Defying Fate (5 page)

Eve has yet to come by the shop, and it makes me sad. I have been anxiously waiting to see her all week. By the time, I finally get home, she has already walked by after school. For the life of me, I had no idea I would miss a seven-year-old girl as much as I do.

“Hey Braxton, when is Eve going to stop by, I miss her,” I say looking at him as he sits at my desk trying to teach me how to fill out the end of week reports.

His body tenses when he speaks, “Oh, yeah, that. She is with her mom for a few days then she will be home again.”

I pause and am stunned; I had no idea her mother was in the picture. From what I had gathered, it sounded like a momma bear was not a constant in their lives.

I admit, somewhat stunned. “Oh, I didn’t know she had a relationship with her mother. She seemed sad one time when I mentioned her mom. I never brought it up again.”

With his neck tilted and shoulders pulled back, Braxton sighs deeply. “Let's just say she is trying to make up for her lack of mothering. I’m not all confident she can pull off the whole mothering thing. I just want my little girl happy.”

I just nod and get back to figuring out the newest Parts Order. Braxton is now standing in the door to my office like he is deep in thought. Looking at the floor like he is studying it for some answer, I watch him being, what, vulnerable maybe? Uncomfortable, perhaps? Never thought I would see a man like him helpless. My big, smooth-talking, confident Braxton looks more like an awkward big ole’ teddy bear right now.

“You know in the seven years Eve has been in my life, I can count on one hand the times her momma has acted like a momma. Bitch is all fucked up; should have never got messed up with her. But she gave me Eve, and that is the greatest gift anyone could have given me.”

His eyes looked pained and soulful. His look saddens me. I would rather have the egomaniac, smooth flirty Braxton than this version of him. Flirty Braxton I can deal with, not sure how the hell to handle this side of him. If I knew him better, maybe I would know how to respond.

I instantly feel the need to comfort him.

Getting up from my chair, I walk over to him and peer up into those damn beautiful brown eyes. Damn, it’s like God blessed this man with looks and a big heart.

“Come here.” I pull his hands out of his pockets and tug him so I can wrap my tiny arms around his shoulders.

Smiling wide, I warmly say. “This might be inappropriate, but you need a hug, and I am the world's best hugger.”

His chuckle vibrates through me as he engulfs me into the biggest bear hug.

I have to admit it! Best Teddy Bear Hug Ever!

His warm breath on my skin sends shock waves down my spine.

“Damn Izzy, you’re so fuckin’ sweet.” He murmurs as he nuzzles his face in my neck.

I know I’m blushing, so I hold on to him tighter. “Bet your ass big guy.”

“What the hell is going on?” A bitchy voice screeches from behind me.

Braxton’s body instantly tenses. My eyes go wide as I’m shocked. My gut screams at me not to turn around.

I do it anyway. Turning around still holding onto Braxton, I see a stunning blonde. Tall, curvy, bitchy and all sorts of pissed off. I instantly know who this is, Eve looks just like her.

Well, damn she is like the picture perfect Barbie.

“What the fuck do you mean?” Braxton’s voice is furious. He’s holding onto me tightly as my back is now pressed against his chest. The chain of his belt and the hardness of his chest is molded against my backside. Oh man, its rock hard and tense.

With one hand on her slender waist, she points her finger like a dagger, directly my way. “Who in the hell does she think she is, hanging onto you?” Spitting pure venom directed at lucky me.

Her words make me wince and I…snap. I have a big mouth, and she has insulted me. Not going to happen, Braxton’s baby momma or not, I am not backing down to cower from this two-bit blonde witch.

Standing tall, I snap back at her. “Hey, I am standing right here; just ask me who I am? Better yet, don’t. I’m Izzy and what is your problem?”

Hip hitched off to her side, her blood red nail polish on her long ass nails is a bit much. Her dress is more like a napkin. Barely covering her noticeably fake, enormous, watermelons she has for breasts. Her bleach blonde hair, long ass nails, and her larger than life boobs, has me shaking my head. Is there anything real on this chick?

I’ll go with NO!

“Brax, she’s a scrawny little girl. Or better yet, isn’t she a bit old for your liking? Never had to slum when you had me.”

I can hear the growl coming from Braxton. “What the fuck do you want Tiffany?”

Staring me down, she looks like she wants to strike me down. “For starters I want your new office twit’s hands off of you.”

How the hell does she know I work here? Where is Kara when I need her most? My girl would chew Tiffany up and spit her out like a bad habit. Bitch is begging to be knocked out.

