Finding Home (Breaking Free Series Book 1) Read online

  “This place is nice. I can’t wait to try the food. My friend Lexi told me about it last week. In fact, I think she may have seen you here. She said I would be surprised.” Kat says as she is checking out the deli.

  “Why didn’t you come sooner?”

  “Work. I just started at my new position. I don’t live close by. This is the first day I’ve had time to leave the office.”

  “Do you have to get back?” I’m thinking she is probably late.

  “Nope. I was a good girl this week, so my boss let me leave for the day.”

  “Remind me to thank her.”

  Just then, Bentley brings our food. He grabs a close by chair and turns it backwards, before sitting down. “So, are we going to see more of this beauty around here? She sure does light up the place.” He says this more looking at Kat than me.

  Out of all of us, Bentley is the biggest player. With his floppy blonde hair, and blue eyes, girls seem to dig his surfer bad boy look. “Fuck off, dude. She’s off limits.” The fucker smiles at me. In reality, I know he wouldn’t really try anything with Kat.

  “Humph, I’ll take that as a yes.” He says with a wink as he stands to leave.

  She giggles at Bentley, and I could kill the motherfucker. To give him some credit, his charming way is great for business though. “He seems nice.” Fuck no.

  “So, what do you do?” I ask Kat. She said she was starting a new position, and I’m thinking something like sexy librarian. She looked the part today in her skirt and dress shirt.

  “I just got upgraded to district trainer.”

  “Trainer for what?”

  “I used to work in a pharmacy as a tech. Now I am training staff, teaching classes, and such.” Okay, she’s a sexy teacher. Much better than librarian.

  “You like it so far?”

  “So far it’s fun. Right now, I’m doing a lot of driving. On Fridays, I am only a few blocks down the road at the office.”

  She said she didn’t live close by, so I figure this is my opportunity to find out where home is. “Where do you live, if not here?”

  “Cape Coral, my job was based out of there.” Doable, not crazy far.

  To think, this whole time she’s been just down the road. Now that we bumped into each other again, I make up my mind. “What are you doing tomorrow night?”

  “Nothing important, I was just going to the beach and spa, spending today and tomorrow with my friend, Aly. Then maybe having a girly night at home by myself.” I was pretty sure Aly was the one who warned me at the club that night. The one Bentley was checking out.

  “It’s settled then. My boys and I were going out to shoot some pool. You are coming. Bring Aly too, or any of your other friends.”

  “Are you asking me on a date?” she says blushing.

  Maybe I should have asked instead of telling her. From under the table, I grip her hand in mine, “Kat, will you go on a date with me tomorrow night?” This causes her to blush even more. She just nods her head yes. I’m not sure what it is about this woman, but I’m not ready for this to be over yet. Maybe not for a long while.

  Once we finish our food, she looks at the clock. “Oh my god, is that clock right? I’m supposed to meet Aly in twenty minutes. I’ve gotta go. Thanks for the food and stuff.”

  Before she runs out the door, I grab her wrist, “Kat, I’ll walk you out.”

  I walk her to her car and open the door. She climbs in starting the engine, rolling down the window. Once I close the door, I lean on the opened window. “Tomorrow night, baby. I’ll pick you up after I get out of work. Bring a jacket because we are taking my bike.”

  “Ok, I’ll see you then.” Once I kiss her goodbye, I head to my bike, and head home.

  Katerina

  Tomorrow is my first official date with Caleb. We are going to the pool hall. I haven’t played pool in years. What I conveniently left out is that my father taught me how to play in our old house in New Jersey. He is a mathematical genius and could sink a ball every time. Every night after dinner, we would hang out in our basement and have our daddy/daughter bonding time.

  Pulling into the spa parking lot, I see Aly waiting by the front door. “What the heck, girl? You’re late.”

  I’m slightly panting from running from my car. “Sorry, I’ll tell you all about it inside.” As soon as we check in at the desk, we are handed a drink with an umbrella. This place is amazing.

  “Cheers, girl. Let’s go get more beautiful.” I say clinking glasses with Aly.

