MC: LaPonte (8 page)

“Are you checking on
orders in Boston too? I don’t want you to have to hang around
waiting for me.” She says with that shy voice.

She makes me smile, if she
only knew what I’d be willing to do for her. “I’m looking for
furniture in Boston. I’m sure I can keep myself busy while I’m up
there. Do you want to help me pick furniture? I hate fucking
shopping. We could have dinner while we’re there.”

“Yes! I love shopping,
even if it’s for furniture. Who are you shopping for?” She’s
excited now. I hear the smile in her voice.

“Me. It’s time to update
my house. Rich is gone and I’m sick of the black leather modern
look.”

“Oh. I’ve never seen the
inside of your house. I’m surprised you picked that look. I would
have thought you would run more toward traditional and antique.
Like your old house.” She says like it’s a question.

“I do. Rich picked out
this stuff; he was looking for a change. I didn’t have the heart to
shoot him down so I just went with it. I’m actually bringing all
this shit to his apartment.” I tell her. I know what she likes,
I’ve seen every room in her house; we are cut from the same cloth
there.

“Well I’d love to shop
with you. What time do you want to leave?” She asks, I’m wondering
if she’s trying to get off the phone. I'm going to drive myself
crazy with jealousy if I don't cut the shit and get her back
soon.

“I’ll pick you up at
seven-thirty just in case of crazy traffic.” I smile. I plan on
spending as much time as possible with her. She’s not getting home
until late tomorrow.

“Ok, I’ll see you then.
I’m excited to shop with you, thanks for asking.” She sounds
happy.

“See you tomorrow.” I hang
up before I screw up, but I do it with a smile.

I look around the house.
It’s coming along; the guys are finishing the kitchen tomorrow.
Once the tin ceiling is painted they can get the counters in and
the wood floors sanded and buffed. I’m almost as excited as Kate
is.

I get back to the plans I
need to finish for the guy in Marshfield so I can be done with this
job. I need the time to focus on Kate.

Chapter Ten

Two weeks....

Saturday breakfast is at
Jess house this week, Jess invited me over. Eight brothers show up
today. It’s a light day because of Memorial Day weekend. I'm
helping in the kitchen. "You've been out with Danny three times
this week." I hear the question she doesn't ask.

"Yeah. We're working on
being friends Jess; don't read more into it right now. I have a
date with Len from work tonight." Her eyes whip to mine. "He asked
and I said yes. How can I make a decision without information? You
know I've been dating right along. Len is a hunk and he makes me
laugh."

Her whole body slumps. "I
know you're right. I thought since you've been with him so much
this week you made the decision. I wish he didn't turn into such a
dick."

"He's changing Jess. I'm
giving him time to do that. We've been spending a lot of time
together. We've done everything from walking the beach to checking
out his jobs. I even went with him and the boys to collect worms.
It’s all been good. This week we went to get things for his house.
Even with the new furniture he says it didn't feel like a home.
Just friend stuff."

She nods, "no
sex?"

I laugh, "No. He hasn't
even hinted at sex. My nipples wish he would, I can't wait to try
them out." She laughs at that. "We've been doing friend stuff. I
have to say, I love it. He's getting back to that funny guy I
didn't even realize left. I'm really happy that he's getting back
to the old Danny."

She puts her spatulas down
and hugs me. "You deserve the best of whoever you end up with. It
sounds like your happy again. Don't you dare settle." She says with
a stern look.

I crack up and hand her
the spatula. I think about what she said, I am happy. Maybe it's
time to make a decision. Who am I kidding, I didn't stand a chance.
I was always his.

Danny

"Looks like Kate is still
talking to you brother." Pres says on the side of me. Shit I didn't
hear the door.

I've been on the porch
going over our date conversation since we got here. She's thinking
about going on a date with me. She's been on dates with every
fuckin body but still has to think about it with me. I can't figure
what the fuck I'm doing wrong. She seems like she's happy with me.
"Yeah. Just standing here thinking about that."

