River's End: River on Fire Part 10

Glancing up when the sound of Jack's voice interrupted them, he swam out to where they stood on a sandbar, rapt in conversation. Jack did not hesitate for a second or seem the least bit concerned about anyone finding Erin and Joey together. During the last two years, they'd progressed so far from that. Hailey stood up, capturing Joey's complete attention despite how hard he tried to keep up his end of the conversation with Erin. Hailey let her towel slide down her legs to the sand. She wasn't trying to be seductive, and Joey clearly understood that. But his lower half seemed to miss something. It instantly began to rise and stand at attention despite the cool water engulfing him. He was very glad for the cover the water provided; no one could see his secret response. Wearing a green swimsuit, in a soft minty shade that drew out the blond strands in her hair, Hailey touched the water cautiously before grabbing an inner tube. Tucking herself neatly inside it, she pushed off the river bottom and began to float along effortlessly.

She stopped near Charlie and Jacob and they talked and laughed with her for longer than ten minutes, which would've been impossible before then. Joey watched her all the while, discreetly trying not to let his brother see him gawking at her. The boys started an impromptu game of water tag. Joey was drawn into it, as usual. He was always the fun uncle and the first one invited to play games and pranks, like jumping off the big rock, floating down the river, and throwing unsuspecting people into the water. They soon had the entire area awash in a wet, splas.h.i.+ng, laughing game. The women got in on it. Some began hiding up on the beach behind plants and rocks, while others just grabbed each other and dragged them kicking and screaming back into the water.

Joey didn't miss his opportunity to grab Hailey around the waist and pull her against him as he carried her into the water. He even copped a quick feel, and showed her a grin when she scowled her silent warning. But that was not before he saw her catch her breath. He dunked her under the water and her grin was huge when she surprised him by copping her own feel under the water. He almost let go of her, he was so shocked. Her naughty smile only added to his torture; he ached to haul her onsh.o.r.e and... None of his fantasies could be indulged. Not with four teens and a half dozen other adults hanging around. Knowing that, he had to let her go and pretend Kate was his quarry.

Brianna was "it" and naturally spent all her time trying to get Joey. She pushed him too far, and while trying to avoid her grabby hands, he swam downriver towards the big rock that jutted up a good fifteen feet. He held the base of it, then swam around and hid. The spot he chose was impossible for anyone to see from the swim beach. He was nearly flabbergasted when Brianna slipped around the rock and trapped him there.

She stood up in a shallower spot with the water dripping off her youthful, supple body and the sun s.h.i.+ning like gold off her tan. He retreated as far as he could before the ma.s.sive rock dug into his back. Stepping forward until she was nearly on top of him, she boldly grabbed his arm.

"Uh, fine, you got me. I'm 'it.' You'd better turn around now and swim for it. I'll give you a twenty-second head start."

But no. Nothing doing. Nope, that was the furthest thing from her mind. Her eyes gleamed and she stepped even closer to Joey. The waist-deep water had him pinned with her so close. He'd have to touch her just to get around her and the last thing he wanted was that.

"I don't want to get away from you."

Joey swallowed hard, nearly gulping. It was so gross. She was no more than a freaking little kid suddenly making goo-goo eyes at him. His body was almost splayed against the rock in his effort to avoid touching her. He had to restrain her shoulders with his hands to physically stop her advance. "Brianna, back off. What you're doing is totally inappropriate. And also unwanted."

"It doesn't have to be."

Joey's only defense was to put his arms straight out and physically holding her away from him. "But it is. I am not interested. I don't want anything to do with you."

Perhaps he was a little too harsh but she gave him no other choice. She was wet and slick. Her hair dripped water down her face and neck as her b.r.e.a.s.t.s strained in their confinement by the flimsy bikini material. Joey kept his gaze politely pinned above her head. He showed no reaction to her attempts at seduction. He was relieved it wasn't faked; since he had zero interest in her.

"That's just because of my stupid mother. Don't worry; she won't do anything. She'll never know."

