Mended Hearts

by Tammi Lynn

  “Really fucker? You know what’s up. You stole Mia away and didn’t even tell us where you were going, we started freaking out till Miklo told us you had her and were taking her away for the night. After he messed with us for a while of course the lil shit. What the fuck man, coulda gave us a heads up.” He’s pissed, nope don’t give a shit.

  “Just wanted to have her to myself for a little while. You know how it is Cade.” He spends the most time with her, if she’s around he’s got to be able to have her close. I understand why though, we all watched him break when Nichoal first disappeared.

  “Yeah man, I do. I get it. Maybe say something next time though?” He knows he has no room to talk and I’m kinda secretly glad he went kinda crazy today. That’s how I felt almost all week because of his actions. I never said I wasn’t a little vindictive.

  “We’ll see you guys tomorrow. Who’s staying with Miklo tonight?”

  “All of us. I’m going to sleep in Mia’s bed and both Jesse and Rome are going to take the couches. Don’t worry, Rome will make sure they all get some sleep, they both have to drive back into the site tomorrow.”

  “Later, Cade.” The line goes dead and I place my phone down to start ladling soup into bowls for us.

  Mia’s done talking with Miklo and her phone starts to ring. “It’s Cade.” I knew he’d have to call her too. She takes a deep breath and answers. “Paco’s Tacos, can I interest you in one of our specials?” She’s having a hard time keeping a straight face. “While that does sound special Sir, I’m not sure I can include it in your order.” Her hand covers her mouth and I can hear Cade talking heatedly from the other side. He’s so going to get her back for this later. Her hand drops and her face lights up. “Sir! This is a family business, if you can’t keep your order reasonable I’m afraid we won’t be able to deliver.”

  Walking over to her I take the phone from her hand and hold it to my ear. He’s going over ways he’s going to punish her later for not answering her phone all day and I gotta admit it sounds like it would be fucking hot to watch. “Thanks for all the suggestions, Bro.”

  “Jay...” It’s a warning, and one I don’t care to heed.

  “Later, Cade.” I hang her phone up and set it on the counter.

  “Sounds like you might be in a little more trouble than I am.” This girl is trouble herself.

  “Sounds like it.” Pulling her close, I lift her by the waist and onto a stool that sits on the other side of the kitchen counter and take a seat beside her to eat.

  We talk about the kids while we eat, our favorite stories from when they were smaller, things they used to do, and all the trouble they’d get into. I know it kills her that Miklo is getting so big. I also know this is something that Mia and I share that really is unique to us. Being a parent isn’t easy and only a parent can understand the true extent of that. “What is your favorite memory with Emma?”

  “Other than the first time I saw her? I’d have to say the first time she said ‘Love you Daddy’ to me.” Definitely my favorite memories. “What about you?”

  “I’d have to say the same to both of those. Ever since he could say it he tells me he loves me multiple times a day and it’s the best. He’s always been the sweetest kid, at about five years old is when he started holding doors open for me and telling me, ‘ladies first’.” I’ve noticed that, how much he cares and how good to Mia he is. He’s a good kid.

  My bowl is finished but she’s only eaten about half hers and keeps swirling her spoon around in it. “Did you not like it?”

  “Oh, no, it’s really good, I’m just not very hungry.”

  “Why don’t we turn on some music and I’ll give you a massage.” Standing up I take her bowl and mine to the sink, before walking her to the bed and turning the stereo system on. “Take off your shirt and lay on the bed.”

  “I knew you wanted to get me naked.” She winks at me before taking her shirt off. She’s not wearing a bra so she flashes me her tits before laying flat on the bed with her head to the side. Nice view.

  “After the lady porn you just had me read all day? Fuck yes.” I hear her laughing behind me as I go to the bathroom and get some lotion. I climb onto the bed and straddle my legs to either side of her waist and put lotion on my hands. Rubbing my hands together to warm them up I begin and she lets out a moan that has my dick twitching. Down boy, we’re not here for that tonight. I massage her back and along her shoulders and neck to back down her sides, paying extra attention to her hips and lower back where she seems to be in the most pain. She gets ticklish when I reach her sides and it has her wiggling beneath me, making me lose all restraint and my dick twitches, already hard as fuck.

