Till Death Do Us Part

Till Death Do Us Part

  Book III in the Southern Exposure Saga

  By Lari Smythe

  Cover design by Lari Smythe

  Cover Art by Caitlin Smith

  Copyright 2014 Lari Smythe

  ISBN: 9781311860316

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1 Izzy

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13 Jason

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20 Izzy

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Connect with Lari Smythe

  Chapter 1 Izzy

  The planning stage for the new Faulkner home—my family's home, was nearly complete and some of the preliminary work had begun. Jason proved himself in the planning phase as I, and I think Benjamin knew he would. My family spent idle time at Nathan and Melanie's, we'd all grown used to the human idea of a home and family. Their place was on the small side to say the least, but no one minded, we were back together again, a real family. Melanie and Elizabeth had their sewing, Nathan, Tink and Benjamin had checkers and chess, and I had Jason.

  My pool at the bend of the nearby creek played a prominent role in my days now as my family worked to reacquaint themselves with Jason's overpowering attraction—thirst. I bathed in the pool each time after seeing him, but they were becoming more able to cope with his scent, so it wasn't as much of a problem as it had been at first. I was still wearing the Emo getup, but definitely toned down. I'd dropped the black lipstick and fingernail polish, but I liked the dark eye makeup and so did Jason—besides, it was practical, it masked my eye color changes in that people were less likely to actually look at my eyes. I was coping with the limitations of our relationship, but hunting always reminded me of what we had and what we could never have.

  "We thought we'd spend the afternoon at your pool," Melanie called, the last to finish her kill.

  "Would you care to join us?" Elizabeth added.

  I knelt down to a small trickle of water from a spring in the rocks to wash the blood from my hands.

  "Please?" Melanie begged.

  "I think I'm going to run over and see how Benjamin is doing on the house."

  "Don't you mean Jason?" Melanie pouted.

  "Yeah, I think he'll be there."

  "Ha, ha, very funny. You can't fool me." Melanie turned to Elizabeth. "She's got it bad, so bad."

  Elizabeth showed no reaction which was a huge improvement over how she usually reacted to comments about Jason's and my relationship especially after he gave me his class ring. Elizabeth was right, our relationship was dangerous on so many levels, but I could no more walk away from Jason than I could make my heart start beating. I knew the choice put my entire family at risk.

  "See ya." I darted off toward the far side of Lambs Knoll. I had to take a small detour to avoid a hunter on the ridge, near the communication towers. It was late summer, early for the hunters to be out, but they had begun to scope out the area for the fall hunting season. No doubt they were disappointed in the dwindling dear population. I couldn't help but smile when I spotted Jason with Benjamin. It was a typical hot August day, and the sweat glistened off Jason's bare back as it formed little rivulets and trickled down the dips between his sculpted, muscles. For the most part, he and Benjamin just worked out the details during the day, then at night, Tink and Nathan joined them to actually work on the construction. It was necessary to avoid possibly being seen by a casual hiker. Jason stayed as long as he could, but he obviously had to sleep.

  "Hey, guys," I said, sliding up next to Jason. He flinched when I put my cool hand on his back.

  He leaned over and gave me a big kiss. "Sorry, I guess I probably reek."

  "Not the word I would have chosen."

  "Well, then," Benjamin interrupted, "I believe the foundation mortar has adequately set. We should be able to begin work on the escape tunnel tonight."

  "Bringing in the heavy equipment?" Jason joked.

  "He's talking about Tink and Nathan, Dad." I clarified.

  Benjamin chuckled. "That we are. We should have the tunnel completed by daybreak."

  "Football practice starts tomorrow, so I'm not sure if I can be here, they're two a days for the first week or so."

  "Two a days?" Benjamin puzzled.

  "Two practices a day. One in the morning and one in the afternoon."

  Benjamin nodded. "Well, I don't foresee any problems."

  "Are you still expecting the electricity tomorrow, sir?" Jason asked.

  "Yes, but the utility people said no one had to be present, they are just running power to the distribution box."

  "That's great," Jason said.

  "Like in electric lights?" I asked. "Are you serious?"

  "Well, I thought if young Jason were to visit in the evenings lights would be a nice addition."

  "Welcome to the 21st Century, Dad." I joked.

  "Ah, here are the boys now," Benjamin said. "Why don't you call it a day, Jason."

  "Thanks." Jason wiped the sweat from his face with his tee shirt. "So," he said to me, "maybe a movie?"

  "It'll be late by the time you get cleaned up and have something to eat. How about the park?"

