Riley's Pond (New Adult Romance) (27 page)

Dad’s arms were a fortress around my body, shielding me from all the monsters pulling my world apart. I dropped my backpack and clenched his body to mine so tight I swore his badge would be forever imprinted on my chest. The clock on the mantle loudly ticked each second as I cried in my father’s embrace. If I wasn’t mistaken, I swore his shoulders shook with mine.

My mother’s soft touch settled both our souls. “Hey, what’s wrong with my guys, huh?” She rose on her tiptoes and stole a kiss of my father’s cheek. “Stan, remember what it was like to be eighteen and in love. Riley’s head and heart aren’t communicating right now, so show some compassion.”

Then she turned to me, holding out her hand. “Your keys, young man.”

“I’m eighteen, you can’t—”

“You’re still in high school and living under our roof,” she clarified, talking over me. “Age is not a factor in this case and you’re in no frame of mind to make any decisions.” She snapped her fingers impatiently and I handed her my keys. “School starts next week and Jaxson ships out. Life goes on, Riley. You can’t stop the world and get off when something bad happens. I’m sorry for Taylor, really I am, but you are
my
priority. For now, you’re going to have to trust your father to handle things.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but realized it proved useless. My mother seldom interfered, leaving Dad to play the “heavy,” so her playing the part now, plus knowing everything she’d been through this past year with Jaxson, I owed her.

For the first time in my life, I felt miles past helpless…I felt
hopeless.

Twenty-Six

ATONEMENT

Jaxson

My palms felt sticky. I checked my breath against my hand, grateful I’d given up my nasty smoking habit, but craving a whole pack at the moment. My feet shuffled again over the doormat and I finally mustered enough courage to ring the doorbell.

I was shocked Ally agreed to see me, but I couldn’t leave without at least saying goodbye…beg forgiveness…profess my undying love.

A breath lodged somewhere in my chest when the door opened.

“Hey, Jax.”

“Ally. You, uh, look great. No,
beautiful.
Um, could I come in? I’m dying here. Please?”

Her body moved with the door, pressing against the wall and allowing me passage. I followed her into her father’s study. The room never ceased to amaze me with built-in shelves on every wall and books lined up tightly, alphabetically categorized just like the city library. A set of open architect plans stretched over the top of the massive oak desk—the new strip mall slated for construction next spring.

I traced the angular lines of the proposed entrance with my finger. “Impressive. Your dad’s done a good job.”

“He’d like to think so. I just hope they bring some good stores in. Your mom’s place is the only decent shop in town.”

“Her friend, Pam, buys the stuff. She lives in New York and keeps up on the popular trends.”

An uncomfortable silence took over. I moved from behind the desk, closing out the space between us, but when I tried to touch her, she stepped out of my reach.

“Ally?”

She walked to the floor length windows on the other side of the room. Something in her body language told me I wasn’t allowed to follow. Keeping her back to me, she offered an explanation for her standoffish behavior. One that blindsided me.

“Jax, I’m with Brandon, now. We’re even talking about maybe getting married in June.”

I dropped my eyes when she turned to face me, not wanting her to see the tears forming. “Oh,” I responded, almost inaudible. When her shadow threatened to cover me, I assumed my stalwart stance, minus the salute. However, the whine in my voice didn’t match my posture.

“Brandon?
Why
? He’s a player, Ally. He’ll end up cheating on you.”

“Like someone else we both know?”

“I
never
cheated on you that way.”

“So there’s
degrees
of infidelity? Some more acceptable than others? You let a teenage girl give you a blow job, Jax!”

“
No,
I didn’t! She tried, but I wouldn’t let her. You’ve got to believe me, Ally.”

“Believe you.” Stated, not questioned. Her arms crossed over her chest. “I don’t think so, Jax. Been there done that, remember? Like I said. We’re done.”

“Yeah, I heard you. Tell me, sweetheart, is it different going down on Brandon?”

“Get out!” she screeched, throwing a book from the corner of the desk at me.

I paused in the doorway, moving slightly to avoid the second literary projectile aimed my direction. “Don’t worry, I’m out of here. You can have your miserable life, Ally. You and Brandon deserve each other.”

My reflexes were right on. I whirled around and clenched her wrists, stopping her fake nails from raking across my face. Lost in my seething jealousy, I dropped one last bombshell.

