Secrets Revealed (Silver Valley University #2), page 18
“Put it away,” Jax tells me, grabbing my card from the counter and handing it back.
“What, why?” I ask.
“Because, I’m paying. This is a date, Ellie. Normally, the person who asks the other person pays.” Jax gives me a playful smile. “Also, we have a lot of spoiling and making up to do, so get used to it.”
I’ve always been determined to do as much as I can for me and Lilly without taking any handouts from anyone else. I’m not used to so many people being so insistent on wanting to help or doing things for me.
But it’s kind of nice. I’ve never realized just how much I’ve taken on until recently. Going to school, working, and taking care of Lilly is a lot of work. I often find myself exhausted by the end of the day.
Also, it’s not like I’m asking, they’re offering. Might be rude to turn them down and possibly offend them.
“Fine. But I’m paying for dinner.” I narrow my eyes at him playfully, and he gives me a sexy smile in return.
“You're a stubborn one, but I like it. Fine, you get dinner,” he chuckles.
Jax rents my gear and pays for us to play. We head into the waiting area and put everything on before joining the group of people waiting.
“Alright, split up into two groups of ten. You’ve got one hour. Be safe, be fair, and have fun,” a worker says.
“Come on,” Jax says, grabbing my hand and guiding me over to a group of people.
“Jax!” a guy I’ve never seen before shouts. “What are you doing here, man?” They do one of those guy hugs before stepping back.
“Taking my girl out on a date,” Jax says, then smiles down at me.
The guy gives Jax a confused look. “I thought you were with Brody?”
“I am.” Jax’s smile slips, his face becoming more defensive. “But I’m also seeing Ellie.”
The guy looks to me, then back to Jax, realization taking over his face. “Like how you all used to date in high school?”
“How do you know about that?” I ask.
“Umm,” he says, looking a little sheepish. “I was on the football team with the guys in high school. The whole school kind of knew.”
“Oh. Sorry. I didn’t really know a lot of people in high school.” I give him a small smile.
“We sure did know about you. You’re all the guys talked about. It got annoying sometimes,” the guy laughs.
“Shut up, Mark,” Jax laughs, then looks down at me. “It is true though. Even Brody would talk about how sexy you were, when he had a few beers. How smart and sweet you were, and how much he loved you.”
My cheeks burn with everyone staring at me right now, but knowing that Brody used to talk about me like that to other people makes me feel warm inside.
“He doesn’t do that anymore,” I mutter, looking away. Jax gently grips my chin and turns my head so that I’m looking at him.
“He’s sorry for everything bad he’s done. I hope you know that. I’m not gonna defend him, but I know that despite his stubborn ass denying it, he loves you like the rest of us do. None of us ever stopped. He will come around. You’re hard to resist.” He leans over and brushes a kiss across my lips. Just when I think he’s going to press further, the whistle blows and our group starts running into the arena.
Jax grabs my hand, and we start running with everyone else.
“We gotta hide,” Jax shouts and brings me behind a fort-like set up.
We stay there for a bit, letting everyone else find their spot, then we start the game.
Over the next hour, I have the time of my life. We work together as a team, hunting people down and taking them out. We should be trying to get the other team’s flag, but at this point, we’re just trying to see how many people we can get out. At one point, we got so into it, we almost got one of our own team members out.
We’re running, trying to find cover when paintballs come flying our way, hitting the trees in front of us. “Duck!” Jax shouts, and I drop into the little trench. We grab our markers, searching for whoever is taking fire. I find someone hiding behind a tree through the scope on my gun.
“There,” I say, pointing in the person’s direction. Another person steps up next to them and I grin. “You take the one on the left, I’ll take the right.”
We wait, only the sound of our breathing and other people in the distance as we concentrate on our targets. When they move just enough to get a good hit, we let loose.
“Damn it!” one of them roars.
“Fuck!” shouts the other.
