Leigh shows up a little after our phone call, which tells me she left immediately following our conversation. Knowing how much she cares helps make this easier. Her arms wrap around me as soon as she’s within reach. “Are you okay? Have you heard anything?”
I pat her on the back while holding her close to me. “Not yet. You got here fast.”
“School wasn’t important today. You need me here.”
I shake my head. In all honesty, I’m surprised at her response. “I didn’t think you cared about the dog.”
She plays with my shirt while answering. “Look, I admit I don’t like the hair and the constant drool, but you love him. Just because I’m not a pet person doesn’t mean I can’t be compassionate. If they didn’t make me itch maybe I wouldn’t mind having one.”
“I appreciate you saying that.”
She licks her lips while taking a quick audit of the room. “Since I’m here, why don’t we head home?”
Bristol is walking across the room with her cell phone to her ear. At first I think it’s the veterinary clinic, but soon come to realize it’s more likely to be one of her college friends. She heads toward her bedroom and I hear the door close before giving Leigh my attention. “I better stick around here until we hear something.”
She sniffles, reminding me why she hates being in this house. Too many dogs shedding. I can’t relate, or even begin to know what it’s like to be allergic to something that I love, like animals. I’ve never lived in a home without a pet until now. I’ve often considered getting some fish just to be able to have something to come home to and care for.
Leigh is too independent to need my help. She cooks, cleans, and does what she wants. She’d rather take care of me, and I happen to enjoy it. My mom was always the type to stay home and care for her family. I doubt Leigh will ever stay home and raise kids, but for the time being I enjoy knowing she’s capable and willing.
“Do you want me to stay too? I can take an allergy pill.”
I shake my head and offer a smile while rubbing the top of her shoulders. “No. It shouldn’t be much longer. Let me tell Bristol what’s going on. She wasn’t handling it well earlier, but I think she’s calmed down. Either way, there’s nothing we can do. I’ll head back to the house with you.”
She bites down on her lip and stares into my eyes. “If you come home with me I’ll keep you distracted.”
I grin. It’s impossible to not react to her claim. “Yeah. Sounds like a good idea.”
“I won’t even talk about moving.”
I nod. Just hearing her bring it up makes me cringe. “Deal.”
She kisses me, grabbing either side of my cheeks and pulling me against her lips, holding them there for a few long seconds. When she lets go she’s focused on my gaze. “I love you, Brant.”
“I love you too, babe. I’ll be right behind you.”
She’s holding one of my hands as she begins to step away from me. Letting go before pulling me in her direction, she winks. “Promise?”
I nod again. “I’ll see you in a few.”
Leigh hasn’t even left the driveway when my sister comes out from her bedroom red-faced and wide-eyed. “The animal hospital called. Brim is out of surgery.”
I sigh out of relief. “So he’s good now?”
She shrugs. “Miss Joan said we can pick him up tonight or first thing tomorrow. They’re monitoring him for the rest of the day.”
I fidget with the change and keys in both pockets. “So, do I need to be the one to pick him up?”
Bristol gives me that look; the one that says she’s not going to do something. “Well, I can’t afford the bill. Dad only left enough for me and Nick.”
Nick, our new stepbrother, has been working at the restaurant and attending college. He’s barely ever home, which is probably good since he and Bristol bicker constantly.
“Fine. I’ll take care of it. He’s my responsibility anyway. You said tonight or the morning?”
“Miss Joan says to call tonight before seven. If they want him to stay longer she’ll let you know then. So far she says he’s doing better. I guess that new doctor knows her stuff. Dad said we were going to have to find a new vet soon, because Dr. Sorenson was thinking about retiring. I’m glad she was there. Brimley might not have made it if we had to drive to another town.”
“She saved his life.”
“Make sure you thank her for me, Brant. Do you need me to go with you when you get him?”
As much as I’d like the company, I have no idea what could be in store for me the next time I see Jamie. That being said, I don’t think I want my kid sister getting involved in whatever might be said between me and the good doctor. “I can handle it.”
