30. Jace
Jace
Bree and Lizzie are standing on the porch. Lizzie is holding a platter of cookies, looking insanely proud of herself. I take a few minutes to look at each cookie, making a fuss over the decorations, then head out to meet my parents and Maddy at my place when they arrive.
“I’ll be back soon, babe.” I press a quick kiss on Harper's lips before I head out the door. Tomorrow is gonna be a long day. Every time I step into that kitchen, I’m going to get hard remembering the way she came while screaming my name.
The day I can lock her down for good will be the best day of my life.
I’m also pretty excited for her to meet my family.
I know they will love her, but I also want her to feel comfortable with them.
It’s unfortunate that she won’t meet Caleb, who is still deployed.
We try to talk regularly, but it has been very sparse the last three months.
My heart clenches a little thinking of him and hoping he’s safe.
The driveway is empty when I pull up and I’m relieved.
I would have felt awful if they arrived to a dark, empty place.
Once inside, I check everything one more time to make sure they’ll be comfortable for their stay.
Opening a beer, I think about heading to the back porch when lights flash through the window and gravel crunches, signaling their arrival.
I change course and head to the front door instead.
“Welcome to Juniper Falls,” I greet them as they get out of the car.
“Well, now, son, this is real nice here,” Dad says, taking in the surroundings with his hands on his hips.
“We drove through town on our way in, and it’s so cute, like a storybook. Oh, and I saw your buildings, you are so talented,” Mom gushes as she pulls me in for a hug. I could be building a huge penis shaped building, and she would find some way to put a positive spin on it.
“Kinda looks like a cabin some creepy serial killer would hide out in,” Maddy remarks, eyeing the trees.
She recently turned twenty-three, and being almost six years older than her, I was always playing the protective older brother role, driving her nuts.
Lately, though, we’ve been connecting on a more mature level as she embarks into the real world and pursues a career in Human Resources.
It’s been fun seeing the relationship evolve.
“I see you’re still hooked on the true crime documentaries.” I laugh, giving her a side hug.
“You have no idea,” Dad mutters as he makes for the house.
“Aside from dreams of catching a killer, how are you, squirt?” She rolls her eyes at me, shouldering her duffel bag. “Since you were too busy to see your brother in October."
“Excuse me, I’m not the one that has skipped family dinners for three months straight. Also, I couldn’t miss my bestie's bachelorette party.”
“Seeing as you live with Mom and Dad, you not missing dinner isn’t exactly an accomplishment. Second, I’m hurt that I was rated lower than a bachelorette party.” I clutch my heart dramatically as I lead everyone inside.
“Well, that is about to change. The living situation, not the fact that I chose to watch greased up men dance all night instead of looking at your lovesick mug.”
“You’re moving out? Does Ma know?” I call out loudly.
“She’s just taking a page from her older brother's books and moving away from us,” Mom responds, and I arch my brows at her.
“Got an offer in Vancouver and decided to take it. The pay is great, and several friends from college ended up there, so I’ll know people. Actually, I’m getting a place with Tori. You met her last summer, I think.”
“Is she the tall blonde one, or the shorter redhead?”
“Red.” Maddy laughs as we step inside.
“Welcome to my rental. The main bedroom is in the back, and I set up a cot in the den so you would have a little more privacy. It’s tight, but I thought it would beat sleeping on the couch, especially since Dad wakes up so early.”
“Thanks.” She drops her bag and heads toward the French doors to the porch.
“Why don’t y’all go make yourself comfortable? I’ll grab us some beers and get the firepit going so we can chat for a bit before I head back to Harper’s.”
“Oh, are we not going to get to meet them tonight?” Mom asks sadly.
“Sorry, not tonight. Tomorrow will be a big and busy day, so Harper wanted to keep Lizzie on her night and sleep schedule today so she can handle everything easier tomorrow. When she’s overtired and overstimulated it can be very hard for her.
” Mom nods understandingly. She hasn’t pushed for too many details on Lizzie’s diagnosis, but Dad said she had been reading books and looking up things about autism, so she would better understand.
Even though she was a teacher for so long, she just wants to make sure she knows all she can.
I know I take it for granted sometimes, but I’m damn lucky to have a family like this.
“Hey, big brother,” Maddy pipes up, filling the silence. “Didn’t you say Harper got pregnant at nineteen?” I nod, not sure where she’s going with this. “And Lizzie is four?”
“Four and a half,” I quip, pointing at her with my beer.
“Ew, Jace!” she cries and I tense, ready to fight whatever she thinks she can say negatively against either of my girls.
“That means Harper is basically my age. Talk about robbing the cradle. Perv.” I relax a second before the jab hits its mark, and I smack the beer bottle poised at her mouth, sloshing it down the front of her.
Before she can start something, Mom stands with her hands splayed like we are wild animals.
“Enough, children,” she demands, using her tired Mom voice that makes me feel like I’m eight again. “That will be quite enough of all that. Jace, honey, why don’t you head back and see if Harper needs any help. Maddy, just shh.” I snort out a laugh at Maddy’s annoyed face.
“That is a great idea.” I smile sweetly and kiss Mom’s cheek before winking at Maddy and jogging down the steps to walk around the house.
