It Started in Texas

by M. B. Feeney

  When he pulled away, leaving me breathless, he said, "I've missed kissing you, darlin'."

  "I've missed kissing you, too. You have disgustingly soft lips." I leaned forward and kissed him again.

  "I've never heard them called that before. Plump, sensual, and full? Yes. But never ‘disgustingly soft’."

  "Oh, shut up and kiss me again." I grabbed the front of his Santa suit and let myself fall back onto the bed, making him collapse on top of me.

  "That I can do, baby."

  "You've never called me that before." I rested back on my elbows while he lay next to me, playing with my hair.

  "Haven't I? I can stick to darlin' if you prefer."

  "As long as I can hear your voice, I don't care what you call me."

  He sat up with a chuckle. "This suit is itchy," he said, scratching at his chest.

  "Take it off, then." I reached up to undo the buttons on the tunic. "I feel a bit pervy, undressing Santa."

  "Well, we wouldn't want you to feel pervy, would we?" In the blink of an eye, he was out of the suit, sitting on my bed in just his boxers and a smile. "Better?"

  "Much. Although I’ll feel weird from now on taking the kids to have their photo with Father Christmas."

  Gage pulled me forward so that I laid on his chest, our faces inches apart. "Well now, this is mighty cosy." He grinned at me, his eyes twinkling.

  "It is a bit." I moved my head and took his lower lip between my own, nibbling it with my front teeth. "May as well make the most of having the place to ourselves."

  At my words, Gage rolled us over until he was above me, resting his weight on his forearms. "Well, darlin', we best get started."

  It was impossible not to giggle while he ran his fingertips lightly up the inside of my thighs. I soon stopped when he took hold of the waistband of my underwear and pulled them off me.

  He ran one gentle fingertip along my folds before circling my clit, making me gasp. My own hands began to stroke his back before they made their way back up into his hair when he began to put more pressure on my clit. I moaned when he stopped, but before I could miss the sensation too much, he slid two fingers into me and dipped his head down to take one of my nipples between his teeth.

  "Fuck!" I hissed.

  He was playing like it was his beloved guitar, and I couldn't stop my hips from matching the thrusts of his hand.

  "I need more, darlin'." Gage withdrew his fingers and drew them into his mouth. He sat up and rooted around in my bedside drawer, locating and rolling on a condom.

  I sat up and pushed him onto his back so I could straddle him and began to lower myself until he was inside me.

  "I'm home," he sighed, gripping my hips.

  Together we created a slow and steady pace that spoke volumes about how much we had missed each other.

  Our pace picked up, and I could hear Gage's breathing get heavier. My heart galloped when he reached up and tugged on one of my nipples, sending a jolt of pleasure through my body. I arched my chest into his hand, and he moaned when the change in my position let him sink deeper inside me. My body was beginning to tense as I felt my orgasm building, so I placed my hands on his hips and began to increase my pace until I felt my whole body explode.

  "Jesus Christ." I slowed down but didn't stop, leaning forward to press my chest against Gage’s and kissing him, still rocking my hips to bring him to climax.

  "Fuck, darlin'." His whole body shuddered, and his hips bucked when he came. "You are so fucking beautiful," he panted, kissing my forehead.

  I lay on his heaving chest, trying to catch my breath. "So are you."

  Gage rolled over so we were on our sides, chest to chest. "I think we owe Dermot a big present."

  I couldn't help but laugh.

  Christmas morning, we were woken by the kids phoning home to see if they could come open their presents. We got dressed and headed downstairs to wait for the inevitable chaos.

  My camera was ready to catch all the precious moments of excitement. I managed to capture a few candids of Gage and the kids playing with toys on the floor. I'd even gotten a few of Gage and Dermot, before Dermot left to go to his dad's. They would all go in the album Margaret had given me so I could relive the memories.

  "How long are you staying?" I asked Gage while we watched the kids rip open presents and generally create a mess of paper, boxes, and toys.

  “I’m not sure. As long as I can.” There was a resigned sadness to his voice.

  Was it always going to be like this? Fleeting visits for a couple of days here and there?

