by Ivy Jordan
Shit. I looked at my watch again; it was eight o’clock already.
“You want to call and check in?” I asked, just as my phone started to ring.
It was Alyssa.
I winced in Holly’s direction as I showed her the phone. I slid my thumb across the answer button and took a quick breath before greeting the woman I loved.
“Hey, what’s up?” I asked as casually as I could muster.
“Where are you and Holly?” Alyssa asked, her tone sounded short and irritable.
“We’re just leaving the pizza joint,” I replied.
“Okay. I was going to pick Holly up if that’s okay,” she said.
“I thought you had a date,” I played it cool.
Her sigh was long and deep on the other end of the phone.
“I just want to pick her up. Where can I meet you?” she asked.
“I can drop her to you,” I offered.
“I’m already out. I picked up a movie,” she stated.
“Okay. Well, how about meeting us for ice cream? I’ll buy you a banana split,” I offered, remembering that was her favorite.
“Okay,” she replied, although somewhat reluctantly.
Holly was grinning from ear to ear when I hung up the phone.
“I guess it worked,” I shrugged.
The ice cream shop was just as packed as the pizza parlor had been. It was a beautiful night, warmer than usual, so everyone was out.
“You want to get a table out here?” I asked Holly, who was already sliding into the concrete seat.
“Your mother’s pulling up now, so I’ll go ahead and order,” I said, quickly gathering Holly’s order.
I watched over my shoulder as I waited in the line for the outside window. Alyssa sat beside Holly, giving her a quick hug. She didn’t look too upset, too hurt. I hated to think I caused her more pain.
“What can I get ya?” the young boy at the window asked.
“Three banana splits,” I ordered, still watching the two girls behind me.
A few minutes later, and the ice creams were done. I paid and took them on a tray to the table.
“You don’t like banana splits,” Alyssa said as I placed them on the table.
“People can change,” I smirked.
It was killing me not to ask about her date, but I knew she wouldn’t want to talk about in front of Holly, and probably not to me, even if we were alone.
Holly didn’t ask; she just scooped up her ice cream and started eating.
“So, what movie did you get?” I asked.
“Urban Cowboy,” she responded, and then chuckled.
“Uh-oh,” I teased.
She gave me a look, one that I’d missed for years. Her nose wrinkled, and her eyes squinted as she shook her head.
“You only watch that movie when you’re pissed off,” I laughed.
“I’m not pissed off,” she laughed sweetly.
“Uh-huh,” I chuckled.
Holly seemed to be enjoying our banter, but she didn’t stop shoveling the ice cream into her mouth.
“What the fuck is this?” a loud male voice pulled our attention.
“Bruce? I thought your truck was messed up,” Alyssa gasped.
“Yeah, some idiot put sugar in the tank. I just got the tank tore out and borrowed my roommate’s car,” he growled.
His eyes were dark, judgmental, and aimed right at me. I was still dealing with the fact he had a roommate. He was a grown man. Wow, what did Alyssa see in this guy?
“I was picking Holly up,” Alyssa stammered.
“Yeah. Looks like you’re having a nice little evening,” he growled.
“It’s just ice cream, man; you want one?” I offered, my tone sarcastic, but still polite.
“I don’t want any fuckin’ ice cream. Come on, Alyssa,” Bruce ordered, his hand reaching for Alyssa’s arm.
“I’m not going anywhere with you. Have you been drinking already?” she questioned.
Bruce laughed but not a pleasant laugh. He reached for her arm still, this time gripping it in his giant paw. He jerked her towards him, causing her to knock her banana split onto the ground at her feet.
I quickly stood, taking my place between them. “Let go of her arm,” I ordered.
“Why don’t you shut the fuck up and go back home,” he spat.
Holly’s eyes were wide, filled with fear.
“I am home,” I insisted.
“Let me go,” Alyssa jerked her arm free.
“This is bullshit,” Bruce growled.
“You’re acting like an ass,” Alyssa scolded Bruce.
