by Heather Anne
"I'm in," Luke says.
"Me too," Susan says and everyone except for Kristy and two others voice their support.
During the group, I’m shocked when Grayson talks about his parents and how it affected his family.
"I've been thinking a lot about my mom lately, especially whenever I’m around my niece. I feel like we are all missing out sometimes." That's all he says, but still, I’m taken back by that.
I know that it’s not the real issue, or at least that’s what my gut is telling me.
"Coming to the diner?" Luke asks after group. Gray and I decide to go. Maybe we can talk further with him and figure out what the hell he is doing with Kristy.
Grayson pulls no punches.
"Listen kid, I don't know what the fuck you are doing, but stay the fuck away from Kristy. She's a fucking whack job and the crowd she associates with is no good." Luke starts to get defensive and Grayson shuts him right now.
"I don't want to hear it." His tone is firm. "I said what I needed to say but just know this. I will not bail your ass out if something goes wrong because of that skank."
Not another word is said.
Luke is a smart kid and knows not to mess with Grayson. We get to the diner and I’m surprised to see Allyson there with Amy and Jeffers.
“What are you guys doing here?" I say as I scoot into the booth next to Amy. Gray slides in next to me and throws his arm around my shoulder like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Jeffers gets up from his seat next to Allyson to let Luke in. Allyson scoots all the way over and when Luke gets next to her, he pulls her in and kisses her cheek.
"I needed to get out of the house. It’s been a rough night.” Allyson’s voice is thin. “We need to tell my parents sooner rather than later.”
"I thought we were going to wait?"
"I know, but my dad is out of control. There’s no way we can make it till the end of the summer." Her brown eyes fill with tears and Luke pulls her close.
"We will figure it out, ok?"
"If anything happens, you can come stay with me until you guys decide to take that apartment," Amy offers.
"Do you need me to go talk to your dad? He likes me." Jeffers laughs.
"Nah, thanks though. I think it’s something we need to do on our own. But on a happier note, Luke and I went to a clinic today." She smiles and reaches into her bag and pulls out a long sheet of paper. "I am 10 weeks, 3 days." Both of them are smiling so wide as they discreetly pass the ultrasound pictures around the table.
"How did you do this without going through insurance?" Grayson asked
"We explained the situation and the person agreed to let us pay cash with a discount." When the picture gets to Gray, I feel him tense. He glances down with regret in his eyes and passes it back to Allyson.
"You know we got you," Amy says and everyone nods in agreement.
"See babe, we’ll be ok." Allyson comforts Luke this time which I find endearing.
Grayson is quiet on the walk back to my house.
"Everything ok?" I ask and he squeezes my hand.
"Yeah why wouldn't it be?" His eyes are curious.
I shrug. "You just seem different," I say and he lets out a breath.
"Just working through some stuff." He doesn't elaborate. The fear of him running if I push the issue is big enough to only ask, "Are we good?"
He stops walking and turns me to him. He bends his head down to meet my lips with his. I see the truth in his eyes. "Yeah, sweet girl, we are more than good." When we get back to my place, Grayson shows me how good we really are.
I still don't know Grayson's story. I haven’t let go of hope that someday he will open up to me. His hazel eyes say more than his words. His struggle is still deep; however, the progress he’s made gives me a feeling of content…for now.
It's been two days since group and I’m sitting between Grayson and Trevor at the town meeting. So many people came out to support the new community center, I was floored. I think businesses even shut down for this meeting. The rest of the Davis clan is in the row behind us, as a show of support for both me and his brother.
I look up to the front of the room at George Sanders. He is nothing like I expected. I almost expected a Bill Clinton looking type and he is the complete opposite of that. He is short and round with wire rimmed glasses and a bad comb over that does a piss poor job at hiding his bald spot. He’s wearing a suit that should exude power but it just makes him look like a douche.
As he drones on about power lines and the new electronic ticket booths at the train station, I start to get nervous. My leg starts bouncing. I am incessantly rubbing my hands on my jeans to get rid of the sweat pooling on my palms. Gray's hand comes up underneath my hair and starts rubbing my back.
He leans in and whispers, “Relax baby, it's going to be fine."
The feel of his fingers digging into my neck is both relieving and a turn on. Grayson could give me a wet willy and I’d want to jump his bones. His touch, no matter how soft or how hard it is, does crazy things to me. Great. Now I open and close my thighs trying to get rid of the uncomfortableness.
He chuckles. "Stop," he commands in a whisper. "You’re making my cock so hard thinking about what's causing you to do that with your legs."
My mouth goes slack and my cheeks heat. I’m grateful that George starts talking about the counselling center and losing the funding. He goes on to say how he wants to sell it to a developer and make this a resort town and people start to flip the fuck out. There is yelling over yelling. People love the small town feel and they don't want to lose it.
The thing I love about this town is that everyone knows everyone, but not everyone is up each other’s ass. Of course, there is the knitting club, which consists of three older women who are the town gossips, but that's about it.
Finally, everyone settles down and Trevor takes the podium. He explains the plans for the new Community Center and explains about an anonymous buyer.
