by Rye Hart
“Can’t eat until this is done,” Daniel said, gesturing toward the machine. “You go ahead, though.”
“All right,” I said. “I’ll be right back.”
Daniel nodded and I slapped his shoulder gently. As I left the room, I bypassed a few doctors and nurses, sliding down the hallway toward the cafeteria. In the few days since I’d been home, I’d grown accustomed to hospital food. I hurried toward the cafeteria, my stomach grumbling and my mind still preoccupied.
I knew it would take a while to get over the news of my mother’s affair with Caroline’s dad. It wasn’t something I could just forget about but I wished I could. If only so I could move forward with Caroline again. Deep down, I knew I still loved her. She was the only woman I’d ever felt something real for. That summer was both the best and worst summer of my life. I missed her every single second of the past seven years but that didn’t change anything. It didn’t change the past.
As I stepped around a corner, I came face to face with Caroline’s dad. I froze as his eyes locked on my face. We’d never been officially introduced but I knew who he was. From the look on his face, he knew me too.
“Mr. Michaelson,” I said, my voice tight.
“Dean,” he said with a nod.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, narrowing my eyes suspiciously.
“He glanced around him quickly to make sure no one was around. “I was just getting a DNA test done. For your brother.”
“Oh,” I said. “I guess that means Caroline spoke with you.”
“She did,” he said. “I also got tested for the kidney transplant.”
“You did?” I had to admit, I was shocked. Mr. Michaelson didn’t strike me as the type of man to do something kind without strings attached.
“I thought it was the right thing,” he said softly.
“I’m surprised you’re doing it here,” I said. “Someone may see you.”
“Yeah,” he said. “Well, I didn’t think I should wait.”
“Thank you,” I said and I meant it. “If this helps my brother, then, thank you.”
Mr. Michaelson nodded and glanced around him again. I could tell he was uncomfortable and I wasn’t thrilled about talking to him either. Still, I didn’t move. There were so many things I wanted to say to this man. About my mother. About Daniel. And Caroline. But in that moment, nothing came to mind. I just stared at him while he stared right back at me.
“You really hurt her,” he finally said. “You broke her heart.”
My stomach clenched. I nodded slowly and looked down at my feet, ashamed of myself and my actions.
“I know,” I said. “I was trying to protect her. I didn’t want Caroline to throw her life away for me.”
“Well, that’s something we have in common,” he said. I nodded slowly. “Still, she was a wreck for a long time after that. I don’t think she’s ever fully recovered.”
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I just wanted the best for her.”
“I appreciate that,” he said. “I may seem like a controlling bastard, and I guess in most ways I am, but I did truly want what was best for my daughter.”
We fell silent again. I thought about making an excuse to leave but I felt like Mr. Michaelson wasn’t done talking.
“Stay away from her,” he finally said. His voice was low but not threatening. When I met his eyes, I didn’t see anger or malice. I saw only concern. He truly cared about his daughter and was worried I would break her heart all over again. “She deserves better.”
“I know she does,” I said softly. “Trust me, I know.”
He nodded and turned to walk away. With one last glance at me, he rounded the corner and disappeared. I felt like the air had been sucked out of my lungs. As I stared after him, his words echoed in my mind.
I knew he would never think me good enough for his daughter and if I was honest, I didn’t blame him. Caroline was kind and good-hearted. She had an undeniable spirit that drew people in like gravity. Her beauty radiated out of her without any effort at all. I’d never met anyone like her and I knew I never would again. She was one of a kind. She was amazing. And, she did deserve better than me.
As I walked back to Daniel’s room, I realized I never ate. Suddenly, my stomach felt full as it churned with discomfort. Seeing Mr. Michaelson drove any thoughts of food from my mind. Still, I was glad to see him stepping up. Even if he did get a DNA test, he still got tested for the transplant too. I could tell he was worried for Daniel, even if he didn’t want to admit it.
Deep down, maybe Caroline’s dad wasn’t a bad person. He was conflicted, torn between a desire to hold on to his life and a desire to do the right thing. I knew we would never become friends, but in that moment, I was grateful to him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO - CAROLINE
Monday nights were mine and Stephanie’s night to hang out. We always got a drink at a local bar, so we could catch up on the events of the past week. It was our thing and had been for years but when Monday rolled around, the last thing I wanted to do was drink. My head was still spinning from everything and I felt exhausted.
I stayed in bed most of the day Monday, unable to pull myself from the comfort of my sheets, even to see Stephanie. She called me a few times but I let it go to voicemail. I knew, if we talked, she would convince me to leave the safety of my apartment and venture out into the world. That was the last thing I wanted to do. What if I ran into Dean? Or worse, his mother? Just the thought was enough to make me throw my covers over my head and burrow deep into my bed.
The sun was setting outside my window by the time I emerged again. I crawled out of bed to get a glass of water and while I was in the kitchen, I heard a loud tap on my door. Frowning, I crossed the living room and peered through the peep hole.
