Penned State (Young Hearts Duet Book 1)

by S. I. Hayes

  “We have every reason to be freaked out, but I’d be more freaked out if I wasn’t with you.” I squeeze his hand.

  “Same here. So these houses?”

  “Looked pretty good from the pictures? One’s fully furnished, I’m on the fence about that, but the other one didn’t have much, pic wise. We just gotta go see.”

  “What’s the price range?”

  “It doesn’t matter; what matters is how much we make. It’ll be more at first, but when I go on maternity leave, it’ll change. We’ll be okay.”

  “My uncle said he’d help too.”

  “That will be great. You’re gonna go left up here.” I point him in the right direction according to the nav system on my phone.

  The house is sturdy looking and sorta cream. Six blocks from the college.

  Cal leans into me. “It smells like old man.” He whispers, then chuckles. “Looks like it too.”

  The furniture must have been thirty years old, based on patterns. He was right; there was an odor of sorts. The landlady also explained we couldn’t have any pets. Well, screw that. I wasn’t gonna leave Stetson behind.

  “That was horrible.” Cal says as we get in the car.

  “I know. I’m sorry.”

  “The other needs to be better.”

  “I’m praying.”

  A few blocks away, we park on the street as instructed and walk down a long patch of sidewalk, flanked by all kinds of bushes and trees. Already it’s better. It’s actually private and pretty. There’s a two-car garage, but it’s got a POD out front, explains the street parking instructions. The place is teal and white plus its two floors. Lots more space.

  “What do you think?” I say to Cal.

  “Let’s get inside before we judge it.”

  “Right.” I’m bouncy. I already want it for the fenced-in yard.

  We knock, and a middle-aged woman answers. “Hello? You must be Kaycee and Calvin?”

  “Yes.” I muscle in past Cal, shaking her hand.

  “I’m Gladys, come in. Forgive me; I’m still clearing out. I promise the place will be spotless by the end of the month.”

  We walk right into the living room, and I’m in love. Hardwood floors and built-in bookshelves. There is a fireplace and an actual dining room next to the kitchen. Not just space to put a table like at home.

  “You’ve got three bedrooms, so I don’t know if you all planned on roommates.”

  “We’re bringing one in a few months”. I smile. “Can we paint?” I ask. Holding my belly.

  “Oh, my you’re having a baby? How exciting? Of course, you can do as you like, within reason. I mean until you’ve come out of escrow.”

  Cal looks at me. “Grandpa said he’d call in a favor. Get us a down payment for rent to own. If we liked any.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I didn’t want to add any pressure, but Cal, I like this place.”

  “So do I.”

  I smile, “Yeah?”

  “It’s got potential for us. Room for what we need and for what we may want.” We look at Gladys. “Thank you; We’ll be in touch with an offer this week.”

  “Really? That would be wonderful.”

  Chapter 31

  Calvin

  Exams, done. House, found. Fiancée, happy. So why am I not sleeping? Oh, that’s right, we graduate in twelve hours. In twelve hours! I have to give a speech about life and the future. About accomplishment. About- I have no fucking idea. I’ve been trying to write this thing since I found out I was getting the award. Nothing seems right. My goals are shifting; my dreams are changing. How do I talk about taking off to college and studying when I just want to study my Kaycee’s growing belly and not miss a moment of the baby’s life? I’m looking forward to being a dad, not an undergrad.

  I’m feeling trapped again. Locked into this idea that people have of me, they got over the shock of the mouth. Will they accept me if I tell them that not all futures are laid in stone? Guess I’ll find out.

  “Hey?” Kaycee drags her leg up against mine and gently scratches my abs. “What are you doing up?”

  “I’m not. You are.” I smile in the dark.

  “I can tell by your breathing. What’s wrong?”

  “Just thinking.”

  “About your speech?”

  I squirm as she slips her hand into my shorts. “It’s not as good as it could be.”

  “You just be honest, and it will be great.” Her head disappears under the covers, and her belly grazes my thighs as she goes to work on me. My eyes roll back as she sucks and nibbles on me until I’m good and hard, then gets herself onto me.

