CRYSTALI laid there in the backseat of Brooks' car while he cleaned my juices off of me and thought about what we had just done. I don't know what came over me and made me want to do that but I liked it. I feel alive when I am with Brooks and I don't ever want this feeling to go away. When he was finished cleaning us both off, I sat up and slid my panties back on I fixed my dress and climbed back in the front seat. I lowered the visor and fixed my hair and makeup in the mirror. Brooks climbed back up front and asked if I was ok. I told him I was fine and said I enjoyed what we had just done. He smiled and said he enjoyed it too. I told him I didn't want to go home, that I wanted to stay with him tonight but I also didn't want to make my dad mad by being out all night. Brooks said,“Why don't we go back to your house and stay in the living room on the couch? You'll be home and we will be out in the open so your dad won't think anything happened between us." I said that sounded like a
BROOKSWhen I got home, Jonah was sitting on the couch. He turned and asked where I had been. I told him I fell asleep on Crystal's couch after we got back from our date last night. He smiled at me and said, “You're welcome for that." I said welcome for what? He said,“I am the one who planned that date remember?"I laughed and said yeah I remember and thank you for planning that for me. He asked how she liked the dinner and walk and I said she loved the food after she argued with me about just getting wings and as far as the walk goes, She ended up crying happy tears when I gave her the promise ring. Jonah said,“So you are serious about this? You aren't just doing this to get her back in bed?" I said why would I give her a promise ring just to get her in bed, Jonah? I love her and yet I hurt her. I am doing what I feel is the right thing for me. I want to be with her and I don't ever what to hurt her again. That ring was a promise to her, that I will do everything I can possibly
CRYSTALWhen I opened the door for Brooks, I was surprised to see Jonah pop out from behind him. After I let them in, I excused myself so I could go put something else on. When I came back into the living room, Brooks and Jonah were sitting on the couch and Brooks had the TV remote in his hand flipping channels. I laughed and said you just look so comfy on my couch like you live here or something. Brooks looked over at me and said, “Well, I practically do live here. I am here more than I am at home now."Jonah said, “You can keep him here. I'll take his room when he moves in." I burst out laughing and said I don't know how my dad would like me moving him in. looks like you will be keeping your room, Jonah. I went and sat down next to Brooks and he put his hand on my leg. Jonah looked at me and made a gagging face. I shook my head and said get used to it Jonah. We hold hands and cuddle when he is here. I asked Jonah what he had been up to and he rubbed his neck and said not much. I
BROOKS I knew seeing her dad with that woman was bothering her but I didn't want to push her into talking about it if she wasn't ready to. After we ate, I took her and Jonah bowling. I knew it would take her mind off of her dad. At first, she still seemed bothered but after her second time up to bowl, she got more into it. Jonah won the first game and Crystal won the second. I haven't bowled in years so I just let them have fun competing. When we left the bowling alley, I asked Crystal if she was ready to head home and she said," Honestly, No. I really don't feel like going home right now."I said Ok. Why don't you come back to the house with us and you and I can hang out in my room? She said that was fine with her and we headed to the house. After we went inside Jonah said he was going to his room so Crystal and I went to my room and she laid back on my bed and stared at the ceiling. I laid down next to her and asked her what was on her mind. She said,"Nothing is
CRYSTALI was going to talk to my dad but I couldn't I was still too upset to bring it up. I decided to go back to Brooks's and I didn't have to be around my dad. I knocked on Brooks's window and he came and let me in. When we walked into his room, I saw he had his TV on and I saw Hero Tiffin on his TV screen. I asked what he was watching and he said he was about to watch After We Fell. I said really? He nodded and I said can I watch it with you? I haven't seen this one yet. He said of course. He asked if I was hungry and I shook my head. He gave me a look and I said fine I'll take a sandwich if you have ham. He smiled and said,"I will be back in a few minutes cutie. Sit down and get comfortable."He left the room and I sat down and took my shoes off. When he came back he had made me 2 sandwiches and brought some chips. I smiled and said thank you. He walked back out of the room and came back with a bottle of water. He sat it down next to the bed and he walked around and laid back do
BROOKSAfter I dropped Crystal and Jonah off at school, I headed to my meeting. I pulled up in front of a small building and waited on the other person to show up. While I waited in my car, I went over my papers again to make sure I had everything in order. When the person I was waiting on pulled in, I got out and shook his hand. He walked me through the building and I was happy with what I was looking at. I handed him the paperwork and he looked through it. He said everything seemed to be in order and he handed me a set of keys. After he left, I stood there looking around and smiled. I finally took the step and am about to open a card game shop. If it weren't for Crystal, I probably wouldn't have actually done this. I want to make her proud to call me hers and I think me doing this will show her I am serious about being a better person not just for myself but for her as well. I called one of my friends who shared the same dream as me and I told him what I just done. He said he wanted
CRYSTALI sat there in Brook's car trying to figure out his good mood but I couldn't figure it out. It is starting to scare me a little at how happy he is. I don't think he was this happy when I said I would forgive him. I didn't want to push him by asking so I kept quiet. I am happy to hear that Jonah finally talked to the girl he likes. I think if they date he will be a good boyfriend. He is such a good friend to me and I have yet to see any signs of him being a jerk towards girls. I asked Brooks where we were going and he said where ever Jonah and I wanted to go eat. I said it was up to Jonah. Jonah picked the hibachi grill. I was fine with that and so was Brooks. On the way there, I asked Brooks how he had the money to keep taking us out to eat and how he had money to buy me gifts. He laughed and said,"I get a monthly check from the Marines baby. I don't have any bills to pay except my phone bill and insurance on my car so what I don't spend in bills goes into my savings account.