As if he'd ever go after a fifteen-year-old girl. Let alone trust her to keep anything a secret. He contorted his face into a stern sneer, very similar to the one he gave Cami two years ago when she tried to go after him. "I don't like little girls! Hear me. I don't want you. I'm not attracted to you. Nothing. Nada. Go away, Brianna, your behavior is grossly inappropriate and you're making me very uncomfortable."

"If it were a few years from now, it wouldn't matter. Men often date eighteen- or nineteen-year-olds. It's totally common and accepted."

"But you are not eighteen or nineteen. You're still a little girl. No matter what you think you are. You are not of the age of consent. And any man who would take you up on what you're offering me deserves a long jail sentence. In my opinion, they should have their junk cut off to end their predatory behavior. It's gross. Okay? Taking advantage of young girls like you? Not cool. So back the f.u.c.k off before I have to force you to."

Her face scrunched up with wonder. "What do you mean, 'force you to'?"

"I mean, physically remove you from this vicinity and totally humiliate you. I don't want to, Brianna, but I will if you don't back off right now."

She bit her lip and her eyes filled with tears as she bent her head forward. He sighed. Was it an act? Maybe, but he wouldn't relent or pull her in for a hug, not even a pat of condolence. He nearly groaned out loud when her freaking mother, his potential girlfriend, suddenly appeared treading water around the rock. She was looking for them. Of course, she had her eagle eyes on them for the entire length of time they'd been gone. Yeah, duh! Naturally, she was wondering what was going on. There she found them: Joey with his hands on Brianna's shoulders, forcibly holding her away from him, although it might have appeared as if he intended to hug her. They were tucked against the rock, well away from prying eyes, and in nearly complete privacy.

He pushed Brianna back, raising his hands in innocence. Palms flat, his hands in the air, he explained, "She followed me here, I was just trying to get her away from me." There was no way of sugarcoating it. Brianna had gone way beyond too far. If she'd been a boy, even a young one, and cornered a girl that way, it would have been considered legal s.e.xual a.s.sault. Brianna had to stop cornering men like that, especially older ones. And the reality was that Hailey had to be aware of it and do something about it before Brianna seduced some old pervert, or got herself into a dangerous s.e.xual or other nefarious situation in which she couldn't defend herself.

Hailey's lips pursed and her eyes flashed with anger. But she kept her tone even and cool. "Brianna? Did you hear him? What do you think you're doing?"

"He's exaggerating, Mom. We were just playing around."

Little did Brianna know that Hailey believed Joey and knew he wasn't playing around with her daughter. He was convinced Hailey understood that much about him. Hailey shut her eyes, standing on the sandy bottom, with only her neck and shoulders showing above the surface.

"No. No, Brianna, he wasn't playing around with you. He's been crystal clear all along. You're the only one initiating any flirtation, and these constant advances are totally unwelcome. So beyond the general inappropriateness of it, including an age difference that could land him in jail, he isn't interested. You need to back off. Go. Now. We'll discuss this later."

Brianna glared at her mother in a death stare. Joey itched to add something even more scathing to the bratty girl, but seeing the pain in Hailey's eyes kept him quiet. He sensed the situation was eating her up and if he voiced his real thoughts, it could only hurt her more. Brianna was her teenaged daughter and he'd have to find a way to deal with her.

Brianna swam off down the river, aiming for the shallower middle as she walked up the rippling current. Hailey peeked around the rock and kept her eyes zeroed in on her until she was across the water and had joined everyone else. Then, all at once, Hailey's entire body sagged. She dropped her head and shook it as her shoulders fell forward.

Joey swept her up, holding her next to his chest. He tucked her against him, letting her head rest at his neck. She grabbed him, her arms clutching him in near desperation. "She was practically molesting you."

"Pretty close," he agreed, but his tone was soft and quiet. He was sorry. Full of regret.

"If she finds out about... us... oh, my G.o.d..." Her head shook back and forth. "It will make everything so much worse for her."

