Page 4 of Trust Me (Rivers Edge #1)

Maddox

“You wanna hit Jack’s Pub tonight?” Jake asks as we walk toward his older pickup truck. I throw the leftovers up on the dash as we head out of the driveway back toward town.

“Better take a rain check. You know we have that early staff meeting before our shift starts.”

“You’re just avoiding the place because you don’t want to run into Vanessa again,” Jake smarts off with a cocky smirk on his face.

Vanessa, AKA “the clinger,” was a girl I dated a handful of times.

We had a great time, a few dates that turned into a few nights back in her bed, but I realized real quick she was the clingy, husband-hunting type.

If there’s one thing I don’t do, it’s long term.

No commitments. I’m not husband material.

Even after breaking it off, she has continued to call and text me.

She has dropped by the precinct on several occasions, going so far as to stop at my house at all hours of the night.

Now, she’s started frequenting my favorite hangout, which is precisely why I have been avoiding Jack’s on the weekends for the past several weeks.

I don’t bring girls to my house, as a rule.

They start getting ideas about staying the night.

After we’ve had our fun, I just want to head out and go back to my own place.

I don’t want to snuggle or spoon or any of that other mushy shit girls want to do.

I want to fuck. Show a girl a great time for a little while and then leave.

I learned in high school there are plenty of girls out there looking for a little fun.

Hell, Jake and I are sort of pros at it.

We head to our favorite pub, have a few drinks, buy a couple of drinks for the like-minded ladies, and then pair off with our choices back at their place.

But I always wake up in my own bed the next morning, and I’m always alone.

That’s the way I like it.

I realize Jake is watching me, waiting on me to confirm what he already knows. “You’re right. I want to avoid all that Vanessa shit tonight. I think I’m gonna go for a run and just relax. Maybe have a few more beers.”

“You could always hit the Pub and find another date for the evening. Have you seen Kim since she got back to town? Rumor has it she ditched her husband and is looking for fun. Lots of fun,” he says with a sly grin.

Divorcees are favorites of ours. Most of the time, they’re only interested in some no-strings sex, and they’re usually still man-hating so I don’t have to worry about any husband hunting.

The one type I avoid at all costs is clingy.

Divorcees are fun and maybe that’s what I need tonight.

Maybe I should head up to the Pub with Jake and take Kim home for the night.

But as quickly as that thought enters my mind, so does an image of crystal-blue eyes and long blond hair. I can’t think about sex without thinking of Avery. For some reason, the thought of going to Jack’s and picking up Kim, or any other chick, isn’t settling right with me.

What the hell is wrong with me?

Jake pulls up in front of my house, and I climb out. I throw my oldest friend a little wave and head into my quiet home. Quickly, I change my clothes and throw on my favorite worn running shoes. After grabbing my earbuds from the kitchen counter, I’m out the door.

After a few quick stretches in the quiet of my front yard, I contemplate which route I’m taking tonight.

As I head toward the park, my mind is filled with those endless blue eyes and a gorgeous smile.

Blond hair that begs for me to dive my hands into as I hold her head still and devour her mouth.

I wonder if she makes little noises when she’s being kissed like she does when she’s concentrating on something.

Those little noises from the back of her throat turn me on like nothing I’ve ever heard.

I crank up the AC/DC as I turn into the park and head toward the walking path.

The mid-October air is pretty cool and stings my cheeks.

My mind is racing and even some classic 80’s rock isn’t cutting it tonight.

I don’t know what it is about Avery, but she scrambles my damn brain cells.

One minute I’m thinking about joining someone in bed and the next I’m wishing that someone was Avery.

If Jake could read my mind, I’m pretty sure I’d be dead by now.

There are a million reasons why I shouldn’t be thinking about her at all.

One, there’s Jake. He’s my best friend, and I’d be breaking the unwritten guy code if I so much as thought about her naked.

And now I’m thinking about her naked. With her long, lean legs and curves in all the right places, I bet she’s fucking hot naked.

Then there’s the ten-year age gap. That doesn’t help.

And that brings me to my next hang-up; she has a kid.

A kid! I don’t know anything about kids, nor do I really want to.

But I have to admit, that kid is pretty cool.

I don’t mind being around her. Jake watches Brooklyn for Avery every once in a while on our days off, and I have discovered I actually don’t mind hanging out with him while she’s there.

Now, other kids? Hell no. Just the sound of a screaming, crying kid in the grocery store is enough for me to abandon my cart and run straight back out the front door.

As I make my way to the end of the park, near the edge of town, I decide to hit some side streets. I don’t know anyone who lives in this area of town, so I know I don’t have to worry about being stopped and having to make small talk. I’m definitely not in the mood to chitchat with anyone.

When I reach the end of the street, I stop in front of a big house that always seems to catch my eye.

I find myself driving by it on patrol or running by it more and more frequently.

I have no idea what I find so appealing about this place.

It’s not too big, but it’s definitely made for a family.

A family I never intend to have. The backyard is big and fenced in and I can almost see my friends gathering in the yard with food and beer.

It has a big front porch too, which I love, but my favorite part is the big garage.

I’ve been told there is an attached shop area on the back of it.

I wouldn’t need a whole shop for working on stuff, but I could definitely use a space for tinkering.

Plus, the thought of a man cave with a big television, comfy chairs, fridge, and maybe a pool table is appealing as hell.

I start to jog again, heading back toward home.

I take a moment to actually entertain the thought of living in a house like that one, maybe a wife and kids waiting there for me when I get home from work.

Someone like Avery, who is funny and sweet and sexy as hell.

A kid like Brooklyn and maybe a brother or two.

The thought of a future with Avery doesn’t completely turn my stomach, which actually might scare me most of all.