Justice"Why do you look so bright eyed and bushy tailed this morning? Have fun with Caelin?"Typically I tell Harley everything. There's no secret too small or too big to bestow upon her, but this one? It feels like both of those. So, for the first time, I hold it in. "Yeah, we had sushi and hung out."Her eyebrows draw together, seeming to try and figure out if I'm telling her the truth or not. "You hung out?""Yeah," I laugh. "You know, we talked, got to know one another. The normal things you do on what equates to a first date.""But you already know each other."Harley can smell a lie a mile away from me and I don't know how long I'll be able to keep her from wearing me down. I purposely turn away from her, busying myself by making lunch for today. She watches, but her voice peaks with interest as she sees me grab the sourdough bread. "Are you making lunch?""I am, want me to make you something too?"Her blonde hair lifts as she blows out a breath in annoyance. "Please, I'm broke
Caelin"Get your head in the game, man." Wild grabs hold of my arm, jerking me back from getting too close to a jack that falls a nanosecond after he pulls me to safety. "What the fuck is wrong with you today?"I'm a changed man. That's what's wrong with me.And the text message Justice sent my way? Reminding me of the orgasm I gave her? It's got me thinking about all the things I shouldn't be at work. Which is dangerous in a whole lot of ways. "Had a long night." I run my hand through my hair."Judging from the hickey on your neck, I'd say it was a good one." A know-it-all smirk spreads across his face."Don't.""Don't what?""Say those words with that much disrespect. It's not like that."He's uncomfortable judging by the redness of his face, and the way his shoulders hunch. "I didn't mean it in anyway disrespectful.""This is different than anything I've ever had," I try to convey why it bothers me. "I wanna protect her, ya know? It's never cool to talk about things happening in yo
Justice"Do you and Harley wanna come over for dinner tonight?" Mom asks as we're locking up the office to go home.Any other night I would scream yes, because that means we don't have to cook, but not this one. "Sorry, we have plans."She turns to me, her eyes looking deeply into mine. "Is everything okay?""I hate how everyone always asks that as soon as I opt out of family time.""That's not why I'm asking, Justice. You and Harley hardly ever say no to coming over.""No, you're asking because you're not used to me saying no. Mom, we're growing up." I put my hands out to the sides, holding them palms up. "Not everything is about you anymore."As soon as I say the words, I know they're a mistake. The hurt my mom can't suppress is enough to make me ashamed of myself. "I didn't think it was," she says, her voice tight. "I was only inviting you over for a meal. You don't want it? Don't come.""Mom." I reach for her arm, grabbing hold, stopping her from walking away from me. "I'm sorry,
Caelin"Come a little closer," I whisper as I crouch down toward the ground. She whines slightly, tippy tapping on the balls of her paws, seeming not to know what she should be doing. In my hand, I hold a piece of bologna. In my heart, I hold the hope that the mother and her babies will trust me enough to come out from behind the dumpster.She's standing there, peeking out at me. A few times I've seen her tail wagging. Once she slightly came out, but a loud car on the main road scared her, and she went slinking back to where she she's been hiding. There's a reminder of Justice in her hesitancy to accept what's being given. I recognize it almost as if it's her in front of me, and not this dog. It gives me more patience, and a deeper understanding of what the waiting will bring me.My legs are screaming as I hold the position, but I refuse to move. She's inching her way closer. I can cross the gap, reach out and touch her, but I don't want to scare her. Not after what it appears she's be
Caelin"Actually, I would since you're asking."The way she opens and closes her mouth says she wasn't expecting me to ask, but that's my favorite part about being with her. There are moments where she's so vulnerable and then others where she's stronger than I ever could have imagined she would be. Finally she composes herself. "You'll just have to keep on peeling the layers back and find out for yourself.""I can work with that."It's then she notices the mama and babies laying in the middle of my living room on the blanket and towel I brought them up on. "Ohmigosh! They're so little, and she's so pretty.""Yeah, I don't think she's very old." I have a seat on the floor next to them. "Probably just old enough to have been able to have a litter.""I hope she wasn't hurt." Justice sits down next to me, folding her legs underneath her and holding her hand out for the mama to sniff. "You're such a good mama," she praises. "Taking care of your puppies."To my surprise she gets up, coming
Caelin"If you have to end up doing something this afternoon and can't pick me up, it's fine. I can get my mom or Mandy to take me home. There's a whole network of people I can call.""No one is taking you home but me," I growl as I come to a stop in front of the law office. We've been halfway arguing about this the entire way here. "I get you don't want to take away from what I'm doing, but you're important, and I want to be the person you count on, Justice.""I do." She grips my white t-shirt in between her thumb and forefinger, tugging on it slightly. "But at the same time, I don't want to take over your life. It's too soon."Grabbing her hand, I stop her tugging on my shirt and use my other hand to tilt her chin up to me. "Please take over my life. I don't think you realize how in I am with you.""The club...""Is the club, but you're my whole fuckin' heart," I lift her hand to my heart, pressing it into my skin. Pleasure at my words rises up to her cheeks in the form of a pretty
JusticeMy phone buzzes, the noise being louder than normal as it's sitting on my desk. I hadn't wanted to miss when Caelin might call or text. Flipping it over, I see that I have a text from him."Oh my gosh!"When I open the text, it's a picture of the puppies all happily cuddled up, with Caelin laying on the floor, Joanie's head in the crook of his arm. It's the cutest thing I've ever seen. Both my mom and Mandy rush to my side."How hot is that?" Mandy grins."Would you stop." I smack her. "You're starting to give me a complex.""I was wondering when you were finally going to get sick of me ogling your man and stand up for yourself."Her words give me pause. Is that what everyone is waiting on me to do? With everything in my life? Are they purposely trying to get a reaction out of me? In some ways I can definitely see it. Especially with them telling me to be careful and not telling Harley. I wonder if there are other pieces of it I've ignored. I vow to myself I won't let it happen
CaelinPulling up to Charity's law office, I see the increased police presence. Whatever this is, it doesn't feel good. The tingling in my skin, the tightening at the base of my skull. Something is going down, and it'll be our job to try and figure it out before it happens.C: I'm outside your mom's office. Let me know when you get done.J: I told you I'd let you know when to come and get me.C: We had others telling us about this too. Your dad and Dalton are here to get them. It's my job to make sure you get home safe.J: Am I going back to your apartment?C: Or the clubhouse. J: I don't think it's a good idea to move the puppies.I don't either, but we'll do what Drew tells us to. I hate that she's already asking questions. Conveniently reminding me of my own mother. She's not one to sit idly by while things happen around her. Justice doesn't necessarily want to be in the thick of it, but she'll never be the old lady who knows absolutely nothing about what's going on. I like