Hated You Then (Book One: Love Hurts Duet)

by M. Robinson

  “I know you can hear me! This works both ways, you demon spawn! I will get you back and really poison your food, so that you’re shitting for weeks!”

  “Good to see you guys are back to normal,” Jagger interrupted, while I listened to him through the wood barrier.

  “Oh my God, Jagger! How do you just keep showing up out of nowhere? How long have you been standing there?”

  “Long enough to know you’re moving in.”

  “It’s not like—”

  “I know what it’s like. It’s you that doesn’t.”

  What did he mean by that?

  “You’re like a fortune cookie, care to elaborate?”

  “Nah, it’s more entertaining watching you figure it out for yourself.”

  “Watching me figure what out?”

  “You’ll see.”

  “Jagger, I know you’re a guy of very few words, but with the words you do use, can they please make sense?”

  “They will, eventually.”

  “Again, with the cryptic messages.”

  Skyler interrupted them, and I moved away from the door. Climbing out my window instead.

  I sat on the roof for the rest of day, contemplating what was going to happen next.

  Between my father and Harley, I had a lot on my mind, remembering the words I’d said to both of them the night prior.

  I don’t know what I hated more...

  That I’d hurt them.

  Or, that it hurt me doing so.

  Chapter 27

  <>Jackson<>

  Then: Sixteen years old

  The more things changed, the more they stayed the same.

  Over the last two and a half years, my life drastically took a turn mostly for the better but some things for the worse.

  “Jackson! Are you weady? Wook at me! I wook so prewty!” Journey exclaimed, clumsily twirling for me in her white flower girl dress.

  “You look just like a princess.”

  She beamed with her precious smile. “Dis what I wanted!”

  “You nailed it, baby sister.”

  “I ain’t a baby no more. I treee and a haff.” She held up three fingers. “Dis many.”

  I nodded. “Such a big girl.”

  “See... I prewty and know everyting.”

  “Just like me.”

  She giggled, agreeing with me. “Will you dance wif me?”

  “Of course.”

  “Like dis?” She put her hands on her knees and got down low, just like Camila had taught her.

  It was their thing, booty dancing together all around the house. Driving my father crazy because she was teaching Journey her Latina ways.

  I laughed. I couldn’t help it. She was cute as fuck.

  “I dance wif Cash too. He my boyfrwend.”

  “Is that right?”

  She giggled again and took off running toward Camila’s bridal suite. “Ma! Ma! Ma!” she shouted, as loud as could be barreling down the hall.

  I sighed, shaking my head.

  Ever since we watched the movie Coco together, she was obsessed with the guitar playing hero. A few days later, we went to the MC barbeque on Sunday and Cash just happened to be playing. Cue instant crush.

  The motherfucker knew it too.

  Her eyes literally lit up, and he spent the next hour showing her how to strum a couple chords. Everyone thought it was adorable, except for me. Thank fuck they were twelve years apart, or I’d really have to kill the son of a bitch.

  We hated each other more now than ever before.

  Fuckin’ Gremlin and her Scooby Doo gang were tighter than ever as well. Even pussy boy had his own following. His talentless band started making a name for themselves in Oak Island, playing at all our school events and town functions. It was beyond pathetic to watch girls throw themselves at them.

  The girl I still hated the most, Harley Jameson, was still his number one fan.

  Our relationship, or should I say our hatred for one another, hadn’t changed. In fact, it had only got worse the older we got. Noah and Skyler’s anniversary party may have brought my father home, but it caused Harley to run further away from me.

  She was right.

  I did fuck it up.

  It was just easier that way.

  I hid my anger the only way I knew how, terrorizing the shit out of her and Mary Poppins. However, now... I really did bring a different girl home every week. Being the most popular guy at our high school, I had a reputation to uphold. I took it very fuckin’ serious.

  I was the star quarterback, a fuckin’ God among mortals.

