The Promise (5 page)

“I don’t know man,” Drake answer
s me. “She’s cute though.”

“Cute? Are you high?” I accuse
without breaking my gaze away from her. “She’s fucking
gorgeous
!”

I watch
her tap her fingertips against the steering wheel lightly as she hits each note flawlessly, oblivious to the personal concert she’s giving me from her truck. Her lips move easily to the lyrics she’s obviously heard a million times and the sound that comes from them is the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard in my life. I’m mesmerized by the way her blonde hair falls past her shoulders, the shorter strands brushing slightly against the top of her collarbone as she shakes her head to the beat of the song. I internally groan as I feel the crotch of my jeans tighten.

“Chase!” Drake boom
s across the cab breaking my concentrated gaze on the nameless beauty. I look over at him surprised and saw the amused grin spreading across his face. “Lights green. Let’s go stalker.”

I don’t know who the hell she i
s but I mean to find out.
Soon
.

***

Ana

I’m
two hours into my shift when I realize I’ve left my house keys on the kitchen table. I guess I could just knock on the door when I get home but I don’t really want to bother Sophie so late. She has a hard enough time sleeping without me banging on the door at three o’clock in the morning to get in.

O
n my first break, I dug my cell out of my apron and call Sophie to ask her to bring me my keys. She promises to drop them off tonight when she goes out to grab supper.

The next couple hours pass pretty quickly. All the locals
are coming in, eager to see the new blood and grab a beer after a long day at work. When Sophie walks in, I’m surprised to see her so soon.

“Hey, Soph!” I wave
her over and she greets me, keys in hand.

“Hey! H
ow’s the first day going?” she asks.

“So far, so good. How’s your d
ay been?” I ask pouring another Budweiser.

“Okay, just hung out around the house for a bit and decided to go for a walk.
I’m gonna grab some supper and probably just go home and watch some TV. I still have some unpacking to do,” she answered. 

“You eating?” My new boss Lila yell
s across the bar at Sophie.

“Umm
… Are you sure? I don’t wanna get you in trouble, Ana …” she whispers at me nervously.

“You kiddin’? The more the merrier, kiddo! Grab a
stool and have a beer!” Lila shouts again as Sophie gives her a small smile, sliding onto the closest stool. Lila hands her a menu, smiling sweetly. I like her already. She’s middle aged, loud, and a bit abrasive, but I love her no nonsense personality. “Whatcha havin’?” she asks Sophie who quickly glances down at the menu.

“Umm…I guess an Amber Bock w
ith a cheeseburger and fries?” she answers. Lila called out her order and before I know what’s happening, an inebriated voice calls across the bar.

“Beer and beef? Sounds like my kinda lady! I need to get to know
you a little better, darlin’,” The voice slides in next to Sophie. She’s speechless and gaping. I don’t know who the hell this guy was but I’m about to find out.

“Wha
t …?” she stammers. The look in her eyes is pure panic.

“Back off, Jimmy,” a
nother voice, this one vaguely familiar, slides up next to the bar on the other side of Sophie. “She’s with me.”

What the hell i
s happening? Who are these guys and why the hell are they flocking all over Sophie? This doesn’t look good. I have to save her. Now.

I stan
d dumbfounded as I hear Jimmy call out the name Mitchell … Why does that name sound so familiar?

Oh fuck me sideways. Is he here?

Chase

As soon as I see Jimmy heading over to the pretty blonde at the end of the bar I knew she was in trouble. Something stupid and sexist will be coming out of that idiot’s mouth in three … two … one …

“Beer and beef? Sounds like my kind of lady! I need to get to know you a little better Darlin’,” he slur
s. Shit. She’s terrified, I can see it her eyes. Her beautiful eyes. Holy shit!

I
t’s her and she is gorgeous
.

Okay, dude. Focus.

“What ...?” I hear her say. Yeah, he’s freaking her out. This is why we don’t let Jimmy meet the new people. Idiot.

“Back off,
Jimmy. She’s with me.” I walk over to her and place my arm near her on the bar. I want this to be believable but I don’t want to scare the poor girl. Lord knows Jimmy is doing enough of that for the both of us.

“Man whatever, Mitchell! You
’ve never seen this pretty young thing before in your life,” Jimmy slurs. “Now back off and let me get a shot at her!”

“It sounds to me like you’ve had enough shots for one night, Jimmy.
Now go on home and sleep it off,” I try to reason with him but I can tell it isn’t working. His ears are growing redder by the minute from his anger.

“Um
… I really gotta get …” I hear her timid voice as she starts to speak. I can’t let Jimmy think she’s here by herself or he’ll never let her leave …
alone
.

