UNBREAKABLE (ABLE SERIES) (28 page)

Right now, everything in my world is right. As weird as that may sound, I can’t help but cry with the powerful intensity of emotions that is coursing through my body. I can’t believe how lucky I am; someone loves me completely and unconditionally…in spite and despite of my shortcomings…he still loves me.

The night ended with us horizontal in the bed, the way he likes it. He never fails to make me feel important and loved, as if I am the only one that exists in his eyes as he is in mine. We’re hopelessly addicted to each other, with no chance of ever seeking professional help. Nope, no detox happening here. No one OD’s from too much love anyway.

“I love you, baby,” He whispers, while kissing and nibbling on my neck.

“Show me how much,” I say breathlessly.

He does show me…nice and slow, almost like a prayer, we move in sync, emotion oozing from every pore, bathing us with the love we have for each other. Every touch from me to him and him to me is like a balm, soothing and giving relief to our heavy laden hearts. Every word uttered in love is a source of strength that pulls at our very souls to keep on going…to keep on fighting. He takes me to our heaven, as he always does, and it’s gloriously fantastic; an emotional climactic release of our love for each other…an unspoken promise from him to me that we will be together forever.

These are the moments we both live for, moments others take for granted. I want and need every second, every minute, every hour, and every moment to matter…I want it to count. I want time to stretch; I want the days to be longer, and the nights to go on forever.

Chapter 31

Trish

The harvesting was done, and we’re awaiting the start of the transplant itself. Needless to say, we’re all on pins and needles. As always, I’m attached to Jake like white on rice, not by choice, but because Mr. Super Glue wants it that way. He’s sitting on the bed, and I’m comfortably nestled on his lap, enjoying his embrace.

“Hey, tooth decays, it would probably be a good idea to disengage for a bit,” Roxy says, her eyebrows slightly raised.

“Leave them alone. You like being attached to me like a leech, love.” Cody says.

“You want to lose your nipples since I already have your balls?” She replies.

“Nope, like to keep my nipples, but can I borrow my balls?” Cody mutters, shaking his head while covering his nipples.

“God, will you guys stop it!” Tami yells.

“Okay, seriously, Brian, you need to drill her more; she’s too bitchy, or did she cut your balls too?” Cody asks with a smirk on his face.

“He surrendered his balls for your information,” Tami proudly says.

“Damn, what’s up with these girls wanting our balls? You girls want hairy chest or something? This is fucking ridiculous!” Cody exclaims, looking incredulous.

“Keep it up, and I’ll chop off your dick, as well!” Roxy’s cheeky remark makes Cody frown at her.

“Jake, what’s your take on this balls chopping hobby?” Cody asks.

“Ah, I’m pleading the 5
^th
, dude. Trish’s sitting on my package, right now; one move, and I’m done!”

I narrow my eyes at him. Now, he gives me an idea, maybe I’ll tease him just a little bit. Make Jake junior come alive. I might end up regretting it, but I’m willing to take the chance. I wiggle my ass a little, just enough to make him feel my little tushy trying to talk to Jake junior.

His smile disappears, and his eyes turn dark, lust and excitement dance in them. I’m getting a reaction, that’s good; now if I can just kick out our friends, we can get this show on the road.
What the hell am I thinking?
I’m turning into a female rabbit!

“Don’t start something you can’t finish, babe,” He whispers, then sucks on my ear.

Geez, what have I started? I keep on forgetting, the kinky part in this operation is Jake, not me. I feel his tongue grazing my jaw, then back to my ear, nipping and nibbling. I start squirming; and then, he chuckles…idiot is laughing at me.

“Ready to call it?” He asks and blows on my ear.

Holy mother of all the chocolate goodness, sick or not, Jake junior’s up and running while my girly parts are saying,
‘I’m open, how can I help you?’
He holds my chin and turns me slightly, facing him and devours my mouth; his tongue saying nice to meet you to mine. His kiss, as always, makes me forget where we are, and who we’re with.

“Okay, the Tooth Decays have upgraded to exhibitionists! Jake, seriously, can you let go of her? Let her breathe…maybe let her go pee!” Right on cue, Roxy complains.

Of course, Jake doesn’t listen, instead I think he flips her off and points to the door, signaling everyone to leave.

