Control Us (Next Generation Book 1)

by J. M. Walker

  He only nodded, giving me all the encouragement I needed.

  Once I was outside, Piper’s head shot up.

  “It’s just me,” I told her.

  She sighed, her shoulders slumping. “I broke things off with them. Although I did that after Paris, they never got the hint. So I did it again.”

  “They’re still not getting the hint,” I said, sitting beside her on the patio couch.

  “They aren’t. After Ashton realized that he never had a chance with you, he came back to me.” She shook her head. “God, it’s all confusing. So damn confusing. I never wanted to hurt them but…things weren’t official. I just want to be left alone.”

  I wanted to tell her that I knew it was Jaron she had met up with in Paris but thought better of it. I knew that she had spent years having a crush on him but never acted on her feelings. I wasn’t overly sure why. Jaron was a good guy. Maybe she didn’t like the fact that he was a biker.

  “He kissed me,” I blurted.

  Piper’s head whipped around. “Who did?”

  “Ashton.” I wrung my hands in my lap. “I’m not sure why. I don’t know if he was just trying to make Zach jealous. But it was weird. Really weird.”

  “I’m not surprised. Aiden is the levelheaded one, but Ashton always reacts first before thinking.” She let out a huff. “I just want things to be back to normal. But I know that’ll never happen. Anyway.” She clapped her hands together. “Tell me about you and Zach. Please.”

  “Oh gosh, that’s boring.”

  She laughed. “As if. Have you seen him? He’s beautiful in a broken, dark kind of way.”

  “He is.” I sighed. “He told me he loves me.”

  “Oh, Luna.” Piper turned her body toward me. “That’s wonderful. You guys are going to have pretty babies before you know it and make us aunties. God, I want to be an auntie.”

  I laughed. “Let’s not get carried away.”

  “Why? You two would make beautiful kids. I can’t wait.”

  I shook my head, but I couldn’t help but smile. The idea of Zach getting me pregnant…I cleared my throat, not needing to think about that right at the moment. As much as I wanted kids, Zach and I had some other stuff to work through first. Not that either of us wanted to discuss it.

  At that moment, the patio door opened, revealing Zach.

  My breath caught.

  “We should head out soon,” he said, looking squarely at me.

  I nodded, rising from the couch. “I’ll see you soon,” I told Piper.

  “Have fun,” she sang.

  I laughed, heading into the house.

  Zach peered down at me.

  “You good?” I asked, placing my hand on his chest.

  He nodded but he wouldn’t look my way.

  My heart skipped a beat. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” he finally said, brushing his fingers down the length of my arm. A path of goosebumps followed.

  “Alright, lovebirds.” Meadow came up to us, holding a plate of cookies. “Try these. They’re healthy. I made them for Gigi so she could still get her treats in while she’s training.”

  “But it doesn’t help when they’re so damn good that I want to eat them all.” Gigi slumped onto the couch and patted her stomach.

  “I don’t think you could ever get fat, if that’s what you’re implying.” Ashton sat beside her and stole a cookie off her plate before stuffing it into his mouth. “I don’t give a shit if these are healthy. Meadow, you’re a fucking queen.”

  Gigi coughed, her cheeks reddening.

  I laughed.

  Meadow giggled.

  And the guys looked at us like we were sporting appendages out of our foreheads.

  “What was that about?” Zach asked, snatching another cookie off the plate Meadow was holding.

  “I’ll tell you later,” I told him.

  “So, I’m going to take these and head to the studio.” Gigi shot up off the couch before anyone could argue. She grabbed her purse off the chair and quickly left the house.

  I laughed again, shaking my head.

  “I have no idea what’s going on right now.” Ashton popped another cookie into his mouth. “But I do know that these are so motherfucking good.”

  “Thanks, guys.” Meadow grinned. “You’re the best. But you know, eating a dozen cookies defeats the purpose of them actually being healthy.”

  Ashton patted his stomach. “That’s what all the sex is for.” His eyes flicked my way.

  I opened my mouth to say something when I felt Zach’s hard body press up behind mine. He placed his hands on my shoulders, giving them a light squeeze.