  “Let me do yours now.”

  “I brought you here so I could pamper you, not the other way around.”

  She flips onto her back beneath me and scoots up into a sitting position, her tits on full viewing pleasure. “But I want to.” There’s that pouty face again, I don’t even think she realizes she does it half the time.

  I hand her the lotion, remove my shirt, and lay face down on the bed. My hard as a fucking rock cock is not happy being squished beneath me but who am I to complain right now? She gets up and climbs over me sitting on my ass with either of her knees at my sides. Fuck that’s cold! I could hear her warming the lotion in her hands but it’s still cool against my heated skin. She has it warm in moments, and me in complete bliss. Her small hands carefully working out the tension in my back has me melting into the mattress. My eyes close and I can’t think of anywhere else at this moment I’d rather be. I was serious when I told her earlier that I’d always be here for her, even if the others decide to bail, I’m here to stay as long as she’ll have me. And if she runs? I’ll just have to go and find her.

  When she’s done she lays forward and wraps herself around me, her breasts pushed against my back. “Thank you for today Jayson, I love you, I hope you know that.”

  Rolling to my side and letting her slide off my back I turn back toward her and gather her in my arms. “I love you too, Sweetheart.” So much.

  ∞∞∞

  The next day I feel so much better, all my worries are gone and I can just enjoy the moment again. Mia looks like she’s feeling better too, although she refuses to get out of her pajamas saying they will be just fine to wear home today too. We walk down to the ocean and sit in the sand for awhile before we head home. The rain has stopped but the sky is still a swirling grey. I’m not ready to go home yet. It’s been nice having her all to myself for a little bit and it’s back to work tomorrow.

  I keep her to myself for as long as I can, taking our time and enjoying each other, before taking her home. When we pull up we just sit in the truck making out for awhile before Jesse taps on the window. “Alright fucker, it’s time to hand her over now. I left you the kitchen to clean.” Of course he did, he hates doing the dishes and I’m sure the others were mad enough to leave them for me too.

  “Guess our vacation is over. Can we do it again sometime?” She asks.

  More time with her by myself, does she even have to ask? “Just say the word, Sweetheart, and we’re there.” I open the truck door and get out helping her down before Jesse sweeps her up and throws her over his shoulder. He starts walking her to her house and she gives me a wave over his back.

  Chapter Twelve

  Innocent

  Mia

  “So how’s everything going between you and Max? Are you guys ‘official’ yet?” It’s the end of the work day and we’re gathering up our stuff and clearing our desks. Felicia has had the biggest grin on her face all week since Valentines Day, Max took her out on a date to dinner at a fancy restaurant. She’s been shy about giving me and Cassie any details which is highly unfair since she’s always wanting us to divulge everything.

  “Yeah, Facebook and everything.” She laughs and blushes. I haven’t even been on my account in forever, not sure what I would post.

  “She’s either always over at his house, or he�
�s over at ours.” Cassie rolls her eyes and grabs her purse. They rent a house on the other side of town with one more roommate. I haven’t met her yet, they don’t say much about her except to complain.

  We head through the break in the counter to the door and Felicia pushes Cassie’s arm. “Oh yeah? And what about you? Where were you last night till one in the morning?” Ooh, my turn to hear some juicy gossip about them. Cassie does look more tired than usual today, half of her make-up looks like it was leftover from yesterday. She’s normally at her best.

  “Wouldn’t you like to know?” The tone in her voice raises my alarms.

  “I would actually I -” When we walk outside, there is no one other than Felix Fucking Moore, parked on his bike by Cassie’s car. Straddling the bike with his forearms on his handlebars, his eyes zero in on Cassie’s as she stares at him with an angry look on her face. What the fuck is going on? The whole thing is intense between the both of them. Felicia just keeps looking back and forth, from one to the other, too shocked to finish what she was saying.