Breathing slowly, Braxton grimly looks at blondie. “First of all, where is Eve? Secondly, who gives a fuck who has their hands on me! You lost that right.”

As he angrily talks to his baby momma, his fingers dig into my shoulders. OUCH!

Tiffany has stepped forward while I step back into a colossal hard body. Okay, this is beyond awkward as I am in between these two.

Braxton pulls me tighter into him. Enveloping me protectively in his massive arms does ease some of my anxiousness.

Trying to pull away, I sharply spit out. “Look I am not a part of whatever you two have going on. Excuse me while I go back to work.”

Tiffany runs her red, long nails down Braxton’s chest. Horrified, I wiggle to the side the best I can. That bitch is not touching me.

Not being able to bite my tongue any longer, I am beyond angry. “Keep your long ass, red daggers away from me.”

“Ah baby don’t worry, you’re not my type. I like big, hard men. See, Brax is mine. Always has been and always will be.” Like the wicked witch she is, she then laughs. “He might fuck you, but you? You’ll never be me honey.” Her nasty words are harsh and bitchy, just like her.

Coughing, I am utterly disgusted. “I don’t want to be a damn thing like you.” Gesturing with my hands, I point out. “You’re all fake. Starting with your nails to your gigantic boobs, I mean, Jesus did you actually think they look good. Damn.”

This has her laughing louder than necessary. “You don’t know men do you honey? Brax here paid for these babies. He likes big, mouthwatering tits.” Rolling her eyes, she sizes my chest up and laughs again. She may have the larger chest, but I’m all real.

In a rather snickering tone, she then adds. “Too bad for you, you don’t have what he likes.” Licking her finger, she cups her breasts as if showing those suckers off. Like anyone, could miss them. She is proud of those ugly suckers!

Angrily, I shrug off Braxton’s hand gripping my shoulder. I have had my limit with this chick, and I let her know it.

“You’re right about one thing; I’m not fake. There’s not a damn fake thing about me. The only thing, I am, is real. Real feels great; real keeps things solid. Real doesn’t need to be something its not.” With that, I stormed off. Braxton’s laugh is easily heard as I make my escape. No longer in the room with them, I can hear Braxton talking.

“Tiffany, at one time, I thought you were everything. All these years, popping in and out of my life, but fuck, I was wrong. It took Izzy to come into our lives, to make me see what ‘real’ is. That woman is as real as it gets. You could learn a few things from her. Problem is you just made an enemy out of her.”

Rather loudly, Tiffany screeches. “What the hell do you mean ours? Has she been around Eve? My daughter will not be around that whore!”

“Bitch, what did you say? Listen, you do not say who the fuck Eve, or I, for that matter can see. Izzy’s been more of a mom than you have, and she’s only been around for a short time. In that time, Eve has planted flowers, ate breakfast and gone shopping with her. Sounds like a good woman to me.” His deep growl is enough to make me nervous. Good thing he is talking to her and not me.

“What the fuck does that mean?” No mistaking the hostility in her voice. She is so loud I’m sure the guys can now hear her.

“Eve likes her, and so do I. She is doing great at taking over the job you once had. And let me tell you, she’s only been here a week, and she is already better than you have ever been.” His venomous words hit her where it counted. I wince as I’m sure this is just going to make her hate me even more.

Listening to them, I want to throw up. Leaning against the wall down the hall from them, I just want to get the hell out of here.

“Hey, pretty girl, what the hell are you doing?”

I jump and start to yelp, but manage to cover my mouth in time, so I don’t embarrass myself any more than I already have. Looking over my shoulder, I see a tall man with a broad smirk. His eyes dance with mischief, and my goodness, he is handsome.

“Jesus, do all of Braxton’s friends look hot as hell or what?” Realizing my mistake, I said that out loud.

Handsome here, must get a kick out of it because he throws his head back, laughing. I’m totally busted.

Raising an eyebrow, snickering with a wicked laugh he replies. “You have got to be Izzy. I’ve heard all about you.”

What!

My mouth is hanging open; I am still wondering who he is. “Do I know you, wait, of course, I don’t. If I had met you, I would have remembered your name that’s for sure.”

Standing with his hand against the wall, his eyes dance in amusement. “Ah honey, flattery will get you everywhere with me. So tell me, what are you doing out here quietly? Just who are you eavesdropping on?”

