by C. R. Marcum
“Don’t make me hit you, Ty. Drake would be pissed if I messed up your little baby face.” Jax replied.
“Anyway, I’m fine. How are you, Ty told me about the fight.” She asked stepping closer to Jax.
“Oh this, I’m fine. Just a little brotherly love.” Jax said reaching out and grabbing her by the waist. “You wanna kiss it all better?”
“Jeez you two, get a room.” Ty said pretending to vomit.
“You jealous?” Jax asked as he pulled Raylynn up against him.
“Of you? Ha, never in a million years would I be jealous of you.” Ty replied.
“Then shut up and let me have a minute with this sexy little thing.” Jax said before he brushed his lips against Raylynn’s.
She kissed him back with all the need she had felt last night. She couldn’t explain the attraction; she knew he was bad news. Somehow though, it didn’t matter to her. He lived a life full of drugs, sex, and violence, all things she was used to. Jax felt like home. She couldn’t stop it now if she wanted to.
Raylynn pulled away from the kiss and placed both hands on his chest.
“We can’t do this right now. I have things to do. I can’t spend the rest of the evening feeling out of control. So, with that said, Ty is coming home with me. We have a project that we need to do. I will bring him home later.” She said looking up into his eyes.
“Ugh, you are really gonna do me like that.” He replied. “Fine, but when you bring him home, you’re gonna stay for a while right?”
“Maybe, if you’re lucky.” She said with a wink before turning and walking away.
Jax watched her walk away and let out a groan. “That girl is gonna be the death of me.” He said to Ty.
“Probably, but I guess it’s not a bad way to go. See ya later.” Ty said.
“Alright, but don’t stay gone too long, Drake will be pissed if you aren’t home by eleven.” Jax said climbing in his car.
“I’m a big boy, I can handle it.” He shouted over his shoulder as he walked away.
On the way home, the two of them traded banter back and forth. This was comfort. Ty was a gorgeous guy, but he wasn’t interested in her, so she could be who she was. She didn’t have to pretend with Ty, and for that she was grateful. The two of them stopped at the coffee shop and grabbed a coffee to help them keep up with Paisley. They both knew she would be running on all cylinders when she got home. Coffee was a must.
They made it home a whole ten minutes before Paisley. She had auditioned first so that she could be home for the planning stage of the project. The three of them walked into the foyer and took their shoes off. Raylynn watched Ty as he stared in awe at the size of the house.
“Yeah, I felt the same way when I moved here. It’s bigger than the entire apartment building I lived in back home.” Raylynn said.
“This place is huge.” Ty whispered.
“Yeah, Daddy wanted us to have a big house since we won’t be moving again. He said that he wanted to give me my space and him his. So, we found this place. I absolutely love it here. I share a whole floor with just Coop. It’s amazing, and we have a pool out back, with a hot tub. Maybe after we get everything planned out, we can go for a swim.” Paisley rambled.
“Wow.” Was all he could say.
“Anyway, we should probably get started. I think the living room or the kitchen would be fine.” Raylynn said.
“Yeah, living room is perfect.” Paisley said leading the way.
They settled in and pulled out their books. They had a couple hours to get this done before Ty would have to go home. They became all business as soon as the books were opened.
After a few small arguments, they had finally decided on building a roller coaster. It would showcase all of the elements that were required. They all agreed that Paisley should be the one to draw it up. Ty would be in charge of the actual build, and Raylynn would figure out all of the mathematics and mechanics. They were all in agreement finally and had just settled back for a quick break when Katrina made her presence known.
“Why is he here? And why are you all in my living room? You have an entire floor to yourselves, and you intrude on my space.” She spewed.
“You know Dad wouldn’t want a boy in our rooms. So we are studying down here. We have a project due next…” was all Paisley managed to get out before Katrina interrupted her.
“I don’t know why he would worry, I mean, it’s not like anyone would ever want to sleep with you.” She said eyeing Paisley. She turned her gaze to Raylynn.