“Your little boyfriend probably spiked my gas tank,” Bruce glared in my direction.
“Don’t be a fool,” Alyssa came to my defense.
Holly stood, finding refuge under my arm as Bruce continued to toss obscenities through the air.
“You girls go on home,” I ordered, ushering Alyssa towards her car.
Bruce followed behind us, not giving up his argument. “You two planned this. You wanted him back, well, now ya got him…hope he doesn’t leave you, again!”
Alyssa tried to turn around—to argue with Bruce, confront him, I don’t know—but I didn’t let her.
“Just go on home. I’ll follow you,” I instructed.
Chapter Fourteen
Alyssa
Liam’s headlights shone brightly through my back window. I pulled my car into my driveway and looked over at Holly. She didn’t seem to be upset by the spectacle Bruce made, but I was livid.
The last words I’d spoken to him were that I never wanted to see him again. Great, we broke up in public. This was a small town, so surely everyone would be talking about it by church Sunday morning.
A tap on the window pulled me from my trance. I pushed open the door; Liam stood outside my car, his eyes filled with concern and something else I couldn’t quite figure out.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Great,” I shrugged sarcastically.
Holly was already out of the car and standing next to Liam. Damn, they really did look a lot alike.
“You comin’ in?” she asked, tugging on her dad’s arm.
“I-uh,” he stammered.
I knew he was waiting on me to invite him inside.
Bruce had just accused me of wanting him back, of planning this entire night with him, so it didn’t feel right.
“I just want to go to sleep,” I muttered, shutting the car door and leaning up against it to brace myself.
The night was a whirlwind. I had been so distant with Bruce, so cold, and then the flowers. I thought he was trying to make it up to me, all the dinners without his wallet, the nights he’d get drunk playing pool while I drove him home. When he called to cancel, it sounded like a lie, an excuse. But someone had put sugar in his gas tank. He did have a legitimate reason for missing the date.
It still wasn’t any excuse for how he acted, especially in front of Holly.
“You don’t think he’ll stop by?” Liam asked.
“No. He’s probably headed to the bar,” I sighed.
“And he won’t end up here after?” he questioned.
“Doubtful,” I mumbled.
“I can take Holly with me if you think he might,” Liam pushed.
“I can handle my daughter if he does,” I snapped.
“Our daughter,” Liam corrected me sternly.
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m just still upset,” I conceded, feeling like an ass for my last comment.
“If you need me, I’m just a couple blocks away,” he smiled, patting the top of my car as he walked away.
Holly ran to his side, hugging him tightly and whispering something in his ear that I couldn’t hear. I watched his face, his smile, and then felt a strange confusion as he let out a laugh. He ruffled up her hair with his hand and then ushered her back towards the house.
My heart was heavy, watching them together. They’d grown so close in such a short period of time. I felt ho
rrible for keeping them apart all these years.
Liam waved as he climbed into his truck, and I stood by my car until his taillights disappeared down the street.
“Why didn’t you invite him in?” Holly whined.
“I’m tired. It’s been a long night,” I sighed, putting my arm around my daughter as we walked into the house.
I put in my movie, changed into a t-shirt and soft shorts, and found my spot on the couch. Holly drifted off to her room, not interested in the movie she’d seen a dozen times.
The night spun through my head. Liam’s eyes, so blue, so beautiful, Bruce’s so judgmental, so cold. I wanted to fall into Liam’s arms, to have him protect me, comfort me from the horrible breakup, the horrible relationship I’d been in for far too long.
I’d never seen Bruce so jealous before. Maybe he had a reason to be. My mom told me it was obvious to her that Liam looked at me a certain way, like he still loved me and that I had the same look when he was around.
No. He left. He made the choice to leave me. If he loved me, he would’ve come back for me; a baby shouldn’t have been the deciding factor.
I picked up my phone and started to call my mom, when I started reading the texts sent from Liam the other night. They were flirty—too flirty.
