"So that's why you did that, huh?" I rolled over onto my back and realized he didn't have a shirt on. "Maybe I need to mark you this time," I said, a little more sarcastically than I meant to.
He got up and straddled me, pinning my arms down. "Why do you say that?"
I didn't want to answer, especially when I knew it would be admission of jealousy. "I know you and Tonya used to—"
"Used to," he interrupted. "That was a long time ago. And I'm with you now." He bent down and kissed me. "There's no reason to worry."
"I know. It's just weird knowing she's staying here, hopefully on the other side of the house."
He laughed. "It wouldn't matter if she was across the hall. I love you." He smiled and kissed me again. "Nice choice, by the way," he said as he let go of my arms and traced his finger down the V neck of the front of my shirt. His leaned down to kiss me again when we heard his door open. "Don't you know how to knock?" he asked rather harshly.
I looked over his bare shoulder to see Tonya standing in the doorway. "Sorry to interrupt. I was just going to steal a towel. The guest bath is out."
He sat up so his back was to her, never taking his eyes off of me. "Sorry, I thought you were Beth," he told her, rolling his eyes. "I'm sure she has some towels."
"She's already in the shower and her door is locked," she said, seemingly innocently.
He got up to get her a towel, leaving me lying awkwardly on his bed. She just looked at me and smiled, so I smiled back. "Did you have a nice swim?" I asked her.
"Yes I did. Did you have a nice…whatever it is you two were doing?"
Did she really just ask that? I just kept smiling and nodded.
"Here you go. Make sure you tell Mom that you need some."
"I will." She took the towel and left, shutting the door behind her.
"Why would she think she could just walk in your room without knocking?"
"She's like that," was all he said.
Hmph. "Did you two ever…?"
As soon as he looked away I knew the answer. "Yeah." He never did look back at me, like he was ashamed.
"It's okay," I lied. It wasn't okay in any sense of the word. "I was just curious because of the way she acts. I figured you had."
When he finally looked at me, he told me about what had happened between them. "She stayed with us last summer before she left for college."
"College? How old is she?"
"Probably nineteen by now. But anyway, I knew she liked me." I could tell he hated talking about this, and I started to tell him he didn't have to. But on the other hand, I wanted to know too badly, so I let him keep going. "One night we were in the pool and Beth came inside to go to bed, leaving us alone. Of course my parents weren't home. And that was the first night we got together."
“In the pool?" I blurted it out before I realized it.
He laughed. "No, not in the pool."
"Oh." He didn’t say where, and I didn’t ask. No matter where they did it, it still turned my stomach.
"But I never loved her…or even cared about her, really. I know that sounds awful, but it's true. I was seventeen and the opportunity presented itself," he shrugged.
"So you just used her?" That's what it sounded like he was saying. And even though I liked that idea much better than him actually having feelings for her, I didn't like the fact that he would use someone like that.
"Sorta, but no more than she used me. And she made the first move, not me. I thought she was pretty, but…" He stopped talking, like he didn't know how to explain what he felt, and then he leaned over me and said, "When she left, I didn't miss her at all. Yet I miss you before you even get out the door."
I reached down and grabbed his hand, holding it to my chest. "So, do you want me to mark you now, or after dinner?"
He smiled. "Hmm, both would work."
* * *
Dinner was just as I had expected it to be—deplorable. Jace and I were the first ones there, so we went ahead and sat down. I chose a chair at the end of three tables that had been put together out on the patio, hoping to be as out of the way as possible. His mom and dad came out onto the patio with the Guthries, Tonya's parents, who sat at the table on the other end. His mom quickly introduced me as what she hoped was her future daughter-in-law, which made me feel both awkward and good at the same time.
Then Tonya, Beth, Hunter and Chad showed up, completing our motley little crew. Tonya chose to sit on the other side of Jace, of course, while Beth sat across from me. I would've killed her if she hadn't. Beth introduced Hunter and Chad to everybody before we ordered our drinks.
