Okay, so this may be a little childish.
Me: I’m not sure, why?
Brooke: I thought we could hang out again, I miss you.
And, we’re done here. I’m not finishing this conversation with her. Damnit. What the fuck is he playing at? Is he just playing house with me, trying to keep me happy so he can be in Josh’s life? Oh, hell no. This dick is not doing this to me.
I leave his phone on the table and head upstairs to get mine. I text Jonah and ask him to come early. He’s going to need to be here to be a buffer for this. Shit is about to hit the fan. Lord help him.
Jayden
I’m just finishing getting ready for the party, it’s not a costume party so I’m just wearing khaki shorts and a button up shirt. Walking down the stairs I notice Jonah sitting on the couch. Looking none too happy.
“What’s wrong with you?” He just turns and glares at me.
“Jayden, who is Brooke?” Annie asks from behind me. What is she talking about?
“There is a Brooke that just transferred to my unit. Why?”
“So, you’re telling me that a girl who just transferred here and is under your command is texting you telling you she wants to hang out again. AND that she misses you?” Wow. She is visibly shaking. She’s so pissed.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, sweetheart. Calm down and let’s talk about this.” Trying to keep my voice as even as possible. I’m not sure where she’s going with this.
“Don’t you sweetheart me, you ass! You’ve been staying at base more, not coming home. I seriously thought it was just work, but now I find a text from this Brooke. You’ve been lying to me!” Practically every word is being screamed now.
Just as I’m about to try to calm her down a little, the doorbell rings. Fuck my life. This cannot be happening. I look over to Jonah, but he’s still glaring and shaking his head. What the hell happened today?
Annie had went to go open the door for whoever had arrived. I was still trying to figure out what was going on when one of my buddies came up to me and smacked me on the back.
“Look at how you traded up, you lucky son of a bitch!” Jacobs says with a wide grin.
“Yeah, coming from my apartment to Annie and this house is pretty amazing. She’s been great man.” I tell him, anxiety clawing at my throat. Jesus, I hope she’s still great.
“I’ll take your word on it, bro. I’m not ready for any type of settling down.” He slaps my back another time before heading off towards Jonah. This is going to be a long fucking night. The sooner we can get these people out of our house the better.
It’s only been a couple hours, and I’m getting ready to jump out of my skin. Every time I try to catch Annie’s eye she shakes her head in disgust. I wouldn’t blame her, if I knew what the hell is going on? I haven’t been dating anyone, or talking to anyone. I want to get this straightened out. I couldn’t imagine even coming home to anyone else now. I need this girl like you wouldn’t believe. I’m too old to be playing the field. Not when I have myself something great here.
I’ve talked to just about everyone here tonight, just talking about anything to keep my mind off shit. Jonah hasn’t said two words to me either. Needing to get away for a minute, I walk out onto the back deck. Walking to the rail, I lean back against it. Tipping my head back I look up to the sky to look at the stars. Even though we’re in town you can still see everything. Growing up, I always stayed up late to sneak outside while my parents slept, so I can look at all the stars. They always amazed me, that there is just something so much bigger out there.
I hear the door slide open, and softly close. Without looking straight I know exactly who is coming towards me. She turns when she reaches me and leans back. I’m not sure how long we stood there, in an awkward silence.
“You’re phone went off and grabbed it to take it to you.” She finally says.
“I’ve never hung out with Brooke, Annie.” I tell her seriously, “She’s just a girl who transferred here, every person under me has my phone number. In case they ever need anything.”
I feel her turn to look at me, so I do the same. She’s so damn beautiful. Even pissed, she’s the most amazing woman I know.
“When I was on my way home from the doctors, I had a text from an unknown number. It said that you weren’t mine, and you were only sticking around for the baby.” She’s searching my face, probably for any flicker of emotion that would mean I’m lying.
