Epilogue
EPILOGUE
Torrin
“A re Grammy and Gramps coming for Christmas?” Nora comes bouncing into my room. She must’ve heard me talking to them on the phone earlier. I was going to keep it a surprise, but it looks like the cat’s out of the bag.
“Yes! They’ll be staying with us through New Year’s.”
I’m so excited they’re coming. They’ve been exploring Europe for the last six months, and we’ve missed them so much. Nora especially. She loves her “grammy time.” The two of them paint their nails, go on shopping sprees, have their “coffee talk” over some hot chocolate, gabbing about Disney princesses and one very special boy in particular who my daughter says annoys her to death.
Sophie and I try not to bust out into giggles when our two youngest go at it, bickering like an old married couple, reminding me of Luke and me. Reid will pull Nora’s hair and then she’ll chase him around for hours, driving him nuts. But we think that’s why he does it, because he wants her attention. We think one day he’ll be chasing her down an aisle. My daughter is stubborn though, just like her mama, so I think she’ll give him a run for his money.
“I can’t wait!” she squeals, bouncing on her toes. “It’s going to be the best Christmas ever!” She rushes out of my room in search of her daddy who’s out back playing football with our little bruiser right now. I think Gavin is going to grow up and be just like his daddy. Tall for one thing. And strong. He’s the biggest kid in his first-grade class. And he’s the best on his little football team. Plus, he admires his father so much, I can see him wanting to follow in his footsteps.
I look out the window and see Nora rushing toward Luke. He sweeps her up and runs right to the “end zone,” making her giggle when he playfully pins her to the ground and then stands, cheering that he got the touchdown. God, I love them all so much. It makes my heart smile just watching them all giggle and play together. Mom and Walter are going to be shocked at how much Gavin and Nora have grown over the last six months. It really is going to be great having our whole family together for Christmas.
Once upon a time, it was hard being around our parents for the holidays. Things were stiff and awkward between us. They were trying hard to accept our new family dynamic, but we could feel their discomfort. And we understood. We tried hard to make things easier for them, sleeping in our separate bedrooms. Keeping our distance and making sure we behaved ourselves. Though, we still snuck down to the basement after they went to bed. But now, it’s different. After Nora was born, everything changed. Things felt normal again. We felt like a family. And Mom and Walter told us they wanted us to be ourselves around them.
It really will be great spending Christmas with them. Speaking of Christmas… I saw the Cartier bag out in the garbage can the other day, and I think there’s a present hiding somewhere around here for me. Lukas is always buying me pretty bobbles to wear, saying that his princess deserves to be spoiled and decked out in diamonds. Pretty soon, we’re going to have to have our own vault installed in the basement for the number of precious gems I own. He spares no expense. Then again, he can afford it.
I’m curious what it is this year. Another necklace or bracelet? A yellow canary diamond pendant? I don’t think I can wait until Christmas. The suspense is killing me.
I walk into our closet in search of my hidden present, looking in all the places where he usually hides my gifts, but I come up empty. I dig through his drawers next, looking through his clothes. Under the bed. Under the mattress. He must’ve put it in his office since he knows I never go in there.
I shut the door, just in case they come back inside. I don’t want him to catch me snooping. I search through his desk drawers, coming up empty, then I walk into his closet. It’s like his old closet back home. All his football memorabilia stacked on the shelves. His old jerseys hanging up. And tucked in the corner is his old box of pictures. I open it for good measure, not finding the jewelry box inside, but his brown leather journal from way back when is tucked inside.
I look over my shoulder, but the house is silent. I know they’re still outside running around.
He told me he’d burned this thing. When I asked why, he said his therapist told him it was good to write down his stresses and then burn them away. But he didn’t. I open it up, skimming the pages. Stopping when I see the words fucked her hard . It’s dated from the summer he was MIA. The summer he was struggling with his feelings toward me.
