Coming Home: California Dreaming, Book 4

By Stacey Johnston

The day Peyton Jessop walked into my life, I was six years old. I'd spent that whole summer wondering if anyone would ever move into the creepy old Barkley house next door to me. Just before school started, I watched as a van pulled up and a brown-haired little girl clutching a stuffed bear climbed out. Peyton was feisty and fun to be around, bu

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stratton Press
• Release date: Oct 5, 2020
• ISBN: 9781648952074

Stacey Johnston

Stacey Johnston resides in one of the southern suburbs of Perth, Western Australia, with her husband, four children, and a lovable Alaskan malamute called Storm. At one time or another, each of us has wished that our lives reflected those of the characters we read in books or watched on our television screens. As a child, Stacey was no different and found she could create stories in her head. Stories where her characters could come alive and she could escape when life around her became difficult. Leaving home at seventeen, she moved from family member to family member, trying to find her place. During those early years, alcohol became her closest friend, and her characters and stories in her head really started to blossom. It wasn’t until she met the man who would become the father to her oldest two children that she started to settle down. For the next twelve years, Stacey dedicated her life to her partner and their two beautiful children. Her stories were continuing to grow, but so was her desire to put them on paper and share them. Tragically, after losing her partner to a heart attack. her grip on reality started to slide, and it was during this time that her characters evolved. During her time of need, Stacey found a soul mate who would later become her husband and give her two more equally beautiful children. With his love, support, and encouragement, Stacey finally found the courage to put her characters and stories onto paper. Stacey’s hope is that other readers love her characters as much as she does. Her wish is that they get caught up in their stories, experiencing their joy and pain just as she has over the years.

Book preview

Chapter One

Five years prior

Luke

Promise me, Luke, Payton shouts from the passenger’s window of her father’s car while it slowly moves away from the curb.

Promise you’ll wait for me to come back! she screams, tears streaming down her beautiful face.

A heavy hand on my shoulder and my father’s voice in my ear telling me it’s for the best and to come inside confirms two things for me. One, they really are taking my girl away from me forever, and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it, and two, my father is involved somehow.

The child inside of me stomps its feet defiantly, wanting to hold its ground and protest.

I don’t know how my father is involved, but I’d bet my life he and my mother are somehow. My eyes shed more than a few tears as I watch them drive away, and just before I turn to follow my father, I silently promise her I will.

There is nothing I wouldn’t do for Peyton Jessop.

She has been the air I breathe and a part of my soul since we were children.

I love that girl so much, and it feels as though my heart is being ripped from my chest knowing I’ll probably never see her again.

A nagging voice deep inside of me is screaming, telling me I’ve always loved her.

I don’t know if that’s true, but looking back, there was something about her that stood out. She has been my everything since the day she moved into the old Barkley house next door when we were six years old.

What am I supposed to do now?

How am I supposed to live without her?

Today

Seriously, dude, a disgruntled Kyle utters. Do you have to fuck her up here? You know you have a bedroom, right? he grunts as he walks by.

I’d hurry the fuck up if I were you before Sophie catches you, he yells, chuckling to himself, continuing along the corridor. That girl is on the war path. You know Sean and Hadley will be here any moment, right?

Maybe we should finish this in your room, Luke, the pretty blonde I have pinned against the wall breathlessly suggests.

With her back against the wall and her skirt hitched up around her waist, there’s a beautiful rosy blush coloring her face, highlighting her features. I’m guessing her crimson glow is a combination of excitement from what I’m doing to her and embarrassment from being caught by Kyle.

Taking in her delicate features, I won’t deny she’s gorgeous. I know the right thing to do would have been to take her back to my room, even if it was for nothing more than the sake of her dignity.

Right now, though, I’m so fucking close, and I don’t care if Sophie catches me. It’s not like she hasn’t seen my naked ass before. My regret only lasts a moment as I simply have one thought on my mind, and that’s to find my release.

This girl, whose dark brown eyes you could drown in and whose plump lips you just want to sink your teeth into, deserves more than a quick fuck. Unfortunately for Evie here, I’m not the kind of guy who can offer her sweet nothings or a happily ever after.

She knew the score before she agreed to come over.

Don’t worry, babe. I’m nearly done, I callously reply. Wrap both those legs of yours around my waist and let me get lost in that warmth.