  I’d be stupid not to take advantage of the endless pussy thrown my way on the daily. I wasn’t lying to Harley that night on the roof. I’d never use her as my play toy.

  She was everything but that.

  Trigger didn’t help the situation by any means. He wouldn’t stop sniffing around Shiloh, who still didn’t give two fucks about him. She blew him off every chance she got.

  The whole football team and I found it hilarious to witness, certainly a sight to see. It didn’t stop him though. If anything, it made him want her more. Once and for all, proving he could get any girl he chased like the alpha he was.

  Which was the biggest difference between Trigger and I, he pursued girls and I didn’t. They just flocked to me. I was a teenage guy with needs, and they were more than eager to get on their knees. Wanting to score my letterman jacket and the title of my girlfriend.

  Fuck that.

  I allowed them to swallow my cum instead.

  And they did just that.

  What had completely changed in my life was my old man. After he moved Mary Poppins in, everything went from zero to a hundred in the blink of an eye.

  Including my love, appreciation, and gratitude for her.

  For the first time in over a year, my father finally came home. He stepped back up to the plate and made it known he’d royally fucked up. Abandoning us when we needed him the most.

  His reasoning.

  His struggle.

  His story...

  Was his to tell.

  All I knew was I had my dad in my life again, and nothing was better than that. The father figure I grew up with, the man I aspired to become one day, came back with a vengeance. Verifying he was still my hero.

  The night all my pent-up emotions exploded on him like a volcano was truly a blessing in disguise. He’d needed to hear every last word, and I’d needed to say it. Burning him alive, purging all the hatred I had for the man in a matter of minutes. It was what changed our dynamic from that day forward. Little by little, he redeemed himself to his children. Confirming he did love us more than anything after all.

  Every family had ups and downs, and we were no different. Bottom line... where there was love, there was hope.

  Which brought us to the big day, all thanks to the woman who’d changed our lives. He was marrying his second soulmate in a whirlwind ceremony, and I couldn’t have been happier for them.

  Once he told Camila the truth about my mother and her whereabouts, their relationship grew to love. Mary Poppins was made for him, and in many ways, she saved us all. After much consideration, it was evident we couldn’t continue living in a house that held my mother’s presence in every room. There were too many memories lingering within the walls of our home. Not only for our father, but also for my brother and me.

  We all had needed a fresh start, especially after we cleaned out her belongings.

  It hurt. A lot.

  “Maybe we should keep these for Journey,” Jagger suggested, holding up a few pieces of her jewelry, photos, and her wedding gown that afternoon.

  “I think that’s a great idea,” Camila replied.

  “The rest we can donate to a charity for dementia?” Jagger added, setting those things aside.

  “Your mom would love that. What do you think, Jackson?”

  “I don’t care. Do what you want with it.”

  “You boys should keep whatever you want as well,”
Camila suggested, staring only at me.

  I didn’t pay her any mind, grabbing one of the boxes that was full. “I don’t need anything,” I stated, wholeheartedly meaning it. “Makes no difference to me.”

  I already owned what mattered most to her. The necklace I broke off her neck years ago. The one that belonged to her mother before she passed.

  No one knew I had possession of it.

  I walked out of the room to take a few boxes to the garage when I heard Jagger whisper, “I will make him a box.”

  It hadn’t taken us long to find a new home. It was massive, nine bedrooms, eleven bathrooms, a private guesthouse in the back, where both occupancies overlooked the lake.

  There was plenty of space for the shitlins I knew they’d be having soon. My father was going to knock Camila up once that wedding band was on her finger.

  They both wanted a bigger family.

  Bigger than what we already had, and she was still young. He didn’t hold back on the cost of this wedding either, which didn’t surprise me. It was always how he showed his love and devotion. Spending his hard-earned money on those he cared about the most, providing the life he’d never had, but always wanted.

  “Dad, you ready?” I questioned, walking up to him and Noah.

  “I am.”

