Chapter Text
Sundays were Shauna Sadecki’s favorite part of the week.
The morning rain had left a sheen on the pavement, the soft dew still clung to the leaves of the trees. The scent of the damp Earth lingered, mingling with the flowers she was potting in the front yard, the soil rich and dark between her fingertips. The stillness was a gift, a quiet where it was only her and her thoughts. She had spent the hour repotting a stubborn violet, its delicate petals wilting from the small pot it had long outgrown. Her hands carved into the soil, teasing its roots loose, settling them into a new antique pot.
Her husband, Jeff, was upstairs still, likely sleeping off another late night in his office with endless paperwork and distant attention. But Shauna never minded the distance between them; in fact, it suited her to live in a quiet house where she could just pretend. She could keep up the charade—the perfect wife. With freshly potted flowers, well-maintained house, the calm smile that served Jeff dinner every night at the same time.
But today, as the sun stretched its golden rays over the yard, something felt different. She could hear the faint chirping of birds in the trees, the rustling of leaves, the far hum of a lawnmower starting up. A soft rumble broke through her musing—the distant sound of a car pulling into the driveway of the house next door. It was unusual for that specific house, who’s only car was a beat up pick-up truck belonging to a middle-aged man. Through the gap in the fence, she caught a glimpse of the man lingering on his front porch, flannel hugging his broad shoulders.
Shauna’s curiosity heightened as a girl slammed the door of her car shut, maybe in her early twenties, with a kind of oneness that felt out of place in their sleepy suburban neighborhood. She looked about the same height as Shauna, with a lean, angular frame, fashioning a vintage Talking Heads t-shirt underneath a jean jacket much too big for her. The bottoms of her faded jeans sat perfectly over her worn converse, dragging against the pavement. Her hair—golden brown—sat on her shoulders, framing her face nicely. Shauna felt an odd pull at the sight of the younger girl, a sense of something untamed, wild.
Before Shauna could step back into her own world, a voice broke through the quiet. The man inched toward the car, grabbing a moving box from the backseat. “Jackie. You were supposed to park on the street. I gotta leave for work in an hour.”
The girl—Jackie—grabbed a box herself, voiced laced with something sharp and bitter. “Sorry for not doing something you never told me to do, Dad.”
Dad? Shauna never would’ve thought. But now that she paid attention to the pair, they were mirrors of each other—same olive hair, same jaded walk, same raspy voice.
Their conversation dulled out as they both entered the house with boxes. When they came back out, their tones deepened. The tension was almost tangible, thickening with the air between them.
Jackie quickly trailed after her father, “Dad! Taking a break and quitting are two separate things. I’m not quitting school.”
“Taking a break?” He scoffed, reaching for another box, heavier than the other, “You can’t just waltz away from school. You can’t run away from responsibility.”
“I’m figuring things out. I can handle my shit.”
The stillness of the pair entering the house panning in and out again.
“When you’re under my house, you’ll be following my goddamn rules. You better make it clear you understand because I’m not gonna say it again,” Jackie’s father grabbed the final box, marching his way back inside.
The younger girl watched her father leave, pacing back and forth down the driveway with her jaw clenched. With a sharp exhale, she slammed her hand against the hood of her car, heaving in and out.
Goddamnit, the girl muttered, leaning against the car door, forehead dropping against its cool metal surface. Shauna’s breath caught in her throat when Jackie suddenly straightened, wiping her hands on her jeans. When the younger girl turned, movements sharp, their eyes met.
Shauna’s heart skipped a beat, but Jackie didn’t look away. There was no defiance in her gaze, not exactly, but there was no apology either. Her hazel eyes blazed from the argument, chest still heaving faintly. For a moment, neither of them moved.
Hurriedly, Shauna shifted her attention back to the flowerpot in front of her, trying to pretend she hadn’t watched. But her hands felt clumsy, fumbling the soil awkwardly. She could feel Jackie’s eyes still on her, waiting until the sound of her sneakers scuffing against the pavement had disappeared.
Shauna lingered outside longer than she should’ve, hands brushing over petals that didn’t need tending. Her eyes darted to the now-quiet driveway next door, childing herself for being drawn in. Shauna didn’t mean to eavesdrop. It wasn’t her business, yet there was something about Jackie. Something she couldn’t name.
She dusted off her hands and went back inside, the familiar coolness of her house greeting her like a hug. The house was still and everything was in its place, as it always was. The countertops were spotless, dishes done, vase of sunflowers sat perfectly centered on the kitchen table. Jeff worked late most nights, so it had been months since they had even sat down for meals more than once or twice a week. When they did, conversations always felt rehearsed, like pleasantries with a stranger.
“How was work?”
“Work was fine. How was your day?”
“Y’know. The usual.”
That was just how they communicated—in polite, short sentences, like colleagues on different work shifts. It hadn’t always been like this. When they were younger, newlywed and ambitious, there was excitement. A rush of what was to come. They spent nights in apartments, sharing kisses on balconies, dreaming about the life they would have.
But time had a way of dulling edges. When Jeff’s career as a senior marketing manager at the local firm kicked off, she had moved to the perfection of the house. What once used to comfort her now felt like a museum display.