  Leaning down to my ear, he brushed his lips along the shell of it. “I don’t give a fuck who he is. Whether he’s your friend, my friend, a fucking stranger. If he so much as even thinks of kissing you again, I’ll gut him where he sleeps, leaving him to bleed out.”

  My heart hammered. “Possessive much?” I whispered.

  Zach chuckled, the sound dark. “Baby, you have no fucking idea.” He released me and joined Meadow in the kitchen. “Need any help?” I heard him ask.

  I shook myself and headed to my bedroom but not before I caught a look from Ashton. I wasn’t sure what that look meant, but I had a feeling that it wouldn’t be long before any of us found out.

  Zach

  WHILE LUNA WAS GETTING ready for our weekend at my condo, I helped Meadow prepare some more cookies. Or I pretended to help. She would slap my hands away every so often and scowl. Someone clearly liked being in control in the kitchen.

  “Have you thought of opening your own bakery? Or…” A thought came to me. “I could put your desserts in the restaurants at my dad’s hotels.”

  Meadow stopped what she was doing and turned around. Her dark brows narrowed. Blowing a loose curl out of her eyes, she opened her mouth and then snapped it shut.

  “What?” I frowned.

  “You would do that?” she asked. “No. I can’t,” she said before I could respond. “It would ruin them.”

  “How would it ruin them? Your desserts would be in half the hotels in the city. And more. It would take some time, but I can help you—”

  “I appreciate that, Zach. I really do but I think right now, I just want to keep things local and make desserts for people I know.” She took a step back. “Although, I could use a bigger kitchen,” she said more to herself. She tapped her chin, her dark eyes moving around the area in front of her. “I would give my left arm for one of those industrial ovens where I can stock them with dozens of cookies and pastries.” She sighed. “One day.”

  I knew when not to press. Meadow was different than the other girls. She was younger, but it didn’t mean she wasn’t headstrong and determined. She wanted something. But she never told us what that was. Hell, I wasn’t even sure if she knew.

  “Stop staring at my pretty face and go to your girl, Zach.”

  I chuckled. “You are something else, Meadow.”

  She blew me a kiss. “I know.” Her gaze flicked behind me. “Hey…uh…I heard Ashton’s been causing some problems.”

  “It is what it is,” I mumbled, leaning against the counter. Luna really needed to hurry up.

  “Listen, I know he can be an ass. Hell, we’ve all seen how he goes through women. But I think he’s doing it just to get a rise out of you. Shock value and shit.”

  I passed a glance at her. “Why though? He’s never shown interest in her. Why now?”

  “Why does he do anything?” Meadow shrugged. “But if you need me to distract him, I can.”

  I hesitated. “And how are you going to distract him?”

  She laughed. “You’re a guy, Zach. How else do us women distract you? It’s either with beer, food, or sex. I’ve given him food plenty of times. And beer.” She scoffed. “He can get that whenever he wants. We always have beer. But sex…no one else here will have sex with him and I know Piper isn’t riding that anymore.”

  “I…” I rubbed the
back of my neck. “I don’t—”

  “Holy shit balls,” Ashton yelled.

  Meadow and I glanced at each other before we left the kitchen.

  “When did you get back?” Ashton was standing with a man by the front door.

  “Holy fucking hell,” Meadow whispered.

  The man’s gaze flicked our way.

  My eyes widened.

  “I got back last night.” He came toward us. “I went to see Mom and Dad and now I’m here.” He stopped in front of Meadow. “Hey, sis.”

  Meadow’s eyes shone. She shook her head, holding her arms out.

  He chuckled, scooping her up into his arms. “Fuck, I missed you. I missed all of you. Being home. This. Where’s Gigi?”

  A sob left Meadow, but she didn’t answer.

  “She went to the studio,” I said.

  He nodded toward me. “How’s it going, Zach?”

