The Love Handles Club (Love in the City Short) (5 page)

My feet moved to him as if they had no choice. A feeling of deja vu flashed through my mind. We had similar meetings in the halls of Highland Park High, Bradley wa
iting for me outside my classes after the bell rang. Everything in me wanted to pretend that we were back there one more time, innocent to all life’s pains and struggles. But when Bradley glanced at my belly, I was quickly reminded that I was a thirty-three-year-old pregnant woman who’d left her husband. Nowhere close to the young girl of my youth.

“I think I’ll head back to the
table. Let you two talk,” Tina stated. Turning my head toward her I gave a quick smile of thanks, but she was gone before I could speak a reply.

“So,” I said with a shy glance to the side. My eyes returned to the floor between us.

‘So,” Bradley echoed. We were back to the same silly awkwardness we had when Dave left us alone earlier.

My head was still tilted down. I wasn’t brave enough to face him eye to eye yet. I needed to muster up some courage quickly. There was no escaping him now. We were standing so close to one another. I could even hear him breathing.

I saw Bradley’s hands reaching for mine right before they touched me. He curled his fingers around mine and gently shook them. He wanted my attention, so I looked up to find his eyes. Those beautiful blue eyes. A calm sea of blue for me.

And mine then filled with tears. A sea of a different kind. Tumultuous
. I felt the tears falling down my cheeks. What was wrong with me tonight? I couldn’t hold my feelings in no matter how hard I tried. I was an emotional wreck. But Bradley didn’t seem to care. He brought his thumbs to my cheeks and gently wiped away the trail of my tears.

“Kelly, I’m so sorry. F
or everything.” His voice cracked and I tried to see him clearly through the clouds in my eyes. But it looked like his eyes were swimming like mine.

I was too upset to utter a single word and he must have known, because he drew me to him. A large solid wall that cushioned me like a pillow as I sank against him. My tears now turned to sobs. I shook with the weight of my feelings. His hand rubbed my back in slow comforting circles as he quietly spoke soothing words. Telling me that everything would be all right. I melted further into him as he whispered to me.

After a few minutes in his arms, every tense muscle I had gave way and a deep sigh escaped my lips. I circled my arms around his waist relishing in him. He felt so damn good. It felt so good to have someone strong to lean on. Strong. In control.

His words, his arms, his comfort... They were the solace I needed and craved.

As I relaxed, the tears stopped flowing and I felt my body start to still. After a few deep breaths, I peered up into his eyes to find him looking warmly at me.

My arms wrapped around Kelly’s tiny body. She seemed so fragile. I was afraid to hold her too tightly as she was the first pregnant woman I’d ever held this close. I’d often dreamt of having her in my arms again, though this may not have been the exact scenario. But being here to calm her trembling body as she sobbed into my chest, well
, there was no other place I wanted to be. My place was right here with her.

As sh
e cried, I wondered what had led her here. What made her leave Joe while being pregnant? Honestly, I was as mad as hell that she was hurting and alone. She didn’t seem like the kind of woman who would separate from the father of her child without a good reason. I wondered what the bastard had done to her. My mind raced with possibilities.

I reined in my angry thoughts to focus on what she needed right now. I wanted to do something, anything
, to make her pain go away. I wouldn’t let her down this time. I just prayed she’d give me a chance to help even if only as a friend. I couldn’t expect anything more.

Finally, she stirred and her face turned up to mine. I smiled down at her, trying to assure her that she was welcome in my arms. I loved havin
g her so close, but she was wreaking havoc on me physically. I tried to ignore the softness of her breasts pressed against my chest. The sweet scent of her perfume. Her hands wrapped around my waist. God, she was killing me and I couldn’t push all the lustful thoughts out of my mind. It had been well over a year since I’d had a woman in my arms. And she wasn’t just any woman. She was the one I’d missed and hated myself for losing.

