Set Me Free

Chapter Nine

The drive home was relaxing. Juno felt elated and giddy. Nix has been beyond thoughtful, caring for her in ways she never imagined. He was attentive, he felt her worries, honed in on her wants and needs like a Missile. His s****l confidence wasn’t bad either. It brought out something within her, she didn’t feel nervous or even unworthy of what feels like his experience. He made her feel like the only woman in the world, made her feel beautiful. Made her feel wanted. 

Dropped turned off the highway, not too far from home now. The closer they got the more nervous she became. She didn’t want the day to end. She was having such an amazing time with him that the thought of him leaving, filled her with anxiety. 

They arrived at the house. No cars were in the driveway, so her sisters weren’t home yet. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. Uncertainty crept into the shadows of her mind. What happens next she wondered. Was this only a one time thing? Anxiety ate at her nerves, Nix could probably tell by the incessant pounding of her heart against his back..

The bike came to a stop at her front door steps. Kicking the stand in place the bike settled. The setting sun will soon be past the hills but not before casting it’s magnificent rays down on Nix. The light reflected off his helmet as he slowly slid it off, with a quick shake his hair rearranged itself. Juno marveled with the way his hair simply listens to him. Juno has to fight her long hair tooth and nail just for it to be something close enough to acceptable. The setting sun cast a glow around him, he was like a burning star, leaving its heated imprint upon her heart.

“Well, I guess I can say one more thing about you.”

“Oh ya?” 

Juno hops off the motorcycle and hands the helmet back to Nix. “Ya! You are literally a God in the s*x department.” She points between his thighs, where you know full well his growing erection is straining against the denim of his jeans. 

“You aren’t the only one. You think that once was enough? Now that i’ve had a taste, I think I’m addicted.” An interrupting blare came from his pocket. With a frown, an apology skittering across his bright emeralds, Nix fetched his phone from the inside of his jacket pocket. While he was taking care of business, Juno gazed out across the yard. The trees were preparing for the winter. She idly thought that maybe she should spend some time and place some christmas lights up. A black car was parked on the street at the end of her drive. Raising her hand to block the descending sun, she squinted, straining her eyes to make out if it was anybody she knew. The car was just too far away and with the darkened windows she couldn’t see anything. Nix’s voice rose, which snagged Juno’s attention away from the car.

“Goddamn it. Doesn’t that asshole have anything better to do? Uh huh…” Nix hopped off the bike with the sudden need to move around. She could clearly see he needed to vent, and if wearing holes in the pavement helped, then she’d let him burn as many holes as he’d need. He was becoming angrier by the second. She noticed when he spoke his free hand was very animated, like a composer. Juno watched him curiously, wondering what had him all heated. His eyes slashed to hers briefly with a hard edge to them. A shiver ran down her spine at the uncharacteristic look. That look actually had her a bit frightened, and she hoped she didn’t have to see that same look directed at her. Another shiver tiptoed down her back and it’s not from the cold.

With a frustrated sigh, Nix ran his hands through his hair, before turning back to her. “I’m sorry to have to cut this short but I have to leave. I’m sorry, it’s not by choice...trust me.” There was a vulnerability to him. It picked at her heart and she wanted to help him but didn’t know how if he didn’t talk to her. 

“That’s ok. You’ve got things you’ve got to do. I understand. Thank you for today. I had...fun. More fun than I’ve had in the last few years.” Even though she knew that they were just getting to know each other, a part of her couldn’t help but be disappointed that he’s leaving. The other part said that space is also very good, because there is a lot she still didn’t know about him. Nix kissed her gently on the cheek, his hands held her. They stood for a few minutes just like that, just enjoying each other’s arms, the comfort they brought and yielded.

Reluctantly Nix stepped back and hopped back onto his bike. He smiles his devilish grin, his bike roaring to life with thunderous purr. “Oh!” Juno squeaked when she realized she still had his helmet. She handed it to him but he simply placed his hand on the top and pushed back into her hand.

“Keep it. You’ll need it for when we go out again.” He looks up at the sky and the grass around him, the growing frost attaching itself to the blades and leaves. “Weather permitting of course,  wouldn't want us to turn into frozen popsicles.” 

Juno wanted to erase whatever it was that was bothering him, if even for a time. She added teasingly, “It’s a ‘when’ is it? Don’t you think it could be an ‘if’? So sure that there will be a second date?” 

“I do.”  His confidence was intoxicating. Like an epic ending in a John Wayne western, Nix revs up his bike and roars down the driveway. The final rays of the sun finally set over the horizon, the street lights slowly blink on illuminating the street.  Juno stood reveling in everything that happened. She couldn’t believe that this was real, that Nix was real and that she was so free with herself around him. She felt like she could fly the night sky. Twisting around with a hop to her stop she knocked on the front door. Slapping her forehead she forgot her sisters weren’t home, but the sound of the lock unlatching made her wary until the door swung open to two squealing sisters.

“Everything! Let’s hear it!” Emra demands.

