His Big Reveal: An Interracial BWWM Billionaire Romance (BWWM Alpha Males) (12 page)

Jessa squeezed his hand. “What am I going to do about school?”

“You can still go,” he said with a laugh. “I'll help as much as you need me to.”

“Yeah,” she said slowly, “that's the thing. I don't think I really
want
to keep going. It was my parents pushing me to be a lawyer.”

“What do you want to do?”

“Bake! I love everything about it. I might not ever be rich, but I know that's what I'd love doing the rest of my life.”

“Then do it. I think you'd be amazing at it,” Jace said with a grin before he pressed a kiss to her lips.

“Do we really have to tell my parents.”

Jace laughed. “I’m afraid so,” he said. “I’ll be right there next to you.”

Jessa sighed. Jace knew her parents well, they were the type to yell and overreact first, not listen. They wouldn’t be happy. Jacob just might punch Jace. She didn’t want to be the reason that their friendship broke up.

It was a rough week. First, there was the doctor's appointment. Jace stood beside her as the doctor ran a monitor over her belly. The small room was suddenly filled with whooshing. Tears pricked the corners of Jessa’s eyes. They set up another appointment before it was time to head to her parents house.

“Are you ready?” She asked as he drove through the snow.

“Not at all,” he said with a nervous laugh, “but I know we’ll be fine.”

When they reached the sprawling estate, Jessa’s heart was in her throat. The house loomed tall, ominous. Jessa placed a hand on her belly. When they pulled up, Jacob was already jogging down the stairs, a smile on his face.

Jace opened Jessa’s door, helping her out of the car. Right away, Jacob cocked an eyebrow, but didn’t say anything. The two of them made small talk as they walked into the house. Jessa’s parents were in the living room, the tv playing soft, classical music as a fire roared nearby.

“Jessa, honey,” her mom said, pulling her into a hug. “We haven’t seen you in forever.”

Both of her parents were brown haired with wide brown eyes like her and Jacob. Their dad was tall, with a bit of a belly forming lately. While her mom kept her figure, dying the grey out of her hair as soon as it popped up. Both of them were sophisticated, image oriented. Jessa realized that she was freaking herself out.

“Sit down. How have you been Jace?”

“I’ve been okay,” he said. “I-or rather we have something to tell everyone.”

Jessa shook her head quickly making them glance at her. She swallowed hard. She wasn’t ready yet, it was too soon! Jace reached over, took her hand in his. He gave it a tight squeeze.

“We’re pregnant!” He said with a big smile. When no one said anything, he laughed nervously. “Well, Jessa is. I want you all to know that I’m going to take care of her and the baby.”

Jacob was the first to react. His grin turned into a deep laugh. “I get it. Nice prank. We’re getting a little old for that though, right?”

“It’s not a prank,” Jace said.

“Really Jace,” Jessa’s father, Adam chimed in. “Is that why you guys came up? For a game?”

Jace glanced at Jessa. She could see ‘help me out here’ in his eyes. Sighing, Jessa stood up. She unbuttoned her heavy winter coat, letting it slide down to the couch. The shirt she wore underneath fit her form perfectly. She ran a hand over the protruding belly bump.

“Surprise,” she said for lack of better words.

All at once the silence broke. It was like a dam breaking down. Jessa winced as they all began to yell at her. Jace stood up quickly. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, his fingers digging into her skin. She could see the tense set of his jaw.

Jace was protecting her. She glanced at him, her pulse dropping back to normal as she took a deep breath. Jessa closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she smiled.

“Excuse me,” she said calmly. “Hey!” She screamed when no one paid her any attention. When they stared at her in surprise, she laughed. “This is happening. I don’t know what else to tell you guys, but it’s happening. We’ve already made that decision,” she said as she took Jace's hand. “And we’re happy with it.”

“Happy?” Her mom scoffed. “Do you think this is a game? What are you going to do about school?”

“I’m quitting,” Jessa grinned. “I never wanted to be a lawyer. I want to bake, to open my own bakery. That’s what I’m going to do.”

Jessa’s father shook his head. “This is foolish. You two can’t be serious.”

“You’re supposed to be my best friend,” Jacob chimed in. “How the hell could you sleep with my sister? This isn’t okay!”

“Look, I love her. Okay? This may not be the best situation, it’s definitely nothing that we planned, but I love her and we’ll both love this baby. Now, I’m not going to stand here and let her be yelled at. We’re going.”

Jace picked up her coat. He helped her into it before he took her hand. Jace gave a small wave before he led her outside. The cold air was almost suffocating as he helped her into the car. Once he was safely inside, he turned on the heat, warming the car up quickly.

As they drove away, Jessa glanced at him. Jace’s eyes were focused, determined. She reached over, ran a hand over his arm. He glanced over at her, trying to keep a small smile on his face.

