Chapter Fourteen

 

If I had a flower for every time I thought of you...I could walk through my garden forever. – Alfred Tennyson

 

Fable

 

“Wake up.” I yank the covers from Owen and he tries to grab at them, rolling onto his back with an agonized groan.

“Shit, Fabes, what are you doing here? And why are you waking me up like some sort of drill sergeant?”

“Ha, if I were a drill sergeant I’d have a whistle blasting in your ear and be commanding you to run some damn laps.” I thwack him on the leg with my index finger and thumb, dropping the comforter back on him in a pile. “You’re going to be late for school.”

He cracks open his eyes and glances at the clock on his rickety bedside table. “It’s not even seven yet. Why the hell are you up? What are you even doing here? I thought you’d stay the night with your new lover boy again.”

Yeah, well, so did I. I’d even contemplated asking Drew to stay with me so I could be here for Owen last night. But that petty argument we got into ruined all those plans.

“I wanted to stay home and talk to you.” I sit on the edge of his bed, glancing around his room. It’s a disaster, not that mine is much better, but at least I didn’t have smelly socks lying all over the place and a pile of dirty clothes in the middle of the room that I swear was waist-high. “You need to douche this room and soon.”

“Did my big sister use the word ‘douche’? I think I’ve heard it all.” He sits up and rubs the back of his head. “I can’t believe you ditched your new man for me. You must want to talk about some serious shit.”

“Why must you continue to use such foul language?” I sound like a mom. I should be used to his constant cussing. And really, I have no room to judge. I’ve had a foul mouth for years. It was my first act of rebellion against my mother and I never let up.

“Gimme a break. You curse like a sailor.” He stifles a yawn and scratches his bare chest. “What do you want to talk about?”

“I’ve been thinking.” I pluck at a loose thread on his worn comforter. I really wish I had more money so I could buy the both of us nicer things. “I want to find a different apartment.”

He’s quiet for a moment and I look at him, see the shock and disbelief written all over his face. “You want to move? And leave me with Mom all alone?”

“No.” I shake my head. “No, no, no. I would never do that. I want us to leave Mom. I want the two of us to live together.” When he doesn’t say a word, I forge on. “She’s never here. She’s always with her new boyfriend and she doesn’t have a job anymore so she can’t pay rent. I’m paying for everything and trust me, it’s hard. I don’t make a ton of money. I work freaking part-time though my new boss is willing to give me more hours.”

“That’s great.”

“It is, but we still have too much apartment here. I bet I could find a two-bedroom in a better neighborhood for way less money. What do you think? You want to do it?”

“I’ll go wherever you go,” he says but I can hear the hesitation in his voice.

“But what?”

“But…I’m only fourteen. Aren’t there legalities or whatever about that sort of stuff? Like won’t Mom have to make you my guardian or something if I go and live with you?”

“Why would she need to? Let’s not pretend that she wants us around here so bad. She won’t care if you come live with me.”

“She might.” He drops his head, bunching the comforter up in his lap.

Crap. He wants to believe Mom actually cares about him. After all, he’s just a kid. No one wants to face the realization that their mom doesn’t give a rat’s ass about them. I still don’t like facing it. But I’ve put up a wall against the pain and tell myself it doesn’t matter. I don’t need her.

“Owen.” I grip his knee and he looks up, his gaze meeting mine. We both have the same eyes as Mom, though I always thought his were prettier. He has the thickest, darkest lashes I’ve ever seen, and I don’t know where he got them from considering his hair is a dirty blond. Girls are going to go crazy for those eyes someday, if they aren’t already. My brother is handsome. Cocky and full of attitude. I feel sorry for any girl who falls for him. “I want you with me. I don’t want to do this alone.”

“What about Drew Callahan? Wouldn’t you want to move in with him? Isn’t he rich?”

I grimace. “I have no idea what’s going on with Drew. But you and me? We’re blood. We’re family. I’m not about to leave you. We’re all each other has.”

“What’s Mom gonna do? Don’t you think she’ll get mad?”

“I doubt it. This way she doesn’t have to worry about us and she can go live with her boyfriend. I can find a nicer place that’s smaller and pay less rent. It’s a win-win for us all.” I can’t think about Mom getting upset with me for wanting to do this. Why should she care? I’m making her life easier.