“Oh, and by the way, let me give you an engagement present. Your ‘truly beloved’? He was in the backseat the night of the accident letting Shar Richards get him off while I fought the demon child in the front seat. I’m surprised she didn’t bite his dick off when Kaylee jerked the wheel and slammed the marquee.”

Her arms went limp. I regretted my immature and hurtful revelation when I saw the pain in her eyes. “Sorry. That was cruel. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“Is it true?”

“Yeah. But, no one knows. I didn’t want Brandon, or even the girls to get in trouble, so I took the blame. Please don’t say anything. It’s over now.”

I released my grip and she stepped back.

“Brandon owes you. I could care less what happens to the ‘baby bitches’. Sorry, Jax, I just assumed…”

“It’s okay. I’ve heard the rumors.” I opened the front door and stepped onto the porch. “I ship out in three days. I only wanted to stop and say goodbye. I also wanted to say I love you and apologize for being an asshole the whole time we’ve been going out.”

“You weren’t an asshole the whole time,” she smiled.

Her kiss was soft, but quick, and not followed by an invitation for another. “Take care, Jax. Come home safe. You’re family needs you.”

“What about you, baby? Will you ever need me again?” I already knew the answer and the tear rolling over her cheek and dropping off the frown on her lips, confirmed it. “Guess not. All the same, I want you happy, Ally. With Brandon, or whoever. Be happy.” I hugged her tight and kissed her cheek. “Take care.”

**

I pulled into the driveway, buried my head in the gym T-shirt I’d left on the back seat, my tears reviving a sweaty stench. Riley dropped into the passenger seat, surprising me.

“Your dick fall off, ‘Nancy’?” he jibed, poking fun at emotional state.

I looked over at Riley whose eyes were also rimmed red. “What’s your bra cup size up to ‘Alice’?” I retorted.

“Size C. I’m growing big ones.”

“God, we’re pathetic.” I regarded Riley when he didn’t have a flippant comeback. “You okay little bro?” He shook his head and looked away. “Riley, Dad’s got this you know that, don’t you? He won’t let you down.”

“He won’t let you down either, Jax.”

“I know. We’re damn lucky. Hell, I’m even going to miss the old man.” Riley remained too somber. I elbowed his shoulder. “But I won’t miss you.”

“Sure you will. The minute you say ‘Sir, yes Sir, Sergeant’ and spit on an officer, you’ll think of me,” he laughed.

My new lisp had become Riley’s favorite attack spot. I reached out to playfully punch him, but gathered him into my arms instead. We didn’t say anything, just clung to each other, shouldering each other’s burdens for a few seconds.

We parted, both of us flicking away wayward tears. I grabbed my crotch. “Just checking,” I teased.

“Hey,” Riley sighed. “Act surprised when you go around back. We’re celebrating your birthday, too, because you’ll be gone when it rolls around.”

“Ugh no!
Really
?”

“Yep. You’re getting the pony you always wanted.”

“Forever the smart-ass, aren’t you?”

“No, just smart. You do ‘ass’ much better.” He was out of the car before I could reach him.

Mom’s gaze over my shoulder when we rounded the side of the house looked confused. I couldn’t tell if she felt sad or relieved I hadn’t brought Ally back. However, my eyes left hers and met Brandon’s immediately. By the grimace on his face, he knew where I’d come from and the fact he didn’t have the balls to tell me, brought a rush of anger close to the surface.

Riley stepped beside me. I’d given him an overview of what happened at Ally’s as we walked to the back yard. “Well, this should get interesting. I’m not big on the whole advice thing, but remember Brandon’s been around a lot longer than Ally. Plus Mom will be majorly pissed if you spoil this for her. Keep your cool, Jax. You can duke it out with Brandon later.”

After some uncomfortable and not deserved praise for my so called
choice
to join the Army, we were allowed to eat. Somewhere between the baked beans and the grill steaming with steaks, Brandon cornered me.

“Jax, can we talk?”

“Nothing to talk about. Ally told me. Wish your gonads were bigger and you’d told me yourself. Shit, Brandon, we’ve been friends since third grade. I’ve covered your ass more than once. The least you could have done was tell me you were banging my girlfriend.”