I sighed when I saw Stephanie standing there with a determined expression on her face. Opening the door, I stood aside and motioned for Stephanie to come in.
“Good,” she said. “You are alive.”
“I’m alive and I’m fine,” I said shortly. “But, I’m tired and I don’t want to go out tonight.”
“It’s Monday night,” she said.
“I know.”
“Our night,” she said.
“I know.” I rolled my eyes and sighed. “Look, after everything that’s happened lately, I just don’t have it in me to drink tonight.”
“You don’t have to drink,” she said. “Just come hang out with me.”
“Stephanie—” I began but she cut me off.
“No,” she said firmly. “This is our tradition. Mondays are the only nights we can go out without being endlessly hit on. Come on, the bars are all half-dead. It’s the perfect opportunity to talk.”
“I don’t want to talk,” I said.
“Then we can dance.”
“I don’t want to dance,” I said firmly.
“Caroline,” she said, groaning. “Come on. You need this.”
I looked at her doubtfully. She sighed and grabbed my hands, looking me in the eye to make sure I was listening.
“You’ve been through a lot lately,” she said. “I get it. That’s exactly why you need this. Let’s just go out for a little while. We can drink or not drink. Talk or not talk. Dance or not dance. You just need to get out of this apartment.”
She looked around us with a grimace. I knew my apartment was messy but I didn’t care. Ever since finding out about Teresa and my dad, I didn’t feel like doing anything. I hadn’t even called Dean, even though I knew I should. It wasn’t his fault that his mother slept with my father. Dean didn’t do anything wrong and yet, I found it hard to imagine facing him.
There was a good chance we shared a brother, and I was still not fully ready to trust him again with my heart.
“Okay,” I said, shaking my head. “You’re right. I need a distraction.”
“Yes!” She grinned and ushered me into the bathroom.
I showered quickly and got dressed, dabbing on a small touch of makeup and lett
ing Stephanie lead me outside. We talked on the way to our usual bar, Stephanie keeping the conversation going so I wouldn’t have to think about my family or Dean’s.
When we arrived at the bar, we got a few drinks and found a quiet table to talk. As always, the bar was mostly dead. Barely anyone came inside, so when Dean stepped through the front door, he was impossible to miss.
My eyes fell on his face and I almost dropped my beer. He hadn’t yet seen me, so I used the opportunity to check him out. No matter how complicated things were between our families right now, my attraction to him was stronger than ever. I felt my mouth go dry as I trailed my eyes over his fit body, lingering slightly on the bulge in his jeans.
“What are you staring at?” Stephanie asked. Frowning, she looked around. “Oh, I see.”
I groaned as Dean finally turned to face us. I wasn’t ready to face him but I also felt myself get excited as he walked over to us.
“Hey,” he said. “Didn’t know you two would be here.”
“Well,” Stephanie said. “I was actually just leaving.”
“You were?” Dean asked.
“Yeah, what?” I glared at her.
“I have work tomorrow,” she said. She grimaced like she was sorry but I knew it was fake. As she left, she winked at me and licked her lips, pointing suggestively at Dean’s ass. I rolled my eyes and sighed, turning my attention to Dean.
“How are you?” I asked weakly.
He sat down across from me and nodded his head slowly.
“I’m okay,” he said. “Went to see Daniel this morning and you’ll never guess who was there.”
“Who?” I asked.
“Your dad.”
I blinked, sure I’d misheard him. My father was at the hospital to see Daniel. Nothing about that statement made sense.
“What?”
“Yeah.” Dean nodded. “I ran into him in the halls. He was there to get tested.”
“The DNA test,” I said, understanding dawning on me. “He said he was going to do that but I thought he’d go out of town.”
“He said he didn’t want to wait,” Dean said. “And, he got tested for the transplant too.”
“He did?” I asked.
Dean nodded and I shook my head in surprise. I never thought my father would do the right thing and now that he has, I didn’t know what to think.
“Listen,” Dean said. “Do you want to get out of here? We can go to our old spot and just talk.”
Dean’s eyes bored into mine and just like that, I was eighteen again. Despite my earlier misgivings, my legs trembled as I stood to follow him outside. We climbed into his car and he drove us through town. The roads were dark and the closer we got, the harder my heart pounded.
When we dated, we spent countless hours in this old clearing near that abandoned cabin. It was the only place we felt certain my parents wouldn’t find us together. Now, driving toward that familiar place made my nerves ignite. I felt my palms begin to sweat as I glanced over at him. He was staring straight ahead but I could tell from the way he gripped the steering wheel that he was struggling with his own desire.
He parked in the clearing and we got out, both looking up at the stars.
“It’s weird to be back here,” I whispered.
“I’m sorry, Caroline,” he said, his voice soft and full of emotion. “Everything I did back then, pushing you away”
“It’s all in the past,” I heard myself say.
Our eyes met and I felt my entire body fill with an undeniable heat. I could barely look at him without flicking my eyes down to his lips. Just remembering what it felt like to kiss him was enough to send waves of desire flooding my panties.
