Willow's Struggle

Meeting Jake and Lily

    Before we headed inside, Jackson asked, "Do you need all of your equipment brought inside."

    "The amp and cords can stay outside, but I would like the guitars brought inside if you don't mind," I responded.

    "Okay cutie, not a problem," he said as he flashed me a smile.

    We both hopped out of his car.  He opened his trunk and grabbed both of my guitars and my ukulele, while I grabbed my bags out of the backseat.  As we headed toward the front door with our hands full of my stuff, the door suddenly opened and a guy that looked very similar to Jackson ran up to us and grabbed one of my bags from me, then grabbed one of the guitars from Jackson.  He beamed a smile at me as he said, 'Please come inside."

    We followed him into the house and I was immediately awestruck by how beautiful it was inside.  The first thing that caught my attention was the beautifully crafted spiral staircase.  The steps were made from a dark cherry wood, while the handrail and columns along the sides were made out of what appeared to be cast iron or some other dark colored metal, and they had intricate designs that looked like ivy leaves.  I gazed at my surroundings with my mouth slightly hanging open.  

    Jackson wrapped an arm over my shoulder as he said, "Pretty nice, huh?"

    I looked over at him and smiled as I said, "This place is beautiful."

    Him and the other guy both chuckled, making me blush a little.  Jackson gave my arm a little squeeze before he said, "Willow, this is my brother Jacob, but we call him Jake, and beside him is his beautiful fiancé, Lily.  Jake, Lily this is my gorgeous girlfriend, Willow."  Jake looked like an older version of Jackson with the same blonde hair and blue eyes.  The biggest difference I noticed was that Jackson's nose was slightly smaller and his lips were fuller.  Lily was a very pretty girl with light brown hair and brown eyes to match.

    They both gave me a genuine smile as they said, "Hello," in unison.

    I returned the smile as I greeted, "Hello, it is nice to finally meet you."

    Jake chuckled as he said, "The pleasure is all ours.  We have heard nothing but nice things about you."

    "I hope we will get the chance to hear you sing us some of your songs while you are here," Lily said excitedly.

    I giggled before I responded, "I would be happy to sing for you."

    "Come with me, cutie.  I will show you where you can put your bags," Jackson said as he led me up the stairs, then to a room on the second floor.  When he opened the door, I was overwhelmed by smell of his cologne.  I looked up at him and smiled as he said, "This is my room, but if you would prefer a room to yourself, I can arrange that."

    I walked in and set my bag down.  A second later, Jake walked in and set my other bag and guitar down, then quickly left us alone in Jackson's room.  After Jackson set my other guitar and ukulele down, he walked up to me and wrapped his arms around me.  As he hugged me, he said, "I'm so glad you came here with me."

    I looked up to gaze into his beautiful blue eyes.  They twinkled as he gazed back into mine.  I playfully gave him pouty lips, effectively causing him to smash his lips onto mine.  I smiled into the kiss before I licked his bottom lip.  Instantly he parted his lips, and I leisurely grazed his tongue with mine.  I tangled my fingers into his hair, deepening the kiss even more.  When I had to pull back for air, he rested his forehead against mine, then asked, "What would you like to do for the rest of the evening?"

    "I don't care as long as I have you with me," I replied as I continued to gaze into his eyes.  

    "Would you like to sit outside for a little bit before we lay down?" he asked.

    My smile widened as I said, "I would love that."  I released my hold on him, then grabbed my ukulele and said, "Let's go."

    He grabbed ahold of my hand before he led me back downstairs and out of the front door.  I had noticed a porch swing when we got here and that is where he led us to.  As soon as we sat down, he pulled me into his side as he asked, "Are you going to play some music for us?"

    I smiled as I responded, "Of course."

    He chuckled as he planted a kiss on my forehead, then replied, "I would like that."

    I positioned my ukulele in my arms, then started playing my favorite song that I wrote for my grandma.  When I was finished playing the song, Jackson kissed me on the cheek, then said, "I think that is my favorite song of yours."

    I flashed him a smile before I started playing another song.  By the time I had finished it, Jake and Lily had joined us on the porch and were sitting beside each other on the porch chairs.  Lily clapped her hands as she exclaimed, "You have such a beautiful voice.  I see now why Jackson brags about you so much."

    I couldn't stop the blush that reddened my cheeks.  Jackson noticed it right away and chuckled as he said, "There's no reason to be embarrassed, babe."

    "Can we hear another song?" Lily excitedly asked.

    "Sure," I replied before I started playing another song.  

    When the song finished, Jackson hugged me as he said, "You are so talented.  I can't wait for tomorrow night."

    I gave him a quick peck on his lips, then replied, "Me, too."  After a second, I exclaimed, "Oh shit."

    "What's wrong," he immediately asked.

