UnPlanned

by M. Piper

  “I moved away for a bit,” she says finally.

  “Where?” I sit next to her and stare out to the city. It’s a small little lookout point that overlooks all of downtown and I never knew this was here. Springfield is flat, how the hell has this been here my whole life and I’ve never known about it? It’s beautiful seeing downtown lit up with the night lights; a view I’ve never had the pleasure of seeing form such a unique vantage point.

  “West Coast,” she smiles.

  “Ah, awesome. I went to college in Seattle. The whole side of the country is just so beautiful, isn’t it?”

  “Small world…I used to live in Seattle.” She gives me this look and I get that familiarity again.

  “Maybe that’s why we click. We both wanted to get out of this place.” I grin and watch her silently take my words in. Dammit she’s beautiful.

  “What brought you back?” Her words cut through the silence like a knife.

  “Family,” I whisper. God, I already want to tell her about Carter. How messed up is that? I grab our empty ice cream bowls and walk them back to the truck so we’re not leaving trash out here, then meet her back at the log.

  “I guess you could say the same thing happened with me.” She shrugs and grins at me. “I’m pretty happy, for once, that they forced me to move back here.”

  Our eyes connect and nothing else right now matters. Not the fact that she’s obviously hiding something from me and not the fact that I’m holding back shit from her.

  “Me too,” I whisper. My eyes flick to her lips and she licks them softly so I lean in, pressing my lips to hers. I wait for her to react, because no man wants to fuck up a first kiss…but fuck if this isn’t the best first kiss in the history of first kisses.

  Her lips eagerly accept mine, her tongue darting out to slip past mine. She shifts on top of me and my hands grip her ass and soon we’re moving way faster than I planned on tonight and I can’t say I’m mad about it.

  We make out like teenagers starved for attention for what feels like an eternity. Finally having her in my hands, against my skin…I know now that I’ll never get enough. And I need more.

  She hums and pushes herself against me, her hands wild in my hair and mine tangled in hers with one resting on her ass, making sure she stays put.

  She pulls back eventually, coming up for air, and giggles.

  “I don’t do this,” she giggles, her eyes searching mine and her hands framing my face. The light touch of her thumb makes my dick swell and soon she’s going to feel what she’s doing to me, grinding on me in this dress…if she hasn’t already.

  “Me either,” I smirk, then take her mouth in mine again. She tastes like ice cream. Sweet. And her soft full lips…hell.

  She backs away again and smiles at me. That beautiful smile and right now it’s only mine. All this is only mine. I feel like a teenager, completely lusting after this girl that I’ve only known a heartbeat, but it’s so much more than that and I can’t even explain it.

  “I don’t want to go home,” I whisper. He’s holding me pressed against him and I’ve found a comfortable spot with my head nuzzled in his neck. I could have let that make-out session go way longer and get way further than it did, but I don’t want that to be us. Not right away. I feel something with him that I haven’t ever felt with anyone, and I don’t want to ruin it with sex.

  Not that sex isn’t great, but I’m out of practice and I’d rather not scare him away this early on.

  “Me either. But I’m going to need a few extra pots of coffee tomorrow as it is,” he says with a chuckle, then yawns. “Shit, sorry.”

  His phone buzzes in his pocket for the third time since we’ve been out here and I rest my hand on his chest.

  “You gonna get that?” I whisper. Each time it’s gone off he’s gone stiff, only to be masked quickly with more kisses and small talk. He was checking his phone all night…something’s going on that he’s not telling me but it’s not my place to pry. We’re both withholding information at this stage in the game. It’s a way to guard our hearts, and in my case- my sanity. The minute people here start finding out what I did…well things will go downhill. I can feel it.

  “I should probably get us home,” he grunts, planting kisses on my neck.

  “That’s not a way to make me get up,” I say, giggling. He digs his fingers in to my side and I fall off his lap in laughter. “Fine, fine!” I belt. “You win!”

  The drive back to my house is quiet. I think we’re both feeling things tonight we’re not ready for, but it’s happening and I’m not going to slow it down. I want to see where this goes and I know he does too.

