Willow's Struggle

New Cell Number

      I woke up to Jackson's fingers smoothly rubbing up and down my arm.  My head was laying on his chest and I had an arm and a leg draped over him.  I slid my finger across his smooth abs and it must have tickled him because he chuckled a little before he huskily said, "Good morning, cutie."

    "Good morning," I groggily mumbled as I continued to enjoy the view in front of me.  I flattened my palm on his chest and rubbed my hand over his muscles, earning a moan from him.

    He reached his hand down and gave my ass a little squeeze before he said, "You think my muscles are sexy, huh?"

    "Um... hum..." I lazily hummed in response.

    He chuckled again before he said, 'I am glad you are enjoying your view."

    I blushed and giggled as I continued to snuggle against him.  I was enjoying the moment until his phone pinged.  I sighed and he laughed making me glare up at him.  "What?" he asked innocently.

    "Why are you laughing at me?" I deadpanned.

    "You're just so damn cute," he said before he smashed his lips to mine.  When he pulled away, he said, "Every time you give me those pouty lips, I am going to kiss them because it's just so damn enticing."

    I pouted my lips and he instantly kissed me again.  I smiled into the kiss and felt him smile as well.  When he pulled back, I said, "You should probably check your phone."

    "I don't give a s**t about that phone.  I'm enjoying this moment and so are you, so why ruin it with a phone.  It's probably just my brother anyway," he said thoughtfully.

    I laid my head back down on his chest and wrapped my arm around him.  He wrapped his arms around me in return, then we laid there for a while chatting about the gig that was planned for tomorrow.  We were both excited because of the music producers that were going to be there.  He still had full confidence that they would offer me a contract, but I was trying not to get my hopes up.

    After about an hour of cuddling, I sighed before I said, "We should probably start getting ready for work."

    "I guess so, but if you don't mind, I would like stay with you until we are sure that Evan isn't going to be a threat anymore," he said in a serious tone.

    I sat up and turned my body to face him.  I brought my hand up to my forehead and gave him a salute as I said, "Yes sir," in a serious tone.

    He laughed as he pulled me back down on him.  He gave me a hug, then smacked my ass before he said, "Okay, now you can start getting ready."

    I jumped off of the bed and ran into my closet.  As I was rummaging through my clothes, Jackson walked in and said, "Damn this closet is bigger than I expected."

    I giggled as I continued to debate between leggings or a sundress.  Jackson grabbed my light blue sundress, then said, "You should wear this one."

    I looked at the dress and smiled.  He had picked one of my favorites.  I took the dress and pulled out my undergarments drawer.  Jackson looked over my shoulder and tried to reach in, but I swatted at his hand.

    He laughed as he left the closet with me right behind him.  As I headed to the bathroom, I said, "I am going to take a quick shower.  I'll be right back."

    He faked sadness as he replied, "You're not going to invite me to join you."

    "Sorry, babe, but we aren't there yet," I deadpanned, then walked into the bathroom and locked the door.

    I could hear him laughing on the other side of the door and smiled at his silliness.  I took a quick shower and got my hair pulled into my usual messy bun.  It's just easier and faster, not to mention, it generally looks good that way.  After I got dressed, I walked back into my room.  I was a little shocked when Jackson wasn't sitting there waiting for me.  

    I walked over to my nightstand and grabbed my cellphone.  After a few minutes of debating, I decided to turn it back on.  Of course, as soon as it booted up, it pinged several times.  Now it was time to debate whether or not I wanted to read the messages from the jackass.  After a few more minutes of debating, I opened up his message tab.  I read over the new messages and scoffed at the nonsense he was sending me.  This guy has some nerve, I thought to myself.  

    I shoved the phone into my purse, then slid on my white flip flops.  I brushed away the tears that had formed while I read through the messages, then left my room

    When I got downstairs, I smelled fresh coffee right away.  I walked to the kitchen and Jackson immediately held out a cup of coffee as he flashed me a genuine smile.  I accepted the cup of coffee and sat down at the dining table.  I was off in thought, thinking about the good and bad times I had experienced with Evan.  I just couldn't understand how he could say such mean things to me now.  He didn't even say such mean things to me before he supposedly changed, so I guess he did change but for the worse.

    Jackson gently grabbed my chin and lifted it to look into my teary eyes.  Instantly he furrowed he eyebrows and asked, "What's wrong, cutie."