July 4
Dear Journal,
I woke up in a sweat this morning. I think this was the worst one yet. I saw one of the guys flirting with Torrin on the sidelines during practice. My blood boiled with jealousy. I slammed the ball down and stalked straight over. Shoving him away. She looked at me like I’d gone mad. I had. I moved in, gripped her by the neck, then pinned her down on the bench and showed the guys exactly who she belonged to.
I shoved up her skirt and fucked her hard, looking over at the guys, pinning each one with a warning. If anyone came near her, I would kill them. The madness was in full control. I fucked her cunt until she was overflowing with my cum. Then I flipped her over on the bench and spanked her ass until it was bright red, burning with my palmprint.
I could see the envy in their eyes, feel it beating into my back as they watched. And when all was done, I dragged her into the communal shower. Making her show them what was mine. It was so fucked up. I felt the obsession in my soul. And when I woke up, I beat my dick raw while I stared at her graduation picture. I’m such a sick bastard.
Guess I’m signing off now. The sickness is growing worse by the day.
Sincerely,
The bastard
“I should’ve burned that thing.”
I nearly jump from my skin, my heart leaping into my chest. The book falls to the ground, and I turn on shaky feet, seeing him standing in the doorway. Glaring me down with a look that sends a shiver down my spine. I don’t even know how long he’s been watching me. I was too consumed by his dream. Wrapped up in every word.
“I thought you were playing with the kids.” I swallow hard, trying to clear the breathlessness from my voice. It’s not from the nerves of being caught. It’s what I read. The fire is burning in my veins.
“Sophie took them for dinner and ice cream, offered for them to spend the night at their place.” He stalks closer. “What are you doing in here, Torre?” His eyes drop down to the book, voice stern. The pulse in his jaw ticking.
“I was looking for some old photos of you,” I lie. “And I found this in the box.”
“So, you decided to read it again?”
I swallow hard. “I’m sorry.”
“You said that last time. Doesn’t seem like you learned your lesson. Take your pants off, Torre.”
I shakily reach for my waistband, sliding my leggings down, stepping out of each foot.
His eyes drop between my legs, flaring as they see the evidence of what his dirty fantasy did to me. He stalks forward, dropping to his knees. Licking his lips as he stares at the little protruding nub poking its way out. “She’s nearly double her size,” he growls. Jaw locked tight like he’s fighting to hold himself back. “What got her like this? What did you read in that book that made you this soaked?” He’s breathing so hard, and I’m trembling before him, needing him to touch me.
“I read the entry about you claiming me in front of your team, fucking me on the bench.” I can barely get the words out, I’m in heat. “And then you took me into the shower and showed off your trophy.”
“Fuck.” He tugs me against him, nuzzling over my aching spot. “My naughty, naughty girl. I’m gonna give you a spanking right now. You’re not supposed to read that.” He yanks my panties off then sticks out his tongue, wanting me to ride it. To work for my pleasure. I push my hips forward, rubbing up against it, moaning as it presses against my swollen flesh. I have to hold onto his head as the feeling starts to take hold. Rocking my hips faster. Forcing him through my folds.
He’s staring up at me, watching as I work myself to the edge. And it doesn’t take long for me to hit my peak. The image of what he wrote is playing in my mind. Stroking me right past the goal line as I imagine the team watching him fuck me on the bench. I bow in half, folding over his back. He holds on, sucking the remnants of my orgasm from me before he lifts me off the ground and carries me to his desk, placing me right on top.
“Next time the guys are over,” I pant as he fights to get his dick free, “I’m going to wear a dress.” He lines himself up, pushing in on one thrust. Groaning like an animal. “I want you to pin me up against the kitchen counter and fuck me while they’re all shouting at the television, watching the wrestling match.”
“Fuck.” He bucks his hips. “You’re going to make me come.”
And he does. A few more hard thrusts inside and I feel him marking me with his seed. His body spasming hard against me. Making me ready for more. And the good news is, we have all night.
“How did I get so lucky?” he breathes, working to catch his breath.
I wouldn’t call it luck. It was fate. It was always meant to be us. The world knew it before we did. But we found our way through the rubble and figured out exactly where we belong.