  As we wait to be called for our first treatment, I tell her everything that happened. Running into Caleb at the deli, him being the owner of said deli, and the nooner at the beach. She is now staring at me open mouthed. “Wow, I guess I’ll excuse you for being late.” She high fives me for my accomplishments.

  “Thanks! Oh, by the way, tomorrow we are going out with Caleb and some of his friends to play pool. And by we, I mean you are coming along.”

  “Sounds fun! We haven’t played in a while. I’ll meet you there.” That was easier than I thought. Usually she goes out with Mike on Saturday nights.

  With that, we are called for our appointments. First stop is waxing. I only recently started this. Lexi told me it was a must before we went to Club Elements, and it was part of my list: get a head to toe makeover. Let me just say this ladies, have a few shots before you go, because that shit hurts like a mother. Next, we get our nails done. I decide on a French manicure and pedicure with sparkly tips.

  Once we settle into the massage chair for our pedicure, we have time to chat. I am ready to find out what is going on with Aly and Mike. Something has been up with them for a while now. “What’s been going on with you and the tool?”

  She knows I call him this. She sighs loudly, “I was just getting relaxed. You really want to talk about it now?”

  Mike and I don’t see eye to eye on a lot of things. Mostly, I have issues with the way he treats Aly. Now that I am douche free, the way Mike is with Aly becomes more apparent. And what I see doesn’t make me happy. At all. “Yes, I really do. What’s going on with you two? You said things were falling apart, but you seemed fine when we were at Elements.”

  “I’m moving out. I hate where we are living, and Mike is making no effort to build the house we talked about. I’m tired of it. I want my own place.” Mike owns a mobile home, and Aly is not a mobile home type of girl. While some are nice, his lacks curb appeal.

  “So you’re breaking up with him finally! How did he take it?”

  She laughs. “No. Don’t get excited. The conversation went better than I thought. He was mad. Hell, he was really mad, but we came to an understanding. We’re going to work on things, and I think not living together will help us work out those issues.”

  “How is that going to work?” In my experience if you move out, that means you are splitting up, not staying together.

  “Not sure yet. All I know is as soon as I find a place, I’m getting out of that house. You know I always hated living in that thing. Want to come with me next week to start looking?”

  “I’m there. Maybe I’ll find a place close by. My lease is up in a few months. I’m thinking of moving to this area.” If it wasn’t for Logan, I would have no friends close by my home. While I’ll miss him, being closer to my girls will make me happier.

  “Does this have anything to do with a certain man that has your panties all hot and bothered?”

  The salon tech, Gina, is laughing at us. “Oh, they are more than hot and bothered. They’re on fire. The man is a Sex God. But no, it’s not about him. It’ll be easier for work, since I’ll be mostly around this area”

  I think Gina’s eyes bugged out of her head. I’m guessing she is probably in early fifties. She looks up, “All done here. Feel free to sit and talk all you want. I want to hear more about this Sex God.”

  I laugh. “Sorry. We are due to get our hair done. And there isn’t much to tell, yet.

  Gina smiles, “Well, please come back when you have mo
re to tell. Hearing everyone’s stories keeps me feeling young.”

  Aly answers. “Will do. Later, Gina.”

  We leave the salon five hours later with new hairstyles, highlights, and feeling fantastic. My hair is now chocolate brown with cinnamon highlights. Aly went with her natural blonde and platinum highlights. “I love it chica. You look hot. I’m showing you off tomorrow. Caleb’s friends are going to be all over you.”

  “Whatever. I just want to watch you beat their asses at pool. See you tomorrow, lady.” We say our goodbyes and I make my way home for a good night sleep.

  It’s date night! I spend the morning and afternoon on the beach catching up on my reading. I make sure to give myself plenty of time to prepare. After a shower, I get ready for Caleb to pick me up. I stare at my closet, for what seems like an hour, to find something pool hall worthy. Finally decide on skinny jeans, and my favorite off the shoulder white shirt. It is sheer, but has a built in tank top underneath that pushes up the girls, showing off my cleavage. Appropriately slutty. My accessories: big silver hoop earrings, my silver charm bracelet, and some white boots. I check myself once more in the mirror. I go with light make-up, keeping it in bronze tones since I got some nice color today, dark mascara, and pink gloss. I’m ready to go.

