“I will hold your hand and watch the world spin badly around this life where in yeah everything goes quiet when it’s you I am with, yeah everything goes quiet when it’s you I am with. Every once in a while you know I get these real bad headaches. Worried about the mistakes I’ve made along the way.”
“I get headaches too. Especially when a certain someone goes off on another someone and then that someone comes and bitch’s at me about it.” Brandon’s voice whispers into the air. I was so busy staring at the sky and singing I didn’t even hear the door open or his footsteps.
“Well maybe that someone should butt out of the other one’s life. I mean I got to hand it to her. The fake happy cheery voice. I knew that was a show.” I hear him sigh as he makes his way to me and pulls up a chair by the hammock. He looks at me with a deep concern.
“She normally is really fun and happy. Yes this whole thing is fake for you. You intimidate her. And you are absolutely right she shouldn’t butt into your life. I will talk to her about that. But you sort of could have been a little nicer. What is going on with you? Ever since right before New York you have changed. You aren’t the Lannie I know and care for, but this troubled, bitter person.” I nod he was right, but there were things that made my whole world turn upside down that no one can fix.
“I know who my dad is. My real dad. The one that actually birth me.” He was about to get up, but he stopped and sat back down when he heard me speak and the way my voice was I was scared I was going to break. It still hurt to know that my real dad was my uncle who hurt me physical and emotional my whole life.
“And?” I take a deep breath. It is going to mind fuck him just as much it did Ashley and me. I am not sure what it is about Brandon, but I just seem to be able to open up. It’s the same with Jake, but he isn’t here and Brandon is.
“My Uncle Tim.” His face goes into a stand still stuck on what the fuck face.
“Yeah now stay like that for about six hours while drinking a bottle of Jack and being alone talking to yourself and you will be me the night I found out.” He doesn’t move, but his face gets a bit anger looking.
“Lannie when did you find this out?” I wish I could forget that damn date, but I have a feeling I will never be able too. It hurts, but I am moving on.
“That Monday night I was sick and sitting at home all alone I wandered into the office and what do you know I found the file and BAM in a second it ruined me.” I try to fight the tears I will not cry over that man.
“Lannie, damnit that was over a month ago and you didn’t bother telling me?” I am officially confused.
“First off I told Ashley the one who has been there through everything. Also it is really none of your business. Jake knows so that is all who matters.” Why I throw that in there I will never know.
“Right Jake. We’ll dinner will be done in a half an hour.” He stands up and walks away and I hate how confusing men are. Well not all, Jake isn’t thank goodness for that. I close my eyes and think of a time where I had it all and things were good. I must have dozed off, because I’m woken up by a dog barking a few houses down. I see that my phone is still playing music, but it has turned to Maybe Someday. I restart it and just hum along with the music.
“Lannie, dinner is ready.” I look over to see Rhonda standing there once again happy.
“Coming.” I’m not hungry, but I at least have to try. I walk in and stop and turn to her.
“I’m sorry I snapped at you. I didn’t mean to it’s just I have a lot I am dealing with as it is. I don’t need someone acting like my parent. I should have said it nicer, but I am truly sorry.” She smiles at me before nodding. I walk into the dining room where Mark and Brandon are chatting about some movie he watched. The dinner went smoothly. The looks Rhonda and Brandon exchanged throughout where nothing like the ones we had. I believe that they were in love. It a rekindle old flame so it could be possible that they do still love each other. Wonder if they will get married and have the two kids, picket fence, and the golden retriever. Who knows?
“What you thinking Lan.” I look over at Mark and am snapped back into reality.
“Just how excited I am about tomorrow.” I smile at him, but he doesn’t buy it.
“You don’t have to pretend for me Lan. I know you hate holidays.” I laugh he is right, but I hear Rhonda gasp. I am assuming she didn’t get the memo.
“You hate holidays?” I nod at her and she is speechless. Twice in a night that is becoming a record for me.
“But why?” I look over at her giving a funny look, she literally is about to cry I think.