I wanted to kiss her tear-
stained cheeks. Feel her soft lips against mine. I felt myself getting hard as my thoughts continued down a dangerous path. Damn, I shouldn’t have been thinking like that. Kelly needed a friend not a man wanting in her pants. Somehow, I had to stop my body’s reaction to her. She was pregnant and hurting, surely, I had enough character somewhere deep inside to stop myself from lusting after her. Though my yearlong celibacy wasn’t helping one bit either.

Thankfully, she p
ulled slightly away from me, her body no longer making direct contact with mine. But then I realized her hands were gripping my waist tightly. Too damn close to where my body wanted her. Still, I could breathe a little, calm my shit down hopefully.

“I’m so sorry, Bradley. I don’t know what’s wrong w
ith me. I’m not usually a crier,” Kelly finally spoke. I was relieved she’d calmed down enough to talk. I felt her hands move from my waist then watched her fingers rub beneath her eyes.

“No apologies needed. I’
m glad I can be here for you.” I wanted to add, “like I should’ve been years ago,” but let it drop. That talk would come later hopefully.

“I’m sure I look an absolute
mess.” She bowed her head like she was trying to hide from me. “Great impression right?”

“Like I said, no apologies, no worries.” I lifte
d her chin up with my fingers making eye contact. She needed to see that I was serious about what I said. “And you’ve never looked more beautiful to me.”

“Oh
, Bradley, you can’t say things like that and expect me not to start crying again.” Her eyes started filling with tears again. “It’s been years since I’ve heard someone call me beautiful.”

Years? You had
to be kidding me... That jerk of a husband. He had no idea what he had in her. I felt the anger resurfacing that I had shoved aside. Joe was a bastard. No other word for him. This woman needed to hear that she was a beauty every single day.

“I don’t know what you’ve been through, but it sounds like you’ve experienced a little bit of hell.”

“You have no idea. But it’s over now. Thank God.” She glanced at her stomach. “Well, it’s not all over really. I can deal with what’s ahead now, though.”

A couple of women walked by us as they headed to the restrooms. Their faces showed concern, probably wondering what was going on between Kelly and me. I smiled and tipped my head their way to give them a little reassurance that everything was okay.

“You’re a brave woman to be facing...” I glanced to her stomach, “everything on your own. I have an idea. Did you drive here?”

“I did,” she
replied. “I borrowed my parents’ car. Just like I was sixteen again.” She laughed almost seeming embarrassed.

“Dave brought me tonight. I was planning on having a few drinks, but I was thinking maybe we could go back to my house. I have some steaks I could throw on the grill. How does that sound?”

“I don’t know.” Kelly hesitated and pulled her pouty lower lip between her teeth. Damn if it didn’t turn me on.

“We could si
t out on my deck. Enjoy the nice spring evening and catch up.” I was pulling out all the stops and holding my breath that she’d say yes. I’d get down on my knees and beg if I had to.

“Well, I do feel a little spent and maybe not up for a big group after all. A
ll these crazy emotions of mine…” She focused intensely on my eyes before continuing. “I do feel better talking with you, though. You always got me, Bradley. I never had to explain myself to you. And God knows I could really use a friend like that now.”

“Same back to you
, beautiful.” Without thinking, I let my fingers push a stray strand of her hair away from her cheeks. Those soft, tear-stained cheeks. It took all I had not to pull her to me again. However, I think her use of the word “friend” made me realize that we had to cross that bridge first... becoming friends again after so many years apart, but I had a feeling we were well on our way.

“Thanks, Bradley.”
 She smiled sweetly at me. I swore my heart skipped a beat. She was killing me and I loved it.

“Why don’t we stop back by the table, speak to the gang, and then...” Kelly interrupted me before I finished my sentence.

“Head out like a baby?” She said then started to laugh, the “I can’t stop” kind. And I joined in too.

“Damn,” w
as all I could get out as we laughed together. I think it was just what she needed too.

