The Love Handles Club (Love in the City Short) Read online

  Joe had known exactly what he’d been doing when I’d arrived back at Baylor crying and inconsolable after fleeing from Bradley. He’d pounced on my vulnerability and I’d had no clue. I’d thought he was the greatest guy in the world. He’d listened to every detail between sobs. Helped me forget all the pain and appeared to be someone who would never do the kind of things Bradley had done to me.

  What a silly young woman I’d been. The true reason behind Joe’s compassion hadn’t shown itself until after we were married. I’d been too caught up in the persona that he’d put together for me. My knight in shining armor.

  He’d known my weaknesses and had played me well. He’d wanted someone to control or reside over really. Being my husband wasn’t what he’d wanted. He’d wanted to be king, a ruler over detail of my life.

  Thankfully, I was in Dallas now, far away from Joe and his controlling ways. When I’d left him a few weeks ago with only the clothes on my back and what little I could fit into a suitcase, I’d decided to never look back and question what I was doing. It was for the best. My future was no longer in Atlanta by Joe’s side.

  “Excuse me, ma’am.” A voice pulled me out of my memories and I looked up to see a young woman standing next to the table. “Will there be other people joining you tonight?”

  “I think there will be around ten of us maybe even twelve. I thought this long table would work.”

  “It’s the largest one we have in the restaurant.” Her smile was big and bright. “Would you care for anything to drink or eat until the rest of your party arrives?”

  Good question. What could I drink tonight? I needed something that would look like a mixed drink. Keep the appearance that I was indulging with the rest of the gang.

  “I’ll take a seltzer water with a lime. And I’ll continue to have those the rest of the evening if that’s okay?”

  “No problem.” She looked at me curiously. “Can I get you anything to eat?”

  “No thanks. I’ll just wait until everyone is here.”

  “Okay, I’ll be right back with your drink.”

  I had a cover now and it would come in handy. I didn’t want to stick out for not drinking. I could blend in with the rest of them for a little while at least. Sticking out would come soon enough. Literally.

  My server sat my seltzer drink down in front of me and I sipped through the stirring straw. It was refreshing and cool. I’d been so thirsty lately. I’d forgotten how dry it was in Dallas this time of year.

  There was some movement toward the front of the pub. I turned my head to see what was going on, and my body froze instantly when I saw the handsome and older version of my high school sweetheart standing by the front door.

  Seeing him tonight was more intense than I thought it would be. No one, which really meant Joe, was standing by me gauging my reaction, so I completely reacted. The heat I felt when he scanned the restaurant and our eyes met, nearly made me slide from my chair and walk across the floor to him. But I needed to stay seated, planted in my spot. The magnetic pull I felt so many years ago when I was anywhere near him still extended between us today. Well, at least it did for me.

  Dave was standing next to him with a funny little smile on his face as he looked from me to Bradley. He appeared pretty pleased with what he saw and I was too. I watched Bradley’s shocked face break into a grin then he lowered and shook his head.

  Hopefully, that was a good sign, but my nerves were totally frayed as I watched them start to walk my way. It seemed that my heart rate increased with each step they took. My stomach was tied up in knots. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt this close to having a panic attack.

  Once a lanky, tall young man, Bradley had filled out very nicely. Indeed. His shirt stretched tight across his broad shoulders and abs. I didn’t understand how the two men got away with calling themselves Love Handles as neither of them had an ounce of flab that I could see. They looked toned and fit. Especially Bradley...

  Their walk across the pub seemed to take forever. Finally, they were standing right in front of me. I was sitting at the end, next to the head of the table. Dave came around and gave me a big hug. I hugged him back but stayed attached to the seat of my chair. If he was expecting me to stand up, he didn’t show it. Instead, he quickly took the head spot next to me. One hurdle down, next up was Bradley.

  The logical chair for him to take was the one opposite me. But would he? That would mean we’d have to make a lot of eye contact tonight. Who knew? Maybe even our feet or legs would touch on occasion under the table?

