JJ HART
Human
Posts: 59
Played by:
Ange
Last seen Nov 17, 2024 18:04:49 GMT
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Post by JJ HART on May 15, 2024 19:07:49 GMT
The smile she’d aimed at him over her shoulder as she’d steered her son towards her car had been all sorts of promising. His fingers curled around the flyer she’d handed to him, crumpling it down to almost nothing when Lucille had finally emerged. Bebe obviously hadn’t been at Lucille’s school concert to see her parents sat together. Or maybe she had, and this whole single parents mixer was some sort of cover for a kinkier evening than he’d expected in a repressed little spot like Mystic Falls. He’d shoved the flyer into his pocket as Lucille scrambled into his car, but it stayed on his mind all the way through the movie he’d taken her to, only slipping away when he’d dropped her off home and had talked his way into a nightcap.
JJ worked his way round the edge of the crowd. There was a fringe of women clutching glasses of chardonnay, work suits zhuzhed up with higher heels and too much eyeshadow. They were the sort who were probably on the PTA, noses ready to go up in the air when they realised he wasn’t actually Lucilles dad, he was just the bloke occasionally banging her mom … and without intending to, her aunt too. Elaine – whose name badge was clipped to an honest to god pink twinset – had already scowled at him when he’d pulled a flask out of his pocket to top up his glass. If she weren’t careful those frown lines would stick, a permanent warning to any poor bugger who came to one of these things actually expecting some fun.
Ice rattled in the bottom of his glass as he lifted it to his lips, a thin stream of cold water and fuck all else rolling into his mouth. It had been his third, fourth if you counted his sneaky little top up, but it was doing fuck all to soften the prudish lines of Elaine’s face as he glanced over at her. JJ worked the flask out of his pocket and refilled his glass before he took a belt of it straight from the flask. The crowd shifted and he caught sight of that scowl again. Grinning at her, he saluted her with the flask before he tucked it back out of sight. It was a crying shame, she looked like she had some decent curves under that sweater.
Turning away from her, JJ worked his way deeper into the crowd. There had to be as many Bebe’s here as there were Elaines, or some Lucky-esque single mothers. Hed seen them clustered around the school gates, and scattered in the audience at the concert. Some of them had to have escaped their boring, small town marriages, or kicked their cheating scumbag husbands out on their empty heads. The dating pool couldn’t be shallow enough that it was all made up of a single – albeit hot – bloodline.
Two mouthfuls and the whiskey was gone, slivers of what had been ice went slipping into his mouth. JJ slipped between two of the tables that had been scattered across half of the room. A handful of people were sat around them, heads bent in low conversation, the lights overhead reflecting off the scantily clad top of some bloke’s head and the even more exposed creamy mounds of a cleavage you could go spelunking in. Baldy was talking directly to it – not that he could blame him for that. JJ smirked, his attention slowly rising to meet the woman’s eye. Bebe. And look, the fella’s hand was turning that mini-skirt she had on into a belt.
Hope for a little action on the side – acceptable action – melted away like the ice. Leaving Bebe to her explorer, JJ pushed through to the bar. Surely at some point this party would have to really get started, and, well, if it didn’t, he could always get drunk enough that Elaine might actually start looking like a decent prospect. A couple of cocktails and he’d get that sweater off of her. The ice queen would melt in the end.
”A double rum and coke, please,” JJ said on a sigh as he propped his forearms on the edge of the bar. ”Actually, better make it two, thanks.” Lifting a hand, JJ pinched at the bridge of his nose. He glanced along the bar, his gaze drifting over a slender form. Nothing like Bebe’s lush curves, or Elaine’s hidden ones, but his eyes slid down to the swell of the woman’s backside all the same.
He slipped a twenty to the bartender, then turned and nudged one of the glasses along the bar. ”Bit quiet in here,” he said, humour in his voice. ”You know what time the party’s meant to get going?” Easing closer, his gaze dropped, following the line from her shoulder to a familiar – definitely smaller – pair. JJ snorted out a laugh. He’d know that pair of tits anywhere. ”Single, eh? Does your husband know you’re out tonight?” Wasn’t like he could say anything since he’d thought he was leaving his wife at home.
