My Ex-Best Friend Can’t Get Enough

  BB Hamel

  Contents

  Get your free book!

  1. Alicia

  2. Seth

  3. Alicia

  4. Seth

  5. Alicia

  6. Seth

  7. Alicia

  8. Seth

  9. Alicia

  10. Seth

  11. Alicia

  12. Seth

  13. Alicia

  14. Seth

  15. Alicia

  16. Seth

  17. Alicia

  18. Seth

  19. Alicia

  20. Seth

  21. Alicia

  22. Seth

  23. Alicia

  Also by BB Hamel

  Copyright © 2019 by B. B. Hamel

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Cover design by Coverluv Book Designs

  Get your free book!

  Sign up for my mailing list and find out about new releases, giveaways, and more.

  Plus, get a free book and other awesome bonus material! Click here >>

  1

  Alicia

  Back in Fallswood again.

  I sit behind the wheel of my rented Honda Civic and stare at the familiar road stretching ahead of me. It’s raining lightly, just a little sprinkle, but enough to make my windshield wipers whip across my field of vision.

  I’m barely seeing anything but the road and what’s ahead.

  Fallswood, Indiana. I haven’t been back here in so long, not since I left for college. I know, that’s terrible. It’s been six long years now. My father’s flown out to Philadelphia to visit me at least once a year, but I haven’t been able to drag myself back to this place.

  Not until now, at least.

  There are too many memories. Maybe it’s like that for everyone, I don’t know. But my small town holds so much and I just…

  I haven’t wanted to face it.

  Now though, I don’t have much of a choice. When your father calls and says he’s selling your childhood home, and he wants you to come help him move stuff out of it, you can’t really turn him down.

  Even if you want to.

  I sigh and keep barreling forward. There isn’t much on either side of my car, mainly long, rolling fields and farmland. There’s the occasional tree, but off in the distance, and I can’t remember the last full-on town I drove through.

  Fallswood is about as small as it gets. The cliché about everyone knowing everyone else’s business is pretty much true about Fallswood, except everyone also sort of hates everyone else, too. That just about sums the denizens of Fallswood up nicely: gossips and haters.

  As I start to drift again, thinking about my old life, about how happy my father was back before my mother died, about what life could’ve been like, a suddenly car-thumping bang rips me from my reverie.

  “What the—”

  Suddenly, the car starts shaking.

  Violently.

  The whole car is vibrating like mad. I grip the wheel.

  “Fuck!”

  There’s nobody else around, but the road’s slick. I slow down, freaking out, heart racing. I don’t know what’s happening but I manage to stop and pull over on the shoulder. It’s wide enough that I’m not in the road anymore and not in a ditch, either.

  I sit there, heart hammering, trying to get myself together.

  “What the hell was that?” I whisper softly, sweating a little bit, palms a little shaky.

  I grab my phone and text my dad.

  Me: I think I’m having car trouble. Might be late.

  Dad: You think? Or you are?

  Me: Both.

  Dad: You need to be specific, honey. Do I need to come out and help you?

  Me: Maybe. I don’t know. I’m sorry!

  I sigh and toss my phone aside. Dad’s going to be annoyed, but whatever. I don’t even know what happened yet, I was just giving him a heads up.

  Still on edge, I flip the hood of my jacket up over my head and step out into the drizzle. Fortunately, my jacket is somewhat weather resistant, so I’m not instantly drenched. But it is cold and ugly out as I walk around the car.

  When I reach the back, I let out a groan.

  Sure enough, the back right tire’s completely flat.

  “You have got to be kidding me,” I say, looking around.

  I see a field with wilting corn, most of it harvested already. I see a long fence, missing a few posts. I see what might be a farmhouse out in the distance.

  I look back the way I came, a frown on my face… and spot someone coming toward me.

  I think about flagging them down, but no, there’s no point. Nobody would actually stop in this. No, I should get back in my car, call my dad, and tell him where I am. I’m not too far from home, he could probably be here soon.

  Just as I start to walk back to the driver’s side, the car starts to pass…

  Then starts to slow.

  I stare in bewilderment as it stops maybe fifty feet away. I watch as the reverse lights turn on and it slowly rolls back toward me. The car’s black, with dark tinted windows. I don’t see an emblem anywhere, but it’s clearly new and fancy and sleek. It doesn’t really fit this area at all.

  As far as I know, the only cars they sell around these parts are actually trucks. And they’re all beat up somehow.

  The car stops across from me. I stare at it, blinking at my own reflection in the tint, before the window rolls down.

  “You need some help?”

  A man’s voice, low and resonant. I frown slightly and think it sounds vaguely familiar, but no way I know someone that drives a car like this.

  “Uh, I don’t know,” I say. “I have a flat tire.”

  “You know how to change it?” he asks.

  I shake my head, looking down and craning to see in the car.

