All Chapters of After Hours: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

Chapter Sixty-Five: Johnny – The AskJohnny’s POVHe could rebuild an engine in his sleep. Hell, he could fix just about anything with enough grease and grit. But this? Sitting at the kitchen table, sipping lukewarm coffee while his son smashed plastic monster trucks into the baseboards, trying to find the right words to ask the only girl he’d ever loved on a real date?This was damn near impossible.Johnny sat there, fingers drumming against the ceramic mug, watching Alli move around the kitchen like it hadn’t been five years. She was barefoot, hair thrown up in that messy bun he always liked, and humming softly to herself as she put away cereal boxes like it was the most normal morning in the world.It wasn’t.It was the kind of morning that made a man nervous to blink in case it disappeared.He stared at her for a beat too long, letting it hit him all over again.This is the girl I lost.The girl who left town with half his heart packed in her suitcase and didn’t even know it.Not

Chapter Sixty-Seven: Alli – First Dates and Second ChancesAlli’s POVThe house was too quiet.For the first time in a long time, there were no monster truck sounds, no little feet racing across the hardwood, no endless stream of “Mom, look!” echoing down the hall.John was gone for the night — with Johnny’s mother, of all people.And from the moment she opened the front door and laid eyes on John, her face had lit up like she’d just been handed the world in tiny sneakers and a juice box.“Oh my Lord,” she’d said, her voice breaking. “You look just like your daddy did at that age.”Alli had barely managed to hold it together while explaining the story — the timing, the surprise, the secrecy — all while Johnny stood behind her with his hands jammed deep in his pockets, like he didn’t know what to do with himself.His mother hadn’t been mad.She’d cried. Hugged Alli. Then grabbed her grandson and refused to give him back until the next morning.Which left Alli here.Alone.Staring into

Chapter Sixty-Nine: Johnny – UnleashedJohnny’s POVThe door hadn’t even clicked fully shut before she was on him.Or maybe he was on her.He didn’t know who moved first.Didn’t matter.Alli’s hands tangled in his shirt, her lips crashing into his, and suddenly the whole night — the candles, the wine, the slow smiles and soft laughter — exploded into something animal.This wasn’t their first time.Not anymore.That had been slow and trembling, filled with whispered confessions and reverent touches. That had been about remembering each other.This?This was about devouring each other.He kissed her hard, groaning when she bit his lower lip and tugged. “Fuck,” he growled, gripping her ass and pulling her flush against him. “You trying to ruin me?”She was already gasping against his mouth. “You ruined me a long time ago.”His hand slipped up her thigh, under the hem of that sinful dress she’d worn to dinner, and he hissed when he felt bare skin.“No panties?” he rasped.Her grin was wic

Chapter Seventy-One: Johnny – Stepping UpJohnny’s POVThe morning light was golden across the hardwood floors, and the whole house felt softer than it had in his memories. There was no rush to leave, no kid’s voice shouting from the hallway, no distractions.Just silence, coffee, and the sound of Alli humming in the kitchen.Johnny stood in the doorway, still shirtless, watching her.She was barefoot, wearing an oversized T-shirt that hit mid-thigh, her hair pulled up into one of those messy buns she always claimed to hate but he secretly loved. She looked… peaceful. Like maybe, for the first time since they were both young and stupid, life had slowed down long enough to catch its breath.He cleared his throat. “Need help?”She turned, lifting her mug. “I already helped. You’re drinking the coffee I made, aren’t you?”He smirked and crossed the room, wrapping his arms around her from behind. “Damn. Guess I’m spoiled now.”She leaned back into him. “Little late to play humble.”He nuz

Chapter Seventy-Four: Shadows at the DoorJohnny’s POVThe morning had been perfect.Johnny hadn’t planned on falling asleep next to John, but somewhere between a whispered “don’t leave” and the rise and fall of their breathing, he’d drifted off with his son curled into his chest.When he woke, John was still tangled against him, drooling on his T-shirt, the corners of his lips tugging upward even in sleep. It was the kind of peace Johnny didn’t know he’d been starved for until he tasted it.He slipped out of bed carefully, pulling the blanket over his son’s small frame and brushing hair from his forehead. Alli had mentioned breakfast. Coffee. A slow start.So he crept down the hallway barefoot, just as the scent of bacon kissed the air. His chest warmed before he even saw her.And there she was.In the kitchen, back turned, messy bun barely hanging on, humming low to herself like she had no idea how beautiful she looked in his shirt and her old flannel pajama pants. Domestic. Comfort