Finding Fate

by Keelan Storm

  “Definitely. It’s been way too long.”

  They stepped into the room, and Annie gaped. The floor was covered in shoes, dirty laundry, DVD cases, empty soda bottles, and other various paraphernalia. It made her realize how long it had been since she had been in this room.

  “Oh my, God, babe, have you heard of a trashcan? Or a vacuum? A hamper?”

  Leaning against his doorway, Jet lifted one shoulder in a shrug as he smirked. “It’s lived in. Homey.”

  Annie shook her head and grinned. She wasn’t going to waste their time. “You know what’s homey?” she asked, her tone turning just as playful as it was suggestive. Jet raised his brow in question. Annie grabbed his hand to pull him onto the bed with her, curling up in his arms. “This,” she thought, “is the best place in the world.”

  They laid there in each other’s arms for a few minutes. Annie relaxing with the comfort of her man’s embrace, Jet breathing in her wonderful scent of fresh air and apples, his body eager to react to her soft curves against him.

  He was pretty good at setting those thoughts aside, happy just to be with her, but he was a guy, and it had been over a month since he’d been able to do anything but sneak a kiss. He ached for her.

  “I missed this,” he heard her sigh.

  “I missed you.”

  She looked up at him then, her playful grin showing on her lips. “Jet Thanos, are you implying that you want me?”

  By her expression, he could tell that she was definitely interested.

  “Would it help if I didn’t just imply it?”

  He moved down and kissed her lips hungrily, and she clung to him. Her body pressing against his only made him want her more.

  He lifted her T-shirt, his lips trailing kisses up from her navel to her breasts as he slowly peeled the cloth from her body. She moaned in response, arching as his tongue swirled perfectly against her for several incredible minutes. Jet groaned at her sounds and started on her jeans as he began to trail back down her slender form. Ready and now frustrated at his slow exploration, Annie yanked the jeans from her feet, and Jet took his cue, peeling off her panties and ravenously setting his tongue to work between her thighs.

  She gasped, squirming against his sheets in delight. She refused to be self-conscious about this act today, threading her fingers through his dark waves, her hips working a rhythm as he drove the delicious pleasure through her. When her breaths grew fast and shallow, and her moans turned louder, Jet quickened his pace, his hands sliding beneath her rear, pulling her closer. Annie’s grip tightened, pressing him to her as she trembled. The added pressure had her crying his name and clutching the sheets in seconds.

  Grinning, Jet sat back, scrambling to remove his clothes as she recovered. Annie reached for him as he leaned over her to grab protection, and he had to still her hand if he was going to last; it had been so long after they’d only just started.

  Realizing Jet’s predicament, Annie helped him with the condom instead, rolling it on as his anxious hands shook. Her chest tightened as he crawled over her, settling between her legs when a noise blared from the floor from the pocket of her jeans.

  They both jumped in surprise, and heart in her throat, Annie glanced at her Fitbit to see who was trying to call. “Izzy,” she explained, then noticed the messages she’d missed. ‘Oh, my God.”

  “What?” Jet pulled back as she shot up, recognizing her distress as he struggled with the abrupt pause.

  “I don’t know. Something’s wrong, I think. I missed her first few texts.” She met his gaze, her apology evident without saying. “I have to go.”

  Jet nodded, getting up so she could dress. She sprung up and looked around the mess of the room in slight desperation. “Where are my clothes?”

  Jet reached over the end of his bed and tossed the solid black bra and ACDC T-shirt to her as she hurriedly jabbed her feet into her jeans.

  “What did she say?”

  “Just that she needed me,” she explained as she flew into the rest of her clothes. “Where are my shoes?!” she exclaimed, frantic. Having already searched the floor, she ducked down, pulling her now dust bunny covered flip flops from under her boyfriend’s bed. She paused just long enough to touch Jet’s cheek, her eyes pleading for him to understand. “I’m so sorry, babe. I know it’s not fair, but I have to check on Izzy. She hasn’t said she’s needed me since…”

  He nodded. “It’s alright. We’ll find another time. Now, go be a good sister.”

