Everything I Wish For (Lupine Valley #5)

7. Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

Brad

Monday morning I head to my parent’s house to grab my old man after my shift so we can hang Lauren’s Christmas lights.

I walk into the kitchen and am greeted by the scent of Momma’s cinnamon rolls and freshly brewed coffee. In this house, cinnamon rolls mean one thing: Momma has something she needs to tell you, or something she already knows and wants to hear from your mouth.

“Momma, why do we have cinnamon rolls?” I raise my brows, staring at her before giving her a hug.

“Because, I know you and that girl are lyin’ to me right through your teeth about dating. I know those feelings are real, but you have not been datin’ her.” She puts her hands on her hips, spatula still in her hand.

“Shit. Momma,” I start to plead with her.

She whacks the side of my head with her spatula. “No cussin’ in my house, baby. And don’t worry I didn’t say nothin’. Y’all’s secret is safe with me.” She serves me a steaming cinnamon roll at the table and a fresh cup of coffee. “As long as you don’t chicken out and finally tell this girl how you feel. I’ve been watchin’ you two long enough. Get to gettin’.” She serves my old man, and herself before sitting to join us at the table.

I look to my Dad for some help.

“Sorry son, you’re alone on this one. You know better than to try to lie to your Momma.” He digs in with his fork and eats the cinnamon roll faster than I’ve seen in years to avoid any confrontation with her. “Besides, I agree with her this time. Time to get over whatever guilt you’re hangin’ on to.”

“Thanks old man.” I roll my eyes.

“You got it, son.” He chuckles.

“I just need to know, why is she lyin’ to Maryanne?” Momma asks me.

“She was trying to set her up with another blind date, only this one would be for over a week, not just a night, and at her brother’s wedding. In front of her entire family and all their friends. She’d be a spectacle. We all know how that last blind date went.”

Momma winces at the memory. Lauren was here shortly after for a family dinner and recanted her whole blind date story to Momma in the kitchen over chocolate cake.

“When will that woman learn to let her baby be?” she asks no one in particular.

Dad and I laugh, because Momma is just as bad with meddling in my life. Thankfully I’m always too busy for a blind date. But it doesn’t mean she hasn’t offered.

“Oh hush you two. Finish those rolls, and put your plates in the sink. I’m off to the diner for book club.” Momma kisses both Dad and I on the tops of our heads before grabbing her book and heading out to the diner.

Book club is just another excuse for gossiping and pie.

“So, son, what is the plan?”

“I just need to grab the ladder from the garage. Lauren laid all the outdoor lights out for us last night in the living room,” I answer him, pulling out my phone to show him the specifically labeled photo Lauren sent me.

“Last night, huh?” He raises his eyebrows at me.

“Oh stop it old man, you know I was on shift. Don’t go turning into Momma.” I put the phone on the table for him to look at. “This is what she’s laid out for us.”

“Looks like we better get to gettin’ then.” He nods his head before standing to bring both our dishes to the sink. I follow with my coffee cup.

Silently we load up the ladder and head over to Lauren’s house to start the masterpiece she has envisioned.

Dad has never been a man of many words, but we work well together in silence. Dancing around each other, instinctively knowing what the other needs. So when he says my name halfway through hanging lights on the edge of the roof, I’m a little caught off guard.

“Son, I just—you know I don’t like to get involved in your life too much, but don’t get hurt with Lauren, and don’t hurt her either,” he says simply. “You’ve got to stop beatin’ yourself up over that other girl. She’s taken care of, she’s married, and she’s happy. She’s learned to live, now it’s your turn.”

“I’m going to try, old man. I’m going to try my best. I have to, or I think I might lose her for good after this.”

He nods in response and holds out the Christmas lights to me so we can finish this section before adding the wreath she likes to hang on the garage door.

We finish decorating without any more discussion about Lauren and I, thank God.

We stand at the end of the driveway and Dad hits my shoulder. “Looks mighty good son. We did good. Earned some lunch at the diner, don’t ya think?”

“Sure did, old man. I’m buying.”

“Course you are.” He laughs and hops in the passenger side of my truck.

Shaking my head, I join him, knowing damn well that man will pay before I can even sit down in the booth. I’m pretty sure Darlene would rather not charge us rather than let me pay over him instead of pissing him off.

Lauren: The lights look so good! Thank you so much for making my Christmas dreams come true.