    "I forgot to tell Skylar that I was leaving for the night.  She plans on being at my house first thing to practice the duet some more.  I should probably shoot her a quick text to let know I won't be there," I explained.

    "She can come over here to practice with you," he assured me.

    "Thank you," I said as I stood up.  I looked over at Lily and Jake, then said, "Sorry guys, I need to contact my bestfriend before it gets any later."    

    "Okay," they both said as I walked back into the house with Jackson following me.  We walked back to his room where I had left my purse.  I quickly pulled my cellphone out of it and sent Skylar a message:

Willow:    Hey, Evan is acting ridiculous.  I'm staying the night at Jackson's house.  You can meet me here to practice tomorrow.

Skylar:    Okay, just send me his address and I will plan to be there around 11

Willow:    Sounds good to me, hey bring a swimsuit so you can swim with us

Skylar:    Will do, that sounds like fun

    I had Jackson type in his address, then told her goodnight.  I also sent my mom a quick goodnight before I set my phone down on the nightstand beside the bed.  Jackson walked up behind and placed his hands on my hip, then leaned down and kissed the side of my neck.  I leaned back against him and sighed.  

    He chuckled before he asked, "Are you getting tired?"

    It was starting to get late and I was tired so I responded, "I am a little tired.  Where is the closest bathroom?"

    He grabbed my hand and led me to the other side of his room and opened a door revealing a very nice bathroom.  It had a double sink surrounded by a beautiful marble counter, and a huge bathtub with a shower.  I pulled my toothbrush out of my bag and went back to the bathroom.  

    After I finished brushing my teeth, I walked back into Jackson's room.  I grabbed a pair of pajamas out of my bag and walked back into the bathroom, closing the door this time.  After I released my bladder, I changed into my pajamas.  I had chosen a set with a pink pair of shorts and a white tank top.  They both had a single rose on them.  

    When I walked back in Jackson's room again, he had changed into a pair of gym shorts and was laying on his bed.  He patted the bed beside him as he smirked at me.  I stuffed my clothes back into my bag, then climbed onto the bed and laid beside him.  He rolled to his side and smiled at me as he asked, "Have you thought about how you want to celebrate if you get offered a contract tomorrow?"

    "I don't know," I answered honestly, then added, "As long as you are celebrating with me, I am sure I will be happy."

    "Ah, that was such a sweet thing to say," he happily replied as hovered over me and flashed me a warm smile.  He gazed into my eyes for a second before he inched his face closer to mine.  He nuzzled his nose against mine before he whispered, "You look so f*****g sexy right now, I just want to kiss you all over."

    I giggled before I said, 'You can kiss these lips."

    Immediately he smashed his lips onto mine.  When he pulled back, he laid back down and pulled me over to him.  I laid my head on his bare chest and snuggled to him.  He wrapped his arms around me and hugged me tight.  Apparently I was more tired than I had realized, because within minutes I fell asleep.

    In the middle of the night, I had a nightmare of Evan attacking my mom.  I sat straight up when I woke from the nightmare.  I was covered in sweat and trembling as I took in deep inhales of the air around me in an attempt to catch my breath.  I stumbled out of the bed and to the bathroom, where I splashed cool water in my face.  

    Jackson hadn't woke up, so I left the bathroom light on and walked over to the nightstand.  I grabbed my cellphone and walked back to the bathroom quietly shutting the door behind me.  I sat on the edge of the bathtub and called my mom's cellphone.   It ended up going to voicemail.  I gave it a few minutes, then called her again.  After a few rings, I heard her groggy voice say, "Willow, are you okay?"

    "Yes, momma.  I just had a nightmare and wanted to hear your voice," I admitted.

    She chuckled before she responded, "My baby girl, it warms my heart to know that you still need me.  Don't worry about the nightmare."

    "Momma, I will always still need you.  I know it was just a nightmare, but it frightened me.  It seemed so real," I explained.

    "Sometimes they will.  You just have to brush them off and think about better things," she replied thoughtfully.

    "Thank you, momma.  You always know what I need to hear," I quietly said.

    "You call me anytime you need to, sweetie," she soothingly said.

    "I will.  I love you, momma.  Goodnight," I said in response.

    "I love you, too.  Goodnight," she replied before she disconnected the call.  I sighed before I stood back up and walked to the door.  I turned the bathroom light off and walked back to the bed using the light from my phone.  After I set my phone back on the nightstand, I climbed back under the covers.  

    Jackson rolled over and cuddled to me as he groggily asked, "Are you having trouble sleeping?"

    "Sorry if I woke you. I'm fine, you can go back to sleep," I whispered as I cuddled to him.

    "Okay, just wanted to make sure," he whispered before he drifted back to sleep.  Enjoying the warmth he was providing me, I soon went back to sleep, too.