Until Brew

by CC Monroe

  “Ma? Dad? What are you doing here?”

  “Oh no! I look terrible. I’m so sorry!” JJ hollers from the living room when she hears me greet my parents. Turning slightly, I see her bolt from the couch and make her way toward our room.

  “Baby! You are sick! Get your ass back in here.”

  She yells something about needing to be presentable, and I shake my head, turning back to my parents. Their faces are filled with ear-to-ear grins.

  “Come on in. That’s my woman. I’ll go get her. Get comfortable. We’ll be out in a minute.” Making my way down the hall into the room, I find her in the bathroom, fixing her hair, putting it up in a high ponytail. “Babe, they do not care what you look like.”

  “I look like the walking dead! I’m not letting them see me like this.” Putting some sort of liquid under her eyes, she pats it in with her fingers. I cage her in then, putting my front to her back and my hands on the bathroom counter, looking at her through the mirror.

  “What are you doing? I need to hurry. I don’t want to keep them waiting. That is so rude.” As she reaches for the mascara, I grab her wrist and bring it up and around the back of my neck, kissing the side of her exposed neck, not taking my eyes off hers in the mirror. This settles her, and she tilts her head, watching me and giving me better access to her neck.

  “You look fucking stunning. You don’t need any of that shit to look beautiful.”

  She keeps her hand on the back of my neck, and I bring my hand up to palm her breast over her white tank-top. Kneading them softly, I make her moan, enjoying the sensation. I start to bite and nip, knowing I’m most likely leaving a mark. She moans again, and I squeeze her breasts hard, and this causes her to flinch and let out a pained groan. “Ow!”

  I stand up straight and stare at her in the mirror. When she finally catches on and lifts her head, she looks me in my eyes.

  “Baby?” I question.

  “Oh no. Brew.”

  Is JJ pregnant?

  “You stopped taking your pills. Did you ever start your period?” Her face pales, and she covers her mouth with her hands. “Are you pregnant, baby? Is that why you’re sick?” I ask, rubbing my hands softly over her stomach, my reaction throwing us both off.

  “I don’t… I don’t know. I mean, I thought it would take a while for the pill to get out of my system and make me regular again,” she says, her voice shaky. Is she afraid? Does she not want this?

  “JJ?”

  “Brew, I’m so sorry. I knew we were playing with fire, but we just get so caught up. I’m so sorry.”

  Her apologizing profusely makes me react. Reaching one hand up to her chin, I grab it with enough force that it doesn’t hurt but gets her attention.

  “Look at me,” I instruct her to look me in the eye through the mirror. She does, tears evident in her eyes. I keep one hand on her stomach. “I fucking hope you’re pregnant. I hope you are carrying our child.”

  “Wh—what?” Her brows lift, and a tear falls, landing on her chest.

  “You heard me. You’re mine, and it was only a matter of time before I made sure we started this family.” I keep kneading her soft stomach gently.

  “But we are so young and… and we are just getting to explore us,” JJ stutters out.

  “We already know each other. I’ve been in you bare, and I’ve planted my seed in you. And if you aren’t pregnant, we aren’t going to change a damn thing. I’ll keep coming in you until you are round with my child.”

  She gulps. “You’re insane.”

  “Never said I wasn’t, baby.”

  Turning her head and leaning it back, she looks up, searching my eyes. Returning her hand to the back of my neck, she whispers, “You really want to have a baby?”

  “I want our baby.” I kiss her forehead, her cheek, her lips, and pray that she is truly pregnant, knowing that all of this is exactly what I fucking need from her. JJ Marie came here, and it was for one reason and one reason only. To fucking be mine. For me to own and possess her, and for her to claim me.

  We join my parents a few moments later, and there is a definite shift in the air.

  “Oh, my goodness! JJ, you are lovely! How are you feeling, dear?” My mother is on her the instant we emerge from the hall.

  “Hi, Mrs. Axton. It’s nice to meet you, and I’m feeling fine. Thank you.” JJ is soft with her approach, maybe hesitant, because of my parent or because we found out that she could possibly be pregnant. God, I can’t believe I’m thinking this, but I hope more than anything that she is. Never did I think I would be the man to say that. To want that. To need that. But it comes with the territory, and that is JJ. She is the game changer, the one who will never let me be the old Brew I once was.

