by Toni Aleo
“Why do I feel like you’re thinking too hard?” Lucas looked over, seeing that Levi was staring at him, his Kindle in his lap.
“Because I am,” Lucas chuckled as he looked out towards the front of the bus. All the guys sat with their laptops, eReaders, and books, while Lucas just sat there. Sometimes he brought his DS but it was hard to play a game when sometimes he had to read what he needed to do. Lucas hated asking Levi to read his games to him, so mostly Lucas just people watched and looked out the window or slept on bus rides.
“Want to talk about it?”
Lucas shrugged his shoulders. He knew Levi was sick of hearing about Fallon, but he was the only one he could talk about Fallon to. Lucas’ mom still missed Fallon — she had been convinced that Fallon was going to be her daughter one day — and having to tell his mom why Fallon left him was probably the second hardest thing he had to do.
The first being the day he buried his dad.
Lucas slowly shook his head. “I am so fucked up.”
“Huh?” Levi asked looking over at him.
“I was an alcoholic turned pill popper all because I couldn’t cope with losing my dad or my condition. I then decide that instead of fixing the problem when Fallon left me that I was going to do more, and I almost lost everything.”
Levi nodded his head, shutting off his Kindle as he turned slightly to look at Lucas. “But look at you now, you’ve been sober for four years, you are in a good place in your life…”
“I’m lonely.”
“I’m here and your mom is, and you can have any female you want.”
“I want her.”
Nothing was said as the two men looked each other in the eyes. Levi looked away first, shaking his head and biting down on his lip as he looked everywhere but at Lucas. “Dude, I don’t see it happening. Let it go.”
“I need her, she made me feel normal. I didn’t need the booze when I was with her.”
“You don’t need it now,” Levi pointed out.
“I don’t need it but I want it. With Fallon I didn’t need or want it. I was happy, she made me happy.”
“You haven’t really tried since Fallon, Lucas. No one is ever good enough.”
“Yeah, because when you have had perfection, how do you get past that?” Lucas asked with a grin.
Levi rolled his eyes as he took a deep breath in. “You act like you guys were perfect. You guys weren’t.”
“Who is? No matter what though, we loved each other.”
“I know dude, but I just don’t understand why you’re so caught up on her still,” Levi emphasized. “It's been so long.”
“Because I still love her,” Lucas said simply, like it was already known.
“Oh come on!” Levi yelled, causing a lot of the guys to turn and looked at them. Lucas rolled his eyes before leaning his head back into the chair. “You cannot still love her! You haven’t even seen her.”
“I do,” Lucas said. “Why don’t you want me with her?”
“It isn’t that I don’t want you with her, I just think it’s unrealistic. You…you fucked up dude. I don’t think she is over that.”
Lucas weighed his words for a minute before nodded his head. “She might not be, but I learned from my mistake and I would never do that again.”
“I don’t know dude, I think you’re grasping at something that isn’t there.”
Lucas nodded slowly. “We’ll see.”
The party Fallon was throwing was in the couple of weeks, and Lucas already had a suit picked out. He would go, he would see her, and he would get her back. The statement from earlier when he called was just her not knowing how to handle talking to him again. When they saw each other in person, everything would be fine. It had been so long, she still couldn’t be that mad.
Right?
**********************************************
“Why did I let her talk me into this dress?”
Fallon stood in front of her wall length mirror, looking over the short black mini dress Audrey had talked her into buying for the party that night. It was a strapless sweetheart mini dress with big white flowers with hand-beaded centers going down the side. The flowers were what sold Fallon on the dress, and she felt so confident when she paired them with her sparkling silver Badgley Mischka Humbie pumps, but now she stood in front of her mirror doubting herself. Even with her amazing hair and perfect makeup, she couldn’t help but feel like she was about to walk into the gas chamber.
Fallon knew tonight was the night she would see Lucas.
Her stomach clenched and she was convinced she was gonna puke. Audrey thought it was such a great idea to wear something hot to make him see what he lost, but all Fallon wanted to do was run into the closet and put something else on. She didn’t care if he thought she was hot….much.