“And, what about you. Should Richard care if you have a boy in your room? I mean, it’s not like you are a little slut or anything, or are you?” Katrina smiled as the venom leaked from her mouth.
“I don’t understand what the problem is. If you want me to leave I will, the girls said it would be fine.” Ty said gathering his things.
“I don’t want them here, let alone you. Find somewhere else to study from now on.” She spat.
“C’mon guys, let’s just go.” Raylynn said standing and grabbing her things and heading towards the front door.
The others followed, and they found a seat on the porch next to Raylynn. She felt dead inside. She had always hated her aunt for what she had done to her mother, but now she was doing the same thing to them. The worst part for Raylynn was that now, she could do nothing to stop her.
“I can’t believe that bitch is your mom Pais, you guys are so different.” Ty said sitting on the porch swing next to her.
“She’s not my mom. She’s my stepmom. She used to be my nanny slash housekeeper.” Paisley replied.
“Oh, well, how does your mom feel about the way she talks to you? Hell, for that matter, why do you stay here?” He asked.
“Because, she’s dead.”
“Shit Pais, I’m sorry, I didn’t know.” Ty said wrapping his arm around her shoulder.
“It’s okay; it was a long time ago.” She replied.
“How did it happen? Was she sick or something?” He asked.
“No, she was perfectly healthy. She got into a car accident.” She answered.
“Oh, well you don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. I understand. My mom passed away too.” He said, giving her a small squeeze.
“No, its fine. I was eight when Katrina started working for my parents. She was always so nice to me when they were around. She took pretty good care of me in general. Her and my mom met at the grocery store, anyway, she made herself at home with us and my parents even gave her a room in our house. Well, when I was nine and a half, I had gotten pretty sick. I was running a horrible fever, I couldn’t keep anything down, and my mom was worried. Katrina had told her that she would go to the store and get some meds and popsicles for me, but my mom insisted that she go. She wanted to speak to the pharmacist to make sure the meds would work. So, Katrina stayed with me and my mom left. On her way back, a drunk driver ran a red light going way to fast and hit my mom. Her car flipped at least three times before it stopped. She was killed on impact. The force had snapped her neck. When the police and paramedics got there, the guy that hit her was fine, just some cuts and bruises, but he was three times the legal limit.” She said, staring at her feet. She was lost in her memories.
“Anyway, the police found her purse and called my dad. He was on base at the time. He broke down. He called Katrina and told her what happened, and she very bluntly told me. I was lost. I couldn’t wrap my mind around the fact that she was never coming home. Apparently, they found my medicine and popsicles in the back seat. She had only gone out that night because of me. After the funeral, my dad had asked Katrina to stay on and help him with me. I was young and couldn’t really take care of myself yet so with him being gone a lot, I needed someone to be with me.”
“I hated her. I wished that it had been her that went that night, instead of my mom, but it wasn’t. Katrina was okay for awhile. She was really nice to me and my dad. She snaked her way close to him, and he was so lonely and sad that he coul
dn’t fight it. He needed someone to love him. I could only love him so much. He needed a wife, and Katrina filled that position quickly. They got married when I was eleven, and that summer was the first time I met Coop.” Paisley said looking up to lock eyes with Raylynn.
“That sucks Pais, I’m so sorry.” Ty whispered.
“Hey, I got a best friend out of the deal. That’s what I focus on when I really miss my mom. If she were still here, yes things would be different, but I wouldn’t have met Raylynn. I went and stayed with her every school break from eleven until fourteen.” She said with a slight smile.
“Yep, I loved school breaks after that. I had always hated them before, but Pais was so much fun.” Raylynn added with a smile and moved to sit on the other side of Paisley.
“So, Katrina is your real aunt then?” Ty asked.
“Yeah, but I will deny it every chance I get. I mean, she is kinda the only reason I’m alive, but I hate her anyway.” She replied.
“How is she the reason you’re alive?” Ty asked, confused.
