Oceans Collide

by M. A. de Olmos

  “Hey, baby, you okay?” I asked as I rubbed my lips against her throat. She melted into me gripping my arms that wrapped around her.

  She tried to smile in the mirror, but it looked like she was constipated instead. I chuckled against her skin. “Come on, Liv, you look perfect. What’s wrong with what you have on? I don’t see any scars, baby. You’re fine.” I lowered one of my hands and tucked them under the end of her shorts.

  “But what if I move wrong or sit wrong and someone sees them? I cannot wear these in public; I don’t want the stares and disgusted looks, Ocean. I won’t be able to handle them.”

  “First of all, no one is going to say anything or look at you funny, and if they do, baby, I’ll break their face.” She frowned at me and I smiled back.

  “I can’t, Ocean. Were you able to get my stuff from the hotel?”

  “Yes, it’s all downstairs. My dad and Aunt Layla are coming soon to help us bring it all upstairs.” She grabbed my arms, flung them down, and started pacing the room running her fingers through her hair and pulling on the long strands. It was killing me seeing her like this.

  “Liv, come on, let’s talk this out. You’re going to be okay.”

  She spun around and gave me a death stare, and I put my arms up in surrender.

  “Don’t! Don’t talk to me like I’m a fucking kid, Ocean! I don’t know why I let you buy me this crap, anyway. You know I can’t wear this shit!”

  She started unbuttoning her shorts, pulled them down, and flung them at me. I just stood there, because she didn’t have any panties on and my mind was having a hell of a time recognizing that Liv was about to go van dam on my ass any minute and having sex with her was nowhere near the equation she was drawing out for me. I bit the inside of my check to keep from saying something stupid.

  I could see it on her face that she had made up her mind, and she was not going to wear, or even consider putting them back on, right now. “Fine, I’ll go downstairs and bring up a box of clothes for you.”

  She didn’t respond to me, she just kept pacing around. Before Law got involved, I turned around and walked out of the room closing the door behind me. Law was on the phone and looked up at me. I waved him off and mouthed that I’d be right back, and he went back to his conversation. I don’t know what was pissing me off about this situation, but I was getting fired up for no reason. Maybe it was because Liv was losing it, but I can usually keep my emotions calm, or maybe it was the fact that she didn’t hold back, and basically, told me to fuck off.

  I was back upstairs in no time with one of her boxes under my arm. I passed Law who was still on the phone talking to one of his prospects, I assumed. I grabbed the doorknob hard, pushed the door open, and slammed it shut. Liv stopped her pacing and looked at me and she looked just as pissed as I was. I slammed the box on the floor and punched the top open. I grabbed the first pair of jeans I saw and walked toward Liv. She was looking at me carefully trying to study my mood, but it was no use. I flung the jeans on the bed, then grabbed her and tossed her onto the bed. Her exotic and sharp eyes narrowed, and she bit her lip, not because she was turned on, but because she probably wanted to kick me in the face.

  I grabbed her legs and spread them apart, and then grabbed the pair of jeans next to her. I slipped the pants on one leg at a time, and when I couldn’t pull them up any further, I looked at her, and she raised her hips from the bed. I pushed them up.

  “Stand up!” She just looked at me. “Livie, get up!” She launched herself up and hopped off the bed landing on her feet, toe to toe with me. I grabbed the waist of her jeans, pulled them up to fit around her ass, zipped, and buttoned them. I let her go to walk away, and she grabbed a fist full of the front of my shirt in her hand. She looked me square in the eyes with an emotion so intense it was sucking the breath out of me. I leaned in and kissed her neck licking my sweet spot as I pulled back, and she let go of my shirt.

  I nodded toward the door, and she stepped aside. I walked to the door, opened it, and without turning around to look at her, I closed it gently. I rubbed my hands across my chin and leaned up against the wall outside our bedroom. That shit was intense. What the hell just happened?

  Lawrence

  I watched Ocean stomp out through the living room and out the door again. “Trell, I hate to cut you off, but I got family to deal with. I’ll call you tomorrow same time.”