  “Again, Mr. West, you sure know how to give a girl a good time.” I say, letting his hand rest on my leg. This small gesture means so much. Earlier when he did it the first time I felt his hesitation, but now it’s more of a calming gesture and I love it.

  “You haven’t seen a good time yet,” he growls, winking over at me. I laugh and he shakes his head grinning. “That was pretty weird to say, I’m not going to lie.”

  “Yes, please don’t say that again.” I’m wearing that very bright, very real smile that Lincoln pulls from me so easily. He’s exactly what I need right now.

  “So, this is me,” I sigh, grabbing my purse from the floor of the car as he pulls to a stop in front of my house.

  “Stay.” He blurts and hops out of the truck, then runs to my side. Smiling bright, that damn dimple on display, he helps me out of the truck as humanly slow as he possibly can, letting my body glide down his and leaving us standing pressed against each other. He smirks at me and dips his head, pressing his lips to mine. I melt into him, wrapping my arms around him and pressing my body against his. If this isn’t the best goodnight kiss, I’m not sure what is.

  He’s strong, all muscles and toned body, but he’s gentle in his approach. The kiss deepens and his hands hesitantly wrap around me, gripping my ass. I grin into his kiss and giggle.

  “Too much? Because I can let go right now, Wren, but I really don’t want to.” His breath warm on my throat as me mumbles the words and I sigh and shake my head.

  “It’s nice. Just tickles, that’s all.”

  He pulls back and his eyes lock with mine and he smirks. He gives my ass another quick squeeze, his long fingers pressing in gently just at the bottom of my butt and it’s pure torture when he realizes just how ticklish it is. I start to laugh, a full on screaming laugh, and attempt to wriggle away from him but fail completely.

  “That tickle?” He smirks and his hands do it again and I end up grinding against him, pressing my body to his just to try to get away from the assault and he barks out a victory laugh then presses his lips to mine again.

  “You’re a jerk,” I mutter, grinning.

  “A jerk that really likes your ass, yes.”

  “You’re just in it for my ass, then?” I ask, grinning up at him, my hands wrapped around him and resting tightly in his back pockets.

  “Nah. Your legs are pretty hot too,” he says, then winks and dips his head for another kiss. As soon as his lips touch mine his phone goes off again and he sighs and drops his forehead to mine. “I’m sorry. I need to get home.”

  He steps away quickly and drops his hands, shoving them in his pockets.

  I pause and watch him watch me for a reaction, but I don’t have one. Talk about hot and cold. I’m not sure who keeps blowing up his phone tonight, but it’s really putting him on edge.

  “Okay,” I manage, shrugging. “Okay, well…thanks for a good night.”

  “I’ll text, ok?” He brings his fingers to my chin and lifts my gaze to his. I nod gently and let a small smile play on my lips. He presses his to mine briefly, letting it linger longer than he meant because when he pulls away his eyes are full of lust again. “God, one kiss is never going to be enough, is it?”

  “I don’t think so,” I whisper, letting my fingers fall to where his lips just were. “Until next time, then?”

  “Goodnig
ht, Wren,” he says, watching me retreat up the sidewalk and to my front door. The rumble in his tone does things between my legs. Things I’m not used to happening. I giggle and shut the door behind me, letting out a sigh.

  “How was it!?” Lucy barks, running into the room and scaring me shitless. I scream, batting at her because she scared the piss out of me.

  “Lucy, shit!” I yell, and a pounding on the door scares us both. I swing the door open and Lincoln’s standing there wide eyed.

  “Everything ok?” His eyes furrow and Lucy literally sighs from behind me.

  “She scared me. It’s fine. I’m sorry,” I huff, rolling my eyes.

  “Ah. Got it. Now I feel really weird,” he says, laughing. “I just…your windows are open. And that was a loud ass scream.”

  “She has a way of sneaking up on people,” I laugh. “I’m really sorry about that.”

