The Ocean Between Us (Benton Creek Series Book 1)

by Delisa Lynn

  No, we won’t. I need him…and so does our daughter.

  “Sorry, sweetheart, but from this day forward anything you or Bristol need, you come to me. Got it?”

  I nod. “Yes, I’ll make sure to keep you updated on everything.” My heart swells, knowing he wants to be in our lives.

  “Good. Look, I better go. It’s getting late and I need to tell my parents and Nicola everything.”

  “Your parents will hate me, Que. Please explain to them that I didn’t mean to keep her from them.” I stand up.

  “They could never hate you. They’ll be pretty pissed, but they will get over it, as will I. Do you need any money?”

  “Thanks, but I don’t need your money, Que. Please call me tomorrow. If you can’t make it for ice cream, we’ll understand,” I say, looking at my feet.

  Quaid lifts my chin with his hand. “Stop it. I’ll be here. I’m not breaking any promises.”

  “Thank you for being so kind about all of this.”

  I know that he could have been a dick about it all and stay mad at me too.

  “I’ll see you later. Lock the door behind me.” He kisses my cheek and I feel a rush through my body that I haven’t felt in years. I walk toward the door and lock it, watching him through the window.

  I realize, I’m still in love with him.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Love Is Love

  Quaid

  I close the car door. I look up and see that Hendlee is still looking through the window. It’s been hours since I found out my world has changed, and I still can’t wrap my head around it all. How could I have been so stupid to not read her letters? Why did I believe the bullshit that Jason fed me? I was so in love with her, and was so mad at her. Now I have a daughter, and I didn’t know anything about her. As I make the short drive to my parents’ house, I try to think of what I ever did to Jason for him to have done this. We were always good friends.

  Most of the lights are on in the house. Nothing can prepare my parents for what they are going to hear. I know they’re awake, I’m sure someone has already informed them of the fight at the bar. While I’m walking toward the porch my phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out and see that it’s a text.

  Hend: Hope you made it to your parents’ safely.

  Me: Just got here. Kiss the princess for me.

  Hend: Just checked on her, she’s sound asleep. I on the other hand, am wide awake. I’m going to drink another beer and watch some TV. Have a good night.

  Me: Try and get some sleep. I’ll call you in the morning.

  Hend: I will…Night, Que.

  Me: Night, sweetheart.

  I shove my phone in my back pocket and just as I step onto the porch, the door flies open. My mom is standing there looking concerned.

  “Why did you get into a bar fight? You’re a grown man, and you’re out fighting like you’re fifteen? Get in this house.” I don’t mean to laugh at her, but I do. “Don’t you laugh at me! Your girlfriend has been in your room crying for the last few hours.”

  “Mom, you, Dad, and Nicola should all take a seat for what I am going to tell you.” I walk to the stairs. “I’ll get Nicola, you get Dad.”

  I open my bedroom door. Nicola’s nose is red and she looks a mess.

  She runs over to embrace me. “You’re going back to her, aren’t you? You don’t love me,” she cries into my chest.

  “No, babe. Why would you think that?” I look into her eyes. “I have love for you.”

  “You ‘have love.’ That’s just it. I know you’re in love with her, and from our conversation earlier, I just assumed that you would be going back to her.”

  “I want to talk with you and my parents.” I take her hand and lead her down the stairs to where my parents are sitting on the couch in the family room.

  “Okay, so what I’m going to tell you guys is going to shock you. Please don’t be mad. For the life of me I don’t understand why I was lied to, but…” I take a deep breath. “Hendlee’s daughter Bristol isn’t Jason’s…she is mine.”

  My mother’s eyes fill with tears, my dad runs his hand through his messy hair, and Nicola is quiet.

  “She has lied to us all this time?” my mother asks.

  “Apparently she tried to tell me, but I didn’t read her letters. I was mad that she was with Jason. He’s who I got into a fight with tonight. I was ready to rip his head off his shoulders. Apparently he told Hend that I didn’t want anything to do with her, and because he told me he was with her, I never opened her letters, so I never knew she was pregnant with my child. I just assumed she was carrying his child, without even asking her.” All their faces stay glued to me. “I met her tonight, and she is beautiful. Has my eyes and spunk for sure.”

