"New Neighbor"

Chapter 2

Characters belong to Evanovich, except the OC, she's mine.

Thank you, Rainbow Severus for all your help as my Beta!

AN: Character's internal thoughts are in italic.

Hope you enjoy, and please let me know what you think!

Previously...

"Yours?" Ranger teased. "Sounds like the big guy fell hard."

"She's the one, man."

...

"That's a pretty serious statement."

"I feel pretty serious about her."

"You just met her today?" Ranger questioned.

"Don't even go there. Remember, I saw you fall for Steph from the beginning." Tank pointed out. "I don't remember you ever being Okay with Les making the moves on your woman."

"Agreed. Damn it. This is why I don't get involved with relationship crap." He grumbled to Tank. "Oh shit!" He whispered back into the phone. "If you were even close to Trenton I would call you to the mats now!"

Tank was confused, until he heard Ranger talking softly away from the phone. "Of course I was not talking about our relationship. No, I don't think it's crap, Babe."

Tank couldn't help but laugh to himself, but was grateful he was not in Trenton. Ranger came back to the phone after a couple of minutes. "Damn it, Tank! Fix this shit with Lester, or I'm going to fly down there and kick both your asses!"

After the phone call, he was too wound up to go back to sleep. It wasn't like he could go down to the gym and work off his frustrations. They hadn't set up a small home gym at the house yet and he didn't want to drive into the city to work out in the office's gym at this time of night. He thought about going for a jog to settle his mind, but running around at 2:30 AM is not the smartest idea. He smiled to himself when he thought of the perfect solution to relieve his tension.

"I know someone who is awake and deserves an ass kicking. Santos!"

Woody was awakened by the sounds of yelling and someone pounding on a door. Without a thought, he grabbed his gun from the drawer, threw open the door, and pointed it at the disturbance.

"What the hell! Put that gun away and put some freaking shorts on!" Lester yelled at Woody.

Woody lowered his gun as he took in the scene before him. Tank had Lester held up by the front of his shirt. It was obvious they'd been fighting.

Tank looked over to Woody. "The brat is right." Woody looked confused. "Put some clothes on, damn it! Why the hell are you naked anyway?"

Woody looked down and finally realize that, yes he was nude and standing in the hall in front of the guys. He dashed back into his room and slammed the door.

"I always sleep o'natural." Lester said with an eyebrow waggle.

"Of course you do, man whore." Tank replied in disgust and the fighting continued.

A couple of minutes later, a fully clothed Woody emerged into the hallway. He was not surprised to see them still going at it.

"That's enough!" He shouted while stepping between the two. "What the hell is going on?"

Tank and Lester glared at one another while catching their breath. "Well?"

"The brat told on me." Tank spit out.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Woody asked.

"You can't freaking pull rank over a girl! That is bullshit. No, it's chicken shit!" Lester pointed out to Tank.

Oh, hell no! Woody thought, before all hell broke loose. Woody wisely stepped out of the way before a punch landed square on Lester's jaw. Woody dropped his head with a sigh. He understood Lester's frustrations with the situation and agreed that it was ridiculous for Tank to order them away from a girl so Tank could ask her out first. He felt he had a real connection with Ashley. They had a lot in common. Hell, they even came from the same home state and when he held her hand in his... he felt it. Sparks? Tingles? Something. He wasn't sure what it was, but he knew he liked it. He liked her and really wanted to spend more time with her. The noise of someone's fist going through the sheet rock pulled him from his thoughts and back to the brawl in front of him.

"Enough!" He shouted at them, as he pushed them apart. "This is ridiculous!"

"Agreed" They both said in unison, which only made them glare back at one another.

"Enough." Woody took a deep breath. "Let's go downstairs and talk this shit out."

Woody led the way, not even waiting for an answer, and went straight to the kitchen to grabbed a couple of bottles of water. He tossed one to each of the guys as they were sitting down, as far away from each other as they could. Then, he started the coffee pot.

