Succeeding Love

Pissing Contest

Feighlynn

A few minutes earlier….

“Damn, I could kiss you all night,” Vin groaned, running his lips from my chin, down my neck to the hollow of my throat. “I want to kiss you all night.” He stared up at me, like he was asking for permission. Permission to continue kissing me, or permission for more, I wasn’t sure, but I knew I wanted both.

I wanted both, especially the more , since Kate waxed my kitty last weekend, but I have tomorrow morning to worry about too.

“I should probably get some sleep tonight,” I whispered. “I, uh, I have to go to a game for Preston tomorrow, and it’s kinda a long drive.”

“Oh?” Vin pulled away, putting on a mask of restraint, though his eyes kept wandering to my lips. “Yeah. Yeah,” he looked like he was trying to clear his thoughts. “I, uh, should probably let you get to bed soon then, huh?”

“Well,” I bit my lip nervously, still holding tight to his neck so he wouldn’t make any moves to go. “What are you doing tomorrow?”

A slow grin lifted his kiss-swollen lips. “I have no plans. Why?”

“Then…..,” I looked down nervously, “do you, um, maybe want to go on a small road trip with me?”

His deep chuckles vibrated between us, and my breath caught in my throat from the look on his handsome face. He looked like I had just made all his dreams come true. “I would absolutely love to go on a road trip with you.” He leaned in towards me, a playful glint in his green eyes. He made me squeal as he bit my shoulder and squeezed my side at the same time. It tickled, but felt so good.

“It’s to San Antonio,” I said, after laughing and squirming away. “We…. we might need to stay overnight.”

“Even better,” he growled, burying his face in my neck. “I thought you were about to send me home.”

“No!” I giggled. “I’m just trying to bribe you for a free ride.”

“Oh yeah,” he laughed darkly, then tickled my sides again, making me buck and squirm wildly as I laughed. Then, his movements became more smooth and sensual. My center pressed firmly against him in a way that made me feel ticklish on the inside, too. “Fuck, you are so damn cute. So freaking adorable.” He grabbed my face in his large hands. “I really like you, Feighlynn.”

My face grew warm from his intense gaze. “I really like you too.” A nervous laugh left me, and it moved my body just enough to build the friction between us. He moaned deeply as I gasped.

“And I fucking love when you laugh,” he husked, before tickling my sides one more time. I bucked and squealed, but then his hands wandered to my butt and I let out a lusty moan instead.

I bit back my smile, glad that Vin didn’t find it weird when I asked him what he was doing tomorrow and if he was up for a brief road trip. I was nervous about asking all night, and almost didn’t, but then when he started kissing me and caressing my body, I just didn’t want this date to end.

As his lips traveled over my neck, nibbling and sucking on my skin, I felt desired, like never had before. This was something carnal, and I don’t know if I had ever felt this way with anyone. Not even with Nick.

Vin sucked harder on my neck, his tongue messaging my skin taunt in his mouth. He was sucking with a purpose. “You’re going to leave a mark!”

“Good,” he grunted.

“Not good,” I laughed softly, enjoying the way his tongue and lips felt on my skin. My eyes closed, absorbing every sensation. “I have to see other parents tomorrow at Preston’s game.”

“Since I’m going with you, I don’t see the problem.” His deep, rough voice was like a blanket falling over me, wrapping me in this warm feeling.

Oh, whatever. I have makeup if I need to cover any marks in the morning. The only problem I could really think of was Preston, since he is a bit overprotective and this will be my first time revealing that I’m dating our new neighbor from across the street. The one he thought was robbing poor Miss Velma.

I am dating Vin, right? This feels too great, too deep to be something casual. It’s not just casual for me, or a passing thing. I really like Vin. I like everything about him. I have never, ever felt this way before, and I want to take steps towards a relationship.

Hopefully, he does too.

Suddenly, Kevin barked excitedly several yards away. It wasn’t his playful bark, but his loud bark for when someone is at the door, or when he sees a cat.

