by Terra Wolf
“He was a good uncle,” Lacey said.
“He was a little pervy,” I reminded her.
“But good all the same,” she argued.
“Yeah,” I agreed sadly. “He was.”
“I know I already said it,” Lacey began. “But I’m really glad you’re here, Jules.”
“You’re just happy to have someone else around to incur Mom’s wrath,” I teased.
“I’m serious,” Lacey said. She took a swig of her beer. “We miss you when you’re not around.”
“She’s right,” Jack, Lacey’s husband, said as he pulled up a chair beside Lacey.
“Where are the kids?” I asked with a nervous glance behind me.
“I set them up on the patio,” Jack said. “They’re good for a few hours.”
I nodded and took another swig of my beer. I had forgotten how good beer from Jackson’s tasted. I took another drink.
“Even Mom and Dad talk about it,” Lacey continued. “Things just aren’t the same without you.”
“Is she drunk already?” I joked, looking at Jack.
“Nope,” Jack laughed. “Just sentimental. It happens when you turn thirty.”
Lacey slapped Jack’s arm playfully and rolled her eyes.
“Fine,” she said. “I won’t gush over how much I miss my little sister or how badly Mom and Dad want her to move back. If it bothers you guys that much, I’ll just go check on the kids.”
“No,” I said quickly. “Lacey, I’m sorry. We didn’t mean to make fun of you.”
“Yes, you did,” she snapped.
“I miss you guys, too,” I promised.
“Do you?” She asked seriously.
“Of course,” I laughed. “You’re my family.”
“Then why don’t you ever come home?” Lacey demanded.
“Lace…” Jack warned.
“You know why,” I told her softly. “It’s hard for me. Being back here.”
“But it doesn’t have to be,” Lacey insisted. “The more you come back, the easier it’ll become.”
“I don’t want it to be easy,” I said. “I like my life in New York.”
“Do you?” Lacey’s skepticism annoyed me.
“Lacey, don’t you remember how long I spent thinking up plans for my life? By the time I was fifteen I knew exactly what I wanted to do, who I wanted to be.”
“I remember,” Lacey said.
“So, aren’t you the least bit happy for me?”
“Of course, I am,” Lacey promised. “I just don’t think you are happy.”
“What does that mean?” I could feel myself getting defensive and the last thing I wanted to do was fight with my sister.
“It means that you’re drowning, Julia.”
“Drowning?” I scoffed.
“You flit from relationship to relationship, never settling down. You work crazy hours and…”
“I have a job, so what?”
“So, that job is not your entire life.”
“And you think I don’t know that?” I demanded.
“I think you’re scared,” Lacey said bluntly.
“Scared?” I asked, “Scared of what?”
“Living.”
I fell silent and leaned back in my chair. As annoyed as I was with Lacey, I couldn’t find it in me to argue with her anymore. She hit on a touchy subject that I didn’t want to explore. It was bad enough having to picture Kellan’s face. I didn’t think I could handle having a conversation about him.
Jack sat beside Lacey with a concerned look. He’d always worried about me, from the time I was a little girl and he and Lacey started going out. He was a good brother, a good husband to my sister. In that moment, I wanted nothing more than to ignore my sister and focus on Jack.
“Jack,” I said pointedly. “How’s work going?”
“Oh,” Jack said. He glanced at Lacey who just shook her head and sighed. “It’s really good. Things have been…”
Jack launched into an explanation about how wonderful business had been lately. The repair shop he owned was the only one in town, so it wasn’t like he had competition, but it was his pride and joy. He loved that shop almost as much as he loved his family. It was his goal in life to pass it down to his sons when they grew up.
I listened to the rise and fall of Jack’s voice, not catching every word, but happy to be sitting there listening to him. Despite what Lacey thought, I did miss being in Mountain Creek. It was nice to see her and Jack. It was nice to see my cousins and even Aunt Miriam. As much as I hated to admit it, I was even happy to see my parents. There was only one thing keeping me away from Mountain Creek and it didn’t have anything to do with my family.