  “Hmm. What if-Ah…” Her wet pussy clenches me, and my brain gets fuzzy. I let the thoughts of the night fade and instead enjoy my woman’s body. Her breasts have doubled in size, and their tenderness is easing so I can play with them again. They’re heavier now and so much more sensitive. She comes harder, gets wetter more easily. It’s like a Slip n’ Slide. I love it. Though her voracious need is gonna kill me. We’ve almost been caught at school. On more than one occasion. She wants to fuck three, four times a day, without fail. Hence these mid-night romps. If I’d been asleep, she’d have woken me for a ride.

  Come morning, it will be reverse cowgirl or in the shower, depending on how late we sleep. Sometimes it's both. I’m thinking of getting a mold of my cock made and sending it out to have a dildo or vibrator made for her birthday in September. It may give me a bit of a reprieve.

  I come, and she slips off me, gets dressed, and heads for the bathroom. I try and go back to bed, but for all the shit running through my head.

  ***

  Standing in the courtyard at Cradle Bay High, I’m getting ready to go sit on the stage with the rest of the honor roll.

  “You look good in that.”

  I turn hearing my father’s voice. “Sir?” I say, surprised. “What are you doing here?”

  “I received the invitation from the school.”

  “I haven’t seen you in four months, and you choose today to show your face?” My face is bound to be blood red.

  “I wanted to see you; it’s just your mother.”

  “Yeah, because she keeps your balls in her purse. I forgot.”

  “Son.”

  “Nope. I’m done. You don’t get to call me that. Letting her do to me what she did. All those years.”

  “I didn’t know what to do.”

  “Booting her ass would have been a good start.” I hear Grandpa Compton before I feel his hand on my shoulder. He’s got his prosthetic and though walking with a cane, is at his full five foot ten height.

  “You aren’t welcome here.”

  “Back off-old man.”

  “You really should watch your tongue and respect your elders. We tend to come in packs.” Behind him are seven more men, different ages, all looking mean as hell.

  My father drops his head. Bested.

  “Good-bye.” I say as Grandpa Compton puts his arm around me.

  “See, I told ya we Navy boys, stick together.

  I smile. “Thank you.”

  “Anytime, son.”

  I head up to the stage and sit, looking out over the Senior Class. All one hundred and forty-two of them. Among them, my best friend, my love, my Kaycee. She’s full-on glowing. With a beaming smile. Our eyes connect. She gives a little finger wave, and I give a short close to the body palm lift as she mouths I love you.

  I have to sit here as everyone gets their diplomas. I’m going through my speech when they call me. I put it down, get my diploma and back I go. Finally, it’s time for my speech. As I go to the podium. “Good afternoon. I- um, I’m Calvin, Cal, as you know.” I look over the sea of bored faces. I’m trying to organize my cards when I find a little envelope. I look at Kaycee, and she winks. I covertly open the envelope and am looking at another ultrasound.

  “I- uh-excuse me, I just, um.” Feedback as I look at the picture. She didn’t tell me she had an appointment. C
ircled on it is a spot, and next to it is one word. Boy!

  “Boy!” I say louder than I planned, and I get looks. I don’t’ even care. “We’re having a boy.”

  Kaycee is barely standing when I hop the stage to meet her. Hoots and cheers as she rounds the chairs and is in my arms. I kiss her, then drag her back to the podium.

  “Sorry for the interruption, guys. But when you’re future calls, you gotta answer.” I wrap my arms around Kaycee and our baby we’ve made. “See, I had this idea in my head about what the future was supposed to be. Work hard, make money, be lavish, and well frankly miserable. What’s the point of it all if your head is always down and you don’t see the world around you? Your life is now. Your future isn’t set. It can change in any number of ways at any moment. It’s how you adapt to that change that makes or breaks you. We need to stop being so rigid. We need to be more fluid in our lives and more open to the possibilities. Otherwise, we may miss the present while waiting for the future to begin. So my advice to you as you start your next chapter. Stop and actually experience it. Suck the marrow out of it, and enjoy it for tomorrow isn’t promised to any of us. But today is guaranteed.” I kiss Kaycee again. “Thank you.”

  They stand. They clap. This includes the adults and the faculty. I was once again the boy they all knew and loved. Accepted, but you know what? I didn’t give a damn.

