Ex Convict

by Ashley Beale

  I see her before I even make my way down. I freeze, unsure if I want to face her. My face heats up, my body shakes, my head feels light. My mom is here to see me? Why? I've been out a month, and this is our first contact. I didn't think she wanted anything to do with me.

  Knowing I have to face her at some point, and staying up here isn't exactly an option, I walk slowly down the steps. She doesn't turn to face me until I reach her. "Mom," I whisper.

  I don't think she was expecting me to look this way. The long, blonde hair. The makeup, curled hair, and fancy dress. Happy, healthy... free. She hasn't actually seen me since I was in an orange jumpsuit being carted off to the women's prison.

  "Oh, wow, Hope." Her eyes water immediately as she takes all of me in. "Hope," she says again, this time much softer. I'm sure to her it’s as if she is seeing a ghost, because I'm not going to lie, it feels that way to me as well. I haven't seen my mother in ages. It’s both heartbreaking and heartwarming.

  I blink back the tears I feel forming in my own eyes. I don't want her to see me cry. She is my mother for crying out loud, and she gave up on me! I stand my ground, doing my best to stay strong in front of her, no matter how many emotions she just ignited inside me. "What are you doing here?"

  Her fingers come up and run down my arm slowly. "I uh... it’s your father. He isn't doing well, sweetie."

  "Well, what’s wrong with him?" I'm not sure if I'm should care or not, but before my parents gave up on me, I have to admit, they were the best parents a girl could possibly ask for. So of course, naturally I'm concerned. Even a little torn up about the matter.

  "He had a stroke yesterday. They're not sure what caused it, but he is in the hospital today getting testing done. We caught it before any serious damage, but there is no telling if there will be any long term effects. I know we weren't the most welcoming parents after everything, but you have to understand how hard everything has been for us. I decided after seeing your dad get put into that ambulance yesterday, that life is too short, and I really needed to come find you. Your probation officer let me know where you were staying."

  "Stop," I tell her. Taking a step back, I let everything she just said soak in. Its no news to me that she was embarrassed to have me in her life, but hearing her say this was hard on them- as if it weren't hard on me at all- it just... well, it hurts. It’s not okay, not to me. A parent should be a parent no matter what their child does. After all, it is a parent's obligation to make sure their child knows right from wrong, and is taught love as much as they're taught discipline. I just can't be forgiving yet. It took her this long, I need time too.

  "Will he be okay?"

  "I'm not sure. I hope so."

  "Fine. I'll keep in touch, but right now I have somewhere I need to be."

  It’s as if she notices exactly what I'm wearing just now. "Oh, right. You look beautiful. A date?"

  "I don't really know if that is any of your business."

  She flinches a little, as if I had attempted to slap her just by using my words. "I deserve that."

  "Thanks for uh... well, thanks for letting me know about dad." I walk around her and head for the door. "You can leave now."

  I exit the building without so much as another glance, not because I want to be bitter but because if I continue to look at that face any longer, I may break down. I may give in. I need to stand my ground a little longer. I needed my parents when everything in my life took a turn for the worse, and they left me. They've had all this time, with all the letters I wrote them, to forgive me, but they didn't. It took until the uncertainty of my dad's health for my mom to reach out to me. It just isn't okay in my book.

  Instead of a cab waiting outside, there is a black SUV with tinted windows. The man standing outside greets me. "Ms. Manson?"

  I nod my head. "Yes."

  "Mr. Styles has hired me to pick you up. If you will." He opens the back door. I climb into the backseat after thanking him and look down at my hands. I don't dare myself to look out the window. I know she has to be looking at me. I just need to see Wes. I need him to make me smile, to make me laugh, to make me feel... loved. For the first time in a long time, I desperately want to feel wanted.