The door clanged open behind me and I turned around instinctively. I expected to see another relative or family friend walk through the door and grab a pint, but instead my eyes fell on a familiar face. The exact face I had been picturing moments before.
Kellan walked further into the pub, his eyes scanning the room. He looked bigger than the last time I saw him, stronger. His muscles were threatening to tear apart his suit coat and his tie seemed too tight around his neck. Still, he looked handsome. More than handsome. My eyes roamed over his body and his face, glad that he hadn’t seen me yet. I felt glued to my chair. I wanted to move, to run before he saw me, but I couldn’t. My entire body felt heavy.
“What is he doing here?” I heard a voice ask, but it took me a minute to realized it was mine.
“I don’t know…” Lacey said, but her words were lost as Kellan’s eyes finally found mine. We stared at each other for a fraction of second before my body suddenly felt light and I jumped to my feet. Without a word, I ran toward the back of the pub and disappeared out into the alleyway out back. I didn’t stop running until I was several streets away and breathing heavily.
My heart was racing and my forehead was dripping with sweat, but I didn’t care. I sat down on a curb and put my head between my knees. I told myself to breathe, that I was being ridiculous, but my mind was still racing.
Why was Kellan at Jackson’s? Why would he show up to the wake? Was it to see me? Or was it to see…
I sat up and shook my head roughly. My thoughts were running away from me and I had to pull myself together. When Lacey accused me of being scared to live I knew she was right. I didn’t want to admit it, but there was a truth to her statement that I couldn’t ignore. Ever since Kellan broke my heart, I had been hiding. Ever since that night, I had been terrified of everything…
Seven
Kellan
My first thought was that I should turn around and go home. I walked up to Jacksons’s and stopped just before I made it to the door. There were people covering every inch of the patio. Some were walking to and from their cars, others were crowded around tables drinking and talking animatedly. My stomach felt weak as I finally took a step forward and pulled open the door. Screw this, if I was going to do it, I was going to fucking do it.
Immediately, I began looking around for her. I could feel pairs of eyes tracking my every move. I knew I should get a beer and find somewhere to sit down, but I needed to see her face first. Just once. Julia’s Uncle Louis was someone I’d only met in passing since I’d moved back to Mountain Creek. He was a loner, the kind of guy who never married or had children. He only left his house to see his family and even that was an imposition for him.
Still, when I found out he passed, I was sad. My heart ached for the whole Prewitt family, but mostly for Julia. She hadn’t seen him in years, that much I knew, but I imagined the funeral would still be hard for her. I wanted to be there for her. So, even though I knew I shouldn’t, I went to Jackson’s hoping I would get a chance to talk to her again.
My eyes continued to roam around the room, searching for those curls and bright blue eyes. It wasn’t until I looked to the far corner of the bar that I saw her. She was sitting at a table with her sister Lacey and her brother-in-law Jack. All three of them were staring right at me. They looked like the
y’d seen a ghost.
Not Uncle Louis.
Me.
My heart skipped uncomfortably when my eyes met Julia’s. She didn’t look angry or upset. Her mouth was hanging slightly open in shock. In those few seconds, I took in every detail of her face. I let myself stare openly at her long, dark curls. They were cascading down her back and I wanted nothing more than to run my fingers through them. Her cheeks were flushed pink and her lips looked exactly like they always did right before I kissed them. After all those years of picturing her, I never imagined she could look even more beautiful. My bear paced beneath the surface, desperate to claim her once again.
When I found her eyes again, she was still staring at me with that same uncertain expression. She looked like she wanted to run screaming from the bar, but something was holding her in her seat. Her eyes were locked on mine, she was staring at me with an intensity I would recognize anywhere…
It was two months into our relationship. Julia and I had somehow found our way to the backseat of my car and were making out like our lives depended on it. We never needed much encouragement, Julia and me. So long as we were alone, our bodies were wrapped tightly around each other. As our lips pressed together again and again, and our tongues danced gently, my entire body was alive with a fire I never wanted to put out. Julia had a way of tempting me like no one else ever had. Just one look from her and I was putty in her hands.