“Hey,” she said quietly. “It’s going to be okay.”

“I know,” he said before he kissed her hand. “We’ll be fine.”

The apartment was cold when they got back. Jessa pulled the thick blanket out into the living room. Together, they wrapped up on the couch. No matter what Jace said, Jessa could see that he was hurt. She gripped his hand a little tighter.

Still, she thought about the way that he’d stood up for her. It meant a lot to her that Jace would protect her from anyone, without a second thought.. She smiled softly.

They fell asleep together on the couch. By the time Jessa woke up the next morning, Jace was already gone. He’d scribbled a note on the coffee table telling her that he was heading to work. Jessa sighed. She had to drop out of school, then what would she do with her days? She decided to keep the coffee shop job, but that was in the evenings, leaving her hours to herself.

By noon, Jessa was bored. She’d cleaned the entire apartment, rearranged her bookshelves, dusted every inch that she could reach. Sighing, she propped her feet up on the coffee table. After a day of nothing to do, she wondered if she should just enroll back in school.

As soon as the thought crossed her mind, her phone rang. She groaned as she pushed herself up from the couch. Jessa picked up the phone, out of breath.

“Yeah?”

“How does lunch sound?”

Jessa recognized Jacob’s voice right away. Part of her wanted to tell him no, leave her alone. She was close to her brother though and she wanted to make things right more than anything.

“Where at?”

“I’ll pick you up. Be there in thirty minutes.”

Jessa sighed. She was ready for a nap. Instead, she slipped into a pair of jeans, a sweater and her tall boots. As she was slipping into her coat, her phone rang again. She glanced down.

“Yes, Jacob. I’m aware that you’re downstairs.”

She slipped outside, locking the door behind her. Jacob had jogged up to her door, taking her arm as he helped her navigate the snow and ice. Once they were in his sleek, black car, she cleared her throat.

“What’s going on? I was pretty sure you guys wanted nothing to do with me after yesterday.”

Jacob shrugged. “You’re my sister.”

Jessa waited for him to say more, but he didn’t. Jacob simply stared ahead out of the windshield, his eyes focused on the road. She sighed. It seemed like Jacob had plans of his own. Jessa settled back into her seat, enjoying the warmth that permeated her clothes from the seat.

They pulled up in front of a little bistro that Jessa hadn’t visited in quite a while. The inside of the building smelled of warm coffee, fresh desserts and cinnamon. Jacob took a seat with Jessa. They ordered coffee before they sat in silence.
 

“Are you going to tell me what this is about now?” Jessa asked.

“In a minute,” Jacob insisted.

Sighing, Jessa sipped at her steaming hot coffee. She wondered what Jacob wanted. Why were they waiting? A few moments later gave Jessa her answer as Jace came walking through the door. He removed his hat and gloves before he saw them and made his way over.

“What are you doing here?” Jessa asked, returning his quick kiss. “I thought you had to work.”

“Jacob invited me.”

Jacob nodded. “I did. I thought we all needed some time to cool off before we could talk like adults. Look,” he said lacing his fingers together, leaning forward. “I thought you were just playing with Jessa. I didn’t realize that you loved her until you said it. So, I wanted to say sorry. I did put the two of you together.”

Jessa and Jace laughed. “That’s true,” Jessa said.

“It’s okay,” Jace said. “I’m just glad you came around.”

“You’re my best friend. Besides, I’m going to be an uncle. I’m pretty excited. You should name him after me.”

“No!” Jessa cut in, shaking her head. “His name will
not
be Jacob.”

“Fine. Middle name,” Jacob said quickly.

“Deal!” Jace replied.

“You’re both awful,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “What about mom and dad?”

Jacob waved a hand. “They’ll get over it. Do whatever makes you happy, okay?”

Jessa nodded, a smile on her lips. Once she and Jace left the bistro, she was feeling better about the situation. It was enough to make her relax for the first time in weeks. As long as her brother was there for her, that was all that mattered. The rest she would figure out.

When they were home, Jessa shrugged out of her coat. She heard something hit the floor, hard. Bending over, she retrieved the little black box. She popped it open.

“Jace?” Jessa asked, still staring at the ring inside. “What is this?” When she looked up, he was on his knee.

“Will you marry me?”

Jessa’s hand flew to her mouth. She couldn’t speak past the lump that had formed in her throat. Instead, she nodded enthusiastically.

“Yes,” she finally croaked out.

Jace grinned. He slipped the ring onto her finger before he stood up. She leaned into him as he kissed her, a smile still on her lips.

“Jace Cole. A few months ago, I’d say there was no way that he could change. No way that he could grow. Now, I know that’s a lie. He’s the first man I’ve ever really been in love with. We have a child on the way and we’re getting married. I couldn’t ask for anything else.”

Jessa logged off. She beamed as she walked into the living room. Jace wrapped her up in his arms as they sat on the couch together, a hand resting on her belly.

