Brock
Ripley and I have just picked up Alex after his weekend of being spoiled. The little guy was excited to see us when we showed up at the restaurant for breakfast and chattered on excitedly as we ordered coffee. He sat between Ripley and me in our booth, and several times, I caught Jonah looking at the three of us, smiling widely. We stayed at the restaurant until almost lunch time.
Now we’re stopping for ice cream before heading to my grandparents’ place to pick up Tiny. I park on the street and help Alex out of the back seat, and we meet Ripley on the sidewalk. With Alex in between us, we start walking toward the ice cream shop. As we stroll, the hair on the back of my neck stands up and a bad feeling settles in my gut.
“Brock?” My body locks up tight. Ripley and I turn around, moving Alex behind us and not letting go of him.
One look at the man in front of me, and all I can think is that he looks fucking old and so fucking sad. My father always looked large and imposing when I was younger, but now he is no longer the intimidating man I once knew. He’s an older, beaten-down version of that man. I don’t miss it when Ripley trembles next to me, and I want to kill him for that.
“What do you want?” I don’t try to hide my displeasure from him.
“I wanted to see if we could talk. There are some things I want to say to you. Can we do that? Can we talk?” I notice he won’t look at Ripley, and he keeps trying to glance at Alex but our bodies are shielding him the best we can. “Son, please.”
“I am not your son,” I hiss. “I haven’t been your son since the first time you raised your fist at me.” I don’t miss his flinch, and I don’t even care. The man in front of me is dead to me. “I don’t think we have anything to talk about, especially after what you did. You are not my father. Stay away from me. Stay away from my mother. The next time I see you, it won’t go well.” Rage fills me, but I tamp it down and turn to grab Alex, picking him up in my arms and using my body to move Ripley toward my truck.
“I thought we were getting ice cream,” Alex says as I buckle him into his booster seat. My hands tremble, but I try to get control of it.
“I know buddy. We’ll get some ice cream later, I promise.” I go around to Ripley’s side and before she gets in, I pull her close. “Are you okay?”
Ripley looks at me, her eyes glistening. “No, no I’m not.” I hug her close.
“Okay, let’s get you home.” Her eyes look haunted, and it makes me want to go beat the shit out of my father. Why, why did he have to show up and screw things up when Rip and I were finally getting things back on track? I help her inside and then shut the door. I spot my dad standing on the sidewalk—why the fuck does he look sad? Why do I even care?
When we get back to her place, I make her take one of her Xanax and go lie down. Alex seems to be oblivious to what’s going on, which is a good thing. I tell him his mommy is lying down because she has a headache; I don’t want to lie to the kid, but he wouldn’t understand what’s happening.
I get Alex a snack and set him up with a movie before grabbing my phone and walking back to the kitchen. I call my granddad and ask him to bring Tiny over, and of course, he agrees. I call Jonah to tell him about running into my dad. He’s just as shocked as we were and wants to come over to check on Ripley, but I ask him to wait because I want her to rest.
I make him a promise that I’ll call and let him know how she is later. Alex is watching cartoons in the living room, oblivious to the drama from earlier. Sitting down next to him, I wrap my hand around the back of his neck, pulling him close. “Hey buddy, I’m going to go check on your mom. I’ll be right back, okay?” He looks up at me and smiles.
Upstairs, I find Ripley curled up in the middle of her bed, and thankfully she’s fast asleep. I hate that my father ruined our day, hate that seeing him caused unpleasant memories to come back to the surface for her. I hate that the rage I once felt because of that man tried to return, but I’m proud that I was able to tamp it down.
I sit down on the side of the bed, reaching out and stroking a hand over her hair. “I’m so sorry baby.” I bend down and press my lips against her temple. “I love you.”
Ripley
It’s been two days since we ran into Brock’s dad, and Brock is driving me crazy. I love him, I do, but if he doesn’t stop hovering, I’m going to lose my shit. I’m okay; yes, it freaked me out seeing his dad, but that was not the same man who hurt me. That man was a broken shell of the person. I don’t have to worry about that man ever hurting me again, because Brock and Jonah would never let it happen.
That thought gives me warmth, combats the chill that usually encompasses my body when the memory of that night flits through my mind. I just hate that Brock is watching me like I’m going to break at any moment, because I’m not. Alex keeps me sane, keeps me together. He makes me be the best mom, the best person I can be.
