by Bec Botefuhr
“So you bribed him?”
Huck nods. “It’s how it works, isn’t it?”
“Fine, whatever, I don’t even want to get into that right now. All I want to know is if you’re going to help us?”
Huck nods. “Yes, I am.”
“And Jenny?”
He looks me right in the eyes. “I was hoping you would help me out with that...”
“She’s going to be heartbroken.”
“I know, but I want to know her. Now your mother is out of the institution…”
“Wait,” I say, cutting him off. “You know she’s out?”
He nods. “Yes, she contacted me and told me she was out. She told me more about Jenny and how to contact her.”
“And you didn’t?”
He looks sheepish. “No. You have to understand, it’s quite daunting for me too.”
“Should have thought of that before you started having an affair with my mother behind my father’s back,” I mutter.
“Your father wasn’t a saint, Willow. This isn’t just on me.”
I shoot daggers at him. “My father wasn’t a saint, no, but he gave his life for me in the end. Will I ever forgive him for what he did? No, but his part in this is over. Yours isn’t. Two wrongs don’t make a right, Huck, and this mistake is on you and you alone. You can’t blame him for it because in the end you made the choice, you made the choice to be with my mother and sneak around. You…no one else.”
He nods, looking down.
“Um, Willow…”
I look over to where Ava has said my name in an odd tone. I follow her gaze and see Jenny standing at the door, bag full of groceries, staring at Huck. I know she can see it, I see the exact moment it registers and the bags drop from her hands. By now he’s looking at her and slowly standing. Ace steps closer to her, but she’s already backing out the door shaking her head. Then she turns and runs.
“I’ll go, watch Cody please.”
I rush out after her and catch her only when we hit the beach down the road. By then I’m panting and I double over, putting my hands on my knees. Damn girl can run. She drops to the sand and covers her face with her hands, sobbing madly. I drop down beside her and pull her close, rocking her while she cries and trembles. When she pulls back to look at me, tears are streaming down her cheeks.
“Did you know?”
I shake my head. “Just found out then.”
“All along…oh god…all along.”
I nod, swiping her tears away with my thumb. “I’m sorry, Jen.”
“Did he know?”
“Only for a few years.”
“How did this happen?”
I rattle the story off quickly and her eyes widen. “I don’t know who I hate more - him, your father or our mother.”
“Don’t hate any of them Jen. It was a bad time, and they all made mistakes. He wants to see you, to get to know you.”
“He wasn’t around!” she cries.
“I know, but he is now. Don’t hate him until you at least hear him out.”
She blinks at me. “I…we’ve talked about him so many times and all along he’s been that close.”
“I know.”
“What if I’m not what he expected?”
I know how she feels. It’s normal to wonder if she’s good enough. If he’ll look at her and be proud.
“Baby, he is going to love you because it’s impossible not to. Did you see his face? He wants to be in your life, he looked like he was going to cry.”
She nods and takes my hand. “I…don’t know how to face him. I’m so mad.”
“Then don’t do it now, do it whenever you’re ready to do it.”
“No,” she says standing. “I have to do this now.”
We walk back slowly, and I can see that she’s pale and panting. She’s so nervous and I don’t blame her. I really don’t. When we step back into the apartment, Huck stands and their eyes meet. I feel a crushing feeling in my chest and a touch of jealousy. She has a father that loves her, she has a chance. I swallow down my emotions, because this is about my sister now. Huck walks over and stops in front of her, his breathing is ragged.
“I…I never…”
“Can we talk?” Jenny squeaks out, tears thunder down her cheeks.
“Of course.”
They step outside and I feel my shoulders slump. Ace walks over and squeezes my arm.
“She’ll be fine, you did a good thing keeping your cool.”
“I need to speak with Jagger and find out why he didn’t tell me.”
“It wasn’t his place Willow, especially not when so much was going down.”
I nod, I guess so. I still want to know why though.
“Ok, look, I’m tired. I’m going to take Cody back and rest.”
“Are you sure you’re ok?” Angel asks, standing and walking over.
“Fine, seriously, I’ll see you all in the morning and we’ll go over the next part of the plan.”
“Ok.”
I pick take Cody from Ace’s arms and hug Ava one more time before leaving. As I’m walking back to my apartment, I see Jenny and Huck embracing and I’m happy for her. I’m happy but I can’t stop the hot tears that stream down my cheeks. I feel so alone.
CHAPTER 12
WILLOW
“You didn’t tell me,” I say into the phone later that night when Jagger calls.
I’ve been going over everything all afternoon and I feel a little betrayed that Jagger knew all along and it didn’t tell me.
“Willow, it was dangerous for Jenny. Huck was involved too and if anyone found out she was his…”
“I get that, but you still could have told me.”
“Not my place, baby.”
I sigh. “It’s been a long afternoon.”
“How’s Jenny taking it?”
“As far as I know, pretty well,”
I hear him shuffle and he says, “That’s good.”
“What’re you doing?”
“Just sitting in bed.”
“I miss you.”
“Miss you too baby,” he says in a soft voice.
“Cody misses you.”
