Dog Days of Summer (16 page)

She was so amazing to him. Never in his life did he believe he would feel this way. Watching her with his friends tonight made his chest so tight; her smile and laugh, her everything, were a sight to behold. He couldn’t process all these emotions. They were just so strong. The butterflies wouldn’t stop flying around in his belly. This emotion of needing her, wanting her, just kept getting stronger and stronger the more time he spent with her.

Jeremiah slid his hand to her temple, into her hair, and to the back of her head. He rested his thumb on her cheek and leaned in for a tender kiss.

Joci squeezed Jeremiah hard, her breathing jerky.

“
If I lose you, Jeremiah, it’s going to leave a scar on me that won’t go away,” her throat tight.

“
Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen.” His voice was hoarse and full of emotion.

Jeremiah leaned down and tenderly touched his lips to Joci
’s. He was still holding her head in his left hand, keeping her where he needed her. With his right hand, he started undoing the button on his jeans. He began undressing himself while continuing to kiss her. As he got to a point that he needed to pull away, he gently rubbed her nose with his nose and pulled away to push his jeans to the floor. Joci shoved her panties down her legs and kicked them off, then sat up to pull her shirt off, leaving only her bra. She reached back and unhooked her bra and let it fall off her arms.

Jeremiah never took his eyes off her. He watched her remove her clothes while he removed his. As soon as they were both naked, he gently lay next to her on the bed and immediately rolled on top of her, holding himself up on his elbows so he wouldn
’t crush her. He nudged her legs open and kissed her, slowly.

He entered her while kissing her. As soon as he was all the way in, he groaned. He pulled away from her mouth and laid his forehead on Joci
’s.

“
This feeling is overwhelming. You feel so good, Joci. I’m addicted to you,” he whispered.

Joci
’s voice was soft as she replied, “Yes, I know the feeling.”

Jeremiah lazily moved, in and out, making love to her slowly. He held her head in his hands and continued to kiss her lips while sliding into her. He could hear and feel her wetness. The tightness of her pussy gripping his cock as he entered her hot channel and molding herself to him made him breathless. The only reason he slid back out was so he could slide back in and feel it again.

“Joci.” Jeremiah lifted his head to look into her eyes. His voice choked with emotion he said, “Watch me make love to you. Can you feel how amazing this is? Do you understand what I’m doing to you here? Do you understand what you’re doing to me?”

Joci
’s eyes brightened with tears. “Yes” was all she could say.

Joci wrapped her legs around his hips and they slowly rocked together. The only sounds in the room were their ragged breathing and the slippery sounds of their mating. The most beautiful sounds in the world.

Joci whimpered, “Jeremiah.” As her body rocked with her orgasm. Jeremiah pushed himself into her and held himself there as his release instantly followed hers. He could feel himself pulsing as his warm seed spilled into her, but his green eyes never left her gray ones, both bright with moisture.

“Hey, there. I’m glad you could make it,” Mason said. Mason Wagner, Connor’s son, was 28 years old and handsome, just like his father. Mason’s eyes are dark blue, his hair slightly curly, though short. At six feet, he was an impressive man. Joci had known Mason most of his life.

Joci stepped forward to hug Mason.
“Mason, this is Jeremiah. Jeremiah, this is Mason Wagner, Connor’s son.”

“
Nice to meet you, Jeremiah. Thank you for coming. Abby has been beyond excited to see Joci and Gunnar today.”

Just then, a little voice squealed,
“Joci! Joci! I here.”

Joci giggled and looked at the little bundle running toward her. Abby was Mason
’s daughter, and today was her fourth birthday. She was dark like her father, though her hair was longer. She had her father’s blue eyes and olive skin, a stunning little girl.

“
Happy birthday, Abby. You look so beautiful.”

Abby was wearing a pink dress with purple sparkles on it. She had little pink shoes on and a purple headband holding her riot of curls off her face.

“Abby. This is Jeremiah. Jeremiah, this is Abby.”

Jeremiah kneeled down to greet Abby.
“Abby, it’s very nice to meet you. I’ve been hearing a lot about you. Happy birthday.”

Abby
’s head bobbed up and down. “I’m four today.” She held up four fingers to show him.

Then she pouted,
“Where’s Gunnar?”

Joci chuckled.
“He’ll be here very soon. I promise.”

Abby nodded and ran off to play with her cousins. Jeremiah, Mason, and Joci laughed as they watched her bounce out of view.

“Come on over. Dad and Betsy are waiting for you.”

They walked over to a table where Betsy—Mason
’s wife—and Connor were sitting, talking with family. Connor stood when they approached and shook Jeremiah’s hand while Joci hugged Betsy. Connor leaned over and hugged Joci.