  “Good.” It was like seeing a ghost. Even though we had known Ryder was alive and well, Gigi and Meadow’s brother was a hard guy to get a hold of. He had joined the military fresh out of high school, shot up the ranks and who the hell knew what he was doing anymore. It was all hush-hush and highly classified. He made their dad proud. Hell, all of our dads were proud.

  We would get random postcards and phone calls every now and again, basically just letting us know that he was alive. But we hadn’t seen him in almost a year.

  “You guys act like you haven’t seen me in a long time,” Ryder joked, poking his little sister in the ribs.

  “It’s been a while, asshole.” She wiped under her eyes. “God, way too fucking long.”

  Ryder only grinned. “Well I’m home now.”

  He was but for how long. That was the question.

  While Ryder and Meadow talked amongst themselves, I realized that Ashton was nowhere to be found.

  My stomach twisted. I loved the fucker, but he was starting to get under my skin, and I didn’t like that. I didn’t like that one fucking bit.

  “So, anything new?” Ryder asked, sitting at the dining room table.

  Meadow went into the kitchen and came back a moment later with a plate of cookies. “Luna and Zach are fucking.”

  “Yeah, because I’m sure that’s what he wants to know after being gone for months on end,” I pointed out, sitting at the head of the table.

  “Oh, I do.” Ryder nodded. “Tell me all the news. So, Piper still banging the twins?”

  Meadow laughed. “See? And you all thought I was weird for the shit I want to know.”

  “You are weird,” I reminded her.

  She shrugged. “True. Normal is boring.” She sat beside her brother, pushing the plate toward him. “I tried a new recipe. Luna and Zach are humping like rabbits. Piper wants nothing to do with the twins anymore and they’re sad. Gigi is still lusting after Vincent Jr. Who knows what’s going on there? And me?” She sat back. “I’m going to distract Ashton, so he leaves Zach and Luna alone. I think that’s it. Oh. And Luna’s dad is a protective dick.” She tapped her chin. “I don’t think I missed anything.”

  “Interesting.” Ryder sat back, stretching his thick arms up and over his head. He had filled out since the last time we saw him. He was the middle child, but you would think he was the oldest. He definitely took after his dad in the size department. “So, Gigi likes a younger guy, does she?”

  “Yeah.” Meadow shrugged. “But like I said, I don’t know what’s going on there.”

  “Hey, Zach.” Luna came down the hall and into the living room. “I’m ready but I feel like I grabbed too much.” She held two bags in her hands. “Do I need more or less clothing?”

  Less. Definitely less.

  I stood from the table and went to her, helping her with the bags. “Look who’s home,” I said, ignoring her questions.

  She looked around me, a soft gasp leaving her. “Ryder.”

  Ryder rose from his chair and held his arms out.

  She rushed into them. “God, it’s good to see you. I’m so glad you’re home safely.”

  As much as I knew we were all friends and grew up together, it still didn’t mean I liked seeing her in another man’s arms. I didn’t give a shit who he was.

  Ryder caught my gaze. He gave me a knowing smirk, tightening his hold on Luna.

  A growl rumbled from somewhere deep inside me.

  He laughed, releasing her. “Well this is new.” He came toward me, clapping my shoulder. “I missed you.”

  “I missed you too, fucker.” I pulled him into an embrace, thankful he was no longer touching my girl.

  ***

  (Luna)

  I couldn’t believe Ryder was home. After all this time. I was sure his parents were happy about that as well.

  While Ryder and Zach stood off to the side, Ashton came back into the living room.

  “Where did you go?” I asked him while rummaging through my bags. I was sure I had way too much.

  “I had to take a piss and then my brother called, saying something was going on with the center.” Ashton slumped beside me. “I’m glad Ryder’s home though.”

  “Me too.” I couldn’t help but watch Ryder and Zach together. They could almost pass for brothers. Or at least cousins. Both had black hair and dark scruff on their strong jaws. And both of them had those chocolate brown eyes that made it feel like they were looking into your soul. While Zach was big, Ryder was bigger and taller.

  Ryder caught me staring and gave me a wink.

  My cheeks burned.

  Zach’s head whipped around. He raised an eyebrow.

  I couldn’t help but laugh, which in turn, made Ryder chuckle.

