by Paige Powers
“Hey, honey.”
I smiled. “How’d you sleep?”
She grinned. “Great! Like a baby.”
I laughed and kissed her cheek. She went into the bathroom as I went downstairs. Jack was still looking at the paper but not really reading it.
“Hey,” I said quietly as I came downstairs. Jack looked up, his eyes surprised but sweet. “So, why are you here?” I asked as nicely as possible. He shook his head with a smile. Dad cleared his throat and looked at me.
“Oh, I didn’t hear you,” he said.
I rolled my eyes. “You never do.”
He shrugged.
“You look nice,” he said and I smiled a little at him.
“Thanks.” I looked back at Jack.
“Um, do you want to hang out today?” he asked, a little unsure.
I frowned slightly.
“With Kendra and Grant?”
“No.”
“With Candice and Tommy?”
He stood up, laughing a little.
“No. Just you and me.” He paused and looked into my eyes. “Only if you want!” he said quickly. I smiled and bit at my lip.
“Sure.” I said shrugging but seriously I was more tickled than anything. He smiled.
“Cool. I want to show you some really great places.” I nodded.
“OK, hold on.” I looked over at dad. “Dad, can I go?” He sniffed and pulled down the paper from his face.
“Yeah, go ahead,” he said.
“Thanks!” I looked back at Jack. “One minute, let me go get my cell phone.” He nodded and laughed as I ran up the stairs. Mom was coming out of the bathroom looking like crap. “Gosh, Mom,” I said, surprised. She laughed.
“Sorry sweetie. Just a small hang-over.” I laughed.
“OK well you can go back to sleep in my room if you like.” She nodded.
“I might. Where are you going?” she asked. I ran into my room as she came in. I slipped on my shoes and grabbed my cell phone.
“Jack and I are going out. Call if you need me.” She nodded and fell down onto my bed with a groan.
“Is your father still here?” she asked.
“Yep!”
She groaned again. I laughed, running down the stairs.
“Ready,” I said, as Jack put on his jacket. He smiled.
“Great! Let’s go, then.”
Chapter 20
We got into his car and turned the heat up but it blew freezing air out.
“Sorry,” Jack said as we drove.
“It’s okay. I’m used to it.” He nodded. He turned the music up a little. “You can change it if you want,” he said casually. I smiled. I turned it to rock and left it low. I looked out the window as we passed the city. I frowned.
“Where are we going?” I asked. He smiled at me.
“It’s a surprise.” I gave him a questionable smile but nodded.
We came into a small town. The houses were a little shabby but everything looked small compared to the big city. “Where are we?” I asked. He looked out and in front of us was a little chapel then beside it was a small theater.
“This is Fairfield.”
I looked around.
“Are we still in New York?” I asked. He laughed.
“Yeah we are. I used to live here.” I looked over at him, stunned.
“How long did we drive for?” He looked at the clock.
“Two hours.”
“Wow. I didn’t realize,” I said.
“I want to take you to the Diner.” We pulled into a small diner that had an old sign outside saying “Lisa’s Diner” that flickered every once in a while. The place looked like a trailer. It was silver and pink. Jack got out and stretched. I got out to look around. There were about 5 cars plus ours in the lot and people walked out even in the cold.
“This town is so small!” I said, surprised. Jack laughed and came over to me.
“It might be small but the hamburgers are the best!” We walked into the diner and people smiled and waved at us.
“Jack!” An older lady in her 30s behind the bar skated to us.
“Bonnie, hey,” Jack said with a smile.
“Wow! You’re looking so grown up! I hardly recognized you! But you look so much like your mother.” She had bright red hair with red lipstick. She looked at me and grinned at Jack. “And who is this little girl?” she asked putting her hands on her hips. Jack blushed a little.
“This is Lidia...my girlfriend.” Now I blushed.
“Well hello Lidia!” she put out her hand and I shook it.
“Nice to meet you,” I said kindly. She sighed.
“I’m glad you’re back to visit us. Now do you guys want something to eat?”
Jack nodded. “Of course. Does Bob have those hamburgers hot?”
Bonnie grinned.
