Page 29 of Pedal to the Metal

“Well, who needs your parents when you had someone like Vivienne?” I tell her as I drape my arm around her shoulders and lead her into the house. As we enter, I can smell the pizza and spaghetti coming from the kitchen as well as laughter. We drop Londynn’s stuff off in my room then go to the kitchen to join in. Axell, Sadie, Bowie, Ace, Kynlee, Jovi and Creed are all crowded around the table playing Clue.

“He made it!” Bowie says looking up from the board.

I grab Londynn’s hand and head over to grab some food. I hand her a plate and tell her to help herself. She hesitates for a moment then decides to get a portion of spaghetti and a piece of pizza. I can’t help but smile, at least she’s comfortable here in this house, with my family, with me. It makes me happier than I thought it would.

After the game of Clue was finished, we made Root Beer floats. Londynn and I drug up two more chairs as we all sat down to play a game of Monopoly. By the time we were was finished it was getting late. Axell told Jovi to head to bed as Ace, Kynlee and Creed all left. I had noticed Creed talking to Londynn before leaving and it made me glad to know she still had some other good people in her life. Creed was definitely one of the good ones. Bowie stayed to help pick up the kitchen with Axell and I, while Sadie headed to take a shower since she had work tomorrow. Londynn came in and offered help, but our small kitchen was already crowded.

I found Londynn in my room sitting on the bed after we had finished cleaning the kitchen up. “You could have hopped in the shower," I tell her as I take a seat next to her.

“I figured you guys all have school or work tomorrow so I’d let y’all go first," she tells me with a small smile.

Before I can stop myself, I lean forward and place a light kiss on her lips. I’m careful not to let myself get caught up because of her busted lip but even a light kiss with her leaves me a little breathless. “You’re too good to be true.”

“Not even," she says playfully pushing me away. “Now go take a shower.”

Londynn returns to the room after her shower and I’m already comfortable in bed. She hesitates in the doorway, “I can sleep on the couch Jagger.”

Propping myself up on my elbows I study her face to see what she’s thinking. “Nonsense, there’s plenty of room in this queen size bed but if you’re not comfortable with us sleeping in the same bed then I can take the couch. It doesn’t bother me.”

She’s shaking her head before I can even finish the sentence. “I don’t mind sharing the bed with you I just…didn’t want you to think it meant…”

She didn’t want me to think it meant sex. I knew what she was thinking but I also knew that if you moved something too fast you could run the risk of ruining it and I had no intention of ruining this. “I didn’t think that. Just sleep.” I patted the empty side of the bed. “Come on Londynn.”

Slowly she moves towards the bed and climbs in next to me. Her hair is still wet, and the sweet flowery smell fills my room. We lay there for a while and I’m sure she’s asleep, but I hear her whisper in the dark. “Thank you, Jagger.”

“Anything for you pretty girl," she lays her hand on my arm and I think about how right this all feels.

Chapter 18

Londynn

Sounds from the kitchen woke me the next morning. I guess everyone else was getting ready to start their day. When I finally opened my eyes, I see Jagger still sleeping. He’s lying on his back and my hand was resting on his bare chest. I could feel his even breathing. He looked much younger when he was asleep, but I missed seeing that smirk and his eyes. His hair was disarray and I had to resist the urge to run my fingers through it. It looks so thick and soft I was just about to give into the temptation when I felt his hand move. I hadn’t realized that one of his hands was resting on my thigh. It felt nice.

Before I could move my hand, his eyes fluttered, and he looked at me. I was nervous about how I might look. Was my hair a mess? Did I have indentions from the pillow? Did I have morning breath? A smile broke across his face, “Good morning pretty girl.” The sound of his sleepy voice was the best sound I’d ever heard. It was husky and thick with sleep. It was all kinds of sexy. He slightly shakes his head and releases a little laugh.

“What?” I ask, not sure what he thought was funny.

“I just didn’t expect you to look this good in the morning too. I was completely unprepared.” He thought I looked good in the morning then I remembered my bruised-up face and tried to hide it in the pillow, but he reached out and caught my cheek with his hand. “No don’t do that.”

I shake my head, “Don’t do what?”

“You know what, don’t hide from me. I’m here and I’m glad I am.” He leans forward and gently kisses my lips. He lays back and stretches before turning back to me. “So, I was thinking I’d run Jovi to school again then I can swing by and pick you up, so we can grab your stuff if that works for you.”

I checked the time, but I knew it would still be too early to go to my house when he got done with Jovi. I wanted to avoid both my parents and in order to do that I had to wait until after ten. “It’ll still be too early. It needs to be after ten.”

“Okay, well I’ll go to the shop and get some work in before then. I’ll pick you up at ten sharp," he told me before sitting up on the side of the bed. I sit up as well as I watch the muscles in his back move while he stretches some more. He has a small cross tattoo in between his shoulder blades. Before I can think twice about it, I crawl to his side and trace the tattoo. I feel and hear his sharp intake of breath. “I got that one shortly after the…accident.”

The cross was very intricate, and I knew he had gotten it for Harlyn and Harper. I thought it was a great way to remember them. “It’s beautiful.”

He clears his throat. “Thanks.” He turns around to look at me for a moment before asking, “Do you have any tattoos?” I shake my head no. “You ever want one?”

I think about that for a moment. “Yeah, I’d like one, but I think I’d see the needle and run," I say laughing.

“I love hearing that laugh," he says before pulling me towards him and kissing me again only this time I run my fingers up into his hair. It’s just as thick and soft as it looks. Jagger breaks away and lets out a breath. “Okay, now I have to go get ready or Jovi will be late.”

****

At ten o’clock exactly I see the steel blue Camaro pull back into the driveway. He gets out and I take a moment to appreciate him as he walks up to the door. I notice that he always walks like he’s in no hurry but there still some underlying purpose to his strides. His hair is fixed as normal and his aviator shades hide his amber eyes, but the shades suit him. His simple white t-shirt hugs all the muscles in his chest and biceps. The medium wash denim jeans are ripped on one knee and his Chuck Taylor’s round out his outfit and it looks so good.

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