It was going to be a long day.

Choosing to stand instead of sitting, thinking it would be faster to break it up if they went at each other again, he took a deep breath and began. "I want you to listen, just listen for a minute. He's right."

"See!" Tank and Lester yelled at each other.

"No! Stop it! Listen. This is ridiculous." Before they could start again, Woody turned to Tank. "I get it, man. I get that you like her. We all do." Before Tank could jump in, he continued. "There is just something about her." Tank nodded. "But listen, if you're into her, win her. Let her choose you. You can't just order everyone to back off. "

Tank took a minute to let Woody's words sink in.

Why can't I order everyone to back off?

She's mine.

Well, She will be.

Hell, Ranger did the same damn thing with Steph.

He though a moment. He couldn't remember Ranger coming out and saying that, but it was implied.

He didn't remember Ranger ever telling the guys they couldn't hang out with her, go for pizza, or anything. Just that they better watch themselves.

Woody does have a point.

I'll win her.

She'll choose me.

The thought of Ashley telling him she chose him over the others, brought a big smile to his face. "OK."

Woody released a breath he wasn't even aware he'd held. He knew Tank would either consider what he said, or knock him out. The percentages were not in his favor. He glanced over to Lester, who looked shocked and must have thought the punches would start flying. "OK." Woody began slowly.

"I know she will pick me anyway." Tank stated.

"Of course." Woody wasn't dumb enough to argue.

"So, I can take her out?" Lester hesitantly asked.

"You can ask her out." Tank replied gruffly.

That was all Lester needed to hear. "Sweet!" He was off and running up the stairs.

"Brat." Tank grumbled.

"Agreed." Woody took a deep breath and looked Tank straight in the eye. "I'm going to ask her to lunch when she has time this week." He thought back to their conversations that day. He and Ashley had talked about what they missed about Texas. They both agreed that they missed the BBQ. That's where he would take her. They could look for a good brisket place together and talk about the other things they both enjoy. "I think we both would like some good BBQ." He didn't even wait for Tank's reaction, as he made his way to his room, smiling.

...

Tank had been a nervous wreck all day. He was edgy and would snap at the smallest thing. He didn't get much sleep last night, it was the idea of Lester and Woody asking Ashley out that was getting to him. In fact, the idea of Lester anywhere near her, drove him insane. He grumbled to himself thinking of how Lester kept putting his arms around her yesterday. "Man whore." He mumble.

"Excuse me, sir?" The assistant office manager asked nervously.

"Oh, nothing. You were saying, about the reports?"

Tank had gone into the office for a few hours even though it was Sunday just to get out of the house and away from those two. After repairing the wall in the hallway, he had to get away. He couldn't stand seeing Lester's smirk another second.

…..

The minute Tank drove off that morning, Lester ran next door to Ashley's. In his hurry, he didn't even shut the front door.

Woody leaned against the open door and shook his head.

Lester rang the door bell and excitedly rubbed his hands together. He was nearly bouncing on his feet.

As soon as she opens the door, I ask her out and of course she'll say yes.

I always get my woman.

Hmm... I can't wait to get my hands on that cute little body.

After a couple of minutes, he rang the bell again and was starting to loose some of his excitement.

"She's not home." Woody called out to him.

Les ignored his audience.

"If you would have listened to her yesterday, instead of trying to put your hands all over her, you would know she is at work all day today."

"Well crap."

"I have more good news for you." Woody went on. "She won't be back till right before her date with Tank." He couldn't help but chuckle."

Lester walked back to their house mumbling.

Woody stood there in the doorway for a few minutes after Les had pushed passed him and went to his room grumbling. He stared at the rose bushes she had planted by her front door and thought about her.

We got along so well yesterday.

If it wasn't for Tank's bullshit, I would be the one taking her out tonight.

I would be the one to hold her hand and kiss her goodnight.

That last thought filled his mind.

…...

