He just chuckles at me. “You said you and your parents were having issues before. Can you tell me what they were?”
“My singing career.”
I can see he is confused, so I hold up my finger to silence him. “When I was ten it came to light that I sing. I guess . . . sing really well. My parents started making me record demos and they sent them out. Right before that night they had been contacted by a producer and agent and wanted to sign me. I fought them tooth and nail. I didn’t want that, Colby. I wanted to be twelve. I sang because I loved it, not for the fame. When my grandparents took me in they asked what I wanted. I explained it to them. They were fine with my decision and through the years I started songwriting and doing back-up vocals for some country artists. It is on my terms. I am not in the spotlight and have met some great people through it.”
“You do have the voice of an angel. Anytime you want to sing to me, feel free. I have to admit I am glad you didn’t pursue that career. It would really suck to have a famous girlfriend to have to worry about.”
Now it is my turn to look confused. “Are we exclusive now? Am I your girlfriend?”
“I told you earlier that things were going to change. No more running and no more doubts. You are it for me. I don’t want you questioning that ever.”
The tears are coming down faster than I can wipe them. After everything I told him, he still wants me. That makes me happier than I have been in a while. I can barely get the words out of my mouth “Are you sure? I don’t ever want to disappoint another person I care about it. I really want to be enough for you.”
He looks at me with conviction. “You are enough. Every day I will show you. I want you. All of you. No secrets between us. You are what holds your siblings together, and you will realize that one day. I will worship you, Belle, for as long as you have me. I know you. When you are stressed or worried, you like to jump in your car and drive with no destination. When you are scared of emotions you come in with a smart-ass answer to deflect. I now understand that that is why you still cheer . . . because it is in your control.”
“Let’s go take a bath together. I am going to start on having you scream my name like I promised.”
I immediately feel myself tighten and get wet. I am a bit sore, and he must sense my apprehension. He leans down and kisses my nose, “I am not going to hurt you, just pleasure you my pretty girl. I promise.”
And does he ever. If it wasn’t his gentle fingers running over every intimate inch of me or his tongue bringing me to orgasm over and over, then it was the words he whispered and the way he looked at me. In this moment I was beginning to wonder if I was really enough for Colby. I knew without a doubt he was the one for me.
After wearing each other out in the bathtub we climbed in bed and he held me all night. When we awoke the next morning and spent the day just in each other’s arms and walking along the beach. I told him, “I never want this vacation to end. My life finally makes sense and I don’t want to forget that when we get home.”
“You won’t forget because I won’t let you. Besides, tomorrow when my parents drive down to meet you I would like for you to have some clothes on.”
Is he serious? He thinks I am going to meet his parents why we are shacking up at some love shack . . . boy is he delusional. “No, Colby. I can’t meet your parents as we are here holed up doing God knows what to one another. I don’t want them to think I am a tramp.”
“I am from about an hour north of here and my mom would kill me if I didn’t let her finally meet you. I have talked about you non-stop for the past month and she wants to make sure you are real. They will love you and you have nothing to be worried about. I promise.”
The next day when his parents arrive, I am instantly at ease. I can see where he gets his good looks. His mom, Valerie, is absolutely breath-taking and genuine; his dad, David, is charming and very handsome. We have shared many laughs and they love picking on Colby. I will fit right in, I think. While we are getting lunch together his mom pulls me aside, “I know you didn’t have the typical upbringing with your parents. I don’t know all the details and I don’t need them, but you make Colby so very happy, and I want to say thank you. If you ever need some mothering just pick up the phone or come visit. Tyler has spoken very highly of your grandparents and I can see what a beautiful young woman they raised, I just want you to know that you are part of this family now.” I can feel the tears stinging my eyes and I tell her, “Thank you for that. I am trying every day to make your son happy and pray that I will.”
Throughout lunch, she ribs Colby constantly. I about choke on my sandwich when she says, “I noticed the guest bedroom isn’t being used. Is there a reason you two are shacking up in sin?”
Colby looks at her like she has two heads. “Seriously, Mom?” and she starts laughing.
