Текст книги "Faithful"

Автор книги: Kelly Elliott

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Текущая страница: 18 (всего у книги 25 страниц)

After I loaded up the last of our suitcases, I started to make my way back into the house. I saw Mrs. Smith walking down the street with her little monster dog who hated me.

I’m gonna get a giant-ass dog and have him eat that thing.

“Josh! Hello, darling. How are you feeling?”

I gave her my best smile, which always made her blush. “I’m feeling wonderful, Mrs. Smith. Thank you. I’m about to be married to the most beautiful girl in the world. What could be better?”

She laughed and looked around for Heather. “Where are you taking her for the honeymoon? She said you wouldn’t tell her.”

Nosy-ass neighbors, I swear. I smiled as I shook my head. “Oh no. I know how you women are. Y’all stick together! The minute I tell you, you’ll tell Heather.”

“Oh no! I won’t. I promise.” She winked.

Just then, Heather walked out of the house, carrying her wedding dress in a white bag. I’d felt tempted to look at it when she was in the shower, but I didn’t.

“Saved by my bride-to-be,” I said with a laugh.

Heather looked between Mrs. Smith and me before she started laughing. “Are we about ready to go?” Heather asked with a wink.

God, I love this girl. How did she know I needed to be saved from the nosy neighbor? “Yep! Just about.” I turned back to Mrs. Smith. “You have a lovely day. See ya later, little puppy.” I quickly moved away and started back toward the house.

Heather’s mouth dropped as I left her to fend for herself with Mrs. Smith.

I walked into the house and did a quick once-over since we wouldn’t be back for almost two weeks. I smiled when I thought about how surprised Heather would be when she found out we were going to Italy.

When I picked the girls’ brains about where to take Heather, they all agreed on Italy. Heather had visited there a few times with her mom and dad. I was worried it would bring back memories, but Amanda had said Heather had talked about going back almost as soon as her parents had died.

Heather had a small pouch that she kept on her dresser. I’d asked her once what it was, and she’d told me it held rose petals from a flower her parents had given her. They’d planned on going to Italy for Heather’s high school graduation present. They had wanted to stand on the ocean shoreline and drop the petals into the water. Her father had said it would be a way to celebrate her moving on to the next phase of her life.

I picked up the pouch and put it in my backpack. I opened up my dresser drawer and took out the ring box. I slipped it into my backpack beside the pouch. I smiled and headed downstairs. I stopped and looked into the empty bedroom that would be the nursery. I already had an idea of the cribs I wanted to make. I’d drawn them up and sent them over to my dad to get his thoughts. He loved them, and he’d asked if he could help make them.

When I felt Heather’s hand on my shoulder, I turned to look at her.

“What are you thinking about? Nervous? Getting cold feet maybe?” she asked with a wink.

“Hell no. Thinking about the cribs,” I said with a grin. I kissed her quickly on the lips before walking toward the kitchen.

When I heard her sigh behind me, I tried so hard not to laugh.

“Josh, come on. Why can’t I see your drawings for the cribs? All these secrets! Do you know what it took for me to get Mrs. Smith to try and find out where you are taking me for our honeymoon?”

I spun around to look at her. “You didn’t?”

She laughed, and the blush that filled her cheeks caused my dick to jump.

“Heather, here I was, thinking that the woman was just being a nosy neighbor, and you asked her to pump me for information?”

She laughed as she walked up to me and placed her hands on my face. She reached up as I leaned down, and she kissed me so sweetly that I just about dropped everything.

Then, she let out a moan.

Fuck it.

I dropped the backpack and started walking her back into the living room. Right before we got to the sofa, I reached down to unbutton her jean shorts. We never once took our eyes off of each other.

“Whatcha doing?” she asked.

“I’m getting you undressed.”

“How come?”

“Because I’m going to have mad, passionate sex with you on our sofa.”

The smile that spread across her face about knocked me down to my knees. There’s not a damn thing I wouldn’t do for this girl.

“You know…when I start getting bigger, Ari and Ellie said we’ll have to try different positions. I was thinking we should probably practice some now. Don’t you think?” She raised her eyebrows.

