Tomahawk'd Part 6

"You wouldn't care?" Erin was feeling like the kid Molly said she was. "I feel stupid."

"There is no reason for you to feel stupid because something scares you. If you don't want to do it, just go tubing and have a good time."

Jackson's calm voice burred in her ear making Erin feel more loved and content than she'd ever felt. Erin breathed a small, relaxed sigh.

Breaking the warmth of their contact, Jackson asked, "So how's that picture coming? It's gonna be dark soon."

"Oh! I almost forgot about it." Her face blushed hotly. She held the picture up to view. The sunset was captured almost perfectly.

"Wow, Hawk, that's really beautiful. You've gotten so good with your work, people are gonna be paying oodles of dollars just to own your pieces. Mark my words."

Erin blushed a deeper red under the praise.

"Thanks, Jack. You've always been in my corner when it came to my artwork. I can't tell you how much I appreciate that."

Smiling softly, Jack said, "You're welcome. I'll always be your biggest fan."

"Speaking of fans, will you play me the song you wrote? I'd really love to hear it."

Jackson nodded. "Of course I will. I named it after you because of your love of this place...and, well, our friends.h.i.+p. It means a lot to me." Jackson hoped the look in her eyes didn't show too much of her heart. The last thing she wanted was for Erin to be unnerved by the depth of the love she had for her. "I never told Molly I called you that and, well, it's none of her business. I don't think she would like it very much since I know she'd put the two things together. The less ammunition she has, the better for all of us."

Erin couldn't understand why Jackson wanted to be friends with someone like that. It wasn't her place to say who Jackson could be friends with, so she shook her head and said nothing.

"Come on, let's put this away and go hang out at my house. Jackie and Sandra are gonna watch Ghost tonight. I've never seen it, so if you'd like to come over, we could watch it with them. Sandra makes a mean cheese popcorn with Velveeta. Really messy, but really good."

Erin nodded, happy to be on more solid ground with her friend again. "Sure, I wanted to see that too. Let's go."

The girls walked to Jackson's house where they were greeted by the sight of a very friendly kiss being shared by Jackie and Sandra. Jackson heard Erin's small gasp and immediately cleared her throat. "Get a room, you two," Jackson said, though not fazed in the slightest at their normal behavior.

The women pulled apart quickly, clearly embarra.s.sed at having exposed Erin to their affection.

Jackie saw the deer-in-the-headlights expression and wanted to make sure Erin wouldn't run out of the house. "Are you okay? I'm sorry if that freaked you out."

The red on her cheeks spoke volumes about the swirling tides in her stomach. "Nn...no, no. I'm fine, really. It's just um...wow." She laughed nervously. "I, ah, don't see a lot of that from regular people... Well...not to say you aren't regular..." She started stammering. "I'm just gonna sit over here and not say a word." She went and sat on the sofa.

"Awww, Hawk, I'm sorry you had to see that." Jackson's lips thinned and she stared narrowly at her aunt. Sandra had the sense to leave the room. Jackson sat down next to Erin. "You want something to drink? It might bring down the color in your face."

Erin's hands immediately went to her cheeks, warm and red from the images of the heated kiss flowing through her brain. Incredible. "Yeah, maybe some water would be good," she managed to squeak out.

"I'll get it." Jackson jumped up and went into the kitchen, silently flagging her aunt to follow her.

In the kitchen, a heated round of whispers took place. "Jackie, how can you do that in the front room? Anyone could've seen you!"

Jackie became defensive. "Excuse me, but this is my house and if I want to kiss my girlfriend, I'm d.a.m.n well going to!"

Feeling hurt, Jackson countered, "You knew I was going to bring her back here. I told you I was going to the dock to get her."

Nodding, Jackie began to apologize. "You're right, Jack. And I'm sorry Erin had to see that. But h.e.l.l, the more people see it, the more natural it'll become. G.o.d, I can't even touch Sandra when we're with her family. I just can't stand to do that in my own house. I'll go in there and apologize."

