Hard To Leave (The Hard Series Book 3) Read online

  I grabbed my sunglasses off the visor and slipped them over my face, trying to block out images of his handsome face that kept floating around in my head. It was time to get home to the real love of my life, the only person in the world who mattered. My son.

  Chapter 4

  Jack

  I used to love coming to work each day and watch my father command the room and broker deals across this very desk.

  I’ve been groomed to take over this company before I could even walk.

  There was never a doubt in my mind about what I wanted to do after college. Working a nine-to-five job selling copy machines like most of my friends were doing straight from graduation was never an option. I watched many of them struggle over the years trying to find a way to utilize their degrees and make enough money to live and pay off their enormous amounts of student loans. The same ones whose parents took out a second mortgage to fund. I was one of the lucky ones, or so I thought.

  My father built this company from the ground up. He took some of the greatest risks to receive the greatest rewards. But sometimes even your biggest investments come with an expense.

  Most of what we believed about money was true. It gives us flexibility, and it allows us to enjoy many things. But it doesn’t provide happiness. Cash is a lousy compensation for misery.

  I threw my pen across the desk and tried to loosen the tight muscles in the back of my neck. I shouldn’t have been thinking about the little waitress with long silky hair and green eyes that were so warm they practically glowed. Our conversation yesterday morning threw me off my game.

  She had that something extra special going on, and she didn’t even realize it. I’ve done my fair share of casual dating with sleeping my way through a good amount of women. She was gorgeous, but nothing I haven’t seen before. Not to mention, I don’t fucking chase a woman. EVER. Sure, I’ve been turned down before, but I’ve never thought and stewed about a woman like this.

  Instead of calling my IT department about installing the new software program for our latest construction project, I found myself staring at the number she had programmed into my phone.

  I liked how she acted like I didn’t affect her even though I knew I did. Most women I met tried hard to get my attention, but not this one. She was the exact opposite.

  The more I thought about it, why should it matter to me if she had a kid or not? Chances were high that we would only see each other a couple times and I would start to lose interest. That’s the way it has always worked with me. No one held my attention for very long, especially in a town where I only visited on occasion. So, why was I stalling? Why was I wrestling with the idea of calling her?

  My phone vibrated on my desk. I glanced down and saw Liam’s name on the screen.

  “What’s up?” I greeted into the phone and propped my feet up on the desk, looking like a big shot businessman.

  “Hey man, I’m going to have to skip the gym tonight. But, Cassie wanted me to call you and tell you to get your ass over here after your work out. We owe you dinner.”

  Cassie was one of my best friends since college. I introduced her to Liam a couple years ago. They were now married and expecting twins. Cassie was always one of those people who knew what she wanted, and once she realized it was Liam, he didn’t stand a chance. They were opposites in every way, but where one zigged, the other zagged.

  I looked at the clock on my wall and sighed into the phone. “I’m kind of beat. I want to get this workout done while I still have the energy. Can I reschedule?’

  He laughed. “How well do you know your friend?”

  I groaned through the phone. “Do you think I could play the guilt card? You know with burying my father a few weeks ago.”

  “She feels horrible that she wasn’t able to make it the funeral.”

  I rolled my phone over to my other ear. “She’s not going to take no for an answer, is she?”

  “Nope,” he said, popping that P out at the end like the pussy whipped man he was. “She said if you know what’s good for you, you will get your ass over here.”

  I knew she was trying to make up for her absence at the funeral because she felt guilty. She was sick and unable to travel, which I understood completely.

  I plowed my hand through my hair. “All right, I don’t want to piss her off.”

  “No, you don’t. Trust me.” Liam laughed awkwardly, which I took as only half joking.

  “Be there in two hours.”

  “All right. Sounds good.”

  I hung up the phone and grabbed my duffel bag off the floor. I was actually kind of glad I had agreed to go. I was feeling hungry and having Cassie cook a home cooked meal solved that problem.

  After an intense workout, I took a quick shower at the gym and headed over to Liam and Cassie’s. It felt good to work my body into a sweat. Feeling my muscles burn and the rush of adrenaline pump through my blood was almost as good as sex. Well, almost.

  Cassie greeted me at the door while eating a white powdered donut. I would have laughed if Liam hadn’t warned me about how sensitive she’d been lately. Leaning in, I kissed her cheek. “Hey, beautiful.”

  “Please.” She rolled her eyes then licked the powder off her fingers. “I’m as big as a cow right now. Come in while I go wash my hands.” She stood sideways to allow enough room for me to pass by. I spotted Liam in the kitchen. He had his back toward me and was stirring something in a large stockpot on the stove.

  “What’s up?” He lifted his chin in greeting while Cassie washed her hands in the kitchen sink then brought me a beer.

  I walked into the living room and took a seat on the edge of the couch while Cassie slid into the recliner across from me. “How are you doing? I still feel guilty for not being there for you.”

  I took a sip of my beer and slumped against the soft cushions. “Stop with the guilt. You were sick. It happens.” I shifted my weight. “To answer your question, I’m hanging in there. It’s still weird when I think of him being gone.”

