Fighting For Hope

Chapter Two

Hope

My cousin Jenna finished with my hair. I had needed it cut some to control it and besides Harper said we’re going out tonight. Grandma Lauren was animatedly talking with a customer that was paying for their treatment. She doesn’t cut hair anymore. She just greets customers, books them, and checks them out. It is too much on her hands and she can’t stand for hours all day anymore. She caught me looking at her and she winked. I smiled.

“God, you are so lucky you still have your grandmother.” I commented. I technically still have one of mine too, but she is a horrible person, and I don’t want anything to do with my grandmother Charlotte. I owe it to Grandma Lauren for taking me in as one of her own. I had a wake up call over four years ago when our Grandma Diane passed away. It affected all of us kids, but I think it hit me more than the others though I’ll never admit it to them.

Jenna gave me a squeeze of a hug from behind by squeezing my shoulders. Jenna is only nineteen and taking a gap year as she works for her mom and enjoys herself. My sister Alyssa and cousin Taylor are the same age as Jenna. Our moms got pregnant almost back to back at the same time. My dad’s family thought for a little while I was the first grandchild born to the family. Little did my Uncle Jeremy know that he had a son already. I couldn’t ask for a better cousin in Harper.

Harper is my rock. He is my best friend and sometimes he feels closer as a brother than Jordy is to me though he is actually my brother. I love Jordy though. He is the best baby brother. My whole family is great and tight knit. Even my mom’s chosen family, the Hongs and Wagners, are the best anyone can ask for. My childhood was happy and full of love.

I miss that my mom’s chosen family moved back to where my dad grew up because Mama Hong and Papa Hong passed away. They helped them work their restaurant for a couple of years before it happened, but they sold it when they passed. Uncle Stefan took my cousins and aunt to Germany with him to work and spend time with his family there. They still visit from time to time.

I started to feel awkward when I became a teen. My body changed faster than I was ready for. Everyone in school knew how rich my family is and yet for most of my high school years I dressed in my stained clothes I would wear while I worked on my art. I was grateful my parents encouraged me to pursue my artistic side. They even had my Aunt Kya’s builder build me a special studio to the side and back of the house where I could create to my heart’s content.

Things changed shortly into my senior year that changed me for a long time into a person I refuse to reveal to anyone in my family. I feel shame whenever I think about those years I spent, especially in college. My grandmother’s death snapped me out of my downward spiral that I had been in for practically all my college years. My family won’t ever know because I kept up appearances on the surface.

I know I’m the embarrassment of this family though they don’t recognize it. I share everything with Harper, but after Halloween our senior year changed so many things about me. I started to live a double life that I kept completely to myself.

“Hope?” Jenna said.

I shook my head to clear my fog. “Lost in your own world again.” She teased. I plastered a smile on my face when all I really wanted to do is hide in shame. “What did you say?” “Are you nervous about living in that big house by yourself?” “No, I guess I won’t be living there by myself for too long.” Harper says one of his friends is moving in. Honestly, I’m usually in my studio. I’m only out and about right now because Harper is making me get dressed up to go out tonight. He guilt-tripped me and I couldn’t refuse him.”

“Yeah, my big brother will do that to you. I suspect he endeared himself to all of us so he can now control us with guilt trips if he wants his way.” We laughed. “Shush, you know he probably can hear you. I wouldn’t put it past him to be able to hear you all the way upstairs.” I said almost as if we were sharing a secret. That just made Jenna cackle out loud with a laugh. She slapped her hand over her mouth and apologized to the customers trying to relax. I was laughing too, but I apologized. Some of the women just shook their heads at us in a disapproving manner.

“What color is the dress you are wearing tonight?” Jenna asked. “Didn’t your mom show you? It’s in the office go look.” “Okay, be right back.” I nodded. I took several calming subtle breaths. I’m struggling today to control myself. I’m happy my best girl friend Ryann and Harper finally admitted their feelings for each other, but I have begun to feel like the third wheel sometimes. I also am a little mad that Harper has moved out of the house we bought together.

Jenna is right, it is huge. Not as big as my parents' or uncles’ houses, but not far off. If it wasn’t such a hassle to have my equipment moved, I would sell my half of the house to Harper and find a more manageable one for me. I had offered him the house and for me to move out, but he didn’t want me to have to move all my equipment either.

Jenna came back out beaming with a smile. “That dress is gorgeous. I know just what to do for your make-up now.” Jenna did my make-up, and I got a manicure and pedicure after. The nail tech wanted to do a set of nails, but I wouldn’t be able to work with them. She tried to make my nails as presentable as she could with how chipped and things they are from my work.

Ryann came through the door into the lobby to wait for Harper. She grinned as she saw me. Harper is taking us to dinner and to the club after. I haven’t dressed for a club in a long time. I didn’t want to go, but I feel safe knowing Harper will be there to keep me in check. Ryann gave me a quick hug to not mess up my navy blue dress too much.

I started to straighten out my dress after her hug. It is just shy of form fitting. It hugs my br*.asts, and the material flows down my sides. The front has strips of crossed material that gives you hints of my abdomen. The same effect is on the back. It hugs my curves and goes just above my knees. The crossed material pattern switches to the sides of my thi.ghs giving hints to my legs.

I saw myself in the mirror in my aunt’s beauty spa. Outwardly I look like s*x on two legs. Inwardly I think I look like the sl.*t I am. But I’ll wear the s*x appeal look like an armor to keep everyone out. Hopefully I won’t have to wear a dress again until Harper’s wedding.

I heard Ryann give a squeak of a squeal. She spotted Harper. There is nothing else for it. I looked up and I felt the color drain from my face. I wanted to be sick, but I quickly pulled my armor over myself and plastered a smile on my face.

Harper greeted Ryann with a kiss, and I was able to kind of hide myself from his view while they kissed. I freaked out though inside. I could have been happy to never see him again. I caught a glimpse of his golden whiskey eyes when Harper and Ryann were kissing.

“Ryann, you remember Lucas Adams.” “Yeah, its nice to see you again.” Ryann extended her hand to Lucas. Lucas shook her hand, but his eyes drank me in once she looked away from him. My body wanted to betray me. I wanted to get out of here. “Hope…” Harper started to say. “Lucas.” I said curtly. I cursed myself for being too curt in tone. I was trying to be nonchalant.

“Hope.” Lucas replied and it was almost like he was caressing me just by calling my name. I fought the shivers and butterflies my stomach wanted to run away with. “Should we get going? Don’t we have reservations?” I asked Harper as calmly as I could muster.

“You’re going out to dinner?” Lucas asked. “Yeah. Would you care to join us? We’re going to the club after.” “I don’t want to intrude.” Lucas replied. Good don’t. I thought to myself. “Nonsense. Come, now Hope will have someone else to talk to.” Ryann responded. I gave an awkward smile and slight nod. I don’t want to upset Harper or Ryann. “Okay then.” Lucas replied. “Good. The car service is here.” Harper had checked his phone.

Harper opened the door and Ryann walked out and I followed her. I could feel Lucas’ eyes on me. I climbed into the limo and sat on the side seat. I regretted it instantly as Lucas sat directly opposite of me. I angled myself to look out the window as we drove through Colorado Springs.

I internally cursed Lucas all through dinner. He talked with Harper and Ryann, and I kept my conversation with him short and sweet. Lucas kept watch of me though. A part of me wanted to beat the ever loving sh.*t out of him and the other part of me wanted to find whatever spot I could find and f*.ck his brains out. I was starting to place bets with myself as to if either would come to fruition.

Damn the man for getting even sexier than he was in high school. I hate him, but I can’t deny the part of myself that is attracted to him. I have to remind myself what happened and why I ended things with Lucas. Or I could prove to him that I was a self-fulfilling prophecy him and his friends had about me. Who knows, maybe he’d appreciate that about me.

I downed some fruity drink special that tasted like strawberry, watermelon, and a hint of pineapple. I had two gone within the first fifteen minutes after we got to the club. “You may want to slow down with those they have a lot of alcohol in them.” The female bartender warned. “Thanks for the warning, but I need them trust me. Please keep them coming. I’m not driving.” She gave an understanding nod. She poured me my third. I took it over to the table Harper got for us.

Harper and Ryann were dancing, and I couldn’t see Lucas anywhere which made me happy. I finished off my third drink and scanned the room. A blonde guy approached me. He was average height. Not bad looking. He definitely didn’t have the six pack abs, but I didn’t care.

“Excuse me would you like to--.” “Dance.” I cut him off. He nodded. I snatched his hand and led him to the center of the dance floor. My drinks were mellowing me out and letting me loosen up. I needed that. I danced with blondie to several songs. He escorted me to the bar and the bartender had another drink for me at the ready. I needed it as I felt Lucas’ eyes on me, and I caught him watching me dance many times.

I tossed the drink back. I let out a burp. I flushed and excused myself. Blondie didn’t seem to mind. He smiled at me. I indicated for one more. Blondie drank his beer and didn’t say much. I was feeling too loose to just stand here and not have fun. I was about to excuse myself when I felt how close Lucas was. I had just finished my drink.

“Thanks for the dances.” I said to blondie. I turned to Lucas. “Dance?” I said. I think I shocked him. His mouth gaped a little. I saw the desire in his eyes as they darkened. “I was going to tell you Harper and Ryann left. Ryann suddenly wasn’t feeling too good.” “Yeah, that was code for she wants to take my cousin home to f*.ck his brains out.” I looked around. “Are we dancing or what?”

He let me tug him to the dance floor. I swayed pressing my br*.asts to Lucas’ chest as I worked my way down his body and back up. I let the beat of the music flow over my body. He didn’t dance at first. I ran my hands over his shoulders and down his arms to his hands. I lifted his hands to my hips and held his hands in place as I let his hands feel my hips sway to the rhythm of the music.

His eyes bore into mine making me melt like a puddle on the inside. I grabbed his head and before I could stop myself, I was devouring his mouth. Lucas pulled me into him as he kissed me back. I could feel him starting to grow.

I broke the kiss. I leaned to his ear. “My place?” He looked at me. “I don’t think that is a good idea.” I scoffed at him. “I was just inviting you back to my place to f*.ck. I wasn’t asking you to be my boyfriend or commit to me in any way.” I removed his hands from me and pushed away from him to take some space.

I gave him a quick smile. “Maybe blondie wants to come home with me.” I turned and marched back to the bar. Blondie wasn’t at the bar. I was grateful. I really didn’t need to take another stranger home with me. I decided to leave. “Can you ring me up? And hand me my things.” “Certainly.” I ordered a ride and tossed my black credit card on the bar for the bartender to finish my transaction.

She handed me my card and I gave her a big tip and signed my name. Lucas had tried to crowd near me, but the bar had gotten busier. A different blonde guy took notice of me. “Drink?” He asked. “No thanks. Maybe another time.” “Your leaving?” I nodded. I looked at Lucas and saw murder in his eyes. I smirked and opened my mouth to invite the guy home with me. Lucas grabbed my arm and yanked me outside in a blink.

“Let me go. You had your chance.” “What do you think you are doing?” “Having a good time. You should try it some time.” “What if they have diseases? What if they mean you harm?” I shrugged my shoulders. “Guess it’s a gamble I have to take.” “Do you care so little for your safety?” “Hey, I have taken care of myself all these years without anyone beside me.” I poked him in his chest.

“You are insane. You are going to get yourself killed then what do you think would happen to your family?” I saw red. “Leave my family out of this. I offered you first. You chose to turn me down.” My ride pulled up. I climbed in the back and reached for the door to close it. Lucas climbed in.

“Hey, this is my ride.” “Shut up.” He said as his lips descended on mine. My spine had a jolt of electricity shoot through it as only Lucas can cause. My thong flooded and I was lost to his kissing. We barely made it out of the car when we pulled up to my house.

I could barely press my thumb to the metal plate to unlock my door. There is a key hole in the door, but it is largely for decoration. Lucas was groping my body and my body heated everywhere he touched. He kicked the door shut. He unzipped my dress on the side. I tugged at his dress shirt.

Our mouths never stopped while we made our way deeper into the house. We bumped into one of the kitchen chairs. I had loosened his pants and shoved them down his body. I pushed him onto the chair to sit. I finished removing my dress and thong. I wasn’t wearing a bra with my dress. Lucas, I swore salivated when he saw my bare br*.asts.

“Condom?”

He snatched his wallet from his pants. He pushed his boxer briefs down and off while he opened the condom and put it on. I stood straddling his legs. “Not a word of this to Harper or anyone we know.” I warned him. “Huh?” Was all he got out before I crashed my lips to his and took his huge d*.ck in my hand and impaled myself on it.

F*.ck he felt better than I remembered. I ground down on him hard and fast. I had him moaning and groaning. He devoured my br*.asts with his mouth and hands. I didn’t want to moan, but I couldn’t help it. He fit me like I was made for him. I wasn’t nice and easy. I arched and leaned my hands back behind me on his thi.ghs just above his knees for support as I rolled my body and let his eyes feast on where his d*.ck was being sucked into my p*.ssy with each roll of my hips. I am a flexible person, but when I drink, I am even more flexible.

I know I’m going to feel this in the morning along with the hangover, but I didn’t care. All I cared about was getting myself there and it was rapidly coming. He groaned deeper and my moans and pants picked up. I sat up and wrapped my arms around his shoulders as I slammed my body down on his. I crested the peak and I screamed. I felt him grip my hips as he thrust up into me for another minute before he roared his release.

I wanted to stay impaled on him, but I forced myself to pull off his body. I couldn’t let this be anything more than just f*.cking. I turned on my heel and made my way to the stairs and up to my bedroom. He could let himself out.

I went into my bathroom and started my shower. I pulled a towel off the shelf and nearly dropped it as he stood gloriously naked in my bathroom door.

His eyes traced me. “You’re still here?” “Of course, I am.” “You don’t have to be we f*.cked go home.” I climbed into the shower not bothering to wait for his response. The *sshole was bold when he joined me in the shower.