The rowdy ones, p.24
The Rowdy Ones, page 24
“Now that I know he’s going to live,” Wild says, “I’m going to meet up with my uncle, Will. What’s the official story?”
That your mother stabbed my brother and lover in the back and nearly killed him.
Instead of voicing the truth, I repeat what I told Gwen. It’s not like I want Aunt Eve to get into trouble. She was confused and triggered by what she saw. I’m sure when she snaps out of it, she’ll realize what she’s done and feel awful about it.
“Okay,” Wild says with a relieved sigh. “I’ll let him know. Our dads should be here within a few hours or so.”
Knowing my dad is on the way makes me want to start sobbing again. But Rowdy needs me to keep it together right now. I don’t want to cause him any undue stress.
“Thank you,” I murmur, hugging Wild. “I’m sorry about how things transpired between the two of you. You love him deeply and he’ll never be able to reciprocate the way you want. I hate that I’m culpable in breaking your heart.”
He squeezes me. “Rowdy deserves all the love in the world. I see the way he looks at you. There is joy in his eyes I never knew existed. That right there softens the blow.” Then he chuckles and messes my hair up. “But I’m still going to arrest you two once I become a cop.”
I stick my tongue out and he laughs harder.
“Bye, Wild.”
“See you soon, Destiny.”
I hear a voice down the hall that soothes my soul.
Daddy!
In the hustle to get to the hospital, I didn’t bring the cane Rowdy made me, but I’ve already memorized the distance from the chair by Rowdy’s side to the bathroom door. The room door is beyond that. I don’t need my cane. When I fling open the door, a smoky scent swirls inside. Though similar to Rowdy’s smell, it’s still unique enough I can distinguish them apart.
“Daddy!” I cry out, launching myself at him.
His big, strong arms encircle me and he picks me up. He carries me back into the room, stroking my hair and whispering soft, gentle assurances. I missed him so much. The tears are never ending as I cling to my father, who I know will make sure everything is all better in the end.
I can’t believe he’s finally here.
After a long embrace, he pulls me into his lap and we sit beside Rowdy’s bed.
“Where’s Uncle Atticus?”
“Dropped me off and then went over to Will’s with Wild.”
“How was Aunt Eve?” I shudder in his arms. “I don’t understand why she attacked him so violently. Why didn’t she confront him instead?”
Dad sighs heavily as if the words to come out of him are tiring. “She was upset. Horrified at what she’d done.”
“He’s going to be okay, Dad.”
“Wild texted Atticus and told him. The message came through when we were able to get a cell signal.” He strokes a palm through my hair. “Are we going to talk about why Eve thought Rowdy was raping you?”
I stiffen in his arms. “What do you mean?”
“Dez, angel, you know what I mean. I’m already dealing with three knuckleheads who got themselves in a similar predicament. Be straight with me, kid.”
“I love him,” I whisper.
He doesn’t reply, but no anger explodes out of him either.
“You’re not going to yell?”
“I think the surprise of something like this has worn off. Your older siblings already gave me the gray hairs. None left for you.”
I laugh softly. “He’s so good to me.”
“I raised him right.”
“Sure did.” I release a shuddering breath. “Aunt Eve walked in on us having sex, Dad. She’d been acting strangely whenever we’d get close or were alone together. I just never expected her to stab him over it.”
“Eve had it rough. Her brothers and father treated her as if she were a vessel to have their babies. They raped and abused her nonstop. After those same men hurt your mother, I went after them. Took every single life in that shack, leaving little Eve all on her own.” He pauses and then exhales in a rush. “I imagine, when she saw Rowdy on top of you, she was triggered. Had a flashback or some shit. Your brother was the receiver of her rage and hatred toward the men she couldn’t save herself from long ago.”
Aunt Eve was present the day Rowdy was born. Mom loves telling the story about how she helped Dad with the delivery and even brought their new baby handmade gifts. For her to attack him so brutally, she clearly wasn’t in her right mind. Aunt Even loves Rowdy.
And yet…
“Are Mom and the kids safe with her?” I ask, hating that I have to.