“I hate the pretending. The excuse for people to use to have family get together when in reality they don’t like each other they do it because that is how they were raised. I hate the music. I am a music freak and holiday music is the most annoying sound. The stress it causes people spending money that they don’t even have on gifts that the other person probably will hate or use twice and then find its way on a shelve and never be touched. Holidays are just not my thing.” She just nods, but looks to Brandon who seems to be holding in his laugh.
“Well that is shame that you believe that. I love them.” I bet you do. Of course that isn’t what I say. I excuse myself from the table and go to my room for the night closing the door and just thinking of the night and what tomorrow will bring. I pick my phone up and nothing from Ashley. She told me her service provider sucked up there, but would call me when she could. I miss her so much. I text Jake.
Me: Did I mention I hate holidays?
Few moments went by and the phone rings. I look at the screen displaying a carefree Jake across the screen.
“Hello.” He was telling someone in back ground he’d be right back.
“I hate them too baby. What happened?” I huff and went over the issue at hand.
“Well baby I am sorry that she is a Stafford wife. Makes you feel any better my damn brother’s wife is sitting here hitting on me right in front of him, but he too busy flirting with my mom’s best friend’s daughter to even acknowledge what is happening. I am so close to booking a plane and leaving tonight.” I laugh, because that beats mine.
“Well than I guess I am very lucky. I just hate being here especially with Ashley miles away and you too. I am alone besides my brother, but I think that he is pulling towards them more than me. He chooses friends over me or a night with them. I am happy that he is living his life I just miss the how it was before. You know?” I feel the tears coming.
“Baby I am sorry. Damnit I wish I was there more than ever now. That is it I am booking an earlier flight. You need me and I do not like being far apart. You think if I get a plane to land tomorrow you can pick me up?” Am I hearing him correctly?
“Umm babe listen that is thoughtful really, but you have family, it sucks I don’t, but you do. It’s only a few more days before you’re here anyways.” He laughs.
“Well sweetheart it is too late. I am updating my flight schedule now, do I need rental car or no?” I smile.
“No I will pick you up. Stubborn ass huh?” He chuckles god I miss that. Am I weird? Moving on so quickly, but still hung up on Brandon? It’s just Jake is amazing, sweet, and will be there for me.
“Okay good my plane lands around eleven tomorrow. I guess I get to spend Christmas with you after all love.” I laugh.
“Well now that is a great present. I will see you tomorrow. Night Jake.” He whispers to a woman and I hear the word mom. I wonder if he told her about me.
“Lannie my mom says hi and is dying to meet you.” I smile knowing that we must be on that next step.
“Before you go quick question don’t get mad. Are we like official?” he chuckles.
“Baby, we were official when I first met you. Now we are going tell everyone its official. Night Lannie.” Wow who knew simple words could make you wet. Damn he is good,
“Night Jake.” I hang up and hear a knock on my door and Mark comes walking in.
“Hey buddy. You want t
o go with me to the airport to pick Jake up tomorrow morning?” He lights up. He has heard of Jake and has actually talked a few times on the phone with him. He seems to like him, but I know the actually meeting will be different.
“Yeah I have to ask Brandon though.” He frowns and I get a little irritated, because no he really didn’t have to.
“No, I will tell Brandon that you want to go and you will go. You are my blood not his. Okay?” He smiles and nods.
“I came to tell you goodnight.” He hugs me and goes to bed, I get up to find Brandon. I look everywhere and find Rhonda in the kitchen cleaning up.
“Hey Rhonda want some help?” She pauses.
“Sure, you can unload the dish washer please.” I nod going over there.
“So Jake is coming in tomorrow earlier than planned. I have to pick him up at eleven. Mark wants to go so I was letting you know we are leaving around ten.” She stops and turns towards me.
“Don’t you think you should have asked us first before deciding he was going with you?” She snaps at me and here I thought she would have been the rational one.
“No, he is my blood brother not your son or Brandon’s he wants to go and so therefore is going. If you or Brandon don’t like it than go get your own damn kid.” I slammed the dishwasher as she glares at me.
