Dare to Dream

by C. J. Welles

  He stares at me blankly. “I umm... well I -”

  “Just don’t.” I grind out.

  It hurts. It fucking hurts. It hurts worse than being abandoned by my father and being invisible to my mother. My heart feels like it is burnin’ in my chest.

  “I wish I could go back and not do it.”

  “But you can’t Jace. I know we weren’t serious but still, didn’t you think of me at all? Did I cross your mind once while you were fucking her?” Actually, that’s a stupid bloody question. He just told me he was picturing me. “Look, Jace, you didn't exactly do anything wrong. We weren’t and aren't an official couple, but it has hurt me to hear all of this.” I go to walk inside but he stops me again.

  “Hey, we are a couple,” he says sternly. “You are my girlfriend. I know we haven’t voiced it, but you are my girlfriend. When you meet my friends, you will be meeting them as my girlfriend. I fucked up. I fucked up big time Angel, and I wish I could take it back.”

  There is no taking it back, but he can’t change the past. I just hope nothing goes wrong in our future, to make him run to her.

  Walking inside I’m in a melancholy mood. I need to remember that even though I have stopped, I still haven’t told him about my past job. That is probably something I should have told him, but I am not ready to open that can of worms. Everything will be okay, I keep telling myself and I hope I’m right.

  He drops a kiss on my forehead as we walk into the kitchen where his mom and Kaylee are talking. I smile my best fake smile at Jane when she looks my way. She walks over and gives me a hug. “Everything okay?” she whispers in my ear. I reply ‘yes’ but as I see Kaylee glaring at me over Jane’s shoulder, I don’t know if that is true.

  Even though I wish she would just disappear from his life, I don’t want any problems with her. I don’t want to put Jace in a hard spot where he needs to choose. But I also won’t be taking any of her crap. With that thought, I step away and wrap my arms around Jace’s middle.

  If looks could kill, I would be a pile of flaming coals right about now from Kaylee’s glare.

  ∞∞∞

  Chapter 14

  Jace

  “HEY, WHAT’S UP?” I greet Ethan as he walks into the car shed. I’m in the middle of chucking things into the truck bed for Callie and me, to head down to the dam. After last night’s talk about Kaylee, I want to spend the day doing something special with Callie. It’s our thing to go to the dam together and we do it all the time. We spend hours there talking, just laying together under the stars, making love. The first time we had sex was down at the dam. I’ve even managed to get her to skinny dip a few times. Today though, I’m going to make it special.

  “Not a lot. Was just over at mom and dad’s but everyone’s headed out and I was bored as hell.”

  “I didn’t know you were up this way, this weekend. I would have organized to come to see you.” I jump up and sit on the bull bar once I’ve finished tossing everything in. I look at Ethan who looks pained.

  “Nicole and I are over. She’s been cheating on me,” he grates out.

  Fucking hell. I knew she was a bitch and troublemaker, but I didn’t think she would cheat on him. There was a reason why none of us liked her. But she had Ethan wrapped around her finger and knew how to lie her ass off.

  “Fuck. Are you serious?”

  “As serious as can be. I came home from the office, earlier yesterday, and found her getting her brains fucked out, by some guy, on the kitchen bench. After I kicked his ass I packed a bag and come to the ranch. I couldn’t look at her let alone stay in the same house.” I feel for him. He’s my best friend and he is a good guy. He only sees the best in everyone, which makes it easy for people to fuck him over.

  “Shit, that ain’t good. Did she say anything?”

  “Nope, just that it’s been going on since before we married. If she wasn’t a chick, I would have punched her. She didn’t even try to break my heart nicely. She just blurted it all out and then didn't even try to stop me from leaving.”

  What a slut.

  “That sucks. What’re you going to do now?”

  “Stay with mom and dad for a week, while she gets her shit out of my house, then I’ll go home and back to work,” he replies. “Where you headed to?” he then asks as I jump from the front of the car and look outside for Callie.

  “Just down to the dam. You want to come?” I ask. I’m sure Callie won’t mind us having company. He’s just found his wife cheating on him and he’s my best friend.