  All I can think is fuck. I was really hoping she would hit it off with one of Jesse and Roman’s friends. Or even one of Jayson’s college buddies, not that I thought she’d be interested in one of them. I can’t see her dating a suit. It’s not that I don’t like Felix, I do, but I know what being a sergeant at arms entails and I don’t want her getting hurt or mixed up in anything dangerous. The Moore brothers are the definition of dangerous. The sound of another motorcycle pulling into the lot catches my attention and I see Davian park beside Felix. They look exactly alike save Davian’s hair is longer going almost to his shoulders which you can barely see curling from under his helmet, but as I mentioned, they couldn’t be more different. Where Felix is bad ass and broody, Davian is more sly and sexual, a playboy, heavy on the charm.

  A smirk forms on Cassie’s face and her eyes narrow. “Felicia, will you drive my car home?” Not waiting for an answer she puts her cell in her pocket and hands Felicia her purse and keys. She walks right up the middle of the two brothers, turned slightly as if to go to Felix and never keeping her eyes off of him, but then at the last moment turns and gets on the back of Davian’s bike. Wrapping her arms around him he flashes his brother a grin before handing her a spare helmet and starting the bike up and taking off. Okay, that was more than intense, guess she’s looking for trouble. Hope he knows what she’s getting herself into.

  I can see Felix’s eyes flash and his jaw start to tick. “Mia.” He nods his head at me.

  “Felix.” I give a small nod back.

  With a roar of his engine he’s gone, throwing gravel behind him when he pulls out of the lot. I need to talk to Cade, just to make sure he’s really a good guy even if he’s a bit rough around the edges. I feel very protective over my new friends. Turning back to Felicia she’s just standing there holding her purse over her shoulder and Cassie’s in her hands with the keys. “What was that all about?”

  “You mean she hasn’t said anything to you?” That’s odd.

  “Not a word. I have been pretty busy myself lately.” She starts walking to the car and I follow behind to my truck parked on the other side of it. “I wonder why she hasn’t told me anything.” You can tell she’s not used to Cassie keeping secrets from her.

  “Sounds like a good story.”

  “Yeah, we’ll get it out of her tomorrow. See you later, Mia.” Dejectedly, she gets into the car.

  “Byyye, Felicia.” Yup, you know I said it in my best Craig from Friday voice.

  With a smile she gets in the car and leaves while I get into my truck. When I’m about halfway home a call comes in and I answer through the truck speakers. “Hello?”

  “Mia?” Dre?

  “Hey Dre, what’s up?” I haven’t talked to him since Arizona and I’m surprised he’s finally calling me now.

  It would normally be a few more months before he’d talk to me again after an argument. And shit if we didn’t have our biggest one. I can still picture Jesse punching him and holding him up against the door. I’ll never forget that. Jesse showed me more with that gesture of his love for me, than he’s ever been able to say with words.

  “We got Miklo’s eighth grade graduation invitations today. I’ll be there for sure, but do you think it would be okay if I brought Lisa and the kids?” He’s actually asking me for permission? It’s almost like he’s scared to ask me anything with the way his voice lowered.

  “Of course! Miklo would love it if you all came up. Will you be driving?” Please let him be serious, Miklo needs him to be there.

  “Yeah, figured we could stay a few extra days at a hotel by saving on the flights.”

  “Good idea. I’ll start looking around for a good place for you guys to stay. You’ll have to call Miklo and tell him, he’ll be excited.” Even though we haven’t talked till today he has been keeping up with Miklo by calling or texting him at least once a week. I’m proud of him for that. This. This right here? Is healthy co-parenting, and I hope we can continue with it.

  “Sounds good. Talk to you later Ma.”

  “Later, Dre.” Well that went really well. Hopefully this is how things can be and stay between us now. Damnit, he did just remind me that my baby boy will be graduating junior high in a little over two months though. I can’t believe he’s going to be in high school next year. Time, please, please slow down.

  When I get home Roman’s tossing a duffel bag into his jeep, he turns to watch me pull in and then runs over. “I’m glad you’re here, I was just about to leave and wanted to see you before I left.” He grabs me up in a hug and gives me a quick kiss. “You’re home a little later than usual.”