  I was surprised when Gage insisted on cooking a full Christmas dinner while the kids and I sat on the sofa watching films. Of course, it was delicious, and it disappeared quickly. Once we were finished eating, both kids took themselves up to their rooms to play, and I began to clear everything away.

  "I have something for you," Gage said when I was finishing up. He took me by the hand and sat me on the sofa, and then handed me a large box wrapped in Disney wrapping paper. "Don't ask. This was kind of a short notice present," he said when I raised my eyebrow at him.

  "Why have you bought me another present? You've given me enough, plus you spoilt the kids rotten."

  "Just open it."

  Although grumbling about his bossiness, I did as I was told. Nestled in white tissue paper was the most beautiful pair of dark brown cowboy boots I’d ever seen.

  "You bought me boots? They're gorgeous!" I grabbed him by the collar and kissed him. "Thank you!"

  After admiring them awhile, I said, “I actually have something else for you. It's nowhere near as extravagant as these, though." I made a quick trip to the kitchen, and when I returned to the living room, I handed him a small box.

  "What's this?" Gage smiled when I gestured for him to open it. Inside was a key with a Pocket’s guitar plectrum keyring attached. "Is this . . ?"

  I nodded. "I thought you could have your own key. Is that okay?"

  He pulled me down onto his lap. "It's perfect."

  Then Gage stood and carried me upstairs.

  Saying goodbye again had been hard, but it was reassuring to know he would come back whenever he could.

  I would soon be heading out to Vegas for Matt's birthday, and it was going to be so good to see Karina again. Even so, I was dreading flying out on my own with two kids and was worried that Vegas would be a bit too much stimulation for them, but Karina had arranged a hotel sitter for evenings. Gage had offered to pay for our flights, but I refused due to wanting to pay my own way.

  I'd arranged to fly into LAX so we could spend some time with Wade and Jenny before we all headed off to Vegas for the party. They'd not long wrapped up filming in London and had moved in together back in LA during post production, along with Ali and Jenny’s mum. I was happy for them. They were perfect for each other, and Jenny's daughter loved Wade.

  Since I'd been feeling run down, thanks to being busy at work and at home with the kids, I hoped I would be okay to fly. It was a struggle to get into the new routine. They were at home for the entire week with Dermot gone, and I had to fit my work in around them.

  We made sure that they spoke to their father every night before they went to bed, and we had arranged for them to travel over with his mum to see him during the summer holidays. He'd booked their tickets already and was just getting his new house set up for them.

  The week leading up to our flight was hell on earth. The kids drove me so insane that I was tempted to leave them at home with my parents. I knew they were excited since I had promised to fit in a trip to Disney, which extended our time in the States by a couple of days, but did they really have to question everything? Was it so important to know which characters they would see before we even got there?

  I blamed Karina. She'd mentioned going, and the kids had heard. Since she'd been so childishly excited about even being in the same state as Disney, I couldn't refuse. Plus, it would make up for Dermot’s absence on Grace's birthday.

  Gage was en
tertained by their enthusiasm every time they mentioned it to him during their video calls.

  When I spoke to him on my own, he constantly asked if I was okay, telling me I looked pale.

  "It's nothing a bit of LA sunshine can't cure," I told him the night before our departure.

  "Darlin', you do realise that it’s not summer here yet, don't you?"

  "Yeah, but it's still sunnier than the UK."

  He conceded the point. "Okay. Just make sure you look after yourself. I don't want you sick when I see you tomorrow."

  "I'll be fine, but I best get off to bed. I have to get the kids up at three in the morning. That's going to be fun."

  Although reluctant, we said our goodnights, and I headed upstairs.

  It may have been ‘cold’ in LA, but the sun was bright. The kids had slept for nearly the whole eleven-hour flight and were bouncing around, full of life, while we waited for our luggage.

  "Is Gage coming to collect us?" Sam asked me after I’d pulled our bags off the carousel.

  "I don't think so. He's supposed to meet us at Matt's party, baby."

  "Oh, I wanted to see him."

  "Me too, baby. We'll see him later on tonight after we've had some food and a rest, okay?"