I opened my eyes and looked up, then gasped when I saw what had my dog’s attention. Kevin was barking and jumping up on the last person I wanted to see tonight. “Nick?!”

Vin turned quickly, holding my hips in place to keep me on top of him as he peered back at my ex-husband. “Are you fucking serious?” he muttered under his breath, and I suddenly felt so sorry once again.

Why the heck does Nick keep showing up at the worst of times? I haven’t seen or heard much from him all week, but he just shows up when I’m on a date with Vin again?

“What are you doing here?“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice sounding a lot more unfriendly than usual because of my irritation.

Nick’s expression went hard for a second, glaring at Vin while muttering curses at my dog for jumping, but then his expression softened when he looked back at me. His eyes roamed my body and the lack of space between me and Vin. I saw so many emotions pass over his face in a few seconds. It was unnerving.

I suddenly felt uncomfortable with the position I was sitting in, feeling like he was judging me. Like he had the right to do so. I felt like someone had just caught me doing something wrong. I didn’t want to move away from Vin at all, but I slid down off his lap so I could emerge my body back into the water. I didn’t like being in a bathing suit straddling my date in front of my ex. Vin, to my surprise, moved with me, keeping a hand on my waist as we waded into the water. I guess he didn’t want to let me go, either.

Nick’s eyes narrowed at the action. “I’m sorry to interrupt, uh, whatever this is. Jessie sent me.”

“Jessie’s here with you?” I looked around behind him nervously, but it was just him standing in my backyard, waving his hands around while trying to ward off my dog, who was still jumping excitedly all over him.

“No, no. Damn it, dog, quit jumping!”

Vin sighed and swam to the edge of the pool, reluctantly letting me go. He whistled loudly. “Come on, Kevin. Come here, boy.” Doggy Kevin turned to look at Vin with his tongue flopping out of his mouth, crouching down on his front legs before lunging his body towards Vin. Vin caught him with a laugh, petted his ears and held tight to his collar, rubbing his face against Kevin’s snout. “Who’s a good boy? You’re such a good boy.”

Vin had on a smirk, and when I looked back at Nick, I suspected it had to do with the muddy paw tracks all over the front of Nick’s pants.

“Damn it,” Nick cursed, looking down at his clothes in frustration.

I tried not to roll my eyes, or voice that this is Kevin’s home and not his, so he shouldn’t get mad at my dog. I smiled apologetically at Vin, thankful for his help to make this a little less chaotic by getting my dog, then walked out of the pool towards the towels. I wrapped one around my body, then went to hand another to Nick.

“Here.” I pushed the towel out towards him, but he didn’t move right away to get it. His eyes were on me. There was such a deep sadness in them, it caught me off guard for a second.

“Thank you,” he said in a defeated tone, gently taking the towel from my hands.

“Yep,” I murmured. After giving him a minute to wipe the mess away, I asked him again, “What are you doing here, Nick? Is Jessie okay?”

He sighed, and his shoulders fell. He looked down at the crumpled towel in his hands for a long time before looking back at me. “It’s nothing. Really.” His eyes looked tired, with faint bags underneath. He looked skinnier, too. I guess that is to be expected. He has been dating a woman who religiously works out, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she motivated him to get in shape too.

“So, Jessie is fine?”

“Um, yeah. But, I just moved into the new place and can’t find anything yet. Boxes everywhere. Could I get clothes for her for the weekend in case we can’t find any?”

“Oh,” I had forgotten while getting ready for this evening about Nick moving today. Jessie and I texted a little after she got out of school either. She just let me know her dad picked her up. She usually packs clothes on Fridays though. I understand the boxes, but what she left the house with this morning shouldn’t be packed away. Oh, well. Maybe she just can’t find her backpack in the mess. Moving can be chaotic. “Yeah, sure. I’ll be right back.”