“What happens if it doesn’t work out for her and Larry the Loser? Then where will she go?”

“Owen.” I grip his knee tighter. “She’s not our responsibility. She’s an adult. She can take care of herself.”

He tilts his head, screws up his lips. Looking far older and world-weary than any fourteen-year-old should. “I just worry about her. I worry about you too. I’m supposed to be the man of the house.”

My jaw drops. “Who told you that?”

“Mom. A long time ago. She said I had to watch out for the both of you and I promised I always would. I haven’t done the best job of it but I swear, I try.”

My heart breaks for this kid. He’s gone through so much at too young of an age. He’s seen too much. Grabbing his shoulders, I bring him in for a quick hug, not holding on to him for too long since I know he’ll just wiggle out of my grip anyway. “We’ll take care of each other, okay? It’s not all on me or all on you. We’ll share the load.”

“I’ll help you with whatever you need, Fabes. I’m on your side. I promise.” He clings to me again and I hug him close, savoring it for a little while longer. I love him so much. I hate that he’s conflicted between Mom and me.

“Go take a shower,” I tell him once I get up off his bed and start out of his room. “And when you get home today, I want you to clean this room. It sucks.”

His laughter follows me down the hall as I head toward the kitchen. I’ve been up for over a half hour, lying in bed, staring at the ceiling. Thinking of looking for an apartment today, talking to Owen about it, maybe gathering up the courage to talk to Mom about her moving out.

Trying my best to not think of Drew.

What the hell happened last night, anyway? Our fight had started out of nothing. I tried to be honest with him and he got all macho-man-how-many-guys-have-you-fucked-anyway on me. I accept him for who he is, flaws and all, so why can’t he accept me?

I get irritated just thinking about it. So it’s best I don’t.

A knock sounds at the door and I scowl. Who the hell is here at seven in the morning? Stomping over to the door, I look through the peephole but I see nothing. I throw open the door and peek to the left, then the right. No one’s there.

Then I glance down and find a gorgeous bouquet of wildflowers sitting on the thin, faded doormat. The vase is full of a riot of colorful blooms, I can’t identify any of them beyond their pretty colors. I know in an instant who they’re from.

Drew.

Grabbing the vase, I clutch it in my hand as I step farther outside, my gaze steady as I study the parking lot. But I don’t see his truck. I don’t see any indication he’s been here at all but the flowers in my hand.

How the heck did he get them here and then disappear? I know he’s fast on the football field but come on. Where did he go?

“Who the hell was knocking—oh. Lover Boy.”

I turn to see Owen grinning at me, wearing a stained T-shirt with some unknown and I’m sure crappy band’s logo on the front, and black faded skinny jeans. We both walk back into the apartment together. “That’s what you’re wearing to school?”

He glances down at himself. “I’m not going to the prom. Gimme a break. Hey, you got any smokes?”

“Owen! Promise me you’re not smoking.” The guilty look on his face says it all. If the flowers weren’t so beautiful, I’d hurl the vase at him, I’m so pissed. “You’re too young to smoke. It’s a horrible, nasty habit.”

“You do it.”

“Not all the time. I mostly quit.” Yeah, that sounds lame as hell.

“I only smoke every once in a while,” Owen whines. “It soothes my nerves.”

“Such a bullshit answer. I’m sure if I dug around in your room right now, I’d find some weed too. Am I right?” I raise a brow, just daring him to deny it.

His eyes widen the slightest bit right before he goes for pure defiant nonchalance. “Oh, who cares? You act like you’ve always been on the straight and narrow. I bet you’ve smoked a few bowls in your life.”

Not really. Drugs don’t do much for me. I smoked a joint here and there through high school but nothing major. Cigarettes were my major vice. The occasional keg party would do me in, too. Make me do stupid things. After a while, that’s why I avoided them. “I’m twenty, you’re fourteen. There’s a difference between what I’m doing and what you’re doing.”

“Such crap,” Owen mutters as he walks away from me, heading toward the couch where his sweatshirt is flung over the back. “I’m outta here.”

I set the vase down on the kitchen counter, my pleasure at receiving the flowers evaporating when I realize I’ve not only just got into a huge fight with my brother, but I did the same thing with Drew last night.