  She nodded, looking round the huge airport. I followed signs pointing to the exits and groaned when I saw the queue for taxis.

  "Need a ride, ma'am?" a voice spoke into my ear.

  I turned to see Drew grinning at me. "What are you doing here?" I asked, hugging him tightly.

  "I'm supposed to be pickin' up a cool chick and her two pups."

  I rolled my eyes at him. "Why aren't you in Vegas with the rest of the guys getting ready for tomorrow?"

  Drew took the trolley from me and begin to push the luggage towards the car park. "A certain someone sent me." He winked.

  "Gage? Doesn't he realise I'm a grown up and can get myself and the kids from the airport to the apartment?" I huffed.

  "Nope, Karina sent me. I needed to come and get something from a music store here, so she asked me to meet you and take you across LA in style." He pointed to the car.

  "Mum. That's a Cadillac." Sam was drooling while he gawked at a powder blue vintage car that somehow seemed so Drew.

  "So I see."

  He loaded the bags into the boot and we all climbed in, the kids excited. "I think this is Karina's way of saying thank you," he said when we pulled onto the freeway.

  "What for?" I was confused.

  "You sent Matt to meet her, so now she's returning the favour. She asked Gage first, but he's doing some radio interview with Matt and Eli. As I said, I was coming out this way anyway, so she pounced."

  "Yep. That's Karina."

  I sent Gage a text letting him know we'd arrived safely, and within seconds my phone was ringing.

  "That boy's got it bad," Drew commented as I answered.

  "Hi."

  "Hey, darlin'"

  I smiled at the sound of his voice. "I thought you were doing an interview with Matt and Eli."

  "I am. We have exactly two minutes, twenty-five seconds until this song finishes."

  "Why did you call me, then? Get back to work and call me when you're done."

  "I just wanted to hear your voice. I'll call you later, darlin'. Love you." He hung up before I could reply.

  Then I remembered something and quickly typed out a text.

  You better not have told Matt we're here. Wouldn't be much of a surprise party x

  He was in the bathroom Gx

  That's okay then. Love you x

  We arrived at Jenny's apartment block, where Ali was waiting outside the building with her and Wade. The kids jumped out of the car as soon as Drew pulled up and ran inside with her to play. I hugged Drew once he’d placed our bags on the pavement.

  "Thanks for the ride," I told him.

  "No worries. See you later." He got back into the car and pulled away.

  Soon, both Jenny and Wade had their arms around me.

  "Come on, let's get you fed." Jenny led me inside to their apartment.

  We spent the day catching up and relaxing while the kids ran around like complete lunatics. Before long, Wade announced that it was time for us to start making our way to Vegas. He'd hired a people carrier so we could all travel together, which was another detail that pleased the kids.

  Jenny turned in her seat to talk to me when we started on the four hour drive. "You okay?" she asked me.

  "I'm fine, why?"

  "You look a bit ill.”

  "I've just been a bit run down with work and stuff. I’m in need of a break." My stomach churned slightly when we hit the freeway and Wade put his foot down. I never got travel sick, but if I wasn't driving, I could get nauseous at times.

  "Well, the next few days should be perfect. Just don't expect to have an actual break." She indicated the kids at the back of the car, who were out for the count.

  "I know. Kar mentioned Disney, so guess where we're going." I groaned, and Wade burst out laughing.

  "Well, I know Gage will be there. He's a bigger kid than they are." He wasn’t wrong.

  "Don't I know it? Did I tell you about Christmas?"

  They hadn’t, so I told them about him turning up out of the blue.

  "That sounds just like him."

  My phone rang before I could respond, and Gage’s name flashed on the screen.

  "Hello, you."

  "Hey, darlin'. I just wanted to let you know that we’ve finished up the interview. Matt's gone to see Karina at her hotel. Where are you?"

  "I'm in the car with Jenny and Wade. We've just left their place."

  "So you're looking at another four hours or so, then?"

  "I think so. Are you getting impatient?” I grinned at Jenny, who was watching me.

  "Yes, I am. It's been almost two months since I've seen you."

