Freezing

by Tarrah Anders

  “Dinner is ready!” Beth calls.

  Mika

  I’m in the presence of a supermodel and probably bazillionaires, except I keep forgetting that and keep throwing up the usual crap that comes out of my mouth when I’m full of nerves.

  While Beth and Allie seem cool, I have to remember that tonight is about Brad.

  When we sit down for dinner, the silence is deafening, so I do what I do best: awkward conversation.

  “This food is so good, like mini orgasms are blasting around in my mouth right now,” I say around the chicken.

  “It is. I mean, I wouldn’t quite put it like that, but it’s good,” Tyson agrees smiling.

  “It’s like tiny men are jazzing on my tongue right now.” I moan with my head rolled back. As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I snap my head up and then cover my face. Laughter erupts around the table. I blush. “I’m so sorry guys.”

  “Mika has a broken filter sometimes,” Brad explains for me. I look at everyone through the spaces between my fingers. They’re all smiling as they eat.

  The remainder of dinner goes better, as I keep food stuffed in my mouth. Brad’s hand stays firmly on my thigh and, by the end of the night, the six of us are no longer strangers. We’re not quite family, but we’re certainly friends. Brad and his brothers have genuinely laughed, Beth and Allie have invited me to girls’ lunch and, as we’re leaving, the nerves that both Brad and I were experiencing are mere memories.

  We’re walking into my home, hand in hand. Both of us are high from the evening. My father is passed out on the couch, while my mom and Jared in a makeshift bed on the floor with the glow of the television lighting their faces. They’re both sleeping and snuggled under the covers together.

  “I’ll carry Jared to bed and you wake your parents.”

  We divide and conquer, then moments later I’m shoving my half-asleep parents through the front door and then sinking onto the couch.

  Brad hands me a beer and collapses beside me. “Tonight went well,” he says..

  “I’m glad this is happening for you. Thank you for letting me be a part of it.”

  “I wouldn’t have been able to do it without you by my side,” he replies, grabbing my hand and kissing my knuckles then leaning his head back against the couch.

  “It would seem that your second chance is happening.” I smile.

  “It started the moment that I met you.” He rolls his head to face me and smiles.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Brad

  In the two weeks since the dinner with Jacob and company, I’ve been in contact with them several times. All parties have initiated the communication, and I’m grateful that I’m not acting too eager. While the conversation sometimes seems strained, we’re all trying and I’m looking at that as the important part. The guys have come to my house and the whole group got together for dinner again. Things are progressing well and, while I have lingering anxiety that things could take a bad turn, I’m hopeful that everything will continue to be just fine with the Maddox family.

  Today is the mediation for Mika and Derek, Jared’s father. While I know I cannot go into the room with them, it doesn’t stop me from pacing the front steps of the building for the hour and half they are behind closed doors.

  Last night, Mika, Reed and I sat in her living room with a white board and a flow chart of how today could go. Since Mika has been a model citizen and parent, nothing can go against her. Derek’s main complaint is that I spent time in prison for a stupid crime, which wasn’t violent by any means.

  Reed is slumped, sitting on the ground with his head leaning on a pillar of the building while I’m mid-stride on the path that I’ve been wearing into the floor when the glass doors open.

  Derek storms out first and Mika follows. She’s has a smug expression on her face as I approach her.

  “So?”

  “We couldn’t agree on a change at first. I would counter him with something and he would immediately turn it down if it wasn’t exactly what he wanted.”

  “Why is he so pissed off?” I ask.

  “So, the only thing Derek had to bring up was that you lied under oath, and his assertion was that you would make Jared lie.”

  “That’s funny, because all kids lie at one time or another,” Reed smirks.

  “That’s what I said to him too. I pointed out the times he’s lied and asked him point blank if, because of the lies that he’s told here and there, that would reflect poorly on Jared. So, he said that kids lie all the time, which was basically what I had said a few minutes before.”

  “So now what?” I ask.