BROOKSSeeing her face light up when she saw the inside of the house made this day so much more special. I knew the moment I saw the inside pictures that this was the house for me and for us. It is simple yet it has arched doorways and barn wood bookshelves in the living room, It has a garden tub in the master bath with a glass stand-up shower with bench, Hardwood floors except in the bedrooms and a double closet in the master bedroom. The guest room has a bathroom in it and has a spacious closet. In the foyer by the door there is a half bath or powder room as I've heard it called before. The backyard has a privacy fence all the way around it and there is a hot tub on the porch. There is a stone firepit in the yard and a stone grill built off the side of the porch. It's private and that's what I wanted. I can play in the garage and even make a little man cave in there or I can make Crystal an area for writing. I have so many ideas and I can not wait until we can bring them to life tog
BROOKSI got a text from Viola saying crystal was on her way. I knew I had to hurry and finish putting everything up. When I finished hanging everything, I heard her car pull up. I took a few deep breaths and calmed myself. I saw the light in the foyer turn on and I knew I was seconds away from either being the happiest man alive or being turned down. I made sure all the baby pictures were in order and I made sure all of our pictures were in order. Jonah was hiding off to the side of the yard to capture the face Crystal was going to make when she saw all of this. I could hear footsteps so I got down on one knee and had the ring box opened and ready. When the door opened she began to cry. I said, Crystal Lynn Martini, I never thought I would ever find someone that I would fall in love with but there you were. You opened my heart to the idea of loving someone and giving them a piece of me that I had never been willing to give to anyone. You made me want to be a better person and be a be
CRYSTALToday is the day I graduate high school. My adult life begins tomorrow. I have worked my ass off to be here today. I am super excited to walk across that stage when they call my name. I know my mom is up there smiling and is proud of the young woman I have become. I already know my dad is proud of me. He reminds me every chance he gets. Everyone who means something to me will be here. Kinzlee and I are sitting together since our last names are close to each other. She was shocked to see me when they called for graduation rehearsals. I explained how I ended up getting to walk the stage with them and she told me she was proud of me. She asked about Brooks and I and I smiled when I showed her the promise ring he gave me. She said she was happy for me and said she and Brent were talking about moving in together. I told her Brooks wanted me to move in with him. When everyone was seated, They began their speeches and I tried not to laugh at Brooks making faces at me. When My row was
BROOKS 3 months laterIt's been months since I touched a bottle of liquor. I have kept my promise to Crystal and I have talked to her when I get the urge to drink. It definitely helps. Crystal graduates in 2 days. I am so proud of her for all the hard work she did to get here. My mom, Jonah, and Ray were invited to the graduation and she even invited Viola. A month ago, Crystal's dad had me come to the house so he could talk to Crystal. He knew this talk was going to be a big one and knew she would probably take it better if I was there. When he sat her down, He told her he was ready to take the next step with Viola and ask her to marry him. Crystal freaked out at first but after I calmed her down she told her dad it was ok. Since then she has been trying to spend a little more time getting to know her soon-to-be stepmom and I have been able to spend more time with Jonah and even spend time with my mom and Ray. Every time I take my shirt off and see the birthday gifts Crystal had don
CRYSTALAfter I got dressed, Brooks and I headed to Roadhouse for dinner. The whole way to the restaurant, Brooks held my hand. I smiled every time I looked over at him. After we were seated, Brooks asked if I had any more plans that he should know about. I laughed and said maybe. He stared at me and said, "What else do you have planned baby?"I said well, after dinner, we are going to the mall to pick out a shirt and pair of pants to go with the shoes, and then we have one other stop. After that, I am all yours. He asked about this other stop and I said I can't tell you. You will have to wait and see. I hope you like the surprise though. I wasn't sure If it was something I should do but I said screw it, we only live once. He stared at me with a confused expression. After our bread and drinks got to the table, the server asked if we were ready to order. I said let me get the 11 oz Sirloin with sauteed mushrooms, a baked potato, and vegetables. Brooks ordered the 16 oz Sirloin with sa