Me: I couldn’t let Lupine Valley down. Your house is the prime stop.

Lauren: I’m definitely going to win again thanks to you guys. kiss emoji

Me: Anything for you, L

Lauren: Anything? I might need to keep that in my back pocket. winking emoji

I don’t know how we got here so quickly, but we leave for Florida tomorrow.

Lauren has been a nervous wreck all week. Quizzing me on everything about our fake relationship, as if I don’t know everything there is to know about her. Well, everything but the map of her body I’d love to learn.

Since we had dinner at Momma’s house, she’s gotten all too used to the physical touches I’ve been giving. She’s even started initiating the touches, and if I were a betting man, I’d say the guilt was lessening. But I’m not a betting man.

“Brad! This suitcase is empty!” Lauren bellows from my room.

I walk down the hallway of my apartment with a Coke for me, and a Diet Coke for her.

“You don’t need to yell, woman. I’m right here. And isn’t that why you’re here? To make sure I pack everything that I need? You are my girlfriend after all.” I smile smugly and hand her the soda.

“Bradley Robertson. If you for one second think that with me as your girlfriend you wouldn’t need to do anything around the house you should just stop pretending now. Because my parents are going to see right through that!” Wow, she’s wound tighter than I thought.

She stands over my suitcase, bouncing between the pile of clothes I picked, and the pile she picked as she places things in my suitcase.

I walk up behind her, wrap my arms around her middle and nuzzle into her neck.

“L, you need to chill out. I’ve known you half my life. I know everything there is to know about you. Even that little tattoo of a Lupine on your upper ass cheek that you think no one knows about.”

She whips around in my arms so she’s facing me, and before she can yell at me about the tattoo comment, I cover her mouth with mine. Picking her up, I place her on the bed next to the suitcase, and wrap my hands around her shoulders. Kneading the tight knots from the stress and tension she’s been experiencing since she told her Mom we’re fake dating. The more knots I get, the more she moans, and the more my cock takes notice.

I awkwardly pull back. “Feel better now?”

“I think so. What were we doing?” She looks up at me through her eyelashes, her voice low and sultry, much more relaxed than before.

I laugh, “You were stressing over which shorts I would need for our first vacation as a couple.”

“Oh right. Um, maybe you don’t need any?” She bites her bottom lip, her eyes drifting down to the bulge in my pants.

“I mean that sounds good to me, but I think your daddy would have something to say about me walking around naked. I’ve seen how he treats your dates, and I don’t think I’ll be spared.” I cringe at the thought. Her daddy is a tough man to convince you’re good enough for his baby girl.

“Right.” She goes back to sorting through the clothes again, only this time with a smile on her face. And fuck if it doesn’t feel good that I’m the reason she’s smiling now.

“So. I know we didn’t really talk about that but maybe we should. I mean what do you want?” she asks timidly.

“You,” I answer straight.

“Come on, Brad. Be serious.” She looks at me sternly.

“I am. I’m yours for the taking, L. Want me to implement a no pants rule in the hotel? Because I can.”

“I don’t know why I try to be serious with you.” She rolls her eyes. “But I think a no pants rule is a good idea.” The cheeky smile that spreads across her face lets me know she’s on exactly the same page as me when it comes to her body. Now I just need to get my own head there too.

“Okay, rule is set. No pants allowed in the hotel room.

I jump on the bed covering her with my body. Her back is naturally arched, pushing her body into mine with the pile of clothes underneath her, and I take full advantage of her spread legs. I reach between our bodies and hold onto her thigh. Her thin leggings don’t leave much for my imagination that’s running wild.

“Brad—what are you doing?” She pulls her mouth away from mine.

“Practicing. Plus you’re still a little stressed out. I know just what will take the edge off. Do you trust me?” I put my mouth back on hers.

“Completely,” she whispers so quiet I almost don’t hear her.

I move my hand up between her thighs and rub the sensitive spot through her leggings.

“Oh, shit, I didn’t think you were… I mean…you don’t have to…fuck. Don’t stop.” She mumbles out incoherently. She grinds into my hand, urging me on.

I slip my hand beneath her leggings, and she’s so fucking wet for me.

I rub her clit before slipping two fingers inside her. “That’s it, gorgeous.” I coax her on.

“Brad.” She pants, ready to come for me.

