Sweet Ride (27 page)

After about another
hour and a half, I finally reach my destination. Thank God. I don’t
think I could take much more.

I pull up to the log
cabin, turn the car off, and get out, taking in the beautiful view.
Leaving my things, I walk down to the dock and sit on the edge,
dipping my feet in the refreshingly cool water. I can’t believe I
forgot how amazing it is here. The mountains surround the cabin, and
the water in the lake looks crystal clear, calling out for me to go
for a swim—maybe later. Right now, I’m enjoying the peaceful
quietness and fresh country air blowing all around me. The perfect
combination, and I know I made the right choice in coming here. I
needed to take a time out from everyone and everything else in the
world.

After about an hour of
lying back and soaking up the sun and beautiful view, I remove my
feet from the water and head back to my car to unpack my things. I
unlock the front door and walk in, taking a look around. Nothing’s
changed since the last time I was here. It’s comfy and cozy, a
place that makes you forget all your problems and just relaxes you. I
bring my bags into the master bedroom and unpack them, hanging some
things in the closet and putting the rest away in the dresser
drawers. Once I’m finished unpacking, I walk back out to the
kitchen to put away the few groceries I brought with me. After the
long drive today, I don’t feel like cooking so I decide to pour
myself a glass of red wine and eat the ready-made Greek salad I
picked up.

I casually stroll out
onto the wrap-around deck and scarf down my salad. I didn’t realize
I was so hungry. I sip on my glass of wine and think about everything
that’s happened—not that I really want to, but my mind won’t
let me forget it for very long. I think about Evan and wonder if
she’s told Mom and Daddy-O about it yet? I don’t think she will,
but I know she’s right when she said that they deserve to know what
happened to me. I know I should tell Mom for sure. I don’t really
want to tell her over the phone, but I don’t think I can handle the
looks I’m sure she’ll have for me. My mother’s a very
understanding and loving woman, and I know this is going to devastate
her.

Before I can chicken
out, I pick up my cell and decide it’s better to get it over with
now and not push it aside. I know she’ll want to visit to talk and
try to fix me, but really there isn’t anything that can be done.
After talking to Jack, Ella, and Evan, I’m slowly starting to
realize that what happened wasn’t my fault, but it’s still going
to take some time for me to heal. When I go back I’m going to take
Jack’s advice and talk to a professional, and hopefully I can move
on and forget this ever happened.

I dial the number and
wait for her to answer.

“Hi, sweetie.
Everything okay?” she asks.

“Yeah, I just wanted
to call and talk to you,” I say. Yep, I totally just chickened out.
Not such a badass now, are you, Payton?

“Payton, what’s
wrong?” she asks sounding panicked.

“Nothing, Mom. Why
would you ask that?”

“I’m your mother. I
know when something’s bothering you, and you don’t sound right.”

I take in a huge breath
and exhale again. Here goes nothing.

“Mom, I was drugged
and raped in high school by three classmates,” I blurt out, trying
to hold back the sob that escapes and goes through the line to her.

“Oh, baby girl,
that’s what happened to you,” she says with a tremble in her
voice.

“W-What do you mean?”
I ask, wiping away tears. I have cried enough in the last two days to
stop a drought.

“I always knew
something happened to you, Payton. When you were younger, you had
this light that would shine in your eyes. A light so bright it would
make anyone around you happy. When your father got sick and passed
away that light died, but you got it back. You worked through it and
didn’t let what happened with him ruin you. I can’t remember
exactly when, but during your senior year of high school, you woke up
one morning, and it was gone again. I tried to get you to talk to me
so many times, but you wouldn’t have it. I just thought it was,
well, I don’t know what I thought it was, but certainly not that,”
she says softly between sobs. “I’m so sorry, baby. I’m sorry I
didn’t protect you. I should’ve been more focused on you kids.”
She stops, and the line goes silent.

“Mom? Mom?” I call
out, afraid that she hung up on me. She comes back on the line.

“I wish I could be
there for you, but it’s impossible for me to get time off work
right now. The lawyer’s at the firm are working a big case and need
all the support staff on hand to assist them, but I promise as soon
as I can, I’m flying out there to see you. I love you, sweetie. So
much.”