The En
d

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“Come on Kyle, you don’t want to be late.” Nina Jameson waited in the luxury vehicle she used to cart her nephew from school to his many activities. From the moment she’d seen that toothy grin, Nina had been in love with the little boy and he’d been as smitten as her. So much so that today, Kyle was trying out for the Seaside Bay tennis team and Nina was going to watch.

“We’re not gonna be late Aunt Nina. We have plenty of time and you’re a race car driver.” He made fast car noises, complete with extreme turns and tilts before bursting into a fit of giggles.

Nina had to laugh at his words, mostly because they were true…some of the time. She had a lead foot sometimes when battling southern California traffic. “Very funny you little stinker. Buckle up or we’re not going anywhere.” She merged into traffic and watched Kyle as he sat next to her bending and flexing his wrists. “Are you ready for tryouts today?”

He nodded, excited as ever. “Yes! I’m ready to play for a real team this year. And they said we might have a pro to help out, Aunt Nina!”

She smiled at her nephew thinking about how she once dreamed of being a professional tennis player until life had gotten in the way. Now her only tennis time was what she made to watch the Grand Slam events on television and the occasional match with Kyle. Last year for his birthday she took him to the Indian Wells events and he couldn’t stop talking about it for days. “That’s really great kiddo! Maybe it’ll be someone you’ve actually heard of.” She pulled into a parking spot and Kyle hopped out before she’d even cut the engine.

“Come on Aunt Nina! We don’t want to be late,” he giggled as he ran towards the door.

She shook her head at his eagerness. “Go on inside. My old bones will make it in there eventually.”

He laughed even harder, doubling over. “Get those old bones in here so we can sign me up.”

Her gaze narrowed at him. “I’m not sure these old bones are strong enough for consent forms.” She contorted her hands comically.

His young face sobered. “I’m sure they’re plenty strong for a lady your age Aunt Nina.”

She reached the door and gave him a fierce scowl. She couldn’t hold her laughter in any longer and they went inside still laughing. A few minutes later and Nina sat in the stands while her nephew stood at the baseline talking to a delicious male specimen with his back to her.  She shook her head at her thoughts. She was drooling over the man because of golden brown skin and because she couldn’t remember the last male she touched who wasn’t Kyle. And she’d practically forgotten what sex was. She shook off her thoughts and returned her attention back to Kyle and bronzed back muscles winking at her as he explained whatever it was he was explaining to her nephew.
Whew but what a fine piece of eye candy!
She focused her gaze on her waving nephew and returned the wave with a wide smile. Her breath caught in her throat when the man turned around and she found herself locked in a gaze with three time Grand Slam winner and Olympic silver medalist Evan Kindling. Oh, and the man who broke her heart.

Shit.
Seeing him now with his wavy blond hair nearly white from long days under the hot sun and even from a distance she could see that same boyish smile and it took her back. Nine years ago they’d both been in college and on the brink of becoming professional tennis players. They’d met on the rundown tennis courts in town, both there because they were never crowded like the courts on campus. They’d gravitated to one another. Evan was a superb player in need of better conditioning and she was a fantastic athlete who needed to perfect her tennis skills. The hours they put in on the court began a friendship Nina thought would last forever. A friendship that had quickly turned to something more, starting with a kiss until they had fallen in love and become each other’s first in every sense of the word.

The rest of the year was like a dream for Nina, she and Evan were inseparable. They studied together, practiced together and spent nearly every waking moment together. Until one day he’d left in the middle of the night with nothing but a note telling her he’d joined the pro circuit and
hopefully we’ll be together soon.
That was the last she’d seen of him.

Until this moment.

~

Evan couldn’t believe it. What had promised to be a fairly uneventful day of adolescent tennis tryouts quickly turned into something far more interesting. Nina Jameson in the flesh, and looking way better than he’d ever imagined. His gaze stayed glued to hers as the little boy with the sandy brown curls chattered on about his last win at Wimbledon. It was like time had stood still for Nina, her cocoa brown skin was still flawless and luminescent. Her honey brown eyes and full lips catapulted him back to their first kiss when they’d been clumsy and inexperienced, all lips and teeth with arms either hanging limply at their sides or grasping too tight and too hard.

He watched her eyes move past him to her nephew. The kid, Kyle, said she’d brought him to tryouts and was there to cheer him on. He smiled, that was so like the sweet Nina he’d remembered. She was always willing to help out anyone in need and he was glad to see life hadn’t changed her that much.

Formal tryouts were over and the kids were changing in the locker rooms, so Evan used the opportunity to get up close and personal with Nina Jameson.
His
Nina. “Nina Jameson,” he flashed the smile he’d perfected for the cameras years ago. It made women weak in the knees from here to Qatar.

“Evan.” Her voice was crisp and cool, taking him off guard.

