by Dez Burke
Why the hell would she drive all the way out here with that asshole? I balled my fists up, but regretted it. I looked down at my right hand to find it bruised, and that several of my knuckles were bloody. A souvenir from punching the truck earlier.
Jasalyn parked the car a good distance away and walked towards my truck while my father waited in the car. Part of me wanted to run to her and pull her into my arms and never let go again. Another part wondered if she was angry at me? Why else would she have brought that bastard with her?
I jumped down from the truck and waited on her.
“Why didn’t you call me?” she demanded.
Jasalyn was close enough now that I could see she was crying. I sprinted to her and pulled her into my arms.
“My phone was dead,” I explained.
“And that made you stay here and not come home?” she asked, pulling away from me.
She had never looked at me so harshly before.
“Do you know how worried I was or did you think I wouldn’t notice you didn’t come home? Alex, why in the hell? I’m so fucking mad at you!”
I tried to wrap my arms around her, but she pulled away again.
“I didn’t fill up the tank. My gas tank is empty,” I tried to explain.
“Oh, really?” she said, walking around me and opening up the driver’s door.
Jasalyn looked at my fuel gauge and sighed in relief. I walked over to her and pulled her close to me.
“Alex, I was so worried that you weren’t coming back. I thought I had pushed you too far, that you were angry. That…”
I put my finger gently against her lips.
“I’m never going to leave you,” I assured her, “Never! I wasn’t angry at you. I was mad at myself, Jasalyn. I didn’t want to tell you any of that. I wanted to protect you from it. You don’t deserve to have to think about those things. I love you, I would never ever leave…”
There was more I could have said, but Jasalyn kissed me. I held her tight, relieved that she had come for me. When she finally broke the kiss I remembered my father was waiting in the car.
“Why did you bring him?” I asked.
“He’s bad off, Alex.” Jasalyn frowned. “I went to ask him if he’d heard from you, because no one else had. He asked to come with me and I couldn’t tell him no. He’s cleaned up now, Alex, but when I got there I could barely recognize him. He hadn’t showered and his clothes looked like he had worn them for days.”
I sighed. “So you want me to play nice?”
“Well, I’d prefer a fight not to happen in my car.”
“Fine, but someone has to go get gas. I’m not leaving my truck here,” I told her.
“You and that damn truck.” She laughed, shaking her head.
“Me and my truck have been friends for a long time.”
“Fine, I’ll see if your father will go, since I don’t like the idea of leaving you two here alone.” She turned and walked toward her car.
I watched the swing of her hips as she walked away. Jasalyn was beautiful, but she was so much more. I knew I couldn’t live without her in my life. That only left me with one option. I had always imagined proposing to be a more planned out event, and I hadn’t even bought a ring yet, but it didn’t matter. We could pick out a ring anytime. I could barely wait until my father left to pop the question.
Chapter 30: Jasalyn
I was grateful that Stan agreed to go get the gas for Alex’s truck. I don’t think he wanted to be alone with his son anymore than I wanted to leave the two of them alone together. Alex might beat the holy hell out of him if that happened. I gave Stan the keys and watched him drive off.
When I turned around Alex was smiling like a fool. I sighed in confusion and headed back over to him. I was about to tell him if he thought he was getting lucky out here at the lake after the day I had, he had another thing coming, but then he did something that shocked me.
Alex got down on one knee and held my hand. Tears were streaming down my face before he even began speaking. I wanted to tell him yes before he asked me. Then I wanted to call Mama, and the girls at work, and my friends from school. I wanted to shout it from the mountains, and he hadn’t even managed to get the words out yet.
“Jasalyn, I love you more than I ever thought it was possible to love another person. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met, body and soul. I know we haven’t been together long and I’ve already put your through more than any woman deserves, but I can’t live without you. I know I don’t have the right to ask, but will you be my wife?” “YES!” I screeched pulling Alex to his feet and kissing him.