“I know, Mom. I love
you, too, but I think Evan needs you right now, too. And really, I’m
going to be fine. I have Ella, Ryder, and Jack here for me,” I say.

“What happened, baby
girl? Can you tell me?” my mother asks in a soft voice.

I explain to her what
happened to me that night at the party—minus all the gory
details—then what happened to Evan at my party. I know it’s a lot
for her, and she doesn’t deserve to go through this. “I’m so
sorry, Mom. I wish I could go back. I never would’ve gone to that
stupid party,” I tell her, wishing it was true and that I could
take it all back.

“Oh, Payton, what
happened is not your fault. You have nothing to apologize for. I wish
I could come out there on the next flight, and I’m so sorry that
it’s not possible. But as soon as I can, I’ll be there for you,
sweetie. Maybe John and Evan will come, too. I think we need some
time together, as a family. You’ve kept this a secret for so long
trying to protect the people who are important to you. You’re one
of the strongest people I know. You might think this has ruined your
life, but I think it’s made you who you are, and you are an amazing
woman. You didn’t deserve what happened, but you didn’t let it
completely destroy you. I am so grateful for that.”

“I wish it felt that
way, Mom.” I truly do, but it did ruin me. With the help from my
family and friends, though, I’ve started repairing the damage. We
spend the next hour talking and comforting each other. I love my
family. I then tell her all about reconnecting with Jack and what he
means to me. I explain to her how he wants me to press charges and
that he’s going to help me make them pay for what they did. We end
the call with her telling me that she loves and misses me, and as
soon as the case at work is finished, she’ll email me her flight
details. I can’t wait to see her again. It makes me happy.

I feel a huge weight
lift off my shoulders. I guess keeping it inside isn’t the right
way to go. I can actually breathe without this broken feeling in me.
I’m slowly coming back together. I’m not fully there yet, but
someday I will be. That puts a smile on my face.

I lounge around in one
of the large Adirondack chairs on the deck for most of the day,
thinking and making plans for my future. I know I want to return to
school and do something with my life. I’m just not sure what yet. I
hope Jack’s going to be in my future because I can’t imagine life
without him. I’m so head over heels for him it isn’t even funny.

After the sunset
disappears, I head back into the cabin. It’s been a long day, so I
take a quick shower then go right to bed for a night of peaceful
sleep.
Finally.

* * *

I wake the next morning
feeling well rested after a full night’s sleep with no nightmares.
That alone makes my day. I look out the window and see it’s
beautiful out again, so I decide to get ready and head into town to
see what they have to offer in this little place.

I spend the next hour
doing my hair, make-up, and picking out an outfit. I slip on a nice
peach colored tank top with beige cargo shorts, paired with awesome
wedges that tie around my calves. I head out of the cabin and climb
into my car, making my way into the sleepy little town.

When I get there, I see
little shops aligning what I guess is the main street. I park my car
at the end and make my way to each and every shop along the way. One
of the shops is a cute little toy store, so I decide to buy something
for my little munchkins: Harley and Hendrix. I think I find the
perfect thing. I can’t wait to see their faces when I give it to
them. When I leave the shop I start feeling hungry, so I make my way
to the trendy bistro just down the street.

For a small town, I did
a lot of damage to my bank account. I pretty much spent the whole day
shopping, and by the time I get back to the cabin, the sun’s
setting. It’s cool outside, and I’m feeling chilled so I make my
way to the bathroom and take a hot bubble bath. What a way to end the
day.

While soaking in the
bath, I think about calling Jack. I told him that I’d call him
today, but I got side-tracked with shopping and checking out the
town. Picking up my phone from the side of the tub I dial his number,
but it goes straight to voicemail. Feelings of disappointment and
worry begin to sink in.
Does he not want to talk to me? Is he mad
that I left?
When I was talking to him yesterday, he sounded
worried, but not mad.