I slide her leggings down a little to find that this little siren has a surprise in store for me. “Really, L? No panties?”

“I don’t like the lines under my leggings.”

I groan at the fact that I now know when she’s wearing leggings, there’s absolutely nothing underneath.

I drag my fingers back up to her clit. Circling it, rubbing, creating the perfect friction for her. I trail kisses along her exposed collarbone as she claws at my back.

Her legs wrap around my waist as I thrust my fingers inside her, alternating with rubbing her clit. She’s moaning louder now, writhing faster under me, she’s so close. I pinch her clit lightly.

“Come for me, L.” I whisper into her ear.

She listens immediately. I keep circling her clit, making sure I get every ounce of that orgasm out of her.

“Good girl.” I remove my hand, and lick my fingers before kissing her once more. “Mmm. Nothing’s ever tasted better than you, L.”

When she’s limp in my arms, I pull her up to me so we’re standing beside the bed again. “I think that was great practice for no pants in the hotel room. Are you okay?”

“Mmm.” She moans with a smile on her face. “Maybe we could practice one more time?” Her finger lazily drags down my chest and catches on the waistband of my pants.

I groan. “As much as I’d love to, it’s going to have to wait. And trust me that kills me. But we need to hurry up if we’re going to meet everyone on time at The Bar.”

We are meeting everyone for dinner and drinks, then sleeping at Lacey and Colton’s house. They’re nice enough to drive us to the airport at four in the morning. And Lacey’s mom, Lorelei, was generous enough to keep their kids for the night.

“Oh, shit. I totally forgot.” She throws the pile of clothes I picked, and one outfit from the pile she picked into my suitcase and zips it up. “I guess I can trust you. If not, we’ll just go shopping.” She grins, and I groan. I hate shopping.

I grab the suitcase off the bed, and bring it out to my truck.

“Are Willow and Gunnar coming? Last I talked to Gunnar they weren’t sure if they were going to make it back in time.” Gunnar and Willow are in Nashville, working with her non-profit. I never thought Willow would be happy, but when she moved home and started working at The Bar it took all of a week before she and Gunnar were throwing serious sexual tension. They give me hope.

“Yeah, Willow texted the group this morning that they’re back in town. Gunnar will probably be working though to give Bennett the night off.” She tells me as we load into my truck.

“So since we’re out in public, we’re going to have to sell the whole couple thing again. Even though all our friends know it’s fake, we still need the rest of the town to believe it.” She points out as I put the truck in drive.

“Right. No problem. Do what we always do, only this time I’m allowed to touch you,” I wink at her.

“Maybe save the theatrics for later too.” She raises her eyebrow in a nod to my kiss at the diner.

“Oh later, huh? You got plans to sneak into my room later?”

“Oh, my God, not what I meant at all! Was touching me one time like a golden ticket to a one track mind of sex and only sex?” She swats my hand that’s resting on her leg.

“L, my mind’s always been there, I just never voiced it.” I can see her blush in the moonlight, and turn away so she doesn’t have to face me after my admission.

We park on the street in front of The Bar, and I’m thankful it’s still cold. When it’s cold most of the troublemakers stay home. Even though I’m off duty, if I’m at The Bar, I always keep my head on a swivel for trouble.

We walk in, the blast of heat hitting our faces, and I spot the rest of the crew over at the corner table in the back, our unofficial table. I guide Lauren over with my hand on the small of her back.

“Oh yeah, you’re fake dating.” Preston rolls his eyes at us.

“For now.” Colton elbows Preston in the ribs and they both laugh at us.

“Ugh, who ordered me a margarita?” Lauren asks the girls, taking her seat at the table. “I haven’t had enough alcohol to deal with you all yet.”

I slide into the seat next to her when Bennett comes over to take our orders. Shortly after he delivers my beer and Lauren’s margarita.

“So, Florida tomorrow huh?” Porter asks.

“Yup. I’ve never been to the Keys so I’m excited, especially to experience it with my girl.” I wrap my arm around Lauren’s shoulders and pull her in close.

“And my nosey family,” Lauren adds with a pout.

“You think that you can pull this off?” Gunnar asks us.

“I think so. I mean everyone always thinks we’re dating anyways and our moms want it more than anyone else, so I think they’d be willing to overlook any red flags that might give off the fact that we’re lying.” Lauren shrugs, but I know she’s nervous. I’d be happy to deliver another relaxing orgasm though.

