Forbidden Fruit: Volume 1 Read online

  “Fine. I’ll go tomorrow.”

  “I really can’t thank you enough, Tray. Seriously, and while you’re there maybe you can help get AnaBelle out of her funk.”

  Maybe, but who the hell was going to get me out of mine? I could usually hide it pretty well, but spending time in the country with the grieving widow wasn’t going to help me forget everything that went down when I was a kid. It couldn’t take those memories away. Nothing could. Not the booze or the random sex with any girl in sight. Nothing had worked so far. I guess it was time to give hard work in the country a chance, right?

  Country Daze

  Tray

  “Hey, man. I’m guessing you’re here to pick me up?” I asked the short balding man waiting at the gate with a sign that read, “Jason’s friend” in big black letters on it.

  The little guy looked pretty damn irritated. “I don’t know, man. Are you Jason’s friend?”

  “Well, this is going to be awesome,” I mumbled under my breath. “Yeah, name’s Tray.” I stuck my hand out to shake his, but he didn’t reciprocate the gesture.

  Turning his back to me he started outside. I’d just thrown some clothes in my old duffle bag, so I picked it up and ran out the door to catch up with Mr. Friendly. When I reached the old farm truck, he was already inside and had it started up. I threw my bag in the back and climbed in, slamming the door shut behind me.

  The drive to the ranch was deadly quiet. He never said a word and I didn’t either. Why the hell should I? No wonder Mrs. Mason was having a hard time with the farm. If all of her employees were like this fucker, she didn’t stand a chance.

  Not able to take it another second, I asked, “You gotta problem with me?”

  Mr. Friendly slowly turned his head toward me, smirked at me, and then replied sarcastically, “Not at all, sir. I’m just so darn happy to make your acquaintance. I just can’t wait to get to know ya better.”

  It was clear that this was going to be a fucking awesome summer…

  As soon as we pulled up to the house, my friendly driver practically threw my ass out of the truck. I felt weird going into the house with no one there, so I left my bag on the porch and headed out to where the action seemed to be happening. There were people out by the barn. I could hear yelling. It sounded like a damn madhouse out there.

  There were two young guys working outside of the barn. I guess you could call it working; they seemed to be fighting with each other more than they were figuring out what needed to be done. They looked to be about my age, but they looked like damn weaklings. I couldn’t figure out if they really worked on the ranch, or if they were just hear to look pretty. Either way, it didn’t seem to be working for them.

  Walking into the barn, I saw Mr. Friendly washing down a horse and scrubbing it with a big long handle brush. As I walked past him, he mumbled, “Stupid fucker.”

  Good times…making friends…good for me.

  I saw at least three other guys doing various things around the barn. They were feeding animals, washing them, and there was a younger girl putting a saddle on one of the horses. As I was getting ready to leave the barn, I heard something coming from a room in the back. I walked back there and saw the sign over the door that read, “Jefferson Mason – Owner”. The door was opened just a crack, so I pushed it a little further and saw the saddest sight. Mrs. Mason was sitting at the desk holding her head in her hands sobbing.

  “What am I going to do? What in the hell am I supposed to do? I don’t know the first thing about running a farm, Jeff. I never did.” She wiped her eyes and ran her fingers through her long blonde hair. “You knew this wasn’t for me. Why in the hell did you leave me with all of this mess?”

  “What the hell are you doing?” Mr. Friendly asked, as he walked up behind me.

  Mrs. Mason looked up when she heard him, and grabbed a tissue from the box on her desk and blew her nose loudly. “Were you watching me?” she asked.

  “Uh, well. I guess I was, Mrs. Mason.”

  “Who the hell are you?” she asked gruffly.

  “Tray. Tray Thompson. I’m Jason’s friend. He asked me to come help you out for a bit this summer.”

  She looked like she had no fucking clue what I was talking about.

  “Didn’t he tell you I was coming?” I asked.

  “I thought he was coming to help me. He’s not coming is he?” She looked like she was about to freak out. More tears were welling up in her eyes.

  “He has a lot of irons in the fire and just couldn’t take the time to get here. But I’m a hard worker and I owe Jason a lot. I’m more than happy to step in for him. I can help you out with whatever needs to be done, ma’am.”