  Bradley didn’t disappoint. He pulled out the chair right across from me and folded his tall frame down onto it. I sipped at my drink again. It definitely was hotter in here now with him across from me, staring at me with those deep, blue eyes, the color of bluebonnets. And those long lashes. God, I’d loved looking into his eyes as we’d made love.

  I had to stop myself. This train of thought signaled danger, so I began to silently chant, I can do this, I can do this. But I was a goner when he started to speak to me. All my resolve melted away.

  “Hi, Kelly.” Hearing him say my name brought back so many old feelings. Good ones.

  “Hi, Bradley.” I had said his name so many times in my mind. It was hard to believe that I was saying it to him in person.

  Chapter 3: Bradley’s Turn

  The second I saw Kelly after entering the bar, my whole body stilled. I had the feeling of being transported back in time. She didn’t look much different than when she was nineteen and I ached to get closer to her. But Dave was doing the meet and greet as we arrived and we hadn’t moved past the entrance. The drawback of knowing everyone at this place.

  Finally, we started heading her way. Her face shone with the sweetest smile as we approached. I caught her eyes glancing over my body and chuckled. Sweet little Kelly was checking me out. I’d put on a lot of muscle over the years and was no longer the lanky young boy she had once known. Hopefully, she liked what she saw.

  When we arrived at Kelly’s table, my heart was pounding hard against my chest. I wasn’t sure what to do. Speak first? Shake her hand? Concerned and a bit panicked, I breathed a sigh of relief when Dave moved toward her first and wrapped his big arms around her little frame. I remained where I was standing, just past arms’ length. I didn’t want to freak her out by hugging her too. Though the thought of having her in my arms sounded pretty damn tempting. She stayed in her chair, which was a good thing. Otherwise, it made the fact that we didn’t hug even more obvious. This way we avoided awkward.

  Dave sat down after releasing Kelly from his hug, and I joined him at the table. My eyes never left Kelly’s and hers never left mine. She practically glowed as she smiled at me.

  Boy, the years had been good to her as she didn’t look a day over twenty-five. The nineteen-year-old girl whose heart I’d broken now hid behind a more mature and beautiful face, but her smile appeared just the same to me. Bright and contagious.

  Her hair was like the young Kelly I knew. She’d always worn it long, so I was surprised when I spotted her at our ten-year reunion with her hair above the shoulders. The familiar long strands were back now and sexy. My fingers itched to run through them.

  We said hi to each other and the distance we’d had between us started to fade. Dave began carrying on about how great she looked. My mind wandered off because it was my turn to check her out now. My view ended at her chest as the rest of her was tucked under the table.

  After we’d broken up, no one had compared to her. Firm, round and a little too big to fit into the palm of my large hands described her boobs. So soft to the touch and sweet tasting on my tongue. And those pink-colored nipples of hers...

  Memories of me taking them into my hands and feeling them against my lips crossed my mind. My flashbacks of being with Kelly were vivid and powerful. Like it’d been yesterday. I now felt myself starting to get hard. Damn, the things we did. We were pretty adventurous for being so young, especially the last year of high
school.

  I wondered if she could tell what I was thinking. If the lust-filled memories pumping through me right now showed in my eyes. She had known me so well and had been the recipient of my horny teenage behavior. There was no need trying to hide my feelings from her now. I was done with playing games.

  All afternoon, I’d told myself I would do what I could to get to know her again, prayed she’d let me back into her world. My first steps should’ve been engaging in some conversation with her instead of gazing at her eyes and chest, but I continued to gawk like a pervert.

  Not having had sex in months wasn’t helping me either. I needed to reign myself in right the hell now. So I tried to concentrate on what Dave was saying instead of Kelly laughing and biting her lips.

  “So you’ve been back in Dallas for a couple of weeks now?” Dave’s words might get her to open up about her future here.

  “I’ve been here almost a month now.” Her eyes were on Dave and occasionally switched to look at me.