  “Dude, trust me, your dick is the only one she wants,” Ryder told him.

  Zach scowled, something flashing behind his dark eyes.

  I blew him a kiss. There was no point in denying it. Everyone knew I had a crush on the guy since I was a kid. And now that we were together, it was just…right.

  “He better not—Meadow, what are you doing?”

  I turned back around, finding Meadow standing in front of Ashton with her hand out.

  “Distracting you,” she said.

  “I don’t know what that means,” Ashton mumbled.

  “Use your head.” She let out a huff. “Fine.” She grabbed his hand, trying to pull him to his feet but she was tiny, so she didn’t get very far. “Stand, Ashton. God. Do you want me to spell it out for you with neon lights and glitter?”

  Ashton stood, looking at each of us. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I also don’t need your brother kicking my ass when he just got home.”

  Ryder chuckled. “Have fun, kids. I know when not to step in where Meadow’s concerned.”

  “Come.” Meadow grabbed Ashton’s hand and led him down the hall to her room.

  I shook my head, unsure as to what just happened there but happy that Ashton wouldn’t be a problem for at least a little while.

  “Well…I guess I should get going. Seeing as my sister is preoccupied and you two have plans.”

  “We’re going out for dinner,” Zach explained. “But we’re going to hit up a bar after if you wanted to join us for drinks.”

  “That sounds perfect.” Ryder clapped his shoulder. “Have fun. I’m going to head to my parents’ place and catch a nap. My mom’s going to lose her shit that her son’s home and all he wants to do is sleep.” He laughed to himself, heading to the door. “See you later.”

  When Zach and I were alone, I couldn’t help but wonder if maybe Meadow was making a mistake. Not that I judged. She was a big girl and all. Even though she was the youngest of our group, she was definitely the most determined to get what she wanted out of life.

  “Sorry I made plans for us without asking you,” Zach said, pulling me from my thoughts.

  “Oh, that’s fine,” I told him, rising from the couch. “It would be nice to have drinks with Ryder anyway. Maybe we can get everyone else to join us too.” I looked down at my two bags sitting on the couch. �
�Should I get ready now then?”

  “Sure.” He sat down beside me, brushing a finger down my arm. “I can also help you get ready.”

  My breath caught at the heat in his dark eyes. “I think we both know that it wouldn’t be much help.”

  “Maybe not. So if you don’t want to end up hearing Ashton and Meadow, I suggest getting ready quickly.”

  “I’m sure we’ve all heard each other.” Although it would be weird hearing them. I couldn’t imagine having sex with someone just for the sake of having sex.

  “Does it bother you?”

  I frowned. “What?”

  Zach leaned forward. “Does it bother you? Knowing that Ashton hinted for more with you not too long ago and now he’s probably balls deep inside another woman.”

  My heart jumped. “Way to be graphic, Zach.”

  “Hmm…” He tilted his head, searching my face. “Yeah, I think I like their idea.”

  “What are—” Zach shot up from the couch and before I could get my question out, he had me over his shoulder. “Zach, what are you doing?”

  “Shut up.” He landed a hard swat against the seat of my ass. “Let me take care of you, Luna.”

  ***

  (Zach)

  An hour later and I was lying on Luna’s bed, watching her flutter around the room. She was getting ready for our date, but I rather enjoyed this instead. Although, I should feed her.

  “God, my muscles hurt,” she muttered, stretching her arms up and over her head. “I should really start training with Gigi or something.”

  I chuckled, leaning against my arm behind my head.

  “You’re proud of yourself, aren’t you?” she asked, pulling a pair of red panties up her long legs.

  “I am actually.” Even though the words came out of my mouth, my body hurt as well. I wasn’t sure what sparked the need to completely consume Luna but after catching her checking out Ryder and then her acting different about Meadow and Ashton fucking, I felt a force within me. I needed to distract her much like Meadow was distracting Ashton. “Does it bother you?”

  “What?” Luna didn’t meet my gaze.

  “Luna.” I sat forward, curling my knee on the bed. “Tell me.”