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LUCKY CHRISTMAS
Psychic
Posts: 101
Played by:
Julia
Last seen Nov 16, 2024 23:24:26 GMT
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Post by LUCKY CHRISTMAS on Jun 6, 2024 21:51:40 GMT
 ━ i'm something bad ━
When she got the text from her Kid-to-Kid reward notifications━which normally only sent her texts when there was a deal on━she’d read it twice to be sure and then scoffed. It was so fucking stupid, but look at her, showing up to it.
Maybe shit was getting a little too heavy with both of her men and this was the sort of break she needed. The fact that she could say ‘both’ men meant there was a serious problem. Lucky hadn’t had anyone stick around like this since Patrick, and now she had two of them? Mitch hadn’t even met Lucille yet━no, not ‘yet,’ ‘cause he wouldn’t meet her. She was in too fucking deep.
So she went for a distraction. She put on a dress, filled a flask with whatever she had in the cabinet━an old bottle of whiskey━and headed out. They’d said in the text that there would be “adult refreshments,” but she didn’t trust that it wouldn’t be sugary wine or watered-down Vodka Sodas.
Single Parent Mingle Night. God, this was fucking sad. Lucky stopped in front of the retail-store-turned-lame-nightclub and frowned at the flyer printed on coloured paper taped to the front door. The blinds were drawn on the big windows facing the parking lot━for privacy, probably, because the sun was down━but she could see pops of colour bleeding through. Jesus Christ, did they have one of those multi-coloured spinning disco balls set up? She could’ve turned right back the fuck around… but she didn’t. She went in, and she felt like an idiot.
Lucky strode to the “bar” anyway━which was basically one of those half-tables at Costco for taste-testing━and waited ‘til the “bartender” was finished taking some guy’s order.
But if it wasn’t her boss’s weird accent, it was someone else’s, and “some guy” ended up being JJ. Of-fucking-course.
She tried not to let it sting a little that he was here, but she felt it. Right in the centre of her chest.
Lucky smirked as JJ ordered her a Coke, and briefly wondered if they were even selling booze at all. “Are they actually making us pay for this shit, or was that just a really generous tip?” She asked, practically sneering, “That bitch at the newspaper finally coughin’ it up?” She knew that wasn’t likely, but wanted to take a chunk outta him anyway. Maybe so he felt a little bit like she did.
Scooping up her cup, Lucky turned to him and leaned into one side of the “bar,” grinning up at JJ. “In a place like this?” She spared the store a glance, then looked back up at him. “I think this’s as lively as it’s gonna get.”
He unashamedly stared down the neck of her dress like he hadn’t seen her naked plenty of times, then made a comment so stupid that she couldn’t help but loudly scoff. “Does your wife?” Lucky asked, narrowing her eyes before the edges of her mouth twisted into a little smirk. Maybe she had no right to be mad, but it didn’t mean she wouldn’t be. “What’s up, huh? Why’re you here? Looking for a new mom to replace the ol’ ball and chain?” The idea━even said teasingly━hurt more than she cared to admit. “Or did you decide you actually liked the Dad Thing and wanted another crack at it? Maybe with a younger kid this time?” One whose personality wasn’t already shaped by her mother who, let’s face it, was as prickly as can be. Lucille wasn’t as bad as her mom, and she loved JJ, but that didn’t mean she was the easiest kid to be around. Lucky bet that these Small Town Moms had perfect fucking cookie-cutter kids who never swore and never argued.
Or maybe he wanted to find a new “wife” who didn’t come with the messiness of an older sister. Like that was Lucky’s fault.
Pulling out her flask from where it hung heavy in one of her dress’s pockets, Lucky took a sip from her cup to make room, then dumped a little whiskey in. And, despite the fact that she hated him a little bit right now, she held up the flask in silent offering.
