by C. M. Steele
Starting tonight she’ll be staying down the hall from me in my parents’ house.
Two rooms down.
It's like I'm being tortured for some unknown reason. I was pissed that I couldn't go to her graduation, but now she's back here to stay until she starts college. Well until two weeks before that because she's mine the second the clock strikes midnight on her birthday. I'm not waiting another painful moment more. Learning that my siblings weren't exaggerating about her feelings, I’m going to let her know how it’s going to be. I tell myself as I wait for them to return from the ceremony.
They only had so many tickets, leaving me to stew at home. Besides, I can’t walk on my own, so it would be a bit difficult to get me around with the large graduating class. My brothers are here as well, but they’re getting the mini party set up downstairs. I’m essentially fucking useless, so I’ll use my time for my own reflection. Sitting with my back against my headboard, I bring my hand up and slide it down my shaft, stroking hard as I think about Greta.
She had on that pretty blue dress that hugged her taut, large breasts, making my mouth water. It's etched in my mind, driving me to beat my cock hard with my good hand the second I'm alone in my bedroom. She's so perfect that I can't wait to sully her up. My hands itch to grab the front of her gown and tear it in half, letting her beauty spill out for my eyes only. Silly, the thought of me getting shot meant she never went to prom with some little pencil dick who wants what belongs to me. Two more months and I'm going to claim her over and over again until she only craves me.
Stroking faster, I let go and come all over my stomach. I grab a towel and wipe up my mess and then soak that shit before someone comes in to care for me. I don't want my mom or sisters' finding my dirty towels. It's been a fucking long time since I beat off in my old bedroom, but I've never had a better woman to picture. At my age, I should have had several girlfriends, but I made a promise that I'd save myself for a woman to love like my father loves my mother. I didn't want the chance of stupid teenage sex that leads to pregnancy.
I'm not saying that I wasn't a walking hard on as a teen, but I channeled that release for when I was home alone and turned the rest into working out until the urge passes. Since I met Greta, my cock lives for thoughts of her. I can’t wait to get my hands on her soft skin and make her mine. Time can’t move fast enough.
The sound of dad’s SUV pulling up tells me that I’ve taken too much damn time, playing with myself like the sick fuck I’ve become, so I do my best to prepare to congratulate my future wife. The front door chimes and voices cheer as I finish slipping on my clothes. It’s a fucking struggle, but I do my best to make it work so I don’t feel completely helpless.
I take the stairs gingerly, finding my father coming up to meet me. "Sorry, I should have been down here sooner," I grunt out. As much as I should be ashamed to need his help, I'm fucking lucky to be alive so I'll take all the assistance I can to get back to one hundred.
"Don't rush, Junior. You need to be resting as much as possible," he reminds me. Everyone's watching as we make the final step, and James brings over the wheelchair. I hate to say I need it, but I'm fucking beat. I've only been out of the hospital two days after catching an infection which was more dangerous than my initial injuries.
"Dean, you're here," Emily calls out, giving my girl an excuse to speak. She gets so nervous around me.
"I couldn't miss celebrating with the rest of you. Congratulations, Em, Greta." She looks up at me in surprise at the mention of her name like she hadn’t expected me to address her. I don't take my eyes off Greta until she ducks her head, but I can still see the blush spreading across her cheeks. Damn, I'm glad I'm sitting in this chair or I'd embarrass myself.
"Dean, thank you. You should be resting," Greta scolds me like a good wife. Damn, I want to bite that pouty lip of hers. She's lucky I'm forced to wait.
"I've rested enough. Time to have some fun,” I growl, refusing to stop smiling.
"You're right! Who's ready to eat?" I silently thank my mother for breaking the tension because my dick’s so hard right now, I can use it as a cane.
"Me," Emily shouts, nudging past James.
"Of course," Becky giggles, rolling her eyes at Em who is always hungry.
"Sweetie, did you take your meds?" my mother asks. She truly lives up to the name Angel.
"Yes, Mom."