“Stop over-thinking the dress, its hot,” Audrey said from the doorway. Audrey wore an orange and pink sequined tutu cocktail dress with insanely high pink platform shoes. Her hair was done up in a cute little bun and Fallon was convinced that if her hair and makeup were a little more drastic, Audrey could be mistaken for Lady Gaga.
“I don’t feel hot.”
“You look it. Love the hair by the way.”
Fallon smiled thanks as she looked herself over again. Her hair did look good, so did her legs, but that was because of the shoes. Oh God, she should just stay home. Fallon didn’t even know how she was gonna act around Lucas. What was she gonna say?
“I don’t want to go,” she groaned as she sat at the end of the bed.
“Oh hush,” Audrey said just as Aiden came flying into Fallon’s room. He let out a loud “Yeehaw” as he did flips and high kicks at the imaginary people he was beating up. All Audrey and Fallon could do was sit and watch him.
What Fallon would do to be Aiden and not know that the shit was about to hit the fan.
“I won, man I’m tired,” Aiden said breathlessly as Fallon smiled.
“I bet buddy, it must be hard fighting…what exactly were you fighting?” Fallon asked. Aiden gave her a lopsided grin.
“Four, six-headed hippogriffs. Nasty little things,” Aiden gushed, shaking his head.
“Goodness me, four?! Jeez, so wonder you’re tired,” Fallon gushed, grinning ear to ear. Aiden’s imagination always made her smile.
“Kid’s a beast, he gets it from his awesome AA,” Audrey gushed taking him into her arms.
Or his dad, Fallon thought as she watched them hug each other tightly.
“Isn’t Momma pretty, Aiden?” Audrey asked.
Aiden nodded his little head quickly, “Yeah Momma, you’re really pretty. I like your flowers.”
“Thanks baby, now I feel on top of the world,” Fallon boasted as she looked back in the mirror.
“You look pretty too, AA,” Aiden said making Audrey blush.
She leaned over, pinching his cheeks. “Thanks babe, come here and give me kisses.”
As Audrey gave him numerous kisses, Fallon heard the doorbell ring, so she headed downstairs to answer it. Fallon had asked her mom to come watch Aiden since both she and Audrey were needed at the party. Her mom loved watching Aiden, and she jumped at the chance of spending the night with him. When Fallon opened the door, her parents, William and Nora stood on the other side.
Nora, always pristine, had her dark brown hair down in curls. Her makeup was flawless as was her youthful face — thank you Dr. Swartz. Nora Parker would never admit to the plastic surgery to any of her friends, but Fallon and Audrey knew good and well that a lot of their mother’s face was fixed. Nora was wrapped up in a big puffy coat so Fallon couldn’t see what she was wearing, but she was sure it was a track suit.
William stood tall in his dark jeans and big black coat. His dark brown hair was dusted with gray and so was his beard. Fallon always thought her father was a good-looking man, very young looking without the help of Dr. Swartz. William used to be Fallon’s favorite person, not so much anymore.
“Hey Mom…and Dad,” Fallon said.
What the hell was he doing there? Usually it was just her mom that came to watch Aiden, not her dad too.
“Fallon honey, aren’t you looking pretty,” Nora said, hugging her tightly before walking past her. Like always William just walked by with only a nod for his first born. Fallon let out a long breath as she shut the door. This was not the way she was trying to start her night. She was already nervous about how she looked; now she was gonna have to deal with her dad.
Oh Lord, hopefully he didn’t want to go to the party.
As Fallon turned she heard Aiden running down the stairs, with Audrey right behind him. Aiden flung himself into William’s arms, hugging him tightly.
“Grandpa, I didn’t know you were coming to watch me!”
William laughed, his eyes wrinkling at the sides, as he hugged Aiden tightly. “I have the night off, what better way to spend it but with my favorite little guy.”
Fallon’s hands clenched, causing her nails to bite the inside of her hands. Why it bothered Fallon so much when William said that, she would never know, but it did. Fallon didn’t know if it was jealously, or if it was the fact that William was very adamant about Fallon getting an abortion back then but now Aiden is his favorite guy? It seemed a little contradictory to her.