Julia pulled away to catch her breath, her eyes finding mine. They were sparkling with something that could only be described as pure desire. Fuck. I knew she wanted me and that made her even sexier. I tangled my fingers in her hair and pulled her lips back to mine. I kissed her fiercely while she moaned against my lips. The sound made my cock pulse. My hands roamed down her body until they reached her hips. I dug my fingers into the skin between her shirt and her jeans as I lifted her up gently. She kicked her leg over me and straddled my lap, our lips still fused together.
I pulled her shirt over her head and threw it into the front seat of the car. She shoved my chin up so she could kiss my neck. I was breathing heavily as my hands searched frantically for the waistline of her jeans. She knew what I wanted. She always did.
She was dirty like that.
In one smooth motion, she lifted herself up just slightly so I could unbutton her jeans. Then, she slid her legs out of them, never leaving my lap. I groaned and kissed her again, my tongue desperately tasting hers.
As we kissed, I laid her down against the seat and quickly tore my clothes from my body. Her hand was on my cock immediately. She stroked me slowly, teasing me mercilessly.
“Julia…” I moaned, my hips moving instinctively along with her strokes.
I couldn’t take it anymore. I threw myself on top of her and kissed every inch of her skin that I could reach. She tasted so sweet, delicious even.
Lifting her up, I tucked my hand under her back and unclasped her bra. My tongue was on her nipples in an instant. I kissed and licked and nibbled them until her back was arched and her moans were unbearable.
“I want you…” I whispered in her ear as I slowly slid my hand inside of her panties.
“Kellan,” her voice was rough and low when she said my name. I almost melted into her at the sound. Damn, she didn’t know how good she was.
Instead, my fingers explored her wetness with slow, methodical circles that made her legs tremble. There were beads of sweat pouring down her breasts. I leaned down to lick them as I continued to play with her.
“Please,” she whispered with desperation. “Kellan, please.”
That was all I needed to hear. I slid her panties off and threw them impatiently away. I pulled us both up so she was straddling me again. Julia’s hands tangled themselves in my hair as she lowered herself down on top of me. When I was finally inside of her, I growled deeply and buried my face in her neck.
Our bodies moved together perfectly. We rocked and thrusted and held tightly to each other. I could feel our sweat mingling and our breathing was becoming more and more erratic. Julia held tightly to my shoulders as she leaned back and continued to ride me. Hard. My hands dug into her hips as we moved faster and faster.
My eyes roamed freely over Julia’s body. The bounce of her breasts. The curve of her neck. The way her eyes were half closed in pure ecstasy. I could have watched her forever. I never wanted this moment to end, but my body had other plans. I could feel myself growing closer and closer.
I wrapped my hand around Julia’s curls and pulled her further backward while I lowered my lips to her breasts. She rode me harder as I licked her nipples. When my teeth closed around them, I could feel her shaking uncontrollably and I knew she was close, too.
The scream that escaped her lips when she came was earth shattering. I followed close behind her and we both collapsed against each other. I held her sweaty body against mine as we laid down together. Julia wrapped her leg around my waist and laid her head against my chest. We were breathing hard and I could feel my heart pounding against my ribs.
I played with her hair and kissed her forehead while we both calmed down slowly. Once we were able to breathe normally, Julia sat up slightly so she could reach my lips. She kissed me and I sighed deeply.
“My God, you’re amazing,” I said.
“Right back ya,” she laughed.
“Seriously, Julia,” I chuckled. “One of these days, you’re going to kill me.”
“Never,” she teased. “I’ll just make you think you died and went to heaven.”
I laughed and she kissed me again. Our eyes met when we pulled apart and I smiled. Her blue eyes searched mine questioningly.