“You look incredible. How have you been?” He flashed her that smile again and slowly invaded her space.

Nina stepped back, her stare icy. “Fine.”

Okay so it’s like that
. He thought she might be a tad upset about how they,
how he’d
left things. “I’ve missed you Nina. Why don’t you let me take you out once you drop Kyle off?”

She gave him a small blank smile. “No thank you.”

“Come on,” he stepped closer enjoying her attempt to keep her distance, “can’t two old friends catch up?” He wrapped a few of her dark locks around his finger but she quickly stepped out of his grasp.

“We’re not friends Evan, not anymore, so there’s no need to catch up.” She spotted Kyle running towards her. “Bye.”

“Aunt Nina did you see me? Evan,” he looked up at him with wide eyes, “
Evan Kindling
helped me fix my serve. I was hitting a second too late and now I fixed it! You saw didn’t you?” Evan smiled at the kid’s exuberance.

“I did see you kiddo, you were great. I think you added a few miles to your serve too by changing up your toss.” She ran her hand over his wild curves. “You ready to head out?” He nodded and she grabbed his back. “You’re the champ today so I’ll carry your bag. Say goodbye to Mr. Kindling.”

“Bye Evan, thanks for your help!”

“No problem kid, I’m sure I’ll see you when practice begins.”

Evan couldn’t help but smile at the kid’s wide eyed stare. “Really?”

He nodded and looked over at Nina. “So you’ll let me know about dinner?”

“No,” she said at the same time Kyle said, “You’re coming over for dinner?”

“Sure I am!” He was really starting to like this kid.

“No he’s not Kyle. He’s busy,” her look implored him to agree.

“I’m never too busy for my biggest fan and an old friend.” There was no way Evan was giving up the chance to spend an evening with Nina.

“You know Evan, Aunt Nina?” The hero worship of his aunt was on full display.

“No I don’t. We went to school together Kyle, that’s it.”

Evan put his hand on Kyle’s shoulder as they walked out of the club. “I’ll tell you all about it over dinner.”

And that’s how Evan found himself sitting inside a big house on the beach, watching Nina and Kyle working together to get dinner ready. The kid grabbed dishes and silverware while Nina began cutting and chopping vegetables. “Thanks buddy. Now go enjoy some sunshine until dinner’s ready.” She shooed him outside and he begged Evan to follow.

“I’m gonna work on my serve before dinner. Can you tell me what it’s like to play in the Olympics?”

Evan was surprised. Most kids his age wanted to know about winning a grand slam or the big cash prizes. “It was a dream come true, honestly. I didn’t even think about it until the time came and it was…special. I felt like it was a momentous occasion, you know?”

“I don’t but I hope to someday.” He practiced his toss a few times before striking the ball. “Ace! Aunt Nina said you had the best natural talent of any player on the circuit today.”

Evan felt uneasy at the kid’s thoughtful stare. “Yeah well if it wasn’t for your aunt I wouldn’t have the stamina to last a five set match.”

“Really?”

He nodded. “Yep. She was in better shape than I was and she helped me the year before I went pro.” And he’d left her in the dark of night like the coward he was back then. “I owe a lot to her.”

“Then why haven’t we met before? She never talks about you.”

He guessed he deserved that, no matter how much it hurt. “Tennis is an all year sport. The only time I got to see my parents is if I flew them out to wherever I was playing.”

Kyle shrugged, accepting that answer as he tossed and hit a few more balls. “At least you get to see your parents. Mine died when I was two.”

Shit.
That mean’s Nina’s sister was dead. “Shit I’m sorry kid. I mean shoot, I’m sorry. I met your sister a few times when she came to visit Nina.” She was almost as beautiful as Nina with the same cocoa skin but Alexis had hazel eyes.

“Aunt Nina left school to take care of me. I got to stay here because she said she didn’t want to disrupt my life any more than necessary.” He said it so matter of fact that it nearly broke Evan’s heart. He didn’t spend much time around kids but he thought Kyle was more mature than your average sixth grader. “She’s the best even if she does get really sad sometimes. Are you going to hurt her?”

“Uh, I don’t plan to, no.” Evan was being grilled by a twelve year old about his intentions toward a woman. “Your aunt and I used to date and I did hurt her. I’d like to make it up to her.”

“She doesn’t date so you should just say you’re sorry. Nothing else will work.”

“Jeez kid you’re pretty smart. You should be on the radio.”

Kyle smiled. “Aunt Nina says I’m the smartest kid around. She’s biased but she’s right.”

Evan sat on the edge of the court, taking a moment to absorb everything the boy had just revealed. He could understand now why Nina was so cold towards him. He’d left and a few weeks later she lost her only family. For her it was all wrapped up in one mass of grief. He had to apologize before he didn’t anything else if he wanted Nina back.

And he wanted her back more than he wanted anything else.