Chapter Seventeen
"Lock," a voice said softly, a hand running through her hair.
She mumbled and curled closer to the protecting body, burying her face in him.
"Lock, come on," Jack snickered. "Wake up."
She growled and shook her head, grabbing the back of his shirt in defiance. She wanted to stay curled to the strong teen, feeling safe from the horrible things that resided in her mind, feeling his comfort.
"Lock," he taunted, "Bobby's found a pick up game. . .Get up."
"In a minute," she muttered. "Lemme wake up first. . ."
"All right," lips pressed to her temple. "You feelin' better?"
"Mmmmm. . ." she put her face in his neck.
He laughed lightly, hands rubbing her back, and she felt his breath on her neck. Her heart quickened in her chest, but she stayed still--this was Jack, this was different. His mouth pressed to her skin, making her break into goose bumps, and she shivered. He smiled into her flesh, kissing again, then she felt his tongue flick lightly. She jumped, snickering, and he pressed his lips to her neck, then rested his head on her shoulder.
"Up now?" he laughed, running his hands up her back and into her hair.
"Mmmmm Hmmmmm," she smiled, nuzzling his neck.
"Good," he snickered, briefly kissing her neck again. "Let's get going, Bobby's waiting. Your camera's upstairs."
"All right," she yawned, stretching and getting off the floor. "I'll be up in a minute. . .I've gotta grab more film."
And process what just went on. . .she thought, with a faint smirk.
"Right," he got up from the floor, "don't be too long."
I won't," she murmured, already looking for the film.
She could feel Jack stare at her a moment, then he walked up the steps, leaving her to find the film and think. She found the film, stuffed it into her jacket pocket and shrugged into it.
That was certainly interesting. . .Not like the others. . .she broke into fresh goose bumps at the thought of his lips on her neck. I just need to be careful. . .he's getting hard to say no to. . .I just don't know about myself anymore. . .
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Jack was lacing up his skates, watching as Bobby organized teams, and he heard Lock take a picture. He looked up, smirking, and she took another shot of him. He watched as she got some photos of Bobby as he glided on the ice, then stood and skated out himself.
"How long has it been since you've skated, Lock?" he called, grinning.
"A long time, Jackie!" she smiled, getting another picture. "I've probably forgotten how!"
I can fix that . . . he thought, gliding to Bobby.
"Right, Cracker Jack!" Bobby clapped him on the back. "Let's see if I've made a man out of you yet!"
They lined up, Jackie on defense, and Bobby gave the starting whistle. Bobby got the puck, darting forward, and Jack checked someone into the fence, laughing. Lock whistled, snapping a shot of him, then turned her focus to Bobby. Kids from their block flocked to the game, gathering around Lock, laughing and cheering, pointing to the Mercer boys.
"Shit!" Jack yelped as he got shoved into the fence, he had to focus.
"Get 'em, Mercer!" a boy yelled. "Come on!"
Jack smirked and took off, stealing the puck, and flipped it up to Bobby--who shot it to Angel and they scored. Jack and Bobby raised their sticks in victory, floating around each other, and the kids laughed and cheered. Lock laughed, whistled, and flashed the rock star sign. They got lined up again, Bobby looking at Jack over his shoulder, and they started.
A couple hours later, they called it quits. They beat the other team with no problem, it was too easy. Lock had taken off her coat, putting it on a shivering little girl and was currently in the middle of a game of Tag. She ran, laughing, and then got tagged. She giggled, collapsing to the snow, and was promptly dog piled by the entire squad of kids.
"Hey!" Jack called, hanging on the fence. "Are you gonna skate with me or what?"
"What?" Lock giggled, sitting up, kids falling back and climbing all over her.
"You gonna skate with me?" he laughed, never thinking that this was a side of Lock.
"No skates!" she was over taken and fell back.
"We gotta spare set! Come on!" he glided over and sat on the bench, switching his skates for his shoes. He figured it may be a bit before she was able to get on the ice.
"Jackie, me an' Angel are splittin'. How long you gonna be?" Bobby asked, putting his hand on Jack's shoulder.
"An hour or two," he smiled.
"A'ight, give a call when you need a ride," Bobby laughed, jogging to the car.
He watched Lock struggle up from the ground, throwing one kid over her shoulder and then spinning around. The camera sat next to him and he grabbed it, checking how many shots she had left, and took one. He smiled as she got in a quick snow fight, eventually screaming as snow went down the back of her shirt. She ran over to Jack, giggling, and used him as a guard. The kids followed, screaming and laughing, but stopped abruptly.
