Scattered Pieces

by Allie Able

  “It's going to be okay, sweetheart. I want you to talk to me about whatever is bothering you, but you can take all of the time you need, to get your thoughts and feelings out. I'm not going anywhere. Okay?”

  She reaches her hand up and and traces my jaw with her fingertips. “Grant,” she whispers.

  She may have only said my name, but she is saying so much in just that one word. I bend my head and kiss up her neck to her mouth. I kiss her deeply, trying to show her how much I care about her. She wraps her legs around my back and grinds herself into my hardness. I move hands under her and unclasp her bra. I pull back enough to free it from her body, before bending down and sucking her nipples into my mouth. She moans and grabs my hair in her hands, urging me on. I kiss down her stomach and over her panties, until she is writhing beneath me. I move her panties to the side and lick up her center, tasting her sweetness on my tongue. She cries out and lifts her hips off of the bed, trying to get closer to my mouth. I raise up on my knees and she lets out a sound of protest.

  “Shh. Hold on, sweetheart,” I soothe her, as I remove her panties and my boxers.

  I bend back down and put her legs over my shoulders. I watch my hand as I run my thumb through her wetness and up to her clit.

  “Please,” she groans. I look up at her face and see that she is staring down at me, with lust filled eyes.

  “Do you want my mouth on you, beautiful?” I ask, with a smirk.

  She nods her head quickly. “Yes, please,” she moans.

  I move my thumb and put my mouth on her clit, pushing two fingers inside of her. It's not long before she is coming all over my hand and chanting my name. I feel like I'm about to explode, as I remove my fingers from inside of her and lick all of her juices off of them. I wipe my mouth on her inner thigh and quickly grab the condom. Summer is still trying to catch her breathe, as she watches me roll the condom on and give myself a few strokes.

  “Your pussy taste so good, sweetheart. This may be over fast,” I warn her as I line myself up at her opening. I rest hands beside her head and bend down to kiss her, letting her taste herself on my tongue. She runs her hands up my sides and around my back. I slowly sink inside of her, trying to let her body adjust to my size.

  “More,” she says against my mouth, while wrapping her legs around my back, making me slip deeper inside of her.

  “Fuck,” I moan, pulling my hips back, until just the head is inside of her and then pushing all the way back in.

  My arms start to shake from trying to hold back. I kiss down Summer's neck, to her breasts and suck her nipple into my mouth. I look up at her and her head is thrown back, indicating that she is close. I move one hand between her legs, to rub her clit and it only takes a few more strokes, before she is coming, again. I bury my face in her neck and come so hard that my legs go numb. I lay on top of her, but try to keep most of my weight off of her, while she runs her hands up and down my back.

  After we have both caught our breath, I roll off of her and remove the condom. I tie it off and toss it into the trash can by my bed. I pull Summer over to me, wrapping my arms around her and she rests her head on my chest. I want to tell her that I'm falling in love with her, but I don't think she is ready to hear that yet, so instead I pull her closer to me and kiss her forehead.

  “Goodnight, sweetheart,” I say quietly.

  She gives a contented sigh and rubs her hand down my chest. “Goodnight, Grant,” she whispers.

  It's doesn't take long before her breathing evens out and her body relaxes deeper into mine.

  Chapter Thirty

  Summer

  I PULL THE BANANA WALNUT cupcakes out of the pan and put them on the cooling wrack. I took a few of these to Grants house the other night and he loved them, so I decided I would make more to take to his parents house tonight. I look at my watch and see that I have about an hour before Grant picks me up. While the cupcakes are cooling, I walk to the bathroom, to freshen up my make-up.

  I still haven't talked to Grant about the letter I received from the Tennessee Department of Corrections notifying me that Ryan would be released from prison in 30 days. The letter had been mailed to my Aunts house two weeks ago and she forwarded it to me, which means that in less than two weeks he will be out. I don't want to think about what he might do, I can only hope that he realizes what he did to me was wrong and moves on with his life, but somehow I know it's not going to be that easy.

  When I come out of the bathroom, I make my way back to the kitchen. Jenna is still up front, but Lexie is sitting at one of the stools, eyeing the cupcakes I just took out of the oven. I laugh as I look at her.

  “Do you want one? I made them to take to Grant's parent's house, but I made too many.”

  She smiles and nods her head, “They look delicious.”

  I take one off of the cooling rack and start icing it, with a cream cheese frosting, before passing it over to her.

  “Are you nervous about tonight?” she asks, before taking a bite.

  I worry my bottom lip between my teeth and nod my head. “Yeah, I am. I never really got along with Ryan's parents. I don't know why they hated me so much, but I really want Grant's parents to like me.”

  Lexie looks at me like I'm crazy and shakes her head. “Summer I have no clue what stick Ryan's parents had up their asses, but it is impossible not to like you,” she assures me.

  I shrug my shoulders, as I begin icing the other cupcakes.

  She reaches her hand out and lays it over mine, making me look back up at her. “Just be yourself, honey. They are going to love you,” she says quietly.