“We gotta find a new place,” Jax says, and I follow after him. We both laugh as we run. Jax leads us to the broken down bus on the far side of the area.
“We should be good in here to catch our breath for a moment. I think we almost got everyone,” Jax says as we climb the steps. We move to the back of the bus where that part is hidden more into the wooded area of the arena. Jax slides into the seat and pats the spot next to him.
“This was exactly what I needed,” I admit. I’ve been so stressed with everything going on in my life that I just needed a day of fun. An hour to get out of my head and do something I love.
Theo has been amazing with helping me de-stress. He’s so loving and attentive. I seriously don’t know what I’d do without him. Chase has been trying to distract me in very Chase-like ways like sending me funny videos or memes. There’s been a few times he’s pulled me into the co-ed bathroom and helped me de-stress in more rewarding ways in the form of orgasms. He’s really good at that, and does not seem to mind that I’m the only one receiving any relief. I’ve offered because the idea of taking him into my mouth and bringing him pleasure is just as much of a turn on for me as it is for him, but he’s refused to let me get down on my knees on the bathroom floor.
I’m going to have to start seeing them outside of school. Spring break is the first week of April, so I’ll have some time off. I’m going to have to make sure I spend some time with the others.
My parents plan on coming down for that time, so I’m sure they would be more than happy to watch Lilly. They’ve even said so in the past. They really are amazing, and I’m so blessed to have two amazing, supportive, and loving parents. I don’t know how I would’ve been able to do the whole single mom thing without them.
“I’m glad you’re having fun,” Jax says, taking off his face guard and I do the same.
“Thanks for bringing me. I’ve always loved coming here with you and the others, but there’s just...” I pause looking up into his brown eyes. He’s so sexy. His hair is a little sweaty, making his curls flatten a little and giving him that wet look that makes girls drool. “I always enjoyed playing with you more. You have a love for the game that matches mine, and it just makes it more enjoyable.”
He smiles at me, a sweet one that makes my belly flutter. “I’ve always felt the same way. I saw it as our thing, you know? The others enjoyed playing, but with you, it was more. The joy on your face, the way you come out of your shell and really let loose, leaving reality at the door.”
We stare at each other for a beat, neither of us saying a word, but I can feel the tension growing by the second. Jax wasn’t innocent in what was done to me, but he wasn’t as bad as Rain and Brody. I’m not ready to jump into a relationship with him, but he’s shown that he’s sorry, that he cares for me. And right now, all I can think about is straddling his lap and taking his lips.
So I do. Without thinking too much about it, I move until I’m sitting on top of him. His hands find my thighs, and he grips them with a little pressure. My eyes bore into his, full of so much fucking emotion I may burst. I want him. I love him; I’ve never stopped. Spending this time around them all has been heaven and hell.
“Ellie,” he rasps, his hands moving to rub up and down my thighs. “I don’t want you doing anything you’re going to regret. I love you, baby girl, but I don’t want you to think I won’t wait for you.”
“I know you will.” At least I tell myself that. “But I want this. Kiss me, Jax, please,” I breathe, my heart pounding painfully against my chest. He lets out this growl, low in his chest, that has my clit throbbing before his hand slides into my hair. He grips it lightly and brings my face down to his.
His lips are soft and warm, tasting like a thousand promises. We move together, slowly at first. It’s like coming home after years of being away and feeling like no time has passed.
My hands find his shirt and I grip it with both hands, holding myself to him. I whimper into his mouth as his tongue prods at my lips to open for him. And I do, our tongues dancing together.
This feels right, perfect, and I want more. I feel like a hunger has woken inside of me. I’ve had a taste of the past that I desperately want back.
Rocking my hips, I can feel his cock hard as a rock under my core. He groans, his hands finding my hips, and he grips them as he helps me move against him. Running my fingers into his hair, I grip him back while our kiss becomes more intense.
We moan together, chasing that feeling I know we both want. That need to consume the other. To mold together and become one.
