Here it is as promised. Just a minor delay as I am still trying to Beta my own work. Hope you enjoy. Thank you to everyone that has reviewed and added this as a fav or to their alerts. I appreciate it more than you will ever know.

J,A,E and R are not mine wish tjey were they are all S's and she's one lucky bitch.

Chap 4

Thirty five minuets later I pulled into the driveway of my condo. It had taken my over an hour to get there, but it is four in the morning and there is no traffic and I was going almost 100 miles an hour for the most part so thank God the trip home was much faster.

I undid my seat belt and was about to get out of the car when out of no where the wind picked up and blew past me bringing the smell of leather and sex with it. I had driven like a bat out of hell all the way home hoping the smell of him would blow away in the humid night. But there it was and suddenly I felt like I had just made the biggest mistake of my life. I had run away trying to escape in time before I lost my heart to a stranger, but I realized it was already too late.

It was too late the second our eyes met. Probably even before that the moment I heard his voice my heart and body knew what my stupid brain refused to see. He was the one and now I am going to spend the rest of my life alone. God had sent one of his angels down from heaven and I turned my back on him. I couldn't hold back the tears any longer it was like a dam broke. Water poured from my eyes and I couldn't control the sobs rack my body. I cried as my heart broke. I cried for what could have been. And I cried for what I had lost because I wasn't strong enough to reach out and take what was right in front of me.

I cried until I was all cried out. The sun was just peaking over the trees to the east. Soon my neighbors would be up coming out to get the paper or to water the lawn. I don't want anyone to see me like this. I can't let my brother see me like this. Him and Rose live just one street over and he passes my condo ever day during his morning run. I pull myself together enough to grab my purse and get out of the car.

I let myself in and fell back against the door as it closed behind me. I am exhausted. Physically and mentally. I guess realizing you've ruined your entire life take it's toll. Throwing my purse and keys on the console table in the entry I headed toward the kitchen. I need some aspirin and then I need to crawl into my bed and pull the covers over my head a sleep. 3 or 4 months aught to do it. My head is pounding, to much tequila, and my body aches. I don't want to think about the reason for that. I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and swallow four Advil. The ice cold water feels like heaven sliding down my throat. I realize I'm dehydrated from the alcohol and the crying so I chug the entire bottle of water. When I'm done I feel a tiny bit better. I throw the bottle into the recycling bin by the side door and glance at the calendar hanging there.

"Oh hell!" I mutter realizing the date.

July the 4th. Time again for the Annual McCarty 4th of July Family BBQ Extravaganza! Every year for the 4th Emmett his team mates and their families over to celebrate. And Em goes all out for this event. There is tons of food catered by his favorite Bar-B-Q restaurant . Swimming in the pool and skiing on the lake. Games and prizes for the kids all organized by my brother to ensure as he says maximum funage. He even rents one of those giant bouncy houses which I'm pretty sure he enjoys more than the kids do. I cringe remembering the story that Rose told about what they did in bouncy house after everyone left last year.

I promised Rose I'd be there by ten to help get everything ready. I glance at the clock it's just a little after 6. I'll take a quick shower, get in a power nap, and still make it there by 10 as promised. I head upstairs glad to have something to focus on. Something to stop me from sitting here alone and reliving the events of last night. I very carefully avoid all mirrors and reflective surfaces. I just can't face myself until I'm me again. Walking into the bathroom I turn the shower on full blast as hot as I can stand it. Being very careful to keep my back to the vanity I kick the stupid fuck me heels into the corner and rip off the top and it and this ridiculous skirt follow the shoes into the corner. I'll burn them all later.

Stepping into the scalding shower I grab my loofah and shower gel and try to scrub the smell of him off me. I scrub until my skin is pink and raw trying to scrub the feeling of his calloused hands off me. I scrub until the water starts cooling and realize it's no use. I'll never be able to erase the feeling of his hands on my body. Angry at myself I throw my loofah against the wall and hurry and wash my hair. I just manage to get all the soap rinsed away before the water turns icy. Turning off the water I step out of the shower and grab a towel from the heated rack to wrap around myself. I use a second towel to dry my hair and the wipe the fog from the mirror.

I almost don't recognize the women in the mirror. Except I do recognize her. It's exactly the way my mother always looked after my dad left us. Her sad haunted eyes staring back at me her mouth turned down in a permanent frown. I can't stand to look at her so I hurry out of the bathroom and grab a tee and undies from the basket of clean clothes I left out side my closet. I quickly dress and slide between the crisp cool sheets. I set the alarm on my phone and set it on the table next to my bed. Thankfully I'm out almost as soon as my head hits the pillow.

I groan when less than two hours later the alarm goes off. I consider for a moment just texting Rose and telling her I'm sick, but I know her well enough to know that she would just send my brother over here to check on me and I've never been able to lie to him. He would very quickly figure out something was wrong if I had his undivided attention. No It's better if I see Em when there are a thousand thing distracting him. I'll get my game face on and focus on helping Rose get the party set up.