  "I've missed you, too."

  Jenny turned away, giving me some semblance of privacy, and I saw Wade take her hand in his.

  "Let me know when you arrive at the hotel. I'll come right over."

  "I will. Love you."

  A couple of hours into the journey, I began to feel really ill, which pissed me off. Being ill was the last thing I wanted during our holiday. Wade pulled into a service station so I could get some air. As soon as I got out the car, I had to run inside to the bathroom to throw up. Jenny left the kids with Wade and came to check on me.

  "Are you sure you’re okay?"

  "Yeah, I am now." I rinsed my mouth out. "Must be all the travelling." In the mirror, I could see the concern on her face. "I'll be okay. I'll get some sleep in the car. Sleep heals a lot."

  "Okay, honey, but let me know if you need to stop again."

  I gave her a hug. "Promise."

  It felt like I’d only just closed my eyes when Wade gently woke me.

  "We're here, darlin'. Let's get checked in, then you can go get some more sleep."

  "I can't. The kids—"

  "Jenny and I will take them for something to eat and have a look round the strip. They slept the whole way here, so they're wired right now."

  I smiled weakly at him and let him lead us inside. We were all soon on our way up to our adjoining rooms. The kids couldn't believe the size of our room and ran around for a bit before Wade came to collect them. I gave them both twenty dollars and told them not to blow it all on sweets. After thanking Wade again, I grabbed my pyjamas and went to get changed.

  "I'll take your spare room key, just in case," Wade called out when they left.

  Once I’d climbed into bed, I crashed out. When I woke up, the sky outside was pitch black, but the lights of the strip were bright enough to hurt my eyes. I stood up, feeling slightly light headed, and I decided I needed a bathroom break and a cold drink. I couldn't remember the last time I'd felt like this and felt guilty for possibly ruining the kids’ holiday. On unsteady legs, I walked into the other room and almost screamed when I noticed Gage sitting on the sofa, watching TV in the
dark.

  "Well hey, darlin’. How you feelin'?" He stood up and took me into his arms.

  "Like shit, to be honest." I pulled away, aware of how bad I was looking and smelling, and opened the mini bar. I managed to pull out a bottle of water and sit on the sofa before I collapsed.

  "Do you need to see a doctor?" Gage asked when sat next to me and tucked me into his side.

  "No, I should be okay in a day or so." I tried to work out if it could be food poisoning or something, but my mind was in overdrive. Then I paused, and the realisation hit me.

  "What?" He sat up and looked at me, worry all over his face. "What is it?"

  "I think I do need you to do something for me." My hands clenched at my pyjama trousers while nerves washed over my entire body.

  "Anything. You know that, darlin’."

  "I need you to find a pharmacy." Another pause. "Maybe I should get one of the girls to do it instead."

  "Don't be ridiculous. There's nothing I can't get for you. What do you need?" He looked worried.

  "It’s possible I know what's wrong. I've been sick like this before." I took a deep breath. "You need to get me a pregnancy test."

  Gage paced the room, a visible bundle of nerves. I sat on the edge of the bed, not quite sure what to do or say, and my eyes never left him while he moved back and forth in front of me. I wanted him to say something, anything, but I was also scared about what it would be. At last, he turned to me and opened his mouth to say something, but before he could, his phone rang. With a noise of frustration, he grabbed it and answered.

  "Hi, Mom. Yeah, we're here. Yes, I remembered to bring Matt's present. Yes, I'll make sure he knows it's from you and Dad. Listen, can I call you back? I gotta go. Okay, I love you, too." He tossed his phone on the bed and walked over to me. He knelt in front of me, took hold of my hands, and looked into my eyes. "Are you okay, darlin’?"

  "I . . . I think so."

  "Listen, I know it's a shock, but are you unhappy?" Hurt flashed across his eyes.

  I removed my hand from his and stroked his face. "How could I be unhappy about it? I'm in danger of sounding like a bad romance film here, but everything you create makes me happy. This . . . This just—" Cutting myself off mid-sentence, I clapped my hand to my mouth and ran into the bathroom to throw up.