  “Ma’am? Great.” She seemed exasperated. “Come in and have a seat,” she said quietly. “Thanks Gabe. You can go now.”

  Now I had a name for Mr. Friendly…Gabe. The name didn’t really fit him. Gabe seemed like a grandpa name, not an asshole name. And he was most assuredly an asshole.

  As he ushered past me, he rammed into my shoulder and said, “The two of you are two fucking peas in a pod. Good luck, boy.”

  I pushed back and replied, “Fuck off, Gabe.”

  Yep, this was gonna be a blast. I wasn’t sure why I was feeling the hate from Gabe so strongly, but I figured he’d fill me in real soon. Right now I was more worried about Jason’s stepmom. She didn’t look the way I remembered her. She looked beat down and her eyes were a little glassy. Like maybe she was on something. I knew she wasn’t a drug addict, but I wondered if she was still taking meds to help with the loss of Mr. Mason.

  “At least I’m not the only one they hate,” Mrs. Mason said as she stood up and motioned for me to sit down in the chair in front of her desk. “I apologize for Gabe. He’s…well…he’s just an asshole.”

  I laughed. “Yeah, I kinda gathered that.”

  “Jason didn’t want come home, did he?”

  “No, he really did want to come help you out. But he’s gotta take some summer classes and he’s wrapped so tight around Zoe’s finger, I don’t think he could stand being away from her that long.”

  “Zoe?” She asked.

  Oh shit…apparently Jason didn’t talk to his stepmom much. “Uh, yeah. Zoe. She’s Jason’s girlfriend. They’ve been dating since orientation.”

  “I see. I had no idea he was getting serious with anyone. Hell, I didn’t even know he was seeing anyone. Of course I thought he was coming here to help me for the summer, so goes to show I don’t really know a lot about my stepson.”

  “I’m sorry. I really thought he told you I was coming and I had no idea you didn’t know about Zoe. He can’t keep his mouth shut about her. I figured you knew every detail.”

  “He doesn’t really call me much anymore. Since…well, since Jeff…since Jeff isn’t here anymore, he doesn’t really call much. I guess I can understand that. It’s not like I’m his mom or anything.”

  “He loves you a lot Mrs. Mason. You know he doesn’t have any kind of relationship with his mom. I’m sure he talks to you a lot more than he talks to her.”

  She smiled. “You’re probably right about that, Mr. Thompson.”

  “Please don’t call me that. The name is Tray.”

  “Okay, Tray. Why don’t you call me AnaBelle?”

  “Sounds good, Mrs. Mason,” I laughed. “Now you wanna show me what I’m gonna be doing around here for the next few weeks?” I asked with a grin.

  We spent the next few hours walking around the farm. AnaBelle introduced me to everyone. The two guys who thought they were models for freaking Bass Pro Shops were actually twins, Mark and Matt. They were pretty cool, but a little too into themselves for my liking. The other men who worked the farm were Davis, John, Allen, and Michael. Of course I couldn’t leave out Mr. Friendly, or Gabe as his mother so inappropriately named him. The girl I had seen earlier was eighteen and kept her horse “Dreamsicle” here in the barn. Her name was Sarah and apparently she came by every afternoon to check on her horse and feed he
r.

  When we finished up the tour and list of shit I was going to be doing all summer, Mrs. Mason took me inside and showed me around the house. I’d been there for the funeral, but all I’d really seen was Jason’s room. It was downstairs back behind the kitchen. It was dark and dingy and had a small closet that his dad had put a toilet and sink in. The only shower in the house was in the main bathroom at the top of the stairs. The house had three bedrooms- two upstairs and Jason’s downstairs.

  I threw my bag down on the bed and headed to the kitchen.

  “I hope you don’t mind, but I just didn’t feel like cooking tonight,” she said, as she placed a frozen pizza in the oven for us.

  “Hell no. I’m a college student. I survive on pizza and beer,” I stated with a smile as I sat down at the kitchen table. There was a beer on the table, so I grabbed it, popped the cap off, and took a long pull. It went down so smooth.

  “What the hell?” she shrieked as she took the beer from my hands. “Excuse me, but I do believe you’re a minor. Am I correct?”