When I leave the house to head to Leigh’s place I find myself driving back to the veterinary hospital. Sitting outside, I keep the vehicle running and watch the door, as if I’m going to get answers from spying.
I want to know how long she’s been in town. Why hasn’t anyone mentioned it to me? This town is small. Everyone talks. How I missed a new vet in town is beyond me, especially one that’s beautiful.
I rest my head against the steering wheel. “Get it together, Brant. You’re engaged to a good woman.” I pull away from the curb only to hear the sound of someone skidding to avoid hitting the driver’s side door. Turning to look out the window, I notice an elderly gentlemen named James Monroe shaking his hand at me while he honks his horn.
Before I know it people are walking out from the clinic looking to see what the commotion could be. Embarrassed when Jamie makes an appearance, I take off down the road, hoping and praying she didn’t recognize me. She’s messing with my head and she doesn’t even know it.
My mind wanders back to the dream. Why today? Of all days. Why did I have to wake up thinking about her, only to run into her? I feel like my mind is playing tricks on me.
Pulling up at the apartment, I park my truck behind Leigh’s Mercedes. My heart continues to race as I climb out and make my way to the door. I find my girlfriend in a pair of skimpy shorts and a tank, sprawled out on the couch while her hand is stuck in a bag of Doritos. Her full mouth reshapes into a somewhat smile without dumping the chips down the front of her. “Hey.”
“Hey yourself.” I toss my keys into the dish we keep by the door and kick off my boots. “So much for today being productive.”
She extends her arms, welcoming me into them as I reach the sofa. “Come here and let me make it all better.”
Being comforted by her makes the stress a bit more manageable. “I know he’s just a dog, but it screwed with my head.”
“It’s fine.”
“Thanks again for coming home. It was a long drive.”
“I’ll always choose you, Brant. You know that right? Nothing will keep me from being there to support you.”
When our eyes meet I feel guilty. I play with the ring I put on her finger months ago while I struggle to understand why I’m this disturbed over seeing someone from my past. It’s not like she poses a threat, or has come back to seek me out and rekindle what was lost. The ties between us were severed. I made sure of it.
Pulling her onto my lap, I get her in the perfect position before replying. “Maybe you could help clear my mind with some physical therapy.”
Her lips brush over mine as I say it, the shape of them forming a smile. Leigh stops and backs away enough to run her fingers over the fabric of my shirt. “Do you think you can handle it? I don’t know about you, but I’m still sore from the makeup sex last night.”
Remembering why we woke completely naked draws a grin. “I’m not sore. My manhood is made of steel. Maybe you’re the one who can’t handle it.”
Taunting her only gets me wired. She’s not going to resist me. She never does. It’s always some kind of game with her, and that’s okay with me. It’s distracting and I enjoy it.
“Manhood? You’re so old,” she teases.
It’s true. Leigh is a lot younger than me. She’s twenty-two and I’m nearing thirty. She likes to give me a hard time about it too, reminding me of how much I complain, like an older person tends to do.
We laugh together as I guide her hips to thrust over my groin. “I’m wise. There’s a difference, babe. Now quit your stalling and lose the clothes. As cute as you look in those shorts, I prefer you without things hiding that pretty little body of yours.”
I raise both arms over my head and watch as she lifts the top from over her head. Her freed breasts perk up and she backs off the couch. “How’s this for therapy?”
I think my smirk says it all. “It’s a good start. I’d prefer it if we got to the rubdown. I’m a hands on kind of guy.”
“Man,” she corrects. “You’re a man. My man.” Her shorts drop, proving my theory that she wasn’t wearing panties. I lick my lips as she starts working to remove the button to my jeans and tear them off my legs. I lift my ass to assist, appreciating how fast she’s working to get the job done. As seconds begin to pass my worries subside. This is why I’m going to marry her. She’s good for me. I’m not going to let Jamie’s return screw with my head anymore. It’s redundant and won’t do either of us a lick of good. I’m being a fool for taking it this far. Enough is enough. If I want the dreams to stop I need to let go of my regrets. Nothing can change what’s been done.