Defensive (10 page)

“I gave her the car she’s been driving. I mean, I actually had her name put on the title. She doesn’t need to drive that junker around. What if she breaks down and she’s in a bad neighborhood?” I didn’t mention that I had paid a guy to make it a junker.

He laughed. “A new car could break down in a bad neighborhood, too. I’m more concerned about her neighborhood than her car.”

“Don’t even get me started on her neighborhood. If I had my way, she’d be living with me.”

He took a drink from his can of Dr. Pepper. “You’re really serious about her, aren’t you?”

“I think I would have married her the night of our first date if she hadn’t still been married,” I said with a big smile.

“What? Still married?” he asked.

“Yeah. We met just before her divorce was finalized. I thought you knew that.”

“I knew that. It was the way you said it. It made it sound like it was before then.”

I got up. “I’m going to get a Dr. Pepper, okay?”

“Help yourself.”

After rifling around in his fridge for a drink, I sat down on the floor next to Eric. “You ready to let me beat you?” I asked.

“You can’t beat me. I beat my friend Cody and my dad every single time.”

“Yeah but they stink. I’m good at this stuff.”

He laughed. “Video game basketball is a lot harder than real basketball.”

I chuckled. “Oh, really? I guess we’ll see about that.”

After staying about three hours with two and half of those being spent playing video games with Eric, I left and drove home. I decided I needed to clear my head and run. I put on some sweats and a hoodie and took off through my neighborhood. My mind automatically went to Vanessa fixing that damn car. I knew this had everything to do with Cynthia and the baby. Vanessa was scared that I’d dump her one day and leave her screwed. What she didn’t understand was that I loved her with all my heart and I’d never leave her like that. I had never believed in soul mates or true love before but she had changed that. After being with her, I knew that I was meant to be with her. That I was put on this earth to be with her.

I was beginning to sound sappy to myself so I put on some Eminem and upped my pace. I focused on my run and the hill in front of me.
One foot in front of the other.
As soon as I reached the top of the hill, I picked up the pace and ran as fast as I could back to my place.

After taking a quick shower, I got dressed and decided I’d surprise Vanessa with dinner and a movie. We had never done the whole typical date thing, except going out for dinner a few times. I strolled up to her door carrying pink flowers. Instead of unlocking it like usual, I knocked. I waited a few minutes so I knocked again, louder. A couple of minutes went by and she finally opened the door. I could tell she had just woken up because one side of her face had red marks from the pillow and her hair was out of place. She looked beautiful.

“Hey, babe. I thought I’d take you out on a real date,” I said as I handed her the flowers and gave her a gentle kiss on the lips.

She gave me a quizzical look as she pulled back, “Thank you, they’re beautiful. Why are you taking me on a date, though?”

“I wanted to surprise you. I realized today that we’ve never done the whole dinner and a movie thing. I’m sure Channing Tatum or Zac Efron have a new movie out you’d like to see.”

She kissed me again. “Aww, babe. You’d sit through a movie while I drool over another guy? So sweet.”

I watched her walk into the kitchen, getting a vase down from the cabinet and filling it with water. She put the flowers in and arranged them until they looked perfect to her. “I’d do pretty much anything for you. Even watch you drool over another guy,” I told her.

She put the vase down on the counter, then walked over to me. “I love you so much, Jackson Berrios. Let me go get dressed.”

“Okay. You’re picking the restaurant, so wear whatever you want.”

“Ohhhhh, let’s go to some diner and eat home cooking.”

“Whatever you want.”

“Fried okra is one of the best things ever invented,” she said as she crammed a piece into her mouth.

I smiled. I loved that she wasn’t shy about eating around me. I hated watching girls pick at their food or always order a salad. “It is really good.”

“This chicken fried steak isn’t bad, either. How’s your catfish?”

“It’s good. How was your day with Amanda?” I asked as she popped another piece of okra in her mouth.

After she swallowed, she answered. “It was fun. We had pedicures and then we went dress shopping.”

“Did you buy anything? I love seeing you wear a dress.”

She laughed. “You wouldn’t have liked me in these dresses.” I gave her a confused look so she went on. “Neither one of us had any money so we played this game that we’ve done since high school. We basically go through and find the most hideous dresses to try on and see who wins.”

“Seriously? That’s what you did?” I asked.

She giggled. “Seriously. What’d you do?”

I took a drink of the best sweet tea I had ever drank. “I played video games with Eric.”

A smile crept across her face. “You hung out with my nephew? That’s so sweet.”

“I hung out with your brother, too.”

“Did he mention Amanda at all?” she asked.

“Not that I can remember. Should he have?” I asked before taking a huge bite of catfish.

“I texted him a picture of her is all. I thought maybe he would’ve said something.”

“He didn’t. Sorry. Although Eric had my attention on the game.”

“You know he really likes you. He thinks you’re amazing.”

“I
am
amazing. You don’t think I’m amazing?” I teased.