  Even with that stern look on her face, Mrs. Mason was hot as fuck. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a ponytail and she was wearing short jean shorts and a little white tank top. The tops of her tits were peeking out of the top. She wasn’t wearing a drop of make-up, but she didn’t need it. Her natural state was ten times better than half the skanks I’d fucked this year.

  Unable to tear my eyes away from her glorious tits, I answered, “Well, technically.”

  I could tell I was making her uncomfortable because she pulled her tank top up and covered her boobs. Such a waste. Then she took a slug of beer and burped. Not a ladylike little burp. Oh no. This was a big ole belly belch.

  Her pretty baby blue eyes met mine and we both broke out laughing.

  “Not bad manners, just good beer,” I said.

  “Yeah, my beer. No beer for you, Mr. Minor.”

  “Fine. No beer for me, Mrs. Mason.”

  “So tell me more about Jason and Zoe. Is she good to him? Are they happy? Oh my god, are they going to get married?” She went on as she frantically worked around the kitchen. “He’s too young to get married. Oh hell, no he isn’t. He should just do it now. Take your happiness where you can and when you can.”

  Finally I got a word in edge wise. “I don’t think they have any plans to get married, but I could be wrong. She treats him real good and they are disgustingly happy. Makes me wanna puke every time I’m with them.”

  She smiled and calmed down a little bit. Sitting down across the table from me, she choked, “I just want him to be happy. Jeff would want that.”

  Reaching out I placed my hand over hers. “He is happy, Mrs. Mason. Jason is one of the best guys I know. He’s gonna do big things with his life.”

  She nodded and wiped a single tear from her cheek. Just thinking about Mr. Mason made her cry. Jason was right, she wasn’t taking this very well. It probably didn’t help anything that the people who worked for her treated her like she was the biggest idiot in the world. It was clear from just her introducing me to people, that they didn’t seem to like her and they sure as hell didn’t respect her. Especially, my good buddy Gabe. He was the biggest asshole of them all, but they all seemed to treat her that way. No matter what was going on with the farm she deserved better than that.

  We sat there and didn’t really say a whole lot. When the pizza was ready we scarfed it down and then Mrs. Mason told me she was gonna head up to bed. Climbing into Jason’s old bed, I thought to myself, “What in the hell have I gotten myself into? A depressed widow, a bunch of assholes, hard fucking work and no beer all summer? What the fuck?

  First Day

  I’m an eighteen year old guy. I’m going to college and majoring in sex and beer. Well, not really but pretty close. I don’t see four o’clock a.m. unless I’ve not been to bed yet. Even then I see it while I’m sitting at an all-night diner eating biscuits and gravy with a side of chef salad with ranch dressing. It’s good…everyone should try the combination…anyway, when the alarm started blaring I didn’t know what the fuck was happening. It sounded like the whole house was going off. I had no idea what kind of fucking alarm clock Mrs. Mason had but it scared the living shit out of me. I fell flat out of bed onto the floor clutching my blanket like a little kid.

  That’s how she found me. Wrapped up in the blanket rubbing my head. As I lay on the floor I looked up at her and through the ever so tiny slits in my eyes saw what could only be described as an angel. I swear to God I could see the halo hanging perfectly over her beautiful blonde head.

  She was wearing tiny pink running shorts, a black tank top, and sneakers. Her hair was still wet and hanging down her back. She must’ve been cold because her nipples were hard as little rocks under her shirt. So fucking hot. Apparently, my “little buddy” was enjoying the show, because my dick was so damn hard it could cut glass. I was doing everything I could to make sure she wouldn’t see my morning wood poking through the blanket.

  This wasn’t my fault. Mrs. Mason was gorgeous. She was a SMILF - Step Mom I’d Love to Fuck. But I wouldn’t do that to Jason. I couldn’t even imagine how awkward that would be. I sure as hell could never go home with him again. On the other hand, it just might be worth it though. It was going to take all of my willpower to not fuck the shit out of my best friend’s stepmom.

  “Wake up sleepyhead, haul your hiney outta bed. Or in your case, off the floor,” she chuckled.

  “It’s a little early for me,” I joked, still trying to maneuver my body so she wouldn’t see how she was turning me on.