  “Derek turtled and retracted everything. The schedule will stay the same, and we don’t need to go to court or do anything else.” She squeals while clapping her hands together.

  “Wait. So that’s it? No more court shit?” Reed asks.

  “None. We’re clear. I still have Jared half the time and my relationship with Brad will pose no issue.” She smiles as she turns to me. “None.”

  “This is cause for a celebration. Let’s have a party tonight.” I smile.

  “Not on a school night. The only kind of party we’re going to have is pajama party.”

  “I guess we need to stop off at the store and buy some proper pajamas.” I smile, entwining our fingers together.

  “Or… not,” she says with a wink.

  “Guys. I’m right here.” Reed waves his hands. “Right here.”

  My surroundings become muted and turn black and white as Mika smiles up at me. We lean in closer together until our lips gently touch. Her arms circle my neck as I pull her by the hips flush against me. Our light kisses grow into a frenzy of gripping and small moans until Reed pulls us apart.

  “You guys need to get a room. Cut it out! C’mon, let’s get out of here before you both get arrested for public indecency.”

  Mika

  I felt the anger vibrating off Derek when we were sitting across from one another in mediation. For every point he tried to make, I came back with a solid example or reason and saw the deflation of his ego each time. I kept calm as his face grew red with each deflection. While I didn’t enjoy proving him wrong and making him look like he’s blowing things out of proportion, I did enjoy the feeling of being right in this situation. When he conceded and stomped out of the room, I turned to the mediator, apologized for taking up her time and shook her hand.

  Now, I’m sitting on my couch sandwiched between Jared and Brad. Brad’s arm is wrapped around my shoulders and Jared’s head is on my thigh as we watch some kid show on television. I was not expecting my life to become what it is now. I was not expecting that Brad and I would start a relationship when I first met him in the lobby of the parole office and I absolutely did not expect us to last to the point where he and my son developed a bond of any sort.

  When I first met Brad, I assumed he was the cocky, privileged guy portrayed in the media when he was in the headlines. I did not expect him to be down to earth by any means. I did not think that we would become serious and I sure as hell did not think that we would become each other’s family. Jared and Brad get along great and as much as Derek may not like it, I do not think that situation will change anytime soon.

  When it comes time for Jared to go to bed, we say our goodnights and I read him a book before tucking him in.

  “Mommy?”

  “Yeah, Jare?”

  “Is Brad going to live with us?” he asks expectantly.

  “What makes you ask that?”

  “It seems like the next step. That’s what happens on TV.” My boy sounds so grown up.

  “We’ll see. Maybe one day in the future, but right now we’re happy having our own space.”

  “It would be okay, you know.”

  “Yeah?”

  “I like that he spends time with me. And I like the way he looks at you.”

  “Well, I’ll keep that all in mind. Now go to sleep, you!” I kiss his forehead and brush the hair out of his eye
s.

  I roll over and my body meets a hard surface. I feel around, feel the ripples of his abs, and then my hand goes lower and brush over a very impressive erection.

  “Morning,” Brad mumbles.

  I’m fondling Brad in my half–sleep state, my hand moving up and down his shaft slowly. He hums as I switch hands and begin to rotate my movement. I open my eyes to see him naked with the sheets wrapped around his thighs. His chin is tipped to the ceiling as I stroke him. His eyes are closed, his mouth is open and he’s quickly getting out of breath.

  “I don’t want to come like this. Climb on top of me,” he whispers, his voice happily strained.

  I push away the remaining sheet covering my body as I let go of him and sit astride his lap. I press myself against him, my pussy aligning perfectly over his dick as I slide myself over the length of him. I tease the crown by dipping it inside, but just barely. Brad’s hands grip my hips and he guides my motions, all the while grunting quietly. I lean up on my knees a little and shift slowly so his dick disappears into me. With a sudden intake of breath, we both look toward where we are connected. We’re both holding our breath and as soon as I’m fully seated on him, we both release that breath. I start to pull up but Brad’s hands hold me in place.