“Yeah, kiddo, they are. Plus, your mother can handle herself.” Dad gives my hip a quick pat. “Well, that was perfect timing. Someone’s awake.”
Awake?
I jolt out of his lap and reach for Rowdy’s hand. As soon as mine slides into his, I feel the slightest squeeze.
He’s alive. Rowdy is actually alive. We’re going to be okay.
And because I don’t care what anyone thinks, I bend over, cup his cheek with my other hand, and plant a kiss on my brother’s face.
Thank you, God, for giving my brother back to me.
* * *
* * *
Six months later…
Scout is stupid if he thinks Spirit is going to put up with his bullshit. As predicted, my superior wolf smashes him to the ground with her massive paw until he cries for his mommy.
“Spirit,” Destiny chides from the picnic table. “Be a good girl. You know Scout isn’t tough like you are.”
Scout scampers over to Destiny and curls up at her feet. Spirit huffs in annoyance before sauntering over to the firepit. She sniffs as though I’m hiding food from her.
“It’s just tree bark,” I tell Spirit, showing her a sliver I’ve carved from my newest piece. “Don’t eat it.”
She bares her teeth and not-so-gently tugs the bark from my fingers.
“For fuck’s sake,” I grumble. “Remind me why I wanted to bring you here again?”
Destiny giggles and I dart my eyes over to her. She rises from the picnic table where she’s been packing a fuck-ton of orders. I spent all weekend making stupid keychains from sticks, but apparently people all over social media are obsessed. All I do is carve and whittle until I’m blue in the face.
But it makes my girl happy, which makes me happy.
What makes me really happy, though, is seeing her rounded belly. I’m still in fucking awe she’s growing my baby inside her. I never get tired of seeing her pregnant. In fact, I’d like to keep her that way. No wonder Dad knocked Mom up so many times. There’s something primal about your woman growing something you put inside her.
“Want to take a break and go swimming in the creek?” Destiny asks, head turned in my general direction. “I’m hot and my back hurts.”
I don’t have to be asked twice. I abandon my project and stalk over to her. She squeals when I swoop her into my arms, bridal style. With a kiss to her cheek, I start the long trek through the woods behind our RV to the watering hole we love. Scout and Spirit take off ahead of us, already familiar with the drill.
We lucked out on this property. It butts up on the backside of what Uncle Atticus owns. The old man who owned it passed away and the children, who don’t even live in Alaska, asked Uncle Atticus if he knew of anyone interested in it. Since Dad has all the legal paperwork and accounts for himself, he purchased the property for us.
I grunt when I get a sharp pain in my back. That shit still hurts all these months later. I’m lucky to be alive. I guess that’s all that matters.
“Put me down,” Destiny says, tapping the back of my neck. “You’re hurting. Let me massage you.”
“In the water,” I promise. “I can carry you the rest of the way.”
Even pregnant, she’s light. Spirit weighs more than her and that dog has no problems sleeping on top of me sometimes.
When we reach the creek, I set her down so I can start stripping off my clothes. The creek is narrow but opens up about ten feet wide in one spot. It’s deep there, too, which is nice. We love coming here. One day, we’ll bring our kids here too.
Destiny peels off her yellow dress, revealing her swollen breasts and big belly. I can’t get over how beautiful she is. She tugs off her undergarments, showing off her pretty pink nipples and pussy that glistens with golden curls.
How did I get so lucky?
I take hold of her hand and guide her into the freezing-ass water. It sucks at first, but after a quick dunk, we get used to it. She wraps her legs around me and hugs me tight as I keep our heads above water. You’d think my cock would shrivel up in this cold water, but it’s hard and aching to be inside her. When is it not?
“What should we bring tonight?” Destiny asks, lips brushing over mine. “We could get cookies from that new place by the candy shop.”
“The twins love the ones with the purple icing,” I say with a grin. “Make sure to get lots of those.”
She smirks at me. “Aunt Eve specifically told us never to buy them those cookies ever again. She said their fingers and faces were stained purple for a whole week.”