It was late in the afternoon, when the hours stretched the longest and felt the emptiest. Shauna leaned against the counter, running cold water over her hands. She stared out the window, catching a glimpse of her reflection. Her face was flushed, cheekbones sat high in her face, brunette curled hair sat loosely on her shoulders.
She opened the fridge and scanned top to bottom—milk, eggs, leftover pasta, assorted fruits—making a mental note of what to pick up at the grocery store. Grabbing her tote bag, her heels clicked softly along the tile of the floor as she headed for the door.
The grocery store was, to Shauna’s luck, quiet when she arrived. She moved down aisles with precision, tossing items into her shopping carts without much thought. She rounded corners, navigating the maze of the store while humming a soft tune. The fluorescent lights buzzed faintly, blending into the muffled din of carts squealing against the polished floors. She picked up a jar of honey with delicacy, turning it in her hands and if the decision required heavy thought. It didn’t, of course. The brand didn’t matter, but lingering in the store a moment longer felt better than rushing back home. She placed the jar in her cart and headed towards the checkout lane.
By the time she had reached the checkout, her cart carried more than she had planned to buy. The cashier, a polite young woman with green eyes and a toothy smile, rang her up as she stared at the magazine rack.
“Paper or plastic?” The girl smiled, grabbing a few bananas.
“Plastic is fine,” Shauna uttered as she pulled out her wallet.
As she pushed her cart into the late afternoon sun, she squinted in the light, heat wrapping around her like a blanket. She worked methodically to load her bags into the car, savoring the slice of independence the errand had afforded her.
Just as she placed the fresh bouquet of flowers down neatly, she heard footsteps approaching, unhurried and deliberate.
“Need a hand?”
The familiar voice hung low, making Shauna turn, shielding her eyes from the sunset. Jackie.
Shauna blinked, caught off guard by the sight of Jackie, one hand casually tucked in her pocket while the other dangled a six-pack of beer. Her posture was loose and relaxed, yet something about her felt sharp. The way her lips quivered into a smirk felt too confident.
“No, thank you,” Shauna tone was polite, loading another heavy bag into the trunk. Yet, Jackie persisted.
“You’re the neighbor, right? With the perfect flowers,” Jackie leaned against the car, resting the six-pack on her hip.
Shauna paused, a box of cereal halfway into the trunk, “I wouldn’t call them perfect.”
“Looked pretty perfect to me,” Jackie’s smirk deepened. “Saw you repotting, right? Very Martha Stewart of you.”
“You were watching?”
Jackie raised both hands in surrender, “Not like that, relax. Trying to get to know the neighborhood. You’re pretty hard to miss.”
Shauna turned toward the trunk, busing herself with arranging bags in the car. Something in her hoped she would leave.
“It’s Jackie, by the way.” Jackie’s tone softened, “My name. Stan’s my stepdad.”
Shauna nodded. “Shauna.”
“So, what’s it like living next to my dad?” She asked, edged with something Shauna couldn’t quite figure out.
“I wouldn’t know,” Shauna replied curtly. “We don’t speak much.”
Jackie laughed, “Yeah. He’s not much of a people’s person.”
Shauna straightened, curiosity piqued despite herself, “You don’t get along?”
Jackie tilted her head, studying Shauna, “We have… different philosophies.”
“About?”
“Everything.” Jackie grinned, “He thinks I should have my life figured out by now.”
“So that’s why you’re here? To figure things out?”
“No. I’m just here on a break from college. I’m not sure if I want to figure things out yet.”
A silence fell between them.
“Speaking of things my Dad doesn’t approve of,” Jackie stumbled with the six-pack, “D’ya mind not telling him about these? He’d never let me live it down.”
“Not sure if I want to get involved.”
“You seem cool—too cool to narc on me.”
“Are you even old enough to drink?”
“They say nineteen’s the new twenty-one.” Jackie shifted, “Please?”
Shauna scoffed, “Is this what kids do nowadays? Get caught with contraband?”
“Didn’t know I needed a life lesson in the middle of a parking lot.” Jackie smiled, “If you don’t snitch, we could share one at my place tonight? Or yours?”
“Absolutely not,” Shauna’s scoffed sternly, her small laughter fading. “But… I won’t.”
“Good girl,” Jackie’s smirk widened. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I am going to demolish these and play Fallout all night.”
Jackie turned on her heel and headed toward her own car, just a few away from Shauna’s. She tossed the six-pack in the passenger seat before leaning against the door, fingers drumming lazily on the roof. She glanced over her shoulder, “See you around, Martha.”
Before Shauna could respond, Jackie slid into the driver’s seat, starting the engine with a grumbling roar. The car’s tail lights disappeared as she turned onto the main road, leaving Shauna still, watching the spot where Jackie’s car was. She closed the trunk with a slam, laughing to herself.
What an asshole.
Sliding into her seat, she adjusted the rear view mirror. She just sat there, hands resting lightly on the steering wheel, her thoughts circling back to Jackie before driving off.
There was something magnetic about her, Shauna realized. That cocky attitude, the way she carried herself. It was ridiculous, childish even. But, she was just an ignorant nineteen year-old college student. Shauna was the same way at her age.