Predictably, even when she should have been telling me to fuck off, I hear nothing but soft moans, and those long legs of hers find their way around my waist. My cock buries itself deeper, enticing louder moans to spill from her lips.

Every uttered breath only encourages me to fuck her harder and deeper.

It’s then I lose myself, and the usual signs of my release start to build in my balls, tightening as my pleasure begins its descent. It’s that moment of peacefulness where nothing else matters that I crave, and everything around me becomes a blur.

Just as I reach that point of no return, Sophie’s voice bellows, bursting through my moment of bliss in an effort to destroy my momentum. My release, though, well, that has a mind of its own and is already withdrawing from my body into the waiting condom, buried deep inside my little blonde friend.

"What the fuck, Luke!" she screams at me.

Yep, that’s going to put me on Soph’s shit list once again.

Untangling myself from my pretty friend, I remain quiet and slowly back away. My shorts are still hanging around my ankles, and my cock is standing tall, visible for all to witness, but none of that matters to me.

I couldn’t give a fuck what Soph sees, but my latest fuck buddy seems to be shy all of a sudden. Turning slightly, I place myself in front of her, shielding her body from prying eyes. As she straightens her clothing, I know I should be doing the same, but it’s not the first time Sophie has seen me naked. Shit, it’s not even the first time she has caught me fucking someone either, and I doubt it will be the last.

Honestly, Luke, she continues ranting. You know Sean and Hadley will be here soon. Couldn’t you have at least fucked her in your room?

I could have, but where’s the fun in that? I think with a smirk.

Relax, Soph, I’m done. Evie here was just leaving, my soothing voice murmurs in an attempt to calm her panic.

Shoving her way past me, the petite blonde in front of me becomes pissed, yelling at me before huffing and storming away. Shaking my head and chuckling, I turn my attention back to Sophie, only listening while Evie storms down the stairs. I swear she sounds more like a baby elephant than the petite thing I just had wrapped around my cock.

There’s going to come a day when you’re going to tire of this life, Soph’s now soft voice caresses.

A soft sigh escapes her lips when her hand touches my cheek in comfort. The look of sadness reflecting in her eyes highlights her concern for me, making me suddenly regret my actions.

Don’t worry your pretty little self about me, Soph. I’m doing just fine.

Removing her hand, a smile lines her lips as she nods her head at me. She knows I’m lying, but that’s one of the things I love about Sophie Valentine—she knows when to call me out on my bullshit and when to leave me alone. I’m grateful that for now, she is choosing to accept my reply and not push me any further.

Go, she scolds.

A deep chuckle rattles in my chest when she glances down toward my cock. When her right hand flies to cover her eyes, that chuckle bursts from my mouth.

Oh, for god’s sake, Luke, put your cock away and get rid of that condom before Ben sees you. The last thing I need is him going all alpha on me. There is way too much testosterone in this house as it is.

My attempt to hug her has Soph squirming to get away from me. Her laugh warms my heart, and as she moves toward hers and Ben’s room, she calls out, telling me she isn’t going anywhere near my dirty cock.

Smiling to myself, I remove the condom to dispose of it.

Pulling my shorts up quickly, I dispose of it in the upstairs bathroom and half jump, half run down the steps toward the front door. Part of me knew I should’ve taken Evie downstairs, but things between us heated up fast out on the balcony.

I just wanted to get in and get out, so to speak, so that I could get rid of her.

Originally, I was only taking her upstairs to show her the view, and then I’d planned to take her back to my room in the guesthouse.

Things didn’t end up according to plan.

Caught up in my own daydream as I reach the bottom of the stairs, I don’t notice the front door opening until I nearly crash into Sean.

Fuck, I curse, coming to a complete stop.

Language, Hadley scolds as she follows her husband in through the door.

In Hadley’s arms is the cutest little bundle of blonde curls you have ever seen. Instantly I smile, and those little arms reach out for me.

Uke, Uke, Grace’s sweet little voice calls to me.

Wiggling, she struggles with her mother to be put down.

I don’t know what it is about you, Luke, but this child adores you, Hads tells me as she laughs, handing her daughter over.

Grabbing hold of her, I pull Grace in and hug her tightly. Not as much as I adore her, I reply, kissing Grace’s forehead.

Are you okay to watch her while we put our luggage away? Sean butts in.

