Until Series(260)

“I had to come in here, I need some extra money. I’m taking Becky to homecoming.” Jax says, his eyes lighting up and I inwardly growl. I hate that Jax is grown up. I was putting is his laundry away the other day and found a half a box of condoms. Condoms, I didn’t even want to think about him having a penis let alone him using it on anyone.

“Chris asked me to go with him,” Ashlyn says jumping up making Cash’s eyes narrow. I know exactly what’s coming so I sit back on the couch.

“You are not going,” Cash says.

“Good luck with that, sis,” Jax laughs, getting off the couch and leaving the room.

“Dad, if Jax can date, then I should be allowed to date too,” Ashlyn says, her eyes narrowing on her father. I try not to laugh, but it’s funny watching Cash try to come up with an excuse for why his sixteen-year-old son can date, but his sixteen-year-old daughter can’t. His eyes meet mine and narrow. I give him my best ‘I’m innocent’ smile, making his jaw tic. After everything that happened, we agreed to not have any more kids. We both just wanted to enjoy Ashlyn and Jax without adding another baby to the bunch. Besides, everyone had gone baby-crazy, and there were plenty of Mayson children to occupy everyone.

“I have told you before that you’re a girl.”

“I know I’m a girl, Dad, but I really wanted to go to homecoming with Chris. It’s not fair that Jax gets to go and I don’t.”

“You want to help me out here?” He looks at me, and I shake my head no. He mouths the word ‘spanking’ and I tighten my thighs in response. I don’t know how it is for other married couples, but for us, our sex life has only improved with time. He knows exactly how and where to touch me, or what to say to have me craving him all day, so that when we finally connect, I jump him. I think it’s why he does what he does.

“Dad, this is not fair,” she whines, then looks at me. “Mom, tell him that it’s not fair.” She stomps her foot.

“Cash, this is not fair,” I tell him, trying not to smile.

“See, Dad? Mom agrees that it’s not fair.” Cash looks at me over her head, and I know that whatever punishment I get tonight is going to be good.

“Honey, you have to agree that it’s not fair for Jax to go when she can’t,” I tell him honestly. I try not to get involved with things like this, but it’s ridiculous that he lets Jax do whatever he wants, while Ashlyn is supposed to be locked away in her room.

“She is younger than him. They are only the same age for a few months, so I do think it’s fair,” he growls at me, and I hold up my hands.

“I never get to do anything!” she cries, and that is a total crock. She gets her way, just like now. The only thing she has to do is wait it out, and her Dad will crack and agree to let her go.

“I’ll think about it,” Cash says, and just like that, Ashlyn won another round and she knows it. She makes it obvious by throwing herself at Cash.

“You’re the best dad ever!” she cries. He wraps his arms around her, kissing her forehead, and then she’s gone, bouncing to her room.

“You know that your daughter is a fucking handful,” he grumbles, his hand coming down on either side of me.

“She is your daughter too,” I tell him.

“She is all you, baby, so sweet when she needs to be, but a dog with a bone when the time calls for it.”

“I think those are your traits.”

“You know that you’re getting punished for going against me in front of her, right?”

“Cash.”

“No, don’t you Cash me, baby. You earned this shit.” I don’t know why he always says it like a threat, when in reality, it’s a reward and makes me want to be bad and go against him all the time.

“Did you talk to Jax about the condoms?” I ask him.

“I had the bird and the bees talk with him. And I know that you don’t like it, and you still think of him as your baby, but he is growing up; he will be seventeen soon.” I do still think of him as my baby, because he is. Jules has been in jail since she kidnapped Ashlyn. I was afraid at first, but my boy is so strong that he pushed through everything and ended up shining even brighter because of it. Jules is still in jail and has never once tried to contact him or Cash, or if she did, I don’t know about it. Cash nuzzling my neck brings me back to reality.

“Hey, what are you doing?” I try pushing him away. “And what the hell do you mean that he’s all grown up? I still buy his underwear, so until I stop doing that and he starts doing it for himself, he is not grown up.” Cash starts laughing, his whole body shaking mine, and his face goes into my neck. I roll my eyes, running my hands through his hair.