  He smiles at me and I blink rapidly. The man has a beard, trimmed and neat. His eyes are a sparkling blue and his hair is pushed to the side and back, cut short on either side.

  And he’s gorgeous. I mean, I can tell he’s gorgeous just from staring at him through this window.

  “Uh,” I manage to say.

  “I’ll take that as a no.” He laughs. “Hold tight. I’ll help you out.”

  I watch as he reverses and pulls in behind me. He parks and gets out, flipping the hood of his jacket up. It’s similar to mine, but nicer, newer. He walks over, hands in the pockets, frowning a little.

  He’s tall, a lot taller than me. I’d guess he’s at least six foot two. His arms are muscular and his chest is broad, and I wish I could get a better look at him, but the rain’s keeping me from studying his face too closely.

  “Flat tire, huh,” he grunts. “Where were you coming from?”

  “The airport,” I admit. “This is a rental.”

  He snorts. “Figures. They don’t take care of these fucking things.” He walks up to the trunk and pops it open. I look over his shoulder as he rummages around, eventually pulling up the trunk’s bottom to expose the spare tire.

  Or at least where the spare tire should be.

  He laughs, shaking his head. “Fucking figures,” he says.

  “Wait, there’s no spare?”

  “Nope. Not unless you’ve got one in the back seat?”

  I glare at him. He doesn’t have to be an asshole. “Shit. What do I do?”

  “Well, I could give you mine.” He frowns at that for a second. “But honestly, I’d rather just give you a ride into town. I can have some guys out here and they’ll take care of it.”

  “You’ll have… what? Excuse me?”

  “I’ll have my guys take care of it.” He drops the trunk bottom then shuts the door with a bang. “These things, they’re a pain in the ass. They’ll put the donut on then get you a new tire. Won’t cost a thing.”

  “Are you some… some kind of mechanic?”

  He laughs. “Well, something like that.”

  I frown at him. Fancy car, nice clothes… says he’s a mechanic. And he’ll have his “guys” fix this for me, no problem, no charge.

  Seems way too good to be true.

  “No thanks,” I say. “I’m okay.”

  He looks surprised. “Really? You gonna just push it into town or something?”

  “I’ll call my dad. He’ll come out with a spare.”

  “Sure, that could work.” He frowns and squints at the sky. “But it’s about to pour and I suspect it’s going to be a real pain in the ass if you wait.”

  “Your guys will have to change it in the rain,” I point out.

  “Nah. They’ll wait until it stops.” He grins at me.

  I sigh a little. “Really, it’s a nice offer, but I’m fine.”

  “Come on.” He cocks his head a little. “I promise I won’t bite. I’m in a good mood, honestly. I just want to pass on some good luck, you know?”

  I chew my lip for a second, considering.

  It’s been a long day. I’m tired, cranky, and I just want to get home. I really hate the idea of making my poor father drive out here only to have to change the tire in this awful weather. And this guy says he can give me a ride and take care of this tire, all at once.

  It’s tempting. But on the other h
and, I don’t know him. He could be some kind of axe murderer or something. Or maybe he’ll just steal my car and sell it for parts and leave me with the bill. The rental company will love my story, I’m sure, and they’ll drag my ass through court and…

  He steps closer to me. “Come on. Let’s get going before it starts pouring.”

  I look up into those eyes, that handsome face… and I swear I know that voice. I can’t say how, but I know it.

  For some reason, that decides it.

  “Okay. Fine. Hold on, let me get my stuff.”

  I run over and open the car dor. I grab my bag and my phone before opening the back seat. I grab my suitcase, but he takes it from me, easily lifting it up onto one shoulder. He puts it in the trunk of his car as I slip into the passenger side seat and sink back into the leather.

  He sits down behind the wheel and shuts the door. “Let’s go,” he says, pulling back onto the empty road.

  I have so many questions for this guy. I want to know who he is, who his guys are, why he’s helping me, how he can afford this car, how he can afford those nice clothes, a million other things, but instead I keep my eyes on the road. I’m nervous and excited and all I want to do is study his face in more detail, but I force myself not to.

  Instead, I feel his eyes glancing over at me, roaming down my body. Suddenly, I’m very aware of the tight sweater and the dark jeans I’m wearing, even though I never thought it’d matter what I was wearing in Fallswood.

  “So,” he says. “Where are you from?”

  “Here,” I answer. “I mean, Fallswood.”

  He laughs a little. “That’s where I’m headed.”

  “Perfect then.”

  “Where were you coming from? Before the airport, I mean.”

  “Philadelphia. I went to college there and I just… stayed.”

  “Yeah? Big city girl, huh? Good for you.”

  I frown and glance at him. “Are you from here?”

  “Born and raised,” he says. “Always been and always will be.”

  My frown gets deeper. Born and raised in Fallswood? He can’t be much older than I am, or maybe he just looks old for his age, or maybe young for his age… but I should know him. I mean, look at him, he’s gorgeous. Everyone would know him.