"So no alcohol. I just wanted to make sure before I forget."
"No problem." I roll up next to Greta who stands there looking nervous.
"Are you okay, Greta?"
"Yes, it's just...It breaks my heart to see you like this. Does it hurt a lot?" She bites her bottom lip and I want to pull her onto my lap and let her know my injuries can be made better by her.
"Not that bad, baby. I'm going to be okay in time. I promise." I take her hand and bring it to my lips.
"Okay, enough of that. You've got a long way to go." Greta's face turns crimson, and I flip off my brother Benji who decides to come behind me and push me into the kitchen. "Remember to take it easy or you won't heal as fast as you want." I suppose he does have a point. I want to make sure I devote my entire energy to healing so that I can be with Greta once her birthday comes. The rest of the night is fun, but I’m worn out early.
Sleep doesn’t come easy until I pop the pills I’m supposed to take and then my mind goes into dream mode. Greta has starred in most of the dreams and many of the nightmares that I’ve had. It’s the fear that we can never be together that fuels the bad ones, but the good ones are driven by pure lust and hunger.
This morning is my first home session of PT and I’m not looking forward to it. The guy coming works with a lot of the officers and gets them up and running quickly, but he’s also a handsome, brawny son of a bitch and I don’t want my girl around him.
As I get ready for breakfast, I lose my appetite when I spot Greta in a pair of too cute shorts. "What are you wearing?" I snarl out.
"It looks like clothes. Don't start shit with me, Dean. I'm not one of your sisters. My shorts are a normal length."
"Ouch," Benji says, walking into the kitchen.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"Wow, so your temper isn't just for our adorable guest. I happen to have a meeting with Dad about something, so mind your business."
"Asshole," I bite out.
"I was going to offer you some coffee, but since you're going to be rude. I'll only ask Greta."
"I'll take a cup. Becks and I are heading out to walk the dogs."
"Awesome. I'll go with you while Dean has his therapy."
"Is that what's up your ass this morning? Are you worried about it?"
"No," I grumble.
"Good. I'm sure you can handle it." She takes the cup from Benji and gives him a "thanks."
"Do you want a cup?" she asks me.
"No. I need some water though." I wheel myself over to the fridge and take a cup Benji hands me before pressing it into the refrigerator.
"Greta. There you are," Becks cheers. "Are you ready?"
"Yep. I need some exercise, but I refuse to run on the treadmill. Walking is the most anyone is going to get out of me." I make a mental note of that. I used to run five miles a day and I have an entire gym set up in one of the rooms in my condo.
"Oh and Dean, your therapist just showed up. Greta, you have to see this guy. He's freaking hot."
"Don't you have some dogs to fucking walk?" I bark out. The thought of Greta meeting someone else makes me insane with jealousy.
"So jealous," Benji chuckles. Greta looks at me as if a lightbulb goes off in her head, understanding my shitty attitude I tossed at her. She shakes her head and leaves with Becks.
I toss a glare at my brother. "Calm down. Remember you have to wait for her, so don't push her away. She's seeing a new side of you and it's not a good one." He walks out as well. I finish my water and wheel my ass out to the living room where Becks and my woman are being greeted by Jimmy the meathead McClain.
"They're too young for you," I snarl out. They all turn to me. "If you can't keep your eyes to yourself, I can find another therapist."
"You need one for your head," Becks says, leaving an open-mouthed Greta to stare at me. Her face is completely red, but I'm the one making an ass of myself. “Come on. Let’s go before my brother turns into a beast or something.” She hooks the dogs onto their leashes, and they walk out without another word to me.
"I'm not after your sister. The other one will be legal in a couple of months."
"How the fuck did you learn that?"
"Your sister told me." I’m really going to strangle my family. I feel like they’re tormenting me on purpose.
"Get out of my house and don't come back. If you ever come near Greta, I'll rip your balls off and stuff them down that big mouth of yours." He quickly grabs his bag and leaves.
"Hey, son. What's that all about?"