“Well, yes, he does. You guys can go take a seat over there at the booth and I’ll be over to get you something to eat.” We nodded. Jack and I walked to the booth in the corner and sat down. Everything looked like it had come out of the 60s. It was amazing. I sat across from Jack and looked around.
“This is so cool!” I said, excited. He laughed quietly.
“Yeah, my mom and I would come here every week and get hamburgers and milk shakes.” He looked down. “I miss it.” I smiled at him.
“When was the last time you were here?” I asked.
“Um,” he pondered. “It’s been about a year..maybe a little longer. I don’t remember.” I nodded slowly. His hands were folded together on the table in front of us. He was looking down at them. I reached across and my fingers touched his hand softly. He looked up at me and I smiled a sweet and caring smile; the kind I would give Grant when he was sad. But somehow this was more important. He moved his hand and clasped it around mine softly. We looked at each other and I rubbed my thumb over his fingers. Jack’s eyes were a blue that was so different and I liked it more then I should.
“Okay, so what can I get you dolls?” We both jumped and separated our hands. She didn’t see. Jack cleared his throat.
“Um, two hamburgers and two chocolate shakes.” My mouth dropped a little and I glared at him. “OK, coming up!” Bonnie left with a smile.
“Oh, honey, I just love it when you take control like that!” I said in an annoying Barbie voice. He smirked. “You know I can talk.” He laughed.
“Yeah probably too much.” I gasped. He laughed again.
“Seriously, though. Trust me when I tell you that this is the best stuff!”
I narrowed my eyes at him.
“Fine.”
“This is good!” I sipped my milkshake, smiling. Jack laughed.
“Told you so.” I shrugged and drank the rest of it. I sighed and sat back, holding my stomach. “Ugh I feel like I gained 20 pounds.” Jack laughed and sat back too placing his hand on his stomach.
“Me, too.” He burped and I laughed.
“How was it?” Bonnie asked picking up our empty cups and plates.
“Great!” I said. She smiled.
“Well great! I’m glad you both enjoyed it!” She skated back with our empty plates.
“I would trip and kill myself if I was her,” I said watching her disappear behind the counter. Jack laughed.
“She’s been working here for as long as I can remember. She’s used to it.” I smiled.
“So is this all you brought me here for?” I asked looking at him. He grinned.
“Nope. Come on.” He stood up and we gave our money to Bonnie.
“You come back here again, Jack, and don’t let it be so long.” Jack smiled.
“OK, good seeing you, Bonnie.” He waved as we headed out the door.
“Oh and you bring Ms. Lidia back too!” I laughed and Jack nodded. I kicked my feet at the dusty ground as I walked around to the car.
“So where next, Boss?” I asked. He laughed.
“Well, we’ll have to see.
I’m pretty sure we’ll be okay but...” I raised an eyebrow at him.
“But what?” He shrugged and grinned.
Chapter 21
We drove on the outskirts of town on the small roads. I watched closely and saw that most of the leaves were off the trees. I shivered and Jack cranked up the heat. We slowed down as we came around a corner. On the right side of the road was a light green house with a long room on the left side. “There it is,” he said. I looked curiously.
“What? It’s a house. We could have seen that anywhere.”
He rolled his eyes.
“It’s not the house, it’s that room on the end.” I looked down and saw windows surrounding it. “So? It’s a room.”
He snorted.
“Just wait.” He went back an alley down the road from the house and got out.
“What are we doing?” I asked. He smiled.
“Get out and I’ll show you,” I got out and covered myself from the cold wind. “This way,” he said as we went through a field. “Dunk,” he whispered as he crouched a little lower.
“What the hell are we doing?” I whispered in a yell. He laughed.
“You’ll see.” We made it across the lawn and over to the green house’s yard. We hid behind a tree. Jack looked out at the lot but there were no cars there. He grinned. “Good. No one’s home.”
“What?” I asked. He grabbed my hand and we ran across behind the long side of the house. A small window was creaked open with a little pebble. Jack let my hand go and put his fingers up through the window and then opened it. “Jack!” I yelled.
“Shhh!” he yelled back.
