Our a Cappella Page 2

  “You like that, baby girl?” I ask and she nods. “Tell me.”

  Instead she takes my hand in her own and rubs herself with me, sending a ripple of excitement throughout every cell in my body.

  “You feel that?” she whispers. “You feel how wet I am for your?”

  “Only for me,” I growl in her ear and nip it gently.

  Cuppin’ her breast with one hand, I squeeze tightly and slip my cock inside of her as she moans my name. I thrust myself into her roughly as she screams and then shakes underneath me, so I maneuver her again until she is lying flat on her back.

  “I ain’t done yet,” I tell her and she cocks an eye brow at me. This woman will be the death of me.

  Puttin’ her breast inside my mouth, I nibble on her nipple and lean my body onto her so that she can feel how hard I am.

  “This is what you do to me,” I tell her, weighing my cock on her pelvis.

  She shoves me back onto the bed with a devious grin wide across her face, as she crawls between my thighs. She grabs me with her hands, guidin’ me until I am fully in her mouth. She wraps her lips tightly around my cock, and begins to glide her lips up and down slowly, as she strokes me with her hand. I hold on to the back of her head, followin’ her movements with my own. On a groan, I grab her hair, jerking her back so that I can get on top of her again. She smiles at me, her devilish smile and I slide between her creamy thighs. She reaches over my shoulder, scraping her nails down my back as she continues to pant my name. With her nails diggin’ into me and her body bucking underneath me, I release everything inside of me, no longer thinkin’ about anything but this amazin’ woman, who for the time being is mine.

  Chapter 4

  Trent

  “It’s not my birthday yet,” Shayna leans over to me and whispers in my ear nervously.

  “It’s okay,” I whisper back, winking at her. “It’s almost your birthday.”

  Relieved, Shayna smiles at the Disney staff and characters as they sing Happy Birthday to her over a Minnie Mouse shaped cake with a tall sparkling candle. Erin snaps pictures of Shayna hugging Goofy and Stitch, thanking them for their birthday wishes. Erin beams at me, just as happy as I am to see our daughter in her element.

  With the New Year only a few hours away, the park is somehow filling up with even more people. As we shove our way out of the restaurant, I’m positive the park is over capacity. It’ll only be a matter of time until Erin gets that freak-out look on her face. It’s funny how someone so warm can dislike people as much as she does. I wrap my arm around her waist and keep her close to me, providing myself as her safety net. Shayna is safely bouncing on my shoulders, eager for the fireworks to start.

  Even for Florida, the day had been hot so Tonya and Nate had left us to go on Splash Mountain. I feel a twinge of jealousy when they return so wet their shoes squeak.

  “Y’all should go,” Nate offers. “We’ll watch Shay.”

  Erin looks back at him skeptically, but I hand Shayna to her uncle and take off running towards the ride with Erin’s hand firmly in mine before she has the chance to object. I only stop when we reach the back of the line and look back at Erin who is out of breath and laughing.

  “You’re insane,” she accuses but laughs.

  I lift her off her feet until her lips meet mine and repeatedly kiss her softly until I hear her giggle. Yea, I’m a sap.

  “That’s what you love about me,” I respond arching my eyebrows in question.

  “Let’s not get carried away here, Trent. I only love you a little,” she teases so I pinch her ass.

  “Trent,” she hisses and I look back at her, my eyes wide with innocence. “There’s kids here.”

  I look around, assessing my environment and mostly see teenage boys looking at Erin longingly and glaring at me with obvious envy.

  “We should give them a show then,” I decide but she pushes me away with a small but mischievous smile.

  “Oh, I have a show for you,” she whispers in my ear and my body involuntarily reacts to the memory of our first New Year’s Eve together.

