Stellar Collision (Falling Stars #2.5) Read online

  Mia tosses her head back and laughs. She's been so happy since breakfast.

  I have no fucking clue what has her so smiley, but I'll fucking take it. Seeing the glow of happiness around Mia makes my chest feel tight—in a good way. After last night, she deserves to feel—to be, this happy. I can only hope I'm part of the reason.

  "Chris!"

  Elliott's yell takes my attention from my girls. Jogging over in a pair of gray swim shorts and nothing else, he stops a few feet from me.

  "Come be our third." It's not a question or a request.

  "Where's Jimmy?" I look at our group, finding him nowhere in sight.

  Elliott shrugs. "I don't fucking know. He said he'd meet us down here, but then disappeared."

  "I'll pass," I decline, sidestepping so I can focus back on Mia and Maggie.

  "It's one thing to be captain emo, but to pull out uncle asshole is another thing," he complains. "Come play with your nephews."

  My muscles tense, straightening my spine. Twisting my head to Elliott, I push my sunglasses onto my head.

  "You're going to be my brother in law," I verbalize my realization.

  Elliott's face breaks into a massive grin.

  "Should I start calling you Emo Bro?"

  "Fuck," I sigh and drop my head back.

  "Uncle Chris," Ryan calls out, running up to us.

  "Yeah, little man," I respond, pulling my head up.

  "Will you be on my team?"

  "Give him the face," Elliott says, pretending to cough.

  Sure enough, Ryan sticks out his bottom lip, tightens his mouth, and bats his eyes.

  "Too much eyelash," Elliott coughs out again.

  Shaking my head, I level Elliott with a look.

  "What?" he asks, having the nerve to look innocent.

  "I can't believe you," I say, stepping around him. "Come on, Ry." I clasp his small shoulder and head to where Jack, Lucas, and Sean are tossing a football.

  "I’m teaching him valuable life skills," Elliott shouts after us.

  Almost an hour later—an admittedly fun hour—Elliott is climbing out from the latest three-boy tackle. Jack steps over, grabbing Lucas from the top and then Sean.

  Watching Jack interact with the boys is nice. He's settled into a fatherly role with the same laidback attitude he's known for. A part of me hates how smooth the transition to a father figure and committed relationship has been for him. The other part is happy to see him in a much better place than he was a year ago.

  "Mom," Lucas yells, kicking up sand as he rushes across the beach.

  Jack twists around so fast, he loses his balance in the sand and stumbles before righting himself and following Lucas' trail.

  "Hey, baby," she coos, and Lucas propels himself at her. Liza drops an oversized white canvas bag and catches him in her arms.

  Mia appears at my side with Maggie on her hip and wraps an arm around my waist. Instinctively, I put my arm over her shoulders and kiss the side of her wet hair.

  Twisting her neck, she briefly presses her mouth to mine. She tastes like the sun, lotion, and salt.

  "I swear to God, that girl looks like she always just stepped out of a vintage calendar," she sighs, focusing back on Liza.

  Following her gaze, my eyes return to Liza. In her floppy hat, sheer white shirt thingy over the yellow and white polka dot bikini, and large, dark sunglasses, I have to admit she does look the part.

  "If she weren't so damn sweet, I think I'd kind of hate her," Mia adds.

  "She's got nothing on you, baby." I squeeze her shoulders.

  Mia snorts. "No, she's got more boobs and ass than I do."

  Liza yelps, breaking our conversation.

  Jackson has her lifted off the ground, her chest to his and his mouth buried in her neck. Lucas and Sean stand nearby, fake gagging.

  "Let's go say hello," Mia says, smacking me on the ass before withdrawing her arm.

  "Daddy," Maggie whines, putting her arms out.

  "Come here, baby girl," I croon, taking her from Mia.

  Placing her against my chest, she lays her damp head on me and sucks her thumb.

  "Someone needs a nap," I say, giving her a small bounce as I follow Mia toward Jack's crew.

  "No," she mumbles around her thumb.

  "Don't start with the no's," Mia says over her shoulder. "Daddy isn't a big fan of being told no."

  I don't miss the grin on her face before she turns forward once more.