“Please let me handle this. Just follow my lead, Sweetheart,” I whisper
close to her ear. I can see the shiver across her skin as my eyes travel back to Jimmy. I feel her body tense up as I lean into her. I’ve never had that reaction from a woman before. Weird.

It work
s. Jimmy soon leaves the bar in a huff and I can visibly see the tension leave her shoulders as I back away.

“Sorry about that. I know a pretty girl who
needs help when I see one.” I walk around the back of her stool to finally get a good look at her pretty face.

Wow! She i
s breathtaking.

Her blonde hair perfectly frame
s her heart shaped face and…
those eyes
. She has the most amazing green eyes I’ve ever seen. I falter for a second but once I come back down to reality, I stick my hand out and give her my best smile. “I’m Chase. What’s your name?”

***

Drake

I can honestly say that I
wasn’t expecting to see Analise again so soon, especially not working at our favorite neighborhood bar. I can say admit I’m not at all disappointed. I’ve been thinking about her sexy, foul mouth since I ran into her, quite literally, at the gas station this morning. True, I don’t know her, but she has me intrigued. There’s something about this woman that is different. Something I can’t quite put my finger on. She’s beautiful with long, wavy hair the color of chocolate and piercing grey eyes that seem to have seen more than their fair share of pain. Her lithe, sun kissed frame leans against the bar and that foul mouth I’ve been thinking of all day is in a bit of a panic as she nervously chews her bottom lip. In front of her, I see the cause of her anxiety. Chase, my cousin, is talking to the cute blonde perched on the stool directly across from Analise. There’s no telling what Chase has done or said to warrant this look of terror in the poor girl’s eyes, but seeing the same fear mirrored in Analise’s makes it clear that I can’t just stand by and not act as Chase’s buffer.

At least that’s the excuse I’ve
given myself to approach her.

“Sorry about that. I know a pretty girl who n
eeds help when I see one,” I hear Chase say. No wonder these girls look horrified. I’ve seen Chase do this a hundred times, though I hadn’t seen it in awhile. Not since right after his relationship with Lauren had ended and he went on his rebound binge. She had done a number on him.

Chase smile
s at the cute blonde girl who sits in front of him now and stuck his hand out towards hers. “I’m Chase. What’s your name?”

Th
e fear on the girl’s face seems to be getting worse. If I was going to step in, it seems now is as good a time as any. I put my hand on Chase’s shoulder and give the blonde a look of sympathy at Chase’s overly direct flirtations.

“Is he bothering you?” I wink at her and laugh
a little at the look of disbelief on Chase’s face. “Chase, back off the poor girl and let her eat her supper.”

“No
, I’m not bothering her! I just saved her from Jimmy!” Chase defends himself and is obviously irritated at my intrusion. 

“Ouch!” I grimace at the thought of what meeting Jimmy for the first time must have been like for her. “Yeah, Jimmy’s a bit ruff around the edges. I’d dare to say he’s not much for a Welcoming Commi
ttee. Am I right, Love?” I ask the blonde.

“Um
… I don’t … no, he’s uh … wait, what?” she stammers.

“Oh I’m sorry I’m being rude. I see you’ve already met my cousin, Chase. I’m Drake, Drake Mitchell.” I put my hand out jus
t as I heard that foul mouth I’ve been thinking about all afternoon.

“Son of a Bitch!”

Oh the things I’d love to do to that foul mouth of hers.

“Well, I can’t say much in my own defense but I won’t have you bringing my mother into it,” I turn to say to her with a grin. The second our eyes met she gasp
s and drops the beer mug in her hand. I can’t help the twinge of pleasure I feel at the possibility that I’m affecting her so deeply.   

“Fuck!” s
he mumbles to herself as the crimson of her blush begins to spread across her cheeks. She’s obviously embarrassed with all 20 sets of eyes in the bar now on her. I make my way around the bar and bend down to help her pick up the shattered glass at her feet.

“No, it’s okay. I’ve got it,
thanks,” she starts. I ignore her and began gathering it anyway. It occurs to me that this is the first thing I’ve heard her say that was G-rated and I laugh a little to myself. “Are you laughing at me?”

I raise my gaze to meet hers and see the irritation spreading across her features. Crap.

“No! Not at all. It just occurred to me that that was the first time I’d heard you say something other than your name that wasn’t an expletive,” I explain still chuckling a bit. She blushes again and smirks as she reaches over to help pick up some bigger pieces of glass. Wow. She smells amazing; like cinnamon and vanilla and sexy. Just thinking about tasting her sun-kissed skin makes me hard and I’m about to have to stand up to face her.

“Well, I’m sure you elicit that kind of response in all the ladies, Mr. Mitchell,” she retort
s.

“Drake. Call me Drake
, Analise. I insist,” I laugh. I love a girl with a sense of humor.

