Andy Barber x f!reader | angst, fluff | Coffeers of Knowledge AU Part 2
summary: your best friend arrives to help you with the aftermath of the accident
warnings: dealing with the post-crash state of the shop
word count: ~1,750
a/n: italics are reader’s internal thoughts
The next day you head back to your half destroyed shop to start cleaning up. Your best friend Cara is already there waiting for you, having called you the second she heard about the accident in the morning, waking you up. She immediately drove up from the city to help you, even though you insisted (lied) that you were fine.
“Y/n!” Cara calls out, rushing to pull you into a crushing hug. “I’m so glad you’re okay. I’m here, babes, whatever you need.” She pulls back to give you a smile, squeezing your arms. “Let’s get this place cleaned up a bit, yeah?”
You nod. “I’m so happy to see you. Thank you for coming, babes.”
You and Cara go way back, having met at freshman orientation for college, inseparable through undergrad, and sticking together through thick and thin all these years. You always lived close to each other until you decided to move out of the city to this small town to open this shop, a dream that had lived in your mind for years that you’d talked Cara’s ear off about the details of late into many nights.
She was sad when you told her you were moving but ecstatic that you found the perfect opportunity to make your dream a reality. She came to help many a weekend early on in the opening of your shop, helping you make it absolutely perfect.
You approach what was the door, moving the caution tape and makeshift plywood door aside and going in, taking in the state of the place with fresh eyes.
Things weren’t as bad as they seemed last night. You survey the structure, not seeing anything too damaging, thankfully, but the insurance company is sending someone out later to properly assess the damage and what needs to be repaired.
“Shall we get started?” Cara asks. You nod in response as you both start picking things up, getting the place back in order.
Detective Duffy had called you already this morning to tell you that the driver was alive and under police custody for now. You took the opportunity to ask if there would be any issue with you starting to clean up the shop to which she said no, they got what they needed last night of the scene.
Pretty soon the pair of you have most of the debris off the floor, undamaged items placed back where they belong, anything unsalvageable discarded in the dumpster out back, and things to be repaired piled near the bar. Cleaning the dust that’s settled on otherwise untouched things throughout the shop will have to wait for another day.
You hear a “hello” from the front of the building, turning around to see that the assessor has arrived.
You chat with the assessor who gives you a lot of paperwork to read and fill out before getting started looking over the place and taking tons of photos. The assessor tells you to send along contact information for the police who have documentation of the original damage from last night, as well as a list of what was damaged in the shop as best you can put together.
Once the assessor is gone, Cara approaches you at your perch on an undamaged bar stool as you pour over the paperwork trying to make sense of it all.
She wraps you in a hug as you sigh and look up around the shop. “Thanks for helping, babes, I couldn’t have done this without you.”
She places a kiss on your head and says, “Of course, babes, of course.”
You hear a man clear his throat near the door and separate from Cara, looking to see who it is.
“Oh! Hi, Andy! What are you doing here?” You get up and greet him with a smile, approaching him at the front of the building, Cara trailing behind.
“Just came to see if you were okay or needed any help, but it looks like you’ve got things in hand!”
“Thanks, Andy! Yeah, my best friend drove up from the city to help. Cara, this is Andy Barber. Andy, Cara.” They shake hands and smile. “Andy basically saved me last night, busted in here to pick my in-shock ass up off of the floor and out to safety.”
Cara raises her eyebrow as Andy blushes. “Oh, really? A knight in shining… suit jacket… then, are you?” She looks him up and down carefully as she jokes.
“Oh, it was nothing. Just had to make sure Y/n was okay.” Andy smiles at you, standing confidently under Cara’s watchful eye.
“The assessor was just here… left a lot of paperwork I can’t make heads or tails of. Does your offer to help still stand?” you ask Andy sheepishly.
“Of course, anything you need.” Andy replies warmly. Your heart flutters under his kind gaze as you turn back towards the bar, him following behind to look at the paperwork.
When he’s immersed in the papers, you sneak a glance at Cara who gives you a look and pretends to fan herself to which you roll your eyes and mouth “stop,” trying to prevent the heat from spreading to your cheeks. Really trying not to swoon over this man when there's business to be taken care of!
“This is all pretty standard. Once you send along Detective Duffy’s contact and the list of items damaged, they should take care of everything.”
“Oh, great! Thank you, Andy. I really do appreciate it,” you say with a smile.
“Hey, the coffee machine was left untouched. And I was able to turn the power back on to the back part of the shop. Can I make you a cup before you go? I’m guessing that work that kept you at the office late last night didn’t go away?” you ask Andy.
“That’d be great, thank you! It didn't go away, I have another long day ahead of me.”
Cara and Andy chat while you clean off the machine and make fresh coffees for the three of you. She’s asking him questions about himself that even you don’t know the answers to, not really knowing him all that well and only from afar until last night.
You eavesdrop, learning more about him, where he went to college, that he’s from Connecticut and moved here after law school to work for Joanna Klein, making partner not long after. Oh, that explains the name KB Law! Joanna’s last name is Klein!
He’s not married and is single. Wow, Cara, really?! Just diving right into those questions with no shame.
And he enjoys the quiet here compared to East Hartford, where he grew up, getting enough excitement from the occasional can’t-make-this-shit-up cases he and Joanna take on as attorneys.
“Alright, coffee’s up! On the house.” You place black coffees in to-go cups in front of Andy and Cara. “Sorry there’s no oat milk, fridge was off all night,” you tell Cara, knowing her usual coffee order of an oat milk latte with an extra shot of espresso.
“Don’t even worry about it, babes! I’ll venture into your black coffee territory for today,” she says with a wink as you turn to pour yourself a cup.
Andy takes a sip of his coffee. “Amazing as always, Y/n, thank you.”
You give Andy a smile in return as he starts to get up. “I better get back to it. Thanks again for coffee, and please don’t hesitate to call if you need anything at all, Y/n.”
“Thank you, Andy, truly. I don’t know how I would've gotten this far without you, or Cara!”
Andy smiles back at you before turning to Cara. “Very nice to meet you, Cara. I’m glad Y/n has a friend like you. What you two did here today is incredible.” Andy sneaks a glance back at you.
Cara beams at him, glancing over to you. “Thank you for saving my best friend from a crumbling building!”
“Hey! It’s not crumbling! Just… has a few scratches…” you trail off, looking at the boarded up car-sized hole in the front of the shop with a frown.
You all start laughing at the absurdity of it all. Andy breaks off first and heads for the door, looking back to give you one last smile. “Bye!”
Cara immediately turns to you and squeals with Andy barely out of earshot. You roll your eyes in response, a smile creeping onto your face, and say, “Oh, stop it!”
“Come on! Look at him!” She points vaguely towards the street. “That gorgeous, smart, caring, protective, handsome man saved you last night, and continues to save you from all this paperwork!”
“He likes youuu,” she sings teasingly like you’re back in undergrad talking about a cute boy in class.
“Maybe! Maybe he’s just really nice!” you shoot back.
“Yeah…. sure…” Cara says.
You sigh. “I can’t even think about that right now. Look at this place!” you say as you gesture towards the damage and start to tear up.
