Best Friend Next Door (Love Next Door Book 2) *Rough Draft*

Chapter 34

Abe's hands fixed on the steering wheel and hadn't moved. All he could do was think. The lunch time rush was settling, and his phone didn't ring, and he had been too afraid to call. He wanted to do this face to face.

He'd been married once before, and humble pie was always the specialty and yet here he was again, An old fool that couldn't understand, he was a part of a team. He looked over at his passenger seat that rested a bouquet of lilies. He'd learn the hard way to bring flowers because when you occupied their hands with flowers they couldn't reach for a frying pan.

He took a breath grabbed the flowers. Now or never He told himself.

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What the hell was he doing? Just go on your lunch break like a normal person. He swung his leg off of his bike and paced toward the Davison' front door. He had to do this. She could slam the door in his face. He had to do this for himself.

He was just supposed to come to Valerie's house and pick up the key to the freezer. He came inside and rummaged through the kitchen drawer found it. There was a knock at the front door, and before he could even think to get it he'd already heard Dee's voice.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

A male's voice said, "I should ask you the same thing. You look good by the way."

"Don't touch me, Alan."

A cocky chuckle, "Wow that's not what you were saying the last time."

"What do you want? Better what are you doing here?"

"Found out your sister's getting married to some old guy that wants to take my place."

Christian's fists clenched.

"You got up out of that place no problem."

"What about you? You replaced me?"

"There never was a you, Alan."

Another cocky chuckle, "So you going to play it off. You were the one that said you wanted to have my baby, Dee. That was you. How's my son by the way."

"What do you want Alan?"

"Act like you don't know. The only thing you'll ever be good for." He laughed, "You even tell your sister that your kids aren't cousins there brothers and sisters?"

Christian couldn't take it, he walked beside her and wrapped his arm around around her shoulder. "Can I help you sir?" His eyes popped out. Christian was used to it. He continued to to keep his football build and if he needed to he would kick this dickhead's ass just for sport. He was daring him to say something else stupid. He looked at Dee and back at him. He was shorter than he thought he would be. He was taking every free moment to see his kids, even when his kids mom was giving him shit, and this guy, that sorry excuse was abandoning his and came back for what a quick lay to take off again. He should have socked him a a good one right there.

Dee already started closing the door before he got the pleasure. The door was closed he jerked away.

"What?"

He put his hands up, "It doesn't matter. I'm not judging you, Dee."

Her eyes were glassy but her face tightened up, "Damn right you can't judge me!" She snapped, "I own up to my mistakes. Not like you." She ran up stairs.

Christian didn't understand it but he understood now. He knocked on the door. As expected within a few moments Dee was at the door. He'd remembered her slim figure flipping around the sidelines when he'd play. He admitted he hadn't noticed her. He was more into his girlfriend. But he'd still talk to her. Her sister tutored him, and she seemed shy around people when she wasn't cheerleading. Always like she needed a friend. Not like Melanie.

Now she was a woman. Better a mother. After all the shit she had been through. She was a good mother. He had to give her that.

"Hey."

"Hey Chris."

She hadn't called him Chris in years. No one called him Chris. His dad sometimes, but other than that just her.

"Dee, I'm sorry." He said, "I could have put a stop to that...Brody."

"It's okay."

"I didn't." He pushed out, "The truth is. I was just, for minute I..."

"You thought you could have the both of us."

When she said it the words him him hard. He was a dick back then. He didn't deserve her forgiveness. He was an idiot to think she wanted him. To think he could use her to win a bet. He ran his fingers through his hair, she was right, he was no better than Brody.

"I had no right." He shook his head, "I had no right to make that bet Dee." He pressed his fingers to his chest. He was hoarse, "You are so much more than that Dee. I just thought you needed to know that. If you ever need anything..."

"Christian, I wouldn't want your pity."

"Dee, I admire you." He said, "I would never pity you. We're family. I mean, it may not have seemed that way then, but I just like I'm here for Melanie, Valerie, Cam, the kids, and you. I promise you just call me and I will be there. You have my word and I'm there."

Unexpectedly, she threw her arms around his neck and he pulled her into a bear hug. The world shifted on it's axis and he felt it and it felt incredible.

He pulled away scared that a tear would slip from his eye, "I don't want your boyfriend to see us and get the wrong idea."

Her lips thinned, "That didn't work out."

He grimaced. "Do I need to kick his ass?"

Ken and him were friends but this was family.

She smiled, "No, he just couldn't handle that I had a son. It was too much baggage."

He hugged her again, "You're going to meet the right guy and when you do he's going to have to get through me." A tear strayed. "If you or Jamaal need anything." That of course went without saying.