by

  Shawnté Borris

  Falling for Bentley

  Copyright © 2014 by Shawnté Borris

  Editing by Raelene Green of word·play by 77peaches –

  A division of 77peaches enterprises, LLC

  Cover Designer © by Wicked by Design

  Formatting and interior design by JT Formatting

  Cover Photographer: Made in 81 Photography – Shawnté Borris

  Cover Models: Ashley Verbeek & Dalas Venning

  Beta & Proofreading:

  On The Same Page Beta & Proofreading

  [email protected]

  Dedication

  Lacy and Chris’s First Date

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Epilogue

  Thank You

  Books By Shawnté

  How to Find Shawnté

  Some Favorite Books of Lacy’s

  Shawnté: What was your first date with Chris like?

  Lacy: Haha it’s a funny story, just a sec…

  Our first supposed to be first date has been a big debate throughout our marriage. He tells everyone that I stood him up, but I didn’t. LOL

  Our first official date we went to Pizza Hut, I know exciting! He bought me flowers and candy; I still have the flower petals. We had pizza, warm beer, and the jukebox was stuck on a Hank Williams Jr’s song. We laughed a lot, and to this day his sense of humor is still amazing. Chris has always had a lot of self-confidence, so much that he told me I broke his heart when I stood him up so it made him more determined to take me out. After our dinner date he drove me back to my tiny apartment and the look on his face was priceless when I told him he couldn’t come in. He told me I was going to be a challenge for him but he would figure me out. (My hubby was known for being a player before I met him, lol) It’s hard to describe that date; it was just funny. The food and beer was awful and that damn music. That pizza hut is still there and we still go back, but now we bring our son Avery.

  I TRUDGED UP the stairs to my apartment with sore feet, carrying the last box from my classroom and a heavy briefcase full of final papers that need to be graded before the end of the school year.

  “Whoa, Haley, let me grab the box for you.”

  “Hey, Jerad, I didn’t see you there.” I passed the box to him before digging into my purse for my apartment keys. “Thanks.”

  “No problem. What are neighbors for? My mom taught me right, you know. When I see a pretty damsel in distress, I can’t help but offer my services,” Jerad said with a smirk.

  “Remind me to thank your mother next time she’s in town,” I teased.

  Jerad grabbed his chest in a mocking manner, “Always, the thanks goes to my mother.”

  I opened my door wide enough to let Jerad in with the box. “Just put it on the kitchen table.” I tossed my briefcase and purse on the couch and slowly slid off my shoes, letting out a moan as I sank into the welcoming cushions.

  “Why do you wear those shoes if they hurt so much?” he asked as he sat beside me on the couch, pulling my feet into his lap and rubbing them.

  “Mmmm, that’s feels great.” I laid my head back on the armrest of the couch.

  “Seriously, Haley, I don’t get it. Sure the shoes look good, but they can’t be all that comfortable.”

  It was my turn to look horrified. “Do not sit there and insult my shoes. They’ve done nothing to hurt you! Why are you being so vicious to them?” I teased.

  Jerad laughed, “Okay.” He put up his hands in surrender. “I’m sorry. Can I make it up to them and take you to dinner tonight?”

  I slowly took my feet out of his hands and sat up, “Jerad…”

  “Look, I get it. You don’t see us like that, but, Haley, I like you. I think you’re funny and sexy as hell. I’m not asking for a relationship, or to marry me. All I’m asking for is dinner.”

  I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, “Thank you for the offer, Jerad, really, but I am swamped with work. This last week of school is the most hectic for me.”

  “How about we order in then?”

  “Persistent, aren’t we?” I teased, kind of.

  “Is there a boyfriend, or something, I’m not aware of?”

  “No boyfriend or play toys such as yourself.” I nudged his shoulder, “But I do think it’s time I get to work grading papers,” I said in a polite voice.

  Jerad got up and walked to the door, “My offer still stands, when you’re ready, call me and I’ll give you a night out you will never forget.”

  I shut the door and rested my forehead against it, sighing. I looked over to my shoes and gave them a dirty look. I hated wearing them, but I teach in a privileged school, with uppity parents, so it’s expected of me to look the part.

  I grabbed them off the floor, walked into my bedroom, and tossed them into the closet. I undressed in front of the full length mirror and looked at my body. Sure, I’ve lost the extra weight I carried in high school, but I still see the chubby girl waiting to be accepted, and I could still hear them calling me thunder thighs. I threw on a pair of yoga pants and my favorite rock band t-shirt before heading into the kitchen to make some dinner.

  Waiting for my grandmother’s chicken pie to heat in the oven, I pulled out the last of the essays that needed grading. As the timer on the stove went off, I threw the papers off to the side, frustrated. “Did any of these kids read the damn book?” I complained to myself.

  After I finished eating, I packed my lunch, placed it in the fridge and finished up the dishes. I dried my hands and walked back into the living room. I’d just sat down on the couch when my phone rang. I checked the caller ID as I pulled it out of my purse, just to make sure it wasn’t Jerad. I smiled when I saw it was my papa.

