Africa // Simply Three (cover of Toto)

Grinder

I pull up to Brax's new digs. A house in the suburbs no less. It's an older home, a bungalow built in the twenties, but maintained nicely. His woman lived there first and now he's a whipped son of a gun living with her. No skin off my nose because I'm as whipped as he is. Now if I could just convince Julia to live with me, things would be perfect.

Although I'd also be living with Lola and Eric so maybe perfect is pushing it. Eric is cool. Love that kid like my own. I love Lola too, but dang does she give me the evil eye on a daily basis. Not sure I have the balls to be in the same house with her. I might hide in the bedroom like a puppy dog.

Funny thing is, Julia swears Lola loves me.

She's said every time I express my disbelief, "Trust me. If she hated you, either I'd hear about it from her any time you weren't around, or she'd lock herself in her room when you were. Neither of those things occur, so we're all good."

Today is a big day. Another step in my life with this woman who rushed into my world like a storm. Even though I'm ready for it, I'm almost as nervous now as I was the day I met Julia's kids. That was awkward as hell until Eric asked to take a ride on my Harley. Lola rolled her eyes when I told her she could go second. Learned my lesson right quick. Never offer Lola a thing that she hasn't asked for unless you want the eye roll from hell aimed at you.

I take the path to the side of the house, down the long driveway that leads to the back garage. They've planned a backyard barbecue get together with some of their friends. Savanna insisted I invite Julia and the kids. Sounded like a good idea at the time but now I'm sweating bullets. I'm almost as anxious as I was when I met Julia's friends, the ones she calls the J sisters. They gave me a hard time for about ten minutes until Julia told them to shut it because it's all their doing we ended up together. I owe them my life.

"Grind! You come alone?" Brax reaches out to shake my hand. I scruff his head instead.

"Julia's picking up the kids from their dad." Dean the green bean, as I like to call him. He's skinny like a bean pole and turns green whenever I'm around. I'm positive that's why he finally agreed to a neutral drop off. He fought it at first but ever since date night when I 'kept him company' I've conveniently been hanging around when he stopped by. Guess he's had enough of my face to last a lifetime.

Feelings' mutual.

"She'll be here soon." I mock punch Brax in the shoulder then push by him to say hi to Savanna and her friend, Jen.

"When are you going to finally ink my best friend?" Jen asks as she punches me in the arm. No mock punch here. That girl has an arm.

"Whenever she finally decides what she wants." I smirk at Savanna. She's squeamish about the needle but keeps saying she wants to have a matching one with Brax. "You know I'm the only one to ink your man. His art is all mine. I won't screw it up."

"This much I know," Savanna says. "I'm working up to it."

I smile, deciding to let it go. She's a good woman. The best. Brax is a lucky man and he knows it. I have every confidence these two will make it through all of life's hurdles. Finding the one you love is only step one. I know. I found someone to love years ago but the universe didn't see things my way.

"Hey, everyone!" Julia's voice carries across the yard. I turn to watch the woman who holds my heart heading toward me. A huge smile on her face, she's got her arm around Eric who looks happy to be here. Lola is trailing behind them, eyes glued to her phone. I realized early on that she isn't trying to be rude. She's nervous. The phone is her security blanket.

"There's my girl." I wrap Julia up in a hug when she reaches my side. "How'd everything go?" I whisper the question so as not to upset Eric. He still worships his dad and I don't want to be the guy to ruin that.

Julia nods. Then she looks at me with crossed eyes. Her hint that Dean was his usual self. I shake my head and kiss her lips. She's a better person than I am, never knocking the guy on his ass.

"Okay everyone, this is Eric, Julia's son and master of video games. And Lola, her daughter, queen of indie rock. Ask her anything, she's got the answer."

Eric beams while Lola rolls her eyes. The fact that she didn't glare at me speaks volumes. She secretly liked that compliment.

