by Jewel E. Ann
Jillian looked at Lilith who was smiling at her without regard for Dodge’s crude and cruel comment. “Your husband doesn’t think his shit stinks. Typical guy.” Jillian winked at Dodge.
“Come here. I want to show you something before you go.” Dodge waved Jillian toward the back door.
“Bye, Lilith.” Jillian helped her up from the vanity chair.
“Thank you,” Lilith said, and it was the first time Jillian heard her speak.
“You’re welcome.” Jillian gave her hand a little squeeze.
As soon as she opened the garage door, Jillian froze—speechless.
“Just got the new rims on today. What do you think?” Dodge sat in a golf cart that occupied its own garage stall. But it wasn’t just any golf cart. It was red with a white top, red and white painted rims, custom white leather seats with a red N stitched into the back of them. The rest of the body looked like the Cornhusker apparel store exploded onto it—decals, a flag, and a built-in Cornhusker cooler on the back.
“Wow, it’s … wow. I didn’t know you golfed.”
“Oh, I don’t.”
Jillian raised her eyebrows. “Um, okay so what’s with the golf cart?”
“I’m a Cornhusker fan.”
She laughed. “I can see that.”
“My knees have gone to shit so I use her to get around the development. Mainly to get the mail and stuff like that.”
Jillian peeked around the garage door opening to the grouping of mailboxes. “Yeah, that has to be a good fifteen … twenty yard walk.”
“Nineteen and a half to be exact. Stan measured it for me awhile back. We were just curious.”
“And you pack a cooler to get the mail?”
Dodge grinned. “Nah. I sit out here with Stan and shoot the breeze or watch the games.” He gestured to the TV in the corner of the garage. “Sometimes I take a cold one down to Stan when he’s working outside—hand trimming his lawn or sweeping the street with his big push broom.”
Jillian smiled. She didn’t just relocate to Nebraska, she landed on an entirely different planet called Peaceful Woods, which ironically had no woods at all, rather small algae-infested ponds behind each grouping of townhomes.
“Well, I’m going to head home now.”
“Want a ride?”
“No … I’m good.” She winked at Dodge who had retrieved a beer from his cooler.
“Beer for the road?”
Jillian didn’t have to sell sex toys that night so she shrugged. “Why not. Thanks.”
Dodge tossed her a can. “Thanks again for everything, young lady.”
“You’re welcome.” She raised her can to him before heading down the street. After popping the top, she took a big gulp. It was cold and tasted only mildly gross after her long and unexpectedly emotional day with AJ, then reminiscing about her blind date with Dr. Luke Jones.
“Jillian,” a familiar voice called as she neared her driveway. Cage stood behind a grill.
“Hey, early dinner?”
He smirked. “Late lunch.”
“Whatcha grilling?”
“Steaks and not the kind made from soybeans, sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’m good.” She held up her can of beer before taking another sip.
Cage laughed. “Looks healthy.”
“How’s the big guy?”
He flipped the steaks and closed the lid. “Grumpy. He didn’t end up going into work today so now he feels guilty.”
Jillian handed Cage the rest of her beer. “Here, drink up. I’ll go cheer him up.”
Cage sat in the folding chair next to the grill and tipped back the can for a long swig. “Good luck with that. I don’t think you bring out the best in him.”
Jillian turned before opening the door to the house. “Really?” she asked with a hint of surprise in her voice.
Cage chuckled. “Really.”
She shut the door and padded down the hall toward the kitchen.
“Better not be burning my steak,” AJ called from the kitchen with his back to Jillian as he sliced vegetables and slid them off the cutting board into a large salad bowl.
“I love how protective you are of your meat,” she whispered, sliding her hands under his shirt and around front to his chest.
AJ stiffened. “What are you doing?”
“Trying to un-grump you.”
He turned. “That’s not a word.”
She stepped back and leaned against the opposite counter. “Thanks for the grammar tip. How are you feeling?”