My pussy is soaked, and my clit is throbbing to be touched by his big, inked fingers. I use his cock for friction, bringing us both to the edge of pleasure.
If we keep doing this, I know I’m going to cum; maybe he will too. Our breathing becomes erratic, our cries of desire grow louder.
“Jax,” I breathe, feeling my orgasm just out of reach.
“Fuck, Ellie,” he moans. “God, you’re so fucking perfect, so beautiful. Cum for me, baby girl, give it all to me.” He rocks me harder, my thrusts becoming faster and faster.
My eyes go wide, wild, and frantic as I’m tossed off the cliff, free falling into ecstasy. My mouth parts to let out a cry, but Jax pulls me down to silence me with his mouth. I whimper out my release, my body jerking as I cum, hard. He holds me through it, still rocking me gently with one hand. A moment later, he presses me down hard, letting out a long groan as he cums too. I can feel his cock jerk under me even through the clothes.
We break the kiss, chests heaving as we try to catch our breaths and just stare, lost in each other.
I don’t even hear the sounds of the others around us until someone bursts into the bus, shooting me in the shoulder and Jax in the back, snapping us out of the trance.
“Ouch,” I hiss, rubbing my shoulder. “I’m not used to getting hit,” I pout. Jax lets out a husky chuckle as I look at the red paint on my shoulder.
“Same,” he says, looking down at his own red splatter. “That’s gonna bruise.” He looks back up at me. “But it was totally worth losing, at least this time.”
“Yeah. I agree. Just this one time.” I grin.
We accept our defeat and head out of the arena, opting out of another round.
“So, I know we said we would go get dinner and stuff, but ummm...” he says, looking down at his crotch as we drive back to Silver Valley.
Right. I just dry humped my ex and got myself off, as well as making him cum in his pants.
“Hey,” Jax laughs softly when my cheeks go pink. “I don’t regret it. That was one of the hottest things I’ve ever done. And Ellie, baby, you look so gorgeous when you cum.”
He’s not helping with the pink cheeks which are now red.
“You can just drop me off at home. We don’t have to do dinner,” I tell him, knowing it must be uncomfortable sitting in his release.
“Would it be too much to ask for you to come over to our place? We can rent a movie and order in. I’m sure Brody won’t mind keeping you company while I shower and change.”
“Yeah.” I give him a smile. “I’d like that.”
Well, not really the time alone with Brody, that’s going to be weird, but I don’t want this date to end.
I call up Chase and he tells me that everything is going fine and that Lilly is being good. I tell him I’m going over to their place for a bit and he tells me to have fun.
When we get there, Brody is surprised to see me.
“Date over so soon?” Brody asks, pausing whatever he’s watching on TV.
“Ah, yeah,” Jax says. “Change of plans. Ellie is gonna hang out here and watch a movie while we order in,” he says as he starts to take off his clothes.
I quickly avert my eyes, meeting Brody’s. He looks at Jax then back at me with a knowing smirk. When Jax disappears into the bathroom, Brody asks, “Why so shy all of a sudden? You made my man cream his pants. Don’t act like you’re some Virgin Mary.”
I glare at him, taking the spot next to him.
“What we do is none of your business," I mutter, bringing my knees up to my chest and hugging them as I avoid Brody’s stare.
“I suppose it’s not,” Brody agrees. “But if you’re ever curious about what we get up to together when we’re alone, I’d be more than happy to fill you in,” he says, letting out a husky laugh before getting up and heading in the direction Jax went to shower.
Chapter 19
Ellie
“That movie was so stupid,” Brody mutters after we get done watching some cheesy horror movie.
“It was,” I agree with him. “But it was so bad, it was funny.”
“What was funny was you screaming at the TV for her to turn around and run.” Brody’s eyes shine with mirth.
“Well, who the hell goes toward the creepy sound in their house? If I was her, I would have ran away like my ass was on fire, getting the hell out of the house full of demons. Problem solved.”
