“I plead the fifth, now help me out.” He laughed again and I gave him my best glare, but he didn’t even bat an eye. Bantering back and forth with this side of Braxton was so much fun.
I could get used to this.
Putting out his hand, I grabbed it and jumped out. The date was coming to an end and I must say, I was a little disappointed.
Heading up the walkway to the house that Alley, Summer, and I lived in, Braxton kept his hand on the small of my back just as he had at the start of our date. My body was tingling from head to toe, my mind lost with his touch. Stepping onto the porch that housed my favorite white wooden rockers, colorful pots with beautiful flowers,and a small fountain that trickled water, lending a Zen feeling, I turned to look at Braxton. I loved this spot at the house and standing here with him, the air warm and the sky full of stars was perfect. It was like a fairytale.
“Say yes,” Braxton said.
“What exactly am I saying yes to?”
“That you will go out with me again. Not because of the bet, but because you want to.”
That was a no brainer. I mean I’d be a fool to say no. I really didn’t need to think about it too long. I may be scared of what could happen if he decided he wanted to stop seeing me at some point, or someday when I shared more about my past, but right now the answer was….
“Yes.”
I got distracted when my eye caught movement and I noticed the blinds had been moving. You have got to be kidding me, what are we teenagers again? I couldn’t help myself and I burst out laughing. What’s a girl to do when she’d had two crazy friends spying on her? And not very discreetly, I might add.
“What are you laughing at?”
“We have company,” I said tipping my head and jerking it a couple times toward the window.
Braxton looked at me and then must have caught on. Turning toward the window, he looked and then swung his gaze back in my direction. “Really?”
“Yup.”
I turned, grabbed the door, and swung it open, yelling at them to get out of here. I heard feet running and Summer say, “Oh damn, we’re caught.” Alley snickered and they were gone. I shut the front door and looked back at Braxton.
Those two may have been a pain in the ass tonight, but they were mine. Living with them over the years has been fun and truly awesome. I knew one day we wouldn’t all be here together. We were getting older and eventually would go our own directions, but we would always be in each other’s lives. I was gonna enjoy it now, even if I did want to clobber them right this second.
“Where were we?” Braxton asked, placing his hands on my hips and moving in a little closer.
“I think I just said I would go out with you again.”
“That’s right, best news ever,” he said leaning down and kissing my forehead. “Thanks for tonight.”
Wait, what? My forehead?
“So dessert only comes during the date and not at the end too?”
Braxton didn’t answer, but tilted his head in my direction, just as I rolled up on my toes and our mouths met in a tender kiss. My arms came up around his neck, and his limbs wrapped around my back putting the slightest pressure there, which had our bodies molding together. We didn’t devour one another as we had earlier, but rather we savored the moment.
It was passionate, soft, and I’d got lost in it.
An explosion of feelings vibrated through my body and rocked me to my core. Mouths still fused together, a single tear slid down my cheek. Submerged in my emotions I pulled away, trying to mask my expression so Braxton couldn’t read just how much was going on inside me.
But I wasn’t fooling him.
My arms down at my side, but our bodies still close together, he reached up and traced the tear that flowed down my face.
“Please don’t cry, Jurnee, or pull away. I didn’t expect to feel the way I did when you walked into my life again, but let’s not deny what we can be. Just take it a day at a time?”
Could I do that? All night I thought I could, but now I just had the best night of my life with the most extraordinary man and I was scared to keep moving forward only to lose him in the end. Even though I had been broken before, I don’t think that would compare to how I would feel not having Braxton in my life if I got even more attached.
God, I was all over the place. One minute I was all in and brave, the next I was scared and ready to run.
Pick a side, girl.
“Please?” he pleaded with such vulnerability and I knew what the next words out of my mouth would be despite being fearful.
“Yeah, I can do that. A day at a time.” Goosebumps had broken out down my arms at the smile he gave me.
“Soon, I will see you really soon, Jurnee.” He leaned in and kissed me gently on the lips. “I will wait for you to get inside and lock the door. Night.”
“I had an amazing time, night, Braxton.”
I walked inside, shutting and locking the door behind me. Then my back had hit the wood and I sighed. I was in over my head and completely inexperienced. What was Braxton doing with someone like me? My thoughts came screeching to a halt when I’d heard something. Looking across the room I found Summer and Alley peering at me from their hiding spot near the front window again.
Seriously, the little turds, what’s a girl gotta do to get a little privacy around here?
“I’m gonna kick your girly butts.” I started toward them and they took off running down the hall. I gave chase.
These two, I swear.
Chapter Fifteen
Jurnee
It was a nice Sunday afternoon, and I was elated that all three of us girls were off work today. It didn’t happen that often these days, but when it did, we planned time together and cherished every minute. Sure, we had our little tiffs as girls do and those living under the same roof are no exception, but for the most part, it was extraordinary how well we got along. Since the age of twelve, it had always been that way with us. We were three peas in a pod, not two as the saying generally goes.