Motherfucker. I think I just died and went to heaven. “Damn, princess. I think I just came in my pants.”

She threw her head back and laughed. “Want to?”

Sex with Heather was always amazing. I loved the fact that she’d tried three times to give me a blow job, and each time she’d gagged so much that she ended up with dry heaves or throwing up in the bathroom. Usually, we stuck to one of us being on top, or our favorite way was with her on her side.

Fuck. I was getting hard just thinking about what she had in mind. “Fuck yes, I want to. What are ya thinking?”

She slowly took off her shirt and then her bra. Then, she slipped out of her panties. She stepped over to the sofa and got on her hands and knees with her ass facing me. I’d never taken off my clothes so fast in my life.

She looked over her shoulder at me. “From behind?”

Ah, fuck yeah. I’m not going to last a minute.

I got behind her and touched her beautiful bare ass. When I moved my hands around her and grabbed her breasts, she threw her head back and moaned. I used my knee to spread her legs apart more. I gently entered her and started to move. As she let out a gasp, I stopped moving.

“Are you okay, baby?”

She pushed her ass into me. “Oh my god…it feels like it’s so deep inside. Move, Josh!”

I started to slowly move in and out. Fuck, this feels so damn good.

“Touch me, Josh! Please touch me.”

The moment I touched her clit, she started calling out my name. Next thing I knew, I was pulling her toward me. When I sat back, she started moving up and down. I cupped her breasts and started playing with them. She rested her head back on my shoulder as she started to cry out again.

“Oh god! Oh god, Josh!”

I didn’t last another minute. I leaned down and gently bit on her shoulder as I started to come.

Fuck me. Why does every time with her feel like the first time?

Heather collapsed onto the sofa, and I followed. She rolled onto her side, so she was facing me.

“Oh. My. God! Why have we never done it that way before?” Heather smiled at me.

I smiled back before I kissed her. As many girls as I’d been with, I’d never tried that position before. Really, I’d never had them on top ever.

“I’m so glad you found me,” I said.

Tears began building in her eyes. “You found me and saved me.”

“I love you so much, Heather. I’ll love you forever…for infinity.”

She kissed me softly on the lips and then rested her forehead against mine. “I love you, Josh. I’d be lost without you. I’ll love you for infinity…plus a little more.”

I smiled and kissed her nose. “We better get going, babe. We have a long drive, and with your pee breaks, it will take us twelve hours to get there!”

She jumped up and started getting dressed. Lying there, I just watched her. I’d waited for so long to find her, and now, she was almost officially mine. When I glanced down at her stomach, I felt mine take a dip. I’d never thought I could ever be this happy.

I looked over at my iPod sitting on the iHome. I got up and pulled on my pants before walking over to find the song I wanted. When “Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts started to play, Heather turned around and looked at me. I gave her my crooked smile, the one that I knew melted her heart, and I held out my hand. She walked up to me and then placed her hand in mine. Pulling her in as close to me as I could, I sang the lyrics to her as I ran my hand through her beautiful blonde hair. When I heard her sniffling, I knew she was crying.

As the song ended, I leaned back and wiped away her tears. “I’ve never in my life…ever…felt this way with anyone. You’re the air that I breathe, the light in my darkness, the hope of my future.”

She started crying harder as she shook her head. “Josh…” Her voice cracked as she looked up at me with those beautiful blue eyes. “When my parents died…I never thought I would ever feel love again. I didn’t want to feel it because I was so afraid of getting hurt. But when you snuck into my heart…I…I didn’t want to do anything else but love you. I’d rather love you than never have you in my life. I love you with every ounce of my being. I can’t wait to be your wife and the mother of your children. Most of all, I can’t wait to sit on our front porch when we’re eighty years old, bitching about the young couple next door who play their music too loud.”

I started laughing as I pulled her to me. After I kissed her, I asked, “You ready to be Mrs. Joshua Hayes?”

A tear rolled down her face as she nodded. “More than anything.”

As we pulled up to the Peninsula Island Resort and Spa, my heart started pounding. Of course, Jenny was standing outside, waiting for us.

