by Lucia Franco
“Uh huh.”
Alyssa rolled over and curled up to John’s side. She threw a leg over his and relaxed into him as he embraced her. As much as she tried to fight her chemistry with John, it was hard. Had it even been twenty-four hours since she promised herself that she wouldn’t cave to him?
Her eyes rolled shut and she sighed as she felt her body falling deeper away. She wanted to fight John off, she wanted to tell him no … but she couldn’t. It was pointless. Alyssa was weak when it came to him. He’d been there for her countless times, proving himself over and over and all she did was push. She needed to protect her heart, a heart that she’d given to Johnny many times over. She was empty inside, alone, but when he was around she felt alive and whole.
Wanted.
Alyssa needed to tread carefully. Very carefully.
Yawning, Alyssa stretched her arms above her head. Her muscles pulled tight and her back ached. She couldn’t believe she had fallen back asleep. She truly thought she wouldn’t be able to.
But then John showed her otherwise.
Her body warmed as she thought about what had occurred—she glanced at the clock—just four short hours ago.
Johnny. His fingers. His dirty mouth. And the pleasure he brought her, twice.
A content sigh rolled off her lips and she smiled dreamily. Sleeping in and waking to the smell of bacon and coffee. Mmmm … This is something she could get used to.
Rolling out of bed, she strolled into the bathroom and quickly brushed her teeth and threw some water on her face. Looking in the mirror, the puffiness under her eyes was still there but not as noticeable thanks to John and the extra sleep she was able to get. Grabbing a hair tie, she threw her hair up into a messy bun.
Following the delicious aroma into the kitchen, she spotted Brooke in her high chair shoveling a teething biscuit into her mouth, her little feet kicking out in excitement as crumbs dropped onto her tray.
“Is that my little girl?”
At the sound of Alyssa’s voice, her daughter squealed.
“Oh, no. Don’t cry, baby. Mama is right here,” she said, unclipping Brooke and lifting her. She brought her to her chest, her little arms wrapping around her neck. She leaned forward and tried to give Alyssa kisses Brooke style– open mouthed and slobber everywhere. Alyssa chuckled at her attempt and kissed her cheek. Brooke rested her head on her shoulder. She gave her one more squeeze then made eye contact with John.
Blood rushed into her cheeks and she became shy. He was standing in her kitchen, shirtless with his impeccable body, frying bacon.
“Hey,” she said softly, biting her bottom lip.
“Mornin’,” he said, looking over his shoulder. His green eyes sparkled in the light, a slight grin forming on his mouth. John turned around and leaned against the counter, his stomach flexing and his hands resting on the counter behind him.
“Sleep well?” he asked
“Very well. Thank you.”
John nodded.
“When did you wake up?”
“About two hours later.”
“I was completely out. I didn’t hear you or Brooke at all,” she said, swaying to and from on her feet. “Kind of scary how deep I slept.”
Knowing John wasn’t going to cross the distance, she did.
Stopping just inches from him, she rose on her tiptoes and hovered in front of his mouth. Luckily he was leaning against the counter or she would never be able to reach him. “Morning,” a husky breath rolled off her lips, their eyes locking onto one another’s. Instead of pressing a kiss to his mouth, she moved to the right and kissed his cheek. She felt John clench his jaw under her kiss, so her lips lingered longer than normal.
John snaked an arm out and wrapped it around her. He pulled her to him then gripped her chin with his other hand and pulled her mouth to his. Looking her straight in the eyes, he kissed her mouth hard.
“Now, that’s how you say mornin’.” He winked.
All it took was a kiss. Every. Damn. Time.
An easy smile graced her face. “What did you make?”
“Bacon and eggs. I have coffee for you too. I wasn’t sure if Brooke could eat this stuff so I just gave her some of the baby food like yesterday.”
Alyssa’s heart softened at John’s thoughtfulness. “Only baby food for her now.”
“Grab a seat and I’ll get you a plate.”
