It was wide open. I filled my cup full, and took a sip when I heard Holly’s voice from behind me.
“Jack,” she said in a sultry, smooth voice.
It didn’t repel me like it normally would. Must have been all the booze. I felt her hand touch my back and move lower as she stepped in front of me.
“I’ve missed you baby.” She whispered into my ear.
I didn’t respond, because I knew I hadn’t missed her. Except maybe the way she touched me. I may have missed that a little.
She started to say more, so I tipped back the cup and finished it in one drink.
“You want to go someplace quiet?” She purred as she ran her hands along my chest.
It didn’t mean that I wanted to get back together. I just craved her touch. There were needs. I had needs.
She linked her finger through the belt loop of my jeans and tugged me forward. I was game. My mind was a bit fuzzy, but I knew what I was doing. I didn’t lead her on. I didn’t come on to her. But you can’t tell a sexy girl no. Not when her touch was so familiar. I was just getting her out of my system.
Fuck it.
Who cared anyway? I didn’t
I let her take me, in more ways than one.
21
Grace
“Okay, which one do you like?” Aunt Darcy held up two brightly colored cell phones.
“You really think it’s necessary?”
“YES!” Both Darcy and Kennedy said in unison.
Okay.
Both phones looked so expensive, but Aunt Darcy said not to worry. She was putting me on her plan.
“The red one.” I smiled and snatched the phone. I was actually really excited, but I didn’t want to show it. I didn’t want to feel like I was using my aunt, but she was so persistent. It was for my own safety.
“I knew you’d choose that one. You little rebel.” Kennedy said nudging my arm.
It was pretty. Red had become my favorite color. It matched my toes, and my lips.
“You have to show me how to use this thing.” I said to Kennedy as we walked up to the counter to purchase the phone. “And while we are here, take me to the makeup store. I want some red lipstick.” I was feeling a little rebellious, now that she’d mentioned it.
Kennedy started cheering inside the store like a crazy lady, and drawing all kinds of attention. It was hilarious. We were a perfect pair, the two of us.
“Oh, Mom and Dad are home tonight, and she’s making a big dinner. She asked if I wanted to invite you over to eat. What do you say? They are dying to meet you.”
“That sounds like fun.” Darcy chimed in.
It did. I hadn’t met her parents yet, because they were rarely home. I wanted to though. Kennedy always talked about them, and they seemed like such great people. Different from what I was used to. I couldn’t wait to meet them.
“Sounds great.” I said cheerfully.
For hours, Kennedy and I played on my new phone. She showed me all kinds of things. The camera was my favorite though. We must have taken a thousand photos. Some were goofy, and others were sweet. I never had a camera growing up. I think we may have taken family photos once my whole life, and only one single picture was hung up in our house. My Mom and Dad’s wedding photo sat on the mantle in the living room. That was it.
Kennedy drove us to her house just after five o’clock. When we walked inside, I got kind of nervous about seeing Jackson. We hadn’t spoken in a while, and I wasn’t sure I was ready to see his face. Those beautiful eyes, and that wicked grin, of course I wanted to see him. Who was I kidding? The stupid boy was crowding my brain more often than not. So much so that I hadn’t even paid attention to Mr. Black Sheep himself, that stood in the living room.
“Well if it isn’t Gracie.” Tucker called out from the living room as we were walking through. “You are even more beautiful today.” He winked.
I smiled back at him and shook my head. I don’t know how he did it. He had to be the most charming human being on the planet. “Thank you.” I replied.
“Shouldn’t you be home eating your own food Tuck?” Kennedy linked her arm through mine and pulled me into the kitchen. I waved over my shoulder at Tucker because I just couldn’t help myself. He was always so sweet to me, and despite what everyone said, I didn’t think he was a black sheep.
Resting against the island in the kitchen were Kennedy’s parents, both of them. They smiled big as we walked into the room. I instantly smiled back at their warm faces.
“Hey guys,” Kennedy spoke first. “This is Grace.” The two of them walked over to where we stood. “Grace these are my parents Nick and Claire.”
I knew what was coming, and I was prepared. Claire hugged me first. “It’s so nice to finally meet you.” She said. “Kennedy talks about you all the time. You are just as beautiful as she described.”
Wow. That was so sweet. “Thank you. It’s nice to meet you too. Thank you for having me for dinner.”
“Of course. You’re welcome to have dinner with us anytime you like.” Her smile stretched across her face. She looked nothing like what I’d pictured. Her long dark hair and wide set eyes were beautiful. I don’t think any of the kids looked like her. Except for maybe that smile, they all shared that warm smile.
“Come here sweetheart,” I slipped into Nick’s arms for a quick hug. Instantly I wondered if I’d ever get used to all the hugs. I had my doubts. He kept hold of my arms as he stepped back to take a look.
“Pretty isn’t she.” I heard Tucker’s voice, and flushed red.
“Don’t mind him. I’m glad you could join us. You make yourself at home okay?”
“Yes sir.” I replied.
“You call me Nick.” He nodded.
“Okay.”
There was something about the way that he said “home” that made me feel more comfortable. They really did have a home here. There were two nice parents who loved each other, and kids who adored them. My home wasn’t like this, at least not my old home. It was getting better everyday though.
“Supper is ready if you guys want to find a seat in the dining room.” Claire said as she kissed Kennedy on the cheek.
“Come on Gracie. You can sit beside me.” Tucker said as he pulled me through the kitchen.
Oh Joy!! I was guaranteed to spend the entire meal wearing a red face thanks to Tucker.
The table seated six people. Kennedy’s parents sit on each end. Tucker and I sat next to each other, and Kennedy was directly across from me. She and I both sat next to her mom. It didn’t go unnoticed that there was an empty seat.
“He’s on his way.” Tucker whispered in my ear.
I looked at him and quickly at my plate. He’d caught my eyes lingering on the empty chair. Talk about uncomfortable. I tried hard to act like what he said didn’t affect me, but it did. He was coming. Jackson would be there any minute.
“Stop worrying your pretty head.”
I looked back up at Tucker who was grinning.
“Are you psychic or something?” I asked him in a low voice.
“Nope. You are just so easy to read.”
“Shit!” Kennedy had said the same thing to me before. If they could read me so well, then so could Jackson. I must’ve looked like an idiot in front of them.
All eyes were on me. And it dawned on me, what I had said. I’d cussed, loudly, and in front of everyone at the table. If I weren’t embarrassed before then I was now. I slapped my hand over my mouth quickly, and started to apologize. I couldn’t believe that I’d done that. I was making a wonderful impression. I hadn’t even really cussed in front of Kennedy. Those words were usually left in my head where they belonged.
Tucker started to laugh, and everyone joined in. Even Claire and Nick couldn’t hold it together. Laughter filled the room. Once Kennedy joined in, I couldn’t help but laugh too. It really was funny. My father would have washed my mouth out with soap and would’ve beaten me to a pulp. But here they just laughed, and so did I.
“What’s so funny?” Jackson said as he locked eyes with me as he walked into the room. He was wearing a jersey, so he must have just gotten out of basketball practice. All the air in my lungs left swiftly. He had that effect on me.