“
Glad you could make it. Jeremiah. This is my daughter-in-law, Betsy. Betsy, this is Jeremiah, Joci’s boyfriend.”

“
I’m very happy to meet you, Jeremiah. Thank you for coming. Joci, you’re beautiful as always. Where’s Gunnar?” Betsy said.

Joci laughed.
“He’ll be here soon. I spoke to him on our way over and he was just pulling out of his driveway. And, thank you. You look beautiful also.”

They were ushered over to the table holding the snacks and drinks and told to make themselves at home. The birthday party was held at Pamperin Park in Green Bay. It was a beautiful park with many
little pavilions nestled here and there, offering  places to hide from the sun on warm days and shelter from the rain on wet days. Today was a beautiful, warm day. People were sitting on lawn chairs and at tables visiting. Betsy had a large family, and they all gathered for occasions like this.

Just as they were grabbing their drinks out of the cooler, Joci and Jeremiah heard Abby squeal,
“Gunnar!”

Joci turned to see Abby throw herself into Gunnar
’s arms. He was laughing and crouched down on his heels to catch her. Joci and Jeremiah were laughing at them.

Joci leaned into Jeremiah and said,
“She has loved Gunnar since she was old enough to know him. He has always loved her as well.”

They walked over to Gunnar and Abby and sat on the ground with them. Abby was excited about her party and telling them about her new
“school.” Her school was daycare, but to get her to go, Mason and Betsy called it school. Abby was four going on sixteen. She was animated as she talked and kept hugging Gunnar and Joci. So adorable.

“
I have to go and play now.” With that, she was off.

Jeremiah, Joci, and Gunnar stood.
“I could use something to drink. What do they have?”

Jeremiah chuckled.
“A little hair of the dog?”

Gunnar rolled his eyes.
“You could say that. Long night. I look better than JT does, I can tell you that.”

They got Gunnar a beer, then found a table. Connor walked over a while later and sat
down with them, directly across from Joci. Jeremiah watched him. Jeremiah’s jaw tightened and his stomach rolled. He knew today would be tough, but sitting here and watching Joci talk to Connor’s family, like they thought she was part of their family, was hard. Not that people loved Joci and Gunnar, but just that they were treated like she was Connor’s wife. Then, as he looked over and watched Connor stare at Joci, Jeremiah’s stomach turned over.

“
Did Betsy show you the photo album from years past?” Connor asked.

Joci smiled.
“Oh, no. I would love to see it. Where is it? I’ll go and get it.”

“
I’ll be right back. I know where it is.” Connor got up and walked away.

He was back within a few minutes, but instead of taking his seat, he stood just between Joci and Gunnar and
placed the album on the table. He opened it up and started pointing to pictures.

Joci looked over at Jeremiah and grabbed his hand to include him. Jeremiah leaned over and kissed the side of Joci
’s face. Connor kept talking and pointing at pictures as they laughed at a few of them. There were many of Joci and Gunnar. They had been to all of Abby’s parties. Just then, Abby ran over and climbed up on Joci’s lap to look at pictures, too.

She giggled and laughed at the pictures of her as a baby. There was a picture of Gunnar sticking his tongue out at the camera, and Abby squealed in delight. They looked at a few more pictures, and Abby turned in Joci
’s lap to face her. She put her hands on Joci’s face and with a serious look she said, “I love you, Joci.”

Awww, how sweet.
“I love you, too, Abby.”

“
Grandpa loves you, too.”

Uh, oh.
Joci froze. So did Jeremiah. Not realizing how uncomfortable Abby just made the situation, she continued on. “Gunnar loves you, too.”

“
Yes, and we all love you, Abby.” Joci smiled at her. Abby squeezed Joci’s neck and scrambled off her lap to run and play again.

Connor took a seat across the table again, while Gunnar and Jeremiah made conversation about last night and the fun the boys had out. Joci felt uncomfortable and sat quietly listening to their conversation.

Connor was watching her. Actually, staring at her. She had never felt uncomfortable with Connor before, but today seemed different. He seemed different. Soon, Betsy clapped her hands and announced that Abby should come and open her presents.

All the kids gathered around the
“chair of honor” and watched as Abby’s presents were placed before her. She squealed at all the presents. One by one, the gifts were opened and then discarded almost as quickly as the next gift appeared for her to open.

Joci
’s mind wandered. She had never given Connor any indication that she would be with him one day. A couple of years ago, a little while after he was divorced, he had asked her out and tried kissing her, but she just didn’t feel it for him. He was handsome. He had dark hair like Mason, dark blue eyes, and a beautiful smile. Connor was about six feet tall as well. He was vice president at a manufacturing company in Green Bay, making good money. He was a good man, but when it came to that spark, there just wasn’t onei. She loved him as a friend. She thought Connor understood. Last year, he had introduced her to a couple of girlfriends. But, today, something was different.