“What are you doing?” I whispered. He grinned at me.
“We’re going for a swim.” My mouth fell and he laughed and opened up the window.
“But this is illegal! Sneaking into people’s houses!” He laughed again and jumped in through the window. “Jack!” I yelled. I looked in and saw the nice deep dark blue pool. I raised an eyebrow. Jack stood at the bottom smiling like the fool he was. “Oh no!” I said shaking my head and stepping back. Jack laughed.
“Come on!”
I shook my head again. “We’re trespassing!” I yelled.
He snorted. “I sort of know these people. I did this all the time! They won’t even know.”
“You’re an idiot!”
He chuckled and it echoed through the room. There was a hot tub in the corner. I shivered.
“Lidia,” Jack said drawing my attention. His blue eyes gleamed below me. “For once in your life, do something that surprises people.” The words took me aback but they were kind. His lips had a little smile on them. I didn’t know what to say. I had never done anything like this before. But does it matter? I mean come on! I think this would be fun. Plus, I was freezing.
“Fine!” I said and sat down then jumped to the ground. He laughed quietly and lowered me down. He stepped back and I felt the heat of the water breeze on me and smiled.
“So I hope you don’t mind,” he started as he pulled off his jacket. I raised an eyebrow. “But I didn’t bring my trunks.” He pulled off his long sleeved shirt exposing his nice chest. He smirked at me while kicking off his shoes then his socks.
“Wait, what?” I asked. He smiled as I stared at his chest.
“I’m getting in. I don’t know about you.” He went over to the edge and dove in, disappearing for a while and then coming back up. He shook his head and smiled. “Man, this is warm!”
“But I don’t have a bathing suit! I can’t get in!” I yelled frantically. He grinned.
“Well then I guess you can’t get in, then, can you?”
I glared.
“I will get in.” I took off my jacket then my shoes and socks. I hesitated for a moment.
“Oh what? The Princess is afraid?” Jack mocked, laughing. I turned to him and smiled devilishly.
“Actually, no.” With that, I pulled off my shirt and threw it to the ground. His eyes got a little wide. I smirked and yanked off my belt. “How’s the Princess now?” I asked, standing in front of him with my baggy jeans and bright red bra. His eyes were still wide but he smirked. I ran along the side of the pool then dove in the deeper area. The water felt so good on my cold skin. It made me tingle. I came back up, took a deep breath and laughed. Jack smiled at me from across the pool. “Wow! It feels so good!” I said and laughed. He did, too. I went back under and touched the bottom then saw Jack’s leg and grabbed one. He yelled and I laughed as I came back up.
“I so scared you!”
He shook his head. “Did not!”
I laughed and held onto the edge. Jack looked at me and I smiled.
“Happy?” I asked. He frowned for a moment.
“Mm?”
“I did something I normally wouldn’t do.”
He nodded and smiled.
“Yeah.” I dunked down and let the heat warm my body again. That hot tub in the corner looks really good right now.
“So where are the people that own this?”
He smirked.
“Some rich family bought this a couple years ago after the other man died. I would animal-sit for the man who used to live here and I would swim after taking his old dog out. After he died a couple years later his house went up for sale. But now the family barely comes around here anymore. Only in the summer. So I come every once in a while to swim.” I shook my head.
“Only you.” He grinned.
“And no one is ever out here, so they won’t see us.”
I nodded.
“It’s cool,” I said, looking around. “So do you take all your fake girlfriends out here?” I asked with a laugh. He looked at me, laughed and then swam over to me. He was two inches away from me and stopped, looking into my eyes.
“No, you’re the first,” he answered quietly. I swallowed, staring at him and then at his lips. I wanted to taste them again. The urge was fierce but I couldn’t give in.
“Um,” I thought. “Let’s go get in the hot tub,” I said and lifted myself out. My pants hung down and I laughed, as did Jack. I got out and water dripped all over me. My pants were heavy. I pulled them up a little. Jack jumped out and laughed.
“Nice red polka-dot underwear, Taylor.” He said, laughing. I rolled my eyes and blushed a little. “Oh! Is Lidia Taylor really blushing?” he mocked. I laughed.