“Holy hell. What time did they get here?” Josh started laughing.

I smiled, but I felt sick to my stomach. I’m getting married tomorrow. Tomorrow. When I glanced over to Josh, he was smiling as he put the truck in park. As he hopped out, I saw Jenny walking up to the truck. She knocked on my window and gave me the sweetest smile as she winked at me.

I slowly opened the door, and she held out her hand for me. When I got out, she leaned up next to my ear.

“It’s okay to be nervous, but everything is going to be beautiful,” she whispered.

I smiled as I took her into my arms and hugged her. “Only you could plan a wedding in a few short weeks, book everyone’s rooms, and make me feel better with just a simple sentence!”

“I love my job! What can I say?”

Aaron walked up. “What did Josh take? He’s high as a kite!”

I looked over at Josh. He was talking away to the bellhop, who was helping him take out the luggage from the back of the truck.

I had to laugh. “He talks a lot when he gets nervous. I think he’s feeling the same way as me.”

Aaron started shaking his head as he walked toward Josh. They shook hands, and then Aaron leaned in and said something to Josh. Josh snapped his head up and glanced over at me. When I smiled, he gave me that damn panty-melting smile back.

Yep. I can’t wait to be his wife. He winked at me, and I started giggling. If we can both make it through this night, we have it made.

“I have you both booked in the honeymoon suite, but Josh won’t be staying in there tonight.”

I spun around and stared at Jenny in shock. “Why?”

Jenny laughed. “Tradition, sweetheart. Y’all can go one night without seeing each other. I promise!”

“Has anyone told Josh this? I’m pretty sure he won’t be happy with this arrangement.” I was secretly thanking the heavens that Josh and I’d had sex right before we left.

Jenny smiled as she glanced over at Josh. “Yep, Aaron is telling him right now. He’ll be staying in our two-bedroom condo with us tonight.”

I turned and peeked at Josh. His smile faded as he shook his head. Aaron slapped him on the back as they began walking into the hotel. I smiled at Josh and shrugged. If I know Josh, he’s already thinking of a way to get to me tonight…and that is fine by me!

I looked up and saw Gunner’s truck pulling up with Jeff and Ari right behind him. I jumped up and down as Ellie, Ari, and Jessie all jumped out and ran over to Jenny and me.

“Holy hell! We have to get you caught up on so much!” Ari said.

Gunner walked by and rolled his eyes. “Holy shit. For the last two hundred miles, all I heard were three girls doing nothing but bitch and put curses on poor Scott Reynolds.”

When Ellie turned around and glared at Gunner, he must have realized what he’d said wrong.

“Did I say poor? I meant, that dirty, rotten bastard, Scott Reynolds.”

Jeff started laughing as he walked up. “Speak of the devil.”

I turned to see Scott pulling up. Jessie and Ellie grabbed my arms, and we started to head into the hotel.

Ari called over her shoulder, “We’re going for a walk on the beach, boys! Behave!”

After Jessie filled me in on everything that had happened with Scott, my heart was breaking.

“Then, to top it off, we ran into Chelsbitch this morning at the gas station,” Ellie said with an eye roll.

“Did you just call her Chelsbitch?” I asked with a laugh.

“Yep! Anyway, that bitch walks up to Jessie and says, ‘Thank you so much for leaving last night. Scott and I were able to catch up…if you know what I mean.’ Ugh! I wanted to punch her in the throat!”

When I looked at Jessie, she was attempting to smile, trying to show she wasn’t bothered by it all, but I knew exactly how she felt. Been there, done that.

“Jessie, I thought he called you and said she left?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “He did. He must have tried calling until four in the morning.”

I took a deep breath. “From my experience with the ex-bitches, they lie out of their asses. I find it hard to believe he would call you until four in the morning if he was having sex with Chelsea.”

Jessie’s eyes lit up just a bit.

Ari nodded in agreement. “You know, Heather is right. If he was calling and texting you, I highly doubt that she was there.”

I looked back to the hotel and saw Josh walking down toward us. The smile on his face took my breath away.

“It’s amazing how they can keep doing that, isn’t it?” Ellie said.

I glanced over at her. “Do what?”