  “No problem, Lawrence. We’ll talk tomorrow. Thanks, man.” I hung up the phone and ran my fingers through my hair tugging at it. Never a dull moment. I got up and decided to check on Sunshine first, because if he hurt her in anyway the punk was going to need the head start.

  I stopped by their room, and the door was closed. I knocked lightly and waited.

  “Sunshine, it’s me, can I come in?” The door opened, and what I saw instantly made my blood boil with heat. I pulled her into my arms and hugged her tight. Shit, I was probably smothering her alive, but she looked devastated. I walked up to her bed and sat her down while I kneeled down on one knee with her hands in mine.

  “Sunshine, tell me what happened, because if you don’t, I’m going downstairs to fuck Ocean up.”

  She looked up at me with her face coated with dried and fresh tears mingling together. She shook her head at me.

  “No what? No, you won’t tell me what happened, or no, you don’t want me to fuck Oceans face up?”

  “Both, Law.” Her voice was weak and uncontrolled. “It wasn’t him, Law, it was me. I lost it again. I ruin everything.” She started crying, and she let her body slide off the bed to the ground next to me. I leaned my back against the bed next to her and swung my arm up and over to bring her closer to me. That’s when I saw a white pair of shorts on the floor. My body tensed.

  “Sunshine, did Ocean force you to do something you didn’t want to? You need to tell me if he did, don’t try to protect him. I’ll kill him, Sunshine, if he hurt you… please, tell me he didn’t.”

  Sunshine turned her body toward me, wrapped her small arms around my chest, and shushed me quiet. “Stop, Law, you know he wouldn’t do that.”

  “Then what happened, Sunshine? You can talk to me. You know that, right? I won’t judge you, Sunshine. Just consider me one of the girls, if you need to. You can tell me anything, even the gross and disgusting things you let kujo do to you.” The laugh that escaped her beautiful lips made me smile.

  “I tried on a pair of shorts we bought today from the mall, and he walked in on me panicking over it. I was doing okay until he mentioned your mom and uncle stopping by. After that I… I don’t know what happened, but it was intense.”

  I rested my head on hers and held her. “I told you things were going to get ugly before they get better, Sunshine. Apart from my mom, we have never really had a real and strong woman in our lives. I’m sure you just pushed a button he didn’t even know existed, and you, well, Sunshine, you aren’t always a cute and cuddly bundle of joy.” Again, she laughed at me. “So did you throw the shorts at his face?” Hoping the answer was yes she nodded her head in agreement, and I bust out laughing.

  “God, I love you, girl. Don’t ever change this part of you, Sunshine.”

  “What part of me is that, exactly?”

  “The part of you that makes you feel and love so intensely. I love that about you. You might think you’re reserved and withdrawn, but you’re fierce, and you protect what you care about.”

  “You couldn’t be more wrong about me, Law. I couldn’t even save my own mother, Law. I’m not worth the praise you give me, and I’m not deserving of the love that you and Ocean give me.” I pulled away from her and looked at her as if she were freaking crazy.

  “Is that how you really feel, Sunshine?” I looked at her dead serious, because if that’s how she really felt, then I was going to make it my mission to make her feel differently.

  “Yes, that’s how I feel, and its how I’m always going to feel. I’m broken beyond repair, and you shouldn’t waste your time and energy on a lost cause.”<
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  I loved this girl so much that I wanted to punch her in the face for talking like that. “Livie, you just wait and see, Sunshine. I’m going to show you how much we love you, and how much you are really worth. Sunshine, you’re priceless, and sooner or later, I’m going to make you start believing it.” I grabbed her hand and stood up. I walked over to the shorts on the floor and held them up facing her.

  “These piece of shit shorts don’t define you or what type of person you are. I don’t care about your damn scars. Neither does my mom, or Oceans dad or anyone that knows you and has seen that amazing smile, heard your beautiful laugh, and those of us that have felt the power behind those roundhouse kicks you love.” I held out my hand to her. Now, if you’ll come with me, Sunshine, we have company to entertain.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Livie

  Law went into the office to call back one of his prospects, because he didn’t want to wait until tomorrow. Tomorrow he said was designated for the studio and me. I decided to get the kitchen and dinner table ready for our company. I figured Ocean was still downstairs doing whatever he needed to cool down. The look in Oceans eyes before he left was haunting me. I have no idea what happened or what was happening. The front door opened, and Ocean walked through with his father behind him and Layla following.

