39: Losing the War Part 2
Luci
Easton’s head dips forward and he kisses the side of my neck. Which completely distracts me as I remember his words about how jealous he was of Banning. And then how he kissed me the first time happened to be the same night Banning was here.
“Sweetness….come back to me Luci.” His patient voice filters through.
“Sorry.” I say quickly. “That probably drives you mad.”
“No Luci, it doesn’t. I can’t promise I will never get frustrated over it, but I will never get angry. I understand how much you struggle and I can always repeat myself or bring you out of it.” He says calmly.
“How do you know things like that?” I breathe out, touched with his concern. Sydney said he asked her lots of questions about my focus.
“Because your reaction shows that you get embarrassed, ashamed, or berate yourself. That shows how badly it affects you. No one else should belittle or berate you for something you work hard on constantly that isn’t your fault.”
“Were you jealous when you met Banning here that night and that’s why you kissed me the first time?” I blurt out and he groans.
“That rambling brain figured something out. Yes. Now stop trying to distract me. That hug?”
“Seriously, I can’t hug my big brother?!” His lips twitch and I realize this is a game.
“Fine. It was in response to your hat writing.”
Now they spread in a rare boyish grin which completely enchants me. “You didn’t like my
poem, sassy ass?”
“You said you don’t do poetry, Mr. Reed.” I retort.
“I said I don’t do flowery, romantic poetry. Smartass rhyming is completely in my wheelhouse.”
“Are you truly upset?” I don’t know if I’m right or not.
“No. All a game, my innocent Luci.” He tells me honestly.
“I’m not innocent, Easton. I just don’t have experience with this kind of game. I think or I get the impression you’re pretty dominant and confident and my relationships weren’t like that.”
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His eyes search mine. “I like to be in control and I usually know what I want. Now back to your
punishment.” He stares down at my neck. “Hmm, I know…”
That wicked mouth descends to start sucking on a spot near my shoulder. His tongue and lips
relentlessly attacking that flesh causing me to squirm. He pulls back with a satisfied grin
before kissing his way up my throat and then kissing me roughly, his tongue delving deep into my mouth and claiming it. I can’t breathe by the time he’s done.
“That is perfect.” He sounds proud of his handiwork.
“You’re very talkative and playful today.” I add curiously.
“It’s a good day. We won our game. My son got to watch it and cheer me on along with my girl
who was wearing my hoodie, you’re in my bed and I just got to leave my mark on you. I’ll be
back to regular cold grump in a day or two if you’re worried.” He says wryly.
“I like him too.” His whole face softens momentarily.
“As much as I want to keep you right here, Dad is waiting for us to goof off in the game room.”
“You should have told me.
“We had unfinished business. Tomorrow we’ll pick you up at five for the tree lighting.”
“Easton, are you sure? I don’t want to interfere in Cole’s time with you.”
“He about bounced off the ceiling when I said I’d bring you. He loves you sweetness.”
“I love him too. Fine, I’ll go. But I buy the cookies.”
“Deal.” He swoops in to kiss me one more time. “Text me when you get home. As in, you are
inside the door and it’s locked.”
“I will. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
On Saturday, I work on Cole’s Christmas program costume along with two more Mrs. Hutchins
asked me to make. Barrett’s Grinch was all done.
Syd texts me an hour before we are supposed to leave. “Taking Barrett to the tree lighting. Banning now working. Want to meet up at the gates?”
“Yes. Cole will be thrilled.”
I call Easton. “If you’re canceling on us, I’m hanging up and picking you up anyway. You
prepromised Cole cookies. That kind of betrayal won’t go unnoticed.”
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+B Poin
39: Losing the War Part 2
I laugh. “Not canceling. Sydney is taking Barrett now and wants to meet at the gates.”
“Cole will be happy. Jackson might come too. Be there soon.”
I dressed extra warm since the wind has picked up tonight. When I saw them park from my
window, I headed out the door. Easton steps out of his truck grabbing my arm. “Now how am I
supposed to count this as a family date night if you won’t let me knock on your door, tell you how pretty you look and steal a kiss?”
“Family date night?” I ask as he walks me to the door.
He looks a little sheepish. “Figured it was stupid. Cole begged me to let you sit with him.”
“Not stupid, just unexpected. And Jackson probably needs to sit in the front anyway.”
“Hey Luci.” Jackson greets me after Cole shouts my name. “No one wanted you to come, as you can see. Least of all, really tall people.” He winks at me as Easton gets in the truck. He glares at his brother for a second making Jackson turn and smirk at me.
“Glad you came too.”
He looks away and I hide my smile. I’m almost positive Jackson has a thing for Sydney who hasn’t noticed. I can only hope to pay her back in kind if she’ll shed her own baggage and open
her eyes.
We find her and Barrett at the gates and she recovers seeing Jackson quickly. Hmm, maybe
it’s not one–sided.
“Luci, Daddy, can we go walk the lights before? And what is that?” His eyes are darting
everywhere as he almost implodes with excitement.
“A snowball fight section for kids.” I answer. Barrett and he are immediately clamoring for that
first.
“Snowball fight then light walk. By then time for tree lighting.” Easton lays out.