  “I’m just happy you’re safe.” He says, nodding to Lucy. “Hi Lucy. You ladies have a great evening.” He winks at me and smirks before heading back to his truck and I watch his ass the entire time, snug in those jeans, and his toned body. Gah!

  “So how was he?” Lucy won’t stop pestering me as I’m trying to get ready for bed so I toss my hair in a ponytail and let her in on every detail about the evening.

  I leave out where we ate our ice cream, however. I like for that to be our spot…our little place.

  Once she’s happy with the amount of information I’ve fed her she retreats to her room and I spend about an hour on Facebook. Talk about draining, keeping up with all of these old friends on social media. I have a friend request waiting from Daniel and ignore it, closing my MacBook and lying back in bed. My phone dings and I grin, expecting to have a text from Lincoln but instead it’s a frantic text from my sister.

  Big Sis: Please don’t hate me. It was an accident. Mom knows about your date.

  I growl and shoot her back a text.

  Me: How is something like that an accident? Why are you talking about my dating life to her?

  I roll my eyes, wishing I could just get out of this town. At least, that’s what I wanted…but now that I have Lincoln…

  My phone dings again and I snatch it up expecting an explanation from my sister. Instead, what I get is a text from Lincoln. A grin immediately spread on my lips as I open the text.

  Lincoln: Sleeping?

  I type out a quick reply and hit send, curling under my covers.

  Me: heading there now Thank you for tonight. I’ve never had such a good time with someone. <3

  The text is read immediately and I wait as his three tiny dots dance across my screen, sitting here smiling like a fool the entire time.

  Lincoln: Sleep well, Wren.

  I smile, slide my phone to my nightstand then close my eyes with Lincoln West on my mind. He’s not like any other guy that I’ve ever dated. He’s sweet. He’s patient. He’s comfortable to be around. He’s everything I didn’t think I was looking for.

  “Mom, Dad!” The house looks completely empty but they asked me over for dinner so I know they’re here somewhere.

  I wander the empty rooms, all in pristine condition and all look untouched yet there’s not a layer of dust on anything around. I can’t believe this is how I grew up. In a house that’s unloved, untouched…hell I’m not sure who the last person to sit on that couch was.

  “In here, Wren,” my father announces, startling me. I spin and he’s waiting in the doorway to his office with an annoyed look on his face.

  I sigh and follow him into the room where he and my mother are waiting for me. I feel like I’m walking into my execution by the looks on their faces.

  “What’s going on? I thought I was here for dinner.” I cross my arms in defense and wait for them to drop whatever bomb they’re holding on to.

  “You need to take the relationship offered to you by Daniel,” my father says so clearly, like arranged marriages are a normal, everyday occurrence still.

  “Excuse me?” I laugh. “You’re serious? The look on your face tells me you’re serious right now, but I can’t exactly believe this. An arranged marriage, guys?” I laugh.

  My father’s gaze on me doesn’t show any more emotion other than annoyance and my mother’s face is pursed into an ‘I told you so’ look that only she can perfect.

  “He knows about the baby, Wren. He knows you gave up your only child because you were young and irresponsible but he doesn’t care. Where are you going to find that in a man?” My mother blurts and it feels like I’ve been stabbed in the heart.

  “I can’t believe you two,” I huff, shaking my head. “I was forced to give that baby up. You two forced me,” I growl. God, just the memory of that day still haunts me. I never had a chance at being a good mom because he was ripped from my body and given away before I even had a chance to hold him. Talk about the power I used to let my parents have over my life. “I’m not dating Daniel. Not now. Not ever.”

  “He’s from money, Wren. You’ll be able to keep your hobby.”

  “I want it to be a job, Mom!” I snap, feeling my blood pressure rising.

  “It’s a hobby that will never make you the money you need to survive in this world,” my father says, shaking his head.

  “And you think I’ll be happy with Daniel?” I close my eyes and take a breath, Lincoln’s face immediately coming to mind when I think about being happy in my life. He’s what I want. Not money. How can they not see this?

  “We think the comfort of knowing you’re taken care of financially is what you need, darling.”

