Caught up, p.27
Caught Up, page 27
“Okay... okay. But you can’t just burn things, Gran. Axel could get into trouble with the county. You have to ask permission to burn things,” she stated. Gran frowned and poked Axel.
“He should get into trouble. The things in that drawer, Bleu. It would curl your hair!” she cried out. Neighbors were on their porches and I was trying hard not to laugh. Bleu sighed and walked over to me as she pulled out her phone. She sent out a text and then looked at me.
“What the hell is in the drawer?” I whispered to her. She sighed again and looked skyward.
“Why do I have to be the only normal one in my family?” she muttered.
“The drawer?” I asked. She grimaced.
“Sex toys and DVDs. Lots of them. He could open his own adult store if he wanted to. And if memory serves, he has a sex swing under his bed,” she replied. My jaw dropped.
“How in the hell do you know this?” I asked. She shook her head and looked at me seriously.
“When he went missing, Jack and I broke into his house to see if we could find out where he had gone. We found his ‘drawer of sin’ and then some,” she replied, turning her back so Gran wouldn’t see her laugh.
“Holy shit. She must have been cleaning or putting away his laundry... Oh shit, Bleu!” I cried, pointing to her Gran grabbing Axel by the ear and hauling him up the porch. Axel yelled and Gran yelled louder.
“Someone is going to call the cops... Shit,” she muttered, running up the lawn to the porch. I snorted and texted Aaron as to what was going on. He wouldn’t believe this was happening if I didn’t let him know as it was going on.
“Gran! It’s okay! Axel is a grown man, if he wants to be a pig, let him!” she said. Gran frowned and stomped into the house. Axel rubbed at his ear and scowled.
“What is her deal? I’m almost twenty five years old, she needs to stop acting like I’m twelve,” said Axel. Bleu frowned down at him.
“Consider yourself lucky she didn’t hit you with her shoe, like she did when you were twelve. You should know better though,” said Bleu. Axel glared up at her.
“Why should I know better? What in the hell was she doing in my drawers in the first place?” he growled.
“Putting away your laundry, I bet. And you know how she feels about pornography, Axel. Cut her some slack,” Bleu replied. Axel’s frown faded and he nodded.
“Yeah,” he said softly. Bleu patted him on the shoulder and he smiled up at her.
“Am I missing something here?” I asked.
“Our grandmother, our mom’s mom. She was into drugs and making porn videos. She would send the videos to Gran. Gran burned them all,” replied Bleu. Wow. That was terrible.
“Where is she now?” I asked. Bleu sat on the arm of Axel’s chair and sighed.
“She’s dead. She died when our mom was fifteen. Gran raised our mom,” replied Axel. I didn’t know what to say. Bleu must’ve sensed it, because she came over and put her arm around my shoulders.
“You sure you want to be a part of this family?” she asked. I nodded.
“Hell yeah. Being around you guys, I should just cancel my cable and you all can entertain me,” I replied. Axel snorted.
“That’s for damn sure. Uh, Bleu, could you stick around awhile? I don’t want to go back in there,” Axel muttered, pointing to the door behind him. Bleu nodded.
“You guys have fun. I have to go home and pick up my date,” I replied. Axel’s head shot up and he grinned.
“Have fun,” he sang. I smiled and walked to my car, waving as I pulled away.
***
Opening the door, I was hit with a deliciously amazing smell I hadn’t experienced in a while. I took in a deep breath and smiled. Closing the door behind me, I squealed when I saw two huge pies on the counter. Upon closer inspection, I could see they were my favorite, blueberry! Whoever had made these was my new best friend. I loved these pies! When I was little, I would go spend summers with my Grandma Pauline. She would make four or five at a time and her kitchen would smell amazing. She would always give me a whole pie for myself, because it was my daddy’s favorite pie too. We would sit on her big porch and eat our pies. My daddy would tell jokes and Grandma would swat at him and giggle.
“You okay?” said Aaron. He came into the kitchen wearing jeans and a white t-shirt.
“Who made these pies? Did you have my mama come over here and make them?” I asked. He shook his head and grinned.
