by J M Wolf
“What’s that? I can’t hear you! I must’ve forgotten my hearing-aids back in the retirement home I’m staying in. You know, since I’m old, remember?” I retorted as I began swatting his plump little ass.
Jace made a high pitched shriek and tried kicking in an attempt to break my hold, but he wasn’t going anywhere, and he knew it. “This isn’t funny!”
“Then why are you laughing?” I asked in amusement, still swatting his ass.
“You asshole!”
“Keep insulting me, and I’ll be torturing your asshole later.”
Jace’s body stilled, and I heard a faint moan coming from him.
“Promise?” he asked quietly.
Jace had no idea how badly I wanted to shove my dick in that ass of his. On our first morning together, when I had my finger buried inside him it took everything in me not to shove my cock in and nail him. I didn’t want to dominate him like an animal when he was just starting to open up to me. I wanted to win him over more until he could fully trust me with everything and was willing to have me.
“Just say when, Bluejay,” I said.
I heard Jace chuckling from behind me. “I’ve wanted you inside me this whole time. I just didn’t know if you wanted to, so I never bothered asking. I figured when the time came you would.”
“Trust me; I’ve wanted you all along too. I constantly thought of you riding me until I blew inside you.”
Jace’s body shivered, and I would’ve thought it was the evening breeze making him cold, but his growing erection pressing against my shoulder told me otherwise. The thought of going deep in the woods and fucking the life out of this beautiful blond in my arms was enticing, but if we were going to have our first time together, I wanted it to be more special. I didn’t want a quick fuck with Jace. He was too good for that. No, I wanted to give him the best night of his life. A night where I’d take all the shitty experiences he’d had with Brett away and replace them with our amazing ones.
“Can we?” Jace asked.
“Yes, but not now. I want to make it special for you. We will soon,” I promised.
“I’ll hold you to that.”
I started walking, and Jace must’ve remembered that he was still on my shoulder.
“Um, Gerard, you can put me down now,” he said sternly.
“Nope,” I retorted flatly.
Jace groaned. “Come on, this is embarrassing!”
“Maybe for you, but I’m sure as hell enjoying it.”
I eventually let him down after walking like that for a little while longer. Once Jace was back on his feet he took my hand in his, and we continued our hike.
“Can I show you my favorite spot?” Jace asked.
I nodded. “You can show me anything you’d like.”
Jace beamed at me then directed me off the trail and into the woods. I could see why Jace loved this area. The creeper trail was beautiful. Even through the thick trees, I saw citizens and tourists all over the place either on bike, horseback, or on foot. I could hear the sounds of running water from nearby streams and the faintest smell of honeysuckle.
“I love it here,” I said in awe.
Jace grinned. “Me too. From Abingdon and Damascus, tourists can rent bikes at the rental I work at then either take the shuttle up the mountain in Whitetop and trail down back to Damascus. It’s roughly seventeen miles, but filled with many stops along the way including the old railroad tracks that were once operated back in the eighteen-hundreds.”
“Is that right?” I asked in astonishment.
Jace nodded. “Part of my job is to be well informed about the creeper trail, which includes the history behind it.”
“Well then, tell me more.”
We continued walking deeper into the woods, walking through a wooden bridge where I spotted a couple of deer near a pond.
Jace said, “Well, like I said the creeper trail was once a rail line dating back to the eighteen-hundreds. They used to deliver lumber for sawmills in both Virginia and North Carolina. There has been a lot of back and forth as to where the name Creeper Trail came from.”
“Like what?” I asked in fascination.
“The main explanation was that it was inspired by the steam engine that crept up the mountainside. However, some used to say that it was named after the native creeper vines found growing along the trail. Either way, it was well named. Anyway, by the nineteen seventies several of the railroads were no longer used, so the conservancy began shaping them into trails for bikers and hikers. By nineteen eighty-four, The Creeper Trail we’re familiar with now was born.”
I was amazed to discover the history behind the popular tourist attraction that Jace was a part of, but I was even more impressed by the knowledge that Jace had about it. Though he said it was part of his job to know about it, the light shimmering in his eyes as he talked told me that he enjoyed the story behind it as well. I could see the love he had for his hometown and the people around it. Now, I was beginning to see why Riley also loved this place and spoke highly of Abingdon. I didn’t think I’d miss Florida for a second if I made the move.
“That’s amazing,” I said in awe.
Jace smiled up at me like I hung the moon. “I’m glad you think so too. Growing up I didn’t have the same love for this place as I do now. When you’re a kid in a small town, there are times where you can’t wait to branch out into the world and see what else is out there. When I came back home from Julliard, I started to see this place in a new light. I realized that it wasn’t so bad after all and that I wouldn’t mind living my life here since all my loved ones are here.”
“I feel the same way. Your father used to go on and on about this place, and I never understood the fascination behind it. Then, I came here myself and through your eyes, I see this place in all its beauty. Florida is nice, but this is so much more. More importantly,” I stared into those eyes that glittered like stars in the night sky, “this is where you are, and that makes it all the better.”
Jace paused his pace before reaching up to kiss me. “Thank you, Gerard.”