Callie hands Juno a glass of wine. “I expect juicy details!”

They ushered her inside so fast she thought she was caught inside a tornado, leaving her a little dizzy. Callie pulled Juno down to the couch in the living room, Emra plopped herself down on the floor crossing her legs. Juno told them everything, well, almost everything. The tail end of their sexcapade she decided to leave out. Afterall, some things are best kept as secrets and she felt that was one of those things. Only her and Nix can share and be privy to.

“Oh my god my ears!” Emra screeches covering her ears. “Callie, tell me I didn’t just hear that from our beloved, endearing sister, has been doing naughty things in the forest!?”

Callie waved Emra’s wailing aside. “All she did was bonk a guy. No harm no foul, unless you let your feelings into play.” She looks directly at Juno. Juno squirmed under her critical eye. As much as she wanted to say she hadn't, she couldn’t muster the words. Thinking about Nix now, had her itching to grab her phone and call him, if only to hear his voice. If that’s not falling for him then she’s got nothing to worry about. But the need is there and that’s what scares her because she might already have fallen for him.

Twisting her attention away from Callie to Emra, hoping to avoid answering Callie. “Wasn’t it you, Emra, who told me to go somewhere more private?”

Emra blushes, something fierce. “I mean, I may have---”

Callie tapps Emra’s bouncing leg, cutting her off with her hand. Callie leans in like she’s about to hear about the world's greatest secret. “ What we really want to know is-” She pauses for effect. “How big is he.” She stretches her hands mimicking sizes.

Emra shrugs as if the image wouldn’t be so bad, despite her bantering of Juno’s raw exploits. Juno smiles at her younger sister, finding it interesting and funny the way Emra flip flops between what is sexually acceptable to talk about. Though Juno has her suspicions that Emra isn’t being quite truthful, but what that ‘something’ was, Juno was still unsure. She always figured eventually Emra would tell them.

“I suppose it can’t hurt. You know, for the sake of supporting our sister.”

“Oh shush you!”

Juno grabs the throw pillow from the couch and lobs it at Emra. Quick as a cat, Emra deflects it with a  karate chop. Meanwhile, Callie is clapping in time with her words. “p***s. p***s. I.Want.To.Know!”

“You won’t be satisfied until I tell you, are you?” Callie leans back sipping her wine with a satisfied grin.

“I’m not exactly sure what you want me to say?” Callie looked defeated.

“Is it big? Is it long? Callie says.

“Is it curved like a goblin or is it straight like an Elves.” Emra adds in, though with more of a mystical flare.

“First off, Emra. I don’t even know what any of those would even be like. And secondly, it’s I mean...roughly…” Too embarrassed to say how big, Juno uses her hands to show instead.

“Ahh, so a horse.” Emra finally says. Callie and Juno both spit their wine out giggling, and frankly slightly appalled.

“What the hell, Emra!” They both said in unison.

Unaffected, Emra continued adding a question of her own. “So I guess the next question is, do you like him.” Juno practically choked on her wine. She almost thought she avoided that altogether when Callie didn’t pursue her for an answer.

“I wouldn’t go that far. I’ll warn you now, don’t start anything with him. It’s great that you got your rocks off, but he isn’t the relationship material type.” Juno bristled and felt protective of Nix. She may not know him as well as she’d hope, but they have time for all of that. Juno sees what the others don’t past his rough edged exterior. He’s sweet, caring, kind, and has give no reason to doubt his intentions.

“You were practically begging me to go for him! I don’t understand any of you!”

Callie sank into the cushions, her fingers toying with a strand of her auburn hair. “I knew you both wanted to screw each other's brains out, and you did.” She shrugs like she didn’t think it’d be that big of a deal.

“Both of you are impossible and making my head spin. I’m going to bed.” Standing from the couch, Juno hurried upstairs and away from her sisters. Their words were affecting her more than she thought they would. Doubt began to creep into her thoughts. Callie calls out from the living room, her voice carrying up the stairs to the top landing. 

“Thank me later!”

Juno closed her bedroom door, with a  frustrated grunt she dived onto her bed. Today was incredible. She never had a connection like that with anyone. She wanted to feel more of it and Juno didn’t care what her sister was saying. She’ll be her own judge and if it’s a mistake then so be it. It’d be one she’d justly deserve then. 

Deciding a shower was in order, she hopped from the bed and into the bathroom. Once the water was hot enough, pulling the curtains she stepped under the hot spray, feeling it’s relaxing tempo like the memory of Nix’s fingers marching across her skin.

Padding out of the shower, Juno wraps a towel around herself before plopping down at her desk. A cold breeze blows through the open window. Uncrossing her legs, she stood up tightening the sash belt. She moved towards the window and looked out into the darkness. Her bedroom was on the opposite side of the driveway, so she didn’t get any residual lighting from the street lamps. It was completely black outside, barely could see the ground straight below. Closing the window she made sure it was locked 

“Did I open you or did one of the girls?” Shaking her head she sat back down at her desk. One of her sisters must have opened it, because she doesn’t remember doing it. 