“Dean—”
Before I could say another word, he leaned toward me. His lips crashed down on mine and he kissed me with so much passion it took my breath away. I gasped and clung to him, desperate to feel his body pressed against mine again.
It felt like I’d been starving all these years and with one kiss, Dean fed me. I kissed him back, wrapping my arms around his neck and tangling my fingers in his hair. He growled against my lips and lifted me off my feet, his strong hands gripping my ass.
He moved us backward, setting me gently on the hood of his car. I moaned when his lips slid down to my neck. He kissed me slowly, licking and nibbling my sensitive skin. My legs were wrapped tightly around his waist and I could feel his cock get hard in his pants.
Frantically, I searched for the hem of his shirt and ripped it over his head. He followed my lead, tearing my shirt from my body and then unhooking my bra in a fury of need. His lips were on my nipples in an instant. I moaned and leaned back, letting him take full control of my body.
In that moment, I realized I’d never stopped being his. Despite the heartache and feigned rejection and mistrust, I was his.
While he teased my nipples, I shoved my hips against his, grinding on his dick and feeling my own wetness pool in my panties.
“I missed you so much,” I breathed.
He moved his hands down and ripped my jeans from my body, throwing them to the ground along with my panties. I moaned and leaned back, watching him remove his pants. I admired his naked body for a fraction of a second before I slid off the hood of the car and into his arms.
He kissed me with a hunger I’d never felt and then shoved me back against the vehicle.
“Come here,” he said roughly.
He lifted me on to the hood, his hand sliding between my legs. When his practiced finger grazed my clit, I cried out and threw my head back. He kissed me deeply while he slid a finger inside of me. I was so wet and ready for him that I was soon bordering on the brink of orgasm. Just when I thought I couldn’t take another second, he moved his hand and lowered his mouth to my pussy.
“Oh God!” I cried out as his tongue moved against me. He flicked his tongue over my clit in quick, deliberate strokes.
My legs shook as they wrapped around his head. I arched my back and clawed at the car, desperate for something to hold on to.
When I came, it was hard and fast. I screamed out and lunged forward, my body convulsing with waves of pleasure.
“Dean,” I moaned. “Holy fuck.”
Dean moved back to my lips, laying me back on the hood of the car and kissing me. His tongue shot into my mouth, letting me taste myself. I moaned again when he positioned his cock at my entrance.
“We need a condom.” He licked at my mouth and smiled.
“Make it quick,” I moaned and rolled my hips, wanting him inside of me more than I wanted to be responsible.
“Yes, ma’am.” He moved back and grabbed a condom from where ever he’d thrown his jeans.
He climbed back up on top of me and paused. His eyes locked on mine and I almost cried with joy. Being with Dean again felt more right than anything ever had.
“Are you sure you want this?” he asked softly.
“I’ve always wanted this,” I said huskily.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE - DEAN
Caroline nodded and I slowly pushed myself forward, sliding inside of her tight, wet pussy. My eyes closed from the sensation and I grunted with pleasure
“Holy fuck, you feel amazing,” I growled.
She laid back on the hood of my car, her body trembling beneath mine. I kissed her lips softly as I began to thrust. She cried out at first but soon, her cries became moans of pleasure as I rocked my hips against hers. Just knowing that she had waited all this time just for me, was enough to make me want to come right then and there. But I wanted to make it special for her, so I slowed down.
She moaned and clung to me desperately. Our bodies were tangled around each other while I took her body as my own. I pushed my cock deep inside of her, feeling every inch of her glorious pussy. When I pulled back out, then shifted forward, she dug her nails into my back and her entire body shook with pleasure.
I could feel our mingled sweat drip down my body. My cock was already throbbing, begging for release. Her orgasm was dri
pping around my base, making the sensation that much more intense. I felt her all around me. My entire body was on fire with desire as I moved faster, moving my hips forward with powerful precision.
“Dean,” she moaned. “Please, Dean.”
“What, baby?” I said softly. “Tell me what you want.”
“Harder,” she begged. “Harder.”
She didn’t need to tell me twice. I pushed her back against the car and pulled myself away. I grabbed on to her hips with my hands and used them as leverage to bury myself deep inside her.
“Fuck!” she screamed. “Yes!”
“Holy shit,” I mumbled. “Caroline.”
I took her hard and fast, reveling in the sight of her bouncing tits. Her entire body welcomed me with pleasure. She was shaking and I could already feel her pussy tightening with another orgasm.
“Don’t stop! Please.”
I used all my strength to take her right there against that car. I pounded into her with force, feeling my cock throb and her pussy tighten even more. When she came for the second time, the sounds that ripped from her lips were nothing short of earth-shattering.
She cried out and locked her legs around me, trapping me in her wet warmth. Her moans were all it took for me to let go. I thrust inside of her one last time, crying out as I did. My cock jerked inside of her and my legs shook uncontrollably as I collapsed against her writhing, sweaty body. She clamped her arms around me, holding me tightly against her.