After the gift opening, they were ushered to the food table to grab something to eat. Jeremiah, Joci, and Gunnar waited until everyone had gotten their food before venturing to the table themselves. They filled their plates and decided to go and sit in the grass in the sun. They ate and talked during their lunch and enjoyed the sunny afternoon. Gunnar got up to get another drink, and Jeremiah leaned over and kissed Joci.

“I’ve been dying to do that for what seems like hours now.”

Joci giggled.
“What took you so long?”

Jeremiah looked back at the people gathered under the pavilion and then back at Joci.
“It felt disrespectful for some reason. I feel like these people think of you as Connor’s.”

“
Awww, sweetheart, I belong to you.” Joci leaned forward and kissed Jeremiah on the lips. She smiled at him, “Whenever you’re ready, we can go.”

“
I’ll follow you, baby.” Jeremiah smiled at her.

Gunnar came back over and sat down quickly.
“How long do we have to stay, Mom?”

Joci burst out laughing,
“Jeremiah and I were just talking about that. I think we’re ready to leave. Did you want to follow us out?”

Gunnar nodded. He took a drink of his water.
“Yeah, I’m ready.”

They got up to go and say their good-byes and thanks. Abby ran up to Gunnar and wrapped her little arms around his neck and sweetly told him thank you. When Gunnar set her down, she looked at Jeremiah. He was tall so she had to look up pretty far. He saw her craning her neck and kneeled down.

She hugged him as well. “Thank you for coming.”

Jeremiah smiled at her.
“You’re welcome. Thank you for letting me share this day with you.”

Abby laughed. She hugged Joci then and ran off to play. Connor walked over to say good-bye to them. They started walking to their vehicles, Connor walking with them.

When they got close, Connor said, “Joci, may I have a word with you?”

Jeremiah looked at Connor and then at Joci. Joci nodded to him, letting him know it was okay. Jeremiah shook Connor
’s hand and so did Gunnar and they walked the last few steps to their trucks. They stood talking to each other when Joci turned and looked at Connor.

“
Is everything okay, Connor?”

Connor looked at Joci for a few moments, and then he took a deep breath.
“Is it serious with you and Jeremiah?”

Joci looked surprised, her brows furrowed and she said,
“Yes, I think it is.”

“
Why?” Connor said.

“
I don’t understand. What do you mean, why?”

“
Why him? Why not me?” Connor’s voice cracked a little.

Okay, there it was. That
’s why he was different today.

“
I don’t know, Connor. I can’t explain it. The first time I met Jeremiah, it was like getting hit by lightning. There was just something electric and powerful between us. It’s not something you make happen, it just…is.”

Connor swallowed and nodded slightly. They looked at each other for a long time. Connor took a deep breath.
“I always thought we would end up together. But, I watch you with Jeremiah and I realize you will never be mine. I can see it in your eyes. I can see it in his. I hate it, but I see it.”

Joci didn
’t know what to say. She wasn’t expecting this. Never had she thought Connor felt that way.

Connor took a deep breath.
“Can we still be friends?”

“
Connor, of course. You’ve been in my life for so long, I don’t know how I could live it without you. Over the years, if it weren’t for you, Gunnar and I would have had a hard time. I hope I’ve always thanked you for your help and willingness to step in.”

Connor shook his head and looked away. He stared off into space for a long time and sighed.

“I did it because I love you. I love both of you. I would do it all over again if I had to.”

Joci stepped forward and hugged Connor.
“Thank you. I love you and so does Gunnar.”

“
Yes, but you’re not in love with me.”

Joci
’s voice was so soft it was hard to hear. “No, I’m not in love with you.”

A tear slipped down Joci
’s cheek. She didn’t want to hurt him. He had done so much for her and Gunnar over the years. Joci always thought he had taken on Keith’s guilt as his own. Connor had once told her he felt guilty that he hadn’t tried harder to make Keith see the error of his ways. Then, he felt guilty for maintaining a friendship with Keith, because of Joci and Gunnar.

Connor sighed and scraped his hand through his hair. He swallowed hard.
“Okay. Well, I just needed to know. I’ll talk to you later.”

With that, Connor turned and walked away. Joci watched for a few steps and the tears started rolling faster down her cheeks. She took a deep breath and wiped her eyes with her fingers. She turned and walked toward Gunnar and Jeremiah. They both had worried looks on their faces.

“You okay, Mom? What happened?”

“
I’m okay. It’s nothing.” Joci smiled weakly.

Jeremiah took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He looked at Gunnar and then back at Joci. Gunnar
’s brows were furrowed in worry. He glanced at Jeremiah and then back at his mom.

Jeremiah put his arm around Joci
’s shoulders. “He’s in love with you.”