I finish washing myself
and get out of the bath. I make my way to the bedroom and throw on a
pair of panties and a small tank top. Unexpectedly, I hear the front
door open and close. Oh God. Who’s that? No one knows I’m here.
Well, Mom does, but she wouldn’t tell anyone. I creep down the
short hallway and peek around the corner to get a look at who’s
here. That’s when I see the sexiest sight known to woman.

Jack.

I’m instantly wet.

“Jack? What’re you
doing here? How did you know where to find me?” I ask, forgetting
that I needed time alone. I run over and throw myself at him.

“I was really worried
about you, Payton. You’re too important to me. It was killing me
not knowing where you were. Seeing as you drive with a lead foot, I
ran the plate on your car. I immediately got a hit. You were issued a
speeding ticket on the way here,” he chuckles into my ear. “Leave
it to you. But I can’t complain since it helped me find you. I’m
still pissed that you were so fucking careless. What if you’d
gotten into an accident? Your mother would kill me if I let anything
happen to you again.”

“Umm. Why are you
bringing my mom into this?” I ask, confused.

“Karen called me last
night and asked me to come be with you. She didn’t want you to be
alone,” he explains.

“My mom called you?
Oh God, I’m so sorry. I told her about everything last evening. I
thought I’d convinced her that I was fine, and I just wanted some
time to myself.”

“It’s okay, Payton.
She loves you and wants to make sure you’re okay. I told her that
I’d already looked into where you were and that I wanted to be here
with you. She also informed me that she’s coming for a visit when
she gets time off of work. I told her instead of booking a hotel
room, she can stay at my place, and I’ll stay with you.”

“You don’t have to
do that, Jack—” he cuts me off.

“I know I don’t,
but I want to. Also, if my mom finds out that your family’s here,
she’s going to want to have them over for one of our family
dinners. I hope that’s okay with you.”

“That sounds nice,
actually.” I pull back and look at him. He’s fucking beautiful. I
lean in and smash my mouth against his. Before it gets too intense, I
pull away and ask if he wants anything to drink.

“Yeah, a beer if you
got one.”

“Okay,” I say,
going into the kitchen. I pour myself a glass of wine and get him an
ice-cold beer. When I walk back into the living room, I see a dark
expression pass across Jack’s face. I instantly stop.

“What’s wrong?” I
ask.

“What the fuck’s
that?” he asks, pointing to my underwear.

Oh shit! I forgot what
type of panties I put on this evening.

“Duh, it’s Edward
Cullen,” I say, looking down at the panties with my favorite
vampire’s face on the crotch. “Haven’t you watched
Twilight
?”
I ask.

“Fuck no! The next
time you want a face on your pussy, all you have to do is ask. Now
take them off,” he demands. A shiver runs through my body at his
show of dominance. I put our drinks down on the end table and
seductively peel off my panties. “The tank top, too,” he growls.
I obediently slip it off over my head and toss it to the side.

“Come here,” he
orders. I walk over to him and he kisses me with passion and hunger.
He kneels down to the floor placing kisses all over my body. He then
lies back on the floor.

“Sit on my face.” I
feel another wet gush between my legs as I react to his command.

I kneel down and crawl
up his body.

“Hold on to the couch
while I eat this beautiful, wet pussy,” he groans.

I place my two hands on
the couch and hold on for dear life as I straddle his face. His mouth
does wicked things to my pussy as he licks and nips every sweet inch
of it.

“Oh, Jack … Please
God,” I moan. His tongue teases me and brings me to the brink of
orgasm several times, but he slows his movements and sometimes even
stops all together. What the fuck is he playing at? It’s driving me
fucking insane.

“What do you want?
Tell me,” he says.

“I want to come on
your face and then ride your cock so hard. Please, Jack I’m so
close,” I moan.

He sucks on my clit and
pushes two fingers inside me, and I lose it, shuddering and screaming
out my release. He continues to assault me until I come down from my
high. I hear the sound of a zipper being pulled down and then a
crinkle from a condom wrapper. Suddenly, he’s pulling my hips back
and slamming into me in one hard thrust.

“So fucking tight,
Payton,” he grunts between gritted teeth.