Trying to act like I couldn’t hear her I walked through the crowd toward the employee locker room. Once I reached the door I looked over my shoulder to see my best friend making her way straight for me. Damn.

“Annie! Wait, I need to talk to you. You have to tell me what’s going on. I need to know if I should tell Gage to fuck off, or if I should tell him you’re PMS’ing and you just need a few days.”

Opening the door I stepped inside, thankfully no one else was in there. Jerking my head in the ‘come on’ motion I said, “Hurry up.”

Leigha jogged into the room, closing the door behind her and locking it, making sure no one could get it. Turning to me she said, “What the hell happened with you and boss man? I left last night and everything was daisies and butterflies. Then, this morning he came stomping in here throwing shit around, pissed at the world. I asked him what was wrong and he told me I should talk to you. That you know everything and you’re perfect. Of course, I rolled my eyes and told him I already knew that. He huffed and shook his head then walked out the door. I looked out the window and saw him peeling outta this place. So could you please explain to me what the hell is goin’ on?”

Opening my locker I shoved my purse inside, slamming the door shut. Leaning on the locker, I rested my back on the cool metal. “Leigha, I’m a single mom of a five year old boy. I don’t have the time nor do I have the desire to play his damn games. Gabe is my only concern. I want him to have a father figure in his life but not someone as hot and cold as Gage is. When Gage is happy it’s all fairytales and sunshine but when he’s upset its nightmares and tornados. And there is no warning signs as to which Gage you’re going to get. I don’t want that around my son. He needs something stable and comfortable.”

Leigha sat down in one of the chairs in front of me. “Annie, you have been through a lot. You lost Derek before little man was born so you have done this all on your own. Your family was no help and Derek’s family wanted nothing to do with you or your son. I’ve seen the way Gage looks at you and Gabe. He loves you, both of you. Maybe it’s not all rainbows and butterflies all the time but no relationship is. Have you even told him that you’re falling in love with him?”

Shaking my head I said, “Hell no. It’s been three months. We’re not even together, together. I guess just friends with benefits kinda thing. He has told me a million times he doesn’t want a relationship. And I can understand that. We come from similar situations. He lost Londyn’s mom when she was just three months old. I’m afraid of getting in too deep again, losing it all, and getting hurt. I don’t want to feel that again. Even if that means I’m a single mom the rest of my life. Gabe is the only man I need in my life.”

Leigha smiled when she said, “Sweetheart, you’re already in too deep. I think it’s time you put your ass kickin’ boots on and tell Gage how you really feel. Operation Gettin’ Gage.”

Sighing, I rubbed my temples. I was starting to get a migraine from all this back and forth with Gage. “Maybe I should talk to him, but first I have to work. I will go to his house later.”

“It’s supposed to rain today, we won’t be that busy. I’ll have Barker cover for you. Now go get your man.” Leigha opened the door and shoved me out.

“Umm, I need my purse if you want me to kick ass and execute Operation Gettin’ Gage”, I grumbled.

Leigha winked and went to my locker. Grabbing my purse she tossed it to me and said, “Now go!”

             The drive to Gage’s house was a blur. Pulling into his driveway I put in the code for the gate. Watching it slowly open I took a deep breath. “It’s now or never, Annie,” I said to myself.

Once the gate was open I drove up the long palm tree lined driveway. Stopping in front of his house I saw his Mercedes parked in front of the garage. Parking behind it I took on last look at myself in the visor mirror before getting out. I looked tired. I was tired. I was tired of this roller coaster ride with Gage.

I walked up the four steps to Gage’s front door and knocked.

No answer. Asshole.

I knocked again, but a little harder.

Still nothing.

I wiggled the door handle. It was unlocked. Opening the door I peeked my head in but saw no one. What the hell? His car was here so where was he?

I yelled out, “Gage? Are you here?”

Then I heard it. Those annoying bimbo type giggles. The kind that make you cringe. They were coming from the back of the house.

Slowly, I walked through the house. I barely made it in the kitchen when I saw Gage and some skank on the deck. Gage was sitting in a lounge chair, beer in his hand. The blonde bimbo was topless sitting on his lap. I wanted to vomit. Making a gagging, strangled sound I turned on my heels and started for the front door. Just as I reached the front door I heard Gage’s panicked voice yelling, “Annie!

