Free Pass (Free Will Book 1) (14 page)

Chapter Thirty-seven
 

The glorious smells of coffee and bacon awaited me when I woke up. Granny, I thought with a smile. This scent combination would always remind me of her.

The bold aromas lured me from my bed. I stumbled to the kitchen and headed straight for the coffee. I poured myself a cup and sat it on the table. Granny stood at the stove cooking. I hugged her from behind. "Can I help you?"

"Oh, I got it now. Biscuits are about done, this bacon too. Got some fruit, and I figure that's good."

I agreed and sat down to enjoy my coffee and let the fog clear from my head. Running my hand over the worn table, I tried to decide what I would say to Jake.

Granny plated up our food and joined me at the table. "I figured out what to do about your young man. You want to know that he's committed. Not like that flaky brother of his, right?"

When I nodded, she continued, "We need to set him up. Set it up so that he has to fight for you. Now, I don't mean physically, but where he has to stand up for what he wants. If he wants you like I believe he does, he'll do it."

I mulled over her words. I did want to find out once and for all if Jake was interested in long-term. Because, despite current history, I was not the type to bounce from relationship to relationship. I wanted stability in my life. Now, I wasn't expecting a proposal, but I would like to know that, in the long-run, that's where we were headed.

"Would that sorry ass Austin help us out? I got an idea, if you think he would." I raised an eyebrow in question to her. "Just get him over here, so I can talk to him. I ain't explaining it twice."

Typical Granny.

So, I called Austin. Voice husky with sleep, he muttered a hello. I asked him to come over. I heard a yawn and a mumbled agreement. An hour later, Austin pulled up in his dad's truck.

Look at us both, borrowing cars like brand new drivers who hadn't even wore the shine off the laminate on our license.

He sauntered up to the porch where I sat. "Why'd you want me to come out here? I thought we'd agreed we didn't mesh?"

"Because you are going to help us find out how your brother feels about my granddaughter."

Confusion twisted his face, but he nodded. "How am I going to do that?"

"She needs to know if she has a future with that boy. To know he isn't gonna waste three years of her life because she's convenient. To know he appreciates her and isn't going to make her feel defective like you did."

He grimaced. "Laney, I never meant to..."

"That don't matter now. You are going to pretend for one damn day that you're head over heels for her. See if he's willing to fight for her."

"He will. He's been crazy over her for ages."

"Crazy over her. Well, I guess that's a start. But is it enough to make him stand up for her?"

Austin and Granny worked out a plan between them. Granny called my aunt and convinced her to ask Austin when he planned to marry me.

That's their plan? I had to pretend to want to marry Austin?
Oh god.
Could I do that? Make people believe I wanted Austin, after being with Jake. A wave of nausea rushed over me and I sank down on the steps and inhaled several deep, ragged breaths.

Austin sat next to me and pulled me into his arms. "I'm sorry if I made you feel bad about yourself in any way. I really do care about you. I'm just not
in
love with you."

"I'm not in love with you either."

"Good. It'd be awkward if you're with Jake and in love with me."

I laughed.
He was such a damn goof.

"Now to make this work, y'all gotta look like you are more interested in each other than that. Ain't nobody gonna believe the two of you can't keep your hands off each other."

"She's right. We never did have that problem though, did we?" Austin asked, his eyes searching mine.

"No," I whispered. We hadn't. Even when our friends paired up, and couldn't wait to rip clothes off, getting busted having sex in cars, closets, everywhere, Austin and I never did. I couldn't believe it took me so long to see it. It explained so much about our relationship. Maybe when we stopped trying to force things into the wrong roles, it would seem more natural between us again.

"He will fight for you, Laney. If he doesn't, I'll kick his ass," Austin attempted to reassure me. "He really is crazy over you. You should have seen him last night after your argument."

I just nodded. My phone buzzed and I dropped it before I could read the text. I picked it up with shaky fingers.

Jake: Do you still want to do something today?

"Tell him that you'll meet him after we have lunch, so say one, at Free Will Games. He knows I like to hang out there, so he'll assume you have spent all morning cuddled up to me."

My hand trembled so much I couldn't type. Austin took the phone from my hands and sent the message for me. "So, how about that lunch then?"

I got him to follow me home, so I could drop my mom's car off and we headed to the thriving metropolis that was downtown Free Will. The arcade had always been my favorite spot in town—
not
. My eye hand coordination was virtually non-existent, so anything requiring more precision than Candy Crush Saga or Angry Birds never worked out so well for me. I'd have rather went to see a movie or even rode go-karts at Zippy's.

Still, we killed a couple hours there. Austin playing, me just watching. A friend from high school, Patrick, was now managing the arcade, so we caught up a bit while Austin played.