JJ HART |  |
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JJ HART
Human
Posts: 59
Played by:
Ange
Last seen Nov 17, 2024 18:04:49 GMT
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Post by JJ HART on Jul 8, 2024 17:28:43 GMT
The bulldog who’d been blocking his path with that pinched look should have been an indicator for how his entire night was gonna go. This was meant to be a bit of fun, a little giggle and dance floor grope with Bebe, a trip back to his if he was really lucky. Instead it’d turned into another of those whispers from the universe. Oi mate, how ‘bout keeping it in your pants. Or, you know, trying a little monogamy. As though he and Lucky had ever made that sort of promise. Agreeing not to sleep with her sister again and making that promise not to go drifting out of Lucille’s life wasn’t the same as buying a ring and getting down on one knee. In the back of his mind JJ knew he wasn’t the sort of bloke cut out for that kind of forever commitment. He weren’t like his old man in most ways, but he thought they were too alike in that regard. The General hadn’t been able to keep it in his pants and he was constantly straining at his like he still had the hormones of an eighteen year old.
If he’d gone to the club for the night he might’ve found some near anonymous chance of letting those hormones off the leash for a couple of hours. Instead, like some pathetic divorced dad looking for a fresh taste of what he’d had and lost, he’d walked in here and ended up disappointed. Retreating to the bar, he’d tried to find some way to turn the night around. The piss poor shit they were serving up wasn’t gonna do that, but lookit, he was getting rescued again.
Guilt fizzed in the pit of his stomach as he settled a hand on her back, a little claim like he had to warn the sad sacks in here away from his woman. JJ settled a hip against the bar, his hand sliding round to hers so he could press a little closer – and not just to take a look down the front of her dress this time. ”I wish. I could serve her the world’s greatest story on a plate and I wouldn’t get a single penny extra.” Maybe telling her he had a wife and kid to support would nudge a little generosity out of Destiny, but more likely it’d just feel like he was rubbing salt in a wound that was probably still raw. He didn’t need his wallet padded, but well, who wouldn’t have appreciated a little more at the end of the month.
”It was more hoping he’d have a bottle hidden somewhere under the bar to spice things up,” he admitted with a puff. Shuffling back, he gave Lucky the room to swivel around, settling a hand on her thigh as she did. He pursed his lips together, glancing around as she had then shook his head. ”Maybe I can make a complaint ‘bout it being mis-sold, cause I definitely got told this was gonna be a party.” Or maybe it’d just been Bebe’s look selling it and as usual he’d leapt in with both feet, only realising once he’d hit that he’d landed in a steaming pile of shit.
Things were decidedly better now, but they weren’t necessarily at the top of their trajectory yet. JJ was grinning as his gaze drifted back up the delicate line of her neck. His eyes met hers, the grin still hovering on his full lips, perhaps dangerously. ”Nope,” he said, letting the p pop slightly on his lips. ”I’m thinking I should ask her permission more often, or just coax her to spend some more time out with me. ‘Specially when it means she gets all dressed up.” He dipped his head slightly, nuzzling her cheek before he pressed a kiss at the corner of that smirk. ”Love the dress,” he said, his voice a low rumble. He’d love it more if he got to peel it off later. If being the operative word.
Reaching for his glass, JJ took a sip and grumbled under his breath. It might as well have been water, or some of that shitty wine they’d been passing out when he’d walked in. Wasn’t like parents weren’t allowed to neck a bit on a night out, they shoulda seen how they all used to crawl out of the officers’ balls and those were meant to be highly trained military men and women on constant call.
Guilt touched his expression for a second as he looked back up, then it was softening. Like with Lottie, the idea of him sniffing around elsewhere wasn’t sitting well with Lottie, although this time he didn’t feel like the threat of violence was lingering in the air. ”I ain’t replacing you and Lucille.” JJ held up a hand between the two of them before he lowered it gingerly to settle it on her thigh. ”One of the mums at the gate at Lucille’s school invited me. Figured since I’d lucked out with you, I could do a bit of socialising with the other mums. That don’t break our agreement does it? Figured your sister definitely wasn’t gonna show up here, it’s all just …”
He clamped his mouth shut for a second, glancing around to locate BB in the crowd again before he dropped his gaze back to the subtler curve at the chest of Lucky’s dress. ”Guess I’m paying the price. No decent booze, Bebe over there with some bloke I’m sure is a dream step dad for her kids, being caught by me wife. What about you? Ready to kick your husband to the curb and find yourself someone who you don’t think’s gonna run for the hills at some point soon?” The promise that he’d made the last time they’d done this dance wasn’t an absolute guarantee that he’d do the decent thing after all.
