Dare to Dream

by C. J. Welles

  I should tell her. If we’re going to be seeing each other, I need to be honest with her.

  I look over at her, ready to say something, but the happy look on her face is too much and I don’t want to be the one to remove it.

  Keeping my mouth shut like a coward, I roll over and pull her into my arms.

  I just pray this won’t come back to bite me on the ass because this girl has a hold over me.

  ∞∞∞

  Chapter 11

  Callie

  “I PROMISE I won’t do it again,” I say as I toss the fish in the trolley and giggle at Jace who’s sulking.

  “Don’t believe you, Angel,” he says as he stalks towards me. I run but not quickly enough. He grabs me around the waist and hauls me over his shoulder.

  “Oh, my God, Jace. Put me down,” I squeal. I’ve got a dress on and everyone will be able to see my ass.

  “Nope, no can do.” He slaps my ass. “This is what you get.”

  “I swear I won’t do it again,” I squeal, “Promise,” I add.

  “You said that the first three times. I warned you.” He’s right, he did warn me after the second time. And the third time.

  “I’m sorry Jace,” I say again but he doesn’t listen.

  He’s been very patiently, for the past ten minutes, putting up with me trying to slap him with a fish. It makes me laugh the way he gets riled up but won’t do anything and just sulks.

  Well, he has proved me wrong. He did end up doing something.

  “Where to now, Angel?” he asks. We’re getting groceries to make fresh fish and chips with ranch potato salad. I can’t cook either of them but Jace can cook. I think he gets it from his mom.

  I tell him where to next and he heads that way with me over one shoulder and his other arm pushing the trolley. I give in and relax as he carries me. He will get over it soon and put me down.

  “That’s it, baby, just relax. You’re not goin’ anywhere, I am enjoyin’ the view too much.” I huff and smack his back one last time which just makes him laugh.

  We’ve just got the potatoes when Jace turns a corner and my blood runs cold. I see a man out of the corner of my eye standing there with his gaze on us. There stands Martin, with his deadly glare trained on my face. I shiver and cringe. It makes me feel sick just knowing he is near me. My gaze meets with his and he sneers. I quickly flick my gaze away from him.

  I need to get out of here. I can feel the dark thoughts coming in to take over. I pummel Jace's back. "Let me down now," I screech.

  He must be able to hear the desperation in my voice because he lowers me to my feet. I turn to where Martin was standing, but there is no one there. I swear he was there.

  I bend over and rest my hands on my knees. My head is spinning so bad from all the memories and feelings trying to make their way back in.

  “What’s wrong, babe?” Jace asks with a worried tone. The worry in his voice, it’s nearly too much. I just want to curl up in bed with him and sleep until everything is better again.

  “Nothing,” I lie “I just felt nauseous. I thought I was going to vomit.” That’s not a lie. My stomach is churning.

  “Shit, sorry Angel. I wouldn’t have done it if I thought you were going to get sick.” I stand up straight now, feeling bad for making him think it’s his fault.

  “It’s not your fault. I was laughing and not worried. But then I felt sick suddenly.”

  I grab Jace’s hand and walk in the direction we need. The rest of the shop I keep my eyes scanning everywhere. I don’t want to see him again, but I couldn’t handle it if he got close enough to say anything. I shouldn’t let Martin get to me. I should be strong enough for him to not hurt me. But the hate and anger from my family, the feelings of loneliness and worthlessness, and the feeling of being dirty; like I had done a bad thing, they all come back. As much as I try not to let them, they are all there at the front of my head.

  Once we’re in Jace’s truck he turns to me. “Are you sure you’re okay? You still look pale,” he says in a concerned tone.

  “Yeah babe, I just want to go home and cook with you.”

  He’s silent for a minute as he studies my face then he smirks, “More like you want to watch me cook. Angel, you cannot cook to save yourself.”

  I throw a candy at him that I was getting out of the bag and he laughs, “Shut up, I want to learn.” He picks the candy up and slides it into his mouth. “But yes, I like to watch you. Watching you in the kitchen, cooking away in only your jeans is really hot.”