  "Great, I don't have to clean up for that." He winked. "Let me check in with Mom." He turned to my dad. "Thanks for everything, sir."

  Benjamin looked up from the drawings. "Have you chosen a vehicle yet?

  "No, sir. I figure it wouldn't be right at least not until we finish."

  "Nonsense, you have done an exceptional job."

  "Go ahead, tell him," I encouraged.

  "Well, sir, I was thinking I'd still like something with four wheel drive so I can do a little off roadin'. Nothing extravagant, maybe another Jeep. I like the older models."

  "Excellent, let me know when you have finalized your choice."

  We walked down to Jason's mom's car. The western sky was crimson, framed with the anvil, tops of thunderheads sweeping toward the east. Occasionally there was a flash of cloud-to-cloud lightening.

  Jason grabbed his cell phone off the dash. "Hey, Mom. You mind if I keep the car for a few hours? Yeah, we were thinking we'd grab some take out and go to the park. I know, football is at 6:00 AM. Okay, thanks." He hit the end button. "We're good."

  I stepped into him and slid my hand across his sweat soaked, chiseled abdomen, slowly running it up to his pecs. "We are so good." His stomach growled.

  We swung by the local drive thru and got a small bucket of chicken and then headed for the park. I couldn't help remember the motorcycle gang as we crossed the stone bridge, but tonight, the park was deserted. It looked like it was going to be our lucky night.

  "You mind grabbing the food?" Jason asked as he climbed out of the car.

  "No problem."

  Jason took off across the grass, cleared the narrow beach and dove into the water. He swam across to the far bank and then back. I was in heaven watching him walk up through the shallows and onto the beach.

  "What?" Jason said, shaking off.

  "Nothing." I stuffed the bucket of chicken against his stomach.

  He ate quickly—maybe too quickly—and then we lay back on the blan
ket and stared up through the tree tops at the stars and enjoyed the August meteor showers.

  "You think we'll have any classes together?" Jason asked.

  "I doubt it, Ms. Moore—"

  "I thought you two were tight?"

  "Sure, but I doubt she's going to put any obstacles in the way of my recovery."

  "So I'm an obstacle?"

  I rolled up on top of him and kissed him. "You are so an obstacle to everything."

  "Look who's talking." He reached up, cupped my cheeks and pulled my face down to his. We kissed again.

  My ability to cope with the thirst he triggered in me was nothing short of amazing if you believed Melanie, but to me, it all went back to the night I realized just how much I loved him. Sure, I thirsted for his blood, but compared to my love, not even close.

  "Can I pick your car?" I asked, pushing back and staring into his eyes.

  "What?"

  "Can I pick your car?"

  "I guess, as long as it's not over the top. I feel bad enough as it is, accepting such an extreme—"

  "It's not a gift, silly boy, you earned it."

  "I haven't done all that much on the house, I'm really learning more than I'm helping."

  "I think that's what Dad had in mind."

  "It's really cool to hear you talk about your family like that, you know, Mom, Dad. Really cool."

  "I'm still not used to it, I call them by their names half the time. So, I can pick it out?"

  "As long as it's a used car, okay?"

  "Benjamin said new."

  "It will be new to me."

  "Okay. It's getting late." I rolled off his chest and then sat up.

  "Guess there's no point fighting it." Jason got up and then pulled me to my feet. We walked hand in hand into the river until we were waist deep. Jason turned and took me in his arms. "I've got to be the luckiest guy in the entire universe." He kissed me.

  He wasn't going to let go—I didn't really want him to—but it was late. I leaned back until we toppled into the water. Finally, Jason had to let go to come up for air.

  The scar on Jason's shoulder, the one from the gunshot wound in Georgia, glistened in the moonlight. "You're shoulder going to be okay?"

  "Funny thing about that. Alex and I have been throwing the ball around, and well, it's actually better than ever. I'm not exactly sure how, or why, but I can definitely throw the ball with more zip. The rib's still a little tender, but I should be okay. Guess it's that time".

  Jason took my hand in his and we walked back to the car to towel off. Jason drove me to the pull off near Melanie's and we said our goodbyes.

  "Say hey to Coach for me," I said.

  "I will. You want to come watch?"

  "No, you need to concentrate on football, I'd just be a distraction."

  Jason glanced down at my clinging wet clothes. "Yep."

  "Good luck."

  "Hey, if the guys give me any trouble I'll give you a call."

  "Not funny." I frowned. "I love you."

  "I love you. See ya." Jason rolled up the window and pulled away.

  I stood there until I could no longer see, or hear the car.