Chapter Ten

John

The walk across the square to Penalty Shot Sports Bar is short, and while Beck is eagerly chatting beside me, I have a hard time concentrating on his words. My mind keeps my attention drawn to Eve, to the warmth of her body and the sweet scent of her skin so close. I want to reach out, to pull her into my arms and hold her, but I haven’t earned that right. Not yet, anyway.

The feelings I thought were long buried for her are bubbling to the surface, but with a renewed vigor. The attraction has been there since the moment I laid eyes on her standing at my back door, but now, after stealing moments and hanging out with her tonight, I feel like I’m getting a second chance.

A second chance at love.

I just need to show her how good it can be to take the risk.

We step inside the bar, warmth and country music hitting us the moment we cross the threshold. The place is familiar, comfortable, and welcoming. It’s home. Even though I’ve only been here once before to drink, it feels nostalgic.

“What can I get you two to drink? I’m buying the first round,” Beck says.

“I’ll have whatever light beer they have on draft,” Eve says, slipping off her coat, gloves, and hat.

“Same,” I reply. When Beck heads to the bar, I point to an empty table in back near the pool table. “How about that one?”

She nods, walking to where I indicated.

My eyes are drawn downward, taking in the sway of her hips and the way her jeans mold to her curves like a second skin. She’s wearing a black cable knit sweater with a bow at the hip and comfortable black snow boots. After hanging her coat on the back of the chair and shoving her hat and gloves into the pockets, she takes a seat and waves at some of the patrons nearby. I realize I know almost everyone there but am not in a hurry to chat or catch up. Selfishly, the only person I want to hang out with is Eve.

“Here we go,” Beck states, setting four draft mugs of beer down on the table.

“Sorry I’m late. Had to give Coop extra hugs and kisses before I could leave,” Daphne states with a grin before slipping into the empty chair to Eve’s right.

“I hate leaving him, but glad we can steal a few hours away every now and again,” Beck says, leaning over and kissing his wife the moment he sits.

“Agreed. What have I missed?” she asks, turning her attention to Eve.

As I’m taking the final available seat, to the left of Eve, she replies, “Well, John here seems to think he can beat me in a game of pool.”

Daphne laughs, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Oh, how I’ve missed this. The last time I saw you two go at it, I think was, like, nine years ago.”

I glance over to Eve, whose eyes connect with mine. Yeah, that was the last time we played, and if the emotion passing through her eyes is any indication, she recalls exactly how that night ended. Or more importantly, how it ended the next morning. Something I have yet to set right.

“Come on, John. The table’s available. We can get a practice game in before the sandbaggers start,” Beck states, heading over to snag the pool table before anyone else.

Looking to Eve, I ask, “Need anything?”

She shakes her head, those brown strands cascading around her face. “No, I’m good. Thanks.”

Before I even step away, I see Daphne lean in. Something tells me she’s wanting to discuss me, and probably why I’m so attentive. All I can do is hope Daph’s on my side when it comes to second chances, because if I had my way, tonight would be the start of ours.

Beck breaks after having racked the balls, knocking the six in the corner pocket. I stand back, watching as he lines up his next shot. When he misses the two, he steps out of the way, chalking his cue.

I have a decent shot on the fourteen, so I lean forward, getting into position. Just as I fire, tapping the ball into the side pocket, he says, “Do you believe in second chances?”

Standing, I give him my complete attention. “Yeah.”

“Good, because they don’t come around that often, and by the looks of it, you’re gunnin’ for one.”

I exhale and hold his gaze. “I think I am. All these feelings keep coming back.” Stealing a glance at the table, I add, “I’ve missed her.”

“Then don’t let this opportunity pass you by.”

My attention returns to the table as I line up my next shot. I knock the ten into the corner and then shoot at the eleven, missing. “I still need to apologize for something that happened years ago.”

“You mean when you went home with her and then disappeared before she woke the next morning?”

I stand up straight and give one of my oldest friends my full attention. “You know?”

“Not many do, but yeah, I know. Daph told me about it. She said Eve was pretty upset after that, even though she never talked about it. That’s on you to fix.”

I swallow over the lump in my throat. “I will. I owe her an apology and explanation.”

He takes another shot, sinking the one ball. “Do it sooner rather than later. No one likes feeling like they were used.”

His words hit their mark, causing my stomach to turn. I knew I had made a mistake and probably hurt her, despite not intending to. She needs to hear my reason for leaving, especially if I want her to take the chance on starting something again.

I end up winning the game, and when the girls decide they’re still visiting, we play a second. By the time Beck wins that one, Eve and Daphne stand up, grabbing cues.