  Wes

  Pulling up to the cabin Paul is staying in, I'm met with my dad who asked me to come. Today is the day we're getting him out of here once and for all. We got Trapp off our case just over a week ago. Even with his research, we managed to pull it off as though we were doing work for a client and not for someone we know. He still has a hit on Paul, and from what dad has heard, it’s almost doubled. The fact he wants Paul so bad has me nervous that he just backed off so easily, but I'm willing myself to believe it'll all work out as planned.

  We still have a social security number, IDs, and other necessary paperwork for Paul to live off from, along with way more than enough in cash. He'll now be Alexander Brice and his residence is in Stockholm, Wisconsin as a farm rancher. Both Paul and I tried to argue with my dad, saying he needed to be in a big city to hide better- but then my dad mentioned Paul's drug addiction and how easy it is to be brought back into that in larger cities. Plus, Trapp has people... everywhere. We're all praying somewhere so small and unknown can help keep him hidden.

  So although it’s going to suck for Paul, he'll live, and that is what matters most.

  All we have to do on our end now is bring him to the private jet. Dad hired someone from Florida and gave him enough cash to hopefully keep him hush about everything. He is someone dad's never worked with, so there shouldn't be any connection, helping hide some more paper trails.

  On the way to the secluded area, we go over everything Paul needs to know. I feel bad for him, because even though we saved him, he'll never be free. I'm going to miss my brother. Dad says to be safe, I shouldn't visit him in the next year, possibly two, but at some point we'll be able to meet up again. I set him up with a disposable phone so we can still talk. I have to know that he is okay. I have to keep in touch somehow.

  Saying bye to him isn't easy. I'm not sure if I get angrier with him for getting himself into this situation, or if I'm just that upset with saying goodbye. I don't care how it makes me look, when I give him a hug, I hold onto him. I have no idea if I'll ever see him again.

  "I'll see you later," he says with faith of a better future.

  "Yeah... of course." I'm not giving up yet either.

  Just before he backs away, he looks me straight on. "Don't let that girl go."

  "What?" I've mentioned Hope only once since that day he was on my couch a few weeks back. He wouldn't know anything about my feelings, or lack of.

  He just grins at me. "I know you don't want to fall in love. I remember what you went through with your mom. I know first-hand giving your all to someone can fuck you over. But I saw the way you looked at her. I saw the way you talked about her. I see the way you are right now with me just bringing her up. Don't let her go. Tell her your feelings. Cherish her. You never know when you have to walk away from those you love most."

  With that, he turns and walks towards the private jet. I can't even come up with anything to say. I watch him go, leaving me. One of the few people I trusted and loved the most in the world, walking away once more. And just like that, I realize what he says is true. If this were Hope leaving me, I'd be losing my shit right now.

  It doesn't take dad long to speak up once the plane takes off. He isn't dumb, he's known something was going on with me, I'm sure he just didn't put his finger on it until Paul had to fucking bring Hope up in front of him. He looks over at me and lifts a brow. "You in love, boy?"

  "No." I start walking towards my car, not wanting to discuss this right now.

  "Is she the one you're bringing tonight?"

  "She is just some girl I've been... screwing around with." I don't normally say shit like that to my dad, but maybe if I say it out loud, I'll actually believe it myself.

  He doesn't give up though, not that I should have expected him to. "Just because your mom
walked out on us doesn't mean everyone will."

  I turn back to face him, furious with where this has to go. "I just watched someone I considered my brother leave me. I have no fucking clue if he'll return. I don't want to discuss the fact that mom, and everyone else I love walks away. We do this for a damn living, we watch people walk out on those they love every damn day. Don't tell me it won't happen to me."

  Knowing me well, he doesn't even flinch. He does raise his voice though, in attempt to get his bullshit through my thick skull. "I've done nothing but shown you love. There are people in the world capable of loving and being loved. Then there are assholes. Don't be the asshole."

  He opens his car door and looks over at me once more. "I'll see you tonight, son."

  I don't say anything, or even move until he gets into his car and starts to drive down the road again. I climb into my car and punch the damn wheel.

