Jake
Ispend the drive to the Taylors’ house the following day feeling like there’s a ball of nerves stuck in my throat, but I also feel butterflies in my stomach.
Before my dad passed away, we would usually celebrate holidays together or we would join the Taylors, especially during his last couple years.
They reminded me of the family I had in them, and I was grateful to have them more than ever.
There were some years that they spent the holidays in California with Kailyn, and I decided not to attend.
So the thought that this will be my first Thanksgiving with her after all this time makes me excited and nervous.
As I sit in the silence of this car ride, my thoughts start to drift back to what I thought life would look like now. This is our second chance to have what we always dreamed of, even if things look a little different.
I’m done holding the past over our heads, letting my hurt and anger dictate my life. It’s time to truly start living instead of letting life pass me by.
I don’t want to waste any more time living in fear or sitting on the bench. I want to be all in with Kailyn.
She’s always been the one for me. My brain and my heart needed a second to get in sync.
I pull into their driveway and see that everyone else is already here, so with one final breath to center myself, I climb out of my car and walk over to the group as we make our way to the front door.
Before we can make it up the steps, the door opens to reveal Mrs. Taylor, wearing a blue apron with a black T-shirt and jeans underneath and a huge smile on her face.
She bypasses all of her kids and comes running to me at the back of the group, extending her arms as she wraps them around me for a hug.
I take a second to regain my balance before I sink into her embrace and let her warmth envelop me.
It’s been a while since I’ve seen Mr. and Mrs. Taylor in person, other than games and events, and actually spent time with them.
It feels like coming home seeing her again.
“My sweet Jake, I’m so glad to have you over. Happy Thanksgiving.” Mrs. Taylor lets me go and pulls away, her hands going to my shoulders as she looks me up and down.
“It’s wonderful to see you, too, Mrs. Taylor. Happy Thanksgiving.”
“What did I tell you about calling me by my last name? You are family, my dear boy.”
“Of course, Sam.”
She smiles at me, and it reminds me so much of where Kailyn got her smile from.
“Don’t scare the poor boy off, Sam. At least let him in the house first.” She pulls back and makes her way over to her husband. He wraps his arm around her shoulder, planting a kiss on her forehead.
I can’t help but look over at Kailyn and wish with everything I have that I could love her out loud like that.
We’re not there yet, but I know that we will be.
Hopefully soon.
“Come on, kids. Dinner is ready. You know the drill.” We all make our way inside, and I feel like I'm home again, the familiar fall scents mixing in with the vanilla candles that are always burning and the slight warmth from the electric fireplace that sits in their living room. Yes, we’re in Florida, one of the hottest states, but it’s still a nice touch to their beautiful home and helps to keep it cozy.
“It’s good to see you again, Jake. Your season is looking really promising so far.” Mr. Taylor releases his daughter as he walks over to me, reaching out his hand for a handshake. I return it, smiling up at the man who is practically a second father to me in every way.
“Thank you, sir. I’m just doing my best every game.”
“You have always been one hell of a player, son. Your dad would be so proud of you, just know that.”
Tears prick at the back of my eyes. “Thank you. That means a lot coming from you.” He pats my shoulder, squeezing it in reassurance before he leads us into the dining room, where the rest of the group is already sitting and waiting for us.
I take the only available seat, which happens to be right next to Kailyn and across from the twins. Lainey is at one end of the table with their parents at the other end, sitting side by side. We start to pass around the food, piling up our plates and diving right in.
We chat and mingle for a while, talking about everything from the season so far to Kailyn’s new job, how Lainey’s job at Love & Lattes is going, and reminiscing about our childhoods.
It feels nice to be surrounded by family, people who love you and make you feel like you have somewhere to come home to.
I haven’t genuinely felt a sense of home in a long time.
Underneath the table, I feel a brush of something against my foot.
It’s gone just as quick, so I don’t think anything of it—until I feel it again, this time just a little bit longer.
Without drawing attention, I peer under the table and see Kailyn’s foot brushing against mine.
She’s talking to her mom about something, so she’s not truly paying attention to me.
When she reaches out to brush against me again, I hook her ankle with mine and pull it slightly toward me, a soft gasp leaving her lips as she drops her fork.
“Are you alright, honey?” Sam asks, concern lacing her tone.
“I’m fine, Mom. Just thought I felt something, but I’m all good.” Her cheeks are coated in a soft pink blush, and she goes about eating like nothing happened.
She leaves her ankle tucked into mine.
Smiling in satisfaction, I continue to eat like nothing happened. It still feels good to get these reactions from her, to know I have this effect on her. It only solidifies the truth for me.
We chat and laugh some more before deciding to clear up the table. I help the twins with dish duty, even though Sam insisted I didn’t need to. Once everything is cleaned and put away, we all start to say our goodbyes and head home after a long day.
I hug the Taylors goodbye as I make my way to the door, heading out while the rest of the kids stay to chat for a few minutes. I'm almost to my car when I hear the front door open and close softly behind me, turning to see Kailyn following me down the stairs.