After a short conversation, Patrick had to get back to work. He was the type to never leave Free Will. Too bad really, he was a great guy. I hoped he'd find the girl of his dreams one day, which could be hard to do in a town this size.

I'd always known Austin wasn't the man of my dreams. We'd never fit and I'd allowed him to make me miserable. I vowed to myself to be more vocal on my likes and dislikes with Jake, if things worked out. It's as much my fault as Austin's that he drug me to the arcade all the time. I'd never said how much I hate it.

One o'clock finally rolled around. The electronic torture was over, hallelujah. I stumbled out of the arcade into the bright sunlight. Damn, it was freaking bright outside. Austin laid a hand on my back to steady me. I had to face Jake now. The butterflies in my stomach sped by like a dog that got out of the fence, dodging this way and that, as fast as possible. I struggled to hold back a gag.

Jake had parked next to us. Leaned against the Jeep, arms crossed, he'd drawn the attention of a swarm of teenage girls. I wanted to poke their eyes out for staring at him. But he's so damn sexy, how could I blame them? The jealous anger helped push aside some of the nervous butterflies fluttering about in my stomach.

He looked our way and stood up straight. He looked tense. I expected a confrontation. Austin called out a greeting. Jake only nodded.

"Play the part," Austin whispered, before spinning me into his arms.

I wrapped my arms around him, and, thank God, my back was to Jake. My face curled into a look of revulsion before I could tap it down. Austin's lips were on mine, his tongue asking for entrance to my mouth. But I couldn't do it. I couldn't let him deepen the kiss. Breaking the kiss, I buried my face in his chest, whispering, "I'm sorry."

Chapter Thirty-eight
 

Austin stepped away from Laney and got in the truck without a word. He backed away, waving, and left the lot before I spoke. "Have a good morning?"

My teeth clenched so tight, I might crack a tooth. I didn't try to touch her yet. I wasn't sure I could think straight if I did. And we needed to talk.

"It was fine. Have you eaten? We didn't get lunch, so I'm starved."

I shook my head no and offered her my hand. She looked at it for a second too long, so I withdrew my hand, feeling a bit rejected. I swallowed down the lump in my throat and stuffed my hands in my pockets.

"Japanese okay?" I asked. When she nodded, we walked toward the Japanese restaurant across from the arcade.

I asked for a regular table. I loved hibachi. But it's loud and not at all private. Once we were seated, I sighed. "We still have today together. Austin should give me extra time since he keeps getting between us."

"I don't want to drag this out any longer. I don't want the two of you fighting over me. Damn, you almost dislocated my shoulder yanking on me yesterday!"

"I apologized for that already. Do you want me on my knees groveling? What more can I say beyond I'm sorry. It won't happen again. I never meant to hurt you." I buried my face in my hands. Fuck. I sounded like some abusive asshole just making excuses. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt Laney. I swallowed down a big lump in my throat. When I spoke again, my voice was low. "I knew I'd screw this up."

"I'm not trying to rub your nose in your mistake. But it can never happen again. You can't grab me and yank me around like that. Ever."

I looked up then, my emotions a mess. "It won't."

"Well, alright then."

We ate quietly. I paid. When I reached for her hand, this time she let me take it. I unlocked the Jeep and turned her into my arms. "I thought I'd show you where I spend a lot of time when I'm here in Free Will." My lips were on hers before she could ask where that was or protest my actions. A wolf-whistle from someone across the parking lot kept me from deepening the kiss. "You make me forget where I am, Laney. A man could get lost in your kisses and never even mind."

I pointed the Jeep north and we drove to the outskirts of town. I pulled into an empty gravel lot to park. "I never understood why more people didn't come up here. But for someone who always liked having a lot of solitary time, I've been grateful that Free Will chose to ignore this place."

Spring's always been my favorite season with all the blooming plants, the chirps of baby birds, temperatures warming up. It was a wonderful day to be out enjoying nature. We headed down a partially washed out path.

Laney slid down a little embankment, straight into me.

"If you want to be in my arms that bad, all you have to do is ask. You don't have to tackle me," I murmured. I laid on the ground beneath her, but I was fine with how we landed.

Chapter Thirty-nine
 

One of his hands slid under my T-shirt to caress my back. The roughness of his hands sent shivers up my spine. The dappled light filtering through the canopy of spring leaves flickered as the wind blew, almost like candlelight. The firm muscles of his chest beneath my hands felt like home. I bent my head down toward his, and he rose up to meet me. Our lips met in a gentle brush at first, before deepening into a slow and sensual dance. Not urgent, not even sexual at that moment, but intimate all the same. This kiss was raw, emotional.

I loved this.

I loved him. It was not just lust. I was in love with Jake. He was the one I have dreamed of finding. The salt to my pepper, the Papaw to my Granny.