“Of course I think you’re amazing. More than amazing.”

I grabbed her hand. “I feel the same way about you. Now eat up because we can’t miss the movie.”

“I can’t believe you fell asleep,” Vanessa said as we drove out of the theater parking lot.

“I’m sorry. I tried, I really did, but romance movies make me tired.”

“I guess it’s okay. I still had a really great time tonight. Only one person asked for your autograph.”

“I’m glad you had fun. Next time I’ll stay awake. I promise,” I said with a wink.

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” she muttered.

I decided not to say anything about her comment and pretended I didn’t hear her. I didn’t want anything to ruin our night. We had both had fun.

As soon as we got inside my house, I stood behind her and wrapped my arms around her, kissing her neck. “You smell amazing.”

“Mmmm. Thanks,” she said as she turned around to face me.

My hands found her ass and squeezed while I crashed our lips together. She moaned as I kissed her. Her hands traveled down my chest, unbuttoning each button as fast as she could. Once she had freed all of the buttons, she yanked my shirt back. I pulled the shirt the rest of the way off, throwing it on the living room floor. As soon as it was off, she pulled my T-shirt up and explored my chest. I loved knowing she was just as attracted to me as I was to her. I pulled her shirt off and my hands quickly unhooked her bra. I kissed her again, with more force as she kissed me back. My hands roamed all over her chest, drawing out small moans and gasps from her.

I let my hands travel down her back and her ass. Then, I grabbed her by the back of her thighs. She gasped as she wrapped her hands around my neck and legs around my back. I had intended to walk us upstairs to the bedroom but I couldn’t wait to have her any longer. I moved us over to the couch, dropping her and letting her hair fan all around her face. She looked incredibly sexy. I lowered myself on her and kissed all the way around her neck from one ear to the other. She let out small moans as I finally nipped at her ear. “You. Are. So. Sexy.”

Afterwards, we picked up our clothes from the living room floor and walked upstairs to the bedroom. We climbed in bed and I was overcome with how right it felt sharing my bed with her.
This should be
our
bed and this house should be
our
home.
“Have you thought any about moving in here?” I asked again as I pulled her closer to me.

“Jackson, let’s not ruin a good night by talking about this.”

I kissed her temple. “Why would that ruin a good night? I was just wondering if you had thought about it recently.”

“I haven’t. And with everything going on in your life, I doubt it would be a good idea.”

I kissed her temple again and then her shoulder. “Vanessa, you are my life. I wish you’d understand that. I’m not going to pressure you though. Just know that when you’re ready, this will be your home.”

She rolled over to face me. “You’re my life, too. I love you so much. I just can’t think about that right now. Just give me some time.”

“No pressure. I’ll give you time.” I said before capturing her lips with mine.

Vanessa

I was in a really good mood the entire afternoon at work. I wasn’t sure why but it seemed like the students were also in a better mood. We spent the afternoon working on math and art. I loved seeing the students’ different drawings and paintings. It was by far the messiest subject but watching the students enjoy themselves and come up with different pictures was fun.

After the bell rang and the students had left, I got busy cleaning up the room. I cleaned the students’ desks with antibacterial wipes and thought of the day Jackson had visited my classroom. I had been so shocked to see him. The memory made me grin so I went over to my desk, grabbed my cell phone, and sent him a text.

Me: I miss you. Love you.

I placed my phone back in my purse but as soon as I walked a few feet it buzzed.

Jackson: I miss and love you, too. I’ll call you tonight.

Me: Can’t wait. Good luck.

Jackson: Thanks, babe.

I left the building only to find Shane leaning up against his truck. Great. Just what I needed. I walked slowly to my car, trying to ignore him but he moved toward me. I stopped in front of him. “What are you doing here?”

He put up his hand. “I know what you’re thinking. I’m not here to fight or anything. I’m here to say… sorry.”

I barked out a laugh. “Sorry? You’re here to say sorry?”

He nodded. “Sorry isn’t a good enough word. Look, can we go somewhere and talk? I promise I’m not here to say hurtful things or manipulate you. I just… need to talk to you. Please.”

His eyes were pleading and he looked like the old Shane. The Shane I’d known before I lost the baby. “Okay. Where do you want to go?” I asked.

“Whatever restaurant you want. Just somewhere I can talk to you.”

“I’m only agreeing because I’m really curious. I’m not in the mood to put up with any shit today so I’ll leave at any time.” He nodded. “I’m in the mood for Mexican.”

He looked relieved and smiled. “Thank you. Qdoba? I know you used to like that place.”

“Sounds good to me. They have great queso.” I told him as I stepped toward my door and he moved to open it for me. After I got inside, he closed the door, then strode to his car. I felt so confused. I had no idea why he would want to talk to me.
Maybe he has an STD and needs to tell me.
I shook my head. That was not what I needed and I decided it would be best if I didn’t speculate.