Cara sees and comes around the bar to give you a hug. “Aww, babes, it’s gonna be okay. You’re so strong, and you’ve got me and the hot lawyer across the street to help you.” She has you laughing again in no time.
“Thank you, I don’t know what I’d do without you.” You rest your head on the side of her shoulder and look around, taking in all the work you did today together, feeling a little melancholy that you don’t live in the same place anymore.
You glance at the time as your stomach starts to growl, running on just coffee at this point. “Want to grab some food before you head back tonight? I’m assuming you need to get back, unless you want to stay, which you know you’re always welcome.”
Cara clutches her stomach. “Food sounds amazing. And then yeah, unfortunately I have an early morning meeting I can’t cancel so I’ll need to get back for that, and to see how my baby is doing!”
She pulls out her phone to show you the latest photo of her adorable dog.
“He’s gotten so big! Once this all settles down I’ve got to come visit you and see this precious baby in person!”
“You know you’re always welcome, babes!” Cara replies, echoing your earlier sentiment. “Alright, where’s this food you speak of?”
You laugh. “Best place in town is just up the street.”
Cara follows you out of the makeshift door at the front of the shop. “Lead the way!”
📷💼These are little snippets of Everett and Andy’s life💼📷
Hopefully, they all fit into the story and headcanons but mostly it’s just when I see an inspirational post and get an idea. Feel free to send in asks or inspo for the couple!
Pairing: Andy Barber/Everett James, Andy Barber/OFC
Warnings: There will be explicit language, mentions of a past abusive relationship (Psychological and emotional, not physical), and references to death. (This is a blend of the book and the series.) Daddy kink. Smut (if I can write it). Minors DNI. You are responsible for the content you consume. 18+ ONLY
inspo
Andy stood outside as he watched a landscape team planting bushes and flowers and things he didn’t even know what they were. Everett was coming over this weekend and he wanted everything to be perfect. She had never been to his house and he was going all out to welcome her.
Laurie had always paid someone to keep their old lawn perfectly manicured and it felt sterile. He never cared about the yard at his new house and let it run a bit wild, perhaps out of spite toward Laurie. After watching Everett light up taking pictures on the first walk she and Andy went on, he wanted to create a space filled with nature for Everett to photograph. He wanted his home to be a place she wanted to come to and that made her feel creative.
Seeing the unique pale colour of the roses being placed got Andy even more excited for Everett’s visit on the weekend. He knew it was early but he started to hope that one day this could be their home.
You get sick but you hate the doctor and his healing remedies so Daddy!Ari Levinson/Andy Barber…
Oh my God?
The man is like an actual parent?
Like, sometimes you have to remind him that he's your Daddy and not your Dad (and get punished for it)!
Whether it is Andy or Ari, both are such naggy old men and so fucking sharp at picking up the smallest of anomalies and differences in your behavior and condition because of their jobs that it is annoying.
For instance;
One dark eyebrow raises at you when he notices your chatterbox is uncharacteristically quiet today. Because -not that he is complaining or ungrateful- usually your voice runs his old man ears raw. And when you avoid his eyes as you take way more interest in his preparation of breakfast because your baby sloth ass could never, his Daddy antennas are up and steering around in vigilance before you can blink your next.
You just nuzzle closer into your stuffie and suppress a cough because the pain in your head and nose is nothing compared to what his treatment entails. In your little mind, dealing with this is better than Daddy finding out you're sick.
The older man puts down the spatula and since his hands are all you let yourself see, it is impossible for you not to notice when he puts them on his hips. You chew on your bottom lip and stare at his belt for a few moments while praying hard that he resumes his work but your Daddy can be just as stubborn as you.
And when you do look up, his suspicion is making his burly appearance even more intimidating than it already is. You cannot help but gulp. You give him a confused look with a little shrug of your shoulders. Unfortunately for you, the two of you have been over this one too many times.
“Say something.” The simple command comes out a menacing order because of the baritone quality of his voice and the way his muscular arms cross over his broad chest serves only to make you feel even smaller. He raises an eyebrow.
You shrug in pretend puzzlement again, eyes looking at him like he is being weird when you are the one giving yourself away. Your voice is one of the first things to change when you are nearing a flu or a similar sickness so after you realized that it is what your Daddy catches on, your great idea was simply not to speak.
Sadly for you, you can never outsmart your old man.
“I want you to say something, now.” You dumbly sign him ‘what?’ and completely damn yourself but you're too small and slow to realize it just yet.
It is painfully obvious, honestly. You are hugging your sickness time teddy that your Daddy jokingly named Mr. Sicky because of how he only gets attention when you're under the weather, your nose is red, your eyes are glazed and your body that curls in on itself on the kitchen island chair looks like it's on the verge of crying like a little baby because of how sensitive you tend to become.
“Okay, fine” he puts the kitchen towel that was hanging by his shoulder down on the counter and kills the stove before walking around the barrier separating the two of you, big arms reaching to grab a hold of you. “Come here” your eyes widen and though your heavy head pounds from how you jump off your seat, a painful escape is better than meddies and his old man remedies.
But alas!
Your grizzly of a Daddy is too fast.
You furiously shake your head and kick your limbs like an agitated hedgehog to try and break free from your cruel captor, still refusing to utter a single syllable and trying to avoid his prying hand so he can't find his way to your throat.
“Stay still” he deeply grunts, easily holding you up in the air and against his strong chest with an ironhold around your waist all by one arm.
You growl and bare your teeth like an angry pupper trying to bark at an adult husky.
“Ughhh—”
“There we go~” the older man drawls out in satisfaction when he locates the damage with the use of his old man methods by feeling for swelling under your jaw and behind your ears. “I knew it.”
“Let go, meanie!” He hums in triumphant sarcasm when you finally let your nasal voice loose. “Ugh!” You try to crane your head away from him, legs furiously fighting a lost battle. “I don't like you!”
Your Daddy is so not impressed and completely unbothered. “Too bad.” The sheer lack of effort it takes him to hook your protestant form to his hip as he walks to the sink to fill up a pot with water is in stark contrast to the energy you're putting into your unsuccessful escape.
“I dun want! I dun want! I dun want!” He doesn't even grunt as he places the pot on the stove and turns it on to boil with his free hand. “NO!” Next he leans over the counter to phone your usual doctor just because he does not like to use medication carelessly. “This abusive!” You are so tired and sore that you cannot even properly speak but you swear to yourself that you will die before you let him put you in that stupid steam treatment that always suffocates you.
(You will lose because your brutish bear Daddy will tightly hold you against him under the blanket until the steam forces your blocked pathways open but a brat can dream)
“Babies are too small to know or decide what's right for them” he is slightly distracted as he softly squints at the dialer like the oldie he is. “Now shush so Daddy can speak to Uncle Steve.” That is, the name of your Doctor who is another meanie because he's besties with your villain of a Daddy. He always has great fun recommending you ewie gargles.
“Nu…” You whisper in despair as your words melt into a cough. All you can do is watch your blurred reflection in one of the fridge doors as you hang sideways, the deep voice of your Daddy filling your ears as he props the phone against his shoulder to take out ingredients for one of the many soups you will be cursed to for the next few days.
You hate soups!