  "Like you would ever tell me no," I quip, meeting her stride and slapping her on the ass with my free hand.

  Gwen and Nicholas, along with Mia's parents, end up taking Maggie and Zoey for the afternoon. With Lucas and Sean holed up in a media room in the main building, the rest of us lounge around the pool.

  Elliott sits on the edge, watching Serena float around. Kat and Laney lie in the soft light of the disappearing sun. Jackson rests back against the side of the pool, arms stretched out wide and Liza wrapped around his body. Mia lounges between my legs on the pool chair I pulled us into.

  "Where the fuck is Jimmy?" Jack asks, running a hand through his overgrown hair.

  "Lisa said he took a boat over to the mainland," Elliott says, slipping into the water.

  "Who's Lisa?" Liza asks, untangling from Jackson, only to be pulled back against him. "I'm just resituating," she says, shaking her head.

  "You've been gone for days," he draws out the last word.

  She shakes her head again, leaning her back against his chest.

  "Lisa is the staff girl who escorted us from the airport," Mia states, running her nails over my bare legs.

  Serena's scream fills the area before a splash, and Elliott stands in the water with the float she'd just occupied over his head.

  Emerging from the water, she sputters, finds him, and charges.

  Given his size, there is no fucking way she's going to take him down.

  "I'm going to kill you," she growls, launching her body against him.

  "I love when you get all feisty," Elliott teases and laughs, shoving her down into the water.

  "What—" he chokes on the words. His eyes go wide, and he drops down into the water.

  Serena surfaces with swim trunks over her head. Diving to the left, she swims to the edge and climbs out.

  "Babe!" Elliott emerges on a roar.

  "Take that, fucker," she taunts, throwing his shorts into a palm tree about twelve feet from the edge of the pool.

  "Oh, shit," Laney mumbles, having rolled onto her side to watch the action.

  "I think ‘No Bare Cock’ is right up there with ‘No Peeing’ for pool rules," Kat taunts.

  A broad grin spreads on Elliott's face. He pushes through the water, using his legs and hands to propel him forward.

  "When I get my hands on you," he warns, "be ready for one massive public display of affection."

  Serena crosses her arms over her chest and laughs.

  "Oh, fuck," Jack says, covering Liza's eyes with his hand.

  Mia, realizing where this is going, twists, burying her face in my thigh.

  In a splash of water, Elliott pulls his bare ass out of the pool. Serena turns and runs. Dick swinging, he rushes her like a linebacker.

  "Is he—?"

  "Yep," Jack answers Liza's unfinished question.

  "His stuff is just—?"

  "Yep," Jack answers her again.

  "Is this a typical occurrence for you guys?"

  "Yep," Jack, Mia, and I answer in unison.

  "I've seen Elliott's junk more than I've seen my own," Jack adds.

  "I've definitely seen his more than any guy I've ever dated," Kat adds.

  "You don't date," Laney reminds.

  "I’m not sure how I feel about this information," Liza finishes just as Serena screams.

  "Put me down, you caveman!"

  "Oh, you're going to get my club, don't worry," Elliott announces, carrying her off without any concern for his bare ass.

  Arms crossed over my ches
t, I follow Mia around the villa. I keep a scowl on my face, just to make sure she can see how stupid I think this is.

  "It's just for the night," she says, shoving things into an overnight bag.

  "This is ridiculous," I growl, dropping my arms.

  "We'll see each other tomorrow," she says, trying to soothe me.

  "Not until close to fucking sunset," I bark, grabbing the overnight bag and pulling it away from her.

  Sighing heavily, she turns around to face me.

  I quickly put my scowl back in place.

  "Don't give me that look," she says. "Linda and Gwen are really looking forward to this tradition."

  Lifting her right hand, she gently pats my chest.

  "I," I start, pointing to my chest, "was looking forward to burying my face between your thighs until you scream my name tonight."

  She visibly swallows and her eyes darken.

  "Exactly," I say, stepping closer.

  Giving a shake of her head, she steps back.

  "It's tradition for the bride and groom not to see each other the day before the wedding."

  "I've seen you all fucking day," I argue.

  This is the most stupid fucking tradition ever.