  “Yeah, why not. You got enough beers?” he asks. Is he serious? I never not have enough. I cock my head and raise my eyebrows and he laughs. “Okay, stupid question. Who were you going with?”

  I smile, and I know he sees it because this time he raises his eyebrows. “Callie. You’ll meet her in a few minutes. She’s inside gettin’ changed and waitin’ for mom to make us some lunch.”

  “Callie? Who is Callie?”

  “My girlfriend. I was goin’ to introduce her to everyone next weekend. I’m goin’ to organize a field party like old days.”

  “I didn’t know you were seeing anyone.”

  “Yeah, we’ve been together for about five months now. Everyone has been busy, and I’ve been spendin’ a lot of time with her and just haven’t got around to her meeting anyone.”

  “Well, I can’t wait to meet her, you ain’t ever kept a girl around for that long.”

  We talk for a bit while we wait for Callie. I look at my watch and it’s been twenty minutes. Ethan and I jump in the car and I back it out of the shed and park at the porch steps. I jump out and bound up the steps just as Callie walks out the door.

  “You ready, Angel?”

  “Yeah, your mom said Ethan pulled up and packed extra food for us.”

  “Hope you don’t mind if he comes?” I rub my thumb over her cheek as I kiss her plump lips. “He’s had some shit goin’ on and wants to catch up.”

  She nods and says it’s okay. When we get in the truck I introduce them both and we talk on the way to the dam. Ethan is the first one of my friends Callie has met, and it feels so fucking fantastic to introduce her into more of my life.

  *

  Callie

  I’VE ONLY JUST met Ethan, but I feel so sorry for him. This Nicole chick they have been talking about is a real piece of work. I could not imagine having sex with anyone else while I’m with Jace. No way could I cheat on him.

  I know it happens. In the past, I’ve been the girl who they cheat with. It’s not right, but they were usually men who didn’t have a love life. They only had a marriage and wife for status reasons.

  But to cheat on a loving man. No fucking way. A loving man who cares for you, with his whole soul and loves with every inch of his heart. Even after she ripped his heart out, he still loves her. It’s obvious that he does, but to still talk about her with love in his heart and eyes, it’s hard to think of him being hurt by her. I don’t see how she could do it to him.

  I only met him three hours ago and I can tell he is a nice guy and a loyal friend. With all the stories he and Jace are talking about with them growing up, it’s clear that they were close. Jace talks about him and Bryson and how close they are, but I guess I never realized how close he meant. When I was growing up I only had one friend I would class as close, and then in senior high, I pulled away from all my friends.

  I stand up from my spot on the grass and walk to the water edge. I do feel a little bad that poor Ethan is airing out his failed marriage in front of someone he just met. Bending down I grab a handful of rocks and begin tossing them into the water one by one, then grab more once I’ve finished. It’s mesmerizing watching the water ripple from each stone thrown in.

  It makes me think about the ripple effect on my life from when it all went wrong. I let Martin’s actions affect me in the worst possible way. I had choices, unlike this water. When I throw the stone in, it has no choice but to ripple. When Martin raped me, I could have reacted in so many ways,
but I chose to live the life I did. What does that make me?

  I never had a problem with what I did for a job, but each moment I spend with Jace, I’m hating my decisions. I hate what I have become. God knows what’s going to happen when I finally tell Jace about my past. Will he hate me as much as I’m starting to hate myself? I should tell him already, but I don’t know how he will react.

  Will my past have a ripple effect on Jace’s and my relationship that will just send me back to where my life was at five months ago?

  Is he strong enough to look past it?

  Am I strong enough for the both of us?

  When Martin raped me, I hated him, I hated myself. I loathed him and my body for what he did to me. But standing here now, I loathe myself for what I have let other men do to me.

  I throw another stone into the water just as I hear Ethan call my name. Turning around I go to answer but am swept up into Jace’s muscled arms and the next second I’m flying through the air. He does it so fast I don’t have a chance to grab hold of him. I scream as I feel my body dropping towards the water. I manage to close my mouth before I go under. After a few seconds of splashing around trying to get my bearings, I break to the surface. I can see Jace standing at the edge laughing.