His arms snake around my waist, and his lips land at that sensitive area under my ear. I’m enjoying the nibbling, but I need his lips…I want his lips on mine, feel his tongue against mine. He turns me toward him, and instantly, our lips locks; heat and passion spread like wild fire throughout my body. I break the kiss, not wanting to take it a step further, knowing we can’t do any construction, right now. The pounding and the drilling has to be rescheduled.

“Babe, we have to stop,” I say breathlessly.

He rests his forehead against mine and tries to control his breathing. The corner of his mouth tilts slightly upward.

“Okay, you have to get off for a minute if you want Jake junior to calm down.”

I hop down and settle on the chair next to the bed, playing with my IPad to avoid thinking about his transplant. This is the final leg of our journey, and I’m praying with all of my heart and soul, it works because my life, his life depends entirely on it. Ms. Betsy walks in a couple of minutes later and hooks him up, and just like that, his transplant starts. I’m staring at the bag as if I’m willing for it to do its miracle instantaneously. Jake notices and tries to get my attention.

“Quit looking at the bag. You’re making me nervous, Trish.”

He points to the TV with his finger. The oxygen clip with a red light makes it look as if his pointer finger is glowing.

“ET, phone home,” I say copying ET’s voice.

He laughs out loud. “There’s my girl.”

“Alright, check point. Nausea?”

“Negative.”

“What are you feeling?”

“Horny.”

I blow out a breath. “Jake, I’m serious, please.”

“I’m fine, Trish. Relax. I’m gonna take a nap, okay.”

While Jake sleeps, I go to the waiting room to give everyone an update. Walking the halls of the hospital is calming in a weird way. It helps me think, but it traps my thoughts at the same time. It’s hard to look further than what my eyes can see.

Patience is a virtue, so they say, but let me add, waiting is a bitch. Seeing the love of my life suffering is a killer. Feeling helpless is utterly frustrating. Fighting gets too tiring, staying strong is challenging, but giving up is not an option. I can’t wait to feel liberated from all of this. I feel as if I’m a prisoner shackled by all these negative emotions I’ve carried for a while now. I want freedom from it all.

“How’s Jake doing?” Patti’s motherly tone calms me.

“He’s sleeping. I thought I’d come tell you guys.”

“How about you kids go eat? I’ll stay with Jake. As soon as he wakes up, I’ll call you.”

Off to the cafeteria we go. Turning left, banking right, riding the elevator four floors down has been my route for the past several months. I could do it with my eyes closed, but I rarely walk alone, because my friends are always with me. Constantly watching, always on guard, at the ready to hold me up, or snap me out of my funk.

“Earth to Trish. Come in…over?” Roxy playfully says winking at me.

I press my imaginary earpiece and giggle. “You’re coming in five by five…over.”

“It’s nice to see you laugh for a change, instead of wearing that serious face all the time,” She says, nudging me.

“Love, are we eating at the cafeteria, again?” Cody asks as he pulls Roxy close to him.

“Yes, babe,” Roxy answers, kissing Cody on the cheek.

While we we’re eating and talking about Jake, someone calls Roxy’s name. We all turn around, and a loud gasp coming from Roxy, had Cody’s head spinning. She stands up and runs to the guy slowly approaching us, jumping into his arms as they meet in the middle of the cafeteria.

“Oh.My.God!” Tami and I both exclaim at the same time.

“Who is that, T?” Brian asks.

I turn to look at Cody, and he’s just looking at them. His eyes are boring holes in Roxy’s head. I’m stunned myself, because I never expected to see him here. He was with Dylan the whole time they were stationed in Afghanistan.

Tami clears her throat while looking at Cody cautiously. “That’s LT. Wow, I’m glad he’s okay and back stateside.”

“I am too, Tami. He looks good,” I say, still looking at the reunion happening right before our eyes.

“Who the fuck is fucking LT? Why does he have his fucking face on my girl’s neck?” Fire is practically coming out of Cody’s nostrils.

Tami turns around to face Cody. “Bring it down a notch, Cody. Dylan introduced him to Roxy. They were stationed at Twenty Nine Palms. Remember when Trish would visit Dylan, Roxy went with her. I met him a couple of times, too. LT and Roxy just clicked. He really cares about Roxy…”

Cody’s hand slams on the table, interrupting Tami. “What the fuck does that mean, T? Am I losing her?”