“What’s that smile for?” she asked.
“I’m happy,” I told her simply. “I’m just really, truly happy.”
Julia grinned and laid her head back down on my chest. We were both naked and sweaty. The air around us was stale and steamy. Everything was sticky, but we didn’t care. We could have laid there in each other’s arms for the rest of the night and been perfectly happy, but we knew we couldn’t do that. Julia had class in the morning and I had to train.
Reluctantly, we got dressed and I drove her home. When we pulled up to her house, I kissed her slowly, wanting to remember everything about the way she felt.
“Keep doing that and I’ll never get out of the car,” she joked.
“That’s the plan,” I told her with a playful grin.
Julia laughed and pushed the car door open. I watched her curls bounce as she made her way across the yard and disappeared inside…
I shook my head and tried to pull myself out of the memory. That night was one of the best of my life. Hell, even after five years, it still stood out boldly in my mind. There were so many things I loved about being with Julia, but the way our bodies melded so perfectly together was by far one of the best. She had a way of captivating me completely: mind, body, and soul.
Eight
Kellan
When I looked up, my eyes searching for Julia, I realized she was no longer sitting at the table with Lacey and Jack. I frowned and looked around, but she was nowhere in sight. It was against my better judgement that I took a step forward. Lacey watched me with narrowed eyes until I was standing right in front of her.
“Hi, Lacey,” I said. “Jack.”
“Kellan,” Jack nodded. He glared at me openly and slid his arm protectively around Lacey.
“What do you want?” Lacey demanded. “Why the hell are you here?”
“I heard about your uncle and I wanted to…”
“To what?” Lacey snapped. “Pay your respects?”
“Something like that,” I shrugged. I could feel my face flush and I looked away for a split second. There was nothing that could turn me into a shell of my former self faster than being face to face with Julia’s fiercely protective older sister.
“Thank you,” Jack said. His jaw was tight. “We appreciate you coming.”
I nodded and asked, “Where’s Julia?”
La
cey laughed derisively and shook her head like she couldn’t believe I would dare speak Julia’s name in her presence.
“She ran out when she saw you,” Jack explained.
“Oh.”
“Are you surprised?” Lacey demanded.
“A little,” I answered honestly. “I don’t know what I expected to happen when we saw each other again, but I didn’t think she would run away from me.”
“And why not?” Lacey asked.
“Well, things didn’t end that badly,” I said quietly, speaking more to myself than to Lacey.
“Maybe not for you,” Lacey hissed. “But for Julia, it was…”
“Lace,” Jack said warningly. Lacey turned to face her husband who simply shook his head.
“What?” I asked. “For Julia, it was what?”
“Nothing,” Jack said with a tone of finality in his voice. “For Julia, it was nothing. She just doesn’t want to see you. Can you respect that?”
“Of course, I can,” I nodded. “Will you just…”
I paused, not knowing exactly what I wanted to say. A hundred different ideas ran through my mind as I stared blankly at Jack. He waited patiently, his eyes never leaving mine. I could tell he wanted nothing more than for me to turn around and leave, but he was too polite to say so.
With a sigh I started again, “Will you just tell Julia I’m sorry? For her loss I mean.”
“We will,” Jack promised. He glanced toward the door, his intention perfectly clear.
“Thanks,” I said lamely. I turned to walk away, but Lacey’s voice stopped me.
“Kellan,” she said. “I know it may have not seemed like anything to you, but what you and Julia had meant everything to her. You broke her heart.”
I felt weak as I let Lacey’s words wash over me. What did she mean by that? Didn’t she know that it meant just as much to me? Didn’t Julia know that?
I was ready to claim that girl. To make her mine forever. To have cubs with her and live our happily ever after right here in Mountain Creek.
Without a word, I left the pub and hurried across the parking lot to my car. I climbed inside and took a few deep, steadying breaths. Dammit. That was not how I pictured my reunion with Julia.