As she chatters on about other ideas for treats to bring for supper tonight for our weekly get-together, I squeeze her ass with my palms and attempt to get her seated on my cock.
“Are you even listening to me?” she demands and then moans when I slip inside her body. “Ugh.”
“You can tell me later.” I kiss her deeply and use her body to fuck my cock. “How do you always feel so fucking good, sweet Dez?”
She isn’t able to answer because we begin kissing frantically, each of us eager to come. I love how ravenous for sex she is now that she’s pregnant. It’s like she can’t get enough. Ever. Last week, I was sure she broke my dick, but I didn’t complain once.
Destiny was right. She saw a path for us and made sure we got it. We have our own little piece of the wilderness while still being close to all the fun stuff she loves to do.
It doesn’t take long to get my girl off, and I follow soon after. She’s pregnant already, but I keep my cock inside her even after it softens. I think it belongs there.
“Are you scared about becoming a dad?” Destiny asks, voice less certain than usual.
“I wasn’t until you asked. You think I’ll be bad at it?”
“What? No.” She kisses me quickly. “I’m worried about being a parent. What if I’m not good at it?”
I’ve seen Destiny care for our younger siblings. She already knows what to do. Plus, Mom said she’ll come to stay with us for a bit once the baby is born. I’m confident we’ll be just fine.
“You’re the best at everything you do,” I assure her. “Our kid will be spoiled and well taken care of. And when they’re old enough, I’m going to teach them to help me do those damn keychains.”
She giggles. “The Rowdy Ones: Handcrafted Tools and Gifts is killing it. But if you hate it, we can do something else.”
And destroy this girl’s entrepreneurial dreams? I think the fuck not.
“As long as I get to do it with you, I’m ecstatic.”
“Good,” she says, threading her fingers through my hair. “Because I wanted to see if you were interested in us doing the fall craft fair. I know it’s close to when the baby will be born, but I really want to do it. Gwen said she’d help.”
The absolute last thing I want to do is have a booth at a craft fair.
Fuck.
But I also don’t want Gwen to help her either. Our romantic relationship is a secret, but Gwen knows. She’s always known. Even without Destiny confessing to her, she’s put it all together, especially since we live together now. Luckily, Gwen adores Destiny and does her best to look past it, only having “talks about her home life” with her on rare occasions. Destiny is good at telling Gwen it’s none of her business and she’s happy which is all that matters. As for her son, Weston, Destiny texts him from time to time about random stuff. He finally got over her breaking it off with him and is trying to be a friend to her. I think both he and Gwen are both secretly holding out for Dez to change her mind about me and will join their family one day.
Not fucking happening.
“Yeah,” I rush out in answer to her question. Not because, as Wild says, I’m pussywhipped. I’d just rather be the one making her happy over Gwen or Weston. “Whatever you want, Dez.”
She kisses me deeply. “I want you.”
“You have me.”
“Forever?”
“And then some.”
“Sit,” Aunt Eve snaps at me. “There.”
Destiny giggles until Aunt Eve smacks at her ass, telling her to help finish up dinner in the kitchen. Aunt Eve returns with a beer for me.
“Thanks,” I say as I take it. “But I can help. Destiny should rest.”
“Destiny didn’t get stabbed,” Aunt Eve growls. “She’ll be fine.”
I don’t exactly hate that Aunt Eve babies me now. It drives Wild insane. Who’s the momma’s boy now? I grin at her and she glowers back. She loves me.
“Meadow, get the oil,” she barks out to one of the twins. “Hurry.”
Meadow scurries off and then returns with a jar of homemade oil. Aunt Eve takes it from her. She jabs a finger at the floor.
“Take your shirt off and let me deal with this,” she grumbles. “Now, Rowdy!”
Bossy as fuck.
Uncle Atticus chuckles from the kitchen. Asshole.
I do as I’m told, only wincing once. As if she knows exactly what muscle is giving me trouble, Aunt Eve attacks that area first with her small but insanely strong hands. We spend the next twenty minutes with her kneading and beating on me while I grunt and whimper. Great times in the Knox house.