Especially the sick time ones!
Daddy always tells you you're being dramatic but he will never be able to fool you! You just know he puts extra ewie healing things -probably recommendations of his be(a)stie!- in them that always make the soups taste so old man recipe-like! You puff your cheeks and glare at the stupid celery stalks that he places upon the chicken container.
You may be sick, but that will not stop you from going to war before your old man can put a spoon of that in your mouth!
Any new works in progress for Andy and Everett? Evie as Andy would like to call her 🤞I was thinking about how the last chapter ended and how Evie called Andy and how he responded👀
Hey Nonnie!
I’m working on Chapter 5. I wrote a scene for maybe a mini that I had planned for awhile during a yoga class this week 🤭 Stuff is definitely in the works for Andy and his Evvy.
Everett was always the black sheep of the family and after an abusive relationship, she’s trying to find her place in the world. Andy is trying to start his life over after the loss of his son and his divorce. Will she light up the darkness hanging over him? Will he quiet her mind and free her from her past? Together, they will find out what true love and happiness are supposed to be.
Pairing: Andy Barber/Everett James, Andy Barber/OFC
Warnings: There will be explicit language, mentions of a past abusive relationship (psychological and emotional, not physical), and references to death. (This is a blend of the book and the series.) Daddy kink. Smut (A little bit here and maybe more later if I can write it). Minors DNI. You are responsible for the content you consume. 18+ ONLY
Word Count - 5450
Series Masterlist
Previous
It took Everett about thirty minutes to get a print made to her standards, hoping Joanna would like it. Laughing about spending her Saturday in the dark room, she left the print to dry and headed to the kitchen. It was only 7:30 pm. She could go out and do something but that wasn’t Everett’s style. Sure, she had friends she could call but she preferred to stay home and be on her own. After so many years with Trevor, always going out and doing things she hated but pretended to enjoy, she liked the quiet of her loft.
Everett curled up on her couch with a cup of tea and her mind wandered to Andy, unsure if he would actually show up tomorrow. She was so flustered when he asked about the flea market, she spit out 8:20 am without even realizing what she had said. She never went to the market that early but she thought maybe it would make him back off. She didn’t even know why she wanted him to back off. He was handsome and had been nothing but kind to her. His interest in her photography seemed genuine but she knew he would never actually be attracted to her. He was probably just looking for a quick lay. When people saw the photograph in his home, he could say he banged the artist. Someone like him wouldn’t want to be with someone like her. Trevor made that clear. She didn’t belong in that world, no matter who her family was.
As if he knew she was thinking about him, a text from Andy came through.
A - In case I beat you there, what is your coffee order?
Everett smiled and sighed. Worst case, he would spend the day with her, realize they have nothing in common, and that she was a weirdo. He would never bother her again. Maybe make some offhand comment to her father and they could commiserate over their dislike of her and Andy would move on with his life.
E - Flat white with oat milk.
E - And don’t worry if you change your mind. I’m sure you don’t want to spend time with old ladies, perusing vintage china and old books.
Everett hated herself for the double text but she couldn’t help herself. She wanted to give him an out if he needed it.
A - Alarm is set. I’m great with old ladies and who doesn’t love a good vintage plate?😉
The next morning, Everett headed to Somerville and parked near the flea market. As she walked towards the coffee shop, she saw Andy waiting with two coffee cups in his hands. His face lit up as soon as he saw her and he walked to meet her.
“Morning, Counselor,” she teased.
Andy handed her her coffee and shoved his free hand into his pocket. “Morning, Evvy,” he smirked, seeing her eye twitch at the name. “So, how does this work?”
Everett’s face scrunched in confusion. “What do you mean?”
“The flea market. Do we walk around? Do you barter?”
Laughing, Everett started to walk to the market and Andy kept pace next to her. Everett felt a tingle every time their shoulders brushed against one another.
“No bartering or at least I don’t anyways. I walk around. Sometimes I’ll take pictures. Get a snack. Talk to people. I always end up at Eduardo’s table for an hour,” Everett smiled and sipped her drink.
Andy raised an eyebrow at the mention of Eduardo. “Who is that?”
“He sells me old photographs and negatives that I use in my art. He often has expired film and old cameras as well.”
“That’s interesting. Did he sell you that camera you used at the office? The Mamama… Mamacita…” Andy trailed off when he realized he was getting the name horrible wrong. He kicked himself for not looking it up beforehand.
“No. The Mamiya,” Everett said slowly, enunciating each syllable so he would remember, “was my aunt’s. I inherited it from her.”
“Well, it certainly takes great shots. I think the one I picked for my website profile was from that camera. It was black and white. Claire said I wasn’t allowed to pick that one because it wouldn’t match the other profiles but I got my way,” Andy said with a wink before catching himself. “I mean, you are obviously talented. Not the camera! Or you use it well! You know what I mean. I’m sorry.”
Everett couldn’t help but giggle. She wasn’t used to seeing a lawyer get flustered and certainly not around her. All of the lawyers she knew were confident to a fault. Even her brother, who at least still had his humanity.
“I do know what you mean and thank you, Andy,” Everett said with a grin.
They entered the market and fell into a comfortable silence. Everett was surprised as she watched Andy weave through the aisles of the flea market. This was the first time she saw him completely outside of his usual lawyer realm. Sure, he wasn't in a suit yesterday but Joanna was there and there was some office talk. He seemed softer here, always smiling when she offered him an old book or vase to look at. He talked and laughed with vendors, showing a genuine interest in their wares.
Everett chewed on her bottom lip, wondering if maybe Andy was brought to her for a reason. They were so different and she had been hurt so badly before. She wasn't sure if it would even be fair to Andy, knowing her past and how it still affected her. Was Andy Barber worth a shot? Or moreover, was Everett worthy of someone like Andy? Everett shook her head to clear out the negative thoughts which she knew were actually just Trevor’s voice, still creeping in to make her feel unwanted and undeserving.
Everett felt Andy gently place his hand on her lower back and she snapped back to reality. “I’m sorry, what?”
Andy smiled. “I was just asking if that was Eduardo?” he said pointing to the man a few tables down.
“Ah. Yes, it is.” Everett waved down to Eduardo who returned the gesture.
They walked down the row, Andy’s hand never leaving Everett’s back. Trevor had never done something so simple, so caring. She was mad that she kept thinking about Trevor but she was beginning to see what she had been missing out on, even in the small amount of time she had spent with Andy.
Andy and Eduardo got along like old friends. Eduardo insisted on giving Everett a discount on her purchases because he teased that he didn’t want his new lawyer friend to come after him. The men shook hands and Everett was filled with happiness. Trevor had never come to the market with her and would never talk to someone like Eduardo but Andy had truly enjoyed the moment.
As they walked through the exit, Everett started to slow down, not wanting the morning to end. “Umm, so I’m just parked over there. I have Joanna’s print but like I said I’m happy to drop it off.”
“No, no. I’m headed to her place for dinner anyways and it’s out of your way,” Andy insisted.
“It’s not actually but thank you.”
“What do you mean? Are you not heading back to the city?” Andy asked.
“No. Sunday is family dinner. Parents live just outside of Newton. That’s why I know that tree from the piece you bought. I drive past it all the time.” Everett said while walking to her car.