"So, Malie, how long have you lived here?" Mrs. Guthrie asked me.
"It's Malyn," Jace corrected her.
"Oh, I'm sorry—Malyn."
I already didn't like her. "I just moved here when school let out…from Nashville."
"Nashville? That must have been scary living there," she said as she wrinkled her nose like Nashville stunk.
"No, not really."
"Did your mom actually let you go out and do things down there?"
I just looked at her, not really knowing what to say.
"She lives with her grandmother," Jace informed her. He must've sensed I was getting aggravated. "Her parents died when she was young." He grabbed my hand and squeezed it.
"Oh, I'm sorry," she said, trying to sound more sympathetic than she actually was.
"Yes, it is sad," Jace's mom said, smiling sympathetically at me. "But Nellie has done such a great job raising you."
"Yes, she has," Jace said as he patted my leg, "now let's order some food, I'm starving." He winked at me, and I was thankful he had changed the subject. I didn't like being the center of attention, especially when it involved my being an orphan.
This got the dads' attention, who had been talking at the far end of the table. "Yes, let's eat!" Tonya's dad said rather loudly, causing our waitress to rush over and take our orders. I couldn't understand why the Stones were friends with these people.
Everyone continued to talk and reminisce through the rest of dinner, but I just listened, smiling when I needed to so that I wouldn't come across like a snob. Beth tried to include me, but since I had just met them over a month ago, it was rather hard to do. Some of the stories were rather interesting, but as much as I hated to admit it, most of them just made me jealous. But I guess it's better to be a part of Jace's future rather than his past.
Tonya kept patting Jace's arm and saying, "Do you remember the time we...? I miss when we used to…”
Jace would just nod his head and smile, obviously uncomfortable with what Tonya was bringing up in front of me. Chad was loving it, though. "So, you and Stone were caught doing what?" He asked, laughing toward Jace. "Who knew you were such a ladies’ man!"
"I've got to go to the restroom," I whispered to Jace as I forced a smile and got up. I was tired of strolling down memory lane and didn't think I could stand to hear Tonya's voice any longer. As I walked past the front door, I glanced out at my Jeep and started to make a run for it. I could just say I was sick, which technically, I was.
I tried to think of excuses to leave and not hurt Jace's feelings, but came up empty handed, so I forced myself to flush and head back out. I heard someone walk in as I was washing my hands. "I hope I didn't upset you." I looked up and saw Tonya leaning up against the door.
"Why would you upset me?"
"I don't know. I wasn't sure if you knew that Jacey and I had a past."
"Yeah, Jace told me all about it, so it's fine," I said with a smile.
She got a confused look, probably wondering what he could say about their fling that I would be so fine about. When she opened her mouth she confirmed my presumption. "What did he say?"
"Nothing much, really." She was still leaning against the door as I dried my hands and I wondered if she was gonna let me out.
"Well, I'm just glad you're okay with it."
My temper flared, but I didn't let it show. "Okay with what? What's i
n the past is in the past."
"Jacey and I will always be close, especially since our parents are such good friends." Her smile turned villainous. "And the fact that I'm staying at his house; glad you're okay with that, too."
I walked toward the door, letting her know she didn't intimidate me. "You might be staying at his house, but I live in his heart. So, yeah, I'm okay with that." I reached behind her and opened the door, causing her to step to the side. She had some nerve.
When I walked back out onto the patio, Jace looked at me with concern. I raised my eyebrow and tightened my lips, letting him know he should be concerned. Then I saw someone sitting in Tonya's seat and my lips curved into a smile. "Hey, Ty, glad you made it." Surely Tonya wouldn't make a scene by making him move so she could have her seat back.
"I wouldn't miss a party."
"You missed all the good stuff," Chad said, winking at Jace.
Jace looked at me with angst. "You ready to go?"
"But Ty just got here," Chad whined.
"Yeah, Ty just got here," Ty chimed in.
"It's not my fault you show up to dinner when it's over," Jace said as he elbowed Ty's ribs.