  It was blatantly obvious he was.

  “I’m happy for you, Dad. You deserve to love again.”

  “Thank you, Son. You have no idea how much that means to me, coming from you. I know I’ve said this a thousand times, but I’ll never forgive myself for what I put you all through.”

  I shrugged. “Shit happens.”

  “Your mother would be so proud of you, Jackson. I hope you know that.”

  “Mmm hmm.”

  “You’re all she ever wanted.”

  I scoffed out a chuckle, “Yet she forgot me first.”

  “Jackson—”

  “Let’s go get you hitched to a woman who’s closer to my age than yours.”

  Mary Poppins was only fifteen years older than me. My friends were constantly jerking off to her videos and pictures on social media. She was the hottest “Mom” at our school. It pissed my dad off to no end, but it was funny as fuck to watch him lose his shit over it.

  Camila and I continued to prank each other every chance we got. Just last week, I brought over my friend’s pet tarantula and put it in the bathroom while she was showering.

  Of course, I recorded her reaction from right outside their bedroom. The high pitch screaming as she jumped out of the tub, taking the shower curtain with her. Running out of their bedroom soaking wet, hollering, “I’m going to kill you, Jackson Pierce!”

  I uploaded it to my YouTube channel straightaway, titling it Wet And Wild Nanny Exposed. Gaining over a hundred thousand views within an hour.

  I’d say it was a huge success.

  I wouldn’t call myself a Youtuber, since I only posted whenever the mood spiked, but I definitely made a shit ton of money when I did upload. My content was fucking hilarious.

  Art was by far one of my favorite hobbies. Whether it was photography or videography, I had a passion for bringing things to life. Constantly finding inspiration in the places I least expected to.

  Although, there was another reason why I took pictures and recorded things. I had a much bigger motive.

  That I shared with no one.

  As soon as Harley saw my old man make his way toward the altar, she started crying. Standing there in her bridesmaid dress, we waited for our turn to walk down the aisle.

  “Get it together, Gremlin.”

  “Shut up, Rudolph.”

  “It’s a wedding, not a funeral. Stop crying.”

  “Screw you, I’ll do what I want.”

  “Don’t make me trip you.”

  “I swear to God, Jackson, if you make me fall in front of everyone, I will have your balls.”

  I nodded to her gown. “Maybe it will help your latest disaster.” She was wearing the ugliest dress I’d ever seen with her tits out for everyone to see.

  Yes, the Gremlin grew a pair of knockers. They were nice ones too, and I resisted the urge to tell her to cover them up.

  “Really? Cuz I already have five orders for it on my Etsy Store.”

  “Those people obviously have no taste.”

  “You’re such a fuckin’ asshole.”

  “Shhh... God’s listening.” I extended my arm for her to take. “Baby girl, we’re up.”

  “Stop callin’ me that.”

  “But you love it so much.”

  She glared at me before looping her arm through mine.

  “Better hold on tight. You might fall in those fuck-me heels.”

  Shoving me with her shoulder, we walked side-by-side down the aisle. I didn’t hesitate in smiling for the guests in attendance, while I slightly shoved her back.

  “Jackson, stop,” she clenched out.

  “Just helping you maintain your balance, so you don’t take me down with you in front of all these people.”

  “I can walk in heels, you dick.”

  “Stop thinking about my dick, Harley.”

  Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself, smiling even though she wanted nothing more than to shove me again, or better yet, knee me in my balls.

  It was still her favorite thing to do.

  On my last step before we went our separate ways, I leaned forward and kissed her cheek.

  She instantly gasped, surprised by my not so subtle gesture.

  Since the night on the roof, there was something about the combination of her vanilla, strawberry, and cherry scents that made my cock twitch. I just wanted a second to take it in. I’d never admit this to anyone, especially her, but any time I smelled any of those scents, I couldn’t help but get hard.

  Fuckin’ Harley.