“One, she couldn’t hear you no matter how many times you told her to run, and two, if she just left, there wouldn’t have been a movie,” Brody points out.
“Maybe that would have been better. It was almost like she wanted to get possessed and slowly eat herself alive.” I shake my head. It really was a bad movie.
“We better get you home,” Jax says, laughing at me and Brody as he turns off the TV.
“Shit,” I say, grabbing my phone off the coffee table. There are no missed calls thankfully, but there is a picture that Chase texted with him, Rain, and Lilly. Both of their faces are covered in makeup, looking like some of the ugliest clowns I’ve ever seen. But my face slips into a grin so wide, it hurts at the pure joy on Lilly’s face. I choke back a ball of emotion because this is something I’ve gotten to experience with her, but it’s different getting to see their own firsts of all the things they do with her.
“Everything okay?” Jax asks.
“Yeah,” I laugh, showing him the photo. He grins and chuckles.
“You need to send me that. That’s a keeper.”
“Let me see,” Brody asks, and I show him. “Cute,” is all he says, but I can see the hint of an amused smile.
Looking at the next text, I see it’s from Rain. This time, it’s a photo of them all with no makeup. Lilly is holding up a paper that says ‘I love mama.’
“Ready?” Jax asks, grabbing his wallet and keys off the counter.
“Yeah. I need some sleep. I have an early start at school, then work. I’m picking up an extra shift during the day at the restaurant.”
Brody says, “Thank you again, for doing this for me. I’m not even sure if they will end up calling on you, but my lawyer said it’s a good idea to have you there, just in case they need to ask you anything.”
“It’s really not a big deal. If I can help you get the charges dropped, then I want to help.”
“It really is a big deal. You're already going to have to deal with him because of your own case, but being there on Monday means you may have to see him a month earlier. So thank you, and I wish it didn’t have to be this way. You can still back out, you know. I’d understand. You don’t owe me anything,” Brody insists.
“I’m going to be there,” I tell him. “And I never did thank you.”
“Thank me?” Brody’s eyes furrow in confusion. “Thank me for what?”
“For stopping him.” My eyes water. “He said some...” I take a deep breath. “Some pretty fucked up things, and I’m not sure how much my fighting him off would have helped. So...thank you.”
After Lilly was born, I took some free self-defense classes at the rec hall by where we lived. I learned some basics, but I’m not sure how good it's going to do me if I freeze up in panic or shock.
I get up and grab my purse, about to follow Jax to the door, when Brody stops me.
“I’m sorry,” he says. “For not stopping him on graduation night.” His eyes are filled with regret that has my pulse fluttering.
“But you were there this time.” I give him a small smile. “It counts for something.”
We don’t say anything more, just look at each other for a moment before I turn to leave. The drive home is too quick, and once we get home, I find myself wishing the night didn’t have to end.
“Can we do this again soon?” Jax asks. “Not just paintball, although I would love to play again soon, but you, hanging out at our place. It was nice. I missed this.”
“I missed this too.” We stop outside my front door. “I want to come over more, and maybe you guys can come by and spend some more time with Lilly? I think after tonight, it’s about time you came around more.”
“We would love that,” Jax grins.
“Spring break is coming up in a few weeks. We should hang out or go do something. I haven’t been out in a while.” I did start to enjoy going to parties. It was nice to just let go of stress and hang out with my friends, but then the last one went to shit. I’m not going to let him ruin that for me.
“Sounds like a plan. Thanks for saying yes to paintball,” Jax says.
“And thanks for coming with me,” I say. His eyes widen, and my cheeks heat as I realize just how that sounds. “I mean, thanks for taking me with you,” I rush out.
“I’d come with you anywhere, Ellie, always.” He grins, stepping closer. “Can I kiss you goodnight?”
He’s taller than me, so I have to look up at him with how close he is to me. Jax looks at me like I’m the only girl in the world, and the idea of that excites me.
