Hey all, I know it's been forever. I have been doing a lot of writing, just not on this story. I am working on a Ncis story but I'm not going to post anything until it's done. I've also been going over some of my first stories. My writing style had matured and so I'm trying to update them a little. Not changing the storyline but adding little bits, fleshing out the story a little. Look for an updated version of The Lie soon. Anyway, on to this story. I didn't name this Lonestar Love for nothing. Enjoy.
The light was fading as Mandy walked from window to window, keeping a watch over the yard. Shadows were gathering in the house causing her to shy away from the gloomy corners. Trembling in fear of the dark she moved to switch on a light only to find herself illuminated to the outside world. Fearing she might be seen she hurried to flick the lever, bathing the room in darkness once again.
Pacing from door to window and back again she concentrated on breathing evenly as her heart raced and her skin became clammy. Frequently she felt herself become dizzy and would have to grab a table to steady herself.
Realizing it wasn't even full dark yet and that she had a long way to go to survive the night she reviewed her options only to come up empty. She had no excuse to offer friends, all of which were married with small children. Nor could she bear the thought of interrupting the first date her brother's had since he lost his wife. This whole thing was threatening her life to essentially end; she would not let it destroy anyone else's.
"I can stay by myself. I will be strong. I will be brave." She whispered determinedly, jumping as a strong breeze rattled the screen door. Nerves stretched to the breaking point she laid her head against the cool glass and broke down crying.
"Hey girl. I was beginning to think you weren't coming." Leslie said, looking up as Laney walked into the bedroom.
She shrugged as she sat her overnight bag down. "I wanted to make sure my dad was going to be okay. It's weird to think he's dating after all this time."
The other girl waved her concerns away. "I have some very good news for you."
Laney laughed as her friend bounced on the bed in excitement. "That usually means we're going to get in trouble."
"Well that depends. What did you say to my mom when you came in?" Leslie asked.
"Just that I'm here to see you. Didn't you tell her I was staying the night?" The blonde asked, concern showing in her eyes.
"No, actually she thinks we're staying at Tammy's." Leslie stated triumphantly.
Laney raised her eyebrows. "And where are we actually going to be?"
"The three of us are going to a party at John's. Almost the entire high school's going to be there." She landed on the floor with a thud. "What'd you bring to wear?" She threw over her shoulder as she rushed to her closet.
Laney followed her. "Do you think Jared's going to be there?" She asked trying to be casual.
Leslie popped out with a wide smile on her face. "I know for a fact that he's looking forward to seeing you." She replied knowingly as she held up a pink top. "This would look perfect on you."
Laney dismissed the top after one look. "My dad would kill me if her ever saw me in that." She pushed the belly bearing top back at her friend.
"But that's the point. He's not going to be seeing you tonight is her?" Leslie persisted. "And it would be the perfect shirt to show off the new belly ring you got."
Laney covered her face as she fell back onto the bed. "I can't believe I let you talk me into getting that. "
"Relax, as long as you're careful your dad will never know." She grinned evilly. "Next is a tattoo."
Laney shook her head violently. "Nope, no way. That I will not do."
"How about piercing your tongue?" Came the muffled question as the other girl once again submerged herself in the closet.
"How am I supposed to hide that from my father?" She called after her.
Leslie emerged with an armload of clothes. "There's probably going to be beer at this party. A lot of the seniors are going to be there and someone mentioned a keg."
"How do you know all this stuff?" Laney asked in amazement as she rifled trough the pile of clothes.
"Honey high school is noting but a gossip chain. You really should come to school with us. You're missing out on so much by being home schooled."
Laney shrugged self consciously. "I've thought about it. But I've got so much freedom right now. I can take off whenever I want to."
Leslie took her friend by the arms. "Laney there are boys in school. That's all that matters right now." She grinned as she held up a short skirt. "What do you think about wearing this tonight?"
Laney grinned shyly. "Actually I brought my really tight jeans. They would probably look good with that shirt. And if I could barrow your high heeled sandals?"
Leslie squealed as she threw her arms around her friend.
Mandy huddled under the covers shaking with fright. Every bump and creak the old house gave caused her to whimper in terror. And yet she strained her ears for every sound, desperate to know what was happening. In her hands she caressed the cold metal of the 9mm Glock Shawn kept hidden in the closet.
Two beams of light flashed through the window causing her to dive over the side of the bed. Sounds of a car coming up the driveway reached her ears and she crawled to the window. Her breath caught in her throat as she strained her eyes to see through the penetrating darkness.
She whirled around to stare at the bedroom door as she picked up noises in the kitchen below. "It was locked. It was locked." The words ran through her head like a train as she heard the back door close. Backing into a corner she frantically sought somewhere to hide.
Her heart was beating so hard she thought it was going to pop out of her chest and nausea threatened to overwhelm her. Her breathe heaved and her back felt bruised from pushing against the wall. The loud sound of a cupboard closing caused the gun to slip from her clammy hands.