“Oh right. I wouldn’t have thought you were a family dinner kind of girl, especially after the few comments you’ve made about your dad.” Andy didn’t want to press but he knew something was there. She didn’t work at the office like the rest of her family. He didn’t even know Everest had a daughter until she came in the other day.
Everett scoffed. “Yes, well. You can be the black sheep of the family and still be required to attend family meals.” Everett placed the box of photos in her trunk and slammed it shut. “I always come to the market as mental preparation for the time with my family. My father. Every Sunday a little reminder of what I haven’t done and how I’m a disappointment. God, I sound like a whiny teenager. Not a 38-year-old,” Everett said with a sigh.
“Evvy. I’m sorry. Parents shouldn’t do that. They should support their kids no matter their interests and always help them chase their dreams.”
Everett waved Andy off, knowing she shouldn’t have said anything. She didn’t think he would say something to her father or brother but still. He did work for them now, just like Trevor. “It’s fine. I was just having a moment and you don’t have to pretend to care.”
“I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but since you walked into the boardroom the other day, I’ve cared,” Andy said, looking deep into her eyes before taking a chance to pull her in for a hug. He could feel her tense then relax into his arms and he didn’t want to let go.
“Thank you, Andy,” Everett said before pushing herself back as his kindness filled her with guilt. “I am so sorry I made you get up so early! I never come here before noon.” She burst out laughing.
“What?! Why the hell were we here so early then? Is that why some of the booths weren’t open yet and Eduardo seemed surprised to see you?” Andy asked, his hands still resting on her shoulders.
“I was trying to get you to bail! I didn’t think you wouldn’t actually get up that early to come hang out with me.” Everett tried to free herself of Andy’s arms but he pulled her back into his chest for a moment before giving her reprieve.
“Wait. So, when is dinner? What are you going to do until you have to go to your parents?
Everett shrugged. “I don’t know. I normally get here around 1 pm and then go to their place around 4 pm. It’s nice out so I’ll drive around and take pictures for a bit, I guess.”
Andy took a deep breath and slowly reached over to take her hand in his.
“Would you want to go for a walk with me instead, Evvy? You can still take pictures. We could get some lunch,” Andy said, trying to win her over.
Everett squeezed his hand and nodded. “Sure. Lead the way, Counselor.”
“I know you think you’re teasing me by calling me that but it just turns me on,” Andy said with a coy smile.
Everett laughed and buried her face into his shoulder. “Oh my god. Let’s go!”
Just like earlier in the day, they both felt at ease. As they walked along the community path, Everett paused a few times, taking pictures of leaves and of Andy. Every time she stopped, Andy tried to see what she was seeing, figure out what was speaking to her and see the world through Everett’s camera lens. He hoped one day, they could curl up on his couch and spend the afternoon looking through her work. He wanted to hear her stories. Every last one.
“Hey, I’ve heard about this place. Want to grab something to eat here?” Everett pointed to a little cafe with a patio across the street. Andy nodded, checked for traffic, and led them over.
They got settled, ordering some sandwiches and iced teas. They both began to feel an awkwardness that hadn’t been hovering over them all morning. Everett’s leg started to shake and she decided to bite the bullet.
“Okay, so despite how I feel about most things my father says, he always hated weird silences. He said ‘Just get down to brass tacks and say what you need to say.’ It wasn’t always great when you were a teen and trying to talk about delicate lady things with your mother but…” Everett said with a deep breath and a bit of a laugh. “I like you, Andy, but I’m a mess.”
Andy’s head tilted and he smiled, reaching a hand across the table. “I highly doubt you’re any less of a mess than I am. We could be messed up together,’ he teased.
“Andy. I’m serious. I’m sure you’ve heard all about me and Trevor already at the office,” Everett said with a grimace. “And I want it on the record - that depending on who you talked to, it was probably all lies. Never mind anything with my family. Fuck, I’m rambling.”
“You’re not. Keep going. Tell me anything you are comfortable telling me. You know my life was headline news. I’m not going to gossip around the water cooler or something. I don’t have ties to your father or the firm, outside of needing a paycheque but I can find somewhere else if I have to.”
“You realize I’m about to go into a monologue of chaos, right?” Everett asked.
Andy laughed. “Should I ration my sandwich? How long will we be here?”
Everett paused for a moment. She liked how Andy teased her. It was genuine and had no malice behind it. It was as if they had been together for years and had a comfortability that she had never felt before. “Three days, Counselor. So buckle up.”
They both laughed and had a few bites of food and then Everett began.
“Well, Tony and Trevor have been best friends since college. They graduated together and both immediately started working at the firm. He seemed so sweet and fun, which made me giddy and excited. It took way too long to realize it was all fake. He was constantly gaslighting me and I had ways to explain it away. My parents refused to see any of it. They saw him as a provider and someone I *should* be with. If I wasn’t a lawyer, I could at least be with one and not be a complete black mark on the family name.” Everett took a sip of her drink and pushed a few fries around her plate before continuing.
“We were together for ten years. Now, looking back, I can say he was abusive and manipulated me constantly but back then, I didn’t know. I just thought I was doing everything wrong. That I wasn’t enough and needed to try harder.”
“Evvy. No. You are more than enough. You are…” Andy trailed off, knowing he couldn’t find the right words to describe the woman in front of him. “I’m going to fucking kick Trevor’s ass next time I see him.”
“No. You’re not. He’s not worth it. He’s garbage and I’m sure karma will get him in the end.” Everett stared off, watching people walk past the cafe as she finished her sandwich.
Andy was surprised by Everett’s openness but it came as a pleasant surprise. After a year of everyone tiptoeing around him or giving him looks and then lying to his face, he appreciated her even more. She wasn’t coddling the man with the tragic past. She was just being Everett.
“Long story not so short. He was and is not a good person. We never went out unless it was a work function. He never held my hand. He never said he loved me when it wasn’t just a way to get something. Never mind our sex life, if you want to call it that.” Everett scoffed at the memories. “Want to hear about what a disappointment I am to my father?”
Everett didn’t realize she was tapping the table until Andy grabbed her hand, squeezing it in his.
“Evvy. Look at me.” Andy moved his chair so they were sitting next to each other. “Thank you.”
“For what?” Everett snapped but then caught herself and mouthed I’m sorry
“For being so open and honest with me. I am well aware of your father’s reputation but he might be right about that brass tacks thing.”
Everett sighed. “I think at this point, I’m just so over Trevor’s bullshit and feeling ashamed that I let myself be trapped in the situation that I am just honest about it all. No point in sugarcoating it. I don’t have regrets but I also know that I will settle for nothing less than what I truly want.”
“As you should.” Andy wrapped an arm around Everett, pulling her in for a hug. He held on tight, not wanting to let go. “I guess I owe you my story now.”
Everett pushed away and shook her head. “You don’t owe me anything, Andy. Like you said. You can tell me anything you're comfortable sharing.”
“You know the highlights. Jake was accused of murder. Laurie didn’t handle the situation very well. I suppose I didn’t either,” Andy sucked in a deep breath. “After the trial, Laurie couldn’t move past things and made a decision that day that destroyed our lives forever. We got divorced. We would have anyway. Neither of us had been happy for a long time but I think we were trying to wait things out. Get Jacob to college then go our separate ways.”