Tami takes a deep breath. “Will you let me finish? They just seem to get each other. So, to answer your question, Cody; I don’t know if you’re losing her. You wanted this set up, right? Then, deal with it.”

“She wants this set up, not me, but you’re right; she’s not mine to lose.” Cody clears his throat, glances over toward Roxy who’s still hugging LT.

“Maybe, it’s time to reconsider your arrangement. What do you think, Cody?” I ask.

Tami pulls Cody’s hand. “Do you love her, Cody? It’s okay to say you love her.”

“Does it really matter now, T? She’s practically glued to his fucking dick.” He closes his eyes as if he’s in extreme pain.

“It matters, Cody. Just answer me. Do you love her?” Tami asks again.

“I love her, T. I love her so much; she’s killing me, right now. So, I guess, I better leave before it gets awkward.” I hold onto Cody’s hand, not wanting him to leave.

“What’s going to happen now?” I softly ask, hurting for him but wanting to know.

“I wish I could tell my fucking heart to stop loving her, Trish.” He shakes his head, biting his lower lip. “But, I can’t. What happens now is up to her. Well, I’m out. I’ll see you guys later.” After giving Tami and me a kiss goodbye and one last look at Roxy, he leaves.

“I told him this stupid set up would bite him in the ass,” Brian says, as he shakes his head.

“Brian, don’t worry about them. They’ll figure it out. I’m just shocked Cody admitted he loves Roxy.” I offer him a comforting tap on his hand.

“I hope so, Trish. This will break Cody. Fuck!”

Roxy and LT walk toward us. Both smiling. As soon as Roxy notices Cody isn’t there, she frowns and looks at me. I shrug my shoulders and shake my head.

“Hey, Brian. Let me introduce you to LT. He just got back from Afghanistan. Um, I’ll take him out to lunch, okay? I’ll see you guys later,” Roxy says. She smiles at us, although it doesn’t reach her eyes.

I close my eyes, thinking why we all can’t have a day without drama.

Chapter 32

Trish

Three weeks post-transplant, and I couldn’t be happier. The side effects are only minimal, nothing compared to when he was going through his chemo and radiation treatment. Three cheers for that!! Everything’s finally going according to plan, and the next phase of
Operation Icicles
will be in full swing in T-minus ten minutes. Well, that depends if I can pass Mr. Interrogator’s questions.

“Trish, where are you going, again?” He asks with an annoyed look on his face.

“Um, I have my fitting today. You forgot, already? Don’t worry. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Brian’s going to be here with you, alright?”

“Why do I have a feeling you’re lying to me?” He eyes me skeptically.

Because I am! Ugh! Instead of helping me think my crazy-self decides to have a conscience and tell the truth.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Jake. Unless you want me walking down the aisle naked, I need to go today. I can’t reschedule.” I shrug my shoulders feigning indifference.

“That’s okay; Brian’s going to tell me what you’re up to.” He smugly grins at me.

I roll my eyes at him. “Whatever you say.” Waving at Brian, I kiss Jake before leaving.

No matter how much I want to tell him, I just can’t. I don’t want to disappoint him. Tami and Roxy are waiting in the car like the scaredy cats that they are, avoiding being questioned by Jake.

“Trish, are you ready for this?” Concern consumes Tami’s eyes.

“As ready as I’ll ever be. Just hold my hand and make sure I don’t make a mad dash to the door.”

“Did you ask the doctor if it’ll hurt? I read on the internet that it hurts when…” Roxy’s still talking when I tell her to zip it.

“Roxy, please. I don’t want to hear it! You’re making me nervous.”

She scowls at me. “Hey, knowledge is power! I’d like to know, especially if someone’s gonna stick something up my hoo-haa.”

“Just keep thinking you’re getting a pap. It’ll be over before you know it. I promise.” Tami’s confident voice gives me comfort.

“And you know….because…you’ve done it?” Roxy’s sarcastic tone earns her a glare from Tami.

Zoning out the two of them, I remember how I averted a crisis by giving Jake a blowjob. It was that day when he saw my hip all bruised up, again. I couldn’t use the excuse that I fell, again, so instead of explaining…I did a little bit of sucking!

“Hey, baby. Give me my kisses, please,” He says, scrunching his nose at me.

I lean in to give him a kiss. His tongue, immediately, darts out seeking entrance, but I pull back too soon for his liking.