  “Hi, Papa.” I gushed.

  “Hi, Haley, I hope I’m not calling too late,” he snickered.

  “No, you’re fine,” I said rolling my eyes. Just because I live three hours north from him he thinks there is a time change. “I still have a few papers to finish grading before tomorrow.”

  “Are you ready to be home for the summer?”

  “I am. This has been the longest ten months ever. Why I ever accepted to teach junior high this year is beyond me.”

  “That bad?” he asked concerned.

  “Oh, Papa, if you only knew.”

  “Grams wants to know when your last day of school is.”

  “The students finish on the twenty-fifth, but I’m not done ‘til the twenty-eighth.”

  “When do you plan on leaving for the ranch?” Papa asked.

  “As soon as possible; I can’t wait. This city life is driving me absolutely insane.”

  “Are you sure you don’t mind running the ranch while Grams and I do some traveling?”

  “Heavens no. I think I can manage weeding the garden, watering the flowers and pounding a few staples into the fence,” I laughed.

  “We are quite sure you can. We just wanted to make sure we aren’t taking you away from anything.”

  “Papa, is this your way of asking if I’m bringing a male companion home?”

  “No,” he said quickly, “It was your grandmother asking.”

  “Sure it was,” I teased.

  “It was.”

  “Papa, I’ll see you and Grams in two weeks.”

  “We love you.”

  “I love you both more.”

  I BELIEVE, AT one point or another, my mother loved my father, but I think with him traveling all the time for his job, she just got tired of dealing with life all on her own. One night when my dad came home, my mom decided she was going to have a girl’s night out. But my mom’s night out was a little different than most moms’—it’s been twenty-four years and she still hasn’t come back.

  My dad tried to find her over the years; he even came close a few times, but my mother always managed to get away. Finally accepting defeat, my dad quit trying. My father hired a nanny so I was able to travel with him until school started, then he sent me to the best private schools money could offer. Once high school came, my dad and I had a long talk about how alone I felt, and I wanted to be with my family. He said he couldn’t quit his job, but maybe my grandparents were willing to let me stay with them.

  The summer of my sophomore year, I moved to southern Arkansas and took up residency at my grandparent’s cattle ranch. In my childhood years, I lived to spend every Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas at the ranch, along with my summers. My grams taught me how to behave like a lady and cook with the best of them. Papa taught me to work hard and to have a little fun. I got to stay in my dad’s old room when he lived there. I didn’t change a thing, and to this day I still stay in that room. Even now, as an adult, I can’t wait to get back to the ranch.

  “GOOD MORNING, MISS Wells.”

  “Morning, Mr. Krept.” I stood from my desk and greeted my boss, the school dean.

  “Please, have a seat, Miss Wells.” He motioned me back to my chair as he took a seat in a desk at the front row.

  “To what do I owe the pleasure of you stopping in?”

  “Just seeing how your year went.” he smiled.

  “It was different. I enjoyed it, but I really think I want to go back teaching ele

mentary school.”

  “I see you applied for the elementary posting.”

  “I did. Kindergarten and second grade are my favorite grades to teach, sir.”

  I started getting nervous and wiped my sweaty hands down my skirt.

  “Miss Wells, the board has decided to hire a new teacher for that position.”

  “But I thought…Mr. Krept, when I took this position I was told I would be able to return to teaching elementary next year.”

  I noticed my boss shifting slightly in the seat, “Yes, you were, but things have changed.”

  “Why?”

  He looked around my classroom before standing and walking to my desk. “Haley, your teaching is impeccable and we are fortunate to have you. This is why they chose what they did.”

  “Thank you,” I gritted out.

  “I hope you stay with us; however, if you choose not to, I will personally write a letter of recommendation, as well as one from the school. I smiled at him, knowing once again, I got screwed over.

  “Will you be attending the staff BBQ tomorrow night?”

  “No, sir. I am heading home to the ranch. My grandparents are traveling this summer, and I told them I would tend to their ranch while they are away.”

  “Well then, I hope you have a terrific summer; keep in touch and let me know what you decided.”

  “I will, and thank you again, sir.”

  “WHEN I SAY move. I fucking mean MOVE!” I yelled to the high school football team I help coach.

  “Coach, come on. It’s our last practice before summer, do we really need to be pushed this hard?” my little brother asked while hunched over his knees trying to breathe.

  “Do you want to win the state championship this year?”

  My brother, Travis, stood, “Of course.”

  I got in his face, “Then move!”

  I admit, I ran the boys harder than necessary today, but damn it, I want my team to be strong. “All right, since your quarterback is being a whiney princess, everyone down and do one hundred burpees before you leave the field.” Travis looked at me as if he was ready to pounce. I just rocked back on my heels and crossed my arms over my chest.

  “Working the boys a little hard, aren’t you, Bentley?” asked Coach Dudley.

  “Maybe a little, coach, but I don’t want them thinking just because my brother is the quarterback I’m going to be soft on them.”

  “Setting the pace?”

