by Lexi Bissen
Gibson’s breathing is coming out hard through his nose and I know he’s using all of his restraint to stay calm right now. Removing my hand from his grip, I rest it on his cheek. “It’s okay. I’m fine and Rodger got what he deserved.” Gibson grabs both of my hands, making sure to be gentle, and places a small kiss on each of the bruises. This right here is the Gibson I know and love. Not the one who said those hurtful words to me a week ago and not the one who was cold to me when I came here today. I shift to the left and lay my head on his chest, breathing in his scent that I’ve missed so much.
Gibson places a kiss to the top of my head and rests his cheek there. “I’m so sorry, princess. I should have known you wouldn’t have done it. It’s just…all the same insecurities came up when I heard those reporters talking about you. I shouldn’t have assumed anything.”
Wrapping my arms around his waist, I press myself as close as possible. “It’s okay. After I learned what really happened, I could see where you were coming from.”
Gibson cups my jaw, pulling me back so he is staring down at me. “I still should have talked to you about it. I’ve just always assumed people use me for fame or money and all of that came back in a rush. It hurt more than anything that you would have done the same as those people in my past.”
“I would never.” Gibson places his finger over my lips, silencing me.
“I know that, baby. I was stupid to think you would be anything like them.” He leans forward and places a kiss to the sensitive spot behind my ear. The metal lip ring is cold and sends a shiver through my body, but it quickly warms after Gibson licks his lips, leaving a wet trail from my ear to my chin. “Can you forgive me, princess?” Does he expect me to form words right now? I haven’t had these lips on me in over a week. The last thing I want them to do is talk.
I nod, clutching the hair at the back of his head, and pull him closer before crushing my lips to his. I melt the moment our lips touch and a loud, almost embarrassing, moan escapes. Gibson presses toward me, coming closer and closer, and I have no choice but to retreat until I’m lying flat on my back. He lets out a low growl and ducks down, attacking my neck.
Oh, how I’ve missed this. The endless hours we would spend making out on the couch at his house before eventually moving it to his bedroom. Gibson presses his bottom half into mine, earning a gasp from me. He covers my open mouth with his and takes advantage, tangling his tongue with mine. He tastes like cinnamon and I can’t get enough of it. I snake my hands down Gibson’s back and rest them on the top of his ass, matching his grinding with my own.
I have to pull back from the kiss to catch my breath, but that doesn’t stop Gibson. He trails his mouth down my neck, honing in on the spot where my shoulders and neck meet as he snakes his hands up my shirt, rubbing his callused fingers against my soft stomach.
“God, I fucking missed you, baby.” His voice sounds pained and I don’t know whether it’s from being apart from me or our actions right now.
Before I get a chance to ask, someone yelps from somewhere in the room. When I break free from my Gibson daze, I catch long, black hair whipping around the corner.
“Oh, no. I think your mom caught us.” How awkward on the first day I meet her.
Gibson plants a light kiss on my lips and lifts his weight off me. I try to hide my disappointment, but I apparently don’t do a well enough job because Gibson laughs and places a kiss on my cheek.
“Don’t worry, she’s not my mom anyway. Well, she kind of is, but not my biological mom. That’s Momma Mary, River’s mom.” Gibson stands and readjusts the front of his pants, trying to make his excitement seem less noticeable. I can’t help but giggle, earning a glare from him.
“Why are you here with River and his mom? Have you seen yours since you’ve been back?” I ask, even though I know his relationship with his mom is shaky.
Gibson rubs the back of his neck, one of his tells.
“Yeah, I did go see her. She was in bad shape when I got there. There were pill bottles everywhere and empty containers of alcohol. She was so drugged out, I couldn’t even understand what she was saying. River and I took her straight to the hospital and they pumped her stomach, said we were lucky we found her when we did.” A shudder runs through his body. No one should have to see their parent in that state. “I decided enough was enough and called my dad. He came here the next day and after Mom was released from the hospital, he put her in the best rehab facility in California. She’s been there for five days now and they say she’s doing great. Most patients have a hard time during detox, but she seems determined.”