  “Sweetie, you can call us by our names. You're our son’s lady now, which means you are in the family. Oh, I’m so happy to finally meet you. I’m Clara, and this is Brew’s father, Dennis.” My dad reaches out and brings her in for a bear hug, and I laugh at JJ’s reaction. Caught off guard, she laughs and returns the hug.

  “Well, it’s so nice to meet you both,” she says while in my father’s arms.

  “We are the ones who are most happy to meet you. You are the one who’s making my boy a man.”

  “Dad.” I give him a look.

  “What? About time you found someone who settles you down.”

  Going to respond to that, I’m cut off when the doorbell rings again, and this time, I’m completely thrown.

  “Who in the world could that be?” JJ asks, my father finally releasing her.

  Approaching the door, I reply, “Not sure.” Opening the door, I see June and the man I saw leaving in rage radiating last night. JJ said his name is Evan and let me know they are married but not together at the moment. We didn’t talk about it much, her being sick becoming our main focus. I open the door to them in the middle of some bickering on my porch. My presence interrupts them, and June smiles big, some soup in her hand.

  “Oh hello, you must be Brew. I’m June! This is Evan, my—”

  “Her man,” he cuts her off with a growl, and I already know there is a story there JJ hasn’t told me yet. I smirk and reach out. It’s unlike me to be this relaxed and friendly with strangers, but my mood has changed, knowing JJ could be carrying my child. You could say I’m feeling… giddy, or some cheesy shit like that.

  “Nice to meet you, June, Evan.” They shake my hand, and I move aside, offering for them to come in.

  “Sorry, JJ texted me and said she was sick, so I made my mother’s famous soup, and I wanted to bring it over. He just had to tag along,” she refers to Evan. His face hasn’t changed, a possessive scowl focused on June like she’s both his enemy and the woman he loves. Fuck, what’s that all about?

  “June? Evan! Hey, what are you guys doing here?”

  Evan stays beside me, and June goes to where my mother, father, and JJ stand at the kitchen island.

  “Want a beer, brother?” I break the awkward silence and attempt to help calm him down.

  “Yes. Thanks.” Finally, his shoulders relax, and he follows behind me into the kitchen.

  “I felt so bad when you texted me about not feeling well. How are you doing? You look good.” Placing her soup on the island, she turns to my parents, putting her palm to her forehead. “My heck, where are my manners? Hi, I’m June, JJ and Brew’s new neighbor.” In true southern fashion, she doesn’t shake my mother’s hand. Instead, she gives her a gentle hug. I can see why JJ likes her. She seems kind, feisty if need be, strong like JJ, but a soft-hearted woman to the core, just like mine.

  “Oh hello, honey! I’m Clara, and this is my husband, Dennis.” They release one another, and I’m surprised when June hugs him as well.

  “Nice to meet y’all!” The hug is brief, and as she releases him, she turns back to JJ. They share some words, and I introduce my parents to Evan. Even if he is in a bad mood because he’s fighting with his old lady, he doesn’t show it to my parents.

  I like him. />
  “What a full house, JJ. We just wanted to bring you the soup! We will get out of your way,” June says, giving her a hug. JJ looks at me over June’s shoulder and gives me a pleading look, and I know what she’s asking.

  “You are more than welcome to stay and have dinner with us. Ma, Dad? You all right with that?” I ask my parents.

  “Of course! The more the merrier, as long as JJ is feeling well enough and up to it? What do you say, sweetie?”

  “I would love for all of you to stay. The company is nice.” Her voice is almost sheepish, as if she is nervous.

  “Good, then I will set the table. June, you mind helping me, sweetheart?” my mother asks.

  “Absolutely.”

  “The game from the other night—I missed it. I heard it was a hell of a game. Did you record it?” Dad asks.

  “Yes, I will get it started. Do you want a drink?”

  “A beer will do.” Going to the fridge, I grab Evan, my old man, and myself a beer. They take a seat on the couch, and I finally get a moment to check on my woman.

