When Hearts Collide (Complete)

~ Chapter 11 ~

                Bobby wasn’t usually a pissed off type of guy, but Monday, when he woke up he was pissed and moody and needed to get laid.  Or punch the s**t out of something.  And since he didn’t think he was going to get laid soon, thanks to the damn images, he thought punching would be best.  So he slipped on some basketball shorts and a tank top and headed out to the gym he saw the other day.

                At least he should be thankful that he didn’t have to see her tonight, for she didn’t need to come in.  And he liked that she was able to spend more time with those kids, although the thought angered him.  He paused at that; okay, maybe he wanted it to.  He didn’t want to think about her or those kids.

                He pulled into a spot with a huff and walked into the gym.  Usually it wasn’t his thing to box or be at a gym, he rather run, and even better since he was right by the beach, but his current mood wasn’t going to allow for that.   So, he quickly signed up and made his way to the back where the punching bag area was.  At least the bags were in a private room.  He threw his air buds in, cranked his music and soon got lost in the punches and the release of his frustration. 

                Two hours later, he pulled his bike up to the spot in the back and climbed off, seeing a little boy there with a ball cap on backwards, the red hair poking through the hole.  The kid looked up at him and smiled.

                “Nice Harley,” the boy told him, nodding at the bike.

                “You think?”  At the boys nod, Bobby smiled.  “Thanks; she’s brand new.  I just moved here and figured a bike would be the best thing.”

                “Oh, you’re Bobby.”

                “How did you know?”  The kid walked up and looked over the bike.

“My mom said the new bartender had just moved here and was holding down the fort well so she didn’t have to come in today.  Usually she works Monday’s too.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be in school?”  The kid smiled up at him.

                “Summer break just started for us.  I’m Dylan.”

                “Nice to meet you.  I take it your mom is here?”

                “Yeah, had to stop by for the deposit.”

                “Gotcha.  You know bikes?”

                “Somewhat.  My dad and mom used to ride them when they were younger and he used to teach me stuff.  He hasn’t in a long while though,” Dylan said while Bobby watched him.  He hated seeing how upset he was, which that was a first for him, after all, kids weren’t his thing.

                “Well, how about every so often you can come down here before we open up and I can show you some stuff?  My dad used to help me work on them.”  Now, why the f**k would he utter a God damn thing like that?  He did not do kids, at all, and yet here he was offering to do this.  Did the f*****g California sun already fry his brain?  Because he had no other reasoning for saying anything like that.

                “You wouldn’t mind?”

                “Not at all.”

                “Dylan?”  Both of them turned as the door opened and Jackie walked out in a cute sundress, her hair lose and brushing her shoulders, causing his mouth to water at the sight before him.

-----

                Jackie picked up the money, glancing through the window to make sure her son was okay and frowned as she saw no Dylan.  She knew her kids and knew he wouldn’t wander off.  So, she locked up the safe and then made her way to the back door.

                “Dylan?” she called, looking around for him.  She turned her head and saw him with a shirtless, sweaty Bobby and she felt the tingle shoot straight down to her center.

                f**k, he looked so sexy standing next to his bike like that.  And she had no trouble mind f*****g him.  And probably would have done more if Dylan wasn’t there.

                “Hey mom, I met Bobby.  And guess what?”  Jackie had to lick her lips, which she saw Bobby follow with his eyes, and she had to swallow a few times before she answered her son.

                “What’s that buddy?”

                “Bobby said I could come over before work and help him with his bike like how I used to help dad.”  Neither adult missed the past tense in that statement and it gutted Jackie.  She hated that her ex was such a loser about his kids, or at least he had come to be.  Her eyes flew to Dylan’s and then back to Bobby, who had the smallest smile on those kissable lips.

                “He did, huh?  Maybe I might have to bring you back when he says it’s okay.  But come on, we got to hit the bank.”

                “Bye Bobby,” Dylan said, walking over to Jackie.

                “Bye Dylan.  Bye Jackie,” Bobby said, tossing her a wink, which caused her to blush.

                “Later Bobby.  Have a good few days off if I don’t see you.”        

                “Maybe I’ll come down and try a special or two.”  She smiled and walked back through the door.

-----

                Around 8:30, Bobby said screw it, grabbed his shirt and his phone and went down stairs.  Jackie wasn’t lying when she said it got loud, and these days, they weren’t even busy.  So, he couldn’t even imagine what it was like when the place was packed like he had seen it.  He walked outside to the back and smiled at Justin.

                “Here on your day off man?”

                “Yeah, got a little loud up there.”

                “Jackie told me it can be.  What can I get for you?”

                “A  bottled beer, Bud light please.”

                “Sure thing.”  Justin went to grab it while Bobby turned around to watch the scene.  It was a gorgeous night out actually and he was glad he came down after all.  Justin sat the bottle down and Bobby turned around, laying some money next to it and Justin shook his head.  “Jackie says if anyone comes in on their day off and has a drink; it’s on the house; even if you live upstairs.”

                “Thanks man,” Bobby said, tipping the bottle towards Justin before having a drink.  He was getting ready to walk over to the side to watch the waves when he saw a taller man whose hair was receding and had a small gut starting to form, walk up to the bar and rapped on it with his knuckle to get Justin’s attention.  Justin turned and walked over to the man.

                “What can I help you with Greg?”

                “Where is Jackie?”

                “Not here.”

                “But she always works Monday.  She doesn’t have the means not to work.”

                “She does now Greg; she’s not here,” Justin repeated.

                “s**t,” Greg uttered and Bobby lifted a brow, wanting to step in and say something to the asshole but Justin shook his head at him, silently telling him to back off.                  

                “My suggestion, Greg, head over to her house.  Maybe say hi to your ex wife and kids rather than bug the bar stuff.”  Bobby stood up straighter at that.  This was the asshole that Jackie was married to?  What the f**k did she ever see in him?  He sat his beer down and started seeing red.