Eight Years Gone, page 16
Apparently, decompressing wouldn’t be an overnight thing—
“What are you thinking about over there?”
He took his eyes off the road long enough to glance at Grace. She’d pulled off classy and sexy in an olive-green sweater dress and boots combination. He loved that she’d left her hair down to flow past her shoulders. “I was thinking about kicking Todd and Ruby’s asses in the costume contest.”
Grace grinned. “He’s been smack-talking you, huh?”
Jagger laughed out a dismissive puff. “He doesn’t seem to understand who we are—that we’re reigning champs.”
Grace’s smile was back.
“Although I’m not sure how we’re going to beat our own game—the pooper scooper and shit emoji were pretty epic.”
Grace nodded with feeling. “That was definitely our best.”
He shrugged. “We could do the same thing but maybe hot glue some corn kernels to my swirls or something.”
Grace laughed this time—one of her tip her head back in the seat laughs.
He chuckled, loving that sound. “It’s not a bad idea if you think about it.”
“That’s disgusting.”
He shrugged again. “You can be anything you want on Halloween, even disgusting.”
She lifted his hand, kissing his knuckles, shaking her head as she laughed again. “I missed you, Jagger.”
His grin was back as he met her gaze. “Well, here I am.”
She kissed him a second time. “Thank goodness.”
He winked. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” She laced her fingers with his again. “I’m not sure what we’ll do or what we’ll find, for that matter. Christy and Mike said things were pretty picked through when they were here with Brennan over the weekend. But we’re creative.”
“I’m still digging the poop idea. I think we’ve got something there.”
She shook her head, rolling her eyes with another chuckle. “What if we leave that as a backup?”
“Sure.”
“Can I ask you about something that has nothing to do with poop or costumes?”
He grinned. “Definitely. What’s up?”
“I’ve been thinking about our macaroni and cheese conversation.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Mm-hmm. Maybe you can come over on Saturday—”
Grace trailed off, tensing her fingers against his as she stared at the Philadelphia Orthopedic and Regenerative Medicine Clinic billboard lit up in the dark a couple of miles in the distance.
Worry Less; Heal Faster. A Holistic Approach with World-Renowned Care.
“That looks new,” he said, taking his eyes off the road in snatches to study Doctor Steven Evans and his two equally famous colleagues, anti-aging doctors Paul Becker and Brianna Kimball, as they smiled down at Scranton while they stood with their arms crossed.
The billboard was a long way from Philly—a good three hours. But it didn’t matter. Steve and Paul had built themselves a reputation for excellence over the years.
The Evans Infusion—a pre- and postoperative mega-dose of amino acids, collagen, vitamins, and minerals developed by Steve and Paul—had put the doctors on the map when Grace had been a baby.
Patients came from far and wide for their orthopedic care. The clinic treated everyday people and world-renowned athletes, plus Steve had operated on a couple of former United States presidents.
“He looks older,” Grace commented quietly.
Steve still looked damn good for a guy in his midsixties—a few gray hairs and a wrinkle here and there, but Steve had always been considered a very attractive man.
Grace mostly looked like her mom but had her dad’s chin.
“A little,” Jagger agreed as he frowned. “When did they hire Brianna?”
“Aunt Maggie mentioned something about it a couple of years ago. I imagine she’ll take over the entire practice when my dad and Paul are ready to retire.”
Jagger whistled through his teeth. “That’ll be one hell of a buyout.”
Grace shrugged. “She’s a celebrity in her own right with her books and television appearances. Plus, her big brother and his teammates always talk up the clinic, so I imagine she can afford it.”
“It sounds like her brother’s surgery was iffy. His odds of returning to the football field don’t sound good.” And that was tragic because Brian Kimball was one of the NFL’s greatest of all time.
Grace jerked her shoulders again. “My dad and Paul are his best chance at a full recovery.”
“Hopefully, they have a miracle up their sleeves. Blowing out his ACL and MCL. That’ll be a hell of a comeback, especially when rumors are floating around that he’s also been dealing with post-operative infections.”
“Hmm.”
He glanced at Grace as he slid his thumb along her skin, understanding that she had no desire to talk about sports. Over the past few days, they’d talked about a lot of things but never her dad. “Are you okay?”
She nodded. “I wasn’t expecting that. That billboard has been an advertisement for Scranton Memorial’s new maternity wing for a couple of years.”
“That’s definitely a change.”
She nodded again. “It’s been such a long time since I’ve seen him.”
“Have you thought about reaching out?”
She shook her head. “He was awful to you, Jagger.”
“Yeah, but I wouldn’t have everything I do if it wasn’t for him.”
Her surprised gaze whipped up to meet his as she frowned. “Jagger—”
“Logan was my best friend. I got a great education. I met Colonel Hinders and had a hell of a career. But mostly, I have you, Gracie. None of that would have happened if your dad hadn’t opened the doors to me.”
Her frown deepened. “You worked hard for what you have. You earned what you have.”
“But he was the catalyst for all of it.”
“So, we should thank him?”
He shrugged. “Sort of.”