“Awesome! Let’s play Xbox! Bye Mom, bye AA!” Aiden yelled as he jumped from William’s arms and started to drag him up the stairs.
“Hello to you too, Aiden James!” Nora yelled. Aiden stopped in his tracks, and turned slowly with a shameful grin on his face.
“Sorry Grammie, hi,” Aiden said, wrapping his arms around Nora’s waist as she laughed.
“Hello my darling, how are you?”
“Good, a little tired. I killed four, six-headed hippogriffs this afternoon,” Aiden said with a straight face while Audrey and Fallon couldn’t help but giggle.
“Four?! Great balls of fire! And six heads? Goodness me!”
“Yeah, it was intense, but I’m awesome, and can do anything,” he said with a shrugged of his shoulders causing everyone to laugh, even William. Fallon came around the couch, wrapping Aiden up in her arms.
“Yes, you are my sweet baby. I gotta go. I’ll see you in the morning,” Fallon said before giving him a kiss and going to get her jacket.
“Bye bud! Tomorrow, me and you, waffles,” Audrey said making Aiden jump in excitement.
“Yay! Bye Momma! Bye AA!” Aiden yelled with a big wave.
“Y’all have fun,” Nora said as William picked Aiden up, putting him over his shoulder. “Be careful,” Nora added as she walked with them to the door.
“Bye Daddy!” Audrey said. Fallon rolled her eyes and didn’t bother saying bye to her dad as she walked out into the chilly March air. It was getting warmer, but not much. Fallon couldn’t wait for spring. Her favorite thing about spring was the tulips at Centennial Park, and she couldn’t wait to see them. They always made it a point to head out to the park to admire the flowers, something Aiden also loved to do.
Fallon and Audrey waved once more at Aiden, who stood in the window with William. They jumped into Fallon’s Acura TSX Sport Wagon and drove off towards the Belle Mead Mansion. With every mile that passed, all Fallon could think was what the hell was she doing? She should turn around, go home and climb into bed. Fallon knew this was not going to be a good night.
For Rocky Top Wines, yes, but for her, no.
Chapter 6
The 70th anniversary vintage, Big Orange Cabernet Sauvignon, was not only being drunk by almost everyone at the party but was completely sold out in seven minutes. Fallon couldn’t contain her excitement as she slowly walked through the party. She was basically bouncing at just the thought that 100 cases were brought to be sold and all of them did. When everyone learned the wine was sold out, people started doing outside orders.
It was turning into a great night!
Not only was the wine a hit, but the party was in full swing and Lucas hadn’t showed. When she hadn’t seen him when everyone else arrived, Fallon could actually breathe. She was sure he wasn’t coming, and that made her smile brighter as she walked through the party. Fallon glanced around, looking at all the beautiful people that had shown for the party. She could point out every one of the Assassins’ players out of the whole crowd. Fallon was sure they were the sexiest group of guys she had ever seen. Each one dressed to the nines with a beautiful woman on his arm.
Fallon also decided that she was the only single person there. Well, other than Rob, but he didn’t count. He liked being single, Fallon did not. She hated the lonely feeling she felt when she would see a man and women together, or how her breath would catch at just the sight of a man putting his hand on a woman’s face lovingly. That was when she really felt alone. Lucas always held her face in his hand. It was her favorite thing that he did, and she missed it. Fallon knew that Lucas could have her begging on her knees just by cupping her face in his large hands.
It was the little things that made their relationship beautiful, so perfect.
“Hold my hand,” Lucas said before grabbing her hand in his. She pulled away, shaking her head.
“No, people can see,” she said before looking around. Fallon knew it bothered him that she didn’t like to hold hands, but it just made her so nervous that it would get back to her dad about her dating Lucas. Lucas was a famous hockey player, and Fallon knew her dad would freak at the thought of her with him.
“So? I want to feel your hand in mine,” Lucas said before stopping to face her. They were walking through Guadalupe River Park and Gardens to work off the food they had just inhaled before heading back to his beach house. People walked past them as Fallon looked around.
