Page 27 of Stone

The sun was high in the cloudless sky, beating its heat down onto my face. I should have felt content because although John was leaving, in reality, it was the first step in achieving everything we wanted out of life.

Except the churning in my stomach, which had been there since the day John enlisted, latched onto me, digging deep like a cancer tearing into my organs. I couldn’t help but worry that Stone’s enlisting would change the course of our lives—and not for the better—despite the beautiful plans we’d made for the future.

However hard I tried, I couldn’t shake the acidic feeling of impending doom.

Chapter Six

Stone

“Have you got wraps in your pocket, ya little shit?” Dad asked with a smirk. “Mark my words, if you knock that girlie up, her people will come lookin’ for you with a damned pitchfork.” He smirked. “Though seein’ you beat his ass would make my day. That Jerome Bell’s a snooty fucker.”

I sat back in my chair, hands clenching into fists on the kitchen table. “Don’t talk about my girl like that, Dad. What happens between me and Elise will stay between us.” My lips gave a little twitch. “You’re right about her dad, though. Have you seen the way he fawns over Bert Henderson? Reminds me of a slimy toad.”

“That toad will be your father-in-law one day.” Dad took the seat opposite me at the table and lounged back without a care in the world. “I asked you if you’ve got wraps. Do you have fuckin’ wraps?”

I sighed. “Yeah, I got wraps. It doesn’t mean I’ll use ‘em tonight, though. I want Leesy’s first time to be special.”

“You’ve arranged all this for her birthday, boy. Don’t try and tell me you’re not plannin’ on gettin’ your dick wet.” Dad waggled his eyebrows.

I looked to the heavens and heaved out a breath. “Someone up there hates me. Only I could get saddled with the only dad in Hambleton who wants to talk about sex with his offspring. I must’ve been a real bastard in a past life.”

“You’re a real bastard now,” Dad muttered, taking a pull of his beer before pointing toward his head. “See this grey? That’s on you, fucker.”

I barked a laugh. “It’s on the brothers playin’ up, the gunrunning, and weed selling. I’m a damned angel compared to the boys—”

“Who’s a damned angel?” Mom said from the doorway.

I craned my neck to reply, but instead, my jaw dropped.

Leesy stood next to my ma with her beautiful blonde hair curled at the ends and her face lightly made up. Her blue dress, molded to her lush body, was held up by tiny shoulder straps.

I stood in a daze, my mouth as dry as the damned Sahara.

Elise usually wore jeans and baggy tees. I knew she had a good figure, but I’d never seen her look so sexy. Her dress accentuated her hourglass body and rounded boobs and hips to perfection. In the thirty minutes Mom had helped her get ready for our date, she’d transformed from a beautiful girl into a gorgeous woman.

“Jesus,” I murmured, my cock thickening in my jeans.

Dad gave me a nudge and muttered, “Just as well, you’ve got them wraps, boy. Wouldn’t be shocked if your hard-on was seen from outer space.” He looked at Mom and cackled.

Ma rolled her eyes.

Elise’s face burned with embarrassment.

I looked to the heavens and cursed.

Dad nudged me. “Well, don’t just stand there, ya little pissant. Go get your girl.”

My feet moved toward Elise, who, thank God, had her hand up to her mouth by then to hide her giggles. Taking her fingers, I stroked her thumb with mine. “Are you ready, baby?”

Her beautiful smile lit up her entire face. “Come on, before your dad humiliates us some more.”

Pop cackled again.

“Donny!” Mom snapped. “Behave.”

The old bastard sauntered over to Mom, tagged her waist, and planted a kiss on her mouth. “We could still show these young’uns a thing or two, Queenie.”

Face paling, I almost balked.

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