  “Yes, sir.” I acknowledged.

  “Fair enough.” Coach slapped my shoulder and walked away.

  Once the boys finished twenty-five burpees I yelled, “All right boys, hit the showers. Once you’re cleaned up, meet back in the gym. Coach Dudley wants to have a word with you.”

  “GOOD PRACTICE OUT there boys. I’m impressed with how football camp went this year. Once Coach Knight and myself review a few things, we will do call backs at the end of July so we can start practices in August. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t make the A or B teams ‘cause all that can change quickly. I have a few house rules that need to be followed and there will be no exceptions, I don’t care who you are. Do I make myself clear?” asked Coach.

  “Yes, sir!” The gym echoed.

  “First, all grades must be kept up; nothing under a C+. So if that means you need to get friendly with the nerds, then I’d suggest you start now. Second, anyone that is caught drinking will be instantly cut from the team. Third, everyone is expected to do twenty volunteer hours in the community throughout the year. Fourth, absolutely no hazing.”

  We heard a few groans and someone muttering, “What’s the point of being on the football team?”

  “Good question,” I answered. “Being a part of a team is banding together as brothers. You are here to back each other, support each other. Work hard together, and play even harder together.”

  “If my house rules are too much for you, then by all means, leave now and don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out,” the Coach continued. “Last house rule. Don’t get anyone pregnant. Is that clear?”

  “Yes, Coach!” the boys roared in laughter.

  “All right then, Thunderbirds on three,” Coach chanted.

  “Thunderbirds!” the team shouted.

  “Oh, one last thing. As you all know, we are in need of new uniforms. I’m pleased to announce we have ourselves a donor that will cover all new uniforms, provided we help him on his ranch this summer. There is a sign-up sheet outside my office. I expect all of you to put your time in. Dismissed.”

  Travis and I walked out to the truck, “What was your problem today, Bentley?”

  “No problem.”

  “You were acting like a jackass.”

  “Jackass or not, Travis, when I am on that field, I’m your coach. I will run practice as how I see fit. If you don’t like it… then quit,” I offered.

  THE RIDE THROUGH town was quiet. I knew Travis was pissed off at me, and I felt bad, but I wanted to let him know he wasn’t able to walk all over me. Travis is eight years younger than me. We are close, sometimes a little too close with the shit he can convince me to do. But I figured this is what big brothers are for. When I left high school to play college football our bond grew even stronger. My dad got hurt on the farm, so I stopped playing and came home. Since then, I showed Travis how to fix his truck, we’d go fishing every Saturday morning, and he would do my football drills with me every night to stay in shape.

  “What is there left to be fixed out in the barn?” Travis asked, breaking the silence.

  “Not much, I got most of it done this morning before practice. I just need help hanging a few gates in the maternity pen.”

  “Has Dad been out there to look at what we did so far?” my bother asked.

  “No, but I imagine he was out there while we were gone.”

  “Think he’ll have anything nice to say?”

  “Not sure,” I quietly replied.

  “I wish he wasn’t such a dick all the time.”

  “Travis.” I warned.

  “What? It’s true, and you know it.”

  “He wasn’t always this way, it’s just since the accident. I’m sure it’s tough on him, you know, not being able to help and do things on his own.”

  “That doesn’t excuse him,” my brother argued.

  “I know,” I replied quietly.

  As we waited for the light to turn green, we both sat in silence, lost in our own thoughts.

  “Bentley?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Do you ever want to just leave the farm?” Travis asked, still looking out the truck window.

  “Why do you ask?”

  “Just wondering, I guess.” Travis shrugged his shoulders.

  “I’d planned on playing professional football, then retiring to working on the farm.”

  “Do you miss playing?”

  “I don’t really think about it anymore.”

  “Why?”

  “Dad got hurt, and the farm needs me.” I said simply.

  I pulled through the last street in town. “Do you want to stop by Maggie’s and get a burger before we leave?”

  “Not sure I can stomach a burger, man. You ran my ass pretty hard today.”

  I chuckled while I pulled into the parking lot. “You’ll get use to it. What’s the worst that can happen? Puke on the way home? It wouldn’t be the first time.”

  “And not the last.” Travis chuckled, as he hopped out of the truck.

  “Hey, Maggie,” we said when she greeted us with her welcoming smile.

  “Well, if it isn’t my two favorite football stars.” Travis and I both leaned over the counter and kissed either side of her cheek. “Let me guess, two double cheese burgers, fries and cherry cokes?”

  “You know it, Ms. Maggie,” Travis smiled.

  “Travis, why don’t you go and grab a booth for you and your brother? Bentley, I need your help lifting a box in the kitchen.

  “Yes, ma’am,” we both replied.

  “Bentley, why do these burgers always taste the best after practice, or on game nights?” Travis asked as he stuffed the last bite into his mouth.

  “I don’t know, brother, but I hope Maggie never stops flipping those burgers.”

  Maggie walk toward us carrying two more plates, “Thought you guys could use a piece of my homemade cherry pie.”