  The ceremony continued without a problem, their vows were perfectly geared to each other, and it wasn’t until the minister said, “By the power vested in me by the state of North Carolina, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Aiden, you may kiss your bride.”

  That I fully understood we were now officially a family. With a father and a new mother.

  Chapter 28

  <>Jackson<>

  Sometime during the evening, Jagger, Journey, and I pulled Camila and our dad to the side to give them our wedding gift. From an outsider looking in, you wouldn’t think we weren’t biologically hers, not with how she openly showed how much she loved us.

  This wasn’t our father’s idea. It was ours.

  “What is this?” she asked when I handed her a manila file with a big red bow on it.

  “Open it and find out, Mary Poppins.”

  “Jackson, if something bursts out of these files and you mess up my dress, I will show the next girl you bring to the house your baby pictures with your ass sticking up in the air.”

  “Relax,” I coaxed. “My next prank isn’t until tomorrow. It’s an epic one though, so be prepared.”

  She glared at me in the same way Gremlin always did.

  “By the way, this was all of our idea. Not just Journey’s and mine. Jackson wanted this too,” Jagger emphasized, winking at her.

  She opened the file and her mouth dropped open. “If this is a prank, I’m going to kill you,” she wept with tears instantly springing in her eyes.

  “No, it’s not. Journey, Jagger, and I would love for you to officially adopt us. We want you to be our mom. I mean... that’s if you wan—”

  She cut me off, throwing her arms around my neck.

  “Oh, fuck! This is completely unnecessary, Mary Poppins!”

  “Shut up, Jackson.” She hugged me tighter, pulling Jagger and Journey into her embrace as well.

  I let her have this moment, despite still hating being hugged. A whole other reason I’d never shared with anyone.

  “I would be honored to be your mom. I love you all so much, and I know I’ll never be able to take Bailey’s place, but if you’ll let me, I’ll try to be the best
substitute in her absence.”

  “Ma!” Journey chimed in, hugging her so hard, her eyes closed.

  Camila spent a lot of time showing Journey pictures of our mother. She never wanted her not to know who her real mother was. Journey listened, loving her birth story, but in my baby sisters’ eyes...

  Mary Poppins was her mother.

  The night progressed, and at one point, I sat down at the corner table by the dance floor, watching the guests having the time of their lives.

  Including Harley, who wouldn’t stop dancing.

  Her body swayed.

  Her ass shook.

  Her tits bounced.

  She was a fuckin’ muse.

  I don’t know at what point it was where I started gravitating toward her. It was as if I blinked and I was standing in front of her. Reaching my hands out for her to take.

  She eyed me up and down, narrowing her bright blue, enticing gaze at me. They were rimmed with black eyeliner, luring me in profusely.

  “You’re jokin’, right? This a prank?”

  “Shut up and just dance with me, Gremlin.”

  “You can dance?”

  “I’m standing here, aren’t I?”

  “I don’t trust you.”

  “That offends me deeply.”

  “Jackson, I don’t wanna play—”

  “No games, just dance with me. I’ll even say please.”

  “Are you feelin’ okay?”

  “I’d feel better if you’d dance with me.”

  “Fine,” she sighed, giving in. “But if you—”

  I grabbed her wrists and pulled her tight to my chest. She felt good in my arms.

  Damn fuckin’ good.

  “How do you always smell like that?” I whispered in her ear, slowly starting to dance.

  “Smell like what?”

  “Edible.”

  “Are you saying you wanna eat me, Jackson Pierce?”

  “Now that’s a loaded question if I ever heard one, Harley Jameson.”

  Her heart began pounding against mine.

  “Am I making your heart beat fast?”

  “No.”

  “No?”

  “If it’s beatin’ fast, it’s only cuz I’m waitin’ for you to do somethin’ horrible to me.”

  “Oh, come on, I’m not that bad.”

  “You’re rotten to the core. What’s gotten into you anyway?”