Chapter 40 – Jace
JACE
Switching off the ignition, my head rests against the steering wheel and I struggle to keep my eyes open. I sit there for a long minute, before finally forcing my eyes open and getting out of the RV.
Halfway to the door, I realise the RV is the only vehicle in sight and I quickly dig my phone out of my pocket to check the time.
Sure enough, it’s almost three o’clock and I cast a longing look at the front door, and the soft bed that’s upstairs knowing everyone is out picking Charlotte up from school. There’s no way Mitchell will have left a door or window unlocked that I can slip through to get inside.
Shuffling on my feet, I look over my shoulder at the RV feeling completely exhausted.
I’m used to very little sleep, but a ten-hour grooming day filled with the emotional impact of seeing all of those dogs in the state they were in, then having to find somewhere that could do an emergency service on my equipment because all of my scissors, blades and clippers are now blunt, coupled with the long drive back, is a lot, even for me.
Figuring it’s worth a shot; I step up to the door and test the handle to confirm it is indeed locked. Sighing, I resign myself to sleeping on the blow-up mattress in the RV, at least until everyone gets back so I turn on my feet and make my way back.
I barely make it ten steps before my phone chimes with a text.
Unknown
Key is taped under the recycling bin’s lid. I’ll be home soon. Get some sleep.
Staring at my screen, I blink several times trying to work out if this is Mitchell or Bonnie, and if we ever actually got around to exchanging numbers or not.
Me
Mitchell?
Unknown
Yes.
Me
Did Charlie give you my number?
Unknown
No. You did.
ME
I did?
Am I really that tired I don’t remember us exchanging numbers? I’m not mad, if anything I’m a little annoyed that we haven't thought about it sooner.
It’s just, staying with them has been a breeze. We’re pretty much here and together all day, so there hasn’t been a need to reach out via phone until now.
Quickly saving his number, I snicker at the name I put it under. Is it particularly funny? Not really, though my tired mind seems to think it is. It's definitely immature given he told us we weren't allowed to call him it.
Do I care? Eh, I’m too tired to care, ask me again tomorrow.
Rubbing my eyes, I reread his messages before looking around for the recycling bin.
Spotting it off to the side, I lift the yellow lid to find the key taped to its underside. I stare at it blankly for a few seconds, warmed by the idea that they not only thought about me before they left, but he trusts me enough to leave his key for me.
Surely that’s a good thing, right?
MITCHIE
Left a surprise upstairs for you.
That snaps me out of my funk, and I make for the front door. Sliding the key into the lock, a thrill runs through me when it easily slides in, and I hear the click as it unlocks.
Gently pushing the door open, I pause in the doorway. Is this weird? Me letting myself in their home when no one is home to just go upstairs and sleep in their bed?
MITCHIE
Hurry up. Don’t leave them waiting.
Them? That has me moving.
Heading inside, I quickly type the number Mitchell and Bonnie gave us for the alarm system when it was clear we would be staying here, then toss my shoes off clumsily, kicking them in the direction of the shoe rack.
Frowning, I survey the loungeroom. Nothing is out of place, the pillows and couch cushions are all where they’re meant to be, even the TV remote hasn’t been moved.
Taking a breath, I catch the fading scent of sweat and sex and smile. Casting a look up at the ceiling in the direction of Bonnie’s room, I wonder just what sort of surprise Mitchell left me.
My dick twitches in my pants at the image of what they could have gotten up to today. I’m too tired to do anything about the situation in my pants, but I’d love nothing more than to snuggle up with them in bed after the day I’ve had.
Casting a quick look down, I wince. There’s no way I can go in there covered in dog fur and everything else that has likely attached itself to me. Not to mention the smell.
Sex or no sex, wet dog smell is not attractive.
Sighing, I cast a longing look at Bonnie’s closed door before heading to the bathroom for the quickest shower of my life.
After patting myself dry, I wrap a towel around my waist and head for her room. Opening the door a crack, I stick my head inside and take in the scene before me.
Charlie has his arm wrapped around Bonnie, his chest flush with her back as they both sleep soundly. Bonnie's soft snores are the only noises in the room beside the laptop playing some random movie that they must have fallen asleep to.
Stepping inside, I trip over a laundry basket and end up on the floor, clutching my foot and clenching my jaw to stop from shouting out in pain as my pinkie toe throbs.
“You okay?” I look up at the sound of her voice, thick with sleep.
“Yep, just stubbed my toe,” I whisper around a groan.
“Mm, I can see that…and then some.” I follow her eyes, realising the position I’ve landed myself in has my legs spread wide, my cock on full display.
It twitches under her attention, and I let out another groan. “Down boy,” I mutter, reaching into the basket of what looks like mine and Charlie’s clothes. I do a quick sniff test to confirm they’re clean before I slip on a pair of boxers and crawl over to the mattress.
“Mind if I join you?” I ask, trying not to smirk at the little pout on her lips, her eyes locked on my now clothed groin.
Instead of answering, she lifts the blanket, giving me a full view of her pyjama clad body and I crawl under the covers, shuffling over until I’m pressed against her front.
She wraps herself around me, her hands running through my hair just like she used to when we were younger, and I sigh. “Sorry for waking you,” I mumble, my eyes already closing.
“It’s okay…are you alright?”
“Mm, today was just a lot.”
“That bad?”
“Yeah, the state of those dogs…one had matting so bad that it had calcified around their legs like casts. The poor thing couldn’t even walk. It was horrible…I don’t understand how people can be that cruel.”
“Me neither.” Her voice sounds lost, and my heart breaks for her as a tear lands on my cheek. I pull back and tilt my head so I can see her better, to find a sadness in her eyes and I silently ask if she’s okay.
She gives me a tired smile, resuming running her hand through my hair and sighs. “Even after all these years, he’s still fucking with me from the grave…I wish I knew why people were so cruel.”
“I’m so sorry, Bee.”
“It wasn’t your fault, Jace.”
“It feels like it sometimes. If they hadn’t of separated us, if I hadn’t-”
“Jace, we both made decisions back then. I was just as responsible as you were.” Her fingers stop their path in my hair, and she tightens her grip, forcing me to look at her. “I need you to know, I don’t blame you for anything that happened, Jace. I never did.”
My eyes sting at her admission, and the guilt I’ve held onto so tightly over the years unravels a little, just enough for me to feel the weight lift off my chest and take my first full breath in what feels like years.
“Go to sleep,” Bonnie whispers softly into my hair, and I feel her lips press against my temple.
Charlie’s hand reaches over Bonnie and entwines with mine. I lift my head to see if he’s awake, but his eyes are closed, and I smile.
My eyes drift closed, struggling to stay open with both of them touching me. “I love you, Bee.” I’m not sure if I actually speak the words out loud, or if they’re just running through my head loudly, but I don’t get the chance to find out before sleep claims me.