I looked back at Vin, and he gave me one of his lazy smiles that makes my heart race. If Nick’s presence still annoyed him, he was hiding it well. He was still holding onto Kevin and petting his neck to keep him still.

I sent up a silent prayer, hoping that leaving them alone for a few minutes would be alright as I walked away to get what he needed.

~

Vin

This asshole. Out of all the nights for this guy to show up, of course, it was tonight.

Annoyance, like a burning itch, spread over my skin when his eyes followed her every movement, lingering on her bare legs and the water dripping down her smooth skin. It hasn’t even been ten minutes since I decided beyond any doubt that this woman was mine, but I don’t know if my cheery little Lynn would be okay with me asserting that here.

When she was out of sight, gone into the house, he let out a heavy sigh and looked around at the setup for our date. His expression got more and more cross as he took everything in.

I couldn’t help myself.

“She planned all of this.” I let go of Kevin, who was much calmer now, and pulled my body up to get out of the pool. Lynn looked all cute stepping out of the pool the way she did, but cute wasn’t what I was going for here.

The guy had a distasteful expression as he glanced at me. “Excuse me?”

“Lynn. She planned this whole get up. She teased me all week about it. It was fucking adorable. I was just as surprised as you when she brought me back here. Well,” I huffed and smirked, “I’m sure the surprise was a little different.”

He wasn’t even trying to hide his hostility. Seeing the raw anger on his face made me smile more.

“Is there something you want to say to me?” he asked, his knicker clearly in a twist.

I shook my head, grabbing a towel and swinging it around my neck. “Not at all. Is there something you wish to tell me?” I couldn’t stop myself from grabbing a fork and taking a big bit of Feighlynn’s delicious enchiladas right out of the pan, smiling widely with a mouth full of food.

His eyes followed the action. “Actually, there is.” He squared his shoulders. “I don’t know what this is you two have going on, but Fay isn’t someone you can take advantage of, even if she’s living on her own. I will not let some thug exploit or hurt my wife.”

“Ex,” I reminded him, crossing my arms over my chest. “You keep forgetting that ‘ex’ right there. She’s your ex-wife, and I’m not exploiting anything. Well,” I smirked, looking down at the leftovers from dinner, “maybe her cooking skills, but I think she knows that.”

His fists clenched at his sides as he tossed away the dirty towel onto the pile of clean ones. “She is the mother of my children, and the woman I spent most of my adult life with. Two letters will not change my love or concern for her.”

“No?” I should probably keep my mouth shut and not escalate this further, but my possessiveness is blooming, as well as this desire for justice and the need to protect her from this scumbag. “Your cheating and leaving her for another woman sure changed her love for you.” I’m assuming that, but I’m sure I’m right. My Lynn didn’t look too pleased to see him here again tonight.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” he sneered.

“Maybe so,” I shrugged. “What I know is, that woman is fucking amazing, and there is nothing you can do that can scare me away from her. But, hey, I’m not one to do the same as what you are trying to do, so if you think your cheating love is enough to win her back, I won’t try to stop you. Just know I’m not going anywhere unless she wants me to.”

~

Nick

“You’re back already?” Jessie looked surprised as I walked back into the apartment, holding a pink bag with whatever Fay packed for our daughter.

I smiled sadly, feeling lower than I ever have before, but not wanting it to show for Jessie. “Your mom had company, so I just got you some things you might need and came back.”

“Company?” Jessie looked confused. “Was Aunt Kate over?”

“No, I sighed, walking to the kitchen to find the liquor bottle I had stashed in the freezer. “It wasn’t Katherine.”

“Then who?” Jessie pressed.

I placed a hand on the counter to keep myself steady as piping fiery anger coursed through me again. “Just a neighbor,” I gritted through my teeth.

“Huh,” Jessie murmured nervously, no doubt sensing my mood. She picked up the bag and twisted the handles in her hands. “So, we’re not going to Preston’s game tomorrow?”