I followed h
er to the table as she walked my hand pressed against the small of her back. My fingers lightly rubbed her and she didn’t seem to mind. She glanced to the side and gave me a big smile. It was a smile to let me know that she was doing all right now. I hoped that my encouragement gave her a little strength.

Matthew was the first one to see us as we moved closer. His face perked up and a sense of relief was evident on it.
“Hey, guys,” he said as we stood by the table. Kelly didn’t take a seat so I was following her lead and remained on my feet.

“Hey,” Kelly said back. “Sorry about all the drama. It wasn’t my finest moment. I thought I was better prepared for...”

“No need to explain, Kelly,” Matthew interjected. “Tina gave us a quick rundown. And I can speak for each one of the guys here and say we’re going to do everything possible to help you.

“Wow, you don’t know how much I appreciate it. I can’t even begin to tell you. For the first time in months, I don’t feel alone in all of this.”

Kelly’s voice faded away at the end and I worried she was going to cry again. But she turned her head my way and smiled after she spoke. She was okay. I think she just needed her old friends around her showing her they cared and supported her. No woman should go through this alone and now she knew that she wouldn’t be facing it by herself. We were there for her.

“Would you all be upset if we bugged out?” I looked at all the faces around the table and watched big smiles appear. Yeah, they were probably thinking what I was hoping... Kelly and I back together once again. Just like old times.

“Of course not,” Tina replied. “We can all catch up later this weekend. Remember, I’m having you all over to my house. Pool opening.”

“Oh, I forgot about that.” I winced knowing the divorce finalizing had occupied my mind more than it should have. “I plan on being there.”

“Kelly, I hope you can come too,” Tina said. “I was going to ask you tonight. Saturday night around seven. Hamburgers on the grill by the pool. It’ll still be too cold to swim.”

“Thanks, Tina, I’d love to come. But I don’t think I’ll let myself be seen in a swimsuit anytime soon,” Kelly responded.

“I’m glad you can come and don’t even think that about the bathing suit,” Tina continued. “You look terrific. Right guys?”

Tina looked straight at me and winked. She knew exactly what she was up to. All the guys chimed in and agreed with her. All the compliments must have been good for Kelly as she beamed. I had a feeling her self-esteem was shot and I think this group of friends was just what she needed to rebuild it.

“Aw, thanks,” Kelly said sheepishly. “You sure know how to make a girl feel good.”

“It’s true, Kelly,
” Tina chimed in. “I was a swollen mess at the end of my first trimester. You’re only showing in your tummy.”

“For now
, maybe, but I have a feeling things are going to change.”

I felt it was time to t
ake our leave, so I spoke up. “Kelly, you ready?” I asked. “I’ve got some steaks with our names on them back at the house.”

“Wow, look at you Bradley,” Dave nearly shouted. I gave him a not too gentle or subtle punch on the arm to get him to shut up. After watching him flinch, I was pretty sure he got the message.

“Sorry, just kidding,” he tried covering his tracks. Whatever. He teases all the time, but this was a little too much for me and likely Kelly too.

“I’
m rescuing her from all of you guys for the night.” I had to laugh. Kelly laughed too. Thank God.

“I think we have a lot to talk about too.” Kelly’s eyes looked into mine as if she wanted to say more a
nd I hoped she’d have a chance to later.

Finally
, Tina came to our rescue and spoke up, “ You all enjoy yourselves. How about we do lunch tomorrow, Kelly?”

“Sure,” Kelly replied. “I’d love to.”

“Let’s meet at Cafe Pacific in Highland Park Village about noon.”

“Sounds great. I love that place and haven’t been there in years.”

Kelly stopped and scanned the table, stopping at each one of the guys sitting there. I think we could all tell that she had something more to say.

“Thanks for all your support tonight. I was super nervous about everyone's reaction to seeing me, especially being in this condition.” She looked down at her stomach but kept her smile intact.