Sucker Punched (Resilient Hearts Series Book One 1) (16 page)

I raise my eyebrows. “Do I need to remind you of the last surprise you had for me?”

Putting his hands in his pockets, he shakes his head. “This is different from the karaoke. I promise you will love it!”

“If you say so. I hope I don’t regret this.”

                                                                           ***

A huge smile is plastered on my face as I stare up at my surprise. Beth is mirroring me, minus the smile. This time Ethan has done well. “This is my last day here, and you bring me to some bloody steps that are going to kill me?” she moans. The steps she’s referring to are the ones from
Rocky
, the best film ever made. I’m in heaven.

The guys’ chuckle, and Roman says, “You’re supposed to run up the steps, not walk.”

The look of disbelief that he wants her to run up them is a picture. “What! I’m not bloody running up them. Is there not a nice place to get a drink or something?” She starts looking around for somewhere else to go.

“Don’t you want to see the museum?” Ethan’s amused at Beth’s reaction.

She looks down her nose at him and gives him a pointed stare. “What do you think?”

“Come on,” Roman says, grinning and taking her arm. “I know somewhere.”

That just leaves me and Ethan, and I don’t even care that Beth has left us. I’m at the
Rocky
steps! I’ve always wanted to come here.

“You ready?”

I frown. “For what?”

“Well, Roman did just say everyone runs up them.”

“There is no way I’m doing that. Do you not remember when I first met you? I was standing still and managed to fall on my arse. Nope, not doing it, not running up those.” I gesture to the steps, shaking my head. I finish my rant with, “That’s just asking for trouble.”

He laughs. “How can I forget the first time I met you? It was the best day of my life.”

I pretend to stick my fingers down my throat and make a retching sound. “Too smooth?” He grins.

“Too cheesy.” I laugh.

Now Ethan puts his hand on his chest and gasps as if I’ve offended him. He takes my hand and says, “Come on, let’s see if we can manage this.” I huff as we start out walking, trying to savor each step. While we do, a small group of teenage boys starts racing up the stairs, shouting “Adrian” at the top of their lungs. One of the boys then stumbles and trips, rolling down the steps and landing in a heap at the bottom.

I turn to Ethan who is trying to hold in his sniggers behind his hand. “See, that would have been me,” I state smugly.

“Point taken,” he says, as we both burst into laughter.

NINETEEN

Caitlin

I’ve been moping since yesterday morning, ever since Beth left. Leaving her when I left the UK was really hard, but this time was far worse. I have no idea why. Although she can be a diva at times, she’s my person, my family, and I’m so sad without her.

Her flight was early yesterday morning. She didn’t want me to see her off at the airport in case we cried like babies, so we saved it for my apartment instead. Roman, who was serious for once, drove her there.

Like me, Roman seems to be moping. I actually feel bad for him. It’s funny really; last week he was the last guy I wanted anywhere near Beth, but I have to say, they are great together. While she was here, he didn’t even look at another woman. But then again, it was only a week. He does genuinely seem to be missing her though.

After Beth left, Ethan came in and out of Betty’s to check on me, which I really appreciate. Later that evening, we watched the fifth
Rocky
film. I can’t say it cheered me up. Although, once we went to bed, Ethan managed to cheer me up all night long.

When I wake, I am happy to find a text.

B: Just got home, missing you so bad. I will phone you soon. x

I send a quick text back, knowing she’s asleep anyway. Then I get dressed. Ethan pops his head around the bedroom door.

“Are you ready? We are going to pick up Donnie first then get some breakfast.”

“Great, I’m starving,” I say as I make my way over to his waiting arms.

He wraps them around me. “You doing okay?”

Am I sad?
Yes.
Do I feel like something is missing now that my best friend is gone?
Yes.
Is having Ethan with me helping a lot? That’s a big
yes
! Looking up at him I say, “As long as I’m with you, I will be.”

He runs his finger along my jaw. “That’s good to know because I’m not going anywhere. You’re mine, babe, and don’t forget that.”

We drive the busy roads to the baseball field. Ethan’s done well to concentrate with Donnie in the car because he’s been talking non-stop about baseball. The whole conversation has gone over my head. Instead, I watch Ethan. He’s so great with Donnie, and I can see how much they mean to each other. How the hell did I get so lucky to find this guy? He catches me looking at him and grins. “What you thinking about?” he asks.