Who’s the one with the problem, hmm?

“Owen, look. I’m sorry.” He stops at the door, as if he’s waiting for me to further explain myself. “I just hate to see you make a bunch of stupid mistakes like I did. I wish you could learn from me.”

“I’m going to do what I do no matter what, Fabes. I wish you could see that.” He turns to face me, looking like a ragamuffin in his faded black sweatshirt streaked with bleach stains. Who the hell does his laundry? Oh, that’s right, he does. “I’m not a bad kid. I get decent grades. I only skip class sometimes. And I have good friends. So I smoke here and there. So I get high and forget about my troubles for a while. Is that so bad?”

Yes, I want to shout at him. I want you to be perfect and well behaved and never give me any problems. I don’t want you doing drugs or smoking or drinking or fooling around with girls. I want you to be eight years old forever.

“Maybe we can talk later?” I suggest. “I should be here when you get home from school.”

“What else is there to talk about? You’ve already made up your mind. We’re moving without Mom, you hate that I smoke and you think I’m a fuck-up. Whatever.” He leaves the apartment without another word, slamming the door behind him, and I’m left standing there, so shocked my mouth is hanging open.

Holy. Crap. I’ve stepped in it all over the place. Why am I so confrontational lately? What the hell is my problem?

Regret settles over me and I sit heavily on the creaky barstool. Way to go and screw up that conversation. Clearly I’m the one with the bad attitude. I keep picking fights with my favorite people. Not the smartest move I’ve ever made, that’s for sure.

I run my finger over one of the soft flower petals. It’s a bright, sunny yellow, such the complete opposite of my morose mood.

Look at me. A man leaves me flowers on my doorstep and I’m all mopey. I should be the one apologizing and he’s the one making grand gestures. No guy has ever brought me flowers.

Ever.

My gaze catches sight of a small cream-colored envelope nestled among the blooms and I snatch it up, opening the envelope with trembling fingers.

 

Fable is…

Faithful

Amazing

Beautiful

Loving

Exquisite

I’m sorry. – Drew

 

A wistful sigh full of longing escapes me. I think he’s trying to slowly tear me apart so he can be the only one who puts me back together. His words kill me. Slay me dead.

And they fill me with so much hope I don’t know how I could’ve ever doubted him.

 

Drew

 

My head is throbbing when I wake up, my brain foggy. I lay awake in bed most of the night, replaying my conversation with Fable. Unable to figure out exactly where everything went wrong but since I’m a world-class screw-up, it had to be my fault.

I finally gave up pretending to sleep and climbed out of bed, threw on some clothes and went to a local supermarket. Found a beautiful arrangement of wildflowers and bought it without thinking twice. Yeah, maybe I should’ve got her some roses since they’re twice as expensive and supposedly are more romantic, but they didn’t seem Fable’s style.

The note made me work a little harder. I wanted to get it just right. No way could I use the word “marshmallow.” She would’ve killed me. I’d like to see her use it on me again. The one time she did, I almost blew it and didn’t show up.

But if she ever did use our code word again, I’d love to see that moment of sweet surprise wash over her when I come to rescue her so fast, her head spins.

Instead, I write her a little poem using her name. Much like I did for my tattoo, though this one is simpler. Sweeter. All about her.

Once I got back home, I crashed out. Woke up hours later with the hangover feeling, the sun’s light deathly bright in my room. Feels like the day is already half over and when I check my phone, I see that it almost is.

I also see I have a bunch of text messages from a certain someone.

Drew is…

Delicious

Real

Extra sexy and…

Wonderful

My heart threatens to crack. She wrote me a poem back. I can’t fucking believe it.

You got the flowers then, I text her.

She replies immediately.

I love the flowers. Thank you.

A smile forms on my lips as I answer her.

You’re welcome. Did you like the note?

I loved the note even more. I think you’re a closet romantic.

My smile grows.

Only for you.

She doesn’t answer and I wonder if I somehow screwed up.

Then I get pissed at myself for always thinking I screwed up.

What are you doing? She finally texts back.

I’m still in bed. I pause. Should I say what I really want to say next? Aw, fuck it.

Thinking of you.

