have an open outlet where I can plug in the Crock-Pot?”
“Yeah, just set it over there.” She points Rhett to an open spot beside the sink. “What’s in the bag?”
“Rhett brought a vegetable tray, and I made cookies.”
Molly looks between me and Rhett. “Did y’all come together?”
“Nope.” I don’t hesitate with my answer.
“We ran into each other at the store earlier. I left my stuff in her cart.” He pulls out his wallet and hands me a twenty-dollar bill.
“Don’t worry about it.” I wave him off.
“Take it, Saylor,” he says sternly.
“Just give it to Molly. It will be my contribution for the fight.”
“I told you we were covering it. All you needed to do was bring a snack food.”
“Well, I also told you I would pitch in. Now what can I do?”
“Nothing, we’re good to go. Everyone else is in the living room. Let me introduce you.” I nod and follow her into the living room, Rhett hot on my heels. “I want details,” she whispers to me over her shoulder. I hear Rhett snicker from behind me.
“Baxter!” a deep voice calls out as we enter the living room. “Damn man, it’s been too long.”
“Gary, good to see you. Hey, Todd, Katherine,” he greets the others.
“This is Saylor,” Rhett says, placing his hand on the small of my back.
“Saylor,” Molly says, looking over at Rhett with an odd expression, “works for us at the Corner Pocket. Saylor, this is Gary, Todd, and Katherine, Todd’s fiancée.”
“Nice to meet you.” Katherine stands to shake my hand.
“You as well.” Todd and Gary wave at me. Awkwardly, I wave back, feeling my face heat from embarrassment. Gary is a good-looking guy, and tall if the long legs stretched out in front of him are any indication. He has sandy blond hair, and I can see the blue of his eyes from here. They rival mine, but I have to admit the color looks better on him. His light features are night and day compared to Rhett with his dark hair and brown eyes.
“Sit wherever. Should be plenty of room,” Molly says.
I survey the area. Jake is sitting in an oversized chair; Molly joins him. Katherine and Todd are cuddled up on the love seat, so that leaves the couch for me, Rhett, and Gary. Gary is already sitting on one end, so I head for the middle. I figure that will be the most comfortable for everyone, and you know sitting between two sex gods for the night isn’t exactly a hardship. Maybe Rhett will be on his best behavior and not talk?
“Do you need any help getting the food out, Molly?” I ask before sitting down. Partially because that’s who I am, it’s what I do, and partially to delay taking my spot between Gary and Rhett, who is now sitting on the other end of the couch. The middle spot is nice and empty just for me.
“Nope, we’re good.”
Damn. Turning, I take the final steps and claim the center cushion.
“So, Saylor,” Gary looks over at me and grins. “Are you new to town? I don’t remember seeing you here or at the Corner Pocket.”
“Not exactly. I’ve been here a few months; the Corner Pocket is more recent though.”
“Nice.” He looks down at my chest.
I fight the urge to roll my eyes. I try to turn my focus to the television and the preliminary fights, but I’m feeling a little out of sorts. I’m mentally going through my head, making a list of what I need to do tomorrow when I remember I forgot Rhett’s clothes. Again. “Hey.” I turn to look at him. “I have your clothes; I keep missing you when you’re at the Corner Pocket. I meant to bring them tonight and I forgot.”
He reaches out and tucks an errant piece of hair behind my ear. “No worries, Short Stack. I’ll get them sometime.”
“Figures,” Gary mumbles.
“What?” I turn to ask him.
“Baxter got to you first,” he says grumpily.
“I’m not following,” I tell him.
“I’m starving. Let’s eat before the main event starts,” Jake says, standing. Everyone follows suit but me.
I hang back and let them go first. Rhett stands and offers me his hand. “You go ahead, I’ll let the crowd die down.”
Instead of walking away, he kneels in front of me. “If your ex keeps bothering you, let me know.” He taps the end of my nose. “Now, come and get something to eat. Whatever you had in that Crock-Pot smelled fucking incredible.” He grabs my hand and pulls me from the couch. He doesn’t let go as he guides me into the kitchen with the others.
Molly notices and raises her eyebrows in question. I give her a subtle shake of my head. She mouths the word later and finishes making her plate.
I’m standing just inside the doorway, waiting my turn. Rhett is standing beside me. I can feel the heat radiating from him. He still has my hand in his. I try to pull away, and he holds tight.
He leans down and whispers softly, “I thought you liked my hands on you?”
I bite my tongue to keep from telling him off, but also from the contact. I’m torn; my body is telling me his touch is a good thing, a very good thing. My mind is telling me he’s just another conceited asshole.
“So, Baxter,” Todd says. “How long are you in town?”
Rhett turns his head to answer him, and I take that as my chance to wiggle out of his hold. I step forward, and he releases me. Grabbing a plate from the counter, I start adding a little bit of everything. I avoid eye contact and pretend to be enthralled by my finger food choices.
That was my mistake. I’m in the middle of placing two cocktail wieners on my plate when I feel him.
“What you got there?” he asks, standing way too close, looking over my shoulder.
“Cocktail wieners,” I say.
He steps closer. “I like it when you talk dirty. Say it again, Short Stack.”
“I-I didn’t say anything.” My voice sounds breathy even to me. What this guy does to me.
“You said cock,” he says, pressing his into my back.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath. Thankfully, he’s behind me. I don’t need him to know how he affects me.
“I would give it to you, you know?” He leans in and places his lips next to my ear. “Do you want it, Saylor? Do you want my cock?” he asks cockily. No pun intended.
“Hey, Say,” Molly says. “Uh, sorry, I was just checking on you,” she says.
I duck under Rhett’s arm, something I should have done the minute he walked up behind me. “I’m good. I’m right behind you,” I say, walking toward her with my plate in one hand and a beer in the other. When I get in the living room, I heave a sigh of relief. Todd and Katherine are now on the couch. I make a mad dash to sit on the end. Leaving the open love seat spot for Rhett to sit beside Gary. The stars must be aligning in my favor tonight.