Feeling helpless, he kissed her head. "I know. But she doesn't have to find out."

"What if she does? And what kind of mother..."

"Don't go there, Hailey. Don't take her aggressive actions towards me, which are totally unwelcome, and use them as the reason why you should not be with me. We are both adults. Together, we are consenting adults. She is not. She is a kid, Hailey. Maybe if this were three years from now, we would be having a different conversation. But now? Right now? It's not. She's a kid who has no business doing what she just did. And yeah, you gotta address that sooner than later. I'm not kidding you. She'll find an old pervert to shack up with, or get herself arrested for a.s.sault if she doesn't stop now. And as for us? Don't let her decide about us. You aren't doing anything wrong by being attracted to me. Or me to you. She is in the wrong on every level. And no offense, but it was already much worse between you two."

Hailey sighed deeply against his chest. "I think I need to consult her father on this."

Joey kept still. She finally lifted her face up, and locked her gaze on his. "She's gone too far this time. This stunt here..."

"Yeah, it's pretty bold." His heart sunk to his feet. So soon were their ages, her kids, and her ex already coming between them. Joey had no foundation with her yet, and already they were facing serious issues. Despite all that, he felt a desperate need to clutch her closer to him. He wanted nothing more than a long-term relations.h.i.+p with her. Not just s.e.x. Not one time. Not even a few times. His feelings for her sometimes threatened to arrest his breathing, they were so big and deep and real; yet here she was now, already unsure.

"I need to make another appearance. If anyone realizes where I am..."

Joey let her go. His heart was heavy. Leaning down, he kissed her lips, long and hard. She dissolved into putty under his tenderness and undivided attention.

"Don't forget there is something here too. Something we both deserve."

"Not at the expense of my daughter. Maybe you can't understand-"

He pressed his finger to her lips in a gentle hint for her to stop talking. "I can actually, I can understand. So please, quit insulting me. I'm younger, yeah, but I'm not a freaking idiot. I know she comes first. I just don't want her to be the deciding factor in what you and I do about us."

"There isn't an us."

"There most definitely is an us."

She stared into his eyes, her breathing growing shallower as her chest rose and fell. Her hair was all slicked back, and whatever makeup she previously had on was rinsed off by the water. He ran his hand through her slicked back hair and pulled her forward again until their foreheads touched. "I've had enough one-night stands and hollow relations.h.i.+ps to know the difference. In fact, until last night, that's all I've ever had. So I can tell the difference even if you can't. And I won't call it anything less than what it is. There is an us. I want there to be an us, despite every reason you come up with for why you think you don't. And as for your kids? Naturally, they're just part of the whole deal. I know that, Hailey. I'm ready and willing to deal with whatever that entails. And keeping us a secret is the first thing I know it entails."

Her breath caught in her chest and her eyes grew wider until they were nearly cross-eyed as they stared unblinking at one another. The tip of her tongue emerged to lick her lips and her edgy nerves were reflected in her subsequent motions. "You-you just aren't what I ever expected. And in so many ways that are deeper and more profound than I first predicted."

"Imagine living your entire life, and having every single person say something like that to you, while being floored that you're not a shallow, empty screw-up or just an opportunistic player. I'm tired, so tired of those kinds of reactions to me, like Brianna's. So I clearly understand all your insecurities. You think I'm too young and pretty to actually be interested in pursuing you. Did you ever think my interest might be because you talk to me like you actually see the real me? Imagine spending your lifetime never being taken seriously, and always wanting to be. I might have deserved it when I was in my late teens and early twenties. But now? I've worked long and hard to change my reputation and the face I present to the rest of the world. And I swear to you, none of my efforts ever seem to matter. I'm ready for results. I'm ready for a serious existence. I'm ready... for you."

