I Never Expected You

by Stefanie Jenkins

  She is the first one to break the kiss, her cheeks pink and her lips swollen from my kisses. “Zach? What are you doing here?”

  Instead of answering, I grind against her, resulting in her nails digging into my shoulder, and she lets out another moan.

  “Sweetheart, what happened tonight? I thought you were staying in tonight? Is everything okay?”

  With her pressed up against the door, legs still wrapped around me, I reach for her hands on my shoulders and press them firmly above her head. “Shut up.”

  She leans back and blinks at me, trying to figure out if I seriously just told her to shut up. I tighten the grip on her hands and press into her core. She closes her eyes, taking in the moment, probably wishing I was already slamming into her—well, that makes two of us. I’m done with the words. I’m still so fucking angry, and I want her so fucking bad.

  In a firm tone, one she has heard me use plenty of times over the years, I look deep in her eyes so she sees my seriousness and say, “You’re done talking, Hails. I just want you to feel my cock deep inside you.”

  I can see her breathing change. I release her hands and unwrap her legs, setting her back down to the floor before I spin her around

  “Put your hands in front of you.”

  She’s a good girl and does what she’s told. I place my hands over hers before slowly dragging my hands down her arms and sides before reaching around the front and rubbing her slick folds over her booty shorts. She inhales sharply.

  I waste no time yanking down her shorts to her ankles and unbuttoning my jeans before freeing my cock. I don’t hesitate before thrusting inside her. I fuck her fast and deep. It doesn’t take long for her pussy to start contracting around my cock. I am going to send her over the edge, making me feel the full force of her orgasm.

  My grip on her hips tightens as I follow her orgasm with my own.

  With both of us spent, Haylee leans her forehead against the door, and I against her back. She is the first to speak.

  “Now do you want to explain what happened?”

  I scoot up closer behind her and kiss her shoulder, up her neck, and nibble behind her ear, the spot I know instantly turns her on.

  In a husky tone, I answer, “Nope! Now I’m going to carry you to the shower and clean my dirty girl up and then take you to the bedroom where you’re going spread your legs for me. Then I’m going to lick you until you’re begging me to stop. Is that what you want, baby girl?”

  “Yes.” She breathes it out rather than speaking.

  I swoop my arms under her legs and carry her to the bathroom, and I plan to honor every promise I made her.

  Oh. My. God. I may not walk for a week. Sex with Zach is amazing, especially after we had decided last year to rely only on my birth control, but that was next-level. My clit is still pulsing from orgasm after orgasm. I don’t know what happened tonight, but I’m waiting for my brain to be able to function again and my heart rate to come down to a normal level.

  Zach walks back into the bedroom with two glasses of water, only wearing his boxers. This man is fucking gorgeous. I don’t know what I did to deserve him or all those mind-blowing orgasms for that matter, but he is mine to keep. He climbs into bed, handing me the water, and I find the strength to push myself up against the headboard.

  “Thanks.” It’s the only word I can manage.

  I take a sip of the cold water and set the glass on the nightstand. Zach does the same before pulling the covers over us. He wraps an arm around me, tugging me closer to his chest and kissing the top of my head.

  “You okay?” he asks while running his fingers up and down my spine.

  I nod. “I was thinking I should be asking you the same thing.”

  He lets out a low chuckle.

  “You’re not going to avoid the question by fucking me again. My poor vagina needs a break before you go anywhere near it.” I put my palm on his chest and push him back as he tries to squirm away. “Nu-uh. You’re going to talk, babe, about what got you coming in here like a damn Neanderthal.” I lay my head on his chest and wrap my arms around him, giving him a chance to gather his thoughts.

  “I’m done hiding us, Hails. We’re telling her tomorrow about you and me. You’re coming home.”

  “Baby, slow down. Just tell me what happened tonight.” I cup his cheek and smooth my thumb over his stubble, trying to keep him calm. I can see the emotion rising.