Finally, dinner is done and I’m spared any more torture. Once my shirt is back on, Aunt Eve hands me a couple of ibuprofen tablets. Then, like every day since that awful day, she hugs me quickly. I don’t ever get a chance to hug her back because she retreats that fast.
I hate that she still wrestles with the guilt. I’ve told her over and over again I understand how she got confused, panicked, and then attacked. I forgive her. Still, I know she suffers mentally because of it.
“Love you too, Aunt Eve,” I say to her back.
She hisses over her shoulder like a pissed off cat. This amuses Uncle Atticus to no end. I saunter over to him and elbow his gut to shut him up.
“When’s Wild getting here—”
My words are cut off when he bursts through the front door. I haven’t seen him since he joined the police academy. The fucker has been too busy learning how to imprison me for incest.
When he sees me, he yanks me to him for a bear hug. I’m pretty sure he’s been working out more because he nearly crushes me. Soon, I’m going to need to get my ass back to the gym so I can keep up.
Dinner is crazy with this crowd, but I love it. It makes me miss my own family back on the homestead. Me and Dez are planning a trip soon to go see them. Mom is going to lose her shit when she feels the baby move for the first time.
Afterward, me and Wild sneak off to hang out for a bit. We end up sitting in a couple of lawn chairs outside of the RV. He brings me another beer, though it’ll need to be my last if I plan on driving back home tonight.
“He hates when I talk about it,” Wild grumbles as he flips the cap off his beer. “Did you see his face?”
“Your dad?”
He flings the beer cap at me. “Yes, moron. Who else? Forest?”
“Fuck off.”
“When I started talking about it, he changed the subject to football. Fucking football, man. Unbelievable.”
“He’s kind of obsessed with that shit. I don’t think it was meant to be a front against you.”
His eyes dart over to the cabin and he takes a long pull from his beer. “I’m a failure in his eyes.” Then he cuts his gaze over to me. “You fuck your sister and your family has a damn parade for you. Why can’t my dad be proud of me for once?”
I know he’s not actually resentful that my dad is more supportive of me and my siblings, but he’s trying to make a point and I respect that.
“Want me to talk to him?” I ask, cocking my head in question. “I was about to see if he wanted to start hitting the gym again.”
“Hell no,” Wild growls. “It is what it is.” Then he grins at me. “About time you go back. Getting a little soft in the gut.”
I flip him off. “Better than soft in the dick.”
He gestures dramatically at the cabin where my pregnant woman is still inside. “That’s clearly not a problem. I swear, you Jamisons are like fucking rabbits and act like birth control doesn’t exist.”
Rabbits are cool. Condoms are not.
“How’s Talia?” I ask with a smirk. “Put a ring on it yet?”
His nostrils flare. “We’re keeping it casual, remember?”
“Her social media is nothing but couple pictures. In fact, her last post said, ‘my bae is going to be a cop. #soproud.’” I still don’t really know what the fuck a bae is, though.
“No, she didn’t. You don’t even know how to do social media.”
“She did. And I had a lot of time sitting around healing to figure out my damn phone.”
He’s quiet for a bit and lets out a sigh. “Maybe it’ll work out in the end.”
I hope so for Talia’s sake. I like that girl, but I’m afraid she’s headed down a road of disappointment. Wild’s heart isn’t anywhere near hers. It’s sad and I feel somewhat responsible.
“Talked to Evan lately?” Wild asks, flipping the uncomfortable conversation onto me.
“Nope. Not since that night.”
“Uncle Will says he’s depressed again. Might be using. Finding out he was dating a serial killer fucked him up.”
I find it difficult to feel sorry for Evan. “Sucks to be him.”
“Oh, speaking of that psycho, Alex,” Wild says, jerking upright with excitement. “Remember when we went to the gym with him and he was ‘cut by a nail’?”
“Yeah.”
“I think it was a dog bite.” His eyes glitter with satisfaction. “Not even a cop yet and already solved a mystery.”