“Here, let me help,” she said, reaching for the cabinet door.
“No, I got it. Get your ass in the chair.”
“John, I can help you.”
“Babe, I know you can, but it’s obvious you never get a break, so let me do this for you.”
A loud sigh escaped her lips. “Okay, bossy man.” Realizing what she said, her cheeks flamed as her eyes widened. The grin that lit up John’s face warmed her all over and caused her heart to beat hard. She’d never had anyone help her like this, and truthfully she didn’t know what to think of it.
“So,” he took a sip of his coffee, “Sundays you have off. Do you have any plans for the day?”
Alyssa gave him a droll stare. “No. I’ll do some things around the apartment, but if you mean go out, then no. I don’t have many friends right now.”
“Well, my brother and his girlfriend are in South Fork. My mom wants us all together for an early dinner since my drive back is a good few hours. I want you and Brooke to come with me.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
His jaw set tight. “And why not?”
“I just …” she sighed, and turned to look at him. His gaze pierced right through her. Easing into it, she said carefully, “John, you’ve been really sweet, and have gone out of your way to do so much for me, but I’m not part of your family. I can’t go to a family dinner.”
“You are part of my family, you and Brooke both. Don’t fight me on this. I don’t want to have to choose between you and them.”
Her shoulders dropped and she shook her head.
“You’re going with me.”
That perked her right up. “Don’t tell me what to do.”
“Alyssa, why do you have to be so thick headed? I want you and Brooke to be there, so does my mother. She said she misses Brooke. Plus, it was her idea. She wants you there, too.”
“John—”
John reached for Alyssa and he kissed her. He didn’t know why, he just did. He needed to shut her up and the only way to shut up a girl who was pissed off was to kiss her senseless.
Pulling back, he said against her lips, “Now I know what my brother meant when he said Livy used to get under his skin like no other.” The corner of his mouth tipped up. “Please, come with me,” his thumbs circled her cheeks. “Please, I want you with me.”
“Johnny …” she leaned into his opened palm, and he kissed her again. It was a slow, methodical kiss that sent her blood roaring. His kiss was passionate, showing her how much he felt for her. Her tongue entwined with his, melding her heart to him even more.
John and his damn kisses.
A squeal broke their moment, and they both looked at Brooke. She was squeezing her now smashed cookie in both fists with a big smile on her face, her two bottom teeth showing in her wide smile.
“What do you say, sweetheart? You coming with me or what?”
“Okay.”
John laughed. Tilting her head to the side, she asked, “What’s so funny?”
“Well, I’ve noticed any time I ask you a question and kiss you, you answer it with an ‘okay’.”
“I do?”
A tip of his lips curled up as he nodded his head.
“Well, if you would stop kissing me, then maybe I could think straight.” She joked as she wiped the food from her daughter’s hands.
“Can’t help it. I love your lips. Now let’s get ready and head on over there. Mama said she wanted to talk to you.”
“Why?” she asked, looking over her shoulder to John. Anxiety curled inside her stomach. What could Diane want to talk to her abou
t?
“I’m not sure, but she’s been blowing up my phone saying she wants to see Brooke again.”
“She does?”
“Of course. That’s one cute kid. Who wouldn’t want to play with her?”
Alyssa shrugged. Quietly, she asked, “How could she knowing that Brooke isn’t even yours now?”
“She has a big heart, that’s how. And, honey … she is mine. Don’t forget it.”
Her heart cracked. John was knocking down each barrier she erected. “But I’ve put you through so much … How can she welcome me into her house after everything? It’s been, what, two months since I’ve seen her?”
“I think with Jace’s death, it put things into perspective for everyone close to him. I know it did for me.” John swallowed back the emotions climbing in his throat. “She knows how I feel about you, how I’ve always felt about you. She wants to see me happy, and you make me happy. You and cupcake.”
“I’m nervous.”
“Don’t be. I’ll be right by your side the whole time.”
“Thank you.”
“For what?
“For yesterday, this morning … Everything?”