“Take our breaths away with just a smile.”

I looked back at Josh as he was making his way over to us.

“Yes,” Ari, Jessie, and I all said at the same time. Then, we started laughing.

I hooked my arm around Jessie’s as we headed over to Josh. “Give him a chance, Jessie. If I learned anything from what happened between Josh and me, it was that if you want something bad enough, you fight for it. Don’t let some jealous ex-girlfriend get in the way. Just take it slow.”

She looked at me and grinned as Ellie walked up and took her other arm.

“Ells, I’ve been meaning to ask you. Did you ever talk to Gunner about…well, about what happened with me and him?” Jessie asked.

Ellie smiled. “Yes. The next day, we took Big Roy and Rose out for a ride, and we had a long chat. Everything is fine, and Gunner promised to never hold back the truth about anything ever again. It actually taught me a lesson. It helped me to bury some of those old insecurities a little deeper. Plus, we ended up making love by the river. It was magical!”

I smiled as I thought about the wonderful time Josh and I had spent together on the riverbank where he’d asked me to marry him.

“Wow…what a lucky guy I am. Look at these four drop-dead beautiful girls all walking my way,” Josh said with a smile. He took me in his arms and kissed me like he was saying hello after not seeing me for months.

When he pulled away from my lips, I smiled. “Wow.”

“I missed you,” he said.

“You better get it in now. Jenny will have her locked away tonight with heavy security watching,” Ari said.

Ellie started laughing.

Jessie giggled. “I actually heard her ask Aaron if they should hire someone to watch Heather’s door because she didn’t trust Josh!”

Josh smiled and shook his head. “Damn. That girl knows me too well.” He winked and kissed me again.

The rehearsal on the beach had been flawless, and everything had gone smoothly. Everyone was now on the island, and we were making our way to the hotel restaurant for the rehearsal dinner.

After kissing and hugging, laughing and talking, we were finally sitting down to eat. Jeff, Gunner, Ellie, and Ari all gave speeches. I had never cried and laughed so much in my life. The night went on, and I told Josh it was probably one of the best nights of my life.

Then, Jenny came to me and said Josh wanted me to meet him outside.

When I found him, he was looking out at the black ocean. He was wearing a gray pullover with white linen pants, and I had been lusting after him all night.

I walked up to him and wrapped my arms around his waist. “Are you nervous?”

He laughed. “Yep! You?” He turned around and looked into my eyes.

I caught my breath as I just lost myself in those eyes. I barely whispered, “Yes.”

He took my hand, and we strolled along the beach for what seemed like forever. We talked about everything from us both being scared to death…to why we were scared…to the babies and how I’d decided to stay home with them…to Josh’s business and how it had just taken off…and then my parents.

“More than anything, I wish they were here, princess.”

He held me, and I leaned my head back on his chest and stared out at the ocean.

“I feel them with me. That might sound weird, but I do.” I let out a small laugh and shook my head. “Sometimes, I swear that my dad talks through you!”

Josh asked, “Why’s that?”

“Just from little things you say to me. You say something to me right at the exact moment I need to hear it. Sometimes when I’m scared, I can hear my dad whisper, reminding me to breathe, and then you say it within in a few seconds.”

He held me closer. “We better get back.”

“Are you going to behave tonight?”

Josh threw his head back and laughed. “I almost paid Aaron two hundred bucks to set up a blanket down here, so I could make love to you on the beach, but I wanted to save that for our honeymoon.”

Oh my god! Where is he taking me? To a beach? He must be taking me to a beach somewhere. Act cool, Heather. He just slipped up. He might give you more! “Sounds like heaven!”

“That is, if there is a beach around where we’re going,” he said.

My smile faded, and my mouth dropped open. He did not just do that! Bastard!

I sat and watched as the sun moved above the horizon. When I felt a hand on my shoulder, I looked up to see my father standing there. I smiled as I motioned for him to sit down. We sat there for a good ten minutes, just watching the sun rising on one of the most important days of my life.

“Did you write your vows?” he asked.

“Nope.”

He laughed. “Holy shit, you’re more like me than I thought.”