“Eat glass,” is shouted into the night air and I smile. It’s good being around family. Hopefully, next time Caleb will be back and can join us.
Stepping into Harper’s house, I can hear Lizzie humming to herself in her room, something she often does as she is trying to calm down and fall asleep.
Dishes clatter in the sink, and I make my way in to help Harper with cleanup.
I spot the gift I bought her on the floor, and excitement courses through me.
Harper is standing at the sink in leggings, a crop top that shows several inches of stomach, with an open flannel over it.
Her dark hair is still wet from the shower she obviously took, and it’s piled on her head with wisps falling out, framing her face.
The sight takes my breath away, erasing all rational thoughts.
Fuck me, she’s stunning, and every time I see her it feels like coming home.
“Hey, babe.” She looks over her shoulder, spotting me. I walk to her and press a quick kiss to her lips as she dries her hands. Turning, she loops her arms around my neck, her fingers toying with the edge of my hair.
“Hi.” I smile, looking down at her, the wide smile on her face, and the way her eyes dance with happiness, she really is my favorite person. I just want to stop time and luxuriate in this moment of happiness. “What else needs to be done? I can finish up, and you can relax for a bit.”
“You actually have perfect timing. I just finished.” She stands up onto her toes, closing the distance between us. “What should we do until bed?”
Groaning, I pull her flush against me, and my dick takes instant notice of her nearness. Visions of our kitchen exploits flood my mind. “I have a few ideas,” I say before sucking her bottom lip into my mouth.
“Mhmm, I like the way you think.” Her eyes close and she goes pliant in my arms. I have to shake myself, remembering what I brought. I look at my dick that is straining against the zipper of my jeans. Sorry, buddy, you’re gonna have to wait.
“But first…” I step back, putting space between us, the absence of her in my arms jarring, and the way I crave her still takes me be surprise after all this time. “I have something for you.”
Her eyes light up, and fuck, if I don’t want to bring her a present every damn day if it means I get to see her like this. Stepping into the living room, I hold the bag up.
“What is it?”
“Huh, if only there was a way to find out the answer to that,” I quip, tapping my chin and smiling at her.
“Ass.” She laughs, reaching for the bag. When she turns toward the couch, I swat her ass, loving the yelp it earns me. She pulls out the tissue paper and freezes when she sees what’s inside. “What? It’s too much, Jace, I can’t take this.”
Reaching into the bag, I pull out the new camera I bought her.
It’s made to look retro and old, but with top-of-the-line features.
“These last few months, I’ve been lucky enough to follow my passion, and with Blake finishing his contractor license soon, I plan to grow the woodwork side of the business.
I want you to get the chance to explore something you loved but also had to give up.
Leaning into my passion and chasing that dream has made me so happy, and I’m hoping to help you do the same.
There’s no pressure to make it your job or anything, but I want to see how you see the world from behind a lens. ”
“I can’t believe you remembered.” Her voice is low, strained, and pulsing with emotion.
“I remember everything about you, babe, and love every new thing I see and learn.” My fingers graze across her cheek, memorizing the lines of her, staring into her eyes, dark and piercing as she watches me.
“I love the way your eyes are golden brown one minute and the next a jade green. The way your nose scrunches when you’re thinking really hard.
The way the smell of your hair and bodywash surrounds me when you’re in my arms. I love the way you love strawberry tarts, especially the sounds you make while eating them. ”
Winking, I swipe the pad of my thumb across her cheek, relishing in the smooth feel of her skin, of the fact that I get to touch her and be with her like this.
“I love the way you eat Shaina’s meatloaf every time she fixes it, smiling the whole time, even though I know you hate it.
” Her eyes grow wide and she mouths how?
“How? Because when you eat something you like, you do a little wiggle dance, if you don’t, you press your tongue into your cheek after each bite.
I love that your guilty pleasure is cheesy horror movies, but you watch every Hallmark movie with Bree because it makes her so happy.
I see it all because I’m always watching you, drawn to you in a way I’ll never understand.
I love all the little things about you.” Another stroke of my thumb on her cheek, catching the single tear that had escaped.
In that moment, there is no way I can keep it inside anymore. I’ve been carrying it quietly for too long, and I can’t keep it bottled up. “Fuck it. I love you, Harper. I know it’s fast, but I can’t hold it in anymore. I love you so much, babe. You and Lizzie, you’re it for me.”
With that proclamation, she dissolves into tears.
“Jace, I love you, too. And it’s not just because you are fine as hell,” she quips, smiling tearily at me, and I brush one off her cheek, loving hearing her finally say those words, “but it’s how you make me feel that has captured my whole heart.
You see me for me, not as damaged goods, not as a problem.
You see all of me and love me still. I’ve never felt so safe and cherished as I do with you.
I had given up on finding anyone that would fit into my and Lizzie’s life, but then you showed up and changed everything.
I realize now I didn’t even know what real love was until you, and I am so completely, pathetically, head over heels in love with you, Jace. ”
My lips crash against hers in a fervent kiss.
Lifting her off the couch, loving the way she wraps her legs around me, holding me close, and I head for the bedroom, needing her in a visceral way.
I’m desperate to have every inch of her against me, no barriers, no distance, just us.
Finally saying the words to her is so freeing, and the fact that she said them back, well, there’s nothing more I could ask for.