“Cody doesn’t know me.”
His voice goes hard quickly and I feel bad for him. I know that must hurt.
“He will, you know he will.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Hey Jagger?”
“Hmmmm?”
“I’m not sore anymore.”
I hear silence, and I feel a smile break out on my face. I haven’t smiled for a good few days and it feels nice.
“Oh?” he says, in a husky tone.
“Oh, and you know what else?”
“What?”
“I’m naked.”
He hisses through his teeth. “Where’s this goin’ baby? Coz’ the images are doing good things to me.”
“I want you, I can’t have you so…”
“So?”
I lower my voice so it comes out husky and thick. “I want to hear you come, thinking of me.”
I actually hear him swallow. “Fuck girl, you want me to wank myself?”
“Yes.”
“Then you have to return the favor.”
I grin, sliding my hands down my stomach and settling it between my legs. “Way ahead of you, baby.”
“I don’t know what made me hardest just now, you touching yourself or you calling me baby…”
I chuckle softly and then moan when I slide my finger over my sensitive nub. It’s hard and swollen, and I’m wet.
“Jagger, I’m wet.”
“Fuck.”
“What are you doing?”
“Pullin’ it out.”
“What?”
“My cock, baby.”
I groan, oh the image of his beautiful hands wrapped around that beautiful cock. My body jerks and a bolt of pleasure shoots through me.
“You like that don’t you? When I say cock?”
“Yes,” I whimper, “oh yes.
”
“I’m stroking it, slowly. It’s fuckin’ hard baby, hard for you.”
“More,” I whisper, rubbing myself harder.
“You want me to tell you all the things I’d like to do to you?”
“Yes.”
I slip one finger inside my heat and groan. Oh god, I won’t last long at this rate.
“First I’m gonna suck those pretty nipples until they’re pink and hard. Then I’m going to slide down that body and find that pretty little pussy and slip my fingers in, using my thumb to make you shudder.”
“Oh god,” I groan, feeling my release rise higher.
“Then I’m going to lick that sweet pussy, I’m going to make you scream my name. I’m going to feel you come around my tongue.”
“Jagger, I’m close.” I cry out, arching my hips.
“Then I’m going to stick my cock inside you and fuck you so god dammed slowly you’ll come over and over.”
“Oh…god…”
“Tell me what you’re doin’ baby, I’m close.”
“I’m…oh god….rubbing.”
“You got a finger inside that snug little pussy?”
“Yes.” I cry.
“Fuck.”
“Tell me, more, I’m so close.” I groan.
He makes a ragged sound. “I’m so fuckin’ hard. My cock is fuckin’ hard for you baby. You want me to come?”
“Yes!” I whimper, arching and rubbing so hard it nearly hurts.
“Fuck, coming…now.”
I hear him groan raggedly and it’s my undoing. I cry out and shudder as bolt after bolt of pleasure shoots through my body. When I slump down onto the bed, I realize I’m clutching the phone tightly.
“Jagger?”
“Here baby.”
“That was…”
“Not as good as you, but still fuckin’ amazin’.”
I swallow, feeling a sudden urge to cry. I blink it away. We had a wonderful moment, but I am aching for him. I’m aching for him so much it hurts.
“Willow baby?”
I open my mouth to speak but nothing comes out. Instead the wall breaks and tears fall down my cheeks. God dammit. Why now?
“Baby? Talk to me. Are you ok?”
“I…”
“Aw shit, don’t cry. It’ll get easier.”
“I want you here!” I cry loudly. “I can’t sleep. I can’t eat. I can’t function. I need you Jagger, I don’t want to feel like this anymore.”
“I know, god, I know but I can’t be there.”
“It shouldn’t be like this,” I scream.
“Willow, come on.”
“Please, come to me. Just one night.”
“I can’t baby.”
“Jagger please…”
He’s silent and I’m pleading like a small child.
“Willow, fuck, I have to go. I’m so fuckin’ sorry.”
“NO!” I scream. “Jagger, don’t go!”
The phone line goes dead and I scream loudly. I roll to my side and I wail like a mad woman until there’s nothing left. I hear my door open about ten minutes later and I open my blurry eyes to see Angel sitting by the bed, staring down at me.
“He called me, told me what happened.”
“I want him here,” I hiccup.
“I know kid.”
Angel takes my hand, and stares down at me. I close my eyes again and I feel my lip tremble.
“He was beside himself with worry. Mick came and he had to go…”
“He left me, I want him here. Instead he sends you.”
I spit the words out, and feel bad right away. “I’m sorry Angel.”
“No, it’s ok. I know how it feels kid, I know.”
“I just want to be alone? Can I please be alone?”
Angel stares at me for long moments. “I’ll get him back Willow, I swear it.”
“I hope so,” I whisper, “because I just can’t take much more of this.
CHAPTER 13
JAGGER
“You need more stitches.” Sharleen says, pressing a cloth to my lip.
I grumble. That bastard could hit. Split my lip three different ways. I won all the same. Winning doesn’t feel good anymore. It feels blank. Empty. Sharleen removes the cloth and groans.
“Want me to do it?”