“Nope, but wanted you to see how I felt for all those years you didn’t have a filter and said whatever popped in your head. That shit ain’t funny is it, Son?” I can’t help but laugh at how uncomfortable Colby is. I shoot him a wink and he shakes his head at me. The rest of their visit and our week at the beach was wonderful. I was disappointed to come home, but missed my sisters and brother.
Chapter 28
October 2013
Colby
It is hard to believe that almost three months have passed since that week at the beach house. Everything is going great with Brielle and me. We still have the occasional (okay at least three times a week) family drama that only two teenagers can bring. She still has the doubts that try to take over, but I am right there showing her how wrong she is. The reward that has brought me is unexplainable. Damn, for a virgin that girl has learned a few things lately. I am not complaining. Our biggest argument is her cheerleading. She won’t give it up, and I swear I am ready to go insane over it. I get why it is so important to her. She tries to tell me it is because when she is out on the mat she is in charge. She knows what she is doing, and she is good. Trying to tell her that she was exceptional in my bed, against the wall, in the shower did not get the response I was hoping. That girl is a firecracker, and I never know what is going to make her shoot off.
It is also driving me nuts that she doesn’t say, “I love you.” When I told her the first time last month after making love, she looked up at me and I could see it in her eyes all she said was “ditto.” Fucking ditto. What in the hell is that? When I called her out on it she said she hasn’t said it to anyone since her grandfather died. I don’t know why, and she has to work through that issue, but I really want her to say it. I would never push her, but I need to hear it. I feel it with every touch and action, but I want to hear those words from her mouth. I talked to Addy about it, and she says the same thing. Brielle is stuck in that moment where the last person she said it to was her grandfather and then he died while she was there. We don’t know how to bring her out of that. I tell her it wasn’t her love or her need for him that killed him, but she thinks somehow she put too much responsibility on him with having to raise her siblings. I hate that she carries around that burden. I don’t know what to do for her.
Her birthday is this weekend, and I am doing a whole week of celebrating, starting tonight. She is coming over after her practice, and I have the best surprise for her. I have been trying to get her to stay over all the time and while she caves a few times a week it isn’t enough. She just cleared her land on the property and said once the house is built we won’t have to sleep apart ever. I am pretty sure that was her way of asking me to move in with her, and I will, but I don’t see why we have to be apart until then. So the idea came to me last week while we were eating at Addy’s house. Dustin said he wanted a puppy and Addy lost her shit. Apparently that girl doesn’t like animals, and won’t tolerate them in her house. Brielle told Dustin that once she had her house built they could pick out a dog. It dawned on me that if I got her a puppy now, she wouldn’t be able to bring it back to Addy’s, and would not be able to leave him. My problems were solved. In our bed
room is a seven-week old Jack Russell/Chihuahua mix puppy. I have dinner made for her, and when I get done ravishing her I am going to give her the dog. I am the best boyfriend ever.
I notice she is running about forty-five minutes late, and I dial her number. When she answers with, “Sorry, practice went late, and I am about ten minutes away.” My panic alarm goes off. They have a competition on her birthday and usually try to keep practices to a minimum the week before competition to avoid over use and injury. Then she adds, “And if we win this competition no more for two months because we will get a bid right to US Finals.” That right there made me forget everything, and start praying they won on Saturday.
“Okay, be careful, and the door is open, and dinner is ready.” She disconnects which is good because I hate her talking on the phone and driving at the same time. I decide to run and check on the puppy before she gets here. He is sleeping in his little bed, and I have to admit he is adorable. I hear the front door close and rush to see her.
As I come in the foyer, I can tell she is exhausted. Her hair is a mess, and she has on a sweatshirt which is odd, even for October. Usually she is so hot from practice she is still wearing shorts and tank tops. She looks up and smiles at me, and I see it doesn’t reach her eyes. I walk over to her and grab her by her waist and push her back against the wall, and I see flash of pain in her eyes before she looks at me.
“You okay tonight?”