Feeling a little insecure, I look out the window, shrugging as I say, “I just can’t believe how lucky I am to have found you.” Ethan doesn’t reply. Bugger, have I said too much? Am I sounding too needy?

I get the courage to face him. When I do, he’s concentrating on the road, but there’s a blinding smile on his beautiful face. He reaches across to intertwine his fingers with mine. “Since I met you, that thought has crossed my mind at least once a day.” His eyes never leave the road, but if they had, he’d have seen me wiping away a few stray tears.

The diner is plain and dated. It could do with a complete refurbishment. Ethan comes up behind me and must notice I’m looking around the place. He squeezes my shoulders. “It doesn’t look much, but the food can’t be beat.”

My hands cover his. “Do they do a good old fashioned fry up?”

He chuckles in my ear. “They do. I still can’t get used to you calling it that.”

“What would you have me call it?”

“I don’t know—an everything breakfast?”

“Yes, because that’s so much better than fry up.”

“I guess you have a point,” Ethan says with a laugh.

“What the hell are we standing here discussing the name for then? I’m starving,” I joke.

“I can’t have my woman hungry,” he says, as we join Donnie who is already seated at a table. 

The place is packed, and the poor waitress is rushed off her feet. We eventually order our food, and Ethan is right. It turns out to be the best breakfast I’ve tasted, even if it takes longer than necessary to get it.

While eating, Ethan says, “Babe, I don’t know if you’re aware, but I do charity work sometimes.” My mouth’s full chewing some bacon, so I nod in reply. I remember Kiaya mentioning something about it once. He continues, “Well, I’ve helped organize a charity baseball game to help injured veterans. It’s coming up in a few weeks.”

Can this man get any more perfect? “That’s amazing.”

“Thanks, anyway, I’m hoping you’ll be on my team?” he asks looking hopeful.

“I’m on his team too, Caitlin,” Donnie says between mouthfuls.

“Do you both want to win?”

Before Ethan has a chance to say anything, Donnie looks up from his food. “We will win.” He looks at me as if it were a stupid question to ask in the first place. Ethan only chuckles.

I sigh. “Well then, I’ll have to say no. I’m sorry, but I’m really bad at sports, and I’ve never played baseball in my life.” I feel bad to say no to them, especially as it’s for charity, but I know I’ll be terrible. They say nothing, but look really disappointed “How about I come and cheer you on instead?” This seems to appease Donnie, and he continues to eat his pancakes.

Ethan gets that look on his face, the one that tells me it’s a good thing the table is covering his growing arousal. “Cheering us on, huh? That sounds like a good idea. How about I get you an outfit to wear?” He wiggles his eyebrows. “That would be so hot.”

I look to Donnie, who is oblivious to the real meaning of what Ethan has just said. I narrow my eyes at him. “Don’t you bloody dare.” All I get in return is a laugh and a wink.

Ever since Ethan told me about his charity work, I just can’t seem to get one thought out of my head.
What the hell is this perfect man doing with me?
I know I’ve become quiet, but I just can’t help contemplating it. Ethan stares at me, and I steadily ignore him. When Donnie goes to the bathroom, Ethan finally asks, “What’s going on, babe?”

“Huh?” I huff, trying to act dumb to my change in mood.

He narrows his eyes, and they pin me to my seat. After a moment he says, “Don’t ‘huh’ me. What’s going on?”

Oh no, what the hell do I say now
? I could make something up and lie, but I’m rubbish at that. I decide to go with the truth, even if he thinks I’m a nut. Picking at the paper tablecloth because I’m feeling embarrassed, I mumble, “I just don’t get why you want to be with someone like me.”

Silence again. I glance up, and he’s looking at me with a blank expression on his face. “What did you say?” his voice flat. I look down. “No, don’t do that,” he says harsher this time.

“What?” I say, a little shocked at his tone.

“Don’t look down as if you’re embarrassed. You can talk to me about anything, and don’t ever doubt how amazing you are to me,” he states firmly.