I send the text, my heart rate increasing. I hope she’s forgiven me. I’m dying to see her.

Are you naked, Drew? Because I could totally get on board with that image.

I burst out laughing at her text and quickly reply back.

You want me naked? That can be arranged.

I’m only in sweats, not even wearing any underwear. That I’m thinking like this almost makes me want to laugh.

Also makes me want to suggest we indulge in some of that phone sex/sexting thing we talked about a few nights ago, which sort of blows my mind.

But with Fable, I’m willing to do just about anything.

Only if I’m naked with you.

A few words typed on a screen and I’m hard as steel. Damn, this girl.

My doorbell rings and I go completely still. Who the hell is that? I head toward the door and open it, shock rendering me frozen when I find Fable standing on my doorstep, her cell phone clutched in her hand. A wicked smile curves her lips and I let my gaze wander over her.

She’s wearing bright pink cotton shorts and a black long-sleeve T-shirt that clings to her breasts and makes them look huge. Her hair is pulled back in a long braid, wild blonde strands brushing her cheeks. Her face is devoid of makeup with the exception of some gloss slicking her lips, making them extra shiny. Extra kissable.

My girl is gorgeous. Those shorts should be criminal. They’re like a lethal weapon. I swear if I keep staring at her legs I’ll keel over from witnessing too much hotness.

“I keep getting these crazy messages from some random guy.” She holds her phone up. I see the last message I sent her on the screen, along with her accompanying reply. She’s just as guilty. “He says he wants to get naked with me.”

I lean against the door. If she wants to play this game, fine. I’m up for it. Might make things more interesting. “Hmm, weird. Why would anyone want to get naked with you?”

She rests her hands on her hips. “I don’t know. Looks like you’re almost naked.”

Glancing down at myself, I scratch my bare chest. I can feel her eyes on me and I look up, watching her as she blatantly checks me out. Just like I blatantly checked her out only moments ago. “I assume you’ve accepted my apology?”

Her expression changes in an instant. Those pretty green eyes dim and her mouth softens. “I’m the one who should apologize. I feel like I’ve been picking fights all over the place.”

I grab her hand and yank her inside, shutting the door behind her. Without giving her a chance to think, let alone escape, I pin her against the door and hold her there with my body, my hands on her waist. Her skin is warm, I can feel her heat through the thin barrier of her shirt and I want her.

Beneath me, over me, with me. Always.

“Who else are you fighting with?” I slip my fingers beneath the hem of her shirt so I can touch soft, pliant flesh.

“My brother.” A shaky breath escapes her. “I’m sorry we argued last night, Drew.”

I love how she always cuts through the bullshit. There are no lingering misunderstandings or grudges. We argue, we challenge each other, we apologize, we move on.

“I’m sorry too.” I lean in closer to her and inhale the subtle scent of her shampoo. She smells so good. Everything about her smells amazing. She’s warm and fragrant and soft in my arms, her breasts nestled against my bare chest, her arms going loosely around my waist. “Wanna have makeup sex?”

She giggles—and I don’t think I’ve ever heard Fable giggle—just before I rain kisses along her slender neck. The giggles turn instantly into a low moan and she slides her hands up my back, her nails skimming my skin. “I would love to have make-up sex.”

Before she can say another word I lift my head, settle my mouth on hers. I’m hungry for her sweet lips, her tongue. I devour her, holding her in place as I cup her head with my hands, my fingers tangling in her hair, ruining her braid. She whimpers against my mouth, her hands diving beneath the loose waistband of my sweats, and I hear her murmur of pleasure when she discovers I have no underwear on.

“You are so bad,” she whispers, her tongue darting out to lick my lower lip as she shoves my sweats down so they fall in a heap around my ankles. I step out of them, kick them out of the way, my tongue doing a slow search of the inside of her mouth.

No one who knows me would ever consider me a bad boy. I left that image up to other guys, always happy to stay in my good-guy place. Girls preferred bad boys so I walked the straight and narrow.

Plus, I flat-out didn’t like feeling bad. Being full of secret shame does that to a person.

Fable makes me want to be bad for her, just to hear her say it. Her pleased tone is unmistakable. I think she likes corrupting me.