“Just a bit sore, but I am fine.”
“You always tell me I have magic hands, so let me see if I can help you.” I instantly reach for her shorts to lower them. When I make contact she arches into the wall then lets out a hiss of pain. I drop her to her feet and ask again “Are you okay?” I can tell when she won’t look me in the face that I am not going to like the answer I get.
Chapter 29
Brielle
I was hoping to get in, have dinner, and then tell him I was exhausted and be able to go home without him knowing I got hurt. My cheering is such a big elephant in the room with us, and I didn’t want to tell him the reason I was late was I was in the ER getting my shoulder popped back in place from a fall tonight. I put on the sweatshirt because I didn’t want him to see the hospital band on my wrist. When he attacked me when I walked in the door, I knew it was going to be hard to hide. I thought okay I can distract but this bitch hurts.
I know he is waiting for an answer, and I look at him “I fell from a new stunt and dislocated my shoulder. It has been popped back into place and it is sore. I am fine, I promise”
His face tells me it all. He explodes, pacing and tugging on his hair. “It isn’t fine, damn it. I know you didn’t fall. You were dropped. Quit always taking the fucking blame for shit. This is it, no more! You are done as of right now.”
I look at him in horror. He did not just order me around, yell, and cuss at me. He has lost his ever-loving mind. I step up to him and point my finger in his chest and shout, “No, you listen! You don’t tell me when it is enough. I decide that. I have already decided that this season was my last. I did that so you would quit worrying asshole, not because you told me to. And whether I fell or got dropped doesn’t mean anything. Fact is, it happened and I went about it the best I could. I will attend practices this week and not participate, but I will compete on Saturday. Whether you are there or not to support me is up to you. But let me tell you something, Colby, I know you care about me and worry, but you will not make me feel like I have done something wrong by doing what I love. What if you were still boxing, and I told you to quit? You already told me you stopped not for your mom, but for you. So tell me, huh? What if I just pulled a temper tantrum like you did?” I step back and try to catch my breath and stop the tears. I cry when I get mad and I am fucking fuming right now.
“I don’t care about you. I LOVE you, and I worry, sorry. Maybe I handled it wrong, but the fact that you were hurt, and I wasn’t there scares me to death. I wonder what will happen next. I don’t want to lose you, and I am not trying to push you away. Damn it cut me some slack here.” He reaches for me and very gently pulls me to him. “How bad does it hurt?”
I answer him truthfully. “Like a motherfucker, whatever that means. Really bad. I think I am going to go home and soak in a tub and go to bed”
As I step back he says “No.” Really are we going to have another temper tantrum? I guess he feels me getting ready to spar. “Shower, not bath. It will help reach all the muscles and loosen them up. Please just stay here.”
I am just about to tell him no because I really am not up for fighting right now. “Dinner is ready. I will feed you, and put you in the shower, rub you until you fall asleep. I got you an early birthday present.”
He knows he has me when he talks about touching me. God I love the feel of his hands on me. I look at him, “I agree. Now feed me.”
I sink down to a barstool. He feeds me, pampers me, and starts the shower, although for some reason he does it in the hall bathroom and not master bathroom. I don’t question him. He climbs in behind me and while the water is beating down over my tired muscles he is rubbing and putting the right amount of pressure on each muscle. My shoulder is really tender and he avoids touching there except with his lips. When I feel like jelly he turns the water off, dries me off gently, and gives me one of his t-shirts he brought in. He helps me put it on, then slides on his boxers. “Follow me, pretty girl.”
When we reach the bedroom door, he stops. “Close your eyes.”
I smirk at him. “Oh, don’t I get a blind fold, kinky boy?”
He laughs at me and for the first time tonight I hear his happiness. “No ma’am there will not be any hanky panky tonight. Close your eyes.”
I get pulled through the door. I can’t tell where we are in the room, but then he stops me. “Okay, open your eyes Belle.”