As she pulled into her driveway, seeing Jackie’s car already parked on the street, her lips betrayed her, curling into a faint hint of a smile. Trouble was the word. She was nothing but trouble.
𝜗𝜚
A package arrived on a Friday afternoon, days after Shauna’s encounter with Jackie at the store. She stood on the porch, arms crossed gently, as the delivery driver hauled the box into the living room. It was large and heavy, holding a bookcase, the kind of thing Jeff would grumble that she didn’t need if he were home. But, fortunately, he wasn’t.
“Thank you,” Shauna murmured as she gave the driver a polite nod, watching him head back into his truck. Inside, Shauna stared down the box. The impulsive purchase of a self-assembled bookcase seemed so simple when she ordered it. Now, it loomed in front of her like a challenge.
After opening the box with a box cutter and taking out all of the pieces, she went to search for Jeff’s tools. She checked the hall closet first, then the basement storage shelves. But all she managed to find was a misplaced hammer. It was typical of Jeff. To make things inconvenient without even trying.
After another fruitless search, Shauna sighed, resting her hands on her hips. The only other option was to borrow tools from someone else. Her gaze shifted out of her window, the Taylor house inviting. Jackie’s father wasn’t home—his pickup truck was gone—but Jackie’s unmistakable silhouette could be seen through the kitchen window, leaning casually against the counter as she ate grapes straight from the bag.
Shauna straightened. She didn’t want to have to deal with Robbin, but she had no choice. It’s just tools, Shauna told herself.
Grabbing her keys, she stepped outside and cut across her yard, heels clicking softly against the ground. She reached Jackie’s door, hand hovering the doorbell hesitantly. The ring cut through the quiet of the afternoon.
After what felt like an eternity, the door swung open. There was Jackie, in a loose crew neck, sweatpants, and socks, spoon of peanut butter in her hand with the jar tucked between her arms.
“Hey neighbor,” Jackie spoke casually, earbuds hanging from her neck. “What’s up?”
Shauna shifted her weight, “I was wondering if I could borrow some tools? Your father wouldn’t happen to have a set I could use, would he?”
“You’re asking the daughter of the world’s best handyman. Come in.”
Shauna hesitated for a second before brushing past her on the way inside. For a single forty-something year old man, his house was pleasantly decorated. Jackie shut the door behind her, closing the lid of the peanut butter jar and setting it aside on the coffee table.
“What are you building?” Jackie marched through the dining room into the garage.
Shauna followed, “A bookcase. Self assembly. Don’t really know what I was thinking.”
Jackie snorted, “Yeah. The kind that makes you question your life choices. Been there.”
Despite herself, she smiled. “Exactly.”
Jackie led Shauna further into the garage, a soft hum of background music from a radio that had been left on low filling the space. The walls were lined with shelves and cluttered toolboxes, a faint smell of sawdust and gasoline lingering in the air.
Jackie walked over to the cluttered workbench, wood surface barely visible beneath the layers of old paint, screws, and half-finished slabs of cut wood. Jackie’s hands brushed through a pile of mismatched tools.
“Is your husband helping with said DIY?” Jackie asked, just missing Shauna’s fleeting eyes. “Jeff, is it?”
“I prefer to do it myself. Helps stay busy.”
“You’re polished,” Jackie pulled out a rusty toolbox from under the bench, revealing a jumbled assortment of tools.
Shauna tilted her head. “I just like a challenge.”
Jackie’s tone softened, revealing a suddenly sweet smile. She looked down with a sort of melancholy. “I get it. I don’t like asking for help either.”
It was a moment that made Shauna pause for a second. Just when she thought she was able to read Jackie like a book.
“This should have everything,” Jackie latched the hooks of the box, pulling it off of the table, “I’ll carry it for you.”
“Oh no, It’s alright. I’ve—”
“Let me take it. Gotta’ save your energy for the building, neighbor. Lead the way?”
Jackie held the toolbox with ease, despite its obvious weight. The pair moved swiftly across the garage and through the house to the front door. Jackie walked with a purposeful stride, socks shuffling against the grass as they crossed the lawn. The afternoon sun was soft, filtering through the trees, giving everything a golden hue.
They reached the front door, and Shauna hastily opened it for Jackie to shuffle inside. The younger girl sat the toolbox down with a small grunt, the sound of her exhaling filling the space between them. Her soft groans rang in Shauna’s ears. Jackie straightened, stretching her back, the motion causing her crewneck to ride up. For a brief moment, Shauna saw the bare skin of Jackie’s abdomen—the gentle curve of her toned muscles, the smoothness of her skin.
Her heart drummed in her chest, breath caught in her throat. Jackie caught her breath, eyes flickering up at Shauna’s, catching the subtle moment. She broke the tension, “That was heavy as fuck.”
“Thank you, Jackie,” Shauna smiled, receiving a smirk. That cocky smirk.
“Anytime,” Jackie brushed her hands off, “If you need anything, I’m next door. Just scream.”
Shauna stood still as Jackie walked away toward the door, a light breeze ruffling her hair. The door shutting echoed throughout the house.