“For what?” I asked, reaching out with my free hand to brush the strands of blond hair from the man’s eyes.
“For everything. For coming down here. For helping me let out my emotions after I’ve locked them away for so long. For wanting to protect me. And, thank you for taking a chance to be with me.”
“You’re welcome, my Bluejay.” I kissed him again, then lifted the hand I held glancing at the blue birds tattooed on his wrist and pressed my lips to the ink as well.
My Bluejay. Yes, Jace Garrison was mine. Maybe Desiree was right about us all along. Jace needed me just like I needed him. I gave Riley a second chance to find love before he passed away. Now, Jace was my second chance at finding love. All my future plans of having a house, a husband and kids that I thought were long gone were suddenly returning to me.
Back then, Jace was still in the dream, but only as a future step-son. Now I saw Jace in the dream as my forever. He was the one I hoped to one day marry and have kids with. He was the one I wanted to break all the rules for and go against what my family wanted for me. There was no question what that feeling was in the back of my mind. I, Gerard Ramhart, was falling in love with Jace Garrison.
I was about to tell him just that when Jace looked ahead and gasped in excitement.
“We’re almost there. Come on,” he said jogging ahead.
Oh, Jace, I’d follow you anywhere.
We jogged forward passing by hikers needing shade under the trees and tourists having picnics. They all waved at us, and some called to Jace by name. Jace politely said hi and waved back to them, but made no attempts to carry on conversations with anybody. He was a man on a mission. He stopped at a clearing up ahead and turned to face me as I caught up with him. Once I stepped through and looked at my surroundings, my jaw dropped to the floor, and I was in complete awe.
Jace
Gerard looked around in amazement, which made me giddy with joy. The
waterfall was the place I always went to when I used to walk the trails for peace. Even though it wasn’t as secluded as I would like, it was important to me. Gerard was the first man I’d ever brought to this part of the trail.
The waterfall was to the far left side pouring down into the body of water in front of us. It then carried down the path in small streams. Wild animals would appear around these parts to stop for drinks, but only when the coast was clear. During the summertime, some would even take a swim in the cool water to keep themselves from overheating. The calm, serene feeling in the atmosphere was what drew me to this place.
When I started writing at the age of nine, I desperately tried to find a quiet place to write since my house was always loud with parents arguing. When I turned twelve, I was allowed to walk the Creeper Trail on my own and took advantage of my new found freedom. During one of my many hikes, I found the waterfall and was entranced by its beauty. The next day, I returned with my journal. I sat down with my bare feet in the water, took a deep breath and began writing. It was one of my favorite ways to relax.
I never thought I’d bring anybody to this place personally. I never thought that I’d bring my father’s ex to this place. No, not my father’s ex. Gerard was much more than that and I needed to stop seeing him as such. Gerard was my boyfriend; mine. I brought my amazingly sweet, sexy, attentive, and protective boyfriend to a place that was very personal to me.
“What do you think?” I asked.
Gerard’s eyes took in every last detail of the waterfall and the fields surrounding it before turning his sight back to me. I couldn’t blame him for being so awestruck. The view was picture perfect for postcards, or for a painter to recreate.
“This is beautiful,” Gerard replied.
I wrapped myself under Gerard’s arm curling myself into him as I drank in the view like I’d done for so many years. “This was my favorite place as a kid. It’s where I would come when I needed to be alone.”
I could feel, rather than see, Gerard’s brown eyes on me as if wanting to hear more. So, I gave the man what he wanted.
“Mom and Dad used to argue a lot when I was a kid. It would always be about bills, me, or God knows what else. Possibly her constant cheating.” My body tightened at that last part, Gerard must’ve sensed the tension rising in my body because his hold on my hand tightened. I looked into the man’s eyes, and I only saw the utmost affection. He was giving me the strength to continue my story.
“Anyway, after she left, I felt lost and unloved. I used to run out of the house a lot, but I never had anywhere to go to be alone. When I turned twelve, I began walking up the Creeper Trail. I didn’t know how far I planned on going and I didn’t care either. I began hearing water, and I followed the sound as if it were a siren song and it had me under its spell.”
“That’s when you found this spot?” Gerard asked.
I nodded. “I’d never seen anything more beautiful in my life. I remember thinking it was a magical spot made only just for me. Of course, I knew better, but just the thought of it made me comforted. I started coming here more and more, especially when I was writing song lyrics.”
My eyes went to Gerard who was watching me with such fondness. How could one man look at me like I was the answer to his prayers? I was a twenty-one-year-old whose life was a hot mess. Yet this man believed he could see more inside me, and I wanted to believe there was more to me than the shit my life had become. I wanted to be worthy of Gerard, my Gerard, more than anything.
“I’ve never brought anybody else here,” I told him. “You’re the first one, and you’re also the first to hear that story.”
“Well, I’m honored to be a lot of your firsts,” Gerard replied then kissed the top of my head.
Gerard and I sat down together, removing our shoes and letting our bare feet soak in the cool water, enjoying all that nature had to offer. We listened to the sounds of the running water, the gentle whistling of the wind and the birds chirping while my head rested on his shoulder. His arm was around my shoulder, and for a while, the real world disappeared, and it was just him and me.