Ashley dashed back and forth between the closet and the bathroom. She still had no idea what to wear tonight. There was no time to mentally plan her outfit for tonight, or anything else. Her volunteer shift at the fire department had been slammed. One call came in after another. She was exhausted, but excited too. She couldn't believe that she had a date with the gorgeous mountain of a man. Ashley thought back to yesterday, how the four of them had laughed and talked for hours. She remembered how sweet Tank was and how he looked at her.

She was startled from her thoughts by the doorbell.

"Oh, no!" She glanced down at herself. "Nope, still not dressed."

She grabbed her robe and threw it on, before opening the door.

"Hi." She said, trying to catch her breath.

Tank felt himself relax the second he saw her smiling up at him. "Hi. Interesting outfit." He teased. "I like it."

He leaned down and kiss her cheek. He heard her softly sigh and that brought a bigger smile to his face. "It's good to see you."

"You too. Come on in. Sorry, I'm running a little late. Make yourself comfortable. Can I get you anything?"

He loved the sound of her voice. "No, thank you. I am fine. Take all the time you need."

Ashley smiled and ran back into her bedroom. She quickly pulled together an outfit and ran a brush through her hair one last time.

"I am really sorry I kept you waiting." She said entering the living room. "Today was just so busy."

"No need to apologize. You look great, by the way."

"Oh, thanks. Um.. you too." Ashley blushed.

"You know," Tank started "if you're too tired to go out we could stay in. I could cook."

Wow! I've never had a guy cook for me on a date before.

He is so sweet and romantic!

I should say I'm too tired, then we could stay here and get cozy.

Her bold thoughts caused her face to redden again.

"Um.. No, I'm alright. Let's start the tour of your favorite place. Pizza tonight, right?"

"Right"

He was disappointed. He was hoping she would say she was too tired. That way, he could have her all to himself and impress her with his cooking skills. He wasn't going to offer an option for rescheduling. There was no way he was going to miss his chance to be with her.

"Pizza it is. You'll love it. It taste just like NY pizza. It's all in the sauce."

The drive over was filled with easy flowing conversation. They talked a little about their day, while Tank pointed out different buildings and landmarks.

When they arrived at the restaurant, he opened her door and led her inside with his hand at the small of her back.

They sat opposite from one another at a table in the back and she felt one of his long legs slide up against hers.

"Oh, sorry."

"No worries." She giggled.

Tank ordered his favorite pizza for them. A combination of different Italian cheeses and garlic sauce. They sat smiling nervously at one another sipping on the house red wine and snacking on the garlic bread.

"I really like it here." She finally said, breaking the silence.

"Me too." Tank replied softly while looking into her eyes.

When the pizza arrived, he served her a slice, making a show of stretching the cheese and her giggle.

"I'm having a great time, Tank. Thank you for inviting me. I've just been so busy. I haven't had time for anything fun."

Damn.

I want her to be happy just being with me , not just being out.

Maybe Woody had a point.

I want her to choose me.

"I'm having a good time, too."

He paused for a moment and looked down at his hands folded together on the table.

"Ashley, there is something I need to tell you."

She waited patiently for him to continue.

"Um.." He thought for a moment.

No way was he going to let her know Lester was into her.

He decided to mention Woody's lunch date idea instead.

"I think Woody wants to ask you out on a lunch date."

She was confused.

I thought we were hitting it off.

Did I do something wrong?

He looks really nervous all of a sudden.

Hmmm...

"Are you in the habit of setting your date up on dates?" She questioned.

"What? No! I..I just thought you should know."

"Oh."

Interesting.

"Tank, I like Woody. I would like to hang out with him sometime."

Tank felt his heart sink.

Why?

Why did I listen to them?

Why didn't I keep my big mouth shut?

She saw his face drop.

"But I'm the kind of girl who only dates one man at a time. All my attention is yours, if you want it." She offered with a smile.

What?

She wants me?

She chose me!

"Yes. I want it."

He surprised her by leaning across the table and kissing her on the lips.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

Thanks