There was an odd weight in her chest, like she had come face-to-face with something she couldn’t name. The way Jackie moved, or the sharp, unintentional intimacy of the moment left her unsettled. Her mind raced to quiet thoughts that swarmed her head, circling through the moments. The air felt thick in the room, heavy with something she couldn’t face.
No. It’s not true.
She repeated it like a mantra, forcing it to stick. She crossed the room briskly, too briskly, like trying to outrun fleeting feelings that had taken root. Her thoughts always drifted back to Jackie. The nineteen year-old college kid.
It was foolish. Jackie was young and brash, too carefree. Still, the image of Jackie’s lithe frame, her soft skin, persisted in her mind.
She wasn’t that person.
𝜗𝜚
The next morning, the quiet hum of the house contrasted the clatter of wood and screw filling Shauna’s living room. She was on her third attempt at assembling the bookcase, trying to align the pieces perfectly. Her fingers were sore from the night before, trying to make sense of the instructions.
Jeff had come home late the night before to the clutter, slipping in quietly from the night. He hadn’t even helped Shauna when he saw her struggling to read the instructions for the first time, giving a passing glance before heading upstairs.
The edges of her patience thinned as she misplaced a piece yet again, having to take out the screws. Just as she got to the last one, a knock on the door rang through the house, soft but clear. She thought it was something else in the mail, but it was deliberate. Someone was there to see her.
Shauna, in a casual outfit—shorts and one of Jeff’s old t-shirts—stood from her spot on the floor and slid across the living room. She opened the door, met with Jackie holding two to-go cups of coffee. She stood in loose, faded grey jeans, cuffed at the ankles, paired with a simple black t-shirt that hung casually on her frame.
“I saw your lights on pretty late last night. Thought you’d be pretty tired, so I got coffee. I don’t know how you take your coffee, so if it’s shit, you can tell me. But it’s good coffee. From that café. Pennie’s. At least my Dad says it's good. He said he saw you with a cup once. Might’ve been a few years ago—”
“Thank you,” Shauna purposefully interrupted her bantering. “Come. Come in.”
Jackie took off her shoes near the door and handed Shauna her coffee, its warmth soothing the soreness of her worked hands. Shauna took in his hazelnut aroma, guzzling about a quarter of it in a few seconds.
“You really are tired,” Jackie slowly sipped her coffee.
Shauna groaned, wiping her coffee stained lips. “This thing is impossible.”
“Mind if I tried?” Jackie sat her coffee down, “I’m no expert, but I’ve built a thing or two.”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Jackie took a seat on the floor in front of Shauna’s progress, examining it with a furrowed brow.
“You’ve got a good start,” Jackie’s tone was light but teasing.
“For someone who’s never done this before,” Shauna replied, examining her crooked screws.
Jackie sat back on her heels. “Yeah, but there’s a saying: you can’t build a house without a few loose screws.”
Shauna scoffed, “That’s pretty stupid.”
“Not wrong, though,” Jackie shrugged. “This thing could use a few more screws. Hold it steady.”
Shauna obeyed, steadying the frame as Jackie leaned in, arms brushing Shauna’s briefly. Her movements felt practiced but relaxed.
“So, how old are you, by the way?” Jackie asked suddenly, her tone casual with a hint of curiosity. “Not assuming or anything. Or are you one of those middle-aged women who get offended?”
Shauna snorted softly, shaking her head, “No, it doesn’t bother me. I’m thirty-one.”
Jackie paused mid-screw, eyes widened. “Wow. You’re really young. Not that I thought you were older,” Jackie quickly added, words tumbling out in a rush like they always did.
Shauna laughed lightly, brushing a stray hair out of her face, “I married young. Still no kids, though.”
Jackie straightened, propping her elbow on her knee. “You don’t want them. Trust me. I’ve got two younger brothers back in my hometown. I’ve never smelt so much Axe body spray in my life.”
Shauna smiled, tightening the screws on her side. “I always wanted a girl. So I could have a friend.”
Jackie’s gaze softened. “I think you have a friend now.”
Shauna stilled, hand hovering the screw driver. Jackie hit her with an unexpected weight. She quickly glanced back at the instructions, pretending to read the next few steps.
Shauna’s tone shifted slightly. “Why are you really taking a break from school? Don’t say ‘figuring things out.’ You’re smart. I think you’ve already figured it out.”
“I…” Jackie hesitated, gripping the screwdriver tightly. “I’m suspended. For ‘publicly challenging a professor during a lecture.’ It’s completely bullshit.”
Shauna tilted her head, “Sounds like you.”
Jackie let out a short laugh. “Yeah and it’s not my first offense being ‘insubordinate’.”
“Does your Dad know?”
“No. And he never will. I’m too scared to tell him,” Jackie’s head dropped to the floor. “It’s like he already predicted it though, my downfall. He thinks I can’t do anything.”
Shauna rested a hand on Jackie’s shoulder, “I think you’re a pretty good bookcase builder.”
Jackie’s mouth quirked up into a grin. “That means so much to me,” she said dramatically, placing a hand over her chest in mock gratitude.