  We were already engaged and Shayna had gotten the flu so we stayed home watching Star Wars while the ball dropped in New York. A few minutes before midnight, Erin disappeared to the bathroom and came back wearing nothing but black lace and a pair of black boots that I’ve had to hide because just the sight of them turns me into an animal. I nearly choked on my own saliva when she climbed on top of me. I knew she liked to take control, so I sat still, trying not to touch or guide her, as she tasted my body with her tongue. Her delicate hands quietly removed my gym shorts and with a quick glance in my direction, she lowered her head and placed my cock in her mouth. I closed my eyes and reminded myself that she was in control, but that didn’t last long and like the savage only Erin brings out in me, I unceremoniously maneuvered her until she sat on my lap.

  Proudly, she smiled back at me so I dove my fingers inside her, pleased when her smile disappeared on a gasp. She took my mouth in hers; occasionally biting so she wouldn’t scream out. I only slipped inside of her and filled her when I felt her about to climax. She shuddered on top of me, placing her head on my shoulder, as I continued the journey she had initiated. I heard her whisper my name, and as always that was what undid me.

  I let go of Erin and purposely drain my mind of that night as the line inches forward. But Erin is determined to torture me.

  “I found my boots,” she tells me, the devil gleaming back at me from her eyes so I raise my eyebrows at her in questionable innocence. “You know, the ones you hid from me.”

  Giving in, I bring her closer to me, adjusting her body so that she is directly in front of me and I rest my chin on the back of her head.

  “What else did you bring?” I ask.

  “Wait an’ see,” she tells me and without looking at her, I know just how her lips are curved in mischief and anticipation.

  Once on the ride, Erin squirms closer to me, leaving little room for air to exist between us. I wrap my arm around her shoulders so she can comfortably rest her head on me. We are the vision of romance and lovers, which is quickly erased after the ride’s first drop. Holding on to the handlebar until her knuckles whiten, Erin screams obscenities at me and for a moment she is free of the restraints she instills on herself.

  I love her like this, with her youth radiating from her eyes and her face contorted as she screams. When she ceases to try is when she reaches the perfection she aims for. But that could very well be the love talking.

  Wet and disheveled, I take Erin by the hand, not allowing her to smooth her hair down or squeeze the water out of her shirt. She protests, but I’m stronger than her so she eventually relents. Erin isn’t one to wear a lot of makeup, and why would she when she is clearly all that is beautiful in my world? But her mascara has smeared under her eyes, and while I find it sexy, I know she wouldn’t agree so I gently trace my thumb under her eye until she is smear-less.

  Erin bumps her hip into mine, her way of thanking me, so I bump her back. A game of chase ensues as we make our way back to our group. By the time we reach them we have twenty minutes until midnight and Erin and I are giggling like school children. Not wanting to miss out on the fun, Shayna squirts me with a water gun Nate must have bought her so I wrap her in a hug, wetting her with my soaked shirt.

  As girls instinctually do, she shrieks and admonishes me while she secretly enjoys the fun and attention. I’ve known Shayna for roughly a year and a half and have seen her blossom under Erin’s continuity. I’d like to think I’ve had something to do with her growth, but I know firsthand that there is no comparison to a mother’s love. It’s taken some time, but the nightmares are almost nonexistent at this point and she has opened up to us, talking to us about a world I wish she had never been a part of.

  No one would ever hurt her again. Erin and I will make sure of that.

  As the crowd thickens, I put Shayna back on my shoulders and put my arms around Erin’s waist. I feel Erin draw her b
ody closer to mine, her desire for my protection is subconscious. I, on the other hand, am deliberately protective of both her and Shayna. I know their past. And I know how quickly the memories can overtake Erin, momentarily crippling her until her spine stiffens and she molds herself into the badass she is.

  Shayna, a small bundle of excited energy, bounces on my shoulder when the first firework lights up the sky.

  “Did you see that, Daddy?” she shouts.

  I nod my head and point as the fireworks illuminate the sky with an array of colors that all too quickly disappear into smoke. I remember a time when the sound of a car backfiring would make her jump, but now that Shayna has nothing to be scared of, she claps her hands after each boom.