“Well, don’t you look like the cat that ate the canary! Spill it! Who made these pies?” I asked, hand on my hip. He looked down at his shoes and then back up at me with a grin.
“I did,” he replied. You could’ve knocked me over with a feather.
“You?”
“Yes, Chloe, I did. I made the pies. I had some help though,” he replied. He stuck his finger through the belt loop of my jeans and pulled me to him. He smelled like soap and Aaron. Bending down, he kissed me softly.
“Who helped you?” I asked. He smiled.
“Your dad, Tangler, and Jack,” he replied.
“Are you serious?” I asked. I was hard pressed to picture that crew baking away in the kitchen.
“I talked to your dad today. He actually came over to apologize. He understands what I’m going through and he gave me some excellent advice,” he explained, kissing my lips again.
“Which was what?” I asked.
“Court you,” he replied. I raised an eyebrow and stared him down, trying to process what little he just said to me.
“Come again?”
“Court. You,” he replied like he was talking to a mentally deficient person.
“Whatever for? I mean, isn’t it too late for that?” I asked, pointing to my stomach. He shook his head and put his large hand over my belly, the warmth of his skin heating my skin through my tank top. He looked up into my eyes and my heart rate sped up a bit. I loved this man.
“We can’t spend all our time in the bedroom, Chloe. We have to get to know one another. Jack and Tangler agree too. We all have to learn about the women in our lives and how to love you, so that way there aren’t any problems,” he replied softly. I cocked my head to the side and studied his face. His brown eyes looked down at me and he smiled.
“You sound brainwashed,” I replied with a snicker. He bent down and took my mouth with his, his lips searing mine. I gasped against his mouth and he wrapped his tongue around mine. I was on my tip toes, my fists balled up into his shirt. Gently, he broke the kiss.
“I said I was going to court you, never said I was planning on becoming a pussy,” he growled. I shook my head, trying to make heads or tails of that declaration.
“Go get dressed. I’m ready for whatever it is that you’ve planned,” he whispered. Nodding, I walked away and squealed when he smacked me on my ass. Good Lord, something had gotten into that man! Court me? Is that what I really wanted? He had a point, we hadn’t really been on a date. That was what I’d been planning for tonight. He was going to kill me when he found out what we were doing! I giggled to myself as I walked over to the closet to rustle up something to wear.
Fifteen minutes later, I stood in front of my mirror braiding my long hair. I had chosen to wear a cotton summer dress with flowers on it and my well-loved brown cowboy boots. The closer I got to my fourth month of pregnancy, the less my clothing fit. I was trying to hold off on maternity clothes shopping, but I was going to have to do it sooner rather than later it seemed. I put on a silver chain with a clover charm and swiped some lip gloss across my lips. Smiling, I exited the bedroom.
“Hey, hot stuff,” I called to Aaron, who was watching television. His eyes widened and he smiled when he saw me. I spun around in a slow circle and he grinned even wider.
“You look good enough to eat,” he growled. I was hoping he would say that.
“And now I know how Little Red Riding Hood felt,” I replied. He laughed and stood up. Pulling me to him, he planted a kiss on me that would melt an iceberg. Breaking away, hand to my chest, I took a shaky breath and smiled.
“Well now,” I breathed. He laughed.
“Well let’s go, badass. We have something to do,” I replied. He nodded. We walked out of the house and I could barely contain the grin playing across my lips. He was definitely going to kill me, but it was so going to be worth it.
***
We pulled up to Last Chance Charlie’s, a country music bar outside of Willowvale. Aaron and I chatted the whole way, but he kept trying to weasel out of me where we were going. I would just shake my head and smile. As we pulled into the dusty parking lot, I smiled at the collection of trucks, jeeps, and bikes. I looked over to Aaron, but his expression was unreadable. I spotted a familiar black truck as I got out of my car. Axel stood against his truck, Willa standing next to him. I heard Aaron growl behind me. Willa stepped up to Aaron, trying to make herself look intimidating in skinny jeans, cowboy boots and a white tank top.
“Calm yourself there, stud,” she warned Aaron. Aaron looked at Axel and then back to me. I shrugged.