  Caleb is picking me up tonight on his motorcycle. That is one of two things I have not experienced before that are on my list. The first is having a guy pick me up for a date. I’ve always been the designated driver. Second, while I’ve been on a motorcycle before, this is my first ride on his motorcycle. I’m a little anxious about it too. I’ve been on a bike twice. A friend of Travis’ took me for a ride around the parking lot once. It was fun, but it was a parking lot, hardly a ride. The first time was something entirely different.

  I was fourteen years old. Aly was my neighbor. My brother had a moped that I desperately wanted to ride, not quite a motorcycle. My pops told me if Aly and I could get it running we could ride it. It took an hour of us squeezing the brake, kicking the peddle, giving throttle. It finally started, and I got my first experience on my moped. Seconds later, I proceeded to wipe out on dirt and burned my leg on the tail pipe. Real smooth. After she saw I was ok, Aly laughed so hard she almost peed herself. I never rode that moped again. So, yes, I am a little nervous.

  At seven twenty I hear the rumble of his bike. My stomach begins to do somersaults. Why am I so nervous? It’s my first real date. The bell rings and I open the door. Caleb’s wearing dark washed jeans that hug his thighs and ass. Good God, that ass. His black button up shirt is rolled up at the sleeves showing off part of his tattoo. “Hi,” is all I can manage to say at the moment.

  “Hello to you too. You look really good tonight,” Caleb says as he looks me up and down. I bite my lip nervously at the site of him checking me out.

  In one swift motion, I am in his arms, his hands are on my ass, and his lips on mine. He breaks the kiss too soon, and I moan my protest. “We better go now before we never leave. Tonight, I want to show you off.” He grabs my jacket, holding it open for me to put it on. Entwining his fingers in mine, we walk to his bike.

  “Safety first.” Caleb gives me a helmet and adjusts it to fit me. He climbs on first then offers his hand to help me get on behind him. “Slide up close to me. Wrap your arms around my waist and don’t let go. If I go too fast or you get nervous, give me two quick squeezes. I promise to keep you safe.”

  I wrap my arms around him as he starts the engine. The first roar of the bike sends a shiver down my spine. “Ready, baby?” I nod and we take off. It’s a forty-five-minute ride to the pool hall. The whole ride feels like foreplay. The vibration of the motorcycle mixed with the closeness of our bodies; I’m hooked. It makes a difference when you ride with someone who you trust. Check, enjoy a ride on a motorcycle. At the first traffic light Caleb asks, “How ya doing, baby girl?”

  “Fantastic.” I place my hands under his shirt, running my fingers over his perfect abs. I feel him take a deep breath. He presses his hands over mine letting me know to hold on as the light turns green.

  We pull up to The Corner Pocket and I’m actually disappointed the trip wasn’t longer. Caleb helps me off the bike, and my legs feel like they are still vibrating. “You’ll get used to it after a few rides.” Putting his arm around my waist, he kisses my forehead leading me inside.

  I see Aly sitting by the bar, and we make our way over to her. “Hey, Aly. Been here long? You remember Caleb”

  “Yes, I remember him. And no Kats, I just got here. I was just ordering a drink.”

  Caleb chimes in, “What are you drinking tonight, ladies?”

  In unison we answer, “Corona with lime.” Something my father also introduced us to. When we would play pool he’d let us share one.

  He orders our drinks bringing them to the pool table his friends are at. “I ordered a few bar pies and nachos for all of us.”

  Bentley bumps Caleb’s shoulder in some side man hug. Then he gives me a hug and kiss on the cheek. “Kat, who is this fine lady with you?”

  I give Aly an I told you so look before I introduce her. “This is my bff Aly. Aly, this is Bentley.”

  He grabs her hand, giving it a kiss. “Very nice to meet you, Aly. Wait. Aly, Kat. Huh, you guys ever realize that?”

  We laugh as Aly says, “We’ve been called that since we were inseparable at the age of four. Kat’s brother started calling us that when we tried to bring home some stray cats they used to give away at the grocery store.”

  Laughing at the memory. “Oh my god, I forgot about that. People from the farm behind our house in New Jersey tried to get rid of those kittens every weekend.”