I had to put an end to this once and for all. It was a silly dream, a fantasy, that Liam and I would rekindle our love and have a happy little family here in this small town. He’d lived life and been out in the world, and it wouldn’t be long before he’d want to go back, leaving me and Holly here alone.
I dialed my mom’s number.
“You’re home early,” Maria’s voice sounded slightly judgmental.
“Can you come watch Holly?” I asked without encouraging her comment.
“Oh, so you’re just getting started,” she laughed.
“No. There’s just something I need to do. I won’t be long,” I explained.
I sat up on the couch and turned the movie off before my mother arrived. She’d know something was wrong if she saw it on my screen. Was I that predictable?
It was a warm night, so I didn’t bother changing. I fought the urge, and won, against fixing my makeup or even checking my hair. I needed to have it out with Liam, and worrying about what I looked like wasn’t the focus, even though it was bothering me not to at least touch up my lipstick.
“Where’s the fire?” Maria asked, pushing open my front door.
“No fire,” I smiled.
“What is it you have to do, and are you doing it in your pajamas?” she chuckled.
“It’s a t-shirt and shorts, not pajamas,” I deflected her main question.
I kissed her on the cheek and headed out the door.
“You don’t need your keys?” she asked.
I shook my head as I stepped out onto the sidewalk, turning towards Liam’s house.
There was no reason to explain anything to my mother, at least not until it was done. She knew where I was going; that part was obvious.
Headlights were dimly lit on Liam’s truck, still sitting in his driveway, still running. I slowed down as I walked towards it, trying to make out whether he was still inside.
The driver’s side door opened as I approached, and the engine shut off. Liam shook when he turned to me, finding me right by his side as he stood with the door to his truck still open behind him.
“Alyssa, you scared me,” he gasped, his lips quickly rolling into that beautiful smile of his.
“Sorry,” I said softly.
“Is everything okay?” he asked, his eyes peering over my shoulder to check if anyone was with me.
I wondered the same thing, as I was curious as to why he hadn’t gone inside yet. Beneath his smile, he looked saddened, somewhat lost.
“Yes, I mean, no, it isn’t okay,” I stammered.
“I’m confused. Is Holly okay?” he asked.
“She’s fine. My mother’s with her,” I explained.
His demeanor was so calm, so mellowing, that it was taking the oomph from my purpose.
I shuddered as his hands gripped my shoulders, comforting me with a strong, tight grip. I knew he was about to pull me into his chiseled chest, to squeeze the fight out of me, causing me to go limp in his arms. No. I was here for a reason.
I pulled back; his eyes shone with confusion.
“I need you to stop complimenting me, texting me the way you have, to stop flirting with me,” I insisted.
Liam’s eyes didn’t shake the confusion. His head tilted to the side, looking at me as if I had two heads. A smile creeped up on his face, and then a chuckle escaped. Damn, he was so hot.
“I mean it,” I demanded, feeling I was losing ground.
“Okay. So, no more compliments, no more texts; got it,” he grinned.
“I’m serious, Liam. Bruce wasn’t wrong to be jealous. You’ve been looking at me funny since you got here,” I snapped.
“You haven’t looked at me the same way?” he questioned, that fuckin’ smile growing sideways on his square jaw.
“No,” I mumbled.
He laughed.
“This is about Bruce?” he questioned.
“No,” I insisted.
“I think it is,” he smirked.
“You’re wrong. I just don’t need people talking. This is a small town,” I griped.
“Yes, it is. They’ve reminded me of that ever since I got here, with the stares, the judgments,” he stated.
My heart ached, realizing that Liam had been subject to quite a bit of judgment since he’d arrived. That was my fault. But things were better. People were realizing he was a great father to Holly, and that she was happy.
“Well, Sunday morning, I’m sure the entire town will be talking about what happened tonight,” I stated.
“And that’s my fault?” Liam asked.
“No, but, well, some of it is, maybe,” I stuttered.