  “You say I’m hot, no matter what I do.”

  “Well, you are. It’s not my fault your mom gave birth to a Greek God.” That only makes him laugh harder.

  *

  Jace

  I’VE GOTTEN TO know Callie’s facial expressions and moods fairly well over the past three months. She was petrified earlier in the shop. I know she is holding something back from me, but I don’t want to push her. Several times I’ve wanted to ask her but have stopped myself from saying anything. I hope that in time she will realize she can tell me anything. That I am here for her like she has been for me.

  Callie has helped me get past dad’s death. I still miss him like crazy and wish he was here, but I have grieved with Callie’s help. So many nights we’ve laid in bed and I’ve just talked about childhood memories.

  Callie just takes it all in. Most of the time she doesn’t ask questions or say much, but I know that she is listening to me, just having her listen, means so much. The week after dad died I blamed myself for not being able to save him. But with Callie’s help, I’ve now realized, that there was nothing I could do, and I did do all that could be done. Sometimes the good ones get taken too early and there is nothing we can do to change that.

  Callie has even been good for mom, in the last month they have spent time together on weekends when I’ve been off working. I can see new life in mom that I haven’t seen since before dad died.

  The time we have spent together has been great. I haven’t felt so alive in years. Going to Platinum Girls three months ago was the best thing I have done in a long time.

  “Are you going to cook that fish or just stare at it?” I hear Callie say from behind me and I nearly jump. We’ve both been quiet since we got home. I’ve been thinking about Callie and I guess Callie’s been thinking of whatever freaked her out.

  “Cook it. Just deciding if I should batter or crumb the fish.” I answer as she stands beside me.

  “Batter. I like it more than crumbed.”

  “Well, what my Angel wants, my Angel gets,” I reply, as I drop a kiss on her lips and start mixing up some batter.

  An hour later dinner is cooked. Everyone and everything managed to survive apart from the croutons I asked Callie to toast in the oven. She really is hopeless in the kitchen.

  “Oh, my God, this is good,” she says, after a few mouthfuls. Watching her eat is hot and a turn on. The noises she makes if she likes something and the way her eyes widen in delight. Sometimes it is hard to sit opposite her and eat.

  We’re halfway through dinner when the apartment door opens and Krystal walks in. It’s still awkward being in the same room as her. Only because I don’t know what Callie thinks of it. She hasn’t mentioned it again since that first time, so I hope she’s over it.

  “What smells nice?” Krystal asks.

  “Dinner. Do you want some?” Callie offers.

  Krystal looks suspiciously at Callie then turns to me. “You ate her cooking? You are very trusting. Just pray you wake up in the morning.”

  Callie huffs as I laugh. “I’ve had her cooking once before. The omelet she tried to cook ended up in the trash. I cooked fish and chips.”

  “I helped,” Callie adds, and I raise my eyebrows. “Well, I tried to help. The croutons that I cooked ended up in the trash.” Krystal bursts out laughing.

  I lean over and kiss her. “It’s okay baby, we’re not all perfect,” I say, and it earns me another huff from her. I give her another kiss w
hen she drops her bottom lip. “If you really want to know, I can’t do the laundry properly,” I say.

  “That’s because you’re a man,” she says, as she gets up and takes our dishes to the sink.

  “Ha-ha you're funny.” I look to Krystal “Grab some, there’s plenty left.” I gesture to the kitchen bench.

  Krystal eats as Callie and I clean up. Callie does most of the cleaning, I’m just ‘getting in her way’ as she said to me many times. I think after the fifth time I put something in the dishwasher around the wrong way she gave up on correcting me.

  Later that night, Callie and I are lying on the couch watching some boring television show her and Krystal watch all the time. Any chance I get, I try to put on the football, but that ain’t often. “Why do you call me Angel? You called me it the first time you said something to me.” She asks, as she twists to rest her head on my chest.