An hour later, the bookcase stood upright in the center of the room, gleaming in triumph. Jackie wiped her forehead with her back on her hand, shirt riding up slightly to reveal a sliver of her abdomen. Shauna quickly looked away and reached for her cup of coffee.
“One more screw,” Jackie said, twisting the last into place, “And I think we just built a bookcase.”
Shauna exhaled, leaning against the wall with an exhausted smile, “ You actually did it.”
Jackie tilted her head, “We, Shauna. We did it.”
Shauna shook her head. “I’m just glad it’s over.”
Jackie stretched, her arms raised above her head as she groaned softly. “Moving it’s gonna be the real pain,” she said, gesturing to Shauna to get on the other side of the bookcase.
Together, they hefted the bookcase across the room, their movements uncoordinated but determined. Jackie barked out instructions like a coach as Shauna groaned under the weight of the bookcase. When they finally got it into place, they both collapsed back to the floor, sitting shoulder to shoulder as they caught their breath. Shauna sipped her coffee again, nearly out, gaze drifting to Jackie’s profile.
“Thank you, Jackie,” Shauna spoke quietly, voice barely above a whisper.
A small, lazy smile stretched across Jackie’s face, “Anytime.”
The room felt still for a moment. Jackie’s hand moved almost instinctively, brushing a stray strand of hair behind Shauna’s ear. The touch was soft, lingering, and their eyes meeting caught Shauna’s heart in her throat. The space between them narrowed slightly—the pull, the temptation to close it.
The sudden sound of footsteps leading down the stairs made both of them jolt.
Shauna pulled back quickly, her face flushing. Jackie stood, her movements hurried and awkward, and Shauna followed, watching Jeff tumble down the stairs in a lanky striped suit and his work bag, hair combed to the side and heavy eye bags.
“Shauna,” Jeff said quietly. “What’s all this?”
Shauna straightened, brushing her hands against her shorts. “I ordered a bookcase. It came yesterday. I was putting it together last night.”
Jeff gave the bookcase a perfunctory glance. “Looks fine. Didn’t need to make a mess, though.”
Jackie, who had been leaning against the counter sipping the last of her coffee, raised an eyebrow. “She didn’t make a mess. She built a bookcase.”
Jeff turned, expression darkening, as his gaze flickered from her loose black shirt to her cuffed jeans. “Who’s this?”
Jackie set her cup down, unfazed by his tone. She extended a hand, her grin lopsided. “Jackie Taylor,” she said, “Part-time furniture assembler. I live next door.”
Jeff didn’t take her hand, instead crossing his arms over his chest, “Well, thanks for the… assistance.”
“Just happy to lend help when help is needed,” Jackie let her hand fall to her side.
Jeff checked his watch, “Well, I’ve got to go.”
He made his way to the door, kicking aside a few loose screws in his path. “Shauna… Jackie.”
The front door clicked shut. Jackie whistled low under her breath, crossing her arms, “What a fucking asshole.”
Shauna sighed. “He’s… practical.”
“Well,” Jackie trailed to throw her empty to-go cup into the kitchen trash, “I should probably get going before I make myself more unpopular around here.”
“You don’t have to leave.”
“Nah, I should,” Jackie smiled, scratching her nape. “Keep the toolbox. My Dad’s got plenty. He won’t miss it.”
“Thanks. And thanks for your help,” Shauna said softly, voice carrying warmth, wishing Jackie would stay. Even a second longer. The younger girl nodded and she slipped her shoes back on and opened the front door.
And then, she was gone.
𝜗𝜚
Shauna sat on her patio, nestled deep into an armchair, book resting in her lap. The quiet of the afternoon enveloped her, comforting and gentle. The rustling of leaves in the breeze, the faint chirping of birds, the setting evening sun—everything was perfect. She turned another page, lost in the words.
It had been a few days since Shauna had seen Jackie. It was for the better. Shauna had managed to get over herself and her simple perversion, realizing that such a thing could never happen. What almost was a kiss was merely a fluke. Shauna needed to distance herself from Jackie and sink back into her simple life, the one before a reckless nineteen year old had waltzed right in and stolen her heart.
A loud thwack echoed from the next yard—Jackie’s. The sound of a football bouncing against the wooden fence followed, Shauna’s gaze shifting lazily toward the noise. Through a gap in the fence, she saw a figure, who was undeniably Jackie, wearing an open button up and jeans. Her movements were clumsy yet graceful, throwing a football back and forth across the backyard.
A few moments later, the ball bounced again, this time with a sharp crack against the fence, and before Shauna could even register, the ball sailed over the top of the fence and landed in the center of her yard. Shauna didn’t move an inch. Don’t notice, don’t get involved.
The younger girl peaked over the fence, just tall enough for her eyes to reach. She shielded her eyes, searching for the football, spotting Shauna seamlessly sitting on her chair.
“Didn’t see you there, stranger.”
Shauna blinked, slowly nodding as she sat her book aside. “It’s nice today.”
“Yeah,” Jackie nodded, pulling herself further up the fence. “Mind if I grab that?”
“I’ll get it for you,” Shauna said bluntly, getting up from her chair. She walked to the center of her lawn, reaching down to grab the worn down football. When she turned back around, Jackie was already halfway over the fence, landing softly on Shauna’s side.