  “Okay. Tonight, Dani and I got into it. She caught me watching the home videos of Emmett, and she called me selfish. Lots of words were exchanged, ones I don’t really want to repeat.”

  I settle back into his arms and trace the lines of his stomach muscles as he continues to talk.

  “She acts as though she is the only one that lost someone. I’m sorry, but it’s bullshit. She up and ran and left us all behind to pick up the pieces, and she has the fucking nerve to call me selfish. I’m done pretending that things are different than what they are. It’s been two weeks, and she hasn’t even reached out to you. I’m done keeping us a secret from her; I’m done living this lie. You are my life, and if she can’t handle it, then I hate to say this—seriously, I do—but maybe she has stayed long enough.”

  I freeze in his arms. He can’t be serious. We just got her back. He is not giving her a reason to run again. His heart rate has picked back up but not in a good way. I tighten my arms around him in hopes of him finding comfort to relax again. He brushes the fallen strands of hair out of my face before settling on the back of my head and gripping my hair between his fingers. He pulls my face to his, claiming my mouth in a searing kiss. I relish in the feeling of his tongue against mine. I reluctantly break apart from him so that I can say what I have to say to him without any distractions—well, any more distractions, including the growing bulge in his boxers.

  “Okay.”

  “Okay what, baby girl?”

  “Okay, we tell her tomorrow, but on my terms. I do it how I want to do it because I swear to God, Zach, I just got her back. I’m not going to lose her again.” I fight back the tears forming behind my eyes as he pulls me swiftly back into his arms, protecting me from my feelings.

  He kisses the top of my head before placing his cheek against it. “Okay. We will do it your way. And then we are going to pack your shit up, and you’re coming home. End of discussion.”

  I giggle at how fast his tone changes at the end. The man has made up his mind.

  “Oh, really?” I love to tease this man.

  He rolls me over onto my back, settling between my legs. “Really. And you know I usually get what I want. I might have to spend some more time convincing you, that’s all.”

  Pulling back up to the house, I don’t know if I’m more nervous to see my best friend for the first time in years or to see how she reacts to me and Zach being together. We agreed this morning over coffee that we would come home first and talk to Danielle—that is, if she hasn’t run off after their fight—and then we could finish packing up my stuff from the apartment and bring it all back over. First things first though. We stop on the front porch as Zach moves in to put the key in the door. The hand that is not linked with his, I place gently on his arm, bringing his attention to me.

  “Are you sure you want to do this?”

  Zach steps closer to me, cupping my cheeks and placing a sweet kiss on my lips. “Yes, Hails. I’m sure. It’ll be okay. Like I said last night, I’m done hiding…hiding this. Us.” He holds up our conjoined hands, placing a brief kiss on our knuckles. “You ready?”

  I let out a breath and nod as he puts the key in the lock. We hear raised voices on the other side of the door. Zach and I look at each other, confused—maybe the TV is just too loud. As we open the door, I stand behind Zach, nervous again. The voices belong to Dani and Kyler. Zach and I look back and forth at each other and then back to Dani and Ky. Dani is standing while Ky is sitting on the couch. Zach’s hand tightens in mine.

  Dani looks very confused, her gaze going back and forth between
Zach and me and our joined hands. She’s here! She is actually here. I knew she was, but seeing her with my own eyes is something else. Part of me wants to run and slap the shit out of her for leaving the way she did and ignoring us all, but the other part wants to take her in my arms and make sure she promises never to do it again.

  “Dani,” Zach begins before turning his gaze to me and smiling, reassuring me that this will be okay. “Hails and I are together. We’ve been dating for almost three years. I was waiting for the right time to tell you.”

  The look of surprise on my best friend’s face is priceless as she plops on the couch. I squeeze Zach’s hand before I let it go and head over to where she sits. Kneeling in front of her, I reach for her hands. My eyes fill with tears as I realize how much I had missed her.