  * * *

  I keep repeating Lexie's words, in my head, as we pull into Grant's parents driveway, but they do little to calm my nerves. My heart is beating so fast, I'm surprised Grant can't hear it. He puts his truck in park and turns to look at me. He takes in the expression on my face and starts to laugh.

  “Sweetheart, why are you so nervous?” he asks in amusement.

  “I'm about to meet your family, Grant!” I exclaim, a little hysterically.

  My outburst only makes his smile grow wider, until his dimples are popping out. He leans over the center console and places his lips against mine. “They are going to love you, beautiful. Stop worrying,” he whispers, against my lips.

  “You can't just tell me to stop worrying and I suddenly relax,” I grumble.

  He chuckles and I can feel it against my lips. His hand, that is resting on my lower back, pulls me closer to him, and he deepens the kiss.

  He must feel my body starting to relax, because he pulls away and looks down at me. “Better?” he asks.

  I nod my head and smile, “You have magical kisses.”

  He tips his head back and laughs. My insides feel warm and squishy when I make him laugh like that, but being able to watch him do it up close, makes me want to climb over the console of his truck and trace his exposed neck with my tongue.

  “You are so damn cute,” he says, when his laughter quiets down. “Come on. Let's get inside so my parents can meet you, before I decide to hell with it and just take you back to my house,” he says, with a wink, before getting out of the truck and making his way to my door.

  He takes my hand, that's not holding the cupcake box, as we walk up the steps. His parents home is warm and inviting and whatever his mom is cooking smells delicious.

  “We're here,” he announces ,as we walk towards the back of the house.

  We enter the kitchen and I see an older woman, who I'm assuming is his mother, standing at the stove. I also see a beautiful younger woman sitting, at the island, chopping vegetables. They both stop what they are doing and stare at us, with wide smiles on their faces. His mom makes her way over to us first and Grant lets go of my hand to give her a hug.

  When they pull back Grant looks over at me. “Mom, this is Summer Foster. Summer, this is my mother Jill Hamilton,” Grant says, gesturing between us.

  “It's nice to meet you Mrs. Hamilton,” I say, with a smile. />
  I have to quickly move the cupcake box out of the way, as she pulls me into a hug. She pulls back just enough to take my face in her hands, like my mother use to do, and I have to fight back tears, at the familiar feeling.

  “Please call me Jill. You are the prettiest thing I think I have ever seen.”

  My face heats at her compliment, but before I can say thank you, the other woman steps up next to us.

  “You're embarrassing her mom.”

  Jill lets go of me and turns to the other woman. “I am not. I was just telling her the truth.”

  The other woman smiles warmly at me and extends her hand. “Hey, Summer. I'm Ellie, Grant's sister.”

  I smile and shake her hand. “It's nice to meet you Ellie.”

  She looks a lot like Grant, with her dark hair and blue eyes, and I immediately like her.

  I turn back to Grant's mom and extend the cupcake box. “I hope you don't mind, but I brought dessert.”

  Her smile gets wider as she takes the box from me. “Oh, Lord! I just love your cupcakes, Summer. I have sent Jason, up to your bakery, more times than I can count, since you opened,” she says, moving towards the kitchen counter and setting the box down.

  “Thank you,” I respond, as Grant puts his arm around my waist and pulls me closer to him.

  “Where is dad?” he asks.

  “I think him and Parker are out back,” Ellie replies, as she sits down and starts cutting the vegetables.

  “Why don't you take Summer outside to meet them Grant? Dinner should be ready soon,” Jill says.

  Grant nods his head and leads me towards a set of french doors in the kitchen. We walk outside to a large deck and I see two men sitting down in rocking chairs on the far end. They both look up at us, when they hear the door open. The older man stands up and smiles.

  “Hey, son.” He reaches out and shakes Grants hand, before turning his attention to me.

  Grant gives my waist a comforting squeeze. “Dad this is Summer Foster. Summer this is my Dad, Jason Hamilton,” he says.

  “I know who Summer is. Your mother makes me go up to her bakery, at least twice a week,” he says with a chuckle, “but it's nice to officially meet you. Call me Jason.” He reaches out to shake my hand.

  “It's nice to meet you, Jason,” I say, with a smile.

  The other man stands up and walks towards us. He looks like a younger version of Jason and Grant. “This is my brother Parker,” Grant says, as Parker reaches out to shake my hand, as well.

  “It's nice to meet you, Summer,” he says, with an easy smile.

  “It's nice to meet you too, Parker,” I respond.

  Grant leads me over to the swing and I sit down. “Do you want a glass of wine, sweetheart?” Grant asks.

  I nod my head a little too quickly and he starts to chuckle.

  “Okay. I'll be right back.” He gives his brother a stern look, that makes Parker laugh, before walking inside.

  I always thought it was funny how siblings could have an entire conversation with just one look. I never knew what that was like, since I'm an only child, and I wonder what Grant just told Parker.

  I look out over the large backyard, trying to picture what it might have been like for Grant to grow up here. It is so beautiful and peaceful. Both of the men, sitting on the porch with me are quiet and I am horrible at making small talk, but the silence goes on for so long I finally get enough courage to turn and look at them. They are both smiling widely at me, making me feel even more uncomfortable.