"You cheat, Lock!" they called in unison, pouting.
She stuck her tongue out at them, grinning. Jack looked at the kids and winked, then spun and grabbed Lock around the waist. She shrieked with laughter as he tackled her to the ground, squirming and play fighting with him.
"Yeah! Get her, Jack!" the kids called.
"Jackie!" she giggled, trying to block the snow he was letting sift down from his hand.
He laughed and pinned her hands, sprinkling the snow on her. She gasped as the cold snow fell on her, smiling and tried to get him off of her. A flash went off, one of the older kids took a picture with the camera, and she used the distraction to her advantage.
"Shit!" he gasped as Lock flipped him, straddling his hips and pinning his hands.
"You're in for it now!" she growled playfully.
He yelled, laughing and struggled a little under her. She gave him a white wash and another flash went off as the eldest kid snapped a shot. Snow went down his neck, under his shirt, and he squirmed. He got one arm free, then the other and quickly grabbed Lock, pulling her close to him, and then--.
What in the world am I doing? his mind yelled in shock.
He was kissing Lock, holding her close to his chest, and his hands were tangled in her hair. He could tell she was just going on instinct, she had no idea of what to do, but so far she was doing quite well--and she didn't seem to be scared. His heart pounded in his chest, deafening in his head, and he pulled her closer, wanting as much of her as he could possibly get. Her swift, inexperienced, tongue toyed with his stud, circling it and twisting it, and it sent shivers all down his body. Suddenly, he was very aware that she was sitting in a not so good spot, but couldn't stop to move her.
Dammit. . .Not good. . .fuck!
Lock shifted, really going where she didn't need to be at this moment, and he moaned before he could stop himself. Another flash snapped him to his senses, the kids were still here, and he regrettably broke the contact. He panted, eyes closing, and Lock seemed to still be in a little shock.
"Ewwwwwwww!" the kids were disgusted. "That's gross you two!"
"Lock," he whispered, opening his eyes, "you okay?"
"Uhh. . .yeah," she smirked lightly, hands lightly kneading his chest. "I think the kids are scarred for life though."
"Hey, uhh. . .Lock," he breathed, really not wanting to make this any more embarrassing for her but he needed to before it got worse. "You really need to get off of me. . ."
"Oh, shit," she blushed, carefully getting off of him.
He groaned and rolled to his stomach in the snow, letting it cool him down. His heart was still racing, his body burned, and he was very short of breath.
'Self-control is a tricky bitch. . .' Bobby's voice rang.
How very fucking true. . .but I didn't go too far. . .thank god! Skating right away may not be the best-.
"Lock! Can you help me?" a girl called. "I can't skate. . ."
"Hang on, I'll be right there!" she yelled.
Jack rolled over, sitting up and watched her lace up the spare skates. Snow clung to her hair, her back, and she still didn't have a coat on. Jack's body had finally gotten itself back to normal and he stood up, moving and putting his skates back on, darting onto the ice before Lock.
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"Show off!" Lock smiled as Jack flew onto the ice before she even stood up.
"Lock!" the girl on the ice, the one she'd let wear her coat, yelped.
"Coming!" she called, moving onto the ice.
Fuck! It's been too long! she thought as she felt her balance trip up on her.
Jack laughed, skating effortlessly around, and she quickly managed to recover. She was still shocked that they had pretty much just made out in the snow, with a group of little kids and God as the witness, but she felt the butterflies so she guessed it wasn't that bad. She just felt sorry that she hadn't really known what to do, she'd never really paid attention when others were kissing her, never really learned anything, but Jack didn't seem to care.
"Lock!" the girl gasped, clinging to her waist immediately.
"Hey kiddo, what's your name?"
"Baby Kay," she whimpered. "Don't let me go!"
"Baby Kay, I am not gonna let you go!" she smiled. "But you need to loosen up, turn around, and relax."
"NO!" she yelped, clinging harder to her waist, making Lock stumble a little. "I'll fall!"
"No you won't!" Jack grinned, skating up to them. "We've got you! Here, give me a hand and Lock the other. . .Turn around so you can see where you're going, silly!"
The girl turned, very slowly, and grabbed one of each hand. Very hesitantly they advanced, her shuffling her feet more than really trying to skate. Lock looked up and saw that all the kids were skating, where they had skates she had no idea, but it made her grin all the same. Lock let Jack take the other hand of the girl and skated in front of her a little.
"Here, Baby Kay," she instructed. "Watch how I move my feet, all right? Then you try to copy me."