All night, it’s been so hard for me to keep my hands to myself.
I want to touch her again like we did in the parking lot, but this time take it further.
I want to bring her face to mine, taste her lips, devour her as she melts into me like she used to.
I want to let my hands explore her soft curves and bring her closer as we become a mess of tongues and teeth. And then, I’d throw her in my car and bring her back to my house where I can slowly take my time worshipping every inch of her body.
She walks up to me, goosebumps traveling up her arms from the late night chill as I watch her rub at them.
I walk over to my car, and come back to her with one of my hoodies and give it to her, helping her put it on without saying a word.
Once it's on over her head, I get a good look at her in my clothes, just like that night in my hotel room, and my cock thickens in my pants at the sight of her wearing my number on her shoulder and back.
The things I want to do to this woman.
“I hope you had a good time tonight,” she says hesitantly.
“I really did. I’ve missed being around your family like this. It’s been really nice.”
She smiles, but tries to hide it from me. I can tell she doesn’t want to get her hopes up and read too much into this.
Screw it, at this moment I don’t care if her brothers are watching us.
I want to soak up every moment I can with her.
I take a step closer and bring my hands to her cheeks, cupping them as I bring her gaze to mine and lower my face, so we’re only inches apart.
I watch as she bites her bottom lip, and all I want to do is lean in and claim it with my own mouth.
She bunches her hands into my shirt and holds onto me, bringing me another step closer. “I’m really glad you came today. I..” She hesitates, and I know I need to give her this moment.
Unshed tears start to form behind her eyes. “I’ve missed you. I’ve missed this, us. And I know I don’t have a right to, but being home and seeing you has been the happiest I’ve been in a long time.” She admits.
“You have every right to miss this, because I missed you, too. There hasn’t been a day that’s gone by where I haven’t thought about or missed you.
” It's then that the dam breaks, and her tears start to fall down her cheeks.
I carefully wipe them with my thumbs, gently caressing the apple of her cheeks.
“Tell me we’ll be okay. That there’s a chance for us, because the way you're treating me right now makes me think I have hope, and I can’t do this if there isn’t any.” Her voice sounds small, like she’s cautious of my answer.
It’s those words that seal my fate and have me finally leaning down to devour this goddess in front of me.
When our lips touch, a spark of electricity zips up my spine. My stomach erupts into butterflies, but there’s a sense of calm and peace, like I’m home for the first time in a long time. Her lips are warm against mine, and they taste like pure heaven and sin all wrapped together.
She pulls me closer as I melt into the kiss, my tongue licking along her bottom one to gain entrance. It tangles with hers, licking and sucking every inch of her that I can.
This is everything that I’ve missed these last ten years, all of our emotions wrapped up in this one kiss.
She lets out a soft moan, and I know that if I don’t pull away now, I’m going to drag her back inside to her childhood room and claim her as mine for everyone to hear, consequences be damned.
I have to dig deep and force myself to pull away, but finally I do, leaving one more peck on her lips as we both come crashing back down to reality. It takes a moment before she opens her eyes and looks at me with so much hope and love in her eyes, and I know I’m truly a goner for this girl.
“There has always been hope for us. I think we just had to wait for the right moment to find it.” I brush a stray piece of hair behind her ear.
“I think so, too.”
We sit in the silence of each other for a moment before she’s pulling back, getting ready to take off my hoodie. “No, keep it on. I love seeing you with my number on your back.”
“I remember when it was only your number I was wearing.”
“Woman,” I groan, my cock thickening even more as she teases me. “I swear, if you don’t stop teasing me…”
“Then what? Are you gonna spank me?”
I lean down so that my lips brush the shell of her ear. “I’ll bend you over my truck and show everyone who you belong to. But I know you’d like that too much.”
“And what if I did?” The soft laugh she releases has me smiling from ear to ear.
She reaches her hand to my face and gently turns it from side to side. “What are you doing?”
“When did you get your ears pierced?”
“I got them done the summer after you left. Why? You like them?”
She lifts up on her toes, her mouth right next to my ear. “Who knew I’d get so turned on by a man with his ears pierced?”
Before I can say anything, she’s pulling away from me.
“I didn’t know they’d be such a turn on for you. Good to know,” I say as I make my way to my driver’s door, leaving her so she can go back inside to her family.
“I know the next couple of weeks are busy, but don’t think that this is over,” I tell her.
“You have my number, handsome. You could always use it.” She winks at me before making her way up the stairs and inside her house.
I climb into my truck, turning it on when my phone pings in my pocket. Before I open it, I know exactly who it is.
Baby Girl
I’m really glad that there’s still hope, because I don’t know how to do this life without you.
I don’t know how to do this life without you, either.
Baby Girl
We’ll take this one day at a time, okay? And I promise I’ll prove I’m here to stay.
One day at a time, because after that incredible kiss, I’m not letting you go again.
Baby Girl
Good, because there’s nowhere else I want to be but with you.
There’s no one else for me but you.
Good night, Kailyn.
Baby Girl
Good night, Jake. Get home safe