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LUCKY CHRISTMAS
Psychic
Posts: 101
Played by:
Julia
Last seen Nov 16, 2024 23:24:26 GMT
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Post by LUCKY CHRISTMAS on Jul 29, 2024 16:47:04 GMT
━ i'm something bad ━
She didn’t bother to take a sip from her cup yet, but it was entertaining to watch JJ suffer through it. She went for the jugular next, ‘cause if a mention of his “wife” didn’t hurt, then Lucille definitely would. Or so she hoped.
She read the immediate guilt in his expression, and the subsequent lightening. Apparently, mentioning Lucille still worked. At least he hadn’t completely given up on them yet. And, yeah, she had no right to be upset. It wasn’t like she was staying faithful to their marriage, either. Rather than acknowledging all of that, though, she just hummed and nodded slowly. “Right. So you’re using my daughter to pick up women.” Her smirk said she wasn’t entirely upset by it━teasing him somewhat, too.
Lucky followed his gaze to Bebe of all people, and she scoffed. “I dunno. If he keeps eyeing up PTA sl*ts like her, I might have to.” Producing her flask, Lucky dumped some liquor into his plastic cup, then her own before tucking it away again. “You don’t deserve me.” Lucky said with a smirk, then picked up her drink with one hand and slid her fingers between his with the other.
She led him away, across the sad excuse for a dance floor and towards the aisles in the back, stopping in front of what looked like the spot for Toddler sizes. She swallowed a mouthful from her cup before turning in JJ’s arms and using his hand to wrap his arm around her hip. She pressed into his side and let go, her newly-freed hand sliding up his arm ‘til it found a spot to rest on his shoulder.
“What was all that with Lottie, huh?” She asked, her eyes skating up his face. “‘Cause she was ready to marry you, have your kids, everything.” Not realizing that her younger sister had done it all already. And Lottie didn’t have two brain cells to rub together, but was JJ that charming? “You run from her, but not me, huh?” Lucky didn’t expect anything from him, but somehow, he’d committed to even more with her, and neither of them were running from it. Yet.
JJ HART | |
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JJ HART
Human
Posts: 59
Played by:
Ange
Last seen Nov 17, 2024 18:04:49 GMT
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Post by JJ HART on Sept 4, 2024 19:21:05 GMT
For fuck sake. At the rate he was going, he was gonna have to find a book shop here in town and buy an idiot’s guide to maintaining a healthy relationship with your fake wife. Something that defined the boundaries he blindly stumbled over constantly. JJ puffed out a breath through his nose and dipped his head, trying to look contrite for doing it this time. He’d slipped that invisible ring on her finger in a classier version of tonight’s mixer like some bloke stumbling into a wedding chapel in Vegas on a wild weekend. He didn’t know a thing about relationships – Lucky knew it too, calling him on the bullshit that likely would’ve happened if she hadn’t warned him – or about marriage. He supposed he could’ve tossed the blame at his old man’s feet, but he’d done plenty of work avoiding all his other lessons, he coulda done the same when it came to marriage.
Ask. Considering how constantly he ran his mouth, the questions sticking in the boggy depths of his brain shouldn’t have been an issue. The other night when he’d come over for dinner, it woulda been easy. A squeeze of the arm he’d slung around her shoulders as they’d sat on the couch watching TV and fooling around after Lucille had gone to bed. ”Some mum at the school gates told me about a party thing that’s happening. You wanna go?” Bloody simple, but his mind had already fixed on Bebe, just the same way it had when he’d picked Lottie up at the bar. When was he gonna learn that the grass wasn’t greener?
”I’d hope she would,” JJ admitted, chagrin tugging at his smile. He snorted faintly, his nose wrinkling as he shrugged. ”She knows I’m an idiot, and she’s given me a break on most of my dumbassery so far.” There was probably a finite amount of forgiveness for it, eventually he’d run it low and no amount of devotion to Lucille would win it back. He met Lucky’s eye as he drew back from the kiss, his grin echoing hers. ”I oughta say that more often too.” It was as though they’d gone straight from meeting to old married couple (with a caring mother and an occasionally dead beat dad), skipping that whole dating thing in between where he’d have been on his best behaviour.