"I'm sorry I overreacted. You know I don't care if you kiss her, I see it all the time. This is just very new to Erin and I don't want her to be freaked every time she comes to the door."

"Have you told her about you and Molly yet?" Jackie asked.

Jackson's eyes went wide and she stealthily looked around the corner to see what Erin was doing. Seeing that she hadn't moved, Jackson went back to her aunt and shook her head. "No, and I don't think I'm ready to. I think she'd be okay with me being a lesbo, but I don't think she'd be fond of me being one with Molly. They kinda met today and it wasn't pretty."

"Ooh, I want to hear that story after she leaves."

"Only if Sandra makes cheese corn."

The deal in place, the two women returned to the family room, Jackson carrying a gla.s.s of water for Erin. Jackie went to tell Sandra that she needed to make the best d.a.m.n cheese corn to make it up to Jackson and her friend.

"How you doin'?" Jackson asked, handing Erin the gla.s.s of water.

"You know, I'm fine," Erin said truthfully. "After the initial shock of it being, you know, two girls, well it was pretty okay. You can tell they really care for each other." She whispered the last part, making Jackson smile.

"Yeah, they do."

Sandra and Jackie came back into the family room and Sandra announced she would be popping corn for the film. "Go ahead and start the movie, I've seen it a few times already. I'll have this corn made in about ten minutes. And Erin, it'll be the best d.a.m.n popcorn you've ever had." She winked, causing the teenager's cheeks to flush.

"Thanks, I'm looking forward to it. Jack says it's really, really good."

"You'd better believe it's good," Jackie chimed in.

The three sat on the couch and Jackie started the film. Sandra brought the popcorn in and then inched her way to the floor by Jackie's feet.

Erin's eyes closed in extreme pleasure at the taste of the first kernel.

Jackson's mouth watered as she watched Erin lick the cheese from her fingers. She knew at that point with the way her hormones were acting, she needed to pay close attention to the movie.

The following afternoon was, in a word, perfect. The scorching heat had cooled down to a very pleasant eighty-two degrees. It was an ideal day to spend on the water.

At one o'clock sharp, Molly arrived wearing next to nothing of a bikini. Jackson gave Molly a hug that lasted longer than Jackson wanted it to, but she didn't want Molly's jealous tirade to start any sooner than necessary. The feel of Molly's body was so good against her own that Jackson closed her eyes and sighed. "So, are you ready to ski?" Jackson asked her girlfriend.

"Sure, or I can just lay on the pier and make Erin drive while I watch you do your magic on the water." Jackson blushed at the compliment then noticed Erin's approach to the gravel drive.

Erin had seen Jackson hug Molly. She noticed Jackson's eyes had closed and wondered what Molly could've said to garner that response.

"Hi, there," Erin greeted, putting the thoughts aside. "Nice to see you." Molly barely acknowledged her.

Shorts covered Erin's bikini bottoms but she was wearing a revealing top, which outlined a strong but feminine torso. She kept her tank top tucked into the waistband of her shorts. Jackson's eyes were glued to the outline of Erin's shoulders and the swell of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Her unfocused gaze was cut short by a light pinch to her side.

With a shake of her head toward Molly, she tried to change the subject. "Are you guys ready? The water is so perfect today, I can't wait to pound the waves."

Both girls latched onto Jackson's incredible energy and silently agreed, for the moment, to be civil. Molly added, "My brother got us some beer, if you want to bring it on the boat."

Erin's eyes were wide, but Jackson answered with a shake of her head. "You know I won't drive the boat if I drink. If you want to drink, that's fine, but Jackie's only been letting me drive it this summer and last. I don't want to crash it."

"That's fine. It's in a cooler, so we can drink it later." She looked back and forth between Jackson and Erin. "Is that cool?"

Both girls nodded, although Erin had never had more than a couple of beers before, so she was less than comfortable. She didn't want to seem as childish as Molly said she was.

Jackson could tell she was having second thoughts and rea.s.sured her, "It's okay if you don't want to drink, buddy. You can just hang out."