She shook her head, pulling her hand free from his. “He blamed you for something that was never your fault. He and Colonel Hinders used Logan’s death against you—against both of us. The colonel always wanted you, and my dad wanted you gone. They got their wish no matter what it cost.”
“That’s true, but—”
“Don’t defend them, Jagger. There are no ‘buts’ that will ever justify what they did.”
“Grace—”
“Let’s drop it. I don’t want to talk about this.”
He sighed, quickly moving over two lanes to take the nearest exit because they were going to fix this right now.
Pulling off on the quiet street in an area that had seen better days, he stopped in an abandoned warehouse parking lot while Grace gripped her arms across her chest and stared out her window. “Will you look at me?”
She turned her head. “What?”
“I’m not defending your father. He’s done a lot of shitty things, but I don’t care about any of it.”
She blinked as her eyes filled. “We lost eight years, Jagger. We don’t get that time back.”
He captured her hand between the two of his, playing with her fingers. “No, we don’t.”
“He took you away from me. I don’t know how to be okay with that.”
“I’m right here.”
“But you weren’t. For a long time, you weren’t.”
“You’re sitting in my car with me. We’re about to pick out Halloween costumes. We get to make every second we have now count.”
She unbuckled her belt, wrapping her arms around him.
He unbuckled himself, moving to hold her just as tightly, breathing in her shampoo.
She eased back, staring into his eyes. “I’m so glad you’re here, Jagger.”
He tugged her mouth to his, wanting to show her instead of tell her how much he agreed.
Moaning, she kissed him back with an urgency of lips colliding and tongues tangling.
“Come here,” he said, pulling her toward his side of the vehicle.
She awkwardly climbed over the console, straddling him in the cramped space, kissing him again.
His hands wandered to her breasts, cupping her, then down, lifting her skirt higher, squeezing her ass, grinding her against his erection. “I want you,” he panted out. “Right here, I want you.”
She nodded, standing up on her knees so he could pull at his snap, yank at the zipper, and free himself from his pants.
“Now, Gracie.”
“Yes.” She slid her panties to the side, whimpering as she sunk herself on him, taking him in deep.
He groaned, letting his head rest against the seat as she surrounded him with her silky heat. He’d always fit just right—snug and tight.
“Jagger,” she whispered, using her hands on his shoulders to rock a sinuous rhythm.
Gripping her hips, he helped her move faster. “You feel so good.”
She gasped, staring into his eyes as she climbed, moving faster yet.
He clutched at her skin as her panting gasps turned into shuddering moans before she tensed, crying out.
He struggled to hang on, pumping up hard, waiting for her to fall over the edge again.
And then her nails bit into his shoulders through his shirt as her body froze, then quaked.
Groaning, he jerked up several times, finally erupting.
She let her head rest in the crook of his neck as their ragged breathing filled the silence. “I’m so glad I didn’t change into pants.”
He grinned. “Ditto on that.”
She sat up, looking at him. “It’s been a long time since we’ve done anything like this.”
“I’d say we’ve got it down to a science.” He stroked her cheek as she smiled. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
She nodded.
“And we’re good?”
She nodded again. “We’re good. I just don’t like talking about my dad.”
“I get it. It’s a complicated situation. But don’t let me be the reason you don’t fix things if that’s what you want to do.”
“Maybe someday, but at this point, I’m fine with how things are. I want to focus on me and you.”
“I get that, too. I want to build a life with you, Grace. Whatever that looks like for us now.”
She rested her forehead against his chin. “That sounds really good.” She kissed him. “Are you still up for costumes?”
“Hell yeah, I am. Since we’ve just started dating, I should probably tell you that I’m slightly competitive.”
She grinned. “I think I’ve heard something about that.”
He kissed her. “Let’s do the best we can to clean ourselves up. Then we have work to do because we’re bringing home first prize Halloween night.”
Three hours later, Jagger awkwardly resituated the big bag of Chinese food he held in his arm as he unlocked Grace’s front door.
“Do you want me to take that?” she asked, holding her new blue gown and the accompanying shoes they’d stopped off for before they left Scranton.
Mike and Christy had been right about the slim pickings. The lack of inventory and their significant size difference had made couples costuming nearly impossible.
With little choice, they’d gone the Disney Princess to his Prince Charming route, which hadn’t necessarily excited either one of them. But Grace had looked stunning as he stared at her in the cramped dressing room.
“Nah, I’ve got it.” He gave the key a turn. “Here we go,” he said, pushing the door wider so Grace could step in before him.
“Thanks.”
“Sure thing.” He shut them inside, breathing in the familiar scent of Grace as she headed for her bedroom with her stuff. “Do you want to eat at the table or watch some TV on the couch?”
“I’m starving, so I’m good with whatever,” she called behind her.
Setting the bag on the counter, he opened the cupboard doors, looking for plates.
“Bingo,” he said to himself, grabbing two, deciding that dinner at the table worked. Staring into Grace’s eyes while he sat across from her never got old.
Setting down the dishes, he went on the hunt for glasses next, eager to get them situated so they could dive in. “What do you want to drink?”