  I hear the door open and I see Grant walk out with his bottle of beer and my wine. I breathe out a sigh of relief and I'm not sure if it's because of the wine or Grant. Maybe a mixture of both.

  “Ya'll quit looking at her like that. It's a little creepy and you're freaking her out,” Grants demands, as he hands me my wine and sits down beside me.

  “We can't help it. This is the first girl you have ever brought home. It's like an alien invasion or something,” Parker says, with a laugh.

  Grant shakes his head and leans down to kiss the top of my mine, and if possible Parker and Jason's smiles grow even wider.

  “Are you okay?” he asks quietly.

  I can't take my eyes off of the two men who are still staring at me, to answer him, so I just nod my head and take a big gulp of my wine.

  “Do you have any sisters?” Parker suddenly asks.

  “No,” I respond, confused.

  “Cousins?” he asks, and I shake my head still confused.

  “Parker,” Grant says, in a warning tone.

  Parker laughs and leans back in his chair.

  “Dinner's ready,” Ellie says, poking her head out of the back door.

  Parker and Jason both stand up and make their way towards the door, but Grant puts his hand on my leg preventing me from standing.

  Parker turns around, when he gets to the door and looks at us. “Yall coming?” he asks.

  “We'll be there in a second,” Grant replies.

  Parker smiles and winks at us, before shutting the door behind him.

  Grant shakes his head and looks at me. “I swear to God my family isn't insane. I don't know what the hell is wrong with them tonight,” he mumbles.

  I laugh and lay my hand over his, where it's resting on my thigh. “I'm new and like your brother said, you've never brought a girl home before. They just need time to get use to me.”

  He looks at me and sighs. “Just don't let them scare you off,” he demands.

  I shake my head and smile, “I'm not going anywhere.”

  That answer seems to appease him. He leans in and gives me a gentle closed mouth kiss, before standing and grabbing my hand. “Let's go have dinner.”

  * * *

  Dinner and dessert go smoothly and I'm happy to see that everyone liked my cupcakes. We are all sitting in the living room and I'm on my third glass of wine, while talking to Ellie, about her boutique, when Grants phone rings.

  He looks down at the screen and stands up. “Be right back,” he mumbles, distracted.

  I watch him as he disappears out of the living room.

  “Grant should bring you by sometime,” Ellie says, pulling me back to the conversation.

  I look over at her and smile. I really like her. She looks like a female version of Grant and acts a lot like Lexie. “I would love that. I need some new clothes, anyway,” I respond.

  The conversation moves onto what new shipments she is going to be getting in soon, but it's hard for me to pay attention. I'm worried about Grant. The only other time I have seen him with that look on his face is when I told him about Ryan.

  He comes back into the living room a short time later looking so mad I almost flinch, when his eyes meet mine.

  “Summer and I need to get going,” he says, to his parents, but doesn't look away from me.

  We say our goodbyes and I hug everyone, before we make our way towards his truck.

  “Is everything okay?” I ask, when we start backing out of the driveway.

  “We'll talk when we get to my house,” he responds.

  His voice sounds so angry. I try to think of what I could have done, but come up empty.

  “Okay,” I say quietly, as I stare out the passenger window.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Grant

  ON THE WAY TO MY house, I do everything I can to try and control my anger, but the phone call I just got from Connor is still too fresh. I want to yell and ask Summer why in the hell she didn't tell me Ryan was being released from prison early, but at the same time I want to wrap her in a protective bubble, because I know this has to be hard for her. Does she think I don't want to know these things? Hell, does she think I don't NEED to know. How else am I suppose to keep her safe if she doesn't tell me important things like this. Her ex-husband is certifiably insane and I know he isn't just going to let her go. He is going to come looking for her. I don't know if it's going to be next week or next year, but he is going to try and find her.

  When we
pull into my driveway, I cut the truck off and make my way towards the front door. I have never left Summer sitting in the truck, without opening her door and part of me feels guilty, but the other part of me is just too damn mad to care right now.

  I toss my keys into the bowl, by the front door and walk towards the kitchen, to get a beer out of the refrigerator. I'm opening the bottle when Summer walks into the kitchen.

  “Do you want me to go home?” she asks quietly, while looking down at the floor.

  “No, I don't want you to go home. I want you to fucking explain to me why you didn't tell me your ex-husband is getting out of prison.”

  She flinches at my harsh tone, but continues to look down at the floor and shakes her head. “I don't know where you heard that, Grant, but I didn't want to drag you into this mess,” she whispers.

  “Summer, look at me,” I demand.

  She reluctantly raises her eyes to look at me and they look vacant. I know immediately that I have fucked up. I should have taken a few minutes, to calm down, and then talked to her. I'm scaring her and that is the last thing I wanted to do.

  She drops her eyes back to the floor, again. I set my bottle down and walk towards her. When I reach my hand out, to touch her cheek, she flinches and makes a whimpering noise. I drop my hand limply to my side, when I realize that she thought I was going to hit her.

  “Summer,” I whisper. My throat feels rough and my eyes are starting to burn, “Beautiful, no, I would never do that.”

  I see a tear drip down her cheek and that's my undoing. “Look at me, please,” I beg.