  Ocean definitely got his amazing looks from his father, because his dad had the classy mesmerizing look of Russell Crow and Hugh Jackman. The man was as tall as Ocean and Law, and his features were similar. You could instantly tell all four were related, and then there was me—short, dark, and all kinds of fucked up in the head. I took a second look at Layla and Ocean’s father, and they could easily pass as twins, only Layla was my height just about. I felt Law come up behind me and put his arm around my shoulders.

  “Hey, mom, Unk, welcome to mi casa.”

  “Our casa,” I corrected him, and he winked at me.

  “I’m going down to start bringing up boxes.” Ocean spoke as he stormed out the front door again and took my heart along with him.

  “Asshole,” Law said out loud, and Layla reached up and smacked him behind the head. Ocean’s father stepped up and extended his hand. I accepted it and shook his hand.

  “You, pretty woman, can call me Unk. I’ve heard some great things about you, Sunshine. Welcome to the family.” My body swayed against Laws body, and he pulled me into him to steady my feet. I couldn’t believe how easily they were all excepting me into this family. It was mind-blowing. Ocean stormed back through the door with three boxes stacked on top of each other.

  “Come on, Unk. Numb nuts over there has gone mad. Let’s bring up these boxes, so we can relax.” As Law and his uncle exited out of the front door, I turned back retreating into the kitchen again to busy myself. Layla grabbed my hand and spun me around. We were the same height so her eyes immediately met mine.

  “You need to talk to a woman, honey? You look troubled.”

  “It’s nothing, really. Just going through some growing pains, I guess.”

  She let out a breath. “I know how that feels all too well. You will get through it. Ocean is a good man. Granted, he has been through some tough spells. You two can make it. Just don’t give up on him, okay?” I nodded to her my understanding.

  “So how are you feeling from the injection this morning? Did you have any side effects?” I had to stop and think about it, because I totally forgot all about the birth control episode this morning.

  “Actually, I forgot I even received the shot this morning, so I guess I’m doing pretty good.” She made her way toward the pantry and looked it over, then walked to the refrigerator and looked around.

  “So what do you think the boys would like to eat?”

  “I know how to make some really good spaghetti. My dad taught me a great recipe for the tomato sauce,” I said unsure if they would like it or not.

  “You got my vote, Livie. Tell me what I can do to help,” she said washing her hands in the sink.

  I started pulling the ingredients out while giving her the rundown of the recipe, and she immediately got to work. The guys worked in silence, coming in and out with several boxes at a time. By the time dinner was ready, the guys were finished. Layla set the table for me, while I transferred the food into really fancy tableware. I still couldn’t believe how Law fully furnished and set up this condo overnight. I was starting to think he really didn’t need me as his assistant. The man was a triple threat.

  “Okay, guys, Ocean and Law, please go shower, you two smell like wild donkeys.” I couldn’t help the laugh that broke free from my mouth. I even snorted aloud, and that in turn had everyone else laughing.

  I felt Ocean come into the kitchen as Layla walked out. It was funny how in tune you become to a certain person. He grabbed my hand from off of the counter and pulled on me to follow him, but I pulled back. I didn’t want to, but my heart was hurting, and I didn’t know why exactly.

  “Baby, will you please come with me?” I instantly caved because for him to ask nicely the first time around without some sarcastic comment meant he was hurting, too. I let him lead me to our room in silence. I felt Law’s eyes on me as we exited the kitchen to turn into our hallway. I turned to face him while passing through the living from, and he gave me a reassuring smile, and a head nod.

  Ocean opened our bedroom door and closed it behind me once we were inside. He walked me to the bed and sat me down on the edge. He stood there for a minute running his hands through his hair nervously, and then he leaned down onto his knees and pulled me close to the edge. He wrapped his arms around me, settled his face onto my stomach, and held me tight.