  “I love you!” she called as she darted out the door. Jet groaned, heading to the shower to take care of things himself once again.

  * * *

  “Your baby’s doing great,” Annie whispered into her sandy blonde friend’s ear from behind him later that night.

  Tucker jumped. “Shit, Annie. I didn’t know you were there.”

  She crawled over the bench and sat down next to him. “Just got here.”

  “So I take it Izzy called you after she ditched me.”

  Annie didn’t miss that his tone was a little bitter. She could understand why. It was his baby, and Izzy had refused to let him go with her.

  “Yeah, but she waited ‘til right before Mom got home so I couldn’t back out on her when I found out why she needed me so badly.” She turned to him in an annoyance that wasn’t really directed at him. “Next time you and Izzy fight like that, give me a heads up, okay?”

  He looked her over before he responded. He hadn’t missed the inflection in her voice. “You’re usually excited about doing things with Izzy.”

  “Yeah, well, she kinda interrupted something important. Seriously, Tucker. Some warning that she’s overreacting about something would be great in the future. Her texts really freaked me out. I never would have left if I had known what it was about.”

  He thought about what she said for a minute before it dawned on him. “That’s right…you and Jet were spending time together today.”

  Annie humphed a little under her breath. “Yeah, not every couple gets to spend several afternoons a week together.”

  “Do I detect a little jealously, Annie?” he said with a grin, playfully knocking his arm against her shoulder.

  She scowled, and he laughed. “Okay, I’ll text you or something next time. I can’t always guarantee much warning, though. She went from happy and excited to pissed off in less than a minute today.”

  “Well, something’s better than nothing.”

  It stayed quiet between them for a few minutes as they watched the players approach the field. Annie searched for Jet. She loved the way he looked in his uniform…

  “So everything went okay then?” Tucker asked inconspicuously before the game could get underway, both curious and somewhat anxious about how Izzy’s visit with the OB had gone.

  Annie smiled understandingly. “Everything’s fine.”

  He nodded. “Good.”

  “I’m sorry that she wouldn’t let you go.”

  “It’s okay. There’ll be other times. I’d rather you went to this one than a big one later on.”

  In truth, he was a little relieved. What if they had done the heartbeat thing again? Izzy might not miss his lack of excitement a second time. It was good that Annie had gone. Let them have their twin moment. It gave him another month to figure out why he wasn’t reacting right to the baby.

  “Thanks, Tucker. I did enjoy being in there with her, even though there was something else I was enjoying a lot more before…”

  He grinned. “I’ll try to not upset her on your Jet days, then. No promises, though. She’s unpredictable lately.”

  She grinned back. “No kidding. At least, you don’t share a room with her.”

  “Do you think she’s calmed down enough to talk to me yet?”

  “Probably by the time the game’s over. Oh, look, the dance team’s lining up now. It should be starting soon,” she added before he could say anything else.

  Tucker ran for food at the co
ncession stand while the pre-game introductions took place, and with the long line, he didn’t make it back to join Annie until several minutes into the game. He passed her a soda and chips and settled in to watch, yelling with enthusiasm when their team scored or made a good play, but his eyes kept wandering over to the section of the stands where the dance team sat. Izzy was just as wrapped up in the game as Annie seemed to be, and he was glad to see her having fun.

  He considered the ruffled skirt of her costume, realizing it actually could help hide things for the next few weeks if she started to show. He wasn’t sure if she would still be able to perform at games once the impending baby bump was visible, or even if she’d want to.

  He was beginning to realize that there were a lot of things left for them to figure out. Hardly any plans had been made, other than that they were going to keep the baby. Since his parents hadn’t said otherwise, he figured they’d be living at home, at least until high school was done. But would Izzy even graduate on time? Would she have to do some kind of summer program to finish?

  The impact this was going to have on their lives was terrifying. But she was barely starting her second trimester. They still had plenty of time to make decisions. He still had plenty of time to grow attached to the baby…didn’t he? He pushed the worrisome thoughts out of his mind and worked to focus on the game. He could worry about it later.