  “Give me a second. Your pussy is so tight and you feel so amazing bare that I may just blow my load on the first stroke,” he says with a shaky breath.

  I smile, enjoying that I have him at my mercy. I flex my Kegel muscles, which earns me a groan from him. Soon his grip releases and I am able to move.

  Slowly, I pull my body up and then slide down, relishing in the fullness of having his dick inside me. Brad’s hands move from my hips to my chest and he cups my breasts.

  I slowly move over him as his hips thrust beneath me, moving up to meet me with every pull.

  “You feel so fucking amazing,” he moans, his voice husky with emotion. “Fuck, I’m not going to last. This feels so fucking good.”

  One of his hands moves from my breast down to where we are joined and his finger strokes my clit. He rubs it in circles, alternating between rough and gentle pressure. In seconds, I feel the pulsing of my pussy and my movements soon get sloppy. Brad takes over starts bucking into me. I throw my head back, my hands gripping his thighs behind me to support myself as I ride him. My pussy is milking his dick as he groans and sits up, pulling our bodies tighter together.

  He takes advantage of sitting up to maneuver me onto my back.

  “While I enjoy watching your tits bounce as you ride me. I want to fuck you good morning.”

  He pulls out and then, with a ferocity, he slams back into me repeatedly. He builds me up again to another orgasm and, as his dick continues to slamin and out of me, I arch my back, curl my toes, and moan loudly as blackness takes over my vision. Specks of light appear when the second orgasm makes its appearance.

  “Fuck. Fuck!” he sputters, as he pushes into me and holds himself, expelling into me. “Fuck. I love you,” he exhales.

  “I love you too,” I whisper.

  Chapter Twenty

  Brad

  I’ve kept busy the past few months rekindling my relationship with Jacob and Tyson, and learning everything there is to know about being in a real relationship, one in which we’re equal rather than one being subservient to the other.

  My brothers and I – My brothers. Man, that’s insane to say. – see each other weekly, and we do our best to not bring up the past. They told me they never filled my position; it just stays vacant and they even offered it to me, but I turned them down. I’m happy where I am and I rather enjoy toying around with computers. I don’t think I want to go back to a life where I always need to wear a suit, where I need to travel, and where I’m taken away from people that I love. My goal for family has been achieved with a mixed bag of old and new. I’m grateful for the new family I gained with Mika and Jared, and I’m also thankful I was able to fix the rift with my blood family.

  Jared and Mika have become an extension of me. Not a day goes by that I don’t talk to both of them. Jared sends me weird text messages with pictures of his day, everything from his toothbrush in the morning to his glass of milk at bedtime. My favorite photos are the selfies he takes with Mika. I had one printed and it now sits beside the phone on my work desk.

  Brad. Your three o’clock is here. A chat window comes up on my computer screen.

  I open my email calendar and see that I have no appointments today.

  Another impromptu meeting.

  Hmm.

  I don’t have lunch plans with Jacob or Tyson today, at least, not that I can remember. Mika never said anything about meeting today when I left her house this morning. I shrug and head up to reception.

  Jared’s father, Derek, is standing by the front desk, flirting with the receptionist. When he sees me, he straightens, nods and then steps forward.

  “Bradford Maddox, I presume?” he asks.

  “What can I do for you?” I ask, shoving my hands in my pockets.

  “I, um… can we talk privately?” Derek asks nervously. His hands are in his pockets and he’s rocking on the balls of his feet. I want to know what this is about, and I want to know why he seems so nervous.

  I point him in the direction of one of the smaller conference rooms. Once he enters and sits, I take a seat across from him. I fold my arms over my chest and wait for him to speak.

  “So, I know you know who I am, so I’m gonna cut to the chase. I’ve been awarded a new grant and will be relocating to Denver. The grant is for three years but it could become permanent, depending on how well I progress with my research.”

  “Okay,” I say, dragging out the syllables.

