by Hart, Rebel
“You don’t really think your mother feels that way, right?”
“How the hell else would she feel, Clint? Tell me. How the fuck is she gonna get money if I’m not the one putting it in her hands? Because I’m sorry, but the woman is never going to get a job if she doesn’t have to.”
“Then maybe you leaving will force her to.”
I snickered. “Or she’ll find some other man to slap her around before paying her bills. And that’ll be my fault.”
“Rae, your mother’s inability to live her life in a productive way isn’t your fault. Your home is toxic, just like mine was. You need to leave, and college is your way out.”
Out, and away from you. “Yeah, whatever.”
He scoffed. “You sound like me last summer.”
I felt him nuzzling against the back of my head and it made my body ignite with life.
“You have to put your foot down with your mother,” he murmured.
I rolled my eyes. “Easier said than done.”
“You’re not responsible for her, Rae. I need you to hear me when I say that.”
“Yeah, I hear you. But it’s not that simple. So long as I’m living with her, I’m going to be held responsible until she starts blaming me for bills going unpaid because I’m being selfish with my money. I’m responsible there, just like you're responsible here.”
“That’s different.”
“How the hell is that any different?”
I turned around to look at him, but he didn’t have any answer for me.
“Things will change, Rae. All relationships do over time. But change isn’t always a bad thing. I mean, look at me. I’ve changed.”
Yeah, I figured you didn’t have an answer. “You have, yeah.”
“And has it been a good change? Huh?”
He cupped my cheek and a soft smile crossed my face.
“It has been a good change, Clint. I’m so proud of you.”
“I mean, I used to pick on you relentlessly.”
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t remind me.”
He grinned. “Calling you names. Sticking my fingers in your food. Calling you out in the middle of the cafeteria.”
“You’re about to make a quip about se--?”
“And now, I can’t get you out from underneath me. Who’da thunk it, huh?”
My head fell forward as laughter rolled from my lips. Genuine, unadulterated belly laughter.
“You’re so insane, Clint.”
He gripped my chin, lifting my eyes. “And you’re a marvel, Rae. You’ve changed my life for the better. I went from your bully to your partner. I get to hold you in my arms. Be your confidant. I’ve got friends in Allison and Michael now because of you.”
His lips pressed softly against mine and I sank against his naked body.
“Everything will work out, Rae. I promise. And I’ll be next to you the entire time.”
Oh, thank fuck. “Promise?”
And as his hands meandered along my naked skin, more water sloshed over the edge.
“Promise promise, Rae.”
6
Clinton
Holy fuck, it’d been a long time since she kissed me that way. With her tongue softly falling into my mouth as my lips parted. My hands slid along her back, running warm water along her skin as bubbles popped around us. She moaned, and oh, how I growled. I missed her moans. I missed her body. I missed everything about her. I gripped her hips, pulling her into my lap, and she straddled me as more water trickled over the edge.
Making her giggle against my lips.
“We’re going to make a mess, Clint.”
I fisted her hair. “God, I fucking hope so.”
I kissed her so furiously our teeth clattered together. Her arms draped around me, grinding against my quickly-rising cock. Weeks. It had been weeks since I’d filled her. Fucked her. Made love to her. And as her bars finally came back down, I felt her letting me in again. Baring her heart and soul for me again. Even if she couldn’t make sense of it. Her hands ran down my chest and I felt my skin puckering at her touch. She sucked on my lower lip, causing my cock to jump as it fell between her pussy folds.
Where she stroked it softly.
“Such a tease,” I grunted.
She sighed. “It’s been so long.”
“I’ve missed you. I’ve missed you so fucking much.”
“I’m sorry, Clint. I’m just so scared.”
I shook my head and cupped her cheeks. She sure as hell had nothing to apologize for. I brought her back in for a kiss before my arms cloaked her back. I held her to me, feeling her heart fluttering against my chest as my legs contracted with joy. I smiled against her lips and she giggled. I helped her to her feet before guiding her out of the tub as we slid across the bathroom floor.
Before crashing into the wall.
“Rae!”
She threw her head back in laughter as she fell against me.
“Rae. Are you okay? Look at me.”
Her eyes met mine and she smiled. Her eyes sparkled, and damn it, it had been months since I’d seen that. I slid my thumb over her cheek. She turned her head and kissed the pad of my finger. I traced my thumb over her lower lip, watching it softly pull down before flipping back into place.
“I love you,” I murmured.
Her lips journeyed to mine. “I love you too, Clint.”
I wrapped her up in my arms and carried her the rest of the way. Our lips fell together once more as my eyes screwed shut. I walked us out of the bathroom, keeping my balance as her legs wrapped around me. And as my cock wept for joy to have her naked against me again, we toppled to my mattress.
Not giving a fuck whether or not my blankets got wet.
I kissed down her neck and felt her pulse fluttering against my lips. I nibbled against her shoulder, losing myself in her as my pulse quickened. I knew things were about to change. For better, and for worse. My friends were going off to college--my girlfriend, too--and I’d be stuck back here, still trying to find odd jobs and hoping I could keep finding shit to sell to make ends meet. But the taste of Rae’s skin pushed that all away. As I kissed down her body, venturing straight to that delectable pussy of hers, I let all those insecurities fade away. All those fears.
