Page 73 of Catch
“He brags about you to anyone who will listen,” Judy said. She handed him a beer and kissed him on the lips. She gave me a beer and squeezed my shoulder. Our relationship was new, but I liked her. She gave my dad a peace that I hadn’t seen in forever. When the Titans won the Super Bowl, I was happy for them, but couldn’t shake my jealousy.
“Welp. There’s always next year.”
I rolled my eyes. “Dad, that’s the most overused phrase in the NFL.”
“I think in any sport.” He turned off the television. “So I heard that Grayson and Parker are getting a divorce.”
“Yep. It was just finalized.”
He turned so he could see me better. “How do you feel about that?”
I knew what he was really asking. “I feel like it’s the best thing for their relationship. It’s an amicable split, Dad.”
“Is she back in your life?”
“Yes, and no, the divorce isn’t because of me.”
“I like Parker, but she broke your heart and I don’t want the same thing to happen again. I know you’re an adult now, but you’ll always be my little girl and I don’t want you to get hurt.”
I shrugged like the fate of my future and my heart wasn’t a big deal. “If it doesn’t work out, then I’ll move on.” I could tell he wanted to say something, but he pursed his lips instead. I was thankful that he was respectful of my decisions no matter what he thought of them.
“I want you to find love. Once you do, it’ll change your life forever. Hopefully, you’ll have it with Parker, but if not, just know there are so many women out there who would love the opportunity to spend time with you. You’re such an amazing person, Sutton. Never forget that.”
He squeezed my hand and excused himself to help Judy with cleaning up. We’d spend the rest of the night getting caught up before I left early in the morning. I wanted to drive home tonight, but I also knew it was important to spend time with them. They’d been together for six months and from the looks of it, bits and pieces of Judy were sprinkled in his house. The throw pillows were frilly and something my dad wouldn’t have picked out himself. The clock in the kitchen had apples instead of numbers and the knitted throw on the back of the couch looked like it was homemade and crafted with love.
After tossing and turning in the guest bed for an appropriate amount of time, I ate a quick breakfast, grabbed Crowbar, and rushed back to Bridgemont. I told my dad I needed to get back to wrap up some loose ends. When we pulled up in the driveway, my heart stopped before the car did. Parker was here. I looked at the time. It was ten thirty. I wasn’t expecting her until noon. I checkedmy reflection in the visor, let my hair down, and got out of the car. She wasn’t in her car and she wasn’t waiting at the front door.
I opened the door and found her waiting inside like she belonged there and it was just an ordinary day in my life. Only it wasn’t. Crowbar wagged his tail and headed straight for her. I needed to catch my breath first. I was weak-kneed again.
“Hi,” I said.
“I hope you don’t mind that I let myself in through the garage with the code.” She winced as if it was a bad decision when it was the best possible surprise.
“That’s totally fine. I’m glad you did.”
“I’m early, but I couldn’t wait.” She walked toward me, shyly, gracefully, completely vulnerable.
I hadn’t seen her look at me like that in fifteen years. The tears fell. I couldn’t stop them. The space between us, once full of history, bad decisions, and regrets, was clear. Nothing was stopping us. I pulled her in my arms and held her. She felt right.
“Let’s sit. We have a lot to talk about,” I said. We sat on the couch and I positioned myself so we were facing one another. “So, you’re single again.”
She smiled and my pulse jumped. “I’ve been single for three days,” she said. She held my hand. “But I don’t want to be. I want to try again with you.” She held up her hand when I tried to interrupt. “No, you’re not the rebound person. You’re the one. You’ve always been the one.” She brought my hand up to her chest and placed it over her heart. “You’ve always been right here. Even when I was too scared to admit it to the world.” She brushed her lips across mine. “I’m not scared anymore.”
“This is going to get messy. I want what’s best for you and the girls.”
“They want us both to be happy. Right now they are with Grayson and Matt until Wednesday.”
“How are they going to feel about you? Specifically dating me?”
“At least a third of the students at Wellington have same-sex parents. It’s something they’ve grown up with. I can’t tell you howmany books are available to help parents with this very thing,” she said. She straddled me and locked her fingers behind my neck. “I need you to trust me again. I know it won’t be easy and I don’t blame you at all. But I’m here, and unless you kick me out right now, I’m staying until Wednesday.”
I wasn’t going to play coy during such a heartfelt moment. Everything I wanted was right in front of me. We both went about it the long way, but just like my dad and Hayley told me, if Parker and I were meant to be, then it would happen. Who knew it would be fifteen years later? I wanted to take the plunge. I deserved it.
I kissed her hard. She gasped but matched my energy within a second. Her tongue parted my lips and plunged into my mouth. I moaned at the intimacy of it. I pulled at the hem of her sweater and she immediately removed it. She was wearing a pink tank with no bra. Her nipples strained against the fabric. I ran my fingers over her breasts gently at first until she pressed herself into my hands. Her hips rocked into mine and I knew she wasn’t looking for a soft touch. I took off her tank, then tossed my sweater on top of it. I flipped so her back was on the couch. I didn’t even think to take her back to my bedroom. There was no time. I needed her naked body against mine as quickly as possible. I needed that connection now. I pulled off her leggings and panties. I sank into her warmth, her desperation, her love. This was real. She pushed and pulled against my body, bringing me closer, directing me where to touch her. I pushed her thighs up and licked her pussy hard and fast. She grabbed the couch cushion and moaned. Her other hand wound in my hair and held me against her. She was wild and uninhibited, beautiful, and finally mine. I’d waited a lifetime for her.
“I love you, Sutton,” she cried out. She bucked hard against me and I held her hips down and sucked her clit into my mouth. “I need you inside me.” I slipped two fingers inside as far as I could go. She tilted her head back and the sexiest moan poured from her lips. “Oh, God, yes.” She braced herself by grabbing the back of the couch. A powerful orgasm shook her body. Her body quivered and she gasped to catch her breath.
“You’re amazing,” I said right before I kissed her. She threw her arms around me and held me close. Her body was slick withperspiration, and I knew once she came down from the high of orgasming, she was going to be cold. “Let’s go to the bedroom so we can get warm and talk.” I gently pulled her up and wrapped her in the blanket draped across the back of the couch.
