I huff out a breath and down the rest of my coffee before turning to look at her fully.
Before I can say anything, though, my mom continues. “You need to make peace for your heart. I will not lose you, Owen. I’m not kidding, young man.”
I shake my head and look down at my hands. “It’s… it’s hard. I love Gracie with everything. I can’t give the same to Donna, and it just – it makes me angry.”
She kisses the side of my head again, and this time, I lean onto her shoulder. The woman who chose to take me in, provide for me, and love me… she’s my mom.
Chapter35
Luke
Ican’t help it. Gracie has been on my mind since I invited her over. To say I’ve been anxious for this day to arrive is an understatement. I can’t remember the last time I felt so nervous about a chick coming to my place. I’ve had a few over before, in bed, and all. This, however, is different.
Jasper and Adrianna clucked their tongues at me, questioning my decision. I wasn’t sure how to explain to them that when I had heard Gracie speak, something had just lit up inside of me. I knew then that I had to get her to show her true self to herself. It would be a start. A girl like her needs to come out of the shell she doesn’t even realize she’s in, and I want to be the one to pull her out. Neither Jasper nor Adrianna could understand that. I tried to explain it, but it only sounded like garbage coming out of my mouth.
Instead, I decided it was probably best to let them meet her, so they could see the aura surrounding her that makes me want to keep breathing the same air as her. I just hope this isn’t the same as Adrianna. I was obsessed with her in the beginning too. That has faded now and has been gone for quite some time. I can’t remember the last time Adrianna and I had a session in bed with just the two of us. Jasper, yes, plenty of times. But my infatuation with Adrianna doesn’t seem to exist anymore.
Maybe it’s why Gracie spoke to me. A replacement, which I know isn’t exactly the best thing, but I need something to fill that gaping hole that’s been left behind.
The knock on the door makes me pounce like a child excited for a package to arrive or even a parent to come home. Momentarily, it reminds me of the few months after my mother had left when I was a child. I had waited patiently, getting excited with each arrival for months on end. I don’t know when it ended, but I eventually gave up. I haven’t seen her since I was five and Kate was three. But now isn’t the time to think of these sorts of things. I have to keep my head straight and not fall into the pools of thoughts and memories I don’t want to wake up.
I yank open the door and see the woman standing there, better-looking than at the AA meeting. Then again, that place is poorly lit, and everyone is always sad as it is. She looks better now, a little happier. The sight of her before me makes my heart feel like it's fluttering, and I instantly step to the side to let her in, at a loss for words. She’s wearing a pair of black leggings; knee-high crocheted black boots are pulled over them, and a black tank-top with glittery letters hugs her curves. Her long black hair accentuates the outfit, set off by her dark brown eyes that look almost as black as her outfit. Fuck, she’s beautiful.
I know how I look. I know I’m drooling over this woman I’ve barely met. But I know a damn good-looking woman when I see one.
As Gracie turns to face me, my eyes trail down her body without even trying to hide it and graze over her arms. She has no coat on like usual, and I see the scars lining up her forearms. Taking in where I’m looking, Gracie crosses her arms to hide the evidence, but I only smile, trying to seem as assured as possible that I won’t judge her for her past.
I’ve got a past as well. The meetings we both go to obviously show that.
I close the door and beckon for her to follow me into the house's main area, then down the front hall. Turning a corner into the living area, I step aside to reveal my boyfriend and girlfriend.
“Gracie, this is Adrianna and Jasper. Adrianna and Jasper, this is Gracie,” I introduce, motioning between them.
Adrianna is lying elegantly on the couch, sprawled out to give a full frontal view of her beauty. I may not feel the same way I once had, but that doesn’t mean I don’t notice how beautiful she is. She really is. She has long legs that are perfect for her modeling career, brunette hair that cascades down her back with waves, and big blue eyes that she adorns with fake lashes daily to ensure they aren’t missed. She’s got curves in all the right places and makes guys’ heads turn when she walks down the street. I swear her agent is secretly in love with her. Adrianna eyes Gracie lazily, her full lips pursing, and I see the flash of jealousy in her eyes as she assesses the younger woman. But when she no doubt sees the evidence of Gracie’s past, calm takes over, and she smirks without a word before picking her book up.
Adrianna is very self-conscious, her self-esteem low despite knowing how gorgeous she is. As a model, she gets so much shit for things she wants to eat and just for having a lazy day to take a break. Perfection is her number one priority, and due to that, she always notices every flaw and imperfection in herself. She compares herself to other women and just downright has difficulty accepting herself. It’s sad.
Then, there’s Jasper. He’s practically a God. I’m in love with the man. He’s sculpted almost perfectly. With a nice, thick cock and a smile that makes dimples cascade into his cheeks. His eyes are bright blue and twinkle even when he scowls. I can’t help but fall to my knees when he wants me. He loves being in charge, and for him, I can easily give in.
It’s exciting thinking about adding an addition to ourgroup.I’ve always wanted bigger, to have more. We did have one extra a while back, but he left with the claim that it was just too much for him. I think Adrianna resents him for that; they had more sex as a couple.
But the mere thought of adding Gracie, asking her to join, has me frustrated. Because of Kate. As my little sister, I’m supposed to respect her feelings, and I do. But I also have to respect my feelings as well. And while mine tells me to move forward with this, she tells me to stay away from Gracie as far as possible. Because Kate’s now ex-boyfriend, whom I had liked, for the most part, dumped Kate for Gracie, which tells me something is going on there and makes me realize I think one of the guys Gracie has so adamantly talked about during AA meetings is probably him. Which is bad, very bad for me.
“Hello, Gracie,” Jasper greets and gets up from his armchair to approach us. “Don’t mind Adrianna. She’s very conceited.” He throws a look over his shoulder at her.
Adrianna scowls but never takes her eyes off the book. They aren’t moving, though, which tells me she’s paying more attention to us than the book. The book is just a cover to keep Gracie from talking to her.
“It’s nice to meet the both of you,” Gracie says, and her voice makes me breathe out happily.
I love her voice. I don’t know why, but when she’s away too long, and I can’t remember the sound of it, it leaves behind a hollow feeling. This is uncannily like when I met Adrianna, but it’s also different this time. Something feels different, but I’m not sure what it is.
Finally, Adrianna tosses her book aside and throws her legs over the couch before rising to her feet. She’s taller than Gracie by what looks like an entire head. Slinking over to me, Adrianna keeps her eyes on Gracie and stops in front of me, cupping my dick. I tense up, but my dick betrays me by going hard beneath her touch. Adrianna leans into me, blocking my view of her face, but I suspect she’s still watching Gracie. I feel her tongue flick at my neck, and I shudder at the touch as it grazes down to my collarbone. As she pulls back, I watch, my dick twitching again. Adrianna steps around me to leave the living room, and I turn to watch just in time to see her shove against Gracie.
Gracie staggers back slightly, her eyes widening in surprise, and looks at me, lips parting to question it.
“Ignore her,” Jasper intervenes, sounding annoyed. “She’s been in a mood lately.”
Gracie purses her lips together and nods, but her eyes follow Adrianna. I reach out and take Gracie’s hand, pulling her further into the living room. I lead her to the couch where Adrianna had been lying and motion for her to sit down. I sit next to her, and Jasper takes the seat on her other side.