BROOKSSo far today has been a pretty easy day. It's 4:30 and I know I get to go home and see the most beautiful girl in the world soon. I am thankful her dad doesn't mind her spending my birthday with me. I thought about cooking on the grill tonight but I'm not sure what time Crystal will be getting home so I figured ordering take-out would be better. Jonah called as soon as he got off the bus to tell me Happy Birthday and my mom has been blowing my phone up with baby pictures and memories all day. I love my momma and thank goodness she hasn't shown any to Crystal yet. I was such a cute kid but all my poses are very weird. When I locked up the shop, I headed home to take a shower. I pulled into the driveway and headed inside. When I walked into the house, I saw a gift sitting on the island. I walked up to it and looked around to see if Crystal was hiding in the kitchen. I smiled as I read the tag on it. [HAPPY 22nd BIRTHDAY MY LOVE! I LOVE YOU!]I decided to wait to open it until I
CRYSTALWhen I got home, my dad informed me that Viola was going to be moving in soon. I have a week to try and figure out how I feel about it and here I am still trying to work it out in my head that they are together. It's still hard to think about my dad with anyone other than my mom, but I guess I need to just suck it up and deal with it because Viola will be moving in even if I am not OK with it. Tomorrow is Brooks's birthday and I still haven't figured out what I am going to do for him. I figured I'd call Jonah later and ask him what I should do. I did all my chores and finished my laundry. I went and sat outside on the front porch and began writing in my journal about everything that had been going on. When I finished writing, I realized I had been outside for a while. It was getting late and I went inside to start dinner. My dad came into the kitchen and asked if I wanted any help and I told him I would love for him to help me and that I missed us cooking dinner together. He t
BROOKSWhen we left Crystal's dads, Crystal fell asleep in the car. The ride back to my house was quiet except for Crystal snoring. When we pulled up at the house, I woke her up and she asked where we were. I said we are at home babe. She laid her head back on the seat and went back to sleep. I laughed and got out. I walked over to the passenger side and got her out. I carried her inside and laid her down on the bed. I went into the kitchen and got a glass of water and some aspirin. I went back into the bedroom and set it on the table next to the bed. I leaned down and kissed her forehead and before I walked out of the room, I heard her mumble something. I walked back over to the bed and asked her what she said. She turned her head with her eyes closed and said,"I love you so much and I can't wait until we have a baby."I stood there not sure what to say to her because I know she is not in her right mind. I finally said just get some sleep baby. We will talk tomorrow. I went into the
CRYSTALIt's been 2 months since Brooks moved into his house and I love being able to stay the night with him. My dad wasn't really ok with me staying over on school nights but I proved to him I could still go to school every day and be there on time. Brooks and my dad went in together and bought me a car so I could get to school and Brooks not have to take me every day. I waited on the last-period bell to ring so I can get out of here and head to the shop. Until I get the job at the daycare after I graduate in 3 months, I am going to work there and help Brooks out. His card shop has been doing pretty well. I didn't realize just how many kids actually play these card games. Brooks is so good with the kids that come in there. He gives them tips and helps the beginners by having card matches with them. I for the life of me can not understand how to play these games but it melts my heart watching Brooks with the kids. He has been smiling a lot more and his mood has been peaceful. Brooks'
BROOKSWhen we pulled into my mom's driveway, Ray was getting out of his truck and Jonah was standing on the porch. I asked Jonah where mom was and he said she went to the store but should be back any minute. I walked inside with Ray and began taking my bed apart and helped him get my dresser out of the house and loaded up. As we were heading back in to get my bed frame and mattress, My mom pulled into the driveway and got out. She opened the trunk and told Jonah to help her unload the groceries and put them in the back of my explorer. I asked her what she was doing and she told me to hush and said she bought me some food and supplies to start me off. I smiled and told my mom thank you but I didn't need her to do that. She told me to shut it or she would come organize my house and clean it. I laughed and said, fine mom. You win. Thank you for getting me all that. My mom closed the back of my car and walked up to the porch and smiled at Crystal. I said mom, this is Crystal. Crystal thi