  When the fuck did everything get so complicated? Why the hell does everyone think they know what is best. Hope and I have something good. We're friends, we fuck, we get along. Neither of us have said anything about love, and until this damn conversation I haven't thought much on the stupid ass matter.

  Hope isn't at the hall when I get there for the dad's dinner party but everyone else is. It isn't much of anything, just his employees and their families. This is the first time I've brought a girl with me to one, and before she even arrives I'm wondering if I made a mistake. Everyone seems to already think I've fallen for her, when in reality I haven't. She is different, I can admit that, but its not like we're going to be anything serious. I'll put a stop to it before I fall in love.

  Getting up to use the restroom, I happen to glance at the door just in time to watch an angel dressed in blue walk into the room. I swear I see a silhouette behind her, causing her to brighten the room up in just a matter of seconds.

  Hope smiles at me in a way that tugs at my heart strings. Just like that I'm hypnotized to her, walking in her direction without a second thought. "You look incredible," I tell her.

  She actually looks to blush. Her arms wrap around my waist and she gives me a small kiss to the lips. They taste sweet. I like sweet Hope.

  Wrapping my arms firmly around her, I further our kiss, using my tongue to get all the Hope I can get right now. Even though I don't want to stop, I pull back just to give her one more firm kiss. "Thank you," she says against my lips.

  Even though I have to take a piss, I don't want to chance leaving Hope with my dad and everyone else alone for even a minute. I can wait until she has to go as well. So instead of walking anymore in that direction, I allow Hope to loop her arm around mine, then I bring her back to the table alongside me.

  Dad's eyes watch us the entire distance, and when I pull out her seat, I can see a spark of pride in them. It’s a good feeling to make my dad proud, even if he has the wrong idea about things. I start the introductions as I take my own seat, first introducing Hope to my dad, then going around the table. Everyone says their greetings, causing her to smile like one gorgeous fool. Her smile really could brighten the darkest storm.

  She reaches across the table to shake dad's hand when he offers. "It’s nice to finally meet you, Hope. It seems Wes has been selfish, keeping you away."

  "He's a little greedy," she jokes. Her eyes flicker to me and I pretend to glare at her. She knows damn well I'm far from greedy, but I may have to be tonight.

  "And what is it that you do for a living?" Dad asks. Its then I realize that even though I've known Hope for... a month, maybe... I don't know much of anything about her. I know she lives local and with Karah, and that she has a small yet distant family. That is about how far our conversations have gone. Hearing my dad ask something so simple makes me feel like a dick.

  "I'm a motivational speaker for some local schools, actually."

  "What is it that you're motivating?"

  "Bullying," she says. "I haven't been doing it long, but I'm trying to connect with both sides of the spectrum. I want those that bully to understand how it effects not only those they're taunting, but also themselves. I'm also doing one on one with students in private to help them cope with the effects of bullying."

  As surprised as her answer makes me, I shouldn't be at all. I have to admit she is one of the most selfless people I've ever met, with a heart of pure gold. She radiates joy and happiness... until it comes to herself. It makes sense really; Hope had to have been bullied at some time in her life. She certainly has the characteristics of someone who has been.

  Just as impressed at me, dad lets her know he highly approves of her career choice. He goes on asking about her family and different facts of her life. I sit back, listening to their conversation, soaking in all the new information about Hope Manson that I learn. The girl... she truly amazes me.

  We manage to get through our first half of the meal unscathed. The second part of the meal is more business than anything, so personal conversations die down as the business talk starts up. I reach over to touch Hope's leg, grabbing her attention. I look towards the back of the restaurant where the restrooms are and give my head a little nod. When I glance back at Hope, she is wiping her lips with her napkin before placing it down.

  She slides back out of her chair and without even looking at me saunters her way towards the bathrooms. I excuse myself before walking after her. Just outside the ladies room, I pull on Hope's hand, bringing her body to mine. "You're in so much trouble," I whisper against her lips before claiming them.