George tries to cut him off. "All the hoodlums from neighboring areas are going to invade our town and you will all be robbed."
"Isn't that a bit presumptuous?" Trevor stands his ground.
They start arguing about money when Trevor brings up the offer on the table from me. The anonymous buyer. I don't want anyone to know, not even Grayson. The people in the meeting gasp and start yelling again. This is one passionate group of people.
He asks if anyone has any concerns about the Community Center and no one raises their hands. This guy thought that he would have people backing him but, once the purchase price was announced, no one said anything.
"I don’t get you people!" he yells
"Last meeting, everyone was all for shutting this place down. The building is a goddamned eye sore and the property could have so much more value if it was a resort and bring in so many more jobs than the measly twenty the new Community Center can."
I can't hold back anymore. I raise my hand; he narrows his eyes at me and nods. I stand.
"Hey, everyone. I just wanted to say something. I moved here for the small town feel of this place. A place where I could exist without being hounded and without being judged. I haven't felt so much at home as I do here in such a long time. I feel like if a resort would go up, it would take away from what I and so many others love about this place." I get cut off
"Just because no one said it to your face, doesn't mean we don’t think you are somewhat responsible for the incident involving your husband," he spits out and my eyes immediately start to glass over.
"Watch it, asshole." Grayson stands up. His presence is commanding and all together scary.
"Oh, here we go." Sanders rolls his eyes. "The town hot head everybody. Looks like he's shacked up with the black widow. Good pairing."
“And to think, a sweet girl like Allyson came from that,” I hear Carson mutter
Before anyone can say anything else, Grayson lunges at Sanders, grabbing him by the throat.
"You leave her the fuck o
ut of this. She had nothing to do with it. I know it and the whole fucking town knows it. I suggest you call this to a vote right now and shut this shit down." My hand is over my mouth as I watch Camden approach Grayson and Sanders.
My first thought is Fuck. He did this in front of his cop brother. He’s going to get arrested. Camden places his arm on Gray and looks at me.
"Enough, Grayson. Look at your girl." Gray lets go of George and turns to me. I’m crying and didn't even realize it. It takes two long strides for him to get to me and wrap me up on his arms.
"Don't listen to him, sweet girl. No one thinks like that. He’s just pissed he isn't getting his way." I nod into his chest, letting his warmth comfort me as I hear Sanders call it to a vote. I pull back and watch, the anticipation causing my heart to pound out of my chest.
"All in favor of the town selling the land and building for a new Community Center raise your hands." Both mine and Grayson’s hands shoot up. I look around the room to see almost every single hand raised.
"All those opposed," Sanders says and only two out of maybe fifty go up and I jump into Grayson’s arms. He wraps me in a tight hug.
“See, sweet girl? I told you everything would be ok."
There is a hesitation in his voice and I can't help but wonder if he means just the Community Center or everything else, too.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
It's been three weeks since the town meeting and everything has been going great. So great that I fear that it’s only a matter of time before the other shoe drops. Skylar is fucking amazing. I never thought I would ever feel anything for anyone, let alone accept the way they feel about me. Everyone in my life has accepted her with open arms and she has even spent time with Maddie and Amber.
I look back, wondering why I thought I was so bad at relationships when I seem to be doing pretty good with this one, at least according to my girl and my siblings. We spend as much time together as we can between both of our jobs, and now Skylar is wrapped up in helping Trevor with the center. She’s taking on a pretty big role and I can't help but feel that she is keeping something from me but I don't stress it. I still haven't told her about Lainey and Jack even though everything within me is telling me if I did, it wouldn't break us, but I still don't trust my gut.
The highlight of my day is seeing Skylar. I have ended almost every day wrapped up in her or her legs wrapped around me. Both me and my cock are happy as pigs in shit. I still haven't spent the night with her. I know it makes me a dick but I just can’t. I am so afraid of giving her that last piece of me. The piece that says: Here, see my heart and everything that goes along with it? It's yours. Nope. Can’t do it. Not because I don't want to, but because I am not whole.
She deserves someone with a whole heart to give. I don't have that and I don't know if I ever will. I know I am falling for her and hard. It's still scary as fuck. She has so much power over me it's like she's another drug. If I am not with her, I’m always thinking about her. The times I don’t get my fill of her, I am a moody bastard.
I haven't had a drink or taken any substance for almost thirty days and I’d be lying if I said I don't think about it. The obsession to numb myself with something mood and mind altering is diminishing as my obsession for her gets stronger.
I’ve been going to meetings every day, and Kevin informed me that he would be my sponsor. I have to call him every day. It's weird to call a dude, but he has been a huge help except for where Skylar is concerned. He keeps telling me I’m substituting her for the drugs and that if I want to maintain a healthy relationship with her, I need to find a balance. My life can’t be consumed by her. Bullshit. I like that my life is about her. When I think about her, I don't think about what a fuck up I was. Or am. I don't even know anymore. I like myself better when my mind is clear but I feel like a huge pussy. I’m not a feely kind of guy, and Skylar makes me feel. Our relationship is intense and the pull I feel towards her only gets stronger as the days go by.