I place my hands on either side of her face, “Sweetheart, I don’t know who sent you that text. I’ll try to find out, although, I’m sure if Brooke texted me today it was her who texted you. But I’ve never hung out with her outside of training. She’s just some girl who happens to be in my unit.” I still have my hands cupping her face, willing her to hear the truth in my words.
She blinks a couple times, and I see a single tear slip down her cheek. I move my thumb to wipe it away.
“I want to believe you, I really do. But it’s not like I have some claim on you. I don’t even have a right to be upset over this. Fucking hormones.” Tears welling up in her eyes.
“Oh, Sweetheart, that’s where you’re wrong. You do have a claim on me,” I drop one of my hands and grab hers, placing it over my heart, “I know that I was a jackass when you first told me. And I’m so sorry for that. I’m not sorry that you’re pregnant, I’m sorry I wasn’t here to go through most of this with you. But I’m so God damned happy you’re in my life. You give me a reason to breathe again. You’re my Thunder.”
She gasps, and starts crying in earnest. “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”
She sniffs and starts wiping away her tears, a ghost of a smile on her face, “My dad used to tell my mom she was his Thunder. To hear you call me that, without knowing the story, it just means so much. It’s like my parents are sending me a sign. Telling me everything’s going to be okay.”
I’m so shocked, to know that her dad called her mom that. I still have her hand pressed to my chest, but I move mine back to her face. I look her in the eye, making my intent clear, I start to lean down. Her lips part, and a sigh escapes. I take that as her permission. Leaning the rest of the way in, I pause for a second just before my lips touch hers, and whisper, “I love you, Thunder,” and gently touch her lips with mine.
The kiss is a short one, I’m not trying to scare her off just yet. I pull away, and her eyes are still closed. Her lips are still parted as if waiting for another. I smile and pull her in for a hug. The minute that her body molds itself to mine, Josh feels the need to kick. She pulls back laughing softly.
“My son isn’t even here yet, and he’s already cock blocking me.” I get down on my knees, “Listen, little man, you and I are going to have to have a chat about this.”
Annie is still laughing when Jonah opens the door to come out here.
“Everything okay out here? Or do I need to kick his ass, Annie?”
I stand up and pull her against me, and wrap my arm around her shoulders.
“No, I don’t think you’re needed out here man.” I glare in his direction.
Annie shoves me off her, and says with laughter in her voice, “I think that I could take him, if I needed to.” She turns her smile on me. If it were possible for my heart to feel any fuller, it would right now. I have the perfect little family going now. This is something I never imagined for myself. Being in the military, I didn’t want to put someone through what my mom went through.
“I’ll tell you this again man, I will kick your ass if you break her heart. I’m not fucking around.” My brother is not one for violence, but I’ll gladly let him turn that on me if I hurt her. But I don’t plan on it. I would never do anything to destroy what I have now. Even though I never planned for this, I can’t imagine my life without her in it.
She’s such a beautiful person, inside and out. She has this wild laugh that can make anyone smile. She’s sexy as hell, even more so pregnant. It takes a special person to make someone want to give up everythi
ng they’ve ever known, just to make them happy. But the great thing? She hasn’t once asked me about getting out of the Marines.
I look over to Annie and she’s still talking to Jonah, and everyone else is starting to come out here. Now that this night has taken a turn for the better, I need to get everyone out of here so I can have my Thunder to myself.
Annie
After the night of the party, Jayden has made it priority to come home by six PM every night. He’s been taking me out on dates too. Which is weird, going out on dates with my baby daddy. We’re still testing the waters with each other, so the only thing we’ve done is kiss. I’m not sure that I’m ready to take it further yet. I’ll probably have an anxiety attack.
Tonight, he’s taking me out to the beach. He’s found out that I love the beach. Growing up, you could never really consider Lake Erie a good beach. I mean, it’s just a lake. Not an ocean. Cedar Point is probably the best thing about the lake. I’m going to have to see if Jayden will want to take a trip home with me some time to visit old friends and go to Cedar Point.