"He wants my Greta."
"We need to talk about that. I know it's hard for you, but you have to get your emotions under control. You can't chase away the best therapist because you think someone's after her because she's pretty."
I cock my head to the side and snarl out, "He fucking said so, Dad."
"Oh shit. Okay. Well where is Greta?"
"She took the dogs out walking with Becks."
"Okay. So let’s get you a new therapist. Hopefully one that doesn't have eyes for your woman."
An hour later another physical therapist arrives while the girls are still out. Thankfully, this one isn’t interested in my woman. I’m halfway through my workout when they come back, but she doesn’t come to see me. I know she’s mad for the asshole way I acted. I’m honestly sorry for it, but there’s no way to get through this knowing that I can’t make it official between us.
Once my session’s over my Dad lends me a hand back to my bedroom because my body is definitely beat. After helping me with my shower, I get dressed as best as possible and he helps me into bed. “I can’t thank you enough for this, Dad.”
“Junior, you’re my boy. You’re a grown man, but I’ll always be your father and I love you. It kills me to see you like this. Still, soon you won’t need me and your mother again. For now, just get better. Text me when you’re hungry, and I’ll have someone bring it up.” I nod and pass out.
Chapter Four
Greta
It's been a month, and my soul is dying to get a piece of Dean Evans Junior. It's insane how much progress he's made to recover from his injuries. His forearm is healing nicely and he's walking with a cane instead of the wheelchair or crutches. Daily he pushes through physical therapy. I love it for the most part, except the woman who comes to work with him. She's beautiful and puts her hands all over my man, pretending it’s to get him better, but I’m betting she wants him. He hasn’t shown any interest in her at all. In fact, he always wants to know where I’m going? I love that he’s curious, but I’m jealous as all get out. Who wouldn’t be? The man is gorgeous, strong, and sweet. It sends me into a fit of jealous rage to watch them, that I have to leave the house with either Benji or James as my guard dogs. They don’t even live there; they’re around to look after us girls when they have free time. Emily's on her own thing. It seems she's found a man even though her father isn't happy about it at all. We’re still besties, and I genuinely get where she’s coming from. She’s in love with him and if I could spend all my time alone with Dean I would.
I still work at the Target in the mall, but Dean grumbles every time I go in. He hates it, but I can’t be a lazy moocher all day. I have another month until my birthday, so I’m saving every dollar just in case I need it.
“Mr. Evans, I’ll be back at six. It’s an early start.”
“No problem, Greta. Maybe we should take you to get your license.”
“I actually have a license. It’s been a long time since I’ve driven anywhere, so I probably do need some practice.”
“That’s good. We have an older car we let the kids practice on, but it’s being fixed from Becks’ most recent driving practice.”
“Okay.”
“Don’t tell the kids; you’re going to drive us to the Target.”
“Really?” I move my head so fast I nearly give myself whiplash.
“Yes. I want you to feel comfortable behind the wheel. We think of you as one of our own and it has nothing to do with my son. You’re a sweet girl and a great friend to the girls.” We switch spots and after going through all the safety checks and adjustments, I pull out of their driveway onto the main road in his Mercedes.
We make it there in one piece and he smiles. “You did good even with the asshole who cut you off.”
“Thanks. It’s easy when it’s a calm day and no one’s shouting at you.” We both get out and switch spots and that’s when his brother shows up.
“Hey, Ted. How’s it going?”
“Great. Great. Greta, how are you doing?”
“Good, Mr. Evans.”
“Great. I have to get going to drop off these to my wife, but I’ll stop over to go see Dean. It’s been a while.”
“Sure, bro.” They smile and hug. “I’ve got to get out of here too.”
“Be safe, Greta and Benji said he’ll pick you up.”
“Thank you again, Mr. Evans.” I wave them both off as they stand and talk. Emily told me how her parents met years ago and it sounds more taboo than it is, but I’ve never seen two people so loving after twenty-five plus years of marriage.