  I watch the fireworks with my two favorite girls by my side and the rest of the world dissolves until only the three of us exist.

  Chapter 5

  Shayna

  I wish I didn’t have to go back to school, but afterwards Tia Sofie will pick me up and I can tell her all about Disney. I brought my autograph book so I can show her all the princesses that I met and signed my book. My favorite part was the fireworks show. It was so bright and colorful. The parade was pretty too. Especially when Santa came!

  School is pretty neat too. I’m learning how to read and write. It takes me a little longer than my friends, but I’d never gone to school until Mommy put me in here. I was really scared at first and didn’t wanna talk to the other kids, but my teacher, Ms. Cassie, helped me make friends. Now I have a best friend. Well, two best friends, but Mayra’s my favorite. Don’t tell Shelly though.

  They’ve both been to Disney and told me what it looked like and what I could do there, but it was nothing like I expected. Magic lives in Disney.

  Chapter 6

  Trent

  A week after returning home from our Disney trip, our lives are back to its normal hectic schedule. I work four twelve hour shifts from 6 am – 6 pm Wednesday through Saturday. Week in, week out; there are rarely any variations. By 6 pm, I’m done with all of my paperwork, eager to get home. Erin’s schedule isn’t as predictable and she works anywhere between eight to ten hours a day, five days a week. Three days a week she goes to school from 9 pm to midnight. And the days she doesn’t go to school, she is up studying and writing papers long after I have headed to bed.

  So it is on me to pick up Shayna from Sofia’s ballet school where she goes every day after school. I also cook us dinner and prepare Shayna’s lunch for the following day. I’m not complaining, or at least I’m trying not to complain. I want both of them in my life. Shayna wrapping her chunky arms around my neck every evening when I pick her up is the highlight of my day. I can’t imagine starting off my mornings without Shayna talking so much she makes my ears ring and my eyes cross while Erin makes breakfast.

  Erin’s a bit OCD about her distrust of preservatives and additives and makes pancakes or waffles from scratch almost every morning. I don’t mind, but sometimes I can see her nose flaring from having to wake up so early just to cook. Erin’s not much of a morning person and the constant talking and cooking while she’s trying to get her bearings irritates her.

  Today, Nate picked Shayna up and grabbed us some Chinese food so my only duties are to pop open a beer and listen to Shayna rave on about her day. And she always has a lot to say. After dinner I help her with her homework and, to be honest, I’m terrified of her homework.

  I’m not a stupid man by any stretch of the imagination, but how in hell can they expect children so young to know five plus x equals eleven. I’m pretty sure at her age I was still doing a piss poor job of learning how to color within the lines. Thankfully, Shayna learns quickly and doesn’t need much more than my presence when she does her homework.

  I see Nate sitting comfortably on my recliner watching my television and suddenly feel claustrophobic. He vacationed with us and has since been staying with us, sleeping on our couch, eating our food. Food I should be sharing with my wife, not her brother.

  Too many nights I spend shooting the shit with him, rather than spending the time with my wife who is too busy with her nose stuck in those damn school books. I take a breath, disheveling Shayna’s hair so I can hear her giggle before I take a swig of my beer.

  My wife, who spends Saturdays taking Shayna to the beach while I’m at work and then spends Sundays studying while I’m off duty. Sounds kind of back ass backwards if you ask me.

  Last time I brought it up to her, she got upset because she thought I was jealous of the time she spent with Shayna. It’s hard to believe that she’s still so skeptical of me and my intentions, when in actuality all I want to do is spend time with my girls. Both of them, together.

  After a quick shower, I settle Shayna down in her Princess bed and lie down beside her as I read her yet another story about Merida, her most favoritest princess of all. I hear her breath slow down until it is a steady rhythmic in and out, but continue to read until the story is over. I get up carefully, not wanting to wake her, and kiss her on her forehead before I leave her in her sleep.

  After I open up my second bottle of beer I sit down next to Nate who is watching the Miami Heat beat the San Antonio Spurs. It’s early in the game and they’re only up by one field goal so I know it’ll be a good game.