Jayden brought home food from Panera, so we sat down and ate before we headed out. I can’t help but get excited when we pull in to the parking lot. This guy has to think I’m a freak. I keep seeing him sneaking glances at me and giving me strange looks. We have the radio up and all the windows down, so I couldn’t hear him even if he did ask me a question.
He pulls in to a spot, and shuts off the car. Knowing I’ll get a lecture, I hop out of the car before he can open my door for me. And just as I predicted, I’m not even halfway out of the car before I hear him.
“Annie, seriously? I don’t know how many times I’m going to have to remind you that when I’m in the car with you, I will be opening the door for you. Jesus, woman.” Shaking his head, he gets out and shuts his door. Walks around to me and puts his arm around me. And then does something that I’ve been growing fond of, he kisses the top of my head but just before his lips make contact he tells me “I love my Thunder”. I swear to God, this man makes me swoon. Every. Single. Time. He. Says. It!
I know women would kill for a man to treat them like he treats me. I’m not sure how we got to where we are, from where we started. Even with the little hiccup of that Brooke girl. We start walking towards the beach, with his arm still around me. But I keep thinking back to a night a couple days after our Halloween party. Jayden went to work with the intentions of setting her straight. To tell her that he couldn’t contact him anymore, unless it was work related. They weren’t going to be hanging out ever. Also told her that he has a girlfriend at home that would gladly make her back off, if she kept trying to talk to him. After that we hadn’t heard a single word from her. I wish all women went away that easily.
“Where are you?” Jayden shakes me out of memories.
“Just thinking.”
“Those words coming out a females mouth is NEVER a good thing.” He gives me a worried look and pulls me closer. So I put my arm around his waist and lean into him more.
“Don’t worry, pretty boy. I wasn’t thinking anything bad.” Trying to reassure him.
“I think that’s what every women would say. None of you would want to admit to thinking anything bad about your boyfriend.” His voice sounds lower than normal.
“Honestly, I was thinking about the day you told Brooke that you weren’t interested.”
He stays silent for a moment, we’ve come to a stop just at the water line. I glance up to him, he’s taller than me. But it doesn’t take much for someone to be taller than me. He’s looking out at the ocean. I start to ask him what he’s thinking about, but he opens his mouth just before I do and starts talking.
“Before I met you, well, that’s not really a good way to describe how we met,” he looks at me after he says that, and has a sheepish look, “but, nonetheless meeting you ultimately changed my life. Made me realize I wanted something, I never thought I wanted. I don’t know what happened with Brooke. How she got the idea that I would want something with her. I never gave her any indication at all. I’ve thought back a lot, and there was never any moment that sticks out to me.” He says earnestly.
“I believe you, babe. It hurt, I’m not going to lie that it hurt when I opened that text. And it was just really convenient that you had been working longer and staying on base. Making it seem real.”
“I know, believe me I know how it looked. I’ve stayed away from relationships just because of this reason. I don’t want to be the reason someone gets hurt. Which I thought would happen with me in the military.” He has a regretful look on his face.
“I understand that, but now you have us. So what are you going to do?” I ask him playfully.
He grins at me, dimples on full display and takes ahold of my hand. Tugging me in the direction of the Jeep.
Laughing, “Where are we going, Cowboy?”
“I’m taking my Thunder home.”
We stop on the passenger side, and he leans me back against the door. He leans forward and kisses me. A kiss that is slow and passionate. His hands are gripping my hips. His tongue slides along the seam of mine, wanting access. I willingly open my mouth and his tongue slowly caresses mine. What started as slow turns into a clashing of teeth. I am gripping his hair tightly in my hands, trying not to pull too hard. But it’s been a very long time since I’ve been kissed like this. My body has taken over. Moans are spilling out of my mouth, as his hand slides up my side and cups my breast. Kneading softly and scraping his finger back and forth over my nipple. Even through my shirt and bra it feels so good.