  “Hey, bestie, it’s been a while. About time you got your ass back here.”

  The older I get, the quicker Mondays get here. Making my way to the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee, I am startled to find Dani already up and in the kitchen, standing at the stove, sipping on a cup of coffee, and stirring something in a pan.

  “Morning, sis.”

  She startles.

  “Shit, you scared me. Morning, Zachy.”

  I instantly feel the caffeine rushing through my veins with the first sip. I lean against the counter and watch my sister make herself at home in the kitchen.

  She stiffens before turning to face me.

  “So I was thinking about maybe joining you and Haylee at brunch this weekend.”

  I push off the counter and stare at her. Is she serious?

  “Really? Are you sure? I don’t want you to feel pressured or anything.”

  She shakes her head. “No, it’s time. I can do this.”

  “If you’re sure, I’ll let Mom and Dad know. They’ll be so excited. I know it’s been difficult.”

  Her smile falters, and I step up to pull her into my arms. “Hey, they understand. It’s okay. I’ll set it all up. Okay?”

  She wraps her arms around me and nods against my chest. “Sounds good. Do you want any breakfast before you head to work?”

  “No, I gotta hit the road, but Haylee was in the shower; I’m sure she will eat something before she leaves.”

  I press a kiss to the top of her head before I make my way out the door. My parents are going to be thrilled. I mentally go over my schedule today and figure I’ll call my mom on my lunch break.

  Well, lunch ended up being two hours later than usual and eaten at my desk. I place the phone to my ear and wait for my mom to answer.

  “Hello.”

  “Hey, Ma, how’s it going?”

  “Well, wonderful now that you called. It’s not like you to call during the workday. Everything okay?”

  “Oh yeah, everything’s great actually. I mean, completely swamped at work, but I have some news.”

  “You finally proposed? Oh, Zach, that’s so wonderful.”

  I rub my hands over my face. “No, Mom, it’s not that.” I exhale a loud breath. Wow, way to put a damper on this positive phone call. “But I think this will make you happier. Mom, Dani wants to come to brunch this weekend.”

  Thump.

  “Mom? You still there?”

  “I’m here. I’m here. Sorry, I dropped the phone.”

  I snicker. “I was wondering what that noise was.”

  “I… I… I don’t know what to say. I’ve been waiting for this day for so long.” I can hear the tears forming and the emotion choking her.

  “It’s okay, Mom. She brought it up this morning. She said it’s time.”

  “We’ll have to make this weekend extra special, go all out.”

  “Mom, slow down. Don’t make such a big deal of this. Just relax. Make it like any other brunch, just one with both of your kids.”

  I hear her gasp. “Oh, Zach. I can’t wait to tell your father.”

  A calendar reminder pops up on my computer screen, alerting me I have a client meeting in five minutes.

  “Hey, Mom, I have a meeting soon that I need to prepare for. I’ll call you later, okay?”

  “Of course, thank you for calling. Natalie and I are going to have to go to the Amish Market on Thursday and gather the best for my baby girl.”

  Oh man, the mention of the Amish Market makes my stomach growl even though I just ate a burrito bowl. Nothing tastes more like home than a pretzel cheese dog and Barq’s root beer from the Amish Market. I make a mental note the next time I am at home and have the time, we are swinging by there.

  “I love you, Mom. Talk to you later.”

  “Bye, Zach.”

  I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised that Dani had invited Kyler to brunch today. I mean, it’s still a little strange, but whatever, he’s family, and they seem to have been spending a lot of time together. I was shocked when he even convinced her to join one of the Lawson family dinners. How the hell he did that, I have no clue. Kate and Lauren are definitely two of a kind, but Dani survived to tell the tale and even got a job offer to help out at Lauren’s school. Between that and Dani finally agreeing to go back home to see our parents, I would say we’re moving in the right direction. I’m not one hundred percent getting my hopes up, but I think it’s safe to say she is planning on sticking around.

