Imagined Love (35 page)

By the end of the third movie Pierce and Jade were the only ones still awake. Roland and Alejandra were asleep on the floor and everyone else had gone to their rooms. Pierce planted a kiss on the inside of Jade’s hand and wrist, sending chills down her spine! They stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity.

“What are you thinking?” she asked.

“Honestly? I wish we . . .” All of a sudden Pierce grabbed a pillow from the couch and threw it at Alejandra. She smiled, making it clear she was awake as he obviously suspected. “I knew her nosey butt was laying there listening,” he laughed then hit her with another pillow. “Go to bed.”

“Whatever,” Alejandra said, as she shook Roland awake and grabbed her pillow and blanket. “I don’t know why y’all won’t just do it and get it over with. We all know you gone be together so what’s the hold up? Hell, it’s Christmastime, the season of giving. So give it up, Chicka. Juan ain’t going nowhere.”

Jade was about to go upstairs to the room Luisa had made up for her when Pierce pulled her back down on the couch. His sister’s words stuck with him.

“So is that what this is about? You think I’m gonna hit it and run?” he frowned. “You really think I’d make love to you then end our relationship?”

“I don’t wanna think that, but it’s not like it hasn’t happened to me before,” she admitted. “People pretend to be interested and act like they can’t live without me and then once they’ve had enough, they leave.” Tears sprang to Jade’s eyes.

“Tell me what you need me to do to reassure you I’m not going anywhere. I love you, Jade, and I want you in my life forever.”

At that moment Jade realized how upset she was Pierce hadn’t proposed. And she knew it was ridiculous. Up until a few hours ago he hadn’t even said he loved her so it was crazy to expect him to ask for her hand in marriage. Idiot, Jade thought as she looked down at the fresh manicure she’d gotten to make sure her hands looked pretty for her new ring.

“I don’t know,” Jade said. If Pierce wasn’t thinking about marrying her she sure as hell wasn’t going to try to force him. And she wasn’t going to be sleeping with him either. “I’ll see you in the morning, okay? Goodnight.”

Pierce watched Jade walk away wondering what had just happened.

The next morning Pierce’s sisters and their husbands left at the crack of dawn to do after-Christmas shopping. They invited Jade to go along but she declined. Being in huge crowds of people fighting over electronics and other sale items wasn’t her idea of a good time. Instead, she decided to cook breakfast for everyone left in the house. Jade was in the kitchen getting everything prepped when someone knocked on the door.

Twenty minutes later, after he’d showered and dressed Pierce came downstairs and was shocked by what he saw. Jade and Tina were sipping coffee and talking like the best of friends! Pierce was dumbfounded. After everything he’d told Jade about Tina he didn’t understand why she was being so friendly and hospitable. Yet, he knew enough not to interfere. Miguel and Luisa were just as shocked but they decided to follow Jade’s lead and give Tina a chance.

From the conversation the two women were having it was quite clear Tina had changed a lot. She was going to AA, working, and trying her hardest to be a better mom to Dane. And as far as not switching her weekend so he could attend the wedding, it wasn’t as sinister as Pierce thought. Tina had scrimped and scraped to purchase two plane tickets to take Dane to Disneyland. She had gotten discount tickets to the park but they were only valid for that weekend. She sincerely tried to change the tickets and the flight but couldn’t do so without incurring a bunch of ridiculous fees. Being able to do something special for Dane was important to her and Tina was hurt that Pierce wouldn’t even listen or let her explain.

Over breakfast Jade told Tina a lot about herself. She felt the woman had a right to know who was spending time with her son. Jade’s hope was that Tina would see how much she truly loved Dane and trust her to take care of him. Most important was being sure she knew Jade wasn’t trying to replace her. Tina would always be his mom and no one could or wanted to take that away from her.

Pierce was still in shock and couldn’t believe he and Tina were actually talking and having a meal together. It was nice, though, and he genuinely enjoyed getting to know a different side of her. And he fell even more in love with Jade for making it happen.

“Now that’s a good woman there, boy. You hold on tight to her, you hear?” Miguel said when Jade took Tina to the living room. “I hope she gone be my daughter-in-law one day soon,” he smiled.

Miguel, a tattooed Mexican with a big heart, was a man of few words. So when he spoke it was always to the point and something he really meant. He was already convinced Jade was the one for his stepson, but watching her bring peace between Pierce and Tina impressed him tremendously. Miguel respected her for

thinking more about what was best for Dane than what was convenient for her. There was no doubt in his mind Jade was good for Pierce and would only enhance his and Dane’s life.

Pierce watched in amazement as Dane gave his mother a present. He had never taken him to get anything for Tina and was blown away that Jade had. He was close to tears witnessing the love and tenderness between his woman and his son. And when his sisters and brothers-in-law returned, Pierce choked up a bit when they commented on how wonderful Jade was for doing what she’d done.