  “Early? Nah. It’s actually late. I’ve already been out for a run and by now we should be out in the barn getting some work done. I don’t need to give them anymore reason to hate me.” She walked over to the dresser and threw a t-shirt at me. “Get up. I’ll make some coffee and how about some oatmeal and toast?”

  “Not a huge fan of oatmeal. Maybe just some coffee,” I grumbled as I climbed up off of the floor. “Actually, I’m gonna need lots of caffeine. Better make me a whole pot.”

  “Oatmeal is a great breakfast option. It sticks to the ribs. You’re gonna need nourishment if you’re gonna help Gabe build fence all day.”

  “Gabe? As in, Mr. Friendly?” I asked.

  “Yep, sorry. You’re stuck with him for the day. That fence has to be replaced ASAP. So you’re all his,” she laughed.

  “That’s just plain ass mean, Mrs. Mason.”

  “I told you to call me AnaBelle.”

  “I know, Mrs. Mason,” I smiled and made a mental note to get up early tomorrow and go for a run.

  AnaBelle

  I spent the entire morning in my office working on the books. The farm made its own way, thank god. To say the staff and I didn’t get along would be a major understatement. They knew I didn’t really know what I was doing and they took it out on me a lot. That’s one of the reasons that I’d asked Jason to come home for the summer. They all loved and respected him. He was a mini-Jefferson and they would listen to him. Me – not so much.

  Nobody in Duncan took me seriously, so why should I expect my employees to? Gabe was the worst. He was the sour apple of the bunch. If anyone had liked me, he would’ve made sure they didn’t. He and Jefferson were really close before I came around. Once we were married, Jeff didn’t spend as much time with Gabe anymore. They had been friends since high school and Gabe had helped make Mason Farms what it had grown to be. Why he couldn’t help me out now that Jefferson was gone was beyond me. You would think he would want me to do a good job, but I believe he really wanted to see me fail.

  Everything there made me nervous now. Before the accident I didn’t have much to do with farm stuff. I helped out around the barn, but I wasn’t responsible for the farm. It was all so different now. Everything was placed on my shoulders, and sometimes the burden was a little too much to bear.

  A knock at the door brought me out of my daze. Gabe walked in carrying some receipts in his hand. He tossed them on m
y desk and turned abruptly, practically running out of my office. The door slammed behind him.

  What the hell had I done to piss him off so bad? He hated me and for what reason? Because I took his Jefferson away? Bullshit. Jefferson loved me. Gabe chose to be different after we got married, not me and not Jefferson.

  I checked out the receipts and then slipped them into the drawer. I’d take care of them at the middle of the month. That’s when I tried to pay all of the small bills. All of the big ones were taken care of at the beginning of the month. I was doing this…maybe not well, but I was taking care of business.

  “Mrs. Mason?” Tray asked as he stepped into my office.

  “Yes, Tray. Can I help you with something?”

  “Gabe asked me not to help him today. Asshole said he’d take care of the fence himself. So I was wondering what you would like for me to work on?”

  “I don’t understand that man most days. Why don’t you go check with Matt and Mark? They can show you what needs to be done every afternoon.” I looked down at the clock on my desk and noticed it was lunch time. “Have you eaten yet?”

  “I grabbed some peanuts from the kitchen,” he replied.

  “Peanuts don’t constitute lunch. I need to run into town and pick up some groceries, wanna go with me? We can grab a bite to eat at Millie’s Diner and then you can pick out some snacks at the store. I want to get stuff you like, since you’re here to help me out.”

  “Does this diner serve big, juicy cheeseburgers?” he asked wiggling his eyebrow at me.

  “I believe it does, Mr. Thompson,” I laughed.

  “Then what’re we waiting for? Let’s go.”

  Millie’s Diner was pretty small, but you could always count on it being packed at breakfast and lunch time. They didn’t serve dinner, because they didn’t need to. People around here cooked dinner every night, but the hard working men needed a hearty breakfast and lunch to hold them over until their wives made them a big ole meal later on.

  When we pulled in and parked we took up the last parking space. As expected, the place was packed. We got inside and took the last table in the back. Everyone was staring at us. I could already hear the rumor mill turning: