Wake Up Call (34 page)

      Jace and I both looked around the small apartment, checking out all of the rooms. The living room was complete with caramel shag carpet, burgundy shades and black windowsill and trim. It
was the perfect size to fit all of my new furniture in it. It actually felt like a home.

      Jace ran his hand along the freshly painted wall and smiled. "This place is perfect. I really like it." He pulled up the shade and looked out the window. "I might even spend most of my time here. It's...cozy."

      I laughed and reached for Jace's hand. It felt good to see that Jace approved of my new place. "I really like it here. It seems peaceful. It's like having my own place for the very first time. The last apartment never felt like home." I ran my hand over Jace's chest and grinned. "I'm just not so sure that I should allow boys into my first place."

      Jace chuckled as he gripped my hips and hoisted me off  the ground. "I'm not just any boy." He smirked. "At least, I'd like to not think so."

      I reached out and cupped Jace's face, the same way that he always cupped mine. "Trust me. You're not just any boy." I roughly pressed my lips against his, desperate to get a taste of his sweet mouth. Everything about Jace was sweet.

      He squeezed me tightly, while walking us into the kitchen. He stopped in front of the stove before setting me down on top of it. Our lips didn't separate as he wrapped my legs around his waist, pressing his crotch into my inner thigh. It sent chills all through my heated body and made me want to rip his clothing off. He had a way of turning me on, that I couldn't even explain.

      Jace roughly bit my lip, while pulling my jacket off and tossing it down onto the white linoleum flooring. Things were getting heated and I wanted nothing more than to be with him. "I want-"

      We both stopped and looked up in shock as Jackie came strolling into the kitchen holding a huge box. She just eyed us both, with raised eyebrows and laughed. "Well... a little help."

      Jace snapped out of the stare and playfully ran his hand through his hair. "Of course. Sorry," he said. He gave me an apologetic smile before pulling away from me and grabbing the box from Jackie's arms. "How did you know where Avery's apartment was? Did you have any luck on the job search?" he questioned. "And what's all of this stuff?"

      Jackie walked over and grabbed my arm, helping me down from the stove. "Dex stopped over looking for you two. I told him
that you were helping Avery move into her new apartment." She grinned and walked over to the box. "No luck yet, though on the job. I hope to hear back soon," she answered with a smile. "I went through some of mom's old dishes that she never really used, along with some other kitchenware."

      She reached into the box and pulled out a toaster. "I found, a toaster, a can opener, some plates, silverware and her old microwave is in the car." She reached back into the box. "Oh and I even went and picked up a four pack of these purple cups." She smiled holding up the cups. "Purple is my favorite color."

      Jace walked over toward the door and shook his head in disbelief. "Where did you find all of this stuff?"

     
Jackie laughed and gave him dumbfound look. "In your basement. You don't remember storing mom’s things down there?"

      “I forgot.” Jace gave Jackie a grateful look and walked outside to fetch the microwave.

      I just watched Jackie as she continued to pull things from out of the box. I couldn't believe that she was treating me so much like family. It made me feel... good. "Thank you, Jackie." I grinned and started helping her. "You really didn't have to."
      Jackie brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled. "Anything for family." She looked me in the eye, making me feel like crying, before she opened the fridge and frowned. "You don't have anything in here. We're going to have to get you some groceries later. We'll just order pizza for lunch."

      I shook my head, not knowing what to say. Then a smile crept over my face as Jace entered the kitchen, holding the microwave. "Thank you, both," I beamed.

      Jace set the microwave on the black countertop and then watched as Jackie grabbed my arm and pulled me with her. "Show me around your new place."

      I walked her through the living room and then into the decent sized bedroom. The bedroom was pretty much painted the same as the living room, except the carpet was a bright shade of white. It also had a walk in closet that was big enough to fit a single bed in and still have room. It was even bigger than the room that I had at Jace's. I loved it.

      Jackie nodded her head and crossed her arms. "I like this place. Maybe one day, I will come and take this place from you." She paused and gave me a sad smile. "After I'm stronger of course. I couldn't manage to live alone right now. Joe has a very strong influence."

      I reached out and gently grabbed her arm. "It will happen one day. You just have to be strong." I surprised, even myself with my words of encouragement.

     Less than two months ago, I was the one in dire need of help. Now I was the one trying to give someone else the hope that I never had.

      Jackie let out a small laugh and then reached out to hug me. "I know. I realized that, after seeing my brother and you at the bowling alley that day. I saw how happy you guys made each other and I missed being that happy. It made me miss my little brother." She smiled and then headed for the door. "Let’s see this bathroom of yours. Is it just as nice as the rest?"

      She didn't even wait for me to answer before she took off, strolling to the bathroom. I followed close behind her as she stepped into the bathroom and ran her hand over the glass door that surrounded the shower. She nodded her head in approval and then stepped over to the oval sink. She reached above her and screwed in the fourth light bulb that didn't seem to shine as bright as the rest. When the light flickered and then brightened up, she grinned and waved her hand in front of it. "All fixed."       "The couch and bed are here."

      Jackie and I both laughed and then walked into the living room together. It took the movers a total of twenty-five minutes before they had both the bed and the couch set up and ready for use. It was slowly coming together before my eyes and I felt so happy.

      Jace walked the movers outside and thanked them both for their help before handing them each a ten-dollar bill. He really knew how to handle everything and make everyone happy. I was very thankful.

     
Jackie and I both went into the living room and sat on the couch as Jace started putting the entertainment center together. I had to admit, he looked masculine and sexy, down on the floor putting my table together. I could have sat there and watched him all day.

      Finally, Jace glanced up from the table and looked over at Jackie. "Why don't you take Avery to the store and get her some
stuff to put into the fridge. I'll order a couple of pizzas and everything should be ready before you two return."

      Jackie stood up from the couch and grabbed my hand. "Perfect. We'll be back in thirty."

      Jace stood up from the floor and dropped his tools. Then he walked over and grabbed me by the waist. "You girls take care of each other." He pressed his lips against mine and then playfully slapped my butt. "Have fun."

                                                      ~•~

      We arrived back at the apartment with soda, bread, butter, milk, cheese and a few frozen boxes of chicken. It wasn't much, but it was all that I really needed to get me through the next day. After work tomorrow, I would have to go and get a few more things for the house. It was exciting.

      Jackie walked in front of me the whole time, pushing the door open for me and holding it open. I stepped inside to see Dex, Stacy and Jace all standing in the kitchen. The counter was covered with plates, cups, napkins and pizza boxes. It made me smile to see everyone.

      I tossed the bags onto the empty space on the counter and laughed. I was completely surprised. "Hi everyone!"

      Stacy grinned and bounced over to me. "I love your new place. Now we'll have to start hanging out more." She leaned in and gave me a hug. "It won't be as awkward as me trying to invite myself to the boss' house." She giggled and looked over at Jace.
      Jace just shook his head and laughed at her innocent ways. "I didn't realize that the boss was so big and scary."

      Dex patted Jace on the back and laughed. "Trust me... you're not, bro." Then he walked over to stand in front of me. "This is apartment is great. I'm glad that you decided on this one."

      I looked around the place and at everyone that stood around chatting and smiled. "Me too," I said. "I really owe a lot of thanks to you. You helped me in more ways than you know." I turned around to look at everyone. "All of you have helped me more than you even know. Thank you."

      Jace walked over and grabbed me by the waist. Then he gently rubbed away the tear that I hadn't even noticed had fallen.
"You are so special. You're special to all of us." He ran a finger over my lip, while biting his own. "I-"

      "I love you," I cut him off. "I really, truly love you." My heart raced, as I looked him in the eye, in shock that I had found the courage to say those words again. He almost looked as if he could fall over at any moment. It was true though. I loved him. I knew that now. A big part of me h
ad even known for a while. I had just been too afraid to admit it.

     
Jace cupped my face with trembling hands as he pulled my face close to his. "I love you too," he whispered. "More than you will ever know."

      I tangled my hands through his hair and pulled his lips to mine, crushing him with my desire for him. He wanted me, just as badly as I wanted him.

      Suddenly, I heard whistling, clapping and shouting from behind us, followed by laughter.

      "About damn time." Stacy laughed. "Holy shit! I never thought I'd witness Jace in love."

      Dex patted Jace on the back and then looked over at me. "I knew it, bro. I knew it." He smiled and then grabbed a slice of pizza. "I could tell from the very first day that I met Avery."

      Jace just shook his head and laughed at our friends. Everyone had something to say except for Jackie. That was when I noticed that she wasn't even in the room. I tilted my head at Jace and got ready to question where she had been. "Where-"

      My words were cut short when I heard barking coming from right outside the kitchen door. I gave Jace a questionable look and then reached for the door handle.

      Jace just smiled and looked up toward the ceiling as if everything was normal.

      The door swung open to Jackie standing there with a beautiful Siberian husky in her arms. She looked up at me and then handed me the puppy. "Look what I found in the back of Jace's car," she laughed. "Weird, huh?"

      I took the puppy in my arms and looked behind me at Jace. "Holy... what is this?" I asked amazed. I had never had a dog or any other kind of pet before and I really didn't know how to react.

      Jace smirked and walked over to stand next to me. He reached out and rubbed the puppy's head before kissing my cheek. "I couldn't let my lady be alone, when I'm not around. I want you to always feel wanted and needed. Just like you are."

      I set my lip into a pout and rubbed the dog’s soft fur. It looked up at me with beautiful baby blues and whined. "I don't know what to say." I set the puppy down in the kitchen and it took off running around in excitement while taking turns being sure to jump up on everyone. The sight made me giggle. It was so playful and free. "Thank you, Jace."

      Jace grabbed for a slice of pizza and handed it to me. "You're welcome." He grinned and then grabbed a slice for himself. "Go look in that closet." He pointed over to the closet, next to the pantry and then took a bite of his pizza.

      I looked around at everyone as they all stared at me. It actually made me somewhat nervous to have all eyes on me.

      "Okay," I said nervously. I walked over to the closet and pulled the door open. The bottom shelf was full of puppy food, puppy treats and puppy toys. Then right above that, were the puppy dishes and leashes. They were all blue.

      "A boy," I said with a laugh. "Thank you. Thank you for all of this. You didn't have to."

      Jace walked over and reached up on the top shelf. "That's not all." He smiled as he pulled down a huge puppy bed and handed it to me. "He needs somewhere to sleep as well."

      I looked down at the soft bed, smiled, and then set it down next to the fridge. "What is his name?"

      Jace looked down at the puppy that was now jumping all over Stacy as she giggled in delight. Then he looked back over at me, leaning against the fridge. "What do you want it to be?"

      I pointed to myself and shook my head. "I can't name him. You-"

      Jace grabbed my hand and placed it on his chest. Then he ran his hand over my face and sucked his bottom lip in. "He's yours. You name him."

      I looked down at my new puppy and laughed as he came running over to me, slipping across the floor in the process. "Look at you. You're so darn cute." I crouched down and picked him up as he licked the side of my face. "Lucky. That will be your name because I'm lucky to have all of this." I waved my arms out in front of me and ended up falling back as Lucky jumped on me.