He cleared his throat and turned back around to continue working on the salad. “About that. What happened earlier … it shouldn’t have happened.”
She rubbed her forehead. Jillian wasn’t sure when she became such a guilty pleasure, but she had always been Luke’s, and AJ, with that statement, joined the list too. “Because …?”
“Because I have a date tonight.”
She pushed off the counter. “Well, that must mean you’re feeling better. Good for you.” She headed to the back door. “I have one too.” The statement came out of nowhere, an ego knee-jerk reaction, but it was too late. She had to own it.
AJ started to say something, but she shut the door before he could finish.
“Hey, young buck. What are your plans tonight?”
Cage retrieved the steaks from the grill, setting them onto a plate. “Not sure yet. Why?”
“I think you should take me around town and show me the nightlife in Omaha. What do you say?” She continued walking to her house.
“Like a date?”
Jillian grinned to herself. “If your dad asks, then yes—definitely a date.”
“Will I be getting lucky tonight?”
A giggle bubbled from her chest. “Sorry.”
“But I don’t have to tell my dad that, right?”
“I’d be disappointed if you did.”
*
“Jills, get your ass down here. I need to hit something.”
Jillian rolled her eyes, smirking as she slipped off her shoes. “Let me change my clothes, Jacks.” After a quick change, she joined her brother downstairs for some friendly sparring.
“My four o’clock student raped my piano. I didn’t think it was possible for such a hideous sound to come out of Black Beauty.”
“You named your piano?”
“Yes. Hit me.”
Jillian pulled one arm across her body then the other, stretching her shoulders. “Anxious?”
“Restless … agitated … I don’t know.” Jackson rolled his neck.
“You need to get out of the house, have some fun. Get drunk with purpose.”
“And what purpose would that be?”
She jabbed at him, but he was too quick for her. “To get laid. You’re much more charming once you’ve had a few beers.”
Jackson landed a kick just below her ribs. “I think I wrote the book on getting laid.”
She swept his leg, landing him on his ass. “Don’t be cocky.”
He jumped back up. “You and I. We’re going out tonight.”
Jillian ducked and weaved to avoid the knuckles aiming for her jaw. “Can’t…” she breathed “…I already have plans.”
“Plans?”
“A date of sorts.”
He T’d his hands. “Timeout. A date?”
“Of sorts.” She guzzled down half her glass of water.
“With whom?”
“Cage.”
“The neighbor boy?”
“He’s a young man, but yes.” Jillian could see the lecture being composed in her brother’s incessantly churning brain. “And before you go off about it, I can assure you it’s nothing. He’s just showing me around town.”
Jackson cocked his head, hands rested on his hips. “Did he ask you?”
She shrugged. “I don’t remember.” Her grin called her out before Jackson had the chance.
“Liar. You asked him, didn’t you? Why? There has to be a reason. He’s not your type.”
<
br /> Jillian shot him a scowl. “Then what type is he?”
“Young, weak, and not Luke.”
“He plays football. I’d hardly call that weak.”
“You know what I mean.”
She sighed, lips pursed.
“This is about AJ. You’re trying to piss him off by going out with his son. Or are you trying to make him jealous?”
“I think we both know Sarge isn’t going to be jealous.”
Jackson nodded. “Pissed. He’s going to be really pissed. But why?”
“We had another moment this morning.” She leaned back against the wall with her arms crossed over her chest.
“Was this before or after you got caught in the rain wearing only your bra and underwear?” He mirrored her stance against the opposite wall, a single brow peaked.
She bit her lip to hide her smile. “Somewhere in the middle.”
“Uh huh … I don’t know why you’re going down this road. It can’t end well.”
“Because he wears a uniform?”
“Because you’ve already lost control … reverted back to old habits.”
She stared at the floor. “I didn’t today. I didn’t even want to.”
“And?”
Jillian looked up, nose wrinkled. “And he has a date tonight.”