The thought flickered through my mind to tell him he was my only choice, but the passion in his kiss swept it away. I should tell him that I'd been his from that first kiss, that he'd ruined me for all others. But I clung to him and savored his taste. I enjoyed the sensation of his lips on mine.

He broke the kiss and I nuzzled my face into his chest. I concentrated on holding back a sob. It's not even been two weeks. Was it even possible to fall in love that fast? I'd never believed so before. But, what else could this be? The utter bliss when his lips meet mine, the euphoric rush I got when his hand brushed against me, could only be love. If he didn't return my feelings, this love left me vulnerable.

Jake not wanting me would hurt so much more than when Austin cheated. If Granny's plan didn't work, if he didn't care about me enough to fight, my heart would break. My breath caught in my throat and I swiped at my eyes to keep the tears from falling.

"Hey, are you crying? Did you hurt yourself when we fell?" Jake rolled us so that I was on my back, with him leaning over me. The concern in his eyes was too much. I sobbed, and laughed, shaking my head no, all at the same time. His look of concern morphed into one of confusion. I'm sure he thought I was crazy.

He tried again, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, just a realization that took me by surprise, that's all." Was I ready to tell him I love him? He hadn't said it yet. Yeah, he seemed upset when he thought I might pick Austin, but the word love had never been mentioned. Not love, not falling in love, nothing of the like. His friends had said it, but they could just be teasing him. I couldn't trust that as absolute truth.

What if I said it, and he laughed? No, he wouldn't laugh. Jake was seriously in to me. I knew that. It's the strength of his commitment I was unsure of.

He tugged a lock of my hair, grinning at me. When our eyes met, he looked straight to my soul. "What's that? Did you realize that my brother is an idiot, and you can't live without me?"

"Something like that," I whispered.

He kissed me again. "Good, I would hate to think we weren't on the same page. I'm crazy about you, Laney."

Crazy about me? Well, it's not an admission of love, but I'd take it.

Extracting his limbs from mine, Jake stood and dusted himself off. He helped me up off the ground, and we continued down the path toward who knows what. He'd never said where he's taking me. The path split, and he followed the path to the right. The narrow path wasn't wide enough for us to walk side by side, so I fell in behind him. Couldn't say that I minded, the view from back here was damn yummy.

Those jeans he wore, I needed to find him a dozen more pair. I wondered if I could convince his boss that Jake could only wear these jeans from now on. Because, oh my goodness, did they make his ass look fine!

"The path will widen up here in a sec," he called back over his shoulder.

"It's fine if it doesn't, I'm loving the view."

He jerked to a stop and spun to look at me. The smile on his face made me glad I voiced that thought aloud. "Yeah?" he finally asked.

"Oh yeah. I'm buying stock in whatever company makes those jeans."

He snorted before turning back down the path. By the time we reach the widened part of the path, I was smack dab in the middle of a luscious daydream that involved getting him out of those jeans. The blush on my face when he turned around gave me away. The self-confident grin made me even hotter for him.

I couldn't tell you which of us moved, but we came together. Our lips pressed together, bodies close, and passion overtook us. His tongue danced against mine, and everything around us disappeared. He was my entire world in that moment.

Ragged breathing drowned out the chirping birds. Jake moaned against my lips, and his hands slid down me. Grasping my behind in his hands, he lifted me up against him. On tiptoe, I pressed as close to him as I can. Lust lapped at me like a flame, and I burned for him.

He pulled back, his voice hoarse as he told me there was somewhere a bit more private a few minutes from here. Grabbing my hand, he almost drug me down the path. Unsteady legs carried me along with him.

I felt naughty for even thinking about what I hoped would happen when we found that privacy. I'd always been the good girl, always following the rules. But today, given the chance, I was going to be bad. And I planned to be good at it.

We came up to a small lake, more of a pond really. A walkway with a covered bridge crossed over the stream of water feeding into the lake. He tugged me toward the walkway. That bridge must be what he had in mind.

When we got up on the bridge, he let go of my hand and rushed into the interior of the bridge. The light coming through disappeared, and I called out in concern.

"Just latching the door."

"They latch?"
Oh, please let me have heard that right!

He nodded and yanked me up against him. "Come inside, so I can latch this one. Won't stop anyone real determined, but at least we'll hear them if they try to get in."

I moved inside and allowed him to pull the doors closed. Wood rubbing against wood seemed erotic. Darkness crowded the small space, tiny bursts of light peeking through here and there. The inky blackness of the interior completely engulfed Jake's face, but his hands grasp my hips.

Lifting me into his arms, he pressed me up against the wall of the bridge. His breathing quickened, and we were so close that it's as if he pulled the air straight from my lungs. Arms around his neck, I brought our lips together. The minty taste of his gum invaded my mouth, along with his tongue. Spearmint would forever be a reminder of this moment.