Walking into the closet I grab my new Anna Sui sundress and the cute brown leather sandals that I picked up at a vintage shop downtown. Walking back into the bathroom I give a dirty look to the pile of clothes in the corner and focus on making myself presentable. 20 minutes later I grab the fifty cupcakes and 3 pies I had pre-made two days ago and head out the door. I load everything into the passenger seat and head off to Rose and Em's. It take just a matter if minutes to get there as they live around the corner. I would have walked if I didn't have so many sweets to transport. I recognize most of the cars in the drive. Some of Emmett's teammates had arrived early to help set up. Super can't wait to spend and entire day around all the happy couples. I check my appearance in the in the visor mirror. Wow do I look bitter. That face will never fool anyone.

"There's my favorite sister." I hear from slightly behind me.

I hurry and past a phony smile on my face and turn to see my brother coming up the driveway on a Segway.

"I'm you only sister Em." I say rolling my eyes as he tries back up without falling over.

"Doesn't mean you can't be my favorite. You look beautiful today by the way." he smiles at me as I start unloading my car.

"Where did you get that thing" I ask eyeing his new toy.

"Benny sold it to me. I thought I could give the kids a ride around the cul-de-sac on it."

"Great idea" I said very sarcastically. "And why did Benny sell it to you?" Benny is the Cowboy's defensive coordinator. He's like 7 feet tall and weighs about 310 and his wife is just barely bigger than me, but he is terrified of her and does whatever she says.

"Umm well" he says spinning around in circles "he fell off it and broke his hand and his wife made him get rid of it. So Rose got that Tiffany bracelet she's been wanting and I got the Segway. " He said with a mischievous grin.

I couldn't help but smile back when he unleashed both dimples on me.

"Emmett Christian McCarty get off of that thing before you break something and help your sister" Rose yells walking out the side door.

"Yes dear" he mumbles taking the baked goods from my hands walking into the house.

"That man drives me insane." Rose grumbles as she watches him walk into the house."I swear if he weren't hung like a horse I'd divorce his goofy ass." She turns and winks at me. "God Aly I love that dress. Is that the new Anna Sui?"

"Yep" I answer giving her a little twirl.

"Well you look adorable." She pauses " Sooo how was your night? Rose asks arching her brow at me.

Crap I was hoping we could avoid this for awhile. I knew she would want all the details, but I hoped she would wait till after the party.

"Aly honey what's wrong?" Rose asked with a very concerned look on her face.

I realized big fat tears were rolling down my cheeks again. Lord I thought I was all cried out. Rose took me in her arms and held me while I sobbed again.

"Shhh baby tell me what's wrong. Did someone hurt you last night?" Rose sounded so worried and I could tell by the look in her eyes she was thinking the absolute worst.

So between the tears I managed to tell her the whole story as quickly as possible before anyone came looking for us.

"Oh God sweetie I don't know what to say. I'm so sorry." She wrapped her arms around me an hugged me.

"Rose do you think I'm crazy? I mean I don't even know his name." I lay my head on her shoulder.

"Aly I knew I was going to spend the rest of my life with your brother the second I laid eyes on him. So I certainly do believe in love at first sight. " She strokes my hair and gently rocks me. Like a mother trying to sooth a fussy baby. "But are you sure? I mean Jason was hot and all but he kind of seemed like a jerk."

"My heart feels like it's in a million pieces and I can't stop thinking about him Rose. Wait who's Jason?" I ask.

" Jason is the guy I hired for you to hook up with last night"

I pull away from her and walk into the garage. I grab a paper towel and blow my nose taking a moment to process what she just said.

"Your telling me you hired someone to have sex with me? Oh my God I'm in love with a gigolo! " I cry crumbling to the floor. I bury my face in my arms that are resting on my bent knees. A million thoughts screaming through my head. And I realize I don't care that he's a man whore. I look up at Rose "I can still feel his lips on mine and I can feel my fingers running through his honey blonde curls and his deep sapphire blue eyes haunt me every time I close my eyes. "

"Yep you got it bad girl. Well the good new is I know how to contact Jaso.. Wait did you say blonde curls?"

"Honey blonde curls." I correct her

"And blue eyes" she asks

"Sapphire blue." I correct her again. She looks confused. "Rose what is it?"

"Jason has black hair and green eyes. Like Billie Joe. I picked someone with a look I knew you were attracted to. You've never liked blondes" Rose plopped down next to me. "That bastard owes me a thousand bucks and just who the hell did you hook up with last night? "

"A thousand buck Rose?" I ask her stunned.

"Hey I had to get you a designer hustler. Nothings to good for my favorite sister-in-law. He came very highly recommended. " she smiled at me.

"I'm your only sister-in-law Rose." I remind her.

"Doesn't mean your not my favorite." she says hopping up and giving me her hand. Her and Emmett are so perfect for each other. "Well the good new is your not in love with a gigolo."

I can't help but smile at her. Her and Em always make me feel better. Even when I don't want to. I am thankful that the man I finally fell in love with was not bought and paid for. I like shopping as much as the next girl, but that is a bit much.

