Read Online Sticks and Stones by Kerrie Dubrock - Free Book Online Page B

idea.”
     
    *        *        *
     
              What would
normally be a thirty minute drive turned into an hour and thirty minutes on the
expressway. Morning rush hour sucked on a good day, but an accident in the
opposite lanes caused a huge gapers block. Rick cursed under his breath.
“Morbid mother fuckers.”
              When he finally
made it to her street he glanced at the clock. Breakfast was out of the
question, but there was always brunch!
              A  BMW sat in
her driveway so he parked on the street. A motion from the corner of his eye
caught his attention. Her front door opened and Three Piece stepped onto the
cement step. Rick’s stomach flipped when he saw him kiss Grace on the lips. His
stomach tightened even more when it turned into more than a casual goodbye
kiss.
              He shook his head
dejectedly as he pulled away. So much for the guy being a memory for her.
    *        *        *
              Rick stomped
into Play It Again Sam , Emily’s antique store.
              “Rick! It’s so
good to see you!” Emily Storm smiled. Her smile faltered when she noticed
Rick’s demeanor. She came around the glass counter. “Hey, are you okay?”
              “Yes,” he spat.
“No. Oh hell, I don’t know!”
              “Hey, c’mon
into the back room. We can talk there,” Emily said softly.
              She perched on
a long mahogany table and her legs dangled back and forth. His fists clenched
at his sides and he brought them up to his head. “Damn! Damn! Damn!”
              Her eyes
widened. The only time she’d ever seen Rick this upset was when some guy sent
him into the boards during a hockey game last season. Rick beat the shit out of
the guy in the next period.
              “Um, can’t help
if I don’t know what’s wrong,” she said softly.
              He grinned
slightly. “Can’t tell ya if I don’t even know myself.” She giggled and patted
the empty space next to her. He groaned and sat down. “Oh Emily. I met a
woman.”
              “Do tell,” she
whispered conspiratorially, nudging his arm.
              He shook his
head. “It’s crazy! I don’t even know where to begin.”
              Emily smirked.
“Crazy? You’re talking to crazy! I’m the one who talks to ghosts. You’ve
got nothin’ on me.”
     
    *        *        *
     
              Grace sat on
the couch, hugging a pillow against her chest. Her fingertips brushed against
her lips. Ben kissed her and she felt nothing. Not want. Not need. But more
importantly, not love.  Not anymore.
     
    *        *        *
              Emily took a
deep breath. “Okay, here’s how you play it.” Rick lifted a curious eyebrow and
she continued. “Be her friend.”
              Rick slid off
the table and rubbed the back of his neck. “Have you not heard a word I said? 
I don’t want to be her friend !” He shrugged, “Doesn’t matter anyway.
She’s probably going to go back to that ass hat.”
              “Wow! Are you
trying to make excuses to not go after her? You’re sending mixed messages
here,” Emily huffed.
              “How can I
compete with a guy she was with for four years?” he growled. “Never mind the
fact that she’s got a problem with our age difference.”
              Emily tucked a strand of
hair behind her ear. “Look, most women don’t go back to guys who hurt them. At
least, not smart ones. The suit isn’t an issue, so don’t worry about him. Use
reverse psychology on her. Make her think you’re not interested in her, that
you’re only looking for a platonic relationship. She needs to see how wonderful
you are until she realizes age doesn’t matter.” Emily hopped from the table and
crossed the room to him. “Besides, you need to figure out if what