If he’d skipped this thing and just taken her out to a restaurant instead (something classier than the club or the Grill), they could’ve been knocking back a decent bottle of wine, or at least a couple of cocktails. JJ pressed his lips together. He could’ve gone and got a bottle of something on the way here too, slipping into his pocket like an old drunk. At least the posh twat’s benefit had endless glasses of champagne … and Lucky hadn’t been pissed at him then. That hum that slipped out of her told him she hadn’t forgiven him in an instant for chasing after the swishing skirt of another mum at the school. ”Never,” he shot back in an instant, his hand tightening on her hip for a moment. Although was it really that far from the truth? He had met Bebe at the school gate cause he’d been there with Lucille. It wasn’t like he was losing himself in her cleavage in front of Lucille though, he wasn’t that big a knob.
Letting out a long breath, JJ dragged his gaze away from Bebe and back to Lucky. He might’ve suggested it wasn’t his fault he was so charming, but that might’ve resulted in that crap he’d been drinking being poured over his head. ”We got talking and that was it. I’m not using the school as a pickup joint, and I wouldn’t do anything knowingly to hurt Lucille – or you.” She’d hidden that well, he realised as Lucky pulled a flask out of somewhere and dumped some in his cup. He coulda, woulda kissed her for it if she wasn’t tearing a strip off of him. ”You’re right. I don’t, but I’m glad to have ya.” He’d have said he was lucky to have her, but that woulda just put the final kibosh on the night.
It was better to make it clear he knew what a dickhead he’d been and try and make it up to his wife. Dancing absolutely wasn’t his thing (not unless there were enough pints sloshing around his system that he didn’t care that he looked like he was being electrocuted), but a slow sway with Lucky in the relatively hidden little spot among the kid’s clothes, yeah he could do that. His hand slid from her hip to the small of her back, drawing her close until he could dip his head a little, breathe her in, then nearly choke as she told him Lottie had been ready to marry him.
”You’re kidding, ain’t ya?” If he’d been sipping from his cup then, he would’ve spit it all back up. JJ licked his lips and shook his head, his brows furrowing. ”You’re my wife … it’s different.” Especially since she’d wared him about what would happen if he did run. He looked down at her and shook his head. ”I never thought she’d get so serious about all of that. I chatted her up at Campbell’s and thought she’d realise it was just meant to be one night of fun. She tell you she ran into me at the supermarket after? Never expected to get the bollocking she gave me for ghosting her? I probably should’ve learned me lesson.” It hadn’t pushed him to actually settle down, especially since Lucky didn’t seem in any more of a hurry to make any of this official than he was, but eventually things did drum their way through his thick skull.
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LUCKY CHRISTMAS
Psychic
Posts: 101
Played by:
Julia
Last seen Nov 16, 2024 23:24:26 GMT
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Post by LUCKY CHRISTMAS on Sept 23, 2024 20:43:15 GMT
━ i'm something bad ━
“Nobody said she was smart.” Lucky grinned up at him. At their proximity, she could see all the little lines on his face, ones that would only deepen the longer he kept up the role of ‘Dad.’ He just had to wait ‘til Lucy started dating.
JJ’s story sounded far more likely than Lottie’s. “Was that before or after she wanted to get pregnancy tests together?” Lucky scoffed. It was fun to torture him a little, too. Must’ve been after, though, ‘cause she was still smitten with him then. Meanwhile, Lucky was having a full on crisis about having a baby by the man she hated. “D’you know how awful it was to hear her gush about you?” Lucky grinned wryly, and, because she didn’t want JJ to think she was jealous, she added, “Who knew there were some women who find you charming.” She pecked the edge of his lips━still smiling━as if to ease the burn. Some women apparently didn’t see right through his bullshit like she did. That was why they would last━whatever they had.
Lucky slid her hands onto his shoulders, her fingers slipping up to gently touch the skin on the back of his neck. “She’s always been my little-Big Sister.” This time, her smirk was soft, almost tired. “Kinda stupid, latches onto anyone that shows her attention.” But life was always sunshine and roses for Lottie… until something backfired. She bounced back pretty quick, though. “She got a divorce recently, so she’s extra needy.” JJ just happened to pick up the wrong girl. And, damn, none of the Christmas sisters seemed to have much luck with love.