I glanced over at him as he looked out at the ocean. “Dad, can I ask you something?”

He looked at me and smiled. “Always, son.”

“Do you ever look back on your life and regret things you did?”

He let out a gruff laugh and shook his head. “Not so much anymore, but when I was younger, I did. Sometimes in life, when we’re looking for something, we don’t know the right way to go about looking for it. We want it so desperately that we search for it in all the wrong places, for all the wrong reasons, and with all the wrong people.”

I sighed, looking back out at the ocean. “I’ve never in my life felt the way I do when I’m with her, Dad. All those other girls…they meant nothing. I never felt anything but emptiness afterward. When I look at Heather though, when I look into her eyes, I pray to God that I’m not dreaming. I’m so afraid this is a dream, and I’m going to wake up, still searching for that one person who moves my heart and soul. She’s the air that I need to breathe.”

My dad put his hand on my back and winked at me. “It’s not a dream, son. It’s very real, and you’re both very much in love with one another. In a way, I think you rescued each other.”

I nodded as I thought about what he’d just said. “Is it wrong I just want to say to her what’s in my heart? That I’m not planning it out beforehand?”

“Hell no, it’s not wrong. It’s your wedding. You do what you feel in your heart is the right thing to do. I think you could tell a joke, and Heather wouldn’t care. That girl is over-the-moon in love with you.”

“I’m over-the-moon in love with her, too.” I started laughing. “Especially with how she keeps trying to trick me into telling her where I’m taking her for the honeymoon!”

My dad laughed and slapped me on the back. “I’m proud of you, Josh.”

I snapped my head over to my father. “Dad…”

He looked at me with tears in his eyes. “I am. I know I’ve never said this before, but when you were in high school and you told me you wanted to follow in my footsteps…my heart filled with joy. I actually had to walk outside because I didn’t want to cry in front of you.”

“Dad…I never knew that it made you so happy.”

“What makes me happy, Josh, is that you followed your dreams. You go for what you want, and you absolutely excel at it. Your mother and I are so proud of the man you’ve become. You help people, and you don’t even think twice about it. You give your love with your whole heart, like the way you love Matthew. When I see you with him, my heart swells up. And the way you love Heather…you take care of her and put her needs before yours. Even when you lost your memory, you still put her first. Yes, son, you’ve made your mother and me so very proud. I’m so damn blessed to call myself your father.”

I felt a tear rolling down my face. “I love you, Dad.”

“I love you, too, Josh.”

When my dad slapped the shit out of his legs, I jumped. “Fuck, Dad! You just scared the shit out of me! We were having a moment.”

He stood up and reached down for my hand. “Moment is over, son. Let’s go. You’re getting married in a few hours, and I have to go and give your mother a wake-up call.” He wiggled his eyebrows up and down.

“Oh, for the love of God…I didn’t need to hear that, Dad. Shit, I think I’m going to hurl.”

“Josh?” Gunner said.

I turned around, looked at my three best friends, and smiled. “Jesus H. Christ. If I were a woman, I’d be wet right now from the sight of the three of you!”

They all laughed.

Brad walked up and shook my hand. “You look pretty damn good yourself.”

“It’s getting close to that time. Did you want to walk down to the beach and check everything out?” Gunner asked.

“No.”

Jeff started laughing. “Why the hell not?”

“I want to be surprised!” I said.

The three of them just stared at me.

“Pussy,” Brad said.

“Shut the hell up, you bastard!”

Gunner winked as he said, “You know when I said I was going to push you in the water? Dude, I was only kidding.”

I smiled as I sat down. “I really do want to be surprised. I think Heather does, too. She told Jenny she wanted it simple with only a white arch sitting on the beach. I trust Jenny. I’ve seen her plan three kick-ass weddings so far, so I’m pretty sure she’s got this.”

“Okay. How about a beer from the bar then?” Jeff asked.

“Fuck yes!” I jumped up.

Just then, Matt came running in with his dad, Mark, right behind him.

“Josh!” Matt yelled.

I bent down and held out my arms for him.

Like always, he stopped, just short of me. “I’m going to hug you, Josh,” he said.