“Need to feed them somewhere in there too. Maybe while they walk the light trail.” I muse and Sydney agrees. Jackson falls into step next to her as we walk over. The boys have fun chasing each other along with two others when they join in. While Syd and I get them all cleaned up
from the snow, Easton and Jackson went to buy pizza and drinks.
We find a table and let them refuel before walking the light trail. They point out different
pieces excitedly while racing back and forth. Syd and I begin doing voices for some of the
statues talking back to the boys. They dissolve in giggles at some and I love watching them
so carefree and happy. “Time for the tree lighting.” Sydney says as we leave the last part of it.
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+9 Point:
39: Losing the War Part 2
We walk toward the front center area where the massive tree sits. There’s already a crowd, making it hard for the little boys to see. Jackson and Easton exchange glances. “Come here boys.” Easton lifts Cole onto his shoulders with Jackson doing the same for Barrett.
“Handy to have human giants around.” Sydney says laughing.
“There are perks to knowing us.” Jackson says grinning.
As we watch the short little program with one of the elementary school choirs performing a song, I feel Easton’s fingers lace through mine. I glance up at Cole worried about him not having both hands on him. “I have him, Luci. I do this a lot.” He whispers above my head. The tree comes to life with both boys clapping and smiling. They talk about playing the original Grinch cartoon in the movie house if anyone wants to buy tickets. Of course, Barrett and Cole immediately begin asking to go.
“Jackson and I can go grab tickets for that. It’s only thirty minutes long.” Easton tells me, setting Cole on his feet.
“I’ll get the cocoa if you grab the cookies.” Syd tells me as the boys walk off to buy tickets for
the brief show.
Cole and I are buying the warm chocolate chip cookies when Julian’s voice intrudes behind me. “Someone should know not to let you around impressionable, undeveloped young minds.” Why does he turn up like a cockroach when I’m happy?
I smile sweetly at him. My brain is on tonight though, like it normally is around Cole. “Can’t be anywhere near yours then.”
“Funny tonight. After what you did, you shouldn’t be anywhere near kids.” He answers, but I am over this especially with Cole standing beside me.
“You don’t even know what really happened!” I retort.
“Don’t I?” His voice is dangerously low. Julian has never touched me, but you never know when someone will snap.
“No, you don’t. You’d have to think for yourself to get it.” I say firmly before going to walk around him. He blocks my path and I tell Cole to run to Sydney after handing him the cookie box.
He steps closer in front of me, attempting to tower over me. “Listen up, you f*****g homewrecker. You destroyed Brooklyn.”
“No. Your brother did that!” I spat at him.
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39: Losing the War Part 2
Before he can say anything else, a hand clamps down hard on his shoulder. Easton spins him
around and starts shoving him toward the building. Jackson stands beside me as I spin searching for Cole.
“I’ve got Cole.” Sydney calls out urgently as she ushers him and Barrett away.
“She screwing you two?” Julian sneers with disgust. “Word to the wise. She’s very good at
destroying things.”
Easton slams him into the wall by his throat before laying his forearm across it. “Whatever the
f**k your issue with her is, it ends now. Or I will break your f*****g legs, ending your football
season.”
“You’re risking a lot for a f*****g throwaway that no one wanted.” Julian wheezes and Easton
presses harder on his throat. I wince before taking a step forward when Jackson grabs my
arm, shaking his head. “Let him Luci.” He whispers angrily in my ear.
“You ever call her that again, I’ll crush your f*****g hands too. She’s not a throwaway. Take a
long look at her asshole so you understand how I describe her. Very wanted. Very off limits.
Very much mine.” My heart almost explodes as he says that. He didn’t even hesitate to defend
me and claim me.
Julian’s eyes widen as Easton’s arm continues to press in. He begins trying to yank Easton’s
arm away as he gasps for air. I’m about to try to stop him again when he suddenly yanks his arm away, stepping back to let Julian crumple to the ground.
“Only warning you’ll get. I don’t give second ones. Maybe grow your own balls to play with and stop sucking your coach’s. And feel free to tell your coach. You seem like you’d have to run to
him for your problems instead of handling them yourself.”
Julian gets up and slinks away with a long glare. Jackson releases my arm and heads for Sydney, Cole and Barrett.
Easton watches Julian leave until he’s out of sight. I’m right behind him when he turns. “Luci,
you ok?”
I shake my head. “He f*****g touch you?!”
“No…” I reach around his neck and pull his face down to me. “Thank you.” I whisper before I
kiss him; showing him without words how much that meant to me. He wraps his arms around
me immediately and lets me lead for a second before his lips and tongue take over.
His eyes are blazing when he finally lifts his head. “I can go kick his ass again for another kiss like that.” I laugh. “You don’t make it easy for me to keep my hands off you.” He whispers,
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39: Losing the War Part 2
leaning his forehead to mine.
“Who said I asked you to?” I ask cheekily knowing I’m giving him a very bright green light.
He tilts his head. “Well then sweetness, I guess I need to prove I have excellent hearing.”
Ivory Row
Date night tomorrow night! Sorry I ran late today getting these finished.