Tonya came back out on the patio, but instead of sitting back down, she just stood behind Jace. "Well, hey, Wolfman. Long time, no see."
"What's up, Toony?"
Jace stood up and offered her his seat. "We've got to go anyway. See you all later," he announced.
Finally. I smiled and told his family, Ty and Hunter bye, ignoring everyone else. At this point, I couldn't care less what the rest of them thought about me. When we got outside, Jace asked what Tonya had said to me. I shook my head and said, "Nothing important."
"I know how she can be sometimes, so I apologize if she was rude."
"Don't apologize. It's not your fault she's a spoiled brat."
"No," he laughed, "I guess it ain't."
* * *
After an awkward and torturous Saturday night dinner, Sunday didn't go much better. I really couldn't wait for Tonya to leave. Beth even agreed with me to an extent. "Why are you letting her treat Malyn like that? I mean, she's been hanging all over you since she got here. I didn't think anything 'bout it last time, but you weren't dating my best friend then, either."
"What am I supposed to say?"
I knew exactly what he could say. "Well, you could tell her to back off. Or the next time she nonchalantly touches you, you could remove her hand." I didn't understand why he let her touch him. "Unless you like it." I shouldn't have added that last comment, but I did.
"You know I don't like it. But it's just easier to ignore her than to cause confrontation with her. She ain't gonna be here long, so…" He shrugged like it was not big deal
"Well, put yourself in my place. How would you feel if someone I had slept with just happened to be staying at my house?" It made me think of Beau, but I pushed that thought to the back of my mind. "And what if he openly flirted with me in front of you?"
"I trust you."
"I trust you, too. It's her I don't trust."
He sighed. "Like I said, she won't be here long. And I'll make sure I'm either with you or at work and not here with her."
I felt a little sorry for him being thrown into this situation and thought I should let him off the hook, so I wrapped my arms around his waist and laid my head against his chest. "Maybe I should sneak into your room tonight and protect you."
"Now that sounds like a plan."
We had decided to take it easy on our day off and hang out by the pool. Sadly, we ended up having to share it. Ty was off and came over, and so did everyone else.
"I made some lemonade," Beth announced as her and Tonya came out of the house. I was sitting on the pool steps when she brought me a glass.
"I love you," I told Beth, downing half the glass.
Tonya saw Jace floating in the middle of the pool and dove in, swimming under him. When she came back up, she tipped him over.
Great…here we go.
He started to swim to me, and then she jumped on his back and just hung on him, laughing.
"Tonya, get off me!" He was laughing as he said it, so of course she kept hanging.
"She's like a monkey," Ty said. "A funky monkey."
A leech is more like it.
She splashed him and turned her attention back to Jace. "You owe me, Jacey."
"For what?"
"For leaving me with him the other night," she whined, pointing at Ty. She was still hanging on Jace's back—and he was letting her.
"You know you liked it," Ty said, smacking her butt.
I had heard, and saw, enough. Tonya might be pretty, but she was as built like a stick. And LeLe had always said to flaunt what I had, and now was as good of a time as any. I hated that Ty was here to witness this, but I was desperate. I was gonna show Tonya that I had no worries where she was concerned.
I submerged myself in the water before standing up and slowly walking up the steps. I turned to head toward the diving board, glancing down at Jace, who still had Tonya's boobs pressed against his back, and smiled as flirtatiously as I could. He stopped fighting her and was watching me, which left her hanging awkwardly on him, so she let go and slipped into the water. He continued to watch me as I reached down to adjust my bathing suit, still smiling at him. I tried to pretend Ty wasn't there, but out of the corner of my eye I thought I saw his mouth hanging open.
By the time I got to the diving board, Tonya was glaring at me, and Beth was just watching the show with a big grin on her face. I kept my eyes on Jace as I stepped up on the diving board and slowly walked to the edge, winking at him before I dove in. I swam across the pool and came up right in front of him and pressed my lips to his. He grabbed me and continued to kiss me as he took me under water.