  Her blue eyes softened in understanding. “I’m sure. How’s your mom handling everything?”

  I dropped my gaze to the glass vase filled with red roses sitting on the table. The topic of my mother was one I wished to avoid.

  “Exactly how you would expect. I’m not sure how to help her, and she sure as hell doesn’t know how to help herself. My dad did literally everything.”

  Cassie eyed me over the top of her water glass. “Maybe it’s time she learned to take care of herself. You know, and actually grow up and start acting like a responsible adult.”

  Liam walked into the room and cut his eyes to his wife with a warning. “Cassie.”

  The anger in her tone was evident, but it had earned its way there. Over the years my mother has made more enemies than friends. And Cassie was like a mother bear, and you didn’t fuck with her cubs. After watching my mother make a mess out of her life and fuck mine up in the process, it was safe to say there was no love lost between the two of them.

  “It’s fine, Liam,” I said, draining the rest of my beer. I understood where she was coming from.

  Cassie leaned forward, ignoring the glare from her husband. “I’m sure she loved your dad in her own way, but your father enabled her dependency for years out of guilt. I sat back and watched her hurt the both you. It may be too late to make amends in her marriage, but it’s time for her to step up and be a mother. To start thinking of someone other than herself.”

  “Right.” I laughed because that would never happen.

  “So what’s next for you?” Liam asked, casually trying to switch the topic.

  I stretched my legs out, rubbing the palms of my hands along my knees. “I’ve got to get my mom sorted out then figure out what I’m going to do with the business.”

  “Right.” Liam eyed me cautiously from across the room. “You think you’re ready for that kind of responsibility?”

  “Guess there is only one way to find out.” I paused and debated if I should even bri
ng this topic up, but I was eager to get their opinion. “Speaking of responsibility...” I shifted in my seat, brushing a piece of imaginary lint off my shirt. “While I was away, I met someone. She’s different. I like her, but I’m not sure getting involved with her would be a good idea. She’s got a kid.”

  I peered up at my friends and waited for their reaction.

  “Okay.” Cassie paused for a moment. “I still don’t see what the problem is?”

  “Babe,” Liam looked at her as if she had lost her mind. He was on my side, I could tell. He understood my conflict. “She has a kid.”

  “So?” She shot her eyebrow up and folded her swollen fingers across her stomach. “What do you have against women with kids?”

  My fingers pinched the bridge of my nose as Liam tried to explain. “Jack is a ladies’ man, Mr. Mom he is not.”

  “Whoa!” I held my hands out, putting the brakes on that statement.

  “First of all, don’t get ahead of yourself. I haven’t even gone on a date with her yet. Second, I want to be clear, I’ve got nothing against kids; this is just way out of my comfort zone.”

  This conversation had me walking into the kitchen to fetch another beer out of the fridge. I slept for shit last night. I had way too much crap to do, and I was thinking about her way more than I should have been.

  They both eyed me from across the room, watching my every movement. I popped the cap off the bottle and slouched back down on the couch. “What do you think I should do?” I asked them both at once.

  Cassie spoke up first. “I think you should do whatever makes you happy.”

  I was not expecting that. “How can starting a relationship with someone who lives in a different state possibly make me happy?”

  I didn’t do relationships because I simply didn’t want them. But I did like sex. A lot. And I usually picked women who could go with the flow and not get attached. Chloe was different, and Cassie was making it sound so simple.

  “What’s she like? Does she seem like the type who could handle it?”

  I blew out a deep breath. “She seems great, but to be honest, it’s a little too early to say if either of us could handle it.”

  Chloe seemed like the type who needed stability in her life. That fact alone made things more difficult for me. I wasn’t sure if I could ever give her those things. But I really liked her, and there was no denying that I was attracted to her. There was a part of me that wanted to say fuck it, it wasn’t worth the trouble. My gut, however, told me I would regret it.

  “Wow!” Cassie said with her mouth practically hanging wide open.

  “Wow, what?”

  She cocked her head sideways and looked at me with a glimmer in her eyes. “You really like her, don’t you?”

  “Of course, I like her.” Who wouldn’t? The bigger question was, could I go into this with my eyes wide open and still keep things simple? I needed to be smart about this.

  “She must be hot,” I heard Liam say.

  Cassie reached over and smacked his shoulder. I laughed, “Yeah, she’s hot, all right.” Just thinking about her made my insides tighten.

  “If you want my honest opinion, I’ll give it to you.” Cassie’s eyes were soft, but I couldn’t help but roll mine and grin. She was going to give me her opinion whether I wanted it or not.

  “Hit me,” I said, smacking my hands on my knees.

  “It sounds like you really like her or you wouldn’t be thinking about her so much. I know this is unexpected and I agree the timing really sucks, but what do you have to lose?”

  I folded my hands behind my head and looked up at the ceiling.

  Liam placed a throw pillow on his lap and took a sip of his beer. “Call her, see what happens.”