“Please, these two could beat us at any couple’s games. They know each other like the back of their hands.” Lacey comes to our rescue. “They should have been together since high school.” She throws a wink my way.

“Even I knew they should have been together and I was only in middle school then.” Willow chimes in.

“Guys. Stop. We’re best friends and we don’t want to ruin that,” Lauren says.

Fuck if that isn’t a gut punch. I was feeling pretty good up until now.

“Maybe if you two weren’t so—” Adelaide chimes in, but Porter cuts her off, saving me.

“Hey, look! Kayla is here with her friends. Let’s go say ‘hi.’” Porter stands up to greet his niece here for the teen night in the back room.

“Oh please, you know she doesn’t want us bothering her.” Adelaide waves him off and pulls him back down to the booth. But his distraction works and the group moves on from Lauren and me.

After a couple of hours with our friends we bundle back up and head to Lacey and Colton’s house for the night. I grab our bags and bring them in the house behind Lauren.

“I’m sorry we only have one extra bed, unless you want the toddler bed, but the couch is pretty comfortable.” Lacey says to me, Colton’s grimace behind her tells me otherwise.

“No worries. We just appreciate the ride tomorrow morning,” I pat the back of the couch, how bad can one night be?

Lauren takes her bag from me and says “goodnight” to everyone, going upstairs to go to bed. Lacey stays downstairs even after Colton goes up too.

“Hey, can I talk to you for a second?” Lacey asks quietly.

I sit on the couch, her on the other end. “Sure. What’s up?”

“Do you like Lauren? Like, really like her? And yes, I know how immature that sounds.” She rolls her eyes at her own question.

“No. I don’t.” She sucks in a breath, and a scowl begins to cover her face. “I love her,” I add. “I’ve loved her as long as I can remember.”

“Then why have we always danced around your feelings?” A valid question.

“She would never stay and be happy with a guy like me,” I answer as honestly as I can. “There are things that even you two don’t know, things that plague me with guilt day in and day out. I’ve always just been the best friend, and a huge part of me doesn’t want to ruin what we have.”

“Brad,” she reaches out to touch my hand, “I won’t betray her confidence, or force you to tell me something you obviously keep buried, but make your move. I promise it’ll be worth it.” She winks at me and stands up to leave.

“Lace, you can’t just say that and walk away.”

“Sure I can, stop dancing around it. Just tell her how you feel.” With that she leaves me and walks upstairs.

Shit. Now I’ll never sleep. I put the blanket down on my makeshift bed for the night and lay down.

I toss and turn for about two hours. The guilt I often feel when it comes to Lauren starts to creep in. The familiar feeling. Knowing that the group is over us pretending we don’t have feelings for each other, the reminder from earlier that I still have this huge secret from her. It’s too much tonight after being with our friends together for the first time.

My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of bare feet coming down the stairs. I look up to see Lauren coming into the living room.

“I can’t sleep, I feel too bad that I’m in a king size bed and you’re down here on the tiny couch.” She comes to stand next to me. I move my legs back on the couch so she can sit next to me for a minute.

“It’s not that bad. Go back to sleep, we have a long day tomorrow.”

“I can’t. Please go sleep upstairs. I’ll stay down here.”

“Nope. Go. Sleep.” I say, closing my eyes to show her I mean business.

“Brad, please.”

I ignore her, and add in fake snoring for effect.

“Okay, fine. If you won’t let me take the couch, just come share the bed. I’ll lie and tell Lace we had a pillow wall.” I shift again, and get stabbed by something sharp from within the couch.

I pull out a plastic dinosaur, more specifically a triceratops, from underneath me, “Okay, that sounds like a deal,” I say laughing, putting the toy on the coffee table.

Lauren leads the way upstairs, and into the guest room. When we both climb into bed, she goes all the way to her edge, I do the same. But fuck if that pull to hold her close isn’t strong.

We’ve shared a bed before, but I feel like after what happened earlier, she’s purposely moving farther away despite her bravado about the no pants rule and a second round of practice. Putting an actual physical distance between us.

Between this and her comment at the bar tonight, I’m really second guessing everything Lacey said before she came to bed. The guilt is worming its way into the small crevices of hope I’ve allowed myself to feel.