  * * *

  “Hey! Tuck man!” Noah Reynolds called to him after the game. Jet and a few other football players were with him.

  Tucker had been waiting outside the stands, between the field and the locker rooms, to catch sight of Izzy. Several dance team members had already come out.

  “Hey, Noah,” Tucker greeted his hair obsessed friend with a fist pound. “Hey, guys,” he said, giving them each the same greeting. “Awesome game. I still can’t believe you got past those two linebackers, man,” he said to Noah. “They were huge.”

  “Yeah, I got skill,” Noah replied with teasing nonchalance. “Hey, some of the guys are going to grab a bite over at Bob’s Diner. You game?”

  He hesitated, but Jet answered.

  “How about we meet up with y’all in a bit? Gotta go say hi to the girlfriends…make sure they have a ride home.”

  “Oh, you think their whips will reach all the way over here?” Kyle laughed.

  “Fuck off,” Jet countered.

  “Alright, see ya later,” Noah replied as he and the other guys headed toward the parking lot.

  “Thanks, man. I really need to talk to Izzy tonight,” Tucker said, turning to Jet once the others were out of earshot. “Great blocking tonight, by the way. I’d’ve been plowed over.”

  “No, you wouldn’t. You’ve got size on your side. But thanks. Why did you need to talk to Izzy? Didn’t everything go okay this afternoon?”

  “Annie says it went fine.”

  “Annie?”

  “I guess she didn’t tell you why Izzy called her over. She got angry at me on the way home. I need to smooth things over with her.”’

  “Oh. I wondered what happened. So did you deserve it, or was she overreacting?”

  “A little of both. She was overreacting to what we were talking about, but then I made the mistake of blaming it on hormones.”

  Jet released a low, appreciative whistle. “Wow, congratulations, dude. You really know how to screw things up.”

  “Yeah, tell me about it…so were you gonna go talk to Annie before we meet up with the guys? Izzy’s on her way over now.”

  Jet looked back toward the locker rooms and saw their pale friend approaching. “Yeah, do you know where she is?”

  “She was still up in the stands when I left. Talking, ya know?”

  “Alright, I’ll see you at the diner then?” Jet asked as he backed away.

  “Actually, can I ride over with you? Bridgette just dropped the girls off tonight, so they’ll need my truck.”

  “‘Kay, meet me at my car then,” Jet replied before heading up the ramp to find Annie.

  Isabel approached Tucker slowly. She knew that she’d overreacted earlier, but at the same time, she was still a little upset about the comment he had made. Even if the extremity of her reaction was due to hormones, she had meant every word she said.

  When she reached him, she simply stood in front of him, not quite able to look up and meet the warm chocolate eyes she loved. What could she say? She felt bad about hurting him, but her feelings were hurt, too.

  Tucker looked down to watch Izzy’s timid movements. Her shoulders were slumped slightly, and she was paying careful attention to her fingers that were playing with the red strap on her dance team bag.

  The soft wind that was blowing made the wisps of hair around her face brush gently against her creamy skin, the stadium lights highlighting her striking, soft features.

  She looked beautiful in her solemn stance, but her sadness made his heart ache. It didn’t matter that she had been harsh with him that afternoon. She had had reason enough without his remark.

  His arms reached out and wrapped gently around her, pulling her into a tender embrace. He held her there for several long moments before he gently lifted her chin, tilting her head so that he could look into her eyes. Eyes that seemed to make his heart stutter in his chest each time he looked into them.

  “I love you. I’m sorry I hurt you,” he whispered softly.

  Isabel sighed, relieved and content. She could see the love emanating from him and knew, could feel that the effects of their quarrel were being wiped clean from both sides.

  “I love you, and I’m sorry, too,” she whispered back.

  They hugged each other a little tighter then, Isabel burying her face into the lean, sculpted contours of Tucker’s chest. The familiar and somehow intoxicating smell of his body, a smell she couldn’t describe, a smell that was simply Tucker, relaxed her. She suddenly felt awfully tired and wished her night was over.