  Caleb looks at me, “You guys grew up in New Jersey?” Pronouncing it Joisey, like everyone does.

  I add my usual response, “Yep and we drank caufee at the maull. And before you even ask, no it is nothing like what you see on that TV series!” They laugh at both my accent and comment.

  “When did you move here?” Bent asks Aly.

  “In high school, I moved down with my family. Kat followed and lived with my family for a year to start college. Her parents built on their property a year later, so she moved back by them.”

  “Do you still live with your family?” I cannot wait to hear her response.

  “No, I live with my boyfriend.” I see the disappointment in Bentley’s face when she says that. Aly continues, “Next week I’m going to start looking for a new place, though, with Kat.”

  Caleb looks towards me. “You moving, baby?”

  “Yeah. I want to be closer to downtown for work. Know any nice cheap places?”

  “I might know a few. My friend owns some apartment complexes.”

  “Awesome.”

  “I’ll talk to him tomorrow. In the meantime, why don’t you go pick out some music. Then we can get some games started.” He hands me twenty bucks and smacks my ass.

  I motion for Aly to follow. “Come help me.”

  She follows and I hint, “So, Bentley is pretty hot and he seems interested.” I know I should let it be, but how could I? The two of them would be adorable together. Both blondes with blue eyes.

  “Yes, he is gorgeous. But I’m not going there, Kats. I can look, anyone with eyes would. Maybe even flirt, but no touching. I’m not that girl.”

  “Just sayin.’ Maybe you should keep options open if your new living situation doesn’t work out.”

  “Let’s just pick some music. I’m thinking alt rock, like your pops played, perfect pool music.” We pick all the songs we want, some Seether, Staind, Kid Rock, and hit play next.

  We pick up a round at the bar before make our way back over to the table. Caleb comes to grab the beers from us. A few more guys have showed up. I already knew Josh and Hunter from the sandwich shop. The last guy I didn’t recognize. Caleb introduced him as Jeremy.

  Jeremy shakes my hand before saying to Caleb, “You said she was good looking, but you didn’t say she was a knockout.”

  Caleb pulls
my hand back in his, “And taken, brother.”

  From the corner of my eye, I see someone walk up to Hunter’s side, so I ask, “Who’s this lovely lady?”

  I can see the frown on Caleb’s face as he introduces her. “This is Gabby, Hunter’s girlfriend.” From the look on his face, he’s not a fan. I noticed she has what appears to be a large engagement ring on her finger. Yet, Caleb said girlfriend, not fiancée.

  “Gabriella and you are?” She asks pointedly, no wave, no hand shake, just tilts her head, and turns her nose up to me.

  I get the impression she isn’t happy there are other females here, but I will play nice. “Kat, and that’s Aly over there.” Gabby just huffs at her and walks the other way. She sits down on a stool by Hunter, and starts texting furiously on her phone. Very charming.

  Caleb shrugs his shoulder, softly saying, “That about sums her up. We don’t usually see too much of her.”

  Not my business, I turn my attention back to the guys. “How do you guys know each other? I mean before you started working with each other.” And why are all his friends hot? I say to myself yet again.

  “We go way back. We met when we formed a band together in high school. Worked construction together during school, and after we graduated. Jeremy stuck with construction, flipping houses, while Bentley and I started our own business. Hunter started working with us when business started taking off, same with Josh.”

  Wait, rewind and repeat. “You’re in a band? Really?”

  “Yep.” They say in unison.

  “What do you play? Or sing? Please say Alternative. Ya’ll look like alt rockers.” I might have been a little too excited because Caleb laughs.

  “We don’t play as much anymore. I play bass and sing occasionally. Bent’s the singer and plays guitar. Hunter is our drummer, and Jeremy is lead guitar. Josh usually just helps us lug our equipment, our unofficial manager.”

  I look into Caleb’s eyes. “You play bass? Your status just went up about ten bars. That’s such a turn on.” I bite my lip because once again, I didn’t mean to say that all out loud. I love the bass guitar. Check, hook up with hot bass player. That may be from the high school list, but it can be added to the current one.