  "Chris, it's just symbolic, okay?"

  "No, not okay. I want to climb into bed with you, lick your pussy, and fuck until we pass out."

  Mia squirms a little.

  Good.

  "Stop saying that stuff," she breathes out.

  "Hell no. It's the only thing working in my favor."

  I take a step closer, but she puts an arm out and steps back.

  Scowling, again, I cross my arms over my chest.

  "I'm spending the night with Linda, Gwen, and the girls. Tomorrow, we'll spend most of the day prepping for the wedding. Nic and Jack have stuff planned for you guys." She points to another overnight bag sitting near the door to the villa. "I already put your stuff in there."

  "Yeah, ‘cause I'd rather spend my night surrounded by dick than buried in your pussy." There's no holding back my sarcasm and I lick my lip for emphasis, making sure she sees the tongue ring.

  "Jesus, Chris, you can't say that when I'm trying to leave."

  The rise and fall of her chest is evidence enough for how I'm affecting her.

  Well, if I can't have her for the night, I can at least delay her arrival.

  "When I'm full, you can go," I say, dropping to my knees and yanking her shorts to the floor.

  "Chris—"

  The touch of my tongue sliding between her lips silences her. When the tip finds her clit, her hand fists my hair.

  Using two fingers, I spread her wide and run my piercing over her.

  "Oh my God," she moans, throwing a leg over my shoulder, "that fucking piercing."

  I love my tongue piercing.

  Chapter Eleven

  Christopher

  "Nice of you to show up, fucker," Elliott taunts when Jimmy enters.

  My eyes shift to Mia's father, John, to gauge his reaction to Elliott, though he should be used to the big-mouthed Neanderthal by now.

  The only indication that John heard Elliott is the twitch of his lips.

  "Well, it is my villa for the week," Jimmy quips, slipping into a chair at the poker table.

  "Not tonight," Jack adds before drinking from his bottle of water.

  "I still can't believe I have to spend the night before I get married with you assholes," I mumble, taking the time to glare at Jack, Elliott, and Jimmy.

  "We did the same thing before mine," Elliott reminds.

  "No, sir," Jimmy interjects. "Chris," he thumbs in my direction, "took off, stole Mia, and went back to his hotel room with her."

  "That's right." Jack nods, picking up his hand.

  "Are we going to play poker or continue to complain about the lack of pussy you all will get this evening?" Nic asks, picking up his cards and fanning them in front of his face.

  John chuckles and puts his beer bottle to his lips.

  "Oh, I got pussy this evening," Elliott corrects, checking his cards.

  John chokes on his beer, and Nic slaps him on the back.

  "I'm surprised after your poolside display."

  "What's that supposed to mean?" Elliott asks Jack.

  "What did I miss?" Jimmy looks at me.

  "Elliott had his dick out again," I answer, keeping my eyes on the terrible cards in my hand.

  "Ah, so I didn't miss much."

  "Fuck you," Elliott barks. "I'm hung like a stallion."

  "Really, gentlemen, have we now regressed to comparing penis sizes?" Nic sighs.

  "Get a ruler!" Elliot stands, unzipping his jeans.

  "If you pull out your dick, I will punch you in the nut sac," Jimmy threatens.

  "Elliott, sit down," Nic orders. "Keep your dick in your pants and let's start the damn game."

  The shock of Nic's outburst silences the table.

  "Sorry," Nic mumbles, rubbing his forehead.

  "It's alright, Nic," Elliott assures. "You've gotta be tense. I'm sure you haven't gotten laid in, like, forever."

  "Son," John interjects.

  "Hey," Jackson shouts.

  "What?" Elliott puts his arms up.

  "That's my mom," Jackson reminds.

  "And?" Elliott scrunches his face. "You think someone as hot as your mom has been celibate since your birth?"

  "I don't want to talk about that." Jackson tosses his cards to the table.

  "Tell him, Nic."

  "What?" Nic chokes on the question.

  "Has Gwen been celibate all this time, or are you hitting it on a regular basis?"

  "No…I mean, yes...Christ, I'm not answering this," he groans.

  Reaching for his glass, he drains his drink.