“Don’t you always?” I mutter.
She glares at me, and I return it with full force.
“Fine Jagger, be an asshole.”
I don’t answer her. She prepares the needle and thread and then leans in. I hate when she’s this close to me. Once I loved it. I couldn’t get enough of her but now…she makes me sick, angry even. Her eyes scan my face but I refuse to meet them. When she pulls the needle through my lip, I tense. Fuck, I am used to this but it still burns. It burns more than just my lip.
“All done,” she says a moment later.
I move out of her way and stand, cracking my knuckles. My shoulders ache and my head isn’t in the game tonight. All I keep thinking about is Willow and how she begged me the other night not to go. I hung up on her, just hung up as though her call meant nothing to me. I’ll fucking end this. I have to end this.
“What’s the fucking problem, Jagger?”
I spin to see Mick storming in, shaking his head.
“What?” I mutter, strapping my hands for the next fight.
“Your head ain’t in the game. Get it back in.”
“I’m fine. I’m winning aren’t I?”
“You’ve copped more hits tonight than any other night, winning is hardly the point. Your reputation, our reputation, is sinking.”
“It’s one fucking fight Mick, settle down.”
He storms over, his blue eyes piece mine. “It’s not one fucking fight, it’s everything. I won’t tell you again son, get your head in the game or I’ll fucking make you pay.”
I can’t wait to make him pay. His day is coming, oh yes, it’s coming. I spin around and head back out to the screaming crowd. Here I go…again.
~*~*~*~
WILLOW
I’m just coming back from the store. The sun is setting and I’m alone. Jenny has Cody at my apartment, she took him so I could go and fetch something for dinner. I stare at the sunset and sigh, something so beautiful just isn’t special to me anymore. Nothing is and I hate that. I hate what I’ve become. I’m just passing the cars when suddenly someone is gripping my arm and pulling me backwards. I scream but a hand goes over my mouth.
“It’s me.”
Jagger. Oh god. I spin around, dropping the groceries and I leap on him. I wrap my legs around his waist and bury my head into his shoulder. I breathe him in, inhaling deeply. He holds me tight, wrapping his arms around me and pressing me up against a nearby wall. He buries his nose into my hair and breathes me in, just like I’m doing.
“Baby, fuck, I’ve missed you.”
“Jagger, you came.”
I pull back and look at him. He has a black eye and three lots of stitches in his lip. My mouth drops open and he smiles weakly.
“Jagger,” I whisper, stroking his lip.
“It’s fine, it’ll heal.”
I stare at the fading marks on his face, and know eventually they’ll stop looking so pale and begin taking over his beautiful face. He narrows his eyes at me and grips my chin.
“Don’t you like me with all these scars?”
His voice is bitter. I snap my head back and take his face in my hands.
“I’ll love you, no matter what.”
He smiles and it looks like it pains him.
“I guess kissing is out?” I pout.
He meets my gaze and leans in so he’s nearly touching my lips with his.
“Might be, but I can do plenty of things to make that up to you.”
I smile and then frown. He stares at me confused.
“You picked the worst timing.”
He closes his eyes and mutters a curse. “You can’t be serious?”
Yep, aunt flow is here. Why lor
d? Why?
“You get your monthlies the one time I can see you?”
“Isn’t seeing me enough?” I frown.
“Hey,” he says, turning my face to his. “You know it is. I wasn’t the only one getting horny.”
I giggle. “No, you weren’t.”
“Besides, I have things planned.”
“Oh you do, do you?”
He smirks. “I’ve got one night, I’m gonna make it count but first…where’s my boy?”
I smile and untangle myself from him, and then we walk inside. Jenny is feeding Cody at the table. When she sees Jagger, she beams.
“You found her?”
“You knew?” I cry, crossing my arms.
“I knew. That’s why I’m taking Cody for the night.”
I frown and watch Jagger walk over and scoop him up, covering himself in mashed pumpkin. Jenny giggles and I smile.
“He’ll be fine with me,” she says, “I’ve had him before.”
“I know, but I hate leaving him.”
“Willow, you’ve had him twenty four seven since he was born. You’ve been up the last week with him screaming. You deserve this. He’ll be ok.”
I swallow and nod, then turn to Jagger who’s chatting to Cody. I smile and stand next to him.
“I’m sure he’s grown in a week.”
“He has.”
Jagger frowns. “I’m missin’ this.”
“It won’t be long, it’s going to be fine.”
“I’ll go get a bag ready, let you two spend some time with him,” Jenny says, touching my arm.
Jagger falls onto the couch and I flop down beside him. Cody goo’s and grips his necklace. Jagger smiles as much as his sore lip will allow and strokes Cody’s cheek.
“He’s a good boy, isn’t he?” Jagger grins.
“You wouldn’t say that if you had him for the last week.”
“Listen here boy, you sleep for your mommy when da…”
“You can say it,” I whisper.
Jagger looks over at me, his eyes are a little lost.
“When daddy is away,” I finish for him.
“Daddy,” he whispers. “It’s such a sweet, nice word. I’m not sweet and nice Willow.”