That game. I had forgotten the reason for going over there in the first place because of the scene I had walked into. My wife kissing and getting groped on by some deviant-hoodlum. I’m going to have my secretary do a background check on him tomorrow. I’m sure I can call in a favor through Albert Milton at city hall on Monday too. I have this new neighbor’s address, so looking up his other information should be easy.

Jessie and standing anxiously, waiting for an answer.

“I think your mom already has a ride.”

“Oh.” She looked disappointed. If I told her exactly what it was her mother was doing, I’m sure she would be even more disappointed than she is now. I won’t be the one to tell her, though. That would ruin any chance of getting on Fay’s good side. “That’s too bad. I wanted to see Pres play.”

“I’m sorry, sweetie.”

Fay. My Feighlynn. That punk was calling her Lynn? That’s never been her nickname. Never or for anyone. She was always Fay. He acted all big and bad, like her house was his. He looked like some dumb dog, pissing all over what he thought was his territory. He can’t know her too well yet, or he would call her by her real nickname. Not something ridiculous like ‘Lynn’.

And damn it, and the way he was all over her. She had red marks all over her damned neck. He really might be part dog. He acted just like one. She already has one annoying dog. She doesn’t need two.

I poured the bourbon into a plastic cup, a fast food freebie that once came with a happy meal or something. I scowled, recognizing and remembering the cup instantly. And that Fay kept it because it had puppies and kittens all over it. We couldn’t have a real dog back then, and she was completely happy just having pictures of cartoon ones on a cup. She drank out of this thing every day for about a year until I got my first real paycheck at my job and replaced our plastic dishes with real ones. Even then, she would gravitate to this cup from time to time, until I told her it looked trashy. Then she retired it to the back of the cabinet until it ended up boxed up in the garage.

Why didn’t I just let her use the damned cup in peace? Why did I have to ruin that for her?

As I turned the cup in my hands, I was too consumed with my memories of happier times to drink.

“Daddy?”

“Hmm?” I turned to stare at my daughter. She was looking at me with so much concern.

“Are you okay?”

She gnawed on her bottom lip with worry, and she looked so much like her mother that I choked on a sob.

“Daddy?!”

“I’m okay,” I rasped in a rough voice. When she came to comfort me, I wrapped my arms around her, thankful for her warmth. “I’m just a little sad.”

“Because Preston didn’t invite you to his game?”

“Yeah,” I laughed humorlessly, wetness filling my eyes. I looked up at the ceiling, willing the tears not to break free. “I’m just worried I won’t ever get forgiveness. I messed up so much, Jessie. I ruined everything.”

“Daddy,” Jessie said softly, and I suspected she may cry too. “If you want forgiveness, earn it. Mama says that. Sorry doesn’t always fix a problem, but actions can. Why don’t you show Preston that you’re sorry?”

I buried my nose in my daughter’s hair, smiling sadly because she is way too good of a soul to be saddled with a father like me. But she was right. My sweet daughter is still the light in my every day and the voice of reason in my madness.

“It’s not just your brother I’m scared will never forgive me, but your mom too.”

“That’s silly,” Jessie smiled softly. “Mom doesn’t hold grudges.”

“I really messed up, though, sweetie.”

“Yeah,” her smile turned sheepish. “I forgave you for leaving. I’m sure they can too.”

Jessie was still right, or maybe I just am fool enough to believe that I can be forgiven still. I just need to show Fay that I’ve changed. I need to show her I’m sorry. All the mistakes that led up to our divorce, even before Arlene and the cheating. I need to show her I’m a changed man now.

Starting with being there for our kids.

I need to go to that damned game.

“Do you know the details about your brother’s baseball tournament?”

“I can look at the school’s website. They should have it under the athletics tab. Why?” Hope gleamed in her eyes.

I smiled softly. “Let’s leave the unpacking for Sunday. Pack a bag. We’re going to your brother’s game.”