“I have no idea why I’m here either, so don’t look at me,” remarked Axel. Willa whacked him in the arm. He frowned.
“Hey, no damaging the precious merchandise,” pouted Axel. Willa frowned and shook her head.
“Right, because you have to play in the big game tomorrow, right?” she asked sarcastically. He grinned and shrugged. She turned to look at Aaron again, and her expression softened a bit.
“Chloe wanted you two hard heads to talk. And then we’re going to have some fun,” stated Willa with a smirk.
“Isn’t that against the law or something?” asked Aaron. Willa rolled her eyes.
“I’m no longer your therapist. Another doctor in my practice is going to be taking over, someone who deals with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Aaron. That way, you don’t violate the conditions of your parole and I don’t violate the whole doctor/patient relationship. Besides, I quit that practice. I was recently hired somewhere else,” she said, smiling at Axel. I looked at her and shook my head. She was all over the damn place and I hoped that it wasn’t my boy’s doing.
“And what? You two are together now?” asked Aaron, pointing between Axel and Willa.
“No. We are friends. That’s it. He doesn’t want more and neither do I. Besides, he needs female friends to keep his ornery butt in line,” replied Willa. Aaron shrugged and I breathed a sigh of relief. Aaron looked at the huge renovated barn that was turned into a bar and sighed.
“Where in the hell are we?” he asked me. I smiled.
“Last Chance Charlie’s,” I replied. He looked puzzled and then the door opened, music spilling out. Country music.
“Oooh, they’re playing Dierks Bentley! Come on!” yelled Willa as she streaked past as to the front door. Axel and Aaron exchanged a look.
“Isn’t Dierks Bentley....” started Aaron.
“Country music,” finished Axel grimly, giving me a hard stare.
“What do you think the cowboy boots were for?” I asked, pointing down. Aaron shook his head and shoved his son. Axel frowned.
“This is all your fault,” muttered Aaron. Axel smirked.
“Take her on a date that’s all I said. This is what happens when you let the lady pick,” responded Axel. Aaron snorted.
“Come on, you big babies, we can’t leave Willa alone in there!” I called, walking to the door. They dragged their feet, but followed. I opened the door and smiled. Quite a crowd was gathered around the mahogany bar top. A girl in a tight pair of jeans and a halter top that looked suspiciously like a bunch of red bandanas tied together, was slinging drinks behind the bar. People were dancing on the spacious dance floor off to the left of the bar and a game of pool was going on in the back. Willa already ordered a beer at the bar, receiving quite a few admiring glances from several of the men. Axel sidled up to her and put his arm around her waist, giving dirty looks to two of Willa’s admirers. Aaron chuckled and went over to the bar. I found us a table near the dance floor and sat down. Willa came back with two beers, Axel had his hands full with shots. Aaron was drinking what looked like a Jack and coke. Handing me a coke, he sat down next to me and across from his son.
“You’re the official designated driver tonight, honey,” Aaron said with a wiggle of his eyebrows. I nodded and took a sip of my Coke. Willa looked around smiling. She seemed to be in her element.
“A country music fan?” I asked her. She nodded and smiled again
“Are you kidding me? I’m a huge Luke Bryan fan. I would shake it for that man anytime! Ooh and Hunter Hayes... the things I would teach that man,” she said with a laugh. I nodded in agreement, both were yummy.
“I dunno, I have to say that while I agree with your two choices, Trace Adkins, now that man is sex on a stick. But then again. I like my men older... seasoned,” I replied with a wink at Aaron. Axel choked on his beer and Aaron smacked him on the back.
“Who is Luke Bryant? And Tracy Adkins,” asked Aaron. Willa rolled her eyes.
“Bryan and Trace Adkins. They’re country music artists. Luke sings...” I started to say when one of his songs, Crash My Party, came on. I smiled and held out my hand to Aaron.
“Dance with me? It’s a slow one,” I said. He nodded and grabbed my hand, leading me to the dance floor. He took me in his arms and I rested my head on his chest. Sighing softly, I hummed the song and swayed with him to the music. He cradled my head in his hand as I felt his heart beat under me.