“Go for it, buddy!”

He slammed into me, and I hugged him back.

He pulled away and smiled. “Guess what?”

“What?”

“Jeff and Ari found a place that has horses! They are going to take me for a ride on the beach!” He started to jump up and down, and he looked at Jeff, who was smiling at him.

“Oh yeah?” I said.

He turned back to me. “Yeah, and guess what else?”

“I give up!”

“Josh…you assmole…you didn’t even try to guess.”

I smiled, glancing up at Mark. Sue and Mark had pretty much given up on trying to stop Matt from saying assmole.

“Um…your mommy and daddy are going with you?”

“Nope! Better! Luke is going with us.”

“That’s pretty cool, buddy. How lucky are you that you get to be with him on his first ride on the beach?”

“I know!”

“Come on, Matt. Let’s leave the big boys to get ready now. One hour, guys…don’t forget.” Mark looked right at Jeff. “Don’t get him drunk. One beer, and that’s all.” He took Matt’s hand, turned, and left.

Jeff gave me a shocked look. “What the hell? That man has no faith in me whatsoever.”

Gunner, Brad, and I all lost it and started laughing.

Gunner slapped Jeff on the back. “Come on, let’s all go grab a beer.”

As Gunner and Jeff began walking out, Brad grabbed my arm. “Josh, can I talk to you for a minute?”

As Gunner shut the door, Brad turned and smiled at me.

“What’s up, dude?” I sat down.

Brad took a seat across from me. He smiled and let out a laugh. “Dude, out of all of us, I honestly never pictured you getting married. I’m so damn happy for you, Josh.”

“Thanks, man. I appreciate that…I think.”

He looked down at the ground and then back up at me.

Oh fuck. What if he’s doing drugs again? Or he wants to do drugs again? Dude, don’t do this on my wedding day.

“We’re going to find out the sex of the baby when we get back.”

I slowly let out the breath I’d been holding. “That’s awesome, dude!”

He nodded. “Yeah, I know. But, um…I’m scared, Josh.”

“Of what?”

“What if something’s wrong with the baby because I was taking drugs when I got Amanda pregnant? She hasn’t said anything, but I know if it’s crossed my mind, it’s crossed hers. I’m so scared.”

“Dude, it’s going to be okay. Everything has been good in the pregnancy so far, right?”

He nodded.

“Brad, you made a mistake. Stop beating yourself up every chance you get because you slipped up and made a bad choice. I honestly believe in my heart that you’re going to have a beautiful, healthy baby. Dude, don’t worry.”

He stood up and let out a sigh. “You’re right!”

I got up and looked at him. “Can I ask you something? Friend to friend.”

“Of course, Josh.”

“Have you wanted to…”

He grinned and shook his head. “Not one damn bit. I’ve never felt so much peace and happiness in my life. I actually love my job right now. It doesn’t hurt that it’s one of my dad’s biggest competitors! I’m looking forward to becoming a father. Amanda was so excited about starting a new career, but she’s decided she’s more interested in becoming a mom more than anything.”

I grinned. “Does that mean y’all aren’t moving to Florida?”

“Nobody knows this yet, but I talked to my boss and asked what the chances of me staying in Austin would be. I got hired on for their Florida office, but he said they are so happy with my work that they were actually going to offer me a raise to stay in Austin. This couldn’t have happened at a better time. Amanda and I talked about it, and we are still selling the house to pay my parents back what they want. Then, we’re going to look at some land outside of Dripping Springs. It’s close enough for me to get to work and for Amanda to go visit the girls when she wants.”

“Ah hell, Brad. You don’t know how happy this makes me.” I walked up and gave him a quick hug.

“Let’s keep it between us for right now. I think Amanda wants to tell the girls herself, and I’m going to tell Gunner and Jeff later today.”

“Will do, Brad. Gunner and Jeff will be just as happy.” I slapped him on the back before we left the room and made our way down to the bar.

As we walked by the windows, I looked down at the beach. I could see the white arch in front of the chairs covered in the light blue fabric Heather had picked out. I quickly turned away as my heart started pounding.

In one hour…she’s going to be mine.