Chapter 16

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

Barlow was awakened by the rustle of covers and Caroline's warm body spooned against his back. Her arm reached around him, and her hand came to rest against his belly. He opened one eye to check the time. The digital alarm clock on his nightstand read 5:14.

He would soon have to get up and go to work. The wind rattled the windows of his apartment. It would be a cold day laying shingles. He was tempted to bask in Caroline's warmth a little longer.

While making the eight-hour drive back from Pennsylvania, Barlow had grown despondent. Seeing Pet should have provided him with some sort of closure. She was married, happy, and had moved on with her life. Isn't that what he had wanted for her? Wasn't that his motive for breaking up with her in the first place?

If so, why did he feel such regret? So empty inside? Why had he driven to The Eight Ball and thrown himself at Caroline, keeping her company until closing and then inviting her back to his place?

He felt guilty taking advantage of her, all the while thinking about Pet, wishing he was with Pet. It wasn't the first time he and Caroline had sex, but under the circumstances, sleeping with her last night had been wrong. Caroline was a sweet, nurturing young lady. She didn't deserve to be used as an object to satisfy his sexual longing.

Barlow carefully untangled himself, trying not to disturb her sleep, and headed for the bathroom. After stumbling through his morning shave and shower ritual, he exited the bathroom and found the bed empty. "Caroline?"

From down the hall, he heard her voice. "I'm in the kitchen."

He slipped into his work clothes and detected the pleasing aroma of bacon frying. Barlow found her at the stove, barefoot, wearing nothing but one of his flannel shirts. He did have feelings for her, it was just that...

She wasn't Pet.

He hugged her from behind. "I wish you wouldn't sacrifice your sleep to make me breakfast."

She giggled. "Is that your way of saying you don't like my cooking?"

"You know that's not true."

"Don't worry. After you leave, I'm going back to bed and sleep until noon." She paused to flip the eggs in the fry pan.

Barlow took a seat at the table.

She set a plate in front of him. Two eggs over easy, toasted wheat bread, and six strips of bacon. His favorite breakfast combo. She poured a glass of orange juice for him and started the coffee.

Guilt dampened his appetite, but he wanted to show his appreciation. He forked eggs into his mouth. "You're too good to me. You spoil me."

"That's the general idea." She sat across the table and watched him eat. "I'm not going to have breakfast yet, because it'll keep me from getting back to sleep." She regarded him. "Barlow, I'm sorry about your dad. Did you get everything squared away while in Pennsylvania?"

He set down his fork. "No. I'm going to have to go back after Thanksgiving to finish up."

Caroline ran her fingers through her long, thick mane of gorgeous hair. "I worry about you. You didn't seem yourself last night. Distant." She took a breath. "I know you served. If it's PTSD from your time deployed with the Marines, that's okay and it won't scare me off, but you should tell me about it so I can understand when you get this way."

Crap. She had noticed he had been distracted. Her words made him feel even more guilty. She was sweet and accommodating. She always tried so hard to please him. "It's not PTSD. I was deployed over there, but my unit was tasked with guarding sensitive military facilities. Other than a few half-hearted attacks by hostiles, I never had to engage in prolonged combat."

His words seemed to mollify her. He picked up his fork meaning to finish off his eggs.

She watched him eat. "Now that we've been together for a while, I was wondering if I should give up my place and move in with you."

Why now? Why did she ask him this now when he was so damn confused?

When he didn't answer, Caroline rested a hand against her chest. "Am I moving too fast, assuming too much?"

Barlow rubbed his forehead. "Hear me out. During the past ten years I may have deluded myself into believing a lie about my father." He hadn't directly answered her question and wondered if he was making sense. "Look, do you really want me to unload all of this onto you?"

She smiled. "I'm a professional waitress and bartender. People unload their troubles onto me all day long. I'm probably better at listening than most therapists, so go ahead, lay it on me."

He told her the whole story, but left out all the parts about Pet. While he spoke, the coffee finished brewing and Caroline poured them each a cup. When done, Barlow realized he still hadn't answered her question. He didn't know how to answer it. Pet was married, out of his reach, and Caroline was an awesome lady who cared for him. He sipped his coffee, stalling for time.

She drummed her fingers against the tabletop. "Are you just going to let things go, or are you going to try to find out what really happened that long ago night?"

"I'm working on it."

She cocked her head. "How?"

"I have an old friend who happens to be a state trooper. This trooper friend of mine is making some inquiries and doing some research for me."

Caroline perked up. "That's really cool. When is he going to get back to you?"

He. The word hung in the air. Caroline had backed him into a corner, but he wasn't going to lie to her. Barlow cleared his throat. "She."

"What?"

"My trooper friend is a she. Her name is Petronia. We grew up together. I've known her for almost my entire life. That's why she agreed to help me."

Caroline took a long drink from her coffee. His confession didn't seem to bother her. She took it in stride. "When is she going to get back to you?"

"Pet is going to call me Monday after this Thanksgiving weekend."

Caroline set down her coffee cup. "Pet? You call her Pet?"

Oh, crap. "It's just a nickname from when we were kids."

"Uh, huh, when Pet  calls you with the details of her investigation, is that when you'll return to Pennsylvania?"

Barlow shrugged. "Yeah, I'll need to go over things with her."

"And it isn't something you could simply do over the phone?"

She had a point, but he didn't want to talk to her over the phone. He yearned to see her again, in the flesh. "I don't think so. By the way, Petronia is married."

"Good for her."

He wondered if she would let it drop.

"So, about me moving in?"

If it hadn't been for his rekindled feelings for Pet, Barlow would be filled with joy over Caroline's willingness to commit to him. What was wrong with him? He and Pet were over. Finished. In the past. He had left her and then lost her to another man. Why wasn't he encouraging Caroline and heartily agreeing that she should move in?

Caroline hung her head. "Your silence speaks volumes."

"It's not you. It's me," Barlow mumbled.

She groaned. "That is such a cliché. Why don't you just tell me you don't want me to move in with you?"

"Give me a break, Caroline. My head isn't in the right place having to deal with my father's situation." And dealing with his inappropriate feelings for Pet.

Caroline met Barlow's gaze. He saw compassion in her eyes. She said, "I'm sorry. You're right. Your father just died, and I'm being insensitive. Now's not the right time."

Barlow hoped he would be able to put his feelings for Pet behind him and someday soon he and Caroline could take that next step. "I'll work it out, I promise." When though? When would he get over his confused mess of emotions?

Caroline stood. "I'm going back to bed. I'll be gone before you return from work this afternoon."

"You don't have to—"

"—Yeah, I do. Oh, and Barlow, when you return to Pennsylvania, I'm coming with you."

Uh oh!  Barlow's life has suddenly become a lot more complicated. How is he going to resolve his feelings for both women?

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net