Both Sean and Hadley have tired looks on their faces.

It’s hard to believe that at just nineteen years of age, my bro here is the father of the cute one-year-old squirming in my arms.

The ride, though, has been a bumpy one.

Telling him I’ll watch Grace for a couple of hours so they can catch up on some sleep, I turn to head out to my room. When I glance back, I catch a look on Sean and Hadley’s faces that tells me sleep is the last thing on their minds.

Grinning, I redirect my attention to the giggling bundle of joy in my arms and shut the door behind me. Silently, I wish them luck because Sophie will no doubt find a way to cockblock them somehow.

Come on, cutie, let’s go see what mischief you and I can get into, I tell an excited Grace as we take the path down toward the guesthouse.

***

Luke, a soft, feminine voice shatters my dream. Luke, wake up.

Shit!

Where the fuck am I?

Sitting up, I gather my wits, glancing around the room to work out where the hell I am.

My room.

Looking toward my door, I find an amused Hadley leaning against the doorframe, smiling at me.

God, that girl is a sneaky bitch.

Glancing down, I find little Grace sleeping next to me, and now I understand why her mother is trying not to speak too loudly.

What’s so funny, Hads? I ask, rubbing my hand over my face.

You, manwhore. She laughs, moving toward my bed. You had some nice moves with the girl upstairs from what I hear.

Goddamn Sophie, I think with a smirk. You know how it works, Hadley. You have to take these opportunities when they present themselves.

Oh, don’t I know it, she smirks in return, propping herself on the bed next to her sleeping daughter.

Leaning in, she kisses the little sleeping beauty between us on the forehead before leaning back against my headboard.

Comfy? I tease, watching as she shuffles down my bed to lie on her side.

Smiling back at me, she gets a look in her eyes that I’m all too familiar with.

I know what you want, Hadley. You have that look all chicks get when they want to talk.

Giggling softly, she tells me that maybe we know her a bit too well. Her idle threat about it being time to silence us makes me grunt in laughter a little louder than I had intended. I wish her luck, especially with disposing of the bodies, causing Hadley to chuckle. It’s a good thing we are as close to Hadley as we are because there was a time when she would have followed through on a threat like that.

What’s bothering you, Luke? she asks, a more serious tone now lacing her voice.

What makes you think something’s bothering me? I ask, guessing that Sophie’s meddling is the reason behind Hads’s sudden need to talk.

Tell me about her, she replies after a few moments of silence.

Those four words catch my attention.

Who has she been talking to, and what the fuck have they said?

‘Her’? I gulp, staring into her eyes.

Yes, her, Luke, the girl that haunts your dreams. The one who has created this person you are today, and before you ask, your friends haven’t said a word. Your face gives away more than you realize.

Goddamn, this girl is a pain in my ass.

Between her and Sophie, I stand no fucking chance.

Don’t go feeding me any bullshit story either. You may as well spill because I’m not leaving until you do.

Running my hands over my face, I sigh.

Focusing my sight on the wall behind Hadley, my breaths start coming in short, shallow bursts, and my chest is heaving as though it’s struggling for air. It’s the same motion my body goes through every time I remember the day Peyton left.

That was the day my world crumbled and I changed into the man I am today.

Without looking at Hadley, I start from the beginning and tell her about the day my girl moved in next door to my family and me.

Smiling, I recall that day as though it were only yesterday.

Ben, Kyle, Stephen, and I were only six years old at the time and climbing the tree in my front yard. I remember that as being one of the best summers of my life. The four of us, with the help of my older brother James, built a makeshift cubbyhouse in that tree. That was back when James was fun to be around and not the anal-retentive asshole he is today.

We were fascinated with the house next to mine that summer. It was old and creepy looking and had been empty for the longest time.

There were these wooden shutters on the windows that had seen better days. Every one of those beams were warped, hanging on by a thread, and they scared the crap out of me every winter when they would flap around in the wind.

The boys and I used to imagine that place was haunted because old Mr. Berkley died in that house, and no one had lived in it since. It’s why we built the cubbyhouse in the first place, so that we could play a game of finding his ghost in one of the windows. Not one of us would go near it, each of us too scared to even open the front gate. We always imagined Mr. Berkley turning into a monster and coming out to eat us if we got too close.

Well, we did until the day Peyton, and