“Really?” he asked in disbelief.
“Of course, really!”
I tried to call Mama, but my phone wouldn’t pick up a signal. So the first person who heard our good news was Stan when he arrived back with the gas for Alex’s truck.
“Congratulations!” he said with a bittersweet smile.
I let him pull me into a hug and Alex grudgingly shook his hand.
“We’re going to tell my parents when we get back to town. Would you like to come with us, Stan?” I asked.
“No, that’s okay,” he said shaking his head. I could tell he was pleased with the offer to include him though.
“You can come if you want to,” Alex said, crossing his arms.
“I don’t need pity,” Stan replied, wearing an expression I had seen on Alex’s face before.
“No, but you do need family, so shut up, you’re coming!” I ordered, effectively ending the conversation.
“You can drive my truck back,” Alex said, holding out the keys to his dad.
Stan blinked in surprise but he agreed.
Chapter 31: Alex
I was smiling like a fool the whole drive back to the city. Even my father couldn’t ruin my good mood. I still couldn’t believe Jasalyn had actually said yes!
“I promise tomorrow we’ll go out and pick a ring. It’ll have a nice gold band, just like you like,” I assured her.
“Okay, Alex, but I didn’t say yes just for the ring,” Jasalyn laughed.
“Well, we don’t have to get one,” I teased.
“Oh, yes, you’re putting a ring on this finger. You’re not getting out of it that easily.”
I smiled and entwined my fingers with hers. “Like I said you’ll get your ring.”
“I know,” she said, squeezing my hand.
I was nervous about telling her parents. Jasalyn had told me again and again that her father liked me, but I didn’t believe it, not after the scene I had caused at the barbeque. She said he understood. He was retired military as well, but if Jasalyn had been my daughter, I wouldn’t have been so understanding.
“Don’t be nervous!” Jasalyn told me for the hundredth time.
“I’m not,” I lied.
“Yes, you are. There’s no reason to be though.”
We stopped for something to eat at a truck stop and Jasalyn called her mother. She told her she found me, but didn’t let on that anything unusual was happening. I knew Jasalyn wanted to be there in person to see the expression on her mother’s face when she found out.
Dinner wasn’t as quiet as I expected it to be. Jasalyn kept my father engaged in conversation. I found myself relaxing, even if I had to push away the voice that wanted to yell about false sense of security. It could keep screaming, but I wasn’t going to listen. Not now. Not when I was happy. Iraq had taken a lot away from me, but not this. Not my new life, and not my promise of a happy future.
I drove the rest of the way back to Jasalyn’s parent’s house, because I could tell she was tired from the trip up to the lake.
“Do you want to wait until tomorrow to go tell them?” I asked.
She grinned ear to ear. “Nope. This can’t wait.”
“I love it when you smile.”
Chapter 32: Jasalyn
I could hardly breathe by the time we got to my parent’s house. I knew Mama was going to jump for joy and cry with me,
but I wasn’t so sure about Daddy. I wondered if he had ever forgiven Alex for the barbeque incident. Mama assured me he had, but you could never be too sure with that man.
I was bouncing on the balls of my feet when Alex rang the doorbell. I had planned to sit them down and tell them calmly, but as soon as my Mama opened the door I blurted it out.
“Mama! I’m getting married!” I cried out, jumping into her arms.
Mama nearly fell backwards, but she was laughing and cheering with me. I heard Daddy’s heavy footsteps coming down the stairs.
“What is all the noise about?” he asked.
“Our baby is getting married!” Mama explained.
“Well, move out of the way and let the man inside,” Daddy said.
Alex came in followed by his father. Mama was already talking about the wedding, and I barely had time to listen in as the men introduced themselves. I could only hope that things would go well as Mama pulled me into the kitchen.
Chapter 33: Alex
I could tell that Jasalyn’s father wasn’t happy that my dad was there, and I didn’t blame him, but at least it meant we had something in common. I wasn’t all too thrilled about him being there either.