  “Wade’s out,” Nate tells me and I grunt before shoving chips in my mouth. “His knee ain’t worth a shit no more.”

  I nod in agreement but feel the need to defend him since I know firsthand how painful knee injuries can be. “He’s still got it though. ‘Specially when it’s not giving him shit.”

  “Shoulda never got rid of Miller.”

  “Amen, brotha,” I say, toasting his words with my bottle.

  After that we fall into companionable silence, only swearing or cheering when we find it necessary.

  A few hours later, Erin arrives. Exhausted, she greets us at the door and heads straight into our bedroom so she can strip herself of her day and take a shower. Because I’ve only seen her a couple hours in the past few days, I leave the game and join her in our room.

  She startles at the sound of the door and laughs at her own nerves, reminding me that the other man in our house is impeding on our privacy. I like Nate, but I’ll like him even more when he’s back in Alabama and no longer living in our living room.

  I walk towards her and before I can hold her in my arms, she says, “I’m tired, Trent. Not tonight, okay?”

  Not tonight. Not last night. It’s been over a week since she’s granted me permission. Even New Year’s Eve was an “I’m too tired” sort of night.

  Without looking at her, I walk to our closet and pull out my gym shorts and running shoes. Frustrated by the sound of the shower running, I leave our apartment and run.

  I’m glad Erin’s pursuing her dreams and working towards her Master’s so she can grow in her profession. She loves being a Pediatric Nurse, hell she was made for it. I love hearing Shayna tell me about her and Mommy’s day when they go to the beach while I’m at work and I’m glad they get to spend that special time together. But what about my time?

  I slam my feet into the ground, willing the frustrations to dissipate but they only grow. While Erin is hell-bent on her education and being there for Shayna, being what our daughter needs and deserves, she’s forgotten one thing. Me.

  What about my needs and what I deserve? I’m not talking about sex, although that’s obviously lacking. I’m talking about the three of us spending time as a family. The two of us spending time as a couple. Disney was a nice interlude of our reality, but now that we’re back home the interlude is over and we’re back to what should never have become our norm.

  Two hours later, I open the apartment door to hear Nate snoring and find Erin sleeping on our bed with her laptop and school books open on what should be my side of our bed. If Nate wasn’t here I’d sleep on the couch. That’s how dejected I feel. But he’s here, so I move her books and laptop to the dresser and shut off the light so she can sleep more soundly be
fore I take a shower.

  Dejected. I didn’t even know that word was part of my vocabulary.

  Chapter 7

  Nate

  I woke up this morning with a pretty damn good plan in my head. I knew Erin had school today so I thought I’d sweeten Trent over by picking up Shay and some Chinese food. Then he’d have more time to unwind and help me figure out how to tell Erin.

  Only Trent took one look at me and I got a pretty good impression he wanted to punch me in the face. I been stayin’ here since we came back from Disney ‘cuz I like spendin’ time with Tonya a bit too much for my own comfort. ‘Sides, I still haven’t told her about the cancer an’ I’m startin’ to feel bad about it all. But maybe I’ll ask her if I can stay the night with her tomorrow. Maybe it’ll be easier to tell her than the others. She doesn’t know me as well as the others, but sure as I’m standin’ here, I know there’ll be tears. An’ what’s worse than a woman bawlin? ‘Specially if you’re the one makin’ her cry.

  While I wanna talk to Erin, she’s got so much goin’ on in her life. Between work, her studies, and a family life, I don’t wanna burden her with my own problems. Okay, I’m takin’ the chicken shit route here. But there’s truth in there. An’ Trent’s been all bent out of shape with her. Not that I’m gettin’ involved. Whatever love feud they got goin’ on, I want no part in it.

  I got my own shit to worry about. I got a pretty good feelin’ the cancer’s getting’ worse. ‘Course it doesn’t take a genius to figure that out. I’m out of breath a lot more often and already quit joggin’.