“Maybe!” I said. He grinned.
“Don’t worry I won’t tell the cheerleading team,” he whispered.
“Brat!” I yelled laughingly. He giggled and I pushed him back into the pool. I laughed and ran to the hot tub. My feet slid a little as I ran but something quickly grabbed me.
“Jack!” I yelled. He laughed. He started backwards my feet slipping.
“Baby you’re going in!” he said. I laughed then turned and grabbed onto him.
“Not without you!” He laughed as we slipped over the edge and fell in together. I let go of him as we hit the water and rushed to the top spitting out water and laughing. Jack came up laughing, too. We looked at each other and just kept laughing.
“Come on, Romeo! I’m freezing!” I climbed out again and Jack slapped my butt. I swatted at his hand laughing. I sat down on the edge of the tub and let my feet in. It burned!
“Is it hot?” Jack asked. There was a control on the side and he turned it on. Jets mixed the water up and I slowly slid my body into the water, wincing slightly.
“Oh man, it’s hot!” I said and giggled. He laughed and got in next to me. The water came up to my waist and I stood in the middle.
“Wow!” Jack said his bare chest heaving up and down. It was so nice! Not the water. His chest. It was a little tanned with tiny freckles on it. I looked down at myself and saw I really was just in my red bra and pants. I felt suddenly self-conscious about my body. I wasn’t the skinniest, but I wasn’t the biggest. “Ooh!” he said, wincing. I laughed. He looked at me and we both froze. I felt like he was looking into me, feeling t
hat I was a little uncomfortable. He sat down on the seat and I did the same slowly. It was silent for a while.
“Why do you like Grant?” Jack asked suddenly. I frowned.
“Um,” I thought for a moment. “I’m not sure.” I admitted. “I guess it’s because he’s….” Why couldn’t I think of anything? This is nuts! I thought I loved Grant. But to tell you the truth he had no personality. For some reason he agreed with everyone and didn’t stand for what he believed in. Jack waited. “I don’t know. For once I’m not sure.” Jack nodded slowly looking away. It was quiet. Then Jack looked at me, stood up then came to stand in front of me, grinning.
“Well, you’re probably glad you got a fake boyfriend like me!” he said pointing to himself. I rolled my eyes. He crouched down and grabbed my legs. I jumped and stared at him. He smiled. His hands rolled down my legs to my knees and grabbed me there. He picked me up and I reached for his neck. He sat back down and put my legs on either side of him. I gasped, a little surprised. He was still grinning. I didn’t want my hands on his bare shoulders but I didn’t know where to put them. He had his hands on my back, comfortably. He looked at me and I could feel his chest on my stomach but I didn’t want to think about it. The water made bubbles around us with a humming sound. “Lidia,” he said calmly. “Look at me.” I didn’t want to, but I did. Before we both even knew it, we were kissing. It was eager and passionate. We were holding each other tightly, my hands on his neck and his somewhere on my back. I couldn’t tell my head was dizzy. I only knew where his lips were and how they felt on me. He kissed down my neck and I gasped with the pleasure.
“Just for benefits?” I asked, my breath heavy. He nodded and came back up to my lips.
“No strings,” he whispered. I nodded too, and forced his lips back onto mine.
“No strings,” I repeated. I kissed down his jaw feeling a little stubble and his hands tightened on my back. I sucked on his neck then kissed up by his ear. He moaned a little. I came back to his mouth and crashed mine with his once again. It almost pained me because I was kissing him so hard. I felt it in my lower stomach. It hurt but it felt so good. I put my hands down onto his chest feeling him. His hands roamed my back and his fingers drifted under my bra. He was about to undo it. I didn’t know what my mind was telling me. The only thing I heard was. ‘Just do it. You know you like him more than a friend or fake boyfriend. Do what you want.’ That’s what it was telling me. And that’s all I wanted to do. No objections. Just go with it...just go--ACDC’s “Back in Black!” rang from across the room. We both jumped and looked over. It was Jack’s cell phone. It went off but I just looked at Jack and kissed his neck again.