  I narrow my eyes at my dad.

  “Wren, think about it. Your father isn’t getting any younger. He has maybe two…three terms tops then he’s done. Daniel is fresh and new and just starting out. He’s going somewhere. Don’t you want to do with him?”

  I think my parents have completely lost it.

  “You two are…wow.” I nod. “I feel very sorry for you.”

  “Wren that’s—”

  “No. Please, Dad. Let me tell you guys something about me. I don’t give two fucks how much money or power a guy has nor do I care how Daniel feels about me being forced to give up my baby for adoption. Did you happen to tell him that? That it was forced on me? Probably not,” I say. “I’m not about to start a relationship with someone simply because of money and I can’t say how horrible that makes me feel that you think that’s all I care about. If you haven’t noticed, I’m fully supporting myself right now and I’m not doing too shabby at it.”

  “You’re working at a daycare and slumming it in someone else’s house, Wren.” My mother rolls her eyes.

  “I’m fucking doing it myself! If I had to live in a goddamned motel for a while just to get my shit together, I would just to get away from you guys!” I scream, losing my calm and collected composure I’d had walking in. “God, it’s like every time I see you two anymore I’m walking into a fucking trap! I’m done! No fucking wonder Lark moved as far away as she could. You two are horrible creatures.” I swallow down the tears threatening, not wanting to give them the satisfaction that they got to me, and storm out of their house.

  “Everything OK, Miss Wren?” Michael blurts, hopping off the porch and following me to the car. He picked me up so I didn’t have to ask Lucy for a ride and from the looks of it he’s been waiting to drive me home, as well.

  “I need to go home. Now,” I blurt, my chest hurting over the realization that my parents will never see eye to eye with me as long as I live. They’ll never accept that I’m not like them.

  The sad looks Michael gives me as he starts the car do me in, and as we pull away from my parents’ house the dam breaks and the tears fall. My phone rings so, under assumption it’s my sister calling, I answer.

  “Yes?” I answer still in tears.

  “Wren? What’s wrong?” Lincoln’s voice makes me shoot up in my seat.

  “Uh…shit. Sorry,” I sniffle a few more times and take a deep breath. “What’s up?” I take a deep breath
and roll my eyes at myself. This is one of the many reasons crying never solves anything.

  “You doin alright?”

  “Totally fine,” I huff.

  “Yeah? Because from the sounds of it something’s got ya upset.”

  “Family drama. It’ll be fine. What’s up?”

  We fall into easy conversation and the entire drive home I notice Michael smiling at me from the driver’s seat. It’s been a week of Lincoln being in my life and I’m already starting to forget a world without him. How scary is that?

  “Mom and Dad got their claws into me today,” I tell my sister later that evening. “I shouldn’t care so much, and I’ve been doing a great job at distancing myself from them. But they asked me over for dinner then I showed up to a bloodbath, Lark.”

  “What’d they do?” she asks and I groan.

  “They’re trying to get me to date Daniel. Marry him. They rubbed in my face the whole baby thing and I lost my shit.”

  “They didn’t have anything to do with the baby thing though,” she blurts and an eerie calm comes over the phone.

  “I thought they’re the ones that had all the papers taken care of.” My brows furrow and I pick at my nail polish worriedly. It’s like this whole thing never happened sometimes. Mom and Dad don’t talk about it and I think Lark feels so guilty for being the one with me the whole time during it that she tries to stay quiet on the topic. From what I was told, the baby wasn’t allowed to see me because they didn’t want me to get attached and the papers were all filed and done undercover by my dad so it never got out to the public that his perfect little family was fucked. That was two years ago, almost, and I have yet to fuck up that big again in their eyes, but they can’t seem to let it go.

  “Yea…. Hey I gotta get going, Wren.”

  “Oh um…yea that’s fine. Talk to you later?”

  “You know it, little sis,” she whispers then hangs up the phone.

  I stare at the screen for a brief moment then sigh and shake my head, letting my fingers play their way to the file in my photos that not even my sister knows I kept.