A few hours later Dane was called downstairs to say goodbye to his mom before Jade and Pierce walked her outside.

“Thank you so much, Jade,” Tina cried, hugging her tight. “You just don’t know how much this means to me. I appreciate everything you did. Truly I do.”

“You’re welcome. And feel free to call me anytime, okay?”

Jade hugged Tina one last time and gently stroked Pierce’s arm before going back inside. She was greeted by hugs and praise as his family was touched by what she had done. Everyone but Diana, of course.

“Uh oh, looks like you might have a little competition, Jade. Tina’s looking good and we already know she’ll sleep with Juan,” Diana said of the pretty, petite light-skinned Black woman.

“Why don’t you shut the hell up?” Eva snapped. “Jade, ignore this fool. She always got something stupid to say! We all know you’ll be a Jamison soon.”

The rest of them agreed and tried to reassure her. If only they knew how desperate Jade was to hear Pierce say it.

“Wow. Look at us,” Tina said.

“I know, huh? Who knew we could act like adults. It was nice, though. I feel like I actually got to know you today. About six years later than I should have.”

“Well, you know what they say . . . better late than never, right?” They both were silent for a few moments. “I’m really sorry, Pierce,” Tina cried. “All I can tell you is that I was messed up for a lot of years. I started drinking and getting high at a very young age just to escape the hell I was living in. But it only made me more angry and mean. I screwed up everything I touched, but at the time I didn’t care. I just wanted everybody to be as miserable as I was and I went out of my way to make them that way, including you. I know I put you through hell and I hope one day you’ll forgive me. You’re a good man, Pierce, and an incredible father. Dane would be a mess right now if it weren’t for you and I thank you for loving him so much. I don’t blame you for how you feel towards me. I wasn’t exactly a good girl,” she laughed nervously.

“But I really am trying to turn my life around, Pierce. I got away from my mom because she didn’t support the changes I was making. When I moved out she went back to San Diego and we haven’t talked for about a year because she hates

the new me. But I found a good church, joined AA, made some positive friends, and even found a nice guy who loves me. I just want the chance to be a better mom to Dane. And I’m not coming to take him away or anything like that. During this process I’ve gotten to know myself and I can be honest and admit I’m not exactly mom material. I love our little boy but I’m not best for him. You and Jade and your families are. So I hope you plan on marrying that woman because she’s awesome. And she truly loves you and Dane. I can totally see you as a family and I think it’s wonderful. I’m glad you’re happy, Pierce. You deserve it.”

Pierce tried hard to hold back tears the whole time Tina talked but her words touched him and he let them fall. She’d made him cry plenty of times before but never had they been happy tears.

“I’m sorry too, Tina, and I hope you can forgive me as well. I used to think I was justified in how I treated you but I learned today I wasn’t. I’ve been mean and disrespectful and I’m truly sorry. I hope now we can be friends as well as parents. Dane does need you, like Jade tried to tell me. And I don’t know how you wanna do things as far as when or how often you see him but I promise we’ll work it out, okay?” Pierce said then he hugged Tina for the first time since they’d met. “I’m proud of you,” he admitted, holding her as she dissolved into tears.

“Thank you. That means a lot to me,” she said, squeezing his hand. “I’ll see y’all soon, okay?” Then Tina got into her car and drove off.

Pierce bolted into the house in search of his woman. When he found Jade in the den he caressed her face then kissed her passionately. “I love you so much and I’ll never let you go. You’re the love of my life and I’ll spend every day proving to you I’m here for eternity. I’m never letting you go,” he whispered before kissing her again.

“Get a damn room,” Alejandra said then left the lovebirds alone.

On New Year’s Day Pierce and Jade decided to join Jamel and Tamara at the stepper’s show. Landon and Gabrielle went as well as Roland, Alejandra and Pierce’s best friends Marcus Moala and Anthony Davis. Marcus brought his on again, off again girlfriend Sheila and Tony brought a new woman he was seeing named Trish. Somehow they got on the conversation of embarrassing moments from school and that’s when Jade learned about The Clique. It was a name Pierce, Marcus, and Tony started calling themselves in seventh grade. Some of their meaner classmates called them the half breeds instead because all of them were bi-racial. Each of them had a Black father but Marcus’s mother was Tongan, Tony’s White, and Pierce’s Puerto Rican.

“Those stupid bastards, was just jealous because we got all the girls,” Marcus claimed.

Jade didn’t doubt it. They were definitely a handsome bunch, Pierce being the finest in her opinion. And it was quite clear Marcus still liked getting all the girls. It was Jade’s third time seeing him and the third woman she’d seen with him. At 6’6” and nearly three hundred pounds with tattoos covering his entire torso and arms, Marcus looked menacing. However, he was cute and charming enough to make woman do anything for his attention.