We’re still kissing, our moans are coming in sync. I’m not sure where he begins, and I end. His hand slides back down to pull my shirt up, and I drop my hand to the front of his pants. And that’s when someone locks their car on the other side of the parking lot. Making him jump away from me like we’re teenagers getting caught by their parents.
GOD! I haven’t gotten off in a long time. The last time I tried, he caught me in the shower. I didn’t try again after that, I was too embarrassed. And now! Jesus, if life keeps doing this to me I’m going to scream. I glare at Jayden, and he chuckles, then I turn to glare at the people interrupting my release. Seeing that they’re two teenagers walking hand in hand towards the beach, I soften a little. A little, teeny tiny little bit. I shake my head and turn, waiting for Jayden to open the door.
He huffs, “So now you want me to open the door.” He reaches down and tries to readjust himself. I glance down too, and good God. He’s massive, unless he’s packing socks down there, which I doubt. And in true fashion, he catches me looking.
“See something you like, sweetheart?” Dimples on display, with that cheeky ass grin of his.
“Fuck you, let’s get in the car.” He opens the door for me, he’s laughing outright. Just about bent over in belly laughs. Asshole.
He shuts the door as soon as I’m in, then jogging around to get in. And he’s still laughing. I cross my arms over my chest, and start to pout.
“Oh, sweetheart, c’mon. I love catching you checking me out. Does wonders for my ego.”
“I’m sure your massive ego needs more of a boost.” I hiss.
Laughing more, “Okay, how about we head home?”
Home. That sounds so good coming out of his mouth. So I reach my hand over the center counsel finding his, and lacing my fingers through his.
“Sure, let’s go home, babe.” I’ve never been more content than I am in this moment right now.
Leaning my head back, I close my eyes. Thinking about the year to come. In a few months, we’ll have a tiny person to introduce to the ocean. I cannot wait to see what Josh has in store for us.
It’s been a few days since we went to the beach, I’m out shopping for clothes. For Josh. Again. Don’t you dare judge me. I may pick some stuff up for Jayden while I’m out too. Depends on how much I spend on Josh. Brandy is supposed to meet me at the mall, so we can have some girl time. She’s been spending a lot of her free time with Shawn
. Those two are such an odd pair, but if he makes my picky-as-hell-nothing-is-ever-good-enough friend then he’s okay in my book.
I really need to talk to someone about what happened at the beach the other night. He hasn’t tried anything since then, which seriously disappoints me. I could go to bed in the sexiest lingerie that Victoria Secret’s has to offer and he wouldn’t even blink twice. I’ve resorted to trying to get myself off in the shower again. When he isn’t home of course. I’m not stupid enough to try that again. I need to see what Brandy has to say about all this.
I’m pulling into the mall and see Brandy’s car so I park close to her. I get out and walk over to her as she’s getting out of her car.
“Hey, momma! Look at your belly!” she exclaims. She goes to rub my belly, but stops to look at me as if to ask permission. I smile and nod my head at her. I’m not overly fond of people just randomly coming up to me and rubbing my belly. Pregnant women are fucking miserable and people get joy about rubbing our bellies, when all we feel like is sitting down and shoving more food in our faces. And especially because we all feel like whales. I mean what exactly about a pregnant women screams “come touch my belly”?
“Is he moving around a lot today?” she asks.
“Not a whole lot today, I think he’s getting in position.” I glance down at my belly, I can’t believe that in just a few short weeks I’m going to be holding my baby. It’s so surreal to think about.
“Well for being eight months pregnant you looking fucking fabulous!”
I chuckle, I’m glad I look fabulous because I feel like poo.
“Let’s go inside and do some damage. I gotta find baby some clothes from Auntie Brandy!”
This girl, I don’t think she realizes just how many clothes I’ve bought for this child. He’s so stocked up on everything that he wouldn’t have to wear the same outfit twice. The hardships of being a baby.
After coming out of the last baby store, we go in to American Eagle to try to find some things for Jayden. This is our last stop for the day, I need to ask Brandy now what she thinks before we leave.
Unexpected Series: Box Set Page 9