  “You cock head.” I squeal as I walk out. “You drowned my cell.”

  He bends at the hips and puts his hands on his knees and laughs harder. “Nice try babe, but I know it’s in my truck.”

  “Asshole,” I mutter, and I go to walk to the truck but change my mind and quickly race towards him. I leap just as I reach him, and he puts his arms out to catch me. Wrapping my legs around his hips I rub myself all over him.

  “Oh God, you look like you’re tryin’ to fuck him,” Ethan calls out.

  “Nope, just a little payback. He ain’t gettin’ anything from me.”

  Jace lowers his mouth to my ear and murmurs “You know, that if I was to slip my cock inside you, you wouldn’t protest.” No, I certainly wouldn’t. A shiver works its way over my body and it’s not from being cold.

  “Oh, I definitely would. Your cock isn’t goin’ anywhere near my honey hole.”

  “Did you just call your pussy a honey hole?” He stares down at me with one eyebrow cocked.

  “Yeah, what? You prefer me to say vajayjay?”

  “You could just call it pussy.”

  “Nope, my vajayjay deserves more respect from you, than to be called pussy.”

  “Oh, Angel my cock and I definitely respect your pussy.” With that, he slams his mouth down onto mine and flicks his tongue inside my mouth. I groan and rock myself into him. He lowers me to my feet and I can feel his hard cock digging into my stomach. I’m glad he’s as turned on as me.

  “Okay we get the point; his cock likes your honey hole. You two don’t need to prove it,” I hear Ethan say just as Jace slides his hand down the front of my jeans.

  I push him back. “Argh. Your touch makes me forget. I was ready to strip down and have sex.” I point to Ethan who is standing ten feet away “And your friend is right there. Plus, you’re still in my bad books,” I groan, “Now you have me all hot and bothered.”

  “Too much info,” Ethan groans.

  Jace doesn’t say anything, he just throws me a smug smile and holds out his hand. “Come here baby, I can cool you down,” he says.

  “I don’t think so, buddy.” Next thing I know he’s got me tossed over his shoulder and he’s striding to the dam. I squeal and thump my fists on his back, but he keeps going until he’s knee deep. “Don’t you dare!” I warn him.

  “Oh, I do dare,” he says, as he pulls me to his front and then throws both him and me under the water. There’s no way I can stop myself from being pushed under. He’s a giant compared to my little self.

  “Ahhh. You giant dick,” I splutter when I finally right myself and climb to my feet. I rub my hand over my face and back through my hair to get it out of my face.

  “Yes, I have a giant dick.” I splash him, and he laughs. “Hey baby, don’t be getting grumpy. Was just trying to cool you down,” he says with a straight face, but I can see the smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

  Turning my back to the dick wad behind me, I see Ethan sitting on the tailgate. “Coming for a swim?” I call out. He looks uncertain. “I promise Jace will keep his hands to himself,” I call out.

  He laughs and shakes his head as he nears the dam. He’s smart to pull off his top and jeans before he jumps in, unlike Jace. He’s got a good body, but nothing on the size of Jace. Arms wrap around me and I know it’s Jace from the feel of his muscled arms. “Eyes to yourself, Angel.”

  I roll my eyes, “The only thing they enjoy looking at is you.”

  “That’s right baby.”

  *

  I FLOP DOWN on the bed and look over to Jace who looks as though he is deep in thought. “What’re you thinkin’ about?” I ask, as I roll to my side and reach over to run my hand across his eight pack.

  “Just Ethan. I always hated Nicole and couldn’t wait for the day he got free of her. But I feel so fucking bad that it ended how it did.” He rolls to face me and clasps my hand in his, bringing it to his lips. “It’d kill me if I walked in on you and some man. It would gut me to lose you.”

  I couldn’t even imagine being with another man. The idea makes me cringe inside. I stroke his face with my hand and gaze deep into his beautiful brown eyes. I am so lucky to have him.