Jackson had a way of making Erin feel so good. Even if a situation was making her feel less than comfortable, Jackson was always there to say just the right thing. Molly discreetly rolled her eyes and started walking toward the lake.

They made their way to the boat slips and took out the Formula Bowrider ski boat. With almost three hundred horsepower, the floating fibergla.s.s could pull anyone through the water behind it. "This, my friends, is the boat of all boats, my dream boat. After she bought this, Jackie nearly fell to the ground when I leapt into her arms."

Erin laughed. "I bet."

Molly jumped easily into the boat, making herself at home. Because she was a year older than Jackson, and because Jackie would not have to get in the boat every time Jackson wanted to ski, Jackie was agreeable to letting Molly drive the watercraft.

Jackson was bringing the life jackets out of the boathouse with Erin in tow carrying the water tube. Erin cheerfully waved to her dad as he and a few cabin friends were pulling out to go fis.h.i.+ng.

"Have fun, Peanut," he called. "Don't forget to hold on."

"Ha, Ha. Don't forget to bait your hook," she shot back, to the amus.e.m.e.nt of his friends.

Jackson looked back at Erin. "I'm so glad he's regularly catching some fish. Otherwise, he might not come all the way back here each summer."

"I know. I almost want to put some big fish in his cooler to make sure he keeps wanting to come back."

"Ah, I think the trap was set a long time ago, Hawk. I can tell he has a lot of fun while he's here." She paused. "Your mom, on the other hand..."

"Don't go there, I'm just waiting for her to suggest a trip to Disneyland next year," Erin said, only half joking.

"Hey, come on you two! The sun is calling me!" Molly yelled from the boat.

"I wonder what the sun called her," Erin quipped, earning a small chuckle from her friend.

Jackson ran back to the boathouse to get the skis and towrope. Molly and Erin put on their life vests and waited for her to return. In minutes, Jackson had checked the gas levels, attached the towrope, and put the skis on. She was more than a little excited to wedge through the water.

Molly was at the helm with Erin next to her on lookout. When the rope was just taut enough, she gunned the engine, pulling Jackson up easily. The smile on Jackson's face grew exponentially as the number of turns and wave jumping increased. Molly easily steered the boat through the lake while Erin watched Jackson fly effortlessly through the water. When they got close to sh.o.r.e, Jackson dropped her left ski and tucked her left foot into the rear binding of the right ski.

Side to side, Jackson rushed through the water with Erin looking on. Molly added a little more gas, making Jackson's adrenaline soar. She watched Erin wave every once in a while, and could tell she was having a great time. The smile never left her face. After her last trip around the lake, she motioned to Erin to tell Molly to go to sh.o.r.e. With Erin doing just that, they slowly made their way to the pier.

As the boat slowed, Jackson dropped the towrope and skied until she sank to the bottom of the shallow lakesh.o.r.e waters. She pulled her feet from the bindings and walked up onto the waterfront. Ski in hand, she walked around to the other side of the pier to pick up the other ski that was floating toward the sh.o.r.e.

"That was so friggin' awesome!" she shouted, feeling like she could walk on this very lake.

"You were incredible, Jack! You've gotten so good!" Erin gushed, much to the ire of Molly.

Putting on her happy face for Jack, she jumped onto the admiration bus, and added her twist. "Sweetie, you were fantastic out there. Nothing was gonna touch you." She smiled sweetly and Jackson smiled back, raising an eyebrow.

She slicked the hair back from her face and shook her head. "Man, what a rus.h.!.+" She laughed happily. "Mol, you wanna go next?"

"Sure. Will you help me with the skis? Your feet are bigger than mine."

"Yep. Let's just secure the boat real quick so it doesn't go anywhere."

Sweetie? Erin didn't understand Molly's possessive thing, but she wanted it to stop. She wasn't a threat to Jackson and Molly's relations.h.i.+p, especially living four hundred miles away. Molly needs to get over it.

Molly and Jackson resized the skis to fit her smaller feet. When they were ready, Jackson jumped into the boat. She untied the dock lines from the cleats and once the boat reached water that was deep enough, started the engine.