"You go straight into my room and get yourself cleaned up and let's get through this party. I swear tomorrow we will put our heads together and figure out what to do." She gives me another big hug and swats me on the rear end as I head toward the master bedroom.

I manage to make it into their gigantic master bath without running into anyone. I didn't want to look into the mirror, I know the hollow woman would just be staring back at me, but I had to fix my make-up. Thank goodness I used water proof mascara. The damage wasn't as bad as I thought. I borrowed some stuff from Rose and was just applying fresh gloss when I heard voices in the bedroom.

"Dude did you do it?" I could hear Emmett ask excitedly.

"Whitlock is a chicken shit I'm sure he punked out." I'm pretty that was Smitty he plays right tackle

" You better not have punked out Whitlock. I've got a C-note riding on this." That was defiantly Sanchez. He's the kicker from Cuba and still has a very distinct accent. What the hell are they talking about and who the hell is Whitlock?

I peeked through the crack in the door but I couldn't see much. The lights were still off but I could see Em was standing facing me and I'm pretty sure Sanchez was on his. It looked like the entire Dallas Cowboys defensive line and most of the special teams roster was huddled around something or someone in my brother's bedroom. They were all talking over each other and hard to understand. What I could figure out is they had dared someone named Whitlock to do something and now they want the proof that he'd gone through with dare or for him to admit defeat. They are such children.

"Ok everyone hush before Rose catches us." Em scolded the group of grown men giggling like school girls. "The challenge was issued and accepted."

"The rookie here was to go to Skeeters." My brother said in a very official sounding voice.

Oh my God did he just say Skeeters? I pressed my ear closer to the small opening straining to hear what he was saying.

"He was to pick up a random bimbo, nail her, and bring her panties back as proof. Whitlock to you have that proof?" my pig of a brother finished his speech.

Several things happened at once someone turned the light on in the room the over head light like a light bulb turning on in my head my brain finally processed what Emmett had said and I got a flash of last night. A flash of him ripping my panties off and sliding them in his pocket. At the same time the very large man that was in my direct line of vision moved slightly to the left and I had a clear view of the back man they were all staring at. The bastard hadn't even changed his clothes from last night. There were grass stains from where he'd landed on his ass when he fell. As he pulled the tiny wisp of silk that was my ruined panties out of his pocket confirming everything my brain knew but my heart tried to deny I somehow pulled my cell out of my pocket and hit send. Thankfully the last person I called was Rose. She pick up as I watched him twirl them around his finger in victory.

"Aly where are you I need you to .."

"Rose I'm in your bathroom I need you please hurry" I whispered into the phone interrupting her.

"Be right there just stay on the line" I know the panic in my voice probably scared her but needed her to clear the room. I needed to get out before any of them saw me. Before he saw me.

"What the hell is going on in here." she yelled as she came barreling into the room.

I could see Em grab my panties and stuff them in his pocket. I groaned. Could this get any worse.

"Um I was just showing the guys the new duvet." Emmett said looking extremely guilty.

"Yeah right. Go have your circle jerk somewhere else boys." She shooed them out of the room.

I released the breath I didn't realize I was holding. I could feel the stupid tears trying to escape again. And even though I saw the proof with my own eyes my ruined heart was still begging me to go after him.

"Alice honey are you OK?" Rose asked softly as she opened the door and walked into the bathroom. She took my hand and led me to the bed and I sat down my head hanging.

"It was all a disgusting bet." I cried

"What was? What are you talking about?" she asked sitting next to me on the bed.

"Last night. It was all a stupid disgusting bet. Rose who's Whitlock?"

"He's the new Quarterback. Why?" She was rubbing my back trying to calm me again.

"Kind of old to be the new Quarterback isn't he?"

"I guess but he should have been drafted into the league the year after Em. Probably would have been in the top 5 or so according to your brother, but he joined the military instead. I can't remember which branch."

"Navy" I answer

"Oh yeah he was a Navy Seal. Wait how did you know?"

"It's him. From last night. Whitlock is him. Oh God I got to go." I get up and head towards the door. "Rose I'm sorry I can't face him. Not now. Not knowing it was all just a bet"

"What bet? Alice what are you talking about? Please tell me what the hell you are talking about" she pleads.

"No Rose not now. I just need to get out of here." Just as I reach for the door it swings open.

"Excuse me ladies. I left my hat on the bed and it's hotter than blazes out there." He drawls in that sexy smoke and whiskey voice of his.

The room spins and my knees buckle. I feel his arms around me and my treacherous heart throbs to life at the contact.

I hear Rose gasp and just before darkness completely takes me I feel his calloused hand stroke my face and I hear his soft whisper.

"Pixie?"

So what do ya think? Please let me know. I'm getting added to lot's of alerts, but not a whole heck of a lot of reviews. I'm trying to finish this before I go on vacation. Guess where I'm going? I'll give you a hint. It's the birthplace of the hottest fictional character ever. I'll name a character after the first person that guesses right. You can even choose which of Em's team mates you want to be married to.

Kisses