I stop at the grocery store to get the items I need to make dinner tonight. Brock has done it the past two nights, so it’s only fair that I return the favor. Plus, we have a reason to think positive and celebrate—Brock has a second interview with the police department next week, and he’s super stoked about it.
I move up and down the aisles, grabbing the necessary ingredients for cheese tortellini with meat sauce, Caesar salad, and garlic bread. I’m almost to the checkout lane when a woman stops right in front of me. She’s gorgeous with dark hair, dark eyes, and a curvy figure I’d kill for.
“Hi.” That’s all she says. Weird. She keeps staring at me and not saying anything, making me feel like I’m under a microscope, like she’s assessing me.
“I’m sorry, have we met?” She shakes her head. I back up with my cart and then wind around her, because something just doesn’t feel right. Luckily, once I get in the checkout line, she’s gone.
After paying for the groceries, I head home where my boys are waiting for me. Once inside with the groceries, I put them away, and the laughter coming from the back yard has me peeking outside to see Brock chasing after Alex and Tiny. My baby boy is having so much fun with them.
I turn away from the window and begin making dinner.
“Hey babe.” Brock comes in the back door with Alex on his back and Tiny bringing up the rear.
“Hey guys.” He bends down to kiss me then turns around so I can reach Alex, kissing both of his cheeks. “Hi, baby. Did you have a good day today?”
“Brock took me to the park then we saw Grandma and then we went to see his mommy and she bought me some candy.” Brock’s quiet chuckle makes me smile. I’m sure that’s why they were outside running around, burning off the sugar rush.
“That’s great baby. Why don’t you go potty and wash your hands. Dinner won’t take very long.” He and Tiny disappear out of the kitchen and I can hear his pounding feet as he runs up the stairs. I turn back to the sauce and smile when I feel Brock’s arms wrap around my middle. His lips press against my neck and he kisses his way up to my earlobe, nipping it with his teeth.
He’s always been so free with his affection, and I’m glad to see he hasn’t lost that. I turn in his arms and push up on my tiptoes, kissing him slowly and thoroughly. The oven beeps and I reluctantly pull away. “I have to put the garlic bread in. Better go wash up.”
Brock kisses me one more time before running upstairs, I put the finishing touches on dinner, and I do it with a smile on my face.
I whimper as Brock pulls his softening cock from me. That was the most intense orgasm I’ve ever had. After dinner and Alex’s bath and story time, he went right to sleep with his buddy. We’ve moved Tiny’s dog bed upstairs, next to Alex’s bed. Before, that poor dog never looked comfortable when I checked on them, but now he sleeps about as hard as Alex does.
After I washed my face and brushed my teeth, I got into bed while Brock was locking up downstairs and watching the news. I was just starting to fall asleep when Brock grabbed me and pulled me until my back was firmly pressed against his front. His hard dick against my ass and his lips against my neck woke me right up.
It didn’t take long before I was panting and moaning. He let me climb on top of him and we groaned in unison as I impaled myself on his cock. Then I began to ride him, rolling my hips on each downward motion. He pushed himself into a sitting position and sucked on my nipples as I rode him to completion, and then he flipped us until I was on my hands and knees. He pounded into me, causing a bite of pain with each thrust, but I loved it.
I came again with him, both of us collapsing on my bed.
Now I lie with my head on Brock’s chest, the steady beat of his heart relaxing me, making me pliant. His lips press against my forehead and I snuggle in closer.
He asks, “Your birthday is coming up, what would you like to do?”
In a week and a half, I turn twenty-five, but in a way, I feel older. Maybe it’s because I’ve already been through a lot and have learned so much already. “I don’t know, maybe just a nice dinner. We could have everyone over.”
He tips my head back and places his lips on mine, then says, “Whatever you want baby.”
“I just want you and Alex.” I sit up. “I’m going to go look in on him.” Snagging my nightgown from the floor, I throw it on and then head across the hall, peeking in the door. Alex is sleeping sideways with his arms and legs hanging off the sides of the bed. There’s no point in moving him because he’ll just move back; it may be time to get him a real bed.
I move across the hall to my man, who is already asleep. Even in sleep, he grabs me and pulls me snug into his body, and I slip under peacefully.