"Heard you've moved back
home." Fuck I don't need another fuckin lecture right
now.

"Yeah, I needed to get my
fuckin life back together."

"That's good brother." He
puts his hand on my shoulder. I finally look at him. "Nothing wrong
with living on the edge after what you went through. I'm glad
you're reeling yourself back in though. I fuckin hate that
intervention shit Rob comes to me with." He smiles at me. Fuckin
Pres.

"It was Rob that made me
realize I needed to get my head out of my ass." I shake my head
with a smile. I see no judgment in his eyes. "We've been working on
being friends again. I needed time to get back to me and she needs
the time to decide if she still wants me." Fuck this isn't
something I want to talk about. I look back at the
water.

"Sounds like you're
working together to make it right." I can hear the smile in his
voice.

"She has a date with Len
from her work tonight."

"Fuck brother. I know
that's got to hurt but look at it from her side. While you were
playing everything with a pussy she never sampled to know what she
really wants. Len is a good test. He's a good man, but if your girl
loves you, it won't matter." He's so fuckin smart but I really
don't want to hear about how good of a man fuckin Len
is.

"I know you're right and I
know this is no less than I deserve. Doesn't make it any
easier."

"Come to the club tonight.
Steve put together a poker game and I got a couple of jobs for
you." He slaps my back and goes back in the house. Another
indication I'm not really welcome by VP. My brother in law put
together another fuckin game but didn't give me an invite,
again.

I take deep breaths and
try to clear my head. Poker will keep me busy, might as well go. I
haven't been at the club much since I moved out. With the work at
the house and all the plans I'm running, I haven't spent time with
anyone but the boys, Petey and Kate. It will be good to have my
Brothers around.

Kate

I feel like I'm in a bad
movie of the week. I'm finding more to love about Danny every day
and I'm going on a date with Len. I'm not even nervous. The clothes
we bought are all daring but tasteful and I feel more confident
because of them. Choosing a royal blue wrap dress I feel
comfortable and confident.

Len takes me to the Warf
in Newport. I want to roll my eyes when he pulls in. I'm wondering
if the wait staff recognizes me and realize I'm smiling at all of
them. Len talks work the entire time. I try to change the subject
but he always manages to bring me right back to work. After a while
I stop talking and just nod at him. Finally we get the bill. He
asks if I thought he could expense it, he laughs when I say he
talked work the whole dinner, like I'm making a joke. Holy crap! He
is too handsome to be so freakin boring. He pulls me into the
banquet room and we dance for two songs. He's not as good a dancer
as Jared and I'm ready to be done with this date. I shouldn't have
even kept it. Walking back to the car he stops and bends to kiss
me. I turn so he hits my cheek. There has got to be some man book
that tells guys what to do on a date. Every freakin one of them
must read it, they all put out the same moves.

"I'm sorry Len. I'm just
not feeling like we connect with anything more than work." I keep
my eyes on his, he looks relieved.

"I wanted to see. I felt
like I was trying too hard tonight. I haven't had a date like this
since I was in my teens. I'm sorry Kate."

I smile, "the only way we
would have found out is by going on the date. I have to say, it is
the second time I've come to this place and had the same reaction.
I don't think I'll ever come back here."

He cracks up. "The man who
is your match is one lucky son of a bitch." He puts his arm on my
shoulder getting us to the car. We have a really nice chat while he
drives me home. I'm relieved that we aren't awkward with each
other.

He walks me to the door,
"if you ask me to go to a wedding with you the answer is
no."

He just smiles, "the de ja
vu guy?" I nod. He kisses my cheek and waits until I lock my door
before he walks back to his car.

My thoughts are on Danny.
I want to talk to him, tell him I'm ready for more. Since it's only
ten I grab the phone and call him. "Kate, everything ok?" I hear a
woman's laugh and deep voices in the background.