My mouth never leaving hers, I grab her ass and lift. She twines her legs around my hips, clinging to me, the heat of her burning my dick through the thin fabric of her shorts. I frantically tug at them, dropping her so her feet fall to the ground only so I can push her shorts and lacy panties off, her helping me the entire time.

Regret flashes through me as I watch the delicate scrape of fabric fall to the floor. I’d have to linger over those pretty lace panties next time. I’m too eager, too caught up in the moment to take it slow. I needed to be inside her. Now.

“Drew.” She pants my name against my lips as I lift her back up, those sexy legs going around my hips, her ankles digging into my ass. “I want to feel you.”

“You’re feeling me right now, baby.” Oh hell yeah, she’s feeling me, and I’m feeling her. She’s so slick and hot, the head of my cock nudges against her folds and all I want to do is plunge inside her. Fuck her until I can’t see straight and I’m coming so hard I can’t think.

“I mean…oh God, I can’t think when you do that,” she whispers, her voice trembling when I thrust against her, nice and slow. “I’m on the pill, Drew.”

“That’s awesome.” Yeah, no babies for us. We can barely handle each other, let alone throw a kid in the mix.

She tugs on my hair, getting my attention. “I mean, I want you inside me with no barriers. No condom.”

I stare into her eyes, my breaths coming in ragged pants, my skin already glistening with sweat. And I haven’t even been inside her yet. I’m so worked up, so ready to do whatever she asks me to do, I don’t give her suggestion a second thought. I’m fully on board.

“That sounds like a great plan,” I say as I slide inside her. “Ah, fuck.” Closing my eyes, I lean my forehead against hers, hear the thunk of the back of her head making connection with the door. But she doesn’t seem hurt. More like overcome with sensation, just like I am.

Without the condom on, the heat of her, snug and wet, it’s all a million times more intense. I could buck against her once and probably come like a geyser.

Instead I take a deep breath and stay completely still. She’s so tight, so hot, and she shifts against me, making me groan and squeeze her hips hard to prevent her from moving any further.

“W—what’s wrong?” She sounds confused.

I open my eyes to see her troubled gaze. “You keep moving like that, I’m done.”

“Moving like what?”

“Just…moving.” She does it once more, a subtle thrust of her hips, her legs tightening around me, sending me deeper, and I groan again, moving my forehead away from her so I can press it against the door. “I can’t take it.”

“Why?” She runs her hands through my hair, her nails scratching lightly along my scalp, and I shiver.

“I’ll come so fast, I’ll embarrass myself.”

She’s slowly sliding up and down, riding me as best she can. “I want you to come fast. I want to watch you lose control. I find it…” She sets her mouth against my ear and releases a shuddering breath. “Extra sexy.”

I smile despite my agony and lift my head to look at her. She’s quoting her poem to me and I love her for it. “We’ve only started. What about you?”

“Come for me, Drew.” She’s grinding against me now, and I’m grinding back as if I have no control over myself. “There’s plenty of time for us to do this again this afternoon, right?”

“Right,” I agree because at the moment, I’ll agree to just about anything, she feels so fucking amazing wrapped all around me, her top and bra still on, the lower half of her body completely bare.

Rectifying my neglect, I push her shirt up, exposing her white lacy bra that offers a glimpse of her hard pink nipples beneath, and I groan. I’m going to lose it. I run my fingers along the edge of her bra, feel the tremble ripple beneath her creamy soft skin from my touch.

“I love you, Drew,” she whispers. I watch her, entranced by the expression on her face. Her eyes are closed, she’s biting her lower lip as I continue to touch her, as she continues to ride me, and I’m completely and totally overwhelmed.

“I love you too,” I murmur against her swollen lips just before I kiss her, my tongue thrusting in her mouth much like I thrust deep inside her body. Continuously, again and again, trying to convey all of the feelings, the love and the need and the want I have for her.

Her little cry tells me she’s closer than I thought and I increase my pace, spilling myself inside her within seconds. She’s coming too, her body gripping my cock tight as she convulses around me, and I open my eyes. Watch her fall apart, intoxicated by the flush of her skin, the little anguished sounds she makes, the way she feels, the way she smells.

Clutching her close, I run my fingers through her messy hair, touching her calming my racing heart. She is my everything and I swear at this very moment, I will never let her go.