Waking up early this morning, I had already gone over to the hospital to sit and read to some of the kids waging their battle against cancer. My heart hurt seeing them there, knowing how scared they must be, but I never let that show when I was around them. I had beat it and prayed every day they would too. Being part of a support system for them was important to me. It was something that at that time in my life I didn’t have, and I wanted to make sure I could do for others what people had not done for me.
Back home, and with my emotions on overload, I was so glad to hang with Summer and Alley right now. They always could bring a smile to my face, make me laugh, and lift my spirits. Changing into a cute pair of light jeans with rips in them, a fun little white tank top with a light green jean jacket, along with my white Converse, I threw my hair in a messy bun and headed to the living room. “Ready to go, who’s with me?” I yelled toward their rooms.
Both the girls came barreling down the hall. It was always so fascinating to me how our styles were so dissimilar, personalities unique to each of us and different, but we also enjoyed so many of the same things and had loads of laughs together. I knew they would always be there for me when I needed them, and they could count on me the same way.
Summer was in a long flowing flower print skirt with an array of colors and this cute yellow top, along with white sandals. Alley had on black jeans, a Scooby-Doo t-shirt because she loved the big goofy dog, and her black ankle boots. Grabbing their jackets they had laid on top of the couch, we headed out the door. A little fun, spending time with friends, and free time sounded damn nice.
“What is your pick for where we go first?” I asked Alley. Each of us got to choose something we wanted to do, and then we’d experience it together—that was the plan we set in motion when we found out we all had today off work. First up was Alley’s choice. I had a feeling I knew what she would say. Her love of books always gave her away. Summer and I loved reading too and supported her writing career with a
passion; the same passion Alley puts into all her stories. And a whole lot more.
“I was thinking if it’s alright with you guys we could head down to Powell’s Books. I know I have been there a million times, but it’s been awhile and they have so much to look at. New, used, some books that are rare or out of print. That place is huge though, so if I get lost don’t forget to come find me in the stacks.” She laughed.
What did I tell you? I had the girl pegged.
At the bookstore, we’d split up for a while and then met back up after a short time. We found Alley in the romance section with a load of books in her arm. Like the girl needed more books, you would think she had already read everything under the sun by now. But she always said, ‘someone can never have too many books.’
“Wow, who’s the hottie on the top of that stack?” Summer asked her, pulling a book off the top of the stack Alley held in her arms.
“That’s one of J.E. Parker’s books. Remember I told you that I recently found a new author and read a couple of her books and you both needed to read them? Well, this is book three, and Evan here is one fine slice of hunk, wouldn’t you say?” Alley pretended to fan her face. “I have books one and two at home. I may leave those close by so I can glance at them from time to time.”
“Wait,” I said. “Is this the same author we caught you reading the other night and one minute you were laughing, the next crying, and then at one point you looked like you were hot and bothered?”
Alley started laughing. “That would be one and the same. The woman can write her ass off, and you guys will be digging into these books soon. I’m grabbing the others that are out in the series now that I don’t have. Did I tell you I talked to her in an author group the other day? She is so damn sweet, always willing to help others, and has a lot of good ideas, as well as being knowledgeable about so many things.”
“Well, that’s awesome. I’m all in with your glowing recommendation on how fabulous the stories are, and it’s a bonus that I can look at the front of these books over and over. I clearly remember the one with that hot ass fireman on it that was sitting on your bedside table that night we found you so engrossed in a story. Went to bed a little hot and bothered I must say.”
“Oh my God,” Summer said. “You sure that’s not Braxton making you that way?”
“That was her first book, Every Moment With You. Hendrix from the book will do that to you and more, just wait. I was reading Every Breath You Take, the second book in the series, and Anthony the cop is equally yummy. But I agree with Summer, I’m pretty sure my brother has you reaching for the nightstand a lot more often these last few weeks.”
“Maybe,” I said nonchalantly, and we all busted a gut giggling. It was nice Alley didn’t get too weirded out about this conversation, although I was sure there would be a line drawn somewhere eventually. That’s if I ever got to that point, but boy did I want to get there.
Summer’s selection was next, so we left the bookstore and headed out to the Saturday Market in downtown Portland. It was called that but was still open on Sundays and we loved to check out all the vendors there, hang by the water, and grab some grub. Our girl loved this place and we always had fun coming together.
After wandering up and down the rows looking at all the amazing items people were selling, grabbing a few that really caught our attention, we decided it was time to eat. Heading over to the food trucks, we all settled on what we wanted and took our choices over by the water to munch down.
With the river beside us and a small fountain in front of us, we watched as boats went by and kids splashed through the shallow water coming from the fountain. The sun was out, music was playing, and it was a beautiful spring day; everyone was taking it in and having a great time. I adored days like this with my friends, but much as I was enjoying it my mind kept straying to Braxton.
The man is hard to forget. Obviously, something I couldn’t do even if I tried.
“Hey,” Alley said, waving her hand in front of my face. “You're in dreamland again, did you hear a word we said?”
