by Lauren Wood
Sally typed in and hit the send button. “It would have explained so much and she would have known right away what had happened. Not that she would ever accuse someone of rape who didn’t do it, but she would know any female would be hurt. Some would react in ways that perhaps were evil, like Mary did.
I don’t believe it, wait until my attorney calls me then I’ll know for sure. I think she is lying to you. She’s really good at doing that, if you hadn’t noticed before.
Johnny responded back.
Sally shook her head.
I’ve known her since she was four years old, I know when she lies. I reminded her of that and she knew that I would be able to see through anything she said. Just be happy, she was calling as soon as I left her house.
She replied.
We’ll wait and see what happens. What about the other girls?
His message came back.
She thinks many of them wouldn’t have even made it through the trial, but she will talk to them. Or maybe she will let the DA do it, she wasn’t really sure. She was embarrassed about it. You know that is something that a female will hate. I hope you never say another person’s name to me.
She sent back to him.
Come over, I’m home.
He sent her. Sally headed to his house. She figured a celebration would happen soon. She didn’t know how long it would be before the DA would tell Johnny’s attorney, but she hoped she was there when he got the news.
Before she went over to Johnny’s she ran inside to see if her mom was there. Sally wanted to let her know that Mary had admitted Johnny hadn’t done a thing that night, well except upset her. But her mother wasn’t there when she walked in.
Instead she went over to Johnny’s and knocked on the door. He came and answered the door, and gave her a hug and a kiss.
“Welcome home.” He smiled.
“Well close enough to home right.” She smiled back at him.
Johnny got down on one knee and looked at her. He pulled a small box out of his pocket. “Sally Leach would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” He asked her.
She felt her knees get weak. “Oh my goodness, I wasn’t expecting this. Yes I will marry you Johnny Young.” She said.
“Are you sure? Just in case Mary doesn’t call the DA, or one of the other girls goes through with the charges.” Johnny asked.
“Mary can testify that you didn’t rape any of them, right? So why would we have to worry about it?” Sally asked.
“I’m not sure how that works, I’d have to ask the attorney, but it seems like that would work. But again I know you swear she will do it, but I don’t believe her. You didn’t see her that night, or when she was putting on the show for everyone. I got jumped a few times by some of the guys from school. Thankfully, I’ve been studying martial arts and could protect myself. Unfortunately it didn’t help me much because I would get in trouble for fighting. Thus I must be violent.” Johnny explained.
“Why didn’t you tell me all of this at first?” She asked.
“Why? What good would it do for you to hear it? It wouldn’t make anything go away.” Johnny commented.
“I know but at least I would have known what you went through while I was gone.” She stated.
“I don’t want to drag you through it all. I can just tell you it was a living hell; I really thought I hated you for a while. But my love for you is far too strong for it to just disappear. I guess that night with Mary proved it to her, but to me as well. Honestly, before that night I would swear that I was over you. I know Mary thinks I lied to her the whole time, but I really didn’t. You messed me up bad when you left to go to Paris.” Johnny explained.
“I’m so sorry Johnny. I wish I would have realized how I felt before I stepped on that plane too. It would have solved a lot of problems, or at least changed this situation, and a few others. I wish we could go back to that day when we were in the woods. I would have said something else to you, would have talked about how it made me feel. I was nervous; I was shocked that we had just had sex. I mean how many years did I put you off? Suddenly I’m feeling all these emotions for you that simply make no sense to me.” Sally admitted.
“That wasn’t my problem. It was when you told me you were leaving in 3 days. I knew how I felt for you, and I had hoped it changed your mind. I know they say that a relationship shouldn’t be built on sex. But I don’t think I would change that happening that day. I would change what you told me right after though.” Johnny said.
“I would too Johnny. I wouldn’t have left. I missed you so much when I was gone. When you told me you wouldn’t talk to me anymore, I just died a bit inside.” Sally said.
“Imagine how I felt when you said you were going to Paris right after we had sex the first time?” He commented.
“No I can get it. Really Johnny, I’m so sorry.” She stated.
“Well now it’s in the past. If Mary does what you think she will, I don’t even know what I will do. I don’t know if people will believe the girls even after they change their stories. What I’m saying is that we may have to move someday. Otherwise I won’t be able to get a job, and you’ll have to support us.” Johnny said.
“How would you feel about going to New York or maybe LA? I could intern with one of the fashion designers there, and maybe still be able to do what I’ve always wanted to do.” She asked.
“We’ll compare the options and see what looks like the best choice. But I haven’t given up hope on staying here either. Both of those cities are so dangerous, I don’t know if I want to take a chance of you getting hurt.” He commented.
“I’ll be careful no matter where we go.” Sally stated.
“We have to get past this whole thing first. You would think that if Mary did what she said I would have gotten a call by now.” Johnny said looking at his watch.
“It hasn’t been that long since I left her, maybe 10 to 15 minutes now.” Sally tried to cheer him up.
“I just have this horrible feeling that it won’t go that way. That she won’t call, and the attorney won’t be able to plea bargain and I’ll be in jail for years. You’ll be out here by yourself and will get tired of waiting for me. Eventually, you’ll leave me for another man.” Johnny commented.