“That wasn’t necessary,” Shauna scoffed, “I was getting it.”
“I know. Just… meeting you halfway,” Jackie smirked, approaching Shauna. The younger girl tried reaching for the ball, but Shauna pulled it fast behind her back.
“Not so fast.” Shauna twirled the ball in her hands, “Go long.”
“Are you being serious right now?” Jackie furrowed her brows, “Didn’t take you for a sports person.”
“For your information, I was a forward on my high school’s soccer team. We went to nationals. And it looks like I’m doing you a favor. You were playing alone, weren’t you?”
“Is it a crime?” Jackie took a few strides back.
Shauna gripped the ball tightly, stepping back herself. She tossed the ball gently in the air, a bit higher than necessary. It sailed through the air, teasingly close to the younger girl before falling at her feet.
“Did you mean to do that?” Jackie grinned. “You’re pretty shitty.”
Shauna scoffed, crossing her arms. Jackie took a few steps toward, picking up the ball in front of her. She tossed the ball back to Shauna with a flick of her wrist, a bit off-center, but Shauna managed to catch the ball seamlessy with a wide grin on her face. When Shauna threw the ball again, it whirled in the air and landed even farther than before. Jackie jogged to retrieve the ball, holding it aloft like some kind of trophy. “I think your aim needs lots of work.”
“Yeah?” Shauna closed in on Jackie, reaching for the ball. Jackie laughed and twisted away, but Shauna was quicker than she looked, hands wrapping around the ball and pulling it free from Jackie’s grasp. “I bet you couldn’t tackle me.”
The younger girl sprinted forward, but Shauna was already moving in the opposite direction, her long strides carrying her effortlessly across the yard. Jackie chased Shauna around like a duckling, weaving through the patio and flowerbeds arranged on the edges of the lawn. Just before Jackie had the older woman in her hands, she sidestepped, dodging the grab Jackie made for her.
“You’re not even trying!” Shauna laughed, ball tight in her arms.
Fueled by Shauna’s triumph, Jackie dashed forward, on another wild goose chase. Shauna gasped feeling Jackie’s hands pull at her waist, her feet losing contact with the ground. They both tumbled to the grass in a heap, rolling until they came to a stop. Jackie was half on top of Shauna, both of them tangled in a mess of limbs and laughter.
They laid there for a moment, their chests heaving from exertion, bodies close. Shauna’s pulse thudded in her ears, louder than ever. Jackie’s breath brushed against her skin, warm and comforting. Everything went still.
Jackie’s face hovered inches above hers, lips slightly parted, her hair falling in wild strands around her face. Then, in the space of a breath, Jackie leaned forward, capturing her lips with a softness.
Shauna, in another world, responded immediately, lips pressing against Jackie’s with urgency. The kiss deepened, Shauna melting under the cushion of Jackie’s lips. Jackie rested her weight onto Shauna, who embraced her entirely. The feeling of Jackie’s hands traveling the sides of Shauna’s waist made the older girl stiffen. In an instant, Shauna pulled away and sat up, heart racing.
Jackie perched herself on her side, eyes searching Shauna’s. “I’m so sorry. Did I do something wrong?”
“We can’t,” Shauna muttered just above a whisper, voice trembling as her pulse thudded in her throat.
Jackie’s eyes were soft, unguarded. “Why?”
“Fucks sake, Jackie!” Shauna “You’re nineteen. I’m married! This has gone far enough.”
“I’m not just some reckless, stupid kid messing around, okay? I’m not playing some game with you. I know what I want, and I—” She faltered, her voice catching. “I like you. More than anyone ever. I think you feel the same way.”
“It’s not that simple,” Shauna looked away, shaking her head. “You don’t understand.”
“Maybe it is,” Jackie inched closer. “I get it. You’ve got a nice life. A husband. A house. I’m just a mess. I was lucky you even decided to give me a chance. I know that. I’m not trying to pretend this isn’t complicated.” Jackie hesitated, voice softening into cracks. “But I’ve never met anyone like you, Shauna. I’ve tried to see other people. All I can think about is you.”
“Jackie—”
“If you’re gonna’ try to scare me, walk away now. I won’t feel any different,” Jackie met Shauna’s gaze, “Neither will you.”
Shauna dove into Jackie, humming at the taste of her rosy lips. The kiss she had longed for, the kiss that was an answer, a surrender. The older girl held Jackie’s face gently in her hands, thumb caressing her cheek tenderly. Their heads tilted as their lips lapped rhythmically, slowly as first, growing evermore lustful as the seconds passed by. Jackie’s hands threaded in Shauna’s brunette locks, earning a soft pant that was a longing for air.
They stood from the ground, silently hurrying across the yard, Shauna’s hand still in hers. The click of the back door as if closed behind them felt louder than it should have, the quietness of the house enveloping them. Shauna’s back hit the nearest wall, Jackie’s weight pushing down on her. Jackie’s lips found hers again, with an intensity that made the rest of the world fade into the distance, a tenderness that carried the weight of her yearning.