  “I wanted to meet you, to see who my son talks so much about. And to, I guess, hand over the reins.”

  “Hand over the reins? Derek, you’re his father and that’s not going to change.”

  “I know, I know. But you see, I can’t ask Mika to move to Denver just so I can be around Jared. He just started school this year. It wouldn’t be fair for me to ask that of them. I can’t expect any of you to pick up your lives and move it to another state, especially when I know I wouldn’t do the same if the roles were reversed.”

  “So, what’s the catch?” I ask.

  “There’s no catch. I wanted to meet you, in person, on your turf and apologize for judging you. I know that I had no right. I was jealous. For years, Mika hadn’t dated anyone, while I – I’ll admit I hadn’t been celibate. When I heard you were coming around, I freaked. I reacted poorly, obviously. I know you’re not a shitty person; my son talks about you a lot. And the way Mika fought so passionately for you, well, I won’t lie and say it didn’t sting that she didn’t fight like that for me.”

  “I thought you guys weren’t a thing.”

  “We were likely never going to be, but she’s the mother of my son. I had always thought that maybe, after a while, we would eventually end up together. She hadn’t dated anyone until you, so I got a little territorial and judged you when I didn’t have the full story. I put her in a shit spot and yeah.” He shrugs.

  “Does Mika know about Denver?” I ask.

  “I texted her before coming here; asked if I could stop by to talk to her tonight. I was hoping you could be there too?” he says, shaking his head.

  “Why?”

  “Honestly, I’m not sure. Maybe to be there for Jared when he asks questions. Maybe to show a united front?”

  I nod in agreement. We discuss the minor details of the evening and exchange contact information, including addresses, just in case. I walk him back out to the reception area, shake of his hand, and then he’s gone.

  “You really need to start reserving the conference rooms,” the receptionist says dryly.

  I salute her in mock annoyance and head back to my cubicle to watch the minutes tick by before I can head out of here and home to Mika.

  Mika

  Brad surprised me by bringing over dinner tonight, and then by alre
ady knowing Derek was coming over. When Derek shared his news, first with me and then with Jared, Brad was there to support each of us. Jared had questions and Derek and Brad answered them together, which confused the shit out of me. But, after Derek left and Jared went to bed, Brad told me about Derek’s surprise visit to his work and everything made sense.

  The fact that Brad is stepping up to the plate is huge and unexpected. If I wasn’t completely in love with him before, I am head over heels in love with him now.

  Who would have thought that the guy who just got released from prison and paired up with my brother would become my knight in shining armor? A man who set out goals for himself and conquered each goal like a champion. A man who was terrified of commitment and freaked out when we first started dating. A man who has become my biggest supporter, my hero, and my best friend. In addition, a man who loves my son, and who my son loves in return.

  I wasn’t expecting Bradford Maddox to be mine. I crushed on him hard and when fate threw us together time and time again, it only took a lot of junk food and a superhero movie or two to bring us together.

  I’m not sure that I would have liked Bradford Maddox before prison, but I can say that the Brad Maddox I met after his release from prison has melted my freezing heart and brought me to back life when I didn’t know I needed it.

  Epilogue

  Jared

  Today is my mommy’s birthday and my best friend Brad keeps telling me that he’s got a surprise for her. I hope that it’s something cool like a skateboard or a pet dinosaur. Or that he’s really a super hero and can fly. Flying would be awesome.

  We’re having a party today and I can’t wait to eat all the cake and some chips when no one is looking. Grammy and Pop-pop are coming over and I hope they bring their new puppy with them. They said that it’s my puppy, but it has to live over at their house because mommy is allergenic and can’t stop sneezing around it. Her nose gets all red and her skin too. It’s gross, like she’s got a weird disease. When she gets like that, I FaceTime with Daddy and tell him her symptoms. He’s a cool doctor who lives where it snows. I went there a while ago and it was cold, so I told him he needs to visit me next time.