  "Not cool, Ell." Jimmy shakes his head.

  "What?" Elliott has the nerve to look genuinely confused. "I know my parents are still kicking it. Don't tell me you're as delusional as this fucker," he waves a hand at Jack, "thinking your parents don’t."

  Jimmy's body tenses and a muscle ticks in his jaw. Gripping his beer bottle, he brings it to his mouth and drains it.

  He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, and says, "I doubt my mother would willingly fuck the man who raped her."

  Jimmy's never been forthcoming about his family or past. Elliott knew Jimmy before Jack and I met him, but they hadn't known each other long. We've only met his mother, Stella, a couple times. She's a sweet and energetic woman, so to hear this revelation shocks us all into silence.

  "Fuck, man," Elliott tosses his cards to the table, "I didn't—"

  "Let's just play poker," Jimmy interrupts.

  "James," Nicholas says, drawing all our eyes, "what's going on?"

  Roughly sitting back in his chair, Jimmy grips the edge of the table.

  "I got a letter from a guy claiming to be my father," he confesses, eyes focused on the green felt in front of him.

  "Why would an asshole like that reach out to someone?" Elliott asks, astonished.

  "He didn't think she'd tell me." Jimmy runs his tongue over his teeth.

  "You just found out," I murmur.

  He snorts. "Yeah, turns out this guy and two others attacked my mother one night. Nine months later—boom, she has me."

  Furrowing my brow, I wrap my arms around my body.

  What the fuck do you say to that?

  "When did you find out?" Jack asks.

  "A couple weeks ago," Jimmy confesses.

  "You could've come to us," Jack says.

  "And say what? 'Hey, guys, guess what? My dad reached out, but it turns out he's a serial rapist who's just trying to get money off me'? Nah, I don't think there was ever the right time to tell you guys." Leaning forward, he buries his head in his hands and groans. "Fuck, this isn't the time to say shit either."

  "Hey, don't do that," I say.

  He keeps his face in his hands.

  "Look at me," I order.

  When he doesn't, I reach out and grab
his forearm. My touch brings his eyes to mine.

  "Of all people, I know what it's like to have fucked up shit in your life. Right now is exactly when you were ready, so this is the perfect fucking time to talk about it."

  I release his arm and sit back. Jimmy rubs a hand over his face as he leans back in his chair.

  "Where is this man now?" John asks.

  Jimmy shrugs. "The last letter came from Virginia."

  "He asked you for money?" Nic inquires.

  "Not right away. It was the second letter when he started asking about meeting and mentioning his financial burdens."

  "What an asshole," Elliott growls.

  "When the third letter arrived, I went to my mother."

  "Is Stella okay?" Jack asks.

  "No," Jimmy whispers. "I sent her on a retreat."

  "Like my retreat?" I stress the last word.

  We all know my time away was at a mental treatment facility.

  He nods.

  "You know we're all here, so don't take this on alone. Alright?" Elliott leans forward, forcing Jimmy to look at him.

  He gives another nod.

  "What about you?" Jack asks. "You doing okay?"

  Sighing, he rubs the back of his neck. "I've been better, but I'm okay."

  "Just don't forget you have family," Jack reminds him. "You're a way better brother than these two fuckers." He motions between Elliott and me.

  "Bite me," I growl.

  "I am the highlight of your day," Elliott insists.

  Jimmy chuckles.

  His laugh eases the nervousness in the room. Leave it to Jack and his laidback manner to bring us full circle.

  "Can we please play cards now?" Nic asks. "Since retiring, I could actually use the money I'm about to win from you assholes."

  Jack and I laugh.

  "Oh, you think so, old man?" Elliott grabs his cards, fanning them in front of his face.

  "I was playing cards before you learned how to use a toilet." Nic tries to trash talk.

  "He still doesn't know how," Jimmy adds, getting back into the swing of our banter.

  "Fuck you all." Elliott sets three cards face down and motions for replacements.

  "You're a damn card shark," Elliot exclaims two hours later, shoving his full house away from him.

  Nicholas leans forward, fighting a grin, and scoops the jackpot across his royal flush.

  "You have to be counting cards," Jimmy says, shaking his head.