“Then I must insist you call me Ana. Nobody calls me Analise. That
name is obnoxious!” She laughs nervously.

“I think it’s a grea
t name and very fitting,” I say, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Rising, I stand just in front of her. Her breathing hitches at my touch. “It’s a beautiful name for a beautiful girl, Analise.”

At the sounds of my cousins booming laughter we turn. I glance down at Analise again and the shock on her face is visible as she stares at the girl in front of us. Chase seems to notice our sudden interest in their conversation.

“Drake, Sophie is Ana’s roommate,” Chase says beaming at me. 

“Tell me, Sophie.
How do you like Rockport so far?” I ask.

“It’s nice, I love the …”
Analise cuts her off.

“Sop
h, you okay?” Analise’s voice is genuinely concerned for the girls’ well being as she gapes across the bar towards her.

“Um, yes, Ana, I’m fine,” she laughs nervously. “I’m just being friendly. Are
you
okay?”

“Yeah
… I’m sorry. You want another beer before you leave? I’m almost done with my shift if you wanna hang or something.”

“Oh, no I probably shouldn’t. I need to go ahead and get back to the house. Thanks for supper though. I’ll see you in a little while, Ana. Drake, Chase, nice
to have met you both.”

“Let me walk you to
your car Sophie,” Chase offers.

“Oh, no, thank
you but I’m sure I’ll be fine …”

“I insist,” Chase interrupts
. “This isn’t really what I’d call a bad area but it’s not the kind of place a pretty girl like you should be walking around in at night.”

“If that’s th
e case, Soph, then I insist too,” Ana agrees. “Let Chase walk you out. I’ll be home in about an hour or two.”

Sophie looks
up at Chase and for a brief second. I thought I saw a little nervousness in her eyes again but it quickly subsides.

“Okay, I’m parked right around b
ack. Goodnight, y’all,” she says. I watch the hint of a subtle unspoken exchange between Sophie and Analise, and wonder what it’s all about.

***

Sophie

T
he short walk to Jack’s truck is a little awkward, but that’s because of me, not Chase. He tries engaging in conversation but I can’t focus after he puts his hand on the small of my back to lead me outside. That was something Jack had always done and my first reaction is to pull away quickly. Hopefully I’ve managed to pull it off when I pretend to look at something, wiggling my way out of his touch. I’m sure Chase is a nice enough guy and to be honest, he could probably have his pick of most of the girls in this town. He’s more than good looking and as I catch a quick glimpse of his arms under his t-shirt I have to keep from gaping. The definition in his arms was nothing short of impressive, the intricate designs tattooed across his bronzed biceps peeking from beneath the cotton of his t-shirt instantly makes my mouth dry. It doesn’t escape my attention that this is the first time I’ve been attracted to another man since Jack, but none of that matters because I don’t want to give him the wrong idea about me. Nice as he may be, I wasn’t looking for that with him or anyone else for that matter. Jack Walker still had my heart and I truly believed he always would.

Chase and I walked the rest of the way to the truck in silence. It was dark and a bit windy, so I was glad I’d agreed to him walking me out. I’m all for women’s equality but when you’re parked in a creepy spot in a dark parking lot it’s nice to know chivalry isn’t dead. We stopped at Jack’s huge, lifted, grey Dodge and from the look in Chase’s eyes I could see he was surprised I wasn’t unlocking a Civic.

“Wow, this is your truck?” Chase asked me, clearly impressed.

“Well, yeah, I guess it is.” Questions like this were still tough for me. I knew Jack had given me his truck, but it still didn’t feel like it was mine. However, going through all of the complicated and painful truths of how I came to own this truck wasn’t really something I wanted to discuss with a near stranger, no matter how nice he was.

“Hmm…” He started. I could tell he wanted to ask me what I meant but thought better of it. Good. I wasn’t ready for that conversation. “Well, she’s a real beauty. 2009 Ram?”

“Um yeah I think. I don’t really know much about trucks, just how to keep her gassed up and that I love her.” I gave Chase a polite smile.

“Well, I can see why you would. She’s almost as pretty as her owner.” Chase glanced down at me, probably to see how the line would land.

“Uh, thanks.” I stood quietly before turning to get into the truck. Listen, I should go. Thank you for making sure I got out alright. That was nice of you.”

“Sure, no problem at all …” He started then paused to consider something. I hope it wasn’t what I thought he was thinking… Hell no. “Do you think I could call…“
No!
I was starting to panic. I had to stop this!

“It was really great to meet you, Chase. Maybe I’ll see you around sometime. Take care and thanks again,” I said jumping into the truck as quickly as I could. As I drove away I spared a quick but very subtle look back at Chase. Where I’d expected confused, I saw amused.

What the hell is he smirking about?