She swallowed, letting her body undulate against his in the strong current. Big-eyed couldn't begin to describe her expression. "I know, but all the wonderful things you could have, finding your first love, letting it bud into a new romance, totally immersing yourself in it all and your partner... I'm sorry, but I just can't give those things to you. It goes beyond our age difference, it's our different stations in life too. I'm tired of it too, Joey, and it's not what you're tired of. I'm utterly overwhelmed by my kids most of the time. Teenagers try your patience and every other good quality you might possess. You seriously can't be willing to take all that on?"

"But if I were forty, then it's okay for you to a.s.sume I'd want to? Erin was twenty-six when she and Jack got together. His oldest had just turned sixteen. Not one person questioned whether or not she could handle the kids. Everyone a.s.sumed they just came with the package. With me, why can't you believe that I want to accept the whole package?"

She was quiet. Then she smiled softly. "I have no idea yet. Can I think it over some more? I have to deal with Brianna still. But... if it's any conciliation to you, I was completely, irrationally jealous when I saw you out in the river talking to Erin. Erin. Whose husband also observed it and didn't care in the least that you two were talking. It's obvious those two love each other very much. But my irrational emotions reacted to it by making me flaming mad. I pictured myself drowning her. Or maybe handing her a cover-up because her d.a.m.n bikini is so revealing."

A laugh escaped Joey's lips. He didn't expect such an irrational response from Hailey. "Really?"

She lowered her head, and a small smile of embarra.s.sment appeared as she pressed her lips together. "Really."

"I didn't picture you getting jealous. I expected you to be impressed with how maturely we three handled the situation."

"That's just it, I never show my jealousy, Joey. Even with my ex-husband, I didn't. And before that? I don't honestly remember. It's been so long." She sighed, and a rueful smile lifted her mouth up. "See? It's the age thing again. It's making itself known everywhere."

"So what? So what if it's everywhere?"

"Well, it makes me feel weird. Old. Kind of like if you were interested in Brianna."

He lifted her under her armpits until she was higher than him and slowly slid her down his body. When her head was right near his mouth, he whispered, "Except I'm a fully grown man, just in case you didn't notice. So get over it, or get used to it, or do something but get past this, and if you can't, then commit to that and don't come near me again."

She jerked upright, utterly shocked. What started out as a sensual negotiation became a direct command and ultimatum. He wasn't intending to spend any more time trying to beg and convince Hailey to be with him. He didn't need to feel dirty or weird, and if she couldn't get a grip on her feelings about him, then she needed to move on. He was willing to do whatever it took to be with her. He was willing to wait out her kids and keep it all a secret. He would let her go home and figure out this thing long distance. He knew that's where this was headed, no matter what, and he was well aware of that before he slept with her. But to continue p.u.s.s.y-footing around the age issue? No. He wasn't a little boy anymore and he refused to wait for Hailey to grow up. It wasn't odd for him; he was fully grown up and sure of his actions, desires, and wants. He was not blind or stupid or clueless about what their being together involved, and he readily embraced their obstacles and differences.

Their gazes locked and held. "Um..." Her mouth was open as she shook her head. "You don't mess around, do you?"

"Not about real issues. As for your kids? h.e.l.l, yeah. And dealing with your ex-husband and any hang-ups you have about moving past that, I can be sensitive and patient. But the age thing? And your constant insistence that I'm some underage brat? Forget it, Hailey. Now it's all on you. I've been pretty honest with what I want to do with you and need from you. Do me the same favor in return."

She swallowed and her eyebrows furrowed together. "I'm terrified to date you. I was deeply hurt by Brent. But I don't know, now that I'm divorced, if I ever truly loved him. Yet... I'm not sure I noticed that. It scares me that I'll make the same mistakes again. It terrifies me how my kids will react. I'm so scared that my inept.i.tude and cluelessness might be s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g them up."

"I can deal with that. It's your hang-up over our ages that I can't tolerate."

"I-I'm, well, after this, it's impossible for me not to think of you as a fully grown, and very capable man. I'll deal with it... better. So much better. And I want to. I definitely want to see you again."

He nodded and leaned forward and kissed her. "Good. Because I think this could be something real for both of us."