“Water’s fine, thanks,” she said as she returned, pulling her hair into a ponytail. She’d changed, dressing down in white yoga pants and a pale-pink sweatshirt.
He loved being in her space with her like this—normal, everyday life he’d taken for granted long ago.
They’d both gone to work and went out on a little date. Now they were sitting down to enjoy a meal together. “Looks comfy.”
She smiled. “It is. Thanks for grabbing the plates.”
“Definitely.” He brought two glasses of ice water over to their settings.
“Be careful not to trip over there. I haven’t had a chance to put away all my equipment yet.”
He glanced toward the tripod and light boxes zipped up in their bags, tucked in the corner. “Why don’t I take them back?”
“I can take care of it later. Or tomorrow,” she amended with a grin. “It’s already on the to-do list. Plus, I want to put this receipt on my desk.”
Deciding to help her out now, he hefted up the awkward items, stopping in front of her and the bag of food she’d opened. “I wish you would have let me buy dinner.”
“You bought last time, which means it was my turn tonight. This is a fifty-fifty relationship.”
It had stuck in his craw a bit when she’d pulled out her credit card before he could grab his when they’d stopped off to pick up their dinner—like some sort of old habit.
Grace or Logan had paid his way into things more than a few times. And he’d hated the hell out of it.
Steve had set him up with a monthly allowance, the same whopping amount as Grace and Logan’s. But Jagger had never touched it—not once.
The small wage he’d earned working weekends when he could at the old Wakefield dojang had covered gas, car insurance, and a couple of necessities. Otherwise, he’d been chronically broke.
But that was then. He no longer needed anyone to take care of him. “Thanks for dinner.”
“We haven’t eaten it yet.”
He smiled. “I can take the receipt.” He opened his mouth for Grace to put the piece of paper between his lips, then headed down the hall, flipping on the light with his elbow as he moved into her office.
He set down the equipment in the corner by her other stuff, then stopped at her desk, finding her professional space as tidy as the rest of her home as he set down the receipt.
“Do you want to grab the advance copy of Travel?” Grace called down the hall. “It should be right there on the desk. I got it in the mail a couple of days ago, but I haven’t had a chance to check it out yet.”
“Definitely.” He grinned his pride when his gaze landed on the latest edition of Grace’s magazine. Immediately, he recognized her work on the cover.
Snatching it up, he stopped to grab the small stack of earlier editions on the right-hand corner of the desk, eager to look through all of them with Grace.
His smile faded as he stared at the pamphlets the magazines had covered.
The Adoption Option
Frowning, he picked it up, then swore as he read the next.
Artificial Insemination: Is It Right for You?
“What the—” Shocked as hell—and he didn’t know why—he walked back down the hall. What Grace did with her body was her choice, but they were supposed to make a family together.
Eight years ago, he left. He’d walked away and changed the rules. But they’d always talked about traveling the world, then settling down with a house and kids.
He’d been beyond lucky when he came home to find Grace unattached. Over the last month and a half, he’d let himself cozy into the idea that everything they’d dreamed of was still possible. “Gracie?”
She looked up as she dug through the bag, setting their dinner options on the counter. “Yeah?”
“What’s this?”
She frowned as she stared at the booklets he held in his hand before she snatched them away.
“You want to adopt?”
She stared at the pamphlets. “I don’t know.”
“You want a sperm donor?”
She jerked her shoulders. “I’m not sure about that either.”
“Adoption’s one thing, but Jesus, Grace, don’t do the frozen sperm thing.”
Her shoulders stiffened as she met his gaze again. “I’m a single twenty-eight-year-old who wants a family.”
He clenched his jaw when she called herself single. “I thought we were dating.”
She set the pamphlets on the counter. “We are.”
“I thought things were going well.”
“They are. But you’ve been home for a month and a half. We’ve been dating for less than a week. I’m just—I’m keeping my options open.”
Restless with an urgent sense of desperation, he slid his hand through his hair, not liking that she was considering any option but him.
Tonight was another reminder that she could and would pick up her life without him. He needed Grace so much more than she needed him. “If you want a baby, I’ll give you a baby. I’ll make a baby with you.”
She blinked her surprise as she took a step back. “We’re still figuring things out.”
“Okay, fine, so we’re still figuring things out. But don’t go make a kid with a stranger. Not when I’m standing right here. If you want to ditch your pills tomorrow, just say the word. We’ll get you some vitamins and start trying.”
She huffed out a laugh. “That’s a big ask when we’re not sure what the future holds.”
“I know what the future holds. Things between us are going to work out fine. We’re going to have all of the things we’ve always talked about.”
She sighed as she shook her head. “Jagger—”
He took a step toward her, capturing her hands in his. “Promise you’ll talk to me before you make any plans.”
“I’m not making any decisions in the immediate future. I mean it when I say I’m only exploring my options. Christy’s so good with Brennan. And watching all of Gabby’s fertility struggles… She and Jerrod are so happy with the baby nearly due. It got me thinking. That’s all.”
