CHAPTER 5
FARREN
Farren hated to see her friend sad, and the hurt was written all over Elyse’s pretty face. Farren didn’t understand the merry-go-round that Harper and Elyse were on, and normally she would keep her opinions to herself, even if she was sick of seeing the two of them continuously hurt each other.
“Elyse, you and Harper need to get it together. What the hell is going on with you two now?” Eden asked before Farren got the chance to voice her concerns.
“There’s nothing going on between us. I’ve officially gotten off the rollercoaster, and moved on to the Ferris wheel.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Eden questioned. Farren was just as confused as her best friend. Elyse was talking in riddles, and Farren knew damn well that she wasn’t that drunk yet.
Elyse sighed loudly. “It means that Harper and I were never meant to be. I can’t do the up and down with him anymore. I’ve been on a few dates with Travis, and I have decided that slow and steady is what I want. What I deserve.”
“Did you tell Harper that?” Farren finally got into the conversation.
“Yes, as a matter of fact I did. We had a long talk, and we both need to move on. This isn’t some high school, Romeo and Juliet, star crossed lovers bullshit. This is my real life, and I don’t have time to chase a man; especially one that doesn’t want to be caught.”
Eden didn’t look convinced, but Farren could tell that Elyse meant what she said. And Farren couldn’t blame her. Now that she was in love with a man who loved her unconditionally, and hated for her to be out of his sight; she couldn’t imagine him up and leaving without a word. Jones would never do something like that, and if he did they wouldn’t have a relationship.
“Did Harper agree to this… moving on?” Eden asked undeterred.
Elyse rolled her eyes at her twin and Farren almost laughed, it reminded her of when they were little girls they were always bickering.
“It’s not up to Harper to agree to shit, Eden. This is my life. Why are you so pressed anyway? You have your happily ever after, let me live. Damn.” Elyse gulped her drink like it was the last one she would ever have, then waved over a server for another one.
Farren knew then that it was more going on; in the past few months, Elyse had barely sipped one drink on their get togethers, and now she was drinking like a fish.
“I’m not pressed about Harper. I’m just sick of watching ya’ll act a fool. Both of you are grown, what’s the issue?” Eden’s attitude was showing, and Farren knew if she didn’t step in now that it was going to be an issue.
The twins hadn’t argued like this in years. Back in college it got so bad that they barely spoke for a while. Eventually they got it together, but Farren didn’t want it to go back to the way that it used to be.
“So stop fucking watching then, and mind your own business. You think you’re so damn perfect! My issues are mine. Stop shitting on me and be on my side. Like I’m always on yours.” Elyse had tears in her eyes, and Farren rubbed her back consolingly.
“Lysee, what the hell is going on?” Farren asked concerned.
“Nothing. Listen, Harper and I will never be. He’s not for me, and I have accepted that. Travis is a good guy. He likes me, and I’m getting to know him better. I want somebody that will be there for me, Harper is not that man.”
“We hear you Lysee.” Farren gave Eden the get it together look. It was obvious that Elyse was hurting over the decision to move on, and her sister needed to be more compassionate.
“Good, now can we talk about something else. Please?” Elyse dabbed at her eyes with her napkin before taking another sip of her drink.
Eden sat silent, and Farren knew that she was mad at her sister. But in this case, Elyse was right. It was her life, and if they were tired of seeing what was going on, they had the option of not watching.
“Well, Jones wants me to meet his entire family in a couple of days. And I’m about to have a heart attack about it.” Farren was uncomfortable with talking about her meeting Jones’ family, but she would take one for the team to change the subject.
“Really? I don’t think he’s ever taken a woman to meet his family.” Eden stated with wide-eyes.
Farren shook her head. “No, I’m the first. That’s why I’m so damn nervous.”
“Meeting the parents is a big step, but he has like thirty-five siblings. That’s one helluva family gathering.” Elyse finally smiled.
Farren was happy that her friend was able to smile even though it was at her expense. However, she was truly nervous about meeting the Sullivan crew.
“I know, right. But at least I’ve met a couple of his brothers already, and Jax is the scariest, and he likes me already. So, I think I’ll be alright.”
“Jax is pretty scary,” Eden agreed, “but you’ll be fine. I’m sure his parents will love you.”
“I hope so. Jones thinks I’m being silly, but I know how important his family is to him. I just want things to go smoothly. It’s not like we haven’t already been through enough as it is.”
“Girl, if that ain’t the truth. You guys have been through hell, but I’m glad you found each other.” Eden said grabbing Farren’s hand and squeezing it.
Farren was more than glad, she was ecstatic that she had found Jones. However, she could tell that everyone at the table wasn’t happy. Even though Elyse may not have been in love; Farren knew that her friend wasn’t just hurting, she was truly unhappy.
****
Farren wiped her sweaty palms on her ripped jeans. She was dressed for a barbeque that Jones’ parents were having, and the jeans and t-shirt was supposed to be comfortable, but the nervousness she was feeling made everything feel constricting.
“Sugar, everything is going to be just fine stop worrying.” Jones smiled at her as he reached across the console and grabbed her hand.