He winked. “Don’t mention it. I told you I wasn’t leaving. Maybe you’ll start believing me soon.”
Those seemed to be John’s favorite last words.
Alyssa was a giant ball of nerves as they pulled up to John’s parents’ house with a sleepy Brooke in the backseat three hours later. Gently lifting her from her car seat, John grabbed her diaper bag and they walked to the door.
“Just breathe.”
Alyssa expelled a breath. “How did you know?”
“I can feel the tension radiating off of you.”
John knocked twice then opened the door to a home that she always wanted–a family with loving parents who accepted their children and their faults. The scent of peaches awoke her senses and she felt a sense of peace wash over her.
“Aside from yesterday, this is the first weekend you’re able to come home in months. I hardly get to see you,” Diane said as she embraced her son and dropped a peck on his cheek.
“Sorry Ma, next time.” Nodding toward Alyssa, he said “I had to see my girls.”
Diane brought her hands together and turned to Alyssa with a kind, genuine smile.
“Alyssa. How are you my dear? Where’s my little pumpkin?”
Before she could answer, Brooke opened her sleepy eyes and reached for Diane.
“May I?” she asked.
“Of course.”
Alyssa looked at John as Diane turned and walked into another room with her daughter. She wasn’t sure what to think of this. She thought there would be some hidden animosity, but there wasn’t. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Diane, Brooke had never reached for anyone other than John.
“All babies love my mom.” As if he read her mind, John answered the questioning look in her eyes. “She has, like, a gift with them.”
A raspy voice broke her stare. “Is that my little brother I hear?”
Coming around the corner were Luke and his girlfriend, Olivia. Alyssa had met both briefly but knew next to nothing about either of them.
“What up?” The brothers clasped hands and embraced each other.
“Long time no see.”
“Yeah, that’s because you’re touring the world and shit.”
Luke grinned. Luke’s smile was infectious. “What can I say? I’m a wanted man.”
“Hey now, settle down,” Olivia said, chiming in.
“Hey Livy.”
“John.” she nodded.
“You remember Alyssa, right?”
“I sure do.”
“Nice to see you again, Olivia.”
Well, wasn’t this just uncomfortable? Everyone making pleasantries in front of John’s parents’ door. That awkward silence hung in the air like an elephant in the room. This is why she didn’t want to come here. She felt so out of place.
“So you guys want to get a drink or something?” Luke asked.
“I’ll take water.”
John followed his brother outside to the cooler while Alyssa stayed inside with Olivia and Diane.
“I could sure use some sweet tea. Would you like a glass?”
“Yes, please.”
Walking into the kitchen, Diane was giving Brooke a small piece of mashed banana. “She was cryin’ for it,” Diane explained, shrugging her shoulders. “I told her she needed to wait until dinner, but she wasn’t having it.”
“It’s okay. I think she’s getting ready to move up to the next stage of baby food actually.”
Olivia handed Alyssa a glass and took a sip. “Olivia likes her tea extra sweet,” Diane said with a smile.
“I can tell,” she giggled after taking a sip.
“So, do you like South Carolina?” Diane asked.
Alyssa shrugged. “It’s nice, I guess. I didn’t realize how tired I’d be with staying busy with Brooke and work so I haven’t had a chance to explore much. It was an adjustment that’s for sure.”
“Once you get a bit more situated with your schedule you’ll be able to get out more.”
“What do you do?” Olivia asked. “How long have you been working?”
“I’m a waitress at a local diner. I’ve been there for just a month now and work about thirty hours a week.”
Olivia nodded in approval. “Who watches Brooke?”
“I have a sitter that was recommended by the owner of the diner. She’s been a real blessing.”
“Does John come over often to help, too?” Diane asked, one brow lifted.
Alyssa swallowed. “He does … he comes over as much as he can even though I told him he doesn’t have to.” She stared at the condensation on her glass. “He’s done so much for me, more than he should have. I don’t want him to feel like he’s obligated or anything, you know?”