"Eric, Brax's been working on restoring some classic Harley's. Want to take a peek?" I scruff his hair the same way I did to Brax earlier. Ever since I gave Eric that first ride on my bike, he's been soaking up details about classics any chance he gets. Brax is more than willing to give Eric a tour of his new business and show off his set up.

I gave Brax the pick of the tools from my garage, anything he wanted from that disaster to use for his business restoring bikes. Best possible use of that stuff, if ya ask me. It'd been sitting idle for too long. Watching it get put to good use is satisfying in a way that holding on to dusty memories would never be.

I watch the two of them head into the garage with a pride I can't describe. This is my family. And I'm ready to make it all more permanent. I just need to find the balls to ask.

My mind wanders to possibilities that I can't think on yet. Not until later. Not unless Julia agrees. I think she will. But the chance she might say no weighs heavily. It's kept me from asking for a while. But not anymore. I've got to grab those years with her. No more delay.

Once this party winds down. I need to make it happen.

Julia

"That was a nice time." Rob and I settle into the couch, the kids already squared away in their rooms, although I don't think either of them are asleep yet.

"It was. Were you okay having the kids there?"

The concern in his voice is endearing. One of the reasons I fell so hard for this man is his compassion for others. On the outside, he's gruff and tough. One look can make a man run the other direction. It's come in handy with Dean a time or two. But on the inside, he's so caring, so tender. I'm a lucky woman to have him in my life.

"It was perfect. I know they were awkward at first but even Lola warmed up to Savanna. And her friend, Jen, made her feel like one of the girls."

I snuggle into Rob, taking comfort in these quiet moments. He wraps me in his embrace. One thought comes to mind; heaven. I'm living in it.

I sense his breathing change, speed up a little.

"I don't think the kids are asleep yet." I whisper the warning. Ever since our first night together eight months ago, we've had to steal moments alone.

"I know. I'm banking on that." He squeezes me once then rises to his feet and disappears down the hallway. I sit on the couch dumbfounded. Minutes later he returns with both kids in tow.

"There's something I need to ask all of you," he says in all seriousness.

My mouth goes dry at his tone. Lola takes a seat on my right and Eric on my left. We look up at Rob, waiting for him to continue.

He stays rooted in place but his nerves are obvious when he looks down at his feet and runs a hand through his beard.

"I'm not good with my words. But I wanted to tell all three of you how much you mean to me. I already consider you my family." Rob looks up at us. Then his gaze lands on Eric. "You're the man of the house so I come to you first with my intentions."

Eric nods. He sits up straighter as Rob addresses him.

"I love your mother. That isn't a secret. I tell her every time I see her. I want to tell you I love you, too. You're like a son to me, if that's alright with you. I will never try to replace your dad, but I'd be happy to be a bonus in your life."

Eric nods again, this time with a smile.

Rob turns to Lola. "We may not be close, but I love you, too, Lola. I admire your strong spirit. It reminds me of my own. I don't want you to lose that, but I would like to be closer to you. I'm here to support you if you need me. Always."

Lola takes in a shaky breath and nods. She can't hold Rob's gaze which says a lot. His speech touched her, and she doesn't want to show the emotion.

Rob turns back to Eric. "With your permission, I intend to ask your mother to marry me. Do I have your blessing?"

My hand flies up to cover my sob. Eric smiles even bigger.

"Any time you want, you can ask," he tells Rob.

"Any time?" Rob raises a brow.

"Yup."

"Well, okay then." Rob reaches into his pocket while getting down on one knee. Meanwhile, I'm a sobbing mess already. As Rob looks up at me from bended knee, he holds out a ring, not in a box but resting on a silver spoon.

"Julia, I fell for you hard, sweetheart. The years I waited to find what we have together are worth all of the lonely nights. You said it to me early on, and I feel the same. You are worth all of my nights. So, will you let me lift the spoon for you for the rest of our lives? Will you marry me?"

I'm nodding my head yes before he even finishes his beautiful speech. I know I won't remember anything he said because I was already thinking, Yes, Yes!!, when I saw the ring laying in the spoon. He gets me. One hundred percent, this man gets me. I've never felt so loved, so cherished, so seen as I have with him. This grungy biker with the bushy beard. He's my hero, the real love of my life.