  “Walk me to the parking lot?” she asked.

  Tucker stepped back from the hug, keeping Izzy’s hand in his. “Actually, Jet and I were planning on going out to Bob’s with some of the guys for something to eat. Do you mind riding home with Annie in my truck?”

  Her face fell a little, disappointed he’d made plans, but she knew that he and Jet wanted some guy time. She wasn’t going to stand in the way of that. She couldn’t stand girls who dictated what their boyfriends could or couldn’t do.

  “Sure. Go have your guy time.”

  “Are you sure, Izzy?” Tucker asked, his suntanned brow creasing at her disappointment. “You seem a little upset about it.”

  “No, really, it’s fine,” she insisted. “I’m being ridiculous anyway. I made plans myself, so Annie will have to take your truck. Food does sound really good, though. Will you grab me something?” she asked, pulling out a ten.

  He tucked the money back into her bag. “You don’t have to pay me. I’ll get you something.”

  “Thanks,” she smiled. “By the way, I really did mean the thing about my nickname. I hate it.”

  “Really?” It didn’t make sense. They’d been calling her Izzy for years.

  “Really,” she replied. “Will you wait at your truck with me a bit?”

  He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and led them out, curious at what plans she could possibly have and why she hadn’t shared them. They had just reached his truck when Isabel felt the muscles in his arm tighten.

  She looked around quickly for the cause of his tension and saw Wesley walking past with a girl on his arm. He looked over, meeting Isabel’s gaze only a moment after she had found him and sent a wink in her direction. She glared in return and placed her hands against Tucker’s abs to calm him, praying he wouldn’t freak out. They didn’t need to start another argument. Even though she had a feeling Wesley was purposely trying to antagonize her boyfriend this time.

  Tucker scowled at Wesley, a look of warning and irritation searing through his glare. Isabel
could feel his anger rushing through his body from beneath her hands and knew she needed to diffuse the situation.

  Leaning back against the lifted Chevy, she tugged at the front of Tucker’s shirt, dragging him down to meet her lips. He responded quickly, and soon, neither remembered the source of their tension as it melted away. Tucker took a step closer, pressing his hand against the cab and lowering his head to deepen the kiss. Isabel shook with his intensity, her hands tangled in Tucker’s shirt against his chest. Tired of bending, he lifted her, her legs wrapping around his waist as he pressed her gently against his truck.

  “Izzy?” someone interrupted, shattering the moment.

  Blushing, Isabel peeled herself from Tucker as he set her back down. “Hey, Leo!” she cried.

  “Leo?” Tucker mouthed, giving her a curious look.

  Isabel smiled at her boyfriend, reassuring him. “I have to tell him,” she explained.

  “Wow, it is you,” Leo smiled as he walked up. “You must be the infamous Tucker,” he greeted, reaching out to shake the taller guy’s hand.

  “Hey,” Tucker took it cautiously, still surprised. “You’re the dance partner I hear about?”

  “That’d be me. You don’t mind if I steal your girlfriend for a bit, do you? She texted me earlier that she had something important to tell me.”

  Isabel placed a hand to Tucker’s chest, tiptoeing to press a quick kiss to his jaw. “I’ll be fine, Tuck. Go meet the guys, and we’ll talk later,” she promised.

  He nodded, realizing she needed to talk to Leo sometime or other. But now? At night? She had a relationship with this guy he knew nothing about, that he had nothing to do with. That was hard to process, especially now that he’d met him, and he seemed like a decent guy.

  “Hey, I brought you one of those chicken wraps from the deli,” Leo said as they turned for his car.

  “Oh, my God; I love you,” Isabel gushed as Tucker watched her walk away. “I’m so starved.”

  “Love the get up. Think we could use it in our next routine?” Leo teased.

  “Shut up,” she laughed.

  “Hey, man,” Jet greeted as they fell out of earshot. “Finally got Annie away from Emma and Megan. Where’s Izzy?”