Distracting herself with work, Juno pulled up her emails and went through them. Pulling the bottom drawer of her desk she grabbed her well used wine bottle. Her routine ritual when pursuing emails late at night.  She uncorked the bottle and took a swig, no need for glasses, she cultured afterall. She giggles at her own horrible joke, tapping away at her keyboard.

“Let’s see. Garbage. Garbage. Garbage. Oh, here’s a request.”

A promising request by a couple for their newborn. Juno smiled at the thought of doing another family. Not everyone wants a brushe’s touch, and goes for the more traditional photo op. Which is great because she does those as well. Depends what the customer needs. She split her attention between the two in hopes to garner more clientele and believe it or not, it absolutely paid off. Many times they’ll see her work and request both, a painting and photos. Juno always wanted her own family and eventually it’ll play into the cards, which might explain why she absolutely loves babies, and their pudgy little hands and feet. Their sweet, carefree eyes carried by their smiles. 

“Oh, and those sounds!” Elated and without thinking, Juno texted Nix. After it was sent she stared at her phone foolishly thinking he’d respond right away. Yet, she couldn’t take her eyes off her phone. 

“So much for a distraction! Why Can’t I stop thinking about him?” Juno's stomach rumbled loudly, reminding her that she hasn’t had anything to eat since breakfast. Heading out into the hallway she called down to the first floor thinking they must still be in the living room, gossiping about her and NIx still.

“I’m ordering pizza if anybody is interested! Garlic bread, too!” The house was dead quiet. Not a sound, not even any light coming from downstairs. Callie and Emra must have gone back to their house. Their has as in that’s where Callie actually stays and Emra stays with her most of the time When Jackson is gone. The girls must have parked their cars in the back of the house, the only thing she could think of. Must be where they hid, all to spy on her and Nix. Conniving crones.

Her phone on the bed chirped with a notification. Rushing to her phone thinking Nix responded. Her heart sank when she didn’t see his name. None of the messages are from him. She was disappointed to say the least. The other messages were from the girls. Seems both left the house and didn’t bother to tell her. 

“Probably figured they’d give me space after the ‘Nix Interrogation’” Shooting them both a message back, she asked if either of them opened her bedroom window.

“Hey, by any chance did either of you open my window?”

“Nope. Not I, said the fly.” Emra pings back immediately.

Callie was longer to respond, “Last time I went into your bedroom was to put your sweater back you let me borrow. That was like last week or something.”

“Guess I did and just forgot. Thanks guys! Btw, you’re missing out on pizza and garlic bread!”

Pulling up the app for the local pizza joint, she quickly placed the order. Heading downstairs, using her phone light to guide her so she didn’t trip down the stairs, she flipped the switch at the landing, turning the overhead chandelier on. She pulled the living room sliding doors open and turned the nearby lamp at the corner table on and plopped down on the couch, kicking her feet up on the arm. Closing her eyes, Juno thought about Nix. Thought about the reasons Callie could have for saying he wasn’t relationship material. Why would she practically throw him at her? There was something she wasn’t telling Juno.

A loud banging echoed from the main hall leading into the kitchen. Sitting upright, her heart in her throat, she looked at the clock on her phone. It’s not the pizza and why would the delivery driver head to the back of the house anyways. Startled and a little bit frightened, it is a big house after all with plenty of dark nooks and crannies to play mind tricks.

Juno walked into the main hall and stared into the dark kitchen. The banging was getting louder, Juno’s heart thumped erratically. Placing one foot in front of the other, each step making her nerves jump like they were on fire. The wood flooring was cool against her toes. Sneaking up to the kitchen entryway she peered inside. It was so dark she couldn’t see anything though. Reaching in she blindly felt along the wall for the light switch. The lights turned on making Juno feel much better. Something was still banging against the patio door. With the curtains closed she couldn’t see from what. As quietly as she should she tiptoed to the door. Whatever or whoever was out there should have noticed the kitchen lights being turned on. That would frighten away burglars, right? Her heart stopped when the banging stopped. With shaky fingers she peeled the curtain back, and peered out the glass sliding door. Nothing but darkness met her. Flipping the switch on the wall for the patio lights nothing happened. She flipped it repeatedly hoping that one of the flips it’ll magically turn on. 

“Just my luck. The lights must be burned out.” Only explanation she could muster. The banging she chalked it up to an animal and fled when it became aware when it heard her. ONly other explanations made sense. She doesn’t believe in ghosts, does she?

“Fine. Tomorrow’s agenda is light bulb change out and then see what sort of critters I’ve got lurking around here. Alright, let’s get our mind back to the pizza! Jeeze, I’m such a glutton.” Before heading back to the living room she double checks the lock on the sliding door and peers out into the inky darkness once more. When she was sure it must have been an animal she went back to the living room and tossed the t.v on and settled on a movie.

“Wow, that was fast.” Juno walked to the front door and checked the app on the progress for the delivery. “Says here, not for another twenty minutes.”