by Tabatha Kiss
Coach steps forward. “Now, hold on, Will—”
“No, I’m done with this,” I say over him. “Jovie is a beautiful and wonderful person who deserves a second chance. If you refuse to see that, then I’ll...”
They grow tense in their chairs.
Mrs. Clark clutches her throat. “You’ll what?”
I scan their terrified faces again. “Nothing,” I say.
Whatever is going through their heads right now probably freaks them out more than what I was going to say. Good.
Without another word, I walk toward the exit I came in from. Hushed whispers follow me across the gymnasium. A few say my name to try and stop me but I ignore them. I don’t want to hear another word from them about this or anything else. A man can only swallow enough bullshit before it makes him sick and I’ve never felt so nauseous in my life.
I shove the door open, making it bang loudly against the wall behind it but property damage isn’t exactly high on my list of give-a-fucks right now. As I stomp into the hall, I instantly halt as Jovie comes into view. She flinches slightly at my sudden appearance, standing against the wall just a foot or two away from the door with tears in her eyes.
She heard everything. All of it. Every damn word they said about her behind her back. Everything about her and Hank and them not being Clover Folk, whatever the fuck that’s supposed to mean.
Jovie sniffs. “There really is no place like home, eh, Toto?”
I step closer. “Jovie, I’m sorry you heard that stuff.”
“No, I’m...” She wipes a stray tear before it falls. “I’m really happy I did.”
“They’re full of shit, you know that, right?” I ask.
“Yeah, I guess.”
“Don’t waste your tears on them.”
She looks up at me. “I’m not crying over what they said.”
I smile. “I meant it,” I tell her. “I meant everything I said in there and I don’t care who knows it.” I reach for her hands and she lets me have them. “I want to be able to walk down the street holding your hand or kiss you in the park just because I feel like it. To hell with them. I want to be with you, Jovie. Officially, again. ”
“Are you sure?” she quips. “There’s talk on the street that I might be involved in a dangerous, drug-running, biker gang.”
“Even if you really were…” I smirk, “that’s kind of hot.”
She laughs. “Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah, you’d be a pretty badass old lady.”
“Would you join up, too?”
“Oh, hell yes. I’ve already got the bike and I’m pretty sure I could pull off the leather. I don’t know about the tattoos, though. I have this thing about needles…”
Her smile deepens. “Sounds like fun.”
I pull her closer and lay a hand on her warm cheek. “It’s you, Jovie,” I say, kissing her forehead. “It’s always been you. I don’t care about anyone else.”
She hugs me and settles her head on my chest. I hold her a little tighter, too scared to release her in case the angry mob lynches her from me forever.
After a few deep breaths, she raises her head. “So, what do we do now?” she asks.
I push a strand of hair behind her ear. “I don’t know about you but I feel like giving George Washington a massive boner.” She leans back and furrows her brow as I do. “Okay, that’s a really weird thing to say out of context.”
Her lips twitch. “It’s not so great in context, either.”
“Yeah, let’s just forget I ever said that.”
“Done.”
“Thank you.” I take a step back and smile. “You wanna just head back to my place instead? Watch a movie, relax, and forget about all this crap?”
“Can we watch half a movie and then make out through the rest of it?”
“That was kind of implied.”
She laughs and wipes another rolling tear off her cheek. “A little bit of Netflix and Will sounds perfect right about now.”
I throw an arm around her as we head toward the exit, glancing once over my shoulder to make sure no one’s following us anymore. If they haven’t sent someone out by now, maybe they won’t at all. I’d like to think I got through to somebody in there but I can’t say how likely that is, either.
They can try to run Jovie out of town all they want.
But they’ll have to get through me first.
Twenty-Three
Jovie
If Trin’s Toys weren’t closed on Sundays, I’d take a sick day.
That town meeting last night rattled me plenty but my illness stems a little deeper than having my name dragged through the mud by those who claim to know me. My heart rate is constantly elevated, my body heat is dangerously high, and I can hardly walk more than two feet without a dull aching in my thighs threatening to knock me down.
But these are all common side effects of being pinned in Will Myers’ bed all night long.
Just like the early days of our teenage love affair, going all the way has awakened something in us. Before, it was quiet trysts in the janitor’s closet over our lunch period or late night neckings in my car on the outskirts of town. We were just kids that couldn’t get enough of each other but there were limits to what we could get away with and you can be damn sure we took every opportunity to push that boundary just an inch further.
Now, we’re adults. It’s whenever we want, wherever we please, and I can’t think of anything more intoxicating than that. Sure, bills must be paid and responsibilities exist to be dealt with.
But not on Sundays.
My lips graze Will’s ear as I moan softly with my arms and legs wrapped around him. I round my hips, taking his cock a little bit deeper each time as he meets me with sudden, hard thrusts.
Will kisses my breasts, teeth etching lines in them to mix my pleasure with mild pain. I gasp with each bite and he laughs at me, getting off on the reaction.
He reaches between us and cradles my clit in his fingers, adding in the last ingredient necessary to make me come with ease.
I smother my open mouth into his shoulder, moaning against him as it happens. He keeps moving, grinding his cock in me as his fingers work their magic.