  “Are you sure she is yours?” Nicola asks, barely audible. “I mean, you were gone and she was dating someone else.”

  “She’s mine, I am certain. She never even slept with Jason until after she had Bristol.”

  “Son, I knew that child was yours.” Dad claps his hands together. “Told you something was off, didn’t I? We have a grandbaby!” He grins. “When can we start spoiling her?”

  “This is a lot to take in right now. I think I’ll call it a night,” my mom says. “We can talk more in the morning.” She walks away without a goodnight.

  “Yeah, we’ll talk more tomorrow. Get some rest.” Dad winks before following behind Mom.

  Nicola doesn’t move. I move closer to her and place my hand on her thigh.

  “I think I should head back to Chicago. I have a lot of work I need to focus on. Coming here was wrong. You need to be here for your friends, and now your daughter, and I’ll just be in the way.”

  “I want you here. Look at me.” I place my hands on her beautiful face. “I love you, and nothing will change that.” I place a kiss on her forehead and she whimpers.

  “Que, I can’t…I just can’t compete with her.” She throws her hands up in the air, then brings them back down, crossing them over her tiny frame. “I’ve tried for three years, God knows I’ve tried, and now that the two of you share a child, I can’t be in the way. I love you, and that’s why I am letting you go. Be with her, with your daughter. They need you. I’ll be okay. I’m going to see if I can get a flight out tomorrow. I’ll move all my stuff from the condo and be gone before you get back. My place is still available since my brother moved out last week.”

  “Let me get this straight, because I’m starting to get pissed the fuck off. You want to leave me because you think that’s what I want?” Now I am standing and my arms are crossed over my chest. Sweat is prickling on my forehead. “I’m waiting for an answer, goddammit.”

  “Yes! I am letting you go. Go be with Hendlee, she’s who you should be with. I just can’t be second fiddle to anyone. I won’t be the reason you stay in Chicago and not here where you belong.”

  “I don’t belong here!” I yell. She has a point though. I have no clue what the hell I want now.

  “You belong with your child, Que. Don’t tell me you’re going to live happily in Chicago or wherever else the Navy stations you while she is here.”

  “You’re saying that you know what’s best for me? If you want to end what we have because you think you know what I need and want…then by all means, get the fuck out of my life. There’s the door.”

  I point to the door and watch her short legs disappear up the stairs. Before my brain syncs with my heart, I’m in my Dodge and backing out of the driveway.

  ***

  My feet hit the gravel and my hand is knocking on the door in no time. I wait a few minutes and she doesn’t answer. Looking under the blue flowerpot that sits directly across from the door, I find the spare key that was always there when we were kids. I slip the key in the door. It opens and I am in the entryway.

  “Fuck,” I say aloud. I know I shouldn’t have come here. I start to walk away and I hear her voice.

  “Que, how did you get in?” Hendlee runs down the steps. She’s wearin
g a pair of short shorts and a tank top, with no bra on. I can see her nipples peeking through, and my dick gets hard as soon as she steps closer.

  Running my hand through my hair, I scratch the back of my neck. “Nicola’s leaving me so we can be together,” I blurt. “She’s going back to Chicago.”

  “I’m sorry. I don’t want to cause any trouble. You can be a part of Bristol’s life without being in mine.”

  I walk closer to her, my mouth inches away from her. “You’re so sexy. I’ve missed you something fierce.” My mouth catches hers before she speaks. She moans eagerly and grips the back of my neck.

  Breaking away from the kiss, she places her fingers to her lips. “What are we doing?” she asks, but doesn’t give me time to answer before her mouth finds mine again. “We have to be quiet.” She pulls her shirt over her head.

  “So fucking beautiful.” I slide her shorts down, and find she has nothing on under them. Dipping my finger in her heat, I discover that she is soaked. “I don’t think I can leave here without having you first?” It comes out as a croaked question.