“Is that why you asked me to marry you, because you thought I would stick around longer?” She asked.
“It might have a little bit to do with it. But it is mostly because you told me I needed to decide what I wanted from you. So today I went to Grand Island and went ring shopping. I couldn’t buy anything in town, they wouldn’t sell to me. Can you believe that? Don’t answer it.” Johnny told her.
“I can believe it honestly.” She began.
He put up his hand. “I told you not to answer it. I know you’ve seen it.” He stated.
“I’ve unfortunately found out just how judgmental people are in our little town since I’ve been back. The lady in the mall wasn’t the only one. I meet a couple of other guys we went to school with before that, and they were the same way. Mr. Samuels wouldn’t even hire me because he had heard a rumor about us.” Sally said.
“Well that isn’t shocking to me.” Johnny said.
His phone rang and he answered it. “Yes sure Mr. Wallace.”
Sally watched as Johnny listened and talked to his attorney. She kept her fingers crossed and watched his face to try and figure out what he was hearing.
“Okay, yes sir. I understand sir. Alright, I’ll come down there in an hour. Sure, I appreciate it.” She heard Johnny say.
As soon as he hung up she asked. “Well, what happened?” She asked.
“She did call and rescind her story. The charges from her are going to be dropped. The DA is dealing with the other girls right now as well. In an hour I’m supposed to go to my attorney’s office and I’ll find out what happened with them.” Johnny stated.
“I told you she would call.” Sally said.
“Okay so you were right about that. But I am telling you we need to
decide what to do now. I don’t think anyone will hire me here. So what place would you like to move too?” Johnny asked.
“I don’t care; either of the bigger cities would work. I’ll look up to see if there are any more in different cities as well. Maybe Chicago that might be a good place too.” Sally suggested.
“Look them up when I go to see Mr. Wallace. Do you want to get married before we go, or after we get to where we are going?” He asked.
“Well I would like my parents to come, but so many people in town have really made me upset. They judged you for a rumor, based on lies. We have to move because of those lies too. As far as I’m concerned there aren’t many people I would even want to come now.” She stated.
“Where ever we go we can fly them out. I don’t mind that, are they going to be okay with you marrying me though? You’re mom stopped talking to me after she found out about the charges, I don’t think she likes me very much.” He said.
“She will change her mind once she finds out that Mary was lying.” Sally said.
“No don’t believe it. I’m telling you Sally; people will still talk and think I’m guilty. But your parents can come if they want. I agree with you there are too many people who I wouldn’t want to see at the wedding. Look up the places and let me know where you want to move when I get back though. It may be a quick move though; I want to start our new life together on an up note.” He stated.
“Alright sweetie, I’m going to go home and talk to my mom and do some research. Let me know when you get back okay.” She kissed him and walked out the door.
Sally went inside and called for her mom. “Mom, are you home?” She yelled out.
“Yeah sweetie, I’ll be right down.” She heard her mom call from upstairs.
A few minutes later her mom was downstairs. “Hey honey, how was your day today?” Her mom asked.
“It was very nice actually. See what I got?” She showed her mom the ring.
“Oh it’s beautiful. Oh wait, is that from him?” Her mom’s eyes closed a bit.
“Yes it is mom. It’s from Johnny and I said yes. By the way so you know I also talked to Mary today, and she lied. Sit down and let me tell you the story.” Sally said.
Her mom sat and listened intently as Sally explained what Mary had a little earlier in the day to her. She left out details about sex and all that, but gave her mom enough of the story so she could understand Johnny was not guilty.
“Well I guess you were right to begin with.” Her mom said once Sally had stopped talking.
“I also need to tell you that we will be moving as well. Johnny will always have people looking at him like he’s guilty.” Sally said.
“What? Where will you move? When are you going? I just got you back from half way around the world.” Her mom cried out.
“Mom, its okay, maybe we’ll go to Chicago. It’s not that far away really, and you and dad can come out for the ceremony. We aren’t going to get married in town.” She explained.
“Oh my little girl, she’s all grown up now. I’m so happy for you. You’re sure though that he’s not going to hurt you. Even though he didn’t rape those girls he was always in trouble for beating people up. They even said that old man Denton was in the hospital for a few months after he was done beating him up.” Her mom commented.
“Mom I talked to a guy today who told me a month. Then when I began asking him questions he admitted that old man Denton wasn’t even in overnight. People are over exaggerating things when they talk about Johnny. It was all a case of just making him look worse than what he is. Yes he did beat him up, and he knows he was wrong. But mom really I caused a lot of that anger in him when I left.” Sally explained.
“Well he did always love you so much. I guess you leaving would make him upset. But really he seemed to change right after you left so much.” Her mom said.
“Mom he was mad at me for leaving. We had gotten a bit closer a few days before I left and well something happened. We, well, had sex. I know mom, I know, I shouldn’t have sex before I’m married.” Sally said.
Her mom held up her hand. “I never said that, but I would think waiting would have been a good idea. But I know kids of your generation don’t look at marriage the same as us old folks do. But go ahead, so before you left you two had sex.” Her mom said.