  “Just gossiping with the girls. You headed to work, and Jesse coming home?”

  “Yeah, He’s going to be pissed I’m running late, he’ll have to brief me on the progress of the Inn and it means he won’t get home for a few more hours. We’re almost done, just a few more weeks, and then we can both be back home all the time again.”

  Hugging him tighter I place my head on his chest. “I was just wishing for time to slow down but for at least the next three weeks I hope it speeds up.”

  “Us too.” He places his chin on my head and sighs.

  “Where’s Miklo and the other two?”

  Roman steps back suddenly and puts his hands in the air. “I told them it wasn’t a good idea.” Well if that doesn’t sound ominous, and let’s not forget trouble.

  “Roman? Where are they?” I give him my best mean girl glare and take a step closer.

  He starts walking backwards towards his jeep. “Yeah, so I better get going, just remember I’m innocent in all this. I love you, Angel. See you in a few days.” He turns and runs the rest of the way to his jeep and gets in, giving a smile and a wave before leaving. Sucker. What the fuck is going on that I’m going to be upset about?

  I hear the roar of a motorcycle for the third time today and my eyes immediately go to Cade’s bike parked by the garage, followed by looking down the street. No bike, but I can hear it. Looking back at Cade’s bike I see the side garage door open.

  “No.” They wouldn’t. An engine revs again and I can now tell it’s coming from the back. Those fuckers.

  Storming in the house I toss my purse on the counter and head straight for the back arcadia. I knew it. Jayson and Cade are standing at the edge of the lawn where it meets the trees, arms crossed looking into them. There’s a lot of trails back in the forest probably pre created by the guys for this exact reason. Miklo is riding his dirt bike Cade got him for Christmas through the maze of trees. They’re lucky he’s wearing full gear and helmet or heads would have to roll. At least he seems to be taking it slow and is actually doing pretty well, I’d have a heart attack if he was going full speed. I wouldn’t mind if it was perfect weather. Not an obstacle in sight and maybe a padded room. You know, somewhere safe.

  I sneak up behind the guys until I’m about a foot away. “So!” I yell out. “Anyone want to explain?”


  They both turn around startled, Jayson’s arms drop but Cade’s stay crossed. “I’m just an innocent bystander in this, Sweetheart.” All so innocent are they?

  My head turns to the real villain in this story. “Cade.”

  “Baby Girl.” That smirk.

  “Cade?” I actually love getting into it with him, makes my blood run hot.

  I glare at him and he glares right back before sighing and relaxing his stance. “He’s fine, Baby Girl. He’s been getting better and better and is practically a pro now.”

  My teeth grind and my fists clench. “Getting better as in this isn’t the first time you guys have been out here?” The blood pumping through my veins gets hotter and I let out a deep breath to cool down. Not the time to jump him. He’s in trouble.

  A look of guilt passes over his face. “Well yeah, we thought it would be easier if you didn’t have to watch until he already knew how. You said he couldn’t ride until the earth was dry and it wasn’t raining. This weeks been beautiful out, plus I had him in that garage quizzing him for days about the bike before I let him get on.” I love putting him on the spot, he may act tough but he does hate making me upset.

  I’m actually surprisingly not that mad, I don’t really know what I’m feeling right now my emotions are all over the place. I want to be mad, I feel like I should be mad. Definitely still feel like jumping him. But I also feel like laughing, and crying, and running while screaming. I also feel pretty proud of Miklo, he’s learning so much and expanding into a whole new person, growing up. It’s not his fault I want him to stay my baby forever. “That’s not the point Cade.” Stay tough.

  “Come here, Baby Girl. Don’t be mad.” He beckons me too him.

  “Grr!” Yes, I actually make that noise. Spinning around I head back to the house, I may or may not have stomped my foot before turning but dang it, I have no defenses against these guys. How can you not give in to them? “Tell Miklo to come in when he gets back around, I’m going to take him to dinner just me and him.”