“Well, Katrina is my mom’s older sister. She was always such a bitch to my mom. She hated her because she was younger and my grandparents spoiled her. So, when my mom turned sixteen and met this guy, Katrina started to be violent towards her. She would pull her hair out and hit her and stuff.” Raylynn said, the memories pouring out of her in a tidal wave.
“Anytime my grandparents would notice a bruise or something my mom would lie. I don’t know why, but she still loved her sister. Well, the guy she met was like ten years older than her, and not a very good guy. He started slowly introducing her to drugs and partying. She was young, and Katrina made her life hell at home, so she ran away and moved in with John.” She said with a shrug. Ty and Paisley sat quietly listening to her.
“It wasn’t long after that when he up and moved her to Chicago. She didn’t know he was running from some pretty bad people, but by that time she loved him and would have followed him anyway. She got pregnant when she was seventeen, and not long after they got married. She tried to stay sober, but John didn’t make it easy. He was always high on something, so she eventually slipped. I was in school by then though, so I just took care of myself. I did almost everything for myself. Mom tried, don’t get me wrong, but she was so lost herself that I didn’t expect much. I had what I needed. Mom did what she had to do to get us food and clothes and keep a roof over my head.” She said with a small smile.
“John didn’t help much, but he did make sure that the bills got paid. I used school as my safe place. I didn’t have to worry about my parents arguing, or passing out from a high, or watch John beat her. So, when breaks came up, I was stuck at home watching it all, until Paisley came around.” She said wrapping her arm around Paisley.
“We would hang out at the park or go for walks. Sometimes we would hang out at the library all day long and just read. It was nice to have someone who liked to do the stuff I did. John was usually on his best behavior when Pais was around. I guess he was scared of her dad or something.” She said laughing. Her laughter overtook all of them and before long they were having a hard time catching their breath.
“You guys have been through some shit.” Ty said once he regained his composure.
“Yeah, we have. It’s okay though, we are still standing.” Paisley replied.
The three of them turned when they heard the car door. Richard had gotten home late.
“Hi Dad, how was work?” Paisley asked as she stood and walked towards her father.
“It was fine sweetie. How were auditions?” He asked wrapping her in a hug.
“Great, I think I did really well.” She said looking at him.
“I’m sure you did kiddo.” He said with a smile. It was then that he noticed Ty.
“Hello and you are?” He asked sternly.
“Hello sir, my name is Tyler, but everyone just calls me Ty. It’s nice to finally meet you. Pais and Ray speak very highly of you.” Ty replied standing and extending his hand to Richard.
“I’ve heard a lot about you too Ty. It is good to see that you are out and about. The girls told me that you were injured in some sort of mugging?” He asked raising an eyebrow.
“Yes sir, they got everything too. I still have to figure out how to replace it all. I’m just glad they didn’t seem too interested in my school bag.” Ty answered.
“Well, I’m glad you’re okay.” He said before looking to the girls. “Are you two in for the night, or do you have other plans?”
“I’m in for the night, I am starving and exhausted.” Paisley answered.
“I told Ty that I’d take him home and help him study for our bio test tomorrow if that’s okay. I won’t be too long, and I’ll probably just eat over there.” Raylynn said.
“That’s fine sweetheart. Be safe and I’ll see you in the morning for breakfast.” He said pulling Raylynn in for a hug.
“Yep, I will see you at breakfast. Love you.” She said giving him a slight peck on the cheek.
“Love you too Ray. It was nice meeting you Ty, come back anytime.” Richard said letting go of Raylynn.
“Thank you and it was nice meeting you too.” Ty replied. “See you tomorrow Pais.”
“See ya Ty.” Pais said giving him a hug before following Richard in the house.
“C’mon lover boy, let’s get you home.” Raylynn said
The drive back to Ty’s house was fun. Ty pretended to know the words to all her music and sang loudly, making up his own lyrics as he went. By the time they pulled up in front of the house, he was full on dancing. Raylynn couldn’t help but laugh at him.
“You were dropped on your head as a baby weren’t you?” She asked him as they walked up on the porch.