  “You all right, baby? You need anything? You don’t have to be shy with my parents. They love you already. I can tell.” I wrap my arms around her waist, bending to kiss her forehead. Leaning back, she peers up at me.

  “It’s not that. I’m just feeling a little… different.”

  Instantly knowing what she is referring to, I maneuver myself to touch her stomach without anyone noticing. Leaning down to her ear, I whisper, “Me too. You are glowing, and I can’t wait to watch you grow heavy with our baby.” Standing to my full height, I appreciate the blush starting at her neck and skating up her cheeks.

  “I love you, Brew. I’m thankful for everything that brought me to you.”

  My need for her in this moment goes beyond sexual. It's deeper, more powerful, soul-consuming, and blood-deep. I need JJ, and I can’t believe in all the world that I, of all men, was the one to find her.

  “I love you, baby. Now go relax and enjoy some time with the girls. If you need me for anything, you just say my name.” Giving her a kiss that will linger long enough until I can kiss her under me all night long, I then join my father and Evan on the couch. I watch the game, chatting and taking quick glances as often as I can of my woman.

  This is my life, a life I never wanted but found. And now I could never go back to thinking that way.

  Chapter Fourteen

  JJ

  “So, I see Evan followed you here,” I mention to June, Clara having just left to use the restroom.

  “Would you expect it any other way? I swear he’s going to make me lose my mind,” she responds, looking over at him, and his eyes are on hers, and when they lock, I see it, the undeniable love and lust sizzling in the air. I won’t lie—even I feel his possessiveness from here, and it’s not even directed at me.

  “Damn, you are screwed.” I laugh, sipping my water.

  “Tell me about it.” She huffs. “Anyway, you seem to be feeling better. How are things with you and Brew?”

  I debate telling her about the possible pregnancy, since we aren’t sure, and honestly, she and I are just starting to get to know one another, so maybe I’ll wait.

  “We’re good, really good.” When June doesn’t respond, I look up from my bowl of soup, and she is giving me a funny look. “What?”

  “Really? I know we are new friends, but that was obscure.”

  “And that’s another word for vague,” I retort, our laughter catching the men’s attention. I look at Brew, and he winks, eating me up with just that look. I have to tear my eyes away from him.

  “We are moving at the speed of light, just like you and Evan did. How are things with you two? I think your story is far more interesting.” Just as I ask this, Clara comes from the bathroom and joins us again.

  “What are we chatting about, ladies?” she asks. I really like Clara; she’s sweet but a total badass. I bet she could really take a man to his knees and outdrink us all. In fact, I would argue that Brew received his tougher traits from his mother.

  June waves off the question like it’s no big deal, but Clara has no plans of letting up.

  “No, now. Tell me. Is it that divine man you came with who is staring at you like you’re about to take flight any minute?” See? I knew it. Ma can hang.

  “That obvious, huh?” June asks.

  “Yeah, it is.” I giggle.

  She nudges my shoulder and scolds me teasingly. “We have a long history. We’re… well, we’re married, and it's a very long, complicated story.” Picking at her food, the spoon clanging against the bowl of soup, June avoids eye contact.

  “He broke your heart?”

  “Yes. Really badly.” She opens up to Clara like she did over our shared tequila. In the back of my mind, it hits: if I'm pregnant, then no more tequila for me. I wouldn’t be far enough along for last night to do damage, but I add that to my mental notes.

  “Sweetheart, love is blind. It doesn’t always see the clear path, and we go down the wrong road sometimes. And when we do that, we may be too far along that road to turn around without causing damage.”

  Holy hell, that was intense.

  “She’s right.”

  “But I’m scared.”

  “Did he hurt you like that?” Clara asks, insinuating some form of abuse.

  “No, no, Evan would never hurt me physically. But he sure knew how to hurt me even worse, where it counted the most—my heart.”

  “Oh, baby girl. I’m sorry. Those wounds are the hardest to heal.” Clara reaches over and rubs June’s hand.