This time Everett was the one taking Andy’s hand. She gave him an understanding smile and waited for him to continue.
“Laurie kept the house. I thought about moving somewhere and starting fresh but I couldn't leave Jake. I found a new house, still in Newton. Close enough but not ‘that’ house. I was more than happy to leave that place. I was going stir crazy not working and that’s how I ended up at James and James.”
Everett started to giggle, causing Andy to worry. His brow furrowed and he tried to pull his hand away from her grip.
“My story is funny?”
“Oh, god no! I’m so sorry. I… We really are two giant messes, aren’t we?” Everett’s shoulders began to bounce with her laughter and Andy was overwhelmed with a happiness he hadn’t felt in years. He lost himself watching Everett laugh. The way her eyes squinted and her smile took over her face.
Everett caught Andy staring at her and wiped at her face. “What? Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?”
One side of Andy’s mouth rose into a grin. “Just looking at a pretty girl I’m on a first date with and enjoying the moment.”
“This is a date?” Everett asked, her laughter switching to panic instantaneously. Something about putting a label on it changed the day and she was scared. Trevor refused labels of any kind. He never called her his girlfriend once ever.
“Yes, Evvy. It is. And I want to kiss you.”
Andy’s face was soft and he leaned closer. He waited a moment, making sure she wanted him to. With an almost imperceptible nod, permission was granted and he leaned down to kiss her. It was slow and gentle. Their arms snaked around one another and the kiss only ended when they were both out of breath.
Everett couldn’t help but smile when she looked up at Andy. She had never had a kiss that felt like that one. She felt safe and warm and never wanted to leave his arms.
“Well…” Andy said with a joy-filled sigh. “That was pretty good, wasn’t it?”
Everett playfully rolled her eyes at him and pushed him back toward his seat. “Yeah… it was.”
Andy grabbed his wallet, throwing more than enough cash down on the table. “Let’s go. There are more pictures to take!”
Everett laughed and stood up, taking Andy’s outstretched hand and they continued their walk. No talking, just being together. Andy kept an arm wrapped around Everett’s waist, needing to touch her. Be close to her. A few blocks later, Everett saw some graffiti in an alley and tugged at Andy.
“One second. I’ll be right back. I just want to grab a quick shot.” She quickly made her way down the narrow path and clicked a few frames.
She didn’t notice that Andy had followed her and was right behind her until she felt his chest press against her back. His hands settled on her hips then he spun her around. His lips were on hers before Everett knew what was happening.
Holding on to Everett, Andy moved them towards the wall. His thigh pressed between her legs and his hands braced on the wall on either side of her head. As she caught her breath, he began to move his thigh ever so slowly causing Everett to squirm. Her hands worked their way over his chest.
“Oh god. Da…” Everett’s eyes went wide and her hand clapped over her mouth. She tried to bury her face in Andy’s chest but he wouldn’t have it.
Leaning in, Andy paused, nibbling on Everett’s ear, then spoke. “What were you going to say?”
“Nothing. I wasn’t saying anything,” Everett tried to swallow the lump in her throat. She was embarrassed because she knew exactly what word she almost said and had no idea where it came from.
“I think you were saying something and I want you to say it. Right. Now.” Andy’s tone was forceful but gentle at the same time. He nuzzled his nose into her neck then pressed a few kisses onto her skin. His hands roamed over her body. “Evvy. I’m waiting.”
Everett had never felt like this before. She felt electric from head to toe. She also felt completely safe at that moment. She knew no matter what she said to Andy, he would hold her and take care of her, in all ways. She felt herself getting wet, her chest heaving as she got closer to her edge.
“Daddy…” Everett squeaked out. It was so quiet she almost hoped he didn’t hear her but a rumble from his chest let her know he did. The kisses didn’t stop and his arms pulled her into him even tighter.
“Say it again and I want to hear it. No whispering, Everett.” His mouth latched onto her neck.
Everett let out a moan as Andy’s thigh continued to create friction and his hand gave her ass a firm squeeze. “Daddy!!!” she cried out, letting herself go. Andy’s movements pushed her over the edge faster than she expected. Her body tensed for a moment and then relaxed into his.
“That’s my good girl,” Andy cooed into Everett’s ear before he pushed himself back. Andy sighed and smiled at Everett. One hand wrapped around the back of her neck while the other cupped her cheek.
“I… I… I don’t know where that came from and I’ve never, ever called anyone that before. I’m so sorry. I…” Everett stammered and tried to free herself of Andy’s grip. She felt so good but also so confused and wanted to hide.
“Hey. Hey. Evvy. Look at me,” Andy said, holding her chin between his thumb and index finger. “No one has ever called me that before either in… this type of context anyway,” Andy said with a grin, “and I didn’t think it would make me feel this way but I liked it. I liked it a lot, Evvy. I like you a lot.”
Everett smiled sheepishly, still trying to sort out how she was feeling but she knew one thing. “I like you too. And…” she paused. “I liked calling you Daddy.” This time she got her way and he let her hide her burning cheeks against his chest. “I’ve never felt that before. It was really hot. Wow, that sounds so silly to say!” Everett started to laugh.
Andy matched her giggles, nodding and wrapping his arms around her. “That was hot, Evvy. Did I just make you cum in an alley?”
“Andy!” Everett hollered and smacked Andy’s chest. She shook her head and picked up her camera bag. She even didn’t remember setting it down. She had been too caught up in the moment. A moment of passion she had never experienced before.
“What? It was beautiful. You are beautiful.”
Everett chewed on her cheek and straightened herself up. She adjusted her jacket and wiped her mouth. Looking into Andy’s eyes, she realized she was a goner. One date and she was his and always would be.
“Thank you, Andy.” She pushed up onto her tiptoes and kissed him.
They took another moment just breathing each other in and enjoying what they had just experienced.
“We should probably go. We need to walk back and then you have dinner with Joanna,” Everett said even though she didn’t want this to end.
“As much as her wife does cook a mean pot roast, I would rather be with you,” Andy said. Much like Everett, he was swirling with new emotions. He had never experienced these feelings with Laurie. “But I’m sure you don’t want to be late to your parents. I imagine your father’s disdain for tardiness doesn’t just apply to the office,” Andy teased.
“You have no idea. Don’t need to give them any fuel.”
They headed back to their cars, sneaking kisses and snickering at their silliness. Everett gave Andy Joanna’s print and promised to text him when she got back to the city later. Andy grabbed Everett for one last long and slow kiss. Everett moaned and sighed when Andy released his lips from hers. They smiled, not needing any more words. Everett reluctantly got in her car, leaving Andy to head to his dinner as well. She was so distracted by what had happened that she didn’t even realize how far she had driven until she was pulling into her parents’ driveway.
Everett didn’t bother to knock and walked into her family home. Sometimes she forgot that she and Tony grew up in this house. There is no evidence they ever existed as children. It’s been remodeled more than once and everything feels too delicate and expensive to touch.
“Everett? Is that you?” Julia called from the kitchen.