At work, I bust my ass, hoping to get home soon enough because I miss that grumpy, handsome man who drives me insane.
It’s finally time to go and Benji shoots me a text to tell me he’s outside. I meet him and hop in his car. “Hey, we have to stop at Dean’s condo. He needs some things. I hope you don’t mind.”
“No. It’s cool. It’s been a long time since I’ve been there.”
“You’ve been there before?”
“Yes that’s how we met. I was stranded here in the rain. He was a complete gentleman that made sure I ate and dried up. Then he dropped me off at home the next morning so I wouldn’t be late for school.”
“No wonder the man is nuts over you. I thought it started later. Anyway, let’s get his things so captain asshole calms down.”
“Why would he be upset? He spent today with that blonde beauty.”
“He fired her today. I’ll be taking over the rest of his lessons with my dad as well.”
“Why?”
“Because she came onto him right after you left this morning.”
“What?”
“Yeah. I don’t know how he didn’t notice she was digging him. It wasn’t until she mentioned that after his sessions she wondered if he was interested in seeing her.”
“He snapped off and sent her packing.”
“Are you sure nothing more happened?”
“Greta, my brother has been crazy about you. There’s nothing he’d do to betray you. Every second he’s afraid of not being good enough for you. Let your worries go. He’s learned what he needs to know to heal and now it’s more about repetition. He can’t wait to be healthy just for you.”
I smile as we arrive at Dean’s condo building. We’re up the elevator and inside when my phone rings. I ignore it and we go inside the condo. It’s as nice as I remember, maybe even a little cleaner.
“He needs some clothes. Can you water his plants?”
“Sure.” I do and that’s when I see a picture frame on the ledge. It’s beautiful so I pick it up to see who it is. It’s a picture I took with Emily, but she’s been cropped out. I smile to myself and give it a kiss before setting it back down. When I step into the kitchen, I can tell that it’s been cleaned and the fridge empty. Except for a tiny note clipped to the side of the refrigerator. I don’t know the woman’s name, but suddenly, there goes all the hearts and flowers I’d been feeling a moment ago.
“Do you think he needs that?”
“Not really. It’s the cleaning
lady mom hired to make sure Dean’s place wasn’t left crusty while he was recuperating at my parents. I use her sometimes for my place. She’s fifty.”
“I really need to stop being jealous.”
“Nah, it makes sense. We’re all telling you that my brother’s crushing on you big time and while crushing he’s got another woman’s number on his fridge. It doesn’t look good. Still, you both are scared. You haven’t even gotten together yet, so you’re both afraid someone’s going to swipe the other before you do.”
“Do you think we’ll change?”
“Probably. Probably not. My parents are insanely territorial over each other till this very day, but they’ve learned not to get jealous over stupid shit.”
“And that’s different?”
“Yes. One is protecting what’s yours and the other is finding childish reasons to act like an idiot.”
“I guess. Thanks for the pep talk.”
“Yep. Let’s go before Dean worries that I’ve kidnapped you.”
We return to the house and Dean’s waiting for us. “Everything okay?”
“Yep. Got everything you asked for. Now if you don’t mind, I need to say hi to my mother and then head home.” He walks away from us and Dean smiles at me.
“Please get something to eat, Greta. I’m sure you didn’t eat any dinner.”
“I didn’t, but I’m not hungry. I’m tired.”
“You need to eat, Greta.” I can see he’s concerned, but the wave of emotions has worn me out.
“I also need sleep. Goodnight, Dean.”
“Goodnight, Greta.” There’s a defeated tone to his voice that almost makes me turn around, but I think better of it and head to bed.
It’s hard to have this non-relationship. We both want each other, everyone around us knows it, but because there’s a chance we give in too soon to these feelings, I have to walk on eggshells. I can’t tell him how work was because I know he doesn’t want me to work there, but he has no right to say I can’t. We don’t talk unless we’re all together, and although we see each other every single day, we are quick to stay quiet or avoid making eye contact, well at least I am.