Erin smiled at the carefree expression on Jackson's face. It melted her heart completely. This was her home, her calling, and outside of her mother not being with her, she looked to Erin like the happiest person alive.

Erin watched as Molly set herself up in the water. Balancing behind her skis, she positioned the rope between them. Jackson looked back and waited for the line to be taut. When she was ready, Molly gave her a thumbs-up and off they went. Jackson gunned the boat as Erin again took the lookout position.

About halfway around the lake, they encountered some choppy water. When Molly tried to compensate for the fresh waves, she fell into the water.

"She's down!" Erin yelled.

Jackson steered the boat in a slow circle toward Molly so they could get her the rope. When they reached her, Molly was less than happy. "G.o.d d.a.m.n waves." She spat water as she bobbed in the lake. "The tip of my ski dropped under one of the swells and I bit it, hard."

"Are you okay to keep going?" Jackson asked, idling the engine.

"Yeah, just need to straighten out."

Erin looked at her with a smile. "You were doing great until you went down," she said sincerely.

Molly took it completely opposite. "It's not as easy as it looks, but you wouldn't know that, would you?"

Her fear replaced by anger, Erin replied, "Not yet, but when you're done, I'm gonna try."

Jackson turned and put a hand on her shoulder. "Are you sure? You don't have to do that. You know she's just baiting you."

Staring back into the shaded eyes of her best friend, she said, "I'm doing it."

Shaking her head with a laugh, Jackson said, "You're the boss."

Looking back, Erin saw that Molly was just about ready. Molly gave Erin a thumbs-up, or it could've been her middle finger, Erin wasn't sure from that distance. "I think she wants to go!" she yelled to Jackson.

Turning back to make sure, Jackson got a, "Go already!" from a wet, p.i.s.sed off Molly.

Jackson gunned the engine and Molly stood right up, a smile back on her face. Erin looked over to Jackson, who was steering with an enormous smile on her face. She had pushed her sungla.s.ses onto her head to keep her hair out of her eyes. Jackson noticed she was staring and looked over and winked.

Molly made it around the lake a couple of times then signaled to come in.

When the boat reached the sh.o.r.e, Erin jumped onto the pier and went down to where Molly was removing the skis. Showing Erin how to adjust the skis, Molly helped her get the equipment on.

"Now just make sure you keep your knees bent and your arms straight. Lean back, but in a crouched position, so you aren't dragging your b.u.t.t in the water," Jackson said from the boat. "I'm gonna pull away slowly until the rope is tight. When I start to pull you a little, give Molly a thumbs-up when you're ready, and we'll punch it." Erin gave a nervous nod and Jackson asked one last time, "Are you sure you're ready?"

Looking at Molly's c.o.c.ky stance with her arms crossed, Erin's chin lifted and she met Jackson's eyes. "Yeah. Let's do this!"

"That's my girl!" Jackson cheered, earning her a hateful glare from Molly. Jackson threw her arms wide in disbelief of her girlfriend's jealous nature. "I'm just encouraging her, Jesus!" Not wanting Molly to drive and drag Erin too fast, Jackson sat behind the wheel. "Tell me when she's ready." Molly moved right next to Jackson on the bench, facing the rear of the boat.

Erin was settling back in the water, trying to get a feel for the skis, keeping the tips up. "You can do this, Erin. You can do this," she coached herself. "If that scrawny wench can do it, so can I." Her words surprised her, but looking at Molly's smirk as she sat close to Jackson hardened Erin's resolve. Raising a shaky hand, she gave a thumbs-up and hung onto the towrope with all her might.

Getting the go-ahead from Molly, Jackson gunned the engine. After a few seconds of battling for balance, Erin stood on the skis and adrenaline shot through her. The smile on her face felt the size of LakeTomahawk. Who needs tubing when you can do this! Her heart was racing but she was still standing, and having a ball. As the boat turned left, Erin moved over to the right side, picking up speed. She bent her knees, using her legs as shock absorbers to ride the waves.