“You’re on my team, hot stuff,” Daph says to her husband, adding a wink as she taps his ass with her stick.

He pulls her into his arms, mauling her with his mouth. “Jeez, get a room,” Eve announces.

“Oh, we will. Later,” Beck replies with a chuckle.

“I guess that means you’re with me,” I say to Eve.

“You would be correct,” she says, rubbing the blue chalk on the end of her cue. “Ready to kick some ass?”

“With you? Always,” I tell her, stepping back and letting her do the honor of breaking.

Eve has always been a good pool player. Math was her thing in school, and she always says to understand the game, you have to understand geometry. For me, it’s all about luck. Some days I can sink every ball I hit, while others, I couldn’t hit my ass with two hands and a compass.

Time passes in a blur of laughter, good music, a few drinks, and excellent company. Ariel shows up, as do a few others we went to school with. Unfortunately, Andrew Detweiler also shows his ugly mug. He walked in like he owned the place, his young girlfriend on his arm like a trophy.

Roxie waves at Eve, most likely not realizing the discomfort she feels when she sees her ex, and even though Eve is incredibly gracious and friendly to her co-worker, I can tell being around Andrew isn’t her favorite pastime. And who would? I can’t imagine seeing Melissa everywhere I went either.

“Eve, how are you?” Roxie greets, giving her a polite hug.

“I’m well. You?”

Before Roxie can reply, Andrew is there, interrupting her. “Roxie, baby, why don’t you go get us drinks?”

Eve’s eyes narrow as the young woman practically runs off to the bar. “You’re looking…tired,” he says, giving Eve a critical once-over. “Are you sleeping?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m sleeping just fine. Actually, better than ever,” Eve replies, clenching her pool stick in her hands.

“Then maybe it’s your hair? I would think you’d want to advertise your services a little better than that,” he retorts, pissing me the fuck off instantly.

Before she can reply, I step forward and throw my arm around her shoulder. Eve tenses against me as I draw her to my side. Giving Andrew the asshole a big smile, I say, “Andrew, good to see you again. Yeah, sorry if she’s looking a little tired today. She didn’t get much sleep last night, if you know what I mean,” I reply with a cocky grin.

Eve gasps, her body completely rigid, but she doesn’t say a word.

Andrew stares between us, as if trying to catch the lie. Eventually, he just shrugs. “I should have known you two would get back together. She’s always had a soft spot for mutts.” He turns and walks away before either of us can say a word.

Eve shrugs out of my arm and turns her fiery green eyes my way. “Why’d you do that?”

“He was being a fucking asshole,” I counter, crossing my arms over my chest.

“He’s always an asshole,” she retorts. “Now he thinks we’re together, and he’s going to find every opportunity to insult you too.”

“Would that be so bad?” I ask, referring to the first part of her statement. I couldn’t give two shits if Andrew Detweiler insults me. I am a mutt, so if someone’s going to use it against me, they better come up with something better than that.

“Him insulting you?” she asks, clearly thinking I was referring to the latter part of her statement.

“I could not care less what that jerk thinks of me. Would it be so bad if he thought we were together?”

She seems surprised by my question and stands there a few seconds. A few seconds too long, if you ask me. “But we’re not together,” she finally states.

The weight of her words presses against my windpipe, making it hard to breathe.

“Yeah. I guess not,” I state, turning and putting my cue away.

I don’t know why I’m mad at her. Honestly, I have no reason to be. In reality, we’re not together, so I have no right to feel as upset as I do. But dammit, would it be so bad if we were together? I don’t think so, but apparently she does, which is a pain I wasn’t expecting.

I keep my distance, not because I don’t want to be near her, but simply because I do, and it’s driving me mad. I want to grab her, tell her how I feel, and kiss those full lips, but I know this isn’t the time or place. All that would do is poke the bear, and even though I always loved the fiery side of Eve, now isn’t the time to push.

Linus shows up and buys a round, but I barely drink it, letting it get warm. “What’s wrong with you?” he asks, eyeing the three-quarters of a beer left in my mug.

“Nothing.”

“Don’t bullshit me. Is it the gorgeous woman across the room you can’t seem to take your eyes off? I’m pretty sure you’re bordering on stalking, my friend.”

I flash my attention to his smug face before letting my eyes settle back on Eve. “No.”

He barks out a laugh. “Liar.” Sipping his second beer since arriving, he asks, “So, what’s the deal?”

“She’s still mad.”

“Of course she’s still mad. You haven’t apologized, right?”

“We haven’t had time,” I argue.