“I told you, I don’t like holding hands in public,” she whispered. “I’m worried about someone telling my dad.”
“It’s been six months and you still haven’t told them? You spent the whole summer with me.”
“I know but it’s just complicated. My dad made it a point to tell me not to get involved with anyone.”
Lucas rolled his eyes before starting to walk away. “Whatever,” he grumbled. Fallon rushed to catch up with him and stopped him by grabbing his wrist.
“Don’t be mad,” Fallon asked, looking up into his dull gray eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“I just want to be able to touch you when I want, no stipulations,” he said, not looking her in the eye. “When we’re alone, you are all over me. In public, it’s like we’re friends. I can’t be friends with you Fallon. I want you too much.”
A slow grin went across her face as she looked up at him, waiting for him to look at her. When he finally did, he couldn’t help but smile back at her. Fallon decided at that moment that if her dad did find out, oh well, because this man was hers, and she needed him to breathe. Fallon took a step towards him, locking her pinkies with his. “I can’t promise that I’ll be all over you, but I can guarantee you that I will always be touching you.”
Lucas smiled as he squeezed her pinkie with his. “Like this?”
“Like this, it’s our thing.”
“And always will be,” Lucas said before he gave her a warm, slow, slanted grin. He then leaned over and softly placed his lips against hers. She welcomed his invasion and basked in the feel on him.
She was gonna love this man for the rest of her life.
What a crock of shit, she thought as she looked out onto the party. There was no way in hell she would ever love that man again — okay maybe a small part of her did but she would never admit it to anyone. She would forever keep those feelings locked up in the case they were in and not let them out. She would never let him have the power he had over her ever again. He didn’t deserve it. Yeah, he deserved an apology for keeping Aiden from him, but Lucas Brooks did not deserve her heart. He would…
“And I thought you were gorgeous back then, Fallon Parker.”
Fallon froze.
She would forever know that velvet smooth voice anywhere. Fallon would always remember the way it sounded when
he would lay her down on his bed before he would thoroughly make love to her or when he would console her when she was sad. It was the voice of the man that she had loved with a fierceness no one could touch. It was the same voice of the man that broke her into a billion pieces in a matter of seconds.
Fallon slowly turned to see Lucas Brooks standing only inches from her with the same grin her son always wore. Her breath caught at the sight of him, and she swore time stopped as they looked into each other’s eyes. Neither of them said anything as their eyes roamed each other’s bodies, checking each other out. All Fallon could do was hope that she looked as good as she did back then, because Lucas sure did. He wore a fitted gray suit with a black shirt underneath it and the top buttons unbuttoned, showing a little of the tattoo that used to drive Fallon crazy. His hair was done to the side and she noticed it was longer than the last time she had seen him. His eyes were bright with excitement, and his mouth was twisted in a grin that made it hard for Fallon to breathe.
It wasn’t fair, Lucas was still freaking gorgeous! Fallon couldn’t catch a break! Why couldn’t he be a little fat, or maybe have one eye or something! Why did he still have to be so damn gorgeous that he took her freaking breath away!
“Lucas,” she gasped as she looked up in his eyes.
“Hey baby girl, long time no see.”
His old nickname for her stung as she looked off to the side. She couldn’t let him affect her — she had to be strong — or he would have her in bed in two point three seconds.
He was that good.
“Yup, a long time of me not being your baby girl. You know my name Lucas, use it.”
*********************************************
Oh, how Lucas had missed Fallon’s sassy side. He chuckled as his eyes grazed her beautiful body. He loved that she had filled out in the hips and breasts, loved that her face was exactly the way he remember it. She was still his Fallon, or at least looked like her. The dress she wore was tight and hugged every curve she had. It came right to mid-thigh and his mouth watered at the sight. Lucas would do anything to be able to slide his hand up that skirt to the sweet spot between her ass and thigh. It used to drive him crazy to do that, and he imagined that it would make his day, hell his year, shit maybe even his lifetime, to do it again.