I do, and I see the cutest puppy in history. He is black and white, with a gray stripe on his head. He is so tiny in his little bed. I can tell it is a male because he in on his back spread eagle. Typical man. I bend down and scoop him up. He yawns as he starts opening his eyes. “Hey there, precious.” He sticks his little tongue out and gives me puppy kisses. I look over to Colby and he is beautiful standing there staring at me with a radiant smile.
“Anything for that smile, pretty girl. I would do anything for that smile. I love you.” I just close my eyes and nod. How did I get so lucky?
I put the puppy back in his bed and walk over and wrap myself against his chest. “Thank you.”
“What’s his name?”
Oh hell, I don’t know. I turn around and lean my back against Colby as his arms wrap around my waist. “I am going to have to see his personality and decide. Now take me to bed and hold me all night.”
He does, although not much sleeping happens, and it is not from hanky panky happening.
That damn cute little monster he surprised me with decided he didn’t like his puppy bed. Colby assured me he was fine with it until he felt what it was like to be in my arms. I was exhausted. I would get up when he whined thinking maybe he needed comfort or to go out. Nope, only when I held him would he quiet down. As soon as he went to sleep and I put him down, it would start all over. Finally, I put him in bed with us and looked at Colby daring him to say anything. He had already explained that he didn’t believe in dogs sleeping on the bed. I had news for him, while he may not believe in that, I didn’t believe in getting no sleep, so he could shut it. He did, except when the little booger decided sleeping on my side wasn’t good enough and climbed right in between us. Colby went to move him he looked at me and started whining and licking my nose. I told Colby to leave him be. I got a grumble with ‘little shit’ or ‘cock blocker’ or some nonsense, but since it was finally quiet, I was going to sleep.
Chapter 30
October 12, 2013
Colby
It has been the week from hell. Finally it was Brielle’s birthday! She told me she had a surprise for me at the bar tonight, and I am curious as to what it could be
. I am so proud of my girl. Last night at dinner with Addy and Tyler she opened up and told Addy the real reason they came and lived with their grandparents. Seeing her reliving that night ripped my heart out. She needed to let Addy know, and if I thought my girl had spunk, it was very dim compared to what came out of her sister’s mouth last night. I think I was embarrassed by some of the words that came out of her mouth, but Brielle would just look at me and say, ‘I think I taught her that word.’ I somehow don’t doubt that. I don’t know what will happen with Addy and her parents now. That was the reason Brielle had never told her, and I think deep down she felt like Addy would side with their parents and not believe Brielle. She should have never doubted her sister. She told Addy last night to think before she reacted, which is laughable advice is coming from her. She doesn’t want Addy to lose a relationship that wasn’t broken to her. I did notice Addy didn’t make any promises, but what shocked the hell out of me is that she agreed to keep Brielle’s demon puppy for the night so we could be alone. Who would have thought a four pound dog could become such a pain in the ass, but it had. That happened overnight.
She had finally named him Badger, after the “Honey Badger doesn’t give a shit.” That is the truth. That dog doesn’t care that I have been suffering from blue balls all week. He just snuggles up to Brielle and falls fast asleep. She ‘doesn’t have the heart to move him when he looks so cute.’ If I go to move him out of the way that little ball of fur shows his teeth at me. Brielle says, “Oh it is the Chihuahua in him. They get very protective of one person.” It doesn’t help that she carries that thing around like a baby, cooing and fussing over him. I didn’t get a bigger breed because I didn’t want it to overpower her when he became full grown, but I am seriously kicking my own ass right now. Granted, she has been in my bed every night, but that runt has been right between us. She has been exhausted this week, so I haven’t pushed the issue, and after today’s competition I am going to push it. I miss her next to me. I do have to admit she is damn cute with that dog. I can only imagine how she will be with our babies. I slipped up the other day and I mentioned that thought to her. She was surprised and just said, “Don’t put the cart before the horse, buddy.” Then she explained that she wasn’t sure if she wanted to be a mom. I know she is full of shit. We will cross that bridge once we get to it. I still need to get her to say those three little words to me before I can think about marriage and kids.
Parker Sibling Series Box Set Page 11