She swallowed. "I don't know about that. Is that an ultimatum too?"

He shook his head. "No. Just a different perspective. I'm willing to date and take all the time necessary, but I refuse to have you acting like I'm a dirty, juvenile secret, or how it would be if I started sleeping with Brianna. I just want it clear between us that the two situations are nothing alike."

She gasped. "Wow, stark. Is that what I was doing to you?"

"Yes. Or at least, that's how it felt. You get I'm looking right at you, right? I see you. I see your eyes, your hair and I want nothing more than to strip you naked and have my way with you against this rock. So as for your age? It's irrelevant. It cannot factor in my attraction to you... all of you, physical and otherwise. I just don't need to bother if you only see me as a half-grown child, and your ego is flattered because I want to s.e.x you up. It's not anything like that for me."

She touched his cheek. "It's not. I mean, it was at the start, but now I can see so much more in you. And you're so..."

"What?"

She smiled softly. "You're just so nice. Capable. How can your family and friends not understand that? I don't know what you were like in the past, but now, you are fully a man that I want to date. And I'd even enjoy this rock with you too." A blush seared her cheeks.

"Are you blus.h.i.+ng because of my age or because you're not used to dating?"

"I think the latter."

He nodded. "I can live with that."

"I should go now." He nodded and released her. She smiled softly before dipping under the water and fish-tailing as she swam away from him. Joining the rapid current, she had to brace herself to make her way to the middle of the river in order to cross it. He waited a long while, staring up at the blue sky in appreciation of the heat and the sparkling sun s.h.i.+ning over the river in the late afternoon spectacular show. He eventually made his move. The family was off still frolicking on the beach. No one even glanced his way. He hoped for Hailey's sake no one noticed their long departure or surmised where they were.

Finally, it felt like something had s.h.i.+fted and changed and Joey could actually believe he didn't have to walk on eggsh.e.l.ls anymore. Perhaps he was finally making some headway with the one person whom he wanted to see him most clearly and know him better than any other. But how could that occur if her insecurities about their obvious age difference persisted?

Now, after her body was eagerly pulsating in heady need, and her skin was flushed from being so close to Joey and hearing his shocking ultimatum, the one that clearly distinguished him from a boy playing around, now, she had to face her child again. Jacob waved her off, still wanting to play with Charlie. Brianna was nowhere she could see. Hailey trudged back to the cabin and found her holed up in her room. She sat down dejectedly, so tired of reacting to her daughter's chronic misbehavior.

She picked up the phone and swallowed her pride. She had to reach out for help. Help only Brianna's father could give her.

"You need to come out now."

Retrieving her key to the cabin, she dared to intrude on her daughter. Brianna jerked upright, and was about to start yelling or cursing as she demanded that Hailey leave her alone. Hailey cut her off before she could say anything more.

"I called your dad."

Brianna snapped her mouth shut. "You what?"

Hailey sat despondently on the bed and stared at her fingers, rubbing them together. Keeping her tone even, sad, and quiet, she replied, "You cornered a man far too old for you and when he refused you, you wouldn't back off. You can't stay here any longer. Your dad agrees with me. He invited you to come down there. He's working on getting you an airline ticket right now. He loves you, Bri, and he was just as appalled as I am to hear how, at age fifteen, you could have easily ended up having s.e.x with someone twenty-six or even older. I know you didn't. But the thing is, you could easily have done it, if it had been anyone else. You are obviously crying out for something. I'm not sure what it is. I can't seem to give it to you. I don't know what else you want from me. I know how painful the divorce was on you. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry we failed you. I'm also sorry your father moved on. I'm sorry, yes, but I can't change reality. It just is. And I would if I could. It horrifies me when I think of what your dad and I did to you and your brother. But here we are, Bri. Your current behavior is totally out of control and I can't, in good conscience, leave things as they are. I need for you to understand the consequences of your actions. I don't seem to do anything but infuriate you all the more. So maybe your father can intervene and help you. Maybe. I don't know. But I'm willing to try something new."