“Nice to meet you too, Patrick,” my father said shaking his hand.
I could tell that he was playing nice, and putting on the persona I had often seen him use when he met with clients.
“I wish I could say the same,” Patrick replied, shaking his head, “Norma, told me what you did to Jasalyn, and that’s something I don’t appreciate.”
I stood there not sure what to do. I didn’t really want to listen to them argue, but didn’t see I had a choice.
“I…” my father began.
“I don’t want to hear your excuses. I don’t think there’s one you could give me that wouldn’t make you seem like more of a bigot. Don’t let it happen again. The way I see it Jasa and Alex have to live their own lives. We might not like it, but we have to deal with it.” Patrick turned to me. “Now, Alex, I think Iraq addled your brains a bit, but Norma assures me that you’re getting that worked out. Now, believe me I know all about addled brains. Norma even has me seeing a shrink. I want to give you his card. He’s a good man, retired military like us. You might not think he’ll help, but the man knows his shit. Call him.”
I took the card and nodded, not sure what to say. I didn’t think Patrick was trying to offend me and I appreciated his concern and offer of help.
“Now, listen here, you can’t talk to my son that way,” my father began, shocking both Patrick and I. “There’s not a damn thing wrong with my boy.”
“No, you listen here, Stan,” Patrick said, crossing his arms, “I’ll talk to my future son-in-law any way I damn well please, and from what I’ve heard you should give the shrink a call too.”
I laughed out loud. It was one of those situations where I knew I shouldn’t, but I couldn’t help it. I liked Patrick more with each passing second.
“You men quit fighting and get in here before me and Jasa eat up all the pie!” Norma yelled, poking her head out from the kitchen.
I followed Patrick into the kitchen. I was glad I didn’t have to talk, because I was too tired to say much. Jasalyn and her mother talked about the wedding, the dress, the ring, and every other detail that an engagement could possibly include. I listened to them until I was dizzy from the circles they were making.
“I don’t know if we could afford a dress from there,” Jasalyn said, drawing my attention back to their conversation.
“You pick the dress you want and I’ll make sure you have it,” I told her.
“Of course, you’ll have any dress you want,” Patrick cut in, “If you kids can’t afford it, your Mama and I will help you guys out. I remember how it is to be young.”
“I’ll pay for everything,” my father offered. “It’s the least I can do.”
I blinked. That was just like him trying to buy approval.
“I’m sure the kids would be glad for the help,” Norma said.“But you don’t have to pay for everything, Stan.”
Patrick looked like there was more he wanted to say, but he kept quiet. If I had to bet on it, I would say he wanted to tell my father where to stick his money. I know I did. I thought that Jasalyn was never going to be ready to leave, but couldn’t bring myself to interrupt her fun. Eventually, Norma chased us off saying that she was exhausted.
I was too tired to drive home so I left my truck at their house. Patrick drove my Dad home, so Jasalyn and I could go and get some sleep. I fell asleep on the short drive to our apartment. Jasalyn woke me and up and together we stumbled to her apartment The next morning I was hoping to spend the day alone with Jasalyn, but Riley and Tina arrived back in town, and we had to tell them and everyone else in the state, or it seemed. It was nearly a week before we even made it to the jewelry store. In the end we ordered a special ring made to Jasalyn’s liking. She said I didn’t have to and we could shop around some more, but I wanted our wedding to be her perfect day.
I would have been happy to elope, but knew how much a big wedding meant to Jasalyn, and if she were willing to spend the rest of her life with me, I was going to make sure every detail was to her liking.
Chapter 34: Jasalyn
I fell into bed exhausted. Alex and I had been so busy telling everyone and getting ideas for the wedding that I felt that I hadn’t sat still more than five minutes since he proposed. Even at work my mind buzzed around about possibilities of our happy future. I was horny, but exhausted. I felt bad for pulling Alex in so many directions. We’d barely had any time together since the lake. I heard the water shut off and smiled. We were alone together and it was Friday night, and I had a few ideas of how I could make it up to him.