“That’s amazing baby.” I hug his arm and place a lingering kiss on his shoulder.
“I’m really proud of her. I know how hard it is for her, but she’s been keeping me updated and checking to see how I’m doing, which she’s never done. I think this push will help her.” He kisses the top of my head and then slaps his hands on the top of his thighs. “Let’s get into the kitchen before Momma Mary thinks she has to burn this couch.”
I’m the dumbest fucker there is. I almost ruined the best thing I had because of my own stupid insecurities. Looking back, I can’t believe I would have thought Ronnie would sell me out to the vultures. I hate that I made that mistake, but a part of me is grateful.
If I hadn’t left, I never would have found my mom and I would more than likely be burying her rather than getting updates on her recovery. I hate to think it, but my mom’s overdose may have been the best thing for her. It made her open her eyes and see that she did indeed have a problem. It helped our relationship as well. We’ve actually been talking now instead of coexisting as strangers.
I’ve also started talking to my dad regularly. Not as much as my mom, but at least he’s trying. He does ask for updates on my mom, which surprises me. Never in my nineteen years has my dad asked about my mom when we would talk. After her overdose, I think dad was scared to lose her like I was. He may not admit it, but I think there may be some hidden feelings for her somewhere in him.
Since the shit storm over Thanksgiving break is in the past, Ronnie and I are heading back to Freedom. Even if the judge allowed a change of sentencing, I wouldn’t have wanted to be away from my girl. One week was enough for a lifetime. Not seeing her or talking everyday was horrible for me. Ronnie’s made herself a part of me, and I don’t ever plan on getting rid of her.
My princess is currently sound asleep and snoring on my shoulder as we fly home. Sean is next to her, trying to fit the tiny blanket over his large frame. We’ve been flying for almost six hours, but I haven’t been able to sleep. Mainly because we’re on a damn plane, but also because I can’t look away from Ronnie. She’s so damn beautiful and I’m an idiot for almost ruining it. She’s an idiot for taking my idiot ass back, but I won’t be mentioning that to her.
The flight attendant announces the plane is beginning to land and we should put on our seatbelts. I run my index finger down Ronnie’s nose until her beautiful blue eyes are staring at me. “Hey, we’re landing. Miss Bossy at the front wants you to buckle up.” She laughs, but stretches and does as the flight attendant asks.
Ronnie tries to wake Sean, but all he does is grunt and turn his back to her. She sighs in frustration, so I reach behind Ronnie and give Sean a nice smack on the back of the head. He jumps awake and I turn to look out the window, pretending I had nothing to do with it.
“What the hell was that for, Ronnie? You don’t wake a person like that,” he scolds.
Her jaw drops and I can’t help but laugh at her expression. She smacks my arm, and mutters, “Jerk.” I go to say something back to her, but freeze when the plane starts to make its descent.
Once we make it to the shuttle, I check my phone to make sure Dan didn’t leave a message. I sent a text to let him know I was coming back. I didn’t go into detail, just saying there was some miscommunication.
Someone yells out Ronnie’s name and when we turn toward the direction of the sound, an older woman is waving her h
ands in the air. Standing next to her is a tall, blonde haired man and…my uncle? These must be Ronnie and Sean’s parents. Getting a better look at her, I can tell Ronnie gets her looks from her mother.
At the sight of her mother, Ronnie puts a death grip on my hand. When Mrs. Hamilton spots her kids, she comes running full force toward them. I frown, but let go of Ronnie’s hand when her mom gets both her and Sean in a double tight hug.
“My babies! Don’t you ever do anything like that again, do you hear me? You scared me to death.”
Dan comes and stands next to me, watching the interaction between the Hamilton’s as well. “I’m not going to hug and kiss all over you, but I will say if you’re living under my roof and pull that shit again, I’ll lock you in one of the jail cells for a week.” This guy would make a great parent.