Remembering it was Tuesday, I realized I forgot to ask Gerard something.
“Do you have anything planned on Wednesday?”
Gerard arched an eyebrow. “What do you have in mind?”
“Well, you remember my friend, Adam, right?”
Gerard nodded. “The one who became a singer, right? Your childhood friend.”
“That’s the one. Well, Adam Love is having his last debut performance on Wednesday and insisted that not only I attend, but you as well.”
“Is that so?” Gerard pulled me tighter against his body, and I curled myself against him, practically sitting on his lap. “So, would this be our second date?”
I blushed, but nodded. “I thought it’d be fun, and plus I get to introduce my new boyfriend to my best friend.”
“Then I’d be honored to go to the concert with you. Where’s it at?”
“New York.”
“That’s over six hours of driving, Bluejay.”
“I know. But I feel this would be fun. Plus Adam won’t take no for an answer,” I said with a chuckle, knowing full well if we didn’t make an appearance we’d be feeling a certain pop star’s wrath. “We can make this into an adventure for us.”
Gerard seemed to study me for a moment. “This is what you want?”
I nodded.
“Well, then maybe we should head back so we can pack and get to bed early. We got a long road ahead of us,” Gerard said, and I beamed with excitement.
We were going to New York together.
When we made it back to the house, Gerard and I were making our way inside when a voice called to me from behind. “Excuse me, Jace?”
I turned to see a guy who looked around my age, maybe younger, making his way to the front yard. He had short curly hair and calming brown eyes. He wore a tight black t-shirt and worn blue jeans with black boots. He looked familiar, but I couldn’t put my finger on where exactly.
“That’s me,” I said. “May I help you?”
The guy seemed flushed with embarassment and I briefly wondered if he was going to turn away. He looked to be ready to bolt any minute. But there was something in his eyes, like a cry for help.
I turned to Gerard. “Go on inside. I’ll be there in a sec.”
“Are you sure?” Gerard asked hesitant to leave me alone.
I nodded. “Go ahead.”
Gerard kissed my forehead before stepping in and closing the door behind him, leaving me and the other guy alone.
“Was there something you needed?” I asked the guy.
“Um…kind of,” The guy said hesitantly. “I’m sorry for bothering you. I’m Jesse Harris. I’m not sure if you remember me from High School? We were in a few music performances together.”
I narrowed my eyes and tried picturing him from back in my high school days. Then I was able to recognize him.
“You were that freshmen dancer, right?” I asked.
“That’s me,” Jesse said. “I wasn’t sure you’d remember me since you were a senior by the time I started freshmen year.”
“I remember you. Your dancing was beautiful, and I remember helping you with routines from time to time.”
Jesse Harris was a cute kid who had a natural raw talent for dancing. I remember watching his dance classes during pep rallies and special events. He struggled from time to time and also had a bad case of stage fright. I ended up going to him one day before he left for his next class and offered to give him some choreography and also help him with his stage fright.
Jesse and I hadn’t stayed in touch after I graduated, but I briefly remembered that he started working at our local flower shop a few blocks away.
Jesse blushed and looked away. “Yeah, I still owe you for your help on that.”
“Don’t sweat it. So what’s up, Jess?”
“W-well…” Jesse bit his lower lip before asking, “You went to Juilliar
d right?”
My body froze at the sound of my old college. “Yeah, why?”
“Well, I was offered a chance to earn a scholarship to Juilliard under the dance program. Um, there was a talent scout who was also a professor that came down here to see me the other day.”
My eyes widened and I could feel my inside freezing at what Jesse was telling me. A talent scout? A professor who came to Abingdon? There was only one person from Juilliard that I knew for certain was in the area.
“Brett Summers?” I asked cautiously.
Jesse looked up at me like I just read his mind. “You know him?”
Oh God, I was going to be sick. Jesse was the reason Brett was in Abingdon. Brett found someone new to try to sink his claws into. The thought of Jesse going through what I went through made me physically ill.
“Jesse, what happened?” I asked.
I could sense Jesse’s nervousness, and I could see the shame in his eyes though I could tell he was trying to hide it. He was already becoming me.
“Uh, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have bothered you,” Jesse said quickly and tried to leave.
“Wait!” I called out and ran to him gripping his upper arms.
Jesse refused to look at me.
“Jess, please look at me.”
Jesse looked up and I saw the distress in his eyes.
“Did Professor Summers hurt you, or touch you inappropriately?” I asked softly. “You can tell me, but I can’t help you if you don’t talk to me.”
Jesse took a deep breath. “He was sweet at first, saying I have real talent and that I had a shot to earn the scholarship. He then asked if I would go with him to his car to talk. I went with him. He said scholarships like these were very difficult, but he said he was able to make sure I got it.”
“Then what happened?” I asked unable to sustain the growl that came out of my voice.
“He said that if he was going to do everything he could for me, then I should at least do something for him. He started running his hand up my leg, telling me how sexy he thought I was. I panicked and quickly got out of the car. I told him I needed a few days to think about this. He said when I figure it out to give him a call.”