  I lean in and kiss both his cheeks, “Lucky you’re not going to lose me.” Gently grazing my lips across his, I whisper against them. “You’ve destroyed me for anyone else. I’m yours forever. You consume my heart, body, and soul.” Every word I speak is true. There is no other man out there for me. Jace has imprinted himself on my heart.

  He deepens the kiss by running his tongue along the seam of my lips and twining his tongue with mine. He kisses me at a slow pace and softly, but it takes my breath away. I can feel him pouring everything we haven’t said into the kiss. I kiss him back, letting all the love I have for him flow through where our mouths are joined.

  He breaks the kiss by pulling back and leaning his forehead against mine. “I love you, Callie.” I think my heart is beating out of my chest. Hearing him say those four words is like heaven on earth. They are the sweetest things anyone has ever said.

  I lock eyes with him and get lost in his intense gaze. I pause before talking “I definitely l.o.v.e you too, but I don’t want to say it today just because you have. I want to say it the first time because I can, not because you have said it first. But please, don’t think I don’t, because that’s not what I’m saying.”

  He pulls away from me, but he doesn’t say anything. I have a semi-freak out inside my head. Oh God, should have I just said it? I love him, I really do love him. I hope he can tell from my actions. I will say it and soon, but when I want to. I look down at my hands and begin to fidget. He moves again and I’m on the edge of full-on freak out panic attack. Is he leaving me? Is he disappointed in me? Is he regretting me? Shit, what do I do? I go to speak but he cuts me off.

  “That’s one of the things I love most about you,” he says in a husky tone, and I look up at him. “You don’t do things because people tell you to, or you feel you have to. You do things your own way and you are your own person.” He holds my chin in his calloused hand. “Don’t change that please.” I let out deep, sharp breath. Thank God, he said that and not something bad. I would have stopped breathing.

  He moves so that he’s resting in between my legs and he kisses me briefly before pulling back. Shuffling down the bed, he looks up to me with a look of mischief. “What are you planning?” I ask with a slight smile.

  He chuckles softly, “I’m going to make love to your honey hole with my mouth, then I’m going to slide my cock into your honey hole and make love to you.” He says before he slowly slides my pants off.

  Well, who could argue with that?

  ∞∞∞

  Chapter 15

  Cal
lie

  “QUICK I NEED to pee,” I whisper-yell as I grab Makayla’s arm and drag her away from everyone. I was reluctant first up with talking to her because she is Kaylee’s sister and all. Ethan is nice to me, but he is a guy, of course, he doesn’t feel threatened by me. Makayla is awesome though. She is loud and doesn’t care what people think. She has a good time no matter what people say.

  She and I have been talking to the twins and a few of their friends. One of the twins is Ryan and one is Nathaniel. I still can’t work out which one is which. Makayla has been flirting with the one I think is Ryan and he’s been doing a fairly good job at flirting back. The way he looks at Makayla with fire in his eyes when he thinks no one is watching. It’s obvious he wants her more than friends.

  “I’m coming. I can’t walk that fast in the dark while drunk,” she yells quietly.

  We walk over to the twin’s trucks that are parked a little further away. Once I’m hidden from everyone I squat down and pee. Before I had met Jace, I hadn’t ever squatted out in the bush before. The first time I made Jace sit in the car with the music going so he wouldn't hear me. He laughed so hard at me I ended up laughing with him.

  “You and Ryan should get together,” I say to Makayla, as I stand and pull my shorts up.

  She doesn’t reply, and I look over to her. She has a huge megawatt smile plastered across her face. “We’ve hooked up a few times. I don’t know if I want more from him or not. I’ve known him my whole life and I don’t know if we would work together or make it worse like Jace and Kaylee did.” I feel my blood boil thinking about the two of them together. Luckily Makayla doesn’t say anything else about them.

  We walk back toward the fire and I see Jace sitting on his tailgate and Kaylee standing hard up against him. I just wish she would fuck off. Can she not see that he doesn't want her? She looks desperate. I wish I could just punch her, but I don’t want to cause problems for Jace and Ethan.