Hearing the rather loud voices down the hall, he has to realize what’s going on. It does not take a detective to figure out that I’m hiding. It’s as if a light bulb has gone off in his head; he nods in response.

Running a hand over his forehead, he huffs out loud. “Oh, I see you have met the lovely Tiffany? She’s nothing but trouble I’m afraid.” His look is one of regret, he solemnly adds. “The only real thing, she did, was giving Brax little Eve. The rest is just bad. She puts Brax through hell all of the time. I have no clue why he puts up with her games. She whirls into town and like clockwork, he comes running. In a blink of an eye, she goes up and disappears. Fucks with his head and leaves Eve in tears. Shit’s bad.” His look is as if his mind is a million miles away.

Hearing that, it pisses me off to no end. Thinking of what Eve must feel every time her mother leaves, makes my heart ache for this sweet little girl. It’s as if Tiffany only comes back to get her fill of Braxton. Damn shame. What I wouldn’t give to have a little girl like Eve? No, my chance was taken away from me.

Interrupting my thoughts, sexy here speaks. “Name is Liam honey. It’s weird, but it seems like I already know you. Brax talks, a lot. Needed to meet you for myself, so I can put a face to that sweet name he won’t shut up about.”

What! I say with nervous energy, my damn lip is quivering so bad I bite my lip to stop it. “Why does he talk about me, he barely knows me.”

The smile he gives me is so warm and, well, pleasant. It’s weird, I’ve never got so many nice welcomes in my life. Since I came here, there is a welcome crew everywhere I go. My family treats me like shit, yet these strangers who don’t know me from a hole in the ground, treat me with kindness. Oh my, what a wonderful and welcome change.

“So Izzy got to say, it’s a kick ass name.” His face is so close I am rather dazzled with his big, bright, blue eyes. Bluest damn eyes, I have ever seen. The slight wrinkles around his eyes tell me we might be around the same age. At the moment, his eyes are filled with sincerity.

His closeness throws me off kilter. “It’s short for Izzabella, and I tend to agree, it is pretty kick ass.” I ramble.

Nodding his head, he then points his finger towards the shouting in the next room. “Honey, the time you spent with Eve has put a big smile on her face. She won’t stop talking about you; you are more like a mother to her than her own. It seems Brax taking a liking to you has ruffled her feathers. Hence, why she has decided now is a good time to show up.”

Raising my voice a few octaves, I ask baffled. “Me?” Pressing my thumb against my chest, “She is here all wound up, because of me? I didn’t do shit to her.”

Understanding and agreeing with me, he simply confirms.

“Nope, it’s just you replaced her in Eve’s eyes. That shit has her all upset. That and taking Brax’s attention away from her, of course.”

Oh my god! “The hell I did. I’ve spent some time planting flowers with Eve. What, I’m not supposed to hang out with her?” How did I get myself into this situation? Being a good neighbor has turned into some clusterfuck of a situation.

Backing up, he holds up his hands and smiles at me.

“Listen here, a word of advice. You like Eve; she adores you, so keep on doing what you are doing because that little girl is on cloud nine. Plus Brax likes you; he needs a good woman in his life, and you seem to fit the bill.”

“What? I just work here. I happen to be his neighbor, and he offered me a job. I am not his woman. Right now, I have no idea what the hell I am doing. Shit. I need to get the hell out of here.” Wanting nothing more than to leave, I realize my purse is in the office where all the drama is unfolding. Shit! Shit! Shit!

“So you're going to leave. Shit gets tough, and you're going to hightail it out of here? If you do that you’re no better than Tiffany. Brax and Eve need a woman who is going to stay when shit gets tough.”

“Liam,” Trying to contain my anger, I say rather grimly. “I am not his woman.”

Just then I hear a loud roar from Braxton, followed by Tiffany coming down the hall toward us. She pauses when she notices Liam is standing next to me. Her eyes slant thin, giving him a death glare.

“Great Liam, don’t tell me you're here getting Brax’s sloppy seconds.”

“Oh my god. Bitch, I am nobody’s sloppy seconds. I don’t belong to Braxton, and I just met Liam. You’re UN-FUCK-ING-BELIEVABLE! You don’t know me and I sure as hell don’t want to know you.”

Towering inferno struts over to me and slaps me hard right across the face; as my head whips to the side, my poor brain feels scrambled. Holy Hell, it stings hurting like a bitch. Rubbing my cheek, I’m not only pissed as hell, I am disgusted and downright sad for her.