Jerking the door to Gage's house open I ran down the steps. It was starting to rain and I welcomed the coolness. Letting the cold rain numb me, numb the pain. I should have never taken Leigha's advice and surprised Gage. Look where that got me...running in the damn cold rain from the sight of Gage and some slut.

"Would you stop for one God damn minute?"

Stopping in my tracks, I turned and slammed into Gage's hard chest. Pushing off his chest I took a few steps back.

"What, Gage? What do you want?"

"You dammit! I fuckin' want you and all your bitchy bossiness," Gage yelled, throwing his hands up.

"Screw you, Gage Tucker! I am not bossy. I just know what you should be doing. And this shit ain't it. I should have never came here. Funny thing was I came here to tell you I wanted to be with you, I wanted more than just sex with you."

"Would you let me fuckin' explain?" Gage asked, almost pleading.

I took a few more steps back, and crossed my arms over my chest, attempting to protect myself from anymore hurt. I narrowed my eyes and slightly tilted my head, giving him the go ahead.

Gage scrubbed his face. The rain hitting his tall, hard body. "I didn't know you wanted to be with me. You never even gave me the slightest fuckin' clue that you wanted something more than just being friends with me. If I knew that even for one damn second you wanted me no one else would have mattered. I have lost everyone who has meant something to me. I don't want to lose you too."

“Blah, blah, blah. Fuck you! It's always something with you, Gage. It's never your fault, is it? For once in your life will you admit when you mess up?"

Gage grabbed my waist, pulling me so I was pressed against him. Both of us soaked from the rain. "Dammit woman. I fucked up. You know that. I know that. I know it's my fault. I can't go back and change shit. This is me saying I'm sorry that I'm such a fuckin' ass."

Reaching up I pulled his face down to mine. He may be an ass, but damn if I wasn't falling in love with all his fucked-upness.

"Gage, you drive me batshit crazy but never have I ever wanted anyone like I want you."

Attacking my mouth like he needed it to live, he lifted me up. I wrapped my legs around his waist. He walked us backwards until I felt the trunk of his car hitting the back of my thighs. He sat me on the trunk, never releasing my mouth. His hands were undoing my shorts and yanking them down.

I shoved my hand into his shorts, pushing them and his boxers down. He was rock hard. Pushing me back so I was lying down with my legs hanging over the edge he slammed into me. “I want this hard, Annie. I’m not going to be easy. I need this to be rough and fast.”

I nodded. Gage grabbed my legs, placing them on his shoulders. He slid out of me, then fast and hard, he was back inside, balls deep. “Oh. God, Gage.”

“You look so fuckin’ good right now. Your sweet pussy spread out for me. I swear, later I will take my time and taste every inch of you. But, not now.” He kept up his punishing rhythm. The rain beating down on us, adding to the heated desire between us. With every thrust he pushed me closer and closer to ecstasy. He knew my body, he knew what I liked. He brought one hand to my swollen, tender clit. Using his thumb and middle finger he squeezed my swollen bud, rolling it in circles. My cries echoed through the trees surrounding his house. As I was crashing into the pool of sated desire I felt Gage releasing his hot seed inside of me. He stilled, his breathing jagged.

“Fuck, Annie. I couldn’t control myself. You’re breaking me down.”

Kissing his swollen lips, I breathed out, “I know the feeling.” 

22

Annie

“Annie, some guy is at the bar asking for you.” Barker leaned his head against the lockers. “He looks young but damn, girl. How many guys you got chasin’ your sexy little self? If you get tired fell free to toss one my way. Barker needs him a little boy toy. It has been way too long.”

Looking up from my purse I raised my eyebrow. “Please, stop. I don’t want details. And, I don’t have any one chasing me. Did he say what he wanted?”

“I didn’t ask. He asked for you and I came back here to get you.”

I quickly put my lip gloss on and tossed my pursed into the locker. I knew Gage wasn’t out there. He had left for New Orleans this morning. Barker knew all the guys in Jase’s band, and he knew better than to let me near Parker again after the incident a few months ago. “I’m ready. Let’s go see who this supposed Barker boy toy is.”

Laughing, Barker shook his head. “Sadly, I doubt that is the case.”

Following Barker out of the locker room and into the crowd he made his way to the bar, me close behind. There was too many people waiting at the bar to be sure who was waiting for me. Barker pointed to the end of the bar. He leaned into my ear and yelled, “That’s him. Green polo with the dark brown hair.”