I wriggled until I could pull my shirt free. His hands didn't fumble when he unfastened my bra or when he boosted me higher and took my nipple in his mouth. The scratch of the wood against my back became a delicious contrast to the soft, gentle touch of his lips.

I urged him to be rougher. I begged for more. He obliged. When he sat me down to take off his shirt, I stripped. My pants were off and I was undoing his by the time his shirt hit the floor.

There was no doubt in his mind that I wanted this—there couldn't be. My hands slid inside those fantastic jeans and shoved them ruthlessly from his hips. I dropped to my knees in front of him and helped him free his legs from his pants. When I kissed my way up his leg, he groaned my name.

When I took him into my mouth, he cried out. The salty taste of his skin aroused me even more. Moisture dripped from me. Jake tangled his fist in my hair and tugged me upright. Once I regained my feet, he murmured, "You are driving me crazy."

Good, now he knew how I felt all week.

He bent down and rummaged around for his pants. Pulling his wallet out, he got us protected.

Words were no longer necessary. Pleas for more, gasps of pleasure devolved into grunts and moans as he shoved me against the wall and thrust into me. It only took a few delicious motions of his hips to push me over the edge. My nails scratched his back when I clung to him, riding the waves of my orgasm. His movements became erratic. When he reached his peak, he growled out what I swear was "I love you."

He held me, still pressed against the rough oak wall while we regained our breath, his forehead a sweaty weight upon mine. "Damn, Laney," was all he could get out. His legs quivered as he struggled to stand there.

Maybe I should have protested and kept things from going this far today. But damn it, if this was my last day with Jake, so be it. I would savor each moment, each kiss, each embrace.

I buried my face in his neck and inhaled deeply. I tried to memorize the scent of his skin. I don't think he understood the power he held over me. If he rejected me tomorrow, I might shatter and be nothing more than memories blowing like leaves in the spring breeze.

He leaned away from me and dug around looking for something. His phone lit up and we used it as a flashlight to redress by. Silence surrounded us. After he dressed, Jake moved to unlatch the doors.

"I bet we aren't the only ones to have that idea," he said, a wide grin on his face. He pulled me into his arms again, "You okay with maybe hanging out here for a while? Alone time sounds good."

My nod of agreement earned me a tight hug. There were a few benches surrounding the pond. Jake led me over to one. He flopped down on it and drug me on top of him. He held me close with one arm, the other flung up over his eyes.

"Have you made your decision yet?" he choked out his question without looking at me.

I had, but I wanted to be sure it's the right one.

When I answered, I kept my answer neutral, "Not entirely. I'm still on the fence." His muscles hardened with tension beneath me. Was it cruel to do this? To not tell him he would be my choice, if I knew he wanted more than a fling. My resolve nearly broke at his sigh. That helpless exhale of breath made my heart ache.

"I shouldn't ask, but are you leaning my way at least?"

"I..."

Voices and laughter carried over the breeze to us, stalling our conversation. A group of hikers came down the path toward us. I sat up and wondered if my appearance screamed
'Jake just fucked the shit out of me in that covered bridge over there.'

He reached up and smoothed my hair some, so I must have. "You ready to head back?"

Hell no, but we should. Time was moving too fast. This could be it—my last moments with Jake. Oh, to slow the ticking clock, even for a moment. Since I hadn't developed magical abilities in the last few hours, I nodded to him and we started back toward the trail.

He called a generic greeting to the other hikers, but led me by without engaging them in conversation. "You want me to lead again? Or you remember the way?"

"You go first. Maybe I want to stare at your ass in those jeans a little longer." No maybe about it. His sexy grin, and the mischievous glint in his eyes, sent waves of desire crashing over me once more. Eyes darkening, nostrils flaring, Jake picked up on it. I was in his arms, his lips on mine, before I could blink. On tiptoe, I wriggled close to him, my hand clamping down on the back of his neck, pulling his head closer to mine. A whistle from across the clearing brought us back to reality. He ended the kiss and I buried my face in his chest in embarrassed laughter. He released me with a chuckle, and started up the narrow path.

Between that kiss, and the delicious jean-clad ass in front of me, it's surprising I could form coherent thoughts when we got back to the Jeep. A missed call from my mom, and a worried text, awaited my attention.

Mom: Are we going to see you this visit? You ok? Granny said you're upset.

"I need to spend some time with my parents. They haven't really seen me yet. Would you mind?"

He sighed, and I knew he had hoped we could be alone. But he said it was fine and smiled at me, a sad, little smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. The silence in the car became almost unbearable. My guilt nearly overwhelmed me when I allowed myself to contemplate what this was doing to him.