  Chapter 32

  Kaycee

  “Now, you have everything?” Mom questions while I’m getting into the Santa Fe. It’s June first and hotter than Jason Moma coming out of the ocean in his birthday suit. I swear the fucking weather is nutso.

  “We’re good, mom.” I kiss her before closing the door to sweet, sweet air conditioning.

  The papers for the house were signed right after graduation, and between Grandpa and Cal’s Uncle Douglas, it’s half paid for already.

  Our mortgage, as opposed to rent is just seven hundred a month. With all the water and stuff included. We’re in place for help with things like the electric and heat, so we are gonna be good. I’m optimistic. The boy, who of course we’re calling Calvin, is growing like a little weed. I’ve gained a whopping twenty pounds! All in the belly. I swear I look like I’m carrying two babies, not one! Uncle Douglas even gave us gift certificates to JC Penny and Macy’s for furniture, so we have a house that feels like a home. I got a projector and used it to paint the nursery. We are doing a Calvin and Hobbes theme, because, obviously! The room’s going to have tigers all over. Mom made a stuffed one that’s safe for him to sleep with right out of the gate as well as receiving blankets. It’s all too fucking cute.

  I roll down the window. “I’ll see you this weekend for lunch, right?”

  “Wouldn’t miss it.” She hugs me again through the window, and Cal gets in.

  “You tryin’ to freeze me out?” He chuckles, turning down the air.

  “Touch that dial, and I’ll cut you off!”

  “You couldn’t if you wanted to.” He smirks. “You crave it like you crave chili dogs!”

  “Oh! Can we get some on the way?”

  Cal laughs. “I suppose. If you’re good.”

  “I’ll be a perfect little princess.” I answer, reaching over and rubbing his thigh.

  “Okay, behave, you two.” Mom says, walking away.

  “So, the last of the furniture is supposed to meet us at the house?” I ask as we are pulling away.

  “Yup. I made the appointment for delivery to match up. We’re good.”

  “I’m excited.”

  ***

  “Hey, Kayce?” I’m awoken to Cal’s hands on my belly and his gentle kiss on my temple.

  I was excited, alright, so excited; I drifted right to sleep!

  “Hey, we’re home.”

  Home. It had a whole new meaning. This was ours, no mom or grandpa lying in wait to ambush us. We could forget to do the dishes or have chocolate cake at three in the morning whilst completely naked with no one to see.

  As I’m being helped from the truck, I notice movement inside. A curtain swishes.

  “What’s going on, Cal? Who’s here?” I ask.

  “Can’t get anything by you, can I?” He chuckles. We walk up to the house, and he opens the door. “Welcome to your baby shower.”

  I instantly tear up seeing all the Calvin and Hobbes decorations. My mom, Grandpa, and Uncle Douglas are in my line of sight first. Then I see Micha and April Warner as well as Wendy and Bonnie from the center. Ciera is here too.

  “How’d” I ask whiney and confused.

  “We do own a van, and you're soon to be hubby took the long way.” Mom smiles, hugging me.

  Cupcakes, and cookies it’s all themed. Balloons, diaper cakes. More stuff for the nursery.

  “April, I can’t believe you guys came.” I hug her.

  “We took a donation around the center. Here’s a two thousand dollar gift certificate to Target, for the baby and you. I hope it helps.”

  “I-thank you so much!” I’m a blubbering mess. I see that Uncle Douglas and my mom are getting familiar. That will be sorta weird if it goes anywhere, but whatever makes mom happy. Noise machines, bouncers, playpens. It’s all here. As is a chili cheese dog spread fit for a Queen, like me. These people know me too well.

  It’s well after nine when they all finally go. Mom insisted on staying until every dish was cleaned and every bag of trash on the road.

  “I just want to sleep. I think I had one too many chili dogs. I’m sorta gassy.” I burp, loudly as I come into our living room. I love that idea. Ours. Cal is half asleep on the couch. Our couch. He laughs quietly as I plop next to him. “Wanna have sex?” I say half enthused.

  “Do we have to?” He whines.

  “No.”

  “Good, cause I was afraid you might blow me away with another chili burp.”

  “Jerk-face.” I punch his arm as he wraps it around me.