  “If you plan on moving back here for good, there are some awesome real estate deals right now.” I threw my thoughts into the ring.

  “Thanks.” Her one word answer sure didn’t give anything away. I still had no clue if she was back permanently.

  “Excuse me, you two.” Dave rose out of his seat and I was tempted to move right into it. Closer to Kelly. “I’m going to get a tab set up for the group. I’ll be right back.”

  “Sounds good,” I replied.

  “Did a server come to the table already?” Dave asked. “I see you have a drink Kelly.”

  “Yes, the blond girl over there.” Kelly motioned to the bar. “She took my drink order so I’m assuming she’s our server.”

  “Alright you two try and behave yourselves.” Dave started to walk off but stopped. “What do you want Bradley?”

  “I’ll take a Heineken. Thanks.”

  “I’ll be right back.” Dave winked at Kelly. He knew exactly what he was doing. Leaving us alone. By ourselves. And I was very thankful too. It gave Kelly and me a few minutes to talk before the Love Handles’ crowd arrived.

  “So,” I commented and paused. Great one-word conversation starter.

  “So,” she replied. We both started laughing which seemed to ease the tension between us. It was only natural we felt a bit uncomfortable, since our last contact, face to face, had been so many years ago.

  “It’s so good to see you, Kelly.” I laid it out there. Decided I might as well go for broke.

  “It’s good to see you, too.” Her eyes pierced through me as she spoke those words. Like they were trying to convey a deeper meaning.

  “You look wonderful by the way.” I took a quick breath before continuing. “More beautiful now than when we were in college.”

  A blush spread across her cheeks upon hearing my compliment. It wasn’t just idle words. They were true. She was beautiful. It only reinforced how much of an idiot I’d been all those years ago.

  How could I have turned my back on such a beautiful woman? She was the whole package. One any man would love to have as his.

  “You’re making me blush,” she shyly replied. “I’ve changed a lot lately, but thanks for the sweet words.”

  “They aren’t just words, Kelly.” My face became serious to match the tone of my words. “I’ve missed you. Wondered so many times how you were. If you were happy.”

  Maybe I was getting too heavy. Coming on too strong. She’d just left Atlanta so I assumed things with her husband were on the fritz. But dammit, I couldn’t pull back if I tried. I’d done that years ago and a royal jerk had filled the void I’d left behind. It ended up being the biggest regret of my life. So I felt like it was an all or nothing chance to reach out to her tonight.

  “I’ve had the same thoughts about you over the years too.” Her voice was quiet. Just above a whisper. “I hope you’ve been good.”

  Holy shit. She’d had the same thoughts too? Did that mean she missed me? Wondered what I was up to like I’d wondered about her? My heart soared hoping we were on the same page when we looked back at our past together. Could we possibly have another chance together? One with a different ending? What did I have to lose at this point? I had to hope, but there were so many questions lingering between us.

  And how should I answer her last comment? How do you tell someone the last few years of your life sucked? You’d married the wrong person and wished they were the one you married instead. Honesty was the best thing with her now. Nothing hidden or secret. She needed to hear the truth from me. No matter how girlie it sounded, I needed to speak from my heart.

  “My life has been crazy over the last ten years. I made a big mistake getting married right after graduating college. I’ve finally put it all behind me now. I’m looking for a clean slate.” I didn’t want to bring up my divorce. Not yet anyway. So I decided to speak of my years with Natalie vaguely, not giving the full story away.

  “I understand that all too well.” A sorrowful look spilled from her eyes as they gazed at me. They reflected a life laced with sadness.

  “Maybe we should think of new beginnings. Whatta you say?” I tried to cheer her up. Hell, I needed to do the same thing too.

  “Sounds nice.” A forced smile spread across her face. “Actually, it sounds perfect.”

  I watched as her head tilted down toward her drink. Her smile faded and something deep within me ached to know what caused this beautiful woman so much heartache..