"Yes, I didn't mean to
interrupt you. I'll talk to you tomorrow." Shit, he's at the
club.

"Are you at home?" He
asks. He must have walked outside, the background noise is
gone.

"Yeah but it's not
important. I'll talk to you tomorrow." I feel tears burning my
eyes. I hang up. I don't want to think right now. I head to the
kitchen in search of something to numb my mind. I pour whiskey in a
glass and jump sloshing it on my hand when someone knocks on my
door.

Opening it I'm surprised
to see him. He's so handsome; it hurts to see him standing there.
"I didn't mean to interrupt your night. It was nothing important."
I say embarrassed and sad all at the same time.

He stops smiling, "did you
call me?" I nod. "You're as important as it gets for me. Since you
didn't want to talk on the phone, I came over." He puts his hands
on my waist and moves me back so he can come in. Damn, that gets my
heart pumping. "Mind if I have one too? It's been a stressful
night. You look beautiful in blue. I like this dress." He points me
toward the kitchen and pours himself a glass while sitting at the
breakfast bar.

I haven't said a word yet.
I don't even know what to say, he's got me so turned on. I wanted
to talk to him, but him being at the club threw me. I just sit and
wait.

"Beautiful Kate, it hurts
knowing I put that look of surprise on your face. There was a time
when people knew they could count on me. I fucked that up and let
so many people down, including myself. I was seeing disappointment
in my friend’s eyes every day, but when I see it in yours it hurts.
I'm sorry I put it there. I'm so sorry I hurt you." He looks down
at his drink.

"I thought I could show
you I've changed by being your friend but I can't. I can't do this
anymore." He's looking at me but I have to look away. I feel tears
again. He turns my face so I look at him again. "I don't want to be
your friend K. I don't want to spend the night with the Brothers
playing poker to keep me from going fuckin crazy. I don't want you
on another fuckin date with Jared or Len or anyone else. I want
you. I want you all in. I'll spend the rest of my fuckin life
proving to you that I'm all in. I won't touch another woman K. I
promise you I won't ever hurt you like that again." He stops
talking and watches my eyes.

Holy fuck! What am I
supposed to say to that? I thought he was walking away. I'm caught
off guard and take a breath. "I'm ready to try again." I say with a
smile.

He grabs me pulling me to
him so I'm on his lap being hugged tight. I hit his arm, "loosen
up, I can't breathe." He does then kisses me slow and thoroughly.
Leaving my lips and nipples tingling. A shiver runs down my spine,
there's the freakin spark.

I lay my head on his
shoulder. "Do you want to stay?" I'm nervous but can't wait for him
to see my new jewelry.

"No K, I'm heading home.
We have some things to talk about tomorrow. I'll be over early." He
must see the confusion in my eyes. "I'll call you when I get home
beautiful K. I'm trying to keep from throwing you in the shower and
washing Len's fuckin cologne off you."

I giggle. "We went
dancing, nothing more."

"Don't care." He kisses my
head and slams his drink back. Pulling me to the door he kisses me
again then locks the door behind him. I run into the bathroom and
take a shower. I'm out with a smile on by the time he
calls.

Chapter Eleven

One week…

Fuckin hell. I'm late to
pick up Kate and I'm just now helping Patches get up the stairs to
Rich's place. I can't do anything but wait. We finally get in the
apartment and I get him settled on the couch. It's the perfect
place for a single guy to recuperate. "I filled the fridge; try not
to mix your meds with too much beer. It will slow down the healing
process. Meds are on the counter by the fridge. The cleaning
service comes twice a week. The CNA is due tomorrow morning to
change bandages. Old ladies are cooking for you. Nancy will keep
them from visiting until you say you're ready. I got your phone
right there on the table. Call me anytime, I'll be here. Nancy will
come up on her way home then in the morning when she gets in. I
wrote everything I just told you down, just in case your meds are
really good. Anything else you need?"