“Yes and right after I told him I was leaving to go to Paris. He was hurt and upset. I was confused because I didn’t know why I found him so attractive. I got over to Paris and found out about him and Mary. It hurt me a lot, and made me realize just how much I cared about him. Now that I’m back I’ve already seen his attitude change.” Sally stated.
“My little girl, you did hurt him. Well I guess I owe him an apology too. I can understand why he was angry. It puts a whole new perspective on it.
***
Sally looked out the window of their little house in a Chicago suburb. Her belly was rounded and she was 9 months pregnant with their first child. She waited for her husband to come home from work.
“Hey honey I’m home.” Johnny said walking in the door. “How’s the most beautiful girl in the world?” He asked.
“I’m great. The baby has been really active today. I think he’s ready to come out soon!” Sally commented.
“Good, come on slugger, we can’t wait to see you.” Johnny kissed her belly and felt the baby kick.
THE END
More Steamy Romance By Lauren Wood
WILD ALPHA BEAST
Chapter 1
The snow blanketed the ground outside and continued to fall from the sky. She sipped her coffee and frowned. Trust her mother and stepfather get stranded at the airport three states over. Now she was alone on Christmas.
A knock at the door startled her. With excitement, she bounded down the stairs. She’d just spend her first semester away at college, and she was so excited to talk to her mom about it. “You made it!” she said as she flung open the door.
Her drive instantly changed when she saw who was at the door. Despite the freezing cold temperatures, his wore a leather jacket that was still unzipped at the neck, and of course, he wore nothing to protect his head.
“Cade,” she said with a frown. “What the hell are you doing here?” She crossed her arms to protect herself. Her body always betrayed her whenever her stepbrother was around.
He stared at her like she’d lost her mind. “It’s Christmas.”
“I know, but my mom and your dad flew to Pennsylvania to spend time with your family.”
“Erin, it’s freezing out here. Can I come in before we debate about why I’m not allowed to spend Christmas here?”
She rolled her eyes but stepped aside. Cade brushed the snow off his jacket and filled the doorway as he entered. “Thanks, sis,” he said wryly.
“Don’t call me that,” she snapped. “Why aren’t you in Pennsylvania?”
Her fingers tingled as he stripped his jacket off. As he lifted his arms, she could see just an inch of so of his torso, and her mind immediately flashed back to when she’d spent some time at the beach with him. Six-pack abs. Tanned and smooth skin that was virtually hairless. Perfection.
“If you’d remember anything that came out of my mouth when we were together, you would know that I live here now. I’m starting a business, and New York is the best demographics. Where is Dad and Susan?”
“Pennsylvania,” she said as she crossed her arms. “Because of the snow storm, they’re stuck for at least a few days.”
“So, you’re alone here? No babysitter?”
“Cade. I am nineteen years old. I haven’t needed a babysitter for ten years.”
He smiled at her. “That’s right. You’re at NYU. How was your first semester?”
“It was awesome. My roommate is kind of a bitch, but I think she’s going to fail out next semester anyways. My suitemates, on the other hand, are awesome.” She continued chatting as she followed him into the kitchen and watched as he opened the refrigerator door. “What are you doing?�
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“I’d like to feed myself. Maybe we can order Chinese.”
“You’re staying?”
Cade peeked over the kitchen door and shrugged. “It took me two hours to make the twenty minute drive, so I’m not exactly ready to drive back. And besides, it’s Christmas. It wouldn’t be very brotherly of me to leave you on Christmas.”
“You’re not my brother,” she snapped.
“No,” he said with a slow smile. “I’m not.”
Erin Silva shook away the memories and stared at her editor. “I’m sorry, what did you just say?”
Leila frowned. “Erin, you haven’t written anything worthwhile in over a year. I know you wanted to take a hiatus after the veteran’s piece, but you can’t keep surviving off travel blogs. You’re a human interest writer, and The New York Monthly is begging me to get you to write up his profile.”
“Cade Marquis? You want me to do an interview with Cade Marquis?” Erin stared at her friend. “Are you insane?”
“No,” Leila said slowly. “I thought you’d have an issue with the project, not with the subject. What’s going on? Do you know Cade?”
Just thinking about him made her chest tighten. “Yes, I know Cade. And no, I’m not writing a piece on him.”
“That’s going to be a problem.” Leila followed her through the kitchen. “Erin, if you don’t writing again, people are going to forget about you. You have the write this piece. I already told the magazine that you’d do it, and I’ve already informed Cade’s publicist. He agreed to it.”
“The publicist or Cade?” Erin snapped as she whirled around.
Leila halted. “Does it matter?” she said nervously.
“Yes, it matters,” she said tightly. “Who agreed?”
“Cade did. He called me last night and told me it was a great idea. He needs more exposure, and he says he likes your style of writing.”
“Did he now?” Erin rolled her eyes. Trust Cade to sweet talk Leila. For all she knew, he was probably pulling the strings at the magazine as well. Obviously, he’d decided his life was empty without tormenting her.