Sheila was fascinated by the fact that Jade was a wedding planner and seemed ready to hire on the spot! The disinterested look on Marcus’s face didn’t deter her from sharing with everyone at the table what her dream wedding would look like. Tamara and Gabrielle cut their eyes at each other a few times wondering if she’d ever shut up. The men were totally rapt in a different conversation about who they thought would make it to the super bowl.

Out of the blue, the DJ called Landon and Jade to the dance floor. He remembered them from their days of entering contest and invited them to show the night’s competitors how it was done.

“Uh oh, we got celebrities in the house,” Pierce smiled, excited for another opportunity to see Jade dance.

The crowd erupted into thunderous cheers as Landon and Jade did their favorite routine to The Big Payback by James Brown. At first Pierce was smiling and clapping along with everyone else. The more he watched, however, the more upset he became. He was painfully aware of Landon’s hands touching her and the looks between them. By the time they got back to the table he was enraged!

“Damn, y’all got down,” Marcus said. “That was smooth!”

“Chicka, you bad girl! I love to watch you dance. Oh and you ain’t too shabby either, Landon,” Alejandra teased.

The rest of the group praised them but Jade was more focused on Pierce and the dramatic change in his attitude. He looked like he was ready to fight someone! After a few more times of him giving her one word answers, Jade asked him to take a walk with her. It was too noisy on the main floor so they went to a small room upstairs where she and Landon used to practice before their performances.

“So are you gonna tell me what’s wrong? You seem really angry with me and I’m wondering what I did or said to make you that way. Hello?” Jade snapped when he didn’t answer.

“Can I ask you a question for your honest answer?”

“Of course you can. But why do you ask like that? When I haven’t I been honest with you?”

“I don’t think you lied about anything but I’m curious as to whether you omitted something.”

“Like?”

Pierce hesitated for a moment before asking his question. “Have you ever slept with Landon?”

“Now here you go! What in the world would make you think something like that? No, I’ve never slept with Landon!”

Suddenly Pierce felt like the world’s biggest jerk. “I’m sorry, Jade. It was just something about watching him dance with you that got under my skin. He seemed so aware of your body and movement. It was intimate and sensual and it really pissed me off to see another man so in sync with my woman. I hated it.”

“That’s a new one. A sensual step,” Jade chuckled then quickly stopped. Pierce obviously didn’t find the situation amusing. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to make fun of you. It’s just hard for me to even picture Landon that way. I feel the same way you would if I’d asked you that about Alejandra! I know my mother didn’t give birth to him but she might as well have for the way I feel towards him.” Jade took his face in her hands to make him look at her. “I told you everything about my relationship with Landon and I didn’t leave out any details. Aside from the way a sister hugs her brother there has never been anything physical between us. We never came close or even considered it. No drunken moments or regretted kisses. He’s always been my brother. Besides, I would never have you around someone I’d slept with and not tell you. That would be foul. So are we cool?”

“Yeah, we’re cool. Sorry I’m in here throwing a hissy fit like a little bitch! I don’t know what the hell is wrong with me.”

“Maybe you just crazy,” Jade laughed, nudging his arm.

“Crazy for you,” Pierce said, giving her that sly grin.

“Aw, that’s so corny.”

“Yeah, but you still love me, don’t you?”

“I guess, even though you in here acting nuts. But you kind of cute so I think I’ll keep you,” she smiled then planted kisses on his face. She hugged him and then they left to rejoin the group and enjoy the start of 1996.

Super Bowl XXX was January 28th and Pierce and Jade were attending a party at one of his friend’s home. Marcus had planned to host it but one of their buddies named Terrence had just bought a new house and wanted everyone to come there. Jade was really excited about going. She loved being a couple and feeling included in Pierce’s world. He loved it too.

“You can wear one of my jerseys if you want or just put on something black and gold.” Pierce said.

“And why would I be doing that? I’ve got my own jersey and it’s blue and white, baby!”

“What!” Pierce yelled, jumping up from Jade’s couch. “I know you not sitting here saying you’re a Cowboys fan! Please tell me that’s not what you’re

saying because I’d hate to have to break up with you. But that’s exactly what’s gonna happen if you don’t get your mind right. What’s wrong with you, girl?”

“Not a thing, boo! Hold on a second,” she said then left the room. “Bam!” Jade shouted when she returned proudly wearing her number twenty-two jersey. “Emmitt Smith, baby!”

“Oh hell no! Take that crap off! See, I knew you were too good to be true,” Pierce laughed. “Now I gotta dump you. Ain’t no way I’m marrying a Cowboys fan! I’m sorry but no.”

Jade tried not to read too much into his marrying comment but she couldn’t seem to stop thinking about it. Eventually she wrote it off as a slip of the tongue. They were joking around with each other and that was merely part of his joke.

Pierce and Jade were still talking smack to each other as they walked up to Terrence’s front door. He introduced them then they went inside to greet everyone. Marcus was there with yet another girl as well as Tony and Trish. After all the introductions were made Terrence announced it was time to eat and they all headed for the kitchen.