He kissed her palm and continued to hold her hand while driving.
“Red, that’s easy for you to say. Your family is huge; you only have to meet my parents.”
“I’ve told you about that, ‘Red’ shit.” Jones’ handsome face held a scowl, but Farren knew that he liked the nickname.
“I’m sorry, baby, do you want me to make it up to you?” Farren slid her hand from beneath his, and down the front of his jeans. She could already feel him growing hard beneath her palm.
“Don’t play with me, Farren.” Jones’ voice was deep and gravely, and Farren loved it. She loved when he growled at her.
“I’m not playing. I just wanted to make it up to you. I know how you hate when I call you, Red.” She sang the nickname, and he grew harder.
Farren smiled to herself. I knew he liked that name.
“You told me before we left the house that we didn’t have time to get it in. You wouldn’t even let me taste you. Now that we’re fifteen minutes away, you want to give me a hand job? You think that’s a wise decision?” Jones’ hazel eyes sparkled, and Farren knew that he would pull over to the side of the road, and fuck her senseless if she didn’t stop.
“Okay, okay! We don’t have time, and don’t pull over.” Farren narrowed her eyes at Jones when he switched lanes, and slowed down. He smirked at her, and sped up again.
“I’m just super nervous, and I needed to get my mind off everything before I worry myself to death. And teasing you helps my nerves.” She smiled sweetly batting her long lashes, and he chuckled.
“You shouldn’t tease the beast, Sugar. We’ve gone over this before.” He winked at her and she could feel her panties moisten with desire.
The last time she teased him, Jones spent all night “punishing” her. He tied her to his bed, and commenced to loving, kissing, sucking, tasting, nibbling, and caressing every inch of her flesh. It was the best punishment ever.
“I see you’re remembering the last time you teased me.” Jones’ grin grew salacious, “You know all you have to do is tell your man what you need, and I’ll be more than happy to oblige.”
Farren squirmed in the soft leather seat as she turned her gaze to focus out of the window. She heard Jones chuckle. The heat in his eyes and his smooth silky voice always managed to get her panties soaked. And she would not show up to the family barbeque all hot and bothered.
They pulled up to large iron gates outside of a beautiful sprawling estate. Farren knew that Jones had money, but she also knew that he was a self-made millionaire. He’d told her that his father believed that a man should make himself, so after college all of the Sullivan men were on their own.
Farren however did not know just how rich his parents were. They lived in the same neighborhood as franchise owners of athletic teams; this wasn’t just a little bit of cash, this was a generational wealth.
“Wow! This is some place.” Farren stared, eyes bugging out.
“Yeah, my mama loves for us to all stay over during the holidays still. That’s why they never downgraded to a smaller place once we all left home. Plus… grandkids.” He smiled at her in that special way and Farren’s heart couldn’t help but melt.
Jones had been trying to talk her into moving in with him, and she knew that although they hadn’t been together long, she was going to give in to him.
Farren took a deep breath, “Okay, let’s do this.”
****
Farren couldn’t believe that she had almost worried herself to death. Of course Jones was right, it was all for nothing. His family was warm and welcoming, and they made her feel right at home.
The stories that Jones’ parents, James and Jane told her were hilarious, and the funnier part was the red blush that covered Jones’ face. Farren had never seen him blush so deeply before, and it was the most adorable thing she had ever seen.
When Farren met his parents, she instantly saw the resemblance. His father’s hair was fiery red, and he had deep green eyes with pale porcelain skin. He was slightly shorter than Jones’ six foot four, but his presence was still imposing. His mother was a tiny woman with auburn hair, and brown eyes. Her olive complexion was darker than her husband’s but not by much.
All six of his brothers were built very similar. They all stood six foot four and taller, they all had varying shades of red and brown hair with either hazel or green eyes. And they were all fine. Even their only sister, Jennifer looked like them in a more feminine way. Her stature was small like her mother’s but she had her father’s eyes and coloring. Farren could tell that she was the families pride and joy by the way all of them doted on her. Jennifer seemed embarrassed by the attention, but she wasn’t a brat about it.
“I think you’re going to fit in with my family just fine, Farren.” Jasper, Jones’ youngest brother said while he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Farren smiled at his cheekiness.
Jasper had been hitting on her all day to get a rise out of Jones. She understood that it’s what little brothers did, even though they were both grown men.
“You really want me to kick your ass?” Jones stated in an even voice behind them. He removed his brothers arm from around Farren, and pulled her close to his body. She chuckled at his possessiveness.
“Come on brother. Sharing is caring.” Jasper smiled and winked at Farren.
Jones’ older brother Jax walked by and slapped Jasper in the back of the head. “Don’t get your ass kicked.” Jax smirked as Jasper rubbed the back of his head.
“I was just playin’ damn.” Jasper mumbled as he walked away.
“Hey, Jax.” Farren greeted him with a smile. He smiled in return, but she could tell something was wrong.
“What’s up, bro?” Jones asked.
“I gotta go. The Ghost is needed.”