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

Chapter 14

Abe was glad he had an excuse not to argue with Valerie, although not having her in his arms was punishment in itself.

"I really hope you enjoy it here." Abe offered opening the door to Isaac's old bedroom, "If you don't like it here, you can trade out with Christian he has the apartment over the garage."

Ken slipped by him with his briefcase. The room was the third biggest in the house and still had the baseball decor on the walls. He had moved the few trophies and pictures into his own room to make it look more like a guest room, but the room had Isaac all over it.

"This is cool." Ken said, "I really appreciate this." He offered his hand.

Abe shook his hand. The man had a firm handshake. "I appreciate you coming to help Val. It means so much to us."

He chuckled, "I feel like I owe you. Mom's bakery would have been a vacant lot if you hadn't helped us. It's the least I could do." He sat his luggage on the bed, "We should go get a drink to celebrate."

Abe smirked, "No can do. I have work in the morning. My son Christian works at Barney's the local bar. I'm sure he wouldn't mind seeing a friendly face."

"Cool." He nodded as Abe left out of the room.

He went into his own empty room and sank on his bed. He didn't know how much more of this he could take, not that he was going to change his mind about marrying Valerie, he just wanted to have a wife that wanted to live with him, in his home.

Then there was that call from his lawyer. He still hadn't gotten around to telling Valerie about that. Not that he didn't want to, he had just had so much on his mind. Just thinking about that put more weight on him. Was it something she would leave him for. He hoped not, but it was another uphill battle he wasn't sure if he was prepared to fight.

There was a thought that left him aching. He saw his home. He saw waking up with Valerie, he saw the kids sneaking into their bedroom, he was a father again. It was more than just sleeping with Valerie. It was making a home for his family. It was what made him a man. He understood, that Valerie was used to doing things on her own, with the girls and the children. Maybe he was thinking too much with his ego and not enough with his heart. He laid back on his bed staring at his roof.

* * * *

"I feel like an ass for asking this, but what do you do?" Isaac took a sip of his beer looking at Dorian who sat on the bar stool next to his.

He smirked, "Dude, I'm a personal trainer."

Isaac snapped. It was obvious.

Dorian chuckled, "Don't tell me you didn't know that dude."

Isaac shook his head.

"I told you, you should come by the gym, we could work on the gun show and get your lady friend's attention."

He tapped his bottle with his finger tips, "It's not working for you."

"That's cold."

He dropped his head, "I'm sorry."

"No. Touche." He said.

"Penny, just someone was substance and culture. You know."

He chuckled taking a sip of his drink. "Ah!"

"I mean, she's a social studies teacher."

His lips thinned. "I figured that. I mean, if I wanted another airhead I would have just went for one of the ditsy blonds that talk to me at the job. I like to read the classics, and I love a woman that can stimulate my intellect. If she'd only give me the chance to show her that I'm not just a meat head..." He sighed.