Jackson stood erect with a puffed chest. “You had sex with him this morning and he has a date tonight?”
“No! We didn’t have sex. I told you that earlier. We … ugh! It’s complicated.”
“Want my advice?”
She pouted. “No.”
“Un-complicate it.”
*
It may have been obsession, compulsion, or just flat-out insanity, but for whatever reason Jillian wanted to make a statement. A tube top with a spaghetti strap tie around the neck, a good two inches of exposed abs, and a short flowing skirt said a lot. What? She wasn’t sure, but she’d know when AJ saw her.
“Hi, Sarge. Is my date ready?” Jillian threw down the gauntlet while batting her eyelashes when AJ opened the door.
“Excuse me?”
“My date … Cage. Is he ready to go?”
“He’s your date?” Each word fought for air between AJ’s clenched teeth.
She beamed with delight that Cage hadn’t told his dad yet, and she was getting to see his initial reaction firsthand.
“Every young, firm inch of him.”
AJ stepped outside, closing the front door behind him. “What the hell is going on? Is this some joke?”
“It’s dinner, a private tour of Omaha, maybe a thank you kiss good night … second base tops.”
“Is this about this morning?” AJ leaned in closer, his voice low, the dam of control cracking. “Because I didn’t ask you to do anything for me—”
“Wow! Aren’t you the self-centered bastard. The world doesn’t revolve around you. I’m going out with Cage tonight because I want an evening out and he’s fun. Clearly something that is completely foreign to you.” Jillian stepped closer, not willing to back down for a second. “And as far as this morning goes, fuck you. Fuck you for being too stupid and stubborn to ask for help and fuck you for not having the decency to just say ‘Thank you.’”
Cage opened the door. “Is … everything okay?”
Jillian flipped in a single breath, finding her happy face for Cage. “Everything is perfect.” She grabbed his hand and tugged him out the door. “Remember what I said about you not getting lucky tonight?”
Cage took a nervous glance back at his dad as they walked toward his truck. “Uh yeah.”
“Well, I might just change my mind.”
*
Jillian liked Cage too much to risk taking him to clubs or bars since he wasn’t twenty-one yet. After he gave her an hour tour of Omaha’s hotspots, they settled for casual dining on pizza.
“So starting quarterback, that’s pretty awesome.”
Cage had the most endearing blush. “Yeah, last year was my first season to start.”
“Are you hoping to go Pro or are you going to settle for a low-key respectable job where all the women aren’t stalking you.”
He laughed. “I’m not sure yet. I’m studying for a degree in elementary education, so one life would be polar opposite of the other.”
“Oh, that’s unexpected. I rescind my earlier comment. You’re going to have girls stalking you no matter what. Women dig strong, sexy guys with a soft side.” She chuckled. “And nothing says soft quite like the male elementary school teacher. Especially kindergarten or first grade.”
Cage nodded, face still rosy with embarrassment. “So what about you? What do you do?”
“Well as you know I help Dodge with Lilith two days a week and the perfectly trimmed yards in the development, which I’m sure you’ve noticed…” she winked “…are the fine work of yours truly. And I’ve also been doing some home parties.”
“Home parties?”
Jillian smirked. She knew Cage was about to go from rosy face to inferno red. “Have you heard of Lascivio?”
Cage choked on his pizza as he pressed his napkin to his mouth.
“So you have.” She smiled.
Cage nodded while he cleared his throat. “Sex toys?” he whispered.
“I like to think of them as PPDs: personal pleasure devices.”
“Uh, how did you get into that job?”
She twisted her lips. “Just by chance … luck of the draw, you could say.”
“Do you like your job?” He risked a glance up from his plate.
She shrugged. “There are worse jobs. I mean, I could have been a barnyard masturbator.”
He snickered. “Really? That was on your list of dream jobs?”
Jillian grinned thinking it was on a list, but not her dream job list.
“A kid in my Poli-Sci class has an uncle that does that.”
She licked some sauce off her finger. “I bet they’re in high demand in these parts.”
Cage stirred his straw, poking around at the ice. “My dad likes you.”
Fiddling with the corner of her napkin, she met his eyes. “What makes you think that?”
“You irritate the hell out of him.”
“And that equates to him liking me?”
Cage nodded. “He suffers from PTSD. The migraine this morning … that’s part of it. Doctors say they’re stress-induced. Anyway, he only lets people he likes get under his skin—me for instance. Everyone else he deems not worthy of his time, attention, or reaction. But you…” Cage shook his head and whistled “…you are thoroughly under his skin. I’ve never seen anything like it. You were gone by the time I got back this morning, but he didn’t even go into work and he’s been a hair trigger all day.”
Jillian let his words simmer for a few minutes before she decided to ask the question that had been on her mind all evening. “His date tonight … is she—”
“Serious? No. She’s the sister of one of his buddies from work. They go out maybe once or twice a month. I’m not sure, but I wouldn’t call it serious. I think he uses her for a convenient hook-up, but don’t tell him I said that.”
Jillian didn’t know how she felt about AJ hooking-up with a woman ten hours after he’d stared at her naked body.
“Excuse me.” Cage held up a finger as he answered his phone. The confusion in his face and clipped, one-sided conversation led her to believe he was talking to someone about later that night. “Uh … I sort of have plans.” He looked up at her.
She reached across the table and patted his hand. “I should get back,” she mouthed.
“You sure?” he whispered, holding the phone away from his mouth.
Jillian nodded.
“Okay, sure. In about an hour? Cool. See ya then.”
When they arrived back home, Jillian hopped out of his truck. “Thanks, young buck. It was fun.” She blew him a kiss and smiled.
Cage shifted the truck into reverse before she shut the door. “Probably means I’m not getting lucky now,
huh?”
Jillian grinned. “Depends. Who are you going to meet up with?”
Cage smirked. “Good point. Good night.”
The dangerously sexy neighbor waved as the innocent young man backed out of the driveway. His fading taillights were replaced with blinding headlights. Jillian squinted against them as they drew near. The moment she recognized the Jeep, she wished she would have hurried inside. AJ stared at her, devoid of any discernible emotion like he was looking at a lamppost. She was too busy playing her lamppost role to question why he parked in the driveway or notice the passenger door opening at the same time he opened his.
“Jillian,” AJ greeted in a monotone voice.
That’s when the woman from the passenger side walked around the front of his Jeep and slid her arm behind his waist. Jillian smiled at her, not him.
“Lovely evening. You two just get back from dinner?”
The blonde with plenty up top and a spare shoved in the trunk furrowed her brow at AJ then met Jillian’s pointed gaze again. “Um, yes. Do you live here? AJ didn’t tell me he had new neighbors. I’m Carin … with a C.”
Jillian stepped into the grassy easement. “Nice to meet you, Carin with a C. I’m Jillian with a J.” She shook her hand.
Carin homed in on Jillian’s biceps. “Damn girl, you’ve got some serious arms. I’d kill to have those.”
AJ frowned at Jillian. Jillian smiled at Carin. Truthfully, Carin’s body was beautifully all woman: nice curves, soft, and feminine. Jillian’s curves were rigid and defined lacking any sort of softness. She had sex appeal but lacked that classic graceful beauty.
“Are you married?” Carin asked.
“Yes, to my brother.”
AJ shot Jillian a raised brow that she opted to ignore.
“Oh … um … I didn’t realize that was legal.”
Jillian slipped off her heeled sandals, relishing the feel of the cool grass as she curled her toes into its soft blades. “It’s not, but we’ve been together since … well, birth so we consider it a common law marriage. Neither one of us had to change our name, and I don’t know if it was a sharing the womb thing or what, but the sex is … incredible.”
AJ rolled his eyes and it was the closest thing to showing a side of humor that Jillian had ever seen from him.