“Wow, so Bruce being an ass, that’s on me?” he chuckled sarcastically.
“I’m not saying that,” I argued.
Fuck, I didn’t know what I was saying anymore. His blue eyes shimmered in the moonlight. His tall frame stood strong before me. I wanted to reach out, to touch him, to make sure he was real.
“What are you saying, Alyssa? You come over here in those sexy little shorts, that t-shirt, no bra, start yelling at me with those kissable lips, and tell me I’m not supposed to, what, want you, miss you, love you?” he stated.
My knees weakened, my heart raced, and my body reacted with a quick rush of excitement through my breasts. I had forgotten to put on a bra, or had I done it on purpose? Oh God, what did I want?
“That’s what I’m talking about, saying things like that,” I said softly, no more fight left in me.
“I can’t help that you still drive me wild,” he smirked.
I paused, unable to find the words I wanted to say. I couldn’t move. His eyes had me locked in a trance, one from which I didn’t want to be freed.
My feet broke loose beneath me, sending my body forward and into Liam’s arms. My mouth pressed into his, our lips touching for the first time since he left twelve years ago, feeling the same heat, the same passion, the same love.
His hands gripped tightly around my waist, lifting under my shirt and touching my bare skin as he pulled me in close. Our tongues entangled, still filled with the flavors of the ice cream we’d eaten earlier.
I wanted to stop it, to pull away, continue my rant, and stand my ground, but I couldn’t. My body melted into his, letting him lift me between his legs and into the truck as he scooted into the driver’s seat.
My legs wrapped around his waist, straddling him as the steering wheel pressed into my back. I could feel his erection hard between my legs. He didn’t ask me to go inside, probably aware that any words spoken could break this spell we were both under. I was glad he didn’t.
His mouth traveled down my neck, to my breasts, sucking them above the thin material of my t-shirt. I pushed the console se
parating the seats up and out of the way and slid to the smooth leather seat, cool beneath me.
Liam’s hands moved up my shirt, playfully caressing my breasts as he urged me to lay back. His eyes in the dim light of the moon were breathtaking, familiar, soothing, and erotic.
I arched my back, pushing my breasts towards his mouth as he lowered. The sweet sensation of his warm lips on my nipples hardened them quickly, and my pussy throbbed for the same attention.
He took his time exploring my body. It had changed quite a bit since he’d seen it last. I felt a twinge of discomfort, wondering if he’d noticed, if he minded.
His fingers trailed down my belly to the top of my shorts, tugging on them gently, as his lips followed the same trail.
I didn’t fight him as he pulled the loose shorts from my body, no panties to slow his exploration.
He worked quickly, unlatching his jeans, pushing them down past his waist as he sat in the driver’s side of his truck. I got my first peek at his cock, unchanged at all since I’d seen it last, but maybe larger, thicker.
My mouth watered as my eyes took him in, wishing in that moment that I could taste him, feel him inside of me, tell him how much I still loved him.
A slow moving finger, alone, curious, drifted between my legs. It was met with warm moisture, a slick stream of excitement, and quickly disappeared into my hole. A moan roared from my throat, oblivious to the fact neighbors nearby could hear if they were out walking a dog, or just sneaking a smoke before bed. I didn’t care. He felt too good.
I bucked against his hand, fucking his finger with a wild passion. He pulled it away, teasing me with slight strokes against my clit.
Liam pulled me up, towards him, and without much effort, I was straddling him again, willingly taking his hard cock between my legs, guiding it to my opening, and holding it steady as I lowered my slick pussy onto it.
“Aahhhh,” I sighed as he entered me.
My hands gripped his shoulders, digging into his flesh as my weight sent his cock deep into my body. His fingers dug into my sides, lifting, lowering, and guiding me up and down his long shaft.
Our eyes met, suddenly, accidentally, and locked as we both began to throb. I bounced on him, his hands steadying my rhythm, my clit pushing against his rippled abs, and my body feeling as though it would explode.