“This is nice,” he said loud enough for me to hear. I looked up at him and smiled.
“It is,” I agreed. He spun me out and I felt my cheeks split with a goofy grin. He pulled me back in and landed a scorching kiss on my lips.
“Do I have to tell Axel he was right?” he asked with a wince. I giggled.
“No, I think if he looked over here at us, he would see that dating is definitely a good idea for us,” I replied. He nodded, pulling me to him.
“Baby doll, there has never been a problem with our chemistry in or out of the bedroom. But it is nice to hold you on the dance floor. As far as Axel is concerned, I’m not saying a word to that little shit,” he said. I threw back my head and laughed.
“Really?” I said after my giggles had subsided.
“What?” he asked, feigning innocence. I pursed my lips and then laughed.
“I love that you made me my favorite pie. I love that I’m here with you, in a country music bar. Dancing with you. And I love you, Aaron Drawn,” I said. He bent down and kissed me softly, his tongue teasing the seam of my lips. I opened my mouth, letting him in, my insides set on fire. He cupped my face and broke the kiss.
“Could you two please stop fucking each other on the dance floor?” called Axel, as se and Willa danced over to us. The music had changed to a fast paced The Band Perry song and Axel looked at home dancing along to it.
“We were not doing anything of the sort,” I challenged. Willa giggled.
“How many has she had to drink? We were gone like ten minutes,” I hissed to Axel.
“Shots and a boilermaker or two,” replied Axel with a shrug. Willa twirled around Axel, sashaying her hips, hands in the air, head whipping gently from side to side in time with the beat. Axel put his hand on her waist and pulled her closer to him. With a smile, I danced closer to Aaron, swinging my hips. He looked down with a grin and danced along with me. I was impressed. I didn’t figure he was a dancer.
“Lessons,” he said.
“Huh?” I asked, hooking my fingers into the loops of his jeans.
“My yaya made me take dance lessons,” he replied.
“Your yaya?” I asked. He nodded and twirled me again.
“It’s the Greek endearment for grandmother. My grandparents were Greek,” he explained. I nodded in understanding.
“Gotcha. So she made you take dancing lessons?” I asked as he spun me away from him and then right back to him. He smiled and looked like he was really enjoying himself.
“Yeah, wanted me to be a true gentleman. My papu, grandfather, was a talented dancer,” he replied. He pulled me into him and slid his hands down my back, looking down into my eyes.
“I like the way you fit here,” he murmured.
“Yeah, me too,” I replied, nestling my head against his chest again like when we’d first started dancing.
A few hours later, the bar closed down. We had danced, played pool and people watched. Willa and Axel were incredibly drunk by the time we left and I decided we would all just go home in Axel’s truck. Aaron told me we could come get my car in the morning, seeing as he didn’t feel comfortable driving either. Aaron boosted me up into the driver’s seat and I froze as I was buckling myself in.
“Uh, Axel?” I called into the back seat. Axel was helping Willa buckle and they were giggling.
“Yeah?” he slurred.
“Um... where is your car radio?” I asked, pointing to the empty hole in the console where the radio should be.
“Fucking Chainsaw said he was going to fix it for me... then he had to leave to go...” he sang. I shook my head. I pulled out of the parking lot and winced as the tires kicked up bits of gravel that pinged against the side of the truck.
“Careful... careful,” slurred Axel.
“Chloe?” called Willa. I looked in the rear view mirror at her. She had her head on Axel’s shoulder and I swear to God she sniffed his shirt.
“Yeah?” I replied.
“If you... if you wreck his truck... I’ll fix it. You can wreck it,” she told me. I bit back a laugh and heard Aaron chuckle softly next to me.
“Um...okay,” I replied. Axel sat forward and wagged his finger in my face.
“No... don’t... don’t tell her that Willa! Careful, Chloe. Please don’t wreck my truck... please,” he said to me in a drunken, sing song voice. I giggled.
“It’s the tires... mud tires,” whispered Aaron. I looked to him as I maneuvered the back roads home. I knew what mud tires were, but I couldn’t help but play along with this whole drunken conversation.
“Come again?” I asked. He tapped his fingers on his leg.