But of course it was different between Lucky and JJ. She knew who he was, and she didn’t expect anything different. Other women probably tried to change him, and Lucky didn’t want anything more than who he was. A new ‘dad’ for Lucy was just an added bonus.
“Don’t leave her.” She whispered. Lucky knew JJ had already promised, but she felt like she had to say it again. Because he was here, and because of Lottie. And maybe Lucky meant more than just Lucille. “No matter what you do,” She rested her head on his chest, still swaying with him. “Where you go, who you’re with… don’t forget about us.”
JJ HART | wrap soon or w yours? |
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JJ HART
Human
Posts: 59
Played by:
Ange
Last seen Nov 17, 2024 18:04:49 GMT
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Post by JJ HART on Oct 23, 2024 19:57:39 GMT
JJ snorted through his nose, then grinned back down at Lucky. If she was smart she wouldn’t have slept with him in the first place, although Lucky was smart and she still slept with him – after she’d carefully drawn up the rules for staying in her and Lucy’s lives. There was a sharp brain behind the pretty face that was tilted up towards him now, along with protective instincts that would’ve put every bloke in here on their knees to protect her daughter. All kids should’ve had a parent like her, instead of a dad who’d walked away from a family without a second look and a mum who’d let him just walk all over her life.
”Christ.” It was no wonder Lottie hadn’t wanted to hear a word out of his mouth. She’d probably already had china patterns and a spot for the reception figured out, meanwhile he’d been slipping out of her sister’s bed before Lucy woke up. JJ hung his head, wondering for a second what would’ve happened if they’d both ended up pregnant with his kids. That was an episode of Jerry Springer just waiting to happen. ”After,” he muttered. ”Thought she’d brain me with a bag of potatoes for taking the piss.” One corner of his mouth lifted, just the faintest hint of pride in the expression – anything more than that and Lucky’d be the one braining him. ”Mentioned me by name, huh?” And had apparently then extolled all of his virtues to the sister who already knew just what he was like.
The grin was softer now as her mouth found the corner of his, pride warming his chest the same way the belt of alcohol had when he’d knocked his drink back (something finally with a kick). JJ let out a sigh, shaking his head. ”It’s always a surprise,” he agreed. ”And most of ‘em haven’t even seen the best parts of me.” Lucky had. Sat around her kitchen table with Lucy pulled up to his side, conspiring with the kid about who was gonna do the dishes, sat up by the falls, watching the firework display he’d put together for her, with one arm around his wife, and his daughter gabbing nineteen to the dozen about how awesome it was.
Back here, away from the actual dance floor and the clusters of desperate parents, all thoughts of any other woman had melted away. He looked down into Lucky’s velveteen eyes, his hands moving lightly up to the middle of her back, happy to have her close. ”The sort you look out for, cause she might not be able to do it for herself,” he said, understanding. ”She told me about the divorce. Thought I might just’ve been a quick rebound. Shoulda seen she’d try and stick.” Any way it would’ve shaken out, he probably wouldn’t have known that his new bit of fun was related to the one he’d stuck to. Guilt had kicked in before he’d seen her again, practically a knee to the bollocks when Lucky had revealed she knew what he’d been up to, and again after. The pair of them had deserved better than him. Maybe it’d turn out to be third time lucky for Lottie and she’d find herself a decent bloke to settle down with.
He'd have said that wasn’t him, but over the last few months, he’d seen the opportunity to be that sort of bloke – for his daughter at least. Lucky had laid out her expectations, had warned him about the consequences of fucking up when it came to Lucille, and it’d left him wanting to be that better bloke. JJ’s lips pursed together slightly at her whisper before they slid into a soft smile. As she dropped her head to his chest, he lowered his. His mouth found the top of her head, then her temple, the scent of her shampoo soft and sweet, wrapping around him.
”Cross my heart,” he whispered softly. ”I’ll always come back to both of you … if you’ll have me. Can’t promise I’m gonna be perfect, but for the two of you, I’m gonna try.” There’d be apologies when he fucked it up, there was no doubting that, contrition that put him on his knees, and probably more mistakes to come than he’d had hot dinners, but he wasn’t about to be his old man, abandoning his kid cause something new had caught his eye. Lucy was always gonna have her dad and Lucky … he’d be whatever she let her fuck up of a husband be to her.
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