  “Because you reminded me of an Angel. When you were standing there in front of me, you were so short and tiny. Looking up at me with these bright blue eyes and the light from the stage behind you, you looked like an Angel.”

  “You’re way too sweet.” She leans up and gently kisses me. “You sure you’re a man? That’s something a girl would say.”

  I shrug “So? It’s the truth, baby.”

  And that is the dead set truth. She is an Angel. Not only did she look like one, but the love and happiness she has brought into our lives, only an Angel could.

  ∞∞∞

  Chapter 12

  Callie

  “YOU AND JACE seem serious now,” Krystal calls out from her closet. One of her friends has asked us to come out and celebrate her birthday tonight. I haven’t been out partying for ages. I’m excited but also bummed I’m not going to Jace’s this weekend.

  “You could say that,” I reply. She pokes her head out and gives me a questioning look.

  “I know that sweetie. You two spend every weekend together and any other night you can go down there. I’d say you’re definitely serious.”

  “I don’t know. He hasn’t said anything yet. Like he hasn’t asked me out. I guess we are serious, but I don’t know if it is the long-term kind of serious.”

  “Have you ever known a man to invest this much time into a relationship that he’s going to end, any day now?” she asks, as she walks into the bedroom and tosses a dress at me. “Wear this,” she says.

  I shrug my shoulders, as I grab the dress. “I don’t know, I haven’t been in any relationship before. I don’t have anything to compare it to.”

  “Well sweetie, that’s not a bad thing. Trust me.” I watch her as she touches up her make-up. She has a faraway look on her face. “Not all relationships are like what you and Jace have. Don’t take it for granted.” Turning around, she pins me with a serious look. “Look, what I’m getting at is, do you think you should open up to him about your life a bit more. Does he know anything about your step-father or how you used to live? You do realize keeping things from him, can break the trust between you both.”

  Does she think I haven’t thought of this? Nearly every day I wonder if I should tell him or not, but I’m not ready to potentially lose him, what if he can’t live with it? He will leave me.

  “I know this Krystal. Don’t you think I’ve thought of it already? I don’t know how to tell him. I’ve only ever told you anything about at all.” I look down at my hands. “Do you think he will stop seeing me?” I ask quietly. I don’t want to think of not having him around.

  “I don’t know sweetie, he doesn’t seem like the guy to up and run or hold grudges. But I don’t know him like you do. You’ll only find out if you tell him.”

  I groan and flop back on the bed. “I have to tell him. I will do it soon.”

  “Yeah, well don’t leave it too long.” She clicks her fingers in my direction. “Hurry. Go get dressed. We’re running late.”

  Half an hour later I’m dressed in a black halter neck dress that falls halfway down my thighs with silver glitter pumps. We grab a cab to the other side of town to a fancy club. It only opened last month, and I’ve never been here before, but Krystal says it’s good.

  After lining up for twenty minutes, we get our stamp and head inside. The place is packed. Everywhere you look there are people. Once we have our margaritas from the bar, I follow Krystal to the back where we find her friends standing near the dancefloor.

  I’m on my fourth drink and about to go dancing with Krystal and Briella, Krystal’s friend, when I feel my cell vibrate. Pulling it out, I see a message from Jace.

  Jace: Having fun, Angel?

  Me: Yeah, wish you were here though.

  Jace: Know how you feel.

  Me: What’re you doing tonight? xx

  Jace: Nothing at all, having a drink with Bryson and Ethan.

  Me: Sounds fun. I miss you. Can’t wait to see you again xx

  I sometimes feel pathetic that I let my life revolve around a man like that and I get upset when I don’t see him. But then other times it makes me so happy that I do have a man I can run my life around. That I have a man I trust and love enough that I want to revolve my life around him. I’ve never had this feeling before.

  Ten minutes later my cell vibrates again with a message from Jace.

  Jace: You will see me soon baby, don’t stress

  I groan. I am such a pansy.

  Me: Not soon enough xx

  Krystal and I finally get out onto the dance floor and start dancing in the middle of everyone. When an Avicii remix comes on we both go crazy. I love dancing to his music. Krystal moves behind me and we start dancing together and grinding on each other. A few guys around us stop and start cheering us. We know how to dance. We do it for a job. We both know we look, sexy as hell.