“What is going on in here?” We both turn to see Brandon standing by the back door.
“She just told me that this Jake guy who we never met is coming in town early and Mark and her are leaving around ten tomorrow morning to go get him. She didn’t even ask us she told me that this is what is happening. It’s bullshit Brandon. We are the guardians of him not her.” And the real Rhonda comes out.
“Umm first off get the facts correct. Brandon is his guardian not you. You just popped in and are not his mother. He had a mother and now he has me. Second, Brandon we agreed that if and when he wanted me or to do things with me that he could and you were not going to stop him. Do I need to apply for a new guardian? I will if it comes down to that. Oh and Rhonda you just showed up as well and you don’t see me bitching about you living here with my brother after being with Brandon what a week or two if that?” Brandon stood there defeated.
“Excuse me missy, but we were together for a year before some bitch slept with him ruining it all. Some stupid firecracker.” Brandon eyes shot up and I couldn’t contain the laughter. She didn’t know.
“Oh trust me I know. I know more than you think. So with that Brandon are you going to tell me no?” He shakes his head before the light bulb went off on Rhonda’s head.
“You are the firecracker aren’t you?” I glance up and smile.
“I have no idea what you are talking about. So I will see you bright and early. You guys have a nice night.” I walk outside smiling. I can’t wait for tomorrow. I hear the bickering going on inside and I finish my cigarette and return back in the house with the kitchen clean and them to be nowhere in sight. Great make up sex for them. I go into my room and see Brandon sitting on the bed looking sad.
“You had to open your damn mouth? Was it worth it?” I lean against the door frame and think about the question. Yeah it was.
“Yup, because she needed to know that he is my brother, not her son, not anything, but my brother and when it comes to him I trump all you. Maybe the guidelines that we came up with need to be discussed with her, because I didn’t even have to let you guys know what was going on, but I did because I knew you would have liked to know. Also she isn’t going to talk crap about Jake and think that he is some weirdo. He is there for me when everyone else has a life. Look he changed his plane ticket, because I was miserable. How many other people would have done that? I will wait, think about it.” He looks up and I see the hurt in his eyes.
“You are right. I need to go over them with her so she can understand what the arrangement is. She didn’t tell me you were being nice before shit hit the fan. At least try to fake it around her. Whether you want to believe it or not she isn’t going anywhere. I do love her. I am the one who fucked up years ago not her she is the one who saved me this time and so please if you plan on being around us with Mark try if not for me, but for Mark.” He stands up and starts walking towards the door, but pauses before leaving and turning to me. “For what it is worth I would have. I would done anything to be there for you. Goodnight Lannie.” He walks out and I close the door before plopping down on the bed screaming into my pillow. It’s official! I’m a stupid asshole. Not for the Rhonda thing, but for the other comment.
The next morning was better believe it or not. Rhonda did apologize for not understanding the guidelines and even invited Jake for dinner. I was shocked, but Mark wants me here and so I agreed. I just hope Jake is okay with it. Now I’m waiting on his damn plane, it was delayed.
“Lan, how will I know it is him?” I smile as I saw Mr. Tall, dark, and handsome.
“There that is him.” Mark eyes go wide as he stares at him.
“Hey buddy you must be Mark or Lannie has a handsome new man.” Mark laughs.
“Yeah my name is Mark Clark and you are?” Mark tries to be the grown up, but it was cute.
“Oh by all means I have lost my manners. Jake, Jake Houston.” I smile at them exchanging handshakes.
“How old are you Mr. Houston?” He looks at me I just shrug.
“Well I am twenty six, almost twenty seven years old. I own my own company and jet, but I choose the regular planes this trip.” Mark eyes shoot open.
“You own your own company and jet? You’re only twenty six? Lan, this man is amazing. Brandon’s only twenty four and doesn’t have that.” Jake smiles and leans in.
“Want to know a secret? I was actually eighteen when I opened my own company. It just took a few years for me to be successful.” Mark was beaming.