When we resurfaced, Ty was still staring, but he never said a word, which was odd for Ty. Beth had jumped in and was talking to Tonya about Hunter. She said him and Chad were coming over, so I thought it would be best if I got out. Tyler finally returned to normal and I followed him up the stairs as he got out. I wasn't fast enough, though.
"Well, well, well…this is my lucky day," he said when he saw me getting out of the pool. He whistled as I turned to get a towel.
"That's enough, Chad," Jace told him.
"What? She's hot. You, of all people, must know this," he said as he jumped in the pool almost right on top of Tonya.
Jace just shook his head and smiled, turning his back to Chad as he got out of the pool. "I do know this," he whispered in my ear. "You are, without a doubt, smokin' hot." He stuck his arms inside my towel and hugged me, kissing my shoulder.
"Get a room!" Chad yelled.
"Sounds good to me," Jace said as he led me inside. As we headed up the stairs, he jerked my towel off of me, making me turn around to snatch it back. He dropped the towel behind him and grabbed me. "Do you realize what you do to me?"
I thought about my little scene by the pool and could only imagine. "I'm sorry."
"Sorry?" He laughed as he flung me over his shoulder and carried me to his room, throwing me down on the bed.
"I'm wet!"
"Good," he said with a devilish grin.
I had to laugh, until I felt his warm skin on mine. I forgot how good that felt. Then my thoughts went to Beau. I missed him so bad. I had been trying not to think about him, but it was hard not to sometimes.
"You okay?"
"Perfect," I lied.
"I love you," he whispered, running his fingers under the band of my bathing suit top.
"I love you, too," I whispered back, still thinking about Beau, but trying my best not to. I missed looking into his blue eyes that had seemed to be able to see right into my soul. I missed his rugged voice and his smile, especially with those dimples. I missed him.
"You're so beautiful," Jace said as he flung my top onto the floor. I hadn't even realized he had unfastened it.
"What are you doing?" I asked softly, still kissing him as I pulled his she
et across me.
"Nothing," he said as he pulled his sheet back.
I gave in and let the sheet go, letting his hands and lips roam where they wanted. "What if your parents come home?"
He stopped kissing me long enough to say, "They won't."
"What if Beth or Tonya, come upstairs? Or Chad?"
"They won't."
"Tonya would want to join us," I said sarcastically, only half kidding.
"She won't," he chuckled. He must've realized I was becoming nervous because he propped himself up over me. "Do you not want to?"
I did, but I didn't. "I don't know."
He sighed. "Sometimes you act like you do, but then when we start to, you act like you don't." He dropped his head, and then looked back up at me. "You confuse me."
"I confuse myself sometimes."
He rolled off of me like he was frustrated, but didn't say anything.
"Are you mad at me?"
"No."
"You are." Then I thought about what he said…as I lay here in his bed, topless. He was right. "I'm sorry, Jace. It's like I want to, but when it comes time to, I get scared."
“Don’t be.” He sat up, leaning back on his arm looking down at me. I was glad it had gotten dark. "Have you ever. . . ?"
I thought about Beau, but that situation was different. It felt real, but it was more like a fantasy. Beau was not real, in the human sense, anyway. "No."
"I won't hurt you."
"I know."
He bent down and started kissing me again. After a while, it got to the point that I knew that this was it. If I didn't stop him now, I wouldn't be able to. Not because he wouldn't stop, but because I wouldn't want him to. "I won't hurt you," he whispered again.
He started to take my bathing suit bottom off, so I grabbed his hand and whispered his name.
He stopped and looked at me. "Malyn, I need you," he said so softly that I barely heard him.
"I'm sorry." I didn't want to be a tease, but that's exactly what I had become.
He sighed as he rolled off of me and sat on the side of the bed.
I pulled his sheet across me and scooted close to him, laying my head on his back. "I'm sorry, Jace." I felt so bad for leading him on, then backing out. "I'm just not ready."
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