“Got it. No more running off. Sounds fair.”
“Watch the sarcasm, kid, you’re the one who ran off for a week.” Dan slaps my arm and I rub it, pretending to be hurt. “I’m serious, Gibson. You may not be used to it, but living with someone means they worry about you when you up and leave without anything more than a text.”
I never thought about Dan worrying over me. I’m so used to no one caring, talking it over with him never came to mind. “Sorry, man, I never thought about it like that. I’ll be better about telling you where I go, I promise.”
Ronnie and her family come walking up to us, her dad glaring at me, paying close attention to my tattoos and lip ring. Her mother gives me a polite smile, but I know she doesn’t approve of me either. Ronnie comes to stand next to me and laces her fingers with mine. This isn’t exactly how I would have liked to meet the parents. I was hoping to have taken the lip ring out and wear a long-sleeved shirt so my tats weren’t showing, but I guess getting it all out in the open is better than pretending to be someone I’m not.
“Mom, Dad, this is Gibson, my boyfriend. Gibson, this is my mother and father, Ann and Michael.” I hold my free hand out to her father and he shakes it with a firm grip.
“Nice to meet you two,” I say to them.
“It’s lovely to meet you as well, Gibson,” Mrs. Hamilton says. Her husband grunts. Whether it’s in agreement or not is lost on me.
No one says anything more and we all stand there in an awkward silence until Sean moves forward and leans an arm on his dad’s shoulder.
“As awkward as you all have made this meeting, I’d love to get home and collapse in my bed. Anyone else with me?”
Ronnie and I nod in agreement and the six of us make our way to the parking garage.
I’m not able to give Ronnie the kind of goodbye I’d like to, but I do sneak a kiss while her parents are getting into the car. She laughs and checks to make sure they didn’t see anything. Before heading back to her parents’ car, Ronnie pulls something out of her back pocket.
“I’ve been holding onto this for quite some time now and it’s long overdue that you read it, but here it is. It’s my essay for English. They’re due in a week, so I figured better late than never with getting it to you.”
I pluck it out of her hand and go to read it, but she stops me. “No, wait until you get in the car or at home. I’ll text you later tonight.” She reaches up and places a soft kiss on my cheek.
Once in the car, I unfold the paper and read Ronnie’s hopes for the future. The beginning starts out with her talking about her dream of becoming a writer and working in the book industry. There is so much she would love to do, from publishing books, to writing them, to owning her own bookstore, and being an editor. Anything to do with books and reading, my girl is all for it.
As I’m reading, I can’t help but smile at her dorkiness. She writes how she talks and I can imagine her reading this to me right now. I get to the end paragraph and my smile starts to fade…
While writing and reading are one of my main focuses for the future, there is one more big part I wanted to add in. I never knew what love was until a few short weeks ago. Sure, we read about it in books and see it in movies, but to feel it is completely different. I finally got to experience that stomach-turning, toes-curling love we all strive for. He was an unexpected force that knocked me on my feet. While most may see him as the rocker bad boy, Gibson Mitchell is my future. There is nothing I want more in this world than to spend the rest of my life with him. While some may think it’s stupid to profess your love for someone so early in your life, I know this is it for me. And while going to college and having my dream job may be my goal, none of that would matter if I didn’t have the love of my life right there beside me.
So, I don’t need a big house, lots of money, or fancy cars—all I need is a future with Gibson and hopefully he feels the same way.
Damn, this girl and her way with words. I need to see her. I look out the window and notice we’re now in Freedom, close to Ronnie’s house.
“I know I don’t deserve anything from you after leaving like that, but could you drop me off at Ronnie’s? I really need to see her,” I ask Dan, hoping he can do me this small favor.
He looks over at me and then the paper in my hand. “Does it have anything to do with that love letter in your hand?” I don’t bother correcting him and nod my head.
Passing the turn to his house, Dan waves his finger at me. “I’m warning you right now, if Mike shoots you for going into his daughter’s room in the middle of the night, I’m not helping you out.” I laugh at his joke, but now that the threat has been introduced, I’m hoping her dad really doesn’t shoot me.
