A Wifey for the Bad Boy(48)

THE END





Rebound with My Dad’s Best Friend





Rebound with My Dad’s Best Friend



Chapter 1

When I pulled up in the cul de sac and lugged my bags up the front steps, I expected Tawney to answer the door. But it wasn’t. In front of me stood Evan Travers. He was shirtless and wore loose fitting shorts. His chest was tan and sweaty and his light brown eyes shined.

“Well, well, if it isn’t little Zoe Moore.”

I tried to smile, but failed. “Hi Evan, long time no see. Is my dad around?”

“No darlin’, he’s out of town. I’m watching the mutts for him.”

I nodded, and he moved to let me through the doorway, grabbing my bags in the process.

“Are you home for good?”

“Yep,” I replied, not in the least bit interested in explaining why I was running home to my daddy when I had been living with my long-time boyfriend. We’d been dating since we were fifteen, and I had just moved in with him six months ago. Now I was home and not happy about it at all.

He followed behind me and settled my bags against the wall. Before I was able to sneak away, his arms wrapped around me, pulling me close. I sucked in a breath when my cheek met his sweaty chest as he ran his hand through my short hair. I’d cut it off trying to make a change—a drastic one.

“You hair is short.”

“Yep.”

“What’s going on, Zoe?”

I shook my head and hugged him closer, breaking down for the first time since I’d walked in on Wes and Alicia. I’d thought something was going on, but I shrugged it off. It wasn’t until I went home early from work a few nights ago that I found out I shouldn’t have just ignored the signs.

“What did the little punk do?”

I pulled away and stared at him with tears in my eyes. “What does every man do?”

His brows drew in and he frowned. “Not all men are cheaters, darlin’.”

I shrugged. “Well, he was. But it’s no big deal. Just five years of my life. I’m back to start over. I haven’t talked to my dad so he doesn’t know.”

“I won’t tell him. He usually calls every night to check on the dogs.”

Shaking my head, I sighed. “I’m just gonna go lay down. It’s been a long night.”

“Go ahead. I’ll bring you something to eat, darlin’,” he replied, smiling.

I wasn’t sure what it was, but he seemed different. I’d grown up around Evan. I don’t know how many nights he was the one I’d gone to because my dad was out of town and Evan had taken it upon himself to stay here to take care of me. Not that he had to because I’d learned early how to take care of myself. It was like he was here to watch over me. He was my guardian angel.

“Thank you.” Then I trudged up the stairs. I hadn’t stuck around long after Wes made Alicia leave. He tried to apologize, but really, how stupid would I have had to been? I walked to the left and pushed the first door open. Dad had left it exactly how it was since I was probably fourteen. I kicked my shoes off and curled up on my bed and sobbed. I hadn’t had a chance before. There was too much rage.

It wasn’t long before I felt the dip of the mattress and Evan’s large body wrapped around mine. “Shh. It’s okay, darlin’, you can do better than a boy who obviously doesn’t know what’s right in front of him.”

“It was with Alicia.”

Evan’s intake of breath didn’t surprise me. Alicia, Wes, and I had all pretty much grown up together. She was my best friend since we were in kindergarten.

“Then screw ‘em both.”

“Yeah, that’s what they were doing, all right.”

He chuckled and then I felt his lips on my bare shoulder. “It’s not funny, really, and I’m sorry you’re hurt. But he didn’t deserve you.”

“She’s everything I’m not. Thin, pretty, and apparently more experienced than me.”

“Hey now, Zoe. You’ve got a lot of that wrong. You’re beautiful and your curves are sexy as hell. Boys like Wes just don’t know how to appreciate the curves of a real woman. As for experience, a real man would understand why that was such a good quality.”

I turned and faced Evan. “You think I’m beautiful?”

“Oh hell, darlin’, I always have, but it’s hard to ignore now. You’re a beautiful young woman. Any man would be lucky to have you.” He kept his eyes on mine until I licked my lips. Maybe coming home was a good idea after all. I’d always had a crush on Evan. He was tall and built. No one would have been able to guess he was nearly forty.