“Sure I did.” I paused, thinking about my answer. “Okay, no I didn’t. What did you say?”
“Summer asked where you wanted to go next, but I think your mind was on my brother again. I can tell by that dreamy look you get in your eyes.”
Both laughing at me now, I just rolled my eyes and ignored them. “To top off the day and for my choice, I say we go get some Voodoo Donuts. You know how much I love to see what they have come up with.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Summer said. “Let's head on over there.”
Tossing our trash in the nearby trash can, we collected our bags of stuff we bought and headed to the car. When we arrived at Voodoo, we’d had a hard time, as usual, finding a parking spot, but then we got lucky and someone pulled out of one after we had circled many times. Walking into the small shop, we scanned the selection.
Looking over at Summer, I winked. She returned the gesture with a thumbs up. We loved giving Alley shit every time we dropped by the world-famous bakery because her favorite donut was the most outrageous one the store offered and funny as hell.
“Hey Alley, you gonna grab your favorite, Cock and Balls?” I voiced rather loudly. Summer covered her mouth, trying her best to hold in her laughter, but mine just came bursting out.
“Aren’t you a funny girl?” she commented back. “But you know I am, that’s my favorite.”
We all picked out one we wanted to eat and grabbed a few more to go. Summer was munching on her Bacon Maple Bar, the girl loved her bacon. Alley was devouring her Cock and Balls, a donut totally shaped just like it sounded, triple filled with Bavarian cream and topped with chocolate frosting. The teasing she just got from Summer and me when she has cream dripping out the side of her mouth, is hilarious. I got the Brainiac, which was a donut topped with strawberry frosting, lemonade dust, and sprinkled with Nerd candies. Stuffing our faces with our sugary treats, we headed back to our vehicle, finished eating, and then started toward home.
As we walked into the house, I couldn’t help but think how many memories we had shared here over the years together. I love these girls. “Hey you two, what do you say we put on our PJ’s, pop Clueless into the Blue-ray player, and end the night together watching a movie just like old times?” I hadn’t been quite ready for our day together to end, and they were happy to keep it going too.
We all had gone to our rooms to change, and just as I entered mine, my phone beeped with a text. My heart beat a bit faster, hoping it was Braxton. He had texted me last night after our date, this morning when he’d got up too, but since he knew I was spending the day with the girls the phone had been radio silent. Looking down at my screen, a smile had lit up my face.
Chapter Sixteen
Braxton
I couldn’t wait another fucking day. But I had to. Not being able to touch her, smell her sweetness, look into her beautiful brown eyes, or kiss her tender lips was killing me slowly. It had been many days since I’d been in her presence, but the wait was almost over. Tomorrow can’t get here soon enough.
Chapter Seventeen
Jurnee
It was Thursday and the week had been hectic at the center for me and so crazy busy for Braxton at No Surrender that we hadn’t seen each other since our date. He did say he couldn’t wait to see me again and that made me do another one of my famous happy dances. This time though, I quite literally had done a little jig in my bedroom and probably looked like a fool and total spaz, but hey, nobody was watching. We may not have been able to spend time together, but we had texted and talked every day. It was an odd, but welcome, change in my life. I wasn’t used to having someone like Braxton taking up my thoughts or leaving me in anticipation of our conversations to come. Thankfully, my dry spell of not seeing him was about to end.
Braxton had mentioned the week before that he wanted to take a peek at the security at Hopeful Jurnee since Embry’s dad had come in last week and caused a scene. This type of th
ing was part of what his business specialized in, but they also did so much more. I was hoping we could talk more about our lives, past and present, soon. Since Summer was here today volunteering, as both my girls did when they could, I had the extra hands-on deck and would have time to take a break if he needed me. Braxton still planned on doing his volunteer day, per our bet as soon as his schedule allowed.
I sucked in a huge gulp of air when Braxton walked in. If I ever used the word cute back in our school days, that was pretty lame compared to the words I would use right now. Fitted jeans hung low on his sexy hips, hugging his muscular thighs, a light blue tee stretched across his impressive chest, and with a pair of colorful Nikes on his feet, the man looked casual and sexy as hell at the same time. The air in the room changed the moment he walked in, making it harder to breathe. It probably didn’t help that he wasn’t alone, because the man next to him was a sight as well.
“Hey Jurnee, what—” Summer’s words stopped short when she came up beside me. Guess she was as affected as I was, but I thought it may have been for the man standing beside Braxton with his cane in hand.
“Cat got your tongue?” I asked her, chuckling.
“Umm...”
She didn’t manage more than that, and I couldn’t help but laugh again as I elbowed her to get her attention.
And here I thought I was bad.
Before I had time to snap my girl out of it, the guys were already in front of us. Summer was sweet, but she was never at a loss for words. She and Alley had that in common. But right now, this quiet, almost shy girl, was not like Summer at all, and it was kinda amusing to watch. It looked like I now had something to tease her about. Turnabout is fair play, after all. She always gave me shit and thought it was hilarious. Guess it was my turn, but I would save it for later.
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