  “I want you. I’ve wanted you for so long. Please, don’t make me wait any longer.” She leads me to the back of the house where there’s a spare bedroom off the kitchen. She starts unbuttoning my jeans, pushing them down my thighs.

  She lies back on the bed and spreads her legs. I am so ready to taste her.

  I pull my boxers off, pull her to the edge of the bed, then bury my face in her sweetness. As soon as I flick my tongue over her clit, she moans. I have her coming undone.

  “Que, please. I need you,” she begs, her hands tangled in my short hair. I kiss my way up her body. Grabbing my face and pulling it to her, she attacks my mouth with hers. The kiss is hard and lustful. “Make love to me,” she mumbles, kissing down my neck. I’m so hard, I align my pre-cum covered cock at her entrance. In one thrust, I feel her and she moans.

  “Shit, the condom.” I look down into her eyes. “You’re on the pill, right?”

  “Yes. I wasn’t the first time we made love.” She smiles shyly. “You feel so good inside of me.” She lifts her legs so I can settle deeper. Her face is flushed and her skin is bright pink.

  “So fucking beautiful. I’ve wanted to see you like this for so many years.” I feel a little awkward as her eyes fly open. “Am I hurting you?”

  “Nope, I’ve missed you is all.” Her mouth catches mine.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Memories Are Forever

  Hendlee

  Today is Bryan’s memorial, and I am a mess. Gemma’s acting like she’s okay but I know she isn’t. I haven’t told her that Que spent the night with me the other night, and after the service I’m meeting him at his parents’ house. They want to see Bris and spend some time with her. Que texted me earlier that he hasn’t heard from Nicola since the night she left. I feel so bad that she left him. I know he really cares about her. I also know I’ll see Jason today. His sister is keeping Bristol while I attend the memorial.

  “Hey, you going to wear that?” I ask when I walk into the bedroom and see Gemma in a red dress. While I know Bryan loved the color red, this dress is not appropriate for his service.

  “Why wouldn’t I? He loved this dress and red is his favorite color. I’m fine. Stop walking around me acting as if I am going to break at any moment.” She walks into the bathroom and slams the door.

  “Look, I know you aren’t okay, Gem. I have a black dress that will look much classier than the one you have on.” I go into my room and rifle through my closet for the dress I wore to Maw’s service. Yanking it from the hanger, I make sure it’s free of wrinkles.

  I pull a bobby pin from my hair and pick the lock on the bathroom door. My house is old, and the doors don’t lock very well. Once I get the door open, I see that Gemma is now on the floor, completely naked, curled up in a fetal position.

  “Oh, sweetie, get up.” I reach down and try to pull her up.

  “I can’t do this…I just can’t. He was supposed to love me forever. He promised that he would always be here for me. I hurt him so bad, and now he’s gone. What am I going to do now?” She rocks against my embrace. “I know that dress is tacky, I just don’t want to say goodbye to him. How am I supposed to let go? It’s all my fault…”

  “It’s going to be hard, but you will get through this. You’re strong, independent, and beautiful. If anyone can do this, it’s you, babe. Do you know how much I admire you? There’s so many times that I wish I had your courage.” And it’s true; she has always been so courageous. “So many people envy you. Your mom knew you were a gem when she named you.” I smile into her dark hair. “This isn’t your fault at all. It was an accident, he knew what kind of chances he was taking when he started working there.”

  “You’re only saying that because I’m lying in your arms naked.” She snorts. “I love you but you know I don’t swing that way.” She kisses my cheek. “Fine. Where’s your old lady dress?”

  Yep, that’s my Gemma.

  “Look at your hair, it’s a mess.” I hand her the bra and panties that were lying on the floor. She takes them and starts getting dressed. “I’m going to call and check on Bris, will you be okay?”

  “Yes, I am fine. Go check on our girl.”

  I walk down the stairs and see Que and Clive walking onto the porch, and opening the door, I greet them.

  “Hey guys. We’ll be ready in a few. I need to check on Bristol real quick.”

  “Take your time, you look great,” Que says, kissing me quickly. I see the look that Clive gives him. “After today, I want my parents to keep her anytime you need a sitter, okay?”