  Krystal spins so her back is to mine, and we grind our asses together. A few men wolf whistle and a guy offer to join in, but I say no. I close my eyes and tilt my head to the ceiling and dance away. Dancing makes me feel free, not as free as riding on the horses, but with my eyes closed and just dancing to the tune of the music, I feel light-heartedness.

  I feel Krystal pull away from me briefly before gripping my hips again. It takes me a few seconds, but I freeze.

  Her hands feel too big.

  The bulge in her jeans shouldn’t be there.

  Her chin resting on my head shouldn’t be there, she’s not tall enough.

  I spin around to give the man a mouth full of my mind, but instead, I let out an excited scream. “Jace!” I launch myself into the air and wrap my arms around his neck. “What are you doing here?” I ask, as I wrap my legs around his waist.

  “You said you missed me. I wasn’t doing anything at home so came for a drive. Bryson came with me and is here somewhere.”

  “I was having a fun night, but it’s fucking awesome now,” I say against his neck, as I swipe my tongue across it.

  “That’s great Angel,” he says and kisses me quickly “But one thing, I have to put you down. I know your ass is showin’ and if I see one more guy look in your direction, heads will start rollin’.”

  I giggle, “Sorry I wasn’t planning on wrapping myself around anyone tonight when I dressed.” I slide down his body and feel every defined muscle on his ab’s and his hard cock in his jeans. “Come sit with Krystal’s friends. I only met half of them tonight, but they are cool enough.” I say and grab his hand and lead him through the crowd.

  I introduce Jace to them all and we talk while I drink numerous long island iced teas. I’ve been sitting on Jace’s lap for the past hour when I decide I need to pee.

  I stand up and sway. Those drinks have hit me harder than I thought. “You alright?” Jace asks as he steadies me.

  “Yeah, just feeling the alcohol effects.”

  “I’m not surprised, you’ve downed five drinks since I’ve been here. Where are you goin’?”

  “Just to the restroom, I’ll be back in a few.”

  I walk towards the side door where I know the toilets are. The ladies
line is huge, and I lean against the wall while I wait. After fifteen minutes, I finally make it to the toilet. I do my business and check my makeup in the mirror. Still looks fine, which is a bonus.

  Walking out of the door, I’m looking down at my cell reading a message from Krystal saying she’s heading home when I run straight into someone.

  I look up and see a tall guy, he’d be shorter than Jace but wider across the shoulders. He looks familiar, but I don’t know where from. God, I see so many guys come into work it could be anyone.

  Then I see his shoes and it clicks. I step back and look at his face. You have got to be kidding me. Bry, the guy I spent one night with, stands in front of me.

  I turn away from him and walk back into the club.

  “Hey, it’s you. I tried calling the number on the card, but you never answered.” He says as he grabs my arm.

  “I know. I said it was a once off. Please let me go.” I say, then walk away after he releases my arm.

  This is one of the things I hate about my little business and stripping. Seeing men who come into the club. It’s only happened a few times but seeing a guy who I took money from after I let him have free range of my body, is a little awkward. Most of the time it’s fine because they are just as good as me at keeping it quiet. But sometimes you get the odd man who will approach you in public.

  I quickly look over my shoulder before I walk back in the door to the main club room and see Bry slipping out the back door.

  When I reach the table, I sit back down on Jace’s lap and look at the message from Krystal. She says she’s going home with someone. I reply telling her to let me know if she needs anything. Not that I will be much help in my current drunken state.

  “You ready to go?” Jace asks, as he slips his hand under the edge of my dress and strokes my thighs.

  Well of course. If he keeps doing that I am going to start humping his legs. I nod, and we say goodbye then leave the club.

  *

  ONCE BACK AT my apartment, I nearly fall through the doorway, once it’s open. I ditched my shoes ages ago, but still can’t walk straight, let alone stay upright.