    I sniffled, trying to hold back the tears and replied, "I just don't understand why he thinks it's okay to say such mean things now," I admitted sadly.

    Of course, right then my phone would ping in my purse.  He sighed before he said, "When we leave work, we are going to get your number changed."

    I smiled at him, then replied, "I like that idea."

    He smiled in return before he bent down and gave me a peck on the lips, then he sat down on the chair beside me and grabbed my free hand.  He didn't say anything else, just held my hand while he drank his coffee obviously lost in thought.  When he snapped out of his daze, he downed the last of his coffee, then asked, "Are you ready to head to work."

    I nodded my head, then stood up and grabbed our empty cups and put them in the dishwasher.  I pulled my keys out of my purse and headed to the door.  Jackson ran ahead of me and when he reached the door he grabbed the doorknob, then turned his head to look at me as he said, "Let me walk out first, just in case he's out there waiting."

    Damn, this dude is not f*****g around.  I flashed him a smile before I said, "Okay, if that will make you feel better."

    "Actually it would," he deadpanned before he opened the door and looked across the front yard and driveway.  He grabbed my hand as he said, "Looks to be all clear."

    I walked out of the house and locked the door.  We walked to his car together.  He kept glancing around until I was in the car and he shut the door.  He quickly made his way to the driver's side and hopped into the car.  As we drove to the café, I turned to him and said, "I'm sorry, I know that being around me is causing you trouble."

    "Cutie, don't be silly.  You aren't the one causing trouble," he said as he flashed me a smile.

    "I know that, but it is because of me," I admitted timidly.

    "Babe, I knew what I was dealing with before I asked you to be my girlfriend.  If I had a problem with it, I wouldn't have asked you  Now stop worrying about it," he said in a soothing tone.

    "Okay, I just don't want you to regret your decision and change your mind," I wearily replied.

    He chuckled before he adamantly said, "I am not going to change my mind, and I definitely won't regret my decision."

    "Good, because I like having you near me," I happily replied.

    When we got to the café, we walked in holding hands and heard a few "ah's" from some of the regular customers.  I flashed them a smile as we continued to the office.  Jackson gave me a hug as he said, "Have fun out there today."

    I gave him a peck on his cheek, then continued tying my apron.  Once it was tied and stocked, I asked Savannah where she needed me and got to work.  Our shift went by really quick because we were nonstop, steady with customers.  

    By the time we left, I was tired and ready for a shower, but Jackson was adamant about getting my cellphone number changed right away.  So that's what we did.  After that was done, we headed back to my house.  I made sure to text Jada, my mom, Savannah, and Jackson so that they would have my new number.

    As soon as we got back to my house, I sprinted up to my bedroom, leaving Jackson behind while he locked the front door.  By the time he got to my room, I had already gotten clothes to change into and had them laying on the counter in my bathroom.  I was standing in front of the mirror pulling my hair out of the messy bun, when Jackson leaned against the doorframe and asked, "Can I join you this time?"

    "You don't have any of your soap or anything," I deadpanned.

    He chuckled before he responded, "That's okay.  I can use your shampoo and I have deodorant in my car."

    I smirked at him, then said, " I wouldn't mind watching the water run down those perfectly sculpted abs of yours."

    "I wouldn't mind watching the water run down your perfectly perky breasts," he huskily said as he wrapped his arms around me, then smashed his lips to mine.  

    When he let me go, I turned the hot water on and started to undress.  By the time I was naked, the water was heated up, so I stepped into the shower with Jackson right behind me.  I had made it a point not to look at him while he undressed, that way I didn't get distracted before I got in the shower.  

    I stepped under the water and let the heat relax my sore muscles from the work day.  A sigh of pleasure left my mouth as I enjoyed the relaxing water.  I had closed my eyes and when I opened them, I saw a smirking Jackson, eyeing me up and down.  Using my finger, I gestured for him to join me under the water.  Instantly, he closed the gap between us and wrapped his arms around me.  He ducked his head down to my ear, then huskily said, "s*x Goddess, you are f*****g gorgeous."

    "So are you, s*x God," I replied just as his lips came crashing down on mine.  He kissed me passionately under the water flowing over us from the shower faucet.  

    When I finally pulled away from his lips, I said, "We should probably get cleaned before we lose the hot water."