  "If that is how trouble feels," she says when she backs away, "I'll keep being bad."

  Hearing those words has me straining against my zipper. "Hold on," I tell her. I open the men's room and look in. No one else is occupying it, so I pull on her arm. Once she is in the bathroom with me, I shut the door and make sure it’s locked securely.

  "Gross." Hope looks around with her lip curled. I guess I didn't think about the fact a Men's room is dirty, however, I cannot wait.

  "I'm greedy?" I ask, cocking my head. Anything to bring her attention to me and not towards where we are.

  She smiles up at me. I can't understand how a girl can look so damn guilty and innocent at the same time. "And... dirty." Her voice comes out seductive and I know she’s already caved.

  "Do you like when I'm dirty, Hope?"

  She bites her lip while giving me a head nod.

  Stepping closer, I tuck a strand her curled hair behind her ear. "Do you like when I'm greedy?"

  "Mm," is her answer.

  "Do you know what you do to me?"

  Her eyes look down to where I'm currently rock hard. "Oh... I know."

  "Then suck me off," I tell her.

  She looks up to me with a whole different demeanor. "What?" she gasps.

  "Get on your knees and suck me off. I'm greedy, right? Show me how damn greedy I am."

  A bit unsure of if I'm serious or not, she ends up giving in, slowly getting down on her knees in front of me. I watch her undo my pants before sliding them down. My dick is already erect and waiting for her to take it in her mouth. She looks up at me the same time she grabs at the base. Her tongue flicks out, licking the underside of my cock to the head, then I feel the warm heat of her mouth taking my dick to the back of her throat.

  I hiss out a breath when I realize how far she went.

  Bringing her mouth back until I hear the pop of my cock leaving her mouth, she hurries and sucks it a second time, sliding my dick even further into her throat. The third time she does it, I hear her choke some on it, and damn if that sound doesn't make me want to grab the back of head and fuck her face until my jizz is sliding down her throat.

  "Keep gagging," I groan. "Don't stop."

  She speeds up a little, using her hand on my balls to help in pleasuring me. When I feel myself starting to come, I grab the back of her head and push myself into her as much as I can. Her hands reach around and grab my ass, pulling forward so I can be completely inside her as I release.

  After a moment of blackness,
I look down and see the drool hanging from Hope's mouth. Its the fucking hottest thing I've witnessed. "Good girl," I tell her. All the while thinking of all the ways I can make her look like a hot mess all over again tonight.

  Hope

  Finishing up with some private sessions at the school, I walk out into the parking lot just to see DJ pull in. Days like today I end up walking, saving me the cab fare, so I have nowhere to hide. I have to walk right past him.

  Trying to avoid eye contact, I pretend to take in my surroundings, giving the bushes next to the school way too much attention. "Hey Hope," I hear him say.

  Closing my eyes, I let out a sigh. "Hey."

  "How are you?"

  I open my eyes and look to him. He’s acting nonchalant, as if we've been friends the last six weeks of not speaking nor seeing one another. "I'm fine. You?"

  "Good. Prepping for the last game of the year, so been busy."

  I nod my head, faking interest. "Well, good luck. I'll see you around."

  Before I even take a step away from him, he quickly says, "Wait." I raise a brow, waiting for what seems to suddenly be so important. "I hate how things ended last time I saw you."

  "Yeah," I admit, "me too." I give him a small smile, but I'm clueless at what more to say.

  "Friends?" he asks.

  "Friends." He puts out his hand and I have to laugh at his corniness. I give it a firm shake, finding myself giggling a little from it.

  "You still over at the half way home?"

  I don't bother correcting him that it’s not a halfway house, instead I just nod my head. "Yeah, but I'm not there much. I pretty much spend most my free time with Wes."

  "Oh." He looks towards the school door and back at me. "Well, I should head on in. I'll see you around."