I nearly lower my head again, but I manage to look him in his eyes. Here goes nothing, “I’m sorry, but I just don’t get it. You’re perfect. You own your own business. You fought for your country, and even though that left you injured, you never let it get you down. You help others who are going through the same pain you did. You do charity work, and in your free time you coach kids’ baseball for Christ’s sake. And just look at me…”

Now he interrupts. “Yes, let’s look at you.” I can’t help it; I look down. “Babe.” His voice is softer now, so I look up. “To me, you’re not only beautiful, but after what that fucker Stephen did to you, I see exactly how brave you are. I know you see yourself very differently than the rest of us. Every day I will tell you just how strong and how amazing you are until the day comes that you finally believe it. It’s me who doesn’t deserve you. I won’t stop until you understand it’s the truth.”

In this moment, I fall in love with him. It’s been happening for some time now, but in this single moment, I get it; I love him. I’m not scared at all. I’m so wrapped up in his words, that before I can think, I look him in the eye and say, “I love you.” Yep, that’s right. In this crappy diner, I tell Ethan Kendricks I love him. Shit, me and my big mouth!

Ethan

“I love you!” I hear those three words, and my heart soars right out of my chest. I love her too, probably since I saw her rubbing her head and ass on the floor, if I’m honest. I never thought she would be the one to say it first though. I’m glad she did. It means a lot and shows how far our relationship has come.

I stand up and slide into the seat next to her. It’s funny really, since she said it, she seems to be in shock. I take her hands in mine and smile. She blankly stares at me, and I lean forward to place a kiss to her lips. Pulling back, I say, “Good, because I love you, too.” She’s still staring at me. I chuckle because she’s so cute sometimes. “Babe, you okay?”

Looking up at me through her long lashes, I see she’s still unsure. “You don’t have to say it because I did.”

“Stop it.” I cup her face. “I love you because I love you, not because you told me first.”

Her face lights up. “You really love me?” Thank goodness, she’s getting it at last.

I nod. “Yes.”

She kisses me, and I feel the love pouring through until Donnie rejoins us. “Yuk, you guys.” I pull back, and when I see Donnie’s squished up face, I can’t help but chuckle. Caitlin’s gone red, so I tuck her under my arm, and she pushes her blushing face into my chest.

“Sorry Donnie, didn’t see you there.” I apologize.

“What made you guys do that?” he asks.

Caitlin giggles and looks at me. “Oh, it’s Ethan; he’s just perfect. That’s all.”

Donnie looks at her. “No, he’s not,” he says matter of fact.

“See? Not perfect.” I agree with Donnie.

Then Donnie adds, “Uncle Len says Ethan would be, but with his name being what it is, it gives the rest of us a chance.” He better stop talking.
Wait his Uncle Len says what
? Before I think too much about what he said, I need to stop Donnie. I can’t let him tell Caitlin.

“Donnie!” I warn.

“Donnie, what do you mean?” Caitlin asks with a glint in her eye.

“Donnie,” I warn him again.

Donnie looks to me, then to Caitlin, as if unsure what to do. She points her stare at me, silently telling me to shut up, and then smiles at Donnie. “What’s wrong with his name, Donnie?” she asks slyly.

Donnie shrugs. “I don’t know.” I breathe a sigh of relief. I know she’ll find out sometime, but the longer it takes, the better. She’ll never let me live it down, and it’s a miracle Roman hasn’t told her.

She turns to me. “What’s your name?”

“Ethan Kendricks,” I state.

Her eyes narrow. “What’s your middle name?

I just smile and lie. “I don’t have one.”

“Yes, you do,” says Donnie, and before I can tell him not to talk, he shouts it out. “It’s Kimberly.” He has no idea what he’s just done!

Caitlin turns to me with a smug grin on her face then says to Donnie, “That can’t be right; he’s not a girl.”

“It’s a unisex name. My great, great, great granddad was called it, and all first born have it somehow in their names. It’s a tradition. My mom was called Kimberly, too.” Just by acknowledging that fact, I’ve admitted my middle name is Kimberly, and that I’m named after my mom.

Caitlin bursts into laughter. Donnie, however, has no idea why it’s so funny. Just great!

Caitlin turns. “Why didn’t you tell me that before? I wouldn’t have felt so unworthy.” She bursts into fits of giggles once again, and I can’t help but be happy, even if it’s at my expense.