“
Ex-
girlfriend.”

“Whatever, dude. We never made it official
.
By the way, I told her about the accident. Everything. Including Shar.”

Brandon paled and he yanked me away from any eavesdropping ears, although our private conversation in the corner of the deck met with more suspicion than if we’d kept arguing and spooning salads.

“Why the fuck did you do that?” he snarled.

“Relax. Believe it or not, Ally wasn’t that upset. Maybe she really does love you. But take my advice, keep your tongue in your mouth until you’re sure,” I laughed.

Suddenly, Ally being with Brandon didn’t hurt so much. I did love her with all my heart, but if she was happier with Brandon, then that’s what I really wanted for her. He would probably end up making a lot of money, winning her dad’s approval. Something I never achieved in the two years we dated.

“We okay, Jax?” he asked pensively.

“Just don’t hurt her, dude. I want her to be happy, so if you’re really my best friend, make it happen. Otherwise, I’ll kick your ass when I get back.”

**

The sun started its decent in the western sky, and any food not consumed had been stacked in the refrigerator. Brandon left to spend the evening with Ally, sending a jolt of jealousy straight to my broken heart. I dumped the trash and returned to the backyard, where Mom gave the Hendersons a tour of her rose garden while Dad paced, cell phone plastered to his ear.

In the distance, Riley slowly walked toward the thicket where the pond lay hidden. I reached into the tin tub of ice and pulled out a beer. Dad’s brows knitted.

“Don’t worry. I’m sure I’ve got a surprise pee test waiting in the morning. I don’t want anything but Mom’s lemonade on the dipstick.” I gestured toward the disappearing figure and my dad shook his head, his glower darkening. “Okay, then this
is
for me.” I pulled a long sip and stepped off the deck to follow Riley.

Waiting until he cleared the rise, I followed, undetected. I watched from atop the small hill as Riley skipped stones across the pond, sending sparkling ripples over water that resembled gold glitter with the setting sun peeking through the treetops.

“So what’s the record,” I asked, startling him.

He walked over to the tree where our pocket knives had carved the scores. “Hard to tell with the sap oozing out of the cuts. Looks like eleven, maybe? Has your initials by it, so it must be a lie.”

“Nothing here was ever a lie,” I stated.

We both stood in quiet reverence. Leaves rustled overhead and birds chattered in the pines at the far end of the pond.

A heavy breath escaped my lips. “I still can’t believe we made this. I remember how excited I’d get when school ended, knowing we’d spend the summer working on it. Damn those were the best summers.”

“Seems like a lifetime ago. When did life get so complicated, Jax?”

“When our dicks reacted to boobs. I swear girls are descendents of the Devil. They’re a fucking amusement ride—one you’re scared to death of, but when it’s over, you’re addicted.” I handed him the beer. “Here. Thought maybe you could use one.”

“Dad know?”

“Do you honestly care?”

“Not really.”

Riley took a couple of long pulls, then poured the amber ale into the dark green pond water.

“Hey, that’s my good stuff!” Dad brushed his pants off after he slid a few feet in the dirt. “Why are you pouring it out?”

“Christening the pond,” Riley replied.

“It’s going to a far more deserving place than the sewers of our fine city,” I joked.

Dad let out a long noisy breath, his neck craning to take in the surroundings. “Can’t believe I let you boys keep this death trap. Tried the rope swing once and damn near tweaked the ‘family jewels’ off.”

“You were
naked
?” We both shrieked. “EEWWEE!”

“Just because I’m over forty doesn’t mean I can’t relive some of my youthful memories.”

“I’m draining the pond,” Riley declared.

“Burn the rope swing while you’re at it,” I added. Both of us looked at each other, thinking the same thought.
Not touching it.

“All right, I’m joking. I didn’t swim naked in the pond for the same reasons you’re thinking. I figured you two had already done disgusting things in that water,” Dad laughed.

“Only Jax,” Riley proffered.

The joviality died as fast as it rose and Dad scratched the back of his neck, nervously shifting his feet. “Jax? I need to talk to Riley, privately.”

“No problem. See you back at the house.”

I’d loved to have been a beetle tucked under a rock to listen to their conversation. Judging by my father’s demeanor, Riley was in for some bad news. He should have finished the beer.