Shauna guided Jackie through the living room, moving clumsily through the maze of furniture. Jackie’s hands finding Shauna’s waist was the only thing steadying her enough to not knock into anything. Shauna let out a soft gasp against Jackie’s lips, her hands tracing the curve of her back as they turned the corner up the stairs.
The creak of the floorboards under their steps up the stairs echoed loudly through the empty house, uneven and hurried. Jackie followed Shauna as they reached the top of the stairs, navigating through the long hallways until they reached the bedroom.
In the blink of an eye, Shauna pressed Jackie onto the bed, sinking into the plush of the sea of sheets. The younger girl sat restlessly, chest rising and falling with shallow breaths, like she couldn’t quite catch herself. Her cheeks were a deep flush, contrasting the pale glow of her skin. Her lips were slightly parted, still swollen from their kissing, and her eyes—wide and searching—seemed to shimmer as they met Shauna’s.
Shauna lowered herself onto Jackie, meeting her lips again. Jackie’s hands instinctively came up to steady her, settling on her waist gently. She slid her arms around Jackie’s neck, bodies fitting like pieces of a puzzle and their lips danced languidly. The older girl slid Jackie’s button up off of her shoulders, letting it fall off of her like a sigh. Shauna lifted her own close-knit sweater over her head, following by unclasping her bra. Her bare breasts were covered by her hair, and she guided Jackie’s hand to move her brunette locks behind her shoulder. Jackie’s knuckles grazed Shauna’s hardened nipples, sending a shiver down her spine.
“You’re so beautiful,” Jackie murmured, her voice soft and almost breathless, as if speaking too loudly would shatter the fragile stillness between them. “Can I?”
Shauna nodded, and Jackie hesitantly cupped each of Shauna’s breasts in her hands. She trailed kisses from her collarbone to the canal of her chest, lips latching onto her nipple. She received an audible reaction, Shauna’s breath hitched as Jackie’s tongue rolled her tongue against her nipple perfectly. A few more moments of kneading Shauna like putty, coaxing noises from her, they both let their nimble fingers peel off clothing—Jackie’s shirt, Shauna’s pants, Jackie’s bra.
Suddenly, Shauna moved down, fingers tracing the edges of Jackie’s ribs as she settled on the floor. Her fingers found the button of Jackie’s jeans, working it free as the noise of the metal echoed between them. Jackie straightened, “Shauna—Shauna. You don’t have to. It’s okay.”
Shauna gazed up at Jackie, sliding her zipper down, teeth parting with a quiet rasp. “I want to. It’s okay, right?”
Jackie gave a small nod. Shauna’s hand fiddled with the waistband of Jackie’s boxer briefs, pulling them down ever so gently. Jackie’s cock sprung free, tall and hard. Shauna stared for a moment, taking in the sight before her, before giving it a few strokes. Her finger teased the head delicately, watching the way Jackie cutely tensed and balled the sheets up in her hands.
Shauna dove in, breath ghosting its length before taking the head in her mouth. Her tongue traced along the tip teasingly, then slowly let her mouth envelope more. Jackie let out an abrupt exhale, head lolled back slightly. “Shauna,” her name fell off her lips perfectly, echoing the quiet room.
Shauna hummed, beginning to bob her head around Jackie’s cock. She worked skillfully, lips gliding up and down Jackie’s length at a steady pace. And Jackie could see Heaven. Shauna looked up at her with half-lidded eyes, coaxing her to climax. The younger girl couldn’t suppress her elicit noises, “Shauna, I just—”
Shauna began to pick up the pace, hands stroking the length her mouth couldn’t reach. Every bob, every stroke, sent Jackie further off the edge, using everything in her to not buck her hips. The girl threaded her fingers through Shauna’s hand, careful not to push, but to hold her. The feeling was like a dream, pent up with so many emotions within the past few days. From a simple kiss to Shauna blowing her in the bed she slept in with her husband—
“Fuck!”
Within seconds, Jackie jolted, muscles tensing up in her body as she came. A string of guttural moans spewed from Jackie, overwhelmed as pleasure washed her body like a wave. Shauna, slightly stunned by the reaction, takes her in whole, swallowing her love contently.
The room stilled. Jackie, coming down from her high, froze in place. She blinked rapidly as her cheeks flashed a deep crimson, flush creeping all the way to her ears. Her hands shot to her face, covering as if to shield herself. She could tell Shauna’s gaze was on her, piercing, waiting for her next move. Jackie let out a muffled sigh behind her fingers.
Twenty seconds. Twenty seconds was all Jackie could last.
Shauna tilted her head, watching the girl’s composure crumble in a way so achingly human. She reached up, gently prying Jackie’s hands from her face.
The setting sun spilled into the room through the blinds, casting long lines against Jackie’s face. She sat motionless against the bed, caught in the warm glow that wrapped around her like a halo. Her hair, disheveled and messy, was kissed by the gold, falling around her face in a way that made her look ethereal. Her lips, wet, full, slightly parted, carried the faintest quiver. Her eyes, caught in her light, met Shauna’s unguarded, laced with an innocence that made Shauna’s stomachs twirl. Jackie exhaled, “I’m pathetic.”