I was already naked and wet between my legs. I rubbed my thighs together in anticipation. Usually, I loved to ride Alex, but tonight I was too tired for that. I rose up on all fours and stuck my ass in the air. I wanted to feel him deep as possible, but didn’t want to have to do the work that the cowgirl position required.
I grinned when I heard him walk out of the bathroom.
“Damn girl!” he exclaimed, the lust already in his voice.
I wiggled my hips inviting him to join me and sighed when I felt Alex crawl onto the bed. His fingers ran over my back and down to my ass cheeks. He squeezed them and I moaned in pleasure as the movement tugged at my clit. I bit my lip as his fingers slipped between the lips of my pussy. His fingers moving against me made me even more aware of how wet I was. I gasped as his fingers brushed across my swollen clit, before slipping into my body.
I arched my hips back against his hand taking his fingers deeper into my body. Alex quickly found my g-spot, and moved his fingers in small circles against it.
“Don’t stop!” I called out, sucking in a sharp breath.
I looked back at him to see a sexy grin playing at his lips. His free hand massaged my ass cheeks as his fingers moved in and out of my body. I wiggled my hips, the heat building in my cunt.
My body felt empty when Alex pulled his fingers out of me. I arched my ass into the air, teasing him. I gasped when I felt the head of his cock suddenly rubbing against my wet pussy. It slid easily between my lips and against my clit. I could feel my juices of desire beginning to run down my leg.
Alex rubbed his cock in circles around my clit coaxing gasps and moans from me. I pressed back against him to let him know I was more than ready for him to slide into me.
I bit my lip as Alex slowly worked his way inside of my body. I moaned as his cock brushed against my insides, filling me to the brim. I squeezed him hard, making him move slower. I wanted to revel in the feeling of him penetrating my body.
Once he was into his hilt, Alex gripped my hips and began to thrust. I bit into my pillow and dug my fingernails into the sheets as he moved in and out of my body. We had never had sex this way before, and it felt delicious to have him so deep inside of me.
I could tell Alex had a lot of pent u
p sexual energy, because he was moving quicker and harder with every thrust. My body craved his attention, and the quick movements created a friction that pushed me over the edge quickly, again and again. As soon as one climax would subside, another one would wash over me.
I became lost to Alex’s quick rhythm that rocked by body and the bed. Our head board slammed against the wall as he pummeled my pussy again and again. When his thrusts became quicker and more shallow I knew he was close to coming. I squeezed and felt his manhood twitch inside of me. I wiggled my hips and felt him explode inside of me. Alex let out a triumphant cry and I collapsed against the bed panting.
Alex fell onto me and held me while we both tried to catch our breath. We were both too tired to talk much, but we cuddled close and clung to one another. I fell asleep snuggled against his chest and decided it was the way I wanted to fall asleep every night for the rest of my life.
Chapter 35: Alex
As the months passed and our wedding grew closer I got a job working at one of my buddy’s shops. I enjoyed working on the bikes and cars and the job brought in a decent amount of money.
I was still having nightmares, but they came less often. When I woke I would only have vague memories of what I was dreaming about, like looking through a camera lens that was out of focus. Most of the time the nightmares didn’t wake Jasalyn up, though occasionally they did.
I was amazed how she never got angry at me for waking her up. She would always smile at me and we’d talk for hours. Sometimes we’d make love or play around, but more often than not we’d just talk. We wouldn’t talk about Iraq or the war, or even our families. We’d talk about the silliest things, our future plans and dreams. We wanted a four bedroom house close to the lake, two children, a boy and a girl. A Siamese cat named Sir Ruffles, after Jasalyn’s childhood cat, and a German Shepherd named Robin. We knew that some of the things were out of our control, like the genders of our unborn children, but it was fun to talk about.