So I could devour her the way I always did.
“Oh, Clint.”
I growled. “Oh, Rae.”
“Shit, shit, shit. Like that. Ooooh, Clint.”
She whimpered as our fingers threaded together. I tugged on her arms, bowing her back as her hips fell closer to my face. I lapped my tongue up her slit. I flicked her clit before sucking it between my lips. Her tits bounced for me as she rolled. Her juices dripped down my neck the more I licked. I drank down every last drop of her, wanting nothing more than to feel her come against my face.
“Cl--int.”
And when she choked out my name, I got what I wanted.
Her body vibrated as her pussy pulsed against my lips. I dug my tongue against her clit, feeling it pulse with every throb of her walls. She rutted against my skin. My stubble. My mouth. Taking what she wanted before she collapsed.
The second I stood, she quickly slid off the bed.
“Rae, what are--fuck!”
“Mmm.”
She swallowed me down as my hands fell to the mattress. My eyes widened and the animal inside me rattled within its cage. Her throat closed around me, taunting my balls. Teasing my body. Building me close to my end. Electricity washed through my veins. My eyes rolled back as she hollowed out her cheeks. I forced myself to stand. I slipped my fingers through her wet hair. And as I hung on, I pumped her lips up and down my cock.
“That’s it. Suck it down, gorgeous.”
She giggled around my girth and my eyes rolled back. I teetered, causing her to wrap her arms around my hips. She fisted my ass cheeks, curling her nails into my skin. And when my eyes popped open, I fucked her face. Ravenously hard, feeling her gagging around me. My breathing came in short pants. I felt swea
t mingling with the water as it trickled down my back.
But, just before I popped, I pulled her off me.
“On the bed. Now.”
She scrambled to her feet and threw herself onto my bed, beckoning for me with her legs already spread. I fell into her arms and her soft body welcomed me home. I wasted no time sliding inside her, feeling her walls cradling me as her nails raked down my back.
“Clint. Oh, Clint. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”
I kissed her neck. “It’s okay. I’ve got you. I’ll always be here.”
“Clint.”
Her whimpers were both desperate and wanton. I snapped my hips against hers, holding myself up with my hands. I gazed into her eyes, watching them roll back in pleasure. Her tits jumped for me while her skin flushed, painting the most beautiful picture I’d ever seen. Her lips puckered and I kissed them. Her hands cupped my cheeks and I held my position. I swiveled my hips, stoking that fire in my gut as her walls clung to me. Pulling me deeper. Massaging me harder.
Until I started pounding into her body.
“That’s it. That’s it. Clint, you always know. You always know. You always know.”
“Mine. You’re mine, Rae. Forever. Always. You’re stuck.”
“Yes. Yes. I wanna be. I wanna be. Clint, please. I’m gonna come. I’m gonna come.”
Her pussy clamped down around me and my knees went weak. I fell against her body, feeling her pull me down as she moaned out into the room. Her pussy pulled me deeper. Her arms held me tighter. And as I buried my face into the crook of her neck, grunts poured from my lips.
As her end triggered my own.
“Oh, fuck Rae. I’ve missed this.”
She shivered beneath me as my legs jumped. My cock spilled inside her with her juices flooding my balls. I felt spent. Emotionally. Physically. Spiritually. All I wanted was for Rae to stay, to sleep next to me tonight so I could wake up with her in my arms.
But, when she sniffled, I quickly rose up.
“Rae?”
She giggled breathlessly. “I’m so sorry. I don't know why I’m crying.”
I smiled softly as I brushed her tears away.
“It’s okay. It really is.”
She snickered. “I just feel so stupid.”
I shook my head. “You’re not stupid. You're scared. Confused. A bit hurt. All at once. It’s natural, and if there’s anyone that understands, it’s me.”
She paused. “Clint?”
“Yeah, gorgeous?”
“Could I stay with you tonight?”
My heart swelled with joy. “I’d love nothing more.”
We wiggled ourselves up toward the pillows before I tucked us in. Pulling up the covers, I laid them across her, feeling her wiggle back against me. Her ass pressed against my pelvis. Her back, seated against my chest. I smiled as a feeling of comfort and reassurance fell over me. Like it always did whenever I got to hold Rae in my arms.
She was my home. And I never wanted that to change.
It won’t change, if I have anything to do about it.
I kissed Rae’s shoulder as her breathing evened out. Her chest rose and fell. And soon her breaths became soft snores. I smiled while she slept, nestled against me. Underneath the covers of my bed. But I still had a mess to clean up. So, reluctantly, I slipped away from her.
“I’ll be back soon,” I whispered.
I walked back into my bathroom and unplugged the tub. I let it drain as I pulled out towels, tossing them onto the wet floor. I mopped it up as much as I could before I turned on the fan. I gathered everything wet--including our clothes--and walked it out to the dryer. I tossed everything in with a nice dryer sheet before getting it all started. Then I turned on my bedroom fan to try and help dry up what was still damp in the bathroom.
And as I curled up next to Rae for the night, I smiled.