Group has been going well, too. I haven't seen Luke anywhere near Kristy, so that's good, and Frankie has been keeping his distance which is a huge plus. I have gone to the bar a few times to fill in for Cam or to see my brothers play and I have to say, I have no idea what these people in the meetings are talking about. I heard people share about how uncomfortable they are being around alcohol and all that bullshit, but I’ve been fine every time I’ve gone.
Granted, it was with Skylar and there was one incident where some fucking douche canoe wouldn't stop fucking her with his eyes in front of me, which caused what Skylar refers as my "caveman tendencies" to come out, but what can I say? She’s mine and these fuckers need to know that they don't even look at what’s mine. I showed her how caveman I could be when I threw her over my shoulder, took her home, and fucked the shit out of her. She is now a fan of my inner Neanderthal.
I’m about to head to the shop when my phone rings and I see it is Landon.
'What's up Landon?" I answer as I grab the keys to my truck.
"Listen, can you cover for me for the next day or two?"
"Yeah, sure, what's up?"
"I have to run down to DC. Something is going on with an Army buddy of mine." He sounds pained.
"Ok, no problem."
"I moved some of the bigger stuff around and Martin is cool with you doing the addition to his sleeve. He’ll be in at eleven," he instructs.
"No worries, man. I got it covered. Go take care of shit."
"Thanks bro."
I stop at Beans on my way to the shop to grab a coffee and let Sky know I have to close up the shop tonight but that I’ll come by around ten thirty. She greets me with a kiss and a smile and doesn't bitch when I tell her the change of plans.
Allyson is already there when I get there and a walk in is waiting. A young college aged girl, with big tits and shorts so short I can almost see her pussy lips, wants a butterfly. I try not to roll my eyes at her when she tells me what she wants. She tries to flirt with me as we stand by the front desk but I am strictly business. She huffs when she goes to place her hand on my arm after I bring the butterfly catalog out for her to look at, shaking her off.
"Give it a rest. He's very taken," Allyson snaps.
The hormones are making her a bit bitchy and though I should say something, I don't. I appreciate her doing the dirty work for me.
"Aren't you a little young for him?" The girl narrows her eyes and Allyson erupts in a fit of laughter.
"What’s so funny?" The girl is agitated and I am trying so hard to hold my laughter.
"He’s like my big brother. Just even thinking about him in that way cracks me up," Allyson says through her laughter.
"So, you are single?" This girl's eyes, or what I can see of them behind the globs of thick black makeup, light up and I shake my head
"No, I’m not single. My personal life is none of your business. If you want a tattoo, I’m your guy. Anything else, sorry, but I can't help you."
She huffs and says, "I want the tattoo."
“Go with that one." I point to one in the book.
I don't even see what the fuck I am pointing to and she says, "Ooh, that's pretty."
"Perfect."
Allyson does the paperwork while I make the stencil. I have this chick out of my chair in forty minutes. She gives me a nice tip and when I unwad the bills, I see her phone number is in there. I roll my eyes and toss the paper to Allyson who laughs again, throwing it in the trash.
Martin comes in and we do the addition to his sleeve. The music is pumping, the tattoo machine is buzzing, and I’m in my element. The feeling I get when I’m marking someone with my art is one of pride and astonishment. People want me or my brother to give them something that will stay on their skin long after they leave this world.
It's now seven and I am sending Allyson home. Just one more appointment and then I can close shop. It's been a decent day. Just enough time to smoke a few cigarettes and scarf down a muffin. I’m starving. Looks like I may be out of here soo
ner. I pick up my phone and call Skylar.
"Hey, sweet girl, what's for dinner?" I say right after she says hello.
"Me?" God that giggle.
"Nah, baby, you’re my dessert," I tease.
"Only if you can be mine, too." The thought of her mouth wrapped around my dick has me ramrod straight.
"I think that could be arranged. You know my favorite number is sixty-nine."
She laughs.
"I’m being serious."
"I know you are.” I can hear the smile in her voice.
“I have one more appointment then I can cut out of here," I say.
"What is it?" I look at the book and tense when I see the name.
"It's a memorial tattoo for that dipshit Frankie." I clench my teeth while she whistles.
"I don't want your brother to call me to bail you out of jail." Her statement is serious.
"You won't have to. I promise."
"Ok. Steak," she says.
"Steak?"
"Yeah, I’m marinating steaks. I can wait until you get here and we can put them on the grill."
"You’re the best."
"I know."
I laugh. "Alright, sweet girl, I’ll text you when I am on my way."
"Can't wait for dessert." She laughs, hanging up.
Frankie waltzes into my shop grimier than ever. "What's up, Davis? No one has seen you around. Too busy with that sweet pussy of yours?" he chides and I grit my teeth.
"Don't start with me Frank." My fists ball up and it is taking every ounce of restraint not to punch him in the fucking face.
He laughs. "Just messing with you."
I start walking to my station and he follows. "Seriously though, where have you been?"
“Around. What are we doing?"
"Nino died last week.”
"Sorry to hear that."
"Don't be. My cousin was as dumb as a bunch of rocks. Trusted the wrong people,” he says and I nod.