“Yeah, it’s me.” Everett made her way into the kitchen to see her mother stirring something on the stove. That was one thing Everett always appreciated. Her mother did cook the family meals. If it was an event then she would hire someone but for the family, she cooked. She gave her mother a brief hug, knowing she wasn’t to disrupt her while she was busy.
“Were you at the market again?”
“Yes, we were. I had a really good day,” Everett couldn’t help but smile thinking about Andy.
“We?” Julia questioned.
“Oh, a friend joined me. I sold his old coworker some prints and we met up to deliver them and stuff '' Everett did her best to distract her mother by grabbing plates to set the table.
“Well that’s nice they’re supporting you,” Julia said with her usual tone of slight haughtiness. Everett did her best not to break the glass she was setting down. “Claire mentioned you went by the firm to take photos for Andy. You should do more work like that. I bet headshots and marketing photography are good money and steady work.”
“Did you even listen to the part where I said I sold a piece this weekend? Not to mention almost completely sold out my show in New York last weekend. I told you when I was here for dinner last Sunday!”
“When is your show? Maybe your father and I could take the train in and see these pieces,” Julia made air quotes with her hands.
Everett’s jaw twitched. “I told you a month ago. It was last Friday, as I just said. We talked about how well it went when I was here for dinner last freaking Sunday”
“No need to get excited, dear.”
As Everett felt her rage bubbling up her throat, Tony and Claire walked in the door and finally took her mother’s attention elsewhere.
“Hey, Big Sis!” Tony waltzed over and hugged Everett, then softly spoke. “It’s just dinner. You got this. Three hours tops.” Everett snorted and let out the breath she had been holding since she arrived. The only reason she survived her parents was Tony. And Claire, of course. As long as they were around, she felt semi-normal. Like she could be herself without having to defend every word and move she made.
“E! How was your weekend?” Claire pulled her away from Tony and out of the dining room.
“It was fine. Got some prints–”
Claire interrupted her and leaned in close. “So, anything exciting happen this weekend?” Claire had an evil grin filling her face.
“What do you know?” Everett asked with a pointed gaze.
“I don’t know anything. Just that a certain lawyer was very excited to be going to your studio yesterday. Which is also your apartment so I’m secretly hoping you two boned and released some stress.”
“OH MY GOD, CLAIRE!” Everett hissed. “Boned? What are you? Thirteen? Seriously.”
Claire couldn’t help but laugh at her sister-in-law. “E. I’m just saying. I know you’re both into each other. I could tell the second you two saw each other when you were in the office. And don’t worry. Andy made sure to never mention you when Everest or even Tony was around. But he did talk about you a lot. So spill.”
Everett headed to the patio door and out to the backyard, jerking her head at Claire to follow. Once she felt at a safe distance from prying ears, she filled Claire in on everything. Well, almost everything. She may have kept the alley all to herself.
“Weeee! I’m so excited for you, Honey! This is great.” Claire squeezed Everett’s hand.
“Is it though? He works at the firm. With Dad and Tony… And Trevor.” Worry began to creep into Everett’s mind.
“Fuck all of them, Everett. Yes, they’re your family and he works there. Yes, Trevor is a dickbag but you know who isn’t? Andy. And you deserve some happiness. And some fun,” Claire winks.
“You two planning on joining us for dinner?” Everest’s voice boomed from the house. He didn’t even bother waiting to see if they were coming before he walked back inside.
Everett and Claire gave each other a knowing glance, snickering as they went to the house.
Dinner was mostly uneventful. Everett knew better than to get involved in the conversations. It was mostly about the firm and cases her father and brother were working on. Sometimes her mother talked about events at the country club and such. Claire talked about some of the work being done on her and Tony’s house. Everett ate her food and smiled when required. She almost thought the night was going to be okay until her mother spoke up.
“Everett, did you hear Trevor and Samantha had their baby on Wednesday? He’s taking some time off from handling any cases to be at home with them. Such a cute family.”
“Yes, Mother. I know! And I don’t care!” Everett dropped her cutlery. It clanked against the dishes causing her mother to flinch. Tony caught Claire’s eye, knowing his wife would want to stand up for her friend, and shook his head. They both knew this was a losing battle for everyone.
“Do you ever listen to me? Why do you think I broke up with him?! Aside from the fact that he is a manipulative asshole, he cheated on me with her and got her pregnant!” Everett tossed her napkin down on her half-empty plate and stood up from the table. “Thanks for dinner.”
Everett didn’t bother looking back or stopping when she heard her father call her name. She grabbed her purse and got into her car. Cranking her music to a level that probably wasn’t safe, Everett put the car in drive and drove back to the city.
Other than setting her camera bag down gently, Everett crashed and slammed around her apartment when she got home. She debated pouring herself a whiskey but opted for a ginger ale and cookies. She flopped down on the couch with a huff, shaking her head, unable to settle her thoughts.
Right on cue, Andy texted.
A - I’m sure you can’t reply but I hope dinner is going well. I was sent home with leftovers for days. I don’t know why Joanna thinks I can’t cook for myself 😝
E - I’m already back in Boston. Rage-eating Oreos.
Before Everett could send another message to lighten the mood, her phone rang. It was Andy.
Andy Barber x f!reader | angst, fluff | Coffeers of Knowledge AU Part 1
summary: Andy shows up to help you in a time of need
warnings: car crash, minor injuries, mostly property damage; cursing; a little bit of hurt/comfort; Andy being heroic and caring
a/n: italics are reader’s internal thoughts
word count: ~2,200
Late one summer night you were doing the last rounds of tidying up at your shop, Coffeers of Knowledge, before closing for the night. You stayed open later than normal for a local author to do a book signing, filling the café and bookshop with patrons. The streets were quiet now in your small New England town; most folks were at home before 8pm, even on weekends.
Walking towards the back of the shop to grab one last coffee cup off a table, you hear an odd screeching sound from outside. You turn around towards the windows and see headlights streaming in.
Time seems to slow as your brain registers that the lights are getting closer and closer, realizing they are heading right at you. Oh shit.
You quickly retreat as far back into the shop as you can, crouching down and covering your head with your arms, bracing for impact. The sound of glass breaking and metal scraping through brick casts an audible horror into your peaceful second home as the car crashes into your shop.
Ears ringing, heart beating rapidly, you slowly open your eyes to see the damage, a man slumped over the steering wheel where your favorite window seat should be.
You gasp in shock, staring around, unable to comprehend the destruction in front of you. Books knocked off shelves, chairs upside down, tables split into pieces. The normal order disrupted. What the fuck.
Slowly you start to hear another sound. Is someone yelling? You hear a man’s loud voice through the broken front of the shop, shaking you out of your trance.
“Hello?” you call out to the oddly familiar voice you can’t quite place.
“Y/n? Are you okay?”
“Hello?” you repeat, too frazzled to say anything more.
The voice then speaks softly, “Hi, yes, there’s someone inside. Please hurry. Thank you.”
“Emergency responders are on the way! Are you hurt?” he calls back to you.
“I... I don’t know.” You pause, looking around again. “There’s a man. In the car. He… he looks hurt.”
“Shit… I’m coming in!” the voice declares, the sound of bricks and glass shifting around as he makes his way through the wreckage.