  “C’mere. Just don’t breathe on me.” I, of course, retaliate by breathing hard and heavy in his face. He tries to avoid it. “Oh-no- that’s-horrible!” He laughs as I climb on him, pinning him down for a good bit of kissing.

  We find our second wind and manage to shrug out of our clothes. I’m now riding him on the couch like the rodeo champ that I am. He’s got to come at me from the back now because the belly is getting in the way of my clitoral stimulation otherwise. I miss the eye contact, but he makes up for it with lots of kisses in between. We don’t last long, but we also don’t have to worry about going anywhere and just settle where we are. Happy and content.

  “One room down.” I whisper as he starts to snore.

  “Six to go.” He mumbles back, kissing the top of my head

  Chapter 33

  Calvin

  “Cal? Look at her! We have to go get her!”

  We’ve hit month seven, and the so-called nesting has started. When she’s not at work, where they are keeping her well-stocked in plain crullers and me in turkey sausage and coffee, she’s had me rearranging the house, and now she’s convinced we need a dog. As if Stetson wasn’t animal enough.

  I’ve never been keen on dogs. Probably because I’ve been chased by my fair share being a bike rider. Yes, I’m still using my bike. It leaves the Santa Fe available to Kayce for whatever she needs. Today it appears she needs an eight-month-old American Staffordshire, pitbull mix named Abby.

  “She’s only one ten to adopt. She’s altered and microchipped already. Please?”

  “Where is she?”

  Kayce hops up, holding her belly, excitedly. “Over at PAWS on Grays Ferry Ave. Literally like ten minutes up the road.”

  “We’ll go look.”

  “Thank you!” She kisses me, and little Calvin gives a hard kick. He’s taking up a lot of space now. She waddles off to go get dressed. I look at Stetson. “Guess you’re getting a sister.”

  He yowls in protest at me.

  “Yup, I agree.”

  We get to the PAWS facility, and sure enough, this puppy is fucking adorable.
Big yellow eyes, floppy ears, lanky as all hell as she’s practically tripping over herself to get to us. Kayce bends down to meet her and winds up on the floor.

  “You okay?”

  “I’m fine.” She assures me, getting puppy kisses. “Yup, look at her, she’s perfect. Why someone would give her up.”

  “They were afraid she would get too big.” The volunteer offers.

  “Nonsense, we got a big yard, we can handle her.”

  “She’s good with cats, other dogs, children.” The volunteer smiles.

  “Good, we’ll be having all that.”

  “Will we?” I ask, unsure.

  “Oh, yes. I want at least four dogs. Four is good, so someone can always have a playmate.”

  “You know Abby has begun to bond with an older male here. Titan, he’s a Sheppard retriever mix. About three years old, but very sweet. If you take them both, we could work something out, I’m sure.” The volunteer is now grinning.

  Kaycee looks up at me and nods yes with her huge grin.

  “It’s a lot. Two dogs, the cat, and the baby?”

  “We can handle it. Besides, it’ll keep me busy. You get to go to work; you start school in just about a month. I’d rather get them now and have them used to the house before mom, and the fam comes back for the fourth.”

  “Are we actually doing that? I thought it was just talk.” I remember it being mentioned at the baby shower, but now that the holiday was about a week away, I had no idea.

  “Why else do you think I bought all that meat?”

  “Sale?”

  “Silly rabbit.” She baby talks looking at Abby as the attendant comes back with a huge yellow dog. “This must be Titan.” Abby jump kicks to her friend, and Kaycee holds her belly.

  “Hey. You okay?” I ask as she grabs on to me and stands.

  “Yeah, just a little harder hit than I’m used to.”

  “You sure?”

  “Yeah. We’re good.” She assures me. Kissing my cheek. “Let’s get the paperwork done and get these two home.”

  Stetson is not a happy cabbage. He took off upstairs as soon as Abby and Titan came in. They are sniffing around while Kaycee and I make dinner. It’s too hot to cook indoors, so I’m using the new grill Uncle Douglas shipped us. I had to put it together, but it has been worth it. Cast iron grill plates, a smoker, and a propane burner. I’m making chicken and beef kebabs with peppers, zucchini, and eggplant. It sounds weird, but it’s how she likes it right now.