  “I have to say I was surprised when Dave told me you were going to be here tonight.” Her face turned up to me and her eyes were once again looking into mine. “Are you here on a long visit or something more permanent?”

  “I’ve moved back for now.” She wasn’t divulging much and I didn’t want to push. Though I wanted it to know it all, the why’s and what’s, it was really none of my business. What we had together was a lifetime ago. We were kids back then. Right now I was really a stranger to her.

  “Well, welcome back to Dallas,” I said with the biggest grin my face could muster.

  “Thanks. I appreciate that.” She mirrored my smile and this time it didn’t seem as forced. “It feels good to be back here.”

  As we sat grinning back and forth at each other, Dave arrived with my beer. Thank God, because damn I needed a drink.

  “Here you go, Bradley.” I reached for the beer he offered and had to stop myself from downing it in one big pull.

  “Thanks. I hope our server can keep up with me tonight.” Dave laughed but Kelly looked concerned. “I’m teasing, Kelly. It’s just been an intense day. Having you here as made it better, though.”

  “Yeah, Bradley has had a day.” Dave, now once again seated next to me, hit me on the back. I prayed he’d keep his big mouth shut about my divorce finalizing.

  “Sorry to hear you’ve had a bad day, Bradley.” Kelly spoke so sweetly. Her words wrapped around me like a hug.

  “Thanks. My day’s definitely improved since I walked in here.” I lifted the bottle of Heineken in front of me toward the middle of the table. “Here’s to old friends and unexpected reunions.”

  We clinked our drinks together and sipped, but my eyes never left Kelly’s face. I couldn’t put my finger on it but something was troubling her. Maybe it was being with our old group of friends, including me, her long ago ex. Or having curious eyes upon her followed by questions she wasn’t ready to answer. Knowing Dave those questions were likely about to begin.

  “Have you seen any of the old gang since you arrived back here?” Dave started in with the questions as I predicted.

  “No one,” she answered. “I’ve been laying low. But when Tina called and invited me tonight, I figured it was time to reconnect with my roots here. And the people who helped me love Dallas so much.”

  I watched Kelly closely as she spoke. She hit something deep down inside me when she uttered that last sentence. Maybe it was how her eyes sought mine and fixed on them intently. I really needed to contain what I was feeling for h
er. Hell, we hadn’t talked to other since we were kids. It’s not like we could just pick up where we had left off. The thought of it seemed too impossible.

  “You missed us didn’t you?” Dave teased. “I know we’ve all missed you. Some more than others.”

  Damn him. Dave had to go there. But what he said was true. We’d all missed her and a few of the gals, mainly Tina, had blamed me for Kelly’s distancing herself from everyone. But after the years passed, they realized that it’d been her husband who was keeping Kelly under lock and key. Other than a few phone calls with to Tina, no one had any luck connecting with her.

  But here she was... in front of me... no asshat husband in sight... a sight for sore eyes and my sore heart to be honest.

  “I have missed you all. Some more than others too.” She glanced toward me as she finished speaking but looked quickly back to Dave.

  “I’m pretty sure you missed me the most, right?” Dave’s words made us all laugh.

  “It’s true. You always made me laugh. Something that I’d almost forgotten how to do.” Her mood shifted suddenly. The sadness resurfaced.

  “Well, having you laugh tonight will be our main goal.” Dave placed his hand across the top of her shoulder, a comforting gesture. “This gang of misfits knows how to have a good time. Right, Bradley?”

  “We do,” I agreed. “I think that’s why we’re still hanging out together on Thursday nights. It’s like our church. Keeps us all going no matter what life throws our way.”

  “I can see that.” Kelly’s smile was back. “I’m glad I came. When will everyone else get here? Tina said she might be running a bit late.”

  “Tina’s late is relative,” I explained, looking at Dave for back up. “Usually, everyone is here by 7:30 Tina by eight.”

  “The guys get here on time for the most part. When the gals join us, the evening starts a little later,” Dave said. I saw him looking up toward the door and waving his hand. “Looks like we have company.”