The front door slammed as she spoke. Jacob appeared in her bedroom doorway, the water still dripping off him. He stared at Hailey, then at his sister. For once, Brianna didn't screech at him. She was still staring open-mouthed at Hailey.

"You're sending me away?"

"I'll try anything at this point to get through to you. See it any way you want. I don't know what else to do."

Jacob glanced around. "Dad is letting her go down to Palm Springs with him?"

Her heart squeezed. "Yes. He cares about you two. He's just temporarily wrapped up in his new life. But you guys are still very much in his heart."

"He didn't want us down there."

"But he does now." Hailey didn't add the details. After informing her ex that their daughter was on the verge of getting herself pregnant or hauled off to jail for a.s.sault if they didn't do something now, it seemed unnecessary to include in her explanation. She recalled the frequent times Brianna was caught sneaking out all spring, along with all the times they caught her drinking... correction, Hailey caught her drinking and tried to discipline her by taking away all her free time and perks, especially the use of her phone. And the many times they'd been battling in rip-snarling fights and both shed gallons of tears. Brent usually shushed Hailey and tried to downplay Brianna's behavior by summing it all up and accusing Hailey of overreacting to how Brianna was merely adjusting to life without her father.

Well, her adjustment was now bordering on juvenile delinquent behavior in Hailey's book. Becoming the shrilling, shrieking ex-wife was a role she'd happily take on if it successfully convinced Brent to finally listen to her complaints. For some reason, this time, Brent did listen to her. He even asked what they should do. Hailey suggested that he could come back, while clarifying she didn't prefer that option and wasn't trying to ruin his honeymoon. But there were serious behavioral challenges to confront with their daughter. He was the first to suggest that Brianna come to him, down there in Palm Springs, so he could talk to her and try to reconnect with her. He admitted that he realized during the last few weeks of not seeing them that he may have become a bit disconnected from the kids, and he missed them much more than he expected.

Brianna sniffed. Hailey wondered if she were holding back tears. "Can Jacob come with me?"

The rational, quiet tone of her daughter, so rarely heard anymore, astonished Hailey.

"That's up to him."

Jacob's shoulders dropped. "I really miss him too. But I like it here a lot."

They hadn't seen their father in five weeks. He was a contributing factor to their current predicament. "You could go down there for a week or so, and come back here. Or we could stay here longer than we first planned. Maybe try a Part Two here, following this part and doing it over. If"-she glanced toward Brianna-"if things change, starting from your att.i.tude to your flirtatious behavior. And no more screaming obscenities at me. Ever. Your brother should not be listening to that foul language, and I refuse to anymore. What happened today..."

Brianna glanced at Jacob and bit her lip as she shook her head. "I just get so angry, and feel overwhelmed that I do and say those things..."

Hailey froze. When did that start? When was the last time her daughter spoke so carefully and honestly to her? Or reveal her true vulnerability and deepest feelings? Hailey leaned over and set her hand on Brianna's shoulder.

"You have every right to be angry. It's s.h.i.+tty that your family broke up. And that your parents aren't together anymore. But you have to get used to change and new ways of doing things. You have every right to that, yes, but you could try talking to us, rather than constantly punis.h.i.+ng us for how you feel. I promise you, I don't know all the answers, but I do know how your dad and I feel about you. As your parents, we have not changed or disappeared. In fact, we just agreed on this together. You can both rest a.s.sured that you still have us as a team, you have both of your parents. I know it isn't exactly what you want or even enough right now; and believe me, I miss our family too, but you still have two parents that love you both dearly."

Brianna turned suddenly and snuggled against Hailey, wrapping her slim arms around her neck and cradling her head against her shoulder. She started to cry softly against her neck, her tears wetting Hailey's skin. Hailey rubbed Brianna's back and hot tears filled her own eyes as she consoled and comforted her. Jacob came closer and sat on the bed too. Hailey took his hand in hers and squeezed it.