  That was easy for him to say. Both of them were right though. I would just drive myself crazy if I didn’t at least follow through. There was something about her that pulled at me. I didn’t know what it was, but I was terrified to find out. My biggest fear was that I would really end up liking her. Then what? We lived in two separate states, two completely different lives. We were as opposite as night and day. What did I have to offer her? Sex? That’s all I knew and I sure as shit wasn’t planning on changing anytime soon. One fuck, I could do that. One taste, one night with her, then I could forget all about this shit I had rattling around in my head. Once I had her, I could move on and find another willing participant. Basically, I could put an end to this infatuation once and for all.

  Or maybe, just maybe, I could actually have more. For once in my life, I could have something that was mine.

  Chapter 5

  Chloe

  The burgers were sizzling on the grill when I heard my phone ring. I glanced down at the unknown caller.

  “Hello?” I snapped, expecting it to be another telemarketer. These obnoxious calls were getting out of hand, and it’s all I could do was block their number after each one.

  “Hey, Chloe, it’s Jack.”

  My hand tightened over the phone. This definitely wasn’t the call I was expecting. I’d expected another offer for diabetic supplies from Medicaid or a sales pitch for another home warranty protection on my appliances.

  “Jack?” I questioned, pretending like I didn’t know who it was. “Jack who?”

  He laughed. “Jack, your future husband.”

  A goofy grin spread across my face. “Oh, that Jack. How have you been? It’s been a while.”

  His deep chuckle vibrated all the way to my chest. “I’ve been thinking about you.”

  I looked over to where Tanner was chasing our two-year-old golden retriever Smuckers through our newly-fenced-in yard. “Have you? I wouldn’t know. I gave you my number over a week ago and not a peep.”

  I was playing around with him, but of course, he didn’t miss a beat.

  “I’m sorry.” He sighed, making me feel guilty for taunting him. I...”

  “Jack, it’s fine. You don’t owe me an explanation. I’m just surprised you called, that’s all. I wasn’t expecting it.”

  I also wasn’t expecting his charm to wear me down either, yet here I was.

  “Ouch! You really think little of me, don’t you?”

  “I don’t judge, I swear. This call just came out of the blue.”

  “I would have called sooner if I could. I’ve had a lot going on.” I closed my eyes, feeling like an idiot. Of course, he has.

  He just buried his father a few weeks ago, you nitwit.

  “No explanation needed,” I reassured him, thinking of my own father and how I would feel if something happened to him.

  Tanner’s laughter floated throughout the yard. I looked to my son who now had our poor dog cornered against the back, assaulting him with an arsenal of nerf gun darts. Smuckers didn’t seem to mind, as he tried to catch the foam projectiles that came near his mouth.

  I covered the receiver with the palm of my hand and spoke loud enough to get his attention. “Tanner! That’s enough. Leave him alone and wash up before dinner.”

  Tanner looked up at me through his shaggy brown hair covering his eyes and his laughter instantly faded. I placed my hand on my hip long enough to get his attention. The same brown eyes and mischievous smile stared back at me, reminding me of his father. The resemblance was so strong, sometimes it hurt to look at him.

  “His name is Tanner? Cool name,” Jack said, as I watched my boy drop to his knees and ruffle the fur on top of the dog’s head. He loved that furball and judging by the way Smuckers’ tail wagged, the feeling was mutual.

  “Yes, and I apologize if I ruptured an eardrum when I scolded him.”

  He chuckled. “I promise not to complain as long as you don’t make fun of the hearing aid I’ll need due to the nerve damage you just caused.”

  “Does that mean I’m going to see you again?”

  “If I didn’t know any better, I would say that you missed me.”

  “And I would say your confidence is as strong as I remembered,” I teased, feeling a smile com
e to my lips.

  “Why don’t you go out with me when I’m in town next week, so I can refresh your memory about my confidence.”

  I took a sip of my water and looked down at my feet. Would it really be so bad if I went out with him?

  It’s been a long time since I’ve been on a date. I’ve gone out with friends and hung out with guys plenty of times, but an actual date? No. I convinced myself a long time ago that I was better off on my own. One big, major heartbreak was enough to last me a lifetime.

  “You’re taking an awfully long time to give me an answer. In my business world, that’s not a good sign.” The hum in my veins had me feeling excited, but I still felt apprehensive.

  “I just need to look at the calendar and make sure I can get a sitter,” I lied, thankful that he wasn’t here to see the truth in my eyes. Finding someone to watch Tanner wouldn’t be a problem; it was having the courage to actually go through with it.

  “I understand. I’ve got a meeting next Friday morning in Manhattan that I’m hoping to have wrapped up by noon. With any luck, I’ll catch a late afternoon flight out of JFK and be at the beach before sunset.”

  “What exactly is it that you do?” For the first time, I wished I had paid better attention to the chitchat of my coworkers and customers around the diner. I might be better informed.

  “I work in real estate development. We buy existing commercial properties like malls, hotels, and office buildings. We also do some residential business, that focuses on apartment buildings, condos, etc.”

  “Do you enjoy it?” I asked fumbling with the hem of my T-shirt. It sounded like a big job for a man his age.