"Yes," I say as I launch myself into his arms. He kisses my temple, then my cheek, and finally my lips. Knowing the kids are with us, he keeps things chaste, but I can't wait until later tonight. I'm planning to show him how happy I am in more ways than one.

"Hang on, sweetheart. I have something for the kids." I release his neck but don't let go. Somehow, Rob gets to a standing position with me still clinging to him. Eric laughs but Rob's got an enormous smile on his face.

"That's right," he whispers in my ear. "Don't you ever let go of me, baby."

"Never."

He reaches for his jacket and pulls a small box and a little pouch out of the inside pocket. Then we return to the couch where he hands the box to Lola and the pouch to Eric.

When Lola opens the box, I start crying again. On a chain is a tiny spoon bent into a loop like a charm.

"Lola, this is to remind you that not only am I caring for your mom, I'm lifting the spoon for you as well. You should always have people in your life who care about who you are and what you need. I hope to be one of those people."

"Aw, Rob. That's sweet," she says, eyes on the necklace. For her, this is high praise. She may as well have declared her love for him.

Eric reaches into the pouch and pulls out a key shaped like a spoon on one end.

"Eric, this is a symbolic key. It's not the key to my Harley." Rob chuckles at the running joke between them. Eric is always begging to go for rides on his bike. "Caring for the people in your life is an honor, not a duty. Remembering that is the key to your happiness and that of your family."

Eric sits up a little straighter. I think he loves how Rob talks to him as a young man instead of a little kid.

"I'll remember." The pride showing on his face is pure. "When are you going to get married?"

Rob rubs his beard. "I guess that's up to your mom. I'm ready any time she likes."

"I'm free next weekend," I say. By the look on Rob's face I can tell I shocked him.

"Don't you want to get all fancy and invite a bunch of people and buy a white dress?" He's looking at me like I've lost my mind.

"Not really. Why, do you?" I put myself in his lap while Eric and Lola sneak back up to their rooms.

Rob kisses me, this time slow and deep now that we're alone. "No," he says with his lips still feathering kisses on mine. "I just want you."

"Same here. We can keep the ceremony simple and have a big party right here. Invite our friends and celebrate together."

"That is my favorite idea."

"Mine, too. Now, let's cuddle on the couch, big and little spoon."

Rob smiles. "Because you know what they say about spooning..."

I finish the joke. "It leads to forking."

"Yeah it does. I love you baby."

"I love you, too."

Aww, I love the two of them together! I hope you enjoyed this peek into Rob and Julia's story. I had no idea how emotional it would be but dang if it didn't give me the best feels.

Once again, this story has been stolen by a website that charges readers and impersonates authors with fake accounts. If you are reading this anywhere but the orange W site, you probably have a virus on your device. Just saying...

Now that this story is done, I'm planning to finish All There Is, also part of the Fallbrook Hills universe (this story is in the Blue Bloods series, All There Is belongs to the Fallbrook University series) as well as work on the Broken Lullaby sequel that will hopefully be published on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited in late fall or early winter of this year.

But, I do have plans for another story in the Blue Bloods series, this time a full length novel featuring Jackson, Butch's estranged son who returns to the Reapers to get to know his dad and ends up reconnecting with the girl he thought he'd marry when he was a little kid.... its a childhood friends to lovers story with a deep backstory plot.

What do you think, should I write this?? (Blurb below)

Jackson left Fallbrook Hills believing he'd never come back. When his mother finally confesses her secret about his dad, buried for years under layers of lies, he decides a trip back home is in order.

But he never expected to run into the one girl he still dreamed of. The girl he loved when he was a kid. Without her in his life, he'd given up those childhood dreams, thinking he'd never see her again. Now that he has, Jackson realizes that the way he's drawn to her is irrevocable.

Let me know what you think!! 

https://youtu.be/3QHX7Q9rfno

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