“No? Rumor has it, you’ve spent the last several hours with her, riding rides and buying her dessert at her sister’s bakery. You’ve been here for, what,” he glances down at his watch, “two, three hours, and you haven’t had time to say you’re sorry?”

I huff out a pissed-off breath. “I didn’t want to do it surrounded by people.”

“I get that.”

“Then why are you busting my balls?” I ask, taking a big gulp of piss-warm beer and wishing I hadn’t.

He seems to find humor in my displeasure at drinking the nasty beer. “I’m busting your balls because that’s what friends do. You two aren’t going to get past anything until you’ve laid everything from the past out to deal with.”

His words aren’t anything I’ve not already thought myself. “I know. We just…we’ve had a pretty good evening.”

“I bet you have, but she still deserves the truth.”

“I know,” I reply, feeling way less pissed than I did a few moments ago.

We visit for a little longer before he hits me in the chest. “She’s leaving. Go.”

I glance over and find Eve slipping her winter coat, gloves, and hat back on. Digging for my own coat beneath the pile on top of mine, I slip it on and quickly make my way to the door. I know I should have said goodbye to everyone there, but my brain is only focusing on one thing, catching up with Eve.

On the sidewalk, I holler, “Wait up.”

She pauses, seeming surprised I’m following her. “I don’t need an escort.”

Shoving my hands in my pockets, I reply, “I know that. I want to walk you home.”

She huffs. “Why?”

“Because I enjoy spending time with you. Is that so bad?”

She doesn’t seem to have a reply to that question. Her pace is slightly clipped as we head toward the street we both live on. My mind spins with all the possibilities on how to start this conversation, and before I realize it, we’re almost home. My window of opportunity is quickly closing.

“Eve,” I blurt out, stopping in the middle of the sidewalk between her place and mine.

She pauses, turning around to face me. “Yes?” she asks tentatively.

“I’m sorry.”

Her throat muscles work hard to swallow, and her voice is raspy as she replies, “You don’t owe me—”

“Yes, I do,” I interrupt. “I most definitely owe you an apology for that night, and an explanation.”

She exhales, her warm breath fanning out around her face like smoke. Her eyes are weary and she seems a little closed off, but it’s now or never.

“That night,” I start, as flashbacks of lying naked with Eve pepper my mind, “it was the best night. One of the greatest, actually, and I never wanted it to end. You falling asleep in my arms was my absolute favorite way to be. So peaceful, warm, and perfect. I didn’t want to ever leave.”

I swallow over my own lump forming in my throat and continue, “When I woke up before dawn, all I could think about was staying right where I was, and I realized in that moment I would have given it all up then and there. To stay with you. But I had commitments, things I couldn’t neglect, and a country to serve. So I left. I was a coward and snuck out of your place, because I knew saying goodbye to you a second time would kill me, and if I saw even an ounce of pain in your eyes, I would have done everything in my power to take that away. Including throw away my career.”

A single tear slides down her cheek, and I reach out to wipe it away.

“I’m sorry I left you that morning without an explanation. Moreover, I’m sorry my leaving caused you pain, to doubt yourself. To doubt me .”

I exhale, feeling lighter having finally given the apology she so rightfully deserves. I just wish it wouldn’t have taken me nine years to give it.

Just when I’m starting to worry about what she’s thinking, because her standing there, staring up at me isn’t giving anything away, she jumps. Eve throws her arms around my neck and plasters her body against mine. I’m not expecting the movement or the extra weight against me, so when I catch her, my feet slip on the packed snow, and we’re both falling. I land with a thud on my back, her body covering me from head to toe, but it’s all forgotten when she presses her lips to mine.

I hold completely still, praying this isn’t a dream, before giving in to the kiss. My fingers thread beneath her hat, tangling with her hair, as I open my mouth to hers. My tongue delves inside, tasting her, stroking hers, and driving me completely mad.

With Herculean strength, I rip my mouth from hers, gasping for oxygen. “Eve?” I mutter, trying to get my bearings. “Are you hurt?”

“Yes,” she whispers.

Alarmed, I hold completely still, trying to figure out where her pain is coming from. “Where do you hurt?” I ask, feeling terrible for practically mauling her immediately after our fall. Even if she did initiate the kiss, it’s on me to make sure she’s okay before continuing.

Eve takes my hand and lowers it. “I ache…here.” She places my hand between her legs, causing my man-brain to short circuit. “As you can see, I’m going to need some…attention.”

I suck in a jagged breath as a slow smile plays on my lips. “Then I only have one question for you, Eve. My place or yours?”