“Nope, just naturally crazy.” He replied.
When they entered the house, Jax was sitting on the couch finishing a beer. He looked to the door and grabbed his gun from the table in one quick motion.
“Fuck Ty, you almost got shot. How the fuck would I explain that shit to Drake?” He said lowering his gun and putting it back on the table.
“I don’t know; tell him I tried to mug you or something.” Ty said with a smile.
“Yeah, cause that could ever happen.” He said before turning his attention to Raylynn.
“Hey.” She said walking towards the couch. She sat herself unnecessarily close to him.
“Hey gorgeous. How was studying?” he asked her, brushing her hair away from her face.
“It was fine, at least until the bitch made her appearance.”
“You need me to handle something for you?” He asked seriously.
“No, it’s fine. She’s been a bitch her whole life, I doubt anything will change it.”
“Alright, but if anything changes, you just let me know.” He said leaning in for a kiss.
“Hey, shit I’m standing right here.” Ty said disgusted.
“And?” Jax said before capturing Raylynn’s lips with his own.
“Jesus, where’s Drake?” Ty asked heading for the kitchen.
“Probably gettin his dick sucked by now.” Jax answered as he pulled away from the kiss.
“He out with Taj?” Ty asked coming back with a bag of chips.
“Yeah, I swear he needs to stop fuckin with her though.” Jax said leaning back on the couch pulling Raylynn with him.
“Taj ain’t so bad, I mean she’s as good as a stripper can be I guess.” Ty replied.
“Yeah, I guess. Anyway, Drake did say he was grabbing Chinese on his way home so there’s that.”
“Alright. Where’s Syn and Lucas?” Ty asked through a mouthful of chips.
“They had to go south for a pick-up. They’ll be home tomorrow.” Jax replied casually.
Ty looked to Raylynn for a sign that she knew the truth, but none came. It wasn’t until she spoke that Ty knew that she knew.
“A pick-up? Just them? Are they gonna be okay?” She asked with worry in her tone.
“Pick-ups aren’t as dangerous a
s drops. They’ll be fine besides they know how to handle themselves.” Jax said wrapping his arm around her.
“Yeah, they’ll be fine. Anyway, I’m off to my room. You coming Ray?” Ty asked, standing.
“No, you go ahead. I need to talk to Jax.” She answered.
“Yeah, talk. Whatever, ya’ll have fun.” And with that he left.
“C’mon, I wanna show you something.” Jax said standing. He pulled Raylynn up and grabbed his gun, tucking it in his waistband.
Raylynn grabbed his hand and followed him towards his room. When they rounded the corner, Jax surprised her. He pressed her body against the wall and brought his mouth to hers. The pure need was evident in his kiss, and Raylynn had to steady herself against the wall. When the need became almost too much, Jax pulled away. She missed his lips instantly. Jax smiled a sweet smile and led her to his room. He opened the door and stepped back, allowing her entrance first. She couldn’t help but giggle.
“You cleaned up huh?” she said looking around the room. Everything was clean, and it smelled of raspberries.
“Thought you might feel more comfortable in here if it were clean.” He answered closing the door behind him.
“You thought right. It’s really nice Jax.” She said turning to face him.
“I aim to please.” He said with a wicked smirk.
“Oh really. Well, if I remember correctly, you did just that.”
The smirk turned to lust quickly, and before she could smile herself, Raylynn was pushed against the door. Jax found her lips and brought his to hers hard. The kiss was anything but gentle. She loved it. She needed to feel his need. He slipped his hands under her shirt and in one quick movement stripped her of it. He trailed kisses down her neck to her collarbone before nipping at the soft flesh that spilled from the top of her bra.
“God you’re fuckin perfect.” He said as he kissed the other side.
When he pressed his lips to hers again he could feel the want in her kiss. He wanted to feel her, but first he had other plans. He pulled away from the kiss and spun her around. She let out a small squeal from the suddenness. He undid her bra and watched it fall to the floor before spinning her back to face him.