You see a familiar-looking man appear in the dust, approaching the car first to check on the man.
“He’s alive!” Shaking his head he says, “But I’m afraid to move him, in case his head or spine are injured.”
In the distance you hear sirens indicating help is on the way.
“Are you okay?” he asks again as he slowly approaches you, stepping over the broken remnants of your shop on his way.
“I… I um… I don’t know… Oh gosh. My shop! The books. I…” A wave of realization of what has happened washing over you.
The man crouches down in front of you, softly speaking your name as you start to cry, covering your astonished face with your hands.
He looks over you for injury, only finding a few small scratches here and there, and lets out a sigh of relief.
“Y/n. You’re okay, you’re going to be okay,” he comforts quietly, gently wrapping an arm around your shoulders.
Rescue crews have started to enter the shop now, carefully taking the man from the car out on a stretcher and checking the ceiling for stability.
One approaches the pair of you, “Sir, ma’am, are you okay?”
The kind man next to you shakes his head, “She’s just a little scratched up I think.”
“Let’s get you both out of here safely, alright? Can you follow me please?”
The man helps you up as you follow out of the storefront via a path that’s now been cleared.
Once outside, the evening breeze makes you shiver, the fresh air lifting the fog of shock so you can think more clearly. You feel the man’s arm still around you, guiding you towards the back of an empty ambulance, the one with the driver of the car already gone. He helps you sit on the edge, giving you some space as an EMT starts to check you for injury.
Across the road now you take in the scene in front of you. Lights flashing, lighting up the quaint street in an unnatural red glow. The back of the car haphazardly sticking out of the building, rubble strown over the sidewalk, flower boxes and dirt everywhere.
You see the man who helped you facing away from you speaking with a detective who’s writing down what he’s saying. Why does he seem so familiar?
When he turns to glance at you, giving you a reassuring smile, it hits you. He’s a semi-regular patron at your shop. But what is his name?! Brian… Brandon… Barber! Andy Barber!
Everything you know about him rolling to the front of your mind. He comes in for coffee every once in a while, sometimes to go, other times to sit and work at the window table… that’s now smashed into pieces. Shit. He’s a lawyer, works across the street with a nice woman, Joanna, who also comes in for coffee sometimes. And whenever he flashes that kind smile at you, you get butterflies.
You smile back at him, giving him a quick wave as the EMT finishes putting a bandage on a small cut on the back of your other hand, declaring you just fine and offering you one of those weird silver blankets and some water. You thank him for helping you before he leaves.
Andy walks over with the detective who asks, “Hello, ma'am, I'm Detective Duffy. How are you doing?”
You clear your throat before replying to her. “I’m, um, okay. Been... been better.” You let out a dry laugh that surprises you, waving your hand towards your shop.
She nods, “Can I ask you a few questions about what happened?”
You nod as Andy gives you another smile and steps away to talk to some locals who have emerged from the sleeping town to gawk at the unusual scene. Oh, gosh, what gossip are they going to spread around now… You recount what you can remember from the crash, and she gives you her card to call later for paperwork for your insurance.
“Is the driver okay?” you ask her, genuinely concerned for the man who turned your life upside down in mere seconds.
“I don’t know. I'm going to the hospital now to find out. I can give you a call once I know,” the detective responds.
Over Detective Duffy's shoulder you see Andy talking to the fire and police chiefs before he starts walking back to you.
You're writing down your number for her as Andy approaches. “All done, Duff?”
She gives him a nod. “See you later, Andy. Take care of yourself, Y/n.”
You both say thanks as she walks away.
You and Andy start to speak at the same time. Him with, “The chiefs…” You with, “Thank you…”
You both stop. Andy gestures for you to go ahead.
“Thank you, Andy. For calling for help and coming in to see if I was okay… which… in hindsight was probably not smart?” You furrow your brow. “The building could have been unstable?”
Andy laughs, “Well I couldn’t just leave you in there, especially if that was the case! The chiefs just told me the structural integrity of the building doesn’t seem too compromised, and they’re going to take care of boarding up the place for you once they get the car out of there tonight.”
“Oh gosh, that’s nice of them!” you reply.
“Everyone loves your coffee! And we take care of each other around here.” Andy gives you a reassuring smile.
He looks down for a moment. “So do you know who I am or did you just pick up my name from Detective Duffy just now? You seemed to not know me earlier.”
“I do know!” You defend yourself playfully. “I was just uh a bit preoccupied earlier. You’re Andy Barber. Lawyer who works right there.” You point at his building. “You like a black coffee and the window seat that’s now under that car there,” you say, looking woefully at your shop again.
Andy gives you an empathetic look. “I’m so sorry this has happened, Y/n. I will do whatever I can to help you with insurance claims and anything you need legally to deal with this.”
“Oh gosh, thanks. You’ve already done so much! Do I even need a lawyer? I’ve never had to make an insurance claim before…”
“You probably don’t need a lawyer for the insurance. But I will help you any way you need. The process can be onerous, especially as a business. And if you want to sue the guy who did this...”
Your head starts to swim again thinking about all the paperwork and you shake your head. “No, no. No need for that unless something goes wrong with insurance. I don’t know why he did that. Drunk maybe? Drugs? I’d just rather see that he doesn’t hurt himself or anyone else again. And if he was drunk or something he’ll be charged right?”
Andy smiles warmly at you. “That’s very compassionate of you. Many people would be foaming at the mouth to do everything they could to the other person in this instance. But yeah, he’ll probably be cited for the crash.”
You shrug as tears form in your eyes looking at your shop, a mix of emotions bubbling up. “Then we’re good,” you say softly as sobs take over your body.
Andy is quickly by your side, sitting next to you and wrapping his arm around you, letting you cry into his chest. “Shh… it’s okay. Let it out. I’ve got you,” he whispers.
After a few minutes, you sit up a bit, sniffling, Andy keeping his arm around you protectively.
“Thanks,” you say, apologetically. I can’t believe I just cried on his shirt…
“Don’t worry about it. Tonight’s been a lot.”
“By the way, what were you still doing around this late?”
“I was still working, late night. Saw the crash from my window, called 911, and came running over as fast as I could.”
“Well, I’m sorry you were working so late, but I’m glad you were here.” You lean into him a bit again before pulling away and taking the crinkly blanket off your shoulders. “Do you think I can go home now? Should I ask someone?”
The firefighters seem nearly done putting up some things to ensure the stability of the front of the building so they can pull the car out. The second floor is also part of your shop so no one else was impacted.
“Yeah, you can go home. Nothing else you can do here tonight. Unless you want to go back in?”
Shaking your head you say, “Definitely not. I can’t face that tonight.”
You let out a sigh, “Shit. My bag with my keys is behind the bar.”
Andy jumps up. “I’ll go ask one of the firemen to get it for you. You don’t need to go back in. And then, can I take you home?”
“Sure, thank you, Andy.” You give him another grateful smile. Geez he’s like a post-traumatic guardian angel or something...
You nod and wait for him. The EMT comes back to check on you, needing to leave with the ambulance now that things have settled down.
Andy comes back with your bag quickly and walks you to his car. You tell him where you live and drive in silence, fighting sleep in the comfort of his careful driving.