  At first, I just sat still not knowing what exactly it was he was doing, but when I felt his body start to shake uncontrollably, and the sounds of sobs hit my ears, my heart burst open inside my chest, and it started to bleed all over again. I grabbed his head in both my hands and looked down at him. Ocean looked torn and broken, as if he had lost someone he loved all over again. Tears broke free from my own eyes, and my vision blurred. I pushed him back, sliding off the bed kneeling down onto both knees in front of him, and I held him close. His lips found my neck, and he rested them in his special spot. I rubbed his back and ran my fingers through his sandy golden hair.

  “I’m sorry, baby. I’m sorry for hurting you, Liv. Don’t be mad at me… I can’t lose you, Liv. I just found you, baby. I’m sorry.” His deep husky voice cracked, and he broke out in violent sobs again. I used my hands to wipe his tears away, and I stretched my neck to place kisses on his forehead, eyes, cheeks, nose, and lips.

  “We don’t let each other drown, remember. I’m sorry for taking my insecurities out on you, Ocean. I’m the one that was wrong. I shouldn’t have thrown the shorts at you; you were only trying to help me. I am sorry. Please don’t cry.”

  He kissed my lips lightly, and stared deeply into my eyes as the tears stopped their free fall from his beautiful eyes.

  “Come on,” I said rocking back on my heels and standing up. “Get in the shower, and we’ll start this day over.” He grabbed my body again and pulled my belly into his face.

  “I don’t want to start over, Liv; I want to get through this with you. I want to do this together.” I hugged his head pressing him closer into me.

  “And we will, Ocean, we will. Now get up and go get showered. I cooked dinner for you, and I want to know if you like it or not. So hurry it up, Tarzan.”

  He stood up in front of me and pulled his shirt over his head revealing his muscular torso. The veins along his chest and arms were bulging from lifting all the boxes. I ran my fingers along his chest while reaching up to kiss him, slipping my tongue in between his plump lips. He pressed up against me, backing me up into the closest wall. He ran his fingers up and into the back of my head, gripping a handful of hair and pulling against my scalp. When I opened my mouth to release a moan, he covered my mouth with his. As I released my moans into his mouth, he devoured them completely. He pulled back, and in his husky v
oice laughed lightly. “Baby, you better go. I won’t be able to cover your screams from the things I want to do to you right now.”

  I felt my face blush a heavy red as the heat spread from my cheeks down to my neck. “I knew I sounded like a porn star.”

  He laughed against my ear and I grabbed onto his back. “I wouldn’t have it any other way, baby. Go, before Aunt Layla barges in and kicks my ass for real.” He opened the door and practically pushed me out. I had to put my hands up to brace myself from slamming face first into the adjacent wall. Laughing to myself, I walked into the living room and found Law, Layla, and my new Unk laughing about something. Law got up from his seat, walked over to me, put his arm around my shoulders, and pulled me right into the conversation without a second thought.

  ***

  Dinner was great. I was nervous for absolutely no reason at all. Once the guys began digging into the spaghetti, I could tell they all liked it. Even Layla was eating as if she hadn’t had a decent meal in months. When I was a little girl, my parents used to always tell me that when you cooked with love in your heart, you could never go wrong. I had to admit to myself that my spaghetti was awesome. The Italian sausage and ground beef blended in great together, and my dad’s special sauce was to die for. I, along with Layla, had seconds, while the handsome men at the table polished off the rest.

  Once dinner was finished, Layla and I were banished from the kitchen and forced to retreat to the living room. I was stuffed, so I spread myself out on the oversized chocolate suede and leather swivel chair. I always wanted to have one of these in my old apartment, but was afraid to buy it because of my lesbo roommates. I left the oversized matching sectional for everyone else. Layla reclined her chair and pulled her iPad out, and she immediately started cursing. I tried not to laugh, but I couldn’t help it. Layla was so animated and passionate that when she was upset it was down right comical at times. Law walked in the living room and snatched the iPad out of his mom’s hands.