“Oh, honey, he doesn’t feel like that one bit. Trust me. All he talks about is you and wanting to see you every chance he gets.”
“He does?”
Diane nodded. “All the time.”
“Things happen for a reason, so don’t question it.” Olivia chimed in. “The Jackson brothers have big hearts. Once they find something or someone they love, there’s no stopping them. They’re in it for the long haul. So what he’s doing just comes natural to him.”
“Couldn’t have put it better myself,” Diane said. “Though, I could smack Luke upside the head for taking so long and finally going after you.”
Olivia laughed. “I have that feeling all the time, but about so many other things.”
“I’m sure,” Diane drawled.
“What did Luke take so long with?” Alyssa asked confusingly.
“Luke and Olivia grew up together. By high school, they were dating which continued into college. After college he just let her walk away!” Diane exclaimed, her hand flying in the air.
Alyssa’s brows lifted. “He did?”
“Kind of … not really. I hurt Luke by not telling him about my plans. I just kept it a secret until it was all finalized, which was so stupid thinking back on it now. I should have told him, I should’ve included him, but I didn’t and it only backfired. Once he found out, he refused to make a compromise, so I left.” Olivia shook her head, the smile fading from her eyes. “I don’t blame him for not coming after me … I would’ve been hurt too and probably done the same.” She shrugged. “It’s all over now and we’re together like we should’ve been from the beginning and that’s what counts. Sometimes you have to take the good with the bad and deal with it as best you can. The distance was difficult, and there were some tough times for both of us. We both were forced to climb mountains without each other’s support, but the way I see it, it was meant to happen.”
“You really think that it was meant to happen?”
“I do. What’s meant to happen will find its way, Alyssa. It always does.”
Alyssa thought about what Olivia said for a moment and then
of John. “I guess you’re right.”
“I am right,” she said, smiling and then took a sip of her overly sweet tea. The sound of sliding doors broke the conversation and Alyssa looked over her shoulder to see John walking toward her with an empty water bottle in his hand. His face lit up, dimples and all showing. John made her heart beat fast every time she looked at him. He walked right up to her, wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed her temple, tugging her to him. He went to hold her from behind and Brooke began fussing.
Picking his head up, he smiled at Brooke. “Awe, is my little cupcake jealous I have her mommy?” he asked, walking over to her. Brooke reached for John, nearly jumping out of Diane’s arms. He put down his water and grabbed her. She leaned in for a Brooke kind of kiss then rested her head on the curve of his neck. Her tiny hand ran along John’s neck searching for his tags. He pulled them out of his shirt and handed them to Brooke, who began rubbing them between her fingers as if they soothed her. John rubbed her back gently and went back to Alyssa. Olivia and Diane stood silently watching, their heads both tilted to the side.
“When’s dinner ready, Ma? I’m starved.”
“Now! Let’s eat,” she said enthusiastically. They began to walk to the dining room, but Olivia placed a hand on Alyssa’s arm stopping her.
Looking her straight in the eyes, Olivia said, “I know we don’t know each other very well, and I hope that changes one day, but I need to say something.”
“Okay …” she trailed off.
“Don’t question why John does what he does, Alyssa. It’s clear as day how he feels about you and Brooke. Hopefully you’ll see it one day, but just in that small interaction in the kitchen he’s head over heels in love with you and your daughter. It’s really sweet. Sometimes we don’t see what’s right in front of us … Don’t make the same mistake I did and shut him out. The Jackson brothers are good men. Just roll with it,” she said, squeezing her arm and then walked away leaving Alyssa speechless.
After dinner, Brooke bounced joyfully on Olivia’s knees while Alyssa helped clear the table. John walked outside with his father and Luke to talk. Being in John’s home with his family made her long for a family of her own. Sadly, that would never happen. Her father was long gone and her mother had disowned her. She’d been abandoned by her only family. Even with John and Luke out of the house now, they were still one whole unit, not broken apart or fighting. It was gratifying being among them.