"O--OK," she stammered.
Jack's hazel eyes had a glow in them as he watched her, a caring smirk on his mouth, and she felt very self-conscious. Baby Kay watched Lock's feet, trying to mimic the movements and slowly got the hang of it. An older girl skated up and circled them, making Baby Kay giggle with delight.
"Here, Baby Kay," the girl said, extending her hand, "wanna come with me?"
"Sure!" she grinned skating to the girl by herself, taking her hand and skating off together.
Lock shivered a little, teeth chattering, but let the girl keep the coat on--she needed it more than Lock did right now. She felt Jack drape his warm coat around her shoulders and looked up, he smiled and kissed her cheek, then turned and skated in front of her. He was backwards, making it look easy, and grinned.
"As I said earlier," she snickered, "show off!"
"Here, give me your hand," he smiled.
"Why?" she felt nervous about that sentence.
"Just trust me, please?" he gave her a puppy dog look.
"Damn you and your puppy face!" she laughed, taking his hand.
She yelped in surprise as he spun her around, pulling her back into his chest, and his arms around her. She lost her footing and stumbled, but he had a good hold on her and straightened her up.
"I got you," he murmured into her ear. "Don't worry."
She closed her eyes and laughed as he skated around, holding her so close she could feel his heart beat. He was warm, despite not having his jacket on, and she felt safe. She had been utterly embarrassed when they had kissed earlier and she realized that his blood had all gone south of the border, but now that seemed like a distant thing.
At least he stopped when he knew he should. . .He didn't get all 'them' on me. . .she thought. He's a good kid, sweet, gentle, cute. . .trustworthy. . .he's good for me. . .
"Hey! C'mon you two!" Bobby hollered suddenly. "Quit being all cute and shit! It's been two fucking hours! CAR!"
"All right, Bobby!" Jack called, not letting her go yet.
"I need to get my coat from Baby Kay," she whispered.
"I'll get it! You get to the car before Bobby has a heart attack," he grinned, kissing her neck quickly, and skating off.
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It had been a little over a month since Lock had been in their house, Christmas had come and gone just the week before, and Jack still didn't have a gift for her. He had explained to her that he wanted to get her something meaningful, she had grinned and said the same for him. Ma had gotten her some more film for her camera and developed what she had used up and some newer clothes, and Bobby and Angel pooled their cash and got her a laptop.
Figures. . .he mused as he walked his street. Romantic little Jack, the only sentimental brother in the whole damn house, can't think of a god damned thing to get Lock! I don't know her that well to know what she really likes. . .hell. . .
He kicked a clump of snow, still pissy that he was having a total loss of thought, and looked up. A poster was stapled to a telephone pole, declaring that a carnival was in town from now until January seventh. It was almost like a sign from a higher power.
Carnival? Hmmmm. . .I have the money. . .but what else can I do?
The pieces slowly started falling into place, and with a few phone calls, he had his puzzle complete. He felt his heart swell and he raced home. He jogged inside, tearing down the steps, and knocked on Lock's door, then quickly stepped inside.
"Lock!" he jumped on the bed, standing over her.
"What, Jackie boy?" she laughed, using her favorite nickname for him.
"I finally have your gift!" he dropped to his knees over her, sitting on her thighs.
"Yeah?" she smirked, hands resting on his knees.
"Yeah! You free all day tomorrow? Well, tomorrow afternoon and evening?"
"Let me check my schedule," she snickered.
"Oooohh, smart ass," he laughed leaning close.
"Better than a dumb one," she laughed.
"True," he pressed his mouth to hers.
They still weren't going out, but he had gotten her to be a little more affectionate with him, they kissed more and more (innocently of course), and he was still taking it very slow. She smirked into his lips, touching his face.
Hopefully things will change. . .if tomorrow goes as planned. . .dating wise. . .he thought, carefully asking to kiss a little deeper.
"Not this time, Jackie boy," she said, gently pushing him up. "Sorry, babe."
"No issue," he grinned, kissing her forehead. "Thanks for the warning."
"Anytime," she smiled shyly. "Now, get off of me! I was working on something before you decided I looked like a chair."
"All right," he laughed, getting up. "Tomorrow?"
"Yep, whatever it is that you have planned in that evil little head of yours," she laughed.
"You'll love it, I swear," he smiled and went upstairs to talk to Bobby about one fine detail.
Shoe: Am i making things move too fast between Lock and Jack? I guess you'll see what i mean in upcoming chapters. . .it sometimes feels like things are going to quick between them. . .lemme know!