Diving to the floor she struggled to regain control of the weapon as heavy foot steps pounded up the stairs. Clamping her hands firmly over the grip she raised it up as the bedroom door creaked open.
"I won't let you hurt me again." She shouted.
"Mandy?" Shawn called warily as he paused on the other side of the door.
She stared in horror at the gun in her hands, her finger twitching over the trigger. Her body began shaking uncontrollably as she realized how close to the edge she was. Horrified, unable to stand the feel of the terrible weapon any longer she slid it under the bed as Shawn finished pushing the door open.
"Are you okay?" He asked watching her carefully.
She pressed her lips together as she struggled not to cry. "I didn't expect you home tonight." She said sidestepping his question.
"I pushed the speed limit to get back here." He answered standing uneasily at the foot of the bed with his hands shoved in his pockets. "I didn't want to leave you alone tonight." He added.
She nodded miserably. "I appreciate that."
"You, uh, want to tell me what's going on?"
"I'm so scared. I feel like I can't function anymore." She whispered dejectedly.
He waited but she seemed unable to go on. "Would you be mad if I told you I know everything?" He asked, moving to sit on the bed in front of her.
She shook her head as her eyes watered. "Are you mad at me for not telling you?"
"Oh honey, no." He reached out to gather her in his arms. "I was hurt then when I realized….." He trailed off as he was overcome with emotion. "It must have been so hard for you." He continued after clearing his throat.
She leaned into his strong chest. "I was so embarrassed and so scared."
He pulled back from her slightly. "Mandy honey. You don't ever have to be scared of me. We don't have to do anything you don't want to do. I don't want you to feel like I'm pressuring you."
She smiled at him as her eyes began watering again. "Shawn you're the best thing that's every happened to me. I have never been scared of you." She leaned more firmly into his chest. "I need you to make me feel safe tonight."
He responded by trailing feather light kisses down the side of her face. "I just don't want to bring up any bad memories."
"You're the only one that's ever been able to make them go away." She ran her hands up his chest before gently pushing him down onto the bed.
He raised his eyebrows. "I think we're a little overdressed for this occasion don't you?" He asked as he pulled off the bulky sweater she was wearing to reveal her firm white breasts encased in black lace. Reaching behind her he unsnapped the bra with a flick of his wrist, and after sliding the straps down his arm, took the offered nipple into his mouth. She gave a soft moan as she leaned down to nibble on his ear.
They were both breathing heavily when Shawn dragged his shirt over his head. She took the opportunity to slide her pants off before leaning back down, reveling in the feel of her skin against his warm bare chest.
Laney wandered uneasily around the crowded room. Her friends had wandered off with their current boyfriends the moment they had arrived leaving her alone in a sea of strangers. Smiling gamely approached a group of girls and introduced her self.
Two hours later she stepped onside and dropped onto the first step. Wrapping her arms around her legs she laid her head on top of her raised knees. She hadn't realized how lonely her living style had made her, nor how standoffish teenagers were.
"Laney, I'm glad you could come."
She looked up at Tammy's older brother, her heart pounding harder as she stared into his bright green eyes. "Jared, hi."
"What are you doing out here all alone?" He asked, taking a seat beside her and handing her one of the cups he was holding.
She hesitated only slightly before accepting the glass of amber colored liquid. "I don't know a lot of people in there." She answered shrugging self consciously.
"You know me. That should be all the counts." He teased her as he finished his own beer in one big gulp.
She hid her smile in her cup as she took a tentative sip. "Everyone knows you Jared."
"True. Listen I need a refill and I think they have some nacho's in there somewhere." He said standing up.
She hid her disappointment by taking another, larger sip.
"Why don't you come with me, I can introduce you around." She looked up to see him holding out his hand for her. Giving him her empty hand she let him pull her up, her heart stopping as he bent down to press a soft kiss to her mouth.
"Lets go have fun."
Sammie threw back her head as Mark licked the succulent skin there. "You know, I usually don't do this kind of thing on a first date." She gasped.
"Trust me, I won't hold it against you." He murmured as his hands worked diligently at the buttons on her shirt. Behind them a fire burned low, adding a magical quality to the low lit room.
Letting him slide her shirt off her shoulders she tugged at his own clothes, as anxious as he was to feel bare skin.
"Maybe we should move to the bedroom." He managed on a groan as her nails raked a path along his ribs.
"Maybe we should." She agreed leaning up to capture his mouth.
They both groaned as an insistent beeping reached their ears.
She reached over and snapped her beeper off the table, frowning as she read the message. "I need to go."
"Just a few more minutes?" He pleaded playfully as he snagged her around the waist.
"I warned you this would happen." She said once they had broken apart. She began straightening her clothes. "Just as well. I don't usually act like this, especially on a first date."
"We can pick it up on the second date." He suggested giving her a heavy eyed look.
She laughed as she shook her head at him.