Thankful to have her in my arms for the night again.
7
Raelynn
As I scanned groceries through my kiosk, the beep forced me to register my future. I only had one more week left of working here before I was done. For good. I had decided to take the last couple weeks of summer vacation to pack and enjoy the road trip with my friends and Clint. Even if it meant staring down the barrel of some decisions I knew would make life with my mother a living nightmare. While I wanted to spend quality time with her--and I would--inevitably, I knew what topic would come up.
The topic of money.
It was my mother’s favorite thing to discuss.
“I can pay you back once one of these applications go through.”
Yeah. The applications she put in months ago.
“I’m doing some odd jobs for people around the neighborhood. So I can carry the light bill if you get the water bill.”
Yeah, except she paid it late and I had to foot the late fee because she couldn't afford it.
“Why don’t we go out to lunch? There’s a great Mexican place across town, and I know how much you love Mexican.”
“No, you love Mexican, Mom. I enjoy Italian.”
“What was that, sweetie?”
I whipped my eyes up and saw an elderly woman standing in front of me. I smiled at her and took the money from her hand, then charged her out. I counted her change out in her hand before bidding her a good evening. Then I silently chastised myself.
I had to stay out of my mind so I could get through this damn shift.
Rationally, I knew I was being an idiot about this. School really wasn’t all that far away. And all I had to do was keep telling Mom that. I needed to help her put in some applications. Or simply leave. Like Clint told me to do. I guess our situations were a bit different. Mom was expecting me to contribute and Cecilia didn’t have that same expectation of him. I just--
I wanted so badly for Mom to change.
I wanted her to be the mom I knew she could be. The mom I knew she wanted to be. I mean, yeah. I was proud of her for keeping up with her therapy appointments. But things had stopped changing. It was almost like she reverted. Or morphed into a similarly toxic version of someone different.
I don't know. I was confusing myself at this point.
Just focus on work. Then on packing. Then on the road trip.
“I can do that,” I whispered.
“So! Ready for the next big step?”
Pauline jumped up to my register and it snapped me out of my trance.
“What?” I asked.
She giggled. “The next step, silly. College? You know, the big leagues?”
I felt homesick just thinking about. “Yeah. Sure.”
“Oh, come on. It won’t be that bad. What are you going to be studying?”
I sighed. “Pauline, I’m really not--”
“Please, please, please, please, please?”
Why was she hired again? “English.”
“Oh, nice. Whatcha wanna do with it?”
“I want to teach elementary school kids.”
“Shouldn't you be getting an education degree, then?”
“Those classes don’t come into play until junior year. Still have to declare a major other than ‘education’ until then.”
“Gotta have a specialty. Got it. Nice.”
I nodded. “Yeah. Nice.”
“So are you excited?”
I sighed. “Not really.”
“Why not? I’ve heard college is great. Lots of parties. Lots of boys. Lots of friends to make and food to eat. Sounds like paradise, if you ask me.”
Not when you’re losing friends over it. “I’m sure it does.”
“Have you always wanted to teach kids?”
“No.”
“Have you always wanted to do English?”
“No.”
“So, what made you make that decision with your degree?”
I sighed. “I don’t know. It just seemed right.”
Pauline nodded. “Nice.”
In truth, I didn’t know if I was making the right decisions.
But I did enjoy English. It was the only subject in school I didn’t hate. And kids were fantastic. So why not combine them? Seemed logical enough. I didn't have any other passions. I mean, other than the graphic design. But I didn’t figure out until I enrolled in this fucking college that they only had a graphic design minor. Not major.
My fucking luck.
I don't know, I felt pressured into going to college. With all this confusion, I heavily leaned toward taking a year off there for a bit. Staying behind. Hanging out with Clint. Continuing to work at the grocery store and helping Mom with the house. But the scholarships I ended up snagging paid for my first year of college if I enrolled this year. I couldn't postpone them, or defer them. I had to use them or lose them.
Talk about extra pressure when trying to figure out my life.
I mean, I hadn’t even turned nineteen yet! What was the rush? Why did I have to have everything figured out by the time I was eighteen? That didn’t make any sense. In some respects, I still wasn’t seen as an adult. Sure, legally I could sign my name on shit. But that was it. I still couldn’t rent a car, or a hotel room, or drink. Was I really adult enough to be making decisions that would affect the rest of my life?
How fucked up was that?
But Clint had a good point. Everything was a chance. A risk. And I could either take it or not. This degree felt the safest, along with my graphic design minor. So, why not? And despite Mom not wanting me to leave her, ever, she was excited about me wanting to pursue something with my ‘doodles,’ as she called them.
It was selfish of me to ask for more than that.
“All right, spit it out,” Pauline said.
I blinked. “Spit what out?”
“What’s bothering you so badly. You're zoning out in your shifts. You’re not paying attention to the customers. I know a distracted person when I see them. My father’s always distracted.”
I nodded slowly. “I’m sorry.”
“No, no, no! Not a bad thing. Just an observation. There’s something on your mind. Why don’t you talk about it?”
I shrugged. “Don’t want to.”
“I think it might help if you do, though.”