  Maybe I’ve just been gone for too long.

  “That’s cool,” I say casually.

  “Not really. But hey, I like it. You excited to be home?”

  “Not really.”

  He laughs. “Can’t blame you. I bet Fallswood looks pretty tiny compared to Philly.”

  “It is, but that’s not really the issue. It’s more that my dad’s selling my childhood home, so I get to help him move.”

  “Ah,” he says softly. “I get it. Lots of memories. Throwing shit away. I hear you.”

  “Just not a pleasant thing to deal with.”

  “Sure.” He hesitates a beat. “Where’s he moving?”

  “Some new retirement community. Gets his own little townhouse, apparently. And there’s a golf course? I don’t know, it sounds nice, but weird.”

  “Why’s that weird?” he asks, his voice level.

  “Well, I mean, why would someone build that in Fallswood?”

  “Folks gotta retire somewhere,” he points out. “Aging population and all that. I guess someone’s just banking on folks wanting a nice, affordable place to live.”

  I frown at him. “Are you some kind of spokesman?”

  He laughs again and shakes his head. “Nah. Just defensive of the town, I guess.”

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to sound… I didn’t mean to insult you or anything.”

  “Don’t worry about it.”

  We lapse into silence again. I want to look at him badly, but I refuse to do it. And I refuse to break the silence.

  Soon enough, more familiar sights start to appear. Old houses, old landmarks, old shops. It’s all the same, just the way I remembered it, except... smaller, somehow.

  Maybe because the last time I was here, I was so young. I hadn’t seen anything and I didn’t know what anything could look like. Being here now though, seeing the way things were, it all just looks so much shabbier than I remembered.

  But then again, there’s some nice charm. Downtown is gorgeous, with all these old, beautiful houses. There’s a pretty central square with some nice shopping, and okay, I guess I get why people might like downtown Fallswood. But as we move past it, we get out into the residential area.

  And I start to see empty houses. Just a couple at first, but more and more.

  I can’t help myself. “Lots of vacant homes,” I say.

  “Yeah,” he answers softly. “Economy hit Fallswood hard. Folks are struggling all over.”

  I frown. My dad hadn’t told me that.

  “I guess affordable retirement community makes sense then.”

  He grins at me. “See? I knew Fallswood was going to win you over again. You’re a native daughter, after all.”

  I smile a little despite myself. “Please never call me that again.”

  “Native daughter? Ah, come on. It’s true.”

  “Still. It’s awful.”

  “Fine. What should I call you instead?”

  “Just Alicia,” I say.

  “Alicia.” He repeats my name like he’s tasting it.

  That sends a chill down my spine.

  His voice… I swear…

  “Where’s your dad live, Alicia?” he asks.

  “Oh, uh, on Elm Drive. Third house on the left. Do you know it?”

  “Of course,” he says with a grin. “I’m a native son of these parts.”

  I roll my eyes but laugh despite myself.

  “There it is,” he says. “I was almost wondering if I lost all my incredible wit and charm.”

  “Oh, right. Here I was, thinking you had none. But of course.”

  He laughs a little and grins at me, head cocked. He looks like he wants to say something and I stare into those gorgeous, sparkling blue eyes…

  But he looks away. I’m frowning as we keep driving, turning down insanely familiar streets. My stomach’s in knots thinking about seeing my old house, about seeing my dad, about packing it all up…

  And from sitting next to this gorgeous guy.

  “Here we go,” he says gently, turning down my street. “Your house is right up there?”

  “Yep, that one. The one with the green door.”

  “Got it.” He pulls into the driveway and glides to a stop. “Here we are.”

  “Thank you so much,” I say to him. “And, uh…”

  “Don’t worry about the car. That rental place would drag your ass through hell if they knew about this, but it’ll be all good. You’d better give me your number, so I can get in touch with you about it.”

  I hesitate. “Are you just trying to get the digits?”

  “Absolutely.”

  I laugh despite myself and hold out my phone. He types his number in and hands it back. I save it, text him, and the number exchange ritual is complete.

  As we sit there for a second, the sky really does open up. The rain’s coming down hard, pelting the car’s roof and the driveway. He sighs a little, shaking his head.

  “Of course.”

  “Don’t worry. I got it from here.”

  “No way. My job isn’t finished until you’re safe and sound inside.”

  “Seriously, you’ve done enough, and the car—”

  “Come on.” He jumps out of the car suddenly and runs around the back. I laugh a little, watching him, and he grins at me as he opens the trunk. He grabs my suitcase.

  “Come on!” he shouts.

  I jump out. We race up to my front porch, hopping over a puddle. I laugh a little, breathless as we climb the steps and get out of the rain.

  “There we go,” he says, putting my suitcase down. “Now my job is complete.”

  “Thanks,” I say to him, looking up into his eyes. “Seriously. I really appreciate it. You saved my ass.”

  “Not the first time,” he says with a grin. “See you around, Alicia.”