Shauna cupped Jackie’s warm, reddened cheeks, grounding her. “It’s okay. You’re perfect.”
Shauna shifted her weight, straddling Jackie’s and falling into her embrace. Jackie’s lips were warm and impossibly soft, moving against Shauna’s in perfect rhythm. Their kiss depended, no longer tentative but hungry, urgent. Shauna tilted her head, claiming her mouth fully. Jackie let out a soft, barely audible whimper, the sound reverberating through Shauna like a low hum.
Jackie, so wrecked and undone, took pleasure settling her hands on her hips firmly, repositioning further into the middle of the bed. Jackie’s head laid softly against the pillow, while Shauna, hovering over the girl, slipped her panties off her slender legs.
“Condom?” Jackie murmured.
Shauna kissed the girl again, mumbling against her lips, “It’s fine.”
Jackie faltered but didn’t question further. Shauna positioned herself on Jackie’s tip and slowly sinked onto her length. She placed both hands on Jackie’s chest, steadying herself, and Jackie’s hands immediately grabbed her hands to keep them in place.
“God,” Shauna gasped. It’s been so long since she had felt sex. Granted, Jeff once knew exactly how his wife wanted to be pleased, but as time passed, it became a procedure. But Jackie, sweet Jackie, was euphoric.
Jackie let Shauna take the wheel, groaning at the feeling of her sinking down onto her cock. Shauna, settling on the hilt, began to rock in a steady motion. Her hips roll perfectly, picking up some speed, feeling every inch of Jackie inside.
“Shauna,” Jackie whispered, unable to contain herself. Her hands glide along Shauna’s soft skin, from her hips to her abdomen to her perfect breasts. The older girl leaned down, hands rummaging through Jackie's brunette locks, hot breath ghosting moans into her ears.
“Fuck me, Jackie.”
In just a second, Jackie sat up from the pillow, snaking an arm around Shauna’s back, and began to thrust. They both moved in rhythm, Jackie’s hips thrusting forward, pushing deep into Shauna as the older girl rolled her hips. The coaxed noises from each other, Shauna resting her arms around Jackie’s back, pulling her closer than imaginable. It was perfect—sweet elicit moans, soft setting light, Jackie’s eyes, their closeness, sweat-lined bodies, everything suspended in time—
“Jackie!” Shauna’s back arched, howling into the quiet room. Her muscles clenched up, fingers digging into the soft flesh of Jackie’s back. Even after both had come, they rode out their highs until they both fell silent, the sound of panting echoing the room as they tried to catch their breaths.
Shauna fell into the empty space beside Jackie, sweaty back coating the sheets. She stared at the ceiling, chest rising and falling steadily. Her skin tingled where Jackie had touched her, a longing warmth between them. Jackie nestled against Shauna’s shoulder, arm draping loosely across Shauna’s waist. Her short hair, messy and wild, tickled Shauna’s skin as it fanned out over their shared pillow.
Shauna turned her head, gaze drifting to Jackie’s face. Even in the dim light, she could see soft flush lingering on her cheeks, lips parted as if caught mid-thought. “Hi, stranger.”
Shauna reached out, brushing a strand of hair out of Jackie’s face, earning a lazy smile from the younger girl. Jackie shifted, propping herself up on her elbow, looking down at Shauna. Her fingers traced the lines of her face, trailing down her soft lips.
Jackie embraced her in one last kiss, lips barely brushing Shauna’s in the softest, lingering kiss they had shared that evening. When they pulled away neither of them spoke for a moment, air heavy with the oblivious.
“You know you can’t stay, right?” Shauna’s words hung in the air. “Jeff will be home in an hour.”
“I know,” Jackie said quietly before sitting up and running her hands through her hair. Shauna watched as Jackie swung her legs over the side of the bed, a soft rustle of sheets filling the room. She moved deliberately, sliding her boxers on, then her jeans. “What will you do?”
“Like—now or later?”
Jackie clasped her bra. “Now.”
“I’ll wash the sheets. Clean up. Make everything go unnoticed.”
Jackie pulled her shirt over her head. “And later?”
Shauna stood from the bed, “This can’t happen again, Jackie.”
Jackie flung her button up on her shoulders, smoothing it down with a sigh. “I know.”
“We’ll just pretend like nothing happened.” Shauna nodded firmly, and so did Jackie. The younger girl began to slip out of the door of the bedroom, before Shauna called out, “Hey.”
“Yes?” Jackie asked, almost too quickly.
“The sheets… Could you gather them and throw them in the wash? I need to take a shower.”
Jackie looked at her for a moment, expression unreadable for a heartbeat. Then, with a small nod, she stepped back into the room and watched Shauna slip into the bathroom. The faucet shot on, the sound of water jetting out of the shower head echoing the bathroom.
But Shauna stood naked at the door, ear pressed against the wood, listening as Jackie moved around the room and pulled the sheets from the bed. Shauna tried to freeze in the moment, trying to hold onto the last thread of what they had shared. But granted, the sound of Jackie faded, and the weight of their connection, fleeting, settled into her chest, her heart aching, unable to wash Jackie’s recklessness stained on her lips.
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