  “Of course. I know that Jackie loves her and she promised not to have Jason around her,” I say, though I’m not sure I like him telling me who my child can stay with. I let it roll off and walk into the kitchen to make my call.

  Clive speaks quietly to Quaid, and I know he is asking him about the kiss, though I can’t hear what they’re saying.

  After the third ring, Jackie answers. “Hey lady.”

  “I wanted to check on Bristol before we left. Is she being good?”

  “She always is. She is so excited to see the Castings’ later today though. Her mouth is going a mile a minute.” She giggles. “Jason called and I told him he couldn’t see her. I know he loves the both of you. Although he’s my brother, I won’t go against you. I love her as if she was my own blood, so please know that I will protect her with everything I am.”

  “Thanks, that means a lot. I’ll be over after the service. Kiss her for me.” I end the call and look up to see Quaid watching me.

  “You okay?” He walks closer.

  “Yeah. I should check on Gemma, she had a meltdown earlier.” I lean into his embrace.

  “Clive is with her, he heard a thump upstairs and went to see what she was doing. I need to change, can I do it in there?” He nods his head toward my guest room that we made love in.

  “Sure. You change and I’ll go check on the others. I need to get my shoes from upstairs anyways.” I kiss him lightly and make my way up the stairs. Gemma’s sitting on my bed and Clive is kneeling in front of her.

  I walk to my closet to search for my black pumps. As I slip my feet out of my slippers and into the pumps I hear a few whimpers coming from my best friend. She is now in Clive’s arms. He is so sweet. Out of all the men we hung with, he was always the sentimental one. When I announced that I was expecting he was so hurt. Now I know why; he thought I was cheating on Quaid. I can’t believe we all fell for Jason’s lies. Just thinking of him is pissing me off. I toss my slippers in the closet, and mumble, “Fucking asshole,” a little too loud.

  “Who you over there cursing out? Your shoes?” Clive asks from behind me. He looks as if he has been crying. I hug him tightly.

  “No, I was thinking about Jason. I hate him. I hope that someday karma bites his nuts off,” I say with a straight face.

  I hear a giggle-snort erupt from Gemma. “Oh. My. God. Yo
u’re so learning from me. I have taught you well.” She hugs me. “I love you.” She wipes her face and heads out of the room.

  “Well, whatever makes her happy,” I say to Clive. He shakes his head, his green eyes bloodshot. “You gonna be okay?”

  “I’m worried about Gemma. She puts on this front as if everything is going to be okay. I don’t think it’s fully hit her yet. She loved him with all that she is and you know as well as I do that she doesn’t do that easily.”

  He’s right. She doesn’t trust easily either. If you’ve earned her trust, then you’ve made it into Gemma’s world. Not a lot of people can earn that ticket. Jason never did. Now I see why.

  “Yeah, as I said earlier she had a huge breakdown. I’m going to go find her.” I kiss his cheek and head for the door.

  “Hey, Hend?” he calls from the doorway.

  “Yeah?”

  “I knew Bristol wasn’t Jason’s, I just didn’t want to be the one to tell Que. I had no idea that Jason did the things he did. I’m sorry that all that happened. I’m glad that you two are working on things. He told me.” He winks and walks across the hall and down the steps.

  I find myself wishing he would’ve said something back then.

  Walking down the steps, my eyes land on the man of my dreams. He’s replaced his jeans and polo with his dress blues. I latch onto the railing to steady myself, my pulse racing and my knees weak. I’ve never seen him in uniform. Gliding my hand along the railing, I look at my feet to make sure they are moving and I’m not going to tumble down the stairs. His eyes catch mine and I see his Adam’s apple bob as he swallows. He smiles and his dimples make me want to jump the rest of the way. My left foot misses the last step and I practically fall into his arms. He’s right there with his strong arms around me.

  “You okay?”

  I inch even closer so that my lips are so close to his I could lick them. “I’m okay. Kiss me.” I lean into his lips. I could kiss him all day long. Hearing a clearing of a throat, we break away.