  The breeze feels nice with the windows down as we head down the highway in Kyler’s truck. Not that I mind driving, but it’s nice to be able to relax. The girls are sitting in the back seat, and I glance back at my sister. She looks lost in thought and keeps quiet most of the ride while Haylee, Ky, and I keep up constant conversation.

  Before we know it, we are getting off our exit on Route 50 and turning into my parents’ driveway. I stare up at the house once I shut the truck door behind me. I’ve always loved this house. One day, it would be nice to have one just like it. I could see myself sitting on the front porch swing with Haylee enjoying a drink after the kids have gone to bed or having family cookouts out back and enjoying each other’s company.

  Woah, did I think of having kids? With any other girl that might have been a terrifying thought, but with Haylee, I want that future. Now if only I could get that one question out and we could move forward with our future.

  My sister approaches slowly, also taking in the house. Her memories of this house I’m sure are different than mine.

  She looks as if she is either ready to throw up or run out of here.

  “It’ll be fine. Let’s go.” She reassures us that she’s ready to do this.

  I take Haylee’s hand in mine and caress the top of her hand

  “Stop worrying, babe. Listen to your sister. It’ll be fine,” she whispers as we walk through the front door.

  The four of us follow the sounds of our parents’ favorite band, the Beatles, to find all our parents dancing around the kitchen. It’s not anything unusual for them to be dancing in the house. I have plenty of memories growing up with my dad coming up behind my mom while she would be cooking and spinning her around and sweeping her off her feet.

  I glance back at Dani to make sure she hasn’t run off, and her eyes are glassed over and set on my parents and the view in front of her. I think about pulling her into my arms to tell her she is strong and brave to do this, but I choose not to, so I focus my attention back on my parents.

  As the music ends, I clap my hands together, yelling, “Encore! Encore!”

  My mom jumps and turns around, placing her hand on her chest. I feel Dani grip the back of my shirt, standing out of view. My mom first notices me before her eyes move behind me to see Dani.

  “Hey, Mama,” are the only words Dani can get out before my mom pulls her into a big hug.

  “I missed you so much,” my mom cries into Dani’s shoulder, and I can’t help but feel the tears beginning to burn my eyes at watching this. “When your brother said you were coming today, I almost didn’t believe him because I didn’t want to get my hopes up.”

  Haylee taps my arm and nods her head in the direction of her parents. We
quietly walk over to where Natalie and Brian stand. They both pull us into a welcoming hug. Tears stream down Natalie’s face as she takes in the scene in front of her.

  My dad moves behind them.

  “Hey, baby girl,” he says as he pulls Dani out of our mother’s arms and into his. I watch as her arms wrap tightly around his waist.

  Kyler sets down the tray of whatever he has been carrying around and joins us and the Hanks. My father releases Dani from his hug but keeps his arm around her shoulders.

  “I hope you don’t mind that I invited Kyler.”

  Kyler walks up to my mom, and she pulls him into a hug. “Of course not. What a wonderful surprise.” He then turns to my dad to shake his hand.

  Haylee and I make our way around to say hello to Mom and Dad as Dani makes her way over to the Hanks. She slowly approaches—I can’t even imagine what is going through her head. Natalie yanks Dani into a hug, almost knocking her off her feet.

  “About time you came home, sweetheart, don’t you think?” Natalie says with a smile.

  Brian comes up behind Natalie and Dani, but Natalie gets defensive, not wanting to let my sister go. “Get your own Jacobs to hug—I’ve waited four years to hug this one.”

  I wish I could blame her, but that’s exactly how we all feel.

  So, he settles for kissing the top of her head before backing away and giving the girls more time. “Welcome home.”

  We all laugh in the background as Natalie pulls back but doesn’t let go of her. Still in her embrace, Dani continues to cry.

  “No more running, right?” Natalie asks, and Dani nods. “Because we’re your family here, and I’m tired of just your mom’s help in the kitchen. Haylee’s useless.”