“Okay boys, Rhonda and Brandon are waiting on us back at the house. We have to do this Christmas dinner thing before we can head to my house. Apparently dinner is at three on Christmas?” Jake pretended to be shocked as we got into the Audi.
“You have an Audi? Nice.” Jake said getting into the car.
“No I have a brand new baby blue Range Rover only a year and half old. My dad had the Audi.” He gave my hand a squeeze looking at me and giving me a kiss. I look back to see mark watching a movie. This could be my life. Mark and Jake. I knew in this moment that this was the right move. I am so thankful that he talked to me. The drive home was spent with us discussing the fact that his mom wants me to come out there for spring break she will have Jake get me on the jet so I don’t have to do the whole drive thing. She’s excited that her son has found a girl. I laugh She sounds like she really wants to meet me. Then he explained that he did one night stands, never committed until I pop into his life. I smile knowing I was the one that changed it all. We pull into Brandon’s driveway just a little after one. We did a small detour through Miami to give him the Lannie tour. He got out opening up Mark and my door. Once I step out I see Rhonda and Brandon standing on the porch. He has a fake smile, but she had the “oh my god” eyes. She’s eye fucking my boyfriend with her boyfriend right here. I have to admit though in looks Jake trumps Brandon. Jake leans in close to my ear and whispers.
“Should I be worried that crazy lady is eye fucking me?” I laugh as we walk up the porch,
“Brandon and Rhonda please meet my boyfriend Jake Houston. Jake this is Brandon and Rhonda.” They reach out and shake hands before something registers in Brandon.
“The Jake Houston? The one that owns Houston Enterprises? Started his company right out of high school and is the second successful man? That one?” Rhonda eyes lit up more than I thought possible, bitch back the fuck off.
“Yes sir that is me. The Jake Houston. Why? You heard of me?” Brandon smiles turns real.
“Heard of you? Shit I did my college paper on you. How in the world did you meet Lannie?” We walk in the house and I think that this isn’t going to be weird in the way I thought.
“Well it was by
luck. Same hotel when she came to New York and then ran into her again that night looking so incredible that we went back to her room and umm talked.” I laugh great cover up since Mark is like right here.
“So dinner is cooking and will be ready in about an hour and half. Jake help yourself to any drinks. Mark you can go play with your toys from Santa than after we eat we will open presents.” I roll my eyes at her while Jake puts his arm around my waist. I smile.
“Thank you Rhonda. Lannie and I have to go get something at her house real quick. She has a surprise for Mark, if he can have it before dinner?” I smile, but have no clue what he was talking about.
“Oh of course.” He grabs my hand and leads me out the door.
“Which way is your house.” I smile as I point to the right. We walk down there and go into my house once the door is shut that was I was pressed against the door and our lips were connected. Damnit if this wasn’t the hottest thing ever. He picks up leading me to my room. I point to my door as we enter he lowers me onto the bed. He begins to slip off my boots, then pulls my leggings down. He pulls up my dress and I let him. I need this.
“We don’t have long before they realize what is really going on. I hate it, but I need you bad so it will be quick.” I smile and nod as he undid his zipper and once he pulls out a condom, I stop him.
“You don’t have to worry about that I promise.” He smiles before throwing it on the ground and inserting himself in me instantly taking me over the edge. He goes hard and fast.
“Damnit Lannie, I don’t get how you are always so fucking tight. Sweet God.” He goes harder and I was close to becoming undone.
“Oh my god Jake.” That was it. It may have been a quickie, but damnit it was still fucking amazing. He lays next to me kissing me, making me giggle.
“So you are on the pill?” I frown and shake my head no. His face went scared.
“No I mean I am sort of on a permanent birth control. I can’t have kids. When I was fourteen I had a hysterectomy to prevent me from getting cervical cancer. When my test came back saying I had some so it was that or chemo and there was still a chance it would have come back. So I made the decision to end it before it started.” I lean my head back because other than Ashley no one knows that.
Trouble Page 15