  “But also, babe,” I add, “sometimes, the one who broke our heart is the only one who can mend it back together.” When June told me their story, how he left her without much of a warning, I could see the pain, but I also saw her deep sadness for not giving in to wanting him back. If Brew’s mother and father weren’t here, and I wasn’t still a little queasy, I would slap her on the ass and tell her to go get her man back.

  Falling in love has softened me in some ways, and I see in June the same things I see in me when it comes to loving Brew. No one should deny themselves a love so strong. I could never let go of Brew. And never would the strong, independent JJ admit that, but with Brew… I’m still that woman, but also, I'm his. I’m the perfect mix of independent and codependent.

  “Whose side are you on, JJ?” she asks, her smirk mimicking mine.

  “Yours. Besides, we are in the honeymoon stage as friends, so you’ll most likely take my advice without caution.” Clara, June, and I laugh again, and it feels so good. Starting a new life can be scary, but with these amazing people I’m getting to know, it’s making this place more like home.

  “I have an idea, ladies. How about a girls’ day? Shopping? Lunch and a nice massage. Too many men problems dragging us down.” Clara winks, lightening the mood.

  “That sounds amazing, Clara.” I clap my hands, a giddy, very unlike me action. Brew looks at me again.

  “You all right, baby?”

  I nod. “Yes, your mom is just bad-ass!” Instantly, I slap my hand over my mouth. I was trying not to be the foulmouthed JJ in front of my boyfriend’s parents. “Oh God, I’m so sorry! How rude of me.”

  Clara, Dennis, and Brew start laughing. Making my rounds, I look at them all and finally direct my question to Brew. “What!”

  “Baby, I’m their son. They ain’t afraid of bad language.”

  “Yeah, but still, I want them to like me and not think you’re dating a trucker.”

  He shakes his head, Clara and Dennis still lost in a fit of laughter. “I didn’t fall in love with a trucker. I fell in love with a strong, take-no-shit woman. Be her. That’s who I love, and that’s who you are.”

  “He’s right. The little word ‘ass’ ain’t never hurt anyone. Besides, my boy needs a tough gal to keep him in line.”

  Brew growls, and it’s my turn to laugh. She isn’t wrong. I’ve changed Brew, not in a bad way. Never has he changed his core, but I made
him a little softer for me.

  And that’s powerful to me.

  The night ends with everyone saying goodbyes, plans made with Clara, and laughter still lingering. The second the door shuts and it’s just Brew and me, we turn to face each other but don’t say a word. Taking in the length of my body with his eyes, I do the same, butterflies dancing in my stomach at the way he’s ravishing me with that look. But it’s not going to be rough tonight. No, we both want the soft, connecting, deep kind of lovemaking.

  Reaching out, he takes both my hands and pulls me in, twining our fingers, looking them over as he plays with them, the touch and action extremely intimate. When he finishes that, he lays my hands against his chest and moves on to my hair, tucking the loose strands that frame my face, falling out of my ponytail, to behind my ear.

  “You’re so fucking beautiful, JJ.” His voice is soft yet thick and determined. As he cups my cheek, I tilt my head into it, taking in the warmth.

  “You’re warm,” I moan, the feeling of his calloused hands against my cool skin comforting. Taking his wrist with both hands, I slowly remove his palm from my face and bring it to my lips, kissing each fingertip, the palm, and the thickly veined top side of his hand.

  He moans, causing those arousing butterflies to have a frenzy in my stomach.

  “I want soft with you. No hard, no wild. Just raw and us.” He tells me what I already know and want as equally as he does. “I want all of that with you.” Without another word, he follows through. Taking my hand, he leads the way to his room, and we resume the same position we did at the front door mere seconds ago. The only light on in the room is his nightstand lamp, causing our shadows to fill the walls. In moments, our bodies will join, and the shadows of our lovemaking will dance off those surfaces.

  Knowing what he wants, I start to undress, one article of clothing at a time. He mirrors the action, no touches shared as we do. It’s a familiar feeling that somehow makes us feel inseparable without any form of physical touch. Every form of stimulation is coming from our insides, the emotional connection taking over.

  Once we are both naked, we appreciate the sight of one another. His cock is hard, his physique flawless, even with the few scars he has. Two steps forward are all it takes for me to be inches from him. I touch the one scar along his rib.