“I think we’re here?” he asks you, rousing you from your sleepy zoned out state.
Looking up at your house you nod, “Yes. Thank you again so much, Andy. I’m so glad you were there tonight.”
You don’t want to leave his comforting presence but know you need to. You don’t really know him and are trying not to project your needs on him right now.
Andy reaches into his pocket and pulls out his wallet. He gets a business card out and writes something on the back against the steering wheel. “Here’s my number. Call my personal cell on the back whenever you want, any time.” He gives you a sincere look. “Seriously, anytime. Or, if you'd rather, one of the business lines during the day, either way.”
“Thanks, Andy.” You smile at him softly. “I will.”
“Goodnight, Y/n. Get some rest.”
“Goodnight,” you say, before getting out of the car and heading into your house, giving him one last wave as he waits for you to get your door open.
Once inside, you rest against the door. What the fuck just happened.
You let out a long exhale as the whirlwind of the evening washes over you, the contrast between the harshness of the crash, anxiety for what you have to face in the coming days and weeks to fix your shop, and the softness of Andy caring for you giving you mental whiplash.
“I need to go the fuck to sleep,” you say under your breath to yourself before doing just that.
You're living your dream life in a small New England town running your bookshop café, Coffeers of Knowledge. A freak accident one night turns out to be the unexpected match to light the flame between you and the handsome lawyer who works across the street.
Andy Barber x f!reader
* Smut (18+) | ♡ Fluff | ☆ Angst
Part 1: The Accident. ☆ ♡
Part 2: The Aftermath. ☆ ♡
Part 3: (in progress)
One Shots:
Dessert. ♡ *
a/n: this au is a mix of chronological parts and stand-alone one shots; Andy is single/childless in this
SUMMARY: The stress on the case is penting up. So are you and Andy. But you can't do anything about it, he's married and you're both supposed to be working on this case. But can you resist him when he looks at you like that?
WARNINGS: Swearing, smut, mentions of cheating (not on reader), angst (if you squint).
WORD COUNT: 1,059
*not proof-read*
ENJOY!
“We can’t keep doing this,” he whispers, while facing away from you.
He buckles his belt, and the clinking makes you force yourself to see the man in front of you get dressed. All while you’re naked being hides within the caves of your plush comforter.
You laugh inside at the sheer contrast of your position.
The rain splatters outside, it hits against your window like a warning.
As if saying ‘I told you so’.
You ignore it.
You ignore the fact that the rain is fucking right.
“What do you mean?” you ask pulling the covers closer to your chest as you see him put on his shirt. His muscles flex as he buttons up his garment; however, his jaw ticks with stress of the current event.
“I mean,” he sticks his tongue to the inside of his cheek, “this has to ease down,” he finally looks in your direction. Your eyes widen slightly; you didn’t expect him to be subtle but also blunt in meaning.
You scoff from your place, “are you being for real, right now?” The audacity of this man to come crawling to you in the first place, asking for solace. And, is now trying to be the saint in all of this sinful, silent havoc, the peace in all of this emotional war.
He twists the ring on his left-ring finger and shakes his head as if convincing himself that the one month of messing around, behind his wife’s back, was still an all clear in whatever fucked up realm he lives in his head.
“Look, I have a wife-,” he starts slowly, but you interrupt him immediately.
“That’s what I said, when you threw yourself at me in the first place,” you tell over him. Sliding off the bed, you pull on a pair of underwear and the closet shirt you could find.
“I know, sweetheart, I kn-,” he tries to talk over you, but you walk and pointedly shove your finger into his chest.
“Don’t you dare call me that. You knew the amount shit you were going to put you- no. Us, through when you walked into my apartment that night, Andrew,” you say slightly narrowing your eyes at him.
His deep blues are so bright, it’s like they glow in your bedroom.
They were once filled with lust, passion and excitement. Now they are full of indecisiveness and sorrow.
He whispers your name, “I’m sorry, it’s just-.”
You can’t help but interrupt him again, “oh my god, you’re actually doing this.”
You back away and run your hands through your hair, you thought you knew him. You thought you knew the real Andrew Barber.
“No, hey, wait. Listen to me, can you at least do that?” He grabs your elbow, gently forcing your look back at him. Your body does, but your eyes are too interested in the intricate details of your clock.
He sighs and rubs your elbow, “Laurie knows something isn’t right.”
You scoff at the mention of her name, you were friends with her once upon a time. That fairytale ended when she talked about how lonely and how much of a workaholic you were behind your back.
“She knows what? That, when you say you’re at the office working on the case, you’re actually with me. Fucking me into my bed,” you deadpan and harshly turn to look him in the eyes.
He winces at your words, “sweetheart-.”
You rip your elbow from his grasp, “what the fuck did I say about calling me that, Andrew.”
You pace back and forth, trying to convince yourself this isn’t happening.
More so, you’re trying to come to terms with the fact that you may not be able to see Andy anymore.
You met the ADA a couple weeks back when you were first put on a case, you had to meet with the lawyer to talk about the coming plans.
What you didn’t expect was the lawyer to be the man that’s currently in your room right now.
You knew he was married and had a kid, so you forcefully pushed your feeling aside.
But you couldn’t resist the little whimper that left your lips every time he’d bite his lip in thought or stripped off his suit jacket if it got too hot or even during the late-night filing work that had to be done, he’d loosen his tie and pop off the first two buttons of his shirt.
Imagine your surprise when he caressed the small of your back, a week after you met. He started to be bold.
He’d call you ‘Detective’ out in the open, it changed to ‘Sweetheart’ behind closed doors.
And so much more happened after, till the both of you were tangled in each other’s arms.
Now?
You’re tangled in each other’s confusion.
“Look, I should’ve phrased it better. We just have to slow down, just for a while,” he runs a hand through his trimmed beard.
“I don’t wanna stop seeing you, and you know that,” he pauses, “don’t you, sweetheart?”
He comes closer and cups your cheek, and you hate the way you lean into his touch.
Because Andy knows you, he knows what you need, what you want.
It’s why you’ve fallen so quickly in the first place, the way he just seemed to figure you out immediately.
You nod and look up at him with your doe-like eyes, “m’sorry, I…. shouldn’t have overreacted.”
You place your palms on his chest, feeling the material under your fingertips.
He leans down and kisses your forehead. “It’s okay, I should’ve known to said it in a proper manner,” he whispers against your skin.
“I love you, sweetheart,” he says, looking into your eyes again.
“I love you,” you say with a small, tired smile on your lips.
He ducks down and kisses your lips with such softness, you think your being whisked away on some cloud.
“I’ll be back, I promise,” he says, giving a final peck before leaving you to stand alone in your room.
You hear him shutting the door on his way out, and it snapes you out of your daze.
Your walls may be empty of his presence, and it will remain as such until he gives you the all clear.
Till then, if time permits you, you’ll hold onto the feeling of his kisses.
🎀🎀🎀
Another fic in a one day?!?!
(I'm literally spoiling yall.😚😚😚)
Lovelies, I srsly don't know what's going on with me. 😩😩😩
This idea just popped into my head, please lemme know what yall think about.🤭🤭🤭