    "Okay, but this isn't over," he responded as he flashed me a smirk, then winked.

    We got our hair washed just in time for the water to start cooling off.  Once we got out and dried, I pulled my yellow undress over my head before I pulled on my panties.  When I looked over at Jackson, he was smiling from ear to ear as he pulled his shirt on.  I wanted to play with him some more, but I also wanted to eat.  I had a small lunch and my stomach was growling like crazy.

    Once we were both dressed, I immediately walked from my bath straight to the kitchen without saying a word.  Jackson was also being oddly quiet, but he was keeping a smile so I wasn't worried about it.  When I got to the kitchen, I pulled out the leftover pizza and heated up two pieces for each other.  As soon as Jackson noticed what I was doing, he said, "Yummy, I was getting hungry, too.  Do you have any tea?"

    I nodded at him and grabbed the pitcher of tea out of the fridge when I put the pizza box back in it.  I poured us both a glass of the sweet tea and handed Jackson his glass.  He smiled at me affectionately before he took a big drink of it.  I grabbed the pitcher and topped off his glass before I grabbed the heated up pizza and brought it to the table.

    We sat down beside each other and enjoyed the pizza and sweet tea.  After we were done eating, Jackson jumped up and put our dirty dishes in the dishwasher.  I zoned out thinking about how badly I wanted to sit on the porch swing, but I was scared of Evan trying something stupid or crazy.  I got broke out of my daze by Jackson snapping his finger in front of my face.

    When I looked at him, he was frowning as he asked, "What are you thinking about?"

    "How nice it would be to sit on the porch swing, but I'm scared to," I admitted as I sagged my shoulders in defeat.

    "Why don't you just come stay the night with me for a few nights and see if we hear anything else from him?" he suggested.

    "I don't know.  What about my momma?" I whined worried about her just as much as I was worried about myself.

    He smiled at me affectionately before he soothingly replied, "Your momma is one tough cookie and she keeps her weapons close.  Don't forget what she told you last night.  She can protect herself and she won't let him get near her."

    I smiled as I recalled my conversation with her the night before.  She really is one tough cookie.  After the incident when the guy threatened her and I threw him out, she took self defense and a couple other fighting classes to ensure nobody could ever treat her that way again.  I looked at Jackson, then asked, "Will your brother get mad?"

    He shrugged as he said, "Nah, he will be happy to finally meet you.  He has been bugging me about it all week, and I think you will like his fiancé, too."

    I giggled, then responded, "Sure, I might as well go somewhere where I can get a good night's sleep."

    "Alright, go pack a bag for a couple of days, while I load up your equipment," he replied nonchalantly.

    I jumped to my feet, then gave him a kiss on his cheek, before I ran to my room and started packing a bag.  I made sure to pick out an outfit for my gig tomorrow and some pajamas.  I also packed a few sundresses as well as a few leggings and tank tops.  After that, I grabbed several undergarments and a few bikinis, then put them in a smaller compartment of my bag.

    In a separate bag, I packed up my shower stuff, along with my make-up and hair gel.  I threw in a few different hair accessories and the perfume that Jackson liked, as well as my toothbrush and hairbrush.  When I felt like I had everything I might need, I grabbed my notebook of songs and checked to make sure Jackson hadn't missed any of equipment.

    I wrote my mom a note and set it on her pillow, then went back to my room and grabbed my purse after I put my cellphone in it.  Jackson walked back into my room and asked, "Are you ready?"

    I spun around and smiled at him as I replied, "I think so."

    He grabbed both of the bags and said, "Let's get going."

    I followed him to the front door and waited for him to scan the area.  When he gave the all clear, I walked out and locked the door.  I hopped in the passenger seat, as he put my bags in the backseat.  After he joined me in the car, he grabbed my hand and brushed a few light kisses on it.  He looked at me with his blue eyes twinkling as he excitedly said, "We are going to have so much fun.  Did you bring anything to swim in?"

    I flashed him a smirk as I replied, "Yep," popping the 'p'.

    He chuckled as he put the car in reverse, then backed down the driveway.  His brother lived about twenty five minutes away from me, but the drive went by quick with Jackson telling me about his brother.  I was a little surprised when we pulled up the driveway of a large three story house.  It looked really nice from the outside, with a Victorian style look to it.  I was excited to see the inside.