“Stop, stop, stop,” I say, unable to handle the sensitivity.
Will withdraws his hand, smiling wider as he kisses my cheek. “Are you cold?” he asks.
I laugh. “No. Why?”
“You’re shaking.”
He grabs the bedsheet behind me and tugs it closer, pulling it up and over my shoulders to keep me warm.
“Thank you,” I say, smiling, “but trust me, I am very, very comfortable.”
His arms slide around me. “Oh, I can tell.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. You look comfortable,” he says, kissing my shoulder. “And tired… yet completely satisfied.”
“Not completely,” I say.
Will lies down and I straddle him. The sheet falls away, revealing my naked breasts and he cups them as I lower myself forward to kiss him. His erection eagerly stands between my thighs and I grin as I guide it back inside of me.
He moves his hips as I do, massaging and grinding each other. I look to the box of condoms next to his head, easily counting the small number nestled inside.
“We’re almost out,” I say as I lean forward to take more control.
He exhales a heavy breath as I roll my hips. “We can take a break after this,” he suggests. “Go outside for some much-needed fresh air and stop by the market for more.”
“Oh, that’ll be just great.” I laugh. “How long to do you think it’ll take before literally everyone is talking about Will and Jovie’s Sunday afternoon condom run?”
“I literally don’t care.”
My mind wanders back to that damn meeting. “I can’t believe them,” I say, fucking him faster and harder. “They had charts and everything…”
His hips buck as I dig my nails into his pecs. “Careful…”
“And what the fuck
was up with that happiness index crap?” I ask between breaths. “Gives me the creeps.”
“Jovie, as much as it would delight me to picture Coach Rogers’ face during sexual intercourse, I beg of you to change the subject.”
“Sorry.” I show a mischievous grin. “So, have you told your mom we’re back together yet, or…?”
“Okay, that’s it.”
He lunges forward and wraps his arms around me, easily twisting us around to pin me on my back. I let out a laugh, playfully struggling to breathe as the movement knocks the wind out of me and leaves me dizzy.
“Jovie… I have spent all night trying to distract you from the things they said about you.”
I nod. “Yes, you have.”
“I kind of felt like it was working.”
“It is working…” I spread my legs as he angles his wrapped cock closer to my slit. “Trust me, it’s just that…”
I pause as his tip finds its way inside and I moan once before catching my breath to speak again.
“It’s just that I feel…” I search my brain for the perfect word.
Will towers over me and moves his hips with slow, deliberate thrusts. “Horny?”
“No…”
“Pleasurable?”
“No.”
He frowns. “Wait, really?”
“Motivated,” I say. “I feel motivated.”
His hands crawl up my arms, guiding them above my head. “To do what?”
I open my mouth to answer as his grind triggers a rush of heat throughout my core. “I don’t know,” I moan. “Prove them wrong, I guess.”
Will kisses my trembling lips. “Good,” he grunts. “Sounds like a wonderful task to tackle on Monday morning. First, I’m going to need you to come on my penis, please.”
I blink, pausing as a laugh clenches my throat. “Okay, what the hell fancy car school did you go to? Your dirty talk is way too polite now.”
He chuckles. “Oh, sorry.” His throat clears. “Come on my cock, you slut.”
“Nice. Better.”
“You like me filling that tight pussy?”
I groan for more. “Oh, yeah. Much better.”
“I’m gonna make you scream my name.”
I bite my lip. “Yes!”
He kisses me, hard and fast, but quickly pulls back. “Sorry about the slut thing.”
My thighs twitch as my tension mounts. “Stop talking now.”
“Okay.”
The headboard slaps the wall behind us with each quick and firm thrust, interrupting the thoughts I can’t seem to force out of my brain. I’m in Will Myers’ bed. There shouldn’t be anything else on my mind right now but the idea of sweet vengeance on the people of Clover, Kansas is just as pleasurable.
Well… maybe not as pleasurable.
Will pins my wrists above my head and he doesn’t let go until I’m screaming his name.
Do you have a natural urge to make people smile?
The Party Planning Committee of Clover, Kansas wants YOU!
We’re looking for a few happy individuals to join our team!
Holidays! Birthdays! Baby Showers!
You name it! We plan it!
I stare at the flier on the counter in front of me. The more I read it, the more it makes sense.
I’m getting on that damn party planning committee.
The entry bell chimes and I quickly shove the flier into the front pocket of my smock.
“Hello!” I greet, glancing over my shoulder toward the door.
Will walks in with Andy trailing behind him and I relax the customer-serving tension in my shoulders.
“Hey, guys,” I say. “What are you up to today?”
They stop at the counter and Will points a finger at Andy. “Your response?”
Andy nods. “Reading books, eating veggies, and not mentioning Jovie.”
“No, you don’t mention Jovie.” Will sighs. “We’ll work on it again later. Go play with the dinosaurs.”
I laugh as the kid rushes off toward the far corner. “You’re creating quite the future politician there.”
“Oh, he’s going places. Mark my words.”
“So, what are you guys up to?” I ask again.
Will takes my hand. “We just got some lunch and now we’re on our way back to the house but I thought I’d stop in here for some dessert.”
He kisses my knuckles and grins.
“Mmm. Just what every woman loves…” I fake a swoon. “Being compared to food.”
“There’s that sugary sweetness I can’t get enough of.”
I pull my hand back. “Better not stay too long. Mr. Trin’s as hardcore about the rules now than he ever was. If he catches me chatting on the clock, he’ll make me scrub the sinks again.”
He rests his elbows on the counter. “We won’t stay long. Just wanted to see how you were doing. You left pretty quickly this morning.”
“Well, I figured Sara would be by early to drop off the kid.” I pull the crinkled flier from my smock and lay it between us. “Also, I wanted to get here and read this a little closer.”
His eyes drop to it and his brow slowly furrows. “The party planning committee?”
“Yeah.”
“You want to join the party planning committee?”
“Yeah.”
He snorts.
I raise a brow. “And what’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing.” He fights the laugh growing in his throat. “Just hard to picture, that’s all.”
“It’s the only town committee taking on new members right now and it honestly doesn’t sound all that bad, you know?” I shrug. “Hang some balloons, cut some cake, rinse, repeat. People love parties. If I plan enough of them then, eventually, they will love me. It’s science.”
He bites his lip. “Is it, though?”
“Isn’t it?”
“I don’t know. I fix cars. I’m not a scientist.”
I roll my eyes. “Anyway, they’re apparently meeting tonight at the high school to start working on the Valentine’s Day dance and I’m going to be there to begin my slow coup into the hearts and souls of the people of Clover, Kansas.”
“Okay, but…” he pushes the flier back to me, “you do know who the current head of the party planning committee is, right?”
“No. Who?”
He tilts his head, silently smirking until the answer finally lands in my brain.
“Ugh. You’re kidding,” I whine.
“Nope.”
“Sara runs the party planning committee?”
“She does.” He nods.
“Well, shit.” I stare at the flier again. “I can at least ask, right? Worst she can say is no. Right?”
His face screws up and he lays his palm on my brow. “That’s some uncharacteristic optimism, Jove. You feeling okay?”
I playfully slap his hand away. “This blow is crushing. I had a plan. Now what I am supposed to do?”
“Go ahead and ask, it’s like you said,” he says. “If she says no, I’ll talk to my mother and see if she can put a positive spin on it to Sara. She’s pretty good at that kind of thing.”
“One of these days, I’m going to reach the point when the name Jovie Ross doesn’t need a positive spin.”
“Oh, honey…” He pats my head and sighs. “You sure you don’t need to go lie down for a while?”
I glare at him and he smirks. “Ha, ha, ha.”
“You have a beautiful laugh,” he says. “Have I ever told you that?”
“Go away and take Mr. President with you.”
“Kiss me first.”
We lean over the counter and lock lips as Mr. Trin steps out of the back office.
“Myers, unless Marv wants to trade Barbies for spark plugs, you better stop bothering my employee,” he snaps.
“Yes, sir,” Will says. He lays another quick kiss on my cheek before retreating from the counter. “My place tonight?” he whispers at me.
I give him a thumbs up.
> “Andy, come on,” he says, flashing me a wink. “Time to go, buddy.”
Will holds the door open and waits as Andy’s feet patter along the floor.
He rounds the corner and waves at me. “Bye, Jovie!”
I wave back. “Bye, Andy!”
Will lingers in the doorway, staring at me like a ravenous animal before finally backing out onto the sidewalk.
Mr. Trin glides behind the counter and stands beside me. “You know,” he says to his paperwork, “I always hoped you kids would get back together.”
I smile. “Really?”
“No. Go clean the bathrooms.”
I drop the grin and walk off, taking the flier with me toward the janitorial closet.
Honestly, stepping foot inside the high school again so quickly after that town meeting makes my stomach churn but I can’t pass up this opportunity to win over an ounce of Clover’s good graces.
Several voices echo down the hallway from the teacher’s lounge as I step inside, laughing loudly and I resist the urge to turn and run back to Will’s safe and warm bed. It’s Sara beyond that door, after all, and the odds of her cutting me any slack are slim but, at least, I can say I tried. I can say I attempted to change their minds before getting tossed to the wolves.
Can’t say that if I bolt.
I stand in the doorway and look inside. My eyes instantly fall on Sara’s bright and shiny face. She’s got those Myers eyes, the same big, green ones that Will has but the two of them couldn’t be more different. Four other women sit around her including Natalie with her puffy cheeks and a casual, sloppy blonde bun on her head.
I hesitate for a long moment before closing my fist and rapping against the frame.
“Hey,” I say to them.
They target me like a pack of perimeter hounds tracking blood.
Natalie keeps her smile while the others drop into various frowns. “Oh, my gosh! Jovie!” She gasps as she hops out of her chair and rushes over to meet me. “I knew it!”
“Knew what?” I ask.
She tugs on my arm to yank me into the room. “You and Will, of course! The whole town is talking about it but I called it like a week ago. Right, ladies? Didn’t I so call it?”
Sara glares at me, ignore her. “What are you doing here?”
I slide my hand into my back pocket to pull out the flier. “I was actually interested in maybe joining the party planning committee…”