Dan drops me off a couple houses down the street and I walk the rest of the way. All the lights are off in the house except for the two in the back. I’m guessing one is Ronnie’s and one is Sean’s. If my phone weren’t dead, I could text her to open the window, but that’s not an option, so I’ll have to go old school with my lack of technology. I take a wild guess and lightly tap on the right side window.
When the curtains pull back and a sleepy Ronnie appears, I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding. She reels back, surprised to see me, but quickly unlocks the window and slides it up.
“What are you doing here, crazy? If my dad catches you, I’ll never be able to leave the house again.” Ronnie starts to step back as I come through the window. When I’m fully in her room, I take in all that is Ronnie.
It’s neat, just a few clothes littering the ground, but nothing compared to the take-out containers and food I would have in my room back in L.A. It smells good, too, just like Ronnie’s sweet scent. In a way, this is sort of how I would have pictured Ronnie’s room. There’s a lot of blue and green going on, with each wall painted one of the colors. And her bookshelves are overflowing onto the floor. When I turn back to Ronnie, she’s standing there shifting from foot to foot in her adorable sleep shorts and tank top, no bra.
I didn’t think about what she would be wearing when I came over, but I very much approve of this outfit.
“I read your paper,” I tell her, resting my hands on her hips. Her cheeks redden and I know it’s hard for her knowing I read something she wrote. She’s felt self-conscience about me reading it for a while now, but I love that she finally trusted me enough. “It seems like I’ll have to revisit some points in my own paper as well.”
Ronnie’s head snaps up. “No, that’s not what I meant by letting you read it. I just wanted you to know how I felt. I know I can I love you, and while that means so much to me, this felt just as important. I wanted you to know I don’t see this as temporary.”
Cupping her face with my hands, I bring my forehead to hers. “Baby, you have to know I see us the same exact way. I never thought about love or marriage or even having a family when I was older, but with you, I could see it. If you wanted, I’d even do the damn white picket fence type of neighborhood.” Ronnie nudges my shoulder and she shakes her head at that suggestion. “I love you, Ronnie. I’ve never loved anyone before and I don’t plan on letting that go anytime soon…or ever. You’re it for me, babe, so you better get used to
having me around.”
When she lets out a laugh, the sound runs through me. “That would never happen,” she says before planting a kiss on the tip of my nose.
“I talked to my parents on the car ride home,” Ronnie says. “It was a little bit about you, but mainly about UNF. It wasn’t the most pleasant conversation, but Sean was there to back me up. He agrees that I should be able to go if I have a full scholarship. I think I wore Mom down, but Dad was a bit harder because he doesn’t want me leaving and going off on my own for the first time. I think it helped that Allen was going too.”
“And me,” I tell her.
“I highly doubt you coming away to college with me will make my dad feel any better about the idea.” She does have a point there. Definitely, if he knows I wanted to ask her about getting a house she, Allen, and I can live in near campus. Not sure how Mr. Hamilton would handle that one.
I rub her jaw line with my thumb. “Fine, we won’t share that detail. Let’s save it for the first time he visits you and I show up for dinner. How does that sound?”
She laughs and presses her body closer to mine. “Anything with the two of us together sounds perfect to me. As long as I have you, I’m golden.” She reaches up and molds our bodies together.
The feel of Ronnie’s tongue against my lips wipes away any thoughts of her father and college. All that’s going through my mind is getting on that big, comfy bed with this sexy girl in my arms. I begin walking Ronnie toward the bed and she slips her hands under my shirt, sliding my t-shirt higher and higher until her arms can’t go any further. I release my grip from her jaw and help her by tugging the material off. The moment I toss it on the ground, Ronnie’s hands